Updates from Nintendo... which include no NX at E3 2016! Momma no!

No NX at this years E3? #%*!

Yesterday our bubble was popped... because Nintendo's update included that there will be no Nintendo NX action at E3. If they are going to skip one of the biggest gaming expos... there better be a good reason and they'd better come out with guns blazing for will be presented.

When it comes to the NX itself, its coming March of 2017... which is cool and we have something to look forward to beyond E3 2016 by way of Nintendo Direct... but they have to seriously think about their approach this time around. If they desire those PS4 numbers, the system is going to have to be awesome and centered around gaming for all. It was centered around gaming for people of all ages... but it was hard to tell based on the delivery a good chunk of the time (as well as placing multiple games in a category listed as "Games for Kids" or some crap... if you're a frequent reader of our posts then this should ring a bell because it was an annoying "WTF" moment).

I don't want to see any company fail, especially if it means more options for us as gamers... so I wish them the best in hopes that they play their Pokemon cards right! :p

On the flip side of the NX not being at E3 this year, I can see that being something done to avoid the system being picked apart in a negative way without them explaining it well on their on terms (they just have to explain themselves well... because they hold the cards). Also I could see them trying to get the remaining life out of the Wii U before the focus shifts.

From what we know, The Legend of Zelda will be released simultaneously for the Wii U and NX game systems... and will be one of the only (if not the only) game Nintendo showcases at E3 this year based the information provided. The Wii U version will be playable. Check out the information from Nintendo below.

Nintendo changes its approach to the show every year. This June, Nintendo will focus its attentions on the upcoming game in The Legend of Zelda franchise. The Wii U version of the game will be playable for the first time on the E3 show floor, and it will be the only playable game Nintendo presents at the show, in order to provide attendees a complete immersion. Additional information about Nintendo’s E3 plans will be announced in the future. - Nintendo | REDMOND, Wash., April 27, 2016

Though we'd love to see more... as long as the attention is going towards good things, its fine with me and almost feels like something 3rd party developers do. 3rd party developers don't always show up at E3 with multiple games to play... some only have one in hopes that it gets enough love to be successful. Let's see how this goes.

By the way, Nintendo is also celebrating over 10 million downloads of Miitomo starting tomorrow April 29th - May 8, 2016. While I am on the subject of... Miitomo, something i'd love for Nintendo to do is to allow us to connect with people through Google+ also (the app is on Android, so... it kind of makes sense). Even the ability to connect with your phone book would be cool because you're using the app on your phone, but that's just me and multiple people who are still wondering around digitally with no one to talk to.

Nintendo didn't only drop that bit of news... they lit things back up with the mention of their next mobile apps, which are for Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing. The plan is for a fall release on both of these games. They want to make Fire Emblem more accessible by delivering a mobile experience, while Animal Crossing sounds like it will allow you to play on mobile and console. Nintendo will obviously deliver more info about these apps as fall approaches, but they could be planning even more apps moving forward as they aim to have multiple types of "...apps that appeal to different audiences and different groups of players". I hope this translates over to the NX.

Fun fact: Did you know that Nintendo of America owns a percentage of the Seattle Mariners? Although yesterday they mentioned that they are selling the majority, they are maintaining 10%.

I'll end this post with some StarFox Zero animated short action... and if you remember the previous games (especially Star Fox 64), you'll probably enjoy SFZ. Its a blast from the past... but its new at the same time. An all-new Star Fox adventure should be released on the NX going even deeper in depth with visuals, story and action.

We're heading out... all aircraft report!

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From the Source: Nintendo - Play new games at WonderCon 2016!

March 23, 2016 12:00 UTC

Play Upcoming Nintendo Games for the First Time at This Year’s WonderCon

Hyrule Warriors Legends Panel and New Playable Games Highlight Nintendo’s Show Activities

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nintendo is headed to WonderCon in Los Angeles March 25-27 with a great collection of Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including the first publicly playable version of Metroid Prime: Federation Force for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Additionally, there will also be a panel and meet-and-greet dedicated to Hyrule Warriors Legends featuring developers from the game, as well as other fun activities at Nintendo’s booth in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

WonderCon attendees will be able to play Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard before the Wii U games launch on April 21. (Photo: Business Wire)

“WonderCon is a great place to interact with our fans and let them play some of our most anticipated games of the first half of 2016,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Fans will get to experience Star Fox Zero, Star Fox Guard and Metroid Prime: Federation Force at the show.”

