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All Articles: Mario Kart 8
Nintendo NX is a console/handheld hybrid officially known as Nintendo Switch
All the rumors are true. Nintendo’s NX console is actually a console/handheld hybrid known as the Nintendo Switch.
Set to launch in March 2017, games for the Switch will be released on cartridges and players will be able to “switch” between playing on their TV with the Switch Dock or taking them on the road with a tablet-sized screen and controllers that click into place on the edges. A “Pro Controller” option will also be available, and certain games will feature a Wii-style “Remote + Nunchuk” control scheme for gaming on the go (with a kickstand for the screen). If you’d prefer a more traditional setup, the controllers can be attached to a Joy-Con Grip to better emulate a regular controller.
So what else did we learn? For starters, beloved Bethesda RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will be available for the Switch. 2K’s NBA 2K17 also made an appearance in the video.
Nintendo themselves gave us a quick glimpse at a brand new Super Mario 3D game, as well as remasters of (or possibly sequels to) Splatoon and Mario Kart 8. And, of course, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was also on display.
The final launch date and price will be announced at a later date, but I’m sure we’ll learn much more about the Switch throughout the day. And there’s always the Red Dead Redemption 2 reveal to look forward to in about an hour.
Rumor: Lots of games might be in development for Nintendo NX including Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII
I have begun to wonder… will we elect a new President before Nintendo unveils their NX console? Back in September, many fans expected an announcement to happen at any time, but here we are in mid-October and I’m no longer so sure. Thankfully, we’ve got a fresh batch of rumors to sift through.
Yesterday’s report comes from Gameblog.fr, a very popular destination for French gaming news. Helpfully translated by NeoGAF, the report is said to include insider information from multiple sources.
Not surprisingly, the hybrid nature of the NX was reconfirmed and the console/handheld is still expected to include detachable controllers. However, Gameblog.fr’s sources said that the docking station used to connect the NX to a television is actually a “wireless dongle” that can upscale a game’s graphics for 1080p displays. Nintendo is also still keeping some of the NX’s “gimmicks” a secret from developers.
But the real meat of this report focuses on the console’s launch lineup. Gameblog.fr’s sources believe that at least 20 games are currently in development for the NX including remasters of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. For Wii U, and Splatoon. We’ve heard this story before, but yesterday’s report includes a new wrinkle of additional Nintendo 64 and Wii remasters as well.
Other games are said to be in the works outside of Nintendo’s offices including Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake from Square Enix, a new Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell game and a Yoshi/Rabbids Crossover from Ubisoft, and untitled new games from Platinum Games and Capcom.
Finally, Nintendo is believed to be testing a virtual reality headset for the NX, but the results aren’t “satisfying.”
As always, it’s good to take any rumors with a massive grain of salt, and I think that’s especially true with this batch. But who knows, maybe we’ll all be surprised when Nintendo officially announces the NX… someday.
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mario Kart 8
Conan O’Brien lets it all hang out after playing Mario Kart 8 with Seth Rogen and Zac Efron
Neighbors 2 opens in theaters on May 20, so Seth Rogen and Zac Efron decided that challenging Conan O’Brien to a Mario Kart 8 tournament was the best way to promote their R-rated comedy sequel. Sadly, even after sharing his green tea keg and an e-cigarette, losing round after round of the family-friendly game lead to a very NSFW (and pretty funny) punishment for Conan.
I know Nintendo needs the money, but I’m actually a little shocked they said “Let’s-a go!” to this skit.
Posted in News, Wii U
Tagged Mario Kart 8
Wii U + Mario Kart 8 + Mario Kart 8 DLC Bundle races into stores today
Nintendo is upgrading their Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle by adding both of the game’s downloadable expansions. The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 Pack was released in 2014 to tremendous acclaim, while the Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 Pack crossed the finished line earlier this year to similar accolades. If you haven’t already, there’s really never been a better time than now to jump into the driver’s seat of Mario Kart 8.
The new Wii U + Mario Kart 8 Bundle will be available on store shelves beginning today. Priced at $299.99, the package will include a pre-installed version of Mario Kart 8 as well as a Nintendo eShop Download Card for the two DLC packs.
Posted in News, Wii U
Tagged Mario Kart 8
Nintendo posts first yearly profit in four years as Mario Kart 8, Smash Bros. 4, Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire sell a bundle
The champagne is surely flowing in the Nintendo office today as the consolemaker has posted a yearly profit for the first time since 2011. After tabulating sales of almost ¥550 billion (about $4.6 billion), Nintendo announced an operating income of ¥24.77 billion (about $207 million) during their most recent fiscal year (April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015).
