March2012

  • Feature Nintendo's Biggest Blunders

    Even Mario gets it wrong sometimes

    They say true love triumphs over any hardships. If that is the case, then we must really love Nintendo, for it's provided us with plenty of chances to test our devotion throughout the years. Here is a selection of moments where it all went topsy-turvy, even if our commitment never wavered: You Can't Play That:...

  • News 3DS Continues to Dominate in Japan

    Outselling all the rest

    Any suspicion that the 3DS revival in Japan was a temporary improvement is still being disproven, with the latest Japanese charts showing another strong showing for the handheld. With 3DS software also prominent, the handheld is still on a roll in its homeland. The latest Media Create results, as reported by Andriasang, show...

February2012

  • News GAME Not Selling Mario Party 9

    Not available online either

    It's emerged today that UK retailer GAME will not be stocking Mario Party 9 when it's released this coming Friday. In a Nintendo statement GAME and Gamestation, which are both part of GAME Group plc., were omitted from a list of retailers where the title will be available. At the current time the retail group doesn't have...

  • News Fire Emblem: Kakusei Cover Art Released

    Bringing the heat

    The Fire Emblem series has been around for 22 years, though it only became well known outside of Japan with the arrival of Game Boy Advance. Since that time there have been plenty of new titles, remakes and Virtual Console appearances released worldwide, so the announcement of Fire Emblem: Kakusei last year came as little surprise...

  • News 3DS Celebrates First Birthday in Japan

    Our card was delayed in the post

    Nintendo probably had a bit of a party yesterday, as its 3DS celebrated being one-year old in Japan. Released on 26th February 2011 to much hype, the handheld has since had an eventful first year, though has been burning up the charts in its homeland in recent months. It's being reported, meanwhile, that 3DS owners...

  • News Pokémon Black & White Version 2 Announced

    Not quite as expected

    Pokémon series director Junichi Masuda appeared on Japanese television show Pokémon Smash! this morning to finally make his highly anticipated announcement. Two new games, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version 2 were revealed, although next to no information was given. The extent of what Masuda revealed were the...

  • Reaction Nintendo Direct - Nintendo Joins the Modern Age

    Bringing the hype

    Yesterday, on the same day that rival Sony launched PlayStation Vita in Europe and North America, Nintendo hosted three online broadcasts designed to reveal and publicise upcoming services and titles. It was the second time Nintendo Direct had taken place, though the timing and execution of this second run showed that the company...

  • News Dillon's Rolling Western Has Arrived in North America

    Hitting the Wild West

    European gamers celebrating the release of Dillon's Rolling Western today can be joined by their North American friends, as it's been confirmed that the title is now available in the eShop. Footage of the title with some information on features and gameplay can be found on Reggie Fils-Aime's Nintendo Direct broadcast, which you...

  • News Dr. Kawashima is Coming to 3DS

    Just what the doctor ordered

    It's been confirmed that a new entry in the Dr. Kawashima series is on the way to 3DS. Though no exact release date was given it's due in Japan this summer, with worldwide plans yet to be confirmed. This new entry will focus on two key areas: concentration and working memory. It will consist of intense exercises to be...

  • News Mario Tennis Open Served to Europe on 25th May

    Online play confirmed

    After earlier confirmation of Mario Tennis Open launching in Japan on 24th May, it's been confirmed that Europe only needs to wait one extra day with the title landing on 25th May. Further details were also confirmed, including online and local multiplayer, with download play conveniently available for four players. It will...

  • News Mario Tennis Open Launches 24th May in Japan

    Served for an ace?

    Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has confirmed, through his Nintendo Direct broadcast, that Mario Tennis Open on 3DS will be released in Japan on 24th May. It's the latest first-party offering to be released as part of Nintendo's revival of the handheld, and it's the fourth time — including Virtual Boy — that Mario has taken to the...

  • News Reggie Also Presenting Nintendo Direct Tomorrow

    Time for some fevered speculation

    Earlier today we reported that Nintendo Japan is hosting Nintendo Direct tomorrow, but it transpires that this will be a triple act, with Europe and North America in on the act too. As some have already pointed out in the previous article, Reggie Fil-Aime will be hosting his own presentation tomorrow after Satoru...

  • News Nintendo Japan Drops Wii no Ma Service

    No ma no more

    With plenty of development ongoing for 3DS and the all-important task of preparing for the launch of Wii U, Nintendo has plenty of work on its plate. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that it will be Wii that loses focus, the latest example being the decision by Nintendo to drop the Japan-exclusive Wii no Ma service, with it...

