News Super Mario Maker DLC Confirmed, Famitsu's Mascot Necky The Fox Coming Soon
Necky the Fox to be a playable costume in Japan
News Pikmin 4 is "Very Close to Completion", Though Its Platform is Unclear
Nintendo's smallest heroes are coming back
'Pokémon XY & Z' Anime coming to Japan
Review Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Wii U eShop / DS)
Emerging from the shadows
News - 2015, Week 37
Monday14th Sep 2015
Mario History Super Mario Maker - 2015
The culmination of 30 years
In this series of articles we've written about one or more Mario games per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Today we finish with the latest release. After writing a lot of these articles over the past month we end with what will become Mario History in the...
Sunday13th Sep 2015
Review Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Wii U eShop / DS)
Emerging from the shadows
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a Nintendo DS remake of the first Fire Emblem game (originally released in 1990 for Famicom in Japan) that's now available to download in Virtual Console form for Wii U. The series staple of strategic turn-based gameplay along with the perma-death possibility for characters would form the...
News Disney Infinity 3.0's Toy Box Mode Offers Blatant Splatoon Clone
Squid Wars is "Inky fun"
One of the most appealing aspects of Disney Infinity 3.0 is the Toy Box mode, which allows you to create games of your own. To illustrate the power of this mode, the developers behind the game have created a workable version of Splatoon named Squid Wars - and is currently promoting this downloadable offering via Twitter...
Feature Nintendo Life's Top 10 Super Mario Platformers
You voted, here are your winners
Not so long ago we asked you to vote for your favourite Super Mario platformer in order to celebrate today's (13th September) 30th Anniversary for the franchise. Following Nintendo's policies around the anniversary we left out spin-offs, including titles with 'Super Mario' in the title that were vehicles for new...
Plus plenty of insight from the current day designers
In honour of Super Mario's 30th Anniversary, Nintendo of America has released a neat 'Special Interview' video featuring Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka talking about development of the original Super Mario Bros. and also Super Mario Maker. Though the bulk of the video is from a modern day...
Reminder It's Super Mario's 30th Anniversary
Celebrate in your own way
It's only natural that many treated the launch day for Super Mario Maker as a 30th Anniversary celebration for the franchise. It's worth remembering, though, that 13th September 1985 is the day that Super Mario Bros. was released on the Famicom in Japan, as a result beginning its journey to changing the games industry...
Video Did You Know Gaming? Tackles amiibo
Origins, dropped ideas and more
We often share Did You Know Gaming? videos here on Nintendo Life, as they provide stylish video summaries - and sometimes little-known details - on various aspects of the medium. We thought we'd post the latest video as it tackles an important ongoing subject here on NL - amiibo. The little toys are always a hot...
Mario History Mario Kart 8 - 2014
Taking racing to a new level
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Despite its ups and downs the Wii U has delivered a relatively small but distinguished library of excellent...
Saturday12th Sep 2015
'Pokémon XY & Z' Anime coming to Japan
The 'green blob' Pokémon has intrigued fans since it emerged earlier in the year, and now there's a much better idea of what it represents in a key CoroCoro reveal. In addition there's the announcement that 29th October will see the start of Pokémon XY & Z, an evolution of the current anime series. The...
Mario Memories How The Super Mario Bros. 2 Instruction Manual Influenced Me Artistically
Returning to Subcon after 25 years
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have reviewer and guide extraordinaire Dave Letcavage. I'm not sure of my exact age at the time,...
Interview James Hoag on Aiming High With Wii U Platformer Mekazoo
"Our goal is to make the best platformer ever. We want to aim for that."
Earlier this year we reported on the announcement of Mekazoo, a forthcoming title with gameplay that harkens back to the glory days of speed-based platformers. As exemplified by Nintendo's recent Nindie crusade, the Wii U eShop is no stranger to independent games, making it the...
Friday11th Sep 2015
Guide 8 Tips to Become an Expert Level Designer in Super Mario Maker
Miyamoto. Tezuka. YOU.
With Super Mario Maker now available, there are bound to be many aspiring level designers looking for tips to help them advance their skills. If that sounds like it pertains to you, don't worry – we're here to help. After spending the better part of a month diving deep into the seemingly endless possibilities to be explored...
