Oh Harry. Dear, dear Pitfall Harry. It's been ages...how ya doing? The last time I ran into you, it was on the Xbox, and you weren't looking too good. Looks like Activision has been secretly planning an escapade onto the Wii for you, as they just confirmed it to us today. Pitfall: The Big Adventure, being developed by Edge of Reality, is currently trekking along for a yet-to-be-disclosed Fall 2008 date.

Set in the Peruvian jungle, Pitfall: The Big Adventure combines the action of reptile dodging and vine swinging with clever puzzles. The game will feature over 60 levels spanning lush rainforests, creature-filled caves, and glacial mountains. Within these dynamic worlds, players will explore cavernous jungles, discover lost treasures, battle shamen, narrowly escape treacherous traps and outwit creatures using innovative, accessible game mechanics developed specifically to take advantage of the Wii motion sensing controls.

Activision is quick to point out that they will hopping on the waggle wagon as much as humanly possible. Apparently, a game that features anything other than walking on the ground is perfect for the Wii. Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing claims

Pitfall is one of the most legendary franchises in the history of videogames, so we look forward to releasing a new version exclusively for Wii. What could be more fun than using the Wii Remote to swing on a vine over blood thirsty crocodiles as retro-cool Pitfall Harry?!

How's about not solely relying on the Wii Remote to do that? I'll admit, Pitfall Harry's last title wasn't awful, but it wasn't amazing. I've been waiting for a decent revival of the series for years, maybe this will be it? Jump for the full announcement.

Sure it was unofficially officially revealed over the weekend, but Electronic Arts came out today and confirmed - all official like - Skate It's existence. Hitting both the Wii and DS, this port is taking the innovation from the original console version, and adding new controls and gameplay "built from scratch" specifically for Nintendo's platforms.

Skate It unleashes the FlickIt revolution on to the Nintendo platforms, letting gamers use the Wii remote or the Nintendo DS stylus to string together their best tricks for the ultimate skate line. The Wii remote becomes a skateboard and reacts to gestures that mirror actual skate flips and moves. Players can also deepen this experience by planting their feet on the Wii Balance Board. Skate It brings the hit Skate franchise to a new level of creative ingenuity and gameplay excellence.

 
Skate It is scheduled to ship later this year, and may or may not release alongside Skate 2, which EA also confirms is in development for all next-gen consoles. Full announcement after the jump.

Sorry, Virtual Console fans looking for your May 12th fix, you'll find nothing but heartbreak today. Due to the fact that Nintendo's new WiiWare service is launching today, the VC is "taking a break", and shall return next week. "But..what the hell is WiiWare? I wants my VC games!", you say? Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing says regarding the new service:

WiiWare is to the video game industry what independent films are to Hollywood. WiiWare lets developers experiment with new ideas and experiences. Combined with our collection of classic Virtual Console games, Wii provides one-stop shopping for the greatest games of the past – and the future.

The initial offerings for WiiWare are as follows:  FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King (1,500 Wii Points), LostWinds (1,000 Wii Points), Defend your Castle (500 Wii Points), Pop (700 Wii Points), V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (700 Wii Points) and TV Show King (1,000 Wii Points). I've been playing around with  Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles' spin-off since the service went live in Japan a while back, and it's the most visually impressive of the lot. I do look forward to what eventually comes of this service...at least it's not going to simply be ports of old Nintendo games we've all played before.

Hit the jump for the full announcement from Nintendo.

Unsurprisingly, Electronic Arts have revealed that they plan to release a spin-off to one of their new IP's, slightly before they release the true sequel. Last year's Tony Hawk-killer, skate, is being released on the Wii and DS later this year as skate it. Leaked by those crazy guys at IGN last month, we now have the first batch of screenshots and a Q&A for the downgraded port, and it doesn't look half bad.

