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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nintendo releasing retail games on 3DS eShop, starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/#comments ImageSatoru Iwata dropped the proverbial bomb today in an investor presentation, announcing plans to distribute certain retail 3DS games on the eShop download service, where they will be stored on the SD card. The first game to receive this dual release treatment is New Super Mario Bros. 2, due worldwide in August. In addition, the "Onitore" Brain Training game will be sold in this manner.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsiwata-askskid-icarus-uprisingmasahiro-sakurainintendopcproject-sorasatoru-iwatawiiFri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata interested in NFC payments, tolerant of microtransactions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/iwata-interested-in-nfc-payments-tolerant-of-microtransactions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/iwata-interested-in-nfc-payments-tolerant-of-microtransactions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/iwata-interested-in-nfc-payments-tolerant-of-microtransactions/#comments Nintendo president Satoru Iwata gave his customary Q&A session to stockholders following the company's financial results briefing. Surprisingly, the stockholders asked a lot of stuff about future plans, instead of just hostile questions about why Nintendo is losing money.

Iwata elaborated on the NFC functionality of the Wii U, specifying its utility for reading credit cards. "If we can provide a system in which consumers can use such e-money," he said, "they will far more easily be able to make payments than by entering credit card numbers or purchasing the Nintendo Prepaid Cards at stores." Of course, Nintendo has been sheepish about going into online business, which Iwata admitted. "To the views that Nintendo is cautious, conservative, or even negative about business on a network," he said, "our answer is, in short, that we will make a bold attempt when the time is ripe. Unless the timing is right, we will lose the consumers who do not have an Internet connection."

Iwata explained that Nintendo is working to find a solution that pleases both customers and retailers before offering full-game downloads, but went on to say that microtransactions, another new-ish development in online games, are not something he'd have a problem with. "We plan to ensure a relative level of flexibility for the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U software compatible with the Nintendo Network as long as the developer has built a trusting relationship with consumers, except for the cases that consumers will be too disadvantaged," he said. "Regulations with a certain degree of strictness" will be in place to protect customers. Nintendo "will not turn down" requests to add microtransactions to games "as far as they can establish an appropriate relationship with their customers."

JoystiqIwata interested in NFC payments, tolerant of microtransactions originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdlcMicrotransactionsnfcnintendonintendo-networksatoru-iwatawii-uTue, 31 Jan 2012 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: 3DS sales prove there's still room for dedicated gaming handhelds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/nintendo-3ds-sales-prove-theres-still-room-for-dedicated-gamin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/nintendo-3ds-sales-prove-theres-still-room-for-dedicated-gamin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/nintendo-3ds-sales-prove-theres-still-room-for-dedicated-gamin/#comments Nintendo President Satoru Iwata believes the company has proven there's still a market for dedicated gaming handheld hardware like the 3DS. In a briefing -- which covered a lot of ground -- Iwata revealed the pictured chart above, comparing internal Nintendo weekly sales data of the Wii, DS and 3DS. The executive said the initial sales pace of the 3DS was "unsatisfactory," but the device gained momentum after the price cut and the launch of popular games like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7 (and Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G in Japan).

"Last summer, when the sales pace of the Nintendo 3DS was slow, there were extreme remarks saying, 'With the penetration of smartphones, will there still be a market for handheld hardware?,' which was almost equal to 'Handheld hardware is not necessary anymore,'" Iwata said. "I believe we proved that such opinions are incorrect."

In the end, however, Nintendo did not reach its internal sales goal for the device, despite the 3DS gaining momentum and ending the year with a respectable 15 million unit sales. Iwata says the company could not cover the lack of units sold pre-price drop, which is one of the reasons for its negatively revised financial forecasts.

JoystiqNintendo: 3DS sales prove there's still room for dedicated gaming handhelds originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidFinancialsiosipadiphoneIwatamobilenintendoQ3salesSatoru-IwataFri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skylanders-esque NFC tech built into Wii U's WiiPad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/skylanders-esque-nfc-tech-built-into-wii-us-wiipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/skylanders-esque-nfc-tech-built-into-wii-us-wiipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/skylanders-esque-nfc-tech-built-into-wii-us-wiipad/#comments Adding onto the mounting pile of news coming from an investor's briefing with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata comes word that the Wii U's tablet-like controller will have "Near Field Communication" technology (NFC). In Nintendo's words, the tech will serve to "read and write data via noncontact NFC and to expand the new play format in the video game world." Owners can reportedly create their own cards and figurines for use with the WiiPad's NFC functionality.

Confusing as that may be, Iwata means that the Wii U's WiiPad will come equipped with similar tech to that used in Skylanders alter its gameplay via real world objects (Skylanders uses RFID tech, which isn't exactly the same, but a similar concept). The tech could conceivably be used to make credit card payments as well, which Iwata specifically mentions in the last paragraph.

We wish it was all announcements of new entries in classic franchises and promises of unified online systems, folks, but that's just how it goes. On the bright side, more Drobot?

Update: This post originally stated that Near Field Communication tech is also used in the Skylanders game from Activision, which isn't accurate. Skylanders uses RFID technology, which is similar but not identical. Sorry about that, folks!

