News Miyamoto Explains the Chubby Appearance of Mario
Nothing to do with ordering extra cheese
Review Chrono Trigger (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
One of the truly greatest RPG experiences ever created
News - May, 2011
Tuesday31st May 2011
News DS Lite Drops to $99 in US, Mario DS Games Go Red
Curious time for a price drop
Like an end of level boss that refuses to be beaten, the DS Lite is still available brand new in the US, where its recommended retail price is about to drop to $99.99. The best-selling console will see its cost cut this Sunday, 5th June, just two days before Nintendo's E3 press conference. It's not the only DS-related...
Review Dragon's Lair Trilogy (Wii)
Is Dirk still daring after all these years?
If you were a child of 80's or 90's, chances are you hold a Don Bluth cartoon close to your heart. Though Disney or Looney Tunes may be the first names you think of when it comes to classic hand-drawn animation, at least inside the United States, such beloved films as The Secret of NIMH, The Land Before...
Talking Point Should Nintendo Try to Recapture 'Hardcore' Gamers?
What is hardcore anyway?
In recent weeks the internet has been overloaded with rumours about Nintendo’s next home console, the successor to the phenomenally successful Wii. The rumours followed the usual pattern; anonymous sources said it was coming, speculation raged, ideas about the console started to find a level of consistency, and finally...
News Mario and Link Make eShop Cards Look Good
Is this to trick us into buying more?
With the worldwide 3DS system update just around the corner, Nintendo still hasn't officially announced what the new prepaid cards will look like, and as Japanese gamers start snapping theirs up, we can't help but think: "The eShop Cards in Japan look cool!" In revamping its virtual currency system,...
Review Thor: God of Thunder (Wii)
Thundering quest or blundering pest?
The Asgardian warrior Sif has fallen, and Thor, son of Odin, wields his mighty hammer Mjölnir with vengeance. His mischievous brother Loki seizes this opportunity and uses Thor's rage to engineer an attack on their home, resulting in the fall of the Nine Worlds. It's a story well suited to its mythological roots...
News Square Enix Officially Announces Heroes of Ruin 3DS
Yes, it's real
Last week, developer n-Space leaked the first details of Heroes of Ruin, and now publisher Square Enix has made the game official. The multiplayer action-RPG will make use of StreetPass to let players exchange and trade weapons, armour and useful items, with new challenges and rare items sent through SpotPass. Drop-in, drop-out...
News Keep FIFA 12 Up-To-Date with SpotPass
Extra content off the bench and warming up
EA Canada won't be pulling out all the stops with its upcoming FIFA 12 effort on the 3DS, but gamers will be glad that at least the game can be kept relatively up-to-date via the console's SpotPass feature. Producer Matt Prior has elaborated on how FIFA 12 will utilise selected 3DS features and reiterated...
Monday30th May 2011
Review Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (DSiWare)
All of the pieces fit
In many cases, the idea of combining two unlike video game genres into one game can be very off-putting. The result usually consists of clunky controls, confusing gameplay, overbearing tedium, or any combination of these factors. Sometimes, however, a game comes along that finds a way to balance out the genre differences and...
Nintendo Download 30th May 2011 (North America)
Leagues, islands, houses, valets and B-teams
All being well, next week we'll be able to access the 3DS eShop, hopefully creating an upsurge in the number of interesting handheld titles to download. Here's what's on the way this week for all you North American Nintendo Points-lovers. WiiWare: FAST — Racing League (Shin'en Multimedia, 1000pts) —...
News A Closer Look at UK's Pre-Order Ocarina 3D Bonus Gift
Gold and shiny video
Readers who follow our own James Newton on Twitter may have seen this Tweet last weekend, which implied our hard-working and handsome News Editor (Okay, that's enough — Ed) was already in possession of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. As it happens, the mystery box in his hand was not Link's upcoming four-dimensional...
News Ubi: Don't Underestimate Nintendo's Ability to Innovate
Expects to be wowed
In one week we will get our first look at Nintendo's new home console, with all sorts of rumours circulating about its controller, horsepower and games line-up. One thing we should all keep in mind, according to Ubisoft UK Boss Rob Cooper, is what makes Nintendo stand out from its opposition: originality. What you always get...
News How Retro Studios Achieved Backing from Nintendo
Simple in theory, anything but in practice
Nintendo has a brand image that's as solid as a rock, so what does it take for an independant studio to get backing from the company and the opportunity to develop games based on its IPs for its consoles? Retro Studios president Michael Kelbaugh highlights a few qualities needed to do just that. During a...
News First BIT.TRIP SAGA Screens Incoming
Including one in 3D!
Aksys Games has just published the box art and first four screenshots of their upcoming title BIT.TRIP SAGA, and they've done what we've hoped publishers would do since we first saw the words "2D image of a Nintendo 3DS game" – they've released a 3D image of a Nintendo 3DS game. Hopefully the early June system update will...
News Nintendo UK Launches Official Zelda Portal
Ready for Ocarina
This is a big year for Zelda fans: not only does the series celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, we'll also receive Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword both out before the 2012 calendars go up. With that in mind, Nintendo UK has wisely launched its official Zelda portal, covering all things...
News Ubisoft Expects 3DS to Take Off this Christmas
Predicts big system sales
Ubisoft was quick out of the gate on 3DS, with six games out for the machine within its first two weeks on sale. It will have felt the console's slower-than-expected sales almost as keenly as Nintendo itself then, but the publisher still expects the handheld to sweep all before it in the all-important Christmas period. Ubi...
Saturday28th May 2011
Talking Point Should Nintendo Have Made the 3DS Download-only?
By sticking with physical media as the primary form of software delivery, Nintendo may have handicapped its new handheld challenger
Earlier this year, Sony finally closed the book on the PSPgo, the company's ill-fated attempt at releasing a console based entirely on the concept of digital media. Although Sony's failure was the subject of much mirth...
Say it ain't flow
Overflow is possibly the most frustrating game you'll play all year. You'll be frustrated at the countless times you'll fail a level for reasons you don't even understand; you'll be frustrated at the finicky pointer controls that you're forced to use; you'll be frustrated at the camera, which doesn't always scroll up and down as...
Blast or dud?
The shoot 'em up genre hasn't exactly seen a lot of love on the DSiWare service to date, but EnjoyUp! Games is looking to change that with the release of 99Bullets. While the basic core of the game does revolve around an old-school shooter premise, there's a unique twist that injects a very puzzle-like atmosphere into the mix. The...
Feature The Past, Present and Future of the GO Series
Exclusive: two new games announced
It seems like DSiWare's GO Series has been around for forever, but the first title — GO Series: 10 Second Run — only launched in September 2010, followed by a series of quick-fire games in every genre from pinball to platforming. At the time of writing, the series stands at 10 titles but it's not over yet, with...
News Mutant Mudds Now Launching on the eShop
Renegade Kid planning a 2011 release
Maximilian and the Rise of the Mutant Mudds, Renegade Kid's platformer title has had a bit of a rough ride since its announcement back in 2009. Originally planned as a DS game, MUDDS was then looking for a digital release due to a lack of publisher willing to go through with a retail release. Now it seems thi
News Heroes of Ruin Details Start Trickling In
3DS is attracting a lot of mercenary activity
With the recent blunder n-Space might or might not have made, it now seems that gaming magazine Nintendo Power was supposed to reveal to the world the first chunk of game details regarding Heroes of Ruin on the 3DS, which it still is, but perhaps the artwork was supposed to debut in print and not on a...
News Artwork for Heroes of Ruin Revealed and Removed
Square-Enix and n-Space's collaboration reverts back to secrecy
Since the European branch of Square-Enix trademarked Heroes of Ruin earlier this year, it hasn't taken long for details to emerge on the publisher's upcoming title; although nothing more than a few words and a piece of artwork, even all that seemed like it was a case of "too much...
Friday27th May 2011
Review GO Series: Picdun (DSiWare)
First person picture puzzler
In the 8- and 16-bit eras, there were quite a few games that featured first-person dungeon crawling. Looking through your character's eyes, you had to navigate a maze by moving forward one square at a time, possibly also having to collect treasures and fight monsters along the way. Games like The Legend of the Mystical...
News Zelda's Timeline is Simple In the Hands of Dr Emmett Brown
No more confusion!
Yes, there is a Zelda master timeline document, but members of Nintendo's inner sanctum will ever likely be able to see it. That hasn't stopped fans from trying to make sense of it themselves, but they were all missing the right tools: a DeLorean, a flux capacitor and a healthy love of all things Back to the Future. Of course,...
News TT Games: "Disney Universe Rips Us Off"
LEGO boss not happy
TT Games, which includes the studio Traveller's Tales, is best known for its LEGO games, which all started in 2006 with LEGO Star Wars and went on to sell countless millions worldwide. The series has undoubtedly influenced plenty of modern games too, but it seems TT Games design director Jon Burton believes the newly-unveiled...
