News Nintendo of America Expands Nintendo Selects Range and Unveils Small New 3DS Bundle
Wii U game + amiibo bundles are coming, too
Hardware Review Everdrive GBA X5
Flash by name, flash by nature
Feature Pokémon Sun and Moon - Breaking Down The Most Exciting New Features
From Hyper Training to Z-Moves and more
News NES Classic Edition Will Feature a Brand New Emulator Developed by NERD
AKA Nintendo European Research and Development
News - August, 2016
Wednesday31st Aug 2016
Random Apparently the 'New Galaxy Style New Nintendo 3DS XL' is Perfect for Style Savvy Fans
Fashion that's out of this world, or something...
On a regular basis Nintendo of America hosts events where members of the public engage in some gimmickry to promote a game. Sometimes they're fun, like the weird Splatoon assault course thing of 2015, or they're rubbish like a Disney teen star playing Disney Art Academy on stage at the Nintendo NY...
News Metroid Prime: Federation Force Power Bombs in Japan
A grim outcome for the spin-off
Metroid Prime: Federation Force arrived in North America first and is due in Europe this week, but it made its debut in Japan on 25th August. As a result we can see how it's performed in the Media Create chart results; the outcome is not good. Metroid isn't always a huge-seller in Japan; for example Metroid: Other M...
Feature What We Expect From the 3DS Nintendo Direct - 1st September
That says '3DS', not NX
It feels like an age and a day since we last had a Nintendo Direct - at E3 the big N opted for a Treehouse Live approach, while if we ignore some Japanese Culdcept Revolt broadcasts we need to go back to 3rd March for the last 'typical' Direct. Crikey. It's nice to have it back, then, and this one is set to be focused on the...
News Capcom is Putting on a Sale on the North American eShops
Whaddya buyin'?
Over the past few weeks, several publishers have been running some pretty tempting sales on the eShop and now Capcom has joined them in the giveaways. Though many of these games are older and likely already in your collection, it's a welcome opportunity to catch up and grab maybe a game or two that you missed at launch. The...
News Build-A-Bear's Web Exclusive Eevee Plush Goes On Sale Early, Promptly Sells Out
Standard toy still available in-store, though
Build-A-Bear Workshop has been riding the Pokémon hype train pretty well in recent months thanks to its adorable Pikachu plush which you can stuff yourself in-store, if you so wish. The retailer has now taken a second bite of the 'mon cherry with a cute and cuddly Eevee, and even went as far as to...
News My Nintendo Extends Validity Period for Gold Points
Now you have 12 months to spend them, rather than 6
My Nintendo has now been live for five months, launching on 31st March in most territories. The Club Nintendo replacement has done some things well, such as utilising the much improved Nintendo Account system, but has also had its critics. Not all have been impressed with the rewards on offer, in...
Video An Outlandish Wishlist for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
A collaborative effort with Arekkz Gaming
We at Nintendo Life don't really take ourselves too seriously a lot of the time, so to further hammer this point home we've combined forces with the wonderful Arekkz Gaming to bring you a feature of a ludicrous nature. In the above video we discuss various ideas that we want to see implemented into The...
News Jools Watsham Unveils Chicken Wiggle - A Platformer and Level Creation Tool Coming to 3DS
Includes a story mode and level sharing feature
Earlier this week it was confirmed that well-known indie developer Renegade Kid had closed, with co-founders Jools Watsham and Gregg Hargrove moving on to their own separate studios - Atooi and Infitizmo. Watsham previously released Totes the Goat on iOS under the Atooi name, and now has announced his...
News Quest of Dungeons Confirmed for 29th September Release on Wii U
3DS release date is close
A little while ago we reported on some details for Quest of Dungeons, a rather interesting turn-based dungeon crawler that uses procedural generation. It has a neat retro look, and it was confirmed some time ago that $8.99 will get you both the Wii U and 3DS versions courtesy of cross-buy. In that article it had a release...
Feature We Learn More About Atooi, Chicken Wiggle and Future Plans
"The future is bright, and I brought my sunglasses"
Earlier today Jools Watsham unveiled Atooi's first game since the closure of Renegade Kid, the well-known studio that he'd co-founded a decade ago. Though Totes the Goat was previously released on iOS as an Atooi title, there's nevertheless the sense that the newly announced Chicken Wiggle is a...
News Brazilian Listing Gives Hope for Western Release of Dragon Ball Fusions
Is it our turn?
Dragon Ball Fusions is a title we've followed with some curiosity out of Japan. The latest 3DS title utilising the popular IP offers turn-based gameplay, but a key hook is the ability to fuse characters together for interesting results. So far it's arrived in Japan but there's been little solid indication of a Western release, but...
Tuesday30th Aug 2016
News 3DS Nintendo Direct Confirmed for 1st September
"NX will not be discussed or revealed in this broadcast", so there
Sound the klaxon, there's a Nintendo Direct coming! Huzzah, break out the bunting! What's that? It's a '3DS' Nintendo Direct. Oh, but there must be the potential for NX to feature? ""NX will not be discussed or revealed in this broadcast". Oh... Well, dry those eyes, as there is a...
News Sources Indicate That the Nintendo NX Will Feature a Social 'Share' Button
A whole new Miiverse?
With Nintendo NX getting closer to its big reveal there are still frequent reports around the system emerging online. Picking out solid sources is a tricky task, but fresh reports around a 'Social' button appear to have some validity. LetsPlayVideoGames.com, which was the source of recent reports around detachable NX...
Wednesday31st Aug 2016
Random Spot the Difference Between the 'New Galaxy Style' New 3DS XL and a Third-Party Accessory
The joys of internet searches
Earlier today we reported on GameStop offering pre-orders on the New Galaxy Style New Nintendo 3DS XL - not the snappiest product name of all time, admittedly. It's an iteration of the system that's been rather surprising, and seemingly random unless this week's Nintendo Direct sheds a little more light on its purpose...
Tuesday30th Aug 2016
News GameStop Opens Pre-Orders on 'New Galaxy Style' New Nintendo 3DS XL
Releases on 2nd September
Yesterday we had the somewhat random reveal of the 'New Galaxy Style' New Nintendo 3DS XL for North America. It came out of nowhere, frankly, and thematically it seems rather lacking in context - in our dreams there'll be a Super Mario Galaxy port announced in this week's
Exclusive Exploring The Unlikely Legend Of Rusty Pup
"Three years is a good cycle for what we're doing"
When we last visited Gory Detail it was way back in 2013 when we exclusively revealed that ex-Rare staffers Chris Seavor and Shawn Pile had begun work on their next project - The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup. While the team have issued various developer vlogs in the subsequent years, they've largely...
News Sega 3D Classics Collection 3: Final Stage To Include Mystery Title Picked By Fans
Arrives in Japan on December 22nd
Sega's line of 3D Classics has gone down a storm with 3DS owners thanks to a cunning combination of superb emulation, neat extras and - of course - killer games. While the titles have been released individually on the eShop, Sega has also published collections at retail, and the next helping - the third to arrive...
News Minecraft Introduces 'Tumble' Minigame in Console Update, With Wii U Maintenance on the Way
It's basically Spleef
Minecraft: Wii U Edition, along with its console brethren, has seen relatively frequent updates and additions. Sometimes these can be simple bug fixes, or occasionally include minigames such as the 'Battle' addition earlier this year. Mojang has now unveiled another minigame that's coming in the latest update - 'Tumble'...
Review PANDA LOVE (Wii U eShop)
A short-lived romance
Nintendo's eShop has become a home for aspiring indie developers; admittedly, the situation on the Wii U and 3DS is not much different on any other rival digital platform. Since the inception of mobile app stores, Valve's Early Access & Greenlight programs on its Steam platform as well as the likes of Kickstarter, releasing...
Translation is the goal
Kickstarter sees a range of projects, from established companies looking to fund specific projects to start-ups seeking their first big break. A fresh campaign from a book publisher falls into the former category, with a company looking to take its French business international. Third Editions Books is a publisher founded in...
Video Blue Toads Get Stealthy in Latest Paper Mario: Color Splash 'Rescue V' Show
Mario rocks a cool retro power-up, too
Paper Mario: Color Splash is easily the biggest hit still coming to Wii U this year, giving us our usual one-per-generation home console entry in the series. It's looking rather promising, too, despite some initial scepticism that followed the game after its initial reveal earlier in the year. In recent weeks...
News Futuridium EP Deluxe is Heading to New 3DS Very Soon, With Wii U Cross-Buy
Should run at 60fps with 3D enabled
Futuridium EP Deluxe is a solid and enjoyable offering on the Wii U eShop, with intense action and psychedelic visuals; we gave it a recommendation in our review. The good news for those that want to play this one on the go is that the New 3DS version is close to release, and it could also be a bargain for...
News Niantic Is Lifting Some Pokémon GO Account Bans
"Our main priority is to provide a fair, fun, and legitimate experience"
In the past few weeks we've seen Pokémon GO developer Niantic drop the ban hammer on some accounts due to the use of tools which make it easier to locate monsters and gain an advantage over rival players. Some of these bans are the result of players using seemingly innocent...
News Yooka-Laylee To Make Playable Debut At EGX 2016
Hands-on with the dynamic duo
Highly anticipated 3D adventure Yooka-Laylee will be playable by the public at this year's EGX event in the UK, it has been revealed. Created by a team of former Rare staffers and published by veteran firm Team 17, Yooka-Laylee is a 3D platformer which takes inspiration from the likes of Banjo-Kazooie and the Donkey...
Monday29th Aug 2016
News Reggie Fils-Aime Reveals 'New Galaxy Style' New Nintendo 3DS XL, Out in North America This Week
"An out of this world look", because why not?
It's almost tempting to mark this one as 'Random', but to be fair it is actual news. In a short video Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has introduced the 'New Galaxy Style New Nintendo 3DS XL', which is a fresh design for the portable. It's coming out this week and should start popping up...
Feature A Close Look at New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World
Taking a unique Mario game for a spin
Think you've played every Mario game out there? There may be just one that's off your radar and you may have missed, but now you can take a look at it in detail. New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World was a special arcade collaboration between Nintendo and Capcom from back in 2011. With a name like New Super Mario...
News Renegade Kid Closes as Co-Founders Launch Separate Studios
IPs split between "2D" and "3D" brands
Renegade Kid has been one of the most recognisable names on the Nintendo download scene in this generation, and before that was notable for jumping into the retail space on DS. Its biggest hits have included the likes of Mutant Mudds and Dementium: The Ward, earning a loyal group of fans through its releases on...
Nintendo Download 1st September (Europe)
Metroid Prime: Federation Force! Axiom Verge! Tetraminos! More!
It's the start of another week, so we get a look once more at the download treats on the way to Europe; the information is later than normal due to a bank holiday in the UK, so at this point we only have the prices in Euros (a huge thanks to Daan Koopman for sharing his translation of...
Feature The Reasons for Renegade Kid's Closure and What's Next For Its Co-Founders
Atooi plans Treasurenauts for 2017, Infitizmo has "a new mystery project"
Earlier today Renegade Kid announced that it has closed down, with its co-founders going separate ways with their own studios. Jools Watsham is taking control of Renegade Kid's 2D IPs with Atooi, while Gregg Hargrove is taking on the 3D IPs with Infitizmo. Over the last decade...
Review Pixel Paint (3DS eShop)
Painting a decent picture
It's interesting to see how retro video game art is still so popular — you rarely see filmmakers presenting an entire movie in black and white just because that's how films used to be made. Perhaps due to nostalgia and the ease of creating game assets, pixel art continues to be popular in the indie game scene. If you're...
Review Shadow Archer (Wii U eShop)
Follow the arrow
So many games today are focused on being jam-packed with content that it can sometimes feel like a chore just to play through one. When you feel overwhelmed by big games, a classic pick-up-and-play retro arcade experience is the perfect antidote. Shadow Archer is the latest eShop title that aims to bring you back to that arcade...
News Hot Wheels Rolling Out Fresh Range Of Super Mario Toys
Move fast to get these
Hot Wheels and Nintendo have worked together in the past to create some cool Super Mario-themed cars, and the pair are teaming up once more for a fresh line of toys. Mario, Luigi, Toad, Bowser and Peach are all getting fresh cars, and they all look pretty neat, as you can see. They're exclusive to Walmart in North America...
Random You Can Now Fly A Drone Using Your Game Boy, If You So Wish
Pocket power
Not so long ago we reported that one industrious individual had turned the Nintendo Power Glove into a device which could control a drone. Now, Gautier Hattenberger has gone one better by turning his dusty old Game Boy into a remote control for his Parrot AR.Drone 2.0. Hattenberger - who is Assistant Professor of Flight Mechanics and...
Sunday28th Aug 2016
Video These Five Mario Games Were Never Really Mario Games
A Link to the Farce
Companies will often use a mascot to sell a mostly unrelated product, whether it be a tin of SpaghettiOs or otherwise, it's an expected move by big brands. Video games are no exception to the rule, and more times than we'd like we've been tantalised by the Mario name only for the portly plumber of Nintendo fame to not be the...
Review Adventure Labyrinth Story (3DS eShop)
Average Labyrinth Story
Last year's Adventure Bar Story put a new twist on the RPG experience, breaking it down into a tasty combination of two addicting elements: battling monsters, and cooking up a storm. Now publisher CIRCLE's back with Adventure Labyrinth Story, a spin-off of that title which focuses on putting a different facet of RPGs front...
Random Disgruntled Young Pokémon GO Fan Makes Satirical Game About Playing in the Suburbs
"I've managed to teach myself Javascript just to make a statement"
Pokémon GO has, in most ways, been a terrific success for Niantic and The Pokémon Company. Yet despite its record breaking success it's also earned its share of critics, with some of the most dedicated players and franchise fans among those disgruntled at various aspects of the...
Saturday27th Aug 2016
News NES Classic Edition Will Feature a Brand New Emulator Developed by NERD
AKA Nintendo European Research and Development
When Nintendo unveiled the NES Classic Edition, it certainly caught many people off guard. Considering Nintendo's spotty VC support on its existing platforms, few would've guessed that the company would develop a standalone microconsole like this. While the jury's still out on how it'll do at retail,...
