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[3DS XL holiday bundle includes free Mario Kart 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/3ds-xl-holiday-bundle-includes-free-mario-kart-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/3ds-xl-holiday-bundle-includes-free-mario-kart-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/3ds-xl-holiday-bundle-includes-free-mario-kart-7/#comments 3DS XL holiday bundle includes free Mario Kart 7A new 3DS XL bundle offered in North America starting December 2 will include a pre-installed copy of Mario Kart 7. The new "limited-edition bundle" contains a stock blue/black system with a free copy of last year's online-enabled kart racer loaded onto the SD card.

The set is priced at $199.99, the regular price for a 3DS XL, making the game effectively free. Also available at retail is Nintendo's Black Friday 3DS bundle, with a red (non-XL) 3DS and Super Mario 3D Land.

Continue reading 3DS XL holiday bundle includes free Mario Kart 7

Joystiq3DS XL holiday bundle includes free Mario Kart 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ds3ds-xlbundleholiday-2012mario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoWed, 28 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pikachu 3DS XL in UK Dec. 7, headlines trio of holiday handhelds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/pikachu-3ds-xl-in-uk-dec-7-headlines-trio-of-holiday-handhelds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/pikachu-3ds-xl-in-uk-dec-7-headlines-trio-of-holiday-handhelds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/pikachu-3ds-xl-in-uk-dec-7-headlines-trio-of-holiday-handhelds/#comments Quite possibly the most huggable handheld ever, the Pikachu 3DS XL will leave its current Japanese prison for the lush, bountiful lands of the UK on December 7.

A pair of white 3DS XLs bundled with games will go on sale in the UK later this month. A white 3DS XL with a pre-installed copy of Mario Kart 7 will be available on November 16, while a white 3DS XL with Super Mario 3D Land will go on sale on November 30.

Also, have fun trying to un-see Pikachu's nipples.

JoystiqPikachu 3DS XL in UK Dec. 7, headlines trio of holiday handhelds originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmario-kart-7nintendopikachupokemonsuper-mario-3dsuper-mario-3d-landsuper-mario-land-3dukTue, 13 Nov 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Zelda: OoT 3D and Starfox 64 3D now available on EU 3DS eShop [Update: NA too!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/super-mario-3d-land-mario-kart-7-zelda-oot-and-starfox-64-3d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/super-mario-3d-land-mario-kart-7-zelda-oot-and-starfox-64-3d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/super-mario-3d-land-mario-kart-7-zelda-oot-and-starfox-64-3d/#comments Four more 3DS games will now be available as digitally distributed titles, at least if you live in Europe. Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Starfox 64 3D should all be available on the European 3DS eShop momentarily, Nintendo announced during today's Nintendo Direct presentation.

Update: All four of these games will also be available on the North American eShop on Thursday, October 18, which is two weeks from today. The convenience of not having to go to a store will run you a smooth $40.

JoystiqSuper Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Zelda: OoT 3D and Starfox 64 3D now available on EU 3DS eShop [Update: NA too!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseshopeuropemario-kart-7nintendonow-availablerelease-datestar-fox-64-3dsuper-mario-3d-landthe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3dThu, 04 Oct 2012 14:34:00 EST<![CDATA[New 3DS colors & bundles in Japan, eShop gets digital re-releases]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/new-3ds-colors-and-bundles-in-japan-eshop-gets-digital-re-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/new-3ds-colors-and-bundles-in-japan-eshop-gets-digital-re-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/new-3ds-colors-and-bundles-in-japan-eshop-gets-digital-re-release/#comments 3DS gets new colors & bundles in Japan, eShop gets digital 3DS rereleasesNintendo announced three new 3DS XL bundles for Japan, with two special case designs for New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Animal Crossing 3DS. The company also announced the upcoming arrival of eight previously released 3DS games on the Japanese eShop.

In an initial Nintendo Direct broadcast, Nintendo showcased 3DS XL bundles for Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, NSMB 2, and Animal Crossing 3DS. The Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate bundle comes with an all-black 3DS XL, and launches in Japan on November 1. The NSMB 2 bundle, pictured above, comes with a very flash red design, dotted with light red images from the Mario universe. The Animal Crossing 3DS design is similar, but with polka dot images against a white background, a bit 'Tutti Frutti' if you ask us. The Animal Crossing 3DS bundle arrives in Japan on November 8, with the NSMB 2 one a week after. All three bundles come with digital copies of the game.

That brings us nicely onto the second Nintendo Direct broadcast, which announced eight digital versions of previously released 3DS games for the eShop. Those games don't include the three in the 3DS XL bundles above (cunning, Mr Nintendo), but they do include Ocarina of Time 3D, Pilotwings Resort, Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Mario Tennis Open, Hana to Ikimorio Rittai Zukan (click if you're curious), and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The octet hit the Japanese eShop on November 1.

Gallery: Nintendo 3DS bundles (October 2012)

JoystiqNew 3DS colors & bundles in Japan, eShop gets digital re-releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsanimal-crossing-3dscapcomeShopjapanmario-and-sonic-at-the-london-2012-olympic-gamesmario-kart-7mario-tennis-openmonster-hunter-3-ultimatenew-super-mario-bros-2nintendoocarina-of-timepilotwings-resortstar-fox-64-3dsuper-mario-3d-landWed, 03 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS has sold over 5 million in US to date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/3ds-has-sold-over-5-million-in-us-to-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/3ds-has-sold-over-5-million-in-us-to-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/3ds-has-sold-over-5-million-in-us-to-date/#comments 3DS hits 5 million units soldThe 3DS has surpassed five million units sold in the United States, Nintendo announced today. Contributing to that new milestone: over 155,000 3DS systems were sold in the US in the month of June, according to NPD data cited by Nintendo.