Show attendees will be able to play Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard before the Wii U games launch on April 21. Star Fox Zero is a flying and shooting game starring legendary space pilot Fox McCloud. Players will blast through an onslaught of enemy forces to bring peace to the galaxy. In this white-knuckle space shooter, it’ll take more than luck to master the Arwing jet, the Gyrowing flight drone and the Landmaster tank. Additionally, attendees can experience Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a game that focuses on co-op multiplayer missions. Up to four players, each with her or his own Nintendo 3DS system, take on various missions within the Bermuda system, battling intergalactic creatures and solving puzzles. This will be the first time the public will have hands-on time with the Nintendo 3DS game before it launches this spring.

The following games will be playable on the show floor:

Wii U

• Star Fox Zero
• Star Fox Guard
• Pokkén Tournament

Nintendo 3DS

• Hyrule Warriors Legends
• Metroid Prime: Federation Force

On Saturday, March 26, in room 515A in the Los Angeles Convention Center, Nintendo will host a panel from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring team members from Koei Tecmo, the developers of the Hyrule Warriors Legends game for Nintendo 3DS. The developers will discuss creating the game, which brings all the action of the hit Wii U game to Nintendo 3DS, and they will also dive into some of the new characters like Linkle. The panel is sure to be informative and interesting for not only fans of the game, but also anyone who has interest in game development.

On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the developers from Koei Tecmo will participate in a meet-and-greet in the Nintendo booth. This is a great opportunity for fans to ask them questions about their work on the game, take a memorable photo or even bring their Hyrule Warriors Legends game to be signed by the awesome people who made it!

WonderCon, created by the team behind Comic-Con, is a convention celebrating the world of pop culture. The Nintendo booth (No. 1836) is open to WonderCon attendees with a badge during show hours from March 25 to March 27. The Los Angeles Convention Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015.

From the Source: Batman - TellTale Games at SXSW + Nintendo... action!

After getting your dose of Nintendo... enjoy some BATMAN SXSW action!

March 3, 2016 22:45 UTC

Momentum for Wii U, Nintendo 3DS Keeps Going Through Winter, Spring and Beyond

New Nintendo Direct Video Reveals Massive Amount of New Information

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In a new Nintendo Direct video, Nintendo revealed new games on the way for its Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems, as well as additional details about previously announced titles. From new games in the Kirby and Paper Mario franchises to a companion game for Star Fox Zero, this is one video that can’t be missed.

Fox McCloud returns in Star Fox Zero on April 22. (Graphic: Business Wire)

To view the Nintendo Direct video in its entirety... click here. Some of the highlights revealed in the video include:

