26
TalkBack / A Boy and His Blob Game Club - April 2012
« on: April 23, 2012, 01:13:50 PM »Our first extremely huggable Game Club game. Check out this page for all the content about the game from this month.
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
27
TalkBack / European Version of Rhythm Heaven for Wii Includes Japanese Soundtrack
« on: April 21, 2012, 08:01:33 AM »You will be able to switch between the English and Japanese songs when the game is released in July.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29925
The European version of Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise (Rhythm Heaven Fever) will include the Japanese soundtrack along with the ability to switch between the English and Japanese songs for gameplay.
When starting up a save file, there is a button that allows you to select English or Japanese. The game text and song subtitles remain in English, but the songs for the mini-games will depend on which option you started with. It is possible to change languages at any time by going back and reopening the save file with the other option.
The extra soundtrack and European release date of July 6 were announced during the Nintendo Direct Europe event today. The feature was demonstrated then with the games Love Rap and Ringside.
28
TalkBack / Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Impressions
« on: April 13, 2012, 12:13:36 PM »Part theatre, part rhythm. It's in the title.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/29777
Theatrhythm (pronounced "theatre rhythm") is part rhythm game and part showpiece/collector's item for the Final Fantasy 25th anniversary. The game includes a collection of Final Fantasy songs from FFI onward, and you can play through the selections with three rhythm game modes.
Each mode is fairly simple and just has you following the cues on the top screen while drawing on the lower screen. The position only matters in the first Field mode, where your character progresses across the screen whilst you tap and drag the stylus following the position shown on the top screen. It's straightforward, though there are varying difficulty levels and a chance to increase your score if you hit all the golden combo icons at the end of the song.
The Event Music stage is where it gets a bit weird. A memorable cut scene from one of the games plays in the background and you tap or flick the stylus in time with the icon that is currently highlighted. The icons are set out in a path, so they obscure the movie, but the location of the icons doesn't factor in to where you tap on the lower screen.
The gameplay might have worked better if the icons were on the touch screen, as it makes little sense to have them set up in a path when you can tap anywhere on the screen and score the same. That would also stop the icons from covering up the cut scene, but then you wouldn't be able to watch it as you would be concentrating on the lower screen. It is possible to watch the video on its own from the gallery when you have finished.
The battle mode was the most game-like of the three. Again, it's a little confusing that it doesn't matter where on the screen you tap even though the icons come in four rows, one for each character. Completing a combo defeats the enemy on the screeen. You choose your four team members before the game selection, with many popular characters from the different games to pick from. You also get items in battle you can equip beforehand, which boost your stats and in turn give you more experience. Your total points allow you to unlock, songs, new characters, and items.
Theatrhythm is not like a traditional rhythm game, but a great part of its appeal comes in revisiting the soundtracks of the past games and seeing and experiencing the remastered versions in a new, interactive way.
29
Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN Panel Edition Tridux: Live at PAX East 2012
« on: April 13, 2012, 04:50:18 AM »I'm not sure why Karlie felt the need to make me a Musketeer armed with a circular saw...
The helmet is to protect you from yourself.
30
TalkBack / Ace Attorney 5 Officially in Development
« on: January 29, 2012, 01:21:33 PM »The game was announced at a 10th anniversary event for the series.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29115
A fifth installment of the Ace Attorney games was announced yesterday as part of a 10th anniversary event for the series. No platform was given for the game, nor a release date. No further details about the game were revealed, and it is currently unknown whether there will be a release outside Japan.
There was also an announcement for Gyakuten Saiban 123 HD, a compilation of the first three games with updated graphics to be released for iOS/iPhone.
The first game in the series, Gyakuten Saiban (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney), was released on October 11, 2001 for Game Boy Advance in Japan.
31
TalkBack / Kid Icarus to Be Released as Next 3D Classic in Europe
« on: December 02, 2011, 01:26:56 PM »The game will be coming to the 3DS in Europe through Club Nintendo.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/28586
3D Classics: Kid Icarus will be the next title to be remade for the Nintendo 3DS with enhanced 3D graphics. The 3D Classics release was previously announced for Japan during the 3DS Conference in October.
Kid Icarus was originally released for NES in 1987 and was also released on Game Boy Advance in the Classic NES series as well as Wii Virtual Console.
The title was announced as part of a promotion for Club Nintendo Europe. Registering two eligible 3DS games between November 1st and January 31st 2012 will grant you a free download code for the game, available exclusively to Club Nintendo members. The list of eligible games includes all of those published by Nintendo, which all have the Club Nintendo code in the box.
