One cartridge, infinite possibilities
News - 2012, Week 09
Saturday3rd Mar 2012
Feature Nintendo's Biggest Blunders
Even Mario gets it wrong sometimes
They say true love triumphs over any hardships. If that is the case, then we must really love Nintendo, for it's provided us with plenty of chances to test our devotion throughout the years. Here is a selection of moments where it all went topsy-turvy, even if our commitment never wavered: You Can't Play That:...
Friday2nd Mar 2012
News This is Meloetta, Pokémon Number 648
Nice to meet you
Say hello to Pokémon #648: Meloetta. The new 'mon was leaked recently on a movie poster but here's your first good look at official artwork of the musical-themed character. Meloetta has two Formes: Aria is a Normal/Psychic type, while Pirouette Forme is Normal/Fighting, which should result in some interesting strategies...
News Nintendo: "We Refuse to Succumb to Patent Trolls"
Wii Fit patent case dismissed
Rick Flamm, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of Legal & General Counsel, has spoken out against "patent trolls" after winning a third litigation case this year. Californian firm IA Labs claimed that the Wii Balance Board and Wii Fit software infringed on U.S. Patent No. 7,121,982. IA Labs'...
News Capcom Japan Reprints GameCube Game Gotcha Force
No, we don't know either
Think back to Capcom's GameCube classics: Viewtiful Joe. Killer 7. Resident Evil 4. Good games, one and all, making it all the more baffling the publisher has reprinted Gotcha Force for Japan. The 2003 action RPG didn't review too well and never flourished into a full-on franchise, but Capcom's giving it another shot with a...
Game of the Month February 2012 - Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
Snaaaaaaake!
In a new regular feature, Nintendo Life's editors choose the best game reviewed in the previous month for your reading pleasure. Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D: Konami's PS2 remastering was revealed alongside the 3DS way back at E3 2010, and while it seems to have taken an age to materialise it's important to remember 3DS isn't ev
News Here's a Dog Playing Nintendogs + Cats
Barking mad
Nintendo's first "spokesdog", Uggie from Oscar-winning movie The Artist, is chilling out after his success by playing Nintendogs + Cats on a pink 3DS. The canine actor's career hits a new high in these photos as he pretends to understand the console's autostereoscopic display and touch screen interface. We know the dog's smart,...
News Capcom Open to More 3DS Resident Evils
Might take a while, though
After Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and Resident Evil Revelations both hit 3DS within the machine's first year on sale, Capcom's keen to keep the survival horror series juggernaut going on 3DS. Series producer Masachika Kawata spoke to IGN about the possibility of more 3D entries in the franchise, and signs are looking...
News Samurai Shodown IV Europe-Bound Next Week
Unsheathe your sword
Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge will slice up Wii's Virtual Console next week. The Neo Geo fighter launches on 8th March for the usual 900 Nintendo Points. It's most notable for introducing brothers Kazuki and Sougetsu Kazama, as well as alternative endings based on clearance time and an overhauled combo and Rage system...
Thursday1st Mar 2012
Life and soul
Nintendo's never been afraid to capitalise on the success of its franchises or, as some would say, beat its successful games to within an inch of their lives. Who knew when the very first Mario Party hit N64 in 1998 that, 14 years later, we'd be staring at the 11th — 12th if you count Mario Party-e — instalment in the series? After...
Review Super Mario Bros. (3DS eShop / NES)
Yet another way to experience a masterpiece
Mario. Say it loud and there's music playing. Say it soft, and it's almost like praying. Super Mario Bros. was, is, and will always be one of gaming's great masterpieces, and its availability on any additional format is a good thing. Now it's come to the 3DS Virtual Console, and we couldn't be happier. For...
One cartridge, infinite possibilities
They may not find much favour with purists, but flash carts are becoming increasingly popular these days. The rapid march of technology combined with the low cost of flash-based storage has generated a wide selection of different options, almost all of which are produced in limited quantities and to very crude...
News Nintendo Japan Reveals Cobalt Blue 3DS Console
More colour coming
Nintendo of Japan just pulled the sheet off its newest 3DS colour: Cobalt Blue. The darker blue — which you may remember from a DS Lite that hit Japan and North America — is scheduled to go on sale across the country from 22nd March, the same day Kid Icarus: Uprising goes on sale. Even more beautiful is the special edition...
