Haven’t forgotten about Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, have you? The Level 5-developed mashup was announced last year as a 3DS format exclusive, and we’ve been longing for another look at it since.
This TGS trailer gives us look at actual gameplay. It’s certainly a step up visually from past Ace Attorney entries, spiffy 3D models and all. The clincher? A US release still isn’t set in stone — but considering the cult hit status both brands have over here, we’re feeling hopeful.
SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano has went on record to say that the company does not consider 3DS a competitor to Vita internally.
Kawano told Reuters Japan (via Andriasang) that the Vita’s look and price point significantly differentiate it from that of Nintendo’s offering. While he agrees there will be some overlap, he does not expect those buying both portables to compare the two.
Moreover, Kawano isn’t feeling threatened by smartphones either. His rationale is that gaming on smartphones is a “bonus,” not fully appreciated as a core value like it is on Vita.
SCEJ plans to ship 500,000 Vita units in Japan initially — and Kawano is expecting the shipment to sell out quickly, thanks in a part to a NTT Docomo prepaid plan offer for the first 500K 3G units.
Vita launches December 17 in the region. A North American and Europe release is slated for early next year.
Looks like one of Nintendo’s big announcements at its upcoming 3DS conference – or at least one of them, will involve the unveiling of a control expansion pack. It’s a bulky attachment that straps onto the 3DS’ rear, adding a second analog nub and extra triggers in the form of an L2, R1, and R2 button.
A photo of the peripheral was shown in the latest issue of Japanese gaming mag Famitsu (picture above), alongside a feature on Monster Hunter 3DS. It’s not clear if the device was designed specifically for MH, or if other titles will take advantage of it. We’d side towards the latter, though.
Nintendo is prepping significant product announcements for its 3DS Conference in Japan this year. While it’s anyone’s guess as to what will be shown, the briefing will be held on September 13 and we now have another nugget of information to go along with that. According to Nintendo’s official website, it will be accompanied by a live stream, which will no doubt raise the hype meter for some.
It’ll be broadcast 12:00 PM Japan time through UStream and NicoNico video.
As a token of appreciation to early 3DS adopters, Nintendo announced last month that it would gift rewards in the form of free NES and Game Boy Advance titles. Originally slated to go live on September 1, the first batch of rewards are now up for download a day early, at least in North America.
Those in the 3DS Ambassador program can now download NES classics Metroid, Wrecking Crew, NES Open Tournament Gold, Zelda II, Yoshi, Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong Jr, Balloon Fight, Ice Climber and The Legend of Zelda. To access the goods, simply log on the eShop and navigate to settings. The 10 titles are available under My Downloads.
Nintendo will host a pre-Tokyo Game Show event on September 13 in Japan to focus on 3DS, according to a WSJ report. Speculation suggests Nintendo may debut a 3DS redesign at the event, along with several big software announcements.
Share value in the company rose 8.4 percent over the past three weeks. It was during the same time last year that Nintendo unveiled 3DS.
Officially, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has said the company has “no plans” for a redesign.
The recent 3DS price drop has definitely spurred interest in the handheld over in Nintendo’s native region. Radio Nikkei is reporting that sales through the second week of August (8-14) hit 207K. That figure tops the number of units sold during the week following launch.
As the price drop went into effect August 11 in Japan, that accounts for three days of sales at the marked down price. It’ll be interesting to see if sales climb even further given a full week to settle.
Zone of the Enders, a high-profile Hideo Kojima franchise that isn’t Metal Gear Solid, may be in for a resurgence – on 3DS. At least, that’s what we’re led to believe from a photo the MGS creator casually tweeted earlier today.
There’s a mech figurine featured in the shot, and behind that you can see the text “Z.O.E. 3DS.” Here’s hoping more details surface soon.
Envious of the flame red 3DS color Japan has? Good news, Nintendo is bringing it stateside on September 9, joining the currently available Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue shades. The date also coincides with retail availability of Star Fox 64 3D.
Nintendo feels confident the new color and fall software lineup, combined with the new $169 MSRP — which official goes into effect on August 12 — will set the stage for record sales this holiday season.
“Nintendo 3DS is poised to be on fire for the holidays, with its new suggested retail price, great games and our new Flame Red color,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.
“With major upcoming releases in the Star Fox, Pokémon and Mario series, in addition to downloadable offerings from Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Video and Netflix, the system offers new and fun experiences to owners on a daily basis.”
Although the massive Nintendo 3DS price cut goes into effect ‘officially’ on August 12, rumors indicate that Wal-Mart may jump the gun.
According to a report from the deal sleuths over at CAG, Wal-Mart will drop the MSRP of the device in its retail stores on August 9, giving customers a 3 day head start.
This would also allow savvy shoppers to get in on the Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors promotion, since the only requirement is that you sign on the 3DS eShop by August 11. The program grants early adopters with 20 free downloadable games across Nintendo’s Virtual Console backcatalog.
