Joystiq DS http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq DS http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Club Nintendo closing, 'new loyalty program' on the way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/club-nintendo-closing-new-loyalty-program-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/club-nintendo-closing-new-loyalty-program-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/club-nintendo-closing-new-loyalty-program-on-the-way/#comments 'Club Nintendo is dead, long live the new loyalty program,' is the message from Nintendo this morning, after the company announced it's closing its current rewards service. Users in the US and Canada have until the end March to earn Club Nintendo Coins and until the close of June to redeem them, signalling when the service will finally hang up its brown boots.

"We thank all Club Nintendo members for their dedication to Nintendo games and their ongoing love for our systems and characters," said Nintendo of America executive VP Scott Moffit in the company's press release. "We want to make this time of transition as easy as possible for our loyal Club Nintendo members, so we are going to add dozens of new rewards and downloadable games to help members clear out their Coin balances."

Continue reading Club Nintendo closing, 'new loyalty program' on the way

JoystiqClub Nintendo closing, 'new loyalty program' on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2015 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsamericaaustraliaclub-nintendodseuropejapannintendonintendo-of-americarewardswiiwii-uTue, 20 Jan 2015 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo and Philips resolve 'virtual body' dispute]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/02/nintendo-and-philips-resolve-virtual-body-dispute/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/02/nintendo-and-philips-resolve-virtual-body-dispute/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/02/nintendo-and-philips-resolve-virtual-body-dispute/#comments Nintendo and Philips resolved their patent disputes by signing a licensing agreement, the technology company announced. Per the agreement, both Nintendo and Philips will "cross-license portions of each company's patent portfolio." However, Philips did not disclose any other terms or financial details for the licensing agreement.

Philips filed a complaint against Nintendo in May, alleging that the video game maker infringed on Philips' patent '379, "Virtual Body Control Device." Philips said it sent notice of the alleged infringement to Nintendo in December 2011, claiming a second instance of infringement in May for patent '231, "User Interface System Based on Pointing Device." In June, a UK court found that Nintendo's reasons for developing various devices and controllers for its Wii, Wii U and DS consoles with both motion-sensing tech and cameras in it to be "unconvincing."
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqNintendo and Philips resolve 'virtual body' dispute originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementdslawsuitslicenselicensingnintendopatentsphilipssettlementwiiwii-uTue, 02 Dec 2014 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy birthday, Nintendo DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/28/happy-birthday-nintendo-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/28/happy-birthday-nintendo-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/28/happy-birthday-nintendo-ds/#comments Double digits, Nintendo DS! Little two-screened wonder, the machine that rose Nintendo to the heavens rather than the depths of hell, you turned 10-years-old earlier this month. How far you've taken us, Nintendo DS! As the GameCube floundered back in 2004 and Game Boy Advance was staying afloat thanks to Pokemon, the world scoffed at your weird design. A microphone? A touch screen? Madness! Now there's scarcely a device out there that doesn't sport both features. You sit along the original Nintendo Entertainment System as one of the most successful and influential gaming machines ever.

Now that you're ten, Nintendo DS, it's time to grow up! No more dillydallying with soft batch games like Spectrobes! With a decade under your belt, its time for games that will make you the womanliest woman and manliest man you can be, Nintendo DS. Here are ten games that will make you a grown up. They will teach you things about life, love, triumph and heartbreak. Here, dear DS, are ten games to play on your road to adulthood.

>>Ten Games Bringing the DS into Adulthood<<

JoystiqHappy birthday, Nintendo DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Nov 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsnintendoNintendo-DSNintendo-DS-10-Year-AnniversaryNintendo-DSiRecommendedFri, 28 Nov 2014 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon Art Academy hits North America in October]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/22/pokemon-art-academy-hits-north-america-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/22/pokemon-art-academy-hits-north-america-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/22/pokemon-art-academy-hits-north-america-in-october/#comments Pokemon Art Academy launches on October 24 in North America, digitally and in stores for 3DS. This follows the game's launch on July 4 in Europe. Pokemon Art Academy trains players to be master Pokemon artists, starting with basic shapes and working up to blending, shading, and special lessons in drawing Mega-Evolved Pokemon.

Now is when you use your Pokeprowess to tell us which 'mon is the hardest to draw. Ready....go!
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqPokemon Art Academy hits North America in October originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendopokemon-art-academyThe-Pokemon-CompanyFri, 22 Aug 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[July NPD: PS4 leads hardware, Last of Us returns to top software]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/14/july-npd-ps4-leads-hardware-last-of-us-returns-to-top-software/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/14/july-npd-ps4-leads-hardware-last-of-us-returns-to-top-software/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/14/july-npd-ps4-leads-hardware-last-of-us-returns-to-top-software/#comments July 2014 continues the trend of rising hardware sales and declining software sales, according to the NPD, though the software sales charts have seen a shakeup thanks to Sony's Last of Us re-release.

"Hardware sales doubled in July 2014 (vs. July 2013), stemming from growth in eighth generation console sales which offset declines in seventh generation console and portable hardware," states analyst Liam Callahan in the latest NPD report. Callahan adds that combined sales of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 after nine months of availability are now nearly 80 percent higher than prior generation consoles. The PlayStation 4 continues to be the top-selling new-generation console for the seventh month in a row.
[Image: Sony]

Continue reading July NPD: PS4 leads hardware, Last of Us returns to top software

JoystiqJuly NPD: PS4 leads hardware, Last of Us returns to top software originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2014 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmicrosoftnintendonpdpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4salesthe-last-of-us-remasteredvitawii-uxboxxbox-oneThu, 14 Aug 2014 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Library of Congress discovers unreleased Duke Nukem game, chews bubblegum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/07/library-of-congress-discovers-unreleased-duke-nukem-game-chews/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/07/library-of-congress-discovers-unreleased-duke-nukem-game-chews/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/07/library-of-congress-discovers-unreleased-duke-nukem-game-chews/#comments Hail to the king of unlikely archival discoveries, baby. David Gibson, a moving image technician with the Library of Congress, stumbled upon a diamond in the rough while scouring through hundreds of games and game-related media artifacts submitted to the library by game publishers: a complete, playable, but never-released game. Duke Nukem: Critical Mass for PSP, a wholly different game than a version released on Nintendo DS in 2011, was discovered on an innocuous DVD-R.

