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  1. Monster Hunter's popularity has finally reached the point where a spin-off game has seen worldwide release. Monster Hunter Stories takes the familiar monsters of the series and basically turns them into Pokémon—companion creatures that you can train to fight alongside you. It may seem like a leap to take the hulking beasts of the main series and transform them into smaller, friendlier allies, but the turn-based RPG gameplay is just as addictive as the action gameplay. Even if this is an RPG with some odd combat quirks. In Stories you don't play as a monster hunter, you play as a monster rider from a small village that befriends monsters by hatching their eggs and building a bond with the creature. In true JRPG fashion you are a young rider that builds unusually strong bonds with your monsters and must use that bond to defeat a dark force that threatens to upset the very balance of the world—the core theme of the game is essentially to make friends with everybody. In fact it's not surprising that this game was also used as the basis for an anime, since those storytelling tropes are clear here as well, even down to your friend/rival that thinks you're too nice to your monsters. It's a cute little story, even if it's not particularly deep, and it's certainly more narrative-rich than the main Monster Hunter games. Stories retains several concepts, item names, and obviously monsters from the main series, but this game is a turn-based RPG. You and one monster participate in battles against wild monsters both big and small and even other riders in special tournaments or multiplayer modes. Battles are pretty unusual in Stories. One of the core mechanics is a rock-paper-scissors attack triangle. You can choose from power, technical, or speed attacks, and each has an advantage over the other in that order. For example, if you use a speed attack and an enemy monster uses a power attack during a head-to-head encounter, you'll have advantage and deal more damage (and take less). What's tricky is that you don't know what the enemy will choose, unlike strategy games where you can see the enemy's weapon options. Monsters habitually use one type of attack but not necessarily every time, so it really is a guessing game. That uncertainty can be kind of annoying early in the game, especially when you don't have many special attacks to rely upon to help give you more of an edge, but on the other hand it'll keep you on your toes throughout each battle. The other odd battle aspect in Stories is that you don't directly control your monster. This is where the attack triangle really does get frustrating, when your monster keeps using attacks that are at a disadvantage. Again, early on this can be annoying but as monsters level up they gain access to special skills, and you can command your monster to use these special attacks (though you still can't select normal attacks for them). For a game that is essentially simplifying the Monster Hunter formula for new types of players this all seems a little needlessly complicated. At the very least it can be frustrating to have such loose control over your own party in battle. Finally there's a unique attack that each monster has that can only be used when you, as a rider, mount the monster and combine your power. During battle you build up kinship points (things like succeeding in head-to-heads builds more points) and once the gauge is full you can mount your monster. Your attacks are a little stronger combined but more importantly you can use a kinship skill, which are super powerful attacks—they even have their own special little animations. There's something satisfying about unleashing an extra powerful joint attack in the midst of a particularly intense battle. Special attacks also require kinship points, so sometimes you have to choose whether to focus on building up for a powerful kinship attack or spend a few points on special attacks. Despite the initial oddity of only directly controlling one party member in battle you'll soon find that combat in Stories has enough nuances to keep you engaged from one hunt to the next. I should also mention that your rider has a few weapon options in battle, just like in the main series. You can use a sword-and-shield, great sword, hammer, or a hunting horn, each with slightly different properties, the main one being that each weapon type has a different combo attack. For example, using speed, technical, then power attacks in a row will deal extra damage with the sword-and-shield. There really isn't any one weapon type that is overall more useful or even situationally useful, so you're free to use whichever one you prefer. And like the main series you have to forge new weapons and armor in Stories. Thankfully you don't have to hunt monsters over and over to get specific rare parts for upgrading, though you still have to farm basic monster parts. Mostly it's just nice to see that aspect carried over to this spin-off game. Just like leveling up it rewards you for taking the time to explore and battle every monster you encounter. Speaking of exploring, it wouldn't be an RPG without thematic locales to wander through. Desert, forest, snowy mountainside—Stories has them all. In a lot of the big, open areas your movement speed is just a little too slow, to the point where it's noticeable, especially since landmarks are few and far between. But the real point of exploring is to find monster dens. Inside you'll find monster eggs, and this is your opportunity to collect new monsters. This is where the Pokémon aspect of the game comes into play: you may be the type that just wants a handful of monsters to train (you can have up to five in your party) or you may want to have one of every monster type—there are over one hundred. Or, if you really enjoy the nitty gritty of monster training, you may want to perfect your monsters with the best possible stats. Each monster has nine gene slots which can be filled with different abilities such as special attacks or passive buffs like poison immunity. You can sacrifice one monster to pass one of its genes to a different monster, and this is where you can get obsessively focused on building the perfect monster. It's not easy either so if you have a specific idea in mind for your monster it'll probably be quite time consuming. Just like Pokémon though you don't have to worry about any of this if your goal is simply to play through the game's story. If you want to get heavily into multiplayer battles it might be beneficial, but don't feel like you have to dive deep into genetic manipulation to enjoy Stories. And if your goal is simply to enjoy the game's main story, you're in for quite a long haul. If you actively skip every side quest or opportunity to hatch new monsters you can probably finish the game in thirty hours or so, but more likely you'll spend over fifty to truly explore every aspect of Stories. Plus there's even more content to enjoy after the credits roll—more quests, more powerful monsters, and the aforementioned multiplayer modes if you feel like getting competitive. Stories may not last as ridiculously long as the main series games do, but it's still quite a lengthy adventure, even for an RPG. The graphics in Stories are basically a chibi-fied take on Monster Hunter, but don't let that dissuade you. It may be more bright and cheery than the main series but the monsters and environments are still beautiful in this game. The monster designs look great in this colorful style—less imposing than the main series but with just as much personality—and the scenery is fantastic in towns and more heavily detailed locations like the rainforest. The downside is that the framerate can be a little choppy at times, especially on older 3DS models, and distant people or monsters pop into view in a somewhat stuttering fashion. And the music is as colorful and energetic as the visuals, perfect for both exploration and combat. Monster Hunter Stories doesn't have the intense action of the main series, nor the camaraderie of teaming up with friends to take down ferocious beasts. What it does have is a lengthy, engaging RPG adventure, one that perfectly scratches the Pokémon itch of collecting and training various monsters. The battle system has somewhat of a slow start as you adjust to combat that has as much luck as strategy, especially in the early parts of the adventure, but once you spend a little time with the game it's hard not to be charmed by the colorful graphics and simple joy of hatching new monsters. RPG fans should love Monster Hunter Stories, and even veteran hunters should give this spin-off a try to see familiar monsters in a new light. Rating: 8 out of 10 Monsters
  2. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Fire Emblem Warriors – Clash with legions of enemies as Marth, Xander, Corrin, Chrom and other Fire Emblem warriors by unleashing over-the-top-powerful Dynasty Warriors-style moves. Take control of characters with distinct attacks, issue strategic commands and pair up warriors for stunning moves in an epic tactical action game from the Hyrule Warriorsteam. The Fire Emblem Warriors game will be available on Oct. 20. Just Dance 2018 – Whether you’re a party starter, a dancer in the making or a seasoned pro, get ready to turn up the volume and unleash your inner dancer. Dance to 40 of the hottest tracks of the year, including hits like “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars, “Side to Side” by Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj and “Chantaje” by Shakira ft. Maluma. Great for family gatherings, parties and holidays, the Just Dance 2018 game brings family and friends together like no other game. Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode and are sold separately. Just Dance 2018 will be available on Oct. 24. DLC: The Fire Emblem Warriors Season Pass will be available Oct. 20 in Nintendo eShop. Purchase the Season Pass for $19.99 for either the Nintendo Switch or New Nintendo 3DS version of the game and download each pack as it’s available. Plus, players will receive a bridal costume for Lucina immediately upon purchase. Individual DLC packs will also be sold separately at $8.99 each, and are scheduled to launch in December, February and March with content inspired by Fire Emblem Fates, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and Fire Emblem Awakening, respectively. Each pack will contain three new playable characters, three new History scenarios, new weapons, costumes and support conversations. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Also new this week: JYDGE (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) The Mummy Demastered (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – available Oct. 24 The Jackbox Party Pack 4 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Spelunker Party! (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO ROBO ARMY (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Revenant Saga (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Party Golf (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Syberia (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – available Oct. 20 Knight Terrors (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – available Oct. 24 This Is the Police (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – available Oct. 24 Elliot Quest (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Super Ping Pong Trick Shot (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) The Count Lucanor (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) GALAXY BLASTER CODE RED (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) Just Dance 2018 (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
