News Nintendo Will Announce Wii U Release Date Next Year
So don't hold your breath
News - August, 2011
Wednesday31st Aug 2011
News NES Ambassador Games for North America Available Now
Get to it!
Nintendo's 3DS Ambassador program has just gone live in North America with 10 free NES games available to download. The games — which were scheduled to be released tomorrow — are available to download for eligible 3DS owners. As a reminder, here's what's available: Super Mario Bros. The Legend of Zelda Ice Climber Balloon...
News 3DS Ambassador Certificate Will Keep You Informed
Free video launches tomorrow
Nintendo is about to throw a whole bunch of free games at you tomorrow — here's the free NES 3DS games for North America — but many of you are already looking ahead to when the Game Boy Advance games will launch later this year. While that date is as-yet unspecified, Nintendo is preparing to launch a download to...
News Rytmik Retrobits Takes You Back in Time
One bit at a time
Remember when game music was a little less ambitious? When the most impressive creations were achieved with bleeps and bloops in a handful of channels? If you're nodding vigorously — or have no idea what we're talking about — then you might want to check out Rytmik Retrobits. Unlike previous instalments Hip Hop King: Rytmik...
News Fatal Frame Spin-Off Looms Over 3DS
Spirit Photo comes into focus
The West is still waiting for Fatal Frame IV on Wii, but the development team is now working on a spin-off for the 3DS called Spirit Photo, according to Famitsu (via Andriasang.) Predictably you'll be taking photos of the departed, using the 3DS's cameras in the process. The game also contains something called an AR...
News Cuddle Up to a Furry Legends DSiWare Trailer
Awww
While we're waiting for a release date for Furry Legends: Beginnings here's a trailer to make the wait a little easier. Gamelion sent over the new trailer showing what's in store when the Furries and Squaries face off in the upcoming downloadable DSiWare game. There's still no firm release date, but as the game was recently sent to Nintendo for...
News Picture Lives! Comes to Japan on 7th September
Drawing more details
One of the handful of 3DS downloadable games shown off at E3, Picture Lives! caused a stir with its strange premise: you draw a picture, and it comes to life. The clue's in the name. We haven't heard much about it since that day in June, but we're about to see a lot more as it's reaching Japan on 7th September. Among the new...
Tuesday30th Aug 2011
News These Are The 10 NES Ambassador Games in Japan
Here we go
The Nintendo 3DS NES Ambassador games are just two days away, and although there's been no official announcement of the full line-up yet the official Japanese 3DS eShop page has seen an update to feature the 10 NES games. Here's what's going to be available in Japan on Thursday. There may be a few changes to the Western releases, but for...
News North American NES Ambassador Games Announced
Same as Japan's
In just two days, early 3DS adopters will have the chance to download 10 free NES games from the eShop with an additional 10 Game Boy Advance titles to follow later in the year. We announced the Japanese Ambassador titles earlier, and now Nintendo has published the North American list as well. No surprises here; in fact, the...
Talking Point eShop Card Delay Proves Nintendo Still Doesn't Get It
Why the wait?
The Nintendo 3DS eShop was supposed to be available at the console's launch, but was delayed by nearly three months. It promised to improve on the company's so-far lacklustre efforts at building a digital presence for itself, but until recently it's struggled to impress, with one of the main problems being a total lack of payment cards...
News Could the Wii U Controller Do Full Body-Tracking?
Miyamoto drops an intriguing hint
Nintendo of Europe has just published the Iwata Asks Wii U discussion first made available just after E3, and while it's the same discussion as before something intriguing stood out on a second reading. Shigeru Miyamoto touches on Wii Fit's future when enhanced by the new controller. Although the original created...
News Wrestle With WWE All Stars on 3DS in November
Bulging muscles in 3D
THQ's WWE All Stars on Wii was a decent attempt at an arcade take on sports entertainment, but despite the game launching on practically every format — even PS2 got a look-in — there was no portable port for Nintendo formats. That'll change later this year though, as THQ has announced WWE All Stars for 3DS. While you might...
News Professor Layton's London Life Won't Make It to Europe
Update: bonus game denied
Update: Nintendo of Europe has now backtracked on its original statement and told us that London Life isn't coming to Europe. Original story follows: Nintendo of America's Professor Layton and the Last Specter press release yesterday caused some concern for European DS owners as it seemed to imply that the title's bonus...
News Europe Gets Zelda: Skyward Sword CD and Bundle Too
All inside
Nintendo Europe has reassured customers across the continent that the snazzy Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword special edition bundle with the gold Wii Remote Plus and music CD will make it to those shores in November. You'll need to pre-order at a participating retailer to secure yourself one of the limited edition controller packs, though...
News Musical Mario Toys Hit Japan, Score Continuous 1-Ups
Most wanted
Music and Mario go together like Princess Peach and promises of cake, so it's good to see the two celebrated in a new set of Mario toys hitting Japan. Inside Games reports on two new toys, set to retail for around 790 Yen ($10/£6.25/€7), each based on iconic moments from the history of Super Mario. One sees Mario descending into an...
News SEGA's Rhythm Thief Stealing Its Way West
Possibly into your heart
SEGA's new 3DS rhythm game with the rad name is officially hopping flights from Japan to North America and Europe next year under the new moniker of Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure. Playing as the thief Raphael, you attempt to unravel the mystery of what happened to your father through stealing, puzzle solving and,...
Monday29th Aug 2011
News Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Limited Edition Details
The music, the controller, the lot
Can't wait for Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword but want to know more about the limited edition gold Wii Remote Plus? Today is your lucky day. Nintendo has announced that the game and gold controller will be available in North America from 20th November, retailing at $69.99. The game will be available on its own for...
Review Aya and the Cubes of Light (WiiWare)
A game with gravity
If there's one system on the landscape of modern gaming that has an abundance of quality 2D platformers with a novel twist, it's the Wii. Kirby's Epic Yarn, And Yet It Moves, Donkey Kong Country Returns, New Super Mario Bros. Wii – all superb side-scrollers that mix the classic play mechanic of precision movement in an...
Review Magical Whip: Wizards of the Phantasmal Forest (DSiWare)
Magically delicious!
Puzzle-style games have proven to be quite a good fit for the DSiWare service, but some gamers have expressed concern at the growing number of puzzlers that have flooded DSiWare in recent months. Thankfully, Agetec's Magical Whip: Wizards of the Phantasmal Forest brings a fun experience to the service, and while not the most...
Review Let's Create! Pottery (DSiWare)
Let's not
Let's Create! Pottery may have the least appealing title this side of Let's Perform! Complex Trigonometry and Let's Compose! A Musical About Kobe Bryant's Lunch, but its problems run much deeper than that. Mainly, it’s just not very fun. The game begins with a title screen that offers several options, but none of them involve starting...
News A Better Look at Those Samus Aran Statues
Zeroing in
Last weekend saw some new Metroid: Other M figures revealed, and now we have some decent photos of the statues courtesy of Tomopop and Tokyo Hunter. Zero Suit Samus is stood next to a baby Metroid, whereas the poseable Power Suit version of the heroine just comes as-is ready to save the universe, presumably. We're sure some savv
News Professor Layton's Last Specter Out in October
London Life mode revealed
There's something inexplicably thrilling about getting a new game, but how about getting two new games in one? We bet you're giddy already. The next announcement might just tip you over the edge: Professor Layton and the Last Specter is coming to North America on 17th October and contains a bonus game. Layton's had bonus...
News Tetris: Axis Swings By 3DS on 2nd October
Form a line
Remember your first time playing Tetris on Game Boy? You know what would make that experience even better? 3D. Nintendo has just announced that Tetris: Axis will see release in North America on 2nd October, bringing with it 8-player Download Play, Augmented Reality and SpotPass features too. In fact, there are over 20 gameplay modes,...
News Analyst Predicts Monster Hunter Announcement at TGS 2011
Here we go again
Every time a major games event comes around, the rumour mill fires up to maximum efficiency and churns out a sludgy stream of hype and nonsense, in which one may occasionally find a glimmering diamond of truth. With Tokyo Games Show a few weeks away, Japanese analyst Mizuho Securities has predicted a big announcement from Capcom at...
News Aliens Infest North America on 11th October
Earlier in Europe, though
WayForward's homage to the Aliens series should be showing up on your motion trackers soon, as SEGA has announced the game will release in North America on 11th October, with a European release slightly earlier on 30th September. The 2D action shooter boasts WayForward's usual quality artwork, but can the company turn its...
News Star Fox 64 3D Multiplayer Trailer Brings its Friends
The gang's all here
We're just weeks away from Star Fox 64 3D, and Nintendo is starting to make a big noise about a new feature in its next 3DS game: wireless multiplayer. The new trailer below shows off the game's local multiplayer — sadly no Internet play here — including use of the 3DS's internal camera to show your face to your opponents,...
News New Stills From SEGA's Emperor Napoleon Rhythm Game
Sleek beat agents
The game with the best name ever — SEGA's Japanese 3DS game Rhythm Phantom Thief R: Inheritance of the Emperor Napoleon — just threw a few new screenshots our way with all the panache of a hat flung across the dance floor before landing perfectly on a hat stand. Blending button, touch screen and motion controls, the game looks...
