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[Nintendo not doing E3 press conference, holding smaller closed events instead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/nintendo-not-doing-e3-press-conference-holding-smaller-closed-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/nintendo-not-doing-e3-press-conference-holding-smaller-closed-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/nintendo-not-doing-e3-press-conference-holding-smaller-closed-e/#comments Nintendo not doing E3 press conference, holding smaller closed events insteadIn an investor presentation, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata announced that Nintendo will skip the usual large-scale E3 press conference this year in favor of "a few smaller events that are specifically focused on our software lineup for the U.S. market."

One of these events will be for American distributors, with another closed event "for mainly the Western gaming media." Iwata noted that Nintendo is not planning to announce any new hardware at this E3, with showing off software the main focus.

While Nintendo is dropping a lot of mainstream press attention with this move, it makes a lot of sense for a company with the recent financial history of Nintendo to skip out on some expensive pageantry. Especially when the company makes E3-level announcements monthly, for a tiny fraction of the cost.

JoystiqNintendo not doing E3 press conference, holding smaller closed events instead originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdse3-2013nintendosatoru-iwatawiiwii-uWed, 24 Apr 2013 23:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Satoru Iwata to assume Nintendo of America CEO role]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/satoru-iwata-assumes-nintendo-of-america-ceo-role/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/satoru-iwata-assumes-nintendo-of-america-ceo-role/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/satoru-iwata-assumes-nintendo-of-america-ceo-role/#comments Nintendo president Saturo Iwata will assume the additional role of Nintendo of America Chief Executive Officer, overseeing NoA President and Chief Operating Officer Reggie Fils-Aime, who remains in place. The move is one of several board changes in the wake of planned retirements.

The executive-level musical chairs will see Iwata replace current NoA chairman and CEO Tatsumi Kimishima, who will transfer to Nintendo's Kyoto headquarters as the General Manager of Corporate Analysis and Administration, and General Manager of the General Affairs Division.

In a statement, Nintendo said the move will support "the company's unified global strategy" and "allow streamlined decision making and enhance Nintendo's organizational agility in the current competitive environment."

Nintendo released its fiscal-year financial statement this morning, with the company's net profits almost half of its projections at just over ¥7 billion, or around $71 million.

JoystiqSatoru Iwata to assume Nintendo of America CEO role originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialsnintendonintendo-of-americareggie-fils-aimesatoru-iwataWed, 24 Apr 2013 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon skit sees Miyamoto clean up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/luigis-mansion-dark-moon-skit-sees-miyamoto-clean-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/luigis-mansion-dark-moon-skit-sees-miyamoto-clean-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/luigis-mansion-dark-moon-skit-sees-miyamoto-clean-up/#comments
You may have missed it amongst all the goings-on of the North American and European broadcasts, but last week's Nintendo Direct for Japan featured a cute little sketch which saw Shigeru Miyamoto and Satoru Iwata get into the spirit of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.

This week, Nintendo republished it for English-speaking viewers, extra useful since the video includes five minutes of Miyamoto talking about the upcoming 3DS game.

JoystiqLuigi's Mansion: Dark Moon skit sees Miyamoto clean up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjapanluigis-mansion-dark-moonnintendosatoru-iwatashigeru-miyamotoWed, 20 Feb 2013 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Wii U NFC to be used for payments or in-game, prototypes due this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/iwata-wii-u-nfc-to-be-used-for-payments-or-in-game-prototypes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/iwata-wii-u-nfc-to-be-used-for-payments-or-in-game-prototypes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/iwata-wii-u-nfc-to-be-used-for-payments-or-in-game-prototypes/#comments The Wii U GamePad includes a near-field communication function, but you wouldn't know it if you didn't, say, read obsessively about game consoles on the Internet. At the moment, no Wii U game uses it for anything, not even Skylanders, which ships with its own NFC reader.

Speaking to investors, CEO Satoru Iwata discussed potential plans for the tech, none of which have been finalized. Nintendo's ideas for NFC uses split in two directions: Skylanders-style toys and credit card reading.

"For example, we can create cards and figurines with NFC and design our video games to work in conjunction with them," Iwata said of the first possibility. "Also, an increasing number of arcade games are utilizing IC cards which can read and write data in order to record users' scores and it is possible for Wii U games to connect with them." Nintendo is working with "several" developers on ideas like this, "and, by the end of this year, we will probably be able to show you some output, tell you about some more concrete examples of the possibilities or even let you try out some tangible examples."

The other potential use of NFC, as discussed by Nintendo before, is for payment cards. "Technically, it is possible to settle an account by waving an e-money card over the Wii U GamePad," Iwata said. "We are conducting research into this right now as one of this technology's future possibilities." While NFC payments are more prevalent in Japan than elsewhere, there are lots of credit cards in America that can be used by tapping on the card reader. Setting your card down on the GamePad would certainly be more convenient than entering a number.

Whatever Nintendo does with the technology, Iwata is adamant that it had better do something. "Since we have made a certain investment in order to install NFC," he said, "we will make efforts to at least receive a return on our investment."

JoystiqIwata: Wii U NFC to be used for payments or in-game, prototypes due this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nfcnintendosatoru-iwatawii-uwii-u-gamepadTue, 05 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Merging hardware teams could result in more hardware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/iwata-merging-hardware-teams-could-result-in-more-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/iwata-merging-hardware-teams-could-result-in-more-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/iwata-merging-hardware-teams-could-result-in-more-hardware/#comments Speaking to investors, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata elaborated on Nintendo's aims regarding the merger of its console and handheld development teams. Iwata takes the surprising stance that putting the two teams together in Kyoto will result in more potential platforms, not fewer.

"What we are saying is that we would like to integrate software development methods, operating systems, and built-in software and software assets for each platform so that we can use them across different machines," Iwata said. "This means that if we manage to integrate our platforms successfully, we may in fact be able to make more platforms." Iwata explained that the ability to share development resources and assets between teams will allow them to work more efficiently, and that they would be "spread too thinly" if they tried to work on more than the current console and handheld platforms.


