Tag: Anniversary - Page 6
Talking Point In Praise of the 3DS eShop, Which is Now Five Years Old
A vital landmark for Nintendo's modernised download sales
Today (6th June) brings a notable landmark for fans of download games - the 3DS eShop has turned five years old. Five years with hundreds of game releases, most of them by CIRCLE Entertainment and EnjoyUp Games - we're joking, of course, but both of those publishers and more deserve a hat tip...
Anniversary New Super Mario Bros. is Now a Decade Old
Forever 'New' thanks to clever (or not) branding
When you put 'New' in the name of something, it's inevitable that around a decade later someone will smarmily say "it's not new any more", and you just have to accept that putting an adjective like that in a name isn't a long term solution. Yet, when New Super Mario Bros. was released on DS it was...
Feature Five Reasons Why We Love Animal Crossing
Happy Anniversary Mayor!
Animal Crossing turned 15 this week, and we're certainly feeling plenty of nostalgia for the series. What makes Animal Crossing such a successful franchise? We've put together some of the points that we think have propelled the series to being one of the most successful ever. The characters: Animal Crossing would be...
News Atlus is Now 30 Years Old
Well, the pre-takeover Atlus, it still counts...
Atlus is a publisher and developer that's rather well-known and much loved - the Japanese company has brought us a number of iconic franchises, while Nintendo gamers in North America (and to a lesser extent Europe) have enjoyed a high number of exclusives over the past two generations. Atlus was...
Feature Some of Our Favourite 3DS Games - Fifth Anniversary Edition
We recommend them all
The 3DS is five years old, a grand age for a portable family that had a rough start but recovered to establish itself as a success for Nintendo. As it heads into - potentially - a home stretch that will include highlights such as Pokémon Sun and Moon, we've been looking at some of its best games. We already published the...
Feature Thoughts on the 3DS as It Reaches Its Fifth Anniversary
Dave Letcavage and Jose Acosta share their perspectives
The 3DS has reached its fifth Anniversary for its release in the West, and in the first of multiple feature articles focused on the portable Dave Letcavage and Jose Acosta share their thoughts and memories related to the portable. Dave Letcavage: I haven't been in the best heath for the...
Community Pick Your Favourite Nintendo 3DS Games - Fifth Anniversary Edition
Let's do things a little differently
Though the landmark has already passed in Japan, we're now approaching the fifth anniversary of the 3DS in the West. The first model launched on 25th / 27th March 2011 in Europe and North America, respectively, with the original model focusing much of its sales pitch on autostereoscopic 3D. That feature would...
News The Game Boy Advance is Now 15 Years Old
The last of an iconic family
The Game Boy brand was one of the most powerful in gaming during the 1990s with the original system and its iterations. Though the Game Boy Color offered some enhanced power, it nevertheless took an exceptionally long time for a true successor (aside from the ill-fated Virtual Boy) to arrive. The Game Boy Advance made...
Live Blog Watch Sonic the Hedgehog's 25th Anniversary SXSW Panel and its 'Special Reveal' - Live!
It'll be over in a blur
Sonic the Hedgehog is a franchise with a big Anniversary in 2016, as SEGA celebrates the mascot's 25th Birthday. Of course, with a landmark date fans expect a big game, and this SXSW panel has been teased to include a 'Special Reveal'. What will it be? Join us to find out! <liveblog...
News The Pokémon Company Confirms Outstanding Lifetime Sales for the Franchise
About 279 million sales all in
The Pokémon Company is well into its year-long anniversary celebrating its franchise, with Pokkén Tournament the latest arrival in stores, while Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Go will be a huge arrivals later in the year. We all know that the series is successful, but there are now some clear figures that...
News 'Special Reveal' Teased for Sonic the Hedgehog Anniversary Panel at SXSW
We can safely say it's not a new Wii U-exclusive Sonic Boom sequel
In this year of landmark anniversaries we can add Sonic the Hedgehog to the list, with SEGA's iconic mascot turning 25 in the Summer. The mascot has had his ups and downs but still remains an integral part of the gaming scene in the eyes of plenty of fans, and we can be sure that...
Reminder Mythical Pokémon Celebi Is Now Available to Download in Current-Gen Games
Just download it
As part of the Pokémon 20th Anniversary celebrations various Mythical 'mon are making their way into the current-gen games. Mew was the first of the monthly distributions, and now Celebi is joining in. Originating on the Game Boy Color, this modern iteration has the same moves as it did in Silver & Gold, including the ability...
