Zelda and Nintendo News: November, 2004

November, 2004

11/21 Update

G4TECHTV CREATES DUAL SCREENS FOR ''NINTENDO DS DAY'' IN HONOR OF THE LAUNCH OF THE NINTENDO DS SYSTEM

The Network Will Simultaneously Broadcast G4techTV Programming and Nintendo DS Gameplay for 20 Consecutive Hours Sunday, November 21

"DS Day" Creates a First Ever TV Experience That Mirrors the Nintendo DS System

LOS ANGELES, CA, November 19, 2004 - Listen up video game fans!

The Nintendo DS™ is about to hit shelves, and to celebrate the release of this new hand-held video game system, G4techTV is partnering with Nintendo to offer viewers the complete Nintendo DS dual screen experience for one day only. Making a move that has never been done before, G4techTV, the network all about video games, will transform its broadcast signal into "TV Dual Screen Mode" for 20 consecutive hours, replicating the Nintendo DS system on "Nintendo DS Day" this Sunday, November 21.

"This has never been done on TV," comments Dale Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales and Distribution for G4techTV. "This program demonstrates how G4techTV has the capability to develop a campaign that immerses viewers in a complete experience to support the launch of a pioneering video game platform. We look forward to extending this innovation to other categories."

"Nintendo DS Day" will feature G4techTV programming on the top screen of the look-alike system, while DS gameplay footage airs simultaneously in the bottom screen, replicating the two-screen experience of playing the Nintendo DS. "Cinematech," the show that gives viewers an inside look at game trailers, mini-movies and real-time gameplay, will premiere a special episode utilizing both screens to offer the true Nintendo DS experience.

Launching on Nov. 21 nationwide, the Nintendo DS is a ground-breaking new platform that boasts dual screens, touch-screen and voice-recognition interfaces and wireless capabilities. The 1 million Nintendo DS units available in North America are expected to be depleted by year's end. The G4techTV promotion was created through a partnership with both Nintendo and Starcom, and is part of Nintendo's aggressive, multifaceted marketing program to launch the innovative new system.

"Nintendo DS Day" is another example of how G4techTV is continuing to reinvent the holidays for video game fans. The network recently celebrated "GTA TV" and "Halo 2 Day," in honor of the releases of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo 2, with full days of themed programming. These video game holidays honor the biggest days for gamers throughout the year.

Tune-in to "Nintendo DS Day" Sunday, November 21 only on G4techTV.

About G4techTV:
Formed by the May, 2004 merger of G4 and TechTV, G4techTV is the one and only 24-hour television network that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. The network is available in 50 million cable and satellite homes nationwide and airs 20 original series. Headquartered in Los Angeles, G4techTV is owned by Comcast Corporation. To learn more, log onto www.g4techtv.com.

11/19 Update

Princess Zelda Playable in future Zelda game?

In a recent interview with Eiji Aonuma, we found out some information about Minish Cap's storyline, which says that Princess Zelda has been turned to stone, and Link's quest is to rescue her from that state.

It also looks that Princess Zelda will be playable in a future game, possibly the realistic Zelda game coming out next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if she got her own title, either on GBA, or Nintendo Revolution.

NoE: Can you tell us how Zelda fits into the gameplay? There has been some suggestion you can play as her!

Aonuma: In this title Princess Zelda is turned into stone, and the mission is to help her. We will realise the idea of playing as Princess Zelda in another title.

The full interview can be seen below:

Original Source: Nintendo of Europe (VIP access only)

The release of any Legend of Zelda title is always cause for huge excitement amongst Link’s legion of fervent followers. The Minish Cap – out now – is a completely original outing for Link on Game Boy Advance that any self-respecting Zelda fan shouldn’t go without. So we talked to the game’s supervisor Eiji Aonuma to find out what new features the Minish Cap has under its brim…

Nintendo of Europe: For anyone unfamiliar with the game, can you give us a brief introduction to The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap?

