For those of you in the UK who've been wondering about the next version of Kororinpa, scheduled for release in the US on March 10th, Konami has confirmed that this wii balance board compatible game will be released in the UK this April.

Instead of being called Marble Saga however, the European version is called Marbles! Balance Challenge but it is the exact same game. See Marble Saga Kororinpa for more details about the game.

Hudson US has issued a press release for the sequel to Kororinpa: Marble Mania, this time called Marble Saga: Kororinpa. I could be wrong but I'm assuming this is simply the US title for Kororinpa 2 which was announced at this year's Games Convention and is scheduled for European release at the beginning of 2009. Assuming I'm correct, here's the latest info you need to know for these two releases:

The story takes place with players heading out on a journey with Anthony the Ant as he searches for the Golden Sunflower. By guiding Anthony's marble around the Ant World and searching for items which are valuable to help reach the Golden Sunflower, gamers will help Anthony save his colony. Along the way players will face dangerous mazes and use cool and amazing widgets and gadgets to guide Anthony to his objective. With multiple levels to explore and three difficulty stages within each level, no area is ever the same.

Unique features in Marble Saga: Kororinpa allow fun customization for players. From designing the ball with attributes to helping players navigate through stages easier, to Miis and preset fun images, to an Edit Mode which allows for custom design of a unique stage, gamers can really make this entertaining experience their own. For a more competitive tone, a 4-person multiplayer mode allows players to compete with three other opponents on the same map as each races to the finish line. For more customization and group fun with others, the Wii Connect 24 feature allows gamers to share the unique stages they created with their friends or to receive extra stages from Hudson after the game's launch via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Additionally, Wi-Fi Leaderboards let players compete online against each other to see who can navigate through the world the fastest.

For those who can't live without gaming peripherals, the Wii Balance Board can be used as players navigate through the world as the ball with this new feature. In addition, gamers can utilize 40 innovative and useful widgets to help assist them in guiding their marble, including shrinking machines, movable bridges, vacuum tubes, cannon vaults and more!

There hasn't been any substantial balance board games news for a little while now but that's all changed as GC 2008 kicks into high gear and the press releases flow. Here's a quick update on balance board news that matters.

Kororinpa 2

First up on the new games front is Kororinpa 2, Konami's ball-rolling maze game. If you like the Wii Fit marbles game then you are going to love this one. 100 levels of ball-rolling mayhem although, rather disappointingly, only 10 levels are said to be balance board compatible. The game will also include multiplayer support and an editor so that you can create your own levels and balls. Kororinpa 2 is scheduled for release in Europe Q1 2009.

Babysitting Party

Ubisoft released some more details on Babysitting Party (previously Babies Party).

More than 30 mini-games - Enjoy exciting and various games inspired by babies daily life:

• Take care of them
• Help them progress with memory games, puzzles, coloring and cutting up activities
• Entertain them through hilarious mini-games

Solo or multiplayer modes for every desire - Choose which character you want to embody:

• As a babysitter, you'll have to take care alone of these adorable little monsters!
• As a baby, you can play up to 4 players with your friends, and do what was always forbidden.

Easy gameplay for immediate fun:

• Thanks to intuitive motions the game is easy to pick-up and play and the use of the Wii Balance Board makes the Party Games experience brand new.

A great story to live:

• Choose the families you want to baby sit for. As a member of a babysitting academy, you will have to do your best to graduate and become the best Babysitter.

Many unlockables:

• Unlock a huge range of more than 50 cute and funny outfits and customize all the babies you take care of.

Raving Raving Rabbids TV Party

More info on those wacky rabbids from the Ubisoft factsheet.

Unique use of the Wii Balance Board:

• Play loads (Ubi are still not saying how many) of exciting new games with the new Wii Balance Board and experience the first game in the world that you can play with your rear end!

New wacky games:

• 65+ brand-new games that spoof popular culture, from TV series to TV classics, not to mention insane ads!

All-new party mode:

• Play co-op or battle your friends simultaneously with up to four players, or go crazy with up to eight players in party mode! You can even sabotage your friends while they are playing!

Unique use of the Wii Remote:

• Discover new and innovative ways to play with eight types of gameplay, including shaking, precision, dexterity and balance.

Shake that Rabbid:

• Use the Wii Remote and Wii Balance Board to dance and wiggle your booty.

Customize your bunny:

• Pimp your bunny out, take his photo and send it to your friends online.

Other than that, we're also seeing a lot of new trailers and screen shots for Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip but I think I'll save those for a best of post once GC wraps up at the end of the week.