It might be one of the best-selling consoles on this side of the globe, but the Japanese have had different opinions since day one. It seems those opinions are holding strong.

According to Punch Jump, the Xbox 360 is still hanging out in the No. 6 position in Japan, falling behind most other gaming machines, handhelds, too, in the country.

Average sales for the console on a weekly basis there fall in between 2,000 and 3,000. Software ranking is also sluggish, but that makes sense with the console's popularity or lack thereof.

Still, there's a silver lining in the cloud. Amazon Japan's video game division has Forza Motorsport 2 and another 360 title on its Top 20 list.

Will they be enough to get the console some attention?

Probably not enough. With the Wii and the PlayStation 3 both trouncing the 360 on weekly sales, a pull out of the figures seems unlikely.

Still, it's doubtful Microsoft ever bet the farm on winning Japanese gamers over.

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Labels: japanese sales, nintendo wii, ps3, video games, Wii, xbox 360

Anyone who thinks video games don't make a difference in the world should check out Time magazine's voting for the 100 Most Influential People list.

Right there in black and white, online and everything, is Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto – the creator of Super Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda and most recently the Wii. Granted, he hasn't made it yet, but the mere inclusion on the voting is a fairly big deal.

Time has his pros listed as those creations and his cons being: "His perfectionist tendencies often result in games being significantly delayed and, despite the Wii's gameplay innovation, its graphics are far behind the competition."

While I have to agree with the graphics part of the Wii being somewhat of a con, the perfectionism is exactly what makes Miyamoto so "influential." His games are trendsetters that cut across generational lines. Heck, I grew up playing Donkey Kong and Mario, and now my daughter's generation is enjoying the same brand of game play.

The Wii itself, poor graphics and all, is defining more casual game play in a way I can't remember a console ever having done before. With players ranging from small children to retirees in nursing homes, the Wii is absolutely influential.

What Miyamoto has managed to do is create something that appeals to entire families from the youngest member to the oldest, with a style of play that everyone can understand. In essence, he's given people of all ages a common ground to come together and enjoy a little bit of fun.

I personally think that's pretty darn influential.

Check out Time's listing here.

Nods to Gizmo Cafe.

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Labels: donkey kong, Nintendo, nintendo wii, shigeru miyamoto, Wii

With Sony's slickness and Microsoft's early start, few expected Nintendo to actually come out on top in the next-gen battle, but once again, the Wii has taken on all comers. The DS, too, is leading in sales.

According to Game Daily, March was a very good month for the game maker. "Despite widespread shortages for both systems, more than half a million buyers snapped up the portable Nintendo DS, and Wii was once again the top-selling new home video game console... Wii remains the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade, based on NPD sell-through information over the first five months of availability. So far this year, Nintendo has sold more video game systems than all other manufacturers combined."

"The message delivered by both Wii and Nintendo DS is the same one," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president, Nintendo of America has been quoted as saying. "Innovation is compelling both current gamers and new gamers to experience a new way to play. Nintendo is bringing gaming back to the masses."

While shortages of the Wii will likely remain, production has increased.
Although it was the underdog, Nintendo is clearly proving different can be quite good.

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Labels: ds, Nintendo, nintendo ds, nintendo wii, Wii, wii production

There's no word on when or even if Sony's new "hand-held computer interactive device" will make it to the market, but the patent drawings sure make it look and sound sweet.

The device would put the power of movement in gamers' hands very much like the older model Power Gloves from Nintendo did decades ago, but this updated version might just have a greater ability of catching on thanks to the success of the Wiimote.

The Sony controller would have the ability "to capture a user's hand movements." This means finger, palm and full hand movements combined. It would also offer "tactile feedback" so users would know if their actions have been completed.

While the concept isn't a new one, it could be a real hit in the market of today where gamers have rapidly fallen in love with the Wiimote.

Although there's no word on what Sony plans to do with the patent, it would be an awesome addition to the PS3 or even an eventual PS4. Some are billing it as a Wiimote killer, but that might be a little premature. Still, the concept is one that has found its time. And, the glove style might just be safer than the Wii strap!

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Labels: nintendo wii, ps3, ps4, sony, Wii, wiimote

Nintendo of America’s donation of 100 consoles and copies of Wii Sports to YMCAs across the United States is not only a brilliant stroke of marketing genius, it’s also likely to work in its more altruistic mission.

It seems the YMCAs plan to use the consoles to “keep the energy of children alive and to encourage bonding with parents,” according to a piece on el33tonline.

“Consumers all over America are telling us the Wii helps them to stay active and fit and also gives them another reason to be together as a family,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Wii has quickly become a part of America’s fitness plan, from bowling leagues for active seniors to kids and parents who sweat through Wii Sports pentathlons together.”

I’d have to say from personal experience, the YMCAs and Nintendo are on the right track with this one. The console has an amazing ability to bring parents, children and even grandparents together for a bit of computerized fun.

It might not be the most impressive console out there graphics wise, but it sure is a blast to play.

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Labels: Nintendo, nintendo wii, Wii, wii sports, ymca

UK PlayStation 3 and Wii owners can now listen to the radio on their high tech, next-gen consoles thanks to a deal with Virgin Radio. The music will soon come to the Xbox 360, too.

“It’s great for us to achieve another new media first and be the only UK radio station available on both of these massively popular games consoles,” said James Cridland, director of digital media, is quoted as saying by el33tonline.

Virgin’s saying “if it’s got a speaker on it, we want it to be playing Virgin Radio.”
To access the service, gamers need to open their Internet browsers on the PS3 or Wii and go to virginradio.co.uk/listen. Click on the “listen now” button to access the player designed for the next-gen systems.

This sounds like a solid play to ensure the next-gen consoles become total entertainment devices. Now, to just get this in North America!

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Labels: Nintendo, nintendo wii, ps3, sony, virgin radio

Nintendo Wii fans who have been dying to see what Resident Evil action on the little console that could might be like are soon to get their chance.

Capcom has announced that Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil 4 will soon creep onto the Wii gaming scene. The Resident Evil 4 version for the Wii will offer the PS2 content and also incorporate Wii’s nifty motion sensing abilities. This game is expected to appear sometime this summer.

The Umbrella Chronicles is a new addition for the franchise. It will reveal some of the back story behind the Umbrella Corporation’s fall and include some locations from the original Resident Evil games. There’s no set date for this installment, but you can be I’ll be in line to check it out.

If Capcom takes advantage of the Wii’s abilities well, the Resident Evil franchise might be the one that defines the console for me. With its great storylines, creepy settings and fun combat, this particular game seems to lend itself well to the console’s unusual abilities.

While the graphics won’t likely be anything to write home out, they’ve never been the strong point of Resident Evil any way. Cool, quirky, monster blasting fun has always been the draw for this series in my mind.

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Labels: capcom, Nintendo, nintendo wii, resident evil, Wii