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Nintendo Direct roundup: 'Mario Maker,' 'Splatoon' and more
Today's Nintendo Direct featured a light feast of sci-fi adventures and fantasy tales, including a new Star Fox game, the return of classic Super Nintendo games (exclusive to the New 3DS handheld), a new Kirby game and the announcement of Monster Hunter Generations for Western audiences. Phew. But that wasn't everything -- we've collected the best trailers and tweets from today's Nintendo Direct below. Feast on this:
Jessica Conditt03.03.2016
'Kirby' returns to your hands in June with 'Planet Robobot'
Everyone's favorite spherical pink vacuum cleaner is back in Kirby: Planet Robobot for 3DS. It uses a 2.5D perspective where you can jump between different depth planes in the sidescroller. What's more, when you suck up an enemy you'll gain access to a version of their specific abilities, including one that has you donning a robot suit. Amiibo support is planned as well, with each of Nintendo's plastic figurines granting Kirby with a different ability. Tapping Mario onto your 3DS will grant Kirby a fire ability, while Link unlocks a sword, for example. Nintendo's Bill Trinen says that each amiibo will unlock something different of some sort.
Timothy J. Seppala03.03.2016
Nintendo makes SNES games exclusive to 'New' Nintendo 3DS
Want to play classic, Super Nintendo games on the go? Hope you updated to Nintendo's vaguely named "New" Nintendo 3DS last year, then -- the company just announced that the latest additions to its virtual console library are exclusive to the revised handheld. Starting later today, NN3DS owners will be able to download Super Mario World, F-Zero and Pilotwings from the Nintendo E-Shop.
Sean Buckley03.03.2016
Watch today's Nintendo Direct right here!
The moment is almost upon us: the next Nintendo Direct starts at 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT. But before you get your hopes up too high, it won't have anything to do with the company's Wii U follow-up, the machine that's codenamed "NX." Same goes for any announcements about Nintendo's mobile initiative. Instead, we're promised that this event will be all about games releasing over the course of spring and summer. What're those? Well, we still haven't heard an awful lot about Star Fox Zero since its delay so expect that to change.
Timothy J. Seppala03.03.2016
Operation Finish All The Games: February 2016
With February now in my rear-view mirror, it's time to check in with my ongoing quest to clear out my game backlog. While many people like to tackle the "Four in February" challenge, I'm perfectly happy to stick with my original goal of finishing one game a month throughout the entire year. How did I do with 29 cold days to work with?
Kris Naudus03.02.2016
Should Pokémon move to consoles?
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of Pokémon's Japanese debut. To celebrate, Nintendo announced the next generation (VII, for those keeping count) of the RPG, Sun and Moon, and the reaction from Engadget's staff has been mixed. Let's start things off with the trailer, just because it's great: Now, while the Pokémon fans among us will obviously all play the game, some were and are hoping for more from the series. Two, in particular, have spent the past 48 hours arguing over one question: should Pokémon move beyond Nintendo's handhelds and onto the company's fully fledged console?
Engadget02.27.2016
'Pokémon Sun' and 'Moon' hit the Nintendo 3DS this holiday
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are indeed real games and they're heading to Nintendo's 3DS this holiday season worldwide. Nintendo's announcement was short and sweet, but we know the games will feature nine language options with the addition of both simplified and traditional Chinese. In other juicy Pokémon news, the classic installments Red Version, Blue Version and Yellow Version will all be available to download in the Nintendo eShop tomorrow, February 27th. These games will also take advantage of the Pokémon Bank, allowing players to transfer their Pokémon to the Sun and Moon games once those launch.
Jessica Conditt02.26.2016
Nintendo cuts forecasts as 3DS sales fall short
Nintendo may want to send its crystal ball back for a refurb, because it has once again failed at forecasting. It just announced a downgrade to its 2016 estimates because the new 3DS and 3DS XL portable consoles haven't been selling as well as hoped. The company thought it would move 7.6 million units across the world between April 2015 and March 2016, but it's now revised that figure to 6.6 million. It also lowered its 3DS software sales estimate by 9 million units. With Wii U sales estimates unchanged, that means the company expects 2016 revenue to fall 70 billion yen, or approximately $620 million.
Steve Dent02.26.2016
Pokémon 'Sun' and 'Moon' should debut on February 26th
The Pokémon video game series is turning 20 this week, and Nintendo is determined to mark the occasion with a bang. It's hosting a Pokémon Direct on February 26th where it will be "celebrating" the anniversary... and, presumably, announcing some new games. The company isn't saying anything about what's coming, but Nerdleaks has unearthed recently-filed trademarks for both Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon -- it doesn't take much to connect the dots and realize that these are the games Nintendo is most likely to show during its live stream. We wouldn't rule out some surprises, but it sounds like you'll once again have a reason to catch Pikachu and crew.
Jon Fingas02.25.2016
'The Legend of Zelda' marks its 30th birthday
Gamers, you have permission to feel old once again: The Legend of Zelda just turned 30. Nintendo released the classic action-adventure in Japan on the Famicom Disk System (it wasn't even a cartridge at the time) all the way back on February 21st, 1986, kicking off one of the biggest franchises in video game history. The series has since sold tens of millions of copies -- over 75 million at last count -- and has had a presence on virtually every Nintendo system to date.
