Monolith Soft updated the Japanese Xenoblade Chronicles X website last night. We already heard about new things like the Segment Map and Data Probes. Additional details about both elements and a few other topics have since surfaced, which you can find below.
– Use the Frontier Net exploration system on the GamePad
– Mankind is new to Planet Mira, so they to seek out resources in order to survive
– They do so while also looking for pods that contain cryogenically-frozen humans to add to the population
– The Frontier Net system is used by BLADE to help in the exploration of Mira’s various regions
– Members will Data Probe from different areas to gather information and resources
– Data-probing: look for “Frontier Net Spots” to dig for data
– Sometimes you’ll find rare minerals such as the all-purpose “Miranium” or “Rare Resources”
– You can also find treasure chests by completing quests
– Get upgrades for the Data Probes in these chests
– Set Data Probes to obtain different effects and benefits
– Most of this is done using the Wii U GamePad
– You’ll see a Data Probe marked on the “Segment Map” on the GamePad
– Segments represent different areas shown as hexagons on the map
– Won’t have access to the mecha-weapons right away
– Use the “Hopper Camera” to get a good view of what’s ahead
– Can also use the Hopper Camera to find some routes or secret areas you may have not noticed before
– Can use the Navigation Ball to help explore the world as well
– You can use them as many times as you want
The black and red New 3DS XL systems are still sold out at GameStop. Yet, for some reason, the retailer has enough stock to offer two bundles.
Consumers can purchase the black and red starter bundles for $285 each. The former contains a black New 3DS XL, Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D with an eGuide, and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS. GameStop’s red bundle is mostly the same, but it naturally comes with a red system and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate instead of Smash Bros. 3DS.
You can place an order for the black bundle here. The red bundle is located here.
Nintendo posted a Japanese transcript of its latest financial results briefing Q&A today. There isn’t anything too earth-shattering, but some interesting tidbits were shared.
Here’s a brief summary:
– Some talk about amiibo in Japan selling differently to the US, since the toys-to-life category isn’t really a thing in Japan yet (Skylanders and Infinity are both niche)
– Some talk of them doing experiments with amiibo that aren’t plastic figures or cards in the future
– Iwata says there is a lot Nintendo has to change
– This includes making better use of smart devices and character IP to drive their core hardware/software business
– QOL department is separate from others
– QOL department is comprised of staff from the hardware division, both software divisions, and the systems department
– QOL, using smartphones, and character IP licensing will be the big focus at the next meeting
– Nintendo’s ability to produce New 3DS units last year was low
– Nintendo couldn’t guarantee high shipments for all regions during the holidays so made a decision to focus on Japan (and a low-population region AU)
– There’s a question on marketing and Iwata’s answer makes it clear he knows it’s no longer an age where you can just do a ton of TV ads and guarantee something will sell
Speculation about Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Wario getting their own Super Mario amiibo first surfaced last week when Nintendo updated the Japanese Mario Party 10 website with a few images (see above). Now Nintendo España is adding fuel to the fire and may have essentially confirmed the rumors.
Take a look at this roughly translated section from a Nintendo España / Spain press release:
From the collection of Super Smash Bros., now on sale, you can play with amiibo Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Luigi and Bowser. What have not you done with them and not find them anywhere? The March 20 comes a new collection of ad hoc amiibo made for Mario Party 10: Super Mario Collection, which includes new amiibo Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Bowser, Estela, Donkey Kong and Wario.
That’s still not a complete and total confirmation, since there’s a small possibility that the press release text is an error. We’ll let you know if we hear anything out of Nintendo of America/UK!
According to a listing on the eShop, CoderChild’s next 3DS game is releasing in Europe next week. Zombie Incident should launch on February 26. Pricing is set at €1.99.
Tetsuya Takahashi posted a couple of additional tweets on the Japanese Xenoblade Chronicles X Twitter account today. However, rather than sharing more on the game, he instead spoke about another topic: amiibo.
Takahashi mentioned that he supervised the Shulk amiibo since its early prototype stages. He also expressed a desire for there to be an Xenoblade amiibo series in the future, though perhaps we shouldn’t read too much into it – at least not yet.
Below are Takahashi’s full comments:
It’s been about a month since I posted. The Shulk amiibo came out! I’ve been supervising this since the early prototype stages, but I’d like to say thanks to all the people who’ve worked very hard on the amiibo. I saw a production model at the start of this month and I was very impressed with the build quality. This time it’s a Smash Bros. figurine, but I’d love for there to be a Xenoblade [amiibo] series sometime in the future, too.
I know I’d buy a ton of Xenoblade amiibo. What about you folks?!