Rumour Potential Nintendo NX Details on Screen Size and More Do the Rounds
Why not, it's the weekend
As we creep closer to its official release we get nearer peak rumour status, as reports around the NX of varying credibility do the rounds. Now, as your Saturday entertainment, there are some more to be considered. Following our normal policy, we're trying to pick rumours with sources that we trust and/or those reporting...
Feature A Close Look at AM2R - The Metroid Game That Fans Deserve
Another Metroid 2 Remake, as the name says, but it does the job
Come along with us and take a glimpse into an alternate reality. It's not much different than the one you currently live in; in fact, it's nearly indistinguishable. The only change is that this is a world where Nintendo never stopped producing amazing Metroid games. On a relatively...
Video Learn More About Everyone's Favourite Platforming Hero - Luigi
Who else could it be?
Mario gets all the hype and credit. His name is on many of Nintendo's best-selling games, he gets to star in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games; he's the big shot. Yet Luigi is the favourite of some, including this writer. Perhaps it's his higher jump, the fact he's not carrying as much excess weight, or that he's less...
Review Letter Quest Remastered (Wii U eShop)
Words are your weapon
It's not uncommon to detest the idea of a video game designed to educate. This may sound like a huge generalisation, but take a moment to consider a time when you played even a mildly educational computer game. Maybe it was a complete mistake on your behalf, or somehow was a sense of relief from your regular schedule. Either...
Random A Delicious New Dragon Quest 30th Anniversary Promotion in Japan
Slime flavoured gum and special prizes
Its been 30 years since the first Dragon Quest game was released in Japan, and Square Enix has teamed up with Lotte Co. Ltd. in Japan to sell special Dragon Quest themed gum, released earlier this week, and is holding a giveaway contest to go along with it. The gum, which comes in "Blue Slime" and "Metal...
Video Nintendo Minute Shows Off the 2016 Pokémon World Championships
Tough competition, neat props and lots of merch
Last weekend the finest Pokémon players in the world, masters of video games and trading cards, gathered in San Francisco to compete in the World Championships. For those involved it was naturally hugely exciting and tense, though due to the size of the venue unfortunately the event wasn't open to the...
Friday26th Aug 2016
News We Have To Do A Better Job Of Explaining The Uniqueness Of NX, Admits Reggie
"Every time we launch a new platform... we always learn"
The Wii U is home to some of the finest games of the past decade, with Super Mario 3D World, Splatoon, Bayonetta 2 and Super Mario Maker all being solid reasons for owning the machine. However, it's also been one of Nintendo's biggest commercial bombs, and a lack of effective communication...
Out Now Eight More Games Join the Nintendo Selects Range in North America
A small white New 3DS bundle, too
Earlier this month Nintendo of America announced eight more games for the Nintendo Selects range, and they arrive in stores today (26th August). There are some gems in the updated collection, which are undoubtedly worth a look for $19.99. The new additions and a trailer are below: Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Rumour Detachable NX Controllers Will Offer Wii-Like Motion Control And Advanced Force Feedback
Good vibrations?
One of the big shocks of Eurogamer's recent NX rumour was the notion that the console would come with detachable controllers that bolt onto the side of the console - something which one of Nintendo's many patents seems to support. Now, a fresh rumour has emerged which not only appears to corroborate this idea, but also adds a...
News This Pokémon Eevee Plush Aims To Make Typing More Comfortable
Looks like it might just get in the way, if you ask us
Remember the massive Snorlax bean bag? Well, Bandai is back with another cuddly Pokémon product - and this time, it's Eevee's turn to be immortalised in soft material. This particular soft toy comes with a cushion (designed to look like a cute little keyboard) which you can rest your arms on...
Interview The Voice of Fox McCloud and Much More - Joe Zieja
"As it happens, my neighbor is a floating monkey head"
Prior to the launch of Star Fox Zero, Nintendo generated plenty of hype with an extravagant animated short that was broadcast live online: Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins. A collaboration between Shigeru Miyamoto, Production IG and WIT Studios, it hit a lot of the right notes as far as we were...
Reminder The Splatoon Summer Testfire Demo is Now Live
If you're yet to ink in a purchase
We suspect that most with an interest in Splatoon bought it long ago, yet Nintendo is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to get as many Wii U owners as possible on board. A little while ago we shared the news that the Splatoon Testfire demo is returning for a Summer fling, so here's a reminder that it's live...
Video Miitomo Now Has Its Own Japanese High School Rap Song
Yep, it's a thing
Not long ago we shared a series of three story-driven videos that were released to promote Miitomo. Entirely in Japanese, it's nevertheless relatively easy to pick up the themes and general idea of the story - you should check them out. Part of the plot in those videos revolved around the main characters' mutual love for music,...
Thursday25th Aug 2016
Review The Legend of Kusakari (3DS eShop)
A Link to the Grass
Close your eyes for a moment and picture the scene. You find yourself in the midst of an epic battle – the sound of swords hitting shields surrounds you in every direction, great warriors are displaying the courage and spirit of 1,000 men as they fall for their cause, some random guy is sprinting around with the sole purpose of...
Nintendo Download 25th August (North America)
Ace Attorney demo! Street Fighter x3! Mario! Legend of Kusakari! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update; this week certainly has some enticing options. The New 3DS Virtual Console has a triple whammy of Street Fighter titles, while the Wii U's retro service has a rather fun DS title. Beyond that are...
Random Nintendo Acknowledges Virtual Boy After Decades of Passive Denial
Graphics so good they'll give you a headache
The 3DS has done a remarkable job in the current economic climate, cutting out a respectable install base several million units sold over it's run. Of course, in the early days of the console, many believed that it would be a failure due to the unfortunate historical precedent that was the Virtual Boy...
News Dan Adelman on Why the Wii U Axiom Verge Port is the Best Version
Looks like the GamePad is showing its usefulness
Axiom Verge launched about a year and a half ago for basically every gaming platform that wasn't Nintendo. This was due largely to the engine in which it was built being incompatible with the software architecture Nintendo uses, but the issue was circumvented for Wii U when the whole game was...
Reminder One Week Remains to Grab Nintendo of America's eShop 'Summer Savings'
Zelda! Mario! Nindies! Just Dance?! More!
As Summer drifts towards Fall in the Northern Hemisphere, time is running out for game publishers to use the hot season for seasonal sales. For Nintendo of America that particular promotional gravy train ends soon, with its 'Summer Savings' eShop discounts set to expire on 1st September. If you haven't yet...
News Nintendo of America Unveils Nindies Summer Jam Promotion and a Tasty Sizzle Reel
Launch discounts and fresh release details
Nintendo is gearing up, as is always the case, to make a splash at PAX West in Seattle. Download games will be at the core of that again, with another Nindies@Night event leading the way among other goodies. Nintendo of America has now announced the 'Nindies Summer Jam', which will bring a notable release...
News Nintendo Acquires Japanese Company JESNET To Gain Control Of Product Distribution
Will result in "rapid decision-making and an improvement in sales service"
Nintendo has announced today that it is acquiring distribution company JESNET in a deal worth $47 million. JESNET will become a Nintendo subsidiary next April, and the firm will work closely with video game wholesale firm AJIOKA to assist in bringing Nintendo's products to...
News Samus is the Latest Hero to Get a My Nintendo 3DS HOME Theme
Orange is certainly a theme
The My Nintendo rewards to date have had some high-points, but it's probably fair to say that the loyalty programme is yet to blow the doors off and excite loyal members. Nevertheless, there is a little extra treat on offer in exchange for 200 Platinum Points. Currently available in Europe (and Japan), with a North...
News Nintendo Shares The Best NES Nostalgia Photos From UK Fans
#ILoveNES
It's fair to say that there is a lot of excitement for the upcoming Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, bundled with 30 of the best classic NES games. If you're a seasoned Nintendo fan then you're certainly going to want to find one under your Christmas tree this year. To celebrate the launch of the NES Mini our chums at...
Gallery A Closer Look at the Pokémon Pop-Up Store In London
Insert Coin and get a cool t-shirt
It feels like only a matter of hours since we reported on Insert Coin's lovely Pokémon pop-up store in London, UK; in fact, it has only been a few hours. It's proved to be so super-effective that our resident Pokémon fan Arjun has rushed to the big smoke to catch 'em all... and update his Autumn/Fall wardrobe no...
News Insert Coin's New Range Of Pokémon Shirts Is Super Effective
We'll take the lot
UK video game clothing firm Insert Coin has teamed up with The Pokémon Company to create a new range of designs, and unveiled them at a pre-launch event in London this week. The Pokémon x Insert Coin pop-up shop opens today and will be doing business until 30th August at London's Old Truman Brewery. The store isn't just selling...
Weirdness Homebrew Programmer Emulates a Macintosh Plus on 3DS
Because they can...
While we've bemoaned aspects of the 3DS homebrew and modding community, namely hacks that cause eShop games to get taken down, some of the work done by intrepid programmers is downright fascinating. For example, do you remember when someone got Windows 95 working on a 3DS? There's another cool example now doing the rounds, with...
Review Surfin' Sam - Attack of the Aqualites (Wii U eShop)
No waves today, dude
If you were around for the 16-bit era, you surely remember the influx of mascot-driven platformers at the time, such as Bubsy and Awesome Possum. Most of these games were nothing more than copies of popular games like Sonic the Hedgehog that wanted a piece of the popularity pie. Surfin' Sam: Attack of the Aqualites feels like it...
News Hobonichi Techo's 2017 Product Lineup Features Plenty Of Mother(ly) Love
Earthbound organisation
As seasoned Earthbound / Mother fans will know, series creator Shigesato Itoi now runs a company which - amongst other things - creates "Techo" planners and sells them in Japan. These notebooks are incredibly popular in the Land of the Rising Sun, and eminently collectable thanks to their lovely jacket designs. Itoi's...
Video Go Back to Court With This Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice Prologue
"A phoenix approaches"
As you may have noticed, there's a free demo for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice out now on the 3DS eShop. The full title isn't far away, but this taster will allow us all to dive into the first court case. Nintendo has also shared an eight minute animated prologue to get us in the mood. It's an entertaining...
Video Check Out This New Footage of Azure Striker Gunvolt 2
Nearly 20 minutes of not-Mega Man
Inti Creates has had plenty of experience with developing official Mega Man games in the past, so it came as little surprise when the company finally ended up doing its own take on the formula with Azure Striker Gunvolt. The action platformer still stands as one of the best games available on the 3DS eShop, and it's...
Wednesday24th Aug 2016
News Legend of Kusakari Devs on Nintendo's Reaction to Zelda Parallels
The Big N approves
Some of you may be aware of The Legend of Kusakari, a bizarre upcoming game about a humble man whose one mission is to trim back all the grass on battlefields so heroes can fight without tripping over anything. It's obviously taken heavy inspiration from the Legend of Zelda series, with a similar logo and a visual style that apes...
Review Psycho Pigs (3DS eShop)
This Little Piggy went Psycho
Initially released in 1987 and famed for its controversial ad campaign, arcade title Psycho Pigs now makes a return to 3DS in this remake by Bergsala Lightweight. The premise of the game is to beat up other pigs using bombs, without getting injured yourself. Unlike, say, Bomberman, you are free to roam around the arena...
Poll What Are Your Favourite Super NES Games?
A tough call...
As you've likely been aware, the Super NES recently turned 25 in North America. It's another nice landmark for the iconic system, and one that's prompted us to get all misty-eyed and reminisce on our youth. That aside, it's a chance to celebrate the best of the SNES era, so with that in mind we thought it'd be nice to have an...
Feature From Paul Rudd to Dancing Link and Beyond - Some of the Best SNES Commercials
Can you handle all 24 Megabytes of Super Metroid?
With the Super NES / SNES reaching its 25th Anniversary in North America on 23rd September, we've been reminiscing over the 16-bit powerhouse a lot, and let our minds drift to the advertising that Nintendo used for the system. It was... quirky, though that is a comment admittedly made through a...
News New Nintendo 3DS Stays on Top in Japan Despite Tales of Berseria Release
Wii U dips back below 5000 units
It's Media Create chart time, in which we see what's hot and what's not in Nintendo's homeland. This week brings a new release on Sony hardware to the top of the software chart, though Nintendo hardware continues its recent lead. Bandai Namco's Tales of Berseria is the newcomer, with its PS4 and PS3 releases pushing...
News Super Mario 64 DS Heading to the North American Wii U Virtual Console This Week
Wahoo!
As is now the norm, Nintendo has updated its official website with one of the games that's coming in the North American Download Update - this time around it's Super Mario 64 DS on the Wii U Virtual Console. Regular NL tipster Ryan Millar got in touch earlier today to highlight an ESRB rating for this title, and sure enough its game page now...
News Puns and Timing Pinpointed As Reasons for a Pokémon Absence in Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony
Mario won his place in the spotlight
Just recently Mario starred alongside iconic parts of Japanese culture (including Pac-Man, Doraemon and more) in a flashy presentation video at the Rio 2016 Olympics closing ceremony. It was part of the handover to Tokyo, which is hosting the 2020 games, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emerged from a pipe...
Video Relive The Wonders Of The Super Nintendo's Famous Mode 7
Scale, rotate and manipulate
To celebrate the Super Nintendo's 25th Anniversary in North America, certified Retronaut Jeremy Parish gives himself a break from 8-bit tech to explore the wonders of Nintendo's 16-bit wonder console. Launching a new series affectionately titled "Mode Seven", Jeremy aims to provide a chronological survey of U.S. releases...
News Capcom Announces a New 3DS Game That Uses Japanese Travel Cards
Another use for the NFC scanner
The New 3DS has some neat tricks hidden within its small shell, one of which is the NFC scanner under the touch screen - it's primarily used for scanning amiibo figures and cards. In Japan the feature is also used with top-up pay cards, such as those utilised on public transport. This functionality kicked in way back...
