Rumor: Nintendo ending production of the Wii U this year
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Rumors, Wii U | 201 Comments
According to a report from respected Japanese outlet Nikkei, Nintendo will cease production of the Wii U before the end of 2016. The paper adds that some Wii U accessories have already stopped production. Nintendo apparently intends to deplete inventory this year.
Nikkei also reiterates what we already know: Nintendo’s next system, the NX, is primed for an unveiling this year. It’s not said that NX will start being sold this year, though that possibility isn’t ruled out either.
More: top
Update: Layoffs, not shut down – Scribblenauts developer closing its doors
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 12 Comments
Update 2: Here’s what Slaczka told Polygon:
“WB cancelled [Scribblenauts: Fighting Words] today so we had to lay off the staff. It happened so quick we’re not sure what the plans are going forward yet.”
Update: Despite what we’ve been hearing, 5th Cell has not shut down. The studio did lay off some employees following layoffs last week, but creative director Jeremiah Slaczka says the company remains in operation. Layoffs came about to due Warner Bros. cancelling a Scribblenauts mobile game, according to Kotaku. Slaczka added that the remaining staff is “tiny”.
RIP 5TH Cell. If anyone is looking for kickass artists, programmers, designers, QA, IT, and more, let me know. pic.twitter.com/xwMZVF76Wb
— Tim Borrelli (@Anim8der) March 21, 2016
5th Cell, makers of the Scribblenauts series, is closing its doors. That significant piece of information comes by the way of the studio’s lead animator Tim Borrelli.
Scribblenauts was definitely the biggest name attached to 5th Cell, and the series was hugely successful back in the day. On Nintendo platforms, the company also created Drawn to Life and Lock’s Quest.
[Review] Hyrule Warriors Legends
Posted on 8 years ago by Vincent Ward in 3DS, Reviews | 6 Comments
System: 3DS (review of Wii U original here)
Release date: March 25, 2016
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Publisher Nintendo
When I first reviewed Hyrule Warriors on the Wii U back in 2014, I fell in love with its epic battles and large scope surrounded by Zelda references and throwbacks galore. Now that Nintendo and the folks at Koei Tecmo have decided to dive back into the Zelda world by porting the game into Hyrule Warriors Legends on the 3DS, will sacrificing a bit of the scope for more content help this game become the definitive version, or will it just become a legend of the past?
More: highlight, Koei Tecmo, Omega Force, Team Ninja, top
Nintendo Download (03/24/16, Europe): Hyrule Warriors Legends, Star Fox 64 and more
Posted on 8 years ago by Matt(@OnePunchMaz) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 5 Comments
This week’s European Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U Download
Infinity Runner – €6.49/ £5.89 / CHF 9.10
Wii U Virtual Console
Star Fox 64 – Special introductory offer: €4.99/ £4.49 / CHF 7.00 until 21/04/2016; regular price €9.99/ £8.99 / CHF 14.00
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut – €9.99/ £6.99 / CHF 10.00
Wii U DLC
Hyrule Warriors: Legends: Legends of Hyrule Pack (3DS/Wii U Bundle) – €16.99/ £15.29 / CHF 23.80
3DS Retail
Hyrule Warriors: Legends – €39.99/ £34.99 / CHF 51.90 ;
Bonus for purchasing on Nintendo eShop: Download code for the theme “Hyrule Warriors: Legends” for Nintendo 3DS. Theme Description: Scroll to see various characters from Hyrule Warriors: Legends. Wake the system from Sleep Mode to hear a familiar jingle! (Download Code valid until 19/05/2016)
Download also includes a Download Code for the add-on content “Legend Character pack” for Hyrule Warriors on Wii U. The Legends Character Pack will give you access to all five new characters (Toon Link, Tetra, King Daphnes, Skull Kid and Linkle) and a new trident weapon for Ganondorf.
