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Last issue of Nintendo Power available now, founders look back
The last issue of Nintendo Power is on newsstands today, giving you one final trip into the magazine that kickstarted many a Mario and Zelda obsession. To commemorate the occasion, Gamasutra has a nice feature up with the magazine's founders looking back on its history.According to one of the founders, Howard Philips, the original draw of Nintendo Power wasn't the game news or the features; back then, it was the maps and the gameplay tips that really drew readers in. "I'm just gaga over it now," he remembers, "thinking of how fun it was to pull out a map of Zelda and see the entire world, and be able to go through it with your fingertip and then say, 'Okay, there's where you can burn that tree,' or push that rock, or whatever. It was so cool. Getting that in the hands of kids was – from my perspective – the real big win that we were after." Considering the industry's own thoughts on Nintendo Power and its legacy, there are probably a lot of readers out there who agree.
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.
Nintendo Power officially closes, last issue should be out December 11
Yesterday marked the day Nintendo Power, after running for 24 years, officially closed. The news of the magazine's end broke back in August, but yesterday some of the now former staffers revealed on Twitter they'd completed the last issue, and the office had closed its doors. That final issue should be out on December 11.You can read the favorite memories of many Nintendo Power staffers here, as well as reminisce with us and other writers as we remember a publication so prominent in our gaming childhoods.
Former Nintendo Power staffers tell insider tales
Former Nintendo Power staffers have gathered their fond memories of working at the magazine that'll cease publication this December.Hands in the Air, written by a pair of former editors, shares many anecdotes from the publication's glory days. One of the best includes StarFox's Falco "Rambaldi" cited as "Lombardi" in the Star Fox 64 player's guide and that name sticking for years. There's also the mini quote about the belief that the Pokemon TV show would "NEVER be successful in the US."It's a sweet walk down memory lane and interesting to see the insider's view. Share your personal memories in our "Nintendo Power remembered" post.
Nintendo Power remembered
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to remember Nintendo Power. Not its passing, but its life. Nintendo Power will conclude 24 years of publication with a final issue this December. We've experienced the loss of many magazines over the years, but Nintendo Power's conclusion is different for many of us. Directly attached to childhood memories of so many, it was the publication of both the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES at the dawn of the console era, with children of the late 80s and early 90s eagerly awaiting the magazine's arrival every month.We've gathered some fond Nintendo Power memories from today's media after the break. Please feel free to share your happy memories too.
Nintendo Power's last issue will run in December
After yesterday's report that the 24-year history of Nintendo Power was coming to an end, Nintendo has confirmed that the December 2012 issue will be the magazine's last. "Nintendo can confirm that Future US will end the production of Nintendo Power magazine with the last issue slated for December 2012," the company told CVG (which is also owned by Future Publishing, incidentally).According to yesterday's report, Nintendo was "difficult to work with" and did little to help Future transition the magazine into the online era. Nintendo Power staff members will reportedly migrate to other Future publications.
Nintendo Power coming to an end
Nintendo has chosen not to renew its licensing agreement with Future Publishing (the company that currently produces Nintendo Power) and has no intentions to take over the publication itself, according to insider sources speaking to Ars Technica. A now-deleted tweet from NP staff suggested this was accurate.Reportedly "difficult to work with," Nintendo is said to have taken no interest in working with Future on expanded online initiatives to strengthen the Nintendo Power brand. Editors and staff members were told that the magazine would be shut down sometime last week and have since begun transitioning to other Future publications, according to Ars Technica's source.We've reached out to Future Publishing and Nintendo for comment. Originally launching in 1988, Nintendo Power was run in-house by Nintendo until the property was licensed to Future in 2007.
