Wii U eShop - News
February2015
Snap judgement
Indie developers seem to be doing a great job of delivering games with local multiplayer to the Wii U eShop as of late. From Chariot to GetClose: A Game for RIVALS, Sportsball to Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, affordable — and quality — entertainment with the intention of livening up a living room is readily...
"If we find the right answer, Nintendo will prosper as a company"
Nintendo has finally published its official translations of the recent Investor Q & A that Satoru Iwata hosted, and while it's light on reveals it does have a variety of answers that provide insight into the company's approach. The overall tone is one of certainty, with Iwata-san...
News Clive 'N' Wrench Aims to Bring Back Those Rare 3D Platforming Memories on Wii U
Inspired by Banjo-Kazooie et al
If you owned a Nintendo 64 in its heyday, or have familiarised yourself with its library in recent times, you'll have done a lot of 3D platforming and collecting. It may seem old-hat now, but the concept of running around in a 3D world collecting trinkets was somewhat mind-blowing, and Rare was prolific - titles like...
Nintendo Download 26th February (Europe)
Hyrule Warriors DLC, Pac-Attack, Titan Attacks, Kirby HOME themes and more
It's Monday morning, but that's a good thing if you're a Nintendo fan in Europe, as it brings us the latest Nintendo Download Update news. This week has some typically bonkers Wii U DLC along with a range of rather tempting downloads on both systems. Let's get to it. Wii U...
News Zen Pinball 2 Set to Hit a New High Score for Number of Tables Available
Wii U release date hopefully coming soon
Zen Pinball 2 is the main pinball experience on Wii U; it's already host to a massive collection of pinball tables, but it looks like a couple more are set to join the list in the near future. Announced via the official Zen Studios Blog, the Iron & Steel Pack has been confirmed to be added into the game...
News Indie Title Bizerta: Silent Evil is Stalking its Way to Wii U
Resident Hill
The Wii U is relatively lacking in the horror games department - games such as ZombiU and Resident Evil Revelations are few and far between, leaving players looking for a good thrill disappointed. It's possible that Fatal Frame V could be set to rectify that, but there's no confirmation of that getti
Pure and Simple
Every so often a video game will emerge which further dissembles the division between games and art; it's fair to say that Blek is one of those titles. Its miminimalistic, unsophisticated presentation and engaging puzzles garnered it resoundingly high praise following its release on iOS and Android, and resulted in developer Kunabi...
Slightly less than super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts
Once upon a time when arcades were vibrant and 2D platform games were all the rage, Capcom struck gold with the original Ghosts 'N Goblins. The legendary tale of Sir Arthur and his quest to save Princess Prin Prin from demons was a huge success, but also notoriously difficult. Super tough from the off, in...
News Intriguing Indie Developer Simogo Teases Wii U Projects
Experimental games could be a good fit for the GamePad
The Wii U eShop has attracted its fair share of intriguing games, including titles that have previously made their mark on PC and / or smart devices. Small Indie developers are no doubt attracted by Nintendo's relatively open approach to the eShop, and support - not to mention a free licence -...
Video Check Out Kirby's Adventure Wii on the Wii U eShop
You'll need shades with all those colours!
Nintendo's latest Wii digital re-release for Wii U in Europe is Kirby's Adventure Wii - AKA Kirby's Return To Dream Land. This Wii title from 2011 is a back-to-basics adventure that puts Kirby into familiar territory - there's no need to complain if you're in North America, you get the brand new Kirby and...
News Rodea: The Sky Soldier Confirmed For Release In North America And Europe
Arriving this fall
After a disjointed development cycle, Rodea: The Sky Soldier has now been officially confirmed for a release in the West. NIS America will handle the digital and physical publishing rights of the game on both the Wii U and 3DS, with the title expected to arrive this fall. A copy of the original Wii game is set to be bundled with...
News Children of Morta Hits Stretch Goal to Confirm Wii U Release
Pixel-based hack 'n slash oh my!
While the standard of many Indie games is truly on another level when compared with the formative days of download gaming, there's often a level of deja-vu and familiarity in their appearance. With engines like Unity prominent small developers have a challenge to make their titles look unique; as a result we think...
Nintendo Download 19th February (North America)
Kirby, Axelay, RPG goodness, microtransactions, DSiWare and more
It's that time again, North American gamers, for details of this week's download goodies to warm us up for the weekend. There's a tempting Wii U retail release, along with a classic SNES shooter, some interesting RPG options on 3DS, the return of DSiWare and more. If that's got your...
