Wii U News
December2013
News Fit Meter Iwata Asks Outlines Panasonic Partnership and Moving Beyond Pedometers
Also highlights the game maker's lack of fitness
Wii Fit U's retail release is creeping closer — it hits stores in Europe and North America on 13th December — yet it's been available for over a month as a free trial. In a change from the Wii original that best reflects the stronger distribution options that the eShop gives Nintendo, the trial...
News Majora's Mask Appears Again, This Time as a New Smash Bros. Assist Trophy
Sakurai-san strikes again, the big tease
If anyone accuses Nintendo of losing its sense of playful mischief, perhaps we should just mention The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. The iconic Nintendo 64 title has been teased on various occasions as potential remake material, while excitable fans have done enough speculation (and mocked up trailers) to...
News Retail Company Rakuten Highlights the Wii U and iPad as Most Talked About Children's Presents
Somebody think of the children
A week has passed since the actual Black Friday, and in a slight departure from convention all but Sony have been quiet on firm figures; in that respect we know little (in terms of reliable data) about the Wii U's performance in the festive shopping season to date. It is becoming clear that Nintendo's marketing...
Video Let This Pikmin 3 DLC Trailer Give You That Festive Feeling
Plus see the new stages in action
We shouldn't forget that, despite the fact it was released in a particularly quiet spell for the Wii U and games market as a whole, Pikmin 3 is a top-notch game; lest we forget, it had been in demand for a number of years. It's also a relatively rare instance — though there are other examples — of Nintendo being...
News Hideki Kamiya Explains Reasoning For Not Leading Bayonetta 2 Development
"It's not that I don't want to make sequels – I really do!"
Although yet to receive a release window beyond a vague "2014", Bayonetta 2 is a highly anticipated arrival on the Wii U; it's also easy to forget that, when confirmed for the system in August 2012, large parts of the internet given up to game forums suffered a meltdown. While the...
News Extended Nintendo Network System Maintenance Scheduled for 9th December
3DS system update and Miiverse speculation ahoy!
What do you get when you combine a major 3DS system update loosely pegged for December with a lengthy session of system maintenance on the Nintendo Network? Speculation, that's what! Nintendo's network status pages for North America and Europe are showing aligned and extended maintenance scheduled for...
Soapbox Even With The Arrival Of PS4 And Xbox One, I'd Still Pick The Wii U
Damien McFerran experiences buyer's remorse thanks to a recent purchase
Before we stumble headlong into what will surely be a touchy subject to some, allow me to clarify something. As many of you will be aware, Nintendo Life is but one third of a network of gaming-focused sites. Nestled in the bosom of a growing media empire, this site is flanked by...
News Sony Considering Purchase of Factory That Manufactured Wii U eDRAM
Not really a DRAMa
Occasionally we post news articles not necessarily to reveal anything thrilling, but to try and steady uncertainty making its way around the web that, potentially, isn't quite based on solid ground. When dealing with issues of manufacturing embedded DRAM for Wii U consoles in Japan, figuring out the realities of a situation is...
News TIME Lists Its Reasons For Picking Wii U Over PS4 And Xbox One
Is the tide finally turning?
Yesterday, we reported on story which was published on by The Financial Post which stated that the Wii U was the "best bet" for gamers this Christmas. Today, there's more good news for Nintendo — TIME's tech portal has given 10 very convincing reasons to pick Nintendo's console over the PS4 and Xbox One. Penned by...
Video Wii Fit Trainer Is Captivating In This Funky Animated Music Clip
One gamer’s love of the Wii Fit Trainer
Inspired by the Bruno Mars song Treasure, Hidden Block has put together a new music video titled "Lovely Wii Fit Trainer." The animated clip follows the story of a Nintendo gamer's infatuation with the Wii Fit Trainer who stars as one of the playable characters in the upcoming Super Smash Bros.* for the Wii...
News RUSH Confirmed for 12th December Release on Wii U eShop
The Two Tribes Classics Trilogy comes to an end
For those looking at low-cost additions for their Wii U download library, the Two Tribes Classics have certainly been tempting options — Toki Tori and EDGE have arrived so far. The final of the three releases now has a confirmed release date, with RUSH arriving in Europe and North America on 12th...
Talking Point Moving To Smartphones Is Not The Answer For Nintendo
The numbers don't add up
It seems that a month can't pass by — in the past couple of years — when investment analysts, games industry figures and Nintendo's own investors aren't saying that Nintendo needs to expand and release games on alternative platforms. It's creeping into discourse around the Wii U due to the hardware's struggles to date,...
