It’s well known at this point that Next Level Games has been hard at work on some sort of new game since releasing Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. It’s also known that this will be a title published by Nintendo. So what could the team be working on? That’s completely unknown at this point, but minor findings from the LinkedIn profiles of a couple of staff members may give some clues.
Emily Rogers noticed that programmer Gary Shaw lists “Online [programming]” for secret projects at Next Level Games. He previously programmed the online functionality for games including Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Mario Strikers Charged.
Rogers also poked around the profile of presentation/level designer Diego R. Pons, who has been at the studio for eight and a half years. Whereas “Collectibles” are listed for Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Spider-Man, it’s not listed for Next Level Games’ unannounced project. Pons also lists “Story” for the new game, and it seems that his responsibilities focus more on mission-based games/more open environments.
Admittedly, this doesn’t tell us too much. But given that Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon shipped in March 2013, there’s a good chance that Next Level Games’ new project will be shown at E3 2015 next month. That would definitely be an interesting reveal!
During Level-5’s “Vision” event in March, a few new 3DS games were announced. One of these was Yo-Kai Sangokushi, which is a new collaboration title in partnership with Koei Tecmo.
This week’s issue of Famitsu has an interview with Koei Tecmo Games head Hisashi Koinuma. As expected, Yo-Kai Sangokushi was one of the things the magazine asked about.
Famitsu starts off by mentioning that he surprised by the fact that Yo-Kai Sangokushi is a collaborative title between Yo-Kai Watch and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This led Koinuma to say:
Romance of the Three Kingdoms has its 30th anniversary in 2015, so everyone in the company is excited. I think Yo-Kai Sangokushi is a fitting title to adorn the 30th anniversary. I’m especially happy that Level-5 president Akihiro Hino likes Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
It’s been a very long time since we last heard about the western version of SmileBASIC (otherwise known as Petite Computer 3). The overseas release was announced last summer, but we still have yet to see the app on the North American or European 3DS eShops.
There’s some good news and bad news. On the bright side, SmileBASIC is still on track to launch in North America and Europe. Unfortunately, developer SmileBoom is unsure as to when the app will be available here. SmileBASIC has been continuously updated in Japan, and once that’s completely done and over with, SmileBoom’s attention will shift its attention to localization.
You’ll find a full update from SmileBoom about SmileBASIC below.
There are plenty of Kickstarter projects that feature Wii U in one form or another. For the latest look at which games are seeking funding, check out our roundup below.
Yooka-Laylee (new) – already funded at $270,041, coming to Wii U
Frizzy – $3,000 for funding
Ping 1.5+ – European localization – $700 for funding
HUSH – $146,795 for funding, includes Wii U
Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death – Wii U stretch goal at $35,000
Below are the latest titles that can be currently pre-ordered at retailers:
Wii U
Mighty No. 9 (new) – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Guitar Hero Live – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Mario Maker – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Dimensions – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Rodea: The Sky Soldier – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Legend of Kay HD – Amazon
LEGO Marvel’s Avengers – Amazon
LEGO Jurassic World – Amazon
, GameStop
Terraria – Amazon
Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem – Best Buy
The Legend of Zelda – Amazon
, Best Buy
Xenoblade Chronicles X – Amazon
, Best Buy
Yoshi’s Woolly World – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Splatoon – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Devil’s Third – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
3DS
Project X Zone 2 – Amazon
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson – Amazon
, GameStop
Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Rodea: The Sky Soldier – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven – Amazon
, GameStop
Fire Emblem – Best Buy
LEGO Marvel’s Avengers – Amazon
LEGO Jurassic World – Amazon
, GameStop
Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Terraria – Amazon
Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker – Amazon
, Best Buy, GameStop
Ratalaika Games is bringing its indie game “Guardians of the Forest” to Wii U, and it could land on 3DS as well.
Guardians of the Forest is a multiplayer brawler that takes place in a mystical woods. Players beat enemies by jumping on their heads. Different weapons and power-ups will mix things up by introducing unique ways to enhance abilities and receive protection from attacks.
In an interview with HackInformer, Ratalaika Games discussed how Guardians of the Forest will play on Wii U:
Well, for the Wii U controller we have several plans. We didn’t want to just throw the game on the Wii U controller screen like you will be playing on the TV. So we will probably add the current game scores and some handy buttons when on the menu. Even though we will allow the player to see the game on their controller like on TV if he or she wants to.
Ratalaika has also expressed interest in making a 3DS version of Guardians of the Forest, but nothing is confirmed at this time. You can check out some alpha gameplay below.
A few days ago, Zen Studios updated Star Wars Pinball with a new table based on Star Wars Rebels. You can find some footage of it below.
Yooka-Laylee’s Kickstarter hasn’t slowed down since launching on Friday. The campaign has smashed through another two stretch goals within the past day or so. Playtonic will now create a N64 shader mode, a credits “GK Rap + Video” written by Grant Kirkhope, and a developer walkthrough/commentary video.
Yooka-Laylee is closing it at nearly $1.9 million on Kickstarter. 44 days remain before the Kickstarter campaign ends, so there’s plenty of time for additional stretch goals. The latest one, coming in at £1.5 million, will allow for an orchestral score.
Head on over to this page for the Yooka-Laylee Kickstarter.
Nintendo of Europe added a new Puzzle & Dragons Z “Master Tip” video to its YouTube channels today that informs gamers about the flying letter “L” pattern technique.
This week’s expanded Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./00. [3DS] Bravely Second: End Layer
02./00. [PS3] TV Anime Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls G4U! Pack Vol.1
03./01. [3DS] Style Savvy 3: Kira Kira Code
04./00. [PS4] Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II #
05./00. [PS3] BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend
06./04. [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition
07./00. [PSP] Meiji Toukyou Renka: Twilight Kiss #
08./00. [PS4] Tropico 5
09./00. [PS4] BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend
10./02. [PS4] Dying Light
11./14. [3DS] Ansatsu Kyoushitsu: Korosensei Daihouimou!!
12./00. [PSV] Clock Zero: Shuuen no Ichibyou – ExTime #
13./00. [PS4] Toukiden: Kiwami
14./07. [WIU] Mario Party 10 #
15./19. [WIU] Mario Kart 8 #
16./12. [3DS] Pokemon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire
17./10. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 2: Shin Uchi
18./05. [PS3] One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3
19./21. [3DS] Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
20./06. [PSV] 3rd Super Robot Wars Z: Tengoku-Hen