News Super Mario Maker Patch Speeds Up Tool Delivery
9-day unlock period significantly shortened
Nintendo's decision to release level design tools in Super Mario Maker over a slow, 9-day drip was apparently to guide newcomers up a learning curve. The reaction, however, has largely been negative, with many people seemingly more than eager to try pulling sick rodeo flips off that curve on Day One. It...
News Google Produces a Pretty Super Mario Anniversary Infographic
The internet overlords demand you see it
Infographics, we know you love them. But this one's not an effort by bridesdressesforu.com, or some such similar site trying to hit the Nintendo demographic, but rather the mighty Google. Nintendo's social teams have been plugging it, too, so it's the infographic that the internet overlords demand you see...
Video We Look at Every Single Mystery Mushroom Costume in Super Mario Maker
Spoiler warning!
When Nintendo first revealed that we could play as characters from Zelda, Animal Crossing, Kirby, Splatoon and many more in Super Mario Maker using amiibo, we were thrilled to bits. Little did we know just how expansive this roster would become, which finally comes in at a staggering 100 unique costumes. Of course not every single...
News Nintendo UK Store Offering Limited Edition Super Mario Box Packed With Goodies
Box fresh
Nintendo UK's online store is marking the 30th birthday of Super Mario by offering a limited edition box packed with merchandise. The Super Mario Box contains a Mario Classic Colours amiibo, 8-Bit Mario Soft Toy, Mario "Breaking Bricks since 1985" T-Shirt and a Mario Hat. It's available for pre-order at £29.99 and ships on October 9th...
Weirdness Wii U Title Bombing Bastards Becomes 'Bombing Busters' on PS4, at Sony's Request
Oh Nintendo, you rebel without a cause
When we received a press release for Bombing Bastards coming to the Wii U eShop last year, our instinct was "good luck with that", assuming it'd undergo a name change before release. Nope, none of it, as it then launched on the eShop in July 2014. It was a further indication, among others, of Nintendo...
News Genei Ibun Roku #FE Japanese Release Date And Bundles Revealed
Swimsuit sets included, because why not?
Nintendo has revealed that Genei Ibun Roku #FE - also known as Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem - will launch in Japan on December 26th. As well as offering up this all-important piece of info, three bundles have been announced for the game. The bog-standard regular edition comes with a set of costumes as a...
News Next Sega 3D Classics Retail Collection Includes Cult Arcade Racer Power Drift
But it's only available in Japan
Sega has confirmed the second 3D Classics compendium for the 3DS, and the big news is that the seminal arcade racer Power Drift has made the cut. The pack follows the previous retail release which pulled together all of the 3D Classics titles released up to that point. This second selection boasts Sonic the...
News North America's Next Splatoon Splatfest is a Battle of Art and Science
But what if you're an artistic scientist?
Nintendo was always going to struggle to come up with something as cool as the Autobots vs. Decepticons in its next Splatoon Splatfest, and so it's proven. The next Splatfest in North America isn't all bad though - it's going to be Art vs. Science. We suspect Team Science will have very logical in its...
Review Brave Tank Hero (Wii U eShop)
War, war never changes
Oh Brave Tank Hero, you were not a great game on the 3DS. For those of you who missed the review, ultimately Brave Tank Hero was a mediocre affair on the portable system - the flawed game design and an array of oversights ruined what could have been a good title. Now, Natsume has released the game for the Wii U eShop; will a...
Mario History Super Mario 3D World - 2013
A new generation of hybrid (no it's not a car)
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. We have a fond story we like to recall about Super Mario 3D World in Nintendo Life HQ. It was E3...
News Nintendo Confirms Seven Million amiibo Sales in the US
Splatoon also continues to sell well
The August NPD results have made their way into the world - these only cover physical retail sales in the US and are, therefore, only relatively representative. Nevertheless they do bring us some updated sales numbers and trends from a vital gaming market. From a Nintendo perspective the software top 10 brings...
Mario History New Super Mario Bros. 2 & U - 2012
So. Much. Mario.
