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Mother Accused of Beating Son to Death After Wii Game Breaks TV
A 21-year old Bronx woman has been charged with murder and manslaughter after the death of her five year-old son, killed after he “broke the television while playing Nintendo Wii”. Kim Crawford stands accused of murdering Jamar Johnson after telling police she struck him on the chest and back “harder than I’ve ever hit him”…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 22, 2011 -
CultureTotal Recall
A Look at Decades of Nintendo Controller Innovation
The upcoming Wii U is hoping to change the way we think of controllers forever. Whether it does that or not is anybody’s guess, but if it does, it won’t be the first time Nintendo has pulled off that coup. While Nintendo’s franchises and consoles often get all the praise for the company’s success, let’s…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 22, 2011 -
Maybe 3D Isn’t Essential for the 3DS After All, Nintendo Hints
Nintendo has never required users of the Nintendo 3DS to play their games with the system’s glasses-free 3D visuals activated. But 3D has been the machine’s selling point, one baked into the machine’s name. There are signs, however, that game creators, Nintendo included, are discovering that the 3DS’ 3D isn’t always a useful technological perk…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 21, 2011 -
The Wii U Won’t Blow Away Rivals
Nintendo showed an impressive Wii U tech demo at this year’s E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles. There have been rumors that the Wii U is more powerful than current gen hardware. But when pressed, third party developer Ubisoft struggled to explain how powerful the machine is. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto is more specific. At E3,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 21, 2011 -
Help Teach A Fellow How To Play The World Ends With You
Reader SecretMoblin has turned back the clock to 2008 in order to play The World Ends With You. And what better time to try this unconventional gem than what could easily be the twilight days of the DS’s lifespan? He’s got one problem: the combat’s driving him nuts. Think you could lend him a hand?…
By Drew Cohen Published June 21, 2011 -
Isn’t This a Bizarre, Untimely Choice, Nintendo?
Nintendo’s 3D television service “Itsu no Ma ni Terebi” went live today in Japan. The service is light on actual 3D programs, and it might disappoint some. Others, it will make uncomfortable, but not for the reason you’d think. It’s no secret, 3D gaming and the 3DS and me do not mix. That’s fine. Nintendo…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 21, 2011 -
25 Years of Legend of Zelda, 1 Fan-made Wall Scroll
In honor of “The Legend of Zelda” existing in this world for 25 years, Josh Dunbar created an amazing fan art poster to hang on your wall! (High-Res) Now available to purchase at his art blog (18″x19″ $25 | 11″x26″ $45). Zelda 25th Anniversary Tribute by Josh Dunbar (deviantART) Need your daily fill of geek…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 20, 2011 -
Nintendo Believes the 3DS’ Two Big Problems Have Been Fixed
The buzz on the Nintendo 3DS hasn’t been good, I recently mentioned to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. I hear people complaining about a lack of must-play games and a lack of reasons to boot up the machine. The $250 handheld hardware, while impressive, is called too expensive. Nintendo even failed—by about 400,000 units—to…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 20, 2011 -
Wii Motion Plus Captures Jimmy Fallon’s Wild Flailing on Late Night
Jimmy Fallon’s body was ready, but Reggie Fils-Aime overwhelmed him anyway with what Nintendo had to offer at E3. Nintendo’s E3 showcase spanned four consoles while Late Night with Jimmy Fallon featured only three. Well, almost. Reggie Fils-Aime brought the Wii U with him, there were no demos from the new console. Instead Fallon finished…
By Sam Winstrom Published June 20, 2011 -
What Do Metroid and Soccer’s Greatest Player Have in Common?
The name of Metroid‘s star’s name is Samus Aran. The name of soccer’s greatest player is Pelé. But that’s not his real name. “Even the name of the protagonist could be put together in this manner, and if I wanted to give someone a strange name, I could refer to Pelé’s name,” Nintendo’s Hiroji Kiyotake…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 20, 2011 -
3D TV Streaming on Japanese 3DS Handhelds Starting Tomorrow
Revealed last September, the 3D television streaming service on the 3DS begins tomorrow in Japan. Shows include a on-board views from trains, a magic program, a nature show, idol programs, and sports. It’s free, but ad supported. [via 任天堂]
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 20, 2011 -
Enjoy Twenty Minutes of Xenoblade Chronicles’ Sweeping Vistas
It’s a shame this is coming out now, and not in 2008, when the Wii actually needed it. Still, for what must surely be one of the last big “serious” games for the console, it looks like a great way to sign off. Xenoblade Chronicles’, from Monolith, has been out in Japan since last year.…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 20, 2011 -
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Was Almost an FPS
During the game’s development, Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto had this crazy idea: How about a Zelda game where players cannot see Link? In the latest Iwata Asks on Nintendo.com, Yoshiaki Koizumi recalled, “First, I talked with Miyamoto-san about how we should make The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo 64 system, and he asked, ‘How…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 20, 2011 -
1Up Your Food with These Mario Mushroom Shakers
Spotted at the Tokyo Toy Show, this Super Mario salt and pepper shaker set will be released in Japan this November for ¥712 (US$8.88). Porta sale e pepe di Super Mario – Ensky Salt’n Pepper al Tokyo Toy Show 2011 [Hobby Media]
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 20, 2011 -
The Highs of Zelda, the Disappointment of 3D
Last Thursday, Japanese nerd hero Shoko Nakagawa bought The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. She wasn’t alone; the game sold out at stores across the country. She was ecstatic. On her widely read blog, Nakagawa posted pics of her with game, held behind her back, held in front of her face, and even…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 20, 2011 -
‘Is Navi Annoying?’ and Other Questions We Asked the Creators of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Kotaku recently asked eight questions of the chief creatives responsible for the Nintendo 3DS remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, questions like “Why does Link auto-jump?” and “Do you think Navi is annoying?” Longtime Zelda lead and co-director of Ocarina of Time Eiji Aonuma offered sometimes fascinating answers to our sometimes silly…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 17, 2011 -
Get A Good Look at Converse’s Beautiful Super Mario Bros. Sneakers
You may have seen Converse’s Super Mario Bros. 25th anniversary Chuck Taylors before (or maybe just its gorgeously designed shoebox), but here’s a better, more detailed look at the Nintendo licensed sneakers we’re currently drooling over. It’s the little things that make these Mario shoes stand out: the Super Mario Bros. logo on the tongue;…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 17, 2011