Video Nintendo Teases Footage Of Wii Sports Club: Golf In Full Swing
Complete with floor-based Wii U GamePad
Wii Sports Club consists of just Tennis and Bowling so far, but the long-term plan is to release all of the sports eventually — and as if to remind us of this fact, Nintendo has shared some footage of Wii Sports Club: Golf in action via its Instagram account
News Wii U Console Sales Climb in Japan as 3DS XL Maintains Dominance
Positive signs
While sales results in North America and Europe are infrequently shared and occasionally vague, it's easy to keep track of Japanese equivalents with the country's weekly charts. The trend has been largely the same for a long time — the 3DS is dominant. Last week brought a slightly underwhelming début for Super Mario 3D World, and...
News The Financial Post Thinks Wii U And 3DS Could Be The "Best Bets" This Christmas
At last, some positive mainstream reporting
There's a lot of Nintendo-related doom and gloom floating around at the moment — some of which we feel it is our duty to report — but today we've got a little bit of positive news. The Financial Post has stated what we knew all along: Nintendo's two systems are the best option for prospective buyers...
Review Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW! (Wii U)
Mathematical?
D3Publisher, Cartoon Network and WayForward were definitely onto something in last year's Adventure Time: Hey, Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! Though the title was over too soon, it took players all over the Land of Ooo on a true-to-series nonsensical quest using Zelda II-like gameplay, with a top-down overworld and...
Weirdness Hori Creates Strange, Antibacterial Funnel For Wii U Microphone
Probably won't make Christmas-party warblings sound much better, though
Horicorp — which manufactures a variety of licensed accessories for pretty much every console out there — has finally delivered what we've all been waiting for; a sound-reducing, antibacterial guard for the Wii U microphone. Well somebody out there wanted it anyway...
News VGX Award Ceremony To Include New Footage of an Upcoming Wii U Game
Reggie Fils-Aime will be on hand to introduce it
The upcoming VGX 2013 ceremony — formerly the Video Game Awards — is expected to bring its usual flurry of world premiere trailers for major upcoming games. In previous years the awards have been known for their rather bombastic presentation, though the VGX rebranding is apparently going to be...
News Analysts Weigh In With Estimates for Wii U Fiscal Year Sales
6-6.5 million Wii U system sales for the year predicted by some
While we wait for Black Friday week sales to emerge — beyond the widely cited but speculative projections to date — they'll hopefully provide another indicator for the Wii U's performance this Holiday season. The ultimate proof will come in Nintendo next quarterly results, which...
News Epic Vice President Mark Rein Remains Unconvinced By Second Screen Gaming
“I think we’ve yet to see the real value of the second screen idea"
The Wii U has taken quite a beating in the last few days — first being outsold by Xbox One and PS4 — and then Super Mario 3D World under-performing at retail despite critical acclaim. With the PS4 and Xbox One currently doing rather well, what exactly is the Wii U doing...
News Former Sony Developer Feels The Wii U "Won't See Another Christmas"
Former BigBig Studios staffer Kenny Linder voices his opinion
Nintendo launched Super Mario 3D World in the UK last week, on the same day as Sony released its PS4 console in the country. It was a bold move — no doubt intended to prove that while Sony has the new tech, the Wii U has the best games this Christmas — but it didn't quite go according...
News Check Out These Space-Themed Kickstarter Updates For Wii U
Narwhals....In Spaaaaaceeee!
Anyone who's grown a tad disinterested in military shooters and sports licenses can usually look to Kickstarter for some titles with genuine creativity and unabashed weirdness. The latest multiplayer title looking for funding on Wii U, PS4 and PC can be summed up as 'a war between narwhals fought among the stars',...
Rumour Cranky Kong to be Fourth Playable Character in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Joining the young whippersnappers
With much noise around the Wii U currently focused on Super Mario 3D World, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is coming in early 2014, given a release period of February for North America. Considering it's the follow up to the outstanding Donkey Kong Country Returns and...
Video Batman: Arkham Origins Initiation DLC Trailer Shows Off Challenge Maps With Story Elements
Video game Bruce Wayne has a better beard than Christian Bale
It was only days ago that we were reporting on new DLC for Batman: Arkham Origins, with Skins and a Challenge Pack released. They were to keep players busy until the arrival of the Initiation DLC, which is a set of Challenge Maps with story elements, taking in the early days of Bruce...
News Here Are Some Cyber Monday Nintendo Deals for North America
Console bundles ahoy!
