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/

Awesome Master Sword Stylus

This Nintendo DS stylus is pure awesome contained within a tiny white stick. It's the Master Sword carved to perfection!

This is one stylus you don't want to lose between the couch cushions!

World of Goo Review

In a world of sub par Wiiware titles, Wii users have often been given the least entertainment in downloadable content, and Nintendo haven’t helped this much with their own games. It’s a massive surprise then, that an independent developer would come out of nowhere and produce a game that laughs in the face of it’s rivals.
Head past the break for the full review.





World of Goo is a puzzle game in which the player has to construct a tower using Goo balls to reach a pipe to suck up the goo balls. The catch is, every string of Goo you construct has to use one of your Goo Balls which means you’ll have to think strategically in where your going use your Goo Balls.



If that wasn’t enough though, every level has it’s own unique twist added in, one level has the goo balls on the ground, the pipe is above, but their both separated by spinning gear that can easily kill your Goo.
The game also includes a large number of different Goo Balls. Some that can be attached and detached from the string, and others that act almost like drops of water.


The Game controls by pointing the Wii Remote at the screen and selecting your Goo Balls to drag over to different strings. The camera moves where your curser moves. That’s it! All you’ll be using for the games control system is the A button! This simplicity in design really does mean anyone can come to grips with the game in a few minutes.

Even if you’re not a puzzle game fan you’ll probably still enjoy this game. This game’s premise is very fresh and is always changing, and if you think the first levels are too easy, simply play through the later ones (trust me you’ll be left scratching your head on more than one occasion). There’s also one more mode other than the main mode in the game. It’s aptly name ‘Obsessive Completion Disorder’. Once you’re in a level simply, pause the game click on the OCD button and it’ll tell you what you need to do to complete it for the level. Most of the time these challenges raise the difficulty quite a bit, although they’re usually about using the least amount of Goo Balls as possible.

My one and only complaint with the game is that wen trying to select an individual Goo Ball among the other kinds of Goo balls, it’ll be difficult because they’re always moving around each other, but that problem seems unavoidable in a game like this.

Majora's mask coming to Virtual Console in Japan

One of the most controversial and critically acclaimed Zelda titles will be released in Japan! It's price (like Ocarina of Time) will be 1,200 wii points, and it's inevitable release here has excited a lot of fans.

Phantasy Star has also been announced, as well as Castlevania 3, Kirby's Dreamland 3, Ninja Gaiden and Space invaders!


In other news, It's been revealed that 'Punchout' will include balance board supports to detect dodging and create a more challenging experience.

GDC Updates

The Game Developers Convention brought a lot of surprises. But in case you missed any, I'll show you all the Nintendo news.

DSi and DSi only game cards announced
New Legend of Zelda

Virtual Console Arcade

The Virtual Arcade will all0w Wii users the chance to play very old classics that aren't available on any other system in the present day.

Games Announced for VCA

• Gaplus (Namco Bandai): 600 Wii Points -- available now
• Mappy (Namco Bandai): 500 Wii Points -- available now
• The Tower Of Druaga (Namco Bandai): 500 Wii Points -- available now
• Starforce (Tecmo): 500 Wii Points -- available now
• Space Harrier (Sega) -- coming soon
  
• Solvalou (Namco Bandai) -- coming soon

Wii Storage Solution

Along with the update (4.0), the Wii's virtual console storage will only be limited by the size of your SD card, in the SD card channel.

Proffessor Layton 2 planned for North America



Bye GDC! Seeya next year!

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks announced!

The Game Developers convention brought on quite a few surprises from Nintendo, but none as surprising as this.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks looks to continue the Phantom Hourglass series on the DS in an all new way.

Spirit Tracks will see players controlling a train travelling across the land (An incredible first for the series). The gameplay will involving the trains cannon similar to how you would in using the ship in Phantom Hourglass.

Here are some facts:

• The game will let you control Phantoms, the previous major enemy of Phantom Hourglass, during gameplay.
• The game will be playable on all versions of the Nintendo DS
• New items will be available. One of such is shown in the trailer and appears to be similar to the Gale Boomarang from Twilight Princess.
• Some dungeons will grant you the use of Phantoms for Puzzles and Combat.
• The game uses the same cel shaded graphics as Phantom Hourglass.
• Link will use his train to travel around the world.

Here's the trailer!

Club Nintendo Available to Australia!

YAY!

Club Nintendo is finnally available on teh internets for everyone!

Sooo, that's pretty much it...

Game and Watch collection coming to Australia

Game and Watch collection has been rated by the Aussie OFLC ratings board witch means this Club Nintendo exclusive is going to be available in Australia.

The game is a Collection of three or more classic Game and Watch games except reworked a little bit to suit the DS. This being such a small game it's ideal for a prize and Club Nintendo to reward Nintendo fans.

But Australia is the only country that still doesn't have a Club Nintendo, even though it was announced for us before America.

What is Club Nintendo?

Club Nintendo is a prize service that rewards customers for buying Nintendo games or products. Every eligible game has a special Club Nintendo card which has a unique code. Once you enter this unique code on the website, you will be awarded with points. With this points you can buy prizes of the site.

Here are some great prizes available on the Japanese and European Site

Official Super Mario Galaxy Soundtrack

Your custom Mii engraved on you Wii remote battery cover

Mario Statue

Official SNES Classic Controller

Link Statue

Whether Club Nintendo is started in Australia anytime soon is questionable.