Thomas Whitehead

Thomas Whitehead

Former Editor, Nintendo Life

Author Profile

Tom has been involved in the games industry for over a decade, mostly writing about it or struggling to sell Indie games. Loves reading, writing, hunting Capcom’s fiercest monsters and watching baseball.

Having joined the site in 2011, Tom took over as Editor three years later, ably steering the good ship Nintendo Life through the Wii U waters and safely into the Switch era. He now serves as a Producer at PM Studios.

Username
ThomasBW84
Articles
11,883 (257 reviews)
First Article
Wed 26th, January 2011
Avg. Review Score
6.8
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  • 3DS Stays on Top in Japan, but Wii U Falls Behind Vita

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    News 3DS Stays on Top in Japan, but Wii U Falls Behind Vita

    Like two bald men fighting over a comb...

    Some things seem to be ever-lasting in the Japanese video game charts, one of which is continued dominance for the 3DS. It goes like this — the two models outsell every other platform combined, and rivals or those not inclined to like the system curse the skies and wonder how it came to such a position of...

  • Japanese Wii U eShop Still Waiting for its First Download-Only Game

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    News Japanese Wii U eShop Still Waiting for its First Download-Only Game

    Those of us in the West are rather fortunate

    It's a common refrain among gamers in the West, especially with 3DS games, to bemoan a number of rather interesting titles that either don't come out of Japan or, alternatively, take an age to do so. When you also take into account the number of attractive hardware revisions of the handheld, particularly,...

  • Cryamore Confirmed to be Adventuring Onto Wii U

    24

    News Cryamore Confirmed to be Adventuring Onto Wii U

    Inspired by classics such as The Legend of Zelda, Metroid and Secret of Mana

    Not too long ago we told you about an intriguing project seeking funding via Kickstarter, a Zelda-inspired action RPG called Cryamore, which eventually set a stretch goal of $225,000 to include home console versions of the game, including Wii U — we assume this to mean...

  • Shiny Blue and Pink 3DS Models Coming to Japan

    13

    News Shiny Blue and Pink 3DS Models Coming to Japan

    Making the move from Taiwan and Hong Kong

    Over the past 25 years or more Nintendo's liked to give consumers a lot of choices with handhelds, with colours and design variations to keep almost anyone happy. It's now emerged that the pictured light blue and pink 3DS models — not XL — will arrive in Japan on 20th March; not that Japan has a shortage...

  • Assassin's Creed IV Due This Year, Features Pirates

    26

    Rumour Assassin's Creed IV Due This Year, Features Pirates

    Ooh-arrr, and so on

    It's rumoured release time again, just as today threatened to pass without any new additions. This time around it's an all new entry in the Assassin's Creed series, which will apparently be called Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, moving beyond all of that silly non-numbered spin-off business. It's apparently due this fiscal year,...

  • Cross-Generational Software Sales Show The Emergence of New Gamers

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    News Cross-Generational Software Sales Show The Emergence of New Gamers

    What will the Wii U/PS4/Xbox "Durango" generation hold?

    While much has been said over the years about the disruptive influence of the Wii in the video game industry, it often needs little more than raw statistics to back it up. It's also, arguably, set high standards that are exceptionally difficult for Wii U to meet; sales and impact that have...

  • LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes to the Rescue on Wii U This Spring

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    News LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes to the Rescue on Wii U This Spring

    Holy surprise release, Batman!

    LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes arrived on various platforms including Wii, 3DS and DS, in June 2012, though the most impressive entries — with large worlds to explore — were arguably found on Xbox 360 and PS3. For those with a Wii U that want to enjoy the full-fat experience, Warner Bros. Interactive has today made...

  • New Fire Emblem: Awakening DLC Details Battle For Attention

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    News New Fire Emblem: Awakening DLC Details Battle For Attention

    There's a lot of extra content

    Fire Emblem: Awakening has, judging from the conversations among members of the Nintendo Life community, proven to be an engrossing and all-consuming strategic RPG experience. It seems that our love for the title, as shown in our Fire Emblem: Awakening review, is shared by a good number of 3DS owners. While the main...

  • TT Fusion On Building LEGO City: Undercover

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    Interview TT Fusion On Building LEGO City: Undercover

    One brick at a time

    As you may have seen from our LEGO City: Undercover first impressions, we recently visited TT Fusion to go hands-on with the upcoming Wii U title and to learn more about its development. We also had the opportunity to talk in detail with four members of the development team: executive producer Loz Doyle, script writer Graham...

  • TT Fusion: LEGO City Undercover Could Take 40-50 Hours To Beat Fully

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    News TT Fusion: LEGO City Undercover Could Take 40-50 Hours To Beat Fully

    GamePad is a "central and a core element of the game"

    We recently had the opportunity to spend a day at TT Fusion games in Wilmslow, England, to learn more about LEGO City: Undercover and have an extensive play-through on a close-to-final build. You can check out our first impressions of LEGO City: Undercover here, but our day at the studio also...

  • LEGO City Undercover

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    First Impressions LEGO City Undercover

    Cruising round the blocks

    Recently we were fortunate enough to travel to TT Fusion's HQ in Wilmslow, England, to learn more about LEGO City Undercover, a high profile Wii U exclusive that arrives in March. During our day at the studio we were able to partake in an extensive hands-on session with the title, in order to gain a greater understanding of...

