Latest news with #NintendoofAmerica
Metro
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Pikachu was originally going to have 'huge breasts' like the movie Cats
The world's most famous pokémon could've looked very different if Nintendo of America had their way, following a bizarre revelation form the original creator. It might be one of the biggest merchandising brands in the world today but when Pokémon was first being released no one had a clue it would be so popular. Or at least that was true in Japan, but by the time the initial Game Boy games made it to the US they were already two and a half years old (it'd be another year beyond that before they got to Europe). To be fair, they were difficult titles to localise, with all the different names and puns, but it wasn't just that which Nintendo of America intended to change. According to a newly surfaced interview with Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, the American marketeers wanted to make changes to how some of the pokémon looked and that included… giving Pikachu 'huge breasts'. The interview was originally from close to the launch of Pokémon Gold and Silver, so around 1999, and according to a translation by Automaton, Ishihara's initial discussions with Nintendo of America were not what he expected: 'When I first showed Pokémon to them, they told me it was too cute. The staff at Nintendo of America then suggested their own designs for the characters – I won't show those illustrations to anyone as long as I live.' Nintendo of America, particularly in that period, are notorious for trying to make Nintendo characters look edgier than their original Japanese designs, most obviously Kirby, who is always scowling and angry on US box art but not anywhere else. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Ishihara implies that major redesigns were suggested for a number of characters: 'They kind of looked like the characters from the Cats musical. So, for example, Pikachu was changed into a character shaped like a kind of a tabby cat with huge breasts.' We'll let that sink in for a moment, while you thank your lucky stars that Ishihara refuses to release the pics. Automaton notes that there's some uncertainty over the translation, and that Ishihara could've meant pecs, as in Pikachu would've been some kind of roided out nightmare monster. But his subsequent comments, when asked whether Pikachu would've looked like 'girls who do Pikachu cosplays' implies that Nintendo of America did in fact want to give Pikachu breasts. 'Yes, exactly, they presented that kind of design to us for real. I thought it was interesting, in a sense of appreciating such cultural differences. However, I didn't want to compete in the [overseas] market with that kind of thing.' More Trending It's worth noting that Pokémon didn't introduce genders and breeding for all creatures until Gold and Silver and the only gendered pokémon in the original Pokémon games were Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀. So why Nintendo of America was trying to turn Pikachu into a sexy lady is a mystery on several levels. It's not clear when these conversations were taking place, but the Pokémon anime started in April 1997, at which point it would've been very clear that Pikachu did not look like anyone out of Cats. Pikachu does have an unusual history though, as in the original game he was of no particular significance. It's only the anime that chose him to be the companion of protagonist Ash, thereby making him the most famous pokémon of all. The original Japanese illustrations for him, and the other original generation of pokémon, are quite different to how they've looked in every subsequent game. Although apparently Nintendo of America wanted that difference to be even more pronounced… Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Time Flies review – the life and death of a bluebottle MORE: Another new Switch 2 game leaks ahead of Nintendo Direct reveal MORE: Battlefield 6 release date, open beta, and trailer all leak ahead of reveal
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Mario And Peach Are Just Friends
Since the '80s, our favorite mustachioed plumber, Mario, rescued our blonde-haired princess, Peach, from that problematic turtle monster, Bowser. But if you thought they were madly in love and destined to be together forever, think again. Newsflash: Mario and Princess Peach are apparently just friends! No, you didn't read that wrong. After decades of romantic rumors, Nintendo basically revealed the actual status of Mario and Peach's relationship. "Princess Peach and Mario are good friends," the Japanese video game company wrote in a statement this past week, "and help each other out whenever they can." The news was brought to everyone's attention by X user @KirPinkFury, who discovered this bombshell announcement via the Nintendo Today app and shared it to X on July 23. For decades, across multiple platforms and forms of media, Mario has rescued the kidnapped Princess Peach from Bowser, and sometimes he was even rewarded with a kiss. But this viral revelation changes everything we once knew about the Mushroom Kingdom's greatest hero. If this news rocked your world, here's how people online reacted: If you've played Super Mario Odyssey, then you'll remember when Peach rejected him after he traveled across the galaxy to rescue her. People couldn't get over the idea that he was seemingly "friendzoned" after all these years: Some folks were downright shocked and saddended by the news: And finally, somebody joked that maybe his archnemesis Bowser was in charge of the company: Funny enough, technically Doug Bowser is the current president and CEO of Nintendo of America, the American branch of the Japanese company. So, yes. Bowser is the CEO. It'll be okay, everyone. We need an update on Princess Daisy and Luigi's relationship status. We contacted Nintendo for comment and'll let you know if we hear back.
