Price Drop for Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL

Jun 23, 2011 / News

Nintendo announces that from 30 June 2011, Nintendo DSi will be available for only SRP AU $199.95* and Nintendo DSi XL for SRP AU $249.95. Previously Nintendo DSi was SRP AU $249.95 and Nintendo DSi XL was SRP AU $299.95.

The popular handheld consoles have sold more than 3.1 million units* (includes Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite) since the original Nintendo DS launch in 2005. Nintendo DS has sold the highest number of all video game consoles in Australia for six consecutive years.

Nintendo DSi launched in 2009 and was an upgrade to the Nintendo DS Lite. Nintendo DSi's features include: the Nintendo DSi Camera, two cameras with 11 different lenses; Nintendo DSi Sound - you can store, play and manipulate your music; SD memory card slot for additional storage space, ideal for your photos and music. Nintendo DSi is also a slimmer unit than the previous model, with increased sound quality, larger LCD screens and the Nintendo DSi Shop.

Nintendo DSi XL launched in 2010 and contains all the features of Nintendo DSi, but the screens are 93 per cent bigger than the Nintendo DS Lite screen. The wide-angle visibility of the larger screens makes Nintendo DSi XL perfect for sharing. Nintendo DSi XL also comes with preinstalled software, including: Nintendo DSi Browser - so you can browse the internet; Clubhouse Games - play classic card games such as Blackjack and Five Card Draw; A Little Bit of... Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition - a fun brain training game that you can play for just a few minutes every day; Photo Clock - turns your Nintendo DSi XL into a photo frame with a clock and alarm function, choose from a range of clock styles and alarms; and Flipnote Studio - an application that can be used as a notepad to create animated sequences with the stylus. No matter what your artistic experience, it's easy to create, upload, and share your own animations with friends and family members.

A great range of software is available to play on both consoles, including Art Academy, Brain Training, Mario Kart DS, the Professor Layton series, New Super Mario Bros. and nintendogs, offering something for everyone, no matter what your age or gaming experience.

*NZ SRP - based on currency conversion rates as at 15 June 2011

Nintendo DSi as at 30 June $274.51; Nintendo DSi XL as at 30 June $343.99

Nintendo DSi previously $343.99; Nintendo DSi XL previously 30 June $411.73

**All sell through and market share information courtesy of internal tracking

Kirby TV Channel Available on Wii - Kirby set to be the latest star of the small screen

Jun 23, 2011 / News

Fresh from the recent release of the critically acclaimed Kirby's Epic Yarn, the cute and adorable Kirby returns to Wii, as part of his own dedicated TV Channel. The Kirby TV Channel is available now as a completely free download and will feature TV shows starring Kirby, the legendary Star Warrior, as he battles King Dedede in Dream Land.

The channel will allow you to view over 50 Kirby episodes that will be updated twice a week over a six month period. Fans of Kirby will be able to check the programming schedule just like a real TV channel and choose from four streaming episodes at a time.

Every week, two new episodes will become available - one on a Monday and one on a Thursday. The episodes will be available to view for two weeks before being archived to make way for new episodes. Episode 1 is permanently unlocked so Kirby fans can watch how he came to land in Dream Land at their leisure. Keep a close eye on the channel, as watching episodes from the archives may be possible, ensuring you never miss an episode.

The Kirby TV Channel is available to fans in Australia and New Zealand.

Whether you have been a fan of Kirby since his debut in 1992 on the Game Boy with Kirby's Dream Land or have recently discovered the cute hero through Kirby's Epic Yarn on Wii, the new Kirby TV Channel is the best place to help you to keep up to date with Kirby and his friends' fun adventures in Dream Land.

The Latest Nintendo 3DS System Update is Available : Version 2.1.0-3E

Jun 16, 2011 / News

Version 2.1.0-3E includes the following improvements :

Fix for possible gameplay disruption in Ridge Racer 3D

An issue that could cause the screen to freeze under certain circumstances when using Ridge Racer 3D on a Nintendo 3DS system with system software version 2.0.0-2E installed has been fixed.

System stability improvements and other adjustments

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user's experience.

Click here to see the latest information about Nintendo 3DS system updates..

Mario Kart Wii (TM) Video Voting Competition

Jun 10, 2011 / News

Congratulation to the lucky winners of the Mario Kart Wii Video Voting Competition!

Each person in the winning video wins a Wii(TM) Console and a copy of Mario Kart Wii. Each person in the video ranked second and third wins a copy of the Mario game of their choice-- to be selected from Mario Kart Wii, New SUPER MARIO BROS.(TM) Wii, or Super Mario Galaxy(TM) 2

1st Place: Naomi, Tracey and Alex

2nd Place: Dylan

3rd Place: Alex, Lachlan, Catherine and Sallie

To view the winning videos and other highlights, click here to visit the official Mario Kart Wii Website.

Notice Regarding Nintendo 3DS Transfer Tool

Jun 8, 2011 / News

On June 7, Nintendo has released "Nintendo 3DS Transfer Tool" (hereinafter "Tool"), which gives Nintendo DSi(TM) and Nintendo DSi(TM) XL owners the ability to easily transfer most of their previously purchased Nintendo DSiWare(TM) games to their new Nintendo 3DS(TM) systems. The Tool is essential for this transfer process and is available for download from the Nintendo DSi Shop for free.

However, customers may have experienced a problem whereby the Tool could not be located on their consoles after it had been downloaded, preventing users from performing the transfer. It was also not possible for the Tool to be downloaded again.

Nintendo would like to inform customers that the issue has since been identified and resolved. The Tool can now be re-downloaded for correct transfer operation. Users will be able to see a "Nintendo 3DS Transfer Tool" icon on the DSi Menu, which appears without the gift wrap effect as seen on other DSiWare titles.