In addition, Nintendo moved "more than 150,000 units of the Nintendo DS family and nearly 95,000 Wii consoles." In terms of 3DS software, Nintendo revealed new life-to-date totals for three million-sellers: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (over 1 million), Super Mario 3D Land (2.1 million), and Mario Kart 7 (1.75 million). If there's a conclusion that can be drawn from this, it's that not enough people bought Kid Icarus Uprising.

Continue reading 3DS has sold over 5 million in US to date

Joystiq3DS has sold over 5 million in US to date originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmario-kart-7nintendonpdsalessuper-mario-3d-landthe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3dThu, 12 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Club Nintendo coin rewards changing on July 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/club-nintendo-coin-rewards-changing-on-july-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/club-nintendo-coin-rewards-changing-on-july-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/club-nintendo-coin-rewards-changing-on-july-1/#comments Club Nintendo coin values changing on July 1You may want to redeem those coins you've accrued through Club Nintendo, because the reward values are changing as of July 1. Completing registration surveys for the Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL will yield only 100 coins, as opposed to the previously established 160 coins.

Software rewards are also getting a shake-up, though only select titles will see a decrease. Completing registration surveys for some 3D Classics and other downloadable titles will grant fewer coins; however, a lot of first-party 3DS games like Mario Kart 7 and some third-party ones, such as Resident Evil Revelations, are seeing increases. Wii and DS/DSi games are sadly seeing a reduction pretty much across the board. Better put in your Animal Crossing: City Folk code before time runs out!

JoystiqClub Nintendo coin rewards changing on July 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-classics3dsclub-nintendocoinsdsdsiwaremario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendowiiwiiwareMon, 04 Jun 2012 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Mario Kart 7 patch fixes Maka Wuhu exploit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/psa-mario-kart-7-patch-fixes-maka-wuhu-exploit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/psa-mario-kart-7-patch-fixes-maka-wuhu-exploit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/psa-mario-kart-7-patch-fixes-maka-wuhu-exploit/#comments ImageAlong with a 3DS firmware update (which doesn't do anything interesting), a new patch sent to 3DSes yesterday closes up the Maka Wuhu shortcut, in Mario Kart 7. The patch is required for online play, so you will no longer see miraculous leaps forward on that particular course. The glitch still shows up in time trials.

Now you have only your own driving skill to rely on in Mario Kart. Well, that and blue shells. Actually, mostly blue shells. Now, you have only the random chance that you'll get a blue shell and not be hit by a blue shell to rely on.

JoystiqPSA: Mario Kart 7 patch fixes Maka Wuhu exploit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmaka-wuhumario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendopatchpsaupdateWed, 16 May 2012 10:15:00 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[NPD's top 25 includes at least eight 3DS games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/npds-top-25-includes-at-least-eight-3ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/npds-top-25-includes-at-least-eight-3ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/npds-top-25-includes-at-least-eight-3ds-games/#comments No 3DS games sold enough in the US to place in the top ten last month, according to NPD data. But 3DS sales were happening just under the surface, with many 3DS games making it into the (undisclosed) top 25 games of February.

The NPD told Joystiq that "some examples" of the 3DS titles that made the list include Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, FIFA Soccer, Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, Resident Evil: Revelations, and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games -- the last two on that list being February releases.

That's ... a significant portion of the top 25. It's also evidence of a reasonably engaged 3DS install base, and therefore stiff competition for the PS Vita, which came out in February. The Vita's Uncharted: Golden Abyss placed somewhere in the top 20 (at least in retail; Vita games also have digital sales not charted by NPD).

JoystiqNPD's top 25 includes at least eight 3DS games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsfifa-soccerlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamelego-star-wars-3-the-clone-warsmario-kart-7nintendonpdresident-evil-revelationssalesskylanders-spyros-adventuresuper-mario-3d-landFri, 09 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata throws around the idea of paid Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/iwata-throws-around-the-idea-of-paid-super-mario-3d-land-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/iwata-throws-around-the-idea-of-paid-super-mario-3d-land-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/iwata-throws-around-the-idea-of-paid-super-mario-3d-land-mario/#comments
Nintendo head honcho Satoru Iwata hinted at the possibility of paid DLC for two of its 3DS titles, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, at a recent investor meeting. Speaking in terms of hardware and software lifespans, Iwata suggested (hypothetically) Nintendo could benefit from the addition of paid DLC to both Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7:

"What if we could provide add-on content through the network?" Iwata asked, positing a solution to the problem of players growing tired of the games they've purchased. "As I referred to before, for example, this is the idea of supplying new stages to Super Mario users who want to play the game more but have completed the game and lost interest in the existing stages.

"This will not only give us new profits but will lengthen the life of a product, in that it will never be out of fashion and can keep attracting public attention as long as many people play it." DLC functionality was added to the 3DS with the last firmware update, and will first be used in a retail title in Japan with Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy.

