DS News

September2011

  • News How Many Kirbys Can You Fit on a DS Box?

    The pinkest box you'll ever see

    While gamers across North America can now wrestle with Kirby Mass Attack, European DS owners must wait until 28th October to get another dose of pink sugary fun. Nintendo Europe wants to put that right at the forefront of your mind, as the game's Euro box art clearly shows. Ignoring the rather more action-oriented...

  • Review Kirby Mass Attack (DS)

    Ten for the price of one

    It's no secret that Kirby has been a huge part of Nintendo's portable systems over the years, even making his debut on the original Game Boy back in 1992. When Kirby Canvas Curse was released, it took the traditional button controls away and replaced them with the touchscreen controls of the DS. While some die-hard fans of...

  • News Nintendo Europe Dropped London Life to "Avoid Delays"

    Can you Adam and Eve it?

    North American gamers, you hold the trump card on this one; your copies of Professor Layton and the Last Specter contain the bonus RPG Professor Layton's London Life. Anyone who buys the European version of the game — titled Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call — will not get this extra mode. Reader SoulSilverIV...

  • Podcast NLFM Episode 20: It's Alive!

    Thanks for hanging on to those RSS feeds

    Had you going there for a while, didn't we? Weekly. Ha! Sorry for the absence, fearless listeners, but Nintendo Life's chip and game music podcast NLFM is back on track after a too-long hiatus. And boy do we have some doozies for your ears! 1. Shiryu — The Goddamn Batman (Shiryu’s Arcade vol. 4)2. Yoko...

  • News Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call Gets EU Release Date

    DS owners rejoice

    There is some good news for Professor Layton fans in the EU with confirmation that the series prequel, Professor Layton and the Last Specter, now has a confirmed release date of 25th November in UK and Europe. It will launch with the alternate title Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call. The game will have been out in Japan for...

  • News Nintendo Plans a Rosy Future for DSi XL

    Metallic Rose colour to premiere this month in North America

    Have you found yourself wishing that you could finally buy that DSi XL if it only were available in your favourite colour? If that colour is metallic pink, you're in luck, as Nintendo recently announced its plans to release such a device on 18th September. The DSi XL, of course, is like...

  • News Solatorobo Goes Gold, Gets NA Release Date

    Touted RPG finally coming to North America

    European gamers have been enjoying Solatorobo: Red the Hunter for over two months now, but XSEED has just announced that the game has not only gone gold, but it's also been set for a September 27th release in North American territories. If by some miracle you're still undecided about the game, you can check...

  • News Get a Venusaur C-Gear Skin with Exclusive Code

    Give your gear a makeover

    Pokémon Black & White has plenty to keep you going, so if you're still playing the game then Nintendo wants to reward you with some new looks for your all-important C-Gear. By using the special code below and the Pokémon Global Link website, you'll be able to add an exclusive Venusaur theme to the C-Gear. It doesn't...

  • News GAME and Rising Star Team Up for Artwork Giveaway

    Become a cropper

    The limited edition Harvest Moon artwork giveaway announced last week was, let's face it, rather confusing. Now we have the full picture on how you'll be able to get three sets of PAL-exclusive, limited edition Harvest Moon-themed artwork. The first set of art cards will be included with every copy of Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar. The...

  • News Kirby Delivers Ice Cold Snacks to US Cities

    Is one of them near you?

    To promote the launch of Kirby Mass Attack this month, Nintendo is taking demos of the game across America. But how to transport Kirby and feed players at the same time? With Kirby Snack Attack Trucks, of course. Nintendo's plan is to travel the country — realistically three cities — with frozen fruit snacks and DS...

  • News Marvel at Kirby Mass Attack's Minigames

    Mini RPG mode revealed

    Kirby Mass Attack's enormous army of pink... things is just around the corner, so Nintendo is taking the time to show off some of the bonus games packed into the DS cartridge. As well as the platform antics there are several minigames available, including pest-whacking Field Frenzy, mini RPG Kirby Quest and the pinball-like...

  • News In Space, Nobody Can Hear This Aliens: Infestation Trailer

    It's just too far away

    SEGA's Aliens: Infestation is sneaking up on its late September launch date like a particularly stealth facehugger, and now we have a trailer showing the game off. Created by Shantae: Risky's Revenge team WayForward, the game looks set to combine shooting with exploration, which will do us very nicely indeed. Check out the...