JoystiqSkylanders-esque NFC tech built into Wii U's WiiPad originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japannear-field-communicationnfcnintendonintendo-of-japansatoru-iwatawii-uwiipadFri, 27 Jan 2012 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[New side-scrolling Super Mario headed to 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/new-side-scrolling-super-mario-headed-to-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/new-side-scrolling-super-mario-headed-to-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/new-side-scrolling-super-mario-headed-to-3ds/#comments Think New Super Mario Bros., but newer. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata assured investors today that a new 2D Super Mario game is in the works for 3DS, this one distinguished by its "side-scrolling action."

Iwata offered no further information about the game in his presentation, but expects it to launch sometime within Nintendo's next fiscal year. That places the new Mario's debut sometime after March 2012 -- just far enough to complete Super Mario 3D Land and yearn for the days when things were nice and flat.

JoystiqNew side-scrolling Super Mario headed to 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnew-new-super-mario-brosnintendosatoru-iwatasuper-mariosuper-mario-brosThu, 26 Jan 2012 22:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U getting user accounts as part of 'Nintendo Network']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wii-u-getting-user-accounts-as-part-of-nintendo-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wii-u-getting-user-accounts-as-part-of-nintendo-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wii-u-getting-user-accounts-as-part-of-nintendo-network/#comments Nintendo is slowly catching up in the online department, as Satoru Iwata unveiled the "Nintendo Network" in an investor presentation today. The "Nintendo Network," whose logo was just spotted on the Japanese Theatrhythm cover, will cover "competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content," Iwata said, for both 3DS and Wii U. Elements, like the "Community" building functionality, have already been implemented in Mario Kart 7.

For the Wii U, the Nintendo Network will support multiple personal user accounts per system, finally ending Nintendo's insistence on tying software purchases to a single system.

The Network may also entail digital sales of retail 3DS games. "This concept was built into the design of the Nintendo 3DS, and we already have the necessary infrastructure," Iwata said. "We will prepare the same infrastructure for the Wii U. However, we have not decided the concrete timing of when we will start it."

JoystiqWii U getting user accounts as part of 'Nintendo Network' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdlcnintendonintendo-networksatoru-iwatauser-accountwii-uThu, 26 Jan 2012 22:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U launching worldwide in time for 'year-end season']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wii-u-launching-worldwide-in-time-for-year-end-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wii-u-launching-worldwide-in-time-for-year-end-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wii-u-launching-worldwide-in-time-for-year-end-season/#comments Speaking to reporters in Osaka after Nintendo's earnings release today, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata offered the most specific information about the Wii U's various international release windows yet -- revealing that they're all roughly similar.

According to Reuters, Iwata said that the console will be released in the US, Europe, Australia, and Japan "for the year-end season." Previous windows have placed the Wii U in 2012, and then in the second half of 2012. With that crucial timing in place, all Nintendo needs is a decent price and a few great launch games, and all the mistakes of the 3DS's launch can be avoided.

JoystiqWii U launching worldwide in time for 'year-end season' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendosatoru-iwatawii-uThu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enjoy this video of Wii's 'Kiki Trick,' since you probably won't get to play the game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/enjoy-this-video-of-wiis-kiki-trick-since-you-probably-wont/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/enjoy-this-video-of-wiis-kiki-trick-since-you-probably-wont/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/enjoy-this-video-of-wiis-kiki-trick-since-you-probably-wont/#comments
If you weren't raptly watching last night's Nintendo Direct presentation, you missed the incredible video for Kiki Trick, an audio-based Wii game from Metroid's Yoshio Sakamoto and the WarioWare team.

In the above clip, you'll see Nintendo president Satoru Iwata try to decipher a robot's nightmare voice, assign sounds to the act of eating ramen in the correct order, and match audio tracks to video clips. It looks weird and fascinating, and of course it has no chance of ever leaving Japan.

The Nintendo Direct site has more videos from last night, including clips for Dynasty Warriors Vs., Bravely Default, Girls RPG Cinderellife, and -- you absolutely must see this -- Satoru Iwata playing New Love Plus. In fact, we're just going to go ahead and put that one after the break.

Continue reading Enjoy this video of Wii's 'Kiki Trick,' since you probably won't get to play the game

JoystiqEnjoy this video of Wii's 'Kiki Trick,' since you probably won't get to play the game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dskiki-tricknew-love-plusnintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2011satoru-iwatawiiTue, 27 Dec 2011 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Nintendo prez Satoru Iwata's 'Direct' conference right here [update: it's over!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/watch-nintendo-prez-satoru-iwatas-direct-conference-right-her/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/watch-nintendo-prez-satoru-iwatas-direct-conference-right-her/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/watch-nintendo-prez-satoru-iwatas-direct-conference-right-her/#comments
Update: And we're out, folks. We'll have a roundup of tonight's trailers for you bright and early in the morning. Thanks for joining us (and don't forget to take your VHS copy of Uncle Buck home, dude)!

Starting at 10PM ET / 12PM JT this evening slash afternoon (depending on where in the world you are), Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will once more address eager fans and press alike in his second pre-record "Nintendo Direct" address. He'll be doing so via Ustream, and he'll apparently be dishing plans for Nintendo products on both Wii and 3DS consoles that are planned for the next few months ("through March 2012," Nintendo of Japan's Twitter feed teased last week) -- we're thinking it'll be launch dates for some of those Mario titles (Paper Mario, Mario Tennis, etc.), and an update on some other upcoming products.

