Review Metroid Fusion (3DS eShop / GBA)
Like cold fusion, only cooler
News - 2011, Week 51
Sunday25th Dec 2011
News Join Our Mario Kart 7 Communities for Festive Fun!
Show us some skill
If you're one of the many thousands unwrapping a 3DS console and/or Mario Kart 7, you probably want to try out its really rather good online modes. We've put together not one, not two, but three official Nintendo Life racing communities for you to take part in. Here's how to get involved: Load up Mario Kart 7 Install the Mario...
Friday23rd Dec 2011
Review Tetris (3DS eShop / GB)
From Russia with fun
Saying that Tetris shifted a few Game Boys is like saying caffeine sold a few energy drinks. Already an established favourite by the time Nintendo's handheld hit the market in 1989, Tetris proved to be the perfect pick-up-and-play experience to go along with the fledgling portable system; while many people initially questioned...
Saturday24th Dec 2011
Feature Staff Memories of Nintendo at Christmas
Merry Christmas, one and all
Christmas has arrived, the festive period of giving and generosity, and also a time when loved ones shower each other with thoughtful gifts. For many gamers it's a holiday full of nostalgia and memories of shiny new consoles, games and fun with the family. We couldn't let this holiday pass without sharing some of our...
Feature Merry Christmas from Nintendo Life!
'tis the season!
It's Christmas — a season of goodwill and peace to all men. A time when we take some well-deserved time off to catch up with family and friends, stuff our faces with food and do a huge amount of gaming. To celebrate this awesome time of year we have a special treat. Nintendo gamers know the legendary Nintendo 64 kid, but while...
Friday23rd Dec 2011
Review F-Zero Maximum Velocity (3DS eShop / GBA)
Gotta go fast
F-Zero has always been Nintendo’s way of flaunting how on the cutting-edge of technology it can be when it so chooses. Like a bat out of Hell, the original F-Zero launched alongside the Super NES to draw a clear distinction between where 16-bit Nintendid and SEGagged. Later on N64, F-Zero X boasted 30 on-screen polygonal racers and...
Have your say
We've had a phenomenal year for gaming, with new outings for Mario, Kirby, Link, Sonic and many, many more. As we reach the end of 2011 it's only right to celebrate the best games of the year. We won't hoard all the voting excitement for ourselves, though — we want you, the lovely Nintendo Life readers, to speak up on what you most...
News That Zelda Timeline Makes a Bit More Sense Now
But not much more
Brace yourselves folks: your grey matter and perception of time is about to get seriously twisted. Again. New Nintendo has a fuller translation of the Legend of Zelda timeline we posted the other day. This has been translated from the Hyrule Historia art book, but as usual remember it's a fan translation so don't take it as 100%...
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Lady Liberty Larceny (WiiWare)
Where in the world is the rest of the game?
Remember Carmen Sandiego? That mysterious woman in red who would steal precious and historical items from throughout the world all while teaching kids about history and geography? Well, she’s finally back and up to her old tricks. Except this time, rather than geography, it’s going to take all of...
Feature Bizarre Emails Sent to Nintendo Life - Volume 4
Merry Christmas, everyone
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and in the spirit of gift-giving we've got a sackful of incredible, baffling and downright idiotic emails, all sent to Nintendo Life (or our sister sites) throughout the past few months. If you've missed a previous instalment in the series, consider them stocking fillers before the...
News VVVVVV eShop Release Date Revealed for North America
Price too
VVVVVV lands in the 3DS eShop across North America next week for $7.99. Terry Cavanagh's retro-styled action platformer lands on the service courtesy of Cave Story publisher Nicalis, and arrives with its original stages, music and art style all intact. Nicalis also promises "future content updates" — could this be the first 3DS...
News There's a Myst Descending on 3DS Next Year
Game de-Mystified
90s point-and-click adventure Myst will come to 3DS on 27th March 2012. Publisher Maximum Family Games is promising new content in the form of new landscapes and the addition of the RIME Age. Manny Granillo, CEO of developer Hoplite Research, is very excited about it: In 3D, each scene jumps from the screen and really puts the...
News eShop Meets Its Samurai Sword Destiny on 5th January
More swordplay on the way
We know what you're thinking. "Silly Nintendo Life editor," you scoff. "The 3DS eShop's upcoming swordfighting game is called Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword, not Samurai Sword Destiny." You roll your eyes and tut, forgetting we're the most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to downloadable...
