Wii U - News
May2016
News Shigeru Miyamoto and Yugo Hayashi Discuss Star Fox Zero's Development
"It's a really simple control system"
One of the rather quirky, yet deeply appreciated, projects by the late Satoru Iwata was that of Iwata Asks interviews. These interviews often gathered together several members of the development team for a major or upcoming game, and Iwata would question them on what development was like, where inspiration came...
News Star Fox Zero And Bravely Second Make NPD's April Best Sellers List
It's not all doom and gloom
The NPD Group has issued its April data and while Nintendo's products might not be as abundant as the company would hope, Star Fox Zero and Bravely Second have both made the cut. Star Fox Zero made it to number 5 in the single-format list, with Bravely Second coming in at number 9. In the NPD's overall list - which...
Rumour Details Emerge on Disney Infinity's Canned Future Plans and Cancellation
12-inch figurines were a possibility
No doubt many fans were disappointed by the recent news that the plug has been pulled on Disney Infinity. The ambitious toys to life project brought together numerous franchises from across the Disney portfolio and it seemed to be a moderate success, which made the sudden axing of the game all the more jarring...
News Microsoft's Phil Spencer Says Minecraft Partnership With Nintendo Has Been "Great"
"Nice to see Minecraft doing so well on the Wii U"
The head of Microsoft's Xbox division is quite a chilled out guy. Not only does he find the very concept of console wars "distasteful", but he can't stop saying nice things about Nintendo, claiming that the Japanese firm is a "bea
News Nintendo Confirms its DLC Plans for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Day one DLC galore
It's hard to believe, but the rather lengthily named Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is only a little over a month away from releasing in the West. The Atlus-helmed Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem crossover has drawn lots of interest over the last few months, simply due to the mystery surrounding the game. While it may certainly...
News Kirby: Planet Robobot Stays on Top in the Japanese Charts
A quiet week sees Wii U sales back in four figures
It's that mid-week point of the Media Create chart results out of Japan, and a week with no new releases in the top 20 sees familiar favourites still leading the charge. Kirby: Planet Robobot has followed up its number one debut with a second week at number one, nearly hitting a quarter of a...
News Wave 5 Lego Dimensions Fun Packs Include Ghostbusters' Slimer And DC's Bane
Ninjago's Lloyd also coming along for the ride
Managed to keep all of those fiddly bricks in one place? Good, because three new fun packs are coming to Lego Dimensions. These include DC Comics' Bane, Ghostbusters' Slimer and Ninjago's Lloyd. As ever, each pack comes with a buildable character, a 3-in-1 vehicle and various gadgets which unlock...
Video Savour the Madness of Mario & Sonic at the Rio Olympics in This Japanese Trailer
Luigi punches Sonic in the face, Bowser Jr. rides a horse and so on...
Video games can be silly, delightful forms of entertainment. We're not sure yet whether Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be a particularly good game on Wii U this Summer, but we sure like watching well choreographed footage of it. Perhaps it's the chunky HD...
Video The Ice Climbers Are Coming to Super Mario Maker
Cool
It's been a couple weeks since Nintendo added another costume to Super Mario Maker. After the rather bizarre addition of BABYMETAL members, it's nice to see Nintendo is working on getting more of its own characters in the game, as it's just been announced that Nana and Popo will be making an appearance as a mystery costume. Though the Ice...
News Disney Infinity Has Been Cancelled
Avalanche Software shuttered, as Disney steps away from game publishing
Several years ago, Disney launched the Disney Infinity initiative, a long-term project that aimed to incorporate all kinds of different Disney characters and IP under one video game property. Later on, this also saw the inclusion of characters from the Marvel universe and the...
News Super Mario Mash-Up Pack Jumps Into Minecraft: Wii U Edition in Upcoming Free Update
Downloadable from 17th May, disc version hits stores on 17th June
When Minecraft: Wii U Edition arrived late last year Mojang, Nintendo and Microsoft promised exclusive Nintendo content in 2016, and now details have been confirmed. The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will be free and available with an update on 17th May (18th May in Europe), and a disc...
News A Wii U Homebrew Channel Opens Up New Possibilities for Some Cheeky Gamers
It's not just on 3DS any more
The homebrew scene on 3DS has been in a constant dance with Nintendo, with regular system updates often forcing those that want to use unofficial apps to run outdated firmware and lose the ability to play games online. As a result it's a very niche area, albeit with some quirky tools such as someone running Windows on a...
