Hasta La Gadget!

Nintendo has a history of releasing snazzy special edition hardware outside of the U.S. and two Japan-only Pokemon X & Y 3DS XLs have now been added to it. The blue passive-3D dual-screen handheld features a pair of new legendary pocket monsters — Xerneas and Yveltal, if you’re curious — and is out October 12th. The second of the duo is going to be more elusive than a Mew. To snatch a metallic gold 3DS XL (also with Xerneas, plus a slew of others), being in Japan to coincide with X & Y’s release isn’t enough: fighting off the rest of the trainers at Pokemon Center retailers October 12th is on the bill, too. May the best Pokemaster — with 22,800 yen ($227) — win! You didn’t think The Big N was gonna make it easy to catch ’em all, did you?

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Via: Kotaku (1), (2)

Source: Pokemon (Japan)

Nintendo’s European arm worked out a deal with Germany’s video game regulation body, USK, and its 18+ eShop games are now available at any hour on the 3DS and Wii U. In a missive issued to European Nintendo console users, the company said “adults can browse and buy all games at any time of day” from now on. Said agreement was only reached after “analysis of the Parental Controls system on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS” by USK, which found the parental control systems “in practice” with standards.

The bizarre restriction, which originally allowed sales of 18+ games through the European eShop only between 11PM and 3AM, was caused by USK’s decency and violence standards. As Nintendo’s European branch is based out of Germany, the German laws impacted the entire region’s eShop access. But no longer! Assassin’s Creed 3 at 10AM? You bet! ZombiU at 2:13PM? Why not! Of course, with download / install times topping four hours, you may wanna get started sooner than later on downloading the bigger games.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, HD, Nintendo

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Twitter – @NintenDaan

Mario’s alma mater may be looking at its next big console to bolster its stumbling net income, but it won’t be raising its bottom line on hardware alone: Nintendo says the Wii U is going to be sold at a loss. While this is par for the course for most game consoles, loss leader products are somewhat of a new trend for Nintendo, which only started selling hardware at a loss recently. On the upside, company CEO Satoru Iwata says the 3DS is back in the black, finally selling for a tidy (though unspecified) profit after dropping its price late last year. Nintendo expects business to pick up down the road, but says circumstances will keep it from attaining “Nintendo-like” profits in this fiscal year.

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Nintendo Wii U to be sold at a loss, 3DS starts to turn a profit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The incredibly bright, somewhat terrifying yellow Nintendo 3DS XL that Japan got last month is now heading to Europe, according to a Europe-specific Nintendo Direct press conference this afternoon (via Joystiq). The Pikachu-themed 3DS doesn’t have a solid release date just yet, but it’s said to arrive at some point in 2012. A price also isn’t included (though it costs ¥18,900/$238 in Japan), nor is it known if the device will be exclusive to one retailer — in Japan, you can only buy a 3DS XL plastered with Pikachu’s indifferent smirk from a Pokemon Center. Regardless, it’s clearly super, super cute, and we’ll have more definite information on it soon.

Does this mean it’s coming to the US? Keep those poke-fingers crossed, trainers.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Mobile, Nintendo

Pika? Yes, pika: this very yellow Pokemon-themed Nintendo 3DS XL is heading to Europe this year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turtle Beach, the company that builds high-end audio gear for gamers immaterial of their bank balance is pushing out a pair of headsets for Nintendo’s latest baby. The Ear Force NLa is an entry-level headset that’s been customized to work with the Wii U GamePad, while the EarForce N11 is a little more serious — with angled 50mm speakers with extended bass. Both units are also compatible with the company’s DS and 3DS handhelds and will arrive in Q4 of this year, with the NLa setting you back $35 and the N11 a marginally heftier $50.

Update: We’ve also heard that the NLa will be available in the UK in November, costing £40, while the N11 arrives in early 2013.

Continue reading Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithful

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithful originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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