News KnapNok Games and Nifflas Exploring Idea of Affordable Space Adventures on 3DS
Focused on the Wii U version for now
Affordable Space Adventures is certainly on our radar here at Nintendo Life - its unique use of the GamePad and integration of co-op has caught our attention, and we've already named it as one of the biggest Wii U games of 2015. A development partnership between KnapNok Games - Spin The Bottle: Bumpie's Party -...
Review Rock 'N Racing Off Road
Not-So-Super Off Road
EnjoyUp was clearly inspired by the classic arcade racer Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road when developing Rock 'N Racing Off Road, an old-school, top-down racer. But while the game looks like a modern update to Super Off Road, it's not nearly as fun or memorable. Unfortunately, Rock 'N Racing Off Road is a disappointing...
News Humphrey, of SPIKEY WALLS Fame, to be a Guest Character in Blocky Bot on Wii U eShop
Because why not?
Earlier this week we told you about Blocky Bot, a budget-priced title on the way from Mobot Studios. Though typically associated with fairly substantial download titles, the developer explained that it wants to produce a fun game that's suitable for short, snappy gaming sessions. It'll be "a bit of a mash up" of styles and genres...
Videos show them off and hopefully point to similar Western releases
After a two week absence for Wii downloads on the eShop, this week's European Nintendo Download Update details confirmed the arrival of Kirby's Adventure Wii in the region. With that confirmed, focus for Wii fans inevitably turns to the remaining games that have already been...
Fun as a barrel thereof
Ever since Tetris introduced gamers to the joys of skydiving shapes, block-dropping puzzlers have fallen into place on nearly every console and handheld under the sun, and for good reason: they're simple to learn, endlessly replayable, and - when done right - utterly addicting. Seeking to fill a simian-sized gap in the Wii...
News SteamWorld Heist to be Playable At Upcoming US and UK Events
PAX East, EXG Rezzed and The Steampunk World’s Fair
SteamWorld Heist is set to be one of the most intriguing download releases of 2015. A follow-up - but not sequel - to the hugely popular SteamWorld Dig, developer Image & Form is aiming to release the title across multiple platforms, including the eShop on Wii U and 3DS. It's a departure for...
Talks self-publishing, New Nintendo 3DS XL and more at Indiecade East
Nintendo recently attended Indiecade East 2015 in New York, where Damon Baker - Senior Manager in Marketing and Licensing - met with fans and developers alike, and led a seminar called "Self-Publishing with Nintendo." Nintendo Life attended the informative seminar and then had a...
"The core audience... we weren't going to win with them on that decision"
Nintendo of America has been an active supporter of Indiecade in recent years, and recently attended the New York based Indiecade East event to showcase eShop releases and to promote the Wii U and 3DS as valid platforms for small developers of all types. It was in attendance...
Review Mega Man Battle Network 2
Casting a wider net
The world as portrayed in the Mega Man Battle Network series is so ridiculous and yet so outlandishly awesome that it's hard not to adore. In our boring reality, if your toaster doesn't work it means you're pretty much out of luck. In the Battle Network world, it more likely means you need to upload your virtual companion into...
News Nintendo to Introduce Free Software With NES and SNES Experiences Activated Through amiibo
North America shown to be dominant in amiibo shipments
Nintendo's Investor Briefing and Q & A is underway after its postponement of a couple of weeks, and Satoru Iwata's Presentation has been uploaded to the company's Japanese website. It's heavily focused on sales patterns rather than outlining new products or core strategies, but one new...
Tony Hawk's Pro Porpoise
Every once in a while, a game comes along that you didn't know you wanted. Rawkins Games' Dolphin Up is one such title, providing a surprising amount of entertainment with an extremely simple concept. Being a port of a mobile title from a few years ago, its simplicity comes as no surprise — and, with a few more additions,...
Master your blast!
The latest eShop release of Sunsoft's 1988 NES classic, Blaster Master, marks the title's third Virtual Console appearance. With the game previously sighted on the Wii and more recently the 3DS, now it's the Wii U's turn to host this side-scrolling and top-down platform shooter that has since spawned an entire series. The western...
Video ZaciSa's Last Stand Update Detailed and Shown Off in New Trailer
A belated Valentine
Not so long ago we revealed details of ZaciSa: Defense of the Crayon Dimension, an expanded version of ZaciSa's Last Stand that'll finally make its way to Europe. Developer ZenFa Productions did promise a free update with additional content for the North American version in that announcement, however, and has used the Valentine's...
