Nintendo World Report Blog

Why Do You Play Pokemon?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:49:19 PST

NWR talks about why they love the Pokemon franchise.

Why do you play Pokémon? I have given my answer and now some of the staff on NWR wants to give theirs! Is it all about becoming the best? Is it about catching them all? What makes Pokémon that great game that keeps us coming back for more? Why do YOU play Pokémon?

Carmine Red - Well, duh, the POKéMON! The character design for these guys has always been great: emotive, safe, adventurous, cute, kitschy, yet universal. My best times have been when I really latch onto one of the guys and they become "my" Pokémon, not just some stats and graphics on the screen. I think a lot of Pokémon competitors don't achieve that same emotional response with their characters.

Sakura Samurai Freezing Issue

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:40:41 PST

Having trouble loading Nintendo's latest eShop game? We might have a solution.

So you bought Sakura Samurai despite my lukewarm review and it won't load? That sucks.

But seriously, I ran into the same issue when I was reviewing the game. I booted the game and it would just start with a black screen with "Loading..." spazzing out in the bottom right-hand corner of the system. It effectively froze my system, as the only way to restart is to hold the power button down and do a hard reset.

When I asked our Nintendo representatives about this issue, they had no idea. Fortunately, I was running out of SD card space at the same time, so I bought a new SD card, replacing the one that came with the system. After moving the files over to the new bigger SD card, Sakura Samurai worked fine.

Why Do I Play Pokémon?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:36:44 PST

Why do you strive to be very best?

I recently found my SoulSilver version and decided it was time for me to set out on yet another adventure to become the best trainer. As I booted up the game, erased what data was on there (shedding a tear for some of my old friends) my roommate asked me something.

“Why do you even play Pokémon? I don’t see the appeal of it.”

I stopped for a moment. I didn’t quite know how to answer that.

“It’s not about the story,” my friend answered, “it’s about something else. It’s about the world.”

Club Nintendo Rewards: Poster Sets

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:52:31 PST

Here's a look at some of the awesome posters available.

Back before the poster sets on Club Nintendo jumped up in point price, I ordered myself three of the sets - the Mario, Zelda and Zelda 25th Anniversary collections. It wasn't too long before I found myself with nine brand new posters - three featuring Mario and six featuring scenes from several Zelda games. "These are too good to gunk up with blu-tack or skewer with drawing pins", I thought. Framing was the only option.

All of the posters are extremely nice, and had I the funding and the available wall-estate I would have had every single one of them framed. Instead, I had to choose between my three favorites. Surprisingly, the same style of gold frame seemed to match the artwork for all three that I chose. I apologize in advance for the angled photography, but with the windows and light source positioning it was the best I could do without direct camera-flash flare on the glass frames.

So How Many Xbox 360s Do I Need to Duct Tape Together?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:27:39 PST

Math is hard.

So I'm trying to get this all straight.

There's a rumor out there that says the Wii U will be 2x as powerful as the Xbox 360.
There's another rumor that says the Xbox "720" will be 6x as powerful as the Xbox 360.
That same second rumor says the Xbox "720" will yield 20% (or 1.2x) greater performance than the Wii U.

Using the Xbox 360's "power" as a base of 100 that means:

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD and Why We Need It on a Nintendo Platform

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:04:23 PST

Reason #1: Because it promises to be like the first few games.

I know Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD isn't confirmed for a Nintendo console (yet), but my younger skateboarder-wannabe 12-year-old self doesn't care. This game is likely one of my most anticipated games of the year.

Now, with all the mockery over Tony Hawk: Ride and the repetitiveness of the franchise over the past few years, you might think that that is a incredulous statement. However, go look back at the first three games in the series. Even the Game Boy Advance versions and the totally borked Nintendo 64 versions of the game were well received! Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 on the PlayStation garnered a 98 average on Metacritic. My personal favorite, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 received a 97 (PS2), 93 (Xbox), and 91 (GameCube) aggregate score, including a 9.0 from both reviewers at Nintendo World Report.

Club Nintendo Rewards: Mario Pins

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:14:39 PST

As usual, the Platinum reward is pretty pimp.

