Nintendo stopped by the W Hotel in Times Square last week to show off the upcoming spring titles. I had a chance to put my mitts on four great-looking games, including a new edition in the Endless Ocean series and a digital cookbook/culinary class designed to engage the entire family.
Designed with adventure in mind, this second edition in the Endless Ocean series takes players to exotic real-life locations as they uncover the mysteries of the deep. While searching the oceans, everglades and lagoons of the world for the “Dragon Song,” gamers will discover realistic underwater landscapes and learn about aquatic creatures.
As they progress through the game, players have the chance to collect objects and animals to customize their personal islands. Fulfilling story objectives unlocks new locations to explore. Additionally, gamers may dive together using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection and converse with each other with the Wii Speak function.
Going overboard for the first time, I was immediately taken by the serene underwater scenery and the life-like kelp forest rippling around the on-screen diver. I could feel the urge to explore the depths and was left wanting more after the demo was over. Endless Ocean: Blue World will ship Feb. 22 and is available on Amazon.com for about $28.
America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking
America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking features 300 recipes created by the staff of popular television show America’s Test Kitchen and is designed to bring families together as they create a healthy, home-cooked meal. Age-appropriate kitchen tasks allow parents to delegate safe jobs to their younger family members, and tutorial videos cover a variety of subjects, such as dicing onions and tips on kitchenware care.
Audible instruction and voice-command options allow players to keep their hands on the food and greasy fingers off the DS. Using the handwriting recognition feature, gamers may attach notes to each recipe. Players can also send recipes to friends (even friends who do not own a copy of the game) using the DS Wi-Fi connection, making it possible for everyone to work on their own dish.
America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking seems like a great way to get families into the kitchen and cooking their own meals. Although Let’s Get Cooking is a game, the title rivals professional cooking software. The detailed recipes and tutorials should make it perfect for novice cuisiniers as they begin their kitchen adventures. America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking ships March 28 and is available on Amazon.com for about $19.99.
Pokémon SoulSilver and Pokémon HeartGold
The highly anticipated release of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver returns players to the Johto region, where they will once again begin collecting, training and fighting more than 400 different types of Pokémon creatures. This remake of the original Game Boy Color release features updated graphics and a wireless multiplayer option.
HeartGold and SoulSilver come bundled with the Pokéwalker, a step-counting device that carries game data. Using this item, gamers can transfer their favorite creatures to the Pokéwalker and continue gaining experience while away from the game. When the Pokémon returns to the DS, players receive a message updating them the Pokémon’s progress, which can include battles and even earning a higher level. Walking with the Pokéwalker, gamers build up Watts. Players may catch wild Pokémon or find hidden items by spending their Watts,
Using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection allows players to interact with friends for trade or battle, and a global trade station will allow gamers from all over the world to barter with one another. Pokemon SoulSilver and HeartGold Versions will ship March 14, and limited-edition packages with a figurine will be available on Amazon.com for about $34.99.
