News - 2011, Week 49

Sunday11th Dec 2011

  • News Flipper 2 Gets European Release Date

    And a brand new gameplay trailer to boot

    Goodbye Galaxy Games has announced that its upcoming DSiWare game Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish is set to be released in Europe on December 29th at a cost of 500 Nintendo Points. You can check out our Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish preview if you're still on the fence and the game's brand new trailer is below...

  • Review Tales of the Abyss (3DS)

    Abyssmal?

    In the nine months or so that it’s been on sale, the 3DS has had a number of obstacles thrust upon it, but one major problem for early adopters to lament has surely been the distinct lack of quality software available, with only a handful of truly great games seeing release. Of course, in the last few weeks that’s picked up somewhat,...

  • Review Blaster Master: Enemy Below (3DS eShop / GBC)

    Underground hit

    When the original Blaster Master made its appearance on the NES in 1988, it was lauded for its unique gameplay style and vast environment. Sunsoft would follow up the game with releases on Sega's Genesis and Nintendo's Game Boy, but it wasn't until it decided to create a sequel for Nintendo's Game Boy Color that Nintendo fans really...

  • News Nintendo Takes Home Four Awards at Spike VGAs

    Read all about it

    Last night's Spike Video Game Awards might have been more of a glossy advert reel than a bona fide awards show, but that doesn't take the sheen off Nintendo's four awards on the night. The biggest gong saw The Legend of Zelda receive the first-ever Video Game Hall of Fame Award, picked up by none other than Shigeru Miyamoto, who...

  • News Photos of Shigeru Miyamoto Sat in a Real Life Mario Kart

    No words required

    It's been more like Shigeru Miyamoto Life around these parts this week, with Nintendo's legendary designer hitting the headlines for his apparent — though later rescinded — announcement of his retirement. He's still a fun lovin' kind of guy though, as these photos of him sat in a real-life Mario Kart prove. Miyamoto was in...

Saturday10th Dec 2011

  • Talking Point The Evolution of the 3DS

    Learning to walk

    On 7th December the latest firmware update arrived on the 3DS, adding new features, functionality and playable content to the handheld. In fact, the system now has a more rounded feel to its functionality, with the current fully updated console boasting significant additions to its original capabilities. We've already put together a...

  • News Nintendo Crows About November Sales for Wii and 3DS

    The figures are in

    Now November is long gone it's time to review how Nintendo did in the sales front across the United States. We know the 3DS beat the DS first-year sales in just 8 months, that Mario and Skyward Sword set series sales records, but here's Nintendo's official overview. November was a the biggest month yet for 3DS, with 795,000...

  • News Cake Ninja is Fruit Ninja But With Cakes Instead

    Ninja

    Never let it be said that originality is dead. Cypronia is about to unleash Cake Ninja on an unsuspecting DSiWare service next week. The game tells the story of a ninja sent to destroy all the cake so his wife can't eat it. We're not making this up. As you can see in the video below it's more than a little similar to Fruit Ninja. Cake Ninja is...

Friday9th Dec 2011

Thursday8th Dec 2011

  • News Club Nintendo Gets Major Overhaul, Pay for Games with Coins

    And more

    Update: Club Nintendo now lets you buy download games with coins. Original story: Fed up of those Club Nintendo coins going to waste? A major update is on the way that will let you turn them into games. You'll be able to use your coins to purchase download games for the Wii or 3DS using either system's download voucher redeem ability. For...

  • Nintendo Download 8th December 2011 (North America)

    Pushmo!

    There's some good stuff on the Nintendo Download today, so make sure you read our Guide to the Nintendo 3DS System Update to get your machine up to speed before checking out the latest downloads. 3DS Download Software: Pushmo (Nintendo, $6.99) — Known as Pullblox in Europe where it is also released today, this is a quirky little puzzler...

  • Review Lock 'N Chase (3DS eShop / GB)

    Puzzle Pac-Man

    Data East had quite a few relatively unknown Game Boy games back in the day. Much BurgerTime Deluxe, released a few weeks ago, Lock 'N Chase is essentially a "sequel" to the original arcade game, with the same general gameplay but with many more levels and even a few new gameplay mechanics. If you've played the arcade game,...

  • News Just Dance 3 Gets Mario DLC on 14th December

    Wa-ha!

    Just Dance 3 is about to get a whole lot more plumber-y, as Nintendo UK has announced a Mario song is on the way next week. From 14th December you'll be able to download The Mario Song for 250 Nintendo Points, a medley of classics beats and tracks from Mario games past. An on-screen Mario jives to the beat, and the dance marks all wear Mario...