JoystiqIwata throws around the idea of paid Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsDLCiwatamario-kart-7nintendopaid-dlcsuper-mario-3dsuper-mario-3d-landsuper-mario-land-3dTue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Boingo offers free Wi-Fi to 3DS users at select UK airports]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/boingo-offers-free-wi-fi-to-3ds-users-at-select-uk-airports/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/boingo-offers-free-wi-fi-to-3ds-users-at-select-uk-airports/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/boingo-offers-free-wi-fi-to-3ds-users-at-select-uk-airports/#comments No longer will exotic StreetPasses be the sole reason for you to loiter around the airport. In between the acquisition of traveling Miis, you can now pass the time with some free Wi-Fi.

Similar to its deal in North America, Boingo has set up free Wi-Fi hotspots that will allow 3DS users to automatically connect when in range at London Heathrow, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Gatwick and Stansted airports ... unless you plan on checking out some PDF files or watching a Flash cartoon online, that is. We don't know about you guys but that's, like, 90 percent of what we do on the internet over here in America.

The other ten percent of the time? Google image searches of Atsushi Inaba, of course. Best hair in the biz!

JoystiqBoingo offers free Wi-Fi to 3DS users at select UK airports originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsboingodsmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoukwi-fiTue, 24 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo doesn't plan on fixing Maka Wahu track in Mario Kart 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/nintendo-doesnt-plan-on-fixing-maka-wahu-track-in-mario-kart-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/nintendo-doesnt-plan-on-fixing-maka-wahu-track-in-mario-kart-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/nintendo-doesnt-plan-on-fixing-maka-wahu-track-in-mario-kart-7/#comments
"Wuhu Island" may sound like an innocuous place, but it's apparently rife with dirty, dirty cheaters. And that cheating doesn't sound like it's stopping anytime soon, with Nintendo telling StickTwiddlers that the island's "Maka Wuhu" track in Mario Kart 7 won't be patched or updated to fix the glaring glitch found at the start.

"We are aware that it is possible to navigate a certain part of the track in Wuhu Island in a way that allows a large part of the course to be bypassed," Nintendo rep Buddy Roemer (no, not that Buddy Roemer) told the site. And though Nintendo acknowledges the glitch, Roemer said there "are no plans to update the game to remove this shortcut." Not for the moment, at least.

The logic behind not updating the game is perhaps even more bizarre than acknowledging the glitch and refusing to fix it. "Doing so would create an unfair advantage for the users of the original release of the game," Roemer said, though he did also say the request for a fix has "been added to our records for Mario Kart 7." We imagine a printout of the email is now sitting in an official three-ring binder somewhere, biding its time next to fan art of Yoshi with a glider.

JoystiqNintendo doesn't plan on fixing Maka Wahu track in Mario Kart 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbuddy-roemerbugglitchmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendonintendo-of-americapatchupdateTue, 17 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS, Nintendo lead Japan's 30 best-selling games of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/3ds-nintendo-lead-japans-30-best-selling-games-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/3ds-nintendo-lead-japans-30-best-selling-games-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/3ds-nintendo-lead-japans-30-best-selling-games-of-2011/#comments The top two spots in Japan's 2011 list of best-selling games are taken by a pair of Nintendo 3DS games: Mario Kart 7, with more than 1.6 million sold, and Super Mario 3D Land with more than 1.08 million sold. In third is Capcom's Monster Hunter Tri-G for 3DS, followed by 27 more titles for 3DS, DS PSP, Wii and PS3. These include From Software's Dark Souls and Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Check out the entire list, provided by Media Create of Japanese Hardware Sales fame, below!

Continue reading 3DS, Nintendo lead Japan's 30 best-selling games of 2011

Joystiq3DS, Nintendo lead Japan's 30 best-selling games of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20113dsdsJapanmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoplaystationps3pspsalessonywiiMon, 16 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mole Kart is the iOS Mario Kart rip-off you never wanted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/mole-kart-is-the-ios-mario-kart-rip-off-you-never-wanted/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/mole-kart-is-the-ios-mario-kart-rip-off-you-never-wanted/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/mole-kart-is-the-ios-mario-kart-rip-off-you-never-wanted/#comments
It's not the first blatant rip-off to appear on the App Store by any stretch, but it might be one of the most obnoxious. Mole Kart is the quintessential Mario Kart clone, copying key gameplay mechanics, power-ups and even track designs from Nintendo's classic rubber-band racer. To top it off, it has fewer memorable characters and, based on the video above, what looks to be some way janky steering.

The game is currently available for $2.99 on the App Store and is compatible with both the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad, granted they're running iOS 4.1 or later. Also, you'll need a high tolerance for cartoon moles because this game is totally full of them.

JoystiqMole Kart is the iOS Mario Kart rip-off you never wanted originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsiosipadiphonemario-kartmario-kart-7mobilemole-kartnintendorip-offwiiwii-uThu, 12 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monster Hunter Tri-G tops 1 million sold in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/monster-hunter-tri-g-tops-1-million-sold-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/monster-hunter-tri-g-tops-1-million-sold-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/monster-hunter-tri-g-tops-1-million-sold-in-japan/#comments You'd think that Japan would be fresh out of monsters at this point, considering that they've been ruthlessly hunting them without rest since 2004, but that's not the case. In fact, it seems the monster birth rate is so high over there, that over a million blademasters and gunners have been recruited for the latest hunt.

