News Nintendo Confirms Limited Edition Wii U Bundle For The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Download release comes early on 20th September
News All 151 Kanto Pokémon Are Together, Each Drawn by a Different Artist
Twitter is Super Effective!
News CoroCoro Magazine Reveals "Mega Evolution" and Three New Pokémon for X & Y
It's all shaping up nicely
News Mega Kangaskhan Revealed for Pokémon X & Y, Crowd Goes Wild
Pokémon World Champions crowned in Vancouver
News - August, 2013
Saturday31st Aug 2013
Round Table Let's Talk About the 2DS and Wii U Price Cut
It's going to be a bumpy ride
This week certainly wasn't dull in the world of Nintendo. To the surprise of everyone, Nintendo announced the 2DS, a member of the 3DS family that abandons the clamshell design and, yes, the 3D effect. The initial reaction was generally of bemusement, yet Nintendo's target audience of young children and uncertain...
News Peter Molyneux Reveals His Favourite Zelda Title Of All Time
You might be surprised
The highly quotable Peter Molyneux has told TechRadar his top five games of all time, and like many seasoned gamers, one of his favourite titles happens to be part of the Zelda series. However, while many would cite Link to the Past, Wind Waker or
News We're Getting Digital Right On 3DS And Wii U, Insists Reggie
"The consumer is voting with their wallets"
Plenty of people will happily tell you that Nintendo doesn't understand digital, and that the Japanese giant is late to the party and has been outpaced by rivals Microsoft and Sony, who put their respective weights behind online content much earlier and more effectively. Nintendo certainly has some things...
Review Disney Infinity Figurines
Beyond Infinity, into your home
To fully grasp the concept behind Disney Infinity, it’s important to understand that the whole game uses a meta concept in which things in-game also must exist in real life. Without delving too deep into theories or abstractions, the simplest way to put it is by saying that everything is a toy. Whether it’s the...
Bass On, Bass Off
The 3DS is no stranger to fishing games, and neither is Agetec — having made a few bass-heavy titles for the Playstation and Playstation 2 — but Fish On 3D marks the first time the Rabi Laby publisher has cast its line into the pool of eShop anglers. It's an all-bass, arcade-style tournament fishing game, with some solid if...
Video 3D Streets Of Rage's "One Punch" Mode Is Surprisingly Entertaining
Perfect for newbies, too
3D Streets of Rage has just hit the Japanese 3DS eShop — where it's known by the Japanese title of 3D Bare Knuckle — and it features a mode where your character can kill enemies with a single punch. While this makes the game incredibly easy, it doesn't remove any of the enjoyment — in fact, it's surprisingly addictive...
News Sony's Indie Maestro Has Respect And "Deep Love" For Nintendo
Isn't it better when everybody gets along?
Like so many industries, video gaming inspires some rather competitive behaviour at times. We often see top-ranking executives partaking in very public spats in a misguided attempt to make their respective brand look better than its rivals. However, there are a lot of people in the industry which have an...
Friday30th Aug 2013
Review The Legend of Zelda (Wii U eShop / NES)
A Link from the past
When The Legend of Zelda was released in 1986, it was at least as much an eye-opening experience for gamers as Super Mario Bros. had been. Whereas that game expanded and solidified the left-to-right nature of platformers for generations to come, The Legend of Zelda opened sprawling worlds before us, and allowed us to go wherever...
News Kamiya Doesn't Think Bayonetta 3 Will Ever Happen, But Is Open To Okami Sequel
Third time isn't a charm for Platinum's famous designer
Bayonetta 2 isn't even out yet, but poor old Hideki Kamiya is already being forced to think possible sequels. Speaking to 4Gamers, he was asked about creating games based on existing IPs, and gave the following reply: I don’t really have a problem with making sequels. Above all, I want to...
Weirdness ABC News Tells Us All About How the 2Dees Can Play 3Dees Games
Also the Wii 32GB model, which strangely looks like a Wii U, gets a $50 cut
This week Nintendo of America's Reggie Fils-Aime did what almost any Executive in his position would do, he stated that the Wii U name wasn't the issue with the system, but did point out other areas that clearly have held the console back to date. That said, it's also clear...
Video The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Has a Gorgeous New Story Trailer
So many bright colours
With The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD's release getting ever closer, and with some rather delightful special edition copies and hardware bundles confirmed, Nintendo is clearly confident that the current and potential future Wii U userbase will be keen to experience the revamped GameCube title again or, in some cases, for...
News Nintendo Has "Nothing To Announce" Regarding Mother 3 Localisation
Earthbound Wii U release won't pave the way for future ports
Earthbound coming to the Wii U Virtual Console was quite an event — fans had been asking for the game since the days of the original Wii. Given the tremendous exposure surrounding the launch of the game, you might assume that Nintendo would want to explore the possibly of bringing other...
News Disney Infinity Producer Outlines The Features Available To Wii U Players
Nintendo UK interviews John Day to find out more about the game
Disney Infinity is now available on a plethora of platforms including Wii U, 3DS and Wii and there are a range of toys and playsets you can buy to beam into it for some virtual fun. To help give players a feel for the game and how it plays, Nintendo UK has interviewed Disney Infinity...
News "No Plans" For Ambassador Program Following Wii U Price Cut
Nintendo not looking to replicate 3DS-style free games promotion
When Nintendo dunked the price of the 3DS console soon after launch it tried to pacify early adopters by launching the 3DS Ambassador Program, where owners could download free games to their machine as a reward for paying more at release. With Nintendo recently revealing a Wii U price...
Famed designer still wants to work on Star Fox, too
The Wonderful 101 is Platinum's first title for the Wii U and has met with widespread critical acclaim, scoring 9/10 in our review. Eurogamer recently sat down with director Hideki Kamiya to chat about the production of the title and Platinum's relationship with Nintendo, and the resultant comments...
Weirdness Football Manager Fans Can Now Show Off in Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Get your special t-shirt design here
The Football Manager franchise is like a dark secret for some gamers, an absorbing game that destroys social lives and relationships on an annual basis. There's little time for minor things such as meals and fresh air when you need to fine-tune the training regimen of your star striker. Although, of course,...
News Rayman Legends is Still a Wii U Exclusive in Japan, Apparently
Hooray
Rayman Legends is out now in Europe, with the North America release on 3rd September, and we think it's wonderful. The concensus around the web to date has generally been that this is a top-notch experience that's unmissable, yet for some Nintendo fans it's still a sore point that it's taken this long to arrive, and that it's also nestling on...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Sixteen
Sweet, sweet games
It's party time, Nintendo Life readers! Or should we say PARTAY? It's the sweet sixteen celebration of the What Games Are You Playing This Weekend feature, which we're sure is a thing because we saw it on MTV once. The idea is that we find some wealthy parents, get followed around by cameras while acting like spoiled brats because...
Exclusive Exploring The Mysterious Cities of Gold With Fleur Marty
We chat about the title's new fundraising campaign and more
About a month ago Neko Entertainment and Ynnis Interactive announced they will be bringing Mysterious Cities of Gold: Secret Paths to Wii U and 3DS this October. It's based on the cult Japanese-French animated series of the same name, which aired in the early eighties and it has recently...
Saturday31st Aug 2013
News Mighty Switch Force! 2 Aiming to Bring the Heat to Wii U in October
Wayforward is also counting down to a Kickstarter campaign
A few weeks ago WayForward confirmed that it would be bringing its latest 3DS eShop release, Mighty Switch Force! 2 to the Wii U. It has previous form in bringing its handheld titles to the home console with an extra HD sheen, of course, with Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition. It...
Friday30th Aug 2013
News The Voice Of Mario Is Coming To London On September 7th
Charles Martinet to attend Mario event at John Lewis, Oxford Street
Charles Martinet — who has given Mario his voice since 1995 — will attend a special Mario-themed event at the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis on September 7th. The event — which takes place from 9.30am to 8pm on Saturday 7th September and 12.30pm to 6pm on Sunday 8th...
News Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams Dated for North America
Arrives on 5th September for $14.99
The arrival of Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams on the European Wii U eShop was another welcome signal of more multi-platform downloads making their way to the platform, and developer Black Forest Games has now confirmed details for its arrival in North America. The price of $14.99 will tie-in with the European...
Thursday29th Aug 2013
Review Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams (Wii U eShop)
A real dream game
When The Great Giana Sisters was released way back in 1987, it quickly became notorious for its remarkable similarities to Super Mario Bros. So much so, in fact, that it attracted the legal attention of Nintendo and was swiftly withdrawn from sale. The franchise later re-emerged in the form of a DS sequel in 2009 and while it...
News Nintendo Confirms Wii U "Price Reduction Initiative" in Europe from 4th October
Limited edition LEGO City Undercover Premium Pack also confirmed
Yesterday brought the news that Nintendo of America is applying a formal $50 price cut to the 32GB Wii U model, beginning on 20th September alongside the launch of a limited edition Wind Waker HD bundle. The price cut will apply to standard bundles, also, but while Nintendo of Europe...
Nintendo Download 29th August (North America)
Pokémon get rumbling, Rayman and Zelda get legendary, Wario and more
It's that time again, North America, as more downloadable goodies arrive on the Wii U and 3DS eShop platforms. There's a new Nintendo-published Wii U eShop title, a return to legendary beginnings and an all new legend with Rayman, while Wario and a discount grace the 3DS. Check...
Review Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (Wii U eShop / SNES)
The original, but sadly not the best
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior was nothing short of a phenomenon. If you're old enough to remember when the game hit the Super Nintendo two decades ago then you may recall it as all you ever thought of or spoke about for weeks on end. The gaming world seemed to gravitate around Capcom's seminal one-on-one...
Talking Point Nintendo's Low-Key Approach to the 2DS and Wii U Price Cut Reveals Wasn't Surprising
When going Direct isn't the right call
Yesterday may have brought huge Nintendo news, giving the company coverage on any technology or gaming site that you'd care to mention, but how that news was disseminated was interesting. With major releases we've become accustomed to short-notice Nintendo Direct broadcasts, which build hype and then drop the...
Video Let's Take A Closer Look At The Wind Waker HD's Special Edition Ganondorf Figurine
For once, the beast looks beautiful
Yesterday was a good day for The Legend of Zelda fans; Nintendo finally confirmed that the Limited Edition Wii U bundle for The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD was not a rumour as previously reported, but was in fact coming to North America on 20th September and Europe on 4th October. If this wasn't enough to whet...
Review Carps & Dragons (3DS eShop)
Something smells fishy
Back in 2009, Abylight released Fish'em All! on WiiWare, an arcade title in which you jump around with giant nets attempting to catch the plethora of fish jumping out of the water. The concept was fine but the execution left something to be desired, as the developers decided it was a smart idea to require a swing of the Wii...
News Reggie Has Seen The Xbox One And PS4 Launch Lineups, And He Says "Meh"
"I feel very good about our lineup"
As we all know, Microsoft and Sony will be launching their next-generation consoles this holiday season. That means additional competition for the already-struggling Wii U, a console which has seen some amazing games and has more in the pipeline, but doesn't enjoy the same depth of third party support as its...
News Wii U Name Isn't To Blame For Poor Sales, Says Reggie
"The consumer understands that we have a new system"
The Wii U hasn't had the start that Nintendo would have wanted, with sluggish sales and a slow stream of software making the Wii successor's first year a pretty torrid one. Some critics have pointed out that the name could be to blame, and claim that many consumers aren't even aware that the Wii U...
Interview Hometown Story's Yasuhiro Wada On Making The Difference
The Harvest Moon creator tells us about his new project
“Anyone can make a difference”. These words welcome players turning on upcoming 3DS title Hometown Story for the first time, but after meeting its creator and Harvest Moon mastermind Yasuhiro Wada they also become a declaration of intent. His latest game is a ‘shop simulator’ on the...
News Nintendo's Scott Moffitt: 3DS and Vita Have Very Different Strategies For Portable Play
Nintendo's system is tailored for shorter bursts of play
When it comes to the handheld market, Nintendo marketing executive Scott Moffitt says the 3DS and Vita are on determinedly different paths in approaching their consumers. In an interview with GameSpot, Moffitt said he considers Sony’s strategy in terms of handheld gaming to be one that...
News Nintendo Australia Has No Plans for Wind Waker HD Wii U Bundle or Limited Edition
Perhaps you guys should "Triforcing" them?
Nintendo Australia confirmed earlier today that there are currently no plans to release The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Wii U Bundle or Limited Edition version. The game is due to release in Australia on 5th October, but will — for the moment at least — only be available in a standard edition...
News Nintendo Featured In Nine Categories At This Year's Golden Joystick Awards
All votes count
Public voting is now open for the 31st Golden Joystick Awards, and the Big N can be found in seven of the fifteen categories this year. Nintendo's strongest area is of course the Best Handheld Section, with five of its biggest exclusives this year in with a chance of winning. Game of the Year Pikmin 3 Fire Emblem: Awakening Most...
News Sonic Generations Hitting The North American 3DS eShop Next Week
No word on price yet
Everyone may be getting excited about the impending release of Sonic Lost World on Wii U and 3DS, but that doesn't mean that Sega has forgotten about its past classics — the company is releasing Sonic Generations on the 3DS eShop next Thursday. There's no word on a price as yet, but it's good to see that one of Sonic's better...
News Assault Android Cactus Will Blast Its Way to the Wii U eShop
It looks rather cool
On the Wii U launch day Shin'en Multimedia brought us Nano Assault Neo on the eShop, which give fans of twin-stick shooters plenty to enjoy. As a genre it's been absent since, but Australian developer Witch Beam has now confirmed that its take on the top-down twin-stick shooter is coming to the Wii U — Assault Android Cactus...
News GungHo Looking To Sell One Million Copies Of Puzzle & Dragons Z On 3DS
Hoping to appeal to kids without smartphones
GungHo's Puzzle & Dragons mobile game is the kind of success story that many development studios can only dream of. It's been downloaded over 18 million times in Japan alone, and generates almost $4 million of revenue every single day. The company is currently preparing a 3DS version by the name of...
News Wii U Basic Supply Will Become "Limited" in The UK
The white model will soon be hard to find
Earlier today, Nintendo confirmed there will be a couple of Wii U bundles coming to Europe from 4th October, with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD - which comes with a beautifully customised GamePad - and LEGO City: Undercover being the games of choice. Both of these bundle
News Harvest Moon: A New Beginning Finally Sowing Its Seed In Europe This September
Better late than never, right?
Remember Harvest Moon: A New Beginning? The first game in the franchise to be built for the 3DS from the ground up, it launched in Japan and North America back in 2012 and was slated for a Q3 release in Europe. It has now been confirmed by MAQL Europe that the game will be hitting European shores on September 20th...
News Armillo Targets Q1 2014 Release on the Wii U eShop and Will be a Timed Exclusive
The latest trailer keeps rollin' rollin' rollin'
At the start of the year we were pleased to share the news that Fuzzy Wuzzy Games is bringing Armillo to the Wii U eShop, and it was among the first group of titles confirmed for the platform post-system launch. Development has been ongoing since, though recently the team has been active once again in...
Wednesday28th Aug 2013
News Nintendo Confirms Limited Edition Wii U Bundle For The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Download release comes early on 20th September
Update: Nintendo UK has confirmed an equivalent bundle, though it is dated for 4th October, rather than the advance 20th September date in North America. A limited edition boxed version of the game will also be available which will include a Ganondorf figurine and a double-sided title sheet. The...
News Say Hello To The Nintendo 2DS - A 3DS without 3D
$129.99 price, launches in October
Update: GAME has rather quickly revealed its UK pricing for the 3DS, detailed below. It has a price of £109.99 and includes a 4GB SD card, as well as a charger — the 3DS XL does not include a charger in Europe. Original article: Well, that was unexpected. Nintendo has just revealed the latest addition to its...
News Nintendo 2DS is Actually Made With Just One Screen
An interesting innovation
Earlier today Nintendo formally announced the 2DS, which is essentially a 3DS that doesn't show images in 3D. Interestingly, it does not feature the typical clamshell design we're all used to and it turns out that would have been pretty tough to accomplish, as the 2DS is in fact made up of just one screen — the...
Reaction Nintendo Surprises Us All With the 2DS and Wii U Price Cut
Some NL staffers share their thoughts
Well, today wasn't a sleepy Wednesday for Nintendo. Somewhat out of the blue, both Nintendo of America and Nintendo of Europe issued some major announcements. Nintendo of America gave more specific details on release dates for the most notable games of the Holidays, but both regions were united in revealing the...
News Say What You Will About Nabbit, But He's Helped A Blind Girl Enjoy Games
Your heart will be warmed
Video gaming is a predominantly visual medium, and it's very easy to take for granted that you need a pair of functioning eyeballs to really get the most out of interactive entertainment. For those who have sight issues, gaming is largely — and sadly — off-limits. However, for a little girl called Jennifer — who can...
Thursday29th Aug 2013
News Check out SEGA Australia's Impressive Golden Axe Remake
Unfortunately, it and the studio got the chop
Wii U owners could have potentially been enjoying a glorious remake of arcade hack 'n' slash classic Golden Axe had SEGA Studios Australia got its own way. A recently released video shows a pre-alpha prototype of the game, which the studio had been working on at one point. Surprisingly realised for a...
Wednesday28th Aug 2013
News 3D Gaming is Very Much A Part of Nintendo's Future Plans
"We don't want to walk away from that at all"
If you haven't heard, Nintendo has announced the latest addition to its handheld family, the 2DS. Many people are wondering what this means for the 3D feature incorporated into the 3DS and 3DS XL and Nintendo has been quick to point out it is still very much a part of its future plans. In an interview...
