Many analyst, market stalkers, and bored fans have placed several bets on just when Nintendo will roll out their next console (Wii 2). Some say 2010, while others believe 2011 looks good, but it’s obvious Nintendo will need a “reboot” when/if sales begin to droop. A recent interview with Nintendo’s president Satoru Iwata reminds us that it’s Nintendo’s turn at world domination, and why update that?

“I don’t think any hardware can enjoy eternal life. Someday, we’ll need a new platform for sure, and of course, Nintendo is always preparing for that. However, now that our customer base has expanded this drastically, we do not think it’s appropriate to conclude that past platform lifecycle theory can or should be applied to the current generation.”

No kidding, right? Why change the recipe when it already tastes so good? The current Wii setup has a very good chance at lasting long into the next decade without economical harm to Nintendo. However, in the long run consumers might become a bit more aware of the cheaper, more appealing competition as the global economy continues to weaken.
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This image was found on somewhat infamous and well known image board. This image board is known for having news early, but for also having a mixture of fake news as well. I would not considered this image solid news that Final Fantasy VI is in the works until an official announcement from Square Enix is made.

However, on a side thought, would you guys purchase a remake of Final Fantasy VI for the Nintendo DS? Or are you tired of their ports and want them to start making new games like The World Ends With You?

Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, depending on what you know about Nintendo strategy these days, Wii Fit exploded last week to the tune of 300,000 units sold.

Failed New Year’s resolutions waiting to happen? Gift card bonanza? As far as Nintendo is concerned, they could care less as long as this thing (and the rest of its software) continues to defy the traditional video game sales model.

Quick update about this week’s Boom Blox Blast Party announcement from EA: No Friend Codes.

Share your creations and destroy them with friends without Nintendo’s overprotective Friend Code system, according to an interview at MTV Multiplayer.

Without much fanfare, pomp or whatever, Nintendo has unleashed one of the queiter Megaton announcements we’ve seen in a while with this list of upcoming first party release dates and windows for the DS and Wii.

At a glance, Endless Ocean 2 caught David’s eye, and the first half 2009 listing for Punch-Out!! caught mine. These two titles are by no means all the lists have to offer. Check out all the noteworthy upcoming release dates below. Be warned, for they are vague.

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Dated graphics got you down?

While speaking to Video Gamer, a no-name producer by the name of Dean Scott confidently said he’s got the game for you — an action adventure title dubbed Overlord: Dark Legend, coming to Wii later this year.

“When people see this game in motion, they are going to be seriously impressed. It sounds like such a lame cliché to say ‘it looks like the 360 version’, but that’s true. Not exactly, but it’s closer than we ever imagined possible on the platform… In terms of looks, it blows away just about everything else I’ve seen on Wii,” he concluded.

There you have it. I suspect we’ll hear these kinds of promises until the Wii reaches its grave, no?

For all my Nintendo love I seriously did not think these remade GameCube “Play on Wii” games would have much appeal (Pikmin, Mario Tennis). Same price as Wii games?! Minor changes? Dated games? Couldn’t possibly…

But against all rhyme or reason it’s worked. In Japan, at least, my critical Play On Wii thoughts would be dead wrong.

I guess with the success of the Virtual Console I should have known better. As an aside, normally I’d complain again about the price point of these titles here, again, and ask Nintendo to reduce them to $40 or $30 and do us all a favor. But Mario Tennis sits at #1 right now. They’re not going to change a thing because people are buying it. This is crazy. Profitable, but crazy.

Update: Got the pricing info incorrectly from a U.K.-based story earlier this year. Updated and removed with a slash.

EA and Steven Spielberg announced this week that Boom Blox, one of the unsung heroes to grace the Wii in 2008, will receive the sequel treatment sometime this spring

According to an EA release, Boom Blox Bash Party will featuring 400 new levels and more multiplayer. From an Infendo perspective, I know the community feel was one of the things that got David all hot and bothered about the original.

“Boom Blox Bash Party is a wild social gaming experience,” Spielberg said. “We know families and friends really enjoyed playing the original Boom Blox together, so we designed more explosive multiplayer experiences with Boom Blox Bash Party.”

Topping it off is an online level editor, which will allow players to share their creations with other block bashing friends. EA will offer DLC levels as well, most likely for a small fee.

With Apple pulling out of MacWorld (for whatever the actual reason), and Nintendo’s own openly stated “alternative development” approach to E3 from here on forward, the future of the trade show conference is looking more grim with each passing day.

That’s right, folks, ze Leipzig is dead.

Anyone going to miss trade shows in this instant news gratification Internet era we live in today? Personally, I’ll miss the after parties, but those in and of themselves are not enough to convince me they’re worth saving.

Global Sales Mark 17% Growth Over Previous Year

Despite nearly unprecedented strength of the yen against major foreign currencies, Nintendo Co., Ltd. on Thursday (Japan time) reported 9-month (April to December 2008) global sales of 1,536 billion yen, an increase of nearly 17% over the same period in 2007, along with 501 billion yen of operating profits, up 27% from a year ago. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Nintendo Co., Ltd. has exceeded the previous results for the same nine month period. At the same time, recurring and net profits for the same nine month periods each declined about 18% due to 174 billion yen of foreign currency reevaluation losses from assets held in currencies other than Japanese yen (such as bank deposits without forward exchange contracts).

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