Nintendo is currently touring the country, promoting summer fitness and fun with their Wii Games 2010 tournament. The competition pits teams of 2 to 4 players against rivals in their respective age groups for a chance to win great prizes, including a trip to Los Angeles to compete in a national tournament.

I checked out the Wii Games event held in Virginia this weekend, and it was pretty spectacular. You had players young and old competing for Wii supremacy in games such as Mario Kart Wii, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort. For those not competing, Nintendo has plenty of free-play booths set up for attendees to take part in. Those games included the likes of Just Dance, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom and Super Mario Galaxy 2. And just by playing a few games, you could take home a few cool prizes including 1-up mushroom tins, mascot pins and plush dolls of Mario and friends.

Nintendo also set up a booth for folks to pick up a free custom t-shirt (I even got one too, as you’ll see in the video above). Overall, the event is a ton of fun for anyone who attends. And it’s probably the best free activity you’ll take part in all summer.

If you’re ready to brawl, or just more of a casual player, make sure you check out a Wii Games event in your area. For more information, visit the link below.

WiiGames2010

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Nintendo was mum while rumors swirled, but now the word is out by the company themselves. The popular Wii console is coming to North America in black, bundled with a black Wii MotionPlus, Wii Remote, black Nunchuk, Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. And the price is still $199.99!

“Nintendo leads the way in delivering rich motion-control gaming experiences at an accessible price point,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “By including even more of our top-quality hardware and software in the basic Wii system package, we’re extending that commitment to entertainment and value. Now more than ever, consumers can count on Nintendo to deliver inclusive fun and advanced motion controls at a mass-market price.”

Important to note is that now, Nintendo will make white Wii bundles come standard with MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort, keeping the price the same. More games and more colors bundled with Wii? Looks like we are entering the final years of the Wii console before Nintendo’s next hardware is announced.

Nintendo

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You know that tiny Wii Remote add-on released last summer, bundled with Wii Sports Resort? It was called Wii MotionPlus, and was supposedly created to improve the accuracy of the Wii Remote. For some reason, it seems developers don’t really care about implementing the “little white add-on that could.”

According to Wikipedia, only 22 Wii titles have utilized MotionPlus, and some of those games haven’t even been released yet. So what gives? Over 13 million copies of Wii Sports Resort were purchased by the end of 2009, so the install base is there. And don’t forget the millions of standalone MotionPlus units, plus Wii Remote/ MotionPlus bundles purchased. Nearly a year in, I think we deserve a boat load of stellar MotionPlus offerings.

When playing a game like Red Steel 2, you truly realize just how much the peripheral adds to the experience. Even with simple gestures, or menu controls, you’ll notice an overall smoother experience. There is some hope for the add-on, as upcoming titles like FlingSmash and Swords plan on utilizing MotionPlus to the fullest.

Hopefully in the coming year, more and more developers will start to force MotionPlus functionality on their titles. Gamers will be better off for it.

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We reported earlier this week that a few retail stores, including FYE and Gamestop, had somewhat confirmed the arrival of the black Wii bundle on the NA market, citing a May 9 release date. Now we have further confirmation through the sleuthing efforts of gaming site CVG, who say Wal-Mart revealed a mid-to-late May availability and Fry’s confirmed the $199 price. The bundle is expected to contain the Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Wii MotionPlus, Wii Sports, and Wii Sports Resort.

With more retailers lining up to confirm the black Wii bundle, we should probably expect an announcement from Nintendo soon!

CVG
via GoNintendo

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North American gamers finally got a taste of the rainbow when Nintendo released the Wii Remote in black, blue and red colors. Now, it appears Nintendo plans on releasing their Wii console in black here in the U.S. and Canada.

Gaming site Kotaku got word from tipsters that the new black Wii bundle is set to launch this May. The bundle will also come with Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus, and will still retail for $199, the cost of the standard white Wii console sans Resort and MotionPlus. Previously, the black Wii bundle was made available in Japan.

The bundle is set to launch May 9th in the U.S., and May 23rd in Canada. Nintendo is boasting quite an impressive summer line up of titles. Maybe implementing the black Wii will really make 2010 Nintendo’s best year yet. With Super Mario Galaxy 2, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, Metroid: Other M, and new Zelda Wii this holiday, it’s not unreasonable to imagine.

Kotaku

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For the remainder of this week, you can take advantage of a Wii bundle if you don’t already own the system (or want another). GameStop will be selling the Wii console for the usual $199.99. But wait, there’s more! As an added bonus, however, you’ll get Wii Sports Resort which comes with an included Wii MotionPlus. Normally the game and accessory bundle would run you about $49.99, but you can skip that cost entirely and get it for free if you purchase the system by the end of the week.