Jon Fingas02.21.2016
Nintendo's profit slump shows the NX can't come soon enough
Nintendo didn't do too bad in 2015, but its latest financial report highlight's one thing: while the company's not struggling, it's depending too much on a handful of legacy titles. Overall, profits reported for the period ending last December were 40,558 million yen (about $336 million), down around a third from last year's 59,515 million yen ($493). A downward trend, but given Nintendo had struggled to make a profit since 2011, the company will be happy to have stayed in the black.
James Trew02.02.2016
Nintendo bundles 'Pokémon Red' and 'Blue' in new 3DS pack
Happy birthday, Pikachu! And Bulbasaur, and Charmander, and Squirtle, and Growlithe, and ... about 700 other adorable creatures. February 27th is Pokémon Day, and this year Nintendo is celebrating the franchise's 20th anniversary with the release of a special 3DS bundle. It includes Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue pre-installed, plus two cover plates with artwork from the original games and a download code for an exclusive Home Menu theme. Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow will be available to download in the 3DS eShop on February 27th, as well.
Jessica Conditt01.12.2016
Windows 95 on a Nintendo 3DS is as strange as you'd think
The trend of putting PC software on wholly impractical devices isn't stopping with the new year, folks. GBATemp fan Shutterbug2000 has managed to get Windows 95 running on a New Nintendo 3DS XL thanks to both DOSbox emulation and some ingenuity. You won't be doing a whole lot with this right now -- Microsoft wasn't designing for touchscreens and analog sticks two decades ago -- but it really does work on a basic level. It looks more than a little odd, too, between the tiny desktop and the emulator status on the second screen.
Jon Fingas01.03.2016
Play as Cloud in 'Super Smash Bros.' today, Bayonetta later
Final Fantasy VII's Cloud takes his Buster Sword to Super Smash Bros. today, series creator Masahiro Sakurai announced during Nintendo's final presentation dedicated to the rapid-fire fighting game. The company revealed Cloud as a Super Smash Bros. character in November, during its Nintendo Direct livestream. Cloud will be available for $6 in the 3DS and Wii U versions of the game.
Jessica Conditt12.15.2015
Watch Nintendo's final 'Super Smash Bros.' show here
Today's the day. Nintendo's final presentation dedicated to Super Smash Bros. starts at 5PM ET (2PM PT). Nintendo generally announces updates to the game during its Nintendo Direct livestreams, but this show is dedicated to Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS. The company's recent commitment to regular Smash Bros. updates helped it enter the modern era of gaming, as our own Aaron Souppouris argued earlier this month. Watch today's show with us below.
Jessica Conditt12.15.2015
Nintendo opened an eBay store for some reason
Looking for a good deal on a refurbished Wii U, but don't like using Nintendo's clunky online shop? Now you have another option -- the company just opened an official eBay store, stocked with new and refurbished games, consoles and accessories. Don't expect to find any deals though: almost everything on the official eBay store conforms to current retail prices (fixed using eBay's "buy it now" feature) or Nintendo's existing refurb pricing.
Sean Buckley11.20.2015
Nintendo Direct returns on Thursday with Wii U and 3DS news
The next Nintendo Direct takes place on November 12th at 2PM PT (10PM GMT), and it promises news and trailers for a slew of Wii U and 3DS games. This is Nintendo's first live-streamed news program since April -- and it's the first since the death of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. For many viewers, Iwata encapsulated the appeal of Nintendo Direct, as he helped the company have fun in delivering its news (and appeared to have an adorable banana fetish). Former Nintendo of America and Pokémon USA President Tatsumi Kimishima is now the head of Nintendo. For its Thursday show, Nintendo promises updates on coming Wii U and 3DS games, and it says this Nintendo Direct will not feature news about its coming console, the NX, or its mobile endeavors. Catch region-specific streams of Nintendo Direct on Twitch (US, UK).
Jessica Conditt11.10.2015
The best of the Tokyo Game Show (so far)
How does lining up for 40 minutes to play five minutes of a new game sound? It's definitely a trade-off, but it's often (usually) worth it. At this year's Tokyo Game Show, we saw a giant 20-foot griffin thing play ball, nothing from Microsoft and a lot of games that are unequivocally geared toward Japanese gamers. Anime tie-ins and Dynasty Warriors-esque crowd-em-ups aside, there was still plenty for us to play. These are the ones that left an impression.
Mat Smith09.19.2015
Nintendo's smaller New 3DS comes to the US on September 25th
When Nintendo decided to release only the New 3DS XL in the US this winter rather than its smaller New 3DS sibling, it left many scratching their heads. Why would Nintendo deprive American gamers of a smaller, more travel-friendly handheld? Well, it's making amends for that mistake very shortly. Nintendo has revealed that it's bringing the New 3DS to the US on September 25th as part of a $220 Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer bundle. So long as you like having the game's charming art plastered all over your handheld, you too can have a more portable option. The NFC Reader (needed to load up on Amiibo figurines and card) will also arrive that day for $20.
Jon Fingas08.31.2015
Nintendo@PAX: Wii U gets 'F-Zero'-style racer, 'Kerbal' and more
Nintendo helped kick off Seattle's annual PAX Prime gaming convention with a focus on the indie scene. The Nindies@Night event at the EMP Museum gave fans a chance to check out 19 indie games on the Wii U and 3DS -- and interact with the developers themselves. Among the highlights: Developer Shin'en showed off two-player split-screen support in its very F-Zero-esque Fast Racing Neo; Squad talked about bringing Wii U-specific features to Kerbal Space Program; and Yacht Club Games unveiled a certain shovel-wielding Amiibo figure.
Philip Palermo08.28.2015