As Star Fox Assault reaches its 20th anniversary, original series artist Takaya Imamura has expressed his desire to see the GameCube title become available on Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console. Imamura, who designed iconic characters like Fox McCloud and Falco Lombardi, shared an illustration on social media featuring Fox holding a submarine, symbolising both Star Fox Assault and Steel Diver Sub Wars, another title he hopes will be playable on the new system.
Released in 2005, Star Fox Assault was developed by Namco and combined traditional space combat with ground-based missions. While the game received mixed reviews, with some criticism directed at its on-foot segments, it has maintained a dedicated fan base over the years.
Imamura’s advocacy for bringing classic titles to modern platforms isn’t new. In 2022, he called for a port of Star Fox Zero, a Wii U exclusive, to the Nintendo Switch, highlighting his ongoing commitment to the franchise and its accessibility to new audiences.
As Nintendo prepares for the launch of the Switch 2, fans share Imamura’s enthusiasm for making classic games more accessible. The potential inclusion of titles like Star Fox Assault could offer both nostalgic experiences for longtime players and fresh adventures for newcomers.
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Takaya Imamura, renowned for his work on Star Fox and F-Zero, is bringing his manga Omega 6 to English-speaking audiences. Originally released in France, the 216-page English edition will be published by Dark Horse Comics and is scheduled for release on October 21, 2025, priced at $14.99.
Omega 6 follows protagonists Thunder and Kyla, bounty hunters journeying through space in search of a new home for humanity. This narrative serves as the foundation for the video game adaptation, Omega 6: The Triangle Stars, which was released in Japan last year. The English version of the game is set to launch on February 28, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).
Junji Seki, president of the game’s developer Happymeal, emphasizes that the game’s storyline is distinct from the manga, offering fresh experiences for fans of both mediums. He notes, “The video game version is a totally different story, set in the same world as the Omega 6 comic.”
Imamura, who departed Nintendo in 2021 after a three-decade tenure, expressed his enthusiasm for reaching a broader audience: “I sincerely hope that my manga and games can be enjoyed by people regardless of where they live.”
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A developer known as Meesedev is creating a voxel engine, dubbed the Meese Engine, inspired by Minecraft beta 1.7.3. The goal is to build an engine capable of handling voxel-based games, eventually replacing Minecraft assets with original ones to create a new game surpassing Minecraft in both gameplay and graphical fidelity.
In a recent update, Meesedev showcased the engine’s performance, “blasting through an existing world file at 2,800 km/h, holding a perfect 60fps with a 64-chunk render distance.” This demonstration was conducted on the PC port of the GameCube version of the engine.
Blasting through an existing world file at 2800 km/h, holding a perfect 60 FPS with a 64-chunk render distance on the PC port of my Gamecube voxel engine. Feels unreal how well this thing is running. This is shaping up to be one of the most high-performance Minecraft-style voxel… pic.twitter.com/yiXDeFj5sT
The developer has also implemented “world saving and loading” features, enabling the engine to load “14,000 chunks (~500 million blocks) in just a few seconds,” sufficient for a 64-chunk render distance. Notably, Meesedev dedicates only one day per week to this project, making the progress particularly impressive.
While the Meese Engine is not planned to be fully open source, Meesedev has indicated that some smaller components might be made open source in the future.
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On February 14, 2003, Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance SP, a revolutionary update to its popular Game Boy Advance. Marking its 22nd anniversary today, this sleek, foldable console not only redefined handheld gaming but also set the stage for future designs like the Nintendo DS and 3DS.
A Compact, Stylish Redesign
One of the most striking changes was the clamshell design. Unlike its predecessor’s horizontal form factor, the SP introduced a vertical flip-open style, protecting the screen and making it more compact—a game-changer for portability. It was the first handheld from Nintendo designed with adult users in mind, aiming for a sleek, pocket-friendly form that could be carried without hesitation in a jacket or bag.
Another notable design choice was the cartridge slot placement at the bottom rather than the back, an unusual but practical decision. It ensured that inserting games felt more natural, reminiscent of sliding a cassette into a Walkman.
