News Rune Factory Developer Neverland Closes Its Doors
Where now for Rune Factory 5?
News - 2013, Week 48
Sunday1st Dec 2013
Review Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (3DS eShop / NES)
A fitting farewell to the NES trilogy
The three Ninja Gaiden games on the NES are remembered with great fondness, and for very good reason. They may never have reached the same heights of popularity as the original Super Mario Bros. games, or even the first three Mega Man games, but they stand to this day as a testament to the classic years of 8-bit...
Review Deer Drive Legends (WiiWare)
Legends of the Fail
There’s a new WiiWare game available in North America. Let that sink in for a moment. After nearly nine months of silence, a new title emerges from the depths of Maximum Games's back pocket and lands squarely on the WiiWare service as Deer Drive Legends, the light gun shooter that you probably haven’t been waiting for...
Poll Nintendo and the Wii U Fight For Your Attention in This Busiest of Gaming Months
Will Nintendo's platform and games succeed this December?
We're now approaching — or in some places have reached — the end of the madness of the Black Friday shopping weekend, an annual fixture in North America and to a lesser extent elsewhere. Of course, the Holiday shopping gig isn't up, and as we enter December we kick off a vital few weeks...
News Super Mario 3D World Sells 57% of Its Initial Shipment in Japan
Roughly 175,000 copies shipped at launch
Last week we reported that Super Mario 3D World had sold 99,588 copies in its first week in Japan, making it the lowest debut for a 3D Mario platformer, although this does not take into account eShop download sales. The game came in at number 2 in the Japanese charts behind Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy...
News SEGA Working on Second Round of 3D Classics
May come worldwide if the first set sells well
This week saw the arrival of the first two titles in SEGA's range of 3D re-releases on the 3DS eShop, with 3D Space Harrier and 3D Super Hang-On. There are another six games coming in the next three weeks to give retro SEGA fans — and perhaps those trying them for the first time — a taste of...
News Reggie Fils-Aime Emphasizes the Wii U's Unique Content in Sales Pitch
"It's our responsibility to show consumers how much fun you can have"
The most vital shopping season is no longer an upcoming event on which we can speculate, but is very much under way. The Black Friday madness has done its worst, and we now settle into a frantic few weeks as consumers weigh up whether to buy a home console and, if so, which one is...
Saturday30th Nov 2013
News New LovePlus Launching With Limited Edition 3DS Consoles Next Spring
Looks lovely
Konami’s popular dating simulator returns next year with a new entry in the series, along with three limited edition 3DS XL designs. New LovePlus+ will feature new story scenarios and locations to visit, and will also be available in a deluxe package. “The Manaka Deluxe” set of New LovePlus+ includes a copy of the game, a 40...
News Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre Is Region-Free
Mixed messages
In the past — and to the outrage of some — Satoru Iwata has made it clear that the days of region-free Nintendo hardware and software are over. Now though, the door has been left slightly ajar. Whilst region-locks were thought to be the future of Nintendo gaming, this theory has now been partially crushed with the announcement of...
News Masahiro Sakurai Outlines His Heavy Smash Bros. Workload
"It's faster and more accurate to do it myself"
It's been highlighted in the past that not only is Masahiro Sakurai keen to implement his own vision and high standards, but that he's a particularly hard working individual. In fact early this year he highlighted how an arm injury was impacting his work, but that he was nevertheless persevering. One...
Review Brawl Brothers (Wii U eShop / SNES)
Sibling rivalry
Jaleco released a trilogy of side-scrolling fighters in Japan under the Rushing Beat banner, and while all three made their way to the west, they did so under different titles: Rival Turf, Brawl Brothers and The Peace Keepers. Inspired in no small part by the success of Capcom's Final Fight, the series never really managed to reach...
