Wii News

July2011

  • News Aonuma Opens a Treasure Chest of Skyward Sword Details

    Dun-dun-dun-dunnnn!

    In a recent interview, veteran Nintendo developer Eiji Aonuma revealed some interesting details about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, on which he's currently working. If you're not a fan of spoilers stop reading now! Ganon, Link's adversary since the early days, will not appear in the game. In fact, the odd-looking Lord...

  • News Fishing Resort Tugging on a North American Line

    Prope's fishing game reeled in this Fall

    From hedgehogs to kiwis, Yuji Naka has been involved with games that star somewhat uncommon animals and his studio Prope is getting ready for the release of its upcoming Wii game that follows a similar trend: this time, it's fish. Since leaving SEGA in 2006, Naka went on to found Prope and along with fellow...

  • First Impressions Rayman Origins (Wii)

    Back to his best?

    Rayman Origins is the long awaited return to 2D platforming for Ubisoft's chopper-haired hero. While the version we played at a recent preview event was running on Xbox 360, we were told the team is aiming to make the Wii version as similar as possible. Running on Ubisoft's new UbiArt framework, the game is extremely beautiful —...

  • News Check Out the First Just JAM DLC in These Trailers

    100 Points a pop

    Just JAM, the music-based WiiWare game from Big John and Zivix Interactive, released earlier this month, and now the first two batches of downloadable content have gone live. You can preview the first selection in the trailer below, which includes Soar by Roster McCabe, Shadow Godz by The Alpha Centauri and Let's Dance To This by...

  • Preview The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

    Hands-on once more with the Hero of Time

    In all the Wii U commotion at E3 this year, Link's next and final outing on Wii was rather lost, but we were able to reconnect with the Hero of Time at a recent preview event in the UK. Three levels in total were playable: an aerial bird race, a dungeon and a face-off against Lord Ghirahim. With Wii Remote...

  • News New Zelda: Skyward Sword Trailer is Right on Target

    The strongest Link?

    While we anxiously await a release date for Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, have a new trailer for the game straight from San Diego Comic-Con. The trailer is 1:45 of pure gameplay footage and shows the return of the Gorons, the evil (and goth-tastic) Lord Ghirahim and plenty more aspects of the game we haven't seen yet. We got to...

  • News The Oregon Trail to Settle Down on Wii & 3DS

    Fording rivers and catching cholera has never been so exciting

    If you went through public school in the United States, chances are The Oregon Trail was an important part of your childhood. It's already trekked to DSiWare via Gameloft, but now GameFly lists a retail version fording the Wii and 3DS rivers this November. It's coming from Red Wagon...

  • News Pachter Thinks Nintendo has Superior First-Party Software

    Despite what Xbox CFO thinks

    In response to what Xbox chief financial officer Dennis Durkin said about Microsoft's first-party software line-up being "superior" to that of Sony and Nintendo's (as reported by Industry Gamers), Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter has shared his two cents. Speaking to Industry Gamers, Durkin was asked...

  • News Yuji Naka's Haunted Tower Never Made it to Wii

    Never will

    Yuji Naka, the father of Sonic the Hedgehog, has released a few games on Wii since starting up Prope: Let's Tap and accompanying WiiWare condiment Let's Catch, as well as the cutesy Ivy the Kiwi?. As with all developers however he's not had a 100% release record, and one of the projects that never made it to release came to light in a...

  • 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...

  • First Impressions 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...

  • 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...

  • News Sakaguchi: Last Story Gameplay Took Precedence Over Plot

    Only his third game to do so after Final Fantasy I and VII

    The Last Story is coming to Wii via Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy VII, but the titles share another unique similarity as well – Sakaguchi created the gameplay elements first, then the story, for all three. There are... places in games such as the moment...

  • News After WWE All-Stars, Wrestlers Begin to Brawl

    Take it outside

    WWE All-Stars took the wrestling game template and tore it up, but the newly revealed WWE Brawl looks like it'll take the template and body-slam it through a concrete block. New footage of the Wii game shows a street fight scenario where wrestlers have superhuman abilities, taking the All-Stars idea a touch further. Check out the...

