Joystiq

Co-opinion: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (E3 2013)

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST

This is Co-Opinion, where two Joystiq editors play a game and discuss their experience.

Dave Hinkle: As far as piggy back rides go, I think I've had the best one of my life in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Wii U. You made me feel safe during our E3 demo, Jordan. You protected me.

Jordan Mallory: Well it's Donkey Kong's responsibility to protect the well-being of his little nephew Diddy, Dave. There are a lot of dangerous viking walruses and perilous pits around this tropical paradise.

Gallery: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (E3 2013)

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Co-opinion: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (E3 2013) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deja Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:45:00 EST

In our 2010 review of Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii, our own JC Fletcher admitted a terrible truth: He had used the Super Guide. Nintendo gave us the nefarious innovation a few years ago, ostensibly a tool to help less experienced players navigate the trickier parts of its games. Seasoned players recognized it for what it really was: A taunt, a gently whispering devil on your shoulder.

Resisting the shiny, candy-like allure of the Super Guide is still a major component of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Monster Games' 3DS rendition of Retro Studios' Wii platformer. A new difficulty setting tries to soften the Wii version's sharp edges, but the brutal structure of its levels remains intact, and no amount of extra health is going to change that.

Gallery: Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (4/6/13)

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Deja Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D being developed by Monster Games, not Retro Studios

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:45:00 EST

It looks like Donkey Kong Country Returns developer Retro Studios isn't returning for the 3DS remake, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. According to the Australian Classification Board, the game is being developed by Monster Games, the studio behind 3DS launch title Pilotwings Resort.

That leaves us with the question of what exactly Retro Studios is up to these days. Last year, Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto sparked interest in the possibility of Retro handling a new Zelda game, though he later said that the studio is "too busy for that sort of thing." Apparently, it's also too busy to port Donkey Kong Country Returns to 3DS. So, in the hope that we can just will it into existence, we're going to assume Retro is hard at work on Metroid Dread for the Wii U.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D being developed by Monster Games, not Retro Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Miyamoto: Retro-developed Zelda 'not out of the question,' but studio is 'too busy'

David Hinkle — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST

Retro Studios recently worked on 2010's Wii game Donkey Kong Country Returns, and last year's Mario Kart 7. For the studio's future, legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto said it isn't out of the question for Retro to work on the Zelda franchise; however, the Austin-based developer is currently too busy to take on the series.

"In terms of them working on a Zelda, it's not out of the question, certainly, for them to work on an entire Zelda game amongst themselves," Miyamoto told IGN when asked about the Austin-based studio's current project. Miyamoto has said Retro is capable in the past, but added that geography would be an issue.

"Traditionally I think that the Zelda team has always had a close contact with anyone who's working on a Zelda game. If you were going to have that happen in the US at Retro, that would be kind of difficult for them to be able to coordinate." Miyamoto added that Retro is "too busy for that sort of thing right now" anyway, joking that he'd likely have to move to Texas - where Retro Studios is located - since a Zelda game requires his involvement, as well.

Retro Studios is capable, but coordinating overseas with Kyoto would obviously be a big hurdle. "Retro is very busy right now, but I'm afraid I can't say exactly what it is," Miyamoto added. So either way, it looks like we can rule out that game being called The Legend of Zelda.

Miyamoto: Retro-developed Zelda 'not out of the question,' but studio is 'too busy' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Miyamoto: Retro could handle a Zelda game, smartphones aren't competition

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST

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.

Miyamoto: 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.

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Mario Kart 7 review: An exercise in fun/frustration

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST

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)

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Mario 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.

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Retro took Mario Kart 7 from 'emergency' to 2011 launch

Christopher Grant — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST

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.

Retro 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.

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Retro Studios helped to craft Donkey Kong course for Mario Kart 7

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST

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)

Retro 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.

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

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST

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)

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Mario 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.

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Retro Studios assisting with Mario Kart 3DS

JC Fletcher — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:37:00 EST

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.

Retro 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.

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Donkey Kong Country Returns in papercraft form

JC Fletcher — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

This Donkey Kong Country Returns diorama perfectly captures the essence of the game: DK and Diddy are bravely attempting to grab a puzzle piece, and are about to be killed by an annoying enemy.

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

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Retro reflects on Donkey Kong Country Returns, denies sequel plans

JC Fletcher — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST

If Nintendo is following up Donkey Kong Country Returns with sequels like it did the original Donkey Kong Country, it's not doing so right now. Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe, who works with DKCR developer Retro Studios, told Game Informer, "I wouldn't say we won't do a sequel, but we don't have anything planned at this time."