News Wii U Wins "Deals Award" For Being One Of The Best Kids Items This Holiday Season
Black Friday is brighter than it sounds
Despite the fact that the launch of Super Mario 3D World in Japan posted sales figures not quite on par with expectations, it seems the console is gaining traction as a go-to gift this holiday season. In addition to opinions beginning to emerge that Wii U could be a big
"Child of Light has many unique and distinctive features"
Upcoming Wii U eShop releases that catch the eye are often from small, independent developers, with a sense that it's these small teams that have freedom to express new ideas or conventionally niche approaches. For multi-national, multi-million dollar publishers the focus can be different,...
News Nintendo Launches New Wii U Christmas Advertising In Japan
'Tis the season to be jolly
Although Nintendo's advertising in various regions arguably took a while to ramp up, a fresh campaign in Japan appears to tick all the right boxes. It promotes the fun of Wii U with friends and family, as well as some of the exclusive first-party titles on offer this holiday season. The “Atsumareba” advertising...
Review Jewel Match 3 (3DS eShop)
Not particularly valuable
When it comes to puzzlers, a certain generation of gamers will remember when Tetris was the title that was endlessly cloned, reinterpreted and reinvented, with countless studios and developers trying desperately to recapture the cultural magic of what had to be the simplest idea in gaming yet: slotting shapes together...
Weirdness This is How Teslagrad Would Look on the Game Boy
Kind of awesome, actually
Teslagrad is one of quite a few upcoming Wii U eShop titles that Nintendo's been happy to show off in video sizzle reels. That's not surprising, as the Rain Games project has caught the eye with attractive visuals and clever magnet-based puzzle platforming mechanics. Its attractive visuals certainly play a part in the...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Twenty
So long teens, hello more awesome games
It's finally happened, the WGAYPTW series has left its teens, and the emotional crisis it prompted led to it missing its normal schedule — that's right, it was nothing to do with the features editor forgetting to organise it, no way. But it's fine, this little series of game-related tittle-tattle is ready...
Friday29th Nov 2013
A Critical Hit
If there’s one thing famed RPG developer Square Enix cannot be accused of, it’s failing to change over time. The early Final Fantasy titles were an exercise in optimistic grandeur, their idyllic landscapes serving as the stage for huge, epic quests filled with wonder and discovery. As of late, however, the company seems to have...
News The 3DS YouTube App Has Finally Gone Live
Huzzah!
In the most recent major Nintendo Direct broadcast it was confirmed that a YouTube app was finally coming to the 3DS; it's been in demand for a good while. It was stated that it would arrive in November yet passed this week's official download updates by; thankfully the app has now arrived on the 3DS eShop in Europe and North America, so we...
Review 3D Space Harrier (3DS eShop)
Welcome to the Fantasy Zone
Sitting here in 2013, it's almost impossible to fully appreciate the kind of impact Space Harrier had when it hit arcades way back in 1985 — a year when many of today's active gamers weren't even alive. A showcase for Sega's "Super Scaler" technology and the company's skill at creating impressive hydraulically-driven...
News Rune Factory Developer Neverland Closes Its Doors
Where now for Rune Factory 5?
After a sluggish financial performance due to business changes, Rune Factory developer Neverland has announced it will be closing its doors. The Japanese company made the announcement via its official website, explaining that its financial status had deteriorated considerably in recent times. After failing to raise the...
News Here Are Some Attractive Black Friday Nintendo Deals in North America
Are you joining the crowds online and in stores?
Earlier today we posted some Black Friday deals available in the UK that also have shipping to Europe, so we thought we'd cover some enticing options available in the homeland of this shopping madness, North America. Below are some of the most attractive Nintendo-centric deals set to do the rounds...
Weirdness Drink Your Troubles Away With This Nintendo Flask
Non alcoholic beverages are an option, of course
Retro gaming and whiskey, does it mix? One inventor on Kickstarter thought so. Matt Cornell describes himself as a passionate gamer and one who is lucky to have been raised alongside the video game industry as it has developed. Now he is repaying it with a throwback to the legends he was raised on...
Video This Custom Zelda: Wind Waker Car Could Be The Best Thing About Forza 5
A Link to the Pace
As hard as it is to believe, there is a world outside of Nintendo, and the more perceptive ones among you will no doubt have realised that Microsoft launched its Xbox One console recently. One of the console's launch games was Forza 5, a technically impressive racer with amazingly detailed cars and tracks. The game also allows...
