WiiWare News
Nintendo Download 21st June 2012 (North America)
Dragons, kitchens and so much more
A very busy week this week with WiiWare, Virtual Console, DSiWare and no fewer than two eShop releases reaching North American shores. Here's what's awaiting your purchase today. 3DS Download Software: Order Up!! (Ignition Entertainment, $9.99, 2,488 blocks) — Released at retail in Europe, North America can try...
Nintendo Download 21st June 2012 (Europe)
Mutant Mudds is here
Well, that was a long wait. Renegade Kid's acclaimed platformer gets to Europe this week, along with a 1000 Point WiiWare adventure and a kickabout on DSiWare. Here's what's up this week. 3DS Download Software: Mutant Mudds (Renegade Kid, £8.10/€9) — What started life as a DS retail game called Maximillian and the Rise of...
News Retro City Rampage Is Still Heading to WiiWare
Summer fling
Once upon a time, Retro City Rampage was announced for WiiWare. That time was over two years go, and with the game having missed its most recent May release window many are starting to worry that this quirky 8-bit-styled title won't make it to WiiWare. The good news is that the game's still coming to WiiWare, and should be out this...
News Nigoro Receives Offers to Publish La-Mulana in the West
Keen to show strengths of Japanese indie scene
The recent news that Nicalis had cancelled its release of La-Mulana, from Japanese developer Nigoro, was disappointing for fans of retro-styled platformers and WiiWare. We had the opportunity to interview Takumi Naramura, director of the project, who confirmed that despite the setback the company was...
Interview Nigoro on La-Mulana's Cancellation
What happened?
Those waiting for La-Mulana's WiiWare release were left disappointed recently when publisher Nicalis cancelled the game's western launch. Nicalis cited problems with low sales of the WiiWare platform and a protracted development period, leaving no current route overseas for the 2D platformer and developer Nigoro. We spoke to...
News La-Mulana Director Would Welcome Offers from Publishers
Go ahead, make his day
Nicalis won't publish La-Mulana on WiiWare in the West, but that doesn't mean the game is entirely, 100% stone cold dead. We asked La-Mulana director Takumi Naramura if he and the Nigoro team would continue to pursue a western release through another publisher, to which he replied: The game is completed, we welcome the offer...
Interview Trent Oster - WiiWare from a Developer's Perspective
Changes that can support independent developers
After declaring that Beamdog will never develop for Nintendo again, company president Trent Oster was the recipient of both praise and criticism for his honesty. The tone of the original remarks on Twitter riled some, while debates about the merits and flaws of WiiWare and Nintendo’s digital strategy...
News Oster Lays Out WiiWare Criticisms
Lessons to be learned
There was a lot of controversy recently when Trent Oster — president of Beamdog, the company responsible for MDK2's WiiWare port — said that his company would never develop for Nintendo again: some objected to the tone of his remarks and comments about Wii as a console. In an interview with Nintendo Life, Oster outlines...
News La-Mulana Canned for North America, Europe
Nicalis breaks the news via Twitter
Few WiiWare games have had as public a storied development process as Nicalis' retro-inspired adventure La-Mulana. Today that story seems to have come to a whimpering end for North American and European players, as Nicalis broke the news on Twitter earlier this evening that the game would not be published in those...
Review Rush Rush Rally Racing (WiiWare)
Blast from the 'Cast
Undeserving of such a short lifespan, Dreamcast has continued to play home to the occasional independent development. One such game is Senile Team's Rush Rush Rally Racing (R4). Originally created as an entry for a Dreamcast programming contest back in 2009, the team adapted its work so that it was fit for release on WiiWare...
Nintendo Download 26th April 2012 (Europe)
Blocks, worms and Gnomz
There's a definite creative slant to this week's Nintendo Download, with 3DS and DSi owners able to make something for themselves. Here's what's available to download from 2pm this Thursday. 3DS Download Software: Block Factory (Enjoy Gaming, £3.60/€4) — A puzzle game in which you get to make your own variations on the...
Talking Point Lessons to be Learned from WiiWare and Beamdog
Cool heads should prevail
One news story has been dominant on Nintendo Life since it was posted, attracting a significant number of comments from the community. The news that MDK2 developers Beamdog will never develop for Nintendo again seemed to strike nerves, as strongly worded statements generally do. Writing on Twitter, studio president Trent...
