Retro Studios behind Mario Kart 3DS, 60FPS

At an ongoing first-party roundtable discussion at E3, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that the developer working on Mario Kart 3DS is one you all are likely familiar with — Retro Studios, makers of Donkey Kong Country Returns and the Metroid Prime series.

[Update: Other reports indicate Retro is collaborating on the title with another Nintendo house, co-developing or contributing to the tracks and other content.]

Miyamoto also says that Mario Kart 3DS, which will release later this year, will run at 60 frames per second. He mentioned that he originally wanted to call the game Super Mario Kite, too, due to the glider portions.

Here’s the Mario Kart 3DS trailer we posted earlier. From what I’m hearing on other sites’ hands-on impressions, the hand-gliding portions are actually fun. I’m more excited about the kart customization stuff.

Buy: Nintendo 3DS console (Cosmo Black, Aqua Blue)

Find: Nintendo DS/3DS release dates, discounts, & more

See also: More E3 trailers and news

tags / mario kart 3ds / e3 2011 / e3 / gaming / shigeru miyamoto / retro studios / ec / mario kart

Miyamoto’s DIY download app for DSiWare

Speaking at a Nintendo meeting with investors, celebrated game designer and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto offered a preview of what he’s working on lately: a DSiWare app allowing users to set up their own download service to push content to other local DS owners:

Andriasang reports:

“Users can use the DSi’s camera and mic to take voice and image samples, edit these, and send them out to people with a DS.

As an example of the app’s use, Miyamoto suggested a stamp rally at a neighborhood committee meeting. He also envisions the device being used by retailers. For instance, a coffee shop owner could set up the service to display a menu and shop introduction. Patrons who have a DS with them would be able to access the service from their table.”

Very neat idea! I hope this somehow makes it out to North America’s DSiWare service — even though it will inevitably become a service for distributing pictures of dicks.

Preorder: Special Edition Red Nintendo DSi XL bundle

Buy: Nintendo DSi XL (Blue, Burgundy, & Bronze), Standard Nintendo DSi (White, Pink, Black, & Blue)

See also: More DSiWare posts, media

[Via Nintendo, Andriasang; Image: “Nintendo Zone” by Miki Yoshihito]

tags / dsiware / shigeru miyamoto / imports / ec

Startling revelation of the week

The “P” in Super Mario Bros. 3’s P-Wing stands for “Paratroopa”, as in Paratroopa Wing. Mind blown.

Almost as surprising — Nintendo veteran Toshihiko Nakago revealed in a recent interview with company president Satoru Iwata (the same Q&A that betrayed the above secret) that he shared a bed with legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto on more than one occasion:

Read More →

tags / paratroopa / p-wing / super mario bros 3 / shigeru miyamoto / iwata asks / satoru iwata / fanfiction / excitebike

On DSi difficulties, SD(HC) support

We probably won’t know for sure until the system hits store shelves, but a mysterious Japanese spec sheet posted on NeoGAF indicates that the Nintendo DSi does officially support SDHC, unlike the Wii.

Satoru Iwata asks about DSi:

“Shigeru Miyamoto insisted strongly on including support for [SD] cards. Nintendo’s internal software developers may not have necessarily been in favor of including the SD support, as on top of the added size that the SD card slot brings, the line between what you could do with it and what you couldn’t do without it is a bit unclear.

Miyamoto, however, said that he wanted it included, adding that he’d show a way to use it.”

Developers facing DSi difficulties?:

“An anonymous developer has said that its game has been refused certification because it ‘freezes up’ on the new DSi platform …

If true, the claim could suggest further incompatibilities between old DS models and the new camera-equipped version, potentially affecting not only already-released games but adding new QA challenges.

tags / dsi / import / sd card / satoru iwata / Shigeru Miyamoto / ec

5 audio-related things that you might not know about the Nintendo DSi

Yes, another one of these random DSi lists! It’s the only handheld-related thing that’s actually more exciting to us than Wonder Pets DS, right now.

1. You will be able to listen to music while the DSi’s lid is closed, so long as you have a pair of headphones hooked up. I wonder if you can use the shoulder buttons for basic playback functions?
2. The DSi will not only have “improved sound quality,” as we’ve mentioned previously, but it will also have higher volume settings. Play it loud!
3. DSi Sound’s recording function will allow users to record only 10 seconds of audio, max. Unless you’re the Micro Machines guy, don’t expect to tape a podcast with your DSi.

4. One of DSi’s Sound’s music visualizers will allow you to play a simple sidescroller with Mario. We’re not sure about the specifics, but you’ll be able to press the L and R buttons to change the song’s tempo and running speed. You can also jump and collect coins.
5. Shigeru Miyamoto helped develop DSi Sound, which makes sense when you consider the program’s wacky features and his work with Wii Music.

Great stuff, right? Oh, and here’s a photo of the DSi’s Japanese packaging, if you haven’t seen it yet:

See more: Our previous Nintendo DSi coverage

[Via Game Watch]

tags / dsi / dsi sound / shigeru miyamoto / boxart / ec