New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Donkey Kong Country (SNES) – €3.99/ £3.59 / CHF 5.60 for users who downloaded Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest using the same NNID, only until 31/03/2016. Regular price €7.99/ £7.19 / CHF 11.20
Donkey Kong County 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest – €3.99/ £3.59 / CHF 5.60 for users who downloaded Donkey Kong Country using the same NNID, only until 31/03/2016. Regular price €7.99/ £7.19 / CHF 11.20
3DS DLC
Hyrule Warriors: Legends: Legends of Hyrule Pack – €14.99/ £13.49 / CHF 21.00
Hyrule Warriors: Legends: Legends of Hyrule Pack (3DS/Wii U Bundle) – €16.99/ £15.29 / CHF 23.80
Nintendo presents: New Style Boutique 2 – Fashion Forward: Spring-Summer Styles Pack – free
eShop Sales
Wii U
Ascent of Kings – €1.49/ £1.11 / CHF 1.49 until 31/03/2016, regular price €1.99 / £1.49 / CHF 1.99
Suspension Railroad Simulator – €7.19/ £5.39 / CHF 7.19 until 07/04/2016, regular price €7.99 / £5.99 / CHF 7.99
Word Party – €11.99/ £11.19 / CHF 16.50 until 07/04/2016, regular price €15.99 / £14.99 / CHF 22.00
3DS
Beyblade Evolution – €4.99/ £4.99 / CHF 7.00 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £19.99 / CHF 28.00
BIT.TRIP SAGA – €4.99/ £4.49 / CHF 7.00 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £17.99 / CHF 28.00
Girl’s Fashion Shoot – €4.99/ £4.49 / CHF 7.00 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £17.99 / CHF 28.00
Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi – €11.99/ £11.99 / CHF 15.50 until 31/03/2016, regular price €29.99 / £29.99 / CHF 38.90
Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns – €9.99/ £8.99 / CHF 14.00 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £17.99 / CHF 28.00
Hometown Story -€7.49/ £7.49 / CHF 9.50 until 31/03/2016, regular price €29.99 / £29.99 / CHF 28.90
Jewel Master Cradle Of Egypt 2 3D – €4.99/ £4.49 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £17.99
Jewel Master Cradle Of Rome 2 – €4.99/ £4.49 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £17.99
Super Black Bass 3D – €4.99/ £4.49/ CHF 7.00 until 31/03/2016, regular price €19.99 / £17.99 / CHF 28.00
Virtue’s Last Reward – €12.49/ £9.99/ CHF 15.90 until 31/03/2016, regular price €24.99 / £19.99 / CHF 31.90
Aqua Moto Racing 3D – €3.99/ £3.59 / CHF 5.59 until 31/03/2016, regular price €7.99 / £7.19 / CHF 11.19
Epic Word Search Collection – €5.99/ £4.49 / CHF 5.99 until 07/04/2016, regular price €7.99 / £5.99 / CHF 7.99
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai – €6.70/ £5.70 / CHF 8.30 until 14/04/2016, regular price €8.99 / £7.66 / CHF 11.08
Johnny’s Payday Panic – €1.99/ £1.49 / CHF 2.00 until 31/03/2016, regular price €3.99 / £2.99 / CHF 4.00
SADAME -€10.99/ £9.49 / CHF 15.75 until 31/03/2016, regular price €14.99 / £12.99 / CHF 21.00
Source: Nintendo PR
More: Europe, Nintendo Download, top, Virtual Console
Introducing Nintendo Everything comics!
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Comics, Site updates | 47 Comments
We’re kicking off something very, very exciting on Nintendo Everything today. That’s right – as the title says, we’re starting our own line of comics!
Comics are something we’ve tinkered around before (years ago), but only in extremely early stages. We’ve also never had anything materialize from early discussions until now.
For Nintendo Everything’s official comics, we’ve teamed up with Don O’Herlihy who runs Wind-up Dog Animation. Don approached me about working together last year, though it wasn’t until recently that we began putting our plan into action.
