Get 3D Excitebike for free in 3DS June 6 update

Nintendo of America has announced that the first major system update for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS system will be available in North America the evening of June 6, Pacific time. By installing the free update via a wireless broadband Internet connection, Nintendo 3DS users will have access to an Internet browser and the Nintendo eShop, which contains a variety of new content, including Pokédex 3D, an application that lets fans see Pokémon characters in 3D. To celebrate the grand opening of the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo is offering the NES game Excitebike re-mastered in 3D as a free download until July 7 for anyone who installs the system update.

Upcoming Virtual Console content available in the Nintendo eShop includes Game Boy games Super Mario Land, Alleyway and Radar Mission. New content will be added to the Nintendo eShop on Thursdays.

The Nintendo eShop is a digital store for Nintendo 3DS owners that provides access to a wide variety of downloadable content, such as original 3D software, classic games that have been re-mastered in 3D called 3D Classics, Game Boy and Game Boy Color "Virtual Console" games in their original 2D glory, and more than 350 Nintendo DSiWare games. Visitors can also view video game trailers, screen shots and product information for games, including those available at retail locations.

Within the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo 3DS users will also be able to download the free Pokédex 3D application and start collecting data for more than 150 Pokémon from the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games. This new application lets users view each Pokémon in 3D with animated motion and sound. The Pokémon image can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing users to zoom in and view it from any angle. The detailed Pokédex also allows users to search, sort and filter all of the data they receive in a variety of ways, making it the essential guide for Pokémon fans. Players can complete their Pokédex by sharing data with friends and using the SpotPass feature, or by scanning special Pokémon AR Markers (augmented-reality markers). Once users have received data for a Pokémon, the AR Viewer allows them to view that Pokémon image in a real-world setting in real time, and create photos to share with friends.


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Espoo, Finland – 1 Jun 2011 – The Angry Birds developer, Rovio today announced the acquisition of leading Finnish animation studio Kombo, for an undisclosed sum of cash and stock. Following the acquisition, Kombo will focus their production efforts entirely on Rovio properties.

"We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Kombo in the past," said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio. "This acquisition is an important step in the execution of our media strategy. The attitude, creativity and quality of Kombo's work is simply fantastic, and we look forward to delighting our fans with more Kombo animations."

The acquisition of the Helsinki-based studio strengthens Rovio’s animation production capabilities, with the long-term goal of creating a world class powerhouse in animated entertainment. The deal combines one of the most talented animation studios in the region with the fastest growing entertainment property in the world.

Kombo's ability to combine playful creativity with traditional handcrafts, excellent technical skills and the latest technology has resulted in a wide and unique collection of works in the fields of media and art.

"We are very excited to be a part of Rovio. Now we have the possibility to create bigger productions to a very wide and global audience," says Ilmari Hakkola, president of Kombo.

Rovio will continue to expand in all areas of entertainment business, and the company is on the lookout for more talent in both animated entertainment and application development.


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Heroes of Ruin, online Role-playing game for 3DS!

Finally, a co-op multiplayer RPG is announced! Heroes of Ruin from Square Enix challenges players to carve their own adventure, joining forces with other heroes through seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op multiplayer or venturing forth alone. Players will enter an ever-changing world where danger waits around every corner. Heroes can explore and fight through wild, varied and dynamic environments, discovering new layouts and routes each time they play. Packed with strange and deadly creatures, these dangerous lands will stretch players’ combat and tactical skills as they enhance their character, collecting loot, weapons and armour to empower them on their quest.


Official Website

More online multiplayer games for 3DS
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Two new titles from Majesco Entertainment

MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES 'COOKING MAMA 4: KITCHEN MAGIC' FOR NINTENDO 3DS AND 'CAMPING MAMA: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES' FOR NINTENDO DS

Join the original digital chef as she makes her debut on Nintendo 3DS with Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic! From new recipes and ways to play to fresh kitchen activities and dish combinations, the iconic kitchen cutie has some tricks up her sleeve that will magically transform kitchen newbies into master culinary artists! Slice, dice, knead, toss and flip your way through more than 200 unique Touch Screen mini-games as you cook in brand new ways with the Nintendo 3DS gyroscope: crack eggs, flip pans, balance plates and much more. Earn bronze, silver and gold medals while mixing up over 60 recipes that range from side dishes to full meals. Organize, decorate and clean your kitchen while watching surprising 3D events unfold as you prepare each meal.

Mama develops her wilderness skills in Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures that features 100 different stylus based games across a broad range of challenges: craft a fishing pole, use it to fish then cook your catch; capture wild chickens for a tasty egg breakfast; set up your tent; collect exotic insects and much more. Both girls and boys can enjoy fun outdoor activities like rock climbing, spelunking, rowing and tree climbing as they navigate 38 different levels that span forests, mountains and seas. Would-be campers can choose to play as either the son or daughter with Mama or Papa providing guidance depending on the challenge. With customization options and collectible play, Camping Mama lets everyone go wild in the great outdoors!

Developed by Cooking Mama Limited, Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic for Nintendo 3DS and Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures for Nintendo DS are both expected to release this fall.


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You can now fight with The Red Ring of Death

Battle agisnt The Red Ring of Death, developed by FourthDimensional, is a platform/sidescrolling shooter that places your tank in charge of stopping a RRoD meltdown. Per the game's narrative: "Prevent the game console from crashing. Pilot the Binary Utility Device to the CPU before a Red Ring of Death occurs. Beware user inputs and bugs in the software. Hurry B.U.D. there is no time to stop!"

The game is 80 Microsoft Points ($1). Check the gameplay video below




Noted by Kotaku
The Red Ring of Death
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Nintendo's live coverage of E3 Expo 2011 Presentation

http://e3.nintendo.com/

A live webcast of Nintendo's E3 Expo 2011 media presentation will begin at 9 a.m. Pacific time (GMT -7) on Tuesday, June 7. Immediately following the presentation, fans can enjoy additional Nintendo Network coverage on the site, including interviews, game trailers and special video segments. A variety of exclusive content will also be available on the Nintendo® Channel, which is accessible to anyone with a Wii™ console that is connected to the Internet.

The E3 Expo, scheduled to take place June 7-9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is among the year's biggest events for the global video game industry. Exclusive Nintendo Network programming will be viewable at http://e3.nintendo.com/ and on the Nintendo Channel throughout the week, offering the latest information and updates on Nintendo's announcements.


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The attacks on PSN cost Sony lost.....

Guess how much money Sony lost in the PSN attack incident during April-May 2011? Sony has pegged the total cost to be around USD$170 million. Want to see in a real number? It is $170,000,000!

"Based on information currently available to Sony, our currently known costs associated with the unauthorized network access are estimated to be approximately 14 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012," Sony said today in an official earnings forecast statement.

As it stands at time of posting, that's exactly USD$171,203,043. There's no detailed breakdown of just how those costs are spread out - how much is down to estimates on the loss of business, direct costs of fixing stuff, etc - but hey, it all contributes to the same bottom line. And that's one painful bottom line.

Note that that while official, these are still estimates; a final figure on the total cost probably won't be known for some time.


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