Tag: Hardware - Page 18
News Call of Duty Black Ops II Suffers From Reduced Frame Rate On Wii U
Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions more consistent
Now that Wii U has finally been released, we have three HD home consoles on the market. It seems every man and his dog wants to know which one performs best, especially when it comes to those third party multi-platform games Nintendo gamers aren't used to seeing. One of those multi-platform games...
Guide Using USB Storage with the Wii U
Commit these instructions to memory
The Wii U's eShop represents a big step forward in digital distribution for Nintendo, with eShop-only indie titles sharing shelf space with downloadable versions of major retail releases from day one. These larger titles can easily occupy over 10GB of space, with Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition confirmed to...
News The Wii U CPU Is "Horrible" According To Metro: Last Light Developer
Honesty may not be the best policy
Ukrainian developer 4A clearly isn't happy about the Wii U's CPU, and isn't afraid to be blunt about it. Oles Shishkovtsov, the studio's chief technical officer, explained how he wasn't one bit impressed with the brains of Nintendo's new console, explaining that it has "a horrible, slow CPU." 4A's upcoming game -...
News Simple Workaround Allows You To Play Wii U Games Off An SD Card
Play your cards right
Before the launch of the Wii U, Nintendo confirmed that software could not be played from an SD card, but it would appear that it is technically possible - provided you have one of those cheap USB card readers handy. YouTube user Shokio discovered that if you pop your SD card into one of these readers and then insert it into...
News Take An In-Depth Look At What's Under The Wii U's Shiny Exterior
What silicon treasures lie beneath?
Are you curious about what's inside the Wii U? Users across the web have been discussing the system's technical specifications for months, but now that it is finally available in North America, many folk are seeing first-hand what Nintendo has to offer. However, few (if any) observations are as thorough and...
News Nintendo's Recommended Range For GamePad Use Is Conservative
Playing it safe
Ever since the GamePad was revealed people have wondered just how far away from your TV you can go with it. Can you get to the next room? The kitchen? The bathroom? The garden shed? So far Nintendo have only confirmed that you can definitely play it within the same room and the official Wii U specs declare a maximum range of up to 26...
News Europe Is Getting White And Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL Consoles Before The Year Is Out
Dreaming of a white Christmas
It seemed as if poor old Europe was on Nintendo's naughty list this year seeing as it has missed out on several limited edition 3DS XL consoles - like the Charizard and Animal Crossing models exclusive to Japan - but thankfully this is not the case as Nintendo has revealed two new colours will arrive in Europe just in...
News You'll Need To Update Your Wii U To Play Wii Games
This update is crucial
We are already aware that you'll need to update your Wii U fresh from the box to include key features such as Miiverse, Tvii, Wii U Chat and eShop. However, another very important feature in this update is Wii functionality. As you will no doubt be aware, the Wii U will have backwards compatibility with Nintendo's previous...
News Hori Releasing Wii U Arcade Stick In The UK This December
Not the prettiest, but will do the job
Last week it was revealed that Hori is releasing a Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition fight stick in Japan, alongside the Wii U's launch on 8th December. We were hoping that this would be available in the West, and today Nintendo Gamer confirmed that one will indeed be making its way to the UK; but sadly...
News Number-Crunching Reveals That Nintendo's Handheld Market Is "Stable"
3DS matching the sales performance of both the GBA and Nintendo DS
Lots of industry experts are arguing that the expansion of mobile phone and tablet gaming is having an impact on the fortunes of dedicated games consoles like the 3DS, but Gamasutra's Matt Matthews has taken a closer look at the figures and found that the truth is somewhat different...
News Exclusive Chinese 3DS XL Models Revealed
Feast your eyes on these bad boys
Distributor of Nintendo products in China, iQue, have revealed 3 gorgeous 3DS XL models which will launch this December 2012 exclusively for the region. No price tag has been put on the models as of yet. Below you can check out the 3 models: Mario White, Mario Silver and Mario Red & Gold (Limited Edition), and...
News Hori Set To Release Wii U Arcade Stick At Launch
Fight 'em up arcade style
For all you fighting fanatics out there, Hori is going to release a Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition fight stick this December, alongside the Wii U launch in Japan. To use the stick it'll need to be plugged into a Wii Remote, simply like you would use a Classic Controller; it'll set you back ¥7980 (approximately...
News Wii U Comparison Video Shows How It Sizes Up Against Other Nintendo Hardware
Size isn't everything
ONM has created a video which gives viewers a further insight into the Wii U's exciting new features and how it compares in size to other Nintendo systems. As you can see in the video below, the Wii U isn't that much bigger than the Wii, so hopefully you won't need to adjust your current home setup too much. Are you...
