"The Phoenix AdPi Audit combines brand performance, advertising performance, and copy testing. This latest one measured consumers' reactions to 30 ads that were in-market from October through December 2008. The ads were from top video game publishers such as Activision, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, MTV Games, Nintendo, Sony and Ubisoft."

"Isn't playing video games the language of love? What's that you say? Is isn't? Well, it should be, because we can hardly think of a better way to spend Valentine's Day - that's this Saturday, for the uninformed - than by playing video games. Of course, being a social event that you should be enjoying with your spouse or boy/girlfriend, you'll have to make sure that the game you're playing is interesting for the other party, whether they be taking part or not. Here's our list of the top ten ga..."

"Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has no problem admitting Wii Music didn't live up to the company's expectations, but he doesn't want you to consider it a failure, either.

"There are people who highly appreciate it and those who do not appreciate it at all," Iwata said, adding that perceptions can be changed.
It's all about word of mouth to him, as he said, "A cycle is born where people who have hands-on experience can immediately understand its appeal, easily explain the positive experie..."

The NPD Group has released the top twenty software and top ten software by platform lists for the recently unveiled December 2008 sales numbers yesterday, showing the top rankings in software sales for the month. The top ten rankings for accessory sales are also available.

Numbers are inserted where known.

Top 20 Games of December 2008:
01. [WII] Wii Play (Nintendo) - 1460k
02. [360] Call of Duty: World at War* (Activision Blizzard) - 1330k
03. [WII] Wii Fit (Nintendo) - 999k
04. [...

"Wii Music is a definite success with 865,465 units sold so far in North America alone. That number wasn't enough to get it into the top 10 for the year, but it's still an impressive amount and the 35th best-selling game of the year. Nintendo raked in over $41 million on the toy."

"

1. Bus Simulator 2008
2. Imagine Wedding Designer
3. Homie Rollerz
4. Hail to the Chimp
5. Secret Service: Ultimate Sacrifice
6. Legendary
7. Sonic Unleashed
8. Vampire Rain: Altered Species
9. Facebreaker
10. Pong Toss: Frat Party Games
11. Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon
12. Rock Revolution
13. Castlevania Judgment
14. Golden Axe: Beast Rider
15. Wii Music
16. Alone in the Dark
17. Target Terror

"

"July

Microsoft kicked off this year's E3 with a raft of announcements, or rather a raft of confirmations of leaked Intellisponse data. The only thing missing was Bungie's big reveal, after Microsoft cancelled the unveiling at the last minute."

"Last week we delivered buyer's guides to inform our readers what to get the gamer in their life this holiday season. Today we bring you a list of ten games that should, in no circumstances, be placed under the tree for your joystick junkie. This list of games was actually harder to construct than a list of must-haves for the simple fact that there were a ton of games this year that we should avoid at all costs. Each game represented below is a mockery of why we came to love games in the first..."

""It could be Nintendo's first flop for Wii," said Benjamin Schachter, an analyst with UBS Investment Research.

In an interview, the famously private Mr. Miyamoto said he isn't bothered by how Wii Music is performing so far. "I don't expect Wii Music to be an immediate hit," said the boyish-looking 56-year-old, who joined Nintendo in 1977 and now runs its game development. "It will be a steady long-running seller that will spread gradually by word-of-mouth."

Mr. Miyamoto said his goal is..."

"For a long time, the games industry debated the question of whether a videogame could make you cry. But as I hope to demonstrate, this question is either irrelevant, or a game never has nor never could make you cry.

Games (under the systems view) cannot make you cry. Videogame titles can include narrative material that makes you cry, but no-one can claim to be surprised that a story can make you cry. Barring some serious change in what constitutes a videogame, the only way they are ever go..."

"ELSPA (Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association) today announced the list of videogames vying for the number one spot this Christmas. And leading bookmaker Ladbrokes makes Call of Duty: World at War its 1/3 favourite for the festive accolade..."

The NPD Group has released their hardware and software numbers for the month of November, representing sales for the United States for the four week period of November 1st to November 29th.

Notables this month:

• Wii and DS have whopping sales numbers, clearly outselling all other hardware
• Gears of War 2 the top single SKU seller in November
• Call of Duty: World at War the top combined SKU seller in November
• Only version of Guitar Hero: World Tour to chart is Wii version

Hardware numbers:...

