[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – August 2016
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 4 Comments
A new month is here! We’ve just entered August, so that means we want to know what you’ve been playing. Have you started up something entirely new for the month? Or maybe you’re continuing something you started a little while back? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below!
Highlights from last week’s topic: Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition
Yuji Naka still wants to see Mario and Sonic co-star in an action game
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 12 Comments
Mario and Sonic have starred alongside each other in various games based on the Olympics over the years. However, that’s not what Yuji Naka – one of Sonic’s creators who has since moved on from SEGA – originally envisioned.
We’ve heard about this a bit in the past, but Naka spoke about the origins of Mario & Sonic in greater length in an interview with Famitsu. When he gave a presentation in front of Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto during the GameCube era, it was for an action game featuring the two characters. Unfortunately, that didn’t lead anywhere, but SEGA obtaining the license for the Olympics eventually led to Mario and Sonic teaming up for a game. Yet to this day, Naka still wants to see the two characters in an action title.
Here’s what Naka had to say about Mario and Sonic co-starring in titles based on the Olympics and the origins of it all:
More: Famitsu, interview, Mario, Naoto Ohshima, SEGA, Sonic the Hedgehog, top, Yuji Naka
Former 4Kids CEO on helping to bring Pokemon west, English name, anime, and success
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 20 Comments
Back in the day, 4Kids Entertainment played a large role in Pokemon’s distribution outside of Japan. Al Kahn, who was formally CEO of the company, took a business trip to the country when he stumbled upon the franchise. He then pitched the idea of bringing the IP west to Pokemon’s owners (including Nintendo). While that was met with reluctance, Kahn felt it could become a hit and was able to gain the rights to the game and anime outside of Asia when he offered money to get the franchise released overseas.
Pokemon is known as Pocket Monsters in Japan. However, Kahn “didn’t like the name” as it felt similar to other monster games. “I wanted the name to be more Japanese-y,” he told The Washington Post.
More: 4Kids Entertainment, Al Kahn, anime, Pokemon, top
Pokemon GO message from Niantic’s CEO – maintaining service, blocking third-parties, working on Nearby feature
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 6 Comments
Niantic CEO John Hanke has penned a new message about Pokemon GO on the company’s official website.
The main point of the letter was to highlight the importance of maintaining service. Niantic said it was delayed in bringing out the game across Latin America “due to aggressive efforts by third parties to access our servers outside of the Pokemon GO game client and our terms of service”. Third-parties were blocked to free up resources, transition to new features, and avoid cheating.
Hanke also said that Niantic has “heard feedback about the Nearby feature in the game and are actively working on it.”
The full message reads:
Things have been pretty crazy here at Niantic over the last few weeks but despite all of the ups and downs we get up every day inspired by the original goals of Niantic – to create an experience that encourages healthy outdoor exploration and social gameplay. Every positive story we hear (like this one from the UK) motivates us to keep working to support the game and continue the roll-out. Running a product like Pokémon GO at scale is challenging. Those challenges have been amplified by third parties attempting to access our servers in various ways outside of the game itself.
More: John Hanke, Niantic, Pokemon GO, top
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse physical 3DS version officially announced, has new content
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 9 Comments
Following several retailer leaks, Rising Star Games has officially announced the retail version of Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse on 3DS. North America will have it on September 27 while the European release is scheduled for September 30. Pricing is set at $29.99 / £29.99 / €29.99.
WayForward, who developed Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, is actually including some new content. The new physical version will include “Super Shantae Nab!!”, a new arcade-style game.
Here’s an overview of Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse:
“In Shantae’s third and biggest adventure to date, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie must team up with her arch-nemesis, the nefarious Risky Boots, in order to save Sequin Land from an evil curse. By becoming a pirate, Shantae gains new weapons she can use to solve fiendish puzzles and battle fierce bosses.”
If you can’t wait for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse at retail, you can pick up a digital copy from the eShop. It’s available on 3DS in addition to Wii U.
Source: Rising Star Games PR
Nintendo Download (8/4/16, North America) – Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
This week’s North American Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U Download
Dragon Skills – $7.99
Overworld Defender Remix – $5.99
Wii U Virtual Console
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia – $9.99
Wii U Demo
Just Dance 2017
3DS Download
Stickman Super Athletics – $2.49
3DS Demo
Style Savvy: Fashion Forward
3DS Themes
Toy Story
Monsters, Inc.
