VIDEO GAME HENCHMEN: Wii and DS Games Officially Dated!

Wii and DS Games Officially Dated!

Nintendo ascertain the dates of forthcoming Wii and DS titles as pink puffball's latest lands October 17, Donkey Kong Returns November 17, Bond sneaks out November 16, and Wii Party debuts October 3. Although, Nintendo is remaining very tight lipped about its upcoming portable system, the 3DS, today the Japanese game maker let loose details on its upcoming holiday software release schedule.

Wii Party is among the earliest new release dates announced, arriving in stores October 3. It will be the first new Nintendo-published minigame collection for the Wii since 2007's Mario Party 8 and will feature 70 different minigames across 13 distinct modes.

Kirby + Knitting = Epic Yarn.

On October 17, Kirby's Epic Yarn will see the Nintendo mascot return in a new 2D platformer with an arts-and-crafts aesthetic. In the game, Kirby and the rest of his world is represented in yarn, felt, beads, and other common materials to give the game a distinct look. As for gameplay, Kirby will wield a yarn whip that can be used to interact with the environment, tugging at seems to unstitch the background and reveal new paths or secure platforms to one another.

A remake of the Rare-developed seminal Nintendo 64 first-person shooter, GoldenEye 007 will include online multiplayer and 16 game modes when it launches November 16. Although the Pierce Brosnan version of James Bond has been replaced by Daniel Craig for the remake, it does still boast a roster including eight characters from the revered Bond classic, as well as 40 other unnamed virtual soldiers.

Last but not least among the season's Wii and DS launches will be Donkey Kong Country Returns on November 21. Another follow-up to a Rare-developed title, Donkey Kong Country Returns is being developed by Retro Studios, the outfit behind the Metroid Prime series. The 2D platformer sees Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong return to action with many of the DKC series' familiar trappings, from mine cart racing to being shot out of barrels.

First-party Wii games