Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D swings in this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/donkey-kong-country-returns-3d-swings-in-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/donkey-kong-country-returns-3d-swings-in-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/donkey-kong-country-returns-3d-swings-in-this-summer/#comments ImageDonkey Kong Country Returns 3D was just announced during this morning's Nintendo Direct, it will arrive on Nintendo's 3DS this summer in North America and Europe.

"This version of the game is being rebuilt for Nintendo 3DS," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO of Nintendo of America.

The game is a remake of Wii's Donkey Kong Country Returns from 2010. A 3D video for the game will be available on the Nintendo eShop later today.

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns 3D swings in this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdonkey-kong-country-3dsdonkey-kong-country-returnsdonkey-kong-country-returns-3dnintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2013Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Pikmin 2, Mario Power Tennis on US Wii June 10, DKC Returns and Brawl discounted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/pikmin-2-mario-power-tennis-on-us-wii-june-10-dkc-returns-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/pikmin-2-mario-power-tennis-on-us-wii-june-10-dkc-returns-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/pikmin-2-mario-power-tennis-on-us-wii-june-10-dkc-returns-and/#comments ImageDespite never having been released for Wii in North America, the Wii's "New Play Control" version of Pikmin 2 will be released as part of the "Nintendo Selects" line June 10, alongside fellow GameCube port Mario Power Tennis. Rather than question the logistics of a budget re-release of a game that was never released in the first place, we'll celebrate the $19.99 price point under which it's coming out.

Also joining the Nintendo Selects line are two bona fide Wii games, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the excellent Donkey Kong Country Returns, at $30 each. It's about (two years past) time for Brawl to be made cheaper, though it's unusual that these two games will sell for $10 above the normal Nintendo Selects price.

Gallery: Nintendo Selects (Mario Power Tennis and Pikmin 2)

Continue reading Pikmin 2, Mario Power Tennis on US Wii June 10, DKC Returns and Brawl discounted

JoystiqPikmin 2, Mario Power Tennis on US Wii June 10, DKC Returns and Brawl discounted originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Donkey-Kong-Country-Returnsmario-power-tennisnintendonintendo-selectsPikmin-2q2-2012release-datesuper-smash-bros-brawlwiiMon, 14 May 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro Studios helped to craft Donkey Kong course for Mario Kart 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/retro-studios-helped-to-craft-donkey-kong-course-for-mario-kart/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/retro-studios-helped-to-craft-donkey-kong-course-for-mario-kart/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/retro-studios-helped-to-craft-donkey-kong-course-for-mario-kart/#comments When Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that Donkey Kong Country Returns dev Retro Studios was collaborating with Nintendo on Mario Kart 7, he stopped himself there. "But wait," we wondered at the time, "What does that mean?" As it turns out, it means that the Texas-based dev house helped to develop the game's Donkey Kong Country Returns-themed level.

I played through the level this morning during a preview event at Nintendo of America's upper Manhattan offices, and can back up its Donkey Kong-ness. There were rotund wooden barrels with "DK" in capital letters on the side, some bats, plenty of palm trees -- what you'd expect to see in a level based around Mr. Kong.

Unfortunately, it's unclear whether MK7 will feature other levels that were co-developed by teams outside of Nintendo, as company reps told me it's not something they're speaking about just yet, but we're hopeful for more when Mario Kart 7 launches on December 4.

Gallery: Mario Kart 3DS (8/3/11)

JoystiqRetro Studios helped to craft Donkey Kong course for Mario Kart 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdonkey-kongdonkey-kong-country-returnsmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoretroretro-studiosMon, 03 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns in papercraft form]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/donkey-kong-country-returns-in-papercraft-form/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/donkey-kong-country-returns-in-papercraft-form/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/donkey-kong-country-returns-in-papercraft-form/#comments This Donkey Kong Country Returns diorama perfectly captures the essence of the game: DK and Diddy are bravely attempting to grab a puzzle piece, and are about to be killed by an annoying enemy.

