Latest Features
Talking Point What Approach Should Nintendo Take With Its NX Reveal?
Sudden and viral, a Direct, or a conventional press-focused event?
The silly season of rumours has been underway for a while now with the Nintendo NX, and some have recently focused on how the system will be revealed. It's a welcome change of pace from figuring out what the system is, admittedly, and it's raised an interesting question - how should...
Feature Looking for Hits in the Latest StreetPass Games
From capitalism to near-naked Ninjas
The most recent Nintendo Direct broadcasts had a number of pleasing reveals, but one of the most satisfying for eager explorers and walkers was confirmation of a major StreetPass update. The update does multiple things; it introduces the Quick Plaza / SwiftPlay Plaza, designed to shave time off playing games and...
Feature Exploring the Licensed Content in RCMADIAX Games on the Wii U and New 3DS eShop
Origins on asset stores
In recent days we've had multiple readers and colleagues direct us to licensed game assets available to buy online that appear to have been utilised extensively for games sold on the eShop. The developer in question is RCMADIAX, a studio that has produced a substantial volume of releases over the past year, in particular...
Talking Point The 2017 Role of the 3DS Was Established in its Nintendo Direct
Ports, updates and occasional big-hitters to keep it ticking
It's not uncommon that, with new hardware around the corner, console manufacturers keep some content trickling onto the soon-to-be last-gen hardware. Often they rely upon third-party multi-platform titles, as we saw with PS3 and Xbox 360 after the arrival of their successors, though in...
Poll Did the 3DS Nintendo Direct Boost Your Hype for the Portable's Line-Up?
From Wii U game ports to all-new reveals
It was nearly six months between Nintendo Directs, with E3 and a smattering of reveals and extended commercials in between (and some Japan-only Directs). It had ben quite a wait, though it seemed that Nintendo did a pretty good job with its 3DS Nintendo Direct on 1st September, albeit with some caveats. As...
Poll What Are Your Favourite Mini NES Games?
30 for the 30th Anniversary in Europe
Here's a fun fact that fell under the radar on a rather busy day - the NES turned 30 in Europe on 1st September. It celebrated the equivalent North American anniversary nearly a year ago, but the system took a while to arrive in Europe and, actually, struggled to gain much of a foothold - initially at least - in...
Feature The Big Nintendo Direct Summary - 1st September 2016
Surprises, ports and a fake beard
We had to wait nearly six months, but we finally had another Nintendo Direct to sink our teeth into. This time around the focus was primarily on the 3DS, with a couple of relatively minor Wii U details sneaking in. There were most certainly some surprises, and Nintendo of America maintained its recent record of...
Feature Pay A Visit To Rare's Local Indie Video Game Store
"They used to come in to buy their latest game to go in their vault"
The English market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch can chart its history as far back as the 11th century and owes its rather unusual name to the Norman Conquest of England around the same time, when the settlement - then known as plain old Ashby - became the property of the La Zouche...
Feature We Learn More About Atooi, Chicken Wiggle and Future Plans
"The future is bright, and I brought my sunglasses"
Earlier today Jools Watsham unveiled Atooi's first game since the closure of Renegade Kid, the well-known studio that he'd co-founded a decade ago. Though Totes the Goat was previously released on iOS as an Atooi title, there's nevertheless the sense that the newly announced Chicken Wiggle is a...
Feature What We Expect From the 3DS Nintendo Direct - 1st September
That says '3DS', not NX
It feels like an age and a day since we last had a Nintendo Direct - at E3 the big N opted for a Treehouse Live approach, while if we ignore some Japanese Culdcept Revolt broadcasts we need to go back to 3rd March for the last 'typical' Direct. Crikey. It's nice to have it back, then, and this one is set to be focused on the...
Exclusive Exploring The Unlikely Legend Of Rusty Pup
"Three years is a good cycle for what we're doing"
When we last visited Gory Detail it was way back in 2013 when we exclusively revealed that ex-Rare staffers Chris Seavor and Shawn Pile had begun work on their next project - The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup. While the team have issued various developer vlogs in the subsequent years, they've largely...
Feature The Reasons for Renegade Kid's Closure and What's Next For Its Co-Founders
Atooi plans Treasurenauts for 2017, Infitizmo has "a new mystery project"
Earlier today Renegade Kid announced that it has closed down, with its co-founders going separate ways with their own studios. Jools Watsham is taking control of Renegade Kid's 2D IPs with Atooi, while Gregg Hargrove is taking on the 3D IPs with Infitizmo. Over the last decade...