  • News Expect the Circle Pad Pro Battery to Last for 480 Hours

    Or thereabouts

    The Circle Pad Pro attachment needs its own AAA battery, but don't think you'll need to shell out on new ones every time you fancy a game of Resident Evil Revelations. According to one eager Japanese early adopter, the device's instructions claim it can last for up to 480 hours on a single AAA battery. Good job too, as the battery...

  • News Nintendo: Miyamoto Is Not Stepping Down

    Issues statement

    Shigeru Miyamoto is not stepping down from his current position as head of Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis and Development team, Nintendo has confirmed. In an interview with Wired Miyamoto seemingly announced he was stepping down into a smaller role, but an official statement from Nintendo says this is not the case: Video game...

  • News Europe Gets The Last Story on 24th February

    Are you ready?

    Nintendo of Europe has confirmed that Wii RPG The Last Story will reach the continent on 24th February 2012. The long-awaited RPG from Final Fantasy legend Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker studio includes online multiplayer for up to six players simultaneously, with Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Co-operative modes all included...

  • News 3DS Was UK's Biggest-Selling Console Last Week

    Nearly 70,000 sold

    Buoyed by the releases of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, 3DS was the biggest-selling console in the United Kingdom last week. Nearly 70,000 units of the console were sold around the UK in the last week, MCV reports. By comparison, the 3DS racked up 113,000 sales at la

  • News UK Retailers: "We'll Have Enough 3DS Stock for Christmas"

    No need to panic

    Last week UK 3DS sales hit 70,000, making it the biggest selling console in the nation amid reports of low 3DS stock levels around the country. Now retailers have stepped in to assure customers there'll be enough to go around for Christmas. Representatives from GAME Group, HMV and Sainsbury's all confirmed to

  • News Miyamoto Not Stepping Down Into Smaller Role

    Update: Nintendo clarifies

    Update: Nintendo has issued a clarifying statement that says Miyamoto has not left his position: Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto's role at Nintendo is not changing. He will continue to be a driving force in Nintendo's development efforts. In discussing his priorities at Nintendo in a media interview, Mr. Miyamoto...

  • News Wii Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary in Europe

    Hasn't it grown?

    Five years ago today, the motion control phenomenon started in Europe. The humble Nintendo Wii reached European stores on 8th December 2006, and set sales records in many territories: in the UK, over 105,000 Wii consoles were sold in the opening weekend, beating the previous record of 70,000 sales set by the Xbox 360. That success...

Wednesday7th Dec 2011

  • Guide Nintendo 3DS System Update

    All the information you need

    So you've got the 3DS system update and want to know exactly what's new? We've got you covered. Here you'll find a regularly updated account of how to get the most from your system's new features. If you have any questions, use the Contact form and we'll do our best to address them. Page 1: 3D Video RecordingPage 2:

  • Review Fortune Street (Wii)

    A sound investment

    Mario and friends are no strangers to the board game scene: the Mario Party series is a perennial favorite, and rightly so. Those games are colourful, exciting and, most of all, fun. But it may come as something of a surprise to find our favorite denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom sharing a board with characters from the Dragon...

  • Review Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii)

    Olympic shames

    It was four years ago that the old 16-bit rivals teamed up for the first time: Sonic appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the two took their tussle to the track in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. It wasn't exactly a high watermark for either mascot, but it felt right at home on the Wii at the time: motion gaming was taking...

  • News There Are How Many Mii Characters Worldwide?

    Quite a lot, it turns out

    Wii launched five years ago, unleashing an army of cheery little caricatures called Mii characters. How many of the little folks have made it across the world though? Nearly 214 million, according to Nintendo, and that's not including Miis on 3DS. The staggering facts don't end there: Nintendo Europe claims that the number...

  • News 3DS Firmware Update Available Now

    Get to it!

    The wait is over: the Nintendo 3DS firmware update is available now around the world. The update adds new features including 3D video recording, new games in the StreetPass Mii Plaza and the ability to download games from the 3DS eShop while the system is in sleep mode. Here's how to get your update. Bear in mind you'll need a wireless...

  • Talking Point The Overcrowded Holiday Release Schedule

    Time for a congestion charge?

    There’s a popular analogy that likens the act of waiting for buses to other everyday occurrences in life: around this time every year we’re all inevitably subjected to the same situation as we were last year, and the year before that, and so on. Picture the scene: you’ve endured summer months of crippling boredom,...

