News Western Localisation Of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Features Costume And Age Changes
Hot Springs swimsuit DLC also in doubt
Guide Unlocking Every Stage in Star Fox Zero
We're not leaving Peppy behind
News - April, 2016
Saturday30th Apr 2016
News Callie and Marie Join a New Splatoon amiibo Range on 8th July
So fresh!
Splatoon has been a major hit for Nintendo since it launched in May 2015, not just in sales numbers but also in terms of the IP's impact on popular culture. In Japan, particularly, Callie and Marie (the sisters who 'host' the game) have emerged as popular characters for their music and quirky characters. Nintendo's keen to celebrate that...
Reminder This is the Final Day for a Number of My Nintendo Rewards
The clock is ticking
My Nintendo has, so far, proven to be an interesting Club Nintendo replacement. It's been quite flexible, and with Miitomo rewards thrown in has included some quirky treats for those that like virtual outfits. Beyond that it's included full game downloads, DLC and a variety of discounts. Nevertheless the end is nigh for a whole...
Talking Point What Would You Like to See From Pokémon Sun and Moon?
Louisa Bhairam outlines her hopes for the new Pokémon titles
Details of the next instalment in the Pokémon franchise should start to come out very soon, and we're interested in what you would like to see from the newest addition to the Pokémon family, or just the future of the series in general. To get you thinking, I've thought of some areas...
Review Paranautical Activity (Wii U eShop)
Horrifying yet hard to put down
Have you ever watched a movie that's so bad it's good? One that you know you rationally should not enjoy, but do anyway? If you have, then you might understand the appeal of Paranautical Activity. Paranautical Activity is a bit like a mashup of three separate games in three disparate genres. The core gameplay...
Friday29th Apr 2016
Review Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition (3DS eShop / GBC)
First generation Pokéfun. IN COLOR!
Twenty years since the franchise began and after numerous games, TV episodes, movies, trading cards and plush toys, Nintendo has given Pokémon fans a chance to travel back to where it all began with Virtual Console releases of the first Game Boy titles. 3DS owners can purchase the original Red or Blue versions,...
News Launching NX Next Year Is The "Proper" Thing To Do, Says Nintendo Boss Tatsumi Kimishima
"We don't think holiday season timing is a must"
The Q&A portion of Nintendo's latest investors briefing has just gone live, and while the official English translation hasn't arrived yet, Japan resident Cheesemeister3k has posted a summary which covers the key points. Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima addressed a lot of different points,...
Rumour Retro Studios is Working on a New IP, Releases 2017
And, of course, it's on the NX
Retro Studios is sort of like the 'Rare' of modern Nintendo, a sort-of first party studio that consistently churns out amazing titles for the company. After successfully bringing Samus to the 3D plane with the Metroid Prime trilogy, they then went on to make two excellent new entries in the Donkey Kong Country series...
News Legendary Pokémon Zygarde is Now Available as a Special Gift in Europe
The 50% Forme has just landed
The Pokémon Company and Game Freak like to keep gamers on their toes, and appears to have done so with a surprise Nintendo Network gift for Pokémon X & Y as well as Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Seemingly the Legendary Pokémon Zygarde has arrived in Europe, dropping in as a gift with little warning...
News EB Games Display Lists Mighty No. 9 for a Summer 2016 Release
The saga continues
At this point, the journey that Mighty No. 9 has taken to development has become almost comical. After a record breaking Kickstarter, hype was at an all-time high, but things quickly began to deflate after numerous delays and an attempt at doing a second fundraising campaign. The development team has remained worryingly quiet as...
Poll Are You Confident About Nintendo's 3DS Focus for 2016?
The portable's still vital at five years old
The headlines earlier this week often focused on 2017. The NX and the new Legend of Zelda are both due next year, and in the nearer future there are particularly low Wii U sales forecasts; as a result the 3DS is going to be central to Nintendo's 2016. The portable has done the job of carrying Nintendo to...
News EB Games Australia Opens Up Nintendo NX Pre-Orders At $999
That's a placeholder price, of course
Nintendo might not be launching its NX console until March 2017 and won't be showing it off at this year's E3, but that hasn't stopped the Australian arm of EB Games opening up pre-orders for the mysterious console. The store has the NX listed at
News The Wind Waker Baton Is Available For Preorder Via Symphony Of The Goddesses
It doesn't let you manipulate the wind, unfortunately
The Legend of Zelda has taken this week's news by storm, due to "Zelda U" being confirmed as a dual release for both Wii U and NX systems in 2017. Continuing this - albeit in no way as grand in scale - the Zelda orchestral organisation - Symphony of the Goddesses - has announced an official Wind...
Random Fan Mod Brings Super Mario World to the Sega Mega Drive Classics Hub
Who would've thought?
Last week, Sega announced a cool new concept that it would be premiering on Steam: Sega Mega Drive Classic Hub. This free update to any of the available Mega Drive games lets players have a virtual bedroom that mirrors what your typical Sega fan's room would've looked like back in the 90's. All of your games sit on a shelf...
News Square Enix Is Resurrecting A Classic Super Famicom RPG On Mobile Phones
Romancing Saga 2 playable in English for the first time ever
It was only last year that we reported on a fan translation of the first Romancing Saga game, a Super Famicom RPG which has gone down in history as one of the unique offerings in the genre. Now, we've had the unexpected news that Square Enix is localising the Japan-only sequel itself - and...
Exclusive Gunslugs is Heading to the 3DS eShop, and Nintendo Life's Community Helped Make it Happen
Feedback from our interview fired the starting gun
Gunslugs 2, developed by Orangepixel and ported / published on 3DS by Engine Software, is a fun and action-packed download title. Of course, no prizes are given for figuring out that it has a predecessor yet to arrive on 3DS - well, that's going to be fixed as Gunslugs is heading to the portable...
News The Boss Fight Bundle Offers Fantastic Gaming Books at a Bargain Price
Kickstarter campaign funded for new series, including Super Mario Bros. 3
We're fans of the Boss Fight Books series here at Nintendo Life, as it often takes alternative and interesting approaches to assessing and studying iconic video games. Some Nintendo classics have been covered so far across the various volumes, including Super Mario Bros. 2,...
Review Maestro! Jump in Music (DS)
I am the music man
We originally saw Maestro! Jump In Music on DSiWare where it went by the name Maestro! Green Groove. However, you might not be aware of the fact that this digital offering was actually a republished version of the original European physical retail release, which can be hard to come by these days. Despite some notable flaws and the...
News Sega Wanted To Work With Capcom And Bandai Namco On Virtual Console Releases
Negotiations didn't happen, sadly
The recent western release of Sega 3D Classics Collection is a reminder not only of how amazing some retro titles are, but also of the incredible talent of Japanese studio M2, which worked alongside Sega's Yosuke Okunari to port and enhance some of its most famous arcade and domestic games on the 3DS. M2 has also...
Parent Trap Welcoming A Yo-Kai Into The Family
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson catches some spooks
With the European launch of Yo-Kai Watch taking place today the families I work with have been discovering how good a fit the world of Yo-Kai is for them. I was expecting it to be pretty popular with the strong collecting and character aspects of the game, but I hadn't realised how much substance...
Video Nintendo Would Really Love You To Take Crazy Miifoto Selfies In Miitomo
Please do not attempt during a rush hour commute
Miitomo has proved to a a successful first step into the world of smart devices for Nintendo, with over 10 million users worldwide; more than 20 million Miifotos have also been created, which shows that users are really engaging with it. Keen to build on this success Nintendo has released a slightly...
News Late Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi Inducted Into 2016 Consumer Technology Hall Of Fame
As "Video Game Futurist"
Former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi has been inducted into the 2016 Consumer Technology Hall of Fame. Yamauchi - who relinquished his presidency in 2002 to Satoru Iwata and sadly passed away in 2013 - has been recognised in the "Video Game Futurist" category. He joined Nintendo in 1949 and oversaw the company's...
Thursday28th Apr 2016
News Nintendo 3DS Games Sure Look Pretty In High Definition
Jaggies begone
While it's impossible to escape the somewhat shady nature of emulation - especially when you're talking about modern-day systems - we've kept a keen eye on developments in recent years. Wii emulation is at the point where games can be given a lush HD lick of paint, while Wii U emulation is progressing at a respectable pace as well...
Video Feast Your Eyes on these Five Cancelled Super Mario Games
Obligatory CD-i appearance included
Mario's been around for donkey's years and has starred in so many games it's almost worrying. It's no surprise then that there were a few games surrounding the portly plumber that never made it to retail shelves, and thanks to the internet we can now display them for you for your amusement. Check out the video...
Nintendo Download 28th April (North America)
Xenoblade Chronicles! SteamWorld DLC! Lost Reavers! Mini Mario! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week has some promising options. One of the Wii's finest games lands on the Wii U Virtual Console, while both eShop platforms have interesting download-only options to consider. On top of...
News Animal Crossing On Smartphones Aims To Deliver "A New Style Of Play"
Will connect with other games in the series, too
Following the success of Miitomo Nintendo has announced its next two mobile releases, and they're big names from the company's library of IP: Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing. Regarding the latter, it has been confirmed that the smartphone app will offer connectivity with Animal Crossing games on...
News Fire Emblem Mobile Game Will Offer "Accessible" Yet "Engaging" Gameplay
"This application will offer a more accessible style of gameplay"
Nintendo confirmed yesterday that Fire Emblem is one of the next titles it is bringing to mobile phones. Speaking in the Financial Results Briefing, president Tatsumi Kimishima outlined why Fire Emblem was selected, and what form the final game will take. Kimishima confirmed that...
News Unannounced First And Third-Party 3DS Games In Development, States Nintendo
"Sparking discussion" and "maintaining momentum" are key goals in 2016
Nintendo's latest financial briefing took place yesterday, and it dropped the bombshell that NX won't be launching until March next year. That means that the Wii U and 3DS will be expected to keep cash flowing into Nintendo's coffers this holiday season, although the company's...
News Nintendo Share Price Drops Over 8% as Analysts Weigh in On NX and Mobile Plans
"Nintendo's console business has to be focused on making the NX a success"
Nintendo will have had few annual financial reports that attracted as much interest as this week's release, with key details on game release windows, E3, mobile plans and a launch window for NX all coming out. In general the response was a mix of understanding, surprise and...
Talking Point Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem Could Provide Nintendo's Mobile Breakthrough With Fans
Targeting Nintendo gamers of various types
Following Nintendo's financial reports and Tatsumi Kimishima's President's Presentation this week, a relatively clear picture has emerged of what will be the core areas of focus for Nintendo for the rest of 2016. Mobile and the 3DS (and perhaps amiibo) are likely to be at the forefront in terms of major...
News Koei Tecmo Confirms That It Has Nintendo NX Software In Development
But of course
Veteran Japanese publisher Koei Tecmo has publicly confirmed that it has software in production for Nintendo's mysterious NX console. The company - which worked with Nintendo recently on Hyrule Warriors - has clearly had some access to the NX previously. Last year, President and CEO Yoichi Erikawa was the first
News Xenoblade Chronicles Looks Set For The North American Wii U Virtual Console
At last!
Xenoblade Chronicles has had a somewhat troubled history in North America. It took longer than seemed fair to make its way to the region, and then was exclusive to GameStop and Nintendo's rather limited official store of the time. GameStop was criticised for pricing and stock availability, and was even accused at one point of selling...
News Nintendo is Selling its Majority Stake in the Seattle Mariners
It's only worth $1.4 billion
Some of you may have already been aware of this interesting bit of trivia, but Nintendo has owned a majority stake in the Seattle Mariners baseball team since 1992. For the most part, this wasn't entirely obvious to the average viewer, aside from some sparse Nintendo ads around Safeco Field – the Mariners' home – and...
Preview Mechanised Cuteness in Kirby: Planet Robobot
A gem from HAL
Occasionally Nintendo reveals a game out of the blue with a nearby release date, reminding us of the company's ability to deliver delightful spontaneity. Kirby: Planet Robobot is one such release, announced in the early March Nintendo Direct and all set for an early June release in the West. Having sampled what it's offering over a...
News New DLC Maps Are Coming To Fire Emblem Fates Next Month
Timings and prices detailed
Next month Fire Emblem Fates will receive a generous helping of DLC content in the form of various maps which present fresh challenges and new stories. From May 5th until June 9th, a series of new maps will go live which can be purchased in special bundles. The first map will be available for just 49 cents. Here's the...
Review SUPER ROBO MOUSE (Wii U eShop)
Mousetrap
This late in the Wii U's lifecycle the low expectations for good Nintendo Web Framework games are becoming the norm. Where we were once shocked at the poor quality of a number of these low-budget indie titles, we now roll our eyes and shrug. But when a title is hyped by its developer as its pièce de résistance, the end result had better...
News Nintendo's eShop Revenues Hit a New High, Driven By DLC and Generation I Pokémon
North America likes the eShop the most...
Nintendo has, despite some hotly debated announcements, returned profits for the last financial year. Hooray! As a business it also had some positives to share in terms of sales, in particular pointing to upward momentum in key areas. One of these is in downloads, with a significant slice of sales moving...
News Nintendo Shipped More Than 50 Million amiibo In a Year
Nearly 25 million figures
With the NFC scanner on the Wii U GamePad and now the New 3DS / portal options, Nintendo gives gamers a chance to enjoy toys-to-life gaming quickly and easily. As we all know the amiibo range arrived in late 2014 to kickstart this new era of Nintendo collectibles, and it's proven to be a success. Back in February Nintendo...
News Pocket Card Jockey Comes to North America on 5th May
Same day as Europe
One of the rather strange announcements in the last Nintendo Direct was that Pocket Card Jockey would be coming to the 3DS eShop. The latest spin-off title from Game Freak aims to blend solitaire and horse racing together to make an experience unlike any other. It was recently announced that the game would be hitting Europe on 5th...
Video Looking at Steamworld Heist's Ambitions Beyond The Outsider DLC
"I certainly hope to create more DLC"
Right now there's a lot of buzz around the new DLC for Steamworld Heist (out now), with its new character Fen, levels, weapons and (most importantly) expanded hat collection. Talking to Image & Form CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson about the new content it was interesting to hear how Image & Form is approaching...
Random There's Nothing Smoother Than Super Smash Bros. Set To A Jazz Drum Solo
Nice
Super Smash Bros. is pretty great as we all know, and Jazz - while not to everyone's tastes - is a musical genre which has its fair share of fans. However, fuse the two together and you've got something so smooth it puts a baby's bottom to shame. Performed by Andrew Barhite and "composed" by Adam Lindgren (AKA Armada), this awesome freeform...
Wednesday27th Apr 2016
News The Legend of Zelda Wii U Has Been Pushed Back to 2017, Will Release On NX As Well
Oh boy…
The Legend of Zelda Wii U was announced at E3 way back in 2014, with some lovely looking footage of an HD Hyrule getting fans hyped up all the way. At the time, it was announced that it would be launching in 2015, a date that even then seemed unlikely. Sure enough, the game was later delayed to 2016, and ever since we've been waiting on a...
News The Legend of Zelda for Wii U Will Be The Only Playable Nintendo Game at E3
The Master demo
Nintendo has confirmed that the latest Legend of Zelda is pushed back to 2017 and is also coming to NX, but has now gone a step further in outlining the game for its E3 plans. We say plans - The Legend of Zelda on Wii U is going to be the only playable Nintendo game at the LA extravaganza. The following is from Nintendo of Europe's...
News Nintendo NX Will Be Launched Globally in March 2017
Not being shown at E3
Update: Nintendo has confirmed that the NX will not be revealed or shown before or during E3. Nintendo previously announced that it would release more information about its next system, code-named NX, this year. As the first announcement of any NX information, Nintendo confirmed that NX is scheduled to launch in March 2017...
Reaction The NX Release in March 2017 and How It Changes the Game
We consider the angles on NX missing the Holiday season
After all of the rumours, analyst reports and speculation, we do have some concrete information about the Nintendo 'NX' system - it'll launch globally in March 2017 and will not be at E3. It won't be revealed or shown before or during the LA extravaganza, with that event to be focused on The...
News Shake-Up to Nintendo Board Brings New Job Titles for Reggie Fils-Aime and Satoru Shibata
Changes will go up for approval on 29th June
Buried within Nintendo's financial reports today are some interesting details on changes at a management and board room level; they suggest that Tatsumi Kimishima is keen to restructure the business and make his mark. Nintendo is introducing an Audit and Supervisory Committee and an Executive Officer...
News Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing Franchises Are Heading to Smart Devices
Crikey
Update: Nintendo of Europe has now fully verified this news; both are targeting an Autumn / Fall release. Nintendo's Next Mobile Apps: Building on the positive consumer reaction to Miitomo, Nintendo announced that its next two mobile apps would be based on the familiar and beloved Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing franchises. Nintendo plans...
Reaction Nintendo Shakes Up E3 With No NX and a Focus on Legend of Zelda
It's a contentious topic
Nintendo has made a few surprising announcements along with its annual financial reports, but the news that The Legend of Zelda on Wii U will be the only playable Nintendo game at E3 is perhaps the most stunning of them all. After previously dropping conventional stage-based conferences already and adopting the popular...
Feature A Summary of Nintendo's Key Announcements on NX, E3 and Mobile
Plenty to think about
Well, it's been an interesting day for Nintendo fans. The company made some key announcements when it issued its annual financial reports, many of which have prompted a lot of debate. There's been a lot of reaction, but for those looking at the various articles and wondering where to start this is a summary to bring it all...
News A Sizable Update for Terraria on 3DS Has Been Submitted to Nintendo
Expect it in the next couple weeks
For those of you that don't know, Terraria can most closely be described as being essentially a 2D version of Minecraft. Featuring randomly generated worlds and open-ended sandbox gameplay, the game has garnered many fans after its initial PC release. The 3DS release came out late last year, and while it did manage...
News Nintendo Will Reveal NX Price, Launch Lineup And Specs This Year, Claims Nikkei
Stating the obvious?
Today we found out that Nintendo won't be launching its NX console this year and also won't be showing it off at E3 2016. The news has come as quite a blow for many Nintendo fans who had hoped that the new hardware would be out in time for Christmas, while others hav
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Passes 60,000 Sales in Under 24 Hours
Far surpassing the North America-only 2015 bundle
In the past 24 hours Humble Bundle launched the second ever Nintendo eShop offering, the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle. It contains a mix of retail downloads and eShop-only titles at a huge discount (with more to be announced in six day's time) and, importantly, it's available around the world...
Wii U estimated to sell just 800,000 units over financial year
With the reveal of its financial results for the year Nintendo has certainly caused some shocks, such as The Legend of Zelda for Wii U being the only playable Nintendo game at E3 (also delayed to 2017 for both Wii U and NX),
News 14 Titles Across Wii U and 3DS Were Million Sellers in the Last Year
Happy news! Yes, really!
Well, it's not been a particularly happy time for Nintendo fans since the company announced its financial results and gave various updates - mainly delays. Yet it's not all bad, it really isn't! In fact, the last financial year brought some pleasing successes on the software front for both the Wii U and 3DS. The usual list...
Video Pokémon GO Footage Leaks Ahead Of Official Release
Big news from down under
Almost nine minutes of footage from the Australian field test of Pokémon GO has appeared online, giving us the best look yet at this forthcoming mobile release. The clip shows the player selecting their avatar and taking to the streets to track down wild Pokémon. As you can see, encounters make use of Augmented Reality to...
News Expiry Dates Extended for Three My Nintendo Rewards
Well 'ain't that sweet
My Nintendo is well underway as the loyalty programme for big N fans, and though it has areas in which it can improve it's certainly full of positives and potential. One criticism, however, has centred around relatively tough expiry dates on some rewards - perhaps aware of the issue, Nintendo has now moved to extend three...
News Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Fortissimo Edition Pre-Orders Launch on Official Nintendo UK Store
Star Fox Zero first print also available again
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is one of the most intriguing releases for Wii U this year, and it's getting a rather handsome special edition in the West. It includes a 5x8 colour artbook, a six-song soundtrack CD featuring some of the game's awesome music, six song cards and a sticker sheet, along with a...
News Star Fox Zero Makes Modest Debut in Japanese Charts as 3DS Holds Steady
Terraria on 3DS also has a low key arrival
The Media Create charts for Japan have emerged once again, and this week includes a couple of fresh arrivals on Nintendo hardware. Star Fox Zero is the most high-profile new entry, though it loses out to One Piece: Burning Blood on PS4 and Vita. Combining the double pack (which includes Star Fox Guard)...
News New Super Mario Maker Costume Features All-Girl Japanese Rock Band, BABYMETAL
Why not?
Super Mario Maker has had some quirky tie-ins for its Event Courses and unlockable costumes, but the latest perhaps takes the biscuit. Nintendo's Japanese social media channels have confirmed that BABYMETAL will be the next tie-in. What's BABYMETAL? It's a Japanese rock band that consists of three young performers. Below are Nintendo's...
Rumour Nintendo is Gearing Up to Unveil its Next Smart Device Software Soon
What could it be?
As some of you may be aware, Nintendo has an upcoming fiscal meeting in just a few short hours that will be centered around reviewing the company's performance over the last quarter. Naturally, these events are usually mostly concerned with sales numbers and graphs, but new announcements for the near future have been known to...
Interview Image & Form Gives Us the Full Lowdown on the SteamWorld Heist: The Outsider DLC
"We make content. Content costs money."
SteamWorld Heist was one of the best eShop games of 2015, on either platform. It made its debut on 3DS, establishing its reputation ahead of the HD version rolling out this year. It already offers a lengthy campaign to show off the skill-based strategy gameplay, but Image & Form is going further with The...
News Pikachu Is Getting His Very Own Pokkén Tournament Controller
The lucky scamp
Remember the Pokkén Tournament controller we covered a while back? A new version is being released in Japan this June, and it's clad in the signature colours of the world's most famous Pokémon. Costing 3,758 Yen, the Hori-made pad will be identical to the original in terms of form and functionality, but it's yellow. And it has a...
Feature Taking a Dash at Runbow's DLC Offerings
The Colours Out of Space
It's really no secret at all that many of us at Nintendo Life are giddy for Runbow and its perilous, polychromatic platforming. We scored it a 9 in our review and it ranked on both staff and readers' digital picks for last year. The crew at 13AM Games has since released some additional c
News Miitomo Has Hit 10 Million Users Worldwide
More apps to be released "continuously"
Update: Nintendo has confirmed special events to celebrate the download landmark. To celebrate Miitomo reaching 10 million users, Nintendo will run a special 10-day "Celebrating 10 Million Users!" promotion between 29th April and 8th May. Original Article: Miitomo launched in mid-late March, depending on...
Tuesday26th Apr 2016
News Western Localisation Of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Features Costume And Age Changes
Hot Springs swimsuit DLC also in doubt
Recent hands-on sessions with Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE at PAX East have confirmed previous reports that the game will be subject to a series of changes for western markets. The first is an age bump for some of the characters - Tsubasa, Itsuki and Touma - taking them up from 17 to 18 years of age. There are...
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Offers Games at a Huge Discount
Darksiders II! Shantae and the Pirates Curse! Freedom Planet! Many more!
North American gamers may remember the Humble Nindie Bundle last year, which offered huge savings on some excellent eShop games. It was only available in that region, but now we have a new bundle announced for both Europe (including Australia and South Africa) and the Americas...
Rumour Xbox Store Listing Indicates That Mighty No. 9 Has Been Delayed Until December
UPDATE: Or perhaps not...
UPDATE: Well, this is embarrassing. Thanks to kindly people on Twitter like Prof.9, it has come to our attention that "12/02/16" is actually using the European date system (12th February 2016) and not the American system (2nd December 2016). The 12th was the original launch date for the game in Europe. It would appear that...
Feature Key Details to Look Out for in Nintendo's Vital Financial Reports and Briefings
NX timeline, mobile strategy, projected profits and more
We trust you've had your calendars marked for the momentous day - 27th April, Nintendo Earnings Release. No? Well, that's understandable, but it's actually more interesting than it sounds. The end of the financial year and its reports are among the most important presentations Nintendo gives...
Exclusive Martin Hollis Talks GoldenEye 64 Development In This New Interview
Taken from the forthcoming N64 Anthology
Geeks-Line's N64 Anthology has 17 days remaining on its Kickstarter campaign and has raised 45,000 Euros of its 50,000 Euro target so far. If you needed convincing that this is a project worth backing, then cast your eyes on the exclusive interview excerpt we've been granted below. It's a chat with the one...
News Pankapu: The Dreamkeeper is Coming to Nintendo Consoles
This developer is Too Kind
Some of you may have been aware of a recent Kickstarter project called Pankapu: The Dreamkeeper. An interesting 2D action platformer that calls to mind UbiArt projects like Child of Light or Rayman Origins, this project received its funding to go into production at the tail end of last year. A Wii U port was one of the...
Random An Eager Super Mario Maker Fan Created a Shovel Knight Costume Sprite
Digging in
Super Mario Maker has a lot of Mystery Mushroom costumes, many of which have come through a combination of amiibo scans and Event Courses (in some cases both). With new additions we have an excuse to boot up the game and enjoy its delights again, and Nintendo has been so keen on the idea that it's included some rather quirky characters...
News Pokémon Shuffle Adds Plenty of New Stages in Latest Update
Time to level up
Pokémon Shuffle appears to have been one of Nintendo's more successful free-to-play releases on the 3DS eShop. Not necessarily in terms of money made for Nintendo, that we don't know, but its simple but addictive tile matching has struck a chord with some eager players. The good news is that some brand new campaign stages have...
News Azure Striker Gunvolt Pack Launches for Japanese Retail on 25th August
The same day Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 launches on the Japanese eShop
Back in late February, Inti Creates announced that Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 was on its way to the 3DS. The sequel to 2014's Mega Man-inspired Azure Striker Gunvolt, this promised to offer more hyperactive 2D shooting action to gamers on the go. Then,
Video See the Quirky Madness of Pocket Card Jockey in This Trailer
Yay or neigh?
Pocket Card Jockey is a rather unique Game Freak release that we never thought we'd see in the West, but we're now only a little over a week away from its arrival. The blend of Solitaire and horse racing is quirky enough, but if you've had a spin with the lengthy demo you may have a new appreciation for its charms, from its art style...
Monday25th Apr 2016
News Distribution Details Emerge for Mythical Pokémon Darkrai
It'll be your May treat
Eager players of Pokémon X & Y, in addition to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, have been receiving monthly gifts of Mythical Pokémon this year. So far we've had Jirachi, Mew and Celebi, and next up - as you can see in the image above - is Darkrai. The Pokémon Company has done a mix of online and serial code...
Nintendo Download 28th April (Europe)
Yo-kai Watch! SteamWorld DLC! Lost Reavers! Mini Mario! Much, much more!
With the beginning of another week we have the Nintendo Download update details for Europe, letting us know what download goodies that are on the way soon. This week's most notable arrival is a Level 5 RPG that is a phenomenon in Japan, though the overall download update is...
Review Chasing Dead (Wii U eShop)
A shambling horror
The opening of Chasing Dead sees you hurtling into the atmosphere of a newly discovered second Earth, Intel delivered to you via a short video sequence consisting of a live actress with a cheap looking OSD overlay; one could easily imagine a parallel universe where the Mega CD2 became a reality and FMV games continued to thrive...
Talking Point Nintendo Needs to Excite A Mainstream Audience in 2016
The hardcore fanbase isn't enough on its own
This week could be an interesting one for Nintendo fans. With E3 creeping ever closer the company will be revealing its annual financial report - beyond profit figures this means details on sales and projections, and will also bring us Tatsumi Kimishima's media briefing and investor Q & A. It's the...
News The Retro Receiver Allows You to Use Modern Bluetooth Controllers With the NES
Now you're playing with current-gen power
Quite often nowadays talk of playing retro games drifts to emulators - and arguments over them - and services like the Virtual Console. Plenty still dust off their original (and surprisingly functional) systems, however, and there's a sub-industry of gadgets to help these retro gamers get the most out of...
News NIS America No Longer Publishing Atlus Games In Europe
"Difficult" for NIS America to maintain "an equal-partnership with Atlus"
Publisher NIS America will no longer be releasing games from Japanese firm Atlus in Europe, MCV has reported. The news come from NIS America Managing Director Takuro Yamashita, who claims that Sega's recent purchase of Atlus has made it tricky for the two to work together on...
News 10 Years On, Hideki Kamiya Still Doesn't Think He Could Better Okami
Not even "a pixel of confidence" that he could "surpass the original"
The gorgeous Okami is 10 years old, which is an almost unbelievable fact in itself - it seems like only yesterday that we were stalking its stunning ink-rendered world as Amaterasu, marvelling at the motion controls and tight, appealing gameplay. Despite getting a sequel on the...
News Star Fox Zero Makes a Positive Start in the UK Charts
Guess we should be thankful
Last week brought Star Fox Zero to the Wii U, the first new entry in the franchise in a number of years. Some early indications on its performance have come through with the UK charts, and the result is reasonably good. The number one and another arrival this week is Ratchet & Clank on PS4, which had a substantial...
News Nintendo Reportedly Secures Victory over Tomita Technologies in 3DS Patent Row
Therefore avoids potentially costly penalties
Update: Nintendo of America has issued a statement confirmed the company's success in this patent case - Ajay Singh, Nintendo of America's Director of Litigation and Compliance, is quoted as follows. We are very pleased with the court's finding that Nintendo does not infringe. Nintendo has a long...
News SNK Playmore Rebrands As Plain Old SNK
What once was old is new again
SNK Playmore has announced that it is dropping the "Playmore" from its name and will once again be known as SNK. Founded in 1978 as Shin Nihon Kikaku, the company produced arcade hits like Ikari Warriors and Alpha Mission before creating its own coin-op standard in the form of the Neo Geo system. Titles like King of...
News Team Patrick Triumphs in the SpongeBob SquarePants Splatoon Splatfest
Pink power
Splatoon has had some high profile tie-ins in nearly a year since launch, but arguably few have been bigger than this weekend's bonanza for fans of alliteration - the SpongeBob SquarePants Splatoon Splatfest. It was the first time that North American and European Splatfests aligned and even had players from both regions competing against...
News Meet The Vocal Talent Behind Team Star Fox
"I’ve been lucky enough to do concert spots for Paul McCartney"
Star Fox 64 was a big deal in more ways that one - not only did it illustrate Nintendo's burgeoning confidence in the world of 3D visuals, but it also featured a lot of voice acting - something the company had previously steered clear of. What's truly remarkable is that the...
Guide Advanced Tactics For Star Fox Guard
Plus info on all of the unlockable extra missions
So you've taken out a few bots and think you're a pro in Star Fox Guard? Perhaps you're ready for our advanced tips, which should hopefully give you the inside knowledge you need to take your game to the next level. We've also included info on the extra missions hidden away within the title. Enjoy!...
Review Draw 2 Survive (Wii U eShop)
You Know the Lines
Have you ever seen one of those back-of-magazine art school tests? The ones that provide simple line art of, say, a turtle and ask you to turn it into something more detailed by adding on top of it? That's how Draw 2 Survive feels at the moment. It has potential, but what's currently there needs to be drawn out and embellished...
Rumour Linkedin Profile Hints At Unannounced Racing Title From Excitebots Studio Monster Games
With "championship" and "career" modes
Ah, Linkedin. A site which allows professionals to connect, proclaim their achievements and even seek new adventures in employment - but also a place where job descriptions can unwittingly reveal hidden gaming projects. Take the profile of Monster Games software engineer Joshua Ruis, for example; he's been...
Sunday24th Apr 2016
Poll NX and Mobile Make This a Defining Year for Nintendo - Are You Optimistic?
The big N aims to regain momentum
With Star Fox Zero now out, generally within a maelstrom of conflicting viewpoints and opinions on its merits, Nintendo's heading into a rather different phase of the year. There are certainly notable releases still on the way for Wii U and 3DS, but eyes are turning inexorably to the mysterious future of the company...
Video Learn Some History About the Iconic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Arguably among the most influential SNES games
When the gaming debate turns to the most important and influential Super NES games there are a lot of candidates; the Square-developed Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars should certainly be in the conversation. Its narrative approach and gameplay ideas undoubtedly helped to inspire and inform...