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. We're now well into the current generation with this series (which ends soon, we promise). 2012 was also a weird year for 2D Mario...
Community Create, Share, Play and Rate Each Other's Levels on Nintendo Life
Earn a spot in our regular video and feature series
It's Super Mario Maker day, and it's no doubt going to pop up in a lot of articles; actually, we make no apology for that. It's earned a rare 10 in our review, and is a reminder of many of the qualities that have made Mario an iconic part of Nintendo and gaming history. It's a big deal. A vital...
Video Watch Charles Martinet Unleash His Creative Side In Super Mario Maker
The voice of Mario challenges Nintendo Life
As you'll know if you've already checked out yesterday's video interview, we got to sit down with the one and only Charles Martinet this week to talk about Mario's latest outing, Super Mario Maker. As well as answering various questions about his career and what he loves about voicing one of the world's...
News H-3 Nozzlenose Heading To Splatoon Tonight In North America, Tomorrow In Europe
Splat attack
Another new weapon has been confirmed for deployment in Splatoon. This time it's the H-3 Nozzlenose, and you can get your hands on this fresh shooter tonight if you happen to reside in North America. European players will have to wait until tomorrow morning. Are you keen to try out this new weapon, or have you found your preferred...
News Starwhal Makes A Slash On The North American Wii U eShop September 24
A narwhal of a time
The intense and chaotic multiplayer-driven title Starwhal is soon arriving on the Wii U eShop in North America, with developer Breakfall today announcing the title will be making a splash on September 24. [tweet The Wii U version of Starwhal will include an exclusive new 5 player mode. This mode titled “Blastopus" involves...
Competition Showcase Your Best Super Mario Maker Level At EGX
Win a £100 voucher for the Nintendo UK Store + Super Mario Maker amiibo
Super Mario Maker is out in the shops today and to celebrate our chums at Nintendo UK have challenged Nintendo Life readers to create the most ingenious, challenging, or creative Super Mario Maker levels which will be showcased at EGX at the Birmingham NEC on Saturday 26th...
Thursday10th Sep 2015
Weirdness The Bizarre Truth of Bowser Jr.'s Mother, According to Shigeru Miyamoto
Erm...
Earlier this week Nintendo of Europe teased a Mario myth-busting video in which Shigeru Miyamoto would tackle some of the tales and questions that revolve around the mascot. We expected some light-hearted confirmations and some nudging / winking, and that's what we got. The video was initially shared by NoE on Twitter, and though some...
News Super Mario Maker DLC Confirmed, Famitsu's Mascot Necky The Fox Coming Soon
Necky the Fox to be a playable costume in Japan
Super Mario Maker hits the shops in Europe and North America tomorrow (just in case you hadn't heard!). Out of the box it supports a staggering variety of amiibo figurines; for example if you tap a Kirby amiibo against the Wii U GamePad while creating your level you can give Mario an 8-bit Kirby...
News Apple Just Announced Its Own Wii, Almost A Decade After Nintendo
New gaming controller for Apple TV looks very familiar
Unless you happen to live under a rock, you will no doubt have been aware that yesterday Apple held one of its special events in which it announced several new products. There was a larger iPad, two new iPhones and - perhaps most significantly of all - a new Apple TV, this time with a very...
Nintendo involved in development
The Pokémon Company has been hosting a live press conference in Japan to focus on future strategy for the franchise, and has announced an AR (augmented reality) smartphone app - for Android and iOS - called Pokémon Go. This is being produced in conjunction with Nintendo and developed by start-up Niantic, and it's...
Nintendo Download 10th September (North America)
Super Mario Maker! The Swindle! Q.U.B.E! Tecmo Bowl! More!
It's that time again, North American eShop fans, for the Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings one of the year's biggest Wii U retail releases and a range of promising downloads on the home console. On the 3DS we have Hatsune Miku, a theme and... did we mention how good the Wii...
Review The Swindle (Wii U eShop)
An old-fashioned cyber thief
The Swindle represents the first foray onto Nintendo hardware for Dan Marshall and his studio Size Five Games - via Curve Digital - having built up a strong reputation with PC releases. Bringing its own unique brand of quirky cyberpunk thievery, it's a slice of procedurally generated silliness likely to amuse as well as...
