Review Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (Wii U)
Pac ain't afraid of no ghost
News - 2013, Week 47
Sunday24th Nov 2013
Review Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (3DS)
Ben bleh
The latest tie-in to the Ben 10 television series, Ben 10 Omniverse 2 is a serviceable title that falls prey to many of the issues that plague licensed games. It's a shame, too, because the creative, action-packed world and characters of the series certainly would lend themselves well to a video game. Developer 1st Playable Productions has...
Talking Point The GamePad and its Role Defining the Wii U
Strong concept or pricey issue?
We're stepping into a vital period on the market for the Wii U. It's certainly far too early to say it's the definitive moment for the system, as releases such as Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. will also be maximised by Nintendo to achieve notable sales and momentum. With that in mind, it should still be...
News Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Announced For 3DS
Coming to Japan in June 2014
Persona, the critically acclaimed RPG series, is finally coming to the 3DS. During a recent event in Japan, Atlus revealed details for Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. The spin-off is set to feature various characters from Persona 3 and Persona 4, as well as being presented in a chibi-like style. With previous...
Review Christmas Wonderland 3 (3DS eShop)
Another name on the naughty list
It was a cold night, and the gentle snow was just beginning to fall. All throughout Nintendo Life HQ there was evidence of good cheer. After all, Christmas was coming! Martin and Morgan were decorating the tree, newcomer Liam was introducing the team to his home-made eggnog, and Ron was entertaining the children by...
News Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Festival of Magic
Previous episodic structure appears to be abandoned
Earlier in the year we told you all about Festival of Magic and conducted an interview with developer SnowCastle Games. Confirmed for Wii U, it's a game that promises to deliver a throwback JRPG experience — with some tweaks — that'll include turn-based battles, while also incorporating...
Video Explosive Fun Awaits in Super Mario 3D World's Bob-ombs Below Stage
Light the fuse
In the next of our Super Mario 3D World videos, we take at a look at World 5-5, which is packed with those adorable walking terror devices, Bob-ombs. Taking place in an underground section, Bob-ombs Below gives you ample opportunity to explore your destructive side, with a limitless supply of Bob-ombs and plenty of walls to...
Saturday23rd Nov 2013
Review Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (Wii U)
Pac ain't afraid of no ghost
As gaming's original icon, Pac-Man has enjoyed a long and varied career. He's munched Power Pellets on dozens of different platforms since his 1980 debut, starred in platform games on the Super Nintendo, raced go karts on the GameCube, had a Top-10 single on the US charts, and even worked under the baton of Mario maestro...
News Nintendo Shares Hit Three-Month High Ahead of Major Releases
Positive signs
Nintendo looks to be making a recovery on the stock market, with shares reaching a three-month high on 22nd November after gaining 4.2 percent on the Toyko Stock Exchange. The milestone lines up with the release of Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U, as well as The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour on...
News GameChops DJ Releases Super Mario 3D World HipHop Video Remix
Prepare for musical enlightenment
GameChops is best known for its licensed video game remixes and dance music, and the latest track produced by the founder of the record label is no exception. To celebrate the release of Super Mario 3D World, Dj CUTMAN has created a HipHop video remix of the game’s main theme song. The slow, chilled and relaxed...
Video Let's Round Up The Latest Celeb and "Pitch" Nintendo Commercials
Some of the NL team aren't sure who these 'stars' are, forgive us
Over the past couple of weeks we've shared a number of Nintendo commercials with you, and they've attracted mixed reactions. Some have been popular, some haven't, but all have at least shown that the company's doing some old-fashioned advertising to encourage big sales this shopping...
News Check Out Another Legendary Zelda Violin Medley
From Taylor Davis, who's released a "Melodies of Hyrule" album
We do enjoy examples of Nintendo gaming culture in action here at Nintendo Life, and these often come in the form of musical arrangements and tributes. With The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds currently gracing stores around the world, popular YouTube musician Taylor Davis —...
Video Prepare To Go Super Sized In Mario 3D World's Tricky Trapeze Theatre
Plenty of acrobatics to be found here
Many North American Wii U owners will no doubt have gotten their hands on Super Mario 3D World when it launched in that region yesterday, and to mark the release of this amazing title we'll be running a video every day right up to the European street date — which is next week. Today, it's the high-flying...
