Last year, Koei Tecmo executive vice president Hisashi Koinuma mentioned that he’d love to use Mario in a Musou-type game. That was not a joke – Koinuma was being completely serious.

Koinuma elaborated on his original comment while speaking with Polygon, with the site reporting:

He sees Mario as a character that would need to branch out from hand-to-hand combat but could focus on his distinctive moves. Speaking hypothetically, Koinuma suggests Mario could “blast enemies off the screen or knock them unconscious” with his moveset. “I suppose the game would be balanced so the kids could enjoy it as their first action game experience, whereas the adults could enjoy the game with friends and families as a group,” he says.

Pokemon producer Junichi Masuda also weighed in on Musou. He’d be open to seeing the Pokemon franchise cross over with Koei Tecmo’s IP if it wasn’t too violent. During his discussion with Polygon, Masuda suggested that perhaps players could throw out a lot of Pokeballs. It would also need a new form of gameplay so as to not feel too familiar.

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Amazon: Pokemon Omega Ruby, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Fire Emblem: Awakening for $27, Smash Wii U $41

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 5 Comments

Update 3: All games are back to their normal prices.

Update 2: Back in stock on Amazon!

Update: Monster Hunter is gone on Amazon, but Walmart has it for the same price.

Several new deals have gone live on Amazon, including Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate for $27, Super Smash Bros. Wii U for $41, and more. Find our roundup below.

Pokemon Omega Ruby – $26.85
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate – $27.36
Fire Emblem: Awakening – $27.41
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – $41.05

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Nintendo has sold 200,000 amiibo figures in France

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 2 Comments

200,000 amiibo figures have been sold in France, Nintendo has announced. That figure accounts for all sales since the product line launched in late November.

amiibo has been extremely successful in other territories as well. For instance, Nintendo confirmed earlier this month that nearly 2.6 million figures have been sold in the U.S. thus far.

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Dan Adelman on third-parties, Nintendo culture, demos, eShop quality control, Virtual Console

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 30 Comments

Dromble published a fantastic interview with Dan Adelman today. Adelman worked at Nintendo of America for several years and ended up leading the company’s indie efforts, though he departed last year.

Dromble’s interview touches on several topics – third-parties, culture at Nintendo, demos, eShop quality control, and the Virtual Console. You can find excerpts below, and the full discussion here.

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Media Create sales (1/12 – 1/18)

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 6 Comments

The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:

New 3DS LL – 25,299
Vita – 16,823
PS4 – 15,480
New 3DS – 9,916
Wii U – 8,894
PS3 – 7,036
3DS LL – 4,776
3DS – 4,238
Vita TV – 682
Xbox One – 300

For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:

New 3DS LL – 30,455
Vita – 21,536
PS4 – 19,118
New 3DS – 14,226
Wii U – 10,803
PS3 – 8,216
3DS – 6,685
3DS LL – 6,308
Vita TV – 791
Xbox One – 563

And here are the software charts:

1. [3DS] Youkai Watch 2: Shinuchi – 50,244 / 2,372,371
2. [3DS] Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire – 24,964 / 2,457,623
3. [3DS] Kenka Bancho 6 – 24,274 / NEW
4. [3DS] Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate – 15,588 / 2,428,056
5. [3DS] Super Smash Bros. for 3DS – 15,443 / 2,111,958
6. [WIU] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – 12,858 / 560,986
7. [3DS] Youkai Watch 2 – 7,906 / 3,082,408
8. [WIU] Mario Kart 8 – 6,915 / 895,979
9. [PSV] Gundam Breaker 2 – 6,670 / 117,899
10. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – 6,142 / 3,899,253
11. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V – 6,006 / 150,882
12. [3DS] Final Fantasy Explorers – 5,515 / 244,319
13. [PS3] Grand Theft Auto V New Price Version – 4,886 / 112,500
14. [PSV] Diabolik Lovers MORE,BLOOD – 4083 / NEW
15. [PS3] Gundam Breaker 2 – 4,032 / 115,082
16. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 – 3,474 / 2,458,465
17. [PS3] World Soccer Winning Eleven 2015 – 3,175 / 147,350
18. [3DS] Aikatsu! 365-Hi no Idol Days – 2,672 – 103,141
19. [3DS] Kirby Triple Deluxe – 2,639 / 692,358
20. [3DS] Tomodachi Life – 2,602 / 1,779,383

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New Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call DLC officially confirmed, including The World Ends with You tracks

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 2 Comments

Rumors regarding The World Ends with You DLC for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call have now been confirmed. A selection of new tracks are out now in Japan, including Twister (battle music) and Calling (field music).

There are a few other new DLC tracks as well. Square Enix has added World Revolution and Wind Scene from Chrono Trigger, Liberi Fatali from Final Fantasy VIII, and Last Battle from Romancing SaGa 3.

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Nikki’s Travel Quiz to be available to Club Nintendo Japan members

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 5 Comments

Nikki, known for her appearance in the terminated 3DS application Swapnote, will soon be starring in her own game.

As part of today’s Club Nintendo discontinuation announcement, it was revealed that members of the rewards program in Japan will be able to access “Nikki’s Travel Quiz” for 80 points.

Specific details about the title were not shared. It’s currently unknown when Nikki’s Travel Quiz will release, and if it will come to North America and/or Europe.

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Gunman Clive 2 launching next week

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 3 Comments

Gunman Clive 2 is due out next week on the 3DS eShop, creator Bertil Hörberg has confirmed. This applies to both North America and Europe.

The game will be available starting on January 29. Pricing is set at $2.99.

Hörberg wrote on Twitter a few moments ago:

US version has also passed lotcheck! It will release in booth regions next week on the 29th
— Bertil Hörberg (@BertilHrberg) January 20, 2015

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This year’s Club Nintendo Elite Status gifts appear to be digital-only again

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 12 Comments

Last year, Nintendo offered digital-only rewards on Club Nintendo for those who reached Elite Status (Platinum/Gold Status). This was quite a big change since, in the past, we saw gifts like a figurine, Majora’s Mask soundtrack, and more.

It’s looking like the 2015 Elite Status rewards will once again be digital-only. With the closure of Club Nintendo on the horizon, I suppose it’s not entirely surprising.

Check out this blurb from the official Club Nintendo discontinuation notice:

In order to reach Elite Status, you must earn 300 Coins (for Gold Status) or 600 Coins (for Platinum Status) between July 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015. Members who reach Elite Status will be able to choose a downloadable game from a wide selection of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U titles. Your free Elite Status gift will be available between April 1 and April 30, 2015. A list of the Elite Status 2015 gifts will be posted here once announced.

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