"

1. D.L.C.
2. Battle of the bands
3. WiiTube
4. Handbell Hell
5. Overdub Omission

"

"The last time we spoke with Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s future still hung in the balance.

Back then, Wii was codenamed Revolution, and Sony, with PS3 months from release, still dominated the game market. Today, the situation is very different, so much so that we hardly bat an eyelid when Miyamoto says: “To tell the truth, I have this big ambition for Wii Music, that it can eventually be something so influential that it might be able to influence what music means in the world.”

Brash..."

Australia gets to see its software sales for 16th of November! What topped the all consoles category? Surprisingly it's the game that's had a lot of criticism, Wii Music! Call of Duty: World at War then took second and third place on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 respectively.

Wii Music also topped the Wii section. This was followed by the popular Guitar Hero: World Tour and then the ever well selling Wii Fit.

Brain Training has done well again on the Nintendo DS taking first. MySims K...

"01. [NDS] Hoshi no Kirby: Ultra Super Deluxe (Nintendo) 97,000 / 363,000
02. [PS3] Samuraidou 3 (Spike) 81,000 / NEW
03. [NDS] Tongari Boushi to Mahou no 365 Nichi (Konami) 72,000 / NEW
04. [NDS] Fushigi no Dungeon Fuurai no Shiren DS 2: Sabaku no Majou (SEGA) 45,000 / NEW
05. [PS3] Resistance 2 (SCE) 33,000 / NEW
06. [NDS] DS Nishimura Kyoutarou Suspense 2 Shintantei Series:… (Tecmo) 33,000 / NEW
07. [NDS] Ryuusei no Rockman 3: Black Ace (Capcom) 33,000 / NEW
08. [NDS] Rhythm Tengoku..."

"Wii Sports and Wii Fit have, for the most part, sold at astronomical rates. Though, the same cannot be said for the third brother in the family, Wii Music. Reported NPD numbers say that Wii Music sold more than 50,000 units, which isn’t exactly terrible. However, compared to Wii Fit, Wii Music has garnered a less successful reception. Nintendo wholeheartedly believes in the game, however, and are more than willing to defend the game’s sales."

"Be puzzled by mind bending brain teasers as you aim to uncover the mystery of Professor Layton and the Curious Village at all NintendoDS locations, see live demonstrations of the highly anticipated Wii Music and take a trip to the city in the all new Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City , both at selected Wii locations..."

Tom East of officialnintendomagazine.co.uk has finally given in to festive temptations, making a blog of predictions as to what games will be number one sellers for the Wii and DS along with supporting reasons as to why.

His article brings up Call Of Duty: World At War, Guitar Hero, Wii Fit, Wii Play, Professor Layton And The Curious Village, Animal Crossing: Let's Go To The City, Pokemon Ranger: Shadows Of Almia and Wii Music.

What are your predictions for number one Nintendo sellers t...

"So what is the point, then? According to Miyamoto, he wanted to create an experience that differed from the other music games out there. While talking to a group of reporters after being honored at the ESA's 11th annual Nite to Unite event, Miyamoto said that Guitar Hero and Rock Band "let players be the best cover band they could possibly be." With Wii Music, the developer sought to give players a feel for what playing music is really like as opposed to training them to hit a particular colo..."

"Q: How do you balance the needs of hard-core gamers and all these new users?

A: We'll see the video game industry continue to provide games to both groups. But what we'll see that's different is there is an idea that there are individual products that can cater to both audiences, I would argue. Even now we're seeing that with a game like Wii Music. While there are so-called casual gamers who are enjoying the game very much, there are so-called core gamers who have become very big fans. Wha..."

"

So who else is buying this day one like me!

...For my niece of course."

"What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe (UK) this week? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the games that are the most popular now.

Wii Music debuts on the first place of the Wii chart. Fable II debuts on the #1 spot on the Xbox 360 chart. Dead Space stays on top of the PS3 chart. Lego Batman once again remains high on the PS2 chart. Far Cry 2 debuts as number 1 in the PC top 5. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia debuts on the DS chart. And lastly Star Ocean: Fir..."

