Wii U Features
Feature What We Expect from Nintendo Direct - 12th November
The hype is building
After a long wait it's finally time to think about Nintendo Direct once again. With simultaneous broadcasts in North America and Europe we can expect a show packed with information on Holiday releases, perhaps some titles due in early 2016 and - hopefully - some surprises. We've already written about the need for deep breaths...
Parent Trap Oft-Forgotten Wii U Features That Matter To Families
Family Gamer TV looks at the eShop, backward compatibility and more
Weighing up which console to invest in for a family is a matter of identifying which features are most important to you. I've had a repeated conversation over the last few months where I introduce friends and parents to some of the lesser known features of the Wii U. Some of these...
Tom Whitehead thinks it's time for more cohesion
If you'll allow this wistful 30-something to get out his pipe and slippers for some reminiscing, there was a time when game releases were a mystery and seemingly scheduled by the Marx Brothers. There could be months - or years! - between regional releases in the West, nevermind localising Japanese...
Feature Super Mario Maker’s Weekly Course Collection - 30th October
How many have you beaten?
Super Mario Maker has been out for a while now and we've already seen an impressive number of user-generated stages for players to tackle. So many in fact that it's often hard to know where to begin, but fear not - Nintendo of Europe has taken the liberty of compiling a list of the 10 most popular courses this week. Check...
Preview Hitting the Courts in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
Called out
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is one of a couple of key Holiday releases on the Wii U, fitting snugly into being familiar, accessible and inviting for families, in particular. As it has Mario in the title and is a 'wacky' sports game there's certainly the prospect that it could win over a few households for some multiplayer fun over the...
Feature Smashing TVs Like a Rock Star at the Guitar Hero Live Launch Party
Rock star fantasies become reality
Guitar Hero Live is now in stores, and this week we were lucky enough to be invited by the Activision team to a behind the scenes launch party in London packed with celebs, YouTube stars and as many plastic guitars as you can imagine. Things started off with a bang - quite literally - as former MTV host Laura...
Parent Trap Does The Wii U Still Make Sense For Families?
Andy Robertson takes a family-focused look at Nintendo's console
Choosing a videogame console for a family is a big decision. Get it right and you'll bring a positive experience into the home that matches how you play games together. Get it wrong and you'll be constantly looking over your shoulder at the experience you could have had on another...
We're buying, Nintendo's selling
Rumours around a re-release / remaster of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess have been swirling for quite some time, occasionally a reflection of fan desires rather than any solid evidence. It wasn't so long ago that there was talk of it as a potential New Nintendo 3DS remake, taking the lead of Xenoblade...
Super Nindie Maker Curve Digital's P-Switcheroo and Déja Boo
Throwing a curveball
As you may have seen by now, we really want you all to share Super Mario Maker levels with each other; to achieve that we've set up a special level sharing page with some neat features - just for you. We're also teaming up with some 'Nindies' to share some levels from established and highly respected developers such as Image...
Editorial A Wii U Price Cut is Still Worthwhile Despite Its Ongoing Woes
Nintendo's losing the 'value' appeal
In the last generation of home consoles the Wii was an innovative and fun budget option in the market, while the more powerful HD systems - PS3 and Xbox 360 - came with a premium price tag. As the generation wore on prices naturally dropped and bundles grew in number, but the basic market reality was that the Wii...
Super Nindie Maker Choice Provisions' Paratroopa Pounce
BIT.TRIP POUNCE
As you may have seen by now, we really want you all to share Super Mario Maker levels with each other; to achieve that we've set up a special level sharing page with some neat features - just for you. We're also teaming up with some 'Nindies' to share some levels from established and highly respected developers. We kicked off the...
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2015 - Q4 Edition
Goodies to finish off 2015
Every few months of each year we do lists of what we consider to be ten of the biggest games on each system that are on the way. We're kicking off with the Wii U for this quarter and, although we gave retail and eShop games separate lists earlier in the year, the limited remaining slate for 2015 has prompted us to combine...
First Impressions Taking A Shot At Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water
"I like it here...She's calling me."
The Fatal Frame series, known as Project Zero in Europe, has had an inconsistent presence in the West for quite some time now. Though several installments made their way onto Nintendo consoles - most notably the Wii - fans outside of Japan have grown accustomed to importing in order to get the latest spooky...
