Wii U News
April2015
Feature Nintendo Reveals the Final Club Nintendo Elite Rewards
Lots of games on offer, retail and download-only
The time has come for Club Nintendo members in North America - the last set of Elite Status rewards. It's the end of an era, and a final hurrah for everyone with a Gold or Platinum status that can be redeemed for an extra treat. As per last year the selection consists entirely of downloads. There are...
News Theatrhythm Dragon Quest Battles Bravely Against Wave of Sony System Releases in Japan
3DS 'family' still performing reasonably well
In recent weeks Nintendo has seen the long-established dominance for the 3DS and its games strongly tested in Japan. There's been an influx of popular new releases on PS4, Vita and PS3, helping the first two systems in particular achieve improved hardware sales. No doubt it's a trend Nintendo hopes to...
News Nintendo Bringing Some Big Hits and amiibo Competitions to WonderCon This Weekend
Win a Gold Mario amiibo
This weekend - from 3rd to 5th April - the Anaheim Convention Center in California will be taken over by WonderCon, an expo that celebrates films, TV, comics and video games. It's an extravaganza of noise, excitement and cosplay, and Nintendo of America has announced its plans for its own booth and events at the expo...
Video New Nintendo TV Commercial Focuses on amiibo and Support for Multiple Games
Mention of Yoshi's Woolly World makes us hope for a release soon
We're finally getting to the stage that, beyond the inevitable 'rare' figures, amiibo toys are readily available in various stores. They may not often be the figures that die-hard collectors want the most, but there's decent stock of standard characters to catch the eyes of shoppers...
Parent Trap What My Kids Want From Lego's Toys To Life Concept, Lego Dimensions
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson on the future of Lego video games
Recent rumours of a new Toys to Life product from Lego has the internet buzzing and has made my kids put on their inventor hats. If you missed it, this is the news that Warner will team up with Lego for a new title called Lego Dimensions to compete with Skylanders, Disney Infinity and...
News Curve Digital Hints At A Possible Appearance In The Upcoming Nintendo Direct
Let the speculation begin
Curve Digital, responsible for the recently released Wii U and 3DS eShop cross-buy title, OlliOlli, has hinted it will make an appearance at some point during the upcoming Nintendo Direct. Given the success of OlliOlli, and the studio’s previous experience with Nintendo’s digital platforms releasing titles such as
March2015
Talking Point It's Too Early to Write Off the Wii U Over The Legend of Zelda's Delay
The upcoming Nintendo Direct may show why
The delay of The Legend of Zelda on Wii U was undoubtedly disappointing for fans excited about its original 2015 release, but many reacted with a degree of acceptance - better to wait longer for a classic than have an underwhelming end result was a common refrain. We suggested the delay was perhaps good for...
News Nintendo Direct Confirmed for 1st April, With Updates on Wii U and 3DS
Not an April Fools - Treehouse broadcast after the Direct
It's been a long wait since the last broadcast on 14th January, but we finally have a date and time for the next Nintendo Direct broadcast. It's happening on 1st April at 3pm Pacific / 6pm Eastern / 11pm UK / midnight CET; no, it's not an April Fools prank! Though there have been major...
News Fresh Legend of Kay Anniversary Screenshots Stalk Into View
HD textures and 60fps action on Wii U this May
According to Amazon, the remastered 2005 PlayStation 2 game Legend of Kay will be winging its way to Europe and North America May 29th - thrilling news for fans in Europe, as its release date was originally listed as
News Cancelled ZombiU Sequel Prototype Featured Co-Op and Alternate Routes
An apocalyptic setting, too
While pack-in Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U were the highest profile launch titles with the Wii U, it was certainly ZombiU that was next in line. An 18-rated, gory survival horror experience that made clever use of the GamePad, it was - despite the inevitable flaws that come with a launch day title - a strong...
News New Star Wars Rebels Table Announced For Star Wars Pinball
Hopefully, its release date isn’t far, far away
Zen Studios has had a historically spotty release schedule when it comes to its pinball tables on the Wii U. In both Zen Pinball 2 and Star Wars Pinball, tables and packs can usually be expected to arrive either later than all other platforms or not at all. Unfortunately, today’s announcement...
Gallery Splatoon Development Updates Show Off Neat Threads, Guns, Videos and, erm, Paper
Also, Octobombers look ridiculous but sublime
There's been a bit of buzz around Splatoon since our last gallery summary earlier in March, and we were fortunate enough to attend some press events to play more of the upcoming Wii U shooter. We previewed the multiplayer and single player modes and also shared a belief that Splatoon is to shooters what...
