TAKE TO THE SLOPES IN MARIO & SONIC AT THE SOCHI 2014 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES ON Wii U

18^th October 2013 – Whether you are a winter sports enthusiast or don’t know your Skeleton from your Bobsleigh, get ready to go for glory when Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games launches in Australia and New Zealand on Wii U on 9^th November. Featuring 16 different Olympic Events and 8 Dream Events set in the worlds of Mario and Sonic, join your favourite characters for fun-filled competition in individual and team events, new game modes such as Legends Showdown and the Action & Answer Tour, as well as a new online competition mode, Worldwide VS.

Taking players to Sochi, Russia, host city of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games invites players of all abilities and ages to compete in classic disciplines such as Speed Skating and Alpine Skiing. For all skaters and boarders alike, Figure Skating Pairs, Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom and Snowboard Slopestyle are introduced for the first time in the Mario & Sonic series, with the latter event due to make its debut at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Also for the first time in the series, the Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote Plus controllers are used to control the action, offering the player greater depth of control and more intuitive gameplay. In Figure Skating Pairs, link up with a friend by holding the same Wii Remote Plus controller and perform graceful moves while two of the legendary characters on-screen perform the same routine. Only with perfect timing and by synching up effectively with your partner will you succeed. In an event like Curling, use the Wii U GamePad touch screen to plan your strategy by deciding upon the path of each stone, before releasing the stone onto the rink by flicking the Wii Remote Plus. If you are the player at the end with stones closest to the centre of the circle, victory is yours!

Alongside the Olympic Events, the Dream Events featured in the game allow players to perform dynamic moves not possible in real life. In the adrenaline-fuelled Winter Sports Champion Race, prepare to hop from a pair of skis onto a snowboard, from the inside of a bobsleigh to a pair of skates, in an environment befitting of the diverse blend of winter sports packed into this single event. For an alternative take on a winter sport, Snowball Scrimmage allows you to take part in the ultimate snowball fight, while in Snow Day Street Hockey, you’ll experience the sport of Ice Hockey like you’ve never seen before!

Away from the individual events, the Legends Showdown mode is designed for those who want to experience the deeper Mario & Sonic world. In this mode, 20 characters join forces to compete in an ultimate showdown, and it’s down to you to strategise and select which character will be put forward for each event. Come out on top in each of the five areas and defeat their respective Bosses to aim for the coveted Legend Trophy, earning different rewards as you complete areas. Meanwhile, an all-new party mode set up for multiplayer fun is the Action & Answer Tour, which is presented in the style of a TV quiz program and allows up to four players to compete against each other in minigames based on Olympic events. With the pressure on, you will need a mixture of quick reactions and observational skills to earn points and overcome your opponents – whoever has the most total points at the end wins!

Finally, a new online mode for the Mario & Sonic series, Worldwide VS, enables you to face off against players from across the globe in four events – Freestyle Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross, Short Track 1000m (Speed Skating), and the aforementioned Dream Event, Winter Sports Champion Race. Whether your opponent is a friend or a fellow competitor on the other side of the world, every time you earn a medal in competition, you’ll in turn earn points for your home nation, so give it your all and help propel your country to the top of the rankings.

Two of gaming’s biggest headliners come face to face once again when Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games launches on Wii U on 9^th November. With members of both the Mushroom Kingdom and Sonic Universe competing in 16 Olympic Events and 8 Dream Events, plus a variety of new game modes including Worldwide VS, which character will you choose to play as in the quest for glory?

NINTENDO SELECTS FOR Wii HEADING TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ON 7th NOVEMBER

                                                           

 

17^th October 2013 - As Christmas approaches Nintendo is introducing an array of popular Wii titles as Nintendo Selects - a range of games representing a choice of fun gameplay experiences and offering great value for fans on either their Wii or Wii U console. Releasing 7^th November 2013, the range will include Mario Kart Wii*, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Sports + Wii Sports Resort (2 games on 1 disc), with each title available at a SRP AU$49.95 (NZD$59.95**).

PAX Australia 2013 - Nintendo bring a slice of the future to local gamers

Nintendo were another big booth on the show floor, and they took the time to showcase some upcoming Wii U and 3DS titles.

 Nintendo had 3 Wii U games out for people to play, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Super Mario 3D World and Pikmin 3. While I was able to play both Zelda and Mario, Pikmin as a series has never been one I have really sunk time into. It was great to see Mario with some new moves, outside of the cat suit.

If you make him run around in a circle he will spin, and if you then jump he does a tornado jump, quite interesting.

Nintendo also had The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds, Sonic Lost World and Mario and Luigi Dream Team Bros for play.

Hidden through out the booth were Pikmin. A nice little touch.

And finally, Nintendo also had their own little gaming lounge for 3DS. And one the stage they even had some little competitions of various games such as Mario Kart 7.

Finally, Nintendo had the space all setup for this weekends National Pokemon Championship. While it was not running today, it was a welcome respite for the weary travelers of the PAX Australia Expo Hall

E3 2013 - Wii U Developer Direct - Super Mario 3D World

E3 2013 - Mario & Luigi Dream Team Trailer

E3 2013 - Super Mario 3D World

HARNESS THE POWER OF DREAMY LUIGI IN MARIO & LUIGI: DREAM TEAM BROS. ON 13th JULY

6^th June 2013 – With great success in countless quests down the years, it’s as if the powerful pairing of Mario and Luigi can defeat enemies in their sleep. In Mario & Luigi™: Dream Team Bros., releasing 13^th July in Australia and New Zealand for the Nintendo 3DS™ family of consoles, the brothers put such a theory to the test in a new adventure set on both an island near the realm of the Mushroom Kingdom, and within the depths of Luigi’s own dreams!