Eiji Aonuma: Link’s adventure shifts between the normal world and a fairytale-style world. Link encounters the Minish Cap, and using the magical words of this Cap (yep, it can talk!) he can change the size of his body and become much smaller. Enemies that would normally pose little threat can become a much more difficult challenge for small Link. Behind a small hole in the wall which Link never paid attention to before, a strange new world develops.

The adventure offers a chain of continuous surprises. There are some amazing new items and the mini-games in the dungeons are also different this time. Some gameplay approaches you were already familiar with cannot be used in this title, so you can enjoy the fresh and exciting exploration. There are also plenty of sub-events, such as the “piece matching” of the Kinstones.

NoE: How does the Minish Cap fit into the Zelda chronology? Is it a prequel to the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures on GameCube?

Aonuma: Yes, this title takes place prior to The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, and tells the secret of the birth of the Four Sword.

NoE: The Minish Cap is a classic adventure in the vein of A Link to the Past. How did you make it match up to previous Zelda outings?

Aonuma: As The Wind Waker was a game in which Link had adventures through a fairytale-like world, we used the expression ‘Toon’ to describe the style of the game. Similar to this idea, in The Minish Cap, Link moves through the world of tiny fairies, a universal fairytale story. Therefore we used graphics that were similar in style to The Wind Waker, and we also used play controls that were in keeping with the GameCube title. There is a new feeling to this game, although it also incorporates the ‘good side’ of the 2D title A Link to the Past.

NoE: Tell us about some of the inventive gadgets or features that Link gets to use this time.

Aonuma: There are many new items, such as the Gust Jar which can suck in and spit out anything, the Cane of Pacci which can flip objects over, and the Mole Mitts which can dig into the ground. These all help you find hidden things in the game. We want players to enjoy not only finding the small world hidden behind the normal world, which is the main feature of the game, but also finding something hidden by using items.

NoE: Are there any other surprises you can hint at? Like which familiar characters we can expect to bump into?

Aonuma: A ‘town’ which looks nothing special at the beginning of the story turns out to be a very important place in the middle of the game. An event takes place in the town where very important information for the game can be obtained, if you find the places where small fairies live. There are also many characters which you will be familiar with from previous titles, such as Gorons and Deku-Scrubs from Ocarina of Time, and Tingle from Majora’s Mask and The Wind Waker.

NoE: Can you tell us how Zelda fits into the gameplay? There has been some suggestion you can play as her!

Aonuma: In this title Princess Zelda is turned into stone, and the mission is to help her. We will realise the idea of playing as Princess Zelda in another title.

NoE: Why should Zelda fans be excited about the Minish Cap? What makes it stand out from other adventure games?

Aonuma: The most important feature is the shrinking. It creates a surprise that any place can suddenly become a new adventure world. Another new feature is the matching of Kinstone pieces. Players collect Kinstones, which are similar to pieces of a puzzle, and by matching them with pieces from other characters in the game, something new happens. All these elements make this title a unique and a very interactive adventure game.

NoE: Thanks for your time, Mr Aonuma!

Source: Zelda Headquarters

11/18 Update

NINTENDO DS PUTS NEW EXPERIENCES ONLY A TOUCH AWAY

On Nov. 21, the First Nintendo DS Owners Step into the Future of Video Games

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 18, 2004 - If you've ever enjoyed video games, you've likely played Mario™, Madden or Metroid®, The Sims™ or Spider-Man™ - but you've never played them like this. The names and characters might be familiar, but now you can interact with them in completely new ways.

On Nov. 21, just in time for the holidays, gamers across North America will begin snapping up the most innovative game platform in a decade, the Nintendo DS™. Boasting dual screens, touch-screen and voice-recognition interfaces and two forms of wireless connection, the 1 million Nintendo DS units available in North America already are expected to be depleted by year's end.

"Retailers began calling for more Nintendo DS units even before the first ones arrived," explains Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "They're reflecting the demands of game players for entirely new ways to enjoy games - not just playing the same old games on a different platform. It really comes down to delivering a new experience and that's what we're doing."

