It's official, Nintendo Of America has released word that the Nintendo Wii, the most popular console in recent years. Nintendo drops the price from $249.99 to $199.99, a price drop of 50 dollars. Originally thought to be the cheapest gaming console on the market, it has continued that trend. With Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite dropping to $299 and the Playstation 3 dropping to $299 as well, this next generation could be the most affordable and competitive one.

“Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.”

Upcoming releases for the Wii include but not limited too Wii Fit Plus which launches October 4th, New Super Mario Bros Wii on November 15th. Check out other info on upcoming Wii software releases below.

Square-Enix has officially revealed the boxart for the upcoming Wii RPG, Final Fantasy: Crystal Bearers.

The upcoming FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS provides a fresh take on the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series as it combines the storytelling depth, expansive world and graphical quality of FINAL FANTASY with motion-driven, real-time action gameplay. Players are offered a glimpse into the fantastical world of this highly anticipated adventure for Wii with the launch of a global teaser website.

The game will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.

The Nintendo Download is out this week lending us only two Wii Ware titles and two DSi Ware and Virtual Console titles this morning.

On Wii Ware;You, Me and the Cubes which clocks in at 1,000 Wii Points, has you experiencing a new set of skill and strategy to maintain a level playing playing field in this physics based action-puzzle. You'll center around the characters of Fallos who are mysterious creatures that resemble humans and have the ability to balance on a level playing field in 3D. You'll create your Fallos with your Wii Remote and play through the puzzles of the game.

Next we have Family Tennis for 500 Wii Points in which Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy return for a full fledged match of Tennis. The game includes Elimination Match, Free Match and Thrilling Rally. You can play against a buddy or the CPU if you're looking for a challenge.

For the DSi Ware we have Clubhouse Games Express: Strategy Pack clocking in at 500 DSi Points. Here you'll prepare yourself for five strategy based games in this DSi Ware version of Clubhouse Games. Which includes games like Backgammon, Field Tactics and even Turncoat. Also for 200 DSi Ware points you can download MySims Camera. MySims Camera is a camera application using the popular Sims characters. The 3D characters can be moved, animated in any fashion you desire. You can draw on photos and create your own masterpieces. You can save for your photos to the DSi and share them with friends online.

Finally our Virtual Console title of the week is Last Ninja 2 from Commodore Gaming. You can download the game for 500 Wii Points and experience the story of the Last Ninja or warriors known as Mystic Shadow Warriors. You'll face off against your arch enemy, Kunitoki in the urban jungle as you try to vanquish him from the world forever.

Disney Interactive Studios announced today that Toy Story Mania! has officially made its way to retail stores exclusively for the Nintendo Wii. The game features all kinds of multiplayer competition and co-operative challenges. The game supports up to 4 players with various games like popular Pie Toss as well as ten fast paced shooting galleries.

“Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to be directly inspired by a Disney attraction,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Developing this game was truly a collaborative effort between Disney Interactive Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Imagineers and the Disney Parks team. As a result, the end product fully captures the essence of the attraction and delivers a new fun-filled experience appropriate for all members of the family.” 

Don't forget that the Toy Story gang are heading back to the big screen. Toy Story 3 is slated to hit theaters June 18th, 2010.  Chcek out a trailer for the movie here.

The above image is a WORK IN PROGRESSThe Pearl Harbor Trilogy will be re-envisioned for Wii Ware release and will release in episode content. The popular PC episodic title, "Red Sun Rising" will get its new Wii Ware debut this Winter 2009. The game itself is being developed by Legendo and in cooperation with Arcade Moon.

Stanislav Petri, Aerial Star Programmer at Arcade Moon had this to offer, “We have tamed the innards of the Wii to make its GPU glow red-hot as we’re shooting for 60 FPS aerial dogfight action using all the tricks in the book.”

Bjorn Larsson, Executive Producer and head of lots of other things at Legendo Entertainment said, “The Wii Remote™ controller is a perfect match for aerial combat – we are currently trying a variety of control-schemes to see what works best, we want to bring players as close as possible to flying in their living rooms.”

In the premiere episode, “Red Sun Rising,” players will be dropped into the cockpit of famous USAAF World War II fighter aircraft — including the legendary P-40 Warhawk and the carrier-capable F4U Corsair as they battle with Japanese A6M2 Zero fighters and Aichi D3A Val dive-bombers in daring dogfights during bitterly contested air battles of the Pacific Theater, including Pearl Harbor, Wake Island and the Battle of Midway.

You can check out more information about the game on its official website http://pearlharbor-game.com/.

Can't forget the weekly download from Nintendo in the midst of our Beatlemania. This week sees more from faraway galaxies into the Family Room to a Fun-Fill Foot? Two Wii Ware and a DSi Ware release hit the servers today for your originality count.