  • News Xenoblade Chronicles is Coming to Canada Too

    More information due "soon"

    Last week's announcement that Xenoblade Chronicles is coming to North America actually only specified a United States release, leading those north of the border to wonder if it would see release in Canada. It will. Nintendo of Canada confirmed to Examiner.com that the much-anticipated RPG is on the way to Canada: Xenobl

  • News Japan's eShop Gets Its First Demos

    Try before you buy

    The 3DS system update paves the way for paid add-on content and free demos to reach the eShop, but while Europe and North America has to wait a little while for demos Japan's store has a few to choose from. Owners of Japanese consoles can choose free trials of the following games: Dead or Alive: Dimensions Monster Hunter 3 G

  • News Japanese eShop Takes a Trip to Wario Land Next Week

    He's-a gonna ween

    Japan's Super Mario Land trilogy reaches completion next week, as Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 reaches the Virtual Console. Regarded as one of the best platformers on the Game Boy, Wario Land was OFLC rated so we expect to see it in Europe and North America pretty soon, perhaps even before Christmas. Cross those fingers now.

  • News Shifting World Flips 3DS Upside Down in 2012

    Seem familiar?

    Aksys Games just announced a new retail release for 2012: Shifting World. The game might seem familiar to the 16 million-plus people who've played Shift online or via its iOS release. It's an enjoyable puzzle game that flips black and white and up and down to create some mind-bending puzzles. Shifting World on 3DS obviously brings 3D...

  • News 3DS Nears 3 Million Sales in Japan

    Mario Kart does the business too

    3DS is selling better than ever, with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata telling the Nikkei newspaper (via Andriasang) the system is about to tip the scales at 3 million units sold in Japan — two weeks quicker than the DS reached the same milestone. The news comes a week after Nintendo confirmed 3DS beat the DS's...

Tuesday6th Dec 2011

  • News How to Avoid Skyward Sword's Game-Ending Glitch

    Pay attention

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a fantastic game, but if you're not lucky you could encounter a serious bug that completely halts your progress. Now Nintendo has released instructions for how to avoid it — but no word of a fix. The following email comes from Sharon Matheny (via Zelda Informer: We have been made aware of the...

Monday5th Dec 2011

  • Review Power Rangers Samurai (DS)

    Go go Power Rangers

    Centuries ago, dark forces threatened to destroy civilisation in Japan. The danger was thought to have been destroyed by a clan of fearless warriors wielding power symbols that had been passed down for generations. Now these dark forces have returned to finish the destruction they started so long ago, and the survival of Earth...

Tuesday6th Dec 2011

  • News Code of Princess is a 3DS RPG From the Guardian Heroes Team

    Get excited

    Treasure's Guardian Heroes is one of the SEGA Saturn's best games, and its recent Xbox Live Arcade re-release isn't bad either. The original development team has now banded together once more to create Code of Princess, a Japanese action roleplaying game for 3DS. Set for release by Agatsuma Games in Japan early next year, the game...

  • News Capcom Committed to Monster Hunter in the West

    Wants it to be big

    Monster Hunter 3 (~Tri) is the only taste of Monster Hunting action Nintendo fans in Europe and North America have been able to savour, but it's safe to say it's left them wanting more if the interest in Monster Hunter 3 G and Monster Hunter 4 is anything to go by. Capcom USA senior vice president Christian Svensson knows that,...

  • Nintendo Download 8th December 2011 (Europe)

    Pull those blox!

    The big release this week is the new puzzler from Intelligent Systems, but we should also highlight this week sees only the second Game Boy Color game to hit the 3DS Virtual Console after The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX in June. Let's see what's on the platter this week. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Pullblox (Nintendo,...

  • News Skyward Sword's Music Sounds Even Better When SNES-ified

    Who needs an orchestra?

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's music is up there with the best of the series, and made all the more powerful by its use of a real orchestra. But how do the melodies themselves hold up when taken back to something a little less realistic? "Very well indeed" is the answer. YouTube user MischievousMusings has...

  • News Ubisoft Recruiting for Triple-A Wii U Online Game

    What could it be?

    We already know Ubisoft is one of the many third-party Wii U developers — it announced Killer Freaks From Outer Space at E3 2011 after all. The company's throwing more weight behind the platform though, now recruiting for a "AAA Wii U game" at its Quebec studio. Two positions are available: senior engine programmer and,...

  • News Japan Buys Half a Million Copies of Super Mario 3D Land

    Off to a flyer

    Super Mario 3D Land saw release in Japan last month and made light work of the competition, selling over 500,000 copies across the country. Andriasang reports the game shifted 542,842 copies across Japan between 31st October and 27th November, with the best first-week sales of any 3DS game yet. In North America Super Mario 3D Land set...

