Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2016
The Legend of Zelda x2! Star Fox! Pokkén Tournament! More!
Feature How Mario Kart Brought Two Soul Mates Together
The road to true love is littered with red shells
Random Here's Where All the Koopalings Got Their Names
Another mystery solved
Talking Point Five Key Challenges Nintendo Faces with the NX
With talk of dev kits out in the wild the next generation is on the agenda
Tom Whitehead ponders a more open world for The Legend of Zelda
News - 2015, Week 53
Sunday3rd Jan 2016
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2016
The Legend of Zelda x2! Star Fox! Pokkén Tournament! More!
2016 has arrived, and with it comes optimism and potential for an exciting gaming year ahead. Though plenty of eyes are turning to the next generation of Nintendo hardware, of course, there's still plenty of interest for current Wii U gamers. The number of confirmed games may be low, but...
News SEGA Reveals the Logo for Sonic the Hedgehog's 25th Anniversary
Let's hear it for the Blue Blur
It's difficult to believe, but it's already going on twenty-five years since Sonic the Hedgehog starred in his first title on the Sega Genesis. Back in those days, Sonic and Mario games stood toe to toe and symbolized what was perhaps one of the greatest rivalries in gaming history between their respective companies...
News Crush 40 Facebook Post, Since Deleted, Points to 25th Anniversary Sonic Game
Actually, Generations wasn't bad
Sonic the Hedgehog is a mascot with a sketchy recent history. Sonic Colours was reasonable, Sonic Lost World flirted with being a true return to form but fell short - in this writer's opinion - of its full potential, and Sonic Boom was tolerable on 3DS but a load of old rubbish on Wii U. Unsurprisingly Sonic Boom:...
Weirdness Homebrew Enthusiast Gets Windows 95 Working on the New Nintendo 3DS
Just... because
There's an enthusiastic homebrew scene around the 3DS, less interested in piracy and more fascinated with pushing the boundaries of the hardware. This often revolves around getting unexpected software - or operating systems - to work on the portable. One humorous recent example is from a certain shutterbug2000, who has managed to...
Saturday2nd Jan 2016
Feature Five Key Reveals and Releases That Will Define Nintendo's 2016
It's going to be a big year
The New Year has begun, and after a 2015 that was considered reasonable by a number of Nintendo Life readers, the hope is that 2016 can be a blockbuster year for the company. Less 'not bad', and more 'holy moly that was amazing'. The exciting thing is that it could go either way. This is going to be a 12 month period...
News Super Famicom: The Box Art Collection Is Getting A Collector's Edition With Art By Wil Overton
Pre-orders open today
Those of you looking for the perfect coffee table accompaniment will no doubt have already earmarked some cash for the purchase of Super Famicom: The Box Art Collection, a lavishly-produced tome we've featured on the site a few times in the past. Penned by Stu Bre
Friday1st Jan 2016
Feature Our Staff's Hopes and Dreams for Nintendo's 2016
NX, Legend of Zelda, Mother 3 and more besides
It's now 2016, and hopefully the beginning of an exciting year for Nintendo and its fans. With various big games, products and reveals either dropping out of 2015 or always being planned for this year, we're set for what could be a bumper 12 months. Your humble writer will be looking ahead at what...
News Happy New Year from Nintendo Life
So, how was 2015 for Nintendo Life?
It's been 10 years since Nintendo Life first began and we're just about ready to wrap up our coverage of 2015, so far we've looked back over Nintendo's most notable moments in 2015, a year in development with a selection of indie developers, we've selected
News Get Ready to Add the Octobrush Nouveau to Your Splatoon Arsenal
Ring in the new year with this fresh new paintbrush
As of now, the near constant updates to Splatoon are nearly upon their final hour. Though Splatfests and occasional balancing updates will be continuing for the foreseeable future, the stream of new equipment and stages is set to end in January. All the same, there's still a bit more content that's...
Thursday31st Dec 2015
Tom Whitehead ponders a more open world for The Legend of Zelda
From now until the start of the new year we're going to be republishing some of what we feel are our best features of 2015. Hopefully this will offer the chance for newer readers to catch up on content they might have missed and allow long-time fans to reacquaint themselves with...