Nintendo DS comes embedded with the PictoChat™ communication feature and bundled with a playable demo of the upcoming Metroid Prime® Hunters. In addition, the system will have a dozen titles available during its launch window, spanning every genre, including Super Mario 64 DS from Nintendo, Madden NFL 2005, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® Golf and The Urbz™: Sims in the City™ from EA, Spider-Man 2™ from Activision, Ping Pals™ from THQ, Feel the Magic™: XY/XX from SEGA, Rayman® DS and Asphalt Urban GT™ from Ubisoft and Ridge Racer® DS and Mr. DRILLER®: Drill Spirits™ from Namco.

By the end of March, the Nintendo DS game library will include 20 to 25 games. More than 125 games remain in development worldwide, from Nintendo as well as every major third-party developer. And because Nintendo DS is backward compatible with Game Boy® Advance SP games, it already has a library of more than 550 games.

"Interest in Nintendo DS is very high as we head into the holidays," says Jeff Griffiths, CEO and president of Electronics Boutique. "This is a must-have item for a wide variety of people, older and younger, this holiday season."

Nintendo DS will sell at an MSRP of $149.99. Its clamshell design protects both screens, and its rechargeable battery allows for six to 10 hours of play on a single charge. The launch is being supported by an aggressive, multifaceted marketing program, which includes the "touching is good" campaign that targets a hip, male demographic in lifestyle magazines and on hot broadcast and cable television programs. Additional information about Nintendo DS is available at www.nintendods.com.

Nintendo DS launches in Japan on Dec. 2. By the end of 2004, Nintendo will ship 2 million units worldwide and another 2 million by the end of March.

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, Nintendo DS™ 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.

“MIDNIGHT MADNESS” AT EB GAMES

Hundreds of Consumers Wait in Line to Purchase the Hottest Item of the Holiday Season: Nintendo DS

Saturday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m.

WHAT:

Hundreds of consumers will wait in line this Saturday, Nov. 20, at midnight to be the first in the world to buy the highly anticipated new Nintendo DS game system. The Nintendo DS portable game system features dual screens, touch screen, voice interface and two forms of wireless connection. The event will be held in Los Angeles at Universal Citywalk's EB Games, the largest video game store in the country.

EB Games will be transformed into the "hot spot" with electrifying live video game play on a giant Jumbotron, pyrotechnics, a laser light show and a countdown to midnight. Music from renowned local spin artist "DJ Rap" will entertain the crowd.

Once the Nintendo DS systems go on sale, consumers can immediately wirelessly communicate with other DS owners using the new PictoChat™ feature, instantly creating a social gaming environment.

Retailers expect the Nintendo DS, priced at $149.99, to be one of the most highly sought-after gifts this holiday season. One million units of the Nintendo DS are expected to fly off of store shelves this holiday season.

WHO:

Consumers and video game fans of all ages

WHEN:

Saturday, Nov. 20

8 p.m.	Activities begin
11 p.m.	Consumers line up to purchase the Nintendo DS
11:45 p.m.	Countdown to midnight
Midnight	The first Nintendo DS goes on sale. Consumers in the store purchase systems and new DS owners chat and play games with one another wirelessly.

WHERE:

EB Games
Universal CityWalk
1000 Universal Studios Blvd.
Universal City, CA 91608

NEWS/VISUALS:

Hundreds of dedicated fans lined-up at EB Games' retail location, eagerly waiting to purchase the Nintendo DS
Video game play on Jumbotron
Pyrotechnics, special effects, music from a live DJ
Consumers interacting using the wireless features of the Nintendo DS
Nintendo executive interviews about the consumer demand of DS
Consumer reactions to their new Nintendo DS systems
EB Games/Nintendo executive interviews on the popularity of the Nintendo DS
B-roll available

"MIDNIGHT MADNESS" AT GAME CRAZY

Hundreds of Consumers Wait in Line to Purchase the Hottest Item of the Holiday Season: Nintendo DS

Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 p.m.

