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New 3DS arrives February 13, priced at $199
Coinciding with recently revealed marketing materials, Nintendo announced this morning its New 3DS will launch in North America on February 13. The new handheld is an upgraded version of the current Nintendo 3DS XL, with the addition of an analog pad and faster processor. The system will launch in red and black versions. The new handheld will be priced at $199. "If we're honest, there really wasn't much difference from my now-obsolete 3DS XL at home on initial handling," Engadget Senior Editor Mat Smith wrote about the device during Tokyo Game Show. "There are no games that appropriately make the most of the analog stick (at least, not yet). Here at TGS 2014, with Monster Hunter 4G, the right stick was assigned to camera duties, a role it shared with the d-pad and, er, about a third of the touchscreen too." [Image: Nintendo]
Hyrule Warriors getting Majora's Mask pack next month [Update]
Hyrule Warriors will receive a new piece of downloadable content themed after The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on February 5, Nintendo revealed during its Nintendo Direct livestream this morning. The DLC will include Tingle and the game's youthful Link as playable characters, the former giving his enemies a kiss of death and whipping them with bags of rupees. The pack will also include three as-yet-unknown character skins. Update: Nintendo says the DLC will cost $7.99 and will also feature a new Adventure Mode map. [Image: Nintendo]
Wii games coming to Wii U eShop
Wii games will begin surfacing on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct livestream this morning. Starting today, players will be able to download Super Mario Galaxy 2, followed by Punch Out on January 22, then the Metroid Prime Trilogy on January 29. The games will be half price ($10) for their respective first weeks on the digital service. Nintendo also revealed that Wii games that traditionally used the Wii's Classic Controller will be able to use the Wii U's Game Pad to control the game, and the games will be playable right from the Wii U's home menu. The Wii U previously required players to enter "Wii mode" in order to play the previous generation system's games. [Image: Nintendo]
New amiibo announced, coming March 2015 [Update]
Nintendo has revealed a new wave of amiibo figures due on store shelves on March 20. The new amiibo were revealed during today's Nintendo Direct, and feature a redesigned Mario, Peach, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser, as well as a Toad amiibo. You can see the new amiibo above. Redesigns aren't the only new amiibo on their way, though. Nintendo also revealed amiibo of Robin, Lucina, Pac-Man, Ness, Charizard and Wario. These characters will be available sometime this spring. Nintendo also noted that amiibo will be used to unlock game boards and game pieces in Mario Party 10, the publisher's latest party game for Wii U. Update: Check out the galleries below for a closer look at the new amiibo figures slated to arrive in the coming months. Additionally, the Robin, Lucina, Pac-Man, Ness, Charizard and Wario figures will launch this spring; we've updated the post to reflect this information. [Image: Nintendo]
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition coming to the West
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition, the previously Japan-only game featuring a mix of RPG and puzzle elements (and Nintendo's Mario characters) will be coming to Europe and North America on May 15, Nintendo announced this morning on its Nintendo Direct stream. Super Mario Bros. Edition will be bundled with Puzzle & Dragons Z, a port of a mobile entry in the long-running puzzle series. [Image: Nintendo]
2015's first Nintendo Direct airs tomorrow
Nintendo is kicking off the new year with a new Nintendo Direct, but is it on the New 3DS? We're always wary of predicting how these live broadcasts will go, but it would make sense for the enhanced handheld to show up in tomorrow's stream. It was just last week, after all, that Nintendo of Europe revealed plans to ship early "Ambassador Editions" of the New system. For the record, the Big N's official word is tomorrow's Direct will focus on "spring 2015 Wii U and Nintendo 3DS titles." Also, while president Satoru Iwata will be on the stream, it remains unknown what variety of fruit he'll be holding. We'll keep you posted on developments there. Anyway, keep your eyes peeled ("peeled," geddit?) on Joystiq tomorrow, where we'll have the livestream for you to watch and all the news as it comes in. So, set your alarms for streamage at 9AM ET (6AM PT/2PM GMT) tomorrow, Wednesday January 14. Also, check below the break to see how Nintendo Direct revealed the New 3DS for Japan back in August 2014. Skip to 14:25 for the New hotness and fill in the blanks here. [Image: Nintendo]
Duck Hunt tracking down Wii U Virtual Console
Following a trailer for the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. that showed the infamous chuckling dog from Duck Hunt in action (seen above), today's Nintendo Direct livestream revealed that the classic lightgun game is also on the way to the Wii U Virtual Console. Given that it made its debut in 1984 on NES, Duck Hunt just celebrated its 30th anniversary. While Nintendo didn't reveal an exact date for its launch, the game will arrive "soon" on the eShop and will require a Wii Remote controller to play. [Image: Nintendo]
Pikmin 3 demo out now; Pikmin Short Movies on 3DS, Wii U
A demo for Pikmin 3 is live on Wii U today, and a collection of Shigeru Miyamoto's animated Pikmin Short Movies is available on both 3DS and Wii U for $5. The 3DS version of Pikmin Short Movies is in 3D, while the Wii U version is HD, and both editions are available in Europe today as well. These items go live on their respective eShops following today's Nintendo Direct (that's right now). The (probably adorable) demo for Pikmin 3 includes the option to transfer your progress to the full game. We had fun with our review of Pikmin 3, and we found the game to be a "great pleasure."
