Mario Kart Wii was the biggest selling game across the UK, US and Japan last year, shifting nearly 9 million copies.

That’s according to a Top Global Markets report – a collaboration between GfK Chart-Track (UK), NPD (US) and Enterbrain (Japan).

Wii Fit came a close second, followed by GTAIV, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and COD: World at War.

Grand Theft Auto IV led the pack back in August, when the only other change had been Guitar Hero III in place of Call of Duty: World at War.

Source: Eurogamer

Check out the source of this item Mario Kart for Wii console tops 2008 charts

A Stroke of Genius Brings the Incredible Action/Adventure Game To Life Using the Wii Remote

London — October 17, 2007 It’s finally time to experience the magic of Ōkami™ as it was always meant to be played. Capcom’s award winning game — hailed as “Game of the Year” for 2006 by multiple magazines and websites including Associated Press, PSM, Village Voice, IGN.com, Game Revolution and more — is set for release on the Wii™ home video game system in Spring 2008. Featuring a re-imagined control scheme built around the intuitive Wii Remote™, Ōkami offers players an unparalleled level of control and an opportunity to rediscover a critically-acclaimed and beautifully crafted adventure.

Ōkami tells the story of a mythical sun god who sets out to restore a dismal world, decimating the forces of evil who stand in the way by commanding the elements and mythical abilities the deity possesses. Mixing Japanese folklore and a stunning traditional Japanese art style, players must utilize an inventive control scheme to overcome the challenges and evil that await. By enhancing the unique gameplay, visual style and story line of Ōkami with the control of the Wii Remote, it is sure to be the ultimate version of the game.

Originally designed for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and released in 2006, Ōkami now comes alive in an entirely new way on the Wii with its visually stunning art style and beautiful scenic 3D levels that have the appearance and texture of paper scrolls brushed with watercolor-like calligraphy art. Throughout the vibrant and distinctive surroundings, players must use the Wii remote to interact with a dynamic world and cast of characters. The blend of stylized graphics, movements and unique gameplay will result in a rich and dynamic experience never seen before.

Ōkami includes the following features:
• Innovative gameplay and control scheme optimized for the Wii – Defeating monsters requires both motion-controlled physical attacks, but also use of the Wii Remote as Amaterasu’s ‘Celestial Brush’ to paint the desired powers for decimating enemies and solving puzzles.
• Create and destroy at will – Play as a god to re-establish order and beauty to a world laid barren by evil.
• Intense action-packed battles – Rooted in Japanese folklore, fight against a diverse line-up of demons and monsters.
• Utilize various gameplay styles – In addition to the Celestial Brush, Amaterasu can wield three types of offensive weaponry, each with their own unique abilities and effects.

Depending on how a weapon is equipped, it can be used as the main or sub weapon:

o Reflectors – These well-balanced weapons are suited for close range combat
o Rosaries– Sacred magatama beads are great for quick long range attacks
o Glaives – These can be charged up to unleash powerful close range attacks

• Intriguing main character – Assume the role of the sun god, Amaterasu, who descends upon the earth in the form of a wolf. The Japanese translation of the word wolf is “Ōkami”.
• Original visuals and revolutionary design– Vibrant and inspiring graphics, reminiscent of traditional Japanese art created on paper scrolls, produce a large variety of stages with a watercolour-esque appearance.
• Interact with a unique and dynamic cast of characters.

Check out the video of ŌKAMI™ here below:

TOKYO (AFP) — Nintendo’s Wii outsold rival Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3) three-fold in Japan last year, helping the country’s multi-billion dollar video game market to notch up its best ever year, a survey showed Monday.

Nintendo sold about 3.63 million Wii consoles in its home market in 2007 while Sony sold 1.21 million PS3s, according to magazine publisher Enterbrain.

The Wii also trounced the PS3 more than three-fold in the key year-end sales period between November 25 and December 30, selling 774,123 Wii consoles against Sony’s sales of 232,421 PS3s, the survey showed.

