News Super Smash Bros. 'Digital Complete Pack' Combines Game and DLC for Wii U and 3DS
For a not-quite-smashing discount
Development kits already in the hands of third parties
News XSEED VP Talks About the Future of the Rune Factory Series
"Marvelous knows fans are clamoring for a sequel"
News - 2015, Week 42
Sunday18th Oct 2015
News XSEED VP Talks About the Future of the Rune Factory Series
"Marvelous knows fans are clamoring for a sequel"
For those of you that aren't aware, Rune Factory is an interesting RPG that aims to merge elements of Harvest Moon with more conventional fantasy themes. While a large portion of the game does revolve around tending crops and building relationships with fellow villagers, there's also dungeons to...
News The NES is Now 30 Years Old
The game changer
The NES is 30 years old today, at least based on its widely agreed - albeit historically debatable - North American release date. Not to be mistaken with the Famicom release - which is way back in 1983 - it was nevertheless the Nintendo Entertainment System rebranding and a certain Super Mario Bros. that catapulted Nintendo further...
Video Eiji Aonuma Plays Dress-Up As He Shows Off The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
You go for it Aonuma-san
Eiji Aonuma is clearly a very talented, motivated developer, qualities necessary when fulfilling the role of series producer for The Legend of Zelda. He also has a brilliantly playful side, as he demonstrated when he performed a cool Cucco dance at E3 2014. He approached a recent live stream of The Legend of Zelda: Tri...
News ZaciSa's Last Stand is Getting a New Update That Adds in Loads of New Features
Taking a stand
ZaciSa's Last Stand was a product of the Nintendo Web Framework, an initiative that aimed to assist in the porting of flash games to the Wii U. The Nintendo Web Framework has divided opinion because while it does mean that virtually anybody can develop games for Nintendo's console, this also leads to many low quality games appearing...
Saturday17th Oct 2015
Leaks-a-plenty
At Nintendo Life we know how tricky it can be to keep up with all the happenings that go on in a week, so once again we've compiled the cream of the crop for your entertainment. This week we focus on the recent Nintendo NX rumours that suggest the system may be a fusion of a home console and a handheld, eShop listing leaks, The...
News SmileBASIC is Heading to Wii U, With Cross-Platform Support and DLC Also Confirmed
Time for advanced BASIC
SmileBoom, developer of the excellent Petit Computer on DSi and most recently SmileBASIC, has confirmed DLC and update information for the 3DS entry, and a hugely exciting Wii U version. SmileBASIC for Wii U - or PetitCom BIG - will be fully compatible with all creations from the 3DS version, with cloud-based saving allowing...
News NES Designer Explains the History of the Console's Release in North America
The one that started it all
The game industry was a very different place back in the early 80's, teetering just on the edge of extinction. Market saturation and poor quality games were major contributing factors to this, leading many to believe that video games were just another passing fad that would vanish as quickly as they appeared. It got to...
News There's a New Update Incoming for Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition
Adds new transformations and enemy types
Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition is one of those games that sadly failed to make a meaningful impact on Western audiences. This is made all the more interesting when you consider that the RPG/Puzzler hybrid shares many similarities with Pokémon Shuffle - which has...
News 3DS Added as Stretch Goal on Ghost Police Kickstarter
Potential soundtrack to be composed by Shovel Knight Composer
Many promising and interesting projects have been made possible only because of Kickstarter. The crowdfunding startup has help give shape to games such as Shovel Knight, Mighty No. 9, Yooka-Laylee, and many more. While it has become a popular spot for displaced industry veterans to raise...
Friday16th Oct 2015
Development kits already in the hands of third parties
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Nintendo NX development kits have been issued to third parties, and that the system itself will indeed be the much-rumoured combination of domestic and portable hardware. Citing sources "close to the matter", the report speculates that we could see a
News Cosplay Dreams Come True With Zelda and Zero Suit Samus Outfits in Fatal Frame
Maiden of Hyrule
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water - called Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water in Europe - is a hugely promising upcoming arrival that should be perfect for Halloween, even if most fans (outside of eager pre-order shoppers in Europe) will be limited to downloading the title. While it's not getting the full retail release its...
Talking Point The NX Hype Will Ramp Up as Nintendo Steps Into a Vital New Era
Mobile, next gen, QoL - oh, and games too
Strap yourselves in, it's going to be a busy 12 months in the world of Nintendo. Thank goodness, too, as it feels like we've been in a bit of a holding pattern for a number of months. We should also acknowledge that the terribly sad passing of Satoru Iwata also left a shadow over the Summer. Not that there...
News Nintendo Network ID Going Offline Next Week During General Maintenance
Something exciting this way comes?
