News - 2013, Week 11

Sunday17th Mar 2013

  • Review Mega Man 3 (3DS eShop / NES)

    Sibling rivalry

    It's fitting that Mega Man 3 introduces our hero's antagonistic, cocksure older brother Proto Man, as the game itself seems to eternally duke it out with its own brother Mega Man 2 for the coveted title of Best in Series. But wherever you may fall on the question, there's no doubt that this third installment in the classic franchise...

  • News Wii U Version of Need For Speed: Most Wanted Unlikely To Get DLC Support

    The most wanted DLC looks set to skip Wii U

    The Wii U edition of Need for Speed: Most Wanted will be released in just a few days time, and those who pick up a copy will find that the Ultimate Speed Pack — downloadable content on other versions — will come included free of charge. Unfortunately, however, it appears that any future DLC for the...

  • Round Table Let's Talk About the F-Zero Franchise

    Ready

    With SNES classic F-Zero coming to the end of its spell as the 30 cent/30 pence Famicom Anniversary promotion on the Wii U eShop, some of us in the Nintendo Life team thought that it was the perfect time to talk about the franchise. With just four main releases — include the GBA title but discounting the arcade unit — it's not been...

  • News Nintendo Renews Eternal Darkness Trademark

    A sequel could yet see the light of day

    Released in 2002 on the GameCube, survival horror title Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem became an instant cult classic. Since then there have been glimpses of evidence that a sequel would eventually come to be, but up to now it hasn't happened. The game has come excruciatingly close to a sequel and now,...

  • News Legend Of Zelda Hacked To Make Zelda The Hero

    Well her name is in the title, after all

    Recently, we saw Pauline switch roles with one-time romantic attachment Mario, and now it's the turn of Hyrule's most celebrated couple to change places. Animator Kenna W. decided to mod The Legend of Zelda to realise one of her childhood dreams — to get to play as the titular princess: For me, I played...

  • News Dead Island: Riptide Is Skipping Wii U

    Game engine would need to be rewritten, says producer

    Zombie-slaying sequel Dead Island: Riptide is joining Saints Row 4 as another title which isn't coming to the Wii U. Speaking in an interview with Digital Spy, Deep Silver producer Alexander Toplansky revealed that the port wasn't happening because his team would have to rewrite the game's code:

  • News Youkai Watch Releasing This Summer in Japan

    One to watch out for

    Level-5's latest project is Youkai Watch, a 3DS game about a young boy who acquires a special wristwatch that allows him to see ghostly creatures in his environment. Using his own ghosts he can battle them and stop townsfolk from being haunted - such a nice boy. Youkai Watch has now been given a more concrete release, with...

Saturday16th Mar 2013

Friday15th Mar 2013

  • News The Game Boy Color’s Only First-Person Shooter Comes Back From The Dead

    Unreleased Tyrannosaurus Tex emerges from exitinction

    2001 was supposed to see the release of UK-based Slitherine Software's Tyrannosaurus Tex, a first person shooter for the Game Boy Color which boasted smooth 3D action and a compelling deathmatch mode. However, prospective publisher Eidos — now part of Square Enix — decided not to release the...

  • Talking Point The Pros and Cons of a Wii U Price War

    Sell, sell, sell, say the retailers

    Earlier this week we saw a bit of a Wii U price war break out, in the UK at least, with Amazon UK joining Asda in slashing the price of both Wii U models by £50. At the same time, a number of US retailers are being rather creative with their offerings, not necessarily going for a full-blown price reduction but...

  • News Saints Row 4 is Skipping Wii U

    Will only be on "current-gen consoles" and PC

    When THQ sold off its assets at auction earlier this year, Volition ended up in the hands of Koch Media, which has naturally now taken on the Saints Row franchise as a result. Koch Media denoted the series to Deep Silver, which has now confirmed the first game to be released post-THQ will be Saints Row...

  • News Fire Emblem: Awakening's US Sales Are The Best In The History Of The Series

    180,000 units sold since launch

    Nintendo has confirmed that Fire Emblem: Awakening has enjoyed the best first month sales in the entire history of the franchise, shifting 180,000 units since its launch on February 4th. Impressively, around 63,000 of that total was downloaded via the 3DS eShop. In contrast, the game's handheld predecessor — Fire...