Winnie the Pooh
Disney Princess
Tangled
Pokémon: Pokémon-Amie Substitute
Pokémon: Pair Art Set
eShop Sales
Wii U / 3DS
– Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 9.
– Gardenscapes (Nintendo 3DS), Jones on Fire (Wii U) and more games from Joindots are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 18.
Wii U
– Star Wars Pinball is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 18.
– Steel Rivals is more than 25 percent off (reduced from $6.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 25.
– Midnight 2 is 20 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $1.59) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 25.
– Ascent of Kings is 25 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $1.49) starting at 9 a.m. PT on Aug. 5 until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 15.
– SDK Paint and Defense Dome are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 10.
– Beatbuddy is 55 percent off (reduced from $8.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 8.
3DS
– Ash is 30 percent off (reduced from $3.99 to $2.79) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 25.
– My Pets is 70 percent off (reduced from $24.99 to $9.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Sept. 9.
Source: Nintendo PR
More: Nintendo Download, top, Virtual Console
Lots of new Monster Hunter Stories details and screenshots – characters, Otomon, equipment, areas
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Screenshots | 1 Comment
Famitsu has a big update on Monster Hunter Stories this week. The magazine reveals new characters, areas, details on equipment, and more.
Some of this information has now been reflected on the official website as well. Here are a bunch of screenshots based on the coverage:
The first page of Famitsu’s article goes over the hunter Rivelt and his felyne Popola. He is voiced by Sugita Tomokazu.
Rivelt may look lazy normally, but when he goes out to hunt, his sharp observation eyes and experience always gain him results. He likes to act alone, and is considered to be an aloof hunter by people around him.
More: Capcom, details roundup, Japan, Monster Hunter Stories, top
Pokemon GO – Niantic removes legendary Pokemon from Trainer accounts
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 6 Comments
Rumors of Articuno appearing in Pokemon GO sprung up in full force yesterday. Niantic quickly commented on the situation, and indicated that the legendary Pokemon was not official. The company has now followed up by taking action.
In a statement, Niantic noted that “a few Legendary Pokemon got into a few accounts when they shouldn’t have”. It has also “revoked” these creatures from Trainers’ accounts.
The full statement reads:
“We recently noticed that a few Legendary Pokemon got into a few accounts when they shouldn’t have. To preserve the game’s integrity and as a measure of fairness, we have rectified the situation and revoked the legendary Pokemon from the Trainers’ accounts.”
More: Niantic, Pokemon GO, top
New Monster Hunter Stories trailer
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Videos | 11 Comments
A new Monster Hunter Stories trailer debuted during the latest episode of Capcom TV today. Watch it below.
More: Capcom, Japan, Monster Hunter Stories, top
Media Create sales (7/25/16 – 7/31/16)
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS, News, Wii U | 2 Comments
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
New 3DS LL – 24,118
PS4 – 20,567
Vita – 11,016
Wii U – 5,228
New 3DS – 3,973
PS3 – 1,049
3DS – 783
3DS LL – 169
Xbox One – 68
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
New 3DS LL – 21,463
PS4 – 20,021
Vita – 11,363
Wii U – 5,864
New 3DS – 4,355
PS3 – 1,006
3DS – 725
3DS LL – 189
Xbox One – 55
And here are the software charts:
1. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 3 – 100,105 / 901,023
2. [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons X – 87,510 / NEW
3. [PS4] Idol Master: Platinum Stars – 76,165 / NEW
4. [PSV] Toukiden 2 – 59,032 / NEW
5. [PS4] Toukiden 2 – 46,334 / NEW
6. [PSV] Ys VIII – 13,860 / 57,513
7. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot – 11,141 / 367,615
8. [3DS] Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire – 10,220 / 2,841,216
9. [WIU] Minecraft: Wii U Edition – 7,333 / 66,672
10. [3DS] Sumikko Gurashi: Mura o Tsukurundesu – 7,161 / 27,777
11. [PS3] Toukiden 2 – 6,222 / NEW
12. [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition – 5,783 / 835,762
13. [3DS] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – 5,697 / 59,095
14. [3DS] Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns – 4,957 / 167,522
15. [3DS] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – 4,425 / 200,586
16. [PS4] Overwatch – 3,611 / 128,317
17. [WIU] Splatoon – 3,424 / 1,433,985
18. [3DS] Taiko no Tatsujin: Don Don! Mystery Adventure – 2,866 / 67,299
19. [PSV] World’s Longest 5 Minutes – 2,767 / NEW
20. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V (4,990 Yen Version) – 2,731 / 139,131