  • News Rising Star Harvests Limited Edition Artwork for New Titles

    Collect 'em all

    Natsume, publisher of the Harvest Moon series in North America, has made a bit of a name for itself by offering plush toys as incentives for customers to pre-order new entries in the series: cute, admittedly, but European counterpart Rising Star Games has something a little classier to offer. The publisher has announced the...

August2011

  • News Professor Layton's London Life Won't Make It to Europe

    Update: bonus game denied

    Update: Nintendo of Europe has now backtracked on its original statement and told us that London Life isn't coming to Europe. Original story follows: Nintendo of America's Professor Layton and the Last Specter press release yesterday caused some concern for European DS owners as it seemed to imply that the title's bonus...

  • News Professor Layton's Last Specter Out in October

    London Life mode revealed

    There's something inexplicably thrilling about getting a new game, but how about getting two new games in one? We bet you're giddy already. The next announcement might just tip you over the edge: Professor Layton and the Last Specter is coming to North America on 17th October and contains a bonus game. Layton's had bonus...

  • News Aliens Infest North America on 11th October

    Earlier in Europe, though

    WayForward's homage to the Aliens series should be showing up on your motion trackers soon, as SEGA has announced the game will release in North America on 11th October, with a European release slightly earlier on 30th September. The 2D action shooter boasts WayForward's usual quality artwork, but can the company turn its...

  • News Inazuma Eleven Finally Makes it to UK Today

    Taking its time

    The DS football RPG from the developers of Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven finally reaches UK shores today after a huge delay. On-the-ball readers may remember it was mistakenly released in small quantities back in January, but it was always Nintendo's plan to release the game properly alongside the cartoon series which just began...

  • News Harvest Moon: Tale of Two Towns Comes with Fluffy Surprise

    Hint: it's an alpaca

    Natsume's next farming adventure is nearly ready to sprout in North America, with Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns coming to DS on 20th September. As is par for the course, the publisher is offering a special pre-order bonus to anyone who puts down money for the game at Gamestop: a cuddly alpaca, celebrating the grazing...

  • News Kirby Wii Officially Renamed Kirby's Adventure Wii for Europe

    And out in December

    Kirby is back to suck at Christmas again, as Nintendo has announced that Kirby's Adventure Wii will reach Europe in December. The game previously known as Kirby Wii and alternatively Kirby's Return to Dream Land is set to pinkify the continent before 2012 arrives. It's part of a two-pronged Kirby attack on Europe, as Kirby Mass...

  • News Download More New Solatorobo DS Quests Now

    And in the coming weeks, too

    If you've been enjoying Solatorobo: Red the Hunter over the past few weeks, you might have had chance to try out its free download content. There's more to come too, as Nintendo outlines the next month's quests available only via download. There's a new quest every week, with today's being the Air GP Pharaoh Cup for all...

  • News Kirby Mass Attack Trailer Storms the Stronghold of Your Brain

    Duck and cover

    The adorable pink ball of whatever-he-is, Kirby, is coming back to DS for one last appearance with Kirby Mass Attack. Nintendo has just shot over a hot slice of video footage and some screenshots too, which you can find below. We played the game in July, so if you want to know more you can hurl yourself into our Kirby Mass Attack...

  • News de Blob Developer Blue Tongue Shuts Up Shop

    This is sad

    Australian studio Blue Tongue Entertainment — creators of the ludicrously enjoyable de Blob games — has been closed by owner THQ. The original Wii-exclusive adventure was critically and commercially well-received — it scored an 8/10 in our de Blob review — and the team moved on to produce a sequel for Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360. de...

  • News Not n-Space's Decision to Develop Modern Warfare 3 for DS

    Activision is the CO around here

    When it was announced that the latest instalment in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series will once again make it to a Nintendo handheld, some were left scratching their heads as to why the game was being developed for the DS and not the 3DS. When fans took to the developer's Facebook page and asked why Call of...

  • News Join Forces With this Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Trailer

    Level up

    We're not far from Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2, so it's time to take a look at the plot that drives Square Enix's spin-off from the ever-popular RPG series. Islands, monsters and statistics are the order of the day as usual, but with a twist: you can recruit monsters to fight alongside you in this sub-series, lending a new twist to the...

  • News Nintendo DS Sales Figures Make Wii's Look Tiny

    More big numbers

    The Nintendo Annual Report Wii sales figures were impressive, weren't they? 86m Wii consoles sold with over 716m games sold as well. The DS sales figures dwarf those big numbers, though. Worldwide, the DS family of consoles — that's DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL/LL of course — has shifted a massive 146.42m units. An estimated...

