News Mario Kart 8 Club Nintendo Promotion Offers a Free Wii U Game
Choice of 10 in Europe, 4 in North America
News Nintendo Is Working On The Next Mario Game, But Can't Reveal If It's Coming To 3DS Or Wii U
"There’s still a lot more room for discovery and invention"
News - April, 2014
Wednesday30th Apr 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Club Nintendo Promotion Offers a Free Wii U Game
Choice of 10 in Europe, 4 in North America
After what were undoubtedly constant requests from fans — referenced directly by Satoru Iwata — Nintendo has unleashed new Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct broadcasts to reveal more about the upcoming Wii U blockbuster. Though regional variations were generally minor, there were subtle differences such as a...
News Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes Comes To Wii U But Not Wii
All the details inside
Disney Infinity has done impressively this year. From a standing start it sliced a sizeable portion of the toy-meets-video-game market for itself. While some would suggest this was predictable with such a rich array of household favourite characters to draw on, Avalanche Software still needed to execute an enjoyable game that...
Feature All the Important Details From the Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct Broadcasts
A perfect boost
Nintendo has pulled another Nintendo Direct rabbit out of the hat with its Mario Kart 8 videos, which were released straight onto YouTube. There were subtle regional differences, including the range of titles available in the undoubtedly attractive free Wii U game Club Nintendo promotion, while the North American broadcast had a few...
News North American Wii U Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Set Bundle Races Into View
Could this be the Best Buy for US gamers?
We've already seen the Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundles for Europe and very nice they are too. Of course North America is not to be outdone and retailer Best Buy is currently accepting preorders for the Wii U Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Set — as seen above — for the attractive price of $329.99. As well as including a...
Nintendo Direct Special Mario Kart 8 Direct Shows New Features, Racers And Items
Watch the entire presentation here
Nintendo sure likes to keep us on our toes — it has just published a special, unannounced Nintendo Direct broadcast devoted to Mario Kart 8, which launches worldwide next month. The video — which is available in two different flavours, North American and UK — runs for over 30 minutes and contains details on...
News Super Mario Bros. Movie Actor Bob Hoskins Passes Away Aged 71
Famed British actor succumbs to pneumonia
British actor Bob Hoskins has died from pneumonia aged 71. Following a successful career which spanned six decades, he retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Hoskins was arguably one of the most recognisable faces in modern cinema, having worked with directors such as...
News Lucasfilm Decrees That All Star Wars Video Games Are Non-Canon
Forget they ever happened, people
The Star Wars "expanded universe" is packed with bold adventures and epic stories, and contains more than a few video game outings — such as Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, which is perhaps the most recent example of Lucasarts neatly adding to the already impressive lore of the famous Sci-Fi series. However,...
Thursday1st May 2014
News New Mario Kart 8 Screenshots Power-Slide Into View
7 new screenshots to whet your appetite
What a day it has been for Mario Kart 8 news! If you missed the surprise Nintendo Direct broadcast earlier today, we've got you covered. What we didn't have space to show you in our monster round-up was some new screenshots which Nintendo released today. These show off new items such as the Super Horn and the...
Wednesday30th Apr 2014
News HAL Laboratory Director Explains Why Kirby Tends To Be A Ball Of Rage On Western Covers
"We know there is a serious side to Kirby as well"
If you're a keen import gamer, then you may have noticed a slight disconnect between Kirby's games in the east and in the west — the Japanese boxart usually has a happy, smiling Kirby, while the covers of his western releases showcase a more determined — even grumpy — expression. Kirby:...
News Cosmochoria Confirmed for Wii U Release
Another eShop game via Kickstarter
One project that's been covered in our recent Kickstarter campaign summaries is Cosmochoria, originally a PC title that saw a worryingly large Wii U stretch goal drastically reduced once the developer learned of the relative potential ease of porting to Nintendo's system. As of our last update at the weekend it...
Weirdness PeterMolydeux Is Back With The Strangely Moving Nintendo: A Sad Story Part Two
Poor Link
The mysterious individual behind the parody Twitter account PeterMolydeux has created a sequel to the nightmarish Nintendo: A Sad Story, this time focusing on the Zelda series. The bizarrely poignant clip sees a wide-eyed and innocent Link being forced to open a seemingly endless series of chests until he collapses from exhaustion —...
Video Here's Some Battle Footage From Wii U Space Sim Hullbreach: Uncloaked
Take to the stars
We've already shown you some of the locations you'll get to explore in the forthcoming Wii U eShop title Hullbreach: Uncloaked, and we've now been given some fresh footage which shows how battles will pan out in the game. If you'd like to know more about the game, check out our interview with
Remake Request Burning Rangers
Hot stuff
It’s 1998. The Saturn, my beloved NiGHTS-playing machine, is undeniably on its last legs here in the UK but with the trusty Sega Saturn Magazine as my guide and the likes of Panzer Dragoon Zwei and Street Fighter Alpha 2 to play I didn't care so long as there was something to look forward to. Sonic Team could do no wrong, and their final...
News Get Artistic With Pikachu In 3DS Title Pokémon Art Academy
Brushes at the ready for a June release in Japan
Nintendo has confirmed that Pokémon Art Academy will be hitting Japan on June 19th. 40 lessons will be included, all of which will focus around a famous Pokémon. It will be released as both a retail and digital product and will retail for 3,619 Yen. The 3DS console's 3D screen will not be supported...
News Parking Star 3D swerving on to the North American 3DS eShop 8th May
What do you do if you see a space, man?
It’s time to fill that empty space on your SD card as Parking Star 3D will soon be heading to the 3DS eShop. EasyTech and CIRCLE Entertainment have today announced that their parking simulator will be released in North America on 8th May, although there’s currently no word on a European release date. The...
Tuesday29th Apr 2014
News Nintendo Lifts The Lid On Its Plans For E3 2014
Super Smash Bros. tournament, Nintendo Digital Event, Treehouse Live at E3
E3 isn't far away now, and Nintendo has today announced its plans for the expo. The company is running series of special events under the "Play Nintendo" banner, including a Super Smash Bros. tournament and live demos from the Nintendo booth by members of the Nintendo...
Video Behold The Difference Between Skylanders Trap Team On Wii And Wii U
Compare and contrast
With Skylanders Trap Team being developed by lead developer Toys for Bob on the Wii and Beenox on the Wii U, choosing the best platform to play it on just got a little harder. Stepping into the breach with more Skylanders Trap Team videos are Family Gamer TV. Here, they compare the visual fidelity of different generations of...
News New Version Of Petit Computer Will Allow For SNES Or PlayStation Standard Games On 3DS
Smileboom president Takaki Kobayashi starts the hype train
Smileboom's Petit Computer is a DSiWare application which allows you to program games using a variant of the Beginners All-purpose Standard Instruction Code — or BASIC — programming language, which incredibly turns 50 this year. Speaking to John Szczepaniak — the guy behind
Matters of Import Sega 3D Classics Races Ahead With 3D OutRun
Is it a Magical Sound Shower or just a Passing Breeze?
Sega’s 3D Classics range just keeps on going — in Japan, at least — with this latest offering being OutRun, one of the biggest hits of them all. Like Super Hang-On and Space Harrier before it, OutRun used Sega’s impressive Super Scaler arcade tech to wow arcade gamers and deliver some...
Exclusive Opposable Games On Bringing Second-Screen Tactical Action To The Wii U With Salvaged
"Wii U is the perfect fit for the game"
UK-based indie studio Opposable Games has just confirmed that it is planning to bring its unique real time, second-screen strategy title Salvaged to the Wii U eShop, should the game successfully reach its Kickstarter goal of $125,000. We caught up with Design Director James Parker to chat about the influences...
News Expansion of Nintendo Selects Range Confirmed for Europe
More classics at a budget price
It's common, especially for hugely popular Wii and DS first-party games, for prices to fail to drop even as the years pass by. The enduring popularity of Nintendo's last-gen systems sees to that, but Nintendo of Europe has now confirmed four Wii titles that will join the 'Nintendo Selects' range, with retailers to set...
Review Me & My Furry Patients 3D (3DS eShop)
Diagnosis: a little hairy
There's a certain nostalgic charm to Me & My Furry Patients 3D's early-1990s PC game aesthetic – the rudimentary isometric 2D graphics, crude character models, heavy reliance on walls of text and menus resembling Windows 95 pop-up boxes are a nice change of pace from the ubiquitous FarmVille-esque cartoony graphics we...
News Over 140 Pieces Of Fan-Made Nintendo Art Up For Auction To Support Autism Charity
Going to a good cause
Gamers can be hard to please sometimes. We ask for one thing, get it, and then we ask for more. “When are you going to get around to doing another Star Fox game, Nintendo?” or “when’s the next batch of GBA games coming out on the Wii U?” are just some examples of our insatiable appetites. It sometimes seems that even...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Thirty Five
Beam Swords! Egg throwing! Balloon Fighting! Other Stuff!
Our normal Monday routine of summarising Super Smash Bros. screens was put back to allow for some tasty reviews, but we never forget. It just so happens that hype levels for the titles are high once again, with news of a Super Smash Bros. Invitational at E3 boosting our excitement ahead of...
Video This Mock Trailer For The Sega Port Of Montezuma's Revenge Turns On The Toilet Humour
Don't get caught short
The NES may have ruled the roost in North America during the '80s and early '90s, but Sega's Master System console was still home to some amazing titles — and in Europe, was incredibly popular. Keen to keep the memory of the console alive, our old friend Tyler Esposito of Sega Master System.com is putting together a series...
News Chasing Aurora Dev Is Considering Bringing Semi-Sequel Secrets of Raetikon To Wii U
"Porting it to Wii U should be rather straight forward"
Chasing Aurora was one of the Wii U's most interesting and unique launch titles, and when developer Broken Rules confirmed that it was working on a spiritual sequel, many Nintendo fans hoped that they'd get to play it. However, amid comments from the studio that Chasing Aurora didn't meet...
Monday28th Apr 2014
Review Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS)
The pink puff goes for the hat trick
Kirby, Nintendo’s pink puffball of concentrated cuteness, arrives on 3DS with a big bumper of a package, promising a trifecta of portable happiness. And it’s sure tough to not smile at the game’s chirpy demeanor and cheery world as the little guy floats and bops his way along his first 3DS adventure. But...
Review Child of Light (Wii U eShop)
The brush is as mighty as the sword
Listen, dear readers, and we shall recall our journeys with Child of Light. The darling of Ubisoft Montreal, it has become known as a beautiful sight. Screenshots and videos released to the world have proven its visuals most stunning. Yet when the tale is told and story unfurled, will all its design be as...
Review Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (3DS eShop / NES)
Join the fang club
Looking back, it's incredible to think that Konami took such a risk with the Castlevania series during its formative years. Having tasted critical and commercial success with the original NES outing, the Japanese company decided to give its direct sequel a different spin. The result was Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, a game which...
Nintendo Download 1st May (Europe)
Mario Golf, Cave Story, Child of Light and Simon goes on a quest too
This week brings a Euro Nintendo Download packed full of tantalising downloadable delights. 3DS retail: Mario Golf: World Tour (Nintendo, £34.99/€39.99) - Grab your clubs and bring fun to the fore in Mario Golf: World Tour! Join Mario and friends for engrossing golf action on...
News Satoru Iwata Speaks Of The Need To "Redefine" Nintendo's Position In The Entertainment Industry
"Nintendo is a company that can do whatever they want"
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata may be under the cosh at the moment thanks to the growing discontent of the company's shareholders, but he has revealed to Japanese site Diamond Online that he feels he is carrying on the will of the late Hiroshi Yamauchi by ensuring that the firm is always...
News Pokémon X & Y Happy Meal Toys Heading to North America
Gotta catch 'em all
The UK recently went Happy Meal crazy when Super Mario Happy Meal toys graced McDonald's. Well, that's a slight exaggeration, but we suspect Happy Meal sales to thirty-somethings spiked, at least near the Nintendo Life offices. In any case, the next Nintendo-themed madness is coming to North America, with Pokémon X & Y toys...
News Shiny Mamoswine Distribution Confirmed For European Pokémon VGC Nationals
Participants and spectators will receive a shiny new pocket monster
A special Pokémon distribution has been announced for the upcoming European Video Game Championship Nationals to occur within the next month. As revealed by the German arm of the Pokémon Company, the distribution will occur at the German, Italian, and UK National events. The...
News Infinity Runner Heading To Wii U eShop
Includes multiplayer support for up to 32 players
Award winning game studio Wales Interactive have informed us that they’ll be bringing their latest title, Infinity Runner, to the Wii U eShop this Summer. Described as Mirror’s Edge meets Mass Effect, the sci-fi action running game is currently in development for Wii U, PS4, PS3, PS Vita, PC, Mac...
Weirdness This Monster Hunter Fan Will Keep You Cool On Those Epic Quests
Something for true "fans" of the series
Monster Hunter is pretty big in Japan, in case you hadn't noticed. This is made abundantly clear by the sheer volume of merchandise that is available, and we think we may have found the "coolest" item yet. Ahem. The official Monster Hunter USB fan features a rather burly-looking knight carrying an impressive...
Sunday27th Apr 2014
Feature Kickstarter's Wii U and 3DS Campaigns - 27th April
Confirmed Wii U games and tough campaigns
It's time for another Kickstarter campaign summary, with quite a few details that have changed since last week. We have two notable success stories, including a campaign that looked like a close call but secured success late in the day; there has also been a cancellation and others that look doomed to...
News Nintendo To Market Mario Kart 8 Through The End Of The Year
Year of the Mario Kart
Nintendo UK has announced that the company's marketing campaign for Mario Kart 8 will run throughout the remainder of this year. A social media programme is already underway, which is designed to evoke old-school Mario Kart nostalgia; this will lead up to TV and online marketing campaigns that will launch when the game is...
Weirdness Best Buy Offers "Gas Cash" Promotion for Mario Kart 8
$10 of real-life gasoline to "rev up your Kart"
According to this site linked to Best Buy's Mario Kart 8 page, the company has an interesting promotion for customers in the United States. If you pre-order and purchase Mario Kart 8 at your local Best Buy, you'll get $10 in "gas cash" to fuel your real-life ride using a special code online. Specific...
News Greninja Strikes a Pose in These Super Smash Bros. Screens
A new threat
Not so long ago we shared some Zero Suit Samus Super Smash Bros. Screens that had been posted on the hugely popular Super Smash Bros. Facebook page, which showed the new challenger busting out a few moves. The page has now weighed in with some entertaining screens for newcomer Greninja, a surprise announcement in the recent Super Smash...
Month of Kirby The Uncopyable and Vital Mascot
Before he could be anything, Kirby was one thing
The Hypernova power is a fantastic addition to Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Dynamic and stage-altering, it’s a continued step up from the heightened inhaling power Kirby was granted in his Return to Dreamland. “But what’s really so special about that?” one might ask. “Kirby has always been a...
Saturday26th Apr 2014
News LostWinds Now Available For Wii to Wii U Transfer
FoundWinds
The Wii to Wii U system transfer may not be the most flexible or easy process, but we should be pleased that it is available, allowing those anxious for access to their WiiWare, Virtual Console and Wii save data to carry on with their shiny new system. The excellent LostWinds was an anomaly, however, as it was a game that could not be...
Month of Kirby A Series With Rewarding Game Design
The Great Cave Offensive, anyone?
It’s been 22 years since Kirby made his debut in the 1992 Game Boy confection Kirby’s Dream Land. In that time, players have seen the lovable pink puffball grow to become one of Nintendo’s biggest stars, scoring it big in hit after hit on both consoles and portables. Those not quite in the know about...
Please sink this battleship
It's surprising there aren't more DS titles based on the classic board game Battleship. The DS, with its plastic exterior and flip-up dual screens, looks remarkably like a Milton Bradley Battleship board you probably have stuffed in the back of a closet. You don't need to dig through all your old board games to play...
News Nintendo Serves Up New Videos For Kirby, NES Remix 2, Tomodachi Life and Mario Golf
Feast your eyes
After early months this year that have seen some major releases but also some quiet release spells, at retail and on the eShop platforms, we're now entering a stretch where most weeks have something enticing to separate us from our money. This week we have NES Remix 2 on the Wii U eShop, while next week Mario Golf: World Tour will...
