Nintendo UK recently published an interview with Christian Stewart from Cardboard Robot Games, developer of the upcoming Switch 2D retro fighting game Pocket Rumble, on their website. Make sure to read the full interview here if you’re interested; below are some interesting excerpts:
On why the game is designed like a Neo Geo Pocket Color game:
Two buttons was a big, big thing about Neo Geo Pocket. Somehow SNK got really complex, complicated fighting games that felt close to the Neo Geo arcade games in portable format, with two buttons. There was some magic there that we wanted to replicate in which we could make a game that has only two buttons, but still have the complexity that something like Street Fighter, with six buttons, could have.
On why the game is a natural fit for the Switch because of its local multiplayer capabilities:
Right, that’s exactly why we need to be on Nintendo Switch! This is the first time a handheld has really had the feel of playing on one console in local multiplayer. It’s perfect. We didn’t know anything about the Nintendo Switch when we were first designing the game but as soon as we heard about its capabilities we were like “this is perfect, this is exactly what we need to be on. This is a local, multiplayer, portable console and here we have this very important local multiplayer game that’s focussed on portability.” So it was a perfect fit!
On the challenges of making a game with the limitations of a Neo Geo Pocket Color-inspired art style:
The resolution of those sprites is very, very small. It is very hard to convey certain things. Subtle nuances are very difficult to convey at such a small resolution. It’s absolutely worth it, because I think the Neo Geo aesthetic on top of the nostalgia just complements what the game is trying to do very well.
We’re trying to get rid of a lot of executional barriers and keeping things to their bare fundamentals, but those fundamentals are still very complex because they’re the inherent mechanics of 2D fighting games.
We’re simplifying as much as we can. So those simple, lower resolution graphics and limited colour palettes work really well with how much we’re focussing on the core combat mechanics.
Fire Emblem Heroes new content, focusing on characters from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, is now live. A summoning focus featuring four characters – Alm, Lukas, Clair, and Faye – will run until April 26. There are also new Paralogues where players face off against the characters. There are also Quests based around completing the Paralogues, which will be live until the 26th as well.
Miitomo has been updated with more content. Users will find a new stage, along with some brand new items.
“Folklore in the forest! Fairy Fashion #3” is the new stage. It includes the following:
– Flower fairy dress (set)
– Flower fairy sandals (set)
– Flower fairy wings (set)
– Fairy friend
And as far as the new items go, you can nab the following:
– High-tech headphones
– Camo tracksuit + plain tee
– Ripped and faded jeans
This week’s expanded Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./01. [3DS] Monster Hunter Double Cross
02./05. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild #
03./04. [3DS] Mario Sports Superstars
04./07. [NSW] 1-2-Switch
05./00. [PS4] LEGO Worlds
06./02. [PS4] Warriors All-Stars #
07./10. [PS4] Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
08./12. [3DS] Pokemon Sun / Moon
09./11. [PS4] NieR: Automata
10./14. [WIU] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
11./03. [PS4] Blue Reflection: Maboroshi ni Mau – Shoujo no Ken #
12./13. [PS4] Horizon: Zero Dawn #
13./15. [3DS] Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
14./06. [PSV] Warriors All-Stars #
15./22. [NSW] Super Bomberman R
16./16. [PS4] Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 + II.5 ReMIX
17./20. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V [New Price Edition]
18./21. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo
19./29. [WIU] Minecraft: Wii U Edition
20./00. [3DS] Kawaii Pet to Kurasou! Wan Nyan & Mini Mini Animal
With more information releasing on ARMS, Nintendo has put profiles of the announced characters up on the official Japanese website. These supply the team/organization that each one fights for, their age, weight, and height, as well as what they like. While the information on the website is only in Japanese, StreetsAhead has translated them as follows:
This week’s Switch eShop charts are as follows:
Software
1. Snipperclips
2. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
3. FAST RMX
4. Snake Pass
5. Graceful Explosion Machine
6. Has-Been Heroes
7. ACA NeoGeo Metal Slug
8. Zelda: Breath of the Wild
9. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
10. LEGO City Undercover
11. 1-2-Switch
12. Blaster Master Zero
13. ACA NeoGeo Metal Slug 3
14. ACA NeoGeo The King of Fighters ’98
15. Mr. Shifty
* Note: similar to our usual Wii U and 3DS eShop charts, the data above is based on North American sales.
Source: Switch eShop
Over on Amazon Japan, the official boxart is posted for Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star. Have a look at the packaging image above.
Earlier today, Nintendo confirmed that the NES Classic Edition is ending production in North America. Final shipments for the year are being sent out to retailers throughout this month. We’re hearing that the situation is somewhat similar in Japan.
On the official Famicom Mini website, Nintendo writes that the hardware has temporarily ended production. It’s not made clear if and when production will resume. Given the situation in North America, it wouldn’t be surprising if this ended up being a permanent move.
Atlus released the opening movie for Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology, its updated version of the classic DS RPG redone for 3DS. View the video below.
In 2015, The Pokemon Company generated $2.1 billion in retail revenue. That total saw a big rise in 2016, jumping to $3.3 billion. It was a $1.2 billion increase, causing Pokemon to move up ten spots comparatively to 2015 numbers.
Pokemon GO’s launch last year was naturally a catalyst, as were Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. The series also had its first Super Bowl commercial ever which was no doubt seen by millions of people.
License! Global writes in a new report:
“Pokemon enjoyed an incredibly strong year at retail in 2016, which marked the brand’s 20th anniversary. The milestone, which recognized the first introduction of Pokemon video games 20 years ago, catapulted the perennially popular brand into the global spotlight and kicked off with the first-ever Pokemon Super Bowl commercial. The company also introduced the mobile game “Pokemon Go,” which became a global phenomenon and was downloaded 650 million times. Pokemon followed this success with “Pokemon Sun” and “Poeémon Moon” for the Nintendo 3DS, which became the third best-selling Nintendo 3DS titles of all time, adding to the 280 million Pokemon video games already sold.”