Far from a piece of random archival material, Gibson found the actual source disc that would have been used for writing the game onto UMDs, the ill-fated proprietary media Sony used for retail PSP games. This led to further complications, though, as he had to find ways to access information locked inside of Sony's proprietary files. While Gibson hasn't found way to make the game fully playable at this point, he was able to access game code and view 3D models for not just the series' iconic Pig Cops but also Duke himself. Duke riding a jetpack, no less.

Gibson's complete report on the discovery is fascinating as both a document of a lost piece of lore in one of gaming's most infamous series, but also as a view inside the challenge of archiving gaming's history. Even with the discovery of the game, sharing the data hidden on that DVD-R remains a challenge due to the proprietary files within.
[Images: 3D Realms]

JoystiqLibrary of Congress discovers unreleased Duke Nukem game, chews bubblegum originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Aug 2014 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsduke-nukemduke-nukem-critical-massnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitapspsonyvitaThu, 07 Aug 2014 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fashion thesis dresses you like a thoroughly modern Link]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/04/fashion-thesis-dresses-you-like-a-thoroughly-modern-link/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/04/fashion-thesis-dresses-you-like-a-thoroughly-modern-link/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/04/fashion-thesis-dresses-you-like-a-thoroughly-modern-link/#comments Andrew Shields, a student at Parsons the New School of Design, believes that while it isn't easy being green, Link still looks spectacular decked out in viridian. Hyrule's chosen warrior and his companions in The Legend of Zelda are the inspiration for Shields' BFA thesis, a men's clothing line that will be ready-to-wear provided he acquires the necessary funding to see it complete.

"When I was young I wasn't really allowed to play with Barbies or draw dresses in my notebook, so I stopped and played on the computer, and I learned to play video games," explains Shields, in a brief video on Kickstarter. "My thesis is based on The Legend of Zelda, a game that helped shape my childhood and taught me how to explore and navigate through life."

Navigation Awaits, the name of Shields' line, includes 21 items making up seven different outfits. These range from leafy t-shirt and jeans combos that look like Link's preferred outfit for an Avicii show to more avant garde numbers right out of a Cirque de Soleil adaptation of Twilight Princess.

"The Hyrulian wardrobe is pretty diverse and proportions are pretty well developed so I think most people could pull it off," Shields told Joystiq via email. "If there really was a big difference I would say the addition of synthetics and metal notions like zippers."

"I did think on changing the theme of my collection, by taking inspiration from only Majora's Mask, and doing a really dark, twisted collection. Ultimately, I decided a lighter collection would represent the greater whole and thats more what I wanted to do."

The real question: Will you get to wear these designs?

Continue reading Fashion thesis dresses you like a thoroughly modern Link

JoystiqFashion thesis dresses you like a thoroughly modern Link originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfashionkickstarternintendothe-legend-of-zeldawiiwii-uMon, 04 Aug 2014 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Nintendo eShop undergoing maintenance today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/21/psa-nintendo-eshop-undergoing-maintenance-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/21/psa-nintendo-eshop-undergoing-maintenance-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/21/psa-nintendo-eshop-undergoing-maintenance-today/#comments Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS eShop services are intermittently down this evening until 5:00 p.m. Pacific (8:00 p.m. Eastern), the company noted in an update on its network status and maintenance site. Additionally, the Wii Shopping Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop will be down at that time.

Today's maintenance on Nintendo platforms affects all services on Wii U and 3DS for a five minute period at 2:30 p.m. Pacific (5:30 p.m. Eastern). Likely, that brief interruption is over by the time you, dear friends, are reading this. So while it'll be a little longer before you can browse the eShop, you may resume your online Mario Kart 8 races.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqPSA: Nintendo eShop undergoing maintenance today originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdseShopmaintenancenintendonintendo-eshopwiiwii-uMon, 21 Jul 2014 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Nintendo eShop releases: Guacamelee, Armillo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/04/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-guacamelee-squids-odyssey-armillo/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/04/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-guacamelee-squids-odyssey-armillo/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/04/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-guacamelee-squids-odyssey-armillo/#comments To coin Sony's term, Squids Odyssey is the first 3DS and Wii U "cross-buy" game, but it's only supported by Nintendo of Europe. Over in Europe, customers who buy the underwater RPG on 3DS can download the previously released Wii U version for free, as long as their Nintendo Network ID is linked across the two systems.

However, Siliconera confirmed the promotion isn't coming to North America. We wonder if there's an element of testing the waters going on, but we'll have to wait and see.

That's all very interesting, as is 3D rolling platformer Armillo (pictured above, check out its trailer below the break) and the excellent Guacamelee, both of which are now on Wii U. Yet our eyes are inexorably drawn to Bombing Bastards. Not because of the game, which has an undeniably familiar whiff about it, but the name itself, which Nintendo is apparently cool with. Remember when Stealth Bastard Deluxe became Stealth Inc on Sony platforms? Looks like Nintendo doesn't care so much, which is not the way round we pictured that.

As ever, you'll find all the new eShop releases below the break. Sales-wise, Kung Fu Rabbit is half-price at $2.49 until July 10, while Just Dance 2014 is permanently down to $40. Also, you can visit the weird and wacky world of 3DS sim Tomodachi Life through a new demo.

Continue reading New Nintendo eShop releases: Guacamelee, Armillo

JoystiqNew Nintendo eShop releases: Guacamelee, Armillo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jul 2014 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsarmillobike-rider-dx2-galaxybombing-bastardscity-mysteriesdseshopglory-of-generalsguacameleeguacamelee-super-turbo-championship-editioninternal-invasionkaraoke-joysoundmario-tennis-power-tourmysterious-stars-a-fairy-talenintendonintendoware-weeklypoker-dice-solitairesquids-odysseywiiwii-uzacisas-last-standFri, 04 Jul 2014 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Nintendo eShop releases: Shovel Knight, Castlevania 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/26/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-shovel-knight-castlevania-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/26/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-shovel-knight-castlevania-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/26/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-shovel-knight-castlevania-3/#comments
The gardening tool-wielding Shovel Knight makes his debut on Nintendo platforms this week, joining Konami's NES classic Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Virtual Console. Who would win in a fight, you think -- Shovel Knight or Trevor Belmont? I'm guessing that a shovel would do a lot more damage to a leather-clad vampire hunter than a bullwhip would do to a suit of armor, so we'll give this round to Shovel Knight.

