Post Animal Crossing snapshots directly to Facebook, Flickr and/or Twitpic

One of my favorite new features in Animal Crossing: City Folk for the Wii is the ability to take snapshots in the same manner as Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and being able to send them to Wii Friends, a cell phone or an email address.

Facebook, Flickr, and Twitpic all provide custom email addresses which are designed to be added to the address book of your cellphone so you can directly upload photos on the go. However, using Gmail I found a way to upload snapshots from Animal Crossing directly to anyone of these services. (You can also use any other service that provides an upload email address.)

1.

First, you will need to find the upload email address provided by either Facebook, Twitpic or Flickr.

To find the Facebook address, go to “Photos” (by clicking the Photo button on the bar at the bottom of the page), then click on the “Mobile Uploads” tab. You should see a link under the tabs that says “Upload photos via email”. Click that and you will be greeted with a pop-up displaying an email address. Remember that if you want to be able to send your snapshots to Facebook.

To find your Twitpic address, go here: http://twitpic.com/upload/, and copy the address you see near the bottom of the page.

Finally, to find your Flickr address, go here: http://www.flickr.com/account/uploadbyemail/, and copy the address under the header “Email your photos or video to this address”.

2.

Next, you’ll have to make a new account with Gmail here: http://mail.google.com/mail/signup. When you reach the inbox of your new Gmail account, go to “Settings”, click the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab and copy either the Facebook, Twitpic or Flickr address to the blank box next to “Forward a copy of incoming mail to…” Leave “keep Gmail’s copy in the inbox” as it is. It will make things easier if you ever need to check the actual Gmail inbox, which you will need to do later on. Save the changes by clicking the “Save Changes” button at the bottom.

Go to Step 5 to learn how to forward snapshots to more than one service using just one Gmail account.

3.

Now you’ll have to register your Gmail email address as a Wii Friend. To do this, go to the Wii Menu, click the “Wii Message Board” icon which looks like an envelope. Then click the “Create Message” icon which looks like a piece of paper with a pen on it. Click the “Address Book” option, then click the “Register” button. Choose “Other”, and then enter your Gmail address in the space provided. Provide a nickname, like “Facebook”, “Twitpic”, or “Flickr”. Press “OK” three times. You can now turn off the Wii. It should be on standby mode where the light on the power button is yellow/orange.

Eventually, you should a receive an email from Nintendo in your Gmail inbox. You must reply to it before your email address will be added as a friend. Just reply with “hi” or something – it doesn’t matter.

4.

Finally! We can now send photos from Animal Crossing to either Facebook, Twitpic or Flickr! To do this, just press “1″ on your Wiimote to take a picture. Go to the town hall, and speak to the person at the second window. Choose “Wii Message Board” from the list of options and then select “A friend”. You’ll be greeted by your Wii’s Address Book. Chose the service you just registered. You can write a message. I know for a fact that whatever you type won’t show up on Twitpic or Facebook (but you will see it in the description if you upload to Flickr.) The teller at the window will then ask you if you want to attach a picture. Choose “Yes, please”, and you’ll be able to attach the snapshot you just took. The only drawback is that can’t send photos from your SD card – just the most recent one you took.

Once the message is off, you will be able to see it on Facebook, Twitpic or Flickr within a few minutes.

Have fun!

5.

Alternatively, you can set up Gmail filters to send your Animal Crossing snapshots to more than one service. I have it set up to send photos to Twitpic and Facebook. Here’s how to do it:

You’ll first need to disable forwarding. Go to “Settings” again, choose the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab. Right at the top, you should see a radio button next to “Disable forwarding”. Click on that, and click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page. Now click the “Filters” tab. Make sure you have your Wii’s email address (it’ll be wYOURWIINUMBERHERE@wii.com. If you’ve already sent photos, you can copy the address from a message in your inbox.) Click “Create new filter” and paste the Wii’s email address in the text box next to “From”. Click “Next Step”. Check the box next to “Forward it to”, and paste either the email address for Facebook, Twitpic, Flickr or any other upload email for an other service in the text box.

Repeat these steps to add another service, since you need to make a new filter for each service.

Appendix

Here are some other services you can post to using just an email address:

Posterous: post@posterous.com (you’ll need to link Posterous to your Gmail account first.)

