A Wii bit of goodness from Fire Emblem: Goddess of Dawn

Looks like Ninty has released the first official trailer for its upcoming version of Fire Emblem for the Wii. Unfortunately it doesn't include any actual gameplay, but it's quite epic and enjoyable nonetheless.

I don't know why, but the music playing throughout the trailer reminds me of one of the themes from Final Fantasy IV (which is never a bad thing).

Anyhoo, here's a link to the trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=16703&type=mov&pl=game

And here's a link to the official Japanese website for the game: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=16703&type=mov&pl=game

(Photo nabbed from IGN.com, as I'm sure you can tell.)

Miss Manners on the DS?

One of my favorite gaming sites, The Magic Box, just included a little update on a game I'd love to see translated for American release: My Happy Manners Book.

The game--which, as is implied in the title, teaches the ladies how to properly carry themselves in social situations--will be released (in Japan, natch) on April 5 by Square-Enix (it was developed by Taito, I believe).

I seriously doubt it will be brought over here, of course, as I'm probably the only one who would buy it. Not that I'd like to improve my manners any (excuse me while I belch), but I always like to support completely off-the-wall gaming ventures, and I really dig the graphical stylings the game's artists are trying to pull off.

Oh well, at least we got Cooking Mama.

If you're interested, here's a scan from a recent issue of the fab Japanese gaming mag, Famitsu, with a few more images of the game: http://img22.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=82425_My_Happy_Manner_Book_F934_resize_122_446lo.jpg

More Wii goodness on the way

OK, you can get this news elsewhere, but I can't help but write about some of the great games coming to Wii soon.

First off, Konami just (yesterday) announced a slew of games for Nintendo's great new system: Dewy's Adventure, Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party and a pair of games Hudson released in Japan at launch (Kororinpa and Wing Island).

Although Dewy's Adventure looks cute, I doubt I'll buy it. DDR, on the other hand, I may just pick up. Here's one of my dirty little secrets: I've never played a DDR game. I've just looked on longingly. So, it may be time to finally bite the bullet.

More on all of Konami's upcoming games can be found here: http://gonintendo.com/

IGN.com bogger Matt C. announced some great new games for the Wii yesterday, too. Apparently Nintendo is finally starting to let people know that it will be bringing two games originally announced for the GC to the Wii: Donkey Kong Bongo Blast and Kirby.

Now, even though the DK game sounds fun, I usually don't buy those types of games (I just know I won't play them much). Kirby, though, intrigues me. If it's a actual Kirby game spruced up for Wii, I may just have to pick it up.

Oh, Matt also dropped a mention of Wii Music and Wii Health coming out this year. I have heard rumors of a Wii Health before, but this is the first time I've heard more concrete news on it. Let's hope it is in fact in the works and will be out by the end of the year.

Here's Matt's blog, if you'd like to check it out: http://blogs.ign.com/matt-ign

Would Mario still sell millions if he were gay?

That's the headline of an article appearing on GayWired.com today. And guess what? I wrote it! I know, I know, I shouldn't be such a whore and promote myself and my work like that, but I think it's an interesting read so I'm going forward with the faux pas anyway.

The article includes commentary from a variety of sources--a gaming industry veteran, an LGBT marketing expert and two gamers--about 'gay' games attaining mainstream success in the future.

Here's a link to the article: http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=74&id=12882

I've written about this subject--gay content in video games--quite a few times in the last year. Here's an article I wrote for the great gaming site Gamasutra.com in December ("Boy on Boy Action: Is Gay Content on the Rise?"): http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061208/ochalla_01.shtml

And here's another article I wrote for GayWired.com in October ("They're Here, They're Queer ... They're Gamers?"): http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=87&id=10831

Yet another of my gayming articles will be appearing in the Feb./March issue of GayWebMonkey magazine. The headline for this one is, "Are Video Games Ready to Come Out of the Closet?" Here's where you'll be able to download the issue when it's available: http://www.gaywebmonkey.com/

Oh, DS, how I've dreamed of you...

I know I'm a complete dolt for admitting this, but I have yet to buy a DS. I was one of the few who thought the idea was cool from the outset, but obstacles were thrown in my way that kept me from buying one when they were first released.

This past Thanksgiving I came to my senses. I'm not sure why--I think a few games were announced that really caught my eye--but that really isn't important, is it? Fact is, I wanted one, and Thanksgiving wasn't exactly the best time to be in that predicament.

I've been looking for one ever since: In the stores (Target, Best Buy, GameStop--even the ghastly Wal-Mart), on line--anywhere and everywhere that sells games (and even some that don't). No luck. I nearly got one on Wal-Mart's website a few weeks back, but when I went to check out I was informed I had missed my chance and they were once again sold out.

Well, today, just on a whim, I decided to check out walmart.com again. And guess what? I got one! Sure, I had to buy a black one (I wanted a white one), and I had to buy a package deal, but who cares? It's on its way!

I already have two games waiting patiently to be played in my beautiful new portable system: Animal Crossing Wild World and Final Fantasy III. They will be joined by the pair I bought as part of the package deal: Super Princess Peach and Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time. I could have bought Mario Kart DS instead of one of them, but even though I love MK, I find I don't play racers for very long (RPGs and platformers, on the other hand, are just my style).

So, in a week or so I'll join the rest of the modern world in having a DS. Yay for me.