Topics

31

Game Blog / Mini Mario is the star of new Mario vs. DK cover art

« on: February 12, 2015, 10:54:36 PM »

Though Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars will be a digital-only release in the U.S. and Europe, the pack shots released today by Nintendo of Europe show that they plan to sell download codes at retail stores as well.

Releasing a game case just to hold a download code might seem silly at first, but having something physical in stores will help drive more sales. And with its bold red background and a Mini Mario that seems to be popping out of the cover, this package is sure to catch the eyes of shoppers.


In Japan, Nintendo will include the actual Wii U game disc or 3DS game card in the cases, which means that the neat artwork won't be obscured by the "Hey, you're only buying a download code!" notices.


And now, a question for our readers: Would you rather buy the game case for a code, or save the extra step and order it from the eShop?

32

Game Blog / Altered Super Mario Bros. appears on The Daily Show

« on: February 05, 2015, 02:49:16 PM »

The Daily Show host Jon Stewart has spiced up his jokes with Mario references before, but last night's show included one with a twist.

In the first segment, while joking about how Senator Mitch McConnell looks like a turtle, a few seconds of Super Mario Bros. gameplay was shown, featuring a green Koopa Troopa on a pipe in World 1-1. If you're familiar with the game, you might have noticed something odd: There's not supposed to be a Koopa Troopa there.

Here's a screencap from Comedy Central's stream:


And here's the section from World 1-1 that was shown, with correct enemy starting points, taken from our map of the level:


Assuming The Daily Show didn't make their own Super Mario Bros. ROM hack just for that one segment, the source of the footage is unclear. Did they grab the footage from somebody else's ROM hack? Or do they have really good video editors with lots of SMB experience? Tell us what you think in the forums, or, send us an email and we might include it in our next mailbag article.

For more "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Mario references, visit our TV sightings section.

33

Game Blog / Nintendo Direct delivers Mario news deluge

« on: January 14, 2015, 11:20:50 PM »

Today's Nintendo Direct was packed with release dates, game announcements, and amiibo news. Let's take a look at what's new in Mario's world.

* Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Edition was announced for Japan a week ago, and today's Direct revealed a Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Edition combo pack for North America, Europe, and Australia. The two-game set is currently scheduled for a May release.

* A Super Mario series of amiibo was unveiled. The lineup includes six figures: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, and Toad. They will look different than the Super Smash Bros. amiibos, and, like some of the Smash Bros. figures, they can be used to open an Amiibo Party Mode in Mario Party 10. The Toad amiibo will unlock an 8-bit Toad sprite hunt in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker in a future game update.

* Starting today, you can download Super Mario Galaxy 2 from the eShop and play it on your Wii U -- without going into Wii Mode. More Wii game downloads will be available in the future, including Donkey Kong Country Returns. Nintendo has Super Mario Galaxy 2 priced at half off ($9.99) for its first week on the eShop. Donkey Kong Country Returns will release in Japan on January 21, and in Europe on January 22.

* Mario Party 10 release dates were announced: March 20 in North America and Europe, March 12 in Japan, and March 21 in Australia. A limited edition bundle with a Mario amiibo packed in is also planned.

* The Mario vs. DK game shown at E3 2014 is now called Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. Nintendo also announced a 3DS version today, and if you purchase the Wii U version you'll get a free download code for the 3DS version, and vice-versa. Both versions will launch in North America on March 5, in Japan on March 19, in Europe on March 20, and in Australia on March 21.

What are you most excited about? Let us know in the forums!

Links:
Nintendo Direct 01.14.2015 (NOA)
Nintendo Direct 2015.1.14 (NCL)
Nintendo Direct 14.01.2015 (NOE)
Nintendo Direct 14.01.2015 (NAL)

34

Latest News / Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition coming to 3DS

« on: January 08, 2015, 01:53:22 PM »

A Super Mario Bros. version of Puzzle & Dragons is headed to Nintendo 3DS, GungHo Online Entertainment announced yesterday. Physical and digital copies will be released on April 29 in Japan. An overseas release was also confirmed by the developer, but no date has been set.

GungHo previously developed Puzzle & Dragons Z, a Japan-only 3DS game released on December 12, 2013.

Links:
Official game site
@PuzzDragNA

35

Latest News / Super Smash Bros. soundtrack partial track list revealed

« on: October 29, 2014, 01:30:32 PM »

Sixty of the seventy-two total tracks in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. two-disc soundtrack CD were revealed in last week's Nintendo Direct. Below, we have transcribed all the track names shown in the video. Note that the track order and names may not be final.

