News Wii U Can Stream MP4 Videos Directly From Your Computer
Watch trailers and more
News Miyamoto Puzzled As To Why Anyone Would Want A New F-Zero
"I thought people had grown weary of it"
News - November, 2012
Friday30th Nov 2012
News Wii U Can Stream MP4 Videos Directly From Your Computer
Watch trailers and more
European Nintendo fans are only just getting their hands on the shiny new Wii U console today, but users in the States are starting to find out some cool hidden features - such as the ability to stream MP4 videos straight from your computer. Entering your computer's IP address into the Wii U browser allows you to beam movies...
This Land is your land
Nintendo Land has a lot to live up to. Not only does its name invoke a fantastic, imaginary kingdom many of us would happily sail to sight-unseen, it's also the game poised to provide proof of the Wii U's concept, as Wii Sports did for the Wii back in 2006. And like Wii Sports before it, if you've picked up a Deluxe Wii U it's...
Review Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge (Wii U)
Bloody hell
It’s been a long time since master ninja Ryu Hayabusa infiltrated a Nintendo home console, with 1995’s Ninja Gaiden Trilogy for the SNES marking his last appearance. Tecmo Koei decided the time was finally right for Ryu to make his return with Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, a souped-up, improved version of Ninja Gaiden 3, which...
News Iwata Explains Where The Name HAL Laboratory Came From
Not what you'd expect
We, like many other Nintendo fans out there, were under the pretense that HAL Laboratory - the company responsible for our lovable pink hero Kirby and the Super Smash Bros. series - was named after the computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL 9000. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata even stated that the name was "very cool" during...
The Nintendo Life verdict on the biggest hardware launch of 2012
After months of waiting, the Wii U is finally here. The system launched in North America on the 18th and comes to European shores today. We’ve had our hands on a Euro console for a while now, and have been putting it through its paces to bring you our impressions of what is...
News Wii U Wasn't The Only Nintendo Hardware Launch In Europe This Month
We go hands-on with the gorgeous white 3DS XL
Nintendo doesn't do things by halves. November may mark the release month of the Wii U console in Europe, but that hasn't stopped the company from pushing out another piece of tech in the same time period. Today marks the release of the white 3DS XL Super Mario 3D Land bundle in Europe, which follows...
News Your Wii U GamePad May Be More Responsive Than Your HDTV
Latency tests show that Nintendo's streaming tech is rock solid
One of the first things many people will question when picking up the Wii U GamePad for the first time is the quality of the streaming. With no wired connection between the console and controller, many make the assumption that the delay must be greater than when playing on a standard...
Guide Getting Started With Your Wii U
Nintendo provides some how-to guides for your new console
Unlike most readers at Nintendo Life, not everyone who buys a Wii U will know everything about it before they've even opened the box. Hardware launches such as this are a great time for companies to attract new users, with that in mind Nintendo has released a series of handy videos to get...
News Crimson Shroud Confirmed for 13th December Release On 3DS eShop
Third Guild01 titles gets a confirmed date
Level-5 has confirmed that Yasumi Matsuno's Crimson Shroud will launch on the North American and European 3DS eShop on 13th December. This is the third game to be taken from the Japan-only Guild01 collection, with Liberation Maiden and Aero Porter having already made the jump to the west. The fourth game...
News Wii U Takes London By Storm With Midnight Launch
Hundreds of Nintendo fans braved the cold
For Europe, the wait is finally over. At the stroke of midnight on November 30th the Wii U was released into the wild, and there's no better way to celebrate such a thing than to hold a big midnight launch event at HMV’s flagship store on Oxford Street, London. People flocked from far and wide to get a...
News Urban Trial Freestyle Revving Up For 3DS eShop
Parkour on two wheels
When the 3DS launched way back when, Nintendo made NES classic Excitebike available on the eShop to download for free; yet since then we've had little to satisfy our bike racing needs. Luckily for fans of the genre Tate Interactive has revealed it is bringing its newest game, Urban Trial Freestyle, to the 3DS eShop. The game...
News Nintendo Has No Plans To Launch Wii Mini In The UK
For Canada's eyes only
It began as a rumour which led to an official announcement, but we now know that the Wii Mini is real. It's a Canadian exclusive for the time being, but for those of you who may have been hoping that the pint-sized console could travel to the UK in the near future, we've got some bad news. Speaking with
Feature Toki Tori 2 Top 5 - What's New In The Sequel
Calling the shots
Toki Tori 2, the sequel to one of WiiWare's best-known titles, arrives on the Wii U eShop on 20th December. This sequel features significant changes from the structure and gameplay of the original release, while the included level editor may give extra life to the experience for any budding game designers with their hands on a Wii...
Thursday29th Nov 2012
Review New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U)
High definition hijinks
New Super Mario Bros. U marks the first time that a brand new Mario game has accompanied a Nintendo hardware launch since the days of the N64, and consequently places an inordinate amount of pressure and expectation on its high-definition shoulders. It’s perhaps not what hardcore fans wanted; following so closely on the...
News Hacker Claims To Have Deciphered Wii U CPU and GPU Speeds
Info apparently obtained from Wii U hacks
For plenty that aren't merely interested in playing games on Wii U, but also want to know about its capabilities under the hood, the past few weeks have been full of claim and counter-claim about various aspects of the system. The CPU has been at the forefront of the debate, with negative and damning...
Feature EU Wii U Launch Day - Live!
Hey America, now it's our turn!
Wii U launched what feels like years ago - Sunday 18th November in North America, to be precise. After literally days of waiting (days can seem like months when it comes to new Nintendo hardware) Europe is finally getting the shiny new system, and we're going to share the experience with you just as we did with the US...
News 47,096 Perler Beads Made This Awesome Chrono Trigger Artwork
A labour of love
When you love a video game very much there are a number of ways in which you can express that adoration to the world. One is to simply tell anyone that will listen, while another is to create a fan-site or something similar which communicates why it's such a fantastic game. However, this imgur user decided that he wanted to do...
News Some Euro Wii U Buyers Reporting A Distinct Lack Of Nintendo Land In Their Premium Bundle
Some of our bundled software is missing
As you'll no doubt be aware if you've been closely following our Wii U Euro launch thread, many people who ordered their systems online have been getting them a day early. While this should be reason enough to be very excited indeed, we've been informed by some early adopters that their joy has quickly turned...
News Latest Iwata Asks Episode Reveals Why Paper Mario Sticker Star Abandoned RPG Elements
It was all Miyamoto’s idea!
Paper Mario: Sticker Star takes a bit of a step away from previous iterations of the game in that many RPG elements are missing. This is something that has divided opinion throughout the Paper Mario fanbase and it’s been revealed Shigeru Miyamoto is to blame. During the latest Iwata Asks, President of Nintendo Satoru...
Nintendo Download 30th November 2012 (Europe) - Wii U Edition
Got your hard drive ready?
Wii U is finally arriving in Europe and PAL regions, and with it comes all of the excitement of a new system. Part of that — after the system update, of course — is the Wii U eShop, which arrives with some exciting download-only games as well as a host of retail titles. There's plenty to get through, so let's get to...
Nintendo Download 29th November 2012 (North America)
Should you drag yourself away from your Wii U for these downloads?
While Europe readies itself for the Wii U and North America enjoys yet another week with the new system, the Nintendo Download roller-coaster continues. There's not a great deal to choose from this time, we're afraid - but then again, you're probably still enjoying New Super Mario...
News Molyneux: Wii U Is Good, But It's Not Great
Industry veteran has "unbelievable respect" for its creator, though
Co-founder of 22 Cans and industry legend Peter Molyneux has already spoken out a few times saying he doesn't think modern day consoles are equipped properly for the ever-changing gaming market. Recently the former Bullfrog and Lionhead boss said he "struggles to see anything...
News Iwata: We Don't Want To Emulate Xbox Live and PSN
Nintendo president also sorry for 1GB day-one update
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has stated in an interview with IGN that his company is not attempting to play catch-up with rivals Microsoft and Sony when it comes to online services. With the recent launch of the Wii U and the establishment of Miiverse, Nintendo has recieved a few critical...
News Wii U Version Of 007 Legends Canned In Australia
Epic Mickey 2, NBA 2K13 and Marvel Avengers all delayed
The Wii U launches in Australia on Friday and several stores will open at midnight so that eager Aussies can get hold of one as quickly as possible. However, three games that won't be available alongside the Wii U Down Under are Epic Mickey 2: Power of Two, NBA 2K13, and
News Nintendo's Wii U Marketing Currently Focusing On Core Fans
Will move onto a broader audience in coming months
Nintendo’s marketing machine is in full swing right now as the final hours tick down to the European Wii U launch at midnight. A lot of the marketing has focused on telling people what they can do with Wii U, as we’ve seen with several television adverts showing families having a jolly good time...
News Assassins Creed III, FIFA 13 And Mass Effect 3 All Come Without Online Passes On Wii U
Pre-owned copies will be able to go online without code redemption
In an attempt to stop people buying their games from the pre-owned section, games publishers often slip a code into the packaging of their latest games that will be required should you wish to play online. We already know that Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition does not require...
Wednesday28th Nov 2012
Review Scribblenauts Unlimited (Wii U)
Scribble to your heart’s content
The Scribblenauts series has always been about pushing your imagination to its limits and solving puzzles in unique and often hilarious ways. With its various open worlds and the ability to seamlessly traverse between them, as well as the brand new object editor which lets you create almost anything and everything,...
Review ESPN Sports Connection (Wii U)
Taking one for the team
Launching with Wii Sports was, in hindsight, one of Nintendo's best ideas: the pack-in's elegant simplicity helped skyrocket the fledgling Wii right up into the stratosphere. Families rallied around Tennis, grannies couldn't get enough Bowling, that annoying uncle hogged Golf, mass hysteria yadda yadda. So no surprise then...
News Nintendo of Europe Gives Free Retail Game to 3DS XL Owners
Download delights
Club Nintendo is a nice extra for Nintendo gamers, though we imagine there are a few that don't necessarily bother to go through the process of logging in and completing surveys for all of their game or hardware purchases. That may change due to a handsome new promotion for 3DS XL, as Nintendo of Europe is offering a free retail...
News Limited Edition Hyrule Historia Restricted To Just 4000 Copies
Save your Rupees for this one!
The Legend of Zelda fans will surely be eagerly awaiting Hyrule Historia, the gorgeous 272-page art book which will feature the official timeline and concept art from the famous series. Its publisher, Dark Horse Books, has now announced that it will be producing 4000 limited edition copies of the book; this edition...
Pix 'n' mix
Block puzzlers: the genre that keeps on giving. Just when you think all the possibilities of the humble square have been exhausted, along comes another game to prove just how wrong you are. PIX3D combines cuboids and pixel art in a retro love-in that's fun, despite a general lack of challenge in its main mode. PIX3D's concept is both...
News Mario Kart 7 3DS XL Bundle Confirmed for North America
Rumour drifts into truth
Less than 24 hours ago we reported two fresh 3DS rumours, which involved a standard model price cut and a new XL bundle. It didn't take long for one of them to be confirmed by Nintendo, with Holiday shoppers set to be tempted by a blue 3DS XL that also includes Mario Kart 7. As previously reported, this bundle will have a...
Talking Point Nintendo Shrinks Prices and Consoles
It's all about the money, mini, money
When we first reported the rumour of a Wii Mini, we made the mistake of including a slightly mocking tagline that referred to flying pigs. With the existing Wii models already selling at such low prices, the concept of Nintendo arranging the manufacturing, packaging and advertising for a new model this late in...
News Wii U GamePad Offers Nine-Axis Controls
Utilises the earth’s magnetic pull
Motion sensors have been a major part of the gaming industry for a while now. Ever since the Nintendo Wii was first revealed all those years ago developers have been clambering over each other to implement motion controls into their games – even more so when it became so successful. Since then we’ve seen...
Rumour Yoshi's Land Coming To Wii U
Best Buy product page outs potential sequel
Yesterday, retailer Best Buy Canada leaked the existence of the Wii Mini - a smaller, cheaper (and arguably less useful) version of the Wii console which was officially confirmed by Nintendo hours later. It would appear that Best Buy isn't done with letting cats out of bags, and has published a product...
News Game Designer Says "Wii U Isn't Sure of Itself, and That's its Greatest Virtue"
Nintendo tackles modern technology habits
There are plenty of us, outside of North America at least, that are waiting to spend serious time on Wii U, so concepts such as asynchronous multiplayer are still shrouded in some mystery; even early adopters are likely to still be discovering new uses for the system's GamePad controller. Plenty is already...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Surpasses One Million Sales
E.X. Troopers has an underwhelming start
When Animal Crossing: New Leaf was released in Japan, demand was so high that physical copies of the game sold out, while eShop download sales returned some rather impressive results. Subsequent weeks have remained solid, with the latest Media Create results showing that the title has passed the one million...
News Pier Solar Kickstarter Campaign Successful, Wii U Port Added As New Stretch Goal
$200,000 is the figure required
Indie developer WaterMelon, creators of the recent Pier Solar and the Great Architects for the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis in the US), recently launched a Kickstarter campaign with the aim being to create a HD edition for Xbox 360, PC, Mac and Dreamcast. The target was set at $139,000 and it didn’t take long for the...
News Fractured Soul Demo Blasting Onto North American 3DS eShop
Update for the game also on the way
Sidescrolling shoot ‘em up Fractured Soul has been available in the North American 3DS eShop since September. The game was developed by Endgame Studios, which spent eight years working on the title, and sees you blast your way through some of the hardest levels ever seen on 3DS. The Australian developer has now...
News New Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan Teaser Trailer Emerges
Journey to a faraway land
The highly anticipated Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan will be available in North America on February 26th 2013 in both packaged form and digitally through the 3DS eShop. Atlus, the game’s developer, has now revealed a new English teaser trailer for your viewing pleasure. The game sees you venture off to an...
News Australian Wii U Midnight Launch Details Revealed
Bonza!
The Wii U will finally become available in Europe this coming Friday, and HMV's flagship London store on Oxford Street will be hosting the big event with a midnight launch. It’s not just Europe that will be having a very happy 30th November, though - on the other side of the globe Australians will be picking up their brand spanking new Wii...
News Mutant Mudds Deluxe Venturing Onto Wii U in Q1 2013
Mud-sliding its way into the Wii U eShop
A few months back Jools Watsham of Renegade Kid posted possibly the shortest blog post we'd ever seen, which simply showed an image of Mutant Mudds on a Wii U GamePad with the accompanying title "Mutant Mudds Deluxe". Obviously this indicated that the popular 3DS eShop title would be following in the...