Feature Looking at the Building Blocks of LEGO Dimensions
We catch up with TT Games to learn more
Toys to life is now a well-worn term in gaming, rising to prominence when Skylanders started to take over the world. Employing simple NFC technology that had long been part of the lives of daily commuters with travel cards, for example, it turned figurines into vital video game accessories - making stacks of...
Super Nindie Maker Image & Form's Ghostly Mushroom
Spooky...
As you may have seen by now, we really want you all to share Super Mario Maker levels with each other; to achieve that we've set up a special level sharing page with some neat features - just for you. We're also teaming up with some 'Nindies' to share some levels from established and highly respected developers. To start off we have a...
Feature Have You Played... ZombiU?
Horrifyingly cheap and a strong Wii U experience
This is the first of a series of articles that are a reflection of a disappointing reality. The Fall and Holiday line-ups on Wii U and 3DS undoubtedly have some treats and games to be hugely excited about, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes and Xenoblade Chronicles X, yet they're also a...
Talking Point Star Fox Zero's Delay Could Be The Final Nail In The Wii U's Coffin
Nintendo's console now lacks a AAA release this Christmas
The Wii U's dire commercial situation has become something of an industry joke these days, with some of Nintendo's harsher critics taking delight in pointing out how the Japanese firm has gone from an install base of almost 100 million with the Wii to 10 percent of that total in a single...
Guide Unlocking Building Items And More In Super Mario Maker v1.01
For the impatient Mario makers among us
If you're anything like us you'll be itching to unlock all the goodies in Super Mario Maker so you can begin to create amazing levels of your own. Following our recent guide to become an expert Super Mario Maker level designer, we thought newcomers to the game might appreciate a guide on unlocking all these...
Mario History Super Mario Maker - 2015
The culmination of 30 years
In this series of articles we've written about one or more Mario games per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Today we finish with the latest release. After writing a lot of these articles over the past month we end with what will become Mario History in the...
Mario History Mario Kart 8 - 2014
Taking racing to a new level
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Despite its ups and downs the Wii U has delivered a relatively small but distinguished library of excellent...
Mario History Super Mario 3D World - 2013
A new generation of hybrid (no it's not a car)
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. We have a fond story we like to recall about Super Mario 3D World in Nintendo Life HQ. It was E3...
Mario History New Super Mario Bros. 2 & U - 2012
So. Much. Mario.
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. We're now well into the current generation with this series (which ends soon, we promise). 2012 was also a weird year for 2D Mario...
Community Create, Share, Play and Rate Each Other's Levels on Nintendo Life
Earn a spot in our regular video and feature series
It's Super Mario Maker day, and it's no doubt going to pop up in a lot of articles; actually, we make no apology for that. It's earned a rare 10 in our review, and is a reminder of many of the qualities that have made Mario an iconic part of Nintendo and gaming history. It's a big deal. A vital...
Guide 8 Tips to Become an Expert Level Designer in Super Mario Maker
Miyamoto. Tezuka. YOU.
With Super Mario Maker now available, there are bound to be many aspiring level designers looking for tips to help them advance their skills. If that sounds like it pertains to you, don't worry – we're here to help. After spending the better part of a month diving deep into the seemingly endless possibilities to be explored...
Interview Yosuke Oshino On The Origins And Evolution Of Super Mario Maker
"This being Mario's 30th Anniversary is just a coincidence"
Super Mario Maker is upon us, and delivers something that may have seemed inconceivable in past years. Nintendo is handing over the keys of its most valuable franchise to gamers, providing a quirky and fun tool for creating, sharing and playing 2D Mario levels. It's been critically...
Mario Memories Mario Kart 8 and Discovering the Joys of Online Multiplayer
6th Place Forever
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have our delightful reviewer Narelle Ho Sang. Some of my favourite memories of Mario are the ones I'm still making...
Talking Point Pokkén Tournament May Not Be a Wii U Saviour, But It Can Provide a Welcome Boost
Giving early 2016 a focal point
Ever since its announcement for the Japanese arcade scene Pokkén Tournament has been closely followed by Pokémon and fighting game fans. Unofficial efforts have often pitched 'mon against each other in crude efforts, but the flashy Bandai Namco-developed release caused quite an online buzz. Of course, its status as...
