Shin’en’s Manfred Linzner talked up the Wii U hardware in an interview with GamesTM this month.
First, Linzner noted that the console’s development environment allowed the studio to easily create a game – Nano Assault Neo – in a short amount of time:
“The Wii U development environment allowed us to go from zero to a great, polished game in only half a year. I think we never ever got so far so fast on a new hardware, and we’ve worked on a lot of platforms in the past decades.”
Linzner went on to compliment Wii U’s overall technology. Although the studio’s game is rendered on both the television and GamePad, “even then we were still able to maintain solid 60FPS without much effort on both displays.” Linzner also said that the Wii U’s large memory allowed for complete caching and practically eliminated load times:
“We decided to add a local two-player mode where one player uses the TV and the other one the Wii U GamePad. That meant the complete game world would need to be rendered twice for the Wii U GamePad display. That nearly doubled the burden on the GPU and CPU, but even then we were still able to maintain solid 60FPS without much effort on both displays. Then on top we even added camera streaming, so that the TV player can see the face of the Wii U GamePad player, which adds a lot of fun. We expected the additional camera encoding and streaming would add noticeable strain on the Wii U, but it was almost free. All this proved the system is very well balanced and allows developers without much effort, to use all the unique features. Another benefit of the Wii U is that the system memory is so large that we never have to load an asset again. Everything can be cached and load times are almost gone.”
Thanks to joclo for the tip.
Following the commotion surrounding a possible Crash Bandicoot redesign found through Facebook, Vicarious Visions has removed the original photo from its page.
This does seem to imply that something is going on with Crash Bandicoot. If nothing was in the works, why remove the photo? Some have speculated that the new design has something to do with Skylanders – mainly due to the pedestal Crash is standing on in the image.
It isn’t Thursday, but that hasn’t stopped Nintendo from updating the Wii U eShop in Europe. Users will find new content related to ZombiU on the digital store today. At last, the long-awaited demo is now up for download. The demo hasn’t launched on the North American eShop, but perhaps that’ll change on Thursday.
Thanks to joclo for the tip.
In an interview with Game Informer, Pokemon Company director of consumer marketing J.C. Smith commented on why there isn’t a Wii U version of Pokemon X/Y.
Admittedly, the response is predictable. Smith mentioned that Game Freak tends to prefer portables as a result of the communication and trading aspects, and because you can take them with you.
“I can’t speak to the specifics, but traditionally Game Freak has always loved the game to be on a portable device because of the communication, trading, and the experience of taking this adventure with you. That’s why they’ve always prioritized a portable version of the game first. They’ve always liked what you can do in the real world with that.”
Speaking more broadly, Smith discussed the lack of real Pokemon titles on console:
“It comes down to what the creators want to do. Every time I’ve heard them talk about it, it’s been about the portable experience, taking the adventure with you, being able to share it with friends, communicate, trade, battle – really encouraging that interaction.”
Thanks to the 3DS eShop, a few of this week’s “Nintendo Download” releases have been confirmed. A total of four games are due out on the store this week. Prices are posted below (with one exception).
Biorhythm (DSiWare) – $1.99 / 200 DSi points
Hello Kitty Picnic with Sanrio Friends (3DS retail/download) – TBA
101 Dinopets 3D (3DS Download) – $4.99
Wild Adventures: Ultimate Deer Hunt 3D (3DS Download) – $3.99
Source: 3DS eShop
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies, the latest entry in Level-5’s puzzle-adventure franchise, has received a release date. According to this week’s Famitsu, the game launches on February 28. Pricing is set at 5,500 yen.
Level-5 is readying an interesting promotion for the game. Those who purchase Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies early may find some surprises in their copies, like a bronze statue or 18K gold coin. It’s kind of like a lottery.
A new version of Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is heading to the Japanese 3DS eShop, Famitsu has revealed.
The download-only title, simply known as Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask – features new elements. There are now three save slots, new tutorials, hints for the “Ruins” mode, extra animations, events, puzzles, and more. If I’m reading this correctly, it also looks like it’ll come with all of the extra puzzles sent out online.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask launches on February 6 for 3,000 yen.
Most Assassin’s Creed III players will find a new downloadable content pack waiting for them today. The DLC isn’t available for Wii U, but Ubisoft has confirmed a Wii U release. A representative told Nintendo Everything that it will “have more information regarding a date once we get closer to the launch of the content.”
Battle Hardened provides three new multiplayer maps – Charlestown, Fort St-Mathieu, and Saint Pierre. There’s also three new multiplayer characters – Governor, Highlander, and Coyote Man.
Source: Ubisoft PR
It’s back… again! For a second time, the gold nunchuck has been restocked on Club Nintendo. Get it while you can!
View the rewards page here.
Konami and MercurySteam are planning a demo for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate. A download will be made available “just before release”, according to producer David Cox. Cox also confirmed on his Twitter account that news and a brand new trailer are on the way.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate launches on March 5.
