News Mythical Pokémon Diancie Confirmed for X & Y
New trailer, screens and concept art revealed
Review The LEGO Movie Videogame (Wii U)
Almost everything is awesome
News Amazon Lists Transformers: Rise Of The Dark Spark For Wii U And 3DS
You can win if you dare?
Nintendo Direct Watch The North American Presentation Live
Directly to you, and you, and you.
News - 2014, Week 07
Sunday16th Feb 2014
Talking Point Nintendo Direct Pointed to Another Wii U Retail Drought
The eShop should tide current owners over
In the past week Nintendo delivered its first Nintendo Direct broadcasts of 2014, a little later than was perhaps expected. The truth was that January was not a good time for the company, as it revealed and then dealt with the fallout of drastically lowered sales and financial projections. It was a difficult...
Review Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW! (3DS)
Size doesn't matter
D3Publisher, Cartoon Network and WayForward were definitely onto something in Adventure Time: Hey, Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! Though the title was over too soon, it took players all over the Land of Ooo on a true-to-series nonsensical quest using Zelda II-like gameplay, with a top-down overworld and side-scrolling...
News Adventure Thru 8-Bit Land is Another Wii U eShop Title From a New Developer
A side-scroller with homages to the classics
Barely a day passes at the moment without more download-only games being confirmed as in the works for the Wii U eShop, as Nintendo's indie-friendly policy continues to bear fruit. The store seems to be a destination for newcomers, too, with Adventure Thru 8-Bit Land currently in development by R & P...
Bad harvest
The idea of packing up, escaping the crowded, polluted confines of the city and setting up a farm out in the sticks is something that has often been romanticised in various media. The thought of kicking back and raising some chickens in the peace and quiet of the countryside sounds nothing short of blissful to some people. The reality,...
Weirdness The VideoTendo 2000 is a VHS Tape Converted into a NES
Rewind the clock with this fully functional modification
We've seen our fair share of weird and wonderful console modifications during our time at Nintendo Life, but this latest project from modder Shinobicycle could well be the weirdest one yet. In what looks to be a wholesome celebration of the 1980s, this brave modder has taken a NES clone and -...
News Flowerworks HD to Burst Into Life on the Wii U eShop
Undergoing approval with Nintendo
Veteran Nintendo download gamers may remember Flowerworks on WiiWare, a title we described as "a bit goofy, cute and colourful and a lot of fun" as we awarded it 8/10 in our review. Its peculiar premise of pollinating plants for spectacular visual fireworks was charming, with pointer controls that were perfect at...
Video Nintendo Minute Catches Up With Two eShop Developers
Vblank Entertainment and Nicalis discuss upcoming releases
Nintendo of America's recent Nintendo Direct broadcast included some Indie-download chat, likely taken from a multi-game event held earlier this month. For its part the Nintendo YouTube Channel's 'Nintendo Minute' spoke to more publishers and developers about games on the way to the eShop...
Saturday15th Feb 2014
Review The LEGO Movie Videogame (Wii U)
Almost everything is awesome
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or have been otherwise indisposed from newspapers, radio, television, the Internet, or any of the other countless forms of communicative devices that the news media uses to infiltrate our lives in 2014, you’re probably well aware that a new movie based on your favourite...
Feature What We Want to See in SNES Remix
Because it must be on the cards...
Following on from this week's Nintendo Direct where NES Remix 2 was revealed, our hopes were raised for a SNES Remix to be announced in the near future. It's got to only be a matter of time, right? With this in mind we devised a likely list of candidates for a 16-bit remix mash-up. These are all Nintendo-published...
Soapbox A Case For The Defence: Castlevania 64
The only things that suck are the vampires
Castlevania 64, which is how we shall refer to the original Nintendo 64 vampire-killing game to avoid confusion with the other Castlevania, is a game that’s been unjustly left on the series' scrapheap for far too long, and I’m going to tell you why. Now that doesn’t mean I’m here to excuse the...
News Mario Kart 8 Accelerates to Number One on Amazon Japan
Top 10 in the UK
After confirming a May release in late January, Nintendo used its latest Direct broadcasts to announce that Mario Kart 8 will arrive on 30th May in North America and Europe, with it arriving one day earlier in Japan. That official date has seen retailers start to open pre-orders, and Nintendo is no doubt watching to see whether the...
News AE Games Reveals Mad Men Football, High Impact Gridiron With "An Historical Twist"
Would George Washington have made a tasty quarterback?
AE Games — the indie studio which caused a few ripples when it announced its support of the Wii U earlier this week — has now confirmed its first title: Mad Men Football. Described as American Football with "an historical twist", the game will take notable figures from world history and...