News Mobot Studios Aims for High Quality Fun at a Budget Price with Blocky Bot on Wii U
"Sometimes you just want to sit down and play something fun for 10 minutes"
The Wii U eShop - particularly in North America - has been host to a number of budget releases aiming to deliver quick, harmless fun; while some have succeeded, there have also been plenty of disappointments. Experienced developer Mobot Studios is next to step up to the...
Nintendo Download 19th February (Europe)
Wii downloads return with Kirby, classic Castlevania, GBA goodness and more
Monday morning can be a dreary time, but Nintendo of Europe has sent out the Download Update details for the coming week to bring some sunshine into your life. After a two week absence we see the return of Wii downloads on the eShop, some retro classics, DLC, loads of...
Geometry Bores
Tri-Strip is a puzzle game about placing strips of triangles into a grid to make squares, which clears up space and nets you points; using the stylus, touchscreen and a single button, you can strategically drag, drop and rotate pieces into open spots. It's a style of play that requires a little bit more hesitation and thought when...
Nintendo Download 12th February (North America)
Majora's Mask 3D! Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate! 3D Fantasy Zone! More!
It's a big week for 3DS fans, with the coming weekend bringing North American gamers the New Nintendo 3DS XL and some eagerly anticipated retail games. Beyond the obvious big-hitters there are also some interesting download-only efforts, another classic 3D remaster from Sega and a...
News Curve Digital is Plotting an Honest Release With The Swindle on Wii U
Steampunk Heist
Curve Digital recently announced a partnership with Size Five Games to bring its Steampunk Cybercrime Caper, The Swindle, to the Wii U eShop in 2015. This version of The Swindle will be developed and published by Curve, and will launch on the Wii U and practically every other platform know to man except the 3DS. Dan Marshall,...
News Sneaky Ninja Infiltrates Kickstarter
Touted as "Mario meets Mark of the Ninja"
Ninja come in several different varieties, but few seem to be as round or whimsical as those in Stafall Studios' Sneaky Ninja. The egg-like masters of shadow are the focus of a Kickstarter campaign with a Wii U release as one of the main goals. According to the Sneaky Ninja Kickstarter page, the game plans...
News RCMADIAX Scales Back Wii U Plans for 2015
Likely to focus "on platforms with a larger install base" in 2016
RCMADIAX was the first developer to release a Wii U eShop title that utilised the Nintendo Web Framework - BLOK DROP U. The studio's strategy throughout the remainder of the year was to release a series of bite-sized concept games, available at budget prices and relatively simple to...
News Spin the Bottle And Knytt Underground Going Half Price This Week
Makes the wait for Affordable Space Adventures a little easier
Affordable Space Adventures is coming soon to the Wii U eShop, and to celebrate the impending release KnapNok and Nifflas have slashed 50 percent off the price of Spin the Bottle: Bumpie's Party and Knytt Underground. Both titles will retail for €3.99 / £3.99 / $5.99 until February...
News 2D Platformer Mekazoo Swinging onto Wii U Later This Year
Robotic animals and high-speed platforming. Sound familiar?
Seattle-based indie developer The Good Mood Creators has announced the upcoming release of Mekazoo, an absolutely stunning 2D platformer for Nintendo Wii U. While an official date has yet to be revealed, this is definitely one to keep on your radar if you're a fan of side-scrolling...
News Candlelight Studios' Untold Story Could Potentially Be Told On Wii U
It starts with a spark
It seems like there's currently a renaissance of sorts happening regarding retro RPGs. Seeking to recreate the glory days of Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy, many indie developers are putting out RPGs featuring sprites, classes, towns, turn-based combat, and all the trimmings of the RPG days of yore. Candlelight Studios is...
Nintendo Download 12th February (Europe)
Majora's Mask 3D! Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate! Ace Combat! Kirby! More!
It's an exciting week for dedicated Nintendo gamers in Europe, with the New Nintendo 3DS arriving in stores and some long-awaiting retail games also landing in the eShop. Nintendo of Europe kept us waiting, but we now know that beyond those big-name releases there are loads of...
News GBA Classics Sonic Advance And Mega Man & Bass Arrive On The Japanese Wii U eShop Next Week
Two welcomed additions
SEGA and Capcom continue their strong support for Nintendo’s digital eShop platform next week, with the simultaneous release of Sonic Advance and Mega Man & Bass on the Japanese Wii U Virtual Console. Priced at 702 yen each, the 2001 and 2002 Game Boy Advance titles will be unleashed on 18th February. Sonic Advance is...