Feature Nintendo Life's Favourite Pokémon Games - 20th Anniversary Edition
They all want to be the very best...
Not too long ago we asked you, the Nintendo Life community, to vote for your favourite Pokémon games, in order to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the franchise; to say that the voting was close would be an understatement. As for the rules, only 'main' or 'core' games were included, which was nevertheless a...
Feature Reflections on 20 Years of Pokemon
Our staff and contributors shared their thoughts on the series
Pokémon is now 20 years old, with the celebrations having included a Pokémon Direct and the release of the gen 1 Game Boy titles on the 3DS Virtual Console. It's become one of the most important franchises for Nintendo both commercially and in broader terms, with a popular culture...
Ninterview How NeoGAF's Watch Da Birdie Is Creating The Most In-Depth Pokémon Retrospective Yet
Gotta discuss 'em all
With Pokémon celebrating its 20th anniversary and a mysterious Pokémon-related broadcast imminent, there is certainly no shortage of content to keep fans engaged and excited about the future of the series. We've seen that the Pokémon fandom is capable of some truly amazing feats, including fanart and other impressive...
News Pokémon Photo Booth Can Now Be Downloaded Off of the App Store
Pokémon Snap
It seems that the Pokémon company is trying to get the hype machine moving at full speed, with a planned Pokémon Direct this Friday that will no doubt have some big announcements. The Pokémon company has especially shown interest in mobile devices lately, with Pokémon Shuffle being ported over and Pokémon GO on the way later this...
Its sales may not match Mario's, but its influence could be greater
The Legend of Zelda is now 30 years old, based upon its original release on the Famicom Disc system, a version that even pointed to the future with use of the Famicom's - admittedly limited - controller microphone. An adventure game of that scope understandably captured the hearts...
Even in a world-ending scenario Link and company find their humanity
Though it's a sore point for me, I'm now the wrong side of 30, and all of the gripes and complaints I dismissed from others in the past actually feel true. The grey hairs are coming, I can feel my body saying "nah, we're not doing that" at endeavours it would scoff at a decade ago,...
Poll Vote for Your Favourite Legend of Zelda Games - 30th Anniversary Edition
It's a tough call
21st February is a special date for The Legend of Zelda franchise, as it's the 30th Anniversary of the Famicom Disk version of the first game in the franchise. Nintendo's been oddly slow to make a fuss about the date, barely mentioning the landmark and focusing its efforts on promoting The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD...
Video Bask in the Nostalgia of the Latest Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow Virtual Console Trailer
Just 10 days away...
It's not long now until The Pokémon Company goes all out for the 20th Anniversary of its franchise, bringing the original first generation games to the 3DS Virtual Console along with various hardware bundles. Pokémon Red and Blue will be joined by the Yellow Version on the eShop, making this the first occasion when these...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 6 - 2013 To 2016
Talking 'bout this generation
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon later this month, and look hotly ahead towards brand new things, we're concluding our journey through each generation of Pokémon; this month we cover the most recent generation, the one we are still in! Be sure to also check out our retrospectives on generation 1,...
Reminder The Current-Gen Mew Special Distribution is Underway
X & Y and Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire included
The Pokémon Company has plenty going on for the franchises' 20th Anniversary, and the first of a number of monthly special distributions - Mew - is now up and running. We've covered some details in separate posts, but as serial codes are now available in multiple countries we thought it'd be worth...
News Current-Gen Pokémon Mew Distribution Details are Confirmed for Europe
Legendary
When The Pokémon Company unveiled some of its 20th Anniversary plans it confirmed that Mew would be included as a serial code in the upcoming first-gen Virtual Console releases, and also as a distribution in the current-gen releases - Pokémon X & Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Talking Point Let's Dare to Believe that Sonic the Hedgehog Can Have a Happy Anniversary
He just needs the right spin
There were a few notable anniversaries in 2015, yet this year looks set to be even more significant. Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda are among the major celebrations still to come, but it's also the 25th Anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. Once the sworn enemy and rival to Mario, leading the SEGA charge in the 'Console...
Digitally remastered movies! Special Edition cards! Merchandise!
It promises to be a great year for Pokémon fans, as 20th Anniversary celebrations are set to be a highlight over the course of many months. Various hardware bundles and the anniversary logo have been revealed, and now The Pokémon Company has released a video highlighting some more...
