In order to entice gamers into using the 3DS' downloadable game service, eShop, Nintendo will be giving away free copies of ExciteBike that utilize the system's 3D capabilities. It sounds like Nintendo is serious about promoting their service this time around, something that is reassuring after the lackluster performance of DSiWare. The eShop will launch with a firmware update coming sometime in May so be sure to get on there and get your free copy of this NES classic.
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Nintendo is still making them but Gamestop isn't selling them. In an effort to bolster 3DS sales Gamestop has decided not to order any more stock of the DS lite after their current supply runs out. A bit odd, considering the 3DS is in no danger of being a failure. If that were the case they should have stopped selling the PS2 the moment the PS3 came out. Oh well, what do I care if Gamestop throws away money. They should have no problem moving 3DS units when long awaited games like Ocarina of Time 3D, Starfox 64 3D and a proper Mario title come out.
Earlier today Nintendo officially confirmed that a new home console was on the way in 2012. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata says had only this to say about the Wii's successor, “We would like to propose a new approach to home video game consoles. It’s difficult to make 3-D images a key feature, because 3-D televisions haven’t obtained wide acceptance yet.” It will be playable by all in attendance at e3. All aboard the hype train.
Source: Bloomberg A big thank you to Redditor xsp for yet another beautiful rendering of my Project Cafe controller concept! Last week I made a post featuring a crudely drawn concept for Nintendo's controller for their next console, code name Project Cafe, based upon rumors posted by other gaming sites. I posted a link to my drawing on Reddit, which prompted Redditor xsp to make an impressive 3D rendering of what I had drawn in MS paint. I then posted these renderings on NeoGaf because I thought they were pretty neat. Within a couple of days the pictures had re-emerged on GAF, this time with reports that 01net, a French gaming site known for leaking the NGP's specs early, is claiming that my concept was closest to the actual device. This is the internet, so of course we weren't sourced but I thought that people might be interested in where these renderings originally came from. The GAF-> Internet -> GAF phenomenon in full effect.
Source: NeoGaf Shigeru Miyamoto has said that Nintendo is aiming to release Super Mario 3DS this year in a recent interview with GameBlog.fr, meaning we might see the tanooki suit in 3D much earlier than anticipated. But then again, probably not considering Nintendo rarely releases games on time anymore *cough* Skyward Sword *cough*. How awesome would it be to have both a Mario platformer and kart racer out in time for Christmas though?
Nintendo has announced a boss rush mode for Ocarina of Time 3DS, meaning you might die in a Zelda game for the first time in nearly 15 years. I do appreciate the extras Nintendo is throwing in to this remake, but would still like to see an extra dungeon or item make its way in to the game. Nintendo has been great at adding a bit of challenge to their games lately, due in part to the addition of the super guide. This feature will be present in Ocarina of Time 3DS as well, offering hints if you get too stumped. I wonder how many people will admit to using it in the water temple...
Retailers across the U.S. have now cut the Wii's price to $170, in advance of the rumored May 15th price cut. Are they responding to rumors of the Wii's successor, or do they have insider information from Nintendo? In other news, Nintendo has announced that both Wii Party and Wii Sports Resort would now be available for $39.99. I'm not sure whether that price goes in to effect for bundled software, Wii Party can be found with a Wii Remote bundled in and Wii Sports Resort with the Motion Plus attachment, but either way those are pretty good deals. Something is brewing in Nintendoland... Nintendo's next console is currently the hot topic of the gaming world, with the focus currently resting on the controller. That is quite understandable considering how the Wii's controller changed the industry completely. New rumors suggest that the controller will feature a 6" touchscreen, a front facing camera, IR lights and even traditional buttons.
I think that this controller will replace the classic controller when used with the console, working alongside the Wii Remote Plus as the main controller for the system, and actually become the system when used on the go. It is no secret that Japan has largely moved towards portable gaming and I think this console will be Nintendo's first attempt at a hybrid of sorts. The IR lights would even allow you to use a Wii remote's pointer on the go, even though that probably isn't ideal on a 6" screen. The system's codename, Project Cafe', also leads me to believe that social gaming will be a large aspect of the console, taking your console games to public places and playing them with others will now be much more feasible. The camera could be used for augmented reality gaming that Nintendo has taken a liking to on the 3DS, or even for online communication (yeah right). The touchscreen built in to the controller could have a number of benefits for gaming at home as well, allowing players to pick their plays in Madden secretively, act as a HUD that clears up valuable television space, act as a real-time inventory that doesn't interrupt gameplay, as well as act as a second game screen if players get separated from each other in a co-operative mutliplayer game. These are simply ideas based upon rumored features of the controller. It is still likely that none of this is true, Nintendo has always been a very secretive company. But these features certainly would make for an interesting console, especially when paired with capable hardware. Update: Click over to see excellent renderings of the concept I drew out in MS Paint, courtesy of Redditor xsp. Game Informer has reported that multiple sources have confirmed a new Nintendo home console will be revealed during or before e3. IGN then hopped on the rumor train and said that console will be able to support 1080p and will be significantly more powerful than the Xbox 360 and PS3. I know I will personally be happy as long as it can run 1080p at 60 FPS. CVG has added even more fuel to the fire by saying that the controller will have a built in HD screen. Sounds a bit cost prohibitive and completely unlike Nintendo to me. I expect the console to use the Wii Remote Plus, with a small upgrade built in- the vitality sensor built in like the grips you see on exercise equipment at the gym. It's a bit odd that all of this news happened to come out today, is Nintendo really talking to third parties and trying to build up support for a strong launch? I hope so. I think the majority of this is just speculation due to the recent Wii price drop rumor. We probably won't know for sure until Nintendo's e3 press conference in early June.
Nintendo has announced a sequel to one of the best selling games of all time, Wii Play. Wii Play was a big hit with consumers due to being a great deal. While many video game reviewers couldn't understand the appeal of a $10 batch of fun mini-games bundled with a controller, just about everyone else did. Wii Play: Motion will come with the Wii Remote Plus controller and feature twelve new mini-games that take advantage of added the level of control added by the motion plus device. Look for it in stores June 13th. Via Press Release |