Video Check Out This FAST Racing NEO DLC Trailer
The dream of F-Zero lives on
Shin'en Multimedia has been a loyal Nintendo developer for many years now, consistently putting out good-looking, high-quality titles. The latest of these was FAST Racing NEO, the latest in Shin'en's futuristic racing series. We absolutely loved it in our review, declaring it as a product that's on par with the quality...
Review Collateral Thinking (Wii U eShop)
Let's think about something else
Games used to be a lot simpler back in the arcade days, and that's the idea behind Astrosaurus Games's first foray into the Wii U eShop, Collateral Thinking. Taking cues from the simpler games of yesteryear like Donkey Kong, Mario Bros. and Wrecking Crew, Collateral Thinking gets back to the basics as a new...
Video Check Out The Action On Offer In Twisted Fusion
Another Wii U eShop exclusive
We've just got word from Leuvsion - a studio led by UK-based developer Lewis Pugh - that work on the ambitious "open platformer" Twisted Fusion is progressing nicely and is now aiming to launch in early October for reasonable price of £4 / €5 / $5. Way back in Spring 2014 this was one of a number of eShop projects...
Tuesday23rd Aug 2016
News Niantic Pushes Out a New Pokémon GO Update
Pokémon Appraisal is the big new feature
A while back, Niantic promised Pokémon GO players that trading would be the next big feature they'd be working on implementing. While this still has yet to materialise, Niantic has just pushed out a new update with a feature that seems to be a pretty sizable addition to ease the process of raising Pokémon...
News The Nintendo 3DS Is Getting A New RPG Maker Game
85 percent complete, online features promised
Famitsu has revealed that the popular RPG Maker series is finally coming to the Nintendo 3DS. RPG Maker Festival is apparently 85 percent complete and should see release later this year in Japan. The series can chart its history all the way back to the late '80s, and has appeared on a wide range of...
In Space Nobody Can Hear You Point-and-Click
With the introduction of Telltale's The Walking Dead a few years back, the long dormant adventure genre came back with aplomb. Telltale took a curiosity of yesteryear and brought it back with the necessary accoutrements to make it more palatable for a broad range of modern day gamers. It worked out so...
Pulse Pounding Prequel
There's a scene in the film The Expendables 2 in which main character Barney Ross - portrayed by perennial badass Sylvester Stallone - revs up a motorcycle to send it careening unmanned up a ramp and through the windshield of a helicopter. This is the vibe that Gunslugs wants to convey. As far as 8-bit run-and-gun shooters go,...
News Here's The Machine Sega's Artists Used To Bring Some Of Its Best Games To Life
It's the Sega Digitizer System!
3D visuals have largely become the industry standard these days, supported by a host of special tools and engines which aid their creation and streamline the design process. However, back in the '80s the landscape was a lot different. 2D pixel artwork was the dominant style, but studios often had to create their own...
News Nintendo eShop Selects Games Go Up for Pre-Order on the Official UK Store
Printed premium
Back in late July it was confirmed that Nintendo of Europe would be releasing both FAST Racing NEO and the SteamWorld Collection as Wii U disc games under the 'Nintendo eShop Selects' banner, both due on 30th September. It's certainly an exciting development for Shin'en Multimedia and Image & Form, seeing their eShop games...
News Eidos Montreal "Never Thought About The NX" For Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
"Right now there's nothing new to announce there"
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided launches this week, but there's no Nintendo version to speak of. While this might sound like stating the bloomin' obvious, it's important to remember that Deus Ex: Human Revolution got a Wii U release when most third-party publishers had abandoned the console. It's also...
Weirdness Pokémon GO Triggers Massive Trainer Stampedes In Taiwan
Lots of people, all trying to be the very best
While the latest data suggests that Pokémon GO has peaked in terms of popularity, it's still one of the most-played games on the planet right now - as these chaotic scenes from Taiwan attest. Various sightings in the country have triggered massive stampedes as people rush to catch rare monsters. On...
Wednesday24th Aug 2016
Video Nintendo of America Maintains a Marketing Focus on Evergreen 3DS Titles
The 3DS Summer commercial pitches some classics
It's pretty clear that, outside of some game-specific promotions, the Wii U is sitting quietly in the corner. A lot of Nintendo's marketing efforts have been on the 3DS, with company President Tatsumi Kimishima emphasizing on more than one occasion the desire to continue building the audience for the...
Tuesday23rd Aug 2016
News The Next Shin'en Game Will Be on Nintendo Platforms
What'll it be?
Shin'en Multimedia has had a great relationship with Nintendo, consistently releasing games that both look and play great. While it's released the vast majority of its games for Nintendo platforms (all the way back to the Game Boy Color!), the company has recently ported a few games to the PS4, making some question whether or not it...
Anniversary The Super Nintendo Is 25 Years Old Today
Happy birthday, you boxy thing
25 years ago, the Super Nintendo - or Super NES (or even SNES, if you're in a rush) - arrived in North America to critical acclaim and great fanfare. Following on from a successful launch in Japan - where it was named the Super Famicom - the console recieved a rather drastic facelift for its North American debut,...
Guide How to Locate Any PokéStop or Gym in Pokémon GO
One simple site
Pokémon GO has had a veritable smorgasbord of apps and websites dedicated to providing additional information for the budding Pokémaniac, sometimes not always for wholly positive reasons in the eyes on Niantic. Thankfully the site featured in the video above is built with the best intentions of providing users with a conclusive...
News Recent Data Highlights Gradual Decline in Pokémon GO Users and Engagement
It's still doing rather well, though
Pokémon GO had a staggering launch, even when its roll-out was rather slow and steady. It set new records in revenues and was even threatening the likes of Google Maps in terms of daily users, a rather extraordinary state of affairs. Those levels were never going to last, naturally, and though gradual updates...
Random Love is a Just a Game Thanks to This Charming StreetPass Proposal
"So, what do you say?"
We've seen successful and doomed romances through Nintendo apps in the past, from marriage proposals made via Swapnote to a love that died too soon on Miiverse. Just recently, though, a rather charming example has emerged through StreetPass, as the big question was asked from one 3DS owner to another. Shared by Nint
Video Catch the Second Episode of the Paper Mario: Color Splash 'Rescue V' Series
Poor old purple
Not all long-term fans are necessarily delighted at the prominence of Toad characters in Paper Mario: Color Splash, yet the little Fungi could nevertheless be entertaining companions. We'll see in good time, but Nintendo's certainly keen to put the cast of coloured Toads front and centre in early marketing ahead of the 7th October...
News VVVVVV Returns To The North American 3DS eShop
All patched up
Terry Cavanagh's punishing platformer VVVVVV has returned to the North American 3DS eShop after a prolonged absence. The game was removed from the store back in May following the discovery of an exploit which allowed users to run unsigned code on their 3DS consoles. If you've not picked it up yet, VVVVVV is on sale at $4.75 for a...
Monday22nd Aug 2016
News Forget The NES Classic Edition Mini, Here's The Analogue Nt Mini
20 percent smaller, outputs 1080p via HDMI
Nintendo may have caused quite a stir with the announcement of the NES Classic Edition (or NES Mini, if you prefer), but it's actually quite late to the party when it comes to this kind of product. We've already seen quite a few "clone" consoles that replicate the performance
News Mario Makes an Appearance in the Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony
Mario & Shinzo Abe at the Olympic Games
This weekend, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games came to their conclusion, marking the end of another successful year for the international sporting event. Though the Winter Olympics will be taking place in South Korea next, the 2020 Summer Olympics will be taking place in Japan. To acknowledge this, the closing...
Tuesday23rd Aug 2016
News Dark Horse Unveils The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts, Another Extravagant Hardback Book
Just look at it
Do you remember the gorgeous hardback book that prompted timeline debates to reach new heights - The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia? A gorgeous publication, it provided lots of fascinating information and artwork on the franchise; now, there's a follow-up on the way. With the series in its 30th Anniversary year, Dark Horse has...
Monday22nd Aug 2016
Nintendo Download 25th August (Europe)
Armikrog! Ace Attorney Demo! Legend of Mystical Ninja! Much more!
It's the start of another week, and Nintendo of Europe has juicy Download Update details showing which games are on the way to the eShop. This offering includes a high profile demo, a much-loved SNES game on 3DS and some rather promising new games on both Wii U and 3DS. Throw in a...
News Dragon Quest XI Confirmed For Nintendo NX, For Real This Time
NX level stuff
Square Enix got ahead of itself last year when it confirmed that Dragon Quest XI would be coming to the NX before quickly having to state that it was merely "considering launching" on the platform. Now, the company has confirmed categorically that the latest entry in the popular JRPG franchise will indeed arrive on Nintendo's new...
News Pokémon GO Player Apparently Gets Belgium's Biggest Mobile Network Banned
UPDATE: Ban now lifted, Proximus confirms "security" issue was to blame
Update: It would seem that the ban has been lifted this morning, with Proximus confirming that a security issue was indeed to blame. Original story: Niantic has been stepping up its game when it comes to banning people in Pokémon GO. It would seem there are quite a few ways...
News Nintendo Confirms Nindies@Night and More for PAX West
Playable Dragon Quest VII, too
It's been expo season all around the world, and the next major event for gamers on the US West coast isn't far away - PAX West. As was the case in previous years Nintendo is showing plenty of enthusiasm for the Seattle event - running from 2nd to 5th September at the Washington State Convention Center - with a mix of...
Talking Point Mario's Cameo in Rio Showcases Nintendo's Enduring Brand Power
A much needed reminder of the big N's ongoing popularity
Sports fans have no doubt spent decent chunks of the past two weeks tuning into various events from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. For many observers sports like Synchronised Diving, Handball and Taekwondo are only particularly interesting once every four years, as dedicated athletes have their...
News Disney Was Working On A Mario Kart-Style Racer Called Epic Disney Racers
Would have used co-op mechanic like Mario Kart: Double Dash
Last week we reported on a cancelled game by the name of Epic Donald, a spin-off from the Epic Mickey series. That wasn't the only canned "Epic" title that Disney was working on - another game in the same universe would have borrowed elements from Nintendo's Mario Kart series to create a...
News Pokémon GO Player Aims For Million XP In 24 Hours, Unwittingly Triggers Anti-Cheat Mechanism
"Games are meant to be played, and in my opinion played well"
The topic of cheating in Pokémon GO has been a hot one over the past week or so as Niantic attempts to deal with the hordes of players who are seeking a means of getting an unfair advantage in the game, but it would seem that the automatic measures put in place by the developer can be a...
News Nintendo Confirms $661 Million Sale of Majority Ownership of Seattle Mariners
Nintendo of America retains 10%
Earlier in the year Nintendo announced its intent to sell its majority stake in Major League Baseball franchise Seattle Mariners, a move that was authorised late last week. Nintendo has now revealed just how much money it's set to make from the deal. A press release confirms that a significant stake has been sold for...
News Evergreen Nintendo Titles Continue Solid Run in UK Charts
New Super Mario Bros. 2 is doing particularly well, believe it or not
In recent weeks we've seen some happier times for Nintendo in the UK, as evergreen releases have established themselves in the top 40 charts thanks to a variety of factors - namely Pokémon GO mania, competitive prices and some solid advertising campaigns. That trend continues in...
Video Take an Extended Look at Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 in Localised Showcase
Narrator with improbably deep voice... check!
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 isn't far away in the West, bringing us a flashy sequel to one of the standout 3DS eShop titles; it's due to land on 30th September. The sequel is certainly ramping things up with the cast, in particular, with a range of allies - including the playable Copen - and a group of...
Sunday21st Aug 2016
Can one robot bring humanity back to life?
Poncho is a puzzle platform game by Delve Interactive (published by Rising Star Games) that explores what life would be like without the existence of humanity. Players take on the role of Poncho, a robot wearing a poncho (naturally), who wakes up to discover humanity has been extinct for several centuries...
Japan Weekly Famitsu Reveals the Ultra-Kawaii Puyo Puyo Chronicle
Metroid Prime: Federation Force earns praise
Last week, the Japanese Buddhist holiday of Obon interrupted Famitsu's regular schedule, so this week is a special combined issue to make up for it. As a result, this issue is packed full of guides, previews and reviews. As usual with Famitsu, some content lagged behind internet reveals, but the reveal of...
Watch The Final Day of the 2016 Pokémon World Championships - Live!
Champions will be crowned
After two days of battles, particularly of the Trading Card and video game variety, the best Pokémon players in the world will go head to head for World Championship titles. Now it's serious. There's going to be a full day of live coverage for the Trading Card Game and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. You can catch...
Saturday20th Aug 2016
News We Almost Got A Pokémon And Fire Emblem Crossover Game
Pokémon Conquest and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE got made instead
Pokémon is a real money-maker for all concerned right now, but the franchise has a strong commercial history behind it, and that has led to some interesting spin-off titles - Pokémon Conquest being one notable example. However, had that particular release not happened we could well...
Review Zero Time Dilemma (3DS)
Closing time
Imagine you're out jogging, near home, on your usual route. You come to a fork in the path where you always turn right, but just before you do you spot a snail making its way across the sidewalk. You swerve left to avoid it, and head down the left route for the first time. What would you find there? What could happen to you? How could...
News A Group Of Fans Are Resurrecting Lost Rare N64 Title Dinosaur Planet As An Animated Series
Special trailer airing today
Dinosaur Planet was supposed to be Rare's swansong on the N64, a 3D action platformer which would create a brand-new IP and push the console to its very limits. As we all know, that never happened - Dinosaur Planet was re-tooled at Nintendo's behest as Star Fox Adventures and would be released on the GameCube. It was...
Video Earthlock: Festival Of Magic Still Coming To Wii U, Looks Prettier Than Ever
Scratch that JRPG itch
Earthlock: Festival of Magic has been in development for what seems like forever, but it's finally coming out next month - on the Xbox One and PC, at least. However, developer SnowCastle Games has stated that the Wii U eShop release is still happening - alongside a PS4 version - and will take place "as soon as possible" after...
