Eh, I liked the first Cooking Mama game, but then my interest for the franchise slipped. I can’t really see myself playing this one, so its a pass for me.

Until now we’ve only had screenshots of the new NBA Jam for the Wii. It appeared to keep with the same old style from the originals, but now we have gameplay footage. After watching the video, as a big fan of the old games, I can say that this does indeed look to keep the same old feeling. Also, people had been worried about how the goofy looking faces looked, but in motion they look a lot more natural. The realease date has still not been announced, though the game is supposed to make it out some time this year.

As mentioned in a GDC 2010 speech by White House representative Kumar Garg, Michelle Obama has launched the Apps for Healthy Kids competition, which is challenging tech and game developers to put their skills to the test. The competition aims for its competitors to develop applications or games that encourage children to eat healthier and become more physically active. Each entry, be it a tool or a game, needs to utilize the recently released USDA nutrition dataset in order to be eligible for prizes, including $10,000 for first place. Head to the website for more information on how to enter.

I’d like to see some of the more creative entries. How do you get kids these days to be interested in nutrition? I’m sure somebody knows.

When the Wii was first introduced, one of the most seemingly obvious uses of the new controller seemed to be to use it for a first-person shooter. However, the only notable FPS’s released so far have fallen short. Red Steel was a disappointment, and ports of FPS’s from other consoles were sloppy and inferior. The Conduit, however, was supposed to change all that – and while it is probably the best FPS released for the Wii to date, we still have a ways to go before the Wii gets its Halo.

The Conduit’s cornball plot is centered around shady government organizations, conspiracy theories, and aliens (of course). The only truly interesting thing about it is its setting. The game takes place in Washington, DC, and as a frequent visitor to our nation’s capital I enjoyed experiencing the various locations depicted in game. You’ll find yourself in the Library of Congress, the White House, and a personal favorite, the Jefferson Memorial.

Of course, these locations would be even more immersive if the graphics were a bit stronger. I would say the graphics are pretty good, but I’m getting sick of using the qualifier “for the Wii.” Therefore, I’ll simply say they are passable, but nothing more. This becomes especially evident when you’re traveling through a level and you see the same background pass by over and over again. An early airport level makes you walk down what would appear to be the same hallway at least three times.

Yet even repeating backgrounds would be bearable if there were competent enemies patrolling them. Alas, the enemy AI is poor. Most enemies will simply charge directly into your line of fire, and I witnessed a few getting stuck behind objects.

Now you may be thinking, I thought he said this was the best FPS on the Wii? Well, despite everything, the game is still fairly enjoyable. The controls are infinitely customizable, which makes any complaints about them moot. If you don’t like the default set-up change anything and everything about it. You can even change what appears on your HUD.

The weapons vary from the usual human fare to unique alien weaponry, a la Half-Life. Most guns have a secondary function as well. You can melee by thrusting the Nunchuck at the screen, which came in handy more often than I expected it to.

The game’s multiplayer is also fairly robust. It offers WiFi support, a multitude of game modes, and you can carry your customized control scheme over into the multiplayer matches. Kurono, a fellow NGal reviewer, complained of a hacker problem when playing online, but I personally did not run into any cheaters during my playtime.

If you’re an FPS nut and the Wii is the only console you own, you can’t do much better than the Conduit. It can’t compare to games like Halo and Half-Life, but it is a solid shooter and worth a look if you’re tired of all the casual fare the Wii offers nowadays.

If you don’t know who The Speed Gamers are (TSG for short), they’re a group of video gamers who stream video game marathons online to raise money for various causes. From their past marathons they have raised approximately $125,000.

If watching people stream themselves playing video games sounds boring to you, fret not. As always The Speed Gamers active chat accompanies the stream as well as their video commentary. For those who may donate, you have a chance to win some prizes as well. There is plenty going on to keep you entertained and watching.

Many fans have been clamoring for a sequel to Kid Icarus, a popular NES platformer, for years now. Nintendo, perhaps unintentionally, fanned speculation even more when they announced that the series main character, Pit, would be part of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl roster.

The co-creator of Kid Icarus, Yoshio Sakamoto, discussed a Wii version of the game with Kotaku today; simultaneously crushing, yet rekindling the hopes of Kid Icarus fans everywhere.

First: the crushing. Sakamoto said quite clearly that he didn’t “know personally about any project underway regarding Kid Icarus”. So sadly, those of you who were hoping for a big reveal at E3 this year might be disappointed. That said, Sakamoto went on to comment that “if so many of those people are interested in it and really want to see it on the Wii they should really speak up.”

Further elaborating on the possibility of Kid Icarus for Wii, he stated that “If we can find some sort of way to bring it to the Wii, a way to make the game for the Wii that makes sense, we would happily do so”.

So, it seems like any of you out there who are interested in seeing a new Kid Icarus game had better make yourselves known. Seems like a great opportunity to use your “outside voice”, no?

NDS – 613,200
360 – 422,000
Wii – 397,900
PS3 – 360,100
PSP – 133,400
PS2 – 101,900

Software

1. 360 – Bioshock 2, 562,900*
2. Wii – New Super Mario Bros. Wii, 555,600
3. 360 – Call of Duty: Modern Warefare 2, 314,300
4. Wii – Just Dance, 275,400
5. Wii – Wii Sports Resort, 272,500*
6. PS3 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, 252,800
7. 360 – Mass Effect 2, 246,500
8. PS3 – Dante’s Inferno: Divine Edition, 242,500
9. 360 – Dante’s Inferno, 224,700
10. PS3 – Heavy Rain, 219,300

*Number includes all SKUs except those bundled with game systems.

^The numbers on the right represent units sold.

The new NeoGAF numbers are out, and surprisingly, the Wii has been defeated for the first time in who knows how long. Fueled by the long-awaited Bioshock 2, the 360 took the top console spot, though it was still defeated by the unstoppable DS. Also surprisingly, Wii Fit Plus didn’t make the top 10 this month, with Just Dance taking its place.

Overall, sales are down from the same period last year, for consoles and software alike. Accessories made more money but sold less; companies are just charging more for them. Nevertheless, NPD is excited for March, which brings major releases (God of War 3, anyone?) and Easter purchasing.

The songs available in the “Ok Go Track Pack” are:

• “Here It Goes Again”
• “Do What You Want”
• “Get Over It”

Already have Here It Goes Again on Rock Band, but I’ll probably pick up the other two songs, will watch the charts and then decide.

There will be no version of the game that comes packed with instruments; this game disc is the only option available to Wii owners. Harmonix is still keeping most of the setlist under wraps, but they did let slip six songs that will be available on the disc:

• Brain Stew
• Jaded
• Hitchin’ a Ride
• American Idiot
• Wake Me Up When September Ends
• Boulevard of Broken Dreams

More information on the game will be released as it’s made available.

Personally, I can’t wait to play this game, if only for the classic Green Day tunes. Depending on the ratio of good to bad, I may end up purchasing this.

If you didn’t already know, EA Canada is releasing a sequel to EA Sports Active appropriately (and tentatively) titled EA Sports Active 2.0, and have recently announced some neat new features to go with it. The game will include new leg and arm straps that have a motion-sensing system built-in. Also, there will be a heart rate monitor that will keep players on track during their workouts! A new online hub will be added, which will let players access their EA Sports Active information anywhere, and interact with other players.

EA Sports Active 2.0 (not confirmed if that will be the official title) will be coming out Fall 2010 for Wii, PS3, iPhone, and iPod Touch!

I’ve never really liked EA to start with, so this will be a pass. Thanks, but no thanks.