Namco News Articles
Saturday1st Mar 2014
News GBA Titles Super Mario Ball And Pac-Man Collection Rated By Australian Classification Board
Headed for Wii U Virtual Console
Following the trend of the past few weeks, another pair of Game Boy Advance titles — expected to arrive sometime soon on the Wii U Virtual Console — have been classified by Australian Classification Board. The classifications have revealed Super Mario Ball (also known as Mario Pinball Land) and Pac-Man...
Thursday20th Feb 2014
News Namco's Klonoa: Empire of Dreams & Mr. Driller 2 rated by Australian Classification Board
Expected to arrive on Wii U VC soon
As reported last week, Game Boy Advance titles will finally be released on the Wii U Virtual Console from April onwards. While there’s still no pricing or release dates beyond the initial month, what we do know is the first batch arriving on the service will include Metroid Fusion, Mario & Luigi: Superstar...
Wednesday11th Sep 2013
News Taiko: Drum Master Wii U Version Bringing the Beat to Japan in November
Has potential for some serious sales
The Taiko: Drum Master series of games — and there are many — is hugely popular in Japan. The range of releases on multiple systems accounts for that, with five variations released on the Wii alone, three on DS and one on 3DS — releases in the West have been exceptionally rare in comparison. They're such...
Saturday20th Jul 2013
News Soul Calibur II HD Online Not Announced For Wii U
Well that's Link out of the equation
Namco Bandai has revealed an HD remake of Soul Calibur II is in development for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but there's been absolutely no mention of a Wii U adaptation. Soul Calibur II was originally on the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox and each iteration had its own special character. Nintendo fans had the...
Thursday6th Sep 2012
News Tekken Producer: Working With Nintendo Offers Unique Possibilities
There's mushroom for fun features
Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada has spoken to Siliconera about the upcoming Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and briefly discussed what it's like working with Nintendo on the Wii U version. It would appear that from a marketing perspective Namco Bandai are currently keen to push the 360 and PS3 editions of the...
Thursday9th Feb 2012
News Tekken Boss Harada Inspired by Super Smash Bros.
Wants gamers to go 'Auuugghhh'!
Tekken 3D Prime Edition is less that a week away, the second major 3DS release of the year so far. It's a fighting series typically associated with experienced and mature gamers, but in the latest Iwata Asks Katsuhiro Harada has spoken about his desire to bring Tekken to a broader range of players, and explained why...
Saturday22nd Jan 2011
First Impressions Ridge Racer 3D
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge Raceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer
Namco's Ridge Racer series has been around the block a few times on Nintendo platforms, starting out with Ridge Racer 64 all the way up to Ridge Racer DS with a pit stop on Gamecube in between. Now the franchise is drifting on over to 3DS with the appropriately named Ridge...
Friday16th Apr 2010
Nintendo Download 20th & 21st April (Japan)
Ivy the Kiwi makes a multi-platform assault
After last week's slim pickings this week actually provides some choice on both Wii and DSi on the download front, including the first free app from Nintendo on the DSi since the Wii no Ma media viewer was released last May. Better still all of these are brand-new releases, without a catch-up title in...
Monday5th Apr 2010
Nintendo Download 5th April 2010 (North America)
Fish, learning and shooting for the Wii, more Game & Watch and Drilling action on the DSi this week in North America
The Virtual Console continues its streak of not being terrible lately with a lovely import that'll shoot right to the top of shmup fans' to-do list for the week, WiiWare goes educational and aquatic, and today's DSiWare offerings...
Wednesday17th Feb 2010
First Impressions Sakutto Hamareru Hori Hori Action Mr. Driller
Portable Driller action is Go!
Namco's Mr. Driller is certainly one of the greatest arcade puzzle franchises ever, and has even surpassed its arcade heritage on home consoles in the the past decade of its existence. Whilst Drill Land remains the franchise pinnacle, subsequent releases on WiiWare and DS have still been fun entries in the s
Friday4th Dec 2009
Nintendo Download 8-9 December 2009 (Japan)
Virtual Console and DSiWare hog the spotlight
A second week in a row with a solo WiiWare entry, but a bumper crop of Virtual Console goodness and a hefty helping of DSiWare downloads help make up for it. WiiWareChokkan! Balance Labyrinth (500pts - Gameloft) - Not a new title from Gameloft, but just them publishing Digital Leisure's The Incredible...