Commemorative anniversary logo also released
It's a big year for Pokémon as the franchise gears up to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. With that in mind Nintendo has now lifted the lid on some key releases that are on the way to the West, which should certainly please fans. Starting with Europe, it'll receive three variations of 2DS bundles, one...
News Crush 40 Facebook Post, Since Deleted, Points to 25th Anniversary Sonic Game
Actually, Generations wasn't bad
Sonic the Hedgehog is a mascot with a sketchy recent history. Sonic Colours was reasonable, Sonic Lost World flirted with being a true return to form but fell short - in this writer's opinion - of its full potential, and Sonic Boom was tolerable on 3DS but a load of old rubbish on Wii U. Unsurprisingly Sonic Boom:...
News SEGA Reveals the Logo for Sonic the Hedgehog's 25th Anniversary
Let's hear it for the Blue Blur
It's difficult to believe, but it's already going on twenty-five years since Sonic the Hedgehog starred in his first title on the Sega Genesis. Back in those days, Sonic and Mario games stood toe to toe and symbolized what was perhaps one of the greatest rivalries in gaming history between their respective companies...
Feature Reflecting On Three Years With The Wii U - Part One
The Nintendo Life team talks about the current-gen gem
The Wii U is - at the time of writing - about to turn three years old, and despite its young age some are already looking to the next generation from the big N. That seems a pity in light of the strengths of the system, especially as it's delivered so many wonderful games and memories, so to...
News The NES is Now 30 Years Old
The game changer
The NES is 30 years old today, at least based on its widely agreed - albeit historically debatable - North American release date. Not to be mistaken with the Famicom release - which is way back in 1983 - it was nevertheless the Nintendo Entertainment System rebranding and a certain Super Mario Bros. that catapulted Nintendo further...
News Nintendo is Now 126 Years Old
About to enter a new era
It's time for paper hats, party poppers and some slightly underwhelming cake at Nintendo HQ - we've all been to that party - as the company celebrates its 126th Anniversary. It was founded on this day in 1889. We wrote a pretty extensive article about Nintendo's history and longevity for its 125th Anniversary last year,...
Plus plenty of insight from the current day designers
In honour of Super Mario's 30th Anniversary, Nintendo of America has released a neat 'Special Interview' video featuring Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka talking about development of the original Super Mario Bros. and also Super Mario Maker. Though the bulk of the video is from a modern day...
Gallery Mario - A History of Power-Ups, Fashion and Wardrobe Missteps
Looking fabulous
With the mascot's 30th Anniversary upon us you can expect to see a lot of words devoted to Mario in the coming days. Of course, for a franchise that's established its reputation on irreverent fun, we can't help but consider some of its sillier features. Power-ups qualify; yes, they can be integral to gameplay mechanics, absolutely...
Anniversary The Virtual Boy Is 20 Years Old Today
Nintendo's most famous failure is getting on a bit
According to the history books, the Virtual Boy is Nintendo's biggest failure — both commercially and critically — in the hardware arena. Launched 20 years ago today on 21st July 1995 in Japan to almost complete consumer apathy, it bypassed Europe entirely and was discontinued the following...
News The Famicom is 32 Years Old Today
Should have a steady job and a mortgage by now
Here's one to make some of us feel old - the Famicom is 32 years old today, released in Japan on 15th July 1983. It was, of course, the system that would be revamped and remodelled as the NES in October 1985 in North America. Famicom was the shortened name for Family Computer; a key difference of this...
Video This News Anchor Sure Is Excited About Super Mario Maker
"Oh man, this is so awesome!"
When Nintendo of America tweets a link to a TV news segment, we're normally inclined to shrug it off. We've seen enough news anchors stumble their way through a conversation about Nintendo games for one lifetime. Yet this one's a bit different. A Nintendo of America rep appeared on Fox 5 Morning News with some props,...
Feature Ten Must-Play Games for the Nintendo 3DS
As voted for by you to celebrate four years of the portable
With the 3DS now four years old, and now that the New Nintendo 3DS has brought us another iteration with a whole load of features, we decided it was a good time to take stock of ten definitive experiences on the system. To that end we listed 50 retail games - the eShop will have its own...
News The Nintendo 3DS is Now Four Years Old in Europe
Eur 'avin a laugh
The Nintendo 3DS arrived four years ago today in Europe, strategically released to maximise profits before the end of the financial year that closed on 31st March 2011... erm, we mean strategically released to excite gamers. Its arrival prompted plenty of launch week hype, and by the close of March Nintendo announced that over 3.5...
