Feature The Biggest 3DS Games of 2016
Fire Emblem! Hyrule Warriors! Metroid Prime-ish! Old Pokémon! More!
Feature Exciting Wii U and 3DS Games to Play in the First Quarter of 2016
Enough to keep us busy...
News - January, 2016
Sunday31st Jan 2016
Or the 4th; don't you love time zones?
The long-awaited final bundle of DLC, or AOC as Nintendo likes to call it, for Super Smash Bros. including Bayonetta and Corrin will be landing on Wii U and 3DS systems on 3rd February in North America and the 4th in Europe. Nintendo has yet to confirm a time but judging from the official Nintendo of America...
Rumour Data Miners Find Evidence That Suggests New Splatoon amiibo Are Coming
Guess what they are?
Data Miners have been particularly notorious on the Wii U for leaking information ahead of releases, and while many of the leaks may seem to be bulletproof, it's not always the best idea to take them as hard fact. For exapmle, the track record with Splatoon has been pretty spot on so far, with most weapons and stages being outed...
Interview Learning More About FreezeME, a Surprising 3D Platformer for Wii U
"I think FreezeME is a perfect fit for the Wii U"
The coming week is already confirmed to include some highly promising download content, and one that's certainly caught our eye is FreezeME. Heading to North America on 4th February at a launch price of $9.99 - then $13.99 after its first week - it looks a cut above the usual 3D platformers that are...
Talking Point Learning Lessons From the Past Can Define Nintendo's NX Launch
Balancing fan requests with the mainstream
Whether it'll be later this year or in 2017, Nintendo will be kicking off its next generation of hardware rather soon. There's much talk and belief that it'll have a portable component, perhaps also a home console aspect - with Nintendo's track record it's hard to call whether it'll be the expected format...
Video Catch Up on Yet More Legend of Zelda Easter Eggs
Linking to the past
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most important franchises and celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. It's going to get a lot of focus, then, including plenty of fan-created content to celebrate its history and idiosyncrasies. It's taken a little while, but Did You Know Gaming has continued its series that looks at a...
Saturday30th Jan 2016
Where's that salt?
Another week, another boatload of news that every fan is expected to digest alongside all the other things that are apparently happening outside the world of video games. Once again Nintendo Life Weekly is here to save you from the fate of current event vacuousness. This week we look at the rumours surrounding a title in the...
Weirdness Watch an Actual Live Splatoon Squid Sisters Concert From Japan
Get your glow sticks in the air!
Splatoon is not only a fun game, but it's also succeeded in getting some of its characters and quirks into popular culture - well, Nintendo culture. The Squid Sisters are a part of this, with their bizarre voices, dancing and singing being part of the game's charm. In Japan, though, these things can go from being...
News Monster Hunter X (Cross) Sales Hit 3.2 Million as Capcom Talks Up 'Firm' Overseas Results
Surpasses 2.5 million target for Japan, 4 Ultimate also does well
Capcom's latest financial results make for some healthy reading, as it's reported profits for the first nine months of this financial year (1st April to 31st December 2015) that are up on the previous year. Games with Monster Hunter in the title have played a big part in that...
Hardware Classics Bit Corp Gamate
From Taiwan with love
Given that we've covered pretty much every retro console of note in our Hardware Classics series, it was almost inevitable that we'd be forced to investigate systems which could hardly be considered noteworthy from a commercial or critical standpoint. That's certainly the case with Bit Corp Gamate, a handheld console...
Random Check Out This Kingdom Hearts Inspired Engagement Ring
It's my lucky charm, be sure to bring it back to me!
Though it could be said that the Kingdom Hearts series is primarily a PlayStation property, there have technically been more releases on Nintendo handhelds, if you don't count the re-releases and remixes. All the same, there's lots of lore behind the games, and many gamers no doubt have fond...
News Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Developers Discuss the Game's Development
It's all about finding balance
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is out now in all territories, giving gamers the opportunity to experience the crossover of Nintendo's two popular Mario RPG series'. Naturally, the Paper Jam Miiverse page has seen a lot of activity over this past week, and Nintendo has chosen to capitalise on this by posting another...
Friday29th Jan 2016
Video Nintendo's Latest Story Trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Sets the Scene
Cue dramatic music
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD isn't far away, and Nintendo's ramping up its marketing for one of the key early releases of the year on Wii U. It's also got the job of giving the franchises' Anniversary an early leg-up, so no pressure then... As expected it's Twilight Princess, in HD, though with varied support for its...
Poll Which Nintendo Franchises Do You Most Want to See With the NX Launch?
Whenever that may be...
It's not particularly difficult to figure out one of the week's most passionate talking points - rumours of Super Smash Bros. being planned as an NX launch title sparked a lot of debate and conversation. It was particularly interesting due to the respected source, and his own uncertainty over the form of this rumoured title...
News IHS Technology Adds to Speculation of an NX Portable Release in 2016
That's handy
Back by popular demand, there's more analyst speculation - with a somewhat factual grounding - that's added to the belief that the NX, or at least a portable aspect of the hardware, will be released this year. It's not new to suggest that the NX hardware will have a portable element, with a mix of patents, logic and interpretation of...
News Macronix Will Be Providing Memory Products for the NX
Reiterates that the platform will be launching this year
It seems that more and more information around the NX is beginning to come to light, as we creep closer and closer to the much anticipated E3 reveal of Nintendo's new platform. Just earlier today, it was suggested that there will be a Super Smash Bros. game of some sort on the device at...
News Wii Street U Service Being Discontinued In March, Leaving eShop This Month
Street smart
The Google-powered Wii Street U service will be discontinued on March 31st 2016. The app will also be removed from the Wii U eShop later this month - January 31st, to be precise. Originally launched back in 2013, the service allowed Wii U owners to travel the world from the comfort of their living room. "Wii Street U is a great use of...
News Unity Support on New Nintendo 3DS is Now Available to Developers
Ports ahoy!
In 2015 the happy news was confirmed that support for the Unity middleware development platform was coming to New 3DS; that was pleasing news in consideration of the large number of Unity-developed titles on the Wii U eShop. It's a very common tool for smaller developers, in particular, so supporting it - and offering free licenses, as...
News SmashPad Arrives on iOS and Aims to Deliver a Definitive Super Smash Bros. Resource
Videos, stats and even live streams of tournaments
The Super Smash Bros. community seems to be in a positive period of expansion at present, with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U combining with the much-loved Melee to add some extra spice to the competitive scene, with Nintendo also showing signs of engaging more with that area. A decent audience of more...
News Get Ready To Swap Fire In Upcoming First-Person Shooter Headed To The Wii U eShop
Be ever mindful of your spacetime!
It has to be said the humble Wii U isn't exactly overrun with games from the first person shooter genre, so FPS fans will no doubt be intrigued to hear that developer Midnight Status is bringing a game called Swap Fire to the Wii U eShop for you to blast your friends in. Described as a...
News Jigglypuff amiibo is No Longer a Target Exclusive in North America
Currently set to be available from GameStop
It seems that Nintendo has come a long way in recent months when it comes to keeping amiibo stock in line with the demand. While it may be that the absolute newest figures are still pretty scarce, it's no longer a matter of mostly just first wave amiibo being available. Unfortunately, retailer exclusive...
Random Behold the Majesty of this Special Super Mario Maker Jacket
A jacket fit for Super Mario
We love our custom gaming clothing here at Nintendo Life; gaming themed novelty t-shirts are the order of the day in the office. We thought it didn't get much better than the Super Smash Bros. trainer jacket but that's now been surpassed by this looking Super Mario Maker jacket, as brought to our attention by Tokyo-based...
News Nintendo Share Value Ends Week on a High Ahead of Financial Results on 2nd February
Positive vibes
While rivals such as Sony and Microsoft have already given their latest financial results, Nintendo is waiting until 2nd February, scheduling it as such a few months ago. As 2016 has a lot going on for the company these quarterly reports are being watched closely, as Nintendo seeks a balance between presenting exciting news to...
Video Behind the Scenes of Battletoads with David Wise
Blast from the past
Rare is a studio that's known for putting out multiple classics on Nintendo's older hardware. Though the studio is arguably best known for its Nintendo 64 games and its work on the Donkey Kong series, it also put out Battletoads way back on the NES. Known for being a great example of 'Nintendo Hard' gameplay – especially with...
Video Take a Quick Look at Some Cool SteamWorld Heist Trick Shots
Steampew-pew
SteamWorld Heist has proven rather popular so far on the 3DS eShop, but for those yet to dive in there can still be a little confusion over what kind of game it is. It's nothing like SteamWorld Dig, for one thing. So when we say it's a 2D skill-driven turn-based strategy game, putting together the pieces without play
Thursday28th Jan 2016
Rumour Super Smash Bros. Planned as NX Launch Title, Bandai Namco Working on "Several" Games
So says Dr. Serkan Toto, a typically solid source
Nintendo's latest quarterly financial reports are due early next week (at the time of writing), so there's anticipation to see what information Nintendo will share in order to appease its shareholders. As fans already know, 2016 is a big year for the company, and anticipation is building for more...
News The North American eShop Winter Warm-Up Sale Concludes With 15 More Discounts
Two Metroid games! EarthBound! Shantae! Affordable Space Adventures! More!
The Nintendo Download Update for North America has already gone out for this week, but we also have discounts for the final week of the 'Winter Warm-Up' Sale to consider; the theme for this final batch is "Epic Adventures". There are 15 games discounted in total, with a...
Nintendo Download 28th January (North America)
Final Fantasy new and old! LEGO Avengers! Shadow Puppeteer! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings three high profile retail titles (well, one is on both platforms), an intriguing and shadowy Wii U release along with some other interesting download-only arrivals on both systems...
Review Shadow Puppeteer (Wii U eShop)
Missing the light touch
The Wii U eShop, courtesy of its support for Unity and web framework technology, has become home to a broad range of titles. There are some exclusives that put the hardware's unique capabilities to work, while there's also a significant percentage of titles that are multi-platform, helping Nintendo gamers get a sense of the...
Video Ocarina Of Time's Legendary Master Sword Cutscene Gets A Fan-Made Makeover
An Unreal experience
It can be argued that one of the most famous Legend of Zelda cutscenes is during the events of Ocarina of Time; where a young Link pulls the Master Sword out of its pedestal in the Temple of Time, resulting in the world of Hyrule moving forward seven years. With that said, YouTuber CryZENx has recreated this epic moment in...
News Nintendo's Official UK Store Gives a Free Animal Crossing: New Leaf Calendar to Customers
Well, that's nice
Companies sometimes behave in sociopathic ways, if we're to think of these enormous corporate entities as we would a person - Sony's a current example in trying and failing to trademark the "Let's Play" phrase - but occasionally they do something nice. Sure, it's often the case that it's all about securing loyalty, but let's not be...
News Final Fantasy Explorers Producer Explains What Inspired its Design
Basically, they wanted to make an action RPG, not an MMO
Final Fantasy Explorers is out now in North America and is only days away from release in Europe. We rather liked it in our review, despite the fact that its gameplay may feel a bit too shallow for some. All the same, the game has drawn many comparisons to Capcom's popular Monster Hunter...
Video Bravely Second Jobs Trailer Features Deadly Desserts And Catmancery
12 new jobs detailed
Bravely Second: End Layer is headed to Europe on February 26th, and Nintendo has published a new video which shows off some of the 12 new job classes included in the game. Highlights include the Catmancer, who can copy the abilities of monsters, and the Patissier, who "undermines foes with deadly desserts". Ahem. With these 12...
News Analytics Company Fancensus Rates Major Nintendo Releases and Their Impact in 2015
Covering September to 31st December
A debate that often rages in Nintendo-centric forums can be around the company's marketing of major releases; especially if a game struggles, part of the post-mortem looks at the big N's efforts to spread awareness. Nintendo has rapidly grown its influence on social media, in recent years, but how is its promotion...
News Nintendo Confirms a Short Spell of Network Maintenance for Early February
Nothing to get down(time) about
Sometimes Nintendo finds something it doesn't like and suddenly drops maintenance and network downtime upon us, and on other occasions it's simply a bit of regular house cleaning. It's the latter that's on the way early next week, so we thought we might as well give you advance warning. On this occasion it should...
News Super Mario Maker's Online Features Are Back
Quicker than expected
Earlier this week Super Mario Maker's servers went offline rather unexpectedly, with Nintendo outlining maintenance for a whopping 37.5 hours and stating that they were working to fix a 'bug' in the Create mode. Originally due to finish on Thursday 28th January at 5:00pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern / 1am UK (29th January) / 2am CET...
Slow-down is sped-up on internal memory
Shadow Puppeteer is out today in North America and Europe, the first console version of the title that previously arrived on PC. Our review will be with you shortly before the Download Update goes live, but in any case we thought this tip on improving its performance should have its own clear article rather...
Wednesday27th Jan 2016
Review Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Wii U eShop / GBA)
It's a'me, Mario 3! (again)
We all know about Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES. It was a fantastic game worthy of all the praise that it received, and that remains true to this day. So, this review won't discuss all the merits of the original game. Instead, it will focus on the unique features of Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, released...
News Current-Gen Pokémon Mew Distribution Details are Confirmed for Europe
Legendary
When The Pokémon Company unveiled some of its 20th Anniversary plans it confirmed that Mew would be included as a serial code in the upcoming first-gen Virtual Console releases, and also as a distribution in the current-gen releases - Pokémon X & Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
News Nintendo Outlines Details of DLC Map Pack One in Fire Emblem Fates
Regular updates to keep you busy
Fire Emblem Fates, across two retail editions and a third campaign as DLC, is set to offer a lot of content - for a combined $80 or so for the full story, admittedly. Beyond that it's following the lead of Fire Emblem: Awakening in offering plenty of DLC maps; these will provide fan service and useful rewards such as...
Random Someone At Walmart Took Shovel Knight's Name A Little Too Literally
Popular amiibo found its way into the "gardening & tools" section
Shovel Knight, as we know, dispenses his own brand of justice not with a blade but a mighty digging tool. While the accompanying amiibo is intended for use in-game, the fact that it has "Shovel" in its name has clearly befuddled someone at Walmart, as the toy has been listed in the...
News It Looks Like Michael Jackson Did Write Some Of Sonic 3's Soundtrack After All
Doesn't matter if you're black or white (or blue)
Back in the early '90s when Michael Jackson was arguably the most famous person on the face of the planet, he started working with Nintendo's rival Sega on a series of video game projects. Sega was quick to exploit Jackson's natural love of video games with Moonwalker being perhaps the most...
News Extended Super Mario Maker Network Maintenance to Fix Create Mode 'Bug'
Down for 37.5 hours
Update: Nintendo has now provided an update on the extended Super Mario Maker fix, issuing the following statement: We are carrying out emergency maintenance to fix a bug that occurs in "Create" mode. During this time, Super Mario Maker's online services will be unavailable. We are currently preparing a software update to fix...
