Wii U News
May2013
News This Famicom GamePad Skin is a Thing of Beauty
A retro reminder every day
So, who is it says that the Japanese market gets all of the coolest limited edition Nintendo hardware and accessories? Well, lots of people, including us at Nintendo Life — because it's often true. The latest example is the pictured Famicom skin on the way to lovingly cover Wii U GamePad controllers in Nintendo's...
News Life of Pixel Could Make It To Wii U Should It Meet Kickstarter Stretch Goal
The Vita platformer is hoping to jump onto other systems
UK-based developer Super Icon is behind the fun-looking Life of Pixel, which is available to download now on PlayStation Vita. It plays like a platform game and allows you to progress through several eras of gaming by giving you a broad selection of levels based on various classic old-school...
Talking Point DLC's Increasingly Important Role for Nintendo
Games are a bit less 'final' than they used to be
It's not so long ago that Sony and Microsoft's platforms began to drown in DLC (downloadable content) while, for Nintendo gamers, it was largely restricted to the occasional Guitar Hero or Rock Band track on Wii. Nintendo had an attitude of adopting online trends and practices in its own sweet time,...
News Activison Anticipating Rough End To 2013, Wii U Partly Responsible
Playing the blame game?
Super-publisher Activision has posted better than predicted financial results for the first quarter of the year, but CEO Bobby Kotick has stated that he expects the latter part of 2013 to be less fruitful — and the poor commercial performance of the Wii U is partially to blame. Net revenues were $1.32 billion during the...
More details emerge for Eternal Darkness successor
Precursor has revealed some details about how it intends to distribute its Eternal Darkness "spiritual successor" Shadow of the Eternals. Speaking on the company's official site, Technical Director Sean Thompson had this to say: Our plan is $5 / episode, via digital delivery. However other...
News Capcom Describes Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate as a "Smash Hit"
Monster Hunter 4 focus still seems to be on the Japanese market
Capcom has recently revealed its annual financial results, ultimately reporting profits both in terms of net and operating incomes. It was the company's revelations on game sales that were perhaps the most interesting, with Resident Evil 6 hitting 4.9 million units but failing to hit...
News Disney Interactive Suffers Financial Loss in Q1
The only Disney division to not turn a profit
The House that Mickey Built made a strong financial showing in the first quarter of 2013, but the Games that Mickey Makes can’t share in the good news. While Disney as a whole reported a 32 percent increase in its net income to $1.5 billion, Disney Interactive saw a loss of $54 million for the same...
News Delta Six Gun Controller Starts A Kickstarter Campaign
Perfect for FPS fans
The video game market isn't short of first person shooters these days. With franchises like Call of Duty being released on a yearly basis there's clearly a lot of demand out there for the genre. However, it's easy to see how people may feel that they can't get into the game with a normal controller, and for this reason inventor...
News Rest Easy, Injustice: Gods Among Us DLC Will Be Hitting The Wii U This Summer
Better late than never?
Yesterday we reported that Wii U owners who had purchased Injustice: Gods Among Us were being left out of the DLC love-in currently being lapped up by PS3 and 360 players. Warner Bros. has — up to this point — been reluctant to divulge any details on when (or if) the downloadable content will be made available to Wii U...
News Just Cause Dev Thinks Wii U Is "Cool" But Has No Immediate Plans To Support It
Dev kits gathering dust, Nintendo hard to get in touch with
Just Cause developer Avalanche has revealed that its Wii U dev kits are gathering dust and that it has found Nintendo a difficult company to pin down. Speaking in an interview with Pressfire, Avalanche founder Christofer Sundberg had this to say when asked if he had any plans for...
News East Meets West In RPG Festival Of Magic, And It's Coming To The Wii U eShop
Creator SnowCastle Games is now a registered Wii U dev
Nordic developer SnowCastle Games has gained approval to produce games for the Wii U, and has confirmed that its RPG Festival of Magic is coming to the console's eShop. Described by the developer as "a Nordic take on an Eastern genre", this adventure RPG looks absolutely stunning, as you can...
News Precursor And Nintendo In "Constant" Contact Regarding Eternal Darkness Successor
"They have been very supportive of our endeavour"
Following the announcement of Eternal Darkness "spiritual successor" Shadow of the Eternals, many fans expressed concern regarding the game's link to the Silicon Knights' GameCube classic. If this was a true sequel — as the involvement of Denis Dyack would suggest — then why not call it Eternal...
