News - 2012, Week 12

Sunday25th Mar 2012

  • News 3DS Celebrates First Birthday in Europe

    It's come a long way

    Today is a big day for Nintendo's latest bid for continued handheld gaming dominance: the 3DS is one year old in Europe. Its North American anniversary arrives on 27th March, so there will surely be plenty of high-fives and Mario style 'wahoo' whoops coming from the famous old company's regional teams. It's been a rather...

  • News Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Confirmed for 3DS

    Now to fill in the details

    Earlier this week we reported on the rumour that Epic Mickey 2 was coming to 3DS. Although the official sequel, Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two was later announced for Wii, it seems that the 3DS rumours were almost completely accurate. The cover of the April issue of Nintendo Power leaves no doubt, showing a preview...

Saturday24th Mar 2012

  • Interview Super Fighter Team - Developing for SNES in 2012

    Brandon Cobb explains why retro gaming matters

    When we published a news article about a new SNES title on the way in 2013, Nightmare Busters, it attracted a great deal of interest. While many of us spend the majority of our game-time on current-day consoles, there still seems to be an appetite for retro titles and platforms. Few companies represent...

  • Review Zombie Slayer Diox (3DS eShop)

    Dead to us

    It's too late. The zombie apocalypse has not only begun, it's already over. The zombies have won, and there are few — if any — survivors other than Diox, who continues to roam the streets, slashing away at the undead with his guitar. Diox is on a mission: if he can find the magical amp, he just might be able to destroy all the...

Friday23rd Mar 2012

  • Feature Kid Icarus: Uprising - What the Review Couldn't Tell You

    Minor spoilers within

    When we published our Kid Icarus: Uprising review, we observed a strict set of guidelines from Nintendo. These embargo criteria were designed to ensure that some features of the title weren’t given away before it hit stores. It’s not an uncommon practice, but in the case of this particular title we feel that it’s...

  • News Kid Icarus: Uprising AR Cards Now Available on Club Nintendo Europe

    Pay with stars, not cash

    Last week we made sure those of you in North America knew all about the free Kid Icarus: Uprising AR card giveaway, but thankfully European gamers don't need to miss out. If you head on over to the European Stars Catalogue, you may notice that at the top of the list is a set of 12 Kid Icarus: Uprising AR cards, a

  • News New Retro Magazine "Pixel Nation" Launches

    It's good, too

    Anyone who loves retro gaming might want to get their chops around Pixel Nation, a new quarterly magazine dedicated to the world of old-school digital entertainment. The first issue of the 100-page, full colour periodical includes articles on topics dear to many Nintendo hearts: famed composer Koji Kondo takes the spotlight, and the...

  • News Adventure Time is Coming to DS

    Life in the old dog yet

    Just as the 3DS seems to be taking over from its predecessor, the DS reminds us all of its existence with an intriguing title on the horizon. Though not quite on the same scale as the announcement of Pokémon Black and White 2, confirmation of a game based on cult-favourite animated series Adventure Time, to be developed by...

  • News Darksiders II on Wii U to be Available on 'Day One'

    Enhanced controls promised

    While a number of developers and high-profile games have tentatively stated that they'll arrive on Wii U, one that has clearly promised an appearance is Darksiders II from Vigil Games. Although anticipated as a release in the new console's launch period, the developer has gone one step further and stated that its title...

  • News Resident Evil Revelations Producer Says Series Needs Action for Success

    Survival horror market is 'small'

    Resident Evil series aficionados that have followed the franchise from day one have seen an evolution away from its original, survival horror roots towards an action style. With Resident Evil 4 on GameCube seen as a major turning point, it seems increasingly unlikely that a new experience similar to the early titles...

  • Competition pitchWinPLAY Competition Announced

    Have your game idea made into an eShop release

    Do you have an idea for a video game that you've always wanted to see become a reality? If so, GAMEscribe has just the competition for you. GAMEscribe and Renegade Kid have teamed up to give everyone the chance to pitch their game idea and have the opportunity to have that idea chosen and made into an...