Review Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1: The Order of the Stone (Wii U eShop)
Gather around
While it's a fairly common trend for Nintendo games to be focused around the gameplay first and foremost, there are other games that go in a completely different direction. Some aren't so much about the gameplay as they are about the story or the experience, and while this is certainly different from a conventional video game, it's not...
Video See How Super Mario Maker's Slow Motion Glitch Works its Magic
Condensed POW
The recently discovered slow motion glitch in Super Mario Maker isn't something we can take credit for, but we were able to dissect what we needed from InsaneMonte's original level to create our own. The glitch works by compacting as many items as possible into a small space, something t
News The Official Fire Emblem Fates Site is Now Live in North America
Which side will you choose?
In just a few weeks, Fire Emblem Fates will finally release in North America, giving gamers the opportunity to experience the hotly anticipated sequel to Fire Emblem: Awakening. We really liked it based off of a recent preview build, and it's certainly shaping up to deliver some excellent strategic action. And with two...
News Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Pegged for North American Release on 28th January
Europe and North America, sharing the goods
The Virtual Console can be a strange sub-platform, as Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of America sit huffily on different sides of the room and rarely agree which games to release. Months can pass between regions with some releases, but thanks to the imminent Final Fantasy Explorers we seem to have parity,...
New 3DS LL still leads hardware as Wii U dips
Another week, another set of Media Create Japanese charts, and this week brings a few major releases to consider, though hardware sales are only showing minor changes. To kick off with software Yakuza: Kiwami is in the top two positions for PS4 and PS3, making it the most successful new arrival this...
Hands On Crossing Over With Project X Zone 2
A character bonanza
When Project X Zone was originally announced, the news came somewhat out of left field. The massive crossover was an RPG lover's dream, featuring characters and content from three popular and prolific companies. The final result was a success, though there were some complaints to be had with the basic gameplay structure,...
News The Game Lineup for EVO 2016 Has Been Announced
Smash Bros. and Pokken Tournament are Nintendo's entrants
For those of you who aren't followers of the competitive gaming scene, the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) is one of the biggest annual fighting game tournaments in the world. Famous fighting games like Street Fighter and Tekken are featured and it gives viewers the opportunity to watch...
News Dual Core Aims to Blend Twin Stick Shooting, Co-Op and a "Dash of RPG Elements" on Wii U
Gray Fin Studios prepares to make its console debut
The Wii U eShop has attracted a range of new developers into the console space, and now we can add Gray Fin Studios to the list. A family-run studio with prior experience in the triple-A scene, it's planning to make its console and PC debut with Dual Core; the Wii U will be the first console to get...
News Gunscape, the Level Creator and Cross-Platform FPS, is Now Due on Wii U in Q2
It's like Minecraft and Quake II had a baby
Last year we told you about Gunscape, which is a retro-styled FPS in which players can design their own stages on which to do battle. If you think of the building blocks approach of Minecraft, then blend it with the cross-platform sharing and play of Cubemen 2, you'll have an idea of what it has to offer...
Rumour The Guardians Of The Galaxy Could Be Getting Their Own Lego Outing
Marvel-ous!
Lego Avengers has just been released on Wii U and 3DS in North America and it would seem that it contains a pretty big hint regarding the next Lego-themed video game release. During the game's credit sequence, Peter "Star-Lord" Quill's cassette player and headset are shown, which - given that the Guardians of the Galaxy don't feature in...
News Image & Form Hails SteamWorld Heist as "an Even Bigger Success Than SteamWorld Dig"
Language update delayed, with "new surprises and lots of polish" promised
SteamWorld Heist was a late year treat for 3DS owners in 2015, serving up a hugely accomplished follow-up to the much loved SteamWorld Dig. Its blend of charming steampunk visuals, a humorous script and clever 2D turn-based strategy worked rather well, seemingly impressing...
News Typoman Update Improves Performance, Demo on the Way
Spelling out the changes
Update: Brainseed Factory has been in touch to outline why the update may not be triggering automatically for everyone, therefore stopping some of us from enjoying its improvements. The studio's passed on the following information. We noticed that the updated version isn't triggered automatically, apparently related to...
Tuesday26th Jan 2016
Review Final Fantasy Explorers (3DS)
The Imitation Game
Despite the gravitas which comes with the Final Fantasy name, it's impossible to approach Final Fantasy Explorers without comparing it to Capcom's phenomenally successful Monster Hunter series. The game is a blatant attempt to ape the same concept, offering team-based monster-slaying with plenty of crafting opportunities and many...
News Fire Emblem Fates Removes 'Petting' Feature in Western Localisation
That's probably it for major localised changes...
Fire Emblem Fates is just a few weeks away in North America - still no release date in Europe, much to this writer's chagrin - which means that fans can gear up for the adventure. There'll be the choice of two versions, DLC maps and then a downloadable third campaign; that's a lot of Fire Emblem...
Video Collecting Every Wii Game Is Difficult, But This Guy Did It Anyway
1260 games later
The Wii is one of the most successful games consoles of all time with over 100 million consoles sold - and counting. As ever, commercial triumph goes hand-in-hand with loads of software, and the Wii has been blessed with 1260 games to date, not all of them good. You might assume that collecting all of these games would be a foolish...
News Detective Pikachu Trailer is Revealed, Arrives as a Download in Japan on 3rd February
Weird CGI Pikachu arrives with a dapper hat
Do you remember the creepy CGI Pikachu reveal from October 2013, in which the 'mon had a very expressive face? It was teased back then as a 3DS title, with a magnifying glass as a rare clue, and it all went silent from there. Well, now we know it's called Detective Pikachu: Birth of a New Combination -...
Hands On Seeking an Awakening in Fire Emblem Fates
Now with feet
Though it was unknown to gamers at the time, Fire Emblem: Awakening was something of a last ditch effort by the development team to make the tough SRPG series a sales success. Failure to do so would've resulted in the series suffering the perma-death that so many of its characters have experienced. Diamonds can only be created in high...
News 3DS System Update 10.5.0-30 is Now Available
Stability intensifies
Exactly one week ago, Nintendo dropped the latest version of the 3DS system software, granting users the opportunity to experience the most stable version of the software, yet. One would think that it would take all of the intellectual minds in Nintendo's R&D department quite a long time to devise a superior OS that's even more...
News Pokémon Yellow, Red And Blue 2DS Bundles Now Up For Pre-Order In The UK
Gotta pre-order 'em all?
The Nintendo UK store has opened pre-orders for the new Pokémon Yellow, Red & Blue 2DS bundles. Each one comes with a carry case of the appropriate colour (well, almost - the yellow system has a grey one), as well as a preinstalled version of the relevant game. The asking price is £79.99, while the yellow version of...
Random This 'Bullet Time' Super Mario Maker Level Uses an Awesome Slow Motion Glitch
Perfect for fans of The Matrix or Max Payne
The Matrix is old-hat now - they use big flip-phones! - and had sequels that tarnished its name (in this writer's opinion) but it set a standard for neat slow-motion action. It's a common feature now and was memorably recreated in Max Payne, but at the time it was totally rad, cool and other assorted...
Video 'Smashified' Adds Krystal To Its Collection of Super Smash Bros. Speed Paintings
Crystal clear
YouTube account Smashified - a series dedicated to bringing our favourite video-game characters into Super Smash Bros. via the form of graphic art - has added its latest entry to the series; Star Fox's Krystal. The video below shows a sped-up version of the project - which they've said has taken months to complete - and it really is...
It's the GameCube Controller Adapter all over again
At launch its stock was rare, but even those that got hold of a unit knew one terrible truth - the GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U is only good for one thing. You can play Super Smash Bros. for Wii U with a GameCube pad, and that's your lot. The HORI-manufactured pad for Pokkén Tournament...
News Resellers Rejoice, Hyrule Warriors Legends Is Getting A Save Data Reset Option
Thank goodness for that
Hyrule Warriors Legends is now available in Japan, and some players have encountered a troubling issue - the game doesn't give you the option to erase your save data, which means that when you sell the game on, the new owner can't start the adventure from the beginning - they're stuck with your save data. You might assume...
Hands On Finding Work and Adventure in Bravely Second: End Layer
Any game with a Catmancer is on our radar
Bravely Default was an interesting title for Square Enix to release, as it was a classic Final Fantasy-style game in essentially all but name. Though it featured many well-trodden JRPG tropes, it mixed these in with modern gameplay standards and conveniences that made the experience all the more enjoyable...
Video Check Out the Introduction to the Jet Force Gemini Game That Never Was
What could've been...
Some of you may remember Jet Force Gemini, a Nintendo 64 classic from the golden days of Rare. Though Banjo-Kazooie and Goldeneye 007 may be games that are mentioned more, Jet Force Gemini was nonetheless a lovely third person shooter that positively oozed of Rare's charm and quality. It was also a one-off game, though...
Ninterview The History of Gaming, In Oil Paint
We have a chat with Randy Gallegos about his gaming art
If you've ever seen our Instagram account you'll know we love a bit of gaming art here at Nintendo Life. The majority of the art we come across is digital, however we recently came across the work of an American artist who does things a little differently. Artist Randy Gallegos has been...
News Shutshimi Will Bring Shmup Mayhem to Wii U in North America on 4th February
Don't shoot these fish in a barrel
We've been looking forward to Shutshimi for quite some time - developed by Neon Deity Games and published by Choice Provisions, it's a shoot 'em up in a WarioWare style with extremely short levels and plenty of chaos on screen. It's previously arrived on PSN but has taken a little while to make it over to the Wii...
News Musicverse: Electronic Keyboard Aims to Bring Music Composition to Life on 3DS
On its way to a global release
There are already a handful of music composition tools available on the 3DS, and now Abylight Studios is getting closer to releasing its own effort - Musicverse: Electronic Keyboard. Like some of its contemporaries it'll aim to offer substantial variety in features and instruments, as well as various options for...
Monday25th Jan 2016
Weirdness Super Mario 64 Expert Collects a Star in 0.5 'A' Button Presses
"We need to talk about parallel universes..."
The recent Awesome Games Done Quick marathon served as a fantastic example of speedrunners demonstrating their practiced skill with impressive results. In the wake of its conclusion earlier this month, we've got just the video for anyone still needing their fix of game-breaking talent on display. While...
Nintendo Download 28th January (Europe)
LEGO Avengers! Final Fantasy Explorers + a VC game! Shadow Puppeteer! More!
Another week begins with the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, and this batch is certainly promising. We have major retail releases on Wii U and 3DS leading the way, while there are also some highly promising download-only options to consider along with DLC,...
News Mighty No. 9 Has Been Delayed Once Again as Keiji Inafune Offers Sincere Apologies
Now targeting Spring
Mighty No. 9 began with a spectacularly successful Kickstarter campaign, with the project leadership of Keiji Inafune and the sense of it being a spiritual successor to Mega Man being factors in its popularity. Since that period of hype in mid 2013 it's endured some tougher times, though - the final visual style has been...
Video Watch The Epic Pokémon Super Bowl Commercial Right Here
Train on
Pokémon is 20 this year, and to mark the anniversary, The Pokémon Company ran a special commercial during the recent Super Bowl. That commercial is now available for viewing online, and you can feast your eyes on it below. The clip shows several different individuals from all over the world who are aiming for monster-training greatness,...
News GameStop Survey Suggests We'll See Nintendo NX Within The Next 12 Months
Or "a new console from Nintendo", if you'd prefer
Nintendo will be revealing more about its next console this year, but ahead of any official announcement we've been inundated with rumours, speculation and some reports that seem to suggest that
Feature Why We're Still Playing... GoldenEye 007
Steven Smith revives the laser watch on N64
In the latest entry in this series we have Nintendo Life newcomer Steven Smith (@N64Memories) talking about GoldenEye 007; no, not that one on Wii, but the N64 original. GoldenEye 007 was my first true experience of a first-person shooter (FPS). Yes, I had played Doom – a classic, o
Random A Halo 5 Player Has Produced an Impressive Map of Princess Peach's Castle
The N64 feels
Such is the power of Nintendo's brand and the ongoing popularity of its classic games that references can be found in unlikely places. Minecraft has long had Nintendo-themed constructions, while a humorous example is Resogun - if you search custom-created ships in the PS4 title you'll see various Mario pixels, Samus' ship, Arwings and...
News Slain! Wii U Release Date Has Been Delayed to Summer
The game is simply too hard, at the moment
Some of you may remember Slain!, an old-school platformer revealed last year to be coming to Wii U. The game appears to be heavily inspired by Castlevania, with all manner of ghouls and monsters doing whatever they can to ruin the protagonist's day. Backed by a heavy metal soundtrack and featuring...
News The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D Has a Sales Bump in the UK Following Discounts
Great game for less money works, who knew?
The UK chart results have come out, and unfortunately it's the fourth week in a row with no Nintendo titles in the top 40; we wrote a little about those woes recently. While that's a shame, there have been some interesting movements in the Nintendo-only charts. Most notably The Legend of Zelda: Majora's...
White noise
This is not meant to be taken as an insult, but SKEASY could be a good game for winding down before bed. As with many titles from RCMADIAX, the design of SKEASY is very simple: guide your little skiing icon left and right down a never-ending slope, avoiding trees to last as long and attain as high a score as possible. There are no...
News Splatoon Outfits Heading to New Style Boutique 2 on 28th January
Fresh fashion
Nintendo Presents: New Style Boutique 2 - Fashion Forward may have a name that doesn't exactly trip off the tongue, but it's another strong entry in the charming fashion career sim. With plenty of content, some quirky new additions and well polished play it earned a strong recommendation from us when we reviewed it last year. Just...
News Maintenance Will Bring a Little Downtime for Minecraft: Wii U Edition
Bricking it
Based on the eShop charts Minecraft: Wii U Edition has gone down rather well since its December launch, and no doubt a number of bizarre and wonderful creations are already in place. The latest batch of maintenance does, however, fall right in the middle of prime gaming time in North America, so it's worth bearing in mind. The...
News Neat Mega Man 3DS HOME Themes Arrive in Japan
To celebrate Mega Man Legacy Collection
Mega Man Legacy Collection - which includes the first six NES games and some nice extra features - isn't far away in the West. In Japan, however, it's out now, and Capcom has celebrated the 3DS version's release with a couple of rather neat HOME Themes. You can see videos of these below, with one having a...
Sunday24th Jan 2016
News The Zero Time Dilemma Watch Goes For a Metallic Style
Aksys suggests future stock outside of pre-orders
Gamers with a love for narrative-driven experiences are likely fans of 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, and the pleasing news is that the third entry in the series - Zero Time Dilemma is coming to 3DS this year.