Friday22nd Nov 2013
Review Mario Party: Island Tour (3DS)
Rolling the dice
Back in 1999, Mario and his crew could have taught Prince a thing or two about how to celebrate the coming of a new millennium. Establishing itself as a mainstay on the Nintendo 64, the Mario Party series showed up three times to blister hands and bring friends and family together to yell at each other at the top of their lungs...
Review Power Rangers Megaforce (3DS)
No, no, Power Rangers
Let's just say it up front so that nobody skimming the review will miss it: Power Rangers Megaforce is a terrible game. Not only that, it's actually broken in several respects. And we don't mean "broken" to mean "unfair" or "poorly designed." We mean "broken" to mean "it does not work." The concept of the game is promising...
Review Jett Rocket II - The Wrath of Taikai (3DS eShop)
A rocketing success?
It’s crazy to think that it’s been three years since we last saw Jett Rocket. Three years may not seem like it was that long ago, but a lot has changed during this time. As a result, not only is the planetary inspector only just making his handheld début on 3DS, but his creators at Shin’en Multimedia no longer have to...
Review Mega Man X2 (Wii U eShop / SNES)
A mega effort
Capcom has really been on the ball with the Wii U Virtual Console — in just about one year, it has managed to release every single Mega Man game that saw the light of day on the Wii Virtual Console — and more — with Mega Man X2 being the latest release. Much like the original Mega Man series before it, the X series doesn't seem...
Soapbox Zelda's Magic Creates A Link Between Generations
Damien McFerran on how Nintendo's new 3DS Zelda has created a vital bond
More than two decades ago, an excitable 12 year-old boy huddled down in front of his Super Nintendo console armed with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Having witnessed the critical acclaim directed towards this new action RPG the youth expectantly flicked up...
News CNET Outlines Console Purchase Choices And Highlights Wii U as a "Pretty Compelling Buy"
Different talking head, different outcome
There have been a number of times this year when, sometimes correctly and on other occasions harshly, the Wii U has endured negative coverage and, as a result, subsequent issues with its public image. We've had — and still have, to a degree — issues with awareness, while some dry spells of software have...
News North American Club Nintendo Releases a Gorgeous Link Between Worlds Poster Set
Legendary
As you may have noticed, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds has arrived almost everywhere today — it hits Australia on 23rd October and Japan, amazingly, on 26th December. It's been met with critical acclaim, and social networks are gradually being filled up with happy gamers sharing initial impressions. Keen to capitalise on...
News Reggie Talks Up Wii U Blockbusters As Top 10 Sellers Across the Whole Generation
Assures Wii U momentum, teases VGX appearance and tackles smartphones
With the competition hotting up in the most vital shopping season of the year, Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime, used an appearance on GT.TV's latest episode to outline his reasoning for Wii U optimism, while also outlining lessons learned from a tough 2014...
News Fresh Details Swing Into View for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Gold hearts, 'Kong Pow' and new footage shown
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze may be delayed to early 2014 — February in North America — but with that new release window it looks set to be the first major Wii U title of the new year. Appearing on the latest episode of GT.TV, Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen introduced some new footage and...
Out Now Super Mario 3D World, A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour
Or, if you're not in North America, just A Link Between Worlds
Today's a particularly busy day in the games retail industry, and certainly one of the most crowded in recent memory. There's new hardware, of course, with last week bringing the PS4 to North America — which arrives next week in Europe — and today delivering the Xbox One throughout...
News The Girl and the Robot Adds Wii U Stretch Goal to Campaign
An ironclad friendship
Kickstarter projects often list many of the creator's influences during the process of creating their own title, and these can give an insight into the tone and style of the game to come. From the ground up, past inspirations continue to have an effect on today's releases, and serve as a high standard for developers to strive...
News GameStop Experiences Profit Gains, With Hardware Increases Driven by 3DS and 2DS Sales
Boxed discs appear to be making a comeback
As some have predicted the imminent demise of retail gaming outlets, brought on by an era of new restrictions on game sharing and the used games market, US retailer GameStop has drawn a course full sail in the opposite direction. A new report by Games Industry reveals that the US gaming giant actually...