Feature Team-Based Super Smash Bros. Format, The Gauntlet, Aims to Transform the Competitive Scene
Could "bring Smash to the level of League of Legends" in eSports
Through a mix of determined strategy and the benefit of plenty of open-minded competitors, Nintendo has seen Super Smash Bros. for Wii U establish itself in the competitive scene. Though the franchise as a whole is still lagging behind some huge franchises in eSports, it has a loyal...
Also believe the company has "just switched off Wii U's life support"
As is now increasingly common for debates around Nintendo, conversations have recently focused on what's not happening and on a system yet to be revealed. In confirming a March 2017 release window for the NX and an absence of the system at E3, Nintendo has shown that it's not in a...
News Kirby: Planet Robobot Secures Top Spot in Japan as Hardware Sales Enjoy Holiday Boost
Wii U clambers back into five figures
There have been a few observed Holidays in Japan this week, which has accounted for later-than-usual Media Create chart results. They have now emerged, however, and bring some good news for Nintendo. Kirby: Planet Robobot was the biggest arrival this week, with the 3DS title securing top spot - its sales of...
News Splatoon's Next Splatfest is All About How You Like to Party
The first simultaneous worldwide Splatfest
It's getting to be that time once again for the monthly Splatfest in Splatoon. After last month's epic battle between Spongebob and Patrick in the first Splatfest where both North America and Europe could compete, Nintendo is stepping it up and increasing the scope even more. The Splatfest taking place next...
Poll Nintendo Has Laid Out Its Legend of Zelda E3 Plans - Are They Enough?
No announcement yet of any other Digital Event or Direct
Earlier today Nintendo sent its customary press release outlining plans for next month's E3. In 2014 the company was talking up its bold new 'Digital Event' concept with a Super Smash Bros. Invitational, and shared an entertaining video for the announcement; in 2015 the idea was similar, with...
News Wii U "Disappointing To Everybody" But We're Excited About Nintendo NX, Says GameStop CEO
"I hope that they come out with something exciting and innovative"
The Wii U was a disappointment to retailers, gamers and Nintendo itself, claims GameStop CEO Paul Raines. Speaking to list, Raines admitted that the console simply hadn't performed as expected, but he was keen to point out that Nintendo as a company should never be counted out:...
News Nintendo Confirms Its E3 Plans for The Legend of Zelda
A day of game footage, commentaries and more on 14th June
Following the surprise recent announcement that The Legend of Zelda on Wii U will be the only playable Nintendo game at E3, the company has now outlined some slightly broader plans. It's confirmed that, from 9am Pacific / noon Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm CET on 14th June, there'll be a full day...
Rumour Sonic The Hedgehog Could Be Spin-Dashing His Way To Lego Dimensions
Bricking it
It's no secret that Lego Dimensions is getting more expansion packs with new properties, but one of the more interesting rumours we've heard lately is that Sega's mascot could be rendered in block form. Speculation began back in September 2015, when code words relating to the next wave of Lego Dimensions packs surfaced - one of them...
Random Watch Bowser Perform Rhythmic Gymnastics
Shh... Just let it wash over you
So the Nintendo UK Twitter account up and posted this video from Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games recently. No rhyme, no warning. Such is art. [tweet 727875893700403200] In your most desperate moment, when your back is against the wall and the light of hope is but a dim, warmless dot, may you...
Video Enjoy More Star Fox Zero Puppet Shenanigans in These Trailers
With bonus continuity errors
Star Fox Zero is so April 2016, especially in this era of the internet rapidly moving on and forgetting about recent releases. Nevertheless the Nintendo / PlatinumGames collaboration hasn't been out that long, and the big N hasn't given up on promoting it quite yet. As previously reported, Nintendo has brought back the...
News Latest Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Features Everyone's Favourite Admiral
"This had better not be a trap"
The latest trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens has just hit the web, and it goes into detail regarding some of the all-new content that will be featured in the game. Six new missions are showcased which augment the storyline seen in the movie: Rathtar Hunting – Follows Han Solo and Chewbacca's voyage to...
Soapbox Game Reviews Always Need a Final Score
Alex explains why it's all a numbers game
The traditional notion of giving a game a score out of five, ten, or any amount is falling out of fashion with many outlets rapidly adopting more arbitrary systems for one reason or another. Personally I feel this is a step in the wrong direction, and a score based on a finite scale is paramount in promoting...
News 505 Games Confirms Terraria Wii U Release Dates and Details
Eight-player online multiplayer is in
Terraria has made its way to the 3DS already, but due to the portable's limitations it doesn't deliver all of the features from the full-fat home console versions. The good news for Wii U fans is that firm release dates for the system's iteration have been confirmed, along with details on its various features...
