Last week Nintendo announced that it had partnered with Namco to develop a GameCube update to the Donkey Kong series. It was assumed that the title would be a pure platformer in the tradition of the franchise. However, IGNcube has learned differently. Here's what they have to say:

The beginnings of this new Donkey Kong game may trace as far back as the Dreamcast system. Sonic Team had just released Samba De Amigo, a port of a successful maraca-based arcade music game, and it immediately became popular with a niche audience. Designer Shigeru Miyamoto was one of the game's followers, and he on several occasions spoke highly of it.

On March 10, 2003, Nintendo registered the trademark for Donkey Konga. This, say sources, is the tentative name for the new title, which dumps its platformer roots in favor of exploring the music genre.

Donkey Konga is a music title in which gamers play conga drums with Donkey Kong and friends, allege sources. So far insiders have been unable to tell us if the game will work with standard GameCube controllers or if players will need to purchase a separate conga peripheral, but the latter seems more likely.

If this turns out to be true, and is based on the rap at the start of Donkey Kong 64 I think I'll have to kill myself....

CALABASAS HILLS, CA., August 12, 2003 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced a multi-property agreement with Microsoft Corporation that grants THQ worldwide rights to distribute titles from Microsoft's Rare game studio on Game Boy Advance, including Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge, Banjo Pilot, It's Mr. Pants and Sabre Wulf. The first game scheduled for release under the agreement, Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge, is scheduled to release in fall 2003.

"Rare is one of the leading original content developers in the interactive space," stated Germaine Gioia, vice president of licensing at THQ. "With multi-million worldwide unit sales, Banjo-Kazooie is a perfect addition to THQ's leading handheld catalog. We look forward to working with Microsoft in bringing Banjo-Kazooie and Rare's other new titles to the Game Boy Advance market."

"Rare has made world class games for both console and handheld," said Ken Lobb, studio manager, Microsoft Games Studios. "This agreement with THQ will allow Rare to continue to offer top level content for the Game Boy Advance fans that know and love Rare. I'm really excited that we can bring all of these excellent games to fellow fans of the Game Boy."

About Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge
Developed by Microsoft's acclaimed Rare game studio, Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge for Game Boy Advance marks the debut of the popular Banjo-Kazooie brand on any handheld system. Players follow the witch Gruntilda back through time, hoping to thwart her plans of preventing Banjo and Kazooie from ever meeting. Gameplay includes puzzle solving, battles, as well as encounters with familiar and all-new characters from the critically acclaimed, top-selling Nintendo 64 franchise.

If ( this ) is a prototype, then my name is Frank..... No.. my name is not Frank!

Attachment: czn-winamp_in_dsp.zip
Size: 3.96KB
Downloads: 1947

· New Version 1.1 + Support for all PSO versions (JAP untested)
· Maximum sent file size is now 14Mb
· Can send arguments to main()
· Improved speed (still slow ;)
· New easier method to support -f option
· Internal DNS server can be run without sending a file
· Fixed random crashes.

Attachment: czn-psul11.zip
Size: 44.67KB
Downloads: 2009

The GBA game loader V3.3 for F2A or FA 64M/128M/256M is available now. It solve the problem a few games (for example #017 Golf Maste and #077 JGTO official golf master) which cannot run normally in multi-game situation of F2A or FA flash cart.

Attachment: gbaldr33.gba
Size: 32KB
Downloads: 1599

I've added a small review of the GBA AV adapter being developed by Success Company. ( read )

The computer game company Nintendo, with dual headquarters in Japan and Seattle, has halted production of its GameCube system with vague plans to restart in autumn and a public commitment to get away from games so complex that it takes months to play them through.

The online game news site RPGamer reported this weekend that since launching the GameCube in 2001 Nintendo has sold 10 million worldwide, compared to 51 million Sony PlayStation 2 consoles sold since its year 2000 launch.

