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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  • Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena (3DS eShop)

    13

    Review Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena (3DS eShop)

    Mah-tch two

    We'll be honest, while some members of the Nintendo Life team are clever and cultured enough to know all about the intricacies of Mahjong, some of us have to consult Wikipedia to learn the rules. It shouldn't have surprised us, however, that when we opened Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena the variation on offer was basically a single...

  • The Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign's Advertising Role

    69

    Talking Point The Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign's Advertising Role

    Simple but effective

    Among the many announcements in yesterday's Wii U Direct, only one had an immediate impact on console owners, with the Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign launching right after the broadcast. Balloon Fight is now available to download with some Wii U-exclusive features — which we'll get to later — and the release schedule...

  • Balloon Fight On Wii U Reportedly Running At 50Hz in Europe

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    News Balloon Fight On Wii U Reportedly Running At 50Hz in Europe

    Oh, Nintendo

    So, Balloon Fight is available in exchange for some loose change right now on the Wii U eShop. That's good. The download in Europe is apparently continuing the trend seen on Wii and is running at 50 Hz. That's most definitely bad. For those of you outside of Europe and unaware, back in the old days — prior to the GameCube era —...

  • 24th January 2013 (North America)

    128

    Nintendo Download 24th January 2013 (North America)

    Fighting with balloons and guns, cave exploration, getting funky and more

    It's Nintendo download time, North America, and this week brings you various goodies for your latest systems. The Wii U eShop features a new downloadable title that you probably spotted two days ago, the first Virtual Console release — sort of — on the system, and 3DS has...

  • Project X Zone Localisation Will Keep The Japanese Voice Track

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    News Project X Zone Localisation Will Keep The Japanese Voice Track

    Dig out your reading glasses

    After a full-on day of Wii U focus thanks the Wii U Direct, let's give some love to 3DS and one of its hottest games due to arrive this summer. With Namco Bandai recently confirming its localisation, there are certainly a number of gamers looking forward to some RPG mash-up action in the upcoming Project X Zone; based on...

  • Wii U Direct - Tell Us What You Thought

    171

    Talking Point Wii U Direct - Tell Us What You Thought

    Or just watch it again

    So, Wii U Direct was quite a show from Iwata-san, wasn't it? While there's a tendency for gamers of all types to always want more, we feel confident in saying that Nintendo delivered plenty of announcements and news to intrigue and excite the majority. There were some genuine surprises in there, as well as big announcements...

  • New Footage of Bayonetta 2 and The Wonderful 101 Emerges

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    News New Footage of Bayonetta 2 and The Wonderful 101 Emerges

    "Direct" to you, in bite-size form

    Today's Nintendo Direct was certainly busy, with lots to digest and footage bursting from every seam — almost literally in the case of Yoshi's upcoming adventure. Nintendo has therefore released some bite-sized segments of the broadcast, including two videos that cover the titles currently being developed by...

  • Nintendo Launches Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign Today

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    News Nintendo Launches Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign Today

    In celebration of the Famicom's 30th Anniversary

    Following the announcement of the Wii U Virtual Console in today's Wii U Direct, Satoru Iwata went on to announce the Trial Campaign, which is to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Famicom. Although the full Virtual Console doesn't officially launch until after the Spring system update,...

  • Nintendo Shows Off Monolith Soft's Wii U Project

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    News Nintendo Shows Off Monolith Soft's Wii U Project

    Looks like a Xenoblade sequel to us

    Xenoblade Chronicles may have arrived fairly late in the Wii's life cycle, and endured a drawn-out release in the West, but it earned plaudits from gamers and boosted the profile of its developer, Monolith Soft. There's little surprise, in that case, that a particularly exciting reveal in today's Nintendo Direct...

  • RPG Mashup to Combine Fire Emblem and Shin-Megami Tensei

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    News RPG Mashup to Combine Fire Emblem and Shin-Megami Tensei

    Atlus goes big time with Nintendo

    Perhaps the least expected reveal during today's Wii U Direct was confirmation that Nintendo is currently developing an RPG in collaboration with Atlus. Although no title was given it'll combine the franchises of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, and as this was part of a global broadcast we can also be sure that...

  • Mario Kart Wii U Driving Into E3 This Year

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    News Mario Kart Wii U Driving Into E3 This Year

    Should be in gear and playable

    In a reassuring segment of today's Wii U Direct, Satoru Iwata announced — in name if not footage — games that will be playing a bigger role later this year. One of these was a new Mario Kart entry, currently in development and, most importantly, planned to be playable at this year's E3. With an over-riding message...

  • Nintendo Unveils The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD for Wii U

    170

    News Nintendo Unveils The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD for Wii U

    Sailing onto the system this Fall

    During today's global Wii U Direct, a fantasy of many Zelda fans was revealed to be true, it was confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is being re-produced and released in HD on Wii U. It's targeted to hit the platform this Fall. As explained by Zelda head man Eiji Aonuma, the decision to re-master the...