Interview Senile Team - Rush Rush Rally Racing
Racing to answer
Tomorrow sees the European release of Rush Rush Rally Racing (R4) for WiiWare, nearly 18 months after it was first announced. We sat down with developer Senile Team's Jeroen and Roel van Mastbergen to talk racers, future releases and WiiWare. Nintendo Life: Firstly, please introduce yourself to our readers. Senile Team: Hi readers!...
News MDK2 Dev Will Never Develop for Nintendo Again
Beamdog out
BioWare's MDK2 was ported to WiiWare by independent studio Beamdog, but you won't be seeing that name on any other Nintendo formats in the future, according to studio president Trent Oster. Asked on Twitter if Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition could come to Wii U, Oster's response was... less than positive: We don't do Nintendo...
Nintendo Download 19th April 2012 (Europe)
Colors!, Rush Rush, paid video and more
Europe gets its first taste of paid-for 3D video this week, alongside an art application and a WiiWare racer. Here's what's under starter's orders for this week. 3DS Download Software: Colors! 3D (Collecting Smiles, 231 blocks, £5.40/€6) — An excellent addition to the 3DS suite of creative tools, find out...
News Vampire's Crystals Co-Op Footage Emerges
It was a dark and stormy night
Shanblue Interactive — the studio behind Magic Destiny: Astrological Games, of course — has lifted the lid on its upcoming WiiWare outing Vampire's Crystals with a new video. The co-op trailer below shows two players racing around, grabbing crystals and avoiding attacks from the hordes of undead. There doesn't seem...
Nintendo Download 5th April 2012 (North America)
TNT, Colors and more
A long-awaited 3DS art package, a DSiWare puzzler and a WiiWare racer make up this week's digital downloads in North America. Here's the Nintendo Download: 5th April 2012 for Europe. 3DS Download Software: Colors! 3D (Collecting Smiles, $6.99, 226 blocks) — A much-anticipated release for 3DS, this 3D art software was supposed...
News Rush Rush Rally Racing Parks in Europe on 19th April
Really
Update: The correct release date is 19th April, not 12th as previously stated. Senile Team's Rush Rush Rally Racing is on the way to Europe in two weeks. The indie racer — first developed for Dreamcast, fact fans — was first announced for WiiWare in August 2010, but the wait is due to be over on 19th April for 900 Nintendo Points. Up to...
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Island of Diamonds (WiiWare)
Less Diamond, more rough
Here it is, the thrilling conclusion to yet another series of episodic games that failed to impress from the get-go. That’s not to say that the Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math series was a complete let-down, but a few crucial flaws detracted from the package as a whole and really held the entire series back. What...
Nintendo Download 5th April 2012 (Europe)
Speeding thru
It's an auspicious day when Europe gets a new piece of 3DS download software, and that's exactly what's on the (SD) cards this week as Nintendo itself publishes another digital delight. Elsewhere there's an ages-old WiiWare game, a pretty poor DSiWare game and the world's most exciting demo. 3DS Download Software: SpeedThru: Potzol's...
News 27 WiiWare Demos Return to Europe
As prophesied
Just as we told you a few weeks ago, WiiWare demos have returned to PAL this week. The Wii Shop Channel in Europe now hosts 27 free demos. Here's what's available: 3D Pixel RacingA Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs RobotsAnd Yet It Moves
Nintendo Download 22nd March 2012 (North America)
Poker, Math and zombies
Just when you thought it was safe to hang up your mathematical hat, along comes Carmen Sandiego to dash it all. Elsewhere we've got some card games on DSiWare — it's been a while — and zombies. 3DS Download Software: Zombie Slayer Diox (UFO Interactive, $5.99) — The latest 3D game from Samurai Sword Destiny publisher...
News New Frogger Title Hops Onto WiiWare This Spring
Now it's going hyper
Frogger has a long gaming history, well known as an arcade in the early 1980s and appearing on legendary consoles as far back as the Atari 2600. It must have an ongoing charm, because it continues to appear in the current day with appearances such as Frogger 3D on 3DS and Frogger Returns on WiiWare and DSiWare. Konami has now...
Exclusive Tons of PAL WiiWare Demos to Return This Month
And they're here to stay
In January Nintendo of America reinstated all previous WiiWare demos while Europe looked on enviously. Well, readers in PAL regions, your time is coming. An inside source has confirmed to us that previously removed WiiWare demos will be reinstated for users in PAL regions before the end of the month. Not only that, whereas...
