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"
Live Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct
Super, Smashing, Great.
News - 2014, Week 15
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. [tweet As you can see in the image this is...
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 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 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 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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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 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 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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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