We're used to Nintendo Network Maintenance taking place and impacting certain features of our consoles, but next week's work could be the prelude to something very interesting. Nintendo has confirmed that there will be a bit of downtime taking place from Monday that will mean that Wii U and 3DS users will be...
News Yukio Sawada's Super Mario-Kun Is Coming To Super Mario Maker
In Japan, at least
Super Mario-Kun is a manga series which has been appearing in the pages of CoroCoro Comic since 1991. Created by Yukio Sawada, the series is coming to Super Mario Maker in the form of a special costume. In addition to allowing his own unique take on the character to appear in the game, Sawada will also be designing his own level,...
News Next Splatoon Patch Drops October 20th, Rapid Blaster Pro Arrives Tomorrow
No sign of any Octolings
Nintendo's squid shooter Splatoon will very soon be receiving even more content to help users stay fresh. Starting from tomorrow, a new weapon called the Rapid Blaster Pro will be available to purchase from Sheldon's Weapon Shop. This weapon will be released at the following times: 7 PM PT 10 PM ET 3 AM in the UK...
Review Momonga Pinball Adventures (Wii U eShop)
He’s a pinball squirrel, there has to be a twist
Pinball may not be the first activity that comes to mind when thinking of possible pastimes for a squirrel, but nevertheless in Momonga Pinball Adventures we see exactly that. You take control of Momo, a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel whose preferred method of travel seems to be being whacked around...
News Nintendo Launches Updated Developer Portal Website
Designed to be welcoming
In this generation Nintendo has been open-armed and welcoming to developers of all sizes, fostering the 'Nindie' age and opening the Wii U (and eventually the New Nintendo 3DS) up to development tools such as Unity. It seems to be stepping up those efforts, having launched a new Developer Portal with key information and an...
News New Details Emerge Around Phoenix's Story in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 6
No objections here
As some of you are likely aware, Capcom has confirmed that Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 6 will eventually be making its way to the West. The quirky game centered around legal battles will be starring not only Phoenix Wright, but also Apollo Justice. There's lots to look forward to about this game and while there's still no word on...
News Nintendo Allows Players To Blacklist Troublemakers In The Legend Of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
A lesson in how to deal with the unworthy
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes releases worldwide on the 3DS next week. While it's not the next big entry fans of the series have been waiting for, Nintendo promises it will still be a blast being able to team up with friends, family and even players online as a party of Links unite in an attempt to...
News Nintendo Share Value Increases to New High Under Tatsumi Kimishima Following Niantic Investment
The power of Pokémon Go
It's clear, from the substantial increase in Nintendo's share value since it confirmed its plans for the smart device market earlier this year, that investors have a lot of faith in the money making prospects to be found on iOS and Android. Phones and tablets equal big bucks when combined with a brand such as Nintendo -...
Video Super Mario Maker Gets A Family-Focused Challenge
Mums and dads, get ready for a showdown
With millions of Super Mario Maker levels being created, the folks at Family Gamer TV are spreading the craze to mums and dads with a new family-friendly competition. A handful of families from all over the world will be going head-to-head to create their own levels and then battle each other to reign supreme...
News Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 Will Contain Over 500 Beasts For You To Befriend
Monster mash
This week's Jump magazine has fresh details relating to the forthcoming Square Enix 3DS RPG Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3. First up is the storyline, which is set in the far-flung future. The hero is a young man suffering from amnesia (original!) who discovers a device known as a "Reactor" which allows him to analyse the monsters...
News Lottie amiibo Will Be Exclusive to Best Buy in Canada
Not a whole Lottie places to find this one
It seems that exclusive amiibo announcements have been all the rage lately. Just this past week, we've received confirmation that the Villager re-stock, Mii Fighter 3-pack, and the Mega Yarn Yoshi will be exclusive to Toys "R" Us and that the Falco amiibo will be exclusive to Best Buy
News Fear Not SteamWorld Dig Fans, A Direct Sequel Could Still Happen
"But will we ever see the SteamBots in 3D?"
During our many excursions at EGX this year we found ourselves chatting to Brjann Sigurgeirsson from Image & Form, the developer most notably responsible for SteamWorld Dig and the upcoming SteamWorld Heist. During the interview we learnt that although every SteamWorld game thus far has been of a...
News Gunslugs 2 Will Be Blasting Up the 3DS eShop on 22nd October
Check out some new 3DS screenshots, too
It can sometimes seem like the Wii U eShop is getting a lot of the Nindie love, but 3DS owners have a potentially exciting arrival around the corner. Gunslugs 2, originally developed by OrangePixel and being ported by Engine Software, is heading to the 3DS eShop in North America and Europe on 22nd October,...