As part of the same offer, there is a prize draw for 3,000 limited edition 3DS systems featuring Mario, Princess Peach, or Toad as part of the system colour. For the prize draw, you can enter up to five times by registering up to 10 games in total.
As the Japanese release was presented in the same way, North America may see the same offer, but as of now, no announcement has been made.
32
TalkBack / German Zelda Fansite Runs Skyward Sword Demo Contest
« on: September 19, 2011, 02:25:11 PM »Lucky German Zelda fans will be able to play a demo before the official release.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27902
Zelda Europe, a German Zelda fansite, has 25 copies of a demo version of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for giveaway as part of a contest that is running now, open to residents of Germany only. Entrants need to draw their favourite game moment from any Zelda game either on paper or digitally and send it to the contest e-mail address.
The site's contest picture also shows an enticing new box art image. The closing date for entries is October 10, one month before the European release on November 18.
33
TalkBack / Kakuchou Slide Pad
« on: September 15, 2011, 07:35:15 PM »Here are some close-ups of the newest Nintendo 3DS add-on.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/screens/27848
We have 11 photos of the Kakuchou Slide Pad for Nintendo 3DS showing the accessory from all angles. You can see the thickness and shape of the unit, button placements, all the details. The hub page for the accessory with all the photos, artwork and release information is here.
Left side with ZL trigger
Vertical with ZR trigger
Top view
Back view
Top view
Left side with ZL trigger
Front with 3DS open
Front without a 3DS
Front view with 3DS installed
Top view without a 3DS installed
Right side with R button and ZR trigger
Left side with ZL trigger without a 3DS installed
Left side with ZL trigger and 3DS' L button
Close up of the front without a 3DS, battery cover exposed34
TalkBack / Nintendo Working on Xenoblade Chronicles Stock
« on: September 09, 2011, 12:00:56 PM »More copies of the game are on the way this fall to resolve unexpected shortages.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27745
Nintendo UK are working on resolving the Xenoblade Chronicles stock shortage situation and will have more copies in stores this season.
Following reports online and from our readers that it is difficult to get hold of the game, and online stores including Amazon, Asda, GAME, and others listing the game as unavailable, it is thought that the shortages are caused by unexpected high demand.
Nintendo UK confirmed to us, "We are doing everything we can to get more stock of Xenoblade Chronicles into UK shops this autumn. We know how frustrating stock shortages can be for people, and we are disappointed when even one customer cannot get hold of one of our products."
35
TalkBack / Sega's Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure Announced
« on: August 30, 2011, 07:36:39 PM »The quirky 3DS rhythm title makes its way to Western shores in 2012.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27636
Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure for Nintendo 3DS has been announced for North America and Europe, with a release date of early 2012.
The game, previously announced for Japan, is a new rhythm adventure title with puzzle elements. You need to use the touch screen and gyro controls to keep in time with the beat for the rhythm sections. You play as Raphael, the Rhythm Thief, travelling around Paris with his dog to steal treasures. The quest to find the "Wristlet of Tiamat" will unmask the mystery of his missing father. Single-player and multiplayer is included, as is StreetPass functionality.
The official website for the game is now open at http://www.sega.com/rhythmthief
36
TalkBack / Redesigned Bundle Could Sell for £79.99
« on: August 26, 2011, 03:29:41 AM »For the holiday season, the retail price of the Wii bundle could be as low as £80.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27604
The upcoming Europe-only bundle may be available for as low £79.99.
Nintendo's has stated that the trade price will be similar to previous Wii bundles, such as the Mario Kart bundle released in May, which currently sells for around £109.99 on Amazon UK. However, final pricing is up to the individual retailers. Leading UK outlets have stated that they expect the new bundle to sell below £80 during the Q4 holiday period, although that pricing may be temporary.
The new Wii is designed to sit horizontally and foregoes backwards compatibility with GameCube accessories and titles. It will be bundled with Wii Sports, Wii Party, one Wii Remote Plus, and one Nunchuk when it is released later this year.
37
TalkBack / The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Impressions
« on: August 20, 2011, 07:09:12 PM »In which I make it as far as possible in the Sky Temple and find another MotionPlus gesture.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/27545
The Gamescom demo for Skyward Sword is the same as from E3, with three areas to try and a time limit for each session. This means that despite the possibility of the entire Sky Temple dungeon being playable, you have to race through using the most efficient route if you are to see as much of it as you can. On my fifth attempt, I made it through a locked door that eluded me previously, and this is what I saw.
