European and Australian Pokémon players can finish up collecting the shiny beast trio starting today! The Wi-Fi distribution continues today with the download of the “Aurora Pokémon,” a shiny Suicune. You can download Suicune to your copy of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and/or SoulSilver over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection through Sunday, February 27th.

Next month, you can transfer the entire shiny beast trio into Pokémon Black & White to unlock the ability to encounter the Illusion Fox Pokémon known as Zoroark.

Pokémon | HeartGold & SoulSilver
via Pokémon Secure

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With the fifth generation of Pokémon RPGs looming overhead, it’s time to prepare your existing collection of Pokémon for transfer into the new games. Europe’s (and Australia’s) distribution of the shiny beast trio (as featured in the new movie) continues today with the Wi-Fi distribution of the “Volcano Pokémon,” a shiny Entei. You can use your copies of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and/or SoulSilver to download the specially-colored Entei over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection through Sunday, February 20th.

The beast trio distribution concludes next week with shiny Suicune. Next month, you can transfer them all into Pokémon Black & White to unlock the ability to encounter the Illusion Fox Pokémon known as Zoroark.

Pokémon | HeartGold & SoulSilver
via Pokémon Secure

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Those in Amsterdam have the luxury of being close to the home of Mediamatic, an art society interested in new media and technology. A new Arcade exhibit is being hosted at the Mediamatic Bank through March 27th, and the newest collection features vintage arcade cabinets in working order. The other levels, focusing on different times of gaming history, are already open or will open soon.

To celebrate the newest Mediamatic level opening, a ton of retro-themed cupcakes were made by Zoe Elizabeth Gottehrer. You can check out some of Zoe’s creations in the photo after the break, with a few more photos found on her Flickr page.

Mediamatic
Zoe’s Flickr

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As part of Nintendo’s ongoing 25th anniversary celebration of Super Mario Bros., it appears European gamers are getting a special red Wii bundle. Unlike Japan’s previously announced red Wii, this new set will include a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a copy of Wii Sports, and will come preinstalled with the original Donkey Kong.

Seems to defeat the purpose of celebrating Mario’s 25 years by not including the special 25th anniversary edition of Super Mario Bros. like the Japanese red Wii, but it’s still a great offering for those who somehow haven’t picked up a Wii yet.

As for North American gamers? We get nothing.

GoNintendo

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Excited for Sonic Colors my European and Aussie friends? Oh, I’m sorry for the typo. Let me try again. Excited for Sonic Colours my European and Aussie friends? Then you may be interested in this newly revealed special edition for the Wii version.

Sega is readying this unique bundle, which includes the game along with a Sonic the Hedgehog action figure. You’ll also get three different Wisp characters, the friendly alien beings that give Sonic special power-up abilities throughout his adventure. Aside from Sonic’s creepy jointed arms, who doesn’t love a few toys to play with in the bath tub when you’re not playing the video game. That way the adventure always continues!

No word on if we’ll see this bundle here in the States, but my tub is hoping.

SonicStadium

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Think you’ll have trouble with Super Mario Galaxy 2? Confused about how to use Yoshi or the various Luma? Live in Europe?

Luckily, Nintendo of Europe has revealed that they, like Nintendo Japan, will be releasing Super Mario Galaxy 2 with an additional instructional DVD for all the beginners out there who need just a little bit of help understanding how to play the game. I guess we can compare this to a digital game manual or basic strategy guide, but unlike Ubisoft’s green initiative, the DVD content isn’t viewable in-game, per se. In fact, it’s not even viewable in-Wii!

It’s unknown whether or not this will be available in North America and Australia just yet, so for now we can all just act like we’re Mario experts and don’t need an instructional DVD… even though we want it for our collection…

Vooks

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Nintendo UK has announced their second quarter (April through June) release schedule. It was already announced that Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies would be coming May 7th, No More Heroes 2 on May 22nd, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on June 11th. There are several new revelations in the lists for both of Nintendo’s platforms, but it seems that Metroid: Other M will miss the second quarter window, hopefully arriving shortly after in July or August.

You can read both lists after the break. Get excited, because Sonny With a Chance is headed for the DS is less than a month!