WHAT:

Hundreds of consumers will wait in line this Saturday, Nov. 20, at midnight to be the first in the world to buy the highly anticipated new Nintendo DS game system. The Nintendo DS portable game system features dual screens, a touch screen, a voice interface and two forms of wireless connection. The event will be held at Game Crazy in Redmond.

Game Crazy will be transformed into the "hot spot" with giveaways and game-play competitions. Counting down to the sale of the first Nintendo DS, the store will stay open through midnight.

Once the Nintendo DS systems go on sale, consumers can immediately wirelessly communicate with other fans using the new PictoChat™ feature, instantly creating a social gaming environment.

WHO:

Consumers and video game fans of all ages

WHEN:

Saturday, Nov. 20

10 p.m.	Activities begin
11 p.m.	Consumers line up to purchase the Nintendo DS
11:45 p.m.	Countdown to midnight
Midnight	The first Nintendo DS goes on sale. Consumers in the store purchase systems and new DS owners chat and play games with one another wirelessly.

WHERE:

Game Crazy
8867 161st St. N.E.
Redmond, WA 98052

NEWS/VISUALS:

Hundreds of dedicated fans lined up at Game Crazy's retail location, eagerly waiting to purchase the new Nintendo DS
Consumers interacting with the wireless features of the Nintendo DS
A Nintendo executive and Wesley Sand, Game Crazy's executive vice president of merchandising, will be on site for interviews about the consumer demand for Nintendo DS
Consumer reactions to their new Nintendo DS systems
B-roll available

ACTIVISION'S SPIDER-MAN 2 FOR THE NINTENDO DS WEBS RETAIL OUTLETS NATIONWIDE

Santa Monica, CA - November 17, 2004 - The world's most celebrated Super Hero, Spider-Man, is swinging into retail stores nationwide in Activision, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Spider-Man 2 for the Nintendo DS™ video game platform. The game, which is based on this summer's blockbuster feature film from Columbia Pictures and Marvel, is among the first titles to hit retail stores alongside the Nintendo DS hardware.

"There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the Nintendo DS and we are excited to be among the launch titles for this innovative new platform," said Kathy Vrabeck, president of Activision Publishing. "Spider-Man 2 takes advantage of the Nintendo DS's processing power by delivering amazing graphics and sound, and gameplay that fully realizes the potential of the dual screen."

Players assume the role of Spider-Man and re-live the movie experience through all new missions featuring unique enemies, objectives and combat maneuvers.

Utilizing the touch screen and new controller layout, players can quickly swing, run, jump, solve puzzles, engage in combat and switch to an arsenal of moves on the fly, while patrolling and protecting the city of Manhattan from the nefarious Doc Ock.

Spider-Man 2 for the Nintendo DS is being developed by Vicarious Visions and is currently rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB.

About Spider-Man Merchandising, LP
Spider-Man Merchandising L.P. is a 50/50 limited partnership comprised of Marvel Enterprises, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. The partnership oversees all of the licensing and merchandising for the Columbia Pictures feature film "Spider-Man 2," based on Marvel characters.

About Activision, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $948 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities. These important factors and other factors that potentially could affect the Company's financial results are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

###

Spider-Man and related characters: TM & © Marvel Characters, Inc.

Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.

11/17 Update

CELEBRITIES FIRST TO 'TOUCH' NINTENDO DS AT EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE PARTY

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., November 17, 2004 – It was all about touching and playing at the Nintendo DS™ pre-launch party last night as celebrities including Cuba Gooding Jr., Jesse Metcalfe, Zach Braff, Orlando Jones, Taryn Manning, Anthony Keidis, Sarah Chalke, Rachel Hunter, David Gallagher, J.C. Chasez, Donald Faison, Jerry Bruckheimer, Michael Vartan and more were the first to play Nintendo's newest hand-held video game system – the Nintendo DS – scheduled to debut in North American stores Nov. 21.