Talking Point Online Gaming Can't Recreate the Unique Fun of Local Multiplayer, Yet It's Dominant
Will local play remain at the core of Nintendo's message?
Splatoon was a notable release in various respects for Nintendo. It was one of its biggest hits in 2015, and in addition to that it's an online-centric experience. You can spend a decent amount of time on the solo campaign, but the local multiplayer option is limited and tacked on; the action...
Video Watch Cats Attempt Various Monster Hunter Related Activities
The hunter's life is an exhausting one
Felynes have become something of a staple of the Monster Hunter series. The multitalented cat creatures fill numerous support roles for the hunter, and the most recent entry even allows the player to control one. For those of you that have wondered how an actual cat would perform in the same role as a felyne,...
Saturday23rd Jan 2016
Hardware Review We Look at a Definitive GameCube HDMI Mod
Crystal quality
Long-time fans of Nintendo have often harped on about the GameCube controller being one of the best controllers in gaming history, and the console it attached to first was certainly not shy of some spectacular releases. It's a shame that we have to have a television the size of Snowdonia just to be able to appreciate the system...
Rumour Intelligent Systems Is Working On New Paper Mario For Wii U
Game is currently being localised and tested
Nintendo fans and miners of insider information Emily Rogers and Liam Robertson (the latter of whom is a regular contributor to Nintendo Life) have apparently uncovered details on a Paper Mario sequel for Wii U. According to the report - which is based on information from five different sources - the...
Video Nintendo Minute Takes an Extended Look at The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
Tap the GamePad to transform Link, which is handy
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is one of the Wii U's biggest titles in the first half of the year, and with its release a little over a month away Nintendo will be showing it off all the more. Nintendo Minute's weekly video is worth a watch for those keeping an eye on this release, then,...
News Details of Europe's Next Splatfest Are Confirmed for 30th January
A battle of warriors
The regular free DLC may be drawing to a close, but Splatoon still has plenty to offer - this includes Splatfests, those weekend events where we choose sides and splat others for glory. Nintendo of Europe has now confirmed details of its next Splatfest, which will kick off on 30th January at 6pm UK / 7pm CET. It'll be a...
News Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! Has Been Approved for Release on Wii U
Release date impending
About a week ago, it was stated that Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! was 'literally in the final steps' to completion. It wasn't stated exactly what this meant, but the implication was that there would be more news in the near future. It appears that this was indeed the case, as a new post recently went up on the game's website that...
Friday22nd Jan 2016
38 clever levels, just for you
Occasionally there's frustration at the slow roll-out of Virtual Console games, sometimes with good reason, but there are also occasions where Nintendo goes the extra mile and does far more than simply spruce up a ROM. In the case of Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, which is now on the Wii U Virtual Console...
"Making changes is not unusual when we localize games"
This week some debate arose around the localisation of Fire Emblem Fates, when it emerged that a 'drugging' scene, in which a character sees men as women and women as men, had been removed from the game in its Western versions. Nintendo stated, rather simply, that in the localised version "there...
Video Relive the Glorious Madness of The Wonderful 101 With the 60fps Director's Edition Trailer
Wii U fans, unite up!
The Wonderful 101, the colourful and crazy Wii U exclusive from PlatinumGames, was a divisive release. Some sang its praises from the rooftops while others struggled to enjoy it, while it's never been reported as much of a sales success. That seems like a pity, and we're certainly fans having awarded it 9/10 in our review; we...
Video See How Much Mario Kart has Changed Since Mario Kart 64
56 degrees of separation
It's been over a year since Mario Kart 8 was released on the Wii U and nearly 20 since its N64 sibling Mario Kart 64 graced our systems. A lot's changed in that time, and in order to highlight all the refinements a company like Nintendo can make in such a span, we've cobbled together another cheeky little comparison of the...
Talking Point Splatoon Began With an Early Access Approach, and Has Provided a Valuable Lesson
Free updates that kept on giving
Cast your mind back to launch day Splatoon. Single player campaign? Check. Slightly mediocre local multiplayer mode? Check. Online modes? Well, some of them. Back when we were publishing our Splatoon review, its writer and our video man Alex was gushing in his praise, yet some debate was had within our team about...
News Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time Gets CD Quality Audio Hack
Cowabunga doesn't even begin to cover it
Prolific hacker DarkShock strikes again, increasing his already impressive list of similar enhancement hacks in the past, this time adding MSU-1 high quality PCM audio support for Konami's stellar SNES title Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time. In place of the already quite impressive SPC music,...
News FreezeME Has Been Approved for a Wii U Release by Nintendo of America
Bringing back the N64 platformer
On the Nintendo 64, games such as Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and Donkey Kong 64 redefined what could be done with the platforming genre with another dimension tossed in. But now, it seems like the good old days of the adventure-style 3D platformers have all but gone away, with very few notable releases in recent...
News Mario Kart 64 on Wii U VC Doesn't Have Support for Ghost Data
Controller Pak emulation seems to be the issue
Some of you from around the earlier days of the Nintendo 64 may remember the Controller Pak. This add-on slotted into the back of the controller and acted as a means of saving or transferring data between consoles. While it wasn't absolutely necessary in every N64 game, many used it to include features...
Video Sonic Colours Has Some of the Coolest Glitches
Blurring the lines
We know the popular narrative for some is to say that Sonic's been in a rut and had a bad run of games, but recent years have brought some solid entries. Sonic Colours / Sonic Colors certainly qualifies as one of the better releases in the past couple of generations, blending 2D and 3D play with some neat twists and power-ups. In...
Review RV-7 My Drone (3DS eShop)
An unmanned excursion
We live in an age where cars can drive themselves, robots are slowly preparing to overthrow their masters, and drones can be programmed to do anything from delivering vital supplies to filming botched attempts at BMX stunts. "Drone" in particular is the buzzword du jour, and for all you know this review could have been written...
Sequel aiming for both regions together
With a simplified and global rating system now in place, download developers have one less hurdle to clear when working towards bringing their games to both North America and Europe / Australia. Renegade Kid is one studio utilising the new system, and now has a tentative release target for Dementium Remastered...
Your pets are better than mine
If you've ever considered owning a pet, the 3DS game My Pets is a great way to dissuade you. It's not due to the fact that spending time taking care of virtual animals can never truly replicate the warm, fuzzy feelings of a pet's unconditional love. It's that this game highlights a lot of the seedier, dirtier sides of...
News Yo-kai Watch Anime Series Coming to the UK This Spring
One of more than 100 countries
It's official, Yo-kai Watch is set for world domination much like Pokémon before it. In our Yo-kai Watch review we liked developer Level 5's take on doing a Pokémon style game and felt that, in some ways, it eclipses the effort GameFreak has put into Pokémon over the years, both in production and creativity. Of...
News 2015 Brought a Decent Year of Sales for Nintendo in France
The 3DS and Splatoon performed particularly well
The sales indications available for the UK market may be a tad grim from a Nintendo perspective, but the picture is certainly a little improved in other countries in Europe. France seems to be a relatively strong market for the big N, as one example. Figures published by Le Figaro - via Perfectly...
News Shadow Puppeteer Begins Its Wii U Adventure on 28th January
$14.99 / €14.99 in a global release
Fans of puzzle platforming, either in solo play or multiplayer, have a promising title to consider for next week's eShop update. Sarepta Studio's Shadow Puppeteer - published by Snow Cannon Games - finally has a solid release date for Wii U, arriving in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand on 28th...
Video Catch The Highlights From The Recent GENESIS 3 Tournament
In case 10+ hours of Smash was too much to handle
GENESIS is an international Super Smash Bros. tournament that hosts some of the world's largest community Smash events. With the tremendous popularity of GENESIS 1 in 2009 and GENESIS 2 in 2011, it was only a matter of time before lightning struck thrice. GENESIS 3 took place from January 15th -...
Thursday21st Jan 2016
News Nintendo Removes Infamous Drugging Scene From Western Localisation Of Fire Emblem Fates
"No expression which might be considered as gay conversion or drugging"
As well all know, Nintendo often has to make changes to its games when localising them for audiences outside of Japan. We've recently seen changes made to the likes of Fatal Frame and Xenoblade Chronicles X, and it seems that the forthcoming 3DS release Fire Emblem Fates is...
News Another 17 Games Get North American eShop Discounts in the Winter Warm-Up Sale
Super Mario 3D World! Freedom Planet! Runner 2! More!
This week's Nintendo Download Update for North America includes some high profile releases, but the good news is that the second week of 'Winter Warm-Up' sales brings some more enticing discounts. This is the middle week of the three week promotion across the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores, with the...
The whole 'works with PS4' thing is random and unlikely, though
Just recently we saw speculation around the NX potentially being 'compatible' with the PS4 and PC - via a tweet from Takashi Mochizuki - and decided it was a stretch too far, at least without seeing the original report it's citing. That report in question is from Macquarie Capital...
Nintendo Download 21st January (North America)
Minecraft: Story Mode! Mario & Luigi! Zack & Wiki! Classic Mario! More!
It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a high-profile retail release on 3DS, an episodic Minecraft experience, some tempting Virtual Console arrivals and other offerings that include demos and discounts...
News Twilight Princess Wolf Link amiibo Unlocks Exclusive Content In Hyrule Warriors Legends
3DS remake is compatible with all other amiibo, too
Nintendo has revealed that the Wolf Link amiibo which launches alongside The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U will also unlock exclusive content in the forthcoming Hyrule Warriors Legends on 3DS. The figure will give players access to enhanced weapons for the character Midna. In...
News European Zelda Fans Are Getting A Shiny "Hyrule Edition" New 3DS XL Console In March
My precious
Should you be unsure about investing in Nintendo's latest 3DS hardware then you might find the decision is made for you once you clap eyes on this newly-announced Hyrule Edition New 3DS XL, launching in March alongside Hyrule Warriors Legends. The unit - which puzzlingly doesn't include a copy of the game - will launch in Europe on...
Review The Legend of Dark Witch - Episode 2: The Price of Desire (3DS eShop)
Unbewitching sequel
Episodic gaming isn't a new or very interesting concept anymore. The idea of partitioning a game's release into episodes for the sake of providing better content at the sacrifice of instant gratification is good in theory, but that's just a theory. In practice, this only works when a developer stays true to its promise of...
Video See the GameCube HDMI Mod Thrash Cheaper HDMI Converters in Video & Audio Quality
Goodbye lag, goodbye blur
We've been raving about the GCVideo HDMI mod for the GameCube for a little bit now, but what we haven't yet done it compare the quality to that of your average AV to HDMI converter; a common option for those trying to get older systems and games onto modern screens. These cheap devices present all sorts of issues with...
News SEGA 3D Classics Collection is Heading to Retail in the Americas on 26th April
The eShop too, but it's 'exclusive' to the Americas for now
SEGA enthusiasts with a Japanese 3DS likely own the retail release of the initial 3D Classics range, while in the West we've had a number of titles - though not quite all - as download-only eShop titles. SEGA has now confirmed SEGA 3D Classics Collection for a 26th April arrival at both...
Star Fox Zero details to come in future, amiibo cards to hit 300 in number
Nintendo of America has gone amiibo crazy in its latest press release, confirming some interesting details for upcoming releases. Let's start with Star Fox Zero. Back in November last year website logos and mentions of the Nintendo Network and amiibo had fans dreaming of...
News North American Roy amiibo Pre-Order Time Confirmed, Exclusive to GameStop
It's very soon, so get ready
The act of pre-ordering an amiibo can be tricky, especially in North America where stock and demand aren't always comfortable companions. For those keen to grab a Roy figure on 18th March, it's time to get online. GameStop has confirmed that the Roy amiibo - which it has exclusivity for in North America - will go up for...
All is as expected
Update 2: The video is now live again from an official source, as the horse had indeed bolted. Update: Well, there was a video published to the public, but it's now been set to private by Nintendo (as of 10:15am UK time on the day of publication); nevertheless details are below, along with a rip of the video via GameXplain...
Site News Retiring Our Super Mario Maker Course Sharer
Super Mario Maker Bookmark takes over...
We were super excited when Super Mario Maker was finally released for Wii U last September. Whilst we were impressed enough with the final product to give it an 'Outstanding' 10/10 in our review, we felt there was one particular thing lacking - a place to share courses with friends online. In the spirit of...
Video Take a Look at the Wii U Versions of New Characters from Hyrule Warriors Legends
Linkle and Skull Kid in HD! Fuzzy footage of the others!
Update: HD-quality footage of Tetra now available, courtesy of NintenDaan. Original Article: Hyrule Warriors Legends is out now in Japan, bringing mayhem and extra content to the portable. Though only Legends features new story content, it does - however - allow players to 'transfer' new...
News Splatoon's Last Free Update Map Goes Live Tomorrow
That's sixteen stages
About a week ago, the final weapon for Splatoon's constant stream of new, extra content went live and signaled the end of the long run. Following that right up, the final new stage will go live tomorrow and bring the stage count to its final amount of sixteen. The new stage is Ancho-V Games, and this appears to be one of the...
News Four More Animal Crossing amiibo Figures Arrive in Europe on 18th March
Timmy & Tommy share a base, like good siblings
It's time to extend that mortgage, amiibo collectors, as four more figures are confirmed for an 18th March release in Europe. This time around they're in the Animal Crossing series, with four (or five, but we'll get to that) series stalwarts joining the ranks. So, who are these four? Observe below...
Clean cut
Do you consider yourself a samurai among slicers? Do you leave no pizza asymmetrically divided in your wake? Then Slice It! might have a challenge made for you. The goal of Slice It! is straightforward. Each puzzle provides a shape or design that the player must cut into a certain number of separate pieces using full cuts from one side to...
News Asteroid Challenge Is Bringing Classic Arcade Action To The Wii U eShop
Coming exclusively to Nintendo's console this year
Indie studio Magique Productions has announced that it is working on Asteroid Challenge for the Wii U eShop, a tribute to classic arcade blasters like - you guessed it - Atari's Asteroids. Boasting 1080p 60fps visuals, multiplayer modes and over 70 levels, the developer is aiming for a Q1 release...
Wednesday20th Jan 2016
News The Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Has Been Updated
New releases and remasters included
The Legend of Zelda is a series known for a tremendous number of things, such as its memorable characters, captivating storylines, spine-tingling music and downright awesome gameplay. However, something that's caused the Zelda community years of theorising is how the games of the series intertwine with each other...
News Wii U Emulator, Cemu, Runs Games Like Super Mario Maker and Mario Kart 8 in Version 1.3.0
Low performance but fast progress
Towards the end of last year we shared some updates on Cemu, a prospective emulator for the Wii U. Though likely a significant amount of time away from delivering the kind of performance that Dolphin has with Wii and GameCube, it's proving to be an intriguing project for those involved and following it - once you...
