● I’ll try to keep everything short: Nintendo Co. Ltd. posted their first quarter earnings (here) and as expected was poor; net sales down 31.3% year-on-year and an operating loss of ¥5.134 billion. Software was slightly up. Hardware was way down (especially Wii U). Download sales and amiibo sales were both down. 36.9 million amiibo figures have been sold worldwide to date.
● I’ve had numerous people ask why I didn’t cover the Eurogamer story which stated that the “Nintendo NX is a portable console with detachable controllers”. In-short, I do not post NX rumours. No sources were listed in the article, and even though I may tend to believe the information is considerably accurate (it’s at least logical), I’ll wait until Nintendo make their official reveal first.
● LEVEL5 VISION 2016 is now over. In 3DS related news: Lady Layton: The Conspiracy of King Millionaire Ariadne was announced for 3DS Spring 2017. The Snack World is now coming to 3DS July 2017. No platform was announced for Inazuma Eleven Ares although both anime and game are coming in 2017. Finally, Megaton Musashi is an Action RPG coming to 3DS in 2017.
● In an interesting sales gimmick: Flyhigh Works have announced ten mini-games based on the character Kutar all releasing next week (3 August) priced at just ¥100 each. Check out the official website here and trailer here.
● The Sega 3D Classics series is returning with 3D Puyo Puyo Tsu based on the arcade version releasing next week for ¥864. Local play is included. Check out the official website here.
● The third 3DS title is the previously announced Welcome! Pet Hotel (I Love My Pets) by Starsign for ¥1,000. Check out the official website here and the Japanese trailer here.
● The Wii U next week sees the Nintendo DS games The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Pokémon Ranger: Tracks of Light (Guardian Signs) for ¥950 each and the Wii games Super Paper Mario and Zero ~Shinku no Chou~ (Project Zero 2) for ¥2,700 each.
● One Piece Dai Kaizoku Colosseum received a playable demo on Japanese 3DS’s today requiring 457 blocks and allowing 20 plays.
● Wii U owners saw the Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training animated short and demo (requiring 1,583MB) and a Star Fox Guard Special Trial Version (requiring 1,319MB).
● The 3DS Theme Shop added eight new themes today with three new Pokémon (one is available separately with the other two only as a set) plus Amatsuki, Okomejin, I’m Sakamoto, Touch Battle Tank 3D-4 and BIGHEAD themes. Go here to see them all.
● Three more My Nintendo rewards were announced for Japan with Tobidasu! Nyanko Daisensou (The Battle Cats POP!) receiving 30% off (180 Platinum Points) and Zelda Musou: Hyrule All-Stars (Hyrule Warriors Legends) and Zelda Musou (Hyrule Warriors) receiving 20% off (75 and 90 Gold Points respectively) until 31 October.
● In delays: the Pokémon GO Plus accessory has been delayed until September and the Famicom cartridge game Kira Kira Star Night DX delayed until 30 September. I had pre-ordered both too ;-(
● EnjoyUp Games’ graveyard lawnmower action game The Grumpy Reaper is coming to the Japanese Wii U eShop shortly courtesy of Cosen.
● Wii U trailers for Xenoblade here, Minna no Rhythm Tengoku here, Animal Crossing: Wild World here and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia here.
● In Miitomo news: the third “All Eyes On You! Swimwear Collection” theme is now available.
● That’s all for now. I’ll be back for Famitsu charts and scans (higher-res this week!) in a few hours. Btw, Dragon Ball Fusions scored 33/40 in this week’s Famitsu, Etrian Odyssey V scored 35/40 and Fairune 2 28/40.
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