New photos of rare "Nintendo Dolphin" GameCube prototype surface
New kid on the cube
Nintendo loves their codenames for hardware, and diehard Nintendo fans know most of them. While some are little forgettable compared to others, there’s no doubt the GameCube’s “Dolphin” codename is one of the most well-known. That’s the name Nintendo was going with while figuring out the path ahead for their next console, and now some of that Dolphin history has found its way online.
For decades now, just one blurry photo of a GameCube prototype has been making its way around the internet. This device came back from when Nintendo was calling the platform the Nintendo Dolphin internally. Today, it appears that a group of dedicated console historians have gotten their hands on that prototype.
Shared by ConsoleVariations , as you can see at the top of this post, we have a brand-new look at the Nintendo Dolphin in all of its glory. While there’s no mistaking it for anything other than a GameCube, you can easily see some of the differences in the prototype design and the final release. One of the biggest changes is the logo, which certainly underwent some considerable tweaking before release.
It’s not clear how ConsoleVariations came across the Nintendo Dolphin, and they’re obviously going to keep that quiet, as Nintendo’s feathers will certainly be ruffled by seeing this device online. We’ll keep an eye out for more pictures of the Nintendo Dolphin going forward, but there’s no doubt Nintendo’s ninjas are watching closely as well!
Re-Ment reveals Pokémon Terrarium Collection Relaxing Time line
Now those are some nice Poké balls
Re-Ment has released a number of Nintendo-themed Terrarium lines over the years, with Kirby and Pikmin getting multiple installments. They’ve also done a fair share of Pokémon-themed terrariums, and now a fresh wave is on the way.
The Pokémon Terrarium Collection Relaxing Time line of terrariums has been revealed, and Re-Ment is releasing them in Japan come November 25th, 2024. They are priced at $9 each and the lineup includes the following:
- Psyduck
- Quagsire and Clodsire
- Trapinch
- Slowpoke
- Goomy
- Trubbish and Munchlax
There’s no official Western release for these right now, so you’ll have to turn to import retailers to snag your picks.
Nintendo recommends a selection of sports-themed Switch games
Be a good sport
Whether you’re into proving your personal excellence or winning a championship, sports are all about hard work, practice, and competition. (And sometimes there’s a shiny medal at the end!)
If you’re a sports fan, Nintendo has put together a collection of games just for you. Some are more arcade-y/fantastical takes on classic sports, while others are more realistic simulations with famous athletes. However, all of them stay true to the spirit of sports!
As per usual, Nintendo has included a handful of their own titles in the recommendations along with third party offerings. There’s plenty of games to pick from, and you can see the full lineup here.
Masahiro Sakurai on the importance of easy-to-understand UI
See what I mean?
Masahiro Sakurai is back with yet another installment in his game development video series, and this feature slots into the “User Interface” category.
Sakurai says that whenever possible, it’s best to make your menus understandable even without the use of words. Sakurai is quite the master at this, and in this video he shares some tips that will help you get a bit closer to this ideal.
Finding the right kinds of images and icons to drive a point home can sometimes go even further than words. Plenty of people play games, and that includes some who have limited reading ability. When words fail those players, images can more than get the job done.
River City Girls 2 "Double Dragon DLC" Trailer
LET'S GO, BROS!
The iconic stars of the Double Dragon franchise, Billy and Jimmy Lee, are joining the playable cast of open-world beat-‘em-up River City Girls 2 as downloadable content! These legendary martial artists are busting out of their dojos and will hit the streets of River City on all platforms for which the game is currently available, including Switch. This premium DLC is expected to arrive this summer, and you can get a fresh look at the content above.
Originally debuting in the 1987 smash-hit Double Dragon arcade game, Billy and Jimmy Lee (not to be confused with Bimmy and Jammy) have been two of the most requested playable characters in River City Girls 2 since the game’s debut. The twin brothers jump into action as distinctive fighters, each with a bone-shattering arsenal of punches, kicks, throws, and special attacks, including trademark moves from their past adventures, such as the spinning cyclone kick, rising knee, and much more. Both characters are also thoroughly integrated into River City Girls 2’s story mode, with full VO from returning voice actors Dan Avidan (Billy) and Arin Hanson (Jimmy) of the Game Grumps. The DLC also adds an epic new vocal song performed by Hanson and Avidan (with music by series composer Megan McDuffee), plus a new dojo master to stand in for Billy and Jimmy while they’re out bustin’ heads.