Video Super Mario Soup Helps Drag Kids Away From Super Mario Game
It's like some kind of food-related paradox
Nintendo is no stranger to working with food companies to promote products, and the Japanese giant has now teamed up with soup maker Campbell's to create the ultimate post-gaming pick-me-up: Super Mario Soup. As you can see from the commercial below, it's the ideal way for parents to lure their excitable...
News SteamWorld Dig Coming to PC, But Follow-Up Will Still Arrive "Day One" on 3DS
"Nintendo has treated us like royalty"
SteamWorld Dig is a 3DS eShop title that's undoubtedly caused a stir among Nintendo Download gamers, while also receiving bounteous praise throughout its reviews. The work of Image & Form, it's been a title that's retained solid momentum after launch due to positive word of mouth, while Nintendo gave it...
Rumour LEGO The Hobbit Planned for 2014 Release
Will likely cover lots of film sequences that weren't actually in the book
Is there any franchise that LEGO video games can't cover? It's a tricky one, and we'd have to start tagging 'Woody Allen' films as a series if we had to try really hard — TT Fusion has already covered Batman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Marvel to name some, though hasn't...
Video Nintendo UK Interview Shows Off GamePad Controls in Coaster Crazy Deluxe
"If you've got the GamePad and your finger, you can create a Coaster"
Coaster Crazy Deluxe arrived on the Wii U eShop in North America and Europe this week, the first download title from Frontier since the popular LostWinds and LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias on WiiWare. The development studio does have plenty of experience in theme park settings...
News Mega Drive: Collected Works To Include Input From Creators Of Ecco, Comix Zone And Vectorman
US developers on-board for the definitive history of Sega's 16-bitter
We recently reported on the Kickstarter campaign for Sega Mega Drive / Genesis: Collected Works, and are happy to report that the project has already passed its initial funding goal of £30,000. However, Read-Only Memory founder Darren Wall has gotten in
Video Take To The Skies In Mario 3D World's High Bounce Highlands
The only way is up
Many of you in North America will be playing Super Mario 3D World today, but for those in Europe — which isn't getting the game until next week — the torture continues. Allow us to add a little more to that pain by showing you World 4-4, a level focused on bouncing (and, in the case of Mario in this video, a lot of falling)...
Thursday21st Nov 2013
Simple but multi-sided
Two Tribes, in bringing its Classics series to the Wii U eShop, is among the first to deliver inexpensive experiences — especially with launch promotional prices — that have primarily made their home on other platforms for a good period of time. The updated edition of Toki Tori is based on its PC brethren, while now we...
News Nintendo Infographic Shows Off Phenomenal Pokémon X & Y Sales Records
Reached one million U.S. sales in one day
It's likely that anyone with a passing interest in Nintendo will be aware, by now, that Pokémon X & Y have been a major success since launch. The arrival of a new generation on 3DS was preceded by months of barely containable hype, and since hitting stores the two games have been breaking various sales...
Nintendo Download 21st November (North America)
Mario, Zelda, Crazy Coasters, EDGE, discounted Mega Man and much more
It's Nintendo Download update time again, North America, and this week brings two long awaited retail releases on the Wii U and 3DS, a new Mario Party game, plenty of reduced price Mega Man and some promising download-only content on the Wii U, in particular. There's plenty to...
Review Doodle Jump Adventures (3DS)
Scrappy
In recent years, many popular mobile games have found themselves being ported to consoles and handhelds, often with mixed degrees of success. Doodle Jump Adventures, based on Lima Sky’s smartphone hit Doodle Jump, is the latest phenomenon to make the transition and much like Angry Birds before it, does a good job of fleshing out the...
News Turn Your Animal Crossing Character Into A Custom Figurine
A new life for your New Leaf mayor
Animal Crossing: New Leaf has been a part of many 3DS users' lives for quite some time now, and in that time more than a few of us have surely grown particularly attached to their player character at the center of it all. This latest installment in the long-running series brought more customization options to the...
