Wii U News
June2015
News Début Splatfest Postponed in North America
Though the Bluefin Depot stage is in action, at least
Splatoon has been a game that, since launch, has kept serving up new content to freshen up the experience. We've have new stages and guns, with Ranked Battles also being an early addition, which have all helped to spruce up the content on offer. One major new feature, the Splatfest, will...
Video Star Fox Zero - What We Know So Far
Alex tackles confirmations and maybes
Over the course of the last three crazy days we saw a fair amount of Star Fox Zero, which is being co-developed by Nintendo and PlatinumGames. It's had a mixed reception, but is nevertheless one of the most anticipated games on the Wii U this year. In the video below our man Alex tackles the confirmed details,...
News Reggie Explains Why Donkey Kong And Bowser Were Chosen For Skylanders SuperChargers
As well as how the Activision partnership came to be
If you caught E3 earlier this week, you'd know that Nintendo has teamed up with Activision to create two new amiibo for the latest instalment to the Skylanders series: Skylanders SuperChargers. However, the announcement left some scratching their heads as to why Nintendo decided to use Donkey...
News Fresh Details Emerge For Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem
Music is my radar
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem - AKA Genei Ibun Roku #FE - was shown off in a brief and almost incomprehensible video during Nintendo's E3 Digital Event which left fans none the wiser as to what kind of experience this crossover will provide. Thankfully, GameSpot has been talking to the team behind the game to get a better idea...
Video Here's Everything That Was Shown On The Final Day Of Treehouse Live At E3 2015
That's all, folks!
E3 2015 is slowly becoming nothing but a memory, but we thought you might like to feast your eyes on the third and final day of Nintendo's Treehouse Live event, where forthcoming games are shown off in a little more detail. We got to see some more of Star Fox Zero and Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, as well as some new titles like Fatal...
News Super Mario Maker Will Allow You to Unlock amiibo Mystery Suits for Figures You Don't Own
At least 90 Mystery Suit slots will feature
We've now finished the final full day of Nintendo Treehouse coverage, which provided some useful insights into the company's biggest games from the show. Super Mario Maker naturally featured prominently, and we learned some particularly welcome details around the amiibo-enabled Mystery Suits in the game...
Exclusive 2D Hack And Slash Title Wulverblade Has A Fighting Chance Of Coming To Wii U
Already speaking to Nintendo about porting the Xbox One brawler
Fully Illustrated's Michael Heald has revealed that 2D fighting title Wulverblade has a chance of coming to the Wii U. The game - which is like a mixture between Golden Axe and Final Fight set in Roman Britain - was previously unveiled as one of the Xbox One's mo
News Reggie Fils-Aime Attempts To Explain Why Zelda Wii U Wasn't At E3 2015
"Our mentality is more near-term when we think about E3"
Nintendo didn't show the Wii U version of Zelda at this year's E3. That caused quite a bit of concern, with some fans even going as far as to speculate that it's going to be an NX title, given that Nintendo is going to be talking about the new system a whole lot more next year - when Zelda is...
Video Here's Some Delicious Off-Screen Footage Direct From The E3 2015 Nintendo Booth
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson is in LA - don't hate him for that
E3 is slowly but surely winding down but there's still plenty to get excited about - and we've got some off-screen footage direct from the Nintendo booth for you to feast your eyes on. Have a look at all footage below and let us know what you think by leaving a comment!
First Impressions Holding Court with Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
Racquet Riot
A surprise service sent over the net in Nintendo's Digital Event at this year's E3, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash for Wii U marks the first home console appearance of this particular Mario Sport in over 10 years. If early impressions are anything to go by, it's one to watch for - the demo we played on the show floor was very simple,...
Video The Nintendo Life Reaction to Nintendo's E3 Digital Event
With smiles on our faces...
In the chaos of E3 day one we decided to abort our semi-tradition of a live stream video reaction to Nintendo's Digital Event, which was probably for the best considering the general online reaction. Having had a day to digest the results we've come into this video with the best possible intentions. We talk over many of...
Poll How Excited Are You About Nintendo's E3 Games?
Tell us which are must haves, maybes or misses
Now that we've all had a little time to chill out and think about the games we've seen so far at E3, we can think about which Wii U and 3DS games can claim places on our wishlists. There is, once you list the upcoming releases, quite a lot on the way in 2015 and beyond into next year - enough to keep us...
News Next Metroid Prime Home Console Title "Would Likely Now be on NX"
On Wii U game - "I haven't been able to collect a team or the resources"
In what will possibly be the last Metroid Prime-related post of the day, another interview with series producer Kensuke Tanabe has revealed some telling additional detail in relation to the current status of the IP beyond Metroid Prime: Federation Force. Some of the negative...