News French Firm Recycles SNES Consoles With a Unique Twist
What once was old is new again
We've got a saying here at Nintendo Life Towers: Old consoles don't die, they just go into storage. It's heartening to discover that French firm Lëkki feels the same way; the company is focused on taking existing retro hardware and making it new again with a fresh lick of paint - and we mean that literally. Lëkki...
News Hurricane Sandy Forces Isaiah Triforce Johnson To Abandon Queue For Wii U
Mother Nature takes no heed of hardware launch hype
We reported a few days ago that Isaiah Triforce Johnson was already queuing for his Wii U outside the Nintendo World Store in New York City, almost a month before the system was due to be released. Sadly, Johnson has had to abandon his vigil due to the incoming threat of Hurricane Sandy, which is...
Feature Nintendo Hardware Launch Commercials Throughout History
A trip down memory lane
With the first UK showing of the Wii U TV commercial causing quite a stir online, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at Nintendo's history of launch commercials, right back to the days of the 8-bit NES — possibly an era when many of the readers of this site weren't even born. Sit back and soak up the ambiance...
News Nintendo Responds To Foxconn's Admission Of Guilt In Child Labour Scandal
"We take our responsibilities as a global company very seriously"
Yesterday, allegations surfaced online that Chinese manufacturer Foxconn - which counts Nintendo, Sony and Apple as some of its clients - was employing children in its factories. Foxconn has since admitted guilt, issuing the following statement: We recognize that full...
News Behold The Ungodly Union Of The Wii U Pro Controller And SNES Pad
Fusion frenzy
Australian store EB Games has listed a new controller for the Wii U which boasts SNES-style controls. Dubbed the Wii U Controller - SNES version, the design appears to be based on the standard Wii U Pro Controller, but with an additional helping of controls slapped in the middle. Although the image posted looks legit, the price...
News Wii U Pro Controller Lasts 80 Hours On A Single Charge, Not Backwards Compatible
Two steps forward, one step back
According to both Gamestop and Amazon, the Wii U Pro Controller is said to have a battery life of around 80 hours for a single charge. This is a drastic increase compared to the Wii U Gamepad controller, and for comparison, most PS3 controllers tend to last 20-25 hours. While this number hasn't been publicly annou
News Archos Uses Star Fox And Mario To Demo Its Console-Killing Tablet
UPDATE: Blogger posted video and installed emulators - nothing to see here...
EDIT: Since this story went live we have been contacted by the person who created the video, who has made it clear that they installed the emulators and ROMs themselves onto the demonstration device when it was shown at a recent trade show, and not Archos: Archos...
News Take A Look At The Inside Of The Wii U
It's the inside that counts
Ever wondered what the inside of the Wii U looks like? As part of the Iwata Asks series, four Nintendo product developers and general managers sat down this week to discuss the engineering behind the Wii U, as well as how it differs to the Wii. There is an incredible amount of detail on the challenges and processes that...
News Wii U Resellers Captilise On Demand By Fleecing Consumers
Would you pay $1,550 for Nintendo's new console this Christmas?
Unless you count the Virtual Boy, pretty much every new Nintendo console has experienced incredible demand in the first month of its release. Millions of people want to upgrade but stock is usually limited - hardly surprising with brand new hardware. Sadly, this situation allows...
News Could This Be The Finished Wii U Interface?
Let's face it, it looks mighty fine
Wii U demo units have been set up in Nintendo World Store in New York City, where gamers will get the perfect chance to test out the upcoming console and what it has to offer. Not much information has been given about the Wii U eShop or the console's front-end interface, something we touched upon last week. It...
News Your Wall Is Crying Out For This Amazing Mega Drive Poster
And the creators are interested in doing a SNES one, too
Sega-loving James Newton may have left us, but we still have a lot of time for the company that gave the world Sonic the Hedgehog. We therefore heartily approve of this bespoke, limited edition Mega Drive poster, produced by MegaDrive.me and designed by
News Japan Is Getting These Awesome Animal Crossing and New Super Mario Bros. 2 3DS Bundles
Bundles of joy
Nintendo has confirmed that it is releasing new 3DS XL hardware bundles in Japan, with Animal Crossing and New Super Mario Bros. 2 themed consoles expected to hit store shelves in November. At the start of November Nintendo will push the all-black 3DS XL onto store shelves for 18,900 yen ($240 / £150). That's just the console on its...