I'm usually pretty hard on Club Nintendo's "rewards," although that attitude has eased up since I've been able to get actual games with my coins. But their Platinum rewards are usually awesome: the Mario hat, that Mario 'n' Friends figure, and now these cool SMB-themed pins. Technically, you can take the pins off the boxes and, you know, pin them to other things, but I really like how they look in their case, especially given the different ways the boxes can be arranged.

When in their original arrangement, there's a nice little picture of Mario riding a flagpole on the side.

Who Knew Coffee Came from the Warp Zone?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:55:34 PST

A review of Fangamer's awesome new drinking utensil.

For my birthday present last Boxing Day, my girlfriend ordered me a new coffee mug from Fangamer, a site dedicated to selling cool gaming swag made by fans for fans. Today it finally arrived!

Behold the Pipe Mug, a perfect talking piece for Mario-fanatic-coffee-addicts like myself.

Not quite knowing what to expect as I opened the package, I was greeted by a very stylish gift box. I love the logo made from Mario pipes, adorned with tiny features such as Piranha Plants, brick blocks, and even Mario's fist punching out the top. The top of the box describes the mug as the original Warp Mug.

EB Freebies

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:47:19 PST

A look at the free Mario bonuses that EB gave out.

Last year, EB games in Australia gave out free Mario hats to those who preordered Mario Kart 7, and Tanooki ear hats for preorders of Super Mario 3D Land. While my 3DS is US region and I had both games imported, I was recently able to score one of each of the bonuses due to a leftover supply at one of my local stores.

As Nick reported at the time, these hats were not officially licensed merchandise, however the quality on both is surprisingly nice. They're made from a very plush polyester that's soft to touch, and the stitching, particularly on the M logo, is just as nice as some official stuff I've seen in stores.

Get Yourself Brand New Stationery for Swapnote

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:35:41 PST

Because we love you too after all!

The Japanese got a brand new piece of stationery through Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box, thanks to a New Years message that was sent out to users. While it might seem you won't be able to get it, that isn't exactly the case. By sending a message with this stationery, North American/European players will get it unlocked in their version of the application.

This is where we step in to help! We have a Japanese code for you available, which you are completely free to add so that we can send you the stationery. This code might also be used in the future for contests through Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box to win a small prize. The friendcode is 1590-4901-5293. Be sure to shoot me a message with your code or leave it here in the comments section below.

Santa's Requests are in: Nintendo Rules

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:18:50 PST

Santa Claus has been keeping tabs on the kids' wishlists this year!

These holidays, I happen to have had the unique opportunity to chat with Santa Claus and get his personal opinion on what's in and popular this year. Don't ask how, it's a secret to everybody.

Jolly old Saint Nick has been more than happy to disclose some of the intricate details about the gift requests that have been made to him from all the kids lucky enough to be on his Nice List. Now, since I'm on the illustrious NWR staff and all, I thought it'd be a good idea to take note of the frequency in which Nintendo stuff is on the kiddies' wishlists. We already knew the outcome, due to the overwhelming awesomeness that is Nintendo, but here it is, straight from the kids' mouths.

Treat Yourself to the Mighty Switch Force Soundtrack

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:35:49 PST

Step into the maelstrom of aural delights that is MSF's music.

Aside from being out on the eShop at this very moment (and pretty good, from the sounds of it), WayForward's Mighty Switch Force also has quite the soundtrack, which—not to be outdone by bubbly, fast-paced nature of the game itself—is equatable to an orchestra-sized wall of grinning electronic fun.

The album, creation of composer and all-around swell guy Jake Kaufman (whom we interviewed a couple months ago), is available on Bandcamp, where players, fans, and connoisseurs of fine music can name their own price for the collection of twenty-three tracks. If it reaches #1 on Bandcamp (currently, it sits at #2), Kaufman will release the raw source tracks for people to remix to their content—so get on it! Here's a peak at what you can expect. For the full experience, buy the album HERE right now!

How My 3DS Virally Updated Another

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:18 PST

Read how I unwittingly gave another guy SwapNote and other apps.