It’s quite a turnaround for the company, and it’s all due to an influx of big-selling titles on the 3DS and Wii U. Leading the way was Super Smash Bros. For 3DS and Super Smash Bros. For Wii U. Nintendo’s ridiculously popular fighting game sold 6.75 million copies on the 3DS and 3.65 million on the Wii U for a grand total of 10.4 million copies. Another connected pair of games almost reached eight figures this past year, but Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire will have to settle for a 9.94 million tally instead.
Mario Kart 8 was next on the sales charts, producing sales in excess of 5.11 million copies sold. And speaking of the Mario Kart franchise, Mario Kart 7 sold 2 million copies during the fiscal year, which pushes its lifetime sales past 11.7 million copies. Sticking with the 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D also performed well in the last 12 months, selling more than 2 million copies.
Finally, Nintendo also shared hardware sales figures for both the Wii U and 3DS. Nintendo’s home console has sold 9.54 million systems since its 2012 launch while the 3DS has chipped in 52 million in sales for the handheld’s entire family.
Mario Kart 8: Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack Review: More Tracks! More Characters! More Speed!
Nintendo has released Mario Kart 8’s second downloadable expansion during an interesting time for add-on content. Other publishers have been very welcoming to the new revenue stream, some perhaps overly so, but Nintendo has mostly shied away from creating additional content for their games. However, with Mario Kart 8 and the upcoming Xenoblade Chronicles X, the company seems to have found the perfect balance between releasing extra content that generates more revenue while offering value for money. The Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack is priced at $7.99, just like the earlier Zelda-themed expansion. However, players can pick up both packs for $11.99, which would add four additional Cups to the game, each with a mix of old favourites and new challenges. Players who buy both packs will receive 16 new tracks on top of the original 32, which is 50% more game for only a fifth of the price.
Not only that, they released it a month earlier than expected!
But this second DLC add-on brings something special with it, a free update that adds a 200cc Class to the game, which is a faster gameplay mode than the Mario Kart franchise has ever included previously. The new speed setting is a game changer, and the best part is that it is free to everyone, not just those who bought one or both DLC packs. But is this new, challenging speed setting perhaps a step too far in this fun-filled game? (more…)
Posted in Reviews, Top Story, Wii U
Tagged Mario Kart 8
Nintendo Download: Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart 8 200cc update, more
It’s a Mario Kart kind of day in the latest Nintendo Download. First, one of the best games to ever grace the franchise, Mario Kart DS, is now available to download through the Wii U eShop. Also available today is the free 200cc update for Mario Kart 8.
In addition to adding an entirely new race class to the game, Nintendo has added the game’s second downloadable expansion, the Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack, to the Wii U eShop as well. Available on its own for $7.99, or as part of a two-pack for $11.99, the second DLC Pack adds three new racers and eight new tracks to the game.
In other DLC news, Mewtwo will be available to download in Super Smash Bros. For Wii U and Super Smash Bros. For 3DS on Tuesday, April 28. The popular Pokemon character can be yours in a single version of Smash Bros. for $3.99 or in both for just a buck more.
To keep the spotlight shining on their new DLC offerings, only two additional games were added to the eShop today. Cube Creator 3D is a Minecraft-like game for the 3DS while Suspension Railroad Simulator is a suspension railroad simulation.
More information on all of these games can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart DS, Super Smash Bros. For 3DS, Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
New trailers reveal all you need to know about Mario Kart 8’s Animal Crossing DLC
Nintendo has decided its time to get serious as the publisher has just unleashed NINE brand new trailers showcasing everything from the Mario Kart 8 X Animal Crossing DLC Pack.
And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING. The trailers focus on the three new characters (Isabel, Villager, Dry Bowser), four new karts (Streetle, City Tripper, P-Wing, Bone Rattler), four retro tracks (Mario Kart 7‘s Neo Bowser City, Super Circuit‘s Ribbon Road and Cheese Land, Double Dash‘s Baby Park), and four new tracks (Super Bell Subway, Big Blue, Wild Woods, Animal Crossing).
The Mario Kart 8 X Animal Crossing DLC Pack will be available on April 23. You can find the remaining trailers after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, Wii U
Tagged Mario Kart 8