Most Recent: Switch

Nintendo scored both the best-selling game (Mario Tennis Aces) and console (NES Classic) of June 2018

Posted on August 2, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo can lay claim to the top-selling console in June 2018… but it wasn’t the Nintendo Switch. Instead, it looks like the relaunched NES Classic was the month’s best-selling console.

However, that’s not to say that the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch (as well as the Super NES Classic and 3DS) were slouching. According to the NPD Group (via GamesIndustry.biz), the three major consoles, both of Nintendo’s retro microconsoles, and the 3DS created a 52% increase in overall hardware sales versus June 2017.

All told, the game industry tallied $1.1 billion in sales in June, which was good for a 25% year-over-year increase.

June is typically a slow month for new releases, and that was reflected in the NPD’s companion report on best-selling games. Mario Tennis Aces was the top-selling game during the month, with The Crew 2 (#4), and Lego The Incredibles (#7) also breaking into the top ten. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy‘s debut on the PC, Switch, and Xbox One also helped it re-enter the list at #9.

A quick rundown of the remainder of June 2018’s best-selling games can be found after the break. (more…)

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Nintendo has sold nearly 20 million Switch consoles; Pokemon RPG for Switch gets “Late 2019” launch date

Posted on July 31, 2018 by John Scalzo

The Switch isn’t flying off the shelves quite like it was in 2017, but it looks like Nintendo’s newest console is still acquiring new owners at a fairly steady clip.

Earlier today, the consolemaker delivered a new quarterly financial report (covering April-June of 2018) for investors, and confirmed that they sold 1.88 million Switch consoles during the period. Since its launch in March 2017, Nintendo has now sold 19.67 miilion Switch consoles… just a hair off the pace set by the Wii.

In other financial news, Nintendo announced that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario Tennis Aces both became million-sellers, with each selling about 1.4 million copies. And Mario Kart 8 Deluxe added another 1.13 million copies to its sales tally, bringing its worldwide total to 10.35 million copies sold.

Finally, Nintendo narrowed down the release date for next year’s Pokemon RPG for Switch. The untitled game will now launch in “Late 2019,” as opposed to the previously-announced “Second Half of 2019.”

Thankfully, we’ll have plenty of new Switch games to play between now and then.

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New Retail Releases: WarioWare Gold, More

Posted on July 30, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is showing 3DS owners that there’s still some life left in their dedicated handheld with this week’s release of WarioWare Gold. Featuring more than 300 new and returning “microgames,” WarioWare Gold is the biggest entry in the series to date and the first to appear on the 3DS (though it’s only playable in 2D).

The remainder of this week’s new retail releases are games making their Switch debut, including THQ Nordic’s Diablo-like hack-and-slash action RPG, Titan Quest; Nicalis’s anime-inspired hack-and-slash RPG, Code of Princess EX; and a 25th Anniversary Edition re-release of Paul Cuisset’s “cinematic platformer,” Flashback.

This quartet of games is it for now, but as always, we’ll be back later this week with a look at more new titles coming to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch | Tagged ,

Drive a car, a plane, and a submarine this September with the Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit

Posted on July 27, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo promised that more Nintendo Labo kits would be coming in 2018, and the third cardboard construction set was revealed late last night by the consolemaker.

The Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit gives players the opportunity to build a steering wheel (for a car), a flight stick (for a plane), and a ship’s wheel (for a submarine)… and they’ll be able to switch between them at will using two cardboard keys as they “explore a mysterious world”:

Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit will unlock even more ways for people to make, play and discover together, as they speed through races, battle cars equipped with extendable arms and explore a mysterious world. Each vehicle features its own controls and special moves, and with the second Key, players can even invite a co-pilot along on their in-game journey. Interacting with the assembled Toy-Con creations instantly translates into in-game actions to create a truly immersive experience – from pulling the cord on the Car to pop a wheelie, pushing the button on the Submarine to launch a grappling hook and so much more.

The Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit will be available for the Switch on September 14. The game will be priced at $69.99, and its adorable first trailer has been embedded above.

