DS News
March2012
News Pokémon Black and White 2 Box Art Revealed
Let battle commence
It's safe to say that the announcement of Pokémon Black and White 2 caused a stir in late February, with many fans of the series having strong opinions on a direct sequel being released on DS. Now that the dust has settled and the reality of these new titles has sunk in, it's time to take a look at the recently released Japanese...
News This is Meloetta, Pokémon Number 648
Nice to meet you
Say hello to Pokémon #648: Meloetta. The new 'mon was leaked recently on a movie poster but here's your first good look at official artwork of the musical-themed character. Meloetta has two Formes: Aria is a Normal/Psychic type, while Pirouette Forme is Normal/Fighting, which should result in some interesting strategies...
News Exclusive Pokémon Available Ahead of Championships
From our friends at Eurogamer.net
March is the month of the Pokémon Video Game Championships around Europe, with the UK event taking place in Birmingham on 3rd March. For those looking to gain an advantage at the upcoming contest, our colleagues at Eurogamer.net are offering an exclusive Pokémon as a helping hand. Having teamed up with The...
February2012
News Get Your Pokémon Sequels Teaser Trailer Here
Roll up, roll up
Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are due out later this year — June in Japan, autumn/fall in the West — and while we still don't know much of anything about them here's a teaser trailer to watch anyway. The video doesn't show much we didn't already know — new Formes for Kyurem, autumnal release — but...
News North America Gets Pokémon Black and White 2 this Fall
Everybody's happy
Nintendo of America has confirmed that Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will both come to North America this fall. No more details were given but Nintendo promises "plenty of new surprises" from the DS sequels. Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Announced Two New Highly Anticipated...
News Pokémon Black and White 2 Europe-Bound this Autumn
On the way
Pokémon Black & White 2's June release in Japan will come just before a European release this autumn, Nintendo has announced. The DS sequel to Pokémon Black & White will reach Europe later this year, Nintendo UK tweeted earlier. We'll keep you posted on updates when we get them. POKÉMON BLACK VERSION 2 & POKÉMON WHITE...
Review May's Mystery: Forbidden Memories (DS)
Never send a kid to do a professor's job
We've seen the rise in popularity of a few new or previously underappreciated genres within the current generation, among them rhythm-based games, brain training titles and life simulators. Another is the puzzle- and brain teaser-centric adventure, which rose to popularity with Level-5's Professor Layton...
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...
News Europe Scores Inazuma Eleven 2 on 16th March
Goooooaalll
Inazuma Eleven 2 Blizzard and accompaniment Inazuma Eleven 2 Firestorm are taking potshots at European DS consoles from 16th March 2012. The team-up is easily the highlight of a pretty thin DS release schedule for the upcoming months, though it's worth pointing out that Cave Story is down for release next month. No, we don't quite...
News Young Justice to Clean Up Wii and DS
Holy licensing, Batman
For those of you in North America that enjoy some cartoons on a Saturday morning, you may be looking forward to the upcoming second series of the Young Justice series, which follows teenage superheroes and sidekicks from the DC Universe as they fight crime. A series like this is also ripe for a video game, and it seems that...
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 McDonalds to Offer Exclusive 3DS DLC in Japan
Would you like fries with that?
In recent weeks and months Nintendo has been doing its best to encourage gamers to keep their 3DS on the move, with Wi-Fi hotspots and Nintendo Zone making appearances worldwide. It's in Nintendo's homeland, however, that 3DS connectivity appears to be taking a major step up. It's been reported by Famitsu, and...
News Atlus Reprints Radiant Historia, Due Next Month
Historic
Like most Atlus games, critically acclaimed DS RPG Radiant Historia only had a limited print run upon its release last year, leaving many interested customers unable to find the game at retail. Now, nearly a year after its first release, Atlus is readying another production run. The next round of games will drop in late March, with Atlus...
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...
News Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Out 28th February
New trailer inside
Short and to the point (because typing out the title wears out our fingers) — Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 is due out in North America on 28th February, and we have a fresh trailer to share. There's also an official site to clap your eyes on and some screenshots below these very words. If you're yet to try the series,...