Anniversary The Nintendo DS is Now 10 Years Old
Went from baby phat to slim
It's a big day for the original DS, as it's 10 years to the day since the first model in the iconic family of systems — commonly referred to as the 'phat' — arrived in North America. Few will forget the E3 reveal of the DS by Reggie Fils-Aime, and its clamshell / dual screen design was a surprise after the sustained...
Anniversary 20 Years Ago Today, Rare Resurrected The Donkey Kong Brand
Donkey Kong Country is now two decades old
Donkey Kong is Nintendo's first major star, having made his début in the arcade game that effectively turned the company into the global monster it is today. However, when Mario decided to become Super on the NES and take his place as Nintendo's number one mascot, DK was bumped down the pecking order and...
Feature The Wii U is Two Years Old, But How's it Doing?
We feel it's a C minus, overall, on its anniversary
Two years ago today — on 18th November 2012 — the Wii U was launched in North America. It was the first of this current generation of hardware to arrive in stores and generated a decent amount of hype, followed up by subsequent releases in Europe (30th November) and Japan (8th December). After...
News The Game Boy Color is Now 16 Years Old
It'll be asking to host house parties...
Nintendo's released so many systems and iconic games that anniversaries are a regular occurrence; now it's the turn of the Game Boy Color — it's 16 years old, having been released in Japan on 21st October 1998. While some attribute Nintendo's trend for focusing on innovation and content over raw power as a...
News Rising Star Games' New Online Shop Now Open
No oddly numbered watches available at time of writing
As part of Rising Star Games' tenth anniversary celebration, the company's own online shop is now open, offering a selection of Rising Star's games and some new merchandise including company logo pins, T-shirts, and mugs. This current selection of products is available as a thank-you to early...
Talking Point History Shows Us That Nintendo's Here to Stay
125 years and counting
On 23rd September 1889 Nintendo was founded as Nintendo Koppai, meaning the company is now 125 years old; it's been known as Nintendo Co., Ltd since 1963. The history of the company is particularly fascinating, and also reminds us of some important lessons regarding Nintendo; it's not solely a video game manufacturer,...
News Nintendo Celebrates Its 125th Anniversary
Founded in 1889
Nintendo has celebrated its 125th Anniversary today, with the company founded on 23rd September 1889 in Kyoto, where its headquarters remain. The company has had an extraordinary history that goes well beyond video games, console wars and Mario, a fact that can be easily forgotten. Founded initially as Nintendo Koppai by Fusajiro...
News The GameCube is 13 Years Old
Happy Birthday to the handled innovator
The GameCube, the system with a look like no other, is now 13 years old. Released in Japan on 14th September 2001, it holds a special place in the hearts of many Nintendo gamers, and was memorable not just for the fact it had a handle, but due to its line-up of exceptional games. While it holds the...
News The Sega Genesis is Now 25 Years Old
How many of you are feeling old?
It's a day of hardware anniversaries, with the 19 year old Virtual Boy being joined by the 25th Anniversary of the Sega Genesis; as the name should have tipped you off, it's the North American anniversary of Sega's 16-bit beast. Known as the Mega Drive in PAL regions, the Genesis arrived before the Super NES and...
News The Virtual Boy is 19 Years Old, Probably Hasn't Received a Celebratory Cake
We still love it
The Virtual Boy is 19 years old in North America today, having arrived in the region on 14th August 1995. It doesn't have a European anniversary to celebrate, as it never had a release in the region. It's a system that shows us a few aspects of Nintendo that remain today, in some ways representing its key strengths. Nintendo...
News The Game Boy is 25 Years Old in North America
Happy Birthday, Old Boy
The Game Boy recently celebrated the 25th anniversary for its release in Japan, a reminder of the enduring legacy of one of Nintendo's greatest creations. Its role in transforming the games industry and popularising portable systems can't be overlooked, not to mention the various franchises and classic games that define it...
News Rising Star Games Is Now Ten Years Old
Celebrates with new brush logo and a promise
Hertfordshire-based game publisher Rising Star Games, the “home of Japanese games,” is celebrating its ten-year anniversary. The company’s announcement page features a splashy minute-long montage video and details how Rising Star is celebrating with events and announcements on the tenth of every...
