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Mario’s Creator Doesn’t Have A Super Nintendo
Shigeru Miyamoto is a very important man. He created a whole slew of iconic games like Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda and many more. He probably has better things to do than respond to fan letters. Not necessarily. Ever since he was a young boy, Kotaku reader Ariem always dreamed of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 11, 2011 -
After A Good Ass-Kicking, Actor Finds Solace In His Nintendo DS
In late November, kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI got in a scuffle that resulted in the 33-year-old being punched down a flight of stairs and getting his face smashed in. Now, he’s killing time with his Nintendo DS. After drinking with colleagues at a gay bar in Tokyo, Ichikawa went to a member’s-only karaoke club.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 11, 2011 -
Through The Lens Of A Two-Year Old
To: Crecente From: Bash Hope you’ve recovered from last week! What you missed last night Star Fox, Paper Mario & Mario Kart Are All Lookin’ Good On The 3DS School Text Book Disses Nintendo But Which HDMI Cable To Buy For My Console? Report: Your Uncharted Movie Nightmares Are Coming True Aren’t You A Little…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
Japan’s Favorite Soccer RPG Kicks Out New 3DS Title
Inazuma Eleven, the soccer role-playing series, is getting a new entry, and yep, it’s in 3D. Inazuma Eleven 4 was teased as early as last summer, but the trailer shown at the Nintendo World event this weekend in Tokyo sheds more light on the title. The game is set ten years after Inazuma Eleven 3…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
The 3DS Is *The* Portable For Knuckle Sandwiches
Make that three-dee knuckle sandwiches. Because it’s really starting to look that way. The handheld isn’t even out yet, and two big fighter franchises are already slated for 3DS releases: Super Street Fighter IV: 3D and Dead or Alive: Dimensions Now, arcade favorite BlazBlue is also heading to the 3DS, as BlazBlue Continuum Shift II…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
A Week In Comments
The Week In Games: Gathered Together … Comment by: Veit Nominated by: Owen Good See, the point is, the Batman isn’t just smart, he’s smart enough to understand and analyze the weaknesses of his opponents. If he’s fighting Superman, that utility belt is going to have kryptonite on it. If he’s fighting a Green Lantern,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
School Text Book Disses Nintendo
So there was Frank, Billy, the author and George. And they all thought George was crazy, but was it because he played Nintendo games? The question below appeared in a cram school text book for Japanese students studying English: At first, Frank, Billy and the author thought George was crazy because he 1.) talked to…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
Boy Band Makes O-Face For New Nintendo Hardware
Arashi is arguably the biggest boy band in Japan at the moment. Watch how excited they are as they check out what could be the country’s biggest piece of game hardware. Last summer, Nintendo admitted that the 3DS was a tricky sell — especially in an age when 2D televisions still dominate. But even the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
Nintendo Is Covering Its Ass With 3DS Warnings
While doctors say the Nintendo 3DS won’t melt children’s eyes (and is possibly beneficial!), Nintendo is standing by its warning about the upcoming 3D-glasses-free portable gaming device. In late December, Nintendo issued a warning about the 3DS, stating that children under the age of six would not be allowed to enjoy the 3DS’s 3D function…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
Aren’t You A Little Short For A 3DS Cable? [Updated]
You’ve probably already seen the Nintendo 3DS. And if you’ve missed that, have a look right here. But what about the rest of the items packaged with the Nintendo 3DS? Have a look right here. Here is the Nintendo 3DS cradle, AR cards, SD card and battery charger. The cable seems a tad short Kotaku…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
Can This Pop Princess Be A True Gamer With No PS3?
During the last decade, Japanese singer Maki Goto was a big pop star. Now, she’s a big gamer. That is, a big gamer apparently without a PS3. Earlier this week, Goto appeared on popular variety show Downtown DX, hosted by the popular comedy duo Downtown. On the show, celebrity guests typically show photos or videos…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 10, 2011 -
ReviewsPinball FX2: Marvel Pinball Tingles My Silver Ball Sense
I am not a pinball wizard. I never have been. But here I am, with itchy flipper fingers, rarin’ to shoot that silver ball. Pinball FX2: Marvel Pinball is ready to scratch that itch — comic book style. A paid add-on for the free download Pinball FX2, it features four Marvel-themed tables: Spider-Man, Iron Man,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 4, 2011 -
If Only Tron: Legacy Was This Great
It’s not. As seen on Buzzfeed via Make and Technabob
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 1, 2011 -
Spend New Year’s Eve With This Man
This is Shinya Arino, comedian, television personality and all around bad gamer. Back in 2007, I hung out on the set of Arino’s show Game Center CX and interviewed the jumpsuit-wearing gamer. Arino is truly a funny guy — and not a very good gamer! But he’s so persistent and has such a likable personality,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Tell Me About Your 2010
To: Crecente From: Ash RE: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow No snow here in Texas. But it snowed in Osaka, apparently! I always love when people in Colorado blow off six inches of snow as no big whoop. This is a look a my 2010. What did you do this year?…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
David Bowie’s Son Is Excited About The World Of Warcraft Movie
Okay, that’s not fair. Duncan Jones is more than just David Bowie’s son. He’s also the son of fashion model Angela Bowie And, of course, Jones is a terrific filmmaker in his own right, helming the wonderful sci-fi flick Moon Jones tells Badass Digest that he’s “very cynical” of directors who claim to be gamers.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Did Japan Fall Out Of Love With Love Plus?
Anecdotal evidence at best, but a mountain of Love Plus items apparently didn’t exactly move like hotcakes at Comiket. The Comiket goods Konami is offering cost around US$67 for each set. There are three different sets, one for each Love Plus character. Developed by Konami, Love Plus is a love simulation game for the Nintendo…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Roger Ebert’s Past Game Addiction Made Him Sad
This year, famed film critic Roger Ebert said games could never be art — a mistake he later admitted. While Ebert might not be a fan of games, that doesn’t mean he didn’t used to play them obsessively . In a “Siskel & Ebert” holiday gift guide from 1989, Ebert and his former co-host Gene…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
On A Quest For More Cosplay Photos?
No, it’s not Halloween. It’s the end of December, and Japan is dressing up at Comiket, or “Comic Market”, the country’s biggest gathering of fan fiction, toy figures and otaku. Sure, folks are buying self-published manga, games and photobooks, but it’s really hard to overstate how big the event’s cosplay (“costume play”) is. Hordes of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010
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