During the build up to last year’s E3 in June, everyone wanted to know about the new Nintendo console. What would it do? What would it look like? What would it be called? Then we got our look at it. The Wii U.

Meh.

While the system itself was cool, if not gimmicky (read our hands on preview from the show here), but pretty much everything agreed that the name needed to be changed, and it looks like Nintendo may actually be looking at that possibility.

The rumor suggests that Nintendo is worried that the Wii U name would confuse potential customers in the same way that the 3DS did. Apparently some people weren’t sure just what the 3DS was. Word is we could get a new name by this year’s E3.

Last night, word broke that the legendary creator of Mario and Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto had told Wired that he would be stepping down from his current position and focusing on smaller projects.

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself,” Miyamoto, 59 told Wired. “Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small.”

Nintendo has repeatedly denied the reports that the man known as “Japan’s Walt Disney” would be stepping down, issuing a press release telling Reuters that “This is absolutely not true,” said a Nintendo spokesperson “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. He has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation. He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned.”

The writer of the original Wired report stands by the piece though, tweeting that “Shigeru Miyamoto’s comments in the Wired story speak for themselves. Wired and I stand by this report.”

The original Legend of Zelda came out when I was two, and I still remember sitting in front of the TV as my mom and brother (and eventually me) navigated through dungeons and dished out Hyruleian justice master sword style. I can trace my love of gaming to those moments being amazed by Link’s quest.

It’s only fitting then that after 25 years and a lot of gaming, I’ve finally got that same feeling back – and it’s another Zelda game.  With incredible production values, bold new mechanics and a wonderous sense of exploration; The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword feels an awful lot like falling in love with gaming again. Each time I booted it up, I found something new that I made it not only the best Wii title or the best motion controlled game but the best Zelda in franchise history – and that’s truly saying something.

Nintendo’s bold design choices start with the story of Skyward Sword.  This is the origin story fans have been clamoring for years for that Nintendo wouldn’t give us. Skyward Sword gives us a look at a Hyrule from times gone by, with Link and Zelda as childhood friends. Of course, before long, something terribly wrong happens and Link must go on a quest to save not only his friend, but the world.  It may not seem like a huge change from the established Zelda formula – that is until you take into account just how well it’s all presented.

Skyward Sword is easily the most cinematic Zelda experience to date, and even though there’s still no voice acting, Nintendo has done a magnificent job crafting a thrilling and remarkable tale that’s not only engrossingly epic, but decidedly intimate.  This is accomplished through a mix of taking the emphasis off of the simple plot and on to the game’s interesting cast of supporting characters and letting their emotion come through. Thanks to brilliant pacing, imaginative framing and some of the most well done cutscenes in recent memory, this is a Zelda title that you’re going to find it hard not to be engrossed in and its one that sets a new standard for Nintendo.

The Wii motion plus adds a great deal to Skyward Sword

After 25 years, we’ve all come to know what to expect from a Zelda game, but Skyward Sword challenges that too.  The incorporation of the Wii motion plus controller will change the way you want to play Zelda from here on in. Suddenly, it’s not about just timing and getting a good jump start on your opponents, but making good, conscious decisions how how and when to attack your opponents.  The motion plus enables you to watch your opponents and study just where you should be attacking them. You’ll watch their motions, their patterns and strategize as to the best plan to take them out, but be warned, your enemies can do the same to you.

The true genius of incorporating the motion plus into Skyward Sword is that it never once felt gimmicky and lends itself extremely well throughout the entire experience.  From throwing bombs, to swimming and even gliding through the sky, the Wii Motion Plus feels incredibly natural, like it was made to be used with the Zelda series all along. This isn’t just a game that uses motion controls well – it’s the game that perfects them. Unlike other motion games, I never stopped to wonder what the game would be like with standard controls since I was having so much fun. I often got the feeling that this was the first time that the promise of the Wii and motion control is general had been fully delivered on.

Skyward Sword’s incredible sense of pacing also plays a big part in just how great it is. In previous Zelda games, it was all about the dungeons, and everything before it was just a prelude to the heart of the action. While the dungeons still represent the main portions of the game, Skyward Sword manages to spread out a good portion of the action so it never feels like you’re just traveling to get to the “good parts” again.  There’s also a great sense of exploration here that’s been missing from previous Zelda games, which will require you to go back into areas you’ve already been through to complete certain sections, though it never feels like you’re backtracking as you’re constantly given new tasks and new abilities to try out.

Visually, Skyward Sword is somewhere between the cartoonish visuals of the Windwaker and the darker tones of Twilight Princess. Nintendo seems to have finally admit the limitations of the Wii console and have this created a visual style that’s not only extremely engrossing, but also a great fit for the title.  The entire game has a storybook feel to it that makes the game feel incredibly more epic.

The Blast Factor: When Nintendo introduced the Wii, and motion control to the world, it made some hefty promises. Now, nearly six years later, with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, those promises have been delivered on.  This isn’t just the best Zelda game or the best Wii game, it’s also the first game that makes motion controls make sense. With its incredible production values, new gameplay ideas and most importantly heart, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is simply one of the best games I’ve ever played.

