Star Fox Zero, Star Fox Guard
Nintendo PR has released a recap of previously known details about Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard, but also included some new information and screenshots. You can find it all below:
Star Fox Zero
In the action-packed universe of Star Fox Zero, the TV displays a cinematic view from behind the Arwing while the Wii U GamePad puts players straight into the gunner’s seat, complete with immersive audio and intuitive motion controls for pinpoint aiming. A range of training missions help new recruits to master the game’s unique two-screen gameplay, and as their skills improve, players can return to these training missions to rack up better scores, then take what they’ve learned into the main game to discover new areas and beat their previous best performances.
As players progress through the game they’ll be able to return to earlier missions to find hidden collectibles and alternative routes that offer brand new challenges. For instance, the standard route through the bioweapon-filled planet Fortuna ends with a climactic battle against the imposing Monarch Dodora, but after clearing a certain story mission, confident pilots can return to Fortuna and choose to branch off in pursuit of Star Wolf instead. With multiple paths through the game bringing new challenges and surprises, there’s one to suit every skill level and play style. The Star Fox Zero Squadron trailer on YouTube gives a new look at the action of both Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard.
It’s also mentioned how the Falco amiibo lets players unlock the Black Arwing, whic has more powerful weapons but weaker defenses. Meanwhile, the Fox amiibo unlocks the retro Arwing, which is modeled after the original Star Fox game, “complete with retro music, to be used in the first Corneria stage”.
Screenshot gallery:
Star Fox Guard
Launching alongside Star Fox Zero is the companion game Star Fox Guard, which puts players in the ultimate security guard job – defending mining sites against waves of robot invaders. The TV screen displays a bank of 12 surveillance camera feeds, each monitoring a different part of the mining site, and it’s up to players to switch between cameras to spot enemies and blast them before they reach the central tower It’ll take supreme awareness and multi-tasking skills to fend off the relentless robot approach, so it helps to have friends on-hand to call out camera numbers that show approaching enemies. Help is also on hand via the Fox and Falco amiibo, which can each be tapped once per day to call in team Star Fox for a powerful air strike that destroys attacking robots.
Successfully clearing missions bestows rare metals, which count towards unlocking additional missions and cameras with special abilities, like slowing enemies down or freezing them in place, adding another layer of strategy to the action. My Squad mode also lets keen tacticians create and upload their own enemy attack patterns to challenge others around the world, or take on other players’ best efforts. Meanwhile, the Star Strategists feature is updated every day to offer a popular challenge from across the globe.
Screenshot gallery:
Besides this new batch of info, Nintendo also released new trailers for the game in all three main regions. The European one is specially lenghty, so might be more interesting to watch, but the North American one re-used the E3 2015 puppets to an amusing degree. You can find them below:
https://youtu.be/7H1JqHUKQiY
https://youtu.be/74CfuHA2-yI
Meanwhile, several new videos containing gameplay footage of the game have been uploaded by various sources. Digital Foundry also did another frame test analysis for Star Fox Zero. You can find the videos below, but beware of potential spoilers though:
Finally, we have another interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, this time by Australian publication Stack. In it, Miyamoto discusses revisiting Nintendo franchises while trying to appeal to new/old players, the GamePad integration, the game’s Arcade More, story writing, and some other topics. You can find the interview over here, in case you are interested in giving it a read.
Hyrule Warriors Legends
The panel Nintendo hosted at WonderCon 2016 for Hyrule Warriors Legends, with Yosuke Hayashi (producer) and Hiroya Usuda (director) from Koei Tecmo, has now been uploaded. A complete recording of the event can be found below, which includes the trailer for Medli.
Splatoon
A new update is coming to Splatoon next week. Nintendo announced that version 2.7.0 will be made available (requires 764 MB), and eight weapons (Sheldon’s Picks Vol. 1) are being added as well.
The Sheldon’s Picks weapons will drop at the following times on April 12 (April 13 for those in Europe). :
– 7 PM PT
– 10 PM ET
– 3 AM in the UK
– 4 AM in Europe
And here’s a rundown of four of the weapons featured in Sheldon’s Picks Vol. 1:
Wasabi Splattershot
This beauty is a Splattershot set featuring a few key adjustments by Sheldon. The main weapon is pretty much the same as before, but Splat Bombs amp up its frontline capability. Alternatively, try calling in an Inkstrike to scatter the opposition and give your teammates the advantage. This is just the set for the discerning Inkling looking for something spicy!
