|
Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 2, 2015 in Videogames 
It seems that 2015 is truly the Year of the Amiibo for Nintendo. While many games were shown off on their latest Nintendo direct, many of the major ones had corresponding amiibo announcements. Let’s start with Super Smash Bros. news first though. The Mewtwo DLC is pretty much ready and will be released on April 23 for $3.99, or $5.99 for both systems. Those who earned the character for free via the Club Nintendo promotion will get him on April 15. Lucas (from Mother 3 and Brawl) was announced as the second DLC character, due sometime in June. Future characters may be influenced by your votes on the Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot that just launched on smashbros.com. And if you want to spend more of your money, there will be new Mii costumes available. The cost of the costumes seems reasonable at $0.75 each, or $1.15 each for both systems. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Amiibo, fire emblem, Nintendo, Nintendo Direct, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 29, 2015 in Videogames 
Indie developer Renegade Kid must be very busy, working on their 3DS remaster of Dementium: The Ward, the next three episodes of Moon Chronicles (also 3DS), and retro platformer Treasurenauts (on, surprise, 3DS). Add one more project to the queue: Mutant Mudds Super Challenge for Wii U and 3DS. As you might guess from the title, this is intended for players who already beat the first game; this isn’t a direct sequel as much as it’s a “stepping stone” to a future Mutant Mudds 2. The game is coming out at some point in 2015, but with all that Renegade Kid already has on its plate, I foresee Mutant Mudds Super Challenge coming out later in the year. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 15, 2015 in Videogames 
Nintendo held their first Nintendo Direct of the year, announcing their upcoming games for the first half of the year. Sadly, there wasn’t much Wii U news, but that’s because of the 3DS focus, since there is a new piece of hardware. After an annoyingly long wait and well past the holiday shopping season, Nintendo is finally bringing the New 3DS to America after Japan (and strangely Australia) got to enjoy it. The system has improved head-tracking 3D, more power under the hood, a faster OS, Amiibo/NFC support, two more shoulder buttons, and a c-stick (right stick) nub. (An Amiibo adapter is expected for older 3DS models.) Read more…
Tags: Amiibo, New 3DS, Nintendo, Nintendo Direct, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 10, 2014 in Videogames 
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse launched on 3DS this fall, but was delayed on Wii U. However, a tweet from developer WayForward states that the game is in final testing at Nintendo of America. He thinks a 2014 may still be possible, which would be great for those who get a Wii U for Christmas to play. Hopefully it happens, but in the meantime, here’s the latest Wii U trailer. Enjoy those pretty sprites, because the next Shantae game, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, is using hand-drawn 2D graphics instead of traditional sprites. It’s still pretty in its own way, but it’s not the same. Read more…
Tags: Shantae, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 7, 2014 in Videogames 
Surprising just about everyone, Nintendo brought several big announcements and trailers to Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards. They’re really opening up, aren’t they? At the TGAs, Nintendo showed off new Mario Maker footage, a new Project S.T.E.A.M. trailer, and lastly, brand new footage of the upcoming Zelda game for Wii U (and Miyamoto casually confirms that Star Fox will arrive before it in 2015). This new footage finally gives us an in-game look at the world, and it looks very impressive. It’s still pretty early though (those copy-pasted trees), but with a year left to go, I’m certain we’ll see even more amazing visuals once it’s out. Big props to Nintendo for showing a game this early! Check out the footage below. Read more…
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 6, 2014 in Videogames 
Splatoon may not look to be as immersive as some upcoming games are, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look really, really fun. I wanted to play this badly after Nintendo announced it at E3, because a nonviolent shooter that lets you turn into a squid to travel along the paint you spray sounds amazing (and fresh). But it seemed like a multiplayer-focused game, and while it does look fun, I generally seek out singleplayer games. Lucky me, it turns out there will be a singleplayer campaign too! Naturally, you’re fighting evil octopi, since those are the squid’s cephalopod rivals. This is now a must-buy for me, and hopefully for you too! Read more…
Tags: Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Oct 25, 2014 in Videogames 
Nintendo recently streamed “50 Things” about Smash Bros. for Wii U, touting a bunch of new features, items, stages, and game modes. The biggest news was an 8-player mode, which let’s 8 people in the same room duke it out on extra-large stages. This is kind of crazy, as Smash Bros. is already pretty hectic. They also announced a new and improve stage creator, a new board-game mode called Smash Tour, and basically all features from Brawl returning. Lastly, they confirmed DLC for the game: if you own both Smash Bros. for 3DS and the Wii U, you’ll receive Mewtwo as a downloadable character for free. Neat! I hope that means there will be more DLC in the future. Smash Bros. for Wii U is out November 21st. The entire stream is embedded below. Read more…
Tags: Nintendo, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 22, 2014 in Videogames 
Shantae is one of those cult franchises, a series of games full of great gameplay, solid controls, and beautiful 2D graphics. Many people don’t even know the series exists because the first game had a limited print run on Game Boy Color after the Game Boy Advance had already launched. The second game launched on the DSi’s online shop, which almost no one used. Maybe the third game, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, will finally make a bigger splash. Though the titular half-genie has lost her powers in this installment, her pirate skills look fun to use. The game is out this Thursday on 3DS. Unfortunately, the Wii U version has been delayed until later this year, but that’s not too far off, so I can’t be too sad. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Shantae, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 16, 2014 in Videogames 
