Breath of the Wild director on rethinking Zelda’s conventions, having all staff playtest at the same time
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Wii U | 10 Comments
When Breath of the Wild was teased many years ago, one of the aspects Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma highlighted was the desire to upend the series’ conventions. That’s something Nintendo managed to do in the end, resulting in a very different type of Zelda game.
In an interview with GamesRadar, director Hidemaro Fujibayashi spoke about Breath of the Wild’s development and re-thinking Zelda’s conventions, of which he stated:
More: Eiji Aonuma, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, interview, top
Zelda: Breath of the Wild director still trying to find his trademark on the series
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Wii U | 12 Comments
Zelda: Breath of the Wild producer Hidemaro Fujibayashi has actually been working on the franchise for quite awhile. He directed a few different entries, including Oracle of Ages/Seasons, Skyward Sword, and more.
Although Fujibayashi has greatly contributed to Zelda, he’s not quite sure what his lasting mark on the series will be. In his view, he’s still figuring that out.
[Let’s Talk] Hopes and expectations for the next Nintendo Direct
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Let's Talk, Switch | 165 Comments
A Nintendo Direct will almost certainly be held this month. You know it, we know it. For a recap as to why a Nintendo Direct is highly expected within the next couple of weeks, you can read up on this post. But even disregarding that, common sense tells you that we need to hear from Nintendo soon in order to get a better idea about plans for 2018 on Switch and 3DS.
For Switch’s future, we do actually know about a few things from Nintendo, but not everything is confirmed for this year, and there’s a lot that’s up in the air. Bayonetta 1 and 2 along with Dragon Quest Builders are due out in February. Other than that, we don’t really have solid dates. Nintendo has previously announced Kirby Star Allies, Yoshi, Metroid Prime 4, and new entries in the Pokemon and Fire Emblem series. Project Octopath Traveler will be published at some point as well.
[Review] Romancing SaGa 2
Posted on 6 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 6 Comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: December 15, 2017
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Romancing SaGa and the SaGa series in general has had a long history in the RPG world, first launching in 1989 as The Final Fantasy Legend. While we’ve seen a few SaGa games localized since then, Romancing SaGa 2 in particular never saw a release until recently on mobile a few years ago, before making its way to consoles now just before the new year of 2018. Unfortunately, this is a poor port of the mobile version of the game localized years ago, and not a remaster of the original title on the Super Famicom. This becomes problematic in a lot of ways, and the Switch suffers heavily from it.
More: highlight, Romancing Saga 2, Square Enix, top
Switch surpasses Wii U’s lifetime sales in Japan
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Wii U | 23 Comments
According to the latest data from Famitsu, Switch has overtaken Wii U’s lifetime sales in Japan.
Through December 31, Nintendo’s new console stands at 3,407,158 units sold. Wii U managed to sell 3,301,555 units in its lifetime. Switch sold 115,255 units during the week of December 25, whereas Wii U was at 69 units.
Some reports had previously highlighted that Switch’s sales had surpassed Wii U, but these were premature as the newer platform was still several thousand units behind based on information from all sales trackers. It wasn’t until the latest data was published – finally made available tonight from Famitsu – that the milestone was confirmed.
Splatoon 2 – global Splatfest announced for next weekend
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 7 Comments
A new Splatfest in Splatoon 2 will kick off next weekend, Nintendo has announced. This one is particularly special since the theme and results are global. It’s action vs. comedy this time around.
The Splatfest begins at the following times:
– 8 PM PT (January 12)
– 11 PM ET (January 12)
– 4 AM in the UK (January 13)
– 5 AM in Europe (January 5)
As usual, the Splatfest will last for a full day. It’s not entirely clear when the results will be posted, but it could be a couple of hours after the event concludes.
More: Splatoon 2, top
Nintendo reveals the most played games on Switch since launch in North America
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 110 Comments
Nintendo has sent out new data about Switch, revealing the most played games on Switch since launch based on data collected from North America.
The regular heavy first-party hitters like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey are naturally towards the top of the list. Other games such as Stardew Valley, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+, and NBA 2K18 also make the list.
The full top twenty can be found below:
Disgaea 5 Complete sells 200,000 copies on Switch, Nippon Ichi targeting the system for new IPs and sequels
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 37 Comments
Disgaea 5 Complete has done quite well for Nippon Ichi. Since the game’s launch last year, it has sold 200,000 copies on Switch around the world.
That news comes directly from Sohei Niikawa, the president of Nippon Ichi. Niikawa also said that Switch is one of the platforms the company is targeting for new IPs and sequels this year.
NIS America will be hosting a press event next month. Brand new Switch announcements could be made there potentially, but localizations are more likely. NIS America could be bringing over Your Four Knight Princesses Training Story, which Nippon Ichi is releasing in Japan on March 8.
More: Disgaea 5 Complete, Nippon Ichi, sales, top
NIS America Press Event 2018 taking place next month
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 16 Comments
NIS America has announced the return of its annual press event. This year’s show will take place on February 9, and will feature “very special guests” as well as “new announcements”. Oh, and “hands-on access” for the press.
At last year’s event, NIS America announced Culdcept Revolt and RPG Maker Fes for the west. Disgaea 5 Complete was also given a western release date.
More: NIS America, top
Nintendo says Switch owners can expect more support from Activision, Take-Two, and other third-parties
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 81 Comments
Nintendo shared some big news about Switch earlier today. With over 4.8 million units sold in 10 months, it has become the fastest-selling home gaming system of all time, outpacing the Wii.
In its announcement, Nintendo included an interesting note that might be worth bringing up specifically. The company said: “Fans can also expect continued support from major publishers such as EA, Activision, Ubisoft, Capcom, SEGA, Take 2 and Bethesda, plus a growing catalog of quality content from indie developers.”
EA is publishing Fe on Switch soon, but it’s possible that they could bring more games to the console – like this year’s FIFA. Ubisoft hasn’t announced anything new as of late, but Steep is apparently still happening. Capcom has quite a bit on the way between Mega Man 11, past Mega Man releases, and the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. SEGA has at least Valkyria Chronicles 4 planned. Take-Two could bring more NBA 2K and WWE 2K titles to Switch, with perhaps more from its subsidiary Rockstar. Bethesda has Wolfenstein II in the pipeline. Actvision is the main mystery here, as the company has been absent since launching Skylanders Imaginators nearly a year ago.
Source: Nintendo PR
