News Ever Wonder Why Pokémon Black And White 2 Isn't On The 3DS?
It's all about the numbers, baby
News - 2012, Week 38
Sunday23rd Sep 2012
Interview Unity - Licensing Deal Means A New Era For Indies On Nintendo Systems
We speak exclusively to Unity's Tracy Erickson about the new agreement with Nintendo
Nintendo recently signed a worldwide license agreement with Unity Technologies to bring its multi-platform engine and development tools to the Wii U. To get a better idea of what benefits this deal will bring, we spoke exclusively to Unity's Tracy Erickson, who is...
First Impressions Nano Assault Neo
Big things from a small world
Nano Assault on 3DS probably qualifies as an under-appreciated gem, a title that was awarded an impressive 8/10 in our review but unfortunately never arrived in Europe. It's a pity that it hasn't been enjoyed outside of North America and Japan, though thankfully developer Shin'en Multimedia has confirmed that a 3DS...
The bird's still got it
Toki Tori 2 was one of the first eShop titles confirmed for Wii U, showing that developer Two Tribes is more than happy to take another early plunge on Nintendo's download platform. It seems only right, too, as the developer's first ever release was Toki Tori on Game Boy Color, before a new version of that game had a start on...
Saturday22nd Sep 2012
Review Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition (Wii)
Sweet dreams
The Kirby series has been a staple of Nintendo game systems since the pink fluff first appeared on the original Game Boy back in 1992. While the games have always been known more for their charm and unique gameplay than their difficulty, they've become some of the best selling video games in history. Now Nintendo has released Kirby's...
Playing together and going solo
Nintendo Land is going to be played by a lot of Wii U owners, which we know thanks to pre-orders for the system's Premium Set being practically sold out in the U.S., for example. We were able to try a number of its titles in a post-E3 London event, where we gave you first impressions of Nintendo Land's multiplayer...
Through the Past, Darkly
Before Retro Pocket, Game & Watch fans were poorly served. If they wanted to enjoy those early Nintendo forays into gaming, they were out of luck. There was no way for gamers to get their hands on recreations of those originals, short of picking up the Game & Watch Collection, of course. Or its sequel. But apart...
News Platinum: Without Nintendo, There Would Be No Bayonetta 2
Right place, right time
The announcment of Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U sent shockwaves through the gaming world, causing lovers of the original to cry foul and forcing Platinum Games to publish a statement which insisted that the release was not an attempt to snub existing fans. Card-carrying Otaku may wish to look away now, as the developer has...
News 3DS "Bookstore Anywhere" App Bringing eBooks to Japan
Read into that what you what you will
There's been some talk about what apps will be available on Wii U, with its GamePad controller bringing its own possibilities, but we shouldn't forget that the functionality of 3DS has plenty to offer. A new app coming to Japan on 20th October is Bookstore Anywhere, which according to Japanese publication Nikkei...
Friday21st Sep 2012
WiiWare's last big game?
La Mulana's WiiWare release has been a rocky road. It was first announced by developer Nigoro in 2009 and suffered several delays before finally hitting the service in Japan in 2011. Of course, most were expecting it to be released elsewhere soon after, but that didn't happen. It was eventually cancelled by its old publisher...
News Sony: Wii U Offering "Something That Vita and PS3 can do Quite Easily"
Ding Ding, FIGHT!
What do you get when a Nintendo system's big selling point is innovative dual screen play — with a GamePad featuring its own screen — and a competitor's handheld and home console systems also offer various dual-screen connectivity options? You get a lot of corporate boasting and big talk, that's what, and the Nintendo vs Sony...
News Reggie Fils-Aime Would Love to See GameCube Games on Wii U Virtual Console
So would we, Reggie
As Nintendo's Wii U approaches we can expect a number of announcements, some big and others small, over the coming weeks. There are a variety of things we want to know more about, one of which is the Virtual Console offering on eShop. The latest console to feature on the Wii's Virtual Console was Nintendo 64, so it immediately...