News Wii U Deluxe Model Gets Official $50 Price Cut in North America
Begins on 20th September
After months of speculation and increasing doubt, Nintendo has taken the plunge and confirmed an official price cut on the Wii U Deluxe 32GB model. This takes the form of a new "suggested retail price" of $299 in North America, a $50 cut announced today at the GameStop Managers Show in Las Vegas; the new price will begin on...
News Nintendo and Capcom to Announce Upcoming Collaboration
Something beyond Monster Hunter 4?
Nintendo and Capcom announced at a recent event that they are planning to do something special in honour of their joint effort on Monster Hunter 4. Whether this collaboration is related to Monster Hunter 4 itself or something entirely new is not yet known. Further details on this mystery endeavour will be revealed...
News Wii Party U Dated, Will Come Bundled With a Wii Remote Plus Controller
All for $49.99
Update: Wii Party U will also arrive in Wii Remote Plus bundles in Europe, dated for 25th October. Listed as "Limited Quantity", there'll be the option of white or black controllers. Original article: As part of Nintendo of America's major information drop today, it's confirmed that Wii Party U Wii Party U will be released in the...
Review Cut The Rope (3DS eShop)
Will it rope you in?
Cut the Rope has been a staggering success for Russian development studio ZeptoLab. Originally released on iOS back in 2010, the title has been downloaded over 100 million times and has spawned two popular sequels. With such impressive accolades tucked underneath its belt, it's not hard to understand why the franchise continues...
News Super Mario 3D World and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Dated for Holiday Bonanza
Tropical Freeze will retail at $49.99, $10 less than Mario's adventure
While naturally eyes are trying to take in the 2DS, which is an actual thing, Nintendo's Wii U strategy continues apace with an official price cut in North America that begins on 20th September — we'd expect other regions to follow suit. We've also had some release dates, and...
News HackYourConsole.com Goes Offline and Closes Pre-Orders
Nintendo opened legal proceedings earlier this month
On 7th August Nintendo announced that it was opening legal proceedings against HackYourConsole.com, a subject that unsurprisingly caused plenty of debate and disagreement within the Nintendo Life community. The site had sold R4 cards and offered mods to Nintendo hardware for a good amount of time,...
News The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour Dated For North America
Christmas is looking expensive
Nintendo of America has announced release dates for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour; both will arrive across North America on 22nd of November, just in time for the Holiday season. The latest update from Nintendo of Europe simply states November for both titles. Link's upcoming...
Review Deer Drive Legends (3DS eShop / 3DS)
Bang bang, he shot the Doe, bang bang...
When the 3DS was launched, it's perhaps unsurprising that a few developers decided it'd be the perfect platform for what would previously be considered "light gun" games. There's no gun with the portable, of course, but the stylus has been proven again and again as a more than useful alternative, affording...
News The Wonderful 101 Struggles In Its First Week At Japanese Retail
Just 5,258 copies sold - a less than wonderful start
The Wonderful 101 is a truly fantastic piece of software, and one of the best Wii U games we've played this year. Sadly, the quality of product hasn't translated into sales, as the game has shifted less than 5,500 copies in its native Japan, according to Media Create's data. Platinum's Wii U...
Video Players Give Their Opinions On Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Nintendo builds up expectation for 3DS Zelda prequel
Nintendo recently showed off The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds to eager attendees at the MCM Manchester Comic Con, and unsurprisingly, they rather liked it. You can view some of the reactions below. The game is exclusive to the 3DS and will be launched before the end of the year. Does...
News Stardust Amazoness Is The New RPG In Development By Arc System Works
Females only
The latest issue of Famitsu magazine reveals developer Arc System Works — best known for the Guilty Gear and Blazblue series of fighting games — has a new game in development for the 3DS: Stardust Amazoness. The RPG is set for release in Japan on 14th November this year. Players are thrown into Prison Planet, an asylum in which the...
News Pure Chess Developer: Wii U Is "Quite A Beast Of A Machine"
Bringing the game to the eShop was a "no brainer"
Chess is a game of incredible depth and tactics, and thankfully Wii U owners will be getting a digital version in the form of Pure Chess very soon. Mark Williams of developer VooFoo has been chatting with Official Nintendo Magazine about the forthcoming release, and had some glowing words of praise...
Video The Wii U Difference Campaign Explores Entertainment
Rufus Hound gets the popcorn
Earlier this month Nintendo UK employed the services of British comedian Rufus Hound to explain the "Wii U Difference" where he went through the various features of the GamePad, which was lovingly described as "the Wii U's wingman". A couple of weeks later Nintendo released the Hound once more. This time he informed the...
News Bravely Default: For the Sequel Confirmed for Japan
Think of it as Bravely Default: Flying Fairy 1.5
While it's unclear when exactly it's coming, either late 2013 or 2014 for Europe and North America, Square Enix RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is coming to the 3DS in the West. That's news that delighted fans of the genre that were also charmed by images and impressions of the title, though we now...
Exclusive Talking Tengami With Nyamyam
We go hands-on with the Wii U eShop version
Not so long ago, we broke the news that Tengami was headed for the Wii U eShop. Since then creator Nyamyam — made up of former Rare staffers Phil Tossell and Jennifer Schneidereit — have been hard at work finishing the iOS version as well as porting the title over to Nintendo's hardware. The duo are...
News XSEED Admits That Chances Of It Localising Medabots: Dual Are Slim
"We don’t have anyone here familiar with that series"
Publisher XSEED has admitted that it won't be bringing Medabots: Dual to the west. The news follows Natsume's admission that the previous game in the series, Medabots 7, also won't be making the jump from Japan to North America and Europe. When asked about Medabots: Dual on its
News Scribblenauts Unlimited Scheduled For European Release On Wii U and 3DS This December
We missed you, Maxwell
Last November, we reported on the unfortunate news that 5th Cell had delayed the release of Scribblenauts Unlimited in Europe until 2013. Since then, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Maxwell's upcoming adventure. After the delay, it was revealed that both Wi
News Michel Ancel Outlines Creative Philosophy and Acknowledges That Rayman Legends "Is a Risk"
"At Ubisoft the boss wants us to take risks, experience new visuals, music"
Both Rayman Origins and the new Rayman Legends are games that somewhat stand-out, in the wider gaming industry and as parts of Ubisoft's library. Games packed with colour and slapdash platforming fun are, to generalise a little, typically reserved for Nintendo titles and...
Tuesday27th Aug 2013
Talking Point The Wii U's Limited Hard Drive Space and Future Install Headaches
It's not just about installing eShop games
Splinter Cell Blacklist, on every platform but Wii U, has install options either mandatory or optional. According to analysis from Digital Foundry there are possible trade-offs on Nintendo's system as a result, with longer loading times and some weaker textures that are improved with an optional install on...
News Splinter Cell Blacklist Wii U Version's Performance Put Under the Spotlight
Digital Foundry compares it to the 360, PS3 and PC versions
Splinter Cell Blacklist is Ubisoft's latest Sam Fisher-led title, seeking to provide a solid blend of the action-focused Conviction with the stealth gameplay so popular in its predecessors. It's also one of a good number of Ubisoft multi-platform titles that's also on the Wii U, and the...
Review Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (3DS eShop / NES)
Go Ninja, Go Ninja GO!
Chances are that even if you don’t know much about Ninja Gaiden, you’re at the very least aware that it’s a series synonymous with high difficulty. When the original hit the NES back in 1989, we have to imagine it lead to the demise of many controllers – we vividly recall rage-quitting on at least an occasion or two...
Review Funfair Party Games (3DS eShop)
No Fair
Taking classic arcade and carnival redemption games as its inspiration, Funfair Party Games combines two things 3DS owners are quite familiar with by now: a collection of mini-games and well-meaning but flawed motion controls. With eleven games of varying quality and some surprisingly solid multiplayer features, the result is a mixed bag -...
News The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Confirmed for 4th October in North America
Same day as in Europe
Earlier this month Nintendo of Europe took the opportunity to confirm 4th October as the release date for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, though Nintendo of America stuck with its October window. Today it seems that the release date for North America was revealed, buried within a press release for the Zelda art...
News The Wonderful 101 Misses the Top 20 in UK All-Format Charts
Not enough wonder-green spent on the game
Last week brought the arrival of The Wonderful 101 to the Wii U, which in our view is a terrific and unique exclusive for the system. Unfortunately for PlatinumGames' bombastic action title it's had a major struggle to earn early sales in the UK, with this week's UKIE all-format chart showing the new title...
News New Study Suggests That Violent Games Are "Therapeutic" For Troubled Kids
Play as much Mortal Kombat as you like, young one
Video games have long been blamed for many of the ills of modern society, and violent titles such as Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat are regularly used as scapegoats to explain tragic incidents, slipping moral standards or general delinquent activities. However, new research at...
Video The Monster Hunter 4 Opening Cinematic is a Bit of a Beast
Holy moly...
Monster Hunter 4 arrives in Japan on 14th September, which is just over two weeks from now. There are franchise fans in PAL regions and North America that would, we suspect, offer up all-manner of sacrifices for the same deal. As it is, there's been no word on localisation, with Capcom's most recent statements declaring that the title...
News DuckTales: Remastered Update to Target Leaderboard Issues on Wii U
A spit and polish is required
We're fans of DuckTales: Remastered here at Nintendo Life, especially those of us old enough to have first-hand nostalgia for the NES original. Despite its strengths it isn't quite perfect, including the odd technical issue that'll require an update to patch over the cracks. In the case of the Wii U version there are...
News Just Dance Kids 2014 Bringing its Groovy Moves to Wii U and Wii
Arrives in late October
The Just Dance series has been selling millions of copies and embarrassing gamers without much rhythm for a good few years, and the Kids series has been doing the same for a younger audience. Unsurprisingly, then, Ubisoft has confirmed Just Dance Kids 2014 for both the Wii U and Wii, with a release date of 22nd October in...
News Nintendo Expects To Sell 5 Million 3DS Consoles In Japan This Year
Global sales to hit 18 million in 2013
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has stated that his company expects to sell 5 million 3DS consoles in Japan this fiscal year, contributing to a global target of 18 million units. Speaking at a Capcom event in Tokyo, Iwata backed up his prediction by explaining that 5.5 million 3DS consoles were sold in Japan...
News Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams May Get A Patch To Solve GamePad Audio Problems
Black Forest Games is aware of the issue
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams was finally released into the Wii U eShop last week in Europe, while North America is still waiting. Unfortunately, some of the people who downloaded the game have reported sound issues with the GamePad when taking the gameplay off the TV. Fortunately, the developer Black...
Weirdness Mario Bros. Parkour Action Is All The Rage
Christian Russell and Ronnie Shalvis show-off some skillz, erm, skills
At the weekend we brought you Nintendo of America's latest example of marketing for Luigi, with it's Parkour mockumentary in honour of "L-Man". Freerunning fun is naturally pretty popular on YouTube, and the relatively well-known Christian Russell and Ronnie Shalvis have starred...
News Jam With the Band 3DS Title in Development By Intelligent Systems
Its most recent 3DS game was Fire Emblem: Awakening, just sayin'
Some European DS owners may be fans of Jam With the Band, a colourful music game published by Nintendo that incorporates performing and composing in some rather fun ways; it was never released in North America, unfortunately. Nintendo has now uploaded a teaser site for a new title in...
Wednesday28th Aug 2013
Weirdness Mann Writes Mario Opera
A plumber's lament
Many people would probably be happy in the sole knowledge that they wrote a Mario-themed opera for their grad school thesis, but it wasn’t quite enough for musician Jonathan Mann. He wanted to bring it to the stage, and made his dream come true with a show in New York City. Along with Princess Peach, Bowser, a Toad chorus and...
Tuesday27th Aug 2013
News Gamescom and GDC Europe Hit Record Attendance Levels
Cologne confirmed as the location for 2014
In the past couple of weeks there's been plenty going on in Cologne, Germany, with GDC (Game Developers Conference) and Gamescom attracting industry professionals and fans from around the world. Both events hit new heights in terms of attendances, too, leading the organisers to declare the same host city...
Monday26th Aug 2013
Worth waiting for
The original release of Rayman Legends was supposed to be in rather different circumstances. What was once a launch window exclusive at the top of various wishlists is now a multi-platform arrival in a busy game season. While that's a pity, this is still the same project that was so eagerly anticipated in 2012, and it delivers on...
News Layton 7 is Announced, and Looks Like Quite a Departure
It's all rather mysterious
We already knew that, as it stands, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies is the last of the popular series starring the tea-loving puzzle master. Perhaps not a surprise as sales dropped away in Japan, particularly, with each release, Level-5 has nevertheless been clear that the brand may well continue in some form. The...
News Virtue's Last Reward Glitch Resolved in eShop Version, Maybe
When in doubt...
Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is now available on the 3DS eShop in North America, offering another avenue to this well-received visual novel/puzzle adventure. Players of the original physical copy of the game, however, have been wondering whether the download version still contains one grief-bearing issue: a save-corrupting bug...
News Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies Will Not Be Getting A Boxed Copy in The West
All hopes have officially been dashed
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies has been out in Japan for over a month and is not far from being released in the West. While Japan has a physical copy of the game, 3DS owners overseas will need to make do with a download-only version. Western gamers were given a beacon of hope when Christian...
Nintendo Download 29th August (Europe)
Legendary Zelda and Rayman tales are told, Ninja-tough NES action and more
Another Monday is brightened up by the Nintendo Download Update that brings a mix of Wii U and 3DS titles, while a DSiWare release also sneaks in. It's a true mix of the old and new once again, so let's get to the details. Wii U Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda...
News Level-5 Announces Wonder Flick, A New RPG Coming To The Wii U In Japan Next Year
Flick 'em up
During Level-5's Vision event today in Japan, the company behind the popular Professor Layton series announced it has a new game in development: Wonder Flick. The title will be a touch-centred RPG and is set for release on the Wii U in Japan in 2014. It will also release on other platforms such as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3,...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue One
With thanks, Sakurai-san
In late July we published a list of our favourite Wii U and 3DS Smash Bros. screens so far. Masahiro Sakurai, the popular designer that leads the franchise, has been releasing a new screenshot every weekday, alternating between Wii U and 3DS images. In most cases they show funny poses or cool moves in action, and...
Weirdness If You Always Wanted a Gold DuckTales NES Cartridge, Now's Your Chance
Sing or draw to win, it's up to you
DuckTales: Remastered is now gracing the Wii U eShop, giving the NES classic a HD makeover and the odd extra feature. Capcom isn't quite finished promoting the multi-platform release — mainly due to the fact it's yet to arrive on the Xbox 360 — so has launched a rather intriguing contest for eager collectors...
Video Check Out the Masters Final From the 2013 Pokémon World Championships
These guys don't mess around
In recent times the 2013 Pokémon World Championships have had a couple of mentions on Nintendo Life, with the Vancouver event hosting gamers from around the world and champions stepping forward from the battling chaos. Not all of us could be there for the action, of course, so The Pokémon Company has kindly uploaded...
News World Conqueror 3D Will Satisfy 3DS eShop Tyrants Soon
"You have to think how to defend your land and swallow neighbour countries"
CIRCLE Entertainment was particularly active on the DSi Shop, and it's already kicking into gear on the 3DS eShop. Earlier in the year we brought you a rather lengthy list of planned releases from the company, and World Conquest has now emerged as World Conqueror 3D. A port...
News Professor Layton Franchise Sales Hit 15 Million, Guild Downloads Reach 400,000
Ni No Kuni performed well on DS
Today seems to be Level-5 day, courtesy of its Vision press conference in Japan. From a Nintendo gamer's perspective the big news is that the peculiar-looking Layton 7 is confirmed for the 3DS, while new RPG Wonder Flick is coming to the Wii U in Japan and, hopefully, West in the future. Alongside new game reveals,...
News Renegade Kid Unearths More Information on Treasurenauts
Still on course for a 2013 release, could end up on Wii U
Earlier this year Renegade Kid announced it is working on a new 2D platformer called Treasurenauts and said it hopes to release it into the 3DS eShop towards the end of this year. Co-founder of Renegade Kid Jools Watsham has been answering a few questions about it on Twitter and more...
Sunday25th Aug 2013
Interview Dan Hess on Composing the Pilotwings 64 Soundtrack
Hitting the high notes
Pilotwings 64 is fondly remembered for the impressive amount of freedom that it granted gamers back in the late 90s. 'Whether it was taking in the view while flying a hang glider or navigating your gyrocopter along a meandering and treacherous river, there was a memorable moment for everyone. Yet, despite all the vibrant...
News Ubisoft: Nintendo Has "Some Of The Best IP In The World", But Needs To Work On Communication
"There are so many great franchises that are still making people dream"
Ubisoft executive director Alain Corre has confirmed that his company continues to have faith in Nintendo, despite the rather poor sales of the Wii U. Speaking to IGN, Corre pointed out that Nintendo's incredible pool of franchises should be enough to pull the console through...
Weirdness Nintendo Releases "Finding Luigi" Parkour Mockumentary
Luigi, the mythical legend of the streets
Nintendo's marketing often features sizzle reels, those familiar Mario and Luigi costumes with enormous feed and heads, and plenty of quirky moments that try to emphasize silly fun. What the company perhaps could to more of is off-the-wall content with the potential to go viral, which makes its latest effort...
News Team Ninja Still Keen To Continue Wii U Support, But Not With Ports
"I think there are games that would be good for Wii U"
Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi has stated that his company is still interested in developing for the Wii U, but it wants to focus on original content — and not ports like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. Speaking To Joystiq, Hayashi said: Of course, I think there are games that would be good...
