Happy 120th Birthday, Nintendo!

Today is Nintendo's 120th Birthday! It's hard to beleive isn't it!


Nintendo started all the way back in 1889. They were originally a playing card company. The name 'Nintendo' translated literally means 'Leave Luck to Heaven'. The company tried to find it's own speciality for many years (they even created their own love tester!) before becoming one of the most suuccesful videogame companies to date.


Head Past the Break for a Nintendo Retrospective!








1889-Present Day

Nintendo marketed their own trading cards and created their own playing card game known as 'Hanafuda'. While it may be one of Nintendo's least known specialities, the company still manufactures trading cards in Japan today.








1956- 1975

Nintendo started to expand its market and create children's toys. Popular toys included the Love Tester, the ultra hand and even light gun shooting games!














1975- Present Day
Nintendo launched it's videogame success with the arcade game: Donkey Kong. This game was the first to feature our heroic plumber (then known as Jumpman) and that loveable ape!


The success of Donkey Kong led to many licencing deals with other companies. It was after this that Nintendo released the Game and Watch: A small portable game with an LCD screen.

The Game and Watch was an instant success and one that would shape the way the company would create videogames.


In 1983 the company launched the Family Computer (Famicom/NES) alongside one of the best, most memorable and influential games to date: Super Mario Bros.


Then, in 1989, Nintendo released the Gameboy; the company's most successful device ever made. Mostly due to the Tetris game released alongside it.


In 1990 Nintendo released the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). An attempt to get with the current generation. The Super Nintendo was another incredible hit despite blatant competition by SEGA.

Nintendo then Continued to take control of the market with their contribution to 3D gaming: The Nintendo 64.

Well Known for it's launch title, Super Mario 64, the console spawned some of the best games on any system. With titles such as The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, Banjo Kazooie, Goldeneye, Super Smash Bros, Perfect Dark and more!
Despite having some big competition (Playstation) the N64 pioneered the way games were made from then on.








In 2002 Nintendo released it's fouurth console: The Nintendo Gamecube. While the console had several classic masterpeices, the console didn't sell well. Most likely due to tough competition (Xbox,PS2) coupled with its lack of third party support.
Great Titles on the system included Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Mario Kart Double Dash and more!






In 2006 Nintendo released the Wii; a motion controlled gaming system that was a world of difference from Nintendo's previous offerings. Nintendo tried to appeal to all types of gamers with games with varying difficulty and type. This led to incredible worldwide sales for the console, although this is often what it is criticised for. Hardcore gamers claim that Nintendo is forgetting about the gamers that bought the NES and the SNES, and are instead focusing on the young and elderly.

Nevertheless though the Wii introduced several unique features and differentiates itself from other consoles quite well. Great games for the system include Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and more.


2009-Beyond

 

 What's next for Nintendo? With the Nintendo DSi's recent release and the Wii's recent price drop, where can we expect Nintendo to be? That, readers, is the question. Maybe Nintendo will last another 120 years!

Happy Birthday Nintendo!

New Super Mario Bros Release Date- Nov. 5 (US)

In a recent press release Nintendo announced the US release date for New Super Mario Bros: November 5. Which is the same release date as a well known little FPS.

Also announced in the press release was a Wii price drop. It's been said that PAL regions won't get a price drop but will instead get Wii Console Game bundles. Although this is a rumour.

Easiest Boss Ever

From the game: 'The Incredible Hulk' for the Sega Genesis/Megadrive, is a boss fight that is so laughable. Watch the video above.

Spirit Tracks American Release- December 7

We're getting close to Christmas, so you know what that means; a new Nintendo game of course.


Spirit Tracks official American release date is December 7, just like last year Nintendo is trying to take advantage of the holiday season. This business strategy does work, but the game will sell millions any way.


For a Retrospective December Wii Releases, head past the jump.








Lets have breif look back at Nintendo's christmas releases:


December 2008:


Animal Crossing: Lets Go to the City























December 2007:


Wii Fit

Super Paper Mario

Wii Music

Metroid Prime 3 Corruption

December 2006:

Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess

When will Nintendo sop releasing big games during Christmas? Probably never.

Scribblenauts- The Hype is over

So Scribblenauts is here, but does it live up to the hype created by excited gamers, and bold claims?

Somewhat.

While it is a heap of fun to play, for some reason I was expecting a lot more. Too much hype really can't do a game justice. But not enough hype will mean not enough people will know about the game and therefore cause mediocre sales.

