Features News - Page 23 of 32

Learn more about Vektor

Last week we brought you the first in a series of three features from WiiWare developers Nnooo, introducing escapeVektor: Chapter 1. In this latest instalment, Nnooo tell us about another enemy type, as well as details on the secrets and achievements to be uncovered in the title. Anti-Hunter tactics, exits to hidden areas and the key to Vektor’s memory.escapeVektor™:..

Is the 3DS back on track?

After a busy week of announcements, reactions to announcements, and Nintendo Life’s epic appearance on the eShop (we had to mention it), it seems like a good moment to sit back and take a deep breath. With so much news coming out of Nintendo’s Tokyo conference on 13th September, as well as localised press releases in Europe and North America, it can be difficult to..

The continuing appeal of retro

In the midst of lively, colourful menu tiles that spin with a blow into the microphone and play charming tunes when selected, many 3DS's are littered with other tiles that are glaringly less interesting. They don't play charming animations on the top screen, and when selected, the greeting is nothing more than a little “ping” sound and a grainy monochromatic..

Why Nintendo, you are spoiling us

It's an understatement to suggest that the 3DS has had an interesting first six months. Disappointing sales followed by a massive price drop, and now some very early departures into the realm of quirky add-on accessories. Yet, for early adopters of the system, there have been a selection of entertaining games and eye-popping 3D effects to enjoy. For those who felt..

Can you help Vektor escape?

We're happy to bring you the first in a series of three features from WiiWare developers Nnooo, introducing escapeVektor: Chapter 1. The developer's latest title following the excellent Pop, escapeVektor: Chapter 1 promises a retro arcade experience. Read on to learn more. Avoiding Patrols, Electric Fences & Cannons! escapeVektor™: Chapter 1 is a retro styled..

What next for the 3DS?

Another week, another major 3DS announcement. That may be an exaggeration, but it is nevertheless true that the 3DS has had a busy first six months in the market. Since the device launched we’ve already heard about disappointing sales, a number of delayed 3DS titles from third party developers, Nintendo’s decision to...

We sit down with the sole member of the young DSiWare dev

Here at Nintendo Life, two things we love are creative independent developers and unique game designs. One great example of the latter is the recently released Go! Go! Kokopolo, a quirky, challenging downloadable title that hit the DSi Shop a little while ago and scored an 8/10 in our Go!...

Why should it stop with the Ambassador scheme?

Before the Virtual Console, emulators provided the only way that people could relive their favourite gaming experiences of years past. Allowing players to download "rom" files and load them onto their personal computers and other platforms, their only real legal application is to allow those...

Shoot everything in sight

This week sees the release of Star Fox 64 3D. As you're no doubt aware, it's a remastering in the same vein as Ocarina of Time 3D, so updated visuals are naturally present. Given the updated hardware, Fox McCloud and the team will be appearing in true 3D for the first time. On the 3DS, a true sensation of depth should...

What could they be?

With the NES half of the Ambassador titles hitting the eShop last week, it's only a matter of time before the ten Game Boy Advance games launch. So far Nintendo has announced only half: Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, Mario vs. Donkey Kong and WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$...

Back in the Arwing

Fox McCloud is about to make a welcome return to the gaming scene, with the upcoming Star Fox 64 3D ready to blast onto 3DS screens. As a franchise, Star Fox has shown plenty of diversity, so we decided it was time to reflect on the adventures of good old Fox and the gang. Features editor Thomas Whitehead is joined by community administrator Desiree Turner and writer Peter..

We'll help you decide

When Gaijin Games released its first BIT.TRIP title BIT.TRIP BEAT back in 2009, the game took many players by surprise not only with its unique musical and visual presentation, but also with its extremely addictive gameplay. And as beloved as BEAT would become, the series would only get more interesting as each new release took...

Why the wait?

The Nintendo 3DS eShop was supposed to be available at the console's launch, but was delayed by nearly three months. It promised to improve on the company's so-far lacklustre efforts at building a digital presence for itself, but until recently it's struggled to impress, with one of the main problems being a total lack of payment cards at retail in Europe. When the eShop launched in..

Wii never knew...

Part of our mission at Nintendo Life is to highlight parts of the gaming world that were previously unknown. To that end, our experienced researchers have been rooting around the archives of Wii history and discovered the original patent application for the Wii Remote. Reading patent documentation isn’t the most stimulating of activities, but we’ve completed this arduous task..

We take the new horizontal shmup head-on

We love when something a little out of the ordinary pops up on WiiWare, and one such game is Kyotokei, an original horizontal shoot-em-up that recently launched in North America and garnered an impressive 7/10 in our Kyotokei review. Our own Corbie Dillard and Zach Kaplan sat down with Giovanni Simotti, CTO of developer/publisher Microforum, to discuss the..

It's time to decide

It's 20 years ago today since the Super Nintendo saw official release in North America, and over the following years it amassed a truly incredible library of games still thought of today as some of the finest ever. But what really was the top dog on Nintendo's 16-bit wonder machine? Did the 96 levels of Super Mario World do it for you? Are you wowed by the speed of F-Zero to..

We talk about the newest iteration of the up-and-coming developer's popular IP

After conquering the iOS, DSiWare and even PlayStation Move platforms, Firemint's addictive air traffic control-based Flight Control is landing today on WiiWare in Europe and North America. We sat down with Writer and Media Liaison Logan Booker to talk about the high-flying title. Nintendo Life: Flight Control has very..

And would it prove a wise move to embrace the smartphone?

It's no secret that the 3DS sold far below expectations, even after Nintendo wowed us at E3 and promised to clean up its online act. Many are going as far as to suggest that the Ambassador programme and slashed pricing is as good as a death knell, while investors argue that Ninty should do...

What's the magic formula?

There was a time not too long ago when the origins of the games we play were somewhat mysterious. We knew the company names and could view credit sequences until the cows came home and magazine readers could gain some extra insight, but by and large the thought processes, discarded ideas and development stages that went...

What's the impact?

The Nintendo 3DS dropped in price recently — you might have noticed — and with the Flame Red 3DS hitting North America on 9th September and both Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 due for Christmas, many are predicting a resurgence in fortunes for the console. But is the price drop and the promise of these two much-needed...

Samus got lost

As a week of Metroid Anniversary celebrations draws to a close, we thought we’d look back at a Metroid game that never was. We’re not talking about Metroid Dread, which could still happen, but Metroid 64, which will obviously never see the light of day. We’ve made the title up, but in light of the trend of adding ‘64’ after...

It's not all plumbing, you know

Nintendo's decision to drop the price of 3DS has reignited interest in the console, but many owners blame the machine's fortunes on a lack of quality software available. These gamers won't have been fully reassured by Nintendo's championing of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7: while set to be among the best games on the machine, they're three and four months away..

We take a look at that famous female and her effect on the virtual playing field

Historically, just about every form of media has seen itself dominated by men, and gaming is as guilty as the rest. You could chalk it up to the playing population remaining largely scant of females for reasons too complex and debatable to delve into here, but that's...

Where next, Samus?

It’s a big anniversary for Metroid, joining Mario and Zelda in the 25 year club. It’s interesting to note that there hasn’t been much fanfare from Nintendo, with the upcoming 3DS ‘Ambassador’ release of GBA classic Metroid Fusion being the only sign of Samus this year. It seems that as a franchise, Metroid is very much...