  • News Video Games Become the Biggest Entertainment Medium in UK

    Take that, movies

    At times being a gamer can still be a taboo subject: saying that you're a gaming enthusiast may cause others to raise their eyebrows. Though video games are arguably still trying to earn the same cultural respect as films and music, when it comes to earning cold, hard cash, games are on top. According to the ERA (Entertainment...

Thursday22nd Mar 2012

  • Review Dragon Crystal (3DS eShop / GG)

    Manageable masochism

    For a system known for its incredible appetite for AA batteries, the Game Gear makes quite a strange home for the hardcore, permadeath-filled roguelike Dragon Crystal. With absolutely no save option or password system, the game must have caused some incredible bouts of rage when those last spurts of juice ran out. Dragon Crystal...

  • Nintendo Download 22nd March 2012 (North America)

    Poker, Math and zombies

    Just when you thought it was safe to hang up your mathematical hat, along comes Carmen Sandiego to dash it all. Elsewhere we've got some card games on DSiWare — it's been a while — and zombies. 3DS Download Software: Zombie Slayer Diox (UFO Interactive, $5.99) — The latest 3D game from Samurai Sword Destiny publisher...

  • News Fire Emblem Awakening Wireless Features Revealed

    Taking the battle to the streets

    Fire Emblem Kakusei, or Awakening as it'll be known outside of Japan, is starting to power up the hype generator. Within the latest batch of details revealed to the Japanese press is information about how StreetPass and SpotPass will be used, with some interesting results. As reported by Andriasang, there will be...

  • News Pokémon Back on Top of Japanese Charts

    Not exactly a surprise

    While many Pokémon fans are probably busy contemplating the arrival of Pokémon Black and White 2, gamers in Japan have been hitting the shops to buy up cross-over title Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition, propelling it to number one in the charts. Elsewhere in the Media Create software charts, Mario Kart 7 and Monster Hunter 3 G...

  • News Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Confirmed for Western Release

    Feel the rhythm this summer

    Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy has been on our radar for a good while, with the Japanese release being followed by some of the first DLC content on 3DS. For all of you anxious Final Fantasy fans outside of Japan, meanwhile, there's finally some good news. Square Enix has set up a page on Facebook and confirmed that the...

  • News There's a Chuck E. Cheese Game Coming to DSiWare

    What more can we say?

    "Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room is a fun and exciting video game that digitally recreates the magic of being at a Chuck E. Cheese's!" We'd love to leave the story at that, to be honest. Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room is a DSiWare game from UFO Interactive due to reach North America on 26th April for 500 Points. It's a...

  • News A New Pandora's Tower Trailer Is Here

    Contains classic witch voice over

    Upcoming — for Europe, anyway — Wii RPG Pandora's Tower is just a few weeks from launch, so Nintendo has some footage from the English version of the game to show off. The trailer below is a little lighter on the English accents than we've come to expect from recent RPGs Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story,...

  • News Colors! 3D Brightens North America on 5th April

    Brush with fate

    Colors! 3D was supposed to hit the eShop late last year, but it was pushed back for further work. Now developer Collecting Smiles has revealed an official release date for North America: 5th April. The announcement came via Twitter, though no word on a price or release date for outside the Americas just yet. Still, you'll be painting...

  • Rumour Ubisoft to Bring Your Shape to Wii U

    The shock

    Ubisoft's Your Shape series rose to prominence on Kinect, but it stopped off on Wii first before leaping onto Microsoft's swanky sensor. Now it looks like the fitness series is ready to come back to Nintendo, with a Wii U version supposedly in the works. According to a post from The Royalty Network (via Go Nintendo), Ubisoft has requested...

  • News Could It Be Magic? First Ace Mathician Trailer Arrives

    New game from Flipper creator

    Ace Mathician from Goodbye Galaxy Games — the one-man team behind Flipper and Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish — is branching out from goldfish to create a game about a koala that solves mathematical problems in a platforming context. Really. Hugo Smits sent over the first trailer that explains a bit more about the...

