Games by DeNA
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Mobile
The Pokémon Company / Creatures
- 30th Oct 2024 (UK/EU)
- 30th Oct 2024 (NA)
Reviews of DeNA Games
Review Pokémon Masters - One Of The Best Pokémon Mobile Games, But Still Not Quite There
Gacha catch 'em all
While The Pokémon Company has been on mobile phones doing games and apps since 2011 – long before Nintendo seriously considered going mobile – it has never jumped into what many believe is the secret sauce to securing a successful mobile game: Gacha-style mechanics. These are games where you get characters through random...
From Mii to you
After all the hype and anticipation surrounding Nintendo's move into mobile, it's perhaps a little surprising that the game which kicks off this new era for the Japanese veteran isn't really a game at all; Miitomo has more in common with the likes of Twitter and Facebook than it does Super Mario and Zelda. Despite expectations being...
Latest DeNA News
Monday3rd Mar 2025
News Pokémon TCG Pocket Surpasses 100 Million Downloads
That's a lot of cards
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket developer DeNA has announced that the hit card-collecting app has surpassed 100 million downloads worldwide. Yep, 100 million. The app actually reached this download milestone last week whilst we were all deep in Pokémon Day celebrations, but a number that big is worthy of some recognition,...
Wednesday19th Feb 2025
Talking Point Should We Actually Get Excited For Pokémon Day This Year?
Is it all Sleep Talk?
Next week, on 27th February 2025, Pokémon will be celebrating its 29th birthday. And you know what that means? It's time for some Pokémon Presents. After a relatively 'muted' 2024, there's a lot on people's minds. Inverted commas there because, come on, if muted means releasing a brand new mobile game which has taken the...
Wednesday20th Nov 2024
Soapbox How Nintendo Unexpectedly Taught Me To Love Gacha Games
From Nah-cha to Got-cha
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, how Tim learned to love the lottery... When I first played Xenoblade Chronicles 2 upon its launch, I was ecstatic to once again bond with memorable characters and explore...
Friday20th Sep 2024
Video Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Gets New Gameplay Trailer, Out October
"Enjoy the Pokémon TCG in a more casual way"
Following a release date announcement at the World Championships in August, The Pokémon Company has now released a gameplay video for its upcoming mobile title Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. This new video takes trainers through the steps of joining in on the fun. It's as simple as opening a...
Wednesday1st May 2024
News The Pokémon Company And DeNA Form A New Subsidiary
Focusing on Pokémon TCG Pocket
The Pokémon Company and DeNA have announced that a new subsidiary company has been formed. Well, we say "new", but in reality DeNA Digital Production Co., Ltd has simply changed its name to Pokemon Card D Studio. The studio will focus on the development and support for the upcoming mobile title Pokémon Trading Card...
Monday3rd Apr 2023
News Nintendo And Mobile Firm DeNA Launch Joint Venture Company
Update: Company now formally established
Update [Mon Apr 3rd 2023, 09:15 BST]: Nintendo has released a statement on its Japanese website to confirm that the joint venture company 'Nintendo Systems Co., Ltd' has now been formally established with DeNA. Loosely translated, the statement reads: "Today, April 3, 2023, "Nintendo Systems Co., Ltd.", a...
Saturday15th May 2021
News Mobile Dev DeNA Wants To Make Its "Relationship" With Nintendo "Even Better" Going Forward
The alliance grows stronger every day
Nintendo's mobile partner DeNA - known for past releases such as Miitomo, Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes - has been quizzed about the future plans for the "Nintendo Alliance" during a Q&A session of its fourth-qu
Saturday9th Nov 2019
News Pokémon Masters Dev Team Shares Its Update Plans For November And December
"We hope you look forward to it"
You'd be forgiven for thinking Pokémon GO was the only Pokémon mobile game in existence after banking $3 billion, but there are actually a number of others available. One of them is DeNA's free-to-play title, Pokémon Masters. The game experienced a strong start, with players spending $26 million on the game –...