News Nintendo's Official UK Store Promotes 2DS Price Cut
Lots of bundles for under £100
We're creeping towards the busiest shopping season of the year, and Nintendo like many other companies will be running promotions and bundles to tempt us into parting with our cash. One potential stocking filler for this year, particularly for younger games, could be the 2DS, and in the UK Nintendo's Official Store...
Music Fantasy Grooves Is The Chill-Out Fantasy Life Soundtrack You've Been Waiting For
DJ Cutman does it again
We're big fans of DJ Cutman here at Nintendo Life - the famed chiptune artist has kindly allowed us to use his work on some of our YouTube videos - and we have a feeling his latest project will turn many others into firm followers as well. Fantasy Grooves is billed as the sequel to his 2012 album Wii U Grooves, a laid-back...
News Two Tribes is Aiming to Get Toki Tori 3DS Out by the End of the Year
New improvements and features will also be implemented
In a move that was somewhat out of left field, Two Tribes announced in March that it would be bringing a remake of Toki Tori to the 3DS eShop. Since then, we've received virtually no news as to what kind of content would be present in this version of the game or when and where it would be...
Thursday15th Oct 2015
Rumour A List of Unreleased Titles for the eShop and Virtual Console Just Leaked
Prepare that salt
As many of you are aware, practitioners of particularly effective datamining techniques have recently uncovered the existence of data that seems to indicate that Nintendo is gearing up for an HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Additionally, there seems to be similar data that suggests that there will be more
News Mega Yarn Yoshi, Exclusive To Toys "R" Us in North America, Given Release Date
Joins Mii Fighter 3-pack and Animal Crossing Villager restock
Toys "R" Us has confirmed the well-known secret that the new Mega Yarn Yoshi amiibo will be exclusive to its stores. The soft toy - which is a larger variant of the existing Yarn Yoshi - does now have a release date; it launches on November 15th and will only be available in store. Mega...
Nintendo Download 15th October (North America)
Yoshi! Momonga! SmileBASIC! WiiWare! More!
It's that time again, North American gamers, for the Nintendo Download Update. This week brings an exceptional retail release on the Wii U, some interesting home console downloads, a promising 3DS programming app, a load of discounts and even a WiiWare download. Yes, really! Let's get to it. Missed the...
We're buying, Nintendo's selling
Rumours around a re-release / remaster of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess have been swirling for quite some time, occasionally a reflection of fan desires rather than any solid evidence. It wasn't so long ago that there was talk of it as a potential New Nintendo 3DS remake, taking the lead of Xenoblade...
Challenge accepted, NoA
Nintendo's regional teams are all part of the wider family, but like any siblings they occasionally try to out-do each other. With Nintendo of America kickstarting frantic code swapping with its The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes demo distribution this week, Nintendo of Europe has decided that it's ready to tango. The...
Review Pocky & Rocky with Becky (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Plain & Repetitive with Boredom
There's real promise behind Pocky & Rocky with Becky, far more than the unimaginative title might suggest. Bite-size levels quickly give way to intriguing boss battles, and speedy pacing helps hold your interest throughout the campaign. However, these positive aspects quickly fade in the face of bland enemies,...
Review Whispering Willows (Wii U eShop)
And oh yes, she sees ghosts
An adventure game needs a fitting atmosphere, and Whispering Willows sets its tone well. An undercurrent of desolation and vague unease runs through the grounds of the old mansion in which the game is set. It's a set piece worthy of exploration, but the act of doing so doesn't seem to share the same level of...
Video Watch UFC Champ Ronda Rousey Train As A Pikachu
Max level
The Olympic medal-winning martial artist in Judo and UFC Women's Batnamweight Champion Ronda Rousey – also known for her roles in blockbuster movies such as Furious 7 – is arguably the most famous female athlete on the planet right now. So how exactly does one achieve such greatness? By dressing up as a Pikachu, of course. The former...
News Nintendo Increases Investment in Niantic, Developer of Pokémon Go
As does The Pokémon Company
Plenty of Nintendo gamers may not have heard of Niantic before it was confirmed as the developer of AR-based Pokémon Go, which is coming iOS and Android in 2016. Nevertheless the company has strong credentials - it was launched by Google co-founder John Hanke and has 13 million downloads behind it of previous AR title...
News Atlus Outlines Details of Stella Glow Demo and Gorgeous Launch Edition
Play the prologue for free
Stella Glow is coming to North America on 17th November (next year in Europe), with plenty surely looking forward to the Imageepoch SRPG. We were charmed and impressed by its musical approach in our first impressions earlier in the year. Atlus has now confirmed some details for the North American release, including a...
News Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Launches on 4th December in Europe
Two worlds collide
Mario has had an interesting journey in the RPG genre. After an initial start in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES, Mario went on to star in the Paper Mario franchise, which was something of a spiritual successor. Then, a little before the release of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the Mario & Luigi...
News Wii U Version of Secret Files: Tunguska Sneaks Out in Germany
PEGI rating points to future release elsewhere
The point and click adventure genre is hugely popular in Germany, especially in PC gaming, and Deep Silver seems keen to give fans in the country more of what they want. As a result an updated version of Secret Files: Tunguska is arriving on the Wii U eShop today. This isn't a Virtual Console release...
Random Check Out These Awesome Splatoon Plushies from Japan
So fresh
Gaming paraphernalia can be a wonderful way to casually introduce elements of your favorite franchises into an environment. Be it an amiibo to be kept on a desk, a Yoshi plush toy to sit on your kitchen counter, or a replica of the Master Sword to be mounted over a fireplace; a simple object can act as a nice reminder of the things that...
News This Custom SNES Console Is The Perfect Way To Mark Three Decades Of Super Mario
Sadly one of a kind
We've featured the superb custom console mods of Zoki64 in the past, but this latest one seems especially timely when you consider that Super Mario reaches 30 this year. Boasting artwork from Super Mario All-Stars and coming in a fetching yellow colour (for once that has nothing to do with the plastic changing over time), this...
News SEGA’s GBA Version Of ChuChu Rocket! Arrives On The Japanese Wii U Virtual Console This Month
The Dreamcast port returns
Around the turn of the millennium when Sonic Team was in its prime with releases such as Sonic Adventure and Phantasy Star Online, Nintendo's Game Boy Advance was fortunate enough to receive a port of the Dreamcast title, ChuChu Rocket! Released in 2001 alongside the launch of Nintendo's latest portable system at the...
Video Eiji Aonuma's Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Introduction Is Now Available In English
It suddenly all makes sense
We reported a while back about the first in a proposed series of videos by Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma detailing the play mechanics of the forthcoming 3DS title The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. It showed off how the game's online mode worked, but there was a catch - it was all in Japanese. Thankfully, a version has...
News Animal Crossing amiibo Triple Pack Confirmed For Australia
Releases alongside Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival
Following the announcement that the Animal Crossing amiibo Cards Collectors Album for series one would be arriving in Australian & New Zealand stores soon, Nintendo Australia has today confirmed the Animal Crossing amiibo triple pack including K.K.Slider, Reese and Cyrus will also be made...
News Slender: The Arrival Will be Creeping Out Wii U Owners in North America on 22nd October
YouTube videos with screaming inbound
YouTube is a hugely powerful media resource for gamers nowadays, and does deliver some wonderfully varied content for all sorts of audiences. It can be the making of some games, too; if small Indie efforts get picked up by YouTube stars it can create viral hits and make the careers of developers. That seemed to...
Video Car Owners May Wince After Watching This Final Fight One Trailer
"Oh my car!"
Final Fight One launches on the North American eShop today, and to mark this occasion Nintendo has released a trailer for the game. As you'll know if you read our review, the GBA port of Capcom's seminal coin-op isn't quite perfect but is still worth a spin if you're a fan. The only part that could cause some upset is the bonus stage,...
Wednesday14th Oct 2015
Review LEGO Dimensions (Wii U)
LEGO loans required
If ever there was a time for parents to put their collective foot down and tell their young ones to choose one favourite toy to buy, this may be it. The toys-to-life market has never been busier as three huge brands go head to head, and LEGO Dimensions arguably - or factually, in terms of the toy market - has the biggest brand of...
Review Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (3DS)
Not so extreme
Outside of Super Smash Bros., it feels like there's something of a gap in the 3DS library when it comes to fighters, so the overseas arrival of Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden is a welcome one. A 2D, sprite based brawler that features characters and storylines from the perpetually popular manga and anime property, it's a solid if...
News Nintendo of America Distributes The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Demo Codes
Three per email
Ahead of The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes arriving on the 3DS Nintendo is stepping up its promotion efforts, and has now kicked off a familiar - and popular - process for fans. Nintendo of America has started to email some lucky players with three demo codes, a tactic used for a variety of games in the past couple of years. It...
Following in the footsteps of Twilight Princess HD
We recently reported on a rumour which seemed to suggest that Nintendo is currently working on a HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii U. Since then, dataminers have discovered references to other titles, including Super Mario Galaxy,
Video This is How Single Player Works in The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
Walk, tap, pick up, tap...