Review Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (Wii U eShop / SNES)
As deep as the ocean
Koei released quite an arsenal of strategy titles during the 16-bit era, many of them on the Super Nintendo console. While the original Uncharted Waters laid the foundation, its sequel New Horizons picked up right where it left off and managed to add quite a few new game play ideas to the mix to form one of the most in-depth and...
News Nintendo's UK Store to Release A Wii U Mario Mega Bundle
Three games, a Mario remote and, most importantly, a Mario hat
In early October Nintendo UK launched its own online store, which has since played host to some pre-order bonuses and a regional exclusive with this rather attractive Luigi-themed 3DS XL. It seems the website is keen to lead the line in terms of driving Wii U sales this Holiday season,...
"Nintendo is carving out a different audience"
Friday 22nd November is a major release day on a number of fronts, including Super Mario 3D World on Wii U (in North America, 29th November in Europe), The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on 3DS, as well as new hardware from Microsoft with the Xbox One; special mentions should also go to Mario...
News EA Germany Survey Fails To Acknowledge The Wii U
No mention of 3DS or Wii, either
If relationship troubles between Nintendo and EA weren’t already dire enough, the circus continues with a recent survey from EA Germany, failing to make mention of Nintendo’s latest home console, the Wii U. In the survey, the Wii U is not mentioned in any of the questions about current or next generation...
News Hyper Light Drifter May Include Mode 7 Mode, Creator Was Deadly Serious About SNES "Demake"
It's about time remakes went the opposite direction
Anyone who has ever played the original Super Mario Kart or F-Zero on the SNES will recall the glorious Mode 7 graphical effect. Its ground-breaking rotating backgrounds had a way of inducing disorientation and ecstasy in players, like a 16-bit drug of the highest order. SNES lover Alex Preston,...
Weirdness The Fresh Prince Meets Super Mario In This Toe-Tapping Mash-Up
I looked at my (Mushroom) kingdom, I was finally there
With the release of Super Mario 3D World almost upon us, what better way to celebrate than combine the lyrics of classic TV show Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air with the Wii U game's infectious soundtrack? That's exactly what one resourceful soul has done — you can witness the result below. If you're...
News Shovel Knight Digs Up a Few Surprise Features
Miiverse and Streetpass integration announced
The crew over at Yacht Clubs Games are still putting their backs into the development of Shovel Knight, according to a recent Kickstarter update. The team has offered a list of some of the current features it's working on, with a couple that'll be exclusive to the Nintendo versions of the game. In...
Wednesday20th Nov 2013
News Signed EarthBound Cartridge to Be Auctioned Off for Cancer Patient
“For James”
EarthBound is all about strong bonds; not only within the game but also its fan community. There is nothing that may demonstrate this point more fluently in recent days than the story of a special EarthBound cartridge that will soon be auctioned off during the EarthBound Bash marathon. The cartridge began in the hands of James...
Thursday21st Nov 2013
Video Super Mario 3D World's Chainlink Charge Level Will Test Your Skills
Make sure you grab the cat suit
Super Mario 3D World is almost with us — it launches in North America tomorrow — and to mark the occasion we're running a different video every day until the European launch, which is next Friday. Today it's World 3-2, otherwise known as Chainlink Charge. Considering how early on in the game this level appears,...
News EDGE to Roll Its Way Onto the 3DS eShop
Published by Two Tribes, ported by Cosmigo
EDGE arrives on the Wii U eShop in North America and Europe today, the second entry in the Two Tribes Classics series of low-prices releases. We're big fans, too, awarding it 9/10 in our review. Publisher Two Tribes has now confirmed that the title will also be making its way the 3DS eShop, soon, providing...
Developer Session We Chat to Nifflas About His Knytt Underground Vision
"I would say it’s a beautiful, slow-paced experience, very ambient."
We've emphasized in recent times that there are a good number of intriguing download-only titles coming to the Wii U eShop, bringing a variety of experiences to the fore. One that could be particularly involving and complex for players to tackle may be Knytt Underground, a title...
Wednesday20th Nov 2013
Soapbox Super Mario 3D World's Playful Whimsy is Refreshing, But Faces a Vital Commercial Test
Will an overwhelmingly positive critical response and buzz deliver success?