Feature A Close Look at New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World
Taking a unique Mario game for a spin
Think you've played every Mario game out there? There may be just one that's off your radar and you may have missed, but now you can take a look at it in detail. New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World was a special arcade collaboration between Nintendo and Capcom from back in 2011. With a name like New Super Mario...
Feature A Close Look at AM2R - The Metroid Game That Fans Deserve
Another Metroid 2 Remake, as the name says, but it does the job
Come along with us and take a glimpse into an alternate reality. It's not much different than the one you currently live in; in fact, it's nearly indistinguishable. The only change is that this is a world where Nintendo never stopped producing amazing Metroid games. On a relatively...
Interview The Voice of Fox McCloud and Much More - Joe Zieja
"As it happens, my neighbor is a floating monkey head"
Prior to the launch of Star Fox Zero, Nintendo generated plenty of hype with an extravagant animated short that was broadcast live online: Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins. A collaboration between Shigeru Miyamoto, Production IG and WIT Studios, it hit a lot of the right notes as far as we were...
Poll What Are Your Favourite Super NES Games?
A tough call...
As you've likely been aware, the Super NES recently turned 25 in North America. It's another nice landmark for the iconic system, and one that's prompted us to get all misty-eyed and reminisce on our youth. That aside, it's a chance to celebrate the best of the SNES era, so with that in mind we thought it'd be nice to have an...
Feature From Paul Rudd to Dancing Link and Beyond - Some of the Best SNES Commercials
Can you handle all 24 Megabytes of Super Metroid?
With the Super NES / SNES reaching its 25th Anniversary in North America on 23rd September, we've been reminiscing over the 16-bit powerhouse a lot, and let our minds drift to the advertising that Nintendo used for the system. It was... quirky, though that is a comment admittedly made through a...
Talking Point Mario's Cameo in Rio Showcases Nintendo's Enduring Brand Power
A much needed reminder of the big N's ongoing popularity
Sports fans have no doubt spent decent chunks of the past two weeks tuning into various events from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. For many observers sports like Synchronised Diving, Handball and Taekwondo are only particularly interesting once every four years, as dedicated athletes have their...
Japan Weekly Famitsu Reveals the Ultra-Kawaii Puyo Puyo Chronicle
Metroid Prime: Federation Force earns praise
Last week, the Japanese Buddhist holiday of Obon interrupted Famitsu's regular schedule, so this week is a special combined issue to make up for it. As a result, this issue is packed full of guides, previews and reviews. As usual with Famitsu, some content lagged behind internet reveals, but the reveal of...
Guide Meching Sweet Chaos In Metroid Prime: Federation Force
The Bermuda System Campaign Field Manual
Look at you, fresh from boot camp standing tall and proud beside your shiny Project Golem Mech. Don't think this campaign will be a walk in the park; whether you fight alone or in a squad, the Bermuda System will be far from stable until we are done here cleaning up every single speck of Space Pirate scum...
Round Up Metroid Prime: Federation Force Predictably Divides Opinion
A force to be reckoned with?
Ever since Metroid Prime: Federation Force was first unveiled at E3 2015 it's proved to be somewhat of a controversial entry into the Metroid franchise - even more so than Other M if that were possible. Some bemoaned the lack of Samus, others weren't a fan of the chibi-style characters, yet some were cautiously...
Hardware Review Everdrive GBA X5
Flash by name, flash by nature
In the world of flash carts, one name stands out from the rest: Krikzz. This individual has produced a long line of carts for various retro systems, including the NES, SNES, Mega Drive / Genesis and N64. With each product the aim is simple - make the user experience as sea
Discuss What Next For The Nintendo 64?
#N64Memories' Steven Smith asks the question
Considering the Nintendo 64 is a twenty-year-old console, the title of this piece may seem odd. However, I personally think there is a potential future for the N64's hardware and software. We are currently in an important period for the console – 2016 and 2017 mark its twentieth birthday, depending on...
Hardware PocketCHIP Review - A DIY Game Boy
Gunpei Yokoi would approve, we feel
When we initially reported on the PocketCHIP back in May we perhaps got a little carried away in comparing this cheap and cheerful Linux-based handheld with Nintendo's classic Game Boy. On paper at least the system hits many of the same notes - low price, commonly-available tech used in a new way and adorable...
Talking Point Nintendo's Future in Shared Gaming, From StreetPass Plus to Pokémon GO and AR
Playing up to the big N's strengths
If reports and common sense are correct, we're likely only 4-8 weeks from seeing Nintendo's next tilt at the gaming hardware market. Most bets - based on sources, patents and logic - are on a system that will primarily operate as a portable but also be usable on the TV, yet regardless of those reports a new...
Poll How Excited Are You About Pokémon Sun and Moon?