Rumour Online Survey Mentions NX's 4K Video Streaming, 900p Gameplay And Hybrid Hardware
Excuse me sir, but do you have some salt I could borrow?
The NX rumour mill is working at full capacity right now, which is hardly surprising as Nintendo hasn't given us a great deal of solid information on what the machine will be like. To fill the void - and possibly the time as well - we've seen plenty of rumours popping up, but this latest one...
News Hyperkin's GameCube-Inspired ProCube Pad is Now Up for Pre-Order
Comes in white, black or purple
Last year we reported that Hyperkin took its GameCube-inspired 'ProCube' controller to EVO to get feedback from the competitive Smash Bros. community. It's wireless and compatible on Wii U as a Pro Controller (so no Wii Remote is needed), and takes the inputs and control style of the GameCube and makes them accessible...
Review Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails (3DS eShop)
A smooth ride
Oddly enough, there's a small trend of train simulator games coming to the Nintendo 3DS. Why developers prefer to put these on the portable console is anyone's guess, but there's a surprisingly large selection in the 3DS library considering the niche appeal of the genre. Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails is the latest arrival...
Editorial Nintendo and Virtual Reality Aren't a Good Fit in 2016
Tom Whitehead suggests we talk again in a few years
Virtual Reality. VR. Oculus and so on. It's one of the biggest topics in the tech world and, particularly, in the dedicated gaming scene. Or perhaps that should be the enthusiast scene. I've read headlines saying 2016 is the year of Virtual Reality, make or break time. Is it really its final...
Video Five Things We Want From The Nintendo NX
We can wish, right?
Nintendo is expected to announce more details about its mysterious NX platform early this year, and there are signs that the console could launch before Christmas comes around. We actually know very little about the system so far, but that hasn't stopped our video guru Alex from putting together a tantalising wishlist. What do...
News GDC Survey Shows Declining Interest From Developers in Wii U and 3DS
Virtual Reality, PS4 and Xbox One all gain support
GDC (Game Developers Conference) 2016 is around a month away, and as part of the traditional warm-up for the gathering the event has released the outcome of its most recent 'state of the industry' survey - over 2000 North American game developers took part. As was the case in 2015 it reflects a...
News Sega Has Some "Interesting" Sonic News For Us Next Month
"We can’t talk about it yet!"
We know that Sega has a year of celebrations planned to mark Sonic the Hedgehog's 25th birthday, but aside from merchandising deals and the like, it's still unknown if we'll be getting a fresh Sonic video game to mark the momentous occasion (an
News Zack & Wiki and Super Mario Advance 4 Look Set for Nintendo Download Update in North America
e-Reader levels look to be included for Advance 4, too
As is often the case, Nintendo of America's official game pages seem to have unveiled a couple of new releases due in the 21st January Nintendo Download update. These are very likely to be accurate but, as always, be aware that details could change. First up is Zack & Wiki: Quest for...
News Xenoblade Chronicles X and Nintendo Network Maintenance Sessions Are On the Way
Just four hours this time around
On a regular basis Nintendo needs to take some online services down to give the servers a bit of a spit and polish, depriving us of valuable Splatoon time, or general online time, for that matter. There's a bit of maintenance on the way to be aware of, so let's break it down. First of all, Xenoblade Chronicles X...
News Tatsumi Kimishima Is Aiming To Quadruple Nintendo's Operating Profits
Smartphone games, theme parks and DLC expected to contribute to growth
Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has spoken recently about his plans for the company, and one of his boldest aims is to increase Nintendo's operating profit to around 100 billion Yen a year (approx $855 million) - more than four times what the firm achieved last financial...
News New 3DS LL (XL) Holds Top Spot in Latest Japanese Charts
Sales down across the board
As January wears on we're getting to the post-Holiday stages in terms of buzz and sales. Not many new titles are coming out, and reveals are thin on the ground as game companies draw breath and put plans in place. With that in mind we have a fairly unremarkable set of Media Create chart results out of Japan, albeit with...
Video Bravely Second: End Layer Story Trailer is Big on Drama and Humorous Lines
It's time to bust some Ba'als!
Bravely Second: End Layer is about a month away in Europe, and was recently confirmed for a 15th April arrival in North America. After the first title's success in the West Square Enix will no doubt be hoping to repeat the trick. As is often the case with titles like these Nintendo is assisting with marketing...
News Hardcore Gaming 101's Next Book Focuses On Taito's Arcade Legacy
From Elevator Action to Liquid Kids
Video game site Hardcore Gaming 101 has become something of a goldmine for retro gamers, with its staff tirelessly uncovering gems from the past that everyone else has all but forgotten about. The site also produces a line of excellent books which feature both new and re-written content, and the latest offering...
Tuesday19th Jan 2016
News The 3DS Virtual Console Pokémon Titles Won't Support Restore Points
Backup saves also off the cards
The Pokémon titles that started it all are coming to the 3DS Virtual Console soon, and fans are understandably excited about the prospect. That excitement may be tempered somewhat by fresh reports relating to how the games use - or, in this case, don't use - the unique features of the Virtual Console platform. Our...
News Fire Emblem Fates New Nintendo 3DS XL Model Confirmed, Along With DLC Details
Revelation storyline on 10th March, all-in-one edition on the way
Fire Emblem Fates is not only the eagerly awaited second entry of the franchise on the 3DS, but it's also an intriguing release. Due on 19th February in North America it'll come in two separate editions - Birthright and Conquest - that have different storylines, though those keen to...
News 3DS System Version 10.4.0-29 is Now Available for Download
This thing can never be too stable
A week ago, the Wii U received the first software update it had seen in awhile, and - you guessed it - it was another stability patch. For the majority of you, this changed absolutely nothing about the Wii U experience, but it sure feels good to know that the system is as stable as it gets. In light of this, some...
Talking Point The Allure of the Virtual Console and How Nintendo Can Harness It
Alternative approaches can keep the concept alive
It's with some curiosity that we observe the continuing clamour and passion for the Virtual Console, a service that generates as much buzz as it often does criticism. The appetite among keen Nintendo fans for retro downloads seems to remain strong, especially when rare or previously untapped games...
Good times
North American RPG fans have had to wait a surprising amount of time, but there's now a solid release date for Bravely Second: End Layer in the region. It's coming to the territory on 15th April, and a Collector's Edition is coming too. Due in Europe on 26th February, the wait for North America is thankfully not as bad as it could have...
News Splatoon's Next Update Is On Target For Launch Tomorrow
Version 2.5.0 clamps down on shortcuts
Nintendo continues to make changes and amendments to its ink-based online shooter Splatoon, with the latest lot of fixes coming on Wednesday January 20th - otherwise known as "tomorrow". These include the closing off of various shortcuts and a few fixes to environmental features. There are also some...
News Eiji Aonuma and Malo Begin Talking About The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
Expect art, discussions, and more information
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is only a couple months away from releasing, but most details surrounding the remaster are still unknown. After the initial Nintendo Direct where it was revealed, most new information has only come by way of rumours, with nothing being set in stone yet. It...
Rumour Details of amiibo Features in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Emerge
Items and buffs ahoy
Recent revelations of amiibo-specific features in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD have caused a stir among fans of the game, and now some more information appears to have come to light. It's worth noting that we've marked these as rumours simply due to the nature of the source material - translations from a Famitsu...
Review Bigley's Revenge (Wii U eShop)
Best not served at all
Ninja Pig Studios, known for its infamous release Meme Run and some of its accompanying controversy, is back with another title for the Wii U eShop. Bigley's Revenge is - dare we say it - slightly more competent and tempered than its headache-inducing predecessor, but that's not saying a great deal. While this game - also...
News Dragon Quest VII Set for a Summer Release in North America
News to warm you up
As eager watchers of the November Nintendo Direct last year will recall, Nintendo confirmed that both Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King are coming to the West in 2016. At that time it was confirmed that VII would come first with VIII to follow later in the year,...
News 13 Pokémon Movies Are Now Available on iTunes and Google Play
Interactive eBooks also on the agenda
As part of a recent news bonanza related to Pokémon, it was confirmed that the franchises' various movies would be making their way to iTunes and Google Play in the West. A number are now available, some of which have only recently arrived. The full list of 13 movies that you should now be able to find on the...
News Did You Know Gaming Explores Mario & Religion
As you might expect, it gets a bit out there
Did You Know Gaming has provided us with insight into a wide variety of topics throughout the Nintendo universe. Did we ever expect them to be juxtaposing Super Paper Mario with artistic depictions of ancient demons? No, but we suppose there's a first time for everything. This latest installment of the...
News Splatoon Update to Prompt Server Maintenance and Brief Downtime
Not for too long, thankfully
Version 2.5.0 of Splatoon goes live soon, and the official Tumblr page for the game has advised that implementing the update will necessitate a bit of downtime that'll prevent online play. It's not a lengthy break, but is worth noting for North American gamers planning some evening matches. The following downtime is on...
Video Square Enix Pitches a Famous Legacy in Final Fantasy Explorers Trailer
An early big hit for 2016?
Final Fantasy Explorers isn't far away from its Western release on 3DS, bringing its brand of co-op and combat to the portable. Square Enix has previously celebrated its key IP with some music rhythm experiences on 3DS, though this is perhaps closer to the kind of gameplay that series fans expect. Part of the title's...
News Miitomo Could Make This Year's Mii March The Biggest One Yet
Perfect timing
Mii March - AKA Mii Profile Picture Month - started life back in 2013 when a bunch of 3DS owners promoted their Miis in celebration of the console's second birthday. Since then, the movement - which involves changing your social media profile images to your Mii avatar - has grown in stature, and this year's event could be the biggest...
News Dragon Ball: Project Fusion is Another RPG Heading for the 3DS in Japan
Bandai Namco keeps busy
Bandai Namco isn't shy of work, churning out a lot of titles for its own franchises and in partnerships with other companies. Its diverse offerings keep coming, as a 3DS RPG called Dragon Ball: Project Fusion is confirmed for release in Japan in 2016. It's a huge franchise, and the core detail of a 'fusion between Goku and...
News Nintendo Share Value Continues to Improve as Investor Confidence Grows
Over 9% added to value in just one trading day
Share values are vulnerable, to varying degrees, to wider issues and implications of major economies and markets. Those following such things will know that stock markets have experienced a lot of recent turbulence, though recently we shared the re-assuring news that Nintendo's share value rebounded -...
News The Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty Wii U Port is Nearing Completion
"Literally in the final steps"
You'd be forgiven for forgetting about Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty!'s impending Wii U port. Though the development studio has been working fiercely to get the game onto the platform, it hit a wall getting the game to fit on the 8GB Wii U model. We haven't heard much about it since last August, but now it seems that the...
Video Koei Tecmo Shares More Hyrule Warriors Legends Footage, and Makes Us Wish There Was Co-Op
You can 'sort-of' race side-by-side, though
Hyrule Warriors Legends undoubtedly pushes the 3DS hardware's capabilities, as is clear from its decent performance on New 3DS but chugging framerate on older models. It should serve as no surprise, then, that it's a single player experience on the portable; considering the performance drop on Wii U with...
To help players struggling to rustle up five controllers
Aperion Cyberstorm is a colourful twin-stick shooter that's on the way to the Wii U eShop this year, and will be the debut of UK studio aPriori Digital. We say twin-stick shooter as that's the way we've played it; you move with the left stick and aim / shoot with the right stick. Yet as it's a...
Video New Aperion Cyberstorm Trailer Shows Off the Campaign Mode
Keeping it cool in the Ice World
At EGX last year we enjoyed a marathon play session with upcoming Wii U eShop twin-stick shooter Aperion Cyberstorm; we came away rather impressed. Slick controls and carefully considered mechanics combine with bright visuals for a fun, arcade-like score chasing experience. In that session we tackled some...
Monday18th Jan 2016
Review The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Wii U eShop / DS)
Choo-choo-choose the original format
No doubt partly driven by necessity as much as strategy, Nintendo's Virtual Console efforts on Wii U have been notable for including not only Game Boy Advance titles, but also various releases from the DS library. With the latter only possible courtesy of the Wii U GamePad questions of practicality are fairly...
Video Check Out Super Smash Bros. Melee Running Through a GameCube HDMI Mod
Modded hardware with practically zero input lag
While many work on emulators to boost resolutions of retro systems, genuine hardware mods are arguably the truest way to enjoy older games with a crisper, clearer picture. With that in mind we're always interested in mods that can apply a digital HDMI output to retro consoles and, as a result, improve...
News ESPN Plans On Broadcasting Super Smash Bros. Events
Milestone reached
Some of you may be aware that major sports network ESPN has added eSports to its catalogue of broadcast types. In fact, it's created a site dedicated to the new initiative, accompanied by a Twitter account under the handle of @ESPN_Esports. Its "popular" games of coverage choice are League of Legends, Dota 2, and Hearthstone, which...
Nintendo Download 21st January (Europe)
Mario Kart 64! Adventures of Pip! Radiohammer! Themes galore! More!
Another week begins with the Nintendo Download Update details in Europe, and this time around we have a Nintendo 64 classic joined by a long-awaited retro-styled new release on the home console. Beyond that we have an exciting demo, 3DS Home Themes galore and a few discounts; let's...
Video Hyrule Warriors Legends Footage Shows a Stark Difference in Old and New 3DS Performance
The Legend of Lag
We're pretty keen to get our hands on Hyrule Warriors Legends, as the prospect of playing through the Wii U title with extra content and on the go is rather appealing. Yet it's a release that's concerning some, particularly those with older models; as it's a port of a Wii U title it's only fair to assume that it'd be better suited...
Review Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends (Wii U)
Super Kung Fu Smash Panda Bros.
Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends takes the movie franchise's core themes of kung fu, lovable characters and comedy, throws it into a 2.5D brawler and leaves you with a feeling of being satisfied but ultimately wanting something else. With the game being crafted by those at Vicious Cycle, the team behind...
News A Digital Code for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Will Be $50 in North America
Perhaps matching the eShop price?
In just a couple months, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD will launch, hopefully bringing the definitive version of the game to the masses. While most concrete specifics as to what's been changed this time around still remain a mystery, it seems that this version will feature a larger wallet, more...
Feature Why We're Still Playing... Bayonetta 1 & 2
Tom Whitehead on why nearly dislocating his thumbs is fun
When Bayonetta was confirmed as the final character in Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS, I couldn't help but be amused. Here's a character that's spent two games torturing and spanking (literally, at points) angels from heaven and demons from hell. When a combo move is achieved her outfit...
News Unreal Engine GoldenEye 007 Tech Demo Gains The Approval Of Game's Designer
He loves only gold!
