September2011
News Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 Release Dates Confirmed
Gyroscope controls also announced
Prepare yourselves, Mario fans, because the two most anticipated 3DS releases of the year now have confirmed release dates. We've known for a while now that Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 would be arriving on the 3DS this November and December, respectively. Nintendo have now confirmed the dates that we can...
News 3DS Video Recording On the Way
More StreetPass also confirmed
Amongst the frenzy of announcements of new games and peripherals, some other news of interest has emerged for 3DS owners through a Nintendo press release. A system update in November will bring two major updates to the system. Firstly, there will be a new function to record 3D Video with the camera. Details such as the...
News 3DS Second Circle Pad Formally Announced
Details of release date and compatible games
Details concerning the 3DS circle pad expansion have been released, provided by Nintendo after their press conference earlier today. It's set for release on 10th December in Japan, to coincide with the release of Monster Hunter 3 G, and will cost ¥1,500 (around £12). It's been confirmed that the...
News More Super Mario 3D Land Screenshots Warp Into View
More Super Mario eye candy
It seems that all of the announcements flowing out of Nintendo tonight have also brought a barrage of new game assets with them. First up is a brand new set of 10 Super Mario 3D Land screenshots that show off some new areas of the game. With every new group of shots, the game just keeps looking better and better. We'll...
News Nintendo Plans a Rosy Future for DSi XL
Metallic Rose colour to premiere this month in North America
Have you found yourself wishing that you could finally buy that DSi XL if it only were available in your favourite colour? If that colour is metallic pink, you're in luck, as Nintendo recently announced its plans to release such a device on 18th September. The DSi XL, of course, is like...
Talking Point The Second Circle Pad and the 3DS Evolution
What next for the 3DS?
Another week, another major 3DS announcement. That may be an exaggeration, but it is nevertheless true that the 3DS has had a busy first six months in the market. Since the device launched we’ve already heard about disappointing sales, a number of delayed 3DS titles from third party developers, Nintendo’s decision to...
Feature Star Fox - Pioneering 3D Shoot-em-ups Since 1993
Shoot everything in sight
This week sees the release of Star Fox 64 3D. As you're no doubt aware, it's a remastering in the same vein as Ocarina of Time 3D, so updated visuals are naturally present. Given the updated hardware, Fox McCloud and the team will be appearing in true 3D for the first time. On the 3DS, a true sensation of depth should...
Round Table Looking Back at the Star Fox Series
Back in the Arwing
Fox McCloud is about to make a welcome return to the gaming scene, with the upcoming Star Fox 64 3D ready to blast onto 3DS screens. As a franchise, Star Fox has shown plenty of diversity, so we decided it was time to reflect on the adventures of good old Fox and the gang. Features editor Thomas Whitehead is joined by community...
August2011
News North American NES Ambassador Games Announced
Same as Japan's
In just two days, early 3DS adopters will have the chance to download 10 free NES games from the eShop with an additional 10 Game Boy Advance titles to follow later in the year. We announced the Japanese Ambassador titles earlier, and now Nintendo has published the North American list as well. No surprises here; in fact, the...
Talking Point eShop Card Delay Proves Nintendo Still Doesn't Get It
Why the wait?
The Nintendo 3DS eShop was supposed to be available at the console's launch, but was delayed by nearly three months. It promised to improve on the company's so-far lacklustre efforts at building a digital presence for itself, but until recently it's struggled to impress, with one of the main problems being a total lack of payment cards...
Feature 20 Years of the Super NES
Time flies when you’re having 16-bit fun
It’s been a year of major anniversaries, proving the fact for many of us at Nintendo Life that we are, indeed, getting old. We’ve seen anniversaries for Zelda, Metroid and Sonic, with Mario enjoying a celebratory cake with Princess Peach only last year. Next up is the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Talking Point What If Nintendo Became a Third Party?
And would it prove a wise move to embrace the smartphone?
It's no secret that the 3DS sold far below expectations, even after Nintendo wowed us at E3 and promised to clean up its online act. Many are going as far as to suggest that the Ambassador programme and slashed pricing is as good as a death knell, while investors argue that Ninty should do...
News Zelda: Skyward Sword Soars to North America 20th November
Your next epic Wii game lands in just over three months
Hot on the heels of Nintendo's 18th November announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's European release comes the North American date: just two days later on 20th November. You can now pre-order the game and read more about it below in the full press release. Nintendo’s...
