News - 2011, Week 45

Saturday12th Nov 2011

  • Feature How Japanese Folklore Inspired Mario's Tanooki Suit

    What’s a Tanooki, anyway?

    Ever since Super Mario Bros. 3 landed on store shelves, when Nintendo fans hear the word “tanooki” they almost always produce an excited smile and start reminiscing about days spent flying through levels as Racoon Mario. If you were to utter this same word today around these same Nintendo fans you’d probably get a...

  • Review Rytmik Retrobits (DSiWare)

    Bits of class

    The original Rytmik sounded better than any DSiWare music studio deserved to, but follow-up Rytmik: Rock Edition fell a little short in offering a big stadium rock sound through Nintendo's little handheld. Keen to keep offering melody creation tools on DSiWare while embracing its limitations, Cinemax has now put together Rytmik:...

Friday11th Nov 2011

  • Review Go Vacation (Wii)

    Be prepared for economy class... if you're lucky

    Since the launch of the Wii and the success of its pack-in title Wii Sports, it seems that there isn't a major publisher or developer that hasn't had their finger in the mini-game collection pie. Most of these copycats have either been inoffensively average or outright terrible. In fact, when it comes...

  • Review Gnomz (WiiWare)

    Fun with a capital Z?

    When we first started playing Gnomz, we were excited: here's a game that's joyously silly, bizarre and simple enough that anyone willing to pick up the controller could play it and have an absolute blast. The graphics are colourful. The soundtrack has a giddy urgency to it. It's got a good sense of humour. WiiWare's Angry...

  • News More Mario Kart 7 Courses Revealed

    Dare you discover them?

    If you want to find out some of the retro courses that have made the grade in Mario Kart 7, the latest update to the game's official Japanese website might throw some light on the situation. The game's Shell, Banana and Leaf Cup courses and six battle arenas have now been unveiled, with selections from Mario Kart 64, Mario...

  • News Wii U's First Launch Title Announced Already

    Bit early, though

    We don't even know when the Wii U will launch other than a vague "between April and December 2012" guideline, but we already know one of the games you'll be able to pick up with the console on day one: Tecmo Koei's Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. The publisher's financial reports (via Andriasang) peg the game for release...

  • Feature The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in Motion

    Were the motion controls worth the wait?

    Very few games over the past decade have had the sheer level of hype and anticipation that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has found heaped upon it. Not only has the game been in development for an extremely long time, but it's also been hampered by developmental challenges that, at one point, almost led...

  • News Japan Gets Super Street Fighter II with Online Play on VC

    Hadouken!

    While the Wii Virtual Console continues to decompose in the West, Japan's still getting the goods, with a few enhancements to boot. The latest game to hit the service is the Mega Drive version of Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers, brought up to date with online play via Nintendo WiFi Connection. By comparison, in the West we...

  • News Pick the Alternate Artwork for Next Year's Big Wii RPGs

    Flip-reverse it

    Forget The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: this year's Wii coverage has been dominated by three other big Japanese games. Xenoblade Chronicles, Pandora's Tower and The Last Story have had gamers' eyes all year, and Nintendo of Europe wants to get you even more involved by asking you to help choose alternate cover art for the latter...

  • News Blue Wii Heads Stateside for Black Friday

    It starts

    That crazy day of manic buying, also known as Black Friday, is very nearly upon us, and Walmart has sounded the first battle cry. Siliconera reports the retailer has the exclusive on the blue reconfigured Wii, and will be selling it on 25th November for just $99.96. However, the advert just lists the box's contents as a Wii console, Remote...

  • News Nintendo Can Recover From Loss, says EA Vice President

    Others not so sure

    The recent London Games Conference brought some of the industry's greatest minds together to discuss all things gaming, with Nintendo's recent loss one topic discussed at a panel. David DeMartini, senior vice president of global E-commerce at Electronic Arts — he must have some pretty big business cards — believes Nintendo's...

Thursday10th Nov 2011

  • Nintendo Download 10th November 2011 (North America)

    Your digital delectable delights are in

    The headline act of this week's Nintendo Download comes from Nintendo itself, with a spot of 3DS downloadable software from the Big N. There's also some healthy stuff on WiiWare and a spot of puzzle and strategy on DSiWare. Let's meet the contestants, shall we? 3DS Download Software: Freakyforms: Your...