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/goodies

Picasa Web: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/settings (you’ll need check the box next to “Allow me to upload photos by email”.)

[Taken from my other blog, Little Gaming Blog. Original post.]

Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver Wallpaper

From the Japanese website for the upcoming Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes of the phenomenal Pokemon Gold and Silver games, here is a wallpaper for your computer of Ho-oh and Lugia, the two version mascots. If you live in Japan, or if you plan on importing the games, the games will be released on September 12, 2009.

1024×768: http://blognintendo.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/wallpaper_01_1024×768.jpg

1280×768: http://blognintendo.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/wallpaper_01_1280×768.jpg

1280×1024: http://blognintendo.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/wallpaper_01_1280×1024.jpg

Nintendo Download: 6/15/09

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: MARIO CALCULATES THE TIME NEEDED TO CATCH TOASTED RAINBOWS IN SPACE

June 15, 2009

Nintendo’s downloadable content this week features the first-ever kitchen appliance with martial arts training. Throw in some rainbows and a game of catch, and you have a pretty interesting WiiWare™ lineup. But that’s not all: There are Mario-themed Nintendo DSiWare™ applications and a classic arcade game for the Virtual Console™. Let’s get to the details:

WiiWare

Eduardo the Samurai Toaster
Publisher: Semnat Studios
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points™
Description: Fight your way through 13 diverse locations on your own or with up to three friends in this frenetic and stylish side-scrolling action game. Play as Eduardo and his fellow toaster buddies as you fire an assortment of pastries at all kinds of dastardly food products. Hop onto laser-mounted scooters and fly across the screen in rocket packs, and learn to cooperate with your teammates or simply annoy each other in an awesomely fun way by throwing each other around the screen. The choice is up to you.

RAINBOW ISLANDS™: TOWERING ADVENTURE!
Publisher: TAITO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: In Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure!, players control the rainbow-magic-wielding Bubby or Bobby as they climb the seven seamless areas of a tower reaching the heavens while defeating enemies with their rainbow powers. Bosses controlled by the scientific genius Dr. Crescent await players at the end of every area. Race through every area within the allotted time to meet the rainbow-colored Holly’s Comet. There are three game modes: Story mode, which tells the tale of Holly’s Comet; Challenge mode, where players attempt to climb as high as they can; and Time Attack, where players select an area and see how fast they can climb it. Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! is an exhilarating action game where you use rainbows to climb into the heavens.

Let’s CATCH™
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Play catch with friends in multiplayer party games and compete for high scores using your Mii™ character and others. Choose from six different single and multiplayer modes such as Speed Catch, which tests your ability to catch a fastball, and Bomb Catch, an elimination party game for up to four players. Select from a variety of characters or use your Mii character to play other favorite catch games. Unlock special features when you own both Let’s TAP and Let’s CATCH.

Nintendo DSiWare

Mario™ Calculator
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: N/A
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Mario and Luigi™ take a break from their normal adventures to dedicate their heroic talents to working with numbers. Mario Calculator features the full functionality of a traditional calculator, including a Memory key and the ability to display up to 13 digits, and adds a layer of atmosphere reminiscent of the original Super Mario Bros.™ Use the Unit Converter to turn one unit of measure into another (such as length, weight, volume, age and others), or track the history of calculations you’ve performed with ease. Listen to the Mario-related sounds and watch the coins fly as calculations are performed. Now, back to adding up those high scores…

Mario™ Clock
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Turn back time and enjoy a bit of classic game play based on the original Super Mario Bros. with Mario Clock. Help Mario and Luigi collect more coins than ever (POW block anyone?) while they run through a variety of stages. Gather enough coins and you’ll be treated to another scene bound to bring back fond memories for many. Mario Clock includes both analog and digital clocks that use the system’s internal clock or allow you to offset the time however you like. Program up to three alarms (with snooze functionality for those that need it) and assign them a Mario-related sound or use one created in the Nintendo DSi™ Sound application. You’ll find yourself thinking “Just a few more coins…” in no time!