Monster Hunter Tri-G has sold 1.08 million copies as of January 8, according to Andriasang, making it the first third-party release (and third 3DS title overall) to break the million-sold milestone in Japan. It is distinct from some other million-selling 3DS titles (Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land) in that it does not feature an Italian plumber, but rather focuses on monsters and the hunting thereof. Wait, isn't Mario technically a monster hunter as well? Maybe there is a common thread here.

JoystiqMonster Hunter Tri-G tops 1 million sold in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscapcomjapanmario-kart-7monster-huntermonster-hunter-tri-gnintendosalessuper-mario-3d-landWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS past 4 million in US, Mario sells another 2 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/3ds-past-4-million-in-us-mario-sells-another-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/3ds-past-4-million-in-us-mario-sells-another-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/3ds-past-4-million-in-us-mario-sells-another-2-million/#comments All things considered, 2011 was a pretty solid year for the 3DS. Despite an incredibly slow adoption rate at launch and the resultant corporate turmoil, buyers on the fence were eventually persuaded by a massive price drop and 3D remakes of yesteryear's classics. By the end of 2011, Nintendo had sold "more than 4 million" of its stereoscopic wunderkind to US consumers, as well as 1 million units each of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7.

Nintendo had only sold 830,000-ish 3DS units as of last July, a full 4 months into the life of the product. By the end of October, however, that number had inflated to around 1.08 million units thanks to August's price drop, with November pushing another 795,000 units into American pockets. For this to add up, the holiday shopping season would have needed to move at least 2.1 million more 3DSes, which doesn't seem like that much of a stretch considering the abundance of bundles at retailers.

Joystiq3DS past 4 million in US, Mario sells another 2 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ds4-millionmariomario-kart-7nintendosalessales-figuressuper-mario-3d-landUS-salesTue, 03 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS sales exceed 4M in Japan, Mario sells over 2M games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/3ds-sales-exceed-4m-in-japan-mario-sells-over-2m-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/3ds-sales-exceed-4m-in-japan-mario-sells-over-2m-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/3ds-sales-exceed-4m-in-japan-mario-sells-over-2m-games/#comments More 3DS sales figures coming right at you: According to data from publisher Enterbrain, the 3DS has now exceeded sales of four million units in Japan (as expected), wrapping up the week leading into Christmas with 510,629 systems sold. That's an increase of 39 percent over the last week, which also saw the 3DS outselling the newer and more expensive PlayStation Vita by about 13 percent.

Mario achieved an accompanying milestone (according to Famitsu), hawking a million copies each of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land. The portly plumber's latest adventures are reportedly the first 3DS games to sell over 1 million copies in Japan. The most recent third-party game to come close to that target is likely Monster Hunter Tri-G, which has already shipped a million copies.

Joystiq3DS sales exceed 4M in Japan, Mario sells over 2M games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjapanmario-kart-7nintendosalessuper-mario-3dsuper-mario-3d-landsuper-mario-land-3dMon, 26 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto: Retro could handle a Zelda game, smartphones aren't competition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/miyamoto-retro-could-handle-a-zelda-game-smartphones-arent-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/miyamoto-retro-could-handle-a-zelda-game-smartphones-arent-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/miyamoto-retro-could-handle-a-zelda-game-smartphones-arent-co/#comments The full transcript of Wired's interview with Shigeru Miyamoto -- in which the industry legend triggered some panic over his future -- has been posted. Surprisingly, that pseudo-retirement news isn't even the juiciest angle; Miyamoto also discussed the company's troubled recent past, as well as its potentially Miyamoto-less future.

He explained that Nintendo's goals this generation have focused on "the expanding of the gaming population," a task which would seemingly put them at odds with the ever-increasing smartphone market. Miyamoto posits that his company isn't "directly competing" with phones; rather, both might just have increased the size of the gaming market, and "expanded the definition of videogames" themselves.

In the more recent past (last week, in fact), Nintendo launched the Retro-developed Mario Kart 7 for 3DS, a project which Miyamoto said succeeded due to its multicultural development approach. "We were able to join forces in order to realize a variety of different courses, a variety of different tastes," he explained. "I think that's one reason how it worked out well between a Japanese development team and a Western development team."

It seems Retro has earned the games industry maven's trust, as Miyamoto added, "As you know, we have already collaborated with Retro for the Metroid Prime series in the past. And I think when we talk about any other franchise, Zelda might be a possible franchise for that collaboration." We think we speak for everyone when we shout in support of this idea while doing fist pumps into the air. Check out the full interview for more on the future of Zelda, the 3DS, the Wii U and the other pies Miyamoto's got his fingers in.

JoystiqMiyamoto: Retro could handle a Zelda game, smartphones aren't competition originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoretro-studiosshigeru-miyamotowiiwii-uzeldaWed, 14 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart 7 sells 420K its first week in Japan, Iwata says game did even better internationally]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/mario-kart-7-sells-420k-its-first-week-in-japan-iwata-says-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/mario-kart-7-sells-420k-its-first-week-in-japan-iwata-says-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/mario-kart-7-sells-420k-its-first-week-in-japan-iwata-says-game/#comments Nintendo president Satoru Iwata recently held a state of the union with Japanese newspaper Nikkei (via Andriasang) for the company's performance in its home country. Mario Kart 7, which launched on December 1, has done quite well. In its first week on retail shelves, the game sold a whopping 420,000 copies, almost double the first-week performance sales of Mario Kart DS back in 2005. And, according to Iwata, the game did even better abroad, though we kinda already knew that.

