3DS eShop News
April2015
News New Safari Event Now Live In Pokémon Shuffle
The expedition is on!
Nintendo’s strong support for its free-to-play 3DS eShop title, Pokémon Shuffle, continues with the latest in-game event now live. Pokémon Safari draws inspiration from the main game series featuring Safari Zones, and more recently Friend Safari, which has players attempting to catch a random selection of Pokémon. Each...
News Take on 3D Streets of Rage 2 With a Pal
As long as you're in hitting distance of each other
Sega's 3D conversions of classic titles have been consistently satisfying, often adding levels of polish and features that... Do we really have to say this? Ugh... Nintendon't. 3D Streets of Rage 2 looks to continue this trend, according to a recent report from Famitsu. The simultaneous two-player...
Review A-Train 3D: City Simulator (3DS eShop)
Chugging uphill
In the 3DS library, there is a rather unsurprising gap of management sim games. The niche genre essentially revolves around placing the player in the chair of a person in charge of a large city or company, tasking them with running it and maximising profitability. This is something of a double-edged sword; patient gamers will find...
News Nintendo Australia Lists eShop Offerings Redeemable Via Club Nintendo Stars Catalogue
65 items to select from
In a similar fashion to other regions, Nintendo Australia will soon offer loyal fans a range of eShop content redeemable via the Club Nintendo Stars Catalogue. While Nintendo is still hard at work making this content available as soon as possible, it has now revealed the full list of Wii U and 3DS downloadable titles for...
Review Music On: Electric Guitar (3DS eShop)
While my 3DS gently weeps
If someone were to come up to you on the street and loudly proclaim "My 3DS is an electric guitar!!", you'd probably just smile politely and try to put as much distance between the two of you as possible. Their boasting isn't total insanity however, as Music On: Electric Guitar is an ambitious little app that aims to...
Nintendo Download 16th April (North America)
StreetPass DLC, Smash Bros. DLC, DK 64, 3D Fantasy Zone II and much more
It's that time again, North American gamers, for the Nintendo Download Update to bring more treats to Wii U and 3DS. This week we have some Rare action on the Wii U, Smash Bros. DLC, StreetPass extras, another Sega classic and much more besides. Let's get to the details...
News Diddy Kong Nerfed In Latest Super Smash Bros. Update
Fans rejoice
The troublesome Diddy Kong has reportedly been nerfed in yesterday’s Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS update which saw the highly anticipated return of Mewtwo and introduction of costume DLC for Mii Fighters. Donkey Kong’s side kick has caused mayhem in competitive Smash for some time now due to his over-powered nature, and...
News Nintendo Has Released This Fabulous 3DS Theme In Japan To Celebrate The Launch Of Girls Mode 3
Stunning, darling!
The latest entry in the Girls Mode series (known locally as Style Savvy or New Style Boutique depending on where you live) is now out in Japan.To celebrate the special occasion, Nintendo has released a Girls Mode 3: Kira Kira Code 3DS theme. The new theme, which can be viewed on the catwalk in the trailer below, is available for...
News Citizens of Earth Update Halves Wii U Load Times And Adds Retro Soundtrack
Also includes improved stability and minor bug fixes
Atlus and Eden Industries have updated the JRPG-inspired role-playing game, Citizens of Earth, with added and improved functionality. The update which applies to both the Wii U and 3DS eShop versions of the game includes the addition of a retro chiptunes soundtrack menu option to relive the glory...
Review My Pet School 3D (3DS eShop)
Plays dead
Do you get the feeling we've barked up this tree before? My Pet School 3D is much like other entries in TREVA's bloated stable of pet sims, such as Me & My Pets 3D and Life with Horses 3D. Each successive instalment comes with the desperate hope that some new tricks have been learned this time around, only to have it stare back at you...
Not pants-uru
Nintendo handhelds have been graced with many great puzzle games over the years, from the wonderful Tetris on the original Game Boy through to the present day; the Picross series, Pullblox and the Professor Layton titles all being notable recent examples. In fact, a quick filtered search of the 3DS eShop by 'Puzzle' genre reveals no...
News Streets Of Rage 2, Gunstar Heroes And Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Are Your Next Sega 3D Classics
More 16-bit goodness on your 3DS
Sega has confirmed that Streets of Rage 2, Gunstar Heroes and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are making their way to the 3DS eShop. This trio of Sega Mega Drive / Genesis titles will be joining the steadily-growing ranks of Sega's retro remasters, which already includes the likes of Space Harrier, Out Ru
News The Scrappers Will Be Out to Get You in SteamWorld Heist
Details of enemy types are shown off
SteamWorld Heist could be a download highlight of 2015, with the follow-up - not sequel - to SteamWorld Dig heading to Wii U and 3DS alongside a host of other platforms. 2D strategy takes the place of digging and jumping, while steampunk will be heading into outer space. The Image & Form blog is posting...