News Assassin's Creed Creator Fired From Ubisoft Less Than Two Months After Rejoining
"I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights"
Patrice Désilets has been fired from Ubisoft less than two months after rejoining the company following the collapse of THQ. Désilets was one of the leading figures in the creation of the million-selling Assassin's Creed series, and departed Ubisoft in 2010 in order to take some time out from...
News CNN Money: Nintendo Is "Tone Deaf" To Industry Trends And Has "Lost Touch With Reality"
Time for more gloomy predictions
Toot toot! The Doom & Gloom Express is pulling into the station, making another stop en route toward the predicted potential downfall of Nintendo! Who’s that stepping up to get their ticket punched? Why, it’s tech writer Adrian Covert at CNN Money! In a piece entitled “Nintendo’s big problem”, Covert...
News Ubisoft Shanghai is Developing The Wii U Version of Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Ubisoft Toronto has drafted in some help
Splinter Cell: Blacklist has been in production for a while now and was confirmed as a Wii U title not so long ago. While the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC versions are being developed by the newly opened Ubisoft Toronto, the Wii U edition is in fact being made by Ubisoft Shanghai. Ubisoft Shanghai has...
News Wolfenstein: The New Order Can be Added to the 'Maybe on Wii U' List
Bethesda's playing it cool
Wolfenstein: The New Order was officially announced today, after publisher Bethesda lifted the lid on the teasers that it had tweeted over the weekend. The franchise, which is perhaps best known for the original and iconic Wolfenstein 3D that was released on, among many others, Super NES. There have been more titles...
Feature Ten Smartphone and Tablet Games We'd Like to See on Wii U
Oh yes, we're going there
Earlier this week we reported on a story in the Japanese media that Nintendo is providing developers with software to convert smartphone games to Wii U. If true that could potentially have various implications, but until Nintendo reveals more — the source report was a little vague and quoted anonymous "company sources"...
News Wii U Owners Shunned Again As Warner Refuses To Reveal Injustice DLC Release Date
"We have not made any DLC announcements for Wii U"
If you own Injustice: Gods Among Us on the Xbox 360 or PS3, then you can enjoy some nice additional downloadable content right now. However, if you bought the same game for the Wii U — for the same price, naturally — then you're out of luck as far as DLC is concerned. At the time of release,...
News Pachter: Nintendo Made The Right Decision In Skipping E3 This Year
“I think that Nintendo gave this a lot of thought"
Nintendo's decision to not hold its traditional E3 press conference this year resulted in a some rather mixed emotions, with many fans crying foul and almost as many stating that it made sense, given the current state of the market and the impending launches of the PS4 and Next Xbox. Analyst...
News Michael Biehn Is Pretty Bummed Out That Nobody Liked Aliens: Colonial Marines
"I never really heard too much about it"
'80s movie icon Michael Biehn has been speaking to Major Nelson about his role in Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, and appears to be pretty pleased with how the game went. He has revealed that "around a hundred" fans have already been in contact to tell him how much they like the game, and that he has high hopes for...
News Nintendo Invites Media to Wii U Software Showcase at E3
"Come play with us"
Nintendo's plans for E3 have become a little clearer today, after the surprising recent announcement that the company is skipping its annual major presentation — all while Sony and Microsoft merrily carry on. While we're still not sure what the big N plans to amuse the wider public with — assuming it plans to do so at all —...
News DICE Tested Its Frostbite Engine On Wii U, Wasn't Enamoured With The Results
Dat "unprecedented relationship"
DICE's Johan Andersson has hinted that the company's future Star Wars titles won't be making their way to the Wii U. Speaking about the new publishing agreement between Disney and EA on Twitter, Andersson stated that the company's titles will be built using its Frostbite 3 game engine — which means that there's...
News Watch_Dogs Enables Players To Connect To The Game Via Their Mobile Phone
Connectivity is "a core pillar"
Ubisoft's upcoming title Watch_Dogs sees you take control of Aiden Pearce as he wanders around the streets of Chicago, hacking into all kinds of devices and connecting with a plethora of electronics. It seems that this connectivity is something Ubisoft wants to build more on as the company has revealed in a YouTube...
Rumour Nintendo Helping Developers to Convert Smartphone Games to Wii U
A smart idea, or a bit phoned in?
As a new financial year picks up steam, and with Nintendo no doubt co-ordinating efforts ahead of a major Wii U marketing push in the coming months, we're likely to see a variety of initiatives to assist the home console. One that's being reported by the media in Japan is that Nintendo's providing developers with...