Nintendo Download 8th March 2012 (Europe)
Minigolf ahoy
It's a big old Nintendo Download this week, with a 3DS demo, Game Boy game, two Wii Virtual Console games and original 3DS download software hits alongside DSiWare puzzlers and a WiiWare demo. Let's get to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — Pit's second adventure comes to...
Nintendo Download 1st March 2012 (North America)
Metroid on NES
Bit of a slow week to kick March off, with an NES game on 3DS Virtual Console, a couple of demos and one piece of DSiWare all there is to talk about today. 3DS Virtual Console: Metroid (NES, Nintendo, $4.99) — Samus Aran's first adventure surely needs no introduction, but it's available to buy in the eShop from today. We'll review...
Review 2 Fast 4 Gnomz (WiiWare)
Gnome mercy
WiiWare first met the Gnomz four months ago with the release of the appropriately named Gnomz. This time they're back with a mission to rescue a princess — and bring back lots of socks. The game opens with the king blisteringly commanding you to do these seemingly disparate things, and it's a riot. The visuals and the soundtrack come...
Nintendo Download 23rd February 2012 (North America)
Boxes and more
The download is in and it includes gnomes, armadillos, puppies, kittens and... boxes. Who said games characters can't have personality any more? DSiWare: Box Pusher (GameOn, 500pts) — You're the box pusher. Pushing boxes is what you do, and you do it well. In fact, you're the greatest box pusher this town's ever seen. Make and share...
Nintendo Download 23rd February 2012 (Europe)
Rolling on
Here's the full list of games available to buy today in Europe. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Dillon's Rolling Western (Nintendo, £9.00/€10) — Play as a Wild West armadillo who must defend a town from marauding rocks using gatling guns, towers and more. We'll have a full review soon. DSiWare: Box Pusher (GameOn, 500pts) — Push...
Review BurgerTime World Tour (WiiWare)
Severely undercooked
While never really regarded as a smash hit in arcades, the original BurgerTime has always been an entertaining little game. We recently got what is arguably the best older version, BurgerTime Deluxe, on the 3DS eShop, and now we finally have a completely new title that other platforms received a couple of months ago. But is it...
Nintendo Download 16th February 2012 (Europe)
Metal Gear demo and Mario Land 3
A decent array of titles across the formats this week, although no, there's still no VVVVVV or Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword. What is available is listed below for your viewing pleasure. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy, Nintendo, £3.60/€4) — Completing the Super Mario Land
Nintendo Download 9th February 2012 (North America)
Megamixes, burgers and Maru's Mission
A relatively quiet download this week, with just three titles on offer, one of which came from absolutely nowhere. 3DS Virtual Console: Maru's Mission (Game Boy, Hamster Corporation, $2.99) — Here's a title you don't hear of very often. A side-scrolling action platformer — what else? — Maru's Mission puts...
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Great Gateway Grab (WiiWare)
Not so great
Last time we checked in on her, Carmen Sandiego had sent her minions out to steal St. Basil’s cathedral in Russia. This week, Sandiego has made her way over to India in Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Great Gateway Grab. With her eyes set on the Gateway of India, it’s up to you as an agent of ACME to solve the mystery and...
Keep on truckin'
It’s not about the winning, it’s about the taking part. Though it’s technically of the racing genre, TNT Racers often encourages you to do all but grab the chequered flag first. Far more important is the ability to unleash timely havoc upon competitors to send them sputtering off-screen; consider it the driver’s guide to...
Nintendo Download 9th February 2012 (Europe)
Demos, burgers and VC returns
This week Europe's got one of the best-looking download slates in a long time — though no, there's no VVVVVV or Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword — with strong titles left, right and centre. Let's get to it. Wii Virtual Console: The King of Fighters '97 (Neo Geo, D4 Enterprise, 900pts) — The legendary fighting...
Nintendo Download 2nd February 2012 (North America)
eShop comes into bloom
Today sees the release of a much-anticipated 3DS samurai game, a DSiWare zombie shooter and the next instalment in a globe-trotting maths series. What could be better? 3DS Download Software: Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (Nintendo, $6.99) — It's like Punch-Out!!, only with swords instead of boxing gloves. It's a solid...
Nintendo Download 2nd February 2012 (Europe)
Buy Kid Icarus
If you didn't register two 3DS games to get your free download code for Pit's remastered adventure, you can save yourself a heck of a lot of money by picking it up this week for €6. Here's the European download for this week. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, €6/£5.40) — Pit's very first outing gets a...