Tuesday27th Nov 2012
News Wii Mini Is Official And Has No Online Connectivity
$99 price, December launch in Canada
The leak of the Wii Mini this morning has turned into an official announcement, with Nintendo confirming the existence of the system and launching a dedicated site. The new machine features a fresh two-tone design and retails for $99. At the moment, it looks like being exclusive to Canada, but there's a chance...
Pants party
When you're aiming for a wide audience with your new console, it's important to have all of your boxes ticked. New Mario? Check. Zombies? Check. Party game? Check, mate. That seems to be the driving force behind SiNG Party, a game so light and fluffy that it wafts through the air like the smell of cotton candy. It just kind of exists in...
Review Ninja Master's: Haō Ninpō Chō (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Something old, something new
Not only were there a huge number of fighting games throughout the lifespan of the Neo Geo system, there was also a serious amount of variety in the styles and executions of those games. While most Neo Geo fans will associate developer ADK with its popular World Heroes series, it was its final release for the system,...
Rumour 3DS Gearing Up For Another Price Drop
Not quite as drastic this time
Today's confirmation of Wii Mini, initially in Canada alone, is an intriguing move that is as surprising as it is creative. After all, our very first report of the rumour had a cheeky tagline referring to flying pigs; consider it a lesson learned, never underestimate Nintendo logic. Rumours of a fresh 3DS price drop...
News Want To Know What It's Like To Drop Your Wii U GamePad?
Drop it like it's hot
Those crazy guys over at GizmoSlip are known for their drop tests, testing the durability of expensive new gadgets by dropping them from a maximum height of 6 feet onto a concrete surface with no other aim but to see if it smashes into a million pieces or not. The Wii U GamePad was next on their 'to break' list, plunging it to...
Review Pac-Man (3DS eShop / NES)
Ghost gobblin' on the go
If you were to ask one hundred people to make a list of the most classic video games of all time, you shouldn't be surprised to find Pac-Man on every one of those lists. It's an unrivaled masterpiece of gaming simplicity, an experience that involves nothing more than moving endlessly around a single maze, yet which somehow...
News Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition Dogged By Performance Issues
More frame rate woes
Wii U has launched with more titles to choose from than ever before. Of course those with a keen eye will be quick to point out that this is largely because third party developers have simply ported some of their old games from other platforms over to Nintendo’s new console. One of those titles is Batman: Arkham City Armored...
News Best Buy Canada Website Outs Wii Mini, States December 7th Launch
Where there's smoke, there's fire
Remember that Wii Mini rumour we posted the other day? Well Best Buy Canada just upgraded it from "huh?" to "legit". The store's site features an image of the new-look console, which appears to be more akin to a set-top box than the old design. Sadly, clicking the image itself currently takes you to the Wii section...
News Reggie: Sony and Microsoft Need To React To What Nintendo Is Doing With Wii U
"Faster processors and pretty pictures won't be enough"
The Wii U has its fair share of plaudits but its fair to say it also has an equal share of doubters as well. Since the new console has launched many developers have taken a swipe at it claiming its lack of power will make it outdated and irrelevant once Sony and Microsoft throw their new...
News New Super Mario Bros. 2 Players Have Snagged Over 300 Billion Coins
Nintendo Direct delivers the happy news, DLC launched to celebrate
Nintendo Japan released a new Nintendo Direct presentation yesterday in which president Satoru Iwata announced that over 300 billion coins had been collected by New Super Mario Bros. 2 players worldwide. To mark the proud occasion, a DLC level pack has been made available free of...
News Latest Iwata Asks Episode Reveals How Killer Freaks Became ZombiU
From hyperactive alien Rabbids to slow lumbering zombies
During E3 back in 2011 Ubisoft revealed a trailer for a Wii U exclusive game known as Killer Freaks from Outer Space. The game looked to be a light-hearted survival horror game that featured strange intergalactic creatures that were hell bent on consuming every living being in their path...
News People Are Already Queuing For The Wii U In London
Dedicated fans show their appreciation for Nintendo
Last week we reported that HMV's flagship store on Oxford Street would be hosting the UK's Wii U midnight launch, with the first 100 in the line getting a free copy of New Super Mario Bros. U. Some more prizes and goody bags will be given away on the night too to mark the occasion. It comes as no...
News Two Brothers Developer Speaks Of Nintendo In Glowing Terms
Nintendo "fighting against a stereotype", says indie dev
AckkStudios - the team behind Two Brothers - has given some more details about what it's like to work with Nintendo on the Wii U eShop. Speaking to Kotaku, brothers Brian and Andrew Allanson (spooky, eh?) spoke about how Nintendo had approached the development of the game,
News TVii Application Will Be Available In Japan At Launch
But not all of its features will be free
Nintendo has revealed that TVii - the application that allows users to merge all of their video streaming packages together and change TV channels - will be available in selected European regions at some point in 2013. It looked as though Japan was being left in the lurch but this is not the case as the Land...
Monday26th Nov 2012
Guide Transferring your Mii to the Wii U
From Mii to U
When the Wii first arrived in 2006, the ability to put yourself in the game with Miis was a novel addition that caught on quickly. These days most of us have grown quite attached to our own Miis, as evidenced by the number of them gracing the Nintendo Life forums and comment sections as user avatars. Thankfully, a new console doesn't...
News Wii U Can be Used as a Portable Home Console
Not something we ever considered...
We never thought we'd see a Wii U treated as a portable system, but that's exactly what's happened with a keen Japanese gamer — importing a system ahead of time clearly wasn't enough on its own. The console isn't portable, of course, but on select games you don't technically need to use the TV; a power outlet is...
Review Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U eShop)
Three’s company, two
It’s always a strange occurrence when the sequel to a hit game becomes available to a new community of gamers, especially when those gamers might have no prior knowledge of the series. Trine 2: Director’s Cut is not only one of the first games available on the Wii U eShop, but it's also the first iteration of the Trine...
Review Little Inferno (Wii U eShop)
Burn, baby, burn
"Your Little Inferno is not like other games. There are no points, there is no score, you are not being timed. Just make a nice fire, and stay warm in the glow of your high definition entertainment product." This opening letter from Tomorrow Corporation - the real-life developer and in-game mega-conglomerate from whom you've just...
News New Super Mario Bros. U Director Explains Why Peach Isn't A Playable Character
She's just not suited for it
New Super Mario Bros. U is the latest instalment in the New Super Mario Bros. series and allows you to play as Mario, Luigi, Toad and even your own Mii. Previous Mario sidescrollers – like Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES for example – have allowed you to play as Princess Peach as well, but she's since been dropped and...
News The Godfather of Video Games Is Baffled By The Wii U
Atari founder Nolan Bushnell doesn't think Nintendo's console will be a success
When you're considering the history of the video game industry, the name Nolan Bushnell is almost certain to crop up. Bushnell founded Atari back in 1972 and enjoyed incredible success with arcade hits like Pong and the Atari VCS home console. Although he's not been...
Nintendo Download 29th November 2012 (Europe)
Pokémon, Airplanes, Dots and a couple of demos
Although the eyes of many European Nintendo fans may be fixed on this Friday - we hear that there's a big hardware launch, apparently - the crazy world of downloadable software trundles along regardless. We've got a handheld-focused selection for you this week, with games for your 3DS and DSi consoles...
News New Update Incoming For Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed
Will address Boost Challenge and Ninja Tag issues
Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed is the only racing title currently available on Wii U, and it looks as though many people who picked up the game have found a few minor issues with it. The issues in question happen during non-race modes like Boost Challenge and Ninja Tag where, according to...
News Reggie Fils-Aime: Wii U Is "Much More Graphically Intensive" Than Rival Systems
Content from major devs to make for a "well-rounded console"
While there's been much talk about Wii U in terms of its substantial launch lineup, as well as opinions on the system's operation system and functions such as Miiverse, there's also been plenty of discussion about CPU chips and graphical capabilities. Like Wii before it, some are...
Rumour Wii Mini Console Outed By Retailer Release Schedule
Flying pigs also sighted
We like a good rumour here at Nintendo Life, but the latest delicious morsel to grace the internet is crazy enough that it might be true. This one's definitely a case of "only Nintendo", we give you... Wii Mini. While "mini" devices are quite the craze right now courtesy of a certain fruit-named tablet device, the concept...
News Miyamoto: Nintendo Will Offer more Support To "Committed" Third Party Developers
Exclusive titles will get big support
While Wii U's launch is now well underway, with a fair bit of fanfare surrounding it, many want to know what the games of the future will be like on Nintendo's new home console. Some people certainly believe that when it comes to utilising the unique control schemes the Wii and Wii U have to offer, it's only...
News Wii U Shifts 400K Units in Début Week
It's "essentially sold out of retail"
Nintendo's revealed its sales results to incorporate the Wii U launch and the Black Friday festivities, with NoA COO Reggie Fils-Aime weighing in with the company's perspective in an interview with CNET. Nintendo's total hardware sales — according to internal data — hit around 1.2 million units in the U.S.,...
News Lack of "OMG" Idea Explains Borderlands Wii U Absence
Aliens: Colonial Marines pushed some buttons
Gearbox is the developer behind Aliens: Colonial Marines, a title coming to Wii U in 2013 that promises to make many film-buffs weep with joy at the first "beep" sound to emanate from the GamePad. The famous motion control sensor from Aliens will be recreated on the system's controller, and is likely to...
News Fan Made Wii U Album Available For Download
Wii bet that U will like these!
Wii U Grooves - a fan made album of remixed Wii U sounds - has been uploaded to the interwebs for your listening pleasure. DJ Cutman, who has a passion for video games and chip-tune music, mixed the 9-track album and has made it available for download right here. The songs are inspired - and cleverly named - by the...
News Nano Assault EX Blasting Onto The 3DS eShop Soon
Should be available before the new year
Nano Assault Neo is available in the Wii U eShop right now in North America — and will be in Europe on Wii U launch day — but there's also a portable release coming to the 3DS eShop that takes its cues from retail release Nano Assault. As Shin'en man Manfred Linzner described it to us, it's really Nano...
News Cloudberry Kingdom Delayed On Wii U eShop
We hope it's available 'berry' soon
The developer behind Cloudberry Kingdom - Pwnee Studios - has revealed that its upcoming Wii U eShop title will be delayed. When asked if it would be available for download this month, the response from Pwnee was: Unfortunately it is not. Looks like we're going to delay for a bit and go for a simultaneous launch...
Sunday25th Nov 2012
Worth your launch day carrots?
The inaugural Rabbids game was a launch title for the Wii back in 2006, so it seems only fitting that Wii U should have its own outing with the furry little hellions right from the get-go in Rabbids Land. This time around the action is presented in the context of a digital board game, like Mario Party, and while the...
Review Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (Wii U eShop)
Arresting development
When Mighty Switch Force was released for the 3DS eShop it was quickly heralded as not only one of the service’s best games but also one of the best games on the stereoscopic handheld period. Faultless controls, addictive puzzle platforming and a healthy dose of WayForward’s trademark charm made it shine, and now with the...
Review Aero Porter (3DS eShop)
A game with a lot of baggage
We at Nintendo Life absolutely loved Airport Mania: First Flight. Its appeal was rooted largely in the simplicity of its tasks, and the larger effects they all seemed to have. Airport Mania took the entire, massive scope of airport management and narrowed it to a tiny focus: directing and maintaining planes. There was,...
Talking Point Nintendo And The Third-Party Challenge
Can the Big N win over support for Wii U in the long run?
With Wii U finally available in North America and shortly on its way to European store shelves, Nintendo fans across the world seemingly have a lot to be happy about. At long last, we’ll be able to experience our favourite franchises in glorious high-definition, along with some high profile...
News Nintendo TVii Service Coming To Europe In "Selected Regions"
Will be available sometime in 2013
Nintendo's Wii U launched in North America recently without the TVii application that allows users to merge all of their video streaming packages together into one comfortable little hub. The app will be made available in December, however, once Nintendo has given it one final polish. It seems North Americans...
Saturday24th Nov 2012
Review Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (Wii U)
Tag, you're it
For as well known a household name as Tekken is, it’s strange to realize that it’s never made its way to a Nintendo home console at any point. There have been handheld offerings on the Game Boy Advance and 3DS, but portable fighters are rarely more than appetizers compared to their beefy console counterparts. Namco Bandai finally...
Review Nano Assault Neo (Wii U eShop)
Bullet hell on a cell
Much like the its 3DS predecessor, Nano Assault Neo is an arcade-style shoot 'em up that’s all about piloting a microscopic spacecraft and blasting molecular baddies. There isn’t actually a plot present in this game, so there’s no need to worry about being bogged down by unnecessary story. What we have instead is a...
Review Real Heroes Firefighter 3D (3DS)
Burnt out
A review of a game involving putting out fires wouldn’t be a review of a game involving putting out fires without some sort of nod to Sega’s classic Saturn extinguish-‘em-up Burning Rangers. So here it is: Burning Rangers was ace. Real Heroes Firefighter 3D on the other hand, is not. Maybe that’s an unfair comparison, given that...
Feature Reinventing Nintendo's Legacy Franchises on Wii U
It's comeback time
Despite often being criticized for a perceived lack of new franchises, Nintendo’s back catalogue offers a wealth of unique games which have each carved out their own place in the company’s legacy. From Mario to Link to lesser known characters such as Ness and the Ice Climbers, it is clear that Nintendo has a diverse range of...
Review 3D MahJongg (3DS eShop)
The ancient art of matchmaking
MahJongg is one of the most classic games on the planet, dating back — by some estimations — to around 500 BC. The fact that it's still popular today says a lot about its addictiveness, and its myriad variants range from social group games — think poker — to solitary, puzzle-like experiences. It's the latter...
News Call of Duty Black Ops II Suffers From Reduced Frame Rate On Wii U
Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions more consistent
Now that Wii U has finally been released, we have three HD home consoles on the market. It seems every man and his dog wants to know which one performs best, especially when it comes to those third party multi-platform games Nintendo gamers aren't used to seeing. One of those multi-platform games...
News UK Retailers: Wii U Is Sold Out
Allocation is all on pre-orders
The Wii U has now launched in North America - as if you needed telling - and will emerge in the European market this coming Friday, 30th November. It's fair to say Nintendo fans in the UK, jealous of their North American counterparts, are chomping at the bit to get hold of their new console, but if you haven't got a...