Poll Is Pokkén Tournament The Wii U Release You've Been Waiting For?
Wish fulfilment
Just this week came an announcement that fulfilled a much cited demand from some Wii U owners - Pokkén Tournament is coming to Wii U. Its early 2016 arrival is both expected and a surprise, with plenty of logic in porting a major Japanese arcade release to a global console audience, but likewise there'd been a fear that Nintendo and...
Preview Rekindling Platforming Passion in Super Mario Maker
It's about the playing as well as the creating
Super Mario Maker is now rather close, and there's every chance that the Wii U exclusive will be regarded as a key turning point for 2D Mario gaming in years to come. Having spent some time with the final build, it's clear to us that Nintendo's finest have been truly devoting themselves to this most...
Hands On Devil's Third - Sampling Online Chaos and Fearing the Devilry of Microtransactions
Ironically you can buy Golden Eggs
When we shared our initial first impressions of Devil's Third it turned into a bit of a saga; your humble writer was surprised at the level of feeling that came out in response to an early look at the game. The focus was on the single player campaign at that point, with our general summary being that - while full...
Poll We Want Your Views on Splatoon Version 2.0
Splatfests, Private Matches, being both a kid and squid
Splatoon changes every week, but the most recent update was one of the biggest yet. It threw in much demanded private matches and the opportunity to team up with friends, while also adding a big batch of new gear, some extra music and boosted level caps. When you add the latest Splatfest round...
The eShop can be key for smaller retail releases
In the glut of Gamescom announcements earlier this week, Nintendo of Europe confirmed interesting details for the launch of Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water, known as Fatal Frame: The Black Haired Shrine Maiden in North America; we'll opt for Fatal Frame as our preferred title. Given a
Talking Point Nintendo's Game Updates and DLC Are Fantastic, Albeit Starved of Attention
Key Wii U titles have evolved a great deal
It's easy to be a little blasé and spoilt as gamers, but it's been striking once again that, with a combination of economic savvy and a clear love for its products, Nintendo is making the most of key releases on the Wii U. Three of the system's biggest games have transformed since launch with a mix of new...
Poll What Do You Think of the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tourney Mode?
Playing by Nintendo's rules
This week brought some exciting news for Super Smash Bros. fans, with both current-gen versions getting updated to version 1.1.0. That meant paid DLC in both versions, but on Wii U also delivered YouTube replay uploads and online Tourneys. We know how the Tourneys work and have been
Play Beat Each Other Up in the Nintendo Life Super Smash Bros. Tourneys
Settle it in Smash
Update: As of 11:30am Pacific / 2:30pm Eastern / 7:30pm UK / 8:30pm CET on 1st August, there are still some places available in our NL For Glory 01 and #FANFIGHTER01AUG Tourneys, with details below. Sorry, NLife For Fun 01 is full up! Original Article: The big Super Smash Bros. version 1.1.0 update is here, and in addition to...
Guide How to Get the Most Out of Super Smash Bros. Tourneys
The good, the bad and the fun
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U now has online Tourneys. Ever since the feature was announced during the '50 things' Nintendo Direct prior to the game's release, it's had some fans dreaming of competitive online battles. Now that the feature is here we can see whether it delivers on that promise; as with so many things,...
First Impressions Learning to Fly With Rodea the Sky Soldier
Winging It
Rodea the Sky Soldier has had quite a turbulent time in development. Originally announced in 2010 for the Wii, this character-driven flight action game from Sonic and NiGHTS into Dreams creator Yuji Naka looked set to soar, but ultimately never got off the runway. After years of radio silence, Rodea was cleared for takeoff as a rebuilt...
Project Cars is one of the last to bite the dust
A few years from now the Wii U will have surely become 'last gen', following the Wii in having occasional Just Dance titles and being available at throwaway prices for those curious about the system. An excellent console it is too, with a retail library full of absolute gems and an eShop that's...