"Since we announced the Nintendo DS, celebrities have been clamoring to be the first to get their hands on it," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing. "The Nintendo DS was a huge hit due to its revolutionary features – the dual screen; touch-screen; a built-in chat function; and wireless communication."

The Premiere of the Nintendo DS
The worldwide Hollywood premiere of the Nintendo DS™ got rave reviews.

Celebrities in attendance:

Cris Judd, Mila Kunis, Drew Fuller, Jason London, Damian Lewis, Ethan Embry, David Gallagher, Marsha Thomason, Lake Bell, Jennifer Gimenez, Lochlyn Munro, William Lee Scott, John Hawkes, Nick Gonzales, Trent Ford, Alexis Arquette, Adam Garcia, Allison Munn, Megan Good, Rachel Miner, Melinda Williams, Ashley Peldon, Courtney Peldon

Entertainment:

Nintendo DS exclusive games such as Metroid Prime® Hunters: First Hunt and Super Mario® 64 DS from Nintendo, Madden NFL 2005, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® Golf and The Urbz™: Sims in the City™ from Electronic Arts, Spider-Man 2™ from Activision, Asphalt Urban GT™ from Ubisoft and many others. The PictoChat™ communication feature embedded in the Nintendo DS was also available.

A special performance by The Killers (number 1 global single "Somebody Told Me"), who took a special detour from their sold-out worldwide tour to be a part of the event. Also, DJ Spinna, producer of numerous tracks and remixes for notable artists span tunes throughout the evening.

Reviews:

"They look great! They are small enough to travel with and will help me pass away many hours when I'm on tour, especially on those long bus rides." – Pink

"Proud to be the first (to receive the Nintendo DS)!" – Nelly

"Yo, this is the dopest thing I've seen in my life." – Donald Faison

The Party Scene
The party atmosphere reflected the intimacy and selectivity of the Nintendo DS. It featured VIP lounge areas for game play and focused on the "Touching is Good" theme, which is Nintendo's massive multimillion-dollar campaign for the new system targeting a hip, male demographic in lifestyle magazines and trendy TV and cable channels.

The event was held at an exclusive location, The Day After, a new venue with a modern, sophisticated look located in the space once known as the Montmartre, the first glamour Hollywood nightspot in the early 1920s. The Nintendo DS Launch Party was THE hot party to be at in Hollywood complete with a celebrity dating game that featured Calvin Klein model Trent Ford posing questions via the Nintendo DS PictoChat™ function to three beautiful women.

Nintendo DS will sell at an MSRP of $149.99. In the first 30 days of system availability, players can enjoy 10-12 Nintendo DS games covering all genres. By the end of the first quarter of 2005, the Nintendo DS library will grow to 20-25 games. In addition to the built-in PictoChat™ function, Nintendo DS will come bundled with a playable demo of Metroid Prime® Hunters: First Hunt, the latest installment in an extremely popular first-person shooter franchise.

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 or Nintendo DS, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com or www.nintendods.com.

NINTENDO IS THE ''STUFF'' IN STOCKING STUFFER

Here's the No-Nonsense Master Shopping List

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 16, 2004 - Just like snowflakes, no two press releases are alike. Except during the holidays, when they're all exactly the same. So Nintendo is taking a break from decking the halls and is opting instead for the straightforward approach to tell you about all the great stuff available for the holidays. From the innovative new Nintendo DS™, to Metroid® Prime 2 Echoes and a high-value bundle for Nintendo GameCube™, to new styles for the best-selling Game Boy® Advance SP, Nintendo delivers holiday delight on three separate game platforms this year.

"Once again, video games and systems will be hot gifts for anyone with a wish list this holiday," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "With so many Nintendo products to choose from, no stocking should be left unstuffed."

Anyone confused about what gift to give for the holidays need look no further than the list of best-selling video game products on Amazon.com. Roughly 10 out of the top 25 sellers on the list are Nintendo games, hardware or accessories for Nintendo products. Amazon's best-seller list changes every hour, but it's safe to say that Nintendo will remain at the top of everyone's list this holiday season.