News ZombiU Demo Coming To Wii U eShop
Expect it before 15th December
Ubisoft has a plenty of Wii U titles available on launch with the likes of ZombiU, Assassin’s Creed III and Rabbids Land to name a few. Rayman Legends unfortunately didn’t make it into the launch line up and is now penned in for an early 2013 release
News YouTube App Goes Live on Wii U
In case you hadn't tapped the icon yet
After a launch day that involved a firmware update and a few icons on the home menu that weren't quite ready for action, Wii U is starting to get into its stride with entertainment apps. It's not just about games, remember. If you haven't tried it in the last couple of days, you should know that the free...
Friday23rd Nov 2012
Guide Using USB Storage with the Wii U
Commit these instructions to memory
The Wii U's eShop represents a big step forward in digital distribution for Nintendo, with eShop-only indie titles sharing shelf space with downloadable versions of major retail releases from day one. These larger titles can easily occupy over 10GB of space, with Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition confirmed to...
Fear Factor
ZombiU definitely has a lot to prove. After Red Steel - Ubisoft’s hardcore offering at the Wii’s launch - failed to win over the masses by making large promises it failed to deliver on, public response to ZombiU has typically been laced with skepticism. Now that the game has been unleashed and is happily infecting shiny new Wii U...
News Ex-Rare Staffer Explains How He Created A Profanity-Packed N64 Cult Classic
Chris Seavor spills the beans on Conker, the chances of Killer Instinct 3 and why he left Rare
Conker's Bad Fur Day is famous for its bad language, adult themes and profusion of poo, but it didn't start life as a mature-rated piece of software. Originally intended as a direct sequel to the cute and cuddly Game Boy Color title Conker's Pocket Tales,...
News Japanese Import Ban on R4 Cartridges Becomes Law
Only years too late
So, R4 cartridges. These are the devices that allow gamers to circumvent the security measure on a DS to run custom code — often referred to as homebrew — and illegally download copies of games. While the former reason often provides the grounds for defence of these cards, there are also a lot of people who used them to...
News Resident Evil Revelations Jumping Ship To PS3?
Any port in a storm
According to a Korean Ratings Board, the 3DS survival horror classic Resident Evil Revelations is making the jump to the big screen, but not on Nintendo's Wii U as you might reasonably expect - it's apparently coming to the PS3 instead. "Revelations has something to offer Resi fans old and new – there are few experiences on...
News New Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney Trailer Points the Finger
More puzzling gameplay details solved
Capcom and Level-5 have revealed more details about the gameplay in the latest trailer for upcoming crossover title Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney. The game will feature a combination of elements from both series, switching between Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright. Layton’s segments will see the player...
News XSEED Struggling To Get Unchained Blades Onto The 3DS eShop
Still hoping for a 2012 release
Expansive dungeon crawler Unchained Blades is a glorious looking RPG filled with unique hand-drawn characters, each one from a different artist. The game has been available in Japan for well over a year now but has only arrived overseas on Sony's PSP, with news on the 3DS eShop release being thin on the ground...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Eight
Where shall we start?
So, last time we ran one of these articles we suggested we'd try to get back to a fortnightly routine. That's one crazy aspiration too far, especially as Nintendo is intent on throwing interesting news, Nintendo Direct broadcasts and new HD consoles at us from all directions. Let's drop the promises, and say that we'll do these...
News Publisher Dream Bringing Game Development Aspirations to DSiWare
Release your games on the "cShop"
Not too long ago Circle Entertainment brought Bookstore Dream to DSiWare, a thoroughly decent resource management sim that drew inspiration from similar titles available on smartphones. In that case it was all about managing stock and attracting customers, but the developer has announced a new entry in the series,...
News Wii U UK Launch Event Set for HMV in London
Free games for the first 100
With one week before its release in Europe, details have now emerged of the UK's Wii U launch event — it's set for HMV's flagship London store on Oxford Street. As you'd expect it'll be a midnight launch, and various incentives and activities are planned to keep eager Wii U early-adopters warm. The doors will...
News GoldenEye 007 Wii Dev Suffers Major Job Losses
"Focusing mainly on mobile opportunities moving forward"
Eurocom, the development studio probably best known for GoldenEye 007 on Wii, has today announced a large number of redundancies as part of a restructuring effort. The company has confirmed that its number of employees has dropped from over 200 to just 50. Eurocom has been in business since...
Thursday22nd Nov 2012
News Wii U System Update Can Be Downloaded in the Background
Play while you wait
If one complaint drowned out all others among excited Wii U owners on launch day, it was the waiting time to install the system update. Depending on your internet speed and the performance of the Nintendo servers, the download typically seemed to take anything between 45 minutes and three hours, and then you'd have another 10-15...
News Wii U GamePad Can Play Assassin's Creed 3 in 3D
All about the software and glasses
When Wii U was unveiled, just a few months after the arrival of 3DS, some wondered whether the GamePad's screen would feature autostereoscopic capabilities like the handheld's screen. It didn't take long for that idea to fade away, as the realities of a glasses-free 3D screen that size, as well as its constant use...
Nintendo Download 22nd November 2012 (North America)
Mallo returns, Link has an adventure, spirits are hunted and more
It's Thursday, which only means one thing here on Nintendo Life - it's download update time. This week sees a return for a popular 3DS eShop IP, a classic NES title, a long awaited DSiWare release and some other goodies. Nintendo's press release only mentions the Wii U eShop games...
News THQ Adds Clarity To The Wii U "Horrible, Slow CPU" Comments
But worries surrounding it refuse to go away
It emerged yesterday that 4A, the developer behind Metro: Last Light, is not very impressed with the Wii U's CPU; Oles Shishkovtsov, the studio's chief technical officer, called it "a horrible, slow CPU". Huw Beynon of THQ, publisher for the latest Metro title, elaborated further by saying that bringing...
News Analyst Believes Nintendo Shouldn't Compete With Sony And Microsoft
Wii U “in an awkward place with its identity”
Wii U has a plethora of games for consumers to choose from on launch. There’s something for everyone – for the casual gamers there’s Nintendo Land and the like and for the more core gamers there are titles such as Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition and Call of Duty: Black Ops II. However,...
News Nintendo Provides Final Wii U Launch Line-Up for Europe
The final, final list
With the European launch of Wii U getting ever closer — quiet, North Americans — Nintendo of Europe has now issued its definitive list of packaged retails games that'll be there on day one. We already knew about all — or at least most — of these, but it's nevertheless nice to see a confirmed line-up for what games...
News This Zelda Video is Truly Epic
One of the best you'll see
We've seen some creative and clever videos over the years, with no shortage of film-making skill, that celebrate Nintendo franchises or characters. One of our favourites is this post-it Mario sequence, which used stop-motion video techniques and 7000 post-it notes — all in the name of entertainment. The talented people...
Events The Paper Mario Pop Up Diner
Anything but flat
Wii U may be releasing in Europe in just over a week, but that didn’t stop Nintendo UK yesterday from reminding everyone that Paper Mario: Sticker Star is on its way to 3DS on 7th December in Europe. Already released in North America — and seemingly going down well with the critics — it was only fair that those of us across...
News Scribblenauts Unlimited Delayed In Europe Until 2013
And we don't know why just yet
5th Cell, developer of Scribblenauts Unlimited, has confirmed that the Wii U title — and the 3DS title too, for that matter — won't hit European shores until 2013. Responding to a post on NeoGAF, 5th Cell CEO Jeremiah Slaczka denied that it's an issue of localisation. "Nope. It's due to stuff I can't talk about...
News SUMO Digital Invites Fans To Campaign for Sonic Racing DLC Characters
Now that's a challenge
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is one of many Wii U launch titles, though it provides the sole source of racing fun for early adopters in North America. Of course the Wii U version, like its compatriots on Xbox 360 and PS3, will be open to potential DLC as the months pass by, and Sumo Digital's Steve Lycett has taken...
News Amazon Instant Video Goes Live on Wii U
Just tap the icon
Much like the arrival of Hulu Plus on Wii U, good things come to those who wait. Joining yesterday's addition to the TV streaming options on Nintendo's new system, and Netflix which was ready on day one, is Amazon Instant Video, live right now. If you're a subscriber to the service, simply tap on the tile visible on the home menu...
News New Gameplay Trailer For Chasing Aurora Soars In
Braving the elements
The Wii U eShop has gained a fair amount of support already from developers. One such developer is Broken Rules, which has brought the vibrant Chasing Aurora along to the virtual store for launch. Already available in North America, Chasing Aurora will be available in Europe on the same day Wii U launches – that’s November...
Wednesday21st Nov 2012
Review Spirit Hunters Inc. Shadow/Light (DSiWare)
Bustin' makes us feel bored
Announced way back in May 2010, Nnooo's Spirit Hunters Inc. — available now in both Light and Shadow flavours — promised, in Nnooo's own words, "a Role Playing Game set in the real world." That's both a tall order and an idea with enormous potential, which is why it's a shame that the finished product mistakes "role...
Feature Hands-On With 16-bit RPG Pier Solar
We check out the Mega Drive epic which could be making its way to Wii U soon
WaterMelon's 16-bit RPG Pier Solar is proof that old gaming hardware can enjoy a fresh existence years or even decades after its original production lifespan. What began as a homebrew project in 2004 has turned into a indie gaming success story; Pier Solar has had multiple...
News Wii U Becomes Profitable With One Game Sale
Buy a game, make Mario say wahoo!
It was confirmed in late October that Wii U will be sold at a loss, which gave the retail price some context and perhaps made some supporters nervous about the financial impact on the company. According to comments from Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime, however, the loss on each console is evidently small...
News Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan Dated For North America
Plus a nifty pre-order bonus
Atlus has lifted the lid on a release date for Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan; it will be hitting shelves in North America on 26th February 2013, and will also be available as an eShop download. Those of you that decide to pre-order a retail copy will also be treated to a limited edition art book and music CD...
News The Wii U CPU Is "Horrible" According To Metro: Last Light Developer
Honesty may not be the best policy
Ukrainian developer 4A clearly isn't happy about the Wii U's CPU, and isn't afraid to be blunt about it. Oles Shishkovtsov, the studio's chief technical officer, explained how he wasn't one bit impressed with the brains of Nintendo's new console, explaining that it has "a horrible, slow CPU." 4A's upcoming game -...
News Microwave 'Artist' Returns to Melt a Wii U
A deluxe model, no less
So, plenty of you in North America have a shiny Wii U, and you're possibly cradling the GamePad in your arms between game sessions and telling children with sticky hands to stay away. Or maybe you're just playing a load of games, but we're sure most are you are being quite careful to keep your new console shiny. What you...
News Wii U on Plenty of U.S. Christmas Lists
The kids are alright
With the Holiday season upon us, there are a number of gadgets vying to be the hottest attraction for shoppers, with Wii U doing its best to join in. Of course, so much money at this time of year is spent on kids, and according to surveys conducted by research firm Nielson, Wii U is high on a lot of wishlists. Of those...
News Sumo Digital: Mario Kart Could Learn From Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
"We've pushed the genre forward with this game"
Racing games aren't exactly in abundance for Wii U at the moment. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed represents the only racer on Nintendo's new console at this current time, with Need For Speed: Most Wanted set to emerge later in the launch window. Some may see titles like Sonic & All-Stars...
Rumour SEGA Looking To Bring Classic Titles To 3DS eShop
Space Harrier coming first?
The 3DS eShop is the perfect place for old favourites from yesteryear to gain a new lease of life, and rumour has it SEGA has made plans to port some of its biggest classic titles to the service. According to gamer.ne.jp, SEGA is bringing the extremely popular arcade title Space Harrier to the 3DS in what will be known...
News Bumper Sales Make The Last Story XSEED's Most Successful Title Ever
New print run should continue the positive performance
Publisher XSEED - a specialist in localising Japanese titles for western consumption - has announced that RPG The Last Story is its most popular title yet, although it stopped short of divulging precise figures. The game - which is developed by Hironobu "Final Fantasy" Sakaguchi's studio...
News "What is Wii U?" Adverts Start Quizzing Gamers
Depends on the game, of course
With all of the hubbub and excitement it may be possible that some Nintendo fans have forgotten about us Europeans and PAL gamers, still waiting for Wii U to arrive. It's actually the worst for Japanese gamers who'll get the system last — what were the odds on that a year ago? In any case, for many of us the...
News 2K Boss Has No Doubts That Wii U Will Be Successful
"Nintendo always impresses and surprises me"
2K Games president Christoph Hartmann is clearly something of a Nintendo fan, and has made some incredibly positive noises to UK trade publication MCV. Speaking in an interview which goes live on MCV tomorrow, Hartmann was effusive in his praise: Nintendo always impresses and surprises me. The team...
News Hulu Plus Now Up and Running on Wii U
Watch TV, on your TV!
Wii U is a pretty strong offering, in terms of functionality, on day one once the system update is in place. More is on the way, of course, such as the TVii app that will arrive in December, while the Wii U menu on the GamePad is showing some other services that aren't quite up and running just yet. One of these icons is for...
News Wii U Demo Pods Being Installed In UK GAME Stores
Hundreds of consoles sent out into the wild
It can be quite difficult to really sell the concept of a new console with just words and advertising alone; this is something Nintendo has found with Wii, 3DS and now Wii U. The best way for people to get a feel for what a new console is like is for them to literally get their mitts on it; that's exactly...
News THQ Enters Forebearance Agreement With Creditors
Foreclosure delayed, for now
THQ has been going through some difficult times lately. The developer currently has $16.4 million outstanding on its facility and two weeks ago it defaulted on a loan worth $50 million. Things were looking bleak, but it appears the company has entered into an agreement with the finance company Wells Fargo Capital Finance...
Site News Don't Worry, Our Wii U Reviews Are Incoming
Taking our sweet time
As you've no doubt noticed, the Wii U has just been released in the US. New console launches are exciting times; the anticipation of fresh hardware creates a groundswell of interest, and fans clamour over magazines and websites to digest critical reaction to new software. We're already aware from the various comments on...
Tuesday20th Nov 2012
News Simple Workaround Allows You To Play Wii U Games Off An SD Card
Play your cards right
Before the launch of the Wii U, Nintendo confirmed that software could not be played from an SD card, but it would appear that it is technically possible - provided you have one of those cheap USB card readers handy. YouTube user Shokio discovered that if you pop your SD card into one of these readers and then insert it into...
Review Chasing Aurora (Wii U eShop)
Soaring
At its heart, Chasing Aurora is a game about the dream of flight. Developed by Broken Rules - the studio behind And Yet It Moves - it's a beautiful journey with distinct single- and multiplayer components that share a focus on simplicity and the endlessly enjoyable act of flying. As a launch game for the Wii U eShop, it's first and foremost...