Continue reading Donkey Kong Country Returns in papercraft form

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns in papercraft form originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsnintendopapercraftretro-studioswiiWed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro reflects on Donkey Kong Country Returns, denies sequel plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/retro-reflects-on-donkey-kong-country-returns-denies-sequel-pla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/retro-reflects-on-donkey-kong-country-returns-denies-sequel-pla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/retro-reflects-on-donkey-kong-country-returns-denies-sequel-pla/#comments If Nintendo is following up Donkey Kong Country Returns with sequels like it did the original Donkey Kong Country, it's not doing so right now. Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe, who works with DKCR developer Retro Studios, told Game Informer, "I wouldn't say we won't do a sequel, but we don't have anything planned at this time."

In a postmortem panel at GDC on the development of last year's sucessful DKCR, Retro revealed the difficulties of making the side-scroller. The team attempted to adapt the Metroid Prime morph ball camera to the side-scrolling, but found it unable to handle the quick and complex movements of the DK characters -- especially once Tanabe insisted that two-player simultaneous play be added.

There are over 2000 animations for the player character, a number inflated by the second character -- and by the late-stage suggestion from Shigeru Miyamoto that Donkey Kong be able to blow on background items to reveal secrets. Miyamoto was testing the game, running back and forth for about ten minutes, when he declared that Donkey Kong appeared to be exhaling when he turned around. And then, he said that "it might be fun to make Donkey Kong blow on things," causing extensive damage to Retro's metaphorical tea table.

And the Super Guide -- "oh, jeez," one of the team exclaimed when that subject came up. It turns out that Retro had to rewrite the engine to make it deterministic -- make it that all the inputs would result in the same output every time, essentially eliminating randomness. This turned out to be a boon, however, as the same mechanic that allowed the team to record playthroughs also made it easy to reproduce bugs in testing.

Retro ended its panel by joking that it would like to refresh the Doki Doki Panic (Super Mario Bros. 2) series next, along with making a "Pokemon Prime." "We've been looking at Tingle a lot," as well.

JoystiqRetro reflects on Donkey Kong Country Returns, denies sequel plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsgdc-2011kensuke-tanabenintendoretro-studiossequelwiiFri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Layton's Unwound Future and Kirby's Epic Yarn join Nintendo's million-seller club]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/layton-unwound-future-and-kirby-epic-yarn-million-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/layton-unwound-future-and-kirby-epic-yarn-million-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/layton-unwound-future-and-kirby-epic-yarn-million-sold/#comments In a supplemental document to Nintendo's latest quarterly earnings report, the company noted its million-sellers during the past three fiscal quarters (April-Dec. 2010), with Professor Layton and pink power-puff Kirby standing out from the games featuring keywords: Mario, Pokémon and Wii. Through the end of 2010, DS puzzler Professor Layton and the Unwound Future had reached global sales of 1.9 million units since its September 12 debut, while Dragon Quest IX just squeezed into the million-seller club with 1.02 million copies sold (since July 11).

The Wii-llion seller list for the nine-month period featured several Mario and Wii [Fill in Blank] games, but Donkey Kong Country Returns was also a popular pick, moving a bananas 4.21 million units since its late-November release. Additionally, Kirby's Epic Yarn managed to stitch up sales of 1.4 million units in two and a half months at retail.

Sitting on top of DS and Wii million-sellers for the period were Pokemon Black/White with 5.3 million copies sold (and it's not even out in North America and Europe yet!) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 with a hearty 6.2 million units in mushroom-fueled sales, respectively.

JoystiqLayton's Unwound Future and Kirby's Epic Yarn join Nintendo's million-seller club originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Donkey-Kong-Country-ReturnsDragon-Quest-IXdskirbys-epic-yarnmillion-sellersnintendopokemon-black-and-whiteProfessor-Layton-and-the-Unwound-Futuresalessuper-mario-galaxy-2wiiFri, 28 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2010/#comments Vanquish
Shinji Mikami is still playing the game of Telephone he started in 2005. With Resident Evil 4, he revitalized Capcom's stagnant survival-horror franchise by turning it into a strictly paced shooter, where standing your ground (you couldn't move and shoot at the same time, remember?) was the only way to advance. The idea made it all the way across the ocean -- mostly intact -- and eventually found its way into Epic's Gears of War.

The Mikami-led team at Platinum Games, in turn, heard all the bits about military meatheads and enemies that can be demolished without remorse, but the part about lumbering man-tanks got garbled. Instead, we get a protagonist that can slide across the battlefield in the blink of an eye.