News New Assassin's Creed IV Trailer Shows Edward Kenway At His Stealthiest
He's a sneaky one
As you can imagine Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag was given a lot of attention at Gamescom and Ubisoft chose the occasion to reveal a new trailer showing off the stealth elements of the upcoming release. During the video we see our hero Edward Kenway target three nasty individuals who need to be eliminated and like all good...
Saturday24th Aug 2013
Developer Interview Mathew Solie on Disney Infinity, Toy Box Inspiration and Future Potential
Producer sheds light on infinite possibilities
At the time of writing, Disney Infinity has just recently launched in both North America and Europe. With its use of collectible figurines that can be used as playable characters in-game and the inclusion of cross-platform user generated content, the new title from Disney Interactive is making leaps and...
News Metroid Fan Film Fundraising Campaign Demolished After Claim From Nintendo
It's now "the subject of an intellectual property dispute"
Two weeks ago we reported that a Kickstarter campaign emerged for a fan-made Metroid film titled Metroid: Enemies Within. Its goal was to reach $90,000 to bring the 10-minute Hollywood-style film to fruition, and had Christian Cardona on board, who has worked on shows such as Bones, Lost and...
News Club Nintendo Japan Gets A Trio of Awesome T-Shirts
Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101 and Wind Waker threads now available
Club Nintendo in North America and Europe has had a few neat little additions in recent weeks, with the Pikmin tote bag and keyrings, but Club Nintendo Japan may have just topped them all with the inclusion of three T-shirts based on some of the latest Wii
News Shadow of the Eternals Fails To Meet Funding Goal
Precursor goes back to the drawing board
Last month Precursor Games relaunched its crowdsourcing campaign to get its first ever game Shadow of the Eternals off the ground, but unfortunately it has failed to obtain the necessary funding. The campaign, which ran on Kickstarter, achieved $323,950, which is not even half of the $750,000 target...
News Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara Delayed Again on Wii U
Release pushed back to September
Capcom has announced that the currently unavailable Wii U eShop version of Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara has once again been pushed back, with the title now being projected for a September release. It was released in June for the PS3, Xbox 360 and on Steam. However, gamers waiting to experience the...
News Chibi-Robo! Let's Go, Photo! Rated In Australia
The photographic app may make it to PAL regions
A few months back Chibi-Robo Live Action! was released in Japan but there has been little word on a Western adaptation for the 3DS eShop application. However, the Australian Classification Board has now rated a title called Chibi-Robo! Let's Go, Photo!, indicating the game may come to PAL
News Armillo Set To Support Off-TV Play
Fuzzy Wuzzy Games could implement touchscreen support too
Fuzzy Wuzzy Games is currently developing Armillo, a 3D platformer with levels designed around a set of obstacle courses, and it's expected to roll into the Wii U eShop at some point this year. The developer has now revealed on Twitter it has integrated off-TV play to the current build of...
Friday23rd Aug 2013
Rumour The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Trailer Shows a Special Edition Wii U Design
So pretty
In recent weeks we've seen sketchy rumours of a Wii U bundle with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD become increasingly reliable. The Gamescom build of the game has also revealed a Hero Mode and a host of other details, so Nintendo is clearly gearing up the hype ahead of an October rel
Video Snazzy New Trailer Shows Off Wii U Exclusives
Epic visual cues... Check!
If there's one aspect of the Wii U that's a consistent comfort to those with any concern for the platform, it's that there's an enticing lineup of exclusive software on the way. Although there are inevitably more reveals to come in future months, there's a strong lineup for the remainder of the year and some blockbuster...
Weirdness The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is Beaten in Under 20 Minutes
Cosmo strikes in 19 minutes 15 seconds
A little while ago we told you about Cosmo Wright, a speedrunner that was recorded explaining, in detail, how to complete Ocarina of Time in 22 minutes. As he admitted himself it wasn't an impeccable run, possibly because he was trying to describe intricate maneuvers while executing them. That run was at a...
Review Solomon's Key (3DS eShop / NES)
You'll need the wisdom of Solomon for this one
In Solomon's Key – an action / puzzler from Tecmo – you take command of a wizard named Dana as he searches for a magical formula that's said to banish all evil from the world. It began life in arcades back in 1986, finding its way to NES a year later, and now it's resurfaced on the 3DS Virtual...
News Sales Data Demonstrates a Slow Wii to Wii U Transition Compared to Past Generations
The little system goes on and on
Over the past nine months, since the Wii U arrived on the scene, we've seen the inevitable launch day sell-outs make way for a drop-off in sales. As a trend that's fairly common, though in the case of Nintendo's system the loss of momentum was pronounced by an absence of killer software, and it's endured some...
"NOA and NOE, the people at both feel like family"
Brian Provinciano, the founder and main man of Vblank Entertainment, has had an interesting one-game history with Nintendo. The original form of the Retro City Rampage project was a technical challenge to push the boundaries of what was possible on the 8-bit NES. What became the full game was...
Apart from the no Wii U games thing, that is
At times we exist in a Twilight Zone in video game land. A major publisher will say something and we'll think "oh, that's nice", and then we'll look at what's actually happening and think, "eh?" It's a bizarre world where words uttered have little relation to reality, where straight lines and honest talk...
Saturday24th Aug 2013
News Marcus Lindblom - Writing the English Script for EarthBound Was a Giant Step
But it was worthwhile
Writer and EarthBound designer Shigesato Itoi is a cultural icon in Japan and a name well known among longtime fanatics of the game. But the text from the English version of the game came from other, mostly unsung sources. Marcus Lindblom, who chiefly shouldered EarthBound’s localization writing, has had a chance to shine on...
Friday23rd Aug 2013
Updated Shigeru Miyamoto will NOT be Guest Editor for the 100th Issue of Official Nintendo Magazine
"We apologise to those of you who got really excited by these few words"
UPDATE: Official Nintendo Magazine have now updated their website retracting "the four words that have appeared on the Next Month page" as Shigeru Miyamoto will 'now not be guest editing'. Instead, Miyamoto will make 'all manner of contributions' to the landmark issue, along...
News New Trademarks Hint at Pokémon Tretta Localisation
Pokéfigure Arena could be a thing, too
Some of you may recall our reports on the 3DS download Pokémon Tretta Lab, an app in Japan that mimics Tretta arcades. These are Pokémon battling games that require collectible plastic discs, which are detected by a reader and turned into a 'mon on screen. In the case of the arcades winning a battle awards...
Out Today The Wonderful 101 (Europe)
101 reasons to download a new wallpaper, today!
Every generation there are great games that seem to be overlooked and don't translate into sales success, so is The Wonderful 101 heading for the same end result? Over the past few weeks we've heard rumours of The Wonderful 101 having limited distribution of 30,000 units to retailers in Japan, while...
News SEGA Genesis Shooter, Steel Empire, to Get the 3DS eShop Remake Treatment
Steampunk shooting
We may have reported this week that the publisher of Kokuga sees "difficult crossroads" for the shoot-em-'up genre in Japan, but that hasn't deterred others from flying into the market. One upcoming release is promising to bring back a side-scrolling shooter from the 16-bit era, as Japanese developers Starfish are preparing Steel...
News Ubisoft: ZombiU Development Was a Learning Experience in Second Screen Gameplay
Have "learned some interesting [things about] gameplay thanks to the Wii U"
When the Wii U launched it was inevitable that the day one library would make sketchy use of the system's GamePad. Nintendo Land was a showcase, but other releases such as Assassin's Creed III did little beyond offer menus, maps and a horse whistle. One of Ubisoft's other...
Video This Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl Trailer Introduces the Cast
Rock on, Highlander
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan may have only arrived in North America earlier this year — it lands in Europe on 30th August — but it's almost time to dive into that world again with Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl. A 3DS reworking of the original Etrian Odyssey, this includes a new story mode with set...
News Monochroma Hits Funding Target to Confirm Multi-Platform Release, Including Wii U
Put May 2014 in the diary
Love it or loath it, Kickstarter has brought us some promising projects to date, with Shovel Knight the next in line that originated on the platform and is due in the coming months on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Another game full of potential is Monochroma, which came to the crowdfunding platform with a lot of its...
News GameStop Sales and Profits Take a Hit Ahead of Vital Shopping Period
"The year has played out as expected"
GameStop may have been in the news for the wrong reasons, for some Nintendo gamers at least, with its recent antics in matching eBay prices on sought after second-hand games, yet it's easy to forget that it's a powerful presence on the high street. That's particularly the case in North America, though the retail...
Thursday22nd Aug 2013
Talking Point Gamescom Announcements Raise the Stakes for the Wii U and 3DS
Nintendo yet to reveal its full hand
In a typical year Gamescom is a vibrant show, undoubtedly, but not necessarily one that draws a mini-E3 level of headlines. Yet if you're following Microsoft or Sony, this year's show has certainly delivered. It's all about circumstances, and with the two companies launching new hardware no high-profile...
Review Summer Carnival '92 RECCA (3DS eShop / NES)
For shoot 'em up experts only
The release of this game on the 3DS eShop is a bit of a strange occurrence. Summer Carnival '92 Recca was, as you might guess from its odd name, created for a shoot 'em up game competition held in 1992, exclusively in Japan. It was only available from those competitions, so the supply was quite limited and, as a result,...
Nintendo Download 22nd August (North America)
Retro fighting and ninja skills, soothing portable puzzles and more
It's Nintendo Download Update time, North America, and this week serves up plenty of new and old games on 3DS, alongside some discounts, as well as a lot of 16-bit fighting on the Wii U. Let's get right to the details. Wii U Virtual Console: The Wii U Virtual Console is offering...
Review Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV (Wii U eShop / SNES)
Depth incarnate
If there's one thing that you could pretty much be assured of when it came to a Koei game back in the day, it was getting a lot of depth to your gameplay experience. Not only were you generally treated to a very high production value visual experience, but the attention to detail and historical accuracy was always of high quality...
News The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Hero Mode Details Sail Into View
Available from the start
Rumours have been swirling around for a number of weeks that upcoming Wii U release The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD would have an extra difficulty level, though details were scarce. There was naturally speculation on whether it would affect the in-game world and puzzles, like the Master Quest in The Legend of Zelda:...
News Sonic Lost World Deadly Six Bonus Edition Confirmed For North America and Europe
Sonic's having a NiGHTMARE
Yesterday we brought you the news of a special Wii U version of Sonic Lost World that contains content from the classic title NiGHTS into Dreams.... It was revealed in a UK trailer for the game but did not announce any other regions. Well, fear not, as SEGA has now confirmed the Sonic Lost World Deadly Six Bonus Edition...
Review Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D (3DS eShop)
War is garbage
If there’s one distinguishing feature that makes Teyon’s Heavy Fire series stand out from video gaming’s crowd of military shooters, it’s that it has no distinguishing features. Like, zero. It has features, sure, but nary an original idea nor even a whiff of one. Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D continues the series’ tradition of...
News Nintendo Launches Wind Waker HD Art Competition, Winning Art Will Appear in Zelda Symphony
Oh, and the top five get a console and the game
Update: Nintendo of America has now notified us that, unsurprisingly, this competition is for the U.S. only. You can see full details of how to enter, if you're in the U.S., below. Original Article: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is one of the major Wii U releases on the way from Nintendo,...
Review Jewel Quest 4 Heritage (3DS eShop)
Attack of the clones
The Jewel Quest series is fast becoming something of a recurring negative on Nintendo's handheld systems. Ignoring the fact that each entry has been generically dull, the alarming rate at which each new instalment is being released is certainly a cause for concern. Forget Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed with their yearly...
Video This Exclusive Skylanders Swap Force Footage Shows More Characters in Action
Family Gamer takes a look
Skylanders Swap Force is getting closer, and it seemed that Activision’s retail partners had pretty much let the cat out of the bag on most characters. However, at Gamescom in Cologne we discovered there were still a few surprises. Very kindly, Activision gave us an exclusive first look at a new Skylanders Swap Force...
News Iwata Asks Delves into The Wonderful 101, Reveals Hidden Characters
Kamiya unites with allies for part two of this wonderful interview
The Wonderful 101 is being released tomorrow in Europe (23rd August) and part two of Iwata Asks has now emerged. This time round the game’s director Hideki Kamiya has united with some familiar allies to assist him in his interview with Nintendo President Satoru Iwata: Atsushi...
News The Wonderful 101's Original Concept Included an "All-Star Cast of Nintendo Characters"
The Bayonetta series was on the "brink of disappearing"
Hideki Kamiya, the director of The Wonderful 101, has been in Cologne, Germany to meet fans and the press ahead of the game's release in the region. Naturally, he's also taken the opportunity to talk about PlatinumGames' other Wii U exclusive, Bayonetta 2, which is due to arrive in 2014...
Video Satoru Shibata Gives the Big Tour of Nintendo's Gamescom Booth
With some help from his old buddy Luigi
Gamescom 2013 is underway in Cologne, Germany, and to celebrate the occasion Nintendo has put together a tour of the booth, hosted by Nintendo of Europe boss Satoru Shibata. We get a glimpse of the various systems and games on offer, and also of the "Nintendo Living Room", where a photogenic and happy host...
Video This Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies DLC Case Intro is Glorious to Behold
One whale of a scene
Youtube user MasterOfRayquaza has been kind enough to upload the opening of Turnabout Return, the DLC case for the upcoming Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Dual Destinies, and it’s something to see. The footage comes from the Japanese version, so those of us who don’t know the language won’t understand the text or voice...
News Boxed Copy of New Super Luigi U Available This Sunday in North America
The wait for a physical release is almost over
New Super Luigi U has been available in the Wii U eShop for a while now and Europeans have been able to grab boxed version from retailers for a good few weeks. North Americans have had to be patient, but the wait for a physical copy is nearly over. The packaged-disc version of New Super Luigi U will be...
News n-Space Not Currently Working On New Projects For Nintendo Consoles
"There's just very low demand right now"
In a recent interview with GamesIndustry, CEO of developing company n-Space, Dan O'Leary, announced that the company has no titles in development for Nintendo consoles for the first time in "probably 10 years". The company has earned a reputation as a specialist in the handheld market in particular, but work...
News Kokuga Publisher Believes The Shoot-em-‘up Genre Faces a "Very Difficult Crossroads" in Japan
"You are not able to make a living on just making shooters"
Kokuga's arrival on the 3DS eShop this Summer was certainly welcomed by shoot-em-‘up fans, especially as Hiroshi Iuchi's name was on the project. As was made clear to us in our interview with G.rev CEO Hiroyuki Maruyama, however, the market for these titles is smaller than it perhaps was...
News PlatinumGames Discusses the Expanded Target Audience of The Wonderful 101
"This is a chance for people who usually don't play Platinum titles"
The Wonderful 101 arrives in Europe this week and on 15th September in North America, and of all the major Wii U retail releases this year is arguably the most unique. Creative, high-octane action titles are somewhat expected of its developer, PlatinumGames, but nevertheless this...
Wednesday21st Aug 2013
News More Than 1500 Cheaters Took Part in Pokémon's 2013 Global Showdown
Those monsters
Earlier in the Summer The Pokémon Company hosted the 2013 Global Showdown, a WiFi tournament for Pokémon Black and White 2, which some undoubtedly used for practice ahead of other tournaments. It was open to 50,000 competitors, but it's now been revealed that 1,558 of those that took part were cheaters, utilising smartphone apps to...
Hardware Review Wireless Super Retro 64 Controller
Out of control
With digital download services on the rise and HD remakes becoming more of a regular occurrence, the retro gaming scene is bigger than ever. Restore points and improved visuals — not to mention the off-TV play function offered by the Wii U GamePad — have done a good job of making older titles more suited to our modern...
News Character Outlines Will Be Customisable in 3DS Super Smash Bros.
Wii Fit Trainer and the Villager show off their lines
Following Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai on Miiverse (SakuraiMasahiroA) not only provides a daily screenshot treat, but the occasional trickle of information on what will be in store. Today’s post not only shows off the Wii Fit Trainer and Villager models on the 3DS for the first...
News Crytek Announces New CRYENGINE and Doesn't Exclude Wii U, Champagne Corks are Popped
Press release mention of Wii U is a small but welcome inclusion
Prior to the Wii U launch, there was much back and forth and contradiction over the system's capabilities from a graphical standpoint, and no two developers seemed to have the same stance. For its part Crytek, the company behind the widely-used CryEngine 3, stated that its engine ran...
News Game Designers Reveal How Super Mario Bros. 3 Would Work As A Free-To-Play Mobile Title
It's not for the faint hearted...
Free-to-play mobile games have proven popular with casual gamers over recent years and there is seemingly no end of developers looking to create another addictive bird chucking or candy crushing title to harvest money from people's e-wallets. Many people have wondered if this free-to-play model can work for much...
News Nintendo Confirms Plenty of Wii U and 3DS Shenanigans at PAX Prime
Hideki Kamiya session includes free Wonder-Masks
Earlier today we brought you the surprising news that Retro City Rampage will be playable as a 3DS eShop title at PAX Prime, which takes place from 30th August to 2nd September at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Naturally, Nintendo is bringing a host of games to the event, as well...
Easy to learn, difficult to pronounce
What if the Rubik’s Cube only had one side? It seems this question has kept the ironically named developers at CIRCLE Entertainment up all night, and those sleepless hours have resulted in a quality puzzle game that relaxes and taxes simultaneously. Wakedas is a straightforward affair that slowly ramps up the...
News Petit Computer Looks Set for the 3DS
Let's all code a smiley face pixel
While not necessarily a blockbuster hit, DSiWare title Petit Computer has earned a loyal, dedicated group of programmers around the world. Using BASIC code, it provides a surprisingly robust, powerful tool to create small games and share them online, even if it wasn't quite perfect in its execution. Of course,...