Today I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in a while in a cafe. He was carrying with him his one-week old 3DS system, complete with a Circle Pad Pro and Monster Hunter 3 (tri) G. His 3DS system menu consisted of the basic few apps that come with every system, meaning it was lacking the eShop, Nintendo Video, SpotPass TV, and all the other apps I'd been used to having for a while now. We exchanged friend codes wirelessly—there was some delay, possibly even a crash (on his side) because it seemed to take forever—but eventually we became 3DS friends.Then we swapped games for a bit while chatting; I let him have a go of my copy of Super Mario 3D Land, and snapped on the extra Slide Pad together with his Monhan.

A NWR Christmas Story: The Legend of Zelda: A Holiday for the Ages

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:52:31 PST

With Christmas just a few days away, Pedro reminisces about the great holidays he spent with Link and friends.

It is the holidays once more, and I am always filled with joy and glee whenever this great season arrives. Even if things have been hard for the whole family, I always look forward to spending time with family, partaking in the festivities and enjoying the madness of the consumerism that the holidays have unfortunately bestowed upon us. You may recall that in 2009, I wrote a blog about how I decided to help out at a GameStop store during a holiday shopping rush, and came out feeling satisfied knowing that I may have made a family's Christmas morning. I also mentioned that while I understand it is not wise to talk about one's acts of kindness, I just felt really good doing that for those people.

Comments on Nintendo's Q1 2012 Release List

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:43:52 PST

Three Wii games, a 3DS game, and oh man, look at that eShop list!

Nintendo released their Q1 2012 release line-up, and as is tradition, we'll all endlessly analyze it and complain about how Animal Crossing and Paper Mario aren't out yet. I'll go system by system and run down what's cool, odd, and awful.

3DS

Kid Icarus: Uprising, revealed at the same E3 press conference that the 3DS was unveiled, will be out just shy of a year after the system came out. It's about time. Sadly, that's the only Nintendo-published game hitting retail in Q1 2012.

Circle Pad Pro Get!

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:49:05 PST

Danny buys the Circle Pad Pro and tests it as a grip for unsupported games.

Coinciding with the release of Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G on December 10 in Japan, Nintendo released the Circle Pad Pro, a peripheral for the Nintendo 3DS which adds an additional joystick to the handheld as well as extra shoulder buttons. The device is powered by a single AAA battery (included) and can last for up to 480 hours of gameplay. Currently, there is only one game on the market that supports it –Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G. However, more support for the add-on is coming from a variety of developers in upcoming titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, Kingdom Hearts 3D, and Ace Combat: 3D Cross Rumble (known as Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy in North America).

Custom Controllers and Retro Awesomeness

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:50:33 PST

Take a look at this 8-bit baby.

NES games are hard. Everyone knows this. From Castlevania to Mega Man to Contra, the 80s were a time when gamers had to knuckle down, grit their teeth and hone their skills in order to survive, or go crying home to their mothers, and that's just the way we liked them. A large part of the hardcore experience of such epic gaming was in the controller – it was simple yet functional and precise, doing everything it needed to.

There's something to be said for those pointy edges, the hard buttons that made the distinctive clacky sound, the compact rectangle, the NES controller was uncomfortable, yet perfect. Perfuncomoforect. Or something.

The Kirby Pouch & Zelda 3DS

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:14:15 PST

Check out pics of Kirby's Epic Pouch & the new Zelda 3DS!

Recently Nintendo Australia updated their Club Nintendo Catalogue with a new reward. This time, it was a small pouch that looks like it just popped right out of Kirby's Epic Yarn.

The pouch itself is rather small but has a nice feel to it and does look quite cute. Unfortunately, it doesn't really appear to be all that useful outside of perhaps carrying around some game cards or some loose coins. There are two options for storing things in the pouch, there is a main section on the front, and there is also a small zip pocket on the back.

NWR Wi-Fi Night: Mario Kart 7 - Saturday, December 10

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:06:40 PST

Come play online with the Nintendo World Report community this Saturday evening.

Nintendo World Report is hosting a Wi-Fi event for Mario Kart 7 this Saturday, December 10 at 9 p.m. EST.