Review Newton Vs The Horde (WiiWare)
An experiment to be ab-horde
We're going to say this up front because there won't be much room to say nice things later on in the review: Newton Vs The Horde has an utterly fantastic concept. The idea is to destroy approaching zombie-like creatures by using physics puzzles either found in your environment or created by you. That's an interesting...
Nintendo Download 26th January 2012 (North America)
Mutant Mudds invade
Renegade Kid's much-anticipated platformer comes to the 3DS eShop alongside some quality DSiWare releases. Let's jump in and see what's available today. 3DS Download Software: Mutant Mudds (Renegade Kid, $8.99) — This cutesy 2D platformer is a bit of a belter, netting a 9/10 in our Mutant Mudds review. Don't be put off by the...
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Case of the Crumbling Cathedral (WiiWare)
In Russia, game disappoints you
If you’re wondering where in the world Carmen Sandiego is this week, or what in the world she’s up to, look no further than Moscow, capital city of Russia. As is generally the case, Sandiego is busy using one of her goons from the criminal organization V.I.L.E. to abscond with with a precious landmark. This...
Review Stonekeep: Bones of the Ancestors (WiiWare)
Rock-solid or balderdash?
Stonekeep: Bones of the Ancestors, a remake of Interplay's mid-90's first-person dungeon crawler, sounds pretty good on paper. The Wii is a bit short on quality RPGs — especially on WiiWare — and Stonekeep was a decent-looking, competent RPG back in its day. But pre-rendered 2D environments and FMV characters are no...
Nintendo Download 26th January 2012 (Europe)
Balloons and caterpillars
It's time to look ahead to Thursday and see what games lucky European residents can download, with Wii, 3DS Virtual Console and DSiWare all represented this week. 3DS Virtual Console: Balloon Kid (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — A sequel to Balloon Fight, this hasn't aged particularly well, sadly: our Balloon Kid...
Nintendo Download 19th January 2012 (North America)
The first 3DS demo lands
While there's some good games available to buy this week, we're pretty sure the most downloaded software this week will be the free Resident Evil Revelations demo, available from 9am PST/12pm EST today. 3DS Demo: Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, free) — The first trial game comes to the eShop with this playable sample of...
News TIGA Calls for Clarification on Download Sales Secrecy
The debate continues
In early January we reported that Icon Games broke its silence on WiiWare sales, breaching Nintendo's non-disclosure agreement in the process. It didn't take long for Nintendo to request that the figures be removed, prompting the developer to suggest that secretive Nintendo policies put jobs at risk. TIGA, the trade body that...
News Your Favourite WiiWare Demos Are Now Back
Fire up your Wii
In an act of unprecedented generosity, Nintendo of America has reinstated a ton of WiiWare demos in the Wii Shop Channel, which now bulges with nearly 50 demos of some of WiiWare's brightest and best games. Europe, you have just the two demos still: MotoHeroz and Gnomz. Here's the full list for North American Wii owners: 3D Pixel...
News Gaijin Games Explains Why RUNNER2 Won't Reach Wii
Talks Wii U too
Gaijin Games' BIT.TRIP series started life on Wii and has appeared on 3DS in the form of BIT.TRIP SAGA, but the next instalment, RUNNER2, won't come to WiiWare. Why not? Artist Chris Meyer explained: This game is too big and too detailed to work on Wii. We need the Xbox power in order for it to work. If you actually think about it,...
Review Zombii Attack (WiiWare)
iinsufferable
Zombii Attack is a very silly game. Its main mechanic — firing zombies out of a giant slingshot — is strange enough, but even more preposterous is the fact that this game actually got published on WiiWare. The game is so horrendous that the campy feel and OK music don't even come close to saving it from its abominable controls and...
Nintendo Download 12th January 2012 (North America)
Reach a state of Zen
After a few weeks' wait from its European release, the 3DS eShop in North America gets a piece of portable pinball, with DSi owners getting some balls and bumper action too. Elsewhere there's a little music and some more maths. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Zen Pinball 3D (Zen Studios, $6.99) — An excellent pinball title in...
News Majora's Mask and Dr. Mario Join Club Nintendo Rewards
Coins at the ready
North America's Club Nintendo site lets you buy downloadable games with your hard-earned coins. After the success of 3D Classics: Xevious and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, there are four new games available to buy between now and 31st January. Here's what's available: 150 Coins: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Big Ben Burglary (WiiWare)
Big Ben brain buster
Episodic gaming is becoming a regular occurrence on the Wii and DSiWare services, and whether that’s a good or bad thing is completely up to the individual. It is true, however, that if the first episode in a series isn’t very good, then there’s a chance that it won’t get much better moving forward. Carmen Sandiego...
