Posts by David Hinkle at Nintendo Wii Fanboy

David Hinkle
York, PA - http://www.david-hinkle.com

David Hinkle first got his start in the gaming industry as a reviewer for a small time website in early 2004. After getting tired of little pay and the lack of recognition for his hard work, David sought employment elsewhere, eventually landing a job with Weblogs Inc. in March of 2005.

In October of 2006, David left his day job working for an Air Conditioning company in Florida to blog full-time. He is still trying to convince friends and family that he actually has a job and doesn't just sit around the house all day in his underwear.

David can be reached through his email at david @ nintendowiifanboy dot com

Best of Cyber Monday deals: Wii

Posted Dec 1st 2008 2:43PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Sales

If you're looking to get something for that Wii gamer this year, there's plenty of deals going down right now as part of Cyber Monday, the online equivalent to Black Friday. Notable sales around the net include Okami for only $20 at Amazon, Tomb Raider: Underworld for $30 and $10 off Shaun White Snowboarding at Gamestop, Umbrella Chronicles for $25 at Toys R Us (along with a bunch of other discounted titles) and some specific Wii bundles at Buy.com.

Head on over and check out the page here.

Miyamoto still hopeful Wii Music will catch on

Posted Dec 1st 2008 1:47PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Interviews

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto recently conducted a rather large Q&A with Edge, talking about all kinds of fascinating things. Actually, to tell you the truth, the man could talk about used Q-tips and we'd still find it fascinating. To call it a crush would be a severe understatement.

It's no secret that Wii Music hasn't been selling too well, but Miyamoto still has hope that the game will be a success. "I think a very large audience can enjoy Wii Music," Miyamoto said, adding that when Nintendo demoed the game, "many took to it." That can't really be said for the critics, however, who've not enjoyed the game overall.

"I really appreciate that the gaming media has a different view of anything as new as Wii Music today," Miyamoto stated. He said these scores help show "how different and unique Wii Music is" and that he has this "big ambition" for the game and "that it can eventually be something very influential so that it might be able to influence what music means in the world."

It's a pretty lengthy interview, so click here to read the whole thing. It's always nice to get a glimpse into Miyamoto's mind.

Gallery: Wii Music

Retail and download releases for the week of December 1st

Posted Dec 1st 2008 10:00AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Virtual Console, WiiWare

This week, we've got a few notable retail releases and WiiWare title Space Invaders Get Even. There's also a new Virtual Console title up for grabs. Head on past the break for the full list and let us know what you're looking forward to playing.

Gallery: Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars

Continue reading Retail and download releases for the week of December 1st

Rare says new Killer Instinct not out of the question

Posted Nov 28th 2008 8:11PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

It's such a shame what happened with Nintendo and Rare. Remember the good old days when we loved their games? Oh, how it was wonderful to be alive.

And Rare is thinking about reviving one of those older games we love in their fighting game franchise, Killer Instinct, they've commented to Eurogamer. "Killer Instinct is an IP that is fondly remembered and we may do something with it, but it's a tricky market to be like the old Killer Instinct," said studio manager Mark Betteridge. And, even if they did revive the series, it would most likely be on the Xbox 360 and not back home on Nintendo's Wii console, like we would hope.

Who would still want to play a new Killer Instinct game?

Metareview: Cooking Mama: World Kitchen

Posted Nov 28th 2008 6:21PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Metareview

Click to embiggen

Even though PETA hasn't been too happy with Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, everyone else has to be enjoying the game we had so much fun with back at E3, right? Well, the few reviews that have come in haven't been all that positive. So let's get to the scores.

