Welcome to MiniFortress.com!

Hello Play Nintendo readers!

First of all, I just wanted to thank those that have kept coming back time after time and made this blog a success. I truly appreciate all the support that I have received and every visit to the blog as well. Thank you for making Play Nintendo a success.

Today, Play Nintendo updates will come to a halt because I am revealing my new venture, Mini Fortress. Mini Fortress will be much the same as Play Nintendo in that I search out the biggest news to post (including Sony, Microsoft, and PC). My focus (and reviews) will mostly remain on Nintendo for now as they are the only consoles I actually own (besides a PC), but I wanted to grow, so I decided to take on this new challenge.

I will also be doing some miscellaneous stuff over at Mini Fortress, which has been done here as well, but I am committing myself to it weekly. Weekly features such as Flash Game of the week and Screenshot of the week are two things I am experimenting with. A large variety of other features may also grow from this experiment and I am very excited about that. I may also be looking for a couple of reliable people to do weekly features, more details on that at a later time.

Everything here at Play Nintendo will remain, except the reviews will point to their respective spot over at Mini Fortress.

I hope you come over and take a look and I also hope you keep coming back to Mini Fortress!

Head on over to MiniFortress.com

Sincerely,

Parko

Nintendo Download for July 26, 2012

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD HIGHLIGHTS NEW DIGITAL CONTENT FOR NINTENDO SYSTEMS - JULY 26, 2012

July 26, 2012
This week's Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Nintendo eShop Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 – The "8-bit Summer" series continues with this video game classic. After being kicked out of the last castle by his rival, Mario, Wario is scheming to steal a golden statue. Help him collect treasure by smashing into objects and foes. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Planet Crashers – An unknown evil has emerged from the darkest corner of the galaxy with plans to snuff out the sun. Journey to the other side of the galaxy and prevent the unimaginable from happening. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Mole Mania – Also joining the "8-bit Summer" lineup this week is Mole Mania. Join Muddy Mole in a race to defeat the evil farmer, Jinbe. Work your way through each puzzle by pushing, pulling or throwing black balls to defeat or trap enemies. (For Nintendo 3DS)

A Month of MarioSuper Mario Bros. – Nintendo has kicked off "A Month of Mario" to celebrate the upcoming launch of New Super Mario Bros. 2. Through Aug. 19, one classic Mario game per week will become available in the Nintendo eShop at a discounted price. Starting today through Wednesday, Aug. 1, Mario and Luigi's first great adventure, Super Mario Bros., is available at a special price of $3.99. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Game of the WeekendColors! 3D – This weekend's featured title is Colors! 3D, a powerful painting application that caters to everyone from serious artists to aimless doodlers. For a limited time, download this title from the Nintendo eShop at a discounted price of $3.99. Offer is valid from 9 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, July 27, through 9 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday, July 29. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Also new this week:• Dot Runner: Complete Edition (Nintendo eShop) 
• Decathlon 2012 (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)
• WORLD HEROES PERFECT (Virtual Console for Wii)

To view this week's Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit: http://www.news2know.net/nintendo/downloadN3wzleS2.php.

Source: Nintendo Download

We're Getting Close! Status of the NEW Website!

Well, I've been quite busy over the past few weeks. I've had a lot of ups and downs while putting together this new website, but the launch is so close I can taste it. It looks like a Friday/Saturday launch will happen this week! But first, here are some of the things you can expect.

Organized Menus:

For those that don't follow me on Twitter, what's wrong with you? OK, had to get a Reggie reference in there, but seriously, follow me on Twitter. I've already posted some teasers on Twitter, and now it's time to lay some on you here.

I will have professional looking and organized drop down menus on the new website. As you can see above, you will be able to scroll over reviews and then pick by console. You will be able to do the same with news and miscellaneous content as well. This will make navigating content much easier on the new site.

Organized Reviews:

Menus aren't the only thing with a little more organization. This time, reviews will be much more accessible. No longer will there be the ridiculously dated method that you see here. Now you can choose a console and then choose reviews from tables. You can sort by title, genre, publisher, and rating.

Forums:

Just implemented today, the forums! I've teased having social features/forums before, but forums will be the only feature of the two making the launch. Conversations are separated in forums made by the admin (me), but you can throw your hat in and create topics and have discussions to make the forums a big success. You will need to sign up for an account with the website to use the forums.