Saturday27th Aug 2011
News ESRB Rates Mega Man X2 for Virtual Console
More love for Mega Man
With the re-release of Mega Man X on the Wii's Virtual Console back in April, it looks like the X series is set to return as a classification from the Entertainment Software Rating Board suggests, Tucked away within the ESRB website is a rating for Mega Man X2. Originally released on the SNES back in 1994, the action...
Feature Wii Controllers - What Could Have Been
Wii never knew...
Part of our mission at Nintendo Life is to highlight parts of the gaming world that were previously unknown. To that end, our experienced researchers have been rooting around the archives of Wii history and discovered the original patent application for the Wii Remote. Reading patent documentation isn’t the most stimulating of...
A bit of a fixer-upper
The year was 2008. Mario and Sonic were on their way to the Olympic Games, the 3DS was but a twinkle in Satoru Iwata's eye and the housing bubble was on its way to bursting. You wouldn't know that last fact, however, from MumboJumbo's 2008 real estate celebration Build-a-lot, a retail DS adaptation of HipSoft's 2007 PC game of...
News Max Factory to Unleash New Metroid: Other M Figures
Comes in two flavours
Compared to Nintendo's other main franchises, there's an undeniable lack of Metroid merchandise out there in the wild, but Japanese figurine manufacturer Max Factory is taking a stab at correcting that with two new figures based on Metroid: Other M as spotted at a recent Japanese toy fair. One figure will be a small replica of...
News 1950s Lawn Mower Kids to Release Next Week
Keep off the grass!
Publisher Zordix AB is continuing its quirky output of DSiWare releases ― as revealed back in June with a rather informative trailer ― and fans of grass cutting are sure to be in for for a treat. 1950s Lawn Mower Kids does what it says on the tin. Set in suburban America in the '50s, the game features Tom, Nancy and Tim as...
Friday26th Aug 2011
Review Gargoyle's Quest (3DS eShop / GB)
Firebrand is so hot right now
The Game Boy enjoyed one of the longest lifespans of any system to date, outlasting rivals and finding its way into the hearts of gamers the world over. Following a very basic logic, a system with a long lifespan will typically have a large amount of titles worth your time. In fact, games were being released for the...
News Japanese Virtual Console List - September 2011
Japan keeps getting the goodies
The Wii Virtual Console might barely be getting any games in the West now — Europe hasn't had any new ones for almost three months — but that isn't stopping Japan from continuing at the same pace as always. This month Japanese Wii owners will get another four new titles to download. Atlus keeps supporting the...
News What Are Aonuma's Controller Ideas for Wii U Zelda?
The controller is U
The demo of Zelda HD at this year's E3 was stunning, and showed the Wii U controller used as a virtual rucksack for Link, but Zelda boss Eiji Aonuma has bigger ambitions for the touch screen controller than just holding bombs and Deku sticks. Aonuma spoke to Nintendo Power about potential uses for the controller, though nothing...
News New Wii Design Could Go As Low as £80
Retailers gear up for Christmas
The new look Wii is coming to Europe, and comes with Wii Sports and Wii Party but no GameCube support. It's now come to light that Nintendo isn't expected to drastically reduce the console's trade price, but that retailers may still drop the machine to as low as £79.99 in the run-up to Christmas. A Nintendo...
News Inazuma Eleven Finally Makes it to UK Today
Taking its time
The DS football RPG from the developers of Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven finally reaches UK shores today after a huge delay. On-the-ball readers may remember it was mistakenly released in small quantities back in January, but it was always Nintendo's plan to release the game properly alongside the cartoon series which just began...
Thursday25th Aug 2011
News Harvest Moon: Tale of Two Towns Comes with Fluffy Surprise
Hint: it's an alpaca
Natsume's next farming adventure is nearly ready to sprout in North America, with Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns coming to DS on 20th September. As is par for the course, the publisher is offering a special pre-order bonus to anyone who puts down money for the game at Gamestop: a cuddly alpaca, celebrating the grazing...
Nintendo Download 25th August 2011 (North America)
Watched over by the Gargoyle
This week in the Nintendo Download there's something new available for almost every downloadable platform, with 3DSWare the only thing missing out. There's even a WiiWare demo, so without any further hesitation let's bring you the rundown. 3DS Virtual Console: Gargoyle's Quest (Game Boy, Capcom, $3.99) — Play as...
News Inflatable Wii Karts Finally Blow Up In Europe
What you've been missing!
Oh, Nintendo. When you created the Wii Remote and wowed us with its universal applications — a tennis racquet! A chopping knife! A fishing rod! — did you have any idea you'd just opened the Pandora's Box of appalling accessories? In the years Wii has been on the market we've seen exercise bikes, lightsaber holsters and...
News New Kirby Wii Shots Brighten Up Our Day
See his return to Dreamland
Good old Kirby, always getting along with everyone for the good of the world. That's surely the reason he's teaming up with King Dedede, Meta Knight and Waddle Dee in Kirby's Return to Dreamland, coming to Wii in North America on 24th October. Nintendo just released some suitably colourful new screenshots of the pink...
Wednesday24th Aug 2011
News Rhythm Heaven Wii & 3DS Take Japan Chart Top Spots
A good week
Last week 3DS sales leapt in Japan after the console dropped from 25,000 Yen to 15,000 Yen, and it's still ruling the roost this week according to Media Create's figures. The console sold 105,639 units to sit pretty at the top of the chart, outselling all other consoles combined. It was still a sharp decline from the previous week...
News Telltale Bringing Back to the Future Wii to Retail
More games to follow
Way back last year we broke the news that Back to the Future would not make it to WiiWare, but Telltale has just announced an agreement with Nintendo of America that will see the series reach Wii after all. Back to the Future: The Game will contain all the episodes available digitally on other platforms, and will see release on...
News SEGA's New 3DS Rhythm Game Has the Best Name Ever
Are you ready?
SEGA's supporting 3DS with some of its well-known franchises — Sonic Generations and Shinobi, for instance — but the company is preparing to unleash a brand new series on the console with one of the greatest game names we've ever heard. Are you ready? According to Famitsu, SEGA's readying Rhythm Phantom Thief R: Inheritance of the...
News NightSky Coming to 3DS eShop
Long-awaited WiiWare release heads to 3DS
For those who don't know (or possibly forgot), NightSky was originally planned for release on Nintendo's WiiWare service. And while the game did recently see a release on PC, we haven't seen any new information on the WiiWare version for some time. Thanks to a Tweet by @Nicalis this afternoon, we now know...
News Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny Crashes In Next Month
North American date confirmed
Natsume has revealed that the the long-awaited second Wii entry in the Rune Factory series, Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny, will see the light of day in North America on 27th September. The Rune Factory spin-off from the popular Harvest Moon series combines farming elements with more traditional role-playing features,...
News Metal Slug-Style Action From Cinemax Coming to DSiWare
Go Commando: Steel Disaster
SNK's revered Metal Slug series has already made one stop on DS in the form of Metal Slug 7, but there's been no downloadable outing for Marco and crew. While that's not looking likely to change, Cinemax is getting ready to transfer retail game Commando: Steel Disaster across to DSiWare later this year. The run-and-gun...
News Japan Gets Cool Zelda-Themed Prepaid Cards
Grab the Skyward Sword
Over in Japan, Nintendo releases all kinds of themed cards for its digital stores, from Mario and Link eShop cards to a new range of Zelda 25th Anniversary eShop cards. The cards each focus on a different game, from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to the latest design promoting Skyward Sword. Each costs 1,000 Yen. There's a...
Tuesday23rd Aug 2011
Rumour Nintendo Preparing Dual Analogue 3DS Revamp
Add-on for current consoles too
French site 01net has sparked up another intense round of rumour milling with its latest rumour that Nintendo is currently preparing to unveil a new design of the Nintendo 3DS. 01net's anonymous source claims the company will show off a new version of the console that downplays the 3D aspects and introduces a second...
Rumour Nintendo Readying Big Announcement Next Month
What could it be?
According to a collection of rumours rounded-up by Andriasang, Nintendo will make a big announcement on 13th September. A Japanese analyst told Bloomberg that Nintendo share prices had increased on the back of reports of a 3DS-related event to take place on 13th September, two days before the Tokyo Games Show where Nintendo once...
News Kirby Makes His Return to Dreamland on 24th October
Take a deep breath
Wii owners in North America, you don't have to wait until Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is out on 20th November to play something new for your console: Kirby's Return to Dreamland is coming on 24th October. The four-player romp also be playable at the Penny Arcade Expo this week, so if you're in the Seattle area you can go...
News New Wii is No Smaller Than Before
Just cheaper
The new look Wii console will lose GameCube compatibility, which prompted some to presume the console will be more compact, but Nintendo has revealed the console is exactly the same size as its predecessor. The Nintendo website listed the box contents, and specifically states: The newly configured Wii console retains the same physical...
News Sonic 4: Episode II Not Due Until 2012
Will it still hit WiiWare?
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has revealed that the follow-up to 2010 platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 won't launch until 2012 at the earliest. Iizuka cited the anniversary celebrations surrounding Sonic Generations as one of the reasons we won't see the 2D game until next year: This year, 2011, is the...
