Zelda: Link’s Awakening team started work on the game before receiving permission
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 12 Comments
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening started out as an idea for a modified version of A Link to the Past for the Game Boy. In the end though, that never came together. Link’s Awakening was ultimately born from, as Game Informer puts it, “an unsanctioned after-hours passion project for members of the Link to the Past team.”
Director Takashi Tezuka told the site:
“The main programmer wanted to challenge himself to create a Zelda experience on a portable system to see what he could do, and I was into the idea. We just had a passion to try and do something interesting. We didn’t really have permission to do it necessarily. We were just playing around.”
“Once we got it to a certain level of creation and completion that we wanted to show, then we took it to the company and got permission to continue developing it. But initially it was just a little pet project of ours. Because we started it that way – just making a game we wanted to make – it may defy Zelda conventions. It might have interesting characters and situations we may not have had otherwise.”
During an Iwata Asks discussion for Phantom Hourglass, Tezuka made a comment about how the experience of creating Link’s Awakening was similar to “making a parody of The Legend of Zelda.” He clarified these comments with Game Informer, in which he said:
“When we say parody, I’m not sure where that word comes from because maybe there are translation issues. With Zelda games we usually plan them out, every detail is considered. With Link’s Awakening, we were working on that after our other work was done. Kind of like a club of people who loved Zelda and got together to make it. It has a different feeling for that reason.”
Toys “R” Us restocking Mega Yarn Yoshi amiibo on March 20, very limited quantities
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 6 Comments
In a couple of weeks, you’ll have another opportunity to snag the Mega Yarn Yoshi amiibo at Toys “R” Us. The retailer has confirmed on Twitter that a restock is planned for March 20. Unfortunately, quantities will be very limited.
Toys “R” Us just posted the following on Twitter:
On 3/20 we’re hatching something big–the return of Mega Yarn Yoshi! In stores only, quantities eggs-tremely limited! pic.twitter.com/0h1HcGUUhA
— ToysRUs (@ToysRUs) March 7, 2016
Level-5 Vision 2016 confirmed, CEO hints at new Inazuma Eleven
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
A new tweet from Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has fans speculating that a new Inazuma Eleven title is in the works. Hino mentioned on Twitter earlier today that work is being done on various new games and anime, and we’ll be hearing about quite a bit of these at Level-5 Vision 2016 – the company’s (mostly) annual event where new announcements are made. Hino said at the end of his tweet, “Of course there is also that certain new title. I… (it’s too soon to say it)”.
We know of one big Level-5 IP which starts with an “I”. Naturally, that would be Inazuma Eleven. Perhaps we’ll see a new Inazuma Eleven game at Level-5 Vision 2016?
Inazuma Eleven has seen large representation on Nintendo platforms. It doesn’t necessarily mean that a new game is confirmed for the Big N’s systems, but there would be a decent possibility of that happening.
More: Akihiro Hino, Inazuma Eleven, Level-5
A look at the Animal Crossing series 4 amiibo card album
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Images | 2 Comments
When the fourth wave of Animal Crossing amiibo cards drop in PAL regions, it’ll be accompanied by a new card album. This is due out in Europe and Australia on June 18. Take a look at the image above for a look at the album.
More: Amiibo, Animal Crossing
KFC to offer Pokemon goodies in Japan
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 10 Comments
KFC will soon be distributing Pokemon goodies to customers in Japan.
Starting on March 17, straw figurines will be available to those who order any drink for an additional 190 yen each. Customers can receive Froakie, Chespin, Fennekin, Sylveon, Pikachu, or Pancham at random. There will be a “Complete Pack” for 2,500 that features all straw figurines, plus a display stand, six free drink coupons, and an original tote bag.
KFC will also have two special game kits on March 17. These are made from cardboard and let Pokemon fans “catch” different Pokemon by throwing a Poke Ball at them. 16 character cards along with either a street scene or forest environment are included in each pack.
Finally, on April 21, KFC locations in Japan will offer a specially marked bucket featuring four pieces of the Colonel’s crispy fried chicken, fries and some Crispy Strips, and a limited-edition Pikachu-adorned placemat. This will cost 1,890 yen.
Another half hour of Advance Wars: Dual Strike Wii U Virtual Console footage
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
30 more minutes of footage from Europe’s most recent Wii U Virtual Console release has surfaced. Check out a bunch of gameplay showing Advance Wars: Dual Strike below.
Masuda: Pokemon GO “will bring about a new kind of experience” compared to existing games
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
Game Freak’s Junichi Masuda spoke about a number of general Pokemon topics in this month’s issue of GamesMaster. He also commented specifically on Pokemon GO a bit as well, in which he stated that the game “will bring about a new kind of experience, different from that of existing Pokemon titles”.
Masuda’s full comments:
“Amongst other things, this year will see the launch of Pokémon Go – a groundbreaking mobile game that will encourage fans to search far and wide in the real world to discover Pokémon. Players will be able to catch, trade, and battle in the real world by utilizing location information.
“I have been involved personally in the project. It is a game where players can search, trade and battle Pokémon in the real world. I think Pokémon Go will bring about a new kind of experience, different from that of existing Pokémon titles, allowing players to explore their own neighborhoods, searching for Pokémon together with their friends. It is in this way that we hope that Pokémon Go, which will be released in 2016, will provide new enjoyment to our fans.”
Niantic was originally planning on hosting a Pokemon GO session at GDC. However, those plans were cancelled so that the team could focus on the game itself. A field test for Pokemon GO will be held in Japan later this month.
More: Game Freak, interview, Junichi Masuda, Niantic, Pokemon GO, top
[Let’s Talk] March 2016 Nintendo Direct thoughts
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 80 Comments
Let’s Talk #41: March 2016 Nintendo Direct thoughts
This week’s Nintendo Direct was the first time in awhile that we saw a new presentation that wasn’t about a specific game. A Pokemon broadcast was held just last week, and there was the Smash Bros. video back in December. However, the last actual Direct covering multiple games was held back in November.
Nintendo shared news about both of its current platforms, Wii U and 3DS. In terms of announcements, Paper Mario: Color Splash and Kirby: Planet Robobot were the big ones here. SNES support was also revealed for the New 3DS Virtual Console. That’s in addition to localization of Monster Hunter Generations and Rhythm Heaven Megamix, release dates for games such as Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and Mario & Sonic Wii U, updates for Super Mario Maker and Splatoon, and more.
Nintendo Directs are always big events, so today’s Let’s Talk is dedicated to this week’s presentation. Were you happy with what was shown? Or maybe you were looking for something more/else? Regardless of how you felt, tell us in the comments below!
Highlights from last week’s topic: What do you want to see from Pokemon Sun/Moon?
More: highlight, Nintendo Direct, top
Commercial gives a first look at the Ace Attorney anime
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 6 Comments
Update: Added in higher-quality version of the commercial.
A 15-second commercial gives us a first look at the new Ace Attorney anime series. Check out the video below.
More: Ace Attorney, anime, Capcom
Universal Studios Japan – 40 billion yen for Nintendo attractions, finish by 2020
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 17 Comments
A bit of new information about Universal and Nintendo’s partnership was reported last month. At the time, it was confirmed that the collaboration between the two sides would extend to Japan. Sankei West shares a few more nuggets on this front in a new article.
Universal Studios Japan plans to spend 40 billion yen (should be roughly $350 million if I’m converting correctly!) on Nintendo attractions, which will be housed on the left side of the park’s main gate. The plan is to have the work done by 2020 in time for the Summer Olympics. It’s a large-scale investment – about the same scale as the Harry Potter-themed area that opened in July 2014.
