New Series Brings Nintendo GameCube Favorites to Wii with Enhanced Motion Controls

REDMOND, Wash., March 9, 2009 – Unique motion-sensing controls have already helped to make Wii™ the nation’s top-selling video game console. With today’s launch of the New Play Control! series from Nintendo, Wii owners can use those same fun, intuitive controls to discover – or rediscover – some of the coolest and most well-received games made famous on the Nintendo GameCube™ system, each updated with a new wireless, active control scheme and a widescreen presentation.

New Play Control! Pikmin™ and New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis™ are the first two games in this new series, taking all the action and imagination of the originals and giving them a new control scheme. Not only do both new games make use of Nintendo’s simple-to-use Wii Remote™ controller, but they’re also presented for the first time ever in an eye-pleasing 16:9 widescreen format.

“On all of its platforms, Nintendo has consistently delivered irresistible games that fans can enjoy for years on end,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With the New Play Control! series, we’re giving Wii users new ways to tap into some great titles using the latest and greatest controls.”

New Play Control! Pikmin puts players in the role of Captain Olimar, a space traveler who’s stranded on a strange alien planet. Only an army of quirky creatures called Pikmin can help him repair his ship and survive the elements. With New Play Control! enhancements, players can now maneuver and command up to 100 Pikmin with a point of the Wii Remote controller, dodging obstacles and foes while working toward a heroic escape. Visit www.Pikmin.com to learn more.

New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis finds Nintendo’s superstar plumber storming the court for some outrageous tennis action, joined by a roster of his unpredictable pals. Building on the skills they’ve honed with the Wii Sports™ video game, players can now use the Wii Remote controller like a tennis racket to make characters hit forehand or backhand, applying spin and charging up to perform devastating special moves. Seasoned pros can even attach the Nunchuk™ controller for added precision as they play their way through traditional matches, mini-games and crazy Gimmick Courts. Visit www.MarioTennis.com to learn more.

Forthcoming New Play Control! titles include New Play Control! Donkey Kong™ Jungle Beat™, scheduled for release on May 4. Whereas the original version had players beating on a pair of bongos to drive Donkey Kong through wild jungle activities, the New Play Control! edition lets players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to enjoy the game’s rollicking rhythmic challenges.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis lets players enjoy an afternoon on the court as their favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, complete with motion-controlled serves and swings. With Wii controls, players can swing the Wii Remote controller to hit forehands and backhands and to apply spin. Experienced gamers can also attach a Nunchuk™ controller for additional precision.

Additional information and artwork coming soon.

Courtesy of GameSpinVideo, here’s more gameplay footage of the upcoming Wii port of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube. The Wii version will be released alongside a port of the original Pikmin on March 9, 2009.

The video is also available in HD and HQ (if you add “&fmt=18″ without the quotes to the end of the video URL.)

[via GameSpinVideo on YouTube]

We all know that GameCube games are being ported to the Wii. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is already out in Japan, and Mario Power Tennis is next in line (it’ll be out in the Land of the Rising Sun on the 15th.) Now here’s the Japanese trailer from GameTrailers.com:

[via GameTrailers.com]