Rare's prolific N64 output is the stuff of legend, but one title tends to stand out from the rest, primarily because it was such a curve-ball at the time that it took the entire gaming world by surprise. Prior to the release of GoldenEye 007, two things were true: licenced James Bond games had been pretty forgettable and...
News Gunman Clive HD Collection Has Sold 9000 Copies But Has Still Made A Profit
About 10 times the sales of Gunman Clive 2 on Steam
Gunman Clive HD Collection is one of the more recent indie gems on the Wii U eShop, and pulls together the two 3DS titles in a single, high-definition package. Given that many Nintendo fans will have played the two games in their handheld forms previously, it's perhaps unsurprising to learn that...
Reaction Nintendo Titles Miss the UK Top 40 Once Again
For the third week in a row
Every week we check the UK chart results, and typically Nintendo has a few titles scrapping away - at the very least - in the bottom half of the top 40. Yet this is now the third consecutive week where not a single Wii U or 3DS exclusive has made it into the all-format top 40. What's going on? It's worth starting out...
News Minecraft: Story Mode Hits The Wii U eShop This Week
Complete with off-TV play, screen mirroring and touch controls
Telltale Games has confirmed that the first episode of Minecraft: Story Mode will launch on the Wii U eShop this week in North America and Europe - Thursday 21st January, to be exact. The Order of the Stone will cost $4.99, and additional episodes are set to arrive "in the coming...
News Shadow Moses Is A Fan-Made Metal Gear Solid For The HD Era
But how long before Konami closes it down?
As we all know, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima has parted ways with Konami, which means that we're unlikely to see another "true" Metal Gear title, despite plans by the publisher to continue the franchise without its founder. If such a realisation leaves you feeling a bit blue, then cast your eyes over...
News Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in the Enchanted Forest is Heading to Wii U Soon
A 3DS release is also planned
The eShop isn't exactly short of platformers, on both Wii U and 3DS, yet it's a genre that's pretty much always welcome. Running and jumping is still rather popular when done well, and Nintendo's systems have delivered some gems on this score. It's also a genre that provides a good jumping off point for young studios...
Sunday17th Jan 2016
Editorial Nintendo's Next Generation of Experiences Needs to Engage With Our Day-to-Day Lives
Through NX, smart devices or both
Just recently I noticed that, despite playing some Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam earlier in the week, a gap of a few days had seen my 3DS battery go flat. This wouldn't do, and for one simple reason - I was nipping out and knew I'd be passing a StreetPass hotspot; I couldn't put it on charge fast enough. StreetPass...
Random Take a Look at These Unused Alternate Sonic Boom Logos
Dudes vs. Evil?
The Sonic Boom franchise is definitely one that's divided opinions. While it may be that the TV show is fairly well liked, the games left something to be desired. Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice is still set to release sometime this year, opting to follow in the footsteps of the slightly better received portable entry in this sub-series...
Video The Cape Escape is the Next Super Mario Maker Challenge from Panga
Falling with style
We rather enjoy being level tourists in Super Mario Maker, though in some cases stages are best left to the most dedicated and skilful of players. Those created by 'Panga' definitely fit that category. We've covered Panga in the past, as he's established a fan-base creating ludicrously tough levels that many are happy to watch...
Live Watch the Genesis 3 Super Smash Bros. Finals Day
12 hours of Smash
Genesis 3 is a Super Smash Bros tournament that's had a strong weekend, and now it's heading into its Finals day with big prizes available in the N64 original, Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. There should be some fantastic matches, and below is the schedule (in Pacific time): That'll be about 12 hours of action, with the...
Saturday16th Jan 2016
News Pokémon the Series: XYZ Airing On Cartoon Network In February
Could this finally be Ash's year?
The Pokémon hype train won't be stopping anytime soon, for there's more Pocket Monster content on the way in the coming weeks - in addition to Pokkén Tournament and 20th anniversary goodies. The Pokémon Company's official website confirmed earlier this month that the latest animated television series, Pokémon...
Random Eager Super Mario Maker Creator Shares Mario's Lost World, a 38 Stage Extravaganza
Time for an overworld feature, perhaps?
Super Mario Maker may have now been around for roughly four months, but many thousands of gamers are still logging on regularly to play and create stages. There's been some disquiet around stages disappearing with little explanation since the New Year - though the reasoning is likely 'low popularity' or...
Review Island Flight Simulator (Wii U eShop)
Plane boring
Occasionally you can get a feel for how good (or bad) a game is going to be from the very moment you begin. This is one of those games. After selecting a profile (which you can't rename) Island Flight Simulator begins with a wonderfully impersonal piece of text: 'Welcome Profile 01!' If at this point you've also decided to utilise...
News Bigley's Revenge Has Been Removed From the eShop
Ninja Pig Studios does it again
UPDATE: The developer has since confirmed that the game was removed due to an incorrect ESRB rating. It is being re-rated and will be available again soon. ORIGINAL STORY: As some of you may have been aware, Ninja Pig recently released a new game on the eShop called Bigley's Revenge. The latest game from this...
Hardware Classics Nintendo Super Scope
In your sights
Despite their ingenious nature and futuristic feel, light guns have been part of the video game landscape since the industry began - in fact, crude examples of the tech can be found as far back as the 1930s. In the 8-bit era both Nintendo and Sega produced their own pistol-like light guns in the form of the NES Zapper and Master...
Nintendo Life Weekly Twilight Princess HD amiibo Dungeon, Pokémon Yellow 2DS
Model business
Another week, another look back and round-up in the form of a video. If you've been caught up in the tide of nonsense that many are currently calling January, you may well have missed some important Nintendo news. Thankfully, we've got the solution! This week we look at the rumour surrounding a new dungeon in The Legend of Zelda:...
Video See What Pops Does While You're Away in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon
Begone, foul fantasy!
For those of you that have played Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, you may remember Pops the Carracosta. This Pokémon acts as the parent of your partner in the game, and rebukes the two of them on occasion as they get into mischief. Pops is arguably one of the more memorable characters in this roguelike adventure, and evidently...
Friday15th Jan 2016
A "video game fabricating system" with editing tools and data sharing
Super Mario Maker has been a smash hit for Nintendo, and has finally given players the chance to create their own unique Super Mario experiences. However, if a 1994 patent is anything to go by, Nintendo has been thinking about this kind of user-generated approach for quite some...
Feature Five Alternative Nintendo Reveals and Releases We're Interested in for 2016
Not just the obvious 'NX please" entries
One of our earliest articles of 2016 was focused on five key reveals and releases that will define Nintendo's 2016. That was focused very much on the tentpole announcements and releases that are confirmed or suspected, such as NX, My Nintendo accounts, major Anniversary franchise celebrations and more...
News Pokkén Tournament Modes and Details Emerge
Details of online, offline and LAN are revealed
Pokkén Tournament is due this Spring and looks set to be a key Wii U release for the first half of the year. When you combine Pokémon with the first fighting game of its style on the system since Tekken Tag Tournament 2 - or so it seems - you have the potential ingredients for a success story. In...
Video Pokémon Fan Recreates the Kanto Region in Unreal Engine 4
Wibbly-wobbly 'mon
There's only one true way to cement your credentials as a serious fan of a franchise. Sure, you could design T-Shirts, recreate a level out of coloured pins or produce a post-it-note stop-motion animation, but that'd all be so 2014. If you want to be a hardcore fan now you have to recreate an old game in Unreal Engine 4 - it's the...
News Chandelure Will Be the Next Pokkén Tournament Fighter
Just what everyone asked for
Very recently, it was leaked that Mewtwo, Braixen, and Garchomp would be joining the fighter roster for Pokkén Tournament, but those were actually unrelated to the announcement last week that a new fighter would be revealed. Well, the lid's finally been lifted, and the new character is… unexpected. The official...
News Pokkén Tournament Will be Picking Fights on 18th March
Huzzah!
Update: This 18th March release is for both Europe and North America, which is excellent news. Original Article: It's the season for silly game delay rumours, and thankfully one can now be put to bed with a nice cup of cocoa. Pokkén Tournament is confirmed to be coming to Europe on 18th March, making it a welcome addition to the first...
No standalone Wolf Link amiibo, yet
Through various retailers across different countries it's become clear that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and its Wolf Link amiibo will be available in various ways, and now the Official Nintendo UK Store has pitched in with its pre-order promotions, though it's not offering every option we expected...
Video Hyrule Warriors Legends Demonstration Shows Off Toon Link, Tetra and 'My Fairy' Mode
Also provides a look at the Wind Waker Adventure Mode map
Hyrule Warriors Legends isn't far away, and with its release imminent in Japan Koei Tecmo has been publishing regular showcase videos looking at various features in the game. The latest has gone live, and once again looks at content and characters that are new to the 3DS entry. First of all...
Review The Perplexing Orb (Wii U eShop)
Perplexing, indeed
The Perplexing Orb is a short, not particularly pretty game. Like many downloads we've reviewed it values gameplay over narrative or presentation; that's not a bad thing, but it isn't without flaws. The concept of The Perplexing Orb is simple: take control of the titular orb and guide it through a series of puzzles to a goal, in...
News Super Mario Maker Joins Elite List of Wii U Games to Pass One Million Sales in the US
Making dollars
While the big picture and overall sales history may not be kind to the Wii U in generations to come, the qualities of the system and some of its exclusive games have ensured that fans have happily picked up some titles in significant numbers. Super Mario Maker, Nintendo's fantastic level creation tool of 2015, has now joined a list of...
Review Near Earth Objects (Wii U eShop)
Light and destruction in the stars
Near Earth Objects is the type of game that gets under your skin - the kind where you tell yourself you'll only play for five minutes and then you suddenly find it's been an hour. Solid music, pulsing colours, various enemies and screen-shaking explosions add a lot of appeal to this variation on Asteroids, creating...
News The Custom Hydra Splatling, Splatoon's Last Update Weapon, Goes Live on 15th January
The end of an era
We all knew that this day would be coming, but it's still a bittersweet time. The end of the free Splatoon weapon updates has come, and it will be marked by the launch of the final weapon: Custom Hydra Splatling. The Custom Hydra Splatling is, erm, a custom Hydra Splatling, with the main difference here being that it uses the...
News North America Gets a Project X Zone 2 Demo on 26th January
A taste of what's to come
It's somewhat hard to believe, but Project X Zone 2 is just about a month away from releasing here in the west. The sequel to the three company mega mashup SRPG extravaganza that was Project X Zone aims to deliver an even bigger experience, with more characters and cameos from the companies' rich histories. While it may be...
Thursday14th Jan 2016
Nintendo Download 14th January (North America)
Metroid: Zero Mission! Space Hulk! Slice It! Discounts! More!
It's Nintendo Download Update time once again, with this week's North American offerings bringing a mix of old and new treats. The Wii U Virtual Console catches up with a long-demanded Game Boy Advance title, while there's also some strategy, gallery shooting and more coming to the home...
News 17 Games Get North American eShop Discounts in the Winter Warm-Up Sale
Star Fox 64 3D! Gunman Clive 2! Punch-Out! More!
This week's Nintendo Download Update for North America had plenty of information, yet as expected Nintendo of America has followed it up with the first week of its 'Winter Warm-Up' sales. For three weeks there'll be themed discounts across the eShop on Wii U and 3DS, with the first batch coming under...
Rumour Twilight Princess HD to Feature Special amiibo Dungeon, Hero Mode and Touchscreen Inventory
Zelda-series amiibo to help with extra hearts, arrows etc
When it comes to early game leaks, Amazon France is certainly on the shortlist as one of the most prolific sources. That seems to be the case once again, with a listing for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD spilling the beans on some new features in the HD remaster. Some of the...
Talking Point Considering amiibo Features and the Reality of 'Physical DLC'
The evolution of amiibo, locked content and why some hate it
Courtesy of Famitsu screens and Amazon France continuing its impressive record of product page blunders, some details have dribbled out recently for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. Much of the information has been relatively minor, but one potential detail - let's consider it...
News Bayonetta 2 to Have a Standalone North American Release on 19th February
Will set you back $29.99
Bayonetta 2 remains one of the finest exclusive releases on Wii U, though back in October 2014 it had an interesting, and slightly muddled, release. After flip-flopping on details following its initial E3 reveal, Nintendo's regional subsidiaries ended up taking different approaches when publishing the PlatinumGames title. In...
Rumour You Can Hold More Rupees in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
Deep pockets
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD will be releasing in less than two months now, though what changes it will be making to the original are still mostly a mystery to us. Considering how The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD tweaked and adjusted various aspects of gameplay to bring it more in line with modern gameplay standards,...
Rumour The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth May Be Coming to Wii U After All
It's lonely on top
For those of you that also game on other platforms, you may have been aware of The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth. As yet another expansion to The Binding of Isaac, Afterbirth adds on potentially hundreds of hours of new content on top of the already massive campaign, with new game modes, characters, items, challenges, enemies, and...
News Yes, You Can Scan The Shovel Knight amiibo While It's Still In Its Box
"We got a lot of feedback from fans before release"
Collecting amiibo is a full-time obsession for some Nintendo fans, and there will be a great many out there who are kept up at night by the eternal question - should you open the packaging and reduce the value of the figure in order to use it in the manner Nintendo intended? The reason collectors...
News The Princess Daisy Costume is Finally Coming to Super Mario Maker
It's actually happening
Costume updates for Super Mario Maker are a fairly regular occurrence nowadays, it seems a new one pops up almost every week. Sure, none of them actually do anything special, but it can be much more satisfying to occasionally play through a Mario stage as a pigeon instead of just Mario. Nintendo of America just revealed the...
News Bravely Second: End Layer Demo Arrives in Europe on 11th February
A "prelude to the adventure"
Bravely Default was a popular arrival when it was localised in Europe and North America, and also had a demo that served as a prelude to the main game. With Bravely Second: End Layer approaching in Europe the same strategy is being revisited. With the game due on 26th February, including a gorgeous Collector's Edition
News Amazon Joins Retail Rivals in Offering Game Discounts With Prime Membership
20% off pre-orders and new games in the US
In an increasingly tough retail market, both online and on the high street, big brands are continually switching up their methods to win our custom. Some just shoot for the lowest prices, others prioritise rapid delivery, or special editions may be the focus - the most successful retailers blend all three...
Video The Latest Monster Hunter Stories Trailer Makes Importing Even More Tempting
Still coming this year in Japan
Monster Hunter Stories strikes us as a particularly interesting entry in the series. For over a decade the franchise has largely stuck to tried-and-tested approaches, but this is one of a fresh batch of titles (others being arcades and smart device apps) switching up the visual style and gameplay. An RPG adventure...
