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Heres a reminder of whats coming out in Australian stores to round out the year

The silly season is upon us and with so many titles being pushed out in time for Christmas, it can be hard to keep track of the releases you care about. Nintendo is blowing out in December with some big hitters, not the least of which is a Mario Kart game. There is no doubt that there is lots to look forward to.

Kirby’s Adventure Wii (out December 1 for the Wii)

December starts off with a bang with Kirby’s Adventure Wii. Kirby returns with his signature ability to inhale enemies and copy their abilities, as he is tasked with collecting the scattered pieces of a crashed alien spaceship. The game features co-op multiplayer, so up to three of your friends can play as Meta Knight, King Dedede or Waddle Dee (or you can all play as Kirby if you can’t decide who gets to play as who) and drop in and out of your quest at any time.

What we said in our review: “…a perfect follow-up to New Super Mario Bros. Wii and surprisingly even improves on the game’s infamous multiplayer. The combination of colourful and exciting environments, coupled with the step up from casual difficulty means that anyone of any age can enjoy this adventure.”

Professor Layton and the Last Specter (out December 1 for the DS)

This is the fourth game in the amazing Professor Layton series and details how Professor Layton met his apprentice, Luke Triton. There are over 170 puzzles in the game, including brain teasers, sliding puzzles, logic puzzles, peg solitaire and several other varieties. The game also includes a role-playing game called London Life, in which you create an avatar that can later be customised with clothing and accessories, and you can also trade items with other players. Lots of content here.

Look out for our review of Professor Layton and the Last Specter very soon.

Limited Edition The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary 3DS (out December 1)

Nintendo has been going colour crazy with the 3DS this year, and already you can buy the system in four different colours—Aqua Blue, Cosmos Black, Flame Red and Lavender Pink. Well now there’s a new kid on the block and that’s this slick Zelda-themed design, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the renowned series. It’s only available at EB Games by the way.

The cover features gold embellishments incorporating the Royal Crest, the Ocarina of Time and the Goddess’s Harp. Inside, the letters and marks on the buttons, and the 3D Depth Slider are gold. There’s even more gold around the Game Card slot and further embellishments on the back. Nintendo certainly hasn’t held back.

Wii Fit Plus Pack (out December 1)

Given the length of time the Wii has been out, this could possibly be the last bundle released for it (who knows?), and if you haven’t got a Wii yet—tell ’em Reggie—what’s wrong with you? The bundle contains the new configuration Wii (which doesn’t play GameCube games), a Wii Remote Plus, Nunchuk, Wii Fit Plus game and a Balance Board which is available in black for the first time.

Wii Sports/Wii Sports Resort (out December 1 for the Wii)

If you’re new to the Wii scene and you bought one of Nintendo’s more recent Wii bundles that included Mario Kart Wii (or you’re buying the above bundle), then you’ll also want to pick up Wii Sports/Wii Sports Resort. Wii Sports was the game originally bundled with the Wii and at the time revolutionised the way we play video games. The game and its much bigger sequel are included on the one disc—that’s 17 sports altogether (though there may be some overlap between the two games)—so you can’t go wrong.

We suspect that this one will be scarcely available, so you may have to ask around if you want it. Wii Sports Resort by itself, however, can be found in most good retailers right now.

Mario Kart 7 (out December 3 for 3DS)

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be buying this. Even if you don’t have a 3DS. Nintendo has pulled out the big guns with the multiplayer game of this summer in Mario Kart 7. The game introduces many firsts for the series—you can customise your kart to your heart’s content; you can drive in first-person view with motion controls; you can drive through the sky (with a glider attachment) and underwater; you can create a community to make it easy for you and your friends to gather and play online. And all of this in stunning 3D.

Classic items make a return along with some crazy new ones, and as usual there’s a mixture of new courses with old favourites. It’s Mario Kart people, and it you will be buying it. Look out for our review very soon.