News Black Friday Madness Arrives in the UK, Too
Plenty of Nintendo options to consider
Black Friday used to be a single insane shopping day mainly limited to North America, potentially causing bemusement in other parts of the world seeing footage of enormous crowds fighting over discounted nappies. But still, like all things that make retailers and companies lots of money it's expanded, to the...
News Peach and Luigi Relaxation Sets Added to European Club Nintendo
Luigi branded blankets and eye mask appear in one dreamy package
With the insane amount of Nintendo joy we've all been experiencing this month, you wouldn't be judged for forgetting the simple things in life — such as eating, sleeping or general hygiene. Nintendo is full of caring people, however, and after a month of major releases has decided to...
News Nintendo Recreates Super Mario 3D World Through Shadow Hand Puppetry
Shadow Play
Super Mario 3D World has finally arrived in Europe, with the outstanding 3D platformer gracing retail shelves today. After its North American release last week this is a culmination of a heavy marketing campaign, helped along by the fact it's a terrific game, to try and make it and the Wii U the must-have combination this Holiday season...
Video Running Wild In Super Mario 3D World's Sprawling Savanna
Wide open space
So this is it — the last of our videos running up to the European release of Super Mario 3D World. For today's footage, we've picked one of our favourite levels here at Nintendo Life: World 5-4, otherwise known as Sprawling Savanna. Boasting amazing sunsets, massive open spaces and plenty of secrets to discover, this is one of the...
News Cubit The Hardcore Platformer Robot is Jumping Onto The 3DS eShop
The title says it all
While we may often beat the drum for the upcoming titles on the Wii U eShop, we shouldn't forget that the 3DS eShop has a strong record of serving up fun downloads. Spanish developer CoderChild has been in touch to confirm its next project is targeting release on the portable this year at a budget price, offering up simple but...
News New Assault Android Cactus Trailer Brings The Awesome
Explosions galore
In terms of upcoming Wii U eShop titles, we'd urge fans of bullet-hell action games to pay plenty of attention to Assault Android Cactus from developer Witch Beam. We went hands on with the early access PC build and were seriously impressed, with the attractive art-style and rock-solid frame-rate providing a twin-stick blast;
Thursday28th Nov 2013
News Pokémon X & Y Online Battles Vulnerable to "Battle Analyser" Cheaters
There should be no place for cheats
It's an unfortunate part of Pokémon battles that some opt to cheat or gain unfair advantages, with official tournaments also falling victim. Unfortunately it's a blight now potentially affecting Pokémon X & Y, as details of a "Battle Analyser" tool are emerging. The tool works by setting up a PC as a Wi-Fi...
Nintendo Download 28th November (North America)
SEGA Classics go 3D, discounted Mario, touring the Louvre and more
It's Nintendo Download time again, North America, and this week brings a fairly diverse range of options. We have plenty of retro goodies on the Wii U eShop, reduced retro Mario on both Wii U and 3DS, revived SEGA classics on the 3DS as well as a tour of the iconic Louvre museum...
News There's A New Mario & Luigi: Dream Team 3DS XL Bundle On The Way
New North American SKU appears in Target advert
It would appear that Nintendo of America is launching a new 3DS XL bundle in time for Christmas. This time it's the turn of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team to get the pack-in treatment, coming pre-installed on a black and silver console which boasts an image of the famous siblings on its lid. The price...
News New Batman: Arkham Origins DLC Arrives, Major Story-Based Content Coming in 2014
Holy DLC overload, Batman!
Batman: Arkham Origins on Wii U may have been lacking the all-new multiplayer mode and — in the opinion of some — be below the standards of the Rocksteady predecessors, but it's still a title with some happy fans. Beating on thugs while saying "I'm Batman" in a very deep voice is fun. The Wii U version has, to date,...
Less than a week after saying the company was facing "the end"
Investment site The Motley Fool — which recently painted a rather dismal picture of Nintendo's future — has performed a complete about-face by claiming that Nintendo could end up being the big winner this holiday season. The opinion piece points out that although the Wii U has...