News Shu Takumi and Shintaro Kojima Shed Some Light On The Great Ace Attorney
Meiji-era setting helped developers focus on mystery
Earlier this week, Phoenix Wright fans got a sneak peek at the newest entry to the fan-favourite Ace Attorney franchise. In an interview with Famitsu, series creator Shu Takumi and producer Shintaro Kojima shed some light on the upcoming 3DS title The Great Ace Attorney, and why the development...
Friday25th Apr 2014
Highlights low eShop sales and policies lagging behind Sony and Microsoft
Brandon Sheffield is, arguably, just the sort of developer Nintendo should be wooing — he produces games through his own studio Necrosoft, is an editor on Gamasutra and is a familiar face at industry events such as GDC (Game Developers Conference) and IDF (Independent Games...
Review Smash Cat Heroes (3DS eShop)
Tokugawa Mew Mew
Imagine, for a moment, that you are a cat. What would you do for a can of delicious cat food? What about a can of delicious, destiny-altering Super Cat Food? If you're anything like the feline cast of Smash Cat Heroes — the latest eShop title from Escape from Zombie City studio Tom Create — you'd grab a kitten-sized katana and...
News Masahiro Sakurai's Latest Super Smash Bros. Screen is for All You Mega Man Fans
"The Mega Man legends, united"
Final Smash Attacks aren't just powerful moves to obliterate enemies, but also shameless, glorious fan service — perhaps that's part of the reason why we loved them so much in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Whether an insane charge shot from Samus or a hulking great Landmaster for Fox, they stick in the mind. Masahiro...
News GameStop Plans to Close Around 120 Stores in the Coming Year
Moving into a "GameStop 3.0" era, apparently
Earlier this week GameStop hosted its 2014 Investor Day, at which it outlined some core business plans for the coming year. What does that mean for gamers? Less stores, basically. It's not a mass closure, but the company is clearly looking to streamline its business — it's planning to close 120-130...
News Mega Man Battle Network 3 Headed to the Wii U Virtual Console
So says the Australian ratings board
This week's arrival of Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island on the Wii U Virtual Console drew to a close the initial run of confirmed Game Boy Advance titles in the West. With more confirmed for Japan, however, we're simply awaiting formal details on what's next for those of us outside of Nintendo's homeland...
Interview A Look Through the Periscope at Steel Diver: Sub Wars
No actual link to Star Fox despite Peppy's cameo, sorry...
Steel Diver: Sub Wars will go down in Nintendo history, an honour perhaps exceeding its status as a very good download game — this is because it represents the big N's first full dalliance with free-to-play. Its February arrival on the 3DS eShop caused plenty of fascination, as a result,...
Train with aliens, play a friendly against Spain or compete in a tournament
Supporters of the newly released 3DS eShop title Nintendo Pocket Football Club will be pleased to discover the official website has recently been updated to include European rankings, tournament and SpotPass distribution schedules, as well as add-on content details...
News Super Toy Cars Announced for the Wii U eShop
A game described as "Mario Kart meets Micro Machines"
Spanish developer Eclipse Games has recently announced that its “tabletop arcade combat” racer, Super Toy Cars, will be zooming on to the Wii U eShop in the near future. According to the developer, the title hopes to capture the essence of classic racing games such as Micro Machines, Super...
News The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll Hits North America and Europe on 8th May
Demo next week, progress transferred to full game
Earlier this year we shared the news that Genius Sonority was bringing The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll to the West, the third entry in the quirky but rather excellent augmented reality RPG series. It was previously announced that there'd be a demo in May, and the developer wasn't kidding —...
News Abyss Confirmed to be Venturing to Europe on 8th May
A week after North America
It's not always easy for small developers and publishers to secure simultaneous releases across both North America and Europe, though EnjoyUp Games has been able to minimise the delay. Previously confirmed for 1st May in North America, gamers on the opposite side of the Atlantic will be able to dive into Abyss on the Wii U...
Thursday24th Apr 2014
Review Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS)
Hard to putt down
For a slightly out of shape plumber that very rarely seems to do any actual plumbing, Mario sure enjoys plenty of different sports. It remains an integral part of Nintendo's delightfully quirky games catalogue for its mascot and the residents of the Mushroom Kingdom to meet up for various extra-curricular activities, and golf is a...
News Nintendo Confirms The Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle
Peach and Yoshi Wii Remote Plus controllers coming to Europe, too
Update: Nintendo of Australia has now confirmed the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition bundle, with the same details; it's stated the recommended retail price in the region will be AU$429.95. Original Article: Not so long ago there was a rumour of a Mario Kart 8 Wii U...
News Amazon Comes in Low With Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle Price, Awesome GamePad Skins on the Way
Nintendo UK store has impressive Mario Kart 8 bundles, too
You may have already seen the news that Nintendo of Europe has confirmed the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle for the region, and we expect that a North American announcement is just a matter of time. As anticipated it's a 32GB system with a disc copy of...
News New World Record Set for Super Mario 64 120 Star Speed Run
Who said Sonic was the fastest thing alive?
Speed runner Siglemic has collected all of Super Mario 64's 120 Power Stars in one hour, 43 minutes and 54 seconds, setting a world record for the completion of the 120 Star run. The complete run can be seen on Siglemic's Twitch channel — the glorious proof for anyone who might question this blazingly...
Nintendo Download 24th April (North America)
NES is remixed, Child of Light, Yoshi's back, a golfing demo and more
It's that time again, North America, for your Nintendo Download update news. This week brings two high profile titles to the Wii U eShop, along with the latest Game Boy Advance Virtual Console offering. It's more of a mixed bag on the 3DS, though there is a demo for a major retail...
News Fresh Super Smash Bros. Screens Show Zero Suit Samus in Action
Stop pointing that gun at Luigi!
Another week has almost passed, which means we're getting ever closer to the arrival of Super Smash Bros., which hits the 3DS this Summer and Wii U in Winter 2014. There's electricity in the air as the hype builds, though not literally... obviously. But still, Nintendo is doing plenty of work to make sure that we...
News North American Club Nintendo Update Closes Down Physical Rewards Until May
More game downloads added in the interim
Club Nintendo patrons in North America who were saving up their coins for some tangible Nintendo memorabilia will apparently have to wait a while before doing so as the program undergoes a system update. Visitors to the Club Nintendo rewards page will be met with the following message: Orders for physical...
News Animal Crossing and Metroidvania GDC Talks Now Available For Your Viewing Pleasure
New Leaf and Castlevania devs discuss the intricacies of game development
Many of the presentations at last month's Game Developers Conference are now available to view for free on the GDC Vault website, including Animal Crossing: New Leaf producer Katsuya Eguchi and co-director Aya Kyogoku's "How to Turn a New Leaf at the Animal Crossing" and...
News Multiplayer Sci-Fi Alien Shooter Hive Jump Coming to Wii U
Not for the faint hearted
Undoubtedly drawing inspiration from classic sci-fl horror flicks such as Ridley Scott’s Alien, indie game developer Graphite Labs has revealed via Twitter that it will be bringing its own video game adaption of this classic genre to the Wii U. Thanks to Nintendo’s “open arms” towards indie development, Hive Jump...
News German Ratings Board Leaks Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition for Wii U and 3DS
An out of this world announcement!
The wonderfully-named Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, Germany's software ratings board, has leaked ratings for Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition, a re-release of French designer Éric Chahi's iconic 1991 action-platforming title ("23rd Anniversary Edition" doesn't have quite the same ring to it)...
News Grinsia Heading To The North American 3DS eShop On 8th May
No news on a European release date as yet
Kemco’s well received iOS and Android title, Grinsia, will finally be arriving on the 3DS eShop next month. The port of the classic JRPG-style game is being published by Nicalis, which has previously brought us indie games such as Cave Story and VVVVVV; it's recently confirmed the release date on its...
Video We Put The Pedal To The Metal In Sega's 3D OutRun
Can M2 keep up their winning streak?
It hardly feels like Japanese 3DS owners have finished with Fantasy Zone, but M2 is back on the eShop and granting gamer wishes once again, this time bringing Yu Suzuki's OutRun into the palms of arcade fans. As we've come to expect this is yet another fantastic port with just the right balance of hardcore...
News Capcom Unsheathes An Announcement Trailer For The New Ace Attorney Title
A new dawn for the law has arrived
Earlier in the week Famitsu teased the latest instalment in the Ace Attorney series, and the return of creator Shu Takumi as Director. Now Capcom has stepped up with an official announcement trailer to give further testimony on the intriguing Meiji era setting. Confirming suspicions, Dai Gyakuten Saiban -...
News Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
It looks insane, of course
You may remember news earlier this year of Stick It To The Man being confirmed for the Wii U. It's a peculiar-looking title that involves puzzle-solving, some stealth and platforming, along with mind reading. All standard stuff. It's previously been released on PC, PS3 and Vita, but developer Zoink Games told us that, for...
News Pokémon TV App Now Available for Kindle Fire Devices
Over 700 episodes across 16 seasons!
Pokémon TV, which débuted on iOS and Android platforms in 2013, is available on Amazon's Kindle Fire devices as of today. The app allows Pokémon fans to catch up on over 700 episodes of the popular anime series starring Ash Ketchum and his perpetual Poké-pal Pikachu. It comes as no surprise that Pokémon TV...
Friday25th Apr 2014
Video New Child of Light 'Making Of' Focuses on Main Character and Narrative
"A modern fairy tale"
The Ubisoft Montreal team behind Child of Light has not been hiding their game under a bushel, no, but letting aspects of their project shine all the way up to its coming release. Not that any opportunity to gawk at the game's remarkable visuals is unwelcome. The latest "Making Of" video takes a few minutes to discuss Aurora,...
Thursday24th Apr 2014
News Tappingo Gets a 30% Discount in Early May
Figure it out
Hugo Smits, the man behind Goodbye Galaxy Games, has been in touch to confirm that he has a treat on the way for puzzle fans with a 3DS. His latest eShop title, Tappingo, will be reduced by 30% from 1st to 15th May — in this period it'll cost €1.99 / £1.75 / $1.99. As is expected of titles from the developer, it takes some...
News Skylanders Trap Team Is Coming To Wii, Wii U And 3DS This Year
Series creator Toys for Bob is handling the Wii and Wii U versions
Skylanders has had a strong relationship with Nintendo platforms from the word go. In many ways its success was in part from capitalising from the high Wii install base in its target demographic. With both Giants and Swap Force selling well on Wii, Wii U and 3DS, all eyes were on...
Wednesday23rd Apr 2014
News Miiverse Update Imposes Restrictions on Posting Comments
Mario says it's not a chat room, right?
Nintendo has today announced a fresh update for Miiverse across the web and Wii U / 3DS versions. The positive change is that the web version will now have the same community search functionality as the console equivalent, as well as a "Posts from Verified Users" tab that acts as a shortcut to authorised...
Talking Point Nintendo Must Take Careful Steps Into Paid DLC and Free-to-Play
The balance seems reasonable, so far
As more first-party games arrive on the Wii U and 3DS, we may need to stop thinking of paid DLC and free-to-play models as exotic rarities on Nintendo systems. To an extent they still are, in that there's a degree of surprise whenever either emerges in a Nintendo title, but it's quickly becoming the norm, with...
News Nintendo Is Shutting Down Its Taiwan Subsidiary
Nintendo Phuten employees will leave by the end of this month
The Big N's Taiwanese subsidiary, Nintendo Phuten, will shut down at the end of May with employees leaving by the end of this month, Taiwanese website GNN reports. Nintendo Phuten is responsible for distribution and sales of the company's hardware and software in Taiwan; with a population...
News Latest Project CARS Trailer Shows Off Stunning In-game Footage, Locks In November 2014 Release
This racing sim can't come soon enough for Wii U motoring euthusiasts
Touted as a serious contender to the likes of Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo series, and the Microsoft Xbox-exclusive – Forza Motorsport, Slightly Mad Studios’ Project CARS aims to be the most authentic, beautiful and technically-advanced racing game ever released. It’s...
Review Tiny Games - Knights & Dragons (3DS eShop)
The dark knight
Taking the title of this game at face value, one could understandably conjure some exciting images of brave warriors setting off to battle in a land teeming with adventurous opportunities. The medieval setting is well-established by this point, and is versatile enough to appeal to even the very young demographic that Tiny Games...
News Level-5's 3DS RPG Youkai Watch Has Now Sold One Million Copies In Japan
Sales have doubled in the last two months alone
New reports suggest that Level-5's 3DS title Youkai Watch has shipped one million units in Japan. The game launched in July last year, but it wasn't until the transmission of the related anime TV show in January that sales began to spike; in February, Level-5 confirmed that it had delivered 500,000...
News Robot-Battling Action Title Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle Announced For 3DS In Europe
Pit the Knights against the Corrupted in 2D mech-fighting madness
Bandai Namco Games Europe has announced the upcoming release of Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle for Nintendo 3DS. The game is based on the anime series and Ionix toy line currently seeing success in the US and Japanese markets; Europeans will also be getting these through Spin Master...
Thursday24th Apr 2014
News Hex Heroes Hacks Up Kickstarter Goal
Their real time strategy for funding paid off
Prismatic Games' Wii U-centric, asymmetrical, party real time strategy game Hex Heroes reached its $80,000 Kickstarter goal with less than a day to spare, bringing the world one step closer to knowing what a Wii U-centric, asymmetrical, party real time strategy game is. Prismatic thanked backers in a...
Wednesday23rd Apr 2014
News Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Announces Free And Paid-For DLC Tracks
Yuffie joins in too!
The Curtain Call news just keeps coming this week! Not only do we now have a confirmed western release, but in Japan the first wave of additional DLC tracks have been announced — including two tracks that are free for a limited period. The full line up is as follows: Final Fantasy V Battle 2 (BMS) - Free until the 8th of...
News Yo-kai Watch Returns to the Japanese Chart Summit as Hardware Sales Dip Again
3DS systems reclaim number one spot
It's been a tough month in the Japanese charts, with few notable winners setting the tills alight. This week continues that trend, though it brings good news for Level-5 and a return to the top for the 3DS systems. On the software side of things it was a quiet week, with new entries to the charts failing to shift...
Interview MixedBag on Bringing forma.8's Mysterious Adventure to the Wii U eShop
"I think there's a lot of untapped potential in the GamePad"
Earlier this year Italian developer MixedBag caught the attention of Wii U gamers by teasing an announcement for the system; this turned out to be forma.8, an exploration game with a stylish visual approach. The studio's announcement reserved particular praise for Unity, Nintendo and Sony,...
News Picross e4 Confirmed For North American 3DS eShop Release In May
Mega Picross puzzles await
It might be slightly later than expected, but Picross e4 is finally making the leap to the west. The game has been confirmed for a May 1st release on the North American 3DS eShop. The game launched in Japan last year, and publisher Jupiter Corporation has previously stated that it will also see release in Europe in the...
News Hidden Object Puzzler Azada Is Spooking The North American 3DS eShop Next Month
Brain training
It has been confirmed that the 3DS puzzle title Azada will be hitting the North American eShop on May 1st. Originally released in physical form back in 2012, Azada is a port of a preexisting PC, Android and iOS title and comes from the creator of the Mystery Case Files series. You have to assist the hapless Titus in his escape from a...
Tuesday22nd Apr 2014
Guide Building the Perfect Team in Pokémon X & Y
Serebii's Joe Merrick helps you get prepared for tournaments
"Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favourites." In the past few months, we have dealt with the core mechanics of Pokémon, from EV training to IV breeding, and now comes the most unique part...
News Nintendo Confirms Mario Golf: World Tour DLC, Pricing and Release Schedule
Club together some cash
Update: Nintendo of Europe has now confirmed its own pricing details, including an introductory offer for the season pass: Mushroom Pack — 2nd May (€5.99 / £5.39) Includes two new 18-hole courses and Toadette as a playable character. Flower Pack — "later in May" (€5.99 / £5.39) Includes two new 18-hole...