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

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

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

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

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

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Rumor: Metroid Prime 1.5 design doc surfaces from Retro Studios

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:40:00 EST

Given the sheer size and detail of the recently surfaced design document said to be for a Retro Studios-developed Metro Prime title, it's hard to outright dismiss as a fake. Then again, a nearly 7,000-word design document for an unannounced Metroid Prime game appearing on the internet out of thin air is hard to believe, to say the least.

But that's just what one Neogaf forum member claims to have found, supposedly on the now-locked Google Sites page of former Retro Studios level designer Tony Giovannini. The document is titled "Metroid 1.5 Design Concept," referencing the project's place in the Prime series' timeline -- between Metroid Prime 1 and 2 -- and has a completion date of November 18, 2002. The first Metroid Prime hit store shelves in North America just one day earlier.

Continue reading Rumor: Metroid Prime 1.5 design doc surfaces from Retro Studios

Rumor: Metroid Prime 1.5 design doc surfaces from Retro Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3DS, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Bleszinski talks at GDC

JC Fletcher — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST

We're guessing Satoru Iwata will talk about the 3DS during his Game Developers Conference keynote. But it's even safer to assume that Nintendo's Hideki Konno will mention the system during his newly-announced GDC talk, called "The Development Process of the Nintendo 3DS". Konno works as producer for Nintendo hardware, and is also producing Nintendogs + Cats, so he should have at least a passing familiarity with the hardware.

A third high-profile Nintendo talk has also been announced: Nintendo's Kensuke Tanabe and Retro Studios' Michael Kelbaugh and Bryan Walker will present "We Hate You: Why Donkey Kong Country Returns was So Hard". Okay, it's actually called "Donkey Kong: Swinging Across Oceans" and it's about developing the game across continents.

GDC also announced one more marquee presentation: Cliff Bleszinski's "Industry Lessons Learned and Applying Them to the Road Ahead", a wide-ranging talk about "Bleszinski's thoughts on AAA gaming, social gaming, and the connected future" as well as the importance of PR and marketing to game design.

3DS, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Bleszinski talks at GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo UK promotion offered Donkey Kong Country Returns in exchange for bananas

Mike Schramm — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST

Nintendo offered a strange promotional deal for Donkey Kong Country Returns at UK video game stores recently. All fans were asked to do is bring in real bananas; the first 20 who did would get a copy of Retro Studios' brilliantly tough platformer. And, sure enough, it worked -- fans handing over bananas got a copy of the game, as well as a photo opportunity with ... the store employees.

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

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

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Billy Mitchell's tie makes cameo in Donkey Kong Country Returns

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:45:00 EST

Donkey Kong Country Returns developer Retro Studios doesn't just have a knack for successfully rebooting beloved Nintendo franchises, it's also got a wicked eye for bold fashion statements. For instance, the star-spangled signature necktie of Donkey Kong high-score contender Billy Mitchell (pictured right; from The King of Kong film) must have ensnared the attention of somebody at Retro, as the familiar pattern managed to sneak its way into DKC Returns, hidden in the backdrop of World 3-2 (pictured left).

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

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

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Championship eater inhales bananas at Donkey Kong Country Returns launch

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:20:00 EST

If pressed, we're not sure we could eat an entire banana in 60 seconds -- they're just so dry and heavy, you know? We certainly couldn't come close to the achievement of championship eater Takeru Kobayashi, who, at a recent Donkey Kong Country Returns launch event, slammed 16 'nanners in a minute.

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

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

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

JC Fletcher — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

I used the Super Guide.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike Schramm — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST

This new Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer means this game's not kidding around. Retro Studios may have borrowed Rare's colorful designs, but it added a vicious platforming challenge to Kong's new banana-collecting adventure. Guess it really is on like ... well, you know.

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

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

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Super Guide returns in Donkey Kong Country Returns

JC Fletcher — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST

Last year, New Super Mario Bros. Wii introduced the "Super Guide" -- if you died eight times in one level, you'd get the option to have Luigi play through it for you (and you could take back control at any time) -- and gaming was ruined forever. (Not really.)

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

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

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

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

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST

Guys, we're screwed. We're not going to be able to resist buying Donkey Kong Country Returns, but the more media we consume from the game -- like the trailer posted below -- the more convinced we become that the game is going to be so difficult, that we might weep uncontrollably while playing it.