  • News Xenoblade Artwork and Screenshots Show a Lot of Heart

    Affinity mode featured

    Having found itself at the centre of a huge operation revolving around its localisation, Xenoblade Chronicles certainly has a lot to prove, but judging from this artwork it's got no fears in that department. New screenshots from Nintendo show the game's party affinity system, showing how well members of your team like each...

  • 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 Xenoblade Chronicles is Coming Early, UK & Europe

    August just got a little bit hotter

    Xenoblade Chronicles, the greatly anticipated Wii RPG due out this summer in Europe and the UK, is launching two weeks earlier than the previously scheduled date of 2nd September. The game will now launch 19th August. That makes just a little less time to order that sexy preorder package. The game is also...

  • News Naka and Iizuka Drop Hints at Third NiGHTS Game

    Dare to dream

    In a year seemingly packed full of anniversaries, yesterday marked 15 years since Sonic Team masterpiece NiGHTS into Dreams released on Sega Saturn, with only disappointing Wii follow-up NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams expanding the series' canon. In a recent interview with leading NiGHTS site NiGHTS into Dreams.com, former Sonic Team head...

  • News Tales of Graces Wii Will Not Be Released In the West

    More bad news

    Japanese RPGs and Wii consoles are like Superman and Clark Kent at the moment: we're sure they're related, but they're rarely seen in the same place at the same time. While Operation Rainfall continues to campaign for Nintendo to bring its infamous three across the Atlantic, Namco has confirmed Tales of Graces won't be making it to the...

  • Review Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident (Wii)

    Worth the search

    When Nintendo announced Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident as one of the only Wii titles it planned to publish for the quarter it set itself the lofty task of creating a hidden object puzzle-based game on which the Big N could feel proud to put its name. If such a release fails to stand out in quality, it amounts to yet...

  • News Localisation Evidence Grows as Pandora's Tower Demoed at Expo

    Settle down, North America

    The Japan Expo held in Paris, France has come and gone and of the many games that were playable at the event, perhaps the most eyebrow-raising title was Pandora's Tower. Developed by Ganbarion, the action adventure game is one of three major titles that western gamers have been vocal about in light of Nintendo of America...

  • Talking Point 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...

  • News Metroid Database Translates Other M Artwork for Your Pleasure

    See Samus in a new light

    Metroid: Other M certainly had some delicious artwork, most of which was only available in Japanese, but those hard-working folks at the Metroid Database have translated plenty of concept art into English. From sketches of Zero Suit Samus to maps and boss concepts, the artwork is well worth a look over if you're into Samus's...

June2011

  • News Pachter to Operation Rainfall: "I Agree"

    Infamous analyst shows his support

    The ongoing grassroots project Operation Rainfall, designed to convince Nintendo to publish Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles and Pandora's Tower in North America, has analyst Michael Pachter chiming in via Twitter to voice his opinion. Earlier today, he tweeted: a grass roots movement to convince Nintendo to...

  • News High Voltage Explains What Went Wrong With Conduit 2

    Plenty of mistakes to learn from

    Although The Conduit had a lot of hype to live up to, it proved to be a pretty solid first-person shooter despite its flaws. The same can arguably not be said of its sequel, Conduit 2, and senior producer Kevin Sheller explains why the game felt so rough around the edges. As part of a Gamasutra feature, Sheller spoke...

  • News Operation Rainfall Responds to Nintendo's "Never Say Never"

    No happy dance at OpRa HQ

    Yesterday Nintendo announced it has no plans to bring three sought-after Wii games to North America — Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles and Pandora's Tower. One of the groups responsible for raising awareness of these games, Operation Rainfall, has responded to the disappointing news. While Nintendo's choice not to l

  • News Wii Has a Barren Summer Ahead in Europe

    Barebones

    Nintendo of Europe's just finished updating its release schedules for 3DS, DS and Wii, and the company's home console still has a few interesting titles on the way. Chief among them is hotly-anticipated RPG Xenoblade Chronicles, out on 2nd September including an exclusive red Classic Controller Pro. Nintendo's other big Wii releases for...