Nintendo DS

Launches Nov. 21 at an MSRP of $149.99.
Two screens (one touch screen), wireless communication and voice recognition.
Comes with built-in PictoChat™ communication function and a free playable demo, Metroid Prime® Hunters: First Hunt.
Other upcoming games: Super Mario® 64 DS from Nintendo, Madden NFL 2005, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 2005 and The URBZ™: Sims in the City™ from EA, and Spider-Man 2™ from Activision. Not to mention Ping Pals from THQ, Feel the Magic™: XY/XX from SEGA, Rayman® and Asphalt Urban GT™ from Ubisoft and Ridge Racer® DS and Mr. DRILLER®: Drill Spirits™ from Namco.
More than 120 games remain in development for Nintendo DS around the world.

Game Boy Advance SP

World's best-selling video game platform is now available at an MSRP of $79.99.
Five new styles available at select retail partners: Tattoo, Pearl White, Green/Orange, Surf Blue and "who are you?" branded.
Awesome games available now: Mario Pinball Land™, Kirby™ & The Amazing Mirror, Donkey Kong® Country 2, Pokémon® FireRed, Pokémon® LeafGreen and Final Fantasy® I & II: Dawn of Souls (coming Nov. 29)
More than 20 different Game Boy® Advance Video paks, each with up to 45 minutes of video, available now at an MSRP of $19.99.

Nintendo GameCube

The hot holiday game Metroid Prime 2 Echoes is now available.
New bundle offer: Get both a Nintendo GameCube and Mario Kart®: Double Dash!!™, all at an MSRP of just $99.99.
Other sweet games: Donkey Konga™, Paper Mario™: The Thousand-Year Door, Mario Power Tennis™, Mario Party® 6.

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

11/15 Update

NEW ADVENTURE LETS METROID FANS STEP INTO THE LIGHT - AND THE DARK

In Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, the Bounty Hunter Becomes the Hunted

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 15, 2004 - You might be comfortable in the armor. You might wield the arm cannon with devastating precision. And you might even be a master at maneuvering the Morph Ball. Yet nothing you've encountered has prepared you for the edge-of-your-seat adventure of Metroid® Prime 2 Echoes, launching today exclusively for Nintendo GameCube™.

"Not only is this the most graphically beautiful and intellectually challenging Metroid adventure ever," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, "but the game also, for the first time, lets up to four players compete to determine the best bounty hunter of all."

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, developed by Retro Studios, continues one of the most fabled franchises in interactive entertainment and is a sought-after title for the holidays. The first-person shooter chronicles the adventures of Samus Aran, the baddest bounty hunter in the galaxy, as she blasts her way through a planet that's been split into light and dark halves.

The deep, single-player storyline begins as Samus finds herself trapped on a mysterious planet, populated by creatures of both light and darkness. She must bolster her suit's power to battle enemies and solve puzzles, all while a hostile entity stalks her. Players explore the environment using new scanning equipment and new weapons that yield different results, depending on the type of enemy. Players use the new Light Beam and Dark Beam, as well as staples of the Metroid arsenal like the Morph Ball, Grapple Beam and Missile Launcher.

In the game's multiplayer mode, up to four players don metal suits to try to blast their opponents into oblivion. Jump and shoot to find special power-ups or roll away from a punishing attack.

The original Metroid® Prime was named the 2003 first-person action console action game of the year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, and "Game of the Year" by the International Game Developers Association, GameSpot.com, GameSpy.com, IGN Cube.com and Planet GameCube.com.

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

11/12 Update

Zelda 2005 Release!

Nintendo gave some information about the upcoming release of the realistic Zelda game shown at E3 last year. The game is currently scheduled for a Q2 2005 release, which means that barring delay, we'll see the game in April, May, or June next year. My best guess is the game would be released towards the end of that timeframe, so look for it to come out in June if it's not delayed between now and then.

