Media Create mentioned last week that Wii U bundles have been helping move hardware units in Japan. The Splatoon and Super Mario Maker sets gave the system a big push in particular during the week of December 7, and that has continued since then.
Regarding the Splatoon bundle, this has for all intents and purposes sold out. Nintendo said on Twitter that it has reached the estimate quantity, so production/shipping has been ended. Consumers who are interested in the Wii U are advised to check out sets such as the ones featuring Super Mario Maker and Genei Ibun Roku #FE.
Last month’s issue of Nintendo Dream contains an interview centered around The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. The Japanese magazine spoke with director Hiromasa Shikata, designer Keisuke Umeda, and producer Eiji Aonuma. There were some interesting comments shared, not to mention valuable concept art for Zelda fans.
Costumes are naturally a big part of Tri Force Heroes. During the interview, Umeda talked about what elements were taken into consideration when designing these for Link:
“The first thing is to make the effect [of the costume] easy to understand. Then comes making it look interesting and easily recognizable with colors. Designs were made while keeping these three things in mind.”
One piece of concept art included in the interview is of the Cheer Outfit. Here’s a look at that:
The results are in for Splatoon’s ninth Japanese Splatfest. This is the second time that Red Fox and Green Tanuki have gone head-to-head to promote the Maruchan brand of instant noodles, but we now have a new winner.
Green Tanuki came out on top with 374 votes. Red Fox had the edge in popularity, though Green Tanuki had more wins. The previous Splatfest for this event had Red Fox on top (161 points vs. 139 points).
A couple of notable deals are currently running on GameStop. First, select 3DS games are part of a “buy 1, get 1 50% off” sale. The lineup includes Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Kirby Triple Deluxe, and more. New 3DS XL systems are also $25 off.
Lastly, here are a pair of Amazon deals:
Save $28 on Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival
HORI GamePad protectors for $13
(Splatoon, Mario)
Fantasy Life has shipped over one million copies worldwide, Level-5 has revealed. That figure includes units sent to retailers plus digital sales.
I actually just wrapped up Fantasy Life a little while back. Knowing that the sequel is a mobile game bums me out!
13AM Games isn’t finished working on Runbow. Despite bringing the game out back in late August, there are still plans to support it with new content and updates.
Managing director Dave Proctor teased:
“I mean… this game has been our whole life for the last two years, so it’s going to be everyone else’s for at least the next 12 months. We have a lot of plans for Runbow. We’re going to start announcing these things soon, but suffice it to say you haven’t heard the last of this little game and those scrappy Canadians that made it.
One thing we’ve never shied away from is admitting that there will be more content. We’re putting the finishing touches on it now, and let me tell you we really think the fans are going to love it. We’ve also got a few more updates that we are pushing out, including some fixes to some issues that fans have been calling for since launch.
Proctor also spoke very vaguely about what lies beyond Runbow, stating:
But we are also working on a couple other ideas, and seeing if we can bring that 13AM magic to new titles in the near future. We’re not done with Runbow yet, but we are working on getting a couple more planes off the ground. Planes that are already built this time.”
Update 3 (12/26): Bumped to the top. This is now $16 off on Amazon.
Update 2 (12/24): Bumped to the top. Now available for pre-order on Amazon UK
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Update: The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening can be pre-ordered on Amazon Canada here.
Dark Horse has teamed up with Nintendo to release a new art book in North America. Next August, The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening will be available.
Here’s what you can expect from it:
The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening contains an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the smash-hit 3DS game, from beautifully illustrated renditions of your favorite characters, to storyboards for in-game events, character designs, weapon designs, character profiles, and the entirety of the script with every possible branch of dialogue! Relive some of the most poignant moments of the game, or see what might have been if you had made different in-game decisions with the Art of Fire Emblem Awakening!
The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening is due out in comic shops on August 17 and in bookstores on August 30 (apparently a bit earlier at places like Amazon). Pre-orders are already live on Amazon here.
A listing on GameStop reveals that Prima is planning a guide for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. There’s a standard version in the works as well as a collector’s edition. With the latter item, you’ll receive a cloth map plus a gold foil stamped hardcover with a leather-like look/feel and gilded pages.
You can pre-order the Twilight Princess HD guide on GameStop here. The standard and collector’s editions are currently half off.
The Play Nintendo YouTube account is continuing its “Super Play Time” video series. Check out the second episode below, which focuses on Splatoon.
Mixi has published yet another commercial for its 3DS game Monster Strike. You can view it below.
