News - 2011, Week 43

Sunday30th Oct 2011

Saturday29th Oct 2011

  • News Japanese Virtual Console List: November 2011

    A whopping seven new titles

    Europe is now getting frightfully close to going five entire months without a Wii Virtual Console game, and North America also hasn't had anything in a while, but that isn't stopping Japan from trucking on. Although most of their previous months only had three or four games, this month has a whopping seven, one of the...

  • Review Mahjong CUB3D (3DS)

    Fun to the third power?

    Mahjong solitaire has appeared on just about every console since the dawn of video games, though their developers generally remain content with sticking to the basic formula. Mahjong CUB3D takes a different path in exactly the way the title suggests – by wrapping the puzzle around a 3D framework. But does the new take on...

  • Feature Fun and Frights on Nintendo - Part 2

    Moments of gaming horror

    Halloween is almost upon us, with many gamers making plans for a night of terrifying gaming. Whether these are modern titles or retro, old-school goodness, there are plenty of scary games to enjoy. In the first part of our Fun and Frights feature, we gave a brief outline of how horror games have developed through the...

Friday28th Oct 2011

  • News Final Wii U Form to Be Shown At E3 2012

    Changes planned?

    The Wii U reveal at E3 2011 probably didn't go quite as Nintendo had hoped, with some confusion over exactly what the console is and how it works. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is keen not to make that mistake again though, and has revealed the console will be shown off in its "final format" at next year's E3. That could...

  • News Iwata Reveals Big New Improvements for eShop

    DLC, web, demos and more

    At the recent financial briefing, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed plenty of interesting new ideas to evolve the company's online strategy, revealing some big initiatives. Extra downloadable content for games will be available to game developers after the late November system update, letting studios and publishers...

  • News Nintendo Developing New Game Genres to Revitalise 3DS

    No laurel-resting here

    Nintendo DS and Wii were hugely lucrative for many reasons, but part of their success is down to the innovative new games only possible on Nintendo's hardware: from Nintendogs and Brain Training to Wii Fit, these new genres really made the hardware into global phenomena. Of course, other hardware manufacturers and publishers...

  • News Explore Super Mario's 3D Land at New York Launch

    Tanooki tails mandatory

    For the North American launch of Super Mario 3D Land, Nintendo is going all-out by turning Times Square into a real-life rendition of the Mushroom Kingdom. From 12th November, fans will be able to pick up their very own Tanooki tail and ears to wear while leaping through Mario's world: green pipes, coin jumps and even the...

  • News Nintendo's Latest 3DS Global Release Schedule

    Not many surprises

    After releasing its quarterly results, Nintendo always likes to share its upcoming games for the next few months. With the critical Christmas period fast approaching, here's the company's first party line-up for Japan, the United States and Europe. Western fans will note there's nothing in these lists we didn't already know about,...

  • News Another Two Zelda: Skyward Sword Trailers Appear

    But our lips are sealed

    We're in the final few weeks before The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is finally available to buy. We know you're excited about the game, but that some of you don't want to see everything about the game before you have a chance to play it yourself. We understand. That's why we're not telling you anything about the videos...

  • News Iwata: We Want 3DS Sales to Show Consoles are Here to Stay

    President comes out swinging

    One of the most anticipated 3DS games is nearly here: Super Mario 3D Land releases in Japan next week, and Nintendo president Satoru Iwata expects it to ignite 3DS hardware sales. Speaking to investors after the company's quarterly results, Iwata revealed that since the price drop the 3DS is selling at a better pace than...

  • Review Academy: Checkers (DSiWare)

    A smart move

    Gamelion's proved itself adept in the DSiWare space, creating portable versions of board or pen and paper games — Extreme Hangmen and Academy: Tic-Tac-Toe are examples — and its latest effort is Academy: Checkers. Checkers — or draughts to some of you — is a game most people know how to play already, removing the need for a...

  • News Rhythm Heaven Wii Still Alive and On Course for the West

    Picks up a new name

    The tentative name for Rhythm Heaven on Wii may have just been discarded, as the latest Nintendo release schedule has rechristened the upcoming beat 'em up (that's a pun.) The official title for the North American release now seems to be Rhythm Heaven Fever, though it's spelt "RHYTHEM HEAVEN FEVER" in the document. It's...

Thursday27th Oct 2011

  • Nintendo Download 27th October 2011 (North America)

    Blocks, burgers and board games

    3DS owners are best catered-for this week, with releases on the portable Virtual Console and some brand new software too. WiiWare fans get a 1000 Point offering and DSi fans can play checkers or go trick or treating. Here's the full list. 3DS Download Software: Pyramids (Enjoy Gaming, $3.99) — A neat 3D homage to...

  • News You Don't Just Play as Mario in Super Mario 3D Land

    Back to the land of intrigue once more

    There's still a lot of mystery surrounding Super Mario 3D Land — remember the Luigi statue spotted in the enormous panoramic artwork? It seemed to hint at an appearance from the nervous brother in Mario's next adventure. While we think you can probably see where we're going with this, our next sentence may...