If Black Friday is the day / week of enormous shopping crowds, rudeness and occasional fisticuffs over deals, Cyber Monday is the online equivalent. Thankfully when online it's impossible to be trampled, unless you try to do your web shopping on a phone while walking through a shop — but that'd be silly. In any case, we've...
News GAME's Wii U Cyber Monday Console Deals Should Shift Some Units
Hurry up!
We've had to share some relatively grisly UK Wii U sales news today, but there's nothing like a Cyber Monday promotion to push some buttons and shift some units. Retailer GAME is offering the following bundles for £199.99. Black 32GB The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD bundle — this includes the rather attractive limited edition...
News PS4 and Xbox One Surpass Wii U Lifetime Sales in the UK
Back to square one
We don't always have the opportunity to share happy news here on Nintendo Life, so let's just suck it up and say it — the PS4 and Xbox One have already surpassed the lifetime Wii U sales in the UK. It was already reported last week that the Xbox One's launch weekend sales of 150,000 units had almost taken it past the Wii U's...
News Super Mario 3D World Struggles Against PS4 Titles in UK Charts
Yes, even Knack
We're huge fans of Super Mario 3D World here at Nintendo Life, giving it a 10 in our review and generally sharing the view that it's a worthy entry into the 3D Mario canon, unique and up there with the best. Those were opinions shared by various outlets, too. Sadly, the positive press and marketing hasn't led to an impressive launch...
News Reggie Fils-Aime Emphasizes the Wii U's Unique Content in Sales Pitch
"It's our responsibility to show consumers how much fun you can have"
The most vital shopping season is no longer an upcoming event on which we can speculate, but is very much under way. The Black Friday madness has done its worst, and we now settle into a frantic few weeks as consumers weigh up whether to buy a home console and, if so, which one is...
Poll Nintendo and the Wii U Fight For Your Attention in This Busiest of Gaming Months
Will Nintendo's platform and games succeed this December?
We're now approaching — or in some places have reached — the end of the madness of the Black Friday shopping weekend, an annual fixture in North America and to a lesser extent elsewhere. Of course, the Holiday shopping gig isn't up, and as we enter December we kick off a vital few weeks...
News Super Mario 3D World Sells 57% of Its Initial Shipment in Japan
Roughly 175,000 copies shipped at launch
Last week we reported that Super Mario 3D World had sold 99,588 copies in its first week in Japan, making it the lowest debut for a 3D Mario platformer, although this does not take into account eShop download sales. The game came in at number 2 in the Japanese charts behind Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy...
November2013
News Wii U Wins "Deals Award" For Being One Of The Best Kids Items This Holiday Season
Black Friday is brighter than it sounds
Despite the fact that the launch of Super Mario 3D World in Japan posted sales figures not quite on par with expectations, it seems the console is gaining traction as a go-to gift this holiday season. In addition to opinions beginning to emerge that Wii U could be a big
News Nintendo Launches New Wii U Christmas Advertising In Japan
'Tis the season to be jolly
Although Nintendo's advertising in various regions arguably took a while to ramp up, a fresh campaign in Japan appears to tick all the right boxes. It promotes the fun of Wii U with friends and family, as well as some of the exclusive first-party titles on offer this holiday season. The “Atsumareba” advertising...
News Masahiro Sakurai Outlines His Heavy Smash Bros. Workload
"It's faster and more accurate to do it myself"
It's been highlighted in the past that not only is Masahiro Sakurai keen to implement his own vision and high standards, but that he's a particularly hard working individual. In fact early this year he highlighted how an arm injury was impacting his work, but that he was nevertheless persevering. One...
Video Running Wild In Super Mario 3D World's Sprawling Savanna
Wide open space
So this is it — the last of our videos running up to the European release of Super Mario 3D World. For today's footage, we've picked one of our favourite levels here at Nintendo Life: World 5-4, otherwise known as Sprawling Savanna. Boasting amazing sunsets, massive open spaces and plenty of secrets to discover, this is one of the...
News Here Are Some Attractive Black Friday Nintendo Deals in North America
Are you joining the crowds online and in stores?
Earlier today we posted some Black Friday deals available in the UK that also have shipping to Europe, so we thought we'd cover some enticing options available in the homeland of this shopping madness, North America. Below are some of the most attractive Nintendo-centric deals set to do the rounds...
News Nintendo Recreates Super Mario 3D World Through Shadow Hand Puppetry
Shadow Play
Super Mario 3D World has finally arrived in Europe, with the outstanding 3D platformer gracing retail shelves today. After its North American release last week this is a culmination of a heavy marketing campaign, helped along by the fact it's a terrific game, to try and make it and the Wii U the must-have combination this Holiday season...
