News - December, 2012
Monday31st Dec 2012
Review Mahjong 3D - Warriors of the Emperor (3DS eShop)
Not your 奶奶’s Mahjong
If you’ve ever played any iteration of Mahjong before, then there’s a good chance that you know how the tile-matching gameplay works. While the core experience remains unchanged, it’s what Mahjong 3D - Warriors of the Emperor does with the system that makes this one stand out. Rather than simply finding all of the...
News Renegade Kid Worried About 3DS Piracy
Hacking could cause developer to stop supporting the system
It has recently been reported that a couple of hackers have broken into the 3DS, allowing them to run custom code on the device. They claim their motives are good — getting around the 3DS region lock for example — however games developers, as you can imagine, are less than pleased with...
News In Need Of A Portable Super Nintendo? Look No Further
All packaged in a lovely yellow case
There's been a zombie apocalypse. You're going to need a survival kit. What comes to mind? A torch? A shotgun? A cricket bat? Well Reddit user Robotairz has created possibly the best emergency gaming kit we've seen with a portable Super Nintendo, protected within a hard yellow toolbox with a screen and room for...
Review Goooooal América (DSiWare)
New World, old game
For all the emphatic 'o's in its title's iconic interjection, Goooooal América is not a game about football. Nor is it a foosball game, as you might think. If you happen to have owned a certain toy as a child, however, you'll recognize the game's inspiration right off the bat. It's based on a particular small-scale...
Game of the Year Nintendo Life's Community Awards 2012
Your victors have been crowned
It's the last day of 2012 so it's time for you, the Nintendo Life community, to crown the winners of your Game of the Year awards. While the hotly debated Game of the Year Staff Awards were decided by 17 members of the Nintendo Life team, these awards have been determined by hundreds of votes. The categories and...
News Gunman Clive Will Have Glitches Fixed In The New Year
Second boss crash woes to be addressed
3DS eShop title Gunman Clive has been discovered to have a few glitches that can cause it to crash. Fortunately though, developer Bertil Hörberg has responded to it and is working on a fix. In a post on NeoGAF, the developer wrote: As I suspected, the train boss bug is a command buffer overflow, which...
Sunday30th Dec 2012
Review 3D Game Collection (3DS eShop)
Win, lose, or draw?
Casual appeal and touch-screen controls have made Nintendo's recent handheld systems a perfect fit for digital collections of traditional games and puzzles, and that's the niche in which the rather generically named 3D Game Collection sits comfortably. With 25 games from Backgammon to Battleship, Solitaire to slide puzzles,...
Feature Best of 2012: Staff Awards
Behind the games
Yesterday we published our Nintendo Life Staff Game of the Year Awards, and it's safe to say that they — or to be precise the 3DS top three — caused plenty of debate. Today we take a slightly different approach, bringing you the results of a staff poll on various categories related to 2012 in more general terms. We've voted on...
News Trailer Promises More Pokémon News In January
More teasing from Game Freak
Not so long ago Game Freak revealed that it would be working towards evolving the Pokémon world in 2013. Quite what this meant is unclear at the moment, but a new development may shine some light on it. At the end of a trailer for Pokémon Black & White Version 2 that has been running in Japan, a teaser pops up...
Saturday29th Dec 2012
Game of the Year Nintendo Life's Staff Awards 2012
There are a few surprises
As 2012 draws to a close it can only mean one thing: annual awards. We've been gathering your votes for the Nintendo Life Community Game of the Year awards, and we have an all new Nintendo Life Gaming Awards article on the way. We'll kick off the next few days of award giving with the Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2012, which...
News The Last Story Was Almost Left Untold In North America
XSEED came close to passing up the opportunity
The Last Story is one of the stronger titles on Wii, which we've just named as our staff's second favourite on the system in 2012. Originally released in Japan in early 2011, it took a long time to make an appearance in the West. It was early 2012 when it was published in Europe by Nintendo, however it...
News Naruto: Powerful Shippuden Confirmed For Western Release
Naruto and Rock Lee coming to 3DS in March
Fans of the popular anime series Naruto will be pleased to hear that the latest game, Naruto: Powerful Shippunden, released this year in Japan, will be on its way to Europe and North America very soon. The 3DS title is based on the spin-off series Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals and is a sidescrolling...
News Code of Princess Rated for European Release
Hack-and-slash and gaming fans, rejoice!
We rather like Code of Princess here at Nintendo Life, as it blends RPG ideas with intuitive hack-and-slash action, all wrapped in a gorgeous hand-drawn 2D art style. When you consider the range of customisation, the tight gameplay and the inclusion of both competitive and co-op online multiplayer, it's a...
News Swords & Soldiers Battling Its Way To 3DS eShop Next Year
A virtual war is coming
Originally released on WiiWare back in 2009, it has been announced that Swords & Soldiers is getting the 3D treatment and making its way to the 3DS eShop. Developed by Romino Games, the strategy title is heading to the virtual store courtesy of Circle Entertainment, which has taken responsibility of helping to bring the...
News Zen Pinball 2 Now Gearing Up For January 2013
We guessed as much
In the most recent Nintendo Direct broadcasts, it was announced that Zen Pinball 2 was on the way to the Wii U eShop in December. It's set to incorporate a similar setup to that seen on the Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms — an initial free download with trial tables, accompanied by a large range available to buy individually or as...
Friday28th Dec 2012
News Game Freak: The Pokémon World Will Be Evolving In 2013
What? Pokémon is evolving!
The year 2012 saw Pokémon Black and White Version 2 released to great fanfare across the globe and it appears Game Freak, the game's developer, already has plans for the series in 2013. In a New Year greetings card posted in Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream, the developer has reportedly told everyone it intends to work...
First Impressions Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - Wii U
We played the monster mash
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U may not be an entirely new game built from the ground up, but it’s fair to say that this upcoming expansion has a lot of gamers excited. Monster Hunter Tri was without doubt one of the definitive hardcore title for Wii owners seeking an in-depth experience, and MH3 Ultimate looks set...
News The Nintendo 64 Kids Recall The Christmas When Santa Knocked It Out Of The Park
They're all grown up now, though
When 9-year-old Brandon Kuzma ripped open the wrapping paper on his N64 console way back in 1998, little did he know that his infamous reaction would become an internet sensation a few years later. The video recording of the most epic of all unboxings has been viewed over 17 million times on YouTube, and has...
News User Created Mario Stages Are A Possibility In The Future
Could add a new dimension to the series
In a recent interview with GamesTM magazine, director of New Super Mario Bros. U Masataka Takemoto was asked if the possibility of level editing would find its way onto future Mario titles: I think the Coin Edit feature in Coin Battle is a step closer to that. There is a possibility of this happening in the...
News Wii U Title Tank! Tank! Tank! Reduces Small Child To Tears
Tears of joy, in case you assumed otherwise
In a neat follow-up to the most famous Nintendo-related Christmas unboxing of all time, a 7-year-old child by the name of Reese has delivered a performance which is very nearly as memorable. As you can see in the video below, Reece bursts into tears when he opens a copy of Namco Bandai's Wii U game Tank!...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Hits 2 Million Sales In Japan
Not even Mario or Monster Hunter could win the race
Animal Crossing: New Leaf has been doing extremely well in Japan since its release at the beginning of November this year. A couple of days after hitting stores the game had sold out across Japan, leaving many fans disappointed who never managed to grab a physical copy. Not long before the month...
Thursday27th Dec 2012
Hardware Classics Tezuka Osamu World Shop Game Boy Light
A gaming work of art
In the first of a new series of features, we'll be taking a look at some seriously beautiful and collectible gaming items - all of which are certain to get hardcore Nintendo fans seriously excited. First up is the Limited Edition Tezuka Osamu World Shop Game Boy Light, a super-rare Japanese exclusive which is emblazoned with...
Review Vampire Crystals (WiiWare)
Vampires, they don’t always suck
One fact that we all need to face is that fast-paced and frantic video games will never go out of style. Whether they’re classics being played on an arcade cabinet or new entries on a home console, intense action coupled with multiplayer mayhem can be downright addictive. Another fact that we all need to face is...
Review Moshi Monsters Moshlings Theme Park (3DS)
Goopendous or a Moshi-mess?
Moshi Monsters Moshlings Theme Park is based on the Moshi Monsters website, a popular Neopets-style virtual pet game that lets you adopt a monster, customise its home and play mini-games to collect prizes. The franchise's first video game outing took the monsters to a zoo, and now they're taking a break to vacation at a...
Nintendo Download 27th December 2012 (North America)
Fluidity, tough old-school challenges, wizards and the impossible
It's here, the post-festive Nintendo Download bonanza. Whether it's an actual bonanza is up to you, but there's a broad variety of new and old titles, with everything but the Wii U getting new content. That's right, North America, no shiny high-def pinball in the update today, but...
Nintendo Download 27th December 2012 (Europe)
Mario returns, chess galore and heroes of the world
Most of the world is currently in a vague fuzz of lazy relaxation, but not the download team at Nintendo. It's the usual update, this time incorporating every system with the exception of Wii U, so barring a surprise a certain pinball series isn't going to make it to the new system this year...
Wednesday26th Dec 2012
Review Gunman Clive (3DS eShop)
Mega Clive
When Gunman Clive was announced for the 3DS eShop, some smartphone gamers may have had their heads turned; one of the few complaints of the original release was controlling the gun-slinging hero with a virtual joystick and buttons. Here was an indie-game with a smart visual style and loving references to some of the classic platforming...
Feature 10 Essential Games For Your New 3DS
Got a new handheld this Christmas? Try these must-have titles
While plenty of lucky kids and big kids alike will have received a Wii U on Christmas Day we're aware, thanks to our lovely Twitter followers, that a number of people received a shiny new 3DS on the big day. Many were XL variations, though the original model has its own charms, so we...
News Wii U Games Struggling At Retail In The UK
No games break into the top 40
When Wii U launched in the UK last month its software struggled to make an immediate impact on the sales charts, with only Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U making into the all-format top 40 at 26th and 36th respectively. Considering only 40,000 Wii U systems were out there, it didn't appear too distressing...
Review Cake Ninja XMAS (DSiWare)
Christmas is cancelled
Long time readers of Nintendo Life will be acutely aware of the fact that we’re not the biggest fans of Cypronia’s Cake Ninja series. The two titles released so far have both received scathing critiques from our staff, which is why we approached this festive edition with a fair degree of trepidation. As the title plainly...
Tuesday25th Dec 2012
Feature 10 Essential Games For Your New Wii U
Got a new system this Christmas? Try these must-have titles
Assuming you've been very good this year, many of you will have been blessed with shiny new Wii U consoles today. There's only one thing better than finding a new gaming system under your Christmas tree, and that's actually playing on it - and we guessed you may be in need of some solid...
News Merry Christmas From All At Nintendo Life
Best wishes for the festive season
On the one day of the year when it's socially acceptable to consume your body weight in mince pies, sit in front of the TV all day long and drink copious amounts of mulled wine (or a non-alcoholic alternative), we wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas from everyone here at Nintendo Life. Hopefully you got what...
Monday24th Dec 2012
Review escapeVektor (3DS eShop)
Traces of greatness
Looking back to the release of escapeVektor: Chapter 1 just over a year ago, we're filled with conflicting emotions. We're glad, of course, because the game was fantastic, inexpensive, and thoroughly addictive. However we can't remember that game without being reminded of the fact that WiiWare never saw the rest of the series...
Review Rytmik World Music (DSiWare)
Bring the beat back
Cinemax has cooked up a number of flavours of its Rytmik music production suite, allowing the musically-minded playgrounds with which to explore dance, chip tunes, hip hop, rock and now world music. Rytmik World Music is a fun little musical tool tha
Round Table Let's Talk About Festive Gaming
It's all so jolly
Well, it's Christmas Eve, and as the famous song said we're "simmmmply haaaaving a wonderful Christmas time" here at Nintendo Life. With Santa currently loading up his sleigh with those rather weighty Wii U consoles for the good gamers of the World, a few members of the team decided to have a chat about festive memories and the...
Feature Time to Vote For Your Game of the Year
It won't be easy
As the end of the year approaches it can only mean one thing — annual awards. The Nintendo Life staff have been putting their heads together in recent days to determine the official NL winners in various categories but, of course, we want you to have your say as well. It's really rather simple, choose your top three games in each...
Feature The Mushroom Kingdom's Letters to Santa
Lost in the mail
Something very strange happened when we checked the mail here at Nintendo Life Towers this morning. We're used to seeing lots of strange letters and packages come through (typically beard maintenance items for Ron, or poorly-concealed letter bombs addressed to Chicken Brutus), but today we actually found a number of letters that had...