We know quite a lot about the games now...
Pokémon Sun and Moon, combined together, are the main event for 3DS this year. The hype and buzz around Pokémon GO hasn't exactly harmed awareness of the upcoming portable titles, and The Pokémon Company has also been upping its game with a number of major reveals. In recent times it's unveiled new...
Feature 1000 Live Pikachu Running Wild in Yokohama
A look at annual Summer Pokemon events in Japan
Its the summer of 2016, and the biggest craze going is Pokémon GO! If you've been too busy running around trying to catch em all, you might have missed out on the news of a few other Pokémon related events that are happening over in Japan right now. First up is the Pokemon Riddle Solving Rally...
Feature Ten Ideal Launch Year Nintendo NX Games
In one writer's humble opinion, at least
Just recently we ran a poll asking you which Nintendo games / franchises you'd like to see in the NX launch window, assuming that to be a period of around six months. Plenty of you pitched in, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a 3D Mario title being the leaders, with a new Metroid Prime title...
Japan Weekly Level-5 Ensures This Week's Famitsu is a Memorable One
Lady Layton and The Snack World impress in previews
This week Level-5 did what it does best and made us excited for upcoming Japanese-made games. While there wasn't exactly a lot of information on the two Nintendo 3DS titles, Lady Layton and The Snack World, we got just enough of a glimpse of both to make owning a 3DS a sound investment well into...
Poll Which Nintendo NX Games Do You Want to See in the Launch Window?
Mario? Mario Kart? Metroid? Something that doesn't start with M?
Following last week's focus on the apparent form factor of the Nintendo NX, this week MCV spoke to sources to try and get the lowdown on the system's planned launch window games. Pokémon and Mario were mentioned as launch window titles, along with
Feature Pokémon Sun and Moon - Breaking Down The Most Exciting New Features
From Hyper Training to Z-Moves and more
What a few months it has been. Since we last took a look at what we knew about Sun & Moon, following its original reveal, we have had a massive amount of information; it's still coming at us faster than a Quick Claw Speed Forme Deoxys using Extreme Speed. While much of the news has focused on new...
Feature Over The Moon on Lessons Learned With The Fall and Continuing ARID's Story in Part 2
"We try to have something that appeals on lots of levels"
As you may have seen, the Wii U eShop is thankfully being included in the line-up of platforms that'll receive The Fall Part 2: Unbound in Q1 2017. A follow-up to The Fall, an intriguing adventure game with a strong narrative that blended action and puzzles, this title with a focus on a...
Hosted at The Centre for Computing History, Cambridge
We had such a blast meeting you lovely people at the inaugural Nintendo Life Gaming Night last year, that it was a no-brainer to team up again with our chums at the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge, England and do another event. Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday 30th July 2016...
Feature Unboxing the Super Famicom New Nintendo 3DS XL
Units shipping from Nintendo in Japan right now
Its been a long wait for those who were fortunate enough to snag a pre-order of the awesome-looking Super Famicom New 3DS XL in Japan, which was first shown off in a Nintendo Direct in March of this year. The unit comes decked out with the hardware design of the Japanese Super Famicom on the back,...
Japan Weekly Famitsu Fuses Dragon Ball Fusion and Etrian Odyssey V Into a Worthwhile Issue
Also goes in-depth with Etrian Odyssey's races and classes
While last week was packed full of Nintendo news, Famitsu took a step back this week with only a handful of Nintendo games featured. However, they're some big ones; an in-depth preview and a review for Etrian Odyssey V and a review for Dragon Ball Fusion on the 3DS make this week's edition...
Poll The Nintendo NX - Where Do You Stand on the Future of Nintendo?
A new approach for a new generation
It's been an interesting week for those that follow Nintendo closely. It began with Eurogamer publishing a variety of details around the Nintendo NX that were compiled from multiple sources. We spoke to Eurogamer's team and multiple sources of our own and, it seems, the details revealed are indeed largely...
Poll Will You Still Be Playing Pokémon GO at the End of 2016?
Will the evolution of a revolution be enough?
It's quite clear that Pokémon GO has been one of the most widespread and revolutionary concepts with which Nintendo has ever been associated, albeit the app is very much the work of developer Niantic. Sure, the Nintendo Wii, DS, Game Boy and original NES are also of great mention, but the mainstream...
Hardware Review 8Bitdo x Analogue SNES Retro Receiver
Look Ma, no wires!
The removal of the pesky joypad cable has to rank as one of the most important advances in video game tech. For far too long were we resigned to dealing with tangled wires that shackled us to our games consoles, forcing us to sit within a range dictated by the length of the cable itself (Super Famicom owners will feel this pain...