Nintendo Download 1st March 2012 (North America)
Metroid on NES
Bit of a slow week to kick March off, with an NES game on 3DS Virtual Console, a couple of demos and one piece of DSiWare all there is to talk about today. 3DS Virtual Console: Metroid (NES, Nintendo, $4.99) — Samus Aran's first adventure surely needs no introduction, but it's available to buy in the eShop from today. We'll review...
News March's Club Nintendo Rewards Are Up Now
Coins at the ready
It's 1st March, which means the North American Club Nintendo just updated with its new digital offerings. Coin-holders can exchange their hard-earned currency for three downloadable games, which are: Art Style: Cubello (WiiWare) — 100 CoinsMario's Picross (3DS Virtual Console) — 100 CoinsRadar Mission (3DS Virtual Console) —...
News 3DS Continues to Dominate in Japan
Outselling all the rest
Any suspicion that the 3DS revival in Japan was a temporary improvement is still being disproven, with the latest Japanese charts showing another strong showing for the handheld. With 3DS software also prominent, the handheld is still on a roll in its homeland. The latest Media Create results, as reported by Andriasang, show...
News Two New MH3G 3DS Bundles to Hit Japan
Roar power
Not content with releasing a cobalt blue 3DS console this month, Nintendo of Japan is also putting together two more hardware bundles for Monster Hunter 3 G. Japanese consumers can pick a red or black 3DS console packaged with a copy of the game and an official MH3G cleaning cloth, all for 19,800 Yen — about £153 / $244 / €183. Has...
News Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! Rattles into 3DS Cup Next Week
Well, in Europe anyway
Shin'en's first eShop game Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! is coming to Europe next week. 3DS owners in the continent can fire up their consoles, head over to the eShop and watch a 3D video of the game in action. If you're on a computer you can read our First Impressions: Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! and anticipate all the Fun! Fun!...
News Exclusive Pokémon Available Ahead of Championships
From our friends at Eurogamer.net
March is the month of the Pokémon Video Game Championships around Europe, with the UK event taking place in Birmingham on 3rd March. For those looking to gain an advantage at the upcoming contest, our colleagues at Eurogamer.net are offering an exclusive Pokémon as a helping hand. Having teamed up with The...
Wednesday29th Feb 2012
News Nintendo Rejects The Binding of Isaac
Playing it safe
At the start of the year we reported that approval was being sought for The Binding of Isaac on 3DS, a game co-created and developed by Edmund McMillen, one half of Super Meat Boy creators Team Meat. It's a title with its share of mature, controversial themes, while the plot references and re-tells a well known bible story. The...
Feature The Desire for Physical Media
Digital isn’t always enough
Yesterday we reported that there’s a new SNES title on the way in 2013. That title is Nightmare Busters from developer Super Fighter Team, a run and gun action game with a planned pre-order run of 600 copies. The concept of developing for a console that's now four generations out of date is unconventional but not...
News European Virtual Console Set for Bumper March Crop
Not forgotten
Nintendo of Europe is preparing to bombard the Wii and 3DS Virtual Console services with games next month. Here's the full line-up of what's expected to reach Europe in March. Wii Virtual Console: Super Street Fighter II (Mega Drive) — The first Virtual Console title in Europe to receive online multiplayer.Strider (Mega Drive) —...
Nintendo Download 1st March 2012 (Europe)
NES comes to 3DS
3DS gets a demo and two Virtual Console games this week while Wii owners are left sadly without. Still, there's plenty of Virtual Console games coming to Wii in March, so that's something. 3DS Virtual Console: Punch-Out!! (NES, Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — The classic boxing game is the first non-Ambassador NES game to reach 3DS...
News GAME Not Selling Mario Party 9
Not available online either
It's emerged today that UK retailer GAME will not be stocking Mario Party 9 when it's released this coming Friday. In a Nintendo statement GAME and Gamestation, which are both part of GAME Group plc., were omitted from a list of retailers where the title will be available. At the current time the retail group doesn't have...
News What's New in Mario Party 9? This Trailer Knows
Star of the show
Nintendo's Mario Party 9 is out this week in Europe with a North American release to follow, but if you're not sure what's new in this 11th instalment in the series — don't forget Mario Party DS and Mario Party Advance — Nintendo's put together a video to explain. The trailer highlights some of the brand new boss fights with...
News Japanese Virtual Console List - March 2012
Four more
For the first time in a long while, Japan will actually be receiving fewer Wii Virtual Console games than another region. Europe, to be precise, all because of the truckload of Virtual Console games scheduled for March. Japan will still receive four games though, so let's take a look at what they are. Japan's full list for March is as...