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is out soon, and we're diligently working away on a review to share once we're allowed to share it. Undoubtedly designed for multiplayer, to the extent that the game tries quite hard to discourage you from playing solo, it's an experience that's certainly best enjoyed with friends or...
News Mattel's Mario-Themed Hot Wheels Racers Are Hitting North American Stores in October
Vroom vroom
Earlier this year we shared the news that Nintendo's efforts to step up its IP licensing had brought about a deal with old favourites Hot Wheels, with six cars planned for an October release. As you can see below four are branded for the Super Mario 30th Anniversary, and another two are simply dedicated to gaming classics without that...
News Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash Fails to Clean Up in Japanese Charts
Outperformed by baseball title Pro Yakyuu Famista Returns on 3DS
The Japanese Media Create charts are out in Japan and, despite some positives, are likely to cause some disappointment in Nintendo HQ. This is due to an attempt at mainstream success for a long-established franchise falling flat at launch in the country. The game we're referring to is...
Review Pumped BMX+ (Wii U eShop)
Coming in hot with a 1080 backflip kickout… and it sticks the landing!
Released at the beginning of October on the Wii U eShop (and a slew of other consoles), we've spent lots of time mastering all sorts of BMX tricks and techniques in Pumped BMX+. Originally seeing success in the mobile market, developer Yeah Us! worked closely with publishing...
Video We Want Your Super Mario Maker Levels for Our New YouTube Series
Levels that require button inputs, preferably
For quite a while now we've been asking for your Super Mario Maker levels on our own dedicated page, with many of you joining in. We've also had some Nindies share and explain their designs to, hopefully, pass on some useful tips. We're now stepping up our efforts to share your creations on YouTube,...
What could it be?
Earlier this year Nintendo formed an alliance with fellow Japanese firm DeNA, with plans to release a game / app on mobile platforms before the end of 2015. In July, DeNA West CEO Shintaro Asako further explained how five different games – each of a distinct genre – were in the pipeline and were scheduled to arrive before the...
News IRONFALL Invasion Returns to the 3DS eShop Following IRONHAX Issue
Gunning for your SD card
A short while ago the thoroughly decent free-to-play 3DS shooter IRONFALL Invasion was removed from the eShop, a fairly drastic move in consideration of the marketing backing Nintendo had given the game and its position as a rare example of the genre available on the portable. Though never explicitly confirmed by developer...
Whoops
We think Nintendo of America's social media team need a refreshing hot beverage and then a lie down, as it's incurred the wrath of some of its 2.4 million+ Twitter followers once again. After teasing a disappointing but cute photo last week and underwhelming many, it's now given followers a demo and then rapidly taken it away. Nintendo...
Video Take a Look Around the Interior of Nintendo's Original Headquarters
Greatness from small beginnings
As some of you are likely aware, Nintendo has been around for a long time. Before it became the video game juggernaut that it is today, the company at some point turned its profit off of love hotels, taxis, and playing cards. Naturally, this meant that it started from rather humble beginnings and originally was...
News The Animal Crossing amiibo Cards Collectors Album Is Coming To Australia & New Zealand
Better late than never
Nintendo has confirmed via Facebook and Twitter that the series one Animal Crossing amiibo Cards Collectors Album will be making its way across to Australia and New Zealand very soon. [tweet Since the launch of Animal Crossing: Happ
News Former Sony Exclusive PixelJunk Monsters Is Coming To The Wii U eShop
What's that coming over the hill?
A German USK rating has confirmed that tower defense title Pixeljunk Monsters is Wii U-bound. Originally exclusive to Sony systems, the PixelJunk series is created by Star Fox Command and Star Fox 64 3D studio Q-Games - the founder of which is none other than Dylan Cuthbert, a former Nintendo staffer who was...
Video Try to Keep Up With This Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden Launch Trailer
Super Butoden 2 is definitely only for pre-orders
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden is just days away in North America and Europe, so Bandai Namco naturally wants to keep momentum going ahead of release. To that end a new trailer has been released to build some launch hype. To the eyes of this non-fan this seems like a colourful and confusing...
Video Here's Some More Footage of The Legend of Legacy
Which, by the way, is out now in North America
As a few of you are probably aware, The Legend of Legacy released today in North America. Atlus' latest RPG certainly boasts a fascinating art style, though its battle and level up systems do seem to be a bit polarizing. Rest assured, we'll have a review out soon with our stance on the game. In the...
