18^th May 2012 – In an exciting Nintendo 3DS exclusive, a massive Yoshi hunt will soon become available for the upcoming Mario Tennis Open launch on 25^th May. The hunt, entitled The Yoshi Chase, will involve tracking down a series of different-coloured Yoshis, playable in Mario Tennis Open, through corresponding QR codes released over the coming weeks through various channels. The Black Yoshi and White Yoshi will be the first to be released but there are many more in the pipeline so keep your eyes peeled.

Each Yoshi QR code will be released in a variety of different ways and at different times, so you will have to stay alert to find them – the Black Yoshi will be distributed first through special sampling events at 30 Asda stores around the UK. Look out for Black Yoshi on Friday 25^th and Saturday 26^th May  – see the list below to find your closest store!

Mario Tennis Open is packed full of Mario-themed arcade tennis action. Choose from singles or doubles matches, single player and multiplayer modes and a variety of special games such as Super Mario Tennis, Ring Shot and Galaxy Rally. With easy-to-pick-up-and-play gameplay and a range of modes to suit your mood, you will be serving up a storm before you know it.

As well as the ability to customise your Mii character with new rackets, clothing and trainers, there is also a choice of 11 different court surfaces which affect the angle, speed and bounce of the ball, with each one set in a familiar location from the Mario series. In addition, you can easily select from a range of classic tennis shots such as Topspin, Slice or Drop Shot to take down your opponent via the Touch Screen on your Nintendo 3DS.

Mario Tennis Open also makes full use of the online capabilities of Nintendo 3DS by allowing you to play against random opponents and friends on Nintendo Network as well as playing over local wireless connections. Depending on your performance in Open Matches played over Nintendo Network, you could get added to the leaderboard and see yourself rise to the top. Online matches will see you paired against opponents with similar strengths and weaknesses to you; defeat them to rise up the rankings!

For more information, please refer to Nintendo’s UK Twitter feed @NintendoUK and the official Mario Tennis Open website.

Participating Asda stores – May 25^th and 26^th:

Location
Address
Telephone NoMinworth Supercentre
Walmley Ash Road Minworth – Sutton Coldfield, B76 1XL
0121 3137100Tamworth Supercentre
Ventura Road Retail Park – Bitterscote Tamworth – Staffs, B78 3HB
01827 302180Patchway Supercentre
Highwood Lane Patchway – Bristol, BS34 5TL
0117 317 2400Cardiff Supercentre
Longwood Drive – Coryton Cardiff, CF14 7EW
02920 613213 or 544500Queensferry Supercentre
Aston Road Clwyd, CH5 1TP
01244 834600Ellesmere Port Supercentre
Grange Road – Ellesmere Port Merseyside, CH65 0BZ
0151 348 6100Coventry Supercentre
Brade Drive – Walsgrave Coventry, CV2 2PN
02476 625800Derby Supercentre
Derby Road Spondon, DE21 7LW
01332 661751Hessle
Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 4PE
01482 596600Great Bridge Supercentre
Brickhouse Lane South Great Bridge – West Midlands, DY4 7HW
0121 521 5330Govan
500 Helen Street, Glasgow, G51 3HR
0141 445 4257Livingston Supercentre (SOL)
Almondvale Road South, Livingston, EH54 6NB
01506 835980Huyton Supercentre
Huyton Lane Huyton – Liverpool, L36 7TX
0151 449 4600Pudsey Supercentre
Owlcoates Shopping Centre – Stanningley Bypass – Stanningley Pudsey – Leeds, LS28 6AR
0113 236 1222Eastlands Supercentre
ASDA Sport City – Ashton New Road Manchester, M11 4BD
0161 230 3500Trafford Park Supercentre
Barton Dock Road – Trafford Park Manchester, M41 7ZA
0161 748 5841Gravesend
Thames Way, Gravesend, DA11 0DQ
01474 560333Milton Keynes Supercentre
Bletcham Way Milton Keynes, MK1 1QB
01908 362500Gateshead
Metro Retail Park – Gibside Way – Metro Centre Gateshead, NE11 9YA
1914602981West Bridgford
Loughborough Road Nottingham, NG2 7JA
0115 9694200Havant Supercentre (SOL)
Larchwood Avenue, Bedhampton Havant – Hampshire, PO9 3QW
02392 445800Dagenham
Merrielands Crecsent, Dagenham, RM9 6SJ
0208 984 7633Cortonwood Living
Cortonwood Retail Park, Cortonwood Drive, S73 0TB
01226 344040Haydon Supercentre (SOL)
Orbital Shopping Park, Thamesdown Drive Swindon, SN25 4BG
01793 707770Eastleigh Supercentre
Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford Eastleigh, SO5 3YJ
02380 268341 Eastgate Supercentre
Eastgate Shopping Centre Basildon – Essex, SS14 1AE
01268 884000Lower Earley
Chalfont Way, Reading, RG6 5TT
01823 252701Watford Supercentre
Odhams Industrial Estate Watford, WD24 7RT
01923 250380Wigan Supercentre
Soho Street – Robin Park Wigan, WN5 0XA
01942 243522Leicester Fosse Park
Narborough Road South Braunstone Leicester, LE3 2LL
01162 815000

