Feature Retrofitting Your Console for the HD Age
How to give your Wii and classic hardware a new lease of life
Features Games That Should Already Be on Virtual Console
Four years later, which great titles still aren't available?
News - February, 2011
Monday28th Feb 2011
News GameCube Tech Demo Shows Banjo Threeie in Action
What could have been...
N64 adventures Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo Tooie made plenty of fans back in their 64-bit heyday, but they never appeared on the GameCube. A threequel was planned but never released, but now unreleased game-finders par excellence Unseen 64 have posted a short video of the project. Shown off at Spaceworld 2000 before the...
News 3DS Browser Jumps Ship from Opera to Access NetFront
Will it make for a better browser?
The 3DS won't get its web browser until May at the earliest, as you'll have read in our Nintendo 3DS FAQ, but we do at least know what'll power the machine's web experience. Unlike previous Nintendo browsers, it won't be an Opera-based browser on the go, with Japanese newspaper Nikkei reporting the browser will be...
Interviews Doctor Kong Director Alexis Neophytides
We catch up with Alexis and Hank at the film's Brooklyn premiere
The saga over high scores in Donkey Kong is no longer a tale of two dudes. While most of us came to know the world of modern day Donkey Kongers through the epic rivalry between Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchelll, it wasn't long before a third player emerged out of left field. Hank Chien,...
News Japanese Gamers Have Bought Plenty of Consoles Already
All gone?
Saturday saw the Japanese release of the Nintendo 3DS, and predictably the console sold extremely well, with newspaper Nikkei (via Andriasang) reporting the initial shipment of 400,000 units of the machine have all sold out across the country. Shop shelves shouldn't be bare for too long though, with Nintendo promising to deliver a total of...
News Kirby Casts On a Disappointing UK Chart Debut
Did delay hurt sales?
Kirby's Epic Yarn finally made its way to Europe last week, having been available in North America since the end of October, but its first weekend of sales in the UK don't make a strong case for the delay helping sales. The game completely failed to dent the all-formats top 40, landing in the Wii-specific charts at number 9,...
News Europe, Blow Up with Bomberman Hero on Friday
North America, you have to wait
As we reported last week, Hudson's 64-bit single-player Bomberman Hero was recently rated by the ESRB, but the title will make its first appearance in Europe this week for the price of 1000 Points. The game was originally released in 1998 and is most well-known for being a totally single-player adventure, with not...
Nintendo Download 28th February 2011 (North America)
BIT.TRIP's over
CommanderVideo finally reaches the end of his journey as BIT.TRIP FLUX reaches WiiWare, casting a long shadow over this week's download. WiiWare: BIT.TRIP FLUX (Aksys Games, 800pts) — Gaijin Games brings the BIT.TRIP series to a close with this sixth title, which contains plenty of elements fans of previous releases will recognise...
First Impressions escapeVektor: Chapter 1
We take Nnooo's trippy arcade title for a spin
It's now been almost three long years since Nnooo released its first WiiWare title Pop, and now after having turned its attention to DSiWare and its rather unique set of myLifeCollected applications, the company has decided to make a surprising return to WiiWare with the brand new title escapeVektor:...
Saturday26th Feb 2011
Review My Little Baby (WiiWare)
Needs a time out
Simulation titles have come in all shapes and forms, from home decoration with Home Sweet Home to virtual fireplaces with Cosy Fire and many more. This time around we have My Little Baby, a simplified version of the DS retail title of the same name, where your aim is to raise and care for a baby. While it tries to present this...
Review Hyper Lode Runner (Game Boy)
An enjoyable and frustrating title
Arriving in 1983 the original Lode Runner was a platform puzzler that appeared on numerous systems of the time including the NES. More Lode Runner games followed on various platforms including Battle Lode Runner for the PC Engine, whilst the Game Boy's entry in the series was Hyper Lode Runner. The aim of the game...
Review Remote Racers (DSiWare)
Ready, set, no
Last year saw the release of both AiRace: Tunnel and AiRace, two fun and highly regarded aircraft racing games from QubicGames. This year, the folks who brought you those two gems are back and have taken to the ground with their latest release: Remote Racers. Taking on the role of miniature vehicles in big environments, does this...
News Cast Envious Eyes at Japanese Gamers Buying their 3DS Today
Go on, give 'em a scowl
Today's the day: Nintendo's new handheld, the 3DS, is officially available to buy for the first time in Japan, for ¥25,000 (around $305 / £190 / €220). Kotaku reports the majority of Tokyo stores sold out of their stocks all-but immediately, and has put together a short video below showing some of the sights of the first...
Friday25th Feb 2011
Everything you want to know about Nintendo's new 3DS console
With an absolute barrage of information swarming around as we approach the upcoming release of the Nintendo 3DS system, we thought now might be a good time to sit down and sift through the mess and try to add some answers to the many questions that have been floating around. Rather than...
Review Faceez: Monsters! (DSiWare)
Faceez of evil
After last year's photo-fiddling app Faceez, Neko Entertainment has returned with a sequel of sorts, with a new twist. The question is, is this series worth revisiting? You wouldn't expect this to be anything but a short, fun experience for 200 Points, and thankfully it turns out to be just that, making great use of the DSi camera in...
News Ubisoft's Brand Spanking New Party Game is a Sexy Shocker
A new wave of adult Wii games?
When thinking of multiplayer games on the Wii, one might go for the easy examples of Wii Sport Resort, and Wii Party as they're enjoyable and played by many. Or, you might go for the obscure ones that are best left forgotten. Either way, you probably weren't thinking of Ubisoft's upcoming party game: We Dare. Developed...
Review Puzzle to Go Planets and Universe (DSiWare)
Not even if it was the last game on the planet
Tivola has three Puzzle to Go games under its belt already, with almost a year between the second and third instalments. The first two games were, understandably, very similar, but with almost a year between those and the third game, you'd think the team would've taken the time to refine some of the...
News New York's Pokemon Launch Takes Over Rockefeller Center
Get your Passport to Unova
UK gamers can meet the Pokémon creators next week, but they still have to wait until launch day to get the game. North American trainers eager to pick up Pokémon Black & White can grab it from 5th March — a day before its release across the territory — by heading over to the game's official launch at New York's...
News These Target Renders Reveal Gaijin's BIT.TRIP Visions
Get a peek at pre-development mock-ups of the first five games
Seeing how games develop over time is always of interest to us here at Nintendo Life, which is why we badgered BIT.TRIP developers Gaijin Games for an exclusive peek at some of their development documentation and how we wound up with these target renders for the first five games. These...
News Kirby, Your New Game Deserves Better Than This
UK launch is... underwhelming
It's been out in North America for what seems like forever, but today is Europe's chance to take home Kirby's Epic Yarn, and to celebrate Nintendo went all-out to recreate the game's sugary-sweet atmosphere in London's beautiful Elephant and Castle area. The official press invite promised: For one day only Elephant and...