News Nintendo Has No New Wii Games In The Pipeline
Focus fully shifts to Wii U
The Wii has been Nintendo’s most successful home console of all time, with close to 100 million units sold worldwide. Now that Wii U has been officially launched many have wondered what will become of its plucky old predecessor, which has served Nintendo so well over the past six years. Well it appears that where first...
Talking Point The Nintendo Network ID's Next Big Step
Not quite fully “networked”, yet
We’ve praised the concept behind the Nintendo Network a fair bit here on Nintendo Life, and in various news posts and features we’ve stated or alluded to the fact that it could be the start of a bright new online era for Nintendo. To start this particular article on a positive point, there are plenty of...
News Wii U Software Discounts Hit Ahead of Black Friday, Analysts Weigh In
Consoles reportedly sold out, over 2500 on eBay
Now that Wii U has had a day or so to launch and fly off store shelves, industry analysts are starting to look at the early signs of success, or otherwise, for the system. It's all very, very early days, of course, but nevertheless a couple of interesting trends have emerged. For starters, and to the...
Nintendo Download 22nd November 2012 (Europe)
Flying, dressing up, fighting spirits and more
There was a certain big release over in North America at the weekend, but fear not Europeans! You get to find out what downloads are coming first, so that's one-up right there. We have a 3DS launch title flying in as a retail download, as well as offerings on every platform; you can check out the...
News Reggie - Wii U Is "Absolutely The Beginning Of A New Generation"
Hints at some launch window surprises
One big debate that has surrounded Wii U ever since it was revealed is whether or not the new console is the last through the door of the old generation, or the first to break into the next one. With the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 coming towards the end of their product life cycles it seems inevitable that their...
News Dangerously Infectious ZombiU App Now Available On iOS
Zombie me up, baby
Following in the footsteps of Nintendo itself, Ubisoft has released a ZombiU app for iOS devices to coincide with the launch of the game on the shiny new Wii U. The free application allows you to take a picture of yourself and will automatically generate an infected image. You can see the difference between the level of...
Review Working Dawgs: A-Maze-ing Pipes (DSiWare)
Working class
Taking a page almost directly from the book of Pipe Mania, the hilariously titled Working Dawgs: A-maze-ing Pipes is a puzzle game that involves moving water from one place to another using a complex series of tubes. If you've played this type of game before, then you know exactly what to expect, while newcomers to this particular form...
News Premium Wii U Owners In The UK Need To Spend £62.50 To Receive £5 eShop Voucher
Points mean prizes?
One of the big draws for the Wii U Premium Pack is its reward scheme which allows users to gain money back on their eShop purchases. It was originally claimed that eShoppers would gain 10% back as a reward but it appears this is not the case - it’s a little bit less. Nintendo UK has revealed a little bit more information on...
News New Sonic The Hedgehog Comic Takes A Trip Down Memory Lane
The legacy lives on
Sonic the Hedgehog has so many comics made about him, it's surprising Disney hasn’t bought the rights to make the movies. Last year Archie Comics released Sonic Legacy Series #1, a graphic novel which packed in issues 1-16 of the publisher's Sonic the Hedgehog comics, as well as issues 1-3 of the original Sonic miniseries; the...
News Link And Mario Have Gate-Crashed These Scribblenauts Unlimited Trailers
Crossover chaos
The amazing news that Scribblenauts Unlimited would feature famous Nintendo characters was met with a fair degree of excitement, and thanks to two new trailers released by Warner Bros. Interactive, we can now see this magical crossover in motion. The videos detail the kind of things you can do with the classic Legend of Zelda and...
News Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition Does Not Require Online Pass
Good news for second-hand buyers
Pre-owned titles are, of course, cheaper than buying a new copy of a game, so it’s easy to see why consumers sometimes decide to choose them instead of paying full-whack price. Of course the publishers of these games aren’t exactly jumping for joy about this, as they receive diddly-squat from the transaction of a...
Feature Advanced Tactics In Spirit Hunters Inc.
In this third and final developer guide, Nnooo's Nic Watt explains the finer details behind successful spirit hunting
In the previous feature Nnooo's Nic Watt took us through some of the more complex aspects of the player abilities in Spirit Hunters Inc., including some of the abilities which are unique to each element. In this third and final piece...
News Trine 2: Director's Cut Springs To Life With A New Trailer
A story about a joker, a thief, and a knight
Despite only launching a couple of days ago, the Wii U's eShop is slowly building up it's own library of downloadable games, with one of the forerunners being Trine 2: Director's Cut. While the original game launched last year for PC and other home consoles, this Wii U exclusive version comes with the...
News Invasion of the Alien Blobs Bringing The Fight To DSiWare
Fear the blob
G-STYLE, a developer most prolific and well known for download software released in Japan, is bringing another one of its DSiWare titles to the West. This time around it's Invasion of the Alien Blobs!, which was known as Shunkan Tsubutsubu Tsubushi when released on the Japanese DSi Shop back in March 2010; it'll arrive in North America...
Monday19th Nov 2012
Review Skylanders Giants (Wii)
Big friendly giant
Fe, fi, fo, fum, we smell the coins of dads and mums. Since its first release on consoles last year, Skylanders has exploded into a multi-million dollar franchise and a children's favourite. What would have been a fairly standard hack-and-slash game by itself was taken to new heights thanks to a clever reliance on collectable...
News Halting Wii U System Update May Brick the System
Be careful, gamers
A number of you in North America likely have your shiny new Wii U setup, and you've probably installed the day one update that's required for access to features such as Miiverse and the eShop. According to reports out in the Twitter-sphere, however, you may also be one of a small minority that's inadvertently bricked your Wii U...
News Miiverse Hacked By Mistake, Possible Metal Gear And Yoshi Wii U Games Unearthed
UPDATED: It was only a "mock up" area, says Nintendo
EDIT: As many of you have pointed out, since the publication of this article Nintendo has revealed to GamesIndustry International that the menu accessed by the 'hacker' was in fact a mocked-up test menu and was not linked to the main Miiverse system. Nintendo's official line is as follows: It...
News Ubisoft Has No Plans To Release DLC For ZombiU
But it remains a "possibility"
Downloadable content is still a bit of an alien concept for many Nintendo gamers. We’ve had some DLC made available for 3DS titles with the likes of Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy and New Super Mario Bros. 2 having content through internal stores, and Wii had rare instances too, but now that Wii U has arrived the scope...
News Take An In-Depth Look At What's Under The Wii U's Shiny Exterior
What silicon treasures lie beneath?
Are you curious about what's inside the Wii U? Users across the web have been discussing the system's technical specifications for months, but now that it is finally available in North America, many folk are seeing first-hand what Nintendo has to offer. However, few (if any) observations are as thorough and...
News Nintendo Network IDs Are Tied To A Single Wii U Console, For Now
Will change "in the future"
When Nintendo confirmed the death of friend codes and the establishment of the Xbox Box Live-style Nintendo Network ID, the community rejoiced. However, it seems that for the time being at least the system isn't going to be anywhere near as flexible as Microsoft and Sony's online equivalents. Nintendo Network IDs are...
News Nintendo Brings Heat to Black Friday With Flame Red 3DS Deal
Includes Super Mario 3D Land on the system
The Black Friday weekend is almost upon us, an annual shopping frenzy in North America that's gradually creeping into retailers in other territories. Naturally, companies are seeking attention and offering tasty deals to part you from your cash, and Nintendo's no different. It's been confirmed that,...
Talking Point The Wii U eShop Could be a Developer's Dream
Nintendo hands over the reins
When it comes to download game platforms, Nintendo's had to evolve rapidly. The arrival of the DSi and Wii online stores brought the famous company into the realm of the download market for the first time; both services have produced a number of top-notch gaming experiences, and in some cases proved to be the making of...
News Hyrule Historia Picks Up New Cover and Trailer
Da-da-da-daaaaaaa!
In case you don't know, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is a rather lovely-looking 272-page hardcover art book that celebrates the series, containing words from Shigeru Miyamoto, lots of concept art, a history of Hyrule and an officially sanctioned timeline. After envious glances towards the release in Japan earlier this...
News Wii U Version Of Grand Theft Auto V "Up For Consideration"
Rockstar keeps its options open
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most anticipated games for 2013, with the title being released in Spring for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. It did originally appear that the game would not be making it to Wii U or PC, but Rockstar’s vice-president Dan Houser says the developer has not ruled either platform out...
News Nintendo UK Appoints Simon Kemp As General Manager
Simon says sell systems
Nintendo UK has announced Simon Kemp as its new general manager earlier this afternoon, MCV has reported. A newcomer to the video game industry, Kemp previously worked in GlaxoSmithKline's Mergers and Acquisitions department, as well as a number of other marketing roles beforehand. He replaces David Yarnton, who stepped down...
Feature Behind The Elemental Abilities Of Spirit Hunters Inc.
In our second exclusive developer guide, Nic Watt explains the ability system in this spook-catching DSiWare release
In the previous feature Nnooo's Creative Director Nic Watt detailed some of the basics to Spirit Hunters Inc. In this second feature he will explain some of the more complex aspects of the player abilities, including some of the...
Sunday18th Nov 2012
Feature Wii U Launch Day, Live!
It's a whole new game
So here we are, North America, your Wii U day has arrived. It's a Super Sunday, and some of you will be lucky enough to have a midnight launch, while others will need to have a good night's sleep and wait for the stores to open. Either way, you're first up for Nintendo's brand new system, so we expect you to be rushing home,...
Nintendo Download 18th November 2012 (North America)
U better believe it
It's a special Nintendo Download update today, as lucky gamers in North America can enter a brave new world of HD offerings on Wii U. There are five download-only titles to choose from and a giddying range of retail options, which shows how seriously Nintendo's taking the idea of selling us games without boxes. Let's get to it...
News Isaiah Triforce Johnson Grabs First Wii U at Launch Event
Reunited with his old pal Reggie
To join in with all of the hubbub of North American gamers picking up Wii U systems today, Nintendo has sent out some pictures of the midnight launch event in New York for us to enjoy. As the headline makes clear, Isaiah Triforce Johnson was on hand with his trusty Power Glove to seize the honour, once again, of...
News Colors! 3D Receiving Update Before The New Year
A new kind of social network
There have been a fair amount of artistic games released for 3DS since its arrival, and one of the more impressive applications around has been Colors! 3D. It's a tool which allows you to paint on five different layers to create a three dimensional painting that, with a bit of practice, can look good enough to hang on...
News Ubisoft Uplay App On The Way To Wii U
Adding a bit extra
Ubisoft is comfortably the most supportive third-party developer in Wii U's launch window, releasing a mixture of ports and exclusive titles that cover genres suitable for less experienced players, through to blockbusters for those who'd call themselves hardcore. It seems the publisher's support is set to step up a notch further,...
News Frozenbyte - Indie Developers Have More Control On Wii U eShop
Trine 2 developer enjoying the freedom
Trine 2: Director's Cut is available in the Wii U eShop right now in North America — and will be on launch in Europe — and the game's developer, Frozenbyte, has had nothing but praise for the way Nintendo is approaching downloadable gaming. In an interview with IGN, marketing manager at Frozenbyte, Mikael...
News New Trailer Released As Chasing Aurora Soars Onto Wii U eShop in North America
Broken Rules' indie title finally flies the nest
Broken Rules has released a launch trailer for its Wii U indie game Chasing Aurora, which is available now on the Wii U eShop in North America. Featuring up to five-player asynchronous multiplayer and glorious vector art, Chasing Aurora is a 2D aerial action game where players battle it out as birds...
Saturday17th Nov 2012
News Jack Tretton Wishes Nintendo Every Success With Wii U
"Nintendo has a great heritage in the business"
President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America Jack Tretton has wished Nintendo every success with Wii U, ahead of the official launch in just a few short hours. Speaking about his own company’s heritage on the latest Official Playstation Blogcast, Tretton took the time to talk about Wii...
We speak to one half of the Miller brothers about its creation
Few video games have the ability to polarise opinion quite as sharply as Myst. When it hit shop shelves back in 1993 many critics scoffed at the sedate gameplay and predicted that few people would want to sit through a game that was little more than an ‘interactive picture-postcard’...
News Iwata Reveals How Nintendo Developed The Early Prototype For Wii U
Simply strap two Wii consoles together
With the immense success of the Wii, the folks at Nintendo certainly had their work cut out when developing its successor. It was around 2009 - with the Wii well into its third year of service - that Nintendo’s top men got around a table and started to discuss what their next move would be. The first task...
News Reggie Surprises Nintendo World Store Campers 24 Hours Before Wii U Launch
His body is ready!
Following Reggie's slot on the Jimmy Fallon show, the man himself took a stroll down to Nintendo World Store in NYC, where he stumbled upon 50 campers outside gearing up for Wii U's midnight launch. Reggie had some fun with the fans in the queue, where he was taking note of what fans wanted to see on the system (Smash Bros. and...
Feature What Excites Us About Wii U - NA Edition
So close we can smell the packaging
And so it's almost here, a new home console launch from Nintendo. We only have one of these every five years or more, and North America gets out of the gate first to soak up the new system and put it through its paces. It brings plenty of new features to the table, including its impressive GamePad, a new online...
Trial without style
Jump Trials, a 200 point DSiWare release from G-Style Games, is a game about running and jumping from left to right. It's a game for players who feel that perhaps platformers have become too ambitious, and that the "right" in "left to right" should refer to the far edge of a single DS-sized screen, rather than the ends of the...
News Wii U Mass Effect 3 Owners Cannot Retake Omega
New DLC pack unavailable on Wii U
Bioware is set to release some additional DLC for Mass Effect 3 on 27th November in the form of the Omega pack, however those with a copy of the game on Wii U will not be able to download it. This news comes via a tweet from the official Mass Effect account, which when answering a fan’s query on the DLC’s Wii U...
News Reggie Discusses Embracing The Digital Age Ahead of Wii U Launch
Delighted with developer input for the GamePad
Reggie is out in force leading up to Nintendo's next generation console release on 18th November (like you'd forgotten). Reggie appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show last night in the US to do some high-profile promotion work, and took a midnight stroll to the Nintendo World Store to meet and greet fans...
News Disney Interactive Reportedly Developing A Skylanders Rival
To Infinity, and beyond!