News Conker Creator Chris Seavor Reveals More Details On The Origins Of Rusty Pup
Latest game from former Rare duo is shaping up nicely
It's been a while since we reported on The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup, a new title for the Wii U and 3DS eShops from former Rare staffers Chris Seavor and Shawn Pile. Since bringing you the exclusive news that the title was headed to Nintendo formats, things have been a little on the quiet side...
Zero times two
Just one year after Mega Man Zero, Inti Creates released a sequel for the Game Boy Advance spin-off. That might sound a bit quick, but Mega Man Zero 2 is no mindless cash-in. It took the sturdy foundation set by its predecessor and built upon it in impressive ways, while also smoothing out the rough edges. On top of that it wove an...
News Eiji Aonuma Launches a Majora's Mask 3D Art Academy Contest on Miiverse
May have had a PA write the post, we'll never know
We're well aware that a good number of the Nintendo Life community are rather talented artists, or perhaps enjoy looking at others' masterpieces, so it's worth noting that one of the best Art Academy: SketchPad contests to date is underway. As you can see in the entry above it's based on The Legend...
News Trashmania Trilogy Developer Unsure Of Wii U eShop Title’s Future
Unable to confirm if the game will even be completed
The creator of the upcoming Wii U eShop title, Trashmania Trilogy – including Trashmania, Trashmania: Remix, and Trashmania: After Dark – has revealed he is unsure of the game’s future. Jonathan Bont, the indie developer previously best known for his efforts on the Ouya, delivered the news...
News Renegade Kid Reveals a Snippet of Information on eShop Sales
Keep it up
Renegade Kid has been a longtime supporter of the Nintendo eShop, with games such as Mutant Mudds, Xeodrifter, Bomb Monkey, and more periodically turning up through the storefront's lifespan. Particularly fond of retro inspired games - with Moon Chronicles and ATV Wild Ride 3D being notable exceptions - the studio's shown
Avian aggravation
From the title alone, it's pretty easy to tell that Frenchy Bird is yet another in the line of Flappy Bird imitators released on the Wii U eShop. Yet whereas some of its competitors have been content to merely replicate the feel of the original, Frenchy Bird makes the bold move of replicating it with personality. Goofy music,...
News Nintendo Remains Silent on Third Party Wii Games Coming to the eShop
We can but hope...
In a rather surprising announcement during last month's Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that select games from the Wii catalogue would be making their way onto the Wii U eShop; it's been the first time that full scale Wii retail games have been available to download. Since then four Nintendo games have shown up (three each in...
Video The Latest Trailer For RIVE Will Dent Your Resolve And Melt Your Eyeballs
"There's fun in failure"
Two Tribes' upcoming Wii U eShop shooter RIVE has been on our radar since it was first announced, and the studio has now released another trailer which celebrates that thing we all try to avoid: failure. The new footage - shown below - was, according to Two Tribes' Collin van Ginkel, inspired by observing players at gaming...
Nintendo Download 5th February (North America)
MH4U demo, Hyrule Warriors Majora's Mask DLC, Moon Chronicles and much more
It's that time again, North American gamers, for Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a popular demo for an upcoming Capcom blockbuster, concluding episodes from Renegade Kid, some fun hack-and-slash Zelda DLC, a pre-purchase and download on a Wii U retail...
News Curve Digital Confirms OlliOlli Release Window on Nintendo Consoles
Grinding onto Wii U and 3DS mid-March
We reported late last year that 'sick' indie skateboarding title OlliOlli would be making an appearance on Nintendo consoles in early 2015, and now the hype is real. Publisher Curve Digital, the same company that brought indie hits such as The Swapper and Thomas Was Alone to Nintendo platforms, has confirmed t
Citizens, Unite Up!!
ATTENTION ALL RESIDENTS OF THIS FINE, BLUE PLANET WE CALL EARTH! Permit me a moment and I'll show you that role playing games don't all have to be about swinging swords and finding mystical artifacts. They don't have to use that tired old fantasy setting we've grown so used to, or even star a typical protagonist! Here, your...
News Ubisoft Launches Yet Another Massive eShop Sale in North America
Watch Dogs! Rayman Legends! ZombiU! More good (and rubbish) games!
