First, Linzner noted that the console’s development environment allowed the studio to easily create a game – Nano Assault Neo – in a short amount of time:

“The Wii U development environment allowed us to go from zero to a great, polished game in only half a year. I think we never ever got so far so fast on a new hardware, and we’ve worked on a lot of platforms in the past decades.”

Linzner went on to compliment Wii U’s overall technology. Although the studio’s game is rendered on both the television and GamePad, “even then we were still able to maintain solid 60FPS without much effort on both displays.” Linzner also said that the Wii U’s large memory allowed for complete caching and practically eliminated load times:

“We decided to add a local two-player mode where one player uses the TV and the other one the Wii U GamePad. That meant the complete game world would need to be rendered twice for the Wii U GamePad display. That nearly doubled the burden on the GPU and CPU, but even then we were still able to maintain solid 60FPS without much effort on both displays. Then on top we even added camera streaming, so that the TV player can see the face of the Wii U GamePad player, which adds a lot of fun. We expected the additional camera encoding and streaming would add noticeable strain on the Wii U, but it was almost free. All this proved the system is very well balanced and allows developers without much effort, to use all the unique features. Another benefit of the Wii U is that the system memory is so large that we never have to load an asset again. Everything can be cached and load times are almost gone.”

Thanks to joclo for the tip.

Vicarious Visions removed Crash Bandicoot photo from Facebook

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Podcast Stories | 0 comments

Following the commotion surrounding a possible Crash Bandicoot redesign found through Facebook, Vicarious Visions has removed the original photo from its page.

This does seem to imply that something is going on with Crash Bandicoot. If nothing was in the works, why remove the photo? Some have speculated that the new design has something to do with Skylanders – mainly due to the pedestal Crash is standing on in the image.

Via

Pokemon Company on why there isn’t a Wii U version of Pokemon X/Y, lack of console Pokemon

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Podcast Stories, Wii U | 0 comments

In an interview with Game Informer, Pokemon Company director of consumer marketing J.C. Smith commented on why there isn’t a Wii U version of Pokemon X/Y.

Admittedly, the response is predictable. Smith mentioned that Game Freak tends to prefer portables as a result of the communication and trading aspects, and because you can take them with you.

“I can’t speak to the specifics, but traditionally Game Freak has always loved the game to be on a portable device because of the communication, trading, and the experience of taking this adventure with you. That’s why they’ve always prioritized a portable version of the game first. They’ve always liked what you can do in the real world with that.”

Speaking more broadly, Smith discussed the lack of real Pokemon titles on console:

“It comes down to what the creators want to do. Every time I’ve heard them talk about it, it’s been about the portable experience, taking the adventure with you, being able to share it with friends, communicate, trade, battle – really encouraging that interaction.”

Source

Nintendo of America reconfirms Wii U VC, but no specifics

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Podcast Stories, Wii U eShop | 0 comments

Satoru Iwata made a quick mention of a Wii U Virtual Console back in November. At the time, only two aspects were confirmed – that yes, Nintendo is working on the service for its new console, and it will support the GamePad.

A Nintendo of America has reconfirmed the Wii U Virtual Console and Off-TV play to Kotaku, but wouldn’t divulge any additional information.

The representative said:

“We do not have any specifics to share at this time. However, we are moving ahead with development of Virtual Console for Wii U, and we plan to make it so you can play it on the Wii U GamePad alone.”

Source

Pokemon X/Y screenshots

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Podcast Stories, Screenshots | 0 comments

Nintendo announces brand new Pokemon games for 3DS

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Podcast Stories | 0 comments

After days of waiting and several teases, Nintendo, Game Freak, and the Pokemon Company finally unveiled its brand new video game. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata made the announcement during a short, live-streamed video segment just a short while ago.

Pokemon X/Y is the newest entry in the series. As expected, they’re in the works for the 3DS – the handheld’s first true, mainline Pokemon release. Both versions feature more 3D-like visuals than ever before, new Pokemon, and more.

Never before have Pokemon games launched in all countries at the same time, but that’ll be changing with these two titles. Pokemon X/Y launch worldwide this October.

Famitsu: Top 10 best-selling games of 2012, hardware data

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, News, Podcast Stories, Wii, Wii U | 0 comments

Famitsu has compiled a listing of the best-selling games from Japan. It also has data for all hardware platforms.

Look for the information below:

Source, Via

Four downloadable games added to Club Nintendo

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Podcast Stories, Wii Shop Channel | 0 comments

Club Nintendo members can now choose from four new games. Tetris (150 coins), Snowpack Park (150 coins), Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (200 coins), and Mario Kart 64 (200 coins) are the new selections. Each title will remain on Club Nintendo through February 10.

Head on over to this link to check out each downloadable reward.

Team Ninja: Wii U processor not “horrible and slow”, console is next-gen

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Podcast Stories, Wii U | 0 comments

A couple of months ago, one Metro: Last Light developer made a remark stating that the Wii U has a “horrible, slow” CPU. But Team Ninja boss Yosuke Hayashi, responding to the claim, says this is not so. Hayashi feels the comment “was just 4A trying to find a scapegoat for a simple business decision on their part.”

“The Wii U is an infant that’s just been born. It’s a little unfair to compare it to mature platforms that people have been working on for over five years. I’m sure people will find ways to bring out even more power as the platform matures. To be completely blunt and honest, there’s no way that the Wii U processor is ‘horrible and slow’ compared to other platforms. I think that comment was just 4A trying to find a scapegoat for a simple business decision on their part.”

Hayashi does acknowledge that the Wii U may not be a next-gen console from the standpoint of its processor speed. However, he believes its next-gen nature stems from innovation and “Wii U being a new idea that challenges existing platforms”.

“If you’re basing this simply on processor speed, then it’s not next generation. If you’re basing this on Wii U being a new idea that challenges existing platforms, then it definitely is next generation. It is a console videogame platform that is now independent of the TV. Nobody has done that before. It’s no mistake to say that we have entered a period where it’s difficult to provide an obvious difference to many players based on processor speed alone. Players want new innovation that includes the environment in which you play and services you use, rather than just raw processor spec. Nintendo is at the forefront of that innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing what the other platforms come up with in the future.”

Source

Crysis 3 not coming to Wii U from lack of “business drive”

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Podcast Stories, Wii U | 0 comments

CEO and founder of Crytek Cevat Yerli has once and for all confirmed that Crysis 3 won’t be heading to Wii U. Some may be surprised to hear, however, that the reasons are business-related rather than technical.

Yerli said that Nintendo, EA, and Crytek have been in talks, “but the bottom line is that there is that there’s not enough business drive in it.” While Yerli would personally love to see Crysis 3 on Wii U, “what I love to see and what gets done at the end of the day are two different things.”

Yerli said:

“There has been discussions between Nintendo and EA and Crytek, but the bottom line is that there is that there’s not enough business drive in it. It’s a purely business decision. I’d love to see it on Wii U, but what I love to see and what gets done at the end of the day are two different things. Even so, I could initiate it but someone has to sell it, right? It’s a business decision between EA and Nintendo. If that business decision doesn’t make sense, or seems to not make sense for them, it’s… not possible for us to make it. We can’t publish ourselves, and that’s the bottom line.”

Source