The 'Shroom:Issue IX/Upcoming Games

Upcoming Games

Going in alphabetical order this time!

''Donkey Kong Wii
Donkey Kong Wii, truly a sight to behold, being the first Donkey Kong Adventure game since Donkey Kong 64.

That said, we have no real information on the game… STILL! Sorry, but I have to skip out on this one for another issue. Hopefully, we’ll get some more info for a later issue. No release dates yet. Sorry people.

''Dr. Mario & Bacterial Eradication
Dr. Mario & Bacterial Eradication is coming out for the new Wii channel, the WiiWare. Although, it is only a remake of Dr. Mario, it has some slight changes to it. It has better graphics, new added features, and the addition of the Mii as a playable character (with Dr. Mario being replaced by the Mii). It is compatible with Wi-Fi Connection, and can have up to four players playing at once. Not much else is known about this game, so I’m gonna end here. Like Donkey Kong Wii, this game has no release dates yet.

''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, my most anticipated game currently, will come out for both the Wii and Nintendo DS, and will use both the consoles functions, so you can expect some awesome gameplay out of both of them. Fans were surprised to see Nintendo and Sega working together on a game featuring Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. However, people have mixed feelings about this game, wondering whether it will be enjoyable, like many of Mario’s sports titles, or if it will be crummy, like many of Sonic’s recent games. I, personally, think the game will be awesome. It will have a wide range of activities, each with its own controls, and will allow players to choose among several Mario and Sonic characters. Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Tails, Yoshi, Knuckles, Peach, Amy Rose, Bowser, Dr. Eggman, Wario, Shadow, Daisy, Blaze the Cat, Waluigi and Vector have been confirmed to be playable. There are four character types; All-Around, Skill, Speed and Power, with four characters in each category. Each character in the categories have varying statistics, however. Characters who didn’t make it as a playable character will still appear, in the form of referees. They watch over the game, keep score, enforce the rules, and shout out who won the game.

Oh, and, I almost forgot! Mii will be playable as well. Yeah, how unusual is THAT? We don’t know his character type at this moment, however.

The game will be released on November 6th, 2007 in America, November 22nd for both Australia and Japan, with a European release just one day after that. Not too far away, Mario and Sonic fans, be prepared!

''Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii is aptly named, as it is a Mario Kart for the Wii. Seems to be a good game, but, as we don’t have TOO much info on it (compared to other games), I really can’t say. Its console predecessor, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, was very enjoyable, and had some awesome new features. Two players in one Kart was very fun, and the wide range of playable characters made it very enjoyable as well. I can only assume this game will have better gameplay and more characters. My reason for believing that, is because the game will use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk’s controls, and will feature over 12 racers in one race, meaning more players to choose from. Being bundled with the game, will be the Wii Wheel, Nintendo’s answer to the wheel for the Playstation (I forget what it was called). We don’t know how the controls of the Wii Wheel work, however, but we’ll find out soon… hopefully. Several new race courses will be included in the game, as well as old ones from previous Mario Kart games, similar to what Mario Party DS did. Players can do special tricks as well, and will now have actual cars (not Karts) that match the characters personalities. Motorbikes can be used as well, as confirmed by Nintendo.

The game will be released early next year for American and Japan, and then later on in the year for Australia and Europe.

''Mario Party DS
Mario Party DS, the second Mario Party game released this year. Well, like Mario Party 8 to the Wii, Mario Party DS will use the Nintendo DS’s functions completely, using the Touch Screen, Dual Screen and the DS Microphone. This makes for some awesome gameplay Basically, Bowser, using his wand, shrinks Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Daisy, Wario, Waluigi and Toad, and now, the group have to traverse boards filled with giant allies and enemies. Their goal is to defeat Bowser and get back to normal size. Although, I was hoping for more playable characters, the massive amount of Mini-games probably limited the amount of playable characters. Story Mode, Party Mode and Mini-Game Mode return from the previous games, with an additional three modes; Puzzle Mode, Extra Mode and Gallery Mode. I don’t want to go TOO in-depth over those modes, however, so check the the article for more information. Interestingly, there will be Boss Battles in the Story Mode, with each of the five Boards having a unique boss.

Mario Party DS’s Japanese release is not too far away, with the game coming out on November 8th. American gets the game on November 13th, with Europe’s release on November 23rd. We Aussies don’t get it til’ December 6th.

''Super Mario Stadium Baseball
Super Mario Stadium Baseball is the Wii successor to Mario Superstar Baseball. Although I don’t usually play Superstar Baseball, I enjoy watching my brother play the game. As such, I am REALLY looking forward to the Wii instalment of Mario Baseball.