Live Let's Watch Nintendo Treehouse at E3 - Day Two!
More new games on the way
We're now into day two of E3, which brings another full Nintendo Treehouse live broadcast; it's sure to feature big hits and new demonstrations. Join us for all of the action along with a live blog and chat. [liveblog=live_lets_watch_nintendo_treehouse_at_e3_-_day_two]#NintendoLive
News New Nintendo 3DS XL Back On Top In Japan As Wii U Leads Home Console Sales
Rhythm Heaven: The Best+ makes debut in first place with over 150,000 sold
The latest Media Create Japanese sales charts are in, and it's good news for Nintendo as its games and hardware have risen to the top of the pile. Rhythm Heaven: The Best+ made its debut at number one with 157,591 copies sold between the 8th and 14th of June. This robust...
News Star Fox Zero Started Life Way Back On The Original Wii, Says Shigeru Miyamoto
"Every time we get new hardware, we do a Star Fox prototype"
Star Fox Zero is Nintendo's biggest game of E3 2015, and while fans have been excited about the return of Fox McCloud and company, the overall reaction has been somewhat mixed - as you'll know if you've already ready our very early impressions. Speaking to
First Impressions Our Maiden Flight In Star Fox Zero Prompts Mixed Emotions
You okay over there, Fox?
One of our men on the E3 floor, Alan Lopez, had a first run on Star Fox Zero in a short session. We'll aim to have a longer playthrough - to tackle the GamePad control scheme, in particular - in a separate media session later this week. When I got to the Star Fox Zero kiosk inside the Nintendo media room, the Nintendo rep...
Starter packs for both consoles getting hybrid figures
One of the shock announcements from Nintendo's Digital Event yesterday was the news that Skylanders Superchargers on Wii U would be getting two brand-new amiibo figures. Donkey Kong and Bowser are both joining the cast of Activision's forthcoming toys-to-life sequel, complete with special...
News Super Mario Maker's Packaging Sure Looks Pretty
Hardcover artbook gets shown off
Super Mario Maker is coming with a hardcover artbook which celebrates the 30th birthday of the portly Italian plumber, and Nintendo Europe has posted a very brief video of what it looks like on its Instagram account. In case you didn't know already, the Wii U game allows you to forge levels using assets and art from...
News Good News, Zelda Fans, A Free Costume Awaits in Hyrule Warriors
A silver lining
Hyrule Warriors Legends may have only had a brief mention in the Nintendo Digital Event, and had been leaked last week anyway, but there has been a surprise celebration of its announcement in the form of free DLC for Hyrule Warriors in Wii U. It comes in the form of an outfit for Link, which is a rather fetching Classic Tunic...
News Surprise eShop Sale Discounts Up To 30% Off Dozens of Wii U and 3DS Titles
A treat for North Americans
As part of their E3 celebration, Nintendo is rolling out a beefy selection of discounts available across the Wii U and 3DS eShop, encompassing a very strong collection of titles indeed. North Americans can save up to 30% off select games, which are based off some of Nintendo's biggest franchises as well as a decent...
News Nintendo's E3 'Roadmap' Infographic Shows Off Upcoming Releases on Wii U and 3DS
Not as bad as feared?
It's easy, in the influx of information and internet reactions, to lose context on the number of games and releases confirmed by Nintendo in its E3 Digital Event and elsewhere. An infographic can help bring a bit of context, so Nintendo has naturally obliged. As you can see below, the company's keen to highlight a reasonable...
News Don't Worry, The Legend of Zelda is Still Coming to Wii U
Be happy
Ever since The Legend of Zelda on Wii U was delayed into 2016 there's been concern that it would fall far enough down Nintendo's schedule to become a title on the company's next 'NX' hardware. This hasn't always seemed to be an overly accurate assumption, as the NX won't even be revealed until 2016, with no release window clear as yet...
News Star Fox Zero Doesn't Have Online Multiplayer, Yet
I can't let you play online, Star Fox!
Speaking to IGN, Shigeru Miyamoto has confirmed that upcoming Wii U space shooter Star Fox Zero will not feature an online multiplayer mode. Here is Miyamoto-san's reasoning for this not entirely surprising omission: So, we're really prioritising getting this new game playing at 60 frames-per-second. In...
News Nintendo Is Thinking About Making A Transformable Star Fox Arwing amiibo
"We have an actual model & we're thinking how much it would actually cost"
Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed to IGN that Nintendo is currently experimenting with the idea of a transformable Awring amiibo which could have some connectivity with the forthcoming Star Fox Zero. The legendary designer was pushed for details by the site, and explained that...
