wii u
Latest
Nintendo Direct Japan: New Rhythm Heaven, Style Savvy games announced
Nintendo fans in Japan saw a slightly different Nintendo Direct presentation earlier this week than their compatriots in North America and Europe, as the company revealed a handful of upcoming Japanese games that are unlikely to see release elsewhere in the world. First up is a 3DS Rhythm Heaven compilation that collects a large number of music-driven minigames featured in previous series entries. The collection will feature 30 new minigames in addition to 70 graphically updated stages previously seen in Rhythm Heaven, Rhythm Heaven Fever, and the Japan-only Game Boy Advance series debut Rhythm Tengoku. A new Style Savvy sequel is also in the works, following up on predecessor games released stateside on the DS and 3DS. Girls Mode 3, as it's called in Japan, will offer fashion-focused gameplay that challenges players to manage their own boutique and create ensemble outfits for picky customers. Other games featured exclusively in Japan's Nintendo Direct presentation include the HAL Labs-developed 3DS puzzle-platformer Hako Boy (Box Boy), 3DS RPG The Legend of Legacy, cross-platform online mahjong sim Yakuman Houou, and Rodea: The Sky Soldier, a 3DS and Wii U aerial action game created by Yuji Naka's studio Prope. Games omitted from the North American and European Nintendo Direct presentations are not currently scheduled for release in either region. [Video: Nintendo / NintenDaan]
Nintendo: Amiibo sales outpace Smash Bros. Wii U
Mario Kart 8 sold 1.7 million copies in 2014 both digitally and at retail in the United States according to the NPD Group, Nintendo revealed in a press release. The publisher also noted that Super Smash Bros. for Wii U sold 1.3 million copies during the year, though sales of the company's amiibo figurines were "nearly twice" that of Nintendo's Mario brawler on Wii U. Nintendo said that total hardware and software sales increased "by more than 29 percent and more than 75 percent, respectively, over sales in 2013." As of December, the publisher said that amiibo sales were "approximately equal" to that of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. On the handheld side of Nintendo's lineup, Super Smash Bros. for 3DS eclipsed 2 million copies sold since the game launched this past fall. Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby also combined to sell 2.6 million copies in the remastered games' first six weeks. Nintendo recently offered a worldwide launch date for the company's new 3DS system during this week's Nintendo Direct presentation; the C-Stick-sporting console will arrive on February 13 for $200. The improved console will be accompanied by The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate along with each game's respective special edition 3DS systems. [Image: Nintendo]
Guacamelee, Runner, Teslagrad and more join Nintendo eShop sale
Nintendo's Super Indie Connection Sale #2 is so on. Own or buy any participating 3DS or Wii U game and get all other games in the sale for 60 percent off. Games included in the sale are Guacamelee: Super Turbo Championship Edition ($6), Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien ($6), Swords & Soldiers ($1.20), SteamWorld Dig ($4), Chasing Aurora ($4.80) and Teslagrad ($6). The Super Indie Connection Sale #2 is live now through January 29. [Image: Nintendo]
December NPD: Xbox One leads consoles in December, hardware sales surge in 2014
Video game hardware sales saw a significant uptick last year in comparison to 2013, but software sales at retail continue to chart a decline, the NPD Group's latest report states. Hardware sales saw a slight drop to $1.31 billion in December compared to the $1.37 billion earned during the same period last year. Annual hardware sales for 2014 peaked at $5.07 billion, however, representing a 20 percent increase over the $4.24 billion reported in 2013. Software sales at retail channels totaled $5.30 billion in 2014, dropping 13 percent compared to 2013's reported $6.11 billion. Though console-specific sales numbers are not available, Microsoft notes that the Xbox One emerged as 2014's "best-selling console in the U.S. in November and December."
