Crash Bandicoot on DS: The Game That Almost Was
I’m finally starting to feel old. It feels like just yesterday that Crash Bandicoot was the face of Sony and the PlayStation brand, but the days of Crash games being Sony exclusive are now long gone now, and at one point the unthinkable almost happened: Activision almost commissioned an exclusive Smash Bandicoot game for Nintendo DS.
After acquiring the rights to Crash, Activision approached developer Renegade Kid (Mutant Mudds) about creating a DS Crash adventure, but the game was ultimately scrapped. However, the DS game (rumored to be titled Crash Landed) did not completely vanish, as footage from an early demo of the game has recently surfaced. Hit the jump to get just a taste of what could have been.
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Producer Interview
Nintendo recently released a video interview with Jason Michael Paul, executive producer of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concert tour. He describes fans’ connection with the series and its music and how the tour has been one of the most exciting partnerships of his career, as well as the “Second Quest” second season which has just kicked off in the U.S.
Click below to check out the interview – he hints that music from future titles might even make an appearance!
Media Create Sales: Shin Megami Tensei IV Tops the Charts
Shin Megami Tensei IV (which hits the US on July 16) got off to a fast start in its first week on the Japanese market, selling a respectable 188,562 units at retail. The popular RPG was one of four new titles in the top five this week. Meanwhile, one game managed to crack the top twenty three times, and another popular title finally dropped out of the top five. Hit the jump to catch the breakdown of this week’s Media Create sales in Japan.
Nintendo Clarifies Official Stance on Player-Created Video Content
There’s a sense among game companies that Let’s Play videos represent a threat to their business. In a day and age where story-driven content is everywhere, being able to just click into YouTube and actually watch a game’s story without actually buying or playing it could potentially cut off sales. And it’s true – I’ve seen plenty of people avoid buying a game and instead defer to watching the core story on the Internet.
Nintendo’s been taking YouTube a lot more seriously lately, which made a lot of LPers nervous that they’d start cracking down on Let’s Play videos – which are technically derivative works of copyrighted material and could be blocked outright in conformity with the law if Nintendo wished. However, Nintendo’s stance is a bit different.
Nintendo Digital Download: Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move
The Nintendo Digital Download this week shows some fun with a game from the Mario and Donkey Kong™: Minis on the Move series. It’s a spinoff from the series that has over 180 puzzles to solve, and four different puzzle modes to choose from.
This week also features a demo for the Wii U with Resident Evil: Revelations. This is an HD remake of the Nintendo 3DS title, with additional content including a new enemy and extra difficulty mode. The demo will become available on May 14th, so get ready for some monster fighting action.
You can find more information on the rest of the Nintendo Digital Downloads here as well.
Media Create Sales: 3DS Dominates Hardware and Software Charts
This week’s hardware and software sales numbers are in for Japan, and the 3DS has snagged the top spot yet again. Despite increased sales from a price cut, Sony’s PS Vita still lags behind both models of the Nintendo handheld. Meanwhile, the top-selling game of the week in Japan is a title you may have never heard of. Hit the jump to catch the breakdown.
Team Plasma’s Deoxys Event Live for Pokémon Black and White 2
Looking to spice up your team in Pokémon Black 2 or White 2? Game Freak has you covered. The newest Wi-Fi event, available until May 31 in the US and Europe, nets players a level 100 Deoxys with a pretty impressive arsenal of attacks. Read on to catch all the details.
Media Create Sales: Wii U Still Struggling in Japan
Last week’s numbers are in for hardware and software sales in Japan, and it’s a mixed bag for Nintendo. The 3DS continues its stay at the top of the charts, but the Wii U’s numbers have slipped even further. Meanwhile, on Sony’s end, the Vita has gained a small amount of traction, but the handheld still isn’t selling at the rate Sony had anticipated.
Hit the jump to catch the numbers and our breakdown.
Nintendo Online Store Selling Refurbished 3DS, DSi Models
Looking for bargains on a Nintendo DSi or 3DS, but you don’t want to get burned on a second-hand product that’s not up to snuff? Nintendo is now selling “Authentic Nintendo Refurbished Products” on their official online store at discount prices. The list of items available includes various different DSi and 3DS models – some as standalone products and some bundled with games – for prices ranging from $99.99 to $169.98. Hit the jump to get a look at some of the deals.
Nintendo Announces New Tour Dates for ‘Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses’
Nintendo’s popular The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concert tour is about to kick off its second season, including a return trip to eight of its previous destinations within the next few months. Those who saw the show in its last season can look forward to new performances of the Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and A Link to the Past story-in-music movements, as well as looks at some of the less-represented titles such a Link’s Awakening and Majora’s Mask.
Click below for a list of upcoming concert dates.
Nintendo Extended Online Services Maintenance Today, Likely Preparing for Wii U Update
Nintendo is performing “extended maintenance” for its online stores today from 1pm to 7pm Pacific Time, likely in preparation for the Wii U System Update due later today and the subsequent launch of the Wii U Virtual Console tomorrow. In conjunction with the service, Wii U, Wii, 3DS, and DS online stores will all be unavailable.
For those of you who are obsessively checking your Wii U to see whether the system update is available yet, you might want to wait until maintenance concludes at 7pm Pacific Time.
Source: Nintendo
Some Nintendo Online Services Undergoing “Extended Maintenance” Monday and Tuesday
In addition to routinely scheduled maintenance, some of Nintendo’s online services will be undergoing “extended maintenance” early next week. This maintenance will affect all of Nintendo’s online capable systems, including the DS, 3DS, Wii, and Wii U consoles. Read on to see what services will be affected, and when you can expect some downtime.