Berry Splattershot Pro
Don’t let the tasty paint job fool ya! This remixed Splattershot Pro includes Suction Bombs and Bomb Rush to help punch through the opponent’s defenses, letting you finish things off with the great firing range of the main.
Fresh Squiffer
Fresh Squiffer is a Classic Squiffer retooled to allow a different approach. Pairing Suction Bombs with the Squiffer makes it even easier to get the upper hand in battle, and you can quickly turn the tables on foes with the Kraken! Definitely not a set for squids who are afraid to get their tentacles dirty!
The Permanent Inkbrush
The Permanent Inkbrush is a set remixed by Sheldon to include the high-powered sub of Splat Bombs while retaining the great mobility of earlier models. Recommended for aggressive Inklings with an uncontrollable urge to wreak maximum havoc. Watch out for the Kraken special!
You can also find some screenshots of these weapons and the Splatoon 2.7.0 patch notes below.
New weapons
- Eight new weapons added, available in the weapon shop Ammo Knights
- Please note: the new weapons will appear in the shop following the release of the software update.
Splatfest adjustments
- Changed the initial Splatfest Power value for rank S+
Weapon adjustments
- Adjustments to main weapons, sub weapons and special weapons, as well as changes to attacks that reveal enemy positions. Click here for more information.
Stage adjustments
- Saltspray Rig: Adjustments to prevent players from taking certain shortcuts in all modes.
- Bluefin Depot: Fixed a problem where players could go inside a certain object in Rainmaker mode.
- Flounder Heights: Adjustments to prevent users from taking certain shortcuts in Tower Control mode.
Fixes for issues in battles
- Fixes an issue wherein players could perform a Super Jump while holding the Rainmaker if their connection speed was exceptionally slow.
- Fixes an issue wherein on rare occasions players near to a Splash Wall wouldn’t suffer damage, even before the Splash Wall is activated.
- Fixes an issue wherein if a placed Suction Bomb comes into contact with a Splash Wall and explodes, sometimes the blast damage would go beyond the Splash Wall.
- Fixes an issue wherein opponents completely hidden by obstacles in the way could be hit by an Inkzooka or Rainmaker attack fired upwards.
- Fixes an issue wherein Splash Walls would sometimes not take damage when hit by an Inkzooka or Rainmaker attack.
- Fixes an issue wherein players could hit opponents on the other side of a Splash Wall with a Rainmaker attack, depending on the position where it hits the Splash Wall.
- Fixes an issue wherein if multiple players set an Ink Mine at the same time, they would sometimes explode on their own, despite not being painted in the opposing colour, no opposing players being close and their maximum time before automatically exploding not being reached.
- Fixes an issue wherein players could take damage from a friendly Ink Mine, depending on their relative position.
- Fixes an issue wherein when aiming at a Kraken on the ground the display wouldn’t change to a cross to indicate it would hit, despite the crosshairs being over the target, and where Seekers would not follow Krakens.
Other changes
- Introduces several enhancements to improve the user’s experience and enjoyment
Additional information
- This update is required in order to play online.
Super Mario Maker
Super Mario Maker has recently received a new update, bringing the game up to version 1.42. Nintendo states that “A number of issues have been fixed to make for a more pleasant gaming experience”. 354MB of free space are needed to download the update, and it’s required in order to access online features.
The company’s support page also has new guidelines covering course deletions. They might not help all users determine why their creations were taken down, but the guidelines still cover a few main topics. These include low stars, levels with bugs, requesting stars from others, and inappropriate content. You can find the full guidelines below.
- Low stars/plays
- After a fixed period of time, courses with low stars/plays will be automatically deleted from the server.
- Bugs
- Courses that include bugs that were unintended by either the course creator or the developers will be deleted. It’s important that we remove levels with bugs quickly, because letting these levels remain in Course World can lead to negative outcomes for many players such as players experiencing levels in unfair ways that the original course creator did not intend, or re-writing “World Record” times.
- Requesting stars from other users
- Courses that are explicitly asking for stars from other players will be deleted. For example, users are unable to use words “Like”, “Yeah!”, and the “★” symbol in their course names. Please change the course name when saving a course that includes these words.
