Review The King of Fighters '97 (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
The once and future king
News - 2012, Week 06
Sunday12th Feb 2012
Review Kirby's Block Ball (3DS eShop / GB)
Ball breaker
Outside of the popular platformers for which he was first known, Nintendo is always more than happy to take advantage of Kirby’s robust, rotund appearance for spin-offs. In the past the happy little chap has been flipped and lobbed about in Kirby’s Pinball Land and abused with golf clubs in Kirby’s Dream Course. It was never a...
Saturday11th Feb 2012
Feature Zelda and Link's Romance in Skyward Sword
Zelda likes the silent type
It’s that time of year again, when couples around the world buy each other chocolates and tacky heart shaped gifts. Soon it will be Valentine’s Day, the most loved-up day of the year, and it’s got us thinking about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: a worrying indication that our priorities aren’t matching the...
Review The King of Fighters '97 (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
The once and future king
Despite being the fourth in the series, The King of Fighters '97 is only the third to reach the Wii Virtual Console, SNK Playmore having skipped King of Fighters '96 in favour of its bigger, beefier brother. Without '96 to bridge the gap, the jump from King of Fighters '95 to '97 is huge: there are six more characters for a...
Friday10th Feb 2012
Review Need for Speed: The Run (3DS)
Enough speed to make your eyes bleed
The high pitched sound of the engines roar assures us that we’re quickly approaching top speeds, but it’s barely noticeable from the techno jams blasting through the speakers. As each corner pushes us closer to the edge of losing control and the infectious music fuels our aggressive driving habits, one thing...
Review Maru's Mission (3DS eShop / GB)
Mission: Unbearable
Several months ago, the eShop saw the release of Avenging Spirit, a gleefully eccentric title that made us all sorry we missed it the first time around. Lightning doesn't strike twice for Jaleco with Maru's Mission, however, as this time the publisher has dusted off a forgotten title that really should have stayed that way. The...
Talking Point When StreetPass Reunites Old Friends
It's a small world
Last week, the UK Nintendo Life team hosted a meet-up in Nottingham's swanky Broadway cinema lounge, with staff members travelling from all over Great Britain to get together and play a lot of video games. While there are many stories from the evening that we could tell — and plenty more we couldn't — one small chance...
News Jump Magazine Forges More Fire Emblem 3DS Details
Free Map returns
If you're anticipating Fire Emblem Kakusei (that's Fire Emblem Awakening in English) for 3DS, you'll be pleased to know a few more details about the upcoming strategy RPG have reached our eyes. According to Jump Magazine (via Andriasang), the game brings back the free-roaming map system as seen recently in the GBA Ambassador...
First Impressions Block Factory (3DS eShop)
Bricking it
Upcoming 3DS eShop title Block Factory — from the makers of Pyramids — is trying to do something a little different with the puzzle genre. Instead of sticking resolutely to one kind of block-dropper, you can create your own take on the genre with its built-in creative tools. While the game comes with four preset games that ape famous...
News Tekken 3D's Multiplayer Mode is 2D Only
Pulling punches
Tekken 3D Prime Edition's bulging cart of 41 characters and a full-length 3D movie is nothing to be trifled with, and the latest Iwata Asks reveals plenty of interesting nuggets — and, indeed, noodles — about next week's scrapper. One such fact is that the stereoscopic display isn't available in wireless multiplayer. A footnote...
Thursday9th Feb 2012
News New York Gamer Breaks Tetris Record
Then needs to lie down
Here at Nintendo Life we often follow the progress of the Donkey Kong arcade world record, with the feat representing, arguably, one of the pinnacles of retro gaming. There are plenty of other Nintendo classics from the 1980s that are still played competitively, however, one being the original Tetris on NES. As reported by...
News Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles NES Pulled from Virtual Console
Time's up
The NES version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been removed from Virtual Console in all regions. As always when games are pulled from the VC library there's no official explanation why Konami's 8-bit brawler has been taken off sale, but we'd expect it's something to do with the licence. But, as our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles review...
