Japanese studio Level-5 will look to publish the Professor Layton series – in a move that could remove Nintendo from the lucrative equation.
Level-5 owns the IP to Professor Layton, though a snug partnership with Nintendo has meant that the puzzle games have been exclusive to the DS. The series in question has sold tens of millions of units globally.
Now Level-5 is exhibiting how owning IP can keep any studio in charge of their own destiny – with even the Nintendo empire powerless to dictate where the developer can go.
“In a previous interview with Nikkei Trendy, Level 5 president Akihiro Hino said that the US office would be around ten people, made up of staff from Japan and those hired locally,” GamesBusiness.jp reports.
“He also said that he eventually wanted to handle the publishing internally for the Professor Layton series, which is currently handled outside of Japan by Nintendo.”

It is believed Level-5 will expand operations beyond its native country and open a new studio in North America. And the Fukuoka-based outfit is purportedly planning to open a European office in 2011.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/35009/Level-5-plans-to-break-Nintendo-deal

Nintendo has today revealed a new culinary DS title, 1000 Cooking Recipes from Elle à Table. Created in conjunction with the the titular luxury lifestyle magazine that is itself part of the famed Elle brand, the 'software' promises to guide aspiring foodies through the finer points of creating everything from light meals to three course feasts.
Taking a more high brow approach to interactive recipes than Nintendo's own Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What To Eat? - which was released in 2008 - 1000 Recipes includes features such as a cheese and wine guide by Master of Wine Jancis Robinson and John Farrand, Guild of Fine Food.
That considered, it appears the package is aimed at the older audience attracted by the DSi XL's larger screen and Nintendo's continued drive to welcome more senior demographics.
 
As well as its four-figure collection of recipes, the new package also boasts voice recognition for hands-free navigation, and a number of special seasonal and camera-based social features.
Released on July 2nd this year 1000 Cooking Recipes from Elle à Table will give users recommendations based on different ingredients, country or season, and promises to add a touch of class to their capabilities in the kitchen.

http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/30191/DS-returns-to-the-kitchen-with-Elle-Table

In its first strategic reposition ahead of the arrival of the 3DS some time later this year, Nintendo has cut the price of its entire DS range in Japan.
From June 19th the super-sized DSI XL will see its price drop from YEN 20,00 (£150) to YEN 18,000 (£132). The DSi will drop from YEN 18,900 (£140) to YEN 15,000 (£110).
In addition, the platform holder has confirmed that it will no longer issue guidance prices for the DS Lite. The expectation is that retailers will significantly reduce the current YEN 16,800 (£125) asking price.
Nintendo is also releasing three new colours for its current top-of-the-range DSi XL – yellow, blue and green. These will sell alongside the existing wine red, dark brown and natural white.
Though the XL has been well received, it was always going to struggle to match the market impact of previous revisions such as the DS Lite or DSi. The launch of these colours appears on the surface to be an attempt to tap into the DS’ naturally younger demographic.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/39229/JAPAN-DS-gets-price-cut

Nintendo's just announced that Pokémon Black & White will be released in Europe and North America in Spring 2011.

As part of the release announcement Nintendo also revealed that new Legendary Pokémon Reshiram (Pokémon Black Version) and Zekrom (Pokémon White Version) will be featured on the covers of the games worldwide. Exciting.

"It's rare to find a franchise with such worldwide appeal and dedicated fans as Pokémon." said Laurent Fischer, Managing Director Marketing and PR, Nintendo of Europe.

"We're excited to inform our fans that this eagerly anticipated adventure, featuring an all-new generation of Pokémon, will be available in Europe in spring 2011."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=248889?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS