Wii U News
November2014
News Details Uncovered of Upcoming Update for Zelda Spin-Off Hyrule Warriors
Caps off to you
The official Japanese website for Hyrule Warriors has revealed that an upcoming update for the game will feature more than just stability. The update is said to make the following changes: Increase level cap Increase maximum materials count New potions New medals amiibo functionality It's interesting to see Koei Tecmo's choices...
Don't forget your free Shiny Beldum in ORAS
If you're in North America this is a rather exciting day — delay the hype by seven days in Europe — as two monstrous first-party titles arrive alongside the amiibo range. If you're a fan of retail downloads chances are you're already playing these games, while a trip to stores or eagerly awaiting the...
News Peculiar Outfits and Details Revealed for Twilight Princess Hyrule Warriors DLC
Link to the Pants
The "Twilight Princess" DLC pack is just around the corner for Hyrule Warriors, and Famitsu has revealed the downright quirky content that'll be included. The headline — for us, anyway — is the emergence of a Link costume in which he's dressed like the Postman; it's quite a bizarre sight, and fans of Twilight Princess may also...
News Nintendo Secures Plenty of Nominations in The Game Awards 2014
Bayonetta 2 up for Game of the Year gong
Not long ago we reported that the Spike VGAs will be replaced this year by The Game Awards 2014 — though not boasting a particularly original name, these have a nomination group of 28 publications and an advisory board including Nintendo of America's Reggie Fils-Aime. Quite what that all means in reality is...
News Bill Trinen Confirms There'll Be More Series-Specific amiibo Sets in Future
Also outlines amiibo name meaning and Captain Falcon's awesomeness
It's not just Super Smash Bros. for Wii U that's arriving as a big-name release on Nintendo's home console on 21st November in North America, but also the first amiibo range. Designed and branded for Smash Bros. — though with confirmed functionality in some other games — they'll...
News Lucario amiibo Confirmed as a Toys "R" Us Exclusive in US
Who'll give Rosalina & Luma a home?
After the Amazon amiibo listings in the US pointed to some figures in 'wave 3' — due in February 2015 — being retailer exclusives in the country, details have slowly emerged of where they'll end up. Shulk will pitch up at GameStop and Meta Knight will swoop into Best Buy; now another figure has found a home...
News Mewtwo Club Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Distribution Details Confirm Paid DLC Plan
Free if you buy both games, otherwise prepare to pay
It's been common knowledge for some time that those who purchase Super Smash Bros. for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and register them on Club Nintendo will be eligible to receive a two-disc soundtrack as a special treat. It was also announced that free Mewtwo DLC will come in Spring 2015, a
Video How Does Watch Dogs Use The Wii U GamePad?
Every dog has its day
When Ubisoft said that the Wii U version of open-world action title Watch Dogs was being delayed, it insisted that the additional time would be used to make sure the potential of the Wii U GamePad was fully realised. Fast forward a few months and the game is finally here — but
News Toys "R" Us Buy One Get One 40% Off Deal Includes All Wii U and 3DS Games
Handy as Smash Bros. for Wii U and Pokémon ORAS are eligible...
21st November is a bumper day for Nintendo fans in North America, with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U joining amiibo on the home console and Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arriving on 3DS / 2DS. As far as double releases go, that's an exciting day of gaming. US gamers that...
News Sakurai Explains Why Ridley Is Not A Playable Fighter In Super Smash Bros.
Wanted to provide an accurate portrayal of the space pirate
The recent reveal of Ridley in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-fact extravaganza had Smash fans fooled for a brief moment thinking the well-known archenemy of Samus Aran was a playable character. As we now know though, this is not the case. In a re
News Masahiro Sakurai Explains Why Mewtwo Isn't Paid DLC in Smash Bros.
Mewtwo intended as an "experiment", no paid DLC in development
With only a few days left until the release of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, series creator Masahiro Sakurai has sought to clarify, in an interview with IGN, his reasoning for not including Mewtwo as payable downloadable content for the upcoming title. Mewtwo, whose last series...
Review Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U)
The gloves are off
There is a laundry list of things to love about Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, one of two prongs that make up the fourth generation of Smash Bros. games, and top of the list is the game’s confidence that allows it to cater to anyone who might be interested in its brand of mascot mayhem. This new Smash Bros. is perfect for those...
News Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Thrown off its Perch by Call of Duty, Wii U Sales Spike Upwards
Captain Toad makes a stand in Japan
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has finally been knocked from first place in the Japanese charts in the wake of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Sony must be fairly pleased with their success this week, but we wouldn't be at all surprised to see Monster Hunter right back up at the top next week once the hype has died...
News Mario Kart 8 Update Planned to Resolve MKTV YouTube Upload Error
The dreaded error code 104-1852
Mario Kart 8 has proven to be a major success for the Wii U in 2014, being critically acclaimed and — more importantly — performing well at retail. A feature it introduced as new to the franchise, of course, was Mario Kart TV, in which you can save, edit and view stylish replays of races. Another option is to...
Video Nintendo of Japan Provides an Exhaustive and Gorgeous Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Overview
Hype mode engaged
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is now right around the corner in North America — with Europe and Japan not too far behind — and the anticipation is at its peak. Thanks to Nintendo's efforts we already know most details around the game, so it's now simply a case of getting into some delicious 1080p / 60 FPS brawling. Nintendo's...
Video Watch Us Merrily Cause Some Havoc In Watch Dogs On Wii U
Diamond Dogs
Yesterday, we posted footage from the Wii U version of Watch Dogs, essentially to prove that it actually, you know, exists. Today, we're back with another — rather more chaotic — helping of in-game footage which shows us driving (badly), hacking (badly), trying to run down pedestrians (badly) and trying to shoot someone (we didn't...
News Sony: PS Vita Is Better Than 3DS And The Wii Brand Is A "Shadow Of Its Former Self"
Fergal Gara and Shawn Layden are entitled to their opinions, of course
Christmas is looming on the snow-covered horizon like a massive overstuffed turkey, but instead of exchanging gifts the big players in the video game hardware arena are talking trash about one another. At one end of the "Burn" scale there's Nintendo of America's Reggie Fils-Aime,...
Video This Is What Watch Dogs Looks Like On Wii U
And you thought it would never happen
As much as we'd like to go over the sorry history of the Wii U version of Watch Dogs, we'll resist the urge. All that needs to be said is that the game finally launches on Nintendo's console this week — an event many believed would never happen — and we've captured some footage to prove that it actually...
Feature The Wii U is Two Years Old, But How's it Doing?
We feel it's a C minus, overall, on its anniversary
Two years ago today — on 18th November 2012 — the Wii U was launched in North America. It was the first of this current generation of hardware to arrive in stores and generated a decent amount of hype, followed up by subsequent releases in Europe (30th November) and Japan (8th December). After...
News The Nintendo Wii U Is Better Value For Money Than Xbox One Or PS4, Says Reggie
"$299, includes two games; it's a compelling proposition for consumers"
Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has told The Wall Street Journal that the Wii U represents better value for money than both the PS4 and Xbox One. Reggie's bullish comments come as the Wii U enters what is perhaps its most crucial Holiday season yet. Sony and...
Video Nintendo Releases Two Snappy amiibo TV Commercials
Just tap 'em on the GamePad
It's hard to believe, but the first amiibo range — along with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U arrive this week in North America, on 21st November. The figure range is clearly a priority for Nintendo, with 29 confirmed toys already and details slowly emerging of how they'll work in a variety of games. With release so close...
News Twili Midna Joins The Battle In Upcoming Hyrule Warriors DLC Pack
Twilight Princess fans, rejoice
Nintendo’s Eiji Aonuma has today revealed new information via The Legend of Zelda Miiverse community about the upcoming Twilight Princess DLC, coming soon to Hyrule Warriors. The second pack from Koei Tecmo will include Midna's true form, Twili Midna, as a playable character according Aonuma's latest post: This...
News Captain Toad Producer Says Nintendo Never Fully Considered Gender with Toads
This sort of thing is best left to the Internet, obviously
The physiology of Toads is not well established, nor was it likely ever meant to be. But when you take the faithful Mushroom Retainers and start throwing in ones with names like "Toadette" that look decidedly more feminine than the original model, we as human beings begin to ask questions...
News Andy Murray Drops Mario Kart For Sudden Djokovic Tennis Match
Green shell firing should've come in handy…
After being defeated by Roger Federer in this week's ATP World Tour Finals in the group stage, UK tennis player and Grand Slam winner Andy Murray had decided to hang up the racket and pick up the pad for a day — Sunday to be exact. However, his R&R came to a screeching halt, as he received a call...
