Looking good, Link!

Not unexpected. For those who have played it, what do you think? Worth $50?

Auto-pilot gaming is coming to Donkey Kong Country Returns.

First introduced in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and later on Super Mario Galaxy 2, the so-called Super Guide gives players the option to turn on auto-controls after dying eight consecutive times. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto—as were many of Nintendo’s best ideas—the feature only finishes the current level and can be turned off at anytime. In other words, it’s a great compromise to make games more accessible without dumbing them down for seasoned players.

Donkey Kong Country Returns drops Nov. 21 on Wii. It’s rated Everyone and retails for $50.

After selling an unthinkable 28 million copies of Wii Play, Nintendo is ready to refresh the controller bonus game idea with the release of FlingSmash on Sunday.

You already know about the bundled Wii Remote with “Motion Plus inside.” As for the included game, it’s like a side-scrolling Brickbreaker plus racquetball with a dash of pinball. It’s definitely more lasting than Wii Play. My kids certainly enjoyed it. But the controls don’t feel as accurate as I would expect. And since everyone and their dog already owns four Wii Remotes, I think it’s a hard sale at $50.

So unless you absolutely play a lot of Motion Plus games (Hi, Grand Slam Tennis), are in need of extra remotes, or love Brickbreaker-type games, FlingSmash isn’t worth the cash. Trailer after the break. (more…)

Recently featured on the new and improved Infendo Radio, the fam and I have been playing Disney Guilty Party, which is basically Mario Party + Clue, the board game. Throw in high quality production values, and the $40 party game is something I’m betting most families would enjoy.