Wii News

May2012

April2012

  • News UK Charts Bring More of the Same for Nintendo

    Not better, not worse

    In the coming weeks and months, it's safe to say that Satoru Iwata and the managerial team at Nintendo HQ will be monitoring the progress of UK sales, after telling investors that, for one, Mario's presence in the country is the 'smallest in the world'. It's too early for that to have changed, and the latest top 40 software...

  • Talking Point Why Skyward Sword Sales Failed to Soar

    Sword blunted

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was one of the most anticipated Wii games ever. After years of teasing it finally launched in November 2011, and has so far racked up 3.52 million sales around the world, a decent performance over a five-month period. It's on par with Wii launch title Twilight Princess, which sold 3.27m units between...

  • News Dragon Quest X Wii Lands in Japan on 2nd August

    Wii U version still a secret

    Square Enix will release its online RPG Dragon Quest X in Japan this August. The Wii game lands on 2nd August in two editions: the standard game costs ¥6,980, or you can buy it with a USB memory card for ¥8,980. If you buy the solus game, you'll need to provide your own USB memory stick with at least 16GB capacity,...

  • Feature Nintendo Banks on Its Old Money Makers

    If in doubt…

    Nintendo is set to announce its latest financial results that will cover the past year, and it’s anticipated that, for the first time in its history, the company will record a yearly loss. It’s an obvious blow for Nintendo, particularly as the past five to six years have brought staggering success. Even the results for 2010-2011...

  • News Nintendo Dominates UK's All-Time Top 10

    Mario Kart on the podium

    Trade and industry magazine MCV has posted a top ten of the biggest-selling single SKUs of all time, and Nintendo's on top. An SKU is a "stock-keeping unit" — a product with a unique barcode — and is used to separate the same game on multiple formats. MCV's list looks at the biggest-selling SKUs in UK history,...

  • News Peek Between Your Fingers at a Project Zero 2 Trailer

    Horror story

    Tecmo Koei's enhanced Project Zero 2: Wii Edition is coming to Europe this June, but Nintendo is starting the scares early with a new trailer. What starts out all sweet and lovely eventually gives way to the kind of twisted sights we've come to associate with the Project Zero (aka Fatal Frame) series over the years. It's also got plenty...

  • News Europe, What Do You Make Of Your Beat the Beat Box Art?

    It's certainly... yellow

    The North American release of Rhythm Heaven Fever has one of the most deliriously colourful box arts we've ever seen, but Nintendo of Europe has taken a very different approach with its cover, as you can see. Art for the European version — known as Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise — tones down the golden theme of the...

  • News Pikmin 2 Finally Reaches North American Wiis Soon

    About time

    Hey, New Play Control! Pikmin 2 — what took you so long? The latest issue of Nintendo Power claims the motion-controlled strategy game is finally going to reach North America later this year, presumably to tide you over until Pikmin 3 and remind gamers who Olimar and Louie actually are. The enhanced Pikmin 2 originally hit Europe...

  • News Konami Announces PES 2013 for Wii and 3DS

    No PES for U

    Konami's confirmed its next football feast, PES 2013, will, reach Wii and 3DS later this year. Wii's had some pretty good versions of the beautiful game over the years and PES has already had two run-outs on 3DS, so fingers crossed for a quality soccer sim later this year. The press release doesn't mention a Wii U version, which is a...

  • News Real Life Skyward Sword Controls Don't Work

    Though kids have better luck

    We rather liked The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, stating that it's 'as good a Zelda game as we've ever played' in our perfect 10 review. We simply felt that everything blended beautifully, including the immersive MotionPlus controls. Not everyone felt the same about the control scheme, however, with some complaining...

  • News UK Chart Results Are Less Than Golden for Nintendo

    Not flying off the shelves

    Each week we have two sets of charts to bring you. On the one hand Nintendo's Japanese hardware and software sales are always through the roof and dominating its competitors, while the UK software charts often give a very different impression. Regular hardware sales for the UK aren't provided, but this week's software top...

  • News Zack & Wiki Producer Interested in Sequel

    Join the club

    Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure was an early attempt at an original franchise for Wii, and looked to have everything going for it: originality, charm and quality in spades. Shame, then, that it bombed at retail, an early warning sign of the troubles ahead for third-party publishers. The game's producer Hironobu Takeshita...

