nintendo-conference-2010
Latest
New Ace Combat, Double Pen Sports in development for 3DS
During the Nintendo Conference, Namco Bandai announced to press that it's working on a new Ace Combat title for 3DS, tentatively named Ace Combat 3D. 4Gamer's brief description of the game mentions battling over detailed ravines and town areas in 3D. The other new game announced by Namco is Double Pen Sports, which appears to (somehow) require the use two styli on the bottom screen to control archery, soccer and more. Of course, the actions also appear to be divided into two steps, suggesting they could be done consecutively (with one stylus). Namco Bandai's Taiko Drum Master series on the regular DS uses two styli, so this wouldn't be the first time the publisher used the "double pen" gimmick.
Sega planning six titles for 3DS in FY11, including Monkey Ball
Sega outlined part of its plans for Nintendo's new handheld during last night's press conference. During the next fiscal year (which runs until March 31, 2012), Sega plans to release six titles for the 3DS, only two of which have been detailed: Super Monkey Ball and ... something Sonic-flavored. While the identity of the latter is still relatively up in the air, the spherical simian platformer has already gotten a bit of screen time. Sega Europe revealed a few key features of Super Monkey Ball 3D (working title), such as offering the player a choice between using the 3DS' touch pad or tilt controls to maneuver their monkey. The game will also have four-player wireless modes, such as Monkey Race and Monkey Fight, which we thought had been outlawed in most civilized territories of the world. Check out some screenshots from Super Monkey Ball 3D below. %Gallery-103616%
Nintendo conference slides and video now available online
While we're all nice and caught up with the news from last night's Nintendo conference, we didn't get to attend the conference itself. If, like us, you suffer from lack of Iwata exposure, you can watch his video presentation and read his slides -- in English -- at Nintendo's site.
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle 3DS trailer marches into action
If you've wondered how the meticulous puzzle-solving "action" of the Professor Layton franchise would be bolstered by the 3DS' extra dimension, you may want to check out the Mask of Miracle trailer posted below. You know what looks great in 3D, we bet? Big, beautifully illustrated parades.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3DS set for Spring, E3 trailer online
One of the belles of last night's Nintendo press ball was the 3DS version of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. According to Andriasang, Konami revealed that the "revival" of the PS2 stealth-action classic is set to arrive in Japan next Spring, assumedly a couple short months after the handheld's February 2011 release. If the short clip from the game shown during the event's 3DS software montage didn't satisfy your need for three-dimensional jungle crawling, you can check out the entire video demo we got to see at E3 over on the game's official site. Of course, it'll be missing an entire dimension when you watch it -- man, this whole "releasing 2D trailers for the 3DS" thing is going to get confusing, quick, isn't it? %Gallery-95662%
Footage of Nintendo's 3DS, DS and Wii lineups
Nintendo produced a few slick videos of its various console lineups for its conference, now embedded after the break. In addition to footage of known 3DS games, including Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition and Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, the 3DS video reveals a second Resident Evil game, Biohazard: The Mercenaries 3D. The Wii video offers the first look at the new Fatal Frame and Rhythm Heaven games, among many other first- and third-party titles. And though you have to wait until the end, you will see clips of the new Kirby game and Battle & Get! Pokemon Typing DS in the DS video.
Kirby, Pokemon Typing (!) on the way to regular old DS
Despite the 3DS making its big appearance at Nintendo's conference and dominating the news, that system doesn't get to claim the weirdest story of the night. The humble DS gets that honor, thanks to "Battle & Get! Pokemon Typing DS," which is exactly what it sounds like. Judging by the screenshots (available here), you type Pokemon and attack names when prompted, using a virtual keyboard. Wacky! Also wacky: Kirby (tentative title), a new DS game which appears to have the player managing a team of up to 10 Kirbies at a time. We sincerely hope there are no restaurants in the game. Both games will be released in 2011. There's also a training game about dogs who know English, but considering America's widespread knowledge of English -- and the partnership with the Japanese NHK television network -- it's safe to say that one is Japan-only.
Iwata confirms Wii Remote Plus
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata confirmed that the company is indeed developing the Wii Remote Plus, integrating Wii MotionPlus into a much handier all-in-one design. No release details, but FlingSmash hits Japan on November 18 and the device has been spotted as a pack-in with the game Stateside.
Fuji TV streaming 3D videos 'daily' through Nintendo 3DS
Beyond gaming applications, Nintendo's upcoming handheld console will feature media functionality as well -- this much we knew. What Nintendo announced at its press conference today in Japan, however, is that the 3DS will also be streaming 3D videos "on an experimental basis" through a partnership with Fuji TV, available at launch. Like Fuji TV itself, North Americans and Europeans likely won't be getting the service, but we have to imagine major US cable providers can't be ignoring the move. Just imagine a service to charge for individual episodes of children's programming on a Nintendo handheld! Wait, actually, don't imagine that. We're so, so sorry, world.
