[VanWinkle]

Just checked and it looks ok on my end.

So when you go to one of the games in the demos section on the front page, say ZombiU, there's more options than just "More details" and "Purchase"?

[Colonel Mustard]

So when you go to one of the games in the demos section on the front page, say ZombiU, there's more options than just "More details" and "Purchase"?

You click more details. The option to download the demo is on this page.

[Jaded Alyx]

So when you go to one of the games in the demos section on the front page, say ZombiU, there's more options than just "More details" and "Purchase"?

Don't you have to go into "More details" first?

[VanWinkle]

You click more details. The option to download the demo is on this page.

Don't you have to go into "More details" first?

Oh, okay, I figured "download demo" or something would have been on the page with "more details" and "purchase". That feels a little counter-intuitive, but thanks guys.

[@MUWANdo]

Any news on Nano Assault 3DS?

They're just waiting on Nintendo at this point, it should be out soon. (There's a trailer for EX on the EU eShop now, was it there before?)

Majesco is still planning on releasing the original game at retail in PAL-land, believe it or not.

[hongcha]

Two more games coming to the 3DS eshop Virtual Console in Japan next week. Finally another Game Gear game (though not one I wanted).

Puyo Puyo (Game Gear) - 300 yen - Sega
Madoola no Tsubasa (Famicom) - 500 yen - Sunsoft

http://search1.nintendo.co.jp/search/software.php?hard[4]=3dsVc

I don't think the Madoola game is on the Wii's VC.

[Wiggler]

So when you go to one of the games in the demos section on the front page, say ZombiU, there's more options than just "More details" and "Purchase"?

oops, nevermind, I assumed you meant the 3DS. I don't have a Wii U.

[Watch Da Birdie]

If they announce Virtual Console for the Wii U tomorrow, what are the chances of it being up by Thursday?

[Goli]

Was this known? The 3DS VC version of Puyo Puyo supports local wireless multiplayer!

[NateDrake]

If they announce Virtual Console for the Wii U tomorrow, what are the chances of it being up by Thursday?

50%

[GulAtiCa]

If they announce Virtual Console for the Wii U tomorrow, what are the chances of it being up by Thursday?

Japan: 100%
Europe: 100%
America: 0%

[Plinko]

If they announce Virtual Console for the Wii U tomorrow, what are the chances of it being up by Thursday?

Chances: lol%. I doubt we see it for months.

[@MUWANdo]

Was this known? The 3DS VC version of Puyo Puyo supports local wireless multiplayer!

I don't think so, but GG Columns has it too, so it's not much of a surprise. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: M2 knows their shit.

[DavidDayton]

I can't believe I'm asking this, but...

Does anyone know if there is a reason as to WHY Nintendo continually dissuades folks from using flash drives as USB storage on the Wii U?

I ask as the Wii U Deluxe bundle runs games OFF internal flash memory, and I'm puzzled as to why NCL makes full use of internal flash but warns against external flash.

Theoretically, any process taking place on the external drive should mirror what happens to files/games stored on the internal flash memory, right?

[Mr E.]

I can't believe I'm asking this, but... Does anyone know if there is a reason as to WHY Nintendo continually dissuades folks from using flash drives as USB storage on the Wii U? I ask as the Wii U Deluxe bundle runs games OFF internal flash memory, and I'm puzzled as to why NCL makes full use of internal flash but warns against external flash. Theoretically, any process taking place on the external drive should mirror what happens to files/games stored on the internal flash memory, right?

I'm not a tech guy but from what I can gather flash drives, thumb drives etc are prone to failures when required to overwrite a lot.
They recommend a dedicated HD to avoid future problems. I think.

[zigg]

I'm not a tech guy but from what I can gather flash drives, thumb drives etc are prone to failures when required to overwrite a lot. They recommend a dedicated HD to avoid future problems. I think.

This is my understanding too, but then I'm forced to ask myself what the hell we're doing with the 3DS and SD.

Wii U internal Flash is almost certainly a very different class than your typical USB stick though.

[Erethian]

I'm not a tech guy but from what I can gather flash drives, thumb drives etc are prone to failures when required to overwrite a lot. They recommend a dedicated HD to avoid future problems. I think.

Not necessarily failure, but flash drives have a write limit.

[zigg]

Not necessarily failure, but flash drives have a write limit.

All Flash has a write limit. Flash applications like SSDs are just optimized (expensively, natch) for lots of writes, quickly.

[Erethian]

All Flash has a write limit. Flash applications like SSDs are just optimized (expensively, natch) for lots of writes, quickly.

