Zelda.in

Every time I pick up (or replay) an old NES title on Virtual Console, I remember why I loved playing video games in my grandparents' basement as a kid. My uncle had a NES, and was the one who first introduced me to Super Mario Bros. and my longtime favorite Super Mario Bros. 2, as well as some other gems like Punch-Out!! and Kung Fu. When my family moved to Texas, I discovered Super Mario Bros. 3 and remember hanging out with the kids around the corner so I could play it with them (I was a bit manipulative back then, wasn't I?). It wasn't until years later, after I discovered the Zelda series, that I stumbled upon what would become one of my favorite video games from the 8-bit era: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. I recently picked it up for the Wii Virtual Console after only having tried it out as a GBA Classics title and discovered something I never would have believed - this game, despite its departure from the traditional series format, is actually one of the best Zelda games ever. Forget the "black sheep" reputation I'd always heard about - this game's 100%...

It kind of sucks to be a gamer in Australia. Every time there's a big announcement the Australian release date always seems to be left out. Right now gamers in Europe, North America, and Japan all know what day they'll be playing Skyward Sword; the Australians only know that it will be before Christmas. We also found out that the Flame Red edition of the Nintendo 3DS would be released on September 9th in North America several weeks ago, but there was no mention if Australia would be geting similiar treatment. But fret no longer, the Flame Red 3DS will be coming to the land down under, and we can even tell you what day you can get your hands on it....

The "last" episode of the Official Nintendo of Europe Xenoblade Chronicles Let's Play went online yesterday, and in the midst of the Skyward Sword Limited Edition Bundle excitement we almost overlooked it entirely. This episode focuses on the spellcaster Melia, one of the ancient race of the High Entia. It also focuses on the Eryth Sea region, the beautiful and lush homeland of the High Entia. It's an awe to behold with its odd plantforms and sweeping series of floating islands, but the place looks positively gorgeous at night, especially in the midst of a meteor shower. You can see the Eryth Sea as well as how Melia's spells fare in battle after the jump....