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.
Rumour Strider Bound for Wii Virtual Console
It's all happening
As if the recent revelation that Super Street Fighter II with online play is coming west, there's a double-whammy of good Capcom VC news as rumours also point to a Western release for Strider. Siliconera reports both games are now confirmed for release outside Japan, but so far only SSFII has been
Review Rytmik Retrobits (DSiWare)
Bits of class
The original Rytmik sounded better than any DSiWare music studio deserved to, but follow-up Rytmik: Rock Edition fell a little short in offering a big stadium rock sound through Nintendo's little handheld. Keen to keep offering melody creation tools on DSiWare while embracing its limitations, Cinemax has now put together Rytmik:...
News Pick the Alternate Artwork for Next Year's Big Wii RPGs
Flip-reverse it
Forget The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: this year's Wii coverage has been dominated by three other big Japanese games. Xenoblade Chronicles, Pandora's Tower and The Last Story have had gamers' eyes all year, and Nintendo of Europe wants to get you even more involved by asking you to help choose alternate cover art for the latter...
News Nintendo Can Recover From Loss, says EA Vice President
Others not so sure
The recent London Games Conference brought some of the industry's greatest minds together to discuss all things gaming, with Nintendo's recent loss one topic discussed at a panel. David DeMartini, senior vice president of global E-commerce at Electronic Arts — he must have some pretty big business cards — believes Nintendo's...
News Japan Gets Super Street Fighter II with Online Play on VC
Hadouken!
While the Wii Virtual Console continues to decompose in the West, Japan's still getting the goods, with a few enhancements to boot. The latest game to hit the service is the Mega Drive version of Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers, brought up to date with online play via Nintendo WiFi Connection. By comparison, in the West we...
News Wii U's First Launch Title Announced Already
Bit early, though
We don't even know when the Wii U will launch other than a vague "between April and December 2012" guideline, but we already know one of the games you'll be able to pick up with the console on day one: Tecmo Koei's Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. The publisher's financial reports (via Andriasang) peg the game for release...
News Blue Wii Heads Stateside for Black Friday
It starts
That crazy day of manic buying, also known as Black Friday, is very nearly upon us, and Walmart has sounded the first battle cry. Siliconera reports the retailer has the exclusive on the blue reconfigured Wii, and will be selling it on 25th November for just $99.96. However, the advert just lists the box's contents as a Wii console, Remote...
News More Mario Kart 7 Courses Revealed
Dare you discover them?
If you want to find out some of the retro courses that have made the grade in Mario Kart 7, the latest update to the game's official Japanese website might throw some light on the situation. The game's Shell, Banana and Leaf Cup courses and six battle arenas have now been unveiled, with selections from Mario Kart 64, Mario...
News Reggie Pimps Nintendo's Ride at LA Auto Show
Unlikely but true
Here's a partnership we didn't see coming. At the LA Auto Show on 17th November, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime will stand on stage with West Coast Customs CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus to announce an exclusive collaboration between the two companies. If it's not Mario Kart 7-related, we'll eat our red hats. From 18th to...
News Abandoned Skyward Sword Ideas May Head to Wii U
Not done yet
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword might be one of Nintendo's biggest-ever undertakings — just read the Iwata Asks about its mammoth audio visual design teams — but that doesn't mean it includes everything Nintendo wanted to put in. Series producer Eiji Aonuma spoke to The Guardian about what may happen to ideas th
News 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure Trailer Hits Europe
Go pink
If you can't wait until next Thursday to see 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure in motion, the 3DS eShop in Europe just updated with a brief video of Kirby's updated outing. As you'd expect, the game looks remarkably faithful to its 8-bit origins, with the 3D adding a seemingly subtle layer of depth to its still-impressive graphics. The original...
News Skyward Sword Had Nintendo's Biggest Audio Visual Teams
A huge undertaking
Nintendo has said before that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is one of its biggest-ever developments, and the latest Iwata Asks reveals just how vast the creative team was. The sound team alone took in ten members, the biggest sound team a Nintendo game has ever had: with five composers and five staff handling effects and the...