- Inappropriate Content
- Courses that contain something inappropriate, such as offensive language or phrases will be deleted.
- Other behavior in violation of the Nintendo Network Code of Conduct. Please note that repeated violations can result in additional penalties.
Meanwhile, Polygon has released a new video in its “Devs Make Mario” series, and in this latest entry, Mega Man producer Keiji Inafune designed a level in the game. Check it out below:
Amiibo Dioramas
Nintendo has revealed two amiibo diorama kits it will be releasing in Japan. These are based on Smash Bros. and Kirby, and will both be sold starting on April 28. Pricing is set at 864 yen each.
With the Kirby diorama, a bundle will also be available. Customers will receive the diorama and the figure from the Kirby series amiibo for 2,160 yen.
You can find some package shots of these dioramas in the gallery below:
Pokémon X & Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Those subscribed to the Pokemon Trainer Club newsletter, will be receiving codes via e-mail for Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres their Hidden Ability. This is the first time you can get these Pokémon with these abilities in your Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire games, so make sure to get them. These will be sent to European players next month.
Here’s the official announcement video:
Pokémon GO
A field test for Pokémon GO recently started in Japan, but those in Australia and New Zealand will also be able to give the game a go “later this month”, according to developer Niantic.
If you live in either one of these territories, you can sign up for the field test here, but keep in mind that doing so doesn’t guarantee access.
Some new footage from Pokémon GO was also leaked during the week. You can take a look at it in the video below, by YellowSwellow.
Miitomo
A new version of Miitomo can now be downloaded on iOS. Version 1.1.1 fixes several issues, according to Nintendo, and is a 59MB download.
Miitomo version 1.1.2 has been out on Android since last week, and also fixed a number of issues with the app.
Miitomo has been doing very well according to most analysis of the app’s performance, or so says Nintendo Life and GamesBeat.
In countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, it has done very well thus far. The app has seen most of its success on iOS, as it remains the top free app in iPhone in both the US and UK. It’s within the top five in Germany as well.
App Annie notes that Miitomo is among the leading 100 top grossing apps in the US and, at the moment, it sits at the 87th spot. This indicates that a decent amount of users are speding real cash on in-game coins.
Similar Web points out how Miitomo created high levels of engagement per user. Those who have downloaded the app in Japan have shown that they’re keeping it and are using it regularly.
Similar Web shares the following analysis:
Japanese app users have taken to the app almost immediately, and as of April 2nd, 3% of all Japanese Android devices had Miitomo installed on them. Since its release, these users have been spending an average of over 22 minutes a day on the app, and have made it the 13th most popular social app in Japan. Furthermore, our recent Uninstalls Report showed that many apps lose their users within the first 3 to 7 days, which does not seem to be the case with Miitomo, as the app is showing an above average retention rate early on.
Meanwhile, industry-tracking firm Sensor Tower says that Miitomo was downloaded 1.6 million times in the United States between March 31 and April 3. This figure accounts for both iOS and Android. However, it doesn’t include downloads when Miitomo was at the top of both platform’s charts.
Miitomo has started to dip a bit, but this was to be expected. Sensor Tower has Miitomo at the tenth spot on iOS, for example.
51% of Miitomo’s installs originated in the United States, which is quite a large gap over other territories. While Great Britan, France, Germany, and Canada were the other top regions, they all represented less than 10% of the total downloads each.
Overall, seems like Miitomo is doing fine thanks to its attention retention capabalities.
Virtual Console
Nintendo released official eShop trailers for Pokémon Snap and Densetsu no Starfy 3 on the Japanese Wii U Virtual Console, and for Donkey Kong Country 2, Pilotwings, and Super Metroid on the Japanese New 3DS. You can watch them below:
eShop
Nintendo has started a new sale on the North American eShops, where a bunch of titles have been discounted across Wii U and 3DS, most of which by up to 30%, until April 21 at 11:59 AM ET / 8:59 AM PT.