In addition to the premium content, a free update will be made available to all River City Girls 2 owners, delivering an all-new Double Dragon-themed motion comic, two new shops, new accessories, and more. Further details on this content will be revealed closer to the DLC’s release.
These new inclusions are on top of River City Girls 2’s already robust combat and deep feature set, which includes six existing playable characters, a vast world with eight distinct regions, four-player co-op, online gameplay, numerous weapons, personality-packed bosses, RPG-like character growth, recruits that assist you in battle, dozens of items and accessories to buy and equip, spectacular pixel-art graphics, an anime-style intro, and a critically acclaimed soundtrack.
First 4 Figures shares another look at their Metroid Prime "Samus Gravity Suit" statue
Samus' lookin' better than ever
First 4 Figures and Nintendo have worked together multiple times in the past to release statues based on the Big N’s beloved franchises. Now the two are teaming up once again to release a statue of Samus in her iconic Gravity Suit from Metroid Prime.
For this PVC statue, the F4F team worked with Nintendo to faithfully recreate the Gravity Suit with its sleek design and iconic components. The statue’s base is inspired by the Screw Attack/Metroid logo. Check out the latest video above, which showcases the Gravity Suit alongside F4F’s previous releases, the stunning Varia and Gravity Suit statues!
Pre-orders for this statue are set to open on August 8th, 2024. As usual, First 4 Figures will continue to share information on this Samus Gravity Suit statue leading up to launch, and that’ll include fresh looks, details on the definitive edition, pricing and more. We’ll keep tabs on all that info and bring it to you as it becomes available.
Funko Fusion "NOPE" reveal trailer
Yep, it's happening
10:10 Games in collaboration with Funko, Inc. and Universal Products & Experiences, alongside physical distribution partner Skybound Games, today revealed a brand new look at Funko Fusion, showing Jordan Peele’s NOPE will be a part of the experience. See how NOPE translates to the world of Funko Fusion above. Remember, Funko Fusion’s global release is set for September 13, 2024.
Funko Fusion is an action-adventure, single player and online co-op experience that pays tribute to NBCUniversal’s deep roster of beloved worlds and the irreverent Funko Pop! interpretations of the figures who inhabit them. In the game, players will celebrate their favorite movies and TV series across a wide range of more than 20 franchises: from blockbuster movies like Jurassic World, JAWS, Back to the Future, The Thing, Shaun of the Dead and Chucky; to hit TV series such as Battlestar Galactica, The Umbrella Academy and Masters of the Universe, and many more.
Funko Fusion is the debut title from 10:10 Games, a studio co-founded by five-time BAFTA award winner and TT Games founder Jon Burton with a team of experienced developers known for their work on brick-based games.
Fans who pre-order Funko Fusion will receive a themed The Walking Dead Pack at launch for no additional cost, which includes two additional playable characters from Skybound’s award-winning The Walking Dead comic books – Rick Grimes and Michonne Hawthorne. The pack also includes Variant Outfits for both characters – Rick Grimes as Alexandria’s Leader and Michonne in her Traveler outfit.
Check out the launch trailer for SteamWorld Heist II
Things are getting steamy
SteamWorld Heist II is scheduled for a launch on August 8th, 2024. This side scrolling strategy game will feature a bevy of new options for customization, crafting, and honing your personal pirate crew. Ahead of the game’s release, the official launch trailer has been shared and you can check it out above.
In SteamWorld Heist II, players set off on a humorous and thrilling adventure on the high-seas, taking charge as Captain Leeway alongside a ragtag crew of Steambots. Players will explore vast horizons, above and below, as they set sail to solve the mystery of a deadly water crisis that’s causing metal limbs and mechanical hearts to corrode. SteamWorld Heist II plunges players into a handcrafted world with intense turn-based combat, where bullets ricochet with deadly precision, a hilarious cast and story that’s unique for the strategy genre, and a toe-tappingly catchy musical universe.
Key gameplay features that await players in SteamWorld Heist II include:
Turn-Based Ricochet Gameplay – Command your crew in this turn-based 2D strategy game, setting up trick shots with ricocheting bullets to take out enemies.
New Job System – Customize your crewmates’ abilities and equipment with a new job system that provides a greater level of customization and endless ways to strategize.
Interactive World Map – Explore the high seas between missions by controlling the crew’s submarine in real-time naval combat, uncovering secrets and gathering reputation along the way.
Handcrafted Story & Style - Enjoy the handcrafted art, music and story in an epic new high-seas adventure offering 35+ hours of gameplay.