  • News Pokémon Rumble U Trailer Shows NFC in Action

    Details of first set of figurines included

    Announced in Coro Coro magazine in February, Pokémon Scramble U, commonly being called Pokémon Rumble U in the West, arrives as a download-only Wii U title on 24th April for 1800 Yen, which at the time of writing equates to just over $18/€14/£12; it continues on from Pokémon Rumble on WiiWare and...

  • News Nintendo States That an External Hard Drive is Needed for LEGO City Undercover Download

    Update: File size of 22GB will squeeze onto a Deluxe/Premium Wii U

    Now that LEGO City Undercover is available for download in the North American eShop, IGN has completed a download and confirmed that it is a 22GB file that will squeeze onto a Wii U 32GB model with enough space. That confirms the suspicion that Nintendo's official website stating a...

  • News Nintendo Responds To Guilty Verdict In 3D Patent Case

    "Nintendo is confident that the result will be set aside"

    Nintendo has responded to the guilty verdict issued in its case against former Sony inventor Seijiro Tomita, who won $30.2 million in damages after insisting that Nintendo stole his idea for 3D display technology. The statement reads as follows: A jury awarded $30.2 million in damages to...

  • News Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Swings Into a Release on 24th May

    We're not monkeying around

    Announced recently during a Nintendo 3DS Direct broadcast, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is a handheld re-release of the critically acclaimed Wii platformer, originally developed by Retro Studios. It's a title that involves plenty of perspective changes from foreground to background, and as a result it's not hard to see...

  • News Yacht Club Games Is Hoping To Bring Shovel Knight To The Wii U And 3DS

    "May remind you of Mega Man, Castlevania, or Dark Souls!"

    Yacht Club Games — the new studio formed by ex-WayForward staff members — has revealed its first project via a Kickstarter campaign. Shovel Knight is a 2D platforming epic which calls to mind the 8-bit NES era, and is described by the developer as "a hot mashup of new and old that may...

  • News U.S. February Sales Figures Make Grim Reading for Wii U and Wider Industry

    A marginal increase on January's poor results

    NPD has released its figures for February video game sales in the U.S., and they're not results to give cheer to Nintendo, or even retailers and those invested in the overall traditional gaming market. Taken as an overall sales figure, hardware, software and accessories across the board dropped 25% in...

  • Competition Win £100 of Nintendo eShop Credit!

    Plus 10 runners-up each snagging £15 too.

    Want the chance to win some free eShop credit for your 3DS or Wii U? Of course you do — who wouldn't, right? Well now you've got a chance. We've teamed up with Nintendo UK to offer £100 of eShop credit to one lucky winner, plus £15 to ten almost-as-lucky runners-up. All you have to do to be in with a...

  • News Monster Hunter Producer Answers Fan Questions In New Video Interview

    Did your question make the cut?

    A few weeks back, Nintendo UK asked Monster Hunter fans to put some questions to producer Ryozo Tsujimoto with the aim of getting them answered in an exclusive video interview. The video has now been posted online, and gives a little more insight into the creation of what is likely to be one of the biggest Nintendo...

  • News SteamWorld Dig Is Burrowing Its Way To The 3DS eShop This Year

    "Not another 3D effect showcase nor a cheap port", according to the developer

    Swedish studio Image & Form has announced SteamWorld Dig, a new title for the 3DS eShop which is expected to launch later this year. Set in the same post-apocalyptic world as SteamWorld: Tower Defense, the game will be a "hardcore platform mining adventure" with...

  • News Former Assassin's Creed Creative Director Patrice Désilets Returns To Ubisoft

    Back at Ubi after THQ's bankruptcy

    Former Assassin's Creed lead developer Patrice Désilets has joined Ubisoft — the company he left in 2010 — after the French publisher acquired THQ Montreal, where he was employed as creative director. The studio was up for sale following THQ's recent bankruptcy. Désilets was working on two previously...

Thursday14th Mar 2013

  • Review LEGO City: Undercover (Wii U)

    On the block rockin' beat

    Between the lucrative high profile movie tie-ins and people begging for Zelda and Mega Man editions, it's sometimes easy to overlook the fact that The LEGO Group cut its teeth on its non-licensed playsets. From fantasy wonderlands to more ordinary examples, the building bricks were an ever-popular force with children and...