Something slightly surprising, to me at least, happened yesterday. Super Mario 3D World had a wonderful series of reviews that went live, on any major outlet you'd care to name, bang on the embargo. I'm not talking about the scores — which were excellent — but the...
Review World Conqueror 3D (3DS eShop)
Tanks, but no tanks
Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell of the British Army once said that “war is a muddle” and, quite frankly, we couldn’t agree with him more. The conflict he described was that of World War II; that's the very same that World Conqueror 3D strives to simulate, with messy results. No more than an overcomplicated clone of...
News Exclusive 2DS Pokémon X And Y Bundles Announced For South Korea
Gotta bundle 'em all
South Korean Nintendo fans will soon be able to get their hands on two new hardware bundles which include the recent smash-hit Pokémon X & Y. Instead of the gorgeous limited edition Pokémon 3DS XL bundles released in other territories, Nintendo of Korea has announced a red & white 2DS with a copy of Pokémon X, and a...
News 25 Year-Old Japanese Man Arrested For Allegedly Threatening To Blow Up Nintendo's HQ
Said he would kill Nintendo executives "sooner or later"
It has been reported today that a 25 year-old Japanese man has been arrested in connection with death threats made against executives at Nintendo. According to Sankei News, the suspect used Nintendo's online inquiry form to make the threats, even going as far as to name the Nintendo staff he...
News Fossil Fighters Roaring Onto 3DS Next Year
Far from extinct
Nintendo’s RPG dinosaur series Fossil Fighters looks to be making a return next year with a new game in the series slated for 3DS. According to Nintendo Everything, the 3DS version is said to feature improved visuals, a lowered camera perspective, and movement in third-person. Players will also be able to select from a male or...
News Walmart Goes Early With the Link Between Worlds 3DS Bundle in the US, Sort Of
Link's between shelves already
Street dates for games and hardware certainly have a mixed record of enforcement, with the majority observed impeccably and others flagrantly disregarded — Pokémon X & Y was the in the latter camp. So on that score one major retailer in the US is already displaying the Link Between Worlds hardware bundle,...
News Super Mario 3D World Reaches Top Spot On Amazon's North American Best Sellers Chart
The buzz and hype clearly help
Yesterday saw an influx of very positive assessments of Super Mario 3D World, including our very own 10/10 review. These reviews seem to of had an impact on the game’s sales on Amazon, where the title is the number one best seller in the video game category in North America, at the time of writing. Considering the...
News FAST Racing NEO To Feature 'Hyper Real Graphics'
Shin’en to use 4K - 8K textures within the game
Shin’en’s recently announced Wii U eShop title FAST Racing NEO will feature “hyper real graphics” according to a tweet made by the developer earlier today. The follow up to 2011’s FAST Racing - League for WiiWare, will use between 4K and 8K textures to impress from a technical standpoint...
Tuesday19th Nov 2013
News Conception II Due in North America This Spring
Harvest Moon this is not
Atlus has never been a company afraid of bringing some of the more unorthodox titles to western shores. This… looks to be one of those. The company, in partnership with Spike Chunsoft, has announced that Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars will be localized and released in North America this spring for both the 3DS...
Wednesday20th Nov 2013
News Fire Emblem: Awakening and ZombiU Developers Outline the Challenges of Permadeath
"[Writing ZombiU] was the toughest challenge...in over 10 years of writing"
In an era of gamers regularly debating the level of challenge offered in modern titles, an argument that can be tough to resolve, the concept of permadeath is a relatively rare feature that caters to those seeking a lack of compromise in their experiences. Taking away...
News 3DS XL Given A Close Run by Vita and Vita TV in Japanese Charts
Wii U sales dip again, but remain above PS3 et al
The madness of Nintendo Direct meant that we skipped the Japanese chart update last week, which saw the 3DS remain on top and the Wii U sales dip to 17,737 units, which was still a long way above the lows it had suffered in previous months. We have been in the midst of a relative dip in new software...
Video What Happens When Mario 3D World Meets Mario Kart?
Mount Must Dash, that's what
If you read our Super Mario 3D World review yesterday then you'll no doubt be very excited indeed about getting your hands on the game when it launches soon. With that in mind, we'll be running a video every day right up to release, each showing one of the game's amazingly inventive levels. First up is World 3-6,...