  • News Kore Gang Publisher Needs Your Money for a Re-Release

    It's complicated

    Last year, Atari published The Kore Gang in North America, over a year after Pixonauts published it in Europe. So far, so simple, but Pixonauts has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to publish the game again. According to Pixonauts, a "dubious business partner" has "ruin years of development...

  • News Nintendo UK Launches Repair Website

    One stop shop

    Nintendo console owners in the UK have a new resource at their disposal: Nintendo Service Centre. The website offers troubleshooting tips and also allows users to book in consoles for repair. Video tutorials also talk you through things like setting up parental controls, spending Nintendo Points and browsing digital stores. So there...

  • News Sing Along to Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise in July

    Better late than never

    Great news, music fans — the latest edition of the musical equivalent of WarioWare, Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise is bringing the party to Europe on 6th July. It's been out in North America since February under the slightly snappier name Rhythm Heaven Fever. Perhaps to make up for the late release, Nintendo has prepared an...

  • News Kirby Gets 20th Anniversary Compilation for Wii

    Dream land

    The pinkest hero around, Kirby, celebrates 20 years of sucking this year. To celebrate with him, Nintendo's putting together a 20th anniversary compilation of his most popular adventures for Wii. Granted, Nintendo hasn't specified which of Kirby's games will feature on the disc — is it too much to hope for Kirby Air Ride? — but...

  • Review We Sing Pop (Wii)

    Get by with a little help…

    Here at Nintendo Life we're used to reviewing a lot of franchise sequels, as developers and publishers quite rightly give gamers more of what they want. We're not talking Super Mario, however, but rather the We Sing series, a franchise of karaoke games exclusive to Wii. Unfortunately we aren't well-known for angelic...

  • Feature Super Mario on Wii U - Crowd Pleaser or Game Changer?

    The plumber's conundrum

    The news that Shigeru Miyamoto will show off Super Mario Bros. on Wii U at E3 is more or less confirmation of what we all expected. When 3DS faltered many said Nintendo needed to show the way with a Mario game, and Super Mario 3D Land's Christmas appearance gave the console a big shot in the arm, becoming its first...

  • News Titanic Mystery Sails Onto Wii and DS

    What else?

    Just recently, as some of you may be aware, the 100 year anniversary has passed for the maiden voyage and sinking of the RMS Titanic, a tragedy that has been re-told in television documentaries, a number of books and most notably in one of the most successful Hollywood movies of all time. The centenary hasn't completely passed gaming by,...

  • News Miyamoto to Show Wii U Mario at E3

    But in what form?

    Update: A Nintendo spokesperson has confirmed to Eurogamer.net that Nintendo will show off a Super Mario Bros. game for Wii U at E3. According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, we'll see the first Super Mario game for Wii U at E3 this year. A translation of the original story sees Shigeru Miyamoto telling the news

  • News Pandora's Tower Sneaks into UK Software Chart

    A lot of climbing to do

    There was one high profile retail release on Nintendo systems last week, with Pandora’s Tower arriving on Wii. Unlike Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure, which failed to break into the software top 40 in its debut week and missed out again this week, the final title in the so-called 'Operation Rainfall Trilogy' has...

  • Feature The Odd One Out in Operation Rainfall

    Time to open Pandora’s Limited Edition box?

    Friday 13th April saw the final part of the Operation Rainfall JRPG trilogy hit European shelves, with Pandora’s Tower following in the footsteps of Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story. Pandora’s Tower does feel like a rather odd member of what has become, in the eyes of most, a linked trio of...

  • News The U.S. Sales Results are in for Nintendo

    Not bad, not brilliant

    While Nintendo, or to be precise 3DS, continues to dominate in Japan, it's always interesting to see how the company is performing outside its homeland. In the UK our only regular insight is the weekly software chart, and courtesy of the NPD Group we now have our monthly insight into how the big N is performing in the U.S. In...

  • Review Pandora's Tower (Wii)

    A difficult feast

    Wii owners who enjoy Japanese RPGs have been spoiled recently, especially those that live in Europe: Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story provide two very different flavours of Japanese gaming, and the trio of originally Japan-exclusive titles is complete with Pandora’s Tower. If you like challenging concepts, demons and...

