News - 2012, Week 07

Saturday18th Feb 2012

  • Talking Point 3DS Depends on Nintendo Titles for Success

    Developers left out of the party

    Recent weeks have seen some positive news for Nintendo and 3DS: a truly abysmal launch period has been forgotten by many, as a major price drop and some heavy-hitting titles have resuscitated the device. It’s now exuding respectability after a difficult summer in 2011 when it looked like a flawed idea and,...

Friday17th Feb 2012

  • Review Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (3DS eShop / GB)

    Third time’s a charm?

    While Nintendo kept things fairly standard with the first two Super Mario Land releases, it obviously decided to make some changes when it got ready to create this third title in the series on Game Boy. Instead of featuring Mario, it decided to give players a chance to shake things up and take on the role of its newest bad...

  • Review Rhythm Heaven Fever (Wii)

    Fever pitch

    Rhythm Heaven games are the kind whose sole purpose is to make you smile. You might even say that it's a lot like a not-terrifying clown at a kid's party, actually: colourful and light, uncomplicated and wacky yet determined in its mission to entertain the masses. With Rhythm Heaven Fever marking the series' home console debut, Rhythm...

  • News Are Bowser and Dr. Eggman in Disney's New Film?

    Looks like it

    Disney's new animated film, Wreck-It Ralph, is about a video game villain who unleashes a powerful enemy from a first-person shooter. According to these scans from D23 magazine, the movie might have an all-star cast of nemeses, too. This picture — reportedly of the movie, though admittedly not the finest quality — shows Bowser, Dr...

  • Review Strider (Wii Virtual Console / Mega Drive)

    From Russia with love

    When you consider that he hasn’t starred in his own game since 2000, Strider Hiryu’s popularity in Capcom fan circles is impressive, which is largely down to the high regard in which players hold his 1989 coin-op début. Powered by Capcom’s CPS hardware, Strider was an arcade action platformer that redefined the genre;...

  • News Sami Cetin Sets New Super Mario Kart World Record

    Yes, another one

    Super Mario Kart player extraordinaire Sami Cetin has just set another world record on the classic 1992 16-bit racer. At GEEK 2012 and using the PAL version, Cetin completed a time trial on Rainbow Road in just 1:26.64, only milliseconds quicker than the previous best of 1:26.68, set by Guillaume Leviach less than five days ago...

  • News Capcom Tight-Lipped About Resident Evil 6 Wii U

    It's oh so quiet

    Resident Evil 6 is one of the biggest games heading to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 just before Christmas, but with Wii U due around the same time will Capcom consider bringing the title across to Nintendo's own HD console? Capcom senior vice-president Christian Svensson was asked just that in a Capcom Unity forum thread, though his...

  • News GAME Not Stocking Tekken 3D Prime Edition

    Punched out

    Today's big 3DS release, Tekken 3D Prime Edition, hasn't made it to the shelves of the UK's biggest specialist games retailer. GAME confirmed to Eurogamer.net that it won't be selling the game in-store or online, citing a delay in Nintendo's distribution as the reason. The chain has apologised to affected customers. While you can't find...

  • News WayForward: "eShop a Major Part of Our Plan"

    3DS downloads the way forward

    WayForward has a rare knack for delivering enjoyable download games for Nintendo formats, with its DSiWare Mighty games and, of course, Shantae: Risky's Revenge helping the company make a profit on DSi downloads. The studio's now moved onto 3DS eShop titles, with its latest title Mighty Switch Force! getting it off to a...

  • Feature Hironobu Sakaguchi's BAFTA Presentation

    Final Fantasy creator speaks up

    Last night Nintendo Life editor James Newton attended a presentation by Final Fantasy creator and The Last Story director Hironobu Sakaguchi at London's BAFTA HQ. The famous developer reflected on his 25+ years of industry experience and his latest project, answering questions from the packed-out audience. The night...

  • News History of Game & Watch Book Due on 9th March

    For real this time

    We know we've reported several release dates for The History of Nintendo: Volume 2 — Game & Watch — the most recent being 15th December — but this time we're told it's definitely, definitely coming on 9th March. The follow-up to the rather good History of Nintendo: Volume 1 — 1889 - 1980: From playing-cards to Game...