Fox trot
Following the full reveal of Star Fox Zero at this year's E3, our good friends at Eurogamer have secured an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto and Platinum's Yusuke Hashimoto, who talk about how the game has developed since we were first told about it last year. Miyamoto talks a little about how the game was first created, and how Nintendo...
News Nintendo Posts a New Fatal Frame V Trailer, Fall Release Confirmed For North America
I'm ready for my close-up
Nintendo's E3 Digital Event this year was a rather mixed affair, a rollercoaster ride of high peaks and low valleys. However you may have felt about it, there's no question that it was unsurprisingly light on third party content, with Yo-kai Watch, Skylanders Superchargers, and Hyrule Warriors Legends being the only games...
Video Here's Your Handy E3 2015 Wii U And 3DS Trailer Round Up
All the trailers in once place
So the Nintendo Digital Event is over, but there are still plenty of things to entertain your eyeballs with - we've compiled all the trailers from this year's E3 on one handy page. Are we good to you or what? Wii U: Star Fox Zero Super Mario Maker Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
News Super Mario Maker Arrives This September With amiibo Support In Tow
Costume Mario also revealed
Nintendo's E3 Digital Event just wrapped up for another year and sure enough new information has emerged regarding the upcoming Wii U title, Super Mario Maker. Firstly, the game will be released on 11th September. This launch aligns with the 2015 celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Mario Bros. series. During a...
News Star Fox Zero Is Being Co-Developed By Platinum
But no, Hideki Kamiya isn't involved
When Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that the Wii U would be getting a new Star Fox, he stated that Nintendo was seeking a partner to aid development. Miyamoto has now confirmed via Nintendo's ongoing Treehouse Live segment that Star Fox Zero - for that is its name - is being co-developed by PlatinumGames. Platinum's...
News New Trailer Emerges for Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem
Pretty colourful stuff
A new trailer has been revealed during Nintendo's 2015 E3 Direct showcasing the latest crossover between two of the most beloved RPG franchises in the Nintendo family. Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem will arrive in the West in 2016, with the new footage showcasing characters, colourful imagery, and catchy music. You can...
News Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash Is Coming To The Wii U Centre Court This Holiday Season
Game, set and match
During today's Digital Event at E3 Nintendo has been revealed that the Mario Tennis series is blasting onto Wii U this Christmas in the shape of Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, bringing with it the usual arcade-style gameplay the franchise is famed for. This time around, the Mega Mushroom power-up will be making the cut, and will...
News Yoshi's Woolly World Launches in North America This October
Kept you waiting
Yoshi's Woolly World launches this month in Europe, but has thus far been denied a solid North American release date. Today's Digital Event at E3 changed all that - Nintendo has confirmed that Yoshi's next adventure will land in that particular region on October 16th. Developed by Good-Feel, Woolly World is the first home console...
News Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival Is Basically Mario Party With KK Slider And Company
Coming later this year with 4 amiibo in tow
Those of you expecting a fully-blown Animal Crossing game at this year's E3 may be disappointed, as Nintendo has announced Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival - a board-game style game which brings to mind the Mario Party series. The four amiibo leaked previously will launch alongside the game. Animal...
News Xenoblade Chronicles X Launching In The West Just In Time For Christmas
Add it to your list for Santa
During today's Digital Event at E3 Nintendo has revealed that Xenoblade Chronicles X will arrive on Western Wii U consoles this Holiday season - December 4th, to be exact. Monolith Soft's RPG epic is already available in Japan and offers hours of mech-based questing and some of the most impressive visuals yet seen on...
News Skylanders Superchargers Is Getting amiibo Characters
Donkey Kong and Bowser gatecrash Activision's Wii U title
It might sound like a sick joke, but amiibo support is coming to Skylanders Superchargers. The news was confirmed during Nintendo's Digital Event, and marks one of the most interesting crossovers of recent memory. Two amiibo figures will be available. "Turbocharged" Donkey Kong comes with a...
News Star Fox Zero Marks An Explosive Return To Form On Wii U
Not a sequel, but not a remake either
Nintendo has lifted the lid on its biggest game of E3 2015 - Star Fox Zero. The game was first announced at last year's event, where it was assumed it would be a collection of mini-games somehow tied in with Project Giant Robot and Project Guard. However, during today's Digital Event, the game was revealed in a
Live Let's Watch Nintendo's E3 2018 Digital Event - Live!