News Mighty No. 9 Has Gone Gold for a June Release
3DS version still due to come "at a later point"
Comcept's Mighty No. 9 has had a troubled route to release, with art design and multiple delays being among points of contention for the Keiji Inafune-led title. It's all been a far cry from the excitement and success of its original Kickstarter campaign, but the good news is that we'll get to play it...
Nintendo Life Weekly New Splatoon amiibo Burst Forth, 3DS Games in HD, and More
Hold on to your wallets
It feels like we've been bombarded with little more than rumours for the past few weeks, but now that Nintendo has finally blessed us with some substantial new happenings we wouldn't be at all surprised if you'd not kept track of all that's happened. Luckily for you we've once more been hard at work bringing what is quite...
April2016
News Callie and Marie Join a New Splatoon amiibo Range on 8th July
So fresh!
Splatoon has been a major hit for Nintendo since it launched in May 2015, not just in sales numbers but also in terms of the IP's impact on popular culture. In Japan, particularly, Callie and Marie (the sisters who 'host' the game) have emerged as popular characters for their music and quirky characters. Nintendo's keen to celebrate that...
News Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Fortissimo Edition Pre-Orders Launch on Official Nintendo UK Store
Star Fox Zero first print also available again
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is one of the most intriguing releases for Wii U this year, and it's getting a rather handsome special edition in the West. It includes a 5x8 colour artbook, a six-song soundtrack CD featuring some of the game's awesome music, six song cards and a sticker sheet, along with a...
News New Super Mario Maker Costume Features All-Girl Japanese Rock Band, BABYMETAL
Why not?
Super Mario Maker has had some quirky tie-ins for its Event Courses and unlockable costumes, but the latest perhaps takes the biscuit. Nintendo's Japanese social media channels have confirmed that BABYMETAL will be the next tie-in. What's BABYMETAL? It's a Japanese rock band that consists of three young performers. Below are Nintendo's...
News Star Fox Zero Makes Modest Debut in Japanese Charts as 3DS Holds Steady
Terraria on 3DS also has a low key arrival
The Media Create charts for Japan have emerged once again, and this week includes a couple of fresh arrivals on Nintendo hardware. Star Fox Zero is the most high-profile new entry, though it loses out to One Piece: Burning Blood on PS4 and Vita. Combining the double pack (which includes Star Fox Guard)...
News Pikachu Is Getting His Very Own Pokkén Tournament Controller
The lucky scamp
Remember the Pokkén Tournament controller we covered a while back? A new version is being released in Japan this June, and it's clad in the signature colours of the world's most famous Pokémon. Costing 3,758 Yen, the Hori-made pad will be identical to the original in terms of form and functionality, but it's yellow. And it has a...
News 14 Titles Across Wii U and 3DS Were Million Sellers in the Last Year
Happy news! Yes, really!
Well, it's not been a particularly happy time for Nintendo fans since the company announced its financial results and gave various updates - mainly delays. Yet it's not all bad, it really isn't! In fact, the last financial year brought some pleasing successes on the software front for both the Wii U and 3DS. The usual list...
Wii U estimated to sell just 800,000 units over financial year
With the reveal of its financial results for the year Nintendo has certainly caused some shocks, such as The Legend of Zelda for Wii U being the only playable Nintendo game at E3 (also delayed to 2017 for both Wii U and NX),
News The Legend of Zelda for Wii U Will Be The Only Playable Nintendo Game at E3
The Master demo
Nintendo has confirmed that the latest Legend of Zelda is pushed back to 2017 and is also coming to NX, but has now gone a step further in outlining the game for its E3 plans. We say plans - The Legend of Zelda on Wii U is going to be the only playable Nintendo game at the LA extravaganza. The following is from Nintendo of Europe's...
News The Legend of Zelda Wii U Has Been Pushed Back to 2017, Will Release On NX As Well
Oh boy…
The Legend of Zelda Wii U was announced at E3 way back in 2014, with some lovely looking footage of an HD Hyrule getting fans hyped up all the way. At the time, it was announced that it would be launching in 2015, a date that even then seemed unlikely. Sure enough, the game was later delayed to 2016, and ever since we've been waiting on a...
Random An Eager Super Mario Maker Fan Created a Shovel Knight Costume Sprite
Digging in
Super Mario Maker has a lot of Mystery Mushroom costumes, many of which have come through a combination of amiibo scans and Event Courses (in some cases both). With new additions we have an excuse to boot up the game and enjoy its delights again, and Nintendo has been so keen on the idea that it's included some rather quirky characters...
