A glasses-free 3D patent patent lawsuit between Nintendo and inventor Seijiro Tomita was finally settled earlier this year. The jury ultimately ruled that Nintendo would pay $30.2 million in damages.

However, the award amount has since been cut in half after a US judge determined this week that the original figure was “‘intrinsically excessive’ and unsupported by the evidence presented at trial.” Tomita will have until August 23 to decide whether to accept $15.1 million in damages or proceed to a new damages trial. If he opts for the latter, there’s a possibility that Tomita will receive nothing at all.

Nintendo said in a statement:

“Nintendo respects the intellectual property rights of other companies and is confident that none of its products infringes the asserted patent. Nintendo will appeal the jury’s verdict and reduced damages award to the court of appeals.”

Thanks to Thomas N for the tip.

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Those who pre-order Harvest Moon: A New Beginning at select retailers in Europe will receive a limited edition bonus. Publisher Zen United is including a set of Hama Beads featuring recreations of the “Boy” and “Cow” characters from the series.

GAME will be providing the bonus in the UK. Selected retail partners across Europe will be offering the pre-order item as well.

Source: Zen United PR

Activision has announced yet another accomplishment for its lucrative Skylanders franchise.

According to the company, Skylanders figures have outsold all action-figure properties in the US and Europe in 2013 thus far. Additionally, Skylanders outpaced all toy properties in the U.K. year-to-date as of June 30, 2013.

Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg said:

“We began something very special with Skylanders, and the magic of bringing toys to life through a video game. But it’s not just about the game. We know the toys have to be just as creative and imaginative as the kids that play with them, and that’s why we’re so excited to bring even more innovations to this genre when Skylanders SWAP Force comes out in October.”

The Skylanders franchise has managed to generate over $1.5 billion in global retail sales as of July 31. Skylanders Giants has been the top-selling console and handheld game overall in dollars this year in North America and Europe.

Source: Activision PR

Numerous Japanese pre-orders are centered around offers at the Pokemon Center.

Regular reservations for Pokemon X come with an exclusive clear file folders, including one with an image of Xerneas as well as a mini-Xerneas figure. The same bonuses are included with Pokemon Y pre-orders, but with different artwork and Yveltal figure.

Both games can be pre-ordered for extra items: a CD with three tracks and an exclusive Pokemon X/Y A4-sized “World Art” book, which contains lots of exclusive features and artwork, including a cover image specifically designed by Game Freak.

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All toys are priced at £3.99. You’ll receive a Gacha Ball pack with your purchase, meaning you won’t know which figure you’re getting until it’s been opened. Along with “standard” figures, consumers will be able to find “shiny” versions of certain creatures as well as legendary monsters.

If buying games digitally isn’t your kind of thing, you can choose to purchase the Pokemon Rumble U Special Edition. It comes with a Limited Edition Black Kyurem or White Kyurem NFC Figure, additional mystery NFC Figure, double-sided Collector’s Poster, and a code to download the game from the eShop.

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Project Phoenix is heading to the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita, but it won’t be on any of Nintendo’s platforms. Given how pleased indies have been with the company, you have to wonder why this is so.

Director and producer Hiroaki Yura did provide an explanation when asked about the situation. Most of Yura’s words were very much critical – he said “not a lot of people” purchase Nintendo systems, indicated that there are “so many restrictions” in place, and stated that the company doesn’t accept indie games in Japan.

Yura ultimately said that even though Nintendo may have “interesting” hardware, is isn’t “exciting”.

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This week’s North American Nintendo Downloads are as follows:

Wii U retail

Splinter Cell: Blacklist (available 8/20) – $59.99

Wii U VC

Galaga – $4.99

eShop sales

Runner2 – $11.25 until 9 AM PT on Aug. 29
Trine 2: Director’s Cut – $7.99 until 9 AM PT on Sept. 5

3DS VC

Donkey Kong – $4.99

3DS download

10-in-1: Arcade Collection – $2.99
Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D – $4.99

3DS retail

My Western Horse 3D – $29.99
Barbie: Glam and Groom Pups – $29.99

Source: Nintendo PR

Earlier today, Dengeki published its own chart covering Japanese sales for the previous the week. Yakuza 1 & 2 HD made its Wii U debut in the most-recent period covered, but didn’t manage to reach the top 50.

What does that mean? Well, the game that did place 50th on the list sold 1,878 copies. That means Yakuza 1 & 2 sold less than that – a monstrous disappointment, but not a surprising result.

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Nintendo has continued to track the coin count for New Super Mario Bros. 2. Just recently, the worldwide total surpassed one trillion.

New Super Mario Bros. 2’s last milestone was 100 billion coins collected. That occurred in September of last year.