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3DS StreetPass relay points upgraded, content distribution events planned
Nintendo's 3DS StreetPass relay point functionality will soon be improved, allowing players to access data at Nintendo Zone locations from more 3DS owners at once, Nintendo announced during today's Nintendo Direct presentation. "Starting in a few days," players that pass through Nintendo Zone locations with their 3DS systems in sleep mode will access data from up to six other passers-by instead of the usual one, greatly improving their chances at completing puzzles and other StreetPass games. Additionally, Nintendo noted plans for special StreetPass distribution events for game content in October and November, starting with an Animal Crossing: New Leaf fedora chair on October 1, then a sushi platter on October 15. Other 3DS games receiving bonus content via StreetPass include Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising and Super Mario 3D Land. Relay points were added to the system in an August firmware update, though numerous reports indicated that it didn't function properly in early September. Nintendo's paid StreetPass games made $4 million in one month, so the relay point update seems appropriate enough.
Bravely Default coming to Europe on December 6, Q1 2014 in US
Square Enix's Bravely Default: Where the Fairy Flies will be released for the Nintendo 3DS on December 6 in Europe, Nintendo announced today as part of its Nintendo Direct presentation. Hitting the west as a localized version of the expanded Japanese rerelease Bravely Default: For the Sequel, Where the Fairy Flies offers a number of improvements over the original game, including multiple save slots and an adjustable difficulty level. Nintendo didn't nail down a final North American release date for Bravely Default, but notes that it will premiere stateside during the first quarter of 2014. [Update: Date corrected.]
Zelda: A Link Between Worlds dungeons can be played in any order [update]
Update: The Japanese Nintendo Direct presentation revealed a December 26 release date for A Link Between Worlds in Japan. During the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed that The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will arrive on 3DS on November 22 in Europe (also the release date for North America). He also revealed that the game will dramatically alter the traditional Zelda formula, allowing players to tackle dungeons in whatever order they choose. This will be possible thanks to a special shop where Link can rent and purchase items that would normally only be found in dungeons, including series staples like the hookshot, boomerang and hammer. Zelda is one of Nintendo's most entrenched series, so seeing the company make such a large departure is pretty surprising. We'll see if it pays off come November.
New Kirby game announced for 3DS
This morning's Nintendo Direct revealed that pink puffball Kirby is coming to 3DS in a new adventure, due sometime next year. The stream revealed it to be a 2D platformer, with familiar Kirby powers in attendance alongside the ability to jump between a front and back plane, but beyond that details are sparse.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies demo out today [Update: Trailer!]
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies will have a demo beginning today on the Nintendo eShop in North America. The game is set to enter the digital court of the 3DS Nintendo eShop on October 24. Update: Players will be able to download a costume pack for the game starting on October 24, granting new outfits for the game's three main characters: Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice and Athena Cykes. The pack is free from October 24 to November 7, at which point it will cost $0.99. Additionally, the game's extra episode, Turnabout Reclaimed, will go on sale following the game's launch.
Pikmin 3 getting paid DLC [Update: First pack is $1.99]
Pikmin 3 will receive paid DLC, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced during today's Nintendo Direct presentation. After downloading an update made available after the presentation, players will be able to access additional single player missions, the first round of DLC being more "Collect Treasure" missions. Upon updating the game, players can access one free downloadable mission as well. Update: To clarify, the Collect Treasure pack consists of four stages, and will cost $1.99 on the Nintendo eShop.
Sonic spins onto new Super Smash Bros
Today's Nintendo Direct revealed the second third-party character confirmed for Super Smash Bros. is a returning one: Sonic the Hedgehog. Sega's spiky mascot, who made his debut in the previous entry, joins Capcom's Mega Man and the 15 other combatants so far announced for the new 3DS and Wii U game.
Super Mario 3D World scratches up Japan, Europe in late November [Update: Trailer!]
Super Mario 3D World will bring kitty-cat versions of Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad to Japanese and European Wii U consoles on November 21 and November 29, respectively, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced during this morning's Nintendo Direct festivities. Meanwhile, the game drops in North America on November 22.
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze slips on banana to 2014
During this morning's Nintendo Direct, company president Satoru Iwata stated Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze will be delayed until February 2014. The game was originally scheduled for December 6.
Watch today's Nintendo Direct on upcoming 2013 games right here [update: it's over!]
Update: It's over, but don't fret if you missed it: we've got the video up in full. Hey paisanos, it's the Nintendo Direct super show! Yes, it's another of Nintendo's streamed broadcasts, this time on Wii U and 3DS games that are coming later this year. That sounds like it ought not to have too much we don't already know, but if there's anything this year has taught me, it's not to predict the newsworthiness of a Direct. After all, Iwata's sleeves are always lined with plenty of secrets (and fruit). However totally exciting or totally not exciting it proves to be, you can tune in to today's Direct right here on the Joystiq channel - well, this page to be specific. As ever, we've got the Nintendo of America stream up top, while the broadcasts for Europe and Japan can be found after the break. Curtains are set to rise at 10AM ET (7AM PT, 3PM UK time), and we'll have all the news for you to peruse as it happens.