Interview Yosuke Oshino On The Origins And Evolution Of Super Mario Maker
"This being Mario's 30th Anniversary is just a coincidence"
Super Mario Maker is upon us, and delivers something that may have seemed inconceivable in past years. Nintendo is handing over the keys of its most valuable franchise to gamers, providing a quirky and fun tool for creating, sharing and playing 2D Mario levels. It's been critically...
News More Wave 5 amiibo Pre-Order Sale Windows Confirmed for Amazon in North America
Friday's the day
Though amiibo can still be tricky to obtain, a number of retailers have been improving the way they sell the cheeky little figures over the past few months. With first-come-first-served policies that avoid pre-orders, 1-per-limit customers and other ideas, it's generally a better process to get hold of the toys. Amazon has been one...
News Intern Pikachu is Now Available to Buy in North America
Cute but crushed by the man
A while ago we shared a gallery of a cute but slightly sad Pikachu plush, in which the mascot is geared up in a business suit and look-at-me-I'm-a-professional glasses. He even has a little Pokémon briefcase. That was released in Japan earlier in the year, but it's now available to order from the
Video Get Into the Anniversary Spirit With This Retro Mario 3DS HOME Theme
Yes please, Nintendo
The 3DS HOME Theme shop in Japan has plenty of additions every week, a number of which will never make it to the West. Some feature boy and girl bands, amazingly, while others are for titles that haven't been localised yet, but can sure be pretty to look at. This is an example that we think will make it to the West though, as...
Video Charles Martinet Talks Super Mario Maker And Answers Your Questions
An interview with the voice behind Mario
We were lucky enough to sit down with the one and only Charles Martinet this week and pop some questions to him about how he got to voice Mario, what he loves about the role and why he thinks Super Mario Maker is so special. We also picked out some of the best questions that you guys put forward recently -...
News Now You Can Gawk at the Super Mario Maker Art Design Booklet Online
So pretty
At the time of writing the working day is beginning in Japan, and Super Mario Maker is in stores courtesy of the country having a 10th September release date for the Wii U title. Ahead of time from a Western perspective, then, Nintendo has been good to its word of sharing the Art Design Booklet for the game for free online. This booklet...
Mario History Super Mario 3D Land - 2011
Literally 3D Mario
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Super Mario 3D Land wasn't the first 3D Mario to grace a Nintendo portable - that honour goes to Super Mario 64 DS - but it was the first original game of its...
Weirdness Mario Infiltrates Sonic's First Adventure In Somari The Adventurer
Hack the planet
Mario and Sonic may be on friendlier terms these days, but once upon a time they were bitter enemies, and the notion of them sharing a game was as unlikely as a Smiths reunion. Still, you can now rewind time and imagine just what it could have been like had Mario decided to hop, skip and jump out of the Mushroom Kingdom and...
Mario Memories Getting Creative With Mario Paint
"And then... We clicked on the coffee mug icon..."
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have our wannabe hipster reviewer Jose Acosta. When I think of Mario Paint the...
Live Learn More About Super Mario Maker With the Nintendo Treehouse Workshop
Warming up for release
With Super Mario Maker about to arrive in stores and on the eShop, Nintendo of America's Treehouse team is hosting a 'Workshop' live broadcast to show off the game; you can watch it and enjoy some live chat right here. [liveblog=learn_more_about_super_mario_maker_with_the_nintendo_treehouse_workshop]#SuperMarioMaker
News Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Update to Bring Online Sharing in Japan
Will likely be there day one in the West
Animal Crossing: New Leaf had rather decent online features for sharing and visiting towns, which certainly added to its allure. Having been on the Japanese market for a short while, it seems that Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer will be following suit and improving its online features. There'll be a...
News Image & Form Explains the SteamWorld Timeline in Its First 'Engine Room' Video
The steam age
With SteamWorld Heist getting close to release on the 3DS - coming a little later on Wii U - its developer Image & Form is keeping itself busy in getting eShop fans talking about the game and its franchise. Earlier this week it launched a contest in search of a tagline for the game, and has now kicked off a new video series...