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Nickelodeon Kart Racers puts characters from SpongeBob, Ninja Turtles, Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and more in driver’s seat this Fall

Posted on July 26, 2018 by John Scalzo

Characters from Nickelodeon’s massive stable of animated shows will soon get the chance to race for the checkered flag. That’s because the children’s channel has announced a partnership with GameMill Entertainment to launch Nickelodeon Kart Racers this Fall.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Rugrats, SpongeBob, Hey Arnold, and many other Nickelodeon characters will be available to pick in the games. Fans of all ages will also be able to partake in four-player local play, along with 24 different tracks, customizable karts, multiple power-ups and special attacks, and a Team Racing Mode:

Select a racer from one of your favorite Nickelodeon series, including SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy from SpongeBob SquarePants, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Arnold and Helga from Hey Arnold!, and Angelica, Tommy and Reptar from Rugrats. Race your friends in up to four-player local multiplayer or check out the Battle Arena for a variety of challenges.

Nickelodeon Kart Racers is in development at Bamtang, and will be released for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on October 23.

Posted in News, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged

The Banner Saga 3, Titan Quest, Flashback, more coming to Nintendo eShop this week

Posted on July 26, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like it’s time for another Nintendo eShop update. As usual, more than 20 new games will be available to download for the Switch. Here’s what’s on tap for this week…

RPG fans should be on the lookout for The Banner Saga 3, the grand finale to Stoic’s strategy RPG series, as well as Titan Quest, an action RPG that was originally released for the PC in 2006. Also set to launch this week for the Switch is Flashback, a modern remake of Delphine Software’s “cinematic platformer,” which was first released in 1992.

Finally this week, Nintendo will partner with Hamster Corporation to bring Sky Skipper, one of the consolemaker’s earliest arcade games, to the Switch.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the Nintendo eShop (including Go Vacation, Code of Princess EX, The King of Fighters ’97, and more) after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch | Tagged ,

NIS America shines a spotlight on Crystalis in the latest SNK 40th Anniversary Collection trailer

Posted on July 25, 2018 by John Scalzo

Crystalis was a well-liked Action RPG that originally graced the NES all the way back in 1990. But it’s been impossible to find for players looking to revisit the game in the 28 years since. Thankfully, that all changes this Fall when Crystalis is reborn on the Switch as part of the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection.

Publisher NIS America recently unveiled a new Crystalis-centric trailer for the compilation, and reintroduced fans to its unique story:

Originally released in Japan as God Slayer: Haruka Tenku no Sonata, Crystalis was a game ahead of its time, sporting an elaborate story, advanced graphics, and high quality soundtrack. Today, that same cult classic returns on Nintendo Switch!

Awaken in a post-apocalyptic world, where the forbidden ways of science have been revived by the Draygonia Empire. Guided by the four wise sages and wielding the Sword of Wind, the protagonist must aid a fellow survivor named Mesia and combine the four elemental Swords of Wind, Fire, Water, and Thunder to create the legendary sword, Crystalis. Will he be able to stop the evil ambitions of Emperor Draygon in time to save the world?

Crystalis, and more than a dozen other games published by SNK, will be available in the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection when it launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on November 13.

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2K Games will publish NBA Playgrounds 2 this Fall as NBA 2K Playgrounds 2

Posted on July 24, 2018 by John Scalzo

Way back in May, Saber Interactive indefinitely (and mysteriously) postponed the release of NBA Playgrounds 2 just days before it was scheduled to launch for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One. And now, like Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard, it’ll be playing for a new team this Fall.

That’s because 2K Games announced earlier today that they’ve picked up the publishing rights to NBA Playgrounds 2. First things first, the publisher rebranded the over-the-top basketball game as NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

“The original NBA Playgrounds was a fantastic throwback to the glory days of arcade-action sports,” said Greg Thomas, the President of Visual Concepts. “The new NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 will step up this energy and attitude big time – with a bit of added NBA 2K flair – giving fans of both franchises an exciting new way to game with friends around the world.”

“No one is more committed to bringing fans a great basketball experience than 2K. We can’t wait to share more on how we’re teaming up to make NBA 2K Playgrounds 2’s incredible arcade action bigger and better than ever for players,” said Saber Interactive’s CEO, Matt Karch.

It’s unknown how 2K Games and Visual Concepts plan to change NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, but we’ll likely learn more about the future of the game soon.

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