Nintendo Europe has announced that Rayman for the Game Boy Colour will be arriving on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console next week. Rayman will arrive in Europe next Thursday for £4.50. Anyone considering picking this little gem up?
Nintendo of America has confirmed via a press release that Ubisoft’s long-awaited Rayman Origins demo is now available to download on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Kirby’s Block Ball is also available to purchase from the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console – that’s if you fancy some frenzied, block-clearing action. There’s also a 3D trailer for the latest Men in Black movie which comes out May 25th. If you haven’t already done so you can download the update for Mario Kart 7 which removes the notorious Wuhu Island glitch.
Get ready to traverse land and sea as the classic Game Boy platformer, Kirby’s Dream Land 2 arrives on the European Virtual Console for Nintendo 3DS. Help Kirby in his attempt to protect Dreamland by tracking down the Rainbow Bridges which have been stolen by a new enemy; the evil force named Dark Matter. It’s up to you, accompanied by your trusty animal cohort, to travel through the lands battling King Dedede and his minions, and to defeat the mysterious Dark Matter.
It’s a week of epic journeys on the Nintendo eShop, as we join Mojo in Bird Mania 3D on his quest to catch up with his friends as they head off on holiday to Africa without him. Fly, dash, soar and glide after them as you try to collect extra bonuses and avoid unwanted obstacles in this skills-based action game. You are also being treated to a double dose of demos with two action-packed adventures in the RAYMAN ORIGINS Demo and 2 Fast 4 Gnomz Demo available from the Nintendo eShop and Wii Shop Channel respectively
European video game content rating board PEGI has rated Rayman for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. Presumably it’s Rayman for the Game Boy Colour which Ubisoft released back in 2000. Rayman will be the second Ubisoft game for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console as Prince of Persia for the Game Boy Colour was released back in January.
Rayman Origins was originally meant to retail for $39.99 but multiple retailers are now advertising the game for the more enticing price of $29.99. As I’m sure you’re all aware Rayman Origins for Nintendo 3DS has suffered multiple delays. The critically acclaimed game is now scheduled to be released sometime in June worldwide.
Rayman Origins creative director Michel Ancel has told Gamasutra that while he has respect for Shigeru Miyamoto and is a fan of the Zelda franchise, he just can’t get into the Mario games.
“I will tell you something terrible — I don’t really enjoy playing Mario games. I don’t like gliding, I don’t like its inertia, and I don’t like not being able to give some slaps! It’s a fabulous series, and I understand that people love it, but it’s not my cup of tea.”
“I used to prefer Ghosts n’ Goblins, Heart of Darkness, Another World – games with a focus on the narrative side. Beyond that, I find Mario‘s controls very interesting, but I don’t buy it. I can’t help but seeing the ropes of the game, even if it works.”
Michel Ancel has been referred to as ”the French Miyamoto” which is something he says he’s deeply honoured by, but he admits he’s very different from Nintendo’s legendary games designer.
“I’m very different from Miyamoto.”
“I really loved the idea of introducing artistic features in games — that is to say the storytelling, the artwork, music — and to get everything together in the best possible alchemy. We have two different approaches, two different tracks.”
Surprisingly Ubisoft’s limb-less mascot Rayman has taken the number one position in the UK Nintendo 3DS charts. The only explanation I can think of is that the game has been heavily discounted by online retailers, as it has beaten both Fifa 12 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.
Nintendo 3DS chart
1) Rayman 3D
2) Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D
3) FIFA 12
4) Rabbids 3D
5) Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever
6) Star Fox 64 3D
7) Asphalt 3D
8) LEGO Pirates Of The Caribbean
9) Pilotwings Resort
10) Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars
Michel Ancel, the creator behind Rayman and Beyond Good and Evil, has told Videogamer that he’s not entirely convinced that the Wii U is actually a next generation console in terms of sheer technical prowess. However, Ancel did confess that the Wii U controller is what he deems to be a true next generation device.
Asked if the Wii U is a next-generation machine, Ancel replied: “Not really. I think Wii U is next-gen in terms of interface.”
“I think people are going to copy it, because you’ve got this mix between tablet, touch screen and big screen – big screen and little screen – there are a lot of possibilities.”
Pressed on this issue – whether he expected Microsoft or Sony to cook up something similar – Ancel replied: “I don’t know if Sony will do it, or Microsoft – but yes, I think it’s a possibility. But I think the main thing is to have this – offering new ways to play is very interesting.”
- Michael Ancel, Ubisoft
A 2011 list for popular US gaming emporium Gamestop has leaked online and reveals a list of previously unannounced titles for Nintendo platforms.
According to the leaked document Sega’s forthcoming Sonic Generations is heading to the Nintendo 3DS along with a new addition to Namco’s immensely popular Time Crisis franchise. Ubisoft’s fantastic looking Rayman Origins is also scheduled to arrive on the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS and most importantly The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is listed with a November 1st release date.
Ubisoft have revealed that their limbless protagonist Rayman is currently their best selling franchise.
Rayman has beaten critically acclaimed titles such as Assassins Creed and the Prince of Persia games to become Ubisoft’s best selling franchise with over 29 million copies sold.