Other Wii U highlights this week include the 3D Arkanoid-like Brick Breaker 3D and the intriguingly-named Monkey Pirates. 3DS owners get a broader selection of choices with games like Skypeace, Toy Stunt Bike, and Mysterious Stars: The Samurai.

This week's update also gives eShop users the chance to save some cash with price drops for Code of Princess, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, Urban Trial Freestyle, Darksiders 2, and a collection of Ubisoft-published games. You can read more about this week's eShop releases here.

Continue reading New Nintendo eShop releases: Shovel Knight, Castlevania 3

JoystiqNew Nintendo eShop releases: Shovel Knight, Castlevania 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsanonymous-notes-from-the-abyssbrickblast-ucastlevania-iiicocoro-line-defenderdskonamimonkey-henchmennintendonintendoware-weeklyrelease-dateshovel-knightskypeacewii-uyacht-club-gamesThu, 26 Jun 2014 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro Game Challenge 2 fan translation released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/04/retro-game-challenge-2-fan-translation-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/04/retro-game-challenge-2-fan-translation-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/04/retro-game-challenge-2-fan-translation-released/#comments A fan-made translation patch for Indieszero's classic gaming-themed Nintendo DS compilation, Retro Game Challenge 2 (aka Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou 2), has surfaced, rendering it fully playable in English for the first time.

Like its officially localized predecessor, Retro Game Challenge 2 features a quest that takes players back to the 8-bit era, where they must complete difficult challenges across several included games while scouring faux gaming magazines for hints and cheats. While the original game featured simple action games and straightforward challenges, Retro Game Challenge 2 includes multiple text-based adventure games, making the Japanese version a difficult playthrough for players who are unable to read the language.

Though Retro Game Challenge met with acclaim from players stateside, publisher Xseed declined to translate and release its sequel in North America, citing low sales of the original game. Instructions for applying the Retro Game Challenge 2 patch are available at the translation team's website.

[Image: Indieszero / RGC2 Translation Team]

JoystiqRetro Game Challenge 2 fan translation released originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfan-translationgame-center-cx-2indieszeronintendoretro-game-challengeretro-game-challenge-2translationWed, 04 Jun 2014 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U plugs first DS game into Virtual Console in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/04/wii-u-plugs-first-ds-game-into-virtual-console-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/04/wii-u-plugs-first-ds-game-into-virtual-console-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/04/wii-u-plugs-first-ds-game-into-virtual-console-in-japan/#comments
Puzzle-poser Brain Age is the first DS game to arrive on Wii U Virtual Console, and it's out now in Japan for free until June 30.

Nintendo revealed plans in January to add the DS to Virtual Console on Wii U, but it's unknown if Brain Age is headed West or when other DS games may come to the system. When approached on the matter, a spokesperson for Nintendo UK told Joystiq, "We have nothing to announce at this time."

To use its oh-so-catchy full title, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! hit Japan's store shelves back in 2005. The West didn't see it until 2006, but that didn't stop the brain-teaser going on to notch 19 million sales worldwide.

It also didn't stop our love affair with Dr Kawashima's floating polygonal dome, even if he couldn't understand our thick Manchester accent.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqWii U plugs first DS game into Virtual Console in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2014 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brain-Agedsfreejapannintendorelease-datevirtual-consolewii-uWed, 04 Jun 2014 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii and DS online play lives on through homebrew server]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/wii-and-ds-online-play-lives-on-through-homebrew-server/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/wii-and-ds-online-play-lives-on-through-homebrew-server/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/wii-and-ds-online-play-lives-on-through-homebrew-server/#comments Pro-tip for life: Don't tell the Internet it can't do something. Case in point, Nintendo shut down its official servers for Wii and DS online play just three days ago, and already there's a community running their own service in its stead. While it may take some extra work and tweaking on your end to configure a DS or Wii system to be compatible with the unofficial server, it is theoretically possible to still get in a race or two of Mario Kart.

We say "theoretically" because, being unofficial and all, the server isn't as stable or reliable as Nintendo's was. Not every game with online play has been tested for compatibility, and even those that have been tested could crash under server stress. Still, the project's wiki page notes that it is being actively developed, so it's possible things will improve. In the meantime, wear a hard hat and watch for falling goombas.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqWii and DS online play lives on through homebrew server originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dshomebrewnintendoonlinewiiFri, 23 May 2014 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 patent lawsuit over Nintendo DS dismissed by court]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/20/2009-patent-lawsuit-over-nintendo-ds-dismissed-by-court/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/20/2009-patent-lawsuit-over-nintendo-ds-dismissed-by-court/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/20/2009-patent-lawsuit-over-nintendo-ds-dismissed-by-court/#comments Nintendo emerged victorious this week from a patent infringement lawsuit filed five years ago, after a US District Court dismissed the case outright. Alleged patent troll Wall Wireless sued Nintendo as well as Sony and Nokia in 2009, claiming the companies contravened its patent for the "method and apparatus for creating and distributing real-time interactive media content through wireless communication networks and the internet."

Unfortunately for Wall Wireless, the US Patent and Trademark Office canceled all of the company's relevant patent claims upon re-examination, leaving the case without a leg to stand on. According to Nintendo, the Japanese Patent Office found the company's products didn't infringe on Wall Wireless' patent either. While there's no word from Sony or Nokia on the matter, it seems unlikely either company has much to worry about.

Continue reading 2009 patent lawsuit over Nintendo DS dismissed by court

Joystiq2009 patent lawsuit over Nintendo DS dismissed by court originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 May 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslawsuitnintendonokiapatentsonywall-wirelessTue, 20 May 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Wii and DS online play shutdown imminent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/19/psa-wii-and-ds-online-play-shutdown-imminent/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/19/psa-wii-and-ds-online-play-shutdown-imminent/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/19/psa-wii-and-ds-online-play-shutdown-imminent/#comments As it was foretold, the end is upon us - or at least, it's upon those of us using a Wii or DS to play online games. Nintendo announced back in March that May 20, 2014 would signal the end of online service for games on the Wii and DS systems, and that day has come. Or, depending on when you read this, is rapidly approaching.