News Gogo's Crazy Bones Coming to DS
The box cover stole our tagline
After the popularity of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure on Wii and 3DS, it seems that turning toy figurine franchises into video games could become a bit of a trend. Just announced is Gogo's Crazy Bones for DS, due to arrive in North America in March. This title doesn't appear to feature 'portal' functionality that...
January2012
News DS Speech Recognition Could Help Disabled Children
Trials underway in Japan
The DS, in its various forms, has not only been the biggest selling handheld console of all time, but has also played a role beyond that of a simple gaming machine. As we reported last year, Art Academy has helped students with their creative skills, while there are plenty of educational software options available. Reports...
News Mewtwo to Psyche Out Pokémon Black and White
Put the spoons away
Legendary psychic Pokémon Mewtwo is joining the ranks of Pokémon Black & White from next month. Starting 12th February, DS owners can download Mewtwo via a wireless broadband connection, adding its fearsome psychic powers to their line-up. Full details are below. POWERFUL MEWTWO MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN FOR A SPECIAL...
News DS Sales Hit 151m Consoles and 890m Games
Happy days
The venerable old grandfather of touch screen gaming, the Nintendo DS, isn't quite ready to roll over and go quietly just yet. In the past financial quarter Nintendo sold just over 2m consoles in the DS family, with 1.3m of those sales in the Americas. Financial year to date DS sales stand at 4.64m units around the world, with Nintendo...
News Official Trailer Released for Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition
Levelled-up hype
Last week we reported that there's a new Pokémon title coming to Japan on the DS, a crossover title that features Tecmo Koei's Nobunaga's Ambition series. Pokemon Company has now released a two-minute trailer that shows off plenty of the overhead strategy gameplay, along with what appears to be a local multiplayer mode. We've...
Feature Nintendo in 2011 - Part Two
Disaster and redemption
Following on from Nintendo in 2011 — Part One, it's time to look at the latter half of the year. The gaming world quickly moves on, as the 3DS enjoys positive sales and the Wii U hype begins to build. It’s easy to forget that the tail-end of 2011 was particularly dramatic and eventful for Nintendo, leaving us with plenty...
News New Pokémon Title Coming to Japan in March
Who knew?
Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition is the latest Pokémon title due to arrive on DS, hitting Japanese stores on 17th March. Many of you may be asking, what on earth is Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition? As detailed by Andriasang, and as the title suggests, this is a cross-over between the well known Pokémon franchise and Tecmo Koei's Nobunaga's...
News Super Mario 3D Land Beats All in 2011 3DS Chart
Goal Pole goes gold
Super Mario 3D Land was the biggest-selling 3DS game of 2011 in the UK, according to the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE). In second place was Mario Kart 7, with both Mario titles outselling Grezzo's N64 remaster The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. Here's the full top five, followed by the DS top five, in...
News Choose How to Die in Devil Survivor 2
Take a look inside
While you might have played Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked on 3DS, you'll need to adjust back to 2D to take on the next entry in the series, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2, due out this year on DS. Atlus put out a new trailer for the game with a rather morbid theme, but there's some jollity to it as it...
News LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Coming to Wii, 3DS and DS
Look who's in tow
After the LEGO Batman 2 leak last month, it was always a matter of time before Warner Bros. confirmed LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, and indeed the publisher just revealed the sequel is due this summer. Coming to Wii, 3DS and DS, as the title suggests LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes' cast includes more than just the Dark Knight,...
Feature Nintendo in 2011 - Part One
An important year begins
It’s now 2012, which promises to be an eventful year for Nintendo. We’ll be giving our thoughts soon on what to expect in the coming year, but it's now time to look back at a dramatic 2011. There were plenty of major headlines and game releases, and we’ll pinpoint some of the key moments that defined the year. We'll...
December2011
Game of the Year Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011
What won our votes this year?
With the launch of 3DS in March, the Wii U's unveiling at E3 and a Christmas period that included new Zelda, Mario and Mario Kart games, we rather think 2011 was a pretty good year all in all. But what were the very best stand-out games of the year? What moments will we think of when we reminisce about 2011? The...
Feature Celebrating 10 Years of Animal Crossing
Population: glowing
Here's a fun game next time you're at a boring social occasion: try explaining the point of Animal Crossing to an elderly family member. Nintendo's genre-defying life series first appeared in Japan in April 2001 as Dobutsu no Mori ("Animal Forest") on Nintendo 64, but it was the enhanced Animal Forest+ for GameCube —...
News Inazuma Eleven 2 Shoots for Europe in 2012
A game of two halves
Football RPG Inazuma Eleven must have done reasonably well for itself across Europe as Nintendo has announced the sequel is on the way in 2012. The tentatively titled Inazuma Eleven 2 is to be split into two games, currently subtitled Firestorm and Blizzard, as it was in Japan upon its initial release back in 2009. If you're not...
Review Power Rangers Samurai (DS)
Go go Power Rangers
Centuries ago, dark forces threatened to destroy civilisation in Japan. The danger was thought to have been destroyed by a clan of fearless warriors wielding power symbols that had been passed down for generations. Now these dark forces have returned to finish the destruction they started so long ago, and the survival of Earth...
Feature Memorable Zelda Moments
The wonderful world of Hyrule, and beyond
The Legend of Zelda is one of the best loved Nintendo franchises, over 25 years old and still finding new ways to thrill gamers. The significant number of Zelda releases means it boasts an incredible history and reputation, with each new entry’s adventure contributing its part to the lore of the series...
News 3DS Beats First Year DS Sales in Just 8 Months
What problem?
Nintendo made a lot of sales in the week running up to Black Friday: Mario and Zelda both hit record sales and the company sold over 500,000 Wii consoles in one day. The 3DS also hit a milestone on Saturday, overtaking the entire first-year sales of the Nintendo DS. Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed to Time that in its first eight month on...
November2011
News Victini Returns to Pokémon Black and White This Weekend
HP restored
Super-rare Pokémon Victini saw a limited release when Pokémon Black and White earlier this year, and now the little monster is rested and ready to make another appearance this weekend. From Saturday, Victini will be distributed via Nintendo WiFi Connection, complete with a pretty powerful move set: Fusion Bolt, Fusion Flare, V-Create...
News Game & Watch Gifts Added to European Club Nintendo
Get 'em while they're hot
The European Club Nintendo Stars Catalogue gets just received two new rewards, but they probably won't be around for long. 7,500 Stars gets you a replica of Game & Watch: Ball, the very first Game & Watch game ever produced all the way back in 1980. It's already been offered to Japanese and North American Club...
News 3DS Heading for Bigger First Year Sales Than DS
Picking up steam
After its well-publicised troubles earlier this year, the price drop and extra colours seem to be having the desired effect on Nintendo's 3DS, with the console's sales increasing at such a rate it could overtake the first-year sales of its predecessor, the Nintendo DS. While an indication of the 3DS's improved sales, it's also a...
Podcast NLFM Episode 22: Mascots and Mixes
New digs for old friends
Our chip and game music podcast rears its lovely head this month with a collection of Nintendo mascot sounds new and old, from that new Kirby game to Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Metroid remixes. Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando — Cookie Country (Kirby’s Return to Dreamland)The Greatest Bits — Fear Factory (Donkey K
News Giana Sisters DS Sneaks Into North America
It's finally here!
Well the wait has been lengthy, but Giana Sisters DS is finally available to North American gamers. While there was little (actually none whatsoever) fanfare for the release, the game is now available at various Walmart stores. And if you can't find the game locally, NewEgg has it in stock for $19.99, a far cry from the $70+ the...
October2011
News DS Family Nears 150m Worldwide Hardware Sales
Still going strong
After celebrating 50 million DS consoles sold in the United States, Nintendo's venerable dual-screened handheld is closing in on another milestone: 150m units sold around the globe. The company's latest financial results show the system sitting on 149m consoles sold since its release in 2004 to the end of September 2011. Software...
News Nintendo America Creates New DSi XL Bundles For You
We hope you like Mario
Just because 3DS is out doesn't mean the DSi XL is totally dead: Nintendo knows it's onto a good thing with the giant-sized handheld, and has put together two new hardware bundles for North America for the holidays. The packs are available in Metallic Rose or Midnight Blue and both come with a free copy of Mario vs. Donkey...
Review 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (DS)
Fine, fine, fine
You wake up in a cabin on a ship, clueless as to how you arrived. You soon remember a mysterious figure in a gas mask and an odd odour filling your apartment. Before you have time to put the pieces together, the window cracks and water begins to flood the small space. Either you find a way out of the locked room, or you drown. This...
Review Professor Layton and the Last Specter (DS)
Smells like evil spirit
By this point, most of our readers already know if they will like a Professor Layton game long before it's actually released. This is due to the fact that while the specifics of Layton's investigations change, the gameplay remains largely the same. With games such as these, however, that's not a bad thing. The Professor...
News DS Tops 50 Million Sold Across United States
That's a lot of lost styluses
The 3DS just grew its sales again, but it's got a long way to go to prove itself a potent sales successor to the Nintendo DS, which just passed a whopping 50 million consoles sold in the U.S. We all know that the DS hardware sells well, but games have been its big success too, with Nintendo on hand to reel off some...
Feature Resident Evil's Nintendo History
Undead on the big N, past, present and future
The claustrophobic darkness. The creeping undead. The hideous monsters. The Resident Evil series has brought such thrills and chills to our TVs since 1996, and it’s taken quite a unique path when it comes to Nintendo consoles. With the month of All Hallows’ Eve upon us, we decided to take a look at...
Podcast NLFM Episode 21: Curse of the Halloween Hootenanny
Fear the reaper!
Since it's not only the single best month of the year and because we had so much fun last time [citation needed], the NLFM Halloween Hootenanny has returned! More spooky, more sinister and more deathly, this episode is best listened to in a dark castle dungeon while eating raw pumpkins. Failing that, anywhere else will do. 1. Hip...
News Nintendo Takes New Titles to New York Comic Con
Mario, Zelda and more on hand
If you want to get your hands on some of Nintendo's biggest upcoming titles and you're heading to New York Comic Con, you're in luck — Nintendo has revealed a 15-strong line-up of games playable at the event next week. Comic Con runs from 13th to 16th October at Manhattan's Javits Center, and sees hands-on time for...
Review Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (DS)
Farm-assured prime cut
Thanks to Rising Star Games, gamers in Europe have finally caught up on the Rune Factory series — until Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny launches on Wii in North America next week, that is. Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon on DS is the third and so far final portable instalment in the Harvest Moon spin-off, and the...
Review Aliens: Infestation (DS)
"Another glorious day in the Corps!"
Of the four main Alien films, it's James Cameron’s action packed 1986 movie Aliens that provides the most explosive source material for a video game conversion. Konami knew this when it picked up the licence and released a fun arcade game, enabling players to blast pink xenomorphs in 1990. SEGA fans have...
News Can Fossil Fighters: Champions Make Cleaning Fun?
It's going to have a good try
The DS has had more games about cleaning dinosaur fossils than we ever imagined: Dinosaur King, Fossil Fighters and the upcoming Fossil Fighters: Champions to name three. Now, to get you really excited, Nintendo has released a video showing exactly how to clean fossils in its upcoming DS adventure. The trailer below...
September2011
Review Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (DS)
Joker's wild
When Enix released the original Dragon Quest Monsters for Game Boy back in 1998, many quickly dismissed it as just another vain attempt to cash in on the Pokémon craze. But over the past 13 years, the Monsters series has developed quite a following and become more in-depth and multiplayer-friendly with each new release. Where the first...
News The World Ends With You Lives On, Says Tetsuya Nomura
What's being worked on?
DS RPG The World Ends With You is one of the most beloved games on the system, but in opposition to Square Enix's love of doling out Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest updates like they're going out of fashion, we've seen neither hide nor hair of Neku and friends since the original game released. Does that mean the series has...
News How Many Kirbys Can You Fit on a DS Box?
