Masahiro Sakurai tweeted the photo above earlier today, which features Smash Bros. art drawn on a whiteboard. He said that the Smash Bros. team made the “excellent” image.

This is more of a random doodle than it is a sign of the roster for the next Smash Bros., but we can appreciate the art for what it is. It’s quite nice!

Source, Via

New Namco Bandai site teases “All Star Battle”

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Namco Bandai has opened a new teaser site for something called “All Star Battle”.

Aside from a promise that more news will be shared in three days, there isn’t any actual game-related information to report on. It’s currently unclear which platform(s) the title is being made for, when it’ll be coming out, and what the title actually is. That’s the way it goes with teasers like these!

Fortunately, we’ll likely hear something tomorrow night through usual Famitsu leaks. It’ll then be known if “All Star Battle” is the final name of this new project, or if it’s just a tagline or catch phrase.

Thanks to 4Him for the tip.

Via

Rumor: The specifics as to why EarthBound isn’t on the Virtual Console

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Rumors, Wii | 0 comments

EarthBound is one of Nintendo’s most-classic SNES games, yet it still hasn’t arrived on the Virtual Console service. Legal issues are preventing the game’s release. What’s stopping it, exactly?

If new rumors can be relied upon, there are three specific reasons as to why the game hasn’t appeared on the Wii Shop Chanel. Two of these points are music-related.

EarthBound Central claims that the Sky Runner and Chuck Berry battle songs must be changed. Additionally, the enemy Dali Clock must receive a name-change.

While the Chuck Berry song could be easily interchanged and the Dali Clock would involve simple modification, the Sky Runner piece is the heart of the problem. There’s talk that new music would need to be made for the Sky Runner scenes. Sadly, there hasn’t been a push to do so.

Apparently Nintendo of America had been interested in making the appropriate changes so that legal issues could be avoided, but NCL wasn’t in favor of taking action.

Source

New downloadable rewards added to Club Nintendo (7/1/12)

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments

A couple of new downloadable rewards have been added to Club Nintendo. But here’s the catch: they don’t expire at the end of the month.

Electroplankton Rec-Rec (3DS, 100 coins) and Mario Tennis (Wii, 150 coins) are available starting today. Electroplankton will leave the rewards site on July 15 while Mario Tennis is disappearing on July 22.

It seems as though downloadable rewards will be swapped out regularly. Rather than having to wait until the start of a new month, titles will be exchanged on more of weekly basis.

You can order the latest rewards here.

Photos of Nintendo’s booth from World Hobby Fair 2012

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments

Nintendo is one of many companies to have attended this year’s World Hobby Fair 2012 in Japan. You can find a few photos of the Big N’s booth in the gallery above.

Source

More Shantae happening, future of Mighty games, possibility of BloodRayne on Wii U, more

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 0 comments

WayFoward founder Voldi Way has opened up on a number of important topics.

In a new interview, Way discussed what else is planned for Shantae (essentially confirming Shantae for Wii U), the future of the “Mighty” series, the possibility of BloodRayne on Wii U, and lots more.

We’ve pulled out some of Way’s quotes for you below. Head past the break for his comments.

Japanese game industry sees year-over-year gains in first half of 2012

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments

Famitsu has posted a report on the domestic industry sales totals for the first half of 2012. The data was collected through parent company Enterbrain.

Between December 26 and June 24, total hardware/software sales hit 193.4 billion yen. That’s a 0.7% increase from last year’s 191.98 billion. Year-over-year gains have been made for the first time in two years.

Hardware sales dropped from 79.81 billion yen in 2011 to 70.73 billion in 2012, but software sales increased from 112.17 billion yen to 122.67 billion yen.

Read on below for hardware data and a listing of the best-selling games in Japan in the first half of 2012.

Hardware

Nintendo 3DS: 2,219,548 (total 6,355,287)
PlayStation 3: 695,465 (total 8,112,613)
PlayStation Portable: 500,333 (total 18,737,441)
PlayStation Vita: 353,657 (total 756,451)
Nintendo Wii: 265,578 (total 12,433,321)
Xbox 360: 33,809 (total 1,554,547)
Nintendo DS: 20,239 (total 32,855,741)

Software

Pokemon Black & White 2 (3DS, Pokemon, 06.23.2012): 1,618,621
One Piece Pirate Musou (PS3, Namco Bandai, 03.01.2012): 806,578
Dragon Quest Monsters Terry’s Wonderland 3D (3DS, Squenix, 05.31.2012): 743,967
Mario Kart 7 (3DS, Nintendo, 12.01.2011): 665,573 (total 1,747,964)
Monster Hunter 3G (3DS, Capcom, 12.10.2011): 665,394 (1,474,716)

Source 1, Source

Ranked: Japanese employee compensation averages

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Salaries tracker Nensyu Labo has ranked the Japanese employee compensation averages of various companies. Square Enix tops the chart with an average salary of 21,680,000 yen. Other companies with high positions include Nintendo (9,140,000 yen), Konami (6.78 million yen), and Capcom (5.71 million yen).

A partial ranking has been posted below.

1. Square-Enix: 21,680,000 yen
2. Sony: 9,230,000 yen
3. Nintendo: 9,140,000 yen
5. Konami: 6.78 million
6. Namco Bandai Holdings: 6.40 million
7. Tecmo Koei Holdings: 6.15 million
9. Capcom: 5.71 million
11. Marvelous AQL: 5.56 million
14. Gung Ho Online Entertainment: 5.04 million
15. Falcom: 4.68 million
20: Nippon Ichi: 3.70 million
21: Tose: 3.50 million

It should be noted that these rankings and figures shouldn’t be considered final. They’re not concrete, official numbers. Keep in mind that Nensyu Labo compiled its data through public filings.

Source 1, Source 2

SEGA still restructuring, will close most European and Australian offices

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

SEGA is continuing to make drastic moves within the company following significant financial losses.

It’s been revealed that nearly all of SEGA’s European and Australian offices will be shut down in the very near future.

Although SEGA UK will still act as the main European HQ, Koch Media will handle distribution of most European retail titles going forward. Level03 Distribution is being brought on to take care of products in Benelux. 5 Star will distribute future titles in Australia.

COO of Sega Europe Jurgen Post said in a statement:

“SEGA is entering a new and exciting phase that will position the company as a content led organisation maximising sales with strong and balanced IP such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Football Manager and the Aliens franchise. The company will benefit from a clear focus and realigned strategy for our digital business and packaged goods and we are confident that this will lead to a successful future.”

Source