Review Blockado - Puzzle Island (DSiWare)
Too tried-and-true
Bitfield's Blockado series has already enjoyed success on Apple's iOS devices, but now the game is looking to take on Nintendo's DSiWare service with a little sliding-block puzzle action. And while there are a few interesting new twists in Blockado: Puzzle Island, it's still basically the same gameplay idea the series has been...
News Nintendo Brings Big Name Games to PAX This Week
Mario, Zelda and more on show
If you're on your way to PAX in Seattle this week, there's good news: you'll be able to get your hands on some of the biggest games heading to Nintendo consoles later this year. Attendees will be able to play Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 among others. Saturday August 27th will see...
News More Xenoblade Chronicles Let's Play Videos Join the Fray
See more of the RPG everyone's talking about
Xenoblade Chronicles landed in the UK charts in seventh place, but if you've not been convinced to pick it up yet — or if you've had trouble locating it — a new set of Let's Play videos hits the game's official YouTube channel this week. One new video launches today, while a second lands on Thursday...
News Let's Create! Pottery on DSiWare This Week
Demi Moore nowhere in sight
We've seen tattooing in Art of Ink, music creation in Rytmik and cosmetics in Make Up & Style, but DSiWare's appetite for unusual games is insatiable. Surely Infinite Dreams' Thursday release Let's Create! Pottery will go some way to plugging a hole, though. The 500 Point title promises "eye-catching gorgeous 3D...
Monday22nd Aug 2011
Review 3D Classics: Urban Champion (3DSWare)
3D Classic, huh? Well, they're half right...
You really have to feel bad for the team assigned to updating Urban Champion. After all, it's not a game that's very fondly remembered; in fact, you're unlikely to find many positive reviews at all, even from when it was new. It's also a stretch to say that it set the framework for fighting games to...
Review Flight Control (WiiWare)
Near miss
The secret of Flight Control's incredible success on iOS devices was that it was perfectly suited to the platform it launched on. It very simply transposed the immediacy of direct touch controls that iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch benefit from within a game that is superficially nothing more than drawing lines on a screen. Yet the key phrase...
Nintendo Download 25th August 2011 (Europe)
Three new titles
A trio of games round out August in Europe, with something on DSiWare, WiiWare and the 3DS Virtual Console as the Wii's Virtual Console drought continues. Here's what's dropping in this week. 3DS Virtual Console: Gargoyle's Quest (Game Boy, Capcom, €4/£3.60) — The ugly gargoyle appears on Virtual Console in this 2D adventure...
News Super Smash Bros. Dices with Fan-Made Board Game
For when a console won't cut it
Taking all the action of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and turning into a board game is no easy proposition, but that's exactly what one fan has done to prove his skills. James Gabbard is the man responsible for this complicated but awesome-looking Super Smash Bros. Board game, put together to support his application for an...
News Nintendo eShop Cards Make it Down Under
Slowly spreading out
Australian outlets of EB Games have started stocking eShop cards for the 3DS, with Mario and Zelda-themed cards now available. As with Nintendo Points, you can use these new cards on the Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop or 3DS eShop, though the points can't be distributed between the three: you must put the full value into one of...
News Xenoblade Chronicles Assaults UK Top 10
In at seven
In a turn-up for the books, Japanese RPG Xenoblade Chronicles has sold well enough to make it to seventh place in the official UK charts. It wasn't the only Nintendo title to make it into the top 10 though: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D continued its post-3DS price cut rise up the charts to make it to number 4, its highest position...
Review My Asian Farm (DSiWare)
Enter Old McDonald-San
Farming comes in many forms. Sometimes it's exotic. Sometimes it's Australian. And sometimes it's just regular, old-fashioned farming. But nothing you've seen in this DSiWare series, consisting of split-up portions of 2009's retail release My Farm Around the World, could have prepared you for this: My Asian Farm, featuring
Saturday20th Aug 2011
News Check Your 3DS Ambassador Status Now, North America
The toolbox is open
Let's get to it: theNintendo 3DS Ambassador program tool for North America is now open and ready to assert if you're in the free games promotion or not. Click the link above and enter your 3DS console's serial number to find out if you're enrolled. Some users have reported you need to leave off the final digit from your serial...
Interview Microforum - Kyotokei and the Future of the eShop
We take the new horizontal shmup head-on
We love when something a little out of the ordinary pops up on WiiWare, and one such game is Kyotokei, an original horizontal shoot-em-up that recently launched in North America and garnered an impressive 7/10 in our Kyotokei review. Our own Corbie Dillard and Zach Kaplan sat down with Giovanni Simotti, CTO...
Friday19th Aug 2011
Review Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)
A true epic
It's been a strange year for the Nintendo Wii, with a sparse release schedule and many proclaiming the death of the console. Yet here we have Xenoblade Chronicles, which debuted in Japan simply as Xenoblade in June 2010. This current release is only available in Europe and PAL regions, prompting fan-group protests in North America. To be...
Feature 20 Years of the Super NES
Time flies when you’re having 16-bit fun
It’s been a year of major anniversaries, proving the fact for many of us at Nintendo Life that we are, indeed, getting old. We’ve seen anniversaries for Zelda, Metroid and Sonic, with Mario enjoying a celebratory cake with Princess Peach only last year. Next up is the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
News Wii Owners Encounter Xenoblade Disc Read Errors
Not a good start
Xenoblade Chronicles released across the UK and Europe today, but some Wii owners are reporting difficulty getting their consoles to recognise the game. Our own Marcel van Duyn has reported disc read errors when attempting to load the game, despite the console only being newly replaced by Nintendo after the notorious Super Smash...
Talking Point What Was the Best Super NES Game Ever?
It's time to decide
It's 20 years ago today since the Super Nintendo saw official release in North America, and over the following years it amassed a truly incredible library of games still thought of today as some of the finest ever. But what really was the top dog on Nintendo's 16-bit wonder machine? Did the 96 levels of Super Mario World do it...
News How to Check if You're an Australian Ambassador
For 3DS, we mean
Nintendo of Australia has released its tool to help you discover if you're in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador programme or not. All you need to take the test is your 3DS serial number, located underneath the console itself. Type it into the special webpage and Nintendo will do the rest. Note that this does not register you in the free...
News Dr. Lautrec Solves the Riddle of the New Trailer
It was in the kitchen with the candlestick
Konami's story puzzler Dr. Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights may have missed its summer release — according to Nintendo's 2011 release schedule, it's now down for November — but it's still looking like another interesting addition to the 3DS software line-up. We now have a fresh new trailer from...
Thursday18th Aug 2011
Nintendo Download 18th August 2011 (North America)
Fighting in the streets
It's that time of the week again: the Nintendo Download is upon us, bestowing a bounty of digital deliciousness, or leaving a sour taste in your mouth. You decide. Here's what's on offer and vying for your currency today. 3DS eShop: 3D Classics: Urban Champion (Nintendo, $4.99) — The NES 'classic' is reborn in a third...
News Rayman Origins 3DS Screenshots Look Good, Don't They?
The limbless wonder rides again
Rayman Origins is coming to Wii, but 3DS owners will get a version of the game too, and Ubisoft has just sent over some new shots of Rayman Origins on 3DS. The shots certainly look impressive: the smaller screen doesn't seem to have resulted in a loss of quality for the glorious 2D art that's attracted so much...
News Roll With this New Trailer for Star Fox 64 3D
It's got special vehicles in it
Presumably all the vehicles in Star Fox 64 3D are special — they're flown by animals, after all — but these machines are extra special. Ahead of the game's release in September, Nintendo's put out a trailer to remind you — or teach you, if this is your first go-around with the Star Fox crew — about the...
Interview Firemint - Flight Control (WiiWare)
We talk about the newest iteration of the up-and-coming developer's popular IP
After conquering the iOS, DSiWare and even PlayStation Move platforms, Firemint's addictive air traffic control-based Flight Control is landing today on WiiWare in Europe and North America. We sat down with Writer and Media Liaison Logan Booker to talk about the...
Wednesday17th Aug 2011
News Current Wii Model to be Discontinued
Wave goodbye to your GameCube ports, forever.
Earlier today Nintendo announced that a new Wii design would be available before Christmas in the UK and Europe. Part of the redesign was to lose GameCube support including both the backwards compatibility to play GameCube games and use of the GameCube controllers for Wii titles. Nintendo has now...
Talking Point What If Nintendo Became a Third Party?
And would it prove a wise move to embrace the smartphone?
It's no secret that the 3DS sold far below expectations, even after Nintendo wowed us at E3 and promised to clean up its online act. Many are going as far as to suggest that the Ambassador programme and slashed pricing is as good as a death knell, while investors argue that Ninty should do...
News First Photo of New Look Wii Console
Not really much different
Anyone expecting a huge change for the upcoming Wii redesign might be disappointed that the console has only undergone a slight alteration, as Eurogamer's first image proves. The console's box art shows the machine lying horizontal for the first time on a Wii hardware box, with the console logo displayed on the front too...
News Kirby Wii Officially Renamed Kirby's Adventure Wii for Europe
And out in December
Kirby is back to suck at Christmas again, as Nintendo has announced that Kirby's Adventure Wii will reach Europe in December. The game previously known as Kirby Wii and alternatively Kirby's Return to Dream Land is set to pinkify the continent before 2012 arrives. It's part of a two-pronged Kirby attack on Europe, as Kirby Mass...