News Yuke's Has A Pacific Rim Game In Development
Expect plenty of big robots
Pacific Rim is one of this year's major cinema blockbusters and it has been revealed that there will be a video game tie-in for it, which will no doubt be released at around the same time. It's to be developed and published by Yuke's, the studio behind the annual WWE licensed releases. The upcoming WWE title is still...
Video The Latest Resident Evil Revelations Developer Diary Focuses on Virus Infestations
Inoue-san is making us nervous
Capcom's series of developer diary videos continue to arrive and remind us that, later this month, the glossy HD re-release of 3DS title Resident Evil Revelations will land on Wii U and other platforms. While one of the best technical demonstrations of what the 3DS can accomplish, it'll be interesting to see how the...
Feature Nintendo Life's Staff Favourites - Miiverse Illustrations
Game art for all to enjoy
Earlier this week we directed your attention to the "Printing Miiverse" art show, which is a collection of 13,255 drawings from 172 artists, showing just how many attractive illustrations have graced the Wii U's social network. Miiverse has proven to be an early success on Nintendo's system with plenty of active...
News Debauchery and Seduction to Play Key Roles in Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag
Kenway wants to "get rich and prove himself a ‘man of quality'"
While the pirates in the Caribbean theme — which reminds us of something — of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag may have caused some mirth and casual mockery when the game was unveiled earlier this year, there's still little doubt that the title will earn yet another mature age...
News EA Not Kicking Out Any Details On A FIFA 14 Release For Wii U
Let's hope the game doesn't get a red card
Last month, we were given fresh details on Electronic Art's next installment in the FIFA franchise, FIFA 14; however, a Wii U version wasn't mentioned in the initial line-up. In the press release, EA did say that additional platforms would be announced in the coming months. When questioned by
News Shadow of the Eternals Expected To Spook Its Way Onto Wii U Next Year
Crowdfunding begins on 6th May
The "spiritual successor" to Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem will embark on a crowdfunding campaign on the 6th May, this coming Monday. Titled Shadow of the Eternals, the upcoming cult classic sequel is said to be in development by Precursor Games. The crowdfunding won't be done on Kickstarter as it's a Canadian...
Rumour Nintendo Planning a 3D Mario Release on Wii U Before October
Operation Wii U Revival, perhaps?
As Nintendo has made clear both in its Wii U Direct earlier in the year and in recent notes to investors, the second half of 2013 will see a major, sustained effort to kick-start a Wii U resurgence. We have a number of known releases that are set to grace the system in the Fall period, such as Pikmin 3 and The...
News Nyan Cat, Keyboard Cat Meme Creators Suing Over Appearance in Scribblenauts
[Insert rageface of choice here.]
When your fame comes from getting plastered in every corner of the Internet possible, a nod in a videogame may seem a positive thing. The originators of Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat (known in everyday life as Fatso) do not appear to agree, having hit developer 5th Cell and publisher Warner Bros. with lawsuits arguing...
News This "Printing Miiverse" Art Show Gives a Glimpse of the Network's Potential
Non-profit gallery will be streamed online
Nintendo seems to be rather proud of Miiverse, and rightly so, recently launching a browser-based beta version of the social network — miiverse.nintendo.net — and making it clear that the platform would play a major role in advertising and building awareness of the Wii U. Since its launch plenty of...
Video Rayman Legends has the Eye of the Tiger, Mariachi Style
We pity the fools who don't check it out
Ubisoft seems to be getting ready to build the excitement for Rayman Legends, which will finally grace the Wii U in late August/early September. In the meantime Wii U owners can indulge in the free Challenge App, which is another way to build a bit of personal hype for the long-awaited platformer. One new...
News Game & Wario Gets Crazy in Europe on 28th June
Details given on mini-games
Game & Wario is the next first-party retail title scheduled for Wii U, and hits North America at a discounted price of $39.99 on 23rd June. While we don't know about pricing yet, we do now know that the European release is just slightly later than across the Atlantic, hitting stores on 28th June. Nintendo UK's press...
News Madden NFL Is Skipping Nintendo Systems For The First Time Since 1991
"We have a strong partnership with Nintendo" claims EA
Electronic Arts has revealed that Madden NFL 25 will not be making an appearance on the Wii U this year. The snub means that the series is skipping Nintendo systems entirely for the first time since 1991 — the year that saw the original John Madden Football arrive on the Super Nintendo. EA...