Nintendo Download 31st December (North America)
1080° Snowboarding, Molly Maggot and various discounts
It's the final North American Nintendo Download Update of 2015, and it's a little thin on content. Despite that there is a gem from the N64 era and some promising discounts, so all hope is not lost; let's get to it. Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Well, your New Years' Resolution...
Weirdness Gamer Keeps Super Famicom On For 20 Years To Preserve Umihara Kawase Save Data
That's over 180,000 hours
Back in the days when cartridges used batteries to store save data, your precious save files would only remain in existence as long as the battery itself had juice - when the power ran out, the data was lost forever. Collectors of retro games will know this fact all too well; many RPGs from the '80s and '90s are now...
News Nintendo Dominates Festive Sales in Japan as 3DS and Wii U Lead the Way
Japanese 3DS hardware passes 20 million lifetime sales
2015 has been quite a year, and it's fair to say Nintendo has had mixed fortunes. Sales of Wii U and 3DS hardware have been reasonable if not barnstorming, but the company's Kyoto HQ may ring in the New Year with renewed spirits following its end of year sales in Japan. Starting with software,...
"It's crazy to think it all just started with a little Kickstarter"
Shovel Knight was one of the biggest success stories of 2014, yet it remained a significant part of the download scene in 2015. In the fifth article of this 2015 'Year in Development' series we chat again to Ian Flood and David D'Angelo of Yacht Club Games, talking in detail about...
Poll What Did You Think of Nintendo's 2015?
Final reflections
As we write this some parts of the world have already welcomed in the New Year, while some of us are getting ready to celebrate the occasion; this writer is preparing to sign-off for Hogmanay, which is the Scottish term for the occasion. Perhaps it's time, then, for a final reflection; it seems apt that the final word therefore...
News Bowser And Donkey Kong Skylanders Superchargers amiibo Releasing In Cheaper Combo Packs
No need to shell out for the starter pack, collectors
Skylanders Superchargers was pretty unique on Nintendo formats as the starter pack launched with either Bowser or Donkey Kong, and the figures could be toggled between Skylanders and amiibo functionality by turning the base. The problem for serious amiibo collectors is that you have to purchase...
Wednesday30th Dec 2015
Feature A Year in Development - Yacht Club Games Reflects on the First Half of 2015
"Not for a moment were we just resting"
Shovel Knight was one of the biggest success stories of 2014, yet it remained a significant part of the download scene in 2015. In the fourth article of this 2015 'Year in Development' series we chat to Ian Flood and David D'Angelo of Yacht Club Games, talking in detail about the studio's year. In this first...
Thursday31st Dec 2015
News Tsunekazu Ishihara on How Iwata Helped Bring the Pokémon Series to the West
Good guy Iwata
Though it seems to have levelled out somewhat in recent years, there's no denying that Pokémon is one of the most recognised and prolific Nintendo brands around. It seems that this almost wasn't the case, though, as Tsunekazu Ishihara recently revealed in an interview with 4Gamer. Apparently, Pokémon was initially going to stay...
News Blitworks Will Be Publishing The Next Penelope on Wii U
It's in good hands
Some of you may remember some coverage we gave on a game called The Next Penelope about this time last year. At the time, it was due out on PC in a few months and it was promised to be on its way to the Wii U later in the year. While it may be that Aurelien Regard wasn't quite able to push it out before the new year, the game is...
Wednesday30th Dec 2015
Feature How Mario Kart Brought Two Soul Mates Together
The road to true love is littered with red shells
From now until the start of the new year we're going to be republishing some of what we feel are our best features of 2015. Hopefully this will offer the chance for newer readers to catch up on content they might have missed and allow long-time fans to reacquaint themselves with features they enjoyed...
Random Here's Where All the Koopalings Got Their Names
Another mystery solved
The Koopalings are a colorful and varied cast of characters that add a nice layer of personality to the Super Mario series. The seven characters are all wacky in their own way and, oddly enough, they technically aren't Bowser's children. Nonetheless, they have nothing but mischief on their minds and they offer up some pretty...