In our continued efforts to keep your eyeballs locked to Joystiq for as much of the day as possible, we've dropped the stream into this post so you can follow along without having to leave our comforting embrace. We'll also be breaking out any news as Mr. Iwata reveals it, so stay tuned!

JoystiqWatch Nintendo prez Satoru Iwata's 'Direct' conference right here [update: it's over!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2011satoru-iwatawiiMon, 26 Dec 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata Claus drops a holiday Nintendo Direct vid on Dec. 26]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/iwata-claus-drops-a-holiday-nintendo-direct-dec-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/iwata-claus-drops-a-holiday-nintendo-direct-dec-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/iwata-claus-drops-a-holiday-nintendo-direct-dec-26/#comments In October, Satoru Iwata hosted a "Nintendo Direct" video, in which he introduced the pink 3DS, detailed the big firmware update, and gave release windows for some eShop releases. Iwata will host another video press conference on December 27 at noon JST, or 10PM EST on December 26, according to a new "event" set up on the publisher's Ustream site. This time, we suspect we'll learn release dates -- or windows -- for at least some of its big upcoming releases, like Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario Tennis, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, or Paper Mario.

Last time, the Japanese video was followed the next morning by a Nintendo of America version, hosted by NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime. The same will probably happen this time.

[Santa hat from Maridav / Shutterstock]

JoystiqIwata Claus drops a holiday Nintendo Direct vid on Dec. 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendonintendo-directsatoru-iwatawiiSat, 24 Dec 2011 13:00:00 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[Iwata: 3DS is Nintendo 'priority,' even at the sake of short-term profitability]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/iwata-3ds-is-nintendo-priority-even-at-the-sake-of-short-ter/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/iwata-3ds-is-nintendo-priority-even-at-the-sake-of-short-ter/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/iwata-3ds-is-nintendo-priority-even-at-the-sake-of-short-ter/#comments In a recent Q&A following a semi-annual investor's meeting, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata laid out the company's plans for its slow-starting handheld, the 3DS. "We came to the conclusion that we needed to make that bold investment," Iwata explained, "instead of focusing just on this term's profitability, so that we would be able to make the Nintendo 3DS an important foundation for Nintendo for years to come." He added that the company expects the system's profitability to improve dramatically during the fiscal year ending March 2013.

Iwata mentioned that, falling in line with this strategy, unspecified 3DS games were delayed from the holiday release window to prevent being overlooked due to overcrowding. The only major first-party 3DS titles scheduled for the rest of the year are Super Mario 3D Land (November 13) and Mario Kart 7 (December 4).

He also discussed the company's plans to expand the eShop with an "add-on" marketplace for individual games, and the ability to access the store using PCs and Smartphones. You can read more about this initiative in our post from last week, though it lacks Iwata's almost comically tardy discovery of social networking platforms. He's kind of like your grandpa who just discovered Facebook, likes everything you post, and leaves embarrassing comments on all your pictures in all-caps.

JoystiqIwata: 3DS is Nintendo 'priority,' even at the sake of short-term profitability originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseshopiwatanintendoprofitabilitySatoru-Iwatasocial-networkingTue, 01 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo looking to develop 'new genres' again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/nintendo-looking-to-develop-new-genres-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/nintendo-looking-to-develop-new-genres-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/nintendo-looking-to-develop-new-genres-again/#comments Much of Nintendo's success in the DS/Wii era came from games in unusual, previously unpopular, or brand new genres -- like, say, the daily math minigame genre invented for Brain Age. During an investor presentation, president Satoru Iwata said that Nintendo is wisely working on inventing some new kinds of games to get the wide appeal that Brain Age and Wii Fit achieved, planning to release some games in new genres over the next fiscal year.

Iwata noted that it is more difficult now to invent surprising new styles of game with smartphone developers doing weird stuff by the boatload. "However," he said, "the company will aim to develop and launch products that can provide meaningful surprises to the public by taking advantage of the company's position of being able to make new proposals that integrate both hardware and software, and of its ability to develop products that can be accepted by a wide variety of consumers, irrespective of age, gender or past gaming experience."

After all, you can't bundle an iPhone game with a balance board or something like that. Well, you could, but wouldn't. Nintendo still has that advantage.

JoystiqNintendo looking to develop 'new genres' again originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsblue-oceanBrain-Agedsnintendosatoru-iwatawiiwii-uSat, 29 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[HAL's NES Ghostbusters II game almost came to North America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/hals-nes-ghostbusters-ii-game-almost-came-to-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/hals-nes-ghostbusters-ii-game-almost-came-to-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/hals-nes-ghostbusters-ii-game-almost-came-to-north-america/#comments The Ghostbusters II game we got in America, developed by Kemco and published by Activision, was poop. Meanwhile, Japan and Europe got a completely different Ghostbusters II game called New Ghostbusters II by talented developer HAL Laboratory -- creators of Kirby and Lolo, and employer of future Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. It was much less poop-like.

New Ghostbusters II never came out in North America, likely because Activision had already secured the rights for a game based on the movie. Nintendo Player discovered (and dumped) a prototype of an unreleased US version of HAL's Ghostbusters II game, and documented the minimal differences between that version and the ones released elsewhere.

Apparently, HAL did have plans to release this at some point! And then, for some reason, potentially because of interference from Activision or Vigo the Carpathian, it instead became the footnote it is now.