Just Dance Chat "Ep.2: Creative Review" now available
Chatting about dancing
Welcome to this second episode of Just Dance Chat, the series where Ubisoft will discuss their favorite Just Dance topics with special guests! For this episode, our Choregraphy and Costume directors bring an honest review of a few iconic maps from the series! Discover some behind-the-scenes fun facts and their love for Baby Shark
Dance and share exciting moments all year long with the #1 music video game platform of all time! Just Dance 2024 Edition features 40 songs, from the latest hits and beloved classics including “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny, “How You Like That” by BLACKPINK and “”””I Wanna Dance With Somebody”””” by Whitney Houston!
Overwatch 2 "Venture Story Time with Valeria Rodriguez" Video Feature
Who doesn't like a little story time?
A new adventure with Venture is here! Join Valeria Rodriguez for a reading of the latest comic, ‘Venture’s Adventures: Tangle with Talon.’
While on an archaeological mission at Ilios, Venture is set upon by Mauga and a troop of Talon agents! Will Venture summon the courage to defend Ilios? And just why is Talon looting these ruins?
Venture’s Adventures: Tangle with Talon is read by Valeria Rodrigues as Venture, and written by Blue Delliquanti. Art & Cover were created by Xanthe Bouma, with lettering from the team at AndWorld Design.
A globe-trotting archaeologist and explorer, Venture has a passion for solving history’s mysteries. Venture, a.k.a. Sloan Cameron, had an affinity for finding lost things since they were a child. They never lived in one place for long, and each new home meant a new expedition—on which they unearthed treasures, trinkets, and traces of the past. Their unusual talent drew them to the Wayfinder Society: a group of archaeologists and historians from around the globe. At sixteen, they started an apprenticeship with the organization and never looked back.
Volgarr the Viking II now available on Switch
Time to plunder
Sharpen and don your great horned helmets, warriors, for today, acclaimed studio Digital Eclipse is proud to launch Volgarr the Viking II, the highly anticipated sequel to the indie hit from Crazy Viking Studios. Available now on Switch, Volgarr the Viking II fuses brutal hack-and-slash action with hardcore 2D action platformer elements for a potentially punishing game that’s as rewarding as it is challenging.
Developed in partnership with Crazy Viking Studios, Volgarr the Viking II is a sequel 10 years in the making. The barbarian king Volgarr returns, a little older but no less ruthless. Featuring new and expansive worlds inspired by Norse mythology, players must slash, dash, and mash their way through waves of bloodthirsty enemies…lest they embark on a one-way trip to Valhalla.
Sporting the same unforgiving 1980s arcade style of challenge as the original, Volgarr the Viking II demands precision, as one false move leads to a brutal death. Players of the original game will feel right at home on this relentless voyage, while more modern gameplay features ease newer players into the savagery with a practice mode, optional checkpoints, save profiles, and unlimited continues. However, a secret world and boss await those who can master the game without these modern comforts.
Key Features of Volgarr the Viking II Include:
- Stave off death with new power-ups and magic items
- A roster of ruthless bosses so big and so ugly, they’re just begging to have their heads chopped off
- An epic orchestral soundtrack to carry you through battle
- Handy speedrunning tools, including an on-screen timer and speedrun HUD mode
- Six distinct endings based on player performance —only the masterfully skilled will unlock a secret level with its own final boss
- A practice mode and multiple profile save options
- Buckets of blood and bone explosions
- Loincloths
UK software sales for the week ending Aug. 3rd, 2024
MK8D rushes back to first place
The weekly UK software sales are in! Let’s take a look at the top 40 best-selling games in the United Kingdom for the week ending Aug. 30th, 2024, which you can see in full below.
We used to have a breakdown of the finer points for the UK sales charts, but that information doesn’t seem to be shared anymore. Should any other details about this week’s sales sneak out, we’ll make sure to update this post.
Stealth adventure "Kiyo" set for Switch release in 2025
Sneaking up on next year
Sneak, fight and sabotage an evil bunny corporation in Kiyo, a stealthy platformer heading to Switch in 2025. Join a resistance group of animals trying to get their home planet back from the paws of evil rabbits. Master stealth, swing with ninja ropes, crack tricky puzzles and enjoy satirical humor!
A while ago the bunnies started, oddly, to behave like Humans from Earth, achieving global domination in record time. They formed the greedy BunnyCorp and enslaved all the other animals, displacing them from their habitats to a modern city built to increase productivity and control. The Owl, Kiyo and his friends are fed up with all that and need a Human’s help. By a stroke of luck, it’s you. The Owl will give you control over the body of Kiyo, a feline ex-predator. Join the resistance group, defeat the bunnies and restore the natural order!