News UK Retailer Asda Slashes Basic Wii U Bundle Price To £149
Premium bundle now £199
UK supermarket Asda has reduced the prices of its Wii U bundles for the second time this year. The Basic Wii U pack now costs £149 and the Premium
Video The Many Control Schemes of Call Of Duty: Black Ops II
Assuming direct control
Before we get started, some introductions are in order. I'm Rory, and I'm relatively new here. You may have heard my voice on some recent videos, and for that I can only apologise. I've been tasked by the Nintendo Life bosses with creating original video content for the site, and so far, it's been kind of a mixed bag; on the...
News Activision Reveals Call Of Duty: Ghosts, Doesn't Mention Wii U Version
Publisher considers Wii U to be "next generation"
In a move which has surprised absolutely nobody, Activision has confirmed that Call of Duty: Ghosts is the next entry in the unreasonably popular men-shooting-men franchise. It's expected to launch on November 5th. A recent listing by a Spanish retailer gave us hope that the Wii U would be getting...
Talking Point Lessons to be Learned, Again, From the Wii U Games Drought
Fresh approaches can avoid repeat scenarios
So here's the deal, Wii U owners. The next notable exclusive for the platform isn't due until late June — when Game & Wario hits North America — and then Pikmin 3 hits the same region on 4th August. The eShop DLC-exclusive New Super Luigi U comes in the summer at an undefined point; if you're in...
News Smartphones And Tablets To Be "Primary Screen For Gamers" By 2017
Juniper Research cites falling 3DS and Wii U sales forecasts as proof
According to analyst group Juniper Research, smartphone and tablet devices will be the "primary screen for gamers" by the year 2017, thanks to the increasing dominance of mobile tech and the rapidly-advancing standard of games available. Juniper predicts that a whopping 64.1...
News Nintendo Sends Direct Wii U Marketing Message To Wii Owners
A new step in the Wii U campaign
The Wii U isn't just an upgrade, it's an entirely new console. This is the most important bit of information in a message Nintendo has sent out to Wii owners, emphasizing that there is in fact a difference between the two systems. It's time to discover Wii U. Wii U is the all-new home console from Nintendo. It's...
News Game Audio Professional Contemplates the Importance of Iconic Gaming Sounds
Nintendo is naturally mentioned
When it comes to iconic game sounds, the passage of time hasn't stopped some of Nintendo's earliest efforts — particularly those made famous in games such Super Mario Bros. — being immediately familiar to the general public. In fact we use the coin collecting sound in the two second intro to videos on our YouTube...
News Sega and Gearbox Sued By Irate Gamer Over "Misleading" Aliens: Colonial Marines Footage
In court, no one can hear you scream
When Sega canned the Wii U version of Aliens: Colonial Marines it probably hoped that it would draw a line under what has been an especially torrid project for the publisher. The highly-anticipated game launched on other formats to scathing reviews and nightmarish stories from people involved wi
Rumour Next Sonic Game Will Go Back To His Roots, Is Coming To Wii U And 3DS
Revisiting the classic 16-bit era?
It's pretty obvious that Sega is working on a new Sonic game — the company's mascot is a big draw capable of selling thousands of units. This year's offering is still under wraps, but details are continuing to leak onto the web. According to a source cited on NeoGAF, the next Sonic game will be more akin to the...
April2013
News Nintendo Issues Statement on Wii U Hacking Attempt
The system appears to be secure
Nintendo has responded to claims by hacking group, Wiikey, that it's hacked the Wii U to play pirated, copied games. While Nintendo does acknowledge that it's aware of the reported hacking, the Wii U appears to still be secure. Responding to the circulating reports, Nintendo issued a statement to Eurogamer:...
Rumour GTA V Has Been Tested On Wii U Dev Kits For Some Time
Take this news lightly
Rumours have been circulating the internet for quite some time now when it comes to Rockstar's hotly anticipated Grand Theft Auto V potentially seeing a release on the Wii U; when a new one pops up, we have a bucket full of salt at the ready. Let's take a small trip back to last September, when Swedish retailer CDON listed...
News Satoru Iwata: Nintendo Has No Plans To Adopt Cloud Gaming
Will continue to monitor developments in technology
During the recent investor Q&A, Satoru Iwata faced a number of questions about the future of the video game market and where Nintendo will position itself within it. One growing area of the industry is cloud gaming, which allows players to stream a game from a company's server directly to...
Review Ice Climber (Wii U eShop / NES)
Slippery controls are on thin ice
Ice Climber, despite the self-explanatory title, is more complex than a cursory glance would suggest. Popo the parka-toting lad (and identical twin Nana in the multiplayer mode) must scale thirty-two vertically scrolling mountains to rescue a large number of delicious eggplants, using only wits and indestructible...