3DS music disc:

* Menu [Original]
* How to Play [Super Smash Bros. Melee]
* Ground Theme / Underground Theme [Super Mario Bros.]
* Super Mario 3D Land Theme / Beach Theme [Super Mario 3D Land / Super Mario Bros.]
* Try, Try Again [Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]
* Kongo Jungle [Donkey Kong Country]
* Stickerbush Symphony [Donkey Kong Country 2]
* Gerudo Valley [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]
* Full Steam Ahead [The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks / The Legend of Zelda]
* Brinstar [Metroid]
* Obstacle Course (Spring/Summer) [Yoshi's Island]
* Green Greens Ver. 2 [Kirby's Dream Land]
* Corneria [Star Fox]
* Star Wolf's Theme / Sector Z [Star Fox 64]
* Battle! (Trainer Battle) [Pokémon X / Pokémon Y]
* N's Castle Medley [Pokémon Black / Pokémon White]
* Mute City Ver. 3 [F-Zero]
* Id (Purpose) [Fire Emblem Awakening]
* Wrath of the Reset Bomb [Kid Icarus: Uprising]
* Tortimer Island Medley [Animal Crossing: New Leaf]
* Jogging / Countdown [Punch-Out!! (NES)]
* Gaur Plain [Xenoblade Chronicles]
* You Will Know Our Names [Xenoblade Chronicles]
* Balloon Fight Medley [Balloon Fight]
* Tomodachi Life [Tomodachi Life]
* PAC-MAN (Club Mix) [PAC-MAN]
* Trophy Rush [Original]
* Multi-Man Smash [Original]
* Credits [Original]
* Online Practice Stage [Original]

Wii U music disc:

* Battlefield [Original]
* Super Mario Bros. Medley [Super Mario Bros.]
* Athletic Theme / Ground Theme [New Super Mario Bros. 2]
* Egg Planet [Super Mario Galaxy]
* Gear Getaway [Donkey Kong Country Returns]
* Donkey Kong Country Returns (Vocals) [Donkey Kong Country Returns]
* Ballad of the Goddess / Ghirahim's Theme [The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]
* Main Theme / Underworld Theme [The Legend of Zelda]
* Ocarina of Time Medley [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]
* Temple Theme [Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]
* Title [Metroid]
* Ending [Yoshi's Story]
* The Great Cave Offensive [Kirby Super Star]
* Theme from Area 6 / Missile Slipstream [Star Fox 64 / Star Fox Command]
* Battle! (Team Flare) [Pokémon X / Pokémon Y]
* Battle! (Champion) / Champion Cynthia [Pokémon Diamond / Pokémon Pearl]
* Route 10 [Pokémon Black / Pokémon White]
* Fight 1 [Fire Emblem Gaiden]
* Destroyed Skyworld [Kid Icarus Uprising]
* Stage Select [Pikmin 2]
* Xenoblade Chronicles Medley [Xenoblade Chronicles]
* Plaza / Title [Animal Crossing: City Folk / Animal Crossing: Wild World]
* Tour [Animal Crossing: New Leaf]
* Light Plane (Vocal Mix) [Pilotwings]
* PAC-MAN'S PARK / BLOCK TOWN [PAC-MANIA]
* PAC-MAN [PAC-MAN]
* Master Hand [Original]
* Credits (Smash Bros.): Ver. 2 [Super Smash Bros.]
* Menu 2 (Melee) [Super Smash Bros. Melee]
* Results Display Screen [Super Smash Bros.]

Currently, the soundtrack CD will only be available to Club Nintendo members who have registered both the 3DS and Wii U versions of Super Smash Bros. by January 13, 2015.

Links:
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50-Fact Extravaganza (NOA)
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50 Must-See Things (NOE)
Club Nintendo soundtrack CD offer (NOA)

36

Game Blog / Mario news from E3 2014

« on: June 10, 2014, 10:14:21 PM »

Earlier today, Nintendo announced Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Maker, Mario Party 10, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong, all for Wii U. Captain Toad's game is due out later this year, and the others will launch sometime in 2015.

New footage was shown from Yoshi's Woolly World, which used to be known by its working title "Yarn Yoshi."

Nintendo's E3 Digital Event also unveiled a line of NFC figurines called "amiibo." According to Nintendo's E3 site, amiibo connectivity is currently planned for Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Party 10, and Yoshi's Woolly World. The first wave of figures will be released near the end of the year for the holiday shopping season.

Finally, release dates were announced for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS: October 3, 2014 for North America, and September 13, 2014 for Japan.

Link: Nintendo @ E3

37

Latest News / New Super Mario Bros. 2 'special edition' Nintendo 2DS bundle coming to Europe

« on: June 04, 2014, 02:13:14 PM »

A Nintendo 2DS bundled with a digital copy of New Super Mario Bros. 2 will launch in Europe on July 4, Nintendo of Europe announced Tuesday. According to the press release, New Super Mario Bros. 2 will come pre-installed on the memory card, along with all 30 Coin Rush add-on courses for the game. The Nintendo 2DS system will be the standard "White + Red" color variation.

This is the first Nintendo 2DS Mario bundle to be released by Nintendo. Details about pricing and any plans for a North American release have not yet been announced.