News Mario Party 10 Shows Decent Stamina in Second UK Charts Week
Until the small hours of the morning
While it's not quite on the scale of a 3D Mario, Metroid or Legend of Zelda release, there's clearly a decent audience keen to grab new Mario Party titles when they arrive. The Wii U release of Mario Party 10 seems to be a case-in-point, as it's enjoyed a pretty decent first two weeks in the UK charts. In its...
Nintendo needs a plan B
There'll be a number of Nintendo fans that, if they feel so inclined, can now say "I told you so". After insisting in December 2014 that The Legend of Zelda for Wii U was on track for a 2015 release, despite bold promises of a sizeable integrated game world and innovative ideas, Eiji Aonuma released a video update stating...
News New Pokemon Rumble World Web Domain Teases New Brawler
Get ready to rumble
Pokémon is coming back, of course, but it may not just be in the way we all expect. While we eagerly await the announcement of the next mainline game in the monster catching series, a new Pokémon Rumble game may serve to whet the appetites of Pokémon trainers everywhere. A web domain for Pokémon Rumble World has been filed,...
News The Legend of Zelda for Wii U No Longer Set for 2015 Release
Priority is to "make it the ultimate and most complete Zelda game"
In a blow to Nintendo fans anticipating The Legend of Zelda for Wii U as one of the biggest releases of 2015, series producer Eiji Aonuma has released a development update stating that a 2015 release is no longer the "number one priority". Though worded carefully, it all but confirms...
Japan Weekly Bravely Second Jobs Revealed and Theatrhythm Dragon Quest Reviewed
Along with a handful of other 3DS and Wii U reviews straight from Japan
Finally — this week's Famitsu has made up for the last couple of disappointing releases when it comes to juicy Nintendo news. While we still haven't heard when Bravely Second: End Layer will make it outside of Japan, that hasn't stopped Famitsu from feeding Japanese gamers...
News You Can Pre-Order The Official Splatoon Game Guide On Amazon Now
How to make the perfect mess
A Summer release is right around the corner, and anticipation for Nintendo's inky online shooter Splatoon is at an all-time high. With an ocean of unique mechanics to learn and plenty of content, it's good to know that Prima will be releasing a game guide to help you conquer those slimy octopuses. The 240-page paperback...
Video New Rodea The Sky Soldier Trailer Features Plenty of 3DS Footage
The game's best hope of success?
Rodea The Sky Soldier has had a troubled route to release, undergoing a lengthy impasse between developer Prope and Kadokawa Games, in the process shifting from Wii to Wii U and 3DS. It's now nearly out in Japan, however, and is coming to the West later in the year. We've seen plenty of the Wii U version, but it's...
Breaking out of bundles
The Super Mario series of amiibo toys has, in some cases, been just as hard to find as the Super Smash Bros. run, though gamers in Europe have at least had options with the full range. While the Mario toy has been for sale individually and as part of a Mario Party 10 bundle in PAL territories, in North America this figure has...
Feature The Legend of Zelda on Wii U - What Do We Know So Far?
What can we expect from the next Zelda adventure?
The Legend of Zelda is due for release on the Wii U this year, provided the game isn't delayed. Yet, Nintendo has released very little on what we can expect from this next adventure. We've taken a look at what footage has been released so far and picked it apart to see if we can find out any new...
Video Using amiibo With Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Toad has never looked cuter!
Last week, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker received an update to make it compatible with the recently-released Toad amiibo figure, and the result is quite a fun little minigame where you must find a tiny Pixel Toad in each of the game's levels. It's strangely addictive and brings new life to the game, which is exactly...
Interview Nintendo and Nd Cube on Bowser, amiibo and the Pure Luck of the Dice in Mario Party 10
Part of the goal are "actions that are overflowing with energy"
Mario Party 10, as the name makes very clear, is just the latest in one of Nintendo's most substantial franchises. Especially frequent on the GameCube, it's evidently achieved a good degree of success and remains a mainstay on Nintendo hardware, with the home console entries being...
News Sony Hardware Takes Charge of Japanese Charts With Flurry of Releases
Work to do for New Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
For over two years the Japanese market has been a fortress for Nintendo, with the 3DS in particular dominating the hardware and software charts. Recent times have brought a dip, however, especially since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D provided a welcome boost in mid-February. In...
Video The Minimum Percentages to KO with Jigglypuff's Rest in Smash Bros.
Let the Pink Massacre commence!
In the world of Super Smash Bros., few moves if any are feared more than Jigglypuff's Rest. It is said that getting caught within her split second of impossibly concentrated cuteness is like having every molecule of your being choked and mashed in a loving glomp of death. The soul is lifted to heights of adorable,...
