Wii U - News
December2016
Video The Latest Event Course in Super Mario Maker Wants You to Use Your Head
Well, not YOUR head...
Super Mario Maker is delightfully quirky - if a structured Mario game is a piece of art, the level creation tool is a scruffy yet oddly exciting street play. It's silly and ridiculous, encouraging players around the world to create daft stages full of puzzles, sound effects and oddly stacked enemies. Yet Nintendo can always...
Review Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Genieus
Immediately upon seeing the title screen and hearing the game's main theme, you know that Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is another step forward for this series. Back in 2002, Shantae made her debut on the Game Boy Color to rave reviews but disappointing sales — hardly a shock when you take into account the GBC was on its last legs — but the...
Video Shantae: Half-Genie Hero's Launch Trailer Will Swash Your Buckles
Ret-2-Go!
Unless you've been trapped in a genie's bottle, you'll probably know that WayForward's amazing looking Shantae: Half-Genie Hero has finally made it to the Wii U. To celebrate Shantae embarking on her first full HD adventure the good folks over at WayForward recently put out a launch trailer with a rousing soundtrack which you can watch...
Editorial Rediscovering the Simple Pleasures of 2D Platformers on Wii U
What mascots do best
Heading towards the festive period I often revisit older games, favourites that have perhaps been untouched for a year or two. That's certainly the case this year, where relatively few recent blockbusters (on any platform) have been tempting enough to make me part from my cash. There's also a bit of premature nostalgia at play,...
News Minecraft Is Getting Fallout DLC And It's Coming To The Wii U
Taking the nuclear option
While Nintendo fans have been cruelly denied the chance to play the recent entries in Bethesda's Fallout series, there's some good news on the horizon - no, Fallout 4 isn't confirmed for the Nintendo Switch before you get too excited - but the Wii U version of Minecraft is getting Fallout-themed content via a new DLC...
Feature The Wii U's Journey - Four Years of Excellence, Failure and Indifference
It wasn't to be
The Wii U is now just over four years old, passing the milestone most recently on 8th December (for the Japanese release). This is the point when it should be contemplating a steady step back, still accumulating quality games while the 'next generation' starts to loom. That would be the norm, but the gaming industry - like the...
News Fresh Download Discounts Come To My Nintendo In North America
Mario Tennis! Wrecking Crew! Mario & Luigi!
A fresh batch of 3DS and Wii U software discounts have gone live on the North American My Nintendo site, along with some items for Miitomo. Here's what's new: 3DS/Wii U Software Discounts • 20% Discount on Mario Tennis (Wii U) - 200 Platinum Points • 20% Discount on Wrecking Crew (Wii U) - 100...
News 3D Platformer Clive 'N' Wrench No Longer Leaping Onto Wii U
There's a pattern here...
Remember Clive 'N' Wrench, a 3D platformer inspired by the likes of Banjo-Kazooie? We'll forgive you if you don't, but back in February 2015 we reported that the title was bound for the Wii U subject to a successful Kickstarter campaign. The game raised just
Editorial As Games Jump to Nintendo Switch, We See How Quickly the Industry Moves On
The Wii U is only just over four years old, but is almost last-gen
The Wii U doesn't have too many big-name games still confirmed to be on the way, especially from third-parties. As a result the cancellation of Yooka-Laylee on the platform has led to quite a reaction, which I suspect is partly reflective of some wider frustrations. First of all,...
News Yooka-Laylee's Wii U Cancellation is Only Due to Technical Challenges, Not the System's Woes
"We can assure you this was a hard decision for everyone"
Earlier today there was the disappointing news that Yooka-Laylee is no longer coming to Wii U. When the game was first revealed Playtonic Games emphasized the importance of Nintendo hardware to the game, with a number of backers opting for the Wii U iteration in the Kickstarter campaign. The...
News Yooka-Laylee Rattles Away From Wii U Release
Are you happy with the switch to Switch?
In a move which isn't necessarily surprising, it has now been confirmed that the much anticipated Yooka-Laylee will not longer be getting a Wii U release. In a recent blog post on the Playtonic Games site, the reasoning for this is explained. The Playtonic team is sad to confirm that despite our best...
Rumour Yooka-Laylee Might Be Released in April
Not long now
Playtonic's highly anticipated collectathon, Yooka-Laylee, is expected to launch sometime early next year, though the exact time has not been specified. Considering that we're rapidly closing in on the launch window, one would expect a release date to be forthcoming, but it seems that a few online storefronts may have accidentally let...