Activision’s innovative Skylanders series has been a great success for the company. The multi-platform game sees the physical and virtual realms blur as physical objects are scanned into the virtual world using a peripheral known as the Portal of Power. It seems Disney Interactive has noticed the achievements of...
Friday16th Nov 2012
News Donkey Kong Country Trilogy To Be Pulled From Wii Virtual Console
Donkey Gone-ga
According to an image uploaded onto Twitter by Daan Koopman (@NintenDaan), Nintendo is to remove Donkey Kong Country and its SNES sequels from the European Wii Virtual Console this month, on 25th November. The following games will be removed: Donkey Kong Country Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Review Ninja Gaiden (3DS eShop / NES)
Frustratingly fun
Gamers nowadays might be more familiar with the rebooted series, but now you've got yet another chance to experience the original NES Ninja Gaiden, the game that started it all. A classic 2D action platformer, you assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as he seeks to kill Jaquio, who murdered his father. This original is frequently...
News Nintendo's Recommended Range For GamePad Use Is Conservative
Playing it safe
Ever since the GamePad was revealed people have wondered just how far away from your TV you can go with it. Can you get to the next room? The kitchen? The bathroom? The garden shed? So far Nintendo have only confirmed that you can definitely play it within the same room and the official Wii U specs declare a maximum range of up to 26...
Feature Shigeru Miyamoto - The Father of Modern Video Games
An era unlike any other
Today is Shigeru Miyamoto's 60th birthday, a key personal landmark but also one that should be celebrated in broader terms by the gaming industry. Miyamoto's well-known description as the "father of modern video games" isn't just casually applied praise, it's a title that's deserved and has genuine significance. Nintendo's...
News WayForward Would Like To Make A Metroid Game
Will you be signing the petition?
WayForward, the developer behind games such as A Boy and his Blob, Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition, and the upcoming 3DS title Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! has expressed its desire to make a Metroid game. Responding to a
News Rayman Legends Demo Available In Wii U eShop On Launch
We will get to play it after all
Rayman Legends was originally supposed to be a Wii U launch day title but was pushed back to a Q1 2013 release, much to the disappointment of Rayman fans across the globe. However, North American Wii U owners will still be able to get a little bit of their Rayman fix on launch day as Ubisoft has confirmed that there...
News Iwata Asks Reveals New Super Mario Bros. U Took Three Years To Develop
And it's not child's play either
New Super Mario Bros. U will be one of two first party Wii U launch titles when Nintendo’s new console finally becomes available to buy - the other of course being Nintendo Land - and it has been revealed in the latest edition of Iwata Asks that the game has been in the works ever since its predecessor New
News Happy 60th Birthday, Shigeru Miyamoto
Father of Mario and Zelda reaches another milestone
Exactly 60 years to the day in the Japanese town of Sonobe, one of video gaming's greatest visionaries was born: Shigeru Miyamoto. Since joining Nintendo at the late '70s, Miyamoto has arguably revolutionised the medium of interactive entertainment more than any other individual, producing a...
News GameStop Wii U Software Pre-Orders Surpass One Million
Mamma mia!
The Wii U is out in just two days time in North America, and you can already smell the excitement in the air. Drunk on the 'new console' fever, it seems that people have been getting a bit anxious thinking they may not secure their console for the holiday season. We reported that Wii U pre-orders were selling out quickly, and at one...
News Analysts Believe Wii U Will Be Put To The Test Come Summertime
Will Nintendo keep momentum?
As Nintendo of America’s Scott Moffitt pointed out recently, the response to Wii U has been nothing short of “phenomenal” as its North American launch date draws ever closer. Research firm IHS Screen Digest expects Nintendo to shift 3.5 million Wii U units worldwide by the end of December, meanwhile, which even...
News New Super Mario Bros. U To Jump Into DLC
Additional courses planned
New Super Mario Bros. 2 did something new for the core Mario franchise: it introduced DLC. While much of the game may have felt familiar — not always a bad thing — the idea of extra content being made available after release was new for the series, and has added some longevity to the Coin Rush mode. In an Iwata Asks...
News TVii Application Won't Be Available On Wii U Launch
Will arrive in December
Last week we discovered that the Wii U will need to be updated with a patch on day-one of launch to enable you to use features such as Miiverse, Wii U Chat and the eShop. North America was also told that TVii, the service that allows users to navigate through their online video subscriptions more easily, will also be...
News Level-5 Discusses Guild 01 Localization Details And More
Maybe some new titles on the way too?
As you're no doubt already aware, Guild 01 is an interesting compilation of games spanning from four unique developers. Liberation Maiden has already graced our 3DS consoles, with Aero Porter and Crimson Shroud making their way to the west in the not-too-distant future. One title that hasn't been mentioned for...
News Guild 01's Aero Porter Is Landing On The 3DS eShop This Month
Ever wanted to run your own airport?
Following on from the interview snippets from Level-5 earlier today, the company has announced that the next Guild 01 title - Aero Porter - will being flying west onto the 3DS eShop this month - November 29th, to be precise. Better yet, North America and Europe will be getting it on the exact same day, priced at...
Feature Mastering The Basics Of Spirit Hunters Inc.
A guide to catching spooks, straight from the developer
In this, the first of three articles, Creative Director at Nnooo Nic Watt will detail some of the components of Spirit Hunters Inc. to illustrate all the different aspects of the game. Spirit Hunters Inc. launches globally on DSiWare next week, so make sure you brush up on these tips to get a...
Thursday15th Nov 2012
Drop 'em like they're blox
Meet Fallblox – a game so clever that its very title could be a brand new synonym for “mindboggling”. Predecessor Pullblox / Pushmo remains one of the best titles on the 3DS eShop, an extremely smart puzzler that's fantastic value for money. Fallblox, known in North America as Crashmo, is no lazy sequel: it takes...
Nintendo Download 15th November 2012 (North America)
Mickey gets epic, monster shooting, Myst and more
It's Thursday, which comes before Friday, but also means Nintendo Download day. This week throws up a fair bit of content on 3DS, including four retail downloads with one high-profile release and the return of a PC classic, while DSi owners also have a couple of options to look forward to. Feast your...
News Official Youtube App Launches On The Wii In North America
Better late than never?
Just days ahead of the Wii U launch in the US, Google has announced today that it has launched the official YouTube app for the Wii. For the time being, the app will only be available in North America, but Google has plans to bring it to other countries soon. The app has previously been available on the PlayStation 3 and the...
News The Wii Was Born Thanks To Microsoft And Sony's Rejection
And boy, does that feel good
Motion Control has quickly become an important part of how we play games today. The Wii's success has been based around this bold invention but in reality, the patent, idea and various concepts came from an independent inventor named Tom Quinn. Nintendo bought a small stake in Quinn's company and as part of the deal...
Review Puzzler World 2012 3D (3DS)
Puzzles, puzzles everywhere
Puzzler is a big name in the world of pencil-and-paper puzzle compendiums, and Ideas Pad has been bringing the license to the digital age since 2008. Puzzler World 2012 3D is the first 3DS title following a long line of DS games, including the recently reviewed DSiWare release Puzzler World XL. While there haven't been...
Developer Interview Gaijin Games Gets Drunk with Wii U Power
WiiWare champs set their sights on the future and rhythm aliens
While plenty of developers have stepped up to take a swing at WiiWare, only a pinch have started from scratch and built good names strictly based on their output for the service. Perhaps the biggest success story in this realm is Gaijin Games: as a brand-new studio, the three-strong...
News Wii U Version Of Mighty Switch Force Much Harder Than The Original
The difficulty has gone into hyper drive
When you get your brand spanking new Wii U home on launch day and dive into the eShop, you’ll find a sidescrolling puzzle-platformer called Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition; it's a game 3DS owners will be more than familiar with seeing as it's an enhanced port of the 3DS eShop title, Mighty Switch...
News Pokémon Pokédex Is Coming To iOS Devices In Japan
A smart move?
Japan has had Pokédex 3D Pro available to download on the 3DS since July, and it seems the demand for Pokéknowledge knows no bounds in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Pokémon Company has announced today that it will be bringing a new Pokédex to iOS devices from November 16th. The base application, which costs 170 Yen, is similar...
News Soccer Up 3D Screens Viewable Via This Handy QR Code
Cameras at the ready
EnjoyUp Games has been busy in recent weeks releasing titles such as La Mulana on WiiWare and Abyss on DSiWare. Its next project is Soccer Up 3D, which as you may have guessed makes the leap onto the 3DS eShop. Soccer Up! has previously been released on WiiWare but obviously didn’t include any 3D visuals. Helpfully, EnjoyUp...
"Wii U is a revolution of the social space of the play situation"
Spin The Bottle certainly isn't your average run-of-the-mill video game - but then the studio behind it is unique, as well. Spawned from the development hotbed of the Copenhagen Game Collective, KnapNok Games is all about creating unique experiences with modern technology, with a...
News Naughty Nintendo Counterfeiter Sentenced To 32 Months In Jail
Crime really doesn't pay
Last month we reported that the ironically-named Justin Success Brooks was accused of selling thousands of counterfeit Wii, DS and DSi Nintendo games between 2009 and 2011 - pocketing himself up to £600,000 in the process - and that pleaded guilty to all charges. His court case was scheduled for November 9th, in which he...
News 3DS Passes Eight Million Sales in Japan
Turning over a new leaf
When it comes to keeping the accountants and shareholders happy, Nintendo can always point to its 3DS sales in Japan. While there's undoubtedly improvement needed in North America and, particularly, Europe when it comes to sales figures for the handheld, Nintendo's homeland consistently shows healthy sales that simply blow...
News Tomorrow Corporation Turns Up The Heat With New Little Inferno Trailer
Great balls of fire!
With the Wii U launch just days away in North America, Tomorrow Corporation has released a new trailer for its upcoming Wii U eShop title Little Inferno. This bizarre new title from Kyle Gabler (World of Goo) and Kyle Gray (Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure) provides the player with an "entertainment fireplace". Players...
News Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition Coming To European eShop
Just not right away
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition will be available to download via the eShop on the same day the Wii U launches over in Japan and it has now been confirmed that European Wii U owners will be getting the same treatment, albeit not straight away. European Wii U owners will be able to download a copy of the game at some point...
News Spin The Bottle Is A Wii U Game That Doesn't Use Your TV
Involves "tight coordination, daring trust, body and eye contact or extreme flexibility"
KnapNok Games has released details of its forthcoming Wii U eShop title Spin The Bottle, a game which allows up to 8 players to indulge in addictive micro-challenges which take their attention away from the TV and focus it solely on the Wii U GamePad. A...
Wednesday14th Nov 2012
News Wii U External Hard Drive Usage Outlined by Satoru Iwata
Up to 2TB supported
For those of you that have watched today's Nintendo Direct broadcast — you can check it out here — you'll have seen lots of graphics of external hard drives, Wii U systems and some interesting demonstrations with large science lab-style glass jars. There was some pretty good news from Satoru Iwata, and a few small things that...
Talking Point The Realities of Wii U System Memory Have Become Clear
The fridge will fill up quickly
Today's unexpected Japanese Nintendo Direct broadcast gave us various details to frantically decipher and translate, ranging from confirmation that the Wii U GamePad won't have backward compatibility with WiiWare or Wii Virtual Console games, to some less intriguing information about parental controls. Another section...
News Wii U GamePad Will Not Have Backward Compatibility
Not just yet, anyway...
We've already argued that backwards compatibility is an important aspect when purchasing a console, and Wii U is no different. The latest Nintendo Direct provides us with new infomation on playing previous software titles — including WiiWare and Virtual Console — and how they will not be playable on the Wii U GamePad,...
News Wii U Basic Can Only Store 3GB Of Downloaded Software
You can't swing a cat in there
Gamers will have two choices when the Wii U is released, they can either take home a Premium Pack which has 32GB of memory, or the Basic Pack which comes with a relatively meagre 8GB. However, once the internal drives have been formatted and other built-in data requirements are taken into account these figures nosedive...
News Unexpected Wii U Nintendo Direct Details Storage And Online
Nintendo loves surprises
Nintendo is always great at surprises, especially when it comes to not letting anybody know about its forthcoming Nintendo Direct presentations. True to form, Nintendo Japan uploaded a new video literally just minutes ago without telling anyone, so excuse us if we seem a little dazed. We'll be breaking down the video and...
News Capcom Reasserts Its Commitment To Mega Man
"You've not seen the last of the Blue Bomber on consoles and handhelds"
We've said it once, and we'll say it again: this year has not been good for Mega Man. His most recent outing — Mega Man Xover — didn't sit too well with fans, and he is sorely missing from the 3DS eShop, (though Capcom is working to rectify this). However, in a recent...
News Wii U Deluxe Set Selling Like Hot Cakes
"Response has been phenomenal"
In just a few short days the long, arduous wait for Wii U will be over - in North America at least - as Reggie Fils-Aime will hand over the very first Wii U console at the Nintendo World Store in New York City, in exchange for money of course. It appears, however, that if you decided against pre-ordering a Wii U...
News Gorgeous New Fire Emblem: Awakening Art Book Coming To Japan
More than just a stocking filler
The lucky citizens of Japan have been playing the epic 3DS title Fire Emblem: Awakening since April now, while in North America and Europe release details are still sketchy at best – sometime in 2013. As if gamers in Nintendo's homeland weren't fortunate enough, it’s now been revealed that Japan will be getting...
News Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition Looked Set To Be "Simplified"
Nintendo wanted it to stay "hardcore"
As we all know, Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition will be on the shelves on the same day as Wii U launches. The game is not only a true rendition of the version found on other consoles but also has new exclusive elements, such as extra Nintendo themed character costumes and the return of Tekken Ball. It...
Review Smart Girl's Playhouse Mini (DSiWare)
Empty house
It’s no easy task setting out to create a game that is wholesome and fun while maintaining an educational aspect. Unfortunately for Smart Girl’s Playhouse Mini, fun seems to have jumped ship, and all you’re left with is a too-sweet edutainment title with very little actual gameplay on offer. Touted as a collection of mini-games...
News Nicalis Blasting onto 3DS eShop with Guxt
Shmup from Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya, creator of Cave Story
Nicalis may have a rather questionable record of localising its download titles in all regions — mention Cave Story on DSiWare or the 3DS eShop to a European and see what happens — but it does actively seek to bring high-quality indie releases to Nintendo systems. When you consider that...
News Nintendo Talks Miiverse, Nintendo Network, And Internet Browser
NoA's Bill Trinen dishes on the Wii U's online functionalities
Last week, Nintendo of Japan hosted a Nintendo Direct, which focused on Miiverse and a variety of online features for Wii U. While Nintendo of America has yet to host its own streamed broadcast on the subject, it's released a new video that showcases Miiverse, Nintendo Network, and the...