It’s been a rough year for Nintendo’s 3DS handheld system. After a lackluster launch, disappointing sales and a hefty price drop, things must look pretty grim for the system right? Well, not really when you take it in context.

Surprisingly, the 3DS is set to surpass the original DS in terms of first year sales.  The original DS console sold 2.37 million units in its first year, the 3DS is currently less than a million units from breaking that mark. With two major game launches and the Christmas holiday coming up, the 3DS seems poised to break that record.

“With a massive lineup of software on the way and the first-year sales record of Nintendo DS in its sights, Nintendo 3DS enters its first holiday season with a full head of steam,” said Nintendo America marketing boss Scott Moffitt.

Still need a reason to buy a 3DS? Check out our review for the best game on the platform, Super Mario 3D Land.

Everyone’s heard the old adage “if you want something done right, you better do it yourself.” Nintendo, running out of options for its embattled 3DS system as the Holiday season quickly approaches, seems to finally have understood that as Super Mario 3D Land is not only the most impressive game on the handheld, but it could spark a revival for it. Aspiring 3DS developers take note — this is how you truly take advantage of the console’s power.

Of course, Super Mario 3D Land starts off like almost every Mario game before it; Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser and its up to Mario to save her. The key here is that when she got kidnapped, she was checking on a special tree in the castle courtyard which contained the leaves that give Mario the Tanooki suit. It’s a simple story really, one that you’d expect from the franchise but it’s told via charming cut-scenes that really take advantage of the system’s 3D capabilities. In between worlds, Mario will receive photos from the Princess, detailing her predicament. These letters could be the most impressive use of the 3DS screen yet; they pop with color and vibrance.

From a gameplay standpoint, 3D Land is everything you’d expect from a Mario game — but it’s also so much more. Interestingly, it’s tough to figure just what Mario game it borrows from the most. It feels an awful lot like Super Mario 64 or Sunshine, but it also borrows a lot from NES classic Super Mario 3. Super Mario 3D Land feels like Nintendo picked the best pieces of the entire Mario history and blended them together seamlessly.  The level design is incredible and perhaps most interestingly encourages users to experiment and explore. Take one of the castles found early in the game, there’s an unassuming torch that most will just run past, but interacting with it will prove valuable in your quest. Sure you could just go from one end of the level to the other, but you’ll be missing a good portion of the experience.

On that same note though, that sense of exploration could annoy some. The goal of most Mario games has always been get from point A to point B, and for the first few worlds I did just that. Sure, I would get the occasional star coin on my way, but I was never too concerned with getting them. It was quite a shock then when later in the game I found that I needed fifty of those coins to even advance through the game. As a result, I went through the game…each level and collected the coins. While this backtracking may seem a bit annoying to some, it was here, with all of the “Aha moments” that I truly fell in love with Mario’s latest adventure. By going off the beaten path you truly get an appreciation for the amount of work Nintendo put into the game.

To be honest, for a game in such an established franchise, Super Mario 3D Land is quite the deceiving experience. It’s easiest to think of it this way; this is a game with two different sides. The first is world 1-8, almost laughably easy, you’ll get a lot of extra 1-ups (by world two I had 60 or so without even really trying) and move fast, but then after world 8 (yeah, there’s more than eight worlds), things change drastically. The platforming is tougher and you’re going to have to have to be incredibly precise in your jumps and timing. Telling you about these worlds would be a major spoiler, so you’re going to want to experience them yourself, but just be ready for the swift shift in gameplay.

Super Mario 3D is a game that is meant to be played using the system’s 3D capabilities, in fact you could go as far as to say that this is the first game for the handheld that truly takes advantage of the 3D, without it getting in the way. Using the 3D effects, you’ll be able to experience Mario’s world in a way you’ve never done. Here, it’s easier to judge the distance between blocks, jumps and it even helps get a better feel for the level design. There are certain sections (mostly near the end) that are nearly impossible to pass without using the 3D, but what’s great is that not only can you adjust the game’s 3D using the slider on the system, but during certain sections a simple press of the d-pad will adjust the d-pad even further. There is one portion of the game where the 3D does seem to get in the way though — in each world, there are binoculars somewhere and looking through them will enable you to survey the map using the 3DS’ gyroscope and if you’re one of those that gets headaches when not staring at the 3D dead on be warned, you’re going to want to turn it off before using them.

What would a Mario game be without power-ups? In Super Mario 3D Land, you’ll of course have the standard mushrooms, power stars and fire flowers, but the game introduces a few new(ish) items to the game as well.  The most prevalent of course is the returning Tanooki tail, which allows Mario to flutter and float in the air (no, it doesn’t do everything it did in Mario 3). There’s also a new boomerang suit, which allows Mario to toss a boomerang at his enemies. While it was helpful, I found myself shying away from the boomerang suit when I could in exchange for the fireflower, which itself is improved and can take out multiple enemies at once.

For a 3DS game, Super Mario 3D Land is easily the best looking on the system. Everything from the shading to the wonderful animations and crisp textures makes for an incredible sense of production. The world of Super Mario 3D Land is a bright and colorful one filled with breathtaking visuals and they all fit in the palm of your hand. The sound is just as charming as you’d expect from a Mario game, and the soundtrack is a mix of classic tunes and new mixes that are so catchy it’s damn near impossible to get them out of your head.