Guide Knowing Your Enemy In Star Fox Guard
Fighting foes and besting bosses
We don't know why or from where these bots are all coming from, but we will not let our guard down, no matter how many they send our way. This handy section of our Star Fox Guard guide will tell you how to handle each of the two types of bots. We've broken it down to their model name, HP rating, Speed rating, Threat...
News PlatinumGames Highlights Resignation of CEO as a 'Perfect Opportunity' for Reform
Tatsuya Minami left with an extraordinary track record
PlatinumGames is a development studio that, for a number of keen gamers, is synonymous with quality action titles. In addition to original titles on Wii U such as The Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta 2, and most recently co-developed Star Fox Zero. Just recently there was surprising news that...
Saturday23rd Apr 2016
Nintendo Life Weekly NX Rumour Denied by New NX Rumour, Preorder the Prettiest New 3DS XL, and More
We're reaching critical mass
As E3 draws ever closer, the Nintendo NX rumour mill continues to churn out "information" at an alarming rate. We wouldn't blame you if you hadn't been able to keep up with all that's happened, so once again we've squashed all the week's happenings down into one convenient video. This week we look at an NX rumour that...
Review Olympia Rising (Wii U eShop)
A jump into the past
Paleozoic's Olympia Rising initially started as a campaign on Kickstarter in 2014. Fans were drawn in by the nostalgia of old 2D platformers and hoped Olympia Rising could live up to expectation. A unique mix of Greek mythology along with the classic genre, this game definitely delivers in terms of visuals and story, but is...
News This Nintendo Patent for a U-Shaped Fitness Controller is Actually Cool
No-one will buy it, but still
Ah, patents, the source of much intrigue and occasional hand-wringing. Occasionally they're also rather entertaining, and if a recently discovered U-shaped Nintendo patent became an actual product we'd be more than happy to make fun of it while admiring its ingenuity. You can see it below, and it's actually a...
Guide Getting Started With Star Fox Guard
Say hello to your weapons and bases
You might have heard there's a system-wide war going on. You wisely chose to stay at home, juggling remote cameras on distant worlds protecting President Grippy Toad's precious mineral deposits from the onslaught of robotic invaders. But if you think this job is easier than what those fly-boys strapped on their...
Friday22nd Apr 2016
Guide Unlocking Every Stage in Star Fox Zero
We're not leaving Peppy behind
In many respects Star Fox Zero is a loving tribute and reimagination of Star Fox 64, yet it takes a different approach to unlocking stages. It starts off relatively linear, in a first run-through of the story, and then it's time to play through once again. As you unlock new transformations and vehicles new options...
Review SEGA 3D Classics Collection (3DS)
New Age nostalgia
For millions of kids around the world in the late '80s through the '90s, there was no greater debate than SEGA vs Nintendo. Schoolyards were home to impassioned debates about which company's box was the best. Everyone knows who won the war long term, but few know of some of the truly classic titles SEGA fans enjoyed during those...
Guide Getting Started With Star Fox Zero and Mastering the Controls
We also look at the basics of amiibo and co-op
Star Fox Zero is landing on the eShop and in stores, bringing us the first full entry in the series in a number of years. We were big fans in our review, yet the game has been divisive, in part because of its GamePad-centric controls - for our money we think the time required to master the game's...
News You Can Now Pre-Order The Most Gorgeous New Nintendo 3DS XL Console Ever Made
Just Super
A short time ago, Nintendo revealed that it is releasing a special Super Famicom-flavoured version of its New Nintendo 3DS XL system exclusively in Japan. Based on the classic Super Famicom system (SNES in the west), this edition of the machine will come with a unique design and packaging
Guide Tackling the Bosses in Star Fox Zero
Open the wings!
With Star Fox Zero now in stores, you all have the chance to enjoy it for yourselves - we think it's a gem, but ultimately the Wii U audience will decide. In order to help you with the game - should you want assistance - we've already shared a getting started guide and details on how to unlock all the stages. We're wrapping up our...
Review Witch & Hero 2 (3DS eShop)
New Witch, new Hero, same old game
Of all the sequels to suddenly burst onto the 3DS eShop, Witch & Hero 2 is undoubtedly one of the least-expected. Arriving three years after the underwhelming original, this has surely provided ample time and a great opportunity to improve on the limited gameplay, dull visuals and annoying repetition that so...
News The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth Coming To Wii U "In The Coming Months"
And you thought it would never happen
Once upon a time, it seemed unlikely that The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth would ever arrive on the Wii U. Nicalis' Tyrone Rodriguez tweeted back in November that he wasn't happy with the performance of the game on Nintendo's console, and many assumed the game would be skipping the platform entirely. However,...
Video Fans Mod Goku Into Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
Hear what we're Saiyan…
Modding within the Super Smash Bros. community isn't anything new, for fans have been creating an array of in-game tweaks for years now - such as altering physics engines or reskinning characters as a whole. The most notable of the bunch is 'Project M'; this is a mod of Nintendo Wii's Super Smash Bros. Brawl that focused...
Video Watch Star Fox Zero's Secret Vehicle in Action
Spoiler warning!
Star Fox Zero is brimming with things to unlock, and in the spirit of not spoiling what the game has to offer, we're not going to explicitly tell you what this secret vehicle is that we've alluded to in the title just yet. Instead, why not check out the video below if you're not bothered by spoilers or even the game in general. If...
Video Feel the Beat in This Localised Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Trailer
It still doesn't make a lot of sense
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is going to be a fascinating arrival in the West on 24th June. Sure, it's been fun following its release in Japan and saying "jeez that looks crazy", but now we'll have to make sense of it. Or, well, try to. This intriguing cross of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem is colourful and...
News Atlus Is In Charge Of Localising Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE In The West
"To ensure the game feels familiar and appeals to longtime Atlus fans"
Atlus will be in charge of localising Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE in the west, it has been revealed. Nintendo of America has released a statement which points out that it will not be handling the localisation work itself, instead allowing Atlus to handle the job to ensure it...
Review Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.4 (3DS eShop)
Running out of steam
Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in Suburbs #1 Vol. 4 is – like its predecessors – one of those games that's either loved or hated. That being said, this niche genre is not best represented by this fairly half-baked train sim. The gameplay is mindless and the real world footage is below acceptable quality standards, leaving us...
News SteamWorld Heist's DLC, The Outsider, Is Coming on 28th April
It's getting steamy in here
SteamWorld Heist was one of the best 3DS eShop in 2015, and scooped various Game of the Year awards to demonstrate that point. Image & Form has maintained that there's more to come, however, and the good news is that it's not far away. The studio has confirmed that 'The Outsider', which is paid DLC, will land on 28th...
News Fire Emblem Fates' Witches' Trial DLC is Now Live
'Tis the witching hour
Like with Fire Emblem: Awakening, Nintendo has pledged to support Fire Emblem Fates with a generous amount of post-launch DLC to keep the game going long after the end credits have finally rolled. Of course, this DLC can be bought at any time during the game, leading to some controversy over how it upsets the game's balance...
News Monster Hunter Generations Will Have an Okami Felyne Outfit
Divine
Okami is now 10 years old, a classic title developed by Clover Studio for Capcom; though the studio would close and see its staff move on to found development houses such as PlatinumGames, in some cases, Okami is regarded fondly by many. This writer will continue to espouse its merits until the end-times, and its Wii release made excellent...
News Natsume Is Bringing River City: Tokyo Rumble To North America This Year
So happy we could BARF
Publisher Natsume has announced that it is bringing the 3DS title Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun SP: Rantou Kyousoukyoku stateside as River City: Tokyo Rumble. The RPG brawler - which features the famous character Kunio-kun - will be playable at this year's E3. No solid launch date has been revealed so far. River City: Tokyo...
Flying the eShop flag
Nordic countries are home to some of the world's most prominent and successful game development studios - examples include DICE, Rovio and Avalanche Studios. Some excellent smaller studios are also based in the region, including Image & Form and KnapNok Games - both of which have secured nominations in the Nordic Game...
Thursday21st Apr 2016
News You'll Need To Dig Deep For This Insane Lego Minecraft Set
Blockbusting
A lot of Minecraft's appeal can be traced back to construction toys like plastic building blocks - a fact which is neatly acknowledged by the growing range of Lego toys based on Mojang's famous title. Lego's Minecraft sets have been pretty decent so far, but this latest offering is shaping up to be the most expansive - and expensive -...
News Mario Kart Arcade GP DX Gets A Sizeable Update
Adds long-awaited new course "Pac-Man Stadium"
We've all been having so much fun playing Mario Kart 8 here at NL Towers that we've forgotten all about the existence of that other game that's not quite 'in the series', Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. Thankfully the good folks at Namco Bandai Entertainment haven't forgotten and are continuing to support the...
Nintendo Download 21st April (North America)
Star Fox Zero/Guard! Pinball Arcade! Pocket Card Jockey demo! More!
It's that time again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and the leading games this week are undoubted those that feature talking animals that fly spaceships. Beyond that we have puzzles and pinball on Wii U alongside some last-gen minigames. On 3DS there's a mix of...
News Toys-To-Life Newcomer Thinks We're Growing Bored Of Pieces Of Plastic
"When something doesn't change, you just get tired of it"
Nintendo has enjoyed great success with sales of amiibo figures since they first began to appear on store shelves in late November 2014 alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. However, the toys-to-life market has become a bit saturated since that time with amiibo battling in the same...
Reaction Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins Had Humour, Weirdness, Teases and Lots of Potential
An idea that Nintendo should pursue with all key franchises
Nintendo has made 'events' out of various quirky online broadcasts, with some being surprisingly short and light on actual reveals or details. It wasn't too surprising, then, to see Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins given the live broadcast treatment, followed by the Nintendo Treehouse team...
Video This Unofficial Trailer is a Terrific 30th Anniversary Celebration for The Legend of Zelda
"We are the link to another world"
It's the 30th Anniversary year of The Legend of Zelda, which has been celebrated thus far with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and the My Nintendo-exclusive Picross title. A new title is due on Wii U this year, and it's not unreasonable to ex
News PlatinumGames CEO Tatsuya Minami Has Resigned
Star Fox Zero studio to be helmed by Kenichi Sato
The head of Japanese studio PlatinumGames has stepped down, according to a report by GamesBusiness.jp. CEO Tatsuya Minami resigned at the end of March and has been replaced by Kenichi Sato. As part of the reshuffle, Seigo Tabira and Atsushi Inaba join the management as company directors. Minami...
Feature Smiles and Tears - A Mother 3 Retrospective
Cancellations, rebirths, fan translations and more
This week marks the 10th Anniversary of Mother 3, Shigesato Itoi's third and final instalment in the Mother series and the follow up to EarthBound that, unfortunately, never saw the light of day outside of its native homeland. Since that day ten years ago we've seen hopes dashed, rumours (some of...
Some extra clothes for the in-app store, too
Miitomo has now been available in the West for around three weeks, and Nintendo has made the first move in linking the smart device app with a current day hit. It's launching a range of Splatoon-related promotions and content with the app, while also encouraging fans to retweet key messages. First of...
News Box Art - A Gaming Documentary Aims to Delve Deeper Into the Iconic Images That Sell Games
Discover the real story behind the cover
If you liked the Nintendo Quest documentary, you'll no doubt be interested in Director Rob McCallum's next epic gaming tale, Box Art: A Gaming Documentary. If the Kickstarter is funded we will go on a quest to discover the real story behind the world of video game artwork. With over 100 potential interviewees...
News The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Tour Adds Extra Dates in the UK
More masterful music
The snappily titled The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses - Master Quest has proven to be a notable success for Nintendo, with the touring ensemble and officially approved music being a hit worldwide. It's now been completing annual tours for a few years, losing little momentum in the process. Such is its popularity...
Wednesday20th Apr 2016
From zero to hero
Almost from the moment it was revealed, Star Fox Zero has endured the kind of scrutiny that first-party Nintendo releases are rarely subjected to. From Time's botched announcement during E3 2014 to the news that external help was being used and the game would
Rumour NX Software Lineup Will "Blow Away" Wii U, Controller Streaming Gimmick "Was Made Up"
Multiple unannounced Wii U projects "moved over" to NX
After taking a voluntary leave of absence renowned rumourmonger Emily Rogers is back online and dropping Nintendo NX predictions all over the place. In a recent post, she spoke about the NX software lineup, stating that fans "should be excited" about what Nintendo has in store for the mysterious...
Review Star Fox Guard (Wii U eShop)
En garde, robot scum!
Project Guard debuted at E3 2014 as part of an initiative from Nintendo to craft new experiences that could only be pulled off with the GamePad. What was then a small, weird, experimental game is now a small, weird, experimental game set in the Star Fox universe. Oh, and a pretty great — if distressing — proof of concept...
News Nintendo Announces 'Fortissimo' Special Edition of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
DLC! Artbook! Soundtrack CD! More!
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is an intriguing upcoming release for the Wii U, finally making its way out of Japan to hit Europe and North America on 24th June. The unique RPG - co-developed by Nintendo and Atlus - combines aspects of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, though is so colourful and quirky when viewed...
News Star Fox Zero's Arcade Mode Is Aimed At "Advanced Users", Claims Shigeru Miyamoto
Gaming veteran "confident" that the game has legs
Star Fox Zero will be with us later this week, and producer Shigeru Miyamoto has let slip that the game contains a bonus "route-focused" Arcade Mode to test advanced players. He also revealed that the development team had plans to allow players to make wider use of the game's garage of vehicles, but...
News Campaign Seeks to Spin the Tale Behind EarthBound Beginnings
Kickstart your Mother
EarthBound Beginningswas finally released on the Wii U Virtual Console last year, providing the first official western access to what is known in Japan as Mother. This is far from the whole story, however, The full tale involves an unreleased original localisation, leaked carts, and secret dealings; and a documentary team wants...
Live Blog Check Out Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins and a Nintendo Treehouse Showcase - Live!
The animated short will take flight
Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard are arriving on Wii U this week, and to get us warmed up we have Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins, an animated short produced in collaboration with Shigeru Miyamoto, Production IG and WIT Studios. After that the Nintendo Treehouse team will be showing off the games, and we'll be...
Video See Peppy's Barrel Roll Obsession Go too Far in this Star Fox Zero Easter Egg
Do a...
Star Fox is a series renowned for various tropes and memorable moments, perhaps none more so than the first time we heard Peppy Hare tell us against our better judgement to spin our Arwing around in a manner he referred to as a barrel roll. The developers working on Star Fox Zero apparently could't resist throwing in further reference to...
News Trademarks Lead to Speculation Over Pokémon Sun & Moon Legendaries
Pokémon The Series: XYZ episodes also available via official app
Pokémon Sun and Moon are still rather mysterious, with The Pokémon Company keeping details on the 3DS games under wraps so far. We're expecting a decent batch of information in the May issue of CoroCoro magazine, if not before. Nevertheless eager fans believe they may have dug up...
Video Nintendo Spring Partner Preview Spotlights Upcoming eShop Games
Axiom Verge! Tumblestone! Shantae! Super Meat Boy!
It's been a while since the last Nintendo Direct, and now that E3 is only a couple months away, it doesn't seem likely that Nintendo will be making any major announcements before the big event. Perhaps in lieu of a Nintendo Direct, a video was recently posted called 'Nintendo Spring Partner...
Video Meet the Cast of Zero Time Dilemma in This New Trailer
Such drama... in Japanese
Update: Now there's a localised version of the trailer, below: Original Article: Zero Time Dilemma is one of our most anticipated 3DS games this year, arriving on 3DS in North America and Europe on 28th June; the third volume of the 'Zero Escape' series promises to clarify and explain story aspects from its brilliant...
News Nintendo Confirms PAX East Line-Up and Bravely Second: End Layer Panel
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and Monster Hunter Generations will be playable
PAX East is landing in Boston from 22nd-24th April, which is making the city a hot destination for the coming weekend. Nintendo will be there, of course, and it's outlined what it'll have to offer. In terms of games there'll be the first chance (outside of Japan) for the...
Video We Heartily Endorse This Fan-Made Star Fox Zero Cartoon Introduction Sequence
"Good luck!"
Star Fox Zero hits the Wii U this week, and you can feel the hype levels building in the Nintendo Life office - editor Tom Whitehead has dressed up as Slippy Toad and Operations Director Darren Calvert is babbling on about barrell rolls. The latest adventure to star Fox McCloud and company is so close we can practically taste it. To...
