The Tanooki » Jason Leavey

Weekly Nintendo Shop Update – February 9, 2012

Jason Leavey — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:27:32 +0000

This week’s new lineup of downloadable games from Nintendo may whet your appetite, especially if you’re salivating for some burger building fun. BurgerTime World Tour on WiiWare certainly earns a spot on my plate as the most eagerly anticipated title of the mere three releases. Also new this week is Maru’s Mission for the eShop, and 40-in-1 Explosive Megamix for eShop and DSiWare.

If you’re feeling lovey dovey, check out a new episode of Dinosaur Office on Nintendo Video titled “Romance,” available starting Valentine’s Day. For more information about this week’s new releases, check out the official press release below:

Nintendo Video
Dinosaur Office: Romance (available Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. PST) - Craig deals with matters of the heart. Rawr! (For Nintendo 3DS)

Nintendo eShop
Maru’s Mission- Play as the ninja Maru in this action-packed side-scrolling game that will take you on a journey across the world. To rescue his girlfriend, Maru must face a number of mythological monsters. (For Nintendo 3DS)

WiiWare
BurgerTime World Tour - This new version of the arcade classic features an innovative 3D environment and elevated retro game play. Enjoy challenging platform elements, boss characters and more than 20 meaty levels. (For Wii)

Also new this week:
• 40-in-1 Explosive Megamix (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)

-NintendoPR

Weekly Nintendo Shop Update — January 19, 2012

Jason Leavey — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:55:34 +0000

This week, Nintendo is offering something for everyone, like the GameBoy classic Lock’N Chase, offering a vast gameplay experience. There’s also Stonekeep: Bones of the Ancestors, a delightful RPG with beautiful PS One style graphics. In all seriousness, the clear winner this week is Gaia’s Moon (pictured left), a $2 DSiWare adventure that seems to use the magic carpet ride level from SNES Disney’s Aladdin as the foundation of an entire game — and I’m all for that.

As mentioned, a free demo of Resident Evil Revelations is now available for the 3DS on the Nintendo eShop. The game will be available in February.

For more information about this week’s titles, continue reading the official press release below:

[Nintendo eShop:
Lock'N Chase - This classic arcade game invites you to play as a thief who's trying to score big by collecting his weight in gold. Duck in and out of alleys while scooping up coins along the way. (For Nintendo 3DS™)

WiiWare™:
Stonekeep: Bones of the Ancestors - The legend of Stonekeep requires a new hero: you. Explore creepy dungeons, defeat monsters and take their loot in this fantasy RPG. (For Wii™)

Nintendo eShop and Nintendo DSiWare™
Gaia's Moon - Something strange is causing changes to the balance of energy in Gaia. Use your skills to discover who's behind these changes and return harmony to the Gaia system. (For Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DSi™)

Nintendo eShop:
Resident Evil® Revelations (demo version) - An abandoned cruise ship holds the secret to a global bio-terrorism conspiracy in Resident Evil Revelations. A demo version is now available in the Nintendo eShop. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Also new this week:

• Anne's Doll Studio: Gothic Collection (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)

In addition to video games available at retail stores, Nintendo also offers a variety of content that people can download directly to their systems. Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS™ system, to the Nintendo DSi™ Shop for the Nintendo DSi system and to the Wii™ Shop Channel for the Wii console at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Thursdays.

The Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service and features games, applications and videos in both 2D and 3D. Users can add money to their virtual wallets using a credit card or by purchasing a Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card.

The Wii Shop Channel offers games and applications and uses Wii Points™, which can be purchased via the Wii Shop Channel. The Nintendo DSi Shop offers games and applications and uses Nintendo DSi Points™, which can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Wii Points Card™ and Nintendo DSi Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one card must be redeemed in either the Wii Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop, respectively. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.]

-NintendoPR

Weekly Nintendo Shop Update — January 12, 2012

Jason Leavey — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:57:34 +0000

While I’m certainly the gamer in the family, my dad is an absolute pinball junkie. It’s always been his dream to have an arcade style pinball machine at his house, something I know he’d end up using more than his kitchen table. While that hasn’t become a reality for him yet, I have tried to convince him of some cheaper alternatives, in the form of pinball video games!