The pinkest box you'll ever see
While gamers across North America can now wrestle with Kirby Mass Attack, European DS owners must wait until 28th October to get another dose of pink sugary fun. Nintendo Europe wants to put that right at the forefront of your mind, as the game's Euro box art clearly shows. Ignoring the rather more action-oriented...
Ten for the price of one
It's no secret that Kirby has been a huge part of Nintendo's portable systems over the years, even making his debut on the original Game Boy back in 1992. When Kirby Canvas Curse was released, it took the traditional button controls away and replaced them with the touchscreen controls of the DS. While some die-hard fans of...
News Nintendo Europe Dropped London Life to "Avoid Delays"
Can you Adam and Eve it?
North American gamers, you hold the trump card on this one; your copies of Professor Layton and the Last Specter contain the bonus RPG Professor Layton's London Life. Anyone who buys the European version of the game — titled Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call — will not get this extra mode. Reader SoulSilverIV...
Podcast NLFM Episode 20: It's Alive!
Thanks for hanging on to those RSS feeds
Had you going there for a while, didn't we? Weekly. Ha! Sorry for the absence, fearless listeners, but Nintendo Life's chip and game music podcast NLFM is back on track after a too-long hiatus. And boy do we have some doozies for your ears! 1. Shiryu — The Goddamn Batman (Shiryu’s Arcade vol. 4)2. Yoko...
News Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call Gets EU Release Date
DS owners rejoice
There is some good news for Professor Layton fans in the EU with confirmation that the series prequel, Professor Layton and the Last Specter, now has a confirmed release date of 25th November in UK and Europe. It will launch with the alternate title Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call. The game will have been out in Japan for...
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...
News Solatorobo Goes Gold, Gets NA Release Date
Touted RPG finally coming to North America
European gamers have been enjoying Solatorobo: Red the Hunter for over two months now, but XSEED has just announced that the game has not only gone gold, but it's also been set for a September 27th release in North American territories. If by some miracle you're still undecided about the game, you can check...
News Get a Venusaur C-Gear Skin with Exclusive Code
Give your gear a makeover
Pokémon Black & White has plenty to keep you going, so if you're still playing the game then Nintendo wants to reward you with some new looks for your all-important C-Gear. By using the special code below and the Pokémon Global Link website, you'll be able to add an exclusive Venusaur theme to the C-Gear. It doesn't...
News GAME and Rising Star Team Up for Artwork Giveaway
Become a cropper
The limited edition Harvest Moon artwork giveaway announced last week was, let's face it, rather confusing. Now we have the full picture on how you'll be able to get three sets of PAL-exclusive, limited edition Harvest Moon-themed artwork. The first set of art cards will be included with every copy of Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar. The...
News Kirby Delivers Ice Cold Snacks to US Cities
Is one of them near you?
To promote the launch of Kirby Mass Attack this month, Nintendo is taking demos of the game across America. But how to transport Kirby and feed players at the same time? With Kirby Snack Attack Trucks, of course. Nintendo's plan is to travel the country — realistically three cities — with frozen fruit snacks and DS...
News Marvel at Kirby Mass Attack's Minigames
Mini RPG mode revealed
Kirby Mass Attack's enormous army of pink... things is just around the corner, so Nintendo is taking the time to show off some of the bonus games packed into the DS cartridge. As well as the platform antics there are several minigames available, including pest-whacking Field Frenzy, mini RPG Kirby Quest and the pinball-like...
News In Space, Nobody Can Hear This Aliens: Infestation Trailer
It's just too far away
SEGA's Aliens: Infestation is sneaking up on its late September launch date like a particularly stealth facehugger, and now we have a trailer showing the game off. Created by Shantae: Risky's Revenge team WayForward, the game looks set to combine shooting with exploration, which will do us very nicely indeed. Check out the...
News Rising Star Harvests Limited Edition Artwork for New Titles
Collect 'em all
Natsume, publisher of the Harvest Moon series in North America, has made a bit of a name for itself by offering plush toys as incentives for customers to pre-order new entries in the series: cute, admittedly, but European counterpart Rising Star Games has something a little classier to offer. The publisher has announced the...