Thursday22nd Dec 2011
Review Mighty Switch Force! (3DSWare)
The mighty gets mightier
While Shantae will likely always be the series WayForward is best known for, its Mighty series has enjoyed a sizeable degree of success on Nintendo's DSiWare service. Now, the developer is looking to carry that success over to the 3DS eShop with the release of puzzle-platformer Mighty Switch Force. While the game is once...
Review Mario Kart Super Circuit (3DS eShop / GBA)
Short circuit
It’s hard to believe that the Mario Kart franchise has been around for nearly 20 years and appeared on eight different consoles. Mario Kart: Super Circuit may have been first released in 2001, but now it’s back for a whole new generation of players ten years after release through the 3DS Ambassador program. There are four cups to...
Nintendo Download 22nd December 2011 (North America)
Swapnote is here!
It's the Christmas edition of the Nintendo Download, as we deck the halls with digital delights and wonder if we've been good enough boys and girls to get what we've asked Santa for. 3DS Download Software: Swapnote (Nintendo, free) — It wasn't on the website or press release but open your eShop and you'll find Swapnote waiting...
News Skyward Sword Save File Fix Wii Channel Out Now
But there's a small catch
Wii owners in Europe and Australia can now download a free Channel to allow them to continue with their The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword save file if they've encountered Skyward Sword's game-ending glitch. Note the Channel is only any use if you've encountered the bug: if you're planning to work around it or have passed...
News First NES Game Hits 3DS Virtual Console in Japan Today
It's Zelda
Japanese 3DS owners can now download The Legend of Zelda for Virtual Console for 500 Yen. It's the first of the 3DS Ambassador games to be sold on the service, and goes for around £4/€6.40. The game now comes with a digital manual and a new VC menu that offers improved save and suspend features. We'll update you when we know more about...
Wednesday21st Dec 2011
Talking Point Why Is It So Hard to Make a Good Christmas Game?
Coal in the stocking
Merry Christmas, everyone! It's that magical time of year again, a time for all of us to indulge in Christmas movies, Christmas music, Christmas TV specials and Christmas video games! Alright, we admit... not so much the last one. But that poses an interesting question: why not? Christmas-themed video games have been around for...
Thursday22nd Dec 2011
News Bionic Commando Grips 3DS VC in North America Next Week
Heads up
Here's a truly rare event: Nintendo of America has announced a 3DS Virtual Console game a week in advance. Bionic Commando is coming to the service on 29th December, as revealed by the Nintendo Facebook page. There's no official price yet but expect it to come in around the $3 mark. Are you polishing your grappling gun in anticipation?
News Tekken 3D Steps Into North America on 14th February
Happy Valentine's Day!
Namco's panda-puncher (now there's a PETA campaign waiting to happen) Tekken 3D Prime Edition will take on North America from 14th February 2012. The 3D fighter arrives with CGI movie Tekken: Blood Vengeance intact, and another promise that it'll "make the most of the Wi-Fi functionality" of Nintendo 3DS. What does...
News Nintendo UK Brings Boom Street Forward to 28th December
Shifting stocks
Boom Street (aka Fortune Street) has been brought forward from its 6th January 2012 UK release date to make it out in time for the New Year party season. The board game will now release on 28th December. It's actually quite good, as our Boom Street review states. Nintendo UK announces an early release date for Boom StreetOut in...
News Flip Out Over 101 Pinball World in January
DSiWare turns the tables
Teyon's habit of cramming 101 things into one DSiWare game continues unchecked, with the next title from the Polish developer, 101 Pinball World, due on 12th January 2012. The DSiWare bumper basher will set you back 500 Points and includes 101 tables spread over four themed worlds: Wizard World, Alien Spaceship, Halloween...
Wednesday21st Dec 2011
News Nintendo Japan's Website Has Swapnote Videos
You should watch them
Swapnote — aka Nintendo Letter Box — is the 3DS messaging service, and it's out in Japan today. Nintendo Japan's website has videos of the application in motion, and now we have a better understanding of how it'll work. You can create notes of up to four pages long to be sent to a friend over the Internet (i.e. SpotPass) or...