Nintendo Download 24th April (Europe)
NES Remix returns, Yoshi on GBA, Yumi by another name and more
A day later than normal due to a Holiday Monday, we finally have this week's Nintendo Download information for Europe. We've got a Wii U sequel to a popular remix, more GBA goodness, a mix of good and not-so-good on the 3DS and a new DSiWare title. Plenty to consider, so let's get into...
News Possibility of SNES Remix and Other Remix Titles Depends on Fan Support
NES Remix director: "Does the marketplace want it or need it?"
In an interview with IGN, NES Remix and NES Remix 2 director Koichi Hayashida explained that the possibility of a SNES Remix, Game Boy Advance Remix, or other Remix brand titles will depend on the market's support and fan outcry. There could even be a Remix title based on third-party...
News New Instalment In The Popular Fatal Frame Franchise Coming To Wii U
A match made in heaven...or hell!
A new entry in Tecmo Koei's Fatal Frame horror series is coming to Wii U with collaboration from Nintendo, Famitsu reports today. No release date or final title have been revealed, but this announcement alone is enough to send Fatal Frame fans into a tizzy. The last entry in the series, Grasshopper Manufacture's...
News Nintendo Shows Off Its Mario Golf: World Tour DLC Courses and Characters
Wants your green for more greens
Earlier today Nintendo confirmed details for DLC in Mario Golf: World Tour, which has prompted plenty of spirited debate. It's a title that does include 10 courses right off the tee, though the addition of extra paid content — especially of the day one variety — always prompts discussion. There'll be three packs...
Video Capcom Unleashes a New Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Trailer
Beastly
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is still a good while away from its early 2015 release in the West, but gamers in Japan can expect Monster Hunter 4 G this year; the same game by a different name. As with the previous generation, the G variation will include the same content as the original plus a whole lot more — the difference in volume between...
News New Ace Attorney Title to Take Place in the Past
Enacting a grandfather clause?
Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi is taking a step back with the newest instalment of the series — back in time, that is. Alleged leaked pages from the latest issue of Famitsu reveal that the new Ace Attorney title will be set within Japan's Meiji era (1868-1912) and star an ancestor of Phoenix, Ryunosuke Naruhodo...
Wednesday23rd Apr 2014
News Bandai Namco Announces Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 for Wii U and 3DS
Pac Attack!
Hot on the heels of last year's Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures based on the television show of the same name, Bandai Namco has revealed an announcement trailer for Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2, set for release this year on Wii U, 3DS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. If you've ever wanted to see Pac-Man skyboarding, you're in...
Tuesday22nd Apr 2014
News The Nintendo eShop Is Like Paradise, Says Image & Form's Brjann Sigurgeirsson
"The gamers are REAL gamers who pay for quality"
As we're all well aware, the Nintendo eShop isn't the only digital marketplace out there right now. Sony and Microsoft have their own storefronts for downloadable titles, and the iOS App Store and Google Play market offer developers to chance to reach millions of potential customers. However, for...
Lock the box and throw away the key
With a huge assortment of puzzle titles on the eShop, PouncingKitten's Boxzle doesn't do nearly enough to set itself apart from the rest of the litter. With three variations on the "sliding box" mechanic the potential for clever and satisfying puzzles is there, but poor visuals and sound, generic presentation and...
Weirdness Hoverboards Now a Virtual Reality With the Assistance of a Wii Balance Board
Cue Back to the Future II theme song
It wasn’t long ago a video starring legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk alongside the Doc from Back to the Future and a cast of others emerged online, showing the unveiling of the first-ever “real life” hoverboard. Shortly after the video went viral, the entire reveal – as many expected – was confirmed by...
News Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Is Serenading The West Later This Year
Music to our ears
If you've been following our coverage of the Japanese version of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call then you'll probably be wondering if and when the game is coming to the West. Thankfully, we can now confirm that a western launch is indeed happening, and it takes place at some point this year. To celebrate the announcement,...
Video Learn More About the Stunning Art Style and Sound in Child of Light
The adventure is getting closer
While plenty of attention with the Wii U has drifted towards Mario Kart 8 and a host of upcoming Wii U eShop releases, we feel that Ubisoft's Child of Light shouldn't be forgotten or overlooked. Arriving on the download store next week, it's a title full of potential. With a script that'll read like a poem and with...
News Ubisoft Has Dispatched 73 Million Assassin's Creed Games Since 2007
Just Dance franchise has shifted an impressive 48 million, too
Ubisoft is a company with plenty of history behind it — it was founded way back in 1986 — but surprisingly its most popular franchises have only come recently. The French publisher has recently revealed sales figures for its key titles, with Assassin's Creed topping the list at an...
News Gaijin Games' Woah Dave! Reportedly Coming to 3DS
Whoa, that’s awesome!
According to a recent GameZebo interview with Jason Cirillo of Robotube Games – a sub-label of Gaijin Games – retro-inspired platformer Woah Dave! is set to make an appearance on the 3DS in the near future. No doubt in the form of an eShop release. During the recent PAX East, one extract of the GameZebo interview...
News Gardening Mama 2: Forest Friends Ships Today in North America
No, it's not Mother 3. It's Gardening Mama 2!
Cooking Mama refuses to be pigeonholed into the culinary arts. After a commercially successful green-thumbing spinoff adventure on DS in 2009, Mama is back for more in Gardening Mama 2: Forest Friends on 3DS, which is shipping to stores in North America today. Like a well-tended backyard, bask in the...
Monday21st Apr 2014
Review NES Remix 2 (Wii U eShop)
Electric boogaloo
Shortly before the end of 2013 Nintendo suddenly surprised us — during a Nintendo Direct, it announced and then immediately released NES Remix, a very unusual but, we thought, very fun collection of small challenges based on various games from Nintendo's NES catalogue. A few months later and, in a different Nintendo Direct,...
Talking Point The Game Boy is 25 Years Old, and Deserves Its Place in Gaming History
Nintendo's most vital triumph
Today's an important day, and we imagine a large celebration cake has been purchased for Nintendo HQ in Kyoto. The Game Boy was released 25 years ago today in Japan, and it was a system that — perhaps unlike any other — defined and set Nintendo on its path to being a successful multi-billion dollar corporation...
News New Details Rise for Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark
Could be the closest we get to a Western release of Super Robot Wars
New details on Activision's latest Transformers title, Rise of the Dark Spark, have emerged in the most recent issue of Game Informer, including the first basic information on WayForward's 3DS version of the game. WayForward is best known among Nintendo fans for its Shantae and...
News Nintendo Gets Dramatic in New Kirby: Triple Deluxe TV Commercial
Best. Commercial. Ever.
We've seen some terrific TV commercials in our time, some of them from Nintendo, but this new offering for Kirby: Triple Deluxe is right up there with the best. It's utterly ludicrous, and that's why we love it. It has music... dramatic orchestral music with a choir. Its lyrics are as follows: KIRBY KIRBY...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Thirty Four
Greninja! Gerudo Valley! Smash Run! More!
It's a Holiday Monday, but Super Smash Bros. development never rests (we assume). We're also not going to let anything like a pesky holiday get in the way of our regular Miiverse summary, either. Last week wasn't quite as amazing as the week before for one simple reason — it didn't have a new Nintendo...
News Koichi Hayashida Explains Absence of NES Remix 1 & 2 on 3DS
Extra grunt of Wii U made it preferred platform
During an insightful exchange with IGN, NES Remix 1 & 2 Director Koichi Hayashida has explained how previous work with Super Mario 3D World, along with the power of Nintendo’s Wii U – and his own familiarity with the system's architecture – led to the development of the classic compilation...
News Abyss Will Find the Depths of the Wii U eShop on 1st May
Yours for just $1.99
Earlier this year we brought you the news that Abyss was confirmed for the Wii U eShop, a new updated version of the DSiWare title. Priced at $1.99 and promising new content, it immediately struck us as a potentially attractive offering on the home console, especially as one of our few complaints in our original 7/10 score was...
Tuesday22nd Apr 2014
News Popup Dungeon and Hover: Revolt of Gamers Both Join The Kickstarter Ranks
Both campaigns promise Wii U support if $100,000 stretch goals are reached
Two of the most promising potential Wii U Kickstarter campaigns are now in full swing this week. With $100,000 stretch goals for Wii U support in both projects, let's take a look. Texas-based studio Triple.B.Titles brings us Popup Dungeon, "a roguelike papercraft RPG that...
Sunday20th Apr 2014
Feature The Nintendo Easter Egg Hunt - 2014
Not literally, please understand...
Last year we celebrated Easter Sunday with The Nintendo Easter Egg Hunt, so it's only polite that we do so once again. While getting from start to finish is part of the challenge in any game, finding its quirky secrets is a whole other aspect worth exploring. Last year we gave you six 'Easter Eggs' to consider...
Feature Kickstarter's Wii U and 3DS Campaigns - 20th April
Cancellations and close calls
In recent weeks we've produced Kickstarter summaries to show how campaigns are progressing, and this entry includes successes, cancellations and some close calls. Considering the fact that some exciting games have arrived and are on the way from successfully crowdfunded campaigns in the past, it's certainly worth...
Review My First Songs (Wii U eShop)
Hickory Dickory Don't!
We all had high hopes for My First Songs, with fifteen of the most legendary nursery rhymes of all time finally together in one package. Bangkok-based developer RingZero Game Studio brings us this hotly-anticipated karaoke title just in time for your tax refund shopping spree — alas, My First Songs is not quite a Yankee...
Review Atlantic Quest (3DS eShop)
Aquatic amusements
All prefaces about there being too many match-three puzzle games available on the 3DS eShop have been exhausted. While it still rings true that there is an overabundance of them on the digital marketplace, there's no use beating the dead horse that this genre and joke have become. The fact is that people love tile matching games,...
Look cute, lose friends
Kirby’s now comfortably over twenty years old at this point; HAL’s pink puffball is firmly entrenched in gamer’s minds as a Nintendo icon and the star of many, many games. When he’s not off saving Dreamland from the gluttonous King DeDeDe or going toe-to-toe with Mario in the latest Super Smash Bros., however, Kirby...
Saturday19th Apr 2014
Review Bit Boy!! ARCADE (3DS eShop)
Kubi, you blockhead...
It's been almost five years since Bit Boy!! graced the WiiWare service, providing a generation-spanning adventure through the history of video games. Unfortunately the execution of that game was middling at best, leaving a great concept — the guiding of a single hero on a nostalgia-tinged journey through the past — sorely...
Review Flowerworks HD: Follie's Adventure (Wii U eShop)
A few carnations short of a full bouquet
You're a pint-sized explorer that's crash landed your spaceship on an alien planet dominated by vegetation, where flowers are your greatest ally. No, it's not Pikmin, it's Flowerworks HD: Follie's Adventure. A high-def remake of the well-received 2009 WiiWare title, Flowerworks HD is a floral-themed action...
Poll Have Your Say on Nintendo Direct Bonanzas and Single Game Demonstrations
Tomodachi Life and Super Smash Bros. delivered buzz
Nintendo sure knows how to play with our expectations. After a month had passed from its February Direct broadcast we were left guessing on when the next would come along, and logical predictions passed without any results. We waited and wondered what was happening while Nintendo maintained its...
News Nintendo Joining the White House for its 2014 Easter Egg Roll
Yolks like fun
The Easter Egg Roll, taking place this year on Monday, 21st April, is a time-honoured tradition in which children use long-handled spoons to race their ovoids down the South Lawn of the White House. It should come as no surprise that Nintendo would want in on the fun this year, as the event practically begs for a tie-in with Yoshi's...
Video Nintendo Now Shows Kirby's Super Cute Side in New Triple Deluxe Trailer
D'awwwwww
In recent times Nintendo has been releasing new trailers for Kirby: Triple Deluxe that show off the mascot's various characteristics, such as being mischievous or disturbingly powerful. The latest example taps into one of the pink ball's strongest abilities — super-duper cuteness. For those of us that love Kirby games, part of the...
Friday18th Apr 2014
Talking Point Horror and Metroid Could be a Perfect Fit
Samus scares
"Nintendo plays things too safe" is a common criticism we hear from people across the vast swamp of cynicism that is the internet. It is a criticism that has always struck us as a little odd, because it's common knowledge that Nintendo often performs risky Frankenstein-like experiments with its wealth of existing franchises. Just look...
News NPD Results Bring Solid 3DS Numbers as Wii U Struggles
Fingers crossed for May and June
The latest NPD results covering U.S. physical retail sales are now out in the wild, and they bring mixed news. Hardware sales are up, being driven by PS4 and Xbox One, software is down but, overall, total sales of $1.03 billion represent a 3% increase over the equivalent month last year. Nintendo hasn't issued an...
News Cave Story is Finally Coming to the 3DS eShop in Europe and Australia
It's time
Some regional release sagas roll on and on, with publishers on tight budgets or with limited resources sometimes deciding not to jump through the hoops for ratings and approval in Europe and Australia, particularly. One example has been running for so long that those asking for it gradually forgot to complain any more — Cave Story on the...
News Nintendo Shows Off New Courses for Mario Golf: World Tour
Sky Island! DK Jungle! Bowser's Castle!
Mario Golf: World Tour's getting closer to its retail tee time, and as a result Nintendo's keen to spread the word about the upcoming 3DS release. The company just recently confirmed online tournament details and Callaway branding, and has now gone a step further in showing three new courses on the way. While...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Twenty Three
Hooray for holiday weekends
It's a holiday weekend in various parts of the world; whether you're observing Easter or just enjoying some time off work / school / other stuff, it's a chance to chill out and play some video games. Or go outside. Or, in a perfect world, both. It's also time for another edition of WGAYPTW, an acronym that'll one day be...
News Game & Watch Gallery 3 Rated for 3DS Virtual Console Release
More Game Boy Color goodness for the 3DS Virtual Console
The 3DS Virtual Console has, in recent times, been somewhat dominated by NES games, rather than the Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles that typified its early months. While Capcom is preparing a Mega May which will bring us retro portable Mega Man games, it looks like Nintendo's also looking...
Saturday19th Apr 2014
News Turtle Tale Slowly Moves Closer to the eShop on 3DS and Wii U
Turtle power
There's some 2D platforming action getting closer to both the 3DS and Wii U eShop; those that want to be a heroic water gun-wielding turtle will soon be able to fulfil that fantasy in Turtle Tale. Announced last year and taking its cue from action platformers of the NES and SNES era, it's the work of Saturnine Games — the studio is...
Thursday17th Apr 2014
Nintendo Download 17th April (North America)
Classic Mario, GBA treats, HD Flowerworks, smashing cats and much more
It's Nintendo Download time, North America, and this week brings some rather tempting offerings to both the Wii U and 3DS. There are retro classics on both Virtual Consoles along with brand new software, while some discounts and a major retail title also make an appearance. Let's...
News Pokémon Moviegoers in Japan Can Receive Diancie and Darkrai
No word on when the West's moment will shine
The dazzling Rock/Fairy Pokémon Diancie has been known to us for some time now in the West, and while we patiently wait for an opportunity to acquire such a gem for our own copies of Pokémon X & Y, fans in Japan will have an opportunity to receive one while seeing the next Pokémon movie on 19th...
Month Of Kirby Kirby's Lost Levels
Kirby's Cancelled Curse?
In the first of a series of features that'll form a mini Month of Kirby — ahead of the release of Kirby: Triple Deluxe in May — we look at a few games starring the pink mascot that never saw the light of day. Kirby has had a storied run as one of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters, having appeared in traditional...
News The North American Version Of Tomodachi Life Will Only Be Playable In English
Bad language
The European version of Tomodachi Life is playable in several languages — hardly a shock when you consider how many different countries make up that particular region. Since we previewed the game a few days ago, we've had a few questions regarding the language choices that will be available in the North American edition of the game,...
News Nintendo Involved In Patent Dispute Over Wii U's Dual Screen Capabilities
It's that time again
Nintendo is no stranger to patent cases, and it has been revealed that the company is involved in yet another — this time relating to the Wii U's selling point: its ability to display two screens at once. Nintendo Co. Ltd., Nintendo of America, Inc. and several other companies — including retailers who sell the system in...
