News - 2013, Week 04

Sunday27th Jan 2013

  • News Crystal Dynamics Explains Why Tomb Raider Isn't Coming To Wii U

    One port that won't be happening

    The Tomb Raider series is receiving a reboot in March when the aptly named Tomb Raider is released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. With the Wii U receiving plenty of ports since its release it was only natural for many to hope the latest Lara Croft game would be making an appearance as well. However with the...

  • Review Ikachan (3DS eShop)

    Squids today...

    While most people know Pixel's work from the excellent Cave Story, that's not the only game he's ever made, and exploring his lesser known titles can be a lot of fun in itself. Ikachan is one such title, released as freeware for the PC in 2000. That's four years before Cave Story, and you'll definitely see some overlap in terms of...

  • News Call of Duty: Black Ops II Patch On The Way

    Should be available before the month is out

    Activision has prepared a patch for Call of Duty: Black Ops II that should be released fairly soon, possibly before the end of the month. According to a forum entry posted earlier in the week, the publisher has submitted the patch to Nintendo where it is currently being tested. There's no set date yet on...

  • Impressions Brain Age: Concentration Training Demo

    Fiendishly focused

    Inspired by the work of famed neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, Nintendo's Brain Age games aim to keep players' minds sharp through daily mental exercises, and have proven popular since the DS original, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!. The first 3DS entry in the series, Brain Age: Concentration Training focuses its...

  • Feature Nintendo at Sundance - Short Films, Brain Training and Wii Fit U

    A trip to the movies

    Once every year, the most creative minds in the film industry gather in Park City, Utah at the Sundance Film Festival to showcase their talents to celebrities and movie-goers alike. Not to be outdone, in an era where the line separating film and video games continues to blur, Nintendo of America joined in the fun to show off the...

  • Ninterview Australian Retro Gamer

    Retro gaming from down under

    The next subject in our Ninterview chair is a retro gaming fanatic from Down Under known as Australian Retro Gamer - or ausretrogamer, for short. We caught up with this internet phenomenon to quiz him on his love of all things retro and Nintendo. Nintendo Life: Who are you, and what do you do for a living? Australian...

  • News Copies of Bravely Default are Flying across Japan

    Accompanied by fairies, too

    Since its release in October 2012 in Japan, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy has been what can be considered a success, shipping 300,000 copies across Japan. Speaking with 4Gamer, Producer Tomoyo Asano revealed the figure, while saying he believes that at the end of the month the sales figures will equal those that shipped:...

  • News Silent Hill Producer Joins WayForward Technologies

    Tomm Hulett leaves Konami for pastures new

    A new director has been appointed at WayForward Technologies in the form of Tomm Hulett, the former Konami producer behind Contra 4, Rocket Knight and the more recent Silent Hill games. Konami and WayForward Technologies have worked together before, with the publisher releasing Silent Hill: Book of...

  • News Gunman Clive Update Now Available In Europe

    Fixes crashes in stage 10 and other minor problems

    Gunman Clive has been available on the 3DS eShop for a little over a month in Europe and it has already outsold its iOS counterpart. The game does have a few small glitches, however, and its creator Bertil Hörberg promised they would all be fixed in the new year. Well it seems Hörberg is coming...

Saturday26th Jan 2013

Friday25th Jan 2013

  • News Disney Infinity Will Have A New Game Released Every Year

    Games will be forwards and backwards-compatible

    Disney Interactive will be launching its ambitious Disney Infinity title this summer on pretty much every platform you can imagine, including Wii U, Wii and 3DS. The game allows the player to scan real-world toys into the environment and will feature characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean, The...

  • News 3DS Version Of Super Smash Bros 4 To Be Shown At E3

    Joining its Wii U sibling

    Masahiro Sakurai has revealed via Twitter that the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros 4 will appear alongside the Wii U edition at this year's E3 event. According to a rough translation, he said: Wii U and 3DS versions — I would like to show you both. The Wii U version of the game had previously been confirmed for a...

  • Feature The Big Wii U Direct Summary - 25th January 2013

    All of the details in one place

    Wii U Direct may have only been 35 minutes long, but it sure packed a lot into a short space of time, with a few extra details following in the press releases that followed. We certainly did our level best to cover everything revealed by Iwata-san in the broadcast, as well as information from Nintendo's regional...

