Nintendo Weekly Fan News April 23rd-27th

Today’s weekly news update is brought to you by the latest updates on games and E3.

Splatoon 2 Update

After much anticipation, the newest Splatoon 2 update has arrived. It updates the game to Version 3.0.  

It is free update that adds 100+ new pieces of gear and lots of new stages. However, the most interesting feature in the update is the new Rank X. Rank X is the most challenging Ranked Battle you can participate in. Players in X Rank will be able to battle for an X Power Level. X Power Levels also reset after each month, and if your level is below a set threshold, your level will be dropped to Level S+9. This is to encourage player to keep challenging themselves.

The update is available now to download.

P.S. Players who are rank S+10 before the update will automatically be registered as Rank X after the party. 

Source: Nintendo

Sonic Mania Plus Details

Some new details have emerged about Sonic Mania Plus game, which is an expanded version of the original Sonic Mania.

One of the newest additions to the game is the inclusion of two new characters: Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel. Mighty the Armadillo has the special ability of Hammer Drop, which allows him to do a downward Spin Attack that can destroy objects. Ray the Flying Squirrel has the ability of Air Glide, which allows him to glide large distances through midair.

People who buy the physical version of Sonic Mania Plus will receive a holographic slip cover, reversible SEGA Genesis or SEGA Mega Drive themed sleeves, and a 32-page art book.

 

The game is set to release on July 17^th and the price point is expected to be at $29.99. It will release on the Switch.

Nintendo E3 Plans

Each year in June, E3 is held L.A to showcase the latest games and such. Nintendo has outlined some of their plans. This year, Nintendo will be highlighting Super Smash Bros. for the Switch. Before we talk about that, let’s look at the plan first.  

Source: Nintendo

• First off is the Splatoon 2 World Championship, which will have teams from the United States/Canada, Japan, Europe and Australia/New Zealand. These teams will clash to see who the top Inklings are.

• Directly after that on June 12^th, the Super Smash Bros Invitational will take place and this will showcase the newest SSB game.

• Also on June 12^th, at 9 a.m. PT, a video presentation will look at only games coming out in 2018. This presentation will also highlight the newest SSB game.

• Right after will be the regular Nintendo Treehouse Live.

That should be it for the plan, but we will see if any surprises will be announced.

Well, that’s all for this week, so I hope to see you next week.

~William

Nintendo Weekly Fan News April 16th- 20th

Today’s weekly news update is brought to you by cardboard. Yes, cardboard. However this cardboard can be used to make awesome inventions. 

Manticore-Galaxy on Fire Release

After some delay, Manticore-Galaxy on Fire has finally released for the Switch. 

Galaxy on Fire is a game based in space in a place called the Neox Sector. Your job is be the hero you can be by that rises through the ranks. With more than 8 hours of game play, this game will test your first person shooting skills. This game also supports HD rumble, a feature from the Joy-Cons. 

The game retails for $19.99 and is available now.  

Nintendo Labo Release

After a long wait, Nintendo Labo has finally released. I’ve already reported on the various kits and functions, but there are some small details I have yet to talk about. 

As you know, in Toy-Con Garage mode you can make any creation you want with the kits you have bought. In light of this, Nintendo will allow you to view and submit your creations to a user generated content (UGC) hub. This hub will allow you to also see other people’s creations. However, starting from April 20^th, you can submit your creations to earn some cool prizes, including a  Labo kit. The schedule for the contest is as follows:

• For best Decorated Toy-Con, submit your creation by May 11^th

• For best Toy-Con mod using the Toy-Con garage, submit your creation by May 25^th

• For best original creation, submit your creation by June 15^th

For more details, you can visit here. 

P.S. If you think that’s the best part, here’s a video of Bill Nye testing out Nintendo Labo with his new found buddy, Scooter. 

Source: Nintendo

Legendary Pokemon Distribution

After much wait, you can finally get Raikou or Entei starting April 22^nd. Let me tell you how to obtain one of these two legendary Pokémon. 

In order to obtain one of these two Legendary Pokémon, you must pick up your codes at your local Target Store. For Pokémon Ultra Sun, you will obtain Entei and for Pokémon Ultra Moon, you will receive Raikou. Each will be Level 100 and be holding a Golden Bottle Cap. For your Sun/Moon games, you will get your respected Pokémon, but they will be at Level 60 with no held item. 

These Pokémon will only be available till April 29^th, so be sure to grab yours as soon as you can.