News Score One Of These Limited Edition Pokémon-Themed 3DS XL By Attending A Japanese Football Match
Club name is featured on the base of each system
Supporters of Japanese football who also happen to be obsessed with Pokémon are in for a special treat with a very exclusive giveaway. Nintendo are giving fans the chance to score one of three limited edition Pokémon-themed 3DS XL systems at Yokohama F. Marinos, Urawa Red Diamonds, and FC Tokyo...
Forgotten Classics Resident Evil Code: Veronica
Itchy. Tasty.
Resident Evil, Capcom’s iconic and much lauded multi-million unit selling series needed to change. By 1999 the PlayStation was beginning to feel a little long in the tooth and just about every developer around had had a go at creating their own form of adventure-ish horror game, with Konami arguably putting up the best opposition...
News Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Could Have Been a Nintendo Exclusive
Developer predicts decision will "haunt them for the rest of their days"
The Skylanders series, developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, is currently a phenomenon in the gaming industry, generating huge revenue through both software and the many, many accompanying toys. The combination of a game and toys that directly interact has...
Rumour Ubisoft Working On 2D Prince Of Persia Reboot With The UbiArt Engine
Same graphics tech which powered Rayman Legends
The million-selling Prince of Persia series has been uncharacteristically quiet of late, leading many to speculate that Ubisoft has mothballed the famous franchise. However, if rumours are to be believed, the Prince will be making his return sooner than you might expect. According to French website Le...
News Nintendo Tees Up Mario Golf: World Tour Online Tournament Details
Callaway branding and North American demo confirmed
Mario Golf: World Tour is just two weeks away, and Nintendo has confirmed some additional details to tempt us onto the course. The main news for those of you in North America is that a demo will be released in the region next week on 24th April — it'll be available on 17th April in Europe...
News Ubisoft Expects Watch_Dogs To Be One Of The Biggest Selling Titles Of 2014
Watch out Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed
Watch_Dogs may have taken its sweet time getting to market but publisher Ubisoft is confident that the game will be a resounding commercial success — and that it will challenge the traditional big-sellers this year. Speaking to MCV, Ubisoft's Wayne Greenwell said: Excitement for the product remains...
News Tengami Soundtrack by David Wise Hits iTunes and Bandcamp
Music by the famed Donkey Kong Country composer available now
Atmospheric adventure game Tengami has been making headlines for its pop-up book art style, traditional Japanese setting, and music composed by David Wise. A longtime Rare collaborator, Wise has written the acclaimed music for hits like Donkey Kong Country, Star Fox Adventures, Marble...
News DuckTales: Remastered Digital Soundtrack Coming to Amazon
47-track album to go on sale later this month
Capcom has announced that the official game soundtrack for DuckTales: Remastered will be available to download from Amazon's MP3 store from 29 April. With 47 tracks and clocking in at around the 90-minute mark, the album will include both Jake Kaufman's remixes for the recent re-release, as well as the...
News Ubisoft Announces a Watch_Dogs eBook, //n/Dark Clouds
Hopefully it's //n/joyable
Ubisoft has today announced it's publishing an eBook to tie in with the launch of Watch_Dogs, titled //n/Dark Clouds. The book will serve as a direct sequel to the events of the game, and release on 27th May in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. //n/Dark Clouds is authored by American science fiction novelist...
Video The Latest Nintendo Minute Is Concerned With Wrestling Mayors And The Andore Family Tree
Kit and Krysta take on Capcom's Final Fight
OK, so the Nintendo Minute series of videos rarely run for a single minute, but we'll forgive Kit and Krysta when they provide such fantastic content as this. The latest instalment features Capcom's Final Fight, one of the most iconic side-scrolling brawlers in the history of video games. As you might...
News Nintendo of Europe Launches Voice to Victory Wii Karaoke U Contest
Sing like you're winning
Just recently we pointed you to a tease from Nintendo of Europe about an upcoming Wii Karaoke U contest, and details have now been revealed. It's the real deal, in the sense that eShop cash prizes are up for grabs. Called Voice to Victory, it now has a special Miiverse community, and tasks you with singing your heart out...
Wednesday16th Apr 2014
Rumour Mario Kart 8 Wii U Hardware Bundle On The Way
Seems feasible, salt on standby
Update: We've been advised by Nintendo that it has "nothing to announce at this time" regarding this rumour. You can take that to mean whatever you want, but that's the line we've been given. Original Article: We do enjoy juicy console bundle rumours here at Nintendo Life — the sensible ones, at least. A fresh...
Video Here's a Comparison of Mario Kart's Donut Plains 3 from SNES to Wii U
Generations apart
Comparison videos of retro tracks in Mario Kart 8 are certainly doing the rounds at the moment, and popular YouTube channel GameXplain has created a nifty split-screen video comparing the classic Super Mario Kart track Donut Plains 3 to its reimagining in the upcoming Wii U title. Check it out below: Nintendo EAD and its...
Talking Point Amazon Fire TV is an Early Warning for Console Heavyweights
Unlikely to kill consoles, but its successors may try
When the Ouya was successfully crowdfunded, its executives talked it up as a revolution in living room gaming, promising a wonderland of fun experiences available for free or costing less than a cup of coffee; the world would move on from pricier game consoles flogging retail priced games. Like...
News Nintendo Confirms Five Games That'll be Playable at WonderCon
If you're in California, play some Mario Kart 8 this weekend
We're getting into the season of expos now, and Nintendo of America has confirmed its attendance at WonderCon, which takes place this weekend (18th-20th April) in Anaheim, California. The big N will have five games on show, including those recently released and on the way soon; one is a...
News Vita Overtakes 3DS in Tough Week for Japanese Charts
All hardware sales are down
The Japanese game retail market seems to be in the midst of a rather glum spell, with a brief burst a few weeks ago — which can certainly be attributed in part to a pre-tax increase flurry of sales — making way for trends sliding in the wrong direction. This week also brings an unwelcome weekly loss for the 3DS,...
Video The Super Smash Wars Trilogy Comes To a Dramatic End
We reckon you'll enjoy this...
Last week we posted the first part of Super Smash Wars: Return of the Hero of Time, the final part of James Farr's Nintendo and Star Wars animated mash-up series. It set the scene for the grand finale, and we suspect this final part will satisfy those that have been following the videos so far. It takes in the latter...
News 3D OutRun Given a Release Date and Details for Japan
We want it yesterday
The 3D series of classics from Sega were, in the Nintendo Life office at least, among the highlights on the 3DS late last year. With a mix of arcade and Mega Drive / Genesis games getting the impressive remastering treatment from M2, it was pleasing that Sega had made the investment to localise that first run outside of Japan...
News Nintendo Teases a Wii Karaoke U Miiverse Contest
Neighbours, be warned
Wii Karaoke U probably still holds the crown as one of the most peculiar offerings on the Wii U eShop. In some ways it's one of the most modern titles Nintendo's released in terms of online functionality, with a substantial range of tracks available to stream and various time-based passes to purchase in order to satisfy into...
News 3DS Release Added to Cult County's Core Kickstarter Target
"You spoke. We listened."
In early April Renegade Kid launched a Kickstarter campaign for Cult County on home consoles (including Wii U), Vita and PC. It was a title that had been announced for 3DS in early 2013, but as the studio's co-founder Jools Watsham told us, the shift to using the Unity engine and focusing on greater scope had shifted
News Castlevania: Dracula X And Mega Man 5 Hitting The Japanese Wii U Virtual Console Next Week
Scream bloody murder
Next week's Japanese Wii U Virtual Console titles have been confirmed, and fans of Konami and Capcom should be pretty pleased with what's on offer. Arguably the most notable release is Castlevania: Dracula X (known as Akumajou Dracula XX in Japan and Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss in Europe), the SNES port of the PC Engine classic...
News Big Deez Productions Discusses Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn and Why It's a Beat 'em Up
"I don't think anyone would have really cared about a Shaq shooter"
Matt Karch, CEO of Big Deez Productions, recently sat down for an interview with Red Bull to shed light on the potential Indiegogo-funded Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn. He discussed the direct involvement of basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, and made sure to distance A Legend Reborn...
Matters of Import Ucchannanchan no Honō no Challenger: Denryū Iraira Bō
Down to the wire
The Nintendo 64 is fondly remembered for delivering groundbreaking titles such as Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. However, in amongst the system's relatively small library of games are a few wacky, obscure and out-of-the-ordinary experiences to be had. Sadly, many of us in the West never got to play a...
News Space Shooter Cosmochoria Lowers Wii U Kickstarter Stretch Goal To $25,000
Development technicalities ''a lot more doable'' than originally thought
Kickstarter projects are rarely without their changes somewhere along the line. Stretch goals can be added, new features can be implemented and fan response or criticism can even have an impact on the final release. During our last Kickstarter round-up we wagered that the...
News Australian Classification Board Rates Xtreme Sports for 3DS Virtual Console
The WayForward Game Boy Color classic appears headed to the eShop
It looks like one of WayForward Technologies' early classics will be arriving on the 3DS Virtual Console in the near future. The Australian Classification Board has rated Xtreme Sports, published by Infogrames in 2000 on the Game Boy Color exclusively in North America. Europe would...
News Sea Battle Will Bring Battleships to DSiWare
You can't sink the DSi Shop
It may have been replaced by the 3DS eShop and its range of titles a little under three years ago, but the DSi Shop continues to make its presence felt with occasional releases. It helps, admittedly, that DSiWare games are released on the current portable's store too, but it remains a surprise to see new titles for the...
News Nocturnal Plants a New Flowerworks HD Trailer Ahead of Launch
Shows off blooming nice effects
There aren't many WiiWare titles getting re-purposed for the Wii U, but part of a select group with a few others is Flowerworks HD: Follie's Adventure from Australian developer Nocturnal. Due in this week's update (17th April) in North America and May in Europe, it'll have a discount price of $3.50 in its first month...
Tuesday15th Apr 2014
Review Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars (3DS)
Birth of the cool
Brought into the world by Spike Chunsoft — of both Danganronpa and StreetPass Battle/Warrior's Way fame — Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars is a delightfully different affair. The generational suffix refers to its pedigree — a single, Japan-only PSP predecessor — but all you need to know about this standalone...
"Every once in a while, you have to learn to not listen"
Ken Lobb is now employed as Creative Director of Microsoft Studios, but Nintendo fans will recall that he was a big part of the firm back in the days of SNES and N64 — heck, he even had the "Klobb" gun in Rare's GoldenEye 007 named after him. Before he departed Nintendo in 2001, Lobb was...
News Nintendo Announces a Charming New Princess Peach Wii Remote Plus
Proud to be pink
Many of us parted with good money last year when Nintendo released Mario and Luigi Wii Remote Plus controllers, with a simple colour scheme enough to get us a tad excited. The big N is aiming to tap into that instinct again with a new Princess Peach-themed Remote, with Nintendo of America confirming that it'll arrive in the region's...
News Atlus Confirms Conception II DLC Details and May European Release
The start of a beautiful relationship
Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars is now available in North America, which is great news for fans of quirky JRPG games as we gave it a strong recommendation in our comprehensive review. With a mix of dungeon crawling and dating sim elements, and Star Children that can become killer mechs, it's certainly...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Thirty Three
Metroid! Samus! Smash Run! Direct!
It's Mond... TUESDAY, which means its time to look at what happened in the world of Super Smash Bros. on Miiverse last week. We're a day late due to some different scheduling this week but we hadn't forgotten — we never forget this feature. Last week was a big one for these two games, with an almighty Super...
Weirdness Now You Can Transform Your GamePad Into A Racing Wheel
Well, why not?
With Mario Kart 8 on the way, it should come as no great surprise to see peripheral makers attempt to capitalize on the renewed interest in racing titles, but Japanese firm CyberGadget has come up with the most unusual idea yet. Its Handle Stand fixes to your desk and allows you to clamp the GamePad in place, effectively turning it...
News A Detailed Analysis Of Super Metroid Is Now Available In Print And E-Book Form
Dissecting the hunter
If you want to make enemies, insult Super Metroid. It's arguably the most beloved entry in one of Nintendo's biggest franchises, and is still praised as a masterclass in game design even 20 years after its initial release. There's enough intricacy and detail to every mechanic that you could write a book about it, and that's...
News You Can Grab a 2DS and Pokémon X for $100 at Target
We've dug up a couple of GAME deals in the UK, too
As we gear up for an exciting new wave of 3DS titles in the coming months we can expect Nintendo to make another push for Spring and Summer hardware sales. While the system's family has performed rather well, there are plenty of potential consumers yet to take the plunge, with titles such as...
News BurgerTime World Tour Meats its End on WiiWare 30th April (UPDATE 2)
Will be half off while still available (except on WiiWare)
[UPDATE 2: MonkeyPaw Games has now confirmed that the WiiWare version of the game will not be receiving the discount.] [UPDATE: As of the posting of this article, the discount has not appeared on the Wii Shop Channel. However, a representative of MonkeyPaw Games has said via email that the...
3DS eShop exclusive, arriving April 24th
Agatsuma Entertainment has confirmed that it is bringing Sayonara UmiharaKawase to Europe on April 24th as a download-only 3DS eShop exclusive. The price will be 24.99 Euros. The game — which follows on from the Japan-only Super Famicom and Nintendo DS editions — recently hit North America under the...
News Nintendo Shows Off Kirby's Awesome New Abilities on a Snazzy Triple Deluxe Website
Archer! Beetle! Bell! Circus! Hypernova!
Kirby: Triple Deluxe isn't far away now, arriving in North America on 2nd May and in Europe on 16th May. We've seen some of the mascot's new abilities in action, attractive new footage and plenty of snippets to raise our anticipation. Nintendo UK is wading in with a new dedicated website, and one of the best...
News Upside-Down Dimensions Could Be Coming To Wii U
Currently listed as "proposed"
Spanish developer Hydra Interactive Entertainment has announced Upside Down Dimensions, an action RPG that combines hack 'n slash, stealth, puzzles and platforming elements – drawing inspiration from games such as Paper Mario, The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. The title has a launch window of 2015 for PC, Mac, PS...
News Mario Golf: World Tour UK Pre-Order Bonus Lets You Don A Mario Cap
Moustache grown seperately
2014 seems to be flying by. Just where is the time going? Winter is already a distant memory for some and — even though Animal Crossing tells us we’re currently in spring — summer is right around the corner. Thankfully, along with it, comes a line-up of new games such as Kirby Triple Deluxe, Mario Kart 8 and the 3DS...
Wednesday16th Apr 2014
News Yoshio Sakamoto Striving For "New Entertainment" and "New Fun" for Franchises Both Old and New
Naturally thoughts drift to Metroid
Yoshio Sakamoto is perhaps best known as the Director of the iconic early entries in the Metroid series, including the NES original, Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion. Sakamoto-san is not averse to experimentation and different genres, however, with producer credits in the WarioWare series, in particular, while his...
Tuesday15th Apr 2014
Play Mario Kart Wii With Nintendo Life on Twitch - Live!
There will be blue shells
Nintendo Life does Twitch! Hopefully without it crashing, breaking down and basically not working. We're going all modern and trendy — next up an annoying catchphrase to open every stream! Well, maybe not on the catchphrase. We are, however, planning to run regular live streams of various Nintendo games that'll include...
News Australian Classifications Out Western Releases For Mighty Final Fight And Mega Man Xtreme
More vintage classics coming to the 3DS Virtual Console
New ratings from the Australian Classification Board have revealed that Capcom's Mighty Final Fight and Mega Man Xtreme are both bound for the west. The former was originally launched on the NES back in 1993. It takes the basic gameplay of the original Final Figh
Weirdness Game Consoles and More X-rayed for Art
Crowdfunding campaign is underway
We've seen some interesting projects emerge through Kickstarter, but a new campaign from BRS Innovations perhaps steals the show. A group of three individuals with extensive experience in X-ray technology are planning to launch a series of art projects that include images of various everyday items. It's so you can...
Exclusive Here's an Early Look at Location Game Footage in HullBreach: Uncloaked
Both real and fantastical
HullBreach Uncloaked is an intriguing Wii U eShop title in a couple of respects — it's based on a Wii-browser MMORPG called HullBreach Online, and its developer (HullBreach Studios) has bold plans for the scope that it'll offer. It'll have all 576 sectors of its online predecessor, except with fully-realised 3D visuals...