  • Nintendo Download 14th March 2013 (North America)

    Hunting monsters, going to the City, throwing retro punches, being Mega and much more

    It's Nintendo Download update time, North America, with so much packing the eShops and DSi store that we even had the information earlier than normal — all the more time to soak it up. Quite a few high profile retail downloads are joined by some demo action, a...

  • Rumour Pikachu 3DS XL Already In US Stores, March 24th Release Mooted

    Update - Nintendo confirms release date and price

    Nintendo has now confirmed that the Pikachu 3DS XL will be released on March 24th in North America. In will include a 4GB SD card — as is standard for the XL model — and will have a suggested retail price of $199.99. Original article Nintendo's recent TV commercial for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:...

  • News Nintendo Loses 3D Patent Case Against Former Sony Inventor

    Ordered to pay $30.2 million in damages

    A few weeks ago, we reported that Nintendo was being taken to court by former Sony staffer Seijiro Tomita, who insisted that the Kyoto company stole his idea for glasses-free 3D screens and used it on the Nintendo 3DS. Tomita's claim was that he demonstrated the tech to Nintendo in 2003, and that several of...

  • News The Electus 64 II Mini Brings the Sexy Back to Nintendo 64

    Packed with features that actually work

    When it comes to modded consoles — which in this case means one that plays actual cartridges, not ROMS — we've seen plenty of innovative efforts over the years. Enthusiasts with a flair for hardware tech have produced handheld GameCube systems housed in tupperware boxes — we kid you not — a Super NES...

  • News GameStop: Wii U Will Need Great First Party Titles To Compete

    Sales have been "slower than expected"

    It's no secret that Wii U sales have been a bit on the sluggish side in 2013, but many retailers are hopeful they'll soon pick up once a few more games start being released. One games retailer that has been disappointed with the number of Wii U units flying off the shelves is GameStop. In an interview with...

  • News Fast & Furious: Showdown Speeding To Wii U

    Australian retailer outs new racing title

    Australian retailer EB Games has confirmed that Fast & Furious: Showdown is coming to the Wii U. The game looks set to coincide with the release of the sixth movie in the long-running movie franchise. EB Games has a release date May 22nd. VG247 has

  • News This NES Arcade Unit is a Perfect Introduction to Gaming

    All for one lucky little girl

    Earlier today we posted an article on The Electus 64 II Mini, a handheld Nintendo 64 that resembles a glossy, chunky Game Boy. And rather like London buses (wait for an eternity and two come at the same time), we've been directed to an arcade cabinet that plays NES games — just like the handheld N64, that's actual...

  • News UK Price War Rages As Asda And Amazon Slice £50 Off Wii U Cost

    Basic and Premium bundles down to £199 and £249 respectively

    The cries for a Wii U price cut seem to have caused a reaction, as both Amazon.co.uk and UK superstore Asda have knocked £50 off the price of both Wii U bundles. Asda — which is owned by US store Walmart — was the first to move, cutting the price of the Basic and Premium bundles...

  • News Zen Pinball 2 Launches Into North America on 21st March

    The wait is nearly over

    Every week with Nintendo Download updates for both North America and Europe, there are games that are eagerly awaited and seem to be perpetually missing. It can be frustrating, but one wait being endured by North American Wii U owners is almost at an end — Zen Studios has confirmed that Zen Pinball 2 will arrive on the Wii...

  • News Disney Infinity Pushed Back To August

    "It gives us a little more time to add bells and whistles"

    Disney Interactive has revealed that its Disney Infinity video game and toy range will be launching in August instead of June, as was originally planned. August 18th is the proposed launch date in North America, with other regions getting the game two days later. Speaking to The New York...

  • News Ghostlight May Yet Bring Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 To Europe

    Publisher is considering its options

    Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked will finally be released in Europe on 29th March. It's being published by Ghostlight, which took up the task due to Atlus only localising it for North America. Attention has now switched to the game's sequel Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

    • DS
  • News Broken Rules Has A New Game In The Works

    Will be set in the same world as Chasing Aurora

    Chasing Aurora has been in the Wii U eShop since the system's launch, and plenty of people have been enjoying soaring through it; a demo for the game is now available to download free of charge for those wanting to fly before they buy. In a recent interview with 4CR, Broken Rules, the developer behind...