First Impressions Assassin's Creed III
Battles on the high seas
Assassin’s Creed III is one of Wii U’s highest-profile launch titles, with the November date coming just a few weeks after its appearance on the other HD systems. It’s also one of Ubisoft’s most ambitious development projects in its long history, with a number of studios and hundreds of staff working on what it hopes...
Feature Diamonds in the Rough - Dementium: The Ward
Worth a scare
Whenever we look back at a console’s lifespan, the first thing we nearly always do is remember the good stuff. We remember the Marios, the Zeldas, the hordes of Pokémon, and maybe even the odd Kirby game depending on your level of pink puff-ball persuasion. But we’re often so caught up in remembering what’s great that we very...
News Rodea the Sky Soldier Still Has No Release Plans
Former Sonic man is keen to work on Wii U
Do you remember Rodea the Sky Soldier from Yuji Naka's PROPE studio, the man who many credit with creating Sonic the Hedgehog? It's supposed to be released on Wii and 3DS, with the handheld version being handled by another developer, Kadokawa Games, the same organisation in charge of publishing the Wii...
News Assassin's Creed III Confirmed For UK Wii U Launch
Another massive release for day one
Highly anticipated action title Assassin's Creed III has been confirmed as a day one launch title in the UK, thanks to Ubisoft's own online store. That means that the publisher will be releasing seven titles for launch, with Rayman Legends, Just Dance 4,
News Need For Speed Is Most Wanted On Wii U, But Is It Coming?
Criterion refuse to confirm or deny existence of Wii U version
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is shaping up pretty nicely at the moment, following on neatly from Criterion's previous effort, the critically acclaimed Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. We've been crossing our fingers (and toes) that this new law-breaking installment is Wii U-bound, but there's...
Thursday20th Sep 2012
Review Heavy Fire: Special Operations 3D (3DS eShop)
Fool us once...
Slowly but surely, Teyon is on its way towards a half-way decent entry in its Heavy Fire series of military pop shooters. After squeezing out two downloadable disasters and an inexplicable retail release, Teyon returns to the well with Heavy Fire: Special Operations 3D — a reloaded version of that first WiiWare gem, now with added...
Review Rising Board 3D (3DS eShop)
All that glitters is not gold
The endless runner craze isn't about to end any time soon, and that's understandable. The genre offers an experience that is both suited to quick play sessions and unique every time you boot it up. The DSiWare service even received a rough equivalent in I Must Run!, and now the eShop has Rising Board 3D, an endless...
Feature WiiWare Games That Bit the Dust
And one we may still see
Today La Mulana finally arrives on WiiWare in Europe and North America, bringing an end to a particularly long development saga. Nigoro had already released the title in Japan, but problems apparently related to DLC content led to a number of delays, with original publisher Nicalis eventually pulling the plug on the...
Nintendo Download 20th September 2012 (North America)
Surfing, retro pockets and the long-awaited La-Mulana!
Roll up, roll up, it's another generous helping of digitally-downloaded goodness from our North American Nintendo Download report! Feast your eyeballs on the following treats and start counting those virtual pennies - there's purchasing to be done. 3DS eShop: Rising Board 3D (odenis studio,...
News The Denpa Men are Coming to Your 3DS Next Week
Pikmen
If, like us, you've been giddily waiting for Genius Sonority's The Denpa Men: They Came by Wave, you're in for a nice surprise next week. It'll be hitting the North American 3DS eShop on 27th September. The dungeon-crawling RPG lets you use 3DS' augmented reality functionality to track down the radio wave-carried Denpa Men in your every day...
Review Crazy Kangaroo (3DS eShop)
Hop, Skippy and jump
No wonder poor old Barney has gone a bit loopy. Crazy Kangaroo's mad marsupial is on the run after escaping the grasp of evil poachers by daringly bundling himself out of a plane. Unwilling to give up their prize, his captors continue their relentless pursuit to tie this kangaroo down. If you've been near a smartphone in the...