Opinion Splatoon Is to Shooters what Mario Kart Is to Racers
Ron and Alex share their thoughts on Nintendo's new IP
Our resident writing aficionado Ron and video guru Alex both got a chance to try their hands at a preview build of Splatoon recently, and despite writing an official preview, they felt they had more to say on a more personal note. We've made them scrawl out a few words to help explain just what...
News Elliot Quest Developer Talks About a 3DS Port
No plans yet, but the desire is there
Several of you have already played Elliot Quest, the new side scrolling adventure game from Ansimuz Games that takes several design and gameplay cues from the likes of Zelda II and Kid Icarus. We awarded it an 8/10 in our review, citing minor performance issues and frustrating pacing as main issues. Whatever way...
Surgical strike
Grendel Games has confirmed that its Wii U title Underground will be hitting the North American eShop on April 2nd, following on from the title's European launch in January. In addition to this news, Grendel Games has also confirmed that it will be releasing a special controller for the game. As we mentioned in our 8/10 review,...
Preview We Take Aim at Splatoon to See if It Offers the Best of Both Worlds
Catching up with Splatoon's solo and multiplayer modes
During past Nintendo Direct presentations, the main focus of Splatoon has undoubtedly been the multiplayer gameplay, leaving many caught off guard when it was announced that Nintendo's upcoming squad-based shooter would feature a single player campaign as well. Not much has been revealed about...
News Mysterious Murasame Castle's Takamaru Was Considered For Super Smash Bros.
But didn't make the cut (no pun intended)
It's been a pretty awesome week for all Smash Bros. fans, all told. A short video has made its way to our screens with an announcement from Masahiro Sakurai, stating that the new Mewtwo DLC for Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS would be on its way "pretty soon". As always, Nintendo has more surprises for its fans, with...
News Masahiro Sakurai Reportedly Promises That Mewtwo Super Smash Bros. DLC is Coming "Pretty Soon"
Huzzah!
Though the wait of a few months may have tempered expectations for a while, it's easy to forget that Super Smash Bros. isn't yet complete - the Wii U version is yet to receive Tournies, while Mewtwo DLC is also hotly anticipated. That DLC fighter will be free to those who register both versions on Club Nintendo by 31st May, before later...
Live Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Invitational Tournament - MCM Birmingham
Battling at the tech show
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U has been around for a good few months, but it's still very much a go-to game for plenty of Wii U owners. It's a big-draw at expos and events, too, and Nintendo UK is streaming a special Invitational tournament from the massive MCM Comic Con event in Birmingham today. Kicking off at 7am Pacific /...
News Zelda Lookalike Oceanhorn: Monster Of Uncharted Seas Could Be Sailing To Consoles
Game shares a link with the Sega classic Landstalker, too
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is an iOS adventure title which has recently crossed over to PCs, and is clearly influenced by Nintendo's Legend of Zelda - more specifically, the Wind Waker instalment which came to GameCube and - much later - Wii U. With the game branching out to other...
"We are forming a joint development structure with DeNA"
Following this week's dramatic announcement of Nintendo's partnership with DeNA to greatly expand its move into smart device gaming and services, utilising core IP in the process, there have been plenty of questions around how the partnership will work and how, in practical terms, it'll affect...
News République's Creator Worked On Metal Gear Solid And Halo, And Says The Game Could Come To Wii U
Unity 5-powered adventure may find its way to Nintendo's system
Ryan Payton is a man with a pretty impressive CV. He started his career at Microsoft in Japan before joining Konami and working alongside Hideo Kojima on Metal Gear Solid 4. From there, he became the creator director on Halo 4, and has since gone independent with Camouflaj, his own...
News Pokémon Rumble World Rated By the Australian Classification Board
Get ready to rumble
The Pokémon Rumble series is one of the Pokémon brand’s more successful spin-offs. The whole thing is based around the premise of Pokémon toys coming to life and battling it out in arenas. Real-time beat ‘em up gameplay keeps things fresh and interesting, though the games are admittedly fairly easy. Up till now, there have...
Video Nintendo of America Unveils Commercial for Mario Party 10 Tie-In With Kids Choice Awards
Have a PAX East Puzzle & Dragons video as a bonus...
It may not be an official Year of Bowser, but March is certainly the Month of Bowser courtesy of Mario Party 10 arriving on Wii U. With the Bowser Mode being an integral part in distinguishing this entry from its many predecessors, it's little surprise that marketing in Japan, Europe and North...