Despite suffering through a lackluster launch, Nintendo's latest handheld is set to reach the three million sold mark two weeks faster than the original DS did, Iwata said. Thanks, price cut! He expects the 3DS to hit four million before its one year anniversary on February 26.

JoystiqMario Kart 7 sells 420K its first week in Japan, Iwata says game did even better internationally originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjapanmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendosalessatoru-iwataTue, 06 Dec 2011 16:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop giving away real Mario kart to a PowerUp Rewards member]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/gamestop-giving-away-real-mario-kart-to-a-powerup-rewards-member/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/gamestop-giving-away-real-mario-kart-to-a-powerup-rewards-member/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/gamestop-giving-away-real-mario-kart-to-a-powerup-rewards-member/#comments And here we thought Nintendo commissioned the real-life Mario Kart kart just so its existence could tease us perpetually. The real reason is so some lucky person out there can own this thing; a GameStop patron to be exact.

The kart will be given to a select PowerUp Rewards member. Eligible members simply need to purchase or trade something in during the month of December to be entered into the drawing, either in-store or online. Good luck, because nothing really ties the living room together like a giant, life-sized Mario Kart prop.

... What? You would put it in the garage? Psh.

JoystiqGameStop giving away real Mario kart to a PowerUp Rewards member originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendowiiwii-uMon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CoD: Modern Warfare 3 not moving, Mario Kart 7 debuts strong on UK chart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/cod-modern-warfare-3-not-moving-mario-kart-7-debuts-strong-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/cod-modern-warfare-3-not-moving-mario-kart-7-debuts-strong-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/cod-modern-warfare-3-not-moving-mario-kart-7-debuts-strong-on/#comments

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, with a slight sales gain of 2 percent, remains king of the hill for a fourth week in a row on Chart-Track's UK sales chart. Stalwart chart champion FIFA 12 pushed past Assassin's Creed: Revelations into second, but remained 55,000 units behind Modern Warfare 3.

The big mover and shaker last week was Just Dance 3, up 54 percent, electric-sliding from eighth into fourth. Skyrim and Saints Row: The Third couldn't help but shout and inspire mayhem regarding this situation while sitting in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Mario Kart 7 was the only top 40 debut on the charts last week, driving up to an eighth place finish.

Mamma mia! Here we go again. There were two titles that entered the top 40 in their second week. ABBA: You Can Dance (part of the Just Dance franchise) saw a 252 percent jump in sales into 30th place. Zumba Fitness 2, the sister succubi of a formerly unstoppable chart demon, is up 97 percent and creeps into the 34th spot. Check out the UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading CoD: Modern Warfare 3 not moving, Mario Kart 7 debuts strong on UK chart

JoystiqCoD: Modern Warfare 3 not moving, Mario Kart 7 debuts strong on UK chart originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsassassins-creed-revelationscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3chart-trackchart-track-weeklyFIFA-12Mario-Kart-7microsoftmodern-warfare-3nintendopcplaystationps3wiixboxMon, 05 Dec 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart 7 review: An exercise in fun/frustration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/mario-kart-7-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/mario-kart-7-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/mario-kart-7-review/#comments Mario Kart 7 is, as its predecessors always have been, an exceedingly hateful game. Three laps' worth of perfect corner negotiation, aggressive drafting and creating enough sparks to manufacture a small sun can be overturned instantly, sometimes in sight of the finish line. Who am I kidding? It is always in sight of the finish line, and it's always Toad, an innocuous-looking bastard who's caused me to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory more times than I could ever hope to count. (Estimated guess, though: A hundred billion.)

Frustrating though they may be, those turnabouts are how the franchise skirts around recurring poxes of the racing genre. Last place racers get far more potent weaponry than the pace cars -- not rubber-banding in the traditional sense, but the result's the same. Mario Kart 7's changes and additions are few in number, but they're rich in the refinement of that concept. More than ever, it's a game about getting screwed over without getting too angry about it, a pair of goals it achieves with panache.

Gallery: Mario Kart 7 (10/6/11)

Continue reading Mario Kart 7 review: An exercise in fun/frustration

JoystiqMario Kart 7 review: An exercise in fun/frustration originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoretroretro-studiosTue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro took Mario Kart 7 from 'emergency' to 2011 launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/retro-took-mario-kart-7-from-emergency-to-2011-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/retro-took-mario-kart-7-from-emergency-to-2011-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/retro-took-mario-kart-7-from-emergency-to-2011-launch/#comments In the latest Iwata Asks column, not yet translated into English by Nintendo, the CEO discusses development of December's high-profile 3DS release, Mario Kart 7, with not only recent series developer Nintendo EAD but also Austin-based Retro Studios.

"But Retro Studios only worked on the Donkey Kong Country Returns level," you whimper. While that was true as of last E3, Hideki Konno, Manager and Producer at EAD Software Development Group No.1, tells Iwata that since several production designers were working to get Nintendogs + Cats ready for the 3DS launch, as well as other Nintendo projects, there was "an act of emergency" to get Mario Kart 7 finished by the end of the year.

