[Let’s Talk] Impressions of Xenoblade Chronicles X
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Wii U | 30 Comments
Let’s Talk #34: Impressions of Xenoblade Chronicles X
Xenoblade Chronicles X has been out in the west for almost a month now. For those that have been playing it, what do you think of the game thus far? Are you enjoying it? Has it not met your expectations? If you’ve played the original Xenoblade, how do you think this one stacks up? Let us know in the comments below.
I’ve actually had Xenoblade Chronicles X since launch, but haven’t had a chance to really play it yet. Sickness, business, and a terrible backlog make for a bad combination. I hope to change that soon though!
Highlights from last week’s topic: What do you want to see from next week’s Smash Bros. presentation?
Update: Winners announced – [Giveaway] SteamWorld Heist
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, Giveaway | 79 Comments
Update: The winners are in! Congratulations to gab, Lord Drieg, and Doug (Patreon). Codes have been sent via email.
The fantastic SteamWorld Heist launched on the 3DS eShop earlier this month. In celebration of the game’s arrival, we have three North American codes up for grabs (thanks Max Criden!).
In the comments below, tell us about your favorite steampunk settings or unusual turn-based games. All entries submitted through December 25 will be eligible for the random giveaway. Also, all of our $5+ Patreon members are automatically eligible – no comment is required.
Our three winners will be announced soon after the submission period ends. Best of luck to everyone!
Zelda: Tri Force Heroes – Cheer Outfit’s idol origins, how the Timeless Tunic came to be
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 3 Comments
Last month’s issue of Nintendo Dream contains an interview centered around The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. The Japanese magazine spoke with director Hiromasa Shikata, designer Keisuke Umeda, and producer Eiji Aonuma. There were some interesting comments shared, not to mention valuable concept art for Zelda fans.
Costumes are naturally a big part of Tri Force Heroes. During the interview, Umeda talked about what elements were taken into consideration when designing these for Link:
“The first thing is to make the effect [of the costume] easy to understand. Then comes making it look interesting and easily recognizable with colors. Designs were made while keeping these three things in mind.”
One piece of concept art included in the interview is of the Cheer Outfit. Here’s a look at that:
The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening coming in August 2016
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 7 Comments
Update 3 (12/26): Bumped to the top. This is now $16 off on Amazon.
Update 2 (12/24): Bumped to the top. Now available for pre-order on Amazon UK
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Update: The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening can be pre-ordered on Amazon Canada here.
Dark Horse has teamed up with Nintendo to release a new art book in North America. Next August, The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening will be available.
Here’s what you can expect from it:
The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening contains an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the smash-hit 3DS game, from beautifully illustrated renditions of your favorite characters, to storyboards for in-game events, character designs, weapon designs, character profiles, and the entirety of the script with every possible branch of dialogue! Relive some of the most poignant moments of the game, or see what might have been if you had made different in-game decisions with the Art of Fire Emblem Awakening!
The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening is due out in comic shops on August 17 and in bookstores on August 30 (apparently a bit earlier at places like Amazon). Pre-orders are already live on Amazon here.
More: Fire Emblem: Awakening, top
Splatoon devs share background info on stages, talk about the end of updates, more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 9 Comments
This week’s issue of Famitsu has more coverage of Splatoon. There isn’t any news about the game itself (which was to be expected), but there is a 4-page interview with the game’s developers. Famitsu caught up with producer Hisashi Nogami plus co-directors Tsubasa Sakaguchi and Yusuke Amano. They shared some interesting background information about stages, spoke about the end of updates and why they’re coming to a close, and more.
There is quite a bit here, so let’s get right to it. Head past the break for a summary of the interview.
– Most of the stages in Splatoon are based on marine products, but only Under Deca Line Girder Bridge (Urchin Underpass) isn’t. It’s based on Jujo Road, an actual road in Kyoto which is nearby Nintendo’s office. The ? kanji means ten, which can also become Deca in Greek. And ? means line, hence Deca-Line. Deca-Line is the name of the highway, and this stage is right underneath it, hence the “Under”.