Whether you prefer a stealthy approach or want to slay all the enemies, Kiyo has you covered. You’ll also be able to unlock other members of the resistance and take advantage of their different abilities. The game will grant you the freedom to tackle the challenges in your own way.
Kiyo offers a wide spectrum of difficulty levels. The lowest one allows you to enjoy the story and breeze through the locations. The hardest turns the game into an almost impossible challenge where you’ll have to optimise every single ninja move - no room for any error. Will you be able to achieve the best score and timing on the global leaderboard?
The game features a unique art style, as it combines pixel art with “2D ray tracing”. Immerse yourself in the city that mixes the vibe of a Japanese megalopolis with the feeling of Blade Runner and Cyberpunk. You’ll get to visit sexy nightclubs, mansions, secret labs, arcade halls, industrial plants and more in order to achieve the ultimate goal. All of this is doused in a retro sauce that feels surprisingly refreshing.
- Semi-open overworld
- A complex story with a narrative alluding to real-life societal issues
- Stealth gameplay
- Dynamic lights and shadows that influence the gameplay
- Enemy AI that responds to visual, audio and environmental inputs (important while sneaking)
- Physics-based ninja rope and archery
- Original synthwave soundtrack and immersive audio design
- Bespoke, handcrafted engine
- Pole dancing
Stumble Guys set for Aug. 20th, 2024 Switch launch
Falling for you
Nintendo Switch fans will soon be able to join the hilarious fun of “Stumble Guys,” the beloved party battle royale game with 50M+ players every month. With “Stumble Guys’” coming to Switch Aug. 20th, 2024, players will have even more ways to enjoy exhilarating gameplay on any device - whether at home or on the go.
“Stumble Guys” - a worldwide mobile sensation - recently made its console debut on Xbox, staking its claim as the #1 “top free” game on the Xbox since its launch in January. With upcoming releases on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, “Stumble Guys” will feature cross-progression and crossplay functionality - connecting the game’s dedicated community of “Stumblers” around the world, no matter where they choose to play, with one universal account across all devices.
Known for its accessible and competitive gameplay, “Stumble Guys,” is always-evolving with new worlds to explore. With the regular addition of new mechanics, players can find a plethora of ways to navigate obstacles, whether on foot, in vehicles, or in the high-stakes First-Person “Stumbler” mode.
Fueled by community-driven gameplay, players can participate in large-scale tournaments and events organized by leading creators, or play with their friends however they like in custom parties. The recent addition of “Stumble Workshop” empowers players to contribute to the Stumbleverse by creating and sharing their own custom courses with the community.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn now available to pre-order, demo coming to Switch "very soon" (UPDATE)
Shoryuken handle it?
Don’t walk, run! Pre-orders for Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn begin today for Nintendo Switch. As a little treat, ININ also announces that a playable demo of the game is coming to the Switch “very soon.”
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn will be available on Switch August 29, 2024 for a price of only €19.99! For the real retro game music aficionados, Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn will also release a Digital Deluxe Edition priced at €24.99, that includes the electric digital soundtrack by legends Iku Mizutani and Hiroyuki Iwatsuki!
Don’t miss your chance to be one of the first to play the first level (in single player or with a friend!) of Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn! Play the demo, and then secure your copy by pre-ordering directly from your regional Nintendo eShop.
An Arsenal of Deadly Weapons: Caltrops, shuriken, and more! Departing from the NES original, Hayate and Kaede will have an expanded variety of weaponry!
Jungle of Concrete and Steel: 5 completely recreated stages featuring devious traps and challenging platform puzzles. Plus, a 6th entirely new stage!
Two Ninjas are Better Than One: Grab a friend and get ready for the critically acclaimed couch co-op!
A Fresh New Look: Beautiful modern in-game sprite art as a faithful update to the 8-bit original!
Bringin’ It Back to the 90’s: Feast your eyes on the key visuals and characters illustrated by Dynamic Productions, the same remarkable illustrators of the original 90’s title!
A Star-Studded, Rockin’ Soundtrack: Play along with the legendary Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Iku Mizutani’s electrifying guitar riffs and fast-paced retro melodies.
UPDATE: As promised, the demo for Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is now available on the Switch eShop. Don’t miss your chance to be one of the first to play the first level (in single player or with a friend!), and then secure your copy by pre-ordering directly from the Switch eShop.