Review Ninja Gaiden (Wii U eShop / NES)
Original Gaiden
With a hit-list of sequels and spin-offs spanning more than two decades and its latest iteration — Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge — even slicing out a spot in the Wii U's launch lineup, Ninja Gaiden's reputation precedes it. An East-meets-West action platformer with an Japanese aesthetic and an American action-hero heart, this is...
News Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire Soundtrack Now Available On iTunes
HM-Surf rock Hoenn
The poké-occupation of iTunes continues this week as the digitally remastered soundtrack from GBA titles Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire hits Apple's music store. The album features 109 tracks from the games, composed by series icons Junichi Masuda, Gō Ichinose and Morikazu Aoki. Every single musical cue is included, so it makes...
Friday14th Feb 2014
News Mythical Pokémon Diancie Confirmed for X & Y
New trailer, screens and concept art revealed
Earlier this week CoroCoro Magazine revealed a new Rock/Fairy-type Pokémon called Diancie, confirming that it was #719 in the Pokédex and would appear in upcoming movie The Cocoon of Destruction and Diancie. Leaked screens from last year made it likely the character would therefore also be distributed...
News Amazon Lists Transformers: Rise Of The Dark Spark For Wii U And 3DS
You can win if you dare?
While it's always worth taking listings on Amazon with a pinch of salt, when one comes out of the blue — and appears on multiple platforms to boot — there's probably an element of truth in there. Listings have appeared on the popular online retailer for Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark, the next instalment in the...
Weirdness Purchase This "Nintendo Dolphin Prototype Console" at Your Own Risk
Ever wanted to own a Nintendo development kit?
Of course you have. Before your very eyes is an elusive and very rare development kit for Nintendo’s sixth generation console - the Nintendo GameCube. Also codenamed "Project Dolphin" back in the day. An eBay seller from Canada, who has been a member of the site since 2005 and has a user rating of...
Feature Video Game Characters Looking for Love - 2014
Dating Game Over
It's Valentine's Day, and with the most commercially romantic day of the year come many traditions, such as exchanging flowers, sending cards, getting sick on chocolate, and combing online dating sites looking for profiles posted by our favourite video game characters! What, you don't do that last thing? That's okay, because we...
Feature The Big Nintendo Direct Summary - 13th February 2014
Lots of games, few major surprises
The first Nintendo Direct of 2014 is down and, at this stage, it's tricky to digest and 'grade'. On the surface it was actually packed with announcements — some unique between North America and Europe — with a number of new titles shown, while footage was revealed for major titles such as Mario Kart 8,...
News Weapon Shop de Omasse to Complete Guild 01 Collection, Massive eShop Discounts Available Now
Level-5 offers the whole series at a discount
In early January a rating suggested that the fourth and final Guild01 download title was on the way to the West, and now Weapon Shop de Omasse has been confirmed for the 3DS eShop in Europe and North America; it arrives on 20th February and will cost $7.99 in North America, with no price yet given for...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News Game Boy Advance Titles To Hit Wii U Virtual Console From April Onwards
Metroid Fusion and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga are early highlights
Whether it's the desired platform for the portable's games or not, Nintendo today used its latest Direct broadcast to provide an update on progress bringing Game Boy Advance titles to the Wii U Virtual Console; after a fairly lengthy delay, we know they'll start to arrive in...
Friday14th Feb 2014
News Monolith Soft's X Combat is Shown Off, Based on Xenoblade Chronicles System
Oh my...
While JRPG fans that adored Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii may have been hoping for a release date for Monolith Soft's latest in Nintendo's most recent Direct broadcast, we had to settle for some real-time in-game footage of the combat system. It was exciting to see, as it was the first time that a sustained period of gameplay had been shown...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News Free-To-Play Title Steel Diver: Sub Wars Breaks The Waves Today On The 3DS eShop
Run silent, run deep
Anyone remember Steel Diver on 3DS? It was an idea Nintendo originally pitched as a demo for the dual-screen capabilities of the original DS, but only really saw the light of day as a full release on its 3D successor. Ironically enough, it went under a lot of people's radars at the time, but Nintendo announced at E3 last year...
Friday14th Feb 2014
News Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Set For 27th February Release on the European 3DS eShop
Nintendo Network promotion codes presumably on the way...
In the last Nintendo Direct of 2013 Nintendo of Europe confirmed that Super Mario Bros. Deluxe would be part of a Nintendo Network Promotion, where anyone with a Nintendo Network ID registered on a 3DS receives the Game Boy Color game for free. The codes for that promotion are due between now...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News Bowser's Koopalings Join the Cast of Mario Kart 8, Launches 30th May
The gang's all here!
