News Articles
Monday25th Mar 2019
News The Switch Famicom Controller's Microphone Actually Works, Just Like The Original
Could future Joy-Con have a mic built-in?
As you may well remember, to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online - Nintendo Entertainment System collection, both NES and Famicom-style wireless controllers were released for the Switch for online subscribers only. The Famicom versions are exclusive to Japan - just like the system on which...
Thursday21st Feb 2019
News The Legend Of Zelda And Famicom Disk System Are 33 Years Old Today
Seems like there's an anniversary every year...
As time marches on inexorably - week after week, year after year - it should come as no surprise that The Legend of Zelda is 33 years old today. No, not the cartridge version - that wouldn't make an appearance until July '87 in North America - we're talking about the Famicom Disk System original. The...
Monday28th Jan 2019
News Modder Tries To Create A First-Person 8-Bit Zelda Game Inside DOOM Engine
A new perspective
The Legend of Zelda series has taken some interesting new steps in recent years - Breath of the Wild was an entirely different take on the franchise's usual setup - but one thing we wouldn't expect to see is a first-person adventure. And especially not a first-person adventure with NES-style graphics. As it so happens, though,...
Thursday3rd Jan 2019
Video Unlocking The "Minus Worlds" In The NES Version Of The Legend Of Zelda
Exploring the uncharted
If you haven't heard about the "minus worlds" before, it's basically a glitch found in multiple classic games such as Super Mario Bros. on the NES. Now, decades after the release of The Legend of Zelda on the same platform, the minus worlds in this title have been discovered. YouTube channel Skelux has accessed the minus...
Tuesday30th Oct 2018
Rumour Netflix's Castlevania Executive Producer Is Apparently "Working" On A Legend Of Zelda Series
Well excuse me, princess!
Back in 2015, there were reports from the Wall Street Journal suggesting a live-action Netflix series based on The Legend of Zelda was in the works. This project was still in the early stages of development at the time and was aiming to be Game of Thrones for a family audience. While nothing seemingly came of this in the...
Thursday11th Oct 2018
Video Here's A Look At The Latest NES Releases Now Playable On Switch
A blast from the past
If you're not sure what games have been added to the Switch Online NES library recently, Nintendo's YouTube channel has released a clip showing off each one in action. For the month of October, the releases include Solomon’s Key, Super Dodge Ball and NES O
Wednesday10th Oct 2018
News Surprise! A Special Version Of The Legend Of Zelda Has Appeared In The Switch's NES Library
Well, they kept that quiet
If you're a subscriber of the recently launched Nintendo Switch Online service, and especially if you're a fan of the instant-access NES catalogue now available to you, you may well be aware that today sees the release of three new games. Well, it turns out there's actually a fourth - and it's a spin on a Zelda classic...
Friday10th Aug 2018
Random A 1990 TV Interview With Shigeru Miyamoto Talks About Nintendo's Work Culture
A resurfaced treasure
We've seen Shigeru Miyamoto's ever-beaming self quite a lot over recent years, often during big events such as E3 where he's essentially presented as the face of Nintendo and an all-round gaming icon, but we don't often get the chance to see him in his younger days. Thanks to this rediscovered interview with the BBC,...
Friday3rd Aug 2018
Random Nintendo Finally Confirms The Correct Pronunciation For 'NES'
Take your bets
One debate that has been present for decades now across social media, on Nintendo Life's very own comment sections, and even in - you know - real life communication, is the correct pronunciation of 'NES'. Yes, the NES, or Nintendo Entertainment System, is home to the beginnings of so many classic Nintendo franchises like Super Mario...
Tuesday8th May 2018
News The Man Behind The Wonder Boy: Dragon's Trap Remake Would Love To Tackle Zelda II
"It's a game that could have been better"
Lizardcube's remake of Sega's sublime Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap was one of the very early eShop highlights on Switch. The work of programmer Omar Cornut and artist Ben Fiquet, this reimagining of an 8-bit classic took the Master System version and gave it gorgeous HD visuals while tinkering behind the...