GameStop
via Twitter

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With Wii hardware and software sales being down significantly since last year, Nintendo still managed to hit a few home runs. As presumed, Wii Sports Resort sold extremely well.  The title, exclusively bundled with MotionPlus, sold 6.97 million units since its June release date.

The title is one of several million sellers that popped up in recent sales figures from Nintendo, with Wii Sports (not sold as a pack-in title in Japan) selling nearly 4.83 million between April and September. Thankfully, the second in the series of puzzle titles, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box sold 1.26 million units during the same time frame.

Despite being released three years ago, New Super Mario Bros. for the DS sold 1.49 million units. Looks like making a Wii sequel was probably the first of several smart moves in Nintendo’s plan for continued world domination.

GameSpot

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Blaze Europe realizes that those accessories that make your Wiimote look like a bowling ball or tennis racket are flawed. Now, I always thought that the flaw was that they take up space, look absurd, and provide no real benefit to the gamer. Blaze, on the other hand, is under the impression that their flaw is the nasty hard plastic. Solution: the Wii Soft & Safe Sports Pack, a set of “ultra realistic sporting attachments” made of “family safe soft foam materials,” so you can avoid all the trouble of smashing your TV or your best friend’s face. The set of bow, handlebars, frisbee, paddle, and bat are scheduled for release soon, at a price of £15.

Blaze Europe

BLAZE Announce New Soft & Safe Sports Pack for use with Wii Sports Resort and all other sporting titles

Go for gold with these fully Motion Plus compatible, family safe, realistic Wii sports Resort attachments.

Doncaster, UK – 26th October 2009

The invention of Wii Mote controller attachments have made it possible for us to put ourselves in the very heart of the Wii Sports action, making every movement count in the challenge to beat your friends . The problem with these original attachments is the danger of getting too involved in the action, violently swinging away without a care and causing damage to your home or even worse your family!

The BLAZE World First Wii Soft and Safe Sports pack aims to rid the world of these unfortunate mishaps being made of family safe soft foam materials. The fear of smashing up your home is a thing of the past leaving you to enjoy the Wii Sports resort action and give it your all!

The new soft and safe sports pack contains ultra realistic sporting attachments including all you need to go for gold, including a bow, handle bars, frisbee, paddle, and bat which are fully motion plus compatible and usable with Wii Sports Resort and any other Wii Sporting title.

Simply clip your Wii Mote into the sports attachment of your choice and you are instantly transported into the game. Whether you are an archery sharp shooter, top frizbee flinger, rowing legend, table tennis genius or a cycling grand master, the new BLAZE Soft & Safe Sports pack gives you the tools to beat the game and look the part too!

The BLAZE Wii Soft & Safe Sports Pack is coming soon from www.blazeeurope.com and all leading video games stores for a price of £14.99

For more information please visit the link below:

http://www.blazeeurope.com/wii/wii-soft-safe-sports-pack/prod_104.html

Key Features:

• Family safe soft fun Sports Resort™ attachments
• Compatible with Wii Sports Resort™ and all other sports/action titles
• Pack includes: Bow, Handle Bars, Frisbee, Paddle, and Bat!
• Simply clip in your Wii-Mote™ and play!
• Wii Motion Plus™ Compatible

Information about all BLAZE products can be found at www.blazeeurope.com

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Nintendo has announced that a limited edition black Wii, bundled with Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus will come to Europe next month.  The bundle will feature a black console, black controllers and black MotionPlus attachment.

Additionally, the Classic Controller Pro will release, in black as well.

The black Wii bundle will release in the UK and Ireland on November 6th, and throughout Europe on November 20th.

Engadget

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This past weekend, the World Of Nintendo Tour kicked off at Long Beach’s annual Comic Con, marking the start of another hands-on promotional tour aimed at showcasing new and forthcoming titles for the Wii, DS, and DSi. This is your chance to get a preview on The New Super Mario Brothers for Wii, or give Wii Fit Plus a test spin before you purchase. Wii Sports Resort, Punch-Out!!, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, and Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will also be on hand, and visitors can take a peep at WiiWare and DSiWare while they’re at it.

East coasters will get their chance at two upcoming events, America’s Video Game Expo in Philadelphia (Oct. 9-11) and the Big Apple Comic Con in New York City (Oct. 16-18). The rest of us will just have to twiddle our gaming thumbs and hope they announce more dates.

October 5, 2009 – As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season draws near, Nintendo is making it easier for consumers to sample and experience some of the year’s most talked-about games and game systems. This past weekend, Oct. 2-4, the new World of Nintendo sampling tour kicked off with an appearance at the annual Long Beach Comic Con in Long Beach, Calif., treating attendees to a firsthand look at a variety of recent and forthcoming games for the Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems.