  • News Double Spooky Photo Action Hits Europe on 29th June

    Wii and 3DS owners beware

    Nintendo's planning a double dose of ghostly goings-on on 29th June, as augmented reality fright fest Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir and Wii spooker Project Zero 2: Wii Edition will both reach Europe. Nintendo UK slipped the Wii release date at the bottom of a press release about Spirit Camera — out today in North...

  • News Nintendo Back in the GAME with Pandora's Tower

    Back to business

    Pandora's Tower is the first Nintendo-published game to come back to the newly reformed GAME. The Wii action RPG is available online for £49.99, with GAME claiming it's "very limited and the last print run." GAME hasn't stocked a Nintendo-published or distributed title since Resident Evil Revelations way back in January,...

  • News Club Nintendo Europe Gives Coins for JRPG Trilogy

    Commemorative coins, we mean

    With Pandora's Tower out in Europe today, the so-called Operation Rainfall trilogy is complete. Register all three games — Pandora's Tower, Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story — in Club Nintendo and you could get a nice surprise. Nintendo Lee (no relation) states Nintendo Europe is offering a commemo

  • News Pandora's Tower Inspired By Lunch on a Train

    Don't eat the sandwiches

    The final part of Nintendo's RPG trio, Pandora's Tower, reaches Europe this Friday. Developer Ganbarion recently spoke to Official Nintendo Magazine about the game's creation and revealed the inspiration for its disgusting monster meat system. Director Toru Haga revealed the idea came to him while eating his lunch on the...

  • Out Today Xenoblade Chronicles (North America)

    About time

    After a lot of campaigning and complaining, Monolith Soft's epic Xenoblade Chronicles makes it across to North America today. The mammoth RPG is available to buy from GameStop or Nintendo's online store. The regular version is $49.99, while the 'enhanced package' with black Classic Controller Pro will set you back $64.99 (plus tax, of...

  • News Men in Black: Alien Crisis Confirmed for Wii

    The good guys dress in black, remember that

    Another summer blockbuster, another video game spin-off. Many of these movie-based games are of questionable quality, and it's slightly concerning that we're only now finding out about Men in Black: Alien Crisis for Wii, to be published by Activision. This title will be released on 25th May, the same day...

  • News Musical Epic Mickey 2 "Won't Make You Sing"

    Good to know

    As Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two was unveiled by legendary game designer Warren Spector, comments that it would be a 'musical' game raised some eyebrows. While some assumed that this simply meant the inclusion of songs in the storytelling, others interpreted that description as meaning that the game would include singing and,...

  • News Kid Icarus: Uprising Fails to Fly in UK Charts

    Pit's wings burn up

    While Kid Icarus: Uprising has flown high in the Japanese charts and won the prestigious Nintendo Life Game of the Month award for March, it's dropped out of the top ten in the latest UK charts. Pit's latest adventure comes in at number 14 in the chart in its second week, a drop from seventh in its debut week but the...

March2012

  • News Nintendo UK Pushes Wii RPGs with New Trailer

    Wii's legacy?

    With a shade over two months until we hit the Wii U information motherlode at E3, Wii's time is just about over. While the mainstream will likely remember it for introducing motion control and kickstarting the party and fitness game crazes, Nintendo UK wants you to think fondly of its contributions to the adventure and roleplaying...

  • News Disney Epic Mickey 2 to Brush with Europe in September

    What a lucky rabbit

    Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is the game on everyone's lips at the moment, and according to Junction Point top dog Warren Spector we'll only have six months to wait to play Mickey's Wii sequel. Nintendo Master — the same site that tipped the Disney Epic Mickey 2 press event — rep

  • News Disney Epic Mickey 2 is Built For Wii

    Not a weak port

    The not-at-all shocking announcement of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two came with the even less surprising revelation the game's heading to PS3 and Xbox 360 too, leading some to worry Wii owners would get a weak port of the HD versions. Thankfully that's not the case. Junction Point supremo Warren Spector has confirmed his...

  • News Pokémon Back on Top of Japanese Charts

    Not exactly a surprise

    While many Pokémon fans are probably busy contemplating the arrival of Pokémon Black and White 2, gamers in Japan have been hitting the shops to buy up cross-over title Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition, propelling it to number one in the charts. Elsewhere in the Media Create software charts, Mario Kart 7 and Monster Hunter 3 G...