Sunday23rd Dec 2012
Interview Nintendo of America's Dan Adelman
Meet the man who has shaped the face of Nintendo download gaming
Over the years WiiWare, DSiWare and the 3DS eShop have seen some critically-acclaimed 'indie' classics, such as the BIT.TRIP series, World of Goo, Mutant Mudds and more. Although he may not be a household name like Reggie Fils-Aime or Bill Trinen, Dan Adelman nevertheless plays a...
Review Anonymous Notes Chapter 3 - From The Abyss (DSiWare)
Return of the Abyss
Things have been quiet on the Anonymous Notes front — after a year and a half the series returns for a hat trick with Anonymous Notes Chapter 3 - From The Abyss. Not much has changed in that time, really: save for a new protagonist, Chapter 3 is still the same mechanically sound and somewhat aimless dungeon crawler as Chapter 2...
News Capcom Wishes Everyone A Merry 'Mega Man' Christmas
Happy Holidays from its blue hero
Capcom has treated its fans with a festive tribute to one of its most famous franchises, Mega Man. The blue-suited protagonist is seen battling his way through numerous winter levels spanning across various Mega Man titles, with 'O Come All Ye Faithful' providing some Christmas cheer throughout the video. As well...
Saturday22nd Dec 2012
Round Table Let's Talk About The Wii U eShop
A new era of downloads
This week we've been publishing an extensive range of Developer Interviews with all of the indie studios that released download-only games at launch on the Wii U eShop. Naturally, there's been plenty to talk about, so some of the Nintendo Life team decided to weigh in with their thoughts. Joining features editor Tom Whitehead...
Developer Interview Tomorrow Corporation on the First Days of the Wii U eShop
It's Little Inferno just for Wii (U, and PC)
So, Little Inferno, what can be said about it? Our own review stated that "it's as much a sandbox or digital toy as it is a game", with the simple fact that the experience can basically be summarised as burning stuff. There's money to earn and collect, as well as puzzle combos to figure out, but it's a...
News Nintendo of Europe's Satoru Shibata Gives a Christmas Message
We're pretty sure he mentions Nintendo Life
It's the festive season and many are starting to put their feet up and eat too much food — not us, we'll be bringing you features every day throughout the Holiday period. Nintendo of Europe's boss, Satoru Shibata, has left a fairly lengthy message for Nintendo fans, talking about his move into hosting...
Friday21st Dec 2012
Review Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (Wii)
Golly gosh, Mickey
When Disney Epic Mickey arrived on Wii in time for the Holiday season in 2010, it attracted a lot of attention due to its concept and the development leadership of Warren Spector, one of the industry's most respected figures. Its relatively late arrival in the system's lifespan meant it pushed attractive visuals "for a Wii game",...
Guide Getting Your Nintendo 3DS Online
Online tips for your shiny new handheld
For some gamers this year, a shiny new 3DS will be waiting for them as a Christmas treat. Nintendo's Wii U may be hogging plenty of attention, but the handheld deserves some limelight due to its ever-growing games catalogue and range of eShop offerings. Of course, getting the most out of your 3DS really...
News Fire Emblem: Awakening Getting The Pre-Order Bonus Treatment In The U.S.
GameStop has limited edition character art books to give away
The highly anticipated 3DS strategy RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening will finally become available in North America on 4th February 2013. The game sees you take control of Lord Chrom and the Shepherds as they endeavour to rid the land of a new evil. To celebrate the release GameStop is...
News Legend of Zelda LEGO Project Falls At The Final Hurdle
Back to the Future wins instead
Everyone has cool ideas for custom LEGO sets, and thankfully since 2008 these concepts have had a chance of becoming reality thanks to LEGO CUUSOO. An official partner of The LEGO Group, CUUSOO's objective is to produce community-supported LEGO sets. Ideas are submitted via a website and members of the public vote...
News Capcom Wants Your Help For Future Digital Releases
Let your voice be heard
Capcom senior vice president Christian Svensson has posted a survey on Capcom-Unity asking users what they think Capcom should be doing in terms of future potential digital games. Note that's digital only — not retail projects. Within the survey, Capcom wants to know what you're most interested in seeing, such as straight...
Developer Interview WayForward Technologies on the First Days of the Wii U eShop
High and Mighty
Californian developer WayForward Technologies is a long-time supporter of Nintendo and its hardware. Often noted for its proficiency with 2D, the company has worked on all manner of titles on several Nintendo platforms, from licenced games to its own original properties such as Shantae and the Mighty series. For the launch of the Wii...
News Nintendo Europe Working On Fix For Wii U eShop 18+ Restriction
Growing up
We've already reported (and ranted) about the absurd mature content restrictions which impact the Wii U eShop in Europe. Games like ZombiU cannot be purchased outside of a four-hour window thanks to German law regardin
News Retro City Rampage Looks Set For A January Release on WiiWare
Don't worry, it'll arrive... eventually
It seems like forever and an age since Retro City Rampage was announced for the Wii Shop Channel - the title has had a delay or two since then. We reported earlier this month that an updated version of the 8-bit action-adventure game would be heading to Europe and North America 'soon', but no specific date was...
News New Details Emerge For Disney Infinity
Looks set to be played across platforms
Disney has always been about creating experiences. It has done it with its movies, its theme parks, its toys and also with games. Now though the company aims to create a gaming experience with a much grander scale than before; one with a lot of ambition. Disney Infinity is the company’s latest gaming...
Rumour Ubisoft Looking To Buy THQ's Assets
French company reportedly in talks to acquire tangible assets
On Wednesday THQ filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the United States, handing over its tangible assets to Clearlake Investments, an investment firm, with a view to selling the business on. It appears that Ubisoft is the front runner to pick up THQ's tangible assets, with MCV reporting...
Thursday20th Dec 2012
Nintendo Download 20th December 2012 (North America)
Wario, escaping vektors, Wii U discounts and 3D goodies
The download information arrived a little later than normal today, and no wonder — there's a lot of content available this week, along with some surprise sales on Wii U. Enough pre-amble, let's get into it. 3DS download software: escapeVektor (Nnooo, $9.99) — The original release on...
News False Alarm! Wii U GamePads Not Going Solo Just Yet
UK retailer blames listing error
A few outlets were reporting earlier this morning that UK catalogue store Very.co.uk had become the first retailer in the world to begin selling the Wii U GamePad as a standalone item - which was surprising news given that there's nothing to use two GamePads for right now, unless you like really expensive bookends...
News Nintendo Is Not Working On Fix For Wii U's Slow OS
We stand corrected
We reported yesterday that Nintendo President Satoru Iwata had apologised for the long loading times when switching between applications on the Wii U. He went on to say that a solution was in the works, but no time-frame was given. That's great, Nintendo took responsibility for this minor hiccup; we all accepted the apology. But...
News EarthBound Creator Confirms Something Is In The Pipeline
Looks set to be a re-release
The EarthBound series, known as Mother in Japan, has only ever had one game released in North America way back in 1995 when EarthBound (Mother 2) emerged on the Super Nintendo. The game has a large cult following in North America and is incredibly popular in Japan. Creator of the series, Shigesato Itoi, has confirmed...
Review Castle Conqueror - Heroes 2 (DSiWare)
Another heroic effort
Just over one year ago CIRCLE released Castle Conqueror - Heroes for DSiWare. We weren't stingy with the praise in our review, awarding it a solid 9 out of 10 and holding it up as the strongest title in a very strong series. Now we've received a sequel, and we couldn't be happier. For those who haven't played the first game,...
Feature The Confusing World of Mega Man Spin-Offs - Part 2
Lots and lots of Mega Man
We've already brought you our first part of a feature looking at the confusing world of Mega Man spin-offs, and now we're diving into some lesser known adventures from the Blue Bomber's universe. If you've played all of these then we can say one thing with confidence — you're a big fan of the franchise. Without further...
News The 3DS Cartridge Case Returns to Club Nintendo in North America
But none for you, Europe
Due to popular demand Nintendo has decided to restock the North American Club Nintendo with a limited supply of 3DS game cartridge cases, available for the sum of 250 coins. The case can hold eighteen 3DS or DS games and has four reversible sleeves, with art from The Legend of Zelda and Mario series. It's the same size as a...
News Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Hitting North America March 24th
New 3DS adventure set for early 2013 release
Nintendo has confirmed that Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity will be coming to North American 3DS consoles on March 24th, 2013. The latest instalment in the popular Mystery Dungeon sub-series, Gates to Infinity will allow 3DS owners to use the console's camera to scan objects and access new...
Developer Interview Broken Rules on the First Days of the Wii U eShop
Taking flight
While the launch line-up of download-only games on the Wii U eShop features some multi-platform releases or exclusives from studios well-known to Nintendo enthusiasts, Chasing Aurora is potentially in a category of its own. Broken Rules had previously released its highly regarded PC title And Yet It Moves on WiiWare, but may not...
News This New Super Mario Bros. 2 Course Pack Will Push Your Skills To The Limit
"Impossible" and "Mystery" packs available in North America today
Nintendo has revealed the final DLC Course Packs for New Super Mario Bros. 2. The "Impossible" and "Mystery Adventures" packs will be available in North America from today for $2.50 a piece. Both contain three new courses for the game's popular Coin Rush mode. Mystery Adventures is...
News Nintendo DS Inspired The Uniqueness Of Wii U
Former president's philosophy still being put into practice
Wii U is currently the system on everyone’s lips. It’s the first home console to add an extra screen to the television with the inclusion of the GamePad, but it’s not the first time Nintendo has added one to its hardware. In an interview on Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, President of...
News First Ever 'Reggie Asks' Delves Into TVii
Channel surfing, TV Tags, Miiverse integration and more
President of Nintendo Satoru Iwata has been running the highly informative and occasionally hilarious (laughs) Iwata Asks interview series for a while now, and so far he's been the only one conducting the interviews. That all changed today as President of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime...
News Code of Princess Is Going Digital On January 3rd
eShop release incoming for 3DS classic
Atlus' Code of Princess is getting a North American 3DS eShop release in January, as indicated by the game's eShop page. The 2D fighter/RPG hybrid launched at North American retail in October, and met with a positive response from critics and consumers alike. The game still hasn't made its way to Europe. As...
News Reggie Fils-Aime To Host 'Reggie Asks' Interview About Nintendo TVii Today
Application launching today in North America
Nintendo of America announced via Twitter yesterday that it will be posting a very special 'Reggie Asks' interview focusing on the Nintendo TVii application launching for Wii U today, 20th December, across the US and Canada. Reggie will hopefully provide some new details on the service, with the Nintendo...
News Unchipped Kickstarter Aims To Capture The Magic Of NES Music
"8-bit NES themes brought to life with today's technology"
A new Kickstarter project has been launched which intends to celebrate the authentic sound of NES music. Unchipped - 8-Bit Music Reborn is the work of Brad Tratzinski, and has a modest goal of just $4,000. Tratzinski - who also plays in the band Splitbelly - reveals that the project came...
Wednesday19th Dec 2012
Review Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Wii U)
Always outnumbered, never outgunned
Black Ops was a remarkable achievement for Treyarch. By finally carving out their own vision of the franchise, one steeped in Cold War history and with narrative focus, the studio broke out from under Infinity Ward's imposing shadow and pulled off one of the most compelling games in the series. It was a breath of...
News Nintendo Is Sorry For Wii U Load Times, Is Working On A Fix
Satoru Iwata apologises for lengthy waits when switching between applications
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has publicly apologised for the lengthy loading times endured by Wii U users when moving around the console's operating system. The comments were delivered in a Japanese Nintendo Direct broadcast. Iwata admitted that the load times were an...
Feature The Confusing World of Mega Man Spin-Offs - Part 1
Stay with us
We've already talked about the ten numbered console games in the Classic Mega Man series, but as you are no doubt aware that barely scratches the surface when it comes to Capcom's classic franchise. We could spend several weeks spotlighting all of the titles released across all platforms — and, believe us, we'd love to — but we...
News Wii U TVii App Goes Live in North America on 20th December
Twitter and Facebook integration included
TVii, the app that was introduced with much fanfare at Nintendo of America's Wii U launch reveal earlier in the year, will go live on the system from 20th December. It meets Nintendo's promise that the service would arrive stateside during the course of December, though a couple of supported features will...