News Production Fault Pushes Hyperkin RetroN 5 Launch Into Next Year
Retro gaming powerhouse coming "first quarter, 2014"
If you're an avid retro gamer then chances are you've been saving your pennies for the Hyperkin RetroN 5, an all-in-one gaming system capable of running SNES / Super Famicom, Mega Drive / Genesis, NES / Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges. The console was due for...
News The Girl and the Robot is Officially Coming to Wii U
Reaches Kickstarter stretch goal with just hours to go
Last week we reported that indie developer, Flying Carpets, had added a Wii U eShop stretch goal to its Kickstarter campaign for The Girl and the Robot, after achieving the project's initial goal of $15,000 CAD. The title, which draws inspiration from classic games such as The Legend of Zelda:...
Sega went and got itself some RPGs
Fans of popular Atlus games like Shin Megami Tensei IV and Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan can start to turn that sigh of defeat into a sigh of relief. In mid-September, SEGA Sammy Holdings obtained Atlus's parent company, Index Corporation, after Index was forced to declare bankruptcy — an event that...
News Ashes Cricket 2013 Officially Cancelled as 505 Games Issues Apology
"Our deepest apologies, however, are reserved for the fans of cricket"
Earlier this week we reported that the continually delayed Ashes Cricket 2013 was briefly released on PC, before it was promptly removed following negative feedback. YouTube videos had quickly appeared following release highlighting a game that was simply not finished and up to...
News Retro-Inspired Adventure Platformer Lobodestroyo Adds Wii U to Funding Goal
Nintendo 64-style game includes Wii U in main target
While it has its critics, crowdfunding platform Kickstarter is a becoming a prominent stepping-off point for encouraging game development projects that need a helping hand. Often these games can draw from sources of inspiration not necessarily deemed profitable to a publisher but, nevertheless,...
Wednesday27th Nov 2013
Video This Cat Fails to Get Into the Super Mario 3D World Spirit
No cats were harmed in the production of this video, obviously
Super Mario 3D World is packed with great ideas, and one of the most obvious "I can't believe this wasn't done before" examples is the cat suit. Even members of the Nintendo Life team that have little love for actual cats seem to adore the power-up, as it's fun to use and watch in...
Thursday28th Nov 2013
News Nintendo of America Warns Of Kirby's Appetite in Thanksgiving Message
Nintendo Life wishes readers a Happy Thanksgiving / Happy Thursday
Gamers in North America — and some other select parts of the World — may be celebrating the Thanksgiving Holiday today; we hope the day off work and school is at least partly being spent playing games, naturally. For many others it's just Thursday, so we'd like to wish everyone a...
Weirdness Model Chrissy Teigen Celebrates a Mushroom Kingdom Birthday
Bowser's name reportedly not found on the list
Singer-songwriter John Legend has got to be feeling pretty good right now. Marrying a model is one thing, but marrying a model who later decides to celebrate her 28th birthday with a Super Mario twist is something very special indeed. After tying the knot in September this year, the newly-weds moved on...
Video You'll Need Swift Feet To Conquer Super Mario 3D World's Pretty Plaza Panic
Watch the clock
If you're pushed for time, don't worry — today's Super Mario 3D World level is short and sweet, but just as exciting as any of the other stages we've covered so far. Pretty Plaza Panic gives you 100 seconds to make your way to the flagpole, but places plenty of distractions and challenges in your path. Super Mario 3D World...
Wednesday27th Nov 2013
Feature A Guide to the Best Nintendo Gifts For the Holiday Season
Consoles, games, and random stuff that must be owned
Farewell, stable bank balances. Prepare yourselves, credit cards. The Holiday season is upon us, with Black Friday — which is really Black Friday Week now — already kicking into gear in the U.S. and plenty of other places besides. It's the season to be jolly and generous to others, while...