"Shovel Knight, Meat Boy, and CommanderVideo would hold their own"
Choice Provisions remains one of the most admirably eclectic yet successful developers currently plying their trade in the download scene. After coming to prominence with the BIT.TRIP series on WiiWare and other platforms, the studio changed its name from Gaijin Games and has begun...
De-Minishing Returns
Remember Midora? It's a Zelda-inspired action-adventure which was successfully funded via Kickstarter to the tune of $73,470, and while it didn't meet its Wii U and 3DS stretch goals, developer Epic Minds insisted that it would still come to those machines - it would just take a little longer. However, there are doubts the
Review Excave II : Wizard of the Underworld (3DS eShop)
Dungeon crawling on a higher budget
Not long ago, the budget-priced dungeon-crawler Excave hit the 3DS eShop, and our review found the experience a technically sound and overall enjoyable experience, despite some minor flaws. This sequel follows a bit more than a month later, and promises more polished hack and slash gameplay, though at an increased...
Nintendo Download 16th April (Europe)
StreetPass extras, Elliot Quest, SEGA 3D goodness, Smash DLC and much more
Another week begins, and that means Nintendo Download Update news for European gamers. This week has plenty to offer, with Super Smash Bros. DLC arriving on 3DS and Wii U, a high profile indie effort on the home console, a SEGA 3D Classic, demos, another Wii title and much...
News Nintendo's Super Spring Sale Shines Light on Some Top Wii U and 3DS eShop Deals
If you're in North America check them out
In addition to discounts announced as part of Nintendo's Download Update for North America, there are a range of enticing offers also available as part of a 'Super Spring Sale' in the region. It's Spring Break season, so there's that bit more time for games. The discounts stretch across Wii U and 3DS retail...
A bit ruff
Here's a quick generalisation: There are huge differences between mobile games and Nintendo 3DS games. The best mobile games take advantage of the host platform with regards to touch controls, usage of the screen and gameplay. It's also fair to say that for every great mobile game, there's a shed load of dross, but at least they're...
News 3DS eShop Title Titan Run Is Attack On Titan In Bite-Sized Form
Smash up a city for the highest score
D3Publisher's Japan-only Simple Series has been running for quite a few years now, offering engaging experiences for reasonable prices. The latest entry - developed by E-Trek - is inspired by the anime and manga franchise Attack on Titan and sees you dashing through the crowded city of Tokyo causing as much...
Nintendo Download 9th April (North America)
Xenoblade, Etrian Dungeons, Affordable Space Adventures, DS treats and more
It's that time again, North American gamers, for the Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a Wii U exclusive that makes interesting use of the GamePad, major retail releases on the New Nintendo 3DS XL and wider 3DS 'family', more free-to-play Pokémon on 3DS,...
News Iron Combat: War in the Air Starts the Battle in Europe on 16th April
Fire it up
There aren't many 3D futuristic flying action games on the 3DS eShop, which makes Iron Combat: War in the Air one to consider. Developed by Amzy and published by Teyon, this blends in-air shooting with some melee action thrown in; already out in North America, the good news for European portable players is that it's now dated for a 16th...
News Pokémon Rumble World Available Now, as Nintendo Releases a New Launch Trailer
A day earlier than most downloads
Pokémon Rumble World, Nintendo's latest dalliance with free-to-play on the 3DS, arrives today - 8th April. Just recently announced, it takes the button mashing brawling series into microtransaction territory and is set to include all Pokémon that we've seen to date, including many Mega Evolutions. It's already...
Nintendo Download 9th April (Europe)
Affordable Space Adventures, free Pokémon Rumble, Quell Memento and more
A day later than normal courtesy of a public holiday, we now have this week's full Nintendo Download Update details for Europe. There's a Wii U eShop exclusive, the next free-to-play Pokémon title on 3DS, an excellent 'zen' puzzle experience and more. Let's get to the...
Be quick to win a Blastoisinite
Pokémon Shuffle is the highest profile free-to-play release yet from Nintendo, mainly due to its use of microtransactions to try and get players to spend money in order to accelerate progress. Evidently Pokémon is the franchise for these experiments, as the upcoming Pokémon Rumble World will also have a similar...
Review Iron Combat: War in the Air (3DS eShop)
Altitude, don't forget to watch altitude...