At its nuclear-powered core, Vanquish still honors Resident Evil 4's balance of risk and reward. It's an exceptionally hectic shooter where rocketing in and out of critical engagements is key -- but if your suit overheats, you're slow again. And then you're dead.

Even Gears of War's train level comes back a little warped. Now there are two trains, and one of them is upside-down.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bayonettabest-of-the-rest-2010blurcastlevania-lords-of-shadowdonkey-kong-country-returnsfinal-fantasy-xiiihalo-reachiphonelara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightmicrosoftmobilenintendopac-man-championship-edition-dxplaystationps3tilt-to-livevanquishwiixboxSat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/best-of-the-rest-jcs-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/best-of-the-rest-jcs-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/best-of-the-rest-jcs-picks-of-2010/#commentsDragon Quest IX
DQIX is secretly two games: when you're playing through the main quest, it's a traditional JRPG with a light but interesting story populated by unexpectedly engaging characters and perfectly brisk pacing; then as you approach the end, it becomes a dungeon crawler driven by a dungeon map trading mechanic using the passive communication of the DS.

How compelling is that "tag mode" mechanic? I can't think of any other game for which I would go hang out at a GameStop and then a Best Buy, but that's exactly what I did when Nintendo held DQIX events this summer. I needed those maps. That's how I know this is my favorite game of 2010.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2010

JoystiqBest of the Rest: JC's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-dot-game-heroesace-attorney-investigations-miles-edgeworthbest-of-the-rest-2010bit-trip-runnercave-storydonkey-kong-country-returnsDragon-Quest-9-Sentinels-of-the-Starry-Skiesdragon-quest-ixdskirbys-epic-yarnmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkernintendoNo-More-Heroes-2-Desperate-Strugglepicross-3dplaystationps3pspscott-pilgrim-vs-the-worldsin-and-punishment-star-successorsonyspelunker-hdsuper-scribblenautswarioware-diywiiFri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/black-ops-tops-uk-charts-this-holiday-nfs-hot-pursuit-gets-sal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/black-ops-tops-uk-charts-this-holiday-nfs-hot-pursuit-gets-sal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/black-ops-tops-uk-charts-this-holiday-nfs-hot-pursuit-gets-sal/#comments
 For a second year in a row going into Christmas, the Call of Duty franchise is king of the Chart-Track UK All Formats chart, with CoD:Black Ops sales slightly up and occupying the space where CoD: Modern Warfare 2 was last year. FIFA 11 placed second, which is nothing unusual. However, coming out of nowhere, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit sales jumped 48 percent, which boosted the game from seventh to third.

Occupying the fourth and fifth spots respectively are Ubisoft's Just Dance 2 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Just Dance 2 sales were up fifteen percent this week, which means, unless something very strange happens next week, a member of the Just Dance franchise will have been in the top of the UK charts for all of 2010. The first Just Dance owned much of the early part of the year.

Check out the UK's top ten -- keep hanging in there, Donkey Kong Country Returns! -- after the break.

Continue reading Black Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost

JoystiqBlack Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-2Call-of-Duty-Black-Opschart-trackchart-track-weeklyDonkey-Kong-Country-ReturnsFIFA-11just-dance-2microsoftNeed-for-Speed-Hot-Pursuitnintendoplaystationps3wiixboxMon, 20 Dec 2010 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[November NPD: Best month ever for retail, Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/november-npd-best-month-ever-for-retail-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/november-npd-best-month-ever-for-retail-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/november-npd-best-month-ever-for-retail-xbox/#commentsNovember is traditionally a big, big month for games, thanks to the impending holidays and the temporary financial insanity bestowed upon Americans by the Black Friday Effect. This November may have been the biggest. The NPD reports that last month was the "best November on record in terms of new physical retail sales," ahead of November 2008 by around $30 million. Call of Duty: Black Ops had the biggest first month of any game ever, with 8.4 million copies.

And Microsoft (producer of the best-selling non-DS console) tells us that with 1.37 million consoles sold, November 2010 was not only the biggest November ever for Xbox, it was the biggest month ever. Thanks, Kinect! Thanks, new hardware! Handhelds were actually down vs. previous years, though the DS was still the top-selling console, with the Mario red DSi XL representing the majority of sales. Nintendo said that "over 1.5 million" DS systems were sold last month.