News Western Localisation Of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Features Costume And Age Changes
Hot Springs swimsuit DLC also in doubt
Recent hands-on sessions with Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE at PAX East have confirmed previous reports that the game will be subject to a series of changes for western markets. The first is an age bump for some of the characters - Tsubasa, Itsuki and Touma - taking them up from 17 to 18 years of age. There are...
News Team Patrick Triumphs in the SpongeBob SquarePants Splatoon Splatfest
Pink power
Splatoon has had some high profile tie-ins in nearly a year since launch, but arguably few have been bigger than this weekend's bonanza for fans of alliteration - the SpongeBob SquarePants Splatoon Splatfest. It was the first time that North American and European Splatfests aligned and even had players from both regions competing against...
News Star Fox Zero Makes a Positive Start in the UK Charts
Guess we should be thankful
Last week brought Star Fox Zero to the Wii U, the first new entry in the franchise in a number of years. Some early indications on its performance have come through with the UK charts, and the result is reasonably good. The number one and another arrival this week is Ratchet & Clank on PS4, which had a substantial...
Rumour Linkedin Profile Hints At Unannounced Racing Title From Excitebots Studio Monster Games
With "championship" and "career" modes
Ah, Linkedin. A site which allows professionals to connect, proclaim their achievements and even seek new adventures in employment - but also a place where job descriptions can unwittingly reveal hidden gaming projects. Take the profile of Monster Games software engineer Joshua Ruis, for example; he's been...
News Meet The Vocal Talent Behind Team Star Fox
"I’ve been lucky enough to do concert spots for Paul McCartney"
Star Fox 64 was a big deal in more ways that one - not only did it illustrate Nintendo's burgeoning confidence in the world of 3D visuals, but it also featured a lot of voice acting - something the company had previously steered clear of. What's truly remarkable is that the...
Nintendo Life Weekly NX Rumour Denied by New NX Rumour, Preorder the Prettiest New 3DS XL, and More
We're reaching critical mass
As E3 draws ever closer, the Nintendo NX rumour mill continues to churn out "information" at an alarming rate. We wouldn't blame you if you hadn't been able to keep up with all that's happened, so once again we've squashed all the week's happenings down into one convenient video. This week we look at an NX rumour that...
Video Watch Star Fox Zero's Secret Vehicle in Action
Spoiler warning!
Star Fox Zero is brimming with things to unlock, and in the spirit of not spoiling what the game has to offer, we're not going to explicitly tell you what this secret vehicle is that we've alluded to in the title just yet. Instead, why not check out the video below if you're not bothered by spoilers or even the game in general. If...
Video Feel the Beat in This Localised Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Trailer
It still doesn't make a lot of sense
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is going to be a fascinating arrival in the West on 24th June. Sure, it's been fun following its release in Japan and saying "jeez that looks crazy", but now we'll have to make sense of it. Or, well, try to. This intriguing cross of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem is colourful and...
Guide Tackling the Bosses in Star Fox Zero
Open the wings!
With Star Fox Zero now in stores, you all have the chance to enjoy it for yourselves - we think it's a gem, but ultimately the Wii U audience will decide. In order to help you with the game - should you want assistance - we've already shared a getting started guide and details on how to unlock all the stages. We're wrapping up our...
News Atlus Is In Charge Of Localising Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE In The West
"To ensure the game feels familiar and appeals to longtime Atlus fans"
Atlus will be in charge of localising Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE in the west, it has been revealed. Nintendo of America has released a statement which points out that it will not be handling the localisation work itself, instead allowing Atlus to handle the job to ensure it...
Video Fans Mod Goku Into Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
Hear what we're Saiyan…
Modding within the Super Smash Bros. community isn't anything new, for fans have been creating an array of in-game tweaks for years now - such as altering physics engines or reskinning characters as a whole. The most notable of the bunch is 'Project M'; this is a mod of Nintendo Wii's Super Smash Bros. Brawl that focused...
News The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth Coming To Wii U "In The Coming Months"
And you thought it would never happen
Once upon a time, it seemed unlikely that The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth would ever arrive on the Wii U. Nicalis' Tyrone Rodriguez tweeted back in November that he wasn't happy with the performance of the game on Nintendo's console, and many assumed the game would be skipping the platform entirely. However,...
Guide Unlocking Every Stage in Star Fox Zero
We're not leaving Peppy behind
In many respects Star Fox Zero is a loving tribute and reimagination of Star Fox 64, yet it takes a different approach to unlocking stages. It starts off relatively linear, in a first run-through of the story, and then it's time to play through once again. As you unlock new transformations and vehicles new options...
Guide Getting Started With Star Fox Zero and Mastering the Controls
We also look at the basics of amiibo and co-op
Star Fox Zero is landing on the eShop and in stores, bringing us the first full entry in the series in a number of years. We were big fans in our review, yet the game has been divisive, in part because of its GamePad-centric controls - for our money we think the time required to master the game's...