JoystiqHAL's NES Ghostbusters II game almost came to North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghostbusters-2hal-laboratorynesnew-ghostbusters-2satoru-iwataSat, 29 Oct 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo adding sleep mode downloads to 3DS eShop, planning web interface]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/nintendo-adding-sleep-mode-downloads-to-3ds-eshop-planning-web/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/nintendo-adding-sleep-mode-downloads-to-3ds-eshop-planning-web/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/nintendo-adding-sleep-mode-downloads-to-3ds-eshop-planning-web/#comments Nintendo has evidently listened to the feedback about the 3DS's awkward eShop, announcing several improvements to the interface in an investor presentation. President Satoru Iwata confirmed the addition of "add-on content" download capabilities, as part of the November firmware update. "This is a feature a number of software creators have been looking forward to," he said.

In addition, the firmware update will add the ability for publishers to release demos, "for which they can put a limit on the number of trials." Also nice (and previously missing): the ability for users to download content while in sleep mode.

Iwata revealed future plans for a web-based PC/smartphone interface for the eShop, in order to make it easier to discover highly rated games without first having to check the eShop on the 3DS. At first, the web eShop will generate QR codes that you can point the 3DS at to buy stuff. "That function is already included in the upcoming system update for the Nintendo 3DS," Iwata said. Nintendo plans to add full web-based shopping later.

The next step, and the one about which Nintendo didn't say much: actually putting some things in the eShop to buy.

JoystiqNintendo adding sleep mode downloads to 3DS eShop, planning web interface originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdemoeshopnintendosatoru-iwataThu, 27 Oct 2011 23:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata reveals three canned Kirby games, more than a decade in the making]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/iwata-reveals-three-canned-kirby-games-more-than-a-decade-in-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/iwata-reveals-three-canned-kirby-games-more-than-a-decade-in-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/iwata-reveals-three-canned-kirby-games-more-than-a-decade-in-th/#comments The relative ease of Kirby games usually result in their powderpuff protagonist avoiding death from start to finish -- however, Kirby's not immune to the most permanent form of death there is: Project cancellation. In the most recent Iwata Asks, Kirby's Return to Dreamland producer Shigefumi Kawase revealed that three installments in the franchise were killed off mid-development, explaining "We spent 11 years ... making and abandoning these three games."

The three Kirby titles in questions would have been starkly different: One was a 2.5D four-player adventure title (sort of like Return to Dreamland, but with more depth), one was a fully-3D exploration-centric game and the other was an animated platformer with "pop-up visuals." They sound charming as all-get-out, which makes us all the more forlorn that they're dead as doornails. Goodnight, sweet princes. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

JoystiqIwata reveals three canned Kirby games, more than a decade in the making originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationHAL-Laboratoryiwata-askskirby-wiikirbys-return-to-dream-landnintendoSatoru-Iwatashigefumi-kawasewiiWed, 26 Oct 2011 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata apologizes to early Nintendo 3DS adopters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/iwata-apologizes-to-early-nintendo-3ds-adopters/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/iwata-apologizes-to-early-nintendo-3ds-adopters/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/iwata-apologizes-to-early-nintendo-3ds-adopters/#comments If the angrier half of the comments on our post about the Nintendo 3DS' massive, uncharacteristically early price drop was any indication, those who bought the handheld at its original $250 price point are miffed. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata understands these frustrations, which he addressed in an apologetic statement yesterday, as translated by Giant Bomb.

"If the software creators and those on the retail side are not confident that the Nintendo 3DS is a worthy successor to the DS and will achieve a similarly broad (user) base," Iwata explained, "it will be impossible for the 3DS to gain popularity, acquire a wide range of software, and eventually create the product cycle necessary for everyone to be satisfied with the system."

Iwata added, "Those customers who purchased the 3DS at the very beginning are extremely important to us." He further said, "We know that there is nothing we can do to completely make up for the feeling that you are being punished for buying the system early." Perhaps Iwata is right on this account, though twenty free games is certainly a step in the right direction. Almost as good as thirty free games!

JoystiqIwata apologizes to early Nintendo 3DS adopters originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdseshopiwatanintendoprice-cutSatoru-IwataWed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Paid DLC functionality coming to 3DS, Wii U]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/31/paid-dlc-functionality-coming-to-3ds-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/31/paid-dlc-functionality-coming-to-3ds-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/31/paid-dlc-functionality-coming-to-3ds-wii-u/#comments 3DS and Wii U developers will have the option to sell digital items in-game, Satoru Iwata revealed during an investor Q&A (summarized by Andriasang). Developers will have the option to sell extra content on 3DS by the end of the year; naturally, it won't arrive on Wii U until, like, the Wii U exists. For reference, both Wii and WiiWare games can offer paid DLC right now.

Iwata said that the use of paid DLC would increase Nintendo's own short-term profits, it wouldn't have a positive affect on the company's "relationship with customers," suggesting that this option will be used by third parties only. He also mentioned that Nintendo had no interest in free-to-play games.

Apparently, the 3DS internet connection is much more widely used than that of the DS. Iwata expressed an interest in promoting the purchase of downloadable software, an initiative that, according to Andriasang's translation, will be "a major point" for Nintendo in the next three years. Step one: actually offer a selection of downloads.

