Wii U Features
Feature All the Important Details From the Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct Broadcasts
A perfect boost
Nintendo has pulled another Nintendo Direct rabbit out of the hat with its Mario Kart 8 videos, which were released straight onto YouTube. There were subtle regional differences, including the range of titles available in the undoubtedly attractive free Wii U game Club Nintendo promotion, while the North American broadcast had a few...
Talking Point Nintendo Must Take Careful Steps Into Paid DLC and Free-to-Play
The balance seems reasonable, so far
As more first-party games arrive on the Wii U and 3DS, we may need to stop thinking of paid DLC and free-to-play models as exotic rarities on Nintendo systems. To an extent they still are, in that there's a degree of surprise whenever either emerges in a Nintendo title, but it's quickly becoming the norm, with...
Talking Point Amazon Fire TV is an Early Warning for Console Heavyweights
Unlikely to kill consoles, but its successors may try
When the Ouya was successfully crowdfunded, its executives talked it up as a revolution in living room gaming, promising a wonderland of fun experiences available for free or costing less than a cup of coffee; the world would move on from pricier game consoles flogging retail priced games. Like...
Feature Time For a Super Smash Bros. New Challenger Screenshot Blowout
Pick a favourite between Zero Suit Samus, Sheik, Yoshi, Charizard, Greninja
It's been a crazy week for Nintendo fans, with an impressive Super Smash Bros. Direct revealing plenty of details on the upcoming 3DS and Wii U releases being followed by an unexpected and utterly bonkers Tomodachi Life Nintendo Direct. They were particularly exciting...
Feature The Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Direct Round-Up
Details galore
The latest Nintendo Direct, admittedly, would have done nothing for those not enamoured with Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series. We suspect, however, that many with a love for Nintendo have at least a passing fondness for the series, albeit we're not all pros that specialise in unpicking the intricacies of move sets and physics. The...
Talking Point The Timing of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Direct Raises Expectations
A release date must be on the agenda
During 2013 Nintendo delivered 16 Nintendo Direct broadcasts — that's the count from the official Nintendo of America website, which includes some game-specific "mini" videos and does not include some Japan-specific examples. By this stage of 2013 there had been four Directs, and there was typically a broadcast...
Round Table Let's Talk Endlessly About Mario Kart 8, Just Because
Tom, Ant, Daz and Damo share their hands-on impressions
Our official Mario Kart 8 hands-on preview went live yesterday — if you haven't done so already, you should really read it. We'll wait here until you get back. Done? Good. We can now move onto the next phase of our Mario Kart 8 coverage: a good old-fashioned chat around a table featuring...
The green light is nearly on
When it comes down to major, triple-A retail releases on the way that will — Nintendo hopes — lift the Wii U's sales and boost the public's perception of the system, there's currently only one show in town. While there are a number of exciting titles on the way from Nintendo and its partners, Mario Kart 8 has a firm...
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2014 - Spring Edition
Time for some additions
At the start of this year we continued our quarterly tradition of looking at the biggest games coming to the Wii U, this time considering 2014. Even with an admittedly shallow confirmed line-up for the year we'd like to think that it was a list to give optimism to Wii U owners anxious for exciting games to play. It's now...
Feature Bandai Namco Characters We'd Love to See in Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS
Transcending Nintendo history and the Smash Bros. world
The development of Super Smash Bros. Brawl apparently took its toll on series creator Masahiro Sakurai, though you'd have never of guessed from his perpetually fresh-faced appearance and calm demeanour. Since Brawl's release, Kirby's creator has been rather outspoken on the stressful amount of...
Talking Point Nintendo's Major Wii U Retail Titles Can Benefit From More eShop Trials and Demos
A taste before taking the plunge
Whether you want to call them free trials or demos, the ongoing absence — for the most part — of these offerings on the Nintendo eShop stores is noticeable. What's peculiar, at least from our perspective, is why that gap exists with some of Nintendo's finest first-party releases; in an increasingly competitive...
Talking Point Important Steps to Bring the 3DS and Wii U Closer Together
Do cross the streams
The Wii U is struggling. It’s a lovely looking console with some great games, but large developers whose names don’t start with “Nin” and end with “Tendo” are hardly queuing up to make software for the system, and there's little publicly visible to change that situation; the download-only scene is, thankfully, much...
Video The Top 20 Wii U Games So Far - Part Two
How many have you played?
