SNES Games Headed to New 3DS Virtual Console
During a Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo announced a new collection of Super Nintendo games headed to Virtual Console exclusively on the New 3DS.
Nine games in total were announced for this upgraded set of Super Nintendo games, which will include a “Perfect Pixel mode” to play games at their original resolution.
The first set of games will launch today and includes:
- Pilotwings
- Super Mario World
- F-Zero
On March 24th:
- Super Mario Kart
- EarthBound
- Donkey Kong Country
Finally, on April 14th:
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Paper Mario: Color Splash Announced for Wii U
During its Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo revealed a new Paper Mario game headed to Wii U: Paper Mario: Color Splash.
Color Splash sees Mario on Prism Island, which has been drained of its color. Mario will use his paint hammer to restore color to the island, including one example shown in the Direct that featured reanimating some colorless Toads.
Paper Mario: Color Splash will launch on Wii U in 2016.
Color Splash follows Paper Mario’s debut in the Mario & Luigi series on 3DS earlier this year, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. You can find out what we thought of that pairing in our Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam review.
Mario Maker, Splatoon Updates Coming This Month
During a Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo revealed new updates headed to Super Mario Maker and Splatoon.
On March 9, players can look forward to new items for Super Mario Maker. By shaking a Thwomp in the level editor, players can place Skewers from Super Mario World within levels. Players will also be able to unlock keys (by shaking P Switches) and locked doors (by shaking regular doors) to create locked areas of levels that players will have to open to progress.
Some changes will also come to online play, and new mystery mushroom outfits (including The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker’s Tetra) will be unlockable.
The day before the Mario Maker update, on March 8, Splatoon players will have a new free update that adds improvements to gear abilities, adjustments to ranked battle matchmaking, and updates to Splatfest. In the future, players can look for a two-part update that will add new weapon sets, including the Wasabi Splattershot, Fresh Squiffer, and Berry Splattershot Pro. The first update will arrive in April.
Mario & Sonic 2016 Wii U Release Date Announced
Nintendo announced during a Nintendo Direct today that Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will come to Wii U on June 24, 2016.
The game will feature the return of its wide cast of Mario & Sonic characters participating in Olympic events, as well as the debut of rugby, a first-time sport for the series.
The news follow’s January’s announcement that Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will come to 3DS on March 18th.
Stay tuned to IGN for more updates from the Nintendo Direct.
Andrew is IGN’s executive editor of news and has never played rugby. You can find him rambling about Spelunky and cute animals on Twitter.
Another Star Fox Game Coming Same Day as Star Fox Zero
During a Nintendo Direct presentation today, Nintendo announced a brand new Star Fox game for Wii U, Star Fox Guard.
Star Fox Guard will launch on the same day as Star Fox Zero. Guard features Slippy’s uncle Grippy and gameplay involves strategically controlling Slippy’s security system as enemies attempt to surpass it. Players will be able to upload the layouts they create in the game and play other people’s creations as well.
Star Fox Guard will launch alongside Star Fox Zero on April 22 and will be available separately or as a bundle with both games.
Separately, Nintendo revealed amiibo functionality for Star Fox Zero. By a Fox amiibo, players will unlock a retro version of the Arwing from the Super Nintendo version of Star Fox, as well as other bonus features set to be revealed in the future.
Oculus Rift Will Support Macs When Apple Makes a ‘Good Computer’
We already know the Oculus Rift will support PCs that manage to meet its recommended specs, but what about Mac owners that also want to try out Facebook's VR headset? Well, unfortunately, they may be in for a bit of a wait, depending on Apple's plans for their personal computers.
Speaking to Shacknews about potential support for the Mac, Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey said it was "up to Apple" and if they decide to ever "prioritize high-end GPUs." According to Luckey, Apple's computers are not equipped to handle the Oculus Rift. Even the Mac Pro isn't capable enough.
Star Trek Creator’s Son Joins New CBS Series
Rod Roddenberry, the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, will serve as an executive producer on the new CBS series.
He's coming aboard the new Star Trek series along with Roddenberry Entertainment COO Trevor Roth. They will join previously announced executive producers Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin and showrunner Bryan Fuller.
“Gene Roddenberry, the Great Bird of the Galaxy, left a finely feathered nest for all who love Star Trek to enjoy,” said Fuller in a statement. "And it is only fitting that Rod Roddenberry and Roddenberry Entertainment join our new Trek adventure to ensure that his father’s legacy of hope for the future and infinite diversity in infinite combinations runs through our tales as Gene Roddenberry intended.”
Six Flags and Samsung Create VR Roller Coaster
Six Flags has just unveiled "North America's first virtual reality coaster."
The New Revolution appears to be a roller coaster coupled with Samsung's Gear VR headsets.
The ride's debut trailer implies participants will ride a standard roller coaster. Meanwhile, the virtual reality element makes it appear as though they're actually piloting a fighter jet during an alien invasion.
The New Revolution will operate at 60 miles per hour, and is exclusive to Six Flags theme parks.A tweet from the official Six Flags Twitter account adds that the VR experience will launch sometime in 2016.
David Hasselhoff Joins the Baywatch Movie
It's not Baywatch without The Hoff, and David Hasselhoff is indeed joining the upcoming Baywatch movie.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will be playing Hasselhoff's original character, but Johnson took to Facebook today to announce the addition of Hasselhoff to the movie. The short video shows The Rock on video chat with The Hoff, with Johnson saying "I don't know if the world is ready for both of us."
David Hasselhoff.
Force Awakens Blu-ray Release Date Revealed
It turns out the dang Duracell Bunny was wrong and Star Wars: The Force Awakens is coming to DVD and Blu-ray a bit earlier than that report (see below) suggested.
As announced by Lucasfilm, the Force Awakens DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack will be out on April 5th, following the film's release on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1st.
Bonus features include:
• Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey – For the first time, discover the complete story behind the making of The Force Awakens, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers in this feature documentary.
• The Story Awakens: The Table Read – Cast members familiar and new reflect on the memorable day they all first came together to read the movie’s script.