  • News Potzol's Puzzle SpeedsThru Europe on 5th April

    Block it out

    SpeedThru: Potzol's Puzzle — known as Ketzal's Corridors in North America — will reach Europe on 5th April, Nintendo's announced. The 3D puzzler is a follow-up to WiiWare title ThruSpace, with 90 stages and multiplayer included in the digital download. European 3DS owners can check out a 3D trailer in the eShop later today to get...

Wednesday21st Mar 2012

  • Review PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond (Wii)

    Pikachu's vacation

    While the main Pokémon games have rigidly stuck to their tried-and-true formula, the spin-offs have gone into some pretty interesting territory. Rather than focus on the life and tribulations of being a Pokémon trainer, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond once again lets you step into the shoes of the franchise's lovable mascot Pikachu,...

  • Talking Point Why Wii U's Image Must Grab Attention

    First impressions count

    With each passing week we get closer to the arrival of Nintendo’s next home console, Wii U. It’s due by the end of 2012, yet there’s still so much that we don’t know: technical specifications, prices, planned launch games and even the final name. All of these factors will be important to its early success, but...

  • News Surprise! Disney Announces Epic Mickey 2 for Wii

    Never saw it coming

    After months of speculation, Junction Point's Warren Spector has revealed Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. Coming to Wii as well as PS3 and Xbox 360, the sequel is described as a 'musical', with characters regularly bursting into song. There's co-op play between Mickey and long-lost Disney character Oswald the Lucky...

  • News More 3D Music Videos On the Way to 3DS

    Starting today

    3DS owners in North America, observe: your console is about to get a lot more musical. Starting today, the Nintendo Video app will start to offer new 3D music videos, with Sabotage by Wale and So Good by B.o.B the first to land on this very day. After that you can expect videos from Skrillex, OK Go, Death Cab for Cutie and more, all...

  • News Dynasty Warriors' Samus & Link Costumes Move Like This

    Zero-ing in

    Those Samus and Link costumes in Dynasty Warriors Vs. certainly look nice in stills, but how about in motion? Your wish is Tecmo Koei's command. The trailer below shows small snippets of Dynasty Warriors' characters clad in the garb of Nintendo's famous blond/e hero/ine, plus footage of Dead or Alive: Dimensions' Ryu Hayabusa and Ayane...

  • News Intelligent Systems Rejected Modern-Day Fire Emblem Idea

    Gunfire Emblem?

    As we prepare for Fire Emblem: Awakening to reach the Western world, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata sat down with some of the game's development staff to discuss this latest entry in the tactical fantasy series. Producer Hitoshi Yamagami and project manager Higuchi Masahiro began discussing the 3DS instalment while working on 2010's...

  • News Gon Paku Paku Paku Paku Adventure Announced for 3DS in Japan

    Now that's a video game name

    We often look at Nintendo console game releases in Japan with some envy, particularly when no localisation details are forthcoming. Titles such as Theatrhythm Final Fantasy are missed because they're part of a major, popular franchise, but in the case of Gon Paku Paku Paku Paku Adventure, we just really like the name. As...

  • News Coro Coro Comics 3DS Console Announced

    Japanese gamers win again

    We often tell you about limited edition 3DS consoles being released in Japan, simply because Nintendo's homeland has so many. There have been hardware exclusives dedicated to various themes, games and anniversaries, though the latest is arguably the most attractive. The console shown in this article's image is celebrating...

  • News New Frogger Title Hops Onto WiiWare This Spring

    Now it's going hyper

    Frogger has a long gaming history, well known as an arcade in the early 1980s and appearing on legendary consoles as far back as the Atari 2600. It must have an ongoing charm, because it continues to appear in the current day with appearances such as Frogger 3D on 3DS and Frogger Returns on WiiWare and DSiWare. Konami has now...

  • News GAME Group Files for Administration

    But still open for business

    GAME Group plc. has submitted an application to enter administration. The troubled chain has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks, with a string of high-profile releases missing from its shelves due to an inability to secure credit agreements with suppliers and publishers. Neither GAME nor...