News Shigeru Miyamoto Thinks Nintendo Should Have Made Minecraft
"We had some designs that were very similar"
Minecraft is unquestionably one of the most popular video games in the world right now, especially with young children. A vast toybox full of cool tricks and a strong online element, the game has found its way on to practically every viable system, including the Wii U. The success of Minecraft hasn't...
Random Store Employees Buy Wii U For Teen Who Visited Every Day To Play Smash Bros.
Tis the season, after all
Christmas is a time when heart-warming gestures are commonplace, and this tale of selflessness should warm even the coldest of souls. According to staff at Best Buy in Valley Stream, New York, a teenage Smash Bros. fan would come to the outlet every day in order to play the Wii U outing on the store demo pod. Such was this...
News Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Retail Edition Heading to Wii U on 27th December
Still hits the eShop on 20th December, though
Shantae, WayForward's tentpole IP that's developed an audience on Nintendo portables in addition to other systems through remasters, is getting its next title very soon - Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Crowdfunded and a decent amount of time in the making, we're now just a couple of weeks from playing it. A...
Rumour Koei Tecmo Pitched a Star Fox Game, But it Was Rejected
Another Warriors title, it would seem
Earlier today, Laura Kate Dale of Let's Play Video Games released a cache of info on Nintendo's recent plans, including the soon-to-be fully revealed Nintendo Switch. Among the info was a particularly interesting bit about the future of the Star Fox franchise; apparently Koei Tecmo approached Nintendo earlier...
Video It's Not Hard to Spot the Difference in This Super Mario Maker 3DS & Wii U Comparison
It really isn't...
Super Mario Maker is now available on the 3DS of all things, and if our review is anything to go by it's more than worth your time if you're currently in a state of Wii U-lessness. But can this shrunk-down version compete with its HD counterpart in the visual arena? Of course not, the whole idea that the two would be vaguely...
Video Empoleon Struts His Stuff In New Pokkén Tournament Trailer
Hail the emperor (penguin)
Long rumoured as a new combatant in the excellent Pokkén Tournament, Empoleon is finally making his debut in the coin-op edition of the popular one-on-one brawler, and Bandai Namco has released a special trailer to mark the occasion. Packed with in-game action featuring the penguin-like Pokémon, the trailer shows the...
News SnowCastle Games Wants To Bring Earthlock: Festival Of Magic To Nintendo Switch
But of course
Kickstarter project Earthlock: Festival of Magic has taken its sweet time coming to the Wii U, one of the platforms originally mentioned in the crowdfunding campaign. It's still on course, with a release early in 2017 planned, but SnowCastle Games CEO Bendik Stang has now revealed that he and his team want to see the game on the...
Feature 10 Essential Wii U And 3DS Platformers
Jump to it
Not long ago we picked out 10 RPG gems that we think are pretty much indispensable for fans of the genre that own a 3DS. Now, with the recent release of Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, we thought it was high time to look at the best of the platforming genre. To do the word 'essential' justice, though, this list takes in both the Wii U...
Feature Xenoblade Chronicles X - One Year Later
Musing on Mira
In this article Gonçalo "Shiryu" Lopes shares his personal reflections on Xenoblade Chronicles X, the enthralling Wii U title. Exactly one year ago Wii U owners were given a unique opportunity to escape reality by embarking on the extremely difficult assignment: to beat extinction against all odds on Planet Mira. But Xenoblade...
News The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary amiibo Provide Food and Goodies in Breath of the Wild
Self-scan groceries
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Link is more of a living, breathing character. He always has been, of course, but in the upcoming Switch / Wii U title you need to manage his clothing and diet to keep him healthy and ready for the environment. You'll need to catch, cook and prepare food to get through the challenge...
News Empoleon is Coming to the Arcade Version of Pokkén Tournament
So the rumours were true
You've gotta give the developers of Pokkén Tournament credit, they've kept the game going for quite some time post-release with new characters. Though the Wii U version hasn't really gotten the benefit of receiving these new fighters, their existence in the arcade version mean that there's always a chance that an update...
November2016
News The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Has a Lovely Official Website
We'll Link to it
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is expected to be one of the hottest releases on 2017, heading to both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. Just ahead of the game getting new footage shown off at The Game Awards, Nintendo
Guide The Top Nintendo Black Friday 2016 Deals in the US
Grab yourself a bargain!
It's that time, once again, when shoppers around the world prepare to brave the crowds in search of bargains. The Black Friday festivities are mostly based in crowded stores, though plenty of deals can also be hunted down online. For gamers, it's often a time of year for stocking up on goodies ahead of the festive season;...