Watch The Action Heats Up in the 2016 Pokémon World Championships - Live!
Now it's getting serious
For competitive Pokémon players this is the weekend that matters the most - the Pokémon World Championships. The 2016 event has had a first day in which competitors have battled to make progress, and now it's ramping up towards Sunday's grand finale. As always there's plenty of live coverage for the Trading Card Game,...
Friday19th Aug 2016
Review Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
Samus Who?
For the past three decades Nintendo's Metroid saga has given players the chance to explore a vast science fiction universe filled with lore, wonders and hazards from the perspective of the one and only Samus Aran, the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter. As such, it's easy to forget that all her struggles form but a small part of a huge,...
News Four New Pokémon Revealed For Pokémon Sun And Moon
The roster continues to grow
The Pokémon Company has just revealed four brand new Pocket Monsters for Pokémon Sun and Moon, which is due to arrive on the 3DS later this year. The new monsters were shown off at the ongoing 2016 Pokémon World Championships and their names are Crabawler, Sandygast, Palossand and Stufful. Crabawler is a...
News Concept Art Surfaces from the Cancelled 'Epic Donald'
Epic Mickey could've been a trilogy
Remember Epic Mickey? Junction Point's ambitious, decision-centric platformer drew a lot of attention with it's unique art direction and supposedly dark themes for Disney's most popular mouse, but the game was met with mixed reception upon release. The team tried once more with Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, but...
News Bowser Rises Up The Ranks At Nintendo Of America
No, not that one
Remember the hilarity when Nintendo of America hired someone called Doug Bowser to be their Vice President of Sales last year? Ah, good times. Joking aside, Doug has a pretty solid track record. As well as working at EA, he was previously employed by Procter & Gamble and has a bachelor's degree in communications from the...
News Italian Bishop Likens Pokémon GO To Nazism, Claims It Turns Players Into "Walking Dead"
App has "alienated thousands and thousands of young people"
Pokémon GO may have captured the hearts and minds of millions of players all over the globe, but like so many elements of popular culture - and the Pokémon craze in general, it should be remembered - it hasn't made fans of everyone. Agence France-Presse reports that Antonio Stagliano,
News You'll Want These New Star Fox, Zelda And Super Mario T-Shirts In Your Wardrobe
The Japanese get the best merchandise
Like most self-respecting gamers, we love clothing which celebrates classic video game franchises, and the latest shirts being teased by Japanese store Editmode have certainly caught our attention. Three new designs have been added to the King of Games range showcasing Star Fox, Zelda and Super Mario. You can...
News Check Out Giga Wrecker, a New Puzzle Platformer from Game Freak
Just on Steam for now
Though Game Freak is obviously most well-known for the work it's done on the Pokémon series, the company occasionally likes to dabble in making something else, with games such Drill Dozer, HarmoKnight, and Tembo the Badass Elephant. That last one bizarrely never saw a release on Nintendo platforms, and it seems that could...
Round Up Metroid Prime: Federation Force Predictably Divides Opinion
A force to be reckoned with?
Ever since Metroid Prime: Federation Force was first unveiled at E3 2015 it's proved to be somewhat of a controversial entry into the Metroid franchise - even more so than Other M if that were possible. Some bemoaned the lack of Samus, others weren't a fan of the chibi-style characters, yet some were cautiously...
Video This Fast Racing Neo DLC Footage Will Melt Your Eyeballs
Fresh from Gamescom 2016
Fast Racing Neo has to rank as one of our favourite Wii U titles and has successfully scratched that "F-Zero" itch - which is good, because Nintendo has shown very little interest in resurrecting its legendary anti-grav racing series for the modern age. If you've also enjoyed this superb title then you'll be pleased to know...
News Major League Baseball Owners Look Set To Approve Seattle Mariners Sale
A home run for Nintendo's bottom line
We reported back in April that Nintendo hoped to sell it's majority stake in the Seattle Mariners. It appears that the sale could close this week which would be great news for Nintendo's bank balance in advance of launching Nintendo NX in March 2017. It's been reported that Major League Baseball owners were set...
Guide Meching Sweet Chaos In Metroid Prime: Federation Force
The Bermuda System Campaign Field Manual
Look at you, fresh from boot camp standing tall and proud beside your shiny Project Golem Mech. Don't think this campaign will be a walk in the park; whether you fight alone or in a squad, the Bermuda System will be far from stable until we are done here cleaning up every single speck of Space Pirate scum...
News Celebrate The Release Of Federation Force By Dressing Your Miitomo Mii Up Metroid Style
Where can we buy a 8-Bit Samus t-shirt in real life?
It's officially Metroid Day with the launch of Metroid Prime: Federation Force on 3DS, and to mark this event Nintendo has added lots of cool new items to Miitomo. From today so you can strike some awesome poses with your Mii - see if you can win the 8-Bit Samus T-Shirt for your Mii and various...
Thursday18th Aug 2016
News Niantic Is Dropping The Ban Hammer On Pokémon GO Players Who "Cheat"
"Your account has been terminated"
Like any game that becomes stupidly popular, Pokémon GO has seen its fair share of "cheaters" - people who use shady measures to get an unfair advantage over others. In Pokémon GO's case, this includes faking your location to rake in items and capture Pokémon, using third-party trackers to pinpoint certain...
Video Take A Closer Look At The NES Mini Classic Edition
So tiny!
Nintendo is hawking its wares at Gamescom this year, and showing off what will be for many the most sought-after hardware purchase of Christmas 2016: the NES Classic Edition, or NES Mini if you prefer. YouTube user MyGamingBoulevard has gotten up close and personal with the new console and posted the video shown ab
Friday19th Aug 2016
Video These Top Five Secret Mario Levels Were Worth Searching For
Is it-a me, Mario you're looking for?
The Super Mario series like so many others is brimming with secrets, some of them interesting, some of them not so much, but we're sure few would argue the best secrets take the form of complete levels for you to play. That's why we've thrown together what may well be the top five secret levels from the entire...
Thursday18th Aug 2016
Nintendo Download 18th August (North America)
Federation Force, Poncho, Blasting Agents and lots more
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week has some promising download-only titles across Wii U and 3DS, and of course there is a new Metroid Prime game for 3DS for you to consider. Let's get to it. Missed the European Nintendo...
News EA Talks Possible Plans for NX
No unprecedented partnership here
Many no doubt remember that historic moment when the Wii U was first announced onstage and John Riccitiello – then-CEO of EA – took to the stage to announce an "unprecedented partnership" between his company and Nintendo. For a time, things were looking pretty good, but EA was pretty quick to jump ship when it...
News Project AM2R Gets Worthy Update Despite Nintendo Takedown Request
Nasty Bugs Get Zapped, Chozo Cannon Style
Project AM2R turned many heads upon release and continues to do so despite the fact that Nintendo's legal department is clearly unamused
News French Mayor Says "Non" To Pokémon GO
Zut Alors!
It seems like the whole world has gone crazy trying to catch 'em all sometimes, such is the worldwide success of Pokémon GO. However Bressolles Mayor Fabrice Beauvois has had enough of mischievous Pokémons causing mayhem in the village of about 800 inhabitants northeast of Lyon which he presides over. The French mayor has mailed a...
News New Pokémon Revealed in Gamescom Sun and Moon Presentation
"To shell with you" will be its finishing line
Pokémon Sun and Moon are now just three months away, which is actually quite close in the world of extended 'mon hype building. A little more of the game was shown off at Gamescom, which is currently overcrowding an expo venue in Germany, and the key reveal was a new Pokémon. This one is called...
News EA's Peter Moore: We've Never Said We Won't Develop For Nintendo
"I was famously quoted as saying we're still good friends"
EA's relationship with Nintendo has been up and down over the decades; during the early years of the 16-bit era the publisher famously partnered with rival Sega after securing a favourable licensing deal, and in more recent years we've seen support drop off to nothing following the...
Video It's Amazing How Many Great Mega Drive Games Genesis Owners Missed Out On
Alien Soldier! Wrestle War! Double Dragon II!
Despite the incredible success of the Sega Genesis in North America, there are a few puzzling omissions from the console's library in that particular region - and our friends over at iretrogamer have decided to take a look at some of the most notable examples. Sega's 16-bit system may have charged to...
Video Check Out Six Minutes of Yooka-Laylee Footage
Like the 90's platformer never vanished
Playtonic has opted to use the Gamescom conference as a means to show off all the work that it's done on Yooka-Laylee so far, and it looks like things are coming along quite well. We already got a new trailer, showcasing some polished environments and new transformations, and the game appears set to hit its...
News New Gamescom Missions Are Available for European My Nintendo Accounts
More coins if you try demos at the event itself
My Nintendo is a service that still feels as though it's in its infancy, but Nintendo still does what it can to remind consumers that it's there. The mission system is a cool way to incentivize gamers to collect coins for the service, and with Gamescom now in full swing, Nintendo has opted to toss up a...
News 3DS Claims Top Spot in July NPD US Results, Helped by Pokémon and Monster Hunter Generations
Capcom scores another hit with the monstrous IP
Although there were informal mutterings around results last week, the NPD US sales details for July are starting to go public; Nintendo, in a break from recent convention, has news so good that it's leapt out with a press release to sum up its successes. Bear in mind the NPD results only account for...
Video Here's 15 Wonderful Minutes Of Monster Boy Footage
Confirmed for a Nintendo system, don't forget
Wonder Boy spiritual successor Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom has been shown off at this year's Gamescom, and it is looking sweet. Developed by Atelier Games and published by FDG Entertainment, the title is being produced with the input of series creator Ryuichi Nishizawa and, along with
News Luxury Watchmaker Romain Jerome Shows Off Super Mario Watch At Mitsukoshi's Annual Watch Fair
Time to move
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi's Annual Watch Fair offers a platform for the world's best timepiece makers to show off their most outlandish or eye-catching creations, and this year is no exception. Now in its 19th year, the fair started yesterday and is host to seriously impressive examples of watchmaking, but for Nintendo fans Romain Jerome's...
News Pokémon Spin-Off Pokkén Tournament Ships One Million Units Worldwide On Wii U
Fighting all over the world
Bandai Namco has confirmed that Pokkén Tournament has shipped one million units globally - no mean feat for a Wii U game. The fighting title - which is best described as a crossover between Tekken and Pokémon - launched in arcades before coming to Nintendo's home console, and has secured a sizeable audience which...
Competition Create A Shaun The Sheep Themed Level In Super Mario Maker, Win Original Artwork
Drawn to life
Have you had a chance to check out the Shaun the Sheep event course in Super Mario Maker yet? We think it's totally adorable. Following the release of this sheepish course, Nintendo UK has teamed up with Aardman Animations to create an exciting course design contest with a very cool prize. The illustration of Shaun the Sheep playing...
News 3DS Continues To Dominate Japan As Yo-Kai Watch 3 And Dragon Ball: Fusions Hold Top Places
Handheld gaming holds firm
The latest Media Create sales figures from Japan once again hammer home just how popular the 3DS is in Nintendo's homeland, with the top ten dominated by portable offerings. The figures - which cover the period between August 8th and August 14th - see the latest Yo-Kai Watch installment claiming top spot, with Dragon...
Wednesday17th Aug 2016
Hardware Review Everdrive GBA X5
Flash by name, flash by nature
In the world of flash carts, one name stands out from the rest: Krikzz. This individual has produced a long line of carts for various retro systems, including the NES, SNES, Mega Drive / Genesis and N64. With each product the aim is simple - make the user experience as sea
News Pokémon GO Has Set Five Guinness World Records
And likely many more to come
Though it's popularity has declined to more normal levels now, Pokémon GO's worldwide success is undisputed. The game made a big splash when it debuted this summer, breaking records seemingly left and right, and now Guinness World Records has finally acknowledged some of these records, cementing the game's status as an...
News First 4 Figures Reveals Link On The King of Red Lions, Bank Balances Groan Worldwide
Chart the course
Toy maker First 4 Figures has lifted the lid on the next item in its Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker series, and it's sure to have dedicated fans of the franchise reaching for their credit cards later this year. The figure features Link riding on The King of Red Lions, and comes complete with pulsating LEDs which simulate the...
News Sailor Moon Super S: Fuwa Fuwa Panic Translated To English
For Love And Justice, Sailor Moon… will pop balloons!?
When the anime craze finally picked up steam around these lands in the '90s, the high school playground was divided between boys who watched Dragon Ball and girls who watched Sailor Moon. A few more enlightened people actually enjoyed both shows, refusing to accept that gender should decide...
News SEGA is Putting on a 3D Classics Sale in North America
Nine games, half off
Though SEGA's success in the console industry was relatively rocky after its 16-bit days, the Genesis was certainly nothing to be sniffed at in its heyday. The console played host to dozens of classic titles, many of which have received excellent 3D remakes on the 3DS over the past few years. For those of you that missed some...
News Crash, Cortex And Thumpin' Wumpa Islands Are All Headed To Wii U In Skylanders Imaginators
Hands-on at Gamescom 2016
At E3 Activision had announced that PlayStation owners would get a special Crash Bandicoot Starter Pack with characters and levels from the classic game in the forthcoming Skylanders Imaginators. At Gamescom 2016 we finally got to hear how Wii U (and Xbox) owners can get in on the Crash action. First off we have another...
Video Yooka-Laylee's Gamescom 2016 Trailer Contains Transformations, New Enemies And Farting
A Rare combination?
Yooka-Laylee's Q1 2017 launch seems like so far away, and the latest trailer for the game - shown off at Gamescom 2016 today - makes the wait even more difficult. Not only does it showcase some gorgeous level designs and new enemies, it gives us a look at one of the duo's transformations - a massive truck with a snowplough on...
News Nintendo And ESL Team Up For Splatoon Online Tournaments In Europe
Prep those paint rollers once more
If you were sad about Splatoon Splatfest events coming to an end, then we have some good news for you - if you live in Europe, that is. Nintendo have teamed up with ESL, the world's largest esports company, to bring 6 months of Splatoon online tournaments for Euro gamers. At gamescom in Cologne, the top four...