News Super Street Fighter IV is All About the Community
Ono, it's true
Capcom brawler Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition is one of the stand-out titles in the list of 3DS launch games, so much so that Nintendo President Satoru Iwata sat down with Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono to discuss the title's origins and how it takes advantage of the 3DS's features. Considering the machine's power and 3D screen...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - March 2011
It's that time of the month again
Japan has a relatively big month coming up for them, with five new Virtual Console games on the release list. On top of that, there's not a bad game in the bunch, with every single one of them being a well-liked classic. Let's hope we get some of them as well! The full list for March in Japan is as follows: Famicom:...
News 3DS Gets a Bite from Angler's Club: Ultimate Bass Fishing 3D
Tamsoft's fishing game reeled in this summer
Clearly, the developers at Tamsoft are swapping their bikinis for fishing rods this summer if their upcoming 3DS title is anything to go by. D3Publisher has announced that Angler’s Club: Ultimate Bass Fishing 3D will be launching in North America this summer and will make use of the 3DS's built-in...
News Meet the Pokemon Game Designers at UK Launch
But be quick
Next week sees the long-awaited launch of Pokémon Black & White across the Western hemisphere, and eager trainers who can make it down to the game's official UK launch in London could meet two of the men who made the game possible. Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda will be there at GAME's London Oxford Street store next Friday, 4th...
Thursday24th Feb 2011
Review BIT.TRIP FLUX (WiiWare)
FLUXing good
With the BIT.TRIP series, Gaijin Games has somehow been able to take gamers back to the early days of video gaming while at the same time combining this nostalgic experience with a whole host of challenging and engaging gameplay elements. BIT.TRIP FLUX marks the sixth and final release of the series, and while it might look like little...
Review Arctic Escape (DSiWare)
Like Lemmings, but in formal wear
Arctic Escape revolves around guiding a group of adorable little critters past obstacles and away from fatal hazards, herding them in an orderly fashion through an exit so that the next stage can load and you can do it all over again. Sound familiar? It should: it's the gameplay formula that made the Lemmings series...
Review Pucca Noodle Rush (DSiWare)
Soba, so good
Korean cartoon character Pucca has appeared in two downloadable games in the last few weeks: first there was WiiWare adventure Pucca's Kisses Game and now DSiWare has got its own cutesy noodle simulator with Pucca Noodle Rush. It may not be the tastiest dish on the DSiWare menu, but those with an appetite for restaurant-based time...
News DSiWare Users Going Back to BASIC with PetitComputer
INPUT "Insert subheading here:"
DSiWare releases have not only included the traditional games we expected to see, but also the growth of design-orientated applications aimed at users who enjoy creating as much as they do playing. From music applications to animation software, DSi owners have enough creative input to work on relatively advanced...
News First Bobby Carrot Forever WiiWare Trailer Sprouts Up
Don't soil yourself
WiiWare's Bobby Carrot Forever must be in a Gro-Bag these days: we went for over two years without hearing anything, then this month the exclusive Bobby Carrot WiiWare screenshots and first gameplay trailer have appeared within the space of a few weeks. The video has everything you'd want in a trailer: a cheesy American voice...
News Gaijin Games Acquires Robotube, Bloktonik WiiWare Cancelled
Mixed news, everyone
Famed WiiWare developer Gaijin Games and Robotube Games have worked together in the past – Mr Robotube appears as a cameo character in BIT.TRIP FATE, for example – but the two just got a whole lot closer, as Gaijin announces it has acquired Robotube in an "extremely hostile" takeover. While this means two fine...
News Sink Your Fangs into the Okamiden Demo Available Now
Fire it up
It's only a matter of weeks before young Chibiterasu graces DS consoles everywhere in Okamiden, with Nintendo and Capcom combining to stoke up the excitement by releasing a new demo on the Nintendo Channel. Released earlier this week in North America and Europe, the demo takes you through a short sample of the gameplay on offer in the...
Nintendo Download 24th February 2011 (Europe)
All is FLUX
The critically-acclaimed BIT.TRIP series reaches its sixth instalment today with CommanderVideo's final appearance: BIT.TRIP FLUX. Let's see what else is available this week. WiiWare: BIT.TRIP FLUX (Aksys Games, 800pts) – The conclusion to the BIT.TRIP saga, this takes its cues from series-starter BIT.TRIP BEAT with some brand new...
Wednesday23rd Feb 2011
Feature Retrofitting Your Console for the HD Age
How to give your Wii and classic hardware a new lease of life
While the relentless march of progress ensures that modern gaming consoles — and the televisions upon which they are played — are able to offer pin-sharp HD picture quality, it's worth sparing a moment to consider where this leaves older machines, as well as the humble Wii — which...
Review Natsume Championship Wrestling (Wii Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Puts up a fight
It might seem strange that there has not been a single wrestling game on Virtual Console in the West so far, but when you really think about it, it makes sense. Almost every single wrestling title out there features the likenesses of real people, meaning it would take some serious effort and money to rerelease them. Games with...
Review G.G Series: Drift Circuit (DSiWare)
Slow-motion sickness
When it comes to the G.G Series, the plan is simple: choose a particular genre of gaming and produce an entertaining playing experience using not only a simplified musical and visual theme, but also a very basic set of play controls. So far that formula has worked well enough, but now this idea has been incorporated into the...
News Pokemon DSi Consoles Emerge from Long North American Grass
They're limited edition, you know
Remember when you heard those awesome limited edition Pokémon DSi consoles were heading to Europe, and how you hoped the same units would reach North American gamers on March 6th? Your wishes just came true, as Nintendo of America has confirmed the black and white machines are making the trip across the pond. The...
News Pokemon Director Talks Translations, Names and 3DS Ideas
Ahead of new title
The DS console's time is nearly over, but it's certainly going out on a high, with Pokémon Black & White sure to sweep all before it in the sales stakes this year. GameFreak director Junichi Masuda spoke to Eurogamer about the title's Western appearance and where the series might go from here. Masuda revealed that the...
News Australia Misses Out on Steel Diver and Pilotwings at 3DS Launch
Titles vaguely announced
We now know the North American 3DS launch games and the European 3DS launch games, leaving just Australia of the major English-speaking territories to receive its launch games. Nintendo has announced its own titles that'll be available with the machine on 31st March, and it's a disappointing sight – European and North...
Tuesday22nd Feb 2011
Review Cricket Challenge (WiiWare)
Cricket hits the streets! Uh, sort of…
When the Nintendo Wii and the Wii Remote were unveiled, a lot of sporty gamers thought of one thing: Wii Cricket. Unfortunately, despite online petitions and campaigns in the system's early years, the perfect cricket experience on the console hasn't been forthcoming, even with the addition of MotionPlus in...
News Nintendo Announces North American 3DS Games Line-Up
Steel Diver emerges
We've known the European 3DS launch games for some time, but now Nintendo of America has come through with the list of games you'll be choosing from on March 27th. The major addition over the European line-up is the presence of submarine game Steel Diver alongside Nintendogs + Cats and Pilotwings Resort. In total the machine...
News Monster World IV Comes Westward, Finally
If the OFLC is to be believed
We've got almost every single Wonder Boy game ever made available on Virtual Console, including several double entries with different names. However, one game has been missing all this time. Monster World IV, the final game in the series, is frequently regarded to be the very best of them all and is, without a doubt,...