This dungeon is based around the use of the flying beetle item for hitting switches to open doors, break cobwebs holding items onto the ceiling, and picking up items. The glowing, jewelled switches are high up in areas you cannot reach, sometimes hidden, and the beetle is the only way to reach them. What looks like an overhead window to a dead end is actually a tunnel, with a switch hidden within. The upgraded beetle, allowing you to fly further and carry items, is the first item you find. This is controlled by pointing the Wii Remote in the direction you want to go, much like the flying Fluzzard levels in Super Mario Galaxy 2. This works well enough, and is far less annoying than the bird level from earlier in the game.
When you are in combat now with the MotionPlus controls it is beneficial to figure out the best way to defeat an enemy as many of them can block very well if you're not using the right tactic. For example, the commonly found spider can be defeated in two hits if you use a sweeping motion to flip it onto its back, and then swing the Nunchuck and Remote downwards together for the finishing move. Failing that, you need to at least flip the creature up so it is vertical and you can stab at the exposed weak point. If you only swing your sword at it, the spider will never die. Similarly, the Stalfos mini-boss can be defeated much more quickly if you thrust with the shield at the right moment to block and cause him to drop his cutlasses, giving you a few moments to swing the Wii Remote in a series of small flicks to get as many hits in as possible.
The first room that gives you a chance to exercise some puzzle solving is a room with a set of eyes on the top, left, and right of a gate that protects a chest holding an all important small key. After disposing of the spider using one of the above techniques, you can find a set of classical badly textured vines to climb and move yourself to the upper level. Here the beetle can be used to cut down the cobweb rope holding up a crate, which you can then push over and down off the platform, and then to the centre of the room. From the vantage point offered by standing on the box, you are visible by all three eyes and can pull the trick seen in the E3 2010 demo of rotating the sword round in circles to make dizzy and hypnotise the eyes before they fall off the wall and disappear, freeing your path to the chest, and out of the room.
On leaving the room there seems to be no path, until you see another jewel-shaped switch behind a spider's web (and lurking spider). If you slice carefully past, you can get through the web while leaving the spider hanging. Otherwise, you'll need to exercise a second quick defeat or you'll be interrupted by cobweb wraps as you climb up the stairs and precisely slash the trees to the ground that block your way into a small tunnel that Link will automatically move into when you walk forward.
All this does though is lead you back out to the central area where you were before, but now armed with the small key. To reach the locked door you need defeat the Deku Babas from the ceiling to walk over a tightrope that is set over a pit full of more Deku plants. After being knocked off the tightrope a few times, I found it simpler to clear them all away with the bow and arrow first. I did found that it was difficult to fire arrows rapidly as you have to pull back with the Nunchuk each time, Wii Sports Resort style. On the tightrope, you need to rotate the Wii Remote from side to side to control your balance.
Finally, I made it through the locked door, around a corridor and into a room where a three-headed monster was lurking, but posed no challenge. After that I went through another door to what looked like the outside of the temple, where I could briefly see the surroundings before the game ended.
Having had plenty of time to figure out the MotionPlus controls and how to use them quickly and effectively, it's the most natural thing to have Link holding the sword whichever way you direct him. Link's sword being in a fixed position, such as in Twilight Princess, seems awkward in comparison.
38
TalkBack / Gamescom Saturday Sold Out, Closed to New Entrants for 30 Minutes
« on: August 20, 2011, 11:47:33 AM »Even ticket holders were not allowed in through the barriers.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27547
At around 2pm today, Gamescom was closed to public visitors - even those with paid tickets, for around 30 minutes due to the venue reaching capacity. This year's event is expected to be the biggest yet, and is set to beat last year's 250,000+ crowd. Exhibitors and floor space have both increased this year.
Gamescom entrances have electronic ticket barriers to monitor the number of people who enter and exit. Security guards were in place, particularly in the morning, for crowd control.
39
TalkBack / Sonic Generations Gameplay
« on: August 20, 2011, 07:15:33 AM »Here is video of the newly revealed Mushroom Hill Zone and other gameplay.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/video/27544
Below are two videos of Sonic Generations 2 for Nintendo 3DS with direct feed audio. The first video shows gameplay of the Mushroom Hill Zone, seen for the first time at Gamescom.
Second, we have gameplay footage of the Big Arm boss.
