News - 2012, Week 05

Saturday4th Feb 2012

  • Talking Point The Future of Pokémon

    Time to evolve onto 3DS

    Given that the 3DS console has been on sale worldwide for nearly a year now, the desolate wastes of its almost non-existent software library have finally blossomed into a variety of must-have titles. But there’s one Nintendo property that’s still criminally under-represented on the handheld: Pokémon. The franchise has...

Friday3rd Feb 2012

Thursday2nd Feb 2012

  • Nintendo Download 2nd February 2012 (North America)

    eShop comes into bloom

    Today sees the release of a much-anticipated 3DS samurai game, a DSiWare zombie shooter and the next instalment in a globe-trotting maths series. What could be better? 3DS Download Software: Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (Nintendo, $6.99) — It's like Punch-Out!!, only with swords instead of boxing gloves. It's a solid...

  • News Push Square is Open for Business!

    Our PlayStation site is alive!

    Our quest for world domination took a giant step forward today with the much anticipated launch of Push Square, our new PlayStation-oriented news and reviews site. When we launched Movemodo back in 2010, many of you asked "why not do a full-on PlayStation site? I would totally dig that," so we've teamed up...

  • News Full-Length Pokémon TV Shows Come to Nintendo Zone

    Time to hit the road

    3DS owners in the United States and Canada will soon get access to full-length episodes of the Pokémon cartoon series via the console's Nintendo Zone application. Starting on 6th February, Nintendo Zone will feature a dedicated Pokémon section including the episodes, game information and important Pokémon-related news. The...

  • News New Trailer for The Last Story Introduces Characters

    It's all so dramatic

    The latest trailer for The Last Story has arrived, introducing the main group of characters and showing off some dramatic moments. There are a lot of grand set-pieces, clashing swords and even a dragon packed into the second half, suggesting that Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi hasn't held back in the storyline. The...

  • News Xenoblade Chronicles Hits North America on 6th April

    Time to gear up

    Long-awaited Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles is finally heading Stateside on 6th April. Monolith Soft's epic adventure lands in just over two months, giving you plenty of time to read our Xenoblade Chronicles review and get all excited about being able to play it. There's also an enlightening Iwata Asks: Xenoblade Chronicles that delves...

  • News Gogo's Crazy Bones Coming to DS

    The box cover stole our tagline

    After the popularity of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure on Wii and 3DS, it seems that turning toy figurine franchises into video games could become a bit of a trend. Just announced is Gogo's Crazy Bones for DS, due to arrive in North America in March. This title doesn't appear to feature 'portal' functionality that...

  • News Ono and Harada Keep Scrapping in Tekken 3D Trailer

    Those boys just can't get along

    You might have seen this Tekken 3D Prime Edition trailer before, but it's so good it bears a second, third and fourth watch. Featuring Tekken series director Katsuhiro Harada and Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition mastermind Yoshinori Ono, it's all in aid of upcoming 3DS scrapper Tekken 3D Prime Edition, which...

  • Feature The Joy of Gaming Together

    Not a headset in sight

    It's been a busy few months here at Nintendo Life, and we don't expect it to calm down any time soon. Every once in a while we decide that it's time to relax and take time off as a team with gaming nights, where we descend on a glamorous location, hook up retro consoles to a projector and spend an evening doing one thing:...

  • News Deep Silver Signs Back to the Future for Europe

    Heavy

    Telltale Games' homage to classic 1980s movie series Back to the Future is coming to Europe, courtesy of Deep Silver. Back to the Future: The Game will release on Wii in the first quarter of this year, with the original English language voice overs intact. It'll also feature German voice and subtitles or French subtitles. DEEP SILVER TO...

  • News Swapnote Could Have Been Released on DSiWare

    Development detailed

    Popular 3DS app Nintendo Letter Box (aka Swapnote) could have been the light of day on DSi, a new Iwata Asks reveals. Members of the development team reveal the game was originally in the works as DSiWare and had entered the debug phase at the tail-end of 2009, but several limitations imposed by the console's firmware held it...