Thursday16th Feb 2012

  • Nintendo Download 16th February 2012 (North America)

    Strider is here!

    Update: Looks like this is the full list, dudes and dudettes. 3DS Virtual Console: Super Mario Bros. (NES, $4.99) — Yes, the earlier 3DS Ambassador update was just a prelude to Nintendo releasing Super Mario Bros. on 3DS for non-Ambassadors. Do you really need a review to know if this is worth getting? We'll write one anyway.

  • Rumour Japanese Developers Moving from Vita to 3DS

    Handheld battle is getting serious

    While 3DS has been enjoying a significant level of success in Japan in recent weeks, the recently launched Vita is struggling to make significant inroads into the market. It's very early days for Sony's handheld, but reports in Japan suggest that its slow start is already causing problems, and that Nintendo is set...

  • News Wii Sensor Bar Works Using Heat, Claims UK Newspaper

    WTF mode: engaged

    UK newspaper Metro is renowned for its loose grip on reality — who can forget its 2010 story video gaming leads to surge in rickets? — but it's excelled itself again today. The paper reports an 8-year old boy suffered "severe burns" from two tea light candles. Hardly newsworthy in itself, but the boy was attempting to...

  • News Nintendo Considered a 3D Screen on Wii U

    A tablet-sized 3DS?

    Nintendo's next home console, which may or may not be called Wii U, is due before the end of the year. While Nintendo is gradually unveiling details about the console and its tablet controller, the recent appearance of the console's patent filings has provided an interesting insight into what the machine could potentially...

  • News Dillon's Rolling Western Spins to Europe Next Week

    Armadillo adventure inbound

    Update: It now seems Dillon's Rolling Western will not release in Europe on 23rd February.* 3DS eShop title Dillon's Rolling Western is coming to Europe next week, according to MCV (via Pocket Gamer.) The tower defence game was revealed at E3 last year under the title The Rolling Western, and later announced for a release...

  • News Super Mario Bros. Ambassador Update Hits North America

    You're in

    3DS Ambassadors in North America can now download the update for Super Mario Bros. that adds Virtual Console restore points to the experience. Head over to the eShop, select Titles You've Downloaded and scroll to find the game; tap Update and you're on your way. As you know, Nintendo's ultimate plan is to add wireless multiplayer, restore...

  • News Hulu Plus Arrives on Wii

    Two weeks free for non-subscribers

    There has been plenty of focus on the potential arrival of Hulu Plus on 3DS, though details of a launch date have been in short supply. It seems that the Wii has snapped up the service first, with a new app appearing today on the Wii Shop Channel in the U.S. Subscribers to Hulu Plus can start streaming TV shows and...

  • News Zelda and Mario Up for Multiple BAFTA Awards

    Can they conquer HD?

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is up for BAFTA Game of 2011 — the only award decided by a public vote — but the BAFTA board itself will have to decide if Link's most recent adventure deserves awards for Best Game or Game Innovation at the upcoming ceremony. Zelda's not the only flagship Nintendo franchise nominated:...

  • News First Shaun the Sheep Episodes Due Next Month

    Not fleecing you

    Nintendo announced its partnership with Aardman Animation way back in January 2011, and the first fruits of those labours are due to hit the 3DS next month when Shaun the Sheep reaches Nintendo Video. The first of 15 exclusive 3D episodes will reach 3DS on 7th March, with a new episode due every week. The first episode sees Shaun...

  • News Bit Boy!! ARCADE for eShop is Halfway Done

    Bplus returns

    After Bit Boy!! on WiiWare, download developer Bplus is bringing the series to 3DS with Bit Boy!! ARCADE on the way to the eShop in 2012. This portable version has several additions over its WiiWare brother, with new stages, weapons and blocks, plus the ability to buy continues with Play Coins. Bit Boy!! ARCADE is 50% complete...