Exclusive Tengami Confirmed For Wii U Release
Nyamyam authorised as Wii U developer
UK developer Nyamyam has exclusively confirmed to us that Tengami is coming to the Wii U eShop. The game is currently in development for the Apple iPad. The studio has issued us with this statement regarding the news: Last year we asked on Twitter whether you would like to see Tengami on the Wii U. The...
Unity and Nintendo Web Framework to play key roles
The Wii U is a system with many positives and exciting features, but with revealed and soon-to-be-revealed competitors from Sony and Microsoft on the horizon, there are some concerns and challenges as well. Two of these are third-party development support — a topic that goes back to the Wii days...
News Nintendo To Reveal Retro's New Wii U Game "In The Not So Distant Future"
Counting down the days
Are you dying to know what Retro Studios is working on right now? Well you won't have to wait much longer, because Nintendo's Hiro Yamada has told Official Nintendo Magazine that the company will be lifting the lid on the new Wii U title soon. Retro moved to larger offices last year, presumably to enlarge its workforce for...
News Satoru Iwata: First Party Wii U Game Delays Are to Ensure That They're "Valuable Titles"
It's becoming harder for games "to move or amaze consumers"
During his recent investor Q & A, Satoru Iwata faced some questions about the delays and lacking Wii U games line-up, with no first-party relief due until the Summer months. The questioning appears to have been polite, but nevertheless touched on a current weak point for Nintendo as the...
News Nintendo Has Plans to Deliver "New Offers" In Download Stores
Free-to-play and subscription-based services are on the agenda
Following last week's annual financial results and the President's Presentation, Satoru Iwata faced the music in an investor Q&A to address important issues for Nintendo's prospective return to substantial profits. This was published promptly in Japanese, but we now have the official...
News Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures Is Coming To Nintendo Platforms
Life imitates art
The Angry Video Game Nerd made a name for himself by attacking NES games, but now he's come full circle. Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures is a pixel-heavy 2D platform adventure which stars everyone's favourite grumpy gamer, complete with Power Glove and Zapper. It's been confirmed that it will be coming to modern Nintendo consoles...
News Platinum's Inaba: Wonderful 101 Is So Much Fun You'll "Wear Out Your GamePad"
"Actually, the Wii U GamePad is pretty sturdy, so you probably won’t"
Yesterday, we reported that Platinum Games' Hideki Kamiya had taken to Twitter to indicate that The Wonderful 101 wasn't a game that would take that long to complete. "If u hate to finish a game the next day u buy it, u better not play TW101," he said. "I focus on how it is fun,...
News Game & Wario to Retail at $39.99 in the U.S.
Nintendo confirms budget pricing from day one
Late last week eager pre-order shoppers in the U.S. spotted that some retailers were listing Game & Wario at a lower-than-normal price, with pre-order guarantees tempting some to jump on the perceived bargain deals. It's now been confirmed by Nintendo, however, that the official retail price of this...
News Kickstarter For Ecco The Dolphin Successor Sinks Beneath The Waves
Only $55,000 raised of a $665,000 target
We reported recently that the man behind Ecco the Dolphin had launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a spiritual sequel to the game, with a Wii U edition being a distinct possibility. Sadly for Ed Annunziata, the campaign for The Big Blue wasn't a succ
News Mutant Mudds Developer Muses on Wii U Design
Hardware could have taken more cues from game elements
Renegade Kid co-founder and game director Jools Watsham professes a love for Nintendo in his recent blog post, which is why he also says it hurts him to see the Wii U struggling to forge its identity in the public eye. Watsham says he understand why Nintendo would want to keep the Wii brand...
News Watch_Dogs Stalking Onto U.S. Wii U Consoles on 19th November, Europe on 21st November
New trailer and details of four different special editions released
Ubisoft has confirmed that Watch_Dogs will launch in the U.S. on 19th November, Europe on 21st November and in the UK on 22nd November. In terms of UK retail offerings, meanwhile, the game will be available in four (count 'em) different editions: Dedsec (UK exclusive), Vigilante...
News Don't Worry, Nnooo's Next Game Will Be On A Nintendo Console, Too
PS4 and PS Vita title is making the jump
Nnooo has a history of working on Nintendo platforms, but it has also dabbled with rival formats, too. Its next game is scheduled to be released on the PS4 and PS Vita, but thankfully that doesn't mean that the Aussie studio is ignoring Nintendo fans. In reply to a tweet from one of its followers, Nnooo...