Nintendo Download 9th February 2012 (North America)
Megamixes, burgers and Maru's Mission
A relatively quiet download this week, with just three titles on offer, one of which came from absolutely nowhere. 3DS Virtual Console: Maru's Mission (Game Boy, Hamster Corporation, $2.99) — Here's a title you don't hear of very often. A side-scrolling action platformer — what else? — Maru's Mission puts...
News Mario Sneakers Are Perfect for Jumping Platforms
Who doesn't want a pair?
If you're the kind of gamer who likes to wear clothes and hats dedicated to your favourite gaming characters, then we may have found the perfect shoes to go with your outfit. It seems that Japanese Mario fans will have the chance to pick up some limited edition Mario Bros. shoes, and they look like some of the trendiest that...
News Kid Icarus: Uprising AR Events On the Cards
Gotta collect them all
Kid Icarus: Uprising lands with six augmented reality cards, but there'll be more than half a dozen available in the grand scheme of things, as Nintendo of America will host events to make new cards available. The official Kid Icarus: Uprising site simply says: Check back on this site soon for info about special Nintendo...
News Tekken Boss Harada Inspired by Super Smash Bros.
Wants gamers to go 'Auuugghhh'!
Tekken 3D Prime Edition is less that a week away, the second major 3DS release of the year so far. It's a fighting series typically associated with experienced and mature gamers, but in the latest Iwata Asks Katsuhiro Harada has spoken about his desire to bring Tekken to a broader range of players, and explained why...
News Skyward Sword Up for BAFTA Game of 2011
You can make it happen
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has been nominated for the BAFTA GAME Award 2011, the only award determined by a public vote. Link's latest is the only Nintendo-exclusive game on the shortlist, but if you want to support it you can vote for Skyward Sword. You don't even need to be a UK resident, so go nuts. Here's the...
News Two Tribes Announces Toki Tori 2 Wii U Plans
They're not playing chicken
Some of you may remember that Toki Tori, developed by Two Tribes, was a launch title on WiiWare. With the Wii's successor due this year, Two Tribes has decided to try and make an appearance on Wii U's download service. Through a press release and blog entry, it's been confirmed that efforts are underway to bring Toki Tori...
Wednesday8th Feb 2012
News Ex-Rare Staff Talk Nintendo, Microsoft and Where It All Changed
Going places
Many long-standing Nintendo fans have a special place in their hearts for Rare, the British developer responsible for Banjo Kazooie, GoldenEye 007, Jet Force Gemini and more. In 1994 Nintendo bought a 49% stake in the developer, guiding it to create hit after hit, but in 2002 the studio was bought outright by Microsoft, spelling the end...
Talking Point Wii U and the Future of the Online Pass
'Project $10' and what it could mean
With the number of gamers indulging in online play on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 at an all-time high, it’s disheartening sometimes to observe how far Nintendo has been lagging behind, as far as online functionality goes. For those lucky enough to own more than one console, the Wii isn’t exactly the go-to...
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Great Gateway Grab (WiiWare)
Not so great
Last time we checked in on her, Carmen Sandiego had sent her minions out to steal St. Basil’s cathedral in Russia. This week, Sandiego has made her way over to India in Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Great Gateway Grab. With her eyes set on the Gateway of India, it’s up to you as an agent of ACME to solve the mystery and...
Exclusive SpeedX 3D Racing to 3DS eShop
Start your engines
Gamelion Studios is bringing its popular mobile game SpeedX 3D to the 3DS eShop. The tunnel racer has racked up over 10 million downloads on iOS, Android and other operating systems, and a new version is on the way to 3DS later this year. The concept is simple: race as far as possible down a brightly coloured — psychedelic, even...
News Nintendo Appoints a Celebrity 'Spokesdog'
It's barking mad
Nintendo has shown that it's not afraid of seeking celebrity endorsements for its consoles, with a particularly cringeworthy Justin Bieber Christmas advert used to promote 3DS last year. The latest famous icon to lend their support to Nintendo is Uggie the dog, famous for his performance in popular movie The Artist. Naturally,...
