amiibo
Latest
New 'Metroid Dread' trailer is full of things for Samus to fight
Take a peek at her abilities and the goodies you'll receive for tapping Amiibo.
The 'Zelda: Skyward Sword' Switch remake locks a fast-travel feature behind an amiibo paywall
Tap the amiibo on your Nintendo Switch, and Link can quickly take to the sky, even if you find yourself in the middle of a dungeon.
Nintendo unveils a 'Minecraft' Creeper 2DS XL special edition
Nintendo's 2DS XL is not just a throwback 3DS console (without the 3D), but also a blank canvas for special editions like the Zelda Link Shield version. That goes triply for Japan's equivalent 2DS LL version, where Nintendo just launched three new creative models. The first is a Minecraft "Creeper" edition, named after the baddy with the nasty habit of exploding in your face. The textured shell nicely captures the Creeper and Minecraft vibe and comes with a pre-installed version of Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition, naturally.
'Detective Pikachu' game's US debut set for March 23rd
Ever since the Detective Pikachu game launched in Japan in early 2016, there's been a lingering question: when would it be available elsewhere, if it ever left Japanese shores? At last, there's a date. The Pokémon Company has announced that its 3DS sleuth title will reach the US and Europe on March 23rd, 2018 for $40. On top of that, there will be a $30 giant Detective Pikachu amiibo (nearly double the usual height at 5.35 inches tall) which unlocks videos that might provide clues.
Prepare yourself for 'Super Mario' cereal
It seems even the Mushroom Kingdom eats cereal like the rest of us. Following the release of Super Mario Odyssey, breakfast blog Cerealousy has uncovered a new breakfast treat with Mario and Cappy on the box. Inside, you'll find star-shaped oats and marshmallow pieces in the shape of Super Mushrooms, 1-Up Mushrooms and ? Boxes.
The new 'Zelda' DLC is all about exploration and survival
The Nintendo Switch is a neat little console -- but its debut was almost overshadowed by its flagship launch game: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game was lauded as a long overdue evolution on the Zelda formula, and it deserved the praise, too -- it's an objectively excellent adventure game that brings the classic Nintendo franchise into the modern era. Still, fans were worried Nintendo would stumble when it came to the game's DLC packs. Rest easy, Hylian hero, Breath of the Wild's first DLC drop is light, but actually pretty good. Mostly because it focuses on what made the game great in the first place: survival, exploration and problem solving.
Nintendo is releasing amiibo for a 'Legend of Zelda' add-on
Nintendo doesn't just want you to download add-on content for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: It wants you to snap up more figurines too. The gaming giant has unveiled four amiibo designed with the DLC (most notably The Champion's Ballad) in mind. Each represents a champion from one of Hyrule's races: Mipha (from the zora), Daruk (goron), Revali (rito) and Urbosa (gerudo). Nintendo hasn't said when they'll arrive or what they'll unlock, but it's safe to say they'll be available in time to use with the DLC packs arriving this year.
Nintendo still has a stack of 3DS games in the pipeline
Nintendo Switch titles ARMS and Splatoon 2 headlined today's Nintendo Direct presentation, but they weren't the only games with news to reveal. The studio has a solid lineup of games coming to the 3DS this year.
Nintendo Switch controllers tout sharing and object detection
It was evident from the get-go that the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con controllers weren't just your ordinary gamepads. However, the console's launch event has revealed that they do much, much more than detach and offer local two-player play. The left-side Joy-Con has a sharing button, for starters -- you can take screenshots to show off memorable moments. The Switch won't share video right away (one area in which the PS4 and Xbox One have an edge), but Nintendo is promising that it's in the works.
Sony's Project Field brings card games to life
From Skylanders to Amiibo, "Toys to life" have been a pretty lucrative way for video game companies to make money. Sony has been more-or-less absent from the field, but today it's announcing something not too dissimilar: Project Field.
Lightseekers brings your video game into the real world
Action figures can look a little staid next to video games where your character can walk, talk and fire all manner of weaponry. But there's still something special about the tactile experience of holding a cool character in your hand, which is why we've seen game developers embrace the world of toys with products like Skylanders, Amiibo and LEGO Dimensions. But, while placing a figure on a base can unlock characters or entire worlds, the interaction between game and toy tends to end there. Lightseekers, launching today on Kickstarter, changes that dynamic by making its action figures a living (and almost breathing) part of its games.
'Yoshi's Woolly World' hits 3DS next year with an adorable Amiibo
Yoshi's Woolly World is the next game in Nintendo's Wii U library to make its way to 3DS, further proving that while the Wii U is a wonderful system, Nintendo is winding the console down to make room for the NX. The complete Yoshi's Woolly World game lands on Nintendo's handheld on February 3rd, and it's bringing a friend along for the ride.
