3DS News

October2012

September2012

  • Feature Lessons From a Gaming Expo

    A rite of passage

    For many gamers, this hobby of ours is about more than just buying and playing games, but also about hitting up expos, which are havens of gaming and related shenanigans. We’ve spent the past few days soaking up the sights and sounds at the Eurogamer Expo in London, and we’ve had some important gaming life lessons reaffirmed in...

  • News Wii U and 3DS Pre-Paid eShop Cards Spotted

    DSiWare and WiiWare left out of the party

    The arrival of the 3DS eShop saw Nintendo move away from Nintendo Points, the custom currency that, in the opinion of some, was far from ideal. The 3DS eShop has continued to evolve and now allows top-ups of a download's value, for example, so the days of buying a block of 1000 points when you only need 100...

  • News Fatten Mario's Wallet with New Super Mario Bros. 2 DLC

    Drop some coin on new level packs. UPDATE: Pricing and pack info.

    If you found the rather good New Super Mario Bros. 2 to be rather short, you may soon give its lifespan a 1-up with three new level packs. Announced in a seemingly spontaneous Nintendo Direct hosted by NCL boss Satoru Iwata, the packs, all due on 2nd October in Japan and costing 200...

  • News 3DS System Update Locks Out a Lot of Flashcards, Permanently

    The answer is to buy the games

    Although some may use flashcards on DS systems as a convenient way to store copies of games they own, many people use them to play games they have not bought. Piracy was a big problem for the DS family of systems, and Nintendo always reiterated that it would ensure that 3DS was more secure, closing the door on illegal...

    • 3DS
  • Events Nintendo Life Is Coming to Eurogamer Expo 2012

    Win a Wii U, plus much more

    You might have noticed that we've been getting increasingly excited about this year's Eurogamer Expo, which is due to start tomorrow in London. The reasons are legion; it's going to be the first public UK showing of Nintendo's Wii U console where you can get your hands on Pikmin 3, ZombiU and New Super Mario Bros U...

  • News New Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Screens Grant Three Wishes

    Those with memories of Aladdin, enjoy

    Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion is not only a 3DS accompaniment to upcoming sequel Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two on Wii and Wii U, but also a nostalgic 2D platformer that's got the interest of gamers with fond memories of the '90s. The latest set of official screens show off the Aladdin themed...

  • News Capcom Explains Wii U and 3DS Cross-Play in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

    "You can have a Monster Hunter party"

    The announcement of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Europe and North America, as part of Nintendo's recent Wii U reveal extravaganzas, finally gave fans of the series a welcome fix after a rather lengthy delay. Some were disappointed with the titles coming in March 2013, especially as Japan will get the new...

  • News Zero Escape To Get Second Wave Of Pre-Order Watches

    "VLR infection" runs rampant, officials to produce more inoculation devices

    Last week, Aksys Games announced a pre-order bonus item for Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. The item in question was a digital watch, which is based on an 'inoculation device' featured in the game. Unfortunately, the pre-order bonus, which was limited to Amazon, sold out...

  • News Nintendo Shares Two Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask Demo Puzzles

    "Just a dash of puzzle solving here"

    Have you ever found yourself in that situation when a nearby clown is tangled in balloon strings, and you have to free him in precisely three moves? Well our good friend Hershel Layton is here to help with his latest puzzle-solving adventure, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask. To get you in the mood for the...

  • News Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight May Get Groovy in the West

    Gotta catch the beats

    There are a good numbers of gamers in the West that love Japanese culture and look on with envy at some of the creative, and occasionally wacky, delights that are released in Nintendo's homeland. One of these we may not have expected to see was Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight, a rhythm game on the 3DS eShop from Pokémon developer...

  • News Mega Man 3 Leaps Onto The Japanese 3DS Virtual Console

    For those about to rock

    The third instalment of Capcom's popular Mega Man series is launching on the Japanese 3DS Virtual Console this week. Mega Man 3 - known in Japan as Rockman 3: The End of Dr. Wily!? - will go live on the Japanese 3DS eShop tomorrow (September 26th) for 500 yen. Even harsher than its already tough predecessor, Mega Man 3 has...

