Tag: Hardware - Page 16
News Nintendo Set To End Production of the Wii
Wii don't want to hear any more
Update: Nintendo of Europe has provided a statement to Eurogamer regarding this news. Yes, NCL did update their website on 29th August with a small notice to state that Wii hardware production will stop in the near future. This specific message was referring to the Japanese market. No specific time frame has been...
News China Removes Game Console Ban
There is a catch or two
Earlier this year we reported that China was considering a removal of its ban on video game consoles; it was a rule that was bypassed by TV plug and play systems, including a Nintendo offering called iQue which included Nintendo 64 games. Modern systems with separately sold retail games were, however, out of bounds. As part...
Out Now Pokémon X & Y 3DS XL Models Arrive in North America and PAL Regions
Gotta collect 'em all
With the arrival of Pokémon X & Y now just two weeks away, at the time of writing, it's perhaps worth a reminder that new 3DS XL hardware has been released to celebrate the titles. The pictured systems hit stores on 27th September in North America and PAL regions, priced $199.99 U.S. / £179.99 / €199.99. As the release...
We spend some time with the newest member of the 3DS family
When the 3DS first launched and showed the world exactly how incredible glasses-free 3D gaming could be, it was quickly dismissed by many as a gimmick and a dying fad. Now, almost three years and 30 million shipped units later, the 3DS is one of the strongest consoles on the market, and...
News Wii U Family Hardware Bundles Revealed in Japan
Mario, partying, fitness and karaoke all in one box
When it comes to the Wii U, Nintendo is undoubtedly working hard to line-up offers and deals to make an impression on the market. We've recently seen a special bundle for The Wind Waker HD in North America — which is also coming to Europe — and more bundles are rumoured, such as one featuring...
News Shin'en: If Developers Can't Make Great Looking Games On Wii U, It's Their Own Fault
A bad workman blames his tools
Let's be honest — the Wii U is going to be left in third place in technical terms when the PS4 and Xbox One release later this year. Nintendo's system simply isn't as powerful as Microsoft and Sony's machines, so it's reasonable to expect something of a graphical disparity between the platforms — just as was the...
Hardware This Custom Tron N64 Makes Us Want To Return To The Grid
Greetings, programs!
Zoki64 is famous for his hardware modifications, and his latest project is a real masterpiece. He's painted an N64 straight out of Tron, complete with elements which glow in the dark. You can see the system in the video below, accompanied by Daft Punk's excellent music for the recent sequel, Tron: Legacy.
Rumour Wii U New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Luigi U Hardware Bundle Sighted
Wii Fit U listed for November, too
It's Wii U bundle rumour time, everyone! We all like juicy speculation based on retailers either breaking an embargo or making products up, and courtesy of Twitter user Oisin1001 more information on potential Wii U releases has been spilled; both are reportedly from a Smyth's Toys catalogue, which is a retailer in...
Interview Exploring The Centre for Computing History - Cambridge
Taking a trip down memory lane
One of Cambridge’s best kept secrets is The Centre for Computing History, a museum dedicated to preserving the history of home computers and video game consoles from all eras. Located on a quiet industrial estate only a few miles outside of the historic city centre in East Anglia, England, the museum is not one you...
News Pokémon X & Y 3DS XL Systems Hit the West on 27th September
In red and blue varieties
Update: Nintendo of Europe has confirmed what we suspected in the article below — these limited edition systems will not be bundled with copies of Pokémon X & Y. [tweet Original Article: During today's Pokémon Direct broadcast, Satoru Iwata spilled the beans on a routinely leaked and w
Review Disney Infinity Figurines
Beyond Infinity, into your home
To fully grasp the concept behind Disney Infinity, it’s important to understand that the whole game uses a meta concept in which things in-game also must exist in real life. Without delving too deep into theories or abstractions, the simplest way to put it is by saying that everything is a toy. Whether it’s the...
News Nintendo Confirms Wii U "Price Reduction Initiative" in Europe from 4th October
Limited edition LEGO City Undercover Premium Pack also confirmed
Yesterday brought the news that Nintendo of America is applying a formal $50 price cut to the 32GB Wii U model, beginning on 20th September alongside the launch of a limited edition Wind Waker HD bundle. The price cut will apply to standard bundles, also, but while Nintendo of Europe...
News Nintendo 2DS is Actually Made With Just One Screen
An interesting innovation
Earlier today Nintendo formally announced the 2DS, which is essentially a 3DS that doesn't show images in 3D. Interestingly, it does not feature the typical clamshell design we're all used to and it turns out that would have been pretty tough to accomplish, as the 2DS is in fact made up of just one screen — the...