  3. Mario Sports Superstars collects five sports–four old ones for Mario sports fans, and one new one–and combines them into one simple collection. Emphasis on simple. Because although the sports are entertaining enough on their own there is almost nothing that feels fresh or exciting in this 3DS game. Instead the game feels aimed toward people that want a quick Mario sports experience but aren't interested in any deeper or unique gameplay elements. The majority of the sports offered here are simply more of the same that gamers have been playing for years. Tennis and golf have seen numerous Mario sports iterations, and even soccer and baseball have gotten standalone games in the past. And that's the biggest problem with Mario Sports Superstars: if you've already played versions of these sports in previous games, what incentive is there to play this one? The answer is not much. Mario Sports Superstars relies more on the convenience of having multiple sports on one game card than actually fleshing out the sports themselves. Although each sport has a tournament, exhibition, and practice mode including things like ring shot challenges, the actual gameplay feels noticeably more simple or pared down compared to the Mario Tennis or Mario Golf games. There are no wacky Mushroom Kingdom features at play here, no unusual courts or courses to spice up the gameplay. Mario Sports Superstars is a simple, straightforward sports game, and that's one of the last things you'd want out of a Mario title. There is, however, one new sport: horse racing. Maybe it's just because it's new but horse racing seems to be the most fleshed out of the five sports. You pick a rider and a horse, both of whom have individual stats that can affect your performance, then race through twelve courses. Horse racing isn't quite as direct as kart racing–you can't just break away from the pack early on, you have to manage your stamina, which actually recovers more quickly when you are near other horses. Additionally you can pick up stamina recovery carrots as well as stars which allow you to perform a star dash for a quick burst of speed. While some of the other sports can feel particularly chaotic or tied to the whims of the computer player who sometimes manages perfect shots in soccer or perfect hits in baseball, horse racing has a more satisfying sense of challenge based on your own performance. Additionally, horse racing includes a mode that lets you care for your horse in the stables. You can groom it, fit it with accessories, and take it on short walks where you can even find additional items. The accessories are cosmetic but raising a horse's bond through grooming and feeding it provides small bonuses when you take the horse out into a race. Ultimately the stable isn't a huge aspect of Mario Sports Superstars but it's a cute addition that at least peppers in a little variety into the gameplay. Mario Sports Superstars introduces its own line of amiibo cards, which can be used to unlock star versions of characters–characters with improved stats. The good news is that you can also unlock star characters by completing the championship tournament in each sport. The bad news is amiibo cards can also be used to unlock superstar characters, which have even better stats. Raw stats aren't the deciding factor in how you play in Mario Sports Superstars though, so don't feel too bad if you're missing out. Regular amiibo can also be used in the game to unlock collectible cards. These are purely for the purpose of collection, and while it's always fun to collect items in games it's not a significant part of Mario Sports Superstars. Naturally Mario Sports Superstars isn't just a solo game. You can play locally or online, though sadly there is no download play option, so local players will each need a copy of the game. There aren't a huge variety of game options in multiplayer because there aren't many options in the solo modes either, but you can choose to play with or without special moves like power shots if you want an even less Mario-themed sports match. Playing against human opponents can be more satisfying but don't expect an active online community here. Perhaps not surprisingly the presentation in Mario Sports Superstars is decidedly bland. Sports games don't have much room for visual flair to begin with, but this one doesn't even bother to inject the familiar Mushroom Kingdom style into the courts or scenery. The music is similarly generic, and although both the music and visuals are technically fine they are completely forgettable as well. Mario Sports Superstars fills an odd niche. It seems to be made for people that want quick access to Mario sports games, but aren't interested in the kind of depth that characterizes past titles. Outside of horse racing, which has the benefit of being new and therefore slightly more novel than the other sports, Mario Sports Superstars might best be described as charmless. The game itself may run perfectly well, but it has a dire lack of imagination. Rating: 5 out of 10 Sports
  4. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Yono and the Celestial Elephants – Many adventure games have a distinct lack of elephants … but that’s all about to change because Yono is here. The Yono and the Celestial Elephants game is a grand adventure, featuring carefully designed puzzles, treasure hunts, a sprinkling of combat and a world full of people. Play as a young elephant tasked to save a world he’s never seen before, and explore the rich history of a kingdom where humans, zombies and robots live side by side. Wulverblade – Help Britannia defeat the Romans in Wulverblade, a hardcore side-scrolling beat-’em-up game inspired by old arcade classics of the ’80s and ’90s. Go it alone or team up with a friend in local two-player co-op.* It’s time to show the Ninth Legion what you’re made of! Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth – The Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth game chronicles the quest of a new adventurer as he or she attempts to reach the crown of the towering Yggdrasil Tree. Personalize your party to work to your advantage! With endless character customization, adventurers will cast and create their own party from four unique races and 10 different classes to explore the uncharted labyrinth. Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth will be available on Oct. 17. Activities: New My Nintendo Activities – A new fall color has arrived for the New Nintendo 2DS XL system, and we’ve got the perfect Home menu themes to go along with it! Whether you have a New Nintendo 2DS XL (White + Orange) or another member of the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, you can redeem your My Nintendo points for these seasonal and spooky Halloween themes to decorate your Home menu: Mario’s Halloween NES Halloween Link Animal Crossing: New Leaf Autumn Leaves Don’t forget to check out other Halloween-themed rewards, too! Fire Emblem Heroes – A New Update and More Events! To celebrate the free 1.8.0 update for the Fire Emblem Heroes mobile game, you can collect free Orbs up to 10 times from a Log-In Bonus until Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT. A new option, Sacred Seal Forge, has been added to the game. Using it, you will be able to both create new Sacred Seals and enhance existing Sacred Seals. See more details about the update here. Participate in the Voting Gauntlet: The Blood of Dragons until Oct. 14 at 8:59 p.m. PT. Experience Bound Hero Battle: Minerva & Maria until Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Special event Summoning Focus: Minerva & Maria’s Battle can be enjoyed until Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Super Mario Run – The new Super Mario Run free update is here, and there are LOTS of new things to discover. Remix 10, made of some of the shortest Super Mario Run courses you'll ever play, is here! There are also some new courses, a new playable character and a new feature that lets you listen to your favorite music while you play. New to Super Mario Run? Download it from the App Store or Google Play at no cost, and try elements of the game’s three modes for free. Save up to 50 percent off the full game price to celebrate the new version until 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 12. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS: New themes this week include: Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Theme Also new this week: Neon Chrome (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Oceanhorn – Monster of Uncharted Seas – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) UNBOX: Newbie’s Adventure (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) 88 Heroes – 98 Heroes Edition (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’95 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Don’t Knock Twice (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 17 The Flame in The Flood: Complete Edition (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Rogue Trooper Redux (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 17 Putty Pals (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 18 Little Adventure on the Prairie (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) Volgarr the Viking (Nintendo eShop on Wii U) Legend of Hero Tonma (Virtual Console for Wii U) Digital Champ Battle Boxing (Virtual Console for Wii U) MOTOROADER (Virtual Console for Wii U)
  5. The 3DS is getting its third Mario Party game, and possibly the most interesting one of the three. I can't help but wonder why it's making its way to the 3DS instead of the Switch, is it because they're working on a Mario Party 11? even then, I'd rather have two Mario Party games on the Switch instead of three on the 3DS. They could easily delay and polish Mario Party 11 to release at another date and Mario Party: The Top 100 would hold people over for at least a year. This game is just going to feel awkward getting released on the 3DS, combining the franchises home console and handheld mini games into one, that's 100% what the Switch is. I feel like they just decided to be lazy and not invest time into polishing the game to Switch standards.