  • Runner 2 Confirmed For This Week On North American Wii U eShop

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    News Runner 2 Confirmed For This Week On North American Wii U eShop

    Could arrive on 26th February, according to Gaijin

    BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien — let's call it Runner 2 from now on — has no doubt been on the wish-lists of those that were fans of BIT.TRIP RUNNER on WiiWare. It looks to feature the same running and jumping mechanics, but with a new graphics engine, environments and...

  • The Wonderful World of Multiplayer Add-Ons

    26

    Feature The Wonderful World of Multiplayer Add-Ons

    The lengths we go to

    If you want to play a bit of multiplayer in most games nowadays, and you don't have a friend nearby, it's as easy as selecting a menu and waiting for strangers to appear as competition. Online multiplayer can perhaps be a bit more personal than that, of course, with the ability to meet up with friends and have a blast, as we did...

  • 28th February 2013 (Europe)

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    Nintendo Download 28th February 2013 (Europe)

    Splashing and crashing, new and old retro and fishing

    Nintendo's well and truly on the ball this week, Europe, bringing us our download news nice and early. This week sees the Wii and DSi rejoin the party with 3DS, while Wii U drops out for a bit of a rest. The offerings include a recently unveiled game from 3DS Direct, as well as a long awaited...

  • Professor Layton's Final Adventure Looks Suitably Epic

    24

    Video Professor Layton's Final Adventure Looks Suitably Epic

    Hits Japanese stores on 28th February

    It could be a good while before those of us in the West get to sample the delights of Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies, apparently the final adventure with the famous hat-wearing puzzle solver. It arrives in Japan in just a few days, so as a result the promotional videos are going into overdrive...

  • WiiWare's Vital Role in a Retro Revival

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    Talking Point WiiWare's Vital Role in a Retro Revival

    Introducing bits and pixels to a new generation

    The upcoming release of Retro City Rampage on WiiWare arguably represents two important trends for the service — it could be the last notable release on the platform, and it's also yet another "retro" themed release. We'll consider the possible swansong and end of WiiWare in the near future, but for...

  • Grab a Sneak Peak of WiiWare Console-Exclusive "ROM City Rampage"

    20

    Video Grab a Sneak Peak of WiiWare Console-Exclusive "ROM City Rampage"

    15 seconds of glorious pixels

    A few days ago we were relieved to confirm that Retro City Rampage arrives on WiiWare on 28th February, a long-awaited and delayed retro homage to the original GTA titles. That description may sell it a little short, as it's packed with pop-culture references and diversions that are set to distract gamers on a regular...

  • Wii Mini on the Way to Europe

    63

    Rumour Wii Mini on the Way to Europe

    Just, well... because

    Remember the Wii Mini, released in Canada late last year? With a top-loading disc-drive, no online connectivity of any kind, SD slot or even support for component cables. It's the basic Wii with much stripped out to allow an even lower retailer price than the standard last-gen model, no doubt targeting those on exceptionally...

  • Nintendo - "Innovation is Important" for the 2D Mario Series

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    News Nintendo - "Innovation is Important" for the 2D Mario Series

    "We need innovation that retains 2D Mario's play sensation"

    At E3 2012 Nintendo of America's Reggie Fils-Aime stated that Nintendo gamers want Mario at a system's launch, and that's what was given with New Super Mario Bros. U, the latest in the re-born 2D series. After a notably mixed reaction among Nintendo gamers to New Super Mario Bros. 2 on 3DS,...

  • Mario Kart 7 with Nintendo Life

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    Play Mario Kart 7 with Nintendo Life

    Start your engines

    It's been too long, so much so that we may need to renew our licenses, but it's time to take to the track for some Nintendo Life community races in Mario Kart 7. We all like to think we're the next Sebastian Vettel with a red shell in hand, so now we have to prove it. Yesterday we asked you which rules you want in both our both...

  • Street Fighter Chess - For More Intellectual Brawling

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    News Street Fighter Chess - For More Intellectual Brawling

    Try the Ryu opening

    Some say video games are violent, to which the response is often "yep, as are TV and films". Without getting dragged into a debate, we've found a product that is arguably as violent as anything else, it's the Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Chess Set. Chess? Violent? You bet, it's a game where minions are sent to their slaughter...

  • Cars Confirmed As Another Disney Infinity Play Set

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    News Cars Confirmed As Another Disney Infinity Play Set

    Parents, hide your wallets!

    Ahead of the summer release of Disney Infinity on Wii U, 3DS and Wii, we can expect Disney to continually reveal more details about the optional extras that we'll be able to buy. Like Activision's Skylanders series, there'll be all manner of toys that unlock characters, as well as other add-ons that'll act as buffs for...

  • Chase McCain Introduced in New LEGO City: Undercover Webisode

    24

    Video Chase McCain Introduced in New LEGO City: Undercover Webisode

    Fighting crime and free running

    LEGO City Undercover is a major Wii U title that's now roughly a month from arrival in North America and Europe, bringing a new franchise to the popular series of games. Ahead of its release (18th March in North America and 28th March in Europe), Nintendo is stepping up its marketing to introduce the City franchise...

  • "Emergency Maintenance" Planned For Nintendo Online Services on 26th February

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    News "Emergency Maintenance" Planned For Nintendo Online Services on 26th February

    Don't get too excited

    It seems we have a monthly trend of service maintenance kicking into effect with Nintendo online functionality, as more "Emergency Maintenance" is on the way in major territories next week. There was a round of downtime on various platforms on 28th January, and a similar period is on the way from 26th February, or very late on...