News Black Friday Madness Arrives in the UK, Too
Plenty of Nintendo options to consider
Black Friday used to be a single insane shopping day mainly limited to North America, potentially causing bemusement in other parts of the world seeing footage of enormous crowds fighting over discounted nappies. But still, like all things that make retailers and companies lots of money it's expanded, to the...
Video You'll Need Swift Feet To Conquer Super Mario 3D World's Pretty Plaza Panic
Watch the clock
If you're pushed for time, don't worry — today's Super Mario 3D World level is short and sweet, but just as exciting as any of the other stages we've covered so far. Pretty Plaza Panic gives you 100 seconds to make your way to the flagpole, but places plenty of distractions and challenges in your path. Super Mario 3D World...
News New Batman: Arkham Origins DLC Arrives, Major Story-Based Content Coming in 2014
Holy DLC overload, Batman!
Batman: Arkham Origins on Wii U may have been lacking the all-new multiplayer mode and — in the opinion of some — be below the standards of the Rocksteady predecessors, but it's still a title with some happy fans. Beating on thugs while saying "I'm Batman" in a very deep voice is fun. The Wii U version has, to date,...
News Ashes Cricket 2013 Officially Cancelled as 505 Games Issues Apology
"Our deepest apologies, however, are reserved for the fans of cricket"
Earlier this week we reported that the continually delayed Ashes Cricket 2013 was briefly released on PC, before it was promptly removed following negative feedback. YouTube videos had quickly appeared following release highlighting a game that was simply not finished and up to...
Less than a week after saying the company was facing "the end"
Investment site The Motley Fool — which recently painted a rather dismal picture of Nintendo's future — has performed a complete about-face by claiming that Nintendo could end up being the big winner this holiday season. The opinion piece points out that although the Wii U has...
Video This Cat Fails to Get Into the Super Mario 3D World Spirit
No cats were harmed in the production of this video, obviously
Super Mario 3D World is packed with great ideas, and one of the most obvious "I can't believe this wasn't done before" examples is the cat suit. Even members of the Nintendo Life team that have little love for actual cats seem to adore the power-up, as it's fun to use and watch in...
News Super Mario 3D World Underwhelms on Japanese Chart Début
Wii U hardware sales increase by just 5,000 units
Last week we reported on the continuing dominance of the 3DS XL in Japan, and the hope that the launch of Super Mario 3D World would provide a notable boost to the Wii U hardware sales; unfortunately, that hasn't quite been the case. To start with software, Media Create's charts show that Mario's...
News Miiverse Update Paves The Way For 3DS Version
Wii U and browser versions updated
As many will already know, Miiverse will arrive on 3DS in a December system update, which will join shared eShop funds and Nintendo Network ID integration on the portable. Nintendo has today issued an update on the Wii U and browser-based iterations of Miiverse as early preparations for the new arrival. Due to the...
Video This Mario 3D World Level Has A Little Bit Of Zelda About It
Top-down tomfoolery
We've already seen how Super Mario 3D World imitates Mario Kart in one of its levels, and it's only fitting that the game also tips its hat to another popular Nintendo franchise: The Legend of Zelda. World 7-2 — otherwise known as Switchback Ruins — adopts a top-down viewpoint and features loads of Zelda-style bonfires to...
News Cliff Bleszinski Thinks Super Mario 3D World Is "A System Selling Title"
Number of memorable moments is "staggering", says former Gears of Wars dev
Despite Cliff "Cliffy B" Bleszinski's opinions on the Wii and predictions of a future where Nintendo isn't making hardware, the former Epic Games director is a massive fan of the Japanese company, and has said so several tim
News The YouTube Wii U App Update is Now Live
"So hey guys, um, I have an update for you"
It was announced in the most recent Nintendo Direct broadcast that a YouTube app was finally coming to the 3DS, but it was also welcome news that the Wii U equivalent was set for an update. Although welcome that the video sharing giant supported the system with an official app, such has been its...
News Nintendo's Partnership With Southwest Airlines Takes Off As Mario Gives Away Free Wii U Systems
Mascot needs XXXL size high-vis jacket, probably
Nintendo has various corporate and promotional partnerships, and one of the most recently announced by Nintendo of America is a collaboration with Southwest Airlines. As the "official video game partner" of the company, Nintendo is setting up Wii U Gaming Lounges in some major airports until 22nd...