  • Review Captain America: Super Soldier (DS)

    Save the fireworks

    Stars. Stripes. Rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air. Deer and antelope playing. America. The United States is a country with enough national pride to fuel a superhero, and that's exactly what Captain America is all about. Does his movie tie-in handheld outing Captain America: Super Soldier channel these well enough to...

  • Feature The Future of Nintendo Gaming - 2D or Not 2D?

    That is the question

    It’s been a busy year for Nintendo as it seeks to move onto a new generation of consoles. The 3DS is already here and, despite a sluggish start, has some big releases ahead. Then of course there is the Wii U, boasting a unique touch screen controller and the promise of much greater processing power than the Wii. Both devices...

July2011

  • News Rune Factory 3 Sprouts in Europe in September

    Third DS instalment due

    Rising Star Games has just announced its line-up for the rest of the year, and DS RPG Rune Factory 3 is coming to Europe in a few months' time. The third and final DS instalment in the series released in North America last year, bringing with it several big features: co-operative play for up to three players, the ability to...

  • News Catch Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 in October, Europe

    Nearly slime time

    We originally thought that Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 was going to make it next month, but now Nintendo Europe has dashed those hopes by announcing a release date of 7th October. The monster-catching spin-off from the main Dragon Quest series communicates with the most recent DS releases, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the...

  • News Nintendo Gets Around to Releasing Inazuma Eleven in UK

    About time

    In January, Nintendo did something unusual: it accidentally released a video game. A small number of copies of DS football RPG Inazuma Eleven from Level-5 deftly dodged the tackles of Nintendo's distribution system and scored a few goals with customers before Nintendo blew the half-time whistle and the error was corrected. Now the game of...

  • News Gremlins Gizmo Trailer Spotted at Comic-Con

    Unleashed on North America this year

    During this year's San Diego Comic-Con event, a small booth was spotted showing a trailer for an upcoming video game adaptation of the Gremlins franchise. Before you get too excited, it appears to be a collection of mini-games that are making their way to the Wii and DS. The trailer for Gremlins Gizmo showed a...

  • First Impressions Kirby: Mass Attack

    Kirby rides again!

    The DS is nearing the end of its life now; there are very few big games planned as everybody's making the move to the 3DS. Still, Nintendo's got another title coming out in the form of Kirby: Mass Attack, which takes the traditional Kirby platforming and gives it another unique twist. We had a chance to sit down with a still...

  • News Solatorobo Dev Would Like to Work on Mega Man Legends 3

    A glimmer of hope?

    CyberConnect2, the developer behind the acclaimed Solatorobo: Red the Hunter, is currently collaborating with Capcom on Asura's Wrath for PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360, but what would CEO and President Hiroshi Matsuyama like to work on next? When posed the question recently, his answer was none other than the freshly cancelled...

  • News Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Trailer Approaches

    Let us set the scene...

    Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 is only a few months away you know, and this short but sweet trailer for the game sums up the next Square Enix adventure quite neatly. You crash land on an island and must gather and train an army of monsters to stay alive. It's a little different from the traditional Dragon Quest gameplay, with...

  • News SEGA Finally Makes Aliens: Infestation Official

    Bursting from the chest of secrets

    Retail rumours and ESRB age ratings let us know that Aliens: Infestation was approaching, and now SEGA has finally lifted the lid on its upcoming DS title. Developed by WayForward in conjunction with Aliens: Colonial Marines developer Gearbox Software, the game features typically handsome WayForward sprite work and...

  • News Nintendo Returns to Comic-Con with Multiple Playable Games

    18 titles spread across Wii, 3DS and DS

    Nintendo is set for its return to Comic-Con in San Diego this year and among other activities, the special Nintendo Gaming Lounge will be set up so that attendees can stop by and try out some of the latest releases. As well as Nintendo's booth (#5135) at Comic-Con, the Nintendo Gaming Lounge situated in the...

  • News ESRB Rating Offers Intel on Aliens: Infestation

    Genre among other things revealed

    A recent Entertainment Software Rating Board classification has revealed further details regarding Aliens: Infestation for the DS ― the return of the sci-fi horror franchise by publisher SEGA. Developed by WayForward Technologies, the game will be a side-scrolling shooter with plenty of weapons in stock as...

