“Following the holiday launch period, sales have been slower than we expected. Nintendo plans on launching some of their biggest IP over the next few months which we think will increase gamer interest.”

Later in 2013, the Wii U won’t be the only new console on the market. The PlayStation 4 is coming this holiday, and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 successor is also on the way.

So how can Nintendo compete with Sony and Microsoft? Forbes asked this very question of Bartel in the same interview:

“Software will play a big role in each console’s success over the holidays. We’re already seeing great developer and publisher support for PS4, so Wii U will need some great titles, especially first-party titles, to compete. There’s also a need to increase consumer awareness of the new features available on the Wii U and its tethered tablet features.”

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Zen Pinball 2 finally launching on the North American Wii U eShop next week

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

Zen Pinball 2 has finally been dated for the North American Wii U eShop. Wii U owners will be able to purchase the game on March 21.

Zen Pinball 2 is already out in Europe and has been January 31. Developer Zen Studios thanked fans for their patience in waiting for the North American version and said that it “had to make 10000% sure the game worked correctly so you all can have fun playing it immediately.”

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Game & Wario screenshots, details cover new games

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

Nintendo updated the official Game & Wario site today with content about four new games. The Ski, Design, Taxi, and Island activities are covered in the latest update.

Details for each new game can be found below. There are new screenshots to view as well.

Pikachu 3DS XL officially announced for North America

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

REDMOND, Wash., March 14, 2013 – Pokémon fans will get a jolt of excitement when Nintendo releases the Pikachu Edition Nintendo 3DS XL hand-held system on March 24. This bold yellow Nintendo 3DS XL hardware features a familiar outline of the iconic Pokémon. The system also comes packaged with a 4GB SD memory card and will be available while supplies last at a suggested retail price of $199.99.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity launches the same day as the Pikachu Edition Nintendo 3DS XL system, and draws players in with a deep and compelling story full of unexpected twists. While playing as one of five popular Pokémon, players travel through a near-infinite amount of randomly generated Mystery Dungeons, battle and recruit other Pokémon and collect hidden treasure. The game is available exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS and includes the ability to discover Magnagates – entrances to new dungeons – by scanning everyday circular objects with the Nintendo 3DS Camera. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity is available at a suggested retail price of $34.99. For more information about the game, visit http://www.pokemon.com/MysteryDungeon.

Treyarch submits next Black Ops II patch

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

A new Call of Duty: Black Ops II patch is now in the hands of Nintendo. It’s currently unclear what kind of changes/additions are included with the update, though Treyarch is aiming for a release “early next week.” The studio will give out the specifics about the patch once it’s live.

“A_Trey_U” wrote on the official Black Ops II forums:

“Our next patch has been submitted to Nintendo. We are hoping for early next week. Patch notes will be updated once we have approvals in from Nintendo and the patch is ready to go live. I will not be giving information on what is included in the patch until that time.”

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Nintendo, Next Level on what separates Luigi from Mario

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

Back in the day (pre-Super Mario Bros. 2), Mario and Luigi were completely identical. They looked the same and played the same.

Now, however, the two brothers have separate identities. Luigi is known these days for being a bit of a wimp, and from a gameplay perspective, can jump higher and can be slightly slippier to control.

Nintendo’s Yoshihito Ikebata and a pair of staffers recently discussed the differences between Mario and Luigi. Read their comments below.

Pikachu 3DS XL hitting North America on March 24

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

As was previously rumored, Nintendo is bringing the Pikachu 3DS XL stateside. Retailers have already started to obtain product ahead of the system’s official release. A street date has apparently been set for March 24.

We’ll probably be receiving the official word from Nintendo about the special 3DS XL tomorrow. The Pokemon Company sent out a tweet earlier today teasing the announcement.

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Jury rules against Nintendo in glasses-free 3D patent lawsuit

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

Seijiro Tomita took Nintendo to court over a glasses-free 3D patent last month after filing a lawsuit back in 2011. Today, a New York federal jury ruled against the company, which will be forced to pay $30.2 million in damages.

Tomita was granted a patent in 2008 for technology that allows users to see 3D content without special glasses. While Nintendo did meet with Tomita in 2003, the hardware manufacturer argued that he was one of many providers it met with and, as The Verge notes, “avoided key aspects of his patent.” The jury sided with Tomita in the end, resulting in the guilty verdict for Nintendo.

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Target: Buy 2, get 1 free starting on Sunday

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

Target will be hosting a special sale starting on Sunday. Consumers can take advantage of a “buy 2, get 1 free” offer through March 23. All games across all systems are eligible. Also worth noting, Target will be handing out a $50 gift card with the purchase of a Wii U Deluxe Set purchase.

Pretty good deals ahead! And it’s perfect timing given that LEGO City will be out next Wednesday.

Thanks to Captain N for the tip.

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