News Fresh Figures Suggest Nintendo DS Is The Most Popular Console Of All Time
Overtakes the PS2 in global sales
According to VGChartz, the Nintendo DS is now officially the most popular games console of all time. Updated sales state that Nintendo's dual-screen handheld has shifted an amazing 153.69 million units worldwide, while the PS2 has sold 153.68 million. The DS - which hit the market in 2004 - has sold 56.47 million...
Developer Interview Shin'en Multimedia on the First Days of the Wii U eShop
Neo beginnings
Shin'en Multimedia is a developer likely to be well-known to Nintendo download enthusiasts, with the company having made multiple appearances on Wii and 3DS, in particular. Some of its releases, such as Jett Rocket and Art of Balance TOUCH!, have been among the best titles on WiiWare and the 3DS eShop, respectively, while the small...
Review Wizard Defenders (DSiWare)
We have but a fool's hope
On the surface, Wizard Defenders seems like a promising blend of match-3 puzzling and tower defence; in its best moments it's a concept that works well. Unfortunately these moments are rare, and despite its budget price this title lacks the magic to make a gamer happy. This is a good example of a reasonable idea being...
News 7000 Wii U Systems Stolen in Seattle
Nintendo will be sleepless tonight
Earlier this week there were initial reports in local press that thousands of Wii consoles had been stolen from a distribution warehouse in Seattle, though now the story has spread wider and it's transpired that they were Wii U systems that were seized. If the stock is never retrieved, then it's a loss for Nintendo...
There is no eskape
If you haven’t noticed by now, then we’re just going to have to come right out and say it: zombies are popular. There’s no real way to trace the resurgence that zombies have had in popular culture, but it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. That being the case, there have been a whole lot of video games featuring zombies in...
News Space Harrier 3D Is Real, Hits Japanese 3DS eShop Next Week
Welcome to the fantasy zone
Back on November we reported on a rumour that stated SEGA was about to bring some of its classic arcade titles to the 3DS with fancy 3D visuals, and that Space Harrier was set to see release first. Turns out it was more than just a rumour, and SEGA is launching Space Harrier 3D on the Japanese 3DS eShop on December 26th...
News 3DS Continues To Dominate Sales In Japan
Not even Wii U can stop it
Last week Wii U launched in Japan and clocked up some impressive sales, so impressive that it even outsold the 3DS, which has been dominating hardware sales in Japan for a sustained period and outselling the competition by 2.5 times. However, the Wii U wasn't on top for long as this week the 3DS came back with a...
News Namco Bandai Impressed By Western Interest In Project X Zone
Chance for an English-language version yet?
Cross-over RPG Project X Zone launched on the 3DS in Japan earlier this year but hasn't been granted a western release as yet - despite the efforts of Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada. However, some people at Namco Bandai are at least aware of the demand for this game in this part of the world - including...
News THQ Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Upcoming games are safe
THQ has been sailing through some stormy seas recently. The developer currently has $16.4 million outstanding on its facility and recently entered into a forbearance agreement with the finance company Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The waves don’t seem to be easing up for the company as it has today filed for Chapter 11...
News Atlus Is Bringing Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers To North America
Shin Megami Tensei fans, rejoice
Atlus has confirmed that Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers will be getting a North American release in Spring 2013. The 3DS exclusive is an updated version of the Saturn original which appeared in 1997 and was subsequently ported to the PlayStation two years later. The Japanese 3DS release took place...
News Capcom's Projections Tumble As Monster Hunter 4 Is Delayed In Japan
3DS smash hit now set for summer debut
Capcom has confirmed that Monster Hunter 4 will miss its March 2013 release date in Japan. The company has revealed that the eagerly-awaited game will be pushed to a vague summer launch, and added that the delay was "based on the decision that further quality enhancements are needed in order to meet the...
Tuesday18th Dec 2012
Review Hydroventure: Spin Cycle (3DS eShop)
Water way to go
2010 WiiWare title Hydroventure (or Fluidity as it was known in North America) was a fine example of how to harness the unique properties of a console’s hardware to deliver a refreshingly original experience. The water-based gameplay was accentuated by clever puzzles and hidden collectables, making it one of WiiWare’s undisputed...
News UK Press Pins Blame For Sandy Hook Massacre On Video Games
Call of Duty and Dynasty Warriors both named and shamed by tabloid papers
UK newspapers The Sun and The Daily Express have laid the blame for last week's tragic school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut squarely at the feet of violent video games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Dynasty Warriors. 20 children and six adults were ruthlessly gunned...
Review Gardenscapes (3DS eShop)
Hidden Horticulture
Who hasn't dreamed of leaving it all behind, of quitting the city and hopping a train to the glorious green of the countryside? Gardenscapes plays off of this desire, casting you as the young inheritor of your grandfather's country home and garden, now both sadly in disrepair. Restoring the once-beautiful garden will require some...
News Kojima Productions: We Aren't Thinking About Metal Gear Rising On Wii U
No solid hope for conversion
Early next year, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners will get the chance to sample the latest instalment in the Metal Gear series, with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance arriving on their consoles. The game is a co-production between Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, and boasts a compelling mixture of sword-play and...
Developer Interview Neko Entertainment on the First Days of the Wii U eShop
The cat meows
Neko Entertainment has been ever-present on Nintendo consoles since it was formed in 1999. Based near Paris, France, the developer has created both retail and digital download games for most major systems of the last decade, from Nintendo 64 right through to Wii U. In something of a coup for the outfit, Neko secured a place in Wii U...
Feature Mega Man Retrospective - Part Two
Back to the future
Yesterday we brought you part one of our Mega Man retrospective, where we looked at the first five main entries in the iconic series. It's all in honour of the Blue Bomber's 25th Anniversary, with this segment spanning the NES to Wii eras of Nintendo systems, with some non-Nintendo systems making a brief appearance. Mega Man 6...
News The Cave On Wii U Is "Pretty Much" Like Other Versions
Double Fine aiming for parity across platforms
Double Fine's first Wii U game The Cave is due on the eShop early next year, and the company has been showing off what makes the Nintendo version so special. The GamePad's screen is used for character selection, and can also be used to focus the in-game camera on a certain individual by double-tapping...
Monday17th Dec 2012
Review James Bond: 007 Legends (Wii U)
Thunderbore
With the new James Bond film Skyfall currently rocking movie theaters across the globe, you might expect this year's 007 game to be all about the present. Instead, Eurocom's swansong digs into the franchise's rich 50-year legacy, updating some of Bond's more memorable moments for the modern era. With the successful re-imagining of...
Review Real Bout Fatal Fury (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
In the beginning...
After several releases in the Fatal Fury franchise, SNK decided to create a sub-series with the release of Real Bout Fatal Fury. The game didn't deviate too far from the experience that fans had come to expect, but there was a certain intensity and flair that needed to be explored and perhaps that was the reasoning behind the...
News Microsoft's Application For Killer Instinct Trademark Is Denied
New instalment in development at Rare?
Although it's not something that is likely to impact the production of a new Killer Instinct title for Nintendo consoles - the IP is owned by Rare (and, by extension, Microsoft) so that's not going to happen any time soon, sadly - but interesting news has filtered through about a possible new entry in the...
Developer Interview Frozenbyte on the First Days of the Wii U eShop
A not-so frosty reception
Over the last few months, Nintendo has displayed a significant shift in its attitude towards digital distribution and online in general. On 3DS we've seen the addition of downloadable retail games, a more regular stream of demos and downloadable content for first party titles. Wii U looks set to extend this approach...
Nintendo Download 20th December 2012 (Europe)
Escaping vektors, Clive in the Wild West and heroes in castles
It's the final Nintendo Download update before Christmas, so Nintendo's got a helping of festive cheer for us to download. Only Wii is left out to ask Scrooge for some new content, with both handhelds getting new games and Wii U joining in with some juicy price reductions. Let's get to...
News Capcom Releases New Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Wii U Gameplay Videos
Includes humongous swords
As a special pre-Christmas treat, Capcom has released a series of three gameplay videos via its community blog for the upcoming Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on Wii U. The videos contain battles with three brand new beasties; the Lagombi, Zinogre and Brachydios, with all three battles taking place on very different terrains...
Feature Mega Man Retrospective - Part One
25 years young
Twenty-five years ago today, the world was introduced to a super fighting robot — the Blue Bomber himself — Mega Man. Known as Rock Man in his native Japan, Mega Man earned global fame and popularity, introducing gamers to a unique and challenging franchise that, unsurprisingly, became a piece of classic gaming history. Looking...
News New Japanese Trailer for Dragon Quest VII 3DS Remake
Slime-o-riffic
Square Enix of Japan has unveiled a new trailer for the upcoming 3DS remake of the PlayStation classic Dragon Quest VII. While the 3DS remake will remain largely true to its predecessor, we reported earlier this month that there will be visible encounters rather than random battles, which can be seen in the trailer. According to CVG
News Mega Man 1 to 6 Blasting Onto 3DS Virtual Console
No need to be blue
In early November we reported that Capcom was aiming to bring the NES Mega Man games to the 3DS Virtual Console, and it's now been confirmed that this will be a reality. With all of the NES titles already released in Japan and the original Mega Man available on the European eShop, the time for North America to join in has now...
News Wii U Software Falls Off The UK Charts
Nintendo Land the only survivor
Last week we reported on some struggles for Wii U software in the UK all-format charts, with various possible reasons behind the lack of impact of the system's games. There's a low install base, for one, meaning that it's too early to proclaim the console to be in any kind of trouble; with that said there seems to be...
News Mario And Friends Wish Us All Happy Holidays
Oops, we forgot to send a card back...
As part of the festive season it's time to exchange messages of kindness and friendship with some cards. Mario and the gang have gone for the electronic approach — a whole forest would have been lost to send cards to every Nintendo gamer — with a dedicated web page to wish you Happy Holidays. If you want to...
News Mario Voice Actor Charles Martinet To Lend His Talent To BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2
It's a me...Commander Video?
Gaijin Games has announced that its upcoming title, BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, will be narrated by none other than Mario voice actor Charles Martinet. The renowned voice actor will be voicing seven cut-scenes that appear in the downloadable game. Rather than lending his voice to a new...
News Job Losses Rock LostWinds Developer Frontier
The Nightmare Before Christmas
LostWinds developer Frontier Developments has made 14 of its 233 staff redundant, Eurogamer has revealed. The Cambridge-based studio - which expanded its operations in North America earlier this year - is letting the staff go at 6pm on Friday 14th December - just 11 days before Christmas.
Sunday16th Dec 2012
News Warren Spector Hints At Epic Mickey 3
Would also like to work with other Disney characters
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is out right now on Wii and Wii U. The game sees you painting your way through several Disney-esque levels with Mickey and his pal Oswald and is designed with two players in mind. In an interview with Red Bull, Warren Spector, the man behind Epic Mickey, has hinted...
Review Murder on the Titanic (3DS eShop)
Lost at Sea
Imagine, if you will, a tale of two young lovers aboard the infamous ship known as Titanic. The woman, young and from an affluent family, in love with a poor man working as a stoker deep within the bowels of the ship. Sound vaguely like a blockbuster film you’ve seen at least a dozen times? Now add a murder into the mix and a whole lot...
News Miyamoto Wants To Return To Unrealised GameCube-GBA Link Ideas With Wii U
A decade's worth of ideas
The GameCube-Game Boy Advance link cable is now a relic of Nintendo’s past. First shown at E3 2002, the cable was designed to connect gamers’ GBAs to the GameCube and allow them to use it as a controller. At that E3 show, Nintendo showed off Pacman Vs., a game that could only be played with GBAs. In truth there...
Review Chuck E. Cheese's Alien Defense Force (DSiWare)
In space, no one can hear you regret your purchase
Earlier this year, DSiWare had the misfortune of becoming home to Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room. A joyless collection of five dull mini-games and additional gimmicks such as achievements and an outfit customisation feature, the game was a disappointment in nearly every possible way. Now we have a...
News Little Inferno Soundtrack Available To Download For Free
A heart-warming gift
Wii U eShop title Little Inferno has caused a heated debate in the gaming community. Some people love it, others simply don’t get it, but one thing most people have enjoyed about the niche little game is the soundtrack. Tomorrow Corporation, the game’s developer, has revealed on its blog that the soundtrack is now available...
Saturday15th Dec 2012
News Wii U GamePad Lookalike On the Way
No surprise, really
One thing is guaranteed when a new high-profile gadget arrives in the market: within months it'll be heavily copied for a tablet device. It happened with the PlayStation Vita, and now it's the turn of the Wii U GamePad. The culprit this time is Chinese company JinXing with its SMART S7300 Console, described as a Dual Core HD...