After the break, check out the top-selling games of the month. You already know what's at number one, of course. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood follows at #2, with surprisingly strong showings for both Fable 3 and Donkey Kong Country Returns down the list.

Continue reading November NPD: Best month ever for retail, Xbox

JoystiqNovember NPD: Best month ever for retail, Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-black-opsdonkey-kong-country-returnsdsdsi-xlfable-3kinectmicrosoftnintendonpdnpd-monthlyplaystationps3pspsalessonywiixboxThu, 09 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo UK promotion offered Donkey Kong Country Returns in exchange for bananas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/nintendo-uk-promotion-offered-donkey-kong-country-returns-in-exc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/nintendo-uk-promotion-offered-donkey-kong-country-returns-in-exc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/nintendo-uk-promotion-offered-donkey-kong-country-returns-in-exc/#comments Nintendo offered a strange promotional deal for Donkey Kong Country Returns at UK video game stores recently. All fans were asked to do is bring in real bananas; the first 20 who did would get a copy of Retro Studios' brilliantly tough platformer. And, sure enough, it worked -- fans handing over bananas got a copy of the game, as well as a photo opportunity with ... the store employees.

The promotion worked so well, according to Nintendo, that the company is planning some similar giveaways in the future. Soon, by bringing in real-life psychadelic mushrooms, you'll be able to get a copy of the trippy Super Mario Galaxy 2. A fully knitted sweater will net you a copy of Kirby's Epic Yarn and 20 lucky game store shoppers will be able to get a copy of Metroid: Other M by bringing in a real extraterrestrial being. Good luck with that one.

JoystiqNintendo UK promotion offered Donkey Kong Country Returns in exchange for bananas originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsnintendoretro-studiosukwiiSat, 04 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Billy Mitchell's tie makes cameo in Donkey Kong Country Returns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/billy-mitchell-tie-makes-cameo-in-donkey-kong-country-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/billy-mitchell-tie-makes-cameo-in-donkey-kong-country-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/billy-mitchell-tie-makes-cameo-in-donkey-kong-country-returns/#comments Donkey Kong Country Returns developer Retro Studios doesn't just have a knack for successfully rebooting beloved Nintendo franchises, it's also got a wicked eye for bold fashion statements. For instance, the star-spangled signature necktie of Donkey Kong high-score contender Billy Mitchell (pictured right; from The King of Kong film) must have ensnared the attention of somebody at Retro, as the familiar pattern managed to sneak its way into DKC Returns, hidden in the backdrop of World 3-2 (pictured left).

Now, if only the developer could have found a way to sneak in Mitchell's undying admiration of hot sauce, or, you know, his overall winning personality.

JoystiqBilly Mitchell's tie makes cameo in Donkey Kong Country Returns originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Billy-Mitchelldonkey-kong-country-returnseaster-eggking-of-kongnintendoretro-studiostiewiiMon, 29 Nov 2010 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Championship eater inhales bananas at Donkey Kong Country Returns launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/championship-eater-inhales-bananas-at-donkey-kong-country-return/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/championship-eater-inhales-bananas-at-donkey-kong-country-return/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/championship-eater-inhales-bananas-at-donkey-kong-country-return/#comments If pressed, we're not sure we could eat an entire banana in 60 seconds -- they're just so dry and heavy, you know? We certainly couldn't come close to the achievement of championship eater Takeru Kobayashi, who, at a recent Donkey Kong Country Returns launch event, slammed 16 'nanners in a minute.

Continue reading Championship eater inhales bananas at Donkey Kong Country Returns launch

JoystiqChampionship eater inhales bananas at Donkey Kong Country Returns launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bananaschampionship-eatingdonkey-kong-country-returnsnintendoretro-studiostakeru-kobayashiwiiMon, 22 Nov 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns review: Exactly as much fun as a barrel of monkeys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/donkey-kong-country-returns-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/donkey-kong-country-returns-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/donkey-kong-country-returns-review/#commentsI used the Super Guide.

There, I said it. I doubt I would have been so tempted under normal, non-reviewing circumstances, but I had a very limited time to get through Donkey Kong Country Returns, and I was getting pretty frustrated, and that happy little pig was standing there, waving a white flag and inviting me to put my feet up and let Super Kong carry me through the level. And I did. I mean, uh, I had to try out the Super Guide at least once for review purposes, right?