Less than a week after consumers discovered a new suggested retail price of $199.99 for Wii, World of Nintendo participants in Long Beach gathered for hands-on demonstrations of games like Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus and Punch-Out!!, as well as the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The event also highlighted new hand-held games such as Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, both playable on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems. World of Nintendo visitors also enjoyed a glimpse into a selection of downloadable game titles on the WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare services.

Upcoming World of Nintendo tour stops include America’s VideoGame Expo in Philadelphia (Oct. 9-11) and the Big Apple Comic Con in New York City (Oct. 16-18). Like this year’s traveling Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour and Wii Sports Resort Mobile Tour, World of Nintendo reflects Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to actively expanding the audience for video games, attracting new and veteran players with a lineup of inclusive game titles, innovative motion controls and console features that allow players to stay connected with family and friends.

IGN

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An anonymous Gamestation employee captured a few images of the upcoming European Wii console bundle with Wii MotionPlus, Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports.  The pack-in seemed to be the obvious next step in Nintendo’s effort to make MotionPlus more of a mainstay than something as short lived and under-supported as the Wii Zapper.

As of now, the bundle seems to only have its eyes set on Europe only.  In the meantime, we can theorize how long before Nintendo denies, then announces the same thing for the U.S.

GoNintendo

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You can forget that the Xbox 360 and PS3 both received price cuts in the last few weeks.  According to an interview with Nintendo of America’s Denise Kaigler, it was their intention all along to drop the price before the start of the 2009 Holiday season, regardless of the competition.

“We’re about to launch a couple of very strong titles,” said Kaigler.  “We announced [earlier] the launch date for Super Mario Bros. Wii. We just launched Wii Sports Resort. On October 4, we’ll launch Wii Fit Plus. With the great content that has already launched on Wii and is soon to launch on Wii, the timing is right to give consumers even more incentive to go out and purchase the industry’s best-selling home video console.”

Additionally, Kaigler noted that Nintendo is going after a group of 50 million eager consumers they believe reside in North America, all ready to pick up a Wii but haven’t due to circumstances.  They believe a price drop with great new software titles will equal the right incentive.

GameSpot

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Looking for Physical Education credit at the University of Houston? They’re now offering a class that centers around what the Wii has to offer. Now, this isn’t the first time schools have used the Wii in fitness-related activities, but I’ve never heard of a course being built around it! Here’s what the program’s coordinator, Jessica Wheeler had to say:

Our department conducts a host of research into the epidemic of obesity, not only its root causes, but ways to combat it and the diseases related to it. Using the Wii games can be both fun and an effective tool.  We anticipate that many students will want to take this class.

According to the NBC article, they’ll use games that “will teach posture, center of balance, and to improve knowledge of health and fitness.” Sound familiar? That’s because they’ll be using Wii Fit, along with Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party. It’s not all fun and games, though – students will still have to take written quizzes on health and fitness, as well as document their calorie intake and physical activities.

NBC Philadelphia
via Destructoid

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Maybe it was Wii Sports sellng more copies than any game in the history of games, or perhaps it was Resort moving crazy amounts of units in other regions, but it seems like picking the second iteration of the Wii Sports franchise was about as risky as picking Big Brown to win the Triple Crown.

Only this time things turned out much better, as (surprise!) another first party title is doing well. Nintendo is reporting over 500,000 copies being sold in the United States as of Aug. 3, which works out to one copy sold every 1.5 seconds since launch.

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Nintendo turned Times Square into a resort to celebrate the launch of Wii Sports Resort today. Nintendo of America’s product marketing manager Bill Trinen was asked about the role of the MotionPlus in Nintendo’s strategy, specifically whether or not developers of new games will ever be forced to use the peripheral. His response was pretty much what you would expect.

I don’t think that we would or that we would necessarily require other developers to do so either. Something like Wii MotionPlus and whether or not you want to incorporate that is more of a creative decision that’s up to each individual developer. I think it certainly suits specific types of games, but it may not make sense to include Wii MotionPlus in every game. For example, if you look at the motion controls of New Super Mario Bros. for Wii that’s coming out this holiday, it’s not the kind of control that requires or would really benefit from more precise movements. So it doesn’t make sense for a development team to spend time implementing something that’s going to enhance the end experience. I do think over time, we’re going to see a lot of developers taking a look at it and finding things they can do that they couldn’t do with the standard Wii Remote and we’re going to see those experiences come to life.

That certainly makes sense. Trinen was also asked about the possibility of a Wii Remote with a MotionPlus built right in. He simply said that they’ve been thinking about it, but they want to focus on getting the MotionPlus itself out there before deciding anything like that.

Joystiq

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