EarthBound finally launched on the Wii U eShop last week, and its arrival was greeted by much fanfare. There was just one peculiar aspect about the game’s launch though: a fairly high price point.
Nintendo had set the pricing of SNES titles on the Wii U VC to be $7.99. EarthBound costs a little more, coming in at $9.99. It’s not the biggest difference in the world, but it is enough for people to wonder why EarthBound costs more than the average SNES release.
Unfortunately, you won’t get much of an answer out of Nintendo. When asked for a comment, the company would only say:
“As for EarthBound, Nintendo sets prices in the Nintendo eShop and Virtual Console on a game-by-game basis. Different games will be offered at different prices.”
Update: A translation posted on NeoGAF indicates that multiple missions/maps are likely to be involved, as opposed to just one of each. The translation also seems to suggest that Nintendo is “thinking” about DLC as opposed to “developing” it. But because Shigeru Miyamoto mentions that the team would like to deliver new content through the Internet “little by little”, I think it’s safe to say that DLC is coming.
Nintendo is working on new content for Pikmin 3. In an interview with Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, it was revealed that a new map and mission are scheduled for delivery in the future.
When these items will be available are not yet known. It’s also unclear if the DLC will be available for free or for a certain cost.
Nintendo confirmed co-op for The Wonderful 101 during E3 2013 last month. However, it has since been revealed that the game will offer an additional multiplayer mode.
According to The Wonderful 101’s official teaser site, Platinum Games has included some kind of battle mode. Nintendo’s page doesn’t say much about the feature, with a brief notice mentioning that the feature will allow players to “compete head-to-head in battle mode as one of the Wonderful Ones.”
Stay tuned for additional details.
Nintendo is accepting all kinds of indie developers to bring games to Wii U. There is one big exception, however.
A questionnaire coming from GDC flat out states that Nintendo is not accepting submissions from Japanese-based developers. GDC did take place several months ago, but it’s very possible that Nintendo’s policy is still in place.
There are a number of developers in Japan (not to mention Japanese gamers as well) who are understandably upset by Nintendo’s non-acceptance of Japanese indies. Why the policy is in place is currently unclear. Hopefully we’ll get an official comment out of Nintendo soon.
Players will be able to choose from nine different characters in One Piece: Unlimited World Red. For an overview of each, read on below.
Monkey D. Luffy
– Can use his usual stretchy punches and Gear Second techniques
Roronoa Zoro
– Weapon is his sword
– Has an “aggressive mode” skill
– This temporarily lowers his defense, but gives him a big power spike
Nami
– Useful as a support character and item gatherer since she can steal items from enemies
Usopp
– Dishes out long range attacks and can pinpoint shots to snipe enemies from afar
Sanji
– Has a rush attack that hits enemies
– Cooking skills can support his group
Chopper
– Ship’s doctor
– Can restore characters HP and heal abnormal conditions
Nico Robin
– Archaeology knowledge can help in getting items from stone monuments on the map
Franky
– Powerful character
– Flash attacks including a rocket launcher and beam
– Can also pose in the middle of an attack to power it up
Brook
– Uses music to buff the party or make enemies fall alseep
– He can also walk on water so he can go places other characters cannot
Game Freak has revealed its second game for the 3DS eShop: Soriti Horse. It’s a mix of solitaire and horse racing.
Here’s what we know thus far:
– Solitaire Phase and Control Phase
– Solitaire Phase: play solitaire to improve the bond with your horse and make it run better
– Control Phase: navigate the courses with the touch screen, reacting to certain parameters and course attributes
– Races continue by switching between phases back and forth
– In the final stretch, you use items and power you collected along the way, plus a whip to send your horse over the finish line
– Raise your own horse, turn it in to a QR code and share it with others
– First Game Freak game to be self-published
Soriti Horse will be available in Japan on July 31 for 500 yen. You can find some screenshots in the gallery above.
We know of at least two digital releases this week, assuming listings on the Nintendo’s website are accurate.
First, the 3DS eShop will be getting Chain Blaster ($6.99). Also due out is the DSiWare title Cute Witch! Runner ($1.99 / 200 points) – this one will also be out on the DSi shop.
Both games should be available this Thursday.
