November2012
News SNES Campus Challenge & One-Of-A-Kind Console Go On Sale
Got a few thousand dollars to spare?
Video game collecting is something that's taken very seriously by some, and there are hundreds of expensive eBay auctions to back it up. The latest example to catch our eye is a listing on Game Gavel, with a very unique game and console up for auction. On sale is a copy of SNES Campus Challenge, a custom made...
News Satoru Iwata Would Like Miiverse to Become a "Game Diary"
Oh, and there's a cardboard GamePad
As more information continues to arrive in the final days before Wii U hits stores, additional Iwata Asks transcriptions are arriving in English to spread the word. One of the more recent additions features the Nintendo boss interviewing the developers behind Miiverse, a team with extensive experience in web...
News Fallblox Crashes Into Europe on 15th November
Mallo returns
Fallblox — or Crashmo in North America — is one of a number of highly anticipated eShop games arriving before the end of the year. It hits North America on 22nd November, but anxious Europeans wondering about their release date can now relax, as it's arriving in the region one week earlier on 15th November. Nintendo's also...
News First Image of Wii U eShop Surfaces
Mario and Luigi have never looked better
While Nintendo has been keeping the Wii U's download retail system under wraps, the first picture of the console's eShop has now been released on Nintendo of Japan's website. The lone image shows off the system's interface, which looks similar to the 3DS' online storefront, and Nintendo is also promising...
News Father Gender-Bends Link For The Benefit of His Zelda-Loving Daughter
Now that's fatherly devotion
It can't be easy for young female gamers growing up in a world dominated by men. When you're still searching for your own identity and place in the world, it must be confusing to be forced to adopt so many male personalities in the games you play. Doting father Mike Hoye didn't want his daughter Maya to face this...
Nintendo Download 8th November 2012 (North America)
Paper Mario, Pokédex, dress up witches and dragons
It's that time again, when we drop everything we're doing to fire up the 3DS eShop, DSi Shop and maybe, on occasion, the Wii Shop. Yes, it's the Nintendo Download update, and this week has a mixture of retail treats, a demo and some lesser known download titles. Let's get to it. 3DS Download...
News 3DS Continues Hardware Sales Dominance in Japan
Sony platforms dominate software, however
The 3DS LL (or XL, as it is known over here) saw a massive sales spike in Japan last week, jumping from the previous week's total of 38,089 to 63,993 units sold, according to the latest chart information. It was followed by the standard 3DS model, which racked up just under half of its larger counterpart's...
News Wii to Wii U Data Transfer Details Emerge
Pay close attention
One feature pre-occupying the minds of some potential Wii U owners is the process to move their WiiWare and Virtual Console data onto the new console. With backwards compatibility a big part of the system — for some gamers — having access to years' worth of purchases is a welcome bonus. Of course, with Wii not having a user...
Reaction Wii U's Social Potential Takes Shape
A bold new direction for Nintendo
With just 11 days until Wii U arrives in North America — at the time of writing — it's perhaps surprising that substantial details on Nintendo's online services have taken so long to emerge. That said, it's not unprecedented, as Nintendo often likes to keep its cards close to its chest, withholding details and...
News Nintendo Direct Wii U Summary Released by NoA
WaraWara Plaza and Wii U Chat prominent
With this morning's Nintendo Direct broadcast, there was a lot to digest, translate and understand about Miiverse and other Wii U system details. Nintendo of America has kindly put together a short summary video to highlight the key features, and provide a slightly more detailed look at the console's UI (user...
News Satoru Iwata Provides the Ultimate Wii U Unboxing
Shaky YouTube videos, begone!
Whenever new consoles hit the market, we see a glut of shaky-cam unboxing videos on YouTube, which we may watch out of sheer curiosity. In a surprising sequence in today's Nintendo Direct, however, Satoru Iwata provided his own video, albeit with much higher production values, which he called the Wii U Premium Pack...
News Wii U Chat To Include Drawing on GamePad Screen
We fear the consequences
One of the smaller demonstrations in today's Wii U Nintendo Direct was that for Wii U Chat, the feature briefly shown prior to E3. Using the GamePad stand — though simply holding the controller is an option — Satoru Iwata called up Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime for a chat. Reggie did even say a few lines in...
News Wii U User Accounts and Nintendo Network ID Detailed
12 user accounts allowed
During today's Nintendo Direct broadcast, Satoru Iwata provided information on Wii U user accounts and the Nintendo Network ID. In terms of user accounts, it'll be possible to have up to 12 on the system, with each storing their own save data, settings and internet browser bookmarks. With the console's concept of being an...