Super Pokémon Rumble (out December 8 for 3DS)

Super Pokémon Rumble takes place in a world called Toyland, where players must take on the role of Toy Pokémon as they navigate a series of imaginative levels. There are over 600 Pokémon to battle and collect. New Team Battle and Charge Battle modes provide fast-paced challenges that will thrill players of any experience level, while giant Boss Toy Pokémon will test the skills of even the most seasoned fans.

Using a local wireless connection, you and a friend can play cooperatively in game areas that both of you have already completed, making it easier to collect more Toy Pokémon than usual. By using StreetPass, you can also challenge Toy Pokémon from the collections of other nearby players and view customised Mii characters within the game. Look out for our review of this, too, very soon.

We should bring up (for the thousandth time) Nintendo’s thrilling recent releases of Super Mario 3D Land and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, both being must-have games. Other titles that may interest you are Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy (action game) and F1 2011 (racing game) out on December 1, both for the 3DS.

As always, you can keep up-to-date on, err, Australian release dates via our calendar. It’s such an exciting time in the world of gaming, and if you’ve got a Nintendo console, there is plenty here to keep you busy over the holidays.

Here is the best thing about Mario Kart 7: This time, Nintendo didn't screw it up.

When you think of Nintendo's hit products, you don't necessarily think of the Mario Kart racing games (specifically) as a dominant part of the 3DS maker's business. But the series is colossal. Mario Kart Wii has outsold every other standalone game on the home system, moving a staggering 28 million copies. That's one game for every three Wii consoles.

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Its been a while, so were doubling the fun this weekend

Wi-Fi Nights are back in a big way. To celebrate the upcoming release of the next big Wi-Fi game, Mario Kart 7, we at Vooks will be having our first Wi-Fi Night in quite a while. But it’s been such a long time that we’re not stopping at just one Wi-Fi night. No, we’re going to have a whole weekend of Mario Kart goodness.

We’ll be sending off Mario Kart Wii as our Wi-Fi karting game of choice on Thursday night as we prepare for Mario Kart 7, which will be released here in Australia on Saturday. Saturday night will be the chance to get some Mario Kart 7 Wi-Fi karting going for the first time, so come along and race with fellow Vookians.

Details

When

Thursday 1st December—8:30PM AEDST (5:30PM AWST, 7:00PM ACST and 7:30 AEST)
Saturday 3rd December—9:00PM AEDST (6:00PM AWST, 7:30PM ACST and 8:00 AEST)

Where

The Vooks.Net Chatroom (requires Java)
IRC details—Server: irc.ausirc.net; Room: #vookswifi

Nintendo delays the system update one day before it was meant to be released

Nintendo Japan has just announced that the Nintendo 3DS firmware update planned for release tomorrow will be delayed until some time before December 8th. According to the release from Nintendo, it will take more time to prepare and they’re sorry it’s been delayed.

The new 3DS firmware was set to add the ability to record and playback 3D movies recorded on the Nintendo 3DS cameras, a new quest in the StreetPass Mii Plaza and the ability to transfer data and titles between 3DS systems (good if you want to pick up a new colour). We’re going to assume that the eShop update is still coming.

While the reason for the delay isn’t clear, it’s likely Nintendo found a couple of bugs in it and needed to delay the release to fix them. So now instead of getting the new firmware tomorrow, it will hit some time before December 8th. Promise.

Source: Nintendo

Saturday release means no midnight launch but instead a special daytime launch event

Nintendos bizarre release date of Saturday, December 3rd for Mario Kart 7 means that theres going to be a slight change of plans for the possible midnight launch. In that it cant happen. Instead Nintendo is hosting a Launch Day Party at the The Nintendo Experience in Melbourne on the day of release. I mean come on, who would hold a launch party on a Friday night?

Mario Kart 7 is going to have some great community and StreetPass features, so getting off to a good start with a ton of ghost data and community data at the event seems like a good idea. At any time youll see the 100 most recent players youve passed--and if theyre online, you can challenge them to a race right on the spot.

Where/When?

The Nintendo Experience, EB Games, 67 Swanston St

Saturday 3 December

9am - 2pm

Mario Kart 7 is available this Saturday in Australia.