  6. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Stardew Valley – You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness! Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions – There are so many surprises, thrills and laughs in store for Mario and Luigi that it isn’t even funny … except it is! Every hee-hee and ha-ha in this classic RPG adventure has been remade in 2D for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Plus, a new squad-based strategy tie-in sees Bowser’s Minions on a quest to stop Fawful. “Have you readiness for this?!?” Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions will be available on Oct. 6. LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – The renowned Layton series returns to Nintendo 3DS with the seventh installment, LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy. A new adventure packed with puzzles, mystery and humor introduces Katrielle Layton, daughter of the famous Professor Layton, in a casual, comical quizzical quest. Full of ingenious challenges, charming characters and clever plot twists, the newest installment will prove that “The truth is always stranger than fiction.” LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracywill be available on Oct. 6. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities: Halloween My Nintendo Rewards – Get set for Halloween with these spooky new rewards from My Nintendo. Here are our picks for Halloween and fall-inspired rewards for the month of October. Three days to save the world – Link’s shadowy tale: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (Nintendo 3DS) – 40 percent off Try out a new look for Halloween: Splatoon (Wii U) – 20 percent off Yoshi’s New Island (Nintendo 3DS) – 20 percent off Horribly scary battles: Sin & Punishment (Wii U) – 30 percent off Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (Wii U) – 40 percent off Epic adventures battling the darkness: Golden Sun (Wii U) – 30 percent off Golden Sun: The Lost Age (Wii U) – 40 percent off Halloween brain teasers that are frightfully challenging: Brain Age: Concentration Training (Nintendo 3DS) – 30 percent off Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition (Nintendo 3DS) – 30 percent off A pulse-pounding plummet down a well: Kersploosh! (Nintendo 3DS) – 40 percent off Special offers for RPG fans: Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (Nintendo 3DS) – 40 percent off Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS: New themes this week include: BOXBOY! 2.5th Year Anniversary Also new this week: Axiom Verge (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Earth Atlantis (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 10 Tiny Barbarian DX (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 10 OXENFREE (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 6 Tumblestone (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Volgarr the Viking (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Ninja Shodown (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO METAL SLUG X (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Symphony of Eternity (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  7. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch EA SPORTS FIFA 18 – The most immersive, social and authentic soccer game out there can be played anywhere on Nintendo Switch. Players can now play the world’s game anytime, anywhere and in unique ways when EA SPORTS FIFA 18 launches on Nintendo Switch on Sept. 29. Golf Story – Most role-playing games are about slaying dragons or retrieving mystical crystals, but what about an RPG that lets players equip golf clubs instead of swords? In this golf RPG (yes, it’s a thing), play through a dramatic story with a diverse cast of characters to meet, golf challenges to beat, upgrades to wear and equipment to collect. Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS YO-KAI WATCH 2: Psychic Specters – Get wicked and complete the definitive YO-KAI WATCH experience. The strange but friendly troublemakers, Yo-kai, are back in a time-traveling adventure, and this time their mysterious world is packed with exclusive quests, Wicked Yo-kai to befriend, new areas to explore and a revamped Blasters mode featuring new bosses. YO-KAI WATCH 2: Psychic Specters will be available on Sept. 29. Activities: My Nintendo Presents Nindie Game Gold Point Rewards – For the first time, My Nintendo users can redeem Gold Points for some of the hottest indie games on Nintendo platforms. For a limited time, you can redeem points to download select Nintendo 3DS and Wii U games from our talented independent developers. Users will receive a download code that can be redeemed in Nintendo eShop. BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Wii U) Zen Pinball 3D (Nintendo 3DS) Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo (Nintendo 3DS) Art of Balance (Wii U) Super NES Classic Edition My Nintendo Rewards – The Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition system launches Sept. 29! Play 20 classic Super NES games, plus – *gasp* – the never-before-released Star Fox 2 game! To celebrate the launch, My Nintendo is offering these rewards: Super NES Classic Edition Wallpaper Ultimate NES Remix (Nintendo 3DS) – 40 percent off NES Remix Pack (Wii U) – 30 percent off NES Jumping Mario Nintendo 3DS Theme We’re also celebrating the launch of Star Fox 2 with the Star Fox 2 wallpaper! Also check out these great deals: Star Fox Zero (Wii U) – 30 percent off Star Fox 64 3D (Nintendo 3DS) – 30 percent off Star Fox Command (Wii U) – 40 percent off Fire Emblem Heroes – Special Heroes are Here! – As part of the “Performing Arts” Summoning Event, running from Sept. 29 at 12 a.m. PT until Oct. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, receive special heroes that are part of a 5★ Focus. Add Azura: Lady of Ballads, Olivia: Festival Dancer, Shigure: Dark Sky Singer or Inigo: Indigo Dancer to the team and use their Sing and Dance skills to give other units an extra action in battle. No Orbs are needed for the first summon. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Also new this week: Conga Master Party! (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Tower of Babel (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) INVERSUS Deluxe (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO Burning Fight (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: COMBAT (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) PICROSS S (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Deemo (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Sparkle 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Oct. 3 Astro Bears Party (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Physical Contact: Picture Place (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Pankapu (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ONE PIECE: Unlimited World Red Deluxe (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 29 Binaries (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) BUTCHER (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Culdcept Revolt (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) – Available Oct. 3 Hive Jump (Nintendo eShop on Wii U) Super Ultra Star Shooter (Nintendo eShop on Wii U) Double Dungeons (Virtual Console on Wii U)
  8. This has been a long time coming. Ten years since her last mission—and one year after the ill-timed Federation Force spin-off—Samus Aran is back in action, albeit with a remake rather than a full-fledged new adventure. Don't be discouraged though; this is Metroid II like you've never seen it before. Metroid: Samus Returns uses the same basic structure as the Game Boy original but enhances and remixes the gameplay with a wealth of new content. Much like Metroid: Zero Mission and the original NES Metroid game, there is a world of difference in this remake. Samus Returns is a much more accessible but still satisfyingly difficult Metroid adventure. The game's story is unchanged: after the events of the first game which revealed the catastrophic danger that Metroids pose, Samus is tasked with destroying every last Metroid on their home world, SR388. That's basically it for Samus Returns. The developers didn't try to shoehorn in another subplot or awkwardly expand on Samus's character (though upon finishing the game fans are treated to some artwork that expands a bit on the game's mythos). Some things just don't need to be changed. Gameplay from a 1991 Game Boy game, however, could use a lot of changes. Samus Returns introduces a ton of quality of life improvements compared to the original. First and foremost, Samus finally has a map of SR388! Granted the original game was pretty linear, especially for a Metroid game, but Samus Returns fine tunes the exploration to be more in-line with other 2D Metroid titles. Each area of the game has plenty of interconnected passageways, all filled with secrets to uncover, and with the new map you can even leave yourself colored markers to remind yourself about a hidden item (the different colors are handy for designating what power-up you need to grab the item). Samus Returns also introduces Teleport Stations to make backtracking easier. Don't worry though, there's still plenty of backtracking here; teleportation just makes it a little easier to gather up those hidden items you may have missed when you didn't have the necessary weapon to uncover them. The developers have really done an incredible job of making the game easier to play without betraying the franchise's sense of challenge or the thrill of exploration. And yes, Samus Returns is a fairly difficult game. Part of that is just because you take so much damage from every hit, but again the developers have balanced the game to keep it in the "challenging but fun" region of