It is time
The time is here. Nintendo's E3 Digital Event is ready for broadcast, and we're excited about potential Wii U and 3DS blockbusters set to be revealed. Expect games, humour, amiibo and more. Join us for the action! [liveblog=live_lets_watch_nintendos_e3_digital_event_-_live]#NintendoE3
Video LEGO Dimensions Opens a New Valve in E3 Trailer
Crossover craziness
LEGO Dimensions is likely to be one of the year's biggest releases, bringing the hugely profitable toy franchise into the toys-to-life market. Thankfully the Wii U will have a version, too, so Nintendo fans won't miss out on the new franchise and crippling debts it'll entail. We've already seen a little of LEGO Dimensions in the...
News Two More Splatoon Weapons Are About to Arrive
We can expect them today / tomorrow
Update: It's now confirmed that, as normal with these updates, these weapons will arrive at 7pm Pacific / 10pm Eastern today, which is 3am UK / 4am CET on 17th June in Europe. Because one new weapon just doesn't seem like enough, the L-3 Nozzlenose is being added to the ink gun arsenal today at 7 PM PT! This...
News Yu Suzuki's Shenmue 3 Could Yet Come To The Wii U
"I see"
Yu Suzuki shocked the gaming world yesterday by announcing that Shenmue 3 is happening, and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to support development. It's been 14 years since the last Shenmue game, and many believed that a sequel would never happen. Amazingly, Suzuki and his company Ys Net have managed to obtain the support of Sega and...
Feature What We Expect from Nintendo's E3 Digital Event
Franchise comebacks, Star Fox details and much more
The build-up is almost over and Nintendo's Digital Event is just hours away. After E3 leaks last week this broadcast appears to have escaped too many leaks, and as a result anticipation is starting to build nicely. We've had shots fired by Microsoft, Sony and third-party Media
News Yooka-Laylee Reaches Final Stretch Goal On The Last Day Of Its Kickstarter Campaign
Now the real work begins
Playtonic's Banjo-Kazooie successor Yooka-Laylee has hit its final Kickstarter stretch goal, unlocking free-of-charge DLC for those who backed the project. Yooka-Laylee's original target was a modest £175,000, but it quickly
Video Ubisoft Unleashes A Flood Of Just Dance 2016 Clips
Warning: Footage of old people abandoning their dignity contained within
One of the most predictable elements of Ubisoft's E3 event was the reveal of Just Dance 2016, the latest entry in the company's best-selling music franchise which has now sold 54 million copies during its lifetime. The game is coming to the Wii U and the Wii, along with new...
Talking Point Super Mario Maker Stole the Show at the Nintendo World Championships 2015
A game changer for the franchise
The Nintendo World Championships 2015 was an event that had various similarities to the Super Smash Bros. Invitational from E3 2014 - it was charming, had some flat moments, the occasional hiccup, yet managed to seize momentum at key moments to keep us watching. It was a lengthy event that actually started rather...
News Splatoon Successfully Inks Top 10 Territory in UK Charts
LEGO Jurassic World stomps into second spot
Splatoon has had a positive impact for Nintendo in assorted sales charts, including the often tricky UK market. The shooter had a strong début in second place at launch in the country, while it held onto a top 5 spot in its second week. The latest results are in, and in its third week it's secured 8th...
News Super Mario Maker is the Final Name for the Anniversary Title
Yoshi, Kuribo's shoe and more appeared in NWC 2015
During the live Nintendo World Championships 2015 event Mario Maker made an appearance in the final round, and it's had a rebrand to Super Mario Maker. The final challenge incorporated the visual styles of Super Mario Bros.,
News YouTube Replays And Tourney Mode Coming To Super Smash Bros. Later This Year
Both for free, too
Nintendo has confirmed two new features that are coming to Super Smash Bros. later this year. The first is Tourney Mode, which will launch as a free update in August. This is made up of two modes - Community Tourneys let players complete for the highest points in a certain amount of time, while Regular Tourneys have more detailed...
News Smash Bros. Presentation Confirms Ryu and Mii Fighters amiibo, New Batch Arrives This September
All playable characters in Smash will eventually have corresponding amiibo
After much speculation, Nintendo's pre-E3 Super Smash Bros. video presentation today revealed Mii Fighters will be receiving their very own amiibo line. When used in the game, the Mii Brawler, Swordfighter and Gunner amiibo characters can be configured with custom faces and...
News Eager Splatoon Players Aim to Make Sense of the Inkling Language
Only linguist enthusiasts and big fans need apply
Anyone that's been playing Splatoon has likely noticed the symbols scattered around in the environment and collectable log files, while some characters talk in what many will assume is gibberish. Keen fans, however, have spent recent times attempting to decipher and translate this language, employing...