Wednesday13th Mar 2013

  • Review The Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition (Wii U)

    Spidey takes Manhattan, again

    Our friendly neighborhood wall crawler's cinematic reboot in last summer's The Amazing Spider-Man had us leaving theatres utterly torn. We're down with new interpretations and while the Spider-Man on-screen offered a lot of what we love about the character, the surrounding film was kind of a mess. The same can be said...

  • News Nintendo Reveals Flipnote Studio For The 3DS eShop

    Holy flip!

    During a Japanese only mini Nintendo Direct, President Satoru Iwata announced that Flipnote Studio 3D was on the way for the 3DS eShop in Japan. It's said to be more powerful than its predecessor, and the free base application will be available from the eShop this coming Summer. The app will allow users to make 3D animations with up to...

  • News Sakurai: Online Play Will Be Improved in Upcoming Smash Bros.

    "We've learned a lot about net play since Brawl was released"

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl was one of the few Wii games to venture online. By delving into the Nintendo WFC players from all four corners of the world could brawl with each other in what was a decent experience in some battles, and a more turbulent one in others. Unfortunately, as with most...

  • News Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode is Double The Length of The PSP Version

    Will feature over 160 digital monsters

    Last month we reported that the 3DS would be getting an updated version of the PSP game Digimon World Re:Digitize in Japan. All we knew was that it will include a couple more story chapters and would have an extra word chucked on the end of it for good measure. Yes, Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode certainly...

  • Ninterview Meet Roger Craig Smith - Voice Actor for Sonic the Hedgehog / Chris Redfield

    A hedgehog's got to do what a hedgehog's got to do

    Roger Craig Smith is a very talented man. He's done voice overs for a wide range of characters in top video games, but most would recognise him as the voice behind the modern Sonic the Hedgehog, and Chris Redfield in the more recent Resident Evil series of games, including Resident Evil:...

  • News Flipnote Studio 3D Drawing to the West, For Free, This Summer

    Localised Nintendo Direct details online and sharing communities

    Earlier today we brought you the news that Flipnote Studio 3D is coming to Japan this summer; the happy update is that it looks set to arrive in the West in the same period, with Europe confirmed and North America very likely to join in. Nintendo of Europe has also released a new...

  • News Fire Emblem: Awakening SpotPass Content Going Into Battle Today

    New and free content every two weeks

    Fire Emblem: Awakening has been critically acclaimed and earned plenty of praise from Nintendo gamers since its arrival in North America; whether it's the expansive amount of content and gameplay, clever tweaks to the formula or polished mechanics, it's been popular in the Nintendo Life community and, frankly,...

  • News Vita Knocks 3DS Down to Second in the Japanese Charts

    Hell hath indeed frozen over

    It's Japanese charts time and, to the astonishment of the world, the Gods and all creatures of the Universe, the 3DS is only the second highest selling system in Nintendo's homeland. Sony's PS Vita, combining last week's price drop and this week's release of Soul Sacrifice (as well as, to a lesser extent, Tales of Hearts...

  • News Apollo Justice Returns in Ace Attorney 5

    Justice is blind

    More news on Ace Attorney 5 has been promised by Capcom but as of yet we've had no major announcement. However, we have learnt — thanks to a picture in the latest Famitsu magazine — that Apollo Justice is making a return in the upcoming game. The picture shows the young attorney as we've never seen him before. He's still...

  • News Unannounced Square Enix Wii U Title To Be Revealed At PAX East

    What could it possibly be?

    Square Enix will be attending PAX East this year, showcasing games for various platforms; this will apparently include a Wii U title. In an invitation sent to Gamezone, the company indicated that a previously unannounced title would be revealed for the console, although details were scarce. The convention will take place...

  • News Pentagon To Review Controversial New "Nintendo" Medal

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to reconsider Distinguished Warfare Medal

    Last month, the Distinguished Warfare Medal was unveiled by the US military. The medal is awarded to US troops who make "extraordinary achievements directly impacting combat operations...regardless of the member’s physical location or domain". This includes those involved in...