Video Nintendo Releases 60 FPS Trailers for Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 DLC
Have a EMP Indie event video as a bonus
Earlier this year YouTube announced that it'd update its service to finally support 60 frames per second (FPS) videos, which means that footage can be silky smooth and delicious for our eyeballs; that update went live at the end of October. The standard performance is 30 FPS, and if you're unsure of how...
News Nintendo Is Bringing Holiday Magic To Shopping Malls Up And Down The United States
A chance to play the latest Wii U and 3DS games
Nintendo has announced that it is bringing its range of Wii U and 3DS titles to shopping centres all over the United States. From November 24th to December 21st, 16 different venues will benefit from hands-on play time with some of the company's most popular titles, including the forthcoming Super...
News Resolution Doesn't Matter With 2D Games, Says Hyper Light Drifter Developer
"I don’t think anybody actually cares about this with 2D games"
Wii U owners might not be quite so concerned with the subject of what resolution their games are running in, but for Xbox One and PS4 fans it's an ongoing concern. With certain cross-platform titles running at a higher resolution on one machine than the other, the topic is constantly...
Video Nintendo Minute Unboxes Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and amiibo
Look away collectors, boxes get ripped
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is now less than a week away from release in North America, which is a sentence sure to delight many and slightly irritate those in PAL regions and Japan that need to wait a little longer. With release so close there are no doubt plenty of Wii U owners getting ready to receive their...
Feature Our Predictions For The Animal Crossing x Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2
Vehicles and tracks up for grabs
Earlier this week, ahead of the launch of the first Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack, we let our imaginations — and hopes — run free in creating more DLC packs that we want to see. It was certainly fun for us, though a common complaint was that they weren't realistic. Forgetting the fact that predicting Zelda DLC a year ago...
News Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Evolved From a Zelda Concept
"We like to think that Mr. Miyamoto finally realized the vision"
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker may be a Wii U title that'll sit in a few North American stockings this Holiday — it arrives on 2nd January in Europe — with a combination of a reduced retail price and a charming aesthetic. It takes cute to a new level, while its brand of challenging...
News Loot Crate amiibo Details and Pricing are Confirmed
Costs as much as a 3DS
Earlier this week it was announced that there would be a Loot Crate amiibo subscription package — it's a service where you pay monthly in return for regular deliveries of goodies. This is a Nintendo of America partnership, and details have now been confirmed for the amiibo subscription deal; it's limited to the US only,...
Video Watch The Mario Kart 8 × Zelda DLC Running In Silky-Smooth 1080p 60fps
A Link To The Fast
The excellent first piece of paid-for DLC was released for Mario Kart 8 on Thursday, and it truly is a wonderful download, worthy of your hard earned money. We've waved lyrical about how great it is, but if for some reason you aren't yet convinced, allow us to push you off the fence with this video of Link, Tanooki Mario &...
Poll Who'll Be Your Main amiibo Buddy?
For Smash Bros. training, more games and picnics
Nothing says it's Friday like some nice, relaxing polls, so we thought we'd take one of the big topics of the week — amiibo — and gauge how you'll be enjoying — or not as the case may be — the upcoming range of toys. It's all very well looking at the attention Nintendo's directing towards the...
News Amazon amiibo Pre-Orders Hint at More Retailer-Exclusive Figures
Meta Knight, Lucario and Rosalina & Luma missing
Just recently Nintendo announced its third wave of amiibo figures — and fourth if you account for the split release dates — which will add 11 toys to the range. It also emerged that some will be exclusive to specific retailers in North America, with the first example emerging as Shulk being...
Hands On Wii U GameCube Controller Adapter
Party like it’s 2001
The GameCube controller has become the community gold-standard for playing Super Smash Bros. So much so that Nintendo has wheeled out an adapter to make the controller released in 2001 compatible with its home console released in 2012. All for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The adapter is about as thick as two retail game cases...
Video Let's Play Mario Kart 8 With Lydia Part Two: Shell Cup 150cc Challenge
150cc or bust
Not so long ago I tested my skills at Mario Kart 8's 150cc Mushroom Cup, and as promised, I'm back to take on the Shell Cup. Have my skills improved in the time that has passed since I gunned for Mushroom Cup glory? Have I mastered my racing lines and become more adept at blasting back-markers with red shells? You'll have to watch to...
Video Relax With This Collection of Mario Kart 8 DLC Videos
Music! Comparisons! More Music!