To participate, make sure to add Nintendo World Report's Community Codes. For Battle Mode it's 52-8882-2728-4207, and for Grand Prix it's 15-7711-2023-1792.

You can also add your individual 3DS system friend code to this forum thread and add other NWR readers and staff (make sure to tell them via personal message that you added them so they can add you back).

Join the NWR Mario Kart 7 Community

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:39:18 PST

Want to play online with staffers and readers?

Mario Kart 7 has a new community feature where you can (hopefully) always find someone from your different communities to play online with. We've got a freshly minted community called "NWR Anonymous" for staffers and readers to join so we can all play together.

To join, all you have to do is take the game online and "Search by Code" under the Communities sub-menu. The code is: 52-8882-2728-4207

If it fills up, then we'll just have to make more!

The Legend of Zelda Room

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:50:17 PST

Nintendo opens a window to the land of Link in Redwood City.

Last year, Nintendo had i-am-8-bit come to their Redwood City offices to decorate their game demo room with a Kirby's Epic Yarn motif. A year later, the felt was feeling the force of gravity and the room was beginning to droop.

With the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and the series' 25th anniversary, Nintendo had i-am-8-bit return to redecorate. The result is a mix of spectacular whole-wall paintings depicting day and night scenes and three dimensional crafts, such as potions, fairies in bottles, and a mask-filled chest. How would you like some stuffed rupees to accessorize your couch? They even covered the floor with artificial turf! Check out their handiwork in the gallery below.

Triforce Tracks: Celebrating Zelda with a Pair of Tribute Albums

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:08:04 PST

A double dose of fan-made music.

The only thing better than the original music of the Legend of Zelda series is the multitude of ways each and every beloved track has been reinterpreted, remixed, or broken down into something completely new. Dedicated fans have gone about this practice for years, churning out dozens of genre-spanning versions of classics, and now, in the lauded twenty-fifth year of one of Nintendo's flagship series, two more noteworthy albums look to capture the familiar spirit of the adventures of a boy named Link.

Australian Skyward Sword and Mario 3D Launch Party

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:09:47 PST

Nintendo throws another gaming bash, mass crowding ensues.

I just got home from another one of Nintendo Australia's increasingly popular launch parties at The Nintendo Experience, situated in the lofty levels of an inner-city EB Games store here in Melbourne.

I am exhausted.

From 10 p.m. until 1 a.m., the store was converted into a Nintendo-themed club to celebrate the simultaneous launch of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Super Mario 3D Land. Cosplayers flocked in droves to the store, as well as fans eager to purchase the highly anticipated games.The turnout was incredible, and the upstairs section of the stores was so heavily crowded that movement was often extremely difficult.

How I Learned to Play Skyward Sword

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:06:22 PST

Here's a pro-tip for those picking up Zelda this weekend.

Caution, very minor gameplay spoilers below:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword implements one of the most impressive control schemes I’ve ever seen in a video game. I know this, because for the past seven days I’ve immersed myself in the NWR review copy, putting close to forty hours in. Almost everything the game does, it does flawlessly. Swordplay is fantastic, and using the Nunchuck as your shield is rewarding. Unfortunately, not everything is problem free.

One of the first things I noticed in Skyward Sword was that the on-screen pointer didn’t seem to be controlled by the infrared sensor bar like most Wii games; rather the Wii MotionPlus attachment seemed to take over for the IR. I tested this by pointing my remote in the opposite direction of my TV and experienced no interruption in pointing by doing so. This is why you can, at any time when you are pointing the remote at the screen, press down on the D-Pad to re-center your pointer: it’s all relative to where you start. If you start pointing while your hand is raised upward, then that becomes the center point on the pointing mechanic. It works just fine, but for long-time Wii owners, it could be a bit jarring.

Happy 10th Birthday, GameCube!

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:46:30 PST

On November 18, 2001, the GameCube launched into our stores and our hearts.

Today, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the GameCube, Nintendo's fourth home console. So, go grab your systems by their handles, play your proprietary mini-discs, and hook up to the Warp Pipe with your broadband adapter.

