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Pikmin, Pokemon revamp top Nintendo lineup

Publisher details Wii and DS releases for early 2009; first in "New Play Control" line of GameCube remakes with motion control.

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Nintendo has enjoyed tremendous success thanks to the forward-thinking innovations of its DS and Wii systems, but the company's lineup is focused squarely on the past. The publisher revealed today its first-party and third-party lineup of Wii and DS games through March of 2009, with a scattering of revamps and remakes comprising the majority of its own games.

New Play Control! Pikmin
New Play Control! Pikmin

For the Wii, Nintendo has only two releases planned, both remakes of GameCube games designed to support the Wii Remote's motion-sensing capabilities. The self-explanatory New Play Control Mario Power Tennis and New Play Control Pikmin will both launch in March.

Nintendo's DS lineup is a little more robust, spearheaded by the March 22 launch of Pokemon Platinum. Platinum reuses characters and settings from Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl in a franchise tradition dating back to Pokemon Yellow for the original Game Boy, a pseudosequel that incorporated elements of the previously released Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue.

Beyond Platinum, Nintendo has two more DS games planned through March. Up first will be Personal Trainer: Math on January 12, an arithmetic addition to the practical game series that started with Personal Trainer: Cooking. Those looking for something a little more gamey can try Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon on February 16. The latest release in the turn-based strategy series will be a remake of the original NES Fire Emblem (which never made it to North America), with new touch-screen controls.

Wii
Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Disney Interactive Studios)--Winter
Neighborhood Games (THQ)--January 5
Paws & Claws Pet Resort (THQ)--January 5
Fishing Master World Tour (Hudson)--January 6
Deer Drive (Mastiff)--January 20
SimAnimals (Electronic Arts)--January 27
Coraline (D3Publisher)--January
Escape the Museum (Majesco)--January
Word Jong Party (Destineer)--January
NASCAR Kart Racing (Electronic Arts)--February 10
Brave: A Warrior's Tale (Southpeak)--February 17
Little King's Story (Marvelous)--February 17
Roogoo Twisted Towers (Southpeak)--February 17
Battle Rage (Destineer)--February
Cradle of Rome (Destineer)--February
House of the Dead: Overkill (Sega)--February
Onechanbara Bikini Zombie Slayers (D3Publisher)--February
Puzzle Challenges and More! (Crave)--February
Solitaire & Mahjong (Crave)--February
Tenchu: Shadow Assassins (Ubisoft)--February
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball (Southpeak)--March 17
Monsters vs. Aliens (Activision)--March 24
Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Director's Cut (Ubisoft)--March
Burger Island (Destineer)--March
Cate West: The Vanishing Files (Destineer)--March
Crayola Colorful World (Crave)--March
DanceDanceRevolution Disney Grooves (Konami)--March
Madworld (Sega)--March
Major Minor's Majestic March (Majesco)--March
Monster Pals (Crave)--March
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis (Nintendo)--March
New Play Control! Pikmin (Nintendo)--March
Play the World (Dreamcatcher)--March
Rune Factory Frontier (Marvelous)--March
Sonic and the Black Knight (Sega)--March
We Ski & Snowboard (Namco Bandai)--March
Super Pick Ups (XS Games)--Q1
Trivial Pursuit (Electronic Arts)--Early spring
Marble Saga Kororinpa (Hudson)--Spring

Nintendo DS
Phineas and Ferb (Disney Interactive Studios)--Winter
Paws & Claws Pampered Pets (THQ)--January 5
Big Bang Mini (Southpeak)--January 6
Retro Game Challenge (XSEED)--January 6
Personal Trainer: Math (Nintendo)--January 12
Moon (Mastiff)--January 13
World Championship Games (The Game Factory)--January 19
SimAnimals (Electronic Arts)--January 27
Coraline (D3Publisher)--January
Drivers' Ed Portable (Dreamcatcher)--January
Inkheart (Dreamcatcher)--January
Jake Power Fireman (Ubisoft)--January
Jake Power Policeman (Ubisoft)--January
Learn Math (Dreamcatcher)--January
Monster Band (Dreamcatcher)--January
Powerbike (Majesco)--January
USA Today Puzzle Craze (Destineer)--January
Wonder World Amusement Park (Majesco)--January
My World, My Way (Atlus)--February 3
Legacy of Ys: Books I & II (Atlus)--February 10
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Nintendo)--February 16
Brave: Shaman's Challenge (Southpeak)--February 17
Jagged Alliance (Empire Interactive)--February 17
My Fashion Studio Paris Collection (Ubisoft)--February 17
Roogoo Attack (Southpeak)--February 17
Avalon Code (Marvelous)--February
Imagine Cheerleader (Ubisoft)--February
Imagine Family Doctor (Ubisoft)--February
JoJo's Fashion Show (Ubisoft)--February
Music Star: Pop Star (Dreamcatcher)--February
My DoItAll (Tomy)--February
My Personal Diary (Dreamcatcher)--February
Petz Horseshoe Ranch (Ubisoft)--February
Zoo Quest (Dreamcatcher)--February
American Popstar - Road to Celebrity (Gameloft)--March 9
Animal Planet (Activision)--March 10
Chicken Hunter Star Karts (MumboJumbo)--March 10
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar Games)--March 17
Trackmania DS (Atlus)--March 17
Pokemon Platinum (Nintendo)--March 22
American Popstar - Road to Celebrity (Ubisoft)--March 24
Monsters vs. Aliens (Activision)--March 24
Pimp My Ride 2 (Activision)--March 24
Broken Sword: Shadows of the Templars Director's Cut (Ubisoft)--March
DinoPets (Destineer)--March
Dreamer: Top Model (Dreamcatcher)--March
Flower, Sun, and Rain (Marvelous)--March
Hot n' Cold (Majesco)--March
Imagine Ice Champions (Ubisoft)--March
Jake Power Handyman (Ubisoft)--March
Learn Chess (Dreamcatcher)--March
Matchstick (Dreamcatcher)--March
Monster Pals (Crave)--March
Paint by DS (Dreamcatcher)--March
Sarah: Keeper of the Unicorn (Dreamcatcher)--March
Zubo (Electronic Arts)--March
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero (Konami)--Q1
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (Electronic Arts)--Q1
Little Magician's Magic Adventure (Konami)--Q1
Our House (Majesco)--Q1
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (D3Publisher)--Q1
Suikoden Tierkreis (Konami)--Q1
Dragon Master (Dreamcatcher)--April
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (Square Enix)--Spring

