Nintendo

Via Gamasutra, there’s a great translated interview from 1997 with Nintendo legend Gunpei Yokoi on shmuplations, where he talks about his work near the end of his career (he sadly passed away later that year).

Japanese Gamers’ Opinions on Xenoblade Chronicles X

Xenoblade Chronicles X is set for release in the West on this December. But here in Japan, the game has already been out for two months. Here’s what Japanese gamers think of the game. Published in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu, the results of a reader poll on numerous aspects of the Wii U’s…

It’s Not A NES, It’s A Gaming PC

In decades past, this casing may indeed have housed a Nintendo Entertainment System, but these days it’s home to a decent little gaming PC. Built by a PC Gamer reader, it packs an “Intel Core i5-4670K CPU, an ASRock Mini ITX motherboard, and an MSI GeForce GTX 750 video card”. It’s a tight squeeze, but…

Why Some People Are Calling Fire Emblem Fates ‘Homophobic’

Last month, Nintendo announced that gay marriage would be included in the strategy game Fire Emblem Fates, a first for a series that has long included straight romantic relationships. This month, many are calling the game “homophobic” and criticizing it for allegedly featuring “gay conversion therapy,” all based on a Tumblr translation of the game,…

It’s the final day of the 2015 Pokémon US National Championships. While the Trading Card Game champion has already been crowned, the video game competition is kicking off any minute (3PM Eastern, running late). Watch it live here.

Rhythm Heaven: The Best +: The Kotaku Import Preview

Rhythm Heaven: The Best + does a pretty good job of living up to its name. Rhythm Heaven: The Best + is the newest game in Nintendo’s long-running Rhythm Heaven music game series. But the moment you boot up Rhythm Heaven: The Best +, you’re confronted by a glaring new addition: Unlike the past three…

The Rarest Amiibo Of All

Quick, get him before he’s sold out. If anyone knows who this is, let us know! (via @Decktronic)

In This JRPG, You Customize Your Party Members

Coming to the 3DS is a classic-style JRPG sequel that features mankind’s war to take back the Earth from dragons. Scheduled for release in October is 7th Dragon III – Code:VFD, the fourth game in the 7th Dragon series from Sega. The story is pretty simple: Life was going fine, then dragons showed up and…

Club Nintendo Closes Its Doors In North America

The time has come. Club Nintendo has closed its doors in North America. “Our heartfelt thanks to our members for your support over the years”, reads a message on the now-shuttered site. “Please stay tuned for more information on our new loyalty program.” Former members are reminded that any download codes obtained from Club Nintendo…

GameCube Games Now Running On One Android Device

June has been a big month for the team working on the Dolphin emulator, which allows users to play GameCube and Wii games on their PC. In addition to getting Virtual Console games up and running, they’ve also managed to get GameCube games working on an Android device (albeit one that few of you will…

Best Buy’s Finally Fixing Their Amiibo Policy

It’s not easy to collect Amiibo—it’s a pain in the ass, really. But maybe things are changing, as Best Buy announced some surprisingly reasonable policies for their exclusive, Dark Pit. Here’s what’s different: No online pre-orders Local pick-up only One per customer Sold on a first-come, first-served basis Basically, there’s zero bullshit. You don’t have…

Nintendo Is Revamping Miiverse

Nintendo is giving the Miiverse, its social network for the 3DS and Wii U, a much-needed redo this summer, the company just revealed. The redesign promises a number of easier ways to document and share your gaming experience with other Miiverse-goers. First up is a new photo album. Nintendo’s new Miiverse website says you’ll be…

Emulator Within An Emulator Runs Almost Perfect Pokemon

We missed this earlier in the month, but the talented team behind the Dolphin emulator have done something very cool: they’ve got N64 games working on the GC/Wii emulator by running their virtual console versions. While Pokemon Snap might not be the most exciting game to show off, it’s done with good reason: the photography…

Nintendo Visits Jim Henson Studios, Is Just The Cutest Thing

It’s a damn shame this dream collaboration had to go down for a simple marketing stunt. Something more substantial between these two companies would have been the best Anyway, to show how this E3 stuff was put together, Nintendo went and shot some behind the scenes and interview footage, most of it starring Shigeru Miyamoto…

Why Isn’t Pokémon vs Zombies An Actual Game

Nintendo, if you can team up with DeNA, you can team up with PopCap. Kleiton Dias made these gifs that illustrate how the crossover would work, as you pick Pokemon instead of plants them send them into battle instead of planting them. Aside from that, same basic principle! Some Pokemon roll down the line, others…

Three Very Different Upcoming Games That Impressed Me In Los Angeles

As I look over my notes from the big E3 show in L.A. earlier this month, three games stand out that I wanted to be sure to praise. I’m eager to play more of all of them. Chibi Robo: Zip Lash This one is for the Nintendo 3DS and comes out in early October. It’s…

Players Turn Team Fortress 2 Into Splatoon

I suppose it was inevitable, wasn’t it? Pretty much since day one, comparisons between Wii U-exclusive Splatoon and early Team Fortress 2 have run thick, like wet paint or a rotting bucket of squid chum. Both are fast, fun team-based shooters that eschew grimdark trappings in favor of cartoon whimsy. This mash-up TF2 mod by…

Splatoon Is Hiding Some Creepy Secrets

It’s pretty easy to miss Splatoon’s creepiest moments. Had someone not pointed it out to me, I never would have noticed! For the most part, Splatoon is a bright, happy game. But YouTuber Siertes has discovered that, if you happen to linger too long on boss levels, you can hear some surprisingly hellish sounds inside…

Mario In Unreal Engine 4 Just Ain’t Right

Would you look at that. Turns out the uncanny valley works both ways. YouTube’s Aryoksini , the guy behind the Blender version of Super Mario 64 from last year, demonstrates why we like our Mario games in colorful cartoon kingdoms and not realistic office buildings, kitchenettes and museums. Aryoksini rebuilt the Mario animations from scratch…

Shigeru Miyamoto Has Good News For Amiibo Skeptics Like Me

I’m optimistic about many things in gaming, but I’m a confirmed Amiibo skeptic. I fear the day a Zelda dungeon or Smash Bros. character is locked out for those who didn’t purchase the right $13 Amiibo figure. Well, at least I don’t need to fret about the new Star Fox’s use of Amiibos. “In terms…