It was only a matter of time before Nintendo brought motion controls to its most popular (and appropriate) GameCube games. After all, the GameCube faltered somewhat in sales, so why not introduce its best games to the Wii-owning crowd?
Sure enough, that day has arrived, as Nintendo today unveiled a new series of games it’s calling the New Play Control! series. Using the New Play Control! series from Nintendo, Wii owners can use the motion-sensitive controls to play some of the best-selling games from the Nintendo GameCube. Each of the Play Control! series games has been 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 series, taking all the action from the originals and giving them a new control scheme via the Wii Remote.
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.
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis finds Nintendo’s superstar plumber storming the court by a roster of his pals. Building on the skills they’ve honed in Wii Sports, players can use the Wii Remote controller like a tennis racket to make characters hit forehand or backhand, apply spin and charge-up to perform 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.
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 rhythmic challenges.