Nintendo Download 12th January 2012 (Europe)
Three for the choosing
Nothing unique for 3DS owners this week as 3DSWare and Virtual Console take holidays, but WiiWare and DSiWare have the centre stage. WiiWare: Bobby Carrot Forever (FDG Entertainment, 800pts) — In development for years and years, little rabbit Bobby finally left the warren in July last year and brought a pretty good game with...
News Icon Games: "Nintendo's Policies Put Jobs at Risk"
Former WiiWare dev strikes out
A few days ago, Icon Games revealed its WiiWare sales figures, showing just how its games had fared on the service, breaching Nintendo's non-disclosure agreement in the process. Nintendo responded by asking Icon to remove the WiiWare sales figures from its post, prompting Icon boss Richard Hill-Whittall to slate...
Nintendo Download 5th January 2012 (North America)
Meet your (samurai) destiny
For the fourth time in five weeks, the 3DS gets new Download Software. Elsewhere there's a spot of DSiWare and a WiiWare game back from the dead. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Samurai Sword Destiny (UFO Interactive, $5.99) — A side-scrolling slasher with a Japanese bent, your heroine Akane must defeat all in her path...
News Icon Games Breaks WiiWare Sales Figures Silence
Dev speaks out
All developers who sign up to work on Nintendo's download services have to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that forbids them from discussing sales numbers for their own games, among other things. However, British studio Icon Games has revealed sales figures for its WiiWare titles. The company's biggest-seller is Family Games,...
Nintendo Download 5th January 2012 (Europe)
Hit the Pits
If you've registered two qualifying games in Club Nintendo, you can download a free game this week; if not, you'll have to choose from one of the other titles on offer in the first digital drop of the New Year. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, free to qualifying users) — You can only get 3D Classics: Kid...
Shoots too narrow
On the Wii Shop Channel, EnjoyUp! Games describes Soccer Up! as being "a funny soccer game." We're willing to bet you and EnjoyUp! Games have different senses of humour. But we're also willing to bet you have different definitions of "total control," "inertia" and "soccer." Indeed, much of...
Game of the Year Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011
What won our votes this year?
With the launch of 3DS in March, the Wii U's unveiling at E3 and a Christmas period that included new Zelda, Mario and Mario Kart games, we rather think 2011 was a pretty good year all in all. But what were the very best stand-out games of the year? What moments will we think of when we reminisce about 2011? The...
News SEGA Confirms No WiiWare Outing for Sonic 4: Episode II
Sad times
SEGA's digital brand manager Ken Balough has confirmed that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II will not make it to Wii. In a post on the SEGA forum, Balough confirmed it wouldn't appear on Nintendo's home console: But no - the reason Episode I was on the Wii was because we wanted to bring the Sonic 4 saga to the widest possible audience...
Nintendo Download 29th December 2011 (North America)
VVVVVVery exciting
The last batch of downloads for 2011 brings with it some more goodies, including a gravity-flipping eShop game and a certain game starring a guy with a bionic arm. 3DS Download Software: VVVVVV (Nicalis, $7.99) — The well-known indie platformer has made its way to the eShop. It seems to be identical to the PC release, including...
News Sonic 4: Episode II Teaser Trailer Due Tomorrow
It's got a nice ring to it
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I seems all but a distant memory now, but SEGA is ready to revitalise your nostalgia for 2D Sonic games by officially revealing Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II tomorrow. Gamespot will have the exclusive teaser trailer tomorrow, with SEGA brand manager Ken Balough keen to emphasise its...
Nintendo Download 29th December 2011 (Europe)
Bionic Commando!
Just because the Christmas celebrations are winding down doesn't mean we can't feel all festive and excited about the final Nintendo Download of 2011. What choice delights does Nintendo Europe have lined up for excited eShoppers this week? Read on, dear reader, and find out. 3DS Virtual Console: Bionic Commando (Game Boy, Capcom,...
Review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Lady Liberty Larceny (WiiWare)
Where in the world is the rest of the game?
Remember Carmen Sandiego? That mysterious woman in red who would steal precious and historical items from throughout the world all while teaching kids about history and geography? Well, she’s finally back and up to her old tricks. Except this time, rather than geography, it’s going to take all of...
Nintendo Download 22nd December 2011 (North America)
Swapnote is here!
It's the Christmas edition of the Nintendo Download, as we deck the halls with digital delights and wonder if we've been good enough boys and girls to get what we've asked Santa for. 3DS Download Software: Swapnote (Nintendo, free) — It wasn't on the website or press release but open your eShop and you'll find Swapnote waiting...
Nintendo Download 22nd December 2011 (Europe)
Droppin' blocks and mailin' letters
It's a bumper download for Europe this week — though no, there's no Wii Virtual Console present. Here's what Nintendo's digital departments has to offer this Christmas week. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Nintendo Letter Box (Nintendo, free) — The 3DS finally gets its messaging application with Nintendo...
Review Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder (WiiWare)
Not the worst game ever
At the back of every game shelf, at the bottom of every YouTube favourites list, in the dark recesses of every gamer's heart, they live. Games with which we are far too familiar, games that some of us have taken a near-masochistic pride in seeking out. Superman. E.T. Super Noah's Ark 3D. These are some of the worst games ever...
Nintendo Download 15th December 2011 (Europe)
Better late than never edition
No press release from Nintendo of Europe this week but here's what's available to buy on the download services this week. 3DS eShop: Eurosport application (free) — This new video application is part of a new partnership between Nintendo and Eurosport. Featuring clips from the WATTS series it's set to get new content...
Nintendo Download 15th December 2011 (North America)
Blaster Master and more
It's a rather average week for the Nintendo Download this week, except for one title, which is the often overlooked Game Boy Color sequel to Blaster Master. No new 3DS Download Software this time, though you're probably still too busy playing Pushmo to care much. 3DS Virtual Console: Blaster Master: Enemy Below (Sunsoft,...
X-cceptable
Less than a month ago, EnjoyUp Games released Pinocchio’s Puzzle, a jigsaw puzzle game that proved to be good fun for the whole family. Now, just in time for the holidays, EnjoyUp’s second jigsaw puzzle videogame emerges as Xmas Puzzle. But is this puzzle worth finishing and framing, or is it just a cheap Christmas cash cow? If you...
News Soccer Up! Videos Show Off Four-Player Mode
Briefly
WiiWare sports sim Soccer Up! is out next Thursday, and if you feel like gathering a few friends around for some holiday season soccer action here's two brief videos showing all the fun you could have. The game supports four-player local play with no need for Nunchuks. It all looks like the kind of silly knockabout football that did the...
Nintendo Download 8th December 2011 (North America)
Pushmo!
There's some good stuff on the Nintendo Download today, so make sure you read our Guide to the Nintendo 3DS System Update to get your machine up to speed before checking out the latest downloads. 3DS Download Software: Pushmo (Nintendo, $6.99) — Known as Pullblox in Europe where it is also released today, this is a quirky little puzzler...
Nintendo Download 8th December 2011 (Europe)
Pull those blox!
The big release this week is the new puzzler from Intelligent Systems, but we should also highlight this week sees only the second Game Boy Color game to hit the 3DS Virtual Console after The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX in June. Let's see what's on the platter this week. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Pullblox (Nintendo,...
News Soccer Up! Dribbles for Goal on 22nd December
Christmas fixture
Soccer Up! has been knocking the ball around comfortably in its own half for some time now, but it's finally committed to a serious attack on WiiWare's football-free zone and is due out in two weeks. North America and Europe both get the Mii-powered kickabout on 22nd December for 500 Wii Points. Here's the teaser trailer below...
Nintendo Download 1st December 2011 (North America)
First of the month and no returns
After today there are just four more Nintendo Downloads left in 2011, so let's see what Nintendo has in store to kick off this final month of the year. 3DS Virtual Console: Adventure Island (Game Boy, Hudson, $3.99) — Master Higgins makes it across the pond four weeks after his European appearance. Read our...
Review Big Bass Arcade (WiiWare)
Cast from the past
Just six months back, Big John Games released Big Bass Arcade on DSiWare, offering up pick-up-and-play fishing action on the go. While the game certainly did what it said on the box, the overly simplistic design left us wanting a bit more content-wise. Enter Big Bass Arcade on WiiWare, a revamped port of that game offering updated...
Nintendo Download 1st December 2011 (Europe)
A bumper crop
There's plenty to choose from this week, with WiiWare, 3DS download software, DSiWare and 3DS Virtual Console all represented, though there's no sign of resurrection on Wii's Virtual Console. Here's what's available this coming Thursday. 3DS Download Software: Zen Pinball 3D (Zen Studios, €5/£4.50) — The first downloadable pinball...