Wii

NewU Fitness First Mind Body Yoga & Pilates Workout (Black Bean Games) – 02-April
Monster Hunter Tri (Capcom) – 23 April
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (EA Sports) – 29 April
Circus Party (505 Games Ltd) – 30-April
Iron Man 2 (SEGA) – TBC April
Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies (Nintendo) – 07-May
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Ubisoft) – 13 May
No More Heroes 2 (Rising Star Games) – 28 May
Samurai Warriors 3 (Nintendo) 28 May
B-Unts-Build It! (505 Games Ltd) – 28 May
Shrek Forever After (Activision) TBC May
All Star Karate (THQ) – TBC May
Repetto presents Ballerina (Deep Silver) – TBC May
Tournament of Legends (SEGA) – TBC May
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo) – 11 June
Toy Story 3 (Disney Interactive Studios) – 17 Jun
NatGeo Quiz! Wild Life (Black Bean Games) – TBC June
DanceDanceRevolution Hottest Party 3 (Konami) – TBC June
U-Sing Girls Night (Mindscape) – TBC June
Vacation Isle: Beach Party (Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment) – TBC June
Top Model Academy (SevenGames) – TBC Q2
The Crown of Midas (SevenGames) – TBC Q2

Nintendo DS

Runaway: A Twist Of Fate (Focus Home Interactive) – 15 April
Diva Girls: Diva Ballerina (505 Games Ltd) – 23 April
Mind, Body & Soul: Spellbound 2 (505 Games Ltd) – 23 April
Emergency Rescue (505 Games Ltd) – 23 April
Mind, Body & Soul: Blend It! (505 Games Ltd) – 23 April
WarioWare: Do It Yourself (Nintendo) – 30 April
Iron Man 2 (SEGA) – TBC April
Sonny With a Chance (Disney Interactive Studios) – 07 May
Petz Fantasy (Ubisoft) – 12 May
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Ubisoft) – 13 May
Galactic Taz Ball (Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment) – 14 May
Jam with the Band (Nintendo) – 21 May
B-Unts-Build It! (505 Games Ltd) – 28 May
Shrek Forever After (Activision) – TBC May
Shooting Watch (Hudson) – TBC May
Repetto presents Ballerina (Deep Silver) – TBC May
Sports Island DS (Hudson) – TBC May
Cradle of Egypt (Rising Star Games) – TBC May
Rooms: The Main Building (Nintendo) – 4 June
Club Penguin : Herbert’s Revenge (Disney Interactive Studios) – 17 June
Toy Story 3 (Disney Interactive Studios) – 17 June
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House (Focus Home Interactive) – 24 June
Mega Man Zero Collection (Capcom) – TBC June
Top Model Academy (SevenGames) – TBC Q2
The Crown of Midas (SevenGames) – TBC Q2

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Goichi Suda’s No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle has been critically acclaimed ever since it was released in the States in January. For those of you across the Atlantic, Rising Star Games has confirmed when exactly you’ll be able to get in on the fun. Trvais will finally touchdown in Europe on May 28, 2010!

Rising Star Games

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I actually had some Mario Kart music stuck in my head yesterday, though not from Super Mario Kart… it was the credits music to Mario Kart 64. Hmm… so I guess that’s only sorta relevant. Moving on…

Super Mario Kart headlines the list of Virtual Console releases today in Europe! It’s actually the only VC release – if you want to be picky – though we all know that it’s more than enough to keep you busy. On Nintendo’s other download services, a total of six games are available, including a DS port to the Wii and a Wii port to the DS. Have a look at this week’s offerings!

Virtual Console
Super Mario Kart (SNES, 800 points)

WiiWare
Chronos Twins DX (EnjoyUp Games, 700 points)
Family Mini Golf (Aksys Games, 500 points)

DSiWare
AiRace Tunnel (QubicGames, 200 points)
Oscar in Movieland (Virtual Playground, 800 points)
Puzzle to Go Diddl (Tivola Publishing, 500 points)
Spaceball Revolution (Virtual Toys, 500 points)

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Those of you in the Netherlands and the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium will have to wait a little bit longer for the launch of Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver. Pre-release versions of the game apparently aren’t working as expected, with HeartGold (not SoulSilver) allegedly not being able to access the player’s save file. Both versions will be recalled from stores until a solution is implemented, and both versions will be given a new release date at a later time.

The rest of Europe, including the French-speaking part of Belgium will still receive the game today as originally planned. Thanks to Jirachii for the heads up!

Nintendo – Netherlands

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Another healthy week for PAL Wii and DS owners looking to download some new game offerings today, March 26, 2010. In celebration of the final week of the Hanabi Festival, Ogre Battle 64 makes its way onto the Virtual Console (with a beefed up import price) despite never making it to a PAL release back in the cartridge days. If you’re looking for another classic game to play this week but with a little more fighting and speed, Fatal Fury Special is available as well.