Feature More Miiverse Favourites From Art Academy: SketchPad
Mario, Link, Pikmin and lots of lovely art
Back in August Nintendo released Art Academy: SketchPad on the Wii U eShop, a budget-priced drawing tool that utilises the GamePad touch screen and allows full colour image posts to Miiverse. For artistically minded Wii U owners it's certainly a terrific option that can deliver impressive results; not long...
News Former Pikmin Director Currently Working On "Original Title" for Nintendo
Veteran designer seems to be back in action
Nintendo may be looking to shake things up with an entirely new intellectual property in the near future, and former Pikmin director Masamichi Abe is tipped to be involved with the project's development. The revelation comes from current Tekken lead Katushiro Harada, who tweeted in response to a fan...
News Nintendo States Its Wii U Case With a Holiday Infographic
TVii is still a thing in North America, remember
The Thanksgiving / Black Friday shopping weekend is upon us; the latter is a term becoming increasingly familiar to consumers outside of North America, while it's a big deal in the U.S. in particular. It kicks off the most valuable shopping period of the year, in which Nintendo is hoping to boost...
Video Getting Hands On With Super Mario 3D World's Hands-On Hall
A level with a distinctly Japanese feel to it
The next in our gameplay videos from Super Mario 3D World has the taste of the Far East about it. World 6-3 — also known as Hands-On Hall — takes place in a Japanese castle, complete with sliding doors, deadly assassins and a moonlit, rooftop battle. Check out the footage below and let us know what...
News New York Times Critic Identifies Super Mario 3D World and Wii U as Highlights of the Season
"The Wii U is also the only new console with a video game worth playing"
Yesterday wasn't necessarily full of happy coverage for the Wii U, such as the grisly news that the Xbox One is already close to passing the Wii U's lifetime-to-date sales in the UK. After plenty of happy Super Mario 3D World vibes, there's been some renewed caution and doubt...
News Ashes Cricket 2013 Spins Onto PC, Yet Remains in the Wii U Pavilion
A golden duck
Update Ashes Cricket 2013 has now been removed from Steam, with plenty of unsurprisingly negative feedback on the title no doubt contributing to that outcome. To date publisher 505 Games, developer Trickstar Games and licensees (such as the ECB) are yet to officially comment. Once they do so we'll provide a full update article...
Video Check Out This Puyo Puyo Tetris Trailer and Dream of Localisation
We may be lucky, right?
A little while ago we told you about Puyo Puyo Tetris, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's a puzzle mashup that dreams are made of courtesy of SEGA, and arrives on Wii U and 3DS in Japan on 6th February 2014. Sadly there's been no hint of localisation yet, though we certainly hold out hope that, at the very least,...
News Xbox One UK Sales Set to Pass Wii U's Lifetime to Date Figures
North American figures also provide a reminder of the challenge ahead
It's well known and statistically clear that the Wii U has had a poor start on the market, a trend the company is striving to turn around with cheaper prices, value bundle offers, increased marketing and major game releases. The challenge ahead has been brought into focus this...
News Warner Bros. Confirms LEGO The Hobbit For Release on the Wii U and 3DS Next Year
Go on an epic adventure with Bilbo and co.
Last week we reported that LEGO The Hobbit was scheduled for a 2014 release on 3DS and Wii U, with thanks to a scanned image of a promotional planner spotted in France - we stuck on the rumour tag for good measure as nothing about the title was confirmed. Today we come with good news, as Warner Bros. has...
News Nintendo of America Confirms Thanksgiving Weekend Deals for 3DS and Wii U
3DS deals and a Nintendo Land + Wii RemotePlus bundle confirmed
With Thanksgiving arriving on Thursday 28th November, and the following days representing possibly the most frantic shopping weekend of the year, Nintendo of America has outlined its official 3DS and Wii U offers for the period. Naturally many more will likely appear at individual...
Video Get Your Feet Wet In Super Mario 3D World's Spooky Seasick Wreck
Ghost ship
North America got its hands on Mario's latest adventure last week, and Europe will be able to see what the fuss is about very soon indeed. As you'll know by now, we're running a video every day until the European release, and today it's World 6-2: a spooky trip across haunted seas in the Spooky Seasick Wreck. Those of you who want your...
News Fan Campaign for Bayonetta Wii U Release Kicks Into Gear
Triggered by the Master of Twitter - Hideki Kamiya
Hideki Kamiya — of Platinum Games — may be an extravagant game maker, but he's also the self-proclaimed Master of Twitter, renowned for stirring up his followers and, occasionally, leading them on a merry dance. His style is normally to answer enquiries with retweets and short responses, and his...