Making an immersive 3D shooter on any platform is quite an undertaking, but this is especially true on the 3DS. There are some of these titles available on the platform, but they aren't as popular as many other genres. This makes the elusive quality shooter on 3DS even more valuable, and as a result, games...
Review Best of Arcade Games - Tetraminos (3DS eShop)
Line 'em up...again and again
It's safe to say that developer Bigben Interactive has been hard at work, relentlessly churning out adaptions of all manner of board and arcade games as part of a range of "Best Of" titles. While it might seem redundant to try and recreate the mighty Tetris on a Nintendo handheld of all places, Tetraminos is arguably...
News It's Not An April Fool, The Binding Of Issac: Rebirth Really Is Coming To The New 3DS And Wii U
Completely uncensored, apparently
Yesterday was April Fool's Day, and that meant plenty of joke news pieces which caused a few chuckles but were otherwise ignored as false. However, one story slipped through even the Nintendo Life "Fool Filter", and that was the revelation that The Binding of Issac: Rebirth is coming to the Wii U and New 3DS...
Nintendo Download 2nd April (North America)
Nintendo 64 and DS on Wii U, AVGN, BOXBOY! and much more
It's that time again, North American gamers, and this week's Nintendo Download Update has some exciting treats following the Nintendo Direct shenanigans of 1st April. Nintendo 64 and DS arrive on the Wii U Virtual Console, while there are a whole load of new games and discounts across both the...
News Nintendo Shows Off More eShop Games, With Cross-Buy and Promotions On the Way
2-for-1 with Don't Starve, Mutant Mudds cross-buy
The most recent Nintendo Direct broadcasts certainly had plenty of details, and as per tradition there was a segment dedicated to the eShop. In Europe there was the welcome news that Azure Striker Gunvolt will arrive today (2nd April), and the charming Mighty Gunvolt will be free until 2nd July with...
News HAL's 3DS Puzzle Platformer BOXBOY! Will Be Available To Download Today
Announced during yesterday's Nintendo Direct
HAL Laboratory's retro-themed puzzle platformer BOXBOY! will be available for download on the North American and European 3DS eShops today. Announced during yesterday's Nintendo Direct, the game tasks you with guiding a box-like character through increasingly tricky levels, using his ability to generate...
Defend the outer walls against giant Titans
Based on the hugely popular Japanese anime, the latest Nintendo Direct has revealed the ATLUS title, Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains, will arrive locally on the 3DS eShop in May - that's in North America and Europe. The title will feature four-player local and online co-op gameplay, along with...
News Pokémon Rumble World Arrives On The 3DS eShop Next Week
Free-To-Start, with paid transactions
Last month there was solid evidence of a new Pokémon Rumble game arriving in the near future. First a domain name was filed, and then came the Australian Classification Board rating. Following these developments, the latest Nintendo Direct has now officially revealed the next entry in the series as Pokémon...
Boxed in
BOXBOY! is Game Boy-era design and aesthetics reincarnated for Nintendo's latest handheld, picking up a few new ideas since the monochromatic minster's heyday. With plenty of polish and thoughtful puzzles to conquer, we were surprised to find ourselves so bored with it all. Just like the retro classics, BOXBOY! makes a simple request of...
News Curve Digital Hints At A Possible Appearance In The Upcoming Nintendo Direct
Let the speculation begin
Curve Digital, responsible for the recently released Wii U and 3DS eShop cross-buy title, OlliOlli, has hinted it will make an appearance at some point during the upcoming Nintendo Direct. Given the success of OlliOlli, and the studio’s previous experience with Nintendo’s digital platforms releasing titles such as
March2015
Video Extended SteamWorld Heist Gameplay Trailer Shows Off Latest Build
Due from Fall onwards, including Wii U and 3DS
SteamWorld Heist, the anticipated follow up to SteamWorld Dig, has evidently been progressing well in development. Image & Form took a new build of the title to various expos in March, and has today released a fresh trailer to show off the strides its made since its initial reveal in 2014. Very...
News Azure Striker Gunvolt HOME Themes All Making the Move to Europe and Australia
Announcement due 'directly' this week (we added 'directly'...)
To those that suggested the rapid removal of online Azure Striker Gunvolt details in Europe - before a tease of upcoming release details for the region - meant a Nintendo Direct was in the offing, a hat tip is due. There is indeed a Nintendo Dir
Review Shanghai Mahjong (3DS eShop)
Meagre Matching
Mahjong's long and prestigious history in the East may be well established, but its presence in the West is far less apparent; to say that Mahjong isn't hugely popular outside of Asia would be somewhat of an understatement. Despite that, the sheer number of Mahjong titles currently found on the 3DS eShop seems to suggest its...
