Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Switch, Wii U | 12 Comments

During Nintendo’s latest shareholders meeting, one attendee brought up the slow launches of both Wii U and 3DS. This same person expressed concerns about NX meeting a similar fate.

Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo, addressed this by stating:

The situation for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U is in line with what you mentioned. For Wii U in particular, it cannot be said that it had a successful launch. As for Nintendo 3DS, in Japan there was a temporary slowdown but we managed to make a recovery by offering a number of initiatives collectively. On the other hand, Wii U has not been able to recover at this point in time. Because of this, the size of the installed base compared to the Nintendo DS or Wii eras appears not to be as solid and this is reflected in the company’s profitability. But taking a look back, it was not the case that Nintendo DS sold with huge momentum from the beginning. When it first started to lose momentum, we offered a number of titles from a new genre, such as “nintendogs” or “Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day,” and these titles were widely accepted even by those who had never played video games in the past. This sequence of events led to a very large business. The platform business can sometimes be referred to as a “momentum business.” Thus, it is ideal to have a jump start and drive momentum. Looking back at some of Nintendo’s past platforms, this ideal launch has been achieved 100 percent by perhaps only Wii. Even the Nintendo DS launch had areas in which we could have done better. I cannot disagree with your indication that Wii U is experiencing the most unfavorable situation.

Since the word “NX” has been mentioned, please let me elaborate. When Nintendo announced the collaboration with DeNA on March 17 of this year, I mentioned that Nintendo is currently developing a new dedicated video game system codenamed “NX.” The reason I mentioned this was, at that time, there were more than a certain number of people that thought that Nintendo would give up on the dedicated game system business and concentrate on smart device application development, or that Nintendo should take that path. In addition, such tone could be seen frequently through the media. I felt it was necessary to communicate that Nintendo is not pessimistic about the future of the dedicated game system business but rather more and more eager to continue it. On the other hand, details on the new platform essentially should come later. This is because the entertainment business has an aspect where there is value in surprising consumers. It is not convincing enough to the consumer if we describe how the magic works before actually showing it to them and then expecting them to be surprised or delighted. Having the element of surprise or doing the unexpected is the premise for introducing new ideas and having them welcomed with surprise. That is why I have been repeatedly saying that the next news on NX will not be announced during 2015 but will be announced in 2016. Nevertheless, since NX has news value, when I am interviewed on various occasions, I am asked about it almost every time. I will not share details on NX today but with regard to the launch of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U not necessarily having progressed well and not acquiring sufficient support from software publishers, we intend to offer NX through a Nintendo-like solution. Thank you for understanding that we are making various considerations and preparations in order to avoid what happened with the previous generations.

On a different note, I believe the standard for software publishers in selecting what hardware to provide their games for is the installed base after all. The larger the installed base or the more it is believed that the installed base will largely expand, there is an aspect that more software publishers are likely to join in. On the other hand, Nintendo is collaborating with various software publishers. At E3, which was held in the U.S. and is the largest trade show in the video game industry, we received many proposals for joint initiatives. In addition, Japanese software publishers have close relationships with our licensing department on a regular basis. As for collaborations with software publishers or their games, please consider that there are various ongoing projects below the surface.

Source

More: Satoru Iwata, top

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Nintendo conducted its 75th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders a couple of weeks back. The event featured some brief opening remarks from president Satoru Iwata, but the main highlight was the Q&A. Nintendo now has the entire transcript up in English here.

We already covered the Q&A in-depth last month, so we won’t be posting all of the information here. However, I’ll be picking out a few highlights throughout the day.

Thanks to Thomas for the tip.

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments

According to the latest issue of Jump, Dragon Quest VIII on 3DS will feature an additional dungeon. Jahagaros, a new boss monster, is located here. You can view a scan from the magazine above that provides a look at the new box art illustrated by Akira Toriyama.

Jump is also teasing the reveal of a “big title” for its next issue due out next week. Since it’s on the Dragon Quest VIII page, it should be something related to Dragon Quest. It’s unclear if the game in question is for Nintendo platforms.

Source, Via

More: Dragon Quest VIII, Japan, Jump, Square Enix

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, Videos, Wii U eShop | 0 comments

Nintendo released a new video today showcasing a few European digital game highlights from June 2015. You can watch it below.

More: Europe, Nintendo Download

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 2 Comments

This week’s North American Nintendo Downloads are as follows:

Wii U Download

Roving Rogue – $7.99
Quadcopter Pilot Challenge – $8.99

Wii U Virtual Console

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – $9.99

3DS Download

Samurai Warriors Chronicles 3 – $39.99
Mercenaries Saga 2 – $4.99

3DS Themes

Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies Mood Matrix
Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies Court Record
Ace Attorney Trilogy Pixel Art
Ace Attorney Trilogy Main Characters
Pokémon: Mega Charizard Y & Mega Rayquaza
Pokémon: Eevee Collection: Espeon & Umbreon

eShop Sales

Wii U

– Bombing Bastards and Spot the Differences: Party! from Sanuk Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 9.
– Ittle Dew is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 30.
– Plenty of Fishies is 40 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $2.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 31.

3DS

– Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies from Capcom is 44 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $16.79) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 16.
– Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy from Capcom is 25 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $22.49) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 16.
– Talking Phrasebook – 7 Languages is 40 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $2.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 9.
– European Conqueror 3D, The Legend of Dark Witch and Tappingo from Circle Entertainment are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 23.
– Toy Stunt Bike is 50 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $2.49) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 30.
– Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, 4 Elements and more games from Tulip Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 1.

