Ganon's Tower

August, 2004

 

8/26 Update

Zelda: The Minish Cap Release Date!

Nintendo has announced the release date for Zelda: The Minish Cap.   The game will be released on January 10, 2005! 

Source: Nintendo Media Page

8/20 Update

Nintendo DS Development Tools Selected

METROWERKS CODEWARRIOR SELECTED AS THE OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLS SUITE FOR NINTENDO DS

Game developers bring imagination to reality using industry-trusted development technology from Metrowerks

AUSTIN, Texas – Aug. 19, 2004 – Metrowerks Corporation and Nintendo have signed an agreement and begun distributing a comprehensive tools suite for the creation of
 
innovative, feature-rich games for the handheld Nintendo DS videogame system.

Nintendo has entrusted Metrowerks as a key provider of development tools which enable the creation of games that fully leverage the innovative features of the new Nintendo DS handheld, such as touch-screen input, voice recognition and wireless communication. CodeWarrior™ Development Studio for Nintendo DS™ provides developers with a comprehensive, integrated development environment for producing games designed to revolutionize the handheld entertainment market.

"Metrowerks has earned a worldwide reputation for offering high quality software development tools," said Satoru Okada, research and engineering manager at Nintendo Co., Ltd.  "The tools included in CodeWarrior Development Studio for Nintendo DS are no exception, and will allow game developers to create exciting titles that take advantage of the unique features found in the Nintendo DS."

The Metrowerks suite includes advanced functionality to help developers fully leverage the device’s dual ARM® core architecture, including:
 
  • a multi-core, thread-aware debugger that works simultaneously on the ARM 9™  and ARM 7™  processors

     
  • ARM linker overlays that reduce memory consumption by allowing developers to detect and remove unused code in linked applications

     
  • a command line interface, an easy-to-use graphical user interface and cache viewing capabilities that simplify the development experience

     
  • an ARM compiler fully optimized to work with the Nintendo DS hardware

The Nintendo DS takes game play to a new level, and we are currently developing new games to take advantage of various abilities of this exciting new platform," said Yuji Naka, R&D Creative Officer, SEGA Corporation. “CodeWarrior Development Studio for Nintendo DS has helped us quickly create prototypes during the early stages of development, and thanks to the detailed grammar check/alarm display functionality, we were able to identify issues at an early stage, significantly reducing the debug time."

"The Nintendo DS changes the way games will be played around the world, challenging developers to create the most sensory-rich experience possible for this device," said Pascal Lalancette, technical director, UBISOFT. "It's great that Nintendo has selected Metrowerks to ensure game developers have access to professional-grade development tools for the production of revolutionary games in time for the device's release."

Nintendo has already distributed the Metrowerks CodeWarrior kits to more than 100 companies worldwide to help ensure consumers can select from a variety of feature-rich games at launch and throughout the life of the Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in North America and Japan before then end of 2004, and in Europe during the first quarter of 2005.

About Metrowerks
Metrowerks Corporation creates CodeWarrior software and hardware products and services for developers, with a particular focus on the following industries: consumer electronics; transportation; wireless; and networking and communications. The CodeWarrior product line includes hardware and software development tools and middleware that enable customers to decrease their time to market. The company also offers services, including training and custom software development. Founded in 1985, Metrowerks is today an independently operating subsidiary of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. Metrowerks corporate headquarters are in Austin, Texas; Metrowerks Europe is headquartered in Munich; Metrowerks Asia is headquartered in Singapore; and Metrowerks Japan is headquartered in Tokyo. More information is available from www.metrowerks.com/.

About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July, 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT). The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale Semiconductor's 2003 sales were $4.9 billion (US). For more information: www.freescale.com.

About Nintendo
The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems. Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems extend Nintendo’s vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.9 billion video games and more than 170 million hardware units globally, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong® and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere.  For more information about Nintendo, visit the company’s Web site at www.nintendo.com.

Source: Nintendo Media Page

8/19 Update

Adventure of Link Box Art

Nintendo released the box art for the Classic Series Adventure of Link that is set for release on October 25, which can be seen below.