  • Rumour SEGA Preparing a Third Sonic Storybook Game

    What goes up, must come down

    Wii owners are used to getting their own unique Sonic games, and while the much-anticipated Sonic Generations will be skipping the white machine there's still a chance the hedgehog will put in another appearance on Wii this year. A representative of SEGA Mexico recently took part in a webchat and discussed the Storybook...

  • Features 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 yo

  • News NOA: "Never Say Never," But No Plans to Bring Sought-After Wii Games to NA

    Xenoblade Chronicles, Last Story and Pandora's Tower still not coming

    Nintendo has just responded to the public outcry for the epic RPGs Xenoblade Chronicles and Last Story and the action RPG Pandora's Tower to see localisation in North America via their Facebook page. The company stated: Thank you for your enthusiasm. We promised an update, so...

  • News Zelda is No Longer Royalty in Skyward Sword

    Bombshell

    It's only fitting for a legend to be based on a princess, but one of the most famous faces in Nintendo royalty is about to lose her crown, as Eiji Aonuma has revealed that Zelda is no longer a princess in Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. So what is Link's relationship with his long time collaborative partner? Aonuma says: She's a childhood...

  • News Xenoblade Chronicles Classic Controller Pack Gets Detailed

    Only at GAME Group

    Fancy that delicious looking red Classic Controller Pro pack for the upcoming Xenoblade Chronicles? You'll need to place a pre-order at GAME or Gamestation, then. Nintendo just announced the pack is exclusive to GAME Group stores and only for customers who pre-order before 2nd September. The bundle contains the game, red Classic...

  • News Dragon Quest Collection Contains Clip from Dragon Quest X

    See it at last

    The Japanese Dragon Quest Collection contains Famicom and Super Famicom versions of Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest 2 and Dragon Quest 3, but it also comes with something a little more future-facing. Square Enix announced the game will hit Japan on 15th September, priced ¥4,440 — approximately £34/€38/$54. While this would be steep...

  • News Xenoblade Chronicles Bundle Pack is Beautiful

    Even more incentive to pre-order now

    Deciding whether to buy a Classic Controller Pro? Planning on getting Xenoblade Chronicles? Nintendo might have made your purchasing decisions a little easier to make. With the RPG getting its European retail release on 2nd September, gamers will be able to buy a special pre-order bundle pack that comes with a...

  • News BIT.TRIP COMPLETE Fills Retail Void on 13th September

    Core fans rejoice!

    BIT.TRIP COMPLETE, the disc collection of WiiWare's finest retro-styled musically-themed series, is coming to retail in North America on 13th September. The package contains all six games as well as a soundtrack CD, video gallery, 120 in-game challenges, art gallery, online leaderboards and more. Want to learn more about these...

  • News Big John Games to Just JAM on NA WiiWare Next Month

    Jam out to these screen shots and trailer

    On 7th July, Big John Games is set to release a new WiiWare music program called Just JAM in North America for 800 Points. The press release, trailer and screen shots below show off the title's live, in-performance take on aural interactivity, with experience points, downloadable content and "millions...

  • News Wii RPG Outrage Floods Official Nintendo Facebook

    Users make their words heard

    Despite a few highlights on the horizon, we can all agree that Wii is in its final throes for hardcore gamers, but there are bright lights waiting to be translated: Pandora's Tower, The Last Story and Xenoblade Chronicles. Of those three however, only Xenoblade has a Western release confirmed, and even that is currently...

  • News Japanese Virtual Console List - July 2011

    Four more for the Wii

    The 3DS Virtual Console is only getting its titles revealed every week, but the Wii Virtual Console is still sticking with the tried and true method of revealing the entire next month's plans at the end of the previous month. There's not really any big surprises this time, though there is one small one in the form of G-mode...