News Rating For NES Remix Issued By Australian Classification Board
A multiplatform release by Nintendo - but what is it?
A mysterious rating has appeared on the Australian Classification Board site for a Nintendo title by the name of NES Remix. Listed as a "multiplatform" release — which would suggest both Wii U and 3DS — the game has been awarded a "G" rating, with the level of violence listed as having a...
News SteamWorld Dig Creators to Make "Huge Announcement" Tomorrow
Is there another SteamWorld game in the works?
Image & Form, the Swedish development studio behind 3DS eShop title SteamWorld Dig, stated on Twitter earlier today that it will be making a huge announcement tomorrow. Seeing as the tweet — which is shown below — tells us to speculate about what this could be, we thought it'd be rude not to...
Video CNET Pays Homage To The Nintendo Game Boy
The legendary monochrome system gets some welcome recognition
Portable video gaming would be very different were it not for the Nintendo Game Boy. Although it was technologically outdated by the time it launched — rival systems like the Sega Game Gear and Atari Lynx offered better displays and superior processing power — it nevertheless became...
News Hyper Light Drifter Developer Aims to Deliver the Same Experience Across All Platforms
Off-TV play is an aim on Wii U, while 8- 16-Bit difficulty is planned
We were rather pleased to confirm, in October, that Hyper Light Drifter had successfully reached a Wii U stretch goal in its successful crowdfunding campaign. Successful is putting in mildly, however, as the project raised $645,158 from an initial goal of $27,000; it's due in June...
Tuesday19th Nov 2013
Review Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)
A purrfect blend
Super Mario 3D World is a brave release as it strives, without any hint of apology, to hit on a formula to satisfy the majority of 2D platforming fans and the smaller — but still sizeable — legion of 3D Mario devotees. Many enjoy both, of course, yet they’ve always been distinct experiences that often lead to a clear...
News Wii U System Update 4.0.2 Goes Live
Spot the differences
It's system update time once again on the Wii U, though before you get out the party hats you should know that 4.0.2 U (North America) and 4.0.2 E (Europe) are only small files focused on "minor adjustments". As expected, the Nintendo changelog says the following. Further improvements to overall system stability and other...
News Nintendo of Europe Launches Free Super Mario 3D Land Promotion for New 3DS Owners
Great for newcomers
Nintendo of Europe has today announced a promotion to encourage new 3DS owners to register their systems, buy a game and — by extension — perhaps get a taste for Wii U-exclusive Super Mario 3D World. It's been announced that those that register a new 3DS or 3DS XL — and one of 15 games — on Club Nintendo between 27th...
Review Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land (3DS)
Regular Show game for 3DS, send it to the moon
When we heard that WayForward was developing a Regular Show video game, we were optimistic. Not only does the studio generally pump out better-than-expected licensed games, but last year it produced Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!, which ended up being a loving tribute to the...
News Nintendo Addresses Confusion Surrounding Wii U's Name In Latest TV Commercial
"We already have a Wii, sweety-kins!"
Nintendo seems to be getting serious with its latest Wii U advertising campaign. The company's latest television spot continues its series of humorous "Pitch" commercials that playfully feature children using diagrams and formal presentations to communicate to their parents that purchasing a Wii U just makes...
Review Secret Mysteries in New York (3DS eShop)
Find every object, for great justice
There's a real puzzle afoot in Secret Mysteries in New York, and it has to do with the game's title itself. No, it's not our attempt to figure out whether or not the phrase "secret mysteries" qualifies as redundant; it's why the developers bothered to rename Secret Mysteries in London for its eShop release. The...
Rumour Nintendo Employee Discusses Work on "Tablet With Educational Games"
Nintendo of America declines to comment
As far as rumours go, this is certainly one that's catching on, as Nintendo of America employee Nando Monterazu — described in his Twitter profile as a Software Engineer — posted a series of messages regarding his involvement in a tablet device separate from the Wii U and its GamePad; it'll supposedly have...