Tuesday22nd Aug 2017
Video Take a Detailed Look at the Original "Legend of Zelda" Manga
Just in time for the 30th anniversary of the English release
If there is anything that you could say is good about having delayed releases for games from Japan, it’s that for many classics we can celebrate anniversaries for both the East and West. The Legend of Zelda is one such game, and though its Japanese landmark was last year, the US release...
Thursday22nd Dec 2016
News Nintendo Shares Original Design Documents from The Legend of Zelda
It all started with some graph paper
The original Legend of Zelda blazed many trails for gaming, arguably setting the standard for what would eventually become the open-world genre. Seeing as how this is the 30th anniversary for the series as a whole, Nintendo has opted for a blast from the past and dug up some of the original design documents from...
Thursday15th Dec 2016
Music Behold the Majesty of The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary Concert CD
Japan gets all the best stuff!
Remember CDs? They were those shiny discs you can still play in most car stereos. We jest, the Japan-exclusive The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary Concert CD looks seriously cool. Out on 15th February 2017, this lovely 2-disc release will set you back ¥3,000 (around £20 / $25) plus tax; Amazon Japan is listing it...
Wednesday30th Nov 2016
News Composer Koji Kondo Talks Super Mario And Zelda In Freshly Translated 2001 Interview
"The jumping sound was even used on a TV quiz show"
Some of Nintendo's most iconic tunes were created by Koji Kondo, making the Japanese composer one of the most listened-to artists in the world - even if people don't necessarily know his name. A 2001 interview with Kondo - taken from Game Maestro Vol. 3 - has been freshly translated into English...
Thursday13th Oct 2016
News Take A Look Inside Nintendo's Vintage Hardware Storage Room
Minty fresh
As part of Nintendo's celebration of the original release of The Legend of Zelda 30 years ago in 1986, the company is posting a series of features on its Japanese site, the latest of which gives a tantalising glimpse into one of the most interesting rooms in its Kyoto HQ. Packed with mint and boxed Famicom consoles,
Wednesday21st Sep 2016
Video This Studio Ghibli-Inspired Zelda Trailer Is Just Too Perfect
It's dangerous to dream alone
While every Zelda fan on the planet probably has different aspirations for a Zelda movie, it's fair to say that were Nintendo to make one it would generate an awful lot of interest - even more so if famed anime company Studio Ghibli was involved. Studio Ghibli is Japan's Disney, with a whopping eight of company's films...
News Warp in The Legend of Zelda Opens Up Ability to Beat the Game in Under 3 Minutes
Link's in a hurry
Speedrunning takes various forms, especially in the retro scene. Some seek to make 'pure' runs as quickly as possible, while others exploit loopholes in game code to find shortcuts and warps that drastically cut a run's time. A recent discovered for The Legend of Zelda on the Famicom Disk System is in the latter category, and in...
Friday6th May 2016
News The Legend of Zelda and Sonic the Hedgehog Are Inducted Into the World Video Game Hall of Fame
Pokémon Red & Green miss out this time
In 2015 Super Mario Bros. and Tetris were among the first games to be inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. A "committee of journalists, scholars and video game industry members" takes on the annual task of choosing games "recognized for their iconic status, longevity, geographical reach and...
Friday8th Apr 2016
News Nintendo Shuts Down Browser-Based '3D' Legend of Zelda Demo
"We're sad about that, but we get it"
Whenever a particularly neat Nintendo-based fan project arrives the dilemma is obvious - creators naturally want plenty of people to check them out, but attention increases the odds of a Nintendo takedown. Unfortunately that's happened to a rather clever voxel-based Legend of Zelda demo. Over at...
Tuesday5th Apr 2016
News A 24-karat gold-plated NES-playing system can be yours for $4,999
If you need something to play Wall Street Kid on
Watches. Roses. Silver medals. Things just rise to a new level of opulent superiority when they're plated in gold. And if you prefer your NES and Famicom games to be played among the top 1 percent of ways, there's a limited edition gold-plated system for you. Analogue, the company that previously...