  • News UK Retail Reports Red 3DS Reaching Really Rare Rating

    Not many about

    It's Christmas time, and you may need to be afraid if you're after a red 3DS, according to a report from MCV. The trade magazine claims UK retailers are struggling to keep the red 3DS in stock in the run up to Christmas, with other colours also tough to get hold of. The releases of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land and a...

  • News DSiWare Goes Commando in Steel Disaster on 22nd December

    Ten-hut!

    Cinemax is best known for its Rytmik games but it's got something entirely different lined up for Europe in the next few weeks. Commando: Steel Disaster is an old-fashioned run-and-gun shooter that saw a retail release in North America several years ago, but Cinemax and developer Mana Software are taking another shot at it with a DSiWare...

  • News Soccer Up! Dribbles for Goal on 22nd December

    Christmas fixture

    Soccer Up! has been knocking the ball around comfortably in its own half for some time now, but it's finally committed to a serious attack on WiiWare's football-free zone and is due out in two weeks. North America and Europe both get the Mii-powered kickabout on 22nd December for 500 Wii Points. Here's the teaser trailer below...

Monday5th Dec 2011

  • Guide Mario Kart 7 Top Tips

    Be magnificent in MK7

    By now you'll probably have pumped a stack of hours into Mario Kart 7, but if you're still finding yourself more loser than leader we've got Mario Kart medallist James Newton to put together a few short tips to help you shave seconds off your performances. If you want to put your new skills to the test, check out our Mario Kar

  • Review Zen Pinball 3D (3DSWare)

    Flippin’ fun

    As gaming arcades and old-fashioned pinball tables become increasingly rare in public spaces, pinball enthusiasts can now revert to digitised versions for their fix. It’s good news for these gamers as the 3DS eShop’s latest 3D offering is Zen Pinball 3D, a stereoscopic edition of the highly rated PlayStation Network release. We...

  • News Aonuma: "We'll See" About Zelda Voice Acting

    Never say never

    There's been much discussion about whether or not The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword should have used voice acting; some appreciate the mute characters, others feel a whole chunk of the game's potential atmosphere is missing. Game Informer recently asked Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma and music maestro Koji Kondo about the possibility of...

  • Review We Sing Rock (Wii)

    Wii salutes you

    Some things in life never change. When you're in a rush in your lunch hour, there will always be a massive queue outside the bakery. If you trip on a loose bit of pavement, you will always attempt to turn it into a jog to appear completely in control to the strangers around you. Failed sneezes are forever disappointing, there's never...

  • News Monster Hunter 4 Video Was All Real-Time, All the Time

    Actually playable

    If, like us, you were wowed by the Monster Hunter 4 video Capcom revealed back in September but thought "that can't possibly be accurate" — apparently it can. A recent Iwata Asks interview (via Andriasang) reveals that not only was it real-time footage of the upcoming 3DS game, it was actually played by Capcom staff...

  • News Super Mario Galaxy Director Said No to Kuribo's Shoe

    Not a wind-up

    After Super Mario Bros. 3 it took the Tanooki tail years to make a resurgence, appearing in both Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, but it's not the only retro power-up from the game overdue a revival. IGN recently spoke to Super Mario 3D Land director Koichi Hayashida about the game and asked about the legendary Kuribo's shoe, one

  • News Nintendo Grabs Europe By the Pullblox This Week

    Here comes the little guy

    Pullblox — known as Pushmo in North America — is the next downloadable piece of 3DS software to hit the eShop. The Nintendo Channel updated today with the Thursday release date for Pullblox, the new game from Advance Wars and Fire Emblem team Intelligent Systems. You play a little chap who must pull and push blocks to...

  • News Hunting King is an Augmented Reality eShop Shooter

    Oh deer

    The 3DS comes with a few augmented reality games built-in, but Arc System Works is going one better than arrows and boards: it's going hunting. Hunting King hits the eShop in Japan next week for 500 Yen (£4.00/$6.50/€4.75), and while it uses computer-generated backdrops as you try to shoot deer and secret animals, you can also engage its...

  • Charts 5th December 2011 (UK)

    Serving up eShop eCharts

    It's Monday morning again and that only means one thing in these parts: eShop charts. Accidental poetry aside, here's the list of everything that's selling well in the world of 3DS digital downloads, as collated and published by Nintendo itself. denotes last week's position. indicates game is a new entry. indicates a...