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Japanese Wii RPGs Get Fancy Reversible Covers
As if to Lord it over American Wii owners, Europe is not only getting Japanese role-playing games The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower, they’re getting them with fancy reversible covers. The images you see here aren’t final. They’re just the artwork, so stuff like titles need to be added. Still, choice is always nice, especially…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 16, 2011 -
Only One Character Could Possibly Pull Off Space Golf
Our daily Speak Up on Kotaku feature does not have to be a long-winded essay on some vaguely game-related topic. Sometimes it’s just a really great idea, like the one commenter Deuxhero had regarding everyone’s favorite plumber. Mario Golf+Mario Galaxy WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN DONE!? About Speak Up on Kotaku: Our readers have a…
By Mike Fahey Published November 15, 2011 -
Man in Tanooki Suit, Giant Bullet Spotted in Manhattan
Nintendo’s promotional stunt for Super Mario 3D Land turned part of Times Square into a version of the Mushroom Kingdom. That brought out paid and unpaid people decked out in Mario gear. Plus a massive Bullet Bill. We already ran video of this amazing PR stunt, but the shots photographer Rob Boudon snapped at the…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 15, 2011 -
PSN Shutting Down at Night for Young Korean Players
South Korea’s Shutdown Law will prevent players under sixteen years-old from gaming during a six hour block at night. Originally, it was reported that the law would not impact consoles. Today, Sony Computer Entertainment of Korea announced that it would be taking the PSN offline for underage players in compliance with the law. The Shutdown…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 15, 2011 -
PETA’s Fur-Wearing Mario Outrage Is “An Epic Cultural Misunderstanding”
The People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is expressing outrage over Mario’s Tanooki Suit. That outrage is not only misplaced, but shows PETA’s complete lack of cultural understanding—traditional or contemporary. “Tanuki are associated with shape-shifting tricksters in folklore, and are also seen as symbols of good luck in Japanese culture,” Yokai Attack author…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 15, 2011 -
Your Stupid Zelda Pick-Up Lines Do Not Impress this Zelda
Robin Williams loves The Legend of Zelda so much that he named his daughter “Zelda”. Zelda is a nice name—it’s not just a video game character. There have been other Zeldas, Zelda Fitzgerald, for example. Yet, for our generation, “Zelda” is Zelda. And for Zelda Williams, sometimes that’s a blessing and sometimes, it’s super annoying—especially…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 15, 2011 -
Yo Dawg Nintendo Heard You Like Cars So…
This Thursday, at the LA Auto Show, Nintendo will be in attendance. Yes, Nintendo. Why? We don’t really know, yet, but the company is showing off something it’s cooked up with West Coast Customs, the shop made famous by MTV’s Pimp My Ride While it’s probably got something to do with Mario Kart, since Mario…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 15, 2011 -
Watch Nintendo Turn Times Square into Super Mario 3D Land
Nintendo packed New York City’s Time Square with colorful platforms, warp tubes and piranha plants to celebrate the weekend’s release of Super Mario 3D Land Former Kotaku video superstar, and current FastCompany producer Adam Barenblat was on hand to capture the bizarre downtown event. Special thanks to Mark Crawford who scored the video. You can…
By Brian Crecente Published November 14, 2011 -
PETA Calls Out Nintendo For Fur-Wearing Mario
The People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals are blasting Nintendo and their beloved gaming plumber Mario over what they claim is a message that it’s OK to wear animal furs. In Super Mario 3D Land, which was released this weekend, one of Mario’s many power-ups is a Tanooki suit which grants him the ability…
By Brian Crecente Published November 14, 2011 -
Shinobi Takes Revenge This Tuesday on 3DS
It’s been a hell of a month for side-scrollers from 20 or more years ago. First Sonic, next Mario and now Shinobi. Joe Musashi is back, on the 3DS. This launch trailer sets up his mission of revenge and shows off what looks like some gyrometer-enabled gameplay. Players will mix a new combo system in…
By Owen Good Published November 11, 2011 -
30 Seconds of Skyward Sword: One Amazing Boat
I showed four moments from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword this week. Those four moments that might not be the mostly obviously spectacular moments in the new Wii Zelda, but each of them shows off one of its strengths: the combat twists, the music, the art direction, the atmosphere… and today, I’m going to…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 11, 2011 -
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Pierces Game Critics’ Hearts
Has Nintendo finally release a console installment of The Legend of Zelda series that critics don’t immediately fall in love with? Look at that chart. Does that look like hate to you? No sir and / or ma’am, that’s love right there. One could almost feel the bulging hordes of game reviewers pressing against Nintendo’s…
By Mike Fahey Published November 11, 2011 -
It’s True. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is Worth the Price of a Wii
Yeah, we think you’d like the new Zelda game and you should buy it. But what if you don’t have a Wii? What if you had one and sold it, chucked or simply don’t know whether it’s behind your Ab Roller, in a box next to the Ark of the Covenant or otherwise lost? You…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 11, 2011 -
Should You Buy The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword? Yes.
There is a new Zelda game out for the Wii, a massive adventure for Link that begins in a village suspended in the clouds. The Wii is getting old and the Zelda series is even older. But, perhaps, saving Zelda would again be worth your time and rupees? Stephen Totilo, who is 34 hours and…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 11, 2011 -
30 Seconds of Skyward Sword: A Most Unusual Place
My favorite location in The Legend of Zelda is its expansive desert region. That zone begins at the mouth of a mine, where technology appears to be more advanced than it ever has been in any other Zelda game. I want those of you who are on the fence about this game or those of…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 10, 2011 -
What Super Mario Is
I recently heard from a reader who didn’t understand what was wonderful about The Legend of Zelda games. I tried to explain. And then I heard from him again. What, he asked, about Mario? What’s special about all these Super Mario games? I will try to explain: It’s running. Then jumping. Then falling down a…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 10, 2011 -
Your Blasphemous Abominations Come to Life in This Week’s Nintendo Download
The sad bunny creature above has no reason to live, save your will. This is the power of Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!, giving you the power to create life from nothing with your 3DS. Who are you to play God?! Oh, really? Ten years with the Royal Shakespeare Company? And a Bounty commercial? Well then…
By Mike Fahey Published November 10, 2011 -
Nintendo Might Bring 2D Zelda Games Back In 3D
Ocarina of Time might not be the only Zelda game we see brought back to life on the 3DS. Nintendo talisman Shigeru Miyamoto has been thinking about bringing some older games to the handheld as well. In an interview with GamesRadar, Zelda boss Eiji Aonuma said “Well actually, even Mr. Miyamoto himself has been talking…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 10, 2011