News Aussie Rating Reveals The Title Of Nintendo's First Free-To-Play Effort
Steel Diver: Sub Wars breaks the surface
It was revealed some time ago that a version of Steel Diver would be Nintendo's first free-to-play offering, but we've now got a solid title thanks to The Australian Classification Board.
News Mario Kart Arcade GP DX Is Drifting Into Western Arcades This Winter
Hope you've collected lots of coins
Namco Bandai and Nintendo announced Mario Kart GP DX at the start of the year, but a western release of the coin-op hasn't been up for discussion — until now, that is. Arcade Hero is reporting that the game will be making its way out of Japan this year, with attendees at the IAAPA 2013 trade show in Orlando...
News Latest Iwata Asks Highlights Protracted, On-Off Development of Link Between Worlds
Initial wall concept featured Link design from Spirit Tracks
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is now just days away and has been critically acclaimed — we awarded 10/10 in our own review. Much has been revealed in various ways since then — we imagine many are studiously dodging spoilers — but the latest Iwata Asks provi
Video There Are Four New Super Mario 3D World Commercials to Show Off Its Awesomeness
See, it's fun
We can finally say it, unequivocally, without the big embargo anvil over our heads — Super Mario 3D World is a wonderful game. It's magnificent, actually, which is why we gave it 10/10 in our review; it's a must own for Wii U owners and those planning to pick up a system. Nintendo UK is keen to get the message out, of course, and...
Parent Trap Super Mario 3D World Is Another Family Classic From Nintendo
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson is feline groovy
It’s been a while since I first stepped into the world of 3D with Mario. Super Mario 64 seems like an age ago, and my whole family of five has been created in the meantime. However, like any worthwhile creation, a multiplayer version of this three dimensional play-space was important to get right...
Weirdness You'll Still Be Able To (Sort Of) Play Watch Dogs This Christmas
Perhaps not in the way you'd expect, though
Ubisoft's Watch_Dogs was one of 2013's most anticipated titles, until it got pushed into 2014, that is. While nothing can really remedy the disappointment of missing out on one of the most exciting new games in recent memory, you can still Watch Dogs — quite literally — thanks to the well-intentioned...
News Here Are Some Lighter Moments from the Link Between Worlds Iwata Asks
Because we all need to (laugh)
Earlier today we provided a short summary and directed your attention to the recently-published Link Between Worlds Iwata Asks, in which Satoru Iwata discussed the title's development and design with five members of the team — design leader Koji Takahashi, assistant director Kentaro Tominaga, lead programmer Shiro...
News The Second Best Damn Half Time Entertainment You'll Ever See
More Nintendo marching band madness
College Football and marching bands go together like Apple Pie and a cup of Joe in North America, and we hope you forgive our lazy cultural reference. But still, they do, and occasionally these groups put together ridiculously complicated routines with choreography to delight those in the cheap seats. Naturally...
News ZaciSa's Last Stand Blasting Towards the Wii U eShop
It's tower defence in space, so actually 'space-base' defence
A number of upcoming download-only games have been highlighted for the Wii U eShop in recent weeks and months, some of which by Nintendo in its own trailers. Naturally there are more projects yet to be widely seen, however, with one example likely to be ZaciSa's Last Stand by ZeNfA...
Monday18th Nov 2013
Blast from the past
3DS has amassed a curiously robust library of music creation software for a chunk of hardware built to play video games. The KORG brand in particular has made itself comfy on Nintendo's handhelds in the past few years, starting with an emulation of the classic MS-10 synth in KORG DS-10, and now the M1 gets the software treatment...
Nintendo Download 21st November (Europe)
Zelda arrives, Sonic demos, discounted Rayman, Wii U EDGE and much more
It's a full on Nintendo Download week, Europe, with the lineup kicking off our Monday with a bewildering range of options. We have some big-name retail titles arriving, three intriguing Wii U eShop download-only releases, a hugely attractive Rayman discount and a lot more...
News Happy Birthday, Wii U - You're One Today
Twelve months have passed since the North American launch
It's been a year since the Wii U hit store shelves in North America, and it's fair to say that the first twelve months of the console's life have been somewhat mixed. We've had some amazing games, like Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, and there are...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Thirteen
Marth's sword, The Villager's net, a MARIO GALAXY STAGE and more
We hope you agree that Mondays are made a little better with more Super Smash Bros. screens, with this 13th entry in our series being unlucky for absolutely no-one; Masahiro Sakurai has been busy, as always, on the Super Smash Bros. Director's Room Miiverse community board. Last week's...