News Wii U Unity Development Tools Explained Further at Gamescom
Quick and easy development is possible
Earlier this week Nintendo delivered a presentation on the Web Framework service, outlining how it can enable developers to easily port HTML5 and Javascript games. That was the first of two sessions, and there's now been an equivalent to outline the benefits and ease of using the Unity engine on Wii U...
News Sonic Lost World Deadly Six Edition Announced, Features NiGHTS Into Dreams Content
Revealed in a UK trailer, other regions yet to be announced
SEGA has revealed a new UK trailer for Sonic Lost World showing off a special edition that contains "exclusive deadlier game content". There isn't a whole lot of information given as to what will feature in this particular version but it does show off some bosses from NiGHTS Into...
News BIT.TRIP SAGA Will be Just $5 in the North American eShop From 1st September
A special price for two weeks
It seems to be promotional silly-season right now, and Aksys Games is leaping into the fray with a series of download offers coming to the 3DS eShop and, for the most part, the PlayStation Network. The offer coming to the 3DS eShop, however, is an absolute beauty. From 1st - 15th September BIT.TRIP SAGA will be reduced...
"We already talk about Jett Rocket 3"
When Jett Rocket was released on WiiWare it was impressive on a number of levels. Most importantly, it was fun, a 3D action platformer that was not only a new IP but also enjoyable to play, earning 8/10 in our review. On another level it was an accomplished technical effort, with attractive visuals impressively...
News Disney Magic Castle Prospers in Japan, Wii U Sales Return to Five Figures
Obon Festival boosts retail results
The latest Japanese sales figures are in, and despite the lack of any major releases the results have brought welcome boosts in software and hardware. This increase in sales is being widely attributed to the Obon Festival (known natively as "Hachigatsu Bon") in Japan, a public holiday that often improves retail...
News Retro City Rampage is Totally Coming to the 3DS eShop
Will be playable at PAX Prime
Update 2: Brian Provinciano has now posted an official update to confirm the 3DS release. The target release window is the Holiday season, and below is part of the statement. The 3DS version is the first that's required significant development work. While all previous versions were nearly pixel-for-pixel identical,...
Video New Trailer Blasts Away Confusion Over Summer Carnival '92 RECCA
Bullet heaven?
It's entirely possible that many saw the arrival of Summer Carnival '92 RECCA in last week's European download update, for the 3DS Virtual Console, and would have been none the wiser on what it actually is. We're currently working on our review, but when explaining that this is actually a shoot-em-‘up, it's understandable that some...
Tuesday20th Aug 2013
Rumour Potential Wii U Pokémon Title Could be a Fighting Game Called Pokkén Fighters
Or Pokkén Tournament, depending on trademark usage
During the recent Pokémon Game Show in Tokyo, a short video concluded with an image that sparked rumours of an upcoming Wii U game, as Mega Lucario and Mega Blaziken were shown facing off in what certainly looked like a sharp 3D graphical engine not beyond the realms of the Wii U. While The...
News Ludosity's Ittle Dew Was Pitched to Nintendo as a Zelda Game
Were told they were welcome to "release as is" for themselves
Earlier in the Summer Ludosity confirmed that it's bringing its title Ittle Dew to the Wii U eShop. It's often been described as a "Zelda-inspired" game, and not in the usual practice of listing popular franchises that have had some minor influence on a game. This really is a game with a...
News More Evidence Emerges of a Wind Waker HD Wii U Bundle
32GB model with game to reportedly retail for $349.99
In July we reported the rumour that a Wind Waker HD hardware bundle was on the way, but treated it with plenty of salt due to its lack of any real evidence. More compelling proof has now emerged to back up those claims, along with those of red and blue 3DS XL bundles for Pokémon X & Y, which...
Review Star Soldier (3DS eShop / NES)
I got soul, but I'm not the best Star Soldier
We may as well stop playing games en masse right now, because we all suck. That may sound harsh, but this 3DS eShop release of Hudson Soft’s vertically scrolling NES shoot-em-‘up will either make or break you. Unfortunately, if you play Star Soldier on the smaller screen of an original 3DS, the tiny...
News Six Ubisoft Games Get a 30% Discount on the 3DS eShop
For one week only
Yesterday we brought the happy news that Atlus has applied discounts to various titles on the 3DS eShop in North America, and not to be left out Ubisoft has now joined in. Six retail downloads have a 30% discount from 20th - 27th August, and the offer appears to be covering both North America and Europe. Below are the games and...
Video Sonic Lost World Trailer Shows Off Multiplayer and Miiverse Sharing
It's all a bit of a blur
Gamescom 2013 is due to get underway in Cologne on 21st August, and as a result some juicy new trailers and footage are emerging to build some hype. One such trailer is for the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, and unlike previous efforts that focused on showing new levels, this one demonstrates new features in action...
Feature The World of Pikmin 3 on Miiverse
Now that the world's had time to explore
In case you haven't seen it, our video man Rory Cocker has spent the past weeks documenting Pikmin behaviour on Planet PNF-404, bravely filming while trying to send fruit to Nintendo Life HQ to satisfy our snacking habits. If he really wanted to send us some goodies he'd persuade his Pikmin masses to find...
News The Wonderful 101 Reportedly Shipping Just 30,000 Copies for Japanese Launch
Can our heroes gather up higher numbers?
It looks like The Wonderful 101 will be seeing an underpowered start in Japan with a limited number of copies available at launch. Siliconera is citing Japanese retail blog Sinobi, which is stating that PlatinumGames’ colourful action title will apparently ship only 30,000 copies for its 24th August...
Weirdness Mike Tyson Plays Punch-Out!! And Takes on His Arch-Nemesis, Glass Joe
Did he beat Glass f****** Joe?
A little while ago we brought you some retro news of huge importance that shook the foundations of the NES — Mike Tyson was rubbish at Mike Tyson's Punch Out!!. Here's what he told a charming paparazzi journo that was following him around. "I couldn't even beat Glass f****** Joe. I couldn't beat Glass Joe, you know...
Video Planet PNF-404 with Rory Cocker
A first-person Pikmin 3 documentary
Rory to Koppai, Rory to Koppai! Mayday! Mayday! Emergency distress transmission, Foxtrot 249. I am broadcasting from an unknown location, do you copy? We've got a situation over here! I've crash landed on a strange planet that's home to a bunch of dangerous predators, and a disturbing lack of unencrypted Wi-Fi...
News Firefly Revealed in New Batman: Arkham Origins Trailer
Robin, hand me the fly repellent Bat Spray!
Anyone following the official Batman: Arkham Origins Twitter account will have noticed Warner Bros. Montreal has been teasing several images and promising a big reveal at Gamescom. The close up screenshots seemed to suggest Firefly would be making an appearance in the upcoming game and the studio has now...
News EnjoyUp Games Bringing Shmup, Codenamed Project Aguraki, to the Wii U eShop
Shoot everything
EnjoyUp Games has been a prolific developer and publisher on Nintendo's portable download platforms, and also notably brought the long awaited La-Mulana to WiiWare in the West. The company announced earlier in the year that it was working on unannounced projects for Nintendo's current home console, and has now given us a glimpse of...
News Chasing Aurora Began as a Prototype Based on Secrets of Raetikon, was Developed in Five Months
"We rushed Chasing Aurora for release"
Chasing Aurora was a launch day release on the Wii U eShop, but failed to reach the heights of games such as Trine 2: Director's Cut and Nano Assault Neo. The studio's Martin Pichlmair told us after launch last year that it was having
Monday19th Aug 2013
News The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Download Sails Away With 2.6GB of Memory
Dem HD Cels
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD arrives in October — and has been dated for 4th October in Europe — and gives a new generation a chance to experience the GameCube's main entry in the iconic series. For veterans of the game it'll bring HD visuals, new controls and some gameplay tweaks, of course, which may be enough to prompt...
Nintendo Download 22nd August (Europe)
A Wonderful download, Giana Sisters, Street Fighting and much more
It's Monday morning, but shake off those new week blues, Europeans, as the Nintendo Download update news is here. We have two major retail releases on Wii U, a new download-only game, retro goodies and a lot of new offerings on the 3DS, so let's get right to it. Wii U eShop: Giana...
News Beatbuddy Brings the Rhythm to the Wii U eShop
Dev tells us they're "excited to develop for Wii U"
The Wii U eShop is on a bit of a roll right now, with some high profile download-only releases in the last couple of weeks and another on the way this week, and beyond that there are a host of intriguing titles confirmed for later in 2013 and early 2014. Nintendo's also currently on the networking...
News Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD Confirmed, But Not For Wii U
Oh Konami, you little scamp
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate divided fans of the famous Konami franchise, perhaps because of its clunky name, or more likely due to its different take with a 2.5D camera and more measured, combo-driven combat. For our part we were fans, awarding 8/10 in our review. In any case, Konami's Dave Cox had...
Video The Wii U Difference Ad Campaign Continues With the "eShop Sandwich"
Nintendo releases the Hound
A couple of weeks ago Nintendo launched a new Wii U ad campaign to promote the system with a bit of humour, employing UK comic Rufus Hound to explain the Wii U difference with the GamePad. A new trailer has emerged onto the scene to show off the Wii U eShop, outlining it as a delicious sandwich of three parts. The...
News Translated EarthBound 64 Interview Gives Insight Into Struggles of Development and Cancellation
Satoru Iwata, Shigesato Itoi and Shigeru Miyamoto pull no punches
Despite the loyal following generated by the first two games in the series, EarthBound 64 — or MOTHER 3 as it actually was — never saw the light of day. It didn't in that form, in any case, as MOTHER 3 eventually arrived on the Game Boy Advance in 2006, but only in Japan; the...
News GAME Expands Its Range of 3DS eShop Codes to Include Virtual Console and Download-Only Games
A useful alternative
Earlier in the year we reported that the GAME retail group had exclusive European rights on eShop download codes, making it the go-to retailer for those that wanted to get their download games by paying with cash or keen to accumulate further loyalty points for the stores. The initial range covered Wii U and 3DS eShop retail...
News Wii U Web Framework Tools Outlined in Detail at Game Developers Conference
As easy as 1, 2, 3
Currently underway in Cologne, Germany, GDC (Game Developers Conference) Europe 2013 is bringing together hundreds of companies and studios for various presentations, demonstrations and networking opportunities. As we've reported before, Nintendo is in attendance and also hosting two developer sessions to promote the Nintendo Web...
The games will be discounted until the end of August
Atlus has amassed quite a catalogue of games on the 3DS and the publisher has now announced three of them will be put on sale in the North American eShop until the end of August. Code of Princess, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers and Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan will...
News Ubisoft Reveals JRPG-Inspired Child of Light at GDC Europe
No news on platforms, will it come to Wii U?
Ubisoft has revealed Patrick Plourde, the director of Far Cry 3, is working on a much smaller downloadable title that is set to pay homage to classic JRPGs of yesteryear. It's called Child of Light and Plourde made the announcement during his panel at GDC Europe, where he explained the game will be a 2D...
Video The Pokémon Game Show Sure Looks Like Fun
There are some awesome outfits on the scene
In a number of recent articles we've highlighted the fact that, while Pokémon is hugely popular in the West, its appeal is on a whole different level in Japan. With dedicated stores, films, TV series and more, the brand means big bucks and has already sparked some serious pre-order sales of Pokémon X...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Maintains UK Momentum As Pikmin 3 Continues to Fall Away
Wii U title clings onto top 40
Monday means various things, such as a feeling of dread in the pit of one's stomach, the European Nintendo Download update and also — for those that like retail sales information — the UK all-format software charts. This week's results from UKIE once again reflect the different fortunes for the increasingly...
Video This Piano Medley of Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, Pokémon and Mario Soothes the Soul
Because game music and pianos are cool
The idea of someone filming themselves playing video game music on an old — and rather out-of-tune — piano may not be overly-exciting on paper, but it's oddly wonderful. We post various videos of game music, animation and live-action fan creations, and the latest to catch our attention has a rather...
News Jett Rocket II Planned for 3DS eShop Submission Next Week
Some new screens look rather tasty
Shin'en Games' Jett Rocket was, despite the odd nagging issue, a standout WiiWare title, delivering fun 3D platforming to the download platform. With that legacy, and the developer's consistent high quality in its titles, we're certainly curious and hopeful for 3DS eShop sequel Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai...
Sunday18th Aug 2013
Review Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (Nintendo 64)
Oblivion is at hand
Acclaim Entertainment must have always had a good feeling about Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. Before the game was even released in 1997, the company announced that it was already working on a sequel. In hindsight of course, it’s easy to see why Turok: Dinosaur Hunter was such a massive success; it released at an ideal time in the...
News Capcom Reiterates Stance On Further Disney Remastering
If DuckTales: Remastered sells, more could be made
When DuckTales: Remastered was announced by Capcom earlier this year, speculation that the publisher may create HD adaptations of its other classic Disney titles naturally emerged. This anticipation for another has been snowballing ever since and was fueled when the game's producer Rey Jimenez...
Review Donkey Kong (3DS eShop / NES)
It's on like Donkey Kong
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the initial Japanese launch of the Nintendo Family Computer, more popularly known around the world as the Famicom. Among the landmark console’s launch titles was Donkey Kong, a port of the arcade hit that began Nintendo’s launch into video game history. Now, in the year of the...
Weirdness It's a Nintendo 64 Controller Pillow, Which Looks Rather Comfortable
Retro resting
Most gamers will have a favourite spot from which they like to play games, whether it's a chair, bed or hanging upside down from the ceiling — that last one may just be for Batman fans. In any case some handicraft enthusiasts create their own gaming seats, with some impressive examples. One such gamer is DeviantArt user tavington,...
News Nicalis: Kemco's Mobile RPG Grinsia Coming to 3DS
May give retro fans a reason to smile
Fans of the old-school JRPG style may want to keep an eye on developer Nicalis, as it's recently announced plans to bring Kemco’s Grinsia to the 3DS. The reveal was made in an exclusive two-page interview with Nicalis’s Tyron Rodriquez in Nintendo Force magazine. Grinsia is among Kemco’s number of RPGs...
News Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Suffers Slight Delay in Europe
It'll still arrive in September, though
North American 3DS owners have been enjoying Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers for a good few months now and the game is getting closer to being released in Europe, with NIS America taking on the publishing duties. Unfortunately, it has been delayed slightly, but only by a week, which is a...
Saturday17th Aug 2013
News Pokémon: The Origin Anime Announced, Mystery Clip Also Sparks Wii U Game Rumours
One-off special will be based on the original games
A new one-off Pokémon anime is on the way to coincide with the release of Pokémon X & Y. It's called Pokémon: The Origin and is based on the original Japanese games, Pokémon Red & Green, which later became Red & Blue internationally. The show will centre around new Pokémon trainer...
Soapbox 'Vintage' Used Game Prices Do Nothing to Encourage Customer Loyalty
Tom Whitehead has socks older than Xenoblade Chronicles, will sell for $10
The Wii is very much last-gen now, even if we're still in a peculiar Twilight Zone where poor Wii U momentum has seen it consistently outsold by its predecessor. The transition to the new system will be well and truly brought home in the coming months and Holiday season,...
First Impressions Hometown Story
At home in your pocket
The 3DS has been on the market for just under three years and it is already home to two Harvest Moon titles, an announced Rune Factory game, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, two entries in The Sims series, and now the upcoming Hometown Story. It seems as though if you’re looking for a life simulator of almost any kind,...
Review Family Kart 3D (3DS eShop)
A familiar feeling
Fresh off the court from the surprisingly fun Family Tennis 3D, the world's most competitive family returns to the 3DS eShop to hit the racetrack in Family Kart 3D. Developed by Arc System Works - yes, they of Guilty Gear and BlazBlue fame - this is a simple, straightforward kart racer that fails to stand out from the crowd, but...
News Capcom Has No Plans For Street Fighter on Wii U Just Yet
Nintendo fans remain hopeful for Street Fighter V
Street Fighter has been released on many different Nintendo systems over the years but it seems Wii U owners may have to wait a while to get a brand new game released on the console. Speaking on Twitter, the series' executive producer Yoshinori Ono has confirmed there are currently no plans to bring...
News Game Freak Devs Explain the Origins of Soliti Horse
Just horsing around
When Game Freak teased a new game that featured a franchise popular worldwide, it's safe to say that no-one really thought "that looks like a horse silhouette, so it'll be a horse racing and Solitaire mashup". Yet that's what it is and, perhaps oddly, Soliti Horse looks like a lot of fun. Already released in Japan, its odds for...
Friday16th Aug 2013
Review Pokémon Rumble U (Wii U eShop)
Wind me up
Nintendo has never been afraid to spin one of its biggest money makers, Pokémon, off into various weird and wonderful directions in between the mainline RPGs that are the franchise's bread and Butterfree. There have been puzzle games, the delightful safari of Pokémon Snap and, perhaps strangest of all, a crossover with Nobunaga's...
Interview Denis Dyack on Shadow of the Eternals, Community Engagement and Eternal Darkness
Precursor's chief creative hopes to give players the power of development
Silicon Knights' Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem was hands-down one of the Gamecube's most memorable gems. Its tale of unimaginable death and woe through the ages was all well and good for a horror game in the style of author HP Lovecraft, but the title really carved a name...
News Metroid Prime Trilogy Now Available At GameStop For $84.99
Part of its "vintage" selection of titles
Earlier this week GameStop made a brief statement regarding the pricing of used copies of Xenoblade Chronicles in its various retail outlets. The company said it had sourced new copies of the "vintage" title and claimed many more were on the way, including Metroid Prime Trilogy, which has become n
Review Turbo: Super Stunt Squad (Wii U)
Slow and steadier
D3Publisher's Turbo: Super Stunt Squad for Wii U is the HD cousin of the poorly received 3DS racer of the same name. Expectations were kept low for the title, due to the handheld edition's lacklustre visuals, infuriatingly imprecise controls and lack of any actual "stunts." But Turbo: Super Stunt Squad for Wii U is a pleasant...