Edited Reviews:

I have edited and posted all 64 reviews that were posted here on Play Nintendo on the new website! All 64 will indeed be ready for the launch!

New Content:

I will hopefully have some new content ready for launch, and that will be part of my focus going forward this week. A Xenoblade Chronicles review and a surprise eShop review will make the cut for sure.

Hmm... That's not enough. Miscellaneous Content is something that I intend to post on the new site as well. I will start with an article looking at my favourite wrestling matches from MONDAY NIGHT RAW.

A short, yet satisfying weekly feature called Screenshot OTW! will be there this week as well. I will be asking you to e-mail your own screenshots and caption (whether they be from Steam or other means), and my favourites will make the feature.

I will also be doing a feature called that highlight the greatest, funniest, most intelligent YouTube Comments. We all know that some funny and brilliant comments make it to YouTube and I spend way too much time on the site not to capitalize in some fashion. Will likely be a weekly feature, and will likely look for tips here as well. Have on ready to go!

UPDATE:

I may nix the misc content, I've been thinking and it may be for the best. I feel like I am biting off more than I can chew and should focus on video games. Providing Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and PC news will be a lot of work, so I may stick to video games. Expect the Screenshot OTW! feature to stick.


Would you participate in some kind of User Content feature?

I'd really like to do something with user content. I want to make it a streamline process in which you can just post your review, article, video, etc and it go right to the site. Is that something you'd want? I'd also like to highlight the best user content from the week/month/year and feature it on the main slider. Sure it's being done on a lot of websites these days, but maybe if you're interested I can look into doing something similar.

Finishing Touches:

I'm going to be finishing the layout, widgets, new content, etc. as the week goes by.
Not really much more to say. Stay tuned, official website launch announcement coming later this week.

Nintendo Download for July 19, 2012

Been busy with the new website and haven't kept the blog up to date with the latest in Nintendo news, but since the inception of Play Nintendo I've never missed a Nintendo Download! Here it is for July 19, 2012!

Nintendo News: Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

• Nintendo eShop
  • Kid Icarus^™ - Of Myths and Monsters^™ – The “8-bit Summer” series continues with this classic action game from 1991. Angel Land is up to its halos in woes as mythical monsters are running rampant. Pit, the original Kid Icarus, must save the realm again. (For Nintendo 3DS^™)
  • Tumble Pop^™ – Thanks to pollution and other global calamities, Earth is overflowing with strange creatures. What’s more, aliens from outer space have come to crash the party. It’s your job to exterminate all the monsters plaguing the planet. (For Nintendo 3DS)
• Nintendo Video^™
  • Dinosaur Office: Sick Day (available July 20 at 3 p.m. PT) – Craig takes a sick day to stay at home, but that doesn’t stop his nosy coworkers from interrupting his precious R&R time. (For Nintendo 3DS)
• Game of the Weekend
  • Mario’s Picross^™ – The “Game of the Weekend” program is featuring Mario’s Picross. For a limited time, this fun and challenging puzzler is available at a special price of $2.99. Offer is valid from 9 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, July 20, through 9 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday, July 22. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Also new this week:

• The Phantom Thief Stina and 30 Jewels (Nintendo eShop)
• Masyu by Nikoli (Nintendo eShop)
• Rabi Laby 2 (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare^™)
• Petit Computer (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)

To view this week’s Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit: http://www.news2know.net/nintendo/downloadb1rTtCQk.php

New Website Update

Hey there!

Just a quick update on the progress of this , and somewhat mysterious, website. Currently I am posting and organizing retro reviews. I will be doing the same for current games as well. Reviews will be organized in tables to create a neat and organized database. The current offering here is a much more dated approach and this review database should be much easier to sift through.

I'm currently having troubles implementing forums on the site, but with some tinkering, I'm sure I could get it to work. Not much else to say at the moment, haven't gotten far enough yet to say if some features will be cut or not, but I'm tinkering away!