News Dragon Quest Monsters 3D Bundle on the Way to Japan
Quest begins on 31st May
Japanese release details for Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D have emerged, with Andriasang reporting that two retail options will be available from 31st May. As well as a standard game release there is also a 3DS console bundle on the way, adding yet another design for the handheld in its homeland. Clearly based...
News Retro Game Master Headed to DVD
With a welcome extra
Many gaming fans are familiar with GameCenter CX by now. In this popular Japanese TV show, comedian Shinya Arino takes on difficult retro games, generally with the goal of reaching the end before his time is up. The show is especially popular with Nintendo fans, as not only are most featured games from the Famicom, several...
News There's Zero Escape from Aksys Games' New 3DS Adventure
That's 999-2, to you
Aksys Games has confirmed it will bring the 3DS sequel to 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors to North America. Newly titled Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, the adventure game will come with English and Japanese language options and 24 endings, with fully-voiced story scenes too. Aksys pledges to release the game before...
News Nintendo and Radio Disney Team Up for Mario Party... Party
What else?
Nintendo of America is preparing a big bash for Mario Party 9, joining up with Radio Disney and Big Brothers Big Sisters for its New York launch shindig on 9th March, two days ahead of the game's official release. Four fortunate Radio Disney 1560 AM listeners will win entry to the event so they can "party with Mario and Luigi"...
News Nate Stehley Looks Happy With His Real-Life Mario Kart
Who wouldn't be?
Nate Stehley, winner of the Mario Kart 7 real-life kart, certainly looks thrilled in this new video showing his prize rolling up at his front door. Stehley can barely contain his excitement as the actual real Mario knocks on his front door and escorts him down to his new electric-powered kart, built by West Coast Customs. If you're...
Tuesday28th Feb 2012
News New SNES Title On the Way in 2013
We're not kidding
Most Nintendo gamers are currently pre-occupied with their current consoles and perhaps looking ahead to the arrival of Wii U. It's surprising, therefore, to hear about a new title for Super Nintendo, but that's exactly what is on the way. Retro developer and publisher Super Fighter Team has confirmed that it is currently...
Review Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D (3DS)
Not for honor, but for 3DS
Every so often a game comes along that makes you appreciate just how clever it is, a feat that creator Hideo Kojima pulls off every time he steps up to direct an entry in his Metal Gear Solid series. From fourth-wall-shattering boss battles to hiding key information in plain sight, they tend to raise the question of why...
News Get Your Pokémon Sequels Teaser Trailer Here
Roll up, roll up
Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are due out later this year — June in Japan, autumn/fall in the West — and while we still don't know much of anything about them here's a teaser trailer to watch anyway. The video doesn't show much we didn't already know — new Formes for Kyurem, autumnal release — but...
News Team Meat: "We Never Said eShop Limit is 2GB"
"Don't know what it is!
Yesterday we reported that the eShop game size limit is 2GB, but Team Meat's Tommy Refenes has taken to Twitter to say he never claimed it was 2GB. Refenes, via the Super Meat Boy account, said: Never said that 2GB was the size restriction on eShop. I do not know what it is. Reset button hit.
News Pandora's Tower Limited Edition Laid Bare
Book, box and beyond
Nintendo of Europe has released a clearer image of what you can expect when the Pandora's Tower limited edition releases in Europe on 13th April. Like The Last Story before it, the special bundle includes steelbook packaging and an art book, though there's no soundtrack this time. All these special editions of Japanese games...
News SEGA AM2's First 3DS Project is Not Virtua Fighter
No, it's not Daytona or OutRun either
Legendary SEGA development team AM2 has created some of the greatest arcade games ever: Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA, OutRun and more. So the studio's first game for 3DS has to be something really exciting, right? Well, it is if you like super-deformed vocaloids with blue hair. That's not to say that Hatsune Miku...
News Wii Motion Gaming Won't Guarantee Better Fitness
According to research in the U.S.
Since the arrival of Wii in 2006 the concept of motion gaming has not only became mainstream, but has arguably dominated the so-called 'casual' gaming scene. Not to be distracted by the term, it's safe to say that a fair proportion of Wii sales can be attributed to families and people new to gaming who have been...
News Kid Icarus: Uprising Launches with Multiplayer Tournament
US versus them
Nintendo of America will take Kid Icarus: Uprising's multiplayer mode on tour ahead of the game's 23rd March release with a nationwide tournament. GameStop stores in San Francisco, Orlando, Los Angeles and New York will play host to Nintendo-run multiplayer tournaments, with winners from each area in the running for exclusive Kid...