  • News Pokémon Scramble U Set To Be The First Wii U Title To Use The NFC Feature

    We can hear our wallets crying

    The latest edition of CoroCoro magazine has released some new information on upcoming Pokémon title for the Wii U, Pokémon Scramble U. The game will be released in Japan on the 24th April, and it'll be the first title to utilize the console's NFC (Near Field Communication) feature. NFC allows the player to place...

  • News Two Tribes: We Could Make A Damn Fine Star Fox Game For Wii U

    "It would be awesome to work on"

    Two Tribes co-founder Collin van Ginkel has revealed that the studio would love to work on a new Star Fox game for the Wii U. Speaking in an interview with NintyChronicle, van Ginkel was asked which franchise he would want to work on someday. He replied: I think we could make a damn fine Star fox game for Wii U...

  • News Official Pokémon Facebook And Twitter Pages Tease Pikachu-Related Announcement For Tomorrow

    Let the Pikachu out of the bag already

    Earlier this week, Nintendo of America released a TV commercial promoting upcoming title Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity for the 3DS, but there was also a sneaky glimpse of the limited edition Pikachu 3DS XL in the advert. This got quite a few people excited, as the special edition handheld is...

  • News A World of Keflings Is Migrating To Wii U eShop Later This Year

    XBLA hit is heading to Nintendo's console

    NinjaBee Studio has confirmed that it will be bringing its Xbox Live Arcade title A World of Keflings to the Wii U eShop later this year. The sequel to A Kingdom for Keflings, A World of Keflings launched on the Xbox 360 back in 2010. It places you in a fantasy world where you must help Keflings — small...

  • News The Nano Soundtrack Collection is Blowing Up Speakers Right Now

    Shin'en delivers a gift to the fans

    After confirming the imminent arrival of Nano Assault EX on the 3DS eShop last week, Shin'en Multimedia stated that it had a much-requested surprise on the way for fans of the series — that new treat is The Nano Soundtrack Collection. As anyone who's played any of the "Nano" titles — from DS to Wii U — will...

  • News Sami Cetin Regains PAL Super Mario Kart Time Trial World Title

    Niece Leyla Hasso bags the women's world title, too

    UK Super Mario Kart champ Sami Cetin has regained the PAL version Time Trial World Title for the second time. Sami previously held the title from September 1998 until April 2004, and beat one of the World Records set by former title holder Karel van Duijvenboden of the Netherlands on Sunday, March...

Tuesday12th Mar 2013

  • Review Legend of the River King (3DS eShop / GBC)

    Nothing smells fishy here

    Natsume is mostly known for its Harvest Moon games, but what you might not know is that there is another long-running series from the same developer - in fact, its first game predates the first Harvest Moon by 6 years. Legend of the River King is one of only four games in this series released outside Japan, and it's now...

  • News Zelda Game Boy Color Oracle Duo Heading To Western 3DS eShops Before Summer

    Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma gives us new hope

    During last month's Japanese Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Japanese gamers would be able to purchase both The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracles of Seasons on the 3DS eShop from the 27th February — so it was only a matter of time before the classic Game Boy Color...

  • Remake Request Langrisser

    Fire Emblem's old rival deserves a second chance

    As you dig yourself into Fire Emblem: Awakening’s monstrously addictive campaign, spare a thought for some of the other turn-based strategy RPGs which haven’t been given the chance to impress an entirely fresh generation of players. Like Langrisser, for example. Chances are, unless you really know...

  • Review Wrecking Crew (3DS eShop / NES)

    I'm gonna wreck it!

    It’s common knowledge for most gamers that Mario has been in countless games over the years, in which he has taken on a bevy of different roles and occupations. From race-car driver to boxing referee, Mario has done it all. Curiously enough, just about the only job Mario hasn’t performed in a video game is that of a plumber,...

  • News Nintendo Announces Mint White 3DS XL For Japan

    Tomodachi Collection bundle coming, too

    During Nintendo's latest Japanese Nintendo Direct, the company announced a brand new minty fresh colour to its ever expanding 3DS colour collection — a Mint White 3DS LL (XL in the West). The new addition will release in Japan on the 18th April, and will retail for 18,900 Yen (approx. €150 / £131 / $196)...

