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The 3DS Makes For A Great Periscope
I want 3DS games like Steel Diver, games that aren’t from familiar franchises and aren’t just the side-scrolling submarine adventures I thought they were. Watch as the game turns the 3DS into a motion-sensitive virtual periscope. The system seems to be using the 3DS’ motion sensors to allow the user to rotate where they stand,…
By Stephen Totilo Published October 26, 2010 -
South Korea’s Pikachu Rides Are Truly Frightening
In Japan, coin-operated Pikachu buggy rides are a common sight in front of arcades or suburban shopping centers. Children love them. In South Korea, they must scare the crap out of kiddos. These South Korean takes on Pikachu were spotted by blog Koya Log Everyday in South Korea. The Pikachu buggy ride below is the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 26, 2010 -
The Computer Nintendo Never Released
In Japan, Nintendo launched the Famicom in 1983. Besides the two controllers, the “Famicom” later had a keyboard, helping the machine live up to its “Family Computer” moniker. The version released in the West, however, was a different story. Nintendo was looking to bring the Famicom to North America and initially reached out to Atari…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 26, 2010 -
Pokémon Weren’t Originally In Pokémon Snap
What do you call Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap with no Pokémon? Snap? “Originally, Pokémon Snap for the Nintendo 64 system wasn’t a Pokémon game,” recalls Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, “but rather a normal game in which you took photos, but the motivation for playing the game wasn’t clear.” With the Pocket Monsters got-to-collect-them-all craze…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 26, 2010 -
It’s Official: Nintendo Has Sold A Ridiculous Amount Of Wii Remotes
63,500,000. That’s the number of Wii Remotes Nintendo says it has sold in the United States since the Wii launched in November 2006. How did Nintendo manage to move so many of the damn things? Wii Play was a big help, responsible for nearly 13 million Wii Remotes being snapped up by U.S. consumers. Wii…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 25, 2010 -
The Nintendo Download: $8 Artsy Game vs. $2 Flashlight
Bit.Trip Fate might be another game in a musically and graphically inventive series. Flashlight is a flashlight. Bit.Trip Fate might be fun. Flashlight might save your life (according to the official product description). Decision time, NIntendo download consumers! Our Mike Fahey usually chronicles the Monday releases brought to Nintendo systems by the ever-unusual collection of…
By Stephen Totilo Published October 25, 2010 -
3D And Gyro Sensor Might Make Racing Difficult
The Nintendo 3DS has 3D and a gyro sensor. That doesn’t the 3D gaming and motion sensing gaming go together on the 3DS like peanut butter and jelly. The 3DS has a sweet spot for viewing 3D. Tilt the console to the side, and the 3D effect vanishes. Gyro sensing is based on tilt controls!…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 25, 2010 -
Super Mario Bros’ Controls Were Originally Different
In Super Mario Bros., the “A” button is jump, and the “B” button is run or shoot fireballs. It wasn’t always that way. The original plan for Super Mario Bros. was quite different. For example, it involved shooting. A booklet included in the Wii title “Super Mario Collection Special Pack” shows just how different. The…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 25, 2010 -
We’re Giving Away Four Classic Editions of Goldeneye, Want One?
We’re giving away classic editions of the North American version of James Bond 007: GoldenEye, which come with a copy of the Wii game and the snazzy golden classic controller, to four lucky readers. This time around we’re asking you to sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win the player. If you’ve…
By Brian Crecente Published October 22, 2010 -
Nintendo’s Biggest Characters In Board Game Form
In Japan, video games are called “TV games” (terebi geemu). Here’s a look at video games that have been turned into tabletop entertainment. Think TV games, but minus the TV. The vast majority of the games are Nintendo-related, showing the strong cultural impact Nintendo has in The Land of the Rising Sun. When kids aren’t…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 22, 2010 -
The Red DSi XL Is Official
After images of the snappy red DSi XL popped up on a U.S. retail site, it seemed like the handheld would be coming to the States. Today, Nintendo made it official. The bundle comes with Mario Kart DS as well as the pre-loaded titles Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and Brain Age Express: Math…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 21, 2010 -
Fling The Wii RemotePlus With FlingSmash
Late last month, a retail listing showed a FlingSmash bundle with the then unrevealed Wii RemotePlus. That controller is real and so is the bundle. According to an official Nintendo release, the bundle will go on sale November 7. It’s priced at US$49.99. The game was originally supposed to be out this past summer. The…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 21, 2010 -
Red Wii Bundle Bound For North America
Joining Europe and Japan, North America is getting the red Wii bundle that celebrates the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. The console comes packed with the new Wii-mote Plus, which has on-board Wii MotionPlus. Priced at US$199.99, the bundle also comes with Wii Sports, New Super Mario Bros. and a red Nunchuk. Like with…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 21, 2010 -
New Wii Bundle Includes New Wii Controller
Nintendo of Australia has shown off a new bundle it will be releasing later this month that, while keeping the price of the Wii the same as it currently is, throws in a little more bang for your buck. Right now, a Wii costs AUD$299 (USD$295). Starting October 28, though, this new pack will go…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 21, 2010 -
Celebrities And Developers Mark Super Mario’s 25th Anniversary
This year is the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. In the latest issue of game mag Famitsu, top game designers like Metal Gear Solid’s Hideo Kojima and celebrities like popstar Mari Yaguchi congratulate the title. A two-page spread in Famitsu features an array of quotes on the game’s anniversary. Kojima calls the title’s release…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 21, 2010