Guide The Top Nintendo Black Friday 2016 Deals in the UK
Grab yourself a bargain
It's that time, once again, for Black Friday, when shoppers around the world prepare to brave the crowds in search of bargains. Though originally an American tradition, like Big Macs and over-sized soft drinks it's been exported around the world, for better and worse. A lot of UK bricks-and-mortar stores try and avoid the...
News GAME In-Store Advertising Indicates March 2017 Release For Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
We hope you're keeping up
The Zelda: Breath of the Wild rollercoaster continues. While there have been rumours that the title won't make the Switch launch, yesterday we reported that US retailer GameStop has it listed as a Q1 2017 release (before April, basically). We now have more evidence to suggest that
Soapbox In The Wii U's Final Days, Let's Be Thankful For Lego Dimensions
Keeping the dream alive
With production coming to an end, big-name releases drying up and previously-confirmed titles getting cancelled left, right and center, Wii U owners have every right to feel a bit glum at the moment. Switch is coming early nex
News Nintendo Marks Sonic's 25th Birthday With Digital Sale In North America
Save up to 60 percent on select titles
Sonic turns 25 this year and Nintendo is marking the occasion with a sale on selected Sonic the Hedgehog titles, no doubt inspired by the Black Friday madness which is currently gripping the planet. The titles - all digital versions, of course - are: 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (3DS) - $2.99 (no
News GameStop Thinks We'll Be Playing Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Before April
Could it be a Switch launch title after all?
It's fair to say that the rumour that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won't be hitting the Nintendo Switch at launch caused quite a bit of upset, and since then we've seen evidence to suggest that it could arrive later in the year - a listing on Targe
News Lego City Undercover Is Coming To Nintendo Switch And Other Platforms Next Year
No longer Wii U exclusive
Warner Bros. Games has just announced that it is porting Wii U exclusive Lego City Undercover to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam and - most importantly of all - Nintendo Switch next summer. The game launched to critical acclaim back in 2013 and was accompanied by a 3DS prequel. It made excellent use of the Wii U GamePad as...
Feature 25 Essential Wii U Retail Games
Play them all
With the Wii U turning four years old in North America just recently, and with the system soon to be supplanted by the Nintendo Switch, we've been reflecting on the console's qualities and failings. One thing we've consistently argued, however, is that there's a core of excellent games on the system, many of them exclusives, that are...
Feature Reflecting on Four Years of the Wii U
Four NL writers pitch in on the outgoing system
The Wii U has now passed its 4th Birthday, in North America at least, though its generation is already nearing its end. A bad run, imminent discontinuation and the March 2017 arrival of the Nintendo Switch all mean that the system is on its way out, a sad fate for a system that has had some terrific...
Poll The Wii U is Four Years Old, But What Is Its Legacy?
The GamePad! HD Nintendo games! Rubbish file management!
On 18th November 2012, the Wii U was launched in North America. There was a high profile midnight launch attended by Reggie Fils-Aime to give it positive press, and it was Nintendo's jump into HD gaming, with a GamePad-led concept at the core of the messaging. The system had a relatively...
News Tomonobu Itagaki on Why Devil's Third Underperformed
Basically, NoA let him down
Many of you no doubt remember Devil's Third, the ill-fated third person action game from the creator of Ninja Gaiden. Though there was plenty of enthusiasm around the game during its initial reveal as a Wii U exclusive, pre-release confusion and quality concerns ultimately led to it having an underperforming debut,...
News Darksiders: Warmastered Edition Now Coming to Wii U "At a Later Stage", Delaying eShop Release
Death by a thousand delays
THQ Nordic claimed headlines and some goodwill a few months ago when it confirmed Darksiders: Warmastered Edition for the Wii U, helping Nintendo gamers catch up after the previous release of Darksiders II on the system. Though it'll naturally be less flashy than on PS4 and Xbox One - for example 30fps instead of 60 - it's...
Video This Australian Wii U Commercial Is Perfect In Every Way, Apart From Its Timing
"Bring the family together!"
Last week, Nintendo finally admitted what everyone knew - production of its struggling Wii U system is coming to a close. The company's focus has now shifted to the Switch, which launches in March next year, and that makes this curiously comprehensive Australian ad for the departing console all the more puzzling...
Editorial The Wii U Has Been Nintendo's Lowest Selling Home Console; It Deserved Better
Its sales will fall well short of the GameCube
It's been coming for some time, and Nintendo made the odd call to initially deny it was happening, but the Wii U is in its final stretch; manufacturing of the system is due to end soon. Nintendo's decision to make a denial, only to quietly contradict it a little over a week later is - to quote our...