40
TalkBack / No Wii Redesign Plans in North America
« on: August 17, 2011, 02:50:37 PM »There will be no changes to the Wii hardware in North America for now.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27515
There are no North American release plans for the Wii bundle with a redesigned console packaged with Wii Sports and Wii Party and without GameCube support that was announced for Europe earlier today.
There are also no plans to release the redesigned console on its own.
The full statement from Nintendo is below.
“Nintendo of America does not currently have any plans to release the Wii bundle that was announced by Nintendo of Europe on Aug. 17. Consumers in the United States can currently purchase a Wii console bundled with the Mario Kart Wii game and Wii Wheel accessory for a suggested retail price of $149.99. The Wii Party game is available separately for a suggested retail price of $39.99.”
41
TalkBack / DSiWare, eShop Games Have No Sales Threshold for Royalty Payments
« on: August 09, 2011, 08:10:34 PM »Unlike WiiWare, royalties to developers are not held until a certain sales threshold is reached.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27390
Games published for Nintendo's DSiWare and eShop services are not required to reach a sales threshold before royalties can be paid to the developer. This is in contrast to WiiWare, for which a minimum number of downloads must be reached before royalties are released.
We spoke to Nic Watt, creative director of Nnooo, recently about their download titles. He told us that since WiiWare games require server support and uniformity testing for all titles, regardless of how well they sell, this is partly a measure to recoup costs. Whilst a final specification for Nintendo 3DS was not available, the eShop is thought to have the same policy as for DSiWare and as of now we don't know of any sales limit for 3DS downloads.
Our full interview will be up shortly.
42
TalkBack / Iwata Explains Timing of 3DS Price Drop
« on: July 31, 2011, 07:58:41 PM »Nintendo global president gives reasons for why the price has dropped so close to launch.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27302
The drastic markdown of the Nintendo 3DS retail price was done at this time due to a need to increase market penetration before anticipated holiday season games are released, to boost sales to predicted levels so that it can be a sound successor to the Nintendo DS, and to reassure retailers and software publishers that the expansion of the platform will not be an issue.
Satoru Iwata made a statement at the recent first quarter financial results briefing that explained why the price drop was essential to maintain sales momentum for the handheld, as if strong momentum is not maintained, changing the situation further down the line is very difficult.
While a markdown during the year-end sales would be expected, Nintendo felt that dropping the price now, despite there being no specific software releases at this time, would have the greatest impact on game releases during the year-end.
As software publishers are now planning development on the various platforms for next year and beyond, it is important for the installed base of the 3DS to be large enough that publishers will make the plans to release software that will enrich the 3DS game library.
While discounting the hardware now, before mass manufacturing reduces hardware costs, will lead to a short-term drop in profits, the best possible measures are required to sustain Nintendo's handheld business in the long term.
43
TalkBack / Virtual Console Titles on 3DS Will Be Improved After Ambassadors Program
« on: July 28, 2011, 04:34:39 PM »The just-announced Virtual Console titles on 3DS will have additional features in their final releases.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27292
NES games released on the Virtual Console for Nintendo 3DS will eventually be improved over the initial versions.
The pre-release versions available through the Ambassadors Program, as announced earlier, will have some missing features compared to the final releases. The earlier versions will not have proper co-operative play. For two players to play these games, they will have to alternate. However, in the paid releases, co-operative play will be included. Save states are possible by using the Home button and separate, selectable save states will also be added in the final release. User manuals will not be included in the pre-release version but are accessible online. The Ambassadors versions can be updated free of charge once the general versions arrive. These games can also be moved to another 3DS console.
Specifications for the GBA games were revealed too. The games will not have built-in instruction manuals, but these can be viewed from the web. The Home button will not go to the usual menu, but instead brings up a simplified menu. StreetPass and SpotPass are rendered inactive while the games are running. Wi-Fi play and accessories are not supported, and finally, these titles cannot be moved to another 3DS, in contrast to the NES games.
44
TalkBack / Antipole Soundtrack Is Free to Download
« on: July 20, 2011, 03:20:22 PM »The full soundtrack is available from the game website.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27230
Saturnine Games have released a soundtrack for the upcoming Nintendo DSiWare title Antipole and it is available for download free of charge from their website. The soundtrack was composed by Zack Parrish and features a guitar performance from Anthony Morgan. There are a total of nine songs.
Antipole gives players the power to reverse the effects of gravity to help fend off a robot invasion. Using the gravity manipulator, players can run on the ceiling, jump large distances, fling enemies away to help them get through the levels. Additionally, players who purchased Saturnine Games' previous DSiWare release, Cosmos X2, will have access to a bonus mode.