News Activision and Sega Combine to Create Wappy Dog for DS
Ruff prototype shown
Sega's not just a beloved games publisher and former hardware king; its Sega Toys division creates physical toys as well, with its latest creation joining forces with Activision for one of the DS's most unusual games yet. Named Wappy Dog, it's a plastic pooch that's essentially a much more evolved form of Sega's previous Poo-Chi...
News Ridge Racer 3D Packed with Content, Despite Being on a Handheld
Plenty of ghosts, locations, and music
In the latest volume of Iwata Asks that focuses on third-party developers, Satoru Iwata talks with Yozo Sakagami, producer of Ridge Racer 3D, and explore the ideas behind racing games and in particular, the upcoming 3DS instalment in the Ridge Racer series. After an introduction into Sakagami's background in...
News Nnooo Returns to WiiWare with escapeVektor: Chapter 1
Arcade action
Australian developer Nnooo has made a name for itself with its DSiWare titles, including myDiary, myNotebook and the upcoming augmented reality game Spirit Hunters Inc. The studio has just announced its first WiiWare title since 2008's Pop in the form of escapeVektor: Chapter 1. The game is set inside the Wii, with players
Monday21st Feb 2011
Talking Point Why Nintendo and Rare Should Reunite
Is now the right time for Rare to come back home?
Last week wasn't the best of times for the UK games industry. We reported that indie dev The Code Monkeys shut its doors after 23 years and on Friday Bizarre Creations – who produced the brilliant Project Gotham Racing for Microsoft, as well as the criminally underrated Blur – finally closed...
News The Legend of Zelda is 25 Years Old Today
Hard to believe
25 years ago this very day, the very first Legend of Zelda game on NES hit Japan, starting one of the most-loved gaming series of all time. Recently, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed the possibility of a Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary collection, though there have been no announced plans to celebrate Link's special day in...
News Watch an NES Complete Super Mario Bros. All By Itself
Like a robot
Over the years we've seen people play Super Mario Bros. in some crazy ways: you can play Mario with Kinect, play Mario with your eyes and even, believe it or not, play Mario with your hands, like a baby's toy. They've all required some sort of human interaction, but not this latest Mario-related chicanery, which uses a robot to replace...
News Even in Pieces, the 3DS is a Sexy Piece of Hardware
Naked sample
You've seen the photos, you might even have held one in your hand, but it's unlikely you've seen a 3DS from the inside. Until now, that is, with Chinese site TGBus exposing the machine's guts for all to see. There aren't too many surprises beneath the machine's hard resin case, with the usual array of buttons, cables and chips, but it's...
Nintendo Download 21st February 2011 (North America)
Faxanadu leads the charge
It's been two weeks since we last saw a Virtual Console game, which means it's time for another one, this time in the shapely side-scrolling form of Faxanadu on NES. There's also a couple of WiiWare demos and some DSiWare puzzle games of course, as well as headline WiiWare download... well, we won't spoil it. Virtual...
Sunday20th Feb 2011
Review Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation (DS)
It's about slime!
It's certainly no secret that Nintendo made the right move in choosing to publish Dragon Quest IX outside of Japan as the game not only drew rave reviews from the gaming media, but also broke numerous sales records along the way as well. Now in an effort to keep the momentum rolling, it's decided to help Square-Enix resurrect one...
Not so hot hot hot
The WiiWare catalogue is full of surprises; Hudson's My Aquarium has sold more units than anyone could have predicted, proving there's an audience for non-games on the service. It's just this audience that is expected to enjoy Cosy Fire, the latest fire-tending simulation following Korner Entertainment's Fireplacing. Things start...
News Neo Geo Tribute is Suitably Epic, Features Lots of Sexy Hardware
The feel of gorgeous hardware is one thing the Virtual Console can't emulate
Thanks to the wonder of the Virtual Console, we've seen a few choice slices of Neo Geo goodness on the Wii. Titles such as Metal Slug, King of Fighters '94, Magical Drop III and Samurai Shodown II are true classics of video gaming history, and when you consider how...
Saturday19th Feb 2011
Review Hip Hop King: Rytmik Edition (DSiWare)
Rapper's delight
As the third entry in Cinemax's musical series following last year's Rytmik and Rytmik: Rock Edition, Hip Hop King: Rytmik Edition will be familiar to anyone who's dabbled with the series' previous releases; naturally, though, the soundscape here is vastly different. Where the original favoured electronic dance samples and the...
News Push Your Parking Skills to the Limit in Valet Parking 1989
We're not making this up
Monday sees the release of Remote Racers, a 3D racing game on DSiWare that joins the likes of Asphalt 4: Elite Racing, Ferrari GT Evolution and more in bringing speed to the service. If you're one of the few gamers who thinks you'd have more fun parking cars than driving them, hold onto your Nintendo Points until Valet...
Friday18th Feb 2011
Features 10 Sega Games We Want on 3DS
Just 10?!
3DS has got a pretty promising line-up of titles from third-party publishers, with day one support from Capcom, Konami, Sega, EA and more, and plenty more to come in the future. That said, we put our thinking caps on here at Nintendo Life to think of which titles we want to see from publishers in the future, starting from Nintendo's old...
News Bomberman Hero Gets Rated for Virtual Console
Good old ESRB
Remember that old Nintendo 64 romp Bomberman Hero? If you never got to play it, you soon might, as the ESRB has rated the game for Virtual Console. Bomberman Hero is most notable for being a completely single-player Bomberman adventure, forgoing the series' famous multiplayer options in favour of a solo quest based largely on the plot...
News UK Gamers Get to Celebi at GAME Stores this Month
Gotta attend 'em all
Pokémon Black and White events are full-steam ahead, with Nintendo throwing a range of legendary monsters at trainers across the world. Aspiring champions from the UK just received a little boost as Nintendo has announced a Celebi event tour across the country, kicking off tomorrow in Sheffield. Attendees will be able to...
News Here's the Lucky Winner of Nintendo's Dragon Quest Contest
His name is Larry
Last week we reported on Nintendo of America's Dragon Quest VI Twitter competition, won by Larry LaHaie of Lansing, MI, who got to meet series creator Yuji Horii. Not only did LaHaie get to shake hands with the respected designer, he also shared lunch with Horii, as well as the game's executive producer, chatting away for two...
Thursday17th Feb 2011
Review Treasure Hunter X (DSiWare)
Between a rock and a hard place
We've seen a rash of games on the various download services take a page or two from the games of years gone by, some better than others. Treasure Hunter X attempts to capture a bit of the magic of some of the classic computer games like Boulder Dash and Lode Runner and build a unique gaming experience around it. But...
News Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS
Compatible prepaid point cards coming later
Although the 3DS will provide gamers with a less cumbersome Friend Codes system than what is currently in place, the eShop might be a different story altogether. According to Nintendo, the 3DS will utilise a different virtual currency than the Nintendo Points we are already using for our WiiWare and...
At least they're endangered
Hey, kids! If you like pandas, disorientation, horrible graphics, pressing buttons that only sometimes work, and games ported so lazily that they completely disregard the limitations of the console you're playing on, then Panda Craze is for you! Panda Craze finds you controlling Tik-Ling, a panda who must climb ladders...