IGN (70/100): "So what we have here is a good casual game; what last year's Cooking Mama should have been. World Kitchen is easy enough for anyone to pick up and play (despite the lack of tutorial), and Mama's charisma may even keep cynical hardcore gamers playing longer than they expected. A little depth beyond simple waggle controls and more gameplay variety would be nice, but this is a fun, breezy game for the non-discriminating player on your holiday shopping list."
Nintendo Power (65/100): "Cooking Mama World Kitchen isn't bad, but it could have been better." [Holiday 2008, p.80]
1UP (C-): "World Kitchen tries hard to spice up the already tasty Cooking Mama recipe with new characters, slapstick rescue minigames, and cheesy-in-a-bad-way voiceovers, but the results leave behind a funny aftertaste. It'll do in a pinch, but I prefer Cook Off's well-balanced helpings."

Any of you pick up Mama's latest game? Agree with the critics? Disagree?

Gallery: Cooking Mama World Kitchen

Mod turns GameCube controller into a Classic Controller

Posted Nov 28th 2008 5:25PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Mods

This may not be the most groundbreaking mod around, but it's one that would allow you to play things like Mega Man 9 with your GameCube controller. Created by Marcan42, the above mod uses a special adapter which plugs into the Wiimote just like a Classic Controller, allowing him to trick the system into thinking the GameCube controller is a Classic Controller. Check out the video above to watch the mod being used with Mario Kart Wii.

Gallery: 5 Great Wiimote Mods

[Via Go Nintendo]

Demand for Wii dying off in Japan

Posted Nov 28th 2008 2:39PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Even though the Wii has surpassed the 7 million mark in Japan, it would appear the console has lost some of its appeal there. During its first year on store shelves, the console sold an average of 386,000 units a month. In its second year since release, that figure is down 24% to 292,000 a month. With the holiday season upon us, the Wii would have to sell 2 million total units over the season to bring its average back up to where it used to be.

It's not just Japan, as well. The NPD figures have shown that the Wii has been selling less and less in North America, as well (although not in October, where Nintendo moved more consoles than in the last 4 months or so. Could this be the beginning of the end for the Wii? Well, with all of the games coming in 2009, we're inclined to think not.

Capcom store holds Black Friday promotion

Posted Nov 27th 2008 12:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Sales

If you've been holding off on some of Capcom's games, then this weekend is a good opportunity to grab some. The Capcom store will be holding a special promotion starting tomorrow and running through Sunday where you can get 15% off the purchase of two Wii games and 25% off of your purchase of three or more. On top of that, if your order is over $75, then Capcom will ship your order for free.

What's interesting is that apparently pre-orders work here. In their Capcom blog post, they mention that the soon-to-release Neopets Puzzle Adventure qualifies for this, so we're assuming others do as well, including Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop.

Gallery: Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop

Wii Fanboy Review: Guinness World Records

Posted Nov 26th 2008 12:46PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Reviews

Back when I got my hands on Guinness World Records at E3, I was surprised at how engaging and fun the title was. Whether that was due to sheer exhaustion or the game actually being that good is anybody's guess. Luckily, the fine folks behind the game sent us a copy to review so we could decide, once and for all, if I was just crazy or if the game really was that good.

Which is it? Read on and find out!

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Review: Guinness World Records

Punish your wallet with this NES mod

Posted Nov 26th 2008 10:00AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Mods

While we're not the biggest Punisher fans in the world, we'll give credit where credit is due; this NES mod is very nice. With the LED lights and the slick, glossy paint job, we're finding ourselves a bit jealous of the individual who's soon to have this beaut. Of course, when we think about how much the inevitable winner of the eBay auction is going to have to shell out to win this bad boy, it helps.

Hit up the video above then check out the gallery below for screens of the NES from almost every angle.

Gallery: CustomNESguy's Punisher Mod

[Thanks, Val!]

Thankswagging: Holiday prize pack up for grabs

Posted Nov 26th 2008 9:00AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Contests / Giveaways

We've got a special giveaway lined up for you this week. We're calling it Thankswagging, bundling together a bunch of items for one lucky reader as a thanks for, well ... just being you! We appreciate you guys (and gals!) stopping by every day to read us and make our cold, dark corner of the internet a little brighter. So, we're running this giveaway starting today and ending Sunday, November 30th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected the following day via random drawing. To enter, simply tell us what you're thankful for this year. It can be gaming related or not. Just tell us what you're thankful for.