Source: Nintendo

NINTENDO NEWS: NINTENDO PREPARES FOR POST-HOLIDAY CONSUMPTION OF GAMES

[Nov. 11, 2004]
After recovering from your turkey-dinner coma and dry-cleaning the nog stains off your pants that no longer fit, you'll need a way to spend all those gift cards that your relatives gave you. The holidays are still weeks away, but Nintendo already has its eyes on 2005.

Nintendo's game lineup for 2005 comes stuffed with innovative new games that take advantage of the touch-screen and wireless capabilities of the new Nintendo DS™. Likewise, owners of Nintendo GameCube™ and Game Boy® Advance SP will find new ways to enjoy new and favorite franchises. New tricks like using bongos to control characters in Donkey Kong® Jungle Beat for Nintendo GameCube and an internal gyro sensor in WarioWare™ Twisted! for Game Boy Advance SP enhance the game experience as only Nintendo can.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll be playing on Nintendo systems in the first part of 2005, along with dozens of unannounced titles that are currently in development.

Nintendo DS

Feb. 14: WarioWare™ Touched! from Nintendo

March 14: Pokémon Dash from Nintendo

March: Yoshi's Touch & Go from Nintendo

March: Atari Classics from Atari

March: Pac Pix from Namco

Q1: Need for Speed Underground™ 2 from Electronic Arts

Q2: Metroid Prime® Hunters from Nintendo

May: Ultimate Card Games™ from Telegames

June: Ultimate Brain Games™ from Telegames

New titles for Nintendo franchises like Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and Advance Wars remain in development

Nintendo GameCube

January: Resident Evil® 4 from Capcom

January: Virtua Quest™ from Sega

Feb. 8: NBA Street Vol. 3 from Electronic Arts

Feb. 14: Star Fox®: Assault from Nintendo

February: Winnie the Pooh from Ubisoft

March 14: Donkey Kong® Jungle Beat from Nintendo

March: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® Chaos Theory from Ubisoft

March: Dragon Ball Z® Sagas from Atari

Q1: Mortal Kombat®: Deception™ from Midway

Q2: Donkey Konga 2 from Nintendo

Q2: Fire Emblem from Nintendo

Q2: Geist from Nintendo

And an all-new adventure of The Legend of Zelda® from Nintendo is in development

Game Boy Advance SP

Jan. 10: The Legend of Zelda®: The Minish Cap from Nintendo

January: Banjo Pilot from THQ

February: Rave Master™: Special Attack Force™ from Konami

February: Shaman King: Legacy of Spirits – Soaring Hawk from Konami

February: Ace Combat from Namco

February: Klonoa® 2 from Namco

February: Winnie the Pooh from Ubisoft

March 21: WarioWare Twisted! from Nintendo

March: Mario Party® Advance from Nintendo

March: Backyard Baseball from Atari

March: Pac Pinball from Namco

April: Pokémon Emerald from Nintendo

Q2: Fire Emblem 2 from Nintendo

Q2: Ultimate Pocket Games™ from Telegames

11/11 Update

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND NINTENDO OPEN 1,000 DOORS TO THE FUTURE

Habitat for Humanity Striving to Build 1,000 Homes in Florida This Year

PENSACOLA, Fla., Nov. 11, 2004 - Habitat for Humanity International today announced that Nintendo of America has donated 1,000 doors to Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Florida to help the nonprofit homebuilding organization. Nintendo video game icon Mario™ joins Habitat for Humanity volunteers today at a build site in Pensacola, Fla., to deliver and help install the first of the 1,000 doors.

Nintendo made the donation in honor of Mario's new role-playing video game, Paper Mario™: The Thousand-Year Door. Habitat for Humanity affiliates will use the doors in home building projects across the state of Florida, working toward its goal to build a record 1,000 houses in the state this year. Lowe's Home Improvement, a national partner with Habitat for Humanity International, supported this donation by providing the doors to Nintendo at a discount.

"Nintendo's generosity reflects the spirit of the organization," said Dick Weber, regional director for Habitat for Humanity International's Southeast Regional Service Center, which includes Florida. "The gift of 1,000 doors will open new doors for families in need across Florida - families who have the same dreams as most Americans do, to someday have a simple, decent home to call their own."