News This Cart Could Contain The First Code Satoru Iwata Ever Wrote For Nintendo
A little piece of history
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata passed away last year at the age of 55. Beloved by gamers and responsible for seeing the company through one of its most successful periods, Iwata started out as a developer in the early 1980s, joining HAL Laboratory and collaborating closely with Nintendo on Famicom titles. It would seem...
Movie looks set to be Legendary
The Pokémon brand is so hot right now thanks to the incredible success of Pokémon GO, so the race is on to produce the live-action Pokémon movie while the hype train is running at full steam. Legendary Entertainment is partnering with The Pokémon Company to launch the first live-action Pokemon film franchise with...
News Level-5 CEO on Producing Successful Cross-Media Projects
Yo-Kai Watch wasn't just a fluke
Level-5 is a company that has become increasingly more relevant and prolific over the years, as it's procedurally added more and more successful franchises to its portfolio. If you notice, most of the company's current projects exist in multiple forms, with cartoons, games, toys, and more all contributing to the...
Tuesday16th Aug 2016
Yet another interesting design
With each passing week we get closer to the official reveal of the Nintendo NX, and recent reports have brought to mind the prospect of a portable with multiple and interesting control options. Some interpretations point to detachable controllers, and a recently released patent filed earlier in the year gave an...
Discuss What Next For The Nintendo 64?
#N64Memories' Steven Smith asks the question
Considering the Nintendo 64 is a twenty-year-old console, the title of this piece may seem odd. However, I personally think there is a potential future for the N64's hardware and software. We are currently in an important period for the console – 2016 and 2017 mark its twentieth birthday, depending on...
News Work For Volkswagen? Better Delete Pokémon GO From Your Phone
The only bug you're going to catch is the Beetle
Yesterday we reported on the news that people working inside The Pentagon have been instructed not to play Pokémon GO due to security concerns, and today we've got another sad tale - German automobile maker Volkswagen has told 70,000 of its staff that they have to delete the game from their phones...
Nintendo Download 18th August (Europe)
PONCHO, Pokémon and lots of discounts!
There's a whole smorgasbord of Wii U and 3DS eShop goodies for you to feast on this week. If one of the many new releases doesn't grab your fancy, there are tons of tempting discounts to consider also. Let's get to it! Wii U eShop: PONCHO (Rising Star Games, €8.99 / £7.99) - Explore an open world full of...
Update: Yo-Kai Watch 2 won't be making the trip after all
UPDATE: Nintendo UK have gotten in touch to let us know that Yo-Kai Watch 2 won't be playable at Gamescom 2016 - the earlier press release was incorrect. ORIGINAL STORY: Nintendo may be keeping its powder dry as far as NX is concerned, but the company is attending this year's Gamescom in...
"Our own feelings about this situation are completely different"
Fan-made title Pokémon Uranium arrived on the scene recently and was downloaded over 1.5 million times. The news yesterday that its developers had voluntarily removed the official download links from the web triggered speculation that Nintendo'
News A Nicalis Sale is Live on the North American 3DS and Wii U eShops
Get 'em while they're hot
With summer slowly but surely drawing to a close, many young gamers are no doubt scrambling to clear out as much of the backlog as possible before school resumes in fall. Unfortunately, Nicalis has just put on a sale on the eShop in North America, so that backlog could be in great danger of being lengthened even more. The...
News Sega Announces Puyo Puyo Chronicle For 3DS To Celebrate 25 Years Of Popping Blobs
Now we feel old
Has it really been 25 years since the first Puyo Puyo game? You might not be all that familiar with the largely Japanese exclusive series, but we've seen a few Western releases over the years, the most famous of which has to be Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine on the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. As revealed in a recent issue of...
News Captain Toad And Super Mario 3D World Are Joining The Nintendo Selects Range In Europe Soon
Along with Pikmin 3 and Mario Party 10
Not to be outdone by Nintendo of America's recent additions to the Nintendo Selects range, Nintendo of Europe has today revealed that Europe will be getting bargain priced Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Pikmin 3, Super Mario 3D World, and
Video Take a Closer Look at Koroks in Breath of the Wild
No Great Deku Tree, yet
One of the more interesting new races introduced in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was that of the Koroks. Tiny little tree people that serve the Great Deku Tree, these friends are said to have evolved from the Kokiri in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Barring the remake of Wind Waker, the Koroks never showed up...
News Crash Bandicoot's Nemesis Is Confirmed For Skylanders Imaginators
You can't keep a good doctor down
The big news regarding this year's Skylanders outing is that Crash Bandicoot is coming along for the ride, and thanks to GameStop's website we now know that his arch enemy Dr. Neo Cortex will also be immortalised in NFC-powered plastic. The image in question has been removed from GameStop's site, and shows the...
Video Daring Toads Come To The Rescue In Paper Mario: Color Splash
Rescue V save the day again!
While it's slim pickings for the rest of the year on the Wii U retail side of things, we always have Paper Mario: Color Splash to look forward to. We love the charming little faux-retro trailer which Nintendo have put together for this upcoming game. Rescue V are a group of daring Toads who are out to save the world -...
News The Battle Cats POP! Has Been Removed From the 3DS eShop in Europe
Another hacker exploit?
The 3DS has been subject to several homebrew vulnerabilities over the last few months, with games like Citizens of Earth, VVVVVV, and SmileBASIC all having to be removed and reuploaded to the eShop. Hackers have found a way to run unsigned code on the 3DS utilising a pre-existing entry point, which could be found in certain...
Random Metroid Prime's Opening Boss Battle Has Been Recreated Using Lego
Block blasting
Lego builder Jared Rosenblitt is a huge Metroid fan - he's already created an awesome Meta Ridley and Samus showdown using the famous Danish construction toy - and now he's back with another Metroid-themed creation, this time detailing the famous opening boss battle in Metroid Prime. Rosenblitt showed off his creation at BrickFair...
Video Make your SNES and NES Tangle-Free with 8Bitdo’s Retro Wireless Controllers and Adapters
Everything old is new again
When it comes to retro gaming there are few who would disagree with the notion that playing on original hardware is the most faithful way to play the classics, even if it's not necessarily the most convenient. Well one of the biggest pet peeves of older hardware has been eliminated for the SNES and NES thanks to 8Bitdo's...
News Yo-Kai Watch 2 Won't Be Spooking Europe Until Next Year
Delays for the deceased
Yo-Kai Watch 2 comes out in North America and Australia this October, but it has now been revealed that European players will have to wait until Spring 2017 to get their hands on the game. The news was confirmed today by the official Yo-Kai Watch Twitter account: Europe had to endure a delay for the first
Monday15th Aug 2016
Guide Where To Buy The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition In The USA
Day one purchase?
Prepare to relive your mis-spent youth with The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, which comes pre-loaded with 30 of the most popular NES classics. We've already told UK-based readers where to preorder their console, and now it's the turn of our lovely US community. The NES Classic arrives on 11th November and...
News Pokémon Snap Confirmed For Wii U Virtual Console Release This Week
Todd Snap is back in business
One of the most beloved entries in the Pokémon series is finally making its way to the Wii U Virtual Console this week. Originally intended for the 64DD add-on, Pokémon Snap launched in 1999 (2000 in Europe) on the Nintendo 64 and for many fans presented the first look at Pocket Monsters in 3D. The game plays like an...
News Satoru Iwata Offered Pokémon GO Feedback From His Hospital Bed
Former Nintendo president worked closely on the game
It's been more than a year since Satoru Iwata sadly passed away, leaving behind an enviable legacy in the video game arena. However, his influence is still being felt in one of Nintendo's more recent successes, Pokémon GO. Iwata was the in charge when the bold choice was made to expand...
News Monster Boy's Gamescom 2016 Trailer Looks Amazing, Nintendo Release Confirmed
"We’ll certainly bring this game to a Nintendo console"
Typical. You wait years for a new Wonder Boy game and two come along at once. We knew about Monster Boy quite some time ago but the title has been forgotten somewhat following the news that Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Tra
Video Augmented Reality NES Gaming Finally Gives Us A Reason To Want Microsoft's HoloLens
Super Mario Bros. on your living room wall
Virtual Reality may be the flavour of the moment right now, but Microsoft is attempting to chart a different course with its HoloLens headset. This expensive piece of kit uses Augmented Reality to create unique experiences and has plenty of applications in the sphere of gaming - running NES games being just...
Hardware PocketCHIP Review - A DIY Game Boy
Gunpei Yokoi would approve, we feel
When we initially reported on the PocketCHIP back in May we perhaps got a little carried away in comparing this cheap and cheerful Linux-based handheld with Nintendo's classic Game Boy. On paper at least the system hits many of the same notes - low price, commonly-available tech used in a new way and adorable...
News This Exploit in Pokémon GO Allows Trainers to Put Eggs into Gyms
Poaching gyms has a whole new meaning
Despite the fact that Pokémon GO has been out for about a month now, the game still suffers from its fair share of hiccups and glitches. Sure, it's not the unmitigated mess that it was in the first week, but the removal of the three step glitch among other instability issues still show that Niantic has...
News Game Boy Color Game 15 Years In The Making Finally Sees The Light Of Day
Infinity is free to download, but still not entirely complete
If you're old enough to vividly recall the Game Boy Color era then you may well remember an RPG for the system by the name of Infinity. Developed by Affinix Software, the title began life as Joltima II and was supposed to be published by Crave Entertainment in 2001 - the publisher even...
News The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
Another push for the inky shooter
Who remembers the Splatoon Testfire Demo? Released ahead of the main game, it gave eager fans an early look at the game's online play, while the timed windows gave Nintendo the opportunity to stress-test its servers. Surprising, the Testfire Demo is back, with multiple sessions planned during 25th to 28th August,...
News Fan-Made Title Pokémon Uranium Withdrawn By Creators Following Cease And Desist Fears
Not before more than 1.5 million downloads, mind
Last week we reported on Pokémon Uranium, a fan-made PC outing in the Pokémon universe which took 9 years to produce. Boasting it has its own region, characters and (naturally) fresh 'mon, Uranium also features online trading and battling. The game was so popular that the servers quickly buckled...
News Axiom Verge Heading to the Wii U eShop on 1st September
The wait's almost over
Axiom Verge has been critically acclaimed on a host of platforms, a reward for years of solo effort by creator Tom Happ. Now the 'retro-style action-platform-exploration game' that's drawn comparisons to a range of 16-bit classics is heading home, as it were - it's landing on the Wii U eShop on 1st September for $19.99 /...
News United States Department Of Defense Bans Pokémon GO At The Pentagon
"Poses a potential a security risk", apparently
Pokémon GO's hold on mobile phone users shows little sign of weakening, so much so that workers at the Pentagon are being told they're not allowed to use the app when on the premises. The move follows concerns that the game could potentially used to spy on activities within the facility, which houses...
News Pokémon GO Predicted To Make More Than One Billion Dollars Worldwide In 2016
Could exceed global box-office for 2016’s highest-grossing film
While there are a great many people out there hoping that the Pokémon GO bubble is about to burst, the figures indicate that is unlikely to happen any time soon.
Video Find Out What Fans Like About Monster Hunter Generations
Best played with friends
Monster Hunter Generations landed on the 3DS last month and has found a warm reception. We awarded it a mighty 9/10 in our review, declaring it another must-have for fans of the franchise. To ensure we don't forget about this worthy release, our chums over at Nintendo UK have interviewed various Monster Hunter fans at a...
News SEGA 3D Classics Collection Arrives in Australia on 4th November
Relive the glory days
Following last week's European announcement, distributor Five Star Games has confirmed the SEGA 3D Classics Collection will also be released in Australia on 4th November. This is a chance for SEGA fans and 3DS owners down under to finally get their hands on the entire collection of remastered classics in a single transaction...
News Guitar Hero Live Is Still Rockin' With Two New GHTV Premium Shows
Back to school, in style
Guitar Hero Live is headed 'Back to School' with two new GHTV Premium Shows that are sure to get the new term off to a rockin' start. The first show 'Rock the School Bus' is available now with the second show following later this month. Hop on to GHTV and ace the following tunes: Rock the School Bus Marcy Playground –...
Sunday14th Aug 2016
Review Disney Art Academy (3DS)
Whistle while you work
If you're an artistic soul, there's a good chance the Art Academy series has something to offer. These titles have been a great resource for learning artistic techniques and offer a digital atelier for you to explore your creativity. Years of entries have allowed the series to hone an already strong foundation upon which to...
Talking Point Nintendo's Future in Shared Gaming, From StreetPass Plus to Pokémon GO and AR
Playing up to the big N's strengths
If reports and common sense are correct, we're likely only 4-8 weeks from seeing Nintendo's next tilt at the gaming hardware market. Most bets - based on sources, patents and logic - are on a system that will primarily operate as a portable but also be usable on the TV, yet regardless of those reports a new...
Video Digital Foundry Puts GoldenEye and Perfect Dark to the Test on N64
Also dabbles in cleaning up the visuals
Digital Foundry is one of the premier online teams for technical analysis of games and hardware, often focusing on current-generation gaming to assess performance, frame rates and more. It's now turning its eye to some retro games, too, which provides some interesting context on classics from past generations...
Video A Look at Three Star Wars Games That Shared the Fate of Alderaan
As if millions of lines of code were suddenly deleted
Even when there are no movies or only controversial prequels, Star Wars games are ever-present. As many as we've seen, however, there are always those that go to the Dark Side and never see release. Liam Robertson, Unseen64 and Did You Know Gaming? have now shared a video that looks at some...
Saturday13th Aug 2016
News Nvidia Formally Ditches SHIELD Tablet Successor, Reinforcing NX Reports
Showcase range ended ahead of Nintendo's hardware
As you're no doubt well aware by now, substantial reports around the NX published by Eurogamer and reinforced by follow-up sources - some of which we've spoken to - have given the strongest indications yet of the make-up of Nintendo's next system. There are counter-rumours and reports, of course,...
Poll How Excited Are You About Pokémon Sun and Moon?
We know quite a lot about the games now...