Most charming about the game though is the sheer level of fan service it packs. The game is full of references to previous Mario games, from the Toad House from Super Mario 3 to having to cross a bridge and jump on a switch to defeat Bowser and send him to a fiery pit below.  It’s not just Mario games that get nods here; there’s a much talked about Zelda inspired world early on in the game, and there’s  even a few instances where standing on a certain spot in a hidden room makes the Zelda discovery noise. Perhaps most impressive is just how all of this, the fan service, the excellent production values, and the fun gameplay work together to create one impressive and unforgettable experience.

The Blast Factor: Super Mario 3D Land illustrates a very important point — never count Nintendo out. After nearly ten months, a ton of disappointing games and a massive price drop, the 3DS not only has it’s first must have game, but it has one that defines the system and what it can do. Super Mario 3D Land may not be perfect, but it is the most impressive 3DS game to date, and one of the best Mario games in a long time.

Wipe up your drool, though I don’t blame you for it.

This new Zelda 25th Anniversary themed 3DS has been confirmed for release in the UK on November 25. The pack features a slick black design with Zelda inspired graphics and comes with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.

As of now, Nintendo has not commented if they plan to bring the limited edition console to the United States.

First person shooters have been scarce on Nintendo’s last few home consoles, but that’s a problem that looks to be fixed with the Wii U. Satoru Iwata addressed the issue of third party shooters coming to the company’s next platform recently on a conference call with investors, saying that many are already in development.

“In fact, a number distributors and game developers have recognized our efforts and have already started working on upcoming titles in many horizons,” said Iwata. “In addition, I think we will establish a global environment where we will not repeat the same mistake where large games do not go out after six months after the launch of the console. ”

At this year’s E3, Nintendo promised a number of different third party titles including Aliens: Colonial Marines and Dead Space.

The Nintendo Wii has a reputation of not being for the “core gamer.” Save for a few games, the system’s library is full of party titles and mini game collections; but it was never supposed to be that way according to Nintendo President Satoru Iwata.

“There was a misunderstanding that Nintendo was dedicated to such games at some stage of the lifespans of the Wii and the Nintendo DS,” Iwata said in an interview with IGN. “We have made efforts to develop video games that are in tune with various consumer tastes; however, we have not been able to gain adequate consumer understanding regarding our intentions, while in the common perception there are no or few core users playing Nintendo platforms, which is not the case.”

Iwata has been talking about the creation of the Wii, while trying to contain fears that the Wii U is in development trouble.

We all knew the news wouldn’t be good financially for Nintendo when they release their first half financials tomorrow in Japan — but we didn’t know it would be this bad. The gaming giant is expected to announce a loss of roughly 100 billion Yen ($460 Million US),  almost double what the company originally forecasted.

It hasn’t been an easy year for Nintendo, amid struggling sales of their 3DS handheld, a declining Wii user base and the strengthening  of the Yen. Nintendo makes 80 percent of their revenue from international sales, and lost 40 Billion Yen (526 million) in other territories.

Nintendo came off strong a strong showing at this year’s E3 convention with the debut of the new Wii U console, but has since been marred with talk of development troubles and developers bailing on the system.

Nintendo did not return our request for statements. If they do, this post will be updated.

A new Mario Kart game is coming, and by Nintendo rule that can only mean one thing — more peripherals. Nintendo has released pictures of the brand new 3DS steering wheel for their upcoming Mario Kart 7.

The wheel goes on sale in Japan on December 1 for 1,280 Yen or $17 ‘merican money.

The big question is how will I use my ugly3DS slide pad if I’m using this ugly wheel Nintendo? How?!

We’ve known that a new Smash Bros game is in development for the Wii U and the 3DS since this year’s E3, but if a supposedly leaked photo of an internal Nintendo Spec sheet is to be believed, we may finally have a title.

The photos, which popped up this morning around the web seem to be for a game called “Super Smash Bros Universe,” and bears the Wii U logo. Get it? U-niverse. Wii U? Ahh Clever.

Don’t take it as a sign that development is moving along on the title though — project lead Masahiro Sakurai took to his Twitter account to address the progress of the game following the leak.  Sakurai noted that all of his attention is currently going towards Kid Icarus: Uprising for the 3DS, and progress on Smash Bros won’t progress until Uprising is finished.

By the way, Uprising was recently delayed until next year, so don’t hold your breath.

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto takes the stage at today's press breifing (Photo courtesy of Game Set Watch)

Nintendo held a press conference today ahead of this week’s Tokyo Game Show and while there was no news of the highly rumored remodeled 3DS, there was a ton of new announcements. Here’s the rundown:

- Remember that ugly 3DS add-on that we told you about last week? It comes out in Japan on December 10, will work on one AA battery and will cost ¥1,500 (US$19). No word yet on a US release. A slew of new games will also use the peripheral including Capcom’s Resident Evil: Revelations, Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Namco Bandai’s Ace Combat 3D Cross Rumble, Tecmo Koei’s Dynasty Warriors VS and Square Enix’s still undated Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance].

- On October 20, Nintendo will release a new “Misty Pink” 3DS console in Japan to appeal to a more female user base.

Ladies...how could you resist?

-One of our favorite 3DS games of this year’s E3, Kid Icarus, won’t be making it to retail this year. The original 3DS launch title is now scheduled for sometime in 2012.

- New Mario Tennis, Paper Mario and Animal Crossing 3DS titles will be available in 2012.

- A system update will give the 3DS 3D video capability in November. It will also add more streetpass challenges.

- Zelda: Skyward Sword will be between 50-100 hours of gameplay based on the player.

- By far, the biggest news of the show though was one that’s going to strike Sony’s Japanese success hard — Nintendo has landed Monster Hunter 4 for the 3DS. While it’s not known if it will be an exclusive to the handheld, this has to be a huge blow to Sony, who has been extremely successful in the region with the Monster Hunter series. Check out the concept trailer below.

Nintendo has reportedly run into a few unforeseen issues with the development of its new Wii U console — big issues.

French website 01.net, which first broke word on the 3DS redesign reports that the Wii U’s hardware isn’t as powerful as Nintendo originally thought, and third party developers are having to use tethers to ensure reliable communications between the console and its wireless touch screen controller. Even then, the service hasn’t been working 100% of the time, forcing Nintendo to halt production until it can produce patches.

The same website reports that the development issues have resulted in the console being way behind schedule and as a result, has pushed the launch window back from June 2012 to September of the same year.

While there’s no way to prove this, and Nintendo hasn’t and probably won’t return our calls for verification, it could mean more problems for the publisher, who recently ran into an issue with its underperforming 3DS handheld.

Look, I normally wait to pass judgement on things until I see them with my own eyes or touch them with my own hands, but these first shots of the highly rumored new add on that gives the 3DS a second thumbpad? Yeah, they’re pretty ugly.

Spotted in Famitsu, the3DS Kakuchou Slide Pad” or “3DS Expansion Slide Pad” acts as a cradle for the 3DS, and adds a second thumbstick as well as a rumored (but not pictured) R1, R2 and L1 and L2 buttons. The slide pad is rumored to be a stop gap for early adopters, who most likely won’t buy the newly remodeled 3DS, when it’s rumored to be unveiled at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.

Blast will be at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, stick with us for all of the late breaking news and updates straight from the show floor.

Earlier this week we brought you rumors of Nintendo possibly announcing a new 3DS model at their event in Tokyo, just before the annual Tokyo Game Show. We can now confirm that the company will be unveiling…something…we just don’t know what yet.

The company’s press event, is being called “Nintendo 3DS Shinseihin Happyoukai” (??????3DS ??????). Shinseihin roughly translates to “new product.” Can’t get much simpler than that huh?

So just what is Nintendo unveiling? Safe money is on the new 3DS model, complete with toned down 3D effects and a an extra thumbstick, but it could really be anything.

Blast will have our very own Tommy Coloma at the Tokyo Game Show this year with any breaking news.

Source

The 3DS has had its fair share of trouble since it’s launch early this year, and word is that Nintendo is looking to go back to the drawing board and are working on a “radically different” 3DS model.

French website 01.net reports that inside sources are claiming that the big N is working on a new 3DS model that would include toned down 3D effects and a second thumbstick, correcting two issues that early adopters have been clammering for.

Adding to the rumor’s believability, Nintendo is reportedly set to announce a detachable second thumbstick for the current 3DS model, priced at $10. Nintendo also has a pre-Tokyo Game Show event on September 13.

Nintendo has not returned our emails looking for comment. Stick with Blast for more information.

Nintendo announced this morning that the long in development and anticpated Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will release November 20 in North America.

Anyone else suddenly feeling sick that week?

You’ll soon be able to get your Game of Thrones fix right on your Xbox or PS3, thanks to HBO and Time Warner’s announcement that the on demand service HBO GO will soon be hitting consoles.

The announcement was made via a conference call with investors, and shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as it was revealed earlier this week that over half of all Netflix instant stream users connect via a game console.

HBO GO is an on demand video service free for anyone with an HBO subscription.

So you sat through Nintendo unveiling the Wii U at this year’s E3, but all you could ask yourself was — “But what about Modern Warfare 3?” Relax. Activision has you covered; the long awaited threequel is hitting the Wii along with every other platform you could imagine this November.

The publisher made the announcement during today’s conference call with investors. “We’re pleased to have recently confirmed that we will release aModern Warfare 3 Wii SKU this year, so as not to leave any of the community out of the excitement,” Activison Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg told investors.

So yeah, there you have it. You can waggle your way through the Russian invasion this fall.

Nintendo announced today that it would be slashing the price of its struggling 3DS handheld from $250 to $170. The price drop, which comes just six months after the system’s release will take effect in the United States on August 12.

“For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games.”

The move comes on the heels of Nintendo’s announcement that it has posted a huge financial loss in the fiscal first quarter of this year. According to the report, sales are down over 50% from last year at the house that Mario built.