Ubisoft may not be throwing games at Nintendo systems any more, but it sure is happy to run eShop discounts on its older titles. Every few months we see plenty of price reductions, and the latest promotional batch has now been announced for North America. Available now and running...
Nintendo Download 5th February (Europe)
Shantae's back, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate demo, Zero 2 and more
It's the morning after the late night watching the Super Bowl, or just a normal Monday depending on your preferences, but nevertheless Nintendo of Europe's been so kind as to issue its Download Update details. It's an enticing week, with WayForward's third Shantae game finally hitting...
Breezy
One of a growing number of indie titles appearing on the Wii U eShop, Breezeblox is a block-rolling puzzle game from début developer Brennan Maddox that, on first glance, seems to owe more than a little to mobigame's cube-based classic EDGE. Beyond the minimalist aesthetic and Cartesian conceit, however, they're very different games, and...
January2015
News Sega's Wonder Boy Lives On In Monster Boy, And He Could Be Coming To Wii U
Made in collaboration with series creator Ryuichi Nishizawa
Sega's Wonder Boy series - produced with the now defunct Westone - is one of those classic 8 and 16-bit franchises which tragically never made the transition to 3D, and as a result has faded into memory in recent times. However, things are looking up for fans. While we're not exactly...
A decent par
Atmosphere holds a lot of weight to a game's appeal. Case in point: for all the popularity of gritty military shooters and edgy, hyper-realistic open world games today, there seems to be a sizeable demographic of players wearied by the very thought of jumping into these genres. Beyond disinterest in their gameplay, their lack of...
News Dolphin Up Splashes Onto The North American Wii U eShop February 5th
From the sea to the skies
Dolphin Up was expected to wash up on the Wii U eShop last year, and in the end, never arrived. After being lost at sea for several months, the title’s publisher, Rawkins Games, has now revealed Dolphin Up will be released in North America next month, on 5th February. As originally reported, Dolphin Up for Wii U is a...
News Week Three of the eShop Throwback Sale Goes Live in North America
Metroid Prime Trilogy, Mario Kart 8, Mario Golf: World Tour and more
In a move poised to please Metroid fans and ruin bidding wars for some, Nintendo has graciously released the Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Wii U eShop. Spearheading the third week of the North American "Throwback Sale," the beloved trilogy is available for a whopping 50% off its...
Nintendo Download 29th January (North America)
Metroid Prime Trilogy, Gunman Clive 2, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. demo and more
Nintendo of America was particularly late with its Download Update details today, so as a result we initially produced a provisional list; thankfully the official details have now been issued. As expected there's a much anticipated Wii download on the Wii U eShop, a top-notch...
News Ninja Pig Pulls The Plug On Wii U eShop Title Jumpy Cat
Following problems with art assets
A short time ago we reported that Ninja Pig Studios' next Wii U eShop title Jumpy Cat used stolen art assets, a situation which led to Ninja Pig delaying the launch of the game in North America. It now appears that the Meme Run publisher has cancelled the release of the game altogether. Although the artwork...
News Renegade Kid Cranks Difficulty To Max In Mutant Mudds Super Challenge For Wii U & 3DS
Prepare for pain!
Fans of Mutant Mudds rejoice, indie studio Renegade Kid has announced via the game's official Twitter account the development of a brand new Mutant Mudds title for the Wii U and 3DS eShops. Mutant Mudds Super Challenge first teased on Twitter, will be further detailed in the upcoming issue of Nintendo Force magazine. The new entry...
News Mobile Hit Badland Is Coming To The Wii U eShop
Redesigned Game of the Year Edition
With the number of sloppy mobile ports on Nintendo's eShop platform steadily increasing, developer Frogmind Games is aiming to improve the overall quality of offerings available, announcing their critically acclaimed iOS and Android title, Badland, is on its way to the Wii U. Since the initial launch of Badland...
News Antipole Gets the DX Treatment in Flip to 3DS and Wii U
Hurricane season is returning
Antipole, which emerged in 2011 on DSiWare, was a run 'n gun platformer with a gravity-inverting twist that fueled its fighting and puzzle elements. You also got to play as a red-clad, robot-destroying mercenary named Johnny Hurricane, which is way '90s cool. Developer Saturnine Games has announced that a remake of...
News Not Everyone is Thrilled That Metroid Prime Trilogy Lands on the Wii U eShop Tomorrow
Sorry Nintendo, but you can't please everybody!