It's Friday, which means the youthful among you may be planning a weekend full of fun and frolics, while those of us that are a tad older may be planning to sleep and catch up on our reading time — with pipe and slippers to hand, of course. Whatever the case for you, it can be nice to just relax and bask in the glow...
News Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Claims Second in NPD Charts
Bayonetta 2 fails to chart, Wii U sales still tracking above 2013
October sales perhaps reflect the calm before the Holiday storm, as shoppers save money ahead of the madness to come in late November. That seems to have been reflected in the most recent NPD results, which cover physical retail sales in the US. It was a poor month for software...
Play Get Racing In Our Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Life DLC GP
All new tracks, all the time
Today has brought us the first Mario Kart 8 DLC pack, which is no doubt being eagerly played around the world already. With tracks, characters and vehicles incorporating F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda and Excitebike alongside other fun new tracks, it delivers a terrific expansion to the racer. Naturally plenty will be...
News GameStop to Host Preview Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Events on 14th November
3 hours of Smash
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is a little over a week away in North America — spare a thought for those of us that are waiting longer in PAL regions and Japan — and a number of Wii U owners are no doubt awaiting their pre-orders or even pre-downloads. Nintendo's stepping up marketing, particularly in North America, through...
News Kirby And The Rainbow Curse For Wii U Releases In North America On 13th February
European release still scheduled for the second half of 2015
Last week’s Nintendo Direct revealed Kirby and the Rainbow Curse would launch in North America in February, whilst fans of the pink puff in Europe and surrounding PAL territories would have to wait until the second half of 2015. Now, according to the official
Famous faces rolled out to hype Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
If modern consumerism has taught us anything it's that there's no better way of selling something that getting someone famous to have their photo taken whilst holding said product, or at least standing next to it. Nintendo is clearly aware of this golden rule and has turned to celebrities...
Mellow yellow
Japanese peripheral manufacturer Hori is releasing some pretty cool GameCube controllers to coincide with the launch of Super Smash Bros. Wii U, and it has added another one to the mix which is sure to appeal to seasoned Pokémon fans. The bright yellow Pikachu pad plugs into the Wii Remote and comes with a three-speed turbo function...
Video Mercedes Releases Two New Real-Life Mario Kart 8 Commercials
We’ll also file this one under the ‘weirdness’ tag
Whether you like it or not, the free Mercedes DLC for Mario Kart 8 is here to stay. Whilst the initial announcement raised much discussion – and concern – about licensed content within Nintendo’s video game franchises, Mercedes-Benz has since cunningly naturalised the concept with the...
News Mario Kart 8 Software Update and DLC Available Now
Rev up the Master Cycle
While there are some blockbuster titles arriving in stores this week, we suspect we're not alone in looking forward to one thing above all else — Mario Kart 8 DLC. The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 includes eight tracks, three characters and four vehicles, and we think it's an absolute treat. The good news is that it's...
News Sonic Boom Exploit Allows Players to Skip Large Sections of the Game
Current record for completion already under an hour
As we reported a couple of days ago, a number of game-breaking bugs have been discovered in Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for Wii U. The plot thickens today with the discovery of an exploit which allows Knuckles to jump infinitely when the game is paused between hops, as shown below in this video by...
News Splatoon's Japanese Twitter Account Inks Out a Few Details
Grab your Hero Suit and Charge Gun
While the world waits for what is guaranteed to be the greatest shooter featuring squidomorphic creatures to date, the official Japanese Twitter account for Splatoon has been happily dispensing screenshots and information from the upcoming title. Someone has been gracious enough to translate many of these tweets,...
News Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Pre-Purchase and Pre-Load Now Available on the eShop
17.2GB in space required, will allow immediate launch day play
Not long ago Nintendo announced that it was introducing a pre-download service to the Wii U eShop that'll kick off with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U; it'll eventually be utilised more and on 3DS in 2015. The exciting news is that details have been confirmed, meaning that fans of...
Video Nintendo's Wii U Holiday Commercial Keeps It In The Family
Racing off with Mario Kart 8
In 2013 Nintendo of America's main Wii U Holiday commercials revolved around 'The Pitch', as kids tried to convince their parents that a Wii U was the way forward for family entertainment. The first 2014 Wii U Holiday commercial in the region also, unsurprisingly, opts for families as its pitch, albeit with a different...
Feature These Are The Mario Kart 8 DLC Packs We Want To See
This is just the beginning
At the time of writing the first DLC pack for Mario Kart 8 — The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 — is just hours away. It won't stop there, either, as next May will bring a second pack to the successful Wii U racer. Yet as we eagerly anticipate blasting around Mute City while playing as Link on the Master Cycle —...