There is some good news though, early adopters of the 3DS system will be rewarded with free virtual console games. If you register for and connect to the eShop at least once before the price drop, you’ll receive the following games free:

NES games

Super Mario Bros.
Donkey Kong Jr.
Balloon Fight
Ice Climber
The Legend of Zelda
+5 more

Game Boy Advance games

Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Metroid Fusion
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
+5 more

The NES games will become paid downloads for new adopters, while the GBA games are not currently scheduled to be available for purchase.

Remember at this year’s E3 when everyone went crazy for the announcement that we were getting Super Smash Bros  on the 3DS and Wii U. What they didn’t tell you was that you’re going to have to wait for them a while. A long while.

In his weekly Famitsu column, series creative director Masahiro Sakurai commented that both games were “several years away from completion.” Adding that the two projects being on his plate “makes him cringe,” Sakurai commented on the wait that will no doubt be the death of some of the Nintendo faithful,”I’m not sure it’s the smartest thing to make gamers wait for several years, but the early announcement was made chiefly in order to attract new team members.”

That doesn’t mean that Sakurai and his team are bidding their time, as most of their resources are going towards another highly anticipated title; Kid Icarus: Uprising. “We’ve got no plans whatsoever — we’ve got two new games out there in the open when there’s no extra time to work with them at all.”

Sakurai also commented that a 3DS version of the game was always planned, but after seeing the Wii U, his studio, Project Sora began to look at creating the new version. “If we went solely for the Wii U, the HD graphics would really bump up the visual effects, but then we’d be stuck in another arms race. If we made this game another extension over the previous one, we’d have to cut out the new things we could possibly do on the 3DS hardware and compete with ourselves again over the size of the character roster and the amount of gameplay we can put in it.”

When the Wii U was unveiled at E3 earlier this month, it left a lot of unanswered questions.  Enter Shigeru Miyamoto. The long running Nintendo developer, famous for creating loved characters like Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong opened up to Game Informer recently about the new system and how it’s development dates back to even before the original Wii.

Miyamoto told the magazine that the idea of a new HD console was originally being tossed around when the company was in the early stages of developing the original Wii console.  For several reasons, they decided not to go HD, but given the recent rise of popularity of HD TVs, they knew it had to be included with the new console. “We’ve seen the increase in HD TVs be very dramatic, so we felt this time is was important for us to include HD functionality in the system,” Miyamoto said.

Miyamoto also noted that Nintendo is not putting any restrictions on how developers choose to use the new platform, and that includes the motion control and the touch screen.  He noted that developers may have felt limited by the Wii-mote’s button layout. “The number of buttons on the controller was somewhat limited compared to what developers were used to developing for.” Miyamoto believes that some developers felt like they had to use motion control to achieve the type of gameplay they wanted.

Of course, with the Wii U, Nintendo aims to fix all that. How? A more traditional button layout on top of the touch screen and motion features. “Yes, it does have motion control and it does have a touch screen, but it also has a full complement of buttons to go alongside that,” he said. “So it’s really going to be up to the development teams to decide if they want to take advantage of button control, motion control, the touch screen, and they’ll be able to leverage their own creativity and find the gameplay style that’s going to be best suited to the games they’re developing.”

Miyamoto went on to talk about the creation of the Wii U and it’s controller. “The concept for Wii U came from, “where do we want to take the future of home console gaming?” Particularly with the thinking that the home console is something that’s connected to the TV, we started to think about how we can leverage the TV and interact with it in different ways and use that to change the living room entertainment experience. What we didn’t do is look at in terms of how can we connect a portable gaming device to a console.”

“One of the challenges with the home console is that up until now for the home console to function is it has to be connected to the TV. Particularly now when turning on the TV doesn’t instantly bring up an image, it takes time for the picture to come up, or someone else is using the TV, that then creates barriers for people to use the home console. What we thought was what can we do to make this device that anyone can access instantly at any time regardless of what’s happening on the TV? How can they use this controller to very quickly turn on the system, see what’s new there, see what their friends have been playing, and have instant access to that. What we decided is that in addition to the TV screen that the console is going to use, we needed an additional screen that is quick, easy access to everything that the system has to offer.”

You can read the whole interview here, as well as our hands on impressions of the new console here

Robin Williams is a man who loves The Legend of Zelda. So much so in fact that he named his daughter Zelda. Really.

Nintendo sent over this video of the comedian and his daughter talking about their emotional attachment to the Legend of Zelda series, and most importantly the Ocarina of Time, which re-releases this Sunday on the Nintendo 3DS.

Watch for our review of the new version soon.

The Wii U can do a lot of cool stuff; it can work as a tablet, it’s controller can become a portable gaming device, it can even do video chat. Apparently though, it won’t be able to play Blurays or DVDs, much like the two Nintendo consoles before it.

The news was confirmed this morning by Nintendo President Satoru Iwata during an conference call with investors. “Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities,” Iwata said during the call.  Not surprisingly, Iwata cited price as the reason for not including the functionality in the new system citing that “enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray.”

The Wii U will however connect to social media networks. “”We are no longer in a period where we cannot have any connection at all with social networking sites,: Iwata confirmed. Though he wouldn’t elaborate on just how the system do this, he did say that the company was “always looking at ways that will convey to this audience which games are fun and, ideally, in a way that will enable people who are playing those games with others, to share that information socially.”