Reaction Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins Had Humour, Weirdness, Teases and Lots of Potential
An idea that Nintendo should pursue with all key franchises
Nintendo has made 'events' out of various quirky online broadcasts, with some being surprisingly short and light on actual reveals or details. It wasn't too surprising, then, to see Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins given the live broadcast treatment, followed by the Nintendo Treehouse team...
News PlatinumGames CEO Tatsuya Minami Has Resigned
Star Fox Zero studio to be helmed by Kenichi Sato
The head of Japanese studio PlatinumGames has stepped down, according to a report by GamesBusiness.jp. CEO Tatsuya Minami resigned at the end of March and has been replaced by Kenichi Sato. As part of the reshuffle, Seigo Tabira and Atsushi Inaba join the management as company directors. Minami...
News You'll Need To Dig Deep For This Insane Lego Minecraft Set
Blockbusting
A lot of Minecraft's appeal can be traced back to construction toys like plastic building blocks - a fact which is neatly acknowledged by the growing range of Lego toys based on Mojang's famous title. Lego's Minecraft sets have been pretty decent so far, but this latest offering is shaping up to be the most expansive - and expensive -...
Live Blog Check Out Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins and a Nintendo Treehouse Showcase - Live!
The animated short will take flight
Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard are arriving on Wii U this week, and to get us warmed up we have Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins, an animated short produced in collaboration with Shigeru Miyamoto, Production IG and WIT Studios. After that the Nintendo Treehouse team will be showing off the games, and we'll be...
Video See Peppy's Barrel Roll Obsession Go too Far in this Star Fox Zero Easter Egg
Do a...
Star Fox is a series renowned for various tropes and memorable moments, perhaps none more so than the first time we heard Peppy Hare tell us against our better judgement to spin our Arwing around in a manner he referred to as a barrel roll. The developers working on Star Fox Zero apparently could't resist throwing in further reference to...
From zero to hero
Almost from the moment it was revealed, Star Fox Zero has endured the kind of scrutiny that first-party Nintendo releases are rarely subjected to. From Time's botched announcement during E3 2014 to the news that external help was being used and the game would
News Yo-kai Watch and Dragon Quest Continue to Lead in Japan as Wii U Has a Small Boost
All other systems show declining sales
The Japanese games market is pleasingly different to the West, with its own trends and patterns alongside some unique releases. We get a look at this courtesy of the weekly Media Create results, though the updated data shows that old favourites continue to lead as last week's new arrivals struggle. Starting...
News Nintendo Confirms PAX East Line-Up and Bravely Second: End Layer Panel
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and Monster Hunter Generations will be playable
PAX East is landing in Boston from 22nd-24th April, which is making the city a hot destination for the coming weekend. Nintendo will be there, of course, and it's outlined what it'll have to offer. In terms of games there'll be the first chance (outside of Japan) for the...
News Nintendo Announces 'Fortissimo' Special Edition of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
DLC! Artbook! Soundtrack CD! More!
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is an intriguing upcoming release for the Wii U, finally making its way out of Japan to hit Europe and North America on 24th June. The unique RPG - co-developed by Nintendo and Atlus - combines aspects of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, though is so colourful and quirky when viewed...
News Star Fox Zero's Arcade Mode Is Aimed At "Advanced Users", Claims Shigeru Miyamoto
Gaming veteran "confident" that the game has legs
Star Fox Zero will be with us later this week, and producer Shigeru Miyamoto has let slip that the game contains a bonus "route-focused" Arcade Mode to test advanced players. He also revealed that the development team had plans to allow players to make wider use of the game's garage of vehicles, but...
Video We Heartily Endorse This Fan-Made Star Fox Zero Cartoon Introduction Sequence
"Good luck!"
Star Fox Zero hits the Wii U this week, and you can feel the hype levels building in the Nintendo Life office - editor Tom Whitehead has dressed up as Slippy Toad and Operations Director Darren Calvert is babbling on about barrell rolls. The latest adventure to star Fox McCloud and company is so close we can practically taste it. To...
News RCMADIAX Has Three New Wii U eShop Titles On The Way
Coming in June and July
Prolific indie studio RCMADIAX has released information regarding three new Wii U eShop titles, all of which are launching in the next few months. As we've come to expect from the company, these titles present quite a mix of gameplay styles. Here are the details: MEGA WIN CASINO SLOTS - Est Release June 2016 Bring home the...