Video Legend Of Zelda: Symphony Of The Goddesses Drops By The Colbert Show
Music to our ears
We reported not so long ago that The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses orchestra would be playing on The Colbert Show to not only promote the ongoing tour (which is continuing into 2016) but also to push the impending release of Tri Force Heroes on the 3DS. The performance on The C
News Classic Sega Saturn Puzzler Baku Baku Animal Is Getting A Spiritual Successor
Please DO feed the animals
The Sega Saturn may have resided in the shadow of the Sony PlayStation during its short lifespan, but the system was still home to some incredible games, one of which was Baku Baku Animal. A puzzle title which involved matching animals with their preferred item of food, it was something of a cult classic back in the '90s...
Triple threat
It's easy to lose track as we approach gaming's silly season, but The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes isn't far away. As a result Nintendo will be upping its game to remind 3DS fans that this is a title that should very much be in their thoughts. In Japan the big N has been busy uploading some new videos to promote the title. First...
Video Learn the Basics of the Pokémon Trading Card Game
Gotta collect 'em all
It can sometimes be easy to forget that Pokémon is much more than just a best-selling video game series, with a successful anime and popular trading card game also contributing significantly to the franchise's mammoth success. The trading card game in particular is an interesting case; it could theoretically have the same...
Tuesday13th Oct 2015
News Proof of Functioning Wii U Emulator, Cemu, Emerges Online
Still very early days
For as long as there are consoles there'll be hackers and programmers attempting to reverse engineer them for emulation. Due to all of the work platform holders put into closing off their systems it proves to be difficult, and it took quite some time for the infamous 'Dolphin' emulator to make Wii games playable on PC. It's a...
Rumour Data Miner Uncovers Evidence Of Twilight Princess On Nintendo's Wii U eShop
The salt is on standby
When The Legend of Zelda: Twlight Princess was simultaneously released on the Nintendo GameCube and Wii in 2006, it was praised for being the mature Zelda title fans had always dreamed of. To this day, it remains a favourite – so how would you feel about it making a return? The proven data miner who operates under the...
And that's only the beginning
Earlier today Best Buy opened pre-orders as the only North American retailer to be selling the Falco amiibo. Toys "R" Us doesn't want to be left out so has now confirmed a release date for one of its own upcoming exclusives - the Mii Fighters triple pack. This pack will launch on 1st November and, in news that's either...
Weirdness French Far-Right Political Party Uses Little Mac Lookalike On Campaign Poster
"Hit the system with a good right!"
Nintendo is notoriously protective of its characters and franchises, and never allows them to be used outside of games unless the context is suitable - even using Mario on a mural took a lot of effort. Keeping this in mind, we wonder what the company makes of Little Mac's likeness being used in a campaign poster...
News These Limited Edition Analogue Nt Consoles Will Make Your Bank Account Weep
Gold LE and Famicom LE limited to 50 units each
We've been keeping a keen eye on the Analogue Nt since it was first announced as we're massive fans of the Analogue Interactive CMVS systems released in the past. By the sound of things this highly-refined NES system has been a real hit with fans, as the first production run is totally sold out...
News Toys "R" Us Teases More Exclusive amiibo in North America
Oh boy
It seems that Toys "R" Us is sweeping the board with the amiibo exclusives in North America. Following hot on the heels of the recent confirmation that the Mii Fighter amiibo will be exclusive to the retailer, it seems that there are still more amiibo that will be locked in to the massive toy store. Toys "R" Us recently tweeted a picture of...
Review Rakoo & Friends (Wii U eShop)
Love is in the air
Rakoo & Friends is a strong case for the allure of beautiful presentation. From a gameplay standpoint there's nothing really special about this one, but the fact that it's a joy to watch adds greatly to the overall package. Rakoo & Friends tells the story of the eponymous critter and his quest to find true love. The game...
Review Toto Temple Deluxe (Wii U eShop)
#GetTheGoat
You may be wondering, what is a Toto? No, we're not talking about the 1970s American rock band behind hit songs like 'Rockmaker' and 'Hold the Line'; Toto is amazing, but this isn't that Toto, even though this toto is also amazing. A toto is a small sentient tablet which has a strange obsession of having a goat sit on its head, and they...
News Best Buy Opens Pre-Orders for Falco's amiibo Release in North America
Everyone loves retailer exclusives, right?
It's that time again, amiibo hunters, as you scramble to grab the latest amiibo for your collection. This one's for North American gamers, in particular, as Best Buy has launched pre-orders for Falco, which is exclusive to the retailer. You can see the tweet below and you need to head to this product page...
News Academic Study Highlights How the Placebo Effect Works in Video Games
Interesting ramifications for game design
Don't Starve: Giant Edition is one of a number of high quality games on the Wii U eShop, and its randomised survival gameplay has been put to an interesting academic test, indicating that the placebo effect is perfectly applicable in games. The placebo effect is when a falsely perceived advantage or benefit...
News The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses - Master Quest Schedule Confirmed for 2016
The quest continues
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses tour has been an enduring success, running for multiple years and playing around the world. The orchestra will be appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on 13th October, and the series will feature footage and music from the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes...
News Spooky Halloween Events Are Now Live In Pokémon Shuffle
Ends 26th October
With the spooky time of year fast approaching, Pokémon Shuffle is celebrating the occasion with two new Halloween-inspired events. The first is titled Dusknoir Descends and requires players to defeat the ghost type Pokémon in 20 moves or less. If acquired and then used in battle, Dusknoir may occasionally use Last-Ditch Effort...
News Slender: The Arrival Has Received a German USK Rating
Perhaps an eShop arrival is inbound?
About a year ago, Slender: The Arrival received a rating from the PEGI board; which naturally led to an assumption that the game would soon be releasing on the eShop. The horror title featuring the infamous character released on PC and Mac about two years ago and it seemed like a good fit for the eShop, but there...
News New Screens are Unveiled for SteamWorld Heist as It Nears Release
Now rated and "nearing completion"
SteamWorld Heist is one of the biggest download games confirmed for 3DS this year, and developer Image & Form has provided another update on its progress. The title is said to be "nearing completion" before going off to Nintendo for approval, and as proof the studio has confirmed final ratings for each region,...
News Helix Games Announces Its Latest Wii U eShop Game, Escape From Flare Industries
Going for green blob hype
Helix Games is emerging as a rather prolific Wii U eShop developer; in 2015 it's released both Don't Touch Anything Red and Neon Battle on the store in North America. Neither are out and out winners, but they're tolerable budget efforts overall. The studio has now confirmed its next game for the Wii U - Escape from Flare...
News COLOR BOMBS Will Splat Onto the North American Wii U eShop on 22nd October
The 10th Wii U game from RCMADIAX
It's time to press that Caps Lock key, as RCMADIAX has announced a release date for its next Wii U eShop title. COLOR BOMBS will arrive in the North American store on 22nd October for a price of $1.49. As a reminder this is a chain-reaction title in which players must collect a predetermined amount of the...
News Image & Form Is Hoping to Get SteamWorld Heist Out by Early December
No promises, though
As many of you are likely aware, SteamWorld Dig is due to receive a sequel in the near future. Taking a vastly different approach than the Metroidvania-esque gameplay of the first game, SteamWorld Heist is an interesting shooter/turn based strategy hybrid that carries a lot of promise with its spacefaring setting. It's a release...
Monday12th Oct 2015
News Super Smash Bros. 'Digital Complete Pack' Combines Game and DLC for Wii U and 3DS
For a not-quite-smashing discount
Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS is the game that keeps giving, assuming you dig into your pocket every now and again. It's rather sneakily become Nintendo's most substantial DLC vehicle to date, serving up over $50 of extra content across four batches if you've opted to buy it all across both versions. It ain't...
Review 3D Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (3DS eShop)
Hogging the limelight
It's difficult to believe now, but there was a time when Sonic the Hedgehog games were good. Like, really good. Sega's recent efforts have been average at best, tragically bad at their worst (with a few exceptions here and there, mostly on handheld formats). Sonic the Hedgehog 2 falls into the series 'really good' period and so...
Review Medabots: Metabee & Rokusho (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Meh-abots
Medabots has always been a bit of an odd case. Clearly created to hitch a ride on the Pokémon hype train, it's a series about people who - instead of capturing and fighting with creatures - collect machine parts to build and fight with robots. Unlike Digimon, which was also similar in setup, Medabots never really seemed to catch on...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 2 - 1999 To 2002
Talking 'bout a generation
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon in February 2016, and look hotly ahead towards brand new things including the new Zygarde forms, we're continuing our journey through each generation of Pokémon; this month we cover the much beloved second generation. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, and...
Nintendo Download 15th October (Europe)
Nintendo Selects! Dragon Ball Z! Momonga Pinball! DSiWare! More!
Another week begins and the European Nintendo Download Update details are now available - slightly later than normal - for us to peruse. This week brings Nintendo Selects discounts to the 3DS eShop along with a fresh retail release, while on Wii U we have some new eShop entries and a...
News Takashi Tezuka Gives His Opinion on Hard Levels Made with Super Mario Maker
"You need to take into consideration a wide range of users."
Super Mario Maker has been out for a while now and a nearly limitless amount of levels are already available to all players around the world. One popular trend among the countless armchair level designers is creating controller-throwingly difficult courses. More often than not, these...
Video New Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water Trailer Is Not For The Faint-Hearted
Or Fatal Frame, if you're in North America
Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water (known as Fatal Frame in North America) launches in Europe on October 30th, and Nintendo has just exclusively given us an early look at a fresh trailer which not only divulges a little more of the story, but also shows how the Wii U GamePad is used to enrich the famous...
Super Nindie Maker Curve Digital's P-Switcheroo and Déja Boo
Throwing a curveball
As you may have seen by now, we really want you all to share Super Mario Maker levels with each other; to achieve that we've set up a special level sharing page with some neat features - just for you. We're also teaming up with some 'Nindies' to share some levels from established and highly respected developers such as Image...
News Celebrate Super Mario World's 25th With These Stylish Prints
Available in poster or postcard form
Super Mario World launched alongside the Super Famicom on November 21st 1990, which makes this year the game's 25th birthday. Arguably one of the greatest video games ever made, this iconic platformer certainly deserves a bit of birthday celebration, and with that in mind Arkotype's Dan Clarke has created some...
News Atlus Drops a Slew of New Details on Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final
Hopefully, we'll get a release date soon
About a week ago, Atlus teased an announcement of a new game on the main page for Shin Megami Tensei IV and promised to make the big reveal once it was spread around sufficiently on Twitter. Naturally, the internet overcame this challenge quickly and the announcement was revealed to be Shin Megami Tensei IV:...
Weirdness Pokémon Meets The Sims In This Experimental Videogame Mash-Up
A funny concept
The recent release of Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer has proven there is more to the long-running series than just paying off loans to Tom Nook. By incorporating many ideas and game play elements from existing lifestyle and creation games, it makes you wonder what Nintendo’s other game series might look like if they received...
Video Play Nintendo Channel Launches Animal Crossing: HHDTV Series
No, that doesn't stand for hypetastic high definition TV
The Play Nintendo YouTube channel is an interesting beast - it targets a young audience and featured Shigeru Miyamoto being particularly cool with some kids during E3, but has struggled to truly take off. Occasionally long gaps between videos may be a factor in that, but nevertheless it...
News Takashi Tezuka on Mario's Success and His Hopes for the Future of the Character
"I think it all started with how the gameplay resonated with players."
It's no exaggeration to say that Super Mario has become a pop culture icon. The red-hatted plumber has appeared in dozens, if not hundreds, of games and has arguably become the unofficial face of gaming itself. If nothing else, he's been the star of the best-selling video game...
Not so sparkly
Puzzle solving games with gems, jewels and shiny objects are a dime a dozen. Sometimes, it doesn't take a gemologist to determine which ones are valuable or worthless colourful bits of glass. Gemology joins this glamorous, risky world of puzzle games hoping to be discovered. But is it really worth it? How many gem puzzle games are...
News Lego Avengers Features Story Content From Other Marvel Movies
Six films covered in total
The forthcoming Lego Marvel's Avengers video game for Wii U and 3DS will cover more than just the two Avengers movies released so far, it has been revealed. Given the title, you'd be let off for assuming that only Avengers (which was called Avengers Assemble in the UK to avoid confusion with the cult TV show of the same...
Video Catch Up With Early Footage of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final
Try and figure out what's happening
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final was a welcome recent announcement from Atlus; it's arriving in Japan next February and will hopefully be localised to the West by the end of 2016 - time will tell. Over the weekend there was a NicoNico livestream that
News Yo-Kai Watch Busters Is Getting A Third Variant In Japan
Say hello to Moon Rabbit Team
As the west prepares itself for the onslaught of Yo-Kai Watch, our Japanese friends have been enjoying the franchise for some time - as well as its spin-off releases, such as Yo-Kai Watch Busters. Released this year in two flavours - Red Cat Team and White Dog Squad - Busters takes inspiration from the Hollywood series...
News Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and Super Mario Maker Continue Solid UK Form
Happy Home Designer holds top 10 place
The UK chart results have been updated for another week and bring a decent outcome for Nintendo; despite a small number of new arrivals on other platforms the current mainstays on Wii U and 3DS are holding good positions. For starters Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer has enjoyed a strong second week in...
News Wil Overton's Smart Bomb Gets A Second Issue, And It's Glorious
Another topper publication from the legendary UK artist
If you're a veteran Nintendo fan in the UK then the name "Wil Overton" will no doubt trigger fond memories of standing in your local newsagents staring longingly at one of the many Super Play covers the talented artist illustrated. Overton's career has taken him to many different places since...
Video Teamwork Pays Off In Our Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Hinox Mine Playthrough
Alex goes hands-on with the new 3DS epic
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes might not be the Zelda title that everyone wanted, but we've been playing it for a while now and has discovered that when you're teamed up with two other players - rather than the AI-controlled bots - it has the capacity to be very entertaining indeed. If you need any...
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