News Nintendo Set To License All IP to Mobile Publisher DeNA
Apps and games (yes, games) coming to smart devices globally
Breaking news this morning is a "Business and Capital Alliance" between Nintendo and fellow Japanese firm DeNA. Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7974) and DeNA Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 2432) today entered into a business and capital alliance to develop and operate new game apps for smart devices and...
News Nintendo of America to Run a 'Virtual Launch Party' for Mario Party 10 This Week
Seems to mean Twitter comps, not video streams
Mario Party 10 is Nintendo's big retail release in both North America and Europe this week, so we can expect the big N to make a lot of noise ahead of the 20th March arrival. Nintendo of America, for its part, has announced some social networking shenanigans in the form of a 'Virtual Launch Party' on...
Let's get this party started!
It's commonly accepted that partying too hard can be a bad thing. However, that doesn't appear to be a concern for Mario and friends, who since 1998 have appeared in 10 home console Mario Party games and even a few portable outings, too. While Mario's virtual board game gatherings are now a far less common occurrence...
Video New LEGO Jurassic World Trailer Builds Dinosaur-Sized Hype
Dat music
We won't deny it, there's some serious nostalgia-driven anticipation for LEGO Jurassic World on Wii U and 3DS here in Nintendo Life HQ. Since it was announced that the title will arrive to accompany the new movie - Jurassic World - and cover all four films in one package, there's certainly been plenty of anticipation. It's all been teaser...
Video Mario Party 10's Bowser Party & amiibo Party Modes
Take a look at the new modes in Mario's latest celebration!
Mario Party 10 is upon us, and after so many entries you'd think Nintendo wouldn't have anything more to add to the formula. Enter Bowser Party and amiibo Party, two modes that make the most of some of the Wii U's hardware features to shake up the Mario Party formula. In Bowser Party, one...
Leading industry analyst also sees "signs of hope" for Wii U
We've said this every year since its launch in November 2012, but this truly is an important period for the Wii U. With 2014 delivering improved momentum but still seeing the system lag behind newer rivals PS4 and Xbox One, the aim for 2015 is for momentum to continually improve and to...
News First Screens From Banjo-Kazooie Spiritual Successor Are Revealed, Kickstarter Coming In May
Former Rare developers considering amiibo-style NFC figures
Last month we reported on the news that a group of former Rare developers had formed their own company - Playtonic - and were looking to create a "spiritual successor" to the Banjo-Kazooie series. During this week's EGX Rezzed, Playtonic showed off the first screens from the new game -...
Talking Point It's Time for a Nintendo Direct to Set the Agenda
With two months since the last broadcast, our bodies are ready
Ever since the broadcasts began, Nintendo Direct has given fans a fix of reveals, footage and talking points about upcoming releases; so when a gap opens up between presentations, there's some nervous twitching. When is the next video coming, and will Satoru Iwata appear in front of any...
News LEGO The Hobbit DLC Trilogy Expansion No Longer Planned for Release
To never be continued...
LEGO The Hobbit was a peculiar release, as unlike a number of its licensed contemporaries it didn't tell the whole story. Released mid-way through the film trilogy's arrival in cinemas, it covered events for the first two movies only, ending with a 'to be continued' message. The understanding was that DLC would be released...
Along with a quick look at Stella Glow, the upcoming 3DS RPG
Unlike last week's Famitsu magazine, this week's magazine featured much less information on upcoming Nintendo games. One Famitsu magazine each month serves as a recap magazine for the gaming news of the past month, with some new information peppered throughout. Unfortunately, this means...
News Nintendo Australia Confirms Fourth Wave of amiibo Locked in for Late April
More New Nintendo 3DS cover plates also on the way
Following on from the replenishment of amiibo supplies locally last month, Nintendo has today locked in the Australian and New Zealand release of the fourth Super Smash Bros. amiibo wave for 25th April, which aligns with the national commemorative occasion, Anzac Day. This could prove a problem...
Reminder The Hyrule Warriors Boss Pack DLC is Now Available in North America
Ganondorf mayhem
Although it arrived in Europe a couple of weeks ago, Hyrule Warriors fans in North America can now enjoy the latest (and final?) major DLC pack for the action title. Although not mentioned in the North American Nintendo Download Update, the Boss Pack can be bought for $2.99 or comes free if you have a Season Pass. The core...
Video Nintendo Promotes Mario Party 10 in New Adverts Focused on amiibo and Bowser
Doesn't mention the 'find amiibo stock' meta-game
Mario Party 10 is the next big-name retail arrival on Wii U, landing in North America and Europe on 20th March. That 10 in the title should tip you off that this franchise has been consistently popular, and Nintendo's marketing has been actively pitching this - unsurprisingly - to families. Could it...
