nintendo-direct-august
Latest
Luigi's doing the rounds in Super Smash Bros, Rayman Legends
While today's Nintendo Direct didn't provide much info on Mario-themed games, it did offer a couple of plumber-themed tidbits for Super Smash Bros. and Rayman Legends. Starting with SSB, Luigi became the 14th officially confirmed character for the 3DS and Wii U brawler. The younger Mario sibling appeared in all the prior Smash Bros games, so it would have been a shock if he wasn't featured in next year's entry. Secondly, Nintendo revealed Rayman Legends will include Mario & Luigi skins on the Wii U. Rayman can don Mario's red garb, while Globox can become glamorous in green. Ubisoft's press release notes the costumes can be unlocked after 20 minutes of gameplay. The Wii U version is, for certain reasons, not the only one coming to retail shelves next month. It'll be joined there by Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and Vita siblings when the game launches in North America on September 3, and in Europe a little earlier on August 30. %Gallery-195592%
Animal Crossing Plaza community launches on Wii U
Nintendo announced an Animal Crossing-themed app for Wii U during its Nintendo Direct presentation this morning. The app, titled Animal Crossing Plaza, allows players to post messages with screenshots and QR codes from 3DS game Animal Crossing: New Leaf via SD card to the series' new Miiverse community. The plaza itself is similar to the Mii Plaza, except adorable critters from the Animal Crossing series now run around instead of Miis. The Animal Crossing Plaza is available now for free in the Wii U eShop. Nintendo says the service will be available through the end of 2014.
Professor Layton x Ace Attorney announced for west, due in 2014 [Now with trailer!]
Nintendo announced Professor Layton x Ace Attorney will make its way to the west in 2014. Today's Nintendo Direct confirmed the 3DS game, released in Japan last year, hits North America next year. Nintendo of Europe went one better in its broadcast, dating it "early 2014." The crossover game, which combines Professor Layton's puzzle-solving with Phoneix Wright's cross-examinations, is not the only Layton game coming to North America next year. Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, the sixth and (currently) final main entry in the Layton series, will join it on 3DS sometime next year. However, Europe can chalk another early arrival over North America; the game is now dated to hits retail shelves and eShops over there on November 8.
Wind Waker HD coming October 4 in Europe
While we were totally aware the Wii U port of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD was arriving in October, Nintendo dated it for October 4 in Europe in today's Direct broadcast. However, Nintendo of America didn't provide a date in its presentation, so the game remains in its October release window in North America. We'll have to wait to see what release date washes up on North American shores in the near future.
Watch today's Wii U, 3DS Nintendo Direct right here [update: it's all over!]
Update: And it's so over. Check out all the news here. It's that time again. Stretch those legs, place some fruit sustenance nearby, and make sure your body is ready for another Nintendo Direct workout. One thing you don't have to move is that cursor, because you can watch today's Direct right here on Joystiq. Mario HQ says today's Direct covers "new details on previously announced" 3DS and Wii U games due this year, all of which probably translates into a ride on the Release Date Train, since there are a fair few Wii U and 3DS games due in 2013 that are minus specific ETAs. Highlights include Super Mario 3D World, Wind Waker HD, Wii Party U, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the Wii U, and on the 3DS Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Mario Party, and A Link Between Worlds - so expect these games to show up today. Of course, there may not be any release date announcements. The Direct could just be Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata sailing around the Japanese coastline, struggling to explain the features of Wind Waker HD as the unruly tides thrash against his sailboat, waterlogged produce strewn in the waves around him. Not that that wouldn't be entertaining. As ever, you have a choice of three broadcasts to tune into; North America's Direct is up top, while Europe and Japan's are below the break. All three streams are scheduled to set sail at 10AM ET (7AM PT, 3PM UK time), and when's all said and done we'll have all the newsbits ready for your perusal.
