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Nintendo explains its reward program and that smartphone app
Nintendo's first smartphone entry is gradually, actually, happening. During an investor call earlier today, the company showcased what is actually going on and how it'll attempt to make the most of your smartphone. You can also start registering for the game (and its corresponding "My Nintendo" online service) starting February 17th. This dovetails with the company's new rewards scheme, which was also elaborated on further in today's call. You'll have to ensure you have your "My Nintendo" account ready for all the above when it launches globally in March, but until then, here's what the gaming company had to say.
The Club Nintendo rewards program is closing down
Club Nintendo is closing down. What's Club Nintendo, you ask? That's probably why it's closing. The rewards program has been running since 2007, but outside of Japan it's never really captured the public's attention. It offers "Coins" (or "Stars," "Star Points" and "Points" in Europe and Japan) to gamers that register and fill out surveys on their purchases, which can then be exchanged for vouchers, trinkets and the occasional exclusive item -- like this awesome throwback SNES controller for Wii.
Limited edition Wii Super Famicom Classic Controller gets unboxed
Ah, Japan -- it just gets all the dope controllers, doesn't it? Just days after hearing that a Wii-white GameCube controller was headed there soon, a lucky, lucky member of Club Nintendo has unboxed his limited edition Wii Super Famicom Classic Controller. Yep, this token of nostalgia that we heard about way back in November of last year has finally arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun. Really, we can't believe you -- being the diehard Nintendo fanatic that you shamelessly are -- haven't already made it to the read link to check out the gallery of shots, but we won't ask you to test your patience any longer. Now, get![Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
You can buy the Club Nintendo SNES controller -- with money
Importers NCSX and Play-Asia are freeing us from the unavailability of awesome Japanese Club Nintendo exclusives -- presumably, by paying some Japanese people for theirs. Whatever methods they use to get these things, we cannot argue with the results. Because the result is the opportunity to preorder the Super Famicom Classic Controller.Both companies will ship the item in April (and the Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack in January) in April, but NCSX is taking preorders right now for $30. We don't know when Play-Asia will open preorders or how much they will charge. All we know is this: YES. Who cares if it's a freebie for Club Nintendo members? We're just happy to have a shot at it.
SNES Wii controller coming to Japan in April
Like some of our editors here at Engadget, we know you long for the carefree, multi-hued days of the Super Nintendo and all its Mode 7 glory. Well, if you live in Japan, are a member of Club Nintendo (wherein you earn points for purchases of the company's games and accessories), and have the patience to wait until April, you could be the proud owner of the Wii SNES (Super Famicom, rather) controller. The gamepad won't be commercially available, nor will it be offered stateside (as far as we know), so now is the time to firm up your relationships with Japanese friends, or start saving pennies for your forthcoming eBay bidding war. Either way, the chance to relive your youth is just around the corner.[Thanks, J]
You! can buy Exclamation Warriors! YES!
The multiplayer-only shouting-based game Zekkyou Senshi Sakeburein (Exclamation Warriors Sakeburein) was made available by Nintendo only to Club Nintendo members who bought enough games to earn the points for it. Retailer YesAsia has now made the game available to a slightly larger group: people with $36. Take that, exclusivity!We don't know how they did it; maybe they opened all the games in their warehouse and got the Club Nintendo codes out. We also don't care, because the end result is awesome. If you've got a few friends who like to shout in Japanese while playing video games (uh, so, if you're a Naruto fan), then this Power Rangers/Super Sentai spoof may be for you! Or if you like things that are normally hard to obtain, obviously.[Via NeoGAF]
NoE forums are shut down also
Like Nintendo's NSider forums, those at the official European site are getting shut down, as well. In the interest of, we assume, sites like ours, NoE has decided to close shop on the forums for good and, like Nintendo.com, will be re-launching with a new layout and features aimed at pleasing fans.Until then, might as well tell your friends to head on over here.
New puzzle from Nintendo: How to get this puzzle from Nintendo
Nintendo showed off some new giveaways for Japanese Club Nintendo members, and we thought we could all wallow in our misery together. We all buy so many Nintendo games in the U.S. and Europe, and what do we get for it? The games? Bah. Occasional stylus sets and that one time we got a Zelda collection don't make up for the fact that we have no chance at any of the awesome stuff that Japanese game buyers can get. In addition to the previously-mentioned Exclamation Warriors game, Club Nintendo members can now choose from an assortment of DS Lite and DS card cases, a canvas Wiimote box (which we don't mind missing out on that much) and this awesome star-shaped Ten Billion Barrel puzzle.It's a new Club Nintendo-themed version of a puzzle invented by Gunpei Yokoi and released by Nintendo in 1980, and it would certainly look nice on our desk. Just another limited-edition item that shows Nintendo's appreciation for its customers ... in Japan.