News Capcom Announces Live Action Ace Attorney Movie
Wait until you see Edgeworth
Japan's appetite for all things Ace Attorney continues, as Capcom and director Takashi Miike announce a joint project to bring the offbeat detective series to the silver screen. The appointment of Miike as director is an interesting choice, as his past work spans everything from Yatterman to the severely gory Ichi the...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - June 2011
Two games each for the Super Famicom, Neo Geo and Arcade
Japan's seeing a bit of a resurgence in Virtual Console releases, as recently it's been receiving five or six games per month. This month is no different, with six games divided equally across three systems. It includes another Square Enix game, but sadly, it's one of Square's lesser known...
News There's Nothing Sneaky About Snake Eater 3D's 2011 Release
Metal Gear Solid assigned with a 3DS release this year
In Hideo Kojima's latest podcast, a new segment sees the Metal Gear series creator simply answering "Yes" or "No" to various rumours that are currently floating about, one of which pertains to the release of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D. One of the rumours that Kojima's...
News Professor Layton and the Last Specter Coming to America
Trademark application revealed
So far, Professor Layton and the Spectre's Flute has been Japan-only, but a recently-unearthed trademark application shows that the DS adventure will come to North America. Level-5 registered the trademark Professor Layton and the Last Specter recently, spotted by Siliconera, which all-but confirms the fourth DS game...
Saturday28th May 2011
News Firebrand Would Love to Develop an F-Zero Game
Hopes Nintendo is listening
Having already brought the TrackMania and Need For Speed franchises to the Wii and DS, it's fairly clear that Firebrand Games has an interest in developing racing games. In fact, there's a particular racing series that creative director Pete Shea would love to have Firebrand Games work on. Speaking to Cubed3, Firebrand...
Thursday26th May 2011
News Sonic Generations 3DS Mixes 16-bit and Rush Gameplay
Handheld twist on the series
SEGA's Sonic Generations on PS3 and Xbox 360 will join "Classic Sonic" — the slightly portly, pale blue, side-scrolling version of the hero — with "Modern Sonic", the leaner, laser fast interpretation familiar from recent 3D releases such as Sonic Colours and Sonic Unleashed. For the upcoming 3DS...
News Wii Just Couldn't Handle Sonic Generations
Not up to the task
Sonic Generations is coming to 3DS, and there was much rejoicing, but Wii owners are still nursing the disappointment that theirs is the only current home console not set to receive the spiky speedster's 20th anniversary celebration game. In an interview in this month's Nintendo Power, Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka reveals why:...
Nintendo Download 27th May 2011 (Europe)
Let's go FAST
The wait for F-Zero to hit Wii may be never-ending, but the next best thing is about to arrive in the shiny ship shape of Shin'en's latest WiiWare outing. Elsewhere there's intergalactic planetary action and more English words with an education-loving vampire. Only on the Nintendo Download. WiiWare: FAST - Racing League (Shin'en...
News Here's a Video of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D's New Features
Not just a port
As you'll know if you read our The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D preview, the upcoming 3DS release isn't just a simple port of its N64 forefather, with several new additions intended to improve the game. In case you didn't believe us, Nintendo has sent over a new trailer to show you exactly what these improvements are...
News This Zelda: Ocarina 3D Trailer Would Make a Great Advert
Husky voiceover? Check
Do you know what The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D has been missing all this time? A raspy voiceover. Now the final piece of the puzzle slots into place with this short but sweet trailer for the game. Nintendo UK has released the following 30 second spot which would work perfectly as a TV advertisement or cinema trailer...
News Check Out The First Hour of Pandora's Tower
Enter the Tower
While Nintendo may be gearing up for the big E3 reveal of its Wii successor, the company still has a few aces up its sleeve for its little-white-box-that-could. While the Wii hasn't housed the most robust selection of RPGs over the years, Nintendo has been playing some serious catch up with games like Mistwalker's The Last Story,...
News SEGA Makes Shinobi Official, First Shots Inside
Join Jiro, not Joe
It's official: Shinobi is returning, with SEGA now unveiling the first screenshots and details of the upcoming 3DS title. Players take control of Jiro Musashi, father of the 16-bit hero Joe, and must make use of melee combat, ranged attacks and ninja magic to restore peace to the Oboro clan, we assume. The game will also make sure...
News Disney Universe to Blend Worlds on Wii This Fall
Will your favourite characters make the cut?
Disney Interactive Studios has just announced their next release, Disney Universe, an action/adventure game headed to Wii as well as multiple other platforms this Fall. The fast-paced action/adventure title will feature over 40 classic and contemporary Disney and Pixar characters in costume form. One to...
News House, M.D. - Globetrotting has an Appointment with DSiWare
First of five sessions booked for Monday
Legacy Interactive is teaming up with Glyphic Entertainment to bring us a medical DSiWare series and just like the award-winning drama that it's based on, it will all be split into episodes. Based on the NBC series House, M.D., House, M.D. - Globetrotting puts players in the role of Dr. House as he leads his...
Wednesday25th May 2011
News Okay Australia, Your Zelda 3DS Pre-Order Bonus Beats the Rest
Music to your ears
While a golden sleeve and poster is an acceptable way to celebrate the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, what every gamer really wants is an actual ocarina. If you live in Australia — or intend to import from Down Under — your prayers have been answered.
News Ocarina of Time 3D is a Smoother Experience than Before
Both visually and control-wise
Zelda fans worldwide are surely counting down the days until the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D; with just just three days separating the game's release in Japan, North America and Europe, adventure fans will do well to dust off their shields and sharpen their wooden swords in anticipation of Link's...
News Sonic Generations 3DS & New Shinobi Title Confirmed
Two great games that play great together
Recently we've heard rumours of Shinobi 3DS, and those of Sonic Generations have been picking up steam. Just revealed to the 'net, the latest Nintendo Power cover seems to confirm both. You can view the cover in the gallery below. While it's likely that the Shinobi title referenced is the rumoured Shinobi...
News Two Beautiful Minutes of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Footage
Sit back and relax
We know you're excited about Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, from its newly remastered graphics to the inclusion of Master Quest mode, but if you can put your delirious jigging on hold for a little while — 2:23 to be precise — you can watch this Japanese video of the game. The video runs like an Ocarina "best...
News Miyamoto: We Want to Create Meaningful Download Games
How much they'll cost still undecided
With Nintendo's announcement that the eShop and other services will be available to download from 6th June came a sense of relief that the date had finally been finalised. Besides, even if it is a little bit later than originally planned, what's another week or so? The kind of software and features we'll be...
News Xenoblade Chronicles' Alternative Cover has been Decided
Is it the one you chose?
It's a shame that companies don't decorate games with alternative sleeve covers more often as it's a great way to introduce more artwork and a level of customisation to gamers. It's a good thing that Nintendo and Monolith Soft are into that sort of thing. Nintendo of Europe recently supplied four pieces of artwork for gamers...
News First Shinobi 3DS Details Appear in a Cloud of Smoke
Joe Musashi returns!
It seems like only yesterday that we learnt that Sega and Griptonite were working on a Shinobi game for the 3DS. Time moves fast on the interwebs however, and thanks to a recently leaked trailer we know a little more about the new Shinobi game. Recapping the series' history, the trailer below shows the following Shinobi games...
News There's Always Room for One More Mario Theme Tune Video
It's just wafer thin
You've heard the Mario theme played on a Chipophone. A Japanese beatbox version? Heard that too. But a dude creating the whole Mario theme tune experience on his own, with drums, sound effects and more? That's new. The video is the work of the talented Jack Conte, who takes the tune we all know, bolts on a big beat and lets the...
Tuesday24th May 2011
Review LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Wii)
Pirates pillage the Wii
LEGO video games are plentiful on the Wii, and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean has arrived to claim its share of the spoils. Is this franchise another treasure in the series, or an empty chest? Fans will no doubt be delighted to see all of the films, including the latest release, included in this title. Playing through all four...
News You Must See These Nano Assault 3DS Screenshots
How good does it look?
If you were impressed with Shin'en's graphical mastery of WiiWare in Jett Rocket and the upcoming FAST — Racing League, you're going to be very pleased with what the studio's first 3DS game looks like. Nano Assault is a shooter set in a microscopic world, with your Nanite ship sent in to destroy a rapidly spreading virus...
Review Big Bass Arcade (DSiWare)
Nice catch
Big Bass Arcade seems to be as good an adaptation as DSiWare can reasonably offer the sport. We say that not in a back-handed way, but knowing that whatever potentially horrible type of fishing game could have been released on DSiWare, Big Bass Arcade manages to break on through and be kind of fun anyway. True to its name, Big Bass is as...
Rumour Sega and Griptonite Working on Shinobi 3DS
Get your Shuriken ready
Sega's Shinobi series, which has helped action platformer fans hone their ninja skills in arcades and a variety of home consoles since 1987, looks to be coming to 3DS. An online CV of an environment artist at Griptonite Games mentions Shinobi 3DS as their current project. The resumé states that the artist has: ...created...