News Nintendo Confirms Wii U Production Is Coming To A Close
UPDATE: Nintendo of America issues statement
Update: Nintendo of America has issued the following statement: As recently posted by Nintendo on the Wii U website in Japan, Wii U production will end in the near future for the Japanese domestic market. We have nothing to announce in terms of exact timing. We can confirm that as of today, all Wii U...
News Looks Like Nintendo Has A Sense Of Humour About The Wii U's Failure
"Great artists aren’t always appreciated in their own time”
Nintendo is used to success - it is responsible for some of the most popular video game franchises of all time, and has produced consoles and handhelds which have sold millions upon millions of units. However, like any firm with a history that stretches back more than 100 years, it...
Soapbox Captain Falcon, We Have A Problem With F-Zero X on Wii U
Controls are off course on Virtual Console (Updated)
Update: We've been asked quite a few times if this issue is the same on the Wii version of the game. As a test I've just used the exact same Wiimote + Classic Controller on both the Wii U and Wii Virtual Console versions available. The Wii version does not appear to have the same issue and the...
Random Raspberry Pi Hack Takes The Wii U GamePad One Step Closer To Switch
Build it and they will come
Nintendo Switch comes out next year, and is already shaping up to be quite an impressive concept - a stand-alone gaming system which not only connects to your TV but can also be taken on the road. Thing is, some people don't like to wait and hacker banjokazooie has taken it upon himself to create the next best thing - a...
Another year, another Just Dance game
It seems like it was only yesterday that this writer was reviewing Just Dance 2016 – last year's entry in Ubisoft's mammoth dancing franchise. Most people will be at least somewhat familiar with the concept; seeing friends and family dancing along to a variety of songs with wavering levels of success. By that...
News Nintendo Insists That Wii U Production Will Continue Beyond This Week
"There is no change to our continuing [Wii U] production"
Yesterday we - like a great many other gaming sites - reported on a rumour which claimed that Wii U production was stopping this Friday. However, Japanese site IT Media has been in touch with a spokesperson from Nintendo who has said the reports are "not true" and that the console will...
Weirdness Mario Kart 8 Contains Hidden Swearing
But you'll have to do a lot of digging to find it
Modern computers allow gamers to dig into video game data files to their heart's content, and this often throws up some interesting discoveries which perhaps should have remained hidden. That certainly seems to have been the case with this latest Mario Kart 8 find. YouTube user Harm - who perhaps...
Rumour Last Wii U Consoles Roll Off The Production Line This Week
The end of an era?
Nintendo launches its new Switch console in March next year, and while the advent of new hardware is always a time of excitement, it invariably means that existing machines are put out to pasture. With popular platforms there's quite a bit of overlap between the generations, but in other cases the changeover is quite abrupt - it...
October2016
News Just Dance 2017's Best-Selling Version is on Wii
Don't stop 'til you get enough
The UK chart results are in, and from a Nintendo perspective they're rather grim. Aside from the harsh current realities of Wii U and 3DS game sales in the UK, however, this week's results have a quirky side-note that we just had to share. First of all, a quick rundown of what's happening at the top of the charts...
News Wii U Version Of Slain: Back From Hell Looking Doubtful
"Sales on that platform are just too weak to justify the port"
The Castlevania-inspired Slain: Back From Hell may not be making its way to the Wii U after all. The PC version was delayed earlier this year due to its intense difficulty, and that had a knock-on effect on the confirmed console ports - which included the Wii U. However, Developer Wolf...
News Nintendo Isn't The Only Company Impacted By The Failure Of The Wii U
Semiconductor firm Renesas deals with an unwelcome legacy
Nintendo's recent financial briefing has put the dismal performance of the Wii U into sharp focus. Since its launch in 2012 the console has struggled to attract an audience and has sold just over 13 million units worldwide - a far cry from the performance of its forerunner the Wii, which...
News Mario Kart 8 Has Now Sold 8 Million Units Worldwide
On a system with just over 13 million owners
Nintendo's has confirmed that Mario Kart 8 has sold 8 million copies since launch. The popular racer launched in 2014 and has become the Wii U's biggest commercial hit. What makes this achievement all the more remarkable is that the Wii U has only sold 13.36 million units to date. Elsewhere, Super Smash...