Rumour Capcom Is Bringing Its Arcade Classics To 3DS And Wii U eShop
Coin-op titles headed to Nintendo systems in 2013?
Capcom is working on bringing its arcade classics to digital platforms in the form of Capcom Arcade Cabinet, and according to French site Pockett Videogames, the Wii U eShop and 3DS eShop will be joining the retro party. So far, it would seem as if Capcom Arcade Cabinet is only coming to the Xbox...
News Introductory Video Emerges For Fire Emblem: Awakening
More details on characters, relationships and tactics
During the latest Nintendo Direct the hotly anticipated 3DS strategy RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening was finally given a release date. The game arrives in North America on 4th February and will land in Europe at some point in April. Some people may be unfamiliar with the Fire Emblem series, so to...
News Nintendo Releases a Video Guide for Wii to Wii U Transfer
Don't forget the extra TV
Though Wii U has been available in North America for nearly a month, Nintendo is still producing information and videos to help new owners get the most out of their systems. One strength of the new console, something that Nintendo's been offering for a number of years on different systems, is full backward compatibility...
News Monolith Soft: We Want To Be Like Bethesda
Xenoblade Chronicles developer has big ambitions
Monolith Soft is certainly a developer worth keeping a close eye on. In 2007 Nintendo became the studio's parent company by acquiring an 80% stake in the business, and since then the developer has made titles such as Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii and Project X Zone — a Japan only crossover RPG...
Feature Memorable Nintendo Direct Moments
Bringing ten memories direct, to you
Over the years, Nintendo’s press conferences have produced some truly memorable moments, showcasing the fun that is at the heart of the company’s development philosophy. E3 showcases for games such as Wii Sports and Wii Fit became show highlights for many attendees, which not only served to promote and...
News Amazing Fan-Made Video Explores Link's Obsession With Smashing Pots
We just feel sorry for the guard
When you really think about it, Link is a bit of nuisance. Throughout the The Legend of Zelda series he may have rescued princesses and saved entire worlds from destruction, but he's also broken a heck of a lot of pots in the process - sometimes for no other reason than to let off some steam. This worrying habit is...
News Unchained Blades Coming To North American 3DS eShop In The New Year
Will be the first download only retail title
Last month XSEED confirmed via Facebook that it was struggling to get the artistic dungeon crawling RPG Unchained Blades onto the 3DS eShop in North America, but said it hoped the game would make it before the New Year. Well there's good news, and there's bad news. The good news is that Unchained Blades...
Friday14th Dec 2012
News Wii U Review Score Average Is Modest, At Best
Doesn't necessarily tell the whole story
Now that the Wii U and its launch library of games has been in the wild for almost a month, in North America at least, a general impression of the critical reaction to these titles and the console is starting to emerge. It's not a complete picture, of course, but gaming enthusiasts can start to see the trends...
Review Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (3DS)
Mouse trapped
It takes a brave developer to tackle nostalgia head-on, even moreso when the original game was created by a completely different company and is considered one of the high points of an entire generation. For the first portable entry in the Disney Epic Mickey series, Dreamrift has peered back to the well-loved Mickey Mouse games of the...
News Masahiro Sakurai: The Wait For Smash Bros. Will Be Worth It
Producer stops tweeting to focus solely on upcoming brawler
Masahiro Sakurai, producer of Kid Icarus: Uprising, is currently working hard on the next instalment of the Smash Bros. series which will be available on both Wii U and 3DS. In his latest Famitsu column Sakurai reiterated that the game is still a long way off, and that Nintendo fans would...
News Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Now Available For Free On iOS
But 3DS offers better value for dedicated players
Earlier this week Square Enix teased the world with a website showing a couple of symbols from the popular Theatrhythm Final Fantasy on 3DS. Was it teasing a sequel? A new Theatrhythm for a different series? Nope, it was just an iOS port. That iOS port is available right now and can be do
Talking Point Test Running Rayman Legends
The art of a good demo
Yesterday the demo for Rayman Legends arrived on the Wii U eShop in both Europe and North America, and a number of gamers who wanted this title at launch eagerly started the download. There are a few things to say about it, both in terms of the glimpse it gives us of the game and how it is, essentially, the epitome of a well...
News Vampire Crystals Cuts A Bloody Path To December Release In NA
European launch for WiiWare title to follow in January
Shanblue Interactive has confirmed that its WiiWare action title Vampire Crystals will launch this month in North America. The date to look out for is December 20th, with a European release following on January 3rd, 2013. The top-down shooter has been in development for quite a while - we first...
News Unepic Adventuring Onto Wii U eShop in 2013
"A mixture of platform game, role game and joke"
EnjoyUp Games has announced this week that it'll be publishing Unepic, an indie RPG platformer released on PC in 2011. In this adventure you play as Daniel, "great videogame player, big lover of sci-fi movies, novice player of role games, pot-head", who is swept away to a mysterious castle which he...
News Oliver Twins Admit Dizzy Returns Kickstarter Has Failed
Potential Wii U release no longer on the cards
We've seen our fair share of Kickstarter success stories of late, but it's worth remembering that not every campaign achieves its goal. One Kickstarter project which looks unlikely to reach its target is Dizzy Returns, a drive by famous coding siblings The Oliver Twins to create an all-new game...
News Operation Friidom Petitions Nintendo For Greater Control Over Network ID Accounts
You'll never take our Friidom
As we've previously reported, Nintendo Network IDs are tied to a single Wii U console - for the time being, at least. Nintendo has stated that in the future that this will change, but that clearly can't come soon enough for American Nintendo fan Curtis Bonds, who has established a petition to speed things up a little...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Festive Edition
Ho-Ho-Holy moly that's a lot of games
Ah, the Holidays. A time of year when we all run out of money, fight tooth and nail through packed shopping malls and put on lots of weight. Festive greetings indeed, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, bah humbug and all that. Of course, we're only calling this the festive edition of WGAYPTW — let's see if that...
News Riki Densetsu Footage Roughhouses Its Way Out Of Japan
River City Ransom sequel is now available on the Japanese 3DS eShop
Footage from Arc System Works' River City Ransom spin-off Riki Densetsu has appeared online, showing off some impressive old-school brawling action. The game is available in Japan now but there's no word on a western release at present. It features series antagonist Riki as the...
News Don't Worry, North American Club Nintendo Issues Are Being Fixed
"We are actively working to resolve these issues, and apologize for any inconvenience"
Club Nintendo members in North America may have noticed that the service is currently experiencing a few difficulties, with users finding that coins are not being deposited in their accounts after filling out surveys. Nintendo of America is aware of the problem,...
Thursday13th Dec 2012
Hoop dreams
Despite its only competitor in the basketball sim arena being dormant for the past few years, the NBA 2K series has continued to march forward year after year enjoying fan and critical acclaim thanks to its constant improvement with each franchise iteration. The series finally makes the bounce pass to a Nintendo console, and hoops fans...
News YouTube Workaround Now Needed For Wii U Web Browser
It works, but is a fiddle
Many opinions on the Wii U's dedicated YouTube app agree on one thing — it's not the best. With slow load times and in some cases a bad habit of crashing, it seems ripe for some updates and improvements in the future. Many discovered that, courtesy of the system's speedy Web Browser, it was actually quicker and a far more...
News ZombiU Producer "Disappointed" By Early Reviews
Additional opinions provided the antidote
ZombiU was a high-profile system exclusive on Wii U's launch day, grabbing a lot of headlines and even having its own hardware bundle in Europe. It's also a survival horror title that we rated rather highly here at Nintendo Life, yet it attracted a broad range of diverse critical opinions in various reviews...
Nintendo Download 13th December 2012 (North America)
Crimson RPG questing, ninja action, world music and more
It's time for another Nintendo Download update, and this one brings with it quite a few titles on all platforms. There are some retail goodies, the conclusion of the Guild01 trilogy, a long awaited 3DS Virtual Console release and more. Let's get on with it, shall we? 3DS download software:...
News Japanese 3DS Lifetime Sales Overtake PlayStation 3
Nintendo consoles dominating on home soil
Recently we learnt that the 3DS was dominating sales in Japan with the portable console shifting 2.5 times more units than all other platforms combined. It seems this momentum isn’t showing any signs of slowing down either, as this week’s impressive sales have seen it leapfrog a big rival in total sales...
Developer Interview ZombiU Producer Talks About Beginnings, Reactions and Survival Horror
"Some players are not into survival, and that’s totally fine"
In terms of high-profile third-party exclusives on Wii U launch day, ZombiU was comfortably the biggest show in town. While a number of multi-platform titles brought their HD shine to a Nintendo platform for the first time, those looking for a new experience that was hardcore in nature...
News Nintendo Says The Play Limit On Demos Is Set By The Publishers
But why have a limit in the first place?
Similar to 3DS equivalents, Wii U demos come included with a play limit - meaning that after you've played a demo a certain number of times you can no longer access it, leaving it unavailable for further use. Eurogamer.net questioned Nintendo on why limits vary with each demo title, and why such a limit...
News System Faults Didn't Stop THQ From Bringing Metro: Last Light To Wii U
Clarification incoming!
We reported last month that A4 Games - developer of Metro: Last Light - had found that the Wii U had a "horrible, slow CPU", with Huw Beynon of THQ elaborating that the console wasn't "worth pursuing at this time". The end result is that Wii U owners aren't going to see the first person shooter on their consoles next year...
News Virtual Boy Title Bound High Goes Into Production 16 Years Late
Better late than never
Bound High was originally shown at the 1996 E3, but like all of the other Virtual Boy games demonstrated at that event, ended up being cancelled when it was clear that the console's fate was sealed. Since then, the game has become famous with hardcore Virtual Boy fans, with its source code floating around the web and a...
News Here's A Special Edition 3DS XL And First Trailer For Super Robot Taisen UX
Robot rock
Namco Bandai has released the first trailer for its upcoming 3DS title, Super Robot Taisen UX. Due to hit the portable console on 14th March 2013, the game is classed as a 2D side-scrolling action game based on the popular Japanese series - featuring plenty of anime mech battles with notable characters from the show. To commemorate the...
News The Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition Revealed By Amazon
Swinging into the Wii U launch window
Marvel revealed earlier this year at the New York Comic Con that The Amazing Spider-Man - a game that's been on other consoles for a while now - would be making the move to Wii U in Spring 2013. Online retailer Amazon has now listed the game as available for pre-order and gives it a release date of 5th March,...
News Rayman Legends Demo Finally Arrives In The Wii U eShop
Three levels to satisfy your hunger
Ubisoft's highly anticipated Wii U platformer Rayman Legends is set to be released in the end of February (1st March for the UK). The game was originally penned down as a Wii U launch title but was unfortunately put back, however Ubisoft did say it would make a demo version available on the eShop from the off -...
Rumour iOS Smash Hit Super Hexagon Could Be Coming To 3DS
Developer Terry Cavanagh “definitely thinking about it”
If you've got an iPhone or iPod Touch then you may have already heard about Super Hexagon. Described by its creator Terry Cavanagh as a "minimal action game", it's one of those insanely addictive experiences which you intend to play for just a minute or two but end up wasting hours on...
News Capcom: E.X. Troopers "Not Planned For Western Release"
Localisation would be much more difficult
Not so long ago Capcom released its Lost Planet spin off game E.X. Troopers in Japan on the 3DS and Playstation 3. It originally started off as a sequel to the original Lost Planet, but turned into a spin off title once the multiplayer element complicated things. It appears that hopes of a Western release...
News 2K Sports: Wii U Has The Potential To Offer A "Superior" Experience
The smell of sweet success
Senior Producer of NBA 2K13 Rob Jones has said that in many ways the Wii U version of the hit basketball title is "superior" to versions on other platforms - which is quite impressive considering it's also been released on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. He explains that the newest addition to the Nintendo console...
News Square Enix Working On 3DS Game Featuring Transforming Cars
Robots in disguise
Square Enix is working on a brand new 3DS title based on its shounen TV series, Gyrozetter. The game, titled Gyrozetter: Wings of the Albatross, is slated for a Spring 2013 release. The actual series itself features cars made from famous manufacturers - such as Toyota - transforming into robots. Sounds awful familiar, doesn't it?...
Wednesday12th Dec 2012
Review Crimson Shroud (3DS eShop)
The red coat is coming
All magic in the world stems from gifts delivered directly to mankind from the gods. That much, as far as Crimson Shroud is concerned, is fact. Or is it? As you lead your party through a treacherous dungeon in search of the original gift — the titular and mysterious Crimson Shroud — other possibilities present themselves...