News Nintendo Picks Up 10 Nominations for Spike VGX Awards
Super Mario 3D World up for Game of the Year
Spike TV's annual video game awards show, newly re-branded this year as VGX, has released the list of nominees for its 7th December ceremony. Nintendo doesn't make that bad of a showing among the potential winners, with Nintendo-only titles receiving 10 nominations (11 if you want to count the Wii U...
News Xenoblade Studio Monolith Soft Was Involved With Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Many hands make light work?
Nintendo working with other studios on its big titles isn't anything new, but it's nevertheless interesting to note that Monolith Soft's name appears in the end credits to The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The Xenoblade creator — which is a subsidiary of Nintendo — isn't a stranger to the Zelda franchise...
News Check out These Awesome Super Mario Happy Meal Toys
Although you'll need to go to Japan if you want one
Do you love Super Mario, enjoy eating copious amounts of fast food and also happen to live in Japan? If so, then you're in luck! Starting from next month, McDonalds Japan will be offering two delightful Super Mario toys with its Happy Set meals (essentially the Japanese version of a Happy Meal)...
Interview KORG M01D Creator Nobuyoshi Sano Talks About Making Sweet Music On The 3DS eShop
Detune's Sano talks about turning 3DS consoles into music-making tools
To celebrate the release of KORG M01D on the 3DS eShop and the publication of our review, we present to you an exclusive interview with its creator Nobuyoshi Sano, conducted by dedicated fan Graham Ellaby. Since its launch in December 2010 on the Nintendo DS, KORG M01 has...
News Give Your Apple TV That All-Important Nintendo Vibe With These Retro Skins
Love the skin you're in
If you happen to own an Apple TV unit then you may feel that it's a little too plain for your liking, but fear not — Killer Duck Decals has the solution. The company has produced skins for the Apple TV unit which allow it to mimic classic Nintendo systems like the NES, SNES and
News Professor Layton Cracks the UK Top 10 as 3DS XL Hardware Sales Double
The gentleman finds a solution
Last week we reported that Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy made its UK chart début in 13th place; as a single-format title up against various multi-platform behemoths it was a respectable showing. It seems that the power of bundles has done much for the title and its predecessor — Professor
Video Nintendo of America 3DS Holiday Commercial Asks "Why Do You Play 3DS?"
"Because it's Nintendo", of course
Recent days have, as is only sensible at this time a year, seen Nintendo up the ante with its marketing for the Wii U and 3DS, with some of its trailers even being spotted in actual TV commercial breaks. The Wii U messaging has been very much focused on the reasons for families to upgrade to the system, whereas the...
Review Word Wizard 3D (3DS eShop)
Dark wizard
Word games can be fun, addictive brain teasers, but they can also be tedious, unintuitive and shallow. Word Wizard 3D unfortunately falls squarely into the latter category. Though there are plenty of game modes, and none are fundamentally broken, there's nothing in Word Wizard 3D that justifies its purchase over various alternatives that...
News UK Study Finds No Link Between Video Games And Behavioural Problems In Children
11,000 youngsters accessed in scientific research
A study by The University of Glasgow of around 11,000 children has found that no connection exists between playing video games at an early age and problems with behaviour later on in life. Researchers asked mothers to note the amount of time their children played games and to report on any issues...
News Jeff Willms Wins Donkey Kong World Championship for the Second Year Running
Sounds like it was a barrel load of fun
Jeff Willms proved that he still has the touch when it comes to the arcade classic Donkey Kong after he took home the grand prize for the second year in a row at the Kong Off 3 Donkey Kong world championship this past weekend. Competing in the tournament against Willms were 22 renowned Donkey Kong players,...






































































