Video Yo-kai Watch 2 Promotional Trailer And TV Commerical Hit Japan
Double trouble?
We've brought you details on Level-5's Yo-kai Watch 2 just a few days ago, but now we're able to show you some brief footage of the game(s) in action. The first video below is the most useful one, featuring just over a minute of story and battle footage that really shows off the excellent (or mad, depending on your point of view)...
Monday14th Apr 2014
News Nintendo of America is Cutting the Price of Five Top 3DS Games
All for $29.99 on the eShop and in stores
In a move that's sure to tempt those yet to pick up all of the hottest titles on 3DS, Nintendo of America has announced a price cut — starting on 22nd April — on five major retail games; these include the three biggest-selling games of all-time for the system in the region. All five games will drop to...
First Impressions Tomodachi Life
Life is what you make it
Since the surprise announcement that Tomodachi Life is coming to the West on 6th June, gamers have been trying to figure out exactly the game is all about. Given that it's a Nintendo project, comparisons to Animal Crossing have been bandied about, while others have confidently placed the game in the same basket as EA's Sims...
Review Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Deluxe Edition (Wii U eShop)
The broken Bat
For as long as portable games have existed, the trend of developing handheld versions of popular console titles has been present and correct. These games tend to be inferior versions of the originals, taking a substantial hit graphically and often limiting gameplay, depending on what the portable console is capable of. In some cases,...
News Nendoroid Toon Link Figure Slated for August Release
To be released only in Japan, of course
The Nendoroid series — from Good Smile Company — certainly has a group of cool figurines set for 2014. A few months ago the company announced a Luigi figure to cap off the Year of Luigi. Today, the company has announced that it will be releasing a Toon Link Nendoroid statue in August 2014 through the Good...
News Tomodachi Life is Big on Character, But Modest in File Size
Will you find space in your life?
Tomodachi Life made quite an impact when it was revealed in gloriously wacky Nintendo Direct broadcasts last week, as an audience outside of Japan was given a clearer insight into how the Mii-sim works, and perhaps why it should jump to the top of some wishlists. We've been fortunate enough to spend some time with...
Nintendo Download 17th April (Europe)
Pocket football, GBA goodies, big-name demos, discounts and more
Nintendo is once again brightening our Monday morning with the European Nintendo Download update, which this week includes a variety of genres covering three systems — yep, DSiWare is back. There are some promotions — present and future — to consider, new games and Virtual...
Review Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove (3DS eShop)
Dire, dire docs
You know the drill. Mysterious, seemingly-abandoned location. Haunting atmosphere. Looming tragedy that unfolds through documents you find scattered around. It's a formula that works well for video games in general. As an interactive medium, the scares can be taken to a whole other level in the right hands. The mere fact that you...
Review Governor of Poker (3DS eShop)
Deep in the debt of Texas
Imagine that Donald Trump stole the DeLorean from Back to the Future. He warps to the Wild West, but instead of saving the Doc like in Part III, he creates a form of government in which you rule by simply owning every building in sight. It’s a monopolocracy, if you will, and everyone crams the saloons to play poker for...
Tuesday15th Apr 2014
News Ubisoft and EA Lock In Their E3 Presentation Details
Get hyped for 9th June, all you third-party fans
Ubisoft and EA have given the final word on when they'll take the stage for E3 press conferences in 2014. The two third-party publishing giants will have their media briefings on 9th June; EA will show off its latest projects first at 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern / 9pm UK / 10pm CET, while Ubisoft will...
Monday14th Apr 2014
News Nintendo Launches 3DS XL "Recommended Software" Hardware Promotion in Japan
A free game with a 3DS XL purchase
Nintendo has run a number of eShop retail download promotions in the past couple of years to encourage gamers to buy its products. Most of these have focused on the 3DS, with varying schemes in different territories offering free game downloads in return for registering a fixed number of retail titles or hardware...
News Super Mario 64 Gets The Oculus Rift Treatment
The first person point of view is a bit troublesome
By now, it's probably safe to say that people are interested in the Oculus Rift. We've seen multiple Nintendo-themed demos via videos from YouTube user Chadtronic — from the likes of Zelda to Metroid — while others have gotten in on the act with examples such
Play We'll Be Doing The Twitch Thing With Mario Kart Wii Online Multiplayer
Surely nothing can go wrong...
Twitch is all the rage, it seems, with the live streaming service used to watch gamers tackle a variety of titles and even team up in their thousands to play Pokémon. It's a social phenomenon in gaming. Aside from some retro titles being chaotically played by thousands of gamers at once, however, not much love is...
News Nintendo Titles Struggle for a Presence in UK Charts
Layton vs. Ace Attorney drops out, Yoshi and Pokémon hang on
Nintendo's had some reasonable weeks in the UK physical retail sales charts, with titles such as Yoshi's New Island and Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney making solid starts despite having plenty of big-budget multiplatform titles in opposition. It seems the momentum is...
News Capcom Investing $80 Million in Two New R & D Buildings
All part of boosting internal development
Capcom may have enjoyed another smash hit with Monster Hunter 4 in Japan, with hopes of the Ultimate release achieving success worldwide, but it's had a hit-and-miss period in other areas. Just recently the company cut its profit projections by 50%, citing investment, an underperforming mobile sector and...
Video This Child of Light Trailer Takes You Through The Beautiful World of Lemuria
Step into the light
In the lead up to Child of Light’s release on the Wii U eShop later this month, Ubisoft has been releasing a steady stream of trailers to show off its artistic action-RPG. Recent clips have displayed the game’s co-op mode, as well as the title’s partnerships for music and theatrical design. The latest clip, which
Interview Tom Create on Past Projects, Smash Cat Heroes and the Download Transition
"The eShop is somewhere where we definitely want to be involved"
The increasing importance and role of the download game market is often attributed to development studios based outside of Japan, with a perception that the home of Nintendo and many other prominent industry names is playing catch-up in embracing that segment of the market. There is...
Sunday13th Apr 2014
Feature Kickstarter's Wii U and 3DS Campaigns - 13th April
Successes and failures
Last week we ran our first weekly Kickstarter summary, which aims to keep us all up to date on the progress — and otherwise — of projects currently seeking funding that are targeting Wii U and/or 3DS. We're relatively selective in terms of focusing on projects that seem to have either a certain level of quality, a...
News Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida Highlights Brushes With Miiverse Law
Naughty
It can be tempting to think of Nintendo as standing alone in terms of companies with powerful executives that are also charming, affable individuals; we see that side of Satoru Iwata and colleagues frequently in Nintendo Direct broadcasts. It'd be wrong to think these are qualities only found within Nintendo, however, as there are a number...
News Veronica Mars Star Kristen Bell Reveals Her Former Love for The Nintendo 64
As well as Mario Kart and other classic Nintendo systems
Actress Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars fame used to be a huge gamer according to a new interview she recently gave in Empire magazine. And it would appear that she had a soft spot for Nintendo systems, especially the Nintendo 64. "You know, I used to be [a gamer] so much," she told the...
News Details Emerge of a Cancelled Nintendo-Exclusive Star Wars Game
It was about Darth Maul though, so never mind
Star Wars remains as one of the most powerful brands in the entertainment industry, progressing from reasonably humble origins in 1977 to a never-ending multi-billion dollar juggernaut. Its power is such that Disney bought Lucasfilm for $2.5 billion, with no doubt that it was actually interested in...
News Ex Oblivione is a 2D Action Horror RPG Coming Exclusively to Wii U
More indie support on the way
It says much about Nintendo's current download game policies that a number of small developers are choosing the system for their début efforts. Another doing just that is California-based CthulhiGames, which has announced it Unity-based 2D Action Horror RPG as a project in development exclusively for Wii U. A series...
News Guacamelee! Developer Stirring Up A New Title, Severed
Hitting virtual shelves some time in 2015
DrinkBox Studios as a company has only existed for around 6 years, but in that time has produced some amazing titles, with a new addition coming down the pipes. The developer of Guacamelee! and Mutant Blobs Attack has announced Severed, a new title coming in 2015; it tells the story of a distraught warrior...
Saturday12th Apr 2014
En Passable
VooFoo Studios took on a tough challenge in not only producing cross-platform online chess multiplayer, but achieving it on both the Wii U and the 3DS. Pure Chess immediately earns credit right away, in that case, as a technical example of what can be achieved on what is relatively old tech with the 3DS. Bonus points are due, then, but...
Feature Time For a Super Smash Bros. New Challenger Screenshot Blowout
Pick a favourite between Zero Suit Samus, Sheik, Yoshi, Charizard, Greninja
It's been a crazy week for Nintendo fans, with an impressive Super Smash Bros. Direct revealing plenty of details on the upcoming 3DS and Wii U releases being followed by an unexpected and utterly bonkers Tomodachi Life Nintendo Direct. They were particularly exciting...
Review My Exotic Farm (Wii U eShop)
Not a roaring success
Farm management sims are hard to get right; farming is work, after all. Successful farming games either add substantial non-farming elements like Harvest Moon's social elements, or they take the work so seriously that it becomes comically overbearing, à la Farming Simulator. French studio BiP Media's My Exotic Farm ultimately...
Interview 4 Corner Games Tells Us Why It's Got to Run to the Wii U eShop
"I applied to Nintendo because I love playing games on Nintendo platforms"
Not too long ago 4 Corner Games announced that it'd be making its début with the Wii U-exclusive I've Got to Run, a runner title that'll include multiple modes and will run at a silky smooth 60 frames per second. In a wave of multi-platform download-only releases, this joins...
Friday11th Apr 2014
Ninterview Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman on Mastering Super Smash Bros.
The King of Smash
Not long ago we conducted a Ninterview with TriForce Johnson, who told us about his journey from being a passionate gamer in the Bronx, New York, to a gaming celebrity famous for being first-in-line for a record number of Nintendo launches. He's far more than a keen video game shopper, however, with multiple world record scores and...
News Nintendo Provides Some Context to 2013's Tomodachi Life Same-Sex Marriage Controversy
Indications are is that it still won't be an option, though
Yesterday's Tomodachi Life Nintendo Direct brought the rather wacky 3DS Mii life-sim to the attention of a lot more gamers, though it's not actually a new release. Tomodachi Collection: New Life was a Spring 2013 arrival in Japan, and proceeded to accrue some impressive sales and generate...
Feature The Castlevania That Konami Doesn't Want You To Know About
A chilling look at the 1988 arcade release Haunted Castle
Despite the critical mauling Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 received at the hands of the gaming press, Konami's gothic franchise has arguably never been in better health. After years of dismal sales and underexposure, the mainstream appeal of the series was emphatically restored by 2011's...
News Nintendo Shows Off Upcoming Golden Sun and F-Zero GBA Wii U Virtual Console Releases
Next week's offerings on show
The early Game Boy Advance releases on the Wii U Virtual Console seem to have been rather popular with keen download fans, and it's certainly helped that some of the finest games of the portable's entire library have already arrived. The initial confirmed lineup is into its latter half, however, and Nintendo has...
Review Mach Rider (3DS eShop / NES)
A forgotten gem from the NES launch library
Mach Rider is an impressive feat for an NES title — a faux-3D motorcycle combat game with dozens of courses, an endurance mode, and a track editor. Not only was Mach Rider an NES title, but it was an October 1985 NES launch title. Namco's Pole Position had only hit arcades three years earlier, and...
Rumour Mario Golf: World Tour To Offer Additional Courses As Paid DLC
Those little birdies at Amazon…
With the release of Mario Golf: World Tour being just a few weeks away, a rather juicy rumour has begun to circulate around the internet. These have taken the form of an apparent eShop description that could not be verified by us in either region's store, but we've since found that Amazon.com’s listing for Mario...
News Disney Magical World Arrives With a Day One Patch on 3DS
The most magical update on Earth?
3DS title Disney Magical World arrives in North America today, and like many retail releases landed on the eShop at midnight to accommodate eager day-one buyers. One of those keen gamers is @kitroplious, who downloaded the title and stumbled across a day one update. As you can see in the image this is designed to...
News Johnny Vegas to Host the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014 Final in London
He's a Pokémon fan, you know...
Earlier this year Nintendo released details of its Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014 regional heats, a Nintendo UK competition that's served as a meaty warm-up to the official Pokémon Video Game Championships that kick off soon, events that will culminate in the World Championships later this year...
News Nintendo's Bill Trinen Discusses Localising Tomodachi Life
"It's not really a simulation. You could hardly even really call it a game"
Following its release date confirmation, Polygon has published an interview with Nintendo of America director of product marketing Bill Trinen on the Western localisation of the upcoming 3DS title Tomodachi Life. The Big N devoted an 11-minute special Ninte
News Road Redemption's Latest Footage Looks a Bit More Like Road Rash
Steps in the right direction
Some of you Wii U eShop download fans with decent memories may still be looking forward to Road Redemption, a title coming to Wii U and PC that immediately brings to mind the Road Rash series, with the original crowdfunding campaign even citing the iconic bike racing series. We say racing, but in truth our younger selves...
News Rising Star Games Confirms Hometown Story European Release Date and Enhancements
Improvements detailed inside
Hometown Story, the charming 3DS title from Yasuhiro Wada — best known for the Harvest Moon series — and his team at Toybox arrived in North America last October, with Europe having to wait a little longer for its own localisation. Rising Star Games is handling the release in the latter territory, and after previous...
Video Nintendo Shows Kirby's Exciting Side in a Fresh Triple Deluxe Trailer
Suck it up
Kirby: Triple Deluxe is getting rather close to release — hitting North America on 2nd May and Europe two weeks later on 16th May — and it certainly looks to be packed full of that typical Kirby charm. Nintendo of America has been keen to show off the light-hearted side of this platformer, in particular, with the humorous recent video...
News Yo-kai Watch 2 Coming to 3DS in Japan with Two Different Versions
Hunting down demon spirits, now in two new flavours
Level-5 has announced this week it will be releasing Yo-kai Watch 2 on 10th July for the 3DS in Japan. A sequel to last year's popular monster-watching title Yo-kai Watch, Yo-kai Watch 2 will hit stores with two different versions — Yo-kai Watch 2: Ganso (Founder), and Yo-kai Watch 2: Honke...
News Bravely Default Producer Says to Expect Info on Sequel this Summer
That's just too many seconds...
It's safe to say that Bravely Default went over pretty well in the world, even making publisher Square Enix take a second look at its strategy concerning JRPGs in the West. The sequel, currently referred to as Bravely Second, is a relative sure shot for localisation, but fans must first endure the agony of waiting for...
News Flowerworks HD to Blossom on the Wii U eShop on 17th April in North America
May release in Europe, sales to fund a Wii U-exclusive project
Nocturnal Entertainment's Michael Shamgar has been in touch to confirm some pleasing news for download fans with a Wii U, announcing that Flowerworks HD: Follie's Adventure will arrive on the North America eShop in next week's update on 17th April; it's targeting May in Europe. A HD...
Word up
In our Kickstarter campaign summary at the weekend we included APEXICON - Fantasy Puzzle Combat on our list, as it's an intriguing word game that will attempt to blend in RPG elements. If funded it'll come to the Wii U as well as PC, with the GamePad likely to be a particularly useful controller for the title. It's entering the home stretch...
Thursday10th Apr 2014
Nintendo Direct Nintendo Shows Off The Peculiarities of Tomodachi Life and Confirms Release Date
It looks bonkers and amazing
We've known for a little while that 3DS title Tomodachi Life was being localised, but Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of America have now released special mini Nintendo Direct broadcasts to not only provide full confirmation, but also to show off the wacky world of this Mii life-sim. To get the important detail out of...
Review Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Kirbytroid
For the most part, not much has changed about the Kirby series — many of its titles are fairly straightforward platformers in which your main ability is to suck up enemies and acquire their powers. It's not until somewhat recently that the development teams started trying different things, and one can certainly make a case saying that...
Review WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Fun incorporated
Ever since its first foray into the video game market, Nintendo has been known for the incredible amount of creativity it brings to the medium. Innovative ideas – whether they add a pleasing minor touch or groundbreaking gameplay feature – have to some degree been the company’s bread and butter for decades. It’s these...