News Super Mario Land 2 and Metroid II Heading to 3DS Virtual Console
GB sequels confirmed
Nintendo just announced two more classic Game Boy outings on their way to the 3DS Virtual Console in the coming months: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins and Metroid II: Return of Samus. Both games are down for a vague "Quarter 4" release date so don't expect to see them long before Christmas. Will you be picking up...
News These 3DS Download Titles Are On Their Way This Year
Promise
So far we've only seen third-party download game in the Nintendo 3DS eShop, the decent but could-do-better Let's Golf! 3D. That offering is set to multiply significantly by year's end though, as Nintendo announces the 3DS download games on the way before 2012. Mighty Switch Force from WayForward will see release this Autumn, followed by...
News Capcom Sets Three Game Boy Games Onto 3DS VC
Gargoyle's Quest next week
Capcom has supported Virtual Console on Wii for years, so it's good to see it getting behind the 3DS Virtual Console with the same gusto. The company has just announced its line-up of 3DS Virtual Console games for the rest of the year, with some quality titles in there. Next week in Europe sees the release of Gargoyle's...
News New Look Wii Released This Christmas
Backwards compatibility for Gamecube cut
Nintendo will release a new-look Wii console in the UK this Christmas, reports Official Nintendo Magazine. The console will be part of a new package that includes Wii Party and Wii Sports, and will be a white Wii slightly redesigned to sit horizontally rather than vertically. Nintendo has also revealed it'll...
News Zelda: Skyward Sword Soars to North America 20th November
Your next epic Wii game lands in just over three months
Hot on the heels of Nintendo's 18th November announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's European release comes the North American date: just two days later on 20th November. You can now pre-order the game and read more about it below in the full press release. Nintendo’s...
News Zelda: Skyward Sword Hits Europe on 18th November
Date finally announced
The wait is nearly over: European Wii owners will be able to play Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in just over three months' time. It's out on 18th November Nintendo Europe just sent over its latest release schedule and Link's latest sits pretty at the top, due out across Europe just over a month before Christmas. Before that,...
News Here's the European Release Line-Up for 2011
What takes your fancy?
Here's the complete list of upcoming European releases sent through by Nintendo this morning. You'll find future games for 3DS, Wii, DS and digital download games tucked in there too. To pull out some of the interesting dates, MotoHeroz is now scheduled for Quarter 4, alongside the similarly perennially-delayed La-Mulana...
News The Last Story and Pandora's Tower Grace Europe in 2012
The trio completed
Xenoblade Chronicles is out in Europe this Friday, but those gamers who thought it was part of Wii's last hurrah might want to rethink that, as Nintendo has confirmed that both The Last Story and Pandora's Tower will see the light of day in Europe in 2012. There's no word on a specific release date yet so they could arrive any...
News Let This Tales of the Abyss Trailer Set the Scene
"A great evil threatens the land..." (probably)
This Tales of the Abyss trailer would be great if it were a little larger, and clearer, and if the sound were louder. But you can't have it all, so squint feast your eyes on the free-flowing combat footage below. Namco Bandai's classic action RPG is making its way to Europe and North America in the...
News Sonic Generations Screens Show Mushroom Hill Zone
We can hear the music now
SEGA just dropped a bunch of screenshots for its upcoming 3DS hedgehog romp Sonic Generations showing the evergreen mascot racing through the Mushroom Hill Zone from 1994's Sonic & Knuckles. We got chance to try the game in July, and you can race through our Sonic Generations 3DS preview to read our early thoughts on...
News Tekken 3D Prime Edition Shots and Trailer Pack a Punch
Tekken returns to Nintendo
It's been a long time since Tekken graced a Nintendo console — its last and only appearance was on Game Boy Advance nearly 10 years ago. It's about to make a big return though, coming to both Wii U and 3DS next year. The handheld version is named Tekken 3D Prime Edition and is already shaping up to give current portable...
News Horse Around with This Sims 3 Pets Trailer
Warning: dangerous levels of cuteness
The Sims 3 certainly suffered in its transition to the 3DS, but hopefully EA will fix those issues with the follow-up, The Sims 3 Pets. The company has just released a trailer at Gamescom, and while it contains footage likely exclusively from the Xbox 360, PS3 or PC versions, it should still give you an idea of...
News Mario & Sonic London 2012 Trailer is Suitably Rousing
But who put those Flickies on a bus?!
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is racing towards the Wii finish line later this year, with a 3DS version due out — perhaps more appropriately — in early 2012. We now have a new trailer for the game, likely to be the introductory video getting you all into the Olympic spirit. Showing off...
News Chain of Pandora's Tower Shots Show Big Weapons, Bigger Explosions
Just in time for your summer BBQ
Along with today's confirmation that Japanese RPG The Last Story and the more action-focused Pandora's Tower will release in Europe sometime next year comes a meaty chunk of new screenshots for the latter title. The game centers around the chain-equipped Ende and his journey to rescue Ceres from succumbing to a curse...
News More Mutant Mudds Screenshots
New details and world revealed
With the recent Nintendo news that Renegade Kid's upcoming 3DS eShop game Mutant Mudds is being targeted for a December release, the developer has decided to release a handful of new screenshots to celebrate the occasion. You can check out the five brand new screenshots in the gallery below. Of particular importance in...
News Wrap Your Brain Around These CRUSH3D Screens
What a twist!
Sega's excellent Crush may have gone overlooked on PSP, but hopefully the same fate doesn't befall CRUSH3D on 3DS as it looks like it's shaping up to be one of the platform's more interesting puzzlers. Protagonist Danny has something of an insomnia issue and your task is to help him get a good night's sleep as you flit between 2D and...
News Ace Combat 3DS Screens Enter the Danger Zone
Not pictured: volleyball scene
Ace Combat 3D is like the muscle-bound big brother of Pilotwings Resort: if Pilotwings' sedate island tomfoolery was a little slow for your liking, Ace Combat's Top Gun-inspired aerial chicanery could be right up your street. The upcoming 3DS outing marks the first time the popular series has come to a Nintendo...
News Gamescom Shinobi Shots are Certainly Stylish
Living up to the name?
A lot has been written about Griptonite Games' forthcoming attempt to resurrect the classic SEGA franchise Shinobi for 3DS. Not everyone is on board with the game's graphical direction, but it's certainly looking stylish in these new screenshots below. The game — which is now delayed until November — is the first Musashi...
Tuesday16th Aug 2011
Review GO Series: Fishing Resort (DSiWare)
Luring you in…
Fans of both Nintendo and fishing have been given plenty of opportunities to don the virtual wellies and cast the line, on WiiWare. While the Wii Remote is an ideal opportunity to simulate fishing, the humble DSi stylus and touchscreen have largely missed out. As has often been the case, publisher Gamebridge has come to the rescue...
News Wii Budget Range Grows with Super Mario Galaxy and More
More red boxes on 28th August
That recent rumour about new Nintendo Selects games turned out to be true: four new games will slot into North America's budget range on 28th August. Topping the bill is legendary platformer Super Mario Galaxy, alongside papery adventure Super Paper Mario, Mario Strikers Charged Football and the non-Mario game
News 3DS Price Cut Helps Machine to Huge Sales Hike in Japan
Back on course?
Last week Nintendo sliced 10,000 Yen from the price of the 3DS with the aim of boosting sales, and it's done just that as the console has leapt to over 200,000 sales in the past week. While exact figures differ — Enterbrain says 215,000, Nikkei reports 207,000 — they're both head and shoulders above any week's sales figures since...
News How Do Bowser, Toad and Luigi Really Feel About Peach?
Let them rap about it
Life lesson #1: you can never have too much Nintendo-themed hip hop. Last month we told you about Heath McNease's album Straight Outta Console, and now we have Letters to Princess by rapper I B. Detailing the agony and frustration felt by Toad, Luigi and Bowser that Mario always manages to capture the heart of Princess Peach,...
News Resi Revelations Trailer Features Classic Voice Acting
Classic doesn't always mean "good"
Resident Evil and voice acting go together like WiiWare and fireplace simulators. This latest trailer for Resident Evil Revelations shows the series has lost none of its love of the ridiculous when it comes to giving voices to its main characters. Chris Redfield and new partner Jessica Sherawat must explore a vast...
Rumour Kojima Preparing Zone of the Enders on 3DS
Contains ZOE mode
Hideo Kojima's best known for his Metal Gear Solid series — already confirmed for 3DS in the form of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, of course — but his Zone of the Enders games on PS2 are fondly remembered by fans of Japanese robots that blow each other up. The series has been dormant for a few years, but it might be ready...
News Capcom Lets Loose New Shots of Resident Evil: Revelations
Rocking the boat
It may be a journalistic cliché to say that a game represents a "return to the series' roots", but in the case of Resident Evil Revelations, it seems apt. Capcom just granted us access to a series of previously classified materials, including new screenshots, trailers and information about the survival horror game. With...
News Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess Go Budget in Europe
Two new titles next month
Earlier we reported on North America's next Nintendo Selects games, and now we know that two titles will join the range in Europe too. Super Mario Galaxy and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will both drop to a budget price from 16th September. Will you be picking either of these games up when they go cheaply?