First Impressions Wii U Pro Controller
We go hands on with one of the most important Wii U accessories
With games like Bayonetta 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 blazing a trail to the Wii U very soon, the need for a decent 'traditional' joypad is obvious. Nintendo is making sure 'core' games will play as well as possible by producing the Wii U Pro Controller, a device which boasts an...
News Nintendo Australia Brings Wii U to EB Games Expo 2012
Nintendo, Ubisoft, THQ and SEGA join Warner Bros.
Following yesterday's reveal that Warner Bros. will be bringing the Wii U to the EB Expo in Sydney in just over a week, we have now learned that it's not the only publisher coming to the party. Nintendo of Australia has announced today that it will also introduce the Wii U to the Australian audience...
News Reggie Promises Steady Stream Of Wii U Consoles
Supply chain is "solid", lessons learned from past launches
Hardware launches are traditionally accompanied by annoying shortages as early demand outstrips supply, but Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has taken steps to calm nervous customers who may be worried that they're in for a long wait if they haven't already preordered the Wii...
News Wii U Will Be Playable At EB Expo 2012 In Sydney
Warner Bros. Interactive showcasing their Wii U offerings
You may recall that we reported last week that the EB Expo - set in Sydney in just over a week's time - will feature Pokemon Black and White 2 as the only playable title on a Nintendo system. However, we've since received some wonderful news from Joel Graham, Warner Bros. Interactive...
News Pressure Group Makes Fresh Calls For Nintendo To Embrace Mobile Phones
Upwardly mobile?
Are you sick of hearing people saying that Nintendo should start making games for smartphones? Yes? Well prepare yourself for more nausea, because a new pressure group - with the snappy title of Nintendo Go Mobile - has been created to achieve just that goal. Here's what they have to say, spelling errors and all: Nintendo go...
News You Fools, Blowing on NES Cartridges Is Not The Answer
Well I never
We've all done it. Blowing on cartridge connections has (apparently) always been the most effective way of getting stubborn games to load, but according to MentalFloss, it could actually cause more problems in the long term. MentalFloss spoke to Digital Press expert Frankie Viturello and he had some pretty damning words to say about...
News Ever Wondered How Your 3DS Battery Life Compares To the Original Game Boy?
Semi-scientific evidence now available
As portable systems become more powerful it's almost a given that battery life has to suffer as a result. We all fondly remember getting hours and hours of use out of our old monochrome Game Boys and Game Boy Advance MK1 consoles, but just how much more stamina do these retro relics offer when compared to the...
News Ubisoft: Wii U Is The Most Innovative System On Earth
Or any other planet, for that matter
Ubisoft's Jean-Phillipe Caro has lavished praise on Nintendo's new Wii U console, giving it the lion's share of the credit when it comes to explaining ZombiU's positive pre-release reception. Speaking to ONM, Caro said: I think we are making something fresh with the most innovative console. The Wii U is the...
News Replacement Wii U GamePads Will Be Available If You Bust Yours At Launch
Accident-prone players, rejoice
Nintendo caused quite a few raised eyebrows when it revealed that stand-alone Wii U GamePads would not be made available in the West at launch. This news led some people to wonder what exactly would happen if your GamePad is broken, or develops a fault. Thankfully, Nintendo has taken some steps to remove this...
News Don't Expect Any NFC-Ready Games At Wii U Launch
None of the day-one titles feature any support for new wireless tech
If you follow the world of cell phones then you'll have heard of NFC (or "Near Field Communication"). It's a big thing in the mobile world right now (despite the fact that Apple has left it out of the new iPhone 5) and Nintendo has been forward-thinking enough to include it in the...
News Nintendo: Wii U Basic Bundle Designed To Attract Core Gamers
If Nintendo Land isn't your thing, try something else
There's a school of thought which suggests that much of the Wii's success was down to Wii Sports - possibly one of the most effective pack-in games of all time. The game illustrated perfectly what the console was about, and consequently became one of the system's most played titles. With the Wii...
News Wii U Memory Can be Easily Expanded With USB Hard Drives
Fils-Aime: "I'll love you as a digital consumer"
Amongst all of the details about the Wii U hardware, one potentially surprising aspect was the relatively small amount of internal storage space. With 32GB in the Premium model and just 8GB in the Basic white system, it won't take long to run out of memory if you fill up on tasty HD download treats...
