Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 25 Comments

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 recording sessions were held yesterday and today. Jen Bird from Tomorrow Bird wrapped up a couple of tracks, including the game’s ending theme. It’s thought that the ending song will be a ballad that conveys the meaning of character relationships.

Tomorrow Bird shared the news on Twitter:

In case you’re curious what Bird sounds like, here’s one of her original songs:

Source 1, Source 2

More: Monolith Soft, Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Switch, Wii U | 0 comments

Below are the latest Nintendo products that can be currently pre-ordered at retailers:

* Save 20 percent on pre-orders with Amazon Prime or Best Buy’s GCU. 20 percent off pre-orders on Amazon Canada as well. On Amazon UK, it’s £2 off.

United States

Switch

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition – Amazon
Rime – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Troll & I – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Sine Mora EX – Amazon
Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle – Amazon, GameStop
NBA 2K18 Early Tip-Off Edition – Best Buy, GameStop
NBA 2K18 Legend Edition – Best Buy, GameStop
NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold [Exclusive] – GameStop
LEGO Ninjago Movie Videogame – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Pokken Tournament DX – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
FIFA 18 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Battle Chasers: Nightwar – Amazon
Fire Emblem Warriors – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Axiom Verge Multiverse Edition (new) – Amazon
Axiom Verge (new) – Amazon
Just Dance 2018 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Nights of Azure 2 – Amazon
Super Mario Odyssey – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers – GameStop
Monster Jam Crush It – GameStop
Farming Simulator: Nintendo Switch Edition – GameStop
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Deluxe Edition – Best Buy, GameStop
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Minecraft: Switch Edition – Amazon, Best Buy
Redout – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Worlds – Best Buy, GameStop
WWE 2K18 – Amazon, GameStop
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
The End is Nigh – Amazon, GameStop
Ittle Dew 2 – Amazon, GameStop
Blade Strangers – Amazon, GameStop
Tiny Barbarian DX – Amazon, GameStop (
The Longest Five Minutes – Amazon, GameStop
Penny Punching Princess – Amazon, GameStop
Yoshi – Amazon, Best Buy
Kirby – Amazon, Best Buy
Metroid Prime 4 – Amazon, Best Buy

Wii U

Just Dance 2018 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop

3DS

Hey! Pikmin – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Miitopia – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Metroid: Samus Returns – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Metroid: Samus Returns Special Edition – GameStop
Pokemon Gold – Amazon
Pokemon Silver – Amazon
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Culdcept Revolt – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Culdcept Revolt Limited Edition – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Fire Emblem Warriors – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Monster Hunter Stories – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters – Best Buy, GameStop
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth – Amazon, GameStop
Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon Steelbook Dual Pack – Amazon [exclusive]
Pokemon Ultra Sun – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Pokemon Ultra Moon – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology – Amazon, GameStop
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux – Amazon, GameStop

Hardware

New 2DS XL – Best Buy, GameStop

amiibo

Pikmin – Best Buy, GameStop
Chrom (Fire Emblem) – Best Buy, GameStop
Tiki (Fire Emblem) – GameStop
Goomba (Super Mario) – Best Buy, GameStop
Koopa (Super Mario) – GameStop
Princess Peach (Super Mario Odyssey) – Best Buy, GameStop
Bowser (Super Mario Odyssey) – Best Buy, GameStop
Mario (Super Mario Odyssey) – Best Buy, GameStop
Super Mario Odyssey 3-pack – GameStop

Accessories

HORI Switch Real Arcade Pro V Hayabusa Fight Stick – Amazon
Switch HORIPAD Wired Controller – Amazon
Switch Super Mario Analog Caps – Amazon
Nyko Switch accessories – portable dock and much more – Amazon

Books

Shovel Knight: Official Design Works (save $10) – Amazon
Playing with Power: Nintendo SNES Classics (new) – Amazon

Other

Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Link Nendoroid (Deluxe Version) – Amazon
Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Link Nendoroid – Amazon
Nintendo Ultra Detail Series: Zelda: Majora’s Mask Link – Amazon
Nintendo Ultra Detail Series: Zelda: Twilight Princess Link – Amazon
Nintendo Ultra Detail Series: Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – Amazon
Zelda: Breath of The Wild: Link Real Action Heroes Figure – Amazon

Canada

Switch

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure
Troll and I
Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Sine Mora EX
Rime
NBA 2K18: Early Tip-Off Edition
NBA 2K18 Legend Edition
NBA 2K18 Gold Edition
Pokken Tournament DX
FIFA 18
Battle Chasers: Nightwar
LEGO Worlds
WWE 2K18
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Fire Emblem Warriors
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Deluxe Edition
Just Dance 2018
Super Mario Odyssey
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Redout
Rocket League
Yoshi
Kirby
Metroid Prime 4

Wii U

Just Dance 2018

3DS

Hey! Pikmin
Miitopia
Culdcept Revolt
Culdcept Revolt Limited Edition
Metroid: Samus Returns
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions
Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon Steelbook Dual Pack
Pokemon Ultra Sun
Pokemon Ultra Moon
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

Systems

New 2DS XL

Books

The Art of Pokemon Adventures
Shovel Knight: Official Design Works (save $7)
Playing with Power: Nintendo SNES Classics (new)

UK

Switch

Troll & I
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure (new)
Sine Mora EX
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
FIFA 18
The LEGO Ninjago Videogame
Battle Chasers: Nightwar
WWE 2K18 (new)
Just Dance 2018
Super Mario Odyssey
Nights of Azure 2 (new)
Monopoly
Fire Emblem Warriors
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Rayman Legends Definitive Edition
Rocket League
Vegas Party
Chicken Range
Yoshi
Kirby
Starlink: Battle for Atlas