As usual, it's impossible to guess what Nintendo is up to in specific terms. "We feel that we are nearing a saturation point in terms of simply improving performance or enhancing graphics," Iwata said. "What is far more important for the future of video games is whether we can make new propositions in other aspects and create games out of something that people never expected to see in the form of a game." The problem with things we never expect to see is that we don't know what to expect, and therefore what to tell you.

JoystiqIwata: Merging hardware teams could result in more hardware originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendonintendo-eadsatoru-iwatawiiwii-uTue, 05 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo to help Japanese companies bring their 3DS games West]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/nintendo-to-help-japanese-companies-bring-their-3ds-games-west/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/nintendo-to-help-japanese-companies-bring-their-3ds-games-west/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/nintendo-to-help-japanese-companies-bring-their-3ds-games-west/#comments Nintendo to help Japanese companies bring 3DS games WestIn order to boost the number of new games coming to the 3DS, Nintendo plans to work with Japanese third parties to bring their games to the North American and European markets. "Among those third-party titles both developed and published in Japan, there have been some games which Nintendo published in Europe, including the Professor Layton series," president Satoru Iwata explained in a presentation today. "We will increase the number of such games for the U.S. market as well as in Europe. We are also willing to flexibly assist third-party developers in distributing their valuable games overseas." In other words, Nintendo will outright publish more games from other companies, and assist in the distribution of others.

It's a simple plan, one that could result in the localization of games that third party publishers would find too expensive to localize and market on their own. Ideally, this would involve games like Bravely Default and Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney; Nintendo's generally reliable curation means we're still safe from humiliating cheesecake ninja game Senran Kagura.

JoystiqNintendo to help Japanese companies bring their 3DS games West originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dslocalizationnintendosatoru-iwataThu, 31 Jan 2013 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo to merge handheld and console divisions by next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/nintendo-to-merge-handheld-and-console-divisions-by-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/nintendo-to-merge-handheld-and-console-divisions-by-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/nintendo-to-merge-handheld-and-console-divisions-by-next-month/#comments Nintendo to merge handheld and console divisions by next monthNintendo plans to unite its console and handheld divisions by February 16, combining the two into a singular unit tasked with creating next-generation hardware. As reported by Nikkei, and then confirmed to Engadget by Nintendo, the combined unit will initially incorporate 150 handheld and 130 console engineers, and operate out of a new $340 million facility located just by the company's headquarters (pictured above) in Kyoto, with the facility due to be completed by the end of 2013.

The move represents Nintendo's first major organizational restructuring in around a decade. In 2002, Satoru Iwata replaced Hiroshi Yamauchi as president of Nintendo, and initiated a move which saw the company's two Research & Development teams re-assigned into the Entertainment, Analysis, and Development division.

Today's news follows speculation around Nintendo's restructuring plans which suggested Shigeru Miyamoto would retire from his position as Nintendo EAD boss, being replaced by EAD deputy manager Takashi Tezuka. In a 2011 interview, Miyamoto noted Nintendo ought to be "structured" to operate without him before he'd leave the company.

JoystiqNintendo to merge handheld and console divisions by next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjapannintendonintendo-eadrestructuringsatoru-iwatashigeru-miyamotowii-uWed, 16 Jan 2013 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Direct bringing Pokemon news early tomorrow morning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/nintendo-direct-bringing-pokemon-news-early-tomorrow-morning/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/nintendo-direct-bringing-pokemon-news-early-tomorrow-morning/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/nintendo-direct-bringing-pokemon-news-early-tomorrow-morning/#comments Nintendo Direct bringing Pokemon news early tomorrow morningA Nintendo Direct will be simultaneously broadcast worldwide tomorrow morning at 6am EST/8pm Japan time. In the roughly ten-minute broadcast, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will deliver "a short message with Pokemon news."

With no other details to go on, we remind you to please reserve your excitement for after the announcement. Sometimes there are new main-series Pokemon games, yes, but there are a lot of things like Pokemon Dash out there too.

JoystiqNintendo Direct bringing Pokemon news early tomorrow morning originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendonintendo-directpokemonsatoru-iwatawii-uMon, 07 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Wii U 'selling steadily,' Deluxe outselling Basic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/iwata-wii-u-selling-steadily-deluxe-outselling-basic/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/iwata-wii-u-selling-steadily-deluxe-outselling-basic/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/iwata-wii-u-selling-steadily-deluxe-outselling-basic/#comments "At the end of the Christmas season, it wasn't as though stores in the U.S. had no Wii U left in stock, as it was when Wii was first sold in that popular boom," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Reuters in a recent interview. "But sales are not bad, and I feel it's selling steadily."

The Wii U is not selling as quickly as the Wii did in its first few months. Iwata did not provide new sales numbers, though we know Nintendo claimed sales of over 400,000 in the US on launch week, and Reuters cited Enterbrain data reporting 638,339 Wii U consoles sold in Japan between its December 8 launch and December 30.

Most of the Wii Us being sold are the black Deluxe model, which includes more storage space, more accessories, and (in North America) Nintendo Land. "It was the first time Nintendo released two models of the game console at the same time ... and I believe there was a challenge with balancing this," Iwata said. "Specifically, inventory levels for the premium, deluxe package was unbalanced as many people wanted that version and couldn't find it."

JoystiqIwata: Wii U 'selling steadily,' Deluxe outselling Basic originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendosalessatoru-iwatawii-uMon, 07 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Can you spot Iwata in this Fruit video?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/05/can-you-spot-iwata-in-this-fruit-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/05/can-you-spot-iwata-in-this-fruit-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/05/can-you-spot-iwata-in-this-fruit-video/#comments

One of the mini games within Game and Wario is Fruit, a game of stealth and lying to your loved ones. Classic Nintendo. Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo, gives the game a go in the above video, which asks, "Can you guess which character Mr. Iwata is using to steal the fruit?"

