HAL Laboratory developed various parts of Switch
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 20 Comments
HAL Laboratory isn’t traditionally associated with working directly on Nintendo hardware. Fans are likely more aware of the company for having worked on the Kirby and Smash Bros. franchises, among many other titles.
For Switch though, HAL was directly involved with the hardware’s creation. They developed the following parts of the system:
– Web browser component
– Mii library
– Game development environments
– Game development tools
The Web browser components are used for following parts:
– Connect Switch to a Nintendo Account
– eShop
– Posting screenshots to SNS
– And more
Those who are in the photo below are the actual staffers who joined in during development. 32 people in total are pictured.

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Pic-a-Pix Color footage
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, Videos, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
Lightwood Games released its eShop puzzler Pic-a-Pix Color on Wii U and 3DS a few days ago. Watch some footage of the new title below.
More: Lightwood Games, Pic-a-Pix Color
Miitomo – returning Miitomo Drop stage (4/2/17)
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 1 Comment
In celebration of Miitomo’s first anniversary, Nintendo has brought back the “I do! Wedding Bliss” stage. Users can obtain popular items in this coin-exclusive special level.
It includes the following:
– Wedding veil w/ flower crown
– Wedding gown
– Rose headpiece
– Rose evening gown
– Chiffon party dress
– Wedding tuxedo
– Rhinestone necklace
– Rose boutonniere
The returning stage will be available until April 8 at 6:59 PM PT / 9:59 PM ET.
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A half hour of Rime footage
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 2 Comments
YouTube channel Two Angry Gamers TV has a half hour of footage up from Rime, which is coming soon to Switch. See the video for gameplay below.
More: Grey Box, Rime, Six Foot, Tantalus, Tequila Works
Video: A better look at Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s frame rate improvement with version 1.1.1
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Wii U | 42 Comments
A new patch for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was delivered this week. Although Nintendo kept quiet about specifics, players quickly noticed that the game’s performance had been improved. Areas with frame rate drops were improved in version 1.1.1.
NX Gamer published a video yesterday that provides a good look at the performance improvements by showing what the frame rate was like before and after the update. You can watch it below, but note that one of the villages is shown.
Hearthstone designer says Switch version is “a good discussion worth having”
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 31 Comments
Hearthstone, Blizzard’s popular collectible card game, has stayed on mobile and PC since its launch a few years ago. With Switch out on the market, fans are wondering if it could eventually land on the new console.
Express Online did ask Hearthstone senior game designer Mike Donais about the possibility. “I personally haven’t talked about it but I’m more focused on card design,” he said. “Hearthstone is available on iPads and phones, so it’s a good discussion worth having.”
Director Jeff Kaplan recently said in a Reddit AMA that bringing Hearthstone to Switch would be “very challenging”. However, he also noted that the team is “always open minded about exploring possible platforms.”
More: Blizzard, Hearthstone, interview, Mike Donais
[Review] Snake Pass
Posted on 8 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 15 Comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: March 28, 2017
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher Sumo Digital
There are a lot of short tips that cycle through the brief loading screens of Snake Pass. The most helpful was perhaps the most obvious: “Remember, think like a snake.” I wouldn’t be entirely satisfied categorizing this as a physics-based puzzle game. Calling it a platformer is closer, but you can’t jump. Stick this game into any established category and you’ll find that its slithery nature slips right back out. Snake Pass is, mechanically speaking, a sort of deconstruction of the 3D platformer. It’s not quite like anything I’ve ever played.
More: highlight, Snake Pass, Sumo Digital, top
Splatoon 2 – Humpback Pump Track stage overview and screenshots
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Screenshots, Switch | 7 Comments
After announcing the Humpback Pump Track stage for Splatoon 2 earlier today, the series’ official Tumblr page updated with the news.
First, we have the following overview:
“Introducing Humpback Pump Track. This new stage is an indoor BMX track, but Inklings use it as a stage for Turf War. It features many curvy ups and downs, and the bike track surrounds a small hill in the middle. You’d think the openness makes for great visibility, but the hump abundance creates a surprising amount of blind spots. Inklings can employ multiple strategies, including frontal breakthroughs or attacking from the side.
Oh… and we just realized that jellyfish can ride bikes? What!?”
And these screenshots:
Nintendo has announced several new stages for Splatoon 2 since the initial reveal in January. Other levels include The Reef, Musselforge Fitness, and Diadema Amphitheater.
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31 minutes of Graceful Explosion Machine footage
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch eShop, Videos | 4 Comments
Graceful Explosion Machine is making its way to the Switch eShop next Thursday. For an early look at the game, view the video below containing 31 minutes of footage.
Playtonic unveils the Yooka-Laylee Rap
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch eShop, Videos | 16 Comments
Yesterday, Playtonic and Yooka-Laylee composer Grant Kirkhope teased a new tune for the game that would be taking inspiration from Donkey Kong 64’s DK Rap. That’s now been published online.
Kirkhope and Playtonic have created a new piece of music in the style of DK Rap, aptly titled the Yooka-Laylee Rap. Watch the video and listen to the song below.