News 3DS Comes with Mario, Pikmin, Kirby, Link and Samus
In card form, anyway
Last month we brought you a report on the 3DS's built-in software, in which we played one of the six augmented reality games that will come packaged with the 3DS. Now the machines have begun to make their way out to retailers, unboxing videos and pictures have started to show up online, with UK chain GAME showing off the other...
News WayForward Drawing Up Spongebob Game for uDraw and 3DS
No more Mr Squarepants
THQ's uDraw GameTablet is causing quite a stir in North America where it's proved hard to find for many, and it's sure to sell bucketloads more once THQ's next title for the tablet, SpongeBob Squigglepants hits the shelves. Developed by WayForward – A Boy and His Blob, Shantae: Risky's Revenge and so on – the game will...
News Super Mario Galaxy 2 Collects 4 BAFTA Nominations
Whereas DS games dominate the Handheld category
We recently brought you word that Super Mario Galaxy 2 was nominated for the GAME Award of 2010 at this year's British Academy Video Game Awards. As the only category voted by the public, our readers showed a lot of support for the rotund plumber which should hopefully help him snag the recognition. If...
News Triple Sports Developer Code Monkeys Closes its Doors
After 23 years
It's always disappointing when a developer chooses to cease trading, and one of the latest casualties is UK studio The Code Monkeys, the team behind Manic Monkey Mayhem and the Triple Sports series on WiiWare. The shareholders and directors took the decision to cease trading on the company's 23rd anniversary, although there has been...
Nintendo Download 18th February 2011 (Europe)
Get bowled over
It's an unusual occasion in the Nintendo Download this week: this week's games are all brand new for Europe, with not a single catch-up title for North America. Virtual Console receives its first-ever wrestling title and there's cricket, babies, noodles, monsters and celestial bodies too. Let's get to it. WiiWare: Cricket Challenge...
News Here's the Dates for Nintendo's Nationwide 3DS UK Tour
Starts 24th February
If you live in the UK and haven't yet been able to clap your eyes on a 3DS unit, Nintendo really, really wants you to see the machine before its launch. That's why it's putting together a national tour to bring the machine to your doorstep, or rather, a shopping centre located a convenient distance from your doorstep. The tour...
News EA Weed-Whacks Gardens from Production
Looks like you'll have to go outdoors after all
It sure looked pretty, but EA announced at a recent event in New York City that they have cancelled production of their bucolic horticulture simulator Gardens, once slotted as one of EA's 3DS launch titles. While those who were looking forward to a more relaxing handheld experience will certainly...
News Rev Up for Remote Racers on DSiWare Next Monday
Vroom vroom indeed
QubicGames, the team behind AiRace and sequel AiRace: Tunnel, is bringing a land-based racer to DSiWare next week in the form of Remote Racers. The official PR calls it "the greatest 3D racing game in some time", which isn't necessary a tough feat on DSiWare considering the last racing game to hit the shop was Ferrari GT...
Wednesday16th Feb 2011
News Nintendo Europe Stars Catalogue Gets Fans, Bags, Points
Oh, and sun visors in February
It's not quite as cool as the Game & Watch Ball that Club Nintendo members in North America can pick up, but the European VIP Stars Catalogue just got an update containing folding fans, sun visors and, oddly, Nintendo Points cards to the value of 100 Points. For 7000 VIP Stars you can pick up a nylon laptop bag...
News Dinkybox is the Toy Store You Always Dreamed of
A treasure-trove of toy-related goodness awaits
We don't mind admitting it – we're absolutely smitten with video game-related toys here at Nintendo Life. In our humble opinion, you can never have enough Mario and Sonic figures secreted around your home or office, so you can imagine how we feel when we feast our eyes on the smorgasbord of cute...
News Doctor Kong Trailer Reveals Hank Chien's True Motivation
Hint: it's not a hatred of gorillas
Plenty has been written about the ongoing action at the top of the global Donkey Kong leaderboards, but what inspired plastic surgeon Dr Hank Chien to take up the challenge? Chien, whose score of 1,068,000 is just 3,500 points above nearest rival Steve Wiebe, is the subject of a new independent documentary called...
News Hudson Continues Its Virtual Console Support with Adventure Island II
OFLC reveals that Hudson's still got some retro plans
When it was announced that the North American branch of Hudson Soft would be shutting down just last week in order to focus on more "casual" games for Konami, many people took it as a sign that the company would also drop its remaining Virtual Console support. Thankfully, this is not...
News Blow Up the 3D Puzzle Bobble Universe from April 22nd
Forever blowing up bubbles
Soon you can stop having to imagine all the wonderful ways a third dimension would benefit the classic bubble-bursting gameplay of the Bust-a-Move/Puzzle Bobble series, as Square Enix announces Bust-a-Move Universe will head to 3DS in Europe on April 22nd. The game's feature list doesn't sound like there's a lot of...
News Teyon Plots an Arctic Escape for DSiWare on Monday
500 Point penguin puzzler
Picture the scene: you want to set out on an exciting journey with zany penguins, but international law prohibits you entering the animals' habitat, even if it is in order to lead them safely through 100 frosty levels by issuing commands such as walking, jumping or waiting. You know that without you they have no chance of...
Tuesday15th Feb 2011
News This Zelda GameCube Controller is Awesome in an Ugly Way
An acquired taste
Way back when Nintendo was putting the finishing touches to Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on GameCube, there were plans for a limited edition controller to accompany the little box's swansong. While the pad never hit the shelves, photos of its prototype design and packaging have hit the net for your eyes to behold. Coming from...
News The Seller of this Golden GameBoy Pocket Wants $1,200
Is crazy
GameBoys, bless them, have been through the wars – literally, in the case of this unit displayed at Nintendo World in New York – but not this unit, which may be the rarest GameBoy of them all. A golden GameBoy Pocket to commemorate the 100th issue of Nintendo Power magazine, it's unknown exactly how many of these machines exist, but...
Review Jewels of the Tropical Lost Island (DS)
It's no gem but neither is it fool's gold
Puzzle games are ten a penny on the DS and when it's a match-three type like the popular Bejeweled series, you have to wonder about the relevance of yet another addition to the already plentiful stock of match-three titles on the DS. Jewels of the Tropical Lost Island is City Interactive's contribution to...
News 3DS Game Cases Look to be More Environmentally Friendly
Game booklets still the main culprit for overall size, it seems
A Japanese retailer has posted some images of what 3DS software boxes look like when opened up and it seems like there's not a hole lot of difference from the regular DS boxes. Well, there are a couple of differences: the placement of the system logo is now on the right hand side of the...
Review Model Academy (DSiWare)
Are you pretty enough?
The life of a photogenic model is well known amongst the Nintendo Life team, and now Tivola is giving all DSi owners a chance to live the dream with Model Academy, a simulation game that sees you progress from girl in the mall to World Supermodel. The question is, does this title provide a fun experience, and can you walk the...
News Captain Jack Sparrow and Crew Jumping Ship to 3DS
Ahoy, a-har, etc.
It's not even out yet and already the 3DS is set to receive two games in the LEGO series: LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars arrives on day one, and a little further down the line gamers can expect to cross swords with Jack Sparrow and crew in LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean. Warner Bros. just announced the game will come to 3DS in...