Amiibo support is coming to 'Animal Crossing: New Leaf'
Animal Crossing and Amiibo seem like a match made in heaven: cute characters, and collectable toys. Sadly, the duo's first pairing turned out to be a shallow, dull board game without much replay value. Fans longed for a full Animal Crossing toys-to-life experience -- and this year, they're going to get it. Sort of. This fall, Nintendo will be updating the 3DS' 4-year-old Animal Crossing: New Leaf with Amiibo support.
'Kirby' returns to your hands in June with 'Planet Robobot'
Everyone's favorite spherical pink vacuum cleaner is back in Kirby: Planet Robobot for 3DS. It uses a 2.5D perspective where you can jump between different depth planes in the sidescroller. What's more, when you suck up an enemy you'll gain access to a version of their specific abilities, including one that has you donning a robot suit. Amiibo support is planned as well, with each of Nintendo's plastic figurines granting Kirby with a different ability. Tapping Mario onto your 3DS will grant Kirby a fire ability, while Link unlocks a sword, for example. Nintendo's Bill Trinen says that each amiibo will unlock something different of some sort.
Upcoming 'Zelda' amiibo unlocks a challenge dungeon
There have been a few rumblings regarding what was going on with March 4th's Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess HD amiibo, but now Nintendo's made the rumors official. With the Wolf Link amiibo that's packed into every physical copy of the game, you'll unlock "The Cave of Shadows," which is a challenge arena of sorts. The kicker is that you're playing as the Hero of Time's wolf form (naturally) the entire way through. From there the amount of health you use is saved onto the amiibo itself and acts like a sort of personal leaderboard to compete against.
Nintendo bundles 'Pokémon Red' and 'Blue' in new 3DS pack
Happy birthday, Pikachu! And Bulbasaur, and Charmander, and Squirtle, and Growlithe, and ... about 700 other adorable creatures. February 27th is Pokémon Day, and this year Nintendo is celebrating the franchise's 20th anniversary with the release of a special 3DS bundle. It includes Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue pre-installed, plus two cover plates with artwork from the original games and a download code for an exclusive Home Menu theme. Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow will be available to download in the 3DS eShop on February 27th, as well.
Nintendo's 2015 was the best of times and the worst of times
Let's face it: In the world of video games, Nintendo exists in a state of constant scrutiny. More often than not, the Japanese company is targeted for being "behind the times" or "out of touch" with what its fanbase wants. Looking back, however, we see a more dynamic mish-mash of good and bad decisions. In 2015, Nintendo teased us by promising to build mobile apps, but pleased us by adding some unexpected classics to its digital game library and announcing a new game console. The company had breakout hits like Splatoon, but also fumbled on launch dates, failing to deliver Star Fox Zero and Zelda Wii U by year's end. How is Nintendo doing, really? Let's take a look back at the highs and lows of Nintendo's year and find out.Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images
New in our buyer's guide: the Galaxy Note 5, OnePlus 2 and Moto G
Phones and gaming. Gaming and phones. That's about all we're adding to our buyer's guide this month. Since we last checked in, we've inducted a trio of new handsets, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Moto G and the OnePlus 2. (And yes, we'll soon have to update the iPhone part of the guide too.) Meanwhile, we also decided that the Wii U and the New 3DS XL deserved spots in our gaming guide, along with a nod to toys-to-life products like Amiibo, Skylanders and Disney's Infinity series. We'll be back next month, but until then, feel free to poke around our complete guide to see our top picks.
Nintendo's smaller New 3DS comes to the US on September 25th
When Nintendo decided to release only the New 3DS XL in the US this winter rather than its smaller New 3DS sibling, it left many scratching their heads. Why would Nintendo deprive American gamers of a smaller, more travel-friendly handheld? Well, it's making amends for that mistake very shortly. Nintendo has revealed that it's bringing the New 3DS to the US on September 25th as part of a $220 Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer bundle. So long as you like having the game's charming art plastered all over your handheld, you too can have a more portable option. The NFC Reader (needed to load up on Amiibo figurines and card) will also arrive that day for $20.
The Mega Yarn Yoshi Amiibo is coming to take over the world
If you thought that 8-bit Mario Amiibo from E3 was huge, you ain't seen nothing yet: Mega Yarn Yoshi is coming to take the "biggest Amiibo" crown. The beautiful toy you see above is an officially licensed, super-sized version of the popular Yarn Yoshi Amiibo. It's a fully-functional NFC figurine, so you'll be able to use its foot to interact with various Wii U titles. It'll activate the "Double Yoshi" feature in Yoshi's Woolly World, create an AI fighter in Super Smash Bros. or get a sweet Mii costume in Mario Kart 8. Priced at $39.99 and scheduled for release this November 15th, it's likely to sell very quickly. You'll want to keep a close eye on pre-orders as this green giant is going to cost a bomb on eBay once stocks run out.