News Super Mario 3D World Underwhelms on Japanese Chart Début
Wii U hardware sales increase by just 5,000 units
Last week we reported on the continuing dominance of the 3DS XL in Japan, and the hope that the launch of Super Mario 3D World would provide a notable boost to the Wii U hardware sales; unfortunately, that hasn't quite been the case. To start with software, Media Create's charts show that Mario's...
News The YouTube Wii U App Update is Now Live
"So hey guys, um, I have an update for you"
It was announced in the most recent Nintendo Direct broadcast that a YouTube app was finally coming to the 3DS, but it was also welcome news that the Wii U equivalent was set for an update. Although welcome that the video sharing giant supported the system with an official app, such has been its...
Review Coaster Crazy Deluxe (Wii U eShop)
Not so crazy after all
Hold on to your coaster cars, Nintendo fans, because with the release of Coaster Crazy Deluxe for the Wii U eShop, gaming just got a whole lot crazier….or did it? Frontier’s latest iOS port proves that despite Nintendo’s concerted efforts to simplify the process for converting indie titles to Wii U, some games are better...
News Miiverse Update Paves The Way For 3DS Version
Wii U and browser versions updated
As many will already know, Miiverse will arrive on 3DS in a December system update, which will join shared eShop funds and Nintendo Network ID integration on the portable. Nintendo has today issued an update on the Wii U and browser-based iterations of Miiverse as early preparations for the new arrival. Due to the...
Review Ohno Odyssey (3DS eShop)
Ohno or Ohyes?
Everyone loves to play an epic adventure, but there's also a place for lighthearted, bite-sized gaming — especially when it comes to portable titles. Despite its "epic" title, Ohno Odyssey, a physics puzzler from Big John Games, offers a bite-sized experience with addictive trial-and-error gameplay and a fair amount of charm. While...
News Cliff Bleszinski Thinks Super Mario 3D World Is "A System Selling Title"
Number of memorable moments is "staggering", says former Gears of Wars dev
Despite Cliff "Cliffy B" Bleszinski's opinions on the Wii and predictions of a future where Nintendo isn't making hardware, the former Epic Games director is a massive fan of the Japanese company, and has said so several tim
Weirdness Nintendo of America Celebrates the Flying 3DS
"FAA FTW"
Nintendo's games, when you assess them with a critical perspective, are weird. The company's main mascot lives in The Mushroom Kingdom and fights an enormous turtle thing with a dog's name, while this year a major Wii U release put players in control of hundreds of colour co-ordinated minions that collect fruit and fight creatures to...
News Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre App Released Alongside Mini Nintendo Direct
Don't mona about the price
Update Nintendo of America has now confirmed that this app will be released in North America — it'll arrive in the region on 2nd December and cost $19.99. Original Article Way back in Spring 2012 we told you about the official Louvre 3DS tour guide application that was being offered to visitors of the iconic museum in...
News Check Out This Stained Glass Art With A Nintendo Twist
Heart (container) of glass
Let's be honest - when looking for festive gifts this year, an elaborate piece of stained glass artwork to hang in your cathedral / average-sized home might not be the first thing that springs to mind. However, the gallery of Rick Daniels' work showcased on his Etsy site may be just enough to tempt you. A self-taught...
News Animal Crossing Spreads The Holiday Cheer In This Adorable New Trailer
Rock around the Christmas tree with K.K.
What better way to spend Christmas morning than snuggle up by the fireplace, grab a delicious glass of egg nog, and load up a game of Animal Crossing: New Leaf on your Nintendo 3DS or 2DS? Nintendo is hoping that consumers will decide to do just that, as it's advertising the game again this holiday season...
Video This New Puzzle & Dragons Z Trailer Has A Monstrous Amount Of Detail
3DS outing expands dramatically on the popular mobile game
December will see the Japanese release of Puzzle & Dragons Z, the 3DS port of the insanely successful smartphone puzzle / RPG hybrid. Developer GungHo has released another trailer to crank up interest even further, and it contains more details about the game's massive over-world, the...