  • News Platinum Love The 3DS, But Are Too Busy To Work On It Right Now

    A case of "what if"

    Platinum Games executive director Atsushi Inaba has expressed his admiration for Nintendo's 3DS console in a recent interview with The Verge, but has also added that the company has too many ongoing projects to fund development for a 3DS game at present. He said: We are very interested in the Nintendo 3DS as a platform. I view...

  • Interview 5th Cell - Scribblenauts Unlimited

    Word up

    If adorable lexical puzzle games are up your street, you're bound to have heard of Scribblenauts, the series that lets you generate any item into the world by simply entering its name. The series has been around for a while on Nintendo DS, plus iOS, but it'll be hitting a home console for the first time when Scribblenauts Unlimited is...

  • News Ace Attorney 5's Heart Scope System Detailed

    Out with the old, in with the new

    The Ace Attorney series has never been a stranger to unusual trinkets and gameplay mechanics. Phoenix himself wielded the powerful Magatama to uncover the deepest of secrets, his protégé Apollo used his trusty bracelet to perceive subtle twitches and nervous habits, and Miles Edgeworth has been known to play a few...

  • News Angry Birds Trilogy Achievement Requires 300 Hours Of Play

    Got plenty of spare time on your hands?

    Angry Birds creator Rovio has cheekily revealed that the forthcoming Angry Birds Trilogy contains an achievement that is expected to take around 300 hours to unlock. The achievement is to clear all 700 stages with 100% destruction using the 'Mighty Eagle' bird. Speaking to Digital Spy, executive producer...

  • News Project X Zone Could See A Western Release Yet

    Tekken boss is pushing for localisation

    We're all painfully aware that Project X Zone is looking pretty sweet right now. It's always been an outside bet for release outside of Japan though; the fact that its prequel Namco × Capcom never got released in the West doesn't exactly inspire confidence. However, the chances of the game making it to these...

  • News 3DS "Bookstore Anywhere" App Bringing eBooks to Japan

    Read into that what you what you will

    There's been some talk about what apps will be available on Wii U, with its GamePad controller bringing its own possibilities, but we shouldn't forget that the functionality of 3DS has plenty to offer. A new app coming to Japan on 20th October is Bookstore Anywhere, which according to Japanese publication Nikkei...

  • News The Denpa Men are Coming to Your 3DS Next Week

    Pikmen

    If, like us, you've been giddily waiting for Genius Sonority's The Denpa Men: They Came by Wave, you're in for a nice surprise next week. It'll be hitting the North American 3DS eShop on 27th September. The dungeon-crawling RPG lets you use 3DS' augmented reality functionality to track down the radio wave-carried Denpa Men in your every day...

  • News Witness Layton's 'Last Adventure' In New 3DS Trailer

    Yet another Level-5 trailer

    Today Level-5 has most definitely been leading the pack at Tokyo Game Show, showing off all its upcoming 3DS titles and wowing the crowds with gorgeous new trailers. Earlier today we reported the newly released trailers of Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney and Fantasy Life, and now we bring you the brand new trailer for...

  • News Take a Look at Level-5's Fantasy Life TGS Trailer

    It's all kinds of cute

    Level-5 is keeping itself very busy at the moment, with the development of the upcoming Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, as well as possibly the cutest RPG you will ever come across, Fantasy Life. The new trailer from Tokyo Game Show shows off the customisation features, some of the 20 playable jobs (such as a fisherman,...

  • News Nintendo Unveils 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro

    Bulk-tastic

    Back in June, we confirmed that 3DS XL owners would also be able to beef up their handhelds with a specially designed 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro add-on. Now this dream has finally become a reality, as Nintendo of Japan has revealed the first images of the new peripheral. While the 3DS XL CCP has currently only been announced for distribution...

  • News Capcom and Level-5 Reveal Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney TGS Trailer

    Showing both styles of gameplay

    If you were ever concerned that one of the two franchises in Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney would overshadow the other, then fear not, as this brand new trailer hot from Tokyo Game Show should put all your worries at bay. The trailer demonstrates not only the integration of the two art styles, but also the...

  • First Impressions Club Nintendo Picross

    We go hands-on with this Japan-only download

    As many of us have seen in recent years, Nintendo is a company that deals a good line in fan service. Nintendo has produced everything from the recent abundance of anniversary titles, collector's books, cards, and pretty much anything else in the hope that fans can supplement their game collections and...