Rushed to finish the game this year, called in extra support

Mario Kart series producer, Hideki Konno has revealed that Nintendo rushed Mario Kart 7 to be released this year. They pulled in extra support from Retro Studios as a an act of emergency. Considering the game started with only 8 people on board, its hardly surprising considering the software draught the 3DS has had. Mario Kart 7 started with only 8 people working on it but even they were pulled over to the Nintendogs + Cats team in order to get that ready for launch. It sounds like a crazy year over at the big N.

To make it out on time Retro Studios, creators of Metroid Prime and Donkey Kong Country Returns were called in to complete all the retro courses in the game. While they were only supposed to do one, it turned out so well they got the job of doing them all. Nintendos internal teams created all the original tracks. If only 8 people were on Mario Kart 7, it makes you wonder - just how much money does Nintendo need to make before they can hire more people? Lets hope the game isnt rushed, since Super Mario 3D Land and Skyward Sword have been so terrific, Mario Kart 7 might have gotten lost in the shuffle.

Mario Kart 7 is out in Australia on Saturday, yes a Saturday.

Source: Eurogamer

Samus joins the Virtual Console ranks this week on the 3DS

While Europe gets the full four games, Aussies are left with just two. But its not that bad, we do care the one that really matters and probably the only one youre really interested in.

3DS Virtual Console

Metroid II: Return of Samus (Game Boy, Nintendo, $6.00) - Well alright, its not the Metroid you probably want on the Nintendo 3DS but at least its a start. Metroid II isnt the best Metroid game out there, but in 1991 it still rocked a few peoples socks.

WiiWare

Big Town Shoot Out (PDP, 500 Points) - Honestly its probably not very good, reviews havent been kind in the US but at least we can give PDP props for releasing a game on the Australian WiiWare. Its something.

So are you too busy with certain other Nintendo games released this week…or will you be picking up anything from above?

Tons of fans turned up and dressed up to pick up their Mario and Zelda in Melbourne last night

Nintendo Australia hosted yet another amazing launch party at ‘The Nintendo Experience’ store last night. This one was extra special, as it celebrated the release of new games from two of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises. In case you’ve been hiding inside a Koopa shell for the last year, I’m talking about Super Mario 3D Land and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

I arrived at 10pm to witness a line zigzagging through the bottom level of EB Games. I quickly joined the queue as the patient fans stormed upstairs, only to be greeted by Nintendo employees handing out bags of what can only be described as awesome. We each received a Nintendo t-shirt featuring one of many designs (mine has Mario in one of his famous poses, with the text underneath reading ‘It’s-a-me! Mario!’), as well as a poster for each of the games, and a Skyward Sword notepad, key ring and pen. Further along the line, we were offered Mario and Zelda cupcakes, soft drinks and other assorted snacks (all of which continued throughout the night). Thanks for the goodies, Nintendo!

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Nintendo gave us all a chance to star in our very own photograph in the lands of Skyloft or the Mushroom Kingdom. They had a green screen set up, a very friendly photographer and a Photoshopping and printing station. It only took about two minutes to get a photo done, and everyone was allowed to line up and take as many as they wanted. The photos really do make for a great souvenir, especially for the younger fans. Kudos to Nintendo for always coming up with interesting and fun activities for their launch parties.

I’ve been to quite a few Nintendo game and system launches at The Nintendo Experience but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it so tightly packed with fans. Everyone wanted a go (or five) at Skyward Sword, and the Nintendo and EB Games staff were more than happy to talk everyone through the game areas and Wii controls as they played.

After everyone settled in and the line for the photos got a little shorter, Nintendo’s Jamie Wilson started quizzing fans about Mario and Zelda games, and handing out cute Nintendo plush toys as prizes. Jamie’s questions range from very easy to insanely difficult, but you can never underestimate a Nintendo fan – if Jamie can think the question up, someone at the launch will know the answer.

 

Speaking of Nintendo fans… you should see some of the cosplay outfits they create! I’m always amazed by the attention to detail that is put into the costumes. You can definitely tell that it’s a labour of love. This time was no different. Characters from Mario and Zelda games past were brought to life in front of our eyes. Luigi. Link. Mario. Malon. Zelda. Epona. Hang on… Epona? Yep, you read that right.