  • It's Real Life Mario Kart, That Works

    15

    News It's Real Life Mario Kart, That Works

    Too cool

    If any of you know any scientists or engineers, they may tell you on a regular basis that they really make the world go round, bringing us the cool gadgets that we take for granted. "Yeah, whatever", we may say in response, but our perspective in Nintendo Life Towers has just become a whole lot more appreciative. Some clever people from...

  • CIRCLE Entertainment Details Its Upcoming Releases

    13

    News CIRCLE Entertainment Details Its Upcoming Releases

    DSiWare and a 3D WiiWare remake included

    CIRCLE Entertainment has been one of the most active publishers on Nintendo download services, particularly DSiWare. Today the company has sent us details on its substantial list of upcoming releases, including some that are new announcements. First up is a new title on the way to the 3DS eShop, Witch &...

  • Ralph Nader Targets Violent Video Games and Their Developers

    116

    News Ralph Nader Targets Violent Video Games and Their Developers

    Refers to "electronic child molesters"

    After the shocking violence of the Sandy Hook massacre, a lot of political debate in the U.S. has focused on the implications of what happened, along with debates about existing gun laws and the potential causes of such violent behaviour. It's a complex issue with arguments about gun control and mental health...

  • Satoru Iwata Tweets That Wii U Direct Will Be "A Bit Different"

    81

    News Satoru Iwata Tweets That Wii U Direct Will Be "A Bit Different"

    Wording suggests a look at Nintendo-specific projects

    Earlier today we brought you the news that Satoru Iwata is hosting a global Nintendo Direct Broadcast — Wii U Direct — tomorrow at 2PM GMT / 9AM EST. The press release and a subsequent tweet stated that new software and services for the home console would be on the agenda. Satoru Iwata, for...

  • The Trends and Inconsistencies of Localisation

    42

    Talking Point The Trends and Inconsistencies of Localisation

    Predicting releases is getting tougher

    Yesterday brought the news that Project X Zone is being localised and released in PAL regions and North America this summer. To many that would arguably be a surprise, as the title has endured a relative failure in Japan, culminating in a major price-cut. Yet recent years have taught us that predicting...

  • Resident Evil Revelations Set to Infest Wii U

    86

    News Resident Evil Revelations Set to Infest Wii U

    Terrifies North America on 21st May, Europe on 24th May

    Not long ago rumours spread around the web, like a virus we guess, that 3DS title Resident Evil Revelations was getting revamped for home consoles. Capcom has now issued a press release to confirm that the rumours were true, and thankfully Wii U is one of the platforms getting the re-boot. Set...

  • The Cave's Exploration Begins on North American Wii U eShop

    21

    Out Now The Cave's Exploration Begins on North American Wii U eShop

    You have to wait until Wednesday, Europe

    It's the first new download-only release on the Wii U eShop in 2013, so we thought we'd remind those of you in North America that The Cave is now available for download in your region — no need to wait for the download update on Thursday. The full game is $14.99, while Europeans will have to pay €12.99 /...

  • HMV Debt Acquired by Hilco

    6

    News HMV Debt Acquired by Hilco

    Gift cards are being honoured once again

    HMV, one of the UK's foremost entertainment media retailers in the UK, and by extension a major part of the video game presence on the high-street, has been in administration since last week. It's been announced today that the company's debt has now been acquired by Hilco, a retail restructuring firm that...

  • Gunman Clive Provides a Positive Example of eShop Success

    38

    Reaction Gunman Clive Provides a Positive Example of eShop Success

    A boost for controlled licensing

    The video game industry is in the middle of, arguably, its most unstable period — the landscape is evolving almost too quickly to track. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are currently sticking to the course as constants, in general maintaining well-worn business practices while attempting to adjust to new challenges...

  • Project X Zone Fighting To a Worldwide Release This Summer

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    News Project X Zone Fighting To a Worldwide Release This Summer

    Crossing over from Japan

    Project X Zone, the rather fabulous-looking crossover strategy-RPG featuring characters from SEGA, Capcom and Namco Bandai franchises, looked destined to be a Japan-only release, especially after underwhelming sales prompted a hefty price-cut. In surprising news, Namco Bandai has confirmed that the title is being localised...

  • Atari's U.S. Division Files For Bankruptcy

    32

    News Atari's U.S. Division Files For Bankruptcy

    A bid for freedom from its parent company in France

    While filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. is typically an act taken by companies in significant financial trouble, it's being adopted as an escape mechanism by the U.S. divisions of Atari. Atari Inc, Atari Interactive Inc, Humongous Inc and California US Holdings Inc have all collectively filed in...

  • 24th January 2013 (Europe)

    68

    Nintendo Download 24th January 2013 (Europe)

    Update: The Cave arrives on 23rd January

    It's time for news of this week's download updates in Europe and, at long last, it's time for Wii U owners to rejoice. There's a shiny new download-only game available on the Wii U eShop, along with a discount and retail release. A welcome and puzzling sequel arrives on 3DS, while DSi and Wii also receive new...