Features News - Page 26

First Impressions: Heroes of Ruin

Heroes of Ruin

To arms!

There haven't been many new franchises so far in 3DS's short life so far, but RPG masters Square Enix and handheld specialists n-Space are busy preparing a very promising new IP for release in 2012: Heroes of Ruin. We recently went hands-on with the game, and from our early impressions it's one that should hit your radar. From the off it's...

First Impressions: Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

Snake returns to Nintendo

It's odd that, despite Hideo Kojima requesting Solid Snake to be put in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there haven't exactly been many games from the Metal Gear series on Nintendo systems, and none since that crossover happened. Thankfully, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D is due to change that later this year. An enhanced port of the third Metal Gear Solid title, viewed by many..

First Impressions: Rhythm Heaven (Wii)

Rhythm Heaven (Wii)

Tapping never felt so good

At last week's Nintendo press event in the Netherlands, we played several games, but one which has oddly not seen much coverage around the web yet is the latest entry in the Rhythm Heaven series. Scheduled for release in Japan next week, the demo Nintendo had on offer was completely untouched by translators, and was thus completely in Japanese. However, this is Rhythm..

Hands On: Netflix for 3DS

Netflix for 3DS

We go one-on-one with popcorn in one hand and a stylus in the other

In many cities across North America you can still find them: all-but-deserted video rental stores trying every special deal and coupon in their cap to reclaim business from the rampantly successful postal-based Netflix service. But for many, getting movies in the mail isn't its best feature – that goes instead to Netflix Instant,..

Talking Point: Wii U - Revolution or Evolution?

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...

Features: 10 Life Lessons Learned From Mega Man

10 Life Lessons Learned From Mega Man

It's not just blasting, you know

Playing the Mega Man series is cathartic in many ways. You get to listen to great music, appreciate the impressively cartoony visuals Capcom wrung out of the NES hardware, and experiment with many unique and varied abilities. But overall, we tend to like it because it's mindless. It's a platformer with clear...

Talking Point: The Growing Storm of Operation Rainfall

The Growing Storm of Operation Rainfall

Is gaming's biggest consumer advocacy movement a noble cause, or does NoA know best?

What you see to the right of this text is a poster for Operation Rainfall. It features screen shots and information on Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower, all of which Nintendo has published in Japan to positive reviews and sales, and none of which the company plans to release in North..

Talking Point: The Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D Save File Debate

The Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D Save File Debate

Is a single, permanent save file ever enough?

Capcom's decision to limited Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D to a single immortal save file has drawn plenty of discussion recently. It's a big issue, and one that deserves another look. At face value, only having one save file for life is baffling, and there's no precedent we can think of: certainly past Resident Evil games needed multiple save files..

Features: The Game Modes of MotoHeroz

The Game Modes of MotoHeroz

Wrapping it up

Over the past months we've brought you exclusive articles from Finnish developer RedLynx, detailing the world, characters, power-ups and vehicles on offer in the WiiWare game. Now we have the most important and final part in the series, explaining exactly how you can play MotoHeroz when it launches

Talking Point: Your Sonic the Hedgehog Memories

Your Sonic the Hedgehog Memories

Spill it

We've gone all-out to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog's 20th anniversary this week, bringing you Staff Memories of Sonic the Hedgehog, a look at unreleased Sonic the Hedgehog games and Sonic's Nintendo games too. With 20 years of rich history behind him, we want to know how Sonic's affected you, the gamers. What memories do you have of the

Feature: Staff Memories of Sonic the Hedgehog

Staff Memories of Sonic the Hedgehog

We reminisce about the blue guy

Today marks 20 years since the very first time Sonic the Hedgehog burst onto TV screens around the world, kicking off a genuine phenomenon that continues to draw in new gamers to this day. As experienced gamers ourselves, naturally the team at Nintendo Life has plenty of memories of the spiky blue one's glory days, so we invited our staff to share their fondest..

Feature: Sonic: The Nintendo Years - Part Two

Sonic: The Nintendo Years - Part Two

The second instalment of our look back at gaming's favourite blue dude with attitude

Sonic: The Nintendo Years — Part One detailed the hedgehog's first few years on Nintendo consoles, but by the end of 2005 it was clear that Sonic games had changed very drastically, and nowhere was that more evident than in the next two 'hog-related outings. First...