difficulty. New to the game (and the series) is a parry/counter system. By hitting X just as an enemy attacks, Samus can parry the blow with a melee strike and get in some free shots on the stunned creature. Every enemy telegraphs their attacks, so it's just a matter of learning the right timing to counter well. It is super satisfying to shut down enemy attacks left and right, though the constantly rushing enemies can be a little exhausting after a while. Still, the melee counter system manages to feel right at home in Samus's arsenal, making the bounty hunter feel even more badass and rewarding the player's ability to time each attack well. The other major addition is actually four additions: the four Aeion abilities that Samus picks up on SR388. These aren't quite suit upgrades like the usual power-ups but they can be just as valuable, such as Lightning Armor which protects Samus from taking damage, or the Scan Pulse which reveals a portion of the map around Samus and even highlights breakable blocks nearby. These may sound overpowered but there are a couple of important notes here. One, the Aeion abilities are largely optional. There are a few instances where you need to use them, but something like the Scan Pulse can be completely ignored if you want to play a little more old-school. Two, Aeion abilities require Aeion energy, which drops from enemies the same as health energy. If you try to walk around constantly wearing Lightning Armor you'll find your Aeion energy depleting awfully fast. Managing this "ammo" keeps the difficulty balanced. Much like the melee counter system, the Aeion abilities feel perfectly at home in Metroid. They're fun, flashy tools that help Samus shred enemies and explore efficiently. Most importantly, the developers have nailed the flow of progression in Samus Returns, and abilities like the Scan Pulse are part of that. You never feel bogged down by the challenges ahead of you, or at a loss for what to do. The trickle of new abilities and power-ups give the game a perfect sense of flow that makes the game hard to put down. Any time you want to pause playing you'll find yourself compelled to explore just a bit more because you found a new upgrade and want to see what new secrets you can uncover with it. Samus Returns does an amazing job of keeping the player completely engaged from start to finish. Samus Returns also sees some overhauls in the controls, though of course the Game Boy original only had a couple of buttons to work with. The most notable new feature is 360 degree aiming, an unprecedented level of freedom for a 2D Metroid game, and it's yet another new feature that adds to the fast-paced flow of the gameplay. Is there an enemy slightly out of reach? You don't need to awkwardly line up a shot while jumping, you can take aim and snipe the creature from a distance. It takes a little getting used to but soon enough you'll wonder how you ever played Metroid without it. There are a couple of small annoyances with the controls, though. The lack of button remapping can be a little annoying, but this is likely to only really bother Metroid fans who have other games' controls hard-wired into their brains. What can be slightly more frustrating is the slippery sense of control. The D-pad is used for activating Aeion abilities so you move Samus with the Circle Pad, which feels imprecise, especially with how fast Samus can move. It makes it just a little too difficult to make Samus stop on a dime on small platforms, or inch to the edge of a ledge to line up a shot. You get used to it by the end of the game, especially when your wealth of suit upgrades means you don't have to perfectly aim at every little enemy that crosses your path, but it definitely makes the first hour or so of the game feel slippery. The last 2D Metroid game was Metroid: Zero Mission on the GBA, released thirteen years ago, so it shouldn't be any surprise that Samus Returns blows every other 2D Metroid out of the water in terms of graphics. Samus Returns trades sharp pixel design for more sprawling 3D graphics—a Metroid game environment has never felt more alive on a handheld system. The scenery is beautiful and only gets better as you progress through the game and the level of detail increases, hinting at the kind of life that once existed on SR388. The animation is also a lot of fun to just watch. Samus's fancy new moves aren't just great gameplay additions, they look awesome in motion as well. And the music, well, when you hear those familiar Metroid tunes you can practically feel the nostalgic parts of your brain light up. Even if you aren't a long-time Metroid fan you'll still appreciate the excellent arrangements that add ambiance to the exploration, intensity to the boss fights, and a wonderful electric energy to the entire game. With all of this added content and new features, you can expect a much longer adventure compared to the original. Most players will probably spend at least ten hours with the game, and that's not even factoring in backtracking to gather up all of the hidden items to hit 100% completion. Like all Metroid games Samus Return is ripe for speed-running, especially given how fast and fluid Samus's attacks are. Even after completing the game you may find yourself compelled to play again on hard mode, or try your hand at speed-running. Zero Mission was a massive remake for the original Metroid, making it far more modern and accessible to the average player. That's what Samus Returns does for Metroid II, while also pushing the 2D Metroid genre forward with new features that prove side-scrolling exploration is just as much fun today as it was thirty years ago. Metroid: Samus Returns pairs the thrill of discovery with intense, challenging boss fights topped off with the oh-so-satisfying melee counter system that will keep you glued to your 3DS. We can only hope that this is the start of another Metroid Renaissance. Rating: 9 out of 10 Metroids
  9. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Pokkén Tournament DX – Take direct control of one of more than 20 prized Pokémon fighters to defeat other Pokémon in arena fights. Call upon Support Pokémon to assist in the fight, then unleash your Pokémon's unique Burst Attack to climb atop the ranks. With new modes and new ways to battle with friends*, this is your chance to become champion of the Ferrum Region! The Pokkén Tournament DX game will be available on Sept. 22. SteamWorld Dig 2 – The SteamWorld Dig 2 game takes you on a platform mining adventure. When an old trading town is struck by mysterious earthquakes, it’s up to a lone steambot and her unlikely companion to uncover what trembling terrors lie beneath. Dig your way underground and explore vivid worlds riddled with treasure, secrets and traps. Flip Wars – Software Update – Fans that are enjoying the multiplayer fun of Flip Wars can now enjoy a free update. Once downloaded, the update adds a new stage, new mechanics, local wireless multiplayer, Class Matches and a new online** battle mode. Virtual Console on Nintendo 3DS Pokémon Gold Version / Pokémon Silver Version – When initially launched on the Game Boy Color system, the Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version games continued to expand the Pokémon universe, adding 100 Pokémon, held items, Pokémon eggs and real-time events thanks to an internal game clock. Now, a new feature lets you trade and battle Pokémon in 2D using local wireless on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version will be available on Sept. 22. Also, as a bonus for purchasing one of these great games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, Trainers will get a code*** that unlocks the Mythical Pokémon Celebi in their Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon game. Or, Trainers can hold on to the code and use it in either of the upcoming Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon games when they launch on Nov. 17. Purchase the Pokémon Gold Version or Pokémon Silver Version game in Nintendo eShop by Jan. 15, 2018, to receive a bonus digital code for a Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu theme inspired by the version you bought. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities: Pokémon Gold Version / Pokémon Silver Version – If you purchase Pokémon Gold Version or Pokémon Silver Version at either GameStop, Best Buy or Amazon.com, you will receive a bonus Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Versioninspired Nintendo 3DS HOME menu theme.**** Also new this week: LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 22 DRAGON BALL Xenoverse 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 22 Sine Mora EX (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 26 ACA NEOGEO Art of Fighting (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Arcade Archives Mario Bros. (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 27 Thimbleweed Park (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Soldam: Drop, Connect, Erase (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Frutakia 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) GUIDE THE GHOST (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) 36 Fragments of Midnight (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) Chew Man Fu (Virtual Console for Wii U) Shockman (Virtual Console for Wii U)