The presence of the Super Guide in this game is actually very important. Retro Studios seems to have gotten it where previous games haven't: with the Super Guide in place, allowing players to give up after eight lives and see a recorded playthrough of a level, Retro was free to make this ostensibly kid-focused Nintendo franchise game as painfully difficult as it wanted to. And it's a difficulty worth at least attempting to endure.

Gallery: Donkey Kong Country Returns (10/28/10)

Continue reading Donkey Kong Country Returns review: Exactly as much fun as a barrel of monkeys

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns review: Exactly as much fun as a barrel of monkeys originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kongdonkey-kong-country-returnsnintendoretro-studioswiiFri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer looks so tough a monkey's gotta do it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/new-donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-looks-so-tough-a-monkey/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/new-donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-looks-so-tough-a-monkey/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/new-donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-looks-so-tough-a-monkey/#comments This new Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer means this game's not kidding around. Retro Studios may have borrowed Rare's colorful designs, but it added a vicious platforming challenge to Kong's new banana-collecting adventure. Guess it really is on like ... well, you know.

Continue reading New Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer looks so tough a monkey's gotta do it

JoystiqNew Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer looks so tough a monkey's gotta do it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kongdonkey-kong-country-returnsnintendorareretro-studiostrailerwiiTue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo requests 'It's on like Donkey Kong' trademark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/nintendo-requests-its-on-like-donkey-kong-trademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/nintendo-requests-its-on-like-donkey-kong-trademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/nintendo-requests-its-on-like-donkey-kong-trademark/#comments Nintendo has filed a trademark application for "It's on like Donkey Kong" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The company said the request was made "in honor of the upcoming Nov. 21 launch" of Donkey Kong Country Returns -- in other words, Nintendo is about to put a lock on the phrase's commercial use: "On Nov. 21, It's on like Donkey Kong[TM]!"

Of course, Nintendo still seems to encourage non-commercial uses of the exclamation, clumsily describing it as "an old, popular Nintendo phrase that has a number of possible interpretations depending on how it's used." For example, listen how the phrase completely changes when you add a "beeyotch" to the end of it.

[Image credit: Vinteeage.com)

JoystiqNintendo requests 'It's on like Donkey Kong' trademark originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsits-on-like-donkey-kongnintendotrademarkusptowiiWed, 10 Nov 2010 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Guide returns in Donkey Kong Country Returns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/super-guide-returns-in-donkey-kong-country-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/super-guide-returns-in-donkey-kong-country-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/super-guide-returns-in-donkey-kong-country-returns/#commentsLast year, New Super Mario Bros. Wii introduced the "Super Guide" -- if you died eight times in one level, you'd get the option to have Luigi play through it for you (and you could take back control at any time) -- and gaming was ruined forever. (Not really.)

Nintendo has since included the Super Guide in Super Mario Galaxy 2, and today the company officially announced that the feature will return in Retro Studios' Donkey Kong Country Returns. Should you die eight times (apparently the magic number just before most controllers are smashed!) in any level, you'll be able to initiate a playthrough by the white "Super Kong." Once he takes over, you can either watch the rest of the level be played for you or resume playing it once Super Kong passes any problem area. Of course, you won't get to keep any of the bananas, "KONG" letters or other collectibles picked up by Super Kong -- he has to be rewarded with something for his masterful efforts, right?

Our own first experience with the game, along with a subsequent preview, suggests that we might no longer shun the Super Guide when it comes to Donkey Kong Country Returns. We fully expect to be rescued by Super Kong at least once.

JoystiqSuper Guide returns in Donkey Kong Country Returns originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kongdonkey-kong-country-returnsnintendoretro-studiossuper-guidewiiMon, 08 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer is going to kick you in the face]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-is-going-to-kick-you-in-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-is-going-to-kick-you-in-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-is-going-to-kick-you-in-the/#comments Guys, we're screwed. We're not going to be able to resist buying Donkey Kong Country Returns, but the more media we consume from the game -- like the trailer posted below -- the more convinced we become that the game is going to be so difficult, that we might weep uncontrollably while playing it.