It’s true that there are a lot of web comics out there. That being said, I felt like I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with Don. I sincerely believe that he’s an extremely talented individual, and I’m a big fan of his art style.
So without further ado, here’s our very first comic (click to see a larger version):
As you can see, our debut comic is seven panels long. Most would probably be about half of that – we’re estimating four panels. The tentative plan is to have a new comic ready every Saturday. Although most will feature our own original characters that tie into Nintendo in different ways, we’ll be sprinkling in other things from time to time like this one-shot Zelda comic. Don may also prepare some other goodies aside from comics for the site down the road, but that’s a topic for another day.
With the explanations out of the way, let us know what you think about our first comic! All feedback will be taken into consideration from here on out. We’re sort of in a “beta” stage right now, so comments may influence where we take the comic from here.
Pokemon CEO on the series’ early days and rise in popularity, bringing it west, more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Mobile, News | 6 Comments
A few weeks ago, Japanese outlet Inside Games published a lengthy interview with Pokemon CEO/president Tsunekazu Ishihara. There was a tiny bit about the current status/future of the series (Pokemon GO), but it was more reflective about the franchise in general and its past. Ishihara went in-depth about how the game series started and the importance of the Link Cable which helped boost popularity, bringing the franchise overseas and naming Pokemon, and more.
It took some time, but we now have a complete translation of the interview. Head past the break to read it in full.
More: Game Freak, interview, Pokemon, Pokemon GO, top, Tsunekazu Ishihara
Yuji Naka on initial Mario & Sonic conversations with Nintendo, Sonic in Smash Bros.
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, GameCube, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 2 Comments
During the 25th anniversary Sonic panel at SXSW earlier today, attendees were treated to a history lesson of sorts. The session looked back upon some of the franchise’s more notable installments as well as the Blue Blur’s appearance in other games – including the Mario & Sonic series.
Here’s what Yuji Naka, one of the creators of Sonic, had to say about those initial conversations with Nintendo:
“So yes it is true. Back in the day I did go to Kyoto to visit Nintendo and wanted to have a meeting with Mr. Miyamoto and figure out could we make a game maybe with Mario and Sonic together. Although those original conversations happened about three years before the Olympics game came out, we weren’t able to really make a game that featured Sonic and Mario back from that original conversation, but because we had those conversations, it kind of kicked off future conversations with Nintendo which afterwards led to the Olympic game coming out.”
After these comments, SEGA’s Aaron Webber asked if it’s because of Naka that we have Sonic in Smash. In response, Naka noted the following, as relayed by his translator:
“The original Sonic becoming a part of the Smash Bros. game was also part of that conversation. During the GameCube development for Smash Bros., he really wanted to get Sonic into that game, but it was just too late in the development process and couldn’t get it in for GameCube, but they did move forward and put Sonic in for the Wii version.”
Miitomo tops 1 million users
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 14 Comments
Miitomo has surpassed one million users, Nintendo has announced. That milestone was reached in just three days.
Miitomo debuted in Japan on March 17. It should be making its way to other territories before the end of the month, along with My Nintendo.
My Nintendo Picross – The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess footage
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, Videos | 5 Comments
My Nintendo Picross – The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was made available as a My Nintendo reward in Japan this past week. Some footage of the download has now emerged – see the video below.
Rumor: First off-screen Pokemon GO footage
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, Rumors, Videos | 27 Comments
Update: We’ll keep the rumor tag until it’s 100% confirmed, but this is looking even more legitimate. Here’s another look at the same footage from one of the SXSW panel attendees:
Never before seen animation of PokemonGo shared at #SXSW2016 by @johnhanke @PokemonGoNews pic.twitter.com/zzXnpdgD40
— Tom Woodhead (@TomWoodhead) March 19, 2016
Niantic may have just shown the first Pokemon GO footage during a panel at SXSW. Take a look at some off-screen gameplay below.
As this has not been 100% confirmed, we’re marking the post to indicate its current rumor status.