JoystiqCan you spot Iwata in this Fruit video? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruitgame-and-warioiwatanintendoSatoru-Iwatawii-uWed, 05 Dec 2012 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Maps and Panorama View coming to Wii U in Japan next year [Update: US Maps date]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/05/google-maps-and-panorama-view-coming-to-wii-u-in-japan-early-201/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/05/google-maps-and-panorama-view-coming-to-wii-u-in-japan-early-201/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/05/google-maps-and-panorama-view-coming-to-wii-u-in-japan-early-201/#comments Google Maps and Panorama View coming to Wii U in Japan early 2013Google Maps and Panorama View are coming to the Japanese Wii U eShop next year, the former in January and the latter in Spring. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata showcased the apps during this morning's Nintendo Direct for Japan, including giving us a helmet-cam angle of Panorama View with the above very stylish setup.

Nintendo first unveiled Panorama View at this year's E3. As shown by the post-break vid by our Engadget pals, the app plays pre-recorded videos set in various environments, such as a London bus tour or a scuba dive. The added twist is you can view the environments in all 360 of their degrees, this done by pointing the GamePad around like a camera. Panorama View is scheduled for Spring 2013 in Japan, and is expected to head West too.

Iwata also unveiled Google Maps for Wii U, showing how its Street View functionality works with the GamePad in much the same way as Panorama View. The app is coming to Japan's eShop in late January, and will be free until the end of March.

Update: Google Maps will hit the US eShop in Q1 of 2013.

Continue reading Google Maps and Panorama View coming to Wii U in Japan next year [Update: US Maps date]

JoystiqGoogle Maps and Panorama View coming to Wii U in Japan next year [Update: US Maps date] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google-mapsnintendopanorama-viewsatoru-iwatawii-uWed, 05 Dec 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata apologizes for Wii U's massive update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/iwata-apologizes-for-wii-us-massive-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/iwata-apologizes-for-wii-us-massive-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/iwata-apologizes-for-wii-us-massive-update/#comments
The day-one Wii U update, a lengthy download that enabled all of the system's online functionality, is a bit irritating for new Wii U owners, and was kind of terrifying for pre-release reviewers. Speaking to IGN, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata admitted it wasn't the best situation, apologizing for the inconvenience.

"Personally I think that users should be able to use all the functions of a console video game machine as soon as they open the box," Iwata said. "So I feel very sorry for the fact that purchasers of Wii U have to experience a network update which takes such a long time, and that there are the services which were not available at the hardware's launch."

We hope all new Wii U owners can patiently make it through the update process, because we require a never-ending stream of hilarious Miiverse doodles.

JoystiqIwata apologizes for Wii U's massive update originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendosatoru-iwataupdatewii-uThu, 29 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata dons white gloves to unbox a Wii U for U]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/iwata-dons-white-gloves-to-unbox-a-wii-u-for-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/iwata-dons-white-gloves-to-unbox-a-wii-u-for-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/iwata-dons-white-gloves-to-unbox-a-wii-u-for-u/#comments
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata may be the best person to watch unboxing a Wii U, since he knows precisely what he's doing with each of the parts. Besides, he wears fancy white gloves that he says make him feel like Mario, and that's pretty baller (and helps avoid fingerprints on the glossy system). Be sure to heck out Joystiq's own sexy unboxing as well.

JoystiqIwata dons white gloves to unbox a Wii U for U originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iwatanintendoSatoru-Iwataunboxingwii-uWed, 07 Nov 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata on Wii U launch strategy, new IP, tablet and smartphone impact]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/iwata-on-wii-u-launch-strategy-new-ip-tablet-and-smartphone-im/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/iwata-on-wii-u-launch-strategy-new-ip-tablet-and-smartphone-im/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/iwata-on-wii-u-launch-strategy-new-ip-tablet-and-smartphone-im/#comments During the Q&A following Nintendo's latest earnings presentation, president Satoru Iwata addressed several topics, including Wii U marketing strategy, the difficulty of selling games based on new IP and the impact of smartphones and tablets on the video game industry. Concerning the Wii U, Iwata noted that one of Nintendo's mistakes in previous launches was releasing too many games alongside new hardware.

"Nintendo tends to release too many titles at the launch of a hardware system and as a result suffers a drop in new games for quite some time after launch, and for the Wii U launch, we are being very careful not to let it happen," said Iwata. Furthermore, a hefty third-party lineup has enabled Nintendo to delay the release of certain games until next year, though they were originally planned to launch with the Wii U.

One questioner pointed out that Nintendo's sales seem to be dominated by well-known franchises such as Mario and Pokemon, while new IPs "seem to have little presence." Iwata acknowledged that consumers tend to stick to established brands, but noted that digital sales have the potential to help move new IPs. He cited Art Academy as an example, noting that it began life as a digital product on DSiWare. Art Academy was well-received and "we therefore recreated it as packaged software and it eventually became a million-unit selling title worldwide." Iwata said he'd like to see more "positive outcomes" arise from similar strategies.

Continue reading Iwata on Wii U launch strategy, new IP, tablet and smartphone impact

JoystiqIwata on Wii U launch strategy, new IP, tablet and smartphone impact originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendosatoru-iwatasmartphonesmartphonestablettabletswii-uMon, 29 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo planning Direct presentation for Miiverse details, Friend Codes not required]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/nintendo-planning-direct-presentation-for-miiverse-details-frie/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/nintendo-planning-direct-presentation-for-miiverse-details-frie/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/nintendo-planning-direct-presentation-for-miiverse-details-frie/#comments Nintendo planning Direct presentation for Miiverse details, Friend Codes not requiredA month from launch, we're all still terrifyingly in the dark as to the Wii U's online functionality. Nintendo will help correct that soon, by hosting a Nintendo Direct streaming presentation about the Miiverse service.

In an investor Q&A, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata described the primary purpose of Miiverse as a way to amass friends for gameplay opportunities, and for players to spread the word about under-the-radar games. " "As there are many excellent but buried games in the world, and you must be impressed by some of them," he said, "the important mission of Miiverse is to create opportunities to let you know about such games without spending our finite advertising budget on it." Please continue advertising games, Nintendo.


The friend gathering will take place through "empathizing." Players can choose to become friends with people they interact with on Miiverse, rather than through a Friend Code process. "As Miiverse is not confined to dedicated gaming platforms and will be available on smart devices in the near future," Iwata said, "we hope that, even on a train where many people are using smart devices, you will know how your gaming friends are enjoying their games."