News Former Nintendo Marketing Specialist Sheds Light on Smash Bros. as a "Dangerous" Brand at EVO
Also explains parallels between Wii U and GameCube challenges
Kyle Mercury was involved in major marketing and events decisions at Nintendo of America between 2001 and 2007, undertaking various key roles throughout that period. He was particularly active in the region's efforts to promote the GameCube in these years, a system that saw Nintendo...
Review Galaga (Wii U eShop / NES)
That man is playing Galaga!
Galaga is old. It may well state 1988 on Galaga’s NES title screen, but that refers to its European and US release date, the Japanese Famicom conversion was released early in 1985 and they are all based on a port of Namco’s 1981 coin-op. This means that with any Wii U Virtual Console purchase you must consider if you...
News Small Developers Coming to the Wii U eShop Outline Positives and Negatives
Wii U "has a veritable toybox of controller options to play with"
With last week's reveal of a series of new titles coming to the Wii U eShop later this year and into 2014, we've seen the first wave of what could become a steady stream of new developers and projects for the platform; in a lot of cases these are multiplatform titles, with some coming...
News Zombie Title How to Survive Confirmed for the Wii U eShop, Without Online Multiplayer
Of course...
Earlier this month we reported on ratings suggesting that zombie title How to Survive — from 505 games — looked set for the Wii U eShop. That was good news for keen zombie-slayers, which is now excellent news with confirmation that the rating was correct; it'll hit the eShop as well as PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Of course, with this...
Weirdness Perhaps We All Need These LEGO Nintendo 64 Transformers in Our Lives
More than meets the eye
Sometimes life is tough. Some of us have work, school, work and school, bills to pay, credit card bills to panic over and a myriad of other concerns. At least we have video games to ease the load, but there's always room for improvement; how about combining video games with LEGO and Transformers? Yes, that'll do the trick...
News Pokémon X & Y Japanese Pre-Orders Pass a Quarter of a Million in Two Days
Bonuses and figurines sure help
Pokémon X & Y is likely to be a major sales success in the West, judging by the series' history and the hype for the title, but it's in Japan where excitement for the franchise is quite simply on another level. Pre-orders have launched in the region and, as well as hardware bundles selling out on Amazon, it seems...
News Disney Infinity Has Reportedly Cost "Well Over $100 million" to Produce
"It's a Hail Mary with a tremendous amount of pressure to be a hit"
Disney Infinity is a game with the substantial muscle of its namesake company behind it, as it attempts to barge into the game-plus-collectible toy formula that's made Activision's accountants so very happy with the Skylanders franchise. With the build-up and range of add-ons and...
News Thriving 3DS Remains the Best Selling Video Game Platform for July in the US
Handheld remains top for third month straight
The Nintendo 3DS continued to sell well last month as it remained top of the charts for video game hardware sales in the US. But hardware sales across all platforms aren't looking quite so positive with a noticeable drop in sales for July. Industry sales as a whole dropped by 19 percent to $443 million...
News Gory Detail Officially Given 3DS Developer Status
Rusty Pup has already been confirmed for the platform
A couple of months ago we exclusively revealed former Rare staffer Chris Seavor's studio Gory Detail will be bringing The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup to the Wii U and 3DS and it seems the handheld version is well and truly set in stone now as the company has announced it is an officially...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Fifteen
It's been a while...
Oh dear, we've been rather tardy of late. Despite the fact that we indulge in plenty of gaming every weekend we haven't actually shared those expected shenanigans for a good while. Things happen, weeks drift by, but this week we get back to the serious business of revealing our weekend plans to you, dear readers. Last time we...
Thursday15th Aug 2013
Review DuckTales: Remastered (Wii U eShop)
Tales of derring-do
It’s difficult to determine exactly who video game remakes are geared towards. On one hand you have generations worth of gamers who played the original and would love to experience it again on a modern console with updated graphics. It’s possible, however, that these people are no longer playing video games or don’t own...
News Yakuza 1 & 2 HD Reportedly Sells Less Than 2000 Copies in Debut Week
Oh dear
Earlier this year, as part of a 'SEGA Direct' segment broadcast in Japan, Satoru Iwata and Toshihiro Nagoshi introduced Yakuza 1 & 2 HD, a bundled re-release of the two PlayStation 2 games. A potential problem for this title was that it was already released in the region on PS3 in November 2012, with the very real possibility that most...
News Toys R Us Announces Exclusive Range of Disney Infinity "Crystal" Figures
Also appear differently in the game
Toys R Us has just announced its exclusive line of Disney Infinity figures and power discs, or at least couple of the first items in its range. A special "Crystal" series will offer semi-transparent versions of the toys that also appear and behave differently in the game; they will only be available from the...
News Pokémon X & Y Soundtrack Features 212 Tracks
Gotta listen to 'em all!
During the Pokémon Video Game Championships last week, series producer Junichi Masuda announced Pokémon X & Y would be getting a soundtrack released on iTunes shortly after the launch of the two games. The Pokémon Company has now confirmed it will contain a whopping 212 tracks and will last for over three and a half...
News Pokémon Rumble U Figurines and Special Edition Available From GAME in the UK
Uh-oh, the figurines are blind packs
Update: Having checked the product pages for these items once again, it seems that both the collector's edition and figurines outlined below are now showing as "out of stock". We'll post further updates as we have them. Original Article: Pokémon Rumble U arrives on the Wii U eShop in Europe today, but those...
Interview Ripstone on Pure Chess, Knytt Underground and Joining the eShop
Pushing cross-platform play and planning for the future
After a spell of silence and mystery beyond games confirmed earlier in the year, we're now getting a better idea of the range of titles coming to the Wii U eShop in the rest of 2013 and into 2014. More from North American developers is likely to emerge in the coming weeks and months, while...
Nintendo Download 15th August (North America)
Sam Fisher returns, retro shmup action, DLC, discounts and much more
It's Nintendo Download time, North America, with a variety of goodies arriving on both the Wii U and 3DS eShop platforms. There's a blockbuster retail release, some discounts on top-notch download titles, retro goodies and some new titles on the 3DS eShop. Without further ado,...
News New Adventure Time Game Receiving 3DS Collector's Edition
BMO also serving as a guide in both Nintendo versions
How do you make Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW! an even longer and more ridiculous title? By having Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW!: The Collector’s Edition! According to D3Publisher, the collector’s edition of the upcoming Adventure...
News New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Total Passes One Trillion
Golly gosh
When it comes to New Super Mario Bros. 2 it really is all about the money (money, money). Mario and Luigi collect a ridiculous number of coins, so much so that the game keeps a tally of your total and adds it to a worldwide pot; the last time we reported on it 300 billion coins had been snagged. Those kind of numbers are so 2012, however,...
News Nintendo's $30.2 Million 3DS Patent Infringement Fine Halved
Claimant told to take it or risk losing it all
A U.S. judge declared on Wednesday that inventor Seijiro Tomita of Tomita Technologies USA should take $15.1 million in damages from Nintendo or risk losing it all in a new damages trial; this was half of what was previously awarded. In the hearing, Nintendo was accused of infringing on a patent for...
News Killer Instinct's Music Gets the Cover it Deserves
Supreme Victory
We often share some of the best fan content that we find, whether they're short films portraying scenes from games, memorable pieces of art or top-notch music covers. The band On Being Human brings us the latter, and last year we shared a terrific Super Metroid rock cover that seemed like the perfect alternative soundtrack to the...
News Denis Dyack - "Actions Will Speak Volumes" as Precursor Games Seeks to Build Trust
Dyack tells us about the role of the community in Shadow of the Eternals
On paper Shadow of the Eternals has a lot going for it — it's a spiritual successor to iconic GameCube title Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, and key figures from developer Silicon Knights are part of Precursor Games, which is developing the new game. As with anything in...
News Momonga Pinball Adventures Heading To Wii U
Another mobile game makes the leap to Wii U
Update: Paladin Studios has been in touch to say it has incorrectly stated Nintendo will be making more official indie announcements next week. Original Article: Paladin Studios has confirmed its mobile pinball game Momonga Pinball Adventures is heading to Wii U and will be shown off during Nintendo's...
Video UK Launch Trailer For The Wonderful 101 Sets the Scene
Unite HYPE
With The Wonderful 101 just over a week away from release in Europe, Nintendo UK has unleashed its launch trailer for the high-energy action title. It introduces the main characters and shows plenty of footage of their various abilities in action, all with the game's sweeping orchestral track in the background. According to the tweet...
Wednesday14th Aug 2013
Interview Capcom on Remastering DuckTales, The Perils of GamePad Maps and Reaching a New Audience
Aiming for big bucks
The release of DuckTales: Remastered is certainly a notable event for some retro gamers, for whom the 8-bit original is likely to be regarded as an all-time classic. A tough challenge, fun action and an awesome soundtrack are some of the features often cited, so this HD re-release — with some other modern touches applied —...
News Gaze Upon One of the Rarest 3DS Systems
Just five to be produced in Taiwan
There have been lots of limited edition 3DS systems to date, including a good number that have only graced Japan. More are expected, of course, but the blue model pictured is possibly going to be the rarest of them all; only five will be produced and distributed in Taiwan. These models will be part of a promotion...
Review Spin the Bottle: Bumpie's Party (Wii U eShop)
You spin me right 'round baby, right 'round
If there’s one unique selling point that the Wii U truly has over other systems, it’s the potential that it has for local multiplayer. Up until now, asymmetric multiplayer has been a pretty big deal to Nintendo, with the GamePad being the key to unlocking these new kinds of gameplay experiences...
News DuckTales: Remastered Soundtrack "Deserves a Release Outside of the Game"
Capcom Producer shares his hopes with us
DuckTales: Remastered arrived on the Wii U eShop in North America on 13th August, with the European release set for 15th August, so gamers young and old have a chance to revisit one of the most iconic games to grace the NES. It created a lot of buzz when in was announced earlier in the year, of course, with...
News Disney Magic Castle Stays On Top in Japan, As the 3DS Rules the Land
Wii U hardware sales narrowly dip into four figures
It's Wednesday, which mean its Japanese charts day, unless it's Nintendo Direct day as it was last week. The news of what's hot in the Japanese game industry has one reliable truth every week; the 3DS continues to out-sell the rest. The software results see 3DS title Disney Magic Castle: My Happy...
Exclusive Pure Chess eShop Releases To Feature Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Wii U and 3DS playable with each other and smartphone / tablet players
Earlier this week Ripstone confirmed details of both Knytt Underground and Pure Chess coming to the Wii U eShop, with the latter also on its way to the 3DS eShop. Ripstone works with various small developers to bring their titles to multiple systems, and is one of a solid number...
News Super Mario RPG Command System Inspired by a Laptop-Style "Children's Toy"
Each Mario & Luigi entry strives for evolution
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team has now been released across the world on the 3DS, the latest in the popular if somewhat niche series. It's not necessarily the biggest-selling series in Nintendo's library, but it feels like one of its most valuable; it incorporates familiar characters in a Universe of its...
News Runner 2 Good Friends Character Pack DLC Dashes Onto Wii U on 15th August
Six new characters for $3
BIT.TRIP Presents: RUNNER 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien may have a mischievously long name, but it's a game that nevertheless delivers straight-up fun. We're big fans here in Nintendo Life HQ, and messing around with the character skins is one of the fun extras that helps give this title even more charm. Earlier in the...
News Katsura Hashino: "Many Announcements" Set For 25th Anniversary of Atlus
Looking forward despite parent company problems
It's been a tough summer for Atlus, as it's had to absorb its share of pressure over its parent company's financial difficulties. As we've reported previously, Atlus' owner Index has begun the process of selling its operations following its slide into an equivalent of bankruptcy; rumoured potential...
Thursday15th Aug 2013
News Call of Duty: Ghosts Multiplayer Outlined in Lavish Presentation
Riley the dog steals the show
While Nintendo fans enjoy regular doses of Nintendo Direct goodness, FPS enthusiasts had an equivalent tonight with a Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer reveal, which clocked in at just 56 minutes. The crowds came for details on new modes and weapons, but they stayed for the new series mascot — Riley the dog. The...
Wednesday14th Aug 2013
Video A Rundown of the Disney Infinity Wave 1 Toys
It's a 'Toy Story'
With the approaching release of Disney Infinity and incoming news of more play-sets (featuring Toy Story and Mickey no less), as well as mobile apps, it’s easy to lose sight of the small action figures at the heart of this new franchise. Of course the game is hugely important, and the quality of experience in both the Campaign...
News New Footage For Medabots: DUAL Blasts into View
Still no news on a Western release
Natsume's Medabots series has quite the following around the world but the games rarely make it outside of Japan, which is a shame. Earlier this year, Medabots: DUAL was announced for 3DS and this adaptation will feature online play and team battles. The developer Rocket Company has now released some in-game...
Spinning onto 3DS
The Beyblade toy craze, where you can battle customisable spinning tops in an arena, has varied in popularity over the years and in different countries. Along with the TV show and toys there has been a range of video-games dating back to the GBA. With a new TV series and range of Beyblade “Shogun Steel” toys hitting the...
News Former EA VP Named New President of n-Space
Takes place at head of longtime developer
Dan Tudge, a former vice-president and executive producer at Electronic Arts, has ranked up in title to become President of Orlando, Fla.-based independent developer n-Space. According to GamesIndustry International, the former president of n-Space, co-founder Dan O’Leary, is now the company’s CEO...
News Boulder Dash-XL 3D Digging Its Way to the 3DS eShop
Moving over from retail
Since the 3DS launched we've seen a handful of titles evolve from retail releases — often with budget prices — into download titles. These are often lower-profile titles that can fall under the radar on the high street and therefore seek a second-wind on the download-only platform; Boulder Dash-XL 3D is making that same...
News Wakedas Puzzling Its Way to the 3DS eShop on 22nd August
"A contemplative and thoughtful shape shifting puzzle game"
Since Nintendo raised eyebrows with the original DS, we've never lacked for puzzle games. They keep on coming, and in a lot of cases are compelling brain-teasers, perfect for reminding working out the old grey matter. CIRCLE Entertainment, which has been a particularly active publisher on...
Tuesday13th Aug 2013
News GameStop Accused of Re-Printing Xenoblade Chronicles, Then Selling as "Used" For $90
A product monopoly gone too far?
Xenoblade Chronicles took its sweet time coming to the Wii in North America, with Nintendo eventually publishing as a limited release on the Nintendo Store and through GameStop. It had been long anticipated and clearly sold well for the available stock, as it reportedly became hard to find and rare after launch...
"As always, our pricing for these games is competitive"
Earlier today we reported that questions had been raised about GameStop's increase in Xenoblade Chronicles stock; the title had been difficult to find for an extended period. Despite the title's rarity for a number of months, many GameStop stores now have multiple "used" copies available, as...
Feature Some Early Miiverse Favourites From Art Academy: SketchPad
Lots of talent on display
Last week brought the release of Art Academy: SketchPad, a Wii U eShop tool-set that's a budget-priced warm-up for a full app to come at a later date; it gives artists a chance to show what they can do on Miiverse. It means that Wii U owners are no longer restricted to sharing monochromatic drawings, and though the app is...
Weirdness SEGA Employee Has a Bad Day, Says Bayonetta 1 & 2 Are Almost "Exactly the Same"
Probably not the official company line
Update: A SEGA of America employee has now reportedly taken to NeoGaf with a one-line statement back-tracking on the SEGA customer services rep reported below. The information provided is not accurate and we apologize for any confusion. Bayonetta 2 is an entirely new game. Of course, everyone already knew...
News Chicago L Train Transformed to Celebrate The Year of Luigi
Public Transport goes Green in Chicago
Chicago commuters were treated to a slightly unusual start to the working week as they were given the chance to take a ride on the Luigi Express. To promote the "Year of Luigi", Nintendo of America has transformed one of Chicago's L-Trains into a Luigi train, suitably decked out in promotional artwork for the...
Video This Super Metroid Animation is Rather Impressive
Let's all dream of a full animated series...
So, things have gone a bit quiet with the Metroid franchise. Metroid: Other M divided fans on the Wii, 3DS ambassadors received a copy of Game Boy Advance title Metroid Fusion, and the IP made an appearance in Nintendo Land. None of those have quite satisfied fans in recent years, it's safe to assume...
Review Tangram Style (3DS eShop)
Lots of tangram, not much style
The game of tangram has made the long journey from ancient China to your 21st century 3DS, and despite roughly one thousand years of technological improvement it’s still pretty much the same thing. Seven pieces of varying sizes and shapes must be crammed into a crude silhouette that may resemble a bird, a sailboat,...
Video DuckTales: Remastered Celebrates Launch With a "Moon Postcard"
It's THAT level
DuckTales: Remastered is released today on the Wii U eShop in North America, and arrives in Europe on 15th August. Eagerly anticipated since launch, particularly by those with fond memories of the NES original, its arrival is sure to put Nintendo's servers under a little strain. It's a treasured NES title not just for its gameplay,...
News Nintendo UK Launches Mario Kart 7 Facebook App
Event Races and Time Trials to take on
For a number of months Nintendo UK has been hosting regular Mario Kart 7 community races, but those that want to compete and meet other racers will now have a chance to do so in more detail with the new Facebook app that's been launched. As well as weekly races, the new app will allow for greater interaction...