Nintendo won back its lead after the two rivals briefly traded places in November, when the PS3 outsold the Wii in Japan for the first time, helped by a price cut and a stronger line-up of games, according to Enterbrain.

Sony’s game unit said Monday that it had sold 1.2 million PS3s in North America during the holiday shopping period after a hefty price cut.

“The PlayStation brand ended the year in a very strong position and clearly indicates more positive momentum going into 2008,” Jack Tretton, head of Sony Computer Entertainment in the US, said in a statement.

Analysts said that although PS3 sales appear to be improving after a tough first year, in terms of sales it is still far behind the Wii.

“Consumers both in Japan and overseas are still attracted by the Wii, which remains a fresh concept,” said Hiroshi Kamide, a game analyst at KBC Securities.

The Wii also retains a three-fold sales advantage over the PS3 in North America, where Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is also posing competition for Sony, he said.

Sony “either has to slash the price further or increase the number of games available, which is something software makers are reluctant to do” because there are too few owners in the US to make it worthwhile, he added.

Microsoft sold 257,841 Xbox 360s last year in Japan, continuing to struggle on its rivals’ home turf two years after the console’s launch, the survey showed.

Japan’s total computer game market was worth a record 687.7 billion yen (6.37 billion dollars) in 2007, up 9.9 percent from the previous year, Enterbrain said.

The market was buoyed by robust sales of Nintendo’s DS and the Lite version handheld consoles, which have sold a total of just over 21 million units since the initial launch three years ago, it added.

Software sales were also strong, with games for Nintendo consoles making up four of the five top-selling games, the survey showed.

I think it’s no secret that the Japanese get some of the best gaming related exclusives that are being made. When it comes to the Wii, this fact is even more pronounced. They have so many exclusives attached to the Wii that it is quite sad. Whether it’s a Wii check-up channel or the ability to order food directly from your Wii, Nintendo loves Japan and Japan loves them right back. There is another gaming niche the Japanese get that hardly sees the light overseas, adult games. No, I’m not talking about Grand Theft Auto here. These are “erotic” games tailored for the adult market. Now, we are not here to talk about that as it could quickly go beyond PG-13.

This post is to talk about a game that looks ridiculously, well…ridiculous. The title is Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. In the game you will play one or two teenage girls who fight off zombies and other horrible beasts. It’s your typical hack and slash affair. Except, it’s not. Why not? Because you are a Bikini Zombie Slayer! That’s right, the protagonists will be clad in a bikini or other sexually taboo affair, like a school girl uniform, a sailor outfit and even a bikini cowboy. I know, a bit absurd. However, one cannot argue the appeal of the hack n slash on the Wii. Flailing about with the nunchuck and Wiimote to control your sword is almost as natural as it gets.

The publisher of the game has a genius marketing slogan, “Hot babes, sexy outfits, swords, blood and zombies… who could ask for more?” Well, we could ask for the game to be good and not too repetitive for one. Judging by videos I’ve seen of the game, it is in danger of being the same thing over and over and over and over again. Sure, this is a fault of many hack n slash games but, is it too much to ask for the same mistake to not be repeated? The question remains, is this game going to be worth your money and time? Are sexy protagonists enough to make people buy a game? Well, if the Dead or Alive series is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.

Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers is published by D3Publisher. The game, which releases on Feb. 10, can be played solo or two player co-op and will retail for $29.99.

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So, our friends over at Wii Blog are quite excited about the latest Sonic game, even after the disaster that was Secret Rings. Looking at the latest trailer I can see why. This isn’t your typical Sonic game, The Black Knight looks to be a full on action/adventure title, complete with sword wielding Sonic! You’ll be sent back to an Arthurian inspired medieval world to battle it out with, well, The Black Knight. The game is developed by Team Sonic Japan and is set for a March 10 release date. Let’s hope this game actually plays as fun as the trailer makes it seem.

Check out the source of this item Sonic & The Black Knight Trailer!!