Mint
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Nintendo Switch 2 bundle with Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches 16 October, priced at $499.99: All you need to know
Nintendo of America has officially announced a new hardware bundle that packages the Nintendo Switch 2 console withPokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Scheduled to launch on 16 October 2025, the bundle will be priced at $499.99 in the United States. Pre-orders are currently live through the My Nintendo Store and selected retailers. The announcement came as part of a broader Pokémon Presents showcase streamed worldwide by The Pokémon Company group. The presentation outlined a slate of upcoming games, projects, and merchandise from the long-running franchise. Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Key Updates The upcoming title, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, will be available for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch consoles. Set in the iconic Lumiose City, the game will feature dynamic gameplay changes between day and night. By day, players can explore the city's wild zones and encounter 'alpha Pokémon', larger, more aggressive creatures with glowing red eyes. Nightfall introduces the Z-A Royale, a battle tournament with increasingly difficult opponents, including Corbeau, the leader of the Rust Syndicate, a criminal organisation within the city. The narrative also introduces various characters with side missions, including Emma, a detective investigating missing Pokémon and items, and Mable, head of the Pokémon Research Lab, who rewards players for aiding in field studies. A central theme involves the phenomenon of 'Rogue Mega Evolution', where wild Pokémon are mysteriously transforming and becoming hostile. Players will be tasked with assisting Team MZ in calming these Pokémon and earning Mega Stones in the process. A new Mega Evolution was also revealed: Mega Dragonite, which incorporates visual elements from its pre-evolution, Dragonair, and exhibits increased speed and agility. Pokémon Champions Launching in 2026 Another title, Pokémon Champions, is set to release in 2026 across multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, original Switch, iOS, and Android. The game introduces a new team-building mechanic that allows players to temporarily recruit Pokémon through 'Trial Recruitment' or permanently add them via 'Victory Points' earned through gameplay. Three battle modes will be featured, Ranked Battles, Casual Battles, and Private Battles, each supporting both single and double battle formats. Animated Series and New Puzzle Game Announced The showcase also included a teaser for a stop-motion series titled Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, co-produced with Aardman. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2027 and promises a stylised take on the Pokémon universe. Meanwhile, Pokémon Friends, a new puzzle game, has launched today on Nintendo Switch platforms and mobile devices. Developed with Wonderfy Inc., the game features over 1,200 puzzles. Players earn in-game items to create plush toys and customise their virtual rooms. The game supports up to five save files, encouraging group play within households.
Business Wire
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo News: Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Bundle Available Oct. 16
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Nintendo of America announced a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 bundle 1 that combines the Nintendo Switch 2 system with the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game. Players can purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition bundle for the suggested retail price of $499.99 in the United States. Releasing simultaneously with the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game on Oct. 16, the bundle includes the Nintendo Switch 2 system and the full game download for the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game. Pre-orders for the bundle are available now on My Nintendo Store and select retailers. For more information about Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition visit Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site. 1 Limited quantity. Available while supplies last.
RTÉ News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Let's-a-go! Mario Kart World and the latest video games reviewed
We're only halfway through the year, but it's safe to say 2025 has exceeded all our expectations in the world of video games. We've had a slew of fantastic games, and Nintendo has just released a brand new elusive console, which is seemingly sold out everywhere. Whether you've just picked up the Switch 2 and are wondering what to play or want to dive into some new releases across all consoles, there are plenty of choices for gamers to dive into this June. Mario Kart World Mario Kart World is a game of pure chaos in the best possible way. It will have you smiling, crying, screaming and laughing in quick succession as your screen explodes in a symphony of colours every few seconds. Your eyes will always be playing catch-up to the zany action happening on screen. This is all reassuring news, given it's the main (and technically only) major launch title debuting on the brand new Switch 2. With up to 24 racers, every race in this game is a constant battle toward the finish line, where the threat of blue shells never wavers. New mechanics, like wall riding, charged jumps and a variety of rail grinding across every level, will keep even seasoned motorists learning. And yet, it's still your classic Mario Kart experience, but somehow with a sprinkling of added joy. There's a variety of game modes, including your classic Grand Prix, Vs modes, time trials, Knockout and Online multiplayer, which means there's something for every mood and occasion. The biggest surprise for me is the newly introduced free-roam mode that lets you drive around a colossal Mario World, where every track is located within driving distance. You'd think the appeal of Mario Kart is to race against your friends and gear up for that 1st place finish. And yet, blissfully driving around, discovering secrets, and taking on challenges became my main priority over this launch period. And it's only when you tackle the tracks in your own time that you can begin to notice the