  • News A New Pandora's Tower Trailer Is Here

    Contains classic witch voice over

    Upcoming — for Europe, anyway — Wii RPG Pandora's Tower is just a few weeks from launch, so Nintendo has some footage from the English version of the game to show off. The trailer below is a little lighter on the English accents than we've come to expect from recent RPGs Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story,...

  • News Surprise! Disney Announces Epic Mickey 2 for Wii

    Never saw it coming

    After months of speculation, Junction Point's Warren Spector has revealed Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. Coming to Wii as well as PS3 and Xbox 360, the sequel is described as a 'musical', with characters regularly bursting into song. There's co-op play between Mickey and long-lost Disney character Oswald the Lucky...

  • Review PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond (Wii)

    Pikachu's vacation

    While the main Pokémon games have rigidly stuck to their tried-and-true formula, the spin-offs have gone into some pretty interesting territory. Rather than focus on the life and tribulations of being a Pokémon trainer, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond once again lets you step into the shoes of the franchise's lovable mascot Pikachu,...

  • News These PokéPark Trailers are Too Silly Not to Share

    Music maestro

    The only thing better than a Pokémon theme tune? Three Pokémon theme tunes, of course. Nintendo UK's hit the jackpot with this trio of tunes to celebrate the upcoming European release of PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond this Friday. The videos even have lyrics so you can happily sing along to tunes of unbelievable heroism from the...

  • News UK PokéPark Treasure Hunt Set for Saturday

    Toys 'r' you

    PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond launches in Europe this week, and Nintendo UK is kicking off the party with a treasure hunt this Saturday. The Toys 'R' Us store at Brents Cross will host the expedition on 24th March, starting at 10am. Be one of the first 25 people to find toys of the game's four playable Pokémon — that's Oshawott, Tepig,...

  • News Transformers Prime Announced For Nintendo Consoles

    Time to transform and roll out

    Activision has announced Transformers Prime, based on the TV show by Hasbro studios. It's described as an 'action brawler', so we can expect lots of button pressing, but other details outside of a 2012 release are in short supply. This title appears to be exclusive to Nintendo consoles, with versions planned for Wii,...

  • News Donkey Kong and Pikmin Could Have Had Cameos in Super Mario Galaxy 2

    Yoshi would have enjoyed the company

    There was a lot of talk about Mario at this year's GDC — Game Developer's Conference — including the revelation that Super Mario 3D Land could have had skateboarding. Koichi Hayashida, a leading figure in recent Mario titles, revealed that particular piece of information when on stage, but in an interview...

  • News Wii Remotes Can Help Diagnose Eye Disorder

    No, really

    The humble Wii has been a lot of things in its lifespan beyond a simple gaming machine. It's become an alternative exercise centre, dance studio, artist's easel and, of course, a games console. The Wii Remote, meanwhile, has been possibly the most creatively-used game controller in the industry's history, with its motion capabilities...

  • News New PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Trailers Arrive

    Cute and deadly

    PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond has already arrived in North America, with the European release on the way, and promises to bring more typically colourful and cute gaming to the franchise. The latest trailers released by Nintendo UK show all four playable characters in action, giving you an idea of how the action unfolds and the sheer...

  • Feature Nintendo's Motion Revolution

    Gaming for everyone

    The release of the Famicom is often regarded as one of the biggest moments in gaming history, as it not only brought Nintendo into the home console arena, but it also introduced the world to a plumber named Mario. The console, as we know, proved to be an incredible success and has helped create the industry we have today, but...

  • News Super Mario Galaxy Blasts Past 5 Million Milestone

    Come in, number nine

    Super Mario Galaxy just became the ninth Wii game to pass 5 million units in the United States after just four years on sale. Mario's first intergalactic adventure joins an auspicious list of other games sitting above the 5m mark in the U.S.: Wii Play (13.06 million) Mario Kart Wii (11.3 million) New Super Mario Bros.

  • News Mario Party 9 is Coming Up the UK Charts

    So you better get it started

    Mario Party 9 may be trying a few new things, but it still knows how to keep a crowd happy. In this week's UK software charts the latest entry in the series has secured a very respectable third place, grabbing it a useful stash of mini-stars in the process. This is apparently the highest debut UK chart position for the...

  • News Nintendo: "We Refuse to Succumb to Patent Trolls"

    Wii Fit patent case dismissed

    Rick Flamm, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of Legal & General Counsel, has spoken out against "patent trolls" after winning a third litigation case this year. Californian firm IA Labs claimed that the Wii Balance Board and Wii Fit software infringed on U.S. Patent No. 7,121,982. IA Labs'...

  • Review Mario Party 9 (Wii)

    Life and soul

    Nintendo's never been afraid to capitalise on the success of its franchises or, as some would say, beat its successful games to within an inch of their lives. Who knew when the very first Mario Party hit N64 in 1998 that, 14 years later, we'd be staring at the 11th — 12th if you count Mario Party-e — instalment in the series? After...

  • News 3DS Continues to Dominate in Japan

    Outselling all the rest

    Any suspicion that the 3DS revival in Japan was a temporary improvement is still being disproven, with the latest Japanese charts showing another strong showing for the handheld. With 3DS software also prominent, the handheld is still on a roll in its homeland. The latest Media Create results, as reported by Andriasang, show...

February2012

  • News Nintendo and Radio Disney Team Up for Mario Party... Party

    What else?

    Nintendo of America is preparing a big bash for Mario Party 9, joining up with Radio Disney and Big Brothers Big Sisters for its New York launch shindig on 9th March, two days ahead of the game's official release. Four fortunate Radio Disney 1560 AM listeners will win entry to the event so they can "party with Mario and Luigi"...

  • News GAME Not Selling Mario Party 9

    Not available online either

    It's emerged today that UK retailer GAME will not be stocking Mario Party 9 when it's released this coming Friday. In a Nintendo statement GAME and Gamestation, which are both part of GAME Group plc., were omitted from a list of retailers where the title will be available. At the current time the retail group doesn't have...

  • News What's New in Mario Party 9? This Trailer Knows

    Star of the show

    Nintendo's Mario Party 9 is out this week in Europe with a North American release to follow, but if you're not sure what's new in this 11th instalment in the series — don't forget Mario Party DS and Mario Party Advance — Nintendo's put together a video to explain. The trailer highlights some of the brand new boss fights with...

  • News Pandora's Tower Limited Edition Laid Bare

    Book, box and beyond

    Nintendo of Europe has released a clearer image of what you can expect when the Pandora's Tower limited edition releases in Europe on 13th April. Like The Last Story before it, the special bundle includes steelbook packaging and an art book, though there's no soundtrack this time. All these special editions of Japanese games...

  • News Wii Motion Gaming Won't Guarantee Better Fitness

    According to research in the U.S.

    Since the arrival of Wii in 2006 the concept of motion gaming has not only became mainstream, but has arguably dominated the so-called 'casual' gaming scene. Not to be distracted by the term, it's safe to say that a fair proportion of Wii sales can be attributed to families and people new to gaming who have been...

  • News Sakaguchi's The Last Story Launch Trailer is In

    Director has the final say

    The Last Story is out today in Europe and creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has co-directed a trailer to get you even more excited. The trailer below gives you an idea of the scale you can expect from Sakaguchi's latest Wii RPG, which by our reckoning is rather good. Don't believe us? Our The Last Story review is pretty...

  • Reaction Nintendo Direct - Nintendo Joins the Modern Age

    Bringing the hype

    Yesterday, on the same day that rival Sony launched PlayStation Vita in Europe and North America, Nintendo hosted three online broadcasts designed to reveal and publicise upcoming services and titles. It was the second time Nintendo Direct had taken place, though the timing and execution of this second run showed that the company...

  • News Now GAME Pulls The Last Story Completely

    No stock at all

    Yesterday we reported that GAME won't stock The Last Story limited edition but now it's dropped the game completely. A Nintendo Life reader received this email about his pre-order: Unfortunately we are no longer stocking The Last Story on Wii. If you return to the store they will be happy to refund your £5.00 deposit. I apologise...

  • News Mega Man X the Highlight of Europe's Wii Schedule

    Notable absences, though

    Capcom will finally release Super Nintendo classic Mega Man X in Europe next month, nearly a whole year after its North American début in April 2011. The 16-bit blaster isn't the only Virtual Console game present in Nintendo's release list for early 2012 — while there's no Strider or Super Street Fighter II with online...