Video Let the Hype Build With the Star Fox Zero Launch Trailer
Mission Accomplished
Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard are almost upon us, and the hype is certainly building. They're the first new Star Fox games in a number of years and, as a result, Nintendo is ensuring that they get plenty of attention, even live streaming an animated short. Ahead of the 22nd April release Nintendo of Europe has also released...
Feature Excited About Star Fox Zero? Check Out Our Extensive Series Content Here
Guess you should be thankful
Star Fox Zero launches on Wii U this week, and marks the long-awaited return of Fox McCloud and his team to active service. Given that Lylat fever has well and truly gripped the world of Nintendo, we thought it might be an opportune moment to remind you that we've got an embarrassment of Star Fox-related content tucked...
Video You'll Need Some Serious Surgical Shells Skills To Beat This Insane Super Mario Maker Creation
45 hours of attempts to beat
We love a challenging Super Mario Maker level here at Nintendo Life, but sometimes we come across a creation which is so punishing that it requires super-human levels of skill to complete. Behold The ER: Surgical Shells 2.0 by evil genius Docta_el, a course which has - at the time of writing - been completed zero times...
"Message from General Pepper. Priority one!"
Nintendo is airing a special animated short to commemorate the launch of Star Fox Zero this week. Produced in collaboration with Shigeru Miyamoto, Production I.G. and WIT Studio, Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins will be broadcast on April 20th at 3PM PT / 11PM BST. It will be immediately followed by a...
News The Nintendo Selects Range Brings Some Sales Success in the UK Charts
A fine selection indeed
Last week Nintendo of Europe released six more Wii U titles as part of the Nintendo Selects range, dropping their price to €24.99/ £19.99 in stores and on the eShop. It seems the new price ranges have worked nicely in stores, with three of the titles making their way into the UK all-format top 40. New Super Mario Bros. U
Random Super Mario Maker Bros. is Another Excellent 'Full Game' From an Ambitious Creator
Nine worlds and 70+ levels
Though being the creator in Super Mario Maker is undoubtedly rewarding, sometimes it's a lot of fun to just relax and enjoy the fruits of others' labours. As such we keep an eye on the game's subreddit, and sometimes creators share their 'full game' creations. Another has popped up as the finished article recently, called...
Nintendo Life Weekly NX Rumours Continue to Flow, Hacker Streams 3DS to PC Wirelessly and More
They just won't stop
If you've somehow fallen behind with the flurry of Nintendo NX rumours that have been circulating the internet lately, well, frankly this reporter envies you. Nevertheless it's our duty to report them when there's some credibility to them, and so we've once more taken all that's happened in the past week (rumours and all) and...
Poll The Wii U GamePad - Where Do You Stand on Nintendo's Hefty Controller?
Star Fox aims to show what it can do
In the coming week both Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard will arrive, both titles that'll not only aim to revive a franchise but also - in a manner of speaking - its controller. The Wii U GamePad has been one of Nintendo's most controversial controllers, in part because it's the pricey and mandatory inclusion...
News Eiji Aonuma Talks Twilight Princess HD in the Latest Miiting
Evidently, there could've been a Telma amiibo
Miiverse occasionally plays host to 'Miitings', essentially brief developer interviews that cover a recent release. It's been awhile since the last Miiting, so Nintendo decided to break the silence with one that covers the recent release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. Eiji Aonuma was the...
Video Slippy Gets Scary in Our Star Fox Guard Trailer
Too spooky
In the comments of our recent preview of Star Fox Guard certain comparisons were made to a popular independent video game series. Being the responsible and mature professionals that we are, we decided that these parallels were worth taking one step further. Check out our trailer for Star Fox Guard below with a heavy dose of artistic...
Reminder Six Wii U Games Are Now Discounted to Nintendo Selects Prices in the European eShop
DK Tropical Freeze! Wind Waker HD! LEGO City! More!
It was mentioned in the European Nintendo Download Update at the start of the week, but five days is a long time in the modern world. Nintendo of Europe has released six 'Selects' budget titles for Wii U in stores, but pleasingly the discounts are also available on the eShop; there's even an extra...
News Twilight Princess HD and Pokkén Tournament Perform Well in US NPD Charts
3DS hardware shows signs of decline, though
The March NPD results are in for the US - though they only reflect sales of new game copies at physical retail stores, they nevertheless give a sense of sales trends in one of the industry's most vital markets. There are notable positives for Nintendo, with two key Wii U results securing impressive top 10...
News SpongeBob SquarePants is the Theme for the Next Splatoon Splatfest
SpongeBob vs Patrick
Almost a year after its launch Splatoon is still a go-to game for many Wii U owners, especially those looking for some online gaming. The colourful shooter has proven to be a significant hit and new IP for Nintendo. It's attracted the occasional big-name partnership, too, and it's now been announced that the next Splatfest will...
