Mario

Super Mario Run: Release Date and Price

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Just one month to go.

Nintendo recently dropped a trailer and new info on their upcoming mobile title, Super Mario Run. The game is set to release on December for iOS devices in 151 countries and regions. It is being made by an experienced team of developers, including the director Takashi Tezuka, who worked with Shigeru Miyamoto on the original 1985 classic Super Mario Bros.

Apparently, the first part of the game is free to download on any iPad, iPhone, or iTouch devices that run iOS 8.0 or any later versions. Once you try out the game’s three modes, you have the option to purchase the full version for $9.99.

You can check out the new trailer for Super Mario Run, which was uploaded today:

The game plays like you would expect from a modern Mario game, except with a few gameplay changes that come from being on a mobile device. Super Mario Run is an auto-runner, which you can play with one hand. Just tap the screen to make Mario jump while the level auto-scrolls. Do a quick tap to make the plumber hop and a long tap to make him jump higher.

If you don’t own an apple device, you may still be able to play it for yourself in the future. Nintendo has stated that it intends to put Super Mario Run on Android devices, too. They also stated that they plan to make Super Mario Run as popular as Pokemon GO. With the widespread popularity that the Mario franchise possesses, it may not be too hard to do.

Are you excited for Nintendo’s next addition to their mobile library? Let us know in the comments!

Nintendo Secretive About Japanese Exclusive 3DS Game “Miitopia”

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It’s coming Holiday 2016, but what is it?

Japan is getting a mysterious new 3DS title this holiday, called “Miitopia”. No details have dropped recently as to what it is, though.

First announced by Nintendo during a Japanese Nintendo Direct last month, all that is known about the title is that it will be both digital and physical, and that it obviously includes Miis in one way or another. Perhaps it is a game similar to the Mii minigames in the 3DS Streetpass Mii Plaza app?

President of Nintendo Tatsumi Kimishima mentioned it during a financial meeting for Nintendo in Japan recently. “Miitopia, for which we have only announced the title, will be released by the end of this year,” he said. He went on to describe it as an “exciting title” that will have more press at “a later date”.

 

miitopia

 

Hopefully we’ll get some more news soon enough, seeing as the game is very close to its Holiday 2016 launch date. For those of you not residing in Japan (myself included), there may be a chance that the game will see the light of day in other countries. We’ll just have to be patient.

It seems that Nintendo is definately confident in the game, but is not quite ready to announce anything for the time being. They have a lot on their plate right now, with the recent announcement of the Nintendo Switch sending everyone into an excited frenzy. That and the release of Pokemon Sun and Moon coming November 18, less than a month away. A new trailer just dropped for the game, revealing new characters and ‘mons.

What are your thoughts on the plethora of Nintendo announements recently?

Gamestop is jumping back into the “Retro” business

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Everyone loves the classics

Gamestop, a gaming retail company, will now accept your retro gaming hardware and games. “Retro gaming” includes the NES, SEGA Genesis, Gamecube, among others. Gamestop has a complete list of the systems on their website. What is also interesting is that they have a number of different retro games and consoles for sale on their website as well. After previously dropping the retro business, it seems that the company is jumping back in, which isn’t a bad thing by any means.

 

The picture featured in the Tweet announcing their new business direction.

 

This will be apparent in all of Gamestop’s locations. So far, it only looks to be available in their online store, but chances are they might move some of the stock into the retail stores themselves eventually. Perhaps if they receive enough trade-ins to warrant that.

Will you be taking advantage of this new direction for Gamestop?

This Sonic Fan Game is a mix of Classic and 3-D

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A game for both classic and modern Sonic fans

Fan games are the result of hard work fueled by the sheer dedication a person or a team of people have toward a specific franchise. Of all the fan games I’ve seen, most never fail to impress. They embody exactly what the fans themselves would like to see, and sometimes with a twist from the creator.

The Sonic franchise has had many, many fan games in the past few years. But this new Sonic fan-game, made by Youtuber The Great Lange, does what few have attempted before. It mixes elements from modern and classic games, making a sort of classic-modern hybrid. Essentially, it’s Classic Sonic in 3-D. The Great Lange recently released the game, called Sonic Utopia, as well as a reveal trailer:

 

 

Sonic Utopia includes many different abilities present in past games such as the spin dash, the homing attack, and the fan-favorite super peel-out. From what it looks like, it’s very focused on momentum, being able to scale high walls by picking up speed. Plus, it seems to run as smooth as butter.

Who knows if SEGA will have it taken down or allow it to keep getting support, but one thing is clear – it’s a very high quality project that obviously had a lot of time and effort put into it.

On the subject of official Sonic titles, there are two on the way for next year, with trailers for those games as well. The classic continuation titled Sonic Mania is set to release Spring 2017 and the mysterious modern installment, dubbed Project Sonic 2017, is set for Holiday 2017.

Lime-Green New 3DS XL Now Available on Amazon, United States Only

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New color for the New 3DS XL

The Lime-Green New 3DS XL is the newest color of Nintendo’s upgraded handheld. It’s an Amazon Exclusive and is currently available in the United States only.

 

Image result for lime green 3ds

 

The deal itself includes the lime-colored system and has the SNES classic Super Mario World pre-installed. It is currently selling for $199.99 on Amazon. You can find the deal here, if you’re interested. To me, it seems like an interesting bundle. The color is certainly a fresh look at the system, and one that I have personally been waiting to see. The game included is a favorite among many, so there really is no downside to this deal.