Nintendo Download 10th November 2011 (North America)
Your digital delectable delights are in
The headline act of this week's Nintendo Download comes from Nintendo itself, with a spot of 3DS downloadable software from the Big N. There's also some healthy stuff on WiiWare and a spot of puzzle and strategy on DSiWare. Let's meet the contestants, shall we? 3DS Download Software: Freakyforms: Your...
News Next Zelda on 3DS a "Continuation of Past Efforts" says Aonuma
What does that mean?
After the stellar success of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D there have been many calls for a 3D remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Series producer Eiji Aonuma has confirmed Nintendo is working on another 3DS Zelda game, but gave previous little else away. Speaking to The Guardian, Aonuma was typically cagey...
News Hideki Konno Talks Mario Kart Wii U Ideas
It'll be "unique"
Hold onto your hats: Nintendo is investigating bringing Mario Kart to Wii U. Series producer Hideki Konno spoke to Nintendo Power recently about the potential for the flagship multiplayer racer to come to Nintendo's next home console, saying: I can't get into specifics, but I do want to create a new and enjoyable Mario Kart that...
News Super Mario 3D Land Leaps to a Strong Start in Japan
Bigger than galaxies
By now you've read in our Super Mario 3D Land review that Mario's latest outing is very good indeed, but has it succeeded in lifting the console's sales in Japan? Yes, and how. In its first week the game shifted a staggering 343,492 copies, according to figures from Media Create (via Andriasang). That's nearly triple the amount...
Competition Winners escapeVektor: Episode 1
Were you one of them?
Our recent competition for escapeVektor: Chapter 1 met with a great response: we had hundreds of entries, and all winners should now have been contacted by Nnooo via Twitter direct message with details of how to claim. For posterity, here's the selected winners:...
News Super Mario Galaxy Orbits London 2012 Olympic Games
It'll make sense
Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games takes inspiration from all corners of both companies' history: screenshots have reminded us of Yoshi Story, Sonic Adventure and more. But we've just received more screenshots showing the most universe-shaking crossover yet. Despite earlier rumours that Sonic would appear in
News Mario and Zelda's Babies Would Play Like This
The ultimate crossover chaos
We found out after E3 that there's a Zelda-style level in Super Mario 3D Land, and now we have a video look. As you can see below, the game takes more than a few cues from old-school outings like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Link's
News Capcom Considering Monster Hunter 3 G Western Release
Never say never
Despite rumours to the contrary, Monster Hunter 3 G is still not confirmed for release outside of Japan. Does that mean it will never leave the Land of the Rising Sun though? Capcom fielded that exact question during a recent investor Q&A call, and although the answer isn't the life-changing announcement some might hope for it's...
News Zelda Top Brass Discuss Link To the Past in 3D
It could happen
The 3D Classics has taken in arcade games and 8-bit classics, but the potential for 3D remakes of games from the 16-bit era is mouthwatering. In a recent GamesRadar interview, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that he and Shigeru Miyamoto have discussed bringing the 3D treatment to Super Nintendo classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link...
News Nintendo's 3D Samurai Game Slices eShop in Japan
A cut above?
Nintendo has revealed a new piece of downloadable 3DS software for Japan — swordfighting game Samurai Hirari Sakura, or Nimble Sakura Warrior, roughly translated. The download, due for release in Japan next week for 700 Yen, puts you in the shoes of a passionate swordfighting student who must prove his skill. At first you'll take on...
News Bionic Commando Swings to Japan's 3DS VC Next Week
Who's next?
Capcom's already put two Game Boy titles on 3DS Virtual Console in the West — Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge and Gargoyle's Quest — and next week it adds a third title over in Japan: Bionic Commando. We already know the game is heading to the West in "Quarter 4" thanks to an announcement in
News Animal Crossing Watch and Kirby Pouches Hit EU Club Nintendo
Stars at the ready
Europe's Club Nintendo rewards centre just got bigger, with some brand new goodies added. 4,000 Stars buys you an Animal Crossing watch, or for 1,500 you can pick up a Kirby's Epic Yarn-inspired DS pouch in either brown and pink or blue and green. Will you be shelling out your hard-earned Stars for any of these goodies?