Pokémon Sun and Moon, combined together, are the main event for 3DS this year. The hype and buzz around Pokémon GO hasn't exactly harmed awareness of the upcoming portable titles, and The Pokémon Company has also been upping its game with a number of major reveals. In recent times it's unveiled new...
Review Final Fight (3DS eShop / SNES)
Not quite the final word
In the late '80s and early '90s gamers gathered around arcade cabinets instead of playing from the comfort of their own homes, and one of the biggest draws in arcades of the day was undoubtedly Capcom's Final Fight. When Final Fight released for the Super Nintendo in the early '90s, some gamers weren't very pleased with it,...
Friday12th Aug 2016
Review Metroid Prime: Blast Ball (3DS)
Dropping the ball
Ever since its initial announcement, Metroid Prime: Federation Force has been fighting an uphill battle. After a hiatus for the Metroid series, some fans were expecting something a bit more back-to-basics than a co-op shooter with a chibi artstyle set in the Metroid Prime universe. While there's still a week left at the time of...
Review Vektor Wars (Wii U eShop)
Explosive robot annihilating fun
When you hear word that a game is retro-inspired, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Pixelated homages to platformers long past? The type of title that takes stalwart mechanics and filters them through decades of proven formulas to make them palatable to today's gamer? Something that straddles the line...
News Niantic CEO Talks Sponsorship Deals with Pokémon GO
More sponsorships means less in app purchases
Now that Pokémon GO has been out for a bit, conversations are beginning to turn towards whether or not the game will remain relevant in the coming months and years. Though Pokémon GO had an undisputedly successful launch, it's natural that the playerbase will level off in time. Niantic makes plenty of...
Review Power Disc Slam (3DS eShop)
Sluggish slams and dodgy discs
First, there was Pong, and lo the people deemed it to be worthy. Since then it has been immortalised as a test of skill for two players, two gladiators going head to head and shooting for goals and glory. Next, the early nineties would reveal the natural evolution of this classic challenge - Windjammers. A competition...
News SEGA 3D Classics Collection is Heading to Europe on 4th November
Physical and digital releases
Earlier in the week SEGA Europe teased the announcement of the region's release date for SEGA 3D Classics Collection, an excellent 3DS title that combines nine (10 with a fun bonus) games from the series. Four of those titles are new to the West, while the remainder have previously had eShop releases. To start with the...
News Nordic Games Rebrands With a Touch of THQ and Talks Up Future Projects
Majority of new games "former THQ owned IPs and franchises"
Nordic Games has been around for quite a while, and was previously associated with pleasant but rather low-budget games on systems like Wii - long-term Nintendo Life readers will recall multiple We Sing games. Yet when THQ hit hard times Nordic Games was a surprise buyer (along with various...
Video Learn More About the Rich History of Shin Megami Tensei
Even the Virtual Boy gets a mention
Shin Megami Tensei is a series familiar to DS and 3DS owners that keep a good eye on the output of Atlus, with Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse due in North America on 20th September. With various new entries and remasters / re-releases in recent years, it's an IP that's popped up a lot on these pages. Plenty of...
Gallery Get to Know the Cast of River City: Tokyo Rumble
Get ready to rumble
In the earlier days of gaming, sidescrolling beat 'em ups were far more common than nowadays, with classics such as Double Dragon and River City Ransom regularly lighting up TV screens. Though this genre has since become fairly niche, it's certainly not dead, as evidenced by the upcoming River City: Tokyo Rumble. We loved what...
News US Online Retailers Enjoy a Pokémon Merchandise Sales Spike During GO Craze
"It feels like the ’90s all over again"
Since Pokémon GO arrived and went viral in early July plenty of businesses have benefitted. Nintendo saw its shares spike and, despite a drop-off, still settle at a higher point than before the app's release. McDonald's in Japan has seen increased revenues with help from a GO tie-in, and even smaller...
News 2016 Pokémon World Championships Only Open to Competitors and Guests
Extensive online streams available, as always
The Pokémon World Championships are, naturally, the pinnacle of competitive Pokémon gaming in terms of the current-generation main games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game and now Pokkén Tournament. Often a hugely popular event for the public to attend, too, this year venue limitations seem to have...
News YouGov Estimates That Over a Million UK Players of Pokémon GO Have Bought In-App Purchases
With plenty going beyond a retail game price
Polls and related data can be inaccurate at times, with multiple recent elections in the UK doing the opposite of what polling suggested would happen - but they can still provide some interesting insight. YouGov has put its data gathering apparatus at work to learn more about Pokémon GO players in the...
News Fresh Nintendo Patents Reinforce Concept of NX Featuring Detachable Controllers
Gesture recognition patents also get more details
It seems that as Nintendo gets closer to revealing the NX more clues surface, and a few freshly released patents - filed in January this year and now visible to the public - appear to reinforce aspects of notable recent reports on the system. NeoGAF poster Disorientator has picked up on these...
Thursday11th Aug 2016
Nintendo Download 11th August (North America)
Tadpole Treble! Mega Man X! Wave Race 64! Ambitious slimes! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week has some promising download-only titles across Wii U and 3DS, while it all gets rather sporty on the Wii U Virtual Console. The New 3DS VC gets a rather fun SNES title from Capcom,...
"Show them that 2D adventure platformers are still a thing people want"
As you've no doubt seen this week, a fan-made Metroid II remake called AM2R arrived to much acclaim before its various download hosts got hit by takedown notices. By that time many had already downloaded it, of course, as Nintendo asserted its ownership of the copyright. It was...
Gallery A Closer Look at Team Skull and New Pocket Monsters in Pokémon Sun and Moon
The 'Ruffians of Team Skull', no less
Over the past 24 hours, The Pokémon Company has reacted to leaks by bringing forward its latest set of reveals for Pokémon Sun and Moon. Originally due on 12th August, online leaks prompted the early posting of the Japanese trailer, with the Western equivalent following on 24 hours
Video New Pokémon and Team Skull Showcased in Fresh Pokémon Sun and Moon Trailer
It's in Japanese, but with more details leaked in English
The Western version of the latest information drop for Pokémon Sun and Moon hasn't arrived yet, but following a mix of leaks and a twitchy finger at The Pokémon Company the Japanese trailer has gone live. Before we break down what's new - with help from Serebii - let's take a look; you'll...
News Localised Trailer and Updates Show Off Latest Additions to Pokémon Sun and Moon
Western names ahoy!
As expected The Pokémon Company has revealed a bunch of new details for Pokémon Sun and Moon, with a new trailer and website updates showing new Pokémon, a feisty team of rivals and more Alolan varieties of existing 'mon. If this is giving you a sense of déjà vu, that's because the equivalent Japanese details were revealed...
News Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice Begins Trial on 8th September
A demo is also on the way
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is the next full entry in the series heading to the West, and the good news is that there's a confirmed release date and a demo on the way. The demo will arrive on 25th August and include part of the first courtroom scenario from the game, and the full title will arrive on...
Video Documentary Looks Over the Sad Demise of Mega Man Legends 3
A bold project that couldn't survive
In the early days of the 3DS few projects caused as much disappointment among dedicated fans as Mega Man Legends 3. Originally announced as an innovative collaboration between fans and developers - a fresh idea at the time - it gradually unravelled. Following the departure of Keiji Inafune from Capcom, the game...
News Mega Man X Lands on the New 3DS VC Tomorrow in North America
X marks the spot
Over this past summer, it seems that Nintendo of America has been focused on playing catch up with it's VC offerings. Of course, there are still some massive gaps to be filled, but the VC has been becoming more and more relevant as it's been gradually built up. The New 3DS SNES VC has also benefitted from this, and it seems that...
Video Rare Reminisces on the Development of It's Mr. Pants
"We decided to have a menagerie of animal and bird noises to reward you"
Rare is a studio that's always been known for being one of the most prolific and beloved developers on Nintendo consoles during the 16 and 64 bit eras. Responsible for classics like the Donkey Kong Country series, Banjo-Kazooie, Goldeneye 007, and more, the studio's resume is...
Wednesday10th Aug 2016
News Pokémon Uranium is the Latest Ambitious Fan-Made Game to Run The Gauntlet
Servers melting as players rush to download it
After the arrival, acclaim and takedown of Metroid II re-imagining "AM2R", there's now a Pokémon game 9 years in the making that's being distributed for free on PC. It's Pokémon Uranium, which is undoubtedly bold - it has its own area and all-new characters and Pokémon, along w
News retroUSB's HDMI NES, the AVS, Goes Up for Pre-Order
Supports all NES / Famicom cartridges
A while ago we told you about retroUSB's HDMI NES, the AVS, a rather slick-looking console that promises a 720p output and support for all current and future NES / Famicom cartridges. It's now close to release, with pre-orders going live over on the official website. The general pitch is that this hardware...
News Another Quirky Pokémon Has Been Spotted for Pokémon Sun and Moon
It's a bit weird
While we await the official information drop from The Pokémon Company this week, CoroCoro magazine revealed some interesting 'mon and an antagonistic rival team. The scans have one more little secret though, which is a quirky little Pokémon. Spotted in a small graphic with no real details on types or moves, the 'mon below is...
News Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure May Be One to Watch on the 3DS eShop
Heading to PAX West, trailer on the way
In the madness of E3 month some announcements can fall under the radar, and one that's been brought to our attention is the upcoming release of Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure on the 3DS eShop. Published by Mastiff, it's a 3DS version of a game that won a lot of plaudits on PSP and PC in the past. A 3D...
Thursday11th Aug 2016
Review Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in the Enchanted Forest (Wii U eShop)
You Rynn some...
Nintendo is certainly no slouch when it comes to platformers. Mario, Kirby and DK all provide superlative experiences, but there's still plenty of room for newcomers. Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in The Enchanted Forest has the colour and whimsy to fit in with a top class of platformers at first glance, but could stand to be a bit more...
Wednesday10th Aug 2016
News Square Enix Wants to Hear Your Questions About Dragon Quest VII
Answers go live on Friday
As many of you are no doubt aware, Gamescom is set to take place very soon. The trade show is similar to E3 in many ways, but it's held in Cologne, Germany and is open to the public for attendance. Naturally, developers are keen to bring their A-game, and many major reveals are made here. Among other things, Square Enix...
News The Latest Super Sentai 3DS Tie-In Tries to Make Tile Matching Exciting
With lots of enthusiastic 'Haaaaaaa' attacks
This writer vaguely remembers Power Rangers on TV as a child in the '90s, and was surprised to recently discover that the series is still going, and there's a big-budget movie on the way in 2017 - some things just never go out of fashion. The series originated, back in the day, as a localisation (with...
News Pokémon Shuffle Has Passed 6 Million Downloads on 3DS
Oh yeah, that other Pokémon game…
Long before Pokémon GO was everywhere, Pokémon Shuffle was released on Nintendo 3DS to a curious audience. Free to play games aren't too common on the dedicated portable, so it came as with a somewhat different flavor to your typical 3DS game. We thought the in-app purchases were a bit much, but found it to be...
News Etrian Odyssey V and Dragon Ball Fusions Lead the Way in Japanese Charts
3DS games lock out top five
The Media Create chart results are out in Japan, and they make happy reading for Nintendo and an assortment of 3DS game publishers. Titles on the portable hold the top five software positions, with hardware sales also showing a modest boost. Starting with software, Etrian Odyssey V has made its debut at number one - its...
News SmileBASIC is Back on the North American 3DS eShop After a One Month Absence
Previously removed after Homebrew exploit in July
In July we reported that SmileBASIC had been taken off the 3DS eShop as a result of a Homebrew exploit targeting the app. As has been the case with multiple games, once Nintendo became aware of an exploit using the app it removed it promptly, leaving Smileboom with the task of producing an update to...
Video Nintendo Continues Its Rather Touching Miitomo Short Video Series
It's in Japanese, but you can figure it out...
Miitomo is an app that has rather dropped away from the public consciousness, earning a fast start before rapidly losing user engagement and interest. Though updates have improved it a fair bit, the overriding concept has struggled to capture the imagination. Nevertheless, it is an app with noble...
Tuesday9th Aug 2016
News Nintendo of America Expands Nintendo Selects Range and Unveils Small New 3DS Bundle
Wii U game + amiibo bundles are coming, too
Nintendo of America is jumping into the 'back to school' craze, but its latest announcements are good news for fans of all ages in North America. It's expanding the Nintendo Selects range, releasing a rather nice small New Nintendo 3DS bundle, and also planning some Wii U game + amiibo bundles. First of...
News New Pokémon and Antagonists, Team Skull, Revealed for Pokémon Sun and Moon
Heading for the Alola region
Though we can expect the usual new trailer and website updates from The Pokémon Company for the week's planned Pokémon Sun and Moon reveals on 11th/12th August, as always CoroCoro magazine has a handful (but probably not all) of the details; naturally scans have already leaked online. Serebii has done some initial...
News Niantic Issues a New Pokémon GO Update
Nearby Pokémon are replaced by "Sightings"
Another week, another Pokémon GO update. The last update wasn't too popular with fans, as it introduced nearly as many bugs as it fixed and it got rid of the three step tracking. That last part wouldn't have been too bad, but Niantic also made sure to shut down every third party tracking service it could,...
News Square Enix Graphic Designer Manabu Daishama Passes Away at Age 45
Best known for his work on Chrono Trigger
Ask any RPG fan to name their top 5 favorite games in the genre, and Chrono Trigger is likely to show up somewhere on the list. The development staff was a dream team of talent, most notably with the creators of Dragon Ball, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest all collaborating to create one of the most...
Video New Metroid Prime: Federation Force Trailer Arrives, and It's Still Fighting Dislikes
Game over man
Those poor Federation Force troopers, all they want to do is save the galaxy and be honoured for the effort, showing that on-the-ground grunts are valuable in the fight against Space Pirates, and probably cheaper than the fees for highly skilled Bounty Hunters like you-know-who. Yet they're doomed to be criticised forever more because...