"Wii Music is a well designed experience that likely won't appeal to fans of established music or rhythm games like Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution. Even more casual fans of those types of games will likely scoff at the title, wondering what the point is, as some of our lapsed gaming friends did. Wii Music should be thought of as a tool not a game, similar to earlier Nintendo efforts such as Electroplankton or Mario Paint and may find some value as a musical oddity, a momentary diversion..."

"PC
Backyard NFL Football '09, Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp, Bully Scholarship Edition, Dead Space, Deer Hunter Tournament, Europa Universalis III Collection, Far Cry 2, NBA 2K9, NHL 09

PS2
Backyard NFL Football '09, Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp, Disney Sing It, Disney Sing It Microphone Bundle, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon, Monopoly, The Naked Brothers Band: The Video Game, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows - Amazing Allies Edition, SpongeBob SquarePants Featuring Ni..."

"

1. Sonic Unleashed
2. World Of Goo
3. Tales of Symphonia
4. Wii Music
5. Call Of Duty: World At War
6. DokaponKingdom
7. Guitar Hero: World Tour
8. Castlevania Judgement
9. Rygar

"

Gamespot was at the launch event held in Sydney for the Wii Music in Australia. It's been dated for November 13th and the launch attracted a crowd of well known faces.

Most reoccurring of those was Marica Hines, well known as a judge on the show Australian Idol who got around the place and had fun demonstrating how to play. She joined forces with Dylan Lewis, a Recovery host and TV personality who hosted the night.

Following this was some more famous faces such as Thirsy Merc drummer K...

"Nintendo have this morning confirmed a European release date for the highly-anticipated Wii exclusive title, Wii Music. Details of the Press Release are included below..."

"Nintendo today disclosed a number of surprises, including new games, the ability to use the Wii™ console to chat with friends near and far, and the expansion of the popular Club Nintendo rewards program to North America.

Continuing its commitment to supply new game experiences for every level of player, Nintendo revealed a wide range of games for the 2008 holiday season and beyond. A number of games are slated for 2009, including a new Punch-Out!! ™ and Sin & Punishment 2 for Wii, and Fi..."

Straight from the Nintendo Fall Press Conference is the montage reel that was played that showcased the various upcoming Wii games. This is the same reel that announced these games.

• Wii Music / Nintendo / Oct. 16, 2008
• Animal Crossing: City Folk / Nintendo / Nov. 20, 2008
• The Melancholy of Haruhi / Kadokawa Shoten / Nov. 27, 2008
• Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes / Capcom / Dec. 11, 2008
• 428 ~The World Doesn't Change Even So~ / Sega / Dec. 4, 2008
• Samba de Amigo / Sega...

There are new screenshots for Nintendo's upcoming game, Wii Music, which is set to hit Japanese shelves on October 16th.

Wii Music boasts more than fifty classical and popular songs, along with more than 60 different types of instruments that players can use to make music with their friends. Performances can also be sent to your Wii friends. The conductor mode that was previously showed off is still available in this game.

You can check out the rest of the screenshots over at the source.

Two new Wii Music gameplay videos have been revealed, showing a group of band members being taught in a classroom, as well as a band playing in the Alpine mountains.

The thirty second commercial currently, this new video for Wii Music features a demonstration.... of the NES (Famicom)!? This isn't even a musical instrument! This is even sillier than Wii Music: Dog and Wii Music: Cheerleader!

"Nintendo have today unveiled their fourth quarter release schedule for both NintendoDS and Wii, including all first- and third-party releases, for the UK and mainland Europe. Along with the highly-anticipated Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City which was dated earlier today, highlights include Wii Music, Disaster: Day of Crisis and Professor Layton and the Curious Village. The full list is included below…"

Wii music commercial number twenty nine! This one is for the steel drums, so now you can sound like a Jamaican on the beach.

The 28th commercial for Wii Music has come out on Gametrailers. First we had dog, then harmonica... and now we have handbell! Yes, now you too can finally learn how to play with bells!

Yay another video! The commercials for Wii Music have now surpassed 25, totalling 26 in total.

This newest video is a demonstration of the bass. Check out that concentration...