Saturday28th Nov 2009
Nintendo Download 1-2 December 2009 (Japan)
A light download selection next week after this week's mega releases.
This week's update was full to bursting, so it's just as well that next week is a little on the light side with only a few downloads for both Wii and DSi. WiiWare: Ponjan (1000pts - Tomy) -- The Wii counterpart to the DSiWare release of the kiddy version of mahjong (real mahjong...
Friday20th Nov 2009
Nintendo Download 24-25 November 2009 (Japan)
WiiWare is back and the MSX returns with a vengeance, plus DSiWare and more Namco Arcade games!
Japan gets a lot of downloads ordinarily, but next week must be setting some kind of record - and there's not even a public holiday to account for it! WiiWareOkiraku Kart Wii (500pts - Arc System Works) - You cannot keep the Family down, especially if...
Sunday15th Nov 2009
Nintendo Download 17-18 November 2009 (Japan)
More Namco arcade games and DSiWare next week.
Another WiiWare holiday and only two Virtual Console releases - both Namco arcade games. Hardly seems possible given the number of announced Virtual Console titles for November yet to be released, unless the 24th is going to break all previous records! Virtual Console Bosconian (800pts Arcade - Namco)...
Saturday7th Nov 2009
Nintendo Download 10-11 November 2009 (Japan)
WiiWare takes a holiday, but that's okay because we've got Arcade action and DSiWare!
Well, after this week's Japanese holiday, it looks like we're back to Wii downloads on Tuesdays and DSiWare on Wednesdays for next week. No WiiWare is coming, but that's probably okay after the bumper crop of titles released in October! Virtual ConsoleStreet...
Friday23rd Oct 2009
Nintendo Download 27-28 October 2009 (Japan)
WiiWare is back with a vengeance and Japan gets its teeth into Castlevania: Rebirth
After a hiatus Japanese download services are back in top form with 4 new WiiWare releases, 4 new VC releases and (only) 3 DSiWare titles - not too shabby! WiiWareSimple Series Vol. 5: The Judo (700pts - D3Publisher) -- A first-person judo game featuring local...
Saturday17th Oct 2009
Nintendo Download 20-21 October 2009 (Japan)
WiiWare returns, Dig Dug and more Tower DS!
After a two-week hiatus WiiWare returns, though given we're getting a card game, it's a bit anti-climactic. WiiWareUNO (800pts - Gameloft) -- Gameloft again honours Japan with the first look at a WiiWare title (their last entry, Ghost Mansion Party still hasn't seen release in other territories). Online...
Friday9th Oct 2009
Nintendo Download 13-14 October 2009 (Japan)
WiiWare keeps on resting with VC and DSiWare action for Japanese downloaders next week.
Incredibly it appears we're having a second consecutive week with no WiiWare releases in Japan, but with three more VC titles (including a much-loved Kirby release) and five DSiWare releases, it's hard to complain. Virtual ConsoleKirby Super Deluxe (800pts Super...
Saturday3rd Oct 2009
Nintendo Download 06-07 October 2009 (Japan)
Another WiiWare holiday, three VC Releases and six DSiWare titles for next week!
Apparently there's been so much WiiWare released in Japan recently that they had to take a break next week, but there's three Virtual Console releases to make up for it and the DSi gets the lion's share of downloads again with six titles across all price points. Virtual...
Saturday26th Sep 2009
News Nintendo Download 29-30 September 2009 (Japan)
Things are back on track with a 2-4-7 week!
After another download holiday Japanese downloaders (and their importing compatriots) are having a week that's more VC than WiiWare and more DSiWare than anything else. WiiWareHamekomi Lucky Puzzle Wii Returns (500pts - Tryfirst) -- This is the sequel to the game known as NEVES Plus elsewhere: a puzzle...