News Latest Pokémon Shuffle Update Comes With a Rayquaza Event
These updates are sure dragon on
Pokémon Shuffle is a lot of things - slightly addictive, annoyingly 2D-only, quite fun and slightly tacky in its micro-transactions, but one thing it's not is lazy. Nintendo and developer Genius Sonority keep serving up weekly events and special announcements, along with consistent software updates that are doing...
News IRONFALL Invasion Hits 300,000 Downloads as Free Update Arrives With Enhancements
Gunning for more players
IRONFALL Invasion, the free-to-play 3DS eShop exclusive from VD-DEV, has achieved an impressive number of downloads since its launch in February. It's been announced that the indie-effort has been downloaded more than 300,000 times worldwide so far; the initial download is free and gives limited access to the single-player...
Nintendo Download 2nd April (Europe)
Xenoblade Chronicles on New 3DS, KAMI and loads of discounts
Another week begins, and as always we have the Nintendo Download Update for Europe to kick it off. The major arrival this week is the first New Nintendo 3DS exclusive, while there's also a rather zen puzzle experience on the 3DS eShop. There are plenty of discounts to consider too, so...
News Two Tribes’ Toki Tori Remake is Coming to the 3DS eShop
How eggsciting
A brief history on the development of Toki Tori. Toki Tori was a puzzle platformer originally launched on the Game Boy Color back in 2002 as a pseudo-remake of an MSX title called Eggbert, but it didn't sell too well due to being released late in the console's life. In 2008, Toki Tori was ported to Wiiware and was one of the first...
News Xeodrifter Currently Being Prepared for European Release
On its way to Australia and New Zealand, too
Update: Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham has been in touch to clarify that the developer is also submitting Xeodrifter for age ratings and publication in Australia and New Zealand, in addition to Europe. Original Article: Getting a game fully certified for release in Europe isn't, unfortunately, as simple...
News Monster Tale on Its Way to the 3DS eShop in a New 'Ultimate' Version
Improved visuals, gameplay tweaks, stereoscopic 3D
It's easy to forget that, in the DS days, there was a market for a number of 'mid-tier' games at retail - not quite triple-A hits, and not overtly casual sims or brain training games, but enjoyable games nevertheless that were well worth checking out. Monster Tale certainly counts as one of these,...
News Azure Striker Gunvolt Release Details for Europe Due Next Week, Prompts Nintendo Direct Chatter
Why not, it's Friday!
Azure Striker Gunvolt is taking its sweet time coming to Europe, but that's somewhat understandable with Inti Creates publishing itself and not necessarily having experience of the region's ratings and localisation requirements. As one of the best action games on the 3DS eShop since its arrival in Japan and North America,...
News Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures Looks Set For Wii U on 2nd April
Was originally due back in the past
It's been quite a wait for Nintendo fans of the YouTube trailblazer AVGN, with Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures arriving on PC in 2014 and pegged as being due "very soon" last July. Set for Wii U and 3DS, it will at least apparently utilise the second screen options on both systems. The Wii U version seems to...
Nintendo Download 26th March (North America)
Dot Arcade, LEGO Ninjago, retro Namco goodies, discounts, demos and more
It's that time once again, North American gamers, for details of the Download Update delights heading to the region this week. The Wii U eShop is host to an intriguing Indie effort and some retro Namco goodies, while the 3DS welcomes a retail LEGO Ninjago title and some...
News The Racing Days Are Over For SEGA’s 3DS eShop Drifter, Initial D: Perfect Shift Online
Tofu delivery doesn’t last forever
Although SEGA's Initial D: Perfect Shift Online never drifted our way in the end, the 3DS eShop title based on the long-running manga series still experienced a solid performance in Japan, with more than 500,000 downloads. SEGA has now announced it will end the services for Initial D Perfect Shift Online at the...
News Minecraft Tribute Cube Creator 3D Shows Off Its Survival Mode
250,000 copies of the demo downloaded since December 2014
Cube Creator 3D is a Minecraft-alike which is coming to the 3DS soon from Big John Games, and the developer has gotten in touch to tell us about the game's Survival Mode. Like Minecraft - from which Cube Creator 3D clearly takes inspiration - the Survival Mode is all about gathering...