News The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Squeezes Into UK All-Format Top 10
The third highest selling single-platform title of the week
While the status of top-selling 3DS game was assured for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds in its début week, where it would stack up in the UK all-format chart was in far greater doubt. The Xbox One launched in various territories worldwide — including the UK — on the same...
Talking Point The GamePad and its Role Defining the Wii U
Strong concept or pricey issue?
We're stepping into a vital period on the market for the Wii U. It's certainly far too early to say it's the definitive moment for the system, as releases such as Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. will also be maximised by Nintendo to achieve notable sales and momentum. With that in mind, it should still be...
Video Explosive Fun Awaits in Super Mario 3D World's Bob-ombs Below Stage
Light the fuse
In the next of our Super Mario 3D World videos, we take at a look at World 5-5, which is packed with those adorable walking terror devices, Bob-ombs. Taking place in an underground section, Bob-ombs Below gives you ample opportunity to explore your destructive side, with a limitless supply of Bob-ombs and plenty of walls to...
Video Let's Round Up The Latest Celeb and "Pitch" Nintendo Commercials
Some of the NL team aren't sure who these 'stars' are, forgive us
Over the past couple of weeks we've shared a number of Nintendo commercials with you, and they've attracted mixed reactions. Some have been popular, some haven't, but all have at least shown that the company's doing some old-fashioned advertising to encourage big sales this shopping...
Review Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (Wii U)
Pac ain't afraid of no ghost
As gaming's original icon, Pac-Man has enjoyed a long and varied career. He's munched Power Pellets on dozens of different platforms since his 1980 debut, starred in platform games on the Super Nintendo, raced go karts on the GameCube, had a Top-10 single on the US charts, and even worked under the baton of Mario maestro...
News GameChops DJ Releases Super Mario 3D World HipHop Video Remix
Prepare for musical enlightenment
GameChops is best known for its licensed video game remixes and dance music, and the latest track produced by the founder of the record label is no exception. To celebrate the release of Super Mario 3D World, Dj CUTMAN has created a HipHop video remix of the game’s main theme song. The slow, chilled and relaxed...
Video Prepare To Go Super Sized In Mario 3D World's Tricky Trapeze Theatre
Plenty of acrobatics to be found here
Many North American Wii U owners will no doubt have gotten their hands on Super Mario 3D World when it launched in that region yesterday, and to mark the release of this amazing title we'll be running a video every day right up to the European street date — which is next week. Today, it's the high-flying...
News Nintendo Shares Hit Three-Month High Ahead of Major Releases
Positive signs
Nintendo looks to be making a recovery on the stock market, with shares reaching a three-month high on 22nd November after gaining 4.2 percent on the Toyko Stock Exchange. The milestone lines up with the release of Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U, as well as The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour on...
News The Girl and the Robot Adds Wii U Stretch Goal to Campaign
An ironclad friendship
Kickstarter projects often list many of the creator's influences during the process of creating their own title, and these can give an insight into the tone and style of the game to come. From the ground up, past inspirations continue to have an effect on today's releases, and serve as a high standard for developers to strive...
Out Now Super Mario 3D World, A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour
Or, if you're not in North America, just A Link Between Worlds
Today's a particularly busy day in the games retail industry, and certainly one of the most crowded in recent memory. There's new hardware, of course, with last week bringing the PS4 to North America — which arrives next week in Europe — and today delivering the Xbox One throughout...
News CNET Outlines Console Purchase Choices And Highlights Wii U as a "Pretty Compelling Buy"
Different talking head, different outcome
There have been a number of times this year when, sometimes correctly and on other occasions harshly, the Wii U has endured negative coverage and, as a result, subsequent issues with its public image. We've had — and still have, to a degree — issues with awareness, while some dry spells of software have...
Video Take To The Skies In Mario 3D World's High Bounce Highlands
The only way is up
Many of you in North America will be playing Super Mario 3D World today, but for those in Europe — which isn't getting the game until next week — the torture continues. Allow us to add a little more to that pain by showing you World 4-4, a level focused on bouncing (and, in the case of Mario in this video, a lot of falling)...
Rumour LEGO The Hobbit Planned for 2014 Release
Will likely cover lots of film sequences that weren't actually in the book
Is there any franchise that LEGO video games can't cover? It's a tricky one, and we'd have to start tagging 'Woody Allen' films as a series if we had to try really hard — TT Fusion has already covered Batman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Marvel to name some, though hasn't...
News Fresh Details Swing Into View for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Gold hearts, 'Kong Pow' and new footage shown
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze may be delayed to early 2014 — February in North America — but with that new release window it looks set to be the first major Wii U title of the new year. Appearing on the latest episode of GT.TV, Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen introduced some new footage and...