Exclamation Warriors sounds awesome
NeoGAFfer rareside got a copy of Exclamation Warriors Sakeburein, the Japan-only Club Nintendo giveaway game that we have no chance of getting to play, ever, and wrote up some impressions. If you're interested in playing a multiplayer-only brawler that uses voice commands, then this is the game for you-- you're welcome to share in our intense feelings of jealousy.The game is a basic brawler, using the B button for attacks, until you build up enough power. You then yell "Change bakuretsu" to transform, giving you access to stronger attacks and voice-controlled special moves, such as "quake" and a higher "jump."If we lived in Japan, and had a bunch of Club Nintendo points, and some friends, we would be all over this game. We considered using our power and influence as popular DS bloggers to try to score some points, but then we remembered that we don't have any power or influence.
The Club Nintendo Gundam tortures retro nerds
We aren't die-hard Gundam fans, but we are fans on a superficial level of cool-looking robot things, and we can't deny a love of free stuff that comes with video games. Even more than that, we're fans of old game consoles, which is why the custom Famicom color scheme on the exclusive Club Nintendo edition Gundam RX78-2 model kills us. We're totally imagining a guy inside that Gundam piloting it with the Famicom Robot.That is it. We are officially moving to Japan and getting Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 buying a Gundam model and some paint.[Via Dengeki]
Club Nintendo members get exclusive Gundam figure
And we get exclusive jealousy. To promote the release of Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079, Nintendo and Bandai Namco are giving away neat free stuff. Preorders of the game are rewarded with Gundam 0079 memorial DVD's. And Club Nintendo, purveyor of many frustratingly awesome freebies, is giving away limited-edition Gundam RX78-2 models-- in an exclusive color.There are some new screenshots of the game at GAME Watch, but we don't know if we even want to look. Games are just no fun unless buying them earns you junk you didn't even want in the first place.
Japan continues to be awesome with Exclamation Warriors on DS
Nintendo of Japan's super-cool Club Nintendo has yet another weird/amazing DS title that North America and Europe will probably never see. First, it was the Game & Watch Collection, followed by the less desirable but still enticing Tingle's Balloon Fight. And now, the special Japan-only point-redemption system is rewarding lucky gamers with Exclamation Warriors, a bizarre DS game which exclusively utilizes the microphone for gameplayExclamation Warriors has players controlling spandex-suited sentai heroes (think Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). The game is multiplayer by necessity, and requires 2-3 players to fight monsters by (are you ready for this?) yelling the names of super-moves simultaneously, in typical cheesy sci-fi style.There's a reason why this isn't a retail title, but that doesn't stop us from coveting the Club Nintendo system, and all of its weird merchandise and games. Where's our spandex, Nintendo? Where's our spandex?
Club Nintendo brightens up yet another Japanese day
If it's not Tingle's Balloon Fight, it's a Game & Watch compilation. If it's not that compilation, it's kickass swag. Anytime we hear about Club Nintendo, we become incredibly jealous and often find ourselves just crying away half of the day. Those Japanese gamers get all the good stuff!This time around, they're getting yet another unique game in Exclamation Warriors Sakeburein. The game is apparently multiplayer only, for 2-3 players, and is only played through the microphone. Moves are performed by all players shouting them at the same time. If it's anything like Brain Age, we're sure players will find themselves frustrated when trying to play.Hit the link to check out one of Nintendo's experience videos and some screens for the game.[Via Go Nintendo]
Introducing Tingle's Balloon Fight
Japanese gamers get all the good stuff!Courtesy of Club Nintendo in Japan, Siliconera recently got their hands on a copy of Tingle's Balloon Fight. Little more than just a DS version of the NES classic Balloon Fight, the game stretches the action across both screens, which makes the game easier, according to Siliconera. We'd give anything to come to that realization on our own!The game offers wireless multiplayer for up to four players and also has "Balloon Trip," a side-scrolling gametype that charges players with dodging enemies on-screen and gathering loose rupees. The action stays constant, as the game keeps forcing Tingle to move with the action.
Club Nintendo Japan increases Miiist vanity factor
Each year, NCL gives a gift to Platinum members of Japan's Club Nintendo (Platinum members can be spotted by their metallic coating as it shines in the winter sun -- and by their Club Nintendo accounts, which tally more than 400 points amassed during the previous calendar year). This year's prizes are especially funky. Shiny members may choose one item from a list (of two): a Wii remote battery flap on which Nintendo will print the owner's Mii image (Miis should be sent to Nintendo through Wii Connect before February) a copy of Club-exclusive DS title Tingle's Balloon Fight Both items will be delivered in the spring, with the customized Wii remote plastic scheduled for production and delivery all the way through to August 31. We opted for the Mii gift, because we're so vain. Feel free to commence the vitriolic "Why don't we get that stuff here?" comments --NoA isn't listening.
Japanese Club Nintendo swag -- don't be jealous
One of the great things about life in Japan is Club Nintendo. (In a quick survey we conducted this morning, Club Nintendo ranked just behind Asahi Super Dry and heated toilet seats in the Top 10 Reasons to Live in Japan.) Via the Japanese Club Nintendo website (club.nintendo.co.jp), customers can input codes, which are included on inserts with every Japanese Nintendo release, and then convert those codes into points. And what do points mean? Prizes! We've photographed some of our recent winnings for your green eyes. Get envious after the break.