Wednesday9th Sep 2015
News 3DS System Update 10.0.0-27 Is Available Now
Get ready for a super stable experience
Nintendo has released a fresh system update for the 3DS today, and it’s guaranteed to enhance the overall experience. So what exactly does it do? Well, not all that much according to the description below, but it’s presumably been issued to iron out any possible exploits and make a few background...
News Rumours and Speculation Stir Over Potential Involvement of Nintendo with Apple TV
Surely not?
Update: As many likely anticipated, there was no mention of Nintendo in the Apple TV segment of the Special Event stream. Some gaming was referenced, but it wasn't the prominent feature of the segment. For those of you opposed to the idea of Nintendo and Apple TV, breathe easy. Original Article: There's an Apple 'Special Event' today,...
Weirdness You Can Get Apple, Sorry, 'Aple' Cover Plates for Your New Nintendo 3DS
Or Xbox 720, if you're feeling next-gen
Nintendo has released and licensed dozens of official cover plates - Kisekae in Japan - for the New Nintendo 3DS, but naturally there are some unofficial options out there. It's the wonder of 3D printing. Some funny examples have been spotted by @NintendoActu - and shared by Tiny Cartridge - which allow New...
News Splatoon Art Book Making A Splat Landing In Japan This Year
300+ pages of kid/squid goodness
As if the Inklings among us didn't already have enough to celebrate, it looks like the 2-disc soundtrack we recently reported on isn't the only piece of Splatoon merchandise emerging from the watery depths this year. Freshly announced by Famitsu magazine and translated by
News Here Is An Official Pokémon Trading Card Made By A Pokémon Art Academy Competition Winner
A dream come true
Earlier this year Nintendo ran a special competition for Pokémon Art Academy on 3DS that gave participants the chance to have their own masterpieces transformed into an official Pokémon Trading Card. The winners of the competition each received a 100-card pack of custom-designed Pokémon Trading Card Game cards displaying their...
News Plague of Shadows Catching on All Systems Next Week
It's gonna be sick
Shovel Knight fans who have been waiting to launch an alchemical assault on the land will not have to stretch their patience much further, as Yacht Club Games has announced a 17 September release date for its free Plague of Shadows campaign. According to an announcement on the developer's website, the update will arrive for all...
News GameTruck Parties to Take Super Mario Maker on the Road in North America
Splatoon collaboration led to more than 5000 parties and 1500 large events
Earlier this year Nintendo of America launched a partnership with GameTrucks to feature Splatoon in the company's mobile parties and events. The general concept is that the trucks are booked to show up on location, giving those in attendance the chance to hop on board and...
News Sega Fans Rejoice, Segata Sanshiro Is Resurrected In Project X Zone 2
Along with Captain Commando, June Lin Milliam and Heihachi Mishima
The latest issue of Famitsu has revealed some new additions to the Project X Zone 2 roster, and there's one newcomer who will be familiar to hardcore Sega fans. Segata Sanshiro - played by Kamen Rider star Hiroshi Fujioka - was a fictional spokesperson for Sega during the Saturn era...
News Dragon Quest VIII and 3DS Overtaken by Metal Gear Solid V and PS4 in Japan
VIII is not greater than V, after all
It's Japanese Media Create chart results time again, and after a sustained spell of ruling the roost the 3DS and its games take a backseat this week, though that was always on the cards. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima's final entry in the series and with Konami, has naturally taken the two...
News Gunscape to Bring Cross-Platform FPS Level Creation and Sharing to the Wii U eShop
Build and share retro-style levels and multiplayer maps
The Wii U - and in one case the 3DS - has brought the first eShop download games that are truly cross-platform. In a concept similar to Cubemen 2, Blowfish Studio Games is bringing Gunscape to Wii U, PS4, Xbox One and PC at the same time and opening up cross-platform level sharing. Gunscape is...
Mario Memories The Incredible Impact of Super Mario 64
"I remember my mouth literally hanging open"
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have our super vegan rocker reviewer Jonathan Bee. I remember very clearly going to...