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

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

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:45:00 EST

It's a good, good day for folks looking forward to Retro Studios' upcoming banana-collecting platformer, Donkey Kong Country Returns -- Nintendo recently sent over a ton of new screens for the game, as well as a trailer showcasing DK's oddly miniaturized rhino companion, Rambi. Check them out below!

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

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Preview: Donkey Kong Country Returns

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:56:00 EST

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a return to form. Instead of reimagining Rare's classic SNES series, as it did Metroid in its Metroid Prime trilogy, developer Retro Studios is creating a game that's a lot more, well, "retro." DKC Returns appears to erase the 14-year gap since DKC3 -- really, it has been that long -- doing its best to fit in with a series that was designed for a console benchmarked by "bit."

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

Gallery: Donkey Kong Country Returns (E3 2010)

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

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Donkey Kong Country Returns ... returns on Wii this holiday

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:51:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

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

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

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3D Dot Game Heroes' long swords remind Atlus of something

JC Fletcher — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:20:00 EST

We've seen plenty of retrogaming celebration in 3D Dot Game Heroes, but we just haven't seen enough ... juvenile humor. Atlus recognized this humiliating deficiency, and sent out this trailer featuring a series of innuendos that would put an even bigger smile on Smilin' Bob's face.

The real gameplay info buried within all the embarrassing jokery is that the in-game blacksmith enables players to upgrade their swords to (admittedly) Freudian proportions, allowing them to mow down enemies from a comfortable distance. While chuckling to themselves like Butt-head, of course.

3D Dot Game Heroes' long swords remind Atlus of something originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Metroid Prime Trilogy no longer being shipped

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST

A gaming blog by the name of Coffee with Games recently noticed a disturbing trend on Amazon -- Metroid Prime Trilogy was no longer being stocked first-hand by the online retailer. The blog contacted Nintendo to find out why the game ... err, three games weren't being sold on the site anymore, and reportedly received the following response: "Unfortunately, Metroid Prime Trilogy is no longer being shipped. Having said that, you may be able to find what you seek through the secondhand video game market."

We've contacted Nintendo to get our own confirmation first-hand of this troubling report. You can fully expect us to fall to our knees, and belt out a resounding "Whyyyyyyyyyy!" should we succeed in doing so.

[Via Go Nintendo]

Report: Metroid Prime Trilogy no longer being shipped originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo not done with Metroid Prime series

David Hinkle — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST

You may have completed Metroid Prime Trilogy and begun to enter Full Excitement Mode[TM] for next year's Metroid Other M, but there could be even more Metroid in store under Prime's banner of first-person action. Nintendo's Kensuke Tanabe, who oversaw development on the Prime games for Nintendo at Retro Studios, recently told ONM that Nintendo is "always planning to make new games in the Metroid Prime series."

Tanabe didn't speak of a continuation on Wii, but noted that depending "on the timing and the situation, we cannot deny the possibility of realising it on DS or DSi." Though Retro hasn't isolated itself from the franchise, we know Nintendo isn't shy about sharing Samus with external developers. Just don't call it "Metroid Dread," guys. Bad memories.

Nintendo not done with Metroid Prime series originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metroid Prime producer hints at future Prime titles

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:02:00 EST

With the recent release of Metroid Prime Trilogy, it was easy to presume that the Prime series of Metroid games had received a final nail hammered into its coffin. According to a recent interview with Kotaku though, it appears the series' producer isn't quite done. In response to a question regarding multiplayer in the series, Kensuke Tanabe said:

"As all I take part in is the Prime series, I am not capable of commenting on the whole Metroid series. But we will keep considering multiplayer for the Prime series. For instance, I think I can come up with some unique ideas using the Morph Ball, which is a specific skill of Samus'."

Though the series got a spinoff for the DS in Metroid Prime Hunters, and it's possible Tanabe is speaking about future Prime titles for Nintendo's handheld system, hearing about more Prime games in any capacity is intriguing news. While Team Ninja is busy working on Metroid: Other M, it's possible that Prime series dev Retro Studios could be working on the future of its brand of Metroid. Don''t just take it from us, take it from Retro Studios prez and CEO Michael Kelbaugh who said so himself!

Metroid Prime producer hints at future Prime titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swag Sunday: Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii) [update]

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:30:00 EST

Update: The comments have been closed and the winner will be contacted shortly. Check your email, folks! And thanks to everyone for entering!

How is it that every time we run a Swag Saturday/Sunday post for a Nintendo Wii game, it's something wonderful? Last time we offered you Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, and this week we're treating one lucky winner to a copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy! To get your hands on it, leave a comment below telling us your favorite moment in the Metroid series -- yes, you can go all the way back to NES. We'll pick one answer at random tomorrow evening to receive the fancy "Collector's Edition" you see above. One stipulation: Automatic disqualification should your answer include the Zero Suit in any way. You know why, ya scoundrels!