  • News Four Classics Available Now in the Latest Club Nintendo Rewards

    Check your coin balance, North America

    Every month Nintendo of America unveils its latest Club Nintendo offers, giving members a chance to exchange hard-earned coins for download codes. Often the games available are hit and miss, but this month seems to offer a strong line-up to suit various tastes. The following are all available until 7th April...

  • Talking Point Review Scores and Unwinnable Arguments

    Just how important are review scores?

    Last week we published our Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate review; we liked it, despite some flaws that we outlined, and gave it a strong recommendation with a score of 8/10, which counts as "very good" in our review scoring policy. Such was the reaction to the review here, elsewhere and to the...

  • News Inazuma Eleven GO Galaxy Announced for 3DS in Japan

    We're counting down the years to localisation

    During the recent Nintendo 3DS Direct in Europe, it was announced that the third entry in the Inazuma Eleven handheld series would be coming to Europe this summer. As it's the 3DS version (not DS) it seems to be the enhanced edition that was part of a trilogy release in Japan — no trilogy was...

  • News Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams Heading to Wii U eShop

    It's what dreams are made of

    Giana Sisters: Twisted Dream is a platformer developed by Black Forest Games and has been out on PC since October last year. A console release is imminent with a PSN and Xbox Live Arcade version on the cards as of right now. However, the developer has confirmed on its Facebook page that Giana Sisters: Twisted Dream will...

  • News Pixelscopic Hopes To Bring The Zelda-Inspired Delver's Drop To A Nintendo System

    "Our inspirations come primarily from the Super Nintendo Era, though we're pulling from a lot of other sources as well."

    Delver's Drop is the kind of game you'd get if you combined The Legend of Zelda: Link To The Past with Demon's Souls and added in a pinch of Diablo — and it could be coming to a Nintendo console in 2014, if all goes according to...

  • Video Assassin's Creed III - Tyranny of King Washington's "Wolf Power" Has Some Bite

    It's a dog's life

    As a big-budget release, Assassin's Creed III was always destined to have a fair bit of DLC. After a couple of packs featuring extra missions and multiplayer bonuses — the latter's not recommended on Wii U due to the lack of an active online community — it got to the main event, The Tyranny of King Washington. It's a new...

  • News Miyamoto: "Entertainment is an Unpredictable Industry"

    Not at a point of concern for Wii U as yet

    Shigeru Miyamoto, as you've no doubt noticed, has been on a press tour around the U.S., and the most recent port of call seems to have been the New York Times. A number of topics were covered, and in terms of the ever-present question of Wii U momentum the Nintendo executive admitted that he'd naturally...

  • News Richie Branson Celebrates Chrono Trigger Anniversary With a New Rap

    Three free tracks, album on the way

    Last summer we directed you to a music track from rapper Richie Branson, called Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, which combined rap with enough game references to satisfy almost anyone. He's now returning with a new album that's focused on SNES classic Chrono Trigger, and to celebrate the 18th Anniversary since its...

  • News UK Supermarket Chain Asda Preparing a Bid for HMV

    Around 120 stores could remain

    Earlier in the year we reported that the UK and Ireland retail firm HMV had gone into administration, the latest embattled high-street chain to do so. Although best known in the past for selling music, its stock has diversified to other areas such as video games, making it one of the most prominent high street sellers...

Monday11th Mar 2013

  • Review Nano Assault EX (3DS eShop)

    EXceptional

    Shin'en is certainly no stranger to the shoot 'em up genre, having already had some solid success with its Iridion releases on Game Boy Advance and Nanostray titles on DS. For those who don't remember, it was just a little over a year ago when the developer released Nano Assault on Nintendo's 3DS system and showed just how amazing the...

  • Ninterview Wiggy Design On Breathing Life Into Old Systems

    Console modification with the human touch

    Although it's always exciting to open up the latest and greatest consoles and get to grips with the incredible advances being made by hardware manufacturers, there's something about vintage systems which makes them appealing long after they fall out of fashion and become technologically obsolete. Your...