No default offer of a discount or compensation
UK retailer GAME has had a few issues in the past that have been damaging to its reputation, and it's certainly rattled the faith of Nintendo fans this past week. At the start of the week it charged some customers up to five times for their Super Mario Maker pre-order; this was then exacerbated the...
News Watch Chibi-Robo! Running Around In His Mario Costume In The Latest Zip Lash Gameplay Trailer
The Chibi-House is almost ready for departure sir!
As the release of Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash for 3DS draws ever closer Nintendo has been releasing new snippets of information about the game, along with the recent gameplay trailer below. In the trailer we can see a snippet of Chibi-Robo! running around in a Mario costume, which we can only assume is...
News Nintendo Treehouse to Broadcast a Super Mario Maker Workshop Just Before Release
Learn from the pros
With Super Mario Maker right around the corner we're entering the final pre-release phase of hype-building from Nintendo. As it has done with some other notable releases in the past year or so, Nintendo of America will utilise its talented Treehouse team to highlight the title's strengths prior to release. The localisation team...
Video Allow This Gentle Electroplankton Opus To Soothe Your Ears
Symphony of the plankton
We must admit we'd forgotten all about Electroplankton for the Nintendo DS, that was until Nintendo Life reader Marco Menzler from Germany dropped us a line to bring back those musical memories. Marco shared with us a 3 part symphony which he created using 5 Nintendo DS systems playing Electroplankton. In op.2, Marco uses a...
Tuesday8th Sep 2015
Review Mario Golf (Wii U eShop / N64)
Serious Golf for Serious Plumbers
You could argue that the best part of many of the Mario sports titles is that they bring goofy, lighthearted aspects to those pastimes. Games like Super Mario Strikers and Mario Hoops: 3 on 3 all make dramatic changes to the sports they're portraying, capturing the attention of players who might not be interested in...
Talking Point Nintendo's Challenge With Super Mario's 2D Future
Vocal fans prefer a retro style, while modern entries are sales leaders
With Super Mario Maker around the corner there seems to be a consensus - at least in this pre-release stage - that Nintendo has got it right with this creation tool. When you combine the excellent tool-set with a potentially endless supply of levels you arguably have - as we...
News Toon Link Will Reportedly Be Playable in Hyrule Warriors Legends
Likely transferrable to Hyrule Warriors on Wii U
Hyrule Warriors Legends for the 3DS was leaked before E3, providing some pre-LA buzz but also blowing one of Nintendo's reveals. Confirmed to feature all Hyrule Warriors DLC and new content such as Tetra and the King of Hyrule, which will also be transferrable to the Wii U version, this seems like a...
News Updated Mario Kart 8 Wii U Hardware Bundle in North America Includes Both DLC Packs
No plastic wheel though (sad face)
One of the most popular Wii U hardware bundles of last year was the Mario Kart 8 package, with the North American equivalent coming packaged with the game, a lovely Red Mario Wii Remote Plus and a red Wii Wheel; all in all it was a great deal. Nintendo of America has retooled its Mario Kart 8 bundle, with an...
News GAME Processes Additional Charges on Super Mario Maker Pre-Orders
Some complaining of overdrafts and seven charges
Update 3: Unfortunately, this looks likely to drag on for another day, with the following message sent to your humble author on Twitter. [tweet An email has also been sent to the customer services address below, though a response from that will likely take some time. Update 2: GAME has provided...
Rumour Sega 3D Classics Such As Golden Axe Could Be On The Agenda
Yuria'ving a laugh aren't ya?
Take this one with a pinch of salt, but a post has been shared on NeoGaf which could point to even more SEGA classics getting the 3D treatment on the 3DS. If the rumour is to be believed a 3DS user has uncovered some hidden data within the recently released 3D Gunstar Heroes which reveals the names of other titles which...
Mario History Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 2010
Some say sequel, some say level pack - we say brilliant
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Nintendo has some rules that it follows with its games and franchises, particularly in terms of frequency. There's one...