Sunday13th Sep 2009
Nintendo Download 15-16 September 2009 (Japan)
The magic numbers next week are 3-3-4 as WiiWare makes a reappearance in Japan.
After a wee holiday from the Japanese download service, WiiWare has come back with three new titles along with three Virtual Console titles and four DSiWare titles for happy downloaders everywhere. WiiWareMinna de Tobikome Penguin Diving Hooper Looper (500pts -...
Friday4th Sep 2009
News Nintendo Download 08-09 September 2009 (Japan)
What's out today?
More arcade classics for the Virtual Console and DSiWare gets the spotlight as WiiWare takes another holiday. For a second week running there's no new WiiWare titles for Japan, but at least there's two VCA titles for the Virtual Console on the way next Tuesday. DSiWare definitely gets the spotlight next week with multiple...
Saturday29th Aug 2009
News Nintendo Download 01-02 September 2009 (Japan)
Another WiiWare holiday, but a few VC games and some DSiWare makes up for it.
After last month's WiiWare windfall it shouldn't be a surprise that Japan is taking a little break from the service. Don't feel too bad for them, because there's three VC titles to tide over Wii downloaders and a few DSiWare titles from Nintendo as well. Virtual...
Friday21st Aug 2009
News Nintendo Download 25-26 August 2009 (Japan)
The WiiWare party is back on with a load of new downloads for both Wii and DSi!
After taking a couple of week's holiday the Japanese WiiWare service is back in action with five new WiiWare releases (two of them aimed at small children), two Virtual Console titles and five new DSiWare downloads. Yes it does seem terribly unfair, but that's life. If...
Thursday13th Aug 2009
Nintendo Download 18-19 August (Japan)
VC and DSiWare on offer next week whilst the WiiWare holiday continues.
After the mega update preceding the Oban Festival holiday this week it looks like things are returning to normal with 4 VC releases and 7 DSi releases for next week, though nothing new in the WiiWare pipeline. Virtual ConsoleIke lke! Nekketsu Hockey-bu (500pts - Technos) -- A...
Friday31st Jul 2009
News Nintendo Download 04-05 August 2009 (JAPAN)
It's a mega update in the Land of the Rising Sun!
The release schedules around the world have seen bumper crops of WiiWare releases (and in PAL territories VC ones courtesy of the latest Hanabi Festival); naturally being Nintendo's home territory it should come as no surprise that Japan outdoes even these impressive download service updates. Next...
Friday24th Jul 2009
Nintendo Download 28-29 July 2009 (Japan)
2 arcade classics, 3 new WiiWare titles and a bumper crop of DSiWare next week.
Looks like we're back to a more familiar release schedule in Japan, but the number of new DSiWare releases is more than normal with 9 new titles (though it has to be admitted two of these are guidebooks). The Virtual Console releases include Tecmo's second offering for...
Friday17th Jul 2009
Nintendo Download 21-22 July 2009 (Japan)
WiiWare catch-up, another classic Namco arcade game and some simple DSiWare puzzling adventure next week.
Next week's schedule is a little on the light side (though as with previous weeks it's possible that Nintendo of Japan is updating their website piecemeal) with only 1 new WiiWare release, a couple of VC offerings and a single DSiWare release...
Friday10th Jul 2009
Nintendo Download 14-15 July 2009 (JAPAN)
Japanese WiiWare is back from holiday with a vengeance, plus Shinobi!
Aside from Electroplankton, last week was possibly the driest Japanese download week in living memory. Nintendo has made up for the WiiWare break last week with five new WiiWare titles in addition to two new Virtual Console Arcade titles and a slew of Game and Watch titles for...
Friday3rd Jul 2009
Nintendo Download 07-08 July 2009 (JAPAN)
A couple of classics on the Wii and a whole lot of Electro-Plankton for the DSi next week in Japan.
Well it looks like Japan is having a WiiWare holiday next week with no new titles having been announced via the website or the shop news bulletin. The two Virtual Console releases offer a catch-up title in the form of Super Punch Out for the Super...