Friday18th Oct 2019
News Producers Of Pokémon Masters Outline Future Updates After Disappointing Players
"we would like to provide a more enjoyable experience"
After issuing an apology last Friday for not living up to community expectations, the producers of Pokémon Masters have now published an outline of the game's future updates. This upcoming schedule is built around four areas of focus: insufficient content, lack of appealing rewards,...
Sunday8th Sep 2019
News Players Spent $26 Million On DeNA's New Mobile Game Pokémon Masters In The First Week
Japan was the biggest spender
DeNA's new mobile game Pokémon Masters seems to have already proven itself as the next big money-maker for The Pokémon Company. In its first seven days, it banked $26 million according to market analyst Sensor Tower. And this doesn't even include China! In its release week, the game made more from in-game player...
Friday30th Aug 2019
News Pokémon Masters Instantly Becomes The Top iPhone Download In 27 Countries
It's super effective!
Pokémon Masters appears to be off to a strong start following yesterday's release, with mobile market analyst Sensor Tower revealing DeNA's new release has already become the top download for iPhone in 27 countries. Yep, 27 countries! This is said to be an improvement on Game Freak's 2018 release, Pokémon Quest, which...
Thursday29th Aug 2019
News DeNA's New Mobile Game Pokémon Masters Begins Rollout On Android And iOS Devices
Check your phone!
Update: Pokémon Masters is now available on iOS devices as well. According to the Apple Store, this version is 644.4 MB. Original Article: The next big Pokémon game on mobile has arrived. Yes, that's right - if you own an Android device, you can now rush over to the Google Play Store and download Pokémon Masters...
Wednesday29th May 2019
News Battle Alongside Your Favourite Trainers In DeNA's New Mobile Game Pokémon Masters
Additional information coming soon
The last major announcement at the 2019 Pokémon press conference was Pokémon Masters for mobile devices. It's developed in partnership with DeNa and will allow you to battle alongside your favourite trainers from the video game series. Here's some information about the game from the press release: Pokémon...
Thursday8th Feb 2018
News Put Your Wallet Away, Mario Kart Tour Will Be "Free To Start"
No pay drivers here
The news that Nintendo and mobile partner DeNA are currently working on a smartphone Mario Kart came out of the blue, even if it's not all that surprising given Nintendo's current smartphone strategy of using its biggest brands. Details on Mario Kart Tour are thin on the ground, but we now have a little more information...
Sunday26th Nov 2017
Soapbox It Took Nintendo To Turn Me Into A Smartphone Gamer
Oh, the irony
I love smartphones. From the very first moment I scooped up my T-Mobile G1 (AKA: the HTC Dream) way back in 2008, I knew this piece of technology would change my life forever. Over the years I've changed smartphones more often than I have my socks (that's not actually an exaggeration, which is why my wife and kids find it so hard to...
Tuesday31st Oct 2017
News Super Mario Run Passes 200 Million Downloads as Nintendo Seeks Mobile Success
Nintendo still targets 2-3 new Mobile titles each year
Nintendo's quest for mobile success has had its ups and downs to date. It's enjoyed a modest share of (pocket) monster profits from Pokémon GO, while it has released three main games / apps of its own. The two most recent have had varied success, but Nintendo has confirmed a notable...
Wednesday25th Oct 2017
Feature Our First Steps in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Initial impressions from our resident Animal Crossing expert
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp had its big Nintendo Direct reveal, and what we saw was a title that – in various respects – is rather close to the experience in the main games. Smaller in scope and with some mobile elements, of course, but the iOS / Google Play title has nevertheless...
Guide How to Download Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Early on iOS and Android
An early welcome
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp may only be due at the end of November, but it's already available in Australia; you can even grab it yourself right now if you're willing to jump through a few hoops. Thankfully, we're here to make that process a little easier. Here's how you can get Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on your iOS or...
News Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Will Arrive on Mobile in Late November
Pre-registration opens for iOS and Google Play
As promised Nintendo has lifted the lid on its Animal Crossing mobile title - it's called Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and will launch in late November on both iOS and Google Play. First of all, the videos (including a short 'digest') are below. As you can see it's looking like a rather...
