You might be wondering why Nintendo decided to implement such a drastic alteration for Battle Mode. Kosuke Yabuki, director of the title, did explain the thought process to EDGE this month.

Yabuki said the following when asked why the team replaced arenas with tracks:

We’ve changed the style of Battle mode for Mario Kart 8 to use circuits that lots of people can play on. Players won’t know when a rival will appear from around a corner, which will bring a new sense of excitement and strategy to this mode. In terms of rules, we designed it for playing with 12 players, including the CPU. In the beginning, you have to defeat the CPU players and earn your score, and towards the end it becomes a battle between just human players. That’s the real thrill of it! It should also be a fresh experience for users to be able to race backwards around the circuits they are familiar with. I’m sure there will be a few people who aren’t so sure about us moving away from how we’ve done things previously, but I hope they try it out for themselves first. I’m sure it will be a new experience for everyone, [and] like no other battles in Mario Kart before

Thanks to joclo for the tip.

More: interview, Kosuke Yabuki, Mario Kart 8, top

Square Enix still considering Dragon Quest X for overseas release

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii, Wii U | 10 Comments

Square Enix still appears to be thinking about bringing Dragon Quest X to western territories.

That’s according to analyst David Gibson, who tweeted the following earlier today:

Square Enix is considering expansion of Dragon Quest X to overseas market, said it's profit guidance range is "reasonable"
— David Gibson (@gibbogame) May 12, 2014

Dragon Quest X originally launched in Japan back in August 2012 for Wii. The Wii U version followed in March 2013.

Source

More: Dragon Quest X, Square Enix

Defy Gravity: Test Drive Mario Kart 8 at Select GameStop Stores May 17-18

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 18 Comments

Over 2,700 GameStop stores will be offering hands-on time with Mario Kart 8 this coming weekend, Nintendo announced today. Fans will be able to try out the Wii U racer between 12 PM and 4 PM local time during the weekend of May 17-18 as part of “Mario Kart 8 Test Drive Days”.

Those who pre-order Mario Kart 8 at GameStop will receive an exclusive double-sided poster. This applies to previous reservations as well.

You can find more information about the demo event here.

Source: Nintendo PR

More: GameStop, Mario Kart 8, press release, top

UK software sales (Week ending 5/10)

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments

This week’s UK software sales are as follows:

Individual formats

LW	TW	Title	Format	Label	Publisher
2	1	MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	XB360	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
1	2	TITANFALL	XB ONE	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
4	3	2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL	XB360	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
5	4	TITANFALL	XB360	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
11	5	PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	XB360	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
8	6	FIFA 14	PS4	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
3	7	THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2	PS4	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
–	8	BOUND BY FLAME	PS4	FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE	FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE
9	9	INFAMOUS: SECOND SON	PS4	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
10	10	2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL	PS3	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
16	11	THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
13	12	FIFA 14	XB ONE	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
7	13	THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2	XB360	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
20	14	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	PS4	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
23	15	GRAND THEFT AUTO V	XB360	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
15	16	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	XB ONE	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
14	17	LEGO THE HOBBIT	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
12	18	THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2	PS3	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
25	19	LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
19	20	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	XB360	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
24	21	FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
–	22	SKATE 3	XB360	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
22	23	FIFA 14	XB360	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
17	24	SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	XB360	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
–	25	BATTLEFIELD 4	PS3	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
37	26	BATTLEFIELD 4	XB360	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
33	27	GRAN TURISMO 6	PS3	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
27	28	TRIALS FUSION	PS4	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
36	29	THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	PS3	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
26	30	METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES	PS4	KONAMI	KONAMI
–	31	GRAND THEFT AUTO V	PS3	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
38	32	BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
28	33	FORZA HORIZON	XB360	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
34	34	BATTLEFIELD 4	PS4	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
18	35	MARIO GOLF: WORLD TOUR	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
–	36	THIEF	PS4	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
32	37	KINECT SPORTS: RIVALS	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
31	38	LEGO THE HOBBIT	PS3	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
35	39	FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014	PC	SEGA	SEGA
–	40	GOD OF WAR COLLECTION	VITA	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.

