New York City's Office of Emergency Management and Macy's department store took advantage of the wind gusts this morning to run up a trial balloon — specifically a Pikachu balloon that has been featured in past Thanksgiving Day parades.

Balloon handlers walk down Broadway with Pikachu, one of the balloons from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, during a flight test organized by Macy's and New York City Office of Emergency Management.

A helium balloon of the Pokémon character Pikachu made nine flights up and down Broadway between 42nd and 38th Streets before 9:15 a.m. About 70 balloon handlers performed a variety of maneuvers while quickly marching down Broadway, turning in place and marching the balloon, which was facing backward, north again.

The trial run came just six months after two people were injured in the Thanksgiving Day Parade when a giant M&M helium balloon knocked a light fixture onto two sisters who sustained minor injuries. A similar accident in 1997 left a woman with severe head injuries and brain damage.

After last year's accident the city called for a task force, to work with Macy's to determine whether proper procedures were followed and whether any changes are needed before the next parade.

Joseph F. Bruno, commissioner for the Office of Emergency Management, said today's wind conditions were ideal for testing the balloon handling, including flight patterns and correction times.

Officials chose the route between 42nd and 38th Streets because "it's on the parade route and we are looking for some wind," Mr. Bruno said.

By TONI WHITT at the NY Times.
Published: May 22, 2006

Merrill Lynch: Wii will be $200
Nintendo didn't mention a price or a release date for the Nintendo Wii in their E3 press conference. Forbes is reporting that Merrill Lynch thinks Wii will go for $200.

Nintendo, which is trying to regain videogame market share from Microsoft and Sony, will likely sell its new Wii console for much less than its competitors' console prices. Merrill Lynch analyst Justin Post predicted Thursday that the new machine, which will be released this fall, will sell for $200, a move that could prompt software publishers to create more titles for the gaming system.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 starts at $299, while Sony said earlier this week that its new PS3, which will ship in November, will cost $499 for a basic machine. Nintendo didn't offer any pricing information when it showed off the Wii on Tuesday to a crowd gathered in advance of the E3 gaming expo. An executive from SEGA, one of Nintendo's largest publishers, told Forbes.com on Tuesday that he expects the Wii to sell for less than $200.

Other reports have had it at $250, but whatever price we get it at, it will be a bargain.

Wii have some updated specs and info released at the recent E3 event on the new Nintendo Wii console:

Launch Date and MSRP: Q4 2006 ($TBA)

Controls: Intuitive control for anyone using the physical motion of the main Wii Remote, which resembles a television remote control. Up to four Wii Remotes can be connected at once using wireless Bluetooth technology. The wireless signal can be detected within 10 meters of the console. Both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers include a three-axis motion sensor. The Wii Remote also includes a speaker, rumble feature and expansion port, and can be used as a pointer within 5 meters of the screen. The Wii Remote has a power switch, plus pad, A, B, Minus, Home, 1 and 2 buttons. The Nunchuk controller includes an analog control stick and C and Z buttons.

The Look: Wii features a compact design that will make it a natural addition to any television setup. It can be displayed either vertically or horizontally.

Color: TBA

Media: A single self-loading media bay will play single- or doublelayered 12-centimeter optical discs for Wii, as well as 8-
centimeter Nintendo GameCube discs.

Communication: Wii can communicate with the Internet even when the power is turned off. This “WiiConnect24” service delivers a new surprise or game update, even if users do not play with Wii. Users can connect wirelessly using IEEE802.11b/g, or with a USB 2.0 LAN adaptor. Wii also can communicate wirelessly with Nintendo DS.

Virtual Console: Wii will have downloadable access to 20 years of fanfavorite titles originally released for Nintendo® 64, the
Super Nintendo Entertainment System® (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System® (NES). The Virtual Console also will feature a “best of” selection from Sega Genesis titles and games from the TurboGrafx console (a system jointly developed by NEC and Hudson). It also will be home to new games conceived by indie developers whose creativity is larger than their budgets.

The Specs: Wii has 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi capability. A bay for an SD
memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory. Design was optimized with state-of-the-art processing technologies that minimize power consumption, keep the console compact and enable the “sleepless” WiiConnect24 mode.

CPU: PowerPC CPU (code-named “Broadway”) Made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process, jointly developed with and manufactured by IBM.

Graphics Processing Unit: Being developed with ATI.

Other Features: Four ports for classic Nintendo GameCube controllers. Two slots for Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards. An AV Multi-output port for component, composite or S-video.

Unsurprisingly, Nintendo’s innovative Wii console has drawn some of the largest crowds at this year’s E3.