Wii U

• Star Fox Zero: Fox McCloud returns in an action-packed new adventure. Multiple paths branch out to give players plenty of places to explore, and each route gives them a completely different experience, with each battle posing its own set of unique challenges. Players will notice their skills get better and better over time, as they become top-notch pilots. In two-player mode, one player can fly the Arwing while the other player aims and shoots. The game launches April 22. The packaged version comes with a Star Fox Guard game disc at a suggested retail price of $59.99 while the digital version of the game can be purchased by itself from Nintendo eShop for $49.99.
• Star Fox Guard: Players set up 12 cameras to find and defeat enemies who are attacking the mining site of Slippy Toad’s uncle, Grippy Toad. The game includes about 100 stages, but players can also create their own stages by editing the placement of enemies and uploading their levels online. The only way to get the physical version of Star Fox Guard is by purchasing the packaged version of Star Fox Zero. The game can also be purchased by itself from Nintendo eShop for $14.99. Customers that purchase the digital version of either Star Fox Zero or Star Fox Guard will receive a $4.99 Nintendo eShop discount toward the other game.
• Paper Mario: Color Splash: Prism Island is being drained of its color and it’s up to Paper Mario to stop it! Use Paper Mario’s paint hammer to splash paint on anything it hits and bring the color back to the island in this new action-adventure game. The game will launch later in 2016.
• Super Mario Maker: More than 6.2 million courses from players around the world are available for others to play, and now a free March 9 update will add a Super Expert mode to the 100-Mario Challenge. The mode is unlocked after players clear Expert mode. Super Expert Mode dishes out six extremely tough courses. Additionally, 12 new Mystery Mushroom costumes have been added to 100 Mario Challenge. The update also provides level creators with even more tools:
  • Shake a P Switch to turn it into a key. Shake a Door to turn it into a Key Door. Creators can make enemies hold keys, meaning players can’t advance without defeating mandatory bosses.
  • Shake a Coin to turn it into a Pink Coin. Players must collect them all to make a key appear.
  • Shake a Thwomp to turn it into a massive Skewer column from Super Mario World.

• Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: The Wii U version of the game launches on June 24 and includes two events new to the series: Rugby Sevens and Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs. Every event in the game takes place in locales modeled after the actual venues in Rio.
• Splatoon: The hit multiplayer game is getting more updates. An update on March 8 balances some gear abilities to improve some of the lesser-used ones and make them more appealing. Additional tweaks to matchmaking, Ranked Battles and Splatfests aim to improve the overall user experience. Another update arrives in two waves, with the first coming in April. It will adjust some existing weapons and add new weapon set recommendations as “Sheldon’s Picks.”
• Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Slay monsters—and slay like a pop star—all at the same time, in this brand-new RPG from acclaimed developer Atlus. A sinister force from another dimension has invaded modern-day Tokyo, resulting in a fantastical barrage of style, fashion, music and, of course, danger. So play to your strengths in high-energy turn-based battles, then fuse items to craft powerful weapons and crush your foes. Around every corner you’ll find fan-service—including Fire Emblem references—original songs by Japanese entertainment giant Avex, dungeons themed after the entertainment industry and eye-catching music performances. The one-of-a-kind game launches June 24.
• LOST REAVERS: BANDAI NAMCO’s latest free-to-play online co-op action game asks players to team up with other adventurers online to fight zombies and solve puzzles as they search for valuable treasure. As players complete missions, characters will level up, unlock additional skills and increase their in-game funds to acquire new weapons. An open beta version is launching April 14 with the full version coming to Wii U on April 28.