Nintendo Download 24th November 2011 (North America)
Samus is back!
The headline story this week: intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran returns to Nintendo 3DS, battling Metroids — but definitely not Space Pirates — in a portable adventure that paves the way for Super Metroid. In other news, DSiWare continues to swell with puzzle games and there's definitely something fishy going on in WiiWare...
Review Pinocchio's Puzzle (WiiWare)
Pinocchio goes to pieces
Chances are, when you're deciding to pick up a puzzle game for your console of choice, you don't think of actual jigsaw puzzles. They just don't fit easily into the genre's landscape. Popular puzzlers like Tetris and Angry Birds have an immediacy to them that encourages quick play and gratification, while a real jigsaw...
Nintendo Download 24th November 2011 (Europe)
Samus returns
Four titles on the download front this week, with a bit of a mish-mash of styles: shooting, singing, escaping and bounty hunting. Of course there's only one title we're really interested in, so let's just dive in and introduce you to this week's contestants. 3DS Virtual Console: Metroid II: Return of Samus (Game Boy, Nintendo,...
News WiiWare Reels In Big Bass Arcade Next Week
It's a live one
Fresh from its DSiWare appearance earlier this year, Big John Games' Big Bass Arcade is on the way to WiiWare in North America next week. The trailer below, we're told, is "all in-game graphics" and below that you'll find screenshots from the game too. Will you have a crack at landing this one next week? Big Bass Arcade...
Nintendo Download 17th November 2011 (Europe)
Kirby's back
A trio of new downloads this week, with one long overdue game on WiiWare sitting alongside a much anticipated 3D Classic on 3DS. Let's see what's competing for your money this week. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo, €6/£5.40) — Kirby's legendary NES adventure gets the 3D Classics makeover, adding a...
Don't step to this
The Wii is a great console for combining a love for gaming and fitness. Casual workout titles like Wii Fit offer laid back activities like yoga and jogging, while third-party titles like EA Sports Active offer up more rigorous cardiovascular routines. But what about WiiWare? Sure, retail offerings are great, but Nintendo's...
Fun with a capital Z?
When we first started playing Gnomz, we were excited: here's a game that's joyously silly, bizarre and simple enough that anyone willing to pick up the controller could play it and have an absolute blast. The graphics are colourful. The soundtrack has a giddy urgency to it. It's got a good sense of humour. WiiWare's Angry...
Nintendo Download 10th November 2011 (North America)
Your digital delectable delights are in
The headline act of this week's Nintendo Download comes from Nintendo itself, with a spot of 3DS downloadable software from the Big N. There's also some healthy stuff on WiiWare and a spot of puzzle and strategy on DSiWare. Let's meet the contestants, shall we? 3DS Download Software: Freakyforms: Your...
Competition Winners escapeVektor: Episode 1
Were you one of them?
Our recent competition for escapeVektor: Chapter 1 met with a great response: we had hundreds of entries, and all winners should now have been contacted by Nnooo via Twitter direct message with details of how to claim. For posterity, here's the selected winners:...
Podcast NLFM Episode 22: Mascots and Mixes
New digs for old friends
Our chip and game music podcast rears its lovely head this month with a collection of Nintendo mascot sounds new and old, from that new Kirby game to Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Metroid remixes. Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando — Cookie Country (Kirby’s Return to Dreamland)The Greatest Bits — Fear Factory (Donkey K
Nintendo Download 3rd November 2011 (North America)
Kicking off November in style
There's a distinctly domestic theme to this week's Nintendo Download in North America, with a house, some garden gnomes and a spot of lawn mowing all featuring in one way or another. Let's get on our aprons and see what's available to take home this week. WiiWare: Gnomz (QubicGames, 1000pts) — A single-screen...
Competition Win escapeVektor: Chapter One [EU, NA and AUS]
15 copies to give away
We know you love great games, and we know you love competitions, but we bet you love both of them together even more. We've teamed up with Nnooo to give away 15 copies of WiiWare gem escapeVektor: Chapter 1 to readers around the world. We have five copies for North America, five for Europe and five for Australia and New...
News Machinarium Finally, Officially Cancelled
Guess why
Last September, XGen Studios announced Machinarium was coming to WiiWare, but since then we've heard not anything else about the game, leading many to assume it would never see the light of say. Sadly, those folks were right. Developer Amanita Design's founder Jakub Dvorský finally sealed the game's coffin in an interview with Eurogamer,...