  • News The Last Story Coming to Wii in North America

    At last!

    Your prayers have been answered: The Last Story is coming to North America. XSEED Games is publishing the critically acclaimed RPG in North America later in 2012, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced. You can read our The Last Story review to find out why this game is worth the wait.

  • News Watch the US Nintendo Direct Here - 22nd February 2012

    We've got it all

    Reggie Fils-Aime's Nintendo Direct is up on YouTube now and you can watch it all right here. Why not share your comments with our other users in the discussion section below? Talk about the latest release dates, revelations and more with fellow 3DS and Wii fans.

  • News Pandora's Tower to Get Limited Edition Release

    Everyone's in on the act

    Nintendo's finally cottoned on that limited editions of games are definitely A Good Thing. Following the limited edition releases of Xenoblade Chronicles and upcoming The Last Story, April's big Wii game Pandora's Tower will also get a limited edition release. Like The Last Story, Pandora's Tower will come with a steel book...

  • News Project Zero 2: Wii Edition Confirmed for Europe

    Spooky goings-on

    After what seems like an age of "will it, won't it?" Nintendo of Europe has confirmed that Project Zero 2: Wii Edition will come to Europe. Nintendo UK revealed the news through its new official Twitter account, also confirming that Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir will come to the continent in 2012. So that's one more Wii...

  • News Reggie Also Presenting Nintendo Direct Tomorrow

    Time for some fevered speculation

    Earlier today we reported that Nintendo Japan is hosting Nintendo Direct tomorrow, but it transpires that this will be a triple act, with Europe and North America in on the act too. As some have already pointed out in the previous article, Reggie Fil-Aime will be hosting his own presentation tomorrow after Satoru...

  • News Nintendo Japan Drops Wii no Ma Service

    No ma no more

    With plenty of development ongoing for 3DS and the all-important task of preparing for the launch of Wii U, Nintendo has plenty of work on its plate. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that it will be Wii that loses focus, the latest example being the decision by Nintendo to drop the Japan-exclusive Wii no Ma service, with it...

  • News Young Justice to Clean Up Wii and DS

    Holy licensing, Batman

    For those of you in North America that enjoy some cartoons on a Saturday morning, you may be looking forward to the upcoming second series of the Young Justice series, which follows teenage superheroes and sidekicks from the DC Universe as they fight crime. A series like this is also ripe for a video game, and it seems that...

  • Review The Last Story (Wii)

    A memorable tale

    As the Wii prepares to be usurped by its successor, you could argue the console's getting some exceptional adventures in its twilight. European gamers had the pleasure of working through epics such as The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Xenoblade Chronicles in 2011, with North America due to receive the latter soon. For those...

  • News Nintendo Japan Hosts Nintendo Direct Tomorrow

    Why tomorrow..?

    Nintendo Japan will host another of its Nintendo Direct internet broadcasts tomorrow at 8pm Japan time (11am GMT / 6am EST / 3am PST). Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will discuss the latest Wii and 3DS developments, so you never know what we might see. The last broadcast, on 27th December, showcased Fire Emblem: Kakusei and Kid...

  • Feature Hironobu Sakaguchi's BAFTA Presentation

    Final Fantasy creator speaks up

    Last night Nintendo Life editor James Newton attended a presentation by Final Fantasy creator and The Last Story director Hironobu Sakaguchi at London's BAFTA HQ. The famous developer reflected on his 25+ years of industry experience and his latest project, answering questions from the packed-out audience. The night...

  • Review Rhythm Heaven Fever (Wii)

    Fever pitch

    Rhythm Heaven games are the kind whose sole purpose is to make you smile. You might even say that it's a lot like a not-terrifying clown at a kid's party, actually: colourful and light, uncomplicated and wacky yet determined in its mission to entertain the masses. With Rhythm Heaven Fever marking the series' home console debut, Rhythm...

  • News BIT.TRIP Collections Come to Europe on 16th March

    Quicker than we thought

    Rising Star Games has revealed it's accelerating the release of BIT.TRIP COMPLETE and BIT.TRIP SAGA by seven Earth days. The compilations will now reach European shores on 16th March 2012 instead of the widely advertised 23rd March release date. If you're not sure which game to get, try out BIT.TRIP SAGA review paired with...