Wii U

Just Dance 2018

3DS

Hey! Pikmin
Dr Kawashima’s Devilish Brain Training: Can you stay focused?
Culdcept Revolt
Metroid: Samus Returns
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions
Pokemon Ultra Sun Fan Edition (new)
Pokemon Ultra Moon Fan Edition (new)
Pokemon Ultra Sun
Pokemon Ultra Moon

Systems

Splatoon 2 Switch bundle
New 2DS XL – Black and Turquoise
New 2DS XL – White and Orange

amiibo

Pikmin

Books

The Art of Pokemon Adventures
Shovel Knight: Official Design Works
Playing with Power: Nintendo SNES Classics (new)

More: pre-order

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 1 Comment

Junction Point is known for its work on the Epic Mickey franchise. After the first game in the series shipped, the studio could have had an opportunity to work with a small group of developers on a 3D platformer called “Goliath”.

Here’s a brief overview of the project:

The initial stages of Goliath had revolving around a large gorilla protecting small children. This concept evolved into a relationship of Tarek the gorilla working together with a girl named Ky. The two would combine their skills of strength (Tarek) and intelligence (Ky) to overcome obstacles. Goliath was planned to be a 3D platformer, and was inspired by several other games of the time, including Jack and Daxter, Rachet and Clank, and Shadow of the Colossus.

Had Goliath been picked up at Junction Point Studios and Disney, it would have been made on Wii and other platforms. But in the end, it never entered full production and no gameplay types exist. Junction Point ended up focusing on Epic Mickey 2 next, and after that title released, Disney closed Junction Point. It was also discovered an artist on the team who created some concepts plagiarized work, meaning it couldn’t be pitched to Disney directly or any other game companies.

Unseen64 has the full report below, as published by DidYouKnowGaming? today:

More: Goliath, Junction Point Studios

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments

More news is in from the Sonic Mania panel hosted at Comic-Con last night. The latest information concerns early development, cut-scenes and the opening animation, and more.

The Sonic Stadium shares the following:

• Sonic Mania was originally named “Sonic Discovery” during it’s early development stages
• When Sonic Mania was first pitched to Iizuka-san in early 2016, a working demo was already playable featuring Studiopolis Zone
• Iizuka-san came up with the phrase “By the Mania, for the Mania”
• Many different story narratives were discussed for Mania, including a defeated Eggman retiring, while his machines form their own gang in the Hard Boiled Heavies
• Sonic Mania will feature sprite cut scenes, a la Sonic 3 & Knuckles
• Sonic Mania will feature an opening animation by Tyson Hesse, and will be revealed on August the 14th
• Aaron Webber stated no Super Emeralds will feature in the game, following an audience question
• Attendees at the panel received a free “Introduction manual”, in the style of the 32X instruction manuals, detailing game story, developer profiles and new sketch-hog art by Tyson Hesse

And speaking of that instruction manual…

Source

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 1 Comment

Following up on last night’s news about Special Stages in Sonic Mania, SEGA has prepared new music that can now be listened to on YouTube. “Dimension Heist”, the theme being used in these levels, is included in the video below.

More: Headcannon, PagodaWest Games, SEGA, Sonic Mania, Tantalus

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 5 Comments

Hey! Pikmin launched in Japan on July 13. Through July 16, the game sold around 65,000 copies. Dengeki has since reported that it sold through 45 percent of its initial shipment.

That might seem a bit low, but Hey! Pikmin isn’t a core Pikmin game. The series as a whole has also never been a massive seller. The first Pikmin and Pikmin 3 sold just over 100,000 copies in their first weeks, while Pikmin 2 debuted at a little over 150,000 units.

In other news, overall Japanese hardware sales were at 132,000 units between July 10 and July 16, which means 56,000 units more than last week (173.73 percent ratio). This is not only due to the New 2DS XL debuting at 43,000 units, but also existing consoles like Switch selling more. It’s been about two and a half months since overall hardware sales exceeded 100,000 units, the last time being in the first week of May.

Source 1, Source 2

More: Dengeki, Hey! Pikmin, Media Create, sales

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 0 comments

In Japan, Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star has received a limited edition on Switch. It features a copy of the game, an Aruko Wada-designed special box, and a Nero Travel Pouch. The full contents are unboxed in the video below.

More: Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, marvelous, unboxing, XSEED Games

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 19 Comments

Famitsu published a lengthy Splatoon 2 feature this week. Among the coverage was an interview with four of the game’s developers. Art director Seita Inoue, lead programmer Shintaro Sato, director Yusuke Amano, and producer Hisashi Nogami participated in the talk.

The developers weighed in on Splatoon 2’s improvements and adjustments from the first game, the new Salmon Run mode, the story, and future updates. Among the things discussed were Nintendo’s approach to Salmon Run, how Nintendo considered announcing a Splatoon sequel during the first game’s final Splatfest, a tease of more new weapon categories, and more. The developers were even asked if Marina is an Octoling.

You can find a comprehensive summary of important points from Famitsu’s interview below. 

Read More

More: Hisashi Nogami, Seita Inoue, Shintaro Sato, Splatoon 2, top, Yusuke Amano

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Videos | 6 Comments

Although Layton’s Mystery Journey isn’t coming to 3DS in overseas territories until October, it’s already out in Japan. You can see what the game looks like on Nintendo’s handheld below along with more mobile footage in English.

More: Layton's Mystery Journey, Level-5

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, Videos | 0 comments

The first Legendary Pokemon have finally arrived in Pokemon GO. Lugia and Articuno have been pushed out, both of which can be found in Raid Battles. Check out some footage of the Pokemon below.

More: Niantic, Pokemon GO