News We Found a Trailer for Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident
It was beneath the bookcase
Wii find 'em adventure Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident (formerly known as Mystery Case Files: Dust to Dust) is out in a month, but you can gear yourself up for the hidden object action with the game's opening video. The story centres on Malgrave Island, home to a "magically powerful dust", with two...
Monday23rd May 2011
Review Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove: Monster Mix (WiiWare)
Don't give up the ghost
Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove: Monster Mix. You really only have to read the title to figure out who the intended audience is for this game: younger gamers. Kids. And that's not intended to be a jab, by the way; gamers often use the “kids’ game” moniker as a way of implying shallow game design, but that's not an entirely...
News Child Pornography Law TKOs DOAD Release in Sweden, Denmark and Norway
Disqualified!
Much of the world is currently enjoying the hot new 3DS fighter Dead or Alive: Dimensions, but thanks to a child pornography scare, fans in Sweden, Denmark and Norway are forced to miss out. Nintendo of Europe's official explanation for not releasing the game in Sweden, made jointly with official distributor Bergsala, is as follows:...
Does it add up?
Although the majority of titles on the DSiWare shop are games, since launch there have been some items that would more accurately be described as ‘apps’. Common on smartphones, they have become increasingly less frequent on DSiWare. Cinemax are bucking the trend with Calculator; does it get the sums right? The list of features...
News 16-Shot Legend Takahashi Meijin Leaves Hudson
No parting shots
Takahashi Meijin, known to many as Master Higgins or as the master of rapid fire button-tapping, has announced he is leaving Hudson after nearly 30 years at the company. Joining the company in 1982, Takahashi rose to prominence for his ability to fire 16 shots per second in Hudson's Star Soldier, a skill that led to the creation of...
News High Voltage Responds Badly to Scathing Conduit 2 Review
Empty pram – toys everywhere
Conduit 2 received some pretty unfavourable review scores, including a 5/10 in our own Conduit 2 review, but Joystiq was especially venomous, their reviewer T. Michael Murdock giving the game a 1/5 score. High Voltage's response will shock you. The studio has admitted it advised staff to write reader reviews of...
Nintendo Download 23rd May 2011 (North America)
Puzzles, bullets, objects and liquids
DSiWare has a lot of puzzle games, but today sees the launch of one of the Kings of the genre: Puzzle Quest comes to DSiWare, alongside a retro shooter and an object-twisting game. DSiWare: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (1st Playable Productions, 800pts) — Interestingly, this game is already...
News Hideous Yellow Glasses Reduce 3DS Fatigue, Apparently
But make you uglier in the process
We've all read — and most likely ignored — the many safety warnings that come with the 3DS, but if you're suffering from headaches or eye strain from using your device you may want to check out these phenomenally tasteful new glasses from Newbie Gaming. The special yellow lenses contained in the ClearOptix...
News Strap Yourself In for Exclusive E3 Content at Nintendo E3 Site
Watch it all happen live
We're just two weeks away from the cavalcade of announcements that is E3, and we here at Nintendo Life will be reporting on everything as it happens: the revelation of Nintendo's new console, new games and everything else that goes down. Nintendo will be helping out too, live streaming its press conference and making plenty...
News Dead or Alive Fails to Land a Hold on UK Charts
Dead on arrival
3DS fighter Dead or Alive: Dimensions is very good, but its quality hasn't resulted in big sales in the UK, as it's failed to make the top 40 chart. Even with Nintendo's sales and marketing expertise behind the game it failed to sell enough copies to make it into the top 40 All Formats Chart. In fact, there are no 3DS-specific titles...
News First Green Lantern 3DS Trailer Rings Up
Will you be green around the gills?
Ryan Reynolds is getting his chance to show the world he can do superheroes with the upcoming Green Lantern movie, and developer Griptonite is hoping to show it can do the same with the 3DS release Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters. We have the first trailer below, showing the game's expected blend of...
News Jason Rohrer Tackles Blood Diamonds with New DS Game
Indie developer returns
DSi owners might already be familiar with Jason Rohrer's off-beat games, with Primrose and the Jason Rohrer Anthology offering some of the most unique experiences on DSiWare. Publisher Zoo Games just announced the next game from the developer coming to DS later this year: Diamond Trust of London. Maintaining his reputation...
Sunday22nd May 2011
The rain in this game falls mainly on the lame
The water-based puzzler is an interesting breed – the replication of aquatic physics necessitates a more innovative approach than your average thinking game, the majority of which build on or clone an accepted model like Tetris or Bejeweled. The recent Fluidity is proof that this subgenre can spawn...
Rockin' robot or CPUke?
Innovative puzzle games are few and far between, and TINcan! Escape is up there with some of the more interesting concepts we've seen. While it rests on a quality foundation, however, some uneven spots and lacklustre presentation make this rolling robot wobble on its wheels. Two rival scientists compete to have their design...
News City Interactive Moving Towards 3DS
3DS puzzler fans might want to take note
City Interactive has already released several DS puzzle games in various forms of the genre and all have received good reviews here at Nintendo Life. With the likes of Chronicles of Mystery: The Secret Tree of Life, Vampire Moon: The Mystery of the Hidden Sun and Crime Lab: Body of Evidence, it's certainly...
Saturday21st May 2011
Talking Point How 3DS Can Thrive at E3
What the Big N should do at this year's expo
A little less than one year ago, as E3 2010 approached, one question was on everyone's mind: would the 3DS work? Surely our bodies were not ready for the futuristic glasses-free technology Nintendo promised. As we all know, it wasn't long before Reggie put our fears to rest: yes, it works, and it works...
News FIFA 12 Wants to Get the Fundamentals Right First
Not all 3DS features have made it into the first-team
We already know what's going to be included in FIFA 12 on the 3DS, now it's time to find out what's been left out of the game and why. With the Pro Evolution Soccer and FIFA brands leading the way in football (or what is known as soccer in the U.S.) games, it's interesting to see what FIFA 12 is...
News Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Sequel Unlikely to Hit the Wii
Wasted opportunity or forward-thinking?
With the impending arrival of Nintendo's next home console, could we expect to see a lower number of sequels turning up on the Wii and see them launching on the Wii's successor instead? Perhaps. What we do know is if there's one sequel that's going to get developed that won't see a release on the Wii, it's the...
News Customise Your Skills in Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Find out why Barry is in the game and Leon isn't
When the playable characters in Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D were revealed with Barry Burton being the eighth and final member; some were left wondering why other characters were left out, in particular, Resident Evil 2 protagonist Leon Kennedy. Speaking to
News Listen Up, Capcom's 3D Sound Adventure Launches in August
In Japan, that is
Capcom's experimentation with 3D sound in its upcoming adventure game Nazo Waku Yakata (roughly translated as Nazo Waku Mansion) certainly gathered interest when initial game details were revealed in March. Now courtesy of the game's official website, the Japanese release date has been announced, a move that's sure to remind some...
News Puzzle Rocks' European Launch Details Have Fallen Into Place
Cinemax back with another DSiWare release
Cinemax has been in touch to let us know when its upcoming puzzle game will be released and how much we'll be coughing up when it hits the DSi Shop next month. The studio behind the Rytmik series ― the latest of which being Hip Hop King: Rytmik Edition, puzzle games such as Snakenoid, Sokomania and the...
Friday20th May 2011
News Wii Shop Channel Now Accepting eShop Cards
Interesting happenings afoot
You may remember Nintendo revealing that Nintendo Points will be useless on the 3DS, with a new cash-based currency system coming into effect for the console's eShop. It now appears, however, that Nintendo is going for a total rebrand of its currencies, with the European Wii Shop Channel now accepting eCards. The video...
First Impressions FAST - Racing League
Taking Shin'en's latest for a spin
Plenty of Nintendo fan ire has been drawn by the lack of an F-Zero game for the Wii, and with Wipeout exclusive to Sony consoles there's a huge gap in the market for sleek-looking futuristic racers. WiiWare developer Shin'en Multimedia is hoping to fill that with its upcoming WiiWare title FAST – Racing League,...
Nintendo Download 20th May 2011 (Europe)
Chrono Trigger finally reaches Europe!
There's only one headline game this week: the long-awaited European arrival of another legendary Super NES RPG from Square. Virtual Console: Chrono Trigger (Square, Super NES, 900pts) — Today is an auspicious event: the first time Square's time-travelling epic has landed on the Super NES in Europe. Our Chrono...
Rumour Project Cafe Controller Contains a Camera
Kitchen sink also rumoured
The controller for Nintendo's new console, currently codenamed Project Café, gets more and more feature-packed with every rumour. The original rumours revolved around a 6" touch screen, but now a source close to industry magazine Develop has apparently revealed a new feature: a camera. "A person close to the matter" told...