Leave a comment telling us your favorite moment in the Metroid series, excluding those that involve the Zero Suit.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, for obvious reasons)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 8:31PM ET on Monday, September 21
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Metroid Prime Trilogy on Wii ($50 ARV)
For a list of complete rules, click here

Swag Sunday: Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii) [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Minor graphical effects missing in Wii Metroid Prime

JC Fletcher — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST

It turns out the word "damn" isn't the only thing missing from Metroid Prime Trilogy. This YouTube video (after the break) demonstrates a few minor, but nice, graphical effects that seem to have been excised from the Wii release of the first Metroid Prime -- specifically, the ripple effect when Samus moves around in water, and the Ice Beam's freezing condensation, which used to gather around the gun when charging Ice Beam shots.

At first we thought the effects might have been a casualty of the process of cramming three games onto one disc, but this video shows that the Japanese version of Prime on Wii, which had a Wii disc all to itself, also lacks the freezing effect (skip to the last thirty seconds to see). So what happened? It could merely be a glitch, or the result of a hasty port. It's certainly nothing to get too upset or burn your Trilogy disc over. Just kind of ... odd.

Continue reading Minor graphical effects missing in Wii Metroid Prime

Minor graphical effects missing in Wii Metroid Prime originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metroid Prime Trilogy 'damn'-ed by silly censorship

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST

Remember that scene in Legend of Zelda where Link eats Ganondorf's heart to silence the demons haunting the young Hylian about his brutal childhood? No, of course not, that was censored. What about the scene in Pikmin portraying the plant society as being built around fascist ideals and Olimar becoming their goose-stepping overlord? No, 'cause the was censored too. Both of these instances make sense when compared to the removal of the word "damn" from the Metroid Prime Trilogy.

In the video after the break, which appears to be authentic, an innocent "damn" found in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was altered to a "no." We'll be gosh darned if that ain't the most golly gee willikers silly-faced thing we'd ever done seen. We're following up with Nintendo and Retro Studios to find out the reason for the change.

[Via Go Nintendo]

Gallery: Metroid Prime Trilogy box

Continue reading Metroid Prime Trilogy 'damn'-ed by silly censorship

Metroid Prime Trilogy 'damn'-ed by silly censorship originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retro Studios could return to Metroid 'some day'

Xav de Matos — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:15:00 EST

Promoting the recently-released Metroid Prime Trilogy, IGN posted a video tour (embedded after the break) of Retro Studios' Texas offices. In the video, Retro President and CEO Michael Kelbaugh discusses the franchise and the possibility of a Retro return to the Metroid series.

While Kelbaugh notes the team was aware it would only be responsible for a trilogy within the franchise, he could not say the team will never return to Samus' universe. "I think Retro will always be associated with the Metroid Prime franchise and who knows, maybe we'll do another one someday," Kelbaugh said, leaving the door to a possible Metroid return slightly ajar.

For now, Retro Studios has hung up its Galactic Federation club coat and is working on new projects, in hopes to "refresh" its development team. Metroid continues to grow elsewhere with Team Ninja currently developing Metroid: Other M for the Wii. An exciting game on the Wii's horizon -- albeit with a terrible name.

Continue reading Retro Studios could return to Metroid 'some day'

Retro Studios could return to Metroid 'some day' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Metroid Prime Trilogy dev diary

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:45:00 EST

This Week on the Nintendo Channel presents the lengthy video you see above. It's a developer diary talking about all of the hard work that went into combining all of the Metroid Prime games into one delicious, tinned package. Hey, it may be the highlight of this week, but that's certainly not all there is! Hit the break for this week's videos and DS demos.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Metroid Prime Trilogy dev diary

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Metroid Prime Trilogy dev diary originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy Metroid Prime Trilogy in the UK, get Metroid free

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:50:00 EST

If you're in the UK and your Metroid Prime Trilogy purchase will be the second time you've bought one of the Prime games, Nintendo has an enticing offer for you. Be one of the first 5,000 to purchase the Wii collection and register it on Club Nintendo, and, provided you've registered Metroid Prime 1, 2, or 3 in the past, you'll get a free Virtual Console download of the NES Metroid game.

Sure, if you're a big enough Metroid fan to be buying Trilogy despite already owning the game, it's likely you already have Metroid, either on the NES, the Virtual Console, or as a connection bonus on the GameCube Metroid Prime disc. But it's still wonderful precedent to have Nintendo giving away a Virtual Console game to promote a new release.