This also kicks off a hell of a weekend here at Nintendo World Report, which is fitting considering the GameCube was integral to this site's early days (that happens when you're called Planet GameCube).

You can go read all of our GameCube coverage here, and we've still got more on the way. We'll be concluding our trip through our staff's 10 favorite GameCube games later today.

Return of the Return: AM2R Demo

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:17:32 PST

This independent remake of Metroid 2 is looking pretty fine.

While 3DS owners wait for the Metroid II: Return of Samus to hit the system’s Virtual Console marketplace, they (and everyone else) can and should play the recently released demo for Project AM2R (Another Metroid II Remake), the extremely promising fan update of the oft-overlooked 1991 Game Boy game

The project, which has been in independent development for nearly four years, uses the GameMaker programming platform and takes graphical and gameplay cues from more recent Metroid titles like Zero Mission and Fusion. The large sprites and cramped view of the original are eschewed for a significantly pulled out view. This, along with the new active and pause screen maps, facilitates exploration, something of an unruly task in the original and a necessity for any Metroid game.

2nd Annual NWR Live Podcast Telethon for Child's Play

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:35:26 PST

The podcast marathon returns to raise money for Child's Play.

It's all over! The telethon was a huge success, and we sincerely thank all the donors, special guests, audience callers, and fantastic NWR staff members who made all this work so well. We did get a recording of the show, warts and all, and we'll be releasing it in parts this week.

Telethon Recording, Part One (3:07:29) - MP3 or AAC

Super Mario 3D Land StreetPass & Firmware Update

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:18:27 PST

After updating his 3DS, James C. hits the streets of Tokyo in search of Mystery Boxes.

I had a one day delay in getting Super Mario 3D Land (which I'd had on preorder for a while now) thanks to a screw up at Amazon Japan, I ended up getting it on the 4th.

The first thing you'll notice (apart from the very light manual-free box) is that there is a mandatory update to your 3DS before you can even play Super Mario 3D Land. The update, not to be confused with the major update coming later this month, blocks flash carts, but more importantly than that, gives the friend list a much needed update. My friends were sorted by online players first, followed by offline players in alphabetical order after that - nice touch. However the most important change was the ability to jump into an online game with players from the friend list screen. I'm not sure what the official English text will be, but the button in Japanese roughly translates to "play game currently in progress" and is situated at the top of the touch screen.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Unboxing

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:01:52 PST

...and that was the last we saw of Neal for three weeks...

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword came in today. I'd write more about the shiny gold packaging, the really sharp-looking Wii Remote Plus, and the eight-track symphony CD, but I've got things to do. Like play Skyward Sword. Enjoy the pictures. I'll be spewing nonsense about this game soon enough.

What's with all the RE-releases?

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:48:28 PST

The Resident Evil Chronicles games are heading to PS3.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Resident Evil franchise, Umbrella Chronicles and Darkside Chronicles are being compiled and updated in HD to release on PlayStation 3 alongside recent updates of Resident Evil 4, Code: Veronica X and Outbreak.

To accommodate the control of the Wii versions, they're being rejiggered to work with that glowing PlayStation Move thing. There are two ways to look at this: one could be bitter that some more Wii-exclusives are being lost to the competition, but a more mature stance would be to say "sure, spread the love."

Never Trust an Expo After Party

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:38:39 PST

Visiting a nearby restaurant should not be the highlight of a social event.

If you've read the reports from either Nick or myself about the EB Expo here in Australia, you'll know that the event was pretty good but didn't really show anything we didn't already know about six months ago, and from a Nintendo fan standpoint it felt like we weren't entirely welcome within the presence of the rival companies.

But the most obscure thing about the event was separate from the event itself - The EB Games Expo Official After Party. During the Sunday, the event girls were wandering around the expo handing out invitation passes for entry into the event, which was being held at a local Gold Coast nightclub and bar called East.

Club Nintendo Rewards: Handheld History Cards

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:25:06 PST

Worst. Reward. Ever.

I didn't think it could get much worse than that stupid Wii Remote holder, but Nintendo has managed to do one better: cardboard. I had Club Nintendo Coins just piling up by this point and I wanted to spend 'em on something. I wasn't going to get terrycloth towels or a reversible pouch, so I decided on these new handheld history cards. They're 300 coins. And they're completely worthless.