News Street Fighter Legend Ryu And Fire Emblem's Roy Found In Super Smash Bros. Patch Code
Set to be officially revealed tomorrow?
Remember that rumour we reported on some time ago that Ryu and Roy could be coming to Super Smash Bros.? Well, it seems to be getting more real, as the character has been found in game patch data in the Japanese version of the game. Unseen64's Liam Robertson found the footage, which has been posted in...
News Best Buy Canada Message Suggests a Mario Maker Release Date of 11th September
Makes sense...
Nintendo confirmed a September release for Mario Maker back in its April Direct, and now an over-eager Best Buy community manager appears to have outed the release date for Canada. It seems pretty legitimate, falling on a Friday and within that anticipated month - the date given is 11th September. This potential reveal - and we think...
News New Yoshi's Woolly World Video Shows Off Fluffy Cuteness and Confirms Splatoon amiibo Support
Ink-redible news (we have no shame)
With Yoshi's Woolly World just two weeks from release in Europe and all set for a Fall arrival in North America, we're seeing more videos and hype building for the soft-natured platformer. It's big on cuteness, and the latest video from Nintendo UK is no different. Rather like a recent Japanese video showcase...
Nintendo Life Weekly Hyrule Warriors on 3DS, New Splatoon Content, and More
A big week before E3
Despite the week before E3 typically being a quiet one, there have been a number of developments that are well worth squeezing down into a concentrated video format. This week focuses on Hyrule Warriors accidentally being announced for 3DS, a new weapon arriving in Splatoon extremely shortly, as well as the usual roundup of...
Video This LEGO Jurassic World Trailer Made Our Glass of Water Move
Hold onto your butts
LEGO Jurassic World is out today on Wii U and 3DS, bringing the latest batch of LEGO madness to both Nintendo systems. That's the case in North America, at least, as in Europe only the 3DS version has arrived today in some territories, with the Wii U version pushed back to 19th June in some countries and later in others. That...
News Splatoon Grabs Fifth Place in NPD Results as amiibo Leads Toys-to-Life Sales
Smash Bros. also breaks back into top 10
Following its late May release Wii U exclusive Splatoon has returned multiple positive results in different charts - in the UK it made its début in 2nd place and claimed fourth in its second week, while it's been top of the Japanese Media Create charts for two weeks running. We now have the May NPD results,...
News There's Another New Weapon Coming To Splatoon Today
Or tomorrow, depending on where you are in this crazy world of ours
Nintendo sure isn't letting up when it comes to Splatoon content - we've already had a new map this week, and today we'll be getting a brand new weapon as well. Bing's handy translation feature gives us this in English: Ibuki sharp markers are added. It's less variation in...
Third playable character and prequel mini-game also confirmed
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is already Kickstarter's most successful video game campaign ever, and with just over a day remaining on the clock the momentum shows no signs of dropping - in fact, the total is getting dangerously close to the $4.5 million mark. New stretch goals have...
"Every now and then someone will vent their misplaced anger towards me"
With a roster as massive as that seen in Super Smash Bros., making sure each fighter is balanced can be a tricky business - hence the issues with Diddy Kong, which have recently been patched. However, there are some Smash fans who feel that creator Masahiro Sakurai has...
Video Get Cosy With This Yoshi's Woolly World Showcase from Japan
Ramping up the cuteness
Yoshi's Woolly World isn't far away in Europe, the second Good-Feel platformer to wrap its game world in soft, cuddly fabric. We think it should definitely be on your radar if you like chilled out platforming with an optional edge of difficulty to take on. Its Japanese release is close too, and the video below therefore...
News Bloodstained Is Officially Kickstarter's Most Successful Video Game Campaign
Over $4 million raised and there's still hours to spare
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is officially Kickstarter's most successful video game venture after pushing past the $4.1 million record set by Torment: Tides of Numenera back in April 2013. Bloodstained currently stands at $4,194,391 with 41 hours remaining. Almost 50,000 people have...
Also hints at big third party announcements in the near future
Splatoon has been a massive commercial and critical success for Nintendo - which has surprised a lot of people, considering that the company has limited experience in the realm of online shooters. However, for Nintendo Canada General Manager Pierre-Paul Trepanier, the game's triumph...
News Splatoon’s Kelp Dome Multiplayer Map Is Now Live
The game that keeps on giving
Nintendo’s squid shooter, Splatoon, continues to grow, with the latest update now live. The Kelp Dome map, previously featured in the single player portion of the game, will now appear in the multiplayer modes. Kelp Dome is a map featuring maze-like greenhouses. There are two pathways to take in this arena – above...