  • News Xenoblade's North American Release Chances Take a Knock

    Final nail in the coffin?

    Xenoblade Chronicles is one of the most anticipated Wii games of 2011, but while Nintendo of Europe is bringing the game to that territory its American counterpart has been very quiet on that front. Now it seems Nintendo of America will not publish the game, according to French marketing manager Mathieu Minel. Minel...

  • News Mystery Case Files Investigates Europe on 9th September

    Get your magnifying glass and deerstalker

    European Wii owners, you're getting a dose of object finding in September. Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident is an exclusive Wii instalment in the popular hidden object series, and it's coming to Europe on 9th September. While the game launches in North America on 27th June, so Europeans have a bit...

  • News Actually, Square Enix is Not Considering Dragon Quest X for Wii U

    Lost in translation

    Remember when we said Square Enix was pondering Dragon Quest X for Wii and Wii U? Well it's not true, apparently. AndriaSang has clarified that the two threads of the story — Square Enix is still developing Dragon Quest X and doing technical work on Wii U — are not interwoven at all. The original blog that provided the...

  • News Kirby Gets His Own TV Channel in Europe Tomorrow

    Pink all over your TV

    The Nintendo Download for Europe dropped earlier, but there was no mention of an extra special feature awaiting tomorrow: a free download of Kirby cartoons. The Kirby TV Channel on Wii will offer over 50 episodes, though only four will be available for streaming at any one time. New episodes will become available on Monday and...

  • News Square Enix Pondering Dragon Quest X for Wii and Wii U

    Console's first dual release?

    The seemingly never-ending Dragon Quest X saga continues to roll on. Despite having been announced several years ago, Square Enix is yet to show off the tiniest fragment of its Wii RPG, though the company still promises it will see release on Nintendo's current white box. Could it also see the light of day on its next...

  • News Looks Like There's No Sale on Sonic Games This Week

    Hardly the birthday gift he wanted

    Thursday marks the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, but it looks like Virtual Console owners won't be able to grab a cheaper piece of gaming history. SEGA's announced that it will be reducing prices on the hedgehog's games on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network to celebrate his birthday, but there's no...

  • First Impressions Kirby Wii

    Kirby sucks once again

    Although Kirby's Epic Yarn was a wonderful experience, there were a lot of diehard Kirby fans who we're a bit put off by its radically-different visual style and gameplay scheme. Now Nintendo is sending Kirby back to his roots and bringing back not only the familiar visual stylings fans have grown to love over the years, but...

  • 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...

  • News Nintendo Nearly Dropped MotionPlus from Skyward Sword

    Tea table nearly toppled

    Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is one of a handful of Wii MotionPlus-exclusive games for Wii, but series leader Eiji Aonuma revealed in a recent interview that it nearly panned out very differently. Aonuma explained that after several years of development time with MotionPlus, he questioned whether the accessory was a good...

  • News 3D Screenshots for You to Enjoy on Your 3DS

    Monster Hunter and more in glorious 3D

    Now the 3DS Internet browser is available, complete with the ability to display 3D images, you're probably bored of looking at 3D photos of other people's pets. If you're ready to see something a bit more fearsome in 3D — say, a Lagiacrus — we have you covered. Thanks to the hard work of Eighteen, whose...

  • News Wii Sold an Estimated 236,000 Units Last Month in U.S.

    Were any of them purchased by yourself?

    The latest figures from market research firm NPD shows Wii sales in the United States last month were higher than expected, and conversely, 3DS sales have dropped compared to the previous month. Equity research company Wedbush Securities predicted that Nintendo would sell 225,000 Wii consoles in the month of...

  • News Gaijin Games Details New Content in BIT.TRIP COMPLETE

    The BEAT goes on

    How do you celebrate one of the best series WiiWare has to offer? Pack it all onto one disc and call it BIT.TRIP COMPLETE, that's how. Gaijin Games' genre-defying series is coming to Wii later this year, and the studio has revealed more about what players can expect from the new collection. As well as all six BIT.TRIP games —...