Watch The Animal Crossing Mobile Direct - Live!
Welcome...
Announced last year, the Animal Crossing mobile app has remained largely a mystery - until now. Nintendo will share a 15 minute presentation said to be focused solely on the app / game / whatever it is. It's an IP that's arguably perfect for mobile, and we'll see just what Nintendo has planned in this Direct. <liveblog...
Thursday28th Sep 2017
News Super Mario Run's Big Update Has Started to Go Live
Including the discount and new mode
Just recently Nintendo confirmed that Super Mario Run would be getting a big update this week with new content in addition to a notable discount on both iOS and Google. It was dated for 29th September but has already started to roll out. We've been able to download the update from Google Play in the UK, so it's...
Monday28th Aug 2017
News Nintendo Outlines Upcoming Special Events for Fire Emblem Heroes
Feh hopes it's not meh
Fire Emblem Heroes has been a steady mobile release for Nintendo; while it may not have gone viral and taken off fully, it's earned a loyal player base and has regular content and event updates. The latest 'Feh Channel' video goes into what's next in the game, with events and new additions due later this week. It...
Monday24th Jul 2017
News DeNA Has Committed 10 Percent Of Its Staff To The Nintendo Alliance
That's around 100 people
It came as a massive surprise back in 2015 when Nintendo announced that they would be licensing their IP to mobile publisher DeNA to help gain a foothold in the very lucrative smartphone game arena. Since then we've seen the quirky social network Miitomo, Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroe
Tuesday25th Apr 2017
News Fire Emblem Heroes Adds Characters from Path of Radiance
The strongest of the Heroes?
Such is the nature of mobile games, we suspect a decent percentage of players have now moved on from Fire Emblem Heroes on mobile. For those still enjoying the game, though, new additions and campaigns have been regular occurrences; even better, they tap into series favourites that are otherwise easily overlooked. The...
News Super Mario Run Version 2.1.0 Is Now Live
Achievements! More Buildings! More Toads!
Super Mario Run has been out for a little while now, on both Android and iOS, and while it hasn't perhaps been the home run that may have been expected from the famed plumber's debut on smart devices, it's still seen pretty decent success. Nintendo may have stated that major content updates won't be coming...
Wednesday29th Mar 2017
News There's a Spring Event Coming to Fire Emblem Heroes
Spring is in the air...
Nintendo has announced via its mobile YouTube channel that Fire Emblem Heroes will be recieving a Spring-themed event starting tomorrow. The "Spring Festival" will give players the chance to summon popular characters such as Chrom, Lucina, Xander and Camilla in Easter-themed clothing; each character will also have unique...
Wednesday22nd Mar 2017
News Super Mario Run is Now Live on Android
It's all in hand
Now Android users that happen to be Mario fans can 'play with one hand', as Nintendo likes to say with regards to Super Mario Run - just make sure you get hold of a hamburger before you start playing. Previously announced for 23rd March - which it is at the time of writing in territories like Japan and Australia - it's gone live a...
Friday17th Mar 2017
Video Condensing Fire Emblem's History Into Less Than 15 Seconds is Pretty Cool
Google promotes an Android-only giveaway in Japan
Though its performance in the West has been mixed, Fire Emblem Heroes has shown some decent legs in Japan - this certainly makes sense, with the popularity of the series aligning with the continued growth in mobile gaming in the country. Google Play in Japan has now released a terrific trailer for a...
Friday3rd Feb 2017
News Fire Emblem Heroes Starts Strongly in Japan as Nintendo's Share Value Soars
All about Gacha, it seems
Fire Emblem Heroes is just starting to settle into a number of smart devices around the world, and players can decide whether to play through various modes for free or gamble orbs in the 'Summon' part of the game. We're still rattling through for our review and have, so far, had no need to spend money, and as we suggested...
Thursday2nd Feb 2017
Guide Starting the Battle in Fire Emblem Heroes
Tips for becoming a true legend
Fire Emblem Heroes has arrived on iOS and Android, and is arguably Nintendo's most ambitious mobile release yet. Miitomo was the first and tried to create a unique social environment, while Super Mario Run naturally utilises the company's biggest brand. Heroes, developed with Intelligent Systems, nevertheless has the...
