Wii has been one of the biggest surprises in the game industry in recent memory. Last November in the run-up to Christmas 2006, Nintendo sold 476,000 units of the Wii video game console, more than twice the number of PlayStation 3s sold by rival Sony Corp., according to research group NPD. By comparison, Microsoft Corp. sold 511,000 units of its Xbox 360 in the same period.
Soon, for the first time, Wii owners of all ages will be able to connect with people outside their homes and compete with one another across town and around the world with Pokemon Battle Revolution. The opportunity will be one of many firsts: The first Wii game to include Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection play; the first game to link Wii and the hand-held Nintendo DS; and the first Wii game that can be controlled using Nintendo DS.
When Wii and Nintendo DS are linked, players can use their Nintendo DS units as controllers or import characters from the upcoming Nintendo DS games Pokemon Diamond Version and Pokemon Pearl Version. Pokemon Battle Revolution launches on June 25 exclusively for Wii and brings a dramatic new chapter to the Pokemon franchise. (Which has sold more than 155 million units worldwide.)
Pokemon Battle Revolution will be joined by Super Paper Mario, the first Mario game for Wii; Mario Party 8, a multiplayer party game; and Big Brain Academy, a brain-training game that builds on the success of the Nintendo DS brain games. These will add to the growing library of Wii games, which will total more than 50 by the end of June.
“With strong third-party support, Wii and Nintendo DS have games on the way for both casual and veteran gamers,” says Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. “Our new ways to play have attracted millions of players around the world. This lineup demonstrates our commitment to leading the industry with the future of video gaming.”
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