Zen Pinball 3D is part of this week’s new digital download releases from Nintendo. The 3DS game features four themed tables to choose from, with promises of bringing forth the most realistic ball physics of any pinball video game. The $6.99 price tag seems a tad high, considering free versions of Zen Pinball are available for iOS and Android devices. Still, for those that miss that old time feeling, it’s great to have another option for pinball junkies that miss those familiar lights and sounds.

For a look at all of this week’s releases, including Kirby’s debut on Nintendo Video, continue reading Nintendo’s official press release:

[This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Nintendo eShop
Zen Pinball 3D™ – Zen Pinball 3D for Nintendo 3DS™ brings an incredible stereoscopic 3D experience to the acclaimed video game pinball series for the first time, featuring four original, beautifully crafted tables. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Nintendo eShop and Nintendo DSiWare™
Hip Hop King Rytmik Edition – Create rhythmic and melodic themes or compose whole songs using more than 170 carefully selected sound samples of drums, percussion, bass, melodic instruments and phonograph scratches. (For Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DSi™)

Nintendo Video™
Kirby: Right Back At Ya! Volume 1 (available Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. PT) – Kirby’s ready for action in part one of this special, two-part 3D episode of Kirby: Right Back At Ya! (For Nintendo 3DS)

Also new this week:

Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Case of the Crumbling Cathedral (WiiWare™)
101 Pinball World (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)
To view this week’s Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit: http://www.news2know.net/nintendo/downloadUt621zy8.php.

Remember that Wii, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii, http://www.nintendo.com/3ds or http://www.nintendo.com/ds/systems/dsi.]

NintendoPR

Sony announces immediate price cut for PlayStation 3

Jason Leavey — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:41:37 +0000

Today at Gamescom, Sony surprised legions of German and non-German attendees by announcing a price cut for their PlayStation 3 console, effective immediately. The 160GB PS3 is now priced at a competitive $250, down from its previous $300 price tag. The 320GB PS3 will also drop $50, now coming in at $299.

Sony also announced a limited edition inFAMOUS 2 bundle, which includes a 320GB system, a copy of the game, plus a 30-day PlayStation Plus membership. The price? Still $299.

These prices are far, far away from the $600 price tag the initial 60GB model when the system launched almost five years ago. Got to love technology! Will you be picking one up?

PlayStation Blog

Four more Wii games joining “Nintendo Selects” budget line

Jason Leavey — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:53:10 +0000

Earlier this year, Nintendo created a budget line of first-party Wii games to be offered at a mere $19.99 each. The “Nintendo Selects” line launched in the U.S. with titles such as Twilight Princess, Wii Sports, Animal Crossing: City Folks and Mario Super Sluggers. Now, Kotaku is reporting that four additional titles are set to join the exclusive club later this month.

The games include Super Paper Mario, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!! and Super Mario Galaxy, all reportedly set to drop their full retail prices to just $19.99. Unfortunately, like any good Nintendo fanboy, I already own these gems, but this is an absolutely terrific deal for those of you who haven’t picked them up yet. I mean come on, people. How can you live without playing Super Paper Mario when it’s just $20?

August 28 is the rumored date of release for the new lineup of Selects titles.

Kotaku

Metroid celebrating its 25th anniversary

Jason Leavey — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 22:10:17 +0000

We’ve come to know and love Samus Aran over the last two and a half decades, but this weekend marks the most important milestone of Metroid’s legacy. Today officially marks the 25th anniversary of Metroid, getting its start in 8-bit form on the NES way back in 1986.

Unfortunately Nintendo hasn’t acknowledged the celebration just yet, but that hasn’t stopped the Metroid fan site Shinesparkers from taking over the celebratory duties. They’ve compiled this awesome video of writers and industry folk giving their thanks to the galactic series. I was lucky enough to kick off the video, but continue watching all 10-minutes, as several important and influential members of the video game industry offer kind words in celebration of the franchise’s milestone — I don’t want to spoil who though!

Enjoy.

Shinesparkers

Nintendo Video brings exclusive 3D content to 3DS owners

Jason Leavey — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:51:51 +0000

After giving our friends across the pond first dibs, Nintendo of America rolled out the long awaited Nintendo Video service for the Nintendo 3DS before the start of the weekend. The free downloadable app regularly adds video content from around the net right to your 3DS, available automatically if connected to Wi-Fi and by using the SpotPass feature.

To kick off the new service, four videos became available for your viewing pleasure, including a 3D trailer of Captain America: The First Avenger, a Jurassic CollegeHumor comedy bit, a colorful animated short, and a Nintendo Video instructional vid. Next week, Nintendo will add a brand new music video from band OK Go, exclusively presented in 3D.

Over the next few weeks, Nintendo Video will be the exclusive place to watch 3D videos from performers Jason DeRulo, Foster the People, and the Blue Man Group, and they’ll continue to bring more 3D movie trailers for upcoming Hollywood blockbusters. Plus, expect more content from College Humor, sports and animation videos, and much more. So far, a promising start for Nintendo Video, wouldn’t you say? Have you been watching?

NintendoVideo

Don’t forget! Club Nintendo year ends June 30!

Jason Leavey — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:43:42 +0000

Listen up, Nintendo fanboys. You may want to log-in to your Club Nintendo accounts and check on your elite status, because the Club Nintendo year ends June 30. That’s Thursday, for those summer slackers that have no concept of time. Still no idea what I’m saying? You have FOUR days!

Club Nintendo gives free gifts to those who earn enough coins to warrant a Gold or Platinum status rank by the 30th. To earn a Gold level prize, you’ll need to scrounge up 300 coins, while Platinum rank is achieved at 600 coins. Last year’s Platinum prize was a Super Mario cast figurine, while Gold members received a calendar.

Last year, those secret prizes were announced on July 1 — which is a Friday this year — so you’ll likely discover what your well deserved gift is before the weekend. I’m hoping for some celebratory Legend of Zelda swag myself. What better way than to commemorate the franchise’s 25th anniversary?

ClubNintendo

Actor Bob Hoskins regrets Super Mario Bros. role

Jason Leavey — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 01:04:20 +0000

Starring as the lead in a film based on one of the most successful video game franchises of all time sure sounds glamorous on paper. Not so much, in reality. Actor Bob Hoskins, who played a slightly balding version of our dear Mario, named his biggest acting regret in a recent Q&A style interview with The Guardian. His answer?

What is the worst job you’ve done?
Super Mario Brothers.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
Super Mario Brothers.

If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I wouldn’t do Super Mario Brothers.

Even the loyalist Nintendo die-hard would prefer the Super Mario Bros. movie find permanent residency in a pit of lava, rather than their own DVD player. It’s kind of refreshing to hear Hoskins share our sentiments. Of course, I assume that working with John Leguizamo everyday could also have caused feelings of regret and disappointment.

The Guardian
via Kotaku

The Legend of Zelda turns 25!

Jason Leavey — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:57:47 +0000

Just like his older, rounder, mustached plumber brother did last year, Link today turns 25 with the anniversary of The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo’s Famicom System. While retaining his green tunic, pointy hat, and signature sword, we’ve seen Link evolve from boy to warrior. He’s endured countless battles, saved Princess Zelda from peril endless times, and defeated Ganon — in all of his forms — more times than you can shake a Deku stick at.

We’ve seen Link journey from sidescrolling adventures in Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link, to portable adventures like Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, to 3D adventures with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. So the question stands to be answered, what is your favorite Zelda title? You have plenty to choose from, so think carefully and let us know!

Kinect’s Dance Paradise available, marches to a different beat

Jason Leavey — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:23:22 +0000

Ubisoft and Harmonix have thus far dominated gaming’s dance genre the last couple years with their extremely popular Just Dance and Dance Central titles, respectively. While there are bountiful similarities between the two, a new contender is entering the ring. THQ’s new Kinect game Dance Paradise looks nothing like the former, or any title I’ve seen. So how does it pay off? Take a look above and see for yourself.

The format is similar, but the visuals are a bit cluttered and confusing, at least in this new 30-second commercial. Still, it’s nice to see something new and different instead of another copycat title. Dance Paradise is available now.

What are your thoughts?

This Dark Link statue is worth every rupee

Jason Leavey — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:38:44 +0000

The folks at First 4 Figures have created several timeless statues, with pieces including Samus, Link, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Based on images of their newest creation, they may have outdone themselves. The company has announced a brand new statue of one of Link’s Ocarina of Time adversaries, Dark Link.

Dark Link battled our beloved Hero of Time in a large pool of water residing at the Water Temple. This 12-inch tall statue captures the shadowy foe flawlessly, with an exceptional amount of detail included in every aspect.

The statue will be sold in two models, a regular version and an “exclusive” model featuring red glowing eyes, and four pulsating lights that dazzle the surrounding water. The exclusive model will be available for $190, but is limited to just 500 pieces while the standard edition will be sold for $170, with 2,500 units available. Assuming you’ve got enough rupees in your wallet, this is a hard item for any Zelda fan to pass up when they debut later this year.

First4Figures

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Sony announces new handheld codenamed NGP

Jason Leavey — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:50:18 +0000

Finally, that “PSP2″ we’ve been expecting for months has been unveiled to the public, making its first appearance at a special press event in Toyko this morning. For now, Sony is calling it the NGP or Next Generation Portable.

The device comes with a 5-inch OLED touch-screen, rear touch-panel, two analog control sticks and a high performance CPU/GPU. Sony is also touting that the powerful device will feature graphics that rival that of the PlayStation 3. The handheld will also utilize a new software type, ditching the PSP’s UMD format.

The NGP will feature built-in applications including Near, which allows players to find friends locally while seeing what games they are playing, and LiveArea, where players can share content within the designated space while also having access to an activity log. No price was announced, but Sony is aiming for a holiday 2011 release in Japan.

Want all the specs of this new device? Continue below the break for a full breakdown.

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CPU ARM® Cortex™-A9 core (4 core)
GPU SGX543MP4+
External Dimensions Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)
Screen
(Touch screen) 5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED
Multi touch screen (capacitive type)
Rear touch pad Multi touch pad (capacitive type)
Cameras Front camera, Rear camera
Sound Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in microphone
Sensors Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass
Location Built-in GPS
Wi-Fi location service support
Keys / Switches PS button
Power button
Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
Shoulder buttons (Right/Left)
Right stick, Left stick
START button, SELECT button
Volume buttons (+/-)
Wireless communications Mobile network connectivity (3G)
IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode)
Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR ?A2DP/AVRCP/HSP?

This Piranha Plant scarf will keep you piping hot

Jason Leavey — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:12:34 +0000

This definitely falls into the “why didn’t I think of this?” category.

This crocheted masterpiece was created by Crafster user “Enemy Airship” of California, designed to resemble the treacherous Piranha Plant from the Super Mario Bros. franchise — as if you didn’t know.

Although this item is no longer available to purchase in her Etsy shop, Enemy Airship is allowing users to message her to obtain the scarf’s pattern. Isn’t that sweet?

You can do so here on Craftster.

Kotaku

Weekly Nintendo Shop Update – January 17, 2011

Jason Leavey — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:52:49 +0000

Gaijin Games really deserves a universal round of applause for developing the insanely addictive, yet unique Bit.Trip franchise. Each 8-bit game in the series has its own properties that makes it stand out from the pack, whether that’s navigating high-speed puzzles, a chaotic shooter, or controlling the series mascot Commander Video through a sidescrolling platformer. What each game has in common, however, is rhythm, focusing on the beat to complete each level.

If you’ve missed playing any titles in the Bit.Trip series, Nintendo has added a free demo of Bit.Trip Beat for WiiWare, available on the Wii Shop Channel today. It’s absolutely worth checking out. Other WiiWare releases this week include Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time and Urbanix. Today’s DSiWare releases are Glory Days – Tactical Defense, Animal Boxing, The Seller and Alien Puzzle Adventure.

For more information about these new releases, continue reading the official Nintendo press release below.

WiiWare

Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time
Publisher: Stickmen Studios
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Have you fallen off a cliff? Are you burning in lava? Did your latest invention just get crushed by a frozen polar bear? Avoid these misfortunes with Doc Clock’s amazing Time Slider. Enjoy the first Doc Clock time-travelling adventure. Invent almost anything using the items you find, from catapults to incredible flying machines. Travel through time with Doc Clock as he battles mad, misguided robots to save his beloved cat and invent the perfect toasted sandwich machine.

Urbanix
Publisher: Nordcurrent
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Welcome to Urbanix, a game inspired by classic computer games. You play as Urbanix, a tiny little tractor that has to build a town on an empty field. Avoid enemies and chase away house crashers – they will try to spoil your game. Play on Earth, in the North Pole or on the moon – each location has its own unique game-play mechanics, so you’ll have to adapt your strategy. Be accurate, be quick and collect bonuses on your way. Enjoy 150 levels plus an intense multiplayer mode.

BIT.TRIP BEAT (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 600 Wii Points
Description: The retro action of rhythm game BIT.TRIP BEAT challenges you to use the Wii Remote™ controller to bounce beats. Retro visuals, classic game play, a four-player multiplayer mode and an 8-bit soundtrack will get you in the zone and rock your world. Pay attention, though – as with most classic games, the challenges are mighty. If you can stay cool as the difficulty increases, you’ll discover the beginnings of the BIT.TRIP saga.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Nintendo DSiWare

Glory Days – Tactical Defense
Publisher: odenis studio
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Howling sandstorms blaze across the barren plains. A violent storm is brewing on the horizon. Get ready to repel waves of enemies amid the finely orchestrated chaos. As the ground trembles, artillery is being massed in the distance. If you’re outnumbered, move your units to high ground for a strategic advantage. Use your AAA to shoot down enemy planes, fight off tanks with your guns and sink subs with your missile launchers. Master the battlefield by using the “Big One,” a gun that will terrify and cause devastation among all units, enemies and friends alike. Expect your units to suffer losses under enemy fire. Repair and improve them because the show must go on. When the dust settles, you may have attained glory, even if the battle is lost. Special features include 3D field management, a 60-frames-per-second 3D engine, dynamic music and up to 300 units in real time.

Animal Boxing
Publisher: Gammick Entertainment
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Animal Boxing is one of the first games to require players to invert the Nintendo DSi™ system. Use the stylus for motion-based controls. Throw jabs, hooks and uppercuts with simple stylus movements. Step into the ring against 50 wild fighters with different fighting styles. Go toe-to-toe against opponents such as Lee the cat, Sauda the rhino and Fore the bull. Build your own male or female character, then step into the ring in eight unique environments. Customize fighter attributes like gloves, clothing and hairstyle. Face off against another Nintendo DSi player using a local wireless connection.

The Seller
Publisher: CIRCLE Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Once a big-time boss, you are now down and out, forced into the small time after your company was driven into bankruptcy by an underhanded competitor who stooped lower than even you would dare. Of course, revenge is a dish best served cold – over a drink at an expensive club, which is where the game takes place. Rebuild your fortune and show your competitor who’s really the boss. This is a witty card game with a few simple rules to test your intelligence. Starting with a small amount of resources, money and action cards, try to use those cards to cunningly step forward until you have sold all of your resources to others. Set strategies in motion to increase the value of your resources. Don’t forget: Your ultimate goal is to introduce your competitors to bankruptcy.

Alien Puzzle Adventure
Publisher: Mastertronic
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Alien Puzzle Adventure is a fast-paced, colorful and cartoonish puzzle game that combines Match 3 game play with a humorous and quirky storyline. The player sets out to save the world from a mysterious chemical attack. Armed with Professor Weinstein’s Pseudo-quark Generator Gun, the player must neutralize packs of differently colored quarks over the course of 35 stages by matching three quarks of the same color. Can you help stem the tide and save the world? Your adventure starts today.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

The Tanooki » Jason Leavey

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