  • News Satoru Iwata Announces 3DS Save Data Transfer Tool

    Set for March release in Japan

    In a short video update only released on the 3DS eShop in Japan, Satoru Iwata has confirmed that a 3DS Data Transfer Tool will be available in the region from March, which will allow for save data from retail cartridges to be transferred to retail download software. In practice, this may not be a tool used a great...

    • 3DS
  • News Bowser Is Officially The Greatest Video Game Villain Of All Time

    The 'King of Koopas' is finally crowned

    Guinness World Records asked gamers to vote for their top video game villains for inclusion in the 2013 edition of Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition, and it comes as no surprise to see Mario's nemesis of almost three decades take the top spot of the podium. With more than 5,000 readers voting in the...

  • Feature Nintendo Life's View - Wii U Direct

    Our team rather liked it

    When Nintendo announced Wii U Direct earlier this week, there was a mixture of fevered optimism and slight negativity, with some predicting big reveals and others expecting little more than a few release dates and trailers. Even wording promising new Wii U games was met with caution by some, but there can be little doubt...

  • Review Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena (3DS eShop)

    Mah-tch two

    We'll be honest, while some members of the Nintendo Life team are clever and cultured enough to know all about the intricacies of Mahjong, some of us have to consult Wikipedia to learn the rules. It shouldn't have surprised us, however, that when we opened Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena the variation on offer was basically a single...

Thursday24th Jan 2013

  • News Nintendo Comes Out On Top In Consumer Experience Poll

    Beating Apple, Sony and Microsoft

    A recent poll has seen Nintendo top the list for best customer service, outranking Apple, Sony, Samsung and Microsoft - among others. The findings were charted by Forrester, an independent market research firm that specialises in the tech sector. 7,500 US participants in the survey were asked: “How well did they...

Friday25th Jan 2013

Thursday24th Jan 2013

Wednesday23rd Jan 2013

  • Rumour Flashback Remake Coming To Wii U eShop

    1992 classic is getting a lick of paint

    French action platformer Flashback is being remade for modern consoles, and rumour has it that a Wii U eShop edition is also on the cards. Originally developed for the Commodore Amiga by Delphine Software in 1992, the game combined 3D visuals with 2D platforming and quickly gained a cult following. Console...

Thursday24th Jan 2013

  • News Platinum Games Is Interested In Acquiring The Darksiders Franchise

    A match made in heaven?

    Yesterday, we reported that THQ's time was up and the company's studios were being sold off to the highest bidders. One of the shocks of the process has been the fact that nobody has come forward to purchase Darksiders II studio Vigil Games. However, it would seem that there are interested parties out there. Platinum Games...

  • News UK Retro Computer Museum Is Moving To Larger Premises

    Lend your support by donating to a noble cause

    We're big fans of the Retro Computer Museum here at Nintendo Life - we've covered the charity's events previously, and heartily support the aim of preserving working examples of classic systems that everyone can enjoy and interact with. The museum has been running for some time now and regularly holds...

  • News 8 Bit Weapon Celebrates Over A Decade Of Chiptune Goodness With Chiptopia

    New album features 16 classic cuts

    If you know your chiptune, then you'll already be aware of the band 8 Bit Weapon. Comprised of Seth & Michelle Sternberger, the band creates music using retro gaming hardware - including the C64, Game Boy, NES, Amiga and several other vintage systems. The duo have launched a new album which celebrates more...

Wednesday23rd Jan 2013

Tuesday22nd Jan 2013

  • Rumour Pikachu 3DS XL Makes It To Chile, North America Is Next?

    Chilean 3DS is the same used in North America

    The spectacularly yellow limited edition Pikachu 3DS XL originally started off as a Japan-only system, but since then it's been on a bit of an adventure, making it over to European shores last December. It now appears to have found another home, with the system apparently being announced for pre-order...

  • News Satoru Iwata Tweets That Wii U Direct Will Be "A Bit Different"

    Wording suggests a look at Nintendo-specific projects

    Earlier today we brought you the news that Satoru Iwata is hosting a global Nintendo Direct Broadcast — Wii U Direct — tomorrow at 2PM GMT / 9AM EST. The press release and a subsequent tweet stated that new software and services for the home console would be on the agenda. Satoru Iwata, for...

  • News Resident Evil Revelations Set to Infest Wii U

    Terrifies North America on 21st May, Europe on 24th May

    Not long ago rumours spread around the web, like a virus we guess, that 3DS title Resident Evil Revelations was getting revamped for home consoles. Capcom has now issued a press release to confirm that the rumours were true, and thankfully Wii U is one of the platforms getting the re-boot. Set...

  • Talking Point The Trends and Inconsistencies of Localisation

    Predicting releases is getting tougher

    Yesterday brought the news that Project X Zone is being localised and released in PAL regions and North America this summer. To many that would arguably be a surprise, as the title has endured a relative failure in Japan, culminating in a major price-cut. Yet recent years have taught us that predicting...

  • News Wii U Direct Scheduled For Tomorrow

    A look at new software and services for the Wii U console

    Nintendo has today confirmed that a special "Wii U Direct - Nintendo Games" Nintendo Direct will be broadcast worldwide tomorrow (Wednesday 23rd January) and will be hosted by none other than Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. It's due to take place at 2PM GMT / 9AM EST. You can view the...

  • News Ralph Nader Targets Violent Video Games and Their Developers

    Refers to "electronic child molesters"

    After the shocking violence of the Sandy Hook massacre, a lot of political debate in the U.S. has focused on the implications of what happened, along with debates about existing gun laws and the potential causes of such violent behaviour. It's a complex issue with arguments about gun control and mental health...

  • News Here's What Happens When Game Boy Advance Games Invade The Real World

    Seriously amazing animation

    Ever wondered what it would be like to see your favourite Game Boy Advance titles spring to life and infiltrate reality? Perhaps not, but you're going to see it anyway - thanks to the efforts of The Pixel Kingdom. The animation below features characters from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Golden Sun,

  • Out Now The Cave's Exploration Begins on North American Wii U eShop

    You have to wait until Wednesday, Europe

    It's the first new download-only release on the Wii U eShop in 2013, so we thought we'd remind those of you in North America that The Cave is now available for download in your region — no need to wait for the download update on Thursday. The full game is $14.99, while Europeans will have to pay €12.99 /...

  • News Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan Demo On The Way

    Progress will be transferable to retail copy

    The gorgeous looking Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan will be unleashed in North America on 26th February in both physical and downloadable formats. Atlus, the game's developer, has now revealed a demo will be heading into the 3DS eShop on 7th February - a good few weeks before the game launches...

  • News Scribblenauts Is Doubling Up On Nintendo DS

    New bundle includes the two DS instalments

    Warner Bros. is bundling together the first two Scribblenauts games - Scribblenauts and Super Scribblenauts - for the Nintendo DS in Scribblenauts Collection. Amazon's US site has a release date of February 26th. It's not currentl

  • News Nintendo Takes A Bite Out Of Euro Publishing Duties For Castlevania: Mirror Of Fate

    Responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution

    In a move which mirrors the agreement between Nintendo and Capcom in Europe, Nintendo and Konami have confirmed that they have entered into a deal which will see the former company handling the European (and Australian) distribution of the gothic 3DS adventure Castlevania: Lords of Shadow -...

  • News Australian 3DS eShop Gets New Region Specific Section

    Great news for homegrown indie developers

    Australian gamers have a new way to find and support indie developers from their home country, as the 3DS eShop Down Under — and throughout Europe as the "Developed in Australia" shelf — has been given a region-specific section listing all aussie-made games. There are currently 14 titles available in...

  • News HMV Debt Acquired by Hilco

    Gift cards are being honoured once again

    HMV, one of the UK's foremost entertainment media retailers in the UK, and by extension a major part of the video game presence on the high-street, has been in administration since last week. It's been announced today that the company's debt has now been acquired by Hilco, a retail restructuring firm that...

Monday21st Jan 2013

  • Review Rapala Pro Bass Fishing (Wii U)

    Dead in the water

    In attempting to craft a realistic fishing experience, Rapala Pro Bass Fishing got one thing exactly right: you'll be sitting around doing nothing for most of the time you play it. Unfortunately that's due to its almost insultingly lengthy load times, but we'll still give it some credit for unintentional verisimilitude. The...

  • Nintendo Download 24th January 2013 (Europe)

    Update: The Cave arrives on 23rd January

    It's time for news of this week's download updates in Europe and, at long last, it's time for Wii U owners to rejoice. There's a shiny new download-only game available on the Wii U eShop, along with a discount and retail release. A welcome and puzzling sequel arrives on 3DS, while DSi and Wii also receive new...

