Japanese Gamers To Get TV Programmes On Their Nintendo 3DS...

Japanese Gamers are to receive a specially streamed television service directly onto their 3DS consoles from Tuesday.

According to gaming website andriasaang,  Japanese 3DS gamers will receive exclusive access to both Fuji and Nippon television services, including Sport and Sumo Wrestling, News and Information and even Animal Care or Wildlife programmes all in  full-3D.

The 3DS Television Streaming capability will become available via a downloadable application, which is called Itsu no Ma ni Terebi in Japan.

The 3D Television App

It is unclear whether this is a totally pay-per-view TV streaming service or whether some programmes might actually be free to download, but we do know that there are plans to have some of the programmes available for daily download via SpotPass.

A sample of 3DS Programmes on offer

The announcement has once again sparked interest from European gamers who are wondering whether they might also receive a similar service in the near future. The recent Green Lantern 3D Trailer has raised questions about whether a film service may actually be made available at some point as well.

Programmes will be available via SpotPass

However, although Nintendo has admitted that they have been working with companies such as Eurosport, Sky TV and NetFlix to bring these kinds of services to the European 3DS market, no actual dates have been given for the commencement of any type of television services yet.

Mini Gamers is excited by the prospect of 3D television and films on our 3DS consoles, but we realise that it could be a very long wait yet. Keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blog for more information on this subject as it arrives.

Game of the Week: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D [3DS]

If you had any sort of interest in videogames back in 1998, then it is likely that you will have heard of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

The game has received much acclaim since its original release and is often heralded as: "The best Zelda game of all time..." [Sourced from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time]

The original Ocarina of Time also employed many new gameplay mechanisms such as an enhanced Targeting Lock System and solid-looking characters that were all rendered in full-3D, which was no easy feat at that time. Furthermore, the Legend of Zelda series has gone on to inspire many of the videogames that we have today.

Thus, it is not surprising that Mini Gamers had very high expectations for the newly-released 3DS version of Ocarina of Time, (simply referred to as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D,) and we are pleased to announce that we have not been disappointed.

The first things that springs to mind when you talk about a 3DS game is, of course, the graphics. There is only one word that truly conjures up the graphics quality of Ocarina of Time 3D, and that word is 'WOW!!!'.

Now, the usual high-quality 3D rendering that we have come to expect from the Legend of Zelda games is actually viewed in real 3D for the very first time. The result is a visual eye-fest!

There is also a greater feeling of depth within the game and the real-3D capabilities also enhance the Camera View and Targetting Lock System, giving the game an even more realistic feel than ever before.

It is hard to describe how brilliant the new sense of depth really is to someone who hasn't already seen it for themselves, but it really does add an extra dimension to the way the game unfolds.

Although the main plot of this game remains unchanged from the original Ocarina of Time, some new 3DS-exclusive mechanics have been added to the new version, including use of the 3DS gyroscopic functions when using Link's bow and arrow, boomerang and Slingshot. This makes the current version of the game more challenging than its predecessor and a lot more realistic.

For those that struggle with the gyroscopic controls however, there is an option to swap back to the original analogue controls as well.

The 3DS version also has a Boss Challenge Mode, which allows players to fight all of the main 'Boss' characters in the game one after another in the order in which they appeared in the game.

Furthermore, the game also features a new video-hint system, called Visions. Visions can be selected in the Save Options menu when Link has been killed.

 Visions are a video snapshot, which reveals information about where certain key items are hidden in the game. This can prove invaluable when searching for important weapons etc.

The 3DS version also contains Master Quest, which first started as an expansion to the original Ocarina of Time game, but has since become bundled with the game on several different platforms.  Master Quest will only become available when the main game has been completed.

The 3DS version of Master Quest differs from the previous versions however, because the entire map is mirrored, meaning that all the overworld map locations and dungeons will now be flipped and reversed. Furthermore, all 'Bosses' in Master Quest Mode cause twice as much damage as in the main game.

Official E3 2011 Trailer

In conclusion, this game is a stunning graphical masterpiece. The gameplay is very challenging but also fun. The new 3DS-exclusive functions enhance the overall gameplay and add a few new twists for hardcore Zelda fans.