  • News Go Beyond the Labyrinth With New 3D Screenshots

    RPG gets Japanese date

    Konami just revealed a release date for gorgeous 3DS RPG Beyond the Labyrinth, and bundled in a load of new 3D screenshots too. The game — developed by experienced RPG studio tri-Ace — will reach Japan on 19th January, and follows a mysterious and anonymous white-haired girl as she chances upon an ancient sealed magic...

  • News Colourful European 3DS Bundles Look Like This

    It's good to know what to expect

    The newly announced Ice White and Coral Pink 3DS consoles look nice enough on their own, but it's the retail packaging that really shines. The pink console in particular has some of the cutest artwork we've ever seen for a Nintendo console, decked out in puppies and kittens and a pink box. Ice White is slightly less...

  • News Mario and Sonic Have a Valentine's Day Date

    Look away, kids

    SEGA's continuing to support the 3DS strongly with an array of new and revamped games, and the famous publisher has just rubber-stamped release dates for some of its games due in the coming months. Here's the full list: Shinobi — 11th November (Europe), 15th November (North America)Sonic Generations — 22nd November (North...

  • News 3DS Hardware Sales Show Big Improvements

    Not all doom and gloom

    Nintendo just posted a 70 billion Yen loss: even the least economically minded of us can tell you that's not good. Every cloud has a silver lining though, and in this case it's the dramatically increased upswing in sales of the 3DS. In the period between April and June 2011, Nintendo shifted just 710,000 consoles around the...

  • Feature Fun and Frights on Nintendo - Part 1

    How horror has evolved

    At this time of year, it’s no doubt common practice for many gamers to find their favourite scary game, turn off the lights and get into the Halloween mood. There’s something about frightful gaming experiences that's unique in the entertainment industry. Unlike horror movies or tense, nerve-wracking books, video game fear...

  • News DS Family Nears 150m Worldwide Hardware Sales

    Still going strong

    After celebrating 50 million DS consoles sold in the United States, Nintendo's venerable dual-screened handheld is closing in on another milestone: 150m units sold around the globe. The company's latest financial results show the system sitting on 149m consoles sold since its release in 2004 to the end of September 2011. Software...

  • News Nintendo Posts 70 Billion Yen Net Loss in Past Quarter

    The results are in

    Nintendo's quarterly financial results just appeared on the company's Japanese site and, as expected, the company is still struggling in the market. Nintendo failed to meet its sales targets set in July 2011, with DS software and the 3DS still dropping short of expectations, missing its ¥240 billion income target by 10%. This in...

  • News Swimming, Cycling and Spin Attacks in Mario and Sonic Trailer

    It gets weirder

    The first screenshots of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games did indeed blow minds and collapse worlds: from dinosaurs riding horses to Sonic the Hedgehog taking part in a walking race, there were truly incredible scenes. This next trailer can't quite match it, but makes a good effort anyway. Events new to the series...

Wednesday26th Oct 2011

  • Review Pokémon Rumble Blast (3DS)

    Let's get ready to rrrrumble! Again...

    Two years ago, Nintendo released the surprisingly addictive Pokémon Rumble on WiiWare. It was a bizarre little title that took the various generations of Pokémon and reduced them to jittering clockwork toys haphazardly duking it out in chaotic Battle Royales. We liked it quite a lot, but it was difficult...

  • Feature Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert Report

    London, Eiji Aonuma, Koji Kondo, Zelda Williams, legendary

    After a successful first show at the Pantages theatre in Los Angeles, The Legend of Zelda 25th anniversary symphony took in London's Hammersmith Apollo with a sold-out show that celebrated the series' captivating music. Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma took to the stage to introduce the...

  • News Nintendo America Creates New DSi XL Bundles For You

    We hope you like Mario

    Just because 3DS is out doesn't mean the DSi XL is totally dead: Nintendo knows it's onto a good thing with the giant-sized handheld, and has put together two new hardware bundles for North America for the holidays. The packs are available in Metallic Rose or Midnight Blue and both come with a free copy of Mario vs. Donkey...

Tuesday25th Oct 2011

  • Review Pyramids (3DSWare)

    An ancient relic

    It may be early days for download content exclusive to the 3DS, but we can confidently say that it's been a slow start. In fact, if you disregard 3D Classics and a free Pokédex 3D produced by Nintendo, Pyramids is only the second game to utilise the capabilities of the 3D screen. This adds a certain level of expectation to this...

  • News Europe Feels the Chill of Ice White 3DS in December

    Update: bundle delayed

    Update: Nintendo has now told us the package will arrive two weeks later on 2nd December. We've revised the story below. The array of 3DS colours just keeps on growing: after the recent Metallic Red console hit Europe, we now have confirmation that the Ice White machine is on the way too. The console launches in a bundle with...

  • Rumour 3DS Expansion to Be Called 'Circle Pad Pro'

    Amateurs not allowed

    The upcoming Circle Pad attachment for the 3DS appears to be gearing up for launch, with speculation swirling with regards to what it'll be called. According to a trademark filed by Nintendo in Japan, the add-on could be called the ‘Circle Pad Pro’ in the West. This is already scheduled for release on 10th December in Japan,...

