Author Profile
James started his career in video games as News Editor on Nintendo Life. Since leaving in 2012 to join Nintendo of Europe, James has risen through the ranks to become NoE's Senior Product PR & Corporate Communications Manager.
First Impressions Art of Balance TOUCH! (3DS eShop)
Small scale
Art of Balance on WiiWare is one of the service's best puzzlers — the second highest-rated puzzler on Wii, according to Metacritic — so an enhanced, portable version for 3DS sounds like a winner. Surprise! It is. Art of Balance TOUCH! follows the same format as previous Shin'en WiiWare-to-eShop transition
News It's a Heroes of Ruin Multiplayer Video
Say no more
Excited about Heroes of Ruin and its online multiplayer? This video is right up your alley, then. Square Enix has released a video showing the co-operative play in action, with a Gunslinger and Savage wading through the Frost Reaches to take down Ironfist, a giant Ghoul. It emphasises the drop-in nature of multiplayer, with support for...
News Zack & Wiki Producer Interested in Sequel
Join the club
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure was an early attempt at an original franchise for Wii, and looked to have everything going for it: originality, charm and quality in spades. Shame, then, that it bombed at retail, an early warning sign of the troubles ahead for third-party publishers. The game's producer Hironobu Takeshita...
News Does Ocarina of Time Look Better with Link to the Past's Graphics?
You decide
Many of us know The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's Hyrule like the back of our hands, but did you ever stop to consider what the Great Deku Tree might look like Link to the Past-style? Zelda Fan Game Central member MaJoRa has spent the past two years recreating Hyrule with sprites and tiles from Link's SNES adventure, wrapping up the...
News Kore Gang Publisher Needs Your Money for a Re-Release
It's complicated
Last year, Atari published The Kore Gang in North America, over a year after Pixonauts published it in Europe. So far, so simple, but Pixonauts has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to publish the game again. According to Pixonauts, a "dubious business partner" has "ruin years of development...
News Nintendo UK Launches Repair Website
One stop shop
Nintendo console owners in the UK have a new resource at their disposal: Nintendo Service Centre. The website offers troubleshooting tips and also allows users to book in consoles for repair. Video tutorials also talk you through things like setting up parental controls, spending Nintendo Points and browsing digital stores. So there...
Nintendo Download 26th April 2012 (Europe)
Blocks, worms and Gnomz
There's a definite creative slant to this week's Nintendo Download, with 3DS and DSi owners able to make something for themselves. Here's what's available to download from 2pm this Thursday. 3DS Download Software: Block Factory (Enjoy Gaming, £3.60/€4) — A puzzle game in which you get to make your own variations on the...
News Animal Crossing Tobidase Reaches Japan This Fall
Come inside
Animal Crossing 3DS has an official title and release window for Japan, those lucky blighters. Its full Japanese title is Doubutsu no Mori: Tobidase. Tobidase means 'jumping out' of something, a phrase often used to describe the 3DS's 3D capabilities but which Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says also refers to the game's wireless...
News New Puzzle Panel Lands Via SpotPass
Open for business
3DS owners, make sure your wireless switch is on: Nintendo just sent out a new puzzle panel for StreetPass Puzzle Swap. The new picture of Mario Tennis Open is a 40-piece puzzle, which should last you a fair old while. We haven't heard of any other pictures coming through yet, but if you get a different image then be sure to let us...
News 3DS Gets Pokémon Black & White 2 AR Apps
Gotta snap 'em all
Pokémon Black & White 2 is coming to DS, but 3DS owners who want to beef up their experience can do so with the release of two new eShop applications. One is a follow-up to Pokédex 3D, updated with the new moves and information from Black and White 2. In Japan at least, the original Pokédex 3D will be removed from sale,...
News Kirby Gets 20th Anniversary Compilation for Wii
Dream land
The pinkest hero around, Kirby, celebrates 20 years of sucking this year. To celebrate with him, Nintendo's putting together a 20th anniversary compilation of his most popular adventures for Wii. Granted, Nintendo hasn't specified which of Kirby's games will feature on the disc — is it too much to hope for Kirby Air Ride? — but...
News Organise Your Home Menu With New 3DS Update
All the fun of folders
If your Home Menu's looking a little cluttered these days, you might want to anticipate the new 3DS system update in a few days that adds folders to the mix. You'll be able to create folders to hold as many as 60 tiles each, which should certainly de-clutter that menu. You can name your folders too, which should make finding...
