Category: Nintendo News

Nintendo News

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“Fantastic Beauties” Await You In Enchanting Mahjong Match On Switch

Mahjong might not have much of a following in the west, but over in the Far East, it’s a big deal – hence the fact that we’ve seen plenty of video games based on it over the decades.

We’ve got another one to add to that total in the form of Enchanting Mahjong Match, which is scheduled for release on the Switch eShop on March 15th.

Here’s some lovely, lovely PR:

Enchanting Mahjong Match is one of the connecting game classics. The main goal of this game is to connect the identical tiles with lines and remove them from the board. In Enchanting Mahjong Match, The line can change direction only twice. Or less, of course. Also known as Mahjong Solitaire, Shisen-sho, Onet, Lianliankan.

Features:

– Challenge yourself to 140 levels
– Easy to play, gets challenging as you level up
– Use special item to break through difficulties
– 28 beauties has its own fantastical artwork to delight you
– Replay each level as many times as you like
– Support 5 languages (English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean)

Will you be taking the plunge on this one, or have those “fantastic beauties” put you off for some reason? Let us know by lining up your tiles in the comments section below.

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This Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Linkle Mod Isn’t Official, But It Really Should Be

Ever since the Zelda: Breath of the Wild artwork for Link was first shown off, showing a slightly more androgynous look to the character than we usually see, many of us were left speculating whether the game’s hero might actually be female (or at least have a female character as an option to choose from). While this, of course, wasn’t the case in the end, that hasn’t stopped fans of the game creating their own mods which allow players to take control of Linkle – a female version of sorts of Link seen in Hyrule Warriors.

As you can see in the video below, this mod from Dario Rolle shows Linkle as a playable character in the game and it’s easy to imagine her being included as an official offering through DLC.

Unlike many of the other crazy mods we’ve seen for the game, including Sonic the Hedgehog and Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz, Linkle looks right at home in Breath of the Wild’s world, instantly making us want to re-explore those beautiful lands once again. Players have been having a lot of fun playing as Linkle themselves, including BeardBear who has uploaded this video taking on all of the game’s bosses.

So, what do you think? Would you have liked to see Linkle in Breath of the Wild officially? Do you think Linkle should have her own entry in the series? Make sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Eat Beat Deadspike-San To Eat Its Way Onto The Switch eShop on 22nd March

What happens when you take a fan favourite character from a popular 2D fighting game franchise – in this case, we mean the red-cloaked Ragna from BlazBlue – give him a cutesy makeover, increase his appetite and throw him into a musical rhythm game? You get Eat Beat Deadspike-San, and it’s got its piggy eyes set on worldwide release on Nintendo Switch.

The game is coming to the Switch eShop in your neck of the woods on 22nd March, and it takes its simple concept (mash ‘L’ and ‘R’ to munch food as you pass it) and mixes in classic BlazBlue elements such as Overdrive, Burst Gauge and more. There’s also a whole cast joining Ragna, including Hazama, Carl and more.

Check out the trailer above and let us know if this cute spin on a classic fighting game series takes your fancy? Does it wet your appetite? We’ll stop now…

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Switch Helped Nintendo Grab 22 Percent Of The Games Market In 2017

Financial service company IHS Markit has released a report which highlights just how good a 2017 Nintendo had.

According to the study, gamers spent more on consoles, software and services last year than at any time since 2011. Nintendo’s share of the games market jumped from 9 percent to 22 percent, thanks to the success of Switch.

$41 billion was spent on hardware, games content and services during 2017, an 18 percent rise year-on-year. The launch of Switch – combined with the arrival of the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X – meant that hardware spend was up 33 percent. “Content” spending hit $23.6 billion, thereby representing the largest segment of the games market.

Sony remains the dominant force in the market, but while Nintendo is on the rise, Microsoft has seen its share drop to 25 percent, down from 31 percent in the previous year.

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Shifty Station Returns To Splatoon 2 For This Week’s Messy Splatfest

Splatoon 2 continues to be one of the most supported games on Nintendo Switch as another Splatfest kicks off this weekend. And, to celebrate, Nintendo is bringing the Shifty Stations map back into rotation, so prepare to raise paint-caked hell in the containment chambers.

On, speaking of those arena elements, the containment chambers will briefly lock down certain parts of the map during each match, so be sure you keep an eye out or you’ll get trapped and splatted. We’re already getting a hankering for a proper session in Turf War…

Will you be playing some Splatoon 2 this weekend as part of the Splatfest? Are you a fan of Shifty Stations? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts…

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Looks Like 3DS Title Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido Is Getting A Switch Upgrade

Japanese online retailer Rakuten has leaked information regarding two Switch titles ahead of today’s Nintendo Direct broadcast.

Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido – previously confirmed for release on 3DS – has been listed by Rakuten on Switch. Both it and the 3DS version launch in Japan on June 8th, according to the retailer. 

Rakuten also has this listing for Mario Tennis Aces, which hits Japan on June 22nd, according to the site. Fresh screenshots reveal that Mario, Yoshi, Waluigi, Wario, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Bowser are all confirmed playable characters.

Hopefully there will be a few more surprises in tonight’s Direct, eh?

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Jump Aboard This Enormous ‘Absolutely Ridable Lapras’ Pokémon Toy

Poké-fans may well lovingly remember the huge Snorlax plush from a couple of years back which could double up as a bed if you wished, instantly becoming one of the must-have items of the time, and now we have another one to join the crew, too.

Introducing the wonderfully named ‘Absolutely Ridable Lapras’:

The Absolutely Ridable Lapras plush stands at 117cm tall by 115cm wide and, as you can see from the images above, Bandai has promised fans that people of all ages can now fulfil their childhood dream of riding on Lapras, just like Ash in the anime.

If you’d like to get your hands, and entire body, on your very own Lapras, you can pre-order one here. It is scheduled to start shipping in July 2018, can only be shipped within Japan, and will cost 79,400 yen (approximately a staggering £540 / $750).

So, is anyone else forgetting about this month’s rent to snag an absolutely ginormous Lapras? Let us know down below.

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The Super Smash Bros. series heads to Nintendo Switch in 2018

The Super Smash Bros. series heads to Nintendo Switch in 2018

During its latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced that the Super Smash Bros. franchise is coming to Nintendo Switch this year. The video also showcased more than a dozen upcoming games for both the Nintendo Switch system and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, with many of the featured games coming from third-party developers, including SQUARE ENIX, Capcom, Grasshopper Manufacture, From Software and Ubisoft.

“Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS are being propelled through 2018 with an energized lineup of games of all kinds,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “These games contain a solid mix of first-party franchises starring some of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters, acclaimed third-party titles and promising indies.”

To view the Nintendo Direct video in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct. Some of the highlights revealed in the video include:

Nintendo Switch

  • Nintendo Switch Super Smash Bros. (working title): The Super Smash Bros. series comes to Nintendo Switch in 2018. The teaser trailer featured recognizable faces like Mario, Link and the Inklings from the Splatoon series.
  • New Single-Player Expansion Coming to Splatoon 2 : The first paid DLC is coming to Splatoon 2 this summer. Splatoon 2 : Octo Expansion adds a hefty new single-player mode that lets players play as new character Agent 8, an Octoling (!) with lost memories. The new single-player campaign features 80 missions, as well as new stories that shed new light on beloved characters. Players that complete the Octo Expansion campaign will unlock the ability to play as Octolings in multiplayer battles. While Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion launches this summer, players can pre-purchase the DLC starting today in Nintendo eShop to immediately receive Octo-themed in-game gear to use in battle right away. (The full version of the game is required to use DLC.)
  • Major Splatoon 2 Update: In April, Splatoon 2 is getting a major free update (Version 3.0) that contains 100+ new pieces of gear, more stages rolling out throughout spring (Piranha Pit, Camp Triggerfish and Wahoo World) and a new rank (Rank X). Rank X is an extreme rank, even higher than S+.
  • Mario Tennis Aces: Unleash an arsenal of shots and strategies in all-out tennis battles with friends, family and fan-favorite Mushroom Kingdom characters. With up to four-player local (additional accessories may be required and are sold separately) and online* multiplayer, and a story mode that even includes creative boss battles, Mario Tennis Aces is one of the most robust Mario sports games yet. The intuitive and deep gameplay allows for exciting competitions in the living room or, really, anywhere using the power of Nintendo Switch. In Swing Mode, players can use their Joy-Con controllers like a tennis racket, swinging them to initiate the tennis swings in the game. Mario Tennis Aces launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on June 22.
  • Mario Tennis Aces Pre-launch Online Tournament: More details will be revealed in the future, but a free Mario Tennis Aces demo is coming soon. For a limited time, players can try out online* tournament matches in the game before it launches. To participate, players just have to download the Pre-launch Online Tournament in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.
  • Kirby Star Allies: Kirby is coming to Nintendo Switch for the first time next week! As players make their way through the robust adventure, they will reach dream palaces where fan-favorite legacy characters can become Kirby’s Dream Friends. Eventually, more Dream Friends will be added to the game through free updates. The first such update hits March 28 and adds classic characters Marx, Gooey and character set “Rick & Kine & Coo” to the game. Kirby Star Allies launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on March 16. A free demo for the game is currently available in Nintendo eShop.
  • Octopath Traveler: Producer Masashi Takahashi from SQUARE ENIX revealed new details about the upcoming RPG, including the final game name, Octopath Traveler, two more main characters (Tressa the Merchant and Alfyn the Apothecary) and the ability to equip multiple jobs per character for use in battle. Octopath Traveler launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on July 13. Octopath Traveler: Wayfarer’s Edition, a special edition bundle that includes a stylized pop-up book, a helpful cloth map, the Octopath Traveler: Sound Selections CD and a replica coin based on the in-game currency, launches the same day.
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, which originally launched for Wii U, is coming to Nintendo Switch. The new version includes new miniature courses based on various Kingdoms in the Super Mario Odyssey game. Also, anyone can play with a friend or family member by sharing a pair of Joy-Con controllers. While one player controls Captain Toad, the other can assist with things like turnip cover fire. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker launches for Nintendo Switch on July 13. A Nintendo 3DS version of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker , which includes stereoscopic 3D visuals and touch-screen controls, also launches on July 13.
  • Crash Bandicoot Crashes Nintendo Switch: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy , which includes remastered versions of the first three Crash Bandicoot games, launches for Nintendo Switch on July 10.
  • Okami HD: The gorgeous and ethereal remake of classic action-adventure game Okami is coming to Nintendo Switch. In the Nintendo Switch version of the game, players can use the touch screen in Handheld Mode or the Joy-Con motion controls in TV or Tabletop Mode to control the Celestial Brush to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Okami HD launches in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch this summer.
  • South Park: The Fractured But Whole: The South Park gang is back in an outrageously offensive superhero RPG adventure. And with Nintendo Switch, players can now drop into South Park anytime, anywhere. In addition to the main game, all of the game’s add-on content will be available for purchase. South Park: The Fractured But Whole launches for Nintendo Switch on April 24.
  • Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido: Originally announced for Nintendo 3DS at last year’s E3, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido is also coming to Nintendo Switch! The action puzzle game finds players devouring conveyor-belt sushi, matching plates and then throwing them to defeat enemies. The basics are simple, but the gameplay is deep … and tasty! In the game’s multiplayer mode, players can even compete locally or online* against other players in intense matches. Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido launches for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS on June 8.
  • DARK SOULS: REMASTERED: The remake of the genre-defining and beloved original DARK SOULS game launches for Nintendo Switch on May 25. On the same day, an amiibo figure based on Solaire of Astora will also be released. By tapping this amiibo, the popular “Praise the Sun” gesture can be used with reckless abandon from the start of the game. (The gesture can also be obtained through regular gameplay.) Players who want to take the game for a spin can participate in a “network test.” The free network test launches in Nintendo eShop, and will allow players to download and play a part of DARK SOULS: REMASTERED before it launches to try out the gameplay and unique online features. More details about the network test will be revealed soon.
  • Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes: When Travis Touchdown wanders into the game world, he goes on a rampage of epic proportions. The latest title in the cult classic No More Heroes series contains a total of seven game titles, including an action game, racing game and puzzle game. By using another Joy-Con controller, two players can team up for co-op multiplayer action. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch this year.
  • Little Nightmares: Complete Edition: From award-winning developer Tarsier Studios comes Little Nightmares, a charmingly horrific puzzle-platforming adventure. The Complete Edition contains the two haunting tales of Six and The Runaway Kid in one package. You can even tap the PAC-MAN amiibo figure (sold separately) to unlock the Pakku Mask when playing. Little Nightmares: Complete Edition launches on May 18.
  • UNDERTALE: The million-selling role-playing game in which nobody has to die is headed to Nintendo Switch. Launch details will arrive at a later date.
  • Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition: The definitive edition (it’s in the title!) of Hyrule Warriors brings together dozens of characters from the Legend of Zelda series in an over-the-top action game. The game launches for Nintendo Switch on May 18.
  • ARMS US & Canada Online Open Tournament**: Players who want to show off their ARMS skills will be able to enter the ARMS US & Canada Online Open Tournament, which takes place in the Nintendo Switch game’s Ranked Match mode now through March 18. The eight top players in these preliminary rounds will have an opportunity to move on to the online finals on March 31. The finals will be streamed live from Nintendo of America HQ at https://arms.nintendo.com/videos/ .
  • ARMS Testpunch: A new global Testpunch for the ARMS game, which lets Nintendo Switch owners try out select modes for free, will be running for three days starting on March 31. To participate, players just have to download the Testpunch in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo 3DS

  • WarioWare Gold: The frenetic WarioWare series is back, and for the first time it’s on Nintendo 3DS! With 300 fast-paced microgames that can be controlled by pressing buttons, tilting the system, tapping the touch screen or using the microphone, WarioWare Gold is the biggest entry in the series. And for the first time, the game includes fully voiced characters. WarioWare Gold launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on Aug. 3.
  • Luigi’s Mansion: The original Luigi’s Mansion, which was a launch game for the Nintendo GameCube system in 2001, is coming to Nintendo 3DS. This remake has an updated look and new features, like a map that displays on the bottom screen and a boss rush mode. Luigi’s Mansion launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems this year.
  • Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey: In this Nintendo 3DS remake of a classic Mario & Luigi action RPG adventure, fans can replay (or play for the first time) Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, one of the most critically acclaimed games in the Mario & Luigi series. It features new graphics and a new mode that tells the behind-the-scenes story of Bowser Jr. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in 2019.
  • Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers: Action meets tower defense in Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers. In this new game, players take on the role of armadillo ranger Dillon, who teams up with an animalized version of the player’s Mii character to help stop enemy invasions and save the post-apocalyptic frontier. Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in Nintendo eShop on May 24. A free demo for the game will be available to download on May 10.
  • Detective Pikachu: Starting today, this new detective adventure game starring self-proclaimed “great detective” Pikachu is available for pre-purchase on Nintendo eShop and Nintendo.com. The game, as well as an extra-large Detective Pikachu amiibo figure (sold separately), launches on March 23. (The game is playable in 2D only.)

Remember that Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/ or https://www.nintendo.com/3ds/.

*Nintendo Account is required. Online services and features, including online gameplay, are free until the paid Nintendo Switch Online Service launches in September 2018.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of US and CAN; high-speed internet required. Qualifier Period begins 3/8/18 at 5PM PT and ends 3/18/18 at 4:59PM PT. To participate, play at least 50 matches in Ranked Match during Qualifier Period (Ranked Match only available after you beat Grand Prix). Based on ARMS in-game ranking system and winning percentages during Qualifier Period, 8 Finalists and 4 Alternates will be selected to be available to participate in Finals to be held 3/31/18. Winner of Finals will get 1 color artwork (ARV $125). Other Finalists and Alternates will get 1 artwork (ARV $50 each). Odds of winning depend on no. of participants. Restrictions apply. Visit https://arms.nintendo.com/rules.pdf and https://arms.nintendo.com/fr/rules.pdf for additional details and full rules. Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc.

Games Shown:

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Surprise! There’s A New Nintendo Direct Coming, And It’s Due Tomorrow At 10pm

Back in January we were treated to a 15-minute Nintendo Direct Mini, complete with reveals and new details for the likes of Dark Souls: Remastered and Mario Tennis Aces, but it was a tad short and left us clamouring for more. Well, Nintendo has heard your cries and it’s got a dose of info coming ASAP. In fact, a half-hour Direct is due on 8th March at 10pm GMT (2pm PST). Excite!

Nintendo has confirmed the broadcast will include info on Nintendo Switch and 3DS titles, with the only confirmed game being Mario Tennis Aces. Considering Mario’s return to the court is scheduled for ‘Spring 2018’ we wouldn’t be surprised to see a release date given an official airing.

We’ll be covering every development and announcement as it happens here on Nintendo Life, so be sure to check in with us as Nintendo releases all the new details.

In the meantime, post a comment below and share your thoughts on what this proper-sized Direct will contain. Something brand new? More details on the games we already know about? So much speculation…

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Video: Sail Across A Flat Earth As Neo Atlus 1469 Heads For Switch This April

Ever wanted to try your hand at being a naval explorer? Sailing the uncharted seas as a trader and envoy in 15th century Europe? Well, you’re in luck because Japanese studio ArtDink has confirmed it’s bringing Neo Atlus 1469 to Nintendo Switch, with versions planned for both Japan and the West on 19th April.

The game is all about filling in the world map by hiring admirals to serve in your growing trade company. These individuals will report back to you with news of the wider world, but it’s up to you decide which ones are true and which ones are a little too tall a tale. The choices you make will shape the world you’re charting (and you might not end up with the one you know today).

The ocean-faring sim has been sailing the seas of PS Vita in Japan, as well as enjoying a localised version on Steam. That’s probably why we’re getting ports for the West at the same time as the one launching on the Nintendo eShop. 

There’s also this brand new trailer. It’s full of details and snippets of in-game footage. Unfortunately, it’s in Japanese. But hey, it certainly looks nice! Let us know what you make of it below…