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Nintendo's latest 2DS XL is a tribute to Link's Shield
Nintendo has a history of dressing up its handheld systems in festive fashions, and the 2DS XL is no different. This time out, the clamshell console is getting a special edition that resembles Link's Hylian Shield from The Legend of Zelda franchise. From the looks of it, the Gamestop-exclusive hardware's styling betrays the 2Ds' flat motif.
'Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker' heads to Nintendo Switch and 3DS
Nintendo is giving you another chance to play Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker if you completely missed it on the Wii U. The gaming giant is releasing the puzzle game for the Switch and the 3DS -- it's even adding new levels and mechanics to amp it up for the new consoles. In the game, you play as Captain Toad in a platformer environment, but instead of being able to jump over and slide under obstacles, you'll have to create paths for the Captain.
The first 'WarioWare' game in five years comes to 3DS in August
We last saw a new WarioWare title, Game & Wario, way back in 2013 on the Wii U. During today's Nintendo Direct the company finally ended that drought and announced WarioWare Gold for the 3DS. Yes, you read that right -- it's heading to Nintendo's eight-year-old handheld, which is still going strong even as the Wii U has been replaced by the Switch.
The next weird 3DS game includes a tiny fishing reel
Japan's fondness for games with highly specialized controllers frequently produces wonderfully weird results. If you need proof, you just need to look at Bandai Namco's upcoming Baku Tsuri Bar Hunter for the 3DS. The manga-linked augmented reality fishing game revolves around an elaborate add-on case that scans barcodes to add sealife, and a tiny reel (plus the 3DS' own motion controls) to catch creatures. In essence, it's the lovechild of Bass Fishing and Barcode Battler. It absolutely sounds like it shouldn't work, but it looks like a blast in the promo video... at least, for gamers willing to scan their shopping.
'Detective Pikachu' game's US debut set for March 23rd
Ever since the Detective Pikachu game launched in Japan in early 2016, there's been a lingering question: when would it be available elsewhere, if it ever left Japanese shores? At last, there's a date. The Pokémon Company has announced that its 3DS sleuth title will reach the US and Europe on March 23rd, 2018 for $40. On top of that, there will be a $30 giant Detective Pikachu amiibo (nearly double the usual height at 5.35 inches tall) which unlocks videos that might provide clues.
Latest 'Pokémon' games include an ode to Nintendo's late president
Developers are still eager to show their gratitude to Nintendo's late Satoru Iwata. Gamers have learned that Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon include a clear, heartfelt tribute to the company's long-serving president. It requires that you have a creature carried over from Pokémon Silver (thankfully available in the eShop) and a trek to the Game Freak building in Heahea City, but it's worth the effort to read a short-but-sweet anecdote about one of Nintendo's most appreciated leaders.
Play 'Pokémon Gold' and 'Silver' on this pretty new 2DS XL
If you're planning on pre-ordering the upcoming Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon games, why not get a handheld console to match? Thankfully, Nintendo has your back. The company has just introduced a cool new Poké Ball edition of the 2DS XL, so you can really tap into your inner Ash as you launch your beloved Pikachu into battle.
'Minecraft' is available on Nintendo handhelds right now
Surprise! Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition is out today on the Nintendo eShop, with a physical version coming in the future. The game is playable on the New 3DS, New 3DS XL and New 2DS XL -- leaving original 2DS, 3DS and 3DS XL owners in the dust.
Nintendo will show off more ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ on Wednesday
Apple isn't the only company showing off new stuff this week. Nintendo has announced it'll hold a 45-minute Direct stream this Wednesday at 6 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Pacific. What's on tap? "Information mainly focused on what's headed to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS over the next few months," according to an email from the gaming titan. Oh, and the announcement specifically mentions we'll hear more about Super Mario Odyssey, which comes out next month (!!!). Unlike Apple's event tomorrow, you can all but guarantee nothing Nintendo announces will cost $1,000.
Nintendo is killing the Miiverse in Japan
The Wii U will go down in history as one of Nintendo's least successful consoles. It had one great idea, however: Miiverse. A system-wide message board that players could post drawings, messages and screenshots to. Better yet, some titles displayed Miiverse posts as friendly advice (New Super Mario Bros. U) or expressive speech bubbles (Splatoon) directly inside the game. Now, of course, Nintendo is focused on the Switch, so it's killing the Miiverse in Japan. On November 8th, at 3pm local time, it will no longer be available on either the Wii U or 3DS family of consoles.
SNES-inspired 3DS XL hits Europe in October
Miss out on the SNES Classic pre-orders that went up (and promptly sold out) overnight? Nintendo has a consolation prize for you. Sort of. The storied game-maker will release a Super Nintendo-themed 3DS XL this October 13th. There's a catch though: It'll only be available in Europe. As Polygon notes, last year Japan got a Super Famicom-styled 3DS XL, and it still hasn't made its way to our shores. But given that the Super Famicom itself was exclusive to Japan, that makes sense. The same can't be said for the SNES one. We've reached out to Nintendo for more information and will update this post should it arrive.