There’s a slew of WiiWare and DSiWare releases as well, which you can read below. Note, however, that Art of Balance isn’t available to those of you in Australia – just Europe. Sorry!

Virtual Console
Fatal Fury Special (NeoGeo, 900 Points)
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (Nintendo 64, 1200 Points)

WiiWare
Art of Balance (Shin-en Multimedia, 800 Points) ***Europe Only***
Diner Dash (Hudson, 1000 Points)

DSiWare
Game & Watch Mario’s Cement Factory (Nintendo, 200 Points)
Game & Watch Judge (Nintendo, 200 Points)
Game & Watch Chef (Nintendo, 200 Points)
Gangstar 2 Kings of L.A. (Gameloft, 500 Points)
Super Yum Yum: Puzzle Adventures (Mastertronic, 800 Points)

Vooks

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Guitar Hero 5 launched in Europe last week, bringing with it the promise of ‘Jump In, Jump Out’ parties across the continent. These gatherings, named after the new Party Play mode that allows players to “jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly,” were held in an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for most participants in a single 24 hour session. Italy sealed the deal with 594 participants. Congratulations, Italy!

In other European Guitar Hero 5 news, the new release started its life at the top of the U.K. charts across all platforms. Congratulations to you too, Guitar Hero 5!

ITALY SETS NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ RECOGNISED ACHIEVEMENT WITH GUITAR HERO® 5

Italy Take the Crown for the European ’Jump In Jump Out’ Challenge

Monday 14th September/… Italy has been announced as ultimate victor of the Guitar Hero 5 ’Jump In Jump Out’ Challenge, cementing a new world record for the largest number of participants to play in a single Guitar Hero session over a 24-hour period. 594 people turned up at the Italian event, to be part of the record-setting activity, celebrating the European release of Guitar Hero 5.

The Italian event took place in the FNAC store in Verona and saw fans from around the country come together to help smash the record over the 24 hour period.

Italy saw off competition from the rest of Europe with simultaneous attempts taking place, from Paris to Stockholm, all vying for the title of Guitar Hero 5 ’Jump In Jump Out’ champion, creating a wave of Guitar Hero fever across the continent. Consumers of all ages jammed out on Guitar Hero 5’s new and unique Party Play Mode, which allows players to jump in or drop out, or switch difficulty level at any time without interrupting the session.

“This new record is an awesome accomplishment and will be a tough one to surpass” commented Gaz Deaves, Video Games Records Manager at Guinness World Records “The sheer scale of participation in the jam session is a true testament to the popularity and accessibility of Guitar Hero.”

“I’m thrilled to see this many fans come together en masse to rock out to Guitar Hero 5.” said Michael Sportouch, Senior Director Guitar Hero Europe. “Achieving this new world record is the perfect celebration for the release of the new installment of Guitar Hero, which promises consumers the ultimate interactive gaming experience.”

GUITAR HERO 5 TOPS WEEKLY UK CHARTS

Title Debuts at #1 Across All Platforms After Only Two Days at Retail

Wednesday 16th September/… Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that the latest installment of the #1 music-based video game franchise, Guitar Hero 5™ has topped the weekly sales charts in the U.K. For the week ending September 12, Guitar Hero 5 debuted in the #1 position in units across all platforms, despite being available at retail for only two days during the reporting period, according to Charttrack.

“Guitar Hero 5 is the best Guitar Hero game yet and this success validates the strength of the franchise,” says Dan Rosensweig, President and CEO of Guitar Hero. “With Guitar Hero 5, we have assembled the best and most varied music line-up to date and added all new features that make Guitar Hero 5 the most innovative and social game in the category. We have long known how great this game is, and it is awesome to see that fans agree with us, especially fans in the U.K.”

Living room legends will rock any way they want to a variety of iconic rock music in Guitar Hero 5. The entire set list is at players’ finger tips from the start, featuring genre-defining hits from some of the biggest rock artists and bands of all time, including The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Vampire Weekend. Players take complete control as Guitar Hero 5 allows gamers to personalise and customise how they experience music by being able to play with any in-game instrument combination — multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, in any game mode. With the game’s all-new Party Play Mode, getting the band back together has never been easier. Players can now jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly, without interrupting their jam session. Elevating the Guitar Hero® series to new heights with unmatched social gameplay, an enhanced style, new in-game artists and more rock legends, Guitar Hero 5 features new surprises and challenges that will fire-up long-time fret board fanatics and create a new generation of addicts.