JoystiqPaid DLC functionality coming to 3DS, Wii U originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdlcdownloadable-contentsatoru-iwataSun, 31 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata taking 50% pay cut over 3DS performance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/iwata-taking-50-pay-cut-over-3ds-performance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/iwata-taking-50-pay-cut-over-3ds-performance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/iwata-taking-50-pay-cut-over-3ds-performance/#comments Nintendo is dropping the price of the 3DS next month. In addition, the company has announced plans to institute a price cut on president Satoru Iwata. At a conference in Tokyo, Iwata told investors that he was taking responsibility for the 3DS's slow sales, along with a 50 percent reduction in pay as a result.

Iwata's last annual compensation was ¥137 million, or $1.8 million (including salary and performance-based "variable compensation"). He didn't announce specifics of the cut, but we can expect both the base salary and the bonus to be lower, since lower performance is the whole reason for this exercise. Other "representative directors," including Senior Managing Directors Shigeru Miyamoto and Shinji Hatano, will take 30 percent pay cuts, and other execs will lose 20 percent off their salaries.

Analyst David Gibson tweeted from the conference that Nintendo cited a missed opportunity to cut the GameCube's price as motivation to jump on the 3DS price cut.

JoystiqIwata taking 50% pay cut over 3DS performance originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscompensationdsexecutivenintendosatoru-iwataFri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata Asks how Miyamoto learned English]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/iwata-asks-how-miyamoto-learned-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/iwata-asks-how-miyamoto-learned-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/iwata-asks-how-miyamoto-learned-english/#comments Beyond founding Q-Games and helping to father the PixelJunk series, Dylan Cuthbert has done some other extraordinary things in his years working in the game industry. He recounts some of those adventures in a recent Iwata Asks column, woefully exclusive to Japanese readers for now, but thankfully summarized by Andriasang.

But why is Cuthbert appearing in an Iwata Asks ... you ask? Because he helped create several of Nintendo's major Star Fox titles, of course (including the original), and he's heading up development of Star Fox 64 3D as director. Cuthbert actually didn't work on the Nintendo 64 title, as he had left Nintendo and was busy working on Blasto for Sony's PlayStation at the time.

Also detailed in the piece is an interesting fact about how Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto learned how to speak English. When Cuthbert began working at Nintendo, he had only a rudimentary grasp on the Japanese language -- after initially impressing staff during a visit when he was 18 to show off a 3D Game Boy engine, he was hired on, regardless of language skills. Miyamoto had an equally unimpressive grasp on English at the time, and it seems that the two worked together to help each other out. Miyamoto is said to have had a particularly hard time in by of with prepositions. We feel your pain.

JoystiqIwata Asks how Miyamoto learned English originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdylan-cuthbertgame-boyiwata-asksnintendoq-gamessatoru-iwatashigeru-miyamotostar-fox-64-3dTue, 05 Jul 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: 'Nintendo is not interested' in free-to-play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/iwata-nintendo-is-not-interested-in-free-to-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/iwata-nintendo-is-not-interested-in-free-to-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/iwata-nintendo-is-not-interested-in-free-to-play/#comments Nintendo has never shown interest in free-to-play games in the past, likely due to their requirement of support from sophisticated online infrastructure. And ... that is unlikely to change. Speaking to AllThingsD, Satoru Iwata said flatly that "Nintendo is not interested" in freemium games, alluding to the same discussion of maintaining the "value" of games that he mentioned at GDC.

"I'm not interested in offering software for free of charge," he said. "That's because I myself am one of the game developers, who in the future wants to make efforts so the value of the software will be appreciated by the consumers." Although freemium games can make money through ads and microtransactions, Iwata expressed concerns about "[destroying] the value of game software."

So, uh, don't expect that Wii U version of Ghost Recon Online to be free-to-play, even though the PC version is.

JoystiqIwata: 'Nintendo is not interested' in free-to-play originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfree-to-playghost-recon-onlinenintendosatoru-iwatawiiwii-uWed, 15 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U won't have DVD or Blu-ray playback, will include social media functionality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/wii-u-wont-have-dvd-or-blu-ray-playback-will-include-social-me/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/wii-u-wont-have-dvd-or-blu-ray-playback-will-include-social-me/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/wii-u-wont-have-dvd-or-blu-ray-playback-will-include-social-me/#comments We already knew that the Wii U's games wouldn't be coming on DVD (like the Xbox 360) or Blu-ray (like the PlayStation 3), but we didn't know that Nintendo's next console wouldn't be able to play video from either format. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata confirmed as much in a recent investor Q&A, flat out stating that "Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities." He explained the reasoning behind this as -- unsurprisingly -- the cost, and the notion that "enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray."

Something that Nintendo will apparently be including in the Wii U, though: social media functionality. When asked about the new console's online experience, Iwata deftly avoids providing direct information, admitting only that "we are no longer in a period where we cannot have any connection at all with social networking sites." How this will be applied seems to still be up in the air, with Iwata later in the Q&A elaborating, "We're looking at ways that will convey to this audience which games are fun and, ideally, in a way that will enable people who are playing those games with others, to share that information socially."

He also said that the console's online infrastructure needs to be more flexible for developers, repeatedly citing third-party studios as the drive for Nintendo's new stance. Worryingly, he never speaks to the necessity of online persistence or the company's messy past with online functionality.