Review Teddy Together (3DS eShop / 3DS)
Build-A-Bond
Teddy Together, to be clear from the start, is a game aimed at children. Mashing together aspects of Miitomo, Nintendogs and even Cooking Mama, it goes without saying that this title won't appeal to many older and experienced gamers. That said, it is a very well put together, varied and fun game which kids will definitely enjoy. Teddy...
Review Puzzle Labyrinth (3DS eShop)
A-maze-ingly strange
Without a plot, purpose, or any real explanation for what exactly is going on, Puzzle Labyrinth on 3DS lives up to its title by unceremoniously dumping the player into a complex maze filled with monsters, traps and strange riddles. Your only hope of escape lies squarely in your ability to complete each puzzle and unlock a...
Random SEGA Announces the Announcement of the SEGA 3D Classics Collection EU Release Date
Sure, why not
Being a SEGA fan is a strange experience, as it encompasses undying love and commitment to the company along with angst, suffering and fear. The at-times-disastrous Sonic the Hedgehog anniversary party was almost glorious in its shoddiness (with a couple of tasty game reveals to make us feel better), and the company continues to poke...
Video Ambition of the Slimes Looks Weird and Potentially Wonderful on 3DS
"From the mouth... Slime goes inside..." is actual dialogue
If you read our Nintendo Download Update details for Europe recently you'll have seen Ambition of the Slimes in the 3DS eShop category, a turn-based RPG in which you control slimes of various abilities. Developed by Altair Works and being published by CIRCLE Entertainment, it certainly...
Feature 1000 Live Pikachu Running Wild in Yokohama
A look at annual Summer Pokemon events in Japan
Its the summer of 2016, and the biggest craze going is Pokémon GO! If you've been too busy running around trying to catch em all, you might have missed out on the news of a few other Pokémon related events that are happening over in Japan right now. First up is the Pokemon Riddle Solving Rally...
Video Watch Super Mario World Get Beaten in Under 16 Minutes, Blindfolded
Panga strikes again for a World Record
World Records may be tumbling in the Olympic Games in Rio, but there are also new marks to be set in the speedrunning community. Panga, who we've featured in the past thanks to his outrageously complicated Super Mario Maker creations, has reclaimed the record for the fastest blindfolded run of Super Mario...
Monday8th Aug 2016
News Nintendo Issues Takedown Notices for Impressive Fan-Made Metroid II Remake, AM2R
Oh, Nintendo
Over this past weekend Metroid fans had a fan-made effort to thank for providing a welcome celebration of the franchise with AM2R, rather jokingly being an abbreviation for Another Metroid 2 Remake. Sadly, and predictably, Nintendo has reacted to the overwhelming positivity and broad coverage of the four year project by shutting it...
Feature Ten Ideal Launch Year Nintendo NX Games
In one writer's humble opinion, at least
Just recently we ran a poll asking you which Nintendo games / franchises you'd like to see in the NX launch window, assuming that to be a period of around six months. Plenty of you pitched in, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a 3D Mario title being the leaders, with a new Metroid Prime title...
Nintendo Download 11th August (Europe)
Super Paper Mario! Frankenstein! 2 Mega Man games! Discounts galore! More!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, giving us the heads up on what treats to expect. Highlights this week include a puzzle adventure game with some potential on Wii U, an enjoyable Wii download and a couple of SNES Mega Man...
News Bethesda Doesn't Rule Out Nintendo NX Support, But "It's Too Early to Say"
"We talk to Nintendo all the time"
Bethesda isn't readily associated with Nintendo hardware - it's a widely admired developer and publisher that's devoted its efforts to Sony / Microsoft hardware in addition to PC. Yet whenever new Nintendo hardware is around the corner there's naturally the question over whether third-parties like this - with...
News Dragon Quest X Confirmed for Nintendo NX, Again
Probably for realsies this time
Way back in July 2015 we had the first NX 'game announcement', when Square Enix revealed that Dragon Quest XI would come to both the 3DS and the next-gen system, albeit in very different forms. Square Enix then backtracked, possibly because Nintendo may not have been delighted to see a platform a long way from its...
News A Pokémon Sun and Moon Manga Series is Coming to CoroCoro Comics
Something tells us it'll pop up online
Pokémon Sun and Moon are set to be significant releases for the 3DS this Holiday season, with The Pokémon Company taking plenty of opportunities to reveal exciting new details and features. In Japan there's more to come outside of game reveals, with a Sun and Moon manga on the way to CoroCoro Comics on 15th...
News PokéAdvisor is the Latest Third-Party Pokémon GO Service to Bite the Dust
Niantic continues to clear the server decks
A recent source of debate around Pokémon GO has been takedowns of third-party apps that, in the opinion of some, were offering features the main game should already have. Another has now joined the ranks, with the creator of PokéAdvisor stating that their website is having its access to GO data blocked...
News Metroid Composer Shares Personal Note About the 30th Anniversary
Also, a cool Metroid montage track
The Metroid series has always been known for crafting an effective atmosphere, there's just no other game that manages to capture that same sense of creepy isolation. Environment design plays a large role in this, but the soundtrack also contributes in no small way. Considering that we just passed the 30th...
News Nintendo System Exclusives Continue a Summer Run in the UK Top 40
Tell me more, tell me more
The Summer months have been relatively positive for Nintendo in the UK charts, with a mix of new and evergreen releases holding firm in the top 40. You know it was a quiet week at retail when Grand Theft Auto V is back at number one - it really is! The first Nintendo-exclusive is Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, sitting...
News The Mini NES Classic Edition May Have Some Neat Display Modes
That plug-in Virtual Console experience
Through Virtual Console formats and even the neat retro Mario amiibo effect in Super Mario Maker (sort of), Nintendo has mastered alternative display options with a retro look. From smoothing of DS games on Wii U to the native resolution feature for SNES games on New 3DS, there are often simple options to view...
Sunday7th Aug 2016
News Celebrate 30 Years of Metroid With The Fan-Made "AM2R"
Fan Does What Nintendon’t
It seems like it was only yesterday we where scratching our heads trying to figure out the correct moment to switch sides on our Famicom Disk System "Metroid" copy, released in Japan on 6th August 1986. We gladly suffer trough the loading times in exchange for better music thanks to the extra hardware on the FDS unit; of...
News Metroid is 30 Years Old Today
Happy birthday, Samus
Despite the sad reality that Metroid has fallen on hard times recently, the series has been a tentpole Nintendo franchise for nearly as long as the company has been in the gaming business. Many Metroid games still stand as some of the best available on Nintendo platforms, which makes it that much more of a sting that the series...
Monday8th Aug 2016
Video Exploring The Funky Inspiration for the Super Mario Bros. Underground Theme
Time to dig out a record from 1979
The music in Super Mario Bros. is just about as iconic as it gets in gaming, with gamers of various ages and types familiar with the soundtrack. The underground theme is one of the most well-known, with a funky bass beat kicking it off. Our buddies from The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge (England)...
Sunday7th Aug 2016
Fun Fact The Celtic Origins of Epona's Name in The Legend of Zelda
That's Celtic with a hard C, not the football team...
In the first of a potential series, Tom Whitehead shares a surprising bit of trivia he discovered at a major museum exhibition. I've been playing quite a lot of Dark Souls 3 recently, and what's often struck me in my time with it is how heavily influential European history is on the game's...
Japan Weekly Level-5 Ensures This Week's Famitsu is a Memorable One
Lady Layton and The Snack World impress in previews
This week Level-5 did what it does best and made us excited for upcoming Japanese-made games. While there wasn't exactly a lot of information on the two Nintendo 3DS titles, Lady Layton and The Snack World, we got just enough of a glimpse of both to make owning a 3DS a sound investment well into...
Saturday6th Aug 2016
Talking Point Pokémon GO's Next Major Update Should Target Gen VII Pokémon
Skipping generations for further integrations
With Pokémon GO dominating gaming news over the past several weeks, and with Pokémon Sun and Moon looming its head around the corner, it's truly an exciting time to be a Pokémon fan. Assuming you are one and can't wait until the series' next instalments in November, Pokémon GO may be that experience...
News Report Points to Nintendo NX Manufacturing Ramping Up in Q4 2016
Digitimes reinforces NVIDIA Tegra X1 Claims
As we await the official Nintendo NX reveal, with reported sources and logic suggesting a September unveiling, more reports and snippets of potential information are to be expected. Another to pitch in is Digitimes, a publication that often pops up when there are rumours around manufacturing new hardware...
Review R-Type (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
More like our type
You can't have a conversation about shoot-'em-ups, or shmups, without mentioning R-Type. Back in the late '80s and early '90s the game was synonymous with the genre. Unfortunately for Nintendo fans at the time one of the best ports of the arcade classic was on the TurboGrafx-16, an also-ran console that never found its place in...
Friday5th Aug 2016
Feature Pokémon Sun and Moon - Breaking Down The Most Exciting New Features
From Hyper Training to Z-Moves and more
What a few months it has been. Since we last took a look at what we knew about Sun & Moon, following its original reveal, we have had a massive amount of information; it's still coming at us faster than a Quick Claw Speed Forme Deoxys using Extreme Speed. While much of the news has focused on new...
Review Metroid Prime: Hunters (Wii U eShop / DS)
A bit past its Prime
The year was 2004. The Metroid series had been brought roaring back to relevance a couple years prior with the excellent Metroid Prime, and its sequel was due out soon. At E3, Nintendo opted to unveil its newest platform, a bizarre device that featured two screens. Many were skeptical as to whether or not the device would be...
Poll Which Nintendo NX Games Do You Want to See in the Launch Window?
Mario? Mario Kart? Metroid? Something that doesn't start with M?
Following last week's focus on the apparent form factor of the Nintendo NX, this week MCV spoke to sources to try and get the lowdown on the system's planned launch window games. Pokémon and Mario were mentioned as launch window titles, along with
News Legend of Kusakari Releases in the West on 25th August
Link would be proud
If you've played any conventional Zelda games, then you no doubt understand Link's sisyphean struggle to battle the long grasses of Hyrule. Considering that grass contains rupees, hearts, magic, and other helpful items, it's always worth your while to go and clear out a patch of grass just because. Evidently, Librage really likes...
News August's Monster Hunter Generations DLC Celebrates Iconic Nintendo Franchises
And Okami, let's not forget that
Monster Hunter Generations has a lot of DLC on the way, all of it free into early 2017. The August batch is now available to download, and it's got some rather fun outfits and more to collect. There's a lot on offer, with three Nintendo franchises included in addition to some sporty efforts no doubt produced to...
News Niantic Explains Decision to Stop Unofficial Apps From Accessing Pokémon GO's Servers
Shows some data to prove its point
Pokémon GO has been enduring its most sustained negative backlash to date this week, at least in online forums and social media. The latest update removed the three-step radar feature that barely functioned, and at the same time multiple popular third-party apps were taken down. One of these, Pokévision, got a...
News Metroid Prime: Federation Force is Now Available to Pre-load in North America
Just a few weeks to go
It's hard to believe, but Metroid Prime: Federation Force is only a couple weeks away from releasing in North America. The co-op FPS looks set to expand on the gameplay of the classic sub-series, though it has certainly drawn ire from many fans due to its divisive art style and multiplayer-centric gameplay. Still, Next Level...
News Take-Two Interactive President Praises the Success of Pokémon GO
Doesn't expect any NX impact for the company's financial year
Take-Two Interactive has been sharing its Q1 financial results, reporting better than expected sales but also forced to admit that hyped shooter Battleborn has struggled; it arrived around the same time as Overwatch, which definitely won that battle. Take-Two Interactive president...
Video Check Out Asrock's Stage in Azure Striker Gunvolt 2
Showing off some neat moves
Inti Creates came upon a terrific formula with Azure Striker Gunvolt on 3DS, a title that looks fantastic on the portable and importantly plays just as well. We're pretty keen to try out Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, as a result, and thankfully it's due this year. It's only a few weeks away in Japan, though, so it's been...
Thursday4th Aug 2016
Nintendo Download 4th August (North America)
More Pokémon Ranger! Dragon Skills! Stickman Athletics! Demos! Stuff!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings another retro Pokémon game to the Wii U Virtual Console, while there are some new download games to consider on both the home console and 3DS. Throw in a couple of demos and some...
News Sources Suggest That Pokémon and Mario Will Arrive on Nintendo NX in First Six Months
"Nintendo seems set on trying to upgrade smartphone gamers"
Following the recent and widely verified reports on the Nintendo NX and its form factor, there's been a growing sense that we now have some firm ideas on Nintendo's approach with its next generation of hardware. Now trade publication MCV has been leveraging its sources and has shared some...
News Pokémon Sun and Moon Z-Ring Set Pre-Orders Prove Popular on Amazon
Yours for $30
An intriguing new addition to Pokémon Sun and Moon won't be exclusively in the game - The Pokémon Company has teamed up with TOMY on real-world versions of the 'Z-Ring', an in-game item that your avatar uses when triggering powerful Z-Moves. Early details out of Japan showed how the ring and varied Z-Crystals could be a parent's...
News Super Mario Adventures is Being Reprinted as a Graphic Novel
Available this fall
Before the days of the internet, Nintendo Power was the source for all news and secrets about Nintendo. While all those pages held invaluable information for the time, they also played home to some entertaining comic strips, such as Howard & Nester and Super Mario Adventures. Naturally, it's relatively difficult for fans of...
Video Playing Yooka-Laylee Properly With a Nintendo 64 Controller, Sort Of
Because we can
A little while ago Playtonic Games released the Yooka-Laylee pre-alpha 'Toybox' build to Kickstarter backers - it's a large area in which you can run around, do a bit of jumping and generally mess about with the game's mechanics. Naturally it has a handful of secrets to discover too. Our video man Alex happens to have a copy, and...
News Pokémon GO Rolls Out in Latin America as Niantic Reclaims Legendary Pokemon
Fix for battery saving mode on iOS also due soon
Niantic has continued its recent quest to communicate more and reverse the tide of online negativity around Pokémon GO by posting its second notable message of the week; it addresses a few key areas. For one thing, the app is finally rolling out in Latin America, with special mention given for...