Steve Wozniak secretly submitted Tetris scores to Nintendo Power
Aside from his tech eminence having helped found Apple, Steve Wozniak is apparently also a pretty sick Tetris player. He only plays the original Game Boy port, and admits he submitted his scores to Nintendo Power back in the day."I was always #1 in the Nintendo Power listings in 1988, and after they said my name had been in there too many times and wouldn't print it again, I spelled my name backwards (Evets Kainzow) and sent in a photo of my score," Wozniak said in a comment on a Gizmodo piece about him. "When I got the magazine, I'd forgotten doing this and was worried that a foreigner from the next city over (I used Saratoga instead of Los Gatos so they wouldn't catch on) had a score up in my range. I got worried but then remembered my joke. Whew! It's in some old issue of Nintendo Power magazine."Reddit user polar0ids was quick to call Woz's bluff, but it (unsurprisingly) turns out to be a true story. As seen here in this thread, the story checks out. There's Evets Kainzow's score: 546,145 points.[Image credit]
'Unchained Blades' coming to 3DS eShop via XSEED
This is going to sound pretty weird, because it involves clues to something you likely don't remember or know. The short version: Nintendo Power's table of contents reveals a game called "Unchained Blades" for 3DS, as a download.The long version: this is the reveal of something publisher XSEED was cryptically teasing yesterday, with a series of images on Twitter including a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a blade of grass, and a still from Ghost's famous pottery wheel scene. And now you're confused.It's now clear that the clues refer to the dungeon crawler released in Japan as UnchainBlades Rexx. (get it: "Unchained" Melody plus "blade" of grass plus T. "Rex.") It was a retail game over there, but being in Nintendo Power's "Download" section suggests that XSEED is improving the distribution method along with the name.
Nintendo Power cover confirms Sonic Generations 3DS, new Shinobi
We've recently seen some evidence of two Sega 3DS projects that have yet to be officially announced: a 3DS (and PC) version of Sonic Generations, and a new Shinobi game. It turns out that the latest issue of Nintendo Power announces them both before Sega has a chance to fire up the press release machine. The cover of the June 2011 issue, as found on NeoGAF, specifically notes that Sonic Generations "speeds onto the 3DS" just in time for the sometimes pudgy hedgehog's 20th anniversary. Shinobi, however, is only listed as a "classic revival." Additionally, a teaser of the forthcoming Shinobi game appears to have leaked on YouTube, posted yesterday by user "greatshow482" -- the user's only upload. Beyond affirming Griptonite Games as the developer, the teaser confirms a Shinobi game "re-imagined for the Nintendo 3DS."
NP: Tales of the Abyss 3DS coming to North America this fall
Alright, class, open your May 2011 issue of Nintendo Power. That's where you'll find confirmation of the (second) North American release of Namco Bandai's cel-shaded RPG, Tales of the Abyss. The game first launched on PlayStation 2 in 2005, followed by an English release in late 2006. A 3DS port is set to arrive in Japan later this year, which Nintendo Power reports will be followed by a North American version this fall. Tales of the Abyss debuted to generally positive reviews, with most criticism targeting the obligatory amnesiac protagonist and the fact that the titular abyss didn't look all that deep, actually. Get ready to push that 3D slider up to MAX, critics!
Cave Story for DSiWare listed in Nintendo Power
If you like playing Cave Story (and who doesn't) and you like being away from your TV when doing so, you're going to like this. The table of contents for the latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine spills the beans on a DSiWare version of Pixel's wonderful, wonderful game about a mysterious, underground civilization of rabbit people and the giant lunchboxes who terrorize them. We've contacted Nicalis, who made the remake for WiiWare, for more details on this DSiWare version, so we can find out more about the features and (intended) release date. In the meantime, it's quite enough to imagine having an excuse to play Cave Story again.
Level-5 CEO hints at North American releases for Ni no Kuni, Inazuma Eleven
Level-5 fans have a lot to look forward to. Akihiro Hino, president of Level-5, confirmed to Nintendo Power that some of its original non-Layton games would be coming Stateside, specifically Inazuma Eleven and Ni no Kuni: The Another World. It appears the company is already making good on its promise to promote its "overseas business." The soccer-themed Inazuma Eleven franchise has been a surprise hit in Japan, having already spawned two sequels on the DS (with a new console version in the works). And while Ni no Kuni isn't a proven franchise yet, it has already generated quite a bit of buzz -- particularly the graphically-intense PS3 version. Although Hino doesn't offer specifics about a release date for either project, he does say that "I don't think it will that be long before you're able to play these games." Unfortunately, we don't think he means they'll be here "tomorrow." The full interview with Akihiro Hino can be found in Nintendo Power #157, available now. [Thanks, Paul!]