News Skylanders Developer "Looking at Wii U NFC Technology"
Giant sized controller ahoy
Yesterday's announcement of Skylanders Giants for Wii naturally led to questions of whether or not the game will head over to Wii U, particularly with Wii U's Near Field Communication functions that behave a little like Skylanders' figure-portal doohickey. Toys for Bob CEO Paul Reiche III was tight-lipped about the poss
News Resident Evil Revelations Scares Its Way to Top of Japanese Charts
3DS also continues its dominance
Although its only just arrived in North America, Resident Evil Revelations is now in the Japanese and European charts for a second week. While it has taken a hit in the UK charts, it's enjoyed an improved position in the Land of the Rising Sun. According to the latest Media Create results, and as reported by...
News Kirby's Dream Land 2 On the Way to Japanese eShop
Sweet dreams
Kirby's Dream Land is one of the best-selling Virtual Console games on 3DS, so it's no surprise Nintendo is preparing 1995 follow-up Kirby's Dream Land 2 for Japan's eShop next week. The portable platformer heads to Japan's store on 15th February, and will hopefully bound its way over to Europe and North America before too long. In the...
News Theatrhythm Final Fantasy DLC Confirmed for 3DS
Can't stop the rhythm
Way back in November last year we posted the news that Nintendo was promising 3DS DLC in 2012, though there were no further details. According to a report from Official Nintendo Magazine, the starting gun has now been fired for this extra content to go on sale. It's been confirmed that Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, the music title...
News VVVVVV's European Release Gets Flipping Nearer
PEGI approve, after dotting the i's and counting the v's
When VVVVVV hit the North American eShop just before the New Year, European gamers could only look on with envy. The platform puzzler that started life as an indie PC game received an excellent 8/10 in our VVVVVV review, adding to the growing list of high-quality titles on the 3DS download...
News Show Your Skills At London Mario Kart 7 Tournament
Have you got what it takes?
You might not be quite as fast as Mario Kart 7 silver medallist James Newton, but if you fancy yourself as something of a Mario Kart 7 expert then you might want to head over to London's Westfield Stratford City next week to enter an official Nintendo Mario Kart time trial. The event runs from 13th to 19th February at the...
Tuesday7th Feb 2012
Review GO Series: Undead Storm (DSiWare)
Frighteningly good
To date, the GO Series has been a bit of a mixed bag, ranging from the disappointingly average GO Series: Pinball Attack! to the brilliant dungeon-crawling puzzler PicDun. As such, it's understandable that one might be sceptical of the latest title in the series, GO Series: Undead Storm. We're pleased to report, though, that...
Keep on truckin'
It’s not about the winning, it’s about the taking part. Though it’s technically of the racing genre, TNT Racers often encourages you to do all but grab the chequered flag first. Far more important is the ability to unleash timely havoc upon competitors to send them sputtering off-screen; consider it the driver’s guide to...
News Can You Complete Super Mario Bros. In Under Five Minutes?
Mamma mia
Over 25 years on from release, people are still playing Super Mario Bros. on NES. Andrew Gardikis has probably played it more than most, as he's just set a new world record for fastest completion of the NES classic. Clocking in at 4:58.72, the time beats the previous record by ten seconds. Last year, Gardikis attempted to break the five...
News See, Kids? Sonic and Mario Weren't Always Friends
A little history lesson
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games might have been SEGA's biggest seller of last year, but don't let it fool you: it's an uneasy alliance. Sonic Wrecks recently posted a video from SEGA's official library that dates way back to 1992, from a time when the plumber-hedgehog rivalry was at boiling point. Just...
News Fee Fi Fo Fum, Activision Announces Skylanders Giants
Out this fall
After the runaway success of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure it's no surprise Activision is already planning another instalment, revealing Skylanders Giants at the American International Toy Fair. The next game — fully compatible with previous toys, kids — features figures twice the size of their predecessors that light up. You know...
News Nicalis: "The eShop Has Turned Things Around for Nintendo"
Full steam ahead
Nintendo Download favourite Nicalis is happy with the eShop so far, with president Tyrone Rodriguez telling Destructoid he feels the eShop is a great stride forward for the company. Speaking on the decision to feature particular games and themes instead of give all games equal billing, Rodriguez said: The eShop, I feel, has really...