– How the Deca-Line stage came to be included: art director Seita Inoue has a habit of sketching things nearby him. One day he drew a night view seen from the company building. When the development team was thinking about stage designs, they happened to find this sketch, and since it fitted many of the stage designs, it got picked. They were looking for a place with a realistic sense that has an origin of grey-toned neutral color and could be vandalized with colors.
More: Hisashi Nogami, interview, Splatoon, top, Tsubasa Sakaguchi, Yusuke Amano
Freedom Planet 2 announced
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U eShop | 11 Comments
Update: No real surprise here, but Freedom Planet 2 is officially confirmed for at least one Nintendo platform.
Freedom Planet 2 will follow a similar platform release as FP1: PC/Mac/Linux first followed by Nintendo, plus more depending on resources.
— GalaxyTrail (@galaxytrail) December 25, 2015
GalaxyTrail has announced Freedom Planet 2, a follow-up to the Wii U eShop game released in October. We’ve included a brief trailer and teaser below.
“Join the heroes of Avalice as they face their greatest challenge yet! An ancient terror has emerged from the depths of the ocean. Merga, a water dragon from Avalice’s oldest and deadliest war, has been freed from her crystal prison as a consequence of the Kingdom Stone’s destruction. War is imminent once again, but this time, the heroes are split between sides. As friendships are tested, will the girls stand united when Bakunawa rises?”
There’s quite a bit that’s new/changed in Freedom Planet 2. GalaxyTrail is updating the game’s style, and will introduce features such as a flexible difficulty, guarding, and revivals. Details about each of these can be found after the break.
More: Freedom Planet 2, GalaxyTrail, indie, top
Happy holidays!
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News | 5 Comments
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to take a brief moment to wish everyone a happy holiday. Be it Christmas, New Year’s… whatever you celebrate or are looking forward to in the near future, enjoy the times ahead!
I’ll be around on the site per usual to take care of any news that pops up. Things have been a bit quieter these past few weeks outside of the Nintendo Direct and Smash Bros. presentation, and I expect that to continue due to the holidays. It’ll be business as usual for me though, aside from possibly getting a little more rest and hopefully overcoming a very bad cold/virus/whatever I’ve had for well over a week.
Thank you all for the support in 2015, and I look forward to sharing more Nintendo news with you all next year. Some exciting things await us in 2016!
Nintendo – updated message from the president
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 14 Comments
Nintendo updated its investor site with a new message from company president Tatsumi Kimishima. This is actually the first letter from Kimishima aside from the one included in a previous business report.
In his note, Kimishima mainly touches on further making use of Nintendo IP. He (briefly) brings up NX, smart devices, and more. Read the full message below.
Since the launch of the Family Computer System (called Nintendo Entertainment System outside Japan) in 1983, Nintendo has been offering the world unique and original entertainment products under the development concept of hardware and software integration. In the field of home entertainment, the video game industry is one of the few industries established in Japan that spread around the world, and Nintendo has established itself as a well-known brand truly representing video game culture throughout the world.
With the belief in our mission to put smiles on people’s faces around the world through products and services, we have followed our basic strategy of expanding the gaming population by offering products that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age, gender or gaming experience. We now want to take this mission a step further by increasing the number of people who have access to Nintendo’s intellectual property (Nintendo IP).
More: Tatsumi Kimishima, top
New Shin Megami Tensei IV Final trailer
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Videos | 0 comments
Atlus has uploaded Shin Megami Tensei IV Final’s second trailer. We’ve gone ahead and posted it below.
More: Atlus, Shin Megami Tensei IV Final, top
2DS finally reaching Japan in February with Pokemon 3DS Virtual Console bundles
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 26 Comments
The 2DS has been available in the west since October 2013. In Japan, the system will finally launch in February.
Nintendo announced four bundles today which come with a 2DS and a copy of either Pokemon Red, Blue, Green, or Yellow on the 3DS Virtual Console. Consumers will also receive a code for Mew in X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, plus an opportunity to nab the Pokemon in these classic releases. The package is topped off with a map, theme, and sticker set.
These 2DS bundles will release in Japan on February 27. Pricing is set at 9,980 yen each.