Monday15th Aug 2011
News Nintendo 3DS eShop Cards Sneak Out in the UK
Spotted at Sainsbury's
It's been a long and arduous path to this moment, but we can reveal that Nintendo eShop cards are finally making their way out to stores in the UK. User BMagwood769 sent us this photo of a £15 Nintendo 3DS eShop card purchased in his local Sainsbury's supermarket. We've contacted Nintendo for further information, but...
Review Avenging Spirit (3DS eShop / GB)
Like Kirby... if Kirby were SERIOUSLY TERRIFYING
It's a story as old as time itself: boy meets girl, boy takes girl out for a walk, boy is murdered by mobsters who kidnap girl, boy possesses vampires and kangaroos to get her back. Jaleco not only provides us with a bizarre and attention-grabbing backstory for the game, but they made sure to craft a...
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Horizontal shoot 'em ups have become quite scarce in recent years, even on the WiiWare and DSiware services, so when one does pop up from time to time, fans of the genre tend to sit up and take notice. With Kyotokei, Microforum have crafted a fairly basic shoot 'em up that borrows heavily from such classic...
Review Crazy Hamster (DSiWare)
Crazy cool
The idea behind this game is simple: Crazy Hamster forgot to store supplies for the coming winter, so now it’s up to you to guide the rushed rodent through each level and collect all of the fruit. Make it safely to the end of the level with these supplies and you’re home free. While there may not be much here in terms of plot, this...
Nintendo Download 18th August 2011 (Europe)
Stretching the word "classic"
Europe gets its third 3D Classic this week, letting console owners indulge in a little three-dimensional fighting in the street. Elsewhere there's a bit of air traffic control, some Asian farming and extreme off-roading. Come with us, but look out for any manholes. 3DS eShop: 3D Classics: Urban Champion (Nintendo, €5)...
Review Play & Learn Spanish (DSiWare)
¿Plus ultra?
A good pocket translator can cost hundreds of dollars, so it's no surprise that some smart software studios would see an incentive in offering DSi and 3DS owners an affordable alternative. So far we've only seen the average 4 TRAVELLERS – Play Spanish on the service, so it's good to see a challenger appear. But is this a helpful...
News These Pokémon World Champions Are the Very Best
Like no one was before
Last weekend saw the Pokémon trading card game and video world championships in San Diego, and now the winners have been crowned it's time to shower them in golden Internet glory. Each game was split into three age categories: Junior, Senior and Master, with the Pokémon video game master crowned as American Ray Rizzo. His...
Talking Point How Much Fan Influence Should Game Studios Allow?
What's the magic formula?
There was a time not too long ago when the origins of the games we play were somewhat mysterious. We knew the company names and could view credit sequences until the cows came home and magazine readers could gain some extra insight, but by and large the thought processes, discarded ideas and development stages that went...
News Heroes of Ruin Levels Up with Heavy New Trailer
+1 Might
Heroes of Ruin is one of the 3DS's most promising third-party titles for next year, and Square Enix has just released a brand new trailer showing you what to expect in 2012. We recently played the game in London and came away genuinely impressed by what could be a truly important title for 3DS. Be sure to read our Heroes of Ruin preview for...
News Something Bugs Us About This Centipede: Infestation Trailer
Time to tuck those trouser legs into your socks
Before arcade shooter Centipede: Infestation gets released on the Wii and 3DS later this year, Atari would like to open our eyes to the types of bugs we'll be disposing of via a trailer aptly named, "Bugs Trailer". Players will take on the role of Max as they travel the wasteland that the...
News Square Up to Aya and the Cubes of Light on 25th August
For 1000 Points
Update: Nintendo has now changed the release date to "To Be Confirmed". We'll have more news as it arrives. It's been a long road to release for Aya and the Cubes of Light: originally set for distribution last year, developer Object Vision delayed the game to respond to feedback from its audience. Now the company is ready...
Saturday13th Aug 2011
Talking Point The Great Nintendo 3DS Price Drop Debate
What's the impact?
The Nintendo 3DS dropped in price recently — you might have noticed — and with the Flame Red 3DS hitting North America on 9th September and both Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 due for Christmas, many are predicting a resurgence in fortunes for the console. But is the price drop and the promise of these two much-needed...
News Wii U Controller Patent Reveals Interesting Features
Fingers crossed for a mini George Foreman grill
At this stage in the game, Nintendo has officially revealed relatively little about the specifics behind the upcoming Wii U and its controller technology. Apart from the standard features one would come to expect from any brand of console controller, we know the Wii U's will also sport a 6.2-inch touch...
Dog's dinner
With Go Fetch!, ICM took the simple activity of playing fetch with a puppy and added a timer, health bar and obstacles to create a unique racing game-esque experience that was unfortunately let down by imprecise controls, lack of depth and repetitiveness. The developer doggedly returned to the drawing board to remedy these issues and...
Friday12th Aug 2011
Feature What Happened to Metroid 64?
Samus got lost
As a week of Metroid Anniversary celebrations draws to a close, we thought we’d look back at a Metroid game that never was. We’re not talking about Metroid Dread, which could still happen, but Metroid 64, which will obviously never see the light of day. We’ve made the title up, but in light of the trend of adding ‘64’ after...
News Nintendo Europe Offers New Way Into 3DS Ambassador Program
Not a scheme
If you bought your 3DS before 11th August but were unable to register it in the eShop for whatever reason, you're probably all bummed out that you won't be able to claim your 20 free games starting on 1st September. If you're in Europe however there's light at the end of the tunnel, as Nintendo is offering you another way into the free...
News Super Mario 3D Land's Logo Still Has a Raccoon Tail
Wouldn't be the same without it
Much was made of the raccoon tail poking from the O in the Super Mario logo when Satoru Iwata first took to the Game Developer Conference stage to announce the upcoming adventure, but now the game is officially known as Super Mario 3D Land some thought the bushy tail might be dropped. Thankfully we can reveal it's...
News Download More New Solatorobo DS Quests Now
And in the coming weeks, too
If you've been enjoying Solatorobo: Red the Hunter over the past few weeks, you might have had chance to try out its free download content. There's more to come too, as Nintendo outlines the next month's quests available only via download. There's a new quest every week, with today's being the Air GP Pharaoh Cup for all...
News UK 3DS High Street Price Drop Round-Up
Lots of deals to be had
Fancy picking up a 3DS in the UK today? We've created a handy overview of the biggest and best deals available across the UK to help you plot where to spend your money. Tesco — £114.99: All reports point to Tesco offering their consoles at the lowest price at a stunning £114.99, available both in-store and through its...
News Kirby Mass Attack Trailer Storms the Stronghold of Your Brain
Duck and cover
The adorable pink ball of whatever-he-is, Kirby, is coming back to DS for one last appearance with Kirby Mass Attack. Nintendo has just shot over a hot slice of video footage and some screenshots too, which you can find below. We played the game in July, so if you want to know more you can hurl yourself into our Kirby Mass Attack...
News Just Dance 2 is 8th Wii Game to Top 5 Million in US
First from a third-party
Ubisoft's Just Dance 2 might not be your idea of a good time, but that hasn't stopped over five million Americans picking up the game since it launched last October. The game enters an illustrious group of five-million-sellers, and is the first non-Nintendo game to reach the milestone on Wii. The other members of the 5m+...
Thursday11th Aug 2011
News More Official Details of 3DS Ambassador Scheme Emerge
The finer points
Hopefully you've found our 3DS eShop and Ambassador FAQ useful, and will continue to do so as we update it with fresh information, like the stream of new details flowing from Nintendo Europe. The good news is that the 3DS Ambassador games can be transferred to another 3DS console in future via the 3DS Transfer Tool, which is coming...
Feature 3DS Games Worth Buying Before Mario
It's not all plumbing, you know
Nintendo's decision to drop the price of 3DS has reignited interest in the console, but many owners blame the machine's fortunes on a lack of quality software available. These gamers won't have been fully reassured by Nintendo's championing of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7: while set to be among the best games...
Nintendo Download 11th August 2011 (North America)
New content on all platforms
Is it Thursday already? With all the excitement around the 3DS price drop — happening tomorrow, remember — this is a crucial week for 3DS, and things just got even more exciting as it's Nintendo Download time. This week we've got a little bit of something for everyone, so let's dive in and see what there is. Virtual...
News Investors Urge Nintendo to Develop for Smartphones
If further alienation is something it wants to avoid
It's taken just several months for Nintendo to issue the 3DS's first price-cut since the console's launch; a move which Nintendo is hoping will play a part in giving the console a much-needed boost after sales have been less than expected. According to investors, there's another move that Nintendo...
News Koizumi Talks Super Mario 3D Hub, Caps and Replay Value
Lots of levels?
The 3DS price cut tomorrow might spur more people into picking up the console, but it won't matter a thing if the software isn't there to support the console in the longer-term. That shouldn't be a problem with Super Mario 3D Land set to launch in November this year, though. Director Yoshiaki Koizumi recently spoke to Official...
News 3D Classics: Urban Champion Coming to Europe Next Week
Raise your fists
The 3D Classics series will receive its third instalment next week when 3D Classics: Urban Champion launches in Europe. The 3DS eShop was updated today with the release date and a new 3D trailer for the game, which still depicts two men fighting in front of a snack bar but with all new 3D graphics. It's quite something to behold,...