Nintendo World Championships return on October 7th
You won't have to wait nearly so long for the third Nintendo World Championships as you did for the second. Nintendo has revealed that its third World Championships will take place in New York City on October 7th, 2017. Anyone in the US or Canada can register (it's not really a world tournament, is it?), but you'll have to qualify by playing Mario Kart 7 for the 2DS/3DS at certain Best Buy locations in eight American cities. The first qualifiers start August 19th in New York City and San Jose, while Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Dallas, Seattle and Miami are also on deck.
Nintendo continues to flourish with strong Switch sales
With the Switch riding high and the beleaguered Wii U all but retired, Nintendo's accounts are looking a little brighter than usual. The Japanese console maker posted some strong financial earnings today for the three-month period ending on June 30th, with 64.73 billion yen ($578 million) in gross profit and, with the usual operating expenses deducted, 16.21 billion yen ($145 million) in operating profit. That's in stark contrast to a year ago, when Nintendo posted a pretty dismal 30.5 billion yen ($272 million) in operating profit and lost 5.13 billion yen ($46 million) overall.
Nintendo’s New 2DS XL is the closest you’ll ever get to a ‘3DS XL Lite’
When most of us think about Nintendo hardware, we think about the gimmick. The motion controls of the Wii, the second screen of the Nintendo DS, the stereoscopic visuals of the 3DS and the duality of the Nintendo Switch. These innovations define Nintendo's brand -- but it's not the only hallmark of Nintendo hardware. The company is as much of a house of iteration as it is innovation, particularly when it comes to portable gaming. Almost every one of its handheld consoles -- from the original GameBoy to the Nintendo DS -- has been revised, retooled and released in a new form. Nintendo has made five versions of its original 3DS hardware, and it's about to release one more: The New Nintendo 2DS XL.
It's the end of days for the New 3DS in Japan
Late last month, we reported that while the Nintendo 3DS wasn't dead, it didn't really make sense to buy one anymore. After all, the Switch serves the purpose of both console and handheld gaming. Now, it appears as if Nintendo might agree with us: Their Japanese site indicates that production has ended on the Nintendo New 3DS.
Nintendo's 3DS isn't dead, but it is trapped in the Switch's shadow
Earlier this year, Nintendo announced a brand-new console, a hybrid portable device that serves as both a portable entertainment machine and a game system for the living room. At a glance, it looked great -- but some criticized the Nintendo Switch for having "nothing to play" except the new Legend of Zelda game, of course. Nintendo's E3 show served as a strong answer to those critics: Between Super Mario Odyssey, the promise of a new Pokémon game, new Xenoblade, Yoshi and Kirby titles and a Switch port of Rocket League, Nintendo gave buyers every reason to pick up its latest portable console. At the same time, it gave fans almost no reason to pick its other handheld device. If you don't already own a 3DS, you're probably never going to buy one now.
'Metroid: Samus Returns' will soon spelunk alien caverns on the 3DS
In addition to teasing the fourth installment of the Metroid Prime series at E3 on Tuesday, Nintendo also announced that the armored space heroine will be returning to the 3DS in a 2.5-D side-scrolling adventure titled Metroid: Samus Returns.
Atlus is bringing three great JRPGs to North America for the 3DS
The Switch may have already arrived, but you may want to wait a bit before putting your 3DS in storage. Atlus, which you might know as the studio behind Persona, has just announced that it's releasing three Japanese RPGs for the handheld in the US and Canada. One of them is the latest entry in the Etrian Odyssey franchise, while the other two are remasters of Radiant Historia and Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, two critically acclaimed games originally released for the Nintendo DS. Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth is a dungeon-crawling, map-drawing game chronicling the journey of an adventurer on a quest to reach the top of a towering Yggdrasil tree. It'll be available sometime this fall.
Nintendo hasn't forgotten about 'Pokémon' on the 3DS
Okay, so, today's brief Nintendo Direct didn't reveal the Switch version of Pokemon Sun and Moon, but if you aren't a fan of traditional fighting games and still prefer the 3DS to the Switch (see: battery life) there was still some silver lining for you from today's Pokémon Direct. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon will be released November 17th. The pair will feature pocket monsters not found in the original releases and a different story, along with new features that "will allow you to enjoy your adventure even more, making this truly an 'ultra' title," according to the video. Sure! So, while they're definitely the "latest installments," they really aren't 100 percent new per se.
Nintendo's latest portable is the $150 2DS XL
Nintendo is dropping the NES Classic Edition from its lineup, but it has new hardware on the way with this just-announced New Nintendo 2DS XL. The portable system will cost $150 when it goes on sale July 28th, with the same large screen and features of the 3DS XL, but as its name implies, it will only display "Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS" games in 2D. To keep expanding that library of games, Miitopia and Hey! Pikmin are releasing the same day as the new 2DS XL. In the US it will be available in the black/turquoise color shown above, however, in Japan it launches July 13th in two colors, adding a white/orange option.