News Playboy Slip Cases Looking to Sexy Up Nintendo Handhelds
We wonder how many of these can be found inside the mansion
We'll soon be seeing plenty of rabbits on the upcoming 3DS ― the crazy ones anyways ― but by way of iMP, supplier of video gaming accessories, we'll also be seeing bunnies of the sexier kind in the form of limited edition handheld cases. Officially licensed Playboy slip cases for the DS...
News Wii Unlikely to Catch a Traditional Pokemon RPG Title
Home consoles are better for other things
As part of Nintendo's Q3 Financial Results Briefing last month, it was revealed that the company has several Pokémon projects planned for handheld systems DS and the 3DS, as well as the home console Wii. Exactly what sort of game the latter will be is unclear at the moment, but according to Junichi Masuda,...
News Man Arrested for Blackmailing Nintendo with Stolen User Data
Crime doesn't pay
Come on, people. It's one thing to steal the data of Nintendo users, but it's another thing to attempt to blackmail Nintendo with it. Police in Spain have arrested a man in the southern province of Malaga suspected of stealing the user data of Nintendo gamers, who allegedly then tried to blackmail Nintendo with the...
Competition Winners Jam City Rollergirls (North America)
You probably already know if you won
Last week's Jam City Rollergirls contest went down a storm, with retweets pinging around the Internet like a jammer hurled through a crowd of blockers. From such a vast array of entrants we reached out and grabbed two, offering them a free copy of Jam City Rollergirls, and those winners are: bittripfanJimHawkeye
News BIT.TRIP FLUX Reaches WiiWare Before February is Out
25th for Europe, 28th for America
It's very nearly fluxin' time, as Gaijin Games has announced the sixth part in its BIT.TRIP series will reach WiiWare at the end of this month. BIT.TRIP FLUX hits Europe on February 25th before zapping North America on February 28th. No price has yet been announced, but previous games have come in around the 800...
Monday14th Feb 2011
Features Games That Should Already Be on Virtual Console
Four years later, which great titles still aren't available?
The Wii was released over four years ago, and alongside it came Virtual Console. Over time, some of the greatest titles of the 80's and 90's have been made available for digital download, but we can't help but feel that there are still some significant titles inexplicably missing from the...
Review Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (DS)
Some bugs in the system
The DS is no stranger to the Kingdom Hearts series, having previously seen Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days back in 2009, which proved to be a rather enjoyable adventure. Now we have Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, a remake of Japan only mobile-phone title Kingdom Hearts Coded. Taking place after Kingdom Hearts 2, Jiminy finds a new,...
Podcast NLFM Episode 17: Love Fest 2011
Love is in the air for this Valentine's Day special
Ho ho ho! Happy Valentine's Day, citizens of Earth! Let Nintendo Life be your love muffin this year with a very special NLFM dedicated to all things lovey-dovey-goo-goo. If the music of this episode doesn't melt your ice-cold heart even a little then we'll only be hurt just a tad. 1. Shōgo Sakai...
News Show Your Sweetheart You Care, the 8-Bit Way
Go retro this Valentine's Day with these awesome printable cards
Nothing says "I love you" like a dose of romantically themed nostalgia. That's why shop owner Kirakards of handmade and vintage online shop Etsy has created an assortment of 8-bit themed Valentine's Day cards, ranging from a sentimental Kirby sighing "Dreamland would be...
Nintendo Download 14th February 2011 (North America)
From Redmond with love
According to corporate thinking, today's the day you're supposed to show your special somebody how much you love them. That seems to be the thinking behind this week's Nintendo Download too, with the Big N showering you with the gaming equivalent of chocolate, roses and a Hugh Grant movie. WiiWare: Pucca's Kisses Game (BigBen...
News Celebrate Dragon Quest VI's North American Launch with a Video
Meet the cast
After a wait that threatened never to end, Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation reaches the Western world today on Nintendo's DS. Square Enix and Nintendo have put together a trailer to introduce you to some of the unfamiliar characters you'll meet on your journey through the latest epic RPG. The game was originally released on Super...
Sunday13th Feb 2011
News Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition Gets an Extra Life
Retailers restock the limited edition
What was supposed to be a celebration of Super Mario Bros.'s 25th anniversary was unfortunately met with iffy reviews and sales figures that were both encouraging and disappointing. With Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition topping the
Saturday12th Feb 2011
Interviews Catching Up with Steve Wiebe
The former champ ain't no chump
Not since a certain famous gorilla and plumber-to-be squared off for the coveted Pauline has there been a rivalry like that of the Kings of Kong. The film The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters brought to public attention the fight for dominance between family man Steve Wiebe and Goliath-like hot saucier Billy...
News Europe Gets the Chance to Take Home Victini
Only early birds need apply
We recently reported about how North American gamers can get their hands on Victini in Nintendo's upcoming Pokémon Black and White, but fear not European gamers: you'll get your chance too. In an almost identical fashion to the North American Victini parade, trainers who pick up the new games between 4th March and 22nd...
News Nintendo Europe Announces Q1 Release Dates for Wii and DS
Any surprises?
We know 3DS is just over a month away, but don't forget the Wii and DS are both set to receive more great games this year, with plenty of gems tucked away in Nintendo's Q1 release schedule. Wii owners across Europe can finally get to grips with Kirby's Epic Yarn on February 25th, followed by THQ's innovative uDraw Studio on March 4th...
News Super Mario Galaxy 2 up for BAFTA Game of the Year
As the only Nintendo platform game up for nomination, do your bit and vote now!
It's that time of the year again, when gamers have the opportunity to vote which title should win the GAME Award 2010 recognition at the annual British Academy Video Game Awards. The GAME Award is the only category that's open to public voting, so you better make the...
Friday11th Feb 2011
Review Shawn Johnson Gymnastics (DSiWare)
Not even Shawn Johnson can save this one
Despite nearly 350 current releases on the DSiWare service, we've seen only a handful of sports titles. Now with the release of Shawn Johnson Gymnastics, Zoo Games is looking to cash in on this lack of sports titles by offering up not only a fairly well-known name in the gymnastics world, but also the first...
News 3DS Virtual Console Will Be Available on Launch Day
UPDATE: Or will it?
There's been plenty of confusion lately about the launch of the 3DS's eShop, which will allow users to download DSiWare games, 3DS demos and more. At first we believed the store would be ready at launch, then Nintendo Japan's financial results claimed the 3DS eShop would launch in May. Now Nintendo America has clarified that at...
News CTA Digital's 3DS 22-in-1 Accessory Kit Trumps All Opponents
18-in-1 slightly more conservative
Snakebyte, MadCatz and more are all cracking their collective knuckles ahead of the 3DS accessory war about to unfold next month, offering small collections of accessories that represent value. CTA Digital is taking a slightly different approach, cramming their kits with up to 22 accessories at once. The company is...
News Pac-Man & Galaga Screens and Video Bring the 80s Back
3DS goes retro
3DS's catalogue contains an array of games released on past consoles, particularly the Nintendo 64, with Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64 3D being just two. It doesn't stop there though, as Namco Bandai is preparing to go back even further – to the 1980s, in fact – for the inspiration for its 3DS title Pac-Man...