Nintendo Download 3rd November 2011 (Europe)
Master Higgins is back!
Hudson was a big supporter of the Wii's Virtual Console, releasing no fewer than 53 games on the service over the past five years. Now it's bringing its little mascot Master Higgins to the 3DS as well with this week's title. 3DS Virtual Console: Adventure Island (Game Boy, Hudson, £2.70/€3) — This is actually based on...
Nintendo Download 27th October 2011 (North America)
Blocks, burgers and board games
3DS owners are best catered-for this week, with releases on the portable Virtual Console and some brand new software too. WiiWare fans get a 1000 Point offering and DSi fans can play checkers or go trick or treating. Here's the full list. 3DS Download Software: Pyramids (Enjoy Gaming, $3.99) — A neat 3D homage to...
Nintendo Download 27th October 2011 (Europe)
Trick or treat?
With the most frightful night of the year just around the corner, Nintendo of Europe has put together a platter of mysterious gifts. Will they be sweet as candy or as welcome as rotten eggs through your letterbox? Time to find out. 3DS Virtual Console: BurgerTime Deluxe (Game Boy, G-mode, £2.70/€3) — No doubt in anticipation of...
An unrequested fishin' surplus
We know what you're thinking: "yawn... another colour-matching puzzler." And you'd be forgiven for shrugging and moving on. If you do that, however, you'll be missing out on a game that's quite good on its own, and a multiplayer experience that absolutely bursts with frantic fun. Fish Tank is a game that's...
First Impressions Gnomz (WiiWare)
WiiWare gets weirder
QubicGames' Gnomz isn't much like other fighting games. There are no punches, no blocks and no health bars — instead it has gnomes, rainbow socks and reindeer with lights on. We recently grappled with a preview version of the game and came out (mostly) mentally unscathed. Played with the Wii Remote sideways, Gnomz is a...
Nintendo Download 20th October 2011 (Europe)
Another late one
Just like last week, there's been no press release announcing what's available this week but here's what's appeared in Nintendo's digital shops. 3DS eShop: Pyramids (Enjoy Gaming, €4/£3.60) — You'd think Nintendo would make more of a song and dance about this, only the second third-party release for the 3DS eShop, but hey ho...
Nintendo Download 20th October 2011 (North America)
Dragons, castles and more
Some games we expected to be available today haven't made it, but here's the full list of what's up for your download dollars today including the 3DS's first ever paid video content. 3DS Virtual Console: Double Dragon (Game Boy, Aksys, $3.99) — The classic 2D side-scroller finally makes it to North America, nearly four...
Interviews QubicGames - Gnomz (WiiWare)
Learn more about the porcelain protectors
After the revelation of Gnomz yesterday we had to sit down with QubicGames' Michał Dys to learn more about the bizarre WiiWare fighting platformer. We'll also have a preview of the game coming up tomorrow, so don't miss it. Nintendo Life: The first question has to be: why gnomes? What is it about them that...
News Are You Afraid of Gnomes? You Will Be After This Gnomz Trailer
Don't go into the garden alone
QubicGames has put out some pretty good games on DSiWare — AiRace and AiRace Tunnel — but it's never made the jump to the big screen... until now. The developer has just told us about Gnomz, a new multiplayer fighting game for WiiWare starring everyone's favourite ornament — the garden gnome. From the video below...
Nintendo Download 13th October 2011 (North America)
Cat's out of the bag
A little something for everyone this week — other than Wii Virtual Console fans, that is — from WiiWare demos to forgotten classics. 3DS Virtual Console: Catrap (Game Boy, ASK, $2.99) — The original turning-back-time puzzler featuring cats — take that, Blinx the Timesweeper — this game is exactly what Virtual Console...
Review Horizon Riders (WiiWare)
Well balanced?
Horizon Riders is definitely a Wii-exclusive experience. A game that makes use of both the Balance Board and Wii Zapper, Sabarasa's on-rails shooter is tailor-made for the console. If you are one of the millions that bought Wii Fit, consider yourself in for a treat, as the game makes good use of the peripheral and really shouldn't be...
Podcast NLFM Episode 21: Curse of the Halloween Hootenanny
Fear the reaper!
Since it's not only the single best month of the year and because we had so much fun last time [citation needed], the NLFM Halloween Hootenanny has returned! More spooky, more sinister and more deathly, this episode is best listened to in a dark castle dungeon while eating raw pumpkins. Failing that, anywhere else will do. 1. Hip...
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