Continue reading Wii U won't have DVD or Blu-ray playback, will include social media functionality

JoystiqWii U won't have DVD or Blu-ray playback, will include social media functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raydvde3-2011facebooknintendonintendo-of-japanonlinesatoru-iwatasocial-mediawii-uWed, 15 Jun 2011 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's Wii U roundtable, now on video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ubisofts-wii-u-roundtable-now-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ubisofts-wii-u-roundtable-now-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ubisofts-wii-u-roundtable-now-on-video/#comments Remember the second developer roundtable that Nintendo held during E3 2011? The one that featured Killer Freaks From Outer Space? First and foremost, it's rude to refer to Nintendo head Satoru Iwata and Ubisoft head Yves Guillemot as killer freaks, not to mention accuse them of being from other outer space. Oh, right, yes, the game. That one.

Anyway, the full HD video of that roundtable discussion has been uploaded by Ubisoft, showing the entirety of what we saw, previewed, and broke out in its original presentation. Interested in watching foreign men struggling with the English language in front of dozens of journalists? Or in live gameplay of Ghost Recon Online and Killer Freaks? Here's your chance!

Continue reading Ubisoft's Wii U roundtable, now on video

JoystiqUbisoft's Wii U roundtable, now on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdeveloper-roundtablee3-2011killer-freaks-from-outer-spacenintendosatoru-iwataubisoftwiiwii-uyves-guillemotMon, 13 Jun 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Vitality Sensor delayed until it works with 99% of customers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/iwata-vitality-sensor-delayed-until-it-works-with-99-of-custom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/iwata-vitality-sensor-delayed-until-it-works-with-99-of-custom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/iwata-vitality-sensor-delayed-until-it-works-with-99-of-custom/#comments In the recent investor Q&A, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed that no, the insane Vitality Sensor peripheral hasn't been cancelled. Nintendo just ran into a small problem -- human bodies are weird and unpredictable.

"This is a totally new type of entertainment," Iwata told investors, "and there are large individual differences in the biological information of humans. For example, if it was acceptable that only 80% of the users thought the result was natural, then we could propose this to consumers right now. However, we are aiming for a level of quality in which 99% percent of consumers feel comfortable, and that is why this project is taking time to complete." We suppose that the Vitality Sensor would be even less fun than most of us imagine if it didn't even sense properly.

The variation in feedback is apparently a major hurdle. While Nintendo's not giving up, Iwata warned investors that "now I cannot clearly say when we will be ready to put this on the market." And though he didn't mention it, Nintendo will likely face another hurdle thanks to the delay -- having to adapt the Vitality Sensor to work with a new console.

JoystiqIwata: Vitality Sensor delayed until it works with 99% of customers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaysnintendosatoru-iwatavitality-sensorwiiTue, 03 May 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Nintendo to plan first-party game launches around third-party publishers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/iwata-nintendo-to-plan-first-party-game-launches-around-third-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/iwata-nintendo-to-plan-first-party-game-launches-around-third-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/iwata-nintendo-to-plan-first-party-game-launches-around-third-p/#comments Nintendo clearly understands the importance of the international economy's fragile supply and demand formula, as evidenced in statements made during a recent investor call. Italian plumbers and pocket monsters are, in the case of Nintendo games, highly sought after properties that are somewhat constrained in supply. The result of this, of course, is high demand for Nintendo's games -- such high demand, in most cases, that third-party game sales on Nintendo's consoles are outstripped by first-party.

Nintendo, however, hopes to appear mindful of stepping on toes. When asked about potential release dates for 3DS versions of Super Mario and Mario Kart, Nintendo head Satoru Iwata noted, "We want the other companies to be successful." He continued, "In order to accomplish this goal, we would like to decide on the dates after we know the release plans of other companies' games so that we are able to consider how we can maximize the sales of our titles without affecting the sales of other companies in the short term."

It's also possible that Iwata is just blowing smoke to avoid answering specific questions about release dates for major franchises, though our mothers always told us not to expect the worst in people.

JoystiqIwata: Nintendo to plan first-party game launches around third-party publishers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfirst-partymario-kartnintendonintendo-of-japansatoru-iwatasuper-mariothird-partywiiMon, 02 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Fox 64 3D will use 3DS gyroscope to fly the Arwing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/star-fox-64-3d-will-use-3ds-gyroscope-to-fly-the-arwing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/star-fox-64-3d-will-use-3ds-gyroscope-to-fly-the-arwing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/star-fox-64-3d-will-use-3ds-gyroscope-to-fly-the-arwing/#comments According to the notes of a financial results briefing presented today by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, the upcoming remake of Star Fox 64 for the 3DS will make use of the console's gyroscope, allowing players to tilt the handheld to control Fox's Arwing as it explores 3D space. It sounds neat, but there's one big drawback: tilting the 3DS while playing totally kills the 3D effect.

We didn't get to use the gyro controls when we played the game last year at E3 but, of course, back then the official features weren't yet announced. Star Fox 64 3D is due out in Japan on July 14, so soon after that we'll be able to see just how precisely we can fly by tilting the 3DS around. Spoiler: there will no doubt be barrel rolls involved.