  10. Miitopia takes a light-hearted approach to the normally more focused RPG genre by making you and your Miis the stars of the adventure. The Tomodachi Life roots are clear—Miis frequently carry out little comical skits between battles, and the general tone of goofy Mii interactions feels like a natural progression from their original debut in Wii Sports up to Tomodachi Life and now beyond. Unfortunately the gameplay suffers from this approach. The simplified mechanics and chaotic structure of battles make Miitopia a particularly unsatisfying RPG. The peaceful land of Miitopia is turned upside down when a Dark Lord starts to steal people's faces. Only you and your band of Mii friends are capable of stopping the forces of darkness—classic good vs. evil stuff. Miitopia adds a twist by relying heavily on comedy, but it's a church-fundraiser type of comedy. There's nothing laugh out loud funny in the game; there are cute little scenes that are designed to make you smirk but have also been carefully whittled down to blunt any sharp edges. It's a decent effort at injecting a little personality into the game but comedy that is completely devoid of anything surprising or engaging is not a great formula for humor. However, the online Mii face database is easily the highlight of the game's personality. Players can upload their Mii face creations for other players to use, and as you might imagine there are some ridiculous—and impressive—faces to be found. It may be a simple type of humor but it's still amusing to make a Pikachu face the Dark Lord or Wario as the beautiful princess. By all appearances Miitopia is an RPG, but it might be more accurate to describe it as "RPG-like." It has the core elements down—turn-based battles, experience points, buying equipment—but manages to cut corners in numerous aspects. For one thing you only ever control your main character, although you can have up to four Miis in your party. And don't expect your AI teammates to behave optimally. Too often you'll see battles drag on because your teammates refuse to simply attack an enemy and instead they futilely use status ailments or spend turns recovering health. In a good-news-bad-news note, normal battles are so easy that all this wasted time doesn't matter much, but it can be a pain during boss fights. This also makes a lot of special effect skills troublesome, since your Miis might just fail to use them, or use them in weirdly inopportune times. It can be obnoxiously difficult to nail down a battle strategy when you can't guarantee what most of your party will be doing. Another weird quirk in Miitopia is that you have to buy each piece of equipment in a linear fashion. That is to say, you can't just save up your money and buy high quality equipment late in the game. You have to buy each piece one at a time, gradually increasing your strength. Equipment is also not shared among teammates, and equipment cannot be shared between job classes either. Possibly the weirdest part is the way you buy equipment: when you're at an inn your Miis might decide to go shopping for equipment, in which case you give them money and they go to the shop. However they might instead buy a healing item, squandering their shopping trip (thankfully you do get your money back since healing items are much cheaper than equipment). For really no reason whatsoever there's an element of randomness to buying equipment, which is Miitopia's attempt at being quirky but it's really just annoying. Finally there's the exploration aspect of Miitopia, which is basically nonexistent. On the overworld map you choose a node to travel to, then your Miis automatically walk along a linear path. Occasionally there are forks in the road which can yield different treasures but for the most part you only have limited control over your party's movements. Along the way you may run into a couple of enemy encounters, and then each node ends with a visit to an inn to restore all health and mana. It very much feels like an RPG stripped down to the barest elements, or like an instructional video showing the player how RPGs work: explore, fight, return to a base camp to recover. Rinse, repeat. The crazy thing about Miitopia is that there are some unique gameplay aspects which could be put to good use in the right circumstances. For one thing, every Mii in your party has a relationship level with every other Mii. As the level grows there are extra abilities unlocked—Miis might "show off" for another Mii and deal extra damage, or avenge a fallen friend by delivering a bonus attack to their killer. Conversely, Miis can get into arguments with one another—again in an almost completely random manner—sparking temporary fights that can also affect battle. It's such an unusual system to see in an RPG but it's interesting to see something like interpersonal relationships affect the flow of battle (even if this regrettably another example of random chance in Miitopia). Additionally, since you can't directly control your other Miis in battle, you can pause the battle at any time to dish out recovery sprinkles (in a limited supply) or put Miis in a safety spot where they can recover health and mana on their turn. This system is born out of the obnoxious can't-control-other-party-members feature but it does kind of keep you on your toes during big boss fights. These features are pretty novel for an RPG, even if they're in this game simply because Miitopia likes to throw random wrenches in the player's control. Miitopia overstays its welcome by several hours. It can take over twenty-five hours just to finish the story mode, and bizarrely the game repeats itself several times in specific places—the game easily could have been cut down. If the developers didn't want to give the player a full RPG experience they shouldn't have aimed for a full RPG length. If you do stick it out though there's a post-game that offers a bit more freedom and is therefore a little more satisfying to experiment with, but you're still looking at drawn-out battles with little control and linear exploration. The game's visuals aren't exactly pushing the 3DS to its limits, but it's a game populated entirely by Miis, it would have been foolish to expect anything elaborate. For what it is, the graphics in Miitopia are charming, though again the best aspect is the user-generated pool of Mii faces you can choose from to flesh out the world of Miitopia. The soundtrack at least has a bit more character and is satisfyingly energetic, though there's little that will keep you humming once the 3DS is turned off. Miitopia is not a game for RPG fans. This is a game for players who want a farcical adventure in the style of RPGs. Which is a funny premise, but unsustainable for more than a few hours, especially when the writing is so completely defanged. Tomodachi Life works because there isn't any real expectation of time commitment and the random events that your Miis carry out have little consequence. But in Miitopia, when your Miis decide to take a break in the middle of a turn-based battle, the randomness is just obnoxious. And making an RPG more tedious and beholden to random chance is undoubtedly a move in the wrong direction. As such Miitopia is in a weird position of requiring extra patience from the player compared to other RPGs, and yet offering little sense of accomplishment or reward. Rating: 6 out of 10 Miis
  11. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS Metroid: Samus Returns – Explore a hostile alien planet as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran. Her mission? Terminate the Metroid menace in a masterful reimagining of her 1991 Game Boy adventure. This intense, side-scrolling action platformer revitalizes classic gameplay with stunning 3D visuals and a wide range of new content sure to please both new and veteran players. The Metroid: Samus Returns game will be available on Sept. 15. Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition: Fans of Minecraft will have another way to play the hit creation game when it comes to New Nintendo 3DS systems. This portable version of the game comes with Survival and Creative modes, five skin packs and two texture packs. Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition is available now in Nintendo eShop. The packaged version will launch at a later date. Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch NBA 2K18 – The highest-rated annual sports game of this console generation comes to Nintendo Switch. Test your skills against friends* or RUN THE NEIGHBORHOOD with your MyPLAYER on the Road to 99. NBA 2K18 will be available in Nintendo eShop on Sept. 15 and in stores on Oct. 17. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities: YO-KAI WATCH 2: Oni Evolution Update (Version 2.0): Anyone that owns the YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits or YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls games can download a free “Oni Evolution” software update starting today. It adds the Yo-kai Watch Psychic Blasters mode with additional bosses to battle against, the chance to befriend new Yo-kai and more fun features. This update also allows players the ability to transfer save data from the YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits and YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls games to YO-KAI WATCH 2: Psychic Specters, which launches on Sept. 29. Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS: New themes this week include: Metroid: Samus Returns Samus Aran Also new this week: NBA 2K18 Legend Edition (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 15 NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 15 Robonauts (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 15 Semispheres (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Beach Buggy Racing (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Kingdom: New Lands (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) 36 Fragments of Midnight (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Quest of Dungeons (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO Spin Master (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Percy’s Predicament Deluxe (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) EARTHLOCK: Festival of Magic (Nintendo eShop on Wii U) Vigilante (Virtual Console for Wii U)