Video Ubisoft Wraps Up Splinter Cell Blacklist Details in a Neat Bow
Seven minutes to introduce the various modes and features
Splinter Cell Blacklist will arrive on the Wii U next week, one of a number of high profile multi-platform third-party releases coming over the remainder of the year. It includes many of the features most common in modern games, with online co-op and multiplayer joining the single player...
News Candle To Be Given Its Time To Shine On Wii U
Teku Studios given Wii U developer status
Teku Studios has been hard at work on its innovative adventure puzzler Candle and has been running a Kickstarter campaign to bring the game to PC, while set up a Wii U stretch goal for good measure. The developer has now reached its goal of $40,000 but is still some way off the $85,000 needed for the Wii U...
News Giana Sisters: Twisted Dream Coming To Europe and Australia Next Week
Features off-TV play and a new easy mode for newcomers
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dream has been available on PSN and Xbox Live Arcade for a few months now and almost a year on PC. Black Forest Games gave the Wii U version a tentative release date of August and it has stayed true to its word, confirming the sisters will be in the European and Australian...
News Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver Given European Release Date
Set to speed into stores next month
Over the weekend a couple of North American retailers outed Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver, a high-octane racing title heading to all major platforms including Wii U and 3DS. Warner Bros. Interactive has now confirmed the game will speed onto European shelves as well and has given an official release date of...
News Ripstone Confirms Details for Knytt Underground and Pure Chess on the Wii U eShop
Pure Chess gets the 3DS eShop in Check, too
Last week's Nintendo Direct "Indie Showcase" sizzle reel included a good number of new releases confirmed for the Wii U eShop. Two of these are being published by Ripstone, Knytt Undergound and Pure Chess, and the publisher has now confirmed that both are targeting a release of late 2013/early 2014. Pure...
News Dave Cox - A New Contra Has "To Have a New Idea"
Lords of Shadow producer still keen to work on the series
It's little secret that Dave Cox, the well-known producer of the Lords of Shadow series, is keen to continue working on Konami IPs, with Contra being a franchise that he's shown interest in reviving. His work with the Lords of Shadows games, including Castlevania: Lords of Shadow — Mirror...
News The Chrono Trigger Symphony: Volume 1 Arrives on 22nd August
Blake Robinson's Synthetic Orchestra returns
You may be quite familiar with the name Blake Robinson by now, especially if you're a fan of video game music. Using software and tools that he's meticulously developed, Robinson produces orchestrations of iconic video game soundtracks that, arguably, take the source music to another level. He's produced...
Monday12th Aug 2013
News All 151 Kanto Pokémon Are Together, Each Drawn by a Different Artist
Twitter is Super Effective!
A few weeks ago artist Justin Chan took to Twitter to run Poké-Collab: Kanto, a bid to have 151 different artists each produce a representation of the first generation of Pokémon. Pictured below is the final result, which incorporates some pretty diverse illustrations, each with the artist's Twitter handle underneath...
News Mega Kangaskhan Revealed for Pokémon X & Y, Crowd Goes Wild
Pokémon World Champions crowned in Vancouver
Update: A new official trailer shows the previously confirmed Mega Evolutions in a fairly flashy way, with the exception of Mega Kangaskhan, which you can see in the original article below. Original Article: For those unaware, the Pokémon World Championships have taken place in Vancouver, with six...
News Pokémon X & Y 3DS Bundle Pre-Orders Sell Out Within a Day at Amazon Japan
Yikes
Saying that Pokémon is particularly popular in Japan is rather like saying Mario likes to jump around on platforms occasionally — it's a cultural phenomenon in the region. The franchise doesn't do badly in the West, either, but the prominence of the brand in Japan is arguably at another level entirely. Hype for Pokémon X & Y has...
Review Art Academy: SketchPad (Wii U eShop)
A masterpiece or sketchy at best?
One of the most fascinating things about Miiverse is how Nintendo is paying such close attention to it. Not just in the sense that it is regularly updating it, but rather the company is actually listening to what its consumers are saying on the platform. It's remarkably unusual for a company that until now had been...
Nintendo Download 15th August (Europe)
DuckTales returns, 'mon rumble, extreme bike riding and much more
It's time for the European Nintendo Download news to wipe away our Monday morning blues, and this week is one of the most packed line-ups in recent memory. There are two heavy-hitting Wii U releases, and plenty of others spread throughout the 3DS, DSi and Wii. There are some discounts...
News Satoru Iwata Cites Poor Basic Wii U Sales To Rule Out Price Cut Benefits
"The issue is not there"
After a tough 2013 to date, Nintendo has been very clear in stating that its upcoming line-up of exclusive content will drive a revival for the Wii U. Prospects of an official price cut have been repeatedly ruled out, with recent confirmation that the Wii U is still sold at a loss further dampening the prospect of a drop...
News Iwata Asks Interview With Hideki Kamiya Explores His Development Process
"At some point the God of Video Games descends upon us"
The Wonderful 101 may be, for some, the next big Wii U release on their radar. Exclusive to the system and published by Nintendo, it's a game that bears many of the hallmarks of its developer in that it's undeniably a PlatinumGames title — it looks and feels like the work of the studio...
News Metroid Fan Film Seeks Crowdfunding For Completion
See Samus in full Hollywood glory
If you're a fan of Metroid and have some spare cash lying around, you may be excited to know that a new Kickstarter project has been opened to fund Metroid: Enemies Within, a ten minute live-action fan film. "Fan film" might be a slight understatement, as the project is being helmed by Christian Cardona, an Emmy...
Talking Point The "Indie Spotlight" Was A Bright Point of Nintendo Direct, But More is Needed
Both sides of the Atlantic should make noise for the Wii U eShop
Last week's major Nintendo Direct, by which we mean the full-fat multi-game broadcast on 7th August, served up the odd surprise and some release dates, with plenty also left in the tank for future presentations. What was certainly surprising, and one of the most popular news articles...
News Two More Inazuma Eleven GO Titles Confirmed for Japan
Out of this world
European gamers have become used to slow and steady localisations of Level-5's Inazuma Eleven games, with the lengthy process meaning the region is well behind Japan; football / soccer fans in North America have unfortunately been entirely left out of the franchise. It seems a pity, especially as the main entries are typically...
News WayForward Confirms Mighty Switch Force! 2 For Wii U
"It’s kind of a backburner project right now"
Since its release on the 3DS, many assumed early on that WayForward may bring Mighty Switch Force! 2 to the Wii U, having already become familiarised with the system when producing Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition. The prospect of the latest entry transitioning to the home console became...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Stays Fifth in UK Charts as Pikmin 3 Drops Out of Top 20
Staying power
The UK charts have emerged for this week, giving a picture of how Nintendo's games are performing in the British market; there's some decent news on the 3DS front, once again, but a continuing loss of momentum for the Wii U's latest big release. The positive news is that Animal Crossing: New Leaf has continued to sell well even though...
Sunday11th Aug 2013
Review SteamWorld Dig (3DS eShop)
A gem to discover
At its best, the 3DS eShop is host to titles with a simple, well-formed idea that's executed with care and skill. SteamWorld Dig, the second in the SteamWorld franchise from developer Image & Form, fits into that mould, incorporating puzzle platforming mechanics within a continuous process of digging and resource management...
News Nintendo Now Selling Refurbished SD Cards and 3DS XL Consoles
Original 3DS and DSi XL models are also available
Earlier this year Nintendo announced it was selling authentic refurbished products on its official website in North America, stating the systems are the only refurbished products on the market that have been cleaned, tested and inspected to meet the company's high standards. At the time, Nintendo...
News Pokémon X & Y Soundtrack Coming This November
Unlike the game, it's download-only
The Pokémon series is well revered around the world not only for its gameplay but also its charming music and now the Pokémon Company has revealed a soundtrack to Pokémon X & Y will be made available on iTunes in November, shortly after the release of the games. It was announced earlier via the official...
Guide Prima Games Releasing Collector's Edition Guide For The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
'Hoy collectors!
Last month Prima Games announced it would be releasing The Legend of Zelda Box Set in November, which contains official guides for several titles in the popular series. The books will naturally be enclosed in a treasure chest - though you'll need to perform the accompanying music yourself as you open it - and features a metallic...
Video Blacksmith Forges Link's Master Sword
He had some spare pots that needed smashing...
The video gaming world has plenty of famous blades wielded by many great heroes, but none can match the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda. Though just a fictional sword, there are rumours the beautiful blade exists in the real world. One thing is for sure though, a professional blacksmith has...
Out Now Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Awakens in North America
There's also a demo available in the eShop
North American fans who’ve been dreaming of dreaming with Luigi have no longer to wait, as Mario & Luigi: Dream Team has now been incepted into their lives. Both retail and eShop copies of the newest game in the portable action-RPG series are priced at $39.99. If you’re still sitting on the fence...
Saturday10th Aug 2013
Talking Point The Wonderful 101 Direct and Demo Set the Standard for Wii U Marketing
Removing confusion and doubt
The Wonderful 101 has had a slightly peculiar route to the Wii U, in terms of visibility and awareness. At E3 2012 Nintendo used its live conference to make peculiar jokes about zombies liking French food and provide a rather thorough walkthrough of Luigi's Ghost Mansion in Nintendo Land. That presentation had good...
News Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver Hurtling Towards Wii U and 3DS
North American retailers jump the gun
Racing titles on Wii U are a little bit like buses - you wait ages for one and then two show up. First keen games announces TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition will be coming to the Wii U eShop next month, then a couple of North American retailers confirm Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver is on the way. The latter...
News Ghost Song: A Journey of Hope Could Come to Wii U if Kickstarter Stretch Goal is Met
The Metroidvania-style title has already hit its original goal
Ghost Song: A Journey of Hope is an interesting-looking sidescroller that takes much influence from the classic Super Nintendo title Super Metroid. Only a few days ago its developer Matt White set up a Kickstarter campaign for the project and aimed to obtain $15,000 to bring the title...
News TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition Screeching into The Wii U eShop Next Month
Start your engines
The Wii U is currently in short supply of racing games but that's all set to change next month when TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition drifts into the eShop. Essentially, it's a battle-racing game not too dissimilar to classic titles like Micro Machines and R.C. Pro-Am and looks like a perfect excuse for some high octane...
Friday9th Aug 2013
News Pokémon X & Y "Mega Evolution" Details Fleshed Out, Distribution Event Confirmed
Super Training, screens galore and a trailer, too
Yesterday brought some exciting news for those eagerly anticipating Pokémon X & Y, with CoroCoro magazine revealing "Mega Evolution" and three new 'mon, representing possibly the biggest new feature to be announced for the game to date — though it has had some competition. The Pokémon...
News Senran Kagura Burst Confirmed For Physical And 3DS eShop Release In Europe
Rip off your clothes in joy
It has been confirmed today that Senran Kagura Burst will be receiving a European release on the 3DS next year. Already confirmed for launch on the 3DS eShop in North America, this side-scrolling fighter will be going one better in Europe, where it will also be getting a boxed version as well. European distribution will...
News Masahiro Sakurai Outlines the Challenges of Smash Bros. Development
"It's important to remember that you can't take anything for granted."
It can be all too easy for critics and consumers, not just in video games but any entertainment medium, to casually disregard creative works without enough thought or consideration. Maybe it has one mechanic that isn't exactly as before, maybe Sonic's eyes have changed colour, or...
Nintendo Direct Watch The Wonderful 101 Direct Live
Unite up, gamers!
It's only been two days since the last round of Nintendo Direct broadcasts, but today we have a video focused exclusively on The Wonderful 101, developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo. We can expect lots of details on the upcoming release, bonkers footage and perhaps the odd memorable moment from the game's Director,...
News Nintendo's Digital Sales Revenue Continues Upward Trend With 3DS and Wii U
Still room for improvement
In recent months, whenever Nintendo's financial figures and sales have been making the news, a common thread has been an emphasis on the continuing growth of the company's digital revenues. What began with encouraging but flawed platforms on the Wii and DSi has progressed to more rounded, impressive offerings with the Wii...
To Smurf, or not to Smurf?
Recently we got a little down and smurfy with our review of The Smurfs 2 for the Wii U, and now, we’ve set our focus on the DS version which offers a completely different gameplay experience, despite sharing the same title. Where the former offered up uneventful platforming that should only appeal to novice players or...
News Platinum Teases "Special Announcement" After Today's Wonderful 101 Direct
"Don’t turn off the Internet just yet"
Today we'll be gifted with a special Wonderful 101 Nintendo Direct, packed with information relating to Platinum's upcoming action title. On the W101 Blog, Platinum has revealed that it has "something extra" to announce "shortly after" the broadcast ends: After the Nintendo Direct is over though, don’t...
Hardware Review Hauppauge HD PVR2 Gaming Edition Plus
It's pronounced 'hop-pog', by the way
As we head further into this generation, sharing and social media is looking to be an increasingly large focus for Nintendo’s competitors, with both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One featuring their own built-in DVRs. Unfortunately, Nintendo’s latest console lacks both the means and the oomph required for what...
News The Wonderful 101 Demo Coming to Europe Today
And in North America, plus there's an awesome new trailer
Update two: As some of the Nintendo Life community are now confirming, The Wonderful 101 demo is now live in North America as well as Europe. Thanks to all that let us know. Update one: PlatinumGames has just posting the following on its blog, confirming the demo in Japan and Europe and...
Out Now Art Academy: SketchPad Arrives, Right on Time, in North America and Europe
Not a drawn out release after all
Earlier in the week, as part of a Nintendo Direct broadcast, it was confirmed that Art Academy: SketchPad would be coming to the Wii U eShop today, 9th August. It's a drawing app that incorporates some of what will eventually be a full Art Academy title for the system, and includes various tools and full Miiverse...
Review Smash Bowling 3D (3DS eShop)
Bumpier bowling
Smash Bowling 3D, the latest from Big Bass Arcade developer Big John Games, feels like a proof-of-concept for a potentially great bowling game. While the bowling simulation is fun while it lasts, the bare bones presentation and lack of variety in game modes ultimately bring down the experience. Big John Games has touted Smash Bowling...
News 3D Streets Of Rage Will Come With One Hit Deathblow Mode
Bare Knuckle becomes Fist of the North Star?
Sega's 3D Classics range — which has so far only seen the light of day in Japan but is due to hit the west soon — is a selection of the company's past titles adapted for the 3DS console's auto-stereoscopic display. In the games released so far, Sega has made other enhancements — such as extra game...
Thursday8th Aug 2013
News CoroCoro Magazine Reveals "Mega Evolution" and Three New Pokémon for X & Y
It's all shaping up nicely
While details of Pokémon X & Y are slowly filtered through to the West, we can rely on CoroCoro magazine to keep the new information coming regardless; today's revelations are undoubtedly worth exploring. Scans taken and translated by Serebii have revealed details on new Pokémon and all-new "Mega" evolutions, which...
Review 10-in-1: Arcade Collection (3DS eShop)
Is it worth your hard-earned quarters?
Retro enthusiasts may be disappointed to learn that 10-in-1 Arcade Collection doesn't actually include any arcade greats of yesteryear. Luck would have it that Atari — despite decades of financial turmoil and even bankruptcy — still holds the rights to most of its impressive back catalogue. It's a similar...
Nintendo Download 8th August (North America)
DuckTales returns, Bumpie has a party, Mario & Luigi are dreamy and more
It's that time again, North America, with some juicy Wii U and 3DS options coming your way in this week's Nintendo Download update. There's some nice variety, too, with a platforming remake, quirky mini-game collection and a bonkers RPG among the options. Let's get to the...
Review River City Ransom (3DS eShop / NES)
BARF!
River City Ransom — or Street Gangs as it was known upon release in Europe — is arguably one of the most famous fighting titles for Nintendo's 8-bit NES console. Ported from the Japanese Famicom title Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari, the game combined the pugilistic focus of Double Dragon (which was created by the same company, Technōs...
Feature The Big Nintendo Direct Round-Up - 7th August 2013
Release dates, a few surprises and some awesome footage
Yesterday was one of those slightly-crazy Nintendo Direct days. When announced it was stated that the focus of the broadcasts would be on existing and confirmed Wii U and 3DS releases; that was true for the most part, but there were some surprises thrown in for good measure. For example there...
News Iwata: No Chance Of Nintendo's "Precious Resources" Coming To Other Platforms
Going multiplatform would be a "short-term" fix, says Nintendo President
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has been speaking to CVG about the possibility of the company bringing its famous IPs to other platforms, and the message remains the same: Not on my watch. Nintendo and Iwata have come under intense pressure lately to at least consider...
Video This Monster Hunter 4 Trailer May Be The Best Yet
It must come to the West, right?
Monster Hunter 4 is certainly on some wishlists among the Nintendo Life staff, and we're sure the same applies for a number of 3DS gamers. It arrives in Japan on 14th September, so envious glances are becoming increasingly frequent as we wait for news of potential localisations to North America and PAL regions...
News Shigeru Miyamoto Points the Way to Uncovering Pikmin 3's Hidden Secrets
You still have plenty of hard work ahead
A week ago we told you that Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed hidden memos in Pikmin 3 by posting on the game's announcement community on Miiverse. These ten secret memos are scattered throughout the game, and the numbers contained within combine to form a code; at that point the legendary Designer teased that he'd...
Friday9th Aug 2013
News There's a Real-Life Mario Kart for Sale
Don’t kick the tires
Ever wanted your very own life-sized Mario Kart? Or at least a replica that appeared in a TV spot? Your chance is now on that dream market called eBay! A Luigi Bumblebee Kart is currently listed for bidding, starting at $1,000 and closing shortly before 5 p.m. PDT on 10th August. Of course, if you want to forgo the excitement...
Thursday8th Aug 2013
News Wonderful 101 Team Is Platinum's Biggest Ever, Game Has More Content Than Bayonetta
"I think the real game begins the second time through"
The Wonderful 101 director Hideki Kamiya has been speaking to the Japanese magazine Famitsu about the forthcoming game, and has revealed that the project is one of the biggest in the young company's history: We've never used this size of a team and this amount of time to build a game before,...
News Pokémon X & Y Will be Playable at Gamescom 2013
Along with plenty more Wii U and 3DS games
Nintendo will be in attendance at the upcoming Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany from 21st to 25th August, and has been promising plenty of exciting releases as playable demos. The list of games at the show has been unveiled, with the blockbuster announcement likely to be confirmation that Pokémon X &...
News Wii U Hardware Still Being Sold At A Loss
Don't hold your breath for a price cut
Nintendo usually likes to sell its hardware at a profit, right from day one — something which sets the company apart from the likes of Sony and Microsoft, who have traditionally taken massive hits on hardware in the hope that software sales will make up the deficit. However, a Nintendo representative...
News Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl Receives Pre-Order Box Set
A special CD and design book will be included
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is set to emerge in North America in October and there will be a special pre-order pack for those who get in on the action early. The latest game in the Etrian Odyssey series will have a bonus box called Etrian Untold, Unseen, Unheard, which will feature a...
News Iwata: Getting The Attention Of Gamers Is Harder Than Ever
"The ability to pay attention is limited"
Gamers have more distractions than ever before — not only are there three main console makers, but players are also tempted with smartphone, tablet and web-based games, meaning that the amount of time they have to devote to any single title is reduced. Compare this to two decades ago, and most gamers would...
News Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D Blasting To The 3DS eShop Next Week
Duck and cover
Teyon has revealed that Heavy Fire: Black Arms is marching to the 3DS following its tour of duty on WiiWare. Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D will hit both the North American and European 3DS eShops next week — that's August 15th, in case you were wondering. Black Arms follows Heavy Fire: Special Operations, which also made the leap from...
Wednesday7th Aug 2013
Review Harvest Moon (Wii U eShop / SNES)
Barnstorming
Early wake ups, extensive hours, back-breaking labour and ever-vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns – farming doesn't sound like the most tantalising profession on paper. Way back when, however, developer Natsume clearly caught a glimpse of the positive aspects of the job and was inspired to create one of gaming's most beloved...
Nintendo Direct Watch The North American Presentation Live
Come for the games, stay for the banter
It's been a while, hasn't it? But fear not, a new Nintendo Direct is upon us, containing juicy news relating to "previously announced" Wii U and 3DS titles. You can watch the entire broadcast on this very page, and we'll be supplying blow-by-blow coverage as well. You can also chat freely with other Nintendo...
Nintendo Direct Watch The European Presentation Live
It's that time again
Ready for some news relating to the biggest Wii U and 3DS titles Nintendo has in development? Then you've come to the right place as we'll be providing live commentary on today's Nintendo Direct broadcast, which is due to air at 3PM UK time / 4PM CEST. Feel free to post your own thoughts in the chat area and let us know what...
News Nintendo Opens Legal Proceedings Against HackYourConsole.com
Continuing the fight against piracy
The Wii U and 3DS have so far maintained robust security, against flashcards and illegal modding, in comparison to the DS family of systems and the Wii. Both of the last-gen systems were easily cracked, and to date both current systems have stayed secure, which is perhaps particularly impressive in the case of the...
News Nintendo Unleashes an Awesome Sizzle Reel of Upcoming Wii U eShop Titles
There are a lot of them
Not too long ago Nintendo of America's Dan Adelman stated that 20-30 "new Indie games" could come to the Wii U eShop by the end of the year. Based on a sizzle reel released by Nintendo of Europe and broadcast as part of today's Nintendo Direct presentation, that number seems entirely feasible. Below are all of the games that...
News Classic Retro Titles Coming To North American eShop Later This Year
Super Mario Bros. 3 will be on both Wii U and 3DS
During today's Nintendo Direct it was announced that North America will be getting some timeless classics made available on the eShop. Broadcasting from the Nintendo Treehouse - we're not sure if it's actually a real treehouse - Erik Peterson confirmed five titles will be coming later this year...
News The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Confirmed for November
Europe all set alongside North America
Since its announcement during a previous Nintendo Direct, fans have been hotly anticipating The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds for Nintendo 3DS; after all, the game is a direct sequel to one of the most beloved SNES games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. During this morning's...
News Animal Crossing Plaza and Miiverse Community Open on Wii U
Available now, and is essentially an AC WaraWara Plaza
Today's Nintendo Direct broadcasts across multiple territories may have been focused on providing details of previously revealed titles, but there was still the occasional surprise. One of these is the Animal Crossing Plaza on Wii U, which will be available today for free, and serves as a...
News Sonic Lost World To Feature Connectivity Between Wii U and 3DS
Tails ingenuity at its finest
Sonic Lost World will exclusively come to Wii U and 3DS on 22nd October, much to the delight of Sonic fans everywhere. The newest platformer in the series sees the blue blur running along walls and through loops in what could be described as SEGA's take on Super Mario Galaxy. Also returning for this entry are the Wisp...
News Platinum: Nintendo's Focus On Perfection Can Be "Unnerving", But They Give "Great Advice"
Director Yusuke Hashimoto and producer Atsushi Inaba talk Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta 2 is currently in development at Platinum Games and is shaping up to be one of the Wii U's most important titles. Gamasutra has been speaking to director Yusuke Hashimoto and producer Atsushi Inaba about the game's path to release, its finely-balanced combat mechanics...
News Luigi Confirmed As Part Of The Smash Bros. Roster On 3DS And Wii U
A foregone conclusion, but nice to know regardless
It has been confirmed during today's Nintendo Direct broadcast that Luigi will be part of the line-up of playable fighters in the next Smash Bros. outing. Mario's sibling has been a part of the series from day one, but has so far been absent from any screenshots relating to the forthcoming Wii U...
News Nintendo of Europe Announces Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome A Friend Promotion
Give a pal the mayor status
During today's European Nintendo Direct broadcast, the company surprised fans with an Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome a Friend Promotion. Similar to the previous Gift & Hunt Together Promotion for Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on the 3DS, if you've registered your copy of Animal Crossing: New
News The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Dated for Europe
Mark 4th October on the calendars
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will scratch two distinct itches this October for Zelda fans, depending on past history. For some it may be a chance to enjoy the GameCube title once again, but with shiny HD visuals, new controls and some neat features, while for some it'll be a first opportunity to tackle the...
News Professor Layton Vs. Ace Attorney Is Being Localised For Western Release
No longer a mystery, thank goodness
During today's Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney will be coming to North America and Europe in early 2014. The crossover title — which features Capcom's Phoenix Wright and Level-5's Professor Layton — hit Japan in 2012, and English-speaking fans have been requesting a...
News Art Academy Sketchpad App Coming To The Wii U On 9th August
Picasso who?
Since the launch of the Miiverse community on the Wii U, we have seen an incredible amount of artwork from talented artists across the globe; you can catch a small glimpse of the amazing illustrations in our Miiverse feature. Last month, Nintendo announced it'd be releasing an Art Academy app for the Wii U this summer; sticking to its...
News Prepare to Unite for The Wonderful 101's Nintendo Direct on 9th August
Expect some craziness
After today's Nintendo Direct broadcasts told us about some upcoming games and dished up the occasional surprise, there's the happy news that we have less than two days to wait for our next presentation. At the close of both the European and North American presentations it was confirmed that a special Nintendo Direct for The...
News You'll Be Able To Dress Up As Mario And Luigi In Rayman Legends
Rayman and Globox become siblings
Today's North American Nintendo Direct broadcast featured Rayman Legends — a game which should have been with Wii U owners by now, but we won't open up old wounds — especially when you consider that the Nintendo version of the game will feature the ability to dress up Rayman and Globox as Mario and Luigi...
News Nicalis Teases SNES-Style JRPG Title For 3DS
Excited yet?
Nicalis has taken to Twitter to tease a new project for the 3DS which combines Japanese role-playing with SNES-style music. A long-time supporter of the 3DS eShop, Nicalis has previously given us titles such as VVVVVV and Ikachan. There's no news on what this mystery game could be, but given the company's track record we're getting...
Over 4000 user-generated levels, too
As part of today's European Nintendo Direct presentation Nintendo showed a rather impressive Wii U eShop sizzle reel of upcoming releases. Some were already known, but quite a few made their debut and therefore came as surprise announcement. One of these is
News Super Mario Bros. 2 Available On The 3DS Virtual Console Right Now in Europe
The wait is over
Today's Nintendo Direct revealed some more information about a few upcoming releases but there was room for some older classic titles too. For example, Super Mario Bros. 2 is available to download from the 3DS Virtual Console in Europe right now for £4.49/€4.99. The game was released back in 1988 on the NES and is a little...
News Bethesda: Wii U Is "Not On Our Radar" Right Now
Company has no Wii U titles in development
Back in September last year, Bethesda — developer behind the hugely popular Elder Scrolls series — was undecided as to whether or not it would be bringing its games to the Wii U; at that stage, the idea wasn't denied nor confirmed, as it previously announced that Skyrim was a "definite possibility"...
News Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy Scheduled For A November Release In Europe
The final chapter closes on the 8th November
During the 3DS-only Nintendo Direct broadcast back in April this year, the company announced that it was planning to bring the final chapter in the Professor Layton series, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, to the handheld later this year. Today's Nintendo Direct presentation revealed that the final...
News German Rating For CastleStorm On Wii U Hints At Impending Release
Ready the siege engines
Zen Studios hinted that CastleStorm would be coming to Nintendo platforms some time ago, with Wii U and 3DS versions seemingly on the cards. That was last year, and since then the company has been very quiet about the game. However, a recent listing for the Wii U version (along
Tuesday6th Aug 2013
Review Disney's Planes (Wii U)
Plane sailing or just plane bad?
Disney's Planes — the movie, not the game — was originally intended to be a straight-to-DVD spin-off of the popular Cars franchise helmed by DisneyToon Studios instead of Pixar. Presumably Disney's executives looked at the release schedule for 2013 and decided it was looking a bit barren, because the movie was...
News New Nintendo Direct Coming August 7th, Focus Is "Previously Announced" Wii U And 3DS Software
Takes place at 3pm UK / 4pm CEST / 7am PT
Nintendo has confirmed that a new Nintendo Direct broadcast will be taking place tomorrow. According to an email sent out in the last half hour, the Direct will offer details on "previously announced" titles for the Wii U and 3DS games consoles. The broadcast will air at 3pm UK time / 4pm CEST / 7am PT...
Wednesday7th Aug 2013
Review Bike Rider DX (3DS eShop)
Smooth Ride
Bike Rider DX doesn't have much in the way of exposition. It looks like a simple game, and it is: players guide a constantly-advancing cyclist through different stages, using a single button to jump over obstacles, pitfalls, and enemies on the way to the goal. This certainly isn't a new idea, but it wraps it up in a polished package...
Tuesday6th Aug 2013
News New 3DS Update Brings StreetPass Relay Functionality
6.2.0-12 available now in North America and Europe
Remember the StreetPass Relay function that Nintendo spoke about recently? The one where your StreetPass data is stored in Nintendo Zone locations and then exchanged with the next person to walk past? Well, that feature has just gone live thanks to firmware update 6.2.0-12 — now available in both...
News Senran Kagura Burst Confirmed For North American 3DS eShop
XSEED is localising another Japanese title
XSEED has confirmed it is bringing Senran Kagura Burst to the 3DS eShop later this year. The sidescrolling action brawler has been available in Japan for a while and features five buxom high school ninjas, each with their own special ability, who train in a secret academy. There are in fact two separate...
News BBC Warns Of Online Gaming Addiction, Uses Image Of Someone Playing Offline Mario Kart
Nothing like a bit of fact-checking, right?
Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games — or MMORPGs — are pretty addictive. The allure of a constantly connected world populated by other players and challenges is often too much for some people to resist, leading to gaming sessions which last for days rather than just a few hours. According...
Video UK Comic Rufus Hound Explains The Wii U Difference
Educating the masses?
Nintendo UK has employed the services of stand-up comedian Rufus Hound in order to spread the message of what's so great about its Wii U console, and the first of what will presumably be a series of videos has just hit YouTube. Hound — who many UK readers will recognise from the comedy quiz show Celebrity Juice (well, those...
News Iwata Looking To Return To "Nintendo-Like Profits" This Financial Year
"Our basic strategy is the expansion of the gaming population"
Nintendo's lavishly-illustrated 2013 Annual Report is now available for download, and comes filled with all kinds of numbers and figures relating to the company's financial well-being. However, it also features a message from Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, who states that it is his...
News Nintendo Has Sold 268.97 Million Consoles And 385.15 Million Handhelds In 30 Years
Along with 2.195 billion console games and 1.907 billion handheld games
Nintendo's recent 2013 Annual Report — in which President Satoru Iwata states that he expects to see a return to bumper profits this financial year — features some illiumitating figures regarding the company's incredible sales record over the past three decades. Since the...
News Young Justice: Legacy Will Come To Wii U, 3DS and Wii in November
Nintendo versions suffer a delay
Young Justice: Legacy is an action RPG from Little Orbit and is based on the now cancelled cartoon show of the same name. It's coming to all major platforms including Wii U and 3DS and is scheduled for release this September. However, the developer has now announced on its Facebook page that the Nintendo versions of...
Well, this is confusing
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy was originally pencilled in for a 2013 release date in Europe, but all that changed at the end of last month when Nintendo stated in its financial reports that it was being pushed back to 2014. However, in another bizarre twist, the official
News SteamWorld Dig Is Breaking The Surface Early In Europe And Australia
Coming tomorrow in those regions, new trailer also released
European and Australian 3DS owners will get to play SteamWorld Dig a full 24 hours before their North American counterparts, as the game will go live on the eShop tomorrow at 17:00 CET in those regions. We've been sent this piece of juicy info by developer Image & Form International,...
News StreetPassUK Launches Tag-Finding Website
Groups, events, contests, and lots of little green lights
Is your Mii Plaza a desolate monument to despair and missing puzzle tiles, or are you simply looking for some new friends for multiplayer or those downloadable games? If you live in the UK, there’s a site you should be checking out. StreetPassUK combines the forces of regional StreetPass...
Monday5th Aug 2013
Review Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst (3DS)
A mystery indeed...
The standard Nintendo DS version of Big Fish Games’ Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst was released on 19th April 2013. The original game that DS title was based on was first published for PC systems in February of 2009. So to find that this “new” 3D edition of a four-month-old DS port of a four-year-old game is being pushed...
Review Cloudberry Kingdom (Wii U eShop)
Maddeningly brilliant
Cloudberry Kingdom has never left anyone in doubt — it wants to test and infuriate gamers. Yes, there are easier options and levels, but its trump card is filling a screen with what looks like an impassable range of obstacles and then teasing the gamer with the hint of a possibility that it can be beaten. It's a cruel,...
Nintendo Download 8th August (Europe)
Spinning the bottle, battles for the ages, digging for glory and more
It's Monday morning, so it's Nintendo Download news time in Europe. This week brings us one of the most unique Wii U eShop titles to date, some retro goodies, and quite a mix of new titles and price cuts on the 3DS eShop. Without further ado, let's get to the details. Wii U...
News Club Nintendo Rewards Get Active for August
Going retro and training your brain
It's that time again, North America, when you can trade your Club Nintendo coins for a free downloadable game. This week has an undoubtedly retro feel, with a good variety on option for redemption as 3DS or Wii Shop downloads — the latter can also be accessed on Wii U via the Wii Mode. There are a couple of...
Ninterview Dan Clarke And Jake Smith Talk Project Dolphin, A Print-Based GameCube Tribute
"More games consoles need to be bright orange and have a handle"
By day, Dan Clarke and Jake Smith run JP74, a digital design agency based in the UK, but by night they're passionate gamers with a love of retro. Given their design background, it should come as no surprise to learn that the duo has successfully combined interactive entertainment with...
News Capcom: If You Want Games Like E.X. Troopers, You Need To Speak Up
"The best thing we can get is input"
Capcom's Andrew Szymanski has stated in an interview with Siliconera that fans need to be more vocal to get their games they really want. Lost Planet spin-off E.X. Troopers was famously denied a western localisation because of the amount of work required to translate the Japanese text. H
News Nintendo Most Likely To Produce Gaming-Centric Tablet, Says Game Designer Jesse Schell
"Who knows what Nintendo has up its sleeve, right?"
Game designer, author and CEO of Schell Games Jesse Schell has been speaking to Games Industry International about the future of the games market, and has delivered a few home truths about where he feels we're headed. Schell — who graduated with a Masters of Science in Computer Networking and...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Remains in UK Top Five, Pikmin 3 Falls Away
Can't be whistled into top 10
The UK software charts have had their weekly update, and it's a case of mixed news for Nintendo. The overwhelming positive is that Animal Crossing: New Leaf has moved up one position to third with no drop in sales from last week; it's showing impressive momentum. There is disappointment from a Wii U perspective,...
News Ubisoft Gives French President François Hollande A Wii U
Hopefully his countrymen will follow suit and pick one up
There are a lot of different ideas floating around about how Nintendo can improve Wii U sales and capture the public's imagination, but it looks as if Ubisoft has come up with a unique approach — giving the console to heads of state. French President François Hollande paid a visit to...
