Such a brilliant move. In case you don't know what I'm on about, let me fill you in. In Japan, starting a week from now (Mario Sunshines release) Nintendo will be offering the Japanese playable Gamecube kiosks in Toys 'R Us stores. Not a big deal you may think. Except the games will be Zelda, Metroid Prime and Mario Party 4. Big hitters that aren't due for release for months.

Undoubtedly this is to compensate the Japanese for the Spaceworld cancellation. And it is a brilliant, brilliant idea. Hats off to whoever thought off it. I mean, these would be the biggest games at Spaceworld. And at Spaceworld, only a certain number of people would be able to play them, and these people would be the Nintendo diehards who'd probably be getting them anyway. But now, people across the country will be able to sample them, I think many, many non-Gamecube owners will be convinced to purchase it after playing these games. Nintendo will be reaching out to a much broader audience. And now that you think about it, what better advertisement is there.

Could Zelda and Metroid convince the Japanese?

But will they make it across to Europe? Hmmm, probably not. NOE may be getting better and better, but I really can't see us getting the preview kiosks. It would be a great, great idea to show Nintendo really do care about us Europeans. Fingers crossed though.

And not just that, the Japanese will also be getting demo discs. We all remember Miyamoto-san saying that this would never happen, but I for one am glad it did. It shows Nintendo are getting less paranoid about pirating, no doubt a good thing. After all, that is what prompted them to go for cartridges instead of discs, leading to problems for the system. ANd who knows? We may get them too. Think how great that would be.

Sega growing up
It looks like Sega are determined to become gamings leading publisher. The company are planning to buy smaller American and European publishers, as well as having all the quality and quantity of its own developers. Not an unexpected move altogether, considering the company stated that it planned to be the biggest publisher in a few years. EA and Activision better watch out...

Nintendo shun ECTS. What's new?
Once again, Nintendo has decided not to attned the ECTS show in the UK. Of course, last year they had the Nintendo Show to replace it but this year? Sorry, nope. You have to wonder how Nintendo are going to show their presence in the UK now.

BUT comfort does come from Nintendos statement to Cube-Europe about them not attending the show. They said:

Having showcased an exciting and very well received line-up of games at this year�s E3 we are excited about promoting our products in Europe and are currently looking at the opportunities.

Nintendo has not confirmed its plans for a European showcase of its products, but will let you know as soon as we do.

We already got the Tokyo Show in Paris, what other events will Nintendo be attending? If it isn't ECTS then what? We will probably see them in the UK somewhere at least.