News - 2012, Week 01

Saturday7th Jan 2012

  • Round Table Looking Ahead to Nintendo in 2012

    Should be a good 'un

    It's a new year, with a recovering 3DS and a fresh home console on the way from Nintendo: these are certainly interesting times. We decided to have a chat about the prospects for Nintendo in 2012, including our thoughts on the company's prospects, as well as our hopes, dreams and fears. Joining features editor Thomas Whitehead...

Friday6th Jan 2012

  • Rumour Wii U Heading for E3 Face-Off with PS4 and Xbox 720

    New console trinity rumoured

    Hold onto your tinfoil hats, people: we could be in for a wild ride this year. According to UK retail and trade site MCV, there will be new PlayStation and Xbox consoles revealed at this year's E3. Nintendo has already confirmed it will show off the final Wii U form at E3 2012, potentially leading to a three-way scrap...

  • News Icon Games: "Nintendo's Policies Put Jobs at Risk"

    Former WiiWare dev strikes out

    A few days ago, Icon Games revealed its WiiWare sales figures, showing just how its games had fared on the service, breaching Nintendo's non-disclosure agreement in the process. Nintendo responded by asking Icon to remove the WiiWare sales figures from its post, prompting Icon boss Richard Hill-Whittall to slate...

  • Interview Mutant Mudds Reader Questions

    Renegade Kid answers your questions

    With Mutant Mudds getting closer to release we recently gave you, the readers, the opportunity to ask Renegade Kid any questions you had about the game. Jools Watsham, director of Mutant Mudds and co-founder of Renegade Kid, was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer your questions...

  • News Aonuma: "Zelda Timeline is Less Important Than Mechanics"

    "So be quiet"

    OK, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma didn't really say "so be quiet", but the series supremo's comments on the Legend of Zelda series timeline show he doesn't consider the timeline to be critically important to enjoying Link's adventures. Aonuma's comments from the Hyrule Historia book (as translated by Patas at GlitterBerri)...

  • News Resident Evil: Revelations Demo on the Way

    Shambling into view

    Resident Evil: Revelations isn't far away, all set to bring terror into the third dimension. For those eagerly anticipating this new entry in the survival-horror series there was good news from Christian Svensson, senior vice president of Capcom. Responding to enquiries from fans about a demo arriving in the eShop, Svensson...

  • Rumour Harvest Moon 3D: Tale of Two Towns Due for PALs

    Ripe for the plucking?

    The Australian Classification board has turned up a rating for Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns. The official rating calls the publisher "RISING STARS", though undoubtedly this refers to Rising Star Games, the publisher responsible for the Harvest Moon brand outside of America and Japan. As HM is Rising Star's...

  • News Mega Man 5 Rated for Virtual Console Down Under

    Shoot to thrill

    While we're still in the middle of a Virtual Console drought, there's no shortage of Virtual Console games ratings, at least. The latest title to join the likes of Super Street Fighter II and Strider on the waiting list is fellow Capcom title Mega Man 5. The NES outing for the Blue Bomber is already available in North America and...

  • News Choose How to Die in Devil Survivor 2

    Take a look inside

    While you might have played Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked on 3DS, you'll need to adjust back to 2D to take on the next entry in the series, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2, due out this year on DS. Atlus put out a new trailer for the game with a rather morbid theme, but there's some jollity to it as it...

  • News Rayman Origins 3DS Grabs Europe by the Globox on 16th March

    Bounding in

    Ubisoft has confirmed Rayman Origins for 3DS will reach Europe on Friday 16th March. The portable version of the superb home console platformer is the only real highlight of Ubisoft's 2012 release slate so far. Here's what else Ubi has planned for 3DS: Funky BarnFantasy PetzMonster 4X4Puzzler Crosswords All four of those titles are due...

  • News Nintendo Life Now Has a Google+ Page

    Roll out the barrel!

    Always ones to be fashionably late to the party, we've set up an official Nintendo Life Google+ page. If you're more a Googler than a Twitterer, you can add our page to your Circle to stay up to date with the latest Nintendo-related news and reviews. There's also the chance of digging through embarrassing photos of the team, so...

Thursday5th Jan 2012

  • Nintendo Download 5th January 2012 (North America)

    Meet your (samurai) destiny

    For the fourth time in five weeks, the 3DS gets new Download Software. Elsewhere there's a spot of DSiWare and a WiiWare game back from the dead. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Samurai Sword Destiny (UFO Interactive, $5.99) — A side-scrolling slasher with a Japanese bent, your heroine Akane must defeat all in her path...

  • News LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Coming to Wii, 3DS and DS

    Look who's in tow

    After the LEGO Batman 2 leak last month, it was always a matter of time before Warner Bros. confirmed LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, and indeed the publisher just revealed the sequel is due this summer. Coming to Wii, 3DS and DS, as the title suggests LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes' cast includes more than just the Dark Knight,...