News This NES Pad is the Biggest Game Controller in the World
Forget sore thumbs
The trend for steadily increasing variants of the iconic NES controller is approaching critical mass, as Dutch students have just set a new record for the largest functioning game controller with an NES pad measuring nearly four metres wide. The pad measures 3.6 metres by 1.6 metres, which is around 11.8 feet by 5.2 feet, which...
Features The Vehicles of MotoHeroz
Get behind the wheel
Continuing our exclusive look at upcoming WiiWare physics-racer MotoHeroz from Trials HD developer RedLynx, we have a look at the cars you'll be racing around in when the game launches on WiiWare this summer. Be sure to read our previous articles: The World of MotoHeroz, The Characters of MotoHeroz and
News First DOA Dimensions SpotPass Content Now Available in UK and Europe
And more scheduled to arrive
Dead or Alive: Dimensions releases today in the UK and Europe, and it's already taking advantage of the SpotPass service with downloadable content available today. Once you pick up your copy, head to a hotspot or your own home Wi-Fi broadband connection to receive a brand new costume for Kasumi. You can also face Kasumi...
News DSiWare Owners, Prepare to Cut the Rope
Gaming in a snip
Chillingo's portable sales hit Cut the Rope is on its way to DSiWare, according to DS-X2. Last year we reported that Chillingo and Rovio were in the process of bringing Angry Birds to DS and WiiWare too, hopefully joining their rope-snipping brethren on the download services later this year. We'll br
News As Predicted, Wii Drops to £99 in UK Today
Will low price = higher sales?
From today, the Nintendo Wii will be available across the UK in two varieties: white with Mario Kart Wii and a Wii Wheel, or black with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. The console's price has changed too, dropping to around £129.99, but many retailers are taking the chance to sell the machine even more cheaply. As...
Thursday19th May 2011
Review LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (3DS)
The greatest LEGO pirate you’ve ever seen?
The LEGO series is becoming a prominent part of gaming culture, bringing new twists on mainstream franchises such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter to fans. It is little surprise that Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean has signed up for the LEGO treatment, but is LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean...
Hands On The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Link's past and future in one evening
Last year's E3 conference was full of 3DS announcements, but one moment that still sticks in the memory after a year is the revelation of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for the console. With less than a month until the game hits shelves worldwide, Nintendo UK invited Nintendo Life to a special preview event...
News Feast Your Eyes on Zelda: Ocarina of Time Artwork
Link's never looked better
As you'll have read in our Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D preview, Link's rarely looked better than in his next appearance. It's not just the 3DS's advanced graphics technology making the game look so good, though: it all goes back to the original artwork, as Nintendo has released a series of images showing how Link's...
News LEGO Onslaught Continues With LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
The excitement is building
Fact: LEGO video games sell well. Fact: Harry Potter tie-ins sell well. Fact: Nintendo consoles sell well. Can you see where this is going? Yes, Warner Bros. has announced the official video game of the tail end of the Harry Potter saga, with LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 coming to all current Nintendo formats this year...
Review Word Searcher 3 (DSiWare)
The same old search
It has become apparent that each of Digital Leisure's Word Searcher titles is intended to vary the content rather than improve the design toward a more interesting take on the activity. If you’ve played any of the previous entries, then you know exactly what’s in store with their newest addition to the DSiWare service, Word...
News Aya and the Cubes of Light Speeds Towards Launch
Developer cranks up the pace
Last August, developer Object Vision Software showed off Aya and the Cubes of Light for WiiWare, but the initial video drew many to comment on the game's slow pace. To its credit, the team decided to increase the game's speed, with the fruits of its labour now visible. The video below shows Aya's quicker movement speed,...
News Nintendo's Art Appreciation UK Tour Kicked Off Today
Do Brits love art?
Nintendo's Create Britain tour kicked off today by the banks of the River Thames with an Art Academy lesson hosted by artist Pam Glew. Passers-by were invited to get involved with the DS art package, with a local primary school also stopping by to try their hand at recreating Canaletto's famous painting of Westminster Bridge...
News Resi: Mercenaries Goes Gunning for Europe on 1st July
Clips at the ready
Now we know the starting cast for Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D, with Barry Burton rounding-off the cast, and now we know when Europeans will be able to get their hands on the game: 1st July. We played the game back in January, so be sure to read our First Impressions: Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. Capcom's
Wednesday18th May 2011
Review Chrono Trigger (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
One of the truly greatest RPG experiences ever created
Soon after Chrono Trigger appeared on the Super Nintendo in 1995, it quickly became regarded as one of the most unique and impressive RPG releases to hit the system. Not only was it developed by a who's who of some of the greatest role-playing designers in the industry, the finished product...
Review Dead or Alive: Dimensions (3DS)
Dead or Alive, you're coming with me!
The 3DS is the first console to bring us a glasses-free 3D experience, and now it's home to another genuine first: Dead or Alive: Dimensions is the first Dead or Alive game on a Nintendo platform in the series’ 15-year history, and it contains everything that's made the franchise so popular among fans and so...
News Max & the Magic Marker Relaunching on Wii and DS
Hoping to draw more gamers in, surely?
Easy Interactive has announced its Q2 line-up of upcoming releases, one of which is a WiiWare title that's on its way to getting a retail release. Max & the Magic Marker originally launched on the download service last year and will soon be available to purchase on-disc for the Wii as well as the DS when...
News RedLynx Talks 3DS and Future WiiWare Development
Ooh, the possibilities...
With its upcoming WiiWare racer MotoHeroz set for release this summer, Finnish developer RedLynx touches on possible 3DS development and the likelihood of making more WiiWare games. In an interview conducted by Wiiloveit, various RedLynx staff members spoke about the development of racing game / platformer MotoHeroz, but it...
Tuesday17th May 2011
Review LEGO Battles: Ninjago (DS)
Half RTS, half adventure, halfway fun
2009 saw the release of LEGO Battles to complement the action orientation of the main series titles, with a second iteration now aiming once more to provide a light and accessible real time strategy experience within the LEGO world. Unfortunately, LEGO Battles: Ninjago tries to spread its shallow formula too far...
News Sonic Generations 3DS Rumours Gain Speed
SEGA report lists 3DS version
Last week, Gamestop listed Sonic Generations for 3DS and we tagged it as a rumour, as always when retailers list unannounced games. However, now SEGA has listed the game in a financial report, it's time to stop thinking "this is a rumour" and start thinking "this bag has no cat in it". Andriasang...
News Nintendo and Best Buy Team Up for Exclusive 3DS Content
SpotPass in store
Following the official North American 3DS launch at Best Buy in New York back in March, Nintendo is to continue its relationship with the retailer by offering exclusive downloadable content for the console at around 1,000 stores from 7th June. As well as offering 3DS users access to the SpotPass service, which sees the console...
News Kirby's New DS Game Has a July Date with Japan
So we Gather
The pink puffball's next appearance is locked down for Japan: Atsumete! Kirby — which roughly translates to Gather! Kirby — is coming to DS on 7th July. Last month we brought you the first Atsumete! Kirby gameplay details, which revealed the player will control multiple Kirbies and use their combined power to overcome puzzles and...
News Barry Burton Rounds Off The Mercenaries 3D Cast Members
He doesn't know what it is
Capcom has released some new screenshots of upcoming Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and with them, confirms the last of the eight characters we'll be playing as in the game. As you can see, the newest member of the mercenaries team is Barry Burton, one of the original characters from the first Resident Evil game...
News Sail the Tides of Destiny with New Rune Factory in 2011
Natsume makes waves
Following the acclaimed Rune Factory: Frontier, Natsume is preparing to bring the second instalment in the Wii farming roleplayer to North America, announcing Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny. As well as the series' now-established combination of real-time battle, crop harvesting and animal husbandry, players will be able to take...
Review Successfully Learning English: Year 4 (DSiWare)
Can you spell re-pet-i-tive?
Tivola’s series of edutainment titles keeps rolling on, Successfully Learning English: Year 4 representing the third entry in this particular DSiWare series. In our review of Successfully Learning English: Year 3, we observed that the classroom was unchanged from Year 2; does graduation to Year 4 bring exciting change...
News Double Bloob Now Bouncing on DSiWare Instead
Nibris project lives on via Bloober Team
When Polish developer Nibris closed its doors and transformed itself into a coordinator of the European Games Centre, that was probably the final nail of many that were driven into the coffin belonging to the all-talk-no-walk Wii game Sadness. Ratings from the Entertainment Software Rating Board and Pan...
Monday16th May 2011
News Mario and Sonic 2012 Screens Blow Minds, Collapse Worlds
Can a hedgehog ride a horse?
Though many are still processing the raw emotions that comes with such an alliance, Mario and Sonic are friends now: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games and its summery counterpart Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games showed the plumber and hedgehog could put aside their differences for the sake of sporty...
News Chrono Trigger Hits European Virtual Console on Friday
Not long to wait now
Legendary Super NES RPG Chrono Trigger was never released on the system in Europe, so its impending Virtual Console release on Friday is cause for much celebration. As the game was never officially released in Europe its VC appearance carries a small premium, selling for 900 Nintendo Points instead of 800, but what's an extra...