News 3D Gaming is Very Much A Part of Nintendo's Future Plans
"We don't want to walk away from that at all"
If you haven't heard, Nintendo has announced the latest addition to its handheld family, the 2DS. Many people are wondering what this means for the 3D feature incorporated into the 3DS and 3DS XL and Nintendo has been quick to point out it is still very much a part of its future plans. In an interview...
News Nintendo Confirms Limited Edition Wii U Bundle For The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Download release comes early on 20th September
Update: Nintendo UK has confirmed an equivalent bundle, though it is dated for 4th October, rather than the advance 20th September date in North America. A limited edition boxed version of the game will also be available which will include a Ganondorf figurine and a double-sided title sheet. The...
News Say Hello To The Nintendo 2DS - A 3DS without 3D
$129.99 price, launches in October
Update: GAME has rather quickly revealed its UK pricing for the 3DS, detailed below. It has a price of £109.99 and includes a 4GB SD card, as well as a charger — the 3DS XL does not include a charger in Europe. Original article: Well, that was unexpected. Nintendo has just revealed the latest addition to its...
News Wii U Deluxe Model Gets Official $50 Price Cut in North America
Begins on 20th September
After months of speculation and increasing doubt, Nintendo has taken the plunge and confirmed an official price cut on the Wii U Deluxe 32GB model. This takes the form of a new "suggested retail price" of $299 in North America, a $50 cut announced today at the GameStop Managers Show in Las Vegas; the new price will begin on...
Rumour The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Trailer Shows a Special Edition Wii U Design
So pretty
In recent weeks we've seen sketchy rumours of a Wii U bundle with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD become increasingly reliable. The Gamescom build of the game has also revealed a Hero Mode and a host of other details, so Nintendo is clearly gearing up the hype ahead of an October rel
Hardware Review Wireless Super Retro 64 Controller
Out of control
With digital download services on the rise and HD remakes becoming more of a regular occurrence, the retro gaming scene is bigger than ever. Restore points and improved visuals — not to mention the off-TV play function offered by the Wii U GamePad — have done a good job of making older titles more suited to our modern...
News More Evidence Emerges of a Wind Waker HD Wii U Bundle
32GB model with game to reportedly retail for $349.99
In July we reported the rumour that a Wind Waker HD hardware bundle was on the way, but treated it with plenty of salt due to its lack of any real evidence. More compelling proof has now emerged to back up those claims, along with those of red and blue 3DS XL bundles for Pokémon X & Y, which...
Hardware Review Hauppauge HD PVR2 Gaming Edition Plus
It's pronounced 'hop-pog', by the way
As we head further into this generation, sharing and social media is looking to be an increasingly large focus for Nintendo’s competitors, with both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One featuring their own built-in DVRs. Unfortunately, Nintendo’s latest console lacks both the means and the oomph required for what...
News Wii U Hardware Still Being Sold At A Loss
Don't hold your breath for a price cut
Nintendo usually likes to sell its hardware at a profit, right from day one — something which sets the company apart from the likes of Sony and Microsoft, who have traditionally taken massive hits on hardware in the hope that software sales will make up the deficit. However, a Nintendo representative...
News Black 3DS XL Arrives in North America on 11th August
Black like your former bank balance
Last week we told you about some marketing for the black 3DS XL suggesting that the model would arrive in North America at the weekend. Well, it didn't hit stores as expected, but Nintendo has now confirmed that the new colour will be available in the region from 11th August. That's the same day that Mario &...
Rumour Nintendo Planning a Wind Waker HD Hardware Bundle
Pokémon X & Y 3DS XL bundles, too
So, let's all get some salt to hand. Ready? According to a cheeky rumour-merchant that claims to have access to the inventory system at a "major system retailer" in the U.S., Nintendo is planning a Wii U hardware bundle with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, as well as red and blue 3DS XL bundles with...
News North America, It Looks Like You'll Have The Black 3DS XL Soon Enough
New colour spotted in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team commercial
Live in North America and dearly want to get your hands on an all-black 3DS XL? Well rest easy, because it looks like your wait could be over soon. The black 3DS XL appears in the commercial for Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, which suggests that it could be coming state-side in the...
News Limited Edition Pokémon X & Y 3DS Models Revealed in Japan
There's a nice new trailer, too
We've known for a few days now about Pokémon X & Y limited edition 3DS XL models coming to Japan, with the initial details being restricted to the knowledge that they'd predictably feature newcomers Xerneas and Yveltal. Now we have images of the systems, and they both look like a treat. First up is the...