Do note the largish crease in the spine of the booklet. This was not the fault of mine, but of Nintendo, who couldn't be bothered to put some kind of protective foam or something between the booklet and the mailing envelope. Thanks, guys. Now the spine is screwed up and perpetually folds over at an angle.

No Left-Handed Option in Skyward Sword? No Problem

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:00:18 PST

A lefty explains why Skyward Sword's "right-handed-only" option is a lie, dumb, and not an issue.

I've seen some talk on Kotaku and IGN about a left-handed mode in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. As a lefty, all of this talk is of interest to me. I was frustrated when Art Style: BASE 10 had no left-handed option. I was scared by the prospect of the 3DS not being lefty-friendly. So, when rumors of this MotionPlus-enabled Zelda came around, I was a little worried.

Then, the game was playable at E3 2010. I played the demo with the Wii Remote in my left hand despite Nintendo representatives telling me not to do so. I had no issue with wielding the sword in my left hand even though Link held his sword in his right on screen.

My Ten Minute Reign Over Comic Con

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:44:25 PST

I'm the Hero of the Ten Minute Time Limit.

As some of you know, New York Comic Con just took place this weekend. Being the fanboy I am, I’ve made it a point to go for the past four years, this year not being the exception. I was lucky enough to get in on Thursday this year, and I knew what had to do; had to get my hands on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

As I arrived, I made my way through the crowds and throngs of people who smelled like 2 week old laundry, and eventually arrived to the glorious banner that served as my beacon, a beacon of hope, if you will. It hung from the ceiling in a magnificent fashion as if to say, “Come to me, Josh. I’ve been waiting.” Pushing past Hatsune Miku and The Green Man cosplayers, I kept my head up and took powerful steps, feeling almost pulled in to the biggest screen there.

Nintendo World Report Declares New 'Catrap Day' Holiday

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:24:59 PST

Come celebrate overlooked old games with us!

From this point forward, October 13 will be Catrap Day, where we all gather around and celebrate obscure gems that never got their fair shake. Thanks to the joy of digital distribution, we can sometimes get to experience these games, but that isn't always the case.

Catrap, originally released for the Game Boy in 1990, came out on the eShop today in North America. It is already out in Europe and Japan. It's a weird game where you control a cat through different block puzzles. Surprisingly, Catrap is a good game.

Now Hiring: Website Programmer

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:04:29 PST

NWR is looking for a programmer to help make the site even better, and it could be you!

Are you a web developer or programmer as passionate about games as we are? Are you interested in making sure Nintendo World Report continues to be the authoritative independent Nintendo-based website for credible, honest coverage for all things Nintendo?

Awesome! Why? Because we're looking for a programmer to help maintain and implement new features on our website! Nintendo World Report has an all-volunteer staff that receives no monetary compensation for their contributions, and this programming position is no different. That said, you will be joining and coordinating with a passionate team of video game enthusiasts, enabling them to produce more and better gaming-related content. This position offers the chance to grow your technical and team-building skills, and also leaves open the possibility of writing articles and covering gaming events on the side.

Now Hiring: News Writers and Editor

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:52:27 PST

You like news? Want to write or edit it?

Do you like playing, talking about, and writing about video games? Does the video game industry interest you a lot? Do you read “Iwata Asks” when they come out? Are you offended by the Iwata Laugh? Do you even know who Iwata is?

If those questions all make sense to you, and you said yes to most of them, then you might be perfect for the position of Staff Writer at Nintendo World Report. You’d need to have excellent writing and editing skills, knowledge and enthusiasm for the video game industry, and frequent online availability on AIM or e-mail. It would be awesome if you have experience writing about video games and podcasting experience. Another plus would be if you live in the San Francisco or Los Angeles area and have the availability to cover different gaming events.

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Unboxing (+ Cat)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:19:29 PST

We got the Wii and 3DS versions of Skylanders in along with 12 extra toys. TOYS!