News Nintendo Is Refusing To Let Project Giant Robot And Devilish Brain Training Die
"TBD"
Nintendo's recent financials contain all kinds of interesting information, including a rough release schedule for the coming months. While this is naturally looking a bit on the light side as the 3DS and Wii U come to the end of their lifespans and Nintendo continues to keep its Switch cards close to its chest, it does throw up some...
News Splatoon Showdown Series On the Way in North America
Battlefy hosts an online spin on eSports
It's evident that Nintendo is eager to make steps into eSports. We've seen the company improve its support for the Super Smash Bros. and Pokkén Tournament scenes, and the recent Nintendo Switch preview trailer featured a Splatoon-centric competitive scenario at the end. It's a growing industry, and Nintendo...
Video Game Center DX Shows Off The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Another long look at the Wii U version
We saw plenty of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild earlier in the year, but now that a little time has passed there seems to be a renewed appetite for more footage of the game. Nintendo is still sticking to areas seen in the E3 demo, but it's nevertheless rather nice to see the upcoming blockbuster in...
News Rhythm Paradise Megamix Misses UK Charts in Quiet Week for Nintendo
3DS is waiting to be saved by Pokémon
The UK top 40 doesn't always bring good news for Nintendo, but this week seems particularly disappointing. Battlefield 1 seized top spot as a major release on PS4 and Xbox One, while Nintendo titles struggled to make the lower reaches of the list. Only two Nintendo exclusives actually made it into the...
Poll Nintendo Switch Delivers Single Screen Gaming - Will You Miss the Dual Screen Concept?
DS, 3DS and Wii U kept our eyes busy
Ever since Reggie Fils-Aime plucked a DS out of his jacket pocket at E3 2004, Nintendo has focused on dual screen gaming. The DS was the best selling portable system of all time, so inevitably the same broad design was carried across to the 3DS. The WIi U was the grand experiment in bringing dual screen gaming to...
News Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software
In other news: water is wet
Nintendo's Switch preview gave us a massive helping of information regarding the new console - what it looks like, what control options it has and the kind of games we'll be playing - but it also left some unanswered questions. Does it have a touchscreen? Can you add more memory via SD cards? What kind of battery life...
News Nintendo's Christmas Gift Guide Is Live
Is it that time of year already?
Nintendo's Christmas gift guide is a regular event these days, and this year the site has the usual focus of Wii U, 3DS and amiibo products for buyers to mull over. While software for both of Nintendo's consoles has slowed in the build-up to Switch's launch next year, there are still some neat buying options here if...
News New Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Footage Looks Jaw-Droppingly Gorgeous
Exploration, combat and weather shown off
Nintendo has just updated the official Japanese website for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with some stunning new video footage. Three relatively short clips have been published. The first - which is shown above - focuses on exploration, showing Link running, sailing, climbing and snowboarding...
Random Japan's Getting a Kindle Paperwhite With as Much Storage as a Premium Wii U
All about manga
Well, the hype is building for the NX reveal, so let's all take a deep breath and think about something else for a short while; it's good for the blood pressure. Back in the early days of the Wii U, when we were still full of optimism for the system, this writer shared the view that the system was in a unique position to capitalise...
News Paper Mario: Color Splash Makes Modest Japanese Chart Debut
Monster Hunter Stories is still number one
It's that time of the week for the Media Create charts out of Japan, and there are a few major releases to consider; it's a mix of good and bad news for Nintendo. To start with the good news, Capcom's Monster Hunter Stories on 3DS is number one for the second successive week; though it's tracking a long...
War, huh?
Not long ago retail listings suggested that Darksiders: Warmastered Edition had been delayed until 22nd November. A press release from publisher THQ Nordic has now confirmed that's the case, though the detail is a little different for Wii U owners. The 22nd November date is accurate for PS4, Xbox One and Wii U, but while the Sony and...
News Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure Receives a Wii U PEGI Rating
A happy ending?
Minecraft: Story Mode has had something of a spotty relationship with the Wii U. After the initial episode launched, there was a period of several months before episodes 2-5 made it onto the console, and there were still episodes available on other platforms that were nowhere to be found on Wii U. It's been rather unclear when – or...
Random Big the Cat Will Appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog LEGO Dimensions Stage
Perfect for lazy days
In about a month Sonic The Hedgehog will arrive in LEGO Dimensions, as long as you're willing to pay out for the Sonic Level Pack. If you've been sitting on the fence, considering whether to splash out on plastic LEGO figures and a bit of gameplay, SEGA and TT Games have a big selling point to tempt you in. [tweet Yep,...