  • News Watch Ace Attorney 5's Latest TGS Trailer

    Complete with handy subtitles

    Capcom has given courtroom fans a chance to get a first look at the upcoming Ace Attorney 5 with the latest trailer fresh from Tokyo Game Show, featuring the return of everyone's favourite defence attorney Phoenix Wright. Earlier this month we reported that Phoenix Wright would be making his grand return on the 3DS...

  • News Why the White 3DS XL Didn't Ship to Europe or North America

    But don't despair!

    At the 3DS XL's launch, North America and Europe received the Red/Black and Blue/Black models of the new handheld; the UK also had the opportunity to grab a Silver/Black model. However, it was only in Japan that consumers were able to buy the 'White 3DS LL'. IGN's Richard George asked Nintendo of America President, Reggie...

  • News Feast Your Eyeballs On This Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D Enemy Artwork

    New game expected in 2013

    Tanukii Studios has released a selection of lush character artwork for its forthcoming 3DS eShop release Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D - Space Recipe For Disaster. Showcasing the same gorgeous hand-drawn style that made the original Go! Go! Kokopolo such a hoot, this new release should prove just as visually alluring when it hits...

  • News Super Mario 3D Land Clone Hits iPhone, and Looks Rubbish

    Making Mario mad

    While the iOS and Android platforms have some blockbuster downloads that have been downloaded millions of times, they also have quality control that's as effective as a Power Glove. We present to you 3D Cartoon Land: Safari, which is a rather blatant copy of Super Mario 3D Land, the same in everything except graphics, design, tight...

  • News 3DS Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Won't Be Venturing Online

    Online play isn't going to feature in handheld instalment

    Capcom has confirmed that the 3DS version of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate won't have online play. Such functionality will instead be exclusive to the Wii U edition of the game. Speaking to ONM, Capcom's Yuri Araujo confirmed that there were "no plans" to bring online play to Nintendo's portable

  • Play Mario Kart 7 with Nintendo Life - Today! Again!

    Race or battle, you choose

    This week's been dominated by Wii U, with plenty of news, footage and excitement for Nintendo gamers. After all of the hype we need to relax, kick back, and go shell-crazy in Mario Kart 7, of course. We want to do this with you, so today is the second Nintendo Life Mario Kart 7 Community Event; this time, it's serious...

  • News Sorry, But GBA Games Aren't Coming To The 3DS Virtual Console After All

    Nintendo Australia issues 'corrective statement'

    Remember that Dr. Mario GBA page we told you about on the Nintendo of Australia website? The one that made us think that GBA games may be on their way to the 3DS Virtual Console? Sadly, it was all just a big mistake. The page was listed 'in error' and Nintendo's Aussie department has issued the...

  • News Cave Story eShop Release Date Confirmed

    Digital download release is incoming

    Indie legend Cave Story is coming to the 3DS eShop, along with a special 3D mode and additional content. It's out 4th October in North America, with a retail price of $9.99. Not to be confused with Cave Story 3D - the 2011 release which effectively rebuilt the game in 3D from the ground up - this digital...

  • News Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Slaying Beasts on Wii U and 3DS in March 2013

    The series returns to the West

    Fans of the Monster Hunter series have been eagerly awaiting news of the next instalment on a Nintendo system for a good while, yet today's announcement wasn't Monster Hunter 4, but rather Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on both Wii U and 3DS, confirmed for North America and Europe in March 2013. This new title will...

  • News This New 3DS Stylus Is Handy for Massaging Your Face

    Could be relaxing after a tough level

    Sometimes 3DS accessories are useless pieces of plastic tat, but occasionally they're practical and stylish. We doubt this one qualifies for the latter description, but you can decide for yourself: behold, The Germa Roller Touch Pen. We think the picture says it all, but here are some details. The face roller...

  • News Nintendo UK Calls a Race For The Fastest Mario Kart 7 Players

    Lights are green

    Nintendo UK has been encouraging gamers to play a lot of Mario Kart 7 recently, with a number of heats completed in the quest to find Britain's Fastest Family. It's now confirmed that the grand final of that contest, 27th October in Birmingham, will be combined with the final of a new event to find the "Best Mario Kart 7 Player in...