  • News Get Jiggy with BIT.TRIP and Nintendisco

    Find those dancing shoes

    The arrival of BIT.TRIP COMPLETE and BIT.TRIP SAGA has been a long time coming in Europe. Thanks to Rising Star Games there isn't long to wait, with both titles due to release soon. To celebrate the occasion there's to be a free BIT.TRIP themed Nintendisco on 7th February in London. There'll be opportunities to play both...

  • Review Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 3 (DSiWare)

    It all adds up

    Another week, another dose of edutainment. Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 3 arrives on DSiWare, allowing another generation of eager young pupils to indulge in some mathematics on their favourite handheld. This title is, in form, identical to Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 2, which is no surprise as they were...

Wednesday1st Feb 2012

  • News Mario Party 2 Joins the Club Nintendo Rewards Gang

    It'll cry if it wants to

    North America, your Club Nintendo rewards have been updated today, with two download games available to buy with your hard-earned coins. Art Academy: First Semester (3DS, DSiWare) — 150 Coins Mario Party 2 (N64, Wii Virtual Console) — 150 Coins These rewards are available until 29th February. Remember if you want to get...

  • News Kid Icarus: Uprising Gets Intense New Trailer

    We mean it

    Kid Icarus: Uprising's intriguing Fiend's Cauldron mode is the subject of this new trailer. The Fiend's Cauldron lets you bet previously acquired hearts to ramp up the intensity of levels; the more hearts you bet and the more difficult the stage, the higher the reward. The video makes it all pretty clear, so have a look and buckle down...

  • News Japanese Virtual Console List - February 2012

    Neo Geo support continues

    Japan is getting three more Wii Virtual Console games this month. The scale is clearly tipped in the favour of the Neo Geo once more, as it will see yet another two games. If only we'd see some more Neo Geo games in the West. Japan's full list for this month is as follows: Super Famicom: Kunio-Kun no Dodge Ball Dayo Zenin...

  • News More Free 3DS Wi-Fi Spots Confirmed for Europe

    Careful with that ketchup

    Nintendo has today announced more than 5,000 new Wi-Fi Hotspots available through Europe. After previously confirming an equivalent deal for UK airports, this provides further evidence that Nintendo is serious about its promises to provide online 3DS access at a variety of locations. This particular deal has been struck...

  • News THQ Could Lose Stock Market Listing

    That's bad, by the way

    Not long ago we revealed the positive news that THQ has two secret Wii U titles in the works, with Darksiders II and Metro: Last Light already unveiled for the new console way back at E3 2011. While that's the good news, unfortunately the developer is enduring some serious financial issues. As reported by Gamasutra, THQ is in...

  • News Feel the Beat at Rhythm Heaven Launch Event in L.A.

    Don't forget your groove

    Nintendo has announced a swanky launch event to celebrate the upcoming North American release of Rhythm Heaven Fever. Taking place on Friday 10th February, the evening will include a chance to play the game as well as freebies, food and other entertainment. The launch is open to the public on a first-come, first-served...

Tuesday31st Jan 2012

  • Feature The Wonder of Ugly Add-Ons

    Only their creators love them

    For those who hadn’t noticed, we recently posted our 3DS Circle Pad Pro review, which unsurprisingly prompted a broad range of opinions and comments. While the reaction to the add-on has undoubtedly been diverse, most agree on one thing: it’s ugly. Or, to quote our review, it "makes the console look like it's...

  • News Team Ninja Reveals Wii U Evolution

    New features in the shadows

    Last week we heard from Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono, who stated that the Wii U is more capable than what we saw at E3. Ono said he couldn't reveal more due to fear of Nintendo assassins, by which he may be referring to previous Nintendo collaborators Team Ninja. In an interview with Nintendo Gamer magazine,...

  • News Genius Sonority's eShop AR RPG Looks Mad

    Cute, though

    Japanese developer Genius Sonority — best known for its work on various Pokémon spin-offs over the years — has revealed its next title, due out in the Japanese eShop next week. Called Denpa Ningen RPG — or Electric Wave Person RPG, believe it or not — is an augmented reality RPG where you use the 3DS's cameras to reveal hidden...

  • News Miyamoto Focused on New Franchises

    Handing over the Master Sword

    In December last year rumours swirled around the internet that Shigeru Miyamoto was planning to retire from his role, reports of which were swiftly denied. Although it transpired as a misinterpreted comment in an interview, it still led to a number of questions about the future of Nintendo and its major franchises...