Virtual Console

Space Harrier™
Original platform: Virtual Console Arcade
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: “Welcome to the Fantasy Zone. Get ready!” This is the greeting given to you as you start Space Harrier, but you don’t have much time to take this advice. Even as the words are being spoken, your Harrier warrior is already charging into battle. Toting a huge laser gun under his arm, the Space Harrier can either run along the checkerboard ground or freely fly through the sky. Either way, he’s always heading forward into the hostile 3-D world. As you progress, hordes of strange creatures and robots fly toward you. Fast reflexes are required to dodge their incoming fire. Environmental hazards can be a problem, too. Take care not to run into any trees or stone structures. If you need a bit of a morale boost, just defeat a boss, and the narrator will remind you that “you’re doing great!”

Nintendo Download: 6/8/09

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: MARCH, FIGHT AND FISH YOUR WAY TO WORLD DOMINATION

June 8, 2009

With this week’s additions to the Nintendo DSi Shop™ and Wii™ Shop Channel, fun truly comes in all shapes and sizes. A new Mario vs. Donkey Kong™ title on Nintendo DSiWare™ features miniature versions of the world’s most famous video game icon, while a pair of fresh WiiWare™ releases invite players to wield a fishing rod or storm a sprawling battlefield. For king-sized thrills, the latest Virtual Console™ offering lets players don the boots of one of the world’s biggest warriors.

Nintendo DSiWare

Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Minis March Again!
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Thanks to the runaway success of Super Mini Mario World, Mario™ and Pauline have expanded their toy-filled theme park and invited everyone to the opening celebration – everyone, that is, except Donkey Kong, who was too late to get in. Donkey Kong decides to crash the party and kidnaps Pauline along the way. Can Mario and his Mini Marios rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong’s clutches yet again? Make sure to explore the Construction Zone, where you’ll find all the tools needed to make your own original levels. You can then share your masterpieces or download levels created by others, via a local wireless connection or with broadband Internet access and Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection.

WiiWare

Swords & Soldiers
Publisher: Ronimo Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Rewrite history as you take control of the brutal Vikings, the devious Aztecs or the crafty Chinese in their global quest to win the favor of the Gods. Swords & Soldiers is a side-scrolling strategy game that lets you control an entire army and wield devastating magical abilities. Demolish your enemy’s castle at the end of these two-dimensional battlefields and lead your troops to victory. Featuring hours of single-player campaign game play and challenging skirmishes, the game also offers frantic local multiplayer matches that let you take the fight to your friends. If that still isn’t enough for you, there are several unlockable challenge modes that will test your abilities even further.

Fish’em All!™
Publisher: Abylight
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Here’s an arcade game with real coin-op flavor. Jack and Walter are two old fishermen in a fantasy world. They’ve found places where crazy fish leap out of the water all day long – perfect for fishing. It’s a shame the other strange creatures aren’t going to make things easy. In this surreal action game, you’ll experience the excitement of the great arcade classics on your Wii console. Hold on tight to your controller and fish ‘em all, featuring nine colorful scenarios, three game modes (Arcade, Challenge and Fishtris) and one- or two-player action.

Virtual Console

Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: KOEI
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: In Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf, unite the scattered Mongol tribes under your banner and conquer the world as Genghis Khan. Choose from two riveting scenarios: Mongolia and all of Eurasia. It’s up to you to take your fledgling empire from humble beginnings on the Mongolian plateau and expand your borders across the land. As your rivals look enviously upon your domain, you must struggle to weather the assaults of your opponents and carve out a living for your people. Engage in diplomacy to forge alliances and organize your troops to defend the prosperity of your empire. If you can manage to spread the borders of your empire to the corners of the world, all will pay homage to your might.

Miyamoto and Crecente talk Miyamoto’s patents

If you remember, Miyamoto filed a patent not to long ago that outlines a unique and revolutionary gameplay system. Let’s say you get stuck in a difficult part of a Zelda game. You could look it up on GameFAQs, but if this new system was implemented in the game, you could press a button and have the game play itself. The only catch is that you can’t save – you’ll have to watch and see what to do. This eliminates the possibility of skipping through a game or cheating.