 

8/11 Update

Adventure of Link Announced for GBA!

    Nintendo has announced the next games in their Classic Series lineup, which includes:

  • Dr. Mario

  • Castlevania

  • Metroid

  • Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

    These games will be released on October 25 at a suggested retail price of $19.99

Source: Nintendojo

8/10 Update

Rumor:  Nintendo Revolution Details!

    Nintendojo is reporting that Nintendo Revolution may be featuring dual  1.8 GHZ PowerPC Processors and an 800 MHZ graphics chip, and a 15 GB hard drive, along with a revolutionary modem that will allow gamers to play online and use voice chats.  Along with this, it is reported that Nintendo may be farther along in game development than most people think.  Nintendo is expected to release games from each of their key franchises (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc) at or near the launch of the system.  The thought process behind this is that the only way to catch up in the console race is to have some outstanding games out early in the system's life that will force gamers to pick their console over Sony and Microsoft's next offerings.  Although this is just a rumor, these specifications aren't far off from what X-Box 2 is reported to have, so it very well could be accurate.  Ganon's Tower will bring you the latest updates on this story as they become available. 

Source: Nintendojo

8/7 Update

Metroid Prime 2 Bonus Disc!

   

NINTENDO DELIVERS A BUNDLE OF BADASS: GET METROID PRIME AND A BONUS DISC -- FREE!

Learn How to Fight Like a Girl – a Butt-Kicking, Bounty-Hunting Girl

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 4, 2004 – One of the toughest characters in the video game universe is about to become part of a powerful new package deal. Starting Aug. 15, Nintendo's Metroid® Prime Bonus Bundle gives consumers a Nintendo GameCube™ system and not one but two free discs. The first disc contains a complete version of the award-winning Metroid Prime game, while the bonus disc contains a playable demo version of the highly anticipated sequel, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes.

"Other companies sell their systems starting at $150," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "No one can match Nintendo's value as we offer a Nintendo GameCube and two free discs, all at an MSRP of just $99.99."

The great value of the bundle builds on the already-strong interest in Metroid Prime 2 Echoes and carries the enthusiasm into the holiday season. The bonus disc features a wealth of information about the Metroid franchise, such as:

 
  • an exclusive playable demo of Metroid Prime 2 Echoes
     
  • The Metroid Chronicle, an interactive history of the Metroid franchise
     
  • two Metroid Prime 2 Echoes cinematic trailers
     
  • a stunning Metroid Prime art gallery

And the whole bonus bundle comes in a Metroid-styled Nintendo GameCube packaging. This incredible value will be available only while supplies last.

Game enthusiasts who already own a Nintendo GameCube can get the bonus disc in one of two ways, while supplies last. The bonus disc can be obtained by purchasing a one-year subscription or renewal to Nintendo Power® magazine, the official print source for product-related updates and information. The second option allows "My Nintendo" members of Nintendo.com to obtain the bonus disc by registering a Nintendo GameCube system and five eligible software titles. Complete details for both options can be found at www.nintendopower.com/metroidprime2.

Metroid Prime remains one of the most adrenaline-soaked Nintendo GameCube titles of all time, with more than 1 million units sold. Metroid Prime was named the 2003 first-person action console action game of the year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, and was named "Game of the Year" by GameSpot.com, GameSpy.com, IGN Cube.com and Planet GameCube.com.

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, set to launch Nov. 15, sends heroine Samus Aran to explore the dual Light and Dark sides of split-dimension planet Aether. The tension-packed first-person adventure features new power-ups, a new ammo system and special suit upgrades. And for the first time in the Metroid franchise, up to four players can battle against each other in multiplayer mode using all of Samus' unique powers and abilities.

The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems. Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems extend Nintendo's vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.9 billion video games and more than 170 million hardware units globally, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong® and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.
 

The Metroid Chronicle, an interactive history of the Metroid franchise

Exclusive playable demo of Metroid Prime 2 Echoes
 

Two Metroid Prime 2 Echoes cinematic trailers
 

   

Metroid Prime art gallery