New Nintendo eShop releases: Get ready, it's 3D After Burner 2
Rrrrrrrr... Vroooooooooooom! Whooooooooom! Fire! Boom! Fire! Boom! Whooooooooooom! Thwoooooooosh! Fire! Boom! Beep beep beep! Be careful! Wooooooooooooooosh! BOOM! Fine... we'll put down our arm-wings and stop running around the room, but only to tell you 3D After Burner 2 is out on the eShop today. The latest in Sega's 3D-enhanced Classics range includes 23 stages, new difficulty settings, visual additions like smoke transparency, and multiple arcade cabinet styles. Also, there's a new "special mode" that's unlocked after you beat the game. In it, shooting down planes builds up a meter that, when full, lets you slow down time to avoid attacks and take down foes with ease. So it's a bit like the Climax Gauge in After Burner Climax, or Neo in The Matrix. Whichever you prefer. Alright, that's too much time not playing Human After Burner. Don't worry, we've included the full list of new eShop releases below the break and you'll find all the new eSales here. Get ready! Whoooooooooooooooooosh!
Nintendo Direct wrap-up: New 3DS on Feb. 13 and more
Today's Nintendo Direct dropped some huge news for both the Wii U and the upcoming New 3DS. The biggest announcement is that the New 3DS, which features a second analog stick, faster processor, amiibo support and a number of other improvements, will arrive in North America on February 13. The basic bundle, available in red or black, will retail for $199. Nintendo also revealed special Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Edition and Majora's Mask bundles, the latter of which is apparently already sold out at GameStop. Friendly reminder, these bundles do not include an AC adapter, presumably with the expectation that early adopters will be upgrading from the current 3DS models. In other big news, Wii games are coming to the Wii U eShop starting today with Super Mario Galaxy 2. Each game will be available for half price ($10) during its first week of availability. To put that another way, you can snag Metroid Prime Trilogy on January 29 for the ridiculously low price of $10. Find a breakdown of all the Nintendo Direct news, as well as a heaping helping of trailers, after the break.
Splatoon makes a mess of the Wii U in May
Fulfilling a claim made in November's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo has revealed that its third-person ink shooter Splatoon will reach the Wii U at some point in May. Alongside the release window confirmation, Nintendo also mentioned that the game features a central "plaza" that links Splatoon's various game modes and allows players to customize their weapons and gear. Below you'll also find a gallery of new screenshots pulled from the vibrant action game. [Image: Nintendo]
Joystiq Streams: Free to be Super Mario Galaxy 2 for me and Wii U
After more than two years of wondering when Nintendo would finally do the obvious thing, embrace modernity, and allow games for the Wii be downloaded directly from the Internet into the Wii U, it delivered. Super Mario Galaxy 2, Punch-Out!!, and Metroid Prime Trilogy are the very first Wii games downloadable from the eShop. The latter two won't be available until later this month, but since Joystiq never turns down an opportunity to explore mini-planetoids and options for force-feeding dinosaurs hot peppers, we're going to check out Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Joystiq Streams. Our understanding is that these releases haven't been changed in any significant way, but Nintendo's digital releases always include odd quirks. For example, who expected the Virtual Console version of Metroid Fusion to include a full color reproduction of the instruction manual? We'll see what secrets may be hidden in Galaxy 2. Tune into Joystiq.com/Twitch at 4:00PM EST to check out how the downloadable Wii games feel on the machine. Joystiq.com/Twitch broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00PM, but when we get the itch to stream, we do it! So follow us on Twitch to know when we go live. [Images: Nintendo]
Mario Party 10 throws an amiibo get-together on March 20
Mario Party 10 will launch on March 20, Nintendo revealed today. The publisher showed off the new "amiibo Party Mode" for the game during its Nintendo Direct presentation this morning, adding compatibility for Super Smash Bros. and Super Mario series figures. Nintendo noted that the mode requires at least one amiibo, though other players can link their own figures to the game to use their respective characters as game pieces and access game boards inspired by the characters. Nintendo also announced that a limited edition version of Mario Party 10 will arrive on Wii U that same day, packing in a Mario amiibo figure with the party game. The game's latest trailer shows off both the amiibo Party Mode and the game's Bowser Party mode. [Image: Nintendo]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is the first Nintendo cross-buy game