Activities

Splatoon: New Game Mode and Splatfest – Tower Control, a new game mode that finds Inklings riding a tower into the enemy’s base, has been added to Ranked Battle. In addition, the theme for the first Splatoon Splatfest is “Cats or Dogs” and starts July 4. Learn more here: http://splatoon.nintendo.com.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. “Independence” Tournament – See how your Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. squad stacks up online in Nintendo’s Public Tournaments. Top players earn unique titles that are visible online and earn major bragging rights with their friends and around the world. The new “Independence” tournament runs from July 2 to July 6. Opt in via the SpotPass feature for notifications on future tournaments, and click here for more information about multiplayer tournaments. Good luck, agents!

Source: Nintendo PR

More: Nintendo Download, top, Virtual Console

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments

This week’s Wii U eShop charts are as follows:

Software

1. Splatoon
2. EarthBound Beginnings
3. Cube Life: Island Survival
4. Super Mario World
5. EarthBound
6. Super Mario 64
7. Paper Mario
8. Mario Party 10
9. Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
10. Zelda: The Minish Cap
11. Super Mario Bros. 3
12. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
13. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
14. Super Metroid
15. LEGO Jurassic World
16. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
17. Donkey Kong 64
18. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3
19. Golden Sun
20. Super Mario Bros.

Videos

1. Super Mario Maker – E3 2015 Trailer
2. Star Fox Zero – E3 2015 Trailer
3. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS Here Comes a New Challenger
4. Yoshi’s Woolly World E3 2015 Trailer
5. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS New Content 6/14/15
6. Splatoon Direct 5/7/15
7. Cube Life: Island Survival Trailer
8. Skylanders SuperChargers E3 Trailer
9. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS Roy Seals the Deal
10. EarthBound Beginnings Trailer
11. LEGO Jurassic World Launch Trailer
12. Splatoon amiibo Trailer
13. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games E3 2015 Video
14. Play Nintendo Introduction Video
15. Never Alone Trailer
16. Xenoblade Chronicles X E3 2015 Trailer
17. Zelda: Tri Force Heroes E3 2015 Trailer
18. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash E3 2015 Trailer
19. Art Academy: Home Studio Launch Trailer
20. Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival E3 2015 Trailer

Source: Wii U eShop

More: charts

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments

This week’s video additions to the Wii U/3DS eShops are as follows:

Wii U

Splatoon – Splatfest Incoming
Nintendo Minute – E3 Vlog
Roving Rogue Trailer
KEYTARI: 8-bit Music Maker Trailer
Quadcopter Pilot Challenger Trailer
Art Academy: Home Studio Launch Trailer

3DS

Splatoon – Splatfest Incoming
Nintendo Minute – E3 Vlog
Art Academy: Home Studio Launch Trailer

Source: Wii U/3DS eShops

More: video additions

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 0 comments

This week’s 3DS eShop charts are as follows:

Software

1. Smash Controller
2. 3D Sonic the Hedgehog
3. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
4. Mario Kart 7
5. Fire Emblem: Awakening
6. Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
7. Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
8. Super Mario Bros. 3
9. Zelda: Oracle of Ages
10. Super Mario 3D Land
11. Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
12. Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure
13. The Legend of Zelda
14. Gunman Clive
15. Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
16. 3D Streets of Rage
17. Star Fox 64 3D
18. Fantasy Life
19. Kid Icarus: Uprising
20. Super Mario Bros.

Videos

1. Zelda: Tri Force Heroes E3 2015 Trailer
2. Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon E3 2015 Trailer
3. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS Here Comes a New Challenger
4. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam E3 2015 Trailer
5. Stretchmo Trailer
6. Hyrule Warriors Legends E3 2015 Trailer
7. Super Mario Maker – E3 2015 Trailer
8. Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer E3 2015 Trailer
9. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS New Content 6/14/15
10. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games E3 2015 Video
11. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS Roy Seals the Deal
12. Fire Emblem Fates E3 2015 Trailer
13. Metroid Prime: Federation Force E3 2015 Trailer
14. LEGO Jurassic World Launch Trailer
15. Star Fox Zero E3 2015 Trailer
16. Nintendo Digital Event – E3 2015
17. Yoshi’s Woolly World E3 2015 Trailer
18. Skylanders SuperChargers E3 2015 Trailer
19. Kirby: Right Back At Ya! Volume 1
20. Splatoon Direct 5/7/15

Source: 3DS eShop

More: charts

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 6 Comments

The Legend of Zelda manga is returning. The series will be seeing a new entry sometime this year, Akira Himekawa announced on its official Twitter account.

Details about the new Zelda manga are being kept under wraps for now. We do at least know that Akira Himekawa has already started writing.

Source

More: manga, The Legend of Zelda

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 26 Comments

Over on Reddit, Hyperkin revealed a new GameCube-style controller for Wii U called the “ProCube”. This would work with all titles on the console that support the Pro Controller, and wouldn’t require an adapter since it syncs directly with the system.

The ProCube is very much like Nintendo’s original GameCube controller. It just has a few extra buttons that would make it work with Wii U games that offer the Pro Controller scheme.

As things stand now, the ProCube isn’t an absolutely final product that will hit the market. It’s currently in the prototype stage, and Hyperkin will have it at EVO 2015 to gather feedback. Hyperkin product manager Chris Gallizzi told GamesBeat, “If the overall feedback is awesome and accepting we will move into production.”

Hyperkin will be using feedback obtained from EVO players to make changes to things such button placement and the sensitivity of the analog sticks. Ultimately, the company wants to have a controller that can appeal to everyone.

The ProCube is only planned as a wireless controller at the moment, but a wired version could be produced as well. Assuming the reception is positive, it’s expected to carry a price point somewhere between $30 and $40.

Source

More: Hyperkin