If you want to get in one last match or download any DLC for the games affected by the blackout, this is your last chance. Not sure if your favorite game is affected? Check Nintendo's full list. Note that this is not your last chance to watch Netflix or Hulu using your Wii. Those services will continue, at least for the prophesied foreseeable future.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqPSA: Wii and DS online play shutdown imminent originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2014 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsnintendoonlinepsashutdownwiiMon, 19 May 2014 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[50 EA games going offline due to GameSpy shutdown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/12/50-ea-games-going-offline-due-to-gamespy-shutdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/12/50-ea-games-going-offline-due-to-gamespy-shutdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/12/50-ea-games-going-offline-due-to-gamespy-shutdown/#comments EA's efforts to transition its GameSpy-based games have been in vain, after the publisher revealed 50 of its titles are going offline once the matchmaking service shuts down. Not only is it a big list of games, but it includes casualties like Battlefield 2142 for PC and Mac, and Star Wars: Battlefront on PC and PS2.

Other games on the list include Battlefield 2 (PC), Command and Conquer 3 (PC and Mac), C&C Generals (PC and Mac), Red Alert 3 (PC and Mac), Crysis (PC), Crysis: Wars (PC), Crysis 2 (PC), Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (PC and Mac), Neverwinter Nights (PC, Mac and Linux) Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC and Mac), and Star Wars Battlefront 2 (PC and PS2). EA's service site has the full list of affected games, all of which lose their online services on June 30.

"Unfortunately, due to technical challenges and concerns about the player experience, we do not have a solution at this time," EA said on its service page.

The company noted some of the games retain sizable audiences, and it's "investigating community-supported options" in a bid to retain online functionality. However: "Significant technical hurdles remain, and at this time we don't have anything to announce."

If EA doesn't come through, users may turn to services like GameRanger, which provides server support for some of the games in question. However, for many games it'll likely be so long and thanks for all the online fun soon after GameSpy's services go dark on May 31.
[Image: EA]

Joystiq50 EA games going offline due to GameSpy shutdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 May 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battlefield-2Battlefield-2142Command-and-Conquer-3-Tiberium-Warscommand-and-conquer-generalscommand-and-conquer-red-alert-3crysiscrysis-2crysis-warsdsEAgamespylinuxmacmedal-of-honor-allied-assaultNeverwinter-Nightsneverwinter-nights-2nintendopcplaystationps2ps3Star-Wars-BattlefrontStar-Wars-Battlefront-2wiiMon, 12 May 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Discussion: How do you like your Nintendo?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/07/joystiq-discussion-how-do-you-like-your-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/07/joystiq-discussion-how-do-you-like-your-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/07/joystiq-discussion-how-do-you-like-your-nintendo/#comments Nintendo isn't in peak condition. The 3DS recovered from its debut slump back in 2011, but the Wii U hasn't found a sizeable audience. As the House of Mario announced on Wednesday, it's sold just over 6 million Wii Us since the console hit in November 2012, significantly less than the PlayStation 4 managed to sell in just five months. Even with Super Smash Bros Wii U and Mario Kart 8 on the way, Nintendo only expects to sell 3.6 million Wii Us by the end of fiscal year 2015.

Maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Market defining sales of the Nintendo DS and Wii as well as the popularity of mascots like Mario may have skewed the world's expectations of Nintendo. Not just in terms of the scale its business, but as a creative force. Machines remembered as mighty hosts for genius games like the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube sold roughly 33 million and 22 million consoles apiece over their entire lifetimes, just a fraction of the 101 million-selling Wii. Both had scant few third party exclusives, but they did have an arsenal of spectacular Nintendo-made games, games far weirder and arguably more lovable than the bland exclusives like Wii Party and Wii Fit that fueled Wii's ascendance. Working on a smaller scale and as an underdog, Nintendo gave us Animal Crossing, Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros, Doshin the Giant, and many more.

Maybe, just maybe, Nintendo is at its best when it's not in peak condition, when it's smaller. Little Mac rather than Mike Tyson, if you will.

The question, then: How do you like your Nintendo? Do you want the market giants of the Wii and DS era, raking in cash like never before and pumping out massive family hits like Wii Sports Resort? Or do you want the scrappy weirdos that came up with WarioWare the same year they reported their first ever fiscal loss? Take the poll, talk in the comments.

[Images: Nintendo]

JoystiqJoystiq Discussion: How do you like your Nintendo? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsjoystiq-discussionmario-kart-8nintendosuper-smash-bros-2014wiiwii-uWed, 07 May 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitch Plays Pokemon gambles with Pokemon Stadium 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/05/twitch-plays-pokemon-gambles-with-pokemon-stadium-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/05/twitch-plays-pokemon-gambles-with-pokemon-stadium-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/05/twitch-plays-pokemon-gambles-with-pokemon-stadium-2/#comments Gone are the days when Twitch Plays Pokemon was just a random crowd-play experiment based on a popular Game Boy RPG. Not only has the livestreamed game moved on to Pokemon Platinum for Nintendo DS, but it now features another game on the stream entirely: Pokemon Stadium 2 for Nintendo 64. Now, Twitch chatters can bet on battles between creatures in Pokemon Stadium 2, which act in completely random ways, all while participating in Twitch Plays Pokemon's ongoing quest to catch 'em all.

The livestreamed game began in February with Pokemon Red, in which thousands of viewers were able to control the game using Twitch's embedded chat. The first game ended after two weeks, garnering 35 million viewers and countless memes and pieces of user-created lore. Now hovering around 2,500 concurrent viewers, Twitch Plays Pokemon is slowly approaching 60 million total viewers after having beaten four games in the Pokemon series.
[Image: The Pokemon Company]

JoystiqTwitch Plays Pokemon gambles with Pokemon Stadium 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 May 2014 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bettingdsgamblingLiveStreamLiveStreamingmacnintendonintendo-64pcPokemonPokemon-PlatinumPokemon-stadiumpokemon-stadium-2twitchtwitch-plays-pokemonMon, 05 May 2014 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Streams Special: Smash Bros Melee, Virtual Console Giveaway [UPDATE: Relive the stream!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/joystiq-streams-special-smash-bros-melee-virtual-console-givea/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/joystiq-streams-special-smash-bros-melee-virtual-console-givea/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/joystiq-streams-special-smash-bros-melee-virtual-console-givea/#comments

So they're finally here/Performing for you/If you know the words/You can join in too/Put your hands together, if you want to clap/As we take you through, this Joystiq rap!