  • News Meet Kokuga, The 3DS Shooter From The Man Behind Ikaruga

    And we've got a trailer for it

    Hiroshi Iuchi isn't a name that will be instantly familiar to most Nintendo fans, but you'll probably be aware of his output. He was responsible for the Dreamcast (and later, GameCube) 'polarity shooter' Ikaruga. He's now working at Japanese 'shmup' specialist G.Rev as the director of a new 3DS game by the name of...

  • News Code of Princess Shows Off Its Competitive Side

    Face off against friends and enemies

    Forthcoming 3DS RPG brawler Code of Princess has already displayed its cooperative side in a previous trailer, but publisher Atlus is keen to stress there's some less harmonious elements to the game, too - as the new 'Versus' video proves. The game comes from the same team that made the sublime Guardian Heroes...

  • News Speed Demons, Rejoice - Zordix Is Bringing Moto Racing To 3DS

    13 million copies downloaded on smartphones

    Developer Zordix has confirmed that it is bringing its successful Moto Racing series to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Aqua Moto Racing 3D and Snow Moto Racing 3D are based on existing smartphone titles, and will both get a face-lift prior to their launch on Nintendo's popular handheld. Zordix's CEO Matti...

  • News New Super Mario Bros. 2 Continues Run in UK Charts

    Addaboy, Mario

    There's been a particular trend for plenty of major 3DS releases in the UK charts; they make an initial foray into the all-format software top 10, before promptly falling away within a week or two. It seems that Nintendo's most reliable of franchises is bucking that trend, however, with Mario continuing his coin rush in British...

  • News Kingdom Hearts 3DS Sold Rather Well, Thanks Very Much

    200,000 copies shifted stateside

    Nintendo recently released sales figures which suggested that Kingdom Hearts 3DS: Dream Drop Distance shifted 180,000 copies. This is a pretty respectable figure for an RPG, but it's not entirely accurate. Siliconera has been told by the

  • Rumour Fire Emblem 3DS Hitting Europe In January 2013

    UK retailer posts launch date

    UK online entertainment retailer Zavvi has listed the forthcoming 3DS tactical RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening on its site with a release date of 25th January, 2013. We've previously not had any precise date given to us by Nintendo - all the company will say is that the game is due to hit the west sometime in 2013. While...

  • Nintendo Download 13th September 2012 (Europe)

    Zelda II, some bookworms and a metallic slug - it's all happening in this week's Euro Nintendo Download

    3DS Virtual Console: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Nintendo, £4.50) — Arguably one of the most controversial games in the Zelda bloodline, this second NES outing combines side-scrolling action with top-down adventuring to create a heady mix...

  • News Sorry Lost Planet Fans, EX Troopers Isn't Coming To The West

    Anime-style action title remains a Japanese exclusive

    Capcom's Corporate Officer and Senior Vice-President Christian Svensson has confirmed that the company currently has no plans to bring Lost Planet spin-off EX Troopers to the west. The disappointing news was delivered in an 'Ask Capcom' thread on the company's official forums. The forum...

  • Play Mario Kart 7 Community Rooms - You Decide

    Let's go round again

    A week ago we hosted a Mario Kart 7 community event, where you joined us for some shell throwing, banana dodging mayhem. The community room we used expanded from four players to over 180 by the end of the night, and we loved racing against you all and chatting in the comments and on our Twitter page. Naturally, this isn't going...

  • News August NPD Results Are Good Reading for Nintendo

    Mario and 3DS XL boost figures

    As part of a monthly routine that is so vitally important for developers, publishers and the big three console manufactures, U.S. market research firm NPD has released its latest software sales figures for the region, covering 29th July to 25th August. While the news for the industry as a whole is grim reading, a...

  • News 20 Extra Mutant Mudds Levels on The Way to eShop For Free

    Oh, and Renegade Kid is now an approved Wii U developer

    Mutant Mudds, a stylish retro platformer from Renegade Kid, is one of the top titles on the 3DS eShop. It's got plenty of content for those with the skills and patience, but some of you may know that the PC version has an extra 20 'Grannie' levels, which are particularly challenging stages that...

  • News Rhythm Thief Joins Layton in Jump to iOS

    Sneaky dancer

    Yesterday we brought you the news that a new Professor Layton title is heading to iOS and Android, so it only seems appropriate that we report on another DS/3DS title that's making the leap to smartphones and tablets. An iOS release of Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure, or Rhythm Kaitou R as it's known in Japan, is listed on...

