Nintendo Everything

Well-known Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi has left Konami. His final day with the company was on March 15.

Following his departure from Konami, Igarashi now intends to open a new development studio.

Igarashi told IGN:

“I’ve decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make — the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well. Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly – I’ve spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities – but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck!”

Igarashi played a role in many of Konami’s Castlevania titles, starting with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. He last produced Harmony of Despair.

Source

Warner Bros. Interactive has revealed today that their LEGO franchise of games– most recently LEGO The Hobbit, which comes out next month– has been a great success for them over the past few years, revealing that it not only sold 1.6 million units last year, but is the number two selling franchise so far in 2014:

“Since the start of 2013, WBIE has sold 1.6 million LEGO games, and it is currently the second biggest game franchise in 2014 year-to-date in terms of units sold, with 420,200 units. Another strong week could see the LEGO game franchise take the number one franchise spot.

“They also completely buck the sales trend with a huge shelf life. LEGO games are no longer seen as kids products and we ensure they’re available on all platforms, both physically and digitally.”

– Warner Bros. Interactive UK sales and marketing director Spencer Crossley

Crossley says he believes strong sales will continue into the new year, and that Warner Bros. has plans to expand the franchise onto new platforms going forward.

MCVUK via VG247

The Wii U Premium Pack is on its way out in Japan. Nintendo’s new Wii Sports Club bundle, announced last month, will be taking its place. This package will launch on March 27.

Source, Via

ArtePiazza has revealed a follow-up to Arrow of Laputa, a downloadable tower defense title released for DSi in 2010. “Arrow of Laputa: A Shadowless Teacher and the Key of Chiron” will be available on the Japanese 3DS eShop next Wednesday. Pricing is set at 500 yen.

You can find a teaser site for Arrow of Laputa: A Shadowless Teacher and the Key of Chiron here. Specific details have not been disclosed at this time.

Source

This week’s UK software sales are as follows:

Individual formats

LW		TW			Title	Format	Label	Publisher
–		1			TITANFALL	XB ONE	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
–		2			DARK SOULS II	XB360	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES
–		3			DARK SOULS II	PS3	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES
1		4			SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	XB360	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
2		5			SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	PS3	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
4		6			PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	XB360	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
8		7			MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	XB360	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
–		8			TITANFALL	PC	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
5		9			THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
–		10			YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
3		11			THIEF	PS4	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
14		12			FIFA 14	PS4	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
10		13			FIFA 14	XB ONE	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
7		14			PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	XB ONE	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
–		15			ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	PS4	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
9		16			THIEF	XB360	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
16		17			CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	XB360	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
17		18			FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
12		19			THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	PS3	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
6		20			THIEF	XB ONE	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
–		21			KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL	PS4	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
23		22			BATTLEFIELD 4	PS4	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
22		23			BATTLEFIELD 4	XB ONE	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
30		24			CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	PS4	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
13		25			FIFA 14	XB360	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
11		26			THIEF	PS3	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
20		27			LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
27		28			GRAND THEFT AUTO V	XB360	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
–		29			THE LAST OF US	PS3	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
24		30			CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	XB ONE	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
32		31			ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	XB360	SEGA	SEGA
38		32			POKEMON Y	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
35		33			DEAD RISING 3	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
–		34			THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	PS4	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
40		35			POKEMON X	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
18		36			GRAN TURISMO 6	PS3	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
36		37			FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014	PC	SEGA	SEGA
21		38			ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	XB360	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
37		39			DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE	WII U	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
33		40			GRAND THEFT AUTO V	PS3	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2