News You Can Now Use Your GameCube Pad On Your Wii U
Isn't modern technology just wonderful?
One of the hidden talents of the original Wii console was support for GameCube controllers, but sadly this functionality was removed from the Wii U — along with the ability to play GameCube discs. For those of you who simply can't let go of that beloved Wavebird, help is at hand. Mayflash — a company...
Hardware Classics Nintendo Virtual Boy
Nintendo's nadir, or misunderstood masterpiece?
According to the history books, the Virtual Boy is Nintendo's biggest failure — both commercially and critically — in the hardware arena. Launched in 1995 to almost complete consumer apathy, it bypassed Europe entirely and was discontinued the following year. It is also thought to be the reason...
News Luigi 3DS XL Model Dated and Priced for Japan
We'd like it too, Nintendo
Back during the April Nintendo Direct, the Japanese broadcast showed off the new Luigi 3DS XL model, and it wasn't revealed for other territories. Considering it's a special edition to tie-in with the release of Mario and Luigi: Dream Team, we're running out of time for confirmation that it's coming to the West — E3, if...
News 32GB White Wii U, Rechargeable Wii Remote Battery And 2550mAh GamePad Battery Announced
I love the smell of new hardware in the morning
Nintendo has confirmed a new Premium SKU for its Wii U console. The system will be released in white with 32GB of internal memory — a configuration which was previously only available in black. It launches in Japan on July 13th for 31,500 Yen (that's about $312 / £206). New accessories have also...
News This Custom Twin Famicom Is The Stuff Hardware Dreams Are Made Of
Remember when console designs actually mattered?
We hate to keep going on about it, but Microsoft revealed the Xbox One to the world this week. We're obviously biased, but we happen to think it looks a little underwhelming in purely physical terms — Nintendo Life Operations Director Darren Calvert said it best when he described the console as...
News Consumers Go Crazy For Wii U Following Xbox One Reveal
One of Amazon UK's biggest movers and shakers
It’s no secret that the Xbox One reveal did not go as smoothly as Microsoft might have hoped. For some, the idea of buying a giant Betamax-styled brick that blocks used games and requires the Kinect camera to function was a big turn-off — even if it does make changing the TV channel a fraction of a...
News Microsoft: If You're Backwards Compatible, You're Really Backwards
Xbox creator claims only 5% of players make use of the feature
Always online. Games tied to a single console. Indie developers can't self-publish. Just when you thought Microsoft couldn't have made a bigger hash of its Xbox One announcement, along comes the company's head of interactive entertainment Don Mattrick to attack backwards compatibility...
News Tech Site T3 Predicts What The Nintendo Smartphone Would Look Like
If you can't beat them, join them?
Love them or loathe them, smartphones are revolutionising the way people play games on the go. While touchscreen devices are still a long way from providing the same level of immersion and precision offered by dedicated games consoles like the Nintendo 3DS, the fact that they are always in your pocket and always...
News Nintendo Announces Metallic Red 3DS, Cobalt Blue And Misty Pink To Be Phased Out
Nintendo giveth and Nintendo taketh away
Nintendo has announced yet another new 3DS colour for gamers in Japan: Metallic Red. Announced yesterday — though the Eevee 3DS XL stole a majority of the limelight — the new system is a more vibrant shade of red than the previous Flame Red 3DS. It'll launch on the 13th June for 15,000 yen, along with a...
News Eevee 3DS XL Evolves For Pokémon Center 15th Anniversary
One of the many Eeveelutions
Last month we reported that posters hinted that Eevee would be featured in some way on a new 3DS XL design, but details were scarce on its appearance. And now we know it's official - an Eevee-themed 3DS XL is indeed making its way to Japan judging by a leaflet found in Pokémon Center stores, posted by Twitter user...
Hardware Review Retro Duo Portable V2.0
NES, SNES and Mega Drive on the move
Clone systems are growing in popularity with each passing year, with several different companies all producing consoles which ape the performance of vintage hardware and aim to satisfy the needs of retro-lovers everywhere. We've already seen Hyperkin's SupaBoy bring portable SNES gaming to the masses, and now...
News Super Retro Trio Plays SNES, Genesis, NES and GBA Games
The RetroN5 has a challenger
It would seem that 2013 is going to be a big year for new gaming hardware — not only will we see the PlayStation 4 and Next Xbox, but we've got two new retro systems to look forward to as well. Hyperkin's RetroN 5 will be joined by the Retro-Bit Super Retro Trio, which plays SNES, Genesis / Mega Drive, NES and (with an...