News Tekken Wii U Could Use Controller as Digital Strategy Guide
hcf+1+2
Fresh from Tekken 3D Prime Edition, series stalwart Katsuhiro Harada has turned his thoughts to Tekken on Wii U and how it might use that tantalising second screen built into the controller. Speaking to Nintendo Gamer, Harada spoke of using the controller's screen to emulate the arcade Tekken experience, where second screens show player...
Monday27th Feb 2012
Review 2 Fast 4 Gnomz (WiiWare)
Gnome mercy
WiiWare first met the Gnomz four months ago with the release of the appropriately named Gnomz. This time they're back with a mission to rescue a princess — and bring back lots of socks. The game opens with the king blisteringly commanding you to do these seemingly disparate things, and it's a riot. The visuals and the soundtrack come...
News Wii U Controller Originally Had Proper Analogue Sticks
All change
The Wii U controller features 3DS-like Circle Pad sliders instead of the tilting analogue sticks that have been the industry norm since Nintendo 64. That wasn't always the case, though. An earlier version of the controller than the one we've seen included proper analogue sticks raised from the controller's surface, among other changes, as...
News North America Gets Pokémon Black and White 2 this Fall
Everybody's happy
Nintendo of America has confirmed that Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will both come to North America this fall. No more details were given but Nintendo promises "plenty of new surprises" from the DS sequels. Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Announced Two New Highly Anticipated...
News eShop Game Size Limit is 2GB
Dwarfing WiiWare
Update: Team Meat has now denied it said the limit is 2GB. Original story: We know that eShop downloads are far larger than the meagre 40MB allowed on WiiWare or DSiWare's paltry 16MB limit, but Team Meat's Tommy Refenes has told Nintendo Gamer (via Nintendo Everything) the 3DS's digital download limit is a very healthy 2GB. Looking...
News Gearbox Wants As Much Wii U Power As Possible
More power
Gearbox Software's Aliens: Colonial Marines is in the works for Wii U, and president Randy Pitchford has urged Nintendo to make the machine as powerful as it can afford. Speaking to Nintendo-Gamer, Pitchford said: Our hope at Gearbox is that the final specification for the hardware is much more powerful than the current competitive...
News Pokémon Black and White 2 Europe-Bound this Autumn
On the way
Pokémon Black & White 2's June release in Japan will come just before a European release this autumn, Nintendo has announced. The DS sequel to Pokémon Black & White will reach Europe later this year, Nintendo UK tweeted earlier. We'll keep you posted on updates when we get them. POKÉMON BLACK VERSION 2 & POKÉMON WHITE...
News Nintendo Sends Out New StreetPass Puzzle
Pick up the pieces
Puzzle Swap is one of the most compelling reasons to take your 3DS out and about, but if you've completed all the puzzle panels — yes, even the ones in the November update — you'll be pleased to know Nintendo has just released a new puzzle via SpotPass. 3DS owners with their consoles connected to the internet will receive a...
News Fire Emblem: Kakusei Cover Art Released
Bringing the heat
The Fire Emblem series has been around for 22 years, though it only became well known outside of Japan with the arrival of Game Boy Advance. Since that time there have been plenty of new titles, remakes and Virtual Console appearances released worldwide, so the announcement of Fire Emblem: Kakusei last year came as little surprise...
News 3DS Celebrates First Birthday in Japan
Our card was delayed in the post
Nintendo probably had a bit of a party yesterday, as its 3DS celebrated being one-year old in Japan. Released on 26th February 2011 to much hype, the handheld has since had an eventful first year, though has been burning up the charts in its homeland in recent months. It's being reported, meanwhile, that 3DS owners...
Rumour Kingdom Hearts 3D European Release Date Leaked
27th July, in case you wondered
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is a title that many fans are anticipating on 3DS this year, though release details outside of Japan haven't been forthcoming. Apparently there's been a slip-up at Square Enix, however, and we may now know the European release date. As reported by IGN, Square Enix's French store...
Review Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 4 (DSiWare)
Successfully Testing Mathematics
The Successfully Learning series from Tivola has, it its own way, become the most prolific franchise on DSiWare. That’s not necessarily surprising considering there's a range of subjects to cover, and we’ve now reached Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 4. It’s edutainment with Freddy the Vampire, so we...




























