News Flame Red 3DS Leads Charge in New Video
Reggie appears too
The FlameRed 3DS is under a month away, and Nintendo is keen to use tomorrow's price cut and the new colour to inject some life into the handheld's sales. In case you were in any doubt about this, here's a video showing the console's new, redder shade; in fact, Reggie Fils-Aime has a new, redder shade of his own, looking even more...
News UK 3DS Price War Heats Up as Tesco Drops Console to £115
Fighting for your money
The 3DS price drop comes into effect tomorrow and already major retailers are jostling for position on the starting grid. Yesterday we revealed that GAME and HMV will sell the console for as little as £139.99, but as predicted the supermarkets are going even cheaper with their pricing: Morrison's will drop the machine to...
News Check Out This Awesome Knights vs. Orcs Press Kit We Got
Somebody set up us the bomb
Every so often we get cool stuff here at Nintendo Life's UK HQ — you wouldn't believe the swag that lurks under the our shiny workstations. This press kit from KRITZELKRATZ 3000 is certainly one of the better press kits we've received, though. Promoting Artillery: Knights vs. Orcs, the wooden chest contains something...
Wednesday10th Aug 2011
Review Go! Go! Kokopolo (DSiWare)
Koko-crazy
DSiWare is, quite rightly, well known for providing a diverse range of quirky titles to give DSi owners small downloadable gaming fixes. We’ve seen a few ‘off the wall’ concepts on the service, and Go! Go! Kokopolo deserves its place in this category. The title says it all; this is a game that doesn’t want to be taken seriously...
Review Pac-Man (3DS eShop / GB)
Pac's back to steal your money
Everybody knows Pac-Man. The game's been ported to just about every platform under the sun, including the NES version on the Wii Virtual Console. It's now being released yet again on the 3DS Virtual Console, but is it worth another investment? Of course, there is absolutely nothing different about the gameplay in this...
Feature Samus Aran, Gaming's Leading Lady
We take a look at the famous female bounty hunter
Historically, just about every form of media has seen itself dominated by men, and gaming is as guilty as the rest. You could chalk it up to the playing population remaining largely scant of females for reasons too complex and debatable to delve into here, but that's only half the story. The...
News Colors! 3D to Brighten Up the eShop This Fall
Don't forget your paintbrush
3DS owners will soon be able to show off their artistic side when Colors! 3D launches on the Nintendo eShop in Q4 2011. Originally created as a homebrew application for the DS known as Colors! in 2007, the application was then ported over to the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch a year later. The painting application has been...
News de Blob Developer Blue Tongue Shuts Up Shop
This is sad
Australian studio Blue Tongue Entertainment — creators of the ludicrously enjoyable de Blob games — has been closed by owner THQ. The original Wii-exclusive adventure was critically and commercially well-received — it scored an 8/10 in our de Blob review — and the team moved on to produce a sequel for Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360. de...
Thursday11th Aug 2011
News NOA Will Be Watching European Xenoblade Chronicles Sales Closely
Nintendo doesn't want to miss out, does it?
Although Nintendo has no plans to localise sought-after games like the ones at the heart of Operation Rainfall's genesis, that's not to say the situation will necessarily stay the same. For months, fans have been vocal about their desire for Japanese RPGs The Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles a
Wednesday10th Aug 2011
Rumour MTV Has Release Dates for Mario 3DS Outings
Salt at the ready
Nintendo's press release this morning for the Flame Red 3DS launch mentioned upcoming titles but only stuck to its vague November and December windows for Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. Now the MTV Multiplayer blog thinks it has the exact North American release dates. The blog puts Mario's 3D platformer out on 13th November...
News Walmart Already Selling 3DS for $169.99, But Be Quick
Won't last forever
On 12th August Nintendo of America officially drops the price of 3DS to $169.99, and is compensating anyone who bought the machine at its earlier, higher price with 20 free Virtual Games from the eShop. What if there was a way to get both — the cheaper console and free games? Could you have your cake and eat it? The answer is...
News Flame Red 3DS Reaches North America on 9th September
Hot stuff?
You knew it would happen sooner or later: the snazzy Flare Red 3DS console is leaving Japan and coming to North America next month. The new colour machine — renamed to Flame Red — launches on 9th September alongside Star Fox 64 3D, with retailers and publishers re-pledging their support for the console in advance of its price cut. Are...
News Nintendo Joins The Cloud for UK 3DS WiFi Coverage
5,000 new hotspots
The 3DS's innovative SpotPass service — where the console automatically downloads content as you carry it around — is contingent on there being easily discoverable, unsecured WiFi access. While gamers in North America have access to 10,000 AT&T hotspots, there's been no such deal for the UK — until now. Nintendo UK will...
News UK Retail Pegs 3DS for New £140 Price Point
Cheap as chips
Update: GAME and Gamestation will be selling the machine for £149.99 from Friday 12th August. The 3DS price drop is nearly upon us and while we know that the North American machine will cost $169.99, the UK price is up to individual retailers to set. We can now reveal that the country's biggest High Street chains are looking to sell...
Tuesday9th Aug 2011
Talking Point The Future of Metroid
Where next, Samus?
It’s a big anniversary for Metroid, joining Mario and Zelda in the 25 year club. It’s interesting to note that there hasn’t been much fanfare from Nintendo, with the upcoming 3DS ‘Ambassador’ release of GBA classic Metroid Fusion being the only sign of Samus this year. It seems that as a franchise, Metroid is very much...
Review Monochrome Racing (WiiWare)
Unintelligent design
One of the best modes in the Micro Machines games was undoubtedly “Head-To-Head”, in which the goal was to reach the furthest edge of the screen while pushing an opponent to the opposite side. The balance of risk and reward resulted in a nail biting play experience where one mistake would cost you dearly, the most talented...
News 3DS Ambassador Titles Earn You Club Nintendo Coins Too
Just keeps getting better
We continue to update our 3DS Ambassador and free eShop games FAQ but in case you missed it, the latest update is that Club Nintendo members in North America will be able to earn coins from the free Virtual Console games. Nintendo confirmed that anyone who links their 3DS eShop account and Club Nintendo account will be...
Rumour Punch-Out!! and Three Marios Join Nintendo Selects
Range extended
According to Kotaku's retail sources, the Wii's budget Nintendo Selects range will get boosted with four new titles in the coming weeks. Super Paper Mario, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Strikers Charged and Punch-Out!! will join the line-up of $19.99 games later this month. We'll have more as we get it.
News Let's Play Xenoblade Chronicles Channel Reaches YouTube
Rubbing it in some more
European Wii owners can buy Xenoblade Chronicles next week. They can play it on their Wii consoles, without modification or anything like that: just put the disc in, pick up a pad, off they go. North American gamers though... well, they're not so lucky. You know what would take some of the sting out of that, though? How about...
Competition This Zelda Drawing Video Will Help With Your Flipnote
More than that, we can't say
Yesterday we told you about the Legend of Zelda Flipnote Studio competition, and if you're struggling to get a grasp on sketching the Hero of Time this instructional video might help you out. The video shows how to draw Link in his classic adult look as well as the more divisive Toon Link style, and should help improve...
News EA Totally Confident in Wii U Online Functions
Digs controller too
Electronic Arts' chief operating officer Peter Moore has been around the block once or twice in this industry. He first came to gamers' attention at SEGA of America before he moved to spearhead Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360, and he was recently promoted to COO of the company after being president of its EA Sports division. He's...
News Not n-Space's Decision to Develop Modern Warfare 3 for DS
Activision is the CO around here
When it was announced that the latest instalment in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series will once again make it to a Nintendo handheld, some were left scratching their heads as to why the game was being developed for the DS and not the 3DS. When fans took to the developer's Facebook page and asked why Call of...
News Nigoro Wants Your Input on a La-Mulana Soundtrack Release
You get to decide what it should have
If you've been keeping an eye on the La-Mulana blog, you should be aware that Nigoro is very much in touch with its fans. When the game was still in development, the team asked its fanbase about music, potential censoring and many other things. With a USK rating in tow and a final lotcheck all that remains, the...
News EnjoyUp Promotes DSiWare Games with New Video
Also in the eShop
EnjoyUp has a decent array of games available to buy in the DSi Shop and 3DS eShop, but it's no good having them if people don't know about them, right? Good job this new video sums up the company's line-up so neatly, then. Featuring innovative retro shooter 99Bullets, red hot Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ and sibling...
Monday8th Aug 2011
News Zelda Anniversary Site Launches, Has Awesome Wallpaper
Pick your favourite
The Zelda 25th anniversary celebrations are in full swing now, what with the Zelda symphony London tickets on sale now, and Nintendo has just launched an official website for the shindig too. There's a graphical depiction of how Link's design has changed over the years, along with links to all his main-series appearances to date:...
Nintendo Download 11th August 2011 (Europe)
Back with a vengeance
A small download this week with four titles reaching European shores. Wii owners get nothing sadly, with the Wii Virtual Console drought stretching to two months now. 3DS Virtual Console: Avenging Spirit (Game Boy, JALECO, £2.70/€3) — You play a murdered gangster out to rescue his girl. Luckily your ghostly form can...