Video This Mario 3D World Level Has A Little Bit Of Zelda About It
Top-down tomfoolery
We've already seen how Super Mario 3D World imitates Mario Kart in one of its levels, and it's only fitting that the game also tips its hat to another popular Nintendo franchise: The Legend of Zelda. World 7-2 — otherwise known as Switchback Ruins — adopts a top-down viewpoint and features loads of Zelda-style bonfires to...
News EDGE 3DS 'Looking Good' For A Pre-Xmas Release
Passes Nintendo of America's certification checks
Last week we reported that EDGE would be coming to the 3DS eShop, and it appears we won’t have to wait too long. Earlier today, Two Tribes announced on Twitter that things were looking good for an EDGE 3DS Christmas release, or possibly even sooner. The publisher later confirmed that the title,...
News New Iwata Asks Takes In the Louvre and its 3DS Guide
A project Miyamoto-san indirectly "worked on for five or six years"
It arrived somewhat out-of-the-blue today, but Nintendo has released Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre on the 3DS eShop in Europe, a commercial version of the interactive guide that's been available at the Paris museum since Spring 2012; there's even an accompanying Mini Nintendo Direct...
Weirdness Mario Takes On Link In This Live-Action Smash Bros. Tribute
Nintendo's biggest characters square off
Smash Bros. may have given fans the tools to answer the age-old question of who would win if Mario had to fight Link, but for some, that's not enough. Stunt team Emc Monkeys — famed for its live-action replications of popular video games — has decided to settle the argument once and for all with its...
Tuesday26th Nov 2013
News If You Do Pick Up a PS4 or Xbox One, These Skins Will Make Them More Comforting
NES, we love you
Well, the 'console wars', 'resolution wars' and 'tedious one-upmanship wars' are well underway, with some pinning their flags to a console and declaring all others null and void. Of course, that's not the healthiest or most useful way to go about enjoying video games, but some will do so nevertheless. But still, it's OK to have...
A puzzling page-turner
American developer and publisher Big Fish Games is literally a big fish in the market of casual gaming. The creator of the Mystery Case Files series, the studio has carved out a profitable niche on PC and mobile platforms with its unique brand of hidden object puzzlers — and has also transferred some of these outings to the...
Review The Mysterious Cities of Gold: Secret Paths (Wii U eShop)
A breezy, scenic walk
The history of The Mysterious Cities of Gold is pretty wild. When the French-Japanese animated series ended its first run in 1983, the Famicom hadn’t even premiered in Japan. Fast forward about 30 years, and now not only has the show picked up where it left off, it’s even following in the tried and true tradition of video...
News New York Times Critic Identifies Super Mario 3D World and Wii U as Highlights of the Season
"The Wii U is also the only new console with a video game worth playing"
Yesterday wasn't necessarily full of happy coverage for the Wii U, such as the grisly news that the Xbox One is already close to passing the Wii U's lifetime-to-date sales in the UK. After plenty of happy Super Mario 3D World vibes, there's been some renewed caution and doubt...
News M2: Bringing Space Harrier To 3DS Was "Almost Impossible", But It's "The Definitive Version"
Who would have thought porting old arcade games could be this hard?
This week the 3DS eShop will finally be blessed with 3D classics from SEGA — including arcade classic Space Harrier — but getting these titles to run as perfectly as they do on 3DS was no easy task, as the developers have explained in a recent interview. Naoki Horii, President...
Video Watch Us Lift The Lid On Prima's Legendary Zelda Strategy Guide Treasure Chest
An unboxing of epic proportions
How time flies. It only seems like yesterday that we reported that Prima Games — famed for its detailed strategy guides — would be releasing a collectable box set containing strategy guides for several recent Zelda titles, including Twilight Princess,
News Nintendo States Its Wii U Case With a Holiday Infographic
TVii is still a thing in North America, remember
The Thanksgiving / Black Friday shopping weekend is upon us; the latter is a term becoming increasingly familiar to consumers outside of North America, while it's a big deal in the U.S. in particular. It kicks off the most valuable shopping period of the year, in which Nintendo is hoping to boost...