You guys know what's coming, you've seen something similar to this before. It's the same woman, this time demonstrating the Japanese Timpani, an instrument that you can "play" in Wii Music.

Honestly, I don't know what point these demonstration videos serve. They can't be possibly be hyping up the game and anyone with half a brain will know how to work the Wiimote and Nunchuck.

Yep, found you another one! There have been over 20 Wii Music commercials now and they don't look to be stopping...

This video is of the harmonica.

"While the press release highlights the Wii Music elevator pitch, the newly updated product page gives us a look "Beyond the Jam." The playback mode lets you review your jam session with dramatic camera angles and the tone quiz "tests your musical ear by giving you challenges, like putting note-playing Miis in order from lowest to highest pitch."

And how could we ever forget that Wii Music will let us drum in tandem with the Wii Balance Board? We could never forget, is the answer."

"Simple as this- if you contribute to the (sadly inevitable) sucess of a product that pushes Nintendo further away from making anything of interest to gamers, I'm going on a rampage. I'd sooner they went back to making playing cards than see them reduced to this.

First off, it's not a game- it's a music simulator. You pick from a group of songs (that contains such classic and knee-slapping anthems as "Yankee Doodle" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star") but don't actually hit notes, you just ..."

Yep, another video! There sure have been a lot of Wii Music advertisements. This new demonstration is for the Harpsichord!

If you think Wii Music looks silly, and if you think Wii Music: Dog looks downright idiotic, then prepare yourself for the latest "instrument". Here is Wii Music: Cheerleader...

Once again, here's another video for Wii Music. This time, the advertisement is for the Sitar.

Looks fun doesn't it?

Yay another commercial for Wii Music! If you couldn't tell, there was a lot of sarcasm in that statement. These are getting pretty tiring for everyone, but here's another one. This new one is a demonstration of the saxophone, she couldn't look more bored if she tried.

Yes, time to complain about more money put into Wii Music advertisement by Nintendo.

She did smile this time though!

This one is a demonstration of the drum kit.

All that can be said is... at least it's better than the dog one. Anyway, another Wii Music video has been released and this time it's for Japanese Ukelele!

By now, a lot of people are complaining about Wii Music. First it looked to be ok, then it looked silly and now it pretty much just looks stupid.

This is all thanks to a new video that just came out, Wii Music: Dog

Lady demonstrates how Taiko works on Wii Music for the Nintendo Wii. Learn how to play traditional Japanese music!

When Nintendo showed Wii Music at E3, most people's attention was drawn to the hilarity of the Wii Music drums. So are the drums any better to play than the other instruments? Well, you decide ...

"Here we go again! We’ve uncovered something special. Something so tantalizingly ripe for ridicule that we just could not resist. Sometimes, comedy writes itself.
Wii Music, prepare to be skewered.

"

"Wii Music / 16 October / 5800 yen
- wi-fi connection compatible, touch generations series

Captain Rainbow / 28 August / 6800 yen

Wii Remote Straps coming out in September
White, Pink, Blue, Green
300 yen each
Set of four for 1000 yen.

Valkyrie Profile DS / 2 October / 5040 yen"

"One question asked of Miyamoto was Wii Music's qualifications as a game. You know, a game game. Since Wii Music has no discernible scoring system, no goals and little in the way of those squishy innards that makes a game a "game," isn't it just a "musical toy"? That was the question posed by one European journo.

"Yes, that's right," Miyamoto curtly replied "And that's why it's better than a video game.""

"1UP: Tell us a little bit about Animal Crossing: City Folk. You've got the three-dimensional WiiSpeak microphone, which picks up sound from anyone in the room. How does this affect the actual game?

Katsuya Eguchi: The Animal Crossing series has always had a big emphasis on the communication theme -- you know, communication between players. In the GameCube version, of course, we had keyboard functionality to support that sort of communication, but now with WiiSpeak, we really get that stron..."

"Miyamoto pointed out that while he knows how to play the guitar, he does not know how to play the saxophone. His point? Wii Music is a game that is easy to learn and everyone in the family can participate and enjoy but has other features for players who want that higher skill factor."

"Purely rumour and speculation at the moment, this one, but word has it that Nintendo's upcoming Wii Music title will make use of the Wii Balance Board, specifically as drum pedals."