A Brighter Future: The Introduction of Front Lighting
Perhaps the most celebrated feature was the built-in front light, allowing players to enjoy games in low-light conditions. The original Game Boy Advance suffered from a dim, reflective screen, making gameplay difficult without direct lighting. The SP’s illumination feature was a blessing, bringing clarity to classics like Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
It also gave players control over brightness, with an on/off toggle—a simple but welcome addition. This move was so well received that Nintendo later introduced backlit screens with improved visibility in later SP revisions.
Goodbye, AA Batteries—Hello, Rechargeable Gaming
Before the Game Boy Advance SP, handheld gaming meant constantly buying AA batteries. The SP revolutionized this with a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, offering up to 10 hours of gameplay (18 with the light off) on a single charge.
This shift saved gamers money and hassle, eliminating the need to carry spare batteries. At the time, rechargeable technology wasn’t mainstream, making this feature a game-changer—years ahead of its time.
Colour Variations & Limited Editions
The Game Boy Advance SP launched with six colours, including Platinum Silver and Azurite Blue. But the most nostalgic model came a year later: the NES Edition, a tribute to the original Nintendo Entertainment System.
Other rare editions included:
• Pokémon Center’s Achamo Orange (Torchic-themed)
• Boktai’s Django Red & Black (for Hideo Kojima’s “Boktai” series)
• The Famicom 20th Anniversary SP, celebrating Nintendo’s classic console
Each edition added collectability to an already iconic handheld, making the SP one of the most desirable models in Nintendo’s lineup.
A Legacy That Lives On
The Game Boy Advance SP paved the way for future folding handhelds, influencing everything from the Nintendo DS to today’s Nintendo Switch OLED case designs. Its style, practicality, and durability made it a favourite among gamers of all ages.
Two years after its launch, in 2005, Nintendo released the Game Boy Micro, a smaller, ultra-portable version of the GBA. While it never achieved the SP’s level of success, it showed Nintendo’s dedication to compact and stylish handhelds.
Today, February 14, isn’t just Valentine’s Day—it’s a day to celebrate one of the greatest handheld consoles ever made. Happy birthday, Game Boy Advance SP!
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In a recent episode of the Grit Podcast, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that Berkshire Hathaway, led by vice chairman Charlie Munger, once contemplated acquiring Nintendo. Kotick recounted a conversation where Munger suggested purchasing both Activision and Nintendo, noting that Nintendo was valued at $13 billion with $7 billion in cash at the time. Munger humorously remarked that if the investment turned sour after his passing, it could be attributed to “the folly of an 82-year-old.”
This revelation adds to the list of companies that have considered acquiring Nintendo. Notably, Microsoft once approached Nintendo with a buyout offer, which was reportedly met with laughter.
While these discussions never materialized into actual deals, they highlight the gaming industry’s allure to major conglomerates. Nintendo’s enduring success and unique position in the market continue to make it a subject of interest for potential acquisitions.
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The upcoming Minecraft movie has unveiled its depiction of the game’s iconic villagers, eliciting strong reactions from fans. In a recent trailer, viewers were introduced to a more realistic portrayal of these characters, featuring prominent foreheads, pronounced unibrows, and large, rectangular noses. This design choice has led to widespread discomfort among the community.
Many fans have taken to social media to express their unease, with some drawing comparisons to Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants. Comments range from lighthearted jokes to concerns that the new villager design might be unsettling for younger audiences. One user remarked that the villagers are “actually quite disturbing,” while another speculated that “kids will be having nightmares from this.”
The Minecraft movie, set to release on April 4, 2025, has been a topic of much anticipation and scrutiny. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how audiences will react to these creative decisions and whether the film will capture the charm of the original game.
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In a recent discussion on the Grit podcast, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that Barbara Broccoli, co-owner of the James Bond film franchise rights, expressed reservations about including violence and firearms in the 2010 GoldenEye 007 Wii remake. Kotick noted, “We made a sequel, and it was a challenging thing to make because Barbara Broccoli did not really want anything that was violence. And she didn’t really want guns in the game.”