  • 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 Pikmin 3 Plucked from Wii to Find a Home on Wii U

    You must wait longer for Olimar

    Yesterday's developer roundtable gave some interesting nuggets of information, with Shigeru Miyamoto confirming that Pikmin 3 will now launch on the company's new Wii U console, skipping Wii all together. Miyamoto explained the console is just a "much better fit" for the series, and having seen the Wii U...

  • News Play Lists Pilotwings for Wii, Pre-Orders Open Now

    Swooping in on a jet stream of rumours

    You wait ages for one Pilotwings games, then Play.com goes and lists another one. Pilotwings Wii turned up in the online store's E3 section, alongside games that actually were announced at E3. Does Play know something we don't, or is it just guessing? We'll do our best to find out. Thanks to user JettiBlue for...

  • News Rhythm Heaven Trailer Makes Sweet Music

    It's coming

    Rhythm Heaven (a tentative title for now) is coming to Wii and it looks good. That's our summary of the trailer below, which shows more of the rhythm-based gaming you've come to expect from the original DS instalment. With the precision of button controls — no motion support here — and a line-up of robots, peas, forks and more, this...

  • News This Video of Kirby Wii Does Not Suck

    Not at all

    Last year's Kirby's Epic Yarn was good and all, but removing the pink puff ball's iconic sucking ability put some gamers off. The video for the new Kirby Wii (tentative title), then, will draw many more players in, featuring as it does a huge amount of sucking. We don't know much about the plot at the moment but we'd imagine something to...

  • News Wii has a Plan to Make Money with Fortune Street

    Consider Square Enix as your business partner

    Square Enix has announced that a board game for the Wii that was previously only available in Japan will be making its western debut by the end of the year. Developed by Square Enix, Fortune Street is a board game that features Nintendo and Dragon Quest characters. The concept isn't too far away from...

  • News New Trailer for Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Lies In Wait

    Link's inside

    Nintendo started its E3 2011 show with a thank you to Zelda fans for supporting the series for 25 years, and Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the company's Christmas gift to gamers this year. The brand new trailer shows off more of the game's MotionPlus-powered action, but you've probably already stopped reading and have clicked Play...

  • News Mario Party 9 Keeps the Good Times Rolling on Wii

    Time to roll the dice once more

    The logo for Mario Party 9 was glimpsed right at the end of Nintendo's E3 conference, with some expecting the game to see release on Wii U, but the game is coming to the current platform as these screenshots show. The usual array of new game boards and minigames feature, with levels based on New Super Mario Bros. Wii...

  • News Rhythm Heaven Wii Screenshots Go Tap Tap Tap Boom

    In our imaginations anyway

    It's still not got an official name or a release date in the West, but Rhythm Heaven does have some new screenshots to look at, so that's something. Nintendo posted a few new shots of the game — which is controlled entirely with buttons — and will have it in playable form at the show, so look out for Corbie's hands-on...

  • 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...

  • E3 2011 Nintendo News Conference Live Text

    Get all your news here

    Today's the day Nintendo unveils its new home console for the first time, and we'll be reporting on it all live right here. There's no need to refresh: the page will update automatically, so sit back and let us take you through the most exciting event of the gaming year. Following the press conference — also broadcast live...

  • E3 2011 Ubisoft Announces Rayman Origins for Wii

    The hairy hero returns

    It's been a long time since Rayman appeared in an original platformer — around 15 years, in fact — so it's very welcome news that he's coming back to Wii in Rayman Origins. The game will feature four-player co-operative play over 60 brand new side-scrolling stages, harking back to the floppy-haired hero's original...

  • News Thundering Typhoons, Details Regarding Tintin: The Game

    Ubisoft brings the adaptation to the Wii and 3DS

    If Tintin fans think the upcoming animated film is all they have to look forward to this year, think again. Along with with Steven Spielberg's motion picture adaptation of Hergé comic books featuring Belgium's favourite reporter, fans should also prepare themselves for The Adventures of Tintin: The...