Monday4th Apr 2016
News Here's A 3D Classics Version Of Zelda You Can Play In Your Web Browser
The stuff of legends
The Legend of Zelda turns 30 this year, and Nintendo has its own plans in place to celebrate this momentous milestone. However, some fans have the same idea, such as "Scott" and "Mike", the mysterious guys behind an amazing browser-based replication of the title that started it all on the Famicom / NES. Visiting...
Thursday25th Feb 2016
News Merchoid Has The Perfect Clothing To Celebrate Zelda's 30th
For the Link (or Linkle) in your life
This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, and online retailer Merchoid has announced that it is offering some officially licensed hoodies that are fit for the Hero of Time. These hoodies are available for both men and women and are designed to replicate Link's outfit - they even feature a...
Saturday26th Dec 2015
Video Check Out This Substantial Breakdown of The Legend of Zelda
Delving into the detail
Though we didn't have a full new Legend of Zelda adventure to enjoy this festive season - unless you just started Tri Force Heroes - such is the depth and history of the franchise that there are plenty of titles to take on when on holiday. It's one of Nintendo's most treasured IPs, and a definitive part of pop-culture around...
Friday12th Jun 2015
News The Nintendo World Championships Legend of Zelda Challenge Has Been Detailed
Thor Aackerlund and Jeff Hansen to be guests of honour
The Nintendo World Championships are now just two days away, and details around the live event continue to be revealed. The latest batch of information from Nintendo of America relates to one of the game events and some welcome special guests that will feature. First of all, details have been...
Monday1st Jun 2015
Pre-show broadcasts also promised
Following the past weekend's Nintendo World Championship's qualifiers, Nintendo of America has used its quirky Nintendo Direct Micro and subsequent details to flesh out the final event that's taking place in LA on 14th June. For starters, the big event will be at 3pm Pacific time on 14th June, which is 6pm Eastern...
Monday18th May 2015
Video Take A Look At The Evolution Of Fairies In The Legend Of Zelda Series
Fairy impressive
Since the original Legend of Zelda was released on the NES in 1986, fairies have been an integral part of the series. In each iteration, these fairies have always shared common traits; with the ability to rejuvenate, enhance and often provide vital words of wisdom to the hero, Link. YouTuber – MasterOfHyrule – has payed tribute...
Sunday1st Mar 2015
Video This Recreation of The Legend of Zelda in Minecraft is Something to Behold
Legendary
The absence of Minecraft on Nintendo systems will likely be looked back upon as a major 'what-if' in years to come. It's arrived on practically every other gaming platform, and various other attempts at the genre have since been announced by Indie studios aiming to fill a gap. While you can keep major releases from Nintendo fans, you...
Tuesday24th Feb 2015
News More Zelda and Mario-styled Games Coming to Tabletops Near You
The Legend of Yahtzee
Classic games games with Nintendo skins are nothing new, even if we are still waiting for Wii Fit Twister. In the meantime, game company USAopoly is releasing two more themed titles to stack next to your Monopoly and chess sets. First off the line, according to pop culture site ICv2, is TacDex: Super Mario. This title is said...
Saturday31st Jan 2015
Weirdness Legendary Composer Koji Kondo Drew Inspiration From '70s Rock Bands
Smoke on the water
It's always interesting to see the progression and evolution of music through history. Most genres start out small, but have far-reaching impact; with later entrants refining and perfecting the old sound until it is nearly flawless. As any musician could attest to, inspiration is a key factor to the formation of new music - it is...
Thursday22nd Jan 2015
News Second Week of Throwback Sale Goes Live on North American eShop
Six more classics to add to your collection
This week's big Wii retail game making its way to the Wii U eShop in North America is none other than Punch-Out!! Launching at 50% off the regular price, the revamped classic brings along with it the next wave of Throwback Sales across both NA eShops. These deals will be available until the next update on...