  • News Nintendo Games Dominated January Sales in Japan

    More than anyone else

    We're always interested to see how Nintendo is performing in its homeland, as it no doubt plays a major part in its plans for the future. It's been all good news in Japan, fortunately, with the 3DS continuing to outsell all rival consoles combined, an astonishing feat unlikely to be repeated in North America or Europe. Courtesy...

  • News BIT.TRIP Collections Come to Europe on 16th March

    Quicker than we thought

    Rising Star Games has revealed it's accelerating the release of BIT.TRIP COMPLETE and BIT.TRIP SAGA by seven Earth days. The compilations will now reach European shores on 16th March 2012 instead of the widely advertised 23rd March release date. If you're not sure which game to get, try out BIT.TRIP SAGA review paired with...

  • News Eurogamer Expo Tickets Go On Sale Next Week

    We'll see you there

    Tickets for the UK's biggest video games show, Eurogamer Expo, go on sale from Thursday 23rd February. Eurogamer has signed a new partnership with Virgin Media to power the four-day show at London's Earls Court, with Virgin Media customers eligible for cheaper tickets and special giveaways. The show runs from Thursday 27th...

Wednesday15th Feb 2012

  • Review Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (3DS)

    Must train harder

    2007's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games on Wii marked the two once arch-nemeses' – in the eyes of us children of the nineties, anyway – first side-by-side appearance that didn't involve them attempting to wallop seven shades of snot out of each other. It was a solid sports offering that exemplified the minigame collection...

  • News A Big List of Pokémon Rumble Blast Toy Codes

    Make room in your toy box

    Last year we gave you Victini and Pikachu Super Pokémon Rumble codes, or Pokémon Rumble Blast for those of you in North America. Nintendo has continued to provide additional toy codes, and we've decided to catch 'em all so you don't have to. We've taken all of the new codes from both the UK and U.S. websites as they vary...

  • News In Fire Emblem 3DS, Death Isn't Always Permanent

    It's up to you

    The Fire Emblem series is probably best known for its "when it's gone, it's gone" approach to units: if they die in battle, they're gone for ever. That's not the case in every Fire Emblem game though: Japan-only DS remake Fire Emblem: Hero of Light and Shadow let you turn this feature on or off, and that option returns in...

  • First Impressions Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! (3DS eShop)

    Shin'en star?

    Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! might lay it on a bit thick with its overly exclamatory title, but it does a decent job of summing up the first 3DS eShop game from long-time Nintendo supporter Shin'en Multimedia. It's worth saying right off the bat this isn't a portable version of WiiWare original Fun! Fun! Minigolf: while that was intended...

  • News RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D Hits the Skids

    Indefinite hold

    Atari's revealed that RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D is on hold. A representative from the publisher confirmed to Nintendo World Report that it has no immediate plans to release the game, despite earlier claims we'd see the game in March this year. Atari's not revealed why it's deciding not to release the game but hopefully we'll see it...

  • News North America, You Get the MGS 3D Demo Tomorrow Too

    No-one left behind

    It's a Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D demo free-for-all this week, as Konami has confirmed North American 3DS owners can try out the game for free with an eShop demo tomorrow. The demo's timely as the full game releases in North America on Tuesday, 21st February, giving you a few days to get to grips with Snake. Is this another...

  • News Theatrhythm Gets the Nobuo Uematsu Tears of Approval

    Tracks of his tears

    Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is released in Japan tomorrow, combining rhythm action with — you guessed it — Final Fantasy. Long-time series composer Nobuo Uematsu just played the game for the first time, and it certainly seemed to strike a chord (sorry) with the legendary musician. Uematsu tweeted: I played Theatrhythm Final...

  • News New Trailer for The Last Story Teams Up for Battle

    Magic and swords galore

    There's now little over a week until The Last Story is released in Europe, and Nintendo has released a new trailer to show off some of the game mechanics. After an introduction to Lazulis City, an important location in the game, the action quickly moves to battle mechanics: a variety of enemies and attack strategies are...