JoystiqStar Fox 64 3D will use 3DS gyroscope to fly the Arwing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscontrolsdsgyroscopejapannintendosatoru-iwatastar-fox-64-3dTue, 26 Apr 2011 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: 3DS launch sales below expectations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/iwata-3ds-launch-sales-below-expectations/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/iwata-3ds-launch-sales-below-expectations/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/iwata-3ds-launch-sales-below-expectations/#comments For Nintendo, 3.61 million just isn't enough. That's the number of 3DS systems sold since launch, and it's approximately 400K short of Nintendo's launch goal, says company head Satoru Iwata. Speaking to investors today in Osaka, Japan, Iwata specifically noted (in an official translation), "Nintendo 3DS started very well but, on the other hand, did not perform as expected after the second week."

Iwata cited the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan earlier this year as a factor, but added, "I should not blame this situation just on the impact of the earthquake. There are other challenges that have shown up." Without being specific, he said that the company is "making efforts to get the popularity of Nintendo 3DS back on track for the upcoming summer season." How about, you know, some games we'd want to play?

Nintendo has a followup earnings briefing scheduled for next Tuesday in Tokyo, so perhaps we'll find out more about the company's plans then.

JoystiqIwata: 3DS launch sales below expectations originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendonintendo-of-japansalessatoru-iwataTue, 26 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Excitebike 3D Classic to be offered free with 3DS eShop update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/excitebike-3d-classic-to-be-offered-free-with-3ds-eshop-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/excitebike-3d-classic-to-be-offered-free-with-3ds-eshop-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/excitebike-3d-classic-to-be-offered-free-with-3ds-eshop-update/#commentsWhen Nintendo finally flips the switch on the 3DS eShop, it's got a pretty solid plan for enticing users into the service. During an investor briefing, president Satoru Iwata announced that Nintendo plans to offer a free downloadable version of Excitebike through the eShop, for a limited time starting at launch.

It won't just be Excitebike -- it'll be 3D Excitebike. This freebie will be 3DS owners' first experience with the "3D Classics" line, in which classic games are updated with new 3D effects. So when some anonymous racer knocks you off your bike, it'll be more ... exciting. Iwata didn't specify a region for this release, so there is a possibility that it might be restricted to Japan.

JoystiqExcitebike 3D Classic to be offered free with 3DS eShop update originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-classics3dsdseshopexcitebikenintendosatoru-iwataTue, 26 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rovio's Vesterbacka defends mobile games, calls out Nintendo's '$49 pieces of plastic']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/rovios-vesterbacka-defends-mobile-games-calls-out-nintendos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/rovios-vesterbacka-defends-mobile-games-calls-out-nintendos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/rovios-vesterbacka-defends-mobile-games-calls-out-nintendos/#comments "A lot of people in the games industry, they think the 'real' games are on consoles. You're only a 'real' games company if you do a big budget game. But we don't have that inferiority complex," Rovio head Peter Vesterbacka told MCV in a recent interview. Vesterbacka was defending against Nintendo's latest criticisms of the mobile market -- both Nintendo of Japan head Satoru Iwata and Nintendo of America head Reggie Fils-Aime have argued that low-priced smartphone apps are degrading the value of games.

"If I was trying to sell a $49 piece of plastic to people then yes, I'd be worried too," Vesterbacka added, with a tinge of vitriol, alluding to the standard retail price of a Wii game disc. "But I think it's a good sign that people are concerned -- because from my point of view we're doing something right." Rovio's Angry Birds and its spin-offs are just a $1 each for iPhone and are offered as free, ad-supported apps on the Android Market.

Still, the company has plans for more console development, having already released Angry Birds as a PlayStation Mini, with additional console ports in the pipeline -- even Nintendo's 3DS is getting an Angry Birds port. "Games consoles for us are just like launching on a new smartphone platform," Vesterbacka said nonchalantly. After all, he's probably more concerned with the movie tie-in, the planned US IPO, and, uh, having an Angry Bird etched into the Moon.

Okay, that last one probably isn't happening. Yet.

JoystiqRovio's Vesterbacka defends mobile games, calls out Nintendo's '$49 pieces of plastic' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry-birdsdsmicrosoftmobilenintendopeter-vesterbackaplaystationps3pspreggie-fils-aimeroviosatoru-iwatasonywiixboxWed, 30 Mar 2011 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA['Super Mario' 3DS teased with tail logo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/super-mario-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/super-mario-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/super-mario-3ds/#comments During Nintendo's GDC keynote today, president Satoru Iwata teased the previoulsy confirmed Super Mario Bros. game for 3DS with a logo. Does that tail look familiar?

The game is being developed by the Super Mario Galaxy team, and while Iwata wouldn't offer any more details, he did promise more would be revealed at E3.

Joystiq'Super Mario' 3DS teased with tail logo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsgdc-2011nintendonintendo-gdc-2011-keynotesatoru-iwatasuper-mariosuper-mario-3dsWed, 02 Mar 2011 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's US gaming demographics: Let us show you them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/nintendo-us-gaming-demographics/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/nintendo-us-gaming-demographics/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/nintendo-us-gaming-demographics/#comments During Nintendo president Satoru Iwata's GDC keynote today, the ex-Hal Labs head recounted more than just his personal history in the game industry -- he also showed off detailed statistics of the US gaming populace's growth from late November 2007 through October 2010.

Specifically, he revealed that, according to Nintendo's studies, the US has seen tremendous growth in the "active user population," going from just 45 percent in late 2007 to 62 percent by the end of 2010. Put as headcounts: That's 135 million gamers by the end of 2007 versus 201 million in late 2010.