Continue reading Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer is going to kick you in the face

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns trailer is going to kick you in the face originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsnintendoretro-studioswiiSun, 07 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns preview: Not monkeying around]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/donkey-kong-country-returns-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/donkey-kong-country-returns-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/donkey-kong-country-returns-preview/#comments I am a terrible, wimpy gamer. At least, that's what Donkey Kong Country Returns convinced me of after stealing dozens of balloons (lives) away from my defeated ape. While my colleagues, James and JC, hinted at its difficulty during E3, they didn't detail how truly sadistic the level design is. James' conclusion that this is the return of old Donkey Kong Country was wrong -- this is Mega Man.

I also made the silly assumption that the mine cart level -- as they were in the past -- would be a breeze to get through. But, I was wrong. I started the level, doing just fine. The first long jump came as no problem, but then the deaths kept on accumulating: jumping for the letter K caused me to jump off the track to my doom, jumping over an enemy led me to a cliff, forgetting to duck while mid-air in a jump got me killed by spikes, jumping on top of an enemy got me killed by another pair of spikes, I didn't have enough momentum to make a short jump followed by a long jump, etc. etc. By the time I actually reached the end of the level, a Nintendo representative had to reset the demo, because I had managed to whittle down the dozens of lives down to... three?

Gallery: Donkey Kong Country Returns (10/28/10)

Continue reading Donkey Kong Country Returns preview: Not monkeying around

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns preview: Not monkeying around originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsnintendowiiThu, 28 Oct 2010 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Pictures from Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country Returns media event]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/pictures-from-nintendos-donkey-kong-country-returns-media-event/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/pictures-from-nintendos-donkey-kong-country-returns-media-event/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/pictures-from-nintendos-donkey-kong-country-returns-media-event/#comments Not many companies can convert a fancy Midtown Manhattan penthouse suite into a jungle, filled with thousands of bananas. Then again, not many companies are Nintendo.

Continue reading Pictures from Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country Returns media event

JoystiqPictures from Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country Returns media event originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsnintendowiiWed, 13 Oct 2010 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[New DSi XL colors, Wii and DS release dates, and Mario Party 2 for Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/new-dsi-xl-colors-wii-and-ds-release-dates-and-mario-party-2-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/new-dsi-xl-colors-wii-and-ds-release-dates-and-mario-party-2-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/new-dsi-xl-colors-wii-and-ds-release-dates-and-mario-party-2-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Official Nintendo Magazine has put together a list of upcoming European release dates for Wii and DS games. For those of you who don't want to wait for the 3DS, three new DSi XL colors (yellow, green, and blue) will be in stores on October 8. You'll be able to use that new DS for Professor Layton and the Lost Future, out October 22, Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs, out November 19, and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, arriving December 10.

Wii owners in the UK can look forward to Wii Party on October 8, FlingSmash on November 19, Donkey Kong Country Returns on December 3, and in the most random announcement of the day ... Mario Party 2 on the Virtual Console some time in December. Better grab some extra Classic Controllers, because you're going to break the ones you have.

JoystiqNew DSi XL colors, Wii and DS release dates, and Mario Party 2 for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsdseuropeflingsmashGolden-Sun-Dark-Dawnnintendopokemon-ranger-guardian-signsprofessor-layton-and-the-unwound-futurerelease-dateukwiiwii-partyThu, 30 Sep 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns gets new screens, rhino-riffic trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/donkey-kong-country-returns-gets-new-screens-rhino-riffic-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/donkey-kong-country-returns-gets-new-screens-rhino-riffic-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/donkey-kong-country-returns-gets-new-screens-rhino-riffic-trail/#comments It's a good, good day for folks looking forward to Retro Studios' upcoming banana-collecting platformer, Donkey Kong Country Returns -- Nintendo recently sent over a ton of new screens for the game, as well as a trailer showcasing DK's oddly miniaturized rhino companion, Rambi. Check them out below!