Retro was brought in to help on some courses, notably the aforementioned DKC-themed level, and to work on the game's 16 classic courses, while EAD ostensibly worked on the 16 new tracks. With the 3DS still recovering from a rough launch, plagued by pricing concerns and a paucity of premium software, we'd say it was a smart move to ensure Mario Kart 7 would find its way onto shelves this year.

JoystiqRetro took Mario Kart 7 from 'emergency' to 2011 launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsemergencymario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoretro-studiosFri, 25 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo and West Coast Customs bring Mario Karts to life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-and-west-coast-customs-bring-mario-karts-to-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-and-west-coast-customs-bring-mario-karts-to-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-and-west-coast-customs-bring-mario-karts-to-life/#comments
Normally, Mario's Kart is just a bit of virtual video game magic, confined to a world where turtle shells fly and banana peels litter racetracks. But Nintendo has joined forces with auto shop West Coast Customs to produce two real life Mario Karts, currently on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Both Mario's main ride, above, and Luigi's Bumble V kart were made, and both are equipped with front-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels in the back, and a propeller add-on for traveling through water.

Unfortunately, that propeller doesn't really work underwater (so says the press release), but the karts really do move. Their construction will be spotlighted in an upcoming episode of West Coast Customs' reality TV show. You can see more shots of the karts over on the company's site (including one of Reggie Fils-Aime himself driving).

Continue reading Nintendo and West Coast Customs bring Mario Karts to life

JoystiqNintendo and West Coast Customs bring Mario Karts to life originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsautocustom-madego-kartsmario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendopromotionreggie-fils-aimewest-coast-customswiiThu, 17 Nov 2011 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart 7's impressive commitment to community]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/mario-kart-7s-impressive-commitment-to-community/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/mario-kart-7s-impressive-commitment-to-community/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/mario-kart-7s-impressive-commitment-to-community/#comments When it comes to Mario Kart, you can always count on two things. The first: an overabundance of "Nintendo Fairness," wherein race-leaders endure firestorms of powerful item attacks, while lagging competitors are showered with said items -- and brandish them with reckless abandon. This inexorably results in an embattled first-place spot, and guarantees even the least-competent players a decent shot at claiming a last-second lead.

The 3D-powered Mario Kart 7 thankfully dials this down a bit from the artificial-fairness excess last seen in Mario Kart Wii, but damn, is it ever annoying. I've learned to live with this, though.

Gallery: Mario Kart 7 (10/6/11)

Continue reading Mario Kart 7's impressive commitment to community

JoystiqMario Kart 7's impressive commitment to community originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mariomario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoTue, 15 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's the Mario Kart 7 steering wheel for 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/heres-the-mario-kart-7-steering-wheel-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/heres-the-mario-kart-7-steering-wheel-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/heres-the-mario-kart-7-steering-wheel-for-3ds/#comments Oh, you're still worried about the unfortunate form factor of the Nintendo 3DS slide pad peripheral? That's old hat -- Andriasang recently uncovered an attachment which further turns the once sleek handheld into an unpocketable monstrosity: The Hori Mario Kart 7 steering wheel.

The attachment, which carries the official Nintendo seal and will cost ¥1,280 ($17), snaps onto the back of the handheld to give players who use the game's tilt-to-steer functionality a greater sense of ... realism? We guess? All we know is that it better come with a fanny pack to carry around its unwieldy frame, and then some sort of invisibility cloak to protect the wearer from being savagely beaten by everyone who sees them.

JoystiqHere's the Mario Kart 7 steering wheel for 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dshorijapanmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoperipheralssteering-wheelTue, 25 Oct 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Club Nintendo 'Dot Mario Cushion' is another reason to envy Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/club-nintendo-dot-mario-cushion-is-another-reason-to-envy-japa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/club-nintendo-dot-mario-cushion-is-another-reason-to-envy-japa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/club-nintendo-dot-mario-cushion-is-another-reason-to-envy-japa/#comments We get it. Everybody deserves to come home from a long day at the office and embrace a loved one, whether it be an actual human being, a pet or just a really awesome pillow. In this case, it's all pillow. Get it? Get it?!

Ahem, sorry -- Nintendo's latest Club Nintendo Platinum goodie for Japan (yeah, we're upset, too) has us all aflutter with excitement. It's the very awesome Mario pillow you see above, available as one of three different freebies for Platinum members. The other two freebies up for grabs are two table calendars or two different soundtracks, from a total of five, though we know eligible members would never go against the pillow. Because that'd just be insane.

JoystiqClub Nintendo 'Dot Mario Cushion' is another reason to envy Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsclub-nintendodsmariomario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendowiiwii-uTue, 25 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart 7's online and StreetPass features detailed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/mario-kart-7s-online-and-streetpass-features-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/mario-kart-7s-online-and-streetpass-features-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/mario-kart-7s-online-and-streetpass-features-detailed/#comments Mario Kart 7 will have wireless connectivity features that use both broadband internet and the 3DS's own "StreetPass" connection, Nintendo announced today. As noted at E3, you'll be able to race online or off, with 8-player online retaining a 60 FPS framerate. You can set up "communities" that allow you to create groups of people to race against, setting up various criteria for inclusion in the "community" and racing settings.

You'll be able to collect data from other players by passing by them, using StreetPass. You'll pick up win/loss records, coin data, and more, including "ghost" data of other players' races, which you can then race against. You'll also have the option to install a Mario Kart Channel to your 3DS, to act as a hub for downloaded Mario Kart 7 stuff.