  • News Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is Truly a Multi-Platform Game

    See the toys come to life

    One of Activision's key titles at E3 this year is Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure for it's a game that can be enjoyed across multiple formats, allowing gamers to carry on their progress no matter what system they are playing it on. Available on all three major home consoles, the 3DS, PC and mobile devices, Skylanders: Spyro's...

  • News Nikkei Corroborates Previous Wii 2 Controller Rumours

    Japanese newspaper chimes in

    On Tuesday, Nintendo will take to the stage as it delivers its presentation at this year's E3 expo, at long last revealing details on the Wii's successor. So naturally, there's just enough time for more rumours to be backed up by another source. Japanese newspaper Nikkei reports that the console could launch as early as...

  • News Winter Stars Brings More Winter Sports to Wii

    Deep Silver just chillin'

    The top competitor in the winter sports division on the Wii may well be the Mario and Sonic Olympic Games, but publisher Deep Silver has plans to represent itself in the winter games, so to speak, with its upcoming motion-controlled sports title. Winter Stars is scheduled for a Q4 release this year, and features 11 winter...

  • News Wii and 3DS Hunted Down by Jaws: Ultimate Predator

    We've got a boat and the size is perfect

    It's probably not surprising to see old franchises being resurrected on the 3DS, nor is it to see classic films getting the video game adaptation treatment, the latter of which is exactly what Majesco Entertainment has up its sleeve. The publisher has announced that a new game based on the 1975 Steven...

May2011

  • Review Dragon's Lair Trilogy (Wii)

    Is Dirk still daring after all these years?

    If you were a child of 80's or 90's, chances are you hold a Don Bluth cartoon close to your heart. Though Disney or Looney Tunes may be the first names you think of when it comes to classic hand-drawn animation, at least inside the United States, such beloved films as The Secret of NIMH, The Land Before...

  • Talking Point 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...

  • Review Thor: God of Thunder (Wii)

    Thundering quest or blundering pest?

    The Asgardian warrior Sif has fallen, and Thor, son of Odin, wields his mighty hammer Mjölnir with vengeance. His mischievous brother Loki seizes this opportunity and uses Thor's rage to engineer an attack on their home, resulting in the fall of the Nine Worlds. It's a story well suited to its mythological roots...

  • News How Retro Studios Achieved Backing from Nintendo

    Simple in theory, anything but in practice

    Nintendo has a brand image that's as solid as a rock, so what does it take for an independant studio to get backing from the company and the opportunity to develop games based on its IPs for its consoles? Retro Studios president Michael Kelbaugh highlights a few qualities needed to do just that. During a...

  • News TT Games: "Disney Universe Rips Us Off"

    LEGO boss not happy

    TT Games, which includes the studio Traveller's Tales, is best known for its LEGO games, which all started in 2006 with LEGO Star Wars and went on to sell countless millions worldwide. The series has undoubtedly influenced plenty of modern games too, but it seems TT Games design director Jon Burton believes the newly-unveiled...

  • News Disney Universe to Blend Worlds on Wii This Fall

    Will your favourite characters make the cut?

    Disney Interactive Studios has just announced their next release, Disney Universe, an action/adventure game headed to Wii as well as multiple other platforms this Fall. The fast-paced action/adventure title will feature over 40 classic and contemporary Disney and Pixar characters in costume form. One to...

  • News Check Out The First Hour of Pandora's Tower

    Enter the Tower

    While Nintendo may be gearing up for the big E3 reveal of its Wii successor, the company still has a few aces up its sleeve for its little-white-box-that-could. While the Wii hasn't housed the most robust selection of RPGs over the years, Nintendo has been playing some serious catch up with games like Mistwalker's The Last Story,...

  • News Wii Just Couldn't Handle Sonic Generations

    Not up to the task

    Sonic Generations is coming to 3DS, and there was much rejoicing, but Wii owners are still nursing the disappointment that theirs is the only current home console not set to receive the spiky speedster's 20th anniversary celebration game. In an interview in this month's Nintendo Power, Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka reveals why:...