News Free Sonic Boom 3DS Theme Now Available For Download In North America
Speed demon
There's still no sign of our review copies of Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal, but we can at least take some solace in the fact that there's a free 3DS theme available for download right now. We've confirmed that the theme is on offer in North America and Canada, but it's not currently available on either the...
Wii U awaits new releases, still
It's Media Create charts time for Japan, once again, and this week brings more steady reassurance for Nintendo in the portable space, if not necessarily for Wii U. This is also a relatively quiet spell ahead of the Holiday season in Japan, so familiar names continue to make their presence felt. At the top, still, is...
News Reggie Fils-Aime Says Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Pre-Orders Are At Record Levels
Talks up Holiday prospects and tackles smartphone questions
We're now very close to the peak shopping season for 2014, and Nintendo will be throwing out major releases in a bid to secure major sales success for both Wii U and 3DS. For the Wii U much rides on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and the amiibo range, while on 3DS the main focus will be...
Micro Machines-style racer is hitting consoles first this time around
Former Psygnosis staffer and Wipeout developer Nick Burcombe plies his trade at Playrise Digital these days, and has overseen the release of the successful Table Top Racing on smartphones and tablets. He and his studio are now hard at work on the sequel — Table Top Racing: World...
News Rodea the Sky Soldier Now Flying Into a Spring 2015 Release in Japan, for Wii U and 3DS
Wii version dropped, unsurprisingly
Rodea the Sky Soldier has had a troubled history. When originally announced for Wii and 3DS this flying action title certainly caught the eye, with the development team at Prope being led by the highly regarded Yuji Naka, one of the creators of Sonic the Hedgehog. It then seemed to enter the publishing void,...
News Shulk amiibo Listed as GameStop Exclusive in the US
Hopefully won't sell for $90 used
Nintendo today revealed 11 new amiibo figures heading to stores in early 2015; in Europe six are listed for 23rd January and another five for 20th February, while in North America they've simply been given a 'February' window so far. In the latter region it's been suggested that some of these newer figures would be...
Talking Point The amiibo Range Grows, Yet Key Questions Remain
Its ambition is both a strength and a curse
Back in August we outlined amiibo pros and cons, mainly within the context that Nintendo had revealed little about the figures over the course of the summer months. Many questions have since been answered in terms of how the figures will be used in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, in addition to their minor...
A Wii U + 4 first-party games for $359.97, 15% off eShop cards
With each passing year the build up and buzz around Black Friday — the crazy shopping day to trump all others — increases; as a result stores are more keen than ever to outline and preview what they'll have on offer. Even though the official day is 28th November, we're already...
News Nintendo Outlines Confusing amiibo Save Data Limitations
Not as simple as with Skylanders
It seems to be amiibo day, with a Wii U system update adding a settings menu for the figures and a range of 11 more toys confirmed for 2015; those are positives, though details on how to use the figures on the official website in Japan indicate some limitations to the figures. Though it's been comm
News Wii U System Update 5.3.0 Adds amiibo Settings
Register figures and manage their data
The Wii U has had its fair share of updates recently, and another has been rolled out to add support for the upcoming range of amiibo figures. System version 5.3.0 (add a U or E depending on your region) has added new menus for managing amiibo data while also, no doubt, done plenty of firmware work behind the...
News Nintendo Reveals 11 amiibo Super Smash Bros. Figures Hitting in Early 2015
Bowser! Shulk! Mega Man! More!
Update 2: Nintendo of Europe has now tweeted release dates for the figures in the region. [tweet Update 1: Nintendo of America has now confirmed the range of 11 new figures for February 2015 in the region, along with an overview video that you can watch below. [ Original Article: In the not-too-distant future...
Video Nintendo Unleashes a Super Smash Bros. for Wii U TV Commercial
Eight player action in the world's biggest living room
We like the idea of eight player Super Smash Bros. for Wii U action, we really do. Yet one thing is certain for those of us that are living within modest means; it's going to get a bit crowded around the TV when we have seven buddies — add joke about the writer not having that many friends...
News Target and Best Buy Nintendo Deals Live Now, Kohl's Black Friday 3DS XL Bundle at $149.99
Buy two with a third game free, or 3DS titles at half price
Last week we shared some Black Friday deals on 2DS and 3DS hardware, the first of what'll be many discounts and deals on offer when the year's biggest shopping day arrives on 28th November in North America — and elsewhere in the world, we suspect. That's still to come, though some...
