Former Nintendo staffer on how he came up with Koopalings’ names and Motörhead inspiration
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 7 Comments
Well over 20 years ago, Dayvv Brooks worked at Nintendo as a product analyst. One early assignment he had was to take poorly translated Japanese text and making it sound better.
Speaking with Kotaku, Brooks explained how he came up with the names of the different Koopalings, including how Lemmy was inspired by Motörhead rock band founder Lemmy Kilmister.
He said:
“Music has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been a DJ for years and have been a music collector for even longer. When I first saw the group of seven Koopalings, music was on my mind.
The hairstyle on one of them reminded me of Ludwig von Beethoven for some reason and Ludwig von Koopa was born. Next was the one with the glasses—that has to be Roy Koopa in homage to Roy Orbison, who almost always wore glasses. Then Wendy O. Koopa (Wendy O. Williams) [and] Iggy Koopa (Iggy Pop). One looked like a loudmouth, so he was Morton Koopa Jr. from [the] loud-mouthed talk show host Morton Downey Jr. And then there was Larry. There’s no real-world equivalent—he’s not Larry Mullen Jr. from U2 or Larry King—he just looked like a Larry.
That brings us to Lemmy. In addition to being a great name, it’s perfect for a video game character. This Koopaling struck me as being the kind of character who would do his own thing, no matter what anyone else thought. I think it was those crazy eyes. Lemmy Koopa was in the crew.”
Kotaku says that Nintendo had to approve Brooks’ translation ideas, all of which were signed off by the company.
Video: Teens react to Battletoads
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Random, Videos | 2 Comments
Battletoads is known to be one of the tougher games on the NES. What do the teenagers of today think of the Rare classic? Find out in the video below.
More: Battletoads
Kirby hat from StreetPass Mii Plaza to be sold in February (Japan)
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Random | 12 Comments
3DS owners can obtain a bunch of different hats for their Mii in StreetPass Mii Plaza. One of these is based on Kirby, which features the character as a completely wearable item.
In Japan, ensky will be bringing out a real life version of the hat. You can actually reserve it right now on Play-Asia as an import item for $30. It should be available towards the end of February – Play-Asia lists February 25.
More: Kirby, StreetPass Mii Plaza
Famicom R.O.B. pre-orders up on Amazon Germany
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Pre-orders for the Famicom R.O.B. amiibo are starting to go live at European retailers. You can now reserve the figure over on Amazon Germany
. If other retailers open pre-orders (additional regions), we’ll let you know.
Marvelous says there’s more to come for the Senran Kagura series in 2016
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 12 Comments
Marvelous is planning further developments for the Senran Kagura series, according to producer Kenichiro Takaki. Speaking with 4Gamer, Takaki teased plans for 2016:
“I believe that 2016 will be a year that we’ll see even bigger changes than we did this year. I’d like for our team to become one and continue making fun games in this era, with tenderness and our unchanging love for boobs and games.”
Takaki added that fans can “look forward to new information on the Senran Kagura series” in 2016.
More: Kenichiro Takaki, marvelous, Senran Kagura
Japanese developers tease plans for 2016
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 26 Comments
With 2016 just a few days away, Japanese outlet 4Gamer caught up with a wide array of developers – 146 in total – to talk about the upcoming year. Here are some of the more Nintendo-related teases:
Capcom
Producer Masachika Kawata (Resident Evil Revelations): “First we’ll release Umbrella Corps for the shooter fans, but other than that, I think this year we may be able to make a number of interesting announcements. Please look forward to them.”
Director Shu Takumi (Ace Attorney, Ghost Trick, The Great Ace Attorney): Currently, for next year, I’m preparing my next project, and am working in parallel on supervising the screenplay for the Ace Attorney anime that will begin in April.”
Square Enix
Chief Planner Takashi Anzai: “It’s Dragon Quest‘s 30th anniversary! We have a number of projects, so please look forward to it.”
Spike Chunsoft
Director Kotaro Uchikoshi (Punch Line, Zero Time Dilemma): “In 2016, we’ll release the game version of Punch Line and the sequel to a certain title. The former is a complete game, and has an even deeper scenario than the anime dense in content. I think I’ll be able to share more information about the latter early in the year, so please look forward to it.”
Level-5
President Akihiro Hino (Yo-kai Watch, Ni no Kuni, etc.): “Level-5 is always thinking of and proposing new things to the world. I can’t let out the details yet, but in 2016 too we have all new ideas and various new titles to announce. Among them, there is also a sequel to a very popular series.”
More: Capcom, Level-5, Spike Chunsoft, Square Enix
GameStop restocks Little Mac, Shulk, Ike amiibo and more
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Several amiibo have been restocked at GameStop. The lineup includes Little Mac, Shulk, Ike, and plenty more. Find the full lineup here.
Amazon: Various amiibo on sale
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
A number of amiibo are on sale over on Amazon. Mewtwo, Link, Ganondorf, Zelda, Toad, and Zero Suit Samus are all $10 each. Tom Nook and Mabel are also under $8. Finally, the Animal Crossing amiibo 3-pack has been discounted to $25. See all of the deals here.
The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening coming in August 2016
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 7 Comments
Update 3 (12/26): Bumped to the top. This is now $16 off on Amazon.
Update 2 (12/24): Bumped to the top. Now available for pre-order on Amazon UK
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Update: The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening can be pre-ordered on Amazon Canada here.
Dark Horse has teamed up with Nintendo to release a new art book in North America. Next August, The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening will be available.
Here’s what you can expect from it:
The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening contains an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the smash-hit 3DS game, from beautifully illustrated renditions of your favorite characters, to storyboards for in-game events, character designs, weapon designs, character profiles, and the entirety of the script with every possible branch of dialogue! Relive some of the most poignant moments of the game, or see what might have been if you had made different in-game decisions with the Art of Fire Emblem Awakening!
The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening is due out in comic shops on August 17 and in bookstores on August 30 (apparently a bit earlier at places like Amazon). Pre-orders are already live on Amazon here.
More: Fire Emblem: Awakening, top
Photos of the Pikachu Build-A-Bear
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Images | 1 Comment
We have a number of photos showing the Pikachu Build-A-Bear. Check them out in the gallery below.
If you purchased the web bundle ($60), you’ll get the Pikachu plushie with a sound clip of its different cries, along with a hoodie, Charizard costume, and special trading card. The in-store pickup version ($28) offered the standalone Pikachu with the Poke Ball sweatshirt for an extra $12.50.