Although information is still scarce, currently, the game is known to use the Wii Remote controls perfectly. Although this game has a large amount of confirmed characters, none are new at this moment. In fact, I can’t think of any new captains. Considering Namco Bandai are making the game, maybe Pacman will be a new character? Hopefully not. Anyway, Power Shots have been confirmed to be returning, but, now every captain has a unique Power Shot, in oppose to Mario Superstar Baseball. However, as we don’t have too much detail on the game at this moment, I cannot say very much after that.

Either way, the game will be released next year sometime, so don’t get TOO excited.

''Super Smash Bros. Brawl
OK, this will be my longest section, so be prepared. Also, I did NOT put this at the end on purpose! It happens to be last, alphabetically. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the third instalment of the Super Smash Bros. series, and it is coming out on the Wii. However, as Masahiro Sakurai didn’t want to exclude those used to the GameCube controls, Brawl has four different control types, so rest easy, GameCube players! Additionally, a new story mode, called the Subspace Emissary. This is an actual story mode, unlike the previous Smash Bros. game modes. It features the Subspace Army attempting to destroy the world of Smash. The hero characters of several Nintendo series have to try and stop them. It is actually playable with two players, as well! Even though it may be one of the few single-player modes in the game, it still has slight multi-player features. Another interesting feature, is the Stage Builder, which allows you to actually make your very own stage for yourself! Wi-Fi Connection allows you to share your stages with other people around the world. That way, the stages NEVER get boring. Oh, I almost forgot to say, Brawl is compatible with Wi-Fi Connection. You can play With Friends or With Anyone. However, you can ONLY record battle records on the With Friends mode, which requires you to register another persons Friend Code. Special Brawl allows you to make your own set battles, with you being able to customize the battle before it starts. Classic Mode returns from the previous game, with the same gameplay as before. It does, however, have a set stage system, that hints that each series will have MORE than just two stages. Tournament mode returns as well, being completely compatible with Wi-Fi. Although, it is still basically the same as in Melee, however. The Home-Run Contest and the Target Smash return as well, with slightly new features (check the articles for in-depth info). Trophies return in the game as collectible items, as well as a new collectible item, the Sticker. Oh, and how can I forget, the most important part about Super Smash Bros. A standard mode that allows you to just fight as much as you want is still in the game. So, if you just want to unwind with some normal fights, just Brawl it out in VS mode. Now, for some non-gameplay junk. At this current moment, 22 characters have been confirmed, not including Zero Suit Samus, Squirtle, Ivysaur or Charizard. They 22 characters are: Mario, Link, Kirby, Pikachu, Samus, Fox, Zelda, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Peach, Ice Climbers, Pit, Wario, Meta Knight, Snake, Ike, Pokémon Trainer, Diddy Kong, Lucas, Sonic and King Dedede. That’s a big list! Brawl is also introducing 3rd Party characters into Super Smash Bros., with about two being confirmed. Snake and Sonic are the two confirmed 3rd Party characters. However, Sakurai has hinted that he may be including a third 3rd Party character. If there is, who could it be? The Assist Trophy debuts characters that couldn’t make it as playable characters. When a character is released from the Assist Trophy they, hence the name, assist the player. There are several stages confirmed as well, but I really shouldn’t be listing them all. New items, as well as old returning ones, are an important part of this game, as they can help inflict heavy damage on the opponent.

Japan will be getting the game on January 24th, 2008. Originally slated for a December 3rd release for America, it has now been pushed back to February 10, 2008. Sorry about that, yanks, but I have to wait WAY longer. We and Europe don’t even have a release date yet! Well, I at least have something to look forward to.

Other Games
Super Mario Galaxy was released just yesterday in Japan for the Wii. Glad you guys get to enjoy the game of a lifetime. However, this space game has not yet been released in America, Australia or Europe. America will get this game on November 12th, while Europe and Australia earn this game on November 16th and November 29th, respectively. For in-depth info about this Japan-released game, check the actual article.

DK Jungle Climber has been released in all the major Countries, except for Australia. Why are WE always left out!? Either way, this game is the Nintendo DS sequel to DK: King of Swing, and features pre-rendered sprites, just like Donkey Kong Country (although, these sprites are a lot more detailed than DKC). The game will be released in Australia on November 15th. Not TOO far away, I’m sure most Aussie Donkey Kong fans can wait. Check the article to see detailed information.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast has already been released in Japan and America, but, Europe and Australia are still left in the dust! We don’t even have any release dates yet! This Wii racing game is, apparently, set for release next year in both Australia and Europe. I hope it comes in soon, cos’ racing games are really fun. Like the last two, visit the article if you want real details about this game.