Nintendo Download 16th May 2011 (North America)
The long-awaited Chrono Trigger is finally here!
The wait may have seemed like an eternity for RPG fans, but Square's Chrono Trigger, considered by many gamers to be one of the finest role-playing offerings in video game history, has finally arrived on Nintendo's Virtual Console service. The world can now start spinning again. WiiWare: Gabrielle's...
News Alabama Hotel Transforming Into a Nintendo Theme Park
Taking the warp pipe
Nintendo fans who've always dreamt of becoming their favourite 8- and 16-bit characters may have their wishes granted soon, as a hotel in Alabama is preparing to combine a theme park with cosplay in July. The Radisson hotel in Huntsville, AL will play host to the strictly unofficial "attraction experience" during...
News Up to 20 SEGA Games Could be Available on 3DS by Next March
Financial statement reveals supportive pledge
When a publisher declares to have up to 20 titles on a games console by the time it celebrates its first birthday, most can agree that's a pretty ambitious goal to set for yourself. In SEGA's financial statement for the fiscal year ending 31st March 2011, it is stated that the interim plan is to release...
News UK Pre-Orders Bag a Gold Sleeve and Poster for Ocarina 3D
Shiny
North American 3DS owners may be frustrated by the lack of pre-order bonuses for Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, but fans in the UK will be able to pick up a limited edition golden sleeve and double-sided A2 poster when they pre-order and purchase Link's 3D adventure. GAME and Gamestation stores are both offering the bonuses to early...
News Are We Nearing the End of Consoles? Nintendo Thinks Not
Nintendo's director of PR thinks consoles are too unique to die off
Fox News recently ran a story in which it suggests the traditional home console may soon be losing its place in our home as consumer demands evolve and smartphones provide deeper gaming experiences . Well, it starts off with a rather bold statement claiming that "the end is near"...
News Masa Futagami Performing Live at Japan Underground this Month
Video game violinist supporting Bentley Jones in London
Promotional organiser Japan Underground returns to London this month to bring its eclectic mix of live music and Japanese culture to the capital's nightlife. Japan Underground at The Kingpin Suite at Bloomsbury Lanes, London on 28th May will be headlined by British J-Pop star Bentley Jones, the...
News Dreamwalker Website and Trailer Wakes Up, Stretches Out
Rub your eyes, DSiWare users
You probably don't know the name Code Mystics, although you may have played some of their previous efforts, porting Dragon's Lair and Atari Greatest Hits to the DS. You might even have played Ed Fries' legendary Halo on an Atari 2600 via Code Mystics' web-based emulation technology. The studio's ready to create something...
News Nintendo Kicks Off Create Britain with Art Academy Class
Brush with fame
Bundling DSiWare titles Art Academy: First Semester and Art Academy: Second Semester onto a cartridge and releasing it under the name Art Academy was a stroke of genius on Nintendo's part, with the game now having sold over 1.9 million copies since launch. Now Nintendo UK wants to use the game to launch its new Create Britain...
Sunday15th May 2011
Maniacal. Deadly. Killer.
If we had to sum up Interplay's MDK2 in one word, we would choose "old-school." With a silly sense of humour, unforgiving difficulty and enough bullets to take down a small country — or in this case, alien invasion — MDK2 is a "game for gamers" through and through. And while it shows its age a...
Review Super Adventure Island (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Back to basics
The Adventure Island series started out with an almost exact clone of Wonder Boy, but as Wonder Boy became more of an action RPG rather than an action platformer, Adventure Island sequels stuck with the same formula as the first game and built upon it slightly with each release. In Adventure Island II and the later Adventure Island...
Saturday14th May 2011
Features Re-Examining Zelda: Twilight Princess
Playing it safe, or changing the game?
You can tell a lot about a game from its opening scene. In the first few minutes of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time we're shown a sweeping, first-person view of the Kokiri Forest, as Navi flies frantically to awake a hero-to-be. In Zelda: The Wind Waker we're shown, in a beautifully minimalist art style, an...
News Got an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?
Check out our other sites!
Are you an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 owner? Tired of spending countless hours searching for sites as good as Nintendo Life? Then have we got an offer for you! Xbox 360 owners should check out KINECTaku, a site dedicated to Microsoft's fancy hands-free gaming gizmo, with Kinect for Xbox 360 reviews and all the latest...
Review Where's Wally? Fantastic Journey 3 (WiiWare)
The final chapter
Where's Wally? Fantastic Journey 3 is the last part of retail game Where's Wally? Fantastic Journey, and follows the same pattern as predecessors Where's Wally? Fantastic Journey 1 and Where's Wally? Fantastic Journey 2. If you haven't played one of the previous games there's no need to worry, as this version is entirely...
Friday13th May 2011
News Miyamoto Explains the Chubby Appearance of Mario
Nothing to do with ordering extra cheese
How many rotund heroes can you think of? Okay, it doesn't actually matter how many you can think of, the only chubby hero that matters for the sake of this article is the one and only Mario, and Shigeru Miyamoto explains why the plumber looked the way he did when he first appeared on our screens. During the...
Review Mighty Milky Way (DSiWare)
Très amusant
WayForward's first DSiWare release Mighty Flip Champs was arguably the first must-have title for the service, and given the game's popularity it's understandable that fans have been clamouring for a sequel ever since. But rather than create a direct sequel, the developer has instead chosen to throw gamers into a completely new gameplay...
News Ubisoft Goes Out on a Limb to Bring Rayman Origins to Wii
Old no-arms is back
Last year at E3, Ubisoft announced a new 2D platformer starring the hair-helicopter himself, Rayman. Called Rayman Origins, the game was originally only supposed to see the light of day on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Store, but after a long period of silence it's been revealed the game is heading to retail — and Wii. After...
News Nintendo Wants You to Pick Xenoblade's Alternative Cover
Inside-out art drawn up
Reversible cover art is a great way to show your fans you appreciate their devotion: an extra bonus so secret 90% of people would never think to look for it, with RPG Xenoblade Chronicles set to receive the dual art treatment in Europe. Nintendo of Europe wants your help in picking the inside cover for the game, with a new...
Review Whack-A-Friend (DSiWare)
Totally wack
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, step right up and see Whack-A-Friend, Agetec’s latest incarnation of the ever popular arcade game Whac-A-Mole! Or don’t. Either way, you won’t be missing out on much. The game starts with you choosing to either play using the picture provided, or you can use your own...
News Ubisoft Boss Praises Project Cafe, Foresees Sales Success
The house of Rayman speaks
Ubisoft has heavily supported the 3DS and Wii during their respective launch periods, so it's no surprise to hear the giant publisher is already looking to Nintendo's next console, currently codenamed Project Café. In a recent investor call, Ubi CEO Yves Guillemot praised the console, which is set to be unveiled at E3 on...
News Nintendo Originally Intended Steel Diver to Surface on DSiWare
Jumped to retail to increase depth
Recent 3DS release Steel Diver has had a long, long road to release: starting out as a DS demo back in 2004, the title eventually wound up on 3DS, but it could have been released much earlier if its original course had been followed. A recent Iwata Asks article focuses on the 3DS sub title, with producer Tadashi...
Thursday12th May 2011
Review Chronicles of Mystery: The Secret Tree of Life (DS)
A pleasant, if stumpy, puzzler
Many puzzle games that originated on the PC have made a successful transition to the DS; following their lead is City Interactive's latest handheld release, a scaled down version of Chronicles of Mystery: The Tree of Life from 2009. Especially in the case of one that's as well-crafted as this, there's nothing wrong...
News You Must Finish Ocarina of Time 3D to Take On the Master Quest
Locked in the box
Expecting to pick up Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and rush straight into the Master Quest mode? Hold your horses, as the harder difficulty won't be available from the start. Players must finish the regular quest before being able to take on the tougher enemies, dungeons and puzzles of the Master Quest mode, which will either...
News Nintendo Announces eShop Update for 6th June
Patience is a virtue
Nintendo of America has just confirmed the long-awaited eShop update for the Nintendo 3DS will hit on 6th June, missing its anticipated late May release. The company has not announced the reason behind the delay, nor exactly what will be included in the update, but considering 6th June is the day before Nintendo's E3 2011 news...
News SEGA Announces More Virtual Console Titles for Wii
Includes Virtual Console Arcade
Even after all these years, SEGA's still committed to supporting the Virtual Console, and its European arm has just announced two new titles coming to the service. Alongside the already-revealed Monster World IV for Genesis/Mega Drive comes Virtual Console Arcade title Wonder Boy in Monster Land, set to become the...
Nintendo Download 13th May 2011 (Europe)
Adventure returns to the island
There's only one game headline-worthy this week: the long-awaited return of Master Higgins on Virtual Console, with two titles for DSiWare and a blank on WiiWare. Here's the line-up: Virtual Console: Super Adventure Island (Super NES, 800pts) — Unofficial Hudson mascot Mr Higgins returns in the first Super NES entry...