So, does it matter that the Wii U won’t be able to play your blurays? Let us know!

LOS ANGELES — Those who watched Nintendo’s press conference earlier today were treated to a montage of third party games that were on their way to Nintendo’s brand new console; the Wii- U. The footage looked good, great even. There’s just one problem, it wasn’t from the Wii U at all.

The footage was from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the games, Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed in a post conference interview with Game Trailers TV. The reasoning? As Reggie puts it, the console is a year out from release, and footage of the game’s running on the new console simply aren’t ready yet.

Speaking as someone in attendance during the presentation earlier today, the crowd was very impressed with the footage. Was it fair to not note that the videos weren’t from Wii U hardware?

LOS ANGELES — After months of speculation, we know that the Nintendo’s next new console will be the Wii U. Unveiled just minutes ago during the company’s E3 2011 Press Event, The Wii U is like nothing you’ve ever seen.

The controller as seen above features a 6.2 inch LCD screen and can be used in a variety of different ways. Of course, you can use it in the traditional controller sense, but you can also transfer the image completely to the LCD screen, allowing the device to become more portable.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how the device can be used as a tablet. The video shown at the briefing allowed two players to sit the controller on a table and play a game of checkers just as you would with an iPad or similar device. The Wii U is also capable of surfing the internet, displaying pictures and a lot more.

A slew of games were confirmed for the new console including Ninja Gaiden, Dirt, Assassin’s Creed and of course, Super Smash Bros.

Blast will be going hands on with the console later this week.

E3 2011 is under two weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be one hell of a show. As usual, there’s a ton of rumors circulating around just what’s going to be revealed June 7-9 in Los Angeles. This week, we’ll be bringing you our predictions of just what we’re going to see; up first — Nintendo.

Of course, the big news is that Nintendo has confirmed that they will be unveiling a brand new HD console at this year’s show. Dubbed Project Cafe, the new system is said to be as powerful, if not more powerful than the PS3 and the Xbox and will finally fully embrace online gameplay. Not much is known about the system, but several pictures and videos have leaked supposedly showing the Project Cafe out in the wild. What does it look like? Well, a wireless router…

Project Cafe: Able to play games and create a wireless network all at once?

The console is also rumored to have everything from an LCD screen on the controller, to one that transforms, and even a built in camera. Expect the Project Cafe to be the big reveal of the show, and don’t expect many of these rumors to be true. Some? Sure, but the odds of all these rumors being true is quite unlikely. Think of the cost to manufacture something with all of those features.  I’d be surprised if Nintendo didn’t pull out all of the stops for the announcement, we’re getting a price announcement and a rough release window along with a few games that will be fully playable on the show floor. And yes; The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be one of them, and so will a few key 3rd party titles.

So what about the Wii? Don’t expect Nintendo to give up on it just yet, E3 will reveal a few, but not a lot of key releases that will extend the life of the system up to and into the life of Project Cafe.

Like many of you, I’m feeling a bit of buyer’s remorse for my 3DS. It’s a neat little toy that’s fun to bring out to parties, but when it comes to games, I’ve mostly been using it to play my standard DS games. This E3 is integral to whether the new handheld becomes a success or the next virtual boy. Expect a lot of news on new features for the 3DS, like Netflix. Interestingly enough, the e-shop launches on the first unofficial day of the show, so expect a ton of news on games coming to the service. Expect a time table and pricing structure for a lot of new features.

Super Mario 3DS was officially announced at this year's GDC. Tail and all.

You can also expect a number of key franchises to be announced for the 3DS. We already know that there’s a Mario game being unveiled, but expect to see a new Zelda, a new Metroid and perhaps even a F-Zero title (okay, I may be reaching a bit for that one).

It’s also a safe bet that Nintendo will play up connectivity between Project Cafe and the 3DS. Also, we’ll get more information on the future of the AR cards included with the 3DS.

What do you expect to see from Nintendo at this year’s E3? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to keep with Blast during this year’s E3, as we’ll be live blogging the press conferences and giving you our hands on impressions of the latest games and info.

Check back later this week for our predictions for Microsoft and Sony!

So here’s a video that’s apparently a presentation of Nintendo showing off it’s new, yet unofficial next gen console known as Project Cafe. While we do know that the company held a private session for developers to see Project Cafe, here’s where we call shenanigans; the opening of the video claims that its from a “video games Editor.” What do you guys think?

The update scheduled for this month that would have given the Nintendo 3DS a web browser and e-shop among other new features has been delayed.

According to the company, the update will hit North America on June 6, and Japan on June 7th.  This can’t sit well with gamers who purchased a 3DS and are eagerly awaiting something new from the system.

Of course, the new launch lineup is right in the middle of E3, in fact — it’s the day before their press conference. Interesting…

Like most of Gameloft’s releases, the Asphalt series never banked its success on being original. Startinglife off as a straight-up clone of console-style arcade racers for cell phones, the series moved to the DSfor that system’s launch back in 2004. As it turns out, not much has changed in the intervening years.