But why limit it only to the suckers buying one of the games twice? And why only 5,000? A Virtual Console download costs Nintendo nothing.

[Image]

Buy Metroid Prime Trilogy in the UK, get Metroid free originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metroid Prime Trilogy trailer: We're sold

Randy Nelson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST

Is it the music? Nah, it's everything about this montage of footage from all three Metroid Prime installments that comprise the upcoming Metroid Prime Trilogy compilation that has us saying, "do want!" And hey, you really can't argue with three excellent games, two of which have been retrofitted with widescreen support in addition to Wii Remote / Nunchuk based controls.

In fact, there's nothing about this release that hasn't struck us as top-notch, from the packaging to the killer pre-order bonuses. See you soon -- August 24, to be precise -- Samus.

Metroid Prime Trilogy trailer: We're sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Metroid Prime Trilogy at GameStop, get surprisingly nice t-shirt

JC Fletcher — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:15:00 EST

The Wii release of Metroid Prime Trilogy just keeps getting better. Yesterday, we learned that it would include a lovely tin and an artbook, and now GameStop has just revealed that copies pre-ordered from the retailer will also come with a free t-shirt! It also comes with video games!

In our opinion, the shirt looks pretty great (we're assuming it's not all dithered in real life like it is in the picture), even with the logo on the side, and even with the added baggage of identifying you as a GameStop shopper. The offer is valid for both in-store and online pre-orders.

Gallery: Metroid Prime Trilogy box

Pre-order Metroid Prime Trilogy at GameStop, get surprisingly nice t-shirt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metroid Prime Trilogy packaging cooler than a Chozo suit

David Hinkle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST

Click image to morph into gallery

We just got sent the box art for the upcoming Metroid Prime Trilogy and, wow, it's really nice. Featuring a badass Samus-adorned metal case, the box art is about as cool and futuristic as the retooled Metroid Prime content located on its disc. In addition to the metal case, the Wii Trilogy will also include a "special Metroid Prime Trilogy artbook." Looks like Nintendo's managed to weasel out another $50 out of us, huh? We'd go on more about it, but then that would keep you from going into our gallery below and checking out the various shots for yourself.

Gallery: Metroid Prime Trilogy box

Metroid Prime Trilogy packaging cooler than a Chozo suit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Retro Studios hints at news today

JC Fletcher — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST

A Twitter account that claims to be from Retro Studios is teasing at something big. "We think you guys will be pleasantly surprised in just a few hours :)," the latest tweet (out of a grand total of two) reads. Of course, it could be a fake, but the possibility of Retro-related excitement is too wonderful to ignore.

Despite the departure of Retro senior staff to form Armature Studio, Retro is still in operation, as a Nintendo-owned developer. Which means that if there is some Retro news (beyond Metroid Prime Trilogy, which we know is Nintendo-related), it'll probably be related to Nintendo, as well. Odd, then, that the pleasant surprise is supposed to happen today, when Nintendo's keynote doesn't happen until tomorrow.

[Thanks, Mr. Khan!]

Rumor: Retro Studios hints at news today originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All three Metroid Prime games rolled up into Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:45:00 EST

If you were jealous of Japan's New Play Control releases of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, don't be. Nintendo of America just announced plans to release all three (non-pinball) Metroid Prime games on a single Wii disc as Metroid Prime Trilogy. The press release says that it was developed by "Retro Studios and Nintendo." Did Retro itself work on the refit before leaving Nintendo, or does the Retro credit apply only to the original games?

Metroid Prime 1 and 2 will be enhanced with a widescreen mode and the pointer-based Wii controls from the Japanese re-releases. Metroid Prime 3 won't be, because it was already a Wii game and already has them. The collection will feature a "new unlockables system" that allows access to bonus artwork and other rewards based on accomplishments in all three games -- Corruption's "token" system applied to the whole series.

Trilogy will be out in North America on August 24 for $50.

All three Metroid Prime games rolled up into Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Play Control Metroid Prime games get Corruption's token system

David Hinkle — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST

If you played through any significant portion of Metroid Prime 3, then you likely encountered a colorful token or two during your progression through the game. These tokens were awarded for a variety of reasons and were a lot of fun to compare with your friends, so it's nice to see them being utilized in the New Play Control versions of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime: Echoes. Anything adding replay value to these great games is just fine by us!

New Play Control Metroid Prime games get Corruption's token system originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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