News Nintendo's European Sites Give Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympics An August Release Date
That's during the actual Olympics
Nintendo recently confirmed that the 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was coming out in North America in March, but wouldn't give a solid release date for the Wii U version of the game. However, some of Nintendo's European regional sub-sites - including
Video These Teenagers Show Good Taste and Enjoy Classic Retro Game Music
They even know the biggest Ninty classics by name
We all like talking about games, otherwise we wouldn't be here, but not everyone actively pays attention to and discusses video game music. We're often aware of it when it's so fantastic that it's impossible to ignore, but it can often be overlooked just how important audio is to any gaming...
News Skylanders Superchargers Nintendo Combo Packs Are Exclusive To Smyths Toys In The UK
£24.99 a pop
Donkey Kong and Bowser were surprise additions to the Skylanders Superchargers line-up, and have recently been re-launched independently from the starter packs they were originally bundled in, making it easier than ever for amiibo collectors to get their hands on them. The packs are now available in the UK, and are exclusive to Smyths...
Wednesday13th Jan 2016
Video Everything We Know About Nintendo NX, So Far
The NX level?
Nintendo's new console - dubbed NX - will be revealed this year, and could even see release before 2017 rolls around, but the company has remained largely tight-lipped about the system. That has predictably led to a lot of uncertainty and questions, and while we can't entirely solve that, we're here to give you a wider picture of what...
Gallery Have a Gawk at The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD's Boxart
There may be less tears of light to collect, too...
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is one of the most notable releases in the first half of this year, bringing the GameCube / Wii title into the high-definition era with some amiibo support thrown in. It should provide a decent start to the year's 30th Anniversary celebrations for the...
News Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge Launches in Japan This Month
Could this be NST's rumoured project?
It's interesting to see how the Mario vs. Donkey Kong games have slowly changed over time. While the first game was a 2D platformer that echoed the philosophy of the classic Donkey Kong arcade game, each successive entry focused more and more on the miniature toy versions of characters. Now, it's become a...
News Natsume Is Selling Vintage Factory Sealed Stock Via Its eBay Store
Sealed copy of Pocky & Rocky recently sold for $1,691.66
Buying vintage games on eBay is a tricky business these days, as collectors have pushed the value of many sought-after titles to eye-watering levels. You'll find a robust market for factory-sealed releases too, some of which can sell for many times more than their original retail price...
Poll Are You Optimistic About Nintendo's 2016?
It's a big year for the company
With 2016 now well underway many thoughts are on what will be a vital 12 months for Nintendo. In this year alone it'll reveal - and potentially release - its next generation of gaming hardware with the NX, it'll launch its first smart device apps and the My Nintendo / Nintendo Account services. Throw in the annual...
News Monster Hunter X (Cross) and New 3DS Continue to Lead the Way in Japan
Splatoon, Super Mario Maker and Wii U also continue decent momentum
The festive period certainly brought cheer for Nintendo in its homeland, as the New 3DS and Wii U enjoyed impressive sales while their key releases led the software charts. The latest Media Create Japanese charts show some understandable drops as January bites, yet the results are...
News Metroid: Zero Mission Looks Set for a 14th January Arrival in North America
You can stop asking for it now
Every week we post the European and North American Nintendo Download Updates, the first on a Monday and the latter on a Thursday. The regional subsidiaries match up with some releases, but the Virtual Console is one area where they each follow their own path. North American Wii U owners, in particular, have been...
News Garchomp, Braixen and Mewtwo Will Join the Fight in Pokkén Tournament
Mewtwo's a bit of a veteran fighter
Just recently it was confirmed that the roster for Pokkén Tournament on Wii U was set to grow again ahead of its Spring release. Now, courtesy of a CoroCoro leak - thanks Serebii - there are details of three Pokémon that will be playable and jumping into battle. These will be as follows, with the scan also...
News New NES Game "Germ Squashers" Aims to Benefit Children's Miracle Network
Making everyone feel better
It's not every day that you see a new game release for an old console, but it does happen from time to time. Though these releases will typically launch on a modern digital storefront simultaneously with the physical cartridge, it's still a great way to make a new game as retro as it can possibly get. The next new NES...
News Nintendo Share Price Rebounds Along With Japanese Stock Market
Miitomo reportedly helps as Nintendo gains above the average
It's been a grisly start to 2016 in the stock market, with dramatic falls in China contributing to falling share prices around the world. After a number of consecutive days of decline the Japanese stock market rallied today, however, and Nintendo's shares seem to have been among the...
News Space Hulk Finally Arrives On The North American Wii U eShop This Week
For the Emperor
It's taken a while, but the Wii U version of Space Hulk is finally launching this week in North America. The game - which is a port of the PC original - was due to launch in May last year, but missed that release window. The Sony versions arrived in September, but the Wii U edition was held back until - we were told - Christmas...
News Satoru Iwata to Receive Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at D.I.C.E.
Splatoon and Super Mario Maker among award nominees
With a summit in the days before, details have now been issued for the 19th D.I.C.E. Awards on 18th February; this is a prestigious annual event hosted by The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Nintendo picked up a few awards in late 2015 for key releases such as Splatoon and Super Mario...
News Story of Seasons Sequel is Coming Soon to 3DS in Japan
What a wonderful world
While the Harvest Moon franchise has had its ups and downs, Story of Seasons - which is a re-branded HM game, let's not forget - returned to the core style of the IP's beginnings. Add in some carefully thought out mechanics and a dose of realism and you have a 3DS title with some staunch fans; we rather liked it in our review,...
News Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails Releases This Thursday in North America
Pulling into station
There are some strategy games that don't focus on swords or fighting, but take a slightly more realistic approach by placing players in a setting that's entirely plausible in the current day. For PC gamers, the 'Tycoon' games did this by placing players in control of a fictional amusement park or zoo or something to that effect...
Gallery This Is What A Dragon Quest Convenience Store Looks Like
Slimes R Us
Last August, Square Enix and Japanese convenience store chain Lawson teamed up to apply a bit of Dragon Quest magic to a Lawson retail outlet in Chiyoda, Tokyo, with the overall objective being the promotion of Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS. The existing store was given a makeover which included special decals on the outside and themed...
Tuesday12th Jan 2016
Commemorative anniversary logo also released
It's a big year for Pokémon as the franchise gears up to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. With that in mind Nintendo has now lifted the lid on some key releases that are on the way to the West, which should certainly please fans. Starting with Europe, it'll receive three variations of 2DS bundles, one...
News Wii U System Version 5.5.1 is Now Available
Brace yourself for an extra 47 MB of stability
It's not too often that an OS update for Nintendo consoles really adds anything significant. Every once in a blue moon, we'll receive something interesting and notable like a speed update, but it's usually just a stability update that "improves overall system performance". That's what this latest update...
Digitally remastered movies! Special Edition cards! Merchandise!
It promises to be a great year for Pokémon fans, as 20th Anniversary celebrations are set to be a highlight over the course of many months. Various hardware bundles and the anniversary logo have been revealed, and now The Pokémon Company has released a video highlighting some more...
News Sega Reveals More Details On Sonic The Hedgehog's 25th Birthday
Get ready for "Pixel" and "Comic Book" Sonic
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, one of the most iconic video game characters ever created. Sega has a year of celebrations planned, and Toy World Magazine has revealed some of the company's merchandising moves. Unsurprisingly, much of th
Video Watch as New Super Mario Bros. Wii Gets Pitted Side-by-Side with its Wii U Successor
HD-licious
New Super Mario Bros. Wii has joined its younger sibling New Super Mario Bros. U on the Wii U eShop in Europe. Many people jump to compare the two and believe them to be achingly similar, so in order to put this to the test once and for all we've put both games side-by-side in the video below. We chose to showcase levels that bore a...
Book Review The 200 Best Video Games Of All Time
Hardcore Gaming 101 does it again
People love putting things in lists - it's human nature. Since the dawn of the internet however, such lists have taken on a life of their own; starved of time, short on attention and faced with a seemingly unlimited amount of free content, the average web user wants information delivered in the shortest time...
News Nintendo Launches an Official Tumblr Page
"May contain content inappropriate for children"
In December last year we saw the launch of an official Pokémon Tumblr, which was clearly a sign of things to come. Now Nintendo has launched an official page, which is no doubt being led by Nintendo of America. This isn't the subsidiary's first dalliance with the social network, having kept us amused...
Talking Point Let's Dare to Believe that Sonic the Hedgehog Can Have a Happy Anniversary
He just needs the right spin
There were a few notable anniversaries in 2015, yet this year looks set to be even more significant. Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda are among the major celebrations still to come, but it's also the 25th Anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. Once the sworn enemy and rival to Mario, leading the SEGA charge in the 'Console...
News Rare Wanted To Do amiibo-Style Toys During The N64 Era
Ahead of the curve
UK studio Rare has always had a habit of being ahead of the curve. The company - founded by Tim and Chris Stamper in the '80s - was one of the first western developers to work on the NES hardware, and in the '90s the firm would pioneer the use of CGI graphics in 2D games with the likes of Donkey Kong Country and Killer Instinct...
News Legendary Former Rare Character Artist, Kev Bayliss, Joins Playtonic to Work on Yooka-Laylee
Credited with DK's Country design, Killer Instinct work and much more
The words 'Rare' and 'Legend' go together very often, and we try not to use them unless they're necessary. In the case of former company Character Artist / Graphics Director Kev Bayliss it's a fair description, however, and the pleasing news is that he's now joined Playtonic...
News Developers Dig into Sales Failure of Toto Temple Deluxe
Dissecting the goat
This past fall, Montreal-based developer Juicy Beast released Toto Temple Deluxe on the Wii U, PS4, and Xbox One. It was that colourful, chaotic-looking game with a goat. Unfortunately for them, Juicy Beast have announced on their website that the game "didn't sell very well." Although they don't provide any sales numbers, they...
News Atlus CEO, Naoto Hiraoka, Promises a Year of Popular Franchises
We still await more details on Etrian Odyssey V
We think it's fair to say that SEGA's acquisition of Atlus hasn't had a negative impact on the developer / publisher's output. Predominantly with RPGs but with other genres accommodated too, Atlus has maintained a steady release pattern of titles across various platforms. The 3DS saw some excellent...
News Strategy Puzzle Title Dungeon Hearts DX Is Coming Exclusively To Wii U Next Month
New engine, interface and possible amiibo support
Android and Steam gamers might remember Dungeon Hearts from a few years back - a strategy puzzle title which mixed strategy and music elements to create a pretty unique experience. Indie studio Wolfgame is now updating the game exclusively for the Wii U eShop under the title Dungeon Hearts DX...
News Yamamura Event Course and Outfit Coming to Super Mario Maker on 13th January
Everyone wants a playable pigeon
Super Mario Maker has seen some peculiar - and fun - Mystery Costume unlocks through its regular Event Courses. Some have been beloved Nintendo characters, while others have been quirkier inclusions or even marketing tie-ins. The latest is unsurprising considering the game's cast, but should nevertheless be fairly...
Video Extended Hyrule Warriors Legends Showcase Includes a Look at Linkle's Campaign
Wake up, grab golden compass, kill hundreds of goons
Hyrule Warriors Legends isn't far away, which is big news for fans of the Wii U title that fancy some extra content and combat on the go. Koei Tecmo's currently in the process of promoting the title heavily for its upcoming Japanese release, too, which gives us all an early look at how it's...
News Junichi Masuda Turns 48 Today
Here's to many more!
Junichi Masuda has no doubt touched the lives of millions of people through his continued work on the Pokémon games. As one of the founding members of Game Freak, Masuda initially served as a composer for the series and was the sole person responsible for the soundtrack of the first generation Pokémon games. Additionally, he...
Video Catch Up With the Super Metroid Fundraising Bonanza from Awesome Games Done Quick
Or you can browse through the whole week's videos
Earlier this week we shared the final fundraising total from 2016's Awesome Games Done Quick event, with it reaching a hugely impressive $1.2 million. In that post we mentioned that the "Save or Kill the Animals" Super Metroid vote had raised $311,603.16 all on its own, so we thought it'd be worth...
Monday11th Jan 2016
Nintendo Download 14th January (Europe)
Mega Man Battles! Final Fantasy Explorers pre-load! DLC! Discounts!
Another week begins and we have a modest batch of games to consider in the European Nintendo Download Update. There are the two versions of the final Mega Man Battle Network title on the Wii U Virtual Console, a neat demo on 3DS, DLC and the option to pre-purchase a major retail...
News Nintendo Confirms Support for Upcoming Competitive Smash Bros. Event, Genesis 3
Big name players also lined up, including Mango and Armada
Fans of competitive Super Smash Bros. tournaments have something to look forward to in the coming week - Genesis 3 is taking place in San Jose, with thousands of entrants and an ongoing rivalry lined up. The rivalry in question is between Mango and Armada, who made the Melee top two in 2009...
Review Drill Dozer (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Not likely to make you doze off
Game Freak is a developer known for its work on titles such as Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon Black and White. It does occasionally put out games that don't feature the pocket monsters, however, and one of those is Drill Dozer, a Game Boy Advance action platformer set across six...
News Oculus Founder Palmer Luckey Believes Virtual Boy "Hurt" the VR Industry, But It's Not All Bad
"Not really a VR device, IMO"
The Virtual Boy is well known among keen Nintendo followers - it was a quirky device that flopped commercially and, for quite some time, was effectively ignored by Nintendo. It was also a major early dalliance with 3D technology from the company, though the name and form factor makes some consider it to be a virtual...
Reminder Upcoming Extended Nintendo Network Maintenance Could Disrupt Online Play
Find something other than Splatoon this evening
As some of you no doubt recall Nintendo recently lined up another extended session of network maintenance; though the timing and circumstances of the last work of this nature gave hope of a related Direct or special event, so far nothing has been announced. The maintenance is definite, though, so it's...
News Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Hits 3DS in North America on 18th March
Wii U version not on the podium
We recently shared a list of exciting Wii U and 3DS games to play in the first quarter of 2016, which was admittedly packed with portable titles. If you like cross-IP sport games then there's now another one to consider - Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is coming to North America on 18th March. Well,...
Video Learn About The Real World Mythology Behind Pokémon
Shrines, Gods and fantastical tales
Any franchise with a lore as deep and varied as Pokémon will draw from a range of sources when seeking inspiration; an ever-growing Pokédex along with a lot of games, films and anime episodes make that a necessity. It can be interesting, then, to learn about the diversity of the references to be found in the...
Gallery Bask In The Plastic Glory Of The Shovel Knight amiibo
A knight on the town
The Shovel Knight amiibo is now out in the wild, and we suspect a great many of you - like us - will have been appreciating his plastic brilliance for a few days now. However, for those of you who are still waiting on delivery - or perhaps haven't plucked up the courage to place an order yet - we present to you an exte
News Word Puzzles by POWGI is Heading to Europe on 28th January, Including a Wii U Release
Supports all amiibo for extra puzzles
European fans of puzzles and word games have a double release on the way this month, with Lightwood Games confirming a release date of 28th January for Word Puzzles by POWGI in the region. Already confirmed for 3DS, the title is also heading to the Wii U eShop on the same day. These titles will provide a...