News Wii U ZombiU Premium Pack Confirmed for EU
Horrific
During today's European Wii U Preview it was announced that a limited edition bundle would be available at launch along side the standard and deluxe bundles. The special "Wii U ZombiU Premium Pack" includes the black Wii U and GamePad, as well as both the ZombiU game and a black Wii U Pro Controller; all in, we expect, a horrifyingly cool...
Feature Wii U Price And Release Dates Confirmed
Two bundles available at launch, November is the magic month
Nintendo has just confirmed release dates and price points for its forthcoming Wii U console. In North America and Europe, we'll be getting a white "Basic" pack (with 8GB storage) and a black "Deluxe" pack (with 32GB storage and the same extras that are set to be included with the...
Rumour You Will Be Able To Preorder Wii U At GameStop This Thursday
Retailer is going big on Nintendo's new machine
We all know that Thursday's presentation is going to be related to the Wii U, with the most likely scenario being a launch date reveal and pricing details. To add a little more spice to this speculation, GoNintendo has reported that several readers have gotten in touch to report on various goings-on at...
News Rayman Creator: Wii U Is For The Core Gamer
Legendary designer seems very pleased by Nintendo's new console
Rayman creator Michel Ancel has taken part in an interview with French site GameBlog, where he talks about his experience with Nintendo's new Wii U console. Ancel's comments, which have been translated by a NeoGAF forum member, give a tantalising glimpse into the power and potential of...
News The Complete 1986 CES NES Brochure For Your Viewing Pleasure
Another retro gem from the vaults of ex-employee Howard Phillips
Howard Phillips has been raiding his collection of Nintendo-related memorabilia again, this time coming up with an awesome NES brochure from the 1986 CES. The promotional material focuses heavily on R.O.B. the Robot, Nintendo's ill-fated attempt to give the fledgling NES a little...
News Blitz: Forget The Specs, Wii U Is Getting Developers Excited
UK studio speaks out on Wii U tech specs, and why they're irrelevant
Blitz Game Studios has spoken exclusively to Eurogamer.net about the forthcoming Wii U console, and has addressed some of the irksome issues regarding the technical specifications of the machine. With many Nintendo-hating nay-sayers pointing out that the Wii U is only capable of...
News Get In Touch With Your Feminine Side With The Pink 3DS XL
Sink the pink
Nintendo has confirmed the release of a pink and white 3DS XL console. The system was announced during today's Nintendo Direct video. Called the 3DS LL in Japan, the new hardware is due to launch on 27th September, along with the excellently-titled Wagamama Fashion Girls. Admit it - you want one.
News Tekken Boss Thinks Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft Should Get Cosy
Tri-Force?
It's nice to want things. For example, I'm sure many people reading this would love to have a Wii U console sitting under their TV set right now. Or perhaps a brand-new Ferrari on the driveway. Heck, why not wish for your own personal tropical island paradise while you're at it? Go crazy. It's tempting to surmise that Tekken producer...
News HMV Says You Can Now Preorder the Wii U in Black and White
UK-based chain opens up the order book
Despite the absence of a 100% solid release date, UK entertainment retailer HMV has started advertising preorders for both the black and white Wii U system in its stores. Spotted by an eagle-eyed consumer and reported by GoNintendo, the promotion appears to be live in many stores up and down the United...
News Take a Look at These Nintendo DS Testing Machines
Plastic breach
Readers of a nervous disposition, turn away now — the following images of Nintendo DS testing may prove disturbing. Nintendo has published its 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility report, which contains several images of portable console torture. The report shows off some of the vigorous tests that Nintendo hardware goes through to...
Hardware Review Nintendo 3DS XL
The official Nintendo Life verdict on the new super-sized console
It’s fair to say that the 3DS didn’t have the start that Nintendo was hoping for. Launched amid high expectation and a groundswell of three dimensional hype, the system initially struggled to find an audience; it took a price cut and an injection of big-name quality software to...
News Pink and Blue 3DS Consoles to Hit Taiwan and Hong Kong
Look on in envy
3DS is already available in Rose Pink and Aqua Blue in the West, but Nintendo has put together two new colours for Taiwan and Hong Kong: Cerulean Blue and Shimmer Pink. The two vibrant colours are very similar to the light blue and pink DSi consoles we saw a few years back. Feel free to ogle them but don't get too carried away:...
News 3DS XL Comparison Gallery
We go hands-on with Nintendo's new portable
The 3DS XL launch is almost upon us, but thanks to our godly status in the world of Nintendo, we've been sent a pre-release retail unit to touch and fondle. Thanks to our steadfast belief in the spirit of sharing, we thought you might like to see what the 3DS XL looks like when placed alongside its...