News 3DS Action Puzzler Pazuru Arrives On The European eShop This Week
Retail and US releases also confirmed
European 3DS owners will be able to enjoy yet another puzzle game on 26th March when developer Moragami launches its eShop and retail title, Pazuru. Published by Joindots (eShop) and PurpleHills (retail), the title will cost €5.99 / €29.99 (retail), with a US release confirmed for a later date. Pazuru...
Review Navy Commander (3DS eShop)
A piece of ship
Don't be suckered in by the game title - Navy Commander is a take on the classic paper and pencil game Battleship (or board game for all you '80s kids) and there's very little commanding involved. The basic premise is simple, beginning with selecting a grid size from three options: 10x10, 15x15 or 20x20. While the 10x10 size is...
Nintendo Download 26th March (Europe)
Trine, Mega Man, RPGs and discounts galore!
It's time to brighten up Monday mornings in Europe, with the latest Nintendo Download Update having decent odds of achieving that goal. There is a whole smorgasbord of games and discounted goodies to consider, so let's get to it. Wii U eShop: Trine Enchanted Edition (Frozenbyte, €12.99 / £10.99) - Its...
News Nintendo’s Free-To-Play Experiment Pokémon Shuffle Surpasses 2.5 Million Downloads
Promising signs for the micro-transaction eShop title?
Nintendo has dabbled in the free-to-play market for some time now, and their latest attempt testing the micro-transaction based waters, Pokémon Shuffle, may be their most popular creation yet, with a timely announcement that the title has clocked up more than 2.5 million downloads. The...
News 3D Out Run, 3D Thunder Blade and 3D Fantasy Zone 1 & 2 Classified For Australia
More SEGA 3D Classics are on the way
After a short delay, it appears SEGA’s most recent 3D Classics – 3D Out Run and 3D Fantasy Zone – have now been rated by the Australian Classification Board. The arcade helicopter shooter, 3D Thunder Blade and the sequel to Fantasy Zone,
News Gunman Clive 2 Developer Talks About a Possible Wii U Port and a Potential Third Entry
“I think I will shake up the formula a bit more”
Gunman Clive was one of those fun little games that had all the right ingredients of a success. A creative and interesting art style, tight gameplay inspired by classic side scroller games such as Mega Man, plenty of replayability, and a cheap price point helped it to stand out from the pack and...
Review Best of Board Games - Solitaire (3DS eShop)
A lonely man's game
Ever-gracing the flickering computer screens of bored office workers everywhere, Solitaire needs next to no introduction. This card game is as old as your Grandma, and it's probably her favourite as well. Played solo, it's been adapted to feature on pretty much every mobile gadget for over a decade, perfect for whiling away a few...
News eShop Games Added To The European Club Nintendo Store
Rewarding rewards
Club Nintendo shall soon close its doors. This heartbreaking news was announced earlier this year, revealing that Nintendo would close the program to make way for a new rewards system. Following this announcement the company flooded its users with a variety of new rewards, promising more to come leading up to the closure. Today the...
Nintendo Download 19th March (North America)
Mario Party, Elliot Quest, KLONOA, Fossil Fighters and much more
A little later than normal courtesy of a few Goombas causing havoc with our servers, we have the Nintendo Download update details for North America. This week brings some interesting options across both Wii U and 3DS, with both systems having major retail releases and some anticipated...
Review 50 Pinch Barrage!! (3DS eShop)
Pinch me, I'm screaming
A title like 50 Pinch Barrage!! will not inherently conjure up a lot of confidence in most players. Candidly, this reviewer started with a sense of dread upon hearing it, visions of recent lackluster download titles dancing about in the brain. But you know what they say about books and covers and all that: one shouldn't judge...
News Prepare Thyself, Azure Striker Gunvolt Will Be Hitting Europe And Australia Very Soon
All age ratings now in order, reports developer Inti Creates
Remember Azure Striker Gunvolt? It came out in North America in August last year, but 3DS owners in Europe (and Down Under) are still patiently waiting for their chance to play the game. The delay may have been a painful one, but according to developer Inti Creates, it's almost over. The...
Nintendo Download 19th March (Europe)
Mario Party 10, Tipping Stars with DK, Aria of Sorrow, DLC and more
It's that time again, Nintendo Download fans, with the European update now available for your perusal. We have a dual arrival across both the Wii U and 3DS, classic Castlevania and a new first-party retail release on Wii U, along with some DLC and discounts. Let's get to it. Wii U...
News Limited Time Lucarionite Competition Opens On Pokémon Shuffle
Top 20,000 get to Mega Evolve their Lucario
A new challenge event has appeared in the 3DS eShop title Pokémon Shuffle that offers the chance to Mega Evolve your Lucario. The event - which runs for the next week and requires Version 1.1.3 of the game - sees you facing off against a Mega Lucario with a single minute on the timer and no HP. The aim...