  • News "Trustworthy" Third Parties Get Microtransactions Go-Ahead

    Horse armour anybody?

    Downloadable content, software updates and microtransactions are not things that owners of Nintendo systems have been hugely exposed to in the past, but things are about to change. With expanded online offering Nintendo Network on the cards for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, third party developers will soon be allowed to sell...

  • News New Rhythm Heaven Fever Trailer Makes No Sense

    And that's why we love it

    Of course the new video for Rhythm Heaven Fever defies explanation: that's a series trademark by now. Dancing lobsters, on-stage baseball and a cryptic message in the final frame all make this one of those trailers you'll tell the grandkids about. North America, you get the game on 13th February.

Monday30th Jan 2012

  • Review Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (3DSWare)

    Patience, young grasshopper

    We're only a month into 2012 and the eShop's offerings this year are already weighted heavily with samurai-themed games. In truth, the two couldn't be more different: whereas UFO Interactive's Samurai Sword Destiny favours the straightforward button-mashing approach, Nintendo's own Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword puts...

  • News Nintendo May Not Call Wii U a Home Console

    A rose by any other name

    When we saw Wii U at E3, we were pretty certain it was a console. We even saw people playing it in a home-style setting. So it's a home console, right? Wrong. Talking to investors after the latest financial results, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata suggested the company won't refer to it as a traditional home console: As for...

  • News Iwata Hints at Upcoming Swapnote Update

    What's on the way?

    Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box is still compelling many 3DS owners to open their console every day to see what's new, and Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has hinted that there may be more to come from the app in the future. Speaking to investors, Iwata revealed that over 10 million notes were exchanged within four weeks of the app...

  • News Iwata: Zelda on Wii U Won't Look Cheap

    Rolling out the barrel

    We all know The Legend of Zelda will come to Wii U, but whether it'll look as good as the Zelda HD Experience from E3 is another matter. Nintendo knows it has to deliver on the graphical front though, as president Satoru Iwata told investors. Explaining that not all Wii U games will take the ultra-realistic, high cost...

  • Nintendo Download 2nd February 2012 (Europe)

    Buy Kid Icarus

    If you didn't register two 3DS games to get your free download code for Pit's remastered adventure, you can save yourself a heck of a lot of money by picking it up this week for €6. Here's the European download for this week. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, €6/£5.40) — Pit's very first outing gets a...

  • News Nintendo Wants to Keep Old Titles Fresh with DLC

    Add-ons a-go-go

    It's a common problem in these days of overly crammed release schedules: wait around for a few weeks and you might find that the game you've just spent your precious pennies on is already considered old hat. The community has already moved on to the next title, nobody wants to talk about it any longer and, while it might still be...

  • News Kingdom Hearts Anniversary Edition Unveiled

    Triple the fun

    Not long ago we discovered that Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance was being released as part of a rather attractive 3DS hardware bundle in Japan. During that announcement Square Enix also confirmed that there would be a 10th anniversary special edition release, though no details were given. The suspense is now over. As reported...

  • News Resident Evil Revelations Scares Its Way Up UK Charts

    The monstrous Circle Pad Pro included with some

    Resident Evil Revelations certainly had plenty of build-up and hype before its release in Europe, including an extended trailer that reveals much of the storyline. It also received mainly positive reviews and avoided any troublesome save data arguments as endured by its predecessor, Resident Evil: The...

  • News DS Speech Recognition Could Help Disabled Children

    Trials underway in Japan

    The DS, in its various forms, has not only been the biggest selling handheld console of all time, but has also played a role beyond that of a simple gaming machine. As we reported last year, Art Academy has helped students with their creative skills, while there are plenty of educational software options available. Reports...

  • News Newly Single Pink 3DS Woos North America on 10th February

    Ahh, young love

    The pearl pink Nintendo 3DS is ready to cast off the shackles of its previous relationship and strike out on its own from 10th February. The console — previously only available with pooch-snuggler Nintendogs + Cats — is ready to drink cheap wine and sing I Will Survive just before Valentine's Day rolls around. Shoppers in North...