  • News Hulu Plus Arrives on Wii

    Two weeks free for non-subscribers

    There has been plenty of focus on the potential arrival of Hulu Plus on 3DS, though details of a launch date have been in short supply. It seems that the Wii has snapped up the service first, with a new app appearing today on the Wii Shop Channel in the U.S. Subscribers to Hulu Plus can start streaming TV shows and...

  • News Wii Sensor Bar Works Using Heat, Claims UK Newspaper

    WTF mode: engaged

    UK newspaper Metro is renowned for its loose grip on reality — who can forget its 2010 story video gaming leads to surge in rickets? — but it's excelled itself again today. The paper reports an 8-year old boy suffered "severe burns" from two tea light candles. Hardly newsworthy in itself, but the boy was attempting to...

  • News New Trailer for The Last Story Teams Up for Battle

    Magic and swords galore

    There's now little over a week until The Last Story is released in Europe, and Nintendo has released a new trailer to show off some of the game mechanics. After an introduction to Lazulis City, an important location in the game, the action quickly moves to battle mechanics: a variety of enemies and attack strategies are...

  • News Pandora's Tower Reaches Europe on 13th April

    Action a-go-go, baby

    Nintendo Europe just confirmed it'll release Japanese action RPG Pandora's Tower in just under two months' time The action game with a dark heart will launch across Europe on 13th April, giving you plenty of time to finish The Last Story, which is released on 24th February. The announcement also came with this rather delightful...

  • News 3DS Software Struggles in UK Charts

    Hot in Japan, winter chills in old blighty

    While we've been happy to report the continuing resurgence of 3DS sales in Japan, it looks like success in the UK is proving to be more difficult to achieve. In the latest software charts published by UKIE only one 3DS exclusive, Mario Kart 7, has managed to steer its way into the top 20, sneaking in at...

  • Feature Zelda and Link's Romance in Skyward Sword

    Zelda likes the silent type

    It’s that time of year again, when couples around the world buy each other chocolates and tacky heart shaped gifts. Soon it will be Valentine’s Day, the most loved-up day of the year, and it’s got us thinking about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: a worrying indication that our priorities aren’t matching the...

  • News Skyward Sword Up for BAFTA Game of 2011

    You can make it happen

    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has been nominated for the BAFTA GAME Award 2011, the only award determined by a public vote. Link's latest is the only Nintendo-exclusive game on the shortlist, but if you want to support it you can vote for Skyward Sword. You don't even need to be a UK resident, so go nuts. Here's the...

  • News Fee Fi Fo Fum, Activision Announces Skylanders Giants

    Out this fall

    After the runaway success of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure it's no surprise Activision is already planning another instalment, revealing Skylanders Giants at the American International Toy Fair. The next game — fully compatible with previous toys, kids — features figures twice the size of their predecessors that light up. You know...

  • News Vote Now for Xenoblade Chronicles' Reversible Cover

    Inside out

    Xenoblade Chronicles is just two months from finally reaching North America, and Nintendo wants you to choose the art displayed on the reverse of the game's cover. Nintendo of Europe held a similar campaign last year, but Nintendo of America has opened up the vote over on its Facebook page. Head over to

  • Review Back to the Future: The Game (Wii)

    Make like a tree and read this review

    They say that if you were to travel back a million years and step on a butterfly, you could wipe out an entire species and change the world forever with that one seemingly infinitesimal move. When Marty McFly took a shorter excursion, back three decades to 1955, he almost erased his own existence in a similar...

  • Review Wicked Monsters Blast (Wii)

    Monster mash

    Cute cartoon creatures; simplistic shooting; a mixture of mini-games. Wicked Monsters Blast is a kids game by-the-numbers, but its charm and heavy nods towards arcade classics such as Point Blank could have youngsters going crackers for these animals despite a slim number of levels. Wicked Monsters Blast is easy to pick up, with scant...

  • News The Last Story Gets New Site and Iwata Asks

    Getting nearer

    Europe's just 18 days away from The Last Story, and Nintendo wants to get you geared up with a new website and Iwata Asks interview. The official The Last Story website has sections dedicated to explaining the multiplayer, item customisation and combat, but an obvious highlight is the music section which contains seven tracks from the...