A huge selection of playable titles resulted in long queues snaking around the perimeter of the booth, with some attendees waiting several hours to get their hands on the Wii remote for the first time.

Though DS Lite, and a large range of software including Pokemon DS, dominated the front of Nintendo’s booth, it was the promise of Wii gameplay in the segregated section at the rear that proved the central point of focus for more or less everyone involved.

Titles on show included Wii Music Maestro, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Wii Sports (tennis and golf), Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, Sonic Wild Fire and Excite-Truck.

There was also a chance to get an early glance of Wii’s Virtual Console, with Sonic the Hedgehog selected as the demo game of choice.

We'll have more E3 2006 news and update along the way.. stay tuned!

How will the Big N respond to Sony's system announcement? We're about to find out...

This year is a defining one for the most favored game maker in the world. Its competition is going in entirely different directions from where Mario is planning on going with his new console. In price, in technology, in support features, this next gen is planned out for two different directions -- Nintendo's way, and everybody else's.

Will that be a problem for Nintendo? Unknown, but after several shockers at yesterday's Sony Computer Entertainment event, many of the doubters are ready to believe in the "Revolution" (now lovingly called Wii), while some eager for its innovations are left questioning why to go with a lesser-powered system when Sony's console now features its own version of motion-control gaming. The heavy price tag for PS3 also puts Wii in an interesting place -- its rumored low price will now be so low compared to its competition that Nintendo may have wiggle room for a more expensive system. It should be an interesting show, that's for sure.

The new console will be connected to Nintendo's network 24 hours a day, whether you like it or not.

Nintendo announced its new console will be connected to the internet 24 hours a day.

At its press conference today, Iwata explained Nintendo plans to deliver content to the system even when it's not powered on. For instance, while you're snug in your bed, friends can deliver new items to you for Animal Crossing.

Meanwhile, the Nintendo DS is out and cleaning up in the portable market. Like the Wii, it came on strong with unique technology over hi-def tech, and the move has so far paid off. Nintendo is bound to bring out some big surprises for its Third Pillar, and may even give some love back to its resilient GBA. And let's not forget Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on GameCube...

Over 400 images of the conference available in our photo gallery!

Minute by Minute Run-Down of the Nintendo Conference

9:25 -- Five minutes until showtime, and already, the first Wii Hands-On info is out...

9:35 -- "Nintendo conference about to begin. Kodak Theatre is packed."

9:36 -- Conference begins. Shigeru takes stage. Lot of applause. Holds Wii-remote. Dressed like conductor. Conducts the Zelda theme as a symphony of digital characters play music behind them. Photos snap like crazy..

(9:37) -- Cameras snap. Cut to Excite Truck playing -- a brand new Wii racing game. Miyamoto dances to the music.

(9:38) -- Red Steel footage.

(9:38:43 AM): Music stops.

(9:39:02 AM): Reggie takes stage. "If all you want s next genration, you're in the wrong place" Unveiling next leap in gaming, he says. No longer confined to just the few -- it's about eveyone, he says. The next leap is about playing because playing is believing, he says.

(9:39:53 AM): Nintendo log on-screen. Playing = believing. Same animation Nintendo released on-line

(9:40:22 AM): Four Wii controllers.

(9:40:30 AM): People playing drums with two Wii controllers.

(9:40:30 AM): People playing Wii -- drums with two Wii controllers. Someone else hitting tennis balls. Then golf. Both with very simple graphics.

(9:41:38 AM): Mario footage. Mario is Jumping through space. Usingf the Wii remote to make him do things. Looks like a neat version of Super Mario Sunshine.

(9:42:10 AM): Pilotwings. Looks pretty good.

(9:42:51 AM): Metroid Prime footage.Looks very similar to Prime 2.

(9:42:58 AM): Ping Pong. Then some Running. Then WarioWare. Baseball, you swinging a bat.

(9:43:44 AM): More Red Steel footage.

(9:44:07 AM): Zelda. It's the Cube's Zelda: Twilight Princess. You do aiming and shooting hook shot with Wiimote.

(9:44:39 AM): Wii console shown in white again.

(9:45:02 AM): Link fishes with Wii-mote. 2006 promised.

(9:45:18 AM): Video montage ends. Reggie takes stage. DS on background. Drawing parallels between DS and Wii. "Wii from Nintendo will change game control forever," he says. "Today, you will see. And tomorrow, you will begin to feel." Says Nintendo has answers to some questions today, but not to all.

