Community Code: 20-1691-6700-3942
Joining a community in Mario Kart 7 is very simple. In the main menu, select “Online Multiplayer” (you’ll need to be connected to the internet, of course). From the online menu, select “Communities”, then select “Search by Code”. Enter in the community code found at the top of this post and join in. Hope to see you there! (more…)
The revelation last week that Miyamoto was demoting himself to focus on smaller games was only half true. By now, most of you know the demotion part was “sarcasm lost in translation,” Nintendo says. But all indications suggest Miyamoto indeed wants to focus, if not work alongside, smaller and younger development teams within Nintendo, instead of the upper-level oversight roles he’s taken on in the last 15 years. (The lone exception, in my understanding, is Wii Sports, which Miyamoto directly made.)
The 59-year-old wonder kind told CNN the day after the PR flub that he is “tiring of shepherding each new entry into the franchises he dreamed up decades ago.” Instead, ”I would like to try to do something which might be able to expand the boundary or the definition of video games,” he said. As for the scale of his next project, ”Everything starts from something small whenever we are trying to find out something new,” he added.
That’s code for indie-game—at least it’ll start that way. Provided he comes up with an idea that warrants a lot more resources, however, you better believe Nintendo will bring out the big guns. Thanks, Brysson.
In my short time as an Infendo contributor, Nintentunes has been one of my favorite parts about writing for the site. Although not everyone may care for the weekly (sometimes) segment, I love reliving video games through the fantastic music emerged throughout the years. If you love video game music as much as I do, click on through and enjoy the pure bliss that is Nintentunes!
Don’t you love diving into a new Mario Kart game? You get the fun of discovery, the return of old friends, the annoyance of that one guy online picking SNES Rainbow Road every single time…
In this generally terrific game, I’ve discovered additions I like more than I thought I would (Lucky 7) and some not so much (Super Leaf). The return of Gold Coins, however–and their new effect on the entire flow of the game–is my pick for Mario Kart 7′s biggest gameplay improvement. (more…)
Nintendo’s software winning streak continues with Pushmo, another brilliant eShop title. In this odd, ingenious puzzle/platformer, you play a roly-poly little guy named Mallo on a mission to save children who’ve gotten trapped on Pushmo climbing walls, created by a loveable old carpenter who’s made it his life’s mission to build incredibly dangerous playground equipment.
The game’s 250 levels involve pushing and pulling puzzle-wall sections to create a climbable/jump-able pathway to the trapped youngsters. It starts out simple and rapidly gets brain-bendingly challenging. You can pass on levels that have you stumped, but the game will guilt-trip you into returning: no one gets left behind! (more…)
I’m gonna keep slow roasting the evil that beseeches Skyloft. You know, treasure hunting, item upgrading, and island unlocking before slowly making my way to the next objective in Zelda: Skyward Sword (finishing the song of the hero quest). Never before have I savored a game this much for this long.
What about you: What are you playing this weekend?
When Nintendo sets out to make a Zelda title, there are always high expectations even before a single line of code is written. There are few games that have the legacy of the Zelda franchise, and even fewer still outside of Nintendo. Because of this, The Legend of Zelda is always in the limelight and is always held to a higher standard than any other video game around. With the release of Skyward Sword coming five years after the previous console iteration and two years after Spirit Tracks, gamers have been vociferating there demands for another adventure, and after finishing the game in its entirety I can say that Nintendo has once again delivered. (more…)
Miyamoto. The man needs no introduction. He has been a mainstay in the industry almost since it’s inception, and today it has been revealed that he is stepping down from his position as Senior Managing Director and General Manager of Nintendo’s Entertainment Analysis and Development Division.
In an interview with Wired’s Chris Kohler, Miyamoto stated will be passing the torch to younger developers within the company, and working on smaller projects.
“Inside our office, I’ve been recently declaring, I’m going to retire, I’m going to retire. I’m not saying that I’m going to retire from game development altogether. What I mean by retiring is, retiring from my current position.”
“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself. Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small. In other words, I’m not intending to start from things that require a five-year development time”
“I’m saying this because I have a solid reaction from the existing teams. I was able to nurture the developers inside Nintendo who were able to create something like this or something like that. The reason why I’m stressing that is that unless I say that I’m retiring, I cannot nurture the young developers. After all, if I’m there in my position as it is, then there’s always kind of a relationship. And the young guys are always kind of in a situation where they have to listen to my ideas. But I need some people who are growing up much more than today.”
I for one will miss Miyamoto and all the eccentricity he brought to the table. How do you feel? Tell us in the comments.
UPDATE: Nintendo has denied that Miyamoto is stepping down.
I’m 48 hours in and still can’t see the finish line, although all indications are I’m about to turn the final corner. What’s more, there is a boatload of treasure, side missions, and islands I hope to unlock immediately prior to my final push to the summit.
Yup, I’d say I could enjoy this thing for a good 15 more hours before beating and laying it to rest as my favorite single player game of all time.
What about you? How far in have you made it? What do you think so far?
I dare you watch this video and not crack a smile. Go on, I dare you!