Feature Considering The Possibilities For Nintendo's QOL Sleep Monitor
Taking a look at Hello Sense
Getting a good night's sleep plays a vital role in your well-being, so it's easy to see why Nintendo plans to tackle this first and foremost in the Quality of Life (QOL) initiative which was set into motion by the late Satoru Iwata. While Nintendo's sleep tracking gizmo was thought to be on hold indefinitely based on...
Talking Point Nintendo NX Deal Is A Vindication Of Nvidia's Shield Program
A mutually beneficial agreement that could be a boon for gamers
Reports that Nvidia's Tegra tech is going to power Nintendo's apparently portable NX console triggered a fairly familiar reaction online yesterday. Perhaps not all that familiar to those of you under the age of 20, but veterans will surely have gotten a sense of deja vu as the
Talking Point Recent Sales Results Show That amiibo Needs Games For Success, Not Just Collectibility
A quiet quarter in sales is a rare market blip for the range
Nintendo's Q1 financial results were some of the most uneventful in recent memory; we're not expecting a President's Presentation or Q & A as they aren't the norm for the company's Q1 reports. What the financial results brought were losses and low sales, which weren't surprising in the...
Talking Point Considering the Angles of a Portable and Dynamic Nintendo NX
Detachable controllers, a home 'base' station? It fits some expectations
Earlier today our network colleagues at Eurogamer published details representative, potentially, of the Nintendo NX system that's currently out in the wild in dev kit form. Citing multiple sources it outlined a number of key details that you can read in summary here, though...
Guide Building The Perfect Team In Pokémon GO
The best monsters rated by attack, defense and stamina
If you've spent the past few weeks catching Pokémon, grabbing items and evolving your brood in Pokémon GO, then you'll no doubt be keen to fine-tune your team in order to take down some local gyms. That means building the perfect fighting unit of monsters with a mixture of high attack (or CP)...
Exclusive RIVE Delayed for Wii U and Could Switch to NX, Two Tribes Tells Us Why
"A better RIVE is preferable to an early sub-par RIVE"
In the steadily decreasing list of enticing titles still coming to the Wii U and its eShop, RIVE was among the most anticipated in the download scene. The final game from Two Tribes, it made a favourable impression as one of the demos in the E3 2015 'Nindies@Home' promotion, and we rather...
Ninterview Stu Brett On Putting Super Famicom Guy To Rest And His Next Venture, Ghost Arcade
"My collection is done and dusted"
Long-time fans of the site will surely know the name Super Famicom Guy. It's been the online handle of Scotman Stu Brett for almost a decade, and using this moniker he has spread his love of Nintendo's 16-bit console to thousands via his Twitter account, Instagram feed and - most notable - his book Super Famicom:...
Talking Point Free and Early Access Downloads Like Metroid Prime: Blast Ball Make a Lot of Sense
Working harder for sales
Poor old Metroid Prime: Federation Force - following its bizarre and poorly received E3 2015 reveal it's been kept largely out of the spotlight, only emerging in the past week with Nintendo opening the doors for previews and, somewhat surprisingly, releasing Metroid Prime: Blast Ball for free. Essentially a bonus / training...
Japan Weekly Puzzle & Dragons X Reviews Are In, And It's Good
A series of unusual visual novels also gets a reveal
Famitsu has finally picked up the pace after an E3 hangover. This week features an impressive amount of previews, although most of them are for games we've already gotten in the West or for titles already released in Japan. However, a new game reveal and the review for Puzzle & Dragons X more...
Talking Point SEGA Has the Right Idea With Its Upcoming Sonic Projects
Looking to the past for answers to the future
As many of you are no doubt aware, SEGA made two major announcements during its Sonic anniversary bash that gave a lot of insight into the near future of the Blue Blur. Sonic Mania appears – for all intents and purposes – to be the sequel to Sonic & Knuckles that many have been asking SEGA to...
Poll How Much Do Early Access and Free Downloads Affect Your Purchasing Choices?
Metroid Prime: Blast Ball is the latest to lure players in early
This week brought a rather interesting surprise from Nintendo, as it released Metroid Prime: Blast Ball as a free download. In Europe it's effectively a gift, seemingly a standalone download that takes the mini-game / training from Metroid Prime: Federation Force and hands it over well...
Gallery A Look at the Quirky Delights of the Play Nintendo Family Lounge at San Diego Comic-Con
Including the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition
San Diego Comic-Con is now getting into full swing, and in addition to a Splatoon-centric booth inside the show Nintendo is hosting its Play Nintendo Family Lounge nearby in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (333 W. Harbor Dr.). It's open to the public (no expo pass required) and...