Nintendo Universe to launch free digital magazine

Nintendo Universe ( www.nintendo-universe.co.uk  ), a website dedicated to providing extensive coverage for Wii U, Wii, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS platforms, is pleased to announce plans to launch a free, monthly digital magazine.     

With Nintendo Universe set to attend the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the full-fledged magazine will launch toward the end of June and will provide extensive coverage of the latest software, hardware and accessories that will be on the show floor, focusing upon Nintendo's anticipated reveal of the Wii U.     

To coincide with such announcement, a preview issue has been made available today which can be   viewed on Issuu  , outlining the initial concept for its finalised design. Within, you will find preview and review coverage of recent and upcoming releases including Mario Tennis Open, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Pandora's Tower and Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure.

Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed: Announcement trailer

Sega has released the first footage of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Sega announced the game earlier today for Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Sega announced a few of the characters that will be made available which include Dr. Eggman and AiAi from the Super Monkey Ball games, Gilius Thunderhead from Golden Axe and Vyse from Skies of Arcadia

Rayman Legends Trailer (WiiU)

The trailer for the previously unannounced Rayman Legends for Wii U has leaked onto Youtube. The video shows plenty of Wii U related functionality in the game including players placing figurines of characters such as a Rabbid from Rayman and Ezio from the Assassin’s Creed series onto the screen of the Wii U controller, affecting the gameplay in Rayman Legends.

There will be a digital and retail release for New Super Mario Bros. 2

Nintendo has announced that it plans to make Nintendo published games available to download on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U on release day. You’ll either be able to go out and purchase the physical edition or stay at home and download the digital release. The first game which will take advantage of this is New Super Mario Bros 2 for the Nintendo 3DS which will be released in August. This will also be available “from day one of the Wii U’s launch”.

Super Smash Bros To Focus On Wii U & 3DS Connectivity

Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has revealed that the key feature for the forthcoming Super Smash Bros for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS is connectivity between the two consoles. Sakurai reiterated that he’s only getting started on the project, and the connectivity features, so it will be a while before we hear about a release date.

“There is a certain dead end we come to if we just expand the volume of the game. I intend to change direction a little as we go.

“The key to that’s going to be its dual support for 3DS/Wii U.”

“I’m really just getting started on this so it’s going to take time, but I’ll come up with something that uses that link as the game’s central axis, so I hope you’re looking forward to it.”

If you have $3,500 laying around check out this cool Mega-Sized Nintendo Game Controller

Charles Lushear of custom design studio The Boho Workbench in Venice Beach, California, has created this fully functional Nintendo Controller Coffee Table. The table (which is 42″ x 18.25″ x 18″) ditches plastic in favor of maple, mahogany and walnut, and lets you play NES games using the aesthetically designed piece of furniture.
It features a removable glass top for when you aren’t playing games, a retractable cord, dovetail joinery and mid century modern legs. A nonfunctional version is available, as well as a composite materials version that is painted to look exactly like the original controller.
USB capability can also be added, and the designer is currently working on an inverted color scheme version and one with Wii capability for those without a NES console. The coffee tables are made to order and the production time is 4-6 weeks. The functional table costs $3,500 and this first creation is currently being raffled off by DudeIWantThat.com. Click through to see photos of the table and check out the video below to see it in action:

New Super Mario Bros 2 coming to 3DS, not Wii

Nintendo found success in both New Super Mario Bros DS and New Super Mario Bros Wii, though both games were very different. The Wii version had more throwbacks to the classic Super Mario Bros series and seemed to be a more genuine return to those old-school mechanics.

For the next entry in this franchise, Nintendo has ditched the notion of including the system name in the title of the game. This one will be, simply, New Super Mario Bros 2.