  • News Xenoblade Chronicles' Alternative Cover has been Decided

    Is it the one you chose?

    It's a shame that companies don't decorate games with alternative sleeve covers more often as it's a great way to introduce more artwork and a level of customisation to gamers. It's a good thing that Nintendo and Monolith Soft are into that sort of thing. Nintendo of Europe recently supplied four pieces of artwork for gamers...

  • News We Found a Trailer for Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident

    It was beneath the bookcase

    Wii find 'em adventure Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident (formerly known as Mystery Case Files: Dust to Dust) is out in a month, but you can gear yourself up for the hidden object action with the game's opening video. The story centres on Malgrave Island, home to a "magically powerful dust", with two...

  • Review LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Wii)

    Pirates pillage the Wii

    LEGO video games are plentiful on the Wii, and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean has arrived to claim its share of the spoils. Is this franchise another treasure in the series, or an empty chest? Fans will no doubt be delighted to see all of the films, including the latest release, included in this title. Playing through all four...

  • News High Voltage Responds Badly to Scathing Conduit 2 Review

    Empty pram – toys everywhere

    Conduit 2 received some pretty unfavourable review scores, including a 5/10 in our own Conduit 2 review, but Joystiq was especially venomous, their reviewer T. Michael Murdock giving the game a 1/5 score. High Voltage's response will shock you. The studio has admitted it advised staff to write reader reviews of...

  • News Strap Yourself In for Exclusive E3 Content at Nintendo E3 Site

    Watch it all happen live

    We're just two weeks away from the cavalcade of announcements that is E3, and we here at Nintendo Life will be reporting on everything as it happens: the revelation of Nintendo's new console, new games and everything else that goes down. Nintendo will be helping out too, live streaming its press conference and making plenty...

  • News Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Sequel Unlikely to Hit the Wii

    Wasted opportunity or forward-thinking?

    With the impending arrival of Nintendo's next home console, could we expect to see a lower number of sequels turning up on the Wii and see them launching on the Wii's successor instead? Perhaps. What we do know is if there's one sequel that's going to get developed that won't see a release on the Wii, it's the...

  • News As Predicted, Wii Drops to £99 in UK Today

    Will low price = higher sales?

    From today, the Nintendo Wii will be available across the UK in two varieties: white with Mario Kart Wii and a Wii Wheel, or black with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. The console's price has changed too, dropping to around £129.99, but many retailers are taking the chance to sell the machine even more cheaply. As...

  • 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 Sail the Tides of Destiny with New Rune Factory in 2011

    Natsume makes waves

    Following the acclaimed Rune Factory: Frontier, Natsume is preparing to bring the second instalment in the Wii farming roleplayer to North America, announcing Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny. As well as the series' now-established combination of real-time battle, crop harvesting and animal husbandry, players will be able to take...

  • News Are We Nearing the End of Consoles? Nintendo Thinks Not

    Nintendo's director of PR thinks consoles are too unique to die off

    Fox News recently ran a story in which it suggests the traditional home console may soon be losing its place in our home as consumer demands evolve and smartphones provide deeper gaming experiences . Well, it starts off with a rather bold statement claiming that "the end is...

  • News Mario and Sonic 2012 Screens Blow Minds, Collapse Worlds

    Can a hedgehog ride a horse?

    Though many are still processing the raw emotions that comes with such an alliance, Mario and Sonic are friends now: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games and its summery counterpart Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games showed the plumber and hedgehog could put aside their differences for the sake of sporty...

  • Features Re-Examining Zelda: Twilight Princess

    Playing it safe, or changing the game?

    You can tell a lot about a game from its opening scene. In the first few minutes of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time we're shown a sweeping, first-person view of the Kokiri Forest, as Navi flies frantically to awake a hero-to-be. In Zelda: The Wind Waker we're shown, in a beautifully minimalist art style, an...