  • Feature The Development Process of Go! Go! Kokopolo

    How a stray cat, a passion for classic gaming and a dream coalesced into a DSiWare delight

    A little while back, a little gem appeared as if from a cloud of smoke onto the DSiWare service – Go! Go! Kokopolo, from young indie developer Tanukii Studios. In speaking with Keith Webb, the company's founder, we discovered that he was also its only...

  • News You'll Be Tickled Pink with New 3DS Deal, Europe

    The colours keep flowing

    Don't want a 3DS in Cosmos Black, Aqua Blue, Metallic Red or the newly-revealed Ice White colour? How about a Coral Pink console? As if wanting to suck every available penny in Europe, the console launches on 18th November – the same day as the Ice White 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D Land and the...

Monday24th Oct 2011

  • Review Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Wii)

    A dream come true

    To say that long-time Kirby fans have been clamouring for Nintendo to release a good old-fashioned Kirby title would be a gross understatement. While Nintendo has released several instalments in the series over the past few years, the majority of them, such as Kirby's Epic Yarn and Kirby Mass Attack, have been fairly radical...

  • Feature Ten Games to Play This Halloween

    Not for the faint of heart

    Halloween is now just one week away, while many horrors await: ghosts, zombies, children in masks demanding sweets and candy. Up to now we've focussed on Resident Evil and Castlevania, but now we're just looking for thrills to take us to the darkest night of the year. To get us started we decided to produce a list of games...

  • News GunLord Offers Conclusive Proof That You Can't Keep a Good Console Down

    NG:DEV.TEAM has yet more SNK goodness on the way

    As you're probably already aware, we love SNK's Neo Geo. For so long a tantalising glimpse of how the other half lived, this powerhouse of a machine remains a status symbol amongst hardcore gamers - despite the fact that it's now possible to enjoy many classic titles from its library for fraction of...

  • News Classic Courses Captured in Mario Kart 7 Stills

    Balloons at the ready

    It's no surprise that Mario Kart 7 features courses from previous games, but now you can race by land, air and sea some past tracks might work a little differently. In the new shots below we've got some aerial action in Mario Kart Wii's Mushroom Gorge, the return of Balloon Battle in a Super Mario Kart-inspired battle stage and...

  • Nintendo Download 27th October 2011 (Europe)

    Trick or treat?

    With the most frightful night of the year just around the corner, Nintendo of Europe has put together a platter of mysterious gifts. Will they be sweet as candy or as welcome as rotten eggs through your letterbox? Time to find out. 3DS Virtual Console: BurgerTime Deluxe (Game Boy, G-mode, £2.70/€3) — No doubt in anticipation of...

  • News We've Plucked the First Footage of New 3DS Harvest Moon

    Land a panda

    Three weeks ago Marvelous AQL announced a new Harvest Moon on 3DS, and now we have the first in-game footage from upcoming agricultural adventure Bokujou Monogatari: Hajimari no Daichi, or Harvest Moon: First Earth. As you can see it's business as usual in Harvest Moon world, with chickens to fuss over, fields to till and giant pandas...

  • Rumour Monster Hunter 3 G Lurching Toward Europe

    So have your swords sharpened by Autumn 2012

    Update: We have received word from Official Nintendo Magazine that the posted Autumn 2012 date is not official confirmation of the game's European release. Capcom's official statement about the game is "we have nothing to announce at this time." Original story below. Capcom's popular...

  • News New Monsters and Weapons Ahoy in Monster Hunter 3 G Video

    A new twist on old favourites

    Monster Hunter 3 G looks good in screenshots, but it looks even better in the video below. We already knew that new monsters would appear, but the trailer also shows off variants on some of Monster Hunter 3 (~Tri)'s most fearsome challenges: there's a purple Jhen Moran and a white Lagiacrus for starters, as well as a...

  • News We Like These Tiny Pinball Tables and Arcade Cabinets

    Flipping cool

    Nintendo curiosities often fascinate, and these tiny replica arcade cabinets and pinball tables certainly fit the bill. The 1/12th scale models available to buy at Retro Heart includes classic Nintendo titles like Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros. and plenty more. Each model is individually hand-made, with glossy vinyl graphics and little

  • News ThruSpace Slides Through the 3DS eShop Keyhole

    A game about fitting in

    WiiWare's ThruSpace is in line for a 3DS eShop update, as a sequel has just hit the Japanese download service. The trailer below shows what to expect, but anyone familiar with the WiiWare original should already have a pretty good idea: you fit different shapes through holes. The translation of the Japanese genre is...

  • News Nano Assault Trailer Shoots to Thrill

    Have a blast

    Just checking: is Shin'en Multimedia's Nano Assault still one of the best looking games on 3DS? Yes, yes it is. That's good, then. The new trailer for the game — out in North America on 22nd November for just $29.99 — shows off more of the same fantastic graphics we've come to expect from Shin'en. The accompanying press release also...