News Wii U Will Require Day One Update for Key Features
Miiverse, Wii U Chat, eShop and TVii included
Wii U is getting so close that we can smell the packaging, and vital details about what to expect out of the box are starting to emerge. While many are no doubt hoping that preview systems will reveal Wii U's secrets to the world, it seems that we'll all have a little longer to wait. As reported by IGN,...
News Crashmo 3D Screens Are Just a QR Code Away
A sneak peak
Crashmo — known as Fallblox in Europe — is one of the 3DS eShop's big releases due before the end of the year. As a follow up to the critically acclaimed Pushmo, it's likely to be on a number of 3DS owner's wishlists. Of course, 2D screenshots don't necessarily do this title justice, especially with the extra depth to the new...
News Nintendo Teams Up With Disney For "Wii U Showdown"
Get ready to cringe
With Nintendo's quest to appeal to an extraordinarily wide range of gamers, it'll be susceptible to using marketing or adverts that make the older, jaded or more cynical amongst us gnash our teeth. These celebrity-based adverts can often be categorised as good, bad or cringeworthy, and we think another candidate for the latter...
News Miyamoto Working to Encourage More Wii U Third-Party Developers
"I am trying to meet with the game developers individually"
One of the big challenges facing Nintendo and its Wii U system is to encourage more third-party developers to commit to major projects on the system. While Wii had a diverse library — perhaps more so than many think — it arguably lacked a lot of big-hitting titles from third-parties...
News Wii U Kiosks Will Allow Gamers To Try Before They Buy
A sneak peek before release
Starting from today, Nintendo is supplying 5,000 Wii U kiosks across select retail stores in North America, to allow consumers the chance to try the console before making the big purchase. Participating retailers include Target, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Toys ‘R’ Us stores in the U.S. New Super Mario Bros. U,...
News Wii U Web Browser Software Specifications Revealed
We're caught in Nintendo's web
CVG has revealed a number of details concerning the Wii U's web browser software. According to the report, the Wii U will run a version of NetFront browser (NX v2.1), and will work on both the TV and GamePad screen, as previously demoed. As with most home systems, it will not be possible to download or upload videos...
News Miyamoto's Ideas for Metroid can be Found in Nintendo Land
Not a bad starting point
As you no doubt saw over the weekend, Shigeru Miyamoto recently conducted an interview with Gamekult.com, during which he shared some views on Wii U and Nintendo's most iconic characters. Some additional translated comments now provide Miyamoto's views on the Metroid franchise, and he's suggested that Wii U launch title...
Talking Point Wii U and the Importance of Backward Compatibility
Long live the Wii
In future years, maybe even in a matter of weeks, there's likely to be plenty written about Wii and its lifespan, with judgements made on its strengths and weaknesses. The list of negatives is fairly predictable: it was underpowered, with motion controls that brought an unrelenting wave of sub-par games, it struggled for major...
News Nintendo Greece Scores Bonus Points With Super Mario Flashmob
Worthy of the warp zone
We've seen a few flashmobs in our time, but this has to rank as one of the best. Nintendo Greece confused, befuddled and ultimately delighted hordes of shoppers by holding a get-together of Super Marios in a shopping centre. The plumbers gleefully paraded around the various stores, drawing smiles from the assembled crowds...
Nintendo Download 1st November 2012 (North America)
Freakiness, fast gnomz, hidden objects and cake slicing
While some Nintendo Download updates, particularly in recent weeks, are full of juicy and exciting options, we're not sure that this is one of those occasions. Both DSi and 3DS are covered with a mixture of titles, but Wii is left out entirely; no, there isn't even a Neo Geo fighter to keep the...
October2012
News Super Punch Out!!! Goes For a Club Nintendo Knockout
150 coins to get into the bout
Another week, another North American Club Nintendo treat to share with you. This time around there's classic SNES action to enjoy on Wii, with Super Punch Out!!! available until 14th November and stepping up for 150 of your gold coins. To say that Little Mac's 16-bit appearance is iconic is probably an understatement,...
News New Super Mario Bros. U Nabbit Chase Stages Revealed
Dang nabbit!
With launch less than three weeks away for lucky North American gamers, Nintendo has revealed some details for New Super Mario Bros. U. Some are well known and have previously come to light through magazine previews and other sources, such as the fact that the World Map will have a number of routes and secret exits — similar in...
























