If you've been following the Japanese software sales trends, then you might want to know that Media Create Japan has revealed the sales list from January 28 to February 3. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii has taken the top slot of the list. To see the rest of the list, head on over to the full article.

The man who's about taking names, kicking ass, and making games sat down in an exclusive interview with GamePro to receive major feedback of the Nintendo Wii's continuing success in - and apparently even outside - the gaming industry. When asked on three most pressing issues, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime appeared to sit back comfortably into the ol' Reggie as we all knew him.

 

Perhaps the biggest issue is how many Nintendo fans, which include the core gamers, suddenly feel left behind, despite the DS and Wii breaking sales milestones every quarter of a fiscal year. With so many casual, mini-game and non-gamer appealing titles being shoveled, hardcore gamers felt as if they were shot in the back by the Japanese gaming giant.

Games that cater to the core are apparently taking too long, and there are very few and far between in terms of caliber and gameplay level being delivered in the third-party development front. Fils-Aime took the opportunity to re-assure hardcore gamers that they aren't being ignored, stating:

From that standpoint we embrace these new customers the same way we embrace the Core. That's why it was so important to bring out Metroid Prime 3 in its perfect state; that's why it's so important to launch Smash Bros. this year; that's why it's so important to bring Mario Kart for Wii out early next year. These titles for the Core are very, very important for us.

And while concern that the mini-games, brain-twisters and even the newly announced Wii Fit is becoming Nintendo's new sweetheart has settled in lately, Fils-Aime admitted that it was something they had to do - something they had to prove once and for all. It's a classic Blue Ocean opportunity. Nintendo had the opportunity, saw it, and knew they had to take it. He said:

This is something Nintendo takes very seriously. In our view we need to lead the industry in certain areas to show what can be. Wii Sports was very important to us. That's why we packed it in with every piece of hardware to show just how intuitive using the Wii Remote could be. Wii Fit is a way to just expand the mind and have people thinking about an input device in a whole new way. Brain Age and Brain Age 2 again were very important this way for DS. So I think at times the Core gamers mistake our passion for constantly pushing out the envelope for fear that we'll leave them behind. We'll never do that.

More on how the Wii's will be more than just "first person shooters" and how the the shortage is no longer a supply issue at the full article after the jump!

  

Today's Super Smash Bros. Brawl Dojo update talks about an important assist character from the Kirby series of video games. His name's Knuckle Joe, and as his name implies, he certainly packs a powerful punch!

In Kirby's world, Knuckle Joe is a very powerful fighter who uses strong punches to decimate his enemies. It comes as no surprise that Knuckle Joe would be using those same fists to assist other members of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl roster.

In the pictures below, you'll notice three of Knuckle Joe's special moves. The first one, a flying uppercut, is called the Rising Break. The second one, which happens to be a series of lightning-fast punches, is called the Vulcan Jab. Lastly, the final pic on the line below showcases his finisher, the Smash Punch.

Expect to see more of him when Nintendo's grand brawling game comes out. In the meantime, enjoy these screenshots!

   

QJ.NET reader Toby Lurio has pointed us towards what could be a possible release date for Nintendo's much-awaited Wii title Super Smash Bors. Brawl.

In GameSpot's feature on the most anticipated games for this year's E3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl was tagged with a September 1 release date. While the accuracy of this data is still unconfirmed, it sure is nice to think that we could be able to play the game in a couple of months.

The highly-anticipated 3D fighting game for Nintendo's next gen Wii video game console has not yet been given an official release date. The official Super Smash Bros. Brawl website also still has the game listed for a vague 2007 release, so keep checking back here for more updates.

---

UPDATE: Well folks, Super Smash Bros. Brawl won't be dropping on September 1 after all, but it has finally been given a specific release date. According to an IGN report, Nintendo has just revealed that Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be released on December 3. Start marking your calendars, people. More info regarding this on our upcoming article.

Remember the days when Nintendo fans were secretly gnashing their teeth when the much-awaited Revolution console was renamed into a seemingly laughable name: the Wii? When Ninty supporters had to endure the taunts thrown in their direction by Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 supporters?

Yes, we still remember those days. It's good to reminisce the times when Nintendo stood by with their decisions, practiced good damage control, and weathered the generally initial hostile reception by the market.

Now, it seems that Nintendo has to endure those times again in the advent of E3. With such news as Super Smash Bros. Brawl E3 demo not being playable, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption not having multiplayer online mode, the Big N may have ended up disappointing many of their eager followers.

