Around this time in 1989, this big grey brick to the left started to hit the shelves in a move which would revolutionise the way we play videogames. A bulky, squarish device capable only of greyscale graphics; and requiring no less than FOUR AA batteries to power (for these were the days when internal, rechargeable batteries were unheard of – though a later model, the “Game Boy Pocket”, would later slim down the console and reduce the power requirement to a more reasonable two AAA batteries), the Game Boy was a hand-held games console that, while neither Nintendo’s first foray into hand-held gaming nor the sole entrant in the market in its era, brought the idea of gaming on-the-move to mainstream attention; while its games, such as the still-addictive-today Tetris and the forever evolving, eternally popular juggernaut Pokémon would bring new emphasis to the concept of “accessible to all” and “better with friends” gaming respectively. And now, this piece of gaming history is 25 years old.

Cut me a slice of that cake – and let’s go grab a round of drinks.

Colour me confused. As we all know, the Gamepad controller that forms the main gimmick of Nintendo’s Wii U console, incorporates with it an NFC Reader. Back when this was first announced, many of us assumed this would allow NFC-enabled toys, for example Skylanders figures, to work on the console without the need for a separate device (the Skylanders Portal, for example). Indeed, Nintendo even made numerous references to such functionality in a subsequent Nintendo Direct – but despite this; and even as Skylanders games continue to make a presence on Nintendo’s consoles and the 3DS, this ability simply hasn’t been utilised.

Why not? Surely Skylanders’ child-friendly nature, emphasis on collectivity and vast array of funny characters is a natural fit for Nintendo – so the company should be trying to support them as much as they can right? Well apparently, Nintendo was “confused” about the whole concept of Skylanders when they were first told about it – and that confusion led to them pulling out of a potentially lucrative deal, according to Fred Ford and Paul Reiche, co-founders of Skylanders developer Toys For Bob.

Speaking to the gaming website Polygon as part of a larger Skylanders feature, the two developers revealed that the company approached Nintendo to discuss Skylanders in the hopes of getting the company behind them during early development of their big toy-centric action game. They believed the title fit in with Nintendo’s own family-friendly image and childlike charm; and at one point even discussed combining Nintendo properties into the Skylanders game world – could you imagine Mario, Zelda or Samus standing beside Spyro and the other Skylanders? However, Nintendo appeared confused by the concept.

The company’s lack of understanding over what Skylanders was supposed to be and how they’d work with it, appears to have led to Nintendo deciding not to commit to the IP. To this day, Toys For Bob remain confused as to why Nintendo didn’t give them a chance. Said Reiche: “Clearly, they have got properties well suited to this world. Why it is that they didn’t rush in here will probably haunt them for the rest of their days.”

Indeed, Skylanders has gone on to sell millions of games and hundreds of millions of the individual figures over its relatively short lifespan; and now has three separate series. Whether you’d like to admit it or not, the franchise has become an enormous global success – a fact that must hit Nintendo hard given their recent financial woes. Perhaps this could be behind recent rumours that Nintendo may be looking into turning its own virtual, toy-based series, Pokémon Rumble, into an actual physical toy line? Of course, these are just rumours right now – but you gotta admit, it makes a ton of sense; and Nintendo do have a history of showing people how things should be done…

Wait a minute… GAME is still alive and well?!? Seems like it, since The Pokémon Company International has once again announced it’s teaming up with the UK-based specialist retailer to once again offer a distribution event promoting Pokémon X and Y and the new XY Trading Card Game Expansion. Colour me surprised.

From Friday 4th April, anyone who brings their 3DS into any GAME store across the United Kingdom, with a copy of Pokémon X or Y inside, can claim a free Pokémon for their game. Players with Pokémon X can receive Magmar free upon request, whilst those with Pokémon Y copies can claim Electabuzz. Additionally, both will be holding their respective Trade Evolution item – the Magmarizer and Electirizer respectively – meaning these free Pokémon can be traded to a trusted friend to obtain their evolved forms – Magmortar and Electivire!

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a bonus for fans of the Trading Card game too. At each store while stocks last, you’ll be able to get a Pokémon TCG: XY special sampling pack containing a card from the new expansion along with a special “holographic” Pikachu card. Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Last year, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced that Game Boy Advance games are on the way to Wii U’s Virtual Console – and now the Japanese gaming giant is making good on the promise.

Nintendo UK took to Twitter and Facebook to announce that hand-held classic Advance Wars is on the way to the Wii U’s Virtual Console on April 3, marking the first GBA title to hit the Wii U Virtual Console. The game will be playable on your TV or through the Gamepad’s own screen like most Virtual Console classics, so you can either recreate the hand-held experience it was made for; or beam it up to the big screen.

Advance Wars is the first of what will likely be a wave of GBA titles which will gradually hit the console over the coming weeks and months – Satoru Iwata already confirmed in last month’s Nintendo Direct that Metroid Fusion, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and Super Mario Advance: Yoshi’s Island are also planned releases. However, none of these have yet been given an English launch date. With the precedent now in place, however, it’s likely we won’t have much longer to wait – watch this space!

Keiji Inafune’s spiritual Mega Man successor game, Mighty No. 9, has rode the hype train rather conservatively since its phenomenally successful Kickstarter campaign, with leaks of new info perfectly timed for just when people may have forgotten about the project while its development continues apace; and until now, not very much is known about the game at all. Today however, as part of a talk given at GDC this year, Keiji Inafune revealed a short gameplay trailer for Mighty No. 9 which fleshes out the game’s details a reasonable amount.

After previous screenshots showed hero Beck redesigned in a 2.5D graphical style and standing on a 3D stage, the latest trailer reveals that the entire game is now being developed in a 2.5D viewpoint not unlike the Classic Sonic stages in Sonic Generations. Also seen in the trailer is some new Action mechanics including what looks to be some combo attack possibilities; as well as some more platforming action. We’ve even got some new animations being shown off – the “hanging from a ledge” animation at 1:28 is particularly adorable. But perhaps the biggest news is we’ve got concept art and basic biographies for all of the other eight “Mighty” robots Beck will encounter in the game; and even hints towards a rudimentary storyline:

Exciting!