Review Zombie Incident (3DS eShop)
City of the Dead
Throwback platformers are a regular occurence in the video game medium nowadays. As graphics improve in complexity and realism, quirky titles with pixel graphics have become more and more popular as their outdated visuals become increasingly charming. On first impressions, Zombie Incident is a title not dissimilar to the numerous...
News Mario Kart 8 Misses Out at BAFTA Game Awards, Though Indie Releases Earn the Spotlight
Upcoming Wii U release Never Alone wins Debut award
The BAFTA Game Awards do occasionally celebrate and reward the best of what Nintendo offers, but can also leave us scratching our heads. This year, notably, the Mobile / Handheld category didn't have a single 3DS game, which we certainly found baffling. Nevertheless Mario Kart 8 was nominated in...
Review Harvest Moon 3 (3DS eShop / GBC)
Third time's a chore
Completing the trilogy of portable Harvest Moon games in the original series, Natsume released Harvest Moon 3 - a title originally release on the Game Boy Color - on the 3DS Virtual Console. This game expands on the two that came before it, recycling the tropes present in the series and shaping them into what more modern entries...
Interview Yacht Club Games Talk Drawing in 8-bit and Aspirations for Shovel Knight 64
Game's "success is due to the brilliant designs of the 8-bit generation"
In this short interview Nintendo Life features contributor Alan Lopez caught up with David D'Angelo of Yacht Club Games, who spoke on behalf of the entire Shovel Knight creative team. Shovel Knight is a download-only 8-bit platformer. Alone, these qualifiers hardly separate...
News Iron Combat: War in the Air Bringing Mech Battle Mayhem to the 3DS eShop
From Japanese developer Amzy
Teyon is one of the most prolific publishers and developers on the 3DS eShop, and is returning to the store next week in North America with a title from Japan - it's publishing Iron Combat: War in the Air by Amzy, which arrives in North America on 19th March for $6.99. We've reached out to Teyon regarding a European...
Nintendo Download 12th March (North America)
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., Trine, 3D Out Run, retro F-Zero, discounts and more
It's that time, North American gamers, for the weekly news on the download goodies coming to Wii U and 3DS. This week brings the latest retail offering from Intelligent Systems, retro F-Zero, a much-anticipated Wii U eShop adventure platformer and a stone-cold classic in the...
The beautiful journey
Nostalgia is a wonderful thing. For people of a certain age Out Run represents days long past, a wonderful era when arcades reigned supreme and home systems paled in comparison. During this time, many valiant attempts were made to produce a home version of Yu Suzuki's 1986 driving masterpiece. However, the 'Super Scaler'...
You spin me right Pround, baby
A Russian artist named El Lissitzky coined the term "Proun" for use as a title to describe his series of abstract paintings, which challenged traditional views on geometry and perspective. Though the exact meaning of the word was never fully explained, his Proun works evolved to fit new mediums, and spanned over half a...
News Nintendo Australia Calling On Aussie Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Players For A Community Hunt
Announced for Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
It’s been all quiet on the Nintendo front so far this year in Australia, nothing particularly big has been announced just yet, but we’re sure Nintendo Australia’s Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate gathering will be the first of many community-driven events held. To celebrate the release of Monster Hunter 4...
News SteamWorld Heist's Capers Face a Delay
But some screenshots have been swiped for your viewing pleasure
SteamWorld Heist developer Image & Form Games have returned from their showings at PAX East and GDC and are quite pleased with their game's reception, if their latest blog update is any indication. Unfortunately, fans will need to take the good news with a dash of patience, as the...
Weirdness Sega Classic Arcade Machines Could Be Reproduced in LEGO Form
Now there is a good idea!
It might say Nintendo Life above the entrance to our magnificent office, but it's no secret that we're also massive Sega fans too. Well, the Sega of yesteryear... if you know what we mean! Sega has been busy reliving its glorious past and working with M2 lately on excellent 3DS ports of After Burner II, Out Run (out this...
In a pinch
50 Pinch Barrage!! is coming to the North American 3DS eShop this week, and it's bringing with it some truly deadly situations. Boasting a simplistic visual style but some incredibly epic situations, 50 Pinch Barrage!! is all about cheating death by the skin of your teeth. The hook is that you're offered no hints or help in the game -...