Nintendo Download 10th April (North America)
More Wii U GBA treats, farming, poker, puzzles, discounts and more
Nintendo's Download Update for North America has arrived a lot later than normal, but now we know what's landing on your Wii U and 3DS systems this week. There's more GBA goodness on Wii U, new titles on both eShop stores and an NES title on the portable's Virtual Console; on top of...
News Super Mario 3D World Double Disc Soundtrack Arrives on Club Nintendo
Europe and Australia included for now
Last year we shared the news that Club Nintendo in Japan received an awesome Super Mario 3D World 2-CD soundtrack; we were envious as the Wii U title has a number of outstanding 'Big Band' tracks that still stick in the mind. The exciting news for gamers in Europe and Australia, who savoured the music while...
Weirdness Realistic Mario Probably Wouldn't Have Been As Successful As Super Mario
Head + block = ouch
In case the size-altering mushrooms and cartoon-like environments didn't make it obvious enough, Super Mario Bros. takes place in a world of fantasy. However, it's always fun to consider what Nintendo's most famous franchise could have been like if the company had decided to adopt a more realistic approach. In this segment from...
Weirdness Could This Be The Pokémon FPS That Nintendo Fans Have Always Wanted?
Perhaps not, but it looks like a proper hoot
Hot off the tail of the downright bizarre Super Nintendog comes more Nintendo-themed insanity. Make of it what you will, but the following video showcases Ash Ketchum running, driving, flying and shooting (often all at the same time) his way around an environment that looks like a 3D version of Safari...
News Next-Generation Visual Novel Nero Confirmed For Wii U eShop
Nintendo version will offer UI-free screen thanks to the GamePad
Italian indie developer Storm in a Teacup has confirmed that it is bringing its new game Nero to the Wii U eShop. Details on this mysterious game are scarce, but Storm in a Teacup's creative director Carlo Bianchi — who spoke to Official Nintendo Magazine about the game —...
News Nintendo of America Confirms Christina Aguilera as a Guest Celebrity in Tomodachi Life
APRIL FOOLS!!!... Oh, wait
Earlier today Nintendo unleashed the utterly barmy and brilliant Tomodachi Life Nintendo Direct broadcasts in Europe and North America, also confirming a 6th June release in both territories. They're worth a watch, and certainly show how the quirky Mii life-sim could become an indispensable part of the 3DS library this...
News You Can Now Pre-Order eShop Games Via Nintendo UK's Online Store
The future is now
If you wanted any more proof that Nintendo is moving with the times, it's now possible to pre-order eShop titles online — for those living in the UK, at least. Drop onto the Nintendo UK online store listing for Nintendo Pocket Football Club and you'll see the option to pre-order the title, with the download code being dispatched...
Video The Awesome Super Smash Wars Trilogy Has Almost Finished
Return of the Hero
We've made no secret of the fact that we're fans of James Farr's work, having shared a number of his animated videos over the past year. His work to date has included some excellent Ghostbusters / Nintendo mashups, and his latest project has been to blend the big N's universe with the original Star Wars Trilogy. Before now we've...
Delayed until April 22nd, out this week on other formats and in Europe
The North American release of LEGO: The Hobbit on Wii U has been pushed back slightly [and not just by a single a week, as was originally reported], publisher Warner Brothers has revealed. The action adventure title hits Nintendo 3DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4,...
Weirdness Meet The 'Super Nintendog'
Caught somewhere between impressive and horrifying
The noble pursuit of professional dog-grooming isn't just a 'thing', it's a major thing. People from all over the world attend conventions and competitions to celebrate and display a staggering amount of creativity, using their prized pooches as canvasses for some truly bizarre works of art. The...
News NES Remix 2 Features A Mode Which Mimics The 1990 Nintendo World Championship
Retro sequel hits the Wii U eShop April 25th
It has been revealed today that NES Remix 2 will be looking to the past in more ways than one. The Wii U eShop exclusive features bite-sized mini-games based on old NES titles — just like its forerunner — but will also include a mode which attempts to replicate the 1990 Nintendo World Championship, in...
News Citizens of Earth Coming To Wii U And 3DS eShops This September
Charming, chivalrous, charismatic and charitable
Atlus will be bringing the Earthbound-inspired Citizens of Earth to the Wii U and 3DS eShops this September. The Kickstarter project which failed to reach its original goal was picked up by Atlus shortly after, who offered to publish the game. Developed by Eden Indus
News RPG Earthlock: Festival of Magic Will Be Casting A Spell On Wii U Next Year
Q2 2015 can’t come sooner
After close to one year, crowdfunded RPG Earthlock: Festival of Magic is now officially headed to multiple platforms – including the Wii U eShop. With less than two days remaining, developer Snowcastle Games managed to meet and surpass its goal of $150,000. It has taken longer than expected, with a few setbacks and...
News Renegade Kid Releases Early Gameplay Footage Of Cult County to Boost Kickstarter Campaign
Focus on visual effects possible utilising Unity on stronger systems
Cult County is a project that's been received enthusiastically by Nintendo fans since its inception last year, knowing development is in safe hands with the team behind the award-winning Dementium series and critically the acclaimed Mutant Mudds. Ju
News Tinie Tempah Shows the Love for Mario and Highlights Retro Inspiration for His Music
"Those games are adventures of the highest order"
Mario's the man, right? We sure think so / hope so, and the mascot is still Nintendo's most famous and bankable character, with the brilliant Super Mario 3D World recently achieving strong attach-rate sales on the Wii U and Mario Kart 8 exciting fans and carrying the fight to increase the system's...
Wednesday9th Apr 2014
News Nintendo Is Working On The Next Mario Game, But Can't Reveal If It's Coming To 3DS Or Wii U
"There’s still a lot more room for discovery and invention"
Nintendo producer Yoshiaki Koizumi has revealed that work has already begun on the next Super Mario game, but he is unable to give any information about which console it is coming to. Speaking to EDGE in a feature about the making of Super Mario 3D World, Koizumi refused to be drawn on...
News Wii Classic Controllers No Longer Being Manufactured By Nintendo
Both Pro & original models have stopped production
Eagle-eyed Twitter user @kitroplious has spotted an interesting tidbit about Nintendo's Wii Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro. The following message was discovered on Club Nintendo while the user attempted to order a Wii game using his reward credit: Perhaps this is an indication that...
Review Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Double trouble
Back in 2003, Nintendo had already released two excellent Mario RPGs; Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Paper Mario. Rather than immediately making a Paper Mario sequel, the company decided to add a third completely different game to the line-up. While the previous games were developed by Squaresoft and Intelligent...
Thursday10th Apr 2014
News Here's a Rather Attractive Portable Nintendo 64
It even has a GameCube analogue stick
Have you ever felt the urge to play Jet Force Gemini one more time, but you're sitting on a bus or plane? You're in luck, as console modder Bungle has created what may be the definitive portable Nintendo 64. It's his fourth attempt at the concept, with more to be made in the future. Check out this nifty...
Wednesday9th Apr 2014
Feature How A Team Of Dedicated Fans Is Fixing Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The inside story on Project M
Super Smash Bros. Melee was a love letter from Nintendo to the company’s legion of fans — a fighting game packed to the brim with songs, stages, characters and art from the storied history of the Japanese game company. It’s an accomplishment quite unlike and unmatched by any other. Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the...
Feature The Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Direct Round-Up
Details galore
The latest Nintendo Direct, admittedly, would have done nothing for those not enamoured with Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series. We suspect, however, that many with a love for Nintendo have at least a passing fondness for the series, albeit we're not all pros that specialise in unpicking the intricacies of move sets and physics. The...
News Subtle Character Design Changes Spotted for North American Version of Azure Striker Gunvolt
Ponytail and midriff mysteriously removed
Keiji Inafune and Inti Creates must think North Americans don't appreciate masculine heroes with luscious locks and bellies showing. NeoGAF user Rockman ZX noticed a subtle difference between the Japanese and North American artwork for Inafune-san's upcoming Mega Man X-style action platformer Azure Striker...
News Android Game Inspired by Muramasa Takes Some Heat
Developer to change any troublesome parts before release
It's true that video games often take inspiration from other games, leaving developers to occasionally answer tough questions over similar assets or design. Take for example the Flappy Bird fiasco that happened a few months back. The developer was attacked for having green pipes that bear a...
Enjoyable online multiplayer for everyone
News out of today’s Super Smash Bros. Direct has revealed Nintendo will be implementing a strict code of conduct into the online portion of the upcoming Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS, "just like in Miiverse, to keep things pleasant,” according to series director Masahiro Sakurai. Anonymous matches...
Weirdness Pokémon on Oculus Rift, with a Virtual Reality Treadmill
Totally practical and affordable!
Adapting popular games to the Oculus Rift is all the rage these days, from Zelda to Metroid and beyond. Now it's Pokémon's turn to get the Oculus treatment, but it's not simply the goofy headset this time. Check out Pokémon being played with a virtual reality treadmill called the Virtuix Omni, where you walk in...
Weirdness LEGO, Game Boy Advance and Transformers Together at Last
With instructions to build your own!
New York Lego builder Baron von Brunk has already built a giant, working NES controller and a series of Nintendo console transformers like the N64 and the original Game Boy, which is currently a Lego CUUSOO submission. Now von Brunk assaults us with VANTAGE, a transfo
News Mario Party: Island Tour Stays on Top in Japan as Hardware Sales Plummet
Tax increase and quiet week of releases take their toll
It's time for the Media Create Japanese chart results once again, as we see how the retail sector has held up following a 3% increase in sales tax in the country, from 5% to 8%. That may sound trivial, but as has been proven in multiple marketplaces a small percentage change in sales tax can...
Video Marvel Characters Making Their Way to Disney Infinity
Interestingly referred to as "version 2.0"
After Disney's acquisition of Marvel in 2009, it seemed fitting that speculation would crop up regarding the usage of the comic book giant's characters in the NFC-driven Disney Infinity. After all, that game's universe-merging crossover potential would only be better served by the appearances of...
News Dracula Is Cursing The Japanese Wii U Virtual Console Next Week In Castlevania III
Mystic Quest, Gradius and Neutopia also coming along for the ride
Castlevania fans will be pleased to know that NES classic Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse — one of the best entries in the entire lineage — is hitting the Japanese Wii U Virtual Console next week, which means a western release shouldn't be far behind. Originally released in...
News Shaq Fu Reboot Developers Considering Console Support Without Stretch Goals
Wii U and 3DS could be included
You may remember earlier this year when we directed your attention to the Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn crowdfunding campaign, which had hugely ambitious 3DS and Wii U stretch goals of around a million dollars. The wonderfully named New Jersey-based developer Big Deez Productions has now posted on the Facebook page of the...
Video This Nintendo Pocket Football Club Trailer Goes For Silverware
From strugglers to winners
Nintendo Pocket Football Club arrives in Europe next week on 17th April, and based on its development time and attention to detail it's certainly one to consider for football fans in the region. Some of you may have missed the fact that our review gave it a strong recommendation, as its publication time clashed with a...
News Job Cuts Hit Sega's London Office
Part of a restructuring of the Sonic and mobile departments
Sega Europe has confirmed to Polygon today that it's laid off an unspecified number of employees at its London office, as the company's Sonic and mobile departments are consolidated into Sega of America: Sega is in the process of consolidating certain functions of the Sonic and Mobile...
News Child of Light Reveals Partnerships for Music and Theatrical Design
This fairytale is getting serious
Layer by layer, the Ubisoft team behind the upcoming RPG Child of Light has been revealing all the unique choices that have gone into creating an artistic experience. Today, they have shown how a Montreal-based singer-songwriter and the multimedia wing of Cirque du Soleil are contributing to the overall design...
Video Second Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Demo Now Available In Japan
Final Fantasy VI and VII get a chance to shine
Excitement has been building recently for Square-Enix' Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call; the company has been teasing us with extra-long video previews as well as the inevitable range of toys. Those
Tuesday8th Apr 2014
Review Disney Magical World (3DS)
A magical world indeed
To anyone familiar with the handheld’s lineup, it may seem like a bad business decision to make a life simulation game for the 3DS at this point. Three years into the console's life we've seen two Harvest Moon titles, a Rune Factory game, and The Sims 3. All that, and we haven't even mentioned
Live Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct
Super, Smashing, Great.
The moment you've all been waiting for, as Nintendo is set to reveal further details about both Super Smash Bros. games coming to Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in this very special Nintendo Direct. Join us for this broadcast with live stream, live blogging and live chat...
Review Nintendo Pocket Football Club (3DS eShop)
Back of the net
Although they are perhaps a little alien to those outside of Europe, soccer management titles have a long and respected pedigree among those who commit weeks, months and even years of their lives to playing them. In the United Kingdom especially, such games have existed since the days of the 8-bit microcomputers, with franchises like...
News Nintendo Releases An Awesome Mario Kart Infographic
Sorry arcade titles, you're out
With the release of Mario Kart 8 on Wii U preoccupying many minds ahead of 30th May, Nintendo is taking every opportunity to raise awareness and hype. Is there a better way to do this than with a fancy infographic? No, no there isn't. The infographic below shows the eight main series entries to date, spurning the...
Feature What We Want to See in Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Direct
Time to break out the big reveals
After a wait of nearly two months since the previous Nintendo Direct, the big N caught us off guard with its announcement of the next broadcast — for one it gave a lead-in time of four days, well beyond the standard 24 hour notice. Not only that, but after the wait for the follow-up to the presentation on 13th...
News Super Smash Bros. Hitting 3DS This Summer, Wii U Launch To Take Place In The Winter
Portable version hits retail first
It has been confirmed during today's Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct that the two versions of the game will be released at different times during this year. The 3DS instalment is coming this Summer, while the Wii U edition will be hitting retail in the Winter. It was also confirmed that both versions will...
Wednesday9th Apr 2014
News Massive Pokémon Reveals Occur During Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct
Greninja and Charizard Join the Expanding Roster
Today's Nintendo Direct devoted exclusively to the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS revealed a ton of information relating to game modes, online play, and characters. One of the most exciting new additions, for me at least, was the tremendous amount of Pokémon-related content confirmed to...
Tuesday8th Apr 2014
News Official English Azure Striker Gunvolt Site Is Live
Progress towards a Western release
One month ago, Japanese studio Inti Creates announced it's collaborating with Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune on a new futuristic action-platformer for the 3DS eShop, titled Azure Striker Gunvolt. We still haven't heard anything about a firm release date outside Japan for the game [article updated to reflect NA...
News Super Smash Bros. Will Run At A Silky-Smooth 60 Frames Per Second On 3DS, Even In 3D
Smooth like buttah
During today's illuminating Nintendo Direct, Masahiro Sakurai revealed that Super Smash Bros. for 3DS will run at a super-smooth 60 frames per second. Amazingly, this technical feat will be possible even if users are playing in 3D mode — a problem in other games, perhaps most notably the battle sections of Pokémon X and Y,...
Wednesday9th Apr 2014
News New Online Multiplayer Modes Revealed for Super Smash Bros. on 3DS and Wii U
Prepare yourself for a smashing time over the net
The online modes for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U were finally revealed to the world in Nintendo's recent Super Smash Bros. Direct presentation, and it seems that both inexperienced and competitive players have something to be happy about. The online portion of the game, which has been...
News Yoshi, Sheik, and Zero Suit Samus Confirmed as Challengers in Super Smash Bros.
Sheik and Zero Suit Samus now individual characters with full move sets!
Nearly lost in the shuffle of all of today's huge Super Smash Bros. announcements during the Nintendo Direct, three returning characters were announced: Yoshi, Sheik, and Zero Suit Samus. Since characters don't change forms any
News 'Smash Run' Mode Introduced as Exclusive for Super Smash Bros. 3DS
Picking up a few things before the fight
A rush for customization items and power-ups will be the highlight of a new multiplayer mode exclusive to Super Smash Bros. 3DS, series creator Masahiro Sakurai revealed in the Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct. "Smash Run" will give up to four players 5 minutes to simultaneously scramble through a mish-mash...