So, with part one of our exciting rundown of the best Wii U retail titles available right now under our belts, there's only one thing left for us to do — run part two. Our video expert Rory Cocker is once again in the director's chair, so if you have any issues whatsoever with the running order, please send your hate...
Month Of Kong Tropical Freeze Composer David Wise On Working With The Ape Again
A Rare breed of composer
As we all know, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze launched this month on the Wii U, and comes with a glorious soundtrack composed by former Rare staffer and original Donkey Kong Country music-maker David Wise. We got chance to sit down and chat with Wise recently, and he shared a few thoughts on what it was like working...
Video The Top 20 Wii U Games So Far - Part One
Just got a Wii U? These are the titles you should consider
The Wii U has now been with us for over a year, and in that time we've perhaps not seen quite as many titles as we'd like. Still, that's not to say that the machine is lacking in quality retail releases — far from it. In fact, it could be argued that Nintendo's console is home to some of...
Talking Point NFC And The GamePad Can Succeed If Nintendo Gives Players Control
Lessons to be learned from successes such as Minecraft and Disney Infinity
This year is vitally important for Nintendo, just like 2013 and 2012, admittedly. 2013 was a strange year in that notable successes and triumphs were overshadowed by missed targets and Nintendo's own disappointment. It was a year of contradictions — 3DS was the top-selling...
Feature When Cranky Kong Took On Twitter
Madness? Brilliance? Both?
With Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze now on sale in Europe and North America, Nintendo of America celebrated the big launch by having 'Cranky Kong' takeover its official Twitter account. The elderly ape — the original Donkey Kong from the arcade according to lore — has been promoted for his entertaining character,...
Video These Are The Ten DS Games We Want To See On The Wii U Virtual Console
Which one did you vote for?
The news that Nintendo is bringing DS games to the Wii U had us dreaming of all the amazing titles we wanted to see arrive on the eShop. Like some kind of benevolent moving-image god, our resident video guru Rory has transcoded these desires into magical lights and sound, and has lovingly deposited the results onto the...
Talking Point Nintendo Direct Pointed to Another Wii U Retail Drought
The eShop should tide current owners over
In the past week Nintendo delivered its first Nintendo Direct broadcasts of 2014, a little later than was perhaps expected. The truth was that January was not a good time for the company, as it revealed and then dealt with the fallout of drastically lowered sales and financial projections. It was a difficult...
Feature The Big Nintendo Direct Summary - 13th February 2014
Lots of games, few major surprises
The first Nintendo Direct of 2014 is down and, at this stage, it's tricky to digest and 'grade'. On the surface it was actually packed with announcements — some unique between North America and Europe — with a number of new titles shown, while footage was revealed for major titles such as Mario Kart 8,...
Parent Trap Wii Fit U Accepts Our Varied Bodies
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson has another look at Nintendo's fitness title
Video games reflect wider society’s desire for the perfect body. Having children only presses this issue home and means I’m pickier about the shape of our video-game protagonists. However, I have been happily surprised then to see how Wii Fit U handles this. Rather than...
Talking Point The Watch_Dogs Wii U Delay Demonstrates That Major Third-Parties Are Walking Away
How important that is for the system is up for debate
Before the Wii U was launched Nintendo made the right noises about third-party support — here was a powerful system with backing from major players like EA, Activision and Ubisoft, we were told, and the innovative new controller would encourage unique, multi-screen experiences. Of course,...
Talking Point Sonic and the Wii U Both Seek a Boom in Sales
Nintendo and Sega need mutual success
We may be Nintendo fans keen to see as many major exclusives as possible, but we can't help but wonder whether Sega — behind closed doors and in hushed tones — wishes it was free to go multi-platform with the upcoming Sonic Boom. We are aware that Sonic Boom is also coming the 3DS and is in the hands of...
Matters of Import Bahamut Lagoon Roars Onto The Japanese Wii U eShop
Here be dragons
Due for re-release on the Japanese Wii U Virtual Console service today, Bahamut Lagoon is (another) one of Squaresoft’s lost RPG treasures, a game that eighteen years after its original release still doesn’t officially exist to those of us living outside Japan. The game most closely resembles a strategy RPG, similar to Shining...
Soapbox A Monster Hunter Obsession, and Why the Franchise Could Take Off in the West
Tom Whitehead argues the case for the divisive, demanding series
I'll put it out there right from the off — I'm no Monster Hunter veteran. Not by a long way, and in fact my first experience with the series was Monster Hunter Tri on the Wii. I played the campaign to completion and enjoyed it a lot, but it wasn't until Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate that...