News Chrono Trigger Does the Virtual Console Time Warp on Monday
Ready your Points
Good things come to those who wait, as Virtual Console fans can attest: Square Enix has just announced that Super NES classic Chrono Trigger will launch on Virtual Console in North America on Monday 16th May. The 16-bit classic will sell for 800 Nintendo Points, a steal whichever way you slice it. Come back next week for our...
News Online Play Not Showing Up on the Radar of Star Fox 64 3D
The only thing not taking to the skies are Wi-Fi signals
Those of you hoping to blast it out with friends on Star Fox 64 3D, can, but you'll all have to be in the same room to do so. During the retailer meetings in Japan this week, people in attendance were treated to playable 3DS titles such as the aforementioned Star Fox game, and an attendee from...
News First 3DS Screenshots Escape From The Abyss
Grand Tales
Following the good news that Tales of the Abyss is coming to 3DS, Namco Bandai has revealed the first screenshots of the game in action on the console. The stills show the full range of RPG staples, with battle sequences, anime cutscenes, grandiose cities and the world map all shown in glorious 2D-o-vision. Check out the screenshots in...
News Iwata Asks About the Music of Xenoblade Chronicles
Scoring an epic
Nintendo is localising Xenoblade Chronicles for Europe at least, and players anticipating the game's score might want to read the latest Iwata Asks about the game. Producer Tetsuya Takahashi reveals the reasons behind asking renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda to write the final track, but it's veteran game musician Yoko Shimomura who...
News Nintendo to Distribute Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D in Europe
Keeps signing those deals
Nintendo pledged to give more support to third party publishers on 3DS, signing European distribution and marketing deals for Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition and Dead or Alive: Dimensions. Now you can add Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D to that list, as Nintendo of Europe has signed on to bring the game to Europe. In a...
News Developer Blog Excavates More Details on Dr Lautrec
Info at the drop of a hat
If you're curious about the development of Dr Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights, Konami has just opened Pandora's box with its first developer video on the game. The blog delves into the creation of Konami's first new IP for 3DS, detailing the design of the lead character and his 19th Century Parisian world. We'll have more...
News Rising Star Setting Out a Grand Bazaar for European Farmers
Due to sprout in 2011
Rising Star Games has been bringing Harvest Moon games to European Nintendo fans for years, and the publisher has just confirmed it's continuing this tradition by releasing Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar across Europe this year. The game was released in North America last year, so read through our Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar review...
Wednesday11th May 2011
Rumour Famitsu Details 3DS eShop Launch Line-Up
What have we here?
Everyone's still waiting for details of the 3DS eShop launch: when, what, when, how, when. Apparently a translation by The Magic Box of this week's Famitsu Magazine contains the details of what Japanese gamers will be able to play when the eShop goes live. The firmware update — a date for which was not given — will include...
News DSi Firmware Gets an Update
System Menu cranks to 1.4.2
Nintendo has been pretty mum on the firmware update front for quite some time, but today broke that silence by quietly rolling out an update to its DSi line. Nudging the ticker up to version 1.4.2, the update description appears utterly unspectacular at face value by declaring that it brings along behind-the-scenes...
News A Dragon Quest Collection for Wii Draws Near!
25 years young
2011 is a busy year of anniversary celebrations: Sonic the Hedgehog reaches 20 and both Legend of Zelda and Metroid turn 25. While SEGA and Nintendo are sure to have some birthday plans in the works, Square Enix doesn't want you to forget about the 25th anniversary of Dragon Quest, as it's releasing a commemorative pack in its native...
News Pandora's Tower Trailer is Very Japanese in A Good Way
Chains of love
Wii adventure Pandora's Tower may be Japan-only for now, as neither Nintendo's American or European arms have revealed any plans to bring the game to the West. Whether or not the game stays in Japan, the trailer below is too good not to share. Key to Pandora's Tower is hero Ende's chains, which can be used to attack enemies, scale...
News SEGA Wants to Crush 3DS with New Project
The game of your dreams
Last month's ESRB rating for Crush 3D unearthed the game, but now SEGA is ready to shout about its upcoming 3DS puzzler. You play Danny, an insomniac whose only hope of regaining normal sleeping patterns is to undergo a series of scientific experiments that induce sleep and allow him to conquer the odd obstacles found within...
News Wii Play Motion Screens Show Spooks, Stones and Lots of Smiles
Just a touch whimsical
The MotionPlus-enhanced Wii Remote Plus has plenty of potential uses: as a sword in Red Steel 2 or Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, or any number of sporting implements in Wii Sports Resort, but it's about to get a real workout in Wii Play Motion. Nintendo has published the first screenshots, available below, that reveal a...
News Egypt: Engineering an Empire Taking Over WiiWare and DSiWare
Two more strategy games headed to Nintendo's digital stores
Originally announced for the DS, Egypt: Engineering an Empire will now be launching on two different platforms. Based on a documentary from The History Channel of the same name, Egypt: Engineering an Empire is a turn-based strategy game from Bloober Team and is already available on iOS...
News Ace Combat Flies Into the 3DS Danger Zone
Top Gun high-fives all around
Namco Bandai has announced its action-packed aerial combat series Ace Combat is coming to 3DS. The news came at the same Dubai conference that confirmed Tales of The Abyss 3DS is going global. Developed by series stalwarts Project Aces, little is known about the game yet, other than that the idea of shooting down planes...
News Mighty Milky Way - Gameplay Trailer
Planet jumping madness now playing
Although Mighty Milky Way was released on the DSiWare service yesterday, there still wasn't a gameplay trailer of the game anywhere to be found. Now thanks to the kind folks at WayForward, gamers can finally see the game in action in the exclusive Nintendo Life Mighty Milky Way gameplay trailer below. We'll also...
News Tales of the Abyss 3DS Confirmed for Europe
Game gets global green light
Worried about the Western release chances of the 3DS RPG Tales of the Abyss? Then worry no more friends, for Namco Bandai has confirmed the game will see a global release. The announcement came at the publisher's Level Up conference in Dubai, where VP Olivier Comte had this to say: We were there at the launch of 3DS and...
Tuesday10th May 2011
News Wait, Did Majesco Just Announce the First Wii 2 Game?
Strange goings-on afoot
Update: PR firm Reverb Games has responded, clarifying that the second platform is already available. Project Café jets: powering down. Zumba Fitness currently sits atop the UK all-formats chart in the UK, out-selling every other game available, mostly thanks to its recent release on the Wii. The announcement that publisher...
News First FIFA 12 3DS Screenshots and Details Score
EA sticks the boot in
EA was always going to follow Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D with its own football game, so it's no surprise the smartly named FIFA 12 is coming to 3DS later this year. Where Pro Evo claimed the title of "first 3D football game", FIFA 12 nabs the slightly less auspicious "first 3D street football...
Rumour 3DS Developer Conference Next Tuesday
Hopefully a particular date will get decided
Whatever the reason is for delaying the system update on the 3DS, an update that will enable the Nintendo eShop as well as other functionalities, gamers are past caring now and just want to know when it will be available. According to a message supposedly posted on Nintendo's development site Wario...
News News Report Reveals Resi Evil: Mercenaries 3D's Release Date
Axe no questions
This just in: the upcoming carnage featured in Capcom's Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D has made it onto UK news channels. The latest report comes from RETV, with more footage of the outbreak of over-the-top violence as well as the first shots of experienced zombie-fighter Rebecca Chambers. The rash of zombie attacks is expected...
News Nintendo Confirms Live Stream of E3 2011 Show
Start bookmarking now
Yesterday we brought you Nintendo's E3 2011 conference details, but the real question on everyone's lips — other than "why are British and American Smarties so different? — was "will Nintendo be streaming the event live?" Well the good news is that you'll be able to get that new console smell beamed right to...
News Prepare for Dead or Alive with Five Minutes of 3DS Gameplay
Getting jiggle with it
Dead or Alive: Dimensions is just ten days away from Europe and two weeks from North America, so publisher Tecmo Koei has released a lengthy video to explain the game's features. The Japanese video shows off the game's training mode as well as the new Chronicles mode, where players battle through a story based on the four...
News Start Your Engines for FAST - Racing League's Release Date
Europe first past the post
Shin'en's past WiiWare output has been pretty solid — both Art of Balance and Jett Rocket sit near the top of their genres — so hopes are high that upcoming racer FAST — Racing League can continue the studio's hot streak. The developer has just been in touch to let us know the game's European release date is locked...
Monday9th May 2011
News 3DS Virtual Console's First Third Party Games Get Rated
ESRB ratings unearthed
The 3DS Virtual Console is only a matter of weeks away, and while we've known for some time that Nintendo's own Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX are coming, no third party games for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color had been announced. Until now. North American ratings bastion the ESRB has put out...