  • News Gamelion's I Must Run! is Racing to DSiWare

    It's not alone

    One of the most self-explanatory game names you could ask for, in I Must Run! you must run. Gamelion's skyscraper scamper has already been released on PlayStation Minis and mobile phones but is coming to DSiWare in the near future. If you've played Canabalt you'll have a fairly good idea what to expect, though I Must Run! includes a...

Tuesday14th Feb 2012

  • Feature Nintendo Characters Looking for Love

    Will you be their player two?

    Like so many others, we at Nintendo Life get swept up in the romance that is in the air during St. Valentine's Day. We love the smell of the flowers, the taste of the chocolate and the irresistible allure of digging through the online dating profiles of strangers, hoping to find something amusing. Surprisingly, we got...

  • Review Tekken 3D Prime Edition (3DS)

    A prime fighting machine

    Tekken 3D Prime Edition is only the second Nintendo appearance for the King of Iron Fist tournament, the last being 2002's dodgy Tekken Advance on Game Boy Advance. With fighting games enjoying a resurgence on 3DS, does Namco Bandai's second hit strike a knockout blow? It's up against stiff competition: Dead or Alive:...

  • News Pandora's Tower Reaches Europe on 13th April

    Action a-go-go, baby

    Nintendo Europe just confirmed it'll release Japanese action RPG Pandora's Tower in just under two months' time The action game with a dark heart will launch across Europe on 13th April, giving you plenty of time to finish The Last Story, which is released on 24th February. The announcement also came with this rather delightful...

  • News Analyst Claims eShop Made $11 Million in 2011

    Staggering statistics

    Nintendo is extremely protective when it comes to releasing sales figures for its downloadable games, insisting developers and publishers sign non-disclosure agreements that prohibit them from discussing revenues and unit sales. Digital analysis firm FADE LLC is in the business of releasing digital sales figures and revenues,...

  • News Nintendo Japan Releases First 3DS Paid DLC

    Stealing Theatrhythm's thunder

    After Nintendo's announcement last year that DLC would arrive on 3DS, it looked like Theatrhythm Final Fantasy — due for release in Japan on 16th Feburary — would be the first title with paid extra content on the handheld. Not to be upstaged, Nintendo has jumped ahead and released three small download packs for a...

  • News Ten Minutes of Kingdom Hearts 3D Footage Inside

    Special trailer released

    Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is still months away, but you can feast your eyes on ten whole minutes of in-game footage with Square Enix's new "special" trailer, embedded below. The trailer ticks all the right boxes, with a mixture of CGI footage, Japanese singing and a look at Tron world, featuring what's...

  • News VVVVVV Flip Fix Submitted to Nintendo

    Isaac still waiting for word

    Last week we reported that the European release of VVVVVV was getting nearer with Nicalis confirming, via Twitter, that the title had been given a PEGI rating. Once again the publisher has been tweeting good news, with confirmation that the final bug fix in the European version is complete and the game is being sent to...

  • News MYST is Drifting Towards 3DS in Europe

    Hard to see through all the remakes

    There are two groups of gamers likely to know about MYST: those of us that have reached a certain unflattering age, and others who enthusiastically track down adventure games on DS. For the uninitiated, MYST is a 'point-and-click' adventure game originally released on Mac OS in 1993. It was unique at the time for...

  • News Wow, CIRCLE Entertainment Really Likes DSiWare

    Six titles revealed

    Chinese publisher CIRCLE Entertainment is one of DSiWare's biggest supporters, releasing 11 games in the past 18 months. That run of form is set to continue over the coming months as it's announced a further six titles on their way to DSiWare. The line-up features: Pirates Assault — a "tower defence game with a...

  • News Ace Mathician is Goodbye Galaxy's Next DSiWare Game

    Interest x 20

    When we posted up CIRCLE Entertainment's six new DSiWare games, we only had a little information to go on for most titles, but we've since heard more details about Ace Mathician that might put it on your radar. Flipper developer Goodbye Galaxy Games is behind the maths-based puzzle platformer, which promises multiple mathematical...

Monday13th Feb 2012

  • Review One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP (3DS)

    Half an adventure, unlimited boredom

    Tremendously revered in Japan, yet – like the vast majority of animé — enjoying more of a cult following in the West, One Piece follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates in their tumultuous quest to locate the titular treasure. After a lengthy history of translation to video games, the...