All Amiibo figures compatible with Hyrule Warriors
Nintendo revealed that all of its upcoming Amiibo figures are compatible with the Wii U brawler Hyrule Warriors, giving them added features beyond their previously announced Super Smash Bros. for Wii U functionality. Hyrule Warriors players who scan the Link Amiibo will receive the Spinner, a weapon originally featured in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Other scanned figures will unlock randomly chosen weapons, materials, or rupee caches. Amiibo functionality was also announced for Mario Kart 8 and Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. The first wave of Amiibo figures will roll out alongside the launch of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U later this month.
Shovel Knight unearthed on Euro eShop today
The famed 8-bit blue hero is finally heading to the Nintendo eShop in Europe. No, not Mega Man, but Shovel Knight! The retro-inspired gem arrives today in the European eShop, as it was suddenly announced during Nintendo Direct. As an apology of sorts for European players having to wait so long, those who purchase both the Wii U and 3DS versions will receive a 33 percent discount, and 3DS purchases will receive a free Shovel Knight theme as well.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse adds Amiibo support, arrives Feb. 2015
Nintendo has announced an official title for Kirby's next adventure: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. During a Nintendo Direct event today, Nintendo's Bill Trinen revealed the game will feature four-player multiplayer. Like in the single-player, player one will indirectly control Kirby's progress by way of the Wii U gamepad's touch screen, while three additional players take control of Waddle Dee. In the mode Waddle Dee can help collect and explore items in the world, as well as grab and throw Kirby. Trinen also revealed the Kirby and the Rainbow Curse will be compatible with Amiibo, Nintendo-themed figures that unlock content in-game when placed on top of the Wii U gamepad. No details on how Amiibo will affect the game were revealed. During a Europe-specific stream, Nintendo of Europe announced the game will carry the title Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush in its regions. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse – which was originally titled Kirby's Rainbow Curse – is set to arrive on Wii U in February 2015.
Ultimate NES Remix includes Famicom Remix, Speed Mario Bros. modes
Nintendo announced additional features it has planned for the upcoming Ultimate NES Remix for the Nintendo 3DS, including a super-speed take on Super Mario Bros. Ultimate NES Remix includes a new "Famicom Remix" mode that features challenges previously exclusive to the Japanese versions of NES Remix and NES Remix 2 for the Wii U. Speed Mario Bros. is also new to the collection, offering a complete version of the 8-bit classic Super Mario Bros. that plays at double its normal speed. Ultimate NES Remix hits retail and the 3DS eShop on December 5.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D arrives in spring 2015
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask will get a re-release in spring 2015 for Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, Nintendo announced today during a Nintendo Direct livestream. The game's predecessor, Ocarina of Time, got its own 3DS remake in 2011. First launching in 2000 for Nintendo 64, a Majora's Mask remake has been teased for some time, notably in November 2011 when series producer Eiji Aonuma deemed the 3D version a possibility. Fans in Europe will be able to pick up a special edition of the game, which will include a steelbook case, pin badge and two-sided poster. [Image: Nintendo]
Luigi death stare at today's Nintendo Direct right here
It's nearly been a year since The Year of Luigi - never forget. Annnnnywaaaay, it's Nintendo Direct time, everybody! This particular menagerie of Mario and friends will deal with "upcoming games for 3DS and Wii U," which means it could cover just about anything, everything and nothing. The New 3DS? Maybe. Mario Kart 8 DLC? You'd think so. Super Smash Bros. Wii U? Perhaps, perhaps. That sleep monitor thing? Shrug. The super-secret Metroid versus Alien cross-over? Shush, we only just made that one up... So, you know the drill. Nintendo will start broadcasting at 2PM PT (5PM ET, 10PM UK), and you'll be able to watch the Big N's American feed right here on Joystiq, after the break. And as ever, be sure to check the site for all the news as it streams out.