August2011
News Professor Layton's London Life Won't Make It to Europe
Update: bonus game denied
Update: Nintendo of Europe has now backtracked on its original statement and told us that London Life isn't coming to Europe. Original story follows: Nintendo of America's Professor Layton and the Last Specter press release yesterday caused some concern for European DS owners as it seemed to imply that the title's bonus...
News Professor Layton's Last Specter Out in October
London Life mode revealed
There's something inexplicably thrilling about getting a new game, but how about getting two new games in one? We bet you're giddy already. The next announcement might just tip you over the edge: Professor Layton and the Last Specter is coming to North America on 17th October and contains a bonus game. Layton's had bonus...
News Aliens Infest North America on 11th October
Earlier in Europe, though
WayForward's homage to the Aliens series should be showing up on your motion trackers soon, as SEGA has announced the game will release in North America on 11th October, with a European release slightly earlier on 30th September. The 2D action shooter boasts WayForward's usual quality artwork, but can the company turn its...
News Inazuma Eleven Finally Makes it to UK Today
Taking its time
The DS football RPG from the developers of Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven finally reaches UK shores today after a huge delay. On-the-ball readers may remember it was mistakenly released in small quantities back in January, but it was always Nintendo's plan to release the game properly alongside the cartoon series which just began...
News Harvest Moon: Tale of Two Towns Comes with Fluffy Surprise
Hint: it's an alpaca
Natsume's next farming adventure is nearly ready to sprout in North America, with Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns coming to DS on 20th September. As is par for the course, the publisher is offering a special pre-order bonus to anyone who puts down money for the game at Gamestop: a cuddly alpaca, celebrating the grazing...
News Kirby Wii Officially Renamed Kirby's Adventure Wii for Europe
And out in December
Kirby is back to suck at Christmas again, as Nintendo has announced that Kirby's Adventure Wii will reach Europe in December. The game previously known as Kirby Wii and alternatively Kirby's Return to Dream Land is set to pinkify the continent before 2012 arrives. It's part of a two-pronged Kirby attack on Europe, as Kirby Mass...
News Download More New Solatorobo DS Quests Now
And in the coming weeks, too
If you've been enjoying Solatorobo: Red the Hunter over the past few weeks, you might have had chance to try out its free download content. There's more to come too, as Nintendo outlines the next month's quests available only via download. There's a new quest every week, with today's being the Air GP Pharaoh Cup for all...
News Kirby Mass Attack Trailer Storms the Stronghold of Your Brain
Duck and cover
The adorable pink ball of whatever-he-is, Kirby, is coming back to DS for one last appearance with Kirby Mass Attack. Nintendo has just shot over a hot slice of video footage and some screenshots too, which you can find below. We played the game in July, so if you want to know more you can hurl yourself into our Kirby Mass Attack...
News de Blob Developer Blue Tongue Shuts Up Shop
This is sad
Australian studio Blue Tongue Entertainment — creators of the ludicrously enjoyable de Blob games — has been closed by owner THQ. The original Wii-exclusive adventure was critically and commercially well-received — it scored an 8/10 in our de Blob review — and the team moved on to produce a sequel for Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360. de...
News Not n-Space's Decision to Develop Modern Warfare 3 for DS
Activision is the CO around here
When it was announced that the latest instalment in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series will once again make it to a Nintendo handheld, some were left scratching their heads as to why the game was being developed for the DS and not the 3DS. When fans took to the developer's Facebook page and asked why Call of...
News Join Forces With this Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Trailer
Level up
We're not far from Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2, so it's time to take a look at the plot that drives Square Enix's spin-off from the ever-popular RPG series. Islands, monsters and statistics are the order of the day as usual, but with a twist: you can recruit monsters to fight alongside you in this sub-series, lending a new twist to the...
News Nintendo DS Sales Figures Make Wii's Look Tiny
More big numbers
The Nintendo Annual Report Wii sales figures were impressive, weren't they? 86m Wii consoles sold with over 716m games sold as well. The DS sales figures dwarf those big numbers, though. Worldwide, the DS family of consoles — that's DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL/LL of course — has shifted a massive 146.42m units. An estimated...