First Impressions Club Nintendo Picross
We go hands-on with this Japan-only download
As many of us have seen in recent years, Nintendo is a company that deals a good line in fan service. Nintendo has produced everything from the recent abundance of anniversary titles, collector's books, cards, and pretty much anything else in the hope that fans can supplement their game collections and...
News Nintendo Unveils 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro
Bulk-tastic
Back in June, we confirmed that 3DS XL owners would also be able to beef up their handhelds with a specially designed 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro add-on. Now this dream has finally become a reality, as Nintendo of Japan has revealed the first images of the new peripheral. While the 3DS XL CCP has currently only been announced for distribution...
News Take a Look at Level-5's Fantasy Life TGS Trailer
It's all kinds of cute
Level-5 is keeping itself very busy at the moment, with the development of the upcoming Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, as well as possibly the cutest RPG you will ever come across, Fantasy Life. The new trailer from Tokyo Game Show shows off the customisation features, some of the 20 playable jobs (such as a fisherman,...
News Unity Engine comes to Wii U in Major License Deal
Wii U-nity
It has been revealed that Unity Technologies, provider of the Unity multi-platform engine and development tools, has entered into a worldwide license agreement with Nintendo to provide a version of Unity which supports deployment to the Wii U. Unity is popular game creation engine highly-regarded in the mobile sector, and whilst it has...
News Witness Layton's 'Last Adventure' In New 3DS Trailer
Yet another Level-5 trailer
Today Level-5 has most definitely been leading the pack at Tokyo Game Show, showing off all its upcoming 3DS titles and wowing the crowds with gorgeous new trailers. Earlier today we reported the newly released trailers of Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney and Fantasy Life, and now we bring you the brand new trailer for...
News Neko Entertainment Bringing Puddle to Wii U
Physics-based fun
Neko Entertainment has confirmed exclusively to Nintendo Life that it will be bringing Puddle to the Wii U eShop in the future. Puddle has previously been released on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. The physics-based puzzle / platform game has you guiding a puddle of fluid to a goal by tilting around the environment...
News Capcom and Level-5 Reveal Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney TGS Trailer
Showing both styles of gameplay
If you were ever concerned that one of the two franchises in Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney would overshadow the other, then fear not, as this brand new trailer hot from Tokyo Game Show should put all your worries at bay. The trailer demonstrates not only the integration of the two art styles, but also the...
News Watch Ace Attorney 5's Latest TGS Trailer
Complete with handy subtitles
Capcom has given courtroom fans a chance to get a first look at the upcoming Ace Attorney 5 with the latest trailer fresh from Tokyo Game Show, featuring the return of everyone's favourite defence attorney Phoenix Wright. Earlier this month we reported that Phoenix Wright would be making his grand return on the 3DS...
Wednesday19th Sep 2012
News Ever Wondered How Your 3DS Battery Life Compares To the Original Game Boy?
Semi-scientific evidence now available
As portable systems become more powerful it's almost a given that battery life has to suffer as a result. We all fondly remember getting hours and hours of use out of our old monochrome Game Boys and Game Boy Advance MK1 consoles, but just how much more stamina do these retro relics offer when compared to the...
News Why the White 3DS XL Didn't Ship to Europe or North America
But don't despair!
At the 3DS XL's launch, North America and Europe received the Red/Black and Blue/Black models of the new handheld; the UK also had the opportunity to grab a Silver/Black model. However, it was only in Japan that consumers were able to buy the 'White 3DS LL'. IGN's Richard George asked Nintendo of America President, Reggie...
News Replacement Wii U GamePads Will Be Available If You Bust Yours At Launch
Accident-prone players, rejoice
Nintendo caused quite a few raised eyebrows when it revealed that stand-alone Wii U GamePads would not be made available in the West at launch. This news led some people to wonder what exactly would happen if your GamePad is broken, or develops a fault. Thankfully, Nintendo has taken some steps to remove this...