  • News Ubisoft Goes Out on a Limb to Bring Rayman Origins to Wii

    Old no-arms is back

    Last year at E3, Ubisoft announced a new 2D platformer starring the hair-helicopter himself, Rayman. Called Rayman Origins, the game was originally only supposed to see the light of day on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Store, but after a long period of silence it's been revealed the game is heading to retail — and Wii. After...

  • News Nintendo Wants You to Pick Xenoblade's Alternative Cover

    Inside-out art drawn up

    Reversible cover art is a great way to show your fans you appreciate their devotion: an extra bonus so secret 90% of people would never think to look for it, with RPG Xenoblade Chronicles set to receive the dual art treatment in Europe. Nintendo of Europe wants your help in picking the inside cover for the game, with a new...

  • News Iwata Asks About the Music of Xenoblade Chronicles

    Scoring an epic

    Nintendo is localising Xenoblade Chronicles for Europe at least, and players anticipating the game's score might want to read the latest Iwata Asks about the game. Producer Tetsuya Takahashi reveals the reasons behind asking renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda to write the final track, but it's veteran game musician Yoko Shimomura who...

  • News Pandora's Tower Trailer is Very Japanese in A Good Way

    Chains of love

    Wii adventure Pandora's Tower may be Japan-only for now, as neither Nintendo's American or European arms have revealed any plans to bring the game to the West. Whether or not the game stays in Japan, the trailer below is too good not to share. Key to Pandora's Tower is hero Ende's chains, which can be used to attack enemies, scale...

  • News Wii Play Motion Screens Show Spooks, Stones and Lots of Smiles

    Just a touch whimsical

    The MotionPlus-enhanced Wii Remote Plus has plenty of potential uses: as a sword in Red Steel 2 or Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, or any number of sporting implements in Wii Sports Resort, but it's about to get a real workout in Wii Play Motion. Nintendo has published the first screenshots, available below, that reveal a...

  • News A Dragon Quest Collection for Wii Draws Near!

    25 years young

    2011 is a busy year of anniversary celebrations: Sonic the Hedgehog reaches 20 and both Legend of Zelda and Metroid turn 25. While SEGA and Nintendo are sure to have some birthday plans in the works, Square Enix doesn't want you to forget about the 25th anniversary of Dragon Quest, as it's releasing a commemorative pack in its native...

  • News Wait, Did Majesco Just Announce the First Wii 2 Game?

    Strange goings-on afoot

    Update: PR firm Reverb Games has responded, clarifying that the second platform is already available. Project Café jets: powering down. Zumba Fitness currently sits atop the UK all-formats chart in the UK, out-selling every other game available, mostly thanks to its recent release on the Wii. The announcement that publisher...

  • News Wii Price Cut Could Bring About the £99 Wii

    Retailers optimistic

    After four years on the market, Nintendo Europe recently dropped the trade price on the Wii, which will allow retailers to offer the console at around £129.99. Naturally many chains are pleased at this new price reduction, with some looking to offer the machine even cheaper at just £99.99. MCV claims retailers may look to...

  • News Europe Gets New Wii Bundle and Budget Range Too

    Console price drop incoming

    The Wii is dropping to $149.99 in North America soon, but Europe's not being left out of the fun, as Nintendo of Europe has announced its own line-up of cheap Wii treats. From 20th May, the Wii will drop to £129.99 / €144.99 (approximately) with the launch of a new bundle that removes Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort...

  • News Nintendo Drops Wii to $149.99 and Launches Budget Games

    It's all coming true

    After some heavy speculation, Nintendo has officially announced Wii is dropping to $149.99 starting on 15th May. The pack-in title will change from Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort to Mario Kart Wii with a Wii Wheel, though the bundle still includes a Wii Remote Plus. Not only that, the Wii Select budget range we revealed...

  • Rumour Nintendo to Launch "Wii Select" Budget Range

    Coincides with console price drop

    Last month we reported that the Wii may drop to $150 this month, but according to the latest rumour it's not just the console dropping in price, as Nintendo is set to introduce a budget line of software along the lines of its past Player's Choice lines. According to Kotaku, this month will see a new range of $19.99...