News LEGO Lord Of The Rings Dated For 3DS, Wii And DS In Europe
Three games to rule them all
November is looking to be quite an expensive month for European Nintendo gamers, what with the Wii U just around the corner and titles such as Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion and Rabbids Rumble on the horizon. It's not about to get any easier, either - amid all this money spending madness, Warner Bros. has decided...
News Kick Off With PES 2013 On 3DS This Month
Another one for all you football fanatics
Konami has announced that PES 2013 will make its European Nintendo 3DS debut this month on November 30th. The yearly football hit hopes to bring its A-game to the handheld to compete with its rival FIFA 13. It exclusively makes use of the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores competitions, and allows...
News Rabbids Rumble Launch Trailer Fights For Attention
In case you missed out on your daily dose of crazy
Rabbids Rumble, the newest entry in the Raving Rabbids series, was released yesterday for the 3DS in North America, and is due out on November 16th in Europe. To kick off its launch, Ubisoft has released a launch trailer which should provide you with your daily (or weekly) dose of sheer insanity...
Tuesday13th Nov 2012
News Guess What? Wii U Discs Have A Rounded Edge
Nintendo gets out the sandpaper
As we’ve known for a while now, the Wii U will use piracy-fighting proprietary discs that will hold a capacity of 25GB – the same amount as a single-layer Blu-ray Disc used by the PlayStation 3 and much more than the 4.5GB single-layer DVDs that the Wii uses. Sometimes we get so bogged down by all this technical...
Interview The Team Behind Paper Mario: Sticker Star
We speak to the team behind the biggest 3DS title this Christmas
The dust has barely settled on our Paper Mario: Stick Star review, but we're far from finished with Mario's latest handheld outing. Prior to launch we were lucky enough to speak with director Mr Naohiko Aoyama (Intelligent Systems), director and scenario writer Mr Taro Kudo (Vanpool)...
Review Sengoku 2 (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Transformations and annihilations
SNK may have dedicated a large portion of their efforts to the one-on-one fighting genre, but occasionally they would branch out into other game types, sometimes with rather successful results. The original Sengoku was praised for its unique use of character transformations, but the play controls weren't always the...
News Wii Version Of PES 2013 Looks Rather Familiar
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The Wii has rather awkwardly come to the end of its product life cycle at around the same time that sports franchise games emerge for their yearly updates. This has meant that companies like EA have had to ponder whether or not to bring games like FIFA to Wii, as well as the other major consoles. Of course EA did decide to...
News Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two Receives Collector's Edition Treatment On Wii
Epic is the word you're looking for
Disney's Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is due to release for the Wii on November 23rd, and fans can look forward to a special Collector's Edition of the game as well as the standard retail copy. UK retailer GAME has the exclusive on this bundle, which features a copy of the game, an 8GB Oswald-shaped USB stick...
News Wii U Has "Plenty Of Power" According To Team Ninja
But with great power, comes great responsibility
Nintendo has had plenty of third party support for the Wii U with a whole host of games being released alongside its first party titles in the coming months. One such developer is Team Ninja - who will be releasing Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge on January 11th - and in a recent interview its studio...
News Pokédex 3D Pro Tops 3DS eShop Chart in North America
Not too high a price to pay, clearly
Pokédex 3D Pro was a high profile release on the eShop in last week's Nintendo Download update, bringing enhancements and extra features from the original freebie, Pokédex 3D. That said, many members of the Nintendo Life community were unhappy with the price, which is $14.99 in the US, €14.99 in Europe and...
News Ubisoft Boss Thinks Wii U Is Cheap, But Is Still Unhappy On Pricing
No pleasing some people
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has stated that although the Wii U is cheap when compared to devices like Apple's iPad, he's not 100% happy with the price of the system. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Guillemot remarked: I always prefer lower pricing, so I can't say I'm happy. I'm never happy when the machines are expensive...
News ZombiU Live Action Video Shows Multiplayer Battle
All hail the Zombie King
Halloween may be gone for the year, but one particular Wii U game will be playing on the fact that, for many of us, it's the time of year with long, dark nights. ZombiU is one of the most eagerly anticipated Wii U launch titles, with early impressions emphasizing the complexities and difficulties it'll offer, as well as its...
News Harmony of a Hunter: 101% Run Available From 17th November
A must for Metroid fans
Harmony of a Hunter is a fan-produced album that celebrates the Metroid franchise, and when released it gave a more significant acknowledgement of the series' 25th Anniversary than that from Nintendo itself. A free, two-disc album with 36 tracks, it was a major undertaking that we discussed in our interview with Shinesparkers...
News Take A Look At The Gatorade-Infused Exclusive Features Of Wii U NBA 2K13
Is it the shoes?
2K Sports has slam-dunked a Developer Insight video for its upcoming NBA 2K13 for the Wii U. The video pays particular attention to hilariously-titled Gatorade Biometric Scanner. This feature allows you to quickly view your player's fatigue level and see whether they're hot or cold; all this can be done simply by holding the...
News Toki Tori 2 Lands on Wii U eShop on 20th December
Not for use in festive meals
Toki Tori 2 is likely to be one of the most widely recognisable names in the early weeks of the Wii U eShop, due to its predecessor being one of the leading titles to herald the arrival of WiiWare. The diminutive little chicken isn't going to be quite ready for launch day, however, with confirmation from Two Tribes that...
Competition Winner Win a Wii U at Eurogamer Expo
One lucky winner
Nintendo Life attended Eurogamer.net's annual Eurogamer Expo in late September, the first ever public showing of the Wii U console in the UK. We had a great time meeting gamers, filling up our 3DS puzzle pieces and running rather intense competitions in the Nintendo Life StreetPass Zone. You can get a taste of what it was all about...
News New Chasing Aurora Gameplay Videos Show Off Different Modes
Catch that pigeon!
Broken Rules has released a series of new videos showing off the various game modes in its upcoming Wii U title Chasing Aurora. As the first title in a three-part series, Chasing Aurora is a 2D aerial action game in which players control birds and battle it out over the Alps for a glowing treasure known as Aurora's Gem. The game...
Monday12th Nov 2012
News Wii U Software Storage on USB Devices Detailed
UPDATE: Original source was "misinterpreted"
UPDATE: We've since been contacted by Official Nintendo Magazine - the source of this particular piece of news - to clarify a few points. According to ONM, a post on the Japanese Wii U website was "misinterpreted" and it has NOT been confirmed by Nintendo that software cannot be played directly from...
News Wii U Won't Include Trophies Or Achievements
Maybe in the future?
Creative director and co-founder of 5th Cell Jeremiah Slaczka has revealed on NeoGAF that the Wii U will not have a universal achievement system. Slaczka went on to explain how Scribblenauts Unlimited would have its own in-game accomplishments: There are no Wii U accomplishments that are system wide. Scribblenauts Unlimited...
Talking Point Life Without Wii U Achievements
Nintendo sticks to its guns
Nintendo isn't at all keen on mandatory, system-integrated achievements or trophies. The idea was ignored for Wii, while gamers with an Xbox 360 got used to notifications re-affirming their awesomeness for acts as simple as starting a new game, with their Gamerscore continually getting bigger with each accomplishment...
News Europe Is Getting White And Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL Consoles Before The Year Is Out
Dreaming of a white Christmas
It seemed as if poor old Europe was on Nintendo's naughty list this year seeing as it has missed out on several limited edition 3DS XL consoles - like the Charizard and Animal Crossing models exclusive to Japan - but thankfully this is not the case as Nintendo has revealed two new colours will arrive in Europe just in...
Nintendo Download 15th November 2012 (Europe)
Falling blox, hotshots, ninjas and a magical whip
It's Monday, but it's also time to turn that frown upside down. The European Nintendo Download update news is here, and it's full of handheld goodies for you to enjoy. Wii misses out, unfortunately, but we do have a highly anticipated sequel on the 3DS eShop, a teeth-grindingly difficult NES...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Already Sold Out In Japan
Iwata reassures fans on Twitter
Animal Crossing: New Leaf is one of the most anticipated games in the West right now, with fans of the series foaming at the mouth at the prospect of becoming the mayor of their own little town in 2013. Japanese gamers have had the game for a few days now, and it appears they loved it so much it has already sold out...
News Unemployment And Platforming Combine In Wii U Title 8-Bit Boy
One man show
Danish one-man studio AwesomeBlade Software has announced that its retro-themed platformer 8-Bit Boy is coming to the Wii U. Created by Rasmus Kønig Sørensen - a Danish ex-video game journalist with a bachelor degree in Construction Management - 8-Bit Boy is a love letter to the 2D platforming epics of old. Sørensen counts himself...
Competition Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS) Giveaway
Win a 3DS and a copy of Paper Mario: Sticker Star! (UK residents only)
To celebrate the launch of Paper Mario: Sticker Star we've teamed up with Nintendo to bring you a very special Letter Box competition. Up for grabs is a brand new 3DS XL Console with a copy of Paper Mario: Sticker Star, wahoo! Two runners up will also receive a copy of the game;...
News Wii U Holiday Sales Projected to Exceed Wii Launch
Four year sales expected to be lower, though
With Wii U set to arrive, and Nintendo needing a strong performance to appease shareholders, market analysts are inevitably checking various sources of data and making their predictions on the system's outlook. The latest to do so is research firm IHS Screen Digest, with projections that bring good and...
News Ubisoft Plan To Sell Wii U Retail Games Via The eShop
Uplay service also incoming
Nintendo are being secretive as always about their plans to bring retail Wii U games to the eShop but that hasn't stopped third party developers from getting the ball rolling with their own digital plans for the new console. Namco Bandai has already confirmed that Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition will be available...
Sunday11th Nov 2012
Truth in advertising
Are you a fan of the Trash Pack toyline? Your answer to that question dictates whether or not you'll find anything of value in The Trash Pack for 3DS, as there's nothing noteworthy about this release apart from its connection to that franchise. The Trash Pack forgoes story altogether and presents you, simply, with a menu. From...
Review Dress To Play: Cute Witches! (3DS eShop)
Half witch, half craft
Older gamers might look at Dress to Play: Cute Witches! and see echoes of the Cotton series, or Magical Chase. Cute witches (lowercase) are certainly no strangers to shoot-'em-ups, and this game aims to combine a simplified (and bullet-free) version of that side-scrolling action with a dress-up element for character...
Feature Nintendo's Wii U Hype Machine
Sharing the message
Today marks the start of a major countdown for Wii U, as it's set to arrive in North American stores in just seven days; it's a major event for Nintendo, as new home consoles aren't an overly frequent occurrence. It's been six years since Wii arrived and revolutionised gaming with its focus on motion controls, and now the company...
Saturday10th Nov 2012
News Sonic The Hedgehog Dashing Onto Platforms In 2013
Nintendo platforms, please
Sega has revealed that it has plans to release new Sonic the Hedgehog games next year, but we are left in the dark as to what systems the titles will be on. In an interview with Toys 'N' Playthings, Sissel Henno - Head of Sega's brand licensing in Europe - said that as well as focusing on releasing toys and stationary...
Review Johnny Hotshot (3DS eShop)
A total misfire
From the studio that brought us such eShop disappointments as Zombie Slayer Diox, Samurai G and clear game of the year contender Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room, we now get a Western-themed mess called Johnny Hotshot. And it manages to feel almost consciously terrible. The story of this game is irrelevant, but since the developer saw...
Developer Interview Shin'en Multimedia on Nintendo, eShop Development, 3DS and Wii U
Blasting onto eShop
With the 3DS eShop continuing to grow, and the Wii U equivalent already shaping up with an increasingly encouraging range of confirmed titles, there’s plenty of positivity around Nintendo’s download offerings. Like any platform it still has its detractors and issues, such as the occasional broken mess on the release schedule...
News Nintendo Of Korea's eShop Will Offer Both Japanese And English Titles
Best of both worlds
Nintendo of Korea has been hard at work localizing many games for its region. Unfortunately, not all games can be translated, so it has come up with another solution: releasing both Japanese and English games on the Nintendo eShop. This in turn transforms the online store into some sort of import store. Below is a list of the...
Friday9th Nov 2012
Thundercats, noooo!
Perhaps we were foolish to get our hopes up about Thundercats. It is a licensed game, after all, and while that's not a universally bad thing, it should by this point at least make us think twice. Then again, it's Thundercats! The original cartoon is an enduring classic, the recent reboot was surprisingly good, and the...
Out Now Animal Crossing: New Leaf Starts Life in Japan
Time to get envious
So, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is out now in Japan, released on 8th November. Once we got over the irritation of discovering that we were a day late, we thought we'd look at what we know so far, point you to previous articles that have stacks of information, compile some nice gameplay footage and look at the reaction to the game...
News You'll Need To Update Your Wii U To Play Wii Games
This update is crucial
We are already aware that you'll need to update your Wii U fresh from the box to include key features such as Miiverse, Tvii, Wii U Chat and eShop. However, another very important feature in this update is Wii functionality. As you will no doubt be aware, the Wii U will have backwards compatibility with Nintendo's previous...
News Molyneux: "I Struggle To See Anything Amazing Coming Out Of Nintendo"
Veteran developer thinks consoles have a tough time ahead
Former Bullfrog and Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux has given a frank and somewhat revealing interview with IGN where he states in no uncertain terms how sceptical he is about the Wii U's chances - as well as his worry for dedicated consoles in general. Over the course of his glittering career,...
News Wii U Browser to Use Multiple GamePad Control Options
Gyro sensor, touch screen and buttons
Nintendo hasn't always enjoyed the most success with its console web browsers, often due to modest specifications or a lack of system memory. Nintendo's now released a new Iwata Asks transcript where the team discuss the development of the Wii U Browser, and why it'll be a pleasant surprise for gamers. Part of...
News Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Live Streaming Confirmed, But Not on Wii U
It's "being evaluated for a future update"
Activision has confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops II will feature YouTube support to live stream online multiplayer League Play games, with the player's webcam and audio commentary also recorded. Those who pay for the Elite service, meanwhile, will be able to view additional info on players as they...
News First Image of Wii U eShop Surfaces
Mario and Luigi have never looked better
While Nintendo has been keeping the Wii U's download retail system under wraps, the first picture of the console's eShop has now been released on Nintendo of Japan's website. The lone image shows off the system's interface, which looks similar to the 3DS' online storefront, and Nintendo is also promising...