Nintendo also announced a couple new playable characters: Lakitu and Metal Mario. In other news, Nintendo is apparently running out of ideas for Mario Kart characters.

Continue reading Mario Kart 7's online and StreetPass features detailed

JoystiqMario Kart 7's online and StreetPass features detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7mario-kart-channelnintendostreetpassFri, 21 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo holding conference on Friday about 3DS firmware, Mario Kart 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/nintendo-holding-conference-on-friday-about-3ds-firmware-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/nintendo-holding-conference-on-friday-about-3ds-firmware-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/nintendo-holding-conference-on-friday-about-3ds-firmware-mario/#comments Nintendo is springing another press event on us, this Friday, October 21 at 8PM (7AM EDT). The pre-recorded presentation will be streamed online, and will focus on the upcoming November firmware update for 3DS, along with details about Mario Kart 7's wireless functions (probably referring to online play).

Those two things alone don't seem like much for a press conference, so either this thing will be mercifully brief or there will be some surprises. There might be more to this firmware update than video recording. Maybe.

[Thanks, Dali!]

JoystiqNintendo holding conference on Friday about 3DS firmware, Mario Kart 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsfirmwaremario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoWed, 19 Oct 2011 13:45:00 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[Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, and more dated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/super-mario-3d-land-mario-kart-7-and-more-dated/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/super-mario-3d-land-mario-kart-7-and-more-dated/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/super-mario-3d-land-mario-kart-7-and-more-dated/#comments Not content with the mini-flood of 3DS news out of last night's Nintendo 3DS Conference? Nintendo of America has some exciting news tailored to American tastes, including release dates for its two biggest upcoming 2011 releases.

Super Mario 3D Land will travel into America (and into your screen, thanks to the 3D effect) on November 13; it'll be followed by automotive adventure Mario Kart 7 on December 4, which now has a gyro-controlled first-person mode. You know, for the real feeling of being atop a tiny go-kart driving into a banana peel. Check out a trailer after the break.

Additionally, the Wii's Mario/Dragon Quest board game, Fortune Street, is teaching us Slime economics on December 5, and the DS Fossil Fighters sequel is coming November 14. What we won't see this year is Paper Mario for 3DS -- that, along with Luigi's Mansion 2, is slated for 2012.

Gallery: Super Mario 3D Land (9/13/11)

Continue reading Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, and more dated

JoystiqSuper Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, and more dated originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfortune-streetmario-kart-7nintendorelease-datesuper-mario-3dsuper-mario-3d-landsuper-mario-land-3dwiiTue, 13 Sep 2011 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Current 3DS owners eligible for free games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/current-3ds-owners-eligible-for-free-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/current-3ds-owners-eligible-for-free-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/current-3ds-owners-eligible-for-free-games/#comments Nintendo is looking to reward early adopters of 3DS, or at least incur a last-minute sales burst before $80 (that's over 30 percent!) comes off the system, bringing it down to $170 on August 12. Those who own a 3DS and connect to the Nintendo eShop before 11:59PM EST on August 11 will be automatically enrolled into the "Nintendo 3DS Ambassador" program.

3DS ambassadorial duties mostly involve playing a bunch of free games. The status grants you access to 10 free NES Virtual Console games on September 1 before their general release (these include The Legend of Zelda, Balloon Fight and Ice Climber), along with 10 more Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games by the end of 2011. The GBA games -- like Yoshi's Island, Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames and Mario vs. Donkey Kong -- will not be available to anyone else. Is all that enough to ameliorate early buyer's remorse?

Nintendo claims that it has sold more than 830,000 3DS systems in the US since it debuted in late March, and that it will keep momentum up with several big holiday releases. In the category of games available to everyone: Kid Icarus: Uprising in the holidays, Super Mario Land 3D in November, followed in December by Mario Kart 7.

JoystiqCurrent 3DS owners eligible for free games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoprice-dropvirtual-consoleThu, 28 Jul 2011 04:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Comic-Con lounge stocked with Mario, Zelda, Rhythm Heaven, and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/nintendos-comic-con-lounge-stocked-with-mario-zelda-rhythm-he/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/nintendos-comic-con-lounge-stocked-with-mario-zelda-rhythm-he/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/nintendos-comic-con-lounge-stocked-with-mario-zelda-rhythm-he/#comments To keep you from ever having to look at an actual comic at Comic-Con, another game company has announced its lineup of playable demos. You'll be able to play a great deal of Nintendo's recent and upcoming 3DS lineup, most of its Wii lineup ... and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2 on DS.

Nintendo will have both a normal booth at Comic-Con, #5135, and a "Nintendo Gaming Lounge" at the adjacent Marriott Marquis & Marina hotel. This "Gaming Lounge" will feature playable demos of Super Mario, Kid Icarus Uprising, Mario Kart, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, Shinobi, and more 3DS games. In addition, you'll be able to try The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Rhythm Heaven, Fortune Street, and more on Wii.

Bring your DS and/or 3DS when you go. From 4-6 pm on July 21, Nintendo will host a Pokémon Black/White meetup. The Lounge will also have a giant Pokédex 3D AR marker of Reshiram for you to take commemorative pictures with, and a "gallery" of oversized AR Cards. There will even be downloadable maps for Dragon Quest IX!