News Cave Story is Coming to 3DS in Full Retail Form
Crammed with new content
You've played Cave Story on WiiWare and may even have dabbled in a spot of Cave Story on DSiWare, but if you haven't yet had your fill of Pixel and Nicalis's side-scrolling action platformer you'll be excited to hear the game is on its way to 3DS with brand new content. GamesRadar sat down with creator Daisuke Amaya (aka...
Thursday10th Feb 2011
Review S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team ( / NES)
G.O.O.D.
Although it's now of course primarily known for its Harvest Moon games, Natsume developed quite a few unique, entertaining little titles in the past. We've already had a few rereleased on Virtual Console, and rest assured, S.C.A.T. can easily stand with the rest of them. If you're a Sega or Capcom fan, taking a glance at the game's...
News 3DS Audio Features Aren't Exactly Out of Tune
From soundtracks to voice chat, the handheld holds the note pretty well
Don't let the visual side of things take all the limelight with the upcoming 3DS: the aural tricks that the handheld console can play aren't too shabby either. Nintendo of America recently responded to gamers' questions on the wonder machine and the answers were more than...
Nintendo Download 11th February 2011 (Europe)
Genies, models, dolphins, viruses, fires and hip hop
There can be only one headline title this week, leaving all others in the shade. Shantae: Risky's Revenge finally reaches Europe after a lengthy wait, letting gamers all over the continent see why this is the best game DSiWare has to offer. DSiWare: Shantae: Risky's Revenge (WayForward, 1200pts)...
News Heavy Fire Heads to Retail with Heavy Fire: Afghanistan
WiiWare series gets boxed-in
So far on WiiWare we've had Heavy Fire: Special Operations and the upcoming Heavy Fire: Black Arms from Teyon, but the series is heading to retail in the form of Heavy Fire: Afghanistan. Publisher Mastiff Games will be bringing the game Stateside, with the official description reading thus: Enemy Contact. Open fire!...
News Activision Disbands Guitar Hero Business, No Entry in 2011
DJ Hero suspended this year as well
There used to be three certainties in life: death, taxes and at least one annual entry in Activision's Guitar Hero franchise, but now that list is back down to two, as the company announces its Guitar Hero business unit is officially disbanded. The announcement came in an earnings report in which Activision...
News Rising Star Releases Little King's Story Concept Art Online
For your eyes ONI
Wii adventure Little King's Story was a critical, if not commercial success, with countless gamers falling in love with it since it went on sale two years ago. European publisher Rising Star Games realises the game still carries a loyal following, and has released some concept art exclusively for members of its Hoshi club. The art...
News Club Nintendo NA has a Ball with New Prizes
Game and Watch replica, reversible DS pouches added
The North American branch of Club Nintendo has dabbled in its fair share of trinkets and doo-dads and has only occasionally dipped its toe into offering actual games with the odd downloadable title and a
Competition Winners Mario Sports Mix (Global)
Were you one of the lucky ones?
We recently ran a contest for Mario Sports Mix in conjunction with Gamesbasement, and now's the time to find out if you were one of our lucky winners. We had well over 600 entries, and the three winners drawn from our special MySQL database-in-a-hat were... MasterGraveheartEnry84Smashbro99 Congratulations from...
Wednesday9th Feb 2011
Review Pucca's Kisses Game (WiiWare)
No! Come back! Keep reading!
For anybody who isn't aware, the eponymous character in Pucca's Kisses Game is a Disney-owned franchise. The cutesy 10-year old spends most of her many cartoon appearances running around attempting to kiss a ninja named Garu who, in turn, is pursued throughout by a ninja named Tobe and his minions. This storyline carries...
News Hudson Entertainment Closes its Doors, Cancels its Projects
US office shuts up shop
Hudson Entertainment, the North American localisation arm of Japanese firm Hudson Soft, is to close its doors for the last time. A blog post by product manager Morgan Haro has revealed the Western distributor of Hudson games has been disbanded, with all Hudson's previously planned projects hitting the skids as well, meaning...
Interviews WayForward - Mighty Milky Way
Sean Velasco talks Mighty Milky Way
We've already seen WayForward release some of the best DSiWare titles the service has seen to date, but now the company is getting set to release the pseudo-sequel to their first DSiWare hit Mighty Flip Champs. And while Mighty Milky Way shares many of the traits of its predecessor, it's actually a completely...
News MotoHeroz Trailer Should Get You All Revved-Up
Car platformer in action
While the name may not be a classic, MotoHeroz has pedigree: developer RedLynx created Xbox Live Arcade's acclaimed Trials HD, an addictive take on the racing genre. With its upcoming WiiWare title the company hopes to recreate its success, with the trailer below showing off the game in action. A cross between a racing game...
Tuesday8th Feb 2011
Will you catch puzzle fever?
Gold Fever is a title that has arrived on the DSiWare scene with very little known about it. Developer Tik Games LLC has only released one title on the DSi download service, Rocks 'N’ Rockets released late last year, and latest title Gold Fever is a puzzle game that borrows elements of various classics to tickle your...
News Nintendogs Nearly Went for a Wii in Your Living Room
But went outside instead
DS mega-hit Nintendogs has sold millions of copies worldwide, shifting more DS units than you can shake a stick at, so the revelation that series creator Shigeru Miyamoto considered bringing the series to Wii shouldn't really be a surprise. The latest Iwata Asks finds Miyamoto and colleague Hideki Konno discussing the...
Exclusive First Bobby Carrot Forever WiiWare Screenshots
WiiWare title returns
It's been a long time since we heard anything about Bobby Carrot Forever. In fact, you'd have to go back to our WiiWare World days to read the game's announcement from December 2008, but the game is still very much under way at FDG Entertainment. In fact, we have some exclusive new screenshots of the rabbit's new outing to...
News Australia Gets 3DS on March 31st for $349
Last again...
The launch date calendar for 3DS is now complete, with the announcement that gamers in Australia will be able to buy the console from March 31st for AUS$349, around £220 / $356 USD. The system will be available in Cosmos Black and Aqua Blue, but Nintendo of Australia has not yet announced the official launch line-up for day one...
News Nintendo Announces Official 3DS UK Launch Line-Up
A baker's dozen on day one
Yesterday we brought you the European 3DS launch line-up according to Gamestation, with the retailer claiming 14 titles would launch on March 25th with the console. Now Nintendo has spoken on the real line-up of 13 games available on day one, just one shy of Gamestation's estimate. The title missing from the list is Tecmo...
News EnjoyUp's 99Bullets Blasting DSiWare, Retro Style
8-bit bang
DSiWare has a decent array of shooters, ranging from bizarre baby blaster Paul's Shooting Adventure to classic outing X-Scape, and EnjoyUp Games wants to get a piece of the gunplay action with its own handheld take on the genre: 99Bullets. There's a definite retro feel to the game that'll be familiar to players reared on arcade shooters,...
Monday7th Feb 2011
Review 101 Dolphin Pets (DSiWare)
The water's fine
Some of us are old enough to remember when all you could do with a virtual pet was feed it when it beeped, play "guess the number" and wait for it to eventually die. We've come a long way since then, arriving now at 101 Dolphin Pets, Teyon's follow-up to its more ferocious shark-based smorgasbord of 101 Shark Pets. The...
