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Adventure time for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker on Dec. 5
December 5 marks a major new chapter in the mushrooming career of Captain Toad, because that's when the spirited spore-man comes to Wii U in his very own game. Nintendo of America announced the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker release date today, noting the 3D puzzle-platformer is priced at $40 and is set to support "select" Amiibo figures sometime next year. Across the ocean, Nintendo of Europe has yet to offer up a release date for the wee captain's outing, so the game remains limited to January 2015 over there.
Super Smash Bros. hits Wii U in November, 2.8M sales so far
The Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. hammers onto retail shelves on November 21 in North America, with Europe having to wait a little longer until December 5. Nintendo is also launching its Amiibo range of compatible figurines on the same day stateside, while in Europe they'll arrive ahead of the Wii U game on November 28. As previously announced, the figures have a suggested price of $13 each, while the game itself comes in at $60. That said, by the sounds of it the already released 3DS edition of the brawler is doing handily enough on its own. According to Nintendo, the handheld fighter which hit Japan's stores last month and the West only last week is up to more than 2.8 million sales worldwide.
Give your 3DS a Mario paint job with new themes, out now
3DS users can spice up their portable lives with new Home Menu themes, available now not just in Japan but in North America and Europe too. There are five free themes that give the startup screen a basic splash of color, but if you're after something with more pizazz there are purchasable themes too. These themes don't just change the menu wallpaper, but also alter icons and folders as well as sound effects and music. The Zelda: A Link Between Worlds theme, for example, features the game's "Hyrule Main Theme" as its menu music, while the top and bottom screens display the mirror worlds of Hyrule and Lorule. The current selection, with each theme priced between a buck or two, includes liveries for Mario & Luigi, other Nintendo stars like Yoshi and Peach, and "Geometric Patterns" for those who prefer stripes and polka dots on the go. To start sprucing up your portable following a quick system update, go to the Change Theme menu via the Home Menu button on the top left of the startup screen. There's a specific shop for the purchasable themes, but if you're not prepared to pay you can go with a simple red, blue, yellow, pink or black look, or stick with the default white. Heads-up: aqua blue 3DS plus simple blue theme equals lovely blue loveliness. Also, if you're holding out for other styles, Nintendo of Europe says an Animal Crossing: New Leaf theme should hit the shop towards of the end of the month.
Bloodborne in the USA February 2015 (Europe too!)
From Software's Bloodborne is bringing its Victorian violence to North America and Europe on February 6, 2015, just a day after it lands Japan. The news hits as Sony Europe began issuing out alpha invites for the Souls dev's latest action-RPG, but there's no word yet if we can expect similar tests stateside. Also, there's a new trailer (which you'll find below the break) offering a glimpse at the game's yet-to-be disclosed online systems, which Sony Japan's Masaaki Yamagiwa noted includes "co-operative and asynchronous play." Yamagiwa also teased that some of the asynchronous play is tied to companion nightmarish creatures called Messengers.
Report: Final Fantasy 15 demo in 2015, Type-0 HD release date
Players can sample Final Fantasy 15 next year through a downloadable demo, according to a now removed Game Informer post. The report claimed the demo is titled Episode Duscae - a name Square Enix trademarked earlier this year - and it features some opening sections from the PS4 and Xbox One game. Square Enix hasn't as yet announced a Final Fantasy 15 demo, and we've reached out to the publisher for clarification. The JRPG wasn't included in Square Enix's announced Tokyo Game Show line-up, but today's report will fuel speculation that'll it'll nonetheless appear in some form at the Japanese expo this week. Game Informer also reported a March 17 release date in North America for Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, the PS4 and Xbox One port of the 2011 PSP game released only in Japan. The post said the game includes