Antipole will be available from tomorrow as part of this week's Nintendo downloads for 500 Points ($5). It is also being release on XBL Indies. Our impressions of the game are here.
45
TalkBack / Re: Shantae: Risky's Revenge Speed Run Contest!
« on: July 11, 2011, 04:16:58 PM »
Contest closed, congrats to the winner, etc.!
46
TalkBack / European Release Moved Forward for Xenoblade Chronicles
« on: July 08, 2011, 10:43:56 AM »The game will now be available two weeks before the scheduled release.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27149
Xenoblade Chronicles will be released across Europe on August 19. This is two weeks earlier than the originally scheduled date of September 2.
The game bundle including a red Classic Controller Pro and a poster set remains a pre-order exclusive with limited numbers, so pre-orders must be made before the now earlier release date. In the UK, pre-order bundles are exclusive to GAME and Gamestation stores. Though the game can be purchased or pre-ordered on its own without the controller bundle, this is currently not an option on the GAME website so for now, you'll have to visit a store.
The poster set included in the pre-order bundle contains three A1-sized posters, signed electronically by Tetsuya Takahashi, the founder of Monolith Software.
47
TalkBack / Nintendo Will Not Bring Games to Smartphones
« on: July 07, 2011, 07:01:36 PM »Pokémon Company is working independently on their game for iPhone and Android.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27144
Nintendo will not be bringing any games to smartphones and will develop software only for their own hardware platforms. This strategy “hasn’t changed and won’t change,” said Yasuhiro Minagawa, a spokesperson for Nintendo Co., Ltd.
This comment was in response to the announcement of a smartphone game from The Pokémon Company featuring the franchise. Though the company is 32 percent owned by Nintendo, they are working independently on the iPhone and Android release.
Nintendo's shares rose almost 5 percent in response to the announcement, though fell to less following clarification on their position on smartphones.
Pokémon le Tap was announced recently for a summer release on the iPhone App Store and Android.
48
TalkBack / Nintendo Sued Over 3DS Screen Patent
« on: July 07, 2011, 07:00:30 PM »The latest lawsuit against Nintendo is for glasses-free 3D as seen on Nintendo 3DS.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27143
Tomita Technologies USA LLC have filed suit against Nintendo for infringement of their patent for a stereoscopic (3D) system that displays images on screen for viewing with the naked eye.
The company, founded by a former Sony engineer, is saying that the Nintendo 3DS infringes on their patent for technologies relating to display of 3D images for viewing without the need for special glasses. The patent was filed in 2003 and issued in August 2008 and is titled “Stereoscopic Image Picking Up and Display System Based Upon Optical Axes Cross-Point Information.”
The complaint does not say in detail how the 3DS infringes on the patent, though it does state that the method of displaying 3D by using two outer cameras would not be possible without willfully infringing on the patent.
49
TalkBack / Rhythm Heaven Wii Gameplay
« on: July 02, 2011, 03:23:48 PM »These gameplay videos show the new games and multiplayer mode.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/video/27062
Nintendo recently posted a set of new videos showing off some of the new games in Rhythm Heaven Wii on the Japanese website. Several new mini-games were put up, as well as one that showed the brand new multiplayer mode and what sounds like the start of an excellent soundtrack.
All the videos are below for your convenience.
50
TalkBack / Pandora's Tower Coming to Europe in 2012
« on: July 02, 2011, 02:53:40 PM »The final of the three anticipated titles will be released in Europe next year.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27061
Pandora's Tower is confirmed for a European release in 2012. This was confirmed today at Japan Expo by French gaming site Livegen.
The three games, Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower were among the playable titles at Nintendo's booth at the Japan Expo, taking place in Paris, France this weekend. A release for Pandora's Tower was hinted by the marketing director of Nintendo France in an interview last month.
The game is developed by Ganbarion, who have also worked on the Jump Stars series released in Japan, and some One Piece games that have been released internationally.
Nintendo of America currently has no plans to release Pandora's Tower. To find out more about the game, please take a look at our impressions of the Japanese release.
The entire contents of this Web site, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright © 1999 - 2012 NINWR, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ™ and © for all products, characters, and indicia related thereto which are contained herein are owned by the companies who market or license those products. This Web site is not endorsed, sponsored, nor otherwise affiliated with Nintendo. It has been created for the sole purpose of entertainment and knowledge. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without consent from NINWR, LLC is prohibited.