"Nintendo is proud to be a part of this great rebuilding effort," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "We trust this contribution will open the door for hundreds of families to enjoy a better life."

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th house and more than one million people will be living in Habitat homes they helped build and are buying through no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. For more information about Habitat for Humanity International, visit www.habitat.org.

About Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door stars Mario, who can alter his shape from a paper airplane for flight, to a tube of paper to roll, to a paper ship to float; thus creating a very unique way to progress through the game and battle a variety of enemies. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, exclusively for Nintendo GameCube™ is Rated E for Everyone and is available now at an MSRP of $49.99.

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, Nintendo DS™ 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.

11/10 Update

Zelda Cartoons on DVD!

All 13 Episodes of the Zelda cartoons that aired in 1989-1990 are now on DVD! To order, click here!

The Legend Of Zelda Animated TV Series

$19.99

1. The Ringer
2. Cold Spells
3. The White Knight
4. Kiss 'N Tell
5. Sing For The Unicorn
6. Sing For The Unicorn
7. Doppelganger
8. Underworld Connections
9. Stinging A Stinger
10. A Hitch In The Works
11. Fairies In The Spring
12. The Missing Link
13. The Moblins Are Revolting

Regional Code: Free (Japan, Europe, Middle East, South Africa).
Languages: English.
Subtitles: None.
Audio: Stereo
Picture Format: 4:3 Regular.
Length: (approx) 390 minutes.
Episodes: 13.
Other: Interactive Menus, Chapter Selection, Subtitles.

11/2 Update

Minish Cap Box Art!

We have the official box art for the American version of Zelda: The Minish Cap, which can be seen below!

11/1 Update

Nintendo Cracks Down on Piracy

NINTENDO CRACKS DOWN ON MAJOR U.S. PIRACY OPERATION

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 1, 2004 – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has issued a temporary restraining order against the import and sale of video game systems containing counterfeit versions of Nintendo games being sold at numerous shopping malls.

In a major first step in its efforts to stop the sale of infringing products throughout the United States, Nintendo of America Inc. filed the action against two companies, its officers and employees after receiving tips from more than 400 of its loyal fans. In response to the specific court order, U.S. marshals will seize the counterfeit systems at shopping mall kiosks in the western Washington area. In addition, Nintendo is supporting numerous federal criminal investigations and U.S. Customs has seized tens of thousands of the infringing devices upon their entry into the country, all of which are assumed to be headed to malls across the United States for illegal sale.

The hundreds of thousands of products in question look identical to Nintendo® 64 controllers and plug directly into televisions, allowing users to play dozens of illegally pirated Nintendo games from the original Nintendo Entertainment System®, such as Donkey Kong® and Mario Bros.® Nintendo re-released many of these popular games, currently being pirated, as part of its Classic NES® Series, which allows its fans to play their favorite classic games on their Game Boy® Advance SP units. The bootleg products sell under the names "Power Player," "Super Joystick," "Superjoy" and "Powerjoy." As a result of the federal court order, Nintendo is urging all mall management companies around the country to immediately close the kiosks selling the illegal products.

"This action is one of many steps Nintendo is taking to protect its creative rights and to combat the growing international problem of product piracy," explains Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America's director of anti-piracy. "Nintendo won't tolerate these illegal products, and is grateful to its devoted customers. We'll aggressively protect the quality and integrity of the video game products our fans are so loyal to."

Daugherty added, "We're confident that mall management companies around the nation will provide their complete cooperation upon being informed of the court's decision."

Nintendo has information identifying kiosks distributing the illegal devices in malls in more than 40 states. They are often set up outside of Nintendo's legitimate retailers' stores. This is the largest piracy problem Nintendo has faced in the United States. Nintendo is still calculating the extent of its losses, but expects it to be in the millions of dollars, once the damage to both its reputation and the harm to relationships with its established business partners have been quantified.

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