Nintendo 3DS

• Kirby: Planet Robobot: Invaders have mechanized Dream Land. To restore his home to its original form, Kirby must use their technology against them with the new Robobot Armor. The Robobot Armor can even destroy a variety of obstacles in his way. The Team Kirby Clash mode lets up to four players join forces to battle against powerful bosses. Players select one of four roles, and participate in a co-op quest to defeat a boss while supporting their team. Completing a quest earns experience points to level-up and grow more powerful. The game is compatible with a large variety of amiibo figures, and some give Kirby character-specific abilities. A new series of Kirby amiibo figures that includes Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight and Waddle Dee gives Kirby attributes specific to each character. Tapping the Kirby figure is the only way to get the UFO ability. The game and new amiibo figures launch June 10.
• Metroid Prime: Federation Force: This next chapter in the Metroid Prime series is a first-person adventure fused with puzzle solving, focused on shooting and co-op gameplay. Players take on missions that tell the story of the battle between the Galactic Federation’s elite Federation Force unit and the Space Pirates. Each player must select and carry specific sub-weapons based on their preferred roles, then proceed to complete each mission. The game will launch in late spring.
• Rhythm Heaven Megamix: The game offers more than 100 rhythm games, 30 of which are new to the series. An additional 70 have been selected from previous games in the series, including the original Game Boy Advance title, which was never released in North America. The game launches later this year.
• Monster Hunter Generations: The newest installment in the popular Monster Hunter action RPG series from Capcom is making its way to the West. The game will feature a special collaboration armor set based on Marth from the Fire Emblem series. Anyone who plays Monster Hunter Generations on Nintendo 3DS with Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate save data present on it will receive bonus content in the new game. As a special promotion, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is being offered at a special price of $19.99 in Nintendo eShop for 48 hours, starting today at3 p.m. PT. The game will launch this summer.
• Disney Art Academy: Discover your inner artist to capture the stunning visuals of over 80 Disney and Pixar characters. With advice and lessons inspired by Disney art and Pixar animations, learn to use a bundle of different drawing tools to create Elsa and Olaf from DisneyFrozen, characters from Disney Inside Out, Mickey Mouse and more! Even share your creations with your friends! Disney Art Academylaunches May 13.
• Hyrule Warriors Legends: The game launches March 25, at which point players can buy a season pass to get access to four DLC packs and a bonus costume for Ganondorf. These packs will also be available for purchase individually in Nintendo eShop during the next few months. A transfer code will allow purchasers who also own Hyrule Warriors for Wii U to use Ganondorf’s Trident weapon and play as the five new characters from Hyrule Warriors Legends in the Wii U game. Medli from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will be available as a free download when the first DLC pack is released.
• Bravely Second: End Layer: A free demo of the game hits Nintendo eShop on March 10. Best Buy Gamers Club Unlocked members will receive a unique 16-digit code to access the demo early on March 7. Playing the demo will earn play bonuses that players can transfer into the full version of the game when it launches on April 15.
• Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past: Travel to the past to save the present in this classic Dragon Quest adventure that has been completely remade from the ground up for Nintendo 3DS. The world has been rebuilt, the characters have new 3D models and the story has been completely re-localized. Even customize your party with over 30 classes and rank up in turn-based battles to learn new spells and abilities. The game launches later in 2016.
• Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation: This third path in the story reveals many secrets not available in the Birthright or Conquest versions. On March 10, players can purchase Revelation for $19.99. Once purchased, a third option will appear at the Branch of Fate moment of the game: “Refuse to Choose a Side.” Today two new maps (Museum Melee and Ghostly Gold) are being released for purchase in the Dragon’s Gate in-game DLC shop, with Royal Royale launching on March 17. After March 17, additional maps will be released on a weekly basis through April 21.

Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS

• Virtual Console Update: Super NES games are coming to New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL systems. At the conclusion of today’s Nintendo Direct, Super Mario World, F-Zero and Pilotwings will be available, mirroring the original Super NES launch lineup. On March 24, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart and EarthBound will join the lineup. And on April 14, watch for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Quest. The New Nintendo 3DS hardware enables Perfect Pixel Mode in these versions, which gives players the option to display the games in their original resolution.
• Azure Striker Gunvolt 2: Gunvolt’s rival Copen joins the fray as a playable character. Players can dash into enemies to lock on to them, then unleash a devastating homing shot. Copen can also copy the abilities of all seven new boss characters and use them as his own. The game launches this summer. In the meantime, the original Azure Striker Gunvolt game is available for $9.99, now through June 1.
• Pocket Card Jockey: Solitaire meets horse racing – really! Game Freak’s new mashup puts players in the saddle as a jockey who must complete a fast-paced, simplified version of solitaire to propel the horse through intense races. It’s all about leveling up the horse through strategic positioning and placement on the track. Over time, players can win trophies for high-ranking races to secure sponsors. The game launches in May.

amiibo

• Mini Mario and Friends amiibo Challenge: This free game can be found in Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Tap an amiibo figure on the Wii U GamePad controller or New Nintendo 3DS system (or to a Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL or Nintendo 2DS system using the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer accessory) to guide one of 11 minis across more than 60 levels. Players can tap any compatible amiibo figure. Or, by tapping specific amiibo figures, players can guide minis that have exclusive level sets or their own unique abilities, like mini Mario’s wall jump or mini Yoshi, who can eat enemies. Starting March 25, the game will be available at select retailers as a bonus download code with the purchase of any Nintendo amiibo figure. It will also be available to download for free from Nintendo eShop on April 28.
• Isabelle amiibo Figure: In June, Isabelle will be available separate from the Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival bundle, in her winter outfit. A new Isabelle figure featuring her summer outfit is also coming. Both figures launch on June 10.
• amiibo Cards: Series 4 of the Animal Crossing amiibo cards launch on June 10.