I shall call it Mini Wii
To say the Wii Mini's announcement was something of a surprise is an understatement. Having just launched the Wii U you would have assumed that Nintendo would want to focus all of its attention on its next-gen system and not risk any other hardware-based distractions. Strange timing aside, the Wii Mini is now a reality - and...
Review Wario Land 3 (3DS eShop / GBC)
Warioid
Nintendo loves to experiment with the Wario Land series. The second game diverted from the first in that it was more of a puzzler than a platformer, as Wario was invincible, and the third game continues that trend by offering yet another twist: an almost Metroid-like exploration system. This time, Wario finds a mysterious music box in the...
News Nintendo Explains Why Nintendo Land Doesn't Include Online Multiplayer
It's all about encouraging gamers to play together in real life
We're massive fans of Nintendo Land here at Nintendo Life Towers - multiplayer action is rife in Animal Crossing Sweet Day and Luigi's Ghost Mansion, but there are many out there who haven't sampled the wonders of the Wii U's star attraction due to a lack of potential co-players, and...
Review BurgerTime (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
Burger building bonanza
When the coin-op release of BurgerTime hit arcades in 1982, it was praised for its quirky theme and wildly unique gameplay design. Given the game's popularity at the time, it garnered a port on just about every home game system and personal computer of the period. The NES release came a bit later, but it was a fairly accurate...
News Trine 2: Director's Cut Is Getting An Update Next Week
Trine harder
Frozenbyte has told Nintendo Life that an update for its Wii U eShop title Trine 2: Director's Cut should be available sometime next week. The update will bring several extra features, such as in-game voice chat and Wii U Pro Controller support, plus some additional language support and visual improvements. The puzzle-platformer sees...
News Nintendo Land Was Originally Going To Feature Star Fox And Excitebike
Developers reveal the ideas that didn't make it into the final game
In this week's issue of Japanese magazine Famitsu, the developers behind the Wii U title Nintendo Land have spoken about its creation in a roundtable interview. Interestingly, they revealed that ideas for potential mini-game settings had to be put aside as development progressed...
News Nintendo Confirms It Is Possible To Transfer Network IDs To Another Wii U
Only in the event of a repair, it seems
Last month we reported that Nintendo Network IDs were tied to one console - meaning you couldn't sign into your own account on a friend's Wii U or worse still, if you were unlucky and broke your brand new Wii U, there would likely be no easy way to simply login on a new console and retrieve your details. For...
Talking Point The Wii U eShop Needs Patience
As did the 3DS eShop
In our most recent Talking Point that reflected on a potential shift in Nintendo Direct expectations, we described the attitude among many gamers — including us here at Nintendo Life — that demands new content as quickly as possible, a relentless ongoing compulsion for more news and games than we can handle. It's human...
News Street Fighter X Mega Man Is "A Bit Of A Mea Culpa"
Accepting blame with a free PC game
A few days ago Capcom announced Street Fighter X Mega Man, a free PC game to be released on 17th December that blends the two iconic franchises together as one big anniversary celebration. Capcom has assured fans that this download will be just the start of celebrations for Mega Man's anniversary, and that the...
News Level-5 Responds To SEGA's Legal Threats Regarding Inazuma Eleven
"We've concluded that there is no patent violation"
Japanese developer Level-5 has responded to SEGA's recent legal campaign to have the company remove its Inzauma Eleven series from sale due to an alleged patent infringement. SEGA is claiming that Level-5's soccer RPG features a touch-driven interface which violates two of its patents. The...
News escapeVektor Hacks Into 3DS eShop on 20th December
The wait is over
escapeVektor: Chapter 1 is one of WiiWare's finest games, though its arrival in late September 2011 didn't spark the multiple follow-ups that were expected. Developer Nnooo decided, after the first part was released, that it'd be better served releasing all four planned parts as one title — though Chapter 1 was an excellent...
Competition Winner Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Time for the paperwork
We've had a number of our UK readers tweeting us and emailing us in the past few days asking for the final verdict on the winners of our Paper Mario: Sticker Star competition, keen to know which talented letter writers had walked away with the prizes. This contest was limited to 100 entrants and we received a lot of letters...
News Cloudberry Kingdom Leaps To March 2013 Release
New game also in development at Pwnee
We reported last month that Wii U eShop title Cloudberry Kingdom wouldn't be available for download in the Wii U's launch month in Europe and North America. Developer Pwnee Studios has confirmed that the game - apparently set to be the Wii U's most insanely difficult download title - is now set for a March 2013...
Tuesday11th Dec 2012
Feature We've Unboxed A Wii Mini So You Don't Have To
Getting to grips with the newest Nintendo console
Exclusive to Canada and lacking online functionality, the Wii Mini might seem like an afterthought on Nintendo's part but that didn't stop us ordering one as soon as they became available and mobbing the courier the moment the package arrived. Nintendo hardware is still Nintendo hardware, after all...
News Give Your Wii U A Retro Makeover With This NES Skin
Beauty is only skin deep
The Wii U is an attractive system - a little too prone to picking up fingerprints perhaps, but aesthetically pleasing all the same. However, if it's just not "Nintendo" enough for you in its present guise, then you could slap this NES skin on it. Available in a gloss or matte finish, this skin will transform your shiny new...
News Petition Started To Get Dark Souls II On The Wii U
Prepare to die, possibly?
Namco Bandai recently announced Dark Souls II, the sequel to one of 2011's surprise critical hits. Only the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC versions have been confirmed so far - there's no love for Nintendo players, sadly. However, a group of fans is hoping to change that by petitioning Namco Bandai - and developer From Software - in...
News Capcom Has A Whole Year Of Mega Man Celebrations Planned
Reaction to Street Fighter X Mega Man will decide the future of the series
The PC-based game Street Fighter X Mega Man is most certainly a nice bonus for long-suffering Mega Man fans, but those same fanatics will no doubt be hoping that it's not the only way in which Capcom is marking the Blue Bomber's 25th birthday. Thankfully, such fears are...
News Web Developer Puts HTML5 Games to the Test on Wii U Browser
It works, sort of
Prior to Wii U's launch we posted the news that the Wii U web browser posted impressive benchmark results when running resources such as audio and video, its score putting it above Internet Explorer 10. Those were pleasing results, though Matt Hackett, co-founder of HTML5 game developer Lost Decade Games, put the browser to work...
News Wii U Is The "Greenest" HD Console
Not literally, obviously
The Digital Foundry team over at Eurogamer.net has been doing a fair amount of work with Wii U since it launched, for the most part putting multi-platform titles through their paces on the system. The results, with Trine 2: Director's Cut being the exception, are that the system has often fallen slightly behind its rivals,...
Talking Point Time to Adjust Nintendo Direct Expectations
How many big reveals can there be?
It's easy to lose track of time in the helter-skelter video game industry, with games and exciting new projects that are merely months old already being so yesterday. We want the latest, hottest new games and announcements ten minutes ago, so stop telling us about old stuff, ok? For Nintendo gamers, the...
News SEGA Takes Legal Action Against Level-5 Over Nintendo DS Patent Dispute
Inazuma Eleven to blame?
In one of the strangest turn of events we've witnessed for a while, Japanese publisher SEGA is suing Professor Layton studio Level-5 over the use of touch control patents on the Nintendo DS handheld. Japanese news site Yomiuri Online broke the news, revealing that SEGA was taking action to protect two patents it had...
News Castlevania: Mirror of Fate's Boxart Comes With Lashings Of Belmont And Added Alucard
The gang's all here
Konami producer Dave Cox has revealed on this Twitter account the artwork that will adorn the cover of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate. That's it there, just under these words. The art showcases the four main characters of the game - Trevor Belmont and his son Simon, Gabriel Belmont/Dracula and everyone's...
News Japan Clocks Up Impressive Wii U Launch Sales
New Super Mario Bros. U and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate most popular titles
Wii U launched in Japan on Saturday, a whole three weeks after North America got its hands on the new console. As you'd expect Nintendo's homeland went wild for it, and that's been reflected in the opening weekend's sales. According to Famitsu Wii U sold 308,570 units in just...
News Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney Receiving Weekly DLC In Japan
Extra content for the next 24 weeks
Level-5, the developer behind the Professor Layton games, has gotten into the habit of being rather generous to us by extending the life of its games with free weekly DLC. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, for example, has been offering a new downloadable puzzle every single day since its launch and will do...
News Toki Tori 2 Delayed Until Early 2013
This egg's not ready to hatch
Developer Two Tribes has today confirmed that it's delayed the release of Toki Tori 2 on the Wii U eShop, so it won't be arriving on 20th December. The reasoning is simple; the developer wants to make a better game. Toki Tori 2’s a personal project for us. It’s first game we’ve made without being tied to a...
News Color Commando Set to Bring the Fight to DSiWare
Goodbye Galaxy Games' DSiWare swansong
With the 3DS eShop continuing to expand, many would expect DSiWare to fade away; yet we're still seeing a steady flow of titles for the older platform, no doubt helped by the fact that they also see release on the 3DS equivalent. One of DSiWare's higher profile developers, however, is planning one last fling...
Monday10th Dec 2012
Review Batman: Arkham City Armoured Edition (Wii U)
The Dark Knight Rises… again
Last year saw the release of Batman: Arkham City, an open-world action adventure game that was touted as one of the best titles of its generation. Now Nintendo gamers are treated to an all new iteration of the already classic game made specifically for Wii U, with Batman: Arkham City: Armored Edition. While the new...
Review Assassin's Creed III (Wii U)
America, **** yeah!
Assassin's Creed III is a weird game to launch alongside Wii U: there is little context for those Nintendo-only players who sat out the other four games because they perhaps didn't own the proper hardware, and those who are invested in the series probably already picked this up elsewhere when it released weeks before the Wii U...
Don't fear the reaper
Whenever a new piece of Nintendo hardware is released one of the first things fans ask is “when is a Zelda game coming out?” In the case of the Wii U, the answer is simple: it’s already out, it’s just called Darksiders II. Like the original Darksiders, this sequel wears its inspiration on its sleeve. You’ll ride a...
News Entire SNES Game Collection Up For Sale
Yours for just $24,999
Every now and then an eager retro collector raises eyebrows by offering something unique at an eye-watering price, which in the past has included items such as demo NES cartridges. This time around we have an entire collection of Super NES games up for sale, which includes all 721 retail releases for the system that hit the...
News Annoyed About Age Restrictions On The Euro Wii U eShop? Blame Germany
Upholding the law
Nintendo has confirmed that the time-based age restriction on the Wii U eShop - which prevents 18+ titles being purchased outside of a four-hour window at night - is down to German law. Speaking to Eurogamer, a Nintendo Europe spokesperson had this to say: At Nintendo we always aim to provide a safe gaming experience for fans of...
Nintendo Download 13th December 2012 (Europe)
Details updated: crimson battling, a hydroventure and a wizard defence
This week's European update has swooped in via YouTube, with both handhelds accounted for while the home consoles are neglected. Two 3DS eShop releases can be classified as "highly anticipated", while the DSiWare title is more along the lines of "hm, never heard of it". You can...
News Wii U Selling 1.2 Games Per Console In North America
Game sales low compared to Wii
The Wii U was launched with a huge selection of games to choose from covering a whole host of genres. There's the likes of Assassin's Creed III, Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition for experienced gamers while titles such as Nintendo Land and
News Sumo Digital: Mario Kart Should Incorporate Other Nintendo Franchises
Smash Bros. in a kart
Steve Lycett, executive producer of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, is quite proud of his game on Wii U - and rightly so. Recently he made comments about how he feels the game pushes the genre forwards and said that Nintendo's Mario Kart series could learn a lot from it. Speaking to Mario's Hat, Lycett said he has a...
News BioShock Creator Has A Wii U, But It's For Pleasure And Not Business
"Nothing is brewing right now"
Ken Levine is a pretty big name in the video game industry. The mind behind such seminal titles as Thief: The Dark Project, System Shock 2 and BioShock, Levine's one of those figures who could potentially make third party support for the Wii U explode if he decided to jump on board himself - but sadly, that doesn't...
News Wii U Struggles to Make an Impact in the UK Software Charts
Stock shortages or poor sales?
When Wii U initially launched in the UK its system exclusive titles made a modest start in the all-format software charts, which was hardly surprising as only 40,000 units had been available for sale in its first week. This week's results, unfortunately, make slightly grim reading, with no Wii U exclusives making it...