All formats

LW		TW			Title	Developer	Label	Publisher
–		1			TITANFALL	RESPAWN ENTERTAINMENT	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
–		2			DARK SOULS II	FROM SOFTWARE	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES
1		3			SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENT	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
4		4			THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
2		5			THIEF	EIDOS MONTREAL	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
5		6			FIFA 14	EA CANADA	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
3		7			PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	POPCAP GAMES	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
6		8			CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	INFINITY WARD	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
7		9			MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	4J STUDIOS	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
8		10			BATTLEFIELD 4	DIGITAL ILLUSIONS	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
10		11			ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	UBISOFT (MONTREAL)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
–		12			YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND	ARZEST	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
9		13			LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
12		14			GRAND THEFT AUTO V	ROCKSTAR NORTH	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
14		15			ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	GEARBOX SOFTWARE	SEGA	SEGA
11		16			RAYMAN LEGENDS	UBISOFT (FRANCE)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
16		17			FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	TURN 10 STUDIOS	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
13		18			NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	GHOST GAMES	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
21		19			PAC-MAN AND THE GHOSTLY ADVENTURES	NAMCO	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES
–		20			KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL	GUERRILLA GAMES	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
18		21			LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
15		22			WWE 2K14	YUKE’S	2K SPORTS	TAKE 2
17		23			BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS	WB GAMES MONTREAL	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
22		24			NBA 2K14	VISUAL CONCEPTS	2K SPORTS	TAKE 2
36		25			LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
25		26			DISNEY INFINITY	AVALANCHE SOFTWARE	DISNEY INFINITY	DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
35		27			THE LAST OF US	NAUGHTY DOG	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
19		28			TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION	CRYSTAL DYNAMICS	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
23		29			LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA	TRAVELLER’S TALES	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
31		30			POKEMON Y	GAME FREAK	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
28		31			DEAD RISING 3	CAPCOM VANCOUVER	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
34		32			THE SIMS 3	THE SIMS STUDIO	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
27		33			LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
37		34			SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCE	VICARIOUS VISIONS	SKYLANDERS	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
32		35			POKEMON X	GAME FREAK	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
20		36			GRAN TURISMO 6	POLYPHONY DIGITAL	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
29		37			FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014	SPORTS INTERACTIVE	SEGA	SEGA
38		38			SONIC GENERATIONS	SONIC TEAM	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	SEGA
30		39			DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE	RETRO STUDIOS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
26		40			JUST DANCE 2014	UBISOFT (FRANCE)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT

Source 1, Source 2

This week’s European Nintendo Downloads are as follows:

Wii U
Pure Chess €5.99 (£4.99)

Wii U VC
Castlevania – NES (US Version) €4.99 (£3.49)

3DS
Pure Chess €5.99 (£4.99)

3DS VC
Devil World – NES €3.99 (£3.59)

=====

Price Reductions:

Wii U
Nano Assault Neo €7.49 (£6.70) until 10/04/14 22:59 UTC

3DS
Nano Assault EX €7.49 (£6.35) until 10/04/14 23:59 local time.
Art of Balance TOUCH! €5.20 (£4.70) until 10/04/14 23:59 local time.
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai €5.20 (£4.70) until 10/04/14 23:59 local time.
Mutant Mudds €5.99 (£5.39) until 03/04/14 23:59 local time.
Angry Bunnies €4.85 (£4.49) until 17/04/14 23:59 local time.
Fishdom H2O: Hidden Odyssey €3.74 (£3.35) until 17/04/14 23:59 local time

Permanent
3DS
My Exotic Farm €6.99 (£6.29) was €24.99 (£19.99)

Source

Along with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following message on Miiverse:

That item that brings victory one step closer…the Smash Ball! Of course everyone wants it! Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced any of the Final Smashes yet… Then again, if I introduced every single one, it’d take over a month’s worth of posts.

ON THIS EPISODE:

Laura discusses the impressive (and sometimes genuinely frightening!) art style of A Hat in Time’s alpha release, Jack briefly touches on his first-impressions of Gunman Clive and some minor Wind Waker HD observations, and Austin rounds out “what we played” with a list of things he *likes* about The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds after beating it this week.

PLUS:

Not a whole lot of news leads into a listener mail segment dominated by one letter regarding Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, and how the two compare and contrast.

AND:

Our book club discussion of Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward gets heated as Austin, Laura, and Jack debate the merits of the game’s characterization, writing, and overall story. Regardless, all three seem to be finding the game getting more interesting as time goes on…

This Week’s Podcast Crew: Austin, Jack, and Laura

Download this episode (click this link)

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We were recently given the opportunity to interview Nic Watt, founder/creative director for Nnooo. Watt tackled questions about Blast ‘Em Bunnies, escapeVektor, the eShop, and more.

Head past the break for our full interview.

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Wrestling Gamers United’s new title, Pro Wrestling X, is only slated PC, Mac and Linux at the moment. But the team has been receiving a bunch of requests for a Wii U port, and that’s something that may be considered.

The official Pro Wrestling X Twitter account posted the following message today:

You can check out Pro Wrestling X’s Kickstarter page here, which contains a bunch of details about the game.

Source