News - 2011, Week 46

Saturday19th Nov 2011

  • Round Table Let's Talk About the GameCube and Wii

    From a cube to the revolution

    With the GameCube recently reaching its tenth anniversary and the Wii five years old, we decided to get together to discuss both consoles, assessing their impact and legacy. These two consoles are in an interesting position of being relatively close in terms of graphical technology, yet wildly different in gaming...

Friday18th Nov 2011

  • Review 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure (3DSWare)

    A great game gets an underwhelming paint job

    In 1993 the NES got a latter-day boon from a truly brilliant addition to its library: Kirby's Adventure. Still regarded today as one of the strongest titles on the console, it boasted an unforgettable soundtrack, stunningly creative visuals and gameplay innovations that became Kirby staples from there...

  • Out Today The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Wallpapers

    The wait is over

    After five long years, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is finally available across Europe. To celebrate Link's triumphant return we've put together some exclusive Skyward Sword wallpapers that you'll only find here at Nintendo Life. Available in all different sizes to suit your screen size, now you can make your desktop look...

  • Feature Remembering the GameCube

    A decade of cubed gaming

    Every company in every industry will have a few years in its history that don't quite stack up to the rest. With the mammoth success it had enjoyed with the SNES, Nintendo must have had quite the shock when Sony's PlayStation proved to be a huge overnight success in the mid-Nineties and poached many publishers, developers...

  • Out Today Super Mario 3D Land and Wallpapers

    Double whammy

    Talk about good days: Nintendo fans in Europe have a new Mario and a new Zelda to choose from today, as the much-anticipated 3DS release Super Mario 3D Land finally reaches European shores. To celebrate the plumber's first true 3D platforming game we've put together some awesome computer wallpapers to bring a touch of the Mushroom...

  • News THQ: uDraw and Wii U Can Co-Exist

    Quick on the draw

    THQ's art tablet uDraw was a big hit on Wii, but once Nintendo unveiled the Wii U controller it started to lose a little of its sheen. The publisher isn't about to let Nintendo run away with the art market though, revealing to Eurogamer its plans to keep the brand going. THQ's global VP for uDraw Andy Hodgson said: We have some...

  • News Peter Moore Bigs Up Wii U's Online Functions Again

    But won't say what they are

    EA's chief operating officer Peter Moore has been a vocal supporter of the Wii U already: back in August he appeared totally confident in the console's online features, and in a recent interview with Famitsu he reaffirmed this commitment with some glowing words. Most intriguing are the hints at the Wii U's online...

  • News West Coast Customs Creates Real Life Mario Karts

    If only they were street legal

    Just as we guessed when Nintendo announced its presence at the LA Auto Show, the company's team-up with West Coast Customs is all in aid of Mario Kart 7. West Coast Customs — best known for its appearances on Pimp My Ride of course — created two life-size Mario Karts to promote the upcoming 3DS racer, out in early...

  • News Classic and Modern Mario Stages Step Onto Fortune Street

    World 1 awaits

    Nintendo and Square Enix team-up Fortune Street is bringing the best of both franchises to its world of board games, with new screenshots showing some of the familiar sights you'll be trying to conquer with the upcoming Wii game. The game takes in spots of Mario history, starting from the classic World 1 from Super Mario Bros. and...

  • Review The Aquarium of Luck (DSiWare)

    Not so lucky

    One genre that has seen plenty of releases on the DS family of consoles is that of pet simulation: all the fun of owning an animal without the expense, smells and responsibility. Next in line via DSiWare is The Aquarium of Luck, bringing the job of fish ownership to two screens. The title itself is strange, and we’d advise young...

  • News Insert Coin Cuts Zelda T-Shirts to Half Price

    Save your Rupees

    As we all know, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is out in Europe today, and to celebrate Insert Coin Clothing has dropped all its Zelda t-shirts to half price. Starting from £10/$15 with free delivery, there's a range of shirts that downplay the Zelda references enough to make them acceptable to wear in non-gaming company...

  • News Pix'n Love Preparing History of Sonic Book for Early 2012

    Now we're talking

    After the excellent History of Nintendo: Volume 1 book, publisher Pix'n Love is expanding its catalogue to Nintendo's great rival and its legendary mascot. Early 2012 sees the release of The History of Sonic, a 300 page guide to the genesis and development of SEGA's greatest hero, including concept sketches and developer interviews...

Thursday17th Nov 2011

Wednesday16th Nov 2011

Tuesday15th Nov 2011

  • Review Step Up! (WiiWare)

    Don't step to this

    The Wii is a great console for combining a love for gaming and fitness. Casual workout titles like Wii Fit offer laid back activities like yoga and jogging, while third-party titles like EA Sports Active offer up more rigorous cardiovascular routines. But what about WiiWare? Sure, retail offerings are great, but Nintendo's...