Tuesday8th Apr 2014
News 3DS eShop Exclusive Nintendo Pocket Football Club Will Be On Special Offer Until May
Become a sporting legend for slightly less cash
Nintendo Pocket Football Club — the European localisation of the Japanese title Calcio Bit — is almost with us, and Nintendo has revealed that the game will launch at a special reduced price this month. Early adopters will be able to pick up the soccer management simulation for £10.79 until May...
News Inazuma Eleven GO Shadow & Light Kick Off in Europe on 13th June
The second trilogy begins
It's not often that Europe is well ahead of North America with localisations, but that's the case with Inazuma Eleven. European gamers have enjoyed the original 'main' portable series trilogy already; only the original Inazuma Eleven has arrived in North America as an eShop-only game. Japan rules all with the Level-5...
Weirdness These Chinese Game Controllers Look Wii-ly Familiar
The designers at Xiao Bawang clearly ran out of ideas
China has recently lifted its ban on games consoles, and as a result we're seeing a few new challengers arrive on the market in the hope of leveraging the country's massive number of potential players. One such outfit is Xiao Bawang, the company which tried — and failed — to conquer China...
News New Taiko Drum Master Game Revealed for 3DS
...in Japan, that is. Alas.
Popular Namco rhythm series Taiko no Tatsujin (known as Taiko: Drum Master in the West) will get a new instalment on 3DS in Japan, as reported by Famitsu. Entitled Taiko Drum Master: Don and Katsu’s Space-Time Great Adventure, the new drumming game will arrive 26th June for ¥4,740 (roughly $46 or £28). It will support...
News Nintendo eShop Developers Teaming Up in Plan for 'Ninty Indy Con'
An online event to bring download gamers and devs together
Expos and conventions are certainly a major part of any gaming year, whether public events that allow gamers to try new games or industry-based alternatives that allow developers, publishers and platform holders to forge relationships. In an increasingly connected world, however, not all of...
News Insanity's Blade Gets Audiovisual and Gameplay Overhaul
A fresh coat of paint on the entire hack-and-slash game
Canadian studio Causal Bit Games has totally revamped the art assets, music, game mechanics, and level design of its upcoming arcade-inspired hack-and-slash Wii U eShop title, Insanity's Blade. In a blog post on the company's website, lead developer Chris Obritsch writes: With t
News 'Mr. Tetris', Henk Rogers, Discusses Game Boy Sales and Nintendo
"It would be nice to see them gain some momentum again"
This year is undoubtedly notable for one of the best-known franchises in gaming, as Tetris celebrates its 30th Anniversary. It was created by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union in 1984, and in one of the smartest video game business deals ever made Henk Rogers travelled to Russia to secure...
News Pokémon Black and White Soundtrack Now Available on iTunes
Remastered music collection joins iTunes' growing Pokémon library
A few short weeks after the release of the Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl: Super Music Collection on iTunes, today we get the Pokémon Black & Pokémon White: Super Music Collection, which you can preview and purchase here for $9.99 / £7.99 / €8.99. This digitally...
Video This LEGO The Hobbit Launch Trailer Prepares You for the Quest
Orcs, a dragon and all that good stuff
Its arrival may be rather at odds with the movie Christmas launches of the past two years, but LEGO The Hobbit is in North American stores from today and hits Europe on 11th April, including the Wii U and 3DS in its many release platforms. The game features events from the first two films of the trilogy, and...
Monday7th Apr 2014
News Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Gets Closer to Release in the West
The Pokémon Company emphasizes X & Y sales of "nearly 12 million"
Update: Below is a new trailer for the Western version of this movie. Original Article: As we've reported previously, Pokémon XY The Movie - The Cocoon of Destruction & Diancie is coming to Japan on 19th July, the latest in a long line of animated films for the franchise...
Video What Could Xenoblade Chronicles Look Like In HD?
Sharp as a blade
Did you enjoy our Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD videos? We certainly hope so, because we've got another one for you today, and it's a real jaw-dropper. For this Xenoblade Chronicles video, we've done things a little differently. There's no
News The Club Nintendo Rewards Are Confirmed for April
Classic Mario! Arty learning! Mario Golf! Trajectile!
It's been a whole month since the last update, so Club Nintendo in North America has confirmed the latest batch of downloadable treats that are available in exchange for your hard-earned and treasured coins. This time we have two Virtual Console games available on Wii and Wii U, joined by two...
Review I am an Air Traffic Controller Airport Hero Hawaii (3DS eShop)
Come fly the frazzled skies
All right, let’s address the 500-ton jumbo jet in the room: I am an Air Traffic Controller Airport Hero Hawaii is a long and silly name. Although IAAATC is actually an established series in Japan, it’s not the kind of title that tends to inspire great confidence in the West. That’s too bad, in a way, as Airport Hero...
News Nintendo Registers An Intriguing S.T.E.A.M Trademark For A New Game
Full title "Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace"
Trademark filings can mean a great deal or nothing at all, but at the very least indicate ideas that are rattling around or projects that could come to pass. That's why it's intriguing when Nintendo files records for new games, especially with names as interesting as this...
Nintendo Download 10th April (Europe)
Batman, GBA goodies, The Hobbit, poker, discounts and more
It's that time again, Europe, as Nintendo kicks off our Monday with news of the download goodies that we can look forward to later in the week. This time around we have new games on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores, more GBA treats on the home console, a major retail release across both...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Thirty Two
Luigi! Gust Bellows! Pikachu's Thunder! More!
It's time once again for our Super Smash Bros. summary from last week, though this week perhaps feels a little different — we have a Super Smash Bros. Direct to look forward to, after all. Masahiro Sakurai has been playing it cool, however, with the Super Smash Bros. Director's Room not referencing...
Video This Is Why You Should Never Allow Mario To House Sit
Never leave the plumber in charge
Ever wondered what happens if you leave your house and forget to turn off your Wii U? Well ponder no longer, as filmmaker John Huffnagle has created this short movie to show the kind of destruction that Shigeru Miyamoto's most famous creation can unleash when he's left unattended. The video is seriously impressive...
News Target Offers Free $50 Gift Card With Mario & Luigi Wii U Bundle in the U.S.
That's got to be tempting
With major releases such as Mario Kart 8 getting closer, as well as a number of enticing download games on the eShop, the Wii U should become an increasingly attractive console in the coming weeks and months; there's also a backlog of high-quality titles to explore, too. We can expect various bundles and offers to tempt...
Video Silicon Studios Shows Off Tech Demo of Yebis 2 Advanced Optical Effects Middleware
Will eventually support Wii U
Silicon Studios, developer of the popular 3DS title Bravely Default, has revealed a beautiful tech demo preview of Yebis 2 — via its YouTube channel — which is a visual effects engine. According to the studio, Yebis 2 is a "nexus of real-time processing effects" with physically based optics simulation. The demo...
News Two Tribes Highlights Sales Increase Following Permanent Discounts on Classics Range
EDGE on 3DS enjoys the biggest boost
One of the most significant issues with both the Wii and DSi online stores were the fixed price points, locking game publishers into their launch rate. As we've seen on the 3DS and Wii U eShop stores, however, Nintendo's decision to drop that requirement has brought us regular promotions and discounts on a...
Video This New Amazing Spider-Man 2 Trailer Showcases In-Game Story
Kingpin featured as a prominent baddie
Activision has just released the latest trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, a story-centered preview that showcases many of the villains giving Spidey trouble this time around. Among them are the Kingpin, the notorious crime lord who's placed a bounty on Spider-Man's head; Black Cat, who is carrying out said...
News Castlevania Composer Michiru Yamane Joins Flying Hamster II Team
Aiming for a campaign boost
Composer Michiru Yamane, best known for her work on music for the Castlevania series, has joined forces with Parisian indie studio Game Atelier for its upcoming Kickstarter-funded title, Flying Hamster II. Check out Game Atelier's reveal video for the composer below: Flying Hamster II is currently in development for...
News Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Still Makes a Case in UK Top 20
Super Mario 3D World creeps into top 40
Last week Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney made its UK all-format chart début in 15th place, while coming an impressive 6th in the single-format results. Its second week is still relatively positive despite dropping a little. Level-5 and Capcom's entertaining cross-over is 18th in this...
News Curtain Call Brings The Cute With Static Arts Mini Range
Moogle, Chocobo and... Squall?!
With Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call's Japanese release date now mere weeks away Square Enix has started to get the full weight of its formidable merchandising arm behind the game, with this three piece "THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY STATIC ARTS mini" set no doubt the first of many similar figure releases. The...
Sunday6th Apr 2014
Feature Kickstarter's Wii U and 3DS Campaigns - 6th April
A summary of potential Nintendo releases
Kickstarter is the crowdfunding platform loved by all — OK, maybe not all. It remains a fairly divisive platform, with some heavily delayed projects and certain multi-billion dollar sales of formerly crowdfunded products causing consternation; these negatives are arguably countered by a range of exciting...
Ninterview Joe Heaton on The Joy of Game Boy Mods and Chiptune Music
"Over time it’s achieved an iconic status "
Nintendo's unrivalled history and cultural impact in gaming is manifested in various ways, and brings together fans and enthusiasts of many kinds. A number of us enthusiastically jump into the company's latest systems and games, while others find the most joy in collecting retro equivalents. There are...
Video Atlus Serves Up an Early Look at Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth's Battle System
Looks pleasingly complicated
There are undoubtedly long term franchise fans and RPG enthusiasts eagerly awaiting Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth on 3DS. It'll be the first Persona game on Nintendo hardware, has a new art style for the occasion and will blend in gameplay elements from the popular Etrian series. It seems like a smart move from...
News Capcom is Holding a Weapon Design Contest for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Take a break from hunting to get creative!
Following on from a successful contest previously held for the release of Monster Hunter Tri back in 2009, Capcom has once again asked hunters to show their artistic side and design a weapon for the upcoming Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The winning designs will be featured in-game, so you can look forward to...
Saturday5th Apr 2014
Talking Point The Timing of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Direct Raises Expectations
A release date must be on the agenda
During 2013 Nintendo delivered 16 Nintendo Direct broadcasts — that's the count from the official Nintendo of America website, which includes some game-specific "mini" videos and does not include some Japan-specific examples. By this stage of 2013 there had been four Directs, and there was typically a broadcast...
Review Rusty's Real Deal Baseball (3DS eShop)
A dog's life
To start with a key point, the actual games in Rusty's Real Deal Baseball are window dressing for Nintendo's rather quirky interpretation of the free-to-play microtransaction craze. A collection of ten baseball-themed minigames start out at $4.00 each, but players are encouraged to haggle with the eponymous middle-aged dog Rusty to get...
Video Nintendo Shows Kirby's Silly Side in Triple Deluxe Trailer
Tickled pink
While April's confirmed and expected mix of GBA Virtual Console games on Wii U and eShop treats will have bank managers peering with interest at spikes in payments to Nintendo, we suspect May will be a strong month at retail. The 3DS kicks us off with Kirby: Triple Deluxe on 2nd May in North America — 16th May in Europe — while...
News Mobot Studios Is Bringing iOS Hit Gears To Wii U This Spring
A ballsy move
If you've been unhappy with the relative squareness of Nintendo's eShop lately then weep no longer — some majorly spherical action is coming your way soon. Having enjoyed a popular run — or rather roll — on iOS devices with a reported 1.5 million downloads to date, Mobot Studios has been in touch to confirm that it will be...
News Bit Boy!! Arcade Expected to Launch on North American 3DS eShop on 17th April
European release to follow
Kubi and friends will soon be making a return in their upcoming 3DS eShop title, Bit Boy!! Arcade. According to a software listing on Nintendo’s website, the eShop action game will be available from 17th April onwards in North America, with a European release expected shortly after. The game tracks the adventures of...
Friday4th Apr 2014
News Super Smash Bros. Direct Will Bring the Hype on 8th April
Here we go...
In recent weeks we've been wondering when the next Nintendo Direct would hit, with predictions and theories of the next broadcast denied by silence from the big N. That silence has been lifted today, and those excited by Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS should most definitely pay attention — a Super Smash Bros. Direct is coming...
News GameSpy Shutting Down All Online Servers on 31st May, Following Wii and DS Wi-Fi Disconnection
End of an era
In late February we had the disappointing news that online multiplayer, online-based communication apps and even some DLC will become unavailable on Wii and DS, due to Nintendo switching off the Wi-Fi connection. This happens on 20th May — though the Wii Shop and DSi Shop will remain open for business — and prompted some to...
Saturday5th Apr 2014
Review Super Dodge Ball (Wii U eShop / NES)
Utterly ridiculous and sublime
When firing up an NES game in the modern day, no less a silly spin-off sports title from the era, a certain mindset is required. If you're intolerant of sticky animation, that flickering effect that NES games have when there's too much on screen and wonky frame performance, there are plenty of games that are immediate...
Friday4th Apr 2014
Video Check Out The Mario Kart 8 Visual Upgrade in This Retro Track Comparison
It's never looked this good
This week has brought us a flurry of activity relating to Mario Kart 8, with information emerging and a host of previews arriving online, including our own. One area that's been agreed upon across most outlets is that Nintendo's upcoming racer is a visual treat, utilising the hardware and terrific art design to great...
Round Table Let's Talk Endlessly About Mario Kart 8, Just Because
Tom, Ant, Daz and Damo share their hands-on impressions
Our official Mario Kart 8 hands-on preview went live yesterday — if you haven't done so already, you should really read it. We'll wait here until you get back. Done? Good. We can now move onto the next phase of our Mario Kart 8 coverage: a good old-fashioned chat around a table featuring...
News This Metroid Game Boy Advance Design is a Treat
Perfect for celebrating Metroid Fusion's arrival on Wii U
Metroid Fusion is now available on the Wii U Virtual Console, which is good news as it's rather brilliant. The arrival of Game Boy Advance titles on the Wii U also gives portable gamers with longer memories or retro leanings an excuse to look back wistfully on the original platform, the last...
News Auditions Open for Pokémon Championship Commentators
Now accepting commentator applications for US Nationals and Worlds
The Pokémon Company International announced today it's taking audition tapes for commentators to provide coverage of the Pokémon US National Championships, 4th-6th July in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Pokémon World Championships, 15th-17th August in Washington, DC, USA...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Twenty Two
It's back again, again (again)
Once upon a time we posted regular articles in which the Nintendo Life team shared its weekend gaming plans and the community would do the same; it was rather pleasant. Then the poorly organised features editor responsible for the series lost track, once forgot to publish the article when submissions had actually been...
News Kid Icarus AR Cards & Toad Folders With Bookmarks Return To Club Nintendo Australia
Get them while you can
Australians have had a lucky run with Club Nintendo catalogue items this year. By no means would it take a statistician to calculate, but on average there has been at least one item released on the local club per month. For the month of April, Nintendo Australia continues its new-found Club Nintendo trend with the return of...
News Hex Heroes Lead Wants "To Develop a New Experience on the Wii U"
"There's so much that can be done on the GamePad"
Back in March we told you about an upcoming project called Hex Heroes, the development team for which includes artist and co-developer of popular PC title The Bridge, Mario Castañeda, and music from Grant Kirkhope, a name familiar to fans of Rare's golden era. A "party RTS" (real time strategy)...
News Sin & Punishment Developer Treasure Working With Capcom On Sequel To Gaist Crusher
Still no sign of a Western release
Japanese video game developer Treasure, best known for critically acclaimed titles such as Sin and Punishment and the Sega Mega Drive classic Gunstar Heroes, is working with Capcom on a sequel to the 3DS action game – based on the manga, animation and toy series of the same name – Gaist Crusher. Gaist Crusher...
News Fire Pro Wrestling Creator Masato Masuda Passes Away Aged 48
Goichi "Suda51" Suda leads the tributes
If you're a seasoned fan of wrestling games then the name Fire Pro Wrestling will mean an awful lot to you. Viewed by many gamers as the first serious video game representation of wrestling, the franchise has enjoyed instalments on a wide range of systems, including the SNES, PC Engine, Dreamcast and Game Boy...
News Skypeace on 3DS Looks Like a Rival For Bird Mania 3D
Don't stop flying
There is a small but dedicated group of gamers in the Nintendo Life community that particularly enjoys Bird Mania 3D and its superior seasonal sequel Bird Mania Christmas. They're simple, budget priced endless runners — or fliers, to be more accurate — where the only task is to navigate the treacherous route and set a new high...