JoystiqNintendo planning Direct presentation for Miiverse details, Friend Codes not required originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>friend-codesmiiversenintendonintendo-directsatoru-iwatawii-uMon, 29 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[eShop versions 3-10 percent of sales for dual-release games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/eshop-versions-3-10-percent-of-sales-for-dual-release-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/eshop-versions-3-10-percent-of-sales-for-dual-release-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/eshop-versions-3-10-percent-of-sales-for-dual-release-games/#comments eShop versions make up 310 percent of sales for dualrelease gamesThe digitally distributed versions of retail 3DS software accounted for somewhere between three and ten percent of total sales worldwide, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said in an investor briefing. He noted that this was done "without any advertisements in the mass media," which is sort of like admitting Nintendo didn't try very hard.

Iwata also mentioned US customers were "particularly active" in buying New Super Mario Bros. 2 digitally, more so than European, Australian, or Japanese customers. In Japan, download rates are highest for Brain Age: Concentration Training and Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone, games which lend themselves to repeated short sessions, and thus are nice to have loaded on the 3DS at all times.

Iwata believes that Animal Crossing is particularly well-suited to this kind of play, and accordingly, Nintendo will promote the download version in advertisements in Japan, including the narrated phrase "Download version available, always with you, never lost." The 3DS XL bundle, as well, will include the game pre-loaded on the system.

JoystiqeShop versions 3-10 percent of sales for dual-release games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseshopnintendosalessatoru-iwataThu, 25 Oct 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U will sell at a loss from launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/wii-u-will-sell-at-a-loss-from-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/wii-u-will-sell-at-a-loss-from-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/wii-u-will-sell-at-a-loss-from-launch/#comments Wii U will sell at a loss during launchThe Wii U will sell at a loss when it launches, Nintendo revealed today. In an investor briefing, Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata disclosed the console's price is "below cost," citing it as one of the reasons for the company's reduced annual net profit outlook announced yesterday. The 3DS, however, is now no longer selling at a loss, a turnaround Nintendo predicted earlier this year.

Iwata's statement reads:
"In addition to the yen's continuous appreciation, the Wii U hardware will have a negative impact on Nintendo's profits early after the launch because rather than determining a price based on its manufacturing cost, we selected one that consumers would consider to be reasonable. In this first half of the term before the launch of the Wii U, we were not able to make a profit on software for the system while we had to book a loss on the hardware, which is currently in production and will be sold below cost. Our loss has therefore widened during the second quarter in spite of bringing the Nintendo 3DS hardware back to profitability. Although we expect our financial performance to be revitalized, under these circumstances, unfortunately we cannot say that we will achieve "Nintendo-like" profits within this fiscal year."
Nintendo revealed yesterday a loss of approximately $351 million for the first half of its fiscal year, along with predicted annual net profits of $75.2 million, down from $251 million. However, Nintendo expects to sell 24 million units of Wii U software worldwide by the end of March 2013, on the back of the 5.5 million consoles the company predicts it'll shift in that time. Iwata also noted GameStop has taken 250,000 Wii U pre-orders in North America, as of last week.

JoystiqWii U will sell at a loss from launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dslossnintendoprofitssatoru-iwatawii-uThu, 25 Oct 2012 06:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata Asks about the WiiPad's ability to work through walls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/iwata-asks-about-the-wiipads-ability-to-work-through-walls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/iwata-asks-about-the-wiipads-ability-to-work-through-walls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/iwata-asks-about-the-wiipads-ability-to-work-through-walls/#comments The Wii U hardware development team is aware that the first thing most people will do with their WiiPads is see how far they will work away from the console, inside their homes. The WiiPad's radio waves need a clear line of travel to the Wii U to work properly, meaning even things such as walls and holding it vertically posed a problem for the team. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata describes the vertical issue himself during the latest Iwata Asks:

"To address why holding it vertically may have been an issue, is because radio waves don't spread well underwater, but the human body is 60 to 70 percent water, so it can interfere with radio wave paths. Since you hold it both vertically and horizontally, it gets more difficult to place the antenna where the radio waves can easily reach it."

The Product Development department at Nintendo had to deal with this problem, as well as the wall issue. Of course, the team says, working through walls depends entirely on what materials those partitions are made out of. Other factors, such as placing the Wii U on a metal surface, can reduce the WiiPad's range.

One question the team got was if people will be able to use the WiiPad in the bathroom, and for the answer we have anecdotal evidence from Product Development member Toru Yamashita. "By the way, my living room and bathroom are separated by a single wall and I was able to use it."

JoystiqIwata Asks about the WiiPad's ability to work through walls originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendoradio-wavesSatoru-Iwatawii-uWed, 17 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The game where you take Satoru Iwata on vacation arrives next spring on 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/the-game-where-you-take-satoru-iwata-on-vacation-arrives-next-sp/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/the-game-where-you-take-satoru-iwata-on-vacation-arrives-next-sp/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/the-game-where-you-take-satoru-iwata-on-vacation-arrives-next-sp/#comments The game where you take Satoru Iwata on vacation arrives next spring, now on 3DSNintendo's Mii-based game "Friend Collection" arrives in Japan next spring, according to Nintendo head Satoru Iwata. Iwata showed a brief video of the game featuring his own Mii - vacationing and learning how to Hula dance, playing in a rock band called "Game Boys," and emitting a terrifying robot sound on a roller coaster - and gave the game a "spring 2013" launch window for Japan.

Additionally, the once Nintendo DS game is now headed to 3DS. Thankfully, it's just as bizarre-sounding as when we first heard about it way back when (like, in 2008.) Just look at Mr. Iwata in that image above! Madness, we say!

JoystiqThe game where you take Satoru Iwata on vacation arrives next spring on 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfriend-collectionnintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-fall-2012satoru-iwataWed, 29 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Gamers need dedicated handhelds, have a desire for 'rich and deep' experiences]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/iwata-gamers-need-dedicated-handhelds-have-a-desire-for-rich/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/iwata-gamers-need-dedicated-handhelds-have-a-desire-for-rich/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/iwata-gamers-need-dedicated-handhelds-have-a-desire-for-rich/#comments The argument for the 3DS has been precarious at the outset, price not withstanding. With the rise of the iPhone and Android devices, people are playing more games on their phones and tablets than ever before, cutting into a handheld gaming market dominated by Nintendo for more than a decade.