Tuesday20th Mar 2012

  • Review Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (3DS eShop / GG)

    Need for speed

    While SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog series pulled in monstrous sales on the Mega Drive/Genesis, many gamers aren't aware that Sonic also enjoyed a number of releases on the Master System and Game Gear. Sonic Triple Trouble is the follow-up to Sonic Chaos and while the game still suffered from the hardware limitations of the Game Gear's...

  • News God of War NES Demake Released

    On PC, and it's free

    There are some things that immediately grab your attention, and we'd classify the following as one of those things: God of War NES version, free of charge. It may seem unlikely, but that's exactly what indie developer Holmade Games has produced. PlayStation 3 owners are likely to be familiar with the God of War series set in...

  • News Looks Like Namco Wants to Sell You One Piece SP 2

    Rating out

    Remember the controversy when the localised version of One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP only came with half the content of its Japanese counterpart? People weren't happy. Stand by to relive those emotions. The Australian Classification Board has rated One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP 2 for sale, so it's very likely we'll get the second part...

  • News Kid Icarus: Uprising Tournament Final Announced

    Get ready to face the light

    With its local and worldwide multiplayer mode, Kid Icarus: Uprising is another Nintendo game perfectly suited to competitive play. As part of the promotion for the release, Nintendo of America has been running regional tournaments for lucky winners to receive a paid trip to a National Championship in New York: we've...

  • News Rollercoaster Tycoon 3DS Springs Back Into Life

    Out this season

    The appropriately up-again-down-again fortunes of Rollercoaster Tycoon 3D are heading up again: developer n-Space has announced the game should be out this Spring. In fact, as Spring starts today, that gives us a fairly large three month window of expectation. Last month we revealed Rollercoaster Tycoon 3D had hit the skids, but it...

  • Rumour Epic Mickey 2 Heading for 3DS

    Or is a powerful illusion

    We're almost certainly going to see Disney Epic Mickey 2 revealed next week, but on what platforms? According to the Twitter account of the French Official Nintendo Magazine, the mouse is coming to 3DS. The account tweeted the title Epic Mickey 2: Power of Illusion for 3DS, saying to look out for more details next week...

  • Rumour Vectorman May Finally Come to Virtual Console

    Rated Down Under

    Fed up with never completing the epic storyline of SEGA's Vectorman series on Virtual Console? You may be able to play series closer Vectorman 2 on Virtual Console in the near future. The good old Australian Classification Board has rated Vectorman 2 for "multiple platforms". Virtual Console may be included in that — we...

  • News These PokéPark Trailers are Too Silly Not to Share

    Music maestro

    The only thing better than a Pokémon theme tune? Three Pokémon theme tunes, of course. Nintendo UK's hit the jackpot with this trio of tunes to celebrate the upcoming European release of PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond this Friday. The videos even have lyrics so you can happily sing along to tunes of unbelievable heroism from the...

  • News New Film "100 Yen" Looks at Japan's Arcade History

    Insert coin

    A new documentary exploring Japan's still-thriving arcade scene is about to hit the 'net. 100 Yen: The Japanese Arcade Experience — a reference to the nationwide shortage of 100 Yen coins following the release of the original Space Invaders — investigates what's helped Japanese arcades stay alive, while those in the West have all-but...

Monday19th Mar 2012

  • Review Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)

    Pit’s flying high

    When Nintendo unveiled the 3DS in 2010 it also teased Kid Icarus: Uprising, a return of a franchise that, a few cameos aside, had long remained dormant. While the original NES title was a conventional 2D action platformer, Masahiro Sakurai, most famous for his Super Smash Bros. series, has given Pit new life in an arcade action...

  • News GameStop Starts Selling eShop Download Codes

    Lots in store

    Want to download Pushmo or Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins but don't want to type your credit card details into the 3DS? GameStop has started selling DLC codes for both games through its website and stores. GameStop.com lets you purchase a digital redeem code for either game at exactly the same price it'd cost you through the eShop...