News Mutant Mudds Developer Muses on Wii U Design
Hardware could have taken more cues from game elements
Renegade Kid co-founder and game director Jools Watsham professes a love for Nintendo in his recent blog post, which is why he also says it hurts him to see the Wii U struggling to forge its identity in the public eye. Watsham says he understand why Nintendo would want to keep the Wii brand...
Hardware Review MaxPlay Wii U In-Car Adapter
Take your gaming on the road
A few eyebrows were raised when we reported on the existence of the MaxPlay adapter, a newfangled contraption which allows you to power your Wii U console from your car's standard 12V cigarette lighter socket. However, we can now report that this unique item is in fact the real deal, having tried it for ourselves. The...
News Meet The Wii U Karaoke System Which Costs $16,000
Big in Japan
With many retailers complaining that the Wii U costs too much, it's odd that we're reporting on a variant of the console which retails for an eye-watering $16,000, but such is the weird and wacky world of the video game industry. Produced by Japanese company Xing, the JoySound Festa is so large it has to be wheeled around on a trolley...
News Hyperkin: Nintendo Hasn't Contacted Us About the RetroN 5
Flying under the legal radar
In case you hadn't noticed, we're quite excited about Hyperkin's forthcoming RetroN 5 console. It plays practically every retro format under the sun, comes with a wireless pad and connects to HD televisions via HDMI — in short, it's shaping up to be the ultimate retro gamer's system. Interestingly, Hyperkin's...
News New Pokémon 3DS XL to be Available Through Lottery Next Month in Japan
You lucky Japanese gamers
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Pokémon Center outlets in Japan, news has emerged that a brand new Pokémon-themed 3DS XL will become available in the region next month. Similar to the Charizard 3DS XL (pictured), you'll need to enter into a lottery to be in with a chance to purchase the system. It's rumoured...
News Circle Pad Pro XL Available Through Nintendo's Online Store In North America
Priced at $19.99, shipping this Friday
Although it was previously thought that the Circle Pad Pro XL would not be making it Stateside, a listing for the peripheral has appeared on ShopNintendo, Nintendo of America's official online store. The add-on is available for pre-order a
News Limited Edition Animal Crossing: New Leaf 3DS XL Bundle Appears In The UK
It's yours for just £189.85
Ahead of the latest Nintendo Direct broadcast scheduled for this Wednesday 17th April, online UK retailer ShopTo.net has listed the Animal Crossing: New Leaf 3DS XL bundle on its website. The bundle is available for pre-order at £189.85 (approx. €220 / $290), and has been given
Hardware Review 3DS Circle Pad Pro XL
Two pads are better than one?
When Nintendo announced the 3DS XL, many were disappointed that the system lacked that all-important second slider pad. This omission was made all the more puzzling by the fact that Nintendo had already released the Circle Pad Pro for the original 3DS console, an admission that perhaps a twin-pad arrangement would have...
News Wiggy Design Mod Finally Makes The Sega Nomad Truly Portable
Better screen, internal battery and improved sound - it's the Nomad X
As you'll already know, we're massive fans of Wiggy Design's Rose Colored Gaming here at Nintendo Life. Wiggy's motto is "New ideas for old games", and his most recent upgrade certainly lives up to that. The Nomad X mod takes Sega's portable Genesis / Mega Drive console and makes...
News Club Nintendo Japan Rocking Five New 3DS LL Cradle Colours
Let your 3DS LL sit in style
There are some new additions in the Japanese Club Nintendo rewards catalogue in the form of five different coloured 3DS LL cradles. As you can see from the image below, club members can choose from a red, green, white, blue and yellow cradle. Any of these colourful cradles can be redeemed for 200 points from Club...
News Hyperkin Details RetroN 5 Super Console In Video Announcement
Coming in July, plays 9 different game formats and upscales via HDMI
We knew that Hyperkin would be officially revealing the RetroN 4 console at this year's Midwest Gaming Classic, but the company surprised everyone by lifting the lid on the RetroN 5 instead. It pretty much showcases all of the functions that were hinted at with the RetroN 4, and...
Hardware Review Oyen Digital MiniPro 1TB Hard Drive For Wii U
Storage solution
As we all know, Nintendo's intention with the Wii U when it comes to storage is to let the user decide. Rather than equip the console with a massive hard drive, it has instead enabled owners to plug in their own solutions. The thinking behind this move is that storage is so cheap these days, most people have at least a couple of...