News The Wonderful 101 Is Focused On "Fun" And Not Game Length
Director Hideki Kamiya takes to Twitter
Although games are often compared to movies, it's not an entirely fair match — when was the last time you watched a movie which offers 10 or more hours of entertainment in a single viewing? However, not every 40-hour gaming epic is a classic, which is a fair indication that size isn't everything. That's a...
News Expect Batman To Sound Different In Arkham Origins
Kevin Conroy isn't reprising his role in the upcoming game
Voice actor Kevin Conroy has confirmed that he won't be returning to provide his vocal talents to Bruce Wayne's alter ego in the forthcoming Batman: Arkham Origins. Conroy has lent his voice to the Caped Crusader in cartoons and games for many years, with his first video game credit being...
News Rex Rocket Could Come To Wii U And 3DS If Funding Targets Are Met
Retro-styled action platformer currently being Kickstarted
Another week, another Kickstarter campaign for a title which might be coming to Nintendo platforms. Thankfully, Rex Rocket is well worth keeping an eye on. The game is a 2D platformer which needs $6,000 of funding to get made — and it's already bagged over $2,500 of that total with 27...
Rumour Call Of Duty: Ghosts Will Be Spooking Wii U This Year
Spanish retailer gives Nintendo fans renewed hope
Activision is close to announcing this year's Call of Duty entry, but we've already seen a couple of retailers leak information related to the title. Call of Duty: Ghosts apparently uses a new game engine and is expected to hit multiple platforms — one of which should be the Wii U, if a listing by...
Hands On Getting Competitive in the Rayman Legends Challenges App
Nice for a freebie, modest as compensation
Sometimes game releases, or apps in this case, bring to an end a saga of delays, upset fans and development strife. This Rayman Legends Challenges App does that, representing the final (probably) peace offering from Ubisoft to disgrunted Wii U owners before Rayman Legends arrives in late August/early...
Video Let's Play The Amazing Spider-Man On Wii U
Are your spider senses tingling?
There are so many superhero reboots these days it's hard to keep up. Thankfully, Nintendo Life video features editor Rory Cocker seems to knows his Hulk from his Man of Steel, and was tasked this week with playing the first half an hour of The Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition, recently released on the Wii U. You...
Rumour New Call of Duty Title To Be Revealed Next Week
Promotional material suggests 1st May will be the day
Call of Duty: Black Ops II was revealed last year on 1st May during the NBA playoffs and it appears the next iteration in the Call of Duty franchise may well be announced at around the same time this year. Nothing has been revealed yet, although recent retailer listings and a few leaks on...
News New River City Ransom Sequel Confirmed
A crowd-funding campaign is set to launch this Summer
Combit Studios has announced it is currently developing a sequel to the popular sidescrolling fighter River City Ransom, which was released on the NES in 1989. According to its website, the Canada-based studio will be working with Million - the developer behind the Game Boy Advance remake River...
Video Here's Some Footage Of The Rayman Legends Challenges App
Hands-on with Ubisoft's peace offering to Wii U owners
This week sees the release of the Rayman Legends Challenges App, a free download which is largely intended to pacify angry Wii U owners following the delay of the game itself. Although the app itself is offered entirely free of charge, Nintendo Life video features editor Rory Cocker has put...
Hardware Review MaxPlay Wii U In-Car Adapter
Take your gaming on the road
A few eyebrows were raised when we reported on the existence of the MaxPlay adapter, a newfangled contraption which allows you to power your Wii U console from your car's standard 12V cigarette lighter socket. However, we can now report that this unique item is in fact the real deal, having tried it for ourselves. The...
News Wii U System Update Is Now Live
Get it while it's hot
Nintendo's long-expected Wii U system update is now live. The 673MB download speeds up various elements of the Wii U's menu, Here's the official run-down of new features, courtesy of Nintendo: Version 3.0.0 U Released: April 25, 2013 New Features: A standby function to download and install software while the system is...
News Analyst: Nintendo of America "Forgot Marketing 101" For Wii U
Analysts weigh in on Wii U and Nintendo's future
Nintendo recently revealed its financial results for 2012/2013 which showed the Wii U hadn't performed particularly well. Sales of the company's latest home console were well below the initial projection of 5.5 million units and even failed to meet the adjusted estimate of four million. Between the...
News Rayman Legends Release Brought Forward to 3rd September in North America, 30th August in Europe
The free challenge app is on the Wii U eShop today, remember
Update: We originally quoted an EU release date that we received directly and a US release date of 27th August given to Joystiq — the source link is at the end of the article. Joystiq has now confirmed that Ubisoft has corrected the US release date to 3rd September, so we've updated the...