In today's much anticipated Nintendo Direct, CEO Satoru Iwata announced that Mario Kart 8 will officially be launching on 30th May in both NA and EU; this follows the late January confirmation that it was to be a May release. Iwata-san also announced that a few new "unexpected" characters will be added to the game's roster. For...
News Little Mac Arrives as a Knockout Challenger in Super Smash Bros.
Images galore inside
The latest Nintendo Direct didn't tell us when Super Smash Bros. is arriving on Wii U and 3DS, aside from '2014', but there was a rather pleasing reveal for the title. Little Mac, the hero of the Punch-Out!! series, arrives as a challenger for the first time. The trailer, below, shows the pugilist in action and certainly...
Friday14th Feb 2014
Rumour Steel Diver: Sub Wars Is Set In Same Universe As Star Fox
Peppy's cameo sets chins wagging
Following yesterday's Nintendo Direct broadcast, Nintendo released Steel Diver: Sub Wars onto the 3DS eShop. This free-to-play title is based on the original Steel Diver, which was an early 3DS game. Both are co-developed by Vitei, the Japanese studio founded by British developer Giles Goddard. Goddard found fame as...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News 3DS eShop Title Rusty's Real Deal Baseball Is Free-To-Play Gaming With A Nintendo Twist
Haggle for the price you want to pay
During today's Nintendo Direct broadcast Nintendo lifted the lid on its take on the Free-To-Play concept with an entirely new game: Rusty's Real Deal Baseball. A collection of minigames which attempts to harness the "good feel" of the sport of baseball, this eShop download is free and contains a trial game, but...
Friday14th Feb 2014
Review Castle Clout 3D (3DS eShop)
Regal rebellion
Long before the modern age of mobile gaming and pocket-handy computers that we refer to as "smartphones," poor, lowly players would flock to the Internet in order to get their cheap gaming fix. In this era that time has forgotten, those seeking digital entertainment would subject themselves to monstrosities known as "Flash games,"...
News Inazuma Eleven Shoots And Scores On The North American 3DS eShop
Also available in Europe, but strangely not the UK
Level 5's popular soccer-based RPG Inazuma Eleven has finally made its way to North American shores. Kick-off took place immediately after the end of the North American Nintendo Direct presentation, with the game now being available to download for $19.99. The game is also available in Europe...
News January's NPD Results Show Improved Software Sales for Nintendo, With Hardware Figures Elusive
Pokémon, Mario and Zelda lead the charge
The NPD results, which reflect physical retails sales in the U.S., have been revealed for January. And by revealed, we mean a rather minimal amount of data from all parties concerned. Some information has emerged, however, and what's not said is as indicative as the figures actually provided. In terms of...
News Zero Escape Series Director Struggling to Find Funding for Third Title
Takes to Twitter for help
The Zero Escape series, which features the puzzle-based visual novels 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors on the DS and Virtue's Last Reward on the 3DS and Vita, has always included the carrying of hope in desperate times as a theme. Series director Kotaro Uchikoshi is now finding himself trying to maintain a similar...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News NES Remix 2 Will Bring Even More 8-Bit Favourites To Your Wii U
Also comes with Super Luigi Bros.
When the original NES Remix hit the Wii U eShop late last year, it took us all by surprise. Thankfully it was a nice surprise and is still a firm favourite in the Nintendo Life office. Who could resist a second helping? During tonight's Nintendo Direct broadcast it was revealed that NES Remix 2 will be released on...
Friday14th Feb 2014
News Nintendo Pocket Football Club Confirmed for 17th April in Europe
Football Manager 3DS, sort of...
During yesterday's Nintendo Direct broadcast, Nintendo of Europe President Satoru Shibata confirmed that Nintendo Pocket Football Club will arrive on 17th April. It's a title that was shown last year, and brings a rather light-hearted approach to the football management sim genre; don't expect head-scratching...
Review Touch Battle Tank 3D 2 (3DS eShop)
Two of the same
Ideally, a video game sequel should feature everything that worked about the first game and expand and improve upon it so that the the new entry doesn't feel like an expansion pack. Unfortunately, there was very little that worked about Agetec's Touch Battle Tank 3D, and Touch Battle Tank 3D 2 is basically more of the same. With the...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News Kirby: Triple Deluxe Sucks Up And Greedily Consumes A May 2nd Release Date
Hit StreetPass to grow an adorable keychain collection
Kirby fans in Europe and North America can thank their lucky warp stars: a North American release date of 2nd May has finally been announced for Kirby: Triple Deluxe during today's Nintendo Direct; it arrives in Europe on 16th May. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata championed a "huge number" of...