News Paper Mario: Color Splash Sales Flatten Out Amid a Wave of New Releases
Wii U entry of Skylanders: Imaginators does 'ok'
The UK chart results are out, and they represent one of the busier weeks in the country in a number of months. Though FIFA 17 is comfortably number one ahead of Gears of War 4, there are a whole load of PlayStation VR titles arriving in the top 20 alongside the hardware. So, what about Nintendo...
News Oceanhorn, A Game Inspired by The Wind Waker, Confirmed for 'A Nintendo Console'
Was recently released on PS4 and Xbox One
Those may remember when we highlighted Oceanhorn, a title that is inspired by The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It was initially released on smart devices, before arriving as an enhanced download on PS4 and Xbox One this year. Developer FDG Entertainment has confirmed that all versions of the game have...
Video Digital Foundry Explains How the PlayStation VR 'Cinematic Mode' Works With Wii U
And Xbox One, too
Yesterday we reported on a quirky extra use for the PlayStation VR, something that early adopters may be tempted to try out. The headset supports a 'Cinematic Mode', which displays PS4 games that don't support VR in a neat way, recreating a large cinema screen effect within the headset. As it turns out this also works with other...
Rumour Darksiders: Warmastered Edition Has Been Delayed
Just by a month, though
Darksiders II was one of the first major third party games to be available on the Wii U, and it seemed to have been quite well received. Naturally, it stood to reason that its predecessor, Darksiders, would likely show up on the console someday, and it's now set to arrive as Darksiders: Warmastered Edition. The game was...
Weirdness PlayStation VR's 'Cinematic Mode' Works With Wii U, and Pretty Much Any HDMI Device
Sure, why not
As you've likely noticed, there's a lot of buzz today around new gaming hardware as PlayStation VR has started to hit stores. It's going up against the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift and, due to factors such as its lower price and sizeable PS4 userbase, is likely to wipe the floor with them commercially. Is it the start of the Virtual...
News Scizor Arrives in the Pokkén Tournament Arcade Very Soon
Might bug Wii U owners, though
Since its release in March plenty of Pokémon fans have been able to re-enact some showdowns in Pokkén Tournament on Wii U, and in the West (particularly) it's easy to forget that this title first arrived as an arcade. That version has already had new characters added in the past, and now Scizor has been confirmed to...
News Splatoon Producer Reflects on the Game's Popularity
A successfully launched IP
When Splatoon was announced at E3 2014, the game seemed to have been met with warm reception. Though there were some concerns over how online play would be handled, the game represented a refreshing new idea from Nintendo, and seemed like it would be an ideal killer app for the struggling Wii U. Now, nearly a year and a...
Random Paper Mario: Color Splash Has an Iffy Issue in its Battle System
Time for a patch
We rather liked Paper Mario: Color Splash in our review, and now plenty of Wii U owners around the world have been trying it out for themselves. Naturally different play styles put its mechanics to the test, and an odd developer oversight (which should have really been found in QA testing) has emerged. As posted by 'Fatguy703' on...
News 13AM Games Reveals More Information About Runbow
Runbow Pocket's release info! Free updates! Physical copies!
Runbow launched on the Wii U eShop last August to critical acclaim, cementing itself as a real gem for the storefront. Since then, 13AM Games has been keen to keep the game updated with fresh content, and has since announced that a portable edition will be on its way to the New 3DS, while...
Random Stranger Things Star Was In Smash Bros. Wii U Commercial
Well I never
If you're a Netflix subscriber then you'll no doubt have watched the excellent Stranger Things. If you're also a keen watcher of Nintendo commercials then you may have recognised one of the series' big stars from a Smash Bros. advert back in 2014. The commercial focused on how amiibo interacted with the game itself, and Joe Keery - who...
You won't be laughing soon, mate
Earlier today we reported on a new discovery that Kalle Demos from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker can be killed in a single hit (or more accurately 'splash'). In a mix of wanting to verify it for ourselves as well as provide some lovely HD visuals of it taking place, this tireless reporter worked through a new...
News External Help Being Sought To Complete Bloodstained, Admits Creator Koji Igarashi
"We needed to bring in another team"
We've already reported on news that the Wii U version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is in doubt, and in the same interview with IGN creator Koji Igarashi it is stated that additional resource is being sought to ensure the title is completed on time. Bloods
Random Fan Discovers New Way to Instantly Kill a Boss in Wind Waker
All those years…
The Zelda series has had its fair share of bizarre ways to battle bosses over the years, such as in A Link to the Past, where you could reflect Agahnim's magic bolts with the bug net, or in Ocarina of Time where you could use a bottle in your tennis match against Ganondorf. Now, it seems that another unconventional weapon has been...