Poll The Utterly Charming Animal Crossing Series Is 15 Today, But Which Is Your Favourite?
Turning a new leaf or heading to the city? Let us know
The Animal Crossing series turns 15 today, and to celebrate this occasion Nintendo has released a special video. The first game in the franchise launched in Japan on the Nintendo 64 15 years ago, and since then we've seen entries on the GameCube, DS, Wii, 3DS and Wii U. The GameCube version was...
Feature The Biggest Wii U Games of 2016 - Spring Edition
Time for the eShop to fill the void
We're well into 2016 and in a calm before the storm. Very soon Nintendo will announce its annual financial results, and we'll likely go into a pre-E3 cycle and all that'll entail - details and rumours on Nintendo Mobile, Pokémon, the ever-looming Nintendo NX and more. Yet we still have two current generation...
News Here's How Much Space Star Fox Zero And Star Fox Guard Will Consume On Your Wii U
"Hey, what's the big deal?"
Digital download cards released in Japan have revealed the file size data for forthcoming Wii U titles Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard. Star Fox Zero gobbles up 6.2GB of storage space, while the spin-off title - which began life as Project Guard - occupies a more slender 2.1GB. Both launch at the end of the month -...
Random Here's Another Super Mario Maker 'Full Game' to Enjoy
40 levels across 10 worlds
Super Mario Maker has a loyal and sizeable audience that continues to stretch the creation tool to its full potential. With each update that adds doors, keys and other bits and bobs we also see increasingly clever stages, some which test our minds as well as our thumbs. In any case, while some create ambitious individual...
News Yo-Kai and Dragon Quest Still Lead for 3DS in Japan Following Modest Disney Art Academy Launch
Wii U sales climb a little as hardware struggles
The latest Media Create results are in to show what's hot and what's not in Japan, and they reflect a relatively stagnant hardware market and fairly predictable brand power, with a couple of new releases struggling to impress. The top two games are both on 3DS this week, with Yo-kai Sangokushi still...
Rumour Nintendo Is Planning A Series Of Wii U Remasters For NX
"More powerful than PS4", but handheld element remains a mystery
Nintendo continues to keep its cards close to its chest regarding NX, so in the meantime we've got lots of lovely rumours and "leaks" to sift through. The latest round of whispers involves a series of Wii U remasters for the new console. More than one source has indicated that Super...
News Splatoon's New Update Just Went Live
Time to try out these remixed weapons
In the latest Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Splatoon would be receiving some more free DLC, albeit in a slightly different form than before. Some existent weapons – dubbed "Sheldon's Picks" – have been retooled with new secondaries and specials, giving them an entirely different feel. While this may...
News Pokkén Tournament Update 1.2 Goes Live, to the Despair of Shadow Mewtwo Players
It's a tiny download
Pokkén Tournament has big goals, with the aim to find an audience on Wii U and also to establish itself in the fighting game scene. Its competitive appearances throughout 2016 will be interesting to follow, though naturally these tournaments will bring the spotlight onto the game's balancing and mechanics. Developer Bandai...
Preview Star Fox Guard Just May Be the Scariest Game of 2016
No, really
Star Fox Guard is a strange spinoff of a beloved franchise, taking on an entirely unorthodox gameplay loop for Fox and friends. You can glean as much from a quick peek at screenshots and videos. What you won't see in your fancy screenshots and schmancy videos is just how much Guard is secretly a horror game. Nintendo Life, we hear you...
Video Pokkén Tournament Goes on the Road to Impress Fighting Fans at Hypespotting
Hooray for Pokémon Tekken!
Pokkén Tournament has been out for a short while now, and a fun fact is that it's called Pokémon Tekken in Germany; next time someone tells you the comparison to Tekken is entirely erroneous, point them to Amazon Germany. In any case, beyond that irrelevant factoid there are some new videos that have been shared by...
News Star Fox Zero's Credits Feature A Touching Tribute To A "Fallen Wingman"
ALERT: Spoilers contained within
Star Fox Zero launches this month on Wii U, and it's fair to say the with NX on the horizon the game is one of the console's final AAA titles. Conceived during the tenure of the late Satoru Iwata, it is fitting that Star Fox Zero's credit sequence features a tribute to the former Nintendo president. After finishing...
Video Grab a Rundown of all of Runbow's New and Delicious DLC
Adding additional Val-Hue
Runbow has been available on the Wii U eShop for a little over six months and it's safe to say it's a favourite amongst the team here at NLife Towers. That love is no doubt going to run even deeper now that 13AM Games is about to release a wealth of brand new DLC for this action-packed party platformer. Check out the video...