Source: Pokémon Company International

Well, that’s all for this week, so I hope to “see” you next week!

~William

Nintendo Weekly News April 9th-13th

Today’s weekly update is brought to you by updates and upcoming games. 

Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze on the Switch

As a blast from a not so distant past, Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze is coming back onto the Switch! 

Back in 2014, the game was released on the Wii U. However, now it returns with a brand new mode that lets players play as Funky Kong. Funky Kong can double jump, hover, and perform both rolls and underwater screws infinitely. His surfboard also allows him go over spikes. He seems really OP, doesn’t he? Anyways, the story will remain the same. 

The game is set to release May 4^th.

Mythical Pokémon Zeraora Revealed

Following the newest Everyone’s Story trailer dropping on April 8^th, the newest mystical Pokémon Zeraora has also been revealed. This Pokémon is #807 in the National Pokédex. It is an Electric-type Pokémon. It will also be available on Pokémon Ultra Sun/Moon.  From its trailer, more details will arrive soon. 

P.S. In case you didn’t know, Everyone’s Story is the latest Pokémon movie that will have focus on Lugia. It will also include Zeraora, who seems to play a prominent role in the film.

Source: Serebii 

ARMS Update

The newest ARMS update has landed and includes one major and various minor fixes and features. 

This update brings the “Dashboard” feature. This feature allows you to see:

• Worldwide and Regional Rankings

• Party Crash Ranking by time slot

• ARMS “Tips & Techniques” videos

• “Fighter Focus” videos with tips and tricks for each fighter

• “Tournament Clips” to re-watch your favorite videos

Other minor features include an added 15 images to the gallery, Korean language is now supported, and various minor adjustments to some characters have been made. 

The update is available now. 

ARMS Party Crash Event

In the latest Party Crash event, the fighters Min Min and Helix are facing each other in a good-ol fashion ARMS match. Well, not exactly as Party Crash events have special rules, but you get the point. 

As an FYI for Party Crash events, these events will help raise your Lab Level, which in turns helps you earn in-game currency and special badges. You can also get bonus multipliers by using the featured fighters and weapons. 

This event runs from Friday, 4/13 (2:00 a.m. PT) to Monday, 4/16 (2:00 a.m. PT). 

Source: Nintendo

Well, that’s all for this week, so I hope to “see” you next week!

~William S.  

Nintendo Weekly News March 26th-30th

Today’s weekly news update is brought to you by a third party reporter…. Not really, but we will cover some recent news on third party products. 

Xenoblade Chronicle 2 Update

On the 29^th of March, a new update for Xenoblade Chronicle 2 was launched. 

This update is rather small, but it does fix quite a number of technical bugs. There have also been a few very minor changes, such as a new NPC named Momoni that can be found during chapter one of New Game Plus. One last thing added in this update is the ability to receive the New Quests Pack 2. This can only be received if you have the Expansion Pass. 

ARMS Discount

As a head’s up, there is a special discount for the game. From now up until April 6^th, you can get 30% off the game in the eShop. This brings the price to $41.99. That is about an $18 discount, so it is worth checking out.

Source: Nintendo

Mario Kart + Monopoly

Derailing from the normal console news, there has been a surprise reveal. A new Mario Kart themed edition of Monopoly has arrived. This Monopoly Gamer: Mario Kart edition game has some new features based on the Mario Kart series, so let’s dive in. 

In this version of Monopoly, you can potentially buy iconic properties such as Rainbow Road and Bowser’s Castle. There will also be obstacles in your way, such as Banana Peels and shells. As an added side game, whenever someone passes or lands on the “Go’ space, a mini Mario Kart race occurs where players compete for the Grand Prix Card. Also, the new character tokens will have their own unique Power-Up ability. 

This board game is available now at GameStop and will be available soon at other retailers. The retail price is $24.99. 

Source: Nintendo

Third-Party Accessories for the Switch

In a recent news development, there has been an issue with third-party accessories for the Switch. 

This issue seems to derive from the latest 5.0 update for the Switch. After users have updated to this version, third party accessories not only defect, they also cause the Switch to brick, or essentially shut down completely. Some brands for these third party accessories include Nyko and Insignia. There has been some debate on what is causing this and some speculate there may have been some coded added in to render these products useless. No matter the cause be safe using these products and I would recommend sticking to your Nintendo-verified products for now.  

Well, that’s all for this week, so I hope to “see” you next week.

~William S.