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is Nintendo's first cross-buy game, meaning anyone who buys it on 3DS gets the Wii U version as well, and those who buy it for Wii U get the 3DS version. Tipping Stars is due out on March 5. The 3DS is consistently Nintendo's best-selling console, while the Wii U is historically slower to sell, though a rush of acclaimed games near the end of 2014 did boost sales. Nintendo announced Tipping Stars and its cross-buy nature during today's Nintendo Direct, which included the announcement of a new 3DS, a new Fire Emblem game, Wii games on Wii U and much more. [Image: Nintendo]
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse slides to February 20
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse will launch on February 20, Nintendo confirmed today. The latest in the platforming series was previously expected to launch on February 13. Additionally, the publisher offered a new gameplay trailer for Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, seen above. Nintendo first unveiled the game during its E3 2014 Nintendo Direct presentation. In it, players trace colorful lines on the Game Pad to guide Kirby and transform the fluffy pink character into a tank, submarine and rocket. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse will receive amiibo support, as Nintendo revealed in December. Players that link up a Kirby, King Dedede or Meta Knight amiibo with the Wii U game will unlock special powers for Kirby. [Image: Nintendo]
Hyrule Warriors getting Majora's Mask pack next month [Update]
Hyrule Warriors will receive a new piece of downloadable content themed after The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on February 5, Nintendo revealed during its Nintendo Direct livestream this morning. The DLC will include Tingle and the game's youthful Link as playable characters, the former giving his enemies a kiss of death and whipping them with bags of rupees. The pack will also include three as-yet-unknown character skins. Update: Nintendo says the DLC will cost $7.99 and will also feature a new Adventure Mode map. [Image: Nintendo]
'Project Treasure' is a free-to-play, 4-player action game for Wii U
Katsuhiro Harada, famed lover of sunglasses and director of the Tekken series, announced a new game for Wii U from Namco Bandai. Codenamed Project Treasure, the four-player co-op game for Wii U will focus on hunting for treasure and fighting enemies. Unlike Harada's Tekken games, Project Treasure is targeted a broad audience. Harada emphasized that the Dimps-developed game is designed to be "accessible." Project Treasure will be available as an eShop download.
Wii games coming to Wii U eShop
Wii games will begin surfacing on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct livestream this morning. Starting today, players will be able to download Super Mario Galaxy 2, followed by Punch Out on January 22, then the Metroid Prime Trilogy on January 29. The games will be half price ($10) for their respective first weeks on the digital service. Nintendo also revealed that Wii games that traditionally used the Wii's Classic Controller will be able to use the Wii U's Game Pad to control the game, and the games will be playable right from the Wii U's home menu. The Wii U previously required players to enter "Wii mode" in order to play the previous generation system's games. [Image: Nintendo]
New amiibo announced, coming March 2015 [Update]
Nintendo has revealed a new wave of amiibo figures due on store shelves on March 20. The new amiibo were revealed during today's Nintendo Direct, and feature a redesigned Mario, Peach, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser, as well as a Toad amiibo. You can see the new amiibo above. Redesigns aren't the only new amiibo on their way, though. Nintendo also revealed amiibo of Robin, Lucina, Pac-Man, Ness, Charizard and Wario. These characters will be available sometime this spring. Nintendo also noted that amiibo will be used to unlock game boards and game pieces in Mario Party 10, the publisher's latest party game for Wii U. Update: Check out the galleries below for a closer look at the new amiibo figures slated to arrive in the coming months. Additionally, the Robin, Lucina, Pac-Man, Ness, Charizard and Wario figures will launch this spring; we've updated the post to reflect this information. [Image: Nintendo]
Watch New 3DS, Spring Wii U-focused Nintendo Direct right here (Update: It's over! Replay now)
Today's Nintendo Direct will focus on spring 2015 Wii U and Nintendo 3DS titles. We're also planning (hoping) that a New 3DS release date and price announcement for North America is in there somewhere. Expect Nintendo executives dressed up like game characters at the top of the hour. To watch today's stream right here on Joystiq, get your fine self below the break at 9AM ET (6AM PT/2PM UK). We'll have the replay up ASAP after, as well as the relevant news on the site. Update: Replay available now after the break. All the news right here.