News Nintendo Executive Describes Rise of Tablet Gaming as "Undeniable"
Believes these devices can be "allies"
In recent years Nintendo has continually faced the threat of smartphones and tablet devices to its handheld systems, though the Wii U GamePad's inclusion of its own touch screen is now attracting similar comparisons. It's not always a popular topic amongst Nintendo gamers, but the rise in popularity of gaming...
News Nintendo World NYC Gearing Up For Wii U Midnight Launch
Is your body ready?
Nintendo will be holding a midnight launch at New York's Nintendo World Store to mark the release of Wii U; from 6pm on Saturday 17th November you can head down to the store and join in the hype. You can take a wild guess who will be there — none other than the man himself, Reggie Fils-Aime — to welcome fans and continue the...
News SNES Campus Challenge & One-Of-A-Kind Console Go On Sale
Got a few thousand dollars to spare?
Video game collecting is something that's taken very seriously by some, and there are hundreds of expensive eBay auctions to back it up. The latest example to catch our eye is a listing on Game Gavel, with a very unique game and console up for auction. On sale is a copy of SNES Campus Challenge, a custom made...
News Struggling Silicon Knights Ordered To Recall Unsold Games
X-Men Destiny May Become A Collector's Item
A while back we reported that Eternal Darkness developer Silicon Knights was effectively on the ropes, with less than five staff members remaining in the company. The outlook has just gotten significantly worse, as it has transpired that the Canadian studio has been ordered to recall most of its recent...
News Satoru Iwata Would Like Miiverse to Become a "Game Diary"
Oh, and there's a cardboard GamePad
As more information continues to arrive in the final days before Wii U hits stores, additional Iwata Asks transcriptions are arriving in English to spread the word. One of the more recent additions features the Nintendo boss interviewing the developers behind Miiverse, a team with extensive experience in web...
News Fallblox Crashes Into Europe on 15th November
Mallo returns
Fallblox — or Crashmo in North America — is one of a number of highly anticipated eShop games arriving before the end of the year. It hits North America on 22nd November, but anxious Europeans wondering about their release date can now relax, as it's arriving in the region one week earlier on 15th November. Nintendo's also...
News Yasumi Matsuno Steps Away From Level-5
Taking a well deserved - but not permanent - break
It has been announced that Yatsumi Matsuno has left Level-5, the developers behind the Professor Layton series. Matsuno tweeted to his followers that he was retiring from the company due to personal reasons which he didn't state. Matsuno had only joined Level-5 in June last year and had been...
Thursday8th Nov 2012
Review Pokédex 3D Pro (3DS eShop)
It's evolution, baby
Admit it – if you were ever a fan of Pokémon, you probably wanted a Pokédex. The best-forgotten LCD-screened plastic versions aside, the 3DS eShop's Pokédex 3D was the first time you could hold the all-knowing electronic encyclopaedia in the palm of your hand – the catch was that it only contained the 150 Unova-region...
Nintendo Download 8th November 2012 (North America)
Paper Mario, Pokédex, dress up witches and dragons
It's that time again, when we drop everything we're doing to fire up the 3DS eShop, DSi Shop and maybe, on occasion, the Wii Shop. Yes, it's the Nintendo Download update, and this week has a mixture of retail treats, a demo and some lesser known download titles. Let's get to it. 3DS Download...
News Father Gender-Bends Link For The Benefit of His Zelda-Loving Daughter
Now that's fatherly devotion
It can't be easy for young female gamers growing up in a world dominated by men. When you're still searching for your own identity and place in the world, it must be confusing to be forced to adopt so many male personalities in the games you play. Doting father Mike Hoye didn't want his daughter Maya to face this...
News Capcom Loses Rights to Sell Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
Combo fail
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is one the Wii's finest exclusives, a 2D fighter with colourful, bombastic visuals and enough crazy combos to satisfy the most extravagant of gamers. Its accolades from us include a 9/10 in its review and 16th place in our Wii top 20. Not just one of Wii's best fighting games, but arguably one of...
News Mega Drive RPG Classic Pier Solar Could Be Headed To Wii U
Kickstarter campaign for HD version at 50% after just 3 days
Back in 2010, indie developer WaterMelon created an all-new RPG for the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis to US readers) called Pier Solar and the Great Architects. An incredible achievement in itself, the game soon found a cult audience thanks to its gorgeous 2D visuals and gripping story line,...
News Rest Easy, You Can Replace The Wii U GamePad Battery Yourself
Thank The Maker
Anyone who has owned an Apple product will know that the company doesn't believe in user-serviceable power cells. Apple's reasoning is that by the time your iPod or iPhone's battery stops holding a charge, you'll be considering an replacement, or will have made the upgrade already. If you do insist on getting a new battery, you have...
Review Come On! Dragons (DSiWare)
Blowing smoke
Come On! Dragons arrives on DSiWare with the promise of delivering a combination of tower defence and arrow firing action, much like its predecessor Come On! Heroes. Like the original title it succeeds to some degree, but its positives are weighed down by some disappointing flaws, meaning that it's not as hot as the title may suggest...
News Capcom Hopes To Bring Entire NES Mega Man Series To 3DS Virtual Console
Some issues holding it back
An interview with Capcom Senior VP Christian Svensson and Capcom Community Manager Brett Elston in the latest Nintendo Power suggests that the company is planning on bringing all six of the NES Mega Man titles to the 3DS Virtual Console. We've already seen the first game in Japan and Europe, while a further three titles...
News 3DS Continues Hardware Sales Dominance in Japan
Sony platforms dominate software, however
The 3DS LL (or XL, as it is known over here) saw a massive sales spike in Japan last week, jumping from the previous week's total of 38,089 to 63,993 units sold, according to the latest chart information. It was followed by the standard 3DS model, which racked up just under half of its larger counterpart's...
News Someone Skinned Amaterasu To Make This Awesome Okami Hoodie
Coming to the Capcom Store soon
In celebration of the release of Okami HD (sadly not on a Nintendo platform, it must be said), Capcom is releasing this gorgeous Okami Hoodie on its online store. A Capcom Employee posted on the Capcom Unity Blog promising that the hoodies would shortly be making an appearance, so keep your eyes peeled if you really...
News Rytmik World Music Bringing the Beat Back to DSiWare
Get composing
Cinemax has confirmed that it's bringing Rytmik World Music to DSiWare, the fifth entry in the music composition series. It's a series that's had consistently strong recommendations in our reviews, with each entry bringing an accomplished and detailed music studio to your DSi; they're perhaps best reserved for enthusiasts and those...
News Hide And Seek Footage From Chasing Aurora is Found
You can fly, but you can't hide
We're certainly interested here at Nintendo Life when more information about Chasing Aurora emerges, so new footage of one of its multiplayer modes has caught our eye. Its attractive art style does it no harm, either. We interviewed developer Broken Rules last month, where it briefly mentioned the game's multiplayer...
Wednesday7th Nov 2012
News Wii U User Accounts and Nintendo Network ID Detailed
12 user accounts allowed
During today's Nintendo Direct broadcast, Satoru Iwata provided information on Wii U user accounts and the Nintendo Network ID. In terms of user accounts, it'll be possible to have up to 12 on the system, with each storing their own save data, settings and internet browser bookmarks. With the console's concept of being an...
Review Monster Shooter (3DS eShop)
Monster mulch
Even gurning, gun-toting monsters have their softer sides. Just ask Dum Dum, the hero of Monster Shooter, who stamps through 60 alien-infested levels reducing anything in his way to viscera and goop after his beloved kitten is abducted. Though we're sure any answer you might get would involve more firearms than words. Monster Shooter...
News Wii to Wii U Data Transfer Details Emerge
Pay close attention
One feature pre-occupying the minds of some potential Wii U owners is the process to move their WiiWare and Virtual Console data onto the new console. With backwards compatibility a big part of the system — for some gamers — having access to years' worth of purchases is a welcome bonus. Of course, with Wii not having a user...
News Wii U Will Require Day One Update for Key Features
Miiverse, Wii U Chat, eShop and TVii included
Wii U is getting so close that we can smell the packaging, and vital details about what to expect out of the box are starting to emerge. While many are no doubt hoping that preview systems will reveal Wii U's secrets to the world, it seems that we'll all have a little longer to wait. As reported by IGN,...
Reaction Wii U's Social Potential Takes Shape
A bold new direction for Nintendo
With just 11 days until Wii U arrives in North America — at the time of writing — it's perhaps surprising that substantial details on Nintendo's online services have taken so long to emerge. That said, it's not unprecedented, as Nintendo often likes to keep its cards close to its chest, withholding details and...
News Nintendo Direct Wii U Summary Released by NoA
WaraWara Plaza and Wii U Chat prominent
With this morning's Nintendo Direct broadcast, there was a lot to digest, translate and understand about Miiverse and other Wii U system details. Nintendo of America has kindly put together a short summary video to highlight the key features, and provide a slightly more detailed look at the console's UI (user...
News Satoru Iwata Provides the Ultimate Wii U Unboxing
Shaky YouTube videos, begone!
Whenever new consoles hit the market, we see a glut of shaky-cam unboxing videos on YouTube, which we may watch out of sheer curiosity. In a surprising sequence in today's Nintendo Direct, however, Satoru Iwata provided his own video, albeit with much higher production values, which he called the Wii U Premium Pack...
Nintendo Direct Watch The Japanese Wii U Presentation Live
Miiverse time, at last
So here we are, another Nintendo Direct broadcast to sink our teeth into, with the focus expected to be on Miiverse. The great news is that you can watch it right here: 11am UK time, 12pm Central European time, 6am Eastern, 5am Central and 3am Pacific. It'll be in Japanese, of course, but we'll be watching with you and...
News Miiverse Explained In Latest Nintendo Direct
New information for the online social service
Today's Nintendo Direct's broadcast provided fresh details on Miiverse, the feature many have been waiting to hear more about. It really starts with the WaraWara Plaza — an image can be found at the end of this article — when you power-up the Wii U; this is the first thing you'll see on the TV...
News Wii U Chat To Include Drawing on GamePad Screen
We fear the consequences
One of the smaller demonstrations in today's Wii U Nintendo Direct was that for Wii U Chat, the feature briefly shown prior to E3. Using the GamePad stand — though simply holding the controller is an option — Satoru Iwata called up Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime for a chat. Reggie did even say a few lines in...
News Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Trailer Brings the Madness
Includes a panda dressed as Princess Peach
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition will be available on launch day, and will include a number of features and modes exclusive to Nintendo's console. As you'd expect, adding Nintendo into a Tekken title promises to bring bizarre and humorous results, while the GamePad itself will allow control options...
News Japanese Nintendo Direct Confirmed For 7th November
Miiverse will be the main focus
With Wii U on the horizon, Nintendo has revealed yet another Nintendo Direct broadcast for Japan at short notice. The presentation will focus on Miiverse, which isn't a surprise as we reported last month that this was expected to happen close to the console's launch. The presentation will be approximately 35 minutes...
Tuesday6th Nov 2012
Review Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS)
Stuck on you
If there's one thing we can learn from its 3DS catalogue so far, it's that Nintendo is great at the safe sequel. Sure, there are out-there exceptions like Kid Icarus: Uprising, but by and large we've seen a whole lot of remakes or new entries in fan-favourite franchises that are more interested in paddling along leisurely than rocking...
News Shantae And The Pirate's Curse Announced For 3DS
Your wish has been granted
Brace yourselves, WayForward fans - the latest edition of Nintendo Power magazine (second to last, we should say) features the announcement of the 3DSWare title Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse on the front cover of the magazine, and is a direct sequel to Shantae: Risky's Revenge. Not too much information has been given...
Nintendo Download 8th November 2012 (Europe)
Pokédex, 3D surfing, cake slicing and troopers
Details of this week's European update have arrived, and they're perhaps not the night sky fireworks we'd hope for at this time of year. There's still some variety across all platforms and a long awaited app arrives, though the price may surprise some. 3DS Download Software: Pokédex 3D Pro...
News Nintendo Teams Up With Disney For "Wii U Showdown"
Get ready to cringe
With Nintendo's quest to appeal to an extraordinarily wide range of gamers, it'll be susceptible to using marketing or adverts that make the older, jaded or more cynical amongst us gnash our teeth. These celebrity-based adverts can often be categorised as good, bad or cringeworthy, and we think another candidate for the latter...
News Crashmo 3D Screens Are Just a QR Code Away
A sneak peak
Crashmo — known as Fallblox in Europe — is one of the 3DS eShop's big releases due before the end of the year. As a follow up to the critically acclaimed Pushmo, it's likely to be on a number of 3DS owner's wishlists. Of course, 2D screenshots don't necessarily do this title justice, especially with the extra depth to the new...
Feature Nintendo's Presidential Candidates
The race to the Mushroom House
Today is a big day in the United States of America, as the next President is set to be elected in an exceptionally tight race to the White House. Still, politics isn't always particularly exciting, especially when candidates don't do anything fun like defy gravity or harness special abilities. No, they're two...
News Mass Effect 3 Wii U Content Detailed
DLC becomes on-disc C
Mass Effect 3 was one of Wii U's major third-party announcements for a launch release, bringing one of the year's biggest blockbuster titles to the system. The excitement is perhaps dulled by the fact that it's the concluding part of a trilogy, and that a special edition combining the games, Mass Effect Trilogy, is out today...
News The Pinball Arcade Set for Wii U Launch Window Release
Pinball wizards
In a recent interview with Warpzoned, Rob Mann, community manager at Farsight Studios, has confirmed that his company is hoping to release The Pinball Arcade during the Wii U's launch window. The pinball simulation game is notable for including a collection of real-world pinball tables, which have been accurately remade in digital...
News Ubisoft: Wii U Stock Apparently Being Focused on US
Tense times for Europe?
Earlier today we reported that UK retailer GAME is bracing for a Wii U sell out, admitting that stock will be "tight on day one". This is a theme occurring regularly, with reports a couple of weeks ago of potential Wii U stock shortages in the UK, and the rather common knowledge that pre-orders are sold out at many US...
News CyberConnect2 Confirm Interest In Solatorobo Sequel
The quest for a new adventure has begun
CyberConnect2 boss Hiroshi Matsuyama has revealed at a Namco Bandai event in Barcelona that his company would love to do a sequel to Solatorobo: Red the Hunter. Matsuyama was questioned about the possibility of a sequel, in which he expressed his desire for a new title and confirmed that they are already...