  • Review BurgerTime World Tour (WiiWare)

    Severely undercooked

    While never really regarded as a smash hit in arcades, the original BurgerTime has always been an entertaining little game. We recently got what is arguably the best older version, BurgerTime Deluxe, on the 3DS eShop, and now we finally have a completely new title that other platforms received a couple of months ago. But is it...

  • News Super Mario Bros. for Ambassadors Just Got VC Features

    Suspend points are in!

    If you're a 3DS Ambassador, the NES upgrades just started rolling in. Super Mario Bros. now comes with Suspend Points, allowing you to suspend your play mid-game and reload it as often as you like. Should make those speed runs a whole lot easier. Other games have updates available but from our quick flick through it doesn't...

  • Feature Welcome to the New Look Nintendo Life!

    Power up!

    It's been nearly three years since we launched the previous version of Nintendo Life. Since then a lot has changed, as a result our tab bar has grown exponentially as new platforms and consoles have been announced and launched. We, as a site, have also gone through lots of changes since 2009. Our pool of talented writing staff has grown,...

  • News Metal Gear Solid 3D Demo Heads to Europe This Week

    Snaaaaaaaaaaake!

    Want to try out Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D before its European launch? Head to the eShop this week for a trial downloadable demo. The demo lands on Thursday as part of the regular eShop update alongside an old Game Boy favourite. We'll have the full Nintendo Download for you in a few minutes, but in the meantime, are you...

  • Nintendo Download 16th February 2012 (Europe)

    Metal Gear demo and Mario Land 3

    A decent array of titles across the formats this week, although no, there's still no VVVVVV or Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword. What is available is listed below for your viewing pleasure. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy, Nintendo, £3.60/€4) — Completing the Super Mario Land

  • News Miyamoto Having a Ball Working on Pikmin 3

    Now how about showing us?

    Shigeru Miyamoto has been working on Pikmin 3 for years — we first heard of it nearly three years ago — but so far we've yet to see a single snifter of a teaser of a screenshot. Having worked so long on something so secretive, is Miyamoto in danger of losing his passion for Pikmin? Not on your Bulborb. Speaking to...

  • News Kid Icarus AR Cards Come with a Tasty Treat

    Japanese obesity set to soar

    Nintendo of America recently teased us on its official Kid Icarus: Uprising website by confirming that AR events are on the cards, though there were no details on how to get additional cards before these events. If the planned Japanese promotion is anything to go by, it may be time to dig out that old exercise bike. As...

  • News Nintendo Confirms Takeover of MobiClip

    Videos galore on 3DS and Wii U

    Nintendo has just confirmed the acquisition of the Paris-based video technology company MobiClip. It has provided video content for various titles on Game Boy Advance and more recently DS, most famously in the Professor Layton series. The company has specialised in delivering high-quality video to a number of devices,...

  • News Atlus Reprints Radiant Historia, Due Next Month

    Historic

    Like most Atlus games, critically acclaimed DS RPG Radiant Historia only had a limited print run upon its release last year, leaving many interested customers unable to find the game at retail. Now, nearly a year after its first release, Atlus is readying another production run. The next round of games will drop in late March, with Atlus...

  • News McDonalds to Offer Exclusive 3DS DLC in Japan

    Would you like fries with that?

    In recent weeks and months Nintendo has been doing its best to encourage gamers to keep their 3DS on the move, with Wi-Fi hotspots and Nintendo Zone making appearances worldwide. It's in Nintendo's homeland, however, that 3DS connectivity appears to be taking a major step up. It's been reported by Famitsu, and...

  • News 3DS Software Struggles in UK Charts

    Hot in Japan, winter chills in old blighty

    While we've been happy to report the continuing resurgence of 3DS sales in Japan, it looks like success in the UK is proving to be more difficult to achieve. In the latest software charts published by UKIE only one 3DS exclusive, Mario Kart 7, has managed to steer its way into the top 20, sneaking in at...