News Paper Mario: Color Splash 'Rescue V' Video Series Reaches Its Finale
Mario prepares a steak, for some reason or other
Paper Mario: Color Splash is out this week, and is certainly the biggest remaining release on Wii U this year. Nintendo has been promoting the title with a series of quirky 'Rescue V' videos starring Toads, which have also been a useful way of showing off new areas in the game. The final episode is...
News Nintendo Selects Release Brings 999% Boost to Super Mario 3D World Sales in the UK
Wahoo!
We all know that Nintendo Selects releases are popular, as (mostly) first-party games get a healthy discount to boost their evergreen credentials. Last week brought six new Selects games to Europe, including two eShop Selects, and in one notable case the discount had the desired effect. The UK top 40 doesn't have many Nintendo games, but...
News Dylan Cuthbert Voices His Thoughts on Star Fox Zero
The man who started it all
By this point in time it's a bit of an understatement to say that Star Fox Zero was met with divided opinion. On one hand, the arcade elements that so many fans knew and loved from Star Fox 64 were present and accounted for in this latest iteration, but the dual screen motion controls dealt it all a killing blow. It's not...
News Skylanders Creator App Turns Your Wii U Skylanders Into Physical Toys
Getting creative
Activision has just unveiled its Skylanders Creator app. This sucks characters from the console version of Imaginators and enables players to tweak and order 3D printed versions of their creations - as well as T-Shirts and Cards, too. The app is quite low-tech in its connectivity. Select transfer from the Wii U and it plays an...
News SteamWorld Collection Physical Retail Release Slips to Early November in North America
eShop version of Heist still targeting October arrival
SteamWorld Heist is out now as a download and retail release (as part of SteamWorld Collection in the latter case) in Europe, with the region's Nintendo subsidiary publishing the disc version. Those awaiting the HD version in North America are still waiting, however, and those planning to grab...
September2016
News BBC iPlayer App to End Service on Wii U in Early 2017
It's a Poldark day for Wii U
Nintendo's systems have always struggled to offer the same breadth of entertainment and streaming apps as rival consoles, though for a spell the Wii U reasonably well in that area. As the system heads towards its inevitable discontinuation, however, licenses and services could start to go offline. That'll be the case...
Interview Image & Form Discusses Development Challenges and Continual SteamWorld Growth
"We really wanted to prove ourselves"
This week brings two intriguing retail releases in Europe, published under Nintendo's eShop Selects label. FAST Racing NEO and SteamWorld Collection will be available on disc, and in the latter case Image & Form is also bringing the same compilation to North America (in October) with a different publisher...
News European My Nintendo Rewards Include New Nintendo Selects Discounts
Hard to resist
My Nintendo hasn't exactly blown the doors off since its launch earlier in the year, but the loyalty / rewards programme does occasionally have some positive offerings. In Europe that now includes discounts on the latest Nintendo Selects games, which hit stores and the eShop on 30th September. Until 16th October all four of this...
Video Image & Form Talks SteamWorld Heist on Wii U and States Its Next Project Will Be in the Series
Keep an eye out for an NX gag, too
SteamWorld Heist is out this week on the Wii U eShop, and is also coming to stores as the SteamWorld Collection. Quite a number of players have been waiting for the HD version, and now will have the chance to play it on Nintendo hardware. The latest 'Engine Room' video from Image & Form talks about the Wii U...
Editorial Rediscovering the Gems of the Wii U Library
A legacy to appreciate
A little while ago I wrote an editorial called 'Losing It All - When a Wii U's External Hard Drive Dies', in which I recounted the tale of just that very thing happening to me. I bemoaned the weird setup of Nintendo's data management on the home console and in particular its treatment of save data, which rather bizarrely is...
Video It's Off to the High Seas for the Latest Paper Mario: Color Splash Rescue V Episode
For the patient among you
It seems that someone at Nintendo forgot to set videos to 'Private' by default earlier in the week, with the final episodes of the 'Rescue V' series popping up online. If you're still waiting for the scheduled releases, in any case, the penultimate episode for promoting Paper Mario: Color Splash is out now. This time...
News Lifetime American Hardware Stats Show The Size Of Nintendo's Task With NX
"The demand for dedicated portables isn't there"
As any long-time Nintendo fan will know, the company's fortunes over the past 30 years have varied wildly. The trailblazing successes of the NES and SNES were tempered by the performance of the N64 and GameCube, while the Wii's incredible market penetration has been followed by the Wii U, one of the...