Rumour Official Legend of Zelda Series Timeline Revealed
Hyrule history translated
The Legend of Zelda art book we told you about last week has now made it to Japan, and according to one fan translation it reveals the official series timeline for the first time. Previously Nintendo has kept the Zelda timeline secret so we're not sure if this is a definitive timeline or simply one interpretation of it, but...
News The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary T-Shirt Due Soon
Pre-orders open Christmas Eve
Premium t-shirt brand The King of Games has just revealed the official commemorative t-shirt for The Legend of Zelda's 25th anniversary, with pre-orders due to start on Christmas Eve. The shirt is available in black or green and features an image of Link's shield and Master Sword surrounded by his other famous items —...
News Nintendo and Namco Team Up to Bring One Piece to Europe
Mark your calendars
Nintendo's clearly still in the festive spirit as it's just signed a distribution deal with Namco Bandai to bring One Piece Unlimited Cruise Special to Europe on 10th February 2012. The game's a 3D revamp of Wii title One Piece Unlimited Cruise Part 1: Adventure Beneath the Waves — one of the rarer Wii games — with new...
News 3DS to Hit 4 Million Sold in Japan Sooner Than Expected
Ahead of schedule
With Monster Hunter 3 G, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 all out now in Japan, it's no surprise the system's sales have picked up significantly, but according to Andriasang it's outstripping Nintendo president Satoru Iwata's predictions. Just two weeks ago we reported
News Japanese eShop Gets Picross e Sequel Next Week
Picture this
Japanese puzzle fans are well catered-for already on the 3DS eShop, with Mario's Picross on Virtual Console and the eShop-exclusive Picross e available too. Next week sees another picture puzzle crossword added to the store: Picross e2. The 500 Yen download includes another 150 puzzles and a new Micross mode, where you're given a series...
News Tekken 3D Prime Edition Punches Europe on 17th February
Just a day after Japan
Talk about your short waits. Nintendo and Namco Bandai have signed a deal to bring Tekken 3D Prime Edition to Europe on 17th February 2012, just 24 hours after its Japanese release. As with other 3DS fighting titles — Dead or Alive: Dimensions and Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition — Nintendo will handle sales, marketing...
Tuesday20th Dec 2011
Review Metroid Fusion (3DS eShop / GBA)
Like cold fusion, only cooler
Metroid Fusion slipped out of the airlock between two behemoths, simultaneously having to live up to the legacy of its predecessor Super Metroid, which is a big Power Suit to fill, and keep the advancing Metroid Prime at arm cannon's length. It would have been easy for Fusion to have become lost in the vacuum created by...
News 3DS Finally Gets Messaging with Nintendo Letter Box This Week
Merry Christmas
Nintendo 3DS owners in Europe can download the free Nintendo Letter Box application on the eShop from this Thursday. The messaging application arrives as part of the Nintendo Download and lets you send messages via StreetPass and SpotPass. You can write or draw in 2D or 3D and include sound effects and photos too. We'll have news on...
News Nintendo Narrows Wii U Release Date Window
Early 2012 goes right out of it
Nintendo's always said Wii U will be launched between April 2012 and the end of next year, but kiss goodbye to dreams of getting the machine before June. Nintendo of America now states the console will be available between the beginning of E3 and the end of 2012, giving us a six month period during which Wii U could...
Nintendo Download 22nd December 2011 (Europe)
Droppin' blocks and mailin' letters
It's a bumper download for Europe this week — though no, there's no Wii Virtual Console present. Here's what Nintendo's digital departments has to offer this Christmas week. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Nintendo Letter Box (Nintendo, free) — The 3DS finally gets its messaging application with Nintendo...
News Wii U Hands-On for Media Only at CES 2012
Bubble burst
Yesterday's rumour that Nintendo would show off Wii U at CES in January has turned exactly as expected: it just ain't so. 1UP has a statement from Nintendo that confirms the publisher's showing is behind closed doors, with nothing new to reveal over and above what we learnt at E3: Nintendo of America, working with the 2012...
News Square Enix Announces Kingdom Hearts 3D for the West
Due next year
Square Enix and Disney's fruitful relationship continues next year with Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance], as the publisher confirms the 3DS RPG will come to North America and Europe in 2012. Series stalwarts Sora and Riku appear in new locales, including La Cité des Cloches from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with characters from...
Charts 20th December 2011 (North America)
What's filling digital stockings this week?