  • News Prepare To Be Jealous At This Amazing Nintendo Collection

    Japanese collector Isao Yamazaki shows off his stunning haul

    As we move towards a totally digital age, the attraction of collecting physical gaming media is going to become even more unusual - pretty soon, there will be kids who don't understand the concept of actually buying a physical cartridge. Thankfully, so long as people like Isao Yamazaki...

  • Review Riding Stables 3D (3DS)

    How about a lovely horse?

    One genre that absolutely feels underrepresented on the eShop is the pet sim. This is at least somewhat surprising, as the 3DS is not only portable, but it encourages gamers to take it with them everywhere, regardless of whether or not they intend to play anything. It accomplishes this through puzzle and Mii sharing, Play...

  • News This Homage To Sega's Classic Racers Could Be Speeding To The Wii U eShop

    Rolling start?

    During the '90s, Sega was the undisputed king of arcade racers. The Japanese coin-op veteran produced a string of solid-gold classics, such as Virtua Racing, Daytona USA, Sega Rally and Scud Race. Sadly, as interest in arcade hardware has dipped, the need for these attention-grabbing experiences has lessened - but there are few who...

  • News Gunman Clive Developer: 3DS eShop Is "Healthier" Than iOS

    3DS version of Gunman Clive has outsold Its iOS counterpart

    Gunman Clive recently made quite an impact on the 3DS eShop, earning a positive review from us and bagging some decent sales. You might assume however that the Nintendo version of the game trails its iOS and Android siblings quite badly - after all, the smartphone editions came out in...

  • News Project X Zone Fighting To a Worldwide Release This Summer

    Crossing over from Japan

    Project X Zone, the rather fabulous-looking crossover strategy-RPG featuring characters from SEGA, Capcom and Namco Bandai franchises, looked destined to be a Japan-only release, especially after underwhelming sales prompted a hefty price-cut. In surprising news, Namco Bandai has confirmed that the title is being localised...

  • News Maestro Interactive Games Bringing Super Ubi Land To Wii U eShop

    Other projects also on the way

    Notion Games, the developer behind Super Ubi Land, has teamed up with Maestro Interactive Games to bring the game to the Wii U eShop. Super Ubi Land is a fun little platformer that takes a lot of influence from such old-school titles as Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World. Notion Games itself calls the game "a...

  • Reaction Gunman Clive Provides a Positive Example of eShop Success

    A boost for controlled licensing

    The video game industry is in the middle of, arguably, its most unstable period — the landscape is evolving almost too quickly to track. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are currently sticking to the course as constants, in general maintaining well-worn business practices while attempting to adjust to new challenges...

  • News Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Will Take About 16 Hours To Suck You Dry

    And that's just the first playthrough

    Worried about whether or not Konami's forthcoming 3DS epic Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate is going to have the staying power to keep you occupied when it launches in March? Well put your mind at ease because Konami producer Dave Cox has revealed that the game's first playthrough will take you...

  • Rumour eShop Developers No Longer Required To Have A Physical Office

    Dan Adelman drops a hint on Twitter

    One of the early rules put in place by Nintendo for developers on its digital platforms was the need for a physical office - a move which was no doubt intended to ensure a certain "quality" of developer. However, since the days of WiiWare the playing field has shifted - the number of professional coders migrating...

  • News Atari's U.S. Division Files For Bankruptcy

    A bid for freedom from its parent company in France

    While filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. is typically an act taken by companies in significant financial trouble, it's being adopted as an escape mechanism by the U.S. divisions of Atari. Atari Inc, Atari Interactive Inc, Humongous Inc and California US Holdings Inc have all collectively filed in...

  • News Neko Entertainment Discusses The Possibility Of Further Wii U Support

    Games for 3DS not ruled out, either

    Neko Entertainment released Puddle on the Wii U eShop in time for the launch of the the next generation console across Europe, and since then has been making quite a splash with gamers. It's only been over a month since its release, but that hasn't stopped Neko's QA Manager Sébastien Chipot-Delys discussing...

  • News Ikachan Swimming Into The 3DS eShop in North America Before February

    Guxt also on the way

    Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya, the developer behind the much-loved Cave Story, will have two new games in the 3DS eShop this quarter: Ikachan and Guxt. As with Cave Story, both games will be published by Nicalis - the same company behind VVVVVV. Ikachan sees you take on the role of a squid who swims through an underwater realm, looking...