depth of detail each race actually contains. Go wherever your heart desires in #MarioKartWorld! In Free Roam, you can drive virtually everywhere and explore to the very edge of the world. No roads? No problem! — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 21, 2025 The beautiful track designs and addictive earworm soundtrack make a leisurely solo drive just as enjoyable as the multiplayer experience. This game is a license for fun, where no matter how little time you have, you're sure to have a blast. Coupled with the graphical fine-tuning, players may begin to understand (and digest) the new €80 price point. Yes, games are becoming more expensive. In the case of Mario Kart World, I think the price point is worth it. If this game is anything like its predecessor, expect you and your friends to be playing it to death throughout the entire lifetime of the Switch 2 console. Mario Kart World is available to play on Switch 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour While many would have hoped for a mainline Mario or Zelda game to complement the Switch 2 launch, there are still lots of options for players picking up the new console to play while the library bulks itself up. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a brand new interactive tutorial of sorts, introducing you to a lot of the new mechanics you'll be experiencing through minigames, quizzes and tech demos. Granted, it's not very replayable, but at €9.99, it does a fair job of explaining and educating you on all the neat features your new console has to offer. Spanning about 6 hours, by playing this game, you'll have a newfound appreciation for the most in-demand console right now. Split Fiction & other Switch 2 games Sticking with Switch 2 catalogues, there's also a generous list of more than 24 third-party heavy hitters to play on your new console, ranging from Hogwarts Legacy to Fortnite, Civ VII to Cyberpunk 2077, and more. The list is expected to grow as more developers invest in the new console. Since release, I've tried my hand at the recently released Split Fiction, a mesmerising co-op game that has already been greenlit for a movie adaptation starring Sydney Sweeney. The game looks, feels, and plays as beautifully on the Switch 2 as I remember it on other consoles, but with the unique Joy-Cons to factor in, as well as the added portability. In the game, you play as Mio and Zoe, two aspiring writers who visit Rader Publishing to try out their new, revolutionary simulation technology. However, while they might initially believe the publisher is there to help bring their ideas to life, the company, of course, has ulterior motives at hand. Throughout the game, you and a friend will explore both Mio's and Zoe's creations and stories on a split screen. And it is an utter joy to play through, where every level promises to be more inventive and inspiring than the last. A multitude of side stories and innovative gameplay mechanics tap directly into the tactile nature and cooperative strength that the Switch 2 aims to deliver. Check the trailer out, and if there's even the slightest interest in what you see, you and a friend have found yourself a compelling Switch 2 game that won't disappoint. For other 3rd party Switch 2 game options, check out Nintendo's growing list here. Split Fiction is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time Fantasy Life i is a new life sim game with action-adventure mechanics, where players are given total control over how they shape the world around them. Think of it as the new-age Animal Crossing, with elements of Stardew Valley and The Legend of Zelda thrown in for good measure. This is a game of your own making, as you'll be able to switch freely between 14 available jobs, each one offering unique gameplay. Jobs range from the likes of fishing and mining, and you'll feel the sting of déjà vu; isn't this a game we've all played before? But then, the game throws a multitude of surprises your way that you wouldn't necessarily pair with cosy life sims. These include an RPG levelling and zany combat against monsters in a vibrant, open world. Throw in minigames, quests, customising your own camp and surroundings, as well as couch co-op and 4-player multiplayer, and this game can easily command your free time this summer. With enough updates and support, it may have enough sticking power to take over where Animal Crossing left off. FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and PC Elden Ring Nightreign Fancy an action-role-playing game with serious grit? Want to play with friends in short but demanding 40-minute bursts? Selling over 3.5 million copies in just five days, Elden Ring Nightreign is one of the biggest hits of 2025 thus far and is available on a multitude of platforms right now. The game is a spin-off of sorts to Elden Ring, taking place in an alternate version of the Lands Between. As such, it preserves many of the mechanics, gameplay elements, and assets you know and love from the series, but with a new twist. While you can technically play the game solo, the harsh difficulty and setup of Nightreign mean there is an unmistakable focus on cooperative gameplay. You'll pretty much have to team up with other players to have any hope of surviving the challenges thrown at you. As a roguelike, the game cycle takes place over three in-game days, the majority of which is spent farming new gear and exploring a slowly shrinking map. Think Fortnite, but with hostile monsters and more demanding combat. Maps are procedurally generated, meaning new attempts do feel unique, though there's always that balance between exploring new zones and scrambling for gear for the upcoming bosses while you still have the time. To date, you can pick between eight classes, each with unique strengths, abilities and more. To maximise your success and enjoy Nightreign to the fullest, it's best to synergise with your two compatriots and pick classes that balance each other. As such, being on comms with them can be your biggest asset. After each run, players are rewarded with passive buffs that can help set up future runs, so there is a (slight) feeling of progression against the enormous difficulty. The game has an expansive library of weapons and setups to experiment with, all stemming from the world of Elden Ring. Expect this to grow in size and appeal as new updates, classes, and surprises are released in the future.
