There’s a reason why Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure is getting a sequel. Activision announced today that the game is the company’s “biggest new IP launch in Activision’s history”.

Activision Blizzard Chief Executive Officer said:

“Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ was the biggest new IP launch in Activision’s history and it is on track to become an important and sustainable franchise.”

Activision also shared the following tidbit about Skylanders in their latest financial report:

“In North America and Europe, including accessory packs and figures, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure was the #8 best-selling game in dollars for the fourth quarter of 2011 and #1 selling kids’ title in dollars in the calendar year. Additionally, in North America, including accessory packs and figures, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure was the #10 best-selling title in dollars.”

A follow-up to Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, is set for release later this year.

Source: Activision PR

Hyrule Historia showcase: The Legend of Zelda art

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

We’re continuing our look at the Hyrule Historia book with art pieces from the original “The Legend of Zelda” for the NES. This section is a bit small compared to the likes of Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess, but the gallery above is worth checking out nonetheless.

Nintendo of America employee nowhere to be found

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

Nintendo of America employee Meara Lynn Nichols has vanished. No one knows where she is.

According to her husband, Nichols said she would be taking the day off from Nintendo on Monday. She apparently intended to visit her son’s school for a conference.

But Nichols has been missing since Monday, and as it turns out, there was no conference after all.

The Seattle Times Newspaper reports:

“Meara Lynn Nichols told her husband she was taking the day off from her job at Nintendo to attend a conference at her 16-year-old son’s school, Matthew Nichols said. But without any word from her Monday and no sign of her at work Tuesday, Matthew Nichols called the school and learned that no conference was scheduled.”

Nicalis believes the eShop turned things around for Nintendo digitally

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

Nicalis CEO Tyrone Rodriguez feels that Nintendo’s efforts on the digital side have improved thanks to the eShop. That’s because “the storefront is heavily feature-driven.”

Rodriguez also spoke up about the Wii Shop Channel.

His full comments can be found below.

“The eShop, I feel, has really turned things around for Nintendo on the digital side because the storefront is heavily feature-driven. Any publisher can still produce whatever it wants, similar to iOS in both regards. However, given the feature-oriented nature, the eShop is quasi-curated without being some lame PR line like, ‘consciously developing a curated portfolio.’ That’s a steaming pile of PR right there, but that’s another story altogether.

“If we look back at WiiWare, that system was broken because it was trying to be fair and feature nothing. WRONG. In the WiiWare system all games were created equal, but life’s not fair and all games are NOT made equal. Some suck hard, particularly on WiiWare. However, that doesn’t matter much in a system like the WiiWare shop because customers aren’t being directed anywhere. The top 20 is the easiest filter and being on the top 20 doesn’t mean a game is good/great, it just means they sell. Frogger, really?

“I’m pretty certain that the number of total downloads (across all games etc) on most platforms typically hovers around the same rough figure. So, say you have 200 total customers to a given service per day, in the case of WiiWare, they’re getting lost in an ocean of blah. Other services, like eShop, have systems in place to control what people get to see and, to me, this is ideal.

“Since the eShop is heavily feature-driven, this not only helps promote titles, it forces publishers and developers to make better games, hopefully. You want to get featured? You better have something good to show, curated or not. Will this change in the future? I have no idea as I’m not Mr. Iwata, but I do know that compared to how we did on WiiWare and DSiWare, eShop has a much better outlook.”

Source

Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask feature different character models for Link

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

Ocarina of Time on the left, Majora’s Mask on the right

It’s true that The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask uses the same game engine as Ocarina of Time. But did you know that the character models for Link were different in both games?

Link’s model in Majora’s Mask is more detailed – he has a strap for his sword, and there are differences in the ears, hair, boots, and tunic. In some ways, these are lots of subtle touches that really add up when you compare the two models side by side.

You might be interested to know that the Goron models are different in Majora’s Mask and Ocarina of Time as well.

Take a look at this comparison:

Ocarina of Time on the left, Majora’s Mask on the right

Thanks to Jake for the tip!

Via

Nintendo Week (2/2/12) – Alison Whitney says goodbye

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

Alison Whitney has been on Nintendo Week since the show premiered back in 2009. And now she’s done. Whitney announced at the end of this week’s episode that she’s moving on. Gary and Dark Gary, however, will still host the show.

Nintendo adds ex-Crytek staffer

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

Last year, Nintendo/Retro Studios hired employees from various Western studios, including Naughty Dog and Vigil. These weren’t the company’s only significant moves, however.

In September, Crytek’s Director of Technology Mark Atkinson joined Nintendo. Atkinson is currently a “Consultant Software Engineer”.

In addition to Crytek, Atkinson previously worked at Lionhead Studios and Ignition London.

Thanks to Jake for the tip!

Source

Hyrule Historia showcase: Spirit Tracks

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

We’re continuing our look at the lovely Hyrule Historia artbook. Today we take a look at the Zelda: Spirit Tracks art section. As always, there’s a bunch of great art to look at… including some a concept design for the Tingle train.

New digital download rewards, 3DS game card case added to Club Nintendo

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

Unlike the past couple of months, only two new digital rewards have been added to Club Nintendo. January’s prizes have been swapped out for Art Academy: First Semester (150 coins) and Mario Party 2 (150 coins).

That’s a little disappointing, but on the bright side, you can also order a “3DS Game Card Case” for 250 coins. The case can hold up to 18 3DS or DS cartridges and it comes with four double-sided covers.

You can find a few photos of the 3DS Game Card Case above and a few additional details here.