Nintendo Everything

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is taking inspiration from the original game in many ways. This includes memorable characters, of which there are nearly triple the number of Earthlings in this entry. Hit up the gallery below for a look at the following:

– Clipboard Volunteer, Standaroundus Takeyermoneyum
– Cosplay Nerds, Embarracus Awkwardicus
– Internet Troll, Trollus Internetus Transformium
– Riot Guard, Rideus Riotus
– Barbarian UFO, Flying Saucerus Barbarus
– Deadly Ice Cream Truck, Driverus Deadlius
– Football Player, Hut Hut Hutium Footballus
– Gandhi Ji, Homo Gandhius Safeus
– King Tut, Tutius Egypticus
– Mad Inventor, Crazius Labcoatium
– Shady Character, Shadius Tradius
– Spanish Inquisitor, Inquisitorium Tortureum Lotsa
– Texting Person, Textingus Idiotus

Polygon has more on ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove and how it’s staying true to the original here. It includes commentary from co-creator Greg Johnson.

ToeJam & Earl: Back is tentatively planned for launch before the holidays.

More: Adult Swim Games, Humanature Studios, Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove

Update: Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop is officially set for May 16 in North America, with the digital release happening on May 18.

Original: Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop was originally supposed to head west this month, but it’s now on track for May instead.

Rising Star Games said today that the 3DS game will release in Europe on May 25. It will be sold both physically and digitally.

As for North America, it’s looking like the final date is May 16. Retailers like Amazon are now putting up listings with that timeframe.

Source: Rising Star Games PR

More: Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop, Rising Star Games

Best Buy is listing three new unknown amiibo on its website. Each one is simply labeled as “Nintendo – Amiibo Figure”. Details are sparse at the moment, but their listings may provide additional insight.

All of these amiibo are apparently from the Zelda line or at least related in some fashion based on what’s stated under “Compatible Game Series”. They line up well with rumors about new Zelda figures – specifically 30th anniversary Link amiibo based on Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword.

If these amiibo are already showing up on Best Buy, perhaps Nintendo will be making an announcement soon. You can check out the original listings here, here, and here.

Source

More: Amiibo, The Legend of Zelda, top

Warner Bros. shared first details about Cars 3: Driven to Win, which is being created by Disney Infinity developer Avalanche Software.

Here’s the full overview:

“Picking up after the final big race in the film, Cars 3: Driven to Win extends the storyline of Cars 3 with all-new action packed adventures and takes players through a high-speed competition that is filled with both familiar and new faces. Players will be able to join Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez as they prepare to take on rival racer Jackson Storm. The game features more than 20 customization playable characters including popular heroes from the Cars franchise and next generation racers. Players can also select their favourite race environments from a series of iconic settings from the film, such as Radiator Springs and Florida International Speedway, with over 20 unique tracks to choose from across 13 different locations.

Cars 3: Driven to Win is a game that empowers players to master their driving skills for the ultimate competitive racing experience. With six thrilling modes for gamers to learn and advance their abilities, players can progress their character through training and tests of racing proficiency that unlock new modes, tracks, characters and more. Players can hone a wide variety of skills and abilities including Drifting, Turbo, Two-wheel Driving, Driving Backwards and Side-Bash. Each unique mode and ability allows players to explore the deeper gameplay mechanics and earn rewards for their expertise. Cars 3: Driven to Win provides an exhilarating, action-packed experience where training and skill give players an edge in a racing experience that anyone can win.”

Cars 3: Driven to Win will also let players experience the game “with their friends or on their own to perfect the various racing styles and modes available to them.” A local split-screen cooperative mode is included so that players can compete or team up with others.

Cars 3: Driven to Win launches on Switch and Wii U on June 13. View the first trailer below.

Source: Warner Bros. Interactive PR

More: Avalanche Software, Cars 3: Driven to Win, top, Warner Bros. Interactive

The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:

Switch – 45,509
New 3DS LL – 25,719
PS4 – 25,006
Vita – 7,780
2DS – 6,240
PS4 Pro – 5,051
New 3DS – 1,995
PS3 – 1,724
Wii U – 449
Xbox One – 187

For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:

Switch – 78,441
New 3DS LL – 29,771
PS4 – 25,472
Vita – 7,574
2DS – 6,722
PS4 Pro – 5,261
PS3 – 2,930
New 3DS – 2,866
Wii U – 411
Xbox One – 115

And here are the software charts:

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More: charts, Japan, Media Create, sales, top

The Japanese Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia website was updated today, and it’s brought along new details in the process. We have information about characters, the Mila’s Turnwheel feature, and character growth.

We’ve rounded up all of the details below, courtesy of Serenes Forest. You can also find a gallery with art of the latest characters.

Clair

– Initial Class: Pegasus Knight
– Voice Actor: Aya Endo
– Clive’s younger sister
– Member of the Deliverance
– Overbearingness is her one big flaw, not that she pays it any mind
– Cheery and pretty girl who loves to interact with any and everyone

Luthier

– Initial Class: Mage
– Voice Actor: Atsushi Kakehashi
– Lives in a village located at the Zofian borders
– He has fully devoted himself to mastering the art of sorcery and shows nary an interest to the people of society
– Finds it impossible to deal with his younger sister’s selfish streaks

Read More

More: details roundup, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, Intelligent Systems

HORI already prepared two Switch branded microSD cards for the system’s launch last month, offering 16GB and 32GB of storage. The company is working with Nintendo once again on a third option containing 64GB.

HORI’s 64GB microSD card is slated for release this month in Japan (tentatively planned for April 30). It’ll be priced at 6,458 yen.

Source

Cube Life: Island Survival has a new update available, as we’re hearing reports that version 1.3 can now be downloaded. Specifics about the patch aren’t yet known, however. Previous updates have added in new features / elements, so that’s likely the case here as well. We’ll let you know when we have actual details.

Source

More: Cube Life: Island Survival, Cypronia, title update

Today, Gamasutra published a big interview with Motoi Okamoto. Okamoto spent a decade at Nintendo beginning in 1998, and contributed to games like Pikmin, Super Mario 64 DS, Wii Play, and Wii Fit.

Gamasutra spoke with Okamoto about his experiences at the company in its interview. He touched on Shigeru Miyamoto’s high aspirations for Pikmin, rejected Wii Play games, and more.

Head past the break for notable excerpts from the interview. You can read the full thing here.

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More: interview, Motoi Okamoto, top

Update (4/5): Reaffirming why we have April Fools’ Day, the video description has been updated with a notice stating that this isn’t real. Guess they pulled a fast one here!

Original (4/4): Ankama has a new game lined up for the Switch eShop. Sometime in May, the studio will be releasing Abraca: Imagic Games.

Abraca is a local multiplayer party game. One player takes on the role of a hero (price / princess) while another three act as the bad guys. The hero needs to navigate through different levels as quickly as possible. Obstacles such as traps and enemies – including bosses – will be in the way. Naturally, the enemy group will be attempting to stop the hero.

Source

More: Abraca: Imagic Games, indie