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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  • Satoru Iwata is 53 Today

    53

    News Satoru Iwata is 53 Today

    Happy Birthday, Iwata-san

    Today brings us another Birthday for one of Nintendo's most well-known figures, with President Satoru Iwata turning 53 today. It would seem that, should he want to, Iwata-san will be able to continue in his current role for many years to come. Satoru Iwata had a passion for video game development from a young age, deciding...

  • This LEGO City: Undercover Trailer is a Treat

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    News This LEGO City: Undercover Trailer is a Treat

    Shawshank Redemption, anyone?

    During yesterday's Nintendo Direct shenanigans, it was tough to keep track of the varied footage and announcements from across the regions. With that in mind, we consider it our duty to make sure that you see the latest LEGO City: Undercover trailer that was included in the Nintendo of Europe broadcast. Not only does...

  • 6th December 2012 (North America)

    84

    Nintendo Download 6th December 2012 (North America)

    Titanic murders, mighty bombs, burgers and retail goodies

    It's Nintendo Download update time, and this week brings a rather lengthy list of titles for North America. All four systems are covered, with quite a few retail games making their download début, so let's get on with it. 3DS download software: Murder on the Titanic (Joindots GmbH, $7.99)...

  • 72 Hour Super Mario Marathon Promises Fun and Fundraising

    12

    News 72 Hour Super Mario Marathon Promises Fun and Fundraising

    Keep running right

    Occasionally we bring you news of charitable marathons that not only bring amusement and entertainment for interested spectators, but also raise a lot of money for charity. With the recent glut of 2D Mario titles — well, two — we feel we should share the news of an upcoming 72 hour Super Mario marathon being organised by The...

  • Error Prevents Purchase Of ZombiU And Assassin's Creed III On Euro Wii U eShop

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    News Error Prevents Purchase Of ZombiU And Assassin's Creed III On Euro Wii U eShop

    Botched parental restrictions in EU to blame?

    Update: Despite testing this issue throughout the day we've now discovered, thanks to prompts from readers who've encountered the issue with some videos on 3DS systems, that this issue is caused by a restriction to accessing 18-rated content before a specific time. A test after 11pm UK time brought us...

  • Pikmin 3 and Animal Crossing: New Leaf Drop Into Q2 2013

    48

    News Pikmin 3 and Animal Crossing: New Leaf Drop Into Q2 2013

    Localisation and development to blame

    During today's Nintendo Direct broadcasts in North America and Europe, Nintendo showed fairly brief glimpses of Pikmin 3 and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, with the Wii U title getting a little longer to flex its HD muscles. There was disappointing news, however, as Nintendo of Europe boss Satoru Shibata confirmed...

  • Watch The European Presentation Live

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    Nintendo Direct Watch The European Presentation Live

    Find out what's in store for European gamers in 2013

    Following on from this morning's Japanese presentation and running alongside the North American event, Europe's Nintendo Direct is taking place at 5PM UK time. On the agenda are Wii U and 3DS titles for the remainder of 2012 and early 2013. As always, we'll be providing comments as the event...

  • 6th December 2012 (Europe)

    47

    Nintendo Download 6th December 2012 (Europe)

    UPDATE: Wario 3 joins Denpa men, hyper mighty switching and a paper adventure

    After a few days of suspense — the release day of EU download details varies every week — we finally know what to expect in the Wii U, 3DS, DSi and Wii online stores this week. All four systems are accounted for, which should warm up any Nintendo gaming Europeans...

  • Google Maps Finding Its Way Onto Wii U

    19

    News Google Maps Finding Its Way Onto Wii U

    See the world without going outside

    After announcing the Spring arrival of Panorama View in today's Nintendo Direct broadcast from Japan, Satoru Iwata possibly surprised a few people by confirming that Google Maps is also on the way to Wii U. A Google branded app — alongside the likes of YouTube — won't do Wii U any harm, especially as it'll...

  • Panorama View to be Sighted on Wii U eShop in Spring 2013

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    News Panorama View to be Sighted on Wii U eShop in Spring 2013

    Confirmed in Japan, at least

    One of the first concepts that was shown off for Wii U, and which made an appearance at various demo opportunities and expo appearances for the system, was Panorama View. It's a relatively simple app that uses real-life video and allows you to view the action from any angle you desire, simply by moving the GamePad. It's...

  • TVii and Hulu Part of Day One Wii U Update in Japan

    7

    News TVii and Hulu Part of Day One Wii U Update in Japan

    NA and Europe apps on the way?

    In today's Japanese Nintendo Direct, Satoru Iwata focused on the company's homeland launch details for Wii U, with the system arriving on 8th December. One announcement that did catch the eye was confirmation that TVii will be part of the day one update, along with the slightly less surprising confirmation of a Hulu...

  • Trine 2: Director's Cut on Wii U Outperforms Rival Consoles

    18

    News Trine 2: Director's Cut on Wii U Outperforms Rival Consoles

    A small win for Wii U graphics obsessives

    Trine 2: Director’s Cut has been a high profile launch download on the Wii U eShop, due to its popularity on other formats and eye-catching visuals. Prior to release day it drew a lot of attention for the latter reason, in that it showed off the fact that Wii U was bringing Nintendo into the HD age, and...