  • News Abandoned Skyward Sword Ideas May Head to Wii U

    Not done yet

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword might be one of Nintendo's biggest-ever undertakings — just read the Iwata Asks about its mammoth audio visual design teams — but that doesn't mean it includes everything Nintendo wanted to put in. Series producer Eiji Aonuma spoke to The Guardian about what may happen to ideas th

  • News Hideki Konno Talks Mario Kart Wii U Ideas

    It'll be "unique"

    Hold onto your hats: Nintendo is investigating bringing Mario Kart to Wii U. Series producer Hideki Konno spoke to Nintendo Power recently about the potential for the flagship multiplayer racer to come to Nintendo's next home console, saying: I can't get into specifics, but I do want to create a new and enjoyable Mario Kart that...

  • News Next Zelda on 3DS a "Continuation of Past Efforts" says Aonuma

    What does that mean?

    After the stellar success of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D there have been many calls for a 3D remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Series producer Eiji Aonuma has confirmed Nintendo is working on another 3DS Zelda game, but gave previous little else away. Speaking to The Guardian, Aonuma was typically cagey...

  • News 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure Trailer Hits Europe

    Go pink

    If you can't wait until next Thursday to see 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure in motion, the 3DS eShop in Europe just updated with a brief video of Kirby's updated outing. As you'd expect, the game looks remarkably faithful to its 8-bit origins, with the 3D adding a seemingly subtle layer of depth to its still-impressive graphics. The original...

  • News Skyward Sword Had Nintendo's Biggest Audio Visual Teams

    A huge undertaking

    Nintendo has said before that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is one of its biggest-ever developments, and the latest Iwata Asks reveals just how vast the creative team was. The sound team alone took in ten members, the biggest sound team a Nintendo game has ever had: with five composers and five staff handling effects and the...

  • First Impressions Nano Assault

    Shin'en knows shmups

    Shin'en is certainly no stranger to the shoot 'em up genre, having already developed games in the Iridion and Nanostray series for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS respectively, but after taking a few years to work on other projects, many shooter fans were beginning to wonder if the developer would ever get back to its shmup...

  • News Super Mario 3D Land Leaps to a Strong Start in Japan

    Bigger than galaxies

    By now you've read in our Super Mario 3D Land review that Mario's latest outing is very good indeed, but has it succeeded in lifting the console's sales in Japan? Yes, and how. In its first week the game shifted a staggering 343,492 copies, according to figures from Media Create (via Andriasang). That's nearly triple the amount...

  • News Reggie Pimps Nintendo's Ride at LA Auto Show

    Unlikely but true

    Here's a partnership we didn't see coming. At the LA Auto Show on 17th November, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime will stand on stage with West Coast Customs CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus to announce an exclusive collaboration between the two companies. If it's not Mario Kart 7-related, we'll eat our red hats. From 18th to...

Wednesday9th Nov 2011

  • Review Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)

    Tanooki time

    Super Mario has been a staple of Nintendo systems since the original NES over 26 years ago, and while the series has evolved to a great degree over time, one immutable fact remains: Mario games sell systems. That's why it comes as no real surprise that the plumber's first foray onto 3DS has been about as hyped as any game in recent...

  • Review Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (3DS)

    The great gig in the sky

    There's something magical about a good toy. Be it an action figure, doll, transforming truck, projectile-spitting dragon or a wooden block, it doesn't matter how many removable parts or points of articulation they have once burrowed into your imagination and destined for Great Adventure along with the rest of the toy chest...

  • Review Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (Wii)

    Gotta buy 'em all

    There's something magical about a good toy. Be it an action figure, doll, transforming truck, projectile-spitting dragon or a wooden block, it doesn't matter how many removable parts or points of articulation they have once burrowed into your imagination and destined for Great Adventure along with the rest of the toy chest. Your...

  • Talking Point First-Person Shooters and the 3DS Circle Pad Pro

    Aiming down 3D sights

    It's old news that first person-shooters are bigger business within the industry now than they've ever been. Since the advent of online play on home consoles, they have inarguably become the most played genre on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the latest Battlefield and Call of Duty titles dominating the market. However,...

