Iwata: “We Need To Redefine What Nintendo Must Do”
Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in General Nintendo, News | 30 Comments
It’s no secret that Nintendo’s president and CEO Satoru Iwata has been under the pump in recent months with the company’s current financial standing. In an interview with Japanese news outlet Diamond, Iwata had the following to say about the Nintendo going forward (translated by the folks over at Siliconera):
“Surely, a lot of people around the world must think ‘Nintendo is a company that is just for video games,’ about us, and I believe that there are more and more of our own employees who’ve begun to think like that,” said Iwata. “Some employees that are in charge of making things, are often kept positions where they have to think of how they can make the game in front of them more fun, so I don’t think it can be helped if others outside of our company think like that.”
“So, even if the fact that our focus being video games won’t be changing, I felt the need to take this occasion to say ‘Nintendo is a company that can do whatever they want’.”
“This subject came to light when Yamauchi passed away, but I felt that ‘our surroundings are greatly changing. We need to redefine what Nintendo must do, from this point on’. However, I felt that saying ‘Nintendo will do anything,’ was also the wrong idea for the company.”
“Yamauchi was one to always say ‘Nintendo is a company for entertainment, and it shouldn’t be for anything else,’ and he didn’t necessarily think that ‘entertainment = video games’. I’ve been wondering how to express Yamauchi’s feelings, and I’ve been thinking about it non-stop, even during the New Year’s holiday break.”
“Lately, the words ‘QOL’ (quality of life) have come up,” says Iwata. “Entertainment is there to improve people’s quality of life. After your basic needs, there’s entertainment. However, when it comes to ‘improving people’s quality of life,’ I didn’t know the difference between us and household appliance makers.”
“At the start of this year, I finally figured that ‘improving people’s quality of life with fun,’ with emphasis to the ‘fun’ would be perfect for Nintendo. And that’s when I decided to use this as a focus during the financial results meeting in January and wrote the manuscript for the presentation.”
More: Hiroshi Yamauchi, Satoru Iwata
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS screenshot (4/28/14)
Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in Screenshots, Wii U | 1 Comment
To go with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following info:
The Assist Trophy, Midna! This is the 3DS version. She’s going to grab and throw things all over the place. Her uncontrollable, whimsical nature remains intact.
Nintendo Download (5/1/14, Europe)
Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
This week’s European Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U
Child of Light – €14.99 (£11.90)
Stick it to the Man – €7.99 (£6.99)
Wii U Virtual Console
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest – €4.99 (£3.49)
3DS
Mario Golf: World Tour – €39.99 (£34.99)
*A free download code is available for Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) for those who purchase Mario Golf: World Tour from the eShop by 05/29/2014. This will be the exclusive way to access the game before it’s official Virtual Console release
Mario Golf: World Tour: Free-Trial Course Pack (DLC, free)
Mario Golf World Tour: Mushroom Pack (Nintendo) €5.99 (£5.39)
Mario Golf World Tour: Three-Pack Set (Nintendo) €11.99 (£10.79) (Until 5/31/2014, regular price €14.99/£13.49)
Etrian Odyssey: The Millennium Girl – €39.99 (£34.99)
Hometown Story – €29.99 (£29.99)
Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst – €11.99 (£10.79)
Azada – €11.99 (£10.79)
Cave Story – €7.25 (£6.00)
[Demo] The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll
[Demo] Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars
Wii U Virtual Console
GALAGA – €4.99 (£4.49)
=====
Price Reductions
3DS
Tappingo – €1.99 (£1.69) until 05/15/14
Darts Up 3D – €2.99 (£2.49) until 05/31/14
Bird Mania Christmas 3D – €0.99 (£0.89) – Permanent price reduction
More: Europe, Nintendo Download, top, Virtual Console
Mario Kart 7 features red case for North American re-release
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 18 Comments
You know how Mario Kart 8 comes with a red case? Now its predecessor has something similar going on as well. For the re-release of Mario Kart 7 in North America, the game is packaged in a red case.
More: Mario Kart 7
Save $10 on The Amazing Spider-Man 2 for Wii U, 3DS
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 isn’t out yet, but you can already save on the game – if you intend to play on the Wii U or 3DS.
Amazon
has both of these versions available for $10 off. Aside from the PS4 and Xbox One versions, all other releases have maintained their original prices strangely enough.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will launch in North America this Tuesday.
