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Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 18 Comments

Natsume has revealed the first of its three Nintendo-related announcements for E3 2014. As announced by the publisher today, Natsume is bringing Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley to the 3DS later this year. Physical and digital versions are both planned.

Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley features a 3D setting and customization options that provide players with more freedom with their fields.

Today’s news means we’re technically receiving two Harvest Moon games in 2014. XSEED is localizing Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land under the name “Story of Seasons” while Natsume is releasing Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley.

Source: Natsume PR

More: Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley, Natsume, top

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 1 Comment

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call will launch in North America on September 16 and Europe on September 19, Square Enix announced today.

Additionally, the company has confirmed two special releases for the 3DS game. A collector’s edition and limited edition will both be made available.

The Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Collector’s Edition includes a branded 3DS system Collector’s Pouch, a robust 20-track ‘The Best of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call’ Music CD, ‘Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call – Remix Selections’ Music CD (five-tracks), and five premium CollectaCards from the game.

Consumers can pre-order the collector’s edition for $69.99 through the Square Enix Online Store. Only 5,000 copies will be produced.

Those who pre-order the standard version Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call will receive an upgrade to a limited edition version of the title, featuring the ‘Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call – Remix Selections’ Music CD.

Source: Square Enix PR

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Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 9 Comments

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nintendo goes “Live @ E3” next week with four big events that deliver real-time fun directly to fans. Get ready to enjoy the year’s biggest video game convention live from anywhere in the world.

On June 10, Nintendo will air the Nintendo Digital Event at 9 a.m. PT via http://e3.nintendo.com. Fans will enjoy breaking news about great gaming experiences on the way for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014 and beyond.

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More: E3 2014, press release, top

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

Along with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following message on Miiverse:

Some stages have been shrunk down and made into trophies, like this one of Tortimer Island for the 3DS version. I wish I could have a figurine like this in real life.

More: Masahiro Sakurai, Miiverse, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS, top

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in NE News Bulletin | 2 Comments

Another Nintendo Everything News Bulletin in the books! I was pretty exhausted while putting this together, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t sound overly enthusiastic. That’s what happens around E3 time!

View the video below:

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Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 31 Comments

Nintendo has released a major system update for Wii U, bringing the firmware version up to 5.0.0.

One of the major features introduced in today’s update is the quick start menu. Players can now more easily begin playing games without having to encounter the menu screen.

Other changes/additions include new GamePad Alerts that can be displayed on the GamePad when the Wii U is turned off, the ability to install system updates after they’re finished downloading while the console is in Standby, and more.

You can find the full update notes from Nintendo below.
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Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 15 Comments

Nintendo has confirmed its E3 2014 Treehouse streaming schedule. As previously mentioned, members of Nintendo of America’s Product Development division will be hosting demos and more throughout the expo.

You can count on hours upon hours of streaming content next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Here’s the specifics of each:

Tuesday, June 10: 11:35 AM PT – 4:00 PM PT
Wednesday, June 11: 9:15 AM PT – 6:00 PM PT
Thursday, June 12: 9:30 AM PT – 5:00 PM PT

Along with game demos of new and previously unannounced titles, there will also be special guest appearances. Shigeru Miyamoto, for example, will be appearing next Tuesday afternoon.

You’ll find a full overview of Nintendo’s Treehouse streaming plans after the break.

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Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 42 Comments

Update: Here’s a quote from Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, for what it’s worth!

“The early response to Mario Kart 8 demonstrates that the best days for Wii U are still ahead. This year’s E3 is just days away, and it will be all about the future games for Nintendo platforms. This milestone is a great place to start!”

In its first weekend, Mario Kart 8 managed to sell more than 1.2 million units worldwide, Nintendo has announced. That number applies to The Americas, Europe, and Japan from May 29 to June 1.

Nintendo of Europe president Satoru Shibata said:

“Such positive early feedback for Mario Kart 8 reinforces the great gameplay experiences that Wii U currently offers. With Nintendo set to showcase its future releases at E3 next week, this is a great milestone going into the summer season.”

Along with today’s announcement, Nintendo shared sales figures for previous Mario Kart entries. The seven older Mario Kart games have combined to sell more than 100 million total units, an average of more than 14 million units per title.

Source: Nintendo PR

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Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 4 Comments

A whole bunch of Sonic Boom details have come in from new press previews. You can find a roundup of the latest information below.

– Demo broken up into different selectable sections
– Level from the campaign, Doctor Eggman boss fight, on-rails level to zoom through
– Each played differently
– Zoomy level had several paths to take
– Each one leads to more or less rings
– Combo system assigns letter grades based on performance
– This seems to be based on number of hits and not variation of moves
– Also in play is some sort of collectible currency (apart from rings) that go toward what might be an upgrade system
– Puzzles are mixed in with combat and exploration
– Eggman fight features him in a giant suit and he shoots rockets which either crash into Sonic and/or Knuckles, or come to rest on the ground
– Need to pick up the undetonated ones and use the EnerBeam to fling them back at the evil doctor

“If you’re a classic Sonic gamer, a 2D fan, you have an appreciation for the platforming. This game has quite a bit of that classic platforming. I think these levels inspire some of that feeling for the old places that Sonic went back in the day.” – Steve Frost

– Game has some hub world interactions
– Most levels will feature a branching path that only one specific character (you’re presented with a choice of two per level) can take
– Select characters on the GamePad
– Hub worlds and speed levels will make use of Sonic Boom’s full roster
– When two local players are in the same game and the time comes to split up, player one runs a character with the GamePad on its screen and player two uses a Wii Remote or Pro controller for their character on the television
– Big Red Button Entertainment thought hard about adding split-screen local multiplayer — either to bring more human players to the game, or to let the Wii U Gamepad perform other functions for them

“We had, for a long time, considered split-screen play. And it just didn’t feel as special. If we’re out in real life, and we’re off exploring, we have our cell phones and cameras out, we’re calling each other and saying, ‘Hey, you should see what I’m seeing.’ We wanted to have that sharing.