News Epic Dumpster Bear is the Real Name of an Upcoming Wii U eShop Game
We can't bear it
The Wii U eShop has its share of slightly strange games, and Epic Dumpster Bear from Log Games is the latest in a long line. The developer previously released the decent Puzzle Monkeys, and has decided that the animal kingdom is well suited to even more genres. Epic Dumpster Bear is a platformer, and Log Games is promising over 70...
News Lucas and Next Wave of Animal Crossing amiibo Up For Pre-Order in the UK
The Official Store weighs in
The amiibo range keeps growing, and the Nintendo Official UK Store has now opened pre-orders on the next batch of figures due in the country on 29th January. This batch includes what could turn into one of the more popular recent arrivals, Lucas. In addition there are the next four Animal Crossing amiibo, in this case...
News Ichiro Hazama Would Like to Keep Making More Theatrhythm Games
Where should they go next?
The Theatrhythm series of games for Square Enix is an interesting spin-off that holds a lot of potential. Over its long run, Square has produced countless memorable soundtracks to accompany its games, and somebody finally got the bright idea to make a rhythm game focused entirely on this music. While the two that have...
Random Oslo's City Hall Is Playing The Super Mario Bros. Theme
The bells! The bells!
The Super Mario Bros. theme has become quite famous since its inception back in 1985 - hum it to pretty much any person on the face of the planet and there's a good chance that they'll recognise it. If you needed any more confirmation of its fame, then check out the video below. The building is Oslo City Hall in Norway, and as...
News Awesome Games Done Quick Raises Over $1.2 Million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation
Awesome indeed
There are a number of admirable gaming marathons and streams held every year to raise money for charity, and the winter Awesome Games Done Quick event is among the very best in the field. With round-the-clock speedruns and events across a whole week it showcases brilliant games both old and new, highlights the talent of those...
Sunday10th Jan 2016
Nintendo Life Weekly New 2016 Sonic Game Hinted, NX Release Predictions and More
Gotta delete fast
Sonic the Hedgehog has been through a lot, as no doubt you have this week and so after a short wintry hiatus Nintendo Life Weekly is back once again to take you through all the biggest parts of the past seven days. This week we look at Sonic soundtrack providers Crush 40 potentially leaking information pertaining to a new Sonic...
Random Check Out the Official Mega Man Headphones
Rocking out has a whole new meaning
A little over a month from now, Mega Man Legacy Collection will be arriving on the 3DS; bringing all six original Mega Man games to the platform in a remastered bundle, with some extra features thrown in for good measure. While it may seem a bit redundant given how all six are already available to be purchased...
News RCMADIAX to Temporarily Remove AVOIDER From the Wii U eShop
Due to audio track being a "close copy" from another game
RCMADIAX has been a prolific publisher on the Wii U eShop, particularly in North America, releasing a range of budget titles. These games are often inexpensive, simple releases, though the developer is now planning to temporarily withdraw its most recent title - AVOIDER - due to what seems to...
News Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is Now Available to Pre-Load in North America
Be ready to play it at midnight
In just a couple weeks, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam will finally launch in North America. The latest entry in the Mario & Luigi series of games, this one is notable for mashing up with the Paper Mario series for the ultimate portable Mario RPG experience. Though it may be yesterday's news in Europe, it's...
Saturday9th Jan 2016
Feature Exciting Wii U and 3DS Games to Play in the First Quarter of 2016
Enough to keep us busy...
The start of any year can be rather quiet in terms of game releases. Plenty of major publishers save blockbusters for the final third of the year, while mid-late Spring can also be a rather busy period for releases. Nintendo, courtesy of some delays or strategies on its part and from third-parties, actually has quite a lot...
A downsized download
Originally released on PC back in 2011, Terraria could be described as a 2D sidescrolling Minecraft with graphics reminiscent of 16-bit games. Over the years it received many updates and eventually started getting ported to many other systems. Now it's finally Nintendo's turn to get the game, but does it still hold up or did too...
Video Splatoon Easter Egg Shows a Friendly Face
Vacant smile, electric whiskers, who else is it going to be?
As if the streams of new weapons and maps in Splatoon weren't enough to tickle the fancy of all the budding Inklings out there, Nintendo has squeezed a previously unseen easter egg into the latest battleground known as Piranha Pit. As with most easter eggs this one isn't immediately...
Video Super Mario Bros. Z, a Stylish Sprite-Based Animated Series, is Back
Mario, Sonic, and a hint of Dragon Ball Z
YouTube is home to a number of excellent fan projects dedicated to classic gaming franchises, including plenty in honour of Nintendo. A particularly popular and short-live series from 2006 has now returned to join the ranks, and is already finding an audience. Super Mario Bros. Z is a project from digital...
Rumour SEGA Teases More Information for Sonic's 25th Anniversary
What do the numbers mean?
As this is the year of Sonic's 25th anniversary, many are expecting big things out of SEGA for the celebration. While nothing has been confirmed yet, Crush 40 potentially spilled the beans on another Sonic anniversary game being released, though what exactly this means still remains a mystery since the post was deleted...
News Splatoon's Next Splatfest in North America is All About Time Travel
Dinosaurs or Spaceships?
It's getting to be that time again for North Americans to partake in the monthly Splatfest for Splatoon. After last month's decidedly more festive approach to things, we're getting yet another topic that few likely saw coming. The Splatfest's theme will be about whether you'd rather time travel to the past or the future...
Easily avoided
RCMADIAX is a studio that has become well known for the relatively high volume of inexpensive titles that it's put out over the past couple of years. Their quality wavers from being barely worth their dollar price tag to being at least average games. AVOIDER is the latest entry in this line of titles, and while its rather barebones...
News Here are Nintendo's Nominees for the Game Developer's Choice Awards
Splatoon is up for three awards, Super Mario Maker is up for one
In a couple short months, it'll be about that time of year for the annual Game Developers Conference, one of the largest events in the industry. Rather than E3, which is centered around new announcements for greater audiences, GDC is primarily focused on the craft of game development...
Live Enjoy Nearly 12 Hours of Classic Mario and Legend of Zelda Gaming from Awesome Games Done Quick
Super Mario Bros.! Ocarina of Time! Super Mario Galaxy! More!
We're coming towards the end of Awesome Games Done Quick, which is a shame, but it's gearing up for a wonderful finale. The final 24 hours feature plenty of goodies, a number of which are Nintendo classics. This time around we have nearly 12 hours of classic Mario and Zelda gaming; this...
Will you Save or Kill the Animals?
Awesome Games Done Quick is about to wrap up for another year, hoping to gain momentum in its final hours to take its fundraising total past one million dollars. If past years are anything to go by the odds are decent, especially with the iconic final playthrough of Super Metroid being one of the event's most...
Friday8th Jan 2016
Ninterview Retro Video Gaming's Heidi stopXwhispering On Building The Ultimate Game Room
"Retro games are filled with 'spelglädje' for me!"
Nintendo Life: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Heidi stopXwhispering: My name is Heidi, I was born in 1984 and I'm from Sweden. I grew up in Sweden, but lived abroad during my college years - in the UK, Germany and Japan. Now I'm back in Sweden. When did you get into gaming? I always...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 5 - 2010 To 2013
A short gen
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon in February 2016 and look hotly ahead towards brand new things, we're continuing our journey through each generation of Pokémon, this month we cover the generation that's the most recent to be fully completed. If you need to catch up before reading ahead, be sure to check out our...
News Check Out Plenty of Hyrule Warriors Legends Footage, Limited Edition Pre-Orders Open in the UK
GAME has dibs once again
Hyrule Warriors Legends is one of a glut of new arrivals in the first few months of 2016, giving 3DS owners a chance to jump into the popular Wii U title. Legends includes all of the DLC from the home console version, in addition to new characters and Linkle story content. It's out in the West on 25th March, though its...
News Bravely Second: End Layer Deluxe Collector's Edition Pre-Orders Open in the UK
Soundtrack CD! Deluxe artbook! Figurine!
There are some handsome special editions on the way with a few key upcoming releases, and the Bravely Second: End Layer Deluxe Collector's Edition is among the best. Confirmed for the European release on 26th February, it includes the following. Bravely Second: End Layer game A Deluxe Artbook (250+...
Random Wall Mounting Old Games Has Never Been Better
Kickstarter project aims to give you a reason to dust off those cartridges
There's nothing quite like the sensation of looking at a fully stocked wall or shelf of games and remembering the experiences had with each one. However, most gamers that have been playing games for several years will likely have amassed quite a pile over time, but who...
Video This Japanese McDonald's Super Mario Happy Meal Commercial Is Too Adorable For Words
So just watch it instead
We're not going to talk too much about the following video - produced to promote the new range of Super Mario Happy Meal toys now available at Japanese branches of McDonald's - because the normally bountiful English language doesn't provide the words required to describe how utterly adorable it is. So instead, we advise...
News Another Fighter Character for Pokkén Tournament Will Be Revealed Next Week
Who could it be?
At the beginning of December, the Twitter account for Pokkén Tournament revealed that a new fighter character would be coming to Pokkén Tournament, along with a couple new support characters. About a week later, it was confirmed that Sceptile would be the new fighter, with Farfetch'd and Electrode being the support characters. It...
Weirdness Conceptual Artist Attempts Tetris World Record as a Metaphor of Capitalism
"Eventually they fall so fast that you can’t keep up and you die"
Conceptual and performance artists find meaning - or try to - in the unlikeliest of places, often taking mundane or obsessive aspects of life and applying an artistic different vision. One artist doing this is Rutherford Chang, who's based in New York and has previous works that...
News The Sloshing Machine Neo is Splashing Its Way Into Splatoon
Getting sloshed at the weekend
Nintendo has found a more wholesome and healthy way for us to get sloshed this weekend (Google it), confirming the latest free weapon to be heading into Splatoon. Due on the evening of 8th January in North America and the early hours of the morning on 9th January in Europe, the Sloshing Machine Neo will bring a bit of...
Thursday7th Jan 2016
Nintendo Download 7th January (North America)
Light gun games! Ocean Runner! Discovery! More!
The time has come for the first North America Nintendo Download Update of 2016, and it includes a variety of options. The Wii U Virtual Console plays catch up with three light gun games, while new download offerings include a creative Minecraft-a-like, two RCMADIAX games and the return of Ninja Pig...
News There's a New Yu-Gi-Oh! Game on the Way to 3DS this Summer
Will 'Yu' be picking it up?
With all the negative press surrounding Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami - along with the notion that it's looking to wind down AAA game development - the company could sure use a break. While it'll still be interesting to see what other new games are announced in the near future, Konami just recently announced that a...
News Let's Debunk Some Of Pokémon's Biggest Myths Ahead Of This Year's Virtual Console Resurrection
No, you can't capture Pikablu
Nintendo is finally launching the first-gen Pokémon games on the 3DS Virtual Console, and this event has gotten the peeps over at Red Bull thinking about all of the classic myths which grew up around the games back in the late '90s - before the internet came along and made it easy to debunk such nonsense. No, you...
News Zelda: Link Between Worlds Figma Link Is Here, And The Desire Is Real
Get ready to throw money at your screen
Dat plastic - we simply cannot resist it. Good Smile has just revealed the latest entry to its Figma range, and it's likely to be of great interest to Nintendo fans. Link from The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is the character in question, and he's been shown off in a wide range of suitably heroic...
Review Discovery (Wii U eShop)
Let's get creative
Now that Minecraft: Wii U Edition has been released for the Wii U, one would think that the tide of block based sandbox games on the eShop would be stemmed. Evidently that's not the case quite yet, as Discovery is the next arrival on the Wii U eShop. So, how does the game stack up? While Discovery may feel a bit half-baked in...
Editorial Let's Make 2016 a Year of Nintendo Optimism
Tom Whitehead wants to see smiles on faces
Isn't it great when a new year rolls around? We can just dust off our hands, shrug and march forward with a skip in our step and smiles on our faces. We can - oh yes, we can. As 2015 drew to a close I had a Skype call with the Triforce of Nintendo Life Directors, my bosses that I try and boss around when /...
Giveaway It's Europe's Turn To Grab A Free Copy Of Cube Life: Island Survival
We have 100 copies to give away to lucky Europeans
Over the Christmas break Cube Life: Island Survival developer Cypronia was kind enough to give away 100 copies of their game to our North American readers to celebrate the recent v1.1 update. This time it's the turn of European players to get in on the action - we've got another 100 free copies to...
News The First 4 Figures Amaterasu Reminds Us of Why We Love Ōkami
Pure art
Ōkami was developed by Clover Studio, the fantastic Capcom-owned developer that disbanded and formed - for the most part - the equally wonderful PlatinumGames. Originally a PS2 game, we fell in love with the Wii version courtesy of its Wii Remote pointer controls - the act of drawing shapes to trigger abilities and attacks worked...
Random Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS Picked Up a People's Choice Award
Even though they were released in 2014
We often use the term 'evergreen' when referring to some of Nintendo's biggest titles, and it's undoubtedly a good thing. Major established franchises - and occasional newcomers like Splatoon - consistently accumulate sales long after release; that's a valuable part of Nintendo's business. With the current...
Review Ocean Runner (3DS eShop)
Shallow Waters
Deep within the vast, mysterious waters of our blue planet, the endless-runner genre is surprisingly still alive and well. As the name might suggest, Ocean Runner combines mobile friendly arcade gameplay with a nautical theme, perhaps creating the eShop's first endless swimmer title in the process, but is there enough here to keep our...
News Southwest Air Course Goes Live In Super Mario Maker With Sky Pop Costume From Super Mario Land
Body popping
A new course is live in Super Mario Maker which offers the chance to dress up as the iconic Sky Pop plane from the Game Boy title Super Mario Land. The Southwest Air Adventure course has been designed by Super Mario fans at Southwest Airlines, and clearing it earns you the exclusive mushroom costume for Sky Pop. You can check out the...
News Splatoon Watches Hit Stores In Japan
*Sigh*, in Japan...
With Splatoon's ink-redible (apologies) popularity, it's only inevitable that Nintendo has been capitalising on the merchandise machine with its hottest new franchise. While the West has been treated to a few things here and there, Japan has certainly had its share of Splatoon spoils since the game's launch in May, such as...
News Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale Will Feature Dual Audio
Both English and Japanese tracks will be available
It was just confirmed yesterday that Europe and Australia will be receiving Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale sometime early this year. Many were no doubt delighted to hear this news as the game seems to be pretty good, so far. While there may not be any so
News Catalis Group Acquires Curve Digital To Create "Major New British Games Publisher"
Former Eidos man Dominic Wheatley is bullish about the move
British publisher and developer Curve Digital - the company behind titles like Hydroventure: Spin Cycle and Stealth Inc. 2 - has been acquired by The Catalis Group, a move which effectively creates a massive new force in British games publishing. The Catalis Group - which includes Kuju...
Wednesday6th Jan 2016
Review Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars (SNES)
The Mario RPG that started it all
There are very few areas of life the Mario franchise hasn't at some point explored. Mario himself has been a doctor, an amateur kart racer, and later on in his career was recognised as a professional athlete when he competed at the Olympic Games in the 100-metre dash against Sonic. Quite simply, he's a jack of all...
Analysis Assessing Why NX Needs to Take Over From Both the Wii U and 3DS
And why the recent share price drop is illogical
Stock markets and investing in shares can be a strange affair. Though business acumen and experience can go a long way, aspects of the process can resemble a casino; even just taking Nintendo as an example, the company's share prices soared in March 2015 when the partnership with DeNA and the...
News Japanese Analyst Claims NX Could Launch As Early As October, Will Eat Into Wii U And 3DS Sales
"Concept" announcement between March and May, official unveiling in June
Comments from Nomura Securities analyst Junko Yamamura have lent additional weight to existing claims that Nintendo is looking to launch its new NX console this year. Yamamura says that the console's "concept" -
News New York's Nintendo World Store Prepares for Major Revamp
Demo units, a large screen, exclusive souvenirs and more
Update: The store will also be rebranded to Nintendo NY, a name change which hopefully suggests more locations in future: Original Article: We suspect that the majority of Nintendo fans that have been to New York have ensured they've visiting the Nintendo World store. A two-storey shop in...
Video Here's What Shovel Knight's New amiibo-Based Co-Op Mode Looks Like
Better together
Those lovely Shovel Knight amiibo are finally finding their way into the hands of gamers the world over, and that means we can show you what the co-op multiplayer mode (unlocked by the aforementioned lump of plastic) looks like in the main game. As you can see in the video below, the gameplay is changed quite dramatically when two...
News 'Brain Training' Games Aren't All They're Cracked Up to be
Brain training website pays $2 million to FTC for false advertising
No doubt many of you remember Nintendo's popular Brain Age series on the Nintendo DS, technically the first in its 'Touch! Generations' line of games. The title sold itself on the concept of doing simple cognitive tasks and games in order to slow mental decline and keep cognitive...
News Get Ready for Light Gun Action in This Week's North American Nintendo Download Update
The Adventures of Bayou Billy! Wild Gunman! Hogan's Alley!
Starting with Duck Hunt in late 2014, Nintendo has been retrofitting and re-releasing - along with third-party partners - some iconic NES light gun / Zapper games for the Wii U eShop. They naturally utilise the Wii Remote pointer to recreate that old-fashioned practice of zapping pixels on...
Review Molly Maggot (Wii U eShop)
Play your own better game
"Play your own music", Molly Maggot says as it boots up, which doesn't create high hopes for its quality. The clunky jumping controls, stilted animations and lifeless goals soon solidify that sense that you're sifting through trash. Save for a few sound effects that are almost funny, Molly Maggot doesn't have a single...
News New 3DS and Monster Hunter Continue to Lead in Japanese Charts
Wii U dips below PS4 but maintains strong sales
2016 is now well underway, with all of the crushing realities of the post-festive period - wider waistlines, slimmer bank balances and plenty of regret. In any case, Nintendo is starting the year in Japan with a collective smile, as the company continues to perform well in the busy shopping season...
News Japanese Games Market Falls To Lowest Point In 26 Years, But Full Picture Remains Elusive
Down 13 percent year-on-year, but digital data isn't included
According to data supplied by Famitsu, the Japanese games market has hit its lowest point since 1989. In 2015, games in Japan generated ¥321bn - a 13 percent decline on 2014's total of ¥368.55bn. Sales of games dropped 16 percent to ¥191bn, while games hardware was down to to ¥130bn...
News BOXBOY! is Getting a Sequel
It's time for round two
Many of you will no doubt remember BOXBOY!, a quirky puzzle platformer from HAL Laboratories that came out last spring. We gave it a 6/10, noting that it's a solid game, but it plays things a little too safe. Nonetheless, it apparently was a fairly popular title, as Nintendo has just announced a sequel. The new game will be...
News Masato Maegawa Talks Shoot 'em Up Designs and Sin and Punishment
A blast from the past
The shoot 'em up genre is one that's seemingly been around for nearly as long as video games have. While they do certainly have a limited appeal, these types of games offer up what could certainly be argued as the purest arcade experiences, with lightning fast reflexes and pattern recognition being absolute musts. Treasure is...
News Marvelous Is Bringing Return To PopoloCrois To European 3DS Consoles This Year
And Australian ones, too
Marvelous has announced that Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale is coming to Europe and Australia early this year. The 3DS game - which is a combination of farming and role-playing - has already been confirmed for a North American release via XSEED. Marvelous hasn't given a solid release date as yet, but...
Live Jump Into the Donkey Kong and 2D Mario Block of Awesome Games Done Quick
Wahoo!
Awesome Games Done Quick is picking up momentum, with all of its participants, attendees and viewers now well into a solid week of gaming. We're been hosting some blocks from the broadcast that feature familiar and fondly regarded games on Nintendo hardware, just in case you're not on top of the schedule. This time around we have the Donkey...
Live Get Up to Speed With the Sonic Block at Awesome Games Done Quick
Sonic Advance 1 & 3! Sonic Lost World!
We're big fans of Awesome Games Done Quick, which features runs of great games and raises a lot of money for charity. We're also hosting some blocks from the broadcast that feature familiar and fondly regarded games on Nintendo hardware, just in case you're not on top of the schedule. This time around we have...
Tuesday5th Jan 2016
Talking Point Nintendo Can Exploit Its Rich History With More Remasters
Easy money
The current generation of home console hardware has had an interesting challenge in defining itself as 'next gen'. In the era of Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 Nintendo brought motion controls to the mainstream while its contemporaries placed their focus on HD graphics and a drastic progression in online multiplayer gaming. In this current...
News Extended Nintendo Network Maintenance on the Way
Almost exactly two months after the last Direct...
Nintendo completed some Nintendo Network maintenance in brief windows during the Holiday season, along with some minor downtime, resulting in a fairly stable period overall. The latest announced maintenance has, however, caught our attention. The timing and length of the planned maintenance is...
News Fresh Serving Of Super Mario Happy Meal Toys Coming To McDonald's In Japan
Get in my belly
Nintendo's strong relationship with one of the world's most famous fast food brands continues with the news that McDonald's in Japan is getting a fresh batch of Super Mario Happy Meal toys. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Toad and Boo all feature in this new wave of plastic things, with GoNintendo reporting the following...
News Eiji Aonuma's First Game Recieves A Fresh English Language Patch
It's time to revisit Another Treasure Island
Back in late 1996, with the Nintendo 64 fresh on Japanese store shelves and Super Mario 64 thrilling gamers, Nintendo pushed out a unique title on the aging Super Famicom called Marvelous: Mouhitotsu no Takarajima, which translates as Marvelous: Another Treasure Island. Notable for being the design debut...
News GameStop Opens Preorders for Majora's Mask Link Nendoroid and Fox McCloud Figures
Better figure out your savings!
Joining in on the hype of the upcoming Star Fox Zero and Legend of Zelda games, GameStop has opened its doors to preorders of Nendoroid's latest figure of Link (his Majora's Mask iteration), as well as a GameStop-exclusive stone statue of everyone's favourite fox in the sky, Fox McCloud. The former will retail for...
News PlatinumGames Will Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary This Year
Here's to the next ten
On 2nd February PlatinumGames will celebrate its 10th Anniversary, a fact it's reminded us of as part of its New Year post to fans. The studio that evolved from key members of Clover Studio (which was funded by Capcom and produced brilliant games such as Okami) has rapidly earned a reputation for high quality and exciting...
News Wes Copeland Takes Donkey Kong World Record From Robbie Lakeman For The Second Time In A Year
"I just hope Robbie at least lets me sleep on it"
Long-time followers of Nintendo Life will know that we've tried to keep abreast of the battle for the Donkey Kong high score record for many years now. The obsession began with the excellent movie King of Kong, which focused on the efforts of underdog Steve Wiebe to topple the then-champ Billy...
"We’ll be sure to alert the Wii U community as that changes"
Zen Studios has enjoyed plenty of success with its pinball titles, releasing various versions and DLC across PC, home consoles and smart devices. The Wii U and 3DS have been in on the action too, with the former receiving Zen Pinball 2 with a decent variety of DLC, in addition to Star...
Video See What it's Like to Play Super Metroid on its Side
What will they think of next?
As one of the standout games in its genre, Super Metroid has been played and beaten countless times by fans throughout the years. It's a particular favorite due to how it's very friendly to speedrunners and sequence breakers, who discover new ways to get around obstacles and barriers that should technically be...
News Activision Blizzard Has Acquired Major League Gaming
Aims to create the "ESPN of eSports"
For those of you that like to follow the more competitive side of gaming, you've no doubt heard about Major League Gaming, or MLG. The organization regularly puts on tournaments and competitions for games such as Starcraft, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., and Call of Duty; pitting the very best of the best...
Four hours of Nintendo goodness
We're big fans of Awesome Games Done Quick, which features runs of great games and raises a lot of money for charity. In this block we can check out Metroid Fusion, Metroid Prime and The Legend of Zelda across a four hour block. Enjoy!
News PictoParty's Release Has Been Pushed Back to Late January
A bug is the cause of the delay
Many of you have no doubt played Pictionary at parties before; it can be a wonderfully chaotic competition when everyone's really getting into it. Naturally, a game such as this which channels one's inner artist is a perfect fit for the Wii U GamePad and it was only a matter of time before one would appear on the...
Monday4th Jan 2016
Feature The Biggest 3DS Games of 2016
Fire Emblem! Hyrule Warriors! Metroid Prime-ish! Old Pokémon! 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, we nevertheless have a fairly busy line-up on the way for 3DS, the portable that continues to keep...
Nintendo Download 7th January (Europe)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii! Temple of Yog! Drill Dozer! More!
It's the first Nintendo Download Update of the year, kicking off with the European arrivals that are on the way. This week we have an enjoyable platformer from the Wii era and the EU debut of a Game Freak GBA title, along with a few varied fresh releases on both Wii U and 3DS. There are a...
News Xenoblade Chronicles X Voice Actress Is In Favour Of Lin's Western Costume Change
"People are calling it censorship. I really see it as localisation"
Xenoblade Chronicles X is now out in the west, and it's great - as you'll know if you've read our review or played it yourself already. However, changes made for the North American and European launch of the game - one of which involved the removal of a revealing costume worn by the...
News Blind Gamer Completes Five-Year Quest To Finish The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
A true legend
Last year, we reported on the news that someone had 100 percent finished The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time whilst blindfolded - an impressive achievement which undoubtedly took a lot of determination and skill. However, we'd argue that Terry Garrett has gone one better - he may not have collected every single item but he's tota
Review Game & Watch Gallery Advance (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Nintendo's Portable Hits: The Early Years
In the 1980's (before the Game Boy was released), Nintendo's series of Game & Watch handhelds provided people with portable gaming excitement. As LCD games they provided a stripped down gaming experience that Cranky Kong would approve of - basic sounds, none of those pointless fancy graphics and only a...
News Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Developers Explain Why Paper Mario Was Included
Somebody had to occupy that Y button
It won't be long now until Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam releases in North America, finally giving gamers there a chance to experience this great RPG. Though it crosses over with the Paper Mario series, this is technically the latest entry in the Mario & Luigi series of RPGs for Nintendo handhelds. Considering...
News The Teaser Site For Fire Emblem Fates Has Just Gone Up in North America
Just a few more weeks to go
As most of you are aware, Fire Emblem Fates is only less than two months away from release at this point. The highly anticipated strategic RPG will be following up on 2013's Fire Emblem: Awakening, leaving it with some very big shoes to fill. Nintendo really seems to be doubling down on it, too, as the main unit, Corrin,...
Video Hudson's Abandoned R&D Lab Still Has Its Miniature Train Track In Place
All aboard the depression train
Those of you who have been gaming since the 8-bit era will no doubt be very familiar with the name Hudson Soft. A prolific developer during the Famicom / NES, PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 and Super Famicom / SNES eras, the firm was responsible for titles such as Bomberman, Adventure Island, Bonk, Star Soldier and many...
News A Neat New Pokémon Arcade Game Goes For a Literal Approach
A bit like those basketball machines, but better
We're often bemoaning the state of the arcade industry in some parts of the West - especially in the UK - especially when compared to its continued role in Japanese culture. For major Japan-based developers it can be a key part of business, with Bandai Namco being one of a few big-name companies...
News Wii U eShop Exclusive 3Souls Will Aim to 'Break New Ground' With the GamePad
From Berlin-based developer Red Column
The Wii U eShop has been home to a variety of new developers with bold ambition, and Berlin-based Red Column is the latest to set out its stall for the store. It's bringing 3Souls exclusively to Wii U in Q2, with the goal of utilising the GamePad "to break new ground in how you control your character and play...
News Check Out The Upcoming Star Fox Collaboration in Monster Hunter X (Cross)
Makes us want the game more
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate had some fun downloadable crossover events and unlockable outfits; it was possible to earn items for your hunter and Palico that paid tribute to franchises such as Street Fighter, Sonic the Hedgehog and more. Nintendo's franchises also featured, with notable examples being The Legend of Zelda and...
News Nintendo Games Absent from UK Top 40 to Kick Off 2016
Things can only get better
The first UK chart results are in for 2016, covering the New Year week up to 2nd January, and they bring an unwelcome landmark for Nintendo. For the first time we can recall in recent times there are no Nintendo games in the all-format or single-format top 40. It's a grim state of affairs, with the post Holiday dip in...
News Alien Dinosaurs Will Be Invading The Wii U And 3DS eShops Soon
Do the dinosaur
Indie developer Ratalaika Games is bringing its action title Alien Dinosaurs to Nintendo platforms. The run-and-gun shooter - which wouldn't look out of place on the Game Boy - sees the player character getting abducted by alien reptiles who then set up a gauntlet of challenges to ascertain if the planet Earth is ripe for conquest...
Video Catch Up With the Early Nintendo Goodness from Awesome Games Done Quick
Splatoon, Diddy Kong Racing, Super Mario 64 and more
During the Holidays we pointed your attention to Awesome Games Done Quick 2016, which will be live all week to raise huge sums of money for charity. It achieves admirable results every year, in addition to showing off impressive speedruns and gameplay from skilful and passionate gamers; naturally,...
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...