  • News Hunt Down New Solatorobo Quests Every Week

    Learn how inside

    By now you've hopefully read our Solatorobo: Red the Hunter review, and if the 20-hour story mode isn't long enough for you there's good news: it doesn't end there. Nintendo has just given more details about the game's free downloadable quests that keep the action going after the credits roll. The first quest, available today, puts...

  • Review Solatorobo: Red the Hunter (DS)

    This hunter should become the hunted

    Solatorobo: Red the Hunter isn’t a game title that is likely to storm to the top of the sales charts. There are no well-known franchise names, no mainstream marketing campaign, and no hint of generic, dull gaming characters and designs. Being a Japanese action RPG, this game is different from the vast majority...

  • News Dedicated Gamer Aces Dragon Quest IX After 773 Hours

    100% complete. Wow.

    Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is one of the biggest games on DS, but you may not realise exactly how big until you read this. Committed player Steve Tolin has seen all there is to see in the Square Enix RPG: he's defeated every enemy type, grabbed every item and piece of clothing and found every Alchenomicon...

  • News Ocarina of Time 3D was Second Best-Selling Game of June

    United States figures are in

    Although The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D launched in the middle of the month, 11 days was all it took for the Zelda remake to establish itself as the second best-selling single-format game for the month of June. According to independent market research company NPD Group, more than 283,000 copies of the game were...

  • Talking Point Wii U - Revolution or Evolution?

    Is the Wii U innovative enough, or just a big DS?

    When looked at logically, perhaps there is a valid point to be made about the Wii U. Admittedly, launch is a while away, and further details on the console and its capabilities will no doubt flow in the coming months, but the focus of this article is simple: will Wii U ‘disrupt’ the industry and...

  • News XSEED: Localising Solatorobo Did Not Open Channels of Communication with NOE

    Future prospects of publishing Nintendo titles "very slim"

    With Nintendo of America's announcement that it had no plans to release Xenoblade Chronicles or The Last Story coupled with their recent emphasis on bringing more third parties to the table, some hoped that the Big N would allow a smaller Western publisher to do the honours and thus end...

  • News Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows DS Looks Like This

    Could it be magic?

    The boy wizard might be facing his final adventure at the box office, but he's got at least two more DS games in him, with LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 due later this year. It's not the only magical outing though, as next week sees Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II - The Video Game — surely the best name for a game...

  • Rumour Aliens: Infestation to Attack DS in October

    Maybe through the chest

    Here's something we didn't see coming: according to UK retailer Gamestation, SEGA is bringing the queen of all sci-fi series to DS in October. The retailer's website lists Aliens: Infestation for DSi and DS Lite, and further digging revealed the game's presence on an in-store pre-order list with a tentative release date of...

June2011

  • News European DS Fans, These Are Your Big Games of 2011

    Another release list incoming

    While the 3DS is receiving most of the limelight, there are still a few interesting titles heading to DS in Europe over the coming months, as Nintendo Europe's most up-to-date release schedule shows. The machine's upcoming catalogue offers a blend of popular and niche projects, from Solatorobo: Red the Hunter to the...

  • News Solatorobo Tracks Down a North American Publisher

    Red the Hunter sniffs out more DS owners

    With the European localisation of Solatorobo: Red the Hunter confirmed with a 1st July release, it's now time for North America to get the official word regarding a localisation for that particular region. While Nintendo is in charge with marketing and distributing the title in Europe, XSEED Games will be...

  • News Find May's Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville this Summer

    Look for the trailer in this article

    All the pieces are in place as Mastertronic gets ready for the release of its upcoming hidden object game, May's Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville. The puzzle game's central character is a young girl named May who's looking for her brother. Presented in a hand-drawn style, the game will task players with...

  • News Nintendo Not Interested in Producing Free-To-Play Software

    Iwata not willing to take the risk, it seems

    Nintendo's made it clear that it hasn't been totally satisfied with its online efforts thus far, and the upcoming Wii U will hopefully resolve all that. Although the company hasn't revealed exactly how things will be different with its next home console, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has made one thing...

  • Review Thor: God of Thunder (DS)

    Way to go, Way-Thor-ward

    At a SEGA press event in March this year WayForward’s Director for Thor: God of Thunder, Austin Ivansmith, noted that it is the company's “love letter to the DS” and considering its back catalogue of well received DS and DSiWare titles this game caught the attention of gamers normally hesitant of a movie licenced game...

  • News Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Trailer now Recruited

    We scouted it for you

    With the hustle and bustle of E3 dying down, it's time to catch up on something unrelated to Wii U and 3DS, as we bring you the trailer of the latest instalment in the Dragon Quest Monsters series. The second title in the spin-off series ― Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 will see players scouting and collecting monsters as...