Feature Nintendo Franchises We Want to See at E3 - Paper Mario
A sound theory on paper
In the lead up to E3 we'll be doing a series of features covering game franchises that we want to make an appearance at the show, and what we'd like to see out of a potential next entry in each series. In this article Nintendo Life editor Tom Whitehead makes the case for a particularly popular one in the Rumour Mill, Paper...
News Rodea the Sky Soldier Release Dates Pushed Back to October
Delayed landing
Rodea the Sky Soldier - originally led by Yuji Naka - has had a troubled route to Wii U and 3DS, after its original development for the Wii got stuck in limbo. Publisher Kadokawa Games eventually completed it for release, though it's sold very few copies in Japan since launch. Not to be deterred, NIS America is bringing it to the...
News Sega Is Focusing On 3DS For Sonic Boom Because It Wasn't Happy With The Wii U Version
"We totally feel the 3DS was the stronger of the two"
Sonic Boom was supposed to be a big initiative for Sega. Not only was the company pushing two brand-new games to market - one for Wii U and one for 3DS - but it was going to support these titles with a tie-in TV show and a flood of merchandise. Things didn't quite work out that way; while the 3DS...
Video Lego Marvel's Avengers Blast Onto Wii U And 3DS With This New Trailer
Building up the hype for E3
Warner Bros. has just lifted the lid on the E3 trailer for its next big Lego game - Lego Marvel's Avengers. Developed by UK studio TT Games - as always - this new offering will be hitting a wide range of systems at the end of this year, including the Wii U and 3DS. Based on the two recent Avengers movies, the video game...
News Splatoon is Still Number One in Japan as Wii U Sales Increase Again
The momentum Wii U needs?
The Japanese Media Create chart results are in, and much focus has been on Splatoon and Wii U; after an excellent début for the shooter, it's momentum has been key. The numbers that have come through seem rather positive, too, especially for a new IP. In its second week the Wii U exclusive sold 68,913 copies in Japan,...
Video Feast Your Eyeballs on Extended Footage of Fire Emblem If
Plus quirky Splatoon and Rhythm Tengoku: The Best Plus vids
Though we're looking at a 2016 release in the West, Fire Emblem If is all set to arrive in Japan on 25th June, shaking up the standard formula with two separate releases - and a third storyline available as DLC. It'll likely have all of the strategy gameplay we can handle. With the...
News Get Messy in Splatoon's Latest Free Stage, Kelp Dome
If you get in trouble, just cry for kelp (sorry)
Update: It's now been confirmed that this stage will arrive today (10th June) at 7pm Pacific Time / 10pm Eastern, which supports the previous 'tomorrow morning' announcement from Nintendo of Europe as this is 3am UK / 4am CET. Original Article: Splatoon is turning out to be the game which keeps on...
News Tomonobu Itagaki's Devil's Third Will Lay Waste To Your Wii U On August 28th
New trailer and screens explode into view
It's been a while since we heard any solid information on Devil's Third, but with E3 fast approaching it seems like Valhalla Game Studios is making up for lost time. Studio boss Tomonobu Itagaki may have kept any insights relating to the Wii U exclusive close to his chest, but that has all changed today -...
Rumour ZombiU Is Shedding Its Wii U Exclusivity To Infect The PlayStation 4 And Xbox One
Ubisoft bringing the game back from the dead?
ZombiU was a fantastic Wii U launch title, but one which sold poorly and didn't generate any profit for publisher Ubisoft. Its dismal commercial performance put the brakes on the development of a sequel, but it would appear that the French company is now looking for alternative ways of generating more
News Yup, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 Is Definitely Skipping Wii U
Despite the confirmation of Xbox 360 and PS3 versions
Despite the fact that last year's Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare skipped Nintendo's current home system, there were hopes that Black Ops 3 - the next entry in Activision's yearly shooty-shooty-boom-boom franchise - would still arrive on Wii U. Slim hopes admittedly, but hopes all the same. It's...
News PolyKid's Indie 3D Platformer Poi Is Coming To Wii U
Inspired by the classics
Indie developer PolyKid has announced its 3D platformer, Poi, is coming to the Wii U. The team behind Poi are drawing inspiration from the classic platformers they grew up with including the likes of Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie and even Super Mario Sunshine on the Nintendo GameCube. In Poi, players take control of a child...
Feature Nintendo Franchises We Want to See at E3 - Star Fox
It's certain to be shown - but what form will it take?