News A NES Classic Mini is up for Grabs in Nintendo UK's #ILoveNES Competition
8-bit in 140 characters
The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System (or Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition in North America) is likely to be found in quite a few stockings this festive season, and based on the frenzy that accompanied the announcement it could be a tussle to get hold of a unit. Yes, it has games that many...
Video Monster Hunter Stories Has a Tale to Tell In Its Latest Trailer
Yep, it looks amazing
We suspect most Monster Hunter players will, at some point, have had a tiny bit of sympathy for the beasts they're slaying. In some cases the monsters are simply minding their own business, and all of a sudden you roll in and swing a giant sword into their face. Monster Hunter Stories seems like a lovely antidote to that. You...
Video Enjoy The Famous Pokémon Theme in Twenty '90s Styles
Brilliant work from 10 Second Songs
YouTube may host some dross that prompts a weary shake of the head from cynics like this writer, but it also has some amazing content. When creative and talented individuals turn their skills to honouring popular culture and gaming, the end results can be amazing. This video from 10 Second Songs certainly...
News Atlus Reveals New DLC Details for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Also, a trailer showing off new demons
Many of you are no doubt big fans of Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei franchise and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. Something of an epilogue/retelling of Shin Megami Tensei IV, Apocalypse is shaping up to be an RPG to keep an eye out for this fall. Naturally, Atlus is keen to...
News Wii U Exclusive, Collateral Thinking, Promises Retro-Style Action Platforming
With 100+ quickfire levels
Current-gen Nintendo systems have their share of titles that owe much to '80s gaming, with pixel-based visuals and simple gameplay hooks. Collateral Thinking seems to be another title with that approach, with some slightly more modern touches thrown in. Developed by Astrosaurus Games and due on 11th August in North...
Wednesday3rd Aug 2016
Rumour Articuno Has Been Caught in Pokémon GO
Niantic says it's not from them
Ever since Pokémon GO launched, many people have been wondering how the game would be handling the distribution of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. It's known that they're in the game, but there's no indication as to how to obtain them. It's expected that they'll be given out as part of a social event of some sort,...
Random Japanese Olympic Gymnast Racked Up Massive Bill From Playing Pokémon GO in Rio
"Looked dead at the team meal" after 500,000 Yen charge
A lot of players are obsessed with Pokémon GO, playing it a lot and rattling through data while out roaming for 'mon. If you roam too far, however, it can cause problems. Japanese Olympic gymnast Kohei Uchimura, who won all-around Gold during the London 2012 Olympics, had been playing the AR...
News PokéVision Creator Writes Open Letter On Niantic Shutting Down Fan-Made Pokémon GO Tools
We made Pokevision not to "cheat"
We recently debated the rights and wrongs of shutting down Pokemon GO fan-made tools like Pokévision, and it's fair to say it has become a bit of a heated topic, with many feeling that Niantic has been a bit heavy handed. Pokévision was one of the most popular fan-made apps to help track down elusive Pokémon, and...
Free mousepad with the game... why not?
Nintendo's Official UK Store is back in the game with another set of pre-orders, offering up a semi-controversial 3DS release and some lovely but pricey figurines. First of all there's the Metroid Prime: Federation Force pre-order which comes with a mousepad. A slightly odd extra, but it's available for...
Video Animal Crossing Noir Continues to Explore the Mysteries of New Leaf
"I boarded the train, but where does the rest of the line go?"
A while ago we shared the first couple of episodes of 'Animal Crossing Noir' with you - it's an entertaining and dark spin on New Leaf that has strong vibes of 1960s TV series The Prisoner. Six episodes have been released so far, deepening the mystery behind villager HMK's arrival
Hosted at The Centre for Computing History, Cambridge
We had such a blast meeting you lovely people at the inaugural Nintendo Life Gaming Night last year, that it was a no-brainer to team up again with our chums at the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge, England and do another event. Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday 30th July 2016...
Feature Over The Moon on Lessons Learned With The Fall and Continuing ARID's Story in Part 2
"We try to have something that appeals on lots of levels"
As you may have seen, the Wii U eShop is thankfully being included in the line-up of platforms that'll receive The Fall Part 2: Unbound in Q1 2017. A follow-up to The Fall, an intriguing adventure game with a strong narrative that blended action and puzzles, this title with a focus on a...
News Yo-kai Watch 3 and Puzzle & Dragons X Keep The Good Times Rolling for 3DS in Japan
New 3DS LL still leads hardware sales
Another week, another set of Media Create chart results out of Japan; they continue positive trends for the 3DS and its latest releases. In the software charts two 3DS titles hold the top two spots - first of all we have Yo-kai Watch 3 inching towards one million overall sales. A newcomer from GungHo is next in...
News The Fall Part 2: Unbound Confirmed for Wii U Release in Q1 2017
Continuing ARID's story
The Fall stands out as one of the most intriguing download-only releases that has graced the Wii U eShop. Developer Over The Moon originally secured Kickstarter funding for the puzzle-driven experience, with its innovative and atmospheric approach earning praise in our review. The good news is that the second part of the...
Random Influential Music Publication, Pitchfork, Showcases 'Musical Gems' from the Nintendo 64
Quite right, too
It's common for sites like this one to write with great fondness about platforms like the Nintendo 64, but an article we've seen doing the rounds on social media shows that publications in various genres have an appreciation for gaming's contributions to various areas. Pitchfork, one of the largest and most influential publications...
Tuesday2nd Aug 2016
Feature Unboxing the Super Famicom New Nintendo 3DS XL
Units shipping from Nintendo in Japan right now
Its been a long wait for those who were fortunate enough to snag a pre-order of the awesome-looking Super Famicom New 3DS XL in Japan, which was first shown off in a Nintendo Direct in March of this year. The unit comes decked out with the hardware design of the Japanese Super Famicom on the back,...
Rumour Concept Art Reveals the Final Evolutions of the Alola Starters
Spoilers ahoy!
The Pokémon Company revealed plenty of interesting new information today, with new Pokémon, Z-moves, Island Trials, and more being brought to light for Pokémon Sun and Moon. It seems like Game Freak is going to be trying several new things with Generation 7, and it'll be interesting to see how some of the changes play out with the...
News Niantic Addresses Pokémon GO's Removal of 3-step Display and Third-Party App Access
"We hear the frustration from folks"
With great success comes significant pressure, and in recent days that's started to weigh a little on Pokémon GO. A double-whammy of an unpopular update - which removed rather than fixed the '3-step' display - and the closing down of third-party apps caused a bit of a storm online. We considered some of the...
News The Pokémon Sun and Moon Z-Move Toys Look Like Money-Spinners
Those chunky plastic Yo-kai Watch toys likely provided inspiration
This week's info dump on Pokémon Sun and Moon was possibly the most substantial yet, packed with information on new Pokémon, gameplay aspects and areas to explore - this gallery has lots of the information in one place. One new feature is 'Z-Moves', which are supercharged attacks...
Retro Bask in Nostalgia With The Nintendo Power Archive
Now you're browsing with power
When you consider iconic imagery from Nintendo's earlier days in North America, in particular, there's a good chance that Nintendo Power magazine will spring to mind. From memorable covers to quirky features, to cut-out crafts and posters, it was a key part of many young gamer's regular routine; in the pre-internet...
Reminder Points Can't Be Added to the DSi Shop After 30th September
Wake me up when September ends
A few months ago, it was announced that Nintendo would at last be pulling the plug on its Nintendo DSi Shop. Considering that NX is mere months away from release, this is something that didn't come as much of a surprise, but it's no doubt still disappointing news for many. There's still time to continue using the shop...
News SNES PlayStation Prototype Set to Feature At Game On Expo
Gaze upon the system that would have changed gaming history
As the video game industry continues to evolve in unexpected ways, its increasingly lengthy history continues to be a relevant and intriguing topic for many. Across 40-50 years of mainstream video gaming there's plenty to learn about, and for Nintendo aficionados the so-called 'SNES...
Review Dragon Skills (Wii U eShop)
A brick break game like no other?
Brick break games aren't all that common nowadays. One of the modern standouts with a fantastic twist is PopCap Games' long-running Peggle series, which is exceptionally addictive and sets a considerably high standard for the classic genre. Like Peggle, Dragon Skills draws on arcade gameplay inspired by well-known...
News Just Dance 2017 Demo Set for the eShop With Bieber's "Sorry" Track
Interesting song choice...
Just Dance 2017 will be a unique title in at least one way, as it's going to span three generations of Nintendo hardware. It'll land on the Wii U and Wii in October (likely missing some features on the latter) and is also coming to the NX. If you like to dance and happen to have Nintendo systems, you're in luck. Ubisoft...
News Pokémon GO Credited With Boosting Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Sales in Japan
Similar increases have also been evident in the UK
In the past couple of weeks we've seen all four current-gen main Pokémon titles on the 3DS return to the UK top 40, evidently riding the Pokémon GO wave and perhaps benefitting further from the Summer school holidays. This GO effect is now being acknowledged in Japan, too, even if the app is...
Video Catch Up On Battles and Classes in Dragon Quest VII
Still featuring THAT music
It's easy to overlook the fact that Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is getting rather close to release in the West, arriving on 16th September. The 3DS title could keep fans of the series busy for weeks and months, with this being a notoriously lengthy entry in the franchise. As it has with complex...
Monday1st Aug 2016
News Ubisoft Has "Surprises" Yet to be Announced for Nintendo NX
"Nintendo has the power to reinvent the way families are playing"
In terms of companies that are almost guaranteed to jump in early with new technology or systems, Ubisoft is near the top of the list. It traditionally releases multiple launch and early titles on Nintendo hardware, including exclusives on Wii, Wii U and 3DS, and is betting big on...
Review Street Fighter Alpha 2 (New 3DS / SNES)
The eShop has Alpha too
There are a few Virtual Console options for New Nintendo 3DS-owning Street Fighter fans such as a speedy Street Fighter II, a sixteen-character Street Fighter II and this eShop release that stands out on account of not being Street Fighter II. Released in 1996 this SNES port of Street Fighter Alpha 2 may have been overlooked...
News New Pokémon, Areas, Trials and 'Z-Moves' Are Revealed for Pokémon Sun and Moon
Also Poké Ride, which is self explanatory
The Pokémon Company is keen to keep fans excited about Pokémon Sun and Moon; as was promised there's been a glut of new information to take in. We have a range of new Pokémon to consider, but can also see more of how the game will be structured. There are four islands to work through, which combined...
News Nintendo Continues to Promote Evergreen 3DS Titles With the 'Summer Gaming List'
Kirby: Planet Robobot is best experienced 'in the backyard', apparently
Due to the modest line-up of new releases over the Summer months, Nintendo has been focusing some of its marketing efforts on evergreen and big-name 3DS titles. In North America the Play Nintendo Show, for example, has promoted one 3DS game per episode, targeting young gamers in...
Nintendo Download 4th August (Europe)
Alien on the Run! Stickman Athletics! Pinball discounts galore! More!
It's the start of another week, and with that come the details for the upcoming European Nintendo Download Update. This week only has a couple of new arrivals on the 3DS, with much of the update dedicated to discounts and HOME Themes; if you're a pinball fan there's plenty to...
News Mythical Pokémon Arceus is Now Up for Grabs From Store Distributions
Time to nip out to the shops
With Pokémon in its 20th Anniversary year we've been getting one Mythical Pokémon every month for the current-gen games, each available for a few weeks. This month's offering is Arceus, which is up for grabs until 24th August and originated in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl. It's level 100 in this distribution, of...
Gallery Take a Close Look At All The Latest Pokémon and Features in Pokémon Sun and Moon
Z-Moves! Z-Moves merchandise! Poké Rides! More Pokémon stuff!
We're rather grateful that our web editor automatically adds the accented 'é' in Pokémon, as we've been writing about the franchise a lot today. That's partly because there was a substantial information drop for Pokémon Sun and Moon, in particular, along with some other Pocket...
Video Check Out This Long Lost Third Party N64 Development Tool
It's only sort-of piracy
Nintendo has come a long way in terms of openness with developers for its consoles. Nowadays, anybody with a laptop and some time is welcome to submit a game on the eShop, and there are more tools than ever to help realize this goal. It hasn't always been that way, however, as Nintendo used to require certain standards of...
Editorial The Rights and Wrongs of Shutting Down Pokemon GO Fan-Made Tools Like Pokévision
Some dedicated players are rather angry
I may spend my days writing about Nintendo and related topics, but I've had a fairly limited engagement with the global phenomenon of Pokémon GO, in comparison to its biggest enthusiasts in any case. I've probably expended more energy looking at download statistics and the ups and downs of Nintendo's share...
News Your Next Batch of Pokémon Sun and Moon Details Isn't Too Far Away
Down the Buneary hole
With today's info dump on Pokémon Sun and Moon out of the way, which included Poké Rides and more besides, there's been plenty for us all to digest. The Pokémon Company isn't interested in giving you a breather though, no siree, you have just 12 days to regain your strength before it all happens again. That's the word on...
News It's All GO in the UK Charts with Pokémon Alpha Sapphire on the Rise
A range of Wii U and 3DS titles make the top 40
In the past week or two we've seen some decent results for Nintendo platform exclusives and releases in the UK charts, with new and evergreen titles all contributing. That continues in the latest Chart-Track results, with Pokémon benefitting particularly well during the school Summer holidays...
Video Learn Some Handy Metroid Glitches
Skip those pesky boss fights
Glitches remain an important part of games for enthusiasts and speed runners, with unintended gaps in code or system limitations allowing those with the know-how to do strange things. Sometimes you can skip entire areas, defeat an enemy easily, or just make something look cool. There's a mix of techniques in the latest...
News Yo-kai Watch 2 Confirmed for October Release in Australia and New Zealand
As for Europe, we're still awaiting confirmation
Yo-Kai Watch 2, which comes in two versions - Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls - is heading to North America at the end of September. The good news is that after the first entry suffered a delay of nearly five months before arriving in PAL territories, the sequel is going to be much closer behind...
