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Nintendo Newsletter: Ours Is Not To Reason Why

by Zachary Miller and Donald Theriault - June 9, 2015, 5:34 pm EDT
Total comments: 1 Source: Australian Classification Board, ESRB, Sega, SMT x FE Development Blog

Another Sonic Boom is coming, and we'll all have to accept that.

It’s been a busy day in the world of Nintendo news, including an unexpected game announcement and some major staffing news on a big collaboration.


Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice Announced

Sega has announced the follow-up to last year’s moderately disappointing Sonic Boom games, but it’s only the 3DS version that’s getting another shot.

Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice puts Sonic and his friends into a battle with Dr. Eggman and a new villain known as D-Fekt, using fire and ice powers for movement and exploration.

The title is developed by Sanzaru, the studio responsible for last year’s 3DS Sonic title (Shattered Crystal) and will be released this winter.

Our Take: “And by moderately disappointing, we mean one mediocre game and one absolute *expletive deleted*show. At least Sanzaru can bide their time before being put on a good franchise.” – Donald Theriault

“Who came up with the name D-Fekt? Are they still gainfully employed?” - Zach Miller


Major Atlus Talent Heading Up SMT x Fire Emblem

A translation of the Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem blog from Siliconera has revealed some of the Atlus talent heading up the project.

The game’s main director has been confirmed as Mitsuru Hirata, who previously directed the 2011 DS classic Radiant Historia as well as being the lead battle system designer for Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and the Raidou Kuzonoha spinoffs. The battle system designer is Eiji Ishida, whose previous credits include directing Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey for the DS and serving as chief designer on Nocturne. Both men also worked on 2013’s Shin Megami Tensei IV for the 3DS.

In the blog entry, the developers speak of what Fire Emblem means to them and give a couple of screenshots from the game.

Our Take: “So the guys who directed my 2011 Game of the Year and separately, one of the most beloved Shin Megami Tensei games are on the project? Sounds like it’s in good hands to me.” – Donald Theriault

“This all sounds very promising. If only I gave a crap about either of these franchises!” – Zach Miller


Ratings Boards Dropping Knowledge of Upcoming Releases

Both the ESRB and Australia’s classification boards have revealed some upcoming Virtual Console and eShop releases, as well as a possible retail title.

The Australian board, in addition to picking up announcements for Double Dragon 2, Little Battlers eXperience and Dr. Mario Miracle Cure, also revealed Picross e6 and Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures. The latter is a 1994 Super Nintendo/Genesis platformer that does not appear to have ever been re-released in any form, unlike last week’s Pac-Attack. Perhaps the biggest title to come out of the board is a localization of the recently released in Japan Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden, a 2D fighter developed by Arc System Works.

The ESRB meanwhile has a listing for a Wii U version of Natsume’s Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town for GBA, which, based on prior statements from Natsume, should come out soon.

Our Take: “Picross e6 and I still haven’t beaten e1. That’s crazy, yo.” – Donald Theriault

“I feel like I should play those Picross-e games since I’ve cleared all four save slots in Picross 3D.” – Zach Miller


Quick Hits

  • Nintendo has announced a pregame show for the Nintendo World Championships, hosted by the Treehouse. The show will kick off at 2:35 Pacific Time / 5:35 Eastern on Sunday.
  • The upcoming Wii U game Armikrog did have a release date announced today, but just for the PC version. You’ll see first play of the game on August 18, with a Wii U release to follow (hopefully soon).
  • The Humble Nindie Bundle came to a close this afternoon with 82,489 buyers paying an average of $9.18 for the bundle. It appears anyone can upgrade their donation for the next 30 days and still receive the additional games (as applicable).
  • Activision announced today that although there would be Call of Duty Black Ops 3 releases for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the company has “no plans for a Wii U release at this time”.

Images

Talkback

TOPHATANT123June 09, 2015

The 3 game deal was so successful that we decided to extend the partnership to a 6 game deal!

My theory as to why Sonic Boom 2 exists is that it is made up of cut content from the first game that was pulled when they realised they couldn't hit the holiday 2014 release and was developed alongside the first one for a release later, which would explain the extremely quick turnaround.

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