Activision is launching their Spyro revival game, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, next Sunday. This is slightly more than a video game, as it uses small action figures to represent in-game characters. This figures go onto a "portal" and enter the game. You collect loot and gain levels that save to the character. With 32 characters in all, there are a lot to get.

We got the Wii and 3DS versions, both with their own set of three characters, along with 12 other figures. Check out the pictures below, starring my 8-week-old kitten, Iggy (named after both Iggy Pop and Iggy Koopa).

The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony - Tokyo, Japan

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:15:59 PST

Check out some pics from the event hall and of the program manual.

After purchasing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for the Nintendo 3DS over the summer, I was really hoping that I would have a chance to go the concert that was to be held in the fall to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of this epic Nintendo series. After registering the title online, gamers were given a chance to win an opportunity to go to this symphony concert performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Somehow, I was lucky enough to win a chance to go to this concert and enjoy this amazing event. In Japan, there were two shows on October 10, one being held from 2:00 PM to roughly 4:00 PM, and the other (which I attended) being held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Not only was the amazing orchestra group in the house, Shigeru Miyamoto, Eiji Aonuma, Koji Kondo, and Shoko Nakagawa - the Japanese idol who is crazy about Zelda - all made appearances at the event. While taking pictures inside the venue was strictly prohibited, I managed to snap a few shots of the outside of the hall as well as the program from the concert.

Spurious SpotPass Surprise

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:02:47 PST

Did somebody press the wrong button?

This morning, I noticed that my 3DS was blinking with a SpotPass notification. I opened my 3DS and the Notifications applet only to find a very strange message:

JJXE(en)

This message was accompanied by the Paper Mario 3DS video icon. Shortly thereafter, I received five more notices, one for each of the 3DS Conference trailers. I had downloaded the 3DS Conference trailers the other day and turned on notification settings for each one.

So the notifications are working, I guess. The strange messages are simply the product codes for each of the video channels. That doesn't explain why they were sent out in the first place, but I'm assuming it was an accident.

The Swag And Artwork of TGS 2011

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:42:47 PST

Check out some of the gifts and artwork handed out at TGS this year.

As with every year, Tokyo Game Show 2011 had some great free gifts handed out to anyone who waited in line and played the games. Thanks to the hot weather and the reduced air conditioning (due to power saving) the Makuhari Messe Halls were incredibly hot, making the gift of hand fans a godsend for people standing around for hours on end.

Aside from the self-cooling items, there were also some real keepers this year, I've scanned the best ones in for you all to see, as well as some of the best artwork from the biggest publishers.

My Monster Hunter Tri Monogatari

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 07:00:29 PST

How did Danny's quest for the golden 3DS Monter Hunter ticket fare?

Monster Hunter is a huge deal in Japan. I mean, HUGE! Everywhere you go, you will more than likely run into students playing in groups at a restaurant, see a business man playing on the train, or hear kids talking about it while clutching their PSPs. Nintendo is hoping to capitalize on the popularity of the series by not only bringing over an enhanced port of Monster Hunter Tri (Tri G) to the 3DS, they are also going to bring the next iteration of the series to the 3DS as well. Nintendo has also developed an add-on for the 3DS with Monster Hunter in mind, for crying out loud! There aren’t many third party titles out there that can force Nintendo to make peripherals for their systems, but Capcom’s hot title has that kind of clout.

TGS 2011 Booth Babes and Cosplayers

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:04:06 PST

You know you want to look...

The Tokyo Game Show just wouldn't be the same without the ridiculously good-looking booth babes and the zany cosplayers. You can rest assured that there were plenty of great-looking ladies and awesome cosplayers at this year's show for you to check out. Here are some pictures that I snapped on the show floor on the 17th and 18th. Enjoy!

Nintendo 3DS Conference Live Stream and Chat

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:57:03 PST

Watch the 3DS news unfold live!

Nintendo is set to make some major 3DS announcements at the Nintendo 3DS Conference 2011, kicking off at 12:00pm Japan time on Tuesday (or, Monday at 11:00pm EST in North America). Watch it live below, and chat about it in the NWR chat room!