If you played the original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game, you will be instantly familiar with a lot of the areas of the game, but will also find new enjoyment in the amazing 3DS graphics and the new gyroscopic weapon controls.

If you have not had a chance to play this game yet, you really are missing out on something special. If you like RPG-Platform adventure games, then this is most definitely the game for you. Overall rating: 10/10.

A 3D trailer of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is available to watch for FREE from the Nintendo 3DS eShop now

New System Update Solves Charging Light Problem For Nintendo 3DS

For the last nine days or so, many European 3DS owners have been struggling with a bizzare problem: The 3DS charging light indicator, (which glows orange when the console is first placed on charge,) now refused to turn off, which meant that many 3DS fans did not know whether the system had reached its full charge or not - some people were forced to leave their consoles on charge for over a day before realising that the console had already reached its maximum charge, and many other 3DS users feared that prolonged charging could damage the battery pack.

For those of you who have been affected by this issue, we can reveal that the charging light indicator problem is actually a minor problem caused by the introduction of the Nintendo eShop and Internet Browser in the last Systems Update, but it made many 3DS users understandably very worried.

 Various 3DS forums have been awash with concerns and complaints since the problem began, from 3DS users, who have all tried different and inventive ways to combat the problem, including removing and then replacing the 3DS battery pack in order to get the charging indicator to turn off. Others simply contacted Nintendo and were told to return their consoles for testing and repair.

Thankfully though, Nintendo has today released a second Systems update, which does seem to have solved the charging light problem. Good on you, Nintendo! It is so far unclear whether this Systems Update will also fix the Ridge Racer 3D compatability issues mentioned by Nintendo on the 7th of June 2011, but at least it will now put thousands of minds at ease about whether the Nintendo 3DS is actually charging correctly.

If you are a new 3DS user and are unsure of how to download the latest update, simply go to Settings, select System Update and then follow the onscreen instructions.  Happy Gaming!

Nintendo 3DS eShop: Is 'The Green Lantern' 3D Trailer A Sign That 3D Movies Are Coming To The 3DS?

When Nintendo  first showcased the new 3DS console back in January this year, they mentioned the fact that the new console was capable of showing 3D TV programmes and films, which could be downloaded using the 3DS SpotPass feature.

Amongst the television production companies said to be involved at that time were Eurosport, Sky TV 3D and Aardman Animations, who would apparently be responsible for producing a set of exclusive fifteen-minute  short films in full 3D, starring Children's TV favourite, Shaun the Sheep.

 Several Hollywood movie studios were also said to be partenering with Nintendo in order to stream 3D movies onto the console. A trailer for a 3D version of Disney's Tangled was shown during the Nintendo Press Conference in January as an example of this.

However, nothing further has really been mentioned about the possibility of using the Nintendo 3DS to stream TV programmes and films since that time.

Now, however, a trailer for the new Warner Bros film,  The Green Lantern, (which is set to debut in cinemas across the UK on friday) has recently appeared in the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

The trailer looks incredible when viewed in full-3D on the Nintendo 3DS and certainly gives a good indication of the kind of quality gamers could expect from 3D films that might be shown on the console in the future.

Nintendo is currently said to be in negotiation with an American firm called Netflix - the company which allows films to be streamed onto the Nintendo Wii console. The idea is that the Netflix company will stream 3D films directly onto the 3DS console via the newly-launched Nintendo eShop.

The NetFlix film service is expected to be available from July/August 2011 in North America, but as Netflix is largely unsupported outside of the USA, it is likely that another similar service, such as LoveFilm, will have to be used in other countries.

However, we should also point out that, as yet, there have been no dates given at all for the commencement of any such equivalent film-streaming service for the 3DS in the UK or the rest of Europe.

Thus it looks like gamers in the UK have a little while longer to wait yet until we can actually enjoy films on the 3DS. Until then, we can expect to see more 3D film trailers in the near future.

If you haven't seen the 3DS version of The Green Lantern trailer for yourself yet, it is well worth a look. It can be downloaded for FREE from the Nintendo eShop now.

Please note that Nintendo eShop content is currently updated every Thursday, and therefore items in the eShop may subsequently be added or removed at this time.

Nintendo Announce Flare Red 3DS, No UK Release Date... Yet!

*THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED, TO READ THE LATEST RELEASE DATE INFORMATION,

PLEASE CLICK HERE...*

When Nintendo originally demonstrated its 3DS console at E3 2010 last year, it was shown in three distinctive colours, Aqua Blue, Cosmos Black and Flare Red.

However, to our disappointment, although the blue and black 3DS consoles made it to the March 2011 release date, the red one was missing from the line-up, prompting many European gamers to question why it had been removed.

Now Nintendo has announced plans to release the Flare Red 3DS in Japan, which is expected to go on sale from the 14th of July 2011. The Flare Red 3DS will cost the same as the two standard 3DS consoles, which equates to 25,000 yen or £192.

The announcement of a Red 3DS has sparked new hopes in the  3DS gaming community, but as yet, there does not appear to be any plans to release the new console outside of Japan, although that doesn't mean that the Flare Red console will not be making its way to Europe, but for those of us in the UK, it would simply seem to be a case of wait and see.

Don't forget to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite over the next few months for more news on this subject. We look forward to bringing you any updates as they happen.

Game of the Week: Sports Island 3D [3DS]

The Sports Island game franchise  has burst its way onto the 3DS, making it one of the very first Sports Compendium titles to be played on Nintendo's new handheld system.

 For those of you who have not yet tried the Wii or DS versions of this game,  just imagine a handheld version of Wii Sports but with awesome 3D graphics.

Sports Island 3D boasts an impressive collection of ten sports - Sumo Wrestling, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Snow Mobile Racing, Trampolining, Bowling, Target Shooting and  - rather bizarrely - Snowball Fighting.

Players can pick a team and then battle against the computer to win first place in the various sporting events, and can even take part in a random three-event championship. The game controls vary for each sport, which can take a bit of getting used to, but the game is very easy to pick up and play overall.

A few subtle game mechanics help to keep things interesting. For example, the various Power Balls found in each sporting arena can be collected to provide your chosen team players with a much needed power boost, which works especially well in Sumo Wrestling and Snow Mobile Racing.

Winning an event also unlocks special character abilities for the various sports, which can be activated during gameplay by pressing the L button. New character faces and styles can also be unlocked by winning championships and tournaments.

The single-player mode is immersive enough, but this game also boasts two rather impressive Multiplayer options as well. The first is a  Local Play Match mode, which allows you to game with friends via your wireless settings, and Download Play Match multiplayer mode for playing with a single game cartridge across two or more 3DS systems.

However, the 'Dowload Play Match' option presented us with a rather annoying problem: Although you can choose to play any of the ten sports on offer at the beginning of your match, there is no way to select a different sport at the end of your match, which meant us having to terminate the wireless connection in order to go back to the Main Menu selection screen. This got frustrating very quickly.

Nevertheless, the game itself is impressive. Mini Gamers loved the collection of sports on offer and found the game very addictive from the start.  Our favourite games were:

•  Tennis: Play either Singles or Doubles matches. 

•  Sumo Wrestling: Use the X, Y or B buttons to attack your opponent and push them out of the ring,

• Snow Mobile Racing:  Race around a three-lap track and stay ahead of your competitors to win.

• Bowling: Use the stylus to throw the ball down the alley and try and get those Strikes.

• Soccer: Use the B button to pass the football along to your teamates, the A button to perform sliding tackles and the X button to aim at the goal.

Sports Island 3D UK Trailer

This title is truly amazing. The 3D graphics really help to add a greater sense of depth and the cartoon-style characters make the game bright and appealing for all. If you like varied sports, then this is the perfect game for you. Overall rating: 9/10.

New 3DS Games Announced: Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Kart 3D, StarFox 64 3D, and Super Mario 3D, Luigi's Mansion 2 and Lego City Stories all confirmed for 2011/2012...

Nintendo were extremely busy at this year's E3 conference, as well as unveiling their new portable Wii U controller, the company also gave details of several new 3DS titles, which would debut over the next two years.

First on the list was the highly-anticipated Mario Kart 3D, which, according to the CEO of Nintendo America,  Reggie Fils-Amie, would be a "tricked-out version,[which] you haven't driven before..."