News Nintendo Teams Up With Loot Crate To Deliver amiibo Subscription Service
Donkey Kong will be knocking at your door soon
Popular online service Loot Crate has been delivering monthly boxes of geeky goodies for quite some time now, mailing a differently themed package straight to front doors on a subscription basis. While these collectibles are often gaming-related as is, Nintendo's recent partnership with the site aims to...
Video Early Sonic Boom: Rise Of Lyric Footage Hints At Game-Breaking Bugs
Wii U title is out this week, looks a bit rough around the edges
Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric hits North American stores this week after the release date was brought forward slightly, yet here at Nintendo Life we're still waiting patiently for our review copy to arrive. This could have something to do with the reaction Sega is expecting the Wii U...
Video Check Out All 51 Final Smashes Featured In Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
Is anything still sacred?
The release of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS in October has been a good indication of what to expect from the home console counterpart when it is finally released this November. Adding to this previously acquired knowledge was the recent Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-fact extravaganza. Now, it appears there really is nothing...
News 10-Year-Old Gamer Thrashes the Competition at Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Event
It could be clever marketing, mind you
Update: As the tagline and latter half of this post suggested, there's always a possibility that footage and events like these are 'staged' for publicity. Now we've been directed by a few to a Reddit thread that highlights an apparent GameStop casting call looking for actors with "some skill" in Smash Bros. to...
Preview Power Sliding Around The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 DLC
The great just got even greater!
Recently we were invited to Nintendo's UK headquarters to have a go at The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 DLC that's arriving on 13th November, and naturally we just had to tell you what we thought of it. This is the first time a Mario Kart game has had DLC, so Nintendo has to make an impact to convince buyers to...
Gallery Duck Hunt's Super Smash Bros. Screens Are Barking Mad
Not too ruff
It's the end of a busy week in the world of Nintendo, with the main event being a Direct broadcast on 5th November, which contained some tasty reveals. The least surprising of these reveals related to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, as the big N finally brought us the announcement video for Duck Hunt (known as D
News "The Sky Is The Limit" For amiibo, As Nintendo Considers Future Third-Party And Indie Support
"Working towards opportunities" for 2015
While the attention of many following Nintendo's fortunes over the Holiday season may be on sales of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire on 3DS, Nintendo itself could be forgiven for watching the performance of amiibo more closely. Sales success for the two biggest hitting...
Talking Point The Majora's Mask 3D Reveal Showed Nintendo Can Still Surprise and Delight
It was a S.T.E.A.M.Y Direct
This week Nintendo produced a rather traditional Direct broadcast — there was no animation, relatively little flashy presentation beyond trailers, and a diverse range of announcements. It was back to type and rather like those that we'd seen throughout 2013; that's not a criticism, as Nintendo has diversified its...
News Pikmin Art Academy Contest Announced on Miiverse
Styluses at the ready
Following the release of the PIKMIN Short Movies on the Wii U and 3DS eShop, legendary series creator Shigeru Miyamoto has announced via Miiverse that a special PIKMIN themed Art Academy contest will be taking place throughout the month of November. The title of the contest is "Pikmin Spotted!", and owners of Art Academy:...
Gallery Project CARS Screens Focus on Realistic Karting
Not a blue shell in sight
Project CARS has had a rather protracted development to date, with the realistic driving sim picking up Bandai Namco as publisher but also getting pushed back to allow for further development. Most versions are now due in March 2015, while the Wii U iteration will arrive later next year. While it's pleasing that the Wii U...
News Masahiro Sakurai Shows Some Wuhu Island Madness Coming to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Gawk at yesterday's Yoshi's Woolly World stage, too
With its release now just a short while away, we've seen almost all there is to see of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, aside from the inevitable surprises. Masahiro Sakurai is, nevertheless, taking the opportunity to reveal some new stages in his Miiverse posts, and this one looks particularly fun...
Video Enjoy a Turbo Boost With This Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 1 Overview
Race on a giant dragon, just because
It's now just a week before the first batch of DLC for Mario Kart 8 arrives; while it may seem slightly peculiar to be hyped for paid DLC, we suspect a good number of Nintendo fans are eagerly awaiting this pack's arrival. For a thoroughly reasonable price there'll be a decent amount of content, and the fact that...