Article source: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/yoshi_chase_ramps_up_mario_tennis_open_launch_49651.html

16^th May – The recent partnership between Nintendo and Aardman Animations, the company behind Wallace Gromit and the blockbuster Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, has been taken to the next level! In the latest 3D episode of Shaun the Sheep, available exclusively to Nintendo 3DS owners for free via SpotPass, everyone’s favourite cheeky farmyard hero performs some iconic moves that will be recognised by all video game fans.

Shaun Goes Old School is the latest episode in the series of entertaining 3D clips starring the affable farmyard favourite. The episode sees Shaun not just armed with his very own Nintendo 3DS, but also performing a charming homage to a well-known Nintendo character.

Of the latest episode, Aardman co-founder David Sproxton says, “When we were approached by Nintendo to make the series of 3D Shaun the Sheep episodes we thought that a parody of a well-known Nintendo character would be a really funny idea. We ran the concept of having Shaun perform the character’s classic moves past its creator Mr Miyamoto and he couldn’t wait to see what we created.”

Alongside this latest Nintendo-themed episode you can also stream an exclusive documentary, entitled Raising the Baaaaa!, for free from Nintendo eShop. Further adventures of Shaun and his farmyard friends are available via the upcoming free weekly 3D clips: each week a new clip becomes available for Nintendo 3DS owners via SpotPass, to be viewed using Nintendo Video.

For more information on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Video and SpotPass, visit our official Nintendo 3DS website. For information on performing a system update, visit our Support section.

Article source: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/the_worlds_of_nintendo_and_shaun_the_sheep_collide_49637.html

15^th May – Two new Pokémon titles for Nintendo 3DS are coming soon, complementing the upcoming launch of Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 for the Nintendo DS family of systems later this year. In addition to the new entries into the series, Pokédex 3D Pro and Pokémon Dream Radar will both release in autumn 2012, giving players new ways to capture and learn about their favourite Pokémon.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 bring players back to the Unova region two years after the events of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Players who are familiar with Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version will immediately notice that the Unova region has transformed in the new games. Embark on a brand new adventure starting in the new Aspertia City and discover what strange events are occurring and why the Unova region has changed two years after Team Plasma’s defeat.

Players can also look forward to two new Legendary Pokémon, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem, which are featured on the games’ packaging. These powerful Legendary Pokémon each boast new devastating Ice-type signature moves; Black Kyurem knows Freeze Shock and White Kyurem comes ready for battle with Ice Burn. Black Kyurem will be available exclusively in Pokémon Black Version 2, while White Kyurem will only be found in Pokémon White Version 2. Developed for the Nintendo DS family of systems, the games can also be played on the Nintendo 3DS system in 2D.

Pokémon fans are in for a great 2012 as not only can players look forward to a successor to one of the biggest Pokémon adventures ever, but they will also be able to enjoy two new titles that are true companions to Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, helping to expand their experience when playing on Nintendo 3DS.

Pokémon Dream Radar lets players use several different features of the Nintendo 3DS system, including the Nintendo 3DS camera, motion control, and augmented reality technology to catch Pokémon by moving the Nintendo 3DS system to discover hidden Pokémon. Shooting the Pokémon with beams allows players to catch them. Caught Pokémon from Pokémon Dream Radar can be transferred into Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, helping players build their roster of Pokémon. Pokémon Dream Radar also includes some hard to get Pokémon, giving players even more incentive to capture them for their game. Pokémon Dream Radar will be available for purchase via download from Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS.

Pokédex 3D Pro is a fully enhanced and upgraded version of the original Pokédex 3D application that includes detailed information about the more than 600 Pokémon featured in the history of the Pokémon video game series. Pokédex 3D Pro will include in-depth sorting, comparison and ranking tools, as well as comprehensive details on what abilities each Pokémon can learn and how it evolves. The application also includes extensive augmented reality capabilities, including the ability to take photos of Pokémon in the real world. With Pokédex 3D Pro, all Pokémon are unlocked from the start, allowing players to access a wealth of information that will be useful as they play through Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2. Pokédex 3D Pro will be available exclusively for purchase via download from Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS.