Video Here’s How amiibo Will Work in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Hide ’n’ seek
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was a perfect example of a “Budget AAA" title done right. For a cheaper price tag than the average Nintendo release, it expanded upon a unique, camera-centric puzzle mechanic with light platformer elements and offered up a creative, surprisingly content-heavy package. We awarded it an 8/10 in our...
News Etrian Mystery Dungeon Just Misses Top Spot in Japanese Charts as New 3DS LL Climbs to Second
Wii U sales improve a little
After a dominant début for Dragon Quest Heroes in its first week on PS3 and PS4 in Japan, the latest Media Create results bring a new 3DS release into the reckoning, even if it can't seize top-spot; hardware, meanwhile, remains steady for another week. New in the software charts is Etrian Mystery Dungeon, the crossover...
News Nintendo's Implementation of Cross-Buy is Surprisingly Generous
Buy one, get many free
Owners of PlayStation consoles and Vita handhelds have long been accustomed to the luxury of cross-buy titles; you buy one version of the game and you get to play on your other devices gratis. That's a good deal and no mistake. It's taken Nintendo a little while to embrace the concept for themselves – presumably because the...
Video Mario Kart 8 Hackers Duplicate Items For Racing Mayhem
All offline and not being shared, importantly
Mario Kart 8 is one of the best games on the Wii U, and through its DLC - more of which is due in May - has kept racers busy for many months. It's not entirely avoided the hacking fate of its predecessor on Wii, however, though widespread modding and cheating hasn't been a major problem to date. YouTube...
News Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush to Roll Into Europe on 8th May
A little earlier than expected
Update: Also arrives in Australia and New Zealand on 9th May. Original Article: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse has been out in North America since 20th February, providing Wii U gamers in the region with their first major retail release on the home console of 2015. Until now gamers in Europe were simply told it was...
News Nintendo to Host Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tournaments in Japan, but for amiibo Only
Leave your pads at home...
Starting this Saturday (14th March), Nintendo is holding a series of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U tournaments across Japan, with the first wave of matches being held in video game and toy stores in the Chiba prefecture, Osaka, and Ibaraki prefecture. However, Nintendo has thrown a spanner in the works, for these...
News Splatoon eShop Listing Continues Speculation of amiibo Support
Kudos for a dramatically filmed Vine
Late last week we shared a rumour that Splatoon will have its own range of amiibo, with listings from a South African retailer emerging to that effect. We used the rumour tag along with a few buckets of salt, but it was fun to consider how amiibo could be used in the title. A fan keen to see amiibo support for...
News Koei Tecmo Says Hyrule Warriors Has Breathed New Life into the Series
Akihiro Suzuki says collaboration brought "second wind" to Warriors
According to Koei Tecmo producer Akihiro Suzuki, collaborations on the Warriors series — including last year's sensationally popular Hyrule Warriors — have reinvigorated the franchise. Suzuki expresses an understanding that, prior to the use of collaborations, many people had...
Gallery Splatoon Development Updates Show Off Fashion, Octolings and Guns
Some short videos are even inked in
Arriving in May, Splatoon is one of our most-anticipated Wii U games in the coming months, even if we're still awaiting a final release date - with single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer all included, it should offer plenty of content along with its quirky approach to third-person arena shooting...
News Next Level Games Employee Suggests He's Working on a Wii U Title, Then Stealth Edits the Post
You cannot hide on the internet
It's no secret that Next Level Games, though it's an independent company, is currently committed exclusively to Nintendo projects - that was stated in early 2014, and nothing since has suggested any change. We'd like to think it's an ambitious project, too, as little has been heard from the company since Luigi's...
News A Cowboy's Tale from Nexis Games Rides to the Wii U eShop in 2016
We added the apostrophe
When one gets right down to it, there aren't a lot of notable Wild West-themed games currently, on any platform; it's a rather puzzling omission. In an industry that's absolutely obsessed at the moment with open world adventure games, one must wonder why more developers don't follow in the footsteps of titles such as Red Dead...
Mario Kart 8 for $33, too
While Nintendo of America is yet to offer an online store as substantial as in the UK, its rather low key store does nevertheless occasionally offer great deals on refurbished goodies. At the moment Wii U fans in North America have some decent options, including a few select games. A notable option is a 32GB Black Wii U...
Poll Which 2015 Nintendo Blockbusters Should Have amiibo Support?
A welcome extra or occasional option?