Out Today Resident Evil Revelations (North America)
Someone in the dark
The first big 3DS title of 2012 hits North America today, as Resident Evil Revelations reaches stores across the continent. It's not just the biggest 3DS game of the year so far, it's one of the best titles to hit the handheld since release, scoring a 9/10 in our Resident Evil Revelations review. Don't forget the game has full...
News Vote Now for Xenoblade Chronicles' Reversible Cover
Inside out
Xenoblade Chronicles is just two months from finally reaching North America, and Nintendo wants you to choose the art displayed on the reverse of the game's cover. Nintendo of Europe held a similar campaign last year, but Nintendo of America has opened up the vote over on its Facebook page. Head over to
Monday6th Feb 2012
Review Back to the Future: The Game (Wii)
Make like a tree and read this review
They say that if you were to travel back a million years and step on a butterfly, you could wipe out an entire species and change the world forever with that one seemingly infinitesimal move. When Marty McFly took a shorter excursion, back three decades to 1955, he almost erased his own existence in a similar...
Review Wicked Monsters Blast (Wii)
Monster mash
Cute cartoon creatures; simplistic shooting; a mixture of mini-games. Wicked Monsters Blast is a kids game by-the-numbers, but its charm and heavy nods towards arcade classics such as Point Blank could have youngsters going crackers for these animals despite a slim number of levels. Wicked Monsters Blast is easy to pick up, with scant...
News Capcom Will Replace Evil Typo
Their resident proofreader saves the day
You may remember the discovery that the North American packaging was wrong for Capcom's latest, Resident Evil: Revelations. Or should we say 'Revelaitons'. According to a blog entry on Capcom Unity you'll have to be quick if you want a copy with the infamous typo, as it's essentia
Nintendo Download 9th February 2012 (Europe)
Demos, burgers and VC returns
This week Europe's got one of the best-looking download slates in a long time — though no, there's no VVVVVV or Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword — with strong titles left, right and centre. Let's get to it. Wii Virtual Console: The King of Fighters '97 (Neo Geo, D4 Enterprise, 900pts) — The legendary fighting...
News 3DS Big Three Keep on Selling in Japan
Nearly 4 million served
Nintendo's Christmas trio of top titles continues to sell in Japan into January, with Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land and Monster Hunter 3 G still topping the country's sales charts. Between them the games have sold 3.94 million copies in Japan, an incredible figure as the most recent hardware sales put the machine at 3.6m...
News Resi Revelations Takes a Hit in UK Charts
Needs a herb
After a stellar performance landing at number six in the UK charts in its first week, Resident Evil Revelations drops to number 19 in its second week on sale. Capcom's survival horror shooter sits a few places below Mario Kart 7 in 17th and Super Mario 3D Land at 16, the highest-placed 3DS-exclusive game on the chart. Revelations is...
News The Last Story Gets New Site and Iwata Asks
Getting nearer
Europe's just 18 days away from The Last Story, and Nintendo wants to get you geared up with a new website and Iwata Asks interview. The official The Last Story website has sections dedicated to explaining the multiplayer, item customisation and combat, but an obvious highlight is the music section which contains seven tracks from the...
News Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Out 28th February
New trailer inside
Short and to the point (because typing out the title wears out our fingers) — Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 is due out in North America on 28th February, and we have a fresh trailer to share. There's also an official site to clap your eyes on and some screenshots below these very words. If you're yet to try the series,...
News CRUSH3D Demo to Hit Europe's eShop This Week
In your dreams
We mean it: this week sees a demo of SEGA puzzler CRUSH3D hit the 3DS eShop in Europe. We recently took on the game and gave it a respectable 7/10 in our CRUSH3D review, but you'll be able to see what you think when the demo hits Europe this Thursday. You can check out the full Nintendo Download for 9th February 2012 (Europe).























