Nintendo Power reveals de Blob: The Underground for DS, Wii
[Nintendo Power] The upcoming July issue of Nintendo Power reveals a new de Blob game coming to the DS and Wii, called de Blob: The Underground. Wii players can expect two-player support in The Underground, as well as "new moves, new foes" and "new 2D platforming segments." Blue Tongue will once again handle development on the Wii version, while Australian studio Halfbrick works on the DS debut. de Blob: The Underground is currently slated to launch in Spring 2011 -- but before that, you'll see much more at next month's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
The Conduit 2 coming to Wii
No, that's the first game. As you Nintendo Power subscribers and purchasers will learn (if you haven't gotten the latest issue already) High Voltage will be bringing its flagship franchise back to the Wii this fall with The Conduit 2. GoNintendo has a ton of details from the magazine's upcoming feature, but we're only providing the highlights, in case you plan on reading for yourself. In short: It's due this fall, it picks up right where the first left off and it's embracing its sci-fi vibe more than the first game did. Like we said, plenty of details are forthcoming; however, at the moment, it sounds like High Voltage is hoping to ratchet up pretty much every aspect of the first game. Here's hoping we have some official assets for you soon.
Nintendo Power: Scribblenauts sequel coming this Fall
[GoNintendo] As evidenced by the image above, the latest issue of Nintendo Power reveals a sequel to 5th Cell's Scribblenauts for the Nintendo DS. According to a report from GoNintendo, the magazine feature additionally details the game's release window ("fall"), that it will receive "10,000 more words" and "120 new and improved levels," and will have a focus on the use of adjectives. Thankfully, the report also notes intentions to improve the game's controls -- a major setback of the first outing. We've shot an email to the developers and will hopefully have more information on the game sometime soon. For now, you can check out the full magazine cover right here.
Nintendo Power teases DSiWare announcement
Framed as a conciliatory gesture for No More Heroes 2 coverage that didn't happen, the back page of the latest Nintendo Power promises that the next issue will reveal something of interest on DSiWare. The back-page blurb mentions that the mysterious reveal will be "a major DSiWare title that should make many of you very, very happy." Though, unless it's a free app that lets us read new information about No More Heroes 2, we don't see how we'll ever be satisfied. It shouldn't be too hard to make DSiWare users "very happy." So far, if you don't like Art Style games (and somehow, plenty seem to dismiss the series), the service has been lacking. Even if you love Art Style, for that matter, it's been light on content. We just hope the new announcement is truly new and not something that is already out in Japan.
Miyamoto: Next Legend of Zelda won't be 'radically different'
If you subscribe to Nintendo Power, the latest issue should be arriving at your house very soon -- Aeropause has the scoop on some details on Nintendo's upcoming lineup from the issue. Most important to folks reading this text is likely what Miyamoto had to say regarding the new Legend of Zelda game, announced back at E3: "I don't think it's going to be that radically different." But, what about the theory of the girl being the Master Sword? Surely that is radically different! In typical Nintendo fashion, that's all Miyamoto had to say. He left us hanging to speculate, and we're sure most will be able to turn this appetizer of a quote into a five-course meal. [Via Videogamer]
Red Steel 2 is MotionPlus exclusive, cel-shaded
As you probably already know, the latest issue of Nintendo Power blows the doors off of the recently announced sequel to the Wii's slightly disappointing, sword/gun-toting FPS launch title, Red Steel. Now that the mag has landed in a few quivering, anticipatory hands, more details about Red Steel 2 are beginning to surface.First and foremost, the title will apparently be cel-shaded -- hinted at by the sole piece of concept art we received yesterday, and confirmed by a number of scans which are beginning to creep onto the internets. Also, we recently got confirmation from Nintendo Power itself that the game will be "Wii MotionPlus exclusive," a phrase we can only interpret to mean "you need a MotionPlus dongle to play it." (Are you guys comfortable with calling it a dongle? That's such a lovely word. Don-gle.)We'll let you know when we hear even more facts about the game. And by facts, we don't mean "my brother's girlfriend's sister's stepmom goes to a beauty parlor where she read about Red Steel 2 while waiting for her bouffant to dry."[Thanks, Fernando Rocker!]
Red Steel 2 goes to the Wild West, adds MotionPlus support
Red Steel 2 is real ... and it's not really what we were expecting. The June 2009 issue of Nintendo Power will feature Ubisoft's Wii-exclusive sequel, and the cover reveals two things: MotionPlus makes wielding the sword feel "as real as you'd always dreamed!" Red Steel 2 seems to take place in the Wild West ... with swords. WTF? Now, before you freak out, let's not forget that the Wild West and the East have merged together quite successfully in the past. If Red Steel 2 turns out anything like the Charles Bronson / Toshiro Mifune mashup Red Sun, it should be the best game ever made. Check out the cover after the break.[Thanks, Fernando Rocker]