  • News Super Mario Galaxy Orbits London 2012 Olympic Games

    It'll make sense

    Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games takes inspiration from all corners of both companies' history: screenshots have reminded us of Yoshi Story, Sonic Adventure and more. But we've just received more screenshots showing the most universe-shaking crossover yet. Despite earlier rumours that Sonic would appear in

  • News Capcom Considering Monster Hunter 3 G Western Release

    Never say never

    Despite rumours to the contrary, Monster Hunter 3 G is still not confirmed for release outside of Japan. Does that mean it will never leave the Land of the Rising Sun though? Capcom fielded that exact question during a recent investor Q&A call, and although the answer isn't the life-changing announcement some might hope for it's...

  • News Zelda Top Brass Discuss Link To the Past in 3D

    It could happen

    The 3D Classics has taken in arcade games and 8-bit classics, but the potential for 3D remakes of games from the 16-bit era is mouthwatering. In a recent GamesRadar interview, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that he and Shigeru Miyamoto have discussed bringing the 3D treatment to Super Nintendo classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link...

  • News Mario and Zelda's Babies Would Play Like This

    The ultimate crossover chaos

    We found out after E3 that there's a Zelda-style level in Super Mario 3D Land, and now we have a video look. As you can see below, the game takes more than a few cues from old-school outings like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Link's

  • News Nintendo's 3D Samurai Game Slices eShop in Japan

    A cut above?

    Nintendo has revealed a new piece of downloadable 3DS software for Japan — swordfighting game Samurai Hirari Sakura, or Nimble Sakura Warrior, roughly translated. The download, due for release in Japan next week for 700 Yen, puts you in the shoes of a passionate swordfighting student who must prove his skill. At first you'll take on...

  • News Bionic Commando Swings to Japan's 3DS VC Next Week

    Who's next?

    Capcom's already put two Game Boy titles on 3DS Virtual Console in the West — Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge and Gargoyle's Quest — and next week it adds a third title over in Japan: Bionic Commando. We already know the game is heading to the West in "Quarter 4" thanks to an announcement in

  • Competition Winners escapeVektor: Episode 1

    Were you one of them?

    Our recent competition for escapeVektor: Chapter 1 met with a great response: we had hundreds of entries, and all winners should now have been contacted by Nnooo via Twitter direct message with details of how to claim. For posterity, here's the selected winners:...

Tuesday8th Nov 2011

  • News Gaze At This Beautiful Limited Edition Zelda 3DS Console

    It's black and gold

    Got space in your collection for another limited edition Nintendo 3DS? How about a Zelda 25th Anniversary model with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D? Nintendo of Europe just revealed the new black model bearing the Hyrule crest and it's looking exceptionally beautiful. It's out on 25th November and will cost €199, with...

  • Review Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GameCube)

    Mario Fore-Stars!

    For many, there isn't a sport on the planet more tedious than golf. To these people the term "a good walk ruined" is about as accurate a description as anyone's ever come up with for anything, and they'd probably be able to reel off a list of far better uses for a golf club — window removal, football hooliganism, that...

  • News Nintendo Working On Two Controller Support for Wii U

    That's a lot of screens

    When the Wii U was unveiled at E3 2011, we only saw it working with one touch screen controller, but according to an anonymous source speaking to Develop Nintendo is beavering away on supporting a second controller. Citing a "trusted game development executive", Develop says the Wii U codebase indicates that...

  • News Ubisoft Reveals Its Drawsome Wii Graphics Tablet

    A work of art?

    After the success of THQ's uDraw, Ubisoft's the next company to muscle in on some of the Wii touch screen tablet action with its own peripheral Drawsome. The tablet — set for release exclusively in the United States on 6th December — boasts a 6.5" x 5" screen, slightly larger than the Wii U's 6.2" surface. Drawsome...

  • News The History of Nintendo Volume 2 Out on 15th December

    Pre-orders open

    The History of Nintendo: Volume 1 spanned the company's beginnings up until the creation of the Game & Watch, setting things up nicely for the second volume, which deals exclusively with Gunpei Yokoi's LCD wonder. The History of Nintendo: Volume 2 — 1980-1991: The Game & Watch games, an amazing invention to give its rather...