For more information about Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, Pokédex 3D Pro and Pokémon Dream Radar, visit http://www.pokemon.com/uk/.

Article source: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/the_pokemon_black_version_2_and_pokemon_white_version_2_experience_deepens_with_two_complementary_titles_on_nintendo_3ds_49631.html

15^th May 2012 – Nintendo of Europe today announces that it has made an update available for Mario Kart 7, which will eliminate the ability to exploit shortcuts when playing Online Multiplayer on the courses “Wuhu Island Loop,” “Wuhu Mountain Loop,” and “GBA Bowser Castle 1″.

The Mario Kart 7 Update data are available for free via Nintendo eShop from today, after performing the latest system update to make sure that your Nintendo 3DS system is up to date.
 
Mario Kart fans who have not downloaded these Update data will no longer be able to play Online Multiplayer; but don’t worry if you are unable to connect to the Internet and download the update immediately, as you will still be able to take part in Local Multiplayer and Single Player races without the update.

To download the Mario Kart 7 update make sure that you have performed the latest system update for your Nintendo 3DS and then visit Nintendo eShop to download the Mario Kart 7 Update data. For more information on how to download the Mario Kart 7 Update data please visit our Support section.

You can also scan this QR Code with your Nintendo 3DS system to go straight to the download page. Hit the L or R Button when on the HOME Menu, put your Nintendo 3DS in front of this image and tap the QR Code icon on the lower screen of your console. That’s it!

QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.

Article source: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/update_data_for_mario_kart_7_available_49614.html

Avid fans of Kid Icarus: Uprising for Nintendo 3DS have been hunting down the game’s AR Idol Cards with the fervour of angelic warriors. From the initial six supplied with the game itself to the Club Nintendo packs in our Stars Catalogue, to those gained at the multiplayer Battle Squad events around the country or soon via the recently announced distribution deal with Panini – more opportunities for collecting the cards are popping up all the time!

But if you think you already know everything there is to know about this unique collection, we’d like to present you with 5 facts for anyone calling themselves an expert.

Some cards are more rare than others. Special cards will feature a small wing symbol in the top right: silver ones are uncommon, golden ones are rare and diamond ones are ultra rare!

A silver, golden or diamond wing in the top right means you have a special AR Card.

Diamond cards are truly special – and even among these, some are especially rare! The Palutena (Rare) – 404 card, for example, only appears once in approx. every 1600 packs. Right now, there are only a few hundred of these all across Europe!*

Finally, there is even a very limited edition batch out there without any rarity indicators at all. Those cards are no longer in print, so if you were to have, say, a Medusa (Battle) – 027 card without a golden wing on it, you’d best hold on to it!*

There are no rules except your own – and those of your friends! When playing AR Card battles, the outcome of battle for each pairing of cards is determined by each card’s HP, Attack power and Speed characteristics, as well as which types (out of Shield, Sword or Magic) are squaring off. Beyond that, it’s your call! Perhaps you can make your three top weapons take on those of a friend, or perhaps you’d rather shuffle your decks and go into battle blind? Read what game creator Masahiro Sakurai has to say on the topic in our Iwata Asks interview and see what rules you and your mates can come up with.

Use location cards to set the scene. Friends, foes, weapons and powers – there’s a 3D Idol for virtually any part of Pit’s rich fantasy world ready to face off against another. (So if you’ve ever pondered whether Poseidon could beat a platter of food, resolution is near!) But if you manage to get your mitts on a location card, you’ll even be able to provide an AR backdrop fit for your most climactic battles – and you can take a quick 3D snapshot to view again later in the Nintendo 3DS Camera application.

More cards, more hearts! With every AR Idol Card you scan for the first time, 100 hearts are added to your tally. That may not seem like much until you realise there are hundreds to collect. Plus, scanning an AR Idol Card with your Nintendo 3DS adds a neat golden camera icon to each entry in your Idols gallery!

There’s an album on the way. Anyone serious about their AR Idol Card collection will be happy to know we’re teaming up with Panini soon. This means you’ll be able to purchase additional card packs around the country** – and better yet, there’ll be an official album to keep all your cards in pristine condition.

For the latest news, tips and local events around Kid Icarus, follow @KidIcarusUK on Twitter!

Kid Icarus: Uprising is in shops now, only for Nintendo 3DS.

*Please note that this information pertains to the European Kid Icarus: Uprising AR Cards, as indicated by the European translations under any card’s name. Such details, as well as rarity, may vary in other territories.

**Distribution territories to be confirmed.

Article source: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/5_facts_about_kid_icarus_uprising_ar_idol_cards_49599.html