"I don't think there's not a bright future for handheld devices but I understand that the competition, again with the rise of smart devices is different, and I do recognize that," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Kotaku during a frank discussion on the 3DS and current portable gaming ecosystem. Iwata offered insight, not only on his own company's stance, but on the needs of consumers in general - and how Nintendo isn't trying to compete so much as offer value.

"Previously we had to think, ok, 'How are we competing with Sony?, How are we competing with Microsoft?, How do we compete with all the other software titles and all the other publishers out there?' That environment has changed. And the games available for smartphones, I'm not saying that none of these are interesting, rich or fun experiences, because I know that there are some. And one way we can ensure that there's a market for handheld gaming devices is by continuing to bring out entertaining and engaging software that will provide users experiences that they cannot get on these other devices."

Iwata expects the need for "rich and deep" experiences will remain consistent, even while consumers change the context in which they play games. "I believe that as environments change and as the world progresses we're going to have different ways in which people want to spend their time," he said. "That being said, I don't think we're going to see the desire to have, again, rich and deep sort of gaming experiences... we're not going to see that vanish. That's not going to go away."

JoystiqIwata: Gamers need dedicated handhelds, have a desire for 'rich and deep' experiences originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidiosipadiphonemobilenintendoportable-gamingsatoru-iwataTue, 21 Aug 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Downloads account for 5 percent of New Super Mario Bros. 2 sales in Japan so far]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/downloads-account-for-5-percent-of-new-super-mario-bros-2-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/downloads-account-for-5-percent-of-new-super-mario-bros-2-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/downloads-account-for-5-percent-of-new-super-mario-bros-2-sales/#comments Nintendo's digital distribution scheme for retail games has had a relatively slow start in Japan. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told the Wall Street Journal that digital sales of New Super Mario Bros. 2, which was released in the region on July 28, have made up 5% of the total. Iwata seemed all right with this result: "This initial offering going forward, we've gotten a good reaction going," he said.

The other new retail/digital game, the Brain Age sequel Demon Training, has sold approximately 20% of its total audience digitally. Iwata believes the reason more people opted for the downloadable version of that game is the convenience of playing the daily challenges without swapping cartridges.

JoystiqDownloads account for 5 percent of New Super Mario Bros. 2 sales in Japan so far originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdigital-distributioneshopnew-super-mario-bros-2nintendosatoru-iwataFri, 17 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS XL's screen reduces glare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/22/3ds-xls-screen-reduces-glare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/22/3ds-xls-screen-reduces-glare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/22/3ds-xls-screen-reduces-glare/#comments 3DS XL's screen also reduces glare in addition to being ginormousNintendo's 3DS XL system may have a size advantage over the original 3DS console, but it will also feature a new LCD screen that is less reflective, according to a recent Iwata Asks interview. Takashi Murakami, who works in the mechanical design group for the console, said the reflectivity of the new LCD screen will be 3%, down from 12% on the 3DS.

"On a LCD screen there are basically three reflective layers, which all of them reflects and cause glare. So this time, we specially treated all the layers," Murakami said. Cutting down on glare for handheld systems has been a goal since the Game Boy Advance, which Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said had been abandoned most of the time due to cost.

It especially seems to be in Nintendo's interests to reduce the glare on a stereoscopic 3D system like the 3DS XL though, which was also said to offer a broader depth of 3D than its predecessor, as the system includes a larger depth slider.

Joystiq3DS XL's screen reduces glare originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ds3ds-xlglareiwata-asksnintendoSatoru-IwataSun, 22 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Wii U's timing relative to competition isn't important, but pricing is]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/iwata-wii-us-timing-relative-to-competition-isnt-important-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/iwata-wii-us-timing-relative-to-competition-isnt-important-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/iwata-wii-us-timing-relative-to-competition-isnt-important-b/#comments "Being first in the next generation race is not important at all," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Gamasutra in a recent interview. "One of the reasons we believe this is the time for Nintendo to launch the Wii U is it's going to be important for the world."

The world, it turns out, is full of people who have just bought an HDTV and don't plan to replace it anytime soon, and people who might want an alternative to an expensive tablet - albeit one that can't leave the house. Both of these aspects provide an opportunity for a device like the Wii U with a novel second screen. By providing an interesting new angle, Iwata hopes to return Nintendo to profitability. "I just cannot say that it's a good thing for Nintendo at all to record an annual loss for two or more years in a row," the world's most deadpan video game executive said.

Though Iwata isn't concerned with being first to market (even though the Wii U will be), he is very concerned about its price, having learned a painful lesson from the 3DS launch. "The pricing of Wii U is going to be one of the most important elements when it is going to be launched," he said. "The environment is different. Wii U is going to be launching in a different environment than when the Wii was launched. Also, the involvement surrounding [mobile and social] businesses is different than several years ago."

What isn't different from several years ago is Nintendo's confidence in doing its own thing. "We have not changed our strategy. In other words, we just do not care what kind of 'more beef' console Microsoft and Sony might produce in 2013. Our focus is on how we can make our new console different than [others]," Iwata said, reproduced here because we really wanted to put Iwata saying "more beef" into our post.

JoystiqIwata: Wii U's timing relative to competition isn't important, but pricing is originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beefmore-beefnintendosatoru-iwatawii-uFri, 20 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: 3DS XL to be sold at a profit, 3D likely a 'minor element' in future Nintendo devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/iwata-3ds-xl-to-be-sold-at-a-profit-3d-likely-a-minor-element/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/iwata-3ds-xl-to-be-sold-at-a-profit-3d-likely-a-minor-element/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/iwata-3ds-xl-to-be-sold-at-a-profit-3d-likely-a-minor-element/#comments Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata revealed one way Nintendo is working to stop selling the 3DS at a loss, which it has since last year's price drop. "First of all to the 3DS XL, we will not be selling this at a loss," Iwata told the Independent. "We don't have a huge profit margin on it, we intend to sell it at a profit." He wasn't as forthcoming about the Wii U's pricing, of course. "As for Wii U we haven't even announced price so it's too early to comment."