News Kicking Off With Some FIFA 12 Wii Details
FIFA City is your home side now
As football fans prepare for the start of the Premier League 2011/12 season, gamers will also be getting ready for this year's instalment of the FIFA series as the game approaches its retail release on the Wii and 3DS. Developed by EA Canada, FIFA 12 will once again allow players to make those all-important transfer...
Feature Staff Roundtable - Metroid's Past, Present and Future
Primed and ready
25 years ago, Nintendo released the original Metroid on the world, kicking off a franchise that has hit incredible highs and suffered the odd low point too. Here news editor James Newton is joined by reviewers Jacob Crites and Thomas Whitehead to discuss the series, its heritage and where it might go in the future. James Newton:...
Competition Zelda Developers Want to Judge Your Zelda Flipnotes
So make 'em good
Last year Nintendo celebrated Mario's 25th anniversary with a Flipnote Studio competition. This year it's celebrating Zelda's 25th anniversary with a Flipnote Studio competition. It's nothing if not consistent. As with last year's effort, Nintendo wants you to use its DSiWare animation tool Flipnote Studio to create a short skit...
Review B Team - Episode 2: Ice & Venom (DSiWare)
New name, same game
May of 2011 saw the DSiWare release of B Team - Episode 1: Dust & Steel. Now, a short three months later, the gang is back in B Team - Episode 2: Ice & Venom. Anyone who played the first game (or read our Dust & Steel review) will know exactly what to expect here. As this game clearly shows, consistency is not always...
News Pixel, Team Ninja and More Join Metroid 25th Celebrations
All in one video
We've been having our own Metroid anniversary celebrations here at Nintendo Life, inviting your Metroid memories as well as reviews of every Metroid game. Metroid fansite Shinesparkers put together a special video containing tributes from community members as well as Cave Story creator Daisuke
News Try to Escape from Makatu in North America on 18th August
Acclaimed title crosses the pond
DSiWare gets new games every week, but not all of them are worth your hard-earned Points — that's why we review every single one of them, of course. One of the better titles to reach the service this year is Zoonies - Escape from Makatu, which is heading to North America on 18th August in both the DSi Shop and 3DS...
Sunday7th Aug 2011
Review Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GameCube)
For super players
Back when Super Mario Bros. 2 came out in Japan — the real Super Mario Bros. 2, known here overseas as The Lost Levels — there was a little label on the box that said “For Super Players.” It meant it, too: Super Mario Bros. 2 is a ridiculously difficult game, often using your knowledge of the first game against you while at...
Interviews Renegade Kid - Mutant Mudds
Developer talks platforming
When developer Renegade Kid first showed off some early footage of its Maximillian and the Rise of the Mutant Mudds 3D platform title, many gamers were a bit shocked at the radical departure from many of its previous efforts like Moon and Dementium: The Ward. The game's cartoon looks and light-hearted theme were a far cry...
Saturday6th Aug 2011
Review Metroid Prime (GameCube)
Prime cut
You know the story. By now, everyone does. In 2002, a new Metroid game was released after nearly a decade of silence, and it was done by a little studio in Texas that no one had ever heard of. Oh, and it was 3D. And first person. It shouldn't have worked, but it did, and the ensuing trilogy would secure that little studio as one of the...
News Metroid Celebrates its 25th Anniversary Today
A quarter-century of hunting bounties
25 years ago today, 6th August, Samus Aran took her very first steps into the gaming world in Metroid on the NES, and she never looked back. To celebrate we have a great week of content planned, but for now let's recap on some of our past Metroid coverage. Want to know which game rises above the rest? We have...
Talking Point Your 25 Years of Metroid Memories
Charge your beaming smiles
Today is the 25th anniversary of Metroid and we want to know your favourite Metroid moments. Do you remember the first time you faced off against Ridley? Touching down on Tallon IV for the first time in Metroid Prime? Whatever your favourite moments and memories of Metroid, we want to know. Leave them in a comment below...
News Europe, Your Spirit Will Avenge on 3DS VC Soon
Get your dollface
Jaleco's Avenging Spirit is the next 3DS Virtual Console game to hit Europe; its spectre will inhabit the service and start knocking things over on 11th August. For £2.70/€3,00 you'll be able to relive the story of a murdered mobster out for revenge in ghostly form, taking hold of 20 different creatures as you try to rescue your...
Friday5th Aug 2011
News Super Mario Converse High-Tops Let You Jump Real High
(May not be true)
Converse high-top sneakers are iconic. Super Mario Bros. is iconic. Combine the two, and you get an iconoblast. These four officially licensed pairs of Mario sneakers might be a little garish for some wardrobes, but if you've ever wanted World 1-1 on your feet then they're your best hope, as long as you live in Japan or don't mind...
News Nintendo DS Sales Figures Make Wii's Look Tiny
More big numbers
The Nintendo Annual Report Wii sales figures were impressive, weren't they? 86m Wii consoles sold with over 716m games sold as well. The DS sales figures dwarf those big numbers, though. Worldwide, the DS family of consoles — that's DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL/LL of course — has shifted a massive 146.42m units. An estimated...
Review Artillery: Knights vs. Orcs (DSiWare)
A misfire
Most of us have played one of them before: one of those free online Flash games where your goal is to hit something by firing a projectile, after deciding what angle and what speed the object should be thrown or shot at. Of course, you'll also be familiar with this concept if you've played any Worms game. Artillery: Knights vs. Orcs takes...
News Gamestop Offers BIT.TRIP SAGA Preorder Bonus
Preorder online and get a free soundtrack
If you're one of those gamers who were disappointed to find out that BIT.TRIP SAGA wouldn't come with the soundtrack sampler that its Wii counterpart BIT.TRIP COMPLETE is being packaged with, Gamestop has an offer for you. Gamers who preorder BIT.TRIP SAGA through Gamestop's online store will receive a free...
Review Successfully Learning German: Year 5 (DSiWare)
The end of an era?
Another week, another instalment in the venerable Successfully Learning series from Tivola. Successfully Learning German: Year 5 is on DSiWare so young German speakers have another opportunity to return to Freddy the Vampire’s classroom. It’s the final instalment in the series, so prepare to graduate and say goodbye. How does...
News Join Forces With this Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Trailer
Level up
We're not far from Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2, so it's time to take a look at the plot that drives Square Enix's spin-off from the ever-popular RPG series. Islands, monsters and statistics are the order of the day as usual, but with a twist: you can recruit monsters to fight alongside you in this sub-series, lending a new twist to the...
Thursday4th Aug 2011
Nintendo Download 4th August 2011 (North America)
It's Mario's Picross time!
Get out the chisel and get on the grid as the original portable Picross comes to 3DS Virtual Console, alongside some Spanish, black-and-white rubber-burning and plenty more. 3DS Virtual Console: Mario's Picross (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — The classic picture crossword game makes its way across the pond after its 14th...
Review Burn the Rope (WiiWare)
A game that'll rope you in
Step one: create a simple, fun and addictive activity. Step two: throw in an interesting twist. Step three: build on that foundation with something that adds variation and challenge while channelling the essence of what makes it fun. These are the steps to making a great puzzle game, and it's that first task at which many...
News Zelda Symphony Concert Hits London on 25th October
Europe's only show
Nintendo's Legend of Zelda anniversary celebrations reach Europe with a symphony concert in London on 25th October. This is the only Zelda concert that will reach Europe, so if you want to see Zelda music played live, you need to get to London in October. Tickets start from £33.75 (plus booking fees) and will be available from...
Review GO Series: Portable Shrine Wars (DSiWare)
Shinto to go
What do you get when you mix Mikoshi (portable Shinto shrines) and top-down shooters? Oddly enough, you come up with Gamebridge’s newest DSiWare release, GO Series: Portable Shrine Wars. But is this bizarre combination a match made in yomi, or is it just too weird to work? The goal in Portable Shrine Wars is to race your Mikoshi...
Review Captain America: Super Soldier (DS)
Save the fireworks
Stars. Stripes. Rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air. Deer and antelope playing. America. The United States is a country with enough national pride to fuel a superhero, and that's exactly what Captain America is all about. Does his movie tie-in handheld outing Captain America: Super Soldier channel these well enough to...
News Nintendo Won't Keep Miis Cooped Up in the Plaza
More 3DS software coming
Seeing all those Mii characters shuffling about in the 3DS Mii Plaza with little to do might be a little disheartening to watch, which is why impending first-party software that will utilise players' Miis will be good news for many. At the financial results briefing for the first quarter of this fiscal year, an investor...
News Nintendo's Annual Report Continues Incredible Wii Figures
More corporate intrigue
It's a busy time at Nintendo following the company's first quarter results for this financial year, and it's also just released its annual report for the year just gone that contains lots and lots of numbers. While many of them won't mean anything to anyone without a head for figures, there are some phenomenal numbers in...
News Codemasters Lining Up Formula 1 for Wii U Grid
Push Button's buttons
Codemasters is known for its racing games, and while it was announced at E3 that the studio's well-respected Dirt rally franchise is on the way to Wii U, its flashier equivalent F1 is racing to the new console too. CEO Rod Cousens told MCV that both its flagship racers will be making the move to Wii U, and gave his support to...