Nintendo 3DS Conference (09/13/2011) Times

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:12:56 PST

Nintendo's 3DS press conference is streaming live Tuesday in Japan. What time is that everywhere else?

Nintendo is gearing up for their 3DS press conference, which is set to go live Tuesday at 12:00 noon in Japan. While we don't know exactly what Nintendo will reveal at the conference, there are a number of possibilities to be excited about. We expect Nintendo to comment on Monster Hunter and the second circle pad add-on (which was confirmed by Famitsu last week), the release date for the DSiWare version of The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords, but there are also some rumors of other major announcements such as a third Baten Kaitos title (read the original news story with the rumors here).

The Star Fox 64 Promo Video

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:33:32 PST

The best marketing tactic... EVER?

Star Fox 64 3D is upon us, and I have been feeling very nostalgic about the original Star Fox 64. It was such a great game that it marked my Nintendo fandom forever. Part of that legacy comes in the form of a Nintendo Power promo video, which may be the hammiest piece of marketing ever produced.

The VHS cover looks normal enough, with promotional artwork of the game. When I first received this tape in 1997, I was under the impression that it was going to be just video footage of the game. Note that back in the day I didn't have a computer, so being able to see video game footage before the game was released was a major thing for me. I popped the videotape in, and boy, was I taken away.

The Second Circle Pad and Kid Icarus: Uprising

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:34:13 PST

Neal engages in mildly baseless speculation about Project Sora's upcoming 3DS game.

Moments ago, the second Circle Pad was confirmed by a Famitsu scan. It will be used for Monster Hunter 3G, the next portable iteration in the popular series. The Circle Pad looks like it might be tailor-made just for that game. However, it could very well be a mainstay for the system.

As a lefty, the fact that Kid Icarus: Uprising requires the Circle Pad and the stylus to play is an issue. Perhaps this awkward-looking secondary Circle Pad could be used to alleviate that issue. That could also explain why Kid Icarus: Uprising, originally rumored to be a launch title, doesn't have a set release date yet. Currently, the most recent release date was a "2012" from Europe a month after E3 2011, where it was labeled as "Holiday 2011" by Nintendo of America.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Box Art Deciphered

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:31:04 PST

What role do the goddesses play?

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's box art, which was revealed today, features something resembling a magic circle, behind Link and Phi. This circle contains three emblems, which may be familiar to Zelda players. These emblems appeared on the Goddess Pearls in The Wind Waker, as well as in Oracle of Ages where they represented tunes played on the Harp of Ages.

The intricate design also contains Hylian script. Translating to English results in the following, clockwise from the top left:

From an Outsider's Perspective: The SNES

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:39:44 PST

J.P. isn't fond of Super Mario World and A Link to the Past. Find out why.

It’s no secret to anyone who frequents this site that I don’t like Super Mario World or The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. For whatever reason, I’ve never cared for those seemingly universally popular games. I’ve never been able to figure out exactly why that is, but that line of questioning always seems to go back to my lack of experience with the system they were originally released for.

In hindsight, it’s astonishing how I managed to grow up in the mid-‘90s and not really ever play a Super Nintendo, not just of my own but at any of my friends’ houses. Looking back, the system was hugely popular, but the time my friends and I spent playing games never included it, starting with the Genesis and original NES and quickly moving on to the Nintendo 64 once it was released.

How the SNES Changed My Views on Games

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:03:03 PST

Pedro was a picky gamer as a kid. He recounts how the SNES helped him overcome that.

Growing up, I was a bit of an underprivileged kid, so I was lucky enough to have receive a Super NES for my birthday. I loved the hell out of Super Mario World, and when the local video store bought games to rent, I was in heaven. Of course, there was one tiny problem: I was deadly afraid of trying new games, especially those that looked unfamiliar to me.

This dates back to my NES days. Our budget for entertainment and toys was very limited, so when I was given my allowance for games and movies I would have to be careful of what to rent. If I rented a game that was bad or I couldn’t understand, I would begin to cry, and my mother would scold me for it. Back then, there was no internet and I wasn’t subscribed to Nintendo Power, so I didn’t know what game to rent or buy. It was so bad that I would dread renting games, fearing that I would get a stinker.