Continue reading Donkey Kong Country Returns gets new screens, rhino-riffic trailer

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns gets new screens, rhino-riffic trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnsnintendoretro-studioswiiThu, 30 Sep 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns pre-order bonus is a-peel-ing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/donkey-kong-country-returns-pre-order-bonus-is-a-peel-ing/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/donkey-kong-country-returns-pre-order-bonus-is-a-peel-ing/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/donkey-kong-country-returns-pre-order-bonus-is-a-peel-ing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So, here's the problem: We're big fans of the recently revealed pre-order bonus for Donkey Kong Country Returns, but we don't really know what to call it. Everything we've come up with so far has been way, way too suggestive: Banana dock? Banana holder? Banana sheath? The official GameStop announcement refers to it as a "banana pouch," but even that hits the ear in a manner which causes our inner eight-year-old to flare up with tittering.

Until we can settle on an appropriate name, we'll simply have to refer to it as a Tropical Fruited Wii Remote Cover. The T.F.W.R.C. can be yours by dropping a five-spot on a reservation for Donkey Kong Country Returns at GameStop, either online or in your nearest brick-and-mortar locale.

Now, how do we feel about "banana holster?"

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns pre-order bonus is a-peel-ing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bananadonkey-kong-country-returnsgamestopnintendopre-order-bonuswiiwii-remoteFri, 24 Sep 2010 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo dates Q4 lineup, announces Bit.Trip Fate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/nintendo-dates-q4-lineup-announces-bit-trip-fate/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/nintendo-dates-q4-lineup-announces-bit-trip-fate/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/nintendo-dates-q4-lineup-announces-bit-trip-fate/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nintendo sent out one of its seasonal mega-press releases, announcing pretty much everything at once. Its whole fall Wii lineup now has solid release dates, with newly dated games including: On DS, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem has been given a November 14 date. But Nintendo didn't stop there with the announcements: we now know we can expect Super Meat Boy for WiiWare and Shantae: Risky's Revenge for DSiWare this holiday season (which was previously announced, but it's good to know that game is still on track). Also ... Bit. Trip Fate this fall! That's right, not content with merely giving release dates to games we knew about, Nintendo went ahead and announced someone else's unannounced game. And that's why we love these press releases.

JoystiqNintendo dates Q4 lineup, announces Bit.Trip Fate originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit-tripbit-trip-fateDonkey-Kong-Country-ReturnsdsFlingsmashkirbys-epic-yarnMario-vs-Donkey-Kong-Miniland-Mayhemnintendopokepark-wiiq4-2010release-dateshantae-riskys-revengesuper-meat-boywiiwii-partyTue, 17 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reggie confirms 2011 launch for 3DS on Fallon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/26/reggie-confirms-2011-launch-for-3ds-on-fallon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/26/reggie-confirms-2011-launch-for-3ds-on-fallon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/26/reggie-confirms-2011-launch-for-3ds-on-fallon/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nintendo of America's towering president stopped by the set of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon yesterday, closing off the show's week long celebration of upcoming video games with a look at Donkey Kong Country Returns. After teaching Fallon the correct method of Diddy-maneuvering, Reggie Fils-Aime brought out the big guns: The 3DS, which he told Fallon would be coming out "next year." Oh, that thing you just heard? That was the sound of one thousand Christmases being simultaneously ruined.

You can check out the Donkey Kong demo and Fallon's enthusiastic reaction to the handheld's glasses-less 3D effects in the video posted after the jump.

Continue reading Reggie confirms 2011 launch for 3DS on Fallon

JoystiqReggie confirms 2011 launch for 3DS on Fallon originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdonkey-kong-country-returnsdsjimmy-fallonnintendoreggie-fils-aimeSat, 26 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Visual overload: Nintendo's E3 Wii lineup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/visual-overload-nintendos-e3-wii-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/visual-overload-nintendos-e3-wii-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/visual-overload-nintendos-e3-wii-lineup/#commentsNintendo brought most of its franchises back into active duty this year (sorry, Clu Clu Land!), flooding its upcoming Wii lineup with new games starring familiar characters. We've collected all the screenshots and trailers we had yet to post from Nintendo's crowded slate of Wii releases, along with ones you may have missed during our E3 coverage earlier this week. Clear your cache in anticipation of some serious video streaming, and join us after the break to see footage and screens of Donkey Kong Country Returns, Kirby's Epic Yarn, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and more.