News Wii U and 3DS Online Connection Rates Exceed 80%
Europe lagging behind with just 57% of connected 3DS systems
Just recently Nintendo of America announced a 3DS connection rate of 67%, but it seems that this was a rather conservative figure. During his post financial results presentation, Satoru Iwata has outlined impressive online connection ratios for Nintendo's systems, with one region standing...
News Nintendo Won't Be Holding A Large-Scale Press Conference At E3 This Year
"We are continuing to investigate ways to deliver information"
Nintendo has confirmed that it is not doing a large-scale press conference at this year's E3, instead choosing to hold behind-closed-doors events for press and distributors. Where does that leave people watching over the internet? Nintendo has said that it is investigating "ways to...
Feature Nintendo's Financial Revelations and Hardware Strategies
3DS leads as Wii U goes slow and steady
Around this time every year Nintendo reports its financial results for the previous 12 months, and in by-gone days they could be summarised very easily — "we're rolling in cash like money hogs, victory lattes for everyone". Recently it's not been quite that simple, with the decline starting with the initial...
News Rejoice, Mario Kart Wii U Is Coming This Year
Pole position
We already know that Nintendo is working on a fresh Mario Kart entry for the Wii U and that it will make its debut at this year's E3. However, in a PR email pertaining to its 2013 financial results, Nintendo has let slip that the game will be rolled out onto the starting grid this year, which should give the struggling console a...
News Meet The Wii U Karaoke System Which Costs $16,000
Big in Japan
With many retailers complaining that the Wii U costs too much, it's odd that we're reporting on a variant of the console which retails for an eye-watering $16,000, but such is the weird and wacky world of the video game industry. Produced by Japanese company Xing, the JoySound Festa is so large it has to be wheeled around on a trolley...
News One Of Shin'en's Forthcoming Wii U Titles Will Have Online Play
A first for the studio
We already know that Shin'en Multimedia is hard at work on two new Wii U titles, but so far the company — which has produced hits such as Nano Assault Neo, FAST Racing League and Jett Rocket — has given away little information on what they might be. Speaking to
Review Injustice: Gods Among Us (Wii U)
Immortal kombat
We’ve all had this same discussion. Who would win in a fight between Batman and Superman? NetherRealm Studios — the development team behind the successful 2011 reboot of the Mortal Kombat franchise — was kind enough to create Injustice: Gods Among Us, a fighting game almost specifically designed to answer that one burning...
News Wii U Virtual Console Launch Lineup Is Revealed
Eight titles available at launch
Nintendo has revealed via its Wii U Facebook account the launch lineup for the Wii U Virtual Console. The initial batch of games will be: Punch-Out!! Balloon Fight Kirby's Adventure
Rumour Batman: Arkham Origins to Include Multiplayer Mode
Play as your favourite villain
Kotaku has reported that Batman: Arkham Origins, which is coming to the Wii U later this year, will include a multiplayer mode. The unconfirmed report states that players will step into the shoes of classic Batman villains and try to take town Batman and Robin. If the rumour is to be believed, Origins would be the...
Talking Point The Wii U's Identity Crisis
Muddled messages aren't helping matters
Let's start this with some clear points, to head-off accusations before they're made. No, we don't think Nintendo is doomed and no, we don't think the Wii U is doomed. While critical of some aspects of the Wii U since release, in general we've maintained a line that the system cannot be judged yet, and that...
News Road Rash-Inspired Road Redemption Confirmed For Wii U Release
Assuming Kickstarter goal is met, of course
Road Redemption is a motorcycle combat game which owes a massive debt to EA's 16-bit title Road Rash — and it could be coming to the Wii U, if it can meet its Kickstarter goal. DarkSeas Games — a studio made up of talent from Sega, Sony, Bioware, Gameloft, EA, Pyro Studios, Disney Interactive, 2K...
News Ubisoft: Splinter Cell "Really is a Thinking Game"
Blacklist to incorporate styles suiting veterans and newcomers
In past generations the Splinter Cell franchise was one of the biggest in the games industry, with its initially unique approach to stealth attracting plenty of plaudits and sales. While the series is still very much a fixture on the release calendar, it doesn't quite have the same...