Huh! JS! Joystiq Streams!!

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa. That got weird fast. Bet you thought we were going to do an entirely new version of the "Donkey Kong Rap," didn't you? For shame! We're above such things, and it's not like we're not printing the rest of the rewritten lyrics because they were stupid. Stupid and not really about the fact that we're streaming Super Smash Bros Melee on Joystiq Streams at 4PM today while giving away codes for a bushel of Virtual Console games on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Which we are. Those things are happening.

We're streaming Super Smash Bros Melee at 4PM EST on Twitch.tv/Joystiq and right here in this post on Joystiq.com. The recent Nintendo Directs for Super Smash Bros Wii U and Mario Kart 8 have stoked our inner Gamecube fires. What better way to fan the flames than by streaming the classics directly to you? Also, if you'd like to get your hands on some recent Virtual Console releases like Advance Wars and Super Mario Bros 3, come on by as the codes will be handed out gratis in the chat.

Joystiq Streams regularly broadcasts at 4PM EST every Tuesday and Thursday on the Joystiq Twitch channel.

[Images: Nintendo]

JoystiqJoystiq Streams Special: Smash Bros Melee, Virtual Console Giveaway [UPDATE: Relive the stream!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsjoystiq-streamsnintendosuper-smash-bros-2014super-smash-bros-meleewiiwii-uWed, 30 Apr 2014 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA 4, Red Dead multiplayer gameplay unaffected by GameSpy closure]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/gta-4-red-dead-multiplayer-gameplay-unaffected-by-gamespy-closu/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/gta-4-red-dead-multiplayer-gameplay-unaffected-by-gamespy-closu/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/gta-4-red-dead-multiplayer-gameplay-unaffected-by-gamespy-closu/#comments Rockstar's collection of games are some of the many to be affected by GameSpy's closure next month, although for the most part the studio's latest releases won't suffer. Rockstar plans to transition out of GameSpy's matchmaking service when it closes on May 31, and for some of the studio's older games, that will signal the end for their online features.

The closure means Rockstar is removing all the online features from Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition and Dub Edition Remix, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on DS and PSP, and Beaterator. The racers are losing all online multiplayer as a result, while Chinatown Wars and Beaterator are dropping their Social Club features. The music mixing game is also ditching track uploading and downloading.

No surprises: Grand Theft Auto 5 is totally unaffected, and online multiplayer gameplay remains intact in GTA 4, too. However, GTA 4 is dropping multiplayer leaderboards on PS3, while all platforms are parting with Social Club stat tracking and leaderboards. By the by, all of that also goes for the Complete version of GTA 4 and the Episodes from Liberty City.

Continue reading GTA 4, Red Dead multiplayer gameplay unaffected by GameSpy closure

JoystiqGTA 4, Red Dead multiplayer gameplay unaffected by GameSpy closure originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Apr 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beateratordsepisodes-from-liberty-citygamespygrand-theft-auto-5grand-theft-auto-iviosipadiphonemacmax-payne-3microsoftmidnight-club-3-dub-editionmidnight-club-3-dub-edition-remixmobilenintendoonlinepcplaystationps3pspred-dead-redemptionrockstar-gamessonyxboxxbox-oneWed, 30 Apr 2014 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Great E3 2014 Giveaway: 14 free games each week until E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/25/the-great-e3-2014-giveaway-14-free-games-each-week-until-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/25/the-great-e3-2014-giveaway-14-free-games-each-week-until-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/25/the-great-e3-2014-giveaway-14-free-games-each-week-until-e3/#comments Upon returning from PAX East, the Joystiq crew breathed a deep sigh of relief, content in the knowledge that some totally sweet games were being made. From Evolve to Below, from Project Morpheus to even lonely old Wii U, video games' immediate future filled us with patient curiosity. Then we got home and it hit us: badump bedump brodump tish BOOM I CAN FEEL E3 COMING IN THE AIR TONIGHT! It's coming June 10th through June 12th as a matter of fact. Oh yes, the E3 2014 engine is revving up as we speak. Just thinking about it has us all a little misty for the E3 mania of old, and you know what happens when we get misty: We start giving video games away.

Every Friday between now and the end of E3 2014, Joystiq is giving away 14 games. Each week we'll bundle a selection of games around a specific theme. In turn, we want you to write to podcast@joystiq.com with the subject line "E3 2014 Giveaway Week (insert number here)" and share your favorite moment from E3s past related to that theme, all entries must be received by the following Monday at 10AM EST. For Week 1: Nintendo Freak Outs.

Nintendo has a history of legendary E3 showings. There were exciting game announcements, but even more truly baffling performances. Sure, the Twilight Princess trailer was bananas good, but that Wii Music reveal? Pac-man Vs.? The Wii Vitality Sensor? Those were bananas in a totally different way. Write to us and tell us about the Nintendo E3 moment that made you think, "No way can this possibly be happening."

What 14 Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, and DS games will one lucky winner get their hands on? The full list and contest rules after the jump.

Note: Contest runs from Friday to Monday 10AM EST.

Continue reading The Great E3 2014 Giveaway: 14 free games each week until E3

JoystiqThe Great E3 2014 Giveaway: 14 free games each week until E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Apr 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdse3-2014giveawayJoyswagnintendowiiwii-uFri, 25 Apr 2014 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed series tops 73 million in sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/21/assassins-creed-series-tops-73-million-in-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/21/assassins-creed-series-tops-73-million-in-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/21/assassins-creed-series-tops-73-million-in-sales/#comments
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series reached a total of 73 million in sales according to the publisher's corporate website, which lists its "worldwide best-selling franchises." Assassin's Creed, which has featured six releases in the main series since its 2007 debut and eight additional games on browser and portable platforms, leads Ubisoft's second-best-selling property Just Dance (48 million) by 25 million units.

Assassin's Creed will likely continue to sell by the millions given that the next game, Assassin's Creed: Unity, will arrive on PS4, Xbox One and PC this holiday season. Unity was just announced in March and takes place in Paris during the French Revolution of the 18th century, a setting that was vaguely foretold at the end of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

The next three series in the publisher's top five in sales bear the late Tom Clancy's name: Splinter Cell (30 million), Rainbow Six (26 million) and Ghost Recon (25 million). Head past the break to see the rest of Ubisoft's sales list.

Continue reading Assassin's Creed series tops 73 million in sales

JoystiqAssassin's Creed series tops 73 million in sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAssassins-Creedassassins-creed-2assassins-creed-3assassins-creed-4-black-flagassassins-creed-5assassins-creed-unitydsiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsalessonyUbisoftvitawii-uxboxMon, 21 Apr 2014 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo turned down Skylanders exclusivity deal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/17/nintendo-turned-down-skylanders-exclusivity-deal/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/17/nintendo-turned-down-skylanders-exclusivity-deal/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/17/nintendo-turned-down-skylanders-exclusivity-deal/#comments Nintendo reportedly turned down a deal that would have launched Activision's highly successful toys-come-to-life series Skylanders exclusively for the Wii. A report from Polygon on the Toys for Bob franchise notes that, despite Activision's confidence in the product, it was looking for a partner to spread the risks of the venture.

"[Nintendo] spent a long time looking and looking," Toys for Bob co-founder Paul Reiche said. "They were just like 'we have never seen anything like this before.' I've always wondered about the full meaning of that comment [laughs]." Nintendo opted out of making a full commitment to the project, though the two companies did enter a co-marketing agreement for the series. "Clearly, they have got properties well suited to this world," Reiche added. "Why it is that they didn't rush in here will probably haunt them for the rest of their days."

Activision's Skylander series has since surpassed $2 billion in sales worldwide. The franchise has found its way to ten different platforms, including the recently launched Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Though Nintendo would later experiment with a similar game in the disappointing Pokemon Rumble, it would be Disney that would eventually invest in the genre with its Disney Infinity series, leveraging the company's multitude of popular characters.

"Nintendo could have kicked Disney's ass," Reiche said. "If I was running Nintendo I would have jumped on this."
[Image: Activision]

JoystiqNintendo turned down Skylanders exclusivity deal originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Apr 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnintendoskylanders-swap-forceToys-For-Bobwiiwii-uThu, 17 Apr 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpy online matchmaking service goes dark on May 31]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/04/gamespy-online-matchmaking-service-goes-dark-on-may-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/04/gamespy-online-matchmaking-service-goes-dark-on-may-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/04/gamespy-online-matchmaking-service-goes-dark-on-may-31/#comments GameSpy Technologies is shuttering its online matchmaking service on May 31, ending online play for more than 1,000 games that use the company's middleware.

Launched as a Quake server search program in 1996, GameSpy soon branched out to host online play for hundreds of console and PC games. Many recent games with active online communities still employ GameSpy technology, including multiple titles published by Activision, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Sega, and Nintendo. Affected games will need to migrate online play to SteamWorks or other services prior to the shutdown in order to maintain multiplayer functionality.

The service shutdown comes in the wake of GameSpy ceasing editorial content in 2013. Mobile games publisher Glu Mobile purchased GameSpy Technologies in 2012, later shutting down online play for several popular games without notice when developers failed to pay hosting bills.

[Image: GameSpy]

JoystiqGameSpy online matchmaking service goes dark on May 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsgamespygamespy-technologiesmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3wiixboxFri, 04 Apr 2014 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Phoenix Wright creator objected to sequels after Ace Attorney 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/14/phoenix-wright-creator-objected-to-sequels-after-ace-attorney-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/14/phoenix-wright-creator-objected-to-sequels-after-ace-attorney-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/14/phoenix-wright-creator-objected-to-sequels-after-ace-attorney-3/#comments Shu Takumi is not one to pump out game after game in a series just because it's popular. After finishing Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials & Tribulations, or Gyakuten Saiban 3 for purists, Takumi firmly told Capcom, "Hold it!"

"I felt that Phoenix's story had been told, and that the series should not continue", Takumi told Official Nintendo Magazine in a recent interview. "Knowing when to end a story is very important and I wanted to avoid dragging it out and having it become a shadow of its former self."

Trials and Tribulations provided a nice cap on the story of Phoenix Wright, a young lawyer with a penchant for bluffing his way into proving clients' innocence, that started on the Game Boy Advance in 2001. That's why when Capcom decided it would push the series forward with or without Takumi, the designer came up with a new ace attorney.

Continue reading Phoenix Wright creator objected to sequels after Ace Attorney 3

JoystiqPhoenix Wright creator objected to sequels after Ace Attorney 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsAce-AttorneydsiosipadmobilenintendoPhoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorney-Trials-and-Tribulations-DSPhoenix-Wright-Trials-and-Tribulationsshu-takumiFri, 14 Mar 2014 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[February NPD: PS4 sells more, Xbox One leads in dollar amount]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/13/february-npd-ps4-sells-more-xbox-one-leads-in-dollar-amount/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/13/february-npd-ps4-sells-more-xbox-one-leads-in-dollar-amount/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/13/february-npd-ps4-sells-more-xbox-one-leads-in-dollar-amount/#commentsxbox one The PS4 outsold the Xbox One in the US during February, with the Xbox One selling 90 percent of what the PS4 did, consumer research group NPD reports. The Xbox One costs $100 more than the PS4, meaning it led sales by dollar amount in February.

The Xbox One sold 258,000 units in February, surpassing comparable Xbox 360 launch sales by 61 percent, Microsoft says. Xbox 360 sold 114,000 units in its 100th month on the market, "more than any other seventh generation console." Xbox One owners buy an average of 2.75 games per console, with a total of 772,000 sold in February. Xbox 360, meanwhile, sold 2.46 million games.

Sales of video game hardware in the US were $347 million in February, up 42 percent compared with the same month in 2013. Software sales dropped 9 percent to $318 million, while accessories were up 3 percent, to $221 million.

Next-gen software sales in the consoles' first four months are up 80 percent compared with the combined sales of Xbox 360 and PS3 software in the same time period. The 9 percent decline in overall software sales is attributed to weakening sales for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, which is expected, according to NPD. Call of Duty: Ghosts led software sales in February, followed by The Lego Movie Videogame, NBA 2K14, Thief and Grand Theft Auto 5. See the full list after the break.