New Rhythm Heaven, Fatal Frame games announced for Wii
Nintendo's conference today wasn't all about the 3DS. The publisher has also announced new DS and Wii titles. Mistwalker's The Last Story was given a January 27 release date, but more excitingly, two new Wii sequels were announced -- one for the GBA/DS Rhythm Heaven series, and one for Zero, known here as Fatal Frame. Both games are scheduled for 2011 releases, and screens of both are available in our galleries.%Gallery-103585%%Gallery-103584%
Nintendo reveals more 3DS hardware details, OS features
Nintendo didn't just drop a Japanese release date and price for the 3DS tonight -- in a document (PDF) released following this evening's press conference, the company detailed more of the hardware's features, including unexpected pack-ins. ¥25,000 ($299) will net you -- among other things -- a charging cradle, 2GB SD card, telescoping metal stylus and six "paper cards" that can be used for playing the system's built-in augmented reality games. (The 3DS' outward-facing 3D camera will detect and replace them in the "scene" with different 3D objects.) 3DS will also perform some neat new tricks. It has backlit face buttons -- one of which is the Home button. When pressed, it will bring up an in-game menu enabling users to browse the web, turn Wi-Fi on/off and modify other settings without exiting. Finally, there's a breakdown of the built-in software, which includes "Nintendo 3DS cameras," "Nintendo 3DS sound," Mii Studio," "Chance Encounter Mii Plaza," "AR Games" and "Book" (an ebook reader, perhaps?). Mii Studio is unique in that it allows players to snap photos of themselves to use as a basis for their Mii. More details as they hit.%Gallery-103582%
3DS supports transfers of downloaded software
The 3DS is going to answer DSiWare fans' prayers (except for the one about not having to pay 300 bucks for a new system). A hardware fact sheet (PDF) notes that it is possible to move downloaded software from one 3DS to a newly-purchased 3DS (at least, if our translation is accurate). In addition, it is possible to move downloaded DSiWare from a DSi or DSi XL. Some (unspecified) software can't be moved, and Nintendo warns that there are limits on the number of times a transfer can be undertaken, but this is leaps and bounds ahead of the DSi's current limits, which are set at zero games and zero times.
'Mega Man Legends 3 Project' heading to 3DS from Capcom
Alongside announcements of the price and release date for the forthcoming 3DS, Nintendo ushered Capcom representatives on stage at its Japanese press conference to announce the "Mega Man Legends 3 Project." Though Capcom isn't saying much, its Twitter account claims that fans will "have an opportunity like never before" in the creation of the title, specifically saying people will "interact directly with the team!" More news will apparently be coming out of the New York Comic Con, which kicks off next week on Friday.
Nintendo 3DS available February 26 in Japan, priced at 25,000 yen
The Nintendo 3DS will be released in Japan on February 26, 2011 with a 25,000 yen ($299) price point. Nintendo officially unveiled the launch details at an event today in Tokyo. The final design differs noticeably from the E3 version only in the analog slider, which is now no longer color-matched to the hardware. Speaking of colors, the 3DS will launch in Japan in "Aqua Blue" and "Cosmo Black." Several "AR Games" (Augmented Reality) will be pre-loaded on the hardware, as will a new Mii Plaza for Miis collected using the passive communication "Tag Mode." Other downloaded apps can be stored on 2GB of flash memory. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said that a Western release would occur later. Probably before March 31, as per Reggie Fils-Aime's prediction.
3DS has a Game Boy/ Game Boy Color Virtual Console [update]
One of the 3DS's killer apps may be ... old games. As has been requested for the original DS and DSi since time immemorial (2004), Nintendo will offer downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on the 3DS, through a VIrtual Console-style store. In addition, as shown at E3, Nintendo will offer 3D-ified versions of classics like Xevious. Update: The transcript from Nintendo's conference last night show that Iwata specified games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color -- not Advance. At least, not yet. We apologize for the confusion.
Nintendo reveals Super Mario 25th Anniversary DSi XL [update: now pictured!]
At it' press conference in Japan this afternoon (well, in Japan it's the afternoon), Nintendo announced plans to release a Super Mario 25th Anniversary Edition DSi LL (DSi XL, as it's known in the West) to the Japanese public on October 28. Andriasang's liveblog of the goings-on also give it an ¥18000 ($215) price point. Unfortunately, like all other things regarding Super Mario's big two five, this is likely to stay grounded in Japan. Update: here it is, straight from Nintendo's site.