  • News Catch a Shiny Pokémon at the National Championships

    Everyone's a winner

    For some of you, the tease from Pokémon director Junichi Masuda will be enough to get your juices flowing. In the world of Pokémon, however, there is very often even more to get you excited. The Pokémon Company International has today released a press statement offering the opportunity for competitors at the 2012 Pokémon...

  • News 3DS Hits Five Million Sales in Japan

    Mario, karts and monsters to the rescue

    In recent weeks we've been reporting the exceptionally good run that 3DS is having in Japan, consistently selling more than all of its rivals combined. It's been confirmed today that it has hit yet another milestone, and in record time. As reported by Andriasang, Japanese chart master Media Create has...

  • News Nintendo Considered a 3D Screen on Wii U

    A tablet-sized 3DS?

    Nintendo's next home console, which may or may not be called Wii U, is due before the end of the year. While Nintendo is gradually unveiling details about the console and its tablet controller, the recent appearance of the console's patent filings has provided an interesting insight into what the machine could potentially...

  • News Nintendo Games Dominated January Sales in Japan

    More than anyone else

    We're always interested to see how Nintendo is performing in its homeland, as it no doubt plays a major part in its plans for the future. It's been all good news in Japan, fortunately, with the 3DS continuing to outsell all rival consoles combined, an astonishing feat unlikely to be repeated in North America or Europe. Courtesy...

  • News A Big List of Pokémon Rumble Blast Toy Codes

    Make room in your toy box

    Last year we gave you Victini and Pikachu Super Pokémon Rumble codes, or Pokémon Rumble Blast for those of you in North America. Nintendo has continued to provide additional toy codes, and we've decided to catch 'em all so you don't have to. We've taken all of the new codes from both the UK and U.S. websites as they vary...

  • News New Trailer for The Last Story Teams Up for Battle

    Magic and swords galore

    There's now little over a week until The Last Story is released in Europe, and Nintendo has released a new trailer to show off some of the game mechanics. After an introduction to Lazulis City, an important location in the game, the action quickly moves to battle mechanics: a variety of enemies and attack strategies are...

  • News Nintendo Japan Releases First 3DS Paid DLC

    Stealing Theatrhythm's thunder

    After Nintendo's announcement last year that DLC would arrive on 3DS, it looked like Theatrhythm Final Fantasy — due for release in Japan on 16th Feburary — would be the first title with paid extra content on the handheld. Not to be upstaged, Nintendo has jumped ahead and released three small download packs for a...

  • News Nintendo Confirms Takeover of MobiClip

    Videos galore on 3DS and Wii U

    Nintendo has just confirmed the acquisition of the Paris-based video technology company MobiClip. It has provided video content for various titles on Game Boy Advance and more recently DS, most famously in the Professor Layton series. The company has specialised in delivering high-quality video to a number of devices,...

  • News Kid Icarus AR Cards Come with a Tasty Treat

    Japanese obesity set to soar

    Nintendo of America recently teased us on its official Kid Icarus: Uprising website by confirming that AR events are on the cards, though there were no details on how to get additional cards before these events. If the planned Japanese promotion is anything to go by, it may be time to dig out that old exercise bike. As...

  • News 3DS Software Struggles in UK Charts

    Hot in Japan, winter chills in old blighty

    While we've been happy to report the continuing resurgence of 3DS sales in Japan, it looks like success in the UK is proving to be more difficult to achieve. In the latest software charts published by UKIE only one 3DS exclusive, Mario Kart 7, has managed to steer its way into the top 20, sneaking in at...

  • Feature Zelda and Link's Romance in Skyward Sword

    Zelda likes the silent type

    It’s that time of year again, when couples around the world buy each other chocolates and tacky heart shaped gifts. Soon it will be Valentine’s Day, the most loved-up day of the year, and it’s got us thinking about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: a worrying indication that our priorities aren’t matching the...

  • News Resident Evil Revelations Scares Its Way to Top of Japanese Charts

    3DS also continues its dominance

    Although its only just arrived in North America, Resident Evil Revelations is now in the Japanese and European charts for a second week. While it has taken a hit in the UK charts, it's enjoyed an improved position in the Land of the Rising Sun. According to the latest Media Create results, and as reported by...