He also had some thoughts on the future prospects of 3D. Though "3D is the normal state for human beings, it's how we see our environment," Iwata doesn't believe 3D television will really take off until it can work glasses-free. The 3DS was able to include 3D, he said, "because there are various circumstances on a handheld machine which make it possible. You have the screen and the console being one, normally you have almost constant distance between [the user] and the screen, so with the currently available technology it is possible to provide a high quality 3D experience without glasses. "

That said, 3D in video games had a "surprise effect" that Iwata admits is wearing off. "But I think it's an important element, it makes graphics more impactful, it proves a sense of immersion that 2D doesn't have, so I would say generally that 3D is better than 2D." Iwata added, "It's nice to have good graphics but not necessarily on their own, so I don't think we'll present [3D graphics] as one of the key features of our consoles but will probably stick with 3D as one of the minor elements of our consoles in the future. "

JoystiqIwata: 3DS XL to be sold at a profit, 3D likely a 'minor element' in future Nintendo devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3ds3ds-xlnintendopricesatoru-iwatawii-uThu, 12 Jul 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: Wii U online functionality will be free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/nintendo-wii-u-online-functionality-will-be-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/nintendo-wii-u-online-functionality-will-be-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/nintendo-wii-u-online-functionality-will-be-free/#comments Nintendo President Satoru Iwata doesn't believe there should be a fee for connecting Wii U consoles to the Nintendo Network.

According to a translation of Nintendo's annual shareholder meeting via Andriasang, Iwata said that having all users able to freely access the network will help spread the service's offerings through word of mouth. This tactic, his translated commentary suggests, is thought to lead to greater hardware and software sales.

Iwata also revealed that external developers were brought onboard with Wii U at about the same time as internal studios, which he hopes will counter lagging third-party performance. To prove Nintendo's renewed focus, Iwata reportedly pointed to the upcoming Namco Bandai collaboration behind the new Smash Bros. coming to Wii U and 3DS.

JoystiqNintendo: Wii U online functionality will be free originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendo-networkSatoru-Iwatasmash-brossmash-bros-wii-uwii-uFri, 29 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS LL hardware refresh on July 28 in Japan, packs 4.88 inch top screen and 4.18 inch bottom screen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/3ds-hardware-refresh-coming-with-4-88-inch-top-screen-4-18-inch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/3ds-hardware-refresh-coming-with-4-88-inch-top-screen-4-18-inch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/3ds-hardware-refresh-coming-with-4-88-inch-top-screen-4-18-inch/#comments 3DS LL hardware refresh coming with 488 inch top screen, 418 inch bottom screenNintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed a hardware refresh for the 3DS is currently in the works during today's Nintendo Direct presentation. Dubbed the 3DS LL, this new handheld has a 4.88 inch top screen, a 4.18 inch bottom touch-screen and comes with a 4gb SD card. Iwata also said it will have slightly longer battery life than the current unit.

It will not include a new AC adapter, but will be compatible with the 3DS and DSi XL adapter. The 3DS LL will initially be offered in white, black and red, and silver and black.

The 3DS LL will be available in Japan on July 28 for ¥18,900 ($235).

Update: It's coming to the US!

Gallery: 3DS Hardware Update (6/21/2012)

Joystiq3DS LL hardware refresh on July 28 in Japan, packs 4.88 inch top screen and 4.18 inch bottom screen originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ds-llnintendo-directsatoru-iwataThu, 21 Jun 2012 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo brings in Namco Bandai to work on new Smash Bros.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/nintendo-brings-in-namco-bandai-to-work-on-new-smash-bros/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/nintendo-brings-in-namco-bandai-to-work-on-new-smash-bros/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/nintendo-brings-in-namco-bandai-to-work-on-new-smash-bros/#comments During today's Nintendo Direct press conference, president Satoru Iwata revealed new details on the upcoming Super Smash Bros. game currently in the works for 3DS and Wii U. Sakurai will return, but this time he'll have some help from Namco Bandai and Bandai Namco Studios. Two Namco individuals in particular were singled out: producer Kobayashi and Tales series director, Yoshito Higuchi.

JoystiqNintendo brings in Namco Bandai to work on new Smash Bros. originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnamco-bandainintendonintendo-directsakuraisatoru-iwatasuper-smash-broswii-uThu, 21 Jun 2012 23:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Direct livestream kicks off at 11pm ET, watch it here [Update: All done!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/nintendo-direct-livestream-kicks-off-at-midnight-watch-it-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/nintendo-direct-livestream-kicks-off-at-midnight-watch-it-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/nintendo-direct-livestream-kicks-off-at-midnight-watch-it-here/#comments
The latest Nintendo Direct Japan press conference, Nintendo's self-indulgent catapult with which it flings news directly at us all, is starting tonight at 11pm ET, or 8pm PT. A U.S.-specific version of the conference is scheduled for midnight.

We'll be up, mug of hot tea in hand, ready to feed you all of the scoops. If you care to watch along with us, feel free to check out the stream above.

Update: Thanks for tuning in! If you missed anything, feel free to go back over all of tonight's news through this handy link.

JoystiqNintendo Direct livestream kicks off at 11pm ET, watch it here [Update: All done!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendonintendo-directsatoru-iwatawiiwii-uThu, 21 Jun 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Wii U idea was almost scrapped over price concerns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/iwata-wii-u-idea-was-almost-scrapped-over-price-concerns/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/iwata-wii-u-idea-was-almost-scrapped-over-price-concerns/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/iwata-wii-u-idea-was-almost-scrapped-over-price-concerns/#comments Iwata Wii U idea was almost scrapped over price concernsThe Wii U's second screen was born out of the idea of allowing someone to play a game while the TV is being used by the whole family, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told The Telegraph. But Iwata admitted that the idea almost didn't make it to a final product.

