AGI and Sega have a quirky little program coming out for the Nitnendo DS that will have gamers talking – literally.

Kokoro Scan is voice recognition software that is designed to gauge a person's mood. The program can tell if users are happy, sad, stressed and so on. It can even be used to scan the voices of others in the area.

The software comes with a few games, including Kokoro Age, which will have players trying to control their moods while talking. Mini-games are also included.

It doesn't sound like much right now, but if Kokoro Scan follows the typical Nintendo pattern, there will be much more there than meets the eye. Quirky + Nintendo tends to equal addictive!

Wii Sports anyone?

Nods to Kotaku

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Labels: agi, kokoro, Nintendo, nintendo ds, wii sports

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

It’s the underdog console that’s taking the next-gen race by storm, and it seems the Wii is also starting to give Nintendo a bit of a supply problem. The company can’t keep up with the high demand.

Nintendo Europe’s Laurent Fischer has been quoted as saying the company is working to up its production abilities to keep gamers in Wiis.

“We are still struggling to deliver the right numbers of hardware to cope with demand," admitted Fischer. "We're planning to increase the production capacity but it's not something that can be done in a couple of days. We have to be patient."

The company is on schedule to meet the 6 million sales mark by the end of March, a figure that even surprises Nintendo. "It's astonishing to think that with six million we're not able to fulfil the initial demand," Fischer said.

Fischer went on to speak of the console’s own recruitment abilities, a concept I can attest to. At a recent party where the Wii was pulled out, two friends caved to the awesome power of Wii Sports and decided they “had to have” a Wii of their own.

I don’t believe they’ve managed to find one yet, so I’m betting news of the increased production plans will be more than welcomed by consumers itching to get a Wii bit of fun for themselves.

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Labels: Nintendo, Wii, wii production, wii sports, wii supply

Epic Games and Microsoft Games Studios are no doubt celebrating their big win today. Their Gears of War title took home three awards during the GDC’s Game Developers Choice Awards.

Gears won in the best game category and also for technology and visual arts. The trio of honors is a very big deal considering the number of new titles that hit the streets last year.

Speaking of recent releases, Nintendo didn’t go home empty handed either. Wii Sports garnered honors in the game design and innovation categories and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was honored for the writing behind the project.

“A Game Developers Choice Award is like no other award presented in our industry, as it is the only prize that gives the community the chance to appreciate and honor individual developers," Jamil Moledina, executive director of the Game Developers Conference, has been quoted as saying. "By celebrating our visionaries by name, we give the audience and the public at large a chance to give credit where credit is due."

Indeed, with winners nominated by the creators themselves, this was very likely one difficult group to please.

A full listing of honors can be found by visiting Nintendo Revolution.

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Labels: epic games, gears of war, microsoft, Nintendo, Wii, wii sports, zelda

Virtua Fighter 5 has given the PlayStation 3 its first No. 1 title on Japanese charts, about four months after the console’s launch.

But, even as the single title is making waves, beating off a host of Wii titles for the lead position, the Nintendo console is still beating the Sony creation in overall sales.

According to CVG, the Wii dominates the console sales market with 78,550 units shifted this week. The PS3 came in second with 32, 175, while the Xbox 360 lagged way behind with 4,811.

None of the numbers are very surprising. Virtua Fighter 5 is one of the most anticipated PS3 releases, so its surge over Wii titles isn’t a shocker. The continued domination of Wii on the sales charts also doesn’t surprise. After all, the console’s the most affordable going and it’s absolutely a family pleaser.

Virtua Fighter 5 will arrive with the PS3 in Europe at launch. It’s already available in North America.

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Labels: ps3, virtua fighter 5, Wii, wii sports, xbox 360