  • Nintendo Download 22nd March 2012 (Europe)

    The doctor is in

    No Game Gear games for Europe this week sadly as we have a truly paltry selection available to download. Here's what's on offer. 3DS Virtual Console: Dr. Mario (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — The monochromatic medicinal puzzler slots in to the 3DS Virtual Console line-up this week. Is it good for what ails you? Our review soon...

  • News SEGA: "Sonic VC Games Will Stay in Europe"

    Good news, everyone

    Last week we reported that SEGA is dropping four Sonic games from the Japanese Virtual Console, and naturally our thoughts turned to if and how this would affect users outside Japan. We've now heard back from SEGA Europe with good news. A SEGA representative confirmed that these removals "will not affect Europe, only...

  • News BIT.TRIP Runner 2 Could Dash Onto Wii U

    Commander Video loves Nintendo

    The WiiWare service has, despite its detractors, been host to some terrific download games, including six BIT.TRIP titles from Gaijin Games. While these titles have been released at retail with BIT.TRIP COMPLETE and BIT.TRIP SAGA on Wii and 3DS respectively, the developer's latest project, Runner 2 - Future Legend of...

  • News New SNES Title's Pre-orders Sell Out

    Anything but a nightmare

    A few weeks ago we reported the surprising news that there's a new Super NES title on the way in 2013, defying the convention that developing retro games means publishing digitally on modern consoles or platforms. Nightmare Busters, from Super Fighter Team, will come on a brand new Super NES cartridge, while also including...

  • News Rayman Origins 3DS Delay Goes Worldwide

    Now everyone has to wait

    We recently found out that Ubisoft was delaying the 3DS version of Rayman Origins until 8th June in Europe and we've now been told that the game's delay will be worldwide. According to the company, Rayman Origins 3DS is now scheduled for a worldwide release in June with the PC release still set for 29th March in North...

  • Exclusive Tons of PAL WiiWare Demos to Return This Month

    And they're here to stay

    In January Nintendo of America reinstated all previous WiiWare demos while Europe looked on enviously. Well, readers in PAL regions, your time is coming. An inside source has confirmed to us that previously removed WiiWare demos will be reinstated for users in PAL regions before the end of the month. Not only that, whereas...

  • Review Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 5 (DSiWare)

    The final test

    It’s the end of another Successfully Learning series, with mathematics reaching the end of its syllabus. Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 5 is a logical continuation of its predecessors, with Freddy the Vampire appearing for one last time before hanging up his cape. By continuation we mean, of course, more of exactly the...

  • News Johnny Kung Fu for eShop Goes All Game & Watch

    Bleep blorp

    UFO Interactive's supporting the 3DS eShop pretty heavily: it's already released Samurai Sword Destiny and has Zombie Slayer Diox lined up for this week. It's got another project in the works in the old-school shape of Johnny Kung Fu. The side-scrolling beat 'em up has a stage based on the classic Game & Watch LCD display, where...

  • News Battlefield 3 and NES Sounds Are Finally Together

    Less gritty but more fun?

    At the recent BAFTA Video Game Awards, EA's Battlefield 3 was the recipient of the Audio Achievement prize, as this is a title renowned for its gritty sound effects and strong soundtrack. Not released for any Nintendo consoles, this may have passed some of us by. Despite these facts, one YouTube user has put together a...

  • News 3DS Stand Set for Solo Sale in Japan

    Going its own way

    As the number of plastic-based add-ons for 3DS starts to grow, keen collectors will be pleased to know that the system's stand, due to be released with Kid Icarus: Uprising, looks set for its own appearance in shops. The Japanese release of the stand-alone peripheral — we apologise for that — is confirmed for 22nd March, and it...

  • News UK PokéPark Treasure Hunt Set for Saturday

    Toys 'r' you

    PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond launches in Europe this week, and Nintendo UK is kicking off the party with a treasure hunt this Saturday. The Toys 'R' Us store at Brents Cross will host the expedition on 24th March, starting at 10am. Be one of the first 25 people to find toys of the game's four playable Pokémon — that's Oshawott, Tepig,...