Sakurai on expanding the Smash roster with each release – “I throw my body and soul into every project with the mindset that this is the last one”
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 13 Comments
Game Informer published the “Smash Bros. Diaries” from director Masahiro Sakurai in its previous two issues. Most of what has been shared thus far is rehash from Sakurai’s Famitsu columns, but this month’s entry does have some very noteworthy quotes.
One of the questions Sakurai addresses: “You’ve talked about how you select characters, but why does the roster continue to expand with each release?”
Sakurai starts out by stating how when he works on Smash Bros. – or any other project for that matter – he puts in his full effort. “I throw my body and soul into every project with the mindset that this is the last one,” he says. This has led to a huge amount of characters and features “where it’s almost an impossible quantity to work with.”
Characters are remade in each Smash Bros. release since there are different development studios working on the games. There is also a higher development cost per character “since it takes work to give characters a wide dynamic range while still sticking to their backstories”.
All in all, Sakurai calls the entire process “relentless.”
If you’re interested in checking out Sakurai’s full comments, head past the break.
Xenoblade Chronicles X director shares an update on the game’s artists, alien races, script
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 9 Comments
A few new tweets were added to the Japanese Xenoblade Chronicles X Twitter account earlier today. Director Tetsuya Takahashi shared an update on the game’s artists (which extends to the alien races) and script. For the new information, take a look at the summary below.
– Aside from Kunihiko Tanaka’s designs, the team has many other artists working on different types of designs
– Different alien races in the game
– Wants to really bring out the various unique characteristics in their cultures
– For the graphics in the game to be able to reflect the different cultures, they have different artists fleshing out the details in the design phase
– We’ve apparently seen one of the unannounced races on the early tease site from Monolith Soft
– The script isn’t written by Yuichiro Takeda alone
– Compared to Xenoblade, this time there’s a lot more text to handle
– Kazuho Hyodo (an anime script writer) was brought in to help with the workload
– Since he has much experience with sci-fi works, Takahashi is not worried
– Some design staff will be introduced next week
More: top, Xenoblade Chronicles X
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U screenshots (11/28/14)
Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Screenshots, Wii U | 1 Comment
European Smashers, the wait is finally over! It’s been a long week but the release has finally come. In addition to rejoicing that fact, Sakurai talks a bit about the Wrecking Crew stage, exclusive to Wii U:
he continues:
You might get stuck inside a metal barrel that falls from above. Players can attack you while you’re stuck, so get yourself out by mashing buttons.
With both Smash Wii U / 3DS now out in both Europe and North America, this will be our last ever daily screenshot post! If you want to keep up with the remainder of Sakurai’s posts you can do so on the Miiverse page here. It’s definitely been a fun ride up to launch but now all that’s left to do is enjoy the games!
Tetris games to be removed from the European 3DS eShop at the end of this year
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 2 Comments
Nintendo is pulling two Tetris games from the European 3DS eShop at the very end of this year. You have until December 31 to purchase the 3DS retail game Tetris as well as the classic Virtual Console release.
It’s unclear why the Tetris titles are being removed at this time. As far as we know, there are no similar plans for North America.
Thanks to Simonsskidor for the tip.
Nintendo files patent for Game Boy emulation on various devices including phones and PC
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 13 Comments
Back in late June, Nintendo filed a patent in the US for “Hand-held Video Game Platform Emulation”. The application was just made public today.
The core of Nintendo’s patent is about Game Boy emulation on mobile phones, PDA’s, PC, and other devices. Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance are all mentioned in the filing.
Here’s the official abstract, which should give you a pretty good idea about what this entire thing is about:
A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY.RTM., GAME BOY COLOR.RTM. and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE.RTM. on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.
You can find some images from the patent below. If you’d like to check out the full filing, head on over to this link. Keep in mind that patents often are filed, but are never acted upon.
Hyrule Warriors – Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time costume DLC to be sold in Japan next month
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 11 Comments
Remember those retailer exclusive Hyrule Warriors costumes? By pre-ordering the game at Amazon, Best Buy, or GameStop, players could receive Link and Zelda costumes based on Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and Ocarina of Time respectively.
Koei Tecmo has now revealed that these costumes will be available for purchase – at least in Japan – starting on December 18.
Here’s the full breakdown of content:
“Courage” Costume Set
– 400 yen
– Includes Skyward Sword, Twilight Princess, and Ocarina of Time Link costumes
“Wisdom” Costume Set
– 400 yen
– Includes Skyward Sword, Twilight Princess, and Ocarina of Time Zelda costumes
“Power” Costume Set
– 300 yen
– Includes Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time Ganondorf costumes
Nintendo hasn’t said anything about selling this DLC in the west, but I’d say it’s likely that the costumes will be offered in North America and Europe next month as well.