Feature Nintendo's Celebrity Commercials - The Good, Bad and Cringeworthy
So many to choose from
When it comes to marketing Wii, DS and most recently 3DS, Nintendo has rarely been shy about calling in some star power; celebrities have often been given a juicy cheque to pose with a handheld or waggle a Wii Remote like there's no tomorrow. The latest campaign to be announced, this time by Nintendo of America, is “Play As...
News Unsure About Wii U's Online Capabilities? Don't Worry, So Are Some Developers
Tekken Tag 2 producer admits he doesn't fully understand the online side of Wii U
Nintendo has devulged quite a bit of information on its forthcoming Wii U console lately, but the company is still holding some cards close to its chest. The true extent of its online functionality is one of the things that remains a little fuzzy. Don't feel upset,...
News You Can Dress Up As Zelda and Fox McCloud In Tekken Tag 2 Wii U Edition
More Nintendo costumes confirmed for Namco Bandai brawler
We already know about the super-strange Mario and Luigi costumes in Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition, but recent details in Japanese magazine Famitsu suggest that more Nintendo fan-service is on the cards. As well as the famous Mario Brothers, you'll be able to dress up as Princess...
News Ubisoft: Wii U Is The Most Innovative System On Earth
Or any other planet, for that matter
Ubisoft's Jean-Phillipe Caro has lavished praise on Nintendo's new Wii U console, giving it the lion's share of the credit when it comes to explaining ZombiU's positive pre-release reception. Speaking to ONM, Caro said: I think we are making something fresh with the most innovative console. The Wii U is the...
News Gears of War Creator Loves Nintendo, Will Be Watching Wii U Closely
Feels Nintendo have "lost a little of their core" but are dealing with it
The man behind the muscle-bound Gears of War series has stated that he'll be keeping a close eye on the Wii U. Cliff Bleszinski - Design Director at Epic Games - was responding to open questions on Reddit and had this to say about Nintendo's new console: Being raised on All...
News Forza Motorsport Was Originally Inspired By Pokémon
Gotta drive 'em all
Nintendo is clearly an influential company in the realm of video gaming, but we're just beginning to see exactly how far-reaching its inflience has been. Last week, we reported that Sony's WipEout was inspired by Super Mario Kart, and today we've learned that Xbox 360 favourite Forza Motorsport can count Pokémon as its muse...
News Nnooo Keen To Exploit Asymmetric Gameplay On Wii U
"You’ve got to use it, otherwise it’s a wasted opportunity"
We already know that Australian dev Nnooo is planning to produce games for the Wii U, but the company has recently given a few more details relating to its unannounced projects. Speaking to Aussie-Gamer, Nnooo's Nic Watt had this to say: We’ve already got one game concept that...
News Don't Expect Any NFC-Ready Games At Wii U Launch
None of the day-one titles feature any support for new wireless tech
If you follow the world of cell phones then you'll have heard of NFC (or "Near Field Communication"). It's a big thing in the mobile world right now (despite the fact that Apple has left it out of the new iPhone 5) and Nintendo has been forward-thinking enough to include it in the...
Tuesday18th Sep 2012
News Ever Wonder Why Pokémon Black And White 2 Isn't On The 3DS?
It's all about the numbers, baby
When you're trying to sell as many units as possible of your latest console, you might assume that its simply best practice to ensure that all your strongest games are released for that system. Common sense, right? Not quite. Take Pokémon Black And White 2, for example. It's coming out on the Nintendo DS and not...
Rumour Grand Theft Auto V Coming To Wii U
Got Your Pinch Of Salt Ready?
Retailer listings for unreleased games should never really be taken at face value - they're prone to mistakes and errors, and have led to many red faces in the past. However, there's sometimes an element of truth in them as well, and we imagine that many people are crossing their fingers that this is the case with...
