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Wii U day-one patch won't be built into firmware for a few months
The Wii U's inconvenient day one patch will be greeting new console owners until next year. Speaking with Gamasutra, Nintendo America president Reggie Fils-Aime said the update won't be built into the system until early 2013."Nintendo developers want to make sure that the very best product is available to consumers," Fils-Aime told Gama. "That creates a dynamic where our developers are working on elements until the very last point possible. That's why the system update was required on day one – and this is quite similar to what's happened with other consumer electronic products."Nintendo president Satoru Iwata had previously apologized for the inconvenience, noting he believed customers "should be able to use all the functions of a console video game machine as soon as they open the box." If you're getting a Wii U console over the holidays, make sure to practice patience during the update and, whatever you do, don't interrupt the Wii U doin' its thang.
Nintendo Power's nostalgic final cover
The final issue of Nintendo Power will be hitting newsstands in a few days, and it looks to pay nostalgic tribute to the magazine's very first issue, which was published over two decades ago. The cover image has been making the rounds on the internet, featuring a sculpted clay scene from New Super Mario Bros. U, an homage to the clay Super Mario Bros. 2 cover that debuted in 1988. Old-school Nintendo fans may want to pick one up for old time's sake.The magazine is expected to arrive by December 11. We recently compiled some of the Joystiq staff's fond Nintendo Power memories, which you can read here.See a larger version of the image after the break.
Report: GameStop Wii U game pre-orders at 1.2 million, double the Wii
GameStop patrons are more interested in Wii U than they initially were of the Wii, the retailer has revealed. Over 1.2 million individuals have pre-ordered Wii U games at GameStop, in addition to the 500,000 Wii U consoles claimed since opening up pre-orders back in September.That figure comes out to 2.4 games per console reserved, which GameStop has told Gamasutra is roughly twice the attach rate GameStop saw prior to the Wii launch. Top pre-orders include ZombiU, Assassin's Creed 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Scribblenauts Unlimited and New Super Mario Bros. U.The Wii U officially launches in North America on Sunday, November 18. On launch day, 23 different games will be available; a total of 50 games will be available within the Wii U launch window, which runs up to March 2013.
New Super Mario Bros. U review: A return to form
Super Mario World ruined me. Ever since it was released in 1991, I've been waiting for Nintendo to top it, to one up its brilliant levels, wonderful music and sheer creativity. Don't get me wrong, the 3D Mario games are great, but I grew up with 2D games and will always have a soft spot for them.New Super Mario Bros. promised to return Mario and friends to their 2D roots. While the series has produced three solid platformers thus far, it's never really recaptured the old spark. The unbridled chaos of cooperative play in New Super Mario Bros. Wii is certainly fun, and romping around as a giant is novel, but nothing has compared with donning the cape for the first time, or being swallowed up by a hidden keyhole. With a few exceptions, the series has been, in a word, rote.In this latest entry, however, that's all changed. In New Super Mario Bros. U, Mario comes closer to his glory days than he has in years.%Gallery-157149%
Old Navy's Black Friday 'Cheermageddon' includes free New Super Mario Bros. U
Old Navy, purveyor of seasonal pajama pants and your mom's idea of a nice back-to-school shirt, will be joining forces with Nintendo to incentivize your post-pilgrim parodying patronage during this year's Black Friday insanity.Stores open at Midnight on Friday, November 23, and customers who spend $40 or more at checkout will receive a free copy of New Super Mario Bros. U while supplies last. For the whole of Black Friday, however, all customers will receive a card that may or may not entitle them to one of 1,000 possible free Wii U consoles. Should you live in Canada, all of this will take place on Saturday, November 24.Additionally, around one third of Old Navy's US locations will be equipped with Wii U demo stations and Nintendo-themed backdrops for photo opportunities. The company's flagship stores in San Francisco and New York will even have people dressed up like Nintendo characters, just in case you wanted to add a healthy dollop of embarrassment to the stress and anger normally associated with Black Friday.
New Super Mario Bros. U modes detailed, Nabbit feature revealed
Nintendo has revealed a new feature in New Super Mario Bros. U, along with further info on the game's modes. The new feature concerns the little dude above, a thief called Nabbit. When this purple bunny/thing appears on the world map, that's your opportunity to catch the miscreant and rid him of his swag. If you successfully chase him down in the level, you'll return the stolen goods to Toad who'll reward you with a P-acorn that lets you fly endlessly, good for one stage.Minus opportunities for lapine custody, New Super Mario Bros. U also features 'Boost Mode' as revealed at E3, the return of 'Coin Battle' from its Wii predecessor, and 'Challenge Mode.' Coin Battle is as it sounds, an up-to-four-player showdown to see who can collect the most coins across unique courses. It's compatible with Boost Mode, meaning one GamePad-wielding player can place blocks to help or hinder as he or she pleases. Challenge Mode is similarly self-descriptive, with tasks set in four categories: Time Attack, Coin Collection, 1-Up Rally, and Special. It's also compatible with Boost Mode.[Image Source: ONM]
New Super Mario Bros. U trailer is extra cooperative
When you put New Super Mario Bros. multiplayer into a carefully chosen montage, like the one Game Informer posted for New Super Mario Bros. U, it looks like four friends out having a grand adventure in a magical world.It's like that when you're really playing the game too, except punctuated by screaming agony as four players bumble around the stage, bumping into each other, grabbing away needed power-ups, and accidentally (and sometimes intentionally) throwing one another into lava pits.
New Super Mario Bros. U gives multiplayer a 'boost'
As evidenced by the ridiculous sales, many people love the chaotic multiplayer in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, it's possible you might have been annoyed by the frequent accidental deaths caused by bumping into other players, or ... the frequent intentional deaths caused by your friends throwing you into a pit.For those of you in the second group, the new "Boost Mode" in New Super Mario Bros. U is just the thing, replacing the pseudo-competitive bumbling with a simple, but enjoyable, and almost entirely helpful interaction.While the game is going on as normal on the television, one player can tap the touchscreen to place blocks, which dissipate as players stand on them. Ideally, these blocks are used to help the Wiimote-based players reach secret areas, make difficult jumps, and avoid falling into Piranha Plants or other obstacles below. It's also possible to be a jerk and place blocks in the way of jumps, but I found that less fun than being helpful.You can also tap the block again to make a smaller block that spits out a bunch of coins, and tap enemies to stun them. Sure, it makes Mario an easier experience, but it's also fun for everyone involved -- I enjoyed trying to land platforms right under a falling Mario with perfect timing, and I liked working together with another player to get through a level efficiently. And I certainly didn't mind having another player in my game who wasn't going to accidentally jump on my head.%Gallery-157149%
New Super Mario Bros. U announced
We knew it was coming, but here we go: Nintendo officially announced New Super Mario Bros. U today during its E3 press conference. The five-player game allows four on WiiMotes and one on the WiiPad. Mario had a flying squirrel suit and Yoshi could float. More info coming later.