Nintendo Download 9th May 2011 (North America)
Mighty Milky Way and MDK 2 mark a good week
Certainly one of the stronger Nintendo Downloads in recent memory, today sees a new DSiWare game from Shantae: Risky's Revenge creators WayForward on the same day a well-respected classic hits WiiWare. WiiWare: MDK 2 (Interplay, 1000pts) — Here are some words you don't often see in the Nintendo Download:...
News Nintendo Confirms E3 2011 Conference Details
Where will you be?
One of the most exciting days in the gaming calendar is just four weeks away, as Nintendo has announced the date, time and location of its E3 press conference. The big event kicks off on Tuesday 7th June at 9am Pacific Time at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. As always, Nintendo Life will be bringing you all the news live —...
Rumour Sonic Generations and Time Crisis Heading to 3DS
Gamestop thinks so, anyway
The joy that surrounded Sega's announcement of Sonic Generations — a celebration of the hedgehog's near-20 year career — quickly dissipated for Nintendo fans when it emerged the game is not heading to Wii, 3DS or DS. Don't give up on the blue guy just yet though, as according to an alleged Gamestop release list he may...
News Nintendo of America Hires Scott Moffitt as New Executive VP
Everyone, welcome the new guy
After Cammie Dunaway's departure from Nintendo in late 2010, Reggie Fils-Aime stood in as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, but now he can step aside as Nintendo of America has announced Cammie's successor: Scott Moffitt. Moffitt comes from a successful sales background, having worked on Dial soap, Right...
News Steel Diver Sinks Without Trace at UK Retail
Ships abandoned all over the country
Last Friday saw just one major new release hit UK shelves: Nintendo's Steel Diver launched on 3DS, but failed to register as even a blip on the official Top 40 chart. The full top 40 list for all-formats only contains LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D as 3DS games, where they are...
Rumour Metal Gear Solid to Sneak Onto 3DS in November
Makes ! sound
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D was one of the most impressive games shown off for 3DS at E3 last year, but since then we've seen nothing new on the title. Now an anonymous Konami source has told MCV that the game is shooting for a European release this November. Konami's pre-E3 show is set for 2nd June at an unspecified time so we...
News 3DS Joins the World Rally Championship This Year
Here's mud in your eyes
3DS has already proven itself capable of handling accomplished racing games, with Ridge Racer 3D a highlight of the console's launch line-up, and Ubisoft is preparing its own four-wheel outing with World Rally Championship 2011. The game will be the first fruit of Ubi's recent acquisition of the WRC licence, meaning a full...
News Gamelion Filling More DSiWare Dashes with Extreme Hangman 2
More words to guess
Extreme Hangman was — and still is — one of the best-selling games on DSiWare, so it's no surprise that developer Gamelion wants to bring more of the same to handheld downloaders. Extreme Hangman 2 will feature 14 new categories containing over 3,000 words, as well as more of the humorous animations that made the original...
Sunday8th May 2011
Review Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 - From The Abyss (DSiWare)
Second verse, same as the first
Anonymous Notes Chapter 1 - From the Abyss turned out to be a mechanically sound albeit slightly aimless dungeon crawler with a couple of interesting ideas up its sleeve. Save for a different main character, this is the exact same game as before. Not that we were expecting anything else — both games selectively pull...
Ahoy, mateys!
So, you’re already thinking “really? Another puzzle game? Really?” But wait! Ikibago, the latest DSiWare title from Neko Entertainment, has got pirates in it! It may be lacking in the ninja, robot, zombie and unicorn territories, but there are plenty of pirates in this fun and addictive puzzler to go around. In the...
News Japanese Hardware / Software Sales Show the 3DS Needs a Boost
Launching more decent games might help
If there's anything to be learnt from the Japanese hardware and software sales numbers, it's that Nintendo is struggling to recapture the dominant performance of the 3DS when it first launched. After reclaiming the top spot in the hardware chart, the 3DS was once again overtaken by th
Saturday7th May 2011
News Super Mario 3D to Use 3DS Gyro Sensor
No second analogue stick, no problem
While we currently don't have a lot of concrete information on Nintendo's upcoming Super Mario 3D, we are beginning to see bits and pieces of info trickling out as we near this year's E3 show in Los Angeles. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Miyamoto explained how the game's camera system would be...
Review Ice Hockey Slovakia 2011 (DSiWare)
Wayne not-so-greatzky
Many people are familiar with table football – sometimes referred to as "foosball" — that consists of a table containing little miniature football/soccer players on rods with handles sticking through the case that you can pull, push and twist. A ball is dropped in the centre of the table, which the opponents must...
News Mighty Milky Way Hits DSiWare on Monday
Planet-hopping fun is almost here
WayForward has just announced that their newest release Mighty Milky Way will be coming to the North American DSiWare service on Monday, May 9th. The game will cost you 800 Nintendo Points, but considering the developer's track record on the service, it would seem a small price to pay. We'll have a full review of...
Friday6th May 2011
News Nintendo Changes Club Nintendo Privacy Policy
Accept or lose your rewards
Nintendo of Europe has revised the privacy policy of its respective websites, asking users to login and accept the changes or risk losing those hard-earned VIP Stars. To keep using the site, users must login and accept the changes before 31st May 2011. If users reject the changes, they can still continue using the site...
News New Video Explains the Differences in Pokemon Black and White
A little late, we know
Pokémon Black and White: still haven't made up your mind which version to go for? Let Nintendo's helpful new video explain a few of the differences between the two games. Each version features an exclusive area and unique monsters to nab, as well as a few other quirks that are best discovered yourself. Find out more by...
News Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion Knocked Back to June
On the way at $40
3DS brawler Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion was due for release on 24th May, but publisher Crave Games has dropped us a line to let us know it'll now be released on 21st June. Your $40 will get you an impressive line-up of Cartoon Network characters, details of which can be found at the newly-launched Cartoon Network Punchtime...
News Naruto Shippuden Trailer Looks Less Than Ninja-Like
Target: Locked on
When it was announced popular ninja anime series Naruto Shippuden would receive a 3DS makeover fans were thrilled, but judging from the trailer below some may be disappointed at how the game is shaping up. Although the game's subtle cel-shaded graphics do a decent job of capturing the series' artistic style, there's a few rough...
Features The Power-Ups of MotoHeroz
Sounds like a blast
MotoHeroz is a WiiWare game being created by Trials HD developer RedLynx, of Helsinki, Finland. We've teamed up with the Finnish developer to bring you a series of exclusive articles, starting with The World of MotoHeroz and The Characters of MotoHeroz. The Power-Ups of MotoHeroz: What's a fun arcade racing game without pow
News Wii Price Cut Could Bring About the £99 Wii
Retailers optimistic
After four years on the market, Nintendo Europe recently dropped the trade price on the Wii, which will allow retailers to offer the console at around £129.99. Naturally many chains are pleased at this new price reduction, with some looking to offer the machine even cheaper at just £99.99. MCV claims retailers may look to...
Thursday5th May 2011
News THQ Cancels Saints Row: Drive-By for 3DS
Dry your eyes
THQ's Saints Row: Drive-By won't be parking on 3DS after all, as the publisher has announced it's no longer developing the title. The game was headed to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network as well as 3DS, but a THQ representative put a figurative bullet in its chances of coming to the console by confirming the game isn't in the works...
Nintendo Download 6th May 2011 (Europe)
Plants, pirates and pianos
Puzzle fans are typically well catered-for in this week's update, so let's get down and see what's available tomorrow. DSiWare: Plants vs. Zombies (PopCap Games, 800pts) — Essentially a cut-down version of the recent retail release, this is still brimming with horticultural strategy and is well worth your 800 Points...
Review Successfully Learning English: Year 3 (DSiWare)
Are these A, B, Cs as easy as 1, 2, 3?
It seems that Tivola’s campaign to bring educational entertainment, or edutainment, to Nintendo consoles is yet to run out of steam. Successfully Learning English: Year 3 is the second entry in this DSiWare series, and the sixth ‘Successfully Learning’ title overall. The first Successfully Learning...
News New Dream Trigger 3D Trailer Shoots to Thrill
Called 'Anxiety', but don't worry
Dream Trigger 3D is one of the more intriguing prospects coming to 3DS: a pseudo-retro shooter with a feature list that includes 'electronic remixes of classical music' and 'blasting enemies into multicoloured 3D explosions'. It also has a new trailer, which you can watch below. The video is titled 'Anxiety', so you...
News Brunswick Pro Bowling Rolling Towards a 3DS Release
Crave Entertainment is back with more tenpin action
The sense of depth provided by the 3DS might make it easier to manoeuvre around those tricky corners in racing games, but Crave Entertainment is hoping it will also make it easier to pick up those strikes and spares too. Brunswick Pro Bowling has been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating...
Wednesday4th May 2011
Review The Ignition Factor (SNES)
It burns, but it doesn't crash
Ask anybody to name some firefighting games and you'll be lucky if they name one. Despite the games about the profession generally being quite good, there's not many of them, and they're not very widely known either. The Ignition Factor is one of only two on the SNES, the other one being the more well-known The...