  • Nintendo of America Confirms Its Own Nintendo Direct Broadcast

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    News Nintendo of America Confirms Its Own Nintendo Direct Broadcast

    All set for 5th December

    With the announcement earlier today that Nintendo of Europe is hosting a Nintendo Direct broadcast this week, it seems that its colleagues across the Atlantic have decided to join in; the Nintendo of America equivalent is also scheduled for tomorrow, 5th December. The NA broadcast starts at 9am Pacific, which is 11am...

  • LOVEFiLM Arrives on Wii, Wii U App Will Go Live "Soon"

    12

    News LOVEFiLM Arrives on Wii, Wii U App Will Go Live "Soon"

    Or you could use Wii mode on your Wii U

    Wii may be fading into the shadows in the face of its HD successor, but today brings a new release to the little white box in the UK. It's the LOVEFiLM app, which will allow subscribers to stream TV shows and movies directly to their TV, assuming they have a suitable online connection. If you're a subscriber,...

  • Nintendo Unfolds Paper Mario Visual History

    21

    News Nintendo Unfolds Paper Mario Visual History

    It's so pretty

    Paper Mario: Sticker Star is days away in Europe and has been available in North America for a few weeks, and represents the first venture of the flat Mario onto a handheld. It's the fourth entry of a series over a decade old, meanwhile, games with enough RPG elements and dialogue to require a bit more development time than a...

  • Reggie Fils-Aime Focused on Customer Feedback, Not Industry Critics

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    News Reggie Fils-Aime Focused on Customer Feedback, Not Industry Critics

    "Every time we launch a new system, there are significant challenges"

    With the exception of Japan, which joins the party this weekend, most of the world has now had the opportunity to pick up a Wii U, or to at least be told that it's out of stock while extra supplies are brought in. Thanks to the wonders of the internet and Nintendo's own Miiverse,...

  • Taking Off to the Miiverse

    57

    Feature Taking Off to the Miiverse

    Remember everyone, it's all about empathy

    Apart from those living in Japan, many Nintendo gamers will have now spent some time with Wii U, Nintendo's new home console and foray into a variety of bold new directions. A great deal of focus, unsurprisingly, is given to the company's first dalliance with HD visuals, and more prominently the various uses...

  • Wii U Hits 40K Sales in UK Launch

    10

    News Wii U Hits 40K Sales in UK Launch

    Might not sound like much, but it's a sellout

    Although Europe-wide figures are yet to surface, it appears that Wii U has been a sell-out success on its launch weekend in the UK. According to MCV's estimates, 40K units were sold throughout the UK, with retailers reporting that this effectively meant a complete sellout. Weeks ago there were worrying...

  • Wii U Titles Make Début in UK Top 20

    5

    News Wii U Titles Make Début in UK Top 20

    Early beginnings for a small install base

    It may be tempting to read the headline that Wii U titles are just in the top 20 of the UK software charts and wheel out the "Nintendo is doomed" line, as anything other than number one is a disaster of epic proportions. Of course, that's not how the real retail world operates, and the early results for Wii...

  • Your Guide to a Nintendo Holiday

    39

    Feature Your Guide to a Nintendo Holiday

    Christmas time, Mario and Trine...

    It's Christmas time, and we all know what that means — rapidly depleting bank accounts, lots of food and merriment, and plenty of video gaming. The Holiday season actually means different things depending on your own perspective, of course, but to many it's a great opportunity to spend time with family and...

  • Amazon Distributes Nintendo Land Codes For Missing Bundle Copies

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    News Amazon Distributes Nintendo Land Codes For Missing Bundle Copies

    You may have to ask for a physical copy

    During the European Wii U launch shenanigans a few days ago, we reported that some gamers were receiving their Wii U systems a day early from Amazon and other online retailers, but that some Premium bundles were missing their copy of Nintendo Land. This must have been particularly frustrating for those buying...

  • uPlay App Now Available on Wii U eShop

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    News uPlay App Now Available on Wii U eShop

    Achieve and unlock some extras

    When Wii U launched we brought you the news that Ubisoft was bringing its uPlay service directly to the Wii U as an app, a further example of the publisher's early enthusiasm for the system. The app was available on the European eShop right from the off, and it appears that it's now live in North America, too. This...

  • We Sing 80s (Wii)

    15

    Review We Sing 80s (Wii)

    Tonight we're going to party like it's 1989

    Ah, the eighties: a time of dodgy haircuts, peculiar outfits and synthesizers dominating the airwaves. In truth, the Nintendo Life office is still a bit like that, but never mind. What we have here with We Sing 80s is a singing game dedicated to that decade, making oldies or retro-minded youngsters all the...

  • Selling the Wii U Concept - The GamePad and eShop

    27

    Talking Point Selling the Wii U Concept - The GamePad and eShop

    All part of a big package

    So the Wii U system is now well and truly out in the wild, with Japan being the last major territory to join in. It may seem peculiar that Nintendo should satisfy its home country last, but judging from the area's consistently daunting sales of 3DS it's not likely to be a tough market to crack. North America and Europe —...