"Sometime during that final discussion we almost gave up on the idea of the additional screen," Iwata said. "This was due to our concern over the expected high cost, it may not have been feasible to create this and sell it at a reasonable price point for the consumers." This should come as some comfort to those of us still concerned about the console's (and controller's) price point, as the continued development of the Wii U suggests that Nintendo hit upon a "reasonable" price.

JoystiqIwata: Wii U idea was almost scrapped over price concerns originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendopricesatoru-iwatawii-uThu, 14 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U designed to allow free-to-play games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/wii-u-designed-to-allow-free-to-play-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/wii-u-designed-to-allow-free-to-play-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/wii-u-designed-to-allow-free-to-play-games/#comments JC, here is that thing I sent youNintendo president Satoru Iwata is notoriously less than jazzed about free-to-play games, but the Wii U's online architecture will be set up to support them, just in case someone else feels like doing that. "We have designed the system from a technical standpoint to allow developers to freely take advantage of things like free to play and micro transactions," Iwata said in an investor Q&A held during E3 and released today. The 3DS was recently updated to allow DLC as well; the architecture for Wii U microtransactions is likely the same.

Don't take that as an indication of Nintendo's own interest in the model, however. "Currently, we are not actively looking at free to play for our first-party content and I don't think that's a direction that we should go in right now," Iwata said. "But that doesn't mean for the future that there may not come a time where we have specific content that might be suited to that model."

JoystiqWii U designed to allow free-to-play games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012free-to-playnintendosatoru-iwatawii-uWed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Miiverse messages will be subject to moderation before posting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/miiverse-messages-will-be-subject-to-moderation-before-posting/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/miiverse-messages-will-be-subject-to-moderation-before-posting/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/miiverse-messages-will-be-subject-to-moderation-before-posting/#comments Miiverse messages will be subject to moderation before postingYou'll be able to communicate with friends using simple text and drawings through Nintendo's upcoming Wii U (and later 3DS/smartphone) Miiverse service - but Nintendo, famously concerned with keeping profane or otherwise improper communication away from younger users, has some safeguards in place for this seemingly more open system.

Speaking to Hero Complex, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed plans to implement three forms of filtering for Miiverse content. The first is algorithmic - automatic content filtering. The second is really, really hardcore: having a moderator read all posts before they're published. Finally, users can flag inappropriate content.

Iwata didn't say how long of a delay the moderation would cause, but he suggested "personally, I think 30 minutes should be acceptable."

JoystiqMiiverse messages will be subject to moderation before posting originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipe3-2012miiversenintendosatoru-iwatawii-uThu, 07 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Catch up on Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U brief from Satoru Iwata right here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/catch-up-on-nintendos-pre-e3-wii-u-brief-from-satoru-iwata-righ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/catch-up-on-nintendos-pre-e3-wii-u-brief-from-satoru-iwata-righ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/catch-up-on-nintendos-pre-e3-wii-u-brief-from-satoru-iwata-righ/#comments
Weren't around a stable internet connection during Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U presentation? Don't you worry, friend - we've got a full copy of the video care of Nintendo's YouTube channel embedded just above. Magical!

JoystiqCatch up on Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U brief from Satoru Iwata right here originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012nintendonintendo-directsatoru-iwatawii-uSun, 03 Jun 2012 18:46:00 EST<![CDATA['Miiverse' announced for Wii U, greatly expands Mii Plaza from Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/miiverse-announced-for-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/miiverse-announced-for-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/miiverse-announced-for-wii-u/#comments Miiverse announced for Wii UNintendo President Satoru Iwata announced Miiverse today, a "Mii universe" for Wii U, during the company's Nintendo Direct pre-E3 livestream. Miiverse is an online system planned for the company's upcoming system that displays a Mii plaza on the Wii U GamePad - it's looking like a much expanded version of the Wii's Mii Plaza feature.

The plaza will show Mii characters gathering around game icons and feature a messaging system for players to connect with players they both do and do not know, as well as a variety of other asynchronous functionality. The messaging system includes a "spoiler" checkbox to prevent players from wrecking a friend's game experience (should they choose to use it), as well as the ability to send images and drawings to one another. Miiverse will also feature a social networking-style "wall" of sorts, where players can post screenshots from games.

Miiverse will also inhabit the 3DS and mobile devices (Android, iOS) in the future, though it will not be available immediately at launch.

Gallery: Wii U Nintendo Direct (Pre-E3, Miiverse)

Joystiq'Miiverse' announced for Wii U, greatly expands Mii Plaza from Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012miiversenintendonintendo-directsatoru-iwatawii-uSun, 03 Jun 2012 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U briefing right here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/watch-nintendos-pre-e3-wii-u-briefing-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/watch-nintendos-pre-e3-wii-u-briefing-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/watch-nintendos-pre-e3-wii-u-briefing-right-here/#comments
Nintendo cares not for your meaningless "parameters," E3. It's starting the big show early this afternoon at 6PM ET with a special Nintendo Direct presentation starring none other than Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. The presentation is focusing on "the vision behind the Wii U," according to Nintendo's Twitter account. Set your expectations accordingly, as Nintendo also said, "No Wii U game info until Tues," referencing the company's Tuesday, June 5 presser.

Should you be in an area that prohibits streaming video, we'll be breaking out news alongside the presentation, and our friends at Engadget have a liveblog going, if that's your kinda thing.

JoystiqWatch Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U briefing right here originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012nintendonintendo-directsatoru-iwataustreamwii-uSun, 03 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo releasing retail games on 3DS eShop, starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/#comments ImageSatoru Iwata dropped the proverbial bomb today in an investor presentation, announcing plans to distribute certain retail 3DS games on the eShop download service, where they will be stored on the SD card. The first game to receive this dual release treatment is New Super Mario Bros. 2, due worldwide in August. In addition, the "Onitore" Brain Training game will be sold in this manner.