All formats

LW	TW	Title	Developer	Label	Publisher
2	1	TITANFALL	RESPAWN ENTERTAINMENT	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
3	2	FIFA 14	EA CANADA	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
1	3	THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2	BEENOX	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
6	4	MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	4J STUDIOS	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
4	5	2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL	EA CANADA	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
5	6	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	INFINITY WARD	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
8	7	THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
10	8	BATTLEFIELD 4	DIGITAL ILLUSIONS	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
7	9	LEGO THE HOBBIT	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
11	10	LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
13	11	PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	POPCAP GAMES	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
–	12	BOUND BY FLAME	SPIDERS	FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE	FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE
18	13	GRAND THEFT AUTO V	ROCKSTAR NORTH	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
16	14	INFAMOUS: SECOND SON	SUCKER PUNCH	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
15	15	METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES	KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS	KONAMI	KONAMI
21	16	THIEF	EIDOS MONTREAL	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
17	17	ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	UBISOFT (MONTREAL)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
20	18	BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS	WB GAMES MONTREAL	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
12	19	SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENT	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
19	20	TRIALS FUSION	RED LYNX	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
35	21	SKATE 3	EA BLACK BOX	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
26	22	DISNEY INFINITY	AVALANCHE SOFTWARE	DISNEY INFINITY	DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
25	23	NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	GHOST GAMES	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
24	24	RAYMAN LEGENDS	UBISOFT (FRANCE)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
14	25	DARK SOULS II	FROM SOFTWARE	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES
28	26	FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	TURN 10 STUDIOS	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
32	27	ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	GEARBOX SOFTWARE	SEGA	SEGA
30	28	WWE 2K14	YUKE’S	2K SPORTS	TAKE 2
33	29	LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
27	30	FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014	SPORTS INTERACTIVE	SEGA	SEGA
37	31	GRAN TURISMO 6	POLYPHONY DIGITAL	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
31	32	SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCE	VICARIOUS VISIONS	SKYLANDERS	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
29	33	SAINTS ROW IV	DEEP SILVER VOLITION	DEEP SILVER	KOCH MEDIA
38	34	TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION	CRYSTAL DYNAMICS	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
39	35	FROZEN: OLAF’S QUEST	1ST PLAYABLE	GSP/AVANQUEST	GSP/AVANQUEST
34	36	FORZA HORIZON	PLAYGROUND GAMES	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
22	37	MARIO GOLF: WORLD TOUR	CAMELOT	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
–	38	LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA	TRAVELLER’S TALES	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
36	39	KINECT SPORTS: RIVALS	RARE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
–	40	CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II	TREYARCH	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

Source 1, Source 2

More: Chart-Track, charts, sales, top, UK

More Abyss Wii U footage

Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Some more Abyss footage surfaced today, showcasing both 1 and 2 player modes

Exclusive “Straw Hat Edition” content confirmed for One Piece: Unlimited World Red

Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 1 Comment

Today Bandai Namco announced that those looking to pick up One Piece: Unlimited World Red on release day will be treated to some unique content:

– Exclusive Costumes: 10 outfits – Luffy Strong World Outfit & the Anniversary Pack with 9 outfits commemorating Japan’s 15th anniversary of the One Piece animated series.

– A unique quest where the 2 brothers are re-united: “Flame Fist & Straw Hat”

Additionally, they’ve also released some further information about the game, specifically about a newly announced Battle Coliseum Mode:

A total of 20 characters will be playable in this arena, among them: Fujitora, “Flame Fist” Ace D. Portgas, Crocodile, the stunning Empress Boa Hancock, the whole Straw-Hat crew etc.! Players will be able to select their favourite character to get in the heated brawl against most of the fearsome bosses ONE PIECE universe got in its pocket!

The game is expected to hit Europe and Australia on June 27th for PS3, Vita, 3DS and Wii U. In the meantime, you can check out some art and screenshots below.

More: Bandai, Namco

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U screenshot (5/12/14)

Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in Screenshots, Wii U | 4 Comments

Another week, another set of screenshots! Here’s what Sakurai had to say about today’s shot:

Here’s wire frame Little Mac–re-envisioned from the original Punch-Out!! game. The man that actually drew the pixel art wire frame in the original was none other than Shigeru Miyamoto. He said he drew the pixels for the wire frame on graph paper.

More: Masahiro Sakurai, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS, top

Mario Kart 8 team pushed Wii U to its limits, but dev says the console “still has a lot of potential left”

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 58 Comments

Mario Kart 8 manages to push the “Wii U’s capabilities to their limits”, director Kosuke Yabuki has said. Still, Yabuki believes that the console “has a lot of potential left, and I suspect there are more ways to make use of its capabilities that we haven’t even imagined.”

Yabuki shared these remarks while speaking with EDGE this month. His full comments can be found below, which came about when asked how he thinks the team pushed the Wii U hardware.

More: interview, Kosuke Yabuki, Mario Kart 8, top

Pre-order updates (5/11/14)

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments

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

Wii U

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 – Amazon (new), Best Buy (new), GameStop
Skylanders Trap Team – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop,
How to Train Your Dragon 2: The Video Game – Amazon, GameStop
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – Amazon, Best Buy, 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

Scooby Doo & Looney Tunes Cartoon Universe: Adventure (new) – Best Buy
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 – Amazon (new), Best Buy (new), GameStop
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call – Amazon, Best Buy (new), GameStop
Skylanders Trap Team – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit! – Amazon
Tomodachi Life – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
One Piece: Unlimited World Red – Amazon, 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, Best Buy, GameStop
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Super Smash Bros. – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Putty Squad – Amazon, Best Buy