News New Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Teaser Site Opens
Possibility of a sequel?
Square Enix has mysteriously launched a new teaser site for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, promising visitors that something is "coming soon". What that something is, exactly, we don't know. The game was released in all regions this year - except South Korea - so could a sequel be in the works, or is it too early for one?...
News Kickstarter RPG Days Of Dawn Could Be Questing To The Wii U
Nintendo's console provides "dream setup" for forthcoming fantasy adventure
German studio Bumblebee has revealed that if its Kickstarter campaign for fantasy RPG Days of Dawn is successful, it will consider porting the game to the Wii U. Days of Dawn is described by the developer as an old-school RPG with HD-quality visuals: "Days of Dawn“ is...
News Zelda Swap Is Collaborative Art Genius, With Added Link
Art attack
Ten Paces and Draw is a site with a unique aim: each week it presents a challenge in which sketches are made and swapped between artists, with one providing an rough idea and the recipient finishing it in their own style. Projects cover all kinds of topics, including The Hobbit and the work of famed anime legend Hayao Miyazaki, but the...
News GoldenEye 007 Developer Closes Its Doors
Eurocom Ceases Trading After 25 Years
A few weeks back Eurocom - the developer behind Goldeneye 007 on Wii - announced a large number of redundancies, cutting 200 staff down to 50 in an attempt to restructure the company. However it has been revealed that the measures were unsuccessful and the studio will be closing its doors for good, with the...
Sunday9th Dec 2012
Review Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2013 (Wii U)
Witness the fitness
Wii Fit may have kickstarted the fitness genre, but it isn't the only game in town. Ubisoft's Your Shape series started out on Wii with its own motion capture camera before moving to Kinect, and now comes full circle with Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2013 for the Wii U. While ditching the motion capture for a Wii Remote comes with...
E - I - E - I - oh
If you're looking for the most happening place on Miiverse, look no further than the community for Funky Barn. Filled with sketches of animals in sunglasses and musical references, it's become a haven for memes and the friendliest trolling you've ever seen. When somebody posts about the game itself rather than its title, it's met...
Feature Our Staff's Thoughts on Wii U - Part Two
Because U are worth it
Yesterday we brought you the first part of our staff thoughts on Wii U, so now we bring you the not-creatively-titled part two. More Nintendo Life staffers weigh in with their impressions, good and bad, of their new Nintendo home consoles. We recommend you get a comfy seat and a snack, as this entry is a little longer than...
News Capcom Announce Street Fighter X Mega Man
Will be a free PC only download
Street Fighter and Mega Man are both celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year, which is quite a feat. To celebrate both of their birthdays a special fan-made game called Street Fighter X Mega Man will be made available to download on your PC through the Capcom Unity website on 17th December. Street Fighter X Mega...
News Wii U Launches In Japan To Great Fanfare
Japanese gamers join the party
Western Wii U owners may have noticed in the last few days that there’s been a few Japanese Miis wandering around the WaraWara and Nintendo Land plazas. That’s because it is now official: the Land of the Rising Sun has Wii U. The console launched on Saturday and Japanese gamers flocked to their nearest store in...
News Sir Patrick Moore, Astronomer And Broadcaster, Dies Aged 89
Fondly remembered for his role as the GamesMaster
Legendary British astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore has died, aged 89, according to his close friends. According to a statement he "passed away peacefully at 12.25pm this afternoon", in Selsey, West Sussex. After a short spell in hospital last week, it was determined that no further...
Saturday8th Dec 2012
Feature Our Staff's Thoughts on Wii U - Part One
The beginning of a new era
Now that Wii U has arrived in both Europe and North America, a number of the Nintendo Life team have got their hands on the system and have been happily playing various launch titles. We've already produced a number of Wii U reviews — with more on the way — and provided a formal hardware review, but decided that it'd...
Review Crystal Adventure (DSiWare)
In which "adventure" is revealed to be a relative term
If there's one thing RPG fans enjoy, it's a good story. The quest should be epic, the characters should be interesting, and there should preferably be a few surprising twists along the way as well. Here is the story of Crystal Adventure: you get bored quickly and delete it. Okay, you caught...
News Mass Effect Trilogy Could Yet Come To Wii U
BioWare has plans for Nintendo's new console
Mass Effect 3 was a Wii U launch title and saw the franchise make an appearance on a Nintendo console for the very first time. Naturally fans of the series want to see the previous two games make the move to Wii U as well, but BioWare has no plans to do so - at least for now. Speaking to GamerSyndrome,...
News Etrian Odyssey DS Trilogy Set For Reprint
Canadian retailer is first out of the gate
The Etrian Odyssey trilogy of games on DS can probably be regarded as cult classics for the handheld, an RPG series famed for relentless difficulty and harsh punishment of failure. Of course, when you combine that genre with a sufficient level of challenge, there'll be a group of gamers more than willing to...
News New Super Mario Bros. U Wins VGA For Best Wii / Wii U Game
No other Nintendo winners
Another year, another Video Game Awards (VGA) extravaganza on Spike TV. The VGAs are undoubtedly polarising within the gaming community, possibly due to their reliance on celebrity presenters — Samuel L. Jackson made his fourth appearance this year — exclusive premieres of trailers and a lot of glitzy goings-on that...
Review Christmas Wonderland 2 (DSiWare)
Roast it on an open fire
A textbook example of a sequel nobody asked for, Christmas Wonderland 2 has graced DSiWare. We guess, however, that we should be somewhat grateful. After all, last year Microvalue released two awful holiday-themed hidden object games: Halloween: Trick or Treat and the first Christmas Wonderland. This year it only left one...
News Retro Gamer Magazine Celebrates Christmas With Nintendo-Themed Cover
Festive fun
We're massive fans of UK publication Retro Gamer here at Nintendo Life, and this month's issue has us particularly excited. It showcases exclusive cover artwork featuring a plethora of Nintendo characters, including Mario, Link, Captain Falcon, Samus Aran and Donkey Kong. The cover is the handiwork of Wil Overton, who's a long-time...
News Gunman Clive Blasting Onto The European 3DS eShop Before Christmas
North America must wait a little longer
Mobile gaming, whether you like it or not, is fast becoming a popular platform for game developers. Sometimes though, the games spread their wings and make the move onto a dedicated gaming device such as the 3DS; take for example SpeedX 3D, a hugely popular mobile game that now resides in the 3DS eShop...
Friday7th Dec 2012
Review Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (Wii U)
Mighty morphin power racers
SEGA may no longer be the same company that bloodied Nintendo’s nose during the glorious days of the 16-bit console wars, but it still has a keen fan base and a truly amazing legacy within the games industry. Even so, there have been numerous occasions over the past few years where it's struggled to emerge from...
Thrills and spills
Gamers will forever associate the name Wipeout with Psygnosis' futuristic racing series, but in the world of primetime TV, Wipeout means wacky announcers, massive pratfalls and Big Red Balls. Based on ABC's hit US game show (which our UK readers will recognize as Total Wipeout) Wipeout 3 brings the slapstick spirit of the show to...
News Nintendo Network Premium Website Goes Live
Good news for enthusiastic Wii U eShoppers
Unlike with the arrival of Wii, Nintendo gamers have an important choice to make when picking up a Wii U — Premium or Basic? Various factors dictate the final decision, and perhaps one is the Nintendo Network Premium promotion, which gives those with the black model points for Wii U eShop purchases. If...
News 18-Rated Content on Wii U eShop Only Accessible for Four Hours a Day
Yes, really
Earlier this week we received messages from readers that couldn't download ZombiU or Assassin's Creed III from the Wii U eShop. We tested this and received the same error message, which made it seem as if there were botched parental controls on the platform. You cannot view this content. The times during which this content can be...
Soak it up
Puddle was originally released on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network earlier this year to decent reviews, and after looking at feedback from the previous versions Neko Entertainment has released what it claims to be the best edition of the game at Wii U launch. The Fluidity (Hydroventure)-like game isn't quite a super soaker, but...
Talking Point Time for Wii U to Treat Us Like Adults
The nanny console
This week has brought us an interesting story about Wii U eShop restrictions that are limited to European consoles, but perhaps provide greater insight into the relationship between gamers and their new Nintendo systems. It came to light that what we initially thought was a botched parental control issue on the platform was...
News Here's How PlayStation Boss Shuhei Yoshida Lovingly Trolled Nintendo
Subtle yet effective
President of Sony's Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, has recently treated himself to a Wii U. That's right, Yoshida (@yosp as he's known on Twitter), posted his Nintendo Network ID to his followers earlier this week in the hope of discussing his experience with fellow Wii U users. However, in a cheeky and light-hearted...
News 3DS Remake Of Dragon Quest VII Features Visible Encounters
Random battles are no more
It was revealed a couple of months back that Dragon Quest VII would be making a return with a remake on the 3DS in Japan. The game will largely stay true to the original, but it’s been confirmed that the random encounters system found in the PlayStation version have been changed to visible encounters on 3DS. Dragon...
News Bizarre Games Related Wedding Stories Emerge
Simulation girlfriends and Zelda wedding rings ahoy!
Ah, love at first sight; the sun is always shining, the grass is always green, and the sky is always blue. This is exactly what one Japanese otaku felt for his virtual woman - Nene Anegasaki of the dating sim Love Plus on the Nintendo DS, to be precise. Over time, he met a real life woman and they...
News Little Inferno Developer Looking Into Enabling User-Created Content
Mods coming to your fireplace?
Little Inferno is one of the more unusual additions to the Wii U launch line-up; an eShop game which is essentially a virtual fireplace, it's the work of Kyle Gabler, Allan Blomquist and Kyle Gray - otherwise known as the Tomorrow Corporation. Gabler created the cult classic World of Goo for WiiWare, while Gray was the...
News How A Modified Wii Zapper Inspired The Wii U
Prototype also impacted the development of the 3DS
With the Wii U launching in Japan tomorrow, the latest edition of Iwata Asks focuses on Nintendo Land, one of the console's most significant first-party titles. During the interview, Takayuki Shimamura from EAD's Software Development Department revealed a prototype Wii Zapper - with a screen...
News Nintendo Enjoys Bumper North American Hardware Sales In November
More than 1.75 million hardware units shifted in one month
Nintendo has released its sales figures for the month of November, revealing that it has sold more than 1.75 million units across the US. This means that November 2012 marks the 36th time that Nintendo has sold over 1 million units in a month in North America since 2004. Attributing to this...
News Nintendo UK Looking To Maintain Wii U Momentum
Focus turns to Q1 2013
It's fair to say the Wii U's launch has been a success, with the system selling out across the United States and shifting 40,000 units in the UK. Extra shipments are coming in thick and fast to meet the extreme demand that you'd expect for a new Nintendo console at Christmas time. Nobody really doubted that Wii U would be...
News Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate Western Release Dates Confirmed
Marching into your doom
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate producer Dave Cox has confirmed via his Twitter account that the game will launch in North America on 5th March 2013, with the European release coming a mere three days later (that's the 8th, in case you were wondering). The gothic action adventure was pushed into 2013 w
News Rayman Legends Release Date Confirmed For The UK
Update: EMEA territories on 28th February, UK on 1st March
It's been confirmed by Ubisoft that this title will actually arrive in the UK on 1st March, but in the other EMEA territories on 28th February. Original article One title that was noticeably absent from the Wii U launch in Europe was the graphically stunning Rayman Legends. Back in October...
Feature Toki Tori 2 Top 5: Two Tribe's Favourite Creatures
Going natural
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 U...
Thursday6th Dec 2012
Review Transformers Prime (3DS)
More than meets the eye?
Long-time Transformers fans have enjoyed a renaissance of sorts this console generation, with the Cybertron games offering a vision of the robots in disguise that those of us who grew up with the old cartoon could get behind in our capacity as grumpy old men. Keen to serve fans of all ages, Activision has turned its...
Nintendo Download 6th December 2012 (North America)
Titanic murders, mighty bombs, burgers and retail goodies
It's Nintendo Download update time, and this week brings a rather lengthy list of titles for North America. All four systems are covered, with quite a few retail games making their download début, so let's get on with it. 3DS download software: Murder on the Titanic (Joindots GmbH, $7.99)...
News Pachter: "I think Nintendo becomes completely irrelevant"
Outspoken analyst casts doubt on Nintendo and Wii U's third party appeal
Michael Pachter - Managing Director of Wedbush Securities and someone who can always be relied on to stir up emotions - has made some interesting comments regarding Nintendo at the Digital Game Monetization Summit in San Francisco. Speaking mainly about the state of the games...