[Random Thoughts] Talking about a few of last week’s Nintendo-related announcements
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Features, Videos, Wii U | 0 comments
There were quite a few announcements last week, and a number of them were Nintendo-specific. I figured I’d take a few moments to recap some of the news in the latest “Random Thoughts” video. Although it’s not anything special, I hope you’ll enjoy it in any case!
XenoHorizon developing Arrow Time U for the Wii U eShop
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
Indie developer XenoHorizon has announced its first title “Arrow Time U” for the Wii U eShop. The game, which will launch later this year, is a puzzle/maze experience in which players guide a blue arrow through various levels.
Arrow Time U will offer the following features:
Forty hand-crafted levels for quick fun you can pick up at any time.
Replay any level you’ve unlocked at any time and aim to beat your high score!
Move through any object and render yourself invincible with the “phase through” ability–but use it wisely, because your power is limited!
Slow down time with the “time alter” ability.
Take down bosses without even attacking them.
Use advanced techniques like the lateral shift, speed boost, and phase timing to exploit the game’s mechanics to their fullest!
We’re told that an Indiegogo campaign will likely be created for Arrow Time U. When it goes live, the goal will be set at about $800 or so.
Screenshots from Arrow Time U can be found above. Note that the images are of development, do not represent the final product, and are subject to change at any time.
More: Arrow Time U, indie, XenoHorizon
Pre-order updates (4/27/14)
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 2 Comments
Below are the latest titles that can be currently pre-ordered at retailers:
Wii U
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 (new) – GameStop
Skylanders Trap Team (new) – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop,
How to Train Your Dragon 2: The Video Game – Amazon
, GameStop
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – Amazon
, GameStop
Watch Dogs – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Bayonetta 2 – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Super Smash Bros. – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Mario Kart 8 – Amazon
(back in stock), Best Buy, GameStop
Yarn Yoshi – Best Buy
3DS
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 (new) – GameStop
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call (new) – Amazon
, GameStop
Skylanders Trap Team (new) – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit! – Amazon
Tomodachi Life – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
One Piece: Unlimited World Red – Amazon
(new), GameStop
How to Train Your Dragon 2: The Video Game – Amazon
, GameStop
LEGO Ninjago Nindroids – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Farming Simulator ’14 – Amazon
Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle – Amazon
(new), Best Buy, GameStop
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Mario Golf: World Tour – Amazon
(save $10), GameStop, Best Buy
Super Smash Bros. – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Kirby Triple Deluxe – Amazon
(save $5), Best Buy, GameStop
Putty Squad – Amazon
, Best Buy
Thanks to Jake for the tip.
More: pre-order
Media Create software sales (4/14 – 4/20) – Top 50
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments
This week’s expanded Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./03. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch
02./01. [PS3] 3rd Super Robot Wars Z: Jigoku-Hen
03./00. [PS4] Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Real Reborn #
04./00. [3DS] Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 1-2-3: Naruhodo Selection #
05./04. [3DS] Mario Party: Island Tour
06./02. [PSV] 3rd Super Robot Wars Z: Jigoku-Hen
07./00. [3DS] Style Savvy: Trendsetters – Tokimeki Up!
08./00. [PSP] Jyuzaengi: Engetsu Sangokuden 2 #
09./00. [3DS] Detective Conan: Phantom Rapsody
10./08. [PS3] Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
11./07. [PS3] Samurai Warriors 4 #
12./05. [3DS] Crayon Shin-Chan: Arashi o Yobu Kasukabe Eiga Stars!
13./13. [3DS] Kirby Triple Deluxe
14./15. [3DS] Pokemon X / Y #
15./11. [PS3] J-Stars Victory Vs #
16./28. [3DS] Monster Hunter 4 #
17./12. [WIU] Just Dance Wii U
18./16. [3DS] Fossil Fighters: Infinite Gear
19./23. [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons Z
20./14. [PSV] Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F 2nd
More: charts, Japan, Media Create, sales
Pre-order Mario Kart 8 at Best Buy, get $10 in gas credit
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 9 Comments
In what might be the strangest pre-order offers we’ve seen this year, Best Buy is giving out gas credit with Mario Kart 8 reservations. The offer is valid while supplies last, and is valid both in-store and online.
Best Buy’s Gas Cash can be redeemed at any gas station in the United States that accepts MasterCard. You’ll just need to enter the code provided by the retailer at www.revupyourkart.com/redeem.
