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Not All Yoshi are Created Equal
There are some colorful dinosaur creatures you just don’t feel comfortable handing over a baby to. Dorkly gets it. I get it. Inbred Yoshi doesn’t get it. Go figure. You can contact Michael Fahey, the author of this post, at [email protected]. You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, and lurking around our #tips page.
By Mike Fahey Published August 2, 2011 -
Sony’s Vita Can Do Some of What Nintendo’s Wii U Does
We learned back in June that the PS Vita could play nice with the PS3, but how much can the two systems do together? Apparently about as much as the Wii U. Sony Europe R&D manager Phil Rogers said at the Develop Conference 2011 that the “PS3 can send data down to Vita and Vita…
By Sam Winstrom Published August 2, 2011 -
Call It the Mintend 3DS
The 3DS’s recent price cut was surprising. The handheld is still new, and a drastic slash like that whiffs of desperation. But don’t worry, the 3DS isn’t dead, by any stretch. Maybe one of Japan’s most successful manga artists can work his magic. While appearing on variety show SMAPxSMAP, famed manga artist Osamu Akimoto drew…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 2, 2011 -
Is This a Pikachu Ripoff?
One of the Japanese media’s favorite topics is how China copies everything, whether that be giant Gundams or toys. But Japan is no stranger to ripping off the creative work of others. This is “Eco-chan”, the mascot for an environmental community center in Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture. Let’s not screw around, Eco-chan sure as snot looks…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 2, 2011 -
Rhythm Heaven is Where Idols Go to Press Buttons
This week, the biggest game in Japan is Rhythm Heaven. It was created by a man who was at one time the biggest record producer in the country: Tsunku. The Osaka native produces tracks and makes music for a variety of artists, such as Morning Musume (vintage pic above), who were the most popular idol…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 2, 2011 -
Are Gaming’s Biggest Portables Becoming Its Smallest Niche?
Last week’s drastic, surprising price drop for Nintendo’s 3DS gaming portable brought turmoil not just to the last major dedicated gaming hardware company in the world, but also the notion of portable gaming. While fans of Nintendo worry what impact the nearly one-third price drop on such a new piece of hardware will have on…
By Brian Crecente Published August 1, 2011 -
Can Nintendo Dominate Digital?
Face it. Nintendo’s never been a powerhouse in digital entertainment, like Sony or Microsoft. That could change. “Regarding if there’s anything we can do from now on that we aren’t currently doing for the 3DS and the upcoming Wii U, of course, whether that means there something we can do for in the digital business…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 1, 2011 -
Mario Is on an Unreal Engine Killing Spree
This is the decidedly 8-bit World 1-1 from Super Mario Bros. rendered using the Unreal Engine, most commonly seen in games like Gears of War If it looks a little rough, that’s because it was an 8-week project, not a polished game release. You can see more clips at 525Leomas‘s YouTube page. What happens when…
By Luke Plunkett Published August 1, 2011 -
How to Collect Your 20 Free 3DS Games (And Maybe a Little Cash On the Side)
Own a Nintendo 3DS or plan on getting one in the next couple of weeks? Congratulations you’re now a Nintendo 3DS Ambassador and that means you get 20 free games. Right? Maybe. Nintendo’s 3DS Ambassador program isn’t exactly clear cut, so we hit up Nintendo to walk us through the intricacies of the program. Earlier…
By Brian Crecente Published July 29, 2011 -
But What if You Don’t Have Internet? Can You Get Twenty Free Games?
I have internet. If you’re reading this, you probably have internet. But not everyone in Japan has internet. China and the European Union have the most internet users, followed by the United States, India, and Japan (via Wii). So there are lots of internet users in Japan, but not everyone has WiFi access, and many…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2011 -
Nintendo President Takes Blame for 3DS, Getting 50 Percent Pay Cut
Today in Tokyo, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata addressed shareholders regarding the Nintendo 3DS. For Nintendo, things have been better. At Today’s meeting, Iwata said the goal was to address questions why Nintendo cut the 3DS’s price. In an official release from Nintendo detailing the meeting, Iwata acknowledged that the price reduction does help retailers plan…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2011 -
Sorry, America, Still No Xenoblade Chronicles for You
Not that this will be too big a surprise for suffering American Wii owners, but in Nintendo’s latest release schedule (out today), there’s still no mention of Xenoblade Chronicles being due for North America. It’s still scheduled for release in Europe, however, on August 19. The game has been the subject of an ongoing campaign…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 29, 2011 -
3DS Rocks Japanese Retail
Yesterday’s 3DS price-drop was sudden. It caught many off guard, including some Japanese game retailers. One Japanese shop posted a notice that until August 11, when the price drops ¥10,000 (US$129), it will refrain from selling the 3DS. This is leading to speculation that retailers are being burdened with heavy inventories and might take a…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2011 -
Nintendo’s Former President Just Lost Half a Billion Dollars
A disastrous last quarter in terms of sales has sent Nintendo’s share prices through the floor. If you own Nintendo shares, sorry! But hey, even if you do, it could be worse; spare a thought for former president Hiroshi Yamauchi. He just lost $500,000,000 in one day It’s not like he’ll be out on the…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 29, 2011 -
It’s Lexicon Like Donkey Kong
Having nothing better to do, evidently, Denver’s Westword set out to chart the comprehensive history of “It’s On Like Donkey Kong,” and found that Ice Cube has much to do with the social currency of the phrase, whether a call to celebrate or a challenge to fight. It was copyrighted by Nintendo last year. The…
By Owen Good Published July 28, 2011 -
Mario Kart 7 is the Ninth Mario Kart
We learned the name of the new Mario Kart today. And it’s…(pause for effect)…Mario Kart 7 But there have been, in fact, nine Mario Kart games- come along, count with us— and take a look at some of the commercials made for them too! Super Mario Kart (1992) — Super Nintendo The first. The grandaddy.…
By Joshua Rivera Published July 28, 2011 -
Now That We Feel Bad About Our Early 3DS Purchase, Let’s Golf!
So you spent an extra $80 on the 3DS than folks picking it up next month. You’ll be getting 20 free games eventually, and you can play Let’s Golf 3D right now. Who’s the winner now? I’d say it’s still the folks that waited, but Let’s Golf 3D does look rather fetching, what with its…
By Mike Fahey Published July 28, 2011 -
3DS In Crisis, Nintendo Must Execute a Drastic Plan B
The historic price drop of the 3DS announced overnight by Nintendo is a transparent acknowledgement by the most successful company to ever make video games that it is struggling. Nintendo cut the price of its flagship gaming handheld by an extraordinary 32%, while making some dramatic turns. It appears to be pivoting to deemphasize 3D…
By Stephen Totilo Published July 28, 2011 -
Mario Kart 3DS, Super Mario 3DS Coming This Holiday Season
As part of its press release outlining the 3DS’ massive price cut, Nintendo also provided more detailed release information for two of the system’s more eagerly-anticipated titles, saying Super Mario 3D Land (November) and Mario Kart 7 (December) will be out in time for Christmas. As will Kid Icarus! You can contact Luke Plunkett, the…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 28, 2011 -
Nintendo Launching Game Boy Advance and NES Games for eShop
Until now, the Nintendo 3DS’s eShop has only offered Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. Soon, that will change. Today, Nintendo revealed that it would be giving those who purchased the 3DS before the August 12 markdown the chance to download 20 free games (either NES or GBA Virtual Console) via the 3DS eShop.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 28, 2011