  • News Following Wii U Unveiling, Nintendo Shares Drop 10%

    Iwata: "It's very strange."

    Much like the 3DS, Nintendo is adamant that Wii U has to be seen and experienced first-hand if it is to be understood. Could this be the reason why Nintendo shares took a plunge following the new console's announcement at E3? In the two days following Nintendo's E3 conference on Tuesday, shares dropped by almost 10...

  • News Professor Layton and the Last Specter Trailer

    Still life in the DS dog yet

    Professor Layton isn't done with DS yet, as his fourth DS outing Professor Layton and the Last Specter is coming to North America later this year. To gear up for the genius and his boy companion's next outing, we've got a trailer showing what you can expect from the final 2D outing in the series. Will you be picking this...

  • News The DS is About to Enter the Super Fossil Fighters Age

    Dino-fighting returns this holiday season

    The Vivosaurs are far from extinct as Nintendo announces the return of the Fossil Fighters series with the upcoming Super Fossil Fighters on the DS. In the RPG sequel, players continue to find and clean up various fossil pieces and by using them to create and revive the Vivosaurs, enter them into the fossil...

  • News Here's Your List of DS Games Due Out This Year

    Slim pickings

    We knew there wouldn't be much on show for DS this year at E3, but Nintendo has managed to scoop the last few remaining titles together and sculpt them into a release schedule for the coming year. There are a few notable releases in there, mainly Professor Layton and the Last Specter and Kirby: Mass Attack, but it's understandably...

  • News Professor Layton and the Last Specter Out This Fall on DS

    Professor still has puzzles to solve

    Level 5's multi-million selling Professor Layton series is still going on DS, with Nintendo set to publish the fourth chapter, Professor Layton and the Last Specter, later this year. Expect more puzzles, more mysteries, more animated cut scenes and shedloads more dodgy Cockney accents when the game launches on DS...

  • News Kirby's Next Handheld Outing is Kirby: Mass Attack

    Tough name for a cute game

    DS owners, don't think you were forgotten at E3 — Nintendo is rewarding your love of the non-3D dual screen console with a brand new Kirby, called Kirby: Mass Attack. The game sees multiple Kirbies used to overwhelm your enemies, as the press release describes. A New Twist on a Pink Hero One day, an evildoer with a...

  • Reaction Nintendo's Complete Press Release

    Soak it in

    Nintendo's Upcoming Wii U Console Features Controller with 6.2-inch Screen Nintendo 3DS Continues its Evolution with Mario Kart, Super Mario and the Nintendo eShop as Nintendo Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of The Legend of Zelda NOTE: Multimedia available hereLOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- At the E3 Expo, Nintendo introduced a new...

  • News Activision and SEGA Toying with Wappy Dog DS for Christmas

    Take that, Nintendogs

    A virtual dog that lives inside a console? It's been done. A robot dog controlled by a video game, though? Now that's exciting. That's the basic idea behind Wappy Dog, a new venture from Activision and SEGA TOYS that's set to mark its territory at Christmas. A combination of DS software and real-life toy, the virtual pet...

May2011

  • News DS Lite Drops to $99 in US, Mario DS Games Go Red

    Curious time for a price drop

    Like an end of level boss that refuses to be beaten, the DS Lite is still available brand new in the US, where its recommended retail price is about to drop to $99.99. The best-selling console will see its cost cut this Sunday, 5th June, just two days before Nintendo's E3 press conference. It's not the only DS-related...

  • News Capcom Announces Live Action Ace Attorney Movie

    Wait until you see Edgeworth

    Japan's appetite for all things Ace Attorney continues, as Capcom and director Takashi Miike announce a joint project to bring the offbeat detective series to the silver screen. The appointment of Miike as director is an interesting choice, as his past work spans everything from Yatterman to the severely gory Ichi the...

  • News Professor Layton and the Last Specter Coming to America

    Trademark application revealed

    So far, Professor Layton and the Spectre's Flute has been Japan-only, but a recently-unearthed trademark application shows that the DS adventure will come to North America. Level-5 registered the trademark Professor Layton and the Last Specter recently, spotted by Siliconera, which all-but confirms the fourth DS game...

  • News Jason Rohrer Tackles Blood Diamonds with New DS Game

    Indie developer returns

    DSi owners might already be familiar with Jason Rohrer's off-beat games, with Primrose and the Jason Rohrer Anthology offering some of the most unique experiences on DSiWare. Publisher Zoo Games just announced the next game from the developer coming to DS later this year: Diamond Trust of London. Maintaining his reputation...

