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PRESS RELEASE:

CANINE SUPERSTAR UGGIE LANDS EPIC ROLE AS NINTENDO’S FIRST-EVER ”SPOKESDOG”

Four-Legged Star of The Artist Delays Retirement to Fetch Awareness for nintendogs + cats Game During Responsible Pet Ownership Month

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 8, 2012 – In a move that’s got tails wagging from Hollywood to Manhattan, Nintendo of America is teaming up with Uggie, the talented Jack Russell terrier known to moviegoers as the canine co-star of The Artist. Starting today, Uggie will sink his teeth into a memorable new role as Nintendo’s first-ever “spokesdog,” spreading the word about the interactive fun of nintendogs™ + cats for the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system.

To help celebrate February as Responsible Pet Owners Month, Uggie will lend a paw by showing how the game includes valuable tips on how people can maintain happy, healthy relationships with their furry friends in real life. Though he previously announced plans to retire after this year’s awards season, the chance to team up with Nintendo was too doggone good for Uggie to resist.

Uggie is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared in numerous television commercials and films during the last decade. As Nintendo’s spokesdog, he’ll appear alongside his owner Omar Von Muller to promote nintendogs + cats and the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS system, which offers a wide range of wireless features and entertainment experiences that can be enjoyed in 3D without the need for special glasses. In particular, Uggie and his owner will show consumers how nintendogs + cats can not only provide players with an adorable, customizable companion but also teach them skills that can translate to real-world dog or cat ownership. With February as Responsible Pet Owners Month, it’s the perfect time for this partnership.

“Uggie didn’t have to sit up and beg for his role as Nintendo’s spokesdog,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “It’s truly our pleasure to work with a star of Uggie’s magnitude, especially to help animal lovers and portable gaming fans discover the fun of nintendogs + cats.”

With nintendogs + cats, players can use the Nintendo 3DS system’s built-in touch screen, camera and microphone to interact with their dog or cat in amazing ways to form a lasting friendship. Players can feed, train and care for their choice of more than 27 breeds of puppies, and can also care for a variety of lovable kittens. If they take their Nintendo 3DS systems when going out, players can exchange Mii™ characters, puppies, kittens and presents with other nearby players via a wireless connection using the StreetPass™ feature. Nintendo will soon be adding a free playable demo of nintendogs + cats to the Nintendo eShop, so players can download the game and check it out at no cost.

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

For more information about nintendogs + cats, visit http://nintendogspluscats.nintendo.com.

[PR Email from Nintendo of America]

Game – Mighty Switch Force!
Version – 3DSWare
Time Spent Playing – 3.5 hours
Price – $5.99
Obtained – Review Copy courtesy of Nintendo of America

Story

Space Hooligans have escaped custody and are wreaking havoc all over Planet Land!

Gameplay and Controls

Players take control of officer Patricia Wagon as she seeks out the 5 Space Hooligan Sisters through 16 different levels, known as Incidents.  Your job as the player is to track down the 5 sisters who are hidden, sometimes in plain sight, throughout each level.  The challenge and enjoyment comes from the clever use of foreground and background puzzle elements.  Not only does officer Wagon wield a nifty pellet gun, she also has a rather unique ability via the use of her helmet siren, switching foreground and background objects.  By simply pressing either L,R, or A players activate the siren causing clearly marked objects in the background to ‘switch’ to the foreground and vice-versa.  Combining the switch ability with your pellet gun, which allows you to blast baddies and obstacles alike to smithereens, makes for some fun times.  As your progress through the levels, you’ll have to take care to time your jumps as you ‘switch’ things up.  There seems to be an ample supply of spiked floors which remove one heart and start you back at the last checkpoint.  There are also plenty of strategically placed objects which, if you are not careful when ‘switching’, will smash you against the screen in a delightful animation.  The aforementioned smashing also applies to enemies in the same way.  You can lure enemies onto the path of a background object and smash them with a ‘switch’ that is constantly satisfying.

Of course, where would the challenge be without limited life? So naturally, the folks over at WayForward have generously given you 3 hearts and a moderate amount of health pickups scattered throughout each level or dropped when an enemy has been defeated.  One would think that if this much health abounds, there is not much of a challenge. Not so I say, not so.  See, the real detriment to your 3 hearts is yourself.  I can’t tell you how many times I died because my timing was off during a jump and a ‘switch’, either resulting in me falling into spikes or getting smashed into the screen. No really, I died so many times, yet I always went back for more.  Thankfully, there are some checkpoints scattered throughout each level, represented by what looks to be an odd looking dog, I think?

I already mentioned that timing is important.  So on that note, let’s talk about Par times.  Every level has a Par time which you are encouraged to beat.  In case you wondering, no I didn’t beat any of the Par times.  Yes, I suck at setting time records.  Besides, I was too focused on just beating the level.  To add a bit more of a challenge, each time you get smashed into the screen or land on spikes you are brought back to the last checkpoint, but your time keeps on ticking.  I would like to point out that if you get hit by an enemy, the effect is different, as you just lose 1 heart per hit.  Once you lose all 3 hearts, Officer Wagon screams and her suit dissolves from her body, leaving her quite like Samus Aran.  Then, she bursts into a handful of shiny star bits that bounce around the screen, in 3D no less and you are returned to the title screen, fun!  After you capture the 5 sisters, you must make your way to Corporal Gendarmor who flies in and lands somewhere in the level.  How do you find him you ask? Okay, so maybe you didn’t ask but I’m going to tell you anyways.  On the bottom screen of your 3DS is a generic radar which shows you the general direction of not only Corporal Gendarmor, but also the sisters.  This may prove helpful when trying to beat those Par times.

Controlling Officer Wagon is easy and her movements are fluid and precise. I mentioned before that ‘switching’ is done using L,R, or A.  Players shoot with Y and jump with B, everything is quite simple.  I never had any issues with the controls.  There was one other feature of the controls, panning the camera, which I hardly ever used.  While pressing X, you can pan the camera just a bit allowing you to see ahead or behind you.  I’m sure this is useful when trying to judge distances or check for upcoming enemies.  However, I never found much use for it as I viewed it hindering my attempt at a low time/score.

Visuals and Sound

Anyone who is familiar with WayForward knows that the team puts great effort into the visuals and style and Mighty Switch Force! is no exception.  From the character designs and level layouts to the smallest details, such as the little star bits that bounce around after you die or defeat an enemy, or the goofy looking face the enemies make as they smack into the screen complete with cracks in the glass, the visuals are sure to please.  The 3D effect was done quite nicely and looks great the whole way through.  You will notice it the most with the subtle things, such as the lightposts in the foreground or when the enemies fly into the screen and it looks great.  The music is just as enjoyable and catchy to boot! There were many times I found myself tapping my foot along to the beat of the techno themed music and I always enjoyed listening to the voice of Officer Wagon as she shouted out, “Justice served!”

Concluding Overall Impressions

Mighty Switch Force! is, at just 16 levels a short but sweet game.  I mean really, the graphics are crisp and fun to look at it and the 3D effect is subtle but well done.  Both the music and sound bites are catchy and the gameplay is challenging and fun.  The replay value exists in those Par times you want to beat, which is helped of course by a certain unlockable after your first play through.  Wait, what? Just play the game to find out more!

Final Score: 5 out of 5

OFFICIAL PAGE – Mighty Switch Force

With Nintendo confirming that the Wii U will hit stores globally by the end of the year, we would like to know if you, the readers, are going to be purchasing the system on launch or not. What will it take for you to purchase a Wii U at the end of the year? Is it a good price point (say $200-$300) that will get you to purchase the system on launch? Another Zelda? Personally, I really am hoping that Nintendo offers a slue of great titles to choose from. Also, if they want me to guarantee a purchase of their system, all they really need to show is a trailer for the new and upcoming Smash Bros. trailer.

Nintendo Network has also been announced, the network is meant to allow users on the Wii U the ability to create personal accounts and use their accounts to purchase downloadable software or content for their games. A cool feature that Nintendo has been needing for awhile. However, I feel that they maybe too late to attract buyers with this feature, and that they would have to offer more than just the basic availability of content. For example, Microsoft is partnering up with television networks so that it can offer its Xbox Live members some of their favorite television series. What do you guys believe Nintendo will have to do in order to attract owners of their system to take the time and sing up for their “Nintendo Network?” Sound off in the comments below.

• New 2D side-scrolling Super Mario game coming for 3DS in the next fiscal year (which means from April 2012 through March 2013).
• Final version of Wii U revealed at E3.
• Wii U will release in Japan, US, Europe, and Australia sometime between E3 and the end of the year… but in time for the year-end sales season.
• Wii U controller will have Near Field Communication (NFC) support, which will allow for the creation of cards and figurines that can read and write data when they are put near the controller. This will allow for various possibilities like using it as a means of making micropayments. (If you’re having trouble understanding this, think Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure)
• Announcing the “Nintendo Network.” Nintendo Network is the new online service for both 3DS and Wii U. Unlike the previous Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, this will cover a wide range of things like competitions, communication among users, and sales of digital content for example. The communities in Mario Kart 7 are part of the Nintendo Network.
• The photo booth app Nintendo released on the eShop in Japan recently is the first title to have paid DLC, and this will be available in the near future.
• The first retail title to have DLC will be Theatrhythm Final Fantasy in Japan on February 16th (hence why it has the Nintendo Network logo).
• Considering the possibility of selling retail titles on the eShop… the infrastructure is there on 3DS already and will be prepared for Wii U, but Nintendo hasn’t decided on the concrete timing of when they’ll start it yet, as it will depend on various factors (memory needed on SD cards, the relationship with retailers, etc.)
• Wii U will have a personal individual account system compatible with Nintendo Network… so that means multiple accounts per system.
• For both first party and third party titles, Nintendo is actively trying to achieve compatibility so that the consumers can enjoy their online services under the Nintendo Network name.

[Nintendo]

That’s more than I expected from the investor briefing! Lots of good news, really liking the sound of Nintendo Network.

UPDATE: More details trickling in, probably from the Q&A section and other things. I’ll update this post as more comes in.

• This year, Nintendo will announce several alliances/partnerships with external parties that were previously not considered.
• Miyamoto says the network on Wii U has to be the next step, has to have a totally new concept to be different.

Source: Brawl in the Family

If you like what you see in the video, then go to the OFFICIAL Website (Exploding Rabbit) to play the game, NOW!

The game looks very promising using the 3DS camera and creating an AR type of story.  Here are the chilling facts taken directly from Nintendo’s website:

• The included “diary of faces” is a gateway into the game’s absorbing Story Mode. When viewed through the lenses of the Nintendo 3DS camera, each page of the book displays a variety of augmented-reality experiences.
• Some pages of the book come to life in the form of video segments that reveal past events and shed light on the game’s central mysterious storyline. Others appear to send spirits floating into players’ real-world surroundings. Some page even summons players to virtually enter a haunted house where Maya is hiding.
• Additional modes let players use the system’s camera in spooky ways. In Spirit Photography, they can take photos at their leisure and watch as haunting visions appear within the pictures. Spirit Check, lets them snap pictures of themselves and their friends to uncover the eerie spirits that surround them. In Spirit Challenge, they can put their own face or a friend’s face on a spirit and then battle it.
• Players can also use the notebook with their Nintendo 3DS system to face other challenges involving a mix of memory, hide-and-seek and other game play elements all with a supernatural twist.

Game – Cars 2
Version – 3DS
Profiles/Save Slot – 3
Multiplayer – Yes
Obtained – Review Copy courtesy of Disney Interactive Studios

[Spoiler Alert!]

If you have seen the movie, then you know the story.  In a nutshell, Lightening McQueen is invited to participate in the World Grand Prix, sponsored by the alternative fuel company, Allinol.  Really, the WGP is just a front for an operation by Dr. Z and the former oil tycoon Miles Axlerod, now a green power advocate.  Their plan is to use a device disguised as a television camera to fire a laser at the cars using the Allinol.  The chemical reaction causes the cars to break down or be damaged beyond repair, thus casting biofuels in a bad light and bringing crude oil back to the forefront.  Boy, this sure does seem like a politically motivated plot!

[End of Spoiler]

Gameplay and Controls
The game consists of several races as Lightening McQueen either in a 3 lap race to 1st place or a knock out race which eliminates the car in last place every 30 seconds or so.  The races are broken up by spy missions in which you control Mater, Finn McMissile or Holly Shiftwell.  To help you out there are 3 nitro tanks at your disposal plus a special move which you can use once every 20 seconds or so.  McQueen has the ability to leap through the air and get ahead of his opponents, whereas Mater can drive backwards.  I’m not sure what the advantage of this move is, other than it looks funny.  Finn McMissile and Holly have a cloaking mechanism which allows them to escape detection for roughly 5 seconds.  The gameplay is so incredibly monotonous and boring, I had to push myself to finish the game for the sake of the review.  There are a few options on the archaic looking menu which you can choose from, here is a quick breakdown.

• Story Mode – It is what it is, a story mode.
• C.H.R.O.M.E. Mode – Simulate races and field missions and earn awards.
• Quick race – What can I say here, it’s a quick race.
• Profiles – Yes, up to 3 people can save their progress on this game.
• Options – music and audio volume and control layouts.
• Extras – view awards and trophies and cups.

I guess it’s a bonus to anyone who chooses to buy this game, but Streepass functionality has been included which unlocks hidden content.  Also, local multiplayer has been included, but with a game of this caliber I’m going to wish you luck in finding anyone to play against.

Visuals and Sound
Both the visuals and sounds are quite lackluster and not a single thing stands out to me in these categories, save for how bad they were. The animations look cheap, the level designs are generic, repetitive and overly simply, the voice acting is decent, but sparse. I’m really disappointed, but not totally surprised by the quality of Cars 2 for the 3DS.  The only segments of the game I enjoyed, although briefly were the races and the enjoyment waned just as quick as it started.

Concluding Overall Impressions
Cars 2 is repetitive, has little to no challenge, can be beaten in less than 5 hours, the unlockables seem to be nothing more than an afterthought to inflate the games content and the graphics are atrocious.  Plus, there is hardly any replay value.  The only redeeming quality I can find is that the game features the like-able Cars characters and their easily recognizable voices and even that isn’t enough to warrant a purchase.

Final Score: 2 out of 5

Today Capcom has confirmed that Resident Evil™ Revelations, which launches on 27th January on Nintendo 3DS, will have exclusive StreetPass™ functionality allowing players to collect items via a local wireless connection.

There are two gameplay modes available through which players can connect via StreetPass™. In the single player mode, called Campaign mode, different items will be available to collect by passing other Nintendo 3DS owners; in the co-op mode, called RAID mode, players will receive new enemies and missions via StreetPass™. When a new item becomes available, players will receive a parachute icon and after clicking on this the new item can be collected.

Resident Evil™ Revelations is the first time Resident Evil™ has been available in true 3D and sees a return to its survival horror roots with cinematic tension, intense sieges and high quality visuals that really bring the fear to life. The 3D visuals present a high quality perspective of the game world, enhancing the atmosphere and feeling of horror with the audio adding further to the scary experience.

The game introduces a brand new storyline, locations and characters to the series. Jill Valentine and BSAA partner Parker Luciani have been sent to search for Chris Redfield, whose last known GPS data positions him as being on-board a supposedly abandoned cruise ship. Danger hides around every corner as they explore the confined space of the ship and face a menacing new enemy and virus; the T-Abyss.

There are 4 playable characters in this instalment: BSAA agent Parker Luciani, Raccoon City survivor and BSAA founder Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield (missing at the beginning of the story) and nature-loving BSAA agent Keith Lumley.

Source: NintendoLife

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This has inspired me to look into creating something like this, as it sounds very fun!

Game Trailers – Game of the Year Awards 2011

Before we get into the screenshots and animated gifs, let’s look at the 3 Youtube videos that are currently available.  If you like what you see then be sure to check out the team over at stabyourself.net

Source (with a little bit of info for each screenshot): Mari0 screenshot marathon

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.