Kotaku’s Brian Crecente sat down with the legendary game designer, and talked about many things. Near the end of their interview, they got onto the topic of Miyamoto-san’s interesting patent. Watch the discussion below:

[originally posted on Little Gaming Blog]

Nintendo satisfies both casual and hardcore gamers

Nintendo started their E3 press conference with a bang, unveiling a four-player Mario game called New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Up to four players can play co-operatively and explore new levels in a classic 2D world. If you don’t have any friends, you can play by yourself. This new game was definitely a surprise. Yes, we knew Nintendo was going to announce a new Mario game based on their badly-curtained booth, but we were all expecting Super Mario Galaxy 2… but wait! Nintendo announced that too! Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be similar in a lot of ways to the original Wii bestseller, only with better graphics, more levels and Mario’s faithful companion Yoshi. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will break through the atmosphere next year. “Like Four Swords but with Mario” will hit your TV during the holidays.

Nintendo, always out aiming for the casual audience, announced what could be called an expansion to Wii Fit… Wii Fit Plus. Featuring more customization options and a multiude of new games including 15 new balance games and 6 new workouts, Wii Fit will be sold in a bundle like the original game but also as a standalone game for those who already have a Balance Board and don’t want (or need) another. Satoru then announced yet another accessory… the Wii Vitality Sensor. He didn’t get into specifics, like when it’ll be available or when or how, but my sensors indicate that there’s a good possibility that this new accessory will tie in with Wii Fit Plus.

Finally, we get to the good stuff. First, a new Metroid game is being developed for the Wii by the remainders of Team Ninja, the people responsible for the Ninja Gaiden series. Metroid: Other M is coming next year and will feature a mix of first- and third-person gameplay, a new art style, and of course, classic Metroid platforming. The game will dive deeper into Samus’ backstory. Finally, Nintendo satisfies the demand for a new Golden Sun game with Golden Sun DS, another game you’ll have to until 2010 for. Like other new game announcements, details were limited. The only thing we know now is that the game is an all-new adventure with 3D graphics.

Other small announcements include the upcoming ability to take photos with your DSi and post them directly to Facebook (a lot of consoles seem to be getting Facebook compatibility. First the 360, and now the DSi.) Then there’s WarioWare: D.I.Y, a game that gives you the ability to make your own micro-games from scratch. A very unique game, indeed. Next we have Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, the second sequel to the hilarious GBA game Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. In this new game, you’ll play as Mario and his brother Luigi as the two explore Bowser’s body. Introduced in the sequel are new gameplay mechanics where the Mario Bros.’s actions influence what Bowser is doing. Finally, there’s Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! This is another sequel to a GBA classic, only this time it’s the 2nd sequel to Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Unlike the last DS entry in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, Minis March Again! will be a DSiWare-exclusive. It’ll go on sale June 8 for 800 Nintendo DSi Points.

Overall, this was a pretty good conference. But I must admit, Microsoft’s was a bit better. Sure, Nintendo had Super Mario Galaxy 2, but Microsoft had Project Natal and Milo! There are plenty of Wii and DS games just announced today that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

[originally posted on Little Gaming Blog]

Catch Nintendo’s Press Conference Tomorrow! (And BTW, This Is Our 200th Post!)

Even after Microsoft’s amazing press conference, filled with streaming HD video and on-demand 360 games, not to mention Project Natal, there’s still a chance that Nintendo will blow everyone away. A new Mario game? What about a new Zelda adventure? Could there be a follow-up to the smash-hit fitness game with Wii Fit Plus? Who knows… but if you want to know right as it happens, be sure to catch Nintendo’s press conference tomorrow at 11am Eastern on either G4 or G4TV.com.

Unfortunately, I won’t be watching because I have school tomorrow.

UPDATE: Just realized this is my 200th post! Awesome! Someone give me a cookie!

One-Paragraph Review – My Pokemon Ranch

One of the earliest WiiWare releases, My Pokemon Ranch isn’t a “game” in the typical sense. All it is basically is a cel-shaded Pokemon storage system. Similar to Pokemon Box for the GameCube, My Pokemon Ranch allows players of Diamond and Pearl to store up to 1000 Pokemon on their Wii (with an update already out in Japan, Platinum compatibality is added and the ability to store 1500 Pokemon, among other things.) So if you don’t have Diamond or Pearl, don’t waste your money. Besides giving you more storage space, the best feature is the Wanted board where Hayley asks you to catch certain Pokemon. This is nice if you haven’t completed your Pokedex yet and need some motivation.