With just a few days until Christmas here's what 3DS eShop users have been purchasing in the past seven days. Popular Last Week — All Downloads: Buoyed by its appearance as a Club Nintendo reward, 3D Classics: Xevious shoots up to second, just behind Intelligent Systems' adorable puzzler. The Club...
News Australian Board Rates Ubisoft's First Ever Virtual Console Titles
Bringing out the big guns
It's hard to believe, but Ubisoft hasn't released a single game on either the Wii or 3DS Virtual Console, surprising considering the publisher's enormous 25-year back catalogue. That could all be about to change though, as the Australian Classifications Board has rated three titles for the services. Ratings for Prince of...
News North America, Expect Xenoblade Chronicles Before May
Pre-order from Nintendo now
Nintendo gave a vague spring 2012 release date for Xenoblade Chronicles in North America, but now you can pre-order the game directly from Nintendo we have a slightly more precise date. The Nintendo store has the game up for pre-order at $49.99 with the following statement: We expect to begin by the end of April 2012. A...
News Take a Bite of Chronicles of Vampires: Origins This Week
Blood? Simple
Teyon's been quiet on DSiWare for a while but that's about to change this week, as Chronicles of Vampires: Origins will reach North America on Thursday. The vampire-related hidden object puzzle will cost 500 Points and looks a lot — in fact, exactly — like the trailer below. Other games due to reach North America in this week's...
Monday19th Dec 2011
Review The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (3DS eShop / GBA)
Small but mighty
Those poor Hylians just can't have any fun, can they? Just when everything seems to be all well and good, some creep with bad skin comes along, unleashes a whirlwind of evil and shrouds the land in darkness. It's tough for us to feel too bad for them, though. Because as history has shown, bad news for Hyrule means great news for...
Maybe it’s a fruit cake
Nintendo’s handheld consoles face the ever-growing prominence of smartphones, particularly in terms of the games on these devices. Cake Ninja is undoubtedly influenced by a thoroughly popular game on Android and iOS that involves slicing fruit: this ninja, however, has lost his way. The gameplay within this title...
News How Was Super Mario Bros. 3 Made?
Origin tails
The Tanooki tail is back in a big way this year, but it's time to take a look back at when and how it entered the Mario canon way back in Super Mario Bros. 3. Chris Covell's website has a translation of The Stars of Famicom Games, a 1989 book taking a sneaky peek at how Mario's greatest 8-bit adventure was created, from ideas to...
News North America to Get Zelda: Skyward Sword Save File Fix
Everything's not lost
Nintendo Japan's save file fix programme for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is coming to North America. Affected users can either send in their save file on an SD card or wait for Nintendo to make available a piece of Wii software that'll repair the issue. Prevention is better than cure, so read up on how to avoid Z
Rumour Nintendo to Show Off Wii U at CES in January
Getting out there early
The Wii U hasn't been seen since E3 in June, but according to CNET it's about to get a run-out at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. CNET claims Nintendo is taking the Wii U to CES in January, though the CES website doesn't list Nintendo as an exhibitor. Last year Nintendo held meetings at CES but didn't have any...
News Pluck a New Trailer for Harvest Moon: First Earth
Ripe and ready
Harvest Moon: First Earth — or Bokujou Monogatari: Hajimari no Daichi — is coming to Japan in early 2012 and we have a little more footage of the 3D farm 'em up. The trailer below doesn't show us much more than we knew already, with character customisation and the ability to throw houses both displayed, but it does contain cute...
Charts 19th December 2011 (UK)
What's Christmas number one?
Hard to believe we stand at the beginning of Christmas week, yet here we are, eagerly unwrapping UK's 3DS eShop charts to find out what's the star on top of the download Christmas tree. More mixed metaphors in the charts below. denotes last week's position. indicates game is a new entry. indicates a non-mover. Popular...
News 3 Heroes - Crystal Soul is CIRCLE's First Game of 2012
The company that loves heroes
Chinese studio CIRCLE Entertainment loves the word "heroes" as much as it loves the word "castle" — hence Castle Conqueror — Heroes then — with a new DSiWare game keeping the tradition alive. 3 Heroes – Crystal Soul is due out in North America on 5th January 2012, and looks like a mix of...

























