Another New Super Mario Bros. 2 Trailer

Direct Link

Nintendo Download for July 12, 2012

Nintendo News: Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

• Nintendo eShop
  • Johnny Kung Fu^™ – The evil Mr. Wang Gang has kidnapped Johnny’s girlfriend. Become a kung fu expert and fight to rescue her in this old-school action game that mixes the old with the new. (For Nintendo 3DS^™)
  • Kirby’s Pinball Land^™ – The Nintendo eShop “8-bit Summer” series continues with this classic Kirby^™ game from 1993. It’s a pinball race to check out surprise enemies and pitfalls in a number of fast-paced, uncharted worlds. (For Nintendo 3DS)
  • The Sword of Hope II – Originally released in 1996 for the hand-held Game Boy^™ system, this role-playing game is now available in the Nintendo eShop as part of the “8-bit Summer” series. Play as Prince Theo and save the kingdom of Riccar. (For Nintendo 3DS)
• Nintendo Video^™
  • Big Time Rush in 3D – Nickelodeon’s teen music sensation Big Time Rush makes its Nintendo Video debut with the 3D video for the band’s latest single, “Windows Down.” (For Nintendo 3DS)
• Game of the Weekend
  • Mighty Switch Force! – This weekend’s featured title is Mighty Switch Force!, a game packed with run-and-gun action and never-before-seen three-dimensional puzzles. For a limited time, this game is available at a special price of $2.99. Offer is valid from 9 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, July 13, through 9 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday, July 15. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Also new this week:

• Sweet Memories: Black Jack (Nintendo eShop)
• Candle Route (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare^™)
• Ace Mathician (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)
• Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition (WiiWare^™)
• THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’96 (Virtual Console^™ for Wii^™)

To view this week’s Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit: http://www.news2know.net/nintendo/downloadm1Lob34r.php

Source: Nintendo Download PR 

The Last Story Coming Mid August

Now that Summer is here, one important question remained unanswered, until today. XSEED Games has announced that The Last Story will be coming to North America on August 14. As an incentive to pre-order, XSEED will include the soundtrack in addition to the art booklet coming with the game.

Source

Angry Birds Trilogy coming to Nintendo 3DS

Earlier this year we heard that Angry Birds would be coming to Nintendo and now we have further confirmation that the series is coming. Angry Birds Trilogy, a bundle of Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio, will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS later this year. Looks like it will be a retail release.

Source

Play Nintendo Is Evolving...

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed that I made a pretty big announcement over the weekend. Essentially, Play Nintendo as it is now will soon be coming to a close. I will be moving away from Blogger and the Play Nintendo branding to create something new. This will include new branding, new url, new features, etc.


What does this Mean for Play Nintendo Readers?

Well, you can expect the Play Nintendo spirit to live on with this new website. News posts will be almost 100% identical to the Play Nintendo format; this means that I will continue to only post high quality news which includes my no rumors policy.

Reviews will change a little... I will be doing away with the percentage model and revert to a more traditional Out of 10 rating; Retro Reviews will remain exactly the same. Though the rating will change, expect them to have a similar style to what you read now. In fact, reviews from Play Nintendo will be among the only content being moved over to the new site. Everything else will remain active on Play Nintendo. I will have a review scale and additional info ready for the launch.

What does this mean for Current Affiliates?

I will be contacting most of you within the launch window to create a new affiliation. I will have a friends of "blank" page to showcase your blogs/websites. It should be pretty much the same as it is here on Play Nintendo actually.


Other Additions

Among news posts and reviews, I will be adding some new features. First off is the addition of news/reviews for games that aren't on Nintendo consoles! While the main focus will still be on Nintendo, I do play PC games and other video games, so I would like to comment on these from time to time. A lot of the big news stories like a new Grand Theft Auto game, or major sony/microsoft news will also go up from time to time.

I will also be introducing something I like to call Miscellaneous Crap. This will be an outlet for me to blog about TV, Movies, Wrestling, culture, or pretty much anything that isn't video game related. It should be a fun addition and will help the site grow a wider audience.

Some forum and social networking features are being tested at the moment and I hope to have them included for the site's launch. The forum will not be as complex as many forums you may visit, but will be a place to allow a deeper discussion. I'm also hoping to add stuff like a Profile page with the ability to add friends, see their activity on the site (comments, etc), avatars, and possibly even personal blogs (though I haven't even started on that yet). It will be a way to help you personalize the experience at the website and to help the community grow.
----------------------------------------------
This isn't a definitive list of changes and some of the social features may not even make the cut, but I do plan to uphold the majority of these promises. I'm hoping that everyone will make the transition when the site launches and even help spread the word a little to help create a great gaming community.

As the time draws near, I will notify everyone of the switch and invite you all to participate. I'm hoping to launch this weekend if possible, but wouldn't be surprised if I run in to a few issues that would delay the launch. Regardless, this is something I'm really excited about and will be the realization of my ultimate goal. Hope to see you there when the page turns to this new chapter.