SSD also uses more expensive flash memory that supports a much higher number of write cycles before it reaches its limit.

[M3d10n]

I can't believe I'm asking this, but... Does anyone know if there is a reason as to WHY Nintendo continually dissuades folks from using flash drives as USB storage on the Wii U? I ask as the Wii U Deluxe bundle runs games OFF internal flash memory, and I'm puzzled as to why NCL makes full use of internal flash but warns against external flash. Theoretically, any process taking place on the external drive should mirror what happens to files/games stored on the internal flash memory, right?

Because most USB flask sticks are much slower than hard disks, usually not getting even half of the maximum speed for USB2.0.

The internal flash is guaranteed to offer the required performance because it was designed for that, like SSDmdrives.

[Brazil]

Wii U | eShop Original Software, Downloadable Content and Demos

• Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (Tecmo Koei | ¥7.100) Upcoming (01/31)

Nintendo 3DS | eShop Original Software, Downloadable Content and Demos

• Jake Hunter: Rondo of Revenge (Arc System Works | ¥4.200) Upcoming (01/31)
• @Simple DL Series Vol. 7: The Cheating Boyfriend: Assault! Caught On the Scene (D3 Publisher | ¥300) Upcoming (01/30)
• peakvox: Mew Mew Train (Fun Unit | ¥500) Upcoming (01/30)

Nintendo 3DS | Virtual Console

• Madoola no Tsubasa (Sunsoft | Famicom | ¥500) Upcoming (01/30)
• Puyo Puyo (SEGA | Game Gear | ¥300) Upcoming (01/30)

Nintendo DSi | DSiWare

• Mysterious Minigames (Konan Electric Works | 500 Points | ¥500) Upcoming (01/30)

[blu]

I can't believe I'm asking this, but... Does anyone know if there is a reason as to WHY Nintendo continually dissuades folks from using flash drives as USB storage on the Wii U? I ask as the Wii U Deluxe bundle runs games OFF internal flash memory, and I'm puzzled as to why NCL makes full use of internal flash but warns against external flash. Theoretically, any process taking place on the external drive should mirror what happens to files/games stored on the internal flash memory, right?

The internal flash is implemented on a dedicated embedded flash bus/protocol (eMMC), where a flash controller is embedded within the memory chips, and with the proper cooperation from the host software it can use the flash optimally, guaranteeing a certain level of speed and wearing performance, even when the flash itself is not of the most durable (and expensive) SLC type.

That is not the case with arbitrary flash devices you might plug in the usb ports - those could both use cheaper TLC flash (least number of write cycles of all NAND flash types) and employ controllers which might or might not work optimally with the access patterns exhibited by the host.

TL;DR internal flash has certain controlled characteristics which can guarantee certain performance levels; arbitrary flash you plug in the usb does not have those; IOW, your mileage with usb flash may vary.

That said, I'm running all my WiiU DD content from a flash drive.

[Chuckpebble]

GREAT INFO! That said, I'm running all my WiiU DD content from a flash drive.

They are convenient as they're small, quiet and most importantly to me you don't have to worry about turning them off. I found a little trick for that though. I plugged my HDD into the power plug on the back of my DVR and set the DVR to cut the power when I turn it off. So now I can basically power the HDD with my remote control.

[JustAnotherOtaku]

Puyo Puyo GG will be mine! :D

[zigg]

...arbitrary flash you plug in the usb does not have those; IOW, your mileage with usb flash may vary.

Obviously I get this, but I'm still not sure why it's then OK to use SD for 3DS then. SD is just as much arbitrary Flash as a USB stick.

[bryehn]

I bought The Cave and saw that "Add Needed Funds" was no longer an option :/

Hope it's just a temporary bug.

Also, has any news surfaced about our 10% discount/refunds?

[Qurupeke]

I hope everyone heard the news. :) Virtual Console is coming to the Wii U! And there's also GBA!

Also, Balloon Fight is now available for 30 cents. I am not sure if you can keep the game after the 30 months period.

[Santiako]

GBA for WiiU but not for 3DS? wtfisthisshit

[EvilMario]

GBA for WiiU but not for 3DS? wtfisthisshit

Haha, my thoughts exactly. I hope it's just unannounced for the 3DS at this point. Maybe by the time GBA VC released, NNID will be tied across systems and players won't have to buy multiple copies of the same game. Ha. :(

[M3d10n]

Obviously I get this, but I'm still not sure why it's then OK to use SD for 3DS then. SD is just as much arbitrary Flash as a USB stick.