Review My Australian Farm (DSiWare)
You call that a farm? THIS is a farm
Ahh, life on the farm. The sweet taste of buffalo milk, sheep and crocodiles playing together... OK, perhaps My Australian Farm isn't the most realistic agricultural simulator, but at least it makes for a decent money-management time-waster. This, along with My Farm, My Exotic Farm and the upcoming My Asian Farm,...
News Japanese 3DS Sales Slump Coincided with Price Cut Announcement
No doubt sales will pick up again soon
How do you temporarily halt sales of the 3DS? In Japan's case at least, an announcement of a price cut that will come into effect the following month will do it. According to Media Create and as reported by Andriasang, the 3DS sold about 16,415 units during the week that ran from 25th to 31st July in Japan...
News WayForward Releases New Mighty Switch Force Screenshots
Check out the game in action!
All of you 'Mighty' fans out there are in for a real treat as WayForward has just posted a brand new batch of screenshots of its upcoming 3DS eShop game Mighty Switch Force in action on its official Facebook page. We'll be taking the game for a spin in the coming weeks and we'll have a full preview of the game shortly...
News Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is Wii-Bound
Going out with a bang?
There's been a lot of talk about the Call of Duty series on Wii over the years, even though the only title missing from the console since launch is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. History won't be repeating itself though, as Activision has confirmed in an investor call that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is coming to Wii...
Wednesday3rd Aug 2011
News Nintendo Will Announce Wii U Release Date Next Year
So don't hold your breath
Since the Wii U's unveiling at E3 in June and the vague announcement of a 2012 release date, we've all been hanging on to find out exactly when Nintendo's next console will be available. We'll all have to keep hanging on though, as that information won't arrive until next year. Just as the 3DS release date was only...
Feature The Future of Nintendo Gaming - 2D or Not 2D?
That is the question
It’s been a busy year for Nintendo as it seeks to move onto a new generation of consoles. The 3DS is already here and, despite a sluggish start, has some big releases ahead. Then of course there is the Wii U, boasting a unique touch screen controller and the promise of much greater processing power than the Wii. Both devices...
News This is Your Mario Kart 7 Logo and Artwork
Seventh heaven?
Mario Kart 7 is the official name for the House of Mario's next racer, and here's the official logo to make that even clearer. The logo might not be much to look at, but the accompanying artwork is certainly a lot easier on the eye, depicting Mario, Luigi and Bowser in a range of vehicles. We played the game in June and more recently...
News Twinbee is Your Next 3D Classic on 3DS
What do you mean, 'what's Twinbee?'
Top-down shooters are ripe for resurrection in Nintendo's 3D Classics line: recent release 3D Classics Xevious did a decent job, and next it's Konami's turn with a version of classic arcade shooter Twinbee. The revamped game takes flight to Japan on 10th August for 600 Yen, the same price as Xevious. Interestingly...
News Nintendo Rep Backpedals on Game Boy Advance Kirby
Sad.
Last week we heard a rumour that Kirby and the Amazing Mirror made up part of the Game Boy Advance section of the 3DS Ambassador program. We marked this as a rumour, and now it seems that rumour may not be true. Nintendo customer service sent out a follow-up email to Brandon Drumheller, correcting the earlier information that put Kirby and the...
News Iwata Writes Open Letter to 3DS Owners to Say Sorry
Mail from the boss man
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata speaks to all the key players in Nintendo's company: investors, shareholders, developers and more all meet with the big boss to share concerns and discuss the industry's future. Iwata is a busy man then, but he still took the time to pen a letter to 3DS owners, thanking them for their purchase...
News Iwata Admits E3 Wii U Reveal was Earlier Than Planned
A necessary evil
Rumours of Nintendo's new console started circulating before E3, and the system's basic concept leaked out long before Reggie Fils-Aime rolled the tape. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata spoke to investors recently and admitted that the console's big reveal E3 was a little earlier than then company would have liked. Iwata revealed...
Tuesday2nd Aug 2011
Review Let's Golf! 3D (3DSWare)
Pitch perfect?
Gameloft's Let's Golf! 3D may be the first third-party 3DSWare title to download, but it's not the company's first swing at portable pitching and putting: DSiWare has the original Let's Golf!, so this new outing has to bring more to the table. In some ways it delivers, but it doesn't quite hit the pin. For one thing, you're getting a...
Too little, too late
What do Arzest, ChunSoft, Good-Feel Co, Mitchell Corporation, Prope, Skip Ltd, Vanpool, NdCUBE and Nintendo have in common? They all worked as developers on Wii Play: Motion, which acts as a companion to the Wii Remote Plus. It also serves as a sequel to Wii Play, a compilation largely criticised for its mediocre mix of...
News Nintendo Social Responsibility Report Makes Fascinating Reading
"Putting smiles on faces" paramount
Nintendo is all about creating games, but it's also a huge company with all the business stuff that entails: shareholders, finance sheets and stacks of paperwork. Business documents can be exceedingly boring, but when Nintendo's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report starts with a message of "Bringing...
Review Successfully Learning German: Year 5 (WiiWare)
Erledigt
The final outing for the Successfully Learning German WiiWare series is now among us and it's business as usual for the Tivola-developed edutainment tool. As with earlier entries, Year 5 makes no attempts to actively teach participants anything new, instead providing interactive exercises for students of a particular level to practice the...
News Turns Out You Can Delete Pac-Man & Galaga Save Data
And here's how
That single save file issue in Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions? Bit of a mistake on Namco's part, but not for the reason you might think. Despite earlier reports that came from the publisher itself, it is possible to delete your save data on the cartridge if you want to. A company rep confirmed to Eurogamer that with
News Koizumi has "Too Many Ideas" for Mario on Wii U
What a problem to have...
Mario's new master, Super Mario Galaxy director Yoshiaki Koizumi, is already brainstorming ideas for how to bring the famous mascot to Wii U. He's been so busy, in fact, that he's already come up too many ideas to put into practice, according to a recent interview with Official Nintendo Magazine. Koizumi — who was kept in...
News New Driver Renegade 3D Episode Pulls Up
Take it for a spin
It's been a while since we heard about Driver Renegade 3D, but Ubisoft is stepping up its game with a series of animated shorts depicting hero Tanner driving around, taking down bad guys and delivering cheesy one-liners. The first episode made waves in the 3DS eShop, particularly for some of the more adult language used, and the...
Monday1st Aug 2011
Review Bobby Carrot Forever (WiiWare)
At last
Few titles have successfully combined the puzzler and adventure genres like Chip's Challenge and its ilk. Bobby Carrot Forever is one such derivative, removing the Sokoban-influenced box-pushing and building on a foundation of collectible items and manually-set traps. But is it good enough to make you hop or would Bobby have been better off...
Nintendo Download 4th August 2011 (Europe)
Wakka wakka wakka
The maze craze comes to 3DS with the world's most famous yellow pill-muncher landing on Virtual Console this week. Elsewhere there's a catch-up on DSiWare and a new WiiWare game, though sadly Wii Virtual Console is left lacking again. 3DS Virtual Console: Pac-Man (Game Boy, Nintendo, £3.60/€4) — The ever-hungry blob is back...
Rumour Kirby's Amazing Mirror for 3DS GBA Virtual Console
You never know
The list of confirmed Game Boy Advance games for the 3DS Ambassador scheme so far contains five classic titles: Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Metroid Fusion Mario vs. Donkey Kong WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ Now we're hearing rumours of two more titles to be added to the line-up: Kirby and the...
News Japanese Virtual Console List - August 2011
Three more classics
We've reached the start of a new month again, which means Nintendo of Japan has once again revealed its upcoming plans for the Wii Virtual Console. There are just three new games this August, with the Neo Geo still enjoying a good bit of a resurgence. All three games are pretty good, though there's no particular surprises this...
News Capcom Talks Street Fighter X Tekken, SSFIV3D:AE on 3DS
So many letters
Right off the bat, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition sold well, topping the 3DS charts and becoming the best-selling third party game on the machine. Producer and self-confessed Blanka lover Yoshinori Ono recently spoke about more Capcom fighters coming to the machine, including crossover scrapper Street Fighter X Tekken. While Ono...
News You Can Buy Your Zelda Symphony Tickets Today
You know, if you want to
The Zelda 25th Anniversary tribute concerts kick off in Los Angeles later this year, and tickets for the LA show are on sale today. There are three tiers of tickets: the bog-standard ticket at $35, the next level at $125 and a set of 200 VIP packages at $128.50. It's worth pointing out that none of these include booking...
News Iwata: We Will Do Paid Download Content for Wii U and 3DS
But no word on what
Extra downloadable content is a fertile field for developers, allowing them to extend the appeal of their game long after it's left the charts. While some Wii games allowed for paid DLC under the system's "Pay and Play" feature, it was never really a big focus for the console, something Nintendo president Satoru Iwata...
Review Oscar's World Tour (DSiWare)
Around the world, around the world
Oscar's World Tour marks the fourth instalment of the series on DSiWare, and once again finds Oscar in the familiar situation of tracking down Baby Oscars and heading for the Pig Stop. While the game stays very close to its predecessors in terms of gameplay, the developer has tossed in a few new visual twists to...