News Magmar and Electabuzz Pokémon X & Y Distribution Event Comes To Australia
From 11th April to 11th May
The recently announced Magmar and Electabuzz distribution event for Pokémon X & Y in the UK has now extended to Australian shores. The news comes as no surprise given the fact these are some of the few Pokémon events Australia consistently receives year after year, without fail. To acquire the Kanto Pokémon,...
Thursday3rd Apr 2014
Review Advance Wars (Wii U eShop / GBA)
War has never been so much fun
Mention Advance Wars to a seasoned gamer and they're almost guaranteed to have heard of it. One of the earliest major Game Boy Advance titles, it's now also one of the earliest titles from the handheld on the Wii U Virtual Console, giving veterans another chance to pick it up and newcomers an ideal opportunity to see...
The green light is nearly on
When it comes down to major, triple-A retail releases on the way that will — Nintendo hopes — lift the Wii U's sales and boost the public's perception of the system, there's currently only one show in town. While there are a number of exciting titles on the way from Nintendo and its partners, Mario Kart 8 has a firm...
News Mario Kart 8 Producer Explains The Absence of a Custom Track Creator
"We'll come back to that issue and maybe re-address it"
With Mario Kart 8's arrival creeping agonisingly close, Nintendo has lifted the lid on more details and removed embargoes on a fair bit of information. One set of details is actually from last month's GDC (Game Developers Conference) in San Francisco, with quotes from a round table interview...
Nintendo Download 3rd April (North America)
Rusty's the real deal, GBA on Wii U, Batman and more
It's that time once again, North America, when you can see what download delights are available on your Nintendo systems. There are two new titles on the Wii U, three GBA games on the home console, Rusty's free-to-play baseball, discounts and more. Let's get to it. Missed the European Download...
Weirdness Vital Information Emerges On Why The Klobb Was Rubbish In GoldenEye 007
It was "the runt" of the gun group in the game
GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64 remains an all-time classic, often referred to as the title that revolutionised the idea of the FPS genre on home consoles. As an iconic Rare release it is, unfortunately, locked in licensing limbo, meaning that to play it you need to fire up the cartridge on the...
Out of this world
Following their epic tussle for supremacy during the early part of the decade, the remainder of the '90s were difficult times for rivals Sega and Nintendo. The arrival of hardware newcomer Sony — and its phenomenally successful 32-bit PlayStation system — totally changed the landscape of the video games industry. Sega and...
News Emulation Experts M2 Worked With Nintendo On Wii U Virtual Console GBA Games
Retro magic
M2 is the company responsible for the amazing Sega 3D Classics range on the 3DS, but that's not the only thing that has been keeping the firm busy of late. Nintendo has clearly been impressed by M2's handheld offerings as it has transpired that the studio was commissioned to assist with bringing Game Boy Advance games to the Wii U...
News Hideki Konno Emphasizes That Mario Kart 8 Balancing Means It's Not All About Luck
Promises that the new Rainbow Road is "spectacular"
As this is Mario Kart 8 day, or so it seems, there are some more snippets emerging from a GDC (Game Developers Conference) group interview held by game producer Hideki Konno in March. We've already heard details on why a custom track creator hasn't been included, and
News 3DS eShop-Exclusive Harvest December Visual Novel Series Set To Be Localized
CIRCLE Entertainment is behind the translation
What do you get when you pull a Tokyo native from the city and drop him smack-dab in the middle of a snow-covered small town with an insane love triangle involving a goddess? Harvest December, a 13-part visual novel series from Japan, of course! Now, if CIRCLE Entertainment has its way, gamers in the...
Video Nintendo Minute Shows Off Two Courses in Mario Kart 8
Sweet Sweet Canyon and Toad's Turnpike in full
Today's certainly Mario Kart 8 day, with some new details emerging, while we've shared our — rather positive — opinions on the latest build in our own extensive preview; that article also includes a gorgeous new trailer. It's safe to say that some who weren't paying attention to the upcoming Wii U...
News Retro City Rampage: DX Update Available Worldwide Today
Launch sales in North America exceed equivalent Xbox 360 global results
Retro City Rampage DX has been causing mayhem on 3DS systems in North America and Europe for a number of weeks now, and it'll also bring its brand of chaos to Australia and New Zealand today. Vblank Entertainment has been working on a free update, too, to resolve a bug in the...
Video Here's a Child Of Light Hands On And Interview With The Creative Director
There's a light and it never goes out
Child of Light is Ubisoft's attractive upcoming turn-based RPG that tells the coming of age story of a young girl, Aurora. Our colleague and Nintendo Life contributor, Andy Robertson of FamilyGamerTV, has provided a video in which he details his four favourite things from his hands-on experience with the game...
News Video Games Live Tour Confirms UK Gigs
World tour is underway and will also go to mainland Europe
Last year we told you about Kickstarter success for Video Games Live, securing the release of another album of live game music performances. Headed up by industry veteran Tommy Tallarico, the project remains hugely popular with gamers around the world and is currently embarking on a world...
News Nnooo to Showcase Three Titles at PAX East
Playable demos available
In a recent press release Australian developer Nnooo, known for its 3DS download title escapeVektor, announced that it will be attending PAX East this year in Boston. While at PAX, it will be showcasing three of its games that are currently in development: Blast 'Em Bunnies, Cubemen 2, and ORBITOR. Blast 'Em Bun
Wednesday2nd Apr 2014
Features The Biggest 3DS Games of 2014 - Spring Edition
Quality over quantity?
Just recently we published a list of ten titles that we've described as the biggest Wii U games of 2014, a relatively challenging task when considering the extensive upcoming eShop line-up, in particular. That's part of a quarterly tradition here at Nintendo Life, and we brought the 3DS to the party at the start of this year...
Video What Could The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword Look Like In HD?
Flying High Definition
We've already shown you what Super Mario Galaxy could look like in glorious HD, and now it's the turn of fellow Wii classic The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the game voted for by you — our dear readers — as the next candidate for the comparison treatment. As before, we cannot stress enough that this is a hypothetica
Thursday3rd Apr 2014
Review Young Justice: Legacy (3DS eShop)
Downright offensive
Welcome to Young Justice: Legacy, where the mechanics don't work and "play" doesn't matter. The game purports to be a strategic turn-based experience but accomplishes nothing more than being a horrendous nightmare. It is astonishingly incompetent in every field. Its gameplay, engine, animations, and entertainment value are among...
Wednesday2nd Apr 2014
News EA Boss Peter Moore Apologises For Frostbite's "Stupid" Wii U April Fools Prank
The person in charge of the Frostbite Engine Twitter could be in trouble
Yesterday was April Fools Day, that one day of the year when media outlets are allowed to let their imaginations run riot and create some truly outlandish — and totally fictional — news stories. You'll no doubt have seen our Nintendo VR prank, and — to save you the bother...
News Tales of the World: Reve Unitia Announced For 3DS in Japan
Tantalising tactical Tales!
Following on from the Android/iOS game Tales of the World: Tactics Union, the Tales of... team has now turned its attention towards the 3DS with the tongue-twisting Reve Unitia. Details are scarce as the announcement's only just been made in this week's Jump magazine, but from what has been shown it will be another...
News Patch Fixes Bug in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Thaws out a progress-stopping problem
Nintendo has made a software update available for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze today that fixes a game-halting glitch in World 3. According to update notes, the patch will solve an issue some players have faced when completing level 3-3, Frantic Fields and finding no path has opened to the next level,...
News This Legend of Zelda NES Demake Allows You to Experience Link's Most Basic Quest Yet
Save Hyrule block by block
The original Legend of Zelda may seem like a very simple game compared to today's super-duper HD titles, but it's surprisingly deep despite its 8-bit exterior. If you don't believe us, then you may want to check out a recent demake of the game which proves just how much simpler it can get. Created by developer Ben Purdy...
Review I Am In The Movie (DSiWare)
I am in disbelief
Have you ever wanted to be a film director? Have you ever wanted to capture life through the lens of a camera and use it to craft your own cinematic masterpiece? Do you have even a fleeting interest in special effects? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, now’s the time to leave all of your hopes and dreams on the...
News 3DS Enjoys a Major Hardware Boost in Japan as Wii U Sales Also Increase
Increase in Japanese sales tax drives extra pre-rise sales
The results for last week's sales in Japan are here thanks to Media Create, and they bring pleasing news of hardware sales increasing for both 3DS and Wii U. It may be a peak before a notable dip, however, as Sales Tax in Japan increased from 5% to 8% in 1st April; many likely rushed ahead...
Interview Renegade Kid Discusses Its Cult County Kickstarter Adventure, With Wii U Included
We’re told why the 3DS version has been replaced
After Renegade Kid’s announcement last week that it would be launching a Kickstarter campaign for a home console project, it’s now lifted the lid on what that will be. It’s not an all-new previously unannounced title, nor is it the much anticipated Mutant Mudds 2, but actually Cult County for...
News Limited Edition Zelda Statue Available For Pre-Order From First 4 Figures
Only 2,500 figures at $350 to be released worldwide
First 4 Figures has announced the release of a limited-edition figurine of Princess Zelda for $350. She will be dawning her dress and overall appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and joining other figures previously released from that title. The official page states that the...
News Nintendo of Europe Reveals Pink + White 2DS for Release Alongside Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Time for a 2DS...
Update: This model has also been confirmed for Australia and New Zealand, with a release date alongside the game of 17th May. Original Article: The May arrival of Kirby: Triple Deluxe is no doubt on the radar of plenty of 3DS owners — it hits North America on 2nd May and Europe on the 16th. While the latter region has to wait...
News Mount Thunder Paints A Pretty Zelda Picture
Legendary
Fan-art is commonplace when it comes to anything with a large fanbase; Nintendo is certainly no exception. Thousands of people from all over the world are doing their absolute best to pay tribute to the gaming giant, whether it be to painstakingly hand draw a homage to all things Mario, or to whip up a quick sketch of Kirby in a science...
News Pokémon National Championships Scheduled for Over 30 Countries, Six Continents
World Championships set for 16th-17th August in Washington, D.C.
Google's search for Pokémon Masters may have been an April Fools' joke — albeit with a fun mini-game included — but true Poké-legends will emerge at this year's Pokémon Championships for both Pokémon X & Y and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. National Championships will take...
Weirdness This Power Mitt Oven Glove Has Secured Over $18,000 in Funding
Supply and demand, apparently
Some strange things get successfully crowdfunded, and this Power Mitt Oven Glove project may be among the most bizarre to date. Based on the Power Glove, as you can see, it seems like one of the most extravagant oven mitts that money can buy. You need a decent amount of money to get one, too. Available via an Indiegogo...
News Miiverse Browser Version Has a Minor Update
Those without a Nintendo Network ID can now see more
Nintendo is continually tweaking and improving its Miiverse social network, with changes varying between the Wii U, 3DS and web browser versions. Sometimes the enhancements are major, though as it's a web-based platform Nintendo also applies minor adjustments, as they don't require any download or...
News EGX London 2014 Tickets Are Now On Sale
Will you be coming along to say hello to the Nintendo Life team?
Eurogamer Expo — now officially known as EGX London — is the UK's biggest video gaming event, and tickets for the 2014 show have just gone on sale. It's due to take place at Earls Court between the 25th and 28th of September. As usual, Nintendo Life will be in attendance, which...
Tuesday1st Apr 2014
Exclusive Nintendo Developing "Virtual U" VR Platform to Rival Sony's Morpheus and Oculus Rift
A sight of the future
Update: As the vast majority of you have figured out within seconds, this is our own little contribution to the April Fools' madness this year. We've summarised some others in this round-up feature. If you want to see the original hi-tech specs which we 'borrowed' for this article, meanwhile, head on over to
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2014 - Spring Edition
Time for some additions
At the start of this year we continued our quarterly tradition of looking at the biggest games coming to the Wii U, this time considering 2014. Even with an admittedly shallow confirmed line-up for the year we'd like to think that it was a list to give optimism to Wii U owners anxious for exciting games to play. It's now...
News Wii U System Update 4.1.0 Available Now
More wonderful stability
Nintendo does occasionally have humorous timing, releasing a new system update for the Wii U on 1st April. It's real though, we can assure you of that, and is a relatively small download that should download and install within five minutes on a solid connection. As always the Nintendo support website provides a changelog,...
Feature A Round-Up of the Best Nintendo-Related April Fools' Pranks
We pity the fools
So, it's 1st April. That makes manoeuvring the internet an act of danger at every click as we try to figure out what's real and what isn't. This year, to be frank, few pranks have genuinely fooled anyone, but will have hopefully raised a smile — or a scowl, in some cases.
News Walmart's Mickey 3DS XL Will Sell for $199.96, Does Not Include Game
Some better images and box art emerge
We reported yesterday that North America will be getting a special edition Mickey-themed 3DS XL on 11th April to coincide with the release of Disney Magical World. Now we know the Walmart-exclusive 3DS XL will retail for $199.96, and it will not include a copy of the game... despite the Dis
News The Wonderful 101 Saving Wallets on Wii U eShop
Ninja Gaiden, Game & Wario also discounted
It isn't too difficult to find a physical copy of The Wonderful 101 for a villainous price, but now the digital counterpart has been slashed as well. The quirky superhero action game has been reduced to $29.99 on the Wii U eShop, and it looks like this is a permanent drop. Players who have been wanting to...
News Report Suggests That June Could Be Crucial For Iwata's Future At The Head Of Nintendo
CEO's internal approval rating has dropped to 77.26 percent
A report by Japanese business publication Nikkei suggests that Satoru Iwata is facing his sternest test yet as Nintendo CEO. It has been revealed that Iwata's internal approval rating has dropped from from 92.89 percent in 2011 to 77.26 percent in 2013. This has led to speculation that he...
Be Batman, again
In February we reported on the surprise announcement that Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Deluxe Edition was coming to HD systems and PC. It was originally released in non-deluxe form on the 3DS and PS Vita alongside Batman: Arkham Origins in late 2013, with the portable title having a storyline that follows short
This cat ain't rad
There's been a surge of popularity when it comes to "runner" games over the last few years — games where you do little more than move right (or occasionally, left) while dodging everything that comes at you in an attempt to improve your high scores. While "endless" runners seem to be the most popular variant, Skater Cat falls...
"We want to get to work on Nintendo"
While other developers and publishers seem to be finding any excuse they can to not bring their games to the Wii U, Oddworld's Lorne Lanning has stated emphatically that his studio's upcoming remake — Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty — will hit Nintendo's consoles, irrespective of its current commercial fortunes...
News Twisted Fusion Joins the Kickstarter Ranks, Will be a Wii U Exclusive if Funded
"Best described as an 'Open Platformer'"
Among the many projects making their way to crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, some are targeting the Wii U as exclusive platforms. We've had Hex Heroes launch a campaign seeking $80,000; now we have Twisted Fusion arriving with a Wii U-only goal. This has a modest initial
Book Review Boss Fight Books - Chrono Trigger
There's more than one way to revisit the past
It's difficult to write about video games. Believe us, we know. The medium is, strictly speaking, a compound one. Whereas writing about works of art in most media entails a relatively straightforward discussion of how well or poorly the work in question used the tools available to that medium, writing...
"I want to make more, rather than just simply one zone"
Wii U title Sonic Lost World was recently given some DLC-love with special Yoshi and Zelda-themed levels, and producer Takashi Iizuka has been speaking to 4gamer about how
Weirdness Here's a Nine-Hour Video of Every SNES Start Screen
You know you want to...
Back in January, YouTube user NicksplosionFX made a three-hour video of every NES start screen — well, a lot of them, arguments aside. Now he's back for the Super Nintendo edition, clocking in at just over nine hours. It's in alphabetical order if you want to skip straight to your favourite game, but true fans will surely...
Video Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Showcases Almost Thirty Minutes Of Content
Magnificent melodies heading towards 3DS
1st April my be a popular time for companies to come up with creative pranks, but thankfully Square-Enix has gone down a different route and instead gifted us with two videos for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call instead. We have of course looked at the published track lists and