Wednesday1st Feb 2017
News Fire Emblem Heroes Microtransaction Prices and Early Impressions Emerge
Summon some credit
Fire Emblem Heroes is just hours away from release on iOS and Android, the latest Nintendo / DeNA effort to arrive on smart devices. This one has had significant development input from Intelligent Systems, of course, the studio that has discovered a formula for sales success with its 3DS entries in the series. Unlike Super Mario...
Friday27th Jan 2017
Reminder Nintendo Wants You to Vote for Your Fire Emblem Heroes
Don't be Aversa to change
During its Fire Emblem Direct last week Nintendo lifted the lid on Fire Emblem Heroes, its mobile spin on a series that's enjoyed a significant revival on the 3DS. On the one hand it looks rather promising, while on the other the microtransactions and how they tie to building up your group could either be fair or, well,...
Wednesday18th Jan 2017
News Fire Emblem Heroes Revealed for Mobile, Arrives on 2nd February
Update - now confirmed for iOS on the same day
Update: Since the Direct broadcast, it's been confirmed that the game will also be out on iOS on 2nd February, following a statement it was 'coming soon' in the stream. Evidently Apple stepped up to approve the date, which is great news for iPhone / iPad owners. Original Article: The bulk of...
Talking Point What We Hope to See in the Fire Emblem Nintendo Direct
Switch and mobile to the fore
If early year intentions can be taken as an indication of Nintendo's eagerness to have a big year, then so far things bode well. Despite the various positives and negatives around the Nintendo Switch and its launch offerings, Nintendo did at least go wholeheartedly into presenting it. The live event from Tokyo was...
Friday16th Dec 2016
News Nintendo and DeNA Shares Tumble as Investors Show Super Mario Run Revenue Fears
Terribly premature, but that's investors for you
It's time for another episode of 'Investors do the Darndest Things!', in which Nintendo's share value swings up and down as strange movements happen in the financial market. It's right up there with death and taxes as an inevitable part of existence. Super Mario Run arrived on 15th December at about...
Tuesday13th Dec 2016
News Catch Up With an Apple Super Mario Run Event Featuring Shigeru Miyamoto
If you have iTunes, that is
Whether it's a mutual desire to benefit each other or whether a formal timed exclusivity deal was agreed, what's clear is that Apple has been keen to heavily promote Super Mario Run. Over the past month or so the app has enjoyed the benefit of tweets from the App Store's official account, strong placement on the store...
Thursday8th Dec 2016
Preview Running Wild in Super Mario Run
Born to run?
Considering the fact that the Super Mario series started out as a precision platformer, it seems mad to think that this formula could translate into a mobile app with only a single input. As such we picked up the game with few expectations and a healthy dose of scepticism, but thankfully our fears were allayed. Super Mario Run has...
Monday5th Dec 2016
News App Annie Outlines Super Mario Run's Chances of Being a Major Global Hit
The odds are good, basically
Super Mario Run is out soon on iOS (15th December), and is Nintendo's biggest mobile release to date - Pokémon GO, remember, isn't a Nintendo game. The moment Nintendo announced its partnership with DeNA in early 2015 most people will have said "there'll be a Mario runner", and they will have been right; nevertheless...
Tuesday15th Nov 2016
News Super Mario Run Jumps Onto iOS on 15th December, Priced $9.99 for Full Unlock
"The wait is almost over", says Bowser
We've known since its reveal that Super Mario Run would arrive on iOS devices in December, but now Nintendo has finally given some more concrete information. First of all, the release date on Apple devices will be 15th December, and the initial roll-out will be substantial - across 151 countries and regions...
Thursday10th Nov 2016
News The New Miitomo Update is Now Live
A much-needed shot in the arm
During the Financial Investors Briefing a few weeks ago, Nintendo revealed that a big update was coming to Miitomo which, among other new features, would be adding in the ability to send out personal messages to friends. The update has just gone live for Android and iOS, and has brought a whole wealth of new features to...