For those of you that have defied the odds and are unaware, in the most recent Nintendo Direct a few weeks ago there was the surprise announcement of Wii U eShop digital re-releases for some of the Wii's best games. So far we've had the phenomenal Super Mario Galaxy 2 followed by the excellent
Talking Point Nintendo's Flirtation With Microtransactions May Step Up in 2015
Free-to-play needs to make money somehow...
Nintendo is just hours away - at the time of writing - from announcing its Q3 financial results, which will teach us much about its Holiday season performance. The company's stable share prices approaching the publication of these accounts suggests that we're not looking at apocalyptic target misses, and...
Gallery Art Academy Masters Produce Award-Winning Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Drawings
Some lovely work
An enduring legacy of the DS, 3DS and Wii U in future may well be the use of their resistive touch screens for impressive drawing apps. The Art Academy franchise is front and centre in this respect, giving gamers the tools to express themselves through art or to take tentative first steps in learning how. It's a refreshingly...
News Wii U Release of Soul Axiom Will Search For Meaning in Q4
Full PC arrival in Q2
Just recently we spoke in detail to Wales Interactive about its most notable planned release in 2015 - Soul Axiom. A spiritual successor to Master Reboot, it'll be another title from the developer to grace the Wii U eShop alongside releases on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. It's a project - like Master Reboot - that emphasizes creative...
Dragon its heels behind the competition
The age of the 16-bit RPG is well-remembered, and many iconic titles from the time are still cherished by fans to this day. From Final Fantasy III to Chrono Trigger, the genre showed genuine growth through some shining examples of emotive storytelling mixed with addictive gameplay. Not one to miss out on all...
News RCMADIAX Confirms European Release Line-Up for the First Half of 2015
Playing catch-up
Earlier today we revealed that ZeNfa Productions is going to make its Wii U eShop début in Europe with ZaciSa: Defense of the Crayon!, an expanded and improved version of ZaciSa's Last Stand. There are a number of developers that released their first games on the Wii U eShop in 2014 - utilising the Nintendo Web Framework - through...
Video 90's Arcade Racer Is Still Alive, And Here's Some Footage To Prove It
Slippin' and slidin', baby
You'd be forgiven for forgetting about 90's Arcade Racer - a game that was first announced back in January 2013 - but we can confirm that it is still very much alive, as this first gameplay video proves. Developer Antonis "Pelikan13" Pelekanos has made it clear in the pas
News ZaciSa: Defense of the Crayon Dimension! Heading to the Wii U eShop in Europe
Extra content will be a patched to ZaciSa's Last Stand in North America
2014 brought a host of first-time developers to the Wii U eShop, particularly through the Nintendo Web Framework. This has often only been the case in North America - however - with a number of these projects not being localised to Europe, in all likelihood due to costs related...
Nintendo Download 29th January (Europe)
Metroid Prime Trilogy, Gunman Clive 2, Classic GBA Castlevania and more
It's Monday again, but this week's Nintendo Download Update for Europe has certainly put a spring in our step. Arguably one of the greatest gaming trilogies is available at a ridiculous introductory price, while we have more treats including a top notch Game Boy Advance...
Limited lexicon
Word games are rather less common these days than in their most prolific period, but if you're going to build one the Wii U seems like prime real estate for doing so. uWordsmith takes advantage of the GamePad to create a simple yet snappy style of wordplay, but some setbacks make it less than letter perfect. Three modes exist in the...
News Key WayForward Director is Bringing His Solo Project to Wii U
Risky move?
It's not uncommon for creative minds at studios to strike out on their own. With limited budgets and resources, companies are sometimes hesitant to take big risks on games that don't necessarily sound like a profitable idea. If the developer really believes that the game is special, he or she may take a chance and shoulder the...
Rumour Cave Story 2 Teased at PAX South and Could Be in the Works
"Maybe, maybe not"
Cave Story is quite the tale of success. Developed over five years by one man, named Daisuke Amaya, it first saw release over ten years ago on PC. Since then, it's received universal acclaim, achieved widespread popularity and has been ported to numerous platforms. Taking inspiration from old school exploration and action games...
Feature 20 Wii Games We'd Love To Download From The Wii U eShop - Part Two
The second 10, plus your chance to vote
With Wii retail games now slowly making their way to the Wii U eShop for download, we kicked off a list of 20 games we hope to see make it to the store. In part one we listed our first 10, which included some likely releases and those that may have sketchier prospects. As the title suggests, however, they're...