There are two DLC packs planned for Mario Kart 8, and they’re planned to have some crossover elements from fellow Nintendo series The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. Each DLC pack features two new cups, four new vehicles, and three new playable characters, one of which is Link. He’ll be in the first DLC pack due November 2014, along with this newly-revealed motorcycle called the Master Cycle. It’s blue like the hilt of the Master Sword, and also looks like a horse. Nintendo humorously notes that this vehicle “has plenty of horse power.” This is such a cool thing to see that I’m going to let that horrible pun slide. Read more…
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 8, 2014 in Videogames 
I’ll be honest: I didn’t think Super Smash Bros. for Wii U would come out this year. Though the tie-in Amiibo toys were scheduled to be released soon, it was somewhat strange that it was already October and no one knew the release date of the supposed “Holiday 2014” release. But apparently I was wrong, because Nintendo has finally announced that the game would be out on November 21, the same day as Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. As a reminder, you can also get a bundle with a Gamecube controller adapter and a Smash-branded controller for $100, $10 cheaper than grabbing the adapter and controller separately. Read more…
Tags: Nintendo, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Sep 16, 2014 in Videogames 
Capcom has finally rereleased Mega Man 7 on the Wii U Virtual Console. The first six games were originally released for NES, but Mega Man 7 was released for SNES. With the change in platform came a new graphical style to keep up with Mega Man X, which resulted in split opinions on the game’s quality. Regardless, it’s pretty cool that retro fans can now play Mega Man 1-7 all on one system, as well as Mega Man 9 and 10 from the WiiWare backwards compatibility. Granted, the system won’t be getting Mega Man 8, since it was only released on PS1, but barring that, you’ve got access to all Mega Man games released on old Nintendo consoles. Add that to the Game Boy Mega Man games on 3DS Virtual Console, and you’ve got a fun weekend! Read more…
Tags: Capcom, Mega Man, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Sep 10, 2014 in Videogames 
Both Europe and Japan have the option to buy a limited edition version of Hyrule Warriors that comes with the blue scarf Link wears in-game. But so far, it seemed like North America wouldn’t have that option and would have to go scarf-less. Nintendo of America has offered some good news via Twitter, but it’s unlikely to make very many people happy. There will be a Limited Edition for the US when the game launches on September 26, but it will only be sold in very limited quantities at the Nintendo World Store in New York City. And due to high demand, you can’t preorder it. Read more…
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Aug 28, 2014 in Videogames 
Nintendo has been slowly releasing more DLC in its games, which would normally be reason to be concerned about getting nickel and dimed. Opinions were split on the three free Mercedes cars (well, karts) that just got released in Mario Kart 8; while getting more content for free was a good thing, the sponsorship had many wary. But the latest Mario Kart 8 DLC announcement should put concerns to rest. There will be two upcoming DLC packs, one in November 2014 and one in May 2015. Each pack will come with three new characters (including Link from Zelda and the Villager & Isabelle from Animal Crossing), eight new courses, and four new vehicles. The courses will be partially based on other Nintendo games like Excitebike, F-Zero, and more. As a bonus, if both packs are purchased, you’ll get eight color variations for both Yoshi and Shy Guy — and you can use them right now if you preorder the packs on Nintendo’s eShop. Read more…
Tags: Mario Kart, Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Aug 23, 2014 in Videogames 
The latest update from Masahiro Sakurai in regards to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS has introduced some music! The music section of the site has opened up and features several songs from the game available for streaming. Sakurai has also released a list of musicians that will be composing music for the game, which features such talent as Noriyuki Iwadare (Phoenix Wright), Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger), Motoi Sakuraba (Dark Souls), Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts), and Hirokazu Tanaka (Metroid). Check out the three new music tracks below! Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Jul 15, 2014 in Videogames 
Masahiro Sakurai has said we’re nearing the end of new character announcements for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U (or at least new characters they feel like announcing that aren’t a surprise unlockable). The latest trailer adds two more Fire Emblem characters from Fire Emblem Awakening, joining previous fighters Marth and Ike. For the first time, you’ll be able to play as Robin (the main character) and choose whether the character is male or female, just like in the game. Lucina is also joining the fray. Meanwhile, Captain Falcon will be a returning character, having appeared in every previous Smash Bros. game. It’s all looking good, but I wouldn’t mind even more new character announcements by the time the game is out! Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Nintendo, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Jun 10, 2014 in Videogames 
While Microsoft and Sony had solid press conferences yesterday, Nintendo’s E3 Digital Event on the first day of E3 was much more impressive to me because it captured the self-awareness mixed with new hype of E3s past. Robot Chicken produced the opening (and various interstitial skits) in which Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Amie definitely ate a fire flower and lit a press member on fire. Then, Reggie and Nintendo of Japan CEO Satoru Iwata began fighting each other. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, E3 2014, Nintendo, Nintendo Direct, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on May 28, 2014 in Videogames 