Asphalt 3D takes clear inspiration from EA’s Need for Speed and Burnout series. It comes packed with 17tracks and 42 licensed cars. Such numbers can’t compete with the PSP’s Gran Turismo, but still provideplenty of variety. Asphalt’s physics and controls are incredibly forgiving, although the opponent AI isgenerally fairly strong.

For a straight-up racing game, Asphalt 3D is certainly serviceable. The game has a generic look and feel,but can definitely be fun. The problems come when the gameplay tries to emulate more advancedaspects of AAA racers. The use of slow-motion, cinematic crash sequences from Burnout, for instance,is done incredibly badly. The physics are inconsistent, so taps on the rear bumper might cause a car tocareen into the air, while hard slams do nothing.

The crash sequences are just unnecessary and distracting, ruining the pacing of the game and oftencausing the framerate to take a dive. The inclusion of a cop and speeder element is also weak, as are thedrifting and cash challenges, which all just seem half-baked. Multiplayer supports up to six, but is localWi-Fi only, and Streetpass support is limited to sharing best times.

Asphalt 3D looks ok, but definitely old school. The 3D effects add an extra level of depth, but the visualsstill look a generation or two behind. There’s an over emphasis on neon trails and shininess, althoughthe car models look good and the various tracks offer a variety of scenery to absorb.

The Blast Factor: Asphalt 3D isn’t terrible, just incredibly generic and flawed. Where Ridge Racer 3D focuses on providinga very familiar, yet refined racing experience, Asphalt muddies its own waters with too many extras thatsimply aren’t done well.

Just in case you didn’t believe the initial rumors, the seemingly endless stream of “leaked images” or even Miyamoto saying that the Nintendo was planning to releasing a new console a new console in 2012, here you go. The gaming giant has confirmed the rumors via a small line note in the company’s quarterly report.

In the report, Nintendo addressed the rumors by stating that they do in fact plan to release a new console in 2012. They also confirm that a playable version of the console will be available at this year’s E3 show in June.

Let the speculation begin.

Back at GDC a few months ago, Nintendo casually made reference to the Super Mario 3DS title that was missing from the handhelds launch lineup.  Sure, there were a few screens and a logo (with a tail!) but beyond that, we knew very little about the long awaited game. Now, the character’s legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto is starting to talk — and yes, it’s awesome.

“It’s a combination of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario on N64,” Miyamoto told EDGE magazine in an interview. “It won’t convey the message if I talk to you today, but if you play it at E3 that will give you more understanding of what I’m talking about.”

So, it’ll be playable at E3 for sure then. Awesome. Miyamoto finished the interview by commenting on that tail seen in the game’s logo — an yes, is what you think it would be. Can you say raccoon suit? ”The tail you mentioned on the logo – it’s what you think it is,” Miyamoto said. “You probably know what’s going to happen using that character.”

Miyamoto also assured EDGE that the game is coming later this year. Stick with Blast for more info on Super Mario Bros 3DS, along with all of the E3 happenings.

Earlier this week we reported that Nintendo was planning on announcing a new HD console at this year’s E3.  Now it seems we’re getting our first details on the rumored new console.

Reportedly, the new console, which features hardware that either rivals or comes close to that of the Xbox 360 and PS3 will feature a touch screen style controller and motion control features similar to the Move. Reportedly the console is already being shown to select publishers in preparation from this summer’s show.

“Nintendo’s plans sound unreal,” one source said to website CVG. “Publishers are already planning launch titles and it’s all very exciting.

Blast already has a seat for Nintendo’s press conference at E3 and will bring you all the news as it happens.

Confirming long standing rumors, Blast has learned that Nintendo will unveil its brand new console at this year’s E3.

The new console, as first reported by Game Informer this morning is reportedly capable of running HD graphics at or near the capabilities of the Xbox 360 and PS3. Reportedly, Nintendo is already shopping the new console around to several publishers in hopes of securing AAA third party titles.

Stick with Blast for further information on this and all of your other gaming news.

Confirming rumors Blast reported earlier this month, Nintendo confirmed today that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for the 3DS will hit North American stores on June 19.

With the launch of the Nintendo DS, Nintendo raised the ante for innovation thanks to the inclusionof both dual screens and a touch screen. Now, the company has created the first mainstream use ofglasses-free stereoscopic 3D. The question, of course, is does 3D actually enhance the experience ofplaying games on the go.

For gamers who appreciate what 3D offers, Nintendo has released an impressive piece of technologyin a tiny package. The handheld sports a 200 MHz GPU, which in comparison to the iPhone or averageAndroid-based device seems positively anemic. The 3D-capable top screen measures 3.53 inch andsupports a widescreen resolution of 800×240 pixels. The touch screen is 3 inches and sports a lowerresolution. Unlike the DS, that’s a wide difference between the two screens, so games that utilize bothscreens for gameplay (like Contra 4) seem unlikely.

Regardless, the main screen certainly produces excellent visuals. Without a doubt, Nintendo’stechnology works. The 3D effect is superb when used well. The 3DS can clearly provide images withan amazing sense of depth and dimension. The graphics are crisp and colorful, and on par with theGamecube and even the Wii. The 3D effect is a bit finicky though. You have to stare at the screenstraight on, and hold it still, or else the picture breaks up into a ghosted double image. There’s a handyslider bar to the right of the screen for adjusting the intensity of the 3D effect, or just turning it off.