Video Mario & Luigi Become Gods in This Lovely Japanese Painting
Based on the Rimpa School of Art
Nintendo has embarked upon various promotional activities for the 30th Anniversary of the Super Mario franchise, and this example from Japan is certainly one of the most appealing yet. It's a collaboration with the artist Taro Yamamoto, who is a skilled painter in the Rimpa style, a traditional approach that has...
Mario Memories Rediscovering the Wonder in Gaming With Super Mario Galaxy
"I'd forgotten that games can make you feel happy"
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have our charming reviewer Joel Couture. There was a long period in my life where...
News The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Hits Europe on 29th October
Just in time for Halloween
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is an excellent roguelike adventure game on Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS, combining randomly generated, Zelda-esque dungeons with an extremely graphic art style and theme. We awarded both versions an 8/10, praising the virtually endless amount of content that's packed in and the fiendishly...
News You Can Be Sort-Of Famous and Create SteamWorld Heist's Tagline
Needs to be as good as Dig's "A Fistful of Dirt"
Over the past few months Image & Form has run a host of SteamWorld Ambassador challengers, giving winners an opportunity to be the first to play SteamWorld Heist, which is coming to 3DS first this Fall. Its latest challenge is arguably the highest profile yet, and will only have one winner. The...
News Nintendo UK Is Making A Big Splash At EGX This Year
Get to play Star Fox Zero and Tri Force Heroes before all your friends
EGX (formally known as Eurogamer Expo) is the UK's biggest games event, and Nintendo Life is proud to be involved in it again (more on that soon); this year EGX will be at its new home at the Birmingham NEC on 24th-27th September. Bye bye Earls Court in London, it was nice...
News Pumped BMX+ is Tricking Its Way to Wii U Soon
The latest title published by Curve Digital
Curve Digital has been a strong supporter of the eShop, with plenty of titles on Wii U and also OlliOlli on the 3DS. The studio is keeping up that support with its latest multi-platform release - Pumped BMX+. Originally developed by Yeah Us! - a one-man indie studio - this is a title that draws much of...
Monday7th Sep 2015
News Pikmin 4 is "Very Close to Completion", Though Its Platform is Unclear
Nintendo's smallest heroes are coming back
When Pikmin 3 arrived in summer 2013, it ended a long and generation-spanning wait for fans of one of Shigeru Miyamoto's freshest franchises. Disregarding Wii re-releases it had been around nine years since Pikmin 2 on GameCube. The wait for Pikmin 4, however, looks set to be far shorter. Speaking to...
Nintendo Download 10th September (Europe)
Super Mario Maker! The Swindle! Hatsune Miku! Etrian Mystery Dungeon! More!
Another week begins and brings with it news of the upcoming European Nintendo Download Update, and this time around there's plenty to look forward to. One of the year's biggest retail releases on Wii U is joined by a much-anticipated download release published by Curve...
Still "thinking of ways to surprise the audience" with various franchises
Super Mario Galaxy is regarded by some - including this writer - as not just one of the best Mario games, but one of the greatest video games period. Following the rapid arrival of sequel Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2010, however, all has been silent on a third entry, with only...
Video Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka Tackle Michel Ancel's PAC-Mario Stage in Super Mario Maker
Of course Miyamoto-san is rather good
There's been a fair bit of Super Mario Maker-related news and content to kick off the week, so here's something a little light-hearted to keep that going. Uploaded by Nintendo UK on YouTube, the two most important founders of Super Mario tackle a stage by the man behind Rayman, Michel Ancel; that's a star lineup...
News GAME Promises Quick Refunds After Charging Customers for Too Many Super Mario Maker Pre-Orders
£234.95 if you're really unlucky
GAME is the biggest high street game specialist remaining in the UK, though it has a nasty habit of falling foul of loyal customers with some pre-orders. It's not always the retailer's fault, such as when Splatoon special edition pre-orders were stolen, but it's made a pretty poor error with Super Mario Maker...
Video Watch Miyamoto And Tezuka Pick Apart The Iconic Opening Level Of Super Mario Bros.
World 1-1 walkthrough by the guys who made it happen
As you may well have seen, Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka recently visited the UK and were kind enough to spend some time not only with us, but also with our friends over at Eurogamer. While we decided to have a good old-fashioned music session with the two legends, Eurogamer spent its time...