  • News Nintendo Reveals More Dates for Zelda Concert Tour

    Is it coming to your town?

    Nintendo has added several new dates to its Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses tour across North America, taking in Ontario, Seattle, San Francisco and more. Here's the list of dates, with more still to be announced, so don't be too disheartened if it's not stopping near you. 10th January — Dallas14th March —...

  • News Industry Analysts: 3DS is Bouncing Back

    But there's still work to be done

    We may only just be embarking on a new year, but reports are already surfacing that the 3DS enjoyed a positive holiday period, particularly with the news that over four million 3DS consoles have been sold in the United States. With the recent boom of sales in Japan, it's clear that the handheld is enjoying its most...

  • News 3DS Hardware and Software Tops Japan's 2011 Charts

    Outselling the rest

    Nintendo 3DS has achieved the 2011 chart double in Japan by topping the hardware and software charts for the year. Statistics from Enterbrain (via Andriasang) show 3DS shifted 4,135,739 units since its February launch, twice as many as the second place — and now seven years old — PSP with 1,960,177 sales. Wii didn't make it...

  • News Japanese Developers Wrap Up 2011, Look Forward to 2012

    What did they make of Nintendo?

    Japanese website 4Gamer (via Andriasang) recently asked a huge selection of Japanese developers about their best moments of 2011, and what they look forward to in the coming year. Predictably the 3DS featured heavily, with Platinum Games producer Atsushi Inaba calling the console "a revolution in...

Wednesday4th Jan 2012

  • News Turn Your Retro Cartridges Into ROMS, Legally

    Conscience intact

    One thing that we positively don't support here at Nintendo Life is illegally downloading and playing retro games through emulators. As a result it's with a deep breath that we say this, but there's now a way to transfer your retro cartridges legally. A new gizmo called Retrode is on the way to market that allows you to plug in...

  • Feature The Biggest 3DS Games of 2012

    What's in store for the year ahead?

    2011 is gone. After announcing our Game of the Year 2011 awards we're ready to move on and sink our teeth into all that awaits in 2012. There are of course dozens more games on the way to 3DS in the coming year, but we've picked ten of the most exciting due to crest the 3D horizon before 2013 rolls around. If...

  • Review Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish (DSiWare)

    Flippin’ out

    The DSiWare service continues to serve as a home for independent developers with innovative ideas, and Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish is another example of that creative spirit. A sequel in name only to Flipper, this latest creation from Goodbye Galaxy Games is full of surprises. The main link to the first game can be found in the...

  • News Yet Another Zelda Timeline Proposed

    An alternative perspective

    Late last year it emerged that Nintendo had finally produced an official timeline for The Legend of Zelda series, though the final result didn't necessarily make sense to everyone. Any timeline that splits three ways is always going to cause plenty of debate. An artist called Zac Gorman decided that, official timeline or...

  • News Zen Pinball 3D Lights Up North America on 12th January

    Bing! Ding-ba-ding!

    Zen Studios has just confirmed Zen Pinball 3D will reach the North American eShop on 12th January, costing $6.99. The balls-and-bumpers game was released in Europe on 1st December 2011, but North Americans get their chance to try it out next week. The studio has also confirmed it will support the game with downloadable content in...

  • News Zelda Symphony Tour Gets Four More Dates

    Updated: make that six

    Update: Orlando and Denver added. Ticketmaster has revealed four six more dates for the Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses orchestral tour. The tour will take in Vancouver and Atlanta and stop in Phoenix twice. An Orlando date was added and then removed, then added again. 14th March — Vancouver, BC7th April — Denver, CO20th...

Tuesday3rd Jan 2012

  • News Add Nikki to Your Mii Collection

    No postage required

    Many 3DS owners will have now dabbled with Nintendo Letter Box — also known as Swapnote — and have become familiar with Nikki, the rather helpful guide. She pops up often to help scribblers learn about new features or templates and is an all-round friendly, charming Mii. If her regular visits aren't enough, you can now...

  • Review Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy (3DS)

    Nintendo finally lands its true Ace Combat title

    When it comes to the long running Ace Combat series, Nintendo’s been stuck in the hangar bay with only the forgettable Ace Combat Advance releasing on GBA. For all those who’ve missed out on the excellent aerial dog fight action all these years, this disservice has finally ended with Ace Combat:...

  • Review Bionic Commando (3DS eShop / GB)

    Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing

    If there’s one sacred cow in the entire platforming genre, it’s jumping. According to our highly scientific calculations, there are one hojillion sidescrollers that rely on hopping all about to climb, collect and kill. Capcom’s Bionic Commando series has plenty of climbing, collecting and...