  • News Nintendo Reacts to PETA's Tanooki Campaign

    Telling tails

    Yesterday's controversial PETA campaign against Mario's Tanooki suit certainly stirred up some heated discussion about the power-up's inclusion in Super Mario 3D Land. Now Nintendo has responded to PETA's claim that the Tanooki suit encourages people to wear fur with an official statement to Eurogamer: Mario often takes the app

  • News 3DS Heading for Bigger First Year Sales Than DS

    Picking up steam

    After its well-publicised troubles earlier this year, the price drop and extra colours seem to be having the desired effect on Nintendo's 3DS, with the console's sales increasing at such a rate it could overtake the first-year sales of its predecessor, the Nintendo DS. While an indication of the 3DS's improved sales, it's also a...

  • News Penny Arcade and Nintendo Team Up for Zelda Comic

    Out this week

    After the announcement of Nintendo's collaboration with West Coast Customs, here's another, only slightly less unexpected team-up. Nintendo and Penny Arcade are joining forces to create a series of webcomics for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, starting this week. According to Nintendo: The comics include characters and themes from...

  • Rumour Strider Bound for Wii Virtual Console

    It's all happening

    As if the recent revelation that Super Street Fighter II with online play is coming west, there's a double-whammy of good Capcom VC news as rumours also point to a Western release for Strider. Siliconera reports both games are now confirmed for release outside Japan, but so far only SSFII has been

  • News Take a Trip Down Boom Street on 6th January

    The streets are paved with gold

    Traditionally January isn't the best month for new game releases, but Nintendo of Europe is bucking that trend by releasing Boom Street — known as Fortune Street in North America — on 6th January. The party game will miss the lucrative Christmas and New Year party season but Nintendo is still hoping its cast of...

  • News Pandora's Tower Makes European Trailer Debut

    Action RPG on the way

    One of Wii's brightest lights for 2012, Pandora's Tower just got its first European trailer showing just what to expect when the game's released next year. Although the trailer isn't localised into English (or any other European language, for that matter) at least Nintendo of Europe is giving you a little peek into the game's...

Monday14th Nov 2011

  • Feature The Best Games on GameCube and Wii

    Celebrating the cube and the waggle

    This week presents a rather unique opportunity, as we’ll be celebrating major anniversaries for two consoles. The GameCube celebrates the tenth anniversary of its North American release on November 18th, while November 19th is the fifth anniversary for the Wii in the same territory. Not only does this dual...

  • Review Shinobi (3DS)

    Shinobi returns for another slice of revenge

    Given the current trend of rebooting classic video game franchises it seems long overdue that SEGA should reinvent fan-favourite Shinobi, for both veteran ninja warriors and younger ninjitsu newcomers to enjoy. Entrusted with this great responsibility is developer Griptonite Games, no stranger to...

  • News PETA Launches Campaign Against Mario

    We're not kidding

    If there was any doubt that Super Mario 3D Land is a high-profile game release, that has now been banished. It has emerged today that PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — has launched a campaign against Mario. The complaint revolves around the Tanooki suit, with the PETA website stating the following: When on a...

  • Review Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! (3DSWare)

    It’s alive!

    The touch screen in the DS family of consoles has often been the focus for artistic experiences. The mere act of holding the stylus should inspire artists, and it’s this instinct that forms the foundation for Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! on 3DS. It’s a strange name that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and is perfectly...

  • Review Castle Conqueror - Heroes (DSiWare)

    We can beat them, for ever and ever

    About a year ago, Circle Entertainment released Castle Conqueror, a quirky and simple RTS that was also very addictive and fun. If we had any real complaints about it, it was that the charming simplicity somewhat prevented it from achieving any substantial depth. It was an excellent experience, but it felt as...

  • News Super Street Fighter II with Online Coming Westward Too

    Capcom confirms

    Just a little while ago, we posted a story about Japan getting the Mega Drive version of Super Street Fighter II with added online multiplayer. As the west had not received the previous two online-enabled Virtual Console games (the arcade versions of Puyo Puyo and Puyo Puyo 2), and because of the fact that there haven't been any...

  • News Miyamoto Plays Games, a Lot

    Is 10 hours a day enough?

    It's been reported today that Shigeru Miyamoto often spends around 10 hours a day playing games, in work. According to a translation, Miyamoto says he is "continually playing the games and checking their content, and sharing my opinion with the development staff." It's stated that he typically has around seven...

  • Rumour Limited Edition Zelda 3DS to be Released in North America

    Don't open the champagne yet

    Good news, we hope, for eager 3DS buyers in North America. It has been reported by Siliconera that the gorgeous limited edition Zelda 3DS bundle, already confirmed for release in Europe, is also on the way to North America. The source of the claim is a scan of an advert from major US retailer GameStop, clearly showing...

  • Review House, M.D. - Episode 4: Crashed (DSiWare)

    Crash and burn

    Dr. Gregory House is back this month with yet another instalment of House M.D. If you’ve played the previous games in the series, then you know exactly what to expect from this one. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience any of these games, then feel free to continue reading. You’re in for a real treat. Like the...