News Conker's Bad Fur Day Creator Could End Up Making Wii U eShop Games
"It definitely might have potential for the new controller"
Chris Seavor - the man behind Rare's infamous Conker's Bad Fur Day on the Nintendo 64 - has revealed in an interview with Not Enough Shaders that he's considering the possibility of developing for the Wii U eShop:
News Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D Rises From The Dead For Japanese eShop Release
Updated version also allows you to wipe save data
Capcom has confirmed that 3DS title Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is getting an eShop release in Japan, alongside a "Best Price" physical release. The game was an early release for the 3DS back in 2011, and is possibly more famous for its undeletable save data than the quality of its...
News 3DS Continues To Decimate The Competition in Japan
Nintendo's handheld outsells all other platforms by more than 2.5 times
The recent release of Animal Crossing: New Leaf in Japan has enabled the 3DS to further increase its dominance in that part of the world. According to Media Create, the system shifted 167,408 units during the week of 26th November to 2nd December, bringing its lifetime sales...
News Guitar Hero 7 Was in Development With a Six-Stringed Guitar
"No one could figure out a way to make it so your average Joe could buy one"
Who remembers the Guitar Hero series? Not so long ago there were a lot of these games, with the rival Rock Band series also weighing in with its own share of titles and plastic peripherals. It was Activision's franchise that arguably grabbed the most attention during the...
News Wii Fit U Arriving In The U.S. In Q1 2013
Features an all new dance category
Wii Fit has certainly been a revelation for modern day gaming that's turned people's living rooms into their own personal gym. It was part of what made people who were unfamiliar with the hobby give it a go, and its success was phenomenal. At E3 earlier this year, Nintendo announced that it would be bringing out a...
News This LEGO City: Undercover Trailer is a Treat
Shawshank Redemption, anyone?
During yesterday's Nintendo Direct shenanigans, it was tough to keep track of the varied footage and announcements from across the regions. With that in mind, we consider it our duty to make sure that you see the latest LEGO City: Undercover trailer that was included in the Nintendo of Europe broadcast. Not only does...
News Retro City Rampage Storming Onto WiiWare Soon
Updated version coming to European shores
Popular download title Retro City Rampage has been available on PC, Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita for a while now in North America. The game has recently been tweaked and updated to give the player a better experience, and now it's coming to a multitude of platforms in Europe, including WiiWare. For...
Happy Birthday, Iwata-san
Today brings us another Birthday for one of Nintendo's most well-known figures, with President Satoru Iwata turning 53 today. It would seem that, should he want to, Iwata-san will be able to continue in his current role for many years to come. Satoru Iwata had a passion for video game development from a young age, deciding...
News BIT.TRIP SAGA On The Way To 3DS eShop
Download some bits
As the weeks pass Nintendo has been gradually bringing more 3DS retail titles to the handheld's eShop, and it seems that a series that began life as a download exclusive is set to join in — BIT.TRIP SAGA is next in line. According to an updated page on the eShop, the collection from Gaijin Games will be available to download...
News 72 Hour Super Mario Marathon Promises Fun and Fundraising
Keep running right
Occasionally we bring you news of charitable marathons that not only bring amusement and entertainment for interested spectators, but also raise a lot of money for charity. With the recent glut of 2D Mario titles — well, two — we feel we should share the news of an upcoming 72 hour Super Mario marathon being organised by The...
News Nintendo Vs. Zombies: 28-Bits Later Mixes Metroid, Mario And ZombiU
All set to a obligatory dubstep soundtrack
To create hype for the launch of the Wii U, Nintendo issued consoles to a select group of movie-making fans and gave them 10 days to create a short film to promote the system. YouTube movie making group mikeNgary Films were lucky enough to receive a console and came up with Nintendo Vs. Zombies: 28-Bits...
News Fractured Soul Locked In For 10th January Release In Europe
3DS eShop action title also getting free demo in North America tomorrow
Australian developer Endgame Studios has confirmed exclusively to Nintendo Life that its 3DS eShop action title Fractured Soul will launch in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on 10th January, 2013. Endgame also confirmed the release of a North American demo, which we reported...
Wednesday5th Dec 2012
Review Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (3DS)
I want to play a game
You wake up in a sealed metal bunker, surrounded by strangers, an odd bracelet secured around your wrist. You're told that there's only one way to escape: earn a certain number of points by participating in a deadly game with and against your fellow prisoners. But who can you rely on? Can you pick out allies from enemies? Would...
Review Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper (Wii U)
Hyper fighting
It's great to see such a variety of titles hitting the Wii U during its launch window, and of the many ports it's a joy to see the best of the Warriors Orochi games make the transition in Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper. For the uninitiated, the Warriors Orochi series is a crossover of the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors games, where...
News Pikmin 3 and Animal Crossing: New Leaf Drop Into Q2 2013
Localisation and development to blame
During today's Nintendo Direct broadcasts in North America and Europe, Nintendo showed fairly brief glimpses of Pikmin 3 and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, with the Wii U title getting a little longer to flex its HD muscles. There was disappointing news, however, as Nintendo of Europe boss Satoru Shibata confirmed...
News Nintendo Direct December 2012: Watch The North American Presentation Live
Wii U and 3DS titles to be revealed?
Japan has had its turn, now it time for North America to get the Nintendo Direct treatment. At 9AM PT (12PM ET) Nintendo of America will hold yet another Nintendo Direct presentation, focusing on forthcoming Wii U and 3DS software due to be released both this year and early in 2013. The event will last for around...
Nintendo Direct Watch The European Presentation Live
Find out what's in store for European gamers in 2013
Following on from this morning's Japanese presentation and running alongside the North American event, Europe's Nintendo Direct is taking place at 5PM UK time. On the agenda are Wii U and 3DS titles for the remainder of 2012 and early 2013. As always, we'll be providing comments as the event...
News Error Prevents Purchase Of ZombiU And Assassin's Creed III On Euro Wii U eShop
Botched parental restrictions in EU to blame?
Update: Despite testing this issue throughout the day we've now discovered, thanks to prompts from readers who've encountered the issue with some videos on 3DS systems, that this issue is caused by a restriction to accessing 18-rated content before a specific time. A test after 11pm UK time brought us...
News Wii U And 3DS Firmware Updates Go Live
"Further improvements to overall system stability"
Nintendo has pushed out firmware updates to its Wii U and 3DS consoles. In the case of both updates, Nintendo states that they offer "further improvements to overall system stability". This is the second update for the Wii U, following the 1GB install which occurs when new systems are switched on...
News Check Out The Wii U and 3DS eShop Titles That Are Coming Soon
Throwing humans, puzzling action, pinball and more
Did you miss both Nintendo Direct presentations from North America and Europe today? Not to worry, as we've gathered all the latest Wii U and 3DS eShop announcements and included them for you below. Tokyo Crash Mobs — A truly bizarre title where you have to throw people at other people, Tokyo...
Nintendo Download 6th December 2012 (Europe)
UPDATE: Wario 3 joins Denpa men, hyper mighty switching and a paper adventure
After a few days of suspense — the release day of EU download details varies every week — we finally know what to expect in the Wii U, 3DS, DSi and Wii online stores this week. All four systems are accounted for, which should warm up any Nintendo gaming Europeans...
Nintendo Direct Watch The Japanese Wii U Presentation Live
Covering the Wii U launch in Japan
You may not realise it, but the Wii U hasn't actually launched in its native Japan yet. Us lucky westerners may already be knee-deep in Mario, ZombiU and Miiverse, but in the Land of the Rising Sun the system doesn't hit store shelves until the 8th of December. While the Nintendo Direct presentations for North...
Better start saving now
In its Nintendo Direct presentations earlier today, Nintendo gave a better indication of when western gamers can expect to play a few upcoming 3DS titles: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate and Dr Kawashima's Devilish Brain Training: Can You Stay Focused? (Brain Age: Concentration...
News TVii and Hulu Part of Day One Wii U Update in Japan
NA and Europe apps on the way?
In today's Japanese Nintendo Direct, Satoru Iwata focused on the company's homeland launch details for Wii U, with the system arriving on 8th December. One announcement that did catch the eye was confirmation that TVii will be part of the day one update, along with the slightly less surprising confirmation of a Hulu...
News Latest New Super Mario Bros. 2 DLC Challenge Packs Confirmed For Europe And North America
Available to download right now!
This morning it was announced that Japan would be getting two new downloadable challenge packs for New Super Mario Bros. 2, and during Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that Europe and North America can also join in on the fun immediately. This third set of DLC contains two packs, both designed especially for Coin...
News River City Ransom Sequel Punching Its Way To Japanese 3DS eShop This Month
Villain Riku becomes the hero
The WiiWare sequel may be on hold, but that doesn't mean that 3DS gamers won't get their fix of River City Ransom in 2012. Arc System Works is launching a spin-off title for the Japanese 3DS eShop called Riki Densetsu. As the title suggests ("Densetsu" means "Legend" in Japanese), the game will focus on series...
News Fire Emblem: Awakening Hitting North America 4th February 2013
Release date confirmed during Nintendo Direct
The highly-anticipated 3DS strategy RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening is coming to North America on 4th February, it has been revealed. The all-important date was disclosed during today's North American Nintendo Direct presentation. During the video, great care was taken to explain the game's relationship...
News Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight Heading To Europe And North America Next Year
Music to our ears
It has been revealed, via today's Nintendo Direct presentations, that Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight will be making its way to the west next year. Pokémon developer Game Freak released the rhythm platformer on the 3DS eShop in Japan some months back, and the game will now be introduced to North America and Europe in early 2013. Game...
News Panorama View And Google Maps Confirmed For Western Release
More intuitive ways to use your GamePad
This morning's Japanese Nintendo Direct revealed that Panorama View and Google Maps would both be coming to Wii U in Japan. Surely Nintendo wouldn't leave out North Americans and Europeans now, would it? Well worry not westerners, as during this afternoon's North American and European Nintendo Direct...
News Two More New Super Mario Bros. 2 DLC Challenge Packs Available In Japan
Mega mushrooms and moving platforms galore
New Super Mario Bros. U may be taking all the limelight at the moment, but it’s been revealed today that its portable cousin New Super Mario Bros. 2 will now receive two new DLC challenge packs in Japan. The first is a three-star rated pack known as C Pack, or Challenge Pack #7, and sees you traverse...
News Google Maps Finding Its Way Onto Wii U
See the world without going outside
After announcing the Spring arrival of Panorama View in today's Nintendo Direct broadcast from Japan, Satoru Iwata possibly surprised a few people by confirming that Google Maps is also on the way to Wii U. A Google branded app — alongside the likes of YouTube — won't do Wii U any harm, especially as it'll...
News Panorama View to be Sighted on Wii U eShop in Spring 2013
Confirmed in Japan, at least
One of the first concepts that was shown off for Wii U, and which made an appearance at various demo opportunities and expo appearances for the system, was Panorama View. It's a relatively simple app that uses real-life video and allows you to view the action from any angle you desire, simply by moving the GamePad. It's...
News Scribblenauts Unlimited And SiNG Party Arrive in Europe Early 2013
Plenty of puzzles and songs in the new year
Scribblenauts Unlimited sadly missed out on the European Wii U launch, but now Nintendo of Europe has announced that the puzzle game will be making its way to the home console on 8th February 2013, with the 3DS version also out on the same day. Maxwell's latest adventure did make it out for the North...
Tuesday4th Dec 2012
Review Tank! Tank! Tank! (Wii U)
Meh! Meh! Meh!
Every so often a video game comes along with a concept so amazing that copies should come with a roll of duct tape to keep consumers from having their faces rocked off. Tanks with crazy weapons fighting giant robot monsters in expansive, destructible cities seems like a concept that you’d have to work pretty hard to screw up...
News Trine 2: Director's Cut on Wii U Outperforms Rival Consoles
A small win for Wii U graphics obsessives
Trine 2: Director’s Cut has been a high profile launch download on the Wii U eShop, due to its popularity on other formats and eye-catching visuals. Prior to release day it drew a lot of attention for the latter reason, in that it showed off the fact that Wii U was bringing Nintendo into the HD age, and...
News Sony's President of Worldwide Studios Has A Wii U
Shuhei Yoshida gets his game on
Although most rabid fanboys would love to think that Sony and Nintendo's employees loathe each other so much that they can't even bring themselves to look at a system created by their rival, that obviously isn't the case. Just like common gamers, individuals within these two great companies will have access to a wide...