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Avatar image for Oblivion_540
Oblivion_540

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Wow such a long list of games coming out this year :o too bad many of them are remakes :( -=-Oblivion 540-=-

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SSBFan12

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The wii and Ds are looking pretty good for this year so far.

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Kingnetherdrake

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I think they should move forward and make new games, they can be based on the old ones, but I'd just play gamecube games on a gamecube and not buy a second edition to use a WIImote. Seeing as I preferred Super Smash controls on the GC more than the WII I'm afraid it'll be the same for all these games. And why not work on a wireless nunchuck? Like Matthew_B said, dual wielding would be awesome, but that little string is getting in my way.

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Sharhan96

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So, are the graphics and modes imprived in the rereleases like Mario Tennis?

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Spider-Jim

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Why can't they make a pokemon worthy of the DS?

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Matthew_B

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Why can't they remake Goldeneye rogue agent... Duelweilding would be awesome with the Wii's motion control

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Pink_Troglodyte

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stupid. they should just make a new pikmin. if they're going to waste their time to re-release pikmin, they should at least make it a bundle with pikmin 2 also. I don't think i'll waste my money on that one.

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Luke-Elliott

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they have released more for wii: Pikim 1 & 2, Mario Tennis, Metroid 1 & 2, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, CHIBI-ROBO.

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Mr_Versipellis

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First on the list is "Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Disney Interactive Studios)--Winter" Poor ol' Nintendo! Well, Platinum might be good. I'll think about checking it out, but I'll probably still be playing Baldur's Gate!

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DestinyZX

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Nintendo should add Metroid Prime 1 and 2 to the New Play Control Wii lineup. It would be like playing Metroid Prime 3 all over again but even better.

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sothca

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wow i wanted a wind waker for the wii i loved they anime-ish style of link awesomeness but the original is good my fav would always be a link to the past

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alanthreonus

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I want Pikmin 3!

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japanesegoth

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hmmm...well as long as it's still $20 i'll buy it lol. not likely...(the new controls games)

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Lazyimperial

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Oh God, I hate Engrish. I just absolutely loathe it. Let's all play our New Game Control Pikmin and have Super Happy Fun Time Yes? HeheheHohohoHahaha. :-/ If I were going to advertise something in Japanese, I'd at least put a little effort into my slogans. Common courtesy and all that. NO shine get for you Nintendo.

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Barnman2205

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Though I'd rather a sequel, remaking Mario Tennis with motion control is a neat idea. However, I don't think I'll buy Pikmin again just to play it with a Wii Remote. I think I'll just wait for a Pikmin III.

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ryhorne1

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Pokemon Platinum (Nintendo)--March 22 sounds ok

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RingCollector

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madworld, sonic and the black knight,Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time are the only games I want to get from up there

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sonicthemegaman

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this line looks terrible in my opinion. the only interesting game i saw was sonic and the black knight. i mean really, this is nintendo's chance to introduce new, innovative franchises with brand new ideas and unique gameplay yet now, of all times, they decide to make remakes. what a drag.:(

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K1n6sta

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Pimp my Ride should not be a DS game.

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Leonagard

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ohhhh remakes...some Wii third party´s pot off gold!!... ahhh forget about new games just put some poor motion controls on it... lame... Im not getting any remake with only poor MC (at least RE4 was a good remake, with motion controls)

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lannyboy334

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I don't even know how I feel about buying an expansion for a pokemon game even though i loved diamond, much less another ridiculously frustrating and difficult fire emblem game (I beat both for the GBA, they are fun, but you can have a way better time playing a strategy game that doesn't require you to have pinpoint and exact movement lest you lose a crucial character)

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KingMatthijs

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super cool

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KingMatthijs

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cool

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lionheart234

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list looks ok i guess....