Not at all sketchy
OlliOlli, as we've said before, isn't really a skateboarding game. The aesthetic provides a lovely minimalist visual style to navigate the tiny pixel skateboarder through, but there's no open world to explore and experiment in, nor is it filled with free-form choices. Mechanically rock-solid, OlliOlli is a 2D on-rails experience...
News Pokémon Shuffle Updated Once Again, Adds a Special Kyogre Challenge
There's a Jewel up for grabs, too
Regardless of where you stand on the free-to-play Pokémon Shuffle, it's serving up plenty of updates and regular challenges to keep players interested; the latest update takes it to version 1.1.2 and adds an iconic 'mon as a new challenge. The addition is Kyogre, most recently seen in 3DS remaster Pokémon Alpha...
Review Best of Arcade Games - Bubble Buster (3DS eShop)
Bubble Burster
Anyone used to scrolling through the recent reviews section of Nintendo Life should be familiar with the name Bigben Interactive. Best of Arcade Games - Bubble Buster is the latest in a series of puzzlers, card games and arcade greats to be released by the developer, in an attempt to give these classics a "definitive" version on the...
Nintendo Download 12th March (Europe)
Punch-Out!!, Metroid: Zero Mission, 3D Out Run and much more
It's time to brighten up Monday mornings in Europe, with the latest Nintendo Download Update having decent odds of achieving that goal. We have a mix of strong Wii, Indie and Game Boy Advance titles on the Wii U, an exciting retro remaster on 3DS and a whole load of discounts from...
News First Passcode Released for Pokémon Shuffle
Megagift
Perhaps you've been tapping around the menus in Pokémon Shuffle, maybe while waiting for that clock to tick agonizingly down, second by second, so you can get another shot at that Espeon because you need it but hey no it's not like you're addicted or anything haha that would just be totally ridiculous ahahahaha! Anyway, you might have...
News Free-To-Play Puzzler Pokémon Shuffle Gets Updated To Version 1.1.1
Gotta patch 'em all
Free-to-play 3DS eShop title Pokémon Shuffle has just been updated to version 1.1.1. The update requires you to redownload the game - that's a 686 block download - and "Check In" again to access the Event stages. The patch is listed as supplying necessary bug fixes, and without it you can't Check In, access Event stages or...
"Europe is a unique opportunity"
BLOK DROP X Twisted Fusion developer RCMADIAX has taken to Twitter to report that European sales of the game have surpassed expectations, with the title being downloaded almost twice as many times on its day of launch than it did in North America. Launching a game in Europe isn't as easy as it is in North America,...
News Nintendo Confirms Wil Wheaton as Voice Actor for Abraham Lincoln in Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
From Ensign to President
Nintendo doesn't often hire celebrities to be voice actors in its games - in fact, fully voiced dialogue simply isn't particularly common in the big N's titles. Kid Icarus: Uprising was a recent exception, along with the likes of Metroid: Other M, but we're normally just treated to occasional catch phrases and gibberish...
News 3D Out Run Developers Talk Over Bringing Classic Racing Back to the 3DS
Back on the road
Sega is putting the rubber to the road again with Out Run coming to the Nintendo 3DS. The arcade title was originally released in 1986 featuring an arcade cabinet that had the appearance of the game's slick sports car; it's the third in the 3D remaster project's second series and the eleventh overall. In an interview with Sega Blog,...
Feature Ten Upcoming Nindie eShop Games to Watch on Wii U and 3DS
And more besides...
The Wii U and 3DS eShop stores have become notable improvements on their Wii and DSi predecessors, and a range of familiar and new download developers have pitched up with their wares in recent times. The last couple of years in particular have brought some fantastic games, and as Nintendo's GDC announcement made clear there's...
Nintendo Download 5th March (North America)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong and OlliOlli x2, Proun+ and much more
It's time for more Nintendo Download Update treats, North American gamers, and this week brings the region its first cross-buy options on Nintendo's systems. We have Mario toys puzzling their way through levels and some rad pixelated skateboarding across Wii U and 3DS, while there are also...
Review Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (3DS eShop)
Tipping the balance
The differences between the 3DS and Wii U versions of Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars are few and far between, but the 3DS version does feature some differences of note. You can read our thoughts on the Wii U version of the game here. The 3DS version takes full advantage of the SpotPass and StreetPass functionality of the...
Review Pong Pong Candy (3DS eShop)
Hard candy
The puzzle genre has been represented quite well on the eShop, with plenty of addictive and clever titles eating up hours and hours of playtime. The sheer volume, however, means that in order to stand out a new release has to have some kind of special hook to grab players, be it personality, gameplay mechanics, or some other defining...
