This week’s issue of Famitsu has a few on Kirby: Planet Robobot. It’s rehash in many ways, but it also contains a few additional details – mainly about the different Robobot Armor modes.

We already heard about three of these modes extensively: Beam Mode, Fire Mode, and Sword Mode. More information about these three are now available, as well as two others that we’ve only seen a little bit: Ice Mode and Parasol Mode.

Here’s the rundown:

– Beam Mode: shoots electric balls which become bigger if the energy is charged. The Bouncer Beam attacks enemies while it’s bouncing.
– Fire Mode: Attacks enemies with “Crimson Tail” which spews fire. You can freely change the direction of the fire. You can also attack enemies with fire that spreads on ground.
– Sword Mode: Attacks with Power Beam Sabers that extend from arms. Other than a combo attack, it also has a wide-range Spinning Attack with both sabers.
– Ice Mode: Attack with cold blizzards. You can freeze enemies into ice blocks, or freeze water pillars to turn them into platforms that can be stepped on
– Parasol Mode: Its biggest characteristic is the propellers protruding from both shoulders, which can be used to fly or even attack enemies.

More: Famitsu, HAL Laboratory, Kirby: Planet Robobot

We posted some footage of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 a couple of days ago, but that was 13 minutes worth. We now have a video that a ton of additional gameplay – 6 hours in fact. Check it out below.

More: Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3, Japan, Square Enix

The 12th North American Splatfest in Splatoon has now come to an end. Who came out on top: those who’d prefer to build a snowman or a sandcastle?

This was a close match all the way around. Team Snowman had a slight edge in popularity, but Team Sandcastle saw slightly more wins. Because they did win more of the battles, Team Sandcastle prevailed. The final score was 359 to 341.

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A few weeks ago, Japanese outlet Inside Games published a lengthy interview with Pokemon CEO/president Tsunekazu Ishihara. There was a tiny bit about the current status/future of the series (Pokemon GO), but it was more reflective about the franchise in general and its past. Ishihara went in-depth about how the game series started and the importance of the Link Cable which helped boost popularity, bringing the franchise overseas and naming Pokemon, and more.

It took some time, but we now have a complete translation of the interview. Head past the break to read it in full.

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More: Game Freak, interview, Pokemon, Pokemon GO, top, Tsunekazu Ishihara

During the 25th anniversary Sonic panel at SXSW earlier today, attendees were treated to a history lesson of sorts. The session looked back upon some of the franchise’s more notable installments as well as the Blue Blur’s appearance in other games – including the Mario & Sonic series.

Here’s what Yuji Naka, one of the creators of Sonic, had to say about those initial conversations with Nintendo:

“So yes it is true. Back in the day I did go to Kyoto to visit Nintendo and wanted to have a meeting with Mr. Miyamoto and figure out could we make a game maybe with Mario and Sonic together. Although those original conversations happened about three years before the Olympics game came out, we weren’t able to really make a game that featured Sonic and Mario back from that original conversation, but because we had those conversations, it kind of kicked off future conversations with Nintendo which afterwards led to the Olympic game coming out.”

After these comments, SEGA’s Aaron Webber asked if it’s because of Naka that we have Sonic in Smash. In response, Naka noted the following, as relayed by his translator:

“The original Sonic becoming a part of the Smash Bros. game was also part of that conversation. During the GameCube development for Smash Bros., he really wanted to get Sonic into that game, but it was just too late in the development process and couldn’t get it in for GameCube, but they did move forward and put Sonic in for the Wii version.”

More: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, top, Yuji Naka

Miitomo has surpassed one million users, Nintendo has announced. That milestone was reached in just three days.

Miitomo debuted in Japan on March 17. It should be making its way to other territories before the end of the month, along with My Nintendo.

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My Nintendo Picross – The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was made available as a My Nintendo reward in Japan this past week. Some footage of the download has now emerged – see the video below.

More: Jupiter, My Nintendo Picross - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, top

Update: We’ll keep the rumor tag until it’s 100% confirmed, but this is looking even more legitimate. Here’s another look at the same footage from one of the SXSW panel attendees:

Niantic may have just shown the first Pokemon GO footage during a panel at SXSW. Take a look at some off-screen gameplay below.

As this has not been 100% confirmed, we’re marking the post to indicate its current rumor status.

More: Niantic, Pokemon GO, top

A panel just wrapped up at SXSW for Sonic’s 25th anniversary. You may recall that a “special reveal” was planned for the event. There were a few announcements such as the final release date for Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice. In addition to that, a Sonic 25th Anniversary party is now confirmed.

SEGA’s big event is set to take place on July 22 in San Diego. Tickets can now be purchased here.

Here’s what fans can expect from the event:

If you’re a Sonic fan, this should be the party to go to. The event will have “very special announcements,” and SEGA’s Aaron Webber also teased: “… if you are looking forward to a game announcement, I’m not saying there’s going to be a game announcement at this party, but you should totally come to this party.”

Celebrate 25 years of Sonic the Hedgehog at our official party at the House of Blues, during San Diego Comic-con! Special guests, musical performances by Crush 40 and Hyper Potions, exclusive 25th Anniversary merchandise and more await!

Food is provided by the venue, and your ticket price also covers limited edition merchandise we’ll be giving away at the show.

Join us as we celebrate the past, and give you the exclusive first look at the future of Sonic!

More: SEGA, Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice is launching for 3DS on September 27, SEGA revealed today. That announcement was just made during a panel at SXSW.

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice was originally on track to release last holiday. However, SEGA delayed the game last September. The company said this was done “to make sure the game has the time and polish needed”.

More: SEGA, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, top