Feature: The Sonic Games That Never Were

The Sonic Games That Never Were

The hedgehog's untold past explored

Sonic the Hedgehog has appeared in more games than we can count, but just as interesting are some of the games that never saw release. Join us as we delve through the Sonic archives to take a look at some of the unfinished and unreleased games in the hedgehog's history. Sonic the Hedgehog: The Animated Series:...

Feature: Sonic: The Nintendo Years - Part One

Sonic: The Nintendo Years - Part One

As Sonic the Hedgehog reaches 20 years old, we take a look at the spiky one's past.

Sonic’s career is as chequered as those famous green hills; since his runaway success in the first half of the 1990s he’s struggled to reclaim those glory days. Luckily if you’re a Nintendo console owner you can play all the best Sonic games extremely easily,...

First Impressions: Aya and the Cubes of Light

Aya and the Cubes of Light

It'll make your head spin

There may not be the huge numbers of incoming WiiWare titles we've seen in the past, but we'll take quality over quantity any day. One of the more interesting titles coming to WiiWare is Object Vision's Aya and the Cubes of Light, a puzzle platformer that's quite unlike anything on the service so far. As you might expect, Aya's levels are cubic in nature, suspended in..

Features: A View from Hyrule Field

A View from Hyrule Field

We remember why Ocarina of Time is more than just a game

As we move through life, we will at times look back fondly at memories that we hold dear. And, as gamers, many of us merge recollections of the virtual world with those of reality. Some titles simply bring the right elements together in the perfect way, making this feel natural, normal, important. One game pulled this off better than most..

Guides: 3DS eShop Update FAQ

3DS eShop Update FAQ

Everything you need to know about the 3DS eShop, internet browser and DSi transfer functionality

For those who bought their 3DS on launch day there was some disappointment. The eShop, internet browser and the ability to transfer DSiWare games and data were unavailable, promised in a ‘late May’ update. The update slid to early June, but it's...

Talking Point: Should Nintendo Try to Recapture 'Hardcore' Gamers?

Should Nintendo Try to Recapture 'Hardcore' Gamers?

What is hardcore anyway?

In recent weeks the internet has been overloaded with rumours about Nintendo’s next home console, the successor to the phenomenally successful Wii. The rumours followed the usual pattern; anonymous sources said it was coming, speculation raged, ideas about the console started to find a level of consistency, and finally...

Feature: The Past, Present and Future of the GO Series

The Past, Present and Future of the GO Series

Exclusive: two new games announced

It seems like DSiWare's GO Series has been around for forever, but the first title — GO Series: 10 Second Run — only launched in September 2010, followed by a series of quick-fire games in every genre from pinball to platforming. At the time of writing, the series stands at 10 titles but it's not over yet, with two new games on the way this summer. We decided..

Talking Point: Should Nintendo Have Made the 3DS Download-only?

Should Nintendo Have Made the 3DS Download-only?

By sticking with physical media as the primary form of software delivery, Nintendo may have handicapped its new handheld challenger

Earlier this year, Sony finally closed the book on the PSPgo, the company's ill-fated attempt at releasing a console based entirely on the concept of digital media. Although Sony's failure was the subject of much mirth within the industry, it's quite possible that the..

Talking Point: How 3DS Can Thrive at E3

How 3DS Can Thrive at E3

What the Big N should do at this year's expo

A little less than one year ago, as E3 2010 approached, one question was on everyone's mind: would the 3DS work? Surely our bodies were not ready for the futuristic glasses-free technology Nintendo promised. As we all know, it wasn't long before Reggie put our fears to rest: yes, it works, and it works well. Before we could even articulate our next..

First Impressions: FAST - Racing League

FAST - Racing League

Taking Shin'en's latest for a spin

Plenty of Nintendo fan ire has been drawn by the lack of an F-Zero game for the Wii, and with Wipeout exclusive to Sony consoles there's a huge gap in the market for sleek-looking futuristic racers. WiiWare developer Shin'en Multimedia is hoping to fill that with its upcoming WiiWare title FAST – Racing League, due to reach Europe on 27th May. On the surface,..

Features: The Vehicles of MotoHeroz

The Vehicles of MotoHeroz

Get behind the wheel

Continuing our exclusive look at upcoming WiiWare physics-racer MotoHeroz from Trials HD developer RedLynx, we have a look at the cars you'll be racing around in when the game launches on WiiWare this summer. Be sure to read our previous articles: The World of MotoHeroz, The Characters of MotoHeroz and The Power-Ups of MotoHeroz.