Some online services for Nintendo Switch, as well as Wii U and 3DS, will be unavailable at two different periods next week, Nintendo has announced.
As detailed on Nintendo’s website (via GoNintendo), the first round of maintenance is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 17, starting at 5 PM PT. The two-hour maintenance period will impact network services such as online play and rankings. Then on April 19 from 6:45 PM PT to 8 PM PT, online services for Switch, Wii U, and 3DS may become available as part of scheduled maintenance.
The Nintendo Switch sold more than 906,000 units in the US during March, its launch month, Nintendo announced today. In a news release, Nintendo reiterated that the Switch, a hybrid system that works at home and on the go, is the fastest-selling console in Nintendo’s history. It’s also “one of the fastest-selling video game systems of all time” for any company, Nintendo said.
The company also pointed out that March is a “nontraditional month” for a new console release. New consoles, from Nintendo and others, are historically released in the immediate lead-up to the holidays.
Nintendo also said today that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has sold 1.3 million units; more 925,000 were sold on Switch and almost 460,000 on Wii U. These numbers combine physical and digital sales, and only represent figures for the US.
“That means that Nintendo sold more of this game [Breath of the Wild] for Nintendo Switch than it sold Nintendo Switch systems, for an attach rate of more than 100 percent,” Nintendo said. “This may be attributed to people who purchased both a limited edition of the game to collect and a second version to play.”
Breath of the Wild is the fastest-selling Nintendo launch title ever and the fastest-selling Zelda title across its entire 30-year history.
Finally, Nintendo frankly acknowledged that “shipments have not yet been able to keep up with such high demand.” Nintendo said more systems are “continually being shipped.”
Nintendo will reveal a “full accounting of worldwide Nintendo Switch” sales during the company’s next earnings briefing, which is scheduled for April 27.
The Nintendo Switch was the top-selling console in the US during its launch month of March, according to data from the NPD Group reported on by Game Revolution.
Microsoft and Sony did not share March sales figures for the Xbox One and PS4 respectively, though Game Revolution reported that the PS4 outsold the Xbox One. The PS4 has now apparently topped the Xbox One in US sales for five straight months.
Sony didn’t have a statement available at press time, while Microsoft said in its own statement that the quarter ended March 2017 (January-March) was a big one for the company, with “record Xbox Live engagement with 1.1 billion multiplayer hours logged globally.” This is up 14 percent year-over-year.
The statement goes on to tease some of Microsoft’s 2017 plans, which include Project Scorpio.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to share more about our plans for Xbox One, including launching the world’s most powerful console–Project Scorpio–alongside an amazing lineup of new Xbox One games. We are thrilled with the incredible response we have received to date for Project Scorpio, and look forward to sharing more about the Xbox One family of devices in the coming months,” Xbox marketing boss Mike Nichols said.
A week from today, the NPD Group will announce the top-selling games for March 2017. We’ll report back with more details as they become available.
Star Wars is getting a new series of animated shorts, and a whole toy line to go with it. Each episode of the upcoming Star Wars Forces of Destiny will be 2-3 minutes in length and will feature the major heroines of the Star Wars universe. Check out the brand new preview below:
Some top Star Wars stars are lending their voice talents too: Daisy Ridley is reprising her role as Rey, Felicity Jones as Jyn, and Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata.
“Star Wars Forces of Destiny is for anyone who has been inspired by Leia’s heroism, Rey’s courage, or Ahsoka’s tenacity,” says Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. “We’re thrilled that so many of the original actors are reprising their roles in these shorts which capture the small moments and everyday decisions that shape who these characters are. It is a fun new way for people to experience Star Wars.”
There will be a toy line launched alongside the series, along with books, apparel, and bedding featuring the animated version of the characters.
“From Princess Leia to Sabine Wren, Star Wars heroines are unique, and we wanted to represent that in the product line for Star Wars Forces of Destiny,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of Disney’s consumer products and interactive media division.
“The result is the creation of our new ‘Adventure Figures’ that celebrate the power and stories of these incredible characters and allow kids to recreate their most heroic moments at home.”
Those ‘Adventure Figures’ are 11-inch action figures of Rey, Jyn Erso, Princess Leia, Sabine Wren, and other characters like BB-8, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren etc.
The fuck, Fox! You can’t play 2 characters in the same universe!! Josh Brolin was in Sicario and I was in Sabrina The Teenage Witch. pic.twitter.com/AQCRp1aWKg
As many fans have pointed out, Brolin is now playing two Marvel characters–Cable, and Thanos in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War. However, it seems that Reynolds is less bothered about this, and more concerned with the less famous (but definitely “true”) links between Brolin’s gritty 2015 thriller Sicario and the 1996 teen comedy Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which co-starred a young Reynolds.
The casting of Cable had been the subject of much speculation over the past few months. Michael Shannon, Stranger Things‘ David Harbour, and Brad Pitt were all rumored to be in the running.
Rob Liefeld and Louise Simonson created Cable, describing him to The Hollywood Reporter as “the opposite of Deadpool: a man who is a leader and used to being obeyed, who is very controlled but with an aura of simmering violence.” X-Men fans know him as the son of Cyclops, and a hero in his own right, and now one that will get his own live-action interpretation.
Bandai Namco, the publisher behind the Souls series and Tekken, is teasing a “new project.” The company released a trailer today to show off the game, though save for some interesting art, we have very few clues as to what the title might be. The video ends with the tagline “PrepareToDine,” which could be a reference to Dark Souls‘ oft-used “Prepare to die” slogan.
An official announcement is to follow on April 20, Bandai Namco said in a press release.
However, any potential link is unconfirmed, and it is unclear whether this teased game is to be a new entry in the Dark Souls series, a spinoff, or something else altogether.
Dark Souls III’s final DLC chapter, The Ringed City, launched just last month. Our critic, Daniel Starkey, said it “ends a little too quickly … but that’s a small knock against what’s otherwise an exceptional send-off.” Read his thoughts in our full The Ringed City review.
Expendables star Dolph Lundgren is joining the cast of Aquaman. It has been reported that the Swedish action hero will play a key role in the upcoming DC adventure, which is set for a 2018 release.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lundgren will play the role of King Nereus. The character is a relatively new addition to the DC universe, first appearing in a 2013 issue of the Aquaman comic book. Nereus is an exiled Atlantian and is the ruler of the kingdom of Xebel. He believes that Aquaman’s bride Mera should be by his side, and wishes to kill the King of Atlantis.
Lundgren is best known for the three Expendables movies, and as well as his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. He also starred in the Universal Soldier series, and was the first actor to play the Punisher, in the 1989 movie about the Marvel antihero.
The film is directed by James Wan, who previously made Furious 7 and The Conjuring movies. Wan recently posted images of some spectacular potential locations for the film. It is set to start production in May.
Both Momoa and Heard will feature in this year’s Justice League prior to Aquaman. Last month, director Zack Snyder revealed some vfx test footage of Aquaman’s underwater lair–check it out here.
Nintendo also confirmed that the Switch version will support both online and local multiplayer. Eight players can play together online, while up to four can craft at once on the TV in split-screen or in tabletop mode.
In addition, Minecraft’s Super Mario mash-up pack will also come to Switch, allowing you to explore blocky versions of Mushroom Kingdom-themed worlds alongside characters such as Luigi and Waluigi.
“To celebrate the launch of Nier: Automata, Square Enix would like to reprint the cult RPG Nier, on PS3,” reads a message on the product page.
Square Enix is likely waiting to hit a certain number of orders before actually reprinting the title.
Nier proved to be somewhat divisive when it was launched for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010. While many criticized it for its bland visuals, it garnered some praise for its gameplay variety. Nier’s soundtrack, story, and world proved to be its most memorable aspects, and a cult fandom has grown around them.
Its sequel, Nier: Automata, which was developed by Square Enix in partnership with Bayonetta studio Platinum Games, has been received much more favourably. In GameSpot’s review it was awarded a 9/10, with Miguel Concepcion saying it “showcases Platinum Games’ and Yoko Taro’s unique blend of genius.”
He continues: “Thanks to Platinum Games’ knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro’s most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression.
“Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off.”
Build-A-Bear announced today that the popular Charmander toy is coming back in stock at US stores this weekend. The plush toy was originally made available in December 2016.
The Charmander Build-A-Bear is in stock (with limited availability) on the retailer’s website, while the make-your-own toy will arrive in US stores beginning this weekend.
The $61 online Charmander set comes with the plush itself, as well as a sound chip, a Great Ball hoodie, and a Lucario hoodie. Additionally, you get a Build-A-Bear-exclusive Pokemon trading card for Charmander. One thing to note is that the Lucario hoodie and sound chip are not sold in stores.
The make-your-own Charmander plush costs $28, while the Great Ball hoodie will go for $12.50. Click through the images in the gallery above to get a closer look at the Charmander Build-A-Bear.
The Charmander Build-A-Bear is the company’s third Pokemon; the others are Pikachu and Eevee.
