In this week's news we talk about everything that was mentioned at Nintendo Direct, including the new update. This is also a Help Wanted video for a new Admin/editor. See the video for details. No comments asking to be admin will be accepted. Only per video instructions and MUST be an editor. Thank for all those who apply!

ericyo

Sony's PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Enters the Arena This Holiday
The following information was obtained via gametrailers.com

" Put up your dukes Sony fans, the latest episode of GT.TV has introduced the world to the long-rumored PS3-exclusive brawler PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, which is slated to release during Holiday 2012. As the name implies, the SuperBot-developed title will be online multiplayer enabled and pit iconic PlayStation characters against one another in a Super Smash Bros. Brawl-type experience that will feature PlayStation personalities such as Kratos, PaRappa the Rapper, Sweet Tooth and a whole lot more. 

In the show, we delivered a first glimpse of the game in action including characters and environments from classic PlayStation franchises such as God of War, Killzone, Sly Cooper, Buzz!, and Twisted Metal just to name a few. In fact, according to Chan Park, President of SuperBot Entertainment, the game will contain "nearly two decades of characters, worlds, and themes from the PlayStation universe." Also, players will have access to any combination of the game's available characters, allowing you and your friends to finally find out who would win in a battle between Kratos and Sweet Tooth or to engage in some Kratos on Kratos action if you so choose.

In terms of gameplay, Game Director Omar Kendall informed the GT.TV audience that there will be three levels of Supers for each character. In detailing Kratos, Kendall stated that the Level 1 Super is a sword slash attack that impacts combatants within the immediate vicinity while Kratos' Level 2 Super involves slamming his sword into the ground and launching a cyclone that inflicts damage on enemies both near and above. Finally, the Level 3 Super allows Kratos to transform into the Ares Armor and acquire a whole new move set that will leave enemies "fighting for their lives" for the duration of the Super.

As for environments, we learned that anything goes from the included franchises, setting up scenarios where scenery or interactive elements from games like LittleBigPlanet, Patapon, and Buzz! will serve as more than just a backdrop to the brawling. Lastly, we also learned on GT.TV that guest characters from third-party games are not out of the question. In fact, SuperBot told us that "third party is a huge part of PlayStation and we're definitely going to feature some of those characters in our game."

For more in-depth coverage of Sony's new brawler, including details on other characters like Sweet Tooth, Sly Cooper, and PaRappa the Rapper, you should check out a ton of in-game footage on the latest episode of GT.TV right here. Of course, we'll keep you posted on further details of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale as soon as they emerge. Are you excited for this game or what?!?!

 Nintendo’s release schedule hasn’t changed much, but there are 3 Pokemon games on track for the U.S.
- 3DS sales post-Christmas have accelerated in Japan, but not overseas
- Next Smash Bros. games will be key in the U.S. and will have long-term demand
- 3DS has only 2, 3, 2 titles in top 20 in germany, france, spain respectively, 2 in UK
- Again: Wii U shipping in the U.S., Europe,  Japan, and Australia this year, with more details at E3. 
- Nintendo will not announce pricing information for Wii U at E3.  Price "sometime after E3" 
- 3DS standard title globally include Mario Kart etc, but also Monster Hunter, Fire Emblem, Kid Icarus, plus Pokemon titles on the DS will help.
- Mario Kart is a core title for the 3DS globally, but so are Monster Hunter and Fire Emblem according to Satoru Iwata
- 3DS launching in Korea tomorrow
- Nintendo planning to bring the 3DS to other countries as well
- New Super Mario Bros. 2 will be sold at retail or full download to an SD card
- “Digital buys will also include retail as place for payment and download, but said it does look complicated in demo"
- Because game life is getting shorter, retails carry fewer games
- Digital downloads will help retailers since the inventory risk will be reduced
- Retailers will sell titles digitally, so there won’t be a big pricing different in packaged/digital releases
- Downloading retail games digitally will be available for Wii U’s launch
- Digital packaged release prices will be set by retailers and not Nintendo
- Nintendo is focused on improving quality and having long-term relationships with customers
- “Overall focused on improving quality, and having long term relationship with customers, hopeful digital will long term +ve”
- Nintendo wants to find the Wii Sports equivalent for Wii U
- Regarding concerns that downloading games will take too long, consumers can purchase these titles directly or download them late at night
- “WiiU – will need to consider social game play, cannot say more”
- Nintendo not commenting on wholesale price to retail for digital vs. packaged software 

3DS users also soon can visit retail outlets or the retailers’ online shopping sites, look for products of interest, make a purchase decision and actually pay for the product there.  The retailers then can issue the 16-digit software exchange code. As you can see on the video below, consumers can enter the 16-digit code at the Nintendo eShop to download the software. 

"

This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Nintendo 3DS™
Nintendo 3DS System Update – The latest Nintendo 3DS system update is now available. For a full list of what is included, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/system-update. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Nintendo eShop
Block Factory – Create and share puzzles with this predefined falling-block puzzle game. Your goal is to avoid filling the playing field to the top. When a block hits the top, the game is over. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Virtual Console™
Super Street Fighter II™: The New Challengers – Battle in elimination tournaments with Ryu’s new flaming fireball and Ken’s new Dragon Punch. Fight head-to-head locally and compete against other challengers in heated online battles. (For Wii™)

Nintendo Video™
I Fight Dragons Video Premiere – Chiptune rock band I Fight Dragons takes you on a space adventure in the premiere of the music video “Save World Get Girl” on Nintendo Video. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Also new this week:
• Chuck E. Cheese’s® Arcade (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare™)

These are important. These give us a perspective on how close they are to being released in North America and Europe.

3D Classics: Kirby’s Adventure – April 25
Pokemon AR Searcher – June 23
Pokemon Zenkoku Zukan Pro – July 14
Mario Tennis Open – May 24
Guild 01 – May 31
Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry’s Wonderland 3D – May 31
Culdcept 3DS – June 28
Little Battler eXperience Explosive Boost – July 5
Taiko Drum Master: Little Dragon and the Mysterious Orb – July 12
Pocket Soccer League Culchobit – July 12
Rune Factory 4 – July 19
New Super Mario Bros. 2 – August
Tobidase Dobutsu no Mori or Leap Out Animal Crossing – Fall 2012
Project X Zone – 2012 

During tonight's Nintendo Direct Satoru Iwata briefly mentioned Animal Crossing 3DS, He went on to say that the game will be released this Fall... Crossing my fingers for a North America release date announcement soon.

Wednesday’s 3DS firmware update is not all about the folders. Nintendo will be patching up ALL unfair short cuts!

Nintendo Of America that this will be available for North America as well to celebrate Kirby's 20th Anniversary.