Yesterday, [a]listdaily published a new interview with GameStop CEO Paul Raines. When it came to Nintendo, Raines discussed three topics: Wii U, NX, and mobile.
Regarding Wii U, Raines said that the system “was disappointing to everybody” – Nintendo included. However, he was quick to point out that Nintendo has strong franchises.
Raines’ full comments on Wii U:
“Wii U was disappointing to everybody, including them. They made some bold bets, and maybe some of them didn’t work out. But they have a lot of creativity there. They’re a very innovative group of people, so we never count out Nintendo. Even now it’s incredible how strong some of their IP is—Pokémon, for example. We could have a Pokémon weekend this weekend at GameStop and we would break sales records just because every time they put out a new game they have a very loyal fan base. Super Mario, Zelda, all those IPs have a huge, loyal fan base.”
This week’s North American Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U Download
The Beggar’s Ride – $5.99
Escape From Flare Industries – $3.99
Midnight 2 – $1.99
PixelMaker – $2.99
SpaceRoads – $9.99
Sudoku and Permudoku – $0.99
Wii U Virtual Console
Style Savvy – $9.99
3DS Download
Pocket Card Jockey – $6.99
New 3DS Virtual Console
Super Punch-Out!! – $7.99
3DS DLC
Fire Emblem Fates – Map Pack 2 DLC – Across dimensions, other versions of the Hoshidan and Nohrian children are under attack. Born and raised in the Deeprealms, these fledgling warriors must now rise up to save themselves and their parents as they unravel the mystery of their adversaries. In this six-map series for the Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest games, units leveled up in the main game cannot lend support. Devise a strategy using a fresh team and reap the rewards, but only if all of your units survive. You can receive all six maps as they are released by purchasing Map Pack 2 for only $7.99.
Fire Emblem Fates – New DLC Maps: In Endless Dreams – The In Endless Dreams map, available for $0.49, Kana, lost and alone, must find allies quickly. In Endless Dreams is Part 1 of Heirs of Fate.
eShop Sales
Wii U
– Gravity Badgers is 50 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $2.49) until 8:59 a.m. PT on June 2.
– ZaciSa’s Last Stand is 50 percent off (reduced from $3.99 to $1.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 19.
– Defense Dome is more than 30 percent off (reduced from $2.99 to $1.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 11.
– Rock ’N Racing Off Road DX is more than 35 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 26.
– Word Party is 50 percent off (reduced from $19.99 to $9.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 9.
3DS
– Art of Balance TOUCH! is 25 percent off (reduced from $6.99 to $5.20) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 26.
– Aqua Moto Racing 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 12.
– Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers and Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth from ATLUS are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 16.
– The Hand of Panda is more than 15 percent off (reduced from $5.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on June 3.
Activities
Nintendo Badge Arcade – Starting today, get thank-you badges featuring everyone’s favorite Nintendo Badge Arcade employee, the Arcade Bunny, during the Thank You Campaign. Automatically receive thank-you badges for each $1.00 spent, up to a maximum of $4.00 and four badges. The campaign ends on May 25, so check it out to see if your favorite Arcade Bunny moments are captured as a badge!
Source: Nintendo PR
Update: Here’s an interesting find from reader Andrew:
When you reported on the new Zelda page for the Nintendo @ E3 2016, the link takes you to a site introducing Nintendo’s E3 plans. It also includes two instances of Hylian text. If you go into the page source, these sections (I think) are denoted with HR-Z (which might stand for “Hyrulean Zelda”). The Hylian text just reads “THELEGENDOFZELDATHELEGENDOFZELDATHE” so there’s no additional information, but it might come in handy to build a cipher code in case Nintendo releases any new information on the game that does have the new Hylian language.
Nintendo has opened its official website for E3 2016 following today’s announcement regarding plans for Zelda Wii U. Access it here. There’s not too much there, but it does recap the information shared today.
Nintendo has revealed new details about its plans for E3 2016. As previously mentioned, the upcoming Zelda game for Wii U (also coming to NX) will be featured.
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime will introduce Nintendo Treehouse: Live on June 14 at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT. This will be followed by “a day of live-streamed gameplay of The Legend of Zelda.” Nintendo says it’ll “be the world’s first in-depth look at the game, which will also include commentaries by Nintendo developers.”
Fans can watch the stream on Nintendo’s YouTube and Twitch channels as well as http://e3.nintendo.com. You can expect “game coverage, behind-the-scenes info and plenty of fun.”
Nintendo is hosting a competition so that one fan and a companion can play the new Zelda game on the show floor. Starting today and lasting through May 10, a Twitter sweepstakes is being hosted for a chance to win a trip to the expo. You can enter simply by tweeting @NintendoAmerica a note about what The Legend of Zelda series means to you while using the hashtags #MyZeldaLegend and #NintendoSweepstake. Visit this page for more information.
Catch today’s full announcement below.
System: 3DS (eShop)
Release date: May 5, 2016
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher Nintendo
You’re playing solitaire, managing RPG stats, strategically maneuvering an adorable little stumpy-leg horse. As disparate as these elements seem, they manage to meld into a single cohesive experience with every little initially convoluted wrinkle feeding into another system, looping around and creating a uniquely addictive experience. I haven’t ever wanted to play a racehorse management sim governed by the rules of solitaire, but I’m sure glad I did. I guess what’s most surprising is that some madman somehow crafted these distinct gameplay elements into one of the more engaging 3DS games.
Style Savvy is coming to the Wii U Virtual Console tomorrow. On the 3DS side of things – specifically New 3DS – we’ll be getting Super Punch-Out!! via the eShop.
Nintendo’s website provides the following overview:
Featuring the tight game play and humor the series is known for, this sequel to the NES classic sees Little Mac return to the ring with the World Video Boxing Association belt once again at stake. Slug your way through the grueling, sweat-pounding matches of the Minor, Major, and World Circuits as you face off against some of Little Mac’s greatest rivals like Bear Hugger, Bald Bull, and Super Macho Man. With a cast of new challengers waiting, do you have what it takes to identify their unique patterns and exploit their weaknesses? Go to your corner and come out fighting, but remember what Doc Louis would say, “It’s not about brawling—it’s about finesse!”
Pricing for Super Punch-Out!! is set at $7.99.
Footage from the English version of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE continues to pour in. Find two more gameplay videos below.
Polygon has put up the latest video in its “Devs Make Mario” series. In today’s feature, Threes creator Asher Vollmer makes a level in the game. View it below.
Vollmer’s Super Mario Maker level is located on the official bookmark site here.
The Bravely Second Collector’s Edition is back in stock again over on Amazon. To order a copy, head on over to the product page here. We’ll keep tabs on the page and will update this post if it sells out.
This week’s North American Wii U Virtual Console title is a bit of an unexpected one. Tomorrow, the original Style Savvy will be out on the eShop.
Here’s the overview from Nintendo’s website:
Show off your style as the owner of a chic boutique! Dream up dazzling outfits and for yourself and your customers. Purchase inventory to stock up your store and monitor your shopping budget. Extend your fashion makeover by visiting the hair salon and the cosmetics store. The possibilities are endless!
Style Savvy on the Wii U Virtual Console will cost $9.99.