Feature Of Pixels and Stitches
Handicrafts and video games unified
Video game crafting has been around as long as there have been iconic video games, characters and environments to inspire people, and it's likely that you've already come across such projects in the past, be that on Nintendo Life or elsewhere. In essence, these impressive works are simply on the other end of the...
News Register Paper Mario: Sticker Star On Club Nintendo To Receive An A-peel-ing Sticker Book
Limited to 10,000 copies
Paper Mario: Sticker Star will finally arrive on European shelves — and of course in the 3DS eShop — this Friday, and Nintendo of Europe has cooked up a little reward to give you even more of an incentive to pick it up. This motivation comes with a glorious sticker book that will be available on Club Nintendo if you...
News You Need This Legend Of Zelda Figure In Your Life
We go hands-on with Max Factory's amazing Figma Link action figure
As much as it pains us to admit it, you never really grow out of toys. And it's pretty much official that toys based on popular video games are the bomb. Don't believe us? Then check out the photos below of the amazing Figma Link action figure from Japanese manufacturer Max Factory...
News Pier Solar HD Kickstarter Smashes Through Wii U Stretch Goal
Nintendo version now assured
You'll have to forgive us if we've been talking a lot about Pier Solar recently, but we're rather taken with WaterMelon's 16-bit RPG. Launched in 2010 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, the game received a limited print run which has since become a collector's item. Keen to get the game into the hands of a wider audience,...
News What's On Your Game Boy Camera?
Check your cupboards now, you could be sitting on valuable memories
The Game Boy Camera was a cool little device. Released at the end of the '90s, it allowed you to take grainy monochrome snaps using your beloved handheld. The images were pretty poor quality and you could only fit a few inside the minuscule memory, but for a generation of kids...
News Nintendo Now Involved With Twilight Symphony
Set to be released before Christmas
Twilight Symphony, the epic 3-disc orchestral rearrangement of music from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, was set to be released mid-November but never actually made it through the letterboxes of those who placed an order. The box-set, made by the extremely talented Zelda Reorchestrated and distributed by...
News Nintendo of America Confirms Its Own Nintendo Direct Broadcast
All set for 5th December
With the announcement earlier today that Nintendo of Europe is hosting a Nintendo Direct broadcast this week, it seems that its colleagues across the Atlantic have decided to join in; the Nintendo of America equivalent is also scheduled for tomorrow, 5th December. The NA broadcast starts at 9am Pacific, which is 11am...
News Wii U Update Will Be Available Out Of The Box Next Year
Oh why must U make us wait
We all had to face that dreaded update for Wii U upon first setting it up, leaving no choice but to pop off for a cup of tea or a quick stroll to the shops and back. It has come as no surprise, however, that this hour long update - some have had less time to wait, while others had much longer - will come pre-installed with...
News Reggie Fils-Aime Focused on Customer Feedback, Not Industry Critics
"Every time we launch a new system, there are significant challenges"
With the exception of Japan, which joins the party this weekend, most of the world has now had the opportunity to pick up a Wii U, or to at least be told that it's out of stock while extra supplies are brought in. Thanks to the wonders of the internet and Nintendo's own Miiverse,...
News This Week's European Nintendo Direct To Focus On Wii U And 3DS Games
2012 and beyond
Nintendo of Europe has confirmed that a Nintendo Direct presentation will take place on the 5th December (that's tomorrow). The presentation will occur at 5PM UK time and will focus on 2012 and "early 2013" software for the Wii U and 3DS. It will be hosted by Nintendo of Europe President Satoru Shibata. As always, we'll be covering...
News This Strange Russian Cartoon Shows Mario's Nasty Side
It's funny what crops up on YouTube. Packed among the videos of funny cats and "Fail" compilations you'll find hidden gems like Super Mario & Three Russian Bogaturs, a short animated film which stars Nintendo's famous mascot and three bumbling bogaturs (best described as Slavic knights). Check out the crazy video below and let us know what you...
News Nintendo Unfolds Paper Mario Visual History
It's so pretty
Paper Mario: Sticker Star is days away in Europe and has been available in North America for a few weeks, and represents the first venture of the flat Mario onto a handheld. It's the fourth entry of a series over a decade old, meanwhile, games with enough RPG elements and dialogue to require a bit more development time than a...
News LOVEFiLM Arrives on Wii, Wii U App Will Go Live "Soon"
Or you could use Wii mode on your Wii U
Wii may be fading into the shadows in the face of its HD successor, but today brings a new release to the little white box in the UK. It's the LOVEFiLM app, which will allow subscribers to stream TV shows and movies directly to their TV, assuming they have a suitable online connection. If you're a subscriber,...
Monday3rd Dec 2012
Party like it's 2011
EA has a bit of history when it comes to releasing versions of FIFA on new consoles. No matter how many years the series runs for or how many formats the game is released on, the first edition on a new machine is always a bit hit and miss. You can track that all the way back to the days of the Sega Megadrive and EA’s first...
News Sick Of The Wii U GamePad's Weak Battery Life? Nyko Is Your Friend
Giving gamers a boost
The Wii U GamePad is a wonderful piece of kit that allows the user to do some amazing things. The problem with that is that you’re going to want to use it a heck of a lot, meaning that you're going to have to get used to seeing that flashing red battery warning light. Thankfully peripheral maker Nyko has already set about...
News If Nintendo Ever Made A Mature Zelda, This Is What It Would Look Like
Fantasy artist Dave Palumbo has created the ultimate Dark Link
The release of the Wii U and the advent of HD gaming in the world of Nintendo has led many fans to speculate what the next Zelda game will look like. The opportunity for realistic visuals could tempt Nintendo to create a grittier, darker version of its fantasy series, but chances are it...
News Wii Mini Doesn't Include an SD Slot
Just another thing to add to the list
It has been discovered that the recently unveiled Wii Mini system does not have an SD card slot. The new miniaturised Wii, which — bizarrely enough — will only be available to purchase in Canada, is a cut-down version of the original Wii that lacks online functionality or GameCube backward compatibility...
News You Can Use PlayStation 2 Pads On Your Wii U, Should You Want To
Optional extra
Are you a bit bummed about the fact that the Wii U Pro Controller isn't compatible with original Wii titles? Do you consider Sony's iconic Dual Shock pad to be one of the best in the business? Well you're in luck - Datel Japan has released an adapter which allows you to use your PlayStation 2 joypad on the Wii U or Wii. All you have...
Feature Taking Off to the Miiverse
Remember everyone, it's all about empathy
Apart from those living in Japan, many Nintendo gamers will have now spent some time with Wii U, Nintendo's new home console and foray into a variety of bold new directions. A great deal of focus, unsurprisingly, is given to the company's first dalliance with HD visuals, and more prominently the various uses...
News Wii U Hits 40K Sales in UK Launch
Might not sound like much, but it's a sellout
Although Europe-wide figures are yet to surface, it appears that Wii U has been a sell-out success on its launch weekend in the UK. According to MCV's estimates, 40K units were sold throughout the UK, with retailers reporting that this effectively meant a complete sellout. Weeks ago there were worrying...
Review Invasion of the Alien Blobs! (DSiWare)
Houston, we have a bloblem
At this point it's unlikely that anybody with a DSi or 3DS is in need of an inexpensive time-waster, but Invasion of the Alien Blobs! is here to provide one more option. And while it's not exactly a great game, it certainly provides some mindless fun along the way. The best thing about Invasion of the Alien Blobs! is its...
News Take A Whistle Stop Animated Tour Of Nintendo's Hardware History
Four decades of greatness in just over two minutes
Nintendo has been in this business a heck of a long time - right the way back to the 1970s, in fact. It has also been creating video game hardware for several decades, something which animator Anthony Veloso and vector illustrator Quentin Dron are keen to celebrate. The talented pair have put...
News Mario Comes To Life In Bead-Based Stop-Motion Animation
Bead me up, Scotty
Clearly bead art is a bigger deal than we thought. First we had an amazing tribute to Chrono Trigger in bead form, and how we have this awesome stop-motion Super Mario animation, constructed using - you guessed it - beads. The work of Swedish siblings Marcus and Hannes Knutsson, it follows on from their previous efforts, Super...
News Wii U Titles Make Début in UK Top 20
Early beginnings for a small install base
It may be tempting to read the headline that Wii U titles are just in the top 20 of the UK software charts and wheel out the "Nintendo is doomed" line, as anything other than number one is a disaster of epic proportions. Of course, that's not how the real retail world operates, and the early results for Wii...
News Trine 2 Has Gone Walkabout Down Under
Is expected to become available mid-December
Wii U eShop title Trine 2: Director's Cut was available on launch day in North America and Europe, but unfortunately Australian gamers were left disappointed as the game could not be found in the virtual store at all. The game’s developer, Frozenbyte, has revealed that the reason for the title’s...
News Wii U Premium Bundles Most Popular in UK Launch
System memory and a bundled game matter, clearly
The Wii U Premium Pack was by far the people's favourite in the UK over its launch weekend, proving to be the superior of the bundle bunch. The Premium 32GB bundle reportedly accounted for 60% of the Wii U's sales this past weekend, while the ZombiU package sold at 30%. That just leaves the Basic 8GB...
Sunday2nd Dec 2012
Review Game Party Champions (Wii U)
Mini lame
Whenever a new console is launched, there are always one or two decidedly awful titles released that have been thrown together in time for the big night. The publisher’s thinking here is that most early adopters will want to leave the store with a stack of games for their new console, and if they keep the retail price low, their atrocity...
Pop it and drop it
Last year the DSiWare service saw the release of Bloons TD. It was an unimpressive but acceptable entry into the overstuffed tower defence genre, and this year we're leaping ahead three sequels to Bloons TD 4. If Bloons TD 4 is at all representative of the course the series has taken, we can safely say we haven't missed much by...
Tonight we're going to party like it's 1989
Ah, the eighties: a time of dodgy haircuts, peculiar outfits and synthesizers dominating the airwaves. In truth, the Nintendo Life office is still a bit like that, but never mind. What we have here with We Sing 80s is a singing game dedicated to that decade, making oldies or retro-minded youngsters all the...
Feature Your Guide to a Nintendo Holiday
Christmas time, Mario and Trine...
It's Christmas time, and we all know what that means — rapidly depleting bank accounts, lots of food and merriment, and plenty of video gaming. The Holiday season actually means different things depending on your own perspective, of course, but to many it's a great opportunity to spend time with family and...
News uPlay App Now Available on Wii U eShop
Achieve and unlock some extras
When Wii U launched we brought you the news that Ubisoft was bringing its uPlay service directly to the Wii U as an app, a further example of the publisher's early enthusiasm for the system. The app was available on the European eShop right from the off, and it appears that it's now live in North America, too. This...
News Amazon Distributes Nintendo Land Codes For Missing Bundle Copies
You may have to ask for a physical copy
During the European Wii U launch shenanigans a few days ago, we reported that some gamers were receiving their Wii U systems a day early from Amazon and other online retailers, but that some Premium bundles were missing their copy of Nintendo Land. This must have been particularly frustrating for those buying...
Saturday1st Dec 2012
Talking Point Selling the Wii U Concept - The GamePad and eShop
All part of a big package
So the Wii U system is now well and truly out in the wild, with Japan being the last major territory to join in. It may seem peculiar that Nintendo should satisfy its home country last, but judging from the area's consistently daunting sales of 3DS it's not likely to be a tough market to crack. North America and Europe —...
News Final Nintendo Power Cover Pays Homage To First Issue
Clay models make a comeback
A few months back Nintendo revealed that Nintendo Power, the magazine with 25 years of history, would sadly not be making it into 2013. Advent calendar windows across the land are now being opened, and Nintendo Power’s doors will unfortunately be closed for the last time on 11th December when the final issue is...
News Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Has a Pre-Order Bonus In The U.S.
Exclusive to GameStop
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate is set to be released in early 2013 on 3DS, so Konami and GameStop have cooked up a little treat for those who pre-order the game in the United States. Yes, if you head down to your local GameStop and pre-order the game you'll receive a nice little case for your trusty 3DS -...
News Gold Nunchuk Returns To North American Club Nintendo In January
Third time's a charm
Back in August Nintendo made a Gold Nunchuk available on Club Nintendo in North America, for those who wanted to have a bit of an Olympic feel to their Wii gaming. It really was a thing of beauty and a must have item for those with the limited edition Skyward Sword Gold Wii Remote. Naturally they were snapped up very quickly,...