News Chain of Pandora's Tower Shots Show Big Weapons, Bigger Explosions
Just in time for your summer BBQ
Along with today's confirmation that Japanese RPG The Last Story and the more action-focused Pandora's Tower will release in Europe sometime next year comes a meaty chunk of new screenshots for the latter title. The game centers around the chain-equipped Ende and his journey to rescue Ceres from succumbing to a curse...
News Current Wii Model to be Discontinued
Wave goodbye to your GameCube ports, forever.
Earlier today Nintendo announced that a new Wii design would be available before Christmas in the UK and Europe. Part of the redesign was to lose GameCube support including both the backwards compatibility to play GameCube games and use of the GameCube controllers for Wii titles. Nintendo has now...
Talking Point How Much Fan Influence Should Game Studios Allow?
What's the magic formula?
There was a time not too long ago when the origins of the games we play were somewhat mysterious. We knew the company names and could view credit sequences until the cows came home and magazine readers could gain some extra insight, but by and large the thought processes, discarded ideas and development stages that went...
News Wii U Controller Patent Reveals Interesting Features
Fingers crossed for a mini George Foreman grill
At this stage in the game, Nintendo has officially revealed relatively little about the specifics behind the upcoming Wii U and its controller technology. Apart from the standard features one would come to expect from any brand of console controller, we know the Wii U's will also sport a 6.2-inch touch...
Feature What Happened to Metroid 64?
Samus got lost
As a week of Metroid Anniversary celebrations draws to a close, we thought we’d look back at a Metroid game that never was. We’re not talking about Metroid Dread, which could still happen, but Metroid 64, which will obviously never see the light of day. We’ve made the title up, but in light of the trend of adding ‘64’ after...
News Investors Urge Nintendo to Develop for Smartphones
If further alienation is something it wants to avoid
It's taken just several months for Nintendo to issue the 3DS's first price-cut since the console's launch; a move which Nintendo is hoping will play a part in giving the console a much-needed boost after sales have been less than expected. According to investors, there's another move that Nintendo...
News NOA Will Be Watching European Xenoblade Chronicles Sales Closely
Nintendo doesn't want to miss out, does it?
Although Nintendo has no plans to localise sought-after games like the ones at the heart of Operation Rainfall's genesis, that's not to say the situation will necessarily stay the same. For months, fans have been vocal about their desire for Japanese RPGs The Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles a
Feature Samus Aran, Gaming's Leading Lady
We take a look at the famous female bounty hunter
Historically, just about every form of media has seen itself dominated by men, and gaming is as guilty as the rest. You could chalk it up to the playing population remaining largely scant of females for reasons too complex and debatable to delve into here, but that's only half the story. The...
Talking Point The Future of Metroid
Where next, Samus?
It’s a big anniversary for Metroid, joining Mario and Zelda in the 25 year club. It’s interesting to note that there hasn’t been much fanfare from Nintendo, with the upcoming 3DS ‘Ambassador’ release of GBA classic Metroid Fusion being the only sign of Samus this year. It seems that as a franchise, Metroid is very much...
News Japanese 3DS Sales Slump Coincided with Price Cut Announcement
No doubt sales will pick up again soon
How do you temporarily halt sales of the 3DS? In Japan's case at least, an announcement of a price cut that will come into effect the following month will do it. According to Media Create and as reported by Andriasang, the 3DS sold about 16,415 units during the week that ran from 25th to 31st July in Japan...
News Nintendo Won't Keep Miis Cooped Up in the Plaza
More 3DS software coming
Seeing all those Mii characters shuffling about in the 3DS Mii Plaza with little to do might be a little disheartening to watch, which is why impending first-party software that will utilise players' Miis will be good news for many. At the financial results briefing for the first quarter of this fiscal year, an investor...
Feature The Future of Nintendo Gaming - 2D or Not 2D?
That is the question
It’s been a busy year for Nintendo as it seeks to move onto a new generation of consoles. The 3DS is already here and, despite a sluggish start, has some big releases ahead. Then of course there is the Wii U, boasting a unique touch screen controller and the promise of much greater processing power than the Wii. Both devices...
