News Japanese Hyrule Gold New 3DS LL Tying in with Hyrule Warriors Legends
A costume and fairy for the portable quest
The Hyrule Gold New 3DS XL that has been exclusive to GameStop will be making its Japanese debut this January alongside the release of Hyrule Warriors Legends. Although the game does not appear to be packaged with the system, Japan's Hyrule Gold 3DS LL will still come with a couple incentives for it. A...
News Koei Tecmo's President Seems To Think NX Is A Home Console First And Foremost
"Nintendo announced a new 'machine' called the NX"
2016 is the year that Nintendo reveals more about the NX, which - it has been rumoured - could unify the company's handheld and domestic console markets. Despite the chatter, no one really seems to know what the console is all about let alone have any idea about a potential Nintendo NX release...
Video Relive The Hype With This Japanese Smash 4 DLC Trailer
Are you out (C)orrin?
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS & Wii U is a game that keeps on giving, but as we all know all good things come to an end eventually. As most of you are aware, we were presented with newcomer Cloud from the Nintendo Direct in November, and then with Corrin and Bayonetta from December's final Super Smash Bros. Direct...
News There'll Be More Senran Kagura Bursting Onto the Scene in 2016
Will you be tempted to see what the fuss is about?
It's quite an understatement to say that the Senran Kagura series is controversial. While it could be argued that the actual gameplay is pretty solid, taking one look at the box art is enough to see what really gets copies flying off shelves. On one side, there are the people who appreciate it for...
Talking Point 2015 - A Peculiar Year of New, Old and Surprising Nintendo Games
Not quite the expected
Reflecting on Nintendo's 2015 isn't a simple task. There has been great sadness and disruption due to the passing of Satoru Iwata, and the company has been in a general holding pattern for large parts of the year. Let's consider the key releases or updates that have fallen back to 2016, in no particular order. Most prominent...
Tuesday29th Dec 2015
Talking Point Five Key Challenges Nintendo Faces with the NX
With talk of dev kits out in the wild the next generation is on the agenda
From now until the start of the new year we're going to be republishing some of what we feel are our best features of 2015. Hopefully this will offer the chance for newer readers to catch up on content they might have missed and allow long-time fans to reacquaint themselves...
Talking Point The Easily Forgotten Hardware Release of 2015 - New Nintendo 3DS
Reflecting on the lovely but underutilised system
Nintendo released new hardware in 2015. Yes, it really did. It can seem so long ago now, but the New Nintendo 3DS arrived in the West in February, having made its début in Japan and Australia in late 2014. We were rather excited about it here at Nintendo Life, too, landing as it did with both The...
Gotta catch 'em all, again
1996 saw the introduction of the Pocket Monster - or Pokémon, as it is better known - series in Japan. That means that next year is the 20th anniversary of the birth of the franchise, and to celebrate this milestone fans will be able to purchase the very first base set of Pokémon cards - in Japan, at least. The set will...
Video How to Get a Skell in Xenoblade Chronicles X, Including Locations of Rare Items
Alex shows the way
We love Xenoblade Chronicles X, yet we're aware that it has a few negatives. The text and user interface could be better, and there are some difficulty spikes and awkward collectathons. The latter is particularly prominent when trying to secure your Skell licence, which you predictably need to get your own cool mech. For those of...
News New Super Mario Bros. Wii Looks Set to Hit Europe on 7th January
Wahoo!
Though the Wii U Virtual Console is missing a few obvious platforms and release - ahem, GameCube - it has brought some goodies. One of the welcome additions has been Wii downloads; a number of excellent games have arrived, including some that are relatively hard to find or expensive in physical form. It's certainly had its successes in terms...
News Yusuke Hashimoto Talks Star Fox Zero and Collaborating with Nintendo
A dream come true
It came as something of a pleasant surprise when Star Fox Zero was officially announced and it was revealed that Platinum Games was to be involved in the production. The studio that's made itself famous by producing over the top action games such as Bayonetta seems to be exactly what the dormant Star Fox series needs, and it will...