In the lead up to E3 we'll be doing a series of features covering game franchises that we want to make an appearance - or see more of - at the show, and what we'd like to see out of a potential next entry in each series. In this entry Nintendo Life Editorial Director Damien McFerran mulls what...
Video Check Out What Can be Done in Art Academy: Atelier Without Any Experience
Hung, drawn, & water-coloured
Nintendo's latest foray into its Art Academy series will no doubt appeal to the arty and the creatively-minded, but that's not the only audience that can benefit from Art Academy: Atelier (known as Art Academy: Home Studio in North America). This reporter has barely touched an art supply in ten years, and has never...
News Latest Wii U System Update Removes TVii On European Consoles, Piles On Stability Elsewhere
TVii, we hardly knew ye
Wii U system update 5.4.0 has just gone live worldwide, and for most of the planet, it's all about that luscious stability - basically, there's very little else to talk about. However, if you're in Europe then you'll find the update hammers the final nail into the coffin of TVii. The service - which was heavily-promoted at...
Feature Nintendo Franchises We Want to See at E3 - Metroid
Crawling into the current generation?
In the lead up to E3 we'll be doing a series of features covering game franchises that we want to make an appearance at the show, and what we'd like to see out of a potential next entry in each series. In this entry Nintendo Life news, reviews and features regular Mitch Vogel thinks over the Metroid franchise...
Let the E3 hype begin
Nintendo has made clear before now that it would have some broadcasts running before this Sunday's Nintendo World Championships, and we can get excited as details on one such presentation have been revealed; this one's for Super Smash Bros. fans. It's confirmed that a 'Special Video Presentation' from Masahiro Sakurai will be...
Video This Fan-Made Zelda Sketch Shows What Happens When Link Runs Out Of Loose Change
High-res rupees
Fan creations are always something that spark a lot of interest, as they allow fans to see what could've been without them having to wait for it to actually happen from the official source - if ever. Take Project M for example - a modified version of Super Smash Bros. Brawl created by dedicated members of the Smash community - which...
News Splatoon Holds Onto Top 5 Territory in the UK Charts
Only trailing The Witcher 3 in the single format battle
Following its high-profile launch we shared the news that Splatoon secured second place in the UK charts on début, a strong effort from the Wii U exclusive. In positive news it's held a top five position in its second week, and that's despite a 50% drop on launch sales (a fall off that's...
News Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Smashes Past $3.5 Million, More Stretch Goals Announced
Less than a week to go!
It's pretty safe to say that the Kickstarter for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has been a massive success. The spiritual successor to the Castlevania series will now be coming to nearly every current-gen console and the money still keeps rolling in, practically guaranteeing that this will be the gothic Metroidvania to end...
News Fan Site Randomly Generates a "Leaked" List of Nintendo's E3 Plans
Prepare yourselves for the worldwide reveal of Metroid: Badger
As previously pointed out in a talking point earlier this week, we are officially in the thick of E3 silly season. Every year, we receive "official internal documents" from various fans and readers who claim to have received such highly confidential information from their best friend's...
Review Art Academy: Atelier (Wii U)
Magnum opus
By its very nature, inspiration often strikes when we least expect it to. A random walk through city streets might spark the idea that forms an entire novel, just as the sound of rain lashing against a bedroom window could help to shape the mood of a composition. The Art Academy series has always respected and encouraged the creative...
News There's Already a Splatoon Inspired Minecraft Mod
Where there's a will, there's a way
It seems like there's a mod for just about anything in Minecraft. The extremely open ended and modular nature of the core game leaves the door wide open for just about any type of game to be created within it, from platformers to shooters to racers. Granted, there's usually an absurd amount of complicated...
Poll We Need to Talk About amiibo - Where Do You Stand?
Awesome collectibles, source of frustration, a bit of both?
As we approach the 'expo we cannot name' - oh alright, E3 - we can't help but wonder how many times Nintendo will mention amiibo. Will we learn more about the amiibo cards that'll accompany Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer? Will there be more blasted Smash Bros. waves that we'll...
News Nintendo UK Confirms Its Community's Top 10 Wii U Games
All highly recommended
Not so long ago Nintendo UK put a call out to its social media followers to vote for their favourite Wii U games, with any title on the platform being eligible. The top 10 has now been announced, and consists of retail games that are developed or at least published by Nintendo - releases such as ZombiU and Rayman Legends made...
Video We Get Artistically Destructive With The Splatoon Inkbrush
Not exactly Art Academy
It may be ink that we're splatting around in Splatoon, but with those bright colours and various paintball references it certainly has a painterly quality. The new Inkbrush certainly plays into that, which brings its own spin to the 'Roller' set of weapons. It can be used for quickly inking territory, but in much narrower...