  • News Animal Crossing Watch and Kirby Pouches Hit EU Club Nintendo

    Stars at the ready

    Europe's Club Nintendo rewards centre just got bigger, with some brand new goodies added. 4,000 Stars buys you an Animal Crossing watch, or for 1,500 you can pick up a Kirby's Epic Yarn-inspired DS pouch in either brown and pink or blue and green. Will you be shelling out your hard-earned Stars for any of these goodies?

  • News Atlanta, You're On Mario's Touring Itinerary Too

    He gets around

    Atlanta, Georgia is the next stop on Mario's tour of the United States to promote Super Mario 3D Land. The plucky plumber is taking in the unique sights of the Atlanta Underground this Friday, 11th November, with a surprise performance by a gang of Marios in Tanooki tails and ears. ATLANTA ON ALERT FOR MASS MARIO SIGHTING AT ATLANTA...

  • News Nintendo Patents Touch Pad for Wii Remote

    But to what end?

    We've seen plenty of Wii controller patents in the past, not all of which saw the light of day — remember the inflatable horse and American football? Now the company's put out a patent for a Wii Remote touch-sensitive pad, as spotted by

  • News Zelda Concert Tour Kicks Off in Dallas on 10th January

    Updated: tickets on sale now

    The recent Zelda 25th Anniversary concerts in Los Angeles and London were just tasters ahead of the main course: a full tour that kicks off in 2012. The newly renamed The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses starts in Dallas, Texas on 10th January before touring the United States. Tickets for the Dallas show will...

  • Podcast NLFM Episode 22: Mascots and Mixes

    New digs for old friends

    Our chip and game music podcast rears its lovely head this month with a collection of Nintendo mascot sounds new and old, from that new Kirby game to Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Metroid remixes. Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando — Cookie Country (Kirby’s Return to Dreamland)The Greatest Bits — Fear Factory (Donkey K

  • News Ubisoft Believes in Wii U for Core and Casual Customers

    But which will prevail?

    Ubisoft is always a big supporter of new hardware — it had six titles out for the 3DS launch, for example — and the publishing giant will be there on Wii U day one. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has spoken to Gamasutra about the upcoming console's potential to appeal to the casual and core customers that could help it...

Monday7th Nov 2011

  • Review Centipede: Infestation (3DS)

    Covered with scorpions

    Modernised versions of old school arcade games are quite common; we've already seen two on 3DS so far, Frogger 3D and Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions, the latter comprising even more classic call-backs of yesteryear, but one game that hasn't seen much love in the remake department is Centipede. Bucking the trend, Centipede:...

  • Review Disney Universe (Wii)

    A dull new world

    Disney Universe holds a great deal of promise. A game in which you can play as a large number of characters spanning Disney's rich and impressive history? Levels designed in honour of some of its most classic films? Multiplayer for up to four people simultaneously? Yes, yes, and yes. Which is why it's so disappointing that the...

  • Review Balloon Kid (3DS eShop / GB)

    Somewhat deflated

    Balloon Kid is the Game Boy sequel to the NES original Balloon Fight. That game is remembered by some as a stone-cold classic of addictive action, and by others as a pointless, repetitive chore. In our Balloon Fight review we fell somewhere in the middle. And so it's quite fitting that we also find ourselves there for the sequel...

  • Nintendo Download 10th November 2011 (Europe)

    Freaks, fish and hustlers

    A trio of titles on the download formats this week, with 3DS owners best catered for; Wii owners, nothing for you this week, sadly. 3DS eShop: Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! (Nintendo, £5.40/€6) — Previously known as Picture Lives!, you create a bizarre life form and bring it to life to explore the world around...

  • Feature Ten Years of Golden Sun

    Bask in its warm glory

    2001 must have been a particularly good year for gaming: we just celebrated Pikmin's tenth anniversary, and now it's time to look back on the birth of RPG franchise Golden Sun. The original Golden Sun launched in North America on 11th November 2001, with sequel Golden Sun: The Lost Age following in early 2003. Created by RPG...

  • News GAME and Gamestation Give Away Mario 3DS Pouches

    But only if you pre-order

    With Super Mario 3D Land out next week and Mario Kart 7 hot on its heels two weeks later, GAME and Gamestation are stepping up their pre-order initiative with two giveaways. Pre-order customers will receive a 3DS pouch bearing artwork from the relevant game when they purchase their game. Neat giveaway items, but as we'd bet...