We have to admit that we may have lost a little faith in Nintendo over the past couple of years. The Wii U is a curious piece of hybrid hardware that has yet to see any truly groundbreaking titles, and the company’s uncharacteristically zealous foray into the world of 3-D technology with its most recent portable took us off guard. But 2014 is shaping up to be a good year not just for Nintendo but for Wii U owners.
Unveiled a few months ago, Mario Kart 8 looked to be more of the same and left many wishing Nintendo would stop adding wacky accessories to its cartoon go-karts and just give us classic Mario racing like we had on the SNES, but videos taken at the recent Gamescom event in Cologne show just how nicely the game is shaping up to be, with beautiful tracks and karts as well as brand new game dynamics. Suffice it to say, our interest has most definitely been piqued.

Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Beautiful blue apple jam is taking the Japanese internet’s breath away!
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Extreme Budget Travel! Can you do a trip to Manila with 50,000 yen (US$333)? – Part 2
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Beautiful blue apple jam is taking the Japanese internet’s breath away!
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Extreme Budget Travel! Can you do a trip to Manila with 50,000 yen (US$333)? – Part 2
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
Ministop becomes Megastop in our minds by increasing certain food volumes by up to 50 percent
Finally, proof that real-life Pikachu is feline 【Video】
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Japanese gyaru-turned-mom is more concerned with making her son a gentleman than a scholar
Abysmal viewer ratings for Pokémon anime series does not worry its broadcaster the slightest bit