WiiWare

Contra Rebirth
Publisher: Konami
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points^™
Description: Chief Salamander and his Neo-Salamander Force travel back to 1973 A.D. to invade Earth. They land in Central America and take control of the Shizuoka ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula. There, the aliens plan the destruction of all the “Contra” on Earth. The Galactic President calls on Lance Bean, a member of the elite “Contra” warriors, to save the day, but his sudden disappearance jeopardizes the safety of the planet. Now, Bill Rizer and samurai Genbei Yagyu are the last hope for Earth. They must pick up their weapons and defeat the evil Neo-Salamander Army before all is lost. Experience the fast-paced, action-packed, side-scrolling adventure that pioneered the run-and-gun genre.

ColorZ
Publisher: Exkee
Players: 1-3
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 700 Wii Points
Description: With ColorZ, go forth in your spaceships on a mission to clean up virus-infested planets. Immerse yourself in a new gaming experience that will reveal mind-hand-eye coordination skills you never knew you had. Absorb viruses of your own color, but steer clear of the others. If necessary, you can cleverly merge your ships together to create new colors. Buzz past your enemies to keep your combo and clock up a new high score. Explore an extra dimension with the game’s multiplayer mode and share the unique experience of cooperative play between friends. Pool your forces, synchronize your movements and become a unified team of up to three players to meet the challenge together.

Check out more below including the virtual console release of Star Wars: Super Return of the Jedi

Also announced by Reggie Fils-Aime at the 2009 Gamestop Manager Conference was the official date for the release of Wii Fit Plus. The new sequel to the original Wii Fit. Wii Fit Plus is a new enhanced version of the original game with 15 new games to enhance your workout. The package will also include the Wii Fit Balance Board acessory and replace the original Wii Fit release on store shelves.

The package will be made available for $99.99, however those that already own Wii Fit and just want the newest sequel you will be allowed to buy the standalone disc for $19.99.

Wii Fit Plus will be available in North America starting on October 4th.

Nintendo has unveiled new colors for the Wii Remote and Nun-chuck combo. North America will finally be getting black designs for both controllers. However, unfortunately Nintendo will not be bringing over the black Nintendo Wii that wil already be making its release in Japan. Coming with the two controllers is also a black Wii Motion Plus accessory. All accesories will be available at their respective standalone prices.

The sequel to the 2008 underground Wii title will actually be playable at PAX this year.

No More Heroes: Desperate Sturggle will be shown off at the booth from Ubisoft at PAX, so make sure you get in line! No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle continues the tale of punk anti-hero Travis Touchdown, the Japanese anime Otaku, and pro wrestling-obsessed assassin. Travis finds himself at the bottom of the UAA (United Assassins Association) rankings and must wage war to become the No. 1 assassin once again. The follow-up to the popular No More Heroes will offer fans infectious, fun gameplay that allows you to wield not just one, but two swords and face multiple bosses simultaneously in bigger-than-ever boss battles. The game is created by video game design legend Goichi Suda (Suda 51), developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and published by Marvelous Entertainment.

The game apparently is making its worldwide debut playable and all to public next week in Seattle. No new details have surfaced of the game recently so it's anyones guess as to what the game will hold for this new release.

Source

This week on the Nintendo Download sees the epic space galaxy of the Star Wars universe continue. You'll also be getting a good taste of Mr Driller W, a new updated version of the game, drilling your way through 20 new levels. There are also many bubbles to be popped with Pop+Solo for the DSi.

LucasArts seems adament about releasing its old classics on the Virtual Console recently. You'll be revisiting the Super Nintendo classic; Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. If you managed to hold onto to 800 Wii points its yours for the taking. It's an episode with an epic love story, bounty hunters and epic space battles. This all included in its 16-bit glory. Continue the story of Luke Skywalker till the end in Super Return of the Jedi.

On Wii Ware we have another re-release of an old title, an updated version more like it. If anyone remembers Mr Driller, Mr Driller W takes a new turn on the games. This is an updated version from Namco Bandai's drilling puzzle. For another 800 Wii points you can enjoy more up to 20 levels of challenges plus a tutorial mode for the uninformed.

Finally for the DSi Ware, we have a release of epic bubble popping action. Pop+Solo sees its release. Developed by Nnooo, creators of Pop on Wii Ware. For 500 Wii points you can catch this game with eight game modes and 16 waves of bubbles in Adventure, Normal or Advanced difficulties.You can also try out the Bonus mode for challenging fun or Chill mode for a relaxing bubble popping adventure.

That's all we have for the Nintendo Download this week, be sure to check back next week for another Nintendo Download report.