  12. Last year developer Renegade Kid split into two companies, and Chicken Wiggle marks the first 3DS game to be released under the new developer name, Atooi. Chicken Wiggle was created by the same people behind Xeodrifter and Mutant Mudds, and the similarities are apparent: old-school pixel design that focuses on simple but precise platforming. It's an adorable adventure but the highlight of the game is easily the level creator which allows players to upload their creations for anyone to enjoy, similar to Super Mario Maker. The imagination of its player base is what makes Chicken Wiggle shine. When a wicked witch kidnaps all of his friends, a young chicken teams up with a wiggly worm in order to ascend the witch's tower and rescue everyone. That's pretty much all the storytelling you're going to get out of Chicken Wiggle, but that's really all you need—a reason to climb through 48 platforming levels. The difficulty level here may not be on quite the same level as Mutant Mudds—and certainly not Mutant Mudds Super Challenge—but there are enough tricky moments to keep you on your toes. The important thing is, like Mutant Mudds, Chicken Wiggle nails the tight platformer controls that allow for precise movement. You never feel like the chicken is moving awkwardly or floating—if you make a mistake you can only blame it on yourself—and the grid-based design means you always know exactly how much wiggle room you have while avoiding obstacles or enemies. The most impressive part of Chicken Wiggle is the variety of gameplay possible. At first glance an old-school 2D platformer could easily rely on just a few quirks to sustain the entire game, but Chicken Wiggle manages to throw genuinely unique challenges at you in almost every stage. There are power-ups, locks and keys, and a handful of different enemy types which, although you only have one basic attack, sometimes require different approaches to defeat (and it's one-hit-kills for our chicken protagonist, so you can't rush in recklessly). There are switches, disappearing platforms, conveyor belts—Chicken Wiggle covers all of the essentials of platformer hazards, and serves as a great reminder that familiar obstacles can still be presented in new, challenging, and exciting ways. If anything it's surprising that the game only comes with 48 levels since the various game mechanics could easily sustain more. Which is what makes the level creator such an important part of Chicken Wiggle. In a sense, the main 48 levels are simply training stages to give you a glimpse of what kind of platforming is possible with these gameplay mechanics. With the level creator controls in your own hands you'll find that there is an incredible amount of variety and potential for all manner of 2D platforming here—the game gives you a ton of control over what kind of level you want to make. You can even change the win conditions so it's not just "reach the goal." Maybe you want to create a labyrinthine level where you need to collect all hidden diamonds to win, or a combat gauntlet where you need to defeat all enemies. All of this and more is possible in Chicken Wiggle, and you can already find a lot of great, creative, and challenging levels created by other players. Like Super Mario Maker you'll need to be prepared to invest some time into creating truly elaborate levels, but all of that potential is waiting there for you to enjoy. And if you want to play my own modest attempt at a simple level, you can use the game's search function to find it with these labels: Level ID: 645 Title: Cloud Nine Author: Eliwood8 As mentioned Chicken Wiggle has the same style of 2D pixel art design that characterizes previous Renegade Kid games. It's clear that Atooi has a knack for this art style—just a few pixels in the right place and Chicken Wiggle has a distinctive cartoony, kid-friendly look that feels right at home alongside classic 2D platformers from the 80s and 90s. The chiptune soundtrack feels like it was pulled right out of the past as well, and features some great simple, catchy songs. Sometimes working within the constraints of older technology helps bring out the best creativity. Don't let its unassuming style fool you—Chicken Wiggle is a solid little platformer born out of a love of all things retro. The base levels alone offer dozens of clever platformer challenges, while the variety of gameplay elements opens the door for an incredible wealth of user-generated levels. These player creations will have you shaking your head in disbelief at the kind of designs possible in what otherwise appears to be a simple 2D platformer. The nigh infinite replay value of Chicken Wiggle's level creator should be enough to entice any 2D platforming fan. Rating: 8 out of 10 Wiggles
  13. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS Monster Hunter Stories – When a monster strikes, the fearful hide. But the brave? They ride. Venture into monster nests to collect eggs and hatch a wide array of species with uniquely powerful skills. Form teams, battle alongside them, crush opponents with combo attacks and ride into the sunset a champion. Need more muscle? Then mix and match genes to create monsters with more abilities. The Monster Hunter Stories game will be available on Sept. 8. A demo version of the game is available for download now in Nintendo eShop. Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition – Rayman, Globox and the Teensies are off wandering through an enchanted forest when they discover a mysterious tent filled with a series of captivating paintings. As they look more closely, they notice each painting seems to tell the story of a mythical world. In this platforming classic, the gang must run, jump and fight their way through each world to save the day. The Rayman Legends Definitive Edition game will be available on Sept. 12. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities: My Nintendo Rewards – Celebrate the return of Samus with these themed Metroid rewards. Redeem points to get up to 50 percent off on select Metroid titles, including the original Game Boy classic Metroid II – Return of Samus game on the Virtual Console service on Nintendo 3DS, before you experience the new, reimagined Metroid: Samus Returns game for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Metroid II – Return of Samus (Nintendo 3DS): 30 percent off Metroid (Wii U/Nintendo 3DS): 50 percent off Metroid: Other M (Wii U): 50 percent off You can purchase the digital version of the Metroid: Samus Returns game on Nintendo eShop or Game Store on Nintendo.com, and redeem your Gold Points for the Metroid: Samus Returns Nintendo 3DS Home Theme (Nintendo 3DS). You can also redeem your My Nintendo points for these new custom wallpapers for your computer or compatible mobile device: Metroid: Samus Returns wallpaper A Metroid: Samus Returns wallpaper B Also new this week: Lichtspeer: Double Speer Edition (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Double Dragon 4 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) The Bridge (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO BLUE’S JOURNEY (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) NeuroVoider (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Physical Contact: 2048 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Crystareino (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) China Warrior (Virtual Console on Wii U) DETANA TWIN BEE (Virtual Console on Wii U)
  14. It was rumored a few weeks ago because of a firmware update but we've got an official date now: Miiverse is ending on November 7th at 10pm PT. You can see Nintendo's FAQ about it here. Even without the rumor it's not terribly surprising to see Miiverse end but it's still a little sad to see that aspect of the Wii U close forever. The FAQ details how Miiverse's demise affects some games:
  15. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch LEGO Worlds – The LEGO Worlds game is a galaxy of imaginative Worlds made entirely of LEGO bricks that lets players explore, discover and create together. Starter Worlds help players master the skills and tools they’ll need to unlock their true creative potential and explore myriad Worlds. LEGO Worlds will be available on Sept. 5. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities: Fire Emblem Heroes Choose a Special Hero for Your Army – Before the Fire Emblem Heroes mobile game launched, a Choose Your Legends event was held to determine the most popular Fire Emblem characters. Now special versions of the four winning Heroes can be summoned in game. Plus, to thank fans for their participation, we’re letting them pick whichever one of these four Special Heroes they like best for FREE (without using Orbs)! The one chosen will be summoned as a five-star Hero. Then, players can use Orbs for a chance to summon the other three Heroes. But act fast – this event ends Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Voting Gauntlet – The top eight finishers from the Choose Your Legends event are going head-to-head. Get in on the action before it ends on Sept. 5 at 8:59 p.m. PT. My Nintendo Rewards Celebrate a month full of Pokémon games with new My Nintendo rewards. On Sept. 22, the fast-paced fighting game Pokkén Tournament DX lands on the Nintendo Switch console. On that same day, two of the most beloved Pokémon games of all time, Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version, arrive on the Virtual Console service for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. To help celebrate, My Nintendo is offering some great, themed Pokémon rewards. Redeem your points now and get the new September calendar to help you prepare for the big day. Pokkén Tournament DX September calendar Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire (30 percent off) Pokémon Puzzle Challenge (30 percent off) PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure (20 percent off) Also new this week: League of Evil (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) R.B.I. Baseball 17 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available Sept. 5 Azure Striker GUNVOLT: STRIKER PACK (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO ZED BLADE (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Annihilation (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