Moreover, the female gaming demographic has expanded almost as rapidly as the male one in that time; though the stats also indicate that people game less and less as they get older -- corroborated, anecdotally, by our own parents' proclivity for CBS Sunday Morning over Super Mario Bros.

JoystiqNintendo's US gaming demographics: Let us show you them originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgdcgdc-2011nintendonintendo-gdc-2011-keynotesatoru-iwatastatisticswiiWed, 02 Mar 2011 12:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo designers on Game & Watch's history]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/nintendo-designers-on-game-and-watchs-history/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/nintendo-designers-on-game-and-watchs-history/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/nintendo-designers-on-game-and-watchs-history/#commentsIn honor of the new Game & Watch Ball reward available through Club Nintendo, the company released a translated Iwata Asks interview about Nintendo's first experiments with handheld games. The designers and engineers describe just how early the technology was -- it was based on calculator chips, and the games were all designed around the same limits imposed on calculators' numerical displays.

"So if a chip can calculate eight digits," explained Takehiro Izushi, "that's 7 segments [each number is built from 7 segments] times 8 digits for a total of 56 segments. And there's the decimal point and symbols like the minus sign. We made the Game & Watch: Ball game using a chip that could display 72 segments." And 28 of those went into the score/time display!

Elsewhere in the interview, the developers share early concept art for the devices (like the image above) and detail the process of making a new version of the Ball handheld for Club Nintendo.

JoystiqNintendo designers on Game & Watch's history originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-and-watchgame-and-watch-balliwata-askssatoru-iwataThu, 10 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead or Alive: Dimensions trades 'play patterns' via StreetPass]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/dead-or-alive-dimensions-trades-play-patterns-via-streetpass/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/dead-or-alive-dimensions-trades-play-patterns-via-streetpass/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/dead-or-alive-dimensions-trades-play-patterns-via-streetpass/#commentsSuper Street Fighter IV 3D's StreetPass functionality has collected "figurines" fight each other whenever two people with the game pass each other within local wireless communication distance. In his recent investor briefing, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata described the StreetPass integration of another 3DS fighter, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, and it's a bit more hands-on.

"In Tecmo Koei's Dead or Alive: Dimensions," Iwata said (according to Nintendo's translation), "the character parameters, which shall be determined by a player's play pattern, shall be exchanged and, as the result, you will receive a challenge from the character, [Tecmo Koei says]." If we're reading Iwata's description accurately, the game will determine your play-style over time, and then broadcast an AI character based on these patterns over StreetPass to challenge other players.

Gallery: Dead or Alive Dimensions (Metroid stage)

JoystiqDead or Alive: Dimensions trades 'play patterns' via StreetPass originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdead-or-alive-dimensionsdsnintendosatoru-iwatastreetpasstecmo-koeiMon, 31 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS eShop update actually available in May worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/3ds-eshop-update-actually-available-in-may-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/3ds-eshop-update-actually-available-in-may-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/3ds-eshop-update-actually-available-in-may-worldwide/#commentsNintendo of Europe previously said that the 3DS firmware update containing the web browser and eShop functionality would be released as a day one patch -- which would suggest March 25, for Europe. But in the latest investor briefing released today, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata offered a different timeline.

"The first system update is scheduled for late May," he said, "at almost the same time around the world." Iwata specified that this first update would add the eShop, web browser, and the DSi and 3DS software transfer function (which uses the eShop). Maybe Nintendo of Europe meant to say "day sixty-one"?

The eShop, he clarified, will offer not only DSiWare, downloadable 3DS software and Game Boy Virtual Console titles, but "trailers and demo versions like Nintendo Channel on Wii," as well as "3D Classics" -- updated retro games like the version of Xevious shown at E3.

Joystiq3DS eShop update actually available in May worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdseshopnintendosatoru-iwataFri, 28 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo considering future 3D video recording 'update' for 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/nintendo-considering-future-3d-video-recording-update-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/nintendo-considering-future-3d-video-recording-update-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/nintendo-considering-future-3d-video-recording-update-for-3ds/#commentsIn the latest excerpt from Nintendo's "Iwata Asks" interview about the 3DS, Shigeru Miyamoto excitedly revealed that "Iwata-san also wants to include 3D video in the future!" Iwata tempered that exclamation by saying, "I think it will be fun if we're able to include video recording capabilities with future updates." Clearly, that's no guarantee that such a feature will be added to the handheld's 3D camera functionality, but if Iwata thinks it would be fun, then don't be surprised if you find yourself shooting low-res 3D video with your 3DS at some point in the future!

Later in the interview, Hideki Konno joined the group and discussed the StreetPass feature in Nintendogs + Cats. "When you're using StreetPass and exchange data with someone, in walk mode, that person's Mii is walking whatever puppy he or she has chosen," Konno explained. "Then your Miis and puppies talk and exchange gifts." The feature is designed to imitate the random meetings of people walking their dogs on the street ... without having to actually meet random people walking their dogs on the street.

JoystiqNintendo considering future 3D video recording 'update' for 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d-video3dsdsHideki-Konnoiwata-asksnintendonintendogs-plus-catssatoru-iwatashigeru-miyamotovideoThu, 13 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST