The 3DS is getting a ton of cool limited edition paint jobs. The newest one is this Shin Megami Tensei version, which is limited to Japan so far. If the fact that the 3DS is region locked doesn’t turn you away, maybe the price tag will. You can pre-order one for $440 (before shipping) from Play-Asia.
Check it: More 3DS on Albotas
Pre-Order: Shin Megami Tensei IV
It was announced earlier this week that Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata would gain the additional title of CEO of Nintendo of America to fill the role that was left behind by Tatsumi Kimishima who was promoted to Nintendo Co., Ltd. Managing Director.
The future of the company certainly looks… unpredictable, to say the least. Wii U sales have been severely lackluster thanks to a massive lack of worth caring about, and even 3DS sales have slowed down, but some could argue that it’s probably because just about everyone who plays games already owns one by now (but that’s almost definitely not the case).
And so begins a new chapter for the company. Charting a course for the unclear voyage ahead. With E3 just around the corner, Sony’s PS4 and the probable announcement of a new system from Microsoft will definitely give Nintendo and its president more than a few things to think about.
Much like the Marios and Donkey Kongs and Links and all the hundreds of Pokémon, Iwata is seen mostly by gamers as just another cutesy character in Nintendo’s brand mythos. But then there’s that picture of him sitting on a small white couch. The room, the luggage, the contemplative expression on his face - it’s like something out of a men’s lifestyle magazine. This isn’t the same adorable Japanese man we normally see on stage at press conferences or wearing Luigi hats in Nintendo Direct videos.
This picture shows a different side to the face of Nintendo - a Satoru Iwata rarely seen, and it’s a safe bet that this is probably one of the closest glimpses we’ll get at the real Iwata. Not the salesman on stage giving PR pitches to appease investors, not the precious little Nintendo Direct host reeling in consumers and fans, but the savvy businessman who has kept the company strong since he worked his way up from HAL Laboratory programmer in the 80’s earned the title of President in 2002, making him the first president not related by blood or by marriage to the Yamauchi family who originally founded the company all the way back in 1889.
When you think about all you can accomplish in a lifetime, you start to wonder what kind of legacy you’ll be able to leave behind - how long your footprints will be embedded in history before being washed away by the tides of time. Just by looking at the picture above, it’s clear that Satoru Iwata’s legacy has just begun.
It’s a degree or so chillier in hell today. Nintendo finally got their shit together and made tons of awesome announcements on this week’s Nintendo Direct.
First, that awesome looking Animal Crossing themed 3DS XL is coming to North America this summer. It will cost about $220 and will come with the new Animal Crossing game pre-installed.
Next - and this is the biggest shocker - Earthbound is coming out for Virtual Console. I never thought this would happen. Unfortunately, this will only be available to Wii U owners and won’t be on the Wii’s VC lineup, as far as I know.
A sequel to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was also announced. The game looks like it plays like earlier top-down Zelda games as opposed to something like Phantom Hourglass, which is a good thing in my opinion.
The world of Mario is getting two new additions, too. A third Yoshi’s Island game is coming out. This one’s got some really weird art direction, but I’m excited to see how it turns out. The other game is a new entry into the Mario & Luigi RPG series where Mario has to enter Luigi’s dreams. How Freudian.
Last but not least, Nintendo and Square-Enix will be publishing Bravely Default next year in the US.
That’s a lot of great news for one day. It’s about time, though. When the Animal Crossing 3DS launches, I might just have to pick one up. I’m still jonsing for the mint flavored one though.
Check it: More Nintendo on Albotas
Pre-Order: Shin Megami Tensei IV
The emulated version of Korg’s M1 synth is being ported from DS to 3DS and will be available worldwide this summer. The softsynth was previously released on the DS but was much harder to get a hold of compared to it’s prequel, the DS-10, which was based on Korg’s MS-10.
I’ve never played the DS version of the M1 synth, but I’ve used the DS-10 software quite a bit. Owning a real Korg synth myself, I’ve got to say the emulation is impressive. I guess this is one more reason for me to cave in and get a 3DS.
Albotip: The software’s developer, Detune ltd also have an iPad app that emulates the Korg MS 20.
Check it: More synths on Albotas
Buy: KORG DS-10 Plus
This new Pokemon X and Y teaser just released and it shows a “a new Pokemon with a familiar look!” Well, it’s got the color scheme of Mew and Mewtwo, so I think we can go ahead and say Mewthree is confirmed for Pokemon X and Y.
It was no surprise when Nintendo quickly released a revised model of the 3DS. In fact, I’d say we’re due for another in 2014. Anyway, I wasn’t mad at Nintendo for putting out new hardware. My main gripe was that the XL was kind of fug. It’s still not great, but this mint color scheme has got me interested. It’s currently only announced for Japan, which is a bummer since the 3DS is region locked. Oh well. I promised myself I wouldn’t get a 3DS until I had finished all my original DS games anyway. And I’m nowhere near reaching that goal.
Check it: More 3DS posts from Albotas
Buy: Fire Emblem: Awakening
Damn, Nintendo! Give a dude more than a few day’s notice so he can save up some extra scratch!
This Pikachu edition 3DS XL drops this coming Sunday for $199.99. It comes with a 4GB SD card and has Pikachu’s cute-ass face on it!
Nintendo is also running a promotion where anyone who buys a 3DS XL and a copy of either Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity or Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and registers them on Club Nintendo before April 30, you’ll get a free download code for one of the following titles: Super Mario 3D Land, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Star Fox 64 3D, Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive, or Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone
The concept of indie-gaming really just turns me on in today’s game market. A tiny team or sole person creates a video game with a small budget, releases it, and the creator(s) waits for people to find it and dig through the game, leaving a player with the feeling of wanting more from the content’s source, or just similar titles. A big part of indie-gaming is also tapping into the nostalgia feeling, bringing back difficultly into levels similar to gaming in the early 90’s, and giving it to the consumer with a fresh, yet familiar new feeling.
In the case of Gunman Clive, Bertil Hörbergs (who worked on the Bionic Commando reboot), has given iOS and 3DS gamers an artsy sidescroller game for older gamers to appreciate and newer players to gaze upon wondrously.
AWESOME
NOT AWESOME
The fantastic sepia art style that Gunman Clive boasts gives it a unique repackaging of an old-school 90’s game. Think of this game as a western Mega Man, in which you’ll play the role of a cowboy (or Cliveman’s beau that offers different control abilities, as well as an unlockable character when you beat the game once) strategically shooting enemies, while also avoiding instant death-traps, jumping from platform to platform, and fighting tough bosses through each level. Along the way, you’ll pick up different brief weapon abilities (three-way shooter, rockets, etc.) that aid in fighting pesky enemy cowboys and flying birds.
What really makes this game challenging is the fact that there are no checkpoints on any level, meaning you’ll eventually learn simple platform movement patterns, as well as what lies ahead of your path after each death you experience. That’s not a bad thing either — Gunman Clive does it in such a way where you really do learn from your mistakes. Every death you tally up returns your main character to the very start of the short stage in an instant, as to not make this experience especially frustrating.
This game definitely deserves a couple of play-throughs. Though Gunman Clive may be a bit brief, it’s got a beautiful looking style, and the game offers multiple options for re-playing the title. The title fantastic, and for a measly $2, you’ve got nothing to lose.
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Thank goodness for Tiny Cartridge. Not sure how long this sale is going on for, but Amazon has slashed the price of Paper Mario: Sticker Star by 50%, making the game only $20. That’s a damn bargain, for those looking for a new 3DS title to play.
It’s also noted that Best Buy is having a sale of their own, that not only matches Paper Mario: Sticker Star for $20, but also has Pokemon Black and White 2 for $15 each. Check that out as well!
via tinycartridge:
(Source: samanthathresaplaysgames)
Highlights from this month’s Nintendo Direct.
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About damn time. Originally announced as a launch title for the 3DS, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is finally headed to the States! I’ve been stoked about this game since before the 3DS dropped and my fiancée has been holding off on buying a 3DS just for this game alone.
Oh, and for those of you in Europe, you’ll have to wait until June 14, just a few days later than us yanks. Sorry.
Oh man… what am I gonna’ name my town!?
(pic via)
(Source: nintendo.com)
But there’s a catch: it isn’t real. Too bad.
Sure, Nintendo could just put the DS back-catalog on the eShop, but there’s all kinds of legal licensing hoopla associated with that. It’s a shame Nintendo would probably never put out an awesome little device like this since it could potentially hurt the sales of their handhelds.
But then again, they DID come out with Super Game Boy and the GBA Player for GameCube, so maybe there is hope.
Check it: More Nintendo posts on Albotas
Buy: Nintendo WiiU Deluxe Set
Like the rightous bros over at Tiny Cartridge pointed out, the demo for Fire Emblem: Awakening landed on the eShop today and we highly recommend you go scoop that shit ASAP.
Come to me, Fire Emblem: Awakening demo
The free demo for Fire Emblem: Awakening hits eShop today!
To see what else hit today, and the million 3DS/eShop release dates Nintendo just announced this morning (no Animal Crossing: New Leaf date :o/ ), check our Upcoming Releases page.
PREORDER Fire Emblem: Awakening (February 4)
Confession: I’ve never played a Monster Hunter Game. They always seemed like too much of a timesuck, but I think it’s time to let my time be sucked because this game looks awesome. Plus, all my friends who play Monster Hunter swear that it’s the shit and I suck at peer pressure, so this will officially be the first game in the series that I play.
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate hits the WiiU and 3DS March 22, 2013 and a playable demo hits both systems on February 21.
And now the real question: do I get this for WiiU and show my new system some love, or should I get it for 3DS so I can play on the go?
Check it: The Monster Hunter Beginner's Guide from Culty
Pre-order: MH3 Ultimate (3DS/WiiU)
The days of waiting for months after a Pokemon game hits Japan for it to finally come to the US and Europe are finally over! Along with a new world to explore and new Pokemon to collect, they’ve also done away with the pixelated look for the first time in the series’s history. Now it’s a full-on 3D cell shaded adventure.
Check out the trailer below.
What do you guys think?