News GAME Bracing Itself For Pre-Launch Wii U Sell Out In The UK
White basic bundle already completely sold out on day one
UK video games retailer GAME has revealed that it expects to sell out of its entire allocation of Wii U consoles before the launch day of 30th November rolls around, but has stated that all current pre-orders will be fulfilled on the day of release. Speaking to Videogamer.com, a GAME...
Monday5th Nov 2012
News The Legend of Zelda's Link Was Inspired By Walt Disney's Peter Pan
From one green hero to another
Clad in green garments, sporting a pointy hat and defined by elf-like ears, you'd think we were talking about Hyrule's hero - Link. Wrong. We have Peter Pan in mind, the protagonist from one of Walt Disney's most famous animated productions, who became an inspiration for the The Legend of Zelda's main character. In an...
Review Back To Nature (WiiWare)
Back to basics
It’s a well-known fact that Nintendo’s WiiWare service has its limitations. Developers must reportedly cram their games into a paltry 40MB, and the system’s lack of horsepower can no doubt play a considerable role in curbing some game design ideas. Nevertheless, many independent studios have risen to the challenge and we’ve...
News Nintendo Download Shops Offline For Maintenance This Tuesday
Could a surprise be in store?
Nintendo has revealed that its online stores will be temporarily offline on Tuesday for scheduled maintenance. The 3DS eShop, DSi Shop and Wii Shop Channel will all be inaccessible from 10:00 PT to "about" 17:00 PT. What's coming? It could be all manner of things. Nintendo could be preparing its online portals for the...
Developer Interview Nyamyam On Tengami, Life After Rare And Nintendo's Stance On Indies
"I think the hardware capabilities of the Wii U Game Pad are a good match for Tengami"
Last week, we revealed that UK studio Nyamyam was impressed with the Wii U eShop and the potential it offers for independent developers. Keen for more knowledge, we got in touch with Nyamyam's Jennifer Schneidereit to talk about Wii U, Nintendo and Tengami - the...
News Mega Man: The Wily Wars Battles Onto Genesis Portable
Not on Virtual Console, sadly
Ever since Virtual Console arrived on Wii, plenty of older gamers — or younger retro enthusiasts — have had lists of games that they hope to see released on the service. One such title is quite possible Mega Man: The Wily Wars, a Sega Megadrive/Genesis release that includes re-makes of the first three titles in the...
News Miyamoto's Ideas for Metroid can be Found in Nintendo Land
Not a bad starting point
As you no doubt saw over the weekend, Shigeru Miyamoto recently conducted an interview with Gamekult.com, during which he shared some views on Wii U and Nintendo's most iconic characters. Some additional translated comments now provide Miyamoto's views on the Metroid franchise, and he's suggested that Wii U launch title...
News Wii U Web Browser Software Specifications Revealed
We're caught in Nintendo's web
CVG has revealed a number of details concerning the Wii U's web browser software. According to the report, the Wii U will run a version of NetFront browser (NX v2.1), and will work on both the TV and GamePad screen, as previously demoed. As with most home systems, it will not be possible to download or upload videos...
News Hori Releasing Wii U Arcade Stick In The UK This December
Not the prettiest, but will do the job
Last week it was revealed that Hori is releasing a Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition fight stick in Japan, alongside the Wii U's launch on 8th December. We were hoping that this would be available in the West, and today Nintendo Gamer confirmed that one will indeed be making its way to the UK; but sadly...
News Miyamoto Working to Encourage More Wii U Third-Party Developers
"I am trying to meet with the game developers individually"
One of the big challenges facing Nintendo and its Wii U system is to encourage more third-party developers to commit to major projects on the system. While Wii had a diverse library — perhaps more so than many think — it arguably lacked a lot of big-hitting titles from third-parties...
News Wii U Kiosks Will Allow Gamers To Try Before They Buy
A sneak peek before release
Starting from today, Nintendo is supplying 5,000 Wii U kiosks across select retail stores in North America, to allow consumers the chance to try the console before making the big purchase. Participating retailers include Target, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Toys ‘R’ Us stores in the U.S. New Super Mario Bros. U,...
Talking Point Splinter Cell Director Doubts Triple-A Gaming's Future
"Lower-case aaa" may take over
While it's easy to get tangled up in technicalities when it comes to the graphical prowess of Wii U, one thing is 99% certain: the successors to Xbox 360 and PS3 will be more powerful, from a graphical standpoint. Whether or not the Wii U matches or surpasses the existing HD systems in this respect — it will take...
News Turns Out Worf From Star Trek Was Talking About A Fan-Made Castlevania Movie
No big-budget version coming after all?
Remember that news we posted about the Castlevania live-action Hollywood movie being resurrected? Where Michael "Worf from Star Trek" Dorn said he was involved in the production of the film? Hope you didn't get too excited, because it turns out he was talking about a fan-made series, and not the on-off...
Sunday4th Nov 2012
News Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward Bug Infects Save Data
Uh-oh
Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is a recent 3DS release that — though unlikely to be a big-seller — will have attracted a committed group of enthusiasts that enjoyed 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors on DS. While a number of gamers are no doubt enjoying the experience and its many, many endings, it's emerged that a save-breaking...
Review 2 Fast 4 Gnomz (3DS eShop)
Gnome-madic
While the title might indicate that 2 Fast 4 Gnomz could be the marriage of Miami street racing and gnome culture we've all been waiting for, what we have instead is a much-improved eShop version of QubicGames' WiiWare runner of the same name. In fact, the title's silly, Prince-esque number usage and 90's-edgy "z" belie the fact that 2...
Unjust desserts
Almost one year ago, the DSiWare service was graced with the appearance of Cake Ninja, an unrepentant clone of mobile craze Fruit Ninja. However, its lifeless approach to the formula, lack of addictiveness and total dearth of variety doomed it to receive a mere 2/10 in our review. Now we have Cake Ninja 2, which seeks to atone for...
News GAME Mobile App Suggests That Nintendo ID Is On Its Way
Sign-in of the times?
It's pretty much a given that Nintendo will create some kind of user ID system on the Wii U console, and we've had further evidence from UK retailer GAME. The company's mobile application for iOS now has a field requesting a "Nintendo ID" - and it's nestled right next to the "PSN" and "XBOX Live Tag" ID fields. Nintendo has...
News Developer Excited by Indie Friendly Wii U eShop
Anticipated indie title teased for Wii U
The Wii U eShop may still be a mystery to us — a Nintendo Direct broadcast to show it off wouldn't be a surprise — but there have certainly been plenty of developers queuing up to share optimistic viewpoints on the platform. The latest to do so is a young studio called Nyamyam, founded in late 2010 by two...
Saturday3rd Nov 2012
News Miyamoto Puzzled As To Why Anyone Would Want A New F-Zero
"I thought people had grown weary of it"
If you ask any self-respecting Nintendo fan which series they'd like to see come out of hibernation, many will say F-Zero. Aside from the themed mini-game in the forthcoming Wii U launch title Nintendo Land, we haven't seen an F-Zero title since 2004's F-Zero: Climax on the Game Boy Advance - which never made
Talking Point Wii U and the Importance of Backward Compatibility
Long live the Wii
In future years, maybe even in a matter of weeks, there's likely to be plenty written about Wii and its lifespan, with judgements made on its strengths and weaknesses. The list of negatives is fairly predictable: it was underpowered, with motion controls that brought an unrelenting wave of sub-par games, it struggled for major...
Interview The Trouble With The TurboGrafx-16
We speak to former TTI Vice President and General Manager
The NEC PC Engine turned 25 this week, and to celebrate the life of this remarkable system we've already taken a comprehensive look at its history. If that didn't satisfy your hunger for NEC-related knowledge, then allow us to offer up this interview with Ken Wirt, who served as Vice...
News XSEED Hints at Rune Factory 4 Localisation
The big tease
The thing about developers and publishers being on social networks is that they have another means to poke and tease us gamers. Gone are the days of big announcements being exclusively in gaming magazines, and now we have pre-announcement hints of teasers. Still, it sure keeps us interested. The latest publisher to join in is XSEED,...
News EA Releases Full Details On FIFA 13's Wii U GamePad Features
A new way to play the beautiful game
EA has now released a vast amount of detail on how FIFA 13 will make use of the Wii U GamePad's features. Some of this has already been covered in detail before, including taking control of the manager making strategic decisions on the sidelines, "shake and shoot" and touch screen navigation as opposed to...
Friday2nd Nov 2012
News Zelda: Twilight Symphony Soundtrack Available For Pre-Order
Over 3 hours of glorious music
Zelda Orchestrated, the dedicated team behind Twilight Symphony, has finally unveiled that its most ambitious project is now available for pre-order with a price tag of $49.99. The 3-disc soundtrack, which is an orchestral arrangement of music from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, is only available in limited
News Wii U Web Browser Posts Impressive Benchmark Results
Surf's up
Early benchmark tests have shown that the Wii U's web browser is surprisingly good at handling HTML5 - better than Microsoft's Internet Explorer 10 on PC, in fact. The data posted on HTML5test.com shows the following info: Wii U browser – 323 + 8 Internet Explorer 10 – 320 + 6 Chrome 22 – 434 + 13 Xbox 360 Internet Explorer 9 –...
Developer Interview Pwnee Studios Talks About Cloudberry Kingdom and Wii U
"We have learnt to expect bizarre events"
With all of the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of the Wii U console and its retail launch titles, it’s easy to forget the assortment of potentially fantastic Wii U eShop titles also heading our way. One of which is Cloudberry Kingdom, a platformer which promises to supply the gamer with...
News Number-Crunching Reveals That Nintendo's Handheld Market Is "Stable"
3DS matching the sales performance of both the GBA and Nintendo DS
Lots of industry experts are arguing that the expansion of mobile phone and tablet gaming is having an impact on the fortunes of dedicated games consoles like the 3DS, but Gamasutra's Matt Matthews has taken a closer look at the figures and found that the truth is somewhat different...
News Retro City Rampage Isn't Headed Down Under
"Ratings are expensive and time consuming", says developer
VBlank Entertainment has revealed that the WiiWare version of Retro City Rampage won't be released in Australia. Posting on Twitter, the developer cited the expensive process of age rating approval as the reason for the no-show. The Xbox Live Arcade and PSN versions are also impacted by the...
Review Spot It! Mean Machines (DSiWare)
I spy a decent game
At a glance, Spot It! Mean Machines is simply a collection of grainy photographs of piles of junk. If you continue to explore this title, you'll find that your initial assessment was astute, but you will also find that it’s amazing how much fun can be had while staring at these still images. If you’re a fan of classic Spot...
News Nintendo Greece Scores Bonus Points With Super Mario Flashmob
Worthy of the warp zone
We've seen a few flashmobs in our time, but this has to rank as one of the best. Nintendo Greece confused, befuddled and ultimately delighted hordes of shoppers by holding a get-together of Super Marios in a shopping centre. The plumbers gleefully paraded around the various stores, drawing smiles from the assembled crowds...
Thursday1st Nov 2012
Review Shock Troopers (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Don't think, just shoot!
While the run-and-gun genre generally evolved into the side-scrolling blast-a-thons we all know and love, there were a few titles during the early arcade days that took a more overhead perspective like Capcom's popular Commando arcade release. It was this direction that developer Saurus took when it came time to put together...
News Exclusive Chinese 3DS XL Models Revealed
Feast your eyes on these bad boys
Distributor of Nintendo products in China, iQue, have revealed 3 gorgeous 3DS XL models which will launch this December 2012 exclusively for the region. No price tag has been put on the models as of yet. Below you can check out the 3 models: Mario White, Mario Silver and Mario Red & Gold (Limited Edition), and...
News Limited Edition Pink 3DS XL Available Online In North America
Pretty in pink
Nintendo of America has announced on its Twitter feed today the availability of the Pink 3DS XL. The cute coloured system is available in limited quantities, and you must be a member of the shopping site Gilt to purchase it. The Pink 3DS XL will come as part of two bundles - one with Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask and the...
Nintendo Download 1st November 2012 (North America)
Freakiness, fast gnomz, hidden objects and cake slicing
While some Nintendo Download updates, particularly in recent weeks, are full of juicy and exciting options, we're not sure that this is one of those occasions. Both DSi and 3DS are covered with a mixture of titles, but Wii is left out entirely; no, there isn't even a Neo Geo fighter to keep the...
News Wii Owners: Microsoft Wants You To Buy The Xbox 360 This Holiday Season
"I can't think of a better console for them to choose" says Microsoft manager
With the Wii U launching this month, you might assume that most Nintendo fans are saving up their pennies and getting very excited indeed about the new console. However, Microsoft's general manager of Interactive Entertainment product marketing Matt Barlow believes that...
News Castlevania: Mirror of Fate's Vocal Talent Has a Scottish Ring To It
Meet the actors behind the Belmont clan
As well as releasing a swanky new trailer for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, Konami has given a few more details on the basic story, as well as revealing the actors who will be lending their vocal talents to the game. Mirror of Fate focuses on Simon and Trevor Belmont, who - in the alternative...
Talking Point Games That Need Wii U - World of Warcraft
Or maybe this one's a game that Wii U needs?
We’ve highlighted the importance of having well-established franchises on Wii U. We’ve also indicated how vital it is for Wii U to be open to new ideas and intellectual properties. This time, we’re saying that in order for Wii U to keep in-line with the competition, exceed it in fact, then it needs...
Watch First US Wii U Advert Appears
How U Will Play Next
In just 17 days' time, on 18th November, Nintendo will release Wii U across the Americas. Up until now its marketing machine hasn't really kicked into gear, but that's all about to change. Nintendo today unveiled what it described as "our brand new US Wii U advertising campaign" via its Wii U page on Facebook. Lots of bright...
News How Many Nintendo References Can You Spot In Alphagames?
Experience the alphabet in video game form
Remember when Animal Crossing met Lost in Jamais Vu? Well creator Evan Seitz is back with another slice of animated brilliance, this time fusing the alphabet with the world of video games. There are a fair few Nintendo references in there - how many can you spot?
News Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney to Receive Director's Cut DLC
There's no objection from us
Siliconera has reported that Level-5 is planning to release a director's cut in downloadable content form for its upcoming puzzle adventure crossover, Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney. The DLC, which will be available some time after the game releases in Japan on 29th November, features an unedited script of the...
News Wii U Madden NFL 13 Was Built In Just Six Months
Tremendous turnaround
We know that Madden NFL 13 on Wii U isn't going to offer all of the features seen in the 360 and PS3 editions of the game, but it's only now that the reason for this is becoming clear: the developers only had half a year to make the game. The amazing dev schedule has been revealed by IGN, w
