Nintendo 3DS System Update Available Now

3DS, Nintendo,

purple_nintendo_3ds

Nintendo has released another system update for the Nintendo 3DS. The update – version 6.0.0-11U – adds a save data backup feature, which allows users to back up save data for downloadable versions of Nintendo 3DS software and most Virtual Console games. Furthermore, the update improves system stability and usability. In Europe, the update also brings the following features:

  • Two kinds of games in a “bigger” Mii Plaza – ones you’ve already, plus ones to purchase!
  • We’ve now got a Shop, and Exchange Booth, a Check for Updates button and a new Play icon, along with a new second screen menu.
  • New games – Streetpass Squad, Streetpass Garden, Streetpass Battle, Streetpass Mansion.
  • New game selection section.
  • Games are bought with real money, as in eShop purchases.
  • Streetpass Squad is like Streetpass Quest. Takes place in space. Battle the Gold Bone Gang. Costs £4.49.
  • Streetpass Garden. You move in to a house in Leafington and try to become a Master Gardener, under the tutelage of Mr Mendel. Grow flowers and decorate your garden. Costs £4.49.
  • Streetpass Battle. Game of strategy and luck. Rule a remote country in a wartorn land. Your butler, Wentworth, helps you build an army via Streetpass to battle other generals. Ultimate goal to conquer the world! Costs £4.49.
  • Streetpass Mansion. Spooky paranormal investigation. You’re a detective trying to solve the mystery of a haunted house, helped by your assistant Ella Mentree. You work to uncover truth with the help of people you meet inside. Battle enemies to reach the top floor. Costs £4.49.
  • Combo pack is only available for your first purchase and costs £13.49 (saving of £4.47). Deal only available if you buy all four at first. If you buy one on its own, the rest cost full price.
  • Exchange booth is locked. Clicking on it doesn’t do anything yet. You’ll need to earn tickets (see below) to use it.
  • No Xenoblade puzzle for me, but I did get a Skyward Sword one.
  • Playing games wins you hats and plaza tickets for achieving certain goals. Exchange these for new Mii accessories. Not available in the StreetPass Quest/Quest II or Puzzle Swap.
  • Get a Pixel Mario hat to commemorate :-)

Nintendo 3DS System Update Coming Today?

3DS, Nintendo,

pink_nintendo_3ds

According to Nintendo Force writer Emily Rogers, a Nintendo 3DS System Update will go live later today. Rogers says to Nintendo 3DS users that they should check their systems at 5 p.m. PDT. There’s currently no explanation for what the update will bring, but Rogers says it is aimed at Nintendo 3DS users in Europe and Japan, and that users in North America will have to wait a bit longer to receive the rumored update’s new features.

NPD: Pachter Says Console And Handheld Softwares Sales Were Lowest Since May 2000

Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony,

new_super_mario_bros_2_coin_block_head

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has revealed via Twitter that both console and handheld software sales were the lowest since May 2000. Nintendo of America announced earlier today that the Nintendo 3DS was the best-selling video game platform in North America during May. Sounds as though it was another terrible month for North American video game retailers.

“I can’t/won’t publish any data from the NPD, but found it interesting that software sales for console/handheld were lowest since May 2000″

NPD: Nintendo 3DS Was The Best-Selling Video Game Platform in May

3DS, Nintendo,

Nintendo_3ds_xl

Nintendo 3DS continued its strong year with another first: The platform was the best-selling video game hardware platform in the United States in May. The launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D on May 23 and another strong month for Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon helped Nintendo 3DS software sales in stores increase by more than 60 percent over the same time last year. Nintendo 3DS also had two of the top three best-selling software SKUs for the month, with Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at No. 2 and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon at No. 3.

At the recently concluded E3 trade show in Los Angeles, Nintendo defined its proposition for the holiday season by showcasing a cavalcade of great games coming for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems in 2013. Starting in August and continuing through the end of the year, Wii U will launch one major game a month, including Pikmin 3 (Aug. 4), The Wonderful 101 (Sept. 15), The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (October), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (November) and Super Mario 3D World (December). Nintendo 3DS will build on its momentum with the successive launches of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (Aug. 11), Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (Oct. 12) Mario Party for Nintendo 3DS (name not final, November) and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (November).

Miyamoto Says He Feels He Once Made A Bad Game

3DS, Ds, Nintendo, Wii, Wii U,

shigeru_miyamoto

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, who’s known for creating iconic video game franchises like Donkey Kong, Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has revealed that he feels he once made a bad game. In an interview with Kotaku, the video game designer was asked, “Do you feel like you’ve ever made a bad game?,” to which the he replied, “Yeah.” Tomorrow, June 18th, Kotaku will divulge Miyamoto’s answer. Until then, which game do you think Miyamoto isn’t proud of?

Producer Of Super Mario 3D Land May Be Announcing A New Game Soon

3DS, Nintendo, Wii U,

super_mario_3d_world_scramble

Koichi Hayashida and Yoshiaki Koizumi have told Spanish publication El Pais that they can’t disclose their next project, but they should make an announcement soon. Koichi Hayashida said that the team is currently wrapped up in Super Mario 3D World and was asked whether or not they were planning to release downloadable content for the forthcoming Wii U game. Hayashida said quite clearly that it’s not something they are looking to do at the moment. Here’s what they both had to say.

Q. Some believe that the downloadable content is back to pay for something, is this title, as the current Wii U, will have this option?

KH. For now we have no plans in that direction.

Q. What is your next job?

KH: At the moment, Super Mario 3D World, 100%.

YK: I can not disclose now, but soon we will make an announcement.

Thanks, Glem3

Miyamoto Says Pikmin 3 Is One Of His Best Games

Nintendo, Wii U,

pikmin_3_logo

Legendary video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto believes that Pikmin 3 is his next great game, as far as he is concerned. Miyamoto was asked why he believes this and he replied that after he made it, he played through it, and found that it was fun. Speaking about Pikmin 3, Miyamoto also said that he has designed the game in a way so that, as you play it, you get better and better at it and start to understand the depth of the strategy and the best ways to use the Pikmin in it. Miyamoto concluded by saying that in time, you’ll be playing quite well.

“And this stands out to you as, you think, is one of the best?” I asked.

“I think so,” he said.

“And how do you know that?” I said.

He was beginning to answer before my question was even done.

“Because after I made it, I played it and it’s fun,” he said in a moment that reminded me quite clearly who he is and what he’s done.