-Take Care
Robert "Parko"

Club Nintendo 2012 Elite Rewards Announced

Those are your rewards Nintendo fans! Gold Members can choose one of four digital games, or the awesome 2013 calendar. Platinum Members can get a deck of Mario themed playing cards, a set of limited edition posters, or anything else being offered. I went with the playing cards because I've always wanted a cool set, what will you choose?

Claim your Elite Status Reward at Club Nintendo

Game of the Weekend July 6 - July 8

This weekend you can buy Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword for only $4.99 as part of Nintendo's Game of the Weekend initiative. You can take advantage of this sale starting Friday, July 6 beginning at 9 A.M. PST until Sunday, July 8 ending at 9 P.M. PST.

Source: Nintendo Download

Nintendo Download for July 5, 2012

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD HIGHLIGHTS NEW DIGITAL CONTENT FOR NINTENDO SYSTEMS - JULY 5, 2012

July 5, 2012
This week's Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Nintendo eShop

The Legend of Zelda™ – Celebrate the Nintendo eShop "8-bit Summer" series with this smash-hit adventure, originally released on the NES™ console in 1987. Help Link™ restore the Triforce, rescue the princess and thwart Ganon's evil plans. (For Nintendo 3DS™)

NES Open Tournament Golf™ – This classic NES game from 1991 – now available for Nintendo 3DS as part of the Nintendo eShop "8-bit Summer" series – lets you challenge another player in Stroke, Match and Tournament modes. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Heroes of Ruin™  (demo version) – Enter the Elder Forest using a customized character from one of two classes – Vindicator or Gunslinger. Discover fierce villains, optional side quests and the ability to link up with friends through local or worldwide multiplayer. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Family Tennis 3D – This casual tennis game features eight playable characters and six different courts, all packed with variety. Start with the Tournament mode to unlock everything in the gallery, then try the minigames. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Online Exclusive Pre-Order Bonus for New Super Mario Bros. 2

Pre-order New Super Mario Bros. 2 online and you can get an exclusive Gold Mario Pin. This bonus is only being offered online through GameStop.

First Batch of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy DLC Available Today!

Square Enix has announced that DLC for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is available today. There are eight new tracks available today with each track costing $0.99. While Mario Kart 7 is the first Nintendo 3DS game to receive a patch, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy will be the first to offer paid DLC.

Here are the new tracks available for download today:


1. “Battle Theme 1” (FINAL FANTASY II)
2. “The Final Battle” (FINAL FANTASY IV)
3. “Fighters of the Crystal” (FINAL FANTASY XI)
4. “Fighting Fate” (FINAL FANTASY XIII)
5. “In Search of Light” (FINAL FANTASY V)
6. “Cosmo Canyon” (FINAL FANTASY VII)
7. “Ride On” (FINAL FANTASY VIII)
8. “A Fleeting Dream” (FINAL FANTASY X)

Press Release: Ace Mathician (DSiWare) Will be Released in North America on July 12

2-JUL-2012


"Ace Mathician"(DSi ware) will be released in North America on July 12nd!

Ever wondered why you needed to learn math in school?

The answer is simple; to change the world! And that's exactly what you get to do in this game!

Mighty Switch Force HD Coming to the Wii U eShop

Mighty Switch Force HD is being developed by WayForward and they are aiming to launch on the Wii U eShop when the consoles launches later this year. Redrawn sprites and "bonus incident" content will make the game, and new content is being considered.

Source

Nintendo 3DS Photo Showcase Website is Open!

Announced during Nintendo Direct, the Nintendo 3DS Photo Showcase website is now live. Head over and start submitting your awesome 3D photos!

Visit the Nintendo 3DS Photo Showcase Website

Kirby's Dream Collection Release Date for North America

Looking forward to the special Kirby game collection coming soon? Well, the wait is not too far off with the North American version of Kirby's Dream Collection being released on September 16th.

Source

Featured Club Nintendo Games for July 2012

Only two games are available this month as part of the Club Nintendo featured games reward. One little detail that should be noted is the fact that both games won't be available until the end of the month. Does this mean that Nintendo will put two more games up for July? Maybe they will begin to make these rewards available more frequently?

Electroplankton Rec-Rec (Nintendo DSiWare) - 100 Coins
Mario Tennis (Wii VC)  - 150 Coins