News Reggie Talks Up Wii U Blockbusters As Top 10 Sellers Across the Whole Generation
Assures Wii U momentum, teases VGX appearance and tackles smartphones
With the competition hotting up in the most vital shopping season of the year, Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime, used an appearance on GT.TV's latest episode to outline his reasoning for Wii U optimism, while also outlining lessons learned from a tough 2014...
Video Super Mario Soup Helps Drag Kids Away From Super Mario Game
It's like some kind of food-related paradox
Nintendo is no stranger to working with food companies to promote products, and the Japanese giant has now teamed up with soup maker Campbell's to create the ultimate post-gaming pick-me-up: Super Mario Soup. As you can see from the commercial below, it's the ideal way for parents to lure their excitable...
News Nintendo's UK Store to Release A Wii U Mario Mega Bundle
Three games, a Mario remote and, most importantly, a Mario hat
In early October Nintendo UK launched its own online store, which has since played host to some pre-order bonuses and a regional exclusive with this rather attractive Luigi-themed 3DS XL. It seems the website is keen to lead the line in terms of driving Wii U sales this Holiday season,...
Weirdness The Fresh Prince Meets Super Mario In This Toe-Tapping Mash-Up
I looked at my (Mushroom) kingdom, I was finally there
With the release of Super Mario 3D World almost upon us, what better way to celebrate than combine the lyrics of classic TV show Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air with the Wii U game's infectious soundtrack? That's exactly what one resourceful soul has done — you can witness the result below. If you're...
"Nintendo is carving out a different audience"
Friday 22nd November is a major release day on a number of fronts, including Super Mario 3D World on Wii U (in North America, 29th November in Europe), The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on 3DS, as well as new hardware from Microsoft with the Xbox One; special mentions should also go to Mario...
Video Super Mario 3D World's Chainlink Charge Level Will Test Your Skills
Make sure you grab the cat suit
Super Mario 3D World is almost with us — it launches in North America tomorrow — and to mark the occasion we're running a different video every day until the European launch, which is next Friday. Today it's World 3-2, otherwise known as Chainlink Charge. Considering how early on in the game this level appears,...
News Hyper Light Drifter May Include Mode 7 Mode, Creator Was Deadly Serious About SNES "Demake"
It's about time remakes went the opposite direction
Anyone who has ever played the original Super Mario Kart or F-Zero on the SNES will recall the glorious Mode 7 graphical effect. Its ground-breaking rotating backgrounds had a way of inducing disorientation and ecstasy in players, like a 16-bit drug of the highest order. SNES lover Alex Preston,...
News EA Germany Survey Fails To Acknowledge The Wii U
No mention of 3DS or Wii, either
If relationship troubles between Nintendo and EA weren’t already dire enough, the circus continues with a recent survey from EA Germany, failing to make mention of Nintendo’s latest home console, the Wii U. In the survey, the Wii U is not mentioned in any of the questions about current or next generation...
Soapbox Super Mario 3D World's Playful Whimsy is Refreshing, But Faces a Vital Commercial Test
Will an overwhelmingly positive critical response and buzz deliver success?
Something slightly surprising, to me at least, happened yesterday. Super Mario 3D World had a wonderful series of reviews that went live, on any major outlet you'd care to name, bang on the embargo. I'm not talking about the scores — which were excellent — but the...
News Super Mario 3D World Reaches Top Spot On Amazon's North American Best Sellers Chart
The buzz and hype clearly help
Yesterday saw an influx of very positive assessments of Super Mario 3D World, including our very own 10/10 review. These reviews seem to of had an impact on the game’s sales on Amazon, where the title is the number one best seller in the video game category in North America, at the time of writing. Considering the...
News Fire Emblem: Awakening and ZombiU Developers Outline the Challenges of Permadeath
"[Writing ZombiU] was the toughest challenge...in over 10 years of writing"
In an era of gamers regularly debating the level of challenge offered in modern titles, an argument that can be tough to resolve, the concept of permadeath is a relatively rare feature that caters to those seeking a lack of compromise in their experiences. Taking away...
News 3DS XL Given A Close Run by Vita and Vita TV in Japanese Charts
Wii U sales dip again, but remain above PS3 et al
The madness of Nintendo Direct meant that we skipped the Japanese chart update last week, which saw the 3DS remain on top and the Wii U sales dip to 17,737 units, which was still a long way above the lows it had suffered in previous months. We have been in the midst of a relative dip in new software...