Video Fresh Yooka-Laylee Footage Emerges From EGX 2016
We also speak to Chris Sutherland about the Wii U version
Those of you in the UK will know that EGX 2016 - the UK's biggest gaming show - took place last weekend and there were plenty of lovely games to gawk at. Sadly Nintendo sat it out this year, so there wasn't a lot for us to report on specifically, but we did get some hands-on time with...
News Multiple Discount Options Coming with SteamWorld Heist on Wii U
Launch and loyalty deals
Earlier today we shared the usual Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, which included the details for SteamWorld Heist arriving on Wii U. Well, some of the details. Though its full price will be $19.99 / €19.99 / £14.99, Image & Form has passed on details of launch promotions it's running when the game...
News Chinese Mythology Mash-Up Coming To Minecraft: Wii U Edition Next Week
41 new skins, 13 songs and a new Battle Mini Game map
October 4th will see the release of a new mash-up pack for Minecraft: Wii U Edition. It follows the introduction of the Tumble Mini Game and a mysterious update, both of which went live recently. The Chinese Mythology
News Nintendo is Reportedly Taking 'Final Orders' on Wii U Consoles From Retailers
The end is nigh
It's likely that history won't look too kindly upon the Wii U, at least in terms of its sales performance. It's set to be Nintendo's worst-selling home console when all is said and done, a sad fate for the follow-up to the phenomenally successful Wii. As of 30th June this year just 13.02 million Wii U systems had been sold, and...
Video Take a Look at Paper Mario: Color Splash in All its Polychromatic Splendour
Infinite coins and an upside down world
Paper Mario: Color Splash may already be available for a few lucky customers in North America, but that doesn't mean there's not plenty to indulge your senses in should you not fall into the aforementioned category. We've been playing through this and have been picking out some fun sections for videos. Below...
News Some Grab Paper Mario: Color Splash Early in North America Due to Preload eShop Error
Oops
Well, someone at Nintendo of America hit the wrong button. It turns out that a number of people that pre-purchased / pre-loaded Paper Mario: Color Splash on the eShop in North America have been able to download the full game early, two weeks ahead of release on 7th October. The first to spot it was @Electivirus on Twitter: [tweet A thread...
Reminder More Nintendo Selects Titles Arrive in Europe Next Week
Including SteamWorld Collection and FAST Racing NEO
The Nintendo Selects range remains one of the best ways to try out top-notch games at a great price (£19.99 in the UK), and Nintendo's issued a reminder of the goodies on the way to Europe on 30th September. New additions coming to the region's range are as follows, in case you need the reminder:...
Editorial Losing It All - When a Wii U's External Hard Drive Dies
The quirks and annoyances of Wii U data management
There are lots of things that many people assume will never happen to them, just to 'others'. You don't think you'll be the victim of a crime, or get stranded overnight when a flight gets cancelled, or perhaps get addicted to amiibo collecting. These are all problems that other people have to deal...
Video Green Toad Snoozes as Nintendo Shows Off Green Woods Area of Paper Mario: Color Splash
Shouldn't he be envious?
With the release of Paper Mario: Color Splash not far away, Nintendo continues to release more mini-episodes of the quirky 'Rescue V' series. A chance to show off stages, it also gives each colour of Toad particular character traits; Green Toad, it turns out, is the type that needs to sleep off an over-indulgence in green...
News Castlevania Dev MercurySteam Denies It Ever Pitched A New Metroid To Nintendo
"People have a lot of imagination and time to think about stuff"
A while back we reported that Spanish developer MercurySteam - famous for rebooting Konami's Castlevania series - was working on a new Metroid concept for 3DS and Wii U that it was going to pitch to Nintendo. Apparently this project was disclosed during interviews with potential...
News PlatinumGames Reveals Obscure Bayonetta 2 Secrets for Second Anniversary
Also, a sneak peek at the upcoming amiibo
It's rather hard to believe, but Bayonetta 2 has already been out for a couple years now. The excellent hack 'n' slash still stands as one of the best exclusives available in the Wii U library, and it made plenty of sense when the titular character inevitably made her appearance in Super Smash Bros. Now that...
News Axiom Verge Dev Tom Happ Opens Up About The Challenge Of Raising A Son With Special Needs
"My work is directly correlated with my son's well being"
A short time ago we were lucky enough to chat with Axiom Verge developer Tom Happ about the challenges of making what many consider to be a spiritual successor to the iconic Super Metroid; a massive, open-ended 2D adventure which exercises your trigger finger and tests your grey matter at the...
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