Talking Point Assessing the Odds of Super Mario Maker Making a Commercial Splash This September
Anniversary-busting August may have been better
We're still waiting for a North American announcement - which we hope is just a matter of time - but we were rather pleased about confirmation today of a Super Mario Maker Wii U hardware bundle. It's coming to Europe on the same day as the game (a simple but important requirement) and certainly...
Video Summing Up The Good And Bad Of Devil's Third
The Devil is in the detail
Devil's Third has been the subject of much heated debate over the past few weeks with Nintendo of America's publishing status supposedly flip-flopping like a grounded Cheep-Cheep - and that's without even going into the recent previews that give a less-than favourable view of the game. Unfortunately as critics it's our...
First Impressions Trying to Believe in Devil's Third
And like that... optimism's gone
Devil's Third seduced us in 2014, trumpeted as a mature exclusive that would change the way we think about action shooters, promising to be a system seller. Tomonobu Itagaki prepared us for a game changer, an experience to thrill - after spending some time behind the curtain, however, we're left sorely in need of a...
"I want to grow Splatoon as an IP"
Splatoon was a bit of a risk for Nintendo - it was a new IP in a genre that the company has little experience in. However, the title has proven to be a sizeable critical and commercial smash hit all over the world, repaying Nintendo's faith in a young and creative development team. We were lucky enough to sit down...
Feature Taking to the Skies for a Final Look at the Star Fox Zero E3 Build
Five more opinions on the divisive Wii U title
Star Fox Zero was a divisive reveal at E3, as it seemed to simultaneously delight and worry fans. Some loved the visual style, some compared them unfavourably to GameCube graphics. Some liked the gyroscopic GamePad controls, others thought they were awkward and poorly implemented. It's been a mixed bag...
Poll Does Nintendo's Drive Towards Multiplayer Gaming Appeal to You?
Big name IPs and co-op adventures
While Nintendo has plenty of single player experiences and adventures on the way, some of its notable recent reveals are determined to get us playing with others. The Legend of Zelda and Metroid Prime are two IPs announced recently that will try and tempt us to play with others online or locally on our 3DS, albeit...
Guide Master Splatoon's New Tower Control Mode with these Easy-to-Use Tricks & Tips
We all want control
Splatoon's new Tower Control game mode has been released to the public, and as with any new set of rules it can take a while to learn how best to approach the matter. That's why we've played and played since silly o' clock in the morning in order to better understand the ins and outs and more importantly deliver our findings and...
Talking Point It's the Community That'll Put the 'Super' Into Mario Maker
Its legacy could be outstanding
Just this week we got another look at Super Mario Maker at a UK press event, and were struck by its significant potential. Yet we've already done a first impressions article from E3, which goes into detail on how well it's shaping up. If you want a strong outline of its core features and why we think it's marvellous,...
First Impressions Digging Up Details on Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories
Meanwhile, back at the ranch
Natsume always has a diverse catalog of games to show at E3, but the cream of each year's crop is undoubtedly Harvest Moon, the premier farm-life simulation series that's been offering players quiet pastoral pleasures since 1996. This year, after having just produced their first in-house Harvest Moon with last year's The...
Talking Point The Mystery of Devil's Third and Its Drift Away from the Spotlight
Nintendo of America remains silent while Europe has a release date
Cast your mind back to E3 2014 - Nintendo's first 'Digital Event' had finished and, by many accounts, had gone down rather well. It was a broadcast designed for all audiences, so a surprise immediately followed with the announcement that mature title Devil's Third, originally planned...
Talking Point Nintendo's Approach to Transforming Franchises Clashes With Fan Expectations
New ideas that haven't necessarily been welcomed
It's safe to say that Nintendo's E3 efforts have been received with mixed responses from fans. Especially given that Microsoft and Sony arguably brought the thunder this year, many expected that Nintendo would have some similarly headline grabbing announcements to match. What we received instead was...
Interview Knitting Together the Pattern of Yoshi's Woolly World and Cuddly amiibo
"We still have lots more ideas to explore"
Yoshi's Woolly World is out now in Europe - it heads to North America on 16th October - and is the latest major retail arrival on the Wii U. First teased back in 2013, its visual style and design brings a natural evolution to the yarn aesthetic seen in the excellent Kirby's Epic Yarn on Wii. Utilising the...