Since the launch of the first 'wave' alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U in November 2014, Nintendo's wasted little time in promoting and expanding amiibo. Continual waves have continued to take us towards coverage of the full cast in the brawling title, while an upcoming Super Mario range will accompany Mario...
Nintendo Minute debates Super Metroid vs Metroid Prime, too
Nintendo has some major releases landing at the moment in North America, with Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars out this week on Wii U and 3DS, and Code Name S.T.E.A.M. on the way as a 3DS retail arrival in the coming week. Naturally Nintendo of America is using YouTube to promote these...
Feature A Summary of the Xenoblade Chronicles X Battle Presentation
Full video and details on combat skills, customization and party members
Nintendo and Developer Monolift Soft have made it their goal to show Japanese gamers just about everything Xenoblade Chronicles X has to offer through 30 minute online presentations; it's an admirable endeavour, even if there are no English subtitles. The last video took a look...
Japan Weekly Famitsu Outlines More Details on Splatoon's 'Hero' Mode and More
Etrian Mystery Dungeon details, quirky Japanese games, reviews and more
Can't wait to hear more about games like Splatoon and Etrian Mystery Dungeon? As Japan's primary gaming magazine, Famitsu receives exclusive previews and reviews of Nintendo games well before the same coverage sees the light of the day elsewhere in the world. The 4th March...
Live Watch Nintendo and Monolith Soft's Second Presentation of Xenoblade Chronicles X - Live!
Live coverage as the battle mechanics are shown off
Xenoblade Chronicles X isn't far away in Japan, and in the West plenty of fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting its arrival this year. This second presentation on the game from Japan will focus on Battle mechanics and what it takes to survive on Mira. [...
News Harmonix Explains Why Rock Band 4 Isn’t Coming to Wii U, But Doesn't Rule it Out
Bringing on the heartbreak
As some of you may be aware, Harmonix has announced that the Rock Band franchise will be making a comeback this year with the fourth numbered entry. The rhythm based franchise sees players bashing away on various expensive peripherals that resemble instruments popular to typical rock bands, covering a massive variety of...
Video Watch As A Gaggle Of Oldies Are Exposed To The Joys Of Mario Kart 8
"I'd prefer Poker"
Mario Kart 8 is a game with almost universal appeal, effortlessly able to transcend the boundaries of gender, race and - as the video below proves - age. Yup, the world-famous React YouTube channel has taken a group of old people, parked them in front of a Wii U playing a copy of Nintendo's famous racing title and shoved...
News First Run Wii U Copies of Rodea the Sky Soldier Will Include the Wii Version in Western Release
Two birds with one stone
It's rather hard to believe, but Rodea the Sky Soldier is finally on the home stretch to getting released. The previously vaporware game from Yuji Naka, of Sonic the Hedgehog and NiGHTS fame, is set to release sometime this Fall after a touch and go development cycle of over three years. Based around the concept of flying,...
News New Nintendo 3DS Undone by Dragon Quest Heroes and PS4 in Japanese Charts
Can't win 'em all
Nintendo's enjoyed plenty of dominance in the Media Create Japanese charts in recent years, but major releases on rival systems have seen it lose out in recent weeks. The big N will no doubt be considering the cost of key franchises being released elsewhere, as Sony enjoys a week on top. To start with software, the major story is...
Video Many Crates Were Harmed in the Making of This Little Mac KO Punch Video
Ain't no boxes high enough
It's obvious you don't want to be on the receiving end of Little Mac's KO punch in Super Smash Bros., but not everyone has had a chance to see how determined the glove can be to hit its mark. Probably because not everyone creates scenarios as ridiculous as this. YouTube account Master0fHyrule took to training mode in the...
"Preorders are just a part of the Mario amiibo Gold Edition story"
The Super Mario amiibo Gold Edition has been the latest desirable Nintendo product to sell out rapidly online, with pre-orders disappearing almost as fast as they appeared. That may have led some in North America that want the limited edition amiibo to give up or consider over-priced...
News Nintendo Unleashes Commercials and Minigame Videos for Mario Party 10
Let's get it started...
The arrival of Mario Party 10 on 20th March is the end-result of one of this generation's inevitabilities; the fact we're onto number ten says all we need to know about how prolific this series has been on Nintendo's home consoles since the Nintendo 64 days. We may not all clamour to pick these titles up when they arrive, but...
Weirdness Fan Creates Custom amiibo of Sonic Characters
They're comin' at the speed of sound...
It really doesn't seem like the custom amiibo hype train will put on the brakes anytime soon, with new figures and high demand still prominent. Fans have also gone from giving the existing Nintendo NFC figures a total paint job, to creating their own using toys of both actual Smash Bros. characters and others...