One lucky reader will walk away with a Psyclone Touchcharge Kit ($70), along with a copy of Heavenly Guardian ($20), Summer Sports: Paradise Island ($20), and Battle of the Bands ($20). Of course, we've got a couple of rules. For one, you have to be at least 18 years of age and a current and legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec) and you may enter once per day. Also, before entering, read the official rules right here.

Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!

Wii Warm Up: The gift of gaming

Posted Nov 26th 2008 8:00AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Wii Warm Up

With the holiday season fast approaching, our minds have wandered to the joy of receiving gifts and, more importantly, giving them. We then thought about the gaming gifts we've bestowed upon friends and family in the past. What about you all? Have you given (or plan to give away) any gaming gifts recently? Are most of your friends and families hip to gaming, whether it be Wii or some other form, or do you do your part through charities like Child's Play? Let's all share some stories!

Oz developers love de Blob

Posted Nov 25th 2008 6:23PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Move over, Paul Hogan. Aussies have a new hero: de Blob.

Even though the game wasn't a commercial success, the game won the hearts of gamers and critics alike. In fact, it might as well be Australia's favorite game, as the title has dominated the Australian development awards. Every year, the GDAA (Game Developers Association of Australia) bestows honors on outstanding games and this year, a majority of those awards were dropped on THQ's title. Among those nods were several big ones, including best console title, best gameplay, best audio, best graphics and the GDAA's game of the year award.

Gallery: de Blob

Sega running Samba de Amigo contest

Posted Nov 25th 2008 3:37PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Peripherals, Contests / Giveaways

Sega is running a contest for its Dreamcast-turned-Wii port, Samba de Amigo. As you can see above, the winner will receive a pair of the maraca peripherals, as well as a copy of the game, and a special edition iPod nano. Not a bad prize pack, if we may say so, and there is a total of 11 prize packs up for grabs.

So what do you have to do to enter? It's rather easy. All you need to do is have someone take a picture of you doing a creative Samba pose. The 11 most creative, as determined by the judges, will be awarded the prize packs.

There's also the obligatory fine print, so head on over here to read up on how to get involved. Good luck!

Gallery: Samba de Amigo

Space Invaders Get Even (with North America) Dec 1st

Posted Nov 25th 2008 2:41PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, WiiWare

This Monday, those of us that weren't lucky enough to already receive Space Invaders Get Even will finally be able to download this very awesome game. Square Enix dished out a press release stating as much, assuring those of us who've been biting our fingernails down to the bone whilst waiting for the game that our time is near. For 500 Wii Points, you can bet that we'll be picking this one up.

So, who's going to download this come December 1st? Have you read our review yet?

Gallery: Space Invaders Get Even!

Next Page >

Name		Date
King of Fighters: Orochi Saga		Nov 25
Ultimate Band		Nov 25
Mushroom Men		Dec 2
Iron Chef America		Dec 5
Rock Band 2		Dec 16
Ultimate Shooting Collection		Dec 16
Neopets Puzzle Adventure		Dec 30
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Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Best of Cyber Monday deals: Wii

Miyamoto still hopeful Wii Music will catch on

Retail and download releases for the week of December 1st

Rare says new Killer Instinct not out of the question

Metareview: Cooking Mama: World Kitchen

Mod turns GameCube controller into a Classic Controller

Demand for Wii dying off in Japan

Capcom store holds Black Friday promotion

Wii Fanboy Review: Guinness World Records

Punish your wallet with this NES mod

Thankswagging: Holiday prize pack up for grabs

Wii Warm Up: The gift of gaming

Oz developers love de Blob

Sega running Samba de Amigo contest

Space Invaders Get Even (with North America) Dec 1st

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