  • Nintendo Download 5th January 2012 (Europe)

    Hit the Pits

    If you've registered two qualifying games in Club Nintendo, you can download a free game this week; if not, you'll have to choose from one of the other titles on offer in the first digital drop of the New Year. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, free to qualifying users) — You can only get 3D Classics: Kid...

  • News Millions of Wii Games Pirated in 2011

    Mario left all at sea

    The Wii may be in its twilight years, but a large number of its retail titles are still being being downloaded and played illegally. Website TorrentFreak compiled figures of downloads in 2011 from a number of sources and trackers, providing results for three major formats, though these are estimates rather than official...

  • News 3DS Hits 4 Million Console Sales in United States

    Software set records too

    With 2011 now a long and distant memory, Nintendo has set about spreading the word of its successful 12 months. The big headline is the Nintendo 3DS reaching four million sales across the United States since its launch on 27th March. According to Nintendo, the 3DS has sold more in its first nine months than Wii did. Not only...

  • Rumour Wii U and 3DS to Get E-Reader Capabilities

    Don't read too much into it

    Nintendo showed off the Wii U's new controller reading the web, but surely it's got far greater potential when it comes to giving you something to read. According to Forget the Box, Nintendo is prepping full-on e-reader software for its new console. The site's anonymous developer source claims Nintendo is getting ready to...

  • News Icon Games Breaks WiiWare Sales Figures Silence

    Dev speaks out

    All developers who sign up to work on Nintendo's download services have to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that forbids them from discussing sales numbers for their own games, among other things. However, British studio Icon Games has revealed sales figures for its WiiWare titles. The company's biggest-seller is Family Games,...

  • News Three New Stages for Pyramids Available Now

    QR codes ahoy

    3DS Download Software Pyramids might not be setting the charts alight, but those who took a chance on its chunky charms will be pleased to find three new stages for the game available below. Here's how you use the codes: Launch Pyramids On the title's front screen, select 'QR CODE' The top screen will show nine level slots, under a...

  • Charts 3rd January 2012 (North America)

    The results are in

    It's Tuesday and that means it's North American 3DS eShop time. Read on to find out what's been most popular across the country in recent times. denotes last week's position. indicates game is a new entry. indicates a non-mover. Popular Last Week — All Downloads: In a surprising turn, excellent puzzler Pushmo has overtaken...

  • News Skyward Sword is Wii's 45th Million Seller in U.S.

    Latest in a long line

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has sold over 1 million copies in the United States since its release on 20th November, Nintendo of America has announced. Link's airborne adventure sold 535,000 copies in its first eight days on sale to become the fastest-selling Zelda game ever, and has since reached the major milestone of...

  • News Japanese Virtual Console List - January 2012

    Ringing in the new year

    Nintendo of Japan continues to deliver the goods, with three more games slated for release on the Wii Virtual Console this month. Will we see any release in the west at all? The full list for Japan this month is as follows: Famicom: Ganbare Goemon 2 — The second game in the classic series (not counting its arcade origins),...

  • News Metal Gear Solid-Themed 3DS Teased

    Slithers into view

    Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D has been a long time coming, but series creator Hideo Kojima has taken to Twitter to tease details about the stealthy title. His latest revelation, as reported by Andriasang, is that there will be a Metal Gear Solid-themed 3DS system released as part of a bundle. A release date of 8th March has...

Monday2nd Jan 2012

  • News There's a Swapnote RPG Waiting to be Played

    This is awesome

    The Swapnote app on the 3DS not only allows friends to send each other messages, but is also a breeding ground for creative ideas. One of the most innovative uses of the software so far is from a game design student called Ben Gray, who has devised an old-school Dungeons and Dragons-style RPG. It may sound complicated, but the video...

  • Review Doodle Fit (DSiWare)

    Near perfect fit

    We all know that there is an over-abundance of puzzle games available on the DSiWare service. We also know that there are quite a few DSi and WiiWare games that were originally released as apps on the various mobile services. Miraculously, Doodle Fit is one of those rare games that comes from both of these categories, yet still...

  • Feature Nintendo in 2011 - Part One

    An important year begins

    It’s now 2012, which promises to be an eventful year for Nintendo. We’ll be giving our thoughts soon on what to expect in the coming year, but it's now time to look back at a dramatic 2011. There were plenty of major headlines and game releases, and we’ll pinpoint some of the key moments that defined the year. We'll...

  • News The Binding of Isaac Seeking Approval from Nintendo

    Team Meat tries again

    As you may recall, the rather terrific Super Meat Boy from developers Team Meat never made it to WiiWare as originally planned. Despite a lot of anticipation and hype, the file size limitation on the service was too restrictive, and plans for a retail release fell through. There is hope for Nintendo gamers, however, with The...