Friday14th Feb 2014
News Giant Eggs, Magic Stars and Flutter Wings Come to Yoshi's New Island
Europe to receive limited edition Yoshi 3DS XL
Among the wealth of exciting news revealed in Nintendo's Direct presentations today was new information on Yoshi's New Island for 3DS. Due to release on 14th March in both Europe and North America, the next instalment in the series will feature a number of new gameplay features, and bears an art style...
Apple shames unethical mineral suppliers, but will Nintendo do the same?
Progress isn't always a good thing. New consoles, gadgets and services can hold a hidden price which goes way beyond what we pay at retail. The minerals that are used to create much of our technology are often obtained from conflict-ridden parts of the world — such as the...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
Gotta match 'em all
Today's Nintendo Direct has officially revealed a new game in the fan-loved Pokémon Trozei series. Pokémon Battle Trozei — the sequel to the original Pokémon Trozei from 2006 — introduces many new gameplay elements as well as a slew of new Pokémon. Pokémon Battle Trozei — which will be known as Pokémon Link: Battle!...
Friday14th Feb 2014
News A Radiant New trailer For Child of Light Emerges, With A Slight Change To The Euro Release Date
Burning brighter with every glimpse we get
Ubisoft's artistic action-RPG Child of Light has been drawing plenty of attention since its announcement last year, and yesterday's Nintendo Direct has treated us to yet another gorgeous trailer. There's plenty of gameplay brought to light as the young Princess Aurora battles, explores, and puzzles her way...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
News You'll Be Able To Customise Your Mii In Mario Golf: World Tour's Swanky Castle Club
Make sure you're a member when the game launches on May 2nd
Die-hard Mario Golf fans will be pleased to know the latest Nintendo Direct today provided new information regarding the single-player mode in the upcoming Mario Golf: World Tour. In addition to previously announced multiplayer features, the game will also include a s
Friday14th Feb 2014
News Evofish Aims to Bring Multiplayer Party Madness To Wii U eShop
Supports 2 to 5 players
If you like fish and parties, you’ll be in your element with Moving Player’s upcoming Wii U eShop title, Evofish. The game has just been approved by Nintendo and "will shortly be available on the European Nintendo eShop." If you’re wondering what a game like this could possibly offer, well, quite a lot, actually...
News Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl Comes Questing To Europe On May 2nd
Epic adventures lie ahead
We already knew that Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl was bound for Europe at some point this year, and yesterday's Nintendo Direct broadcast has finally given us a solid date: May 2nd. The game launched in North America last year, and gained a glowing review from us. "Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl...
Video Two Fan Favourites Are Added To The Persona Q: Shadow of Labyrinth Line-Up
Welcome Aigis and Teddie
Valentine's Day is the perfect time for Atlus to show Persona fans some love, and what better way to do it than share new videos of Aigis and Teddie in action? They're as painfully short as all the others but we can't help but get excited about what's looking to be another excellent 3DS dungeon crawler. If the Japanese...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
Nintendo Direct Watch The North American Presentation Live
Directly to you, and you, and you.
The first Nintendo Direct of 2014 is confirmed for Thursday 13th February at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern, 10pm UK, 11pm Europe; that time suggests that the company aims to reach more people, rather than the standard broadcast at around 10am Eastern. The broadcasts will be a little different per region, too, with...
News Flappy Bird is Now Playable on the DSi and 3DS With Petit Computer
A fowl state of affairs
Flappy Bird has been everywhere, a bizarrely simplistic, flawed smart device game that went viral; it's unavoidable. Millions of people with phones play it compulsively on their morning commute, media outlets from games press to mainstream newspapers and TV channels have been talking about it, and its success upset its...
Wednesday12th Feb 2014
Review Inazuma Eleven 3: Team Ogre Attacks (3DS)
Extra time
We're no strangers to dual releases in the Inazuma Eleven series, as it apes the money-spinning convention best seen in the Pokémon franchise; yet Inazuma Eleven 3: Team Ogre Attacks adds a third variation at a later release date. For fans of Inazuma Eleven 3 in either of its first two forms this is potentially more of a rather good...
Thursday13th Feb 2014
Nintendo Direct Watch The European Presentation Live
With Shibata-san and Iwata-san
The first Nintendo Direct of 2014 is confirmed for Thursday 13th February at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern, 10pm UK, 11pm Europe; that time suggests that the company aims to reach more people, rather than the standard broadcast at around 10am Eastern. The broadcasts will be a little different per region, too, with Satoru...