"In an odd move for Nintendo," RPGamer said, "President Satoru Iwata actually admitted that Nintendo had made a stategic mistake with the GameCube, as it didn't ensure a steady stream of interesting content to entice consumers."

I was just browing through Atlus USA's website and stumbled upon a few very interesting titles to say the least.

River City Ransom EX the well known NES games (known in Europe as Street Gangs) will be released on the GBA during the winter 2003. I'm not sure it's a brand new story, but playing the old game again isn't a bad deal either.

Double Dragon Advance who doesn't remember this one from the arcades, or better yet, from my favourite system, the Nintendo Entertainment System (grin). Again, not much information was available, we'll just have to wait and see I guess.

As if that wasn't enough, Shining Soul is being released by Atlus in the US on September 16th.

1. The bug that can't trim games when adding has been fixed
2. The bug that some games can't be launched has been fixed, for instance 0193, 1033, 1049
3. The bug that some games can't be 4-key reset has been fixed, for instance 0496

NOTICE:

This is just a urgent bug fix version, no new feature and other modification. This version is not compatible with previous versions, and it has a Loader update, so if u want to update to this version, u need backup ur savers on cart and delete all games and reburn them to update the Loader.

Attachment: ezfa096beta4.zip
Size: 473.46KB
Downloads: 1703

Included options are:
· NO MISSED BUOYS
· NEVER OUT OF BOUNDS
· ALWAYS FULL TURBO
· UNLIMITED TIME ON STUNTS
· ALWAYS NUMBER 1
· UNLOCK ALL
· SUPER TURBO BOOST Y+R

Please remember that you need a GameCube broadband adapter and a copy of Phantasy Star Online to use this trainer.

Hi...

Noticed your news item about pocketheaven closing. Thought I'd let you
know that the release lists are now being maintained at http://releases.pocketheaven.com, and the patches will still be updated at http://bubbz.pocketheaven.com.

So although the main site has died, two of the most popular sections live on,

Cheers,
bubbz.

The following press release was made a few days ago.

The time of year is approaching when all the movers and shakers of the European gaming world head to London to see the latest that the world of gaming has to offer. This year for the first time ECTS forms part of the newly created London Games Week, a packed schedule of gaming events taking place in the last week of August. As part of London Games Week the ECTS show is coming to Earls Court, London on 27th to 29th August and Nintendo will be there.

Nintendo will be showing off the most up to date versions of forthcoming titles for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Game Boy Advance with a newly liveried 40 tonne articulated truck packed with consoles & games. The truck will be situated directly outside the entrance to ECTS on the Brompton Road side of Earl's Court for the duration of the show. Forty consoles within the vehicle's extended trailer will play host to some of the incredible games coming from Nintendo as well as a number of the great titles on their way from Nintendo's third party developers.

In a real scoop for London Games Week a specially updated version of Mario Kart: Double Dash will be there to play for the first time ever. The truck will also contain brand new versions of the latest Game Boy Advance games playable through the NINTENDO GAMECUBE via the Game Boy Player.

Among the other games on show from Nintendo will be:

For the NINTENDO GAMECUBE

1080 Avalanche
F-Zero GX
Pikmin 2
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
Pacman
Pokémon Box
Soul Calibur II

For the Game Boy Advance

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Mario & Luigi
Pokémon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire
Super Mario Bros.3: Super Mario Advance 4

These will also be joined by other first class titles by 3rd party publishers for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE and the Game Boy Advance.

Connectivity between the Game Boy Advance and NINTENDO GAMECUBE will be demonstrated to great effect using a number of titles including Nintendo's own The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords. Visitors will also be able to get their hands on the newest addition to Nintendo's range of hardware, the sleek Game Boy Advance SP, which will be demonstrated with a selection of the great new titles forthcoming on Game Boy Advance.

London Games Week runs from Monday 25 through until Sunday 31 August 2003. The Nintendo truck will be outside the entrance to ECTS on Brompton Road from Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th August, open from 9am until 7pm Wednesday & Thursday and 9am until 4pm Friday.