Although Nintendo may never have this problem. Not because they produce games of the highest quality (they do), but because Nintendo can do as little advertising as they want or give away only the tiniest snippets of information about a new Zelda game or Mario game and the world will still be in absolute pandemonium about the game.

Take, for instance, Super Mario Galaxy 2. All we've seen so far is one trailer but people are already pre-ordering and making fan sites.

Expect a review of Scribblenauts soon.

Super Mario 64 Review

Ask anyone what their favourite game of all time is and chances are its Super Mario 64; the game that revolutionized the platforming genre and introduced gamers to the third dimension.
Super Mario 64 DS is basically an updated version of the classic N64 game. You’re probably wondering why Nintendo didn’t just make a sequel to it on DS. But the benefits are clear. Super Mario 64 wasn’t perfect so making a portable version that fixes its mistakes and adds more levels is like music to any Mario fan’s ears!

Jump Past the break to continue reading the review!





The game starts off in similar way to the original. Peach sends a letter to Mario telling him that she baked a cake for him. Of course, being the overweight stereotypical plumber that he is, Mario rushes to the castle. Only this time his underappreciated brother (Luigi) and his morbidly obese arch nemesis (Wario) accompany him.

The three beloved Nintendo Characters get lost and it’s up to Yoshi to save each one of them so that they’re playable throughout the quest.
Since each character has certain traits (Luigi can walk on water for some unexplained reason!), the level opportunities have increased adding a lot more thought to the puzzles. Despite this, Mario is still the most used character.

The game now has 30 more star missions than the original, making a total 150 star missions. This means that this may end up staying inside your DS card slot for months. But don’t get too excited.


The original Super Mario 64 was heralded for its perfect controls for the move into the third dimension. The analog stick had a precise level of control that meant that if you lost you definitely couldn’t blame the controls. SM64DS is different though. The NDS doesn’t have an analog stick and using the D-pad for a game like this often makes you wish you were playing the original. It just doesn’t cut it. There is an option to control your character with the touch screen but that gets annoying after five minutes.

Also included with SM64DS are the minigames. It’s a good thing too because this was one of the only launch titles to not feature stylus control as its main feature. The minigames are stylus based and at least they give first time DS users a chance to see what all the fuss is about. The minigames are fun for the most part but some are more pointless than others. (Remember kids, gambling is good for you!)

Finding all the stars in the game is where the fun is though. The sense of accomplishment you get once you collect every star is only rivaled by the sense of accomplishment you get once you beat The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. But believe me, getting every star is no easy task but it is definitely worth it in the end.

Super Mario 64 DS has gotten a welcome graphical upgrade. Character models are much smoother, colours are much more vibrant, and textures are much better. It’s like the sequel it never had! As always the music is spectacular and memorable as well.

Super Mario 64 DS isn’t completely different to its predecessor. But for what it lacks in uniqueness, it more than makes up for in playtime. Sure the controls are frustratingly suited for 2D games, and some people would argue that this kind of gameplay is dated; but by golly Mario is back baby!

Gameplay: 9.5
Story: 8.7
Presentation: 9.0

OVERALL: 9.0

“Must have DS game for hardcore gamers”

Nintendo E3 2009

It's that wonderful time of year again! Once again the Electronic Entertainment Expo delivered many surprises from all gaming companies. And one company that pretty much gave fans (almost) everything they want. Nintendo.
Head Past the break for full E3 coverage
 

Super Mario Galaxy 2

The biggest game revealed by Nintendo was once again explained to the audience, similar to the original Super Mario Galaxy.

The trailer sees the return of the Bee suit and more themed levels (snow, big things (left), etc.). But the biggest surprise was Yoshi's return! As seen in the trailer there will be many gameplay mechanics that can be used while riding Yoshi. It apears that when Mario is riding Yoshi, shooting star bits with curser is replaced with shooting Yoshi's tongue at enemies and hooks. Also shown in the trailer was a new suit that drills into planets.










New Super Mario Bros Wii

Also announced at E3 was the sequel to the very popular DS game of the same name: New Super Mario Bros.

At first glance it looks like a prettier version of the original, but the cooperative multiplayer component looks promising












Metroid: Other M
Nintendo announced another continuation of the Metroid Series with Metroid: Other M. The title is intriqueing. The whole game is intriguing actually. The game is being developed by Team Ninja, the company responsible for the Ninja Gaiden series. This change in direction definitely shows with a completely new look and art style, coupled with retro style gameplay (sidescrolling).






For full coverage head over to http://www.e3expo.com/