Review Bookstore Dream (DSiWare)
Let us tell you about this game, fair reader
Bookstore Dream, to be clear, has about as much book-selling realism as the Call of Duty series has to real warfare. Ultimately though, it is just a game, and this one draws much of its inspiration from a series of smartphone resource management games from developer Kairosoft. We won't complain about...
News Wii U Pre-Orders Selling Out in the U.S.
If you haven't ordered one, cross those fingers
Last week we produced a Wii U pre-order guide, as a starting point for those interested in securing the new system before launch. Unfortunately, if you've been hesitating for too long it looks like you may miss out, with online orders at least. The story that GameStop was sold out of Deluxe bundles...
News Nintendo: Wii U Basic Bundle Designed To Attract Core Gamers
If Nintendo Land isn't your thing, try something else
There's a school of thought which suggests that much of the Wii's success was down to Wii Sports - possibly one of the most effective pack-in games of all time. The game illustrated perfectly what the console was about, and consequently became one of the system's most played titles. With the Wii...
News Firebrand Games: "Nintendo Needs to Charm the Mass Market" With Wii U
"People still need Nintendo"
Now that the Wii U hype train is getting closer to its final destination, there'll be much analysis and opinion on what Nintendo needs to do to make it a success. There'll be plenty of talk about its technical capabilities as well, of course, but for developers and Nintendo itself it's really all about how many Wii U...
News Feast Your Eyeballs On This Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D Enemy Artwork
New game expected in 2013
Tanukii Studios has released a selection of lush character artwork for its forthcoming 3DS eShop release Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D - Space Recipe For Disaster. Showcasing the same gorgeous hand-drawn style that made the original Go! Go! Kokopolo such a hoot, this new release should prove just as visually alluring when it hits...
News Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed Lines Up On Wii U Starting Grid
Sega racer is now a day-one launch title in the UK
Sega has confirmed that Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed will launch alongside Nintendo's new Wii U console in the UK on 30th November. This means that the Wii U edition is lagging behind the PS3, Xbox 360, 3DS and Vita versions by two weeks, but prospective Wii U buyers won't mind - it...
News Eurogamer Expo 2012 To Host Exclusive Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Dev Session
Treyarch designer due to talk about forthcoming FPS epic
Just in case you weren't excited enough about the impending release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on the Wii U, UK site Eurogamer has confirmed that Treyarch game design director David Vonderhaar will be holding a developer session at this year's Eurogamer Expo. The session will take place at...
News Castle Conquerors Heroes 2 Going Out With a Bang On DSiWare
Futuristic sequel is close to release after a year of development
CIRCLE Entertainment's Castle Conquerors has enjoyed quite a few outings on DSiWare. The original game has spawned a flood of sequels, and there's another on the way in the shape of Castle Conquerors Heroes 2. Following on from the brilliant Castle Conquerors Heroes - which we...
Monday17th Sep 2012
News Super Mario 3D Land Clone Hits iPhone, and Looks Rubbish
Making Mario mad
While the iOS and Android platforms have some blockbuster downloads that have been downloaded millions of times, they also have quality control that's as effective as a Power Glove. We present to you 3D Cartoon Land: Safari, which is a rather blatant copy of Super Mario 3D Land, the same in everything except graphics, design, tight...
Review Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (3DS eShop / NES)
The underdog of the Zelda series returns
Back in the early days of several franchises, the second game in a series tended to be radically different from the first, because developers had not quite pinned down what they wanted the series to become - take a look at Castlevania II or the western Super Mario Bros. 2 for example. Zelda II is another big...
Talking Point Five Reasons to Buy a Wii U
If you need them
We don't always say why we write certain features, or what prompts them, but in this case we'll make an exception. As anyone based in the UK is likely to already know, tabloid newspaper The Sun published a list of five reasons not to buy a Wii U. Of course it's perfectly reasonable to go that way when weighing up the pros and cons...