News Metroid Prime: Federation Force Liberates North America This August
European release coming early in September
Nintendo has finally given Metroid Prime: Federation Force a solid release date. The 3DS blaster will hit North America on 19th August, and will be playable at this year's PAX East in Boston. The European release takes place a little later, on 2nd September. Based on the Metroid Prime sub-series of titles...
News Yo-kai Watch and Dragon Quest Continue to Lead in Japan as Wii U Has a Small Boost
All other systems show declining sales
The Japanese games market is pleasingly different to the West, with its own trends and patterns alongside some unique releases. We get a look at this courtesy of the weekly Media Create results, though the updated data shows that old favourites continue to lead as last week's new arrivals struggle. Starting...
Live Blog Take a Look at HR3 Quests in Monster Hunter Generations - Live!
Going up a level
Monster Hunter Generations is coming this Summer, and that's just one reason to look favourably towards the warmer months. Capcom's social team has been running regular live streams to show it off, and this time around the dynamic duo of Dr8kHunt6r and Arekkz will be tackling HR3 quests for our entertainment. <liveblog...
News The Deer God is Gracing The North American eShop With Its Presence on 28th April
Mobot Studios is on publishing duty
The Deer God is a title we've been watching for quite some time, as it offers eye-catching visuals and bold claims as an atmospheric adventure. Publisher Mobot Games has now brought some good news, confirming that it's going to arrive on the Wii U eShop in North America on 28th April, costing $7.99 in the US...
News RCMADIAX Has Three New Wii U eShop Titles On The Way
Coming in June and July
Prolific indie studio RCMADIAX has released information regarding three new Wii U eShop titles, all of which are launching in the next few months. As we've come to expect from the company, these titles present quite a mix of gameplay styles. Here are the details: MEGA WIN CASINO SLOTS - Est Release June 2016 Bring home the...
Tuesday19th Apr 2016
Whether we like it or not
When Nintendo launched the Game Boy in 1989 it stuck with that core model for a surprising amount of time, not unleashing the Game Boy Pocket until 1996, and the Game Boy Color arrived as a new generation in 1998. The big N would gradually speed up its policy of iterating portables in years to come, adding improved screens...
News Viewer Discretion Is Advised With This Superb Game Of Thrones And Zelda Mash-Up
Warning: Death by Cucco contained within
Even if you're not a fan of the books or the TV show, there's no denying that Game of Thrones is a big media property at the moment. Combining elements of high fantasy with generous helpings of intrigue, violence and rumpy-pumpy, the world of Westeros is beloved by millions all over the globe. Another...
Video The Ocarina of Time Unreal 4 Fan Project Goes to Gerudo Valley
Cease and desist in 3…2…1…
We've recently spotlighted an interesting project being worked on by a YouTuber named CryZENx, wherein The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is redone in Unreal Engine 4. While it hasn't necessarily taken the shape of an actual game yet, there has been plenty of footage of familiar environments and scenes from Ocarina...
Review Chronicles Of Teddy: Harmony Of Exidus (Wii U eShop)
Cuddly but not perfect
Childhood security blankets come in many forms - a favourite stuffed toy, blankets, specific articles of clothing and imaginary friends - to name a few. In Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus, security takes the shape of a possessed teddy bear, a sturdy shield, and a really sharp sword. Chronicles of Teddy sees a young...
News Another Former Rare Staffer Joins the Yooka-Laylee Project
Many hands make light work
Ever since the initial announcement and hype of Yooka-Laylee, it seems that new information on the upcoming title has been difficult to come by. No doubt this means that Playtonic is hard at work, polishing up what will hopefully be a glorious homage to the great N64 platformers of old. Of course, this project is being...
Video You'll Need Some Serious Surgical Shells Skills To Beat This Insane Super Mario Maker Creation
45 hours of attempts to beat
We love a challenging Super Mario Maker level here at Nintendo Life, but sometimes we come across a creation which is so punishing that it requires super-human levels of skill to complete. Behold The ER: Surgical Shells 2.0 by evil genius Docta_el, a course which has - at the time of writing - been completed zero times...
Feature Excited About Star Fox Zero? Check Out Our Extensive Series Content Here
Guess you should be thankful
Star Fox Zero launches on Wii U this week, and marks the long-awaited return of Fox McCloud and his team to active service. Given that Lylat fever has well and truly gripped the world of Nintendo, we thought it might be an opportune moment to remind you that we've got an embarrassment of Star Fox-related content tucked...
News Nintendo's Official UK Store Opens Kirby: Planet Robobot Pre-Orders
amiibo! Stickers! Expensive Meta Knight figurine!
Nintendo's Official UK Store often has some extra goodies when it opens pre-orders for major titles, and is stepping up again for Kirby: Planet Robobot, which arrives on 10th June. This time around the best value is to be found with the Kirby amiibo pack version and its assorted extras (pictured...
Video Let the Hype Build With the Star Fox Zero Launch Trailer
Mission Accomplished
Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard are almost upon us, and the hype is certainly building. They're the first new Star Fox games in a number of years and, as a result, Nintendo is ensuring that they get plenty of attention, even live streaming an animated short. Ahead of the 22nd April release Nintendo of Europe has also released...
Video Yoshi's Story Comes Back to Life in Our Brand New Video Series
A Nintendo Life Lesson
Plenty of games get a bit of a bad reputation for one reason or another, and many of us who feel strongly about those titles aren't happy with how many people view them. Take Yoshi's Story for example: a game this writer played as a child and loved to pieces, so when the opportunity came up to explore the game in greater...
News Digger Dan DX is Tunnelling Into the 3DS eShop Quicker Than Expected
A new area is also shown off
Digger Dan & Kaboom was a very decent DSiWare title, and so we were pleased to hear recently that it's coming to the 3DS eShop as Digger Dan DX. Publisher Four Horses has now confirmed that it's due a little sooner than expected. In the original announcement it was pegged for a late Summer releas
News Picross e7 is Heading to Japan Very Soon
Not so puzzling
The 3DS eShop is packed full of quality Picross games, most of which have been developed by Jupiter Corporation. It's released six Picross e games and also developed My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and has now confirmed that Picross e7 is close to release. It's due out in Japan on 27th April and will...
Monday18th Apr 2016
News Nintendo's 'Supplemental Computing Device' Patent is Cleared for Completion
A look towards the future?
There have been quite a number of patents from Nintendo in the past couple of years that have prompted conversations around the form of the company's 'next generation' hardware. Though attention often shifts to potential controllers and similar examples, one of the company's most intriguing patent applications seems to be...
Rumour Nintendo Once Worked On A Game Boy Successor That Promised N64 Power In Your Pocket
Lifting the lid on Project Atlantis
The Game Boy was a stunning success for Nintendo. Released at a time when rival hardware was packing backlit colour screens, the monochrome handheld proved that sometimes having the most powerful tech doesn't always ensure commercial triumph. The Game Boy sold millions and established Nintendo's dominance of the...
News Here's How Much Space Monster Hunter Generations Will Wolf Up On Your 3DS
Monster mash
A listing on Nintendo UK's site has revealed the file size for the forthcoming Monster Hunter Generations on 3DS. According to the site, Capcom's sequel will swallow up 12,534 blocks of storage - that equates to 1.56GB. For reference, the Japanese version - released under the title Monster Hunter Cross - was 1.2GB. Will you have to...
Nintendo Download 21st April (Europe)
Star Fox Zero/Guard! Mario Party! Langrisser Re:Incarnation Tensei! More!
Another week is underway, and as always we can get up and running with the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe. This week brings an iconic franchise to the Wii U, twice, along with some other download-only options and two retro party games. The 3DS has a major release...
Dealing with daft dialogue, new controls and quirky ideas
Fans of films, TV shows, books and video games like to think their influence is significant in determining the general creative direction of a brand, especially in this era of social media and the very loud internet. To a degree they're right, too - when any IP becomes popular creators are...
News The Only Problem With This Tabletop Neo Geo Is That There's Just One In Existence
Say hello to the Starforce Neo
Remember the Starforce Pi? It's an incredible tabletop gaming system based on the Raspberry Pi, and despite a failed Kickstarter campaign is carrying on with a release in the near future. In the meantime however, Marcel J. de Haan - the remarkable one-man-band behind this incredible platform - has created a side...
News Nintendo Teams Up With SONIC for Mario & Luigi Promotion - No, Not That One
Driving the message home
Nintendo and Mario have teamed up with Sonic in the past, but now it's teaming up with SONIC - the drive-in chain in North America. Rather like with the various Happy Meal toys that we've seen in McDonald's around the world, this promotion offers a toy with 'Wacky Packs' for kids - all based on Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam...
News Check Out This Concept Art from a Cancelled Mega Man Game
*Sigh* Yet another Mega Man game that never saw the light of day
Nowadays, it seems that cancelled Mega Man games are a fairly common occurrence, resulting in a significant lack of new games for the Blue Bomber. Most notably was the FPS experiment – called Maverick Hunter – revealed back in 2013, which would have been made by several developers...
News GameStop COO Claims New Console Launches Are "Imminent"
"As usual, we know more than we can share"
GameStop COO Tony Bartel has perhaps given the biggest indication yet that Nintendo NX will be launching in 2016. At a recent GameStop event, Bartel spoke about company growth and let slip that "console launches" are coming this year: Although we have not modelled extensive growth for new innovation in...
Tuesday19th Apr 2016
News Summer Games Done Quick 2016 Schedule Released
With plenty of time to prepare your sleep schedule
The Games Done Quick marathons are a bi-annual treat for many speedrunning fans. Although the next event, Summer Games Done Quick, is not until the 3rd-10th of July, the schedule has been posted to give viewers a look of what's in store. Summer Games Done Quick will be broadcasting from...
Monday18th Apr 2016
"Message from General Pepper. Priority one!"
Nintendo is airing a special animated short to commemorate the launch of Star Fox Zero this week. Produced in collaboration with Shigeru Miyamoto, Production I.G. and WIT Studio, Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins will be broadcast on April 20th at 3PM PT / 11PM BST. It will be immediately followed by a...
News The Battle Cats POP! Will be Scratching Its Way to the West Soon
Miaouch
Those that enjoy watching the Japanese Nintendo Direct broadcasts will be vaguely familiar with The Battle Cats POP!, or as many of us have referred to it - "that weird-looking game with cartoon cats". The good news is that we'll get to experience it for ourselves in good time. Kyoto-based developer PONOS has confirmed that it's bringing...
News Bravely Default Producer Would Love To Bring The Series To Home Consoles
"Personally speaking, I’d love to see it happen"
Bravely Default and it sequel Bravely Second are considered to be two of the 3DS console's most appealing RPGs, and have been warmly recieved by fans and critics alike. When a franchise becomes popular it's only natural for publishers to look at expanding it on other formats, and in an interview...
News The Nintendo Selects Range Brings Some Sales Success in the UK Charts
A fine selection indeed
Last week Nintendo of Europe released six more Wii U titles as part of the Nintendo Selects range, dropping their price to €24.99/ £19.99 in stores and on the eShop. It seems the new price ranges have worked nicely in stores, with three of the titles making their way into the UK all-format top 40. New Super Mario Bros. U
Review Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.3 (3DS eShop)
Quite the trainwreck
The oddly named Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in Suburbs #1 Vol. 3 is finally here, promising more train driving action to all who are interested. For better or for worse, this entry in the series is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessors; none of the flaws have been improved upon, nor have any of its strengths been...
Video Enjoy Some Perky Music in This Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge Trailer
Toys to virtual life
Nintendo has dabbled in free-to-play amiibo experiences before now, with amiibo Touch and Play being, in this writer's opinion, a bit naff. Nevertheless Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge looks like a better free-to-play use of the toys, at least for those with a decent collection. The Mini Mario series has been a fun...
News Pocket Card Jockey Gallops Into Europe on 5th May
Get back in the saddle
Pocket Card Jockey has been out for quite some time in Japan, but was just recently - during the March Nintendo Direct - confirmed for a May arrival in North America. Nintendo of Europe kept quiet, but has now confirmed that a demo will arrive this week in the Download Update, and that the full game will hit the region on 5th...
Sunday17th Apr 2016
Random Super Mario Maker Bros. is Another Excellent 'Full Game' From an Ambitious Creator
Nine worlds and 70+ levels
Though being the creator in Super Mario Maker is undoubtedly rewarding, sometimes it's a lot of fun to just relax and enjoy the fruits of others' labours. As such we keep an eye on the game's subreddit, and sometimes creators share their 'full game' creations. Another has popped up as the finished article recently, called...
Poll The Wii U GamePad - Where Do You Stand on Nintendo's Hefty Controller?
Star Fox aims to show what it can do
In the coming week both Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard will arrive, both titles that'll not only aim to revive a franchise but also - in a manner of speaking - its controller. The Wii U GamePad has been one of Nintendo's most controversial controllers, in part because it's the pricey and mandatory inclusion...
Nintendo Life Weekly NX Rumours Continue to Flow, Hacker Streams 3DS to PC Wirelessly and More
They just won't stop
If you've somehow fallen behind with the flurry of Nintendo NX rumours that have been circulating the internet lately, well, frankly this reporter envies you. Nevertheless it's our duty to report them when there's some credibility to them, and so we've once more taken all that's happened in the past week (rumours and all) and...
Video Learn a Few Quirky Facts About the Mario Party Franchise
N64 gloves and surprisingly offensive language
The Mario Party series isn't normally on the shortlist when identifying Nintendo's most popular and iconic franchises. It's easy to be snooty about the mini-game collections but, considering the Wii U was home to Mario Party 10, it's not exactly fallen out of favour and dropped off Nintendo's regular...
Video See If This Tale of the Cancelled Dirty Harry Game Makes Your Day
The developers weren't feeling lucky
Dirty Harry, to many younger readers (heck, including this writer), may seem like a rather old movie series in which a youthful Clint Eastwood mutters iconic lines. It's not too long ago, however, that Warner Bros. (and Eastwood's own company) had grand plans to revive the franchise with licensed games. The...
News Chompy Chomp Chomp Party Arrives in North America on 19th May
Get ready to end some friendships
Those of you that enjoy some couch multiplayer gaming will almost certainly be familiar with Mario Party. Centered around a series of minigames, this board game-like multiplayer series rewards screwing over your friends and doing whatever it takes to get ahead. Chompy Chomp Chomp Party has continued this trend of...
Saturday16th Apr 2016
Rumour More Sources Highlight NX Controller 'Gimmick' and a Major Game Project
If you don't want to know, don't read it
E3 is less than two months away, which means it's open season for rumours and leaks. Not everyone with a 'source' is worth acknowledging, but some have gone through 'mod' checks and been backed up by other consistently accurate insiders, so they're tougher to ignore. Of course, all rumours are read at your...
Feature Five Reasons Why We Love Animal Crossing
Happy Anniversary Mayor!
Animal Crossing turned 15 this week, and we're certainly feeling plenty of nostalgia for the series. What makes Animal Crossing such a successful franchise? We've put together some of the points that we think have propelled the series to being one of the most successful ever. The characters: Animal Crossing would be...
Review Pilotwings (New 3DS / SNES)
Enjoyable flying fun
Just as Pilotwings Resort was a good demonstration of the glasses-free 3D visuals offered by the 3DS, the original Pilotwings showcased the impressive (for the time) Mode 7 capabilities of the SNES. This first game in the series is now available as a Virtual Console release for New Nintendo 3DS owners, offering a number of fun...
Feature ENKKO's Andy Vargas on Breathing New Life into the N64 Controller
Sticking it to the past
Did you know that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a Nintendo 64 controller that's in good, working order? While the controller may have ushered in a new era of full-analogue control in video games in 1996, it wasn't without its flaws. Its unusual three-pronged design was enough to put off some people from even...
News Eiji Aonuma Talks Twilight Princess HD in the Latest Miiting
Evidently, there could've been a Telma amiibo
Miiverse occasionally plays host to 'Miitings', essentially brief developer interviews that cover a recent release. It's been awhile since the last Miiting, so Nintendo decided to break the silence with one that covers the recent release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. Eiji Aonuma was the...
Video Shigeru Miyamoto Reflects on His Days Working on Pokémon
Nintendo Minute also shows off Star Fox Zero co-op play
Pokémon is now well into its 20th Anniversary celebrations, in what should be another big year of releases and events for fans. The Pokémon Company has been promoting the landmark with the #Pokemon20 hashtag and a series of videos, with various game makers and celebrities talking about their...
Friday15th Apr 2016
Feature The Biggest 3DS Games of 2016 - Spring Edition
Portable delights
We're well into 2016 and despite the hullabaloo around the NX and mobile games from Nintendo, it's too soon to move on from the various delights coming to current-gen systems. We've already published our updated list of the biggest games coming to Wii U this year, though it was lacking in major retail titles. The 3DS doesn't have...
News Pokémon GO Beta Field Test Reveals Real Time Gym Battles
"It's crazy. And colorful. And gloriously not like Ingress"
A massive helping of Pokémon GO information has arrived on the web thanks to first-hand reports from players involved in the Beta field test. The most interesting piece of info is that battles occur in real time and are not turn-based like they are in the main
Reminder Six Wii U Games Are Now Discounted to Nintendo Selects Prices in the European eShop
DK Tropical Freeze! Wind Waker HD! LEGO City! More!
It was mentioned in the European Nintendo Download Update at the start of the week, but five days is a long time in the modern world. Nintendo of Europe has released six 'Selects' budget titles for Wii U in stores, but pleasingly the discounts are also available on the eShop; there's even an extra...
Rumour The Pokémon Company Plans to Make a Big-Budget Live-Action Pokémon Movie
Too good to be true?
The Pokémon cartoon has been very successful on television in all territories, capturing the minds of viewers young and old. Each year, there is also one new Pokémon movie that usually centers around a particular legendary or special Pokémon, but these are usually fairly small scale releases. Outside of Japan, these Pokémon...
News Kirby: Planet Robobot Gets a Neat amiibo Bundle in Europe, While 'Kirby 3D Rumble' is Detailed
Sounds mecha
In the early March Nintendo Direct one 3DS announcement was certainly a pleasant surprise - Kirby: Planet Robobot. Following on from the cheerful and rather fun Kirby: Triple Deluxe, it sees Kirby take on and fight a mechanised menace and even take over and use their mechs; yes, it looks as much fun as it sounds. It'll also support all...
Review Chompy Chomp Chomp Party (Wii U eShop)
Om nom nom nom nom
When a game has a title like Chompy Chomp Chomp Party and comes from a publisher called Utopian World of Sandwiches it is pretty hard to ignore, although with a promise of support for up to nine players locally and some truly crazy looking gameplay footage, this was never a title to be overlooked anyway. Unsurprisingly, Chompy...
News Yacht Club Games Gives Details on Huge Shovel Knight Sales in Extensive Blog and Infographic
New 3DS HOME themes also on the way
Shovel Knight is one of the finest download titles on the Wii U and 3DS, making such an impact across multiple systems that it's also had a physical retail release and its own amiibo. Since its release in 2014 it's won numerous Game of the Year awards, and Yacht Club Games has continued to produce free content in...
Video The Super Mario Bros. Speedrun World Record Has Been Broken Again
A whole 387 milliseconds faster than the last one
The world of speedrunning is one that is endlessly fascinating. People spend hours at a time practicing movements until they're pixel perfect, all in an effort to shave fragments of a second off of the currently standing best time. Super Mario Bros. is a popular game for speedrunners to challenge,...
Video Slippy Gets Scary in Our Star Fox Guard Trailer
Too spooky
In the comments of our recent preview of Star Fox Guard certain comparisons were made to a popular independent video game series. Being the responsible and mature professionals that we are, we decided that these parallels were worth taking one step further. Check out our trailer for Star Fox Guard below with a heavy dose of artistic...
News Twilight Princess HD and Pokkén Tournament Perform Well in US NPD Charts
3DS hardware shows signs of decline, though
The March NPD results are in for the US - though they only reflect sales of new game copies at physical retail stores, they nevertheless give a sense of sales trends in one of the industry's most vital markets. There are notable positives for Nintendo, with two key Wii U results securing impressive top 10...
News Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 Details Appear, Special Announcement Coming Later This Month
Screenshots and art break cover
Details relating to the 3DS eShop sequel Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 have been posted up on Japanese site 4Gamer. The side-scrolling action title - which is a collaboration between Inti Creates and Keiji Inafune - is the follow-up to the well-recieved original and boasts the kind of hyperactive 2D action that typified...
Video Learn About Hero World, the MMO That Could Have Changed Guitar and DJ Hero Forever
Struck the wrong chord as the series collapsed
In the last generation of systems there was a frenzied period when Guitar Hero and Rock Band went head to head and dominated the gaming industry. With pricey yet desirable accessories and gameplay that struck a nerve with the public, the concept of plastic instruments and music games was a huge...
Video Image & Form Publishes Q & A on Its SteamWorld Heist Nintendo Direct Appearance
Down to the nuts and bolts
With SteamWorld Heist on the way to HD systems this year and with an update and DLC in our near future, Image & Form's title is heading into an important post-launch phase. In its latest Engine Room videos, however, the studio has been looking back to its Nintendo Direct appearance (in North America and Europe) in...
Thursday14th Apr 2016
Guide Nintendo Switch Release Date, Rumours, Tech Details, Games And More
The console formerly known as NX
Nintendo Switch has finally been revealed, but to get to this point we've had to endure over a year of constant speculation, rumours, leaks and a lot more besides. This guide was written prior to the Switch preview and we've decided to preserve it in order to show the crazy rollercoaster ride everyone has been...
News XSEED Unveils Corpse Party 3DS Details, Including a 'Back to School Edition'
The horror is coming this Summer
Earlier this week it emerged that XSEED was planning to bring mature horror title Corpse Party to North America, thanks to an ESRB rating. As previously mentioned this is actually a remastered port of a sequel on PSP, Corpse Party: Blood Covered ...Repeated Fear, but is being rebranded to make a splash in the West...
News Get Ready To Spend Those Platinum Points, New My Nintendo Rewards Are Live
Super Famicom hoodie! Bee costume! Viking hat!
A series of new Mii clothing items have gone live on the European version of My Nintendo (Edit: they're live in North America, too). These include a Super Famicom hoodie, bee outfit and viking hat. All three cost 200 Platinum points each. These rewards will be available until June 1st and can be used...
Nintendo Download 14th April (North America)
Bravely Second! New 3DS VC! Lost Reavers beta! Runbow DLC! Much more!
It's the time once again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week serves up a lot of enticing goodies. The Wii U offering includes a range of promising download games, a beta, DS classic and DLC for one of 2015's premium eShop exclusives; on New 3DS we have...
Review Asdivine Hearts (Wii U eShop)
Meowzers, it’s a Sassy Cat God!
Kemco has certainly released a lot of RPG mobile games over the past few years, so much so that it's hard to filter out which ones are actually worth playing. Asdivine Hearts was initially released for mobile and was a combined effort from both Kemco and EXE Create. Was it worth it? Yes. It's not going to win any...
News Nintendo 64 Anthology Aims To Be The Ultimate Resource For Fans
An encyclopedia to honour Nintendo's beloved system
The N64 turns 20 this year and is regarded as one of Nintendo's finest machines, not only because it pushed technological boundaries and introduced numerous innovations, but also because it was home to some of the best games in the company's library. Author and fan Mathieu Manent is working with...
Video New Earthbound Secret Discovered in Opening Chapter
20 years later...
Earthbound has been around for over two decades in the US and about a tenth of that time in Europe, but nonetheless it's an old game. Imagine our surprise then when a new as yet undocumented part of the game came to light; pun wholly intended. As you can see from the video below, by having a second controller connected you can...
News SpongeBob SquarePants is the Theme for the Next Splatoon Splatfest
SpongeBob vs Patrick
Almost a year after its launch Splatoon is still a go-to game for many Wii U owners, especially those looking for some online gaming. The colourful shooter has proven to be a significant hit and new IP for Nintendo. It's attracted the occasional big-name partnership, too, and it's now been announced that the next Splatfest will...
Weirdness Japanese Lingerie Company Designs a Pokémon Themed Collection
Never change, Japan
The Pokémon Company is one that's not shy to merchandising opportunities; it seems there's a Pokémon inspired variant to roughly any product you could think of. This is smart advertising, and it leads to increased brand recognition, but it sometimes also leads to some humorous outcomes. While most of the time the branding makes...
News Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse Will Bring End Times to 3DS in the Americas This Summer
Gets a name change in its localisation
It wasn't so long ago that Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final arrived on 3DS in Japan, and now Atlus has confirmed some pleasing news - it's coming to the Americas this Summer as Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. Tying into events from Shin Megami Tensei IV, though you don't necessarily have to play that one first,...
Friday15th Apr 2016
News Good Smile Opens Global Pre-Orders for Its Wind Waker Zelda Nendoroid
Even comes with a Master Sword and Mirror Shield for Link
We've don't exactly hide our fondness for Good Smile's Nendoroid collectibles here on Nintendo Life, and there's now a new figure up for pre-order - this time around it's Zelda from Wind Waker. As expected the figure comes with multiple poses and an optional weapon (a bow and light arrow),...
Thursday14th Apr 2016
Poll The Utterly Charming Animal Crossing Series Is 15 Today, But Which Is Your Favourite?
Turning a new leaf or heading to the city? Let us know
The Animal Crossing series turns 15 today, and to celebrate this occasion Nintendo has released a special video. The first game in the franchise launched in Japan on the Nintendo 64 15 years ago, and since then we've seen entries on the GameCube, DS, Wii, 3DS and Wii U. The GameCube version was...
Random This New Mod Gives GoldenEye A Feeling of Doom
See you in hell, James
GoldenEye 007 is a stone cold classic, even if modern TVs and wobbly N64 controller joysticks do it few favours. Credited by some as a vital release for the FPS genre on consoles, it stands as one of Rare's greatest games. Of course, the fact that licensing issues have left it in the annals of history is a pity, meaning we...
Video Flashy New Trailer Showcases The Four Combat Styles in Monster Hunter Generations
Update: Some hype-tastic details also given for the release
Monster Hunter Generations still only has a 'Summer' release window for the West, but Capcom and Nintendo are nevertheless already pushing out regular trailers to promote the potential 3DS behemoth. After the sales success of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate in the West there's clearly hope that...
News Sssnakes Aims to Add a Modern Touch to the Original Mobile Gaming Hit
Don't Nokia it
Earlier this week EnjoyUp Games confirmed that it's publishing Run Run and Die on the Wii U eShop, and has now announced another title that it's helping to bring to the 3DS. It's Sssnakes by Software Scribes; we'll give you a moment to guess what it's all about... Yep, that's right, it's a modern riff on Snake, the classic game that...
Wednesday13th Apr 2016
Video This New 3DS Hack Allows You to Wirelessly Stream Video to PC
What a time to be alive
The New 3DS has been something of an interesting experiment for Nintendo. Releasing a mildly upgraded version of the same hardware partly through a generation seemed like a cool idea, but it hasn't really been utilized much. Aside from a small handful of exclusives and some improved performance in select games, the extra...
Rumour Nintendo Is Planning A Series Of Wii U Remasters For NX
"More powerful than PS4", but handheld element remains a mystery
Nintendo continues to keep its cards close to its chest regarding NX, so in the meantime we've got lots of lovely rumours and "leaks" to sift through. The latest round of whispers involves a series of Wii U remasters for the new console. More than one source has indicated that Super...
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2016 - Spring Edition
Time for the eShop to fill the void
We're well into 2016 and in a calm before the storm. Very soon Nintendo will announce its annual financial results, and we'll likely go into a pre-E3 cycle and all that'll entail - details and rumours on Nintendo Mobile, Pokémon, the ever-looming Nintendo NX and more. Yet we still have two current generation...
News Here's How Much Space Star Fox Zero And Star Fox Guard Will Consume On Your Wii U
"Hey, what's the big deal?"
Digital download cards released in Japan have revealed the file size data for forthcoming Wii U titles Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard. Star Fox Zero gobbles up 6.2GB of storage space, while the spin-off title - which began life as Project Guard - occupies a more slender 2.1GB. Both launch at the end of the month -...
Weirdness A New Animation is Found in Super Mario Bros. 3
It's only taken 28 years
It's amazing that still to this day, quirks and hidden information in the video games of yesteryear are still being surfaced from players around the world. The latest addition to this is NES classic Super Mario Bros. 3. For those accustomed with this title, you'll know that when our heroic plumber becomes Hammer Mario, he...
Random Here's Another Super Mario Maker 'Full Game' to Enjoy
40 levels across 10 worlds
Super Mario Maker has a loyal and sizeable audience that continues to stretch the creation tool to its full potential. With each update that adds doors, keys and other bits and bobs we also see increasingly clever stages, some which test our minds as well as our thumbs. In any case, while some create ambitious individual...
News Splatoon's New Update Just Went Live
Time to try out these remixed weapons
In the latest Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Splatoon would be receiving some more free DLC, albeit in a slightly different form than before. Some existent weapons – dubbed "Sheldon's Picks" – have been retooled with new secondaries and specials, giving them an entirely different feel. While this may...
Review Lovely Planet (Wii U eShop)
Hardcoradorable
Lovely Planet is a cutely packaged title that conceals a surprising amount of technical gravity. It's like opening a Hello Kitty backpack and finding nuclear launch codes within. Bright colours, an upbeat soundtrack and a very minimalist, very Japanese art direction make it easy to link Lovely Planet with other quirky titles such as...
Hosting Me, Hosting U
Nintendo consoles have been no stranger to party games over the years, and accessibility has always played into that success. Whether it was a dance-off or a quick bout of tennis, both software and hardware worked in tandem to ensure that absolutely anybody could join in on the fun. The introduction of the Wii U GamePad added...
Video Check Out this Japanese Overview of Kirby: Planet Robobot
Domo Arigato
Kirby has always been extremely malleable, both as a character and as a series, and while many of his games have been fairly unconventional and experimental, it's the classic, power-swapping platformer template that the character is most well known for. 2014's Kirby: Triple Deluxe represented the latest entry in the classic series, and...
Random How to Turn Your Old NES Into an Electric Guitar
Turn it up to 8-bit
We suspect that many reading these pages have a good-old NES in their house, perhaps gathering dust as a treasured heirloom for future generations. Of course, some might still play their 8-bit system on a regular basis, or perhaps find another use for the iconic hardware. YouTuber Scotland Symons, who has shared a handful of...
News Yo-Kai and Dragon Quest Still Lead for 3DS in Japan Following Modest Disney Art Academy Launch
Wii U sales climb a little as hardware struggles
The latest Media Create results are in to show what's hot and what's not in Japan, and they reflect a relatively stagnant hardware market and fairly predictable brand power, with a couple of new releases struggling to impress. The top two games are both on 3DS this week, with Yo-kai Sangokushi still...
News Run Run and Die is Bringing Cartoonish Penguin Deaths to Wii U
It's all in the title
The Wii U eShop has played host to a variety of games previously seen on PC, and can now add Run Run and Die to the list - it was also a PlayStation Mobile game. Developed by Pixel Bones Studio and being published on Wii U by EnjoyUp Games, it's a simple runner designed to make you rage. There are 24 levels in total, some...
Tuesday12th Apr 2016
News Yo-kai Watch 3 Coming To Nintendo 3DS In Two Fishy Flavours
Sushi or Tempura, anyone?
The latest issue of Japanese magazine CoroCoro has revealed that 3DS title Yo-Kai Watch 3 will come in two different versions: Sushi and Tempura. Both launch on July 16th in Japan. At retail, each version will come with an exclusive medal. The Sushi editon has the KK Brothers (the US version of Komasan and Komajiro) while...
Preview Star Fox Guard Just May Be the Scariest Game of 2016
No, really
Star Fox Guard is a strange spinoff of a beloved franchise, taking on an entirely unorthodox gameplay loop for Fox and friends. You can glean as much from a quick peek at screenshots and videos. What you won't see in your fancy screenshots and schmancy videos is just how much Guard is secretly a horror game. Nintendo Life, we hear you...