Poll Have Your Say on Satoru Iwata's Nintendo Strategies
Plans to bring prosperity?
After a couple of weeks of rampant speculation and opinionated musings around the web, Satoru Iwata stepped out following Nintendo's financial results reveal and put forward some plans, ideological shifts and teases to indicate, loosely in various cases, what the company would do to revive the Wii U and return to...
Feature 10 Nintendo DS Games We Want To See On The Wii U Virtual Console
Dual-screen desires
Nintendo has just lifted the lid on its plans to bring DS games to the Wii U Virtual Console, which means that owners of that particular machine will soon be able to enjoy a library of classic releases from one of the company's most popular formats. The DS has played host to some truly stunning pieces of software since its...
Talking Point Nintendo's 3DS and Wii U Strategies Face Rather Different Challenges
Past-generation trends need not apply
In some respects today's financial results were the least surprising and eye-opening of recent times, and that's mainly to the credit of Nintendo's decision to jump the gun and reveal major reductions in sales and financial projections, blunting the impact from today's Q3 results. Nintendo's previously bold...
Talking Point Is There A Future For The Wii U Without The GamePad?
Could sacrificing the console's main selling point be the way to success?
When the Wii U was first announced, the confirmation of the GamePad controller — complete with a second-screen bursting with tantalizing asymmetrical gameplay possibilities — caused quite a stir. The reaction from the industry and general public was mainly positive, and...
Video The 10 Biggest Wii U Games Of 2014
It's a bumper year ahead
Not so long ago, we asked you to pick your most anticipated Wii U game for 2014 from a list of the 10 titles we thought were worth getting excited about. Fast forward a short while and the results have finally been counted and verified, and our trusty video expert Rory Cocker has duly created this handy presentation which...
Preview Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Dat HD fur
The E3 event can be a strange beast, as the unveiling of a sequel to one of the Wii's finest platformers was met with wails of despair in some corners. A number of fans, including this writer, wanted a fresh project from Retro that was either Metroid or something new, and instead we received Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. It's...
Feature Nintendo Games Our Readers Would Love to See in 2014
Some eclectic choices
With 2014 swinging into gear, we can anticipate a number of fresh game announcements and arrivals from Nintendo, as was the case in 2013. A little while ago we shared some Nintendo games we'd love to see in 2014, attempting to produce some concrete concepts and names that we feel would be welcome announcements. Whether any of...
Talking Point The Wii U's 'Relevance' Is About Sales, Nintendo's Strategy Has Remained Consistent
It's tried to stick to a winning Wii formula
Last week was a bit grim for Nintendo and its followers, as it changed from an official stance of predicting a positive year to the polar opposite. Gone were optimistic projections aligned with profits, and in their place were lower numbers — distressingly so with Wii U — and predicted losses...
Talking Point Nintendo's Wii U Struggles Bring a Challenge, Not Doom
The wider picture shows more than "Nintendoomed"
So, it was a funny old day at Nintendo HQ. Within a short space of time we went from 3DS topping hardware sales in the U.S., alongside the Wii U enjoying its "highest month", to Nintendo confirming major reductions in its sales and financial projections. The timing of this — after the December NPD...
Matters Of Import A Peek Into The Tragically Unobtainable World Of Dragon Quest X
Taking the quest online
In an utterly baffling move, Dragon Quest X — the most recent game in the iconic RPG series — is not only import-only but also IP blocked, meaning the game will refuse to work for all legitimate users trying to play from outside Japan. Luckily, there are ways to get your foreign internet connection to disguise itself with...
Talking Point Claims of Wii U Third-Party Development Troubles Shouldn't Be Dismissed Lightly
Problems may have been resolved since, but are nevertheless still relevant
Over the weekend there was an interesting article published by Eurogamer's Digital Foundry, in which a "secret developer" shared their Wii U development experience. It made tough reading for anyone loyal and committed to the Nintendo and Wii U cause, but did provide some...
Feature Nintendo Games We'd Love to See in 2014
Newcomers and some triumphant returns
If you cast your minds back to this time in 2013, it would have been tempting to wonder what games were coming for the rest of that year and into 2014. Long-term line-ups were a mystery, though educated guesses could be made, and then Nintendo blew away some of the obscuring smoke in a January Nintendo Direct...
Feature Looking Back at Nintendo in 2013 - Part Four
Games, system updates, more games...