  • Review Nanda's Island (DS)

    The rain in this game falls mainly on the lame

    The water-based puzzler is an interesting breed – the replication of aquatic physics necessitates a more innovative approach than your average thinking game, the majority of which build on or clone an accepted model like Tetris or Bejeweled. The recent Fluidity is proof that this subgenre can spawn...

  • Review TINcan! Escape (DS)

    Rockin' robot or CPUke?

    Innovative puzzle games are few and far between, and TINcan! Escape is up there with some of the more interesting concepts we've seen. While it rests on a quality foundation, however, some uneven spots and lacklustre presentation make this rolling robot wobble on its wheels. Two rival scientists compete to have their design...

  • News Nintendo's Art Appreciation UK Tour Kicked Off Today

    Do Brits love art?

    Nintendo's Create Britain tour kicked off today by the banks of the River Thames with an Art Academy lesson hosted by artist Pam Glew. Passers-by were invited to get involved with the DS art package, with a local primary school also stopping by to try their hand at recreating Canaletto's famous painting of Westminster Bridge...

  • News LEGO Onslaught Continues With LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7

    The excitement is building

    Fact: LEGO video games sell well. Fact: Harry Potter tie-ins sell well. Fact: Nintendo consoles sell well. Can you see where this is going? Yes, Warner Bros. has announced the official video game of the tail end of the Harry Potter saga, with LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 coming to all current Nintendo formats this year...

  • News Max & the Magic Marker Relaunching on Wii and DS

    Hoping to draw more gamers in, surely?

    Easy Interactive has announced its Q2 line-up of upcoming releases, one of which is a WiiWare title that's on its way to getting a retail release. Max & the Magic Marker originally launched on the download service last year and will soon be available to purchase on-disc for the Wii as well as the DS when...

  • News Kirby's New DS Game Has a July Date with Japan

    So we Gather

    The pink puffball's next appearance is locked down for Japan: Atsumete! Kirby — which roughly translates to Gather! Kirby — is coming to DS on 7th July. Last month we brought you the first Atsumete! Kirby gameplay details, which revealed the player will control multiple Kirbies and use their combined power to overcome puzzles and...

  • Review LEGO Battles: Ninjago (DS)

    Half RTS, half adventure, halfway fun

    2009 saw the release of LEGO Battles to complement the action orientation of the main series titles, with a second iteration now aiming once more to provide a light and accessible real time strategy experience within the LEGO world. Unfortunately, LEGO Battles: Ninjago tries to spread its shallow formula too far...

  • News Nintendo Kicks Off Create Britain with Art Academy Class

    Brush with fame

    Bundling DSiWare titles Art Academy: First Semester and Art Academy: Second Semester onto a cartridge and releasing it under the name Art Academy was a stroke of genius on Nintendo's part, with the game now having sold over 1.9 million copies since launch. Now Nintendo UK wants to use the game to launch its new Create Britain...

  • Review Chronicles of Mystery: The Secret Tree of Life (DS)

    A pleasant, if stumpy, puzzler

    Many puzzle games that originated on the PC have made a successful transition to the DS; following their lead is City Interactive's latest handheld release, a scaled down version of Chronicles of Mystery: The Tree of Life from 2009. Especially in the case of one that's as well-crafted as this, there's nothing wrong...

  • News Rising Star Setting Out a Grand Bazaar for European Farmers

    Due to sprout in 2011

    Rising Star Games has been bringing Harvest Moon games to European Nintendo fans for years, and the publisher has just confirmed it's continuing this tradition by releasing Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar across Europe this year. The game was released in North America last year, so read through our Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar review...

  • News DSi Firmware Gets an Update

    System Menu cranks to 1.4.2

    Nintendo has been pretty mum on the firmware update front for quite some time, but today broke that silence by quietly rolling out an update to its DSi line. Nudging the ticker up to version 1.4.2, the update description appears utterly unspectacular at face value by declaring that it brings along behind-the-scenes...

  • News New Video Explains the Differences in Pokemon Black and White

    A little late, we know

    Pokémon Black and White: still haven't made up your mind which version to go for? Let Nintendo's helpful new video explain a few of the differences between the two games. Each version features an exclusive area and unique monsters to nab, as well as a few other quirks that are best discovered yourself. Find out more by...