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Poor Europe. Normally, anything game-related lags on its way towards a European release. This time, Europe gets something well ahead of North America, and it turns out to be the Today and Tomorrow channel for the Wii. You get your fortunes told, check your compatibility with another Mii, and get your words of the day!

…thanks, but I’ll keep holding out for the TV Listings channel, Photo Printing channel, Food Ordering channel, or that On-Demand Movie channel instead.

Check your daily fortune and get hints on relationships, activities and even the types of food that your horoscope recommends with the free Today & Tomorrow Channel, launching on Wii in Europe on 9th September.

Your friends and family can join in the fun, as up to six people can take part by registering their Mii character and date of birth. You will all then receive a detailed daily fortune in five categories: love, work, study, communications and money. The next day’s fortune is displayed every evening, so you can check ahead of time before a big day.

As well as providing your fortune, the Today & Tomorrow Channel can also give you lifestyle tips, including activities that can improve your daily life and suggestions about what to eat, all based on your horoscope. You can even check the compatibility of different Mii characters for the day. Use this feature to see how you will get along with your friends and family – could be useful if you are planning a long car journey!

CVG

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Capcom officially gave Monster Hunter Tri a release window, and the game will be warming up those winter months in early 2010. Maybe it’s just me, but giving  a release time span seems a bit mean. Should I circle two entire months of my calendar? Warn my boss that I usually get really really sick in January… er.. February.. hmm maybe March? Not fair.

Whenever it does land, pending it avoiding a delay, Tri looks to be on par with the quality the series is known for. Players can embark solo, with a friend split screen, or with three friends online, and the large monster filled world is one of the most visually impressive achievements seen on Wii (noted by the screen above). Capcom’s full word after the break.

CAPCOM ANNOUNCES WESTERN RELEASE OF MONSTER HUNTER^TM Tri FOR Wii^TM

Four-Player Online Co-Op, 2-Player Split-Screen and New Underwater Environments Introduced When Japanese Phenomenon Comes To North American and European Markets in 2010

SAN MATEO, Calif. — August 3, 2009 — Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Monster Hunter™ Tri will be released in both North America and Europe for Nintendo’s Wii™ system in early 2010.

Monster Hunter Tri will set a new bar in the action/adventure genre with the introduction of new features and game play elements as the multi-million unit selling franchise makes its debut on the Wii system.

One of the most strikingly beautiful titles ever developed for Wii, Monster Hunter Tri depicts a living, breathing ecosystem where man co-exists with fantastic beasts that roam both the land and the sea. Featuring both online and offline cooperative modes, players can join online hunting parties with up to four players or play with two players on a single TV for select quests. Players also have the option to face Monster Hunter Tri’s challenging quests as a single player experience accompanied by Cha-Cha, an AI hunting partner whose tracking and trapping skills will prove invaluable in the hunt. New items, weapons and armor sets will also be available to assist the hunters as they embark on the most incredible Monster Hunter adventure to date.

“Fans of Nintendo and Monster Hunter are eagerly anticipating the launch of this title in the US, which will be the first time the series is available on a Nintendo home console,” said Steve Singer, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Licensing. “Having Capcom bring Monster Hunter Tri to the Wii console provides tremendous action, fun and entertainment to both veteran players and series newcomers alike.”

Visitors to this month’s GamesCom European gaming convention in Cologne, Germany August 19-23, will be the first to sample a localized version of the title on Capcom’s stand as it makes its English debut for a western audience. GamesCom attendees will have the opportunity to play the same game that took last year’s Tokyo Game Show by storm, with lines that stretched around Capcom’s stand as eager Japanese gamers waited in excess of five hours to play.

This desire to be one of the first to experience Monster Hunter Tri is indicative of the impact the Monster Hunter franchise has made on videogame culture in Japan. With sales of the series totaling well over 10 million units and 3.5 million sales of Monster Hunter Portable™ 2ndG alone, it’s no surprise to find that Monster Hunter has given rise to dedicated “training camps”, country-wide festivals and numerous licensed products. The franchise doesn’t just top the charts in Japan; it’s become a social phenomenon.

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Scribblenauts is coming out in North America some time in September, probably on the 15th. So how long with the UK have to wait? Probably a septillion years, right?

Apparently not. In fact, Scribblenauts will be making it’s European debut on September 25th, as confirmed by Warner Bros.. But wait! There’s more! Germany’s Amazon site is listing the game for release on the same day. That’s pretty cool if it’s true, considering the German version requires a lot more localization than just adding the letter “u” to a bunch of words, and switching “soccer ball” with “football.” There’s no word yet on whether the game is heading to other European countries at the same time.

Destructoid

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