News The Super Famicom New 3DS XL Edition Has Amazing Box Art
Retro charm
Back in early March the Nintendo Direct in Japan unveiled a rather lovely Super Famicom New Nintendo 3DS LL (or XL, as it is in the West), which does a fine job of recreating the 16-bit gem's console look on the system. Box art for the portable has now emerged and it does a great job of capitalising on nostalgia for the 16-bit era...
News May Issue of CoroCoro Magazine to Bring Huge Scoop on Pokémon Sun and Moon
The hype intensifies
We've had enough Pokémon game releases to know the drill for The Pokémon Company's marketing strategies - gradual reveals make their debut in Japan throughout the year, which pick up a lot of steam online and culminate in formal localised announcements. Part of the thrill is in the teasing, after all. CoroCoro Magazine is at...
Review Moco Moco Friends (3DS)
It's so fluffy!
Whether it's the demonic menagerie of Shin Megami Tensei, the lovable pocketable monsters of Pokémon, or the goofy ghosts of Yo-Kai Watch, creature-collecting games have been a staple of the JRPG genre for years and show no signs of slowing down. One of the latest takes on this trend is Aksys' Moco Moco Friends, a whimsical,...
Random Even Sonic the Hedgehog's 25th Anniversary Can't Avoid Memes on the Official Twitter Account
They know what everyone says about Sonic...
You know a franchise and a company have a unique ability to exasperate fans when a 'special reveal' at a live panel turns out to be for an event in San Diego. A Sonic the Hedgehog panel at SXSW did just that, ending what was actually a relatively fun panel not with a mic drop, but an atmosphere where you...
News Nintendo of America Opens the Teaser Site for Metroid Prime: Federation Force
The force awakens
It's somewhat hard to believe, but Metroid Prime: Federation Force is only a few months away from hitting the 3DS. The upcoming co-op shooter has certainly divided opinion, but for what it is, it looks like a fun and unique take on the world of Metroid Prime. While Federation Force still has yet to have a firm release date attached...
Review Toy Defence (3DS eShop)
Defending with towers once more
The 3DS eShop, as well as DSiWare before it, has had its fair share of tower defence titles. After all, it's a relatively simple kind of game to create. Toy Defence is the latest release in the sub-genre, and as you'd expect it's quite similar to the games it's taking after. As you might glean from the title and...
Wednesday13th Apr 2016
News SurveyMonkey Intelligence Estimates Four Million Users and Daily Revenue of $40,000 for Miitomo
Answering all the right questions
It didn't take long for Nintendo to talk up the download numbers of Miitomo, and firms focused on the analysis and interpretation of trends in the smart device space have also been weighing in on its early days. Following its initial launch in Japan and expansion to more countries worldwide it's attracted millions...
Tuesday12th Apr 2016
News Natsume Talks About its Future Plans for the 3DS
Also expresses interest in the NX
As many of you are aware, Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories is on its way to the Wii U, but not the 3DS. This is something that may be confusing – and perhaps a bit disappointing – to some, considering the fact that it is also set to release on smart devices. In the latest part of its winter Q&A, Natsume opted...
News Headup Games Lines Up More Intriguing Titles for the Wii U eShop
Three on the way, and a potential fourth
Headup Games is a prolific publisher across various platforms, and recently brought Brainseed Factory's Wii U exclusive Typoman to the world. It's keen to support Nintendo's store, too, and has confirmed a number of future titles for the system that will also be on show at next week's PAX East in Boston...
News Pokkén Tournament Update 1.2 Goes Live, to the Despair of Shadow Mewtwo Players
It's a tiny download
Pokkén Tournament has big goals, with the aim to find an audience on Wii U and also to establish itself in the fighting game scene. Its competitive appearances throughout 2016 will be interesting to follow, though naturally these tournaments will bring the spotlight onto the game's balancing and mechanics. Developer Bandai...
Music This Harp-Based Rendition Of Zelda's Lost Woods Tune Is Deliciously Twee
The Harp Twins are back
We're big fans of Camille and Kennerly here at Nintendo Life. Better known as The Harp Twins, these talented siblings are keen gamers and have produced many adaptations of famous gaming tunes - you might recall their excellent Ballad of the Goddess and
News SteamWorld Heist's DLC is Called "The Outsider", and is Coming Very Soon
HD version also to go on show at PAX East
Image & Form has been preparing us for the idea of DLC in SteamWorld Heist for quite some time, and has now given it a name - The Outsider. It's "coming very soon" alongside an update for the 3DS title, with additional languages and "added features" promised in the latter. Considering the enjoyable...
News Dodge Club Party To Make Its Mark on Wii U in North America This Week
You can also try Dodge Club Pocket for free, even in Europe
Dot Arcade was one of the most intriguing Wii U eShop releases of 2015. It was unique in that it offered three stylistic 'light dot' games, where a coloured dot matrix game was lovingly created on screen. It was quirky, clever, and we absolutely loved it. Developer JAMES MONTAGNA is...
Events UK's First Family Gaming Festival Due To Take Place At Kidtropolis
With Family Gamer TV in charge
Our friends over at Family Gamer TV will be hosting the UK's first family-focused gaming festival at this year's Kidtropolis, which takes place at ExCel London this October. Kidtropolis is the UK's largest consumer event for kids and families. Family Gamer TV - a YouTube channel which gets 8 million views a month -...
Monday11th Apr 2016
Nintendo Download 14th April (Europe)
Nintendo Selects! Lost Reavers beta! Runbow DLC! Olympia Rising! Much more!
With the start of another week we have the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, and this week is full of enticing options. We have a range of new downloads on the Wii U, along with some 'Nindie' DLC and upcoming Nintendo Selects price-drops. In addition to that we...
News Star Fox Zero's Credits Feature A Touching Tribute To A "Fallen Wingman"
ALERT: Spoilers contained within
Star Fox Zero launches this month on Wii U, and it's fair to say the with NX on the horizon the game is one of the console's final AAA titles. Conceived during the tenure of the late Satoru Iwata, it is fitting that Star Fox Zero's credit sequence features a tribute to the former Nintendo president. After finishing...
News Corpse Party Looks Set to Bring Some Mature Horror to the 3DS
XSEED secures rating for North America
Occasionally we receive messages asking whether certain genres are going to be catered to on Nintendo hardware, and a recent example was a query about mature horror games. The system in question was the Wii U, yes, but it's actually the 3DS that's going to deliver on that score. An ESRB rating has popped up...
Feature How One Man Saved Kyoto - And Video Games - From The Atomic Bomb
Nintendo fans have a lot to thank Henry Stimson for
As we all know, Nintendo's history stretches back quite some time - over 125 years, in fact. The Kyoto-based firm started out manufacturing playing cards and moved into other forms of entertainment - including toys and eventually video games - much later on. However, Nintendo might not have...
Video Grab a Rundown of all of Runbow's New and Delicious DLC
Adding additional Val-Hue
Runbow has been available on the Wii U eShop for a little over six months and it's safe to say it's a favourite amongst the team here at NLife Towers. That love is no doubt going to run even deeper now that 13AM Games is about to release a wealth of brand new DLC for this action-packed party platformer. Check out the video...
Weirdness The NES Zapper Just Became Much Deadlier
Controversial custom mod causes outrage online
As if the United States didn't already have enough problems with accidental shootings, a custom firearms manufacturer in Texas has taken it upon itself to fashion a deadly Glock handgun in the guise of a (normally) harmless NES Zapper. Posting on its Facebook page last week, Precision Syndicate of...
Review The Beggar's Ride (Wii U eShop)
From rags to riches?
Bad Seed's The Beggar's Ride hit the world of mobile gaming late last year, and has now made the transition to the Wii U eShop. The tale follows an unlikely hero in the shape of an old bearded beggar as he is teleported to a mysterious and desolate land, where he finds a cryptic mask which gives him the power to see and control...
Video Check Out Nintendo's Early Connection With The World's Most Famous Sailor
How Popeye spawned Super Mario (kind of)
Popeye is one of the world's longest-running comic characters, and originally started life in 1929 - the same year as the infamous Wall Street Crash. His popularity has remained high even since, with TV shows, live-action movies and - of course - video games all bearing his name. As the world prepares itself...
Review Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.2 (3DS eShop)
You're better off walking
Last year, Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in Suburbs #1 came out on the eShop, a game that centered around the concept of being a real life train conductor in Japan. It wasn't very well-received here, but the title gave away the fact there would inevitably be at least one sequel. One would think that Sonic Powered Co...
Video Nobody Sells The Appeal Of Terraria Quite Like The Japanese
Building hype
Terraria, like Minecraft, has made quite a splash with players who like to create entire worlds out of seemingly simplistic building blocks. It came out on 3DS last year thanks to 505 Games, but in Japan, Spike Chunsoft is handling the publishing duties. Perhaps sensing a Minecraft-style smash hit, the publisher has produced a 15...
Rumour Voice Acting Audition Hints At Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Sequel
Could we be getting a new game, or just add-on content?
Avex - the company which produced the music for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE - is holding auditions in Japan to look for "new talent", a move which has sparked rumours that we could be getting more content for the game, either in the form of a sequel or DLC. Kaori Fukuhara - who provided the...
News The Mega Man TV Show is Still Set for a 2017 release
Wouldn't it be great if there were a new game, too?
Last year, Capcom announced that it would be producing a new Mega Man TV series for the franchise's 30th anniversary with Man of Action, an animation company known for its work on Ben 10 and Ultimate Spider-Man. Since the initial announcement, nothing new was revealed, leading many to believe the...
Music Miitomo Grooves Could Be The Soundtrack To Your Summer
Mii amigos
If you want to be the coolest Mii on the street you're going to need some fresh beats. With this in mind, the chiptune artist DJ Cutman has just released a new album to celebrate Nintendo's mobile hit, Miitomo. Entitled Mii Tomo Grooves, this is a fan-made tribute to the music of Miitomo and is not endorsed by Nintendo. Hence the space...
Review Musicverse: Electronic Keyboard (3DS eShop)
Doot doot doot doot
We're not scientists, but we're pretty confident in our super-accurate theory on how most people use electronic keyboards in their waking life. Namely, the musician-at-heart walks up to one, switches it on, finds the kitschiest beat in its midi library - studies say it's "salsa" 100% of the time - bangs out some nonsensical...
Video Pokkén Tournament Goes on the Road to Impress Fighting Fans at Hypespotting
Hooray for Pokémon Tekken!
Pokkén Tournament has been out for a short while now, and a fun fact is that it's called Pokémon Tekken in Germany; next time someone tells you the comparison to Tekken is entirely erroneous, point them to Amazon Germany. In any case, beyond that irrelevant factoid there are some new videos that have been shared by...
News Pokkén Tournament Holds On In UK Charts as Mario & Sonic Fail to Hit Olympian Heights
A decent week for Animal Crossing, too
There was a new retail release on 3DS in the UK last week, though an initial look at the charts don't make that immediately clear. Nevertheless there are two titles ensuring that Nintendo doesn't suffer a washout in the UK all-format top 40. Pokkén Tournament leads for the Wii U, continuing its steady descent...
News Wii U eShop Exclusive 3Souls is Heading for an Episodic Release
Episode 1 to hit original Q2 window
Early this year developer Red Column unveiled 3Souls as a Wii U eShop exclusive, an ambitious project that places the GamePad at the core of the gameplay. Targeting a Q2 release, it's now being restructured in order to achieve the best possible results. It's becoming episodic, with 3Souls - Episode 1: Nelesa...
Sunday10th Apr 2016
News Digital Foundry Puts the Star Fox Zero Resolution and Framerate to the Test
Conceptual cleverness rather than performance perfection
The near arrival of Star Fox Zero has certainly earned the Wii U title a lot of attention, and a key point for many will be how much performance Nintendo and PlatinumGames have brought out of the Wii U hardware. The new Star Fox makes relatively unique demands of the system, too, as it needs...
Talking Point The Great Star Fox Zero Controls Debate Highlights Important Lessons
Simplicity and instinct matter when playing games
Star Fox Zero isn't far away, yet rather than unquestionable hype about the first series entry for over a generation, much of the talk is over its control scheme. As the Wii U heads towards its retirement it seems like an apt conflict - innovation vs familiarity, instinctive play versus unfamiliar...
Review Grumpy Reaper (Wii U eShop)
Death by a thousand lawn cuts
The Grumpy Reaper opens with a storyline so absurd that developer Drakhar Studios should receive kudos for (presumably) shoe-horning it in to provide some context to a game that doesn't really need it. The set-up is thus: Death's granddaughter has made off with the keys to the Underworld and is releasing zombies out...
Random A Bearded Man is an Unlikely Ally in Punch-Out!!
Beard power
Punch-Out!! on NES is one of the most iconic games in the 8-bit system's library, inspiring popular culture into its third decade. Little Mac's rise to the top of the boxing world is simplistic, brutally difficult and still huge fun to this day. Like so many of Nintendo's NES classics it has its secrets, and it seems that a keen gamer...
Review PixlCross (Wii U eShop)
More room for squares
Picross games are something of a staple on Nintendo's DS and 3DS lines, but haven't seen much action on home consoles. Indie developer Pixlbit Studios seeks to change all that with PixlCross for the Wii U, and the results are good despite some wonkiness. If you haven't yet played a Picross game the rules are quite simple: each...
News 13AM Games Teases April Content for Runbow
The self-titled "scrappy Canadians" are ready to share more
13AM Games made a hugely impressive debut with the Wii U-exclusive Runbow in 2015, delivering an enjoyable and clever platformer that also supports chaotic multiplayer modes. The company's always been clear that more content is coming to the eShop release, and appears to be preparing to...
Saturday9th Apr 2016
Reminder All of the Expiry Dates to Help You Plan Your My Nintendo Rewards
They're not there forever
The My Nintendo loyalty programme has been live for over a week now, and in various ways it's been a success so far. It does have its pros and cons, however, and for eager Points accumulators the challenge is to ensure that they grab the best rewards in good time. There's a double whammy at play - points expire six months...
Nintendo Life Weekly Zelda Wii U Rumours Point to Sex Choice in Playable Character
Grab that salt shaker
After a short break due to various other commitments, you'll be pleased to hear that Nintendo Life Weekly is back, and we've once again condensed all the biggest and best bits of the past week in the world of Nintendo into a single, manageable video. This week we look at the wealth of information in rumours surrounding Zelda...
Video The Star Fox Zero Puppets Return in a New TV Commercial
"Nice one Foxy"
Nintendo's Digitial Event of E3 2015 may have prompted negative reactions for some of its reveals, but the presentation and concept of lovable puppets was a winning approach. Reggie Fils-Aime, Shigeru Miyamoto and the late Satoru Iwata were all represented by puppets, and in a memorable segment to unveil Star Fox Zero they became...
News Minecraft: Wii U Edition is Getting a Retail Release Soon
Perhaps to coincide with the Nintendo DLC?
Minecraft: Wii U Edition was a natural fit for the eShop, finally providing Nintendo gamers with the opportunity to give it a shot. 4J Studios has certainly shown that it's willing to support the game post-release, and while the Nintendo exclusive DLC plans are still under wraps, there was an update last...
Event Join Us for the Nintendo Life Gaming Night in Cambridge UK - 30th July
Nintendo gaming fun for all the family
As some reading these pages know a number of the Nintendo Life team are based in the UK, and through our friendship with The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge we occasionally host gaming events with that awesome organisation. Our next one is lined up, and instead of the late evening shenanigans and...
Friday8th Apr 2016
Voice acting may be on the cards, but not for Link
Earlier in the year rumours swirled around The Legend of Zelda for Wii U, playing on an idea that many had previously considered possible through the power of logic - that the delayed title could be a dual release on the struggling Wii U and the Nintendo NX. With Nintendo's next hardware expected...
Review Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (3DS)
Fails to make it on the podium
Much like the real life counterpart, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has a gargantuan of hurdles to overcome. Don't get us wrong, the problems in the 3DS version are much smaller and have less implications than dealing with politics, diseases and pollution. But being the fifth entry in such a popular...
Random This Game Boy Zero Uses a Raspberry Pi for Lovely Retro Gaming
The Boy ate all the Pi
We've mentioned the Raspberry Pi before, a budget micro-computer that's gone through multiple iterations - its low price (typically $50 or under) means it's a wonderful educational tool or, alternatively, a side-project for enthusiasts. The Game Boy Zero is an example of the latter. As the name suggests this is a Game Boy...