The entire unit is actually smaller than the DSi, so it’s easy to slip into your pocket and take on the go.The 3DS supports 802.11 Wi-Fi and relies on its wireless abilities more than any other Nintendo gamesystem—even the Wii. Between the potential online gaming abilities, more streamlined friend codesystem, the new Streetpass mode, and, of course, the upcoming 3DS store, the 3DS should prove to be avery connected handheld.

Granted, the DSi had most of these features and could play games online, but it lacked a convenientway to create a friends list—the archaic friend code system Nintendo insists on using was actually gamespecific on the DS. The 3DS uses a system-specific code, so you only have to give your buddies a singlecode to connect with them.
The store, ability to browse the web, and the much-anticipated option to finally transfer DSi storepurchases to your 3DS will supposedly all be available in May. Right now, the online abilities of thesystem are nearly non-existent. Few of the launch games even support online play, but it’s clear that the3DS, once updated, will offer a level connectivity hitherto unseen from Nintendo.

The biggest feature of the 3DS next to actually being 3D is the Streetpass mode, though how useful thiswill be in actuality is up to speculation. When the system is in sleep mode, it can detect other sleeping3DS systems and connect to them. For games that utilize this functionality, this leads to data and bonusexchanges. In Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, for example, teams of character figurines you collect will actually fight AI battles with other 3DS teams. The winner will open their 3DS to reveal newly earnedbonuses, coins, and other goodies.

Streetpass is an intriguing attempt at essentially anonymous social gaming, and Nintendo at leastdeserves props for devising a creatively cool feature. How much use developers make of this abilityremains to be seen.
The inclusion of an analog nub is another improvement over the old DS. It’s a comfortable stick thatallows for more advanced controls, since movement is no longer confined to the D-pad. Other thanthat, the layout is identical to the DSi. The Wii-like graphic user interface is further refined as well. Thescrolling, icon-based menus are easy to navigate, although a few of the system options are somewhatburied.

The 3DS also sports an in-depth Mii creation system, just like the Wii. It can even create a Mii based on a head shot, which makes creating the little figures quick and easy. Wii owners will instantly recognize theMii Plaza as well for showing off collected Miis, though their use is still mostly a gimmick. The onboardcamera can take 2D or 3D shots, and, just like the DSi, has front- and back-facing cameras.

While the ability to take 3D photos is great, the resolution is painfully low, so you’ll likely only be viewingthem on the 3DS. The cameras are also used for Augmented Reality (AR) applications. The 3DS comesstandard with Face Raiders, a fun first-person shooter that creates floating heads based on photos, andthen requires players to move around the room while staring at the screen to find and shoot the heads.

The 3DS also includes a set of AR cards in the box. These cards mostly just create a 3D image of popularNintendo characters overlaid against your environment, though one of the cards also offers a few simpleAR games. It’s all a gimmick, but still amusing—especially for kids.

As great as the overall hardware is, there is one major flaw—the battery life. DS owners have long cometo expect insanely good battery life out of their systems. With the 3D and Wi-Fi on, the 3DS can maybeaverage four or five hours on a charge. To help minimize this inconvenience, a charger dock comesstandard.

The line-up of launch titles hasn’t exactly been met with unbridled enthusiasm. While the 3DS’sofferings aren’t terrible for the most part, they’re also not great. Capcom’s Super Street Fighter IV 3DEdition is probably the all-around champ. It offers terrific graphics and gameplay, online multiplayer, andStreetpass support.

Namco’s Ridge Racer 3D and Asphalt 3D are both surprisingly good, if old school racers, and Nintendo’sPilot Wings Resort is a fun, if shallow casual flying experience. It’s just a shame that Nintendo didn’thave anything in the way of what players really want at launch. The 3D release of the N64 classic,Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, is due this summer, but there’s no Mario, Smash Bros, Mario Kart, orMetroid. Worse, none of these beloved franchises are likely to appear any time soon.

As it is, early adopters will have to satisfy themselves with ports of Super Monkey Ball, Bust-a-Move,Nintendogs, and a few other popular regulars. Nintendo claims to have had the most successful hardware launch ever with the 3DS, but whether that will translate into improved support fromdevelopers remains to be seen. If developer are willing to invest in the potential of the 3DS over thesecurity and cheaper development costs of a regular DS game, future releases might just live up to thehardware’s bright potential.

TOKYO — Shocking news out of Japan this morning as sources close to Nintendo have told Blast Magazine that legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto has left the company to join its fiercest rival.

Miyamoto, most known for creating such legendary franchises as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong was said to have handed in his notice after what is being described by sources as a “fierce confrontation” with shareholders regarding the 3DS and its effect on the eyes of young Children.

As of this writing Nintendo has yet to issue a statement regarding the situation.

So where does Miyamoto go from Herr? Word is that he’s eying a run with Nintendo rival Sony to work on Move and NGP games. The rumor is that he’s aiming to get a major blockbuster title on shelves for the first of April of next year.

Read more details on page two.

Want to see what the inside of your fancy new handheld look like? Well here you go. Enjoy.