Review Zoonies - Escape from Makatu (DSiWare)
A great escape?
New developers have gravitated towards DSiWare since it launched, resulting in a broad variety of titles on the service. Kiloo Games is another developer making its DSiWare debut, having previously focussed on developing for smartphones, entering the fray with puzzle platformer Zoonies – Escape from Makatu. In Zoonies you play as...
News New Elements Planned for Mario Kart on the 3DS
Is this what you were hoping?
With the exact release date of Mario Kart on the 3DS still undetermined, we can at least take solace in that fact that when it does launch, we'll be experiencing a somewhat refreshed franchise. In an interview conducted by Nintendo Power magazine, 3DS producer Hideki Konno spoke about how Nintendo wants to introduce...
Feature Lads of the Rising Sun
How two unassuming British programmers succeeded inside the halls of Nintendo
As a nation, the Japanese have gained a reputation of being particularly insular; despite their wholehearted acceptance of many aspects of western culture, they tend to regard their own products, traditions and population as superior. Bearing this in mind, the success of...
News Nintendo Drops Wii to $149.99 and Launches Budget Games
It's all coming true
After some heavy speculation, Nintendo has officially announced Wii is dropping to $149.99 starting on 15th May. The pack-in title will change from Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort to Mario Kart Wii with a Wii Wheel, though the bundle still includes a Wii Remote Plus. Not only that, the Wii Select budget range we revealed...
Nothing funny rhymes with "Ubongo"
Ubongo is a board game that's won its fair share of awards in continental Europe, and came to WiiWare via a not-so-great adaptation. Shrinking the game to the DSiWare platform doesn't do it any favours either, sadly, and comes with a host of new problems. As opposed to the four-player original board game and...
News Europe Gets New Wii Bundle and Budget Range Too
Console price drop incoming
The Wii is dropping to $149.99 in North America soon, but Europe's not being left out of the fun, as Nintendo of Europe has announced its own line-up of cheap Wii treats. From 20th May, the Wii will drop to £129.99 / €144.99 (approximately) with the launch of a new bundle that removes Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort...
News Not Konami's Intention to Make Lautrec Look Like Layton
Producer talks about sequel possibilities
There's a reason why there are similarities between Level-5's Professor Layton games and the upcoming Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights from Konami, as the game's producer Noriaki Okamura explains. Speaking to Planet3DS, Okamura acknowledges superficial similarities such as the main character's top...
News Gear Up for Solatorobo's Launch with New Videos
Publicity push planned
Namco Bandai's furry mech RPG Solatorobo: Red the Hunter is due to attack European DS consoles on 1st July, courtesy of Nintendo. The publishing team-up has just announced a plan to bring new videos and details on the game every other week as its release date approaches. For the uninitiated, Solatorobo is an action RPG title...
Tuesday3rd May 2011
Rumour Wii Successor Won't Have a Traditional Hard Drive
SD cards might be sticking around
With E3 2011 just weeks away, there's still plenty of time for rumours and claims from anonymous sources to surface about Nintendo's next home console. Kotaku's sources have revealed that the console will supposedly have 8 gigabytes of on-board flash memory instead of a more traditional hard drive, a significant...
News Get Another Taste of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D with This Video
Like Young Link, it's only short
This game needs no introduction, and it's unlikely many are on the fence about it: you've either already pre-ordered it and put aside the funds, or aren't buying it on principle. Whichever way you swing, the video below shows how the game's shaping up now it's just over a month away. The video shows Sheik, Ganondorf,...
Rumour Nintendo to Launch "Wii Select" Budget Range
Coincides with console price drop
Last month we reported that the Wii may drop to $150 this month, but according to the latest rumour it's not just the console dropping in price, as Nintendo is set to introduce a budget line of software along the lines of its past Player's Choice lines. According to Kotaku, this month will see a new range of $19.99...
News Forget About Cards, Have an Augmented Reality Tattoo
Some think it's a good idea
You know those 3DS Augmented Reality T-shirts? Well, it seems someone (probably the not the only one) has taken things further and given himself an AR "card" that he'll have for the rest of his life. Going by the name of cranberryzero (CBZ), this gamer has gotten a forearm tattoo based on one of the 3DS AR...
News Xenoblade Chronicles Rated by OFLC
The highly anticipated RPG is headed down under
The OFLC, Australia's ratings classification board, has just rated Xenoblade Chronicles, awarding the title an M for fantasy violence. With this news, it's likely that an announcement of a North American release will be next, and you can rest assured that we'll keep our eyes peeled on the ESRB's new...
Monday2nd May 2011
Nintendo Download 2nd May 2011 (North America)
Rival Turf! Hair cuts! BINGO!
The Nintendo Download continues its merry path this week with releases on all formats, though only one genuinely new game in the form of DSiWare's pirate puzzler Ikibago. Read on and see what's in store this week. Virtual Console: Rival Turf! (Jaleco, Super NES, 800pts) — A relic from the days when scrolling beat 'em...
News Iwata: "We Need Big Games to Hit 3DS Sales Targets This Year"
Needs big name players to step up
Nintendo's set itself a target of selling 16 million 3DS consoles around the world in the coming financial year, but president Satoru Iwata knows the company will only succeed if the main attractions come out swinging. Speaking at a financial results briefing, the question was raised about whether big Nintendo...
News Nintendo Reinforcing Western Development for Wii's Successor
Despite what some might think, Nintendo can't do everything by itself
Nintendo has a number of things to get right with the successor to the Wii, or else it risks facing more competition from its rivals than it needs to. Aside from setting a new paradigm in video gaming, Nintendo will have to build on the momentum that the launch of the 3DS has...
News What Happens When Animal Crossing Meets Lost?
And other questions answered
The world of video games contains more in-jokes than the Nintendo Life Hall of Fame, and the video below puts them in a slightly different environment to good effect. Referencing games from Duck Hunt to Animal Crossing and everything in between, the video Jamais Vu! by Evan Seitz is an animated whirl through gaming's...
News Iwata: "Kinect Has Made Little Impact on Wii Sales"
Buttons still in fashion
Last year saw the release of Microsoft's button-free Kinect, and many analysts predicted the sensor would bring an end to Wii's sales dominance in the West. That's not how Nintendo president Satoru Iwata feels however, as revealed at the recent goldmine of information that is the company's end of financial year results...
News Vitality Sensor Will Be Released When Everyone Can Enjoy It
Or 99% of people anyway
Nintendo recently assured everyone that the Vitality Sensor is still in development, but if you've been wondering what's taking so long, let Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explain. Speaking at a recent financial results briefing, Iwata clarified that the sensor is still on the way but won't reach the market until it's...
News Ever Seen Professional Ice Skaters Do a Super Mario Routine?
You can soon
Do not underestimate the impact of Super Mario Bros. — it's inspired beatboxers, flautists, orchestras, artists and plenty more in its 25 year history, but it's rarely hit the limelight for its influence on the world of professional ice skating. Today, that injustice ends. Top skaters Tatiana Volosozhar and Maksim Trankov took to the...
Rumour Xenoblade Voice Actors Out September EU Date, North American Release
The truth, or a goof?
It wouldn't be the first time that a voice actor has revealed a game's localisation plans. Apparently Xenoblade Chronicles is headed to the U.S. after all, according to the official website of voice actor Peter Dickson, who is cast in the English translation of the upcoming highly anticipated title. Additionally, his Twitter,...
News Tales of the Abyss Could Be Europe-Bound Next Year
Long wait on the cards
Dear European readers. Remember how left out you felt when we revealed that Tales of the Abyss is coming to North America? You can wipe those tears from your eyes now, as according to NGamer (via 3DS Tribe) the game is heading to Europe. The bad news, however, is that Tales of the Abyss might not make it to European shores...
Competition DSiWare Reels In Big Bass Arcade Later This Month
The DSi Shop must sell good bait, and our Facebook page is featuring a not-so-fishy competition...
You saw what you can catch in the Big Bass Arcade trailer, now you can find out when you can cast your line out. Big Bass Arcade from Big John Games is the latest in the growing line of fishing games from the Minnesota-based development studio. The...
Sunday1st May 2011
News Miyamoto: A Link to the Past Could be Reworked for the 3DS
Hyrule just looks too good in 3D
Deciding which old classics get the 3DS treatment is probably a more difficult task than we as consumers can imagine. Luckily, we have designers like Shigeru Miyamoto who seem to have a pretty clear idea on what might and might not work. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Miyamoto explained why The Legend of Zelda:...
News Chrono Trigger Rated, North American Release on the Cards
Square's classic looking to gain some new fans
Sixteen years after its original release, Chrono Trigger makes the jump from the past to the present, launching on the Virtual Console so that a new generation of gamers can enjoy the acclaimed role-playing game from the Super Nintendo era. With the game already available to download on the Japanese...