Nintendo's famous easter egg song discovered in Mario Kart 8
For nearly 25 years, Nintendo composer and sound designer Kazumi Totaka has been hiding a signature 19-note melody in games. While he's hardly the first to nefariously lay an easter egg, there's a bit of a legend to what the locals call "Totaka's Song."
2015's first Nintendo Direct airs tomorrow
Nintendo is kicking off the new year with a new Nintendo Direct, but is it on the New 3DS? We're always wary of predicting how these live broadcasts will go, but it would make sense for the enhanced handheld to show up in tomorrow's stream. It was just last week, after all, that Nintendo of Europe revealed plans to ship early "Ambassador Editions" of the New system. For the record, the Big N's official word is tomorrow's Direct will focus on "spring 2015 Wii U and Nintendo 3DS titles." Also, while president Satoru Iwata will be on the stream, it remains unknown what variety of fruit he'll be holding. We'll keep you posted on developments there. Anyway, keep your eyes peeled ("peeled," geddit?) on Joystiq tomorrow, where we'll have the livestream for you to watch and all the news as it comes in. So, set your alarms for streamage at 9AM ET (6AM PT/2PM GMT) tomorrow, Wednesday January 14. Also, check below the break to see how Nintendo Direct revealed the New 3DS for Japan back in August 2014. Skip to 14:25 for the New hotness and fill in the blanks here. [Image: Nintendo]
GTA 5 on top again in UK (again)
Inside, you see a very tall man in a bow tie and tuxedo, sitting behind a desk. "Good morning," opens the very tall man, who you now realize is the spitting image of a young John Cleese. "It's my duty to inform you, brave adventurer, that Grand Theft Auto 5 took the UK No. 1 this week. It's the third time it's re-taken the British top spot, but that's neither here or there, really. Sales of this week's top three were half of last week's. So, right now, topping the UK charts is a bit like winning a beauty pageant held in Mordor. Never mind, eh?" You smile and nod, looking for the exit. "Anyway," he says sternly... is he John Cleese? "You have a choice ahead of you, adventurer." The very tall man points to a small arcade cabinet on your left. The screen, which appears to be made of paper and held up by someone inside the cabinet, simply says "Push a button." To press the button with a picture of a tree on it, turn to page 17 To press the button with the Joystiq logo on it, turn to page 63 To press the button with a picture of a pig on it, turn to page 245605B
Third-party GameCube adapter fills gap left by Nintendo
Nintendo's GameCube controller adapter for Wii U hasn't been discontinued, but it sure has been hard to find in available stock. Thankfully, where there is demand, there's a company willing to create a near-identical product to sell via their own channels. Typically these knock-offs might be considered of inferior quality (looking at you, bootleg DVDs and Twist & Shout cookies) but you could still give Mayflash's own version of the GameCube controller adapter a shot. Selling for $19.99 via import site Play-Asia, the Mayflash GameCube controller adapter looks pretty darn similar to the official Nintendo brand one, albeit with some sharper edges around the base. There's also a switch on the side to allow swapping between Wii U and PC modes, in case you'd like to have the power of a modern PC but the feel in your hands of a GameCube. Of course, there's always the chance the adapter won't work as advertised, so exercise caution. On the other hand, if it works great, enjoy beating the tar out of your friends in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. For the more cautious-minded hoping for an official adapter, Nintendo's online store suggests you "check back again soon." [Image: Mayflash]