Two cosplayers turned up dressed as Link’s horse, making everyone in the room erupt with laughter. Well played. After all the cosplayers paraded up and down the stairs, the winner was chosen by applause. And by winner I mean winners, as the fans could not decide between Zelda and Malon. And they didn’t have to. Jamie handed them both a Nintendo 3DS for their efforts. Congratulations to all the cosplayers, you all looked wonderful!

Not to be outdone by his fans, Mario was also in attendance, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. He took photos with his fans all night and even tore up the dance floor later on in the evening. Mario definitely still has the moves and it looks like he’s never slowing down.

As 1am approached, the last few fans purchased their copies of Super Mario 3D Land and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I suspect everyone rushed home afterwards to start playing. I’m going to do the same right now, but I’ll be back with coverage of the Mario Kart 7 Launch which is happening next week. Thanks again to Nintendo Australia for another successful launch party. We’ll keep coming if you keep throwing them.

 

Nintendo Australia adds a new item to the Stars Catalogue

It’s always the case in life, isn’t it? For a while we don’t get anything, then we get a few of things in a short period (check out the recent Kirby pouch). Continuing the celebrations of The Legend of Zelda: 25th Anniversary, Nintendo Australia is offering a pretty schmick commemorative set of three Zelda posters for 1300 Stars. Two of the posters feature Skyward Sword artwork while the third has imagery from Zelda games past as well as the 25th Anniversary logo. They each measure a generous 728mm (height) by 515mm (width).

The offering coincides with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword today. If you’re looking to buy the game, and you should be, check out our round-up of store prices.

Thanks to Matthew945 for the news tip!

We travelled to Sydney, played some Mario Kart, then left the next day

Nintendo invited the Sydney Vooks crew to a launch event this past Tuesday for Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, in Sydney obviously. Being the crazy people we are, three of us (from Perth) flew all the way to Sydney to join a couple more Sydney Vooks writers to hit up the event and see what all the fuss was about. Nicko, Karnophage and myself joined Emre (Excite) and Billy to catch up with Nintendo but more importantly play some Super Mario and Mario Kart. While some of us have already got our hands on Super Mario 3D Land, we hadnt played any more of Mario Kart since the Connection Tour so we were keen to check it out.

All the modes of Mario Kart 7 were open to check out—the single player, local multiplayer and even the online was there (though we couldnt get onto that; were not going to tinker with Nintendos 3DS systems). First we checked out the single player and the first thing that grabs you, apart from the great looking menus, is that the game is silky smooth in both 2D and 3D. 60 FPS with no drops in either mode and even when playing in multiplayer. It even tops the Wii game in many a place. Being the old school Mario fans we are, we checked out the retro tracks first—we do want to keep it feeling somewhat fresh when we get the game on Saturday the 3rd of December.

All of the retro tracks look great not only in 3D but also with redone assets and updated effects. But these arent exactly the same tracks you remember, with additions made to make use of the glider and underwater abilities of the game. Both of these new additions keep the game feeling fresh but it still plays and feels like the Mario Kart youre used to. What else is new is the first-person gyroscope controls. It provides a great sense of speed and looks good in 3D. You also realise just how much bigger Donkey Kong is down at eye level. The controls work great but as expected, for the best result, youll have to switch off the 3D effect. You can play in first person with just the Circle Pad, but unless you hold the 3DS level youll find yourself crawling to the left or right.

Multiplayer is excellent too. We checked out Grand Prix mode with local multiplayer and have to report there is of course no lag and its a full 60 FPS at all times; it really just works. You can also mix and match with people who have the game and those who dont, so people who dont have the Game Card will just get a Shy Guy to race around with instead of access to the normal roster. Battle mode was also sampled as well and while there is no Block Fort, a mix of new and old tracks keeps it fresh.

Mario Kart 7 is out in less than ten days so dont be envious as youre no doubt in the middle of either Super Mario 3D Land or Skyward Sword right now. However when it does release, we know Mario Kart 7 is going to be awesome.