In this fourth instalment of the popular RPG series Mario & Luigi, the story opens with Princess Peach and her staff, plus brothers Mario and Luigi in tow, being invited for a sightseeing trip to the mysterious Pi’illo Island by its equally mysterious proprietor, Dr Snoozemore. But after an initially hospitable welcoming to the island – albeit with Dr Snoozemore noticeably absent - things take a turn for the worse when Princess Peach is kidnapped and pulled into a Dream World by a new enemy in the series, the ghostly bat king Antasma.

To chase down this new foe and rescue Princess Peach, Mario must enter this Dream World through the dreams of a sleeping Luigi, whose brain is revealed to be on a wavelength with the population of Pi’illo Island, the Pi’illo Folk. Alternating between Luigi’s Dream World and the real world, Mario and Luigi must solve puzzles, battle enemies, and even interact with creations of Luigi’s own imagination in order to succeed!

The relationship between the real world and Dream World plays a critical role within the game. While roaming the Pi’illo Island environment in the real world, Mario and Luigi need to combine equally to use trademark Bros. Moves, while in the Dream World, it is the power of Dreamy Luigi that is all-important in supporting Mario. For example, Luiginary Works are magical ways in which the player can interact with the Dream World environment through Luigi’s sleeping form. Whether it is tweaking Luigi’s moustache or scratching his nose on the bottom screen of the console, this interaction provokes a reaction in the Dream World, affecting the environment to the benefit of Mario.

In the Dream World battle sequences, the power of Dreamy Luigi once again comes to the fore when a horde of Luigis power up Mario to create formidable Luiginary Attacks, moves which greatly differ from the trademark Bros. Attacks in the real world, and which make use of the capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 3DS XL consoles in original ways. As an example, one Luiginary Attack comprises Mario riding on top of a ball of Luigis, with the player using the motion controls of the console to navigate the ball’s course to crush the enemies that lie ahead. Whether attacking, counterattacking or dodging in battle, the 3D capabilities of the console are also critical for players to judge perfectly timed actions.

When a battle is won, the levelling-up mechanic in-game follows a classic RPG formula, with experience points earned, improving common attributes such as health points and power, plus the addition of classic franchise attributes such as Bro Points – needed to perform special attacks – and STACHE – influencing the chance of Mario or Luigi scoring a critical hit in battle – remaining in this latest instalment in the Mario & Luigi series. Also following previous games in the series is a badge reward system, whereby both brothers can find or buy badges in-game that can be combined to earn the brothers useful rewards after certain actions – such as performing ‘excellent’ attacks - are carried out in battle. For those new to the series meanwhile, hint messages, an easy mode and a slow attack mode will help players get to grips with the battle sequences.

Uncover the power of Dreamy Luigi in the latest adventure in the Mario & Luigi series when Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros. comes to the Nintendo 3DS family of consoles on 13^th July.

Nintendo 3DS - Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Teaser Trailer

New Super Mario Bros U - Amazing level run

60 Second Review - New Super Mario Bros U.

New Super Mario Bros. U is not a huge departure from the format that has been set down since the first one on the Nintendo DS 6 years ago. And that’s neither good nor bad.

Story

First thing you will notice is that they have changed up the story a little bit, rather that Peach being kidnapped; Mario is thrown from her castle as Bowser invades. It’s not a massive change, but its enough to make it seem fresh.  

Gameplay

The gameplay of NSMBU is the standard fare that we have all come to know and love from a 2D Mario game. Mario moves just as you would expect, and with the inclusion of the new Flying Squirrel Suit, can take to the skies, and cling to walls. The fire and ice flowers make a return as well, and that’s it. Excluding the star and the mushroom, the main game contains only three power ups, which is not a lot, but it’s enough for this plumber.

Graphics
This is Mario’s first even foray into HD, and the team at Nintendo have made it seem that he was always there. The game looks amazing, from the animation of Mario and the assortment of enemies on the screen, to the way the game uses light in some levels and clouds in others. The game will not win any awards on the graphics side, and that’s ok. The game has a unique look, with bright colours and some catchy visual tricks that are sure to impress.

Final thoughts

If you are picking up a Wii U console and are not sure what to get, then by all means New Super Mario Bros. U would be a great addition, and with the inclusion of 5 player mayhem, you’re are sure to have a blast.

Score

Click here to learn more about the game

Australia gets limited white 3DS XL Bundle this Christmas

Get ready for a white Christmas as Nintendo brings a new limited edition Nintendo 3DS XL White console as the ultimate Christmas gift this festive season. A new limited edition Nintendo 3DS XL White pre-installed with Super Mario 3D Land will be available in stores on the 6th of December.


For any Mario lover, there are now two Nintendo 3DS XL White consoles topping the Christmas wishlist this year. Whether you prefer traditional platforming action or fast-paced, arcade-style racing, the choice is yours. You can pick from either the limited edition Nintendo 3DS XL White pre-installed with Mario Kart 7 or the limited edition Nintendo 3DS XL White pre-installed with Super Mario 3D Land. Both become available in stores on the 6th of December.

Both consoles will only be available in limited quantities, so if you’re a Mario fan, make sure you don’t miss out! 

Awesome Time! Ohio State Marching Band goes Gaming