“Split screen doesn’t really do that because you’re constantly staring at the other person’s screen. That sense of wonder, of what the other person is doing, is gone.”

– Sonic and his cohort are exploring an ancient, unknown island
– Eggman has sought to exploit an ancient evil being named Lyric,
– It’s turned out to be more than he can handle
– Eggman isn’t supposed to be a bumbler — “he’s still got that fun personality, but his presence overall is more formidable”
– Sonic’s principal concern is exploring the surface and neo-Atlantean ruins and beating up the danger lurking within
– Knuckles can climb rock walls in sections specific to him
– Tails can hover on air currents and ride them to his goal
– Each character comes equipped with an “enerbeam”
– This lets you grapple and move pieces in puzzle levels
– With it, you can also lasso and toss foes into one another
– This will be required in some battles
– Previews mention that the camera isn’t up to snuff
– 3DS version is more of a traditional 2D, scrolling platformer
– No multiplayer in the 3DS version
– Can swap characters on the 3DS touch screen and solve multiple platforming puzzles
– Sonic Boom on 3DS features its own story and another entry point into the canon
– Sega’s strategy is that wherever someone’s interest might be piqued they may find something different in the other two.

“The thought is, we can only show you X amount of the world, and the others can show you even more. By virtue of the cartoon, the toys and the games, you can see this big cohesive world.”

Source 1, Source 2

More: Big Red Button Entertainment, details roundup, Sanzaru Games, SEGA, Sonic Boom, top

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U eShop | 2 Comments

Polygon has published a new report on Costume Quest 2, which was just confirmed for the Wii U eShop today. Here’s what we know thus far:

– Similar to the first game
– Play as twins Reynold and Wren
– The two set off on a trick or treating adventure
– Reynold and Wren will fight evil Grubbins in Halloween costumes that grant them superhuman powers
– In the sequel, everything is set in a new suburb in Louisiana
– Double Fine keeping quiet on story details
– Only saying that it’s set right after the DLC add-on Grubbins on Ice

“It’s probably our most requested sequel, besides Psychonauts. People have been asking for it forever. I think it’s that every Halloween you’re reminded about the game. We have a lot of people who are coming back to us saying they replay it every year.” – Greg Rice, Double Fine publishing manager

– Double Fine wants to give fans of the original more of what they loved while addressing some of Costume Quest’s shortcomings
– Battle system is being refined
– Attack combos have been added
– Slight changes in the timing of button presses in battles
– Players will need to press the action button as their character strikes with their attack, not beforehand
– The same is true for defending against enemy attacks
– You can get a follow-up attack (and a third) by nailing the timing on attacks
– More Halloween costumes will be included
– Fan favorite costumes will be back
– At least 4 new costumes: the Clown, the Superhero, the Pterodactyl and the Candy Corn
– Clown: healer, can replenish the hit points of his or her teammates with a move called Laughter is the Best Medicine
– Superhero: looks like the superman of Double Fine’s Middle Manager of Justice, attacks with big punches and can throw a bus for an area of effect attack
– Candy Corn doesn’t do anything
– Unclear what the Pterodactyl does
– Candy Corn costume: player wearing it sits out his or her turn — every single time
– The only action is a message explaining the character’s inaction, something along the lines of “Candy Corn has nothing to prove” or “Candy Corn decides to sit this one out”
– Double Fine hopes to have somewhere around a thousand variations on that line that explains why Candy Corn just stands there idle
– Double Fine has an achievement built into the game for players who wear the Candy Corn costume the entire game, limiting your party to two members, instead of three
– Party’s health won’t automatically regenerate after each battle this time around
– Will need to find water fountains to replenish your hit points
– Cards are being added that players can use to enhance their battle abilities
– Cards are a combination of the Battle Stamps — modifiers that each character could equip — and the collectible Creepy Treat Cards from the first game
– Purchase cards from vendors or earn them by completing tasks
– Bring cards to battle, which will give you an advantage
– Cards will have limited uses in battles
– Some cards may take a few battles to recharge before they can be used again
– Explore the world and take on side quests when you’re not battling
– All kids wear heelys this time around (in the first game, most players opted to wear the Robot costume, as the outfit’s roller shoes let players glide around at high speed)
– For side quests, Rice says that in the first game “a lot of those were a bit fetch quest-y, but in this one they’re a little more [tied to] game mechanics.”
– Side quest example with the Clown’s horn:

The kids wanted to join a group of street musicians as they played some New Orleans-style jazz in the game’s version of the French Quarter. But the band demanded that we rustle up an audience if we wanted to play, so, horn in hand, we chatted up a few tourists milling about. After drawing an audience with an ear for brassiness, the band acquiesced and let us toot along with their street jazz in a simple rhythm game. The reward? Candy, of course, and maybe a little street cred.

– Can hunt down hidden pinatas stuffed with candy
– If you beat up those pinatas rhythmically, they’ll unleash more candy
– Improvements made to Double Fine’s engine

Source

More: Costume Quest 2, details roundup, Double Fine, top