If you’re not going to be at this year’s E3 in Los Angeles — i.e. most of you reading this — you’ll be happy to know you can test out the next Super Smash Bros. game on Wii U at over 100 Best Buy locations across the US. Nintendo’s Smash-Fest will be running on Wednesday, June 11 from 4PM to 9PM and Saturday, June 14 from 12PM to 5PM. As a bonus, if you’re one of the first 70 people to preorder the game at the event, you’ll get a promotional gold coin. Everyone preordering also gets a $5 Best Buy certificate. So look and see if there’s a store in your area holding the event, and good luck! Read more…
Tags: Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 9, 2014 in Videogames 
Nintendo just held a Nintendo Direct on the upcoming Super Smash Bros. game for 3DS and Wii U, and boy, did they really spill the beans. Director Masahiro Sakurai light-heartedly hosted a 40 minute presentation that led off with the long-anticipated release date for the two games. While exact dates were not given, we finally know that the 3DS version would release in Summer 2014, while the Wii U version won’t be out until Winter 2014. Still, that’s earlier than I expected it to be finished, so that’s a good sign. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Nintendo, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Feb 15, 2014 in Videogames 
Mario Kart 8 is (sadly) the next big Nintendo game after Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze. Nintendo finally decided to slap a release date on it, and we’ll be seeing it on US shores on May 30th. They released a new trailer packed full of gameplay, but also some new faces to the Mario Kart world: the Koopalings. All seven of them! That definitely pads out the character count a bit, and adds some variety to the cast. I imagine after they returned in New Super Mario Bros. U, they were a bit more popular. Check out the trailer below. Read more…
Tags: Mario Kart, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Feb 15, 2014 in Videogames 
Yup, at the Nintendo Direct yesterday, Nintendo announced another new character for the next Smash Bros. installment on Wii U and 3DS: Little Mac! The boxer from Punch Out! will be a newcomer to the series, but it definitely looks like he’ll still pack a wallop. He’s a bit on the short side, though. His introduction trailer is actually really cool, and I’m glad Sakurai and the team are taking the time to do these elaborate videos for each new character. Watch the video below, check out some images, or head over to the official site for more. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 13, 2014 in Videogames 
One of the many reasons I love Nintendo games is their attention to detail. It’s not enough for Nintendo that things just work properly; they want to put little bonuses in there too. GameXplain created a YouTube video highlighting the idle animation for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the new Wii U game that is just about to come out. (Idle animations are what game characters do if you don’t move them for a while.) Not only do three of the four playable characters have two idle animations, not only do they have additional tweaks depending on which characters are paired up with DK, but Donkey Kong has an amazingly detailed idle animation. One of his animations involves him pulling out his 3DS and playing for five seconds. That would be cool enough, but if you listen closely, you can hear him playing one of four real 3DS games, including Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, his previous game. That’s the kind of attention to detail that more developers need to implement. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Donkey Kong, Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Feb 1, 2014 in Videogames 
I know I heard a lot of fans doubting his return, so I figured it’d be important enough to mention: Lucario has been confirmed for the next Smash Bros. game. The dual-release later this year on 3DS and Wii U features a bunch of new and old characters. Lucario is definitely a fan-favorite, but many had assumed that Mewtwo would return and take his slot on the roster… perhaps we’ll get both now? Sakurai says “We’ve increased the influence of Aura this time, so a damaged Lucario is truly a force to be reckoned with.” Sounds like Lucario, along with many other characters, are getting some serious reworkings and buffs. Check out some more images below and on the official site. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 27, 2013 in Videogames 
Another returning character has been announced for Smash Bros., and it’s Zelda! This is really no surprise, but her upgraded look and (seemingly) some new moves involving the Phantom Armor from Spirit Tracks. Just recently we had gotten news of Rosalina being included in the game, so I’m glad to see more female fighters in the game. Especially when it’s called Smash Bros. I will say, I really like her design, as she looks even more fierce than before. Now we just need to wait for the inevitable Sheik reveal, eh? I’d also like to see Ganondorf get a more original moveset, ok Sakurai? Thanks. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 19, 2013 in Videogames 
Everyone’s excited for the next console installment of The Legend of Zelda, which is in development for Wii U. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD was a great holdover while the game is in production, but it seems that there will be at least one more console Zelda in the meantime before we get to that game. Nintendo has announced Hyrule Warriors, a collaboration with Tecmo Koei, that is basically Dynasty Warriors, but with Link fighting classic Zelda enemies. It looks a bit more fluid than the usual Dynasty Warriors games I’ve played, though it’s still clearly a similar game. The name is tentative right now, and I’d imagine a lot could change, but not too much: the game is due out sometime in 2014. If it takes most of the year to be released, does this mean that we won’t be seeing the next main Zelda installment for Wii U until 2015? Read more…
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Nintendo, Wii U
|
|