Site News A New Readership Survey Has Appeared
Would you mind if we asked you a few questions?
We don't take it for granted that nearly 100,000 people visit Nintendo Life every day, yet you probably know a lot more about us than we know about you. Therefore our partners at Gamer Network have put together a readership survey so we can get to know our audience a little better. Nintendo Life is...
Weirdness eBay Trolls amiibo Fans With Gold Mario Tweet
Unbelievably stupid and from the official account
It's old news, at the moment, that whenever Nintendo announces a limited edition product the following will happen - online pre-orders will sell out in minutes, and scalpers will sell the goods (often pre-orders, not the actual product) on eBay. It's an unescapable reality at present, though we did...
News Japanese Xenoblade Chronicles X Video Presentation Coming On Friday
Battles will be the focus
Xenoblade Chronicles X is hitting the Wii U in Japan this April, and to build up a little more hype Nintendo is running a Japanese video broadcast on Friday. The video will focus on the game's battle system, which is shaping up to be even more inventive as the one seen in the Wii original - and its recent New Nintendo 3DS...
News Mario Kart 8 DLC Still Set for May as Online eShop Purchases are Offered in Japan
Mario Kart.tv now linking to an eShop portal
Nintendo's taken notable strides in recent times with its online services and the eShop, particularly in the area of improving convenience for those buying download games when away from their console. In North America it's now possible to buy a decent collection of games via the company's official website...
February2015
Video This Unlockable Character in Hyrule Warriors Shouldn't Be Missed
Taking the term Easter Egg to a new level
Warning: spoilers below Hyrule Warriors isn't a game that takes itself too seriously; take the plot, for example, which blends saving the world with a somewhat tenuous concept that ties multiple generations of Legend of Zelda characters together. It's all about the action, and whether you're playing as Link...
Video Wreak Havoc as Ganon In Hyrule Warriors' Boss Pack DLC
We send off the DLC for Hyrule Warriors in style...
It seems like Hyrule Warriors was released a long time ago, but the game has had a consistent stream of downloadable content - well worth the cost of the readily available Season Pass. This final piece of DLC is an absolute stonker, adding two new Challenge modes - Boss Challenge and Ganon Play...
Video Watch Us Fumble Through The Opening Minutes Of Affordable Space Adventures
I always wanted you to go into space, man
Affordable Space Adventures - a forthcoming collaboration between KnapNok Games and Nifflas - is on a crash-course with the Wii U eShop, and we've been lucky enough to have a mess around with the latest build of the title. As you can see from the footage below - which, be warned, contains somewhat unrelated...
News LastFight Looks Like The Power Stone Sequel Capcom Should Have Given Us Already
Developer is already in early talks with Nintendo
Indie studio Pirana King has just launched an announcement trailer for LastFight, a new brawling title which calls to mind Capcom's amazing - but sadly dormant - Power Stone series. The footage contains chunky characters, frantic action and the ability to use nearby objects against your opponent -...
News Study Finds That US Consumers Are Buying Wii U For Its Fun Factor And Kid-Friendly Nature
Nielsen's latest consumer survey shows driving factors behind console sales
Stat company Nielsen has conducted a US-based survey to discover what the five key factors are behind people buying a modern home console, and in Nintendo's case, it's a rather unsurprising list of points. According to the study, the top reason for purchasing a Wii U is its...
News Nintendo Is Heading To PAX East, And It's Bringing Splatoon Along For The Ride
Loads of new 3DS titles to play, too
PAX East takes place in Boston from the 6th to 8th of March, and Nintendo has confirmed that it will be attending the event along with a host of new titles - including Splatoon, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. and Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition. The E3 2
News Woah Dave! Getting Free Deluxe Update On 3DS, Also Coming To Wii U
New levels and characters promised
Woah Dave! developer Choice Provisions has revealed that the game is getting a "Deluxe" update on the 3DS. Woah Dave! Deluxe - which has just hit Steam - features two new levels, a host of new characters, boss battles, fresh enemy types, UFOs you can ride, a "classic" mode which returns everything to how it was in...
News Saints Row Design Director Was Working On An Open-World Wii U Game
Nintendo apparently pulled the plug one day before production
Unseen64's Liam Robertson - an expert at digging up cancelled gaming projects - has uncovered another interesting piece of into regarding an open-world adventure title that was in development for the Wii U. Chris Stockman - who served as Design Director on the original Saints Row - was...