News Rex Rocket Confirmed to be Flying Onto Wii U
To arrive after the PC release in January 2014
Rex Rocket is a title that came to our attention earlier in the year, and it successfully passed its crowdfunding target for a PC release with the developer — Castle Pixel — keen to also bring it to Wii U and 3DS. In our interview with the studio's Robert Maher, he explained that "bringing Rex...
News Wii U eShop Title Tengami Suffers Delay, But Is Still Coming This Year
"We want to keep working on it until we feel it is ready"
Tengami's proposed Summer release has been postponed, but developer Nyamyam insists that it's still coming in 2013. The game — which we exclusively announced was coming to the Wii U eShop back in April — was expected to hit iOS in August, with other formats following afterwards...
News Ghostlight Opens European Pre-Orders For Devil Survivor 2
Requires 1,800 pre-orders for release
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 has been available in North America for over a year now and has yet to emerge in Europe. UK-based publisher Ghostlight has the rights to release the DS game, however, the European market is a bit tricky these days and it would be taking a gamble to manufacture the game and...
News Spin The Bottle Studio KnapNok Is Working With NightSky Creator Nifflas On Wii U Title
"You will definitely like this one"
KnapNok's Spin the Bottle hits the Wii U eShop this week, and the company's Creative Director Lau Krosgaard has been speaking to Nintendo World Report about upcoming projects. Krosgaard has revealed that KnapNok is working with NightSky creator Nifflas — real name Nicklas Nygren — on a new Wii U eShop...
News Smash Bowling 3D Ready To Strike 3DS
From the creators of Big Bass Arcade
Big John Games has announced its latest 3DS title, Smash Bowling 3D, which is expected to be released via the eShop on 8th August for $4.99. The developer notes that the bowling sim expands its lineup of sports games, which currently consists of the Big Bass Arcade series. Here's what the studio had to say about...
Sunday4th Aug 2013
News Boy Credits Mario Kart After Taking Control of Car and Saving Lives When Grandmother Passed Out
All that practice came in handy
Video games are often labelled as a time wasting exercise that offer nothing more than a bit of escapism but it's fair to say they have much more value to them than that. Take Gryffin Sanders, a ten year old boy who was riding in a car with his younger brother and his 72 year old grandmother in Golden, Colorado...
Talking Point Wii U and Third-Party Inconsistencies Pose Questions for Console Owners
Is Nintendo's system enough on its own?
It's been a slightly bruising week for the Wii U, though some positives have also emerged. From a first-party perspective there's the notable positive of Pikmin 3 hitting the valuable North American market, a game generally considered to be of excellent quality and an opening salvo in Nintendo's bold plans of...
First Impressions Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (3DS)
Ghost of his former self
What in the world has happened to Pac-Man? There is a plethora of games staring the spherical leading man on almost every gaming platform, yet with every reimagining he seems to become a worse version of his former self. Every now and again we’ll get a gem, like 2010’s Championship Edition DX, but that’s just a...
Review Turbo: Super Stunt Squad (3DS)
A snail's pace
Based on the movie from DreamWorks Animation about a garden snail who longs to become the fastest racer in the world, Turbo: Super Stunt Squad for 3DS is yet another licensed title that suffers from a lack of working controls, solid visuals and compelling gameplay. While D3Publisher and developer Torus Games have the right idea —...
Out Now Pikmin 3 Finally Lands in North America
Check out some Pikmin facts and the New York launch to warm up
After its release in Europe a little over a week ago, Pikmin 3 has now arrived in North America as arguably the first high-profile Wii U release in a number of months — Game and Wario didn't quite set tills ringing. It's been critically acclaimed in plenty of reviews to date, and...
The game's producer believes the series will continue after Dual Destinies
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is already out in Japan and topped the software charts in its first week of release. It will be heading to the West this Fall but will only be available as a download from the 3DS eShop. This will be the first title in the main...
Saturday3rd Aug 2013
Review Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Nintendo 64)
A game worthy of acclaim?
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter was a wise and lucky move for publisher Acclaim Entertainment. In the late '90s, the company was struggling financially and drastically needed to change its fortunes. Making good on its purchases of Valiant Comics in 1994 and development studio Iguana Entertainment in 1995, Acclaim used the rights it...
Interview Ubisoft On Splinter Cell Blacklist, Taking the Series Forward and Wii U Features
Going for a triple-A sneak kill
Splinter Cell Blacklist is, at the time of writing, just a few short weeks from sneaking onto the Wii U. This is the sixth home console game in the series, with just one of those games — Conviction — skipping the Wii in 2010; all others featured on the GameCube or Nintendo's last-gen system. Its arrival on Wii U...
Video Rejected CGI Zelda Film Discovered Online
It wasn't to be
Plenty of video game projects come and go while fans are none the wiser, including some for spin-offs and movies that don't make the cut. One such example has been discovered in the form of a rejected pitch for a Zelda CGI movie. Residing within a Vimeo portfolio of animations — and since posted around the web — the footage was...
News SEGA Reportedly Interested in Acquiring Atlus' Parent Company
Around 20 companies are looking to bid
In June Atlus' Parent Company, Index Holdings announced it had unfortunately fallen into some financial difficulties and entered what is known as "civil rehabilitation proceedings" in Japan - essentially bankruptcy - in order to resolve its debt problems. The company reportedly stated it would be willing to...
News Pikmin Bag Available to North American Club Nintendo Members
Totes cool
What do Pikmin have in common with a bag? Put them both over your face and you can’t see anything, yes, but they also tote things! The Pikmin Tote Bag, now offered to North American Club Nintendo members for 400 coins, is a semi-meta treat in that regard. Made of space age cotton-poly blend, this canvas bag can carry up to 20 pounds (9...
News Ubisoft: The Wii U GamePad "Feels Like a Natural Extension" in Splinter Cell Blacklist
Ubisoft producer tells us about the upcoming blockbuster
It may be having a relatively quiet build-up, but the arrival of Splinter Cell Blacklist later this month will be eagerly anticipated by fans of the franchise. It's also a return for the series on a Nintendo home console, after previous entry Conviction skipped the Wii. The Wii U version of...
Interview Retromade Games On Developing Desert Strike Tribute Hell IX For Wii U
"Our basic philosophy is to return to classic gameplay"
Retromade Games has just launched its Kickstarter campaign for helicopter shooter Hell IX, and has confirmed that the game will be headed to the Wii U eShop if its funding target of $22,000 is met. An action title which calls to mind the old-school gameplay of Desert Strike and Tiger Heli, Hell...
News Wii U Version of How to Survive Rated By USK
Could be infecting the Wii U eShop after all
At the end of May 505 Games announced it will be publishing a new IP in the form of How to Survive, a zombified survival action game. At the time it stated the downloadable release would be made available for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 but there is now evidence that it could be coming to Wii U as...
News Cloudberry Kingdom Will Have Online Leaderboards Soon
Pwnee Studios is working on a patch
Cloudberry Kingdom precipitated into the Wii U eShop a few days ago and has seen many a gamer rack up insanely high scores. However, those who did download it have found something missing - the promised online leaderboards are nowhere to be found. A few people got in touch with the developer Pwnee Studios about...
Friday2nd Aug 2013
News Pokémon X & Y to Catch Roughly 14,000 of Your 3DS Memory Blocks
Packaging for 3DS LL (XL) bundles also emerges
Such is the level of obsession that Pokémon X & Y will demand, some may consider going the download route so that it's always available without any pesky cart swapping. Even though the games aren't out until October, news has already emerged of just how much SD card space you'll need to make that...
News Ocarina of Time Speedrunner Explains How To Beat the Game in 22 minutes
No mods, cheats or external tools
Speedrunning may be a fairly niche activity, the preserve of enthusiasts that exchange ideas on forums and at events, but it can be impressive for anyone to watch when talented gamers show off what they can achieve. It's especially impressive when speedruns are completed on the original software, without...
Weirdness "Pikmin 3" Shows Off a House in Animal Crossing: New Leaf
The Wii U game is speaking to us
So it turns out that Pikmin 3 is more than just a Wii U game, but also a space suit-wearing inhabitant of the Animal Crossing: New Leaf universe. If our games are alive and interacting with other games, then this hobby just got more interesting. Silliness aside, Nintendo has opened a special Pikmin 3 house — with...
News The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Japanese Box Art Revealed
Looking good, Link
Nintendo of Japan has recently revealed some fresh artwork for the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD on Wii U, along with the official box art. We have to say it’s all very pretty and makes the Nintendo Life team even keener to get its grubby mitts on the final hi-def game. Lucky Japanese gamers will be able to...
Review Chain Blaster (3DS eShop)
Blastin’ makes me feel good
It’s been just over a month since G.Rev’s Kokuga hit the 3DS eShop, and now we’re already being treated to another shoot ‘em up with the release of G-Style’s Chain Blaster. Though shoot ‘em ups have been few and far between since the home console took over the industry and put countless arcades out of...
News Specialist Retailers Emphasize Their Support for the Wii U
"Nintendo has proven time and again that they are experts in the market"
This week has brought some tough news regarding the Wii U, to an extent causing some to forget the positive effort and game lineup that Nintendo has put together for the remainder of the year. The last few months were very poor for the system, but the plan has always been to...
First Impressions Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
2014th time’s the charm
Believe it or not, nearly four years have already passed since the 2010 Winter Olympics hit Vancouver, Canada. That means, as you probably already know, the 2014 Winter Olympics are just around the corner, this time settling comfortably in Sochi, Russia. The occurrence of the worldwide games also means that, you guessed it,...
Interview Anamanaguchi On Making Sweet Chiptune Music And Loving Final Fantasy
Meow, m-m-m-meow
In case you didn't know, Anamanaguchi is an American chiptune indie rock band made up of hackers and producers born and raised on the Internet from New York City. They make — and we quote — "loud, fast music with a NES from 1985." September sees the release of their new album Endless Fantasy worldwide, so we thought it would be...
News John Carmack: Doom 3 BFG Edition Would Be Great On Wii U, But There's Not Enough Interest
Would love to develop for 3DS and Wii U, but it's "unlikely"
QuakeCon is currently taking place in Dallas, and id Software Technical Director John Carmack has already given a quote-laden presentation at the event. Carmack covered a wide range of topics, including government snooping via games machines and the next-gen console race. He also touched...
News Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate Gets a Price Drop in North America
Hunt Dracula for less
It seems like a safe comment to say that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate was a divisive entry in the series. It split critics — though we were fans in our review — and gamers in general seemed to be rather divided over its merits. It was a title where MercurySteam went its own way, even if not all franchise...
Weirdness These Gaist Crusher 3DS Add-Ons Aren't Particularly Stylish
Lumps of plastic to bolt onto the 3DS? Check...
Not so long ago we brought you the news that Treasure — best known for brilliant titles such as Sin & Punishment: Star Successor and Gunstar Heroes — is working with Capcom on Gaist Crusher for the 3DS. It's a title that'll aim to combine the in-game action with a broader branding effort,...
News Nintendo Has Been Fantastic To Work With, Says Oddworld Developer
Nintendo's Dan Adelman asked specifically for Stranger’s Wrath on Wii U
Just Add Water CEO and Oddworld Inhabitants development director Stewart Gilray has been siging Nintendo's praises in a recent interview, and states that the company is "fantastic" to work with. Speaking to Nintendo Everything, Gilray also revealed that NoA indie supremo Dan...
News Downloadable 3DS StreetPass Plaza Content Has Generated 400 Million Yen In A Month
And that's with virtually no promotion
Nintendo recently introduced four new downloadable games which made use of the 3DS console's StreetPass functionality. Available for purchase individually or as a bundle with a discount, this quartet of titles marks a new phase in Nintendo's online strategy with its popular handheld. According to Nintendo...
News Classic SNES RPG Breath Of Fire II Is Coming To The North American Wii U Virtual Console
A breath of fresh air
Capcom's classic 16-bit RPG Breath of Fire II is coming to the North American Wii U Virtual Console "in the coming months". The news was broken on Capcom Unity, along with confirmation that UDON Entertainment is publishing a Breath of Fire Complete Works art book next year. The series is undergoing something of a revival of...
Video Game Freak May Have Made Solitaire and Horse Racing an Awesome Combination
This 'aint the Grand National
Not so long ago Game Freak — best known for the Pokémon franchise — teased a new title with a silhouette, and then surprised us all by revealing an eShop title combining horse racing with Solitaire. Anyone who said "I knew that's what it'd be" is clearly not being entirely truthful. But still, HarmoKnight was a...
Thursday1st Aug 2013
La la la-la-la lame
With Papa Smurf and the rest of the Smurf clan making their way back to theaters this summer in The Smurfs 2, it’s no surprise that a video game of the same name is arriving alongside its movie counterpart. Generally, expectations are low for such licensed fare, but when we heard that the good people at WayForward were behind...
News IGN Editor: If Wii U Doesn't Pick Up, Nintendo Should Look To New Hardware
A fresh start rather than "flogging a dead horse"?
Yesterday's first quarter financials revealed that the Wii U sold a paltry 160,000 units in three months, giving the new system a life-to-date total of just 3.61 million units — way below Nintendo's initial projections when it launched the system last year. The console's struggle at retail has a...
Soapbox Mobile And Tablet Gaming Is Creating A Generation Of Talentless Players
Touchscreens are all very well, but Damien McFerran wants his pad back
As much as dedicated console players hate to admit it, smartphone and tablet gaming has really taken off of late. Companies like GungHo interactive are reaching the kind of audience and generating the kind of revenue that their more established rivals can only dream of, and...
Nintendo Download 1st August (North America)
Pikmin 3, a visit to Cloudberry Kingdom, retro Kirby and much more
It's Nintendo Download time, North America, and this week brings the long-awaited Pikmin 3 to stores. There's plenty more to consider, with new and old download-only options on the Wii U eShop, more retail goodies and a few diverse offerings on the 3DS eShop. Without further ado,...
First Impressions Sonic Lost World (3DS)
Gotta go portable
It’s no secret that time has not been kind to Sonic the Hedgehog. Over the past decade Sega's spiky mascot has undergone a complete redesign, and has had to muddle his way through several sub-par outings that have left fans wanting so much more. The losing streak seems to be coming to and end though, with recent Sonic titles...
News Wii U Research & Development Costs May "Undermine Profitability"
IHS head of games Piers Harding-Rolls not writing off Wii U
Yesterday brought us Nintendo's Q1 financial reports, with the headlines generally focused on an overall profit, strong 3DS performance and poor Wii U sales. In terms of what was expected for the three months in question, it was a report with little in the way of major surprises, though did...
News Shigeru Miyamoto Confirms That Secret Memos and a Code Are Hidden in Pikmin 3
Will "be in touch again", the big tease
With Pikmin 3 already preoccupying Wii U gamers in Europe and all set to do the same in North America, it seems that there are some hidden treats to hunt out. Shigeru Miyamoto has updated the game's announcement community on Miiverse to state that secret memos hidden throughout the game will actually reveal a...
News Pikmin Keyrings Arrive as Club Nintendo Europe Rewards
If you lose your keys, just whistle
Club Nintendo rewards, in Europe particularly, aren't updated particularly regularly. When something new arrives, as a result, street parties are held, firework displays are common and gamers are merry. Well, OK, that doesn't happen, but considering that some of the existing rewards in Europe are DSi kits and...
News Monster Hunter Frontier Online Coming to Wii U in Japan
Based on the trailer, it looks like a lot of fun
It may be an oddity in the series, but for game-starved Monster Hunter fans in the West, the MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) Monster Hunter Frontier Online has likely been a source of interest and envy. Considering that so much of the fun in Monster Hunter Tri and Monster...
News Mysterious Cities of Gold: Secret Paths Coming To Wii U and 3DS This October
Will be in French, a Kickstarter campaign may bring English localisation
Back in May we reported that Neko Entertainment would be bringing a Mysterious Cities of Gold title to Wii U and 3DS this fall but the developer revealed little other details. More information has now appeared on the horizon, including the title of the upcoming game:...
News Satoru Iwata Emphasizes Nintendo's Desire to Produce Products That "Resonate" With Consumers
Doesn't think "the concept and potential of the Wii U have been rejected"
With its recent Q1 results and sales revelations, much commentary has inevitably swirled around Nintendo's approach with its hardware and software, which is delivering happy times with the 3DS; there's the obvious goal to reproduce that success on Wii U, too. It's always a...
News Dan Adelman: Nintendo's Got "A Whole Bunch More" Coming to the Wii U eShop this Holiday
Also confirms that smartphone and PC purchases are on the way
Dan Adelman's job title of Business Development Manager may not reveal much in itself, but as explained to us late last year, he's the man responsible for working with and encouraging small developers to bring their games to Nintendo's eShop platforms. It's an approach that seems to have...
News PlatinumGames Gradually Tells All About The Wonderful 101
It's their game, so no embargoes
The Wonderful 101 is the next high-profile Wii U exclusive on the horizon, due 23rd August in Europe and 15th September in North America. It's one of two system exclusives being developed by PlatinumGames, so as a result it's pretty clear that it's going to be a high-octane action experience with enough craziness to...
News Wii U Price Cuts Only Brought Modest Additional Sales for Asda and Amazon UK
A part of just 10,000 Q1 sales outside of Japan and North America
Nintendo's recently announced sales figures (covering 1st April to 30th June) for Wii U made grim reading, re-emphasizing the stalled momentum of the system and further explaining the company's repeated message that it would be the second half of the year that would be of the most...
News Jump Trials Supreme Confirmed For A 3DS eShop Release
G-Style outlines what players can expect to see
Jump Trials has been a pretty successful series for G-Style and has seen two iterations on DSiWare in the past. The developer made its 3DS eShop debut not so long ago and has Chain Blaster, Undead Bowling and Crazy Construction residing in the digital store. It seems the company is not done there and...