Continue reading February NPD: PS4 sells more, Xbox One leads in dollar amount

JoystiqFebruary NPD: PS4 sells more, Xbox One leads in dollar amount originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmicrosoftnintendonpdplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4vitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneThu, 13 Mar 2014 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Four in February: Readers triumph over the Joystiq crew]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/28/four-in-february-readers-triumph-over-the-joystiq-crew/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/28/four-in-february-readers-triumph-over-the-joystiq-crew/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/28/four-in-february-readers-triumph-over-the-joystiq-crew/#comments Put down your buzzers, turn off your engines, sheathe your swords: Four in February has come to a close. The great 4iF challenge brought the Joystiq crew to their knees over the past four weeks. Joystiq Community members, on the other hand, rose to the occasion. Our heroes over on the 4iF Facebook page played through literally hundreds of games, and while not all of them went the distance, they played well.

While a few members of the staff managed to dig into their lists, finishing off entries here and there, not one of us managed to complete all four selections. Richard Mitchell, Joystiq Reviews Content Director, toppled two big ones including Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and Risk of Rain on the maddening Monsoon difficulty. Danny Cowan completed Virtual Hydlide on Sega Saturn while 4iF founder Mike Suszek conquered Tearaway and Toukiden: Age of Demons (though Toukiden wasn't on his original list.) Xav de Matos, Jess Conditt, Anthony John Agnello, and others? Couldn't beat nary a one.

That's okay, though! In fact, failure is just another form of success in Four in February. The point isn't to beat all four, but to encourage diversity in your game playing palette. We all love video games. That's why we're here. Four in February is an event that reminds us of the vast creative richness waiting in the folds of gaming. It's easy to get caught up in the rush of all that's new. 4iF is a conscious effort to slow down and take in our surroundings, to explore what's out there we may have missed. Just playing the game means you've won, even if you didn't see four sets of credits roll.

Still, special honors go to these players. They came, they saw, they kicked four games in the butt. Then "Like" our Facebook page to get in on the next community event, when you can trounce us all over again.

Continue reading Four in February: Readers triumph over the Joystiq crew

JoystiqFour in February: Readers triumph over the Joystiq crew originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Feb 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfour-in-februarymacmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneFri, 28 Feb 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo pulling plug for online play on DS, Wii in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/27/nintendo-pulling-plug-for-online-play-on-ds-wii-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/27/nintendo-pulling-plug-for-online-play-on-ds-wii-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/27/nintendo-pulling-plug-for-online-play-on-ds-wii-in-may/#comments The Nintendo Wi-Fi connection for Wii and DS ends on May 20, bringing an end to online play for the two systems. What that means is there are a few months left to play Wii and DS games online, be that through multiplayer, sharing in-game content, or leaderboards.

Nintendo notes this is just for the DS and Wii and won't affect Wii U and 3DS games, although Wii Mode won't offer online play on Wii U and similarly DS games when played on the 3DS.

The two systems aren't losing all online functionality. The DSi shop and Wii U Shop Channel are staying open, and users will still be able to access the DS Browser and Wii channels like Neflix, Hulu, and YouTube. The company also published a full list of the affected games.

Nintendo didn't provide an explanation for the discontinued service in its announcement - nor did it ask the last ones out on DS and Wii to remember to turn out the lights - but it did thank its fans for their continued support and enthusiasm for its "legacy systems."
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqNintendo pulling plug for online play on DS, Wii in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Feb 2014 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsnintendonintendo-wi-fi-connectiononlineonline-playwiiThu, 27 Feb 2014 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: February 24 - March 2, 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/now-playing-february-24-march-2-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/now-playing-february-24-march-2-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/now-playing-february-24-march-2-2014/#comments
Hide your valuables, Thief is on the loose this week ...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
[Image: Square Enix]

Continue reading Now Playing: February 24 - March 2, 2014

JoystiqNow Playing: February 24 - March 2, 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Feb 2014 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 24 Feb 2014 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo prevails in latest 3DS patent scuffle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/20/nintendo-prevails-in-latest-3ds-patent-scuffle/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/20/nintendo-prevails-in-latest-3ds-patent-scuffle/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/20/nintendo-prevails-in-latest-3ds-patent-scuffle/#comments The International Trade Commission has found in favor of Nintendo in a case involving three companies claiming the gaming giant infringed on their patents with the creation of the Nintendo DS and 3DS handhelds.

In 2012, Technology Properties Limited LLC, Phoenix Digital Solutions LLC and Patriot Scientific Corporation - three companies specializing in patent licensing - filed suit against Nintendo, claiming that the company had infringed on a high-efficiency processor patent in the creation of its most recent handhelds. After nearly two years in court, Nintendo has emerged victorious.

"We are very pleased with the commission's determination, which confirmed the judge's finding that Nintendo's products do not infringe the asserted patent," said Nintendo of America vice president Richard Medway in a statement trumpeting the company's victory. "Nintendo's track record demonstrates that we vigorously defend patent lawsuits, including cases in the ITC, when we believe we have not infringed another party's patent. Nintendo continues to develop unique and innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others."

That track record Medway mentions does indeed demonstrate that Nintendo is an ardent defender of its intellectual property rights, though the company's history in the courtroom is far from spotless. Less than a year ago, Nintendo was ordered to pay $30.2 million for infringing on a 3D display patent held by Seijiro Tomita.
[Image: Nintendo]

Continue reading Nintendo prevails in latest 3DS patent scuffle

JoystiqNintendo prevails in latest 3DS patent scuffle originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsinternational-trade-commissionlawlegalnintendopatentThu, 20 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: February 17-23, 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/18/now-playing-february-17-23-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/18/now-playing-february-17-23-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/18/now-playing-february-17-23-2014/#comments
Use lightning-fast moves to mow down enemies this week with Strider...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
[Image: Capcom]

Continue reading Now Playing: February 17-23, 2014

JoystiqNow Playing: February 17-23, 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneTue, 18 Feb 2014 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: February 10-16, 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/10/now-playing-february-10-16-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/10/now-playing-february-10-16-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/10/now-playing-february-10-16-2014/#comments
Find out the beginning of Ellie's story this week with The Last of Us - Left Behind...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: February 10-16, 2014

JoystiqNow Playing: February 10-16, 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 10 Feb 2014 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skylanders series sells $2 billion worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/06/skylanders-series-sells-2-billion-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/06/skylanders-series-sells-2-billion-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/06/skylanders-series-sells-2-billion-worldwide/#comments Activision announced today as part of its quarterly financial report that the Skylanders series has grossed more than $2 billion worldwide across all available platforms, as of December 31 last year.

