Play Kingdom Hearts 3D Early At MCM Game Expo

Nintendo fans will have an exclusive opportunity to get hands-on with some top Nintendo titles as the Unleashed tour returns to MCM Expo London Comic Con May 25th – 27th. Britain’s biggest pop culture festival will see the much anticipated UK debut of RPG Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance on Nintendo 3DS and quirky rhythm-based game Wii game Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise.

Other games on show at the Nintendo Unleashed stand include Mario Tennis Open and action-packed multiplayer adventure Heroes of Ruin for Nintendo 3DS, as well as survival horror sequel Project Zero 2: Wii Edition. In addition, Nintendo will be hosting a swap shop and battle table for the exclusive Kid Icarus: Uprising collectible AR cards, which visitors will also be able to win at MCM Expo London Comic Con.

NPD Reports To Include Walmart Data From Next Month

The NPD group which tracks video game sales throughout the United States has announced that its reports will include sales figures from Walmart starting from next month. NPD Group’s David Reiley also mentioned that next months report will also include another prolific retailer in the United States which hadn’t previously been included.

“Our enhanced retail coverage, including the addition of several new retailers, begins with May data released on Thursday, June 14. Yes, it does include Walmart.”

- NPD Group’s David Riley

Double Fine Presents New Game “The Cave”

Double Fine Production has officially announced their new game which is titled The Cave. News of Ron Gilbert’s next spectacular 2D adventure franchise leaked earlier this week when it was revealed that Sega is publishing the game. The Cave is described by Kotaku as a mix between Manic Mansion with a little Metroidvania thrown in for good measure. It’s expected to be released sometime next year, so expect to hear plenty about the game at E3.

Doom Creator: There Will Still Be Lots Of 30fps Games Next-Gen

John Carmack, the acclaimed developer behind Doom, has mentioned on Twitter that there will still be plenty of 30fps games on next generation consoles. Many gamers presumed that the majority of games would be running at 60fps, but Carmack doesn’t think this will be the case.

Hi John, Do you think next gen we will see more 60fps games on consoles?

There will still be lots of 30hz games, which I don’t think it is a good trade. If TVs didn’t add lag, it would be more clear cut

- Twitter

Darksiders 2 Wii U Features Are Under A “Strict Gag Order”

Darksiders 2 creative manager Jeremy Greine has explained that Nintendo has put a full gag on everything Wii U related until E3. Yesterday we heard that the Wii U is about as powerful as Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but it sounds as though Vigil Games are under strict orders not to reveal anything related to the Wii U’s visual capabilities. Greine went on to say that Wii U is a next generation console and that we should keep our eyes open.

“If I didn’t have a strict gag order on me, I’d love to talk about all the great features that we have. but what I can tell you is that it’s a next generation platform, and you should keep your eyes open.”

“We’ll obviously be using the unique controller that it has to its utmost potential.”

“But speaking to specific features or tech effects – well, that’s in Nintendo’s playground right now. And I know that they have plans for E3.”

Nintendo Remains Number One In Japan

The Nintendo 3DS continues to be the best-selling format in Japan selling an impressive 45,752 units. The Nintendo 3DS’ closest competitor was Sony’s PlayStation 3 which only managed to sell 12,026 units. The PlayStation Vita sales remain lacklustre as the format was outsold yet again by the PSP. Here’s the Japanese hardware and software charts.

  1. [PSP] My Little Sister Can’t Be This Cute Portable Can’t Be Continuing
  2. [WII] Mario Party 9
  3. [PSP] Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
  4. [3DS] Fire Emblem: Awakening
  5. [PSP] Brothers Conflict: Passion Pink
  6. [3DS] Super Mario 3D Land
  7. 3DS] Mario Kart 7
  8. 3DS] Monster Hunter 3G
  9. [PS3] Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
  10. [3DS] Kid Icarus: Uprising
  • Nintendo 3DS: 45,752
  • PlayStation 3: 12,026
  • PSP: 10,652
  • PlayStation Vita: 6,347
  • Wii: 5,956
  • PlayStation 2: 1,166
  • Xbox 360: 825
  • Nintendo DSi LL: 683
  • Nintendo DSi: 425

Miyamoto Wins Prestigious Spanish Award

Legendary games designer Shigeru Miyamoto has won Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias Prize. The jury praised Miyamoto for turning video games into “a medium capable of bringing people together regardless of sex, age or social or cultural status.” ”Noted for excluding violence from his creations, Miyamoto has revolutionized the industry,” said the jury after awarding Shigeru Miyamoto the award for communications and humanities.

Professor Layton 3DS Trademark Hints At North American Release

Level 5 has filed a trademark for Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask in the United States. Nintendo Europe has already confirmed that the long-awaited 3DS title is coming to Europe, but Nintendo of America has been suspiciously quiet on the subject. I guess it’s safe to assume that they will announce a North American release date at E3.