News Nintendo's Partnership With Southwest Airlines Takes Off As Mario Gives Away Free Wii U Systems
Mascot needs XXXL size high-vis jacket, probably
Nintendo has various corporate and promotional partnerships, and one of the most recently announced by Nintendo of America is a collaboration with Southwest Airlines. As the "official video game partner" of the company, Nintendo is setting up Wii U Gaming Lounges in some major airports until 22nd...
News Those Lovely Link Between Worlds Club Nintendo Posters Are Sold Out
Sad times...
Late last week we pointed you towards some rather attractive Link Between Worlds posters available on Club Nintendo in North America; they may have come at a pricey 500 coins, but looked worth the investment. Sadly, as has been pointed out in that article's comments, they're already sold out. The set was naturally sought after by Club...
Feature More Miiverse Favourites From Art Academy: SketchPad
Mario, Link, Pikmin and lots of lovely art
Back in August Nintendo released Art Academy: SketchPad on the Wii U eShop, a budget-priced drawing tool that utilises the GamePad touch screen and allows full colour image posts to Miiverse. For artistically minded Wii U owners it's certainly a terrific option that can deliver impressive results; not long...
Monday25th Nov 2013
News Ashes Cricket 2013 Spins Onto PC, Yet Remains in the Wii U Pavilion
A golden duck
Update Ashes Cricket 2013 has now been removed from Steam, with plenty of unsurprisingly negative feedback on the title no doubt contributing to that outcome. To date publisher 505 Games, developer Trickstar Games and licensees (such as the ECB) are yet to officially comment. Once they do so we'll provide a full update article...
Tuesday26th Nov 2013
News Former Pikmin Director Currently Working On "Original Title" for Nintendo
Veteran designer seems to be back in action
Nintendo may be looking to shake things up with an entirely new intellectual property in the near future, and former Pikmin director Masamichi Abe is tipped to be involved with the project's development. The revelation comes from current Tekken lead Katushiro Harada, who tweeted in response to a fan...
Developer Session Nifflas and Ripstone Talk Over Design Principles, Age Ratings and What's Next
"It’s a hobby that just kind of escalated"
Just last week we published the first part of our chat with Nifflas, in which the game designer — full name Nicklas Nygren — outlined many of the ideas that form upcoming Wii U eShop title Knytt Underground. We learnt a great deal about the complexity and depth that the title is striving for, in the...
Video Getting Hands On With Super Mario 3D World's Hands-On Hall
A level with a distinctly Japanese feel to it
The next in our gameplay videos from Super Mario 3D World has the taste of the Far East about it. World 6-3 — also known as Hands-On Hall — takes place in a Japanese castle, complete with sliding doors, deadly assassins and a moonlit, rooftop battle. Check out the footage below and let us know what...
Monday25th Nov 2013
Review Senran Kagura Burst (3DS eShop)
Fit to Burst
Fresh from the friendly fields of Rune Factory 4, XSEED returns with another, decidedly more deadly offering from the Land of the Rising Sun in Senran Kagura Burst. Taking its gameplay inspiration from classic side-scrolling beat-'em-ups, and its over-the-top, undergarment-filled style from anime and manga, this is a fun, frenzied...
News Nintendo of America Confirms Thanksgiving Weekend Deals for 3DS and Wii U
3DS deals and a Nintendo Land + Wii RemotePlus bundle confirmed
With Thanksgiving arriving on Thursday 28th November, and the following days representing possibly the most frantic shopping weekend of the year, Nintendo of America has outlined its official 3DS and Wii U offers for the period. Naturally many more will likely appear at individual...
News iPhone Gaming Controller Could Mean "The End Of Nintendo", Claims Investment Site
"Apple is already more important than Nintendo"
The Motley Fool — a site which aims to provide investors with advice, analysis and news — has claimed that the release of Logitech's PowerShell iPhone gaming control
Nintendo Download 28th November (Europe)
Mario's 3D adventure arrives, 3D SEGA Classics and a lot more
It's Monday, which means that the European Nintendo Download will give us a pleasing start to the week. On the way, most notably, is Mario's critically acclaimed 3D début on the Wii U, while the 3D classics from SEGA finally arrive in the West for the first time; in addition we also have...