Wednesday19th Oct 2016
News DeNA Closes US Subsidiary as Focus Shifts to Nintendo Partnership
Super Mario Run and more on the agenda
DeNA is a company familiar to those that follow Nintendo closely, courtesy of the corporate partnership between the companies and DeNA's role in handling back-end services and networks for the big N. Primarily brought in for its expertise in mobile and networks, DeNA's imprint can be found in Miitomo and - very...
Thursday8th Sep 2016
Phones are the "first place that kids are encountering games"
With Super Mario Run now announced for a December release on iOS, plenty of talk has been on its potential success, the boost to Nintendo profits and similar numbers-based areas of conversation. For Nintendo these are clearly considerations, though for Shigeru Miyamoto the interest is in...
News Nintendo And DeNA Experience Share Price Jumps In Light Of Super Mario Run Announcement
18 and 21 percent respectively
Yesterday, Nintendo caused quite a stir by confirming Super Mario Run for iOS devices at Apple's yearly conference. Unsurprisingly, the news triggered Nintendo's share price to leap sharply, rising as high as 18 percent before settling down to a still-remarkable 11 percent at the end of the trading day. DeNA - the...
Wednesday7th Sep 2016
Sure, we'll ask about Pokémon GO on Apple Watch, too
As another indication - not that it was needed - that the Nintendo name still has broad appeal and brand power, Apple gave up an early chunk of its 'Special Event' to introduce Shigeru Miyamoto and Bill Trinen - they unveiled Super Mario Run. A left-to-right runner in which you tap to make the...
News Super Mario Run Release Prompts Delay to Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem Mobile Games
Still due before 31st March 2017
In all of the hubbub around Super Mario Run being announced at Apple's event, Nintendo has pushed its anticipated Autumn / Fall apps - Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing - back. They're still due before 31st March 2017, but will come after the December iOS release of Super Mario Run. Super Mario Run represents the...
Video Check Out Some Official Footage of Super Mario Run
Mario on tap
Earlier today Shigeru Miyamoto made a star appearance at Apple's major event, with able assistance from Bill Trinen, and revealed Super Mario Run. Coming to iOS in December - Apple gets the first bite (sorry) - it's a runner with the big pitch that you can play with just one hand. Be careful with those marketing slogans Nintendo, the...
Friday29th Jul 2016
Reminder Super Mario-Themed Miitomo T-Shirts Now Available on My Nintendo
Free and otherwise
With its major update this week that introduced a new way to use Candy to earn game tickets, Miitomo is getting a bit of a push by Nintendo in order to try and lure back some users. The latest set of outfits to be won or bought in the app are snappy Super Mario t-shirts, and some of them are up for grabs on My Nintendo. In...
Thursday28th Jul 2016
News Miitomo Update to Version 1.4.0 Lets You Use That Annoying Candy To Win Game Tickets
Perhaps it's time to revisit the weird world of Miitomo
Nintendo and DeNA will have been learning a lot of lessons from both the successes and mis-steps of Miitomo, the quirky social app that started fast but burnt out rather rapidly. It's had frequent updates that have sped it up and improved the user interface - which plenty will have missed - but...
Tuesday26th Jul 2016
News European Miitomo Users Make the Correct Choice as Bowser T-Shirt Heads to My Nintendo
The only choice
Miitomo, Nintendo's sort-of social app, is still getting frequent updates and new outfits. The next set is all about Super Mario, with a mix of outfits to buy or win in Miitomo Drop - you can see the whole range of tasty virtual apparel in our original article on the topic. In addition Nintendo has been giving social media fans in...
Friday22nd Jul 2016
News Super Mario Apparel is Set to Appear in Miitomo Next Week
Well, it's about time
With all the positive press that's been surrounding Pokémon GO lately, it's easy to forget that Nintendo's first smartphone app, Miitomo, is still going strong. Though it seems that Miitomo's popularity plateaued rather quickly following its release, Nintendo certainly can't be faulted for abandoning the app, as it's received...