To date, Activision has sold approximately 175 million Skylanders toys, which players can collect and summon in-game as playable characters. The latest series entry, Skylanders Swap Force, debuted in October.

Activision revealed in August last year that the Skylanders series passed $1.5 billion in retail sales since the franchise's launch in 2011. Over 100 million toys were sold by the end of 2012.
[Image: Activision]

JoystiqSkylanders series sells $2 billion worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsactivisiondsfinancialsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3ps4salesskylandersskylanders-swap-forcewiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneThu, 06 Feb 2014 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[New Nintendo eShop releases: Bravely Default, Retro City Rampage DX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/06/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-bravely-default-retro-city-rampage/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/06/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-bravely-default-retro-city-rampage/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/06/new-nintendo-eshop-releases-bravely-default-retro-city-rampage/#comments
New games! Yes, it would be nice to have a few more exciting eShop-only types, but at least we can start sending that tumbleweed on its way.

Bravely Default headlines the also-at-retail games, and we'd recommend checking it out. In our four star review, we lauded the 3DS JRPG for mixing Final Fantasy sensibilities with modern design. Whether a new promo trailer really conveys that ... well, it doesn't, but it made us chuckle so we're throwing it in here.

On the downloadable-only front, felonious indie Retro City Rampage comes to 3DS with lots of major tweaks, and it's another we had plenty nice to say about. Also, bike-former/plat-biker Urban Trial Freestyle is down to $3.50, starting later today and ending February 20. Oh, and don't forget the Super Indie Connection sale runs until February 13.

Continue reading New Nintendo eShop releases: Bravely Default, Retro City Rampage DX

JoystiqNew Nintendo eShop releases: Bravely Default, Retro City Rampage DX originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Feb 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbravely-defaultdseShopnintendonintendoware-weeklyretro-city-rampageretro-city-rampage-dxsquare-enixwiiwii-uThu, 06 Feb 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo buys $1.1 billion of its own shares, Yamauchi family contributes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/04/nintendo-buys-1-1-billion-of-its-own-shares-yamauchi-family-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/04/nintendo-buys-1-1-billion-of-its-own-shares-yamauchi-family-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/04/nintendo-buys-1-1-billion-of-its-own-shares-yamauchi-family-co/#comments Nintendo has bought back 9.5 million shares of its own stock, valued at 114.2 billion yen ($1.1 billion), in its first step to stabilize the company's changing financial situation. The family of Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's late (and great) CEO, sold back a portion of its shares during this buyback, according to the acquisition document. We got wind of the Yamauchi family's involvement yesterday.

Nintendo's year-on net profit fell by 30 percent in the final nine months of 2013, pulled down mainly by poor Wii U sales, the company reported. Net profit during this time was 10.2 billion yen ($99 million). Nintendo expects to post a net loss of 25 billion yen ($242 million) for its fiscal year ending in March.

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata and his board members are taking temporary pay cuts, French news outlet AFP reported. Iwata will take half of his salary for five months, and board members will see cuts of 20 percent to 30 percent. Iwata took a similar pay cut in 2011, that time to offset poor 3DS sales.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqNintendo buys $1.1 billion of its own shares, Yamauchi family contributes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendostockswiiwii-uyamauchiTue, 04 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: February 3-9, 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/03/now-playing-february-3-9-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/03/now-playing-february-3-9-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/03/now-playing-february-3-9-2014/#comments
Get in touch with your inner wolf this week with The Wolf Among Us - Episode 2: Smoke and Mirrors...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: February 3-9, 2014

JoystiqNow Playing: February 3-9, 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 03 Feb 2014 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2DS sells 2.1 million, Animal Crossing: New Leaf gets 7.38 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/30/2ds-sells-2-1-million-animal-crossing-new-leaf-gets-7-38-milli/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/30/2ds-sells-2-1-million-animal-crossing-new-leaf-gets-7-38-milli/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/30/2ds-sells-2-1-million-animal-crossing-new-leaf-gets-7-38-milli/#comments The Nintendo 2DS has made it into the tiny hands of 2.1 million customers worldwide since its launch on October 12, according to Nintendo's financial highlights (PDF link). The 3DS, which launched in February 2011, has shipped 42.7 million units, while the DS family has shipped 154 million units in total.

Nintendo has sold 7.38 million copies of Animal Crossing: New Leaf worldwide since its initial Japan release in November 2012. New Leaf launched in North America, Europe and Australia in June 2013: From April 2013 to December 2013, the game sold 2.79 million units outside of Japan, and 730,000 copies in the country.

Nintendo posted a year-over-year net profit decline of 30 percent in the nine months leading to December 2013, with numbers dragged down by weaker-than-expected Wii U sales and console price cuts. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata and board members are taking smaller salaries for a temporary period, French news outlet AFP reported.

Joystiq2DS sells 2.1 million, Animal Crossing: New Leaf gets 7.38 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2ds3dsanimal-crossing-3dsanimal-crossing-new-leafdsnintendoThu, 30 Jan 2014 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: January 27 - February 2, 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/28/now-playing-january-27-february-2-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/28/now-playing-january-27-february-2-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/28/now-playing-january-27-february-2-2014/#comments
Let the kill streaks pile up this week in Call of Duty: Ghosts - Onslaught...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: January 27 - February 2, 2014

JoystiqNow Playing: January 27 - February 2, 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneTue, 28 Jan 2014 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: January 20-26, 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/20/now-playing-january-20-26-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/20/now-playing-january-20-26-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/20/now-playing-january-20-26-2014/#comments
Join the Special Ops against the undead this week in Dead Rising 3 - Operation Broken Eagle...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: January 20-26, 2014

JoystiqNow Playing: January 20-26, 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 20 Jan 2014 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: January 13-19, 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/13/now-playing-january-13-19-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/13/now-playing-january-13-19-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/13/now-playing-january-13-19-2013/#comments
Cut your way through the Louisiana bayou this week with the fully remastered Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: January 13-19, 2013

JoystiqNow Playing: January 13-19, 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jan 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 13 Jan 2014 19:30:00 EST