The original GoldenEye 007, released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, is often credited with boosting the console’s popularity. Kotick remarked, “GoldenEye is what actually sold the N64.” The 2010 reimagining for the Wii featured Daniel Craig as James Bond, replacing Pierce Brosnan from the original game. Despite the challenges, the remake was developed to align with the expectations of a modern first-person shooter while respecting the franchise’s legacy.
Kotick acknowledged Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson as “great custodians for the IP,” understanding their concerns about violence, especially considering the franchise’s appeal to younger audiences. He emphasized the difficulty in balancing these concerns with the expectations for a new GoldenEye game.
The 2010 GoldenEye 007 was initially exclusive to the Wii and later released as GoldenEye 007: Reloaded for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. The game aimed to modernize the classic while introducing new gameplay elements and updated graphics.
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A new rumor suggests that LEGO and Nintendo might be gearing up for one of their biggest collaborations yet: a massive Mario Kart LEGO set. According to sources, this unannounced set is expected to include iconic characters, vehicles, and tracks from the beloved racing franchise.
LEGO and Nintendo have already partnered on several successful sets, including Super Mario interactive playsets and detailed recreations like the Mighty Bowser. However, a fully-fledged Mario Kart set could take things to another level. Fans are speculating about potential builds, such as a detailed Rainbow Road, Bowser’s Castle, or even a modular track system that allows for real racing-style mechanics.
While there’s no official confirmation yet, the rumor aligns with LEGO’s trend of expanding into more ambitious video game-themed sets. If true, it could be one of the most anticipated releases for both LEGO and Nintendo fans in 2025.
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Nintendo has expanded its Nintendo Music app by adding the soundtrack of the classic Game Boy Advance RPG, Golden Sun. This addition marks the 38th soundtrack available on the app, bringing the total listening time to over 93 hours.
Golden Sun’s soundtrack features 54 tracks, totaling nearly two hours of music. Notably, the app offers an “Extend To…” feature, allowing users to loop many of these tracks for 15, 30, or 60 minutes—perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in Motoi Sakuraba’s legendary compositions.
Released in October 2024, the Nintendo Music app is available to Nintendo Switch Online members. It provides access to a curated selection of soundtracks from various Nintendo games, spanning multiple generations and consoles. Nintendo has committed to regular additions over time, with soundtracks from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Metroid Prime already in the mix.
Developed by Camelot Software Planning, Golden Sun launched in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance and quickly gained a cult following. Its blend of turn-based combat, puzzle-solving, and deep lore made it one of the most beloved RPGs on the system. With fans still hoping for a new entry in the series, this soundtrack addition is a welcome nod to the franchise’s lasting legacy.
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In an unexpected move, Yuji Naka, co-creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, has released an update for his 2016 mobile game, Pirates of Coin. Announced on X (formerly Twitter), Naka detailed the technical challenges he faced in modernizing the game. Originally built using Unity 5, the update required significant revisions, including transitioning from JavaScript to C# and addressing numerous deprecated features to ensure compatibility with newer Unity versions.
After 8years,I have updated our PROPE application “Pirates of Coin”.It was built in Unity5 at the time, but I had to update a lot of things while there are a lot of Unitys between now and Unity6. I changed Javascript to C# and supported a lot of Obsoletes. https://t.co/UlRrWdQEUnpic.twitter.com/DGirsWWRY5
This update is particularly noteworthy given Naka’s current legal circumstances. In July 2023, he received a 30-month prison sentence, suspended for four years, and was fined ¥173 million (approximately $1.2 million) after pleading guilty to insider trading during his tenure at Square Enix. Despite these challenges, Naka’s commitment to his earlier projects remains evident.
Pirates of Coin was developed by Prope, the independent studio Naka founded after departing from Sega. The game offers players a coin-pusher experience set against a pirate-themed backdrop, combining elements of chance and strategy. While it didn’t make significant waves upon its initial release, this recent update may rekindle interest among mobile gaming enthusiasts.
As of now, Naka has not disclosed any future game development plans. However, this recent activity suggests that he remains engaged with the gaming community, even amidst personal challenges.
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