News Xbox One UK Sales Set to Pass Wii U's Lifetime to Date Figures
North American figures also provide a reminder of the challenge ahead
It's well known and statistically clear that the Wii U has had a poor start on the market, a trend the company is striving to turn around with cheaper prices, value bundle offers, increased marketing and major game releases. The challenge ahead has been brought into focus this...
Weirdness Pokémon Cards Tell A Story of Family
I've just...got something in my eye...
The Pokémon series practically glows with nostalgia and childhood memories for many of us, and Nintendo seems determined to find new ways to break through the cold, callous, adult exteriors of some to appeal to that sentiment again. With this surprisingly emotive trio of cards it may have done just that, so...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Fourteen
Mario in space, a sleepy Marth, celebrating 3D World and more
It's another Monday, the nights are drawing in and the festive season — with its associated shopping madness — approaches. Yet some things remain constant and reliable, such as new screens for Super Smash Bros. being posted by Masahiro Sakurai on the Super Smash Bros. Director's Room...
News Fan Campaign for Bayonetta Wii U Release Kicks Into Gear
Triggered by the Master of Twitter - Hideki Kamiya
Hideki Kamiya — of Platinum Games — may be an extravagant game maker, but he's also the self-proclaimed Master of Twitter, renowned for stirring up his followers and, occasionally, leading them on a merry dance. His style is normally to answer enquiries with retweets and short responses, and his...
News Warner Bros. Confirms LEGO The Hobbit For Release on the Wii U and 3DS Next Year
Go on an epic adventure with Bilbo and co.
Last week we reported that LEGO The Hobbit was scheduled for a 2014 release on 3DS and Wii U, with thanks to a scanned image of a promotional planner spotted in France - we stuck on the rumour tag for good measure as nothing about the title was confirmed. Today we come with good news, as Warner Bros. has...
News Rare Originally Conceived Dinosaur Planet As A Racing And Adventure Crossover
Until Miyamoto had his say, of course
If you're familiar with Nintendo's history then you'll know that Star Fox Adventures on the GameCube actually began life as Dinosaur Planet on the N64. Created by UK studio Rare — then a first-party Nintendo developer — the game had progressed quite far before Shigeru Miyamoto decided that it would make a...
News European 2DS Pokémon X And Y Bundles Spotted In The Wild
Have you caught one yet?
We recently reported on 2DS Pokémon X And Y bundles hitting South Korea, and at the same time wondered if these packs would see a wider release. Seems we didn't have to wait long for the answer, as we're hearing reports that Euro retailers already have Pokémon X and Y bundles in stock. Dutch toy store
News The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Squeezes Into UK All-Format Top 10
The third highest selling single-platform title of the week
While the status of top-selling 3DS game was assured for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds in its début week, where it would stack up in the UK all-format chart was in far greater doubt. The Xbox One launched in various territories worldwide — including the UK — on the same...
Review Hands On! Tangrams (DSiWare)
All hands on deck?
Hands On! Tangrams, originally a DS retail game, is now a DSiWare title thanks to developer Island Officials; it's a simple, bare bones affair that is fun while it lasts, but has very little replay value and may prove too simple for more experienced gamers. Still, with the low entry price, there are worse puzzle games with which...
Video Get Your Feet Wet In Super Mario 3D World's Spooky Seasick Wreck
Ghost ship
North America got its hands on Mario's latest adventure last week, and Europe will be able to see what the fuss is about very soon indeed. As you'll know by now, we're running a video every day until the European release, and today it's World 6-2: a spooky trip across haunted seas in the Spooky Seasick Wreck. Those of you who want your...
Video Check Out This Puyo Puyo Tetris Trailer and Dream of Localisation
We may be lucky, right?
A little while ago we told you about Puyo Puyo Tetris, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's a puzzle mashup that dreams are made of courtesy of SEGA, and arrives on Wii U and 3DS in Japan on 6th February 2014. Sadly there's been no hint of localisation yet, though we certainly hold out hope that, at the very least,...
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