Over a month ago, Infendites started submitting their art for the first ever Infendo Art Challenge. I have to say, I’ve been pretty impressed with some of the real talent that has been shown in the first month’s run through. Now, the voting has begun, so head over to the forums (CLICK HERE FOR THE VOTING THREAD) and help us declare a winner! On April 30th, we’ll declare a winner, show off their artwork on the front page of the site, and move forward to next month’s challenge, Super Mario Galaxy!

Capcom this week released Monster Hunter Tri for Wii, and it’s already being heralded by many as one of the great single-player games, and the best online multiplayer experience the console has ever seen. It also looks gorgeous, provided you’re okay with slower-paced gameplay. So what’s the verdict, Infendo readers? Is this all it’s cracked up to be? Do share your impressions with the rest of us.

By the end of the year, both Xbox 360 and PS3 will have added motion controllers to their lineups. In case you’ve forgotten, they’re the only consoles left using joypads as a primary input device, leaving many to wonder: Is this is the end of the thumb pad—you know, the one Nintendo invented?

“Not exactly,” was the general answer I came up with, in a report published this week for Venture Beat. Since Sony and Microsoft are releasing their motion controllers as expansions to their primary joypads, the latter still has life in it yet, experts say. Similarly, even Nintendo hasn’t killed the joypad entirely. They sell Classic Controllers (even a Pro one) for Wii, although secondary to Wii remotes.

Ultimately though, gamers really won’t know if the joypad is extinct until the next round of consoles. “If Sony and Microsoft use motion as their primary controllers next time,” says Jeremy Anderson, an independent developer, “then say goodbye to the console joypad.”

I was recently checking out the Nintendo Channel today looking for some interesting DS game demos when I stumbled upon Picross 3D. I’ve never really tried Picross games growing up but I’ve always had an interest in them; since I’ve seen people play Mario’s Picross on the Game Boy. For those who are a little familiar with this mathimatical game I’m going to jump straight into the 3D aspect.

The game has the player start with a solid block of cubes marked with numbers. With each block contains a hidden object that is hidden by other blocks. The numbers represents the number of blocks in that row that are part of the hidden object. If a row of six blocks is marked with the number five, one of those blocks must be eliminated.

So it’s a game of deduction as the player must deduce the answer based on the number clues marked on adjacent rows and columns, and since it’s 3D Picross you can be sure that the objects are going to be pretty interesting once you figure them out. So if you have some free time and haven’t downloaded a demo off the Nintendo Channel in a while give it a try.

Do you think Picross can work as a 3D game?

Fun. T minus 36 days.

According to CVG, Nintendo’s next gen handheld, the 3DS, could land in gamers hands as early as October 10.

Surprised? Don’t be. Nintendo has dominated the handheld scene since they all but invented it with the Game Boy, so what else would this industry titan use to deflate its rivals new motion control toys than the next sure thing?

Nintendo is also famous for revealing new stuff and then launching it a month or so later, and the practice makes sense. If you are confident in your product and it genuinely provides a new experience, you don’t need to reveal a prototype a year in advance and ride the enthusiast press hype train into the station. Nah, just reveal it, prepare the assembly lines as best you can, and shove the thing out the door. Fling it right over the hater’s angry heads and into the hands of the consumers. Let them decide, and then let them do your marketing for you.

And then there’s the competition and E3. The 3DS will make its worldwide debut alongside Natal and Arc at E3 this summer, where the handheld’s 3D tech (still technically unknown) will no doubt take some, if not all, of the wind from the competition’s sails. What irony, huh? MS and Sony’s multi-million dollar forays into motion tech, foiled by a tiny 3D handheld. I’d say David and Goliath applies here, but that just wouldn’t be accurate, what with Nintendo’s massive lead and all.

At 57, Shigeru Miyamoto is nearing retirement age. But thankfully for Nintendo fans, he claims to be one of those old farts that never throws in the towel.

“I may have to retire from Nintendo some day. But then I look around and see how aged cartoonists continue to work and how movie directors create new movies all the time… By the same token, I guess I will still be making games somehow. The only question is whether the younger people will be willing to work with me at that point.”

Don’t worry, Miyamoto. “Young people” don’t know squat these days. We can’t wait for your next Mario, Wii Sports, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and every other awesome game you’ve made.

Today Nintendo of America launches a new game controller for its popular Wii system. Previously sold only in Japan, the Classic Controller Pro accessory is now available in the United States. It offers a fun new way for all kinds of Wii users to experience their favorite games. The Classic Controller Pro is available in black or white and carries a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Featuring two rows of shoulder buttons and ergonomically designed grips, the Classic Controller Pro is compatible with more than 460 Wii, WiiWare and Virtual Console games. It plugs directly into the Wii Remote controller to provide a unique control option for veteran gamers and newcomers alike.

Consumers also have the option of purchasing a limited-edition product bundle that includes a black Classic Controller Pro and a copy of Capcom Entertainment’s action-filled Monster Hunter Tri game, which also makes its North American debut today. The bundle is offered at a suggested retail price of $59.99.

A trailer has hit the internet within the past 24 hours. That trailer is for Marvel Vs. Capcom 3; a fighting game that has many found memories with those who are familiar with the arcade scene.

From the looks of this image it seems that Marvel vs Capcom 3 could be running on the Tatsunoko Engine. Hit the jump to check out the video and let us know if you think. Could it be heading to the Wii in the future? (more…)

Who here is excited for Monster Hunter Tri? I know I am, who doesn’t like slaying ridiculously-dinosauric-draconic-monsters? Monster Hunter Tri is one of the few games I didn’t expect to see on the Wii. I mean honestly if Anyone came up to me two years ago and said, “Hey, Monster Hunter is coming to the Wii!” I would of laughed in their face.

Anyway, who here is picking this game up? I mean I’d do it anyway for the Classic Controller Pro.