Review Captain America: Super Soldier (DS)
Save the fireworks
Stars. Stripes. Rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air. Deer and antelope playing. America. The United States is a country with enough national pride to fuel a superhero, and that's exactly what Captain America is all about. Does his movie tie-in handheld outing Captain America: Super Soldier channel these well enough to...
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...
July2011
News Rune Factory 3 Sprouts in Europe in September
Third DS instalment due
Rising Star Games has just announced its line-up for the rest of the year, and DS RPG Rune Factory 3 is coming to Europe in a few months' time. The third and final DS instalment in the series released in North America last year, bringing with it several big features: co-operative play for up to three players, the ability to...
News Catch Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 in October, Europe
Nearly slime time
We originally thought that Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 was going to make it next month, but now Nintendo Europe has dashed those hopes by announcing a release date of 7th October. The monster-catching spin-off from the main Dragon Quest series communicates with the most recent DS releases, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the...
News Nintendo Gets Around to Releasing Inazuma Eleven in UK
About time
In January, Nintendo did something unusual: it accidentally released a video game. A small number of copies of DS football RPG Inazuma Eleven from Level-5 deftly dodged the tackles of Nintendo's distribution system and scored a few goals with customers before Nintendo blew the half-time whistle and the error was corrected. Now the game of...
News Gremlins Gizmo Trailer Spotted at Comic-Con
Unleashed on North America this year
During this year's San Diego Comic-Con event, a small booth was spotted showing a trailer for an upcoming video game adaptation of the Gremlins franchise. Before you get too excited, it appears to be a collection of mini-games that are making their way to the Wii and DS. The trailer for Gremlins Gizmo showed a...
First Impressions Kirby: Mass Attack
Kirby rides again!
The DS is nearing the end of its life now; there are very few big games planned as everybody's making the move to the 3DS. Still, Nintendo's got another title coming out in the form of Kirby: Mass Attack, which takes the traditional Kirby platforming and gives it another unique twist. We had a chance to sit down with a still...
News Solatorobo Dev Would Like to Work on Mega Man Legends 3
A glimmer of hope?
CyberConnect2, the developer behind the acclaimed Solatorobo: Red the Hunter, is currently collaborating with Capcom on Asura's Wrath for PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360, but what would CEO and President Hiroshi Matsuyama like to work on next? When posed the question recently, his answer was none other than the freshly cancelled...
News Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Trailer Approaches
Let us set the scene...
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 is only a few months away you know, and this short but sweet trailer for the game sums up the next Square Enix adventure quite neatly. You crash land on an island and must gather and train an army of monsters to stay alive. It's a little different from the traditional Dragon Quest gameplay, with...
News SEGA Finally Makes Aliens: Infestation Official
Bursting from the chest of secrets
Retail rumours and ESRB age ratings let us know that Aliens: Infestation was approaching, and now SEGA has finally lifted the lid on its upcoming DS title. Developed by WayForward in conjunction with Aliens: Colonial Marines developer Gearbox Software, the game features typically handsome WayForward sprite work and...
News Nintendo Returns to Comic-Con with Multiple Playable Games
18 titles spread across Wii, 3DS and DS
Nintendo is set for its return to Comic-Con in San Diego this year and among other activities, the special Nintendo Gaming Lounge will be set up so that attendees can stop by and try out some of the latest releases. As well as Nintendo's booth (#5135) at Comic-Con, the Nintendo Gaming Lounge situated in the...
News ESRB Rating Offers Intel on Aliens: Infestation
Genre among other things revealed
A recent Entertainment Software Rating Board classification has revealed further details regarding Aliens: Infestation for the DS ― the return of the sci-fi horror franchise by publisher SEGA. Developed by WayForward Technologies, the game will be a side-scrolling shooter with plenty of weapons in stock as...
News Hunt Down New Solatorobo Quests Every Week
Learn how inside
By now you've hopefully read our Solatorobo: Red the Hunter review, and if the 20-hour story mode isn't long enough for you there's good news: it doesn't end there. Nintendo has just given more details about the game's free downloadable quests that keep the action going after the credits roll. The first quest, available today, puts...