News Project CARS Dev Making Sure Wii U Doesn't Get A "Crappy" Version
That's nice of them
Project CARS is an ambitious cross-platform racer which is coming to a wide range of systems, including the Wii U. Developer Slightly Mad Games has been speaking about the Nintendo edition of the game, and continues to say nice things about the hardware. Slightly Mad's Andy Tudor had this to say to Revo
Video Covert Splinter Cell Blacklist Wii U GamePad Features Revealed
Oh so sneaky
The confirmation that Splinter Cell Blacklist will arrive on Wii U this August was another welcome multi-platform release announcement from Ubisoft, especially as the GamePad is set to be utilised for its own unique uses. We've seen some details around weapon and item management on the touch screen — of course — as well as some...
Rumour Take-Two To Reveal Next-Gen Versions of Grand Theft Auto V At Investor Call
Handful of salt at the ready
After a brief delay Grand Theft Auto V is down for a 17th September release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and Rockstar, the game's developer, has not commented on it ever emerging on the next generation of consoles. Rumours have always been rife that Grand Theft Auto V will eventually become available for Wii U,...
Interview Marc Franklin - Nintendo of America
We chat with Nintendo's head PR honcho about 3DS, Earthbound and Zelda
Between test drives of a selection of Nintendo's 2013 line-up, including The Legend of Zelda 3DS, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, we had the chance to catch up with Nintendo of America's PR wizard Marc Franklin to talk about w
Video Nintendo Life Plays The First 35 Minutes Of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Learning the hard way
Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is a fantastic game, but it's also a seriously hardcore experience, requiring dedication, skill and the patience of a saint. Just in case our reviews of the Wii U and the 3DS versions haven't convinced you to make the purchase, we sat our video features editor and Monster Hunter virgin Rory...
News Nintendo Of America Rep Insists That Lost Digital Content "Not Covered For Replacement"
Don't lose that 3DS
We've previously grumbled a bit about the fact that Nintendo currently does not employ a proper ID-based system for its downloads. Instead, the content you purchase on your Wii U and 3DS via their respective eShops is tied to the system itself. Stories have been circulating that Nintendo is prepared to replace digital content if...
Rumour Wii U System Update Could Go Live Tomorrow
Virtual Console looks set to open on Tuesday
The Wii U Virtual Console is scheduled to launch a day after the upcoming system update, which is set to go live at some point this week. Nintendo didn't give any specific date for the update, but it appears that it could be up and running as soon as Monday as the official website has already started...
Talking Point The Arrival of eShop Download Codes in Stores is a Smart Move
Another step forward
This week it was announced that Nintendo of Europe had established an agreement with retailer GAME, for it to exclusively sell select download codes from the high street and its website; it's the first serious move to match up to similar download cards already available in Japan. The GAME retail group has stores across Europe as...
News Neko Entertainment To Release Another Cocoto Game in Europe
It's set to be a retail release
Cocoto, the little red devil who's featured in a few games over the years on several platforms, looks set to be making a comeback in the near future after developer Neko Entertainment confirmed it's working on releasing a new addition to the series with publisher BigBen Interactive. When asked in an interview with...
News GAME Bags European Exclusive On eShop Download Codes
25% additional trade-in value with selected physical titles
UK video game retailer GAME has announced an exclusive partnership with Nintendo which allows it to sell software via eShop codes in-store and online. The agreement will allow Wii U and 3DS owners across Europe to purchase digital content for their consoles via GAME's chain of physical...
News Fresh Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Stock Arrives In The UK
The hunt is back on
Getting hold of a copy of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate in the UK has been easier said than done since the game launched in March; the popularity of Capcom's beast-slaying epic has resulted in a situation where demand has far outstripped supply. Thankfully, Nintendo UK has gotten in touch with us this morning to confirm that the...
News Reggie: Pace Of Wii U Software Launches Is "Slower Than Hoped"
Nintendo of America boss says E3 will bring new software
Let's face facts — the Wii U's software line-up so far hasn't been as robust as many would have hoped. While the console has hosted some amazing titles since its launch last year, the release schedule has dried up in recent months — thanks to delays and cancellations, as well as
News Pandora’s Tower Developer Thinks The Wii U Is "Unique" And "Exciting"
Ganbarion is already thinking of how to exploit the console's features
Japanese developer Ganbarion scored a critical success with Pandora's Tower on the Wii, and the company is now shifting its attention to Nintendo's latest console, the Wii U. Speaking to Siliconera, Pandora’s Tower director Toru Haga was full of praise for the console: The...
Video The Edited Highlights Of This Week's Nintendo Direct
All killer, no filler
This week's Nintendo Direct presentation was packed with amazing info, but with a running time of almost 40 minutes, it might have been a little bit on the long side for many impatient Nintendo fans. But fear not — Nintendo Life Video Features Editor Rory Cocker has sifted through the footage and pulled together the prime...
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