Talking Point What We Expect In Nintendo Direct - 13th February
Though we hope for so much more
Throughout 2013 Nintendo Direct broadcasts were a monthly affair, with some being small broadcasts focused on specific titles. After the pre-Christmas broadcast that surprised us with games such as NES Remix and more so with Hyrule Warriors, January passed without a further update. That was hardly a surprise due to...
Nintendo Download 13th February (North America)
Spinning bottles, Contra and Spotting Differences
Here are the downloadable delights winging their way to North America this week: Wii U eShop: Spin the Bottle (KnapNok Games, $8.99) — This title's unique pricing scheme kicks off this week with the arrival of additional minigames. Existing owners will receive a free update, yet those buying for...
Feature Meet The Gamate, The Handheld Which Tried To Take On The Game Boy And Failed
We look at the history behind one of gaming's more obscure portables
When Nintendo launched the original Game Boy to a rapturous critical and commercial reception in 1989 it was almost a forgone conclusion that other companies would follow suit and concoct their own portable systems. Arch-rival Sega quickly pushed the Game Gear onto store shelves...
Nintendo Direct Trailers Round-Up
Feast your eyes
Today's Nintendo Direct is over, we'll be recapping the major news points in other posts, but first here is a recap of trailers released during the broadcast. Wii U - Bayonetta 2: Did You Miss Me? Wii U - Mario Kart 8 - Here Come the Koopalings Trailer Wii U - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Launch Trailer Nintendo 3DS -...
News Extended Nintendo Network Maintenance Scheduled for Later Today
And then Pokémon X & Y extended maintenance on Sunday / Monday
In a move that's raised our eyebrows to Toon Link levels, Nintendo has scheduled extended Nintendo Network maintenance that will affect Wii U and 3DS services later today in North America, which represents the early morning in Europe. With a Nintendo Direct broadcast some hours before...
News Kamen Rider: Battride War II Steers Its Way to Wii U in Japan
Like Power Rangers with bikes
In positive news for Wii U gamers in Japan, and a reminder that some third-party projects in the region are supporting the platform, it's emerged that Kamen Rider: Battride War II is coming to the system; the predecessor to this game was a PS3 exclusive brawler / bike-action game and enjoyed reasonable chart success...
News The UK Is Getting A Senran Kagura Burst "Life And Hometown" Special Edition
Limited to 500 copies, comes with T-Shirt and lenticular poster
Senran Kagura Burst may have come to North America before Europe, but the latter is getting a physical and a pre-order bonus release — something which has annoyed some US players, as they had to make do with a digital launch only. As if to pile on the pain even further, it has today...
News Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Finally Hitting the Track in Japan
"You're too--uh... what was it, again...?"
Most often, a cool game gets released in Japan and the rest of the world languishes, wondering when it will ever hit their corner of the planet — if it even will in the first place. However, now and then Japan is the last to receive a title, and that is most definitely the case with Sonic & All-Stars...
News Nintendo Versions Of Mutant Mudds Have Sold Better Than Those On Other Systems
Sales of Wii U and 3DS editions beat Steam, PS Vita and PS3
Renegade Kid co-founder Jools Watsham has divulged an interesting piece of sales data via his Twitter account — the Wii U and 3DS editions of Mutant Mudds are selling better than those on other systems. Watsham first revealed that the Wii U eShop version of the game has sold more than...
News Stick It To The Man Confirmed For Spring Release on Wii U eShop
It's like they were reading our minds
UK publisher Ripstone has already worked with download game developers such as Nifflas to bring us Knytt Underground on Wii U, while Pure Chess is on the way to both Wii U and 3DS. The publisher is continuing to target the home console's store, however, with confirmation today that Zoink's Stick It To The Man is...
Video Treasurenauts 'Cursed' Trailer Sets The Scene
Indiana Mudds
Renegade Kid is rather busy preparing Moon Chronicles for publication, though Treasurenauts is also coming this year. This latest retro-styled action platformer is an important project to the studio's team, and the new trailer shows fresh environments and more footage than we've enjoyed previously. The footage includes some attractive...
Wednesday12th Feb 2014
News Wii U and 3DS Nintendo Direct Confirmed for 13th February
At last!
After a January in which Nintendo's priorities were financial reports and strategies, we finally get to focus on new games once again. The first Nintendo Direct of 2014 is confirmed for Thursday 13th February at 2pm Pacific / 5pm Eastern / 10pm UK / 11pm Europe; that time suggests that the company aims to reach more people, rather than the...
Feature The Weird and Wonderful World of Nintendo Patents
Because gaming needs more wackiness
Nintendo is well known for pushing new ideas, often utilising established technology to broaden our horizons and shake up gaming experiences. The Wii Remote may have used well-worn technology in innovative ways to prompt a motion-control craze, yet it wasn't received with universal rapture before the Wii launched...