We've looked back at the first nine months of Nintendo's 2013 to date, an eventful period full of reveals, positives, negatives and outright weirdness. The final leg is typically one of the busiest for game companies, as the scramble for momentum into the busiest shopping season of the year becomes a messy blur...
Feature Looking Back at Nintendo in 2013 - Part Three
Pokémon goes Mega, 2DS, Wii U price cut and other shenanigans
We've so far covered the first six months of Nintendo in 2013, taking in various 3DS successes, ups and downs for the Wii U and some E3 madness. As is also the norm, there were weird moments, as well as the near-monthly delight of Nintendo Direct broadcasts. We now cover the latter...
Feature Looking Back at Nintendo in 2013 - Part Two
Some highs, lows, and E3 madness
Yesterday we brought you the first part of our 2013 summary, which contained the thrills and spills of three Nintendo Direct broadcasts and a handful of major game releases. We did miss out on the story of Ubisoft delaying Rayman Legends in order to facilitate a multi-platform release, as was correctly pointed out to...
Feature Looking Back at Nintendo in 2013 - Part One
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
We're already looking forward to the coming year here at Nintendo Life, picking some of our most anticipated Wii U and 3DS of 2014, while hoping for good times and another year of excellent gaming. Yet still, part of looking forward is understanding what's happened before, and as is our yearly...
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2014
Some good 'uns are on the way
A new year is here, and with it comes the opportunity for Nintendo and its partners to excite Wii U owners in the best possible way — with great games. We've decided to list some of the most anticipated and exciting games coming to the Wii U in 2014, all as a taste of what's to come. Our aim with this list is to...
Talking Point New Year Resolutions for Nintendo
We can all improve
With 2014 now here, it provides an opportunity to take stock and consider ambitions for the year, as well as identify areas of improvement. We can all do better things and improve ourselves, but what of major corporations? The same rule applies to them, so below are some suggestions for Nintendo, which brought us so much to enjoy...
Site News How was 2013 for Nintendo Life?
Killed it
Whilst 2013 might not go down in history as a vintage year for Nintendo, it draws to a close with Wii U sales seemingly on the increase and 3DS still holding its firm dominance of the handheld market. For us, here at Nintendo Life, 2013 has been a fantastic year - our best yet. If I had to choose a single highlight of running a gaming...
Game of the Year Nintendo Life Readers' Awards 2013
You have spoken
On Christmas Day we asked you to choose your Game of the Year winners, and we've been delighted by your enthusiasm to do just that. We received thousands of votes across all categories as you had your say on the best gaming that was on offer with Nintendo's systems. The categories were the same as for our Staff choices, yet you...
Game of the Year Nintendo Life's Staff Awards 2013
A great year for gaming
As 2013 draws to a close it's time to look back and consider which games we enjoyed the most, and then heartily debate the results. It's Game of the Year time, and first up we have the Nintendo Life staff votes. The categories for the site's staff were the same as those in the community votes, though the results were...
Round Table Let's Talk About Nintendo in 2013 - Wii U and Favourites of the Year
There were some awesome Wii U games this year, you know...
In the second part of our round table, covering 2013 — part one's discussion of the 3DS is right here — we talk over the Wii U and its biggest games. We also look ahead to what's coming, list some random favourite games and, somehow, return the subject to Altered Beast, as is now...
Feature Our Nintendo Moments of 2013 - Part Two
Tom, Dave and Lewis share their favourite 2013 memories
In the slightly delayed second part of this series, three more members of the Nintendo Life team share their favourite moments and memories from 2013. This time around we have features editor Tom Whitehead, US reviewer Dave Letcavage and news hound Lewis Childs. Tom Whitehead: 2013 has...
Feature Our Nintendo Moments of 2013 - Part One
Ron, Morgan and Lee share Nintendo memories
In the first of a festive two-part series, some of your humble Nintendo Life writers share their favourite Nintendo gaming memories of 2013. In this first part we have three of our U.S. reviewers and news hounds, Ron DelVillano, Morgan Sleeper and Lee Meyer. Ron DelVillano: One of the strangest...
Feature 12 Days of Christmas - Super Mario 3D World Captures Hearts
A perfect Christmas Day game
Over the past two weeks we've covered eleven games, trends or events from the year that we feel represent some of the best of Nintendo in 2013; we'll have a lot more 2013 reminiscences and Game of The Year awards in the coming week, too. Yet it seemed appropriate to end this series on potentially the biggest high for...