News Monolith Productions Job Listing Sparks NX Chatter
The one ringer to rule them all
You want Nintendo NX chatter that's not completely made up? Well today's the day, sort of, courtesy of a job listing posted by Monolith Productions. It's been a long time since this developer went anywhere near Nintendo hardware, and is perhaps best known for the critically acclaimed Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor...
News Nintendo Updates Its Guidance on Super Mario Maker Level Deletions
Doesn't actually answer many questions
For a number of the most dedicated Super Mario Maker creators there's been a sore point - Nintendo removes levels with little explanation or warning. Communication has been an issue, as gamers have used social media to piece together limited details from terms of use and calls / emails with Nintendo's customer...
Art If Nintendo Ever Took Zelda Into The Future, We'd Want Link To Look Like This
Future legend
As we all know, The Legend of Zelda series is set in a fantasy universe which sticks to some pretty basic rules - magic and swords are the weapons of choice. However, with titles like Spirit Tracks (trains) and Skyward Sword (AI-like constructs like Fi) Nintendo has tentatively pushed the franchise into new realms, and perhaps one day...
News Splatoon Update to 2.7.0 Will Bring Us The First Volume of Sheldon's Picks Next Week
Eight remixed and new weapons
During the March Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the Splatoon updates weren't finished yet, with confirmation that there'd be two 'waves' of Sheldon's Picks, new weapons that'll provide abilities and secondary attacks a little different from their contemporaries. We now have a date for the first of these updates,...
Gallery Gawk At 3DS Screens for Zero Time Dilemma
Like on Vita, but slightly fuzzier
In early March we shared some rather attractive Famitsu scans and screenshots of Zero Time Dilemma, the upcoming third part of the series that's very much on our radar, especially as it's heading to the West on 28th June. Handsome as those shots were, they were mostly of the Vita version, which makes use of the...
Music Let This Musical Tribute To Xenoblade Chronicles X Gently Massage Your Eardrums
Mech some sweet music
Nintendo Life contributor Gonçalo "Shiryu" Lopes isn't just great at digging up classic Super Famicom games - he's also a keen music-maker and long-time fans of the site will know that he has produced many a fine tribute album in his time. He's back with NLA Blues, an "original music tribute album to Nintendo Wii U's...
News Super Mario Maker and Splatoon Miss Out at BAFTA Game Awards
Darn
Nintendo has had some BAFTA wins to celebrate over the years, but the UK awards left the big N empty handed this year. In addition to the absence of any 3DS games in the Mobile & Handheld category, both Super Mario Maker and Splatoon missed out in their categories. You can see the relevant results (winners in bold) below: Family
News Atlus is Now 30 Years Old
Well, the pre-takeover Atlus, it still counts...
Atlus is a publisher and developer that's rather well-known and much loved - the Japanese company has brought us a number of iconic franchises, while Nintendo gamers in North America (and to a lesser extent Europe) have enjoyed a high number of exclusives over the past two generations. Atlus was...
News Pokémon GO Field Testing is Heading to Australia and New Zealand
Catching 'em all Down Under
Pokémon GO is one of the year's highest profile upcoming smart device games, and one that is carrying significant hopes for Nintendo, The Pokémon Company and developer Niantic. Though a release date is yet to be given the app has already had a 'field test' with limited users in Japan, and the in-progress title is now...
Video Image & Form Gives Behind the Scenes Details On Its Nintendo Direct Appearance
Contributed to an earlier SteamWorld Heist release
SteamWorld Heist was a terrific arrival on the 3DS late last year, earning various Game of the Year awards including our Reader's 3DS eShop Award for 2015, and re-affirmed Image & Form as a leading 'Nindie' developer. A key part of the promotion for that title came with its appearance in the...
Thursday7th Apr 2016
News Nintendo of America Launches eShop 'Super Spring Sale' Discounts on 40 Games
Mario Kart 8! Mario Tennis (twice)! Mario & Luigi: Dream Team! Much More!
You may have already seen the Nintendo Download Update for North America this week, but Nintendo also has some extra eShop goodies for the region. They're part of the Super Spring Sale, which is running for two weeks until 21st April and includes a range of titles across the...
Review My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (3DS eShop)
Master puzzler
Well, we're officially down the rabbit hole, reviewing a game exclusive to a loyalty programme. You can't buy My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (a snappy title), you can only earn it with Platinum Points on Nintendo's loyalty programme. Easily done if you have social media accounts to link and dabble in...
Nintendo Download 7th April (North America)
Game & Watch Gallery 4! SUPER ROBO MOUSE! Discounts! Fates DLC! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download update. This week brings a few options on Wii U along with a high quality dose of retro charm on the Virtual Console, while the 3DS has a game in which you dress up dolls along with some retail DLC. There...
"SGI very nearly did another spin of the hardware to fix the issue"
The N64 was, for the time, a formidable piece of kit. Its chipset was developed in conjunction with Silicon Graphics and provided the console with power that put rivals like the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation in the shade. However, the complex nature of the chips involved resulted...
Review Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (New 3DS / SNES)
Monkey magnificence
After the success of Donkey Kong Country it wasn't particularly surprising that sequels appeared; the first SNES follow-up is now available to New Nintendo 3DS owners, allowing them to enjoy this wonderful platformer on the go. Donkey Kong has been kidnapped, so this time around Diddy has teamed up with Dixie Kong for the...
Talking Point My Nintendo's Pros, Cons and Areas for Improvement
Looking forward after a positive start
The My Nintendo loyalty programme has been live for a week in the West, finally delivering a Club Nintendo replacement. There's been plenty of positivity in the reception to it so far, yet there's no hiding the fact there's also discontent - the download / digital-only aspect of it is one sticking point. Due...
Friday8th Apr 2016
News Nintendo Shuts Down Browser-Based '3D' Legend of Zelda Demo
"We're sad about that, but we get it"
Whenever a particularly neat Nintendo-based fan project arrives the dilemma is obvious - creators naturally want plenty of people to check them out, but attention increases the odds of a Nintendo takedown. Unfortunately that's happened to a rather clever voxel-based Legend of Zelda demo. Over at...
Thursday7th Apr 2016
ZeRo also offers tips for tackling the witch
Just recently we reported on a debate currently raging in the Spanish Super Smash Bros. community over potentially banning Bayonetta from tournaments. A top player in the country, Greward, discussed the topic and shared a belief that a ban of the DLC character seemed likely, albeit not yet finalised. It...
News Check Out These Japanese amiibo Dioramas
Perhaps an oncoming trend?
It seems that the time of extreme amiibo stock shortages has finally passed, with most amiibo being relatively easy to find nowadays, save for perhaps a few extra rare ones. Naturally, this means that many collectors will likely be at a point now where they have a lot of amiibo to keep track of. Perhaps as a means of...
News Star Fox Zero Goes Live For Pre-Load Today, Discount Available On Star Fox Guard
Every little helps
Nintendo of America has confirmed that Star Fox Zero will be available for pre-purchase from 9AM PT on April 7th - that's today, in case you were wondering. Buying the digital version of the game on either the Wii U eShop or online entitles you to an automatic discount of $4.99 against the digital version of Star Fox Guard, which...
Random We Show You How to Make a "Fake NX Leak", For No Real Reason
Life's too short to be serious
In light of all the recent fake leaks related to the Nintendo NX that have been circulating the internet, we thought we'd show you how simple it can be to make a convincing fake to trick your friends and family. In the video below you'll find a step-by-step guide on how to create a 'realistic' fake from some simple...
Parent Trap Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Scores With Download Play
Andy Robertson builds up a sweat on the 3DS
For families it is often the games you least expect to be a big hit that get played more than any other. While I liked the look of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games I wasn't expecting it to turn into my family's go-to game this month. There are a few factors here that make it a great fit for...
News ReVeN Pushed Back to an Undefined Release Date in 2017
The developer got sidetracked
Way back in 2014, we reported on a Kickstarter project by Varia Games called ReVeN. Obviously inspired by Metroid, the 2D action platformer eventually met its goals and went into production. Since then, it's been quite a rocky road in the lead up to going gold, and the game still is nowhere near completion. Addressing...
Video Chill Out to This Taylor Davis Cover of Zelda's Lullaby
Originally on the Melodies of Hyrule album
Taylor Davis has established herself as a hugely popular musician, amassing over 1.2 million YouTube subscribers and completing tours in North America and Europe. The violinist has made her name with original tracks and licensed covers and arrangements of music from popular culture, including tracks from...
Video Capcom Releases New Trailer to Showcase the Prowler Mode of Monster Hunter Generations
Tackle a campaign as a Felyne
Monster Hunter Generations has plenty to offer, with multiple villages that'll cater to nostalgia and bring all-new content, along with new monsters and fighting styles for hunters. Beyond that, though, it also has the 'Prowler' Mode. We've seen some confusion around what this actually is - it's the ability to play as...
Wednesday6th Apr 2016
News Competitive Super Smash Bros. Scene in Spain Prepares to Ban Bayonetta
Time's up for the witch
While many of us play and enjoy Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the competitive scene naturally takes the game to another level. With the top players mastering movesets and identifying weakness right down to individual frames, it's continuing to grow both as a competitive scene and as a popular spectator sport online. It's also...
"Their timing in dealing with the issue is dubious at best"
In late March there was a great deal of debate related to Alison Rapp and Nintendo of America, as the former had her employment terminated; Rapp had been a Product Marketing Specialist in the Treehouse team. Rapp had been, in the weeks preceding her dismissal, at the centre of online...
Random Someone Hacked The Original Sonic To Include Sonic Boom's Annoying Chatter
"It's like they're drawn to me!"
Like the vast majority of gaming icons who appeared during the 16-bit era, Sonic the Hedgehog was a silent protagonist. However, his journey into 3D saw him gifted - if that's the right word - with a voice, and in his most recent outings, he rarely shuts up. As if to prove that less is most definately more, hacker...
News Three Legendary Pokémon Birds to Take Flight in the US in May
You need to sign up for the Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter
Not long ago we highlighted how Pokémon fans in the UK can get hold of a legendary bird from Smyths Toys Superstore outlets; other stores are doing distributions throughout Europe. For those without a local participating store in the EU, though, codes will eventually go to those signed up...
Review Donkey Kong Country (New 3DS / SNES)
Great Apes
Rare's series of Donkey Kong games mixed impressive visuals with some brilliant platforming action as you ran, jump, swung and swam through a variety of locations defeating those nasty Kremlings, collecting bananas and finding secrets. The Game Boy's three Donkey Kong Land games have previously been re-released via the 3DS Virtual...
News Minecraft: Wii U Edition Update Adds Achievements, Wii Classic Controller Support and More
And fixes, of course
Minecraft: Wii U Edition proved to be a download success when it arrived on the eShop late last year, albeit Nintendo gamers have had to wait for some key updates, while the Nintendo-exclusive content announced with the launch is still a mystery. Nevertheless, developer 4J Studios is still improving the Wii U version, and has...
News Nintendo Files a New Patent for a Fancy Object Detection Device
Potentially used as a controller, projector, or something else
The wizardry taking place behind closed doors at Nintendo R&D is something that's endlessly fascinating, as the company continually experiments with new and exciting ways to play. Of course, not all of this makes it into stages of production – looking at you inflatable Wii saddle...
Thursday7th Apr 2016
Video Have a Gawk at Keiji Inafune's Super Mario Maker Stage
Insert your own Mighty No. 9 joke here...
Keiji Inafune is one of the best known game creators in the industry, and a designer that commands a great deal of respect. As a result it's intriguing to see him create a stage in Super Mario Maker while citing some principles first formed in the early Mega Man games. That's the idea behind a Polygon video...
Wednesday6th Apr 2016
News Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden is Adding Online Multiplayer and More in 7th April Update
'The Extreme Patch'
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden arrived on 3DS in the West in October 2015, and we thought it was rather decent. The lack of online multiplayer was a sore point, however, though we were given hope when it was confirmed for an update in Japan late last year. It's taken quite some time, but Bandai Namco has now revealed that 'The...
News Yo-kai Brand Power Strikes Again in Japan as Pokkén Tournament Passes Sales Landmark
Wii U hardware sales continue to toil, however
It's the middle of the week, which means it's time to look over what's hot and what's not in Japan with the Media Create charts. Level-5 will be rolling around in bundles of cash once again, while there are both positives and negatives for Nintendo. Kicking off with software, Yo-kai Sangokushi on 3DS...
Review Cutie Clash (Wii U eShop)
Clash of the birds
Yazar Media Group's Cutie Clash is another entry in the Cutie Pets meta-series. Of all the other strange Cutie Pets games, Cutie Clash is the weirdest, most charming and ultimately most disappointing. A wacky one-hit multiplayer brawler, Cutie Clash could have been a parody of Super Smash Bros. had it been fleshed out more. But...
Random Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Shows That Mii Characters Aren't to be Trusted
amiibo, the new performance enhancing drugs
Mario & Sonic - and their many friends / foes - have been battling it out in the Olympics for a number of years. Through this series of games we've learnt that Sonic isn't actually as fast as he makes out, and that Daisy is one of the world's greatest figure skaters. Now we have Mario & Sonic at...
Live Blog Check Out the Monster Hunter Generations Story Mode - Live!
Capcom gets started ahead of the Summer release
Monster Hunter Generations can't come soon enough, as far as we're concerned; the Western localisation of Monster Hunter X (Cross) is due in the West this Summer. Capcom's social team is doing a good job in keeping fans excited, too, with regular weekly streams of the game. We covered one of these...
Video Check Out This Banging Banjo-Kazooie Final Battle Theme Drum Cover
Not a banjo in sight thankfully
Banjo-Kazooie is a beloved N64 platformer from the legendary developers at Rare, aside from being a great game, it had an equally great soundtrack by the ever talented Grant Kirkhope. We recently featured a video of Mat Ombler drummer from the metal band Demoraliser doing a drum cover of the Mario underground theme,...
Video Check Out This Japanese Overview of Star Fox Zero
Also, some footage of Star Fox Guard
In just a few weeks, Star Fox Zero will finally be made available to the public, marking the first release of a console Star Fox game since the release of Star Fox: Assault back in 2005. Though early impressions of the game were a bit middling at its E3 reveal last year, recent footage indicates that it's all...
Review Cutie Pets Go Fishing (Wii U eShop)
Hook, line...sink
Yazar Media Group's Cutie Pets meta-series is a peculiar little oddity on the Wii U eShop. The games are full of strange, weirdly compelling characters and ideas, but the execution is very, very flawed. Unfortunately, that trend continues with Cutie Pets Go Fishing. Yet another Cutie game with very, very little content, it's...
Tuesday5th Apr 2016
Rumour Nintendo NX Source and Details Gain Some Traction
References ports of current-gen games and second screen support
Ah, Nintendo NX rumours, welcome to the world. As we saw in March there'll be an abundance of leaks and 'details' emerging online, and cherry-picking sensible posts from nonsense will be a challenge for us all. Nevertheless some relatively tangible information has emerged - all still...
News Looks Like Nintendo's Familiar Red And White Branding Is Back For Good
Like the good old days
Those who grew up in the NES, SNES and Game Boy eras will know that the iconic Nintendo logo was usually a mixture of red and white. During the DS and Wii period the company didn't exactly abandon this logo, but tended to favour to a plainer grey-on-white colour scheme - possibly to reflect a newfound maturity or sense of...
News AMD Earnings Call Says "New Consoles" Are Launching Later This Year
"New semi-custom business" coming "in the second half of 2016"
Chipmaker AMD supplies the processors which power the Wii U, PS4 and Xbox One, and is therefore a pretty significant player in the gaming arena right now. At the company's recent earnings call, it gave another possible indication that Nintendo's new NX system will be arriving later this...
Soapbox No, Star Fox Zero's Controls Are not Bad or Broken
"Gee, I've been saved by Fox, how swell"
If there's one aspect of Star Fox Zero that's been weighing on fans' minds it's the new control scheme; adding motion controls to such an established formula with controls that have barely changed since the SNES is bound to cause a little concern. Thankfully we've had enough time to realise that although the...
Video Let's Celebrate The Hot Mess That Was The GameCube's AV Output
Want the perfect setup? Watch this
As any video gaming veteran who lived through the early years of the industry will attest, we've never had it so good when it comes to AV output. Modern consoles support HDMI for a clean HD signal, and there's rarely a lot of effort involved in getting the right equipment - HDMI cables are cheap and plentiful, and...