Review Solatorobo: Red the Hunter (DS)
This hunter should become the hunted
Solatorobo: Red the Hunter isn’t a game title that is likely to storm to the top of the sales charts. There are no well-known franchise names, no mainstream marketing campaign, and no hint of generic, dull gaming characters and designs. Being a Japanese action RPG, this game is different from the vast majority...
News Dedicated Gamer Aces Dragon Quest IX After 773 Hours
100% complete. Wow.
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is one of the biggest games on DS, but you may not realise exactly how big until you read this. Committed player Steve Tolin has seen all there is to see in the Square Enix RPG: he's defeated every enemy type, grabbed every item and piece of clothing and found every Alchenomicon...
News Ocarina of Time 3D was Second Best-Selling Game of June
United States figures are in
Although The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D launched in the middle of the month, 11 days was all it took for the Zelda remake to establish itself as the second best-selling single-format game for the month of June. According to independent market research company NPD Group, more than 283,000 copies of the game were...
Talking Point Wii U - Revolution or Evolution?
Is the Wii U innovative enough, or just a big DS?
When looked at logically, perhaps there is a valid point to be made about the Wii U. Admittedly, launch is a while away, and further details on the console and its capabilities will no doubt flow in the coming months, but the focus of this article is simple: will Wii U ‘disrupt’ the industry and...
News XSEED: Localising Solatorobo Did Not Open Channels of Communication with NOE
Future prospects of publishing Nintendo titles "very slim"
With Nintendo of America's announcement that it had no plans to release Xenoblade Chronicles or The Last Story coupled with their recent emphasis on bringing more third parties to the table, some hoped that the Big N would allow a smaller Western publisher to do the honours and thus end...
News Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows DS Looks Like This
Could it be magic?
The boy wizard might be facing his final adventure at the box office, but he's got at least two more DS games in him, with LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 due later this year. It's not the only magical outing though, as next week sees Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II - The Video Game — surely the best name for a game...
Rumour Aliens: Infestation to Attack DS in October
Maybe through the chest
Here's something we didn't see coming: according to UK retailer Gamestation, SEGA is bringing the queen of all sci-fi series to DS in October. The retailer's website lists Aliens: Infestation for DSi and DS Lite, and further digging revealed the game's presence on an in-store pre-order list with a tentative release date of...
June2011
News European DS Fans, These Are Your Big Games of 2011
Another release list incoming
While the 3DS is receiving most of the limelight, there are still a few interesting titles heading to DS in Europe over the coming months, as Nintendo Europe's most up-to-date release schedule shows. The machine's upcoming catalogue offers a blend of popular and niche projects, from Solatorobo: Red the Hunter to the...
News Solatorobo Tracks Down a North American Publisher
Red the Hunter sniffs out more DS owners
With the European localisation of Solatorobo: Red the Hunter confirmed with a 1st July release, it's now time for North America to get the official word regarding a localisation for that particular region. While Nintendo is in charge with marketing and distributing the title in Europe, XSEED Games will be...
News Find May's Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville this Summer
Look for the trailer in this article
All the pieces are in place as Mastertronic gets ready for the release of its upcoming hidden object game, May's Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville. The puzzle game's central character is a young girl named May who's looking for her brother. Presented in a hand-drawn style, the game will task players with...
News Nintendo Not Interested in Producing Free-To-Play Software
Iwata not willing to take the risk, it seems
Nintendo's made it clear that it hasn't been totally satisfied with its online efforts thus far, and the upcoming Wii U will hopefully resolve all that. Although the company hasn't revealed exactly how things will be different with its next home console, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has made one thing...
Review Thor: God of Thunder (DS)
Way to go, Way-Thor-ward
At a SEGA press event in March this year WayForward’s Director for Thor: God of Thunder, Austin Ivansmith, noted that it is the company's “love letter to the DS” and considering its back catalogue of well received DS and DSiWare titles this game caught the attention of gamers normally hesitant of a movie licenced game...