3DS games are smaller and need to fill much less RAM than Wii U games. Also, don't SD cards have less I/O hardware in them than USB sticks?

[DrAndonuts]

According to Joystiq, Nintendo will be featuring a Wii U Virtual Console game for $.30 each month. So...I guess Nintendo's doing e-shop sales again.

[Robin64]

Can anyone confirm or deny if these 30p/30c games are ours to *keep*, or are we just getting them for a certain period before they expire? It's not clear.

[Atmej]

Can anyone confirm or deny if these 30p/30c games are ours to *keep*, or are we just getting them for a certain period before they expire? It's not clear.

You keep them. After 30 days they only revert to their original price.

[anon_mastermind]

Also, has any news surfaced about our 10% discount/refunds?

I think this is what you're looking for.

[Roto13]

They say the Virtual Console is coming in the spring but Balloon Fight is there right now? Wouldn't that mean the Virtual Console is there now? :P

[zigg]

3DS games are smaller and need to fill much less RAM than Wii U games. Also, don't SD cards have less I/O hardware in them than USB sticks?

I don't think it's an issue of reading, though, but rather writing. USB sticks' raison d'être is to store large data files that change rarely and can be read quickly—making them IMO a good fit for software storage. It's the save data that I'm wondering about, which is likely written more often.

As for the I/O, I believe so, because I believe USB is significantly more complex than SD. But I don't believe there's a difference in the Flash itself.

[Colonel Mustard]

A new eShop title and some screens of something we knew was coming.

Witch & Hero Swords and Soldiers 3D via NintendoLife

[Smiles and Cries]

They say the Virtual Console is coming in the spring but Balloon Fight is there right now? Wouldn't that mean the Virtual Console is there now? :P

these are promo testing the waters

and yes you should be able to keep those 30c special promos

[Atmej]

PSA: PAL Wii U VC games appear to be 50Hz versions or at least Balloon Fight is.

[Robin64]

Yep, 50hz versions. Going to be ignoring Virtual Console on this again.
Jesus, Nintendo...

[serplux]

Sucks for PAL owners but there should at least be an option. Is it me or do some games feel better in 50 Hz than 60 Hz. I always liked how Sonic 1-3 ran. Plus the music sounds better.

[Andrex]

Sucks for PAL owners but there should at least be an option. Is it me or do some games feel better in 50 Hz than 60 Hz. I always liked how Sonic 1-3 ran. Plus the music sounds better.

[Robin64]

Sucks for PAL owners but there should at least be an option. Is it me or do some games feel better in 50 Hz than 60 Hz. I always liked how Sonic 1-3 ran. Plus the music sounds better.

REALLY?

[Atmej]

Sucks for PAL owners but there should at least be an option. Is it me or do some games feel better in 50 Hz than 60 Hz. I always liked how Sonic 1-3 ran. Plus the music sounds better.

I once Played SSB Meele at a friend's house and his TV couldn't display the game at 60 Hz. It was horrible, like playing in the slow motion mode. My eyes adapted after a few matches but that day I wowed to never buy a 50Hz game again.

[BroBuzz]

Sucks for PAL owners but there should at least be an option. Is it me or do some games feel better in 50 Hz than 60 Hz. I always liked how Sonic 1-3 ran. Plus the music sounds better.

The only thing better about the 50 Hz music is that it made the drowning music even more terrifying

[Zeer0id]

I bought Balloon Fight because I'm weak, but I'm REALLY hype for F-Zero next month, and eventually Punch Out (which I still don't own in any form) and Super Metroid on dat GamePad.

[serplux]

Meh, I've always liked Starlight Zone's music better in PAL form. It's a guilty pleasure, even though I grew up with a NTSC system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZgapK14qwk

[EvilMario]

I bought Balloon Fight because I'm weak, but I'm REALLY hype for F-Zero next month, and eventually Punch Out (which I still don't own in any form) and Super Metroid on dat GamePad.

I'll probably wait until Super Metroid, although I'm really interested in seeing the emulator.

[Colonel Mustard]

I'll buy all of these. Why? Because they're thirty-fucking-cents.

I'll recoup my costs by taking a penny at the gas station instead of leaving one.

[Drago]

30¢ for Balloon Fight is perfect pricing. :p

I'll probably get all of these special VC games, even if I own all of the NES games being offered (but none of the SNES) - I'm not gonna say no to 30¢ games, and I have $4 left on my account anyways.