Seeing as there’s not much to do outside of watching Pokemon run around, My Pokemon Ranch gets a 3/10.

Nintendo Download: 6/01/09

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: DASH, SHUFFLE AND FLIP YOUR WAY TO FANTASY

June 1, 2009

This week’s downloadable game releases include a spellbinding new installment in the FINAL FANTASY® series. This first true sequel to FINAL FANTASY IV is sure to get RPG fans’ blood pumping. Nintendo DSiWare™ users will find a challenging new puzzle game to help keep their minds spinning. A slick new poker title from the WiiWare™ service raises the stakes for virtual card sharps, while the Virtual Console™ debut of a classic Commodore 64 game puts players in pursuit of precious gems. With so much variety on the Wii™ Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop™, your odds of having a humdrum summer are getting slimmer by the hour.

Nintendo DSiWare

Mighty Flip Champs!™
Publisher: WayForward Technologies
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Are you ready to become a Mighty Flip Champ? Take control of Alta and page-flip through a series of action-packed mazes. The touch screen reflects a preview of the next chamber and shows Alta’s projected destination within it. When it’s time to flip, use Alta’s Magical Warp Wand to replace her world with the next one. Will she land safely on solid ground or be crushed under it? By cycling endlessly through room after brain-busting room, you’ll match wits with some of the most devious traps in puzzle/platforming history.

WiiWare

FINAL FANTASY® IV: THE AFTER YEARS™
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Alcohol Reference, Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points™
Description: FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS is the sequel to the hit RPG FINAL FANTASY IV. The story takes place many years after the original and centers on a young man named Ceodore, son of the paladin Cecil and the white mage Rosa, who, along with their loyal and steadfast friends, once saved the world from evil born of the second moon. Now, monsters are reappearing in a world that had finally attained peace. The second moon has returned anew. What tidings does this ominous harbinger bring? Familiar faces and new allies join the battle to save the Blue Planet once more.

Texas Hold’em Tournament
Publisher: Digital Leisure, Inc.
Players: 1-6
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Simulated Gambling
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The deck is shuffled and the blinds are in – it’s your move. Call, raise or even bluff your way “all in” with Texas Hold’em Tournament. You’ll start off in the small Nevada gaming halls and work your way up to the Las Vegas Championship. Multi-round, no-limit hold’em game play ensures hours of serious poker action. Think you’re the best poker player out there? Using broadband Internet access and Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, start climbing the worldwide rankings by winning online tournaments, and see how your poker skills stack up by viewing the online leaderboard. Texas Hold’em Tournament also lets you play multiplayer poker with up to five friends, and with full Mii™ character support, you can truly bring yourself to the table.

Virtual Console

Boulder Dash®
Original platform: Commodore 64
Publisher: Commodore Gaming
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Originally released in 1984, Boulder Dash is one of the big computer-game classics. It is one of the very few computer games ever to be ported from home computers to arcades, not the other way around. The hero of the game is the brave prospector Rockford. He must dig through caves to collect diamonds while avoiding various types of dangerous creatures and obstacles such as falling rocks. He is in constant danger of being crushed or trapped by an avalanche or killed by an underground explosion. Strategy and planning are the keys to mastering Boulder Dash. Once enough jewels have been collected, the door to the mysterious escape tunnel is revealed and Rockford can explore another cave.

Wii Fit Plus and New Mario Game Pretty Much Confirmed

The Japanese newspaper Nikkei is reporting that Nintendo trademarked Wii Fit Plus and is planning on releasing the updated fitness game later this year. New features include online connectivity to share stats and records over the Information Superhighway, and more accurate measurements (Kotaku wonders if this means compatibility with the new Wii MotionPlus), but maybe even a new Balance Board is in the works?

Another rumor is that of a new Mario game coming out later this year as well. This isn’t anything new to most Nintendo fans, because we all know Nintendo likes to release many Mario games a year, and Iwata-san has mentioned that the Zelda and Mario teams are already working on new games.

Even though it’s just a rumor, this magazine accurately predicted the announcement of the Nintendo DSi. I’d say Wii Fit Plus is very likely, and a new Mario game is obvious.

Remember to catch Nintendo’s press conference, which will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at 9am PDT.

[via Kotaku]