News Snakebyte Preparing a Cure for 3DS USB Charging Woes
Fang-cy that
A new console, a new range of accessories from the usual suspects: MadCatz is working on 3DS accessories and iMP Gaming's creepy 3DS cases are bordering on notorious, but Snakebyte is hoping its upcoming starter pack for the console will emerge top of the pile. The press release mentions the usual "synthetic leather-pouch"...
News Multiple Angry Birds Launching Themselves at 3DSWare
Digital downloads confirmed
The relentless onslaught of Angry Birds to conquer all mankind's free time continues apace, with the game heading to WiiWare and DS, but the avian domination doesn't stop there, with the title flocking to 3DSWare in future too. Developer Rovio Mobile confirmed via Twitter that three Angry Birds games – presumably Angry...
Podcast NLFM Episode 16: Adventurous Adventures
Zelda, Dragon Quest, Terranigma and more
Didn’t we have some fun though? Remember when the podcast was sliding into the fire pit and I said "Goodbye" and you were like "NO WAY!" and then I was all "We pretended we were going to murder you"? That was great. 1. Sick YG — Ain't That Funny (MadWorld, Wii) 2. Miyoko Kobayashi and Masanori Hikichi...
News Europe's 3DS Launch Line-Up According to Gamestation
UK retailer lists day one titles
The list of titles heading to 3DS on March 25th is in an almost constant state of flux, with new titles popping up and dropping out all the time like a strange version of whack-a-mole. UK retailer Gamestation thinks it has the list pretty much nailed down however, pegging the line-up at 14 games on day one. It's...
News Mario Sports Mix Launches with Trailer and Press Conference
Doping allegations yet to be answered
The latest sporting outing for Mario and friends, Wii's Mario Sports Mix recently launched in Europe and is now available across North America too. To help gamers get in the sporting mood, Nintendo has released a new trailer showing the game's four sports in action. Later on today, at 5pm Pacific Standard Time,...
Nintendo Download 7th February 2011 (North America)
Things that make you go... hmmm
Another week and another download to entice you to part with your hard-earned Nintendo Points. What wonders await in the world of WiiWare and beyond? Let's find out. WiiWare: Spot the Differences! (Sanuk Games, 500pts) – A pleasingly to-the-point title for this WiiWare release, it does what it says on the tin, and...
News Prepare for Dragon Quest VI with A New Trailer
Six appeal
It's just one week until gamers in North America can get their hands on another slice of Japanese RPG action, with the long-awaited release of Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation on Nintendo DS. Previously only available in Japan, the game is making its Western debut in North America on Monday February 14th, and Nintendo has released a...
News Win a Copy of Jam City Rollergirls with Nintendo Life!
Get ready to whip it
Frozen Codebase's sporting title Jam City Rollergirls is available on WiiWare in North America now, and as our exclusive Jam City Rollergirls interview revealed there'll be a playable demo in future. However, if you want to go one better and win a free copy of the complete game, read on! Frozen Codebase has kindly furnished us...
Sunday6th Feb 2011
Review Crime Lab: Body of Evidence (DS)
A scene worth investigating
The DS has been a popular platform for graphic adventure games in its lifetime thanks to its touchscreen interface, seeing a number of great titles such as Hotel Dusk: Room 215 & Time Hollow. This time around we have Crime Lab: Body of Evidence, a new entry in the Art of Murder adventure series from City Interactive...
Saturday5th Feb 2011
Review Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS)
Your days are numbered
Kingdom Hearts is a series which will need little introduction to many gamers. First seeing release in 2002 for the PS2, it centres around the adventures of Sora and his friends as they battle the Heartless across the different worlds. Highly noted for the crossover of Disney and Final Fantasy elements, mixed together into an...
Review All-Star Air Hockey (DSiWare)
Floaty puck action for one
What's the most endearing aspect of Air Hockey? Is it the rapid pace? The frantic mix of offence and defence? The unique floatiness of the puck? The smell of Chuck-E-Cheese pizza baking in the background? No; like most pseudo-sports found in arcades and questionable bars, the magic of Air Hockey lies in the spirit of...
News Reggie Defends High Download, Retail Price Point
Calls cheap, "disposable" iOS titles "one of the biggest risks today in our industry"
A common thread among discussions of downloadable DSiWare as it compares to competing platforms, particularly iOS devices, is its relatively high price tag. While games available in the App Store often retail at $1 or $2, the majority of those in the DSi Store come...
Interviews Ben Geisler - Jam City Rollergirls
We go all post-mortem
Cast your minds back several years to the announcement of WiiWare, and its promise to bring smaller, riskier titles to Wii owners. Over the years there's no doubt the service has seen some pretty unique games, and the latest in that line is Jam City Rollergirls, the only video game ever based on roller derby. Our Jam City...
News Shantae Not Coming to Australian DSiWare Next Week
Down, under, over and out
The other day we reported on Shantae's European release date but we were unsure if that release date applied to Australia. Now we are sure: it doesn't. The official Shantae Twitter account broke the bad news that the game will not reach Australia on Friday, February 11th, the date the download hits European download stores...
Friday4th Feb 2011
Review Jewel Keepers: Easter Island (WiiWare)
You cannot do that!
Jewel Keepers: Easter Island owes a debt to Bejeweled, falling within the range of 'match three' games which have sprung up over the last few years. Popcap's game had been around for a while but became a huge success on ITunes and Facebook, creating scores of imitators in the process. So where does this particular imitator fall?...
News Sonic Colours Sells 1.85 Million Copies Worldwide
Turning rings into coins
Last year's hedgehog outing Sonic Colours on Wii and Sonic Colours were two of the year's better platformers, and certainly the highlight of the blue spiky one's recent career. Sega recently released some provisional sales figures for the game, and although it didn't necessarily set the charts alight it still posted decent...
News Japan Getting Online Multiplayer for a Virtual Console Title
Sega is the first to add an oft-requested feature to a game
Nintendo has a stern policy not to change anything in Virtual Console games unless it is absolutely necessary. As such, only a very small number of Virtual Console titles have been different from the original releases - Notable examples have been the advertisements in Wave Race 64,...
News Nintendo: Inazuma Eleven Not Officially Launched in the UK
Stock released "in error"
Our British copy of Inazuma Eleven arrived recently, flying in the face of general wisdom that the game isn't yet available in the UK. Since then we've been in contact with Nintendo UK, who have been able to clarify the situation. Robert Saunders, Nintendo's head of communications, confirmed that the game has not officially...
Nintendo Download 4th February 2011 (Europe)
DSiWare abound
It's another clearly DSiWare-oriented week this time, with four new titles released on the service. WiiWare and Virtual Console only get one game each, along with another WiiWare demo. WiiWare: Pucca's Kisses Game (Bigben Interactive, 1000pts) – What seems to be a platformer game, based on the surprisingly popular franchise which...
News Brand New Conduit 2 Weapons Trailer Touches Down
And new screenshots to boot
It's Conduit 2 overload this week – first came the news that High Voltage is bringing The Conduit to 3DS, now Sega has detonated a new trailer and multiplayer screenshots too. The trailer shows off some of the old and new weapons you'll be causing chaos with in Conduit 2, ranging from the offbeat to the frankly mental...