Preview Preferring the Air in Star Fox Zero
Well, Alex does
It's been the best part of a decade since we last received an original title in the Star Fox series, a time only briefly broken up by the release of the admittedly excellent Star Fox 64 3D. It feels like this entry could be make or break for these anthropomorphic adventures in space, so can Star Fox Zero meet the lofty expectations...
News Mighty No. 9's Release Date Remains A Mighty Mystery
No comment from publisher on "Spring" launch
Kickstarter success story Mighty No. 9 hasn't had the smoothest of routes to market. After smashing its crowdfunding goal by some margin the title was expected to launch in September last year, but missed that original release window and was given an "early 2016" date. It then slipped from its new release...
News Nintendo of Europe Rolls Out Official Online Stores In More Countries
Not without some early criticism
We've often shared updates on pre-orders and stock from the Nintendo UK Official Store, a rather decent resource for picking up games, New 3DS cover plates, amiibo and other merchandise. It sometimes has limited editions or other stock not available elsewhere, and occasionally its pre-order bundles (often with...
News Miitomo Continues Early Momentum in Leading Download Charts and App Engagement
A positive start
It's still early days for Miitomo; the first app from Nintendo and DeNA has a long way to go before it will have firmly established itself. Nevertheless it enjoyed a positive launch in Japan and has since attracted plenty of attention in the West. Since its 31st March release in territories such as the US, UK and Germany, the app...
News You'll Be Able To Dress Up As Mario And Peach In The Next Story Of Seasons Game
Crossing over
Famitsu has just revealed that Nintendo costumes will be included in the forthcoming Story of Seasons: Good Friends of Three Villages. The sequel - which hits Japan on June 23rd - is confirmed to contain Mario and Peach, and the preview in Famitsu suggests that Luigi and Toad outfits may also be available. The previous Story of...
Video Feel the Hype Build in This Showcase for Star Fox Zero and Guard
Everybody, stay alert
It's not long now until we have an all new adventure with Fox and his crew in Star Fox Zero, while Star Fox Guard will be an eShop extra with a co-operative and tactical edge. As the main event Zero has certainly divided opinion, yet with the final game around the corner there's a natural buzz around its arrival. Nintendo's...
News A New Patch for FreezeME is on the Way in North America
Expect it in the next couple days
A couple months ago, FreezeME hit the North American eShop, bringing some old fashioned 3D platforming action to the digital storefront. Though we thought it was a bit derivative of the games it was obviously inspired by, we nonetheless gave it a good recommendation, suggesting that fans of this genre should give it...
Video Check Out This Overview of Bravely Second
Just two weeks to go, North America
Though it's become yesterday's news over in Europe, Bravely Second: End Layer is about two weeks away from release in North America. Though there has been some controversy surrounding localisation of the title for the west, the upcoming JRPG from Square-Enix is an excellent game – as our review reflected – and...
Video Catch Up With the Hyrule Warriors Legends Developer Panel from Wondercon
Includes some whoops and cheers
A week may be the equivalent to a century online, but nevertheless Nintendo has uploaded an interesting video from a Wondercon presentation on 26th March. It's the Hyrule Warriors Legends developer panel, with Koei Tecmo's Yosuke Hayashi (producer) and Hiroya Usuda (director) in attendance. The headline announcement...
Monday4th Apr 2016
Rumour Nintendo has Discontinued Production of Nintendo DS Cartridges Around the World
Better get 'em before they're gone
Last week, we reported on the news that Nintendo would be entering the process of sunsetting its DSiWare service, reflecting the end of the official sale of digital games on DS consoles. This news didn't come as a huge shock given the age of the service and with a new console just on the horizon, but it nonetheless...
News Here's A 3D Classics Version Of Zelda You Can Play In Your Web Browser
The stuff of legends
The Legend of Zelda turns 30 this year, and Nintendo has its own plans in place to celebrate this momentous milestone. However, some fans have the same idea, such as "Scott" and "Mike", the mysterious guys behind an amazing browser-based replication of the title that started it all on the Famicom / NES. Visiting...
Random Amazon Promotes Nintendo's Latest Legend of Zelda Releases With a Pretty Infographic
A bit hard to read though...
Infographics. Ah, the marketing of the Gods, where nice art assets are aligned with some quirky facts and details. They're rather popular, which is why large companies task employees with creating them on a regular basis. Despite a rather peculiar and sketchy history with Amazon, the retail giant, Nintendo of America...
Video Super Mario Maker Player Clears Insane Level and Shows Just How Tricky It Was
Come for the clear, stay for the bloopers
Here at Nintendo Life we rather enjoy videos of extremely complex and difficult Super Mario Maker stages - it's easier to admire the play of others than to attempt them ourselves, after all. The precision and skill in both the stage designs and the players that clear them can be extraordinary. Often we...
Nintendo Download 7th April (Europe)
Mario & Sonic in Rio! Lovely Planet! Wario Shaking It! Much More!
WIth the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, the usual look at the eShop treats that are on the way. This week we have a number of intriguing releases on the Wii U eShop along with a lovely Wii download, while on 3DS we have an eShop sequel and...
News Street Fighter Producer Yoshinori Ono Would Love To See Nintendo Vs. Capcom
"I wouldn't wanna pick one and just go with Street Fighter"
Ryu's timely appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS was a welcome surprise for fighting game fans, as the character is one of the most iconic in the entire genre. With Street Fighter V now available on the PlayStation 4, interest in the series has reached new levels and during...
Editorial Miitomo is Surprisingly Strange and Compelling
Adjectives perhaps used by bemused but entertained users
Miitomo is an odd app. Nintendo's pre-launch attempts to pitch it to investors left many scratching their heads, and even with its release plenty of commenters online have been relatively dismissive - lines like "I deleted after an hour" appear frequently. Yet on the flipside the app has...
Review Bird Mania Party (Wii U eShop)
Top flight entertainment
Starting life as Bird Mania 3D – a hidden gem in the ever growing 3DS eShop library released back in 2012 – Bird Mania Party is an expanded version of the original brought to us by publisher and developer, Teyon. We were fans of the original release, as well as Bird Mania Christmas which was released not too long after,...
News Nintendo Is Ending DS Phat Repairs In Japan
Spare parts running out, says NCL
It's the end of an era. Not only have we recently had the news that DSiWare is shutting down and Nintendo is bringing DS cart production to a close, but we've now heard that NCL is stopping Nintendo DS console repairs in its homeland. Repair support for all colours of the very first DS (model number NTR-001, also...
Tuesday5th Apr 2016
News A 24-karat gold-plated NES-playing system can be yours for $4,999
If you need something to play Wall Street Kid on
Watches. Roses. Silver medals. Things just rise to a new level of opulent superiority when they're plated in gold. And if you prefer your NES and Famicom games to be played among the top 1 percent of ways, there's a limited edition gold-plated system for you. Analogue, the company that previously...
Monday4th Apr 2016
News Miitomo Romps Past The One Million Installs Mark On Android
Taking over
Nintendo has already revealed that Miitomo has hit three million users worldwide and topped the iOS App Store, but we can now confirm that it has sped past the one million installs marker on the Android Google Play market, too. Browsing the Miitomo page on the Google Play store, it now says the app has been downloaded between 1,000,000...
News Pokkén Tournament Holds Steady in UK Charts as Monster Hunter Enjoys an Unlikely Boost
Hyrule Warriors Legends clings on to top 40 place
Holiday periods can bring some quirky chart results in the UK gaming scene, as heavy discounts help older titles climb back into the top 40. That's happened for the second week in a row, while a recent Wii U release is showing decent momentum. Pokkén Tournament is giving a solid performance in the...
News Terraria Is Digging Its Way Towards A Late May Wii U eShop Release
Similar timeframe likely for 3DS version update
Terraria has evolved to be a hugely successful title across multiple platforms, blending 2D gameplay, adventure and sandbox mechanics rather effectively. Publisher 505 Games has been keeping fans up to date on an upcoming patch, and included some snippets on the 3DS and Wii U version. The 3DS version...
News The Bunker Aims to Bring Live Action Psychological Horror to Consoles
Splendy Interactive, Wales Interactive, GMG and All 4 Games involved
Back in the '90s, when CD-based consoles and PC games were gaining momentum, there was a brief craze for live action games, blending video with gameplay. It was a fad that faded, especially as the technology of the time was limited to low quality video - yet video-based games are...
News Maximum Games Takes Over Avanquest to Expand Global Reach
Both have history on Nintendo hardware
Like any business the gaming industry is full of significant challenges, especially for small-to-medium sized companies. It isn't particularly surprising, then, when those with a little more success look to expand through acquiring smaller businesses, as now appears to be the case with Maximum Games taking over...
Sunday3rd Apr 2016
News Junichi Masuda Reassures Fans on New Pocket Monsters for Pokémon Sun and Moon
More than 10 new additions on the way
With Pokémon Sun and Moon set to grace the 3DS this year, fans are expecting a gradual roll-out of new details and reveals for the titles in the coming months. There had been hope of debut gameplay footage this weekend, though we've had to settle for a more minor update. Series director Junichi Masuda, battle...
Not as surprising as it seems
With this being a year that, at the very least, will deliver a new system reveal from Nintendo, it should be no surprise that the company may have upped its spending on research and development. Of course, the flipside of the argument is that the hardware will have been concluded in prototype form, at least, for some...
News More Details Emerge on 80's Overdrive
Putting it in gear
A couple weeks ago, we found a new game coming to 3DS called 80's Overdrive. Though screenshots revealed that it was an old-school arcade racer, no more information was revealed or shown. While there's still a lot we don't know about the game, the developers recently lifted the lid on what we can generally expect out of it...
Monday4th Apr 2016
Video Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Has a Surprising Number of Glitches
Still a classic, though
No matter how hard developers and quality assurance staff try, glitches are a normal part of gaming. They're unavoidable, but also potentially entertaining - after all, finding quirky moments and areas in game worlds can be highlights of a gaming experience. It can be fun learning about the range of glitches in classic...
Saturday2nd Apr 2016
Feature Breaking Down the My Nintendo Loyalty Economy, Again
Now focused on the Western points and rewards
The Club Nintendo replacement - My Nintendo - has now launched in the West alongside Miitomo. In the end Nintendo just hit its March deadline, launching the service and app on 31st March in various countries, with My Nintendo landing in more territories than the social app. For those in countries...
Review Excave III : Tower of Destiny (3DS eShop)
A step backwards
After two Excave titles were released in quick succession early last year, the series disappeared just as quickly as it had sprung up, going on a year-long hiatus. It's back now with a third entry, bringing with it a whole slew of changes, but are they for the best, or are you better off sticking with the previous titles? The basic...
Hardware Review Hyperkin ProCube Controller for Wii U
Wireless GameCube love for your Wii U
The GameCube Controller is one input device that has lasted the test of time better than most, even beyond the hardcore Super Smash Bros. community, so it's not surprising that a company would take advantage of this retro love in the form of Hyperkin's ProCube Controller. This little number is essentially a Wii...
Video Check Out What Crash Bandicoot Would Look Like as a Smash Character
What could've been...
For those of you that owned a PlayStation back in the day, you probably played one of the famous Crash Bandicoot games. Billed by many as the PlayStation's answer to Mario, Crash Bandicoot once starred in a popular line of platformers and spinoffs that put Naughty Dog – the development studio – on the map. Since then, Crash...
News The Ace Attorney Anime Series is Waiting For You On Crunchyroll
Just thought we'd point it out
The Ace Attorney series has a loyal following in the West, perhaps not as big as in the GBA and DS glory days, but a sizeable enough fan-base to prompt download-only releases on the eShop. It's not just Capcom that seems keen to keep interest in the brand alive in the West, as Crunchyroll is doing its bit too. The...
News Road Redemption Developer Says It's Still "Actively Pursuing Wii U Development"
Admits previous Kickstarter update didn't get the message right
Road Redemption was a crowdfunding success story back in Spring 2013, tapping into nostalgia for Road Rash and offering chaotic bike racing action. After some early stumbles it recovered to start out as an early access PC title in Fall 2014, though progress towards a final release since...
Friday1st Apr 2016
News Splatoon to Arrive on 3DS Under the Name "Splatoon Legends"
April Fools'
Update: Yep, as most of you guessed this was our contribution to the tradition of ludicrous and fabricated news stories on the first of April. We made it all up, all of what you see below is complete and utter nonsense as far as we know, we hope you got a laugh out of it! Massive thanks to Andy Carolan (@AndyCarolan) for the Inkle...
There are other options though...
Here's a fun bit of wordplay - GAME said 'Only At Game' for the lovely Fire Emblem Fates Limited Edition in the UK, but then had a bit of small text saying it would also come to Nintendo.co.uk. What larks, ho ho, marketing sneakiness is such a laugh! In any case, Nintendo's Official UK Store opened pre-orders for...
Poll What Do You Think of My Nintendo and Miitomo?
Points and answers
31st March was a notable day for fans of the big N, with Club Nintendo replacement My Nintendo launching in addition to Nintendo / DeNA's first full app - Miitomo. They're certainly tied together in their intention of encouraging fans old and new to engage with the company - hence the shared release date - though in practice...
News Mythical Pokémon Jirachi is Up for Grabs in Current-Gen Releases
TCG and plushes also on the agenda
Over a number of months The Pokémon Company is releasing Mythical Pokémon to eager fans, one per month. It's now released Mythical Pokémon Jirachi, which will be available in Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire until 24th April. To get this 'mon you need to go to 'receive gift' (there's a guide at the...
News Miitomo Tops iOS Chart in the US and Hits Three Million Global Downloads
It's quite popular then...
Miitomo was arguably the second most exciting new thing from Nintendo on 31st March, as much attention among fans was on the My Nintendo loyalty programme. Out in the broader world, however, it's certainly Nintendo and DeNA's first app that's made a significant splash, even trending for a time on Twitter. For starters,...
News Sega of America Will Be Publishing Atlus Games in North America from Now On
Also, a new chief officer for the Sonic brand has been appointed
As some of you may remember, Sega acquired Index – the parent company for Atlus – about three years ago for roughly $141 million. On the consumer side of things, the effects of this weren't very noticeable, with it being mostly business as usual for the two game companies. There...
News Sonic Team Boss Takashi Iizuka Heads To The US To Oversee New Sonic Games
Will "establish Los Angeles as the centralized hub for the global brand"
Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka has relocated to North America to create a new "development hub" for Sonic the Hedgehog games, it has been revealed. Iizuka - who acted as producer on many recent Sonic titles before being sidelined by the externally-produced Sonic Boom series - has...
News Abylight Is Aware Of Demand For A 3DS Port Of Locomalito's Maldita Castilla
"Many voices are being raised for a Nintendo 3DS version"
Yesterday publisher Abylight confirmed that it is working with renowned indie coder Juan Antonio Becerra - better known as Locomalito - to bring his amazing collection of titles to consoles. These games - which include Maldita Castilla, Hydorah, L'Abbaye des Morts, Gaurodan and The Curse of...
News Nintendo of America Offers to Mail a Shadow Mewtwo Card to Digital Owners of Pokkén Tournament
Let the infinite combos commence
As many of you were likely aware, physical copies of Pokkén Tournament ship with a special Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card in every case. This is a limited, first-run offer, and it no doubt changed the minds of many gamers to buy physical rather than digital. Of course, some digital buyers may have felt left out by this...
News Upcoming Pokkén Tournament Update to Fix Shadow Mewtwo's Infinite Combo
Due 'early April'
Pokkén Tournament on Wii U has certainly earned some fans, though like a lot of fighting games a dedicated audience has been digging up its flaws. That's not surprising, of course, as it's going to be prominent in the competitive scene this year through events like Evo and official Pokémon Championships. The most notorious issue...
Interview Solving the Puzzle of PixlCross on Wii U
PixlBit Studios went from Picross addicts to Wii U developers
Nintendo's systems have played host to various unlikely game genres, and Picross can certainly be considered one example. The history of the puzzle genre goes right back to the Game Boy, and on the 3DS eShop we've also had numerous Picross e releases. Let's not forget, either, that My...