News Mario Kart 7 To Get Shortcut-Fixing Patch
Part of new update
Nintendo will add the ability to patch software later this month, with Mario Kart 7 due to get an update in July. Satoru Iwata revealed that Nintendo will release a patch to fix issues with shortcuts that cause problems with online play, though didn't specify which shortcuts would be affected. Previously Nintendo has said it has...
News Nintendo Direct April 2012 - Nintendo Reveals New Super Mario Bros. 2 for 3DS
Wa-ha!
We knew Nintendo is working on a new 2D Mario for 3DS, and now we know it's New Super Mario Bros. 2. Satoru Iwata revealed the game during the latest Nintendo Direct broadcast, pledging it'll see release in Japan this August. Nintendo of America has also confirmed an August release via Twitter. Iwata
News Pre-Order Theatrhythm, Get a Stylus and Stickers
Hard to beat
Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy is out in North America in July, but if you're the kind of person who likes to get an order in early rather than wait and see, the game's pre-order bonus might be right up your alley. At the moment only available via Amazon but likely to reach our retailers soon, pre-order customers get a gripped stylus and a...
News Inchworm Animation Reaches Europe Next Week
Slow motion animation
One year and a day after it launched in North America, Inchworm Animation is hitting DSiWare in Europe. The application launches on Thursday 26th April for 800 Nintendo Points, an increase over its 500 Point price tag in North America. It allows users to create stop motion films and time lapse videos as well as traditional...
News Europe, Your Next Nintendo Direct Show is Tomorrow
Meet Mr Shibata
Nintendo Europe's regular series of Nintendo Direct online broadcasts gets another run out tomorrow afternoon at 1pm Central European Time/12pm midday UK Time. Whereas February's show was a translated version of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata's Japanese presentation, this time around it'll be a unique broadcast hosted by Nintendo...
News Two 99seconds Trailers Last Longer Than 99 Seconds
But who's counting?
99seconds is a follow up to 99bullets, but instead of a shooter it's a game of extreme keep away. EnjoyUp has just sent over two new trailers showing the game in action, and it looks like a decent test of skill for those after some intense gaming. There's no release date or price for 99seconds yet, but we'll keep you posted.
Nintendo Download 19th April 2012 (North America)
Running wild with Pit
A very quiet week this week, with just two titles, one of which has been available through GameStop for a while. Here's what awaits. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, $5.99) — Pit's reimagined debut has been available exclusively through GameStop for a month now, but is finally opened up to everyone...
News This Giant Paper Samus Must Scare Off Burglars
Postmen, milkmen unaffected
If you want an effective — though unbelievably time-consuming — way to ward off would-be burglars, a 6'10" paper model of Samus Aran would probably do the trick. Flickr user IAmThatOneGuy (via Nintendo-Gamer) decided to recreate Samus in her Varia Suit from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes out of just paper. As the...
News Master of Darkness Swooping to Virtual Console
Castlemania
No sooner has the Australian Classification Board tipped us off to a future appearance from Castlevania: The Adventure on 3DS Virtual Console than it's told us about Vampire: Master of Darkness (simply Master of Darkness in PAL territories) coming to VC too. Developed by SIMS Co. — who later went on to specialise in fishing games,...
News Uh Oh, Castlevania: The Adventure Rated for 3DS VC
Ratings board whips it out
3DS Virtual Console fans have a spooky treat to look forward to, as the Australian Classification Board has rated Castlevania: The Adventure. Well, we say 'treat', but The Adventure is generally regarded as one of the weaker entries in the series, particularly compared to follow-up Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge. Still,...
News Namco Bandai Shouts "Thundercats, Ho!"
Purring onto DS
Cartoon reboot Thundercats is getting a DS game courtesy of Namco Bandai. The side-scrolling action platformer comes courtesy of Naruto Ninja Council developer Aspect Digital and is due out in August. As you defeat enemies as Lion-O you gather energy for the Sword of Omens: once you've hoarded enough, you can shoot a damaging beam...
News "Too Many Hurdles" to Ni No Kuni DS Translation
Magic book blamed
Level-5 and Studio Ghibli collaboration Ni No Kuni is getting an English release on PS3 in 2013, but its DS counterpart won't be leaving Japan. Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino explained to Famitsu (via Andriasang) some of the difficulties preventing the portable adventure reaching the West. The DS game comes with a large Magic Master...