Thursday3rd Feb 2011
News Purchase Pokemon Black or White Promptly for an Easy Victini
Eager beavers get a Liberty Pass
Pokémon Black and White reaches North America on March 6th, and if the Pokémon preorder bonuses haven't convinced you to get the game straight away then Nintendo is hoping its new giveaway will seal the deal. Pokémon trainers who purchase the game in North America between March 6th and April 10th can receive a...
News Proof that Inazuma Eleven Really Is Out in the UK
Update: Nintendo speaks!
The Inazuma Eleven saga continues. Launched in Europe on January 28th, the game's been absent from the vast majority of retailers, causing many sites to speculate the game isn't available. In fact, a Nintendo customer service representative told N-Europe: Unfortunately, this game has been delayed slightly within the UK. We...
News Last Story Tops the Japanese Sales Charts
Is there hope for a localisation?
While Nintendo may not have any concrete localisation plans to announce with regards to Japanese RPG Last Story, but the news it's shot to the top of the all-format charts in its home country can't do its chances of heading Westward any harm. In its first week on sale the game shifted 114,722 copies, according to...
News Shantae Finally Reaches Europe Next Friday for 1200 Points
You can soon exhale
Fed up of waiting for Shantae: Risky's Revenge to reach Europe? Circle this date on your calendar, then: Friday, February 11th, and put aside 1200 DSi Points for the game as well. In case the whole Shantae excitement has passed you by, be sure to read our Shantae: Risky's Revenge review to find out why this is the only DSiWare...
News High Voltage Working on Bringing The Conduit to 3DS
Already up and running
First-person shooter Conduit 2 isn't even out on Wii yet, but already developer High Voltage Software is looking at transporting the series across to Nintendo's next console: 3DS. Speaking to Eurogamer, High Voltage's Eric Nofsinger said: Now that we're winding things down a lot of our resources are on pulling this technology...
News Second Spirit Hunters Inc. Developer Diary Burns Brightly
Do want?
It's been a while since we saw anything of Nnooo's upcoming augmented reality spirit-catcher Spirit Hunters Inc., but now the Aussie developer has unleashed a second developer diary revealing more about the game's battle mode. The video goes in-depth on the different moves, statuses and abilities you'll be able to find in the game, but...
Wednesday2nd Feb 2011
Review Boom Boom Squaries (DSiWare)
All the right angles?
Pitched as a spin-off title from WiiWare platformer Furry Legends, DSiWare puzzler Boom Boom Squaries is very similar to Flash and iOS game Chain Reaction: you tap the touchscreen to cause a small explosion that detonates any enemies it touches, causing a chain reaction. Boom Boom Squaries has a few variations on this theme,...
Review Ferryman Puzzle (DSiWare)
Is this ferry on choppy waters?
Ferryman Puzzle is the latest release from Engine Software, a developer that, aside from the Just Sing! games, has focused on DSiWare in the form of basic titles with a budget price point. The concept here will be familiar to those who have stumbled across it in Professor Layton games: you are a ferryman tasked with...
Review Puzzle to Go Baby Animals (DSiWare)
A puzzle best left unsolved
It's been almost ten months since the last time we received a Puzzle to Go game. We've clearly stated our complaints about the previous two games in our past reviews, but have the developers taken the time to improve this latest outing? When you first start you'll notice that the menus look, expectedly, exactly the same...
News First LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean Trailer Walks the Plank
Shiver me plastic timbers
Last year Disney and TT Games joined forces to announce LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean for Wii and DS, and now the twosome have brought us the first trailer for the game and some concept art to boot. There's no gameplay footage in the trailer but anyone who's played a previous LEGO game will likely know what to expect:...
News Observe the Flow of Battle in Pokemon Black & White Video
Master the new moves
The countdown to Pokémon Black & White is ticking on, and Nintendo has just released a new video showing off the raging battles to be had when you pit new monster against new monster in the upcoming DS release. Here at Nintendo Life we're currently sinking our teeth into the latest gotta-catch-'em-all-a-thon and we're...
Tuesday1st Feb 2011
News This Upcoming WiiWare Game is Absolutely Pucca
Get romantic on Valentine's Day
Korean series Pucca revolves around 10-year old girl Pucca and her seemingly never-ending quest to steal a kiss from 12-year old ninja Garu. If you just thought, "that sounds like the perfect premise for a WiiWare game", you're on the same wavelength as BigBen Interactive, as Pucca's Kisses Game is on the...
News Miyamoto Can't Wait to Show Off Super Mario Bros. 3DS
Bring on E3
Nintendo is working on 2D and 3D Mario games, and we've already seen Paper Mario, but there's another 2D Mario adventure in the works, as revealed by this Iwata Asks. Reuniting the four men behind Super Mario Bros., the interview finishes with a look to the future for Nintendo's mascot, with Shigeru Miyamoto stating: So, in the int
Podcast NLFM Episode 15: They Might Be RPGs
FInal Fantasy makes its NLFM debut, along with a sweeping Bionic Commando remix
Gather round, children! Zip it, listen! NLFM is back and bringing the big guns, with a killer Bionic Commando remix, lurvely NES medley by way of PiCTOBiTS, and an almighty power with a huge sword chopping woodland critters. What more could you want? What more??? 1...
News Capcom Spills Super Street Fighter IV StreetPass Beans
Roll the reels
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition isn't just about the 35 characters, online multiplayer and touchscreen controls – its StreetPass figurine battle mode is a potential ace up the sleeves of its gi, and Japanese site Andriasang recently nabbed more details on the violent statues. Playing the game in any mode will accumulate Figure...
News Curl Up Around this Cosy Fire on Friday, Europe
It's another fireplace simulator
WiiWare's already had log burning simulator Fireplacing, but if that wasn't enough to satiate your desire to pretend to stoke a virtual fire you're in luck, as Cosy Fire is landing on WiiWare this week. Boasting a whopping six types of fire, realistic PhysX-powered physics and "cosy fireplace sounds", the...
News Plants vs. Zombies is On the Way to UK After All
So put your brain fork away
When Plants vs. Zombies was announced for DS last year, developer PopCap said it had no plans to bring the game across to reach European gamers. With the title now sat on store shelves across North America, UK publisher Mastertronic has announced a partnership with PopCap to bring the game to British gamers. The...
News Hip Hop King Brings the Beats Back on February 11th
800 Points for Rytmik 3
Rytmik covered dance, Rytmik: Rock Edition was – you guessed it – based on rock, and the third entry in the series has a similarly self-explanatory name. Rytmik: Hip Hop King is set to drop on European DSiWare on February 11th, for 800 Nintendo Points, with a North American release to be announced. Like previous releases,...
News Behold This Boppin' BIT.TRIP FLUX Trailer
CommanderVideo's final journey is a lot like his original one
If this first trailer is anything to go by, it appears that Gaijin Games' BIT.TRIP series is coming full circle with the final entry, BIT.TRIP FLUX. Not only is it the final entry in the acclaimed series, but it looks to play exactly like show-starter BEAT. Except, you know, now playing...