Video What Happens When Mario 3D World Meets Mario Kart?
Mount Must Dash, that's what
If you read our Super Mario 3D World review yesterday then you'll no doubt be very excited indeed about getting your hands on the game when it launches soon. With that in mind, we'll be running a video every day right up to release, each showing one of the game's amazingly inventive levels. First up is World 3-6,...
Video There Are Four New Super Mario 3D World Commercials to Show Off Its Awesomeness
See, it's fun
We can finally say it, unequivocally, without the big embargo anvil over our heads — Super Mario 3D World is a wonderful game. It's magnificent, actually, which is why we gave it 10/10 in our review; it's a must own for Wii U owners and those planning to pick up a system. Nintendo UK is keen to get the message out, of course, and...
Review Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)
A purrfect blend
Super Mario 3D World is a brave release as it strives, without any hint of apology, to hit on a formula to satisfy the majority of 2D platforming fans and the smaller — but still sizeable — legion of 3D Mario devotees. Many enjoy both, of course, yet they’ve always been distinct experiences that often lead to a clear...
Parent Trap Super Mario 3D World Is Another Family Classic From Nintendo
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson is feline groovy
It’s been a while since I first stepped into the world of 3D with Mario. Super Mario 64 seems like an age ago, and my whole family of five has been created in the meantime. However, like any worthwhile creation, a multiplayer version of this three dimensional play-space was important to get right...
Weirdness You'll Still Be Able To (Sort Of) Play Watch Dogs This Christmas
Perhaps not in the way you'd expect, though
Ubisoft's Watch_Dogs was one of 2013's most anticipated titles, until it got pushed into 2014, that is. While nothing can really remedy the disappointment of missing out on one of the most exciting new games in recent memory, you can still Watch Dogs — quite literally — thanks to the well-intentioned...
News Nintendo Addresses Confusion Surrounding Wii U's Name In Latest TV Commercial
"We already have a Wii, sweety-kins!"
Nintendo seems to be getting serious with its latest Wii U advertising campaign. The company's latest television spot continues its series of humorous "Pitch" commercials that playfully feature children using diagrams and formal presentations to communicate to their parents that purchasing a Wii U just makes...
News Wii U System Update 4.0.2 Goes Live
Spot the differences
It's system update time once again on the Wii U, though before you get out the party hats you should know that 4.0.2 U (North America) and 4.0.2 E (Europe) are only small files focused on "minor adjustments". As expected, the Nintendo changelog says the following. Further improvements to overall system stability and other...
News Nintendo Picks Up 10 Nominations for Spike VGX Awards
Super Mario 3D World up for Game of the Year
Spike TV's annual video game awards show, newly re-branded this year as VGX, has released the list of nominees for its 7th December ceremony. Nintendo doesn't make that bad of a showing among the potential winners, with Nintendo-only titles receiving 10 nominations (11 if you want to count the Wii U...
News Happy Birthday, Wii U - You're One Today
Twelve months have passed since the North American launch
It's been a year since the Wii U hit store shelves in North America, and it's fair to say that the first twelve months of the console's life have been somewhat mixed. We've had some amazing games, like Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, and there are...
News Professor Layton Cracks the UK Top 10 as 3DS XL Hardware Sales Double
The gentleman finds a solution
Last week we reported that Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy made its UK chart début in 13th place; as a single-format title up against various multi-platform behemoths it was a respectable showing. It seems that the power of bundles has done much for the title and its predecessor — Professor
News Performance of Batman: Arkham Origins Wii U Version Compares Unfavourably to 360 and PS3
"It's hard to recommend the Wii U game at all"
Just recently we published our Batman: Arkham Origins review, and for multiple reasons we felt that it fell below the standards of its predecessors. We also suggested the visuals were "shaky", though tech-heads now have a full Digital Foundry face-off to consider for the Caped Crusader's latest...
News These Three New Kickstarter Projects Are Trying To Fund Their Way Onto Wii U
Crowdfunding just got a whole lot Wii U-er
Kickstarter is once again the name with the games, as three unique new projects are all trying to crowdfund their way to Wii U stretch goals. The first of the Wii U hopefuls is Tadpole Treble, an aquatic adventure in which an adorable tadpole wiggles across levels that are set up as musical notation. As...
Review Call of Duty: Ghosts (Wii U)
Grabbed by the ghoulies
With all of the noise made in the wake of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's success — everything from sky-high sales figures to unfortunate ad campaigns, or the rise, fall and subsequent embalming of developer Infinity Ward — it's easy to lose sight of just how phenomenal and innovative that game really was. Genres evolve...
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