JoystiqNintendo's Comic-Con lounge stocked with Mario, Zelda, Rhythm Heaven, and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscomic-con-2011dsfortune-streetkid-icarus-uprisingLegend-of-Zelda-2010mario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendopokedex-3drhythm-heavenrhythm-heaven-feversuper-mario-3dsuper-mario-3d-landThe-Legend-of-Zelda-Skyward-SwordwiiMon, 18 Jul 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's 'goal' for Mario Kart 3D: eight-player online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/nintendos-goal-for-mario-kart-3d-eight-player-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/nintendos-goal-for-mario-kart-3d-eight-player-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/nintendos-goal-for-mario-kart-3d-eight-player-online/#comments Mario Kart 3D has more improvements in store than just hanggliders bolted to the backs of all the cars. It currently features eight-player local wireless racing, and, if everything goes as planned, it'll feature eight-player online as well.

Joystiq asked Mario Kart 3D producer Hideki Konno if the kart racer would feature online play, and he responded "Of course!" Though the current online configuration isn't quite set, "our goal right now is to have the same number of players for both local wireless and multiplayer over wi-fi." The bottleneck at the moment is making sure the game can handle smooth 60FPS frame rate with eight players in both online and offline, 2D and 3D.

JoystiqNintendo's 'goal' for Mario Kart 3D: eight-player online originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011hideki-konnomario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7onlineFri, 10 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart 3DS preview: By land, by sea, by air]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/mario-kart-3ds-preview-by-land-by-sea-by-air/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/mario-kart-3ds-preview-by-land-by-sea-by-air/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/mario-kart-3ds-preview-by-land-by-sea-by-air/#comments The highlight moment of my time with Mario Kart 3DS didn't involve blue sparks, bananas or any sort of weaponized carapace; though, naturally, all of those elements make a reappearance in the colorful racer. The key moment was the first time I hit a rather innocuous-looking ramp and, once airborne, produced a hang glider from my vehicle's undercarriage.

It wasn't a particularly surprising moment -- your car's new utilities were revealed in the trailer showed during Nintendo's E3 press conference -- but it was certainly an interesting one. The new aerial and underwater portions of each track aren't just fresh new obstacles for you to dodge using the series' tried-and-true system of drifting, boosting and item-firing. They represent challenges for you to navigate using entirely new methods of control.

Gallery: Mario Kart 3D (E3 2011)

Continue reading Mario Kart 3DS preview: By land, by sea, by air

JoystiqMario Kart 3DS preview: By land, by sea, by air originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7mario-kart-dsnintendonintendo-eadretro-studiosFri, 10 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro Studios assisting with Mario Kart 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/retro-studios-assisting-with-mario-kart-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/retro-studios-assisting-with-mario-kart-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/retro-studios-assisting-with-mario-kart-3ds/#comments During the annual Nintendo developer roundtable, Shigeru Miyamoto casually let it drop that Metroid Prime/Donkey Kong Country Returns developer Retro Studio is helping Nintendo out with the 3DS Mario Kart game -- which, incidentally, runs at 60 frames per second.

According to Miyamoto, Retro is collaborating on tracks, among other things. And then he joked that he wanted to call it "Super Mario Kite" because of the gliding vehicles.

JoystiqRetro Studios assisting with Mario Kart 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdse3-2011mario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoretro-studiosTue, 07 Jun 2011 21:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart coming to the 3DS this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/mario-kart-coming-to-the-3ds-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/mario-kart-coming-to-the-3ds-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/mario-kart-coming-to-the-3ds-this-holiday/#comments Nintendo has just announced a 3DS version of Mario's racing series, this time just called Mario Kart. All of the familiar characters are apparently on board, and the game will apparently feature customizable cars (with different types of wheels and other parts), as well as underwater driving sections and even hang gliding attachments on certain parts of the tracks.

Mario Kart is set for a release sometime this holiday season. Stay tuned -- Nintendo says the game will be playable on the E3 show floor this week.

Gallery: Mario Kart 3D (E3 2011)

JoystiqMario Kart coming to the 3DS this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dse3e3-2011mario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoTue, 07 Jun 2011 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: 3DS Japanese launch dated Nov. 11 by German tabloid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/rumor-3ds-japanese-launch-dated-nov-11-by-german-tabloid/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/rumor-3ds-japanese-launch-dated-nov-11-by-german-tabloid/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/rumor-3ds-japanese-launch-dated-nov-11-by-german-tabloid/#commentsÜberpopular German tabloid Bild has put its money on "November 11" as the day the 3DS will launch in Japan. The paper also pegs the European launch for next spring, as anticipated, and prices the system at an estimated €200 ($270). Nintendo of Japan is scheduled to announce the official date and price for its newest handheld this week, on September 29 from Tokyo.

The Bild article [image] also names the 3D version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 3DS and Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle as launch titles. While Bild's November date is at least a popular guess (the DS Phat, DSi and DSi XL all launched in Japan that calendar month), predictably, the newspaper has not outed its sources. (A note from Wikipedia: "The journalistic standards of Bild, or the lack thereof, are the subject of frequent criticism by German intellectuals and media observers.")

The 3DS is expected to launch early next year in North America.

JoystiqRumor: 3DS Japanese launch dated Nov. 11 by German tabloid originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbilddseuropejapanmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoprofessor-layton-and-the-mask-of-miracleprofessor-layton-and-the-miracle-maskrelease-datethe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-timeMon, 27 Sep 2010 10:27:00 EST