E3 is just around the corner! Because the last two Wii Weekend Warriors saw a lot of great new games announced for the Nintendo platform, this week feels a little quiet and restrained in relation. Consider it the calm before the storm, as a barrage of news will likely hit us when E3 arrives in a few days.

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More games to look forward to in E3!

Let's start the weekend updates with Quantum of Solace, the video game adaptation of the upcoming James Bond flick. A new video is out, dishing out some new details and gameplay clips. It's being released on a bunch of different platforms, each being developed by different studios. I don't know which platform the gameplay clips are from in the video, but hopefully, it still gives us an idea of what to expect from the game:

Link: Video: Quantum of Solace details and gameplay

Aside from the ballsy name (or lack thereof), there's not much else I can say to the credit of Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. Apparently, these Buffy-wannabees need zombie blood splattered on them so that they can go berserk and get more power and agility. I can go with that, I guess, but seriously, I don't see any other selling point save for the get-up.

While we're on the subject of the undead, Castlevania Judgment has a bunch of new screenshots out. No bikinis in this one, though. We also find out that the game will be introducing monsters that occasionally pop on screen to either help or hinder your progress while in battle. A sort-of SSBB Trophy Assist system?

 

Bikini Zombie Slayers isn't exactly what you'd call creepy (unless you count game design), and Castlevania Judgment doesn't look like it's going for the eerie factor, but if creepy is what you're really after, you should look out for Fatal Frame IV, which will arrive in Japan by the end of the month. It's expected to be released in other regions later this year. Creep yourself out and visit the game's official website for some previews. Chilly.

Link: Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers coming to Wii in 2009
Link: Castlevania Judgment: new screens, artwork, European release date
Link: Fatal Frame website updated with character profiles

Also announced this week are Brave: A Warrior's Tale, a sequel to the PlayStation 2 title. Not much is known about it yet except it's set 70 years before the original game. Ninty also dipped a finger in the waters with the confirmation of Animal Crossing, which they'll announce more of on E3. Also twisting its way in the news is Wii Yoga, which I'm having a hard time not thinking of as Wii Fit 2.

Link: SouthPeak announces Brave: A Warrior's Tale for Xbox 360, Wii, PSP
Link: Nintendo lining up strengthened franchises; Animal Crossing confirmed for Wii
Link: Wii Yoga twisting its way to Q2 2009

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Wii Shop Channel: Retrify your day!

Mega Man 9 is so good, Wii gamers just weren't fated to have him to themselves. According to Capcom, the game will be a multiplatform game after all. Still, Wii gamers still get the longer end of the straw (is that the correct metaphor, or am I just making it up?): both Mega Man 1 and 2 will be available on the Virtual Console as well! Huzzah! No Mega Man 3 though. Sorry, Keith K. Now, let these new gameplay clip retrify your day (now that one, I made up):

Link: Mega Man 9 confirmed to be a multiplatform release, VC will get Mega Man 1 and 2
Link: A short Mega Man 9 gameplay video

New on the Wii Shop Channel is SPOGS Racing on WiiWare, a fun new racer worth 1,000 Wii Points. On the Virtual Console this week is King of the Monsters, worth 900 Wii Points. In this game, you get to tear around Japan battling other monsters for the title of King!

Link: US Wii Shop Channel update: SPOGS Racing, King of the Monsters

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A patent filing blipped on the radar this week, revealing designs for a controller we can only assume was (or will be) for the Wii. The design follows the traditional gamepad design rather than the Wiimote's wand design, but it is still described to have motion-tracking features.

Was it meant to be an alternative controller for the Wii, or is it a design for a future controller model?

Link: Nintendo patent filing reveals new gamepad for Wii?

Wrapping up this week's news is Mario, who made serious waves in the UK the previous week when Super Smash Bros. Brawl debuted on the software charts. It's still on top on it's second week out, beating the record of fellow platform-exclusive contender, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Don't mess with Mario.

Link: MGS4 and GTAIV kicked off top 10 in UK, SSBB still on top

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And that's a wrap for this week, folks! It's going to be wild in the next few days when E3 finally rounds that corner, so keep checking back for more news and updates. In the meantime, you can check out the Wiibrew Weekend Warrior to find out the latest homebrew programs out this week.