  • Nintendo Download 14th March 2013 (Europe)

    Flying for less, stopping invaders, mastering jewels and more

    It's Monday morning, so once again Nintendo of Europe is starting the week with the news of what we can expect in this week's Download Update. There's a demo and sale of a recently updated launch release on Wii U, various 3DS offerings and a one-button runner from CIRCLE Entertainment...

  • News Special Edition Pikachu 3DS XL Shows Up In North American Commercial

    Nintendo, you tease

    Remember that awesome Pikachu 3DS XL that hit Japan all those months ago? It's long been rumoured that it could be heading stateside, and it would appear that we now have confirmation of that momentous event — from Nintendo itself, no less. The distinctive yellow system stars in the new TV commercial for

  • News Terra Incognita Hits Wii U Kickstarter Target

    Developing on a tight budget

    Over the weekend we directed your attention to another Kickstarter campaign, with Terra Incognita adding Wii U as a funding stretch goal. It's a project with the self-professed objective of producing an experience reminiscent of turn-based RPGs with old-fashioned pixel graphics. As our initial story explained, the...

  • News The Creator Of Retro City Rampage Suffered To Bring The Game To Market

    Brian Provinciano is keen to work with Nintendo again, though

    Vblank's Brian Provinciano has been speaking about the development of Retro City Rampage, and has revealed that getting the game finished came with a terrible price for him personally — it impacted his health. Talking to Wii's World, Provinciano explained the events surrounding the...

  • News There's A New Turrican Game Inbound, But Super Turrican Is Off The Table

    News of a new entry is sullied by the removal of the SNES version from the Virtual Console

    The latest issue of German Retro Gamer magazine has revealed that a new entry in the Turrican series is on its way. Turrican Rebirth will be a 2D shooter with a heavy emphasis on customisation, allowing players to make their own weapons and stages to share...

  • News Launch of Professor Layton's Final Adventure Falls Below Series Heights

    Only his 3DS debut performed worse in week one

    Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies is likely to already be on the wishlists of a number of puzzle fans in the West, arriving in Japan as the sixth main-series title starring the tea-drinking and fashionable hat-wearing academic. It'll bring a conclusion to the prequel trilogy and, if Level-5 sticks...

  • News Miyamoto Overseeing Series of Animated Shorts

    Even in his spare time he's playing with Pikmin

    Nintendo has a bit of a history in cartoon making, as anyone who ever had the pleasure of watching The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! will testify to. It seems as though the company is now contemplating venturing into the business once more, with a few animated shorts designed to be viewed using the...

  • News Pandora's Tower Will Be Invading North America in April

    XSEED reveals first US trailer

    Back in January, XSEED Games announced that it would be bringing the long awaited Japanese action-RPG Pandora's Tower to North America in Spring 2013. It's now been narrowed down a little bit more, as the publisher has announced it will be releasing it at some point in April. XSEED has a bit of a reputation for...

  • Video Get Spooked by Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon's "ScareScraper" Multiplayer

    We want a polterpup

    Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon's release is now around two weeks away for both North America and Europe, a long-awaited sequel to the GameCube launch title. As well as featuring an all-new adventure with the under-appreciated brother, it'll include local and online multiplayer, an extra mode that was kept under wraps for the majority...

  • News The Nintendo DS Celebrates its 8th Birthday in Europe Today

    Blow into the mic to put out the candles

    Eight years ago today, Europe became the last major territory to get its hands on the original DS, that now known as the "phat". It can be easy to forget that it was a handheld that truly innovated the concept of mainstream handheld gaming, incorporating a clamshell two screen design famously pioneered in the...

  • News Mega Man Boss Battle Exhibition Artwork Now on Sale

    Worldwide shipping is available

    While Capcom may be showing little love for its iconic Mega Man franchise, fans and those inspired by the games continually do so in the developer's place. One example is the Mega Man Boss Battle exhibition currently running at the Gauntlet Gallery in San Francisco, a showing open until 31st March. It features a...

  • News Spin The Bottle Gets Second Equally Bizarre Teaser Trailer

    Pass the badger, if you please

    Wii U eShop title Spin The Bottle has received its second trailer, and to be perfectly honest we're still none the wiser about this slightly mad but incredibly interesting new game. You can view the trailer — in all its sausage-shaped glory — below. It seems to show the names of some of the mini-game tasks within...