News This Hello Kitty New Nintendo 3DS Console Is Just Purrrfect
Cute as a button
North American Nintendo fans may be over the moon about the fact that the smaller New 3DS console - the one with the collectable cover plates - is finally coming to the US, but over in Japan they've got through quite a few special editions of the customisable handheld system already - and there's another being added to the list...
Video When Nintendo Life Met Shigeru Miyamoto And Takashi Tezuka
Our musical maestro Ryan gets the surprise of his life
Keen followers of Nintendo Life will recall that back in July we were fortunate enough to get the chance to interview one of Nintendo's rising stars, Splatoon co-director Tsubasa Sakaguchi, when he visited the UK. Grasping this fantastic opportunity with as many appendages as humanly possible,...
News New Style Boutique 2 New Nintendo 3DS Bundle Will Bring More Fashion Sense to Europe
Sparkly
The snappily titled Nintendo Presents: New Style Boutique 2 - Fashion Forward is heading to Europe on 20th November, which is great news for budding fashionistas out there. Along with its extensive customisation and dizzying number of costumes, it'll also be another title to unlock some handsome outfits using a few amiibo figures.
News Quest Forge: By Order Of Kings Mixes Zelda And Secret Of Mana, But You'll Need A NES To Play It
A brand new old RPG
Homebrew developer Ludocity has just released a new RPG, but there's a catch - you'll have to take a trip up to the loft and dust off your old NES in order to play it. Quest Forge: By Order Of Kings is a top-down role-player which, according to the developer, combines elements of The Legend of Zelda and Secret of Mana. The game...
News Mario Slam Basketball Rated By Australian Classification Board
Get ready to shoot some hoops
If you’ve wanted to shoot hoops on your Wii U, you may soon be in luck with the Australian Classification Board today rating Square Enix’s 2006 DS title, Mario Slam Basketball. Known as Mario Hoops 3-on-3 in North America and Mario Basketball 3on3 in Japan, this is the first time the game will receive the Virtual...
Mario History New Super Mario Bros. Wii - 2009
The new, new 'New'
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario game per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Following the warm reception to New Super Mario Bros. which was released on the DS in 2006, it was inevitable that Nintendo would bring the New Super Mario...
Mario History Mario Kart Wii - 2008
Filling the world with plastic wheels
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario game per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Mario Kart: Double Dash! on GameCube played its part in shaking up home console racing in the iconic karting series, while Mario Kart DS...
Mario Memories Mario Kart 8 and Discovering the Joys of Online Multiplayer
6th Place Forever
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have our delightful reviewer Narelle Ho Sang. Some of my favourite memories of Mario are the ones I'm still making...
Retro Float Back In Time With This Gallery Of Nostalgic NES Packaging
Cardboard cool
Old-school game packaging was pretty incredible. Sure, some 8-bit releases have terrible box art and were clearly designed in the space of a single evening, but there's a charm to their rough and ready nature - they hark back to a more primitive, innocent age. Engadget's Sean Buckley knows this all too well, and has kindly posted a...
News Update on the Way to Make Wheels Round Again in Gunman Clive HD Collection
No need to re-invent it
We're big fans of Gunman Clive HD Collection on Wii U, as it successfully combines two terrific 3DS games in one package on the home console. There can be a couple of little technical issues for some, though, and developer Bertil Hörberg has been working on a fix. The issues generally seem to pop up if you have the game...
News Castles Pushed Back to Q1 2016
More building required
Castles is an action-driven puzzle title that's certainly caught the eye. Spanish developer WhootGames enjoyed notable success with its Steam Greenlight campaign and had planned a 15th September release on PC and consoles, including the Wii U eShop. With that original release just a week away, the studio - via publisher...
News Q.U.B.E: Director's Cut Arrives in North America on 10th September
Qool
As many of you are likely aware, Q.U.B.E: Director's Cut launched on the Wii U eShop in Europe a little under two weeks ago. We awarded it a 7/10, praising its well-crafted puzzle design while criticizing some technical issues and a fairly unexceptional plot. Fortunately for North Americans, Q.U.B.E has finally been given a release date for its...
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