Nintendo Life Weekly Possibility of Pokémon amiibo Cards, Monster Hunter X (Cross)
All the reviews, releases, and top news from the past week
We're nothing if not hard working here at Nintendo Life, and in order to help you digest seven days word of news, releases, and reviews, we've bundled it all together into a video to make your life easier. This week we look at the possibility of Pokémon amiibo cards sucking all the cash...
News Lucas DLC Confirmed for 14th June Release on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS
Mother fighter
Nintendo has announced that Lucas will be available as DLC for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & Nintendo 3DS on the 14th June 2015. The Japanese giant's attitude towards paid downloadable content has changed significantly in recent months, and this inclusion of the PK-powered Mother character is testament to that. With E3 less...
News That's No Moon, It's The Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Rise Against The Empire Play Set
The Force is strong in these fresh assets
Disney has just revealed another play set for the forthcoming Disney Infinity 3.0, and this time around it's based on everyone's favourite Star Wars trilogy - the original one. The Star Wars Rise Against the Empire Play Set takes key moments from Episodes IV to VII, placing you in the shoes of Luke...
News Splatoon Practically Sold Out at Launch in Japan, With Over 100,000 amiibo Also Sold
It's popular, then
Since release there's been a strong sense that Splatoon has been a hit launch on Wii U, and evidence is starting to support that assumption. There'd been social media chatter of stock being low in Japan, for example, and earlier this week it emerged that it'd stormed to top spot in the Japanese charts. We now have a clearer...
News The Splatoon Inkbrush Weapon is Set to Arrive Today
Or very early tomorrow, 'cos timezones
Update: Nintendo of Europe has published a tweet confirming the roll-out of this weapon to the region: [tweet Original Article: Splatoon was perceivably slightly light on content at launch, but Nintendo's strategy for steadily rolling out additions continues at some pace. This week has already brought us...
News Mighty No. 9 Signature Edition Will Not Be Available For Wii U
Ouch!
It seems Wii U owners have once again been excluded from the pack, with publisher Deep Silver revealing the recently announced US-only signature edition of Mighty No. 9 will only be made available to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners. The collectors edition deal – including a physical copy of the game, DLC, a foil signature and a posable...
News Squid Girl Collaboration Set to Invade Splatoon in August
Are more tie-ins and partnerships inevitable?
New content for Splatoon will be a recurring theme throughout the summer months, with modes, stages and weapons all on the agenda. It seems there'll be some fashionable extra outfits, too. Magazines in Japan have made some fans in the country happy by confirming that Squid Girl - Shinryaku! Ika Musume -...
Video This Is What It Will Be Like To Play Guitar Hero Live
Gameplay and controller revealed
Guitar Hero Live is coming to Wii U later this year, and will use live action video segments to put you in the action. GameSpot has published a video which not only shows how this will work, but also gives a little glimpse of the new controller peripheral that will be launching alongside the game. While the use of...
Guide Use these Splatoon Tricks & Advanced Techniques to Improve your Inking
Think ink
Splatoon has been out for nearly a week and already people have been looking at the inner workings of the game's intricacies in order to give them an edge when it comes to the crunch. We're nothing if not diligent and have compiled a good number of tips that can help give you the upper hand online. This is by no means a complete guide,...
Interview Splatoon Producer Hisashi Nogami on Claiming New Territory for Wii U
Aimed to create "an entirely new form of gameplay"
Though the claims that Nintendo simply doesn't tackle new ideas aren't entirely fair, there's little denying that Splatoon has been a breath of fresh air on Wii U. As a new IP that utilises a genre so rarely entertained by Nintendo - a third-person shooter - it appears to have succeeded in grabbing...
News Splatoon Producer Inks Out Reasons For Lack Of Voice Chat And Staggered Content Roll-Out
"We really do understand the fun that can be had with this"
Nintendo caused quite a bit of heated discussion when it confirmed that online shooter Splatoon would lack voice chat. The ability to communicate with fellow players is a staple of other online shooters, but Nintendo decided against including it in this ink-covered offering. Critics...
News Splatoon Storms to Top Spot in Japanese Charts With Six Figure Sales
Wii U sales more than double to lead hardware chart
It's that time of the week, once again, for Media Create Japanese chart results, and there are some strong sales for the latest Wii U exclusive, matching up to chatter that stock had been scarce due to demand; Wii U hardware sales jumped, too. We're referring, of course, to Splatoon, the colourful...
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