While the DS verison of the game is going to utilize the touch screen, the Wii version will incorporate both the motion controller, and the Wii Fit balance baord for the skateboard controls. You know, because neither have the ability to "truly" use a dual-analogue scheme, even though you can use the GameCube and Classic controllers on Wii. The official announcement is coming during EA's pre-E3 press event next week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, head over to IGN for an interview with executive producer, Scott Blackwood.

Nintendo has beat themselves to the punch yet again.  Although the company originally announced that the Nintendo Channel would be coming on May 12th as part of the WiiWare launch, Nintendo pushed out the Nintendo Channel to the states early this morning.  Gamers with their WiiConnect24 service turned on, and that have done a firmware update since March, can grab the download for the Nintendo Channel via the message in their inbox.  

The Nintendo Channel launches with some pretty solid content for a Day One initiative.  There are over three dozen videos on the Channel, including an interview with genius extraordinaire Shigeru Miyamoto, and Big N has made sure that Nintendo DS demos are already live on the site.  Sweet!  

If you're sitting at work and can't get to your Wii just yet, or want to take a look at what the service has to offer, Nintendo's been kind enough to offer a video on their official site. 

My Pokemans. Let me show you them. Well, technically I'll need to show you my puzzle arrangement, but you get the idea. This week's Wii Shop update will see the return of one of the better, yet underrated Pokémon spin-offs, Pokémon Puzzle League. Originally released on the Nintendo 64, it's your goal to battle through multiple Tetris-like puzzles, in order to obtain the title of "Pokémon Puzzle Master". Choose from six varying modes - including versus - and keep that "gotta catch 'em all" mentality going. Pokémon Puzzle League will be available for 1,000 Wii Points.

Much last week's release of Double Dragon, another side-scrolling beat 'em up is on the way hoping to revive your interest. Renegade, a precursor to both Double Dragon and River City Ransom, puts you in the role of a street brawler in New York City. Your goal is to plow through endless waves of gangs, all while on the way to rescue your [predictably] kidnapped girlfriend. Renegade will cost 500 Wii Points.

Both titles will go live on the Virtual Console at 9 AM PST.

So, you think you're good at Mario Kart?  Well, here's your chance to prove your racing chops, bubba!

Nintendo has announced the launch of their Mario Kart Wii tournaments, which begin today.  The tournaments, which appear on the Mario Kart channel in the game's main menu, will let you compete against other Kart'ers and bikers around the world in specific challenges (e.g. - Race certain courses using specific characters, race using only the Wii Wheel, etc.)

If you're the winner in these tournaments, you get the joy of seeing your name at the top of a leaderboard, and the pride in a job well done.  Tangible prizes, though?  Not so much.

Nintendo's press release is after the jump. 

Those that have been used to the flow of double retro releases over the past few weeks, Nintendo is flipping the script on you today by releasing but a single new title. Side-scrolling arcade beat 'em ups are making a strong return to the Virtual Console with the release of the 1987 NES classic, Double Dragon.

Set in a post-apocalyptic New York, Double Dragon is the story of Billy and Jimmy Lee, twin brothers trained in the fighting style of Sou-Setsu-Ken. Together, they manage a small martial arts training school, teaching their students in self-defence. One day, Billy’s girlfriend, Marian, is kidnapped off the street by the “Black Warriors”, a savage street gang led by a man named Willy. The Black Warriors demand the Lee brothers disclose their martial arts secrets in exchange for Marian’s freedom. The Lee brothers set out on a rescue mission to crush the Black Warriors and save Marian.

Using whatever techniques they have at their disposal, from the basic punches and kicks to the invulnerable elbow strike, as well any weapon that comes into their hands, the Lee brothers must pursue the gang through the city slum, industrial area and the forest before reaching their hideout to confront the big boss, Willy.

In addition to the quite legendary single player game, Double Dragon also has a fun-filled versus mode where you and  friend can go at it, throwing punches to your heart's content. Double Dragon will be available at 9 AM PST on the Wii Shop for 500 Wii Points.