  • News Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 Footage Warms Up On The Sidelines

    3DS and Wii versions showcased

    Konami has released a Japanese trailer for the latest instalments of its Winning Eleven franchise, which is known in the west as Pro Evolution Soccer. The footage shows the 3DS and Wii versions in action. Not much seems to have changed since the previous editions on both formats, but football fans will no doubt want...

  • News New Super Mario Bros. 2 Smashes The One Million Barrier In Japan

    New 3DS title has sold faster than Mario 3D Land

    New Super Mario Bros. 2 has sold a staggering 1,068,878 units in Japan since it was released on July 28th - five weeks ago. The figure has been reported in the latest Enterbrain chart, which covers August 27th through September 2nd. The previous Mario title on the 3DS - Super Mario 3D Land - took...

  • News Evidence Suggests That Ace Attorney 5 Will Be Coming to the West

    Our key witness is Capcom

    A few days ago we brought you the exciting news that Phoenix Wright would be returning in Ace Attorney 5, but were unable to confirm that the game would be making its way to the west. We can now happily report that fresh evidence has come to light and a western release of the game is very much on the cards - and that's no...

  • News Beastly Monster Hunter 4 Details Emerge from the Pages of Famitsu

    New information on Capcom's forthcoming 3DS epic

    The latest issue of Famitsu is positively bursting with content about Capcom's upcoming Monster Hunter 4 - arguably one of the most eagerly-awaited 3DS titles in Japan. The folks over at Andriasang have been busy translating the feature, and have extracted the following information: MH4 adds a...

  • News Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight Is Almost as Big as New Super Mario Bros. 2

    In terms of data, at least

    We're all quite excited about Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight here at Nintendo Life - it was arguably one of the highlights of the Japanese Nintendo Direct broadcast last week. Combining platforming with rhythm action, the game launches in Japan this week, although a western release hasn't been confirmed as yet. However, sho

  • News Ace Attorney 5 Confirmed To Be Hitting The Courtroom on 3DS

    No objection from us

    There's exciting news, Ace Attorney fans. As reported by Andriasang, this week's Famitsu magazine has unveiled Ace Attorney 5 for 3DS, with Phoenix Wright returning as the main character. A mystery girl in yellow clothing has also been shown, and she'll be central to the story; details such as a release period, whether it'll...

  • Feature Mii Plaza Puzzle Panels We Want to See

    Why not?

    Yesterday we brought you an image, and the YouTube video to match it, of the McDonald's Big Mac Mii Plaza puzzle panel that's available in Japan: squeals of excitement could be heard and minds were well and truly blown. Or not, as it was just a picture of a burger, albeit with the added gloss of 3D. Still, it's proof that Nintendo is...

  • News StreetPass Allows You to Look at a Big Mac... in 3D

    Mind-blowing excitement

    Sometimes YouTube provides exciting, funny, or downright goofy Nintendo videos. We'd classify this one as bizarre, and it's just too crazy to not share. We give you the McDonald's Big Mac StreetPass puzzle panel, which is available in Japan through Nintendo Zone. While these puzzle panels often result in neat little dioramas...

  • News Rollercoaster Tycoon 3D Set For 2012

    Back on the up

    Rollercoaster Tycoon 3D has been one of those 3DS releases that has been on-again and off-again enough times to be reminiscent of a tedious long-running sitcom relationship. In February it was revealed by Atari that it was on hold, while a March update from developer n-Space stated that it would arrive in late Spring. The developer...

  • News The Binding of Isaac Creator Still Thinks the Game Could Come to 3DS

    It has a 50% chance, according to Edmund McMillen

    Remember The Binding of Isaac? It was a PC-based downloadable title which looked a lot like The Legend of Zelda and took inspiration from the Biblical story of the same name. It also caused a little bit of controversy for its use of religion, so much so that a proposed 3DS edition was scuppered by...

  • News Fluidity: Spin Cycle Ramps Up The Weirdness in 3DS eShop Sequel

    Dragons, spiders and dinosaurs all feature

    Curve Studios graced us with the excellent Fluidity (known in Europe as Hydroventure) back in 2010, and while we're already aware that a sequel is in the offing, we've never had any screens to gaze longingly at - until now. The images themselves show a wide range of different challenges, including a...

August2012