Rumour Voice Acting Audition Hints At Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Sequel
Could we be getting a new game, or just add-on content?
Avex - the company which produced the music for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE - is holding auditions in Japan to look for "new talent", a move which has sparked rumours that we could be getting more content for the game, either in the form of a sequel or DLC. Kaori Fukuhara - who provided the...
Talking Point The Great Star Fox Zero Controls Debate Highlights Important Lessons
Simplicity and instinct matter when playing games
Star Fox Zero isn't far away, yet rather than unquestionable hype about the first series entry for over a generation, much of the talk is over its control scheme. As the Wii U heads towards its retirement it seems like an apt conflict - innovation vs familiarity, instinctive play versus unfamiliar...
News Digital Foundry Puts the Star Fox Zero Resolution and Framerate to the Test
Conceptual cleverness rather than performance perfection
The near arrival of Star Fox Zero has certainly earned the Wii U title a lot of attention, and a key point for many will be how much performance Nintendo and PlatinumGames have brought out of the Wii U hardware. The new Star Fox makes relatively unique demands of the system, too, as it needs...
Nintendo Life Weekly Zelda Wii U Rumours Point to Sex Choice in Playable Character
Grab that salt shaker
After a short break due to various other commitments, you'll be pleased to hear that Nintendo Life Weekly is back, and we've once again condensed all the biggest and best bits of the past week in the world of Nintendo into a single, manageable video. This week we look at the wealth of information in rumours surrounding Zelda...
Video The Star Fox Zero Puppets Return in a New TV Commercial
"Nice one Foxy"
Nintendo's Digitial Event of E3 2015 may have prompted negative reactions for some of its reveals, but the presentation and concept of lovable puppets was a winning approach. Reggie Fils-Aime, Shigeru Miyamoto and the late Satoru Iwata were all represented by puppets, and in a memorable segment to unveil Star Fox Zero they became...
News Minecraft: Wii U Edition is Getting a Retail Release Soon
Perhaps to coincide with the Nintendo DLC?
Minecraft: Wii U Edition was a natural fit for the eShop, finally providing Nintendo gamers with the opportunity to give it a shot. 4J Studios has certainly shown that it's willing to support the game post-release, and while the Nintendo exclusive DLC plans are still under wraps, there was an update last...
News Nintendo Updates Its Guidance on Super Mario Maker Level Deletions
Doesn't actually answer many questions
For a number of the most dedicated Super Mario Maker creators there's been a sore point - Nintendo removes levels with little explanation or warning. Communication has been an issue, as gamers have used social media to piece together limited details from terms of use and calls / emails with Nintendo's customer...
Music Let This Musical Tribute To Xenoblade Chronicles X Gently Massage Your Eardrums
Mech some sweet music
Nintendo Life contributor Gonçalo "Shiryu" Lopes isn't just great at digging up classic Super Famicom games - he's also a keen music-maker and long-time fans of the site will know that he has produced many a fine tribute album in his time. He's back with NLA Blues, an "original music tribute album to Nintendo Wii U's...
News Super Mario Maker and Splatoon Miss Out at BAFTA Game Awards
Darn
Nintendo has had some BAFTA wins to celebrate over the years, but the UK awards left the big N empty handed this year. In addition to the absence of any 3DS games in the Mobile & Handheld category, both Super Mario Maker and Splatoon missed out in their categories. You can see the relevant results (winners in bold) below: Family
News Splatoon Update to 2.7.0 Will Bring Us The First Volume of Sheldon's Picks Next Week
Eight remixed and new weapons
During the March Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the Splatoon updates weren't finished yet, with confirmation that there'd be two 'waves' of Sheldon's Picks, new weapons that'll provide abilities and secondary attacks a little different from their contemporaries. We now have a date for the first of these updates,...
ZeRo also offers tips for tackling the witch
Just recently we reported on a debate currently raging in the Spanish Super Smash Bros. community over potentially banning Bayonetta from tournaments. A top player in the country, Greward, discussed the topic and shared a belief that a ban of the DLC character seemed likely, albeit not yet finalised. It...
News Star Fox Zero Goes Live For Pre-Load Today, Discount Available On Star Fox Guard
Every little helps
Nintendo of America has confirmed that Star Fox Zero will be available for pre-purchase from 9AM PT on April 7th - that's today, in case you were wondering. Buying the digital version of the game on either the Wii U eShop or online entitles you to an automatic discount of $4.99 against the digital version of Star Fox Guard, which...