It's that Nintendo Direct time again, broadcasting tomorrow
Nintendo will peel the proverbial banana that is its line-up of upcoming games in a new Direct streaming tomorrow, November 5. The Nintendo of America broadcast will provide "updates about upcoming games for 3DS and Wii U," and it's set to go out at 2PM PT/5PM ET. As ever, Nintendo's European and Japanese branches are running simultaneous broadcasts for their respective regions; that's 10PM UK time tomorrow and 7AM in Japan on November 6.
Up to 8 players brawl in Super Smash Bros. Wii U
According to today's Nintendo Direct stream, when Super Smash Bros. hits the Wii U it will boast "the highest quality visuals" the series has ever seen running at 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second. That's a good thing too, as you'll need those extra pixels to contain the game's simultaneous 8-player brawls. The inclusion of an 8-player Smash mode comes with two caveats: 8-person melees are only available when playing offline and not all stages are eligible for that many combatants. Instead, the game features specially-designed, extra large stages to accommodate all those fighters. As you can see from the Nintendo Direct archive video below the break, even these designated stages quickly grow very chaotic when eight fighters are duking it out. [Image: Nintendo]
Thursday's Nintendo Direct is all about Wii U's Smash Bros.
Nintendo is hosting a new livestream event on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. EST (3:00 p.m. PST), and this one is focused on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The publisher says it will reveal "50 new things" for the game, which will launch on November 21. It's possible the latest announcements for the fighting game will include the level editor and board game mode mentioned in an Amazon listing late last week. Thursday's Nintendo Direct may also show off poses for trophies in the game, which Game Director Masahiro Sakurai noted in a Miiverse post over the weekend. We're nearly one month out from our review of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, which praised the fighter as "a game that every 3DS owner should play." [Image: Nintendo]
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate gets a Metroid injection
It's more of the Samus, but not as you might expect. As revealed in today's Nintendo Direct for Japan, the latest Nintendo collaboration for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate brings Metroid-style gear to Capcom's multiplayer action-RPG. Capcom Unity along with Nintendo of Europe then indicated the Metroquipment is headed to the Western versions of the 3DS game, too. Details are sparse at present, but as Siliconera reports, Nintendo's Direct stream tied the collaboration to Wii title Metroid: Other M. According to Siliconera, players can undertake quests to hunt down what's needed to make both the Varia and Zero suit as well as the Arm Cannon-like weapon featured in a new trailer - you can check out the vid below the break.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate gears up with new Nintendo Direct
Like a hunk of raw meat rotating over a campfire, Nintendo is turning up the heat ahead of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate's release in Japan with a new Direct broadcast. Nintendo of Japan announced the game-focused stream is due to air on Wednesday, October 8 at 8PM Japan time (that's 4AM ET, 7AM PT and midday UK). To tune in, point your clickers and eyeballs here. Given that the 3DS action-RPG hits Japan's retail shelves later this week and there's no word yet from Nintendo of America or Europe on a concurrent stream, chances are there's only a Japanese version of the broadcast. That said, the Ultimate version of MH4 is the same one that'll mark the game's debut in the West in early 2015. So, as long as you don't mind the language barrier, the video should offer an extended look at the latest edition of Capcom's multiplayer beastie-besting series.
New 3DS reaches Australia, New Zealand in November
When Nintendo first revealed new versions of the 3DS and 3DS XL handhelds last month it was unclear if the device would be released globally or if it would be exclusive to Japan. Thanks to a new Nintendo Direct, we now have an answer. Below the break you'll find what Tom Enoki, managing director of Nintendo Australia, describes as the "first Australian Nintendo Direct" video. The nearly 15-minute clip focuses on a number of upcoming 3DS games - Super Smash Bros. in particular - and also reveals word that the new model will launch in Australia and New Zealand on November 21. The 3DS will bear a price of $220AUD while the 3DS XL is priced at $250AUD. That's great news for people living in those regions, but it also suggests that the new 3DS models may be coming to Europe and North America as well. If nothing else, those regions offer Nintendo far more potential sales than the gaming giant would see by launching exclusively in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. [Image: Nintendo]