The 3DS family of systems will be getting a hefty amount of support from Nintendo in the coming months, with Super Mario Maker for 3DS comin on December 2 and Mario Party: Star Rush releasing on November 8. Not to mention that Pokemon Sun And Moon are right around the corner, releasing on November 18.

Nintendo has certainly announced a lot in terms of hardware. Are you interested in this version of the New 3DS XL? What are your thoughts on the recently announced Nintendo Switch, which releases sometime in March 2017? Let us know in the comments!

New Console: Nintendo Switch Announced!

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It’s finally here!

After what seems like an eternity of waiting, Nintendo has finally revealed to the public the identity of their new gaming console (previously code named NX) – the Nintendo Switch! The reveal came in the form of a neat little trailer, which you can watch here. At the time that I am writing this article, the video has already amassed over two and a half million views in less than 12 hours!

Image result for nintendo switch

The Switch is named as such because of its unique feature. It’s a hybrid of a home console and a handheld, so it can be played essentially anywhere. The system itself is very thin, and takes on the form of a tablet. It has two bars on each side housing the buttons and joysticks, just like the Wii U Gamepad. What makes this system different, though, is that you can slide out the bars and put them on a traditional controller that looks similar to the Wii U Pro Controller. On the other hand, you could choose not to connect them at all – just use them as-is, Wiimote style. Personally, I see this as a genius way to accommodate for fans of every controller Nintendo has produced over the years. Other details shown were the inclusion of a stand on the Switch, in case you want to use the sliders separate from the controller, but want to use the tablet as a mini-TV. The Switch appears to have a matte-finish, which will no doubt be much more visually-appealing than the glossy finish of the Wii U. (No thumb prints!)

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One of the controller options looks oddly square – somewhat akin to a piece of toast…

Just as the rumors suspected, its essentially a portable console that can fit into a dock, so it can be played in the comfort of one’s home as well. The trailer features players simply taking the tablet-like system out on a trip, and then able to smoothly slide it back into place in front of the TV.

Additionally, the trailer also includes short background clips of gameplay from the Switch. People are shown playing Splatoon, Skyrim, and a new 3D Mario title, among others. Confirmation of whether or not these games are actually playable on Nintendo’s new system remains to be seen, but from what it looks like, Nintendo is aware the Switch requires a strong launch-line up of games to be successful.

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The traditional controller option of the Switch

 

 

Without a doubt – if you like the idea or not – the design for the Nintendo Switch certainly seems like it was worth the wait. What do you think? Are you satisfied, or did you expect something different? Let us know in the comments! Check back to Cube Command for future updates!

Preview Trailer of Nintendo NX tomorrow

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It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for. Nintendo has finally announced when we will get our first look at their new system, Codename NX.

Apparently, a “preview trailer” will drop tomorrow, October 20, at 7am PT/10am ET. Set your clocks! At a press release, they mentioned the trailer will “serve as Nintendo’s preliminary announcement of information regarding the platform”. A tweet was sent out to further advertise this announcement.

The picture that came along with the Tweet

According to Nintendo, the NX is set to launch sometime during March 2017. It is rumored to be something the industry hasn’t seen before, such as a mix of a handheld and home console, where the former would dock to create the latter. Aside from other developers praising it, that’s all we know so far. One can only wonder what lies ahead.

Are you excited? What are your hopes for the Big N’s next console? Let us know in the comments!

RE-POST: How to Create 3D Stop-Motion Videos with the 3DS Camera

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Here is one of my old posts on Nintendo Teens back in 2013. I was covering the stop-motion feature on the 3DS camera (also on the New 3DS) and the steps needed to use it. I remember using this to make many Lego videos a few years ago, and it still is a nice little feature today.

The original article:

The 3DS comes with a load of features. It has a gyro sensor, microphone, connection to the internet, a camera, and many more. They are all great and bring a sense of fun to using the 3DS in their own way, but right now I’m going to focus on the camera. The 3DS camera, though a bit fuzzy, can take 3D pictures as well as videos. That’s pretty impressive for a small device when you think about it. Included in the camera is a stop motion feature. With this, you can make inanimate objects seem like they are moving by taking multiple shots and slowly moving the object after each picture. You can do this easily by touching the red lever in the 3DS camera app. Then, out of the tabs that come up, hit the one to the far right with the gear on it. By selecting the button that says “Stop Motion”, the 3DS will allow you to take quick pictures and when you are done, it “Done” and the 3DS will string together the picture you took to a make a stop motion video.

The 3DS XL, a larger version of the 3DS. The outside camera is above the top screen on the outside of the system.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, it didn’t used to be. Before, people had to take pictures with an actual camera, which takes a lot of time. With the 3DS, you can take a picture with the tap on a touch screen. Like I said before, the 3DS’s camera isn’t the best of the best, but with good lighting and the right distance you can make a better-than-average stop motion video.

Now, I don’t know about you, but the first thing that came to my mind when I think of stop motion is Lego videos. You can create basically any kind of object with them and therefore basically any kind of stop motion video. Move them a bit after each picture, remove your hand from the scene and snap the pic. Then do that once more. Yes, moving the object the smallest distance possible results in movements that flow smoother. Yes, it’s a bit tedious. Yes, you might knock something over, but this won’t ruin the video. All this can become easier and avoidable with practice and skill.

End of article

What do you think? Do you use the stop-motion feature?

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