Nintendo would like to apologise for the technical issue and any frustration or inconvenience customers may have experienced.

NINTENDO 3DS SYSTEM UPDATE ADDS INTERNET BROWSER, ONLINE STORE AND POKÉDEX 3D

Jun 7, 2011 / News

Nintendo Offers Free Re-mastered 3D Version of NES Classic Excitebike for Limited Time

Nintendo of Australia has announced that the first major system update for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS(TM) system will be available in Australia and New Zealand on 7 June.

By performing the free update via a wireless broadband Internet connection, Nintendo 3DS users will have access to an Internet browser and the Nintendo eShop, which will give them access to a variety of new content, including Pokédex(TM) 3D, an application that lets fans see Pokémon(TM) characters in 3D.

To celebrate the grand opening of the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo is offering the NES(TM) game Excitebike(TM) re-mastered in 3D as a free download until 7 July for anyone who performs the system update. Additional new Virtual Console(TM) content available with the Nintendo eShop includes Game Boy(TM) games Super Mario Land(TM), Alleyway(TM) and Tennis(TM). New content is added to the Nintendo eShop every Thursday.

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(TM) Color "Virtual Console" games in their original 2D glory, and an extensive library of Nintendo DSiWare(TM) 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(TM) from the Pokémon Black and Pokémon White Version games. This new application lets users see 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(TM) 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.

Click here for more information on Pokedex 3D...

Other capabilities that go live with the system update include a free Internet browser which has the capability to show 3D images on sites specifically designed to show 3D images. The browser can also be used during gameplay. Users can stop their Nintendo 3DS game and go to the browser by pressing the Home button and then resume their game when they are finished browsing. People can also use the browser to download 3D pictures from the Internet or upload ones they have taken with the Nintendo 3DS cameras.

The system update also gives Nintendo DSi(TM) and Nintendo DSi(TM) XL owners the ability to easily transfer most of their previously purchased Nintendo DSiWare(TM) games to their new Nintendo 3DS systems.

The system update also gives users the ability to receive SpotPass content from supported public WiFi hotspots across Australia and New Zealand and in the near future, users will be able to download a free application for a short-form video service that will enable them to view specially selected video content, including 3D movie trailers, comedy clips and music videos automatically received using the SpotPass feature.

To perform the recommended system update, Nintendo 3DS users can simply start the "System Settings" from the Home Menu, select "Other Settings" and scroll the page right to select "System Update."

Click here to see the latest information about Nintendo 3DS system updates.

FREE POKÉDEX 3D - WATCH POKÉMON COME ALIVE IN FULL 3D

Jun 6, 2011 / News

Download Pokédex 3D from the Nintendo eShop for free and watch your Pokémon images come to life in 3D on your Nintendo 3DS system

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, which launched across Europe earlier this year on Nintendo DS, unleashed over 150 all-new Pokémon into the world. Now for the very first time ever these Pokémon can be seen in full 3D thanks to the capabilities of Nintendo 3DS. When Pokédex 3D launches in Australia and New Zealand 7 June, via the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS, you will be able to complete your Pokédex data by connecting with friends and the Nintendo 3DS SpotPass feature. View Pokémon images in 3D and even use the Augmented Reality (AR) Markers to watch them come to life and have a 3D photo taken with them.

Pokédex 3D allows you to unearth information about all of the new Pokémon featured in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version - without having to own these titles. Pokédex 3D is the most detailed and comprehensive Pokédex so far within a video game and lets you bring Pokémon into the real world. Enjoy viewing images of your favourite Pokémon from all angles, in various poses and in exciting animations, all in full 3D.

After downloading Pokédex 3D onto your Nintendo 3DS for free from the Nintendo eShop, you will start off with information on 16 Pokémon. To collect data on more of your favourite Pokémon, simply wirelessly connect with your friends, scan special Pokémon AR Markers or receive the information via SpotPass. The SpotPass feature connects your Nintendo 3DS to compatible public hotspots and your wireless broadband Internet connection at home, even if the system is in Sleep Mode. Once connected, your Nintendo 3DS will receive new content and updates on a regular basis and data for up to three new Pokémon can be received each day.

To collect all the Pokémon data, you will need to share with your friends and connect to SpotPass as well as looking out for the special Pokemon AR Markers - so get connected and look out for some extra special downloads hiding away. Pokédex 3D allows you to search, cross reference, and sort data on each Pokémon, not only finding out their vital statistics, but also more in depth information such as at which level they evolve and at which level they learn new moves. Enriching your Pokémon knowledge has never been so easy - enjoy becoming a master Pokémon fan!

If you ever wanted your picture taken with your favourite Pokémon, then now is your chance. Each Pokémon in Pokédex 3D has its own individual Pokémon AR Marker, a small black and white image which brings the Pokémon to life in 3D through Augmented Reality. Place the Pokémon AR Markers anywhere and everywhere - watch Pokémon jump out of the marker in 3D using Augmented Reality technology. Set up scenes by placing more than one Pokémon AR Marker side by side and take a picture of your fully animated Pokémon together.

When using AR Viewer, your Pokémon are fully animated and can be coaxed into performing special actions using Items - some items receive different reactions from the Pokémon. Why not try tossing various items their way and seeing how they react! You can also use pictures you've already taken from your SD Card and add Pokémon to your pictures. Enjoy unlocking lots of new features as you begin to increase the number of Pokémon AR Markers you collect!

To download Pokédex 3D for free, visit the Nintendo eShop when it becomes available via the next Nintendo 3DS system update on 7 June 2011. For more information, visit www.nintendo3ds.com.au

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