Tuesday11th Feb 2014
News CoroCoro Magazine Reveals New Rock/Fairy-Type Pokémon
Only in the movies as of now
The Pokémon series of games is a franchise that generally remains untouched following launch. Minus a few patches, the core game remains almost identical to its launch day counterpart; the only exception Game Freak has made to this formula is the distribution of additional and unique Pokémon. In the early days of the...
Wednesday12th Feb 2014
News Brand New Game Developer, AE Games, Shows Its Support For Wii U
Not to be confused with EA Games...
It is certainly no secret that some people - be they fans or critics - don’t like the Wii U. It seems that every other day someone has something bad to say about Nintendo’s latest home console, and if they aren’t doing that they’re revelling in the company’s shortcomings. Some would argue that it’s not...
Review Percy's Predicament (Wii U eShop)
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Games like Marble Madness and the Super Monkey Ball series have had their share of devoted followers throughout the years, but they exist in a genre that isn’t exactly bursting at the seams with new entries. To those unfamiliar, these are games where the player controls a ball through a series of narrow...
Playing God
Back when the Super Nintendo launched in Japan — where it was of course known as the Super Famicom — it was accompanied by some truly remarkable titles. As a young (and loyal) Sega Mega Drive owner at the time, for me personally it was torture to see the likes of Pilotwings, F-Zero and
News These Super Smash Bros. Home-Run Bat Screens May Brighten Your Day
Out of the park
Masahiro Sakurai doesn't often reveal new challengers or arenas in his daily posts on the Miiverse Director's Room for the new Super Smash Bros. entries on Wii U and 3DS, but he does often show-off individual moves, mechanics and items. Today may not send shock waves around the world, but could be a fan-favourite. As you can see...
News Now There's a Kirby You Can Wear
You won't look ridiculous either
Gaming fashion is sadly all-too-often nothing more than a current-gen logo or character ripped from some art you've already seen plastered everywhere, and then printed on a "one size fits all" (allegedly) black t-shirt, or an ironed-on bit of pixel art slapped roughly in the middle of the chest area if you're after...
News Dance Your Heart Out to New DLC Tunes for Just Dance 2014
Pump up the jam
Ubisoft recently announced new DLC tracks for its popular game Just Dance 2014. Just in time for Valentine's day, the tracks are now available on all systems, including the Wii and Wii U; they do cost a hefty $2.99 each, include the following chart-topping tracks: "Timber" by Pitbull ft. Ke$ha "Rock N Roll" by Avril Lavigne "Die...
News Details of Forbidden Magna Emerge, a New 3DS Title From Marvelous AQL
The Rune Factory team try something different
Just recently there was a tantalising reveal of a new Marvelous AQL 3DS title called Forbidden Magna; some additional details have now come to light, thanks to a kind soul with a copy of Famitsu and a bit of patience. The game will apparently mostly closely resemble the 3DS Harvest Moon titles, using a...
News Nintendo's Link Between Worlds SketchPad Miiverse Event Ends on 16th February
Get drawing
In January Eiji Aonuma, the producer of the Legend of Zelda series, launched a drawing event on Miiverse to bring the respective communities of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Art Academy: SketchPad together. The task is to show creativity with the 3DS game as a source of inspiration. This event has been underway for a...
Both scoop best game accolades
If you're a Nintendo fan, then you'll obviously be aware that both Super Mario 3D World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds were two of 2013's best video games. However, it's always nice to see the wider world recognise this fact, which is precisely what happened at the 3rd annual New York Video Game Critics...
Parent Trap Wii Fit U Accepts Our Varied Bodies
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson has another look at Nintendo's fitness title
Video games reflect wider society’s desire for the perfect body. Having children only presses this issue home and means I’m pickier about the shape of our video-game protagonists. However, I have been happily surprised then to see how Wii Fit U handles this. Rather than...
News Super Mario 3D World and Animal Crossing: New Leaf Up For BAFTA Awards
No Nintendo titles in the Mobile & Handheld category
Last year’s BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Game Awards saw a surprising absence of any Nintendo nominations. However, this year the Big N has secured nominations in four categories, which includes Super Mario 3D World being up for Best Game. Super Mario 3D World is also...
News Dragon Quest Monsters 2 Storms to the Top of the Japanese Charts
3DS XL (LL) sales enjoy a boost
Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru and Luca’s Wonderful Mysterious Keys has enjoyed its début in the Japanese charts, with its success also bringing a boost to the 3DS; as for Wii U, there's not much to bring cheers. This week's Media Create results are dominated by two newcomers on the 3DS, with the DQ remake storming...