It should be noted that Metroid's gameplay never emphasized multi-player gaming in the first place, and sacrificing the option to play Metroid online with friends may be a necessary thing to do in order to fully concentrate time and resources on the main course: FPS single-player. The inability to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl in E3 could be excused as well, if Nintendo manages to compensate by making sure the all new Wii game line-up to be announced this E3 will be well worth it.

It will be interesting to see how Nintendo will handle less-than favorable gamer reception, and how it will all turn out. Stick with us as we get more E3-related news!

This feels weird. Finally we get some news about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and it's not via the official "Super Smash DOJO" website like the previous twenty-something updates.

Over at Game|Life, a media relations rep at Nintendo just dropped the Garlic Bomb: Super Smash Bros. Brawl will not be playable at E3, but in the same breath of air, the same rep reassures everyone that the game is still coming out this year, as promised.

The reason for this is that Nintendo's trying to gear everyone up for certain Wii titles that have never been revealed before. Makes sense, right? Smash is already getting lots of hype and can possibly do well propped on its own two feet. Maybe it's time to turn the spotlight over to other games we can be excited about?

Well, we always thought that Smash, Galaxy, and Prime composed the Holy Trinity of Nintendo's lineup during the tradeshow. Now with Smash ducking out, does this mean that Mario and Samus won't be on the floor with their own anticipated Wii games too? We'll know next week for sure.

The last (most notable) appearance of Dr. Mario would probably be as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee on the GameCube. And right now, it's still unknown if that same character would re-enter the Smash arena come Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii. Regardless, that doesn't necessarily mean that the Wii will be devoid of any Dr. Mario.

Over at the ESRB website, as Jac and KingBroly of GoNintendo point out, there seems to be a "Dr. Mario Wii" listed by the board. As of press time, and as seen in the screen cap below, there seem to be "no desciptors" available, so we're pretty sure to get an update though.

A lot of people have been speculating about this Dr. Mario Wii, asking if it's a real Wii title or just a Virtual Console reincarnation. Wikipedia says it's the latter though. But for what it's worth, we've never seen a VC title with a "Wii" tag at the end of its title (e.g. there's never been a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Wii).

We'll be back as soon as we get the diagnosis on this title. For now, we're scribbling "Rumor" on this title's prescriptions.

Another update coming from the Smash Brothers Dojo website, and now it's more of a defensive technique than anything else. Specifically, it's what you should do when you get blasted off the stage ledge - never a good thing to happen to anyone in the middle of a heated Super Smash Bros. brawl.

To recover from what seems to be a one-way ticket to a dirt-nap, players will have to act fast and use their mid-air jump to regain some airspace. And after that, use their Up Special move to "fly" up the last few feet that lies between you and terra firma.

If you've pulled it off right, you'll be able to grab onto the ledge and pull yourself up to safety. Unless, of course, someone's actually guarding the ledge, which means you'll have to REALLY fight to get back into the action.

Defensive tactics are essential, and should always be a part of every Brawler's arsenal. Offense may be the best defense, but it's always a good thing to have something up your sleeve should the worst-case scenario happen. Check back for future updates regarding the highly-anticipated Super Smash Brothers Brawl for the Nintendo Wii!

People knew and expected that Samus would be in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii. What most people didn't see coming though, is that there would be two versions of her. Well, the word is officially out and she will be in the game with another form: the Zero Suit Samus.

The official announcement was in the May issue of Nintendo Power. Certain confusion has come out from this announcement since a non-zero suit Samus was also profiled in the magazine's Smash Files article. So it's been asked whether or not there will be two Samus characters in the game. So far Solid Snake, Mario, Pit, Kirby, Wario, Pikachu, Meta Knight, Link, Fox McCloud, Samus Aran, and Zero Suit Samus have been confirmed as characters in the game.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is slated to be released this this year. The game has very big shoes to fill considering the commercial success of the previous Super Smash Bros. games. We'll have to wait and see if the newest iteration lives up to the hype.

Mario football fans from down under rejoice! Nintendo Australia has announced the release date for the Wii game Mario Strikers Charged Football.

Plus it will be the first Australian Wii title to go online as Pokemon's release is still yet to be announced. Mario Strikers Charged Football is pretty much like its predecessor on the GameCube, Super Mario Strikers (imagine Super Smash Bros set in a football field). Well, this time, it will make use of all the fun features of the Wii. Players will make use of the Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers to make fantastic saves and goals.

Anyway, Mario Strikers Charged will be hitting the Australian video game shelves on June 7, though we know some of the peeps in these shores are still hoping and waiting for that North America release. We'll keep you posted.