Here’s the full lineup of discounted games:
Wii U
Art of Balance – $6.29 (was $8.99)
Badland: Game of the Year Edition – $8.39 (was $11.99)
CastleStorm – $4.99 (was $9.99)
Duck Hunt – $3.49 (was $4.99)
DuckTales Remastered – $4.99 (was $14.99)
Extreme Exorcism – $8.99 (was $12.99)
F-Zero – GP Legend – $4.89 (was $6.99)
Final Fight One – $5.59 (was $7.99)
Konami Krazy Racers – $4.89 (was $6.99)
Mach Rider – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Mario Kart 8 – $41.99 (was $59.99)
Mario Party 10 – $34.99 (was $49.99)
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash – $34.99 (was $49.99)
SteamWorld Dig – $6.99 (was $9.99)
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 – $13.99 (was $19.99)
Teslagrad – $9.99 (was $14.99)
Trine Enchanted Edition – $10.49 (was $14.99)
Wii Fit U – $20.99 (was $29.99)
Wii Party U – $28.19 (was $39.99)
3DS
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. – $28.19 (was $39.99)
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden – $20.99 (was $29.99)
Galaga – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Gunman Clive – $1.39 (was $1.99)
Inazuma Eleven – $13.99 (was $19.99)
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 – $2.79 (was $3.99)
LEGO Jurassic World – $13.99 (was $19.99)
The LEGO Movie Videogame – $13.99 (was $19.99)
Mach Rider – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team – $28.19 (was $39.99)
Mario Kart 7 – $20.99 (was $29.99)
Mario Tennis Open – $28.19 (was $39.99)
Mighty Switch Force! 2 – $4.19 (was $5.99)
Paper Mario: Sticker Star – $28.19 (was $39.99)
Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition – $20.99 (was $29.99)
Shin Megami Tensei IV – $13.99 (was $19.99)
SteamWorld Dig – $5.99 (was $8.99)
Story of Seasons – $29.99 (was $39.99)
Super Dodge Ball – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward – $11.99 (was $24.99)
Nintendo has also uploaded a new video showcasing a few digital game highlights for March 2016 in Europe.
Nintendo ending original DS repairs, production of DS cartridges rumoured to be ceasing
In Japan, Nintendo is ending repair support for all colors of the very first DS model (model number NTR-001), due to difficulty keeping stock of spare parts.
The final date for receiving NTR-001 DS for repairs is April 30. However, if spare parts run out before that date, Nintendo may not be able to conduct repairs.
Nintendo still has plans to continue repairs of the other DS systems for the time being. This includes the DS Lite (USG-001), DSi (TWL-001), and DSi LL (UTL-001).
In other news, or in this case rumour, according to a recent tweet from Canadian retailer Video Games Plus, Nintendo has ceased production of DS cartridges.
Nintendo hasn’t confirmed that the company has stopped production of DS cartridges worldwide. But given the fact that Video Games Plus is a retailer, they could very well have this sort of information as its disposal, so there’s indeed a possibility of this rumour being true.
New Nintendo Patent
Nintendo filed a patent in Japan a couple of years ago under the name “Information processing system, information processing program, information processing method and imaging device”. However, it was only just published and found recently. It basically involves a device that features object detection using cameras and mirrors, and could theoretically be used as a controller, a projector, and more. Also seems like it could have some sort of compatibility with amiibo style figures.
The patent is a bit complex and may make more sense to those who are familiar with the technical side of things. Still, you can find more information about it over here at NeoGAF if you’re interested.
New audition generates Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE sequel rumours
Avex Group, in conjunction with SHOWROOM and Decoo, will be holding a public audition for a voice acting position in a new role-playing game, later this month. Japanese blog Hachima Kikou speculates that the news could hint at a follow-up of some kind to Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, which is a cosiderable possibility since Avex produced the music for that very Wii U game.
There is no guarantee though, but Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE will still have a strong presence at the event. In fact, participants will be asked to perform a song from the Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Vocal Collection, and a couple of the judges were also involved with the title. Avex does have significant recognition in the music industry, but the company hasn’t worked on too many video game projects over time, with the most prominent one being Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. This seems to be the reason why speculation about a potential sequel has grown.
Zelda Wii U Rumours
Emily Rogers, known for recently revealing that a new Paper Mario was heading to Wii U prior to the announcement of Color Splash, has come forward with a new set of rumors about Zelda Wii U, via her Twitter account.
Rogers further backs up claims that the new Zelda will be on both Wii U and NX. Additionally, the game may allow players to choose between a male and female character, and most characters will be voiced, aside from Link who is traditionally mute.
As always, take these rumours into consideration, but with a grain of salt.
We are getting closer and closer to E3, so we will find out pretty soon if this is all true or not, I guess.