News Ex-Rare Staffer: Exodus Wouldn't Have Happened Under Nintendo
Former employee admits that Microsoft sale has changed the company
In September 2002, Microsoft purchased UK developer Rare for $375 million, effectively ending the firm's long-running association with Nintendo - a relationship which resulted in some of the best games ever created. Fast forward a decade, and Rare is a very different beast. Many key...
Nintendo Download 20th September 2012 (Europe)
The year's most eagerly-awaited WiiWare title finally sees the light of day
3DS eShop: Dot Runner: Complete Edition (Intense, £4.50) — This unique puzzle title adopts a dual viewpoint - you see the action from both a top-down perspective as well as a first person view. It's certainly different, but we weren't totally enamoured when we reviewed...
News La Mulana Beginner's Guide is Essential Viewing for Adventurers
It'll call you names
So, La Mulana is just a few days away. For Nintendo gamers that enjoy an action-platforming challenge and still have love for their Wii system, this has been a long-awaited WiiWare title that's likely to scratch an itch. Challenge is the word, though, and developer Nigoro has been kind enough to produce a lengthy beginner's...
News Egads, The Castlevania Movie Adaptation Is Actually Happening, Again
We've been here before, haven't we?
Hollywood loves video games. It simply cannot get enough of them, and constantly picks up well-known franchises in order to churn out dumb action movies with wafer-thin story-lines and terrible special effects. There are few truly successful examples, and those which do fare well commercially - such as Paul W.S...
News Don't Expect A Game To Celebrate Mega Man's 25th Birthday
Capcom: "Please do keep expectations in check"
Mega Man's 25th anniversary is upon us, and Capcom is planning to celebrate the Blue Bomber's quarter century in style. However, before you get too excited, that doesn't mean a new game is on the way. Here's what Capcom's Christian “Sven” Svensson had to say on the matter: In December “some but...
News 3DS Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Won't Be Venturing Online
Online play isn't going to feature in handheld instalment
Capcom has confirmed that the 3DS version of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate won't have online play. Such functionality will instead be exclusive to the Wii U edition of the game. Speaking to ONM, Capcom's Yuri Araujo confirmed that there were "no plans" to bring online play to Nintendo's portable
News Two Tribes Founder: Wii U Could Become A "Casual Haven"
Twitter mistake creates storm in a teacup
Twitter can be a valuable tool when it comes to connecting with the world around you, but it can also prove to be a curse - as Two Tribes co-founder Collin van Ginkel found recently. He replied to a tweet regarding Wii U third party development support, but instead of using his personal account, he did so...
News You'll Be Able To Play Darksiders II Entirely On The Wii U GamePad
THQ reveals more details on the Wii U port of its gothic adventure
THQ's action-packed Wii U title Darksiders II will allow you to play the whole adventure on the GamePad, it has been revealed today. Speaking to Polygon, a THQ employee said that although the version shown at the recent New York preview event didn't have the feature enabled, it...
Competition Win The Chance To Attend The Wii U Experience in LA
You could be one of the first people to get your hands on Nintendo's new console
UPDATE: This competition is now closed. Thanks for your entries, we'll be in touch shortly! Nintendo of America is hosting a series of Wii U Experience events around North America this year, allowing gamers to get to grips with the upcoming Wii U console. To celebrate...
News More Playable Titles Announced for EB Games Expo Sydney 2012
Pokemon Black & White 2 playable, special appearances announced
The team at EB Games Australia has announced the next string of playable games and presentations that can be experienced at its October expo in Sydney. We can't help but feel the event still needs a bit of Wii U in there, however, as only Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 has been confirmed...
News UK Gamers: You'll Be Playing Tekken Tag Tournament 2 At Wii U Launch
Namco Bandai confirms November release for famous brawler
Namco Bandai has added another game to the UK Wii U launch day schedule, with Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition being confirmed for release on the 30th November. The long-running fighter joins Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, FIFA 13, Mass Effect 3: Special Edition,
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