Continue reading Visual overload: Nintendo's E3 Wii lineup

JoystiqVisual overload: Nintendo's E3 Wii lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnse3-2010flingsmashkirbys-epic-yarnLegend-of-Zelda-2010mario-sports-mixmetroid-other-mnintendopokepark-wiisamurai-warriors-3The-Legend-of-Zelda-Skyward-Swordwiiwii-partySat, 19 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: Donkey Kong Country Returns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/preview-donkey-kong-country-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/preview-donkey-kong-country-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/preview-donkey-kong-country-returns/#commentsDonkey Kong Country Returns Donkey Kong Country Returns is a return to form. Instead of reimagining Rare's classic SNES series, as it did Metroid in its Metroid Prime trilogy, developer Retro Studios is creating a game that's a lot more, well, "retro." DKC Returns appears to erase the 14-year gap since DKC3 -- really, it has been that long -- doing its best to fit in with a series that was designed for a console benchmarked by "bit."

DKC Returns does employ modern platforming design and technology, like 3D environments with playable foreground and background areas, but it does so subtly, as not to stray far from an authentic feel -- how we might remember DKC on the SNES. And, truly, I had forgotten that the original DKCs were not fully co-op. Oh right, I'm remembering, the SNES games had that tag-in/tag-out multiplayer. So, as I demoed DKC Returns at Nintendo's E3 booth with Joystiq's own JC Fletcher, it was actually a new Donkey Kong Country experience that felt just like something I'd enjoyed many years ago.

Gallery: Donkey Kong Country Returns (E3 2010)

Continue reading Preview: Donkey Kong Country Returns

JoystiqPreview: Donkey Kong Country Returns originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-country-returnse3-2010nintendoretro-studioswiiFri, 18 Jun 2010 19:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, on 3DS, Retro, Zelda and Pikmin 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/interview-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-on-3ds-retro-zelda-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/interview-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-on-3ds-retro-zelda-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/interview-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-on-3ds-retro-zelda-and/#comments Nintendo recently unveiled its 3DS handheld, and Super Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto is hard at work on the next evolution of virtual pets, Nintendogs + Cats, for the system. While the core mechanics remain the same, players will interact with their pets in full 3-D. We had a chance to sit with Miyamoto to see what he thinks of 3-D gaming and more.

Joystiq: We knew the 3DS was coming. It was announced a while ago, but we didn't expect so many games to be available. How long have you been working on the technology?

Shigeru Miyamoto: Nintendo's been researching 3-D games for over 20 years. The first time we started looking at 3D with an LCD screen was during the GameCube days. We've continued to experiment with it since then, particularly implementing it into the 3DS. That's something we've been working on for the past three years.

With games, what's the ratio of Nintendo first party to third party? It seems like some of them are remakes, such as Star Fox. How many are new and updated experiences?

When we first launched Nintendo DS, the touch screen became a new innovative face for gaming, and we spent a lot of time creating things that were probably different from the standard games that you've seen, games that are more like books or Brain Training type games. But with Nintendo 3DS, and specifically with the ability to create 3-D visuals, we're finding that, in addition to creating new game ideas, the 3-D visuals really do a lot for past experiences. It'll be a blend. We'll see remakes that take advantage of the 3-D, but we'll also work on new ideas as well.

Continue reading Interview: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, on 3DS, Retro, Zelda and Pikmin 3

JoystiqInterview: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, on 3DS, Retro, Zelda and Pikmin 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsDonkey-Kong-Country-Returnsdse3-2010legend-of-zelda-skyward-swordsnintendonintendo-3dsnintendogs-plus-catsshigeru-miyamotowiizelda-skyward-swordsWed, 16 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Donkey Kong Country Returns ... returns on Wii this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/donkey-kong-country-returns-returns-on-wii-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/donkey-kong-country-returns-returns-on-wii-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/donkey-kong-country-returns-returns-on-wii-this-holiday/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nintendo has apparently gone bananas, handing Metroid Prime vet Retro Studios its treasured Donkey Kong Country franchise. The company revealed Donkey Kong Country Returns at its E3 keynote, showing a new trailer that looked ... pretty much exactly like you'd think it would. It's the traditional 2D platformer we all know in love, bestowed with new 3D graphics and featuring both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. The game will be available on the Wii this holiday.

JoystiqDonkey Kong Country Returns ... returns on Wii this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Donkey-Kong-Country-Returnse3-2010nintendoRetro-StudioswiiTue, 15 Jun 2010 12:51:00 EST