Guide Nintendo Releases a "New Owner's Guide" to 3DS
Living in a world of infinite white isn't a requirement
Last week Nintendo of Europe published a "New to Wii U" guide, and Nintendo of America decided that it wasn't to be outdone, no siree! NoA has gone for the video approach, releasing a series of "New Owner's Guide" videos covering the various functions and out-of-the-box features of the 3DS...
News Radirgy De Gojaru Website Shows Off The Firepower Behind The 3DS eShop Exclusive Blaster
Only one week to go before release
Late last year we covered the announcement of Radirgy De Gojaru, a Japanese eShop exclusive shmup which serves as a sequel to the Dreamcast blaster Radirgy. We've now got a bit more information to share with you before the game launches on the 19th of February, courtesy of the game’s incredibly orange official...
Tuesday11th Feb 2014
Talking Point The Watch_Dogs Wii U Delay Demonstrates That Major Third-Parties Are Walking Away
How important that is for the system is up for debate
Before the Wii U was launched Nintendo made the right noises about third-party support — here was a powerful system with backing from major players like EA, Activision and Ubisoft, we were told, and the innovative new controller would encourage unique, multi-screen experiences. Of course,...
Video Yacht Club Games' Sean Velasco Digs Up the NES Roots of Shovel Knight
"It's a pumped up 8-bit aesthetic"
Shovel Knight has had a longer-than-expected route to our Nintendo systems, but it's creeping ever closer to both the 3DS and Wii U eShop stores. It grabbed attention in its crowdfunding days due to the fact it was a product of Yacht Club Games — a group of former WayForward developers making their début as a...
News "Phantom Gate" Trademark By Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures Inc. Brings Pokémon to Mind
It's a phantom gate, not some sort of gate to infinity...
What do you get when there's a trademark placed by Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures Inc.? A whole load of Pokémon speculation, of course, as they are three parties that — combined or individually — bring you various 'mon-related games. So that's what we have, with Siliconera spotting...
News Nintendo Patented an "Illumination Device" for Gaming Use
A little mood lighting, perhaps?
Nintendo has proven itself a company willing to buck standard conventions and try out new concepts. Some ideas, such as dual screens and motion controls, become a solid entry into gaming culture. Others may never leave the drawing board. A Nintendo patent that was filed in September 2010 and widely spotted today...
News Just 2% of Ubisoft's Q3 Sales Were for Wii U
Grim numbers
Confirmation that Watch_Dogs has been delayed again on Wii U, and will arrive later than on other platforms, is certainly a hot topic. While debates around the reasons, justification and ramifications for the game's sales will spin around, there are key statistics that highlight just why Ubisoft isn't exactly busting a gut to deliver...
News Intriguing Data Helps Explain Nintendo's Smart Device Strategy
Games aren't necessarily the route to glory
Following Nintendo's recent Q3 investor briefing, the reaction to its much-anticipated smart device strategy was decidedly mixed, with Satoru Iwata's announcements on a dedicated development team with the objective of producing free "services" in an app not quite representing the move into the iOS and...
Interview We Chat to BNC Design Studios, A New Wii U Developer With An Eye on Licensed Products
"Mario is still the greatest name in entertainment"
While the third-party retail game scene may be increasingly desolate on Wii U, it seems the download-only market is very much alive and kicking. There are a broad range of multi-platform and exclusive games on the way, from established and experienced Nintendo download developers to newcomers...
News 3DS Sales Tracking Ahead of Game Boy Advance In Japan
Unsurprisingly lagging behind DS sales figures
The 3DS has demonstrated its solid market performance yet again, with the latest Japanese sales tracking figures from Media Create revealing Nintendo’s beloved handheld is selling faster than the Game Boy Advance. After 154 weeks since the system’s original release in Japan, a total of 15 million...
Video This Extended Disney Magical World Trailer is Rather Charming
Time to go to your happy place
A spoonful of sugar usually helps the unfortunate delay go down - or at least that's how we think the song goes - and today's helping comes in the form of a new trailer for a 3DS title from Bandai Namco and Disney. Disney Magical World released in Japan last year under the alternate title of Disney Magical Castle: My...
News Nintendo's UK Store Shows The Love With Valentine's Campaign
Use the #LoveNintendo hashtag, or else
It's almost here, the day that gift card retailers and flower sellers dream of every year, hoping that love in the air will sell enough roses to buy that new car they always wanted. Valentine's Day is coming, giving couples a chance to buy each other gifts and show extra romance, while those that are single...
Could this be the birth of Nintendo Austria?