Review Electronic Super Joy: Groove City
Groove it or lose it
Electronic Super Joy: Groove City is a weird game. The plot involves a giant robot stripper that loses her laser nipples, and you're trying to get them back so she stops destroying Groove City in a resulting fit of rage. The story matters very little beyond setup purposes, as the majority of the dialogue is delivered through...
Video Donkey Kong Country Returns...To Wii U
It's on like Donkey Kong. Again.
The second Wii re-release has arrived on the European eShop, and it's a doozy. Are you ready for Donkey Kong Country Returns? As we have come to expect from Retro Studios, they knocked it out of the park with a game that apes (pun intended) the original SNES trilogies' gameplay, but is it worth revisiting on Wii U?...
Get creative
Earlier this week we reported on an upcoming Wii U title inspired by Minecraft, in this case developed by Cypronia and called Cube Life: Island Survival. It's not the only block-based world-building title headed to Wii U, and will no doubt hope to grab attention courtesy of the iconic Mojang title. The Creative Mode is, as the name...
News Indie Title Holobunnies Fails to Make The Hop To Consoles
But hey, there'll be a board game!
Kickstarter can be a rather fickle beast. With a veritable sea of pending projects at any one time, making a particular endeavour stand out from the pack can be difficult; especially given the limited budgets and expertise that many aspiring developers have to work with. While there are many great success stories,...
Feature 20 Wii Games We'd Love To Download From The Wii U eShop - Part One
We list our first 10 choices
It seems strange, but a reveal in last week's Nintendo Direct broadcasts that prompted one of the biggest reactions in the Nintendo Life community was confirmation of Wii retail games coming to the Wii U eShop. Bearing in mind that the system is already fully backward compatible we were a little surprised, yet...
News Second Week of Throwback Sale Goes Live on North American eShop
Six more classics to add to your collection
This week's big Wii retail game making its way to the Wii U eShop in North America is none other than Punch-Out!! Launching at 50% off the regular price, the revamped classic brings along with it the next wave of Throwback Sales across both NA eShops. These deals will be available until the next update on...
Nintendo Download 22nd January (North America)
Punch-Out!!, Citizens of Earth, S.C.A.T., discounts and more
As another week heads to a conclusion Nintendo of America is serving up its next batch of eShop treats, and there's certainly decent variety this time around. We have another Wii title on the eShop, the latest Atlus-published releases, some other intriguing Wii U downloads, a Virtual...
Interview Wales Interactive on its Wii U Breakthrough Year and 2015's Soul Axiom
"Why be limited by what's perceived to be real?"
2014 brought a number of new developer names to the Wii U eShop, in particular, one of which was Wales Interactive. Its first release on the home console was Gravity Badgers, a physics action puzzles that provided some fun and was relatively well received. It then showed an entirely different side...
Review Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight
Planet Hopper 1990
Capcom's Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight is an interesting game, arriving on the NES after the release of the first Street Fighter, but before its sequel hit arcades and caused an explosion of interest in one-on-one brawlers. The game's story was changed for the western release to at least try and justify the use of the name...
Not without its faults
If there's one thing that Arc System Works - with this game published by Shin'en Multimedia - can't be accused of, it's of sticking to one genre. Over the years it has displayed a competent ability to develop quality beat 'em ups, side scrolling fighters and even racing games, such as Final Lap, a game that dates as far back...
"Risk taking is generally not really rewarded"
Dan Adelman's former title at Nintendo - Nintendo of America's Head of Digital Content and Development - doesn't necessarily emphasize the importance of his role at the company. He did integral work in helping to develop and improve how Nintendo dealt with download game developers, and was largely...
Exclusive cross-buy discount offer also announced
The last we heard from WayForward about the PAL localisation of Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse was in December with the announcement that the title had been delayed until early 2015. With the New Year now here, WayForward has delivered on its promise, announcing that the latest entry in the...
News Ninja Pig Studios Accused Of Stealing Pixel Art For Forthcoming Wii U Release Jumpy Cat
Meme Run developer in hot water
This week is currently set to see the launch of Ninja Pig Studios' next Wii U eShop title, Jumpy Cat - but the developer behind the infamous Meme Run is already in hot water thanks to accusations that it has used stolen pixel art in its new game. Jumpy Cat is slated for release on January 22nd in North America, but...
A killer hand
Card games certainly have their place in Nintendo's history; any fan of Pokémon will know just how important the trading cards were to the series' success, especially upon its début in the '90s. While it may seem strange to turn a card game into a video game — after all, much of the appeal comes from the physical act of using cards...