  16. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle – A mysterious vortex has torn apart the Mushroom Kingdom, transporting the chaotic Rabbids into this once-peaceful land. To restore order, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Yoshi must team up with a whole new crew: four Rabbids heroes! Together, they will battle with weapons through four worlds filled with combat, puzzles and unpredictable enemies. The Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle game will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch console on Aug. 29. Activities: For customers in the United States and Canada, PayPal is now available as a payment option for digital content on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch! Linking your accounts will also allow you to use PayPal as a payment option on the Nintendo website when purchasing content for Nintendo Switch, Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Learn more here. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Also new this week: forma.8 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Piczle Lines DX (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO Puzzled (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
  17. Pikmin makes the leap to handhelds for the first time with Hey! Pikmin, a spin-off that trades the real-time strategy of the series for puzzle/platformer stages. This time Olimar isn't exploring vast areas with numerous paths and hazards but instead plays through 2D levels with pre-set Pikmin selections and a handful of treasures to find. Despite the change in gameplay the style of Pikmin is preserved: Hey! Pikmin is a charming adventure, even if it doesn't live up to the quality of the main series. Olimar may have the worst luck of any Hocotate Freight pilot. Once again his ship crash lands on a strange planet, and this time his ship is out of fuel. But as always Pikmin are here to help, and the treasures they collect can be converted into Sparklium fuel by Olimar's ship. Hey! Pikmin lacks the end-of-day journal entries found in other Pikmin games but it does have log entries describing all of the creatures and treasures Olimar finds. Just like the main series the log entries are the heart of the game: charming, funny, and sometimes introspective, it's always worth taking the time to read Olimar's notes. Additionally you'll occasionally see little skits play out in the middle of levels which have the Pikmin being their cute, curious selves. There's nothing plot related in these but they add to the game's charm. Much like Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash from a couple years ago Hey! Pikmin takes the 3DS as an opportunity to try something a little different, something more linear and platformer based. The change may disappoint long-time fans but as a puzzle/platformer Hey! Pikmin does a decent job. Within each stage you can find Pikmin and recruit them to help you progress. The Pikmin variety is the same as Pikmin 3, and each is used for specific tasks. Since you aren't selecting which Pikmin to bring into each stage there's no sense of planning or preparation in this game–if there's a fire hazard, the game gives you red Pikmin. You're also limited to at most twenty Pikmin in a level so Hey! Pikmin doesn't have the same sense of miniature army that the main series does. What the game does have is fairly typical platformer challenges, tailored to Pikmin abilities. If you need to climb a ledge you might need to use Pikmin to move a nearby platform, or if there is treasure in an out-of-reach spot you can toss Pikmin up to grab it and bring it down to you. Hey! Pikmin does make use of both 3DS screens which isn't seen often enough on the 3DS, but that still doesn't distinguish the game from many DS platformers. You do need specific types of Pikmin to overcome certain obstacles, but since the game gives you those Pikmin throughout the level–and will give you more if you happen to get your Pikmin killed–a lot of the exploration and treasure hunting feels a little simple. If Hey! Pikmin has one main fault it's that there isn't a lot that jumps out as particularly unique and exciting. The game is enjoyable enough for what it is, but it doesn't have the same depth of other Pikmin games or even other platformers. If you try to collect every treasure the game can be a tiny bit more challenging, and if you try to keep all twenty Pikmin alive throughout each level the game does have some tough parts, but the only incentive for no-death playthroughs is personal satisfaction. Hey! Pikmin is a fun but uninspired adventure. It doesn't help that there are a couple of small but annoying aspects of the game. Compared to their console counterparts the Pikmin in this game can be pretty dumb. The pathfinding system isn't quite as efficient as Pikmin can easily get stranded, plus you can't tell them to halt so sometimes they'll try to follow you to their own demise. What's more obnoxious is that Pikmin can't fight for themselves. You toss Pikmin in order to attack predators but if you miss the Pikmin will just walk into damage and get itself killed. This is mostly an annoyance with small enemies that can be hard to hit with the game's touch controls. Thankfully though, since the game gives you Pikmin if you ever fall too low, losing one or two is only a problem for completionists that insist on finishing a level with all twenty Pikmin alive. The controls require both the circle pad and the stylus, which means lefties are stuck using the ABXY buttons to move around. On the bright side though the game doesn't require highly accurate or quick controls so lefties can even get by using the stylus in their right hand. It's still a missed opportunity not to use the N3DS c-stick or Circle Pad Pro as an option, though. Since it's on the 3DS Hey! Pikmin isn't going to have the same beautiful scenery as Pikmin 3 on the Wii U, but the game's graphics are decent enough. Between the returning predator creatures and the new ones there are some good designs, and while the jagged edges of the models are unfortunate they're somewhat unavoidable on the 3DS. The music is in the same boat: it's decent, it gets the job done, but there's nothing particularly notable about it. You can finish Hey! Pikmin in around ten hours, which isn't bad compared to the other Pikmin games, especially for a spin-off. It's a shame there aren't any bonuses for collecting all treasures, but the log entries are reward enough most of the time. Additionally, Hey! Pikmin supports amiibo, including a brand new Pikmin amiibo. Once scanned you can collect amiibo as treasures in special stages, which is handy for bonus Sparklium but the real draw is having more log entries to enjoy. The Pikmin amiibo can also be used to summon extra Pikmin in a level (still twenty max) if for some reason you desperately need a few extra hands to help. Hey! Pikmin is a charming spin-off but don't expect the same depth as the main series. Outside of the cute Pikmin humor there isn't much to truly distinguish the game against other platformers, and the lack of real-time strategy gameplay makes the sense of Pikmin collection and selection moot. Hey! Pikmin is enjoyable as a somewhat easy, somewhat slow-paced platformer, but it doesn't leave much of a lasting impression beyond that. Rating: 7 out of 10 Sparklium
  18. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure – Embark on a perilous quest across the Overworld, to the End and beyond. With a team of friends at your side, and a troubled land in need of heroes, your decisions – what you say and do – drive the story around you, so choose wisely! The Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure game includes all five episodes of Season One and all three episodes of the Adventure Pass. The game will be available on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch on Aug. 22. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities: My Nintendo Rewards – The Flip Wars game for the Nintendo Switch console is now available. This tense multiplayer action game will have you stomping to flip over panels – and unwitting opponents! To win, flip the most panels to your color in local battles, online* or single-player. To celebrate the launch, we’re featuring My Nintendo rewards for players who love a good virtual battle. Redeem your points for 30 percent off: Tank Troopers (Nintendo 3DS): Choose a tank, pick troopers and battle your friends via local wireless**. Each trooper has a special ability, from electric shocks to healing. Deploy them tactically to win 30+ custom tanks with unique stats. Battle with bombs, on teams or in a free-for-all – but always fight! Fight! FIGHT! The Wonderful 101 (Wii U): Developed by Platinum Games, play as Wonder Red, leader of the Wonderful 100. Unite your band of Wonderful Ones to morph into powerful transformations such as a fist, sword, glider and gun to battle invaders throughout Blossom City and across the world. The Wonderful 100 – and YOU – are the city’s best weapon. You can also pick up the Smash Controller application on the Nintendo 3DS system for just 10 Gold Points. This application lets you use your Nintendo 3DS family system as a controller when playing the Super Smash Bros. for Wii Ugame – even without owning the Nintendo 3DS version of the game. Plus, you can redeem points for Flip Wars and Tank Troopers wallpapers. Interested in more action-packed, battle-based games? Check out the selection here. Also new this week: The Jackbox Party Pack (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) The Jackbox Party Pack 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) ACA NEOGEO Magician Lord (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Sky Ride (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Chicken Wiggle (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) Alchemic Dungeon (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  19. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Flip Wars – This tense multiplayer action game will have you stomping to flip over panels—and unwitting opponents. To win, flip the most panels to your color in local battles*, online** or single-player. The more you flip, the faster you’ll move in a mad dash to nab power ups. Increase your flip range, turn invincible, and more across three modes and 12 arenas. Sonic Mania – 2D Sonic is back in a new adventure. In a celebration of past and future, play as Sonic, Tails and Knuckles as you race through new Zones and fully re-imagined classics, each filled with exciting surprises and powerful bosses. Go head-to-head with players in Competition Mode or play in Co-Op Mode with a friend. Welcome to the next level for the world’s fastest blue hedgehog. Sonic Mania will be available on Aug. 15. Severed – From the creators of the Guacamelee! game and inspired by classic dungeon crawlers, Severed puts players in the role of a one-armed warrior named Sasha who wields a living sword on her journey through a nightmarish world in search of her family. Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS MONSTER HUNTER STORIES (Demo Version) – Venture into monster nests to collect eggs and hatch a wide array of species with uniquely powerful skills. Form teams, battle alongside them, crush opponents with combo attacks and ride into the sunset a champion. Need more muscle? Then mix and match genes to create monsters with more abilities. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals Activities Fire Emblem Heroes – Fans of the mobile game will see a flurry of activity this week. Starter Support Events: Beginner and veteran Summoners alike will have a chance to strengthen their armies. During this event, they can summon five-star versions of four popular Heroes, and enjoy special log-in bonuses. 1. Hero Fest: 12 a.m. PT Aug. 10 to 11:59 p.m. PT Aug. 17 at: Here comes a Starter Support Hero Fest to help out new Summoners. It features some great Heroes at a boosted starting appearance rate of 5 percent. 2. Log-In Bonuses: Now through 11:59 p.m. PT Sept. 10: You can earn up to 60 Orbs! Here’s how: Starter Support Log-In Bonus: Receive 20 Orbs if you log-in between now and 11:59 p.m. Aug. 24. Six-Month Anniversary Celebration Log-In Bonus Part 1: Receive 20 Orbs if you log-in now through 11:59 p.m. PT Aug. 21. Six-Month Anniversary Celebration Log-In Bonus Part 2: Receive 20 Orbs if you log-in between 12 a.m. PT Aug. 22 and 11:59 p.m. PT Sept. 10. New features coming to version 1.6.0: New mode: Arena Assault: In this mode, you’ll need to use a different team of Heroes in each map for a real challenge. New feature: Catalog of Heroes: Check out all the Heroes you’ve met so far. Plus, the Max Hero Merit limit has been raised from 2,000 to 3,000+. New updates: Tempest Trials Get Powered Up: The event runs 12 a.m. PT Aug. 11 until 11:59 p.m. PT Aug. 24. Auto-Battle will automatically continue until you clear all maps or your team is defeated. Team Management for Multi-Map Battles: You’ll be able to create up to 10 reserve teams. New Stage with level 10 foes. Score Bonus: Each day, you'll get triple the points the first two times you head into battle. Stat Boost for Bonus Allies: When you use Bonus Allies in Tempest Trials, they’ll get a 10-point boost to HP and a four-point boost to all of their other stats. They also will earn double experience and SP. Celebrate Kirby’s 25th Anniversary with activities throughout August – It’s been 25 years since Kirby debuted in the Kirby’s Dream Land game on the Game Boy system. That’s worth celebrating! You can redeem your points and get these celebratory Kirby 25th Anniversary items: Kirby 25th anniversary HOME Menu Theme (Nintendo 3DS) Kirby 3D anime video: “Right Back At Ya!” (Nintendo 3DS) A Kirby 25th anniversary wallpaper Also new this week: Phantom Trigger (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) IRONCAST (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Troll and I (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – available Aug. 15 ACA NEOGEO THE King OF Fighters 2000 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Rocket Fist (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Rayman Legends Definitive Edition (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) –Demo Version – available Aug. 14 Elminage Original (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) SOLDIER BLADE (Virtual Console for Wii U) Final Soldier (Virtual Console for Wii U) *Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately. **Nintendo Account required. Online services and features, including online gameplay, are free until the paid Nintendo Switch Online Service launches in 2018.
  20. Cordelia and Female Robin confirmed for Fire Emblem Warriors!
  21. The Fusion Suit's an awesome added feature, in a similar vein to how you could have it in Prime 1, though don't know how it'll change the difficulty in Samus Returns' case. Fusion itself was one of my most replayed of the 2D's for 100% speedruns and low % attempts, so the Fusion difficulty in SR will probably feel right at home for me in that sense.
  22. The 3DS eShop will soon have another retro platformer from the developers behind Mutant Mudds and Xeodrifter. Atooi's Chicken Wiggle will launch on August 17th for $14.99/€14.99 in North America and Europe. The game stars a young chicken toting his best friend, a worm, in his backpack–anyone else getting flashbacks to Banjo-Kazooie? The pair work together to take on the game's eight worlds of 2D platformer stages, plus you can create your own levels and share them online. If Chicken Wiggle is anything like Atooi's previous games there should be plenty of classic platformer challenges to enjoy here.
  23. This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch Retro City Rampage DX – The Retro City Rampage game reimagines the open-world crime genre of the ’80s. Rampage the city, steal cars or play over 60 Story Mode missions. This remastered pop culture sendup features a full Story Mode of open-world missions, along with Arcade Challenges for quick pick-up-and-play action. Explore the city by foot or by car, and discover minigames, customizations, collectibles and special guest stars. Nintendo eShop sales: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch I Am Setsuna – Download the authentic JRPG style of yesteryear on the Nintendo Switch console and save 33 percent for a limited time. Offer ends Aug. 10 at 8:59 a.m. PT. Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals. Activities Celebrate Kirby’s 25th Anniversary with activities throughout August – It’s been 25 years since Kirby debuted in the Kirby’s Dream Land game on the Game Boy system. That's worth celebrating! Fans can enjoy up to 25 percent off select digital Kirby games for the Wii U console and Nintendo 3DS family of systems now through 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 8. The full list of games is here. While we’re enjoying 25 years of Kirby, there’s another famous Nintendo series having an anniversary right now: The Star Fox 64 game was released a little more than 20 years ago! With the long-awaited release of Star Fox 2 coming on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition system on Sept. 29 as well, we thought it was the perfect time to celebrate all things Star Fox with some My Nintendo rewards. Check out some of the great stuff you can get with your My Nintendo points! Star Fox Zero (Wii U) 30 percent off Star Fox 64 3D (Nintendo 3DS) 30 percent off Star Fox Command (Wii U) 40 percent off This month’s game picks are Nintendo exclusives from a wide variety of genres! With discounts of up to 50 percent off, now is a great time to try these fun titles you might have missed. An epic action RPG: Pandora’s Tower (Wii U) A quirky classic: Earthbound Beginnings (Wii U) Two top tower defense games: Dillon’s Rolling Western (Nintendo 3DS) and Dillon’s Rolling Western: The Last Ranger (Nintendo 3DS) Also new this week: ACA NEOGEO AERO FIGHTERS 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Slime-san (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) GUNBARICH for Nintendo Switch (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) STRIKERS1945 for Nintendo Switch (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Puzzle Adventure Blockle (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Use Your Words (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) Infinite Minigolf (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) VoxelMaker (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS) Flight of Light (Nintendo eShop on Wii U) ******************************* I already own Retro City Rampage so I'm probably not going to re-buy it but if you don't already have it I highly recommend it. Perfect for anyone that loves pixel art, GTA, and the 80s. Kinda nice to see Nintendo throw a little attention toward Pandora's Tower, even if it's just through a My Nintendo reward. I wonder if there's any chance of that game ever getting a sequel or any kind of follow up. Also I'm working on a review for Slime-san which hopefully I can finish tonight, so look for that tomorrow!
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