Review Sketch Wars (Wii U eShop)
Worse than a pen and paper
Sometimes, drawing with a time limit can be funny. Other times, it's pure frustration. Sketch Wars falls into the latter, giving the player a clumsy set of tools, a poor choice of words, and some awful presentation and sound just to round the whole unpleasant experience off. How does one even manage to mess up a game where...
Video Super Mario Maker Gives Us That Excitebike Platformer We Always Wanted, and a Small Update
Birdo is shown off ahead of New Year's Eve release, too
Super Mario Maker is not only a terrific creation tool and platformer in its own right, but it keeps us on our toes with its quirky updates. Next up on 31st December we'll have new Course Events that'll unlock Excitebike and Birdo costumes, with the former certainly tickling our fancy. The NES...
News Get Up to Speed with Awesome Games Done Quick 2016
Nintendo games new and classic are among speedruns for charity
Sure, holidays are cool and New Year's Eve lets you stay up late watching awful musical acts on the telly, but some look forward even more toward another event just beyond the first of January. Awesome Games Done Quick 2016 will be speedrunning games nonstop from 3rd-10th January in...
Monday28th Dec 2015
News Pokkén Tournament Will Feature 2-Player Local Multiplayer
And… exhale
For those of you that haven't been keeping track of the Wii U release schedule, Pokkén Tournament is an upcoming fighting game based on Pokémon. It began life as an arcade game exclusive to Japan, but it was a logical choice to port it over to the Wii U. The arcade version features two screens for local multiplayer and it was...
Nintendo Download 31st December (Europe)
1080° Snowboarding! Wave Race 64! Story of Seasons! More!
Well, we have the final European Nintendo Download Update details of 2015, and there are a couple of iconic N64 games and an enticing 3DS option included. It's not exactly a packed week, but those with a taste for the slopes or the waves should be happy. At the time of writing we've only...
Editorial Satoru Iwata Embodied The Playful Brilliance of Nintendo, and His Legacy Will Endure
"In my heart, I am a gamer"
From now until the start of the new year we're going to be republishing some of what we feel are our best features of 2015. Hopefully this will offer the chance for newer readers to catch up on content they might have missed and allow long-time fans to reacquaint themselves with features they enjoyed the first time...
Review The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind (3DS eShop)
He's no square
The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind is one of the weirdest - and consequently, one of the most interesting - 3DS titles we've encountered. It has just a single play mode, in which the titular baron must escape the confines of his own home. The trick, however, is that the baron is insane and believes himself to be...
Giveaway Grab Yourself a Free Copy of Cube Life: Island Survival
We have 100 copies to give away (North America only)
It's the season for giving, so we have a giveaway of a Wii U eShop release for those among you keen on adventure and creativity. Developer Cypronia has kindly offered to give-away 100 free copies of Cube Life: Island Survival to Nintendo Life readers because, well, it's Christmas! It's a sandbox...
News Minecraft Has Become the Ninth Best-Selling Game on the Japanese eShop
A meteoric rise
Rumours of Minecraft: Wii U Edition - and its subsequent release - happened rather quickly, but it was something that wasn't entirely surprising. The eShop already had its fair share of Minecraft clones and they'd proven that there was demand for that particular type of game on the console. While it's maybe a bit of a stretch to say...
News Piranha Pit is Heading to Splatoon Very Soon
Depending on your time zone...
The festive Splatoon updates continue to roll in, with a new stage next to grace the game before we move into 2016. Piranha Pit is coming 'tomorrow morning', as confirmed by Nintendo of Europe; based on typical update times that should mean the stage goes into rotation at 7pm Pacific / 10pm Eastern on 28th December in...
Video Get on the Starting Blocks With Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Footage
Portable putting
The snappily-titled Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be an interesting arrival in 2016. The series has evidently been popular to date, but seeing how the latest entry fares in the current generation will be worth following; Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games was only on Wii U and didn't seem...
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