potatoTay
May 3, 2017
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ans of the popular platformer Crash Bandicoot are thrilled for the remaster that comes later this summer. The game is due to release exclusively on Sonys Playstation 4 on June 30th, 2017 at 39.99 USD. The game is currently on sale and can be pre-ordered here
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The developer Vicarious Visions and publisher Activision have released new gameplay coming from the “Sewer or Later” level in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex strikes back. You can check out the gameplay below.
- May 2, 2017
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]nimal Crossing fans have been waiting for a new title in the series for years. It was said at one point that Nintendo planned on bringing the beloved IP to mobile devices. Nintendo recently had a financial results briefing, in which the company has reconfirmed the release of the Animal Crossing Mobile app for this fiscal year. The following information is an official translation from the financial results briefing in March.
Reggie President of Nintendo North America has recently made some statements for future Animal Crossing Games on Nintendo Switch. You can read his interview right here.
Tatsumi Kimishima (current Nintendo president) on promoting Nintendo IPs for the long term:
“As we continue to provide consumers with new surprises through the integrated hardware/software dedicated video game business with Nintendo Switch and other initiatives, our thoughts regarding expanding the number of people who have access to Nintendo IP stem from our desire to provide opportunities for consumers to experience Nintendo IP (including in situations outside the dedicated video game business) and take an interest in our dedicated video game business. Of course, we are hoping to profit from businesses using our IP through licensing fees and other sources. However, our main goal is to generate synergy with the dedicated video game business.
We hope that the theme parks will be a place where anyone, including children and families, will be able to get together to enjoy a variety of fun experiences. They will be a valuable place where children, adults, and the elderly can have fun experiencing Nintendo IP together. For these reasons, we think that connecting businesses using our IP to new offerings in our integrated hardware/software business will lead to expanding our business as a whole and are planning from that perspective. Our attitude toward the visual business is exactly the same. We believe that even consumers who would not normally be interested in games will be able to experience Nintendo IP with others, such as family and friends. In this way, we consider opportunities for consumers to enjoy experiencing Nintendo IP to be extremely valuable and will continue to actively develop our visual and theme park businesses.”
Kimishima on Animal Crossing Smartphone app for mobile devices:
“As I discussed during the previous Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we will release the Animal Crossing application for smart devices during this fiscal year. We will announce the specific release date before we commence distribution”
Source: Nintendo PR
- May 1, 2017
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is no surprise that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a big win for Nintendo. However, how big of a win is it?
The game has sold 459,000 combined package and digital sales since it’s launch on April 28th. This sets a new record for the fastest selling title in the Mario Kart series. The previous record holder for the highest first-day sales in the franchise was Mario Kart Wii, with U.S. sales of approximately 433,900 when it launched in 2008. The sales of Mario Kart 8 deluxe equate to a 45% attach rate. What this means is that nearly one in two switch owners in the United States owns Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The reviews for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are off the charts. It is currently sitting at a nice 93 on Metacritic. The score is the highest that the franchise has seen in 15 years-tying the score of Mario Kart: Super Circuit for Game Boy Advance. The game has also surpassed the Zelda: Breath of the Wild sales on amazon!
With Legend of Zelda and now Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo is primed for a great start going into the summer, with E3 being later this year.
Source: Business Wire
- May 1, 2017
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]intendo is trying to keep up with consumer demand. The switch has been a hot item since it’s release date on March 3, 2017.
Nintendo has decided to “switch” up how it is shipping out the console from China. Normally, Nintendo ships out the Switch via ship which is a slow method. However, due to high demand, Nintendo has decided to ship out some consoles via aircraft which is quite costly. It is estimated that it costs around $45 dollars per console to ship out this way.
Shipping via aircraft seems to be a one time exception as they have resumed shipping the consoles via sea from this point forward.
It is nice to see that Nintendo is taking the demand for their product seriously. Let us hope that they can better anticipate consumer demand for future systems instead of creating an artificial shortage.
- Apr 30, 2017
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]any developers do not consider making their games more accessible to everyone regardless of their physical limitations. There are times where you hear about the rare exception with an indie title or about a company making a controller specifically to help someone.
However, Mario Kart 8 being the triple A title that it is, has features that help make the game more inclusive with children and those less fortunate. The smart steering and auto accelerate may be an annoying feature to some but to others, it is a most welcome change.
A prime example of more inclusivity is this story about a little girl named Molly. Molly’s father said to Kotaku:
“Thanks to Mario Kart’s new Auto Drive feature, she can now steer with her left hand and let the game drive for her or vice versa. I’m sure this feature will be an annoyance to many, but for my daughter, who would otherwise not really be able to participate, it is the best feature ever added to a Mario Kart game. She is currently sitting in my living with my other 2 kids and my wife and all of them are playing Mario Kart and laughing their heads off. This is truly a day I won’t forget thanks to Nintendo.”
It is truly wonderful that Nintendo chose to include these features on Mario Kart 8. Let us hope that others will follow in Nintendo’s footsteps.
For gameplay footage of Mario Kart 8, we recommend viewing our article here.
- Apr 29, 2017
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]intendo’s newest console of late is the 2DS XL. The console launches in July, but due to Nintendo’s track record lately with supply (think mini Nes and the Switch), consumers have a right to be concerned.
However, Nintendo’s own Reggie Fils-Aime recently spoke with The Verge about the supply of the 2DS.
He said “We think we’ve estimated for New Nintendo 2DS XL pretty well, and we’re confident that the consumer who wants to buy it on July 28th is going to be able to do that. We get it right more times than we get it wrong. But sometimes we get it wrong.”
The new console launches on July 28th and will retail for $150. The console will feature a shell design similar to the 3DS XL along with an NFC reader for Amiibo. It will also feature an AC power adapter and a 4GB Memory Card.
For more information regarding the 2DS, we recommend viewing our 2DS XL round up here.
- Apr 29, 2017
[dropcap]K[/dropcap]nuist & Perzik, the developer behind Wuppo, have recently announced plans to bring the game to Playstation. The game will be available on Playstation 4 this summer.
In Wuppo, you play as a Wum. You are exiled and go on an adventure through the World of Wuppo. Various civilizations rule the World of Wuppo that you encounter along your journey. Along the way, you fight enemies, collect loot, and solve puzzles. Wuppo has a fun, charming art style that is accompanied with cute soundtrack. It is a 2D action adventure platformer with RPG and narrative elements.
The developer released an announcement trailer with various reviews and a brief look at gameplay inside the World of Wuppo.
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