(9:47:06 AM): "Do you know someone even in your own family who has never played a videogame? I bet you do." This has to change if gaming will really be considered mass-market. Wii will be the system to change that.

(9:48:02 AM): Says Nintendo will speak about the system, the name, the price and the availability today. Will also explain gamers' "WTF" question of why the name.

(9:48:30 AM): Reggie basically says that Microsoft and Sony's focus on graphics and same-old gaming was fatal, and that history is littered with companies who fell because they did not advance.

(9:49:27 AM): Points in contrast to the gameplay innovations in Super Mario 64. Called the game a starting point for Wii. Nintendo wanted to make games that feel entirely new to people.

(9:50:02 AM): Wii will give you more fun for less money and you'll be playing Wii in the fourth quarter for 2006.

(9:51:04 AM): Talking about Wii name. Says he would like to thank people who liked it the first day it was announced. "All two of you," he added.

(9:51:20 AM): Onto third parties, he promises big things on the way.

(9:51:31 AM): Cuts to more gameplay montage. Metroid Prime 3. DBZ. New Fire Emblem! SpongeBob.

(9:52): Super Mario Galaxy! Elebits. Red Steel (same footage as earlier), Rayman 4, Super Swing Golf Pangea, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., One Piece, Madden, Final Fantasy Chrystal Chronicles!, More zelda

(9:55) ZELDA ON LAUNCH DAY!

(9:55): World Premere of Twilight Princess Playing from Wii. "Very basic control will be very familiar" movement controlled with the analog on the nunchucku. Wii version has a presence of a fairy that lets you know where you're pointing. "point and shoot" aim, no more inversion.
Wii remote has a speaker!
Within the remote you will hear the bow draw back, tighten, and release...

(9:58): Built in rumble feature, feel attacks. Just went from "the greatest Zelda game ever" from Reggie to "probably going to be one of the greatest Zelda games ever" from Bill who is leading the Wii demo.

(10:01):Rotatation with the nunchucku for "spin attack"

(10:02) Zelda's big bass fishing feature to be shown tomorrow.

(10:02): Two versions of Zelda: Twilight Princess. One for GameCube one for Wii.

(10:03): Metroid Prime: Corruption shown-- "most intutitive first-person shooter ever" - Reggie

(10:04): Excite Truck "Now you hold the wheel of the big damn truck" -Reggie

(10:05): Disaster - a game where you fight mother nature and have very hip hair.

(10:06): "Look up the Mother Ship is about to land." - Reggie showing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

(10:07): Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Rayman
27 DIFFERENT WII GAMES ON THE SHOW FLOOR TOMORROW

(10:07): Specific number of launch games is not revealed. The 27 games on the floor tomorrow does not include the virtual console games.

(10:08): Red Steel Demo begins with a man with a fantastic French accent.
"You are in the game" demo man-- real-time physics, soft bodies (ragdoll effects demoed) huge explosions. Various weapons- shotgun demoed.
Enemies go for cover, flank, "keep the action fast-paced"

(10:11): In Red Steel--Enemies have different target areas on their body, will react differently depending on where you shoot them. One button can freeze time and take time to aim-- decide to shoot them or make them give up.

(10:14): Red Steel cont... Draw a sword, and demoed controlling the sword fighting by wielding the wiimote.

(10:15): Reggie intros George Harrison to talk about the DS.

(10:16):He talks about what DS has sold-- 16 million units since launch. 1.3 million wi-fi connections so far. Sales of Brain Age very good 120,000 units sold in three weeks.

(10:18): "Touch Generation" with Sudoku games

(10:19): Yoshi's Island, Diddy Kong, and Final Fantasy III - with improved 3-d graphics

(10:20): Chat in Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam over Wi-Fi in real-time!

(10:21): Zelda: Phantom Hourglass shown!

(10:21): More than 100 more DS games between now and the end of the year!

(10:21): Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: "you are pokemon" "speak with over 380 Pokemon"

(10:22): Iwata comes on stage

(10:23): Talking about games to reinvent relationship between player and game to bring in non-gamers with core gamers.

(10:25): Wii controller breaks down the barrier between non-gamers and gamers "most gamers have wonderful memories of games they used to play. Virtual console will bring them together again." - Iwata

(10:26):"If I have to wait 30 or 40 seconds for a game to load I know I am frustrated and I don't want to play" -Iwata "Wii's virtual console can power up games in just a few seconds"

(10:29): Wii is never off. Wii provides a number of services even when it is off.
Wii Connect 24 constantly connected to the internet. Can bring content even when you're not playing.
Even in standby, say in Animal Crossing, people can drop off items for you. "A system that is new everyday" -Iwata. "To reach people that have never played (games)" -Iwata before"

(10:31): Wii Sports- should be playable by core gamers and non-gamers alike, increasing the number of people in the house who play. The Wii goal is to destroy the walls between people who play games and people who don't. "Provide anyone with fresh new experiences, for everyone everyday. This is our answer." -Iwata

(10:33): Miyamoto announces the sweepstakes winners who get to go on stage with him and play tennis with the Wii-mote.

(10:35): Miyamoto knocks it out of bounds in Tennis... screams like a girl. Scott Dyer wins the sweepstakes. Will play tennis against Iwata, Reggie, and Miyamoto!

(10:38): Reggie asks for a "wii-match" after losing.

(10:39): Miyamoto and Sweepstakes winner win the tennis match.

(10:39): Reggie back on stage- "It's hot if it's disruptive. It's not if it's predicable."
"We are not afraid of risk." - Reggie

(10:41): Conference ends.

---

All told, Nintendo says that when the E3 show floor opens here tomorrow, 27 Wii games will be playable. That includes both first-party and third-party titles, and Nintendo has released an extensive list of third-party Wii titles now in development. See below for an alphabetical list of publishers and their games.

Activision
-Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
-Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
-Call of Duty 3

AQ Interactive
-Boxing Action (currently untitled)

Atari
-Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi 2

Atlus
-Trauma Center: Second Opinion

Banpresto
-Family Action Game (currently untitled)

Buena Vista Games
-Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action
-Disney's Meet the Robinsons

Capcom
-Resident Evil game

D3Publisher
-SIMPLE series
-Original Action Game (currently untitled)

Eidos
-Title TBD

Electronic Arts
-Madden NFL '07
-Medal of Honor Airborne

Epoch
-Title TBD

From Software
-Action game (currently untitled)

Genki
-Title TBD

Hudson Soft
-BOMBERMAN LAND
-Flight Game (currently untitled)

Jaleco
-Title TBD

Koei
-Sengoku Action

Konami Digital Entertainment
-Elebits
-Soccer Game (currently untitled)

Majesco
-Bust-A-Move Revolution

Marvelous Interactive
-Bokujo Monogatari ("Ranch Story")
-Heroes
-Kawa no Nushitsuri
-Original simulation game (currently untitled)

Mastiff
-Mr. D. Goes to Town (working title)

Midway Games
-The Ant Bully
-Happy Feet

Milestone
-New Vertical Scrolling Shooting Game
-New Action Game

MTO
-Character Action Game (currently untitled)
-SAN-X All-Star Revolution

Namco Bandai Games
-Final Furlong
-Mobile Suit Gundam
-SD Gundam G Breaker
-Digimon
-One Piece Unlimited Adventure
-New Action Game (currently untitled)
-New RPG (currently untitled)
-Tamagotchi
-Title TBD

Natsume (developed by Marvelous)
-Harvest Moon

Sega
-Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
-Sonic Wild Fire

SNK
-Metal Slug Anthology

Spike
-Necro-Nesia
-Jawa

Square Enix
-Codename: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers
-Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors

Taito
-Turn IT Around!!
-Let's go by train!
-Cooking Mama--Cooking with International Friends

Tecmo
-Super Swing Golf PANGYA

The Game Factory
-Title TBD

THQ
-Avatar: the Last Airbender
-SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
-Disney/Pixar Cars

Tomy
-Action Game (currently untitled)
-Battle Action (currently untitled)

Ubisoft
-Open Season
-Rayman Raving Rabbids
-Red Steel

Vivendi Universal Games
-Title TBD

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
-Title TBD

---

The Full List of Nintendo DS titles announced by Nintendo is included below, with release dates where possible.

Big Brain Academy - June 5, 2006
Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol - June 5, 2006
Children of Mana - Q4 2006
Clubhouse Games - Q4 2006
Custom Robo Arena - Q4 2006
Diddy Kong Racing DS - TBA
DK: King of Swing DS - TBA
DS Air - TBA
Elite Beat Agents - Q4 2006
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 - Q4 2006
Kirby - TBA
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - Q4 2006
Magical Vacation (working title) - Q4 2006
Magnetica - June 5, 2006
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 - Sept 11, 2006
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2:March of the Minis - September 25, 2006
New Super Mario Bros. - May 15, 2006
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team - September 18, 2006
Pokémon Ranger - TBA
Star Fox DS - August 28, 2006
Sudoku Gridmaster - June 26, 2006
Tenchu: Dark Secret - August 21, 2006
Yoshi's Island 2 - Q4 2006