Yacht Club Games "keeping an eye out" for Nintendo possibilities
Remember when Shovel Knight was a Nintendo console exclusive? Nice, wasn't it? Those days are long past now, with developer Yacht Club Games confirming that the faux-retro platformer is headed to both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. To rub a bit more salt into the wound, it was confirmed...
News Nintendo Executive Discusses the eShop, Indies, and Their Relationship With Nintendo
"There's so much talent that's coming out of it"
It's no secret that Indie games play a much larger role in the lineup and promotion of Nintendo's consoles than they have ever before, with a number of triple-A third party companies being largely inactive on Wii U. Indeed, Nintendo has come a long way from the days of the DSiware and Wiiware...
Paper play
We don't all claim to be linguists or experts on Japanese language or culture here at Nintendo Life, but being the dedicated journalists that we are, we're always willing to do a bit of research. It turns out that origami, the art of paper folding, has a very interesting linguistic background. When broken down, "ori" means to fold or...
Create a platform exciting enough to match its Indie games
In recent weeks Satoru Iwata addressed shareholders in an Investor Briefing Q & A, tackling a range of issues around Nintendo's business. An issue that came up was the "digitalization" that we're seeing, with more and more gamers opting to download their games, and also seeking new ways...
News Indie Developers Praise Nintendo's Policies and "Wave the Banner" for the eShop
2015 could be hugely exciting on the stores
With GDC 2015 (Game Developers Conference) in full swing, Nintendo has taken the opportunity to pitch an exciting and extensive line-up of eShop games that are coming to both Wii U and 3DS this year. Its announcements included new games, release dates for others and information on GamePad features for some...
News Nintendo Announces Fresh Release Details on a Host of Exciting eShop Games
Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut! BOXBOY! Dates! Surprises!
We're big advocates of the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores here at Nintendo Life, and both have delivered some fantastic games in recent times. Nintendo of America has now issued fresh details on a range of new titles on the way, with some truly exciting news to keep download fans busy...
News Theatrhythm Dragon Quest Demo Coming To Japanese 3DS Next Week
Two epic tracks to sample
Square Enix has revealed that a demo for Theatrhythm Dragon Quest will be hitting the Japanese 3DS eShop next week - March 11th, to be precise. Two songs will be playable in the demo - "Adventure" from Dragon Quest III (field stage) and Dragon Quest V's battle theme. A sequel to Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy and Theatrhythm...
Review Best of Board Games - Chess (3DS eShop)
The King is dead
When you even mention the term "board game" to someone, chances are that the timeless classic chess will be one of the first examples that springs to mind. Beyond the family fun of Monopoly, Scrabble, and Operation, there's a real intellectual bite to chess that has cemented its reputation as the grandmaster. Bigben Interactive has...
News WayForward to Celebrate 25th Anniversary With eShop Discounts
Mighty and Shantae sales on the way
WayForward celebrates it 25th Anniversary this year; the company has established a reputation for high-class first-party games such as the Mighty and Shantae IPs, and has also produced some excellent licensed titles. It's got quite a track record. The company will likely be celebrating the landmark for much of...
News Yacht Club Games Announces Free Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows DLC Expansion
Plague Knight seizes the spotlight
It's doubtless that many of you have probably already played Shovel Knight, the old-school indie smash hit. Inspired by series such as Mega Man, Castlevania, and The Legend of Zelda, this was a classic styled game done right. Featuring vibrant pixel art, a stellar soundtrack, loot, collectibles, and that good old...
Review Adventure Bar Story (3DS eShop)
Will battle for food
Adventure Bar Story sees players taking on two seemingly disparate roles: a chef/restaurant manager and a monster-slaying adventurer. Though these two sound like they would make a questionable mix, the result is actually quite charming and addicting; the ultimate challenge for this quirky RPG is to satisfy the appetite of...
Review Pokémon Shuffle (3DS eShop)
Hoenn Hustle
Pokémon have been puzzling ever since the Johto days, when Pokémon Puzzle Challenge married the block-flipping gameplay of Panel de Pon with Game Freak's charming, collectable characters. It's a formula that's stuck, with Denpa Men developer Genius Sonority heading up the most recent series of Poké-puzzle combinations, including...
News Pokémon Shuffle Hits One Million Downloads
Is anyone buying Jewels, though?
Pokémon Shuffle is Nintendo's most notable attempt to-date at utilising microtransactions - unlike previous free-to-play downloads it doesn't unlock content for fixed amounts, but uses an in-game economy that encourages you to pay-to-play on a continual basis. It's had a mixed response, and our early reaction was...
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