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MangoLlamas

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@spike6958 - I don't agree with you. Look at what the PS3 is doing, there are some games that are sequels that actually do really well (and people do both to pick it up) plus most games are new games... yet for some reason the PS3 seems dead... I for one love the system, but i like the wii too.

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Avatar image for deactivated-5bdcf25e4f65e
deactivated-5bdcf25e4f65e

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@ Destiny Hero Hey don't buy em if u don't like em. Besides isn't one of the reasons that Nintendo is here is to make money? Jeez a company that tries to make money. Who would've thought...........

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Destiny_Hero

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Jeez, Nintendo will let ANYONE make ANYTHING for their system. Who cares about whether or not we're happy! Nintendo needs more and more money! T_T

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why9090909090

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spike6958, your comment explains Link3301's comment lol So true 100% agree

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kh2fanatik

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Kingdom Hearts 382/2 Days is most likely coming out whenever the DSi comes out because I read somewhere there will be a KH 382/2 Days +DSi Bundle Pack. The only things I MIGHT buy on that list is Fire Emblem and Pokemon Platinum...

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why9090909090

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The pikmin games are just to get you used to whats in store for whats after the first half of '09, pikmin 3 is on its way no doubt about it :D

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chougi24

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What no Legend of Zelda WindWaker wii? What the *****

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spike6958

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I wish that the people complaining about the New Play Control games would stop and look at this from Nintendo's view point, the days of the GameCube where the darkest for Nintendo and most of there games did not sell well regardless of popularity because most people moved over to PlayStation and XBox, now that they have a new console and the people that did stick with them are now wanting sequels to the games like liked, however where is the point for Nintendo, most of there fan base is now new gamers who have never played the gamecube games, and who aren't always sure about buying a sequel game because they expect it to continue the story and so keep away(this is most common in numeric sequels), so now Nintendo have come up with the best idea they could, re-release the gamecube titles that made so little money for them, doing this they can make back some of the money they lost on the original gamecube versions, and reduce the loss if the new fans don't take to the series, if they sell well they can then use the profit made to work on the sequals that the fans of the originals so badly want, which even though it takes a bit of time ends up been a win win situation in the long run.

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Link3301

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I never got Pikmin one or two, so I plan to get it on Wii.

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Link3301

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Pikimin, Mario Tennis, Pokemon Platinum, and Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon are the best game of all of these. I am definitely gonna buy these Four, especially since I 300 dollars of allowance.

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jello_flouride

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Wow, a good 95% of all of those games are total crap. I'm glad I homebrew my wii and ds.

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The_Owner

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Don't...........understand......................Nintendo....dropping...ball when still first in sales???

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Spider-Jim

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fo every good game that's released there's 50 turds.

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noxusrules

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I'm looking for KH 358/2. I think that this is not going to be Nintendo's year, but I still have some past games to buy like Metroid Prime 3 and Okami, let's see what Nintendo bring us this year!!!

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dizza-rocks

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does anybody know if pikmin for wii is coming out in aus

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DarkProwl

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Anyone else looking forward to Trackmania DS?

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thismarlasinger

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Super pumped up for DS releases next year. Lookin' good!

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Bozanimal

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Pikmin will be a remake of the Gamecube titles with Wii controls. Nothing more. As a huge Pikmin fan, I am highly disappointed.

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glennwinton

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hopfully tenchu 4 will be good, i loved the first tenchu game for the ps2(wrath of heaven) but the rest after that sucked

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waZelda

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I don't think 2D Zelda was better than 3D, but some variety is nice. Retro mario games work much better.

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ZookGuy

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I think Nintendo ought to go back to it's 2D roots, look at the success of Mega Man 9 and New Super Mario Bros., give us a new Zelda that's like the original.

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ZookGuy

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Pikmin 3??? Will it ever exist?

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Super-Mario-Fan

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I'm surprised that Wii Sports Resort is not on that list. They must be actually taking their time to develop the game fully.

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thps48

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Metroid Prime 1 & 2:Echoes Wii should be fine unless they write the code by having their faces slam on the keyboard after dozing off and add 2 or 3 more lines when they make facial gestures during sleep and possibly tossing and turning with their face a center of pivot. There's also the possibility Retro won't be involved, but Nintendo execs could be suspected as undead Nazi-Borg hybrids if they don't involve Retro. Maybe, copy-pasting Prime 3's controls is, in fact, good enough, but I don't have the expertise to know that kind of ****.

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JolteonEX

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Yikes,it looks like nintendo is falling back in a way. There isnt alot of games that catch my eye... I hope this slump doesnt last long.

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Omegaman007

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So it's not even an all new Pikmin....it's just a remake? THAT'S SO WEAK! The Fire Emblem remake is the only good looking game on there.

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