As for the kinds of games Nintendo wants to distribute digitally, Iwata offered the following explanation: "Nintendo publishes various titles that enable you to enjoy daily communication, such as 'nintendogs,' 'Animal Crossing' and 'Tomodachi Collection,' in addition to the ones like 'Onitore' (temp.), with which you might like to practice every day, and database-type software like 'Hana to Ikimono Rittai Zukan' (sold in Japan only). It must be easier for the Nintendo 3DS owners to feel the merit of being able to carry around only the Nintendo 3DS system with, in particular, these kinds of software titles stored inside."

He added that even other, non daily-communication-related titles stored on a single system would be "handy."

Nintendo plans to sell codes for downloadable versions at retailers, in addition to directly through eShop, in order to avoid cutting its retail partners out, and to avoid alienating users who prefer to buy everything at retail. "Furthermore," he said, "we recognize that one of the biggest hurdles for the expansion of our digital business is the limited methods to expose digitally downloadable products to potential consumers. This recognition is one of the reasons why we are taking this sort of approach."

JoystiqNintendo releasing retail games on 3DS eShop, starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdigital-distributioneshopnew-super-mario-bros-2nintendosatoru-iwataThu, 26 Apr 2012 22:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo celebrates Kirby's 20th Anniversary on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/nintendo-celebrates-kirbys-20th-anniversary-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/nintendo-celebrates-kirbys-20th-anniversary-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/nintendo-celebrates-kirbys-20th-anniversary-on-wii/#comments ImageOpening up the Nintendo Direct conference livestream, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed the company has big plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kirby. A new Wii game will collect past titles and package them on a retail disc - which classic Kirby titles would be included is a mystery.

Outside of the existence of Kirby's 20th Anniversary on Wii, nothing else is known right now.

JoystiqNintendo celebrates Kirby's 20th Anniversary on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japankirbykirby-20th-anniversarykirby-20th-anniversary-wiinintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2012satoru-iwatawiiFri, 20 Apr 2012 23:57:00 EST<![CDATA[New Super Mario Bros. 2 hitting this August in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/new-super-mario-bros-2-hitting-this-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/new-super-mario-bros-2-hitting-this-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/new-super-mario-bros-2-hitting-this-august/#comments ImageNew Super Mario Bros. 2, a new game from Nintendo, is coming to 3DS this August in Japan, Satoru Iwata announced at tonight's Nintendo Direct livestream. Pictures - the first of which you can view below, courtesy of Nintendo of America - showed the 2D title running on the 3DS.

Continue reading New Super Mario Bros. 2 hitting this August in Japan

JoystiqNew Super Mario Bros. 2 hitting this August in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnew-super-mario-bros-2nintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2012Satoru-IwataFri, 20 Apr 2012 23:48:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS firmware update on April 25 makes it easier to organize Home menu]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/3ds-firmware-update-makes-it-easier-to-update-games-adds-organi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/3ds-firmware-update-makes-it-easier-to-update-games-adds-organi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/3ds-firmware-update-makes-it-easier-to-update-games-adds-organi/#comments ImageDuring the Nintendo Direct conference livestream, Satoru Iwata revealed a new firmware update is inbound. Apparently folks have been complaining of clutter, so the new update is aimed at cleaning up your Home screen. Users will be able to create folders, name them and store up to 60 items within.

Update: The Nintendo of America Twitter account pegs the update for April 25.

Joystiq3DS firmware update on April 25 makes it easier to organize Home menu originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsfirmwarefirmware-updatemario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2012satoru-iwataupdateFri, 20 Apr 2012 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Direct time travels with news tonight, tomorrow, yesterday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/nintendo-direct-time-travels-with-news-tonight-tomorrow-yester/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/nintendo-direct-time-travels-with-news-tonight-tomorrow-yester/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/nintendo-direct-time-travels-with-news-tonight-tomorrow-yester/#comments ImageNintendo Direct, the all-Nintendo-news, some-of-the-time video series from official Nintendo headquarters, is hitting the airwaves tonight. Technically, it's noon EST tomorrow, April 21, but folks in the US can expect announcements from the Japanese feed starting at 8:30 p.m. PST tonight, Friday, April 20. The European announcements will hit at 1 p.m. CET (4 a.m. PST), April 21.

Nintendo hasn't revealed what it will discuss tonight, but it has left us a trail of clues. CEO Satoru Iwata sent out invitations to this weekend's Nintendo Direct on 3DS' Spot Pass, showing him with a giant, suspicious Kirby plushie. Kid Icarus: Uprising's Masahiro Sakurai tweeted to expect Uprising news and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy's Masanobu Suzui suggested fans should watch the feed, Andriasang translates.

We'll have our eyes and fingertips ready to roll for any breakout Kirby-Kid-Icarus-Theatrhythm crossover news tonight, because really, it's not like we had any plans on a Friday night or anything.

JoystiqNintendo Direct time travels with news tonight, tomorrow, yesterday originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskid-icarus-uprisingkirbynintendonintendo-directSatoru-Iwatatheatrhythm-final-fantasywiiwii-uFri, 20 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kid Icarus: Uprising prototype began on Wii and PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/kid-icarus-uprising-prototype-began-on-wii-and-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/kid-icarus-uprising-prototype-began-on-wii-and-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/kid-icarus-uprising-prototype-began-on-wii-and-pc/#comments
Before Kid Icarus: Uprising became the carpal tunnel syndrome-inducing good time it is today, it began development on the PC and Wii. In a new Iwata Asks column, designer Masahiro Sakurai shares the story of development and some neat prototype videos showcasing Kid Icarus: Uprising as it was way before its E3 2010 unveiling. At the outset, Sakurai's company Project Sora didn't even have 3DS dev kits, so they had to start on PC and Wii.

The videos -- uploaded to YouTube by Siliconera and embedded above and past the break -- were created to illustrate Sakurai's vision to new dev-team members coming onto the project. Iwata admits the reason it took so long to get Kid Icarus: Uprising out the door was having to port the already established work on PC and Wii over to 3DS.

Gallery: Kid Icarus: Uprising (1/19/12)

Continue reading Kid Icarus: Uprising prototype began on Wii and PC

JoystiqKid Icarus: Uprising prototype began on Wii and PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsiwata-askskid-icarus-uprisingmasahiro-sakurainintendopcproject-sorasatoru-iwatawiiFri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 EST