Restoring some Life Force to the 2D shooter
When you run through the list of prolific Japanese software houses during the 8 and 16-bit eras, Konami's name is usually pretty close to the top. Like rivals Capcom and Namco, it benefited from the incredible global success of the Nintendo's NES and many of its classic franchises gained astonishing...
Video TreeFall Studios Releases Its First Ever Developers Conference
The hype is real
Indie developer TreeFall Studios -- creator of the infamous Wii U eShop title The Letter -- has just released its first ever Developers Conference on YouTube showing off the company's forthcoming projects. Several brand new titles were showcased, as well as announcements relating to fresh content related to Maze, which recently...
News Cube Life: Island Survival is Another Minecraft-Inspired Title Heading to the Wii U eShop
Cypronia is targeting a Q2 release and a year of updates
The fact that Nintendo's systems are the only major platforms to miss out on Minecraft is well-documented and often discussed, though there have been other developers tossing their hats into the ring on the big N's hardware. The latest to do so on the Wii U is Cypronia, which has announced...
News Rock 'N Racing Off Road Aims to Bring Mayhem to Wii U on 29th January
Measured madness
Retro gamers may have had their eyes turned recently by Rock 'N Racing Off Road, which perhaps brings to mind the classic arcade title Super Off-Road. This top-down racing approach is fairly popular in real-life mini-toy car versions at the moment - with toys controllable via smartphones or tablets - and EnjoyUp Games is clearly...
Nintendo Download 22nd January (Europe)
Triple Donkey Kong, Citizens of Earth, Hazumi, NES themes and more
It's Monday again, but it's time to turn that frown upside down as we have the European Nintendo Download Update, promising some goodies for later in the week. We have a dual Wii U and 3DS release published by Atlus, three Donkey Kong games including one of the last generation's best...
News A Keen Retro Gamer Has Produced a Handy Virtual Console Controller Compatibility Infographic
Yikes, we really do juggle a lot of control options
The Wii and Wii U have plenty of controllers and combinations on offer, even if on most occasions we can instinctively pick up our pad of choice and get on with playing. With the Wii U and Wii Virtual Consoles, though, there can be quirks that trip people up, one being the fact that the Wii U...
Review Cake Ninja 3: The Legend Continues
Legendarily mundane
Apparently, ninjas hate cakes, and developer Cypronia has been struggling to produce a decent game based off this assumption since its first attempt on DSiWare back in 2011. With years of experience under its belt and a baked goods massacre to show for it, has the move to Wii U made for a more substantial title? Let's begin by...
Nintendo Download 15th January (North America)
3D After Burner II, Super Mario Galaxy 2, tempting discounts and much more
In this rather exciting week there's still time for our traditional Nintendo Download Update fix. This latest offering from Nintendo of America is pretty strong, with a variety of titles on Wii U and 3DS full of potential, in addition to some classics and discounts. Let's get...
News Nintendo Kicks Off a "Throwback Sale" on the eShop in North America
Six games discounted until 22nd January
Following yesterday's reveal of Wii retail games on the Wii U eShop, plenty will have been tempted courtesy of the reduced prices in launch week. Nintendo of America's gone beyond that to use the first Wii release as an excuse for a "Throwback Sale", with six games discounted following today's update until...
News Elliot Quest and Blek Bringing More Indie Charm to the Wii U eShop
Gunman Clive 2 pegged for January
In a segment unique to the North American Nintendo Direct, we had a brief look at some upcoming releases for the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Some details reiterated what we already knew, including release information for the concluding parts of Moon Chronicles and others, but there were some fresh games to take in...
News Pixel-Rich Action Platformer Adventures Of Pip Is Leaping To The Wii U eShop This May
Backed by over 2,500 people on Kickstarter
Tic Toc Games has confirmed that its platforming title Adventures of Pip will be hitting the Wii U eShop this May. The title was funded using Kickstarter last year and blew past its funding goal by 164 percent, with over 2,500 backers pledging financial support. Adventures of Pip has a rich pixel-heavy...
Video Does Super Mario Galaxy 2 On Wii U Offer Anything New?
We check out the new digital re-release
A nice surprise during today's Nintendo Direct webcasts was the announcement of digital re-releases for some of the Wii's best games. The very first game is available right now, and it's a stone-cold classic - Super Mario Galaxy 2! If you've never played this game, now is the best chance you hav