Preview The Irresistible Charm of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Cuteness overload
When summarising Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, we feel that our editorial director Damien McFerran may have nailed it: "look at it, pure gaming joy on a screen". Few game companies portray 'cute' as successfully as Nintendo — relatively few even bother to try — and this is the epitome of that approach. It takes the...
Parent Trap Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Is Shaping Up To Be Another Family-Friendly Classic
Family Gamer TV checks out Toad's latest adventure
If you’ve played through Super Mario 3D World you’ll already know the intricate puzzle treat of the Captain Toad levels. Looking initially simple, these fixed isometric worlds presented a substantial and layered challenge to those wanting to find every last coin. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker...
Review Skylanders Trap Team (Wii U)
Knaves in Toyland
As the original ’toys-to-life’ video game concept — inspiring both Disney’s Infinity and Nintendo’s upcoming amiibo line — Skylanders has an impressive legacy to live up to. The series’ first release, Spyro’s Adventure, took the world and characters from the classic Spyro the Dragon games and crafted an enjoyable...
News Nintendo Aiming To Create A Stronger Bond With Consumers Via Mii Smartphone Application
"It is rather embarrassing that we are so behind on this compatibility"
Nintendo has made no secret of the fact that it is looking into producing smartphone and tablet applications to support its core business, and during the recently-translated Corporate Management Policy Briefing Q&A, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata spoke about the company's...
Feature The Big Nintendo Direct Summary - 5th November 2014
There were fireworks
There haven't been many full-on "old-fashioned" Nintendo Direct broadcasts in 2014, as the company has focused on game-specific presentations and an alternative Digital Event approach at E3. While variety is welcome, there was something reassuring about a live video featuring Satoru Iwata in front of a white backdrop; the...
"I’d much rather be where Nintendo is, with a differentiated platform"
Third-party support has been one of Nintendo's biggest issues since the launch of the Wii U. The console has struggled to attract external developers and publishers in the same way that Sony and Microsoft's systems have, and there are many games which could have made their way...
News Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Now Launching In Europe On 2nd January 2015
70 stages also showcased
The latest Nintendo Direct has revealed that Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker will now launch across Europe on 2nd January 2015. The release date previously listed for this region was the 9th, so this will no doubt come as welcome news for Wii U owners located in PAL regions who were eager to get stuck into what appears to be...
News Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 1 Hits on 13th November, Content and amiibo Details Confirmed
Rev it up
Among the many announcements during today's Nintendo Direct broadcast were some exciting details about a long-established Wii U game. Nintendo finally provided full release details on the first DLC pack for Mario Kart 8, while also confirming the compatible amiibo figuries for the racer. To kick off with the DLC, it arrives on 13th...
News Kirby and the Rainbow Curse has Multi-Waddle-Deedi-Player
Amiibo support also confirmed
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse has a moldorable clay style that will attract a lot of players, but not all of them may be into the line-drawing strategies of its single-player mode. Luckily for those who desire more of a straight up platformer feel, a multiplayer mode has been announced in today's Nintendo Direct. Up to...
News Every Smash Bros. amiibo Will Be Compatible With Hyrule Warriors
Your dollar will feel more worthwhile…
The folks at Nintendo have revealed some very interesting information in the latest Nintendo Direct, in that every Super Smash Bros. amiibo figure is able to be used with Zelda spin-off title, Hyrule Warriors. Starting off with the game's protagonist, activating the Link amiibo will unlock the Spinner item...
News Single Player Campaign for Splatoon Detailed, Q2 2015 Release Planned
Fight an Octopus army
During today's Nintendo Direct broadcast more details were given about Nintendo's upcoming squid shooter Splatoon. While the core of the game is the 4x4 online multiplayer shooter — revealed at E3 — in which two teams compete to cover the most ground with ink, it has been confirmed that the game also features an offline...
Nintendo Direct Watch The North American November Nintendo Direct - Live!
The hype train's making another stop
It's time for Nintendo's latest Direct, which is set to cover a range of upcoming Wii U and 3DS games. There's a lot that could be covered, ranging from Holiday releases, DLC, early 2015 games or even all-new surprises. Join us to follow all the action from the North American broadcast. [...
Nintendo Direct Watch The European November Nintendo Direct - Live!
Details on upcoming releases promised
This has been described as a "good old fashioned Nintendo Direct" by the company's European subsidiary, so that should mean a broad variety of Wii U and 3DS games and details. Join us for the Nintendo of Europe broadcast right here. [...
Video What Is Contained Within The Lush Euro-Only Bayonetta 2 First Print Edition?
Find out with your trusty guide, Lydia
Bayonetta 2's gorgeous First Print Edition is pretty special, but don't just take our word for it — cast your eyes over the unboxing video below to see the proof for yourself! This chunky pack — exclusive to Europe — contains not only the Wii U exclusive sequel, but its critically acclaimed forerunner as...
Video Developer Diaries Take Us Behind The Bricks Of LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
''We want to make this game a Lego revolution''
As the release of Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham swoops ever closer, the sheer scale of the game continues to impress. In a pair of developer diaries released today, Traveler's Tales has provided a few new morsels of information, and even more footage to build up the hype. The first focuses primarily on...
Feature What We Want to See in the November Nintendo Direct
Smash Wii U demo! MK8 DLC! Surprises! Other things!
It wasn't so long ago we had a Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Direct that unveiled over 50 "Must-See Things", so it was a pleasant surprise when Nintendo confirmed a wider-reaching, "good old fashioned Nintendo Direct" for today, 5th November; it kicks off at 2pm Pacific / 5pm Eastern / 10pm UK / 11pm...
News Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Sells 2 Million Physical Copies, New 3DS Sales Begin to Slow
A fairly uneventful week otherwise
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has managed to reach over 2 million physical sales in Japan, and continues to dominate the competition. Keeping things healthy for the 3DS, Yokai Watch 2 comes in at second just ahead of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS by less than a hundred copies. The popularity of Yokai Watch 2 is...
News Masahiro Sakurai Shows Off Varied Events in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Past Your Bedtime can be the last you try at night
With Super Smash Bros. for Wii U creeping ever closer, Masahiro Sakurai is still using his Miiverse Pic of the Day posts to show off the game and reveals some new details. Not every entry is particularly thrilling or full of information, but today's post does show us two challenges that'll be found...
News Expect To See More Spin-Off Titles Like Hyrule Warriors In 2015, Says Miyamoto
"I feel that next year's Wii U titles are plentiful"
The Wii U is home to some amazing games, but we've had to wait quite a while to get them. Nintendo has taken longer than expected to become accustomed to the demands of HD development, and this has resulted in some titles taking longer than expected to reach store shelves. However, according to...
News Online Retailers Offer Huge Discounts on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Hardware Bundles in the UK
Crazy prices on 8GB systems
We're heading into the most competitive and important sales season of the year, and as a result Nintendo and its rivals will be going all out to convince consumers to splash the cash on their systems and games. Retailers, for their part, will be trying to rapidly clear out old stock and coax gamers to their stores to buy...
Video Watch 10 Minutes Of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker For Wii U In This Japanese Commercial
More commericals inside
Following news of a delayed European release, and the inclusion of Toadette, there have been few developments leading into the release of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker for Wii U. So, to make the wait slightly less painful, Nintendo has updated its Japanese
News Mario Kart 8 Software Update Will Unlock amiibo Functionality With Themed Mii Racing Suits
Speed meets style
In a recent update to the official Mario Kart 8 site — that seems to have been spotted early be eager fans — Nintendo has revealed some of the first details in relation to the game's long-awaited amiibo functionality, and announced that the relevant software update will be available from November 13th. According to the amiibo...
News SEGA Outlines Impressive Plans For Sonic Boom Merchandise
Don't be blue, there's plenty coming
Sonic the Hedgehog is set to race exclusively onto Nintendo consoles this month with a pair of simultaneous new entries in the series. In an effort to re-invigorate Sega's beloved mascot once again, the company is launching an all-out marketing campaign that's hoping to reach a broad demographic of fans old and...
Feature Does Super Smash Bros. Wii U's Smash Tour Live Up To Expectations?
Mario & chums party hard
Whilst at Nintendo UK’s headquarters, we were lucky enough to get a go on the brand new mode exclusive to the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros.: Smash Tour. Going in we didn't really know too much about the mode beyond that it was a Mario Party-esque affair with a Smash Bros. flavour. After a short debriefing we managed...
News New Nintendo Direct Airing 5th November
Remember, remember
Nintendo has announced a new Nintendo Direct video that will stream tomorrow – 5th November – coinciding with Guy Fawke's Night here in the UK. The gaming giant did not divulge any particular information about what we can expect to see in this latest live stream, except that it will focus on the games that are coming out...
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