Today, a software update to the Super Mario Maker game for the Wii U console adds some additional items, modes and features to the critically acclaimed game, making it even more fun to create, share and play levels from all around the world.

Today, a software update to the Super Mario Maker game for the Wii U console adds some additional items, modes and features to the critically acclaimed game, making it even more fun to create, share and play levels from all around the world. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Fans of the Super Mario World game for the Super NES fondly remember the key item, which, when grabbed, unlocks keyholes and grants access to new parts of the level. With this new free update to Super Mario Maker, both the key and locked doors with keyholes will be added to the game. Accessed by shaking the P-Switch and Door items, respectively, the key and locked doors can be used together to create challenging new levels. The key can even be attached to enemies, forcing players to defeat an enemy to retrieve the key and move forward. With this, mandatory boss battles are born!

When players shake a coin in Create Mode, it will now change into a Pink Coin. If a player collects all the Pink Coins in a course, a key will appear. By using the key, locked door and Pink Coins, players can expand imagination and create unique puzzle solving levels.

A new skewer obstacle will also be added to the game. Originally featured in Super Mario World, this huge, foreboding column comes slamming down in a level and appears in a course by shaking the Thwomp item in Create Mode.

Players looking for a serious challenge are in luck, as after downloading the free update, a new “Super Expert” difficulty will be added to the 100-Mario Challenge. This new difficulty pulls random courses that have been categorized as being “Super Expert” after the courses are created. By completing 100-Mario Challenge on this difficulty, five new Mystery Mushroom costumes can be won. (The update also brings three new costume rewards to “Normal” mode and four to “Expert.”)

Recently, there have also been some new costumes added to the game, including the always smart and sometimes zany Professor E. Gadd from the Luigi’s Mansion games. Fans of Daisy can play through the Adventures in Sarasaland Event Course and also get the Daisy costume. Players should check Event Courses often for new levels to play.

Check out these games and more... here!

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BATMAN: Telltale Unmasked at SXSW with Greg Miller

Each year, Telltale has been excited to join artists, musicians, filmmakers, technologists, and storytellers from around the world in Austin, TX for the annual South by Southwest festival. Featuring keynote conversations with guests ranging from the co-founders of YouTube, to the President of the United States, this unique convergence of art and technology has grown each and every year for 30 years. This year, video games are a bigger part of the show than ever before at the SXSW Gaming Expo, which is FREE and open to the public!

On March 18th, Telltale is heading out to Austin for the show where we'll be discussing the very first details of our upcoming series based on BATMAN for the first time! Be one of the first in the know on our next episodic series as Kinda Funny's Greg Miller interviews our team to dive deeper into the complex life and mind of Bruce Wayne, the duality of his own identity, and the struggle of responsibility in saving a city overcome with corruption and villainy. 

BATMAN: Telltale Unmasked with Greg Miller

Friday, March 18 

4:30PM - 5:15PM

Admission: FREE

Austin Convention Center 

531 E 4th St

Ballroom C
 

Official panel listing: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_PP92323

We're excited to talk some more about the series and how development at Telltale can often work quite unlike most other game developers out there. In case you missed it, just this week Telltale CEO Kevin Bruner spoke with Kotaku discussing the future of the studio, hinting just a bit about what's in store for our new series, simply saying, "It's not like any other Batman game out there."

Not going to be in Austin for the show? We've got you covered. The whole panel will be streamed LIVE right from the heart of Texas. Catch it here on Twitch: twitch.tv/sxswgaming

  

Remember, admission to the SXSW Gaming Expo portion of the festival is FREE and does not require a badge. So whether it's in person or online, do join us for what promises to be an exciting first insight into the series!