A new feature exclusive Mario Kart 3D, is how characters now interact with each other while driving. Characters now not only turn their heads when another racer is nearby, but they also have the choice to 'make faces'  as well, such as glaring at their opponents.

The accompanying E3 Trailer showed Mario and friends racing around never-before-seen tracks. It also showed hand-glider races, and even included some underwater race environments too, which of course will all be viewed in full-3D when the game debuts later this year.

The trailer also gave hints of the various customisable options that would be included in the new game, such as bigger 4X4 tyres, new sticker and logo designs and various different vehicles to drive.

This game is sure to be a big hit for Mario fans when it gets released in the UK. If you can't wait until then, you can watch the trailer for yourself by clicking HERE.

Mario isn't alone in making his 3DS debut either. Mario's brother, Luigi, is also set to star in his own 3D RPG adventure - Luigi's Mansion 2.

Nintendo were keen to point out that this game is NOT merely a port of the original Gamecube version, but has been especially created from scratch for use on the 3DS console.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the original game, Luigi must collect poltergeists from a haunted mansion with the help of an adapted vacuum cleaner called the 'Poltergust'.

Some of the new 3DS features will also include a strobe function in which Luigi's torch can be used to stun ghosts before they are sucked up with the Poltergust. There will also be multiple mansions this time around, which will host different kinds of ghosts, each of which must be captured using different methods to unlock new areas and treasure chests.

The Poltergust has also been upgraded for the 3DS. As well as sucking up various spectres, it can now be used to reveal secret passages, clean up piles of treasure or simply just collect coins.

It sounds like a very fun little game, but it could be a while before fans in the UK actually get to enjoy Luigi's Mansion 2  for themselves, as the game is not expected to reach UK stores until 2012.

 If you would like more information, you can watch the E3 trailer of the game by clicking HERE.

One of the 3DS games announced for release in 2011 however, is Star Fox 64 3D. For those of you who have never heard of this game before, Star Fox 64 3D is a platform shooter game. Players must take control of the central character, Fox McCloud, as he fights against various enemies.

  The game, which was originally released for the Nintendo 64 console in 1993, has once again been given a total revamp for use with the 3DS. This time around, players can choose to make use of the 3DS' gyroscopic sensors if they wish - tilting the console up and down, left and right in order to fly the special Arwing aircraft.

Furthermore, a group-play multiplayer option will be enhanced by the use of the 3DS cameras, which can record the player's reactions as they play, which can then be transmitted to the rest of the group.

The enhanced gyroscopic features and 3D graphics should help to make Star Fox 64 3D a really enjoyable Flight-Simulation experience as well as a general Platform Shooter.

 

The game is set to debut in North America on the 11th of September 2011 and is expected to be released in the rest of Europe soon after. The Star Fox 64 3D trailer can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Another long-awaited 3DS game to be given a 2011 release date time-frame is Kid Icarus: Uprising. Players take the role of Pit, an angelic hero with the ability to fly between worlds and fight evil forces. In Kid Icarus: Uprising, Pit must defeat a reborn Medusa as she seeks to destroy mankind.

According to Nintendo, Kid Icarus: Uprising will make full use of the 3DS system including the Augmented Reality features, although it is unclear exactly how this might work at present. The game also features many multiplayer options including "Three-On-Three Multiplayer action"
[Reggie Fils-Aime, CEO of Nintendo America).

Kid Icarus: Uprising is scheduled to be released in America at the latter part of 2011. No other details about the game have been released at this time. If you want to see the E3 trailer for yourself, please click HERE.

Two surprise announcements from the Nintendo Conference at E3 included a 3DS version of the ever-popular Super Smash Bros Brawl 3D, which will apparently debut alongside the 'Wii U' version in 2012. Apparently, amongst other new additions to the series, there will be an appearance by the PS3 Infamous character, Cole Macgrath. However, that is all we know about the 3DS version for now.

The other surprise announcement was that another 'Wii U' title would also be getting the 3DS treatment some time next year. Lego City Stories is an open-world adventure game developed by the brains at Travellers Tales. No further details about the game have been released yet.

All of the games showcased at this this year's E3 conference were amazing. Mini Gamers looks forward to bringing you more news about these 3DS games as it develops.