News Former Rare Developers Will Show Off Their New Game In March
Playtonic Games to present their first project at this year's EGX Rezzed
Earlier this month, we reported on the news that fledgling studio Playtonic Games - made up of former Rare employees - is currently hard at work on a spiritual successor to the Banjo Kazooie series. It has now been confirmed that the as-yet-unnamed release will be getting its...
News Amazon UK and Tesco Now Flogging Wii U Premium Pack Bundles for £189
Cheap 2DS and 3DS options, too
With Wii U hardware sales generally struggling, certainly in comparison to fellow 'current gen' rivals PS4 and Xbox One, we've often seen retailers slashing prices to shift stock. This certainly happens a lot in the UK, where brief promotions offer tempting opportunities for those yet to take the plunge. In a year...
News Nintendo Shows Off Mario Party 10, amiibo and Mario vs Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars in Japan
Bowser wearing glasses, that is all...
We're big fans of Nintendo's Japanese YouTube channel, for the simple reason that it often publishes relatively long videos of upcoming releases and - more importantly - awesome TV commercials. The latest batch includes a man with glasses transforming into Bowser, still wearing glasses; is that possibly the...
News Character Art From Forthcoming Disney Wii U Title Emerges Online
What could it be?
It would appear that Disney is working on an as-yet unannounced Wii U title. Freelance character artist and 3D modeller Cari Mayle has posted artwork from the game on her personal site - with permission, of course - which shows various fantasy characters. The characters include a Death Knight, Ranger, Assassin, Thief, Barbarian...
News Iwata Remains Positive on the Future of the Wii U and 3DS Systems
No plans to overhaul anything just yet
It's no lie that despite the success of amiibo and the 3DS family of systems that Nintendo isn't achieving the profits it has enjoyed for so many years prior. Many fans and non-fans have expressed that due to the lacklustre sale performance of the Wii U Nintendo's role in the gaming industry should change...
News Max Your Rupees With This Fortuitous Hyrule Warriors Glitch
Hip, hip, Rupee!
Every Zelda fan knows you can never have enough Rupees, and thanks to a glitch discovered in the recent Wii U title Hyrule Warriors, it's now possible to get your hands on as much of that shiny currency as you could possibly want. At first, it was believed that the glitch was entirely random, but dedicated players have narrowed...
Video Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Accolades Trailer Sings Its Praises
A chance to gawk at some lovely 60FPS footage
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is out now in Japan and North America, helping to fill the quiet retail spell for Nintendo's home console in those territories - its timing was appropriate, too, keeping Wii U fans entertained as HAL Laboratory celebrates its 30th anniversary. Utilising the GamePad for touch...
News Yoshi’s Woolly World Rated By Australian Classification Board
An early arrival expected
The upcoming platform game,Yoshi’s Woolly World, set for release in early 2015, has recently been rated by the Australian Classification Board, confirming the previously scheduled launch period is still on target. The Wii U title was rated on 16th February, with information of “very mild violence” in reference to...
News Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Developers Discuss the Art Style and Sources of Inspiration
Blessing or a curse?
Just this Friday, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse released in North America to general critical acclaim. We awarded it a 7/10; while praising the excellent art style, we felt there were underutilized gameplay applications of the clay theme. As part of the buzz surrounding the game's release, GameSpot recently conducted an interview...
News This Mario Kart 8 RC Toy Pretends to go Into Anti-Gravity Mode
Yes please
Well known US retailer JAKKS is currently promoting a variety of Nintendo toys, and last week we highlighted an articulated Link toy that's on the way. Another upcoming toy has popped up online, and is perhaps a cut above the rest - in both cool-factor and price. As you can see in the images above and below it's a remote controlled Mario...
News New Details Discovered on Xenoblade Chronicles X’s Exploration System
This'll take a little more than a few hours to explore
The world that players are tasked with exploring in the upcoming Xenoblade Chronicles X is certainly one to be looked forward to. While the setting may not be nearly as original as exploring the surface of the lifeless body of a titan, the alien world of Mira promises to be filled with secrets...
News Rodea: The Sky Soldier Confirmed For Release In North America And Europe
Arriving this fall
After a disjointed development cycle, Rodea: The Sky Soldier has now been officially confirmed for a release in the West. NIS America will handle the digital and physical publishing rights of the game on both the Wii U and 3DS, with the title expected to arrive this fall. A copy of the original Wii game is set to be bundled with...
News Nintendo España Appears to Confirm Super Mario amiibo for Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Wario
Picking up on previous speculation in Japan
Update: Nintendo España has, unsurprisingly, now informed Nintenderos that this press release was in error; we've also received a similar message after enquiring on this with Nintendo UK. As suggested below there have been instances like this out of Nintendo's Spanish divisions in the recent past, so...
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