Has Nintendo lost its game?

Link has come a long way since his 2-D form of the forlorn past.

Gamers rejoice: Devastation is coming to the Phoenix Convention Center.
The annual video game tournament and convention will kick off Thursday with an exclusive preview event and run through Sunday night. A full schedule can be found at the event website, but expect tons of Madden, Mortal Kombat, Gears of War, Halo Reach, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the like. There will also be open casual gaming time and “bring your own console” areas.
Full-event tickets cost $35, with the under-12 crowd getting in free with an adult admission (limit two per …

Faced with a stunning loss of subscribers and investors, Netflix is rebranding its disc rental service and adding the option to upgrade to video game rentals.

When The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword releases Nov. 20, there will be a special limited-edition bundle that includes a gold Wii Remote Plus controller bearing the royal crest of Hyrule. The bundle’s suggested retail price is $69.99.
In addition, Nintendo says every copy of the game’s initial batch (gold controller or no) will include a CD featuring orchestral arrangements of songs from the The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert. The game by itself (with the limited-edition CD) is priced at $49.99.
Nintendo also announced launch dates for Tetris: Axis …

Today Nintendo revealed that the epic Wii adventure ‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’ will make its North America debut Nov. 20.

Last week I reported on THQ closing their video game development studio in Phoenix. It’s part of a reorganization worldwide that will cost about 200 people their jobs.
The Phoenix Business Journal now puts the Phoenix operation’s share of those cuts at 48. THQ says it is trying to find affected workers new positions elsewhere.
The operation, formed as Rainbow Studios in 1996, developed the MX vs. ATV racing games, which have been discontinued as the company now seeks to focus more on “hardcore” gaming properties.
A quality assurance team in Phoenix will …

Four more Wii games have been added to the Nintendo Selects collection, expanding the range of titles available for $19.99 each.
Super Paper Mario, Mario Strikers — Charged, Punch-Out!! and Super Mario Galaxy join the previously announced The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing, Mario — Super Sluggers and Wii Sports.
The new price and packaging will go into effect Aug. 28.

Good news for people in the market for a portable video game system: Nintendo is slashing the price of its 3DS from $250 to $170, effective Aug. 12.
Bad news for Nintendo: The new lower price is because the company is posting losses and facing up to a lack of hit titles for both the 3DS, which is less than six months out from launch, and the Wii, which has a successor system on the way.
But leave it to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime to spin it in a …

The Valley’s own Data Doctors at E3 got to try the new Nintendo Wii U video game system.