Link: NOE press release

38

Latest News / Super Mario Bros. 3 dated for North American Virtual Console

« on: March 26, 2014, 12:59:47 PM »

Super Mario Bros. 3 will launch on both Wii U and 3DS Virtual Console on April 17, according to a press release from Nintendo of America.

The Wii U version has been available in Europe and Japan since December 2013. The 3DS version was released first in Japan on January 1, 2013, then in Europe on December 26, 2013.

Link: NOA press release

39

Latest News / Donkey Kong Jr. climbs into Club Nintendo

« on: February 10, 2014, 11:30:43 PM »

Club Nintendo is offering Donkey Kong Jr. for 3DS Virtual Console from today through March 9. Members can exchange 150 Coins for the download code.

Mario also appears in the other three games that were added to Club Nintendo today: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Wii Virtual Console; 200 Coins), PiCTOBiTS (Nintendo 3DS via DSiWare; 150 Coins), and Punch Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (Wii U Virtual Console; 200 Coins). These games will also be available until March 9.

Link: Club Nintendo rewards catalog

40

Game Blog / The Year of Luigi's million sellers

« on: January 30, 2014, 04:01:03 PM »

Luigi's 30th anniversary year has ended, and the sales data is in. Three games released last year featuring Mr. Green 'Stache sold more than one million copies worldwide: Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, New Super Luigi U, and Super Mario 3D World. Additionally, Mario Kart Wii, which launched in 2008, sold over a million units in 2013, bringing its lifetime total to over 35 million.

Yesterday, Nintendo released an updated list of some of its million-seller titles for Wii U, 3DS, and Wii. Here are the games featuring Mario, Luigi, or DK that were listed, along with the global units sold in millions through December 2013.

* Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS) - 1.43
* Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS) - 3.79
* Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (3DS) - 2.00
* Mario Kart 7 (3DS) - 9.35
* Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 35.26
* New Super Luigi U (Wii U) - 1.51
* New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS) - 7.63
* New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U) - 3.89
* Super Mario 3D World (Wii U) - 1.94

This year, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Yoshi's New Island, and Mario Kart 8 are the next games set to be released. Which one do you think will sell over a million first? Let us know what you think in our forums!

Link: Supplementary Information about Earnings Release (.PDF) (NCL)

41

Latest News / Mario Kart 8 coming in May

« on: January 30, 2014, 01:28:34 PM »

Mario Kart 8 for Wii U will release worldwide this May, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced yesterday during a financial briefing in Japan. Nintendo first set Mario Kart 8's launch for spring 2014 when it was unveiled last June during E3.

Link: Corporate Management Policy Briefing / Third Quarter Financial Results Briefing (NCL)

42

Latest News / Yoshi's New Island release date announced

« on: January 10, 2014, 12:22:45 PM »

Yoshi's New Island will launch in North America on March 14, Nintendo of America announced today in a press release. Arzest is developing the game, which will be the third in the "Yoshi's Island" series.

Link: NOA press release

43

Site Discussion / Need some info from the Wii U + Mario + Luigi bundle

« on: November 06, 2013, 04:36:22 PM »

If you have this bundle, we have a request. We're looking for scans/photos (scans preferred) of the front and back of the game case and the front of the game disc. If you don't have a scanner or camera, please send me a PM.

44

Latest News / Mario and Luigi Wii U bundle coming in November

« on: October 23, 2013, 02:30:35 PM »

A Wii U Deluxe Set bundled with New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U will launch on November 1, Nintendo of America announced today. Both games come on one disc and are included at no additional cost.

In Europe, the bundle is dubbed the "Mario & Luigi Premium Pack" and is set for release on November 8.

Links:
NOA press release
NOE news

[Super Mario 3D World]

45

Game Blog / Nintendo Direct Mario news round-up

« on: October 01, 2013, 03:59:38 PM »

Today's Nintendo Direct webcast provided updates on upcoming Wii U games, including Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Below, we've compiled some of the announcements from the North American, European, and Japanese Nintendo Directs. Additional information is from a press release e-mail from Nintendo Australia.

Super Mario 3D World
* A new cherry power-up creates a clone of your character who automatically mimics your movements.
* Launch dates were announced for Japan (November 21), Europe (November 29), and Australia (November 30). A November 22 release date for North America was announced back in August.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
* Originally set for release in December, Tropical Freeze is now scheduled for February 2014 in North America, and early 2014 in Europe and Australia. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata explained that more development time is needed "in order to deliver the optimum gaming experience."

Mario & Sonic at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games
* The game will have an online mode with worldwide rankings by country.
* In North America, there will also be a Wii Remote Plus bundle version available at launch.
* Mario & Sonic will release in North America on November 15, in Europe on November 8, in Australia on November 9, and in Japan on December 5.

Links:
Nintendo Direct 10.01.2013 (NOA)
Nintendo Direct 01.10.2013 (NOE)
Nintendo Direct 2013.10.1 (NCL)