As we all know, Nintendo has offices all over the world which handle the marketing and distribution of the company's products in different regions — we've got Nintendo of America, Nintendo UK and Nintendo of Europe, for example. We could now be seeing the formation of an Austrian office, as Nintendo...
News GameChops releases Club Kong: A Modern Jazz Remix of Donkey Kong Music
Sit back, relax and enjoy
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Donkey Kong Country, video game remix record label GameChops has released a six track remix of music from the game. The album, aptly named Club Kong, is best described as a Donkey Kong electronic jazz club infusion; it comes at a perfect time as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze...
Rumour Square Enix Trademark For Luminaries Of The Legendary Line Could Be Related To Dragon Quest
This company really does love alliteration in its titles
Square Enix has gone somewhat quiet about localising its Dragon Quest titles for the western market — leading some to suggest that the franchise is all but dead outside of its native Japan — but a recent trademark hints that something is afoot. A US trademark has been filed by Square Enix...
News Hometown Story Prepares to Open Its Doors In Europe This April
Yasuhiro Wada shares his hopes of bringing happiness
Hometown Story's pedigree is easy to identify — it's the creation of Yasuhiro Wada, the man who masterminded the Harvest Moon franchise before starting his own small company, Toybox. His studio's title arrived in North America last October, and a recent video interview confirms that publisher...
Monday10th Feb 2014
Nintendo Download 13th February (Europe)
The Doctor's in, Bumpie's Party gets started again, Inazuma, LEGO and more
Update: We have now updated UK prices via the Nintendo UK press release. We'd also like to apologies for confusion with the headline date, now fixed. Original Article: The download update for Europe is in, as always, and this week brings a range of retail titles and...
News Club Nintendo Rewards Updated for February
DK Jr! Punch-Out! Mario RPG! Arty Goodness!
It's that time again, North American gamers, with four more download games available for you to download for free — well, with your hard earned coins. This time around we have three Virtual Console titles and one DSiWare entry, while three Nintendo systems are supported. So, let's get to it. Donkey...
News Watch_Dogs Delayed Again on Wii U, Will Arrive on the System After Other Platforms
Ubisoft screws the pooch
There have been plenty of rumours and counter-rumours around Watch_Dogs in recent weeks, yet now we have some solid news from the company itself; it's not pleasing from a Wii U perspective. In its financial results today, and the investor call that followed, Ubisoft confirmed that the title would arrive on PC, PS3, PS4,...
News Wii Fit No Substitute For Real Exercise According To Academic Research
Includes all other forms of active gaming
Australians love being recognised globally for their sporting achievements. Be it their recent win over England in the Ashes, or Aussie golfer Adam Scott and his rise to number 2 in the world. It’s always a thrill to see a country of such a small population competing both fiercely and passionately on the...
News As The Maker Of Flappy Bird Withdraws His Creation, Nintendo Denies Any Legal Complaint
Japanese firm has no issue with the game's visuals
Unless you've been living down an especially deep well for the past week or so, you'll have heard of the name Flappy Bird. The smartphone title has attracted an astonishing amount of interest both from within and outside the games industry, and its creator Dong Nguyen apparently made $50,000 USD a...
Interview Daniel Johnson Discusses His Critical Analysis of Wario Land 4
"It's all about improving the current conversation around games"
In recent weeks we've let you know about an eBook called Game Design Companion: A Critical Analysis of Wario Land 4, in which author Daniel Johnson adopts a thorough, detailed approach to the popular Game Boy Advance game. With over 600 pages that include essays, room-by-room...
Feature A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Twenty Four
Lucario again! Palkia! Mother Brain! More!
Super Smash Bros. keeps creeping closer — thanks to the inevitable passing of time — and we can anticipate the anarchic fun that awaits at home on Wii U and, pleasingly, on our travels with those funky 3DS visuals. Masahiro Sakurai continues to tease us along, via the Super Smash Bros. Director's Room,...
News These Mario Figures Are All Kinds of Awesome
He has that 'cheeky chappy' grin
We do like collectibles here at Nintendo Life, and figurines can be a nice way to decorate our homes with our favourite heroes. While Link is no stranger to gorgeous figurines, Mario's presence is often in the form of plushies, so it's pleasing to find some figures that, while lacking the complexity of Figma...
Feature Monster Hunting with Kerry: Kechawacha – That's A Name, Not A Sneeze
Drinking potions like they're going out of style
With the recent announcement of both Monster Hunter 4G and a confirmed Western release in 2015, the self-titled "Greatest Editors In The World" have stuffed me back in my cupboard, denying me anything not directly related to creating Monster Hunter articles for you lovely people. I've been promised a...
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Weirdness Purchase This "Nintendo Dolphin Prototype Console" at Your Own...
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