The name “TNT Racers” may sound familiar – that’s because the game was released on WiiWare last year. A souped-up version is now heading to the Wii U eShop, and it should be out in Europe in the very near future.
Keen Games has confirmed to us that TNT Racers’ Wii U version will be called “Nitro Machines Edition” and includes a few exclusive elements. It features new cars, tracks, and pickups, along with a touch-input interface and off-TV play.
TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition is planned for release on the European eShop on August 8 (or maybe a week later). A North American date hasn’t been confirmed due to a few difficulties in the submission process, but there is a possibility of an August launch in the states as well. We’ll hopefully have some media to share with you soon.
Both of Nintendo’s latest systems came slowly out of the gate. For the 3DS, this led to a price drop just a few months after the hardware launched. The Wii U has also performed under expectations thus far, which has been attributed to a lack of strong software.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan may be one reason for the Wii U and 3DS’ slow starts. Speaking with Japanese monthly magazine SAPIO, Nintendo discussed how the natural disaster impacted both systems:
We launched the Nintendo 3DS on February 2011 and sales were strong. Two weeks later we were hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake (Editor’s note: that’s how the Japanese call the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake) and that stopped the momentum. In august of the same year we lowered the price from the initial 25,000 Yen to 15,000 Yen, and enhanced software development at the same time, to enrich the game line-up.
That paid off and we regained momentum in Japan, but due to that we could not spare many developers for the Wii U (released in November 2012), and that led to the slow start of the console.
01./00. [3DS] Mario & Luigi: Dream Team #
02./02. [3DS] Youkai Watch
03./01. [WIU] Pikmin 3
04./00. [3DS] Little Battlers eXperience W: Ultra Custom
05./04. [3DS] Friend Collection: New Life #
06./03. [PS3] Earth Defense Force 2025
07./06. [PSV] Toukiden #
08./05. [WIU] New Super Luigi U
09./07. [PSP] Toukiden
10./10. [3DS] Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
11./12. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf #
12./13. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
13./08. [PS3] Dead Island: Riptide
14./16. [PSP] Dangan-Ronpa (PSP the Best) #
15./14. [PS3] The Last of Us
16./22. [3DS] Kuma-Tomo
17./19. [WII] Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Super Deluxe Edition #
18./11. [PS3] Gundam Breaker
19./00. [PS3] Final Fantasy XIII-2: Digital Content Selection
20./17. [3DS] Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode
Two new Super Sonico projects are heading to Japan: one for the PlayStation 3 and another for the 3DS.
Due out next year – winter 2014 – is “Super Sonico in Production”. Imageepoch, the studio behind the Luminous Arc series, Arc Rise Fantasia, and Time and Eternity, is handling production of the 3DS game.
Super Sonico in Production offers idol production and communication gameplay. Players take on the role of a producer and train the idol Sonico. The game will include an original scenario, and allows users to experience Sonico in 3D.
PES 2014 was announced earlier this year, but Konami made no mention of a 3DS version. The game’s European community manager blamed poor sales of last year’s iteration for the lack of support this year.
What makes things particularly strange is that we’re now hearing that PES 2014 is actually coming to the 3DS in Japan, where the series is known as “Winning Eleven”. An official website, accessible here, confirms that a 3DS version is in fact heading to Japan.
So what’s the deal here? A 3DS version of PES 2014 is only releasing in Japan? That may be so, but it’s rather odd how Konami previously gave the indication that the game wasn’t in development for Nintendo’s handheld.
Author: Spencer
It has been nearly a decade since the release of Pikmin 2 on the GameCube, but fans are finally seeing the return of their favorite little floral minions with the impending release of Pikmin 3. Let’s take a look at what new things players can expect in what is promising to be a smash hit for the Wii U.
Project X Zone is now $10 less at Best Buy
. For the next week, you can purchase the 3DS title for $30 rather than $40.
Slightly less enticing is LEGO Legends of Chima for $20. You’ll be saving $10 by purchasing the game from Best Buy.