Thanks to David S for the tip.
More: DLC, Hyrule Warriors, Japan, Koei Tecmo, Team Ninja, top
Nintendo Download (11/27/14, North America)
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 3 Comments
This week’s North American Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U Download
Thomas Was Alone
GetClose: A game for RIVALS
Shiny the Firefly
Heptrix
Wii U Virtual Console
Mario Pinball Land
Mighty Final Fight
3DS Retail
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
3DS Download
Mighty Gunvolt (available Friday)
Chat-A-Lot
My First Songs
My Life on a Farm 3D
3DS Virtual Console
Mighty Final Fight
3DS Demos
Ohno Odyssey
AiRace Xeno
eShop Sales
The Nintendo eShop Cyber Deals will let you save up to 30 percent each on 10 select games from Thursday, Nov. 27, at 9 a.m. PT until Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 8:59 a.m. PT. Visit www.nintendo.com/eShop-cyber-deals for more information. Plus, don’t forget to check out discounts on other great games! Head to the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and look under “Price Drops” to find out more about these great deals.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is on sale for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 1.
Nintendo eShop on Wii U
Rock Zombie is more than 10 percent off (reduced from $6.99 to $5.99) starting at 9 a.m. PT on Nov. 27 until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 4.
ZaciSa’s Last Stand is 25 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $1.49) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 7.
Code of Princess is 50 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $14.99) starting at 9 a.m. PT on Dec. 1 until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 15.
Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars is more than 30 percent off (reduced from $39.99 to $24.99) starting at starting at 9 a.m. PT on Dec. 1 until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 15.
Azure Striker GUNVOLT is more than 30 percent off (reduced from $14.99 to $9.99) starting at 9 a.m. PT on Nov. 28 until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 15.
Farming Simulator 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec 11.
Farming Simulator 14 is more than 30 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $19.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 11.
Parking Star 3D is over 30 percent off (reduced from $2.99 to $1.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 18.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies is 50 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $14.99) starting at 9 a.m. PT on Nov. 26 until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec 2.
Chain Blaster, Crazy Construction and other games from G-Style are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 31.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked is 50 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $14.99) starting at 9 a.m. PT on Dec 1. Until 8:59 a.m. PT on Dec. 8.
Miiverse
Spend Thanksgiving holiday with your family fans in the Turkey Fest community on Miiverse. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 1, you’ll be able to join in all kinds of special events such as tournaments, polls and challenges featuring Nintendo games and characters. And what better time to bowl a turkey in Wii Sports Club Bowling? Don’t miss out on tons of fun activities featuring Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Fantasy Life and Pokémon Art Academy. Also be sure to join our Miiverse Turkey Fest tournament in Mario Kart 8 using the new DLC Pack 1 this Thanksgiving weekend. The tournament code is 2593-0985-4929.
Source: Nintendo PR
More: Nintendo Download, top, Virtual Console
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U screenshot (11/27/14)
Posted on 10 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Screenshots, Wii U | 2 Comments
Today Sakurai shares with us some gameplay tips for Smash Tour:
He continues:
If you look reaaally closely, you’ll see that by rolling a 5, you can pass through the center of the map to the other end. This means that you’ll have an advantage if you keep rolling 5s!! Trophies like Ashley’s that slow down the roulette wheel may help you out here.
Sakurai on Smash Bros. Wii U’s different regional release dates
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 12 Comments
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U has three different release dates around the world. The game arrived in North America last Friday, but the European launch is taking place this Friday. Japan will be getting the game on December 6.
Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai decided to tackle the topic of the Wii U title’s different regional release dates in his latest Famitsu column. Here’s a translation of what was shared:
Hyrule Warriors 1.0.4 update and DLC out now
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 3 Comments
Hyrule Warriors’ 1.0.4 update is now available. The same also goes for the game’s latest DLC.
Below are the official notes for the latest patch:
The maximum warrior level is now 150!
You can now carry up to 999 of a single type of material!
New mixtures have appeared in the Apothecary!
New medals are waiting to be won!
You can now receive amiibo presents! Touch an amiibo to the GamePad while on the title screen to get a random bonus. An amiibo can give you only one present a day, but you can receive up to five presents if you use five different amiibo!
Hyrule Warriors’ new DLC, the Twilight Princess Pack, features Twili Midna, the Copy Rod weapon for Zelda, a new Adventure Map, and new costumes for Link and Zelda.