  • News Mario & Sonic London Olympics Sprints to 2m Sales

    Going for gold

    SEGA's latest — perhaps last — Wii game, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games has sold over two million copies since its November release. The mediocre outing reached 2.39m sales in the last quarter, easily dwarfing sales of the far superior Sonic Generations on PS3, 360, PC and stablemate Sonic Generations on 3DS:...

  • News Deep Silver Signs Back to the Future for Europe

    Heavy

    Telltale Games' homage to classic 1980s movie series Back to the Future is coming to Europe, courtesy of Deep Silver. Back to the Future: The Game will release on Wii in the first quarter of this year, with the original English language voice overs intact. It'll also feature German voice and subtitles or French subtitles. DEEP SILVER TO...

  • News Get Jiggy with BIT.TRIP and Nintendisco

    Find those dancing shoes

    The arrival of BIT.TRIP COMPLETE and BIT.TRIP SAGA has been a long time coming in Europe. Thanks to Rising Star Games there isn't long to wait, with both titles due to release soon. To celebrate the occasion there's to be a free BIT.TRIP themed Nintendisco on 7th February in London. There'll be opportunities to play both...

  • News New Trailer for The Last Story Introduces Characters

    It's all so dramatic

    The latest trailer for The Last Story has arrived, introducing the main group of characters and showing off some dramatic moments. There are a lot of grand set-pieces, clashing swords and even a dragon packed into the second half, suggesting that Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi hasn't held back in the storyline. The...

  • News Xenoblade Chronicles Hits North America on 6th April

    Time to gear up

    Long-awaited Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles is finally heading Stateside on 6th April. Monolith Soft's epic adventure lands in just over two months, giving you plenty of time to read our Xenoblade Chronicles review and get all excited about being able to play it. There's also an enlightening Iwata Asks: Xenoblade Chronicles that delves...

  • News Feel the Beat at Rhythm Heaven Launch Event in L.A.

    Don't forget your groove

    Nintendo has announced a swanky launch event to celebrate the upcoming North American release of Rhythm Heaven Fever. Taking place on Friday 10th February, the evening will include a chance to play the game as well as freebies, food and other entertainment. The launch is open to the public on a first-come, first-served...

January2012

  • News New Rhythm Heaven Fever Trailer Makes No Sense

    And that's why we love it

    Of course the new video for Rhythm Heaven Fever defies explanation: that's a series trademark by now. Dancing lobsters, on-stage baseball and a cryptic message in the final frame all make this one of those trailers you'll tell the grandkids about. North America, you get the game on 13th February.

  • Review Winter Sports 2012: Feel the Spirit (Wii)

    Winter blunderland

    Another month, and yet another collection of motion controlled recreations of various sports rears its head on Wii, a console that already has sports-based minigame collections in unparalleled abundance. The latest contender to make a foolish bid to overthrow Wii Sports Resort as the undisputed champion of must-have titles for...

  • News Hironobu Sakaguchi Tours UK to Promote The Last Story

    BAFTA be there

    The Last Story is one month from launch, and creator Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming to the UK to promote it. Sakaguchi will address the British Academy of Film and Television Arts on Thursday 16th February, discussing his lengthy career and demonstrating his latest title. The event is open to the public and press, with tickets costing...

  • News Mario Kart Wii Races Past 30 Million Sales Milestone

    No brakes

    Mario Kart Wii has sold a whopping 31.9 million units around the world. The Wii racer has shifted 4.9m copies worldwide since April, standing as the biggest-selling Wii game of the financial year so far. It's not the only Mario game hitting milestones: perhaps due to its inclusion in the Nintendo Selects range, Super Mario Galaxy has...

  • News PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Gets European Release Date

    Quick, March

    Pikachu's next adventure reaches Europe on 23rd March. PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond reaches the continent nearly a month after its North American release of 27th February, landing in Europe on the same day as Kid Icarus: Uprising. We weren't terribly impressed by the original, as our PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure review makes clear,...

  • News Wii Sales Take Serious Year-on-Year Fall

    Systems and software both tumble

    While 3DS is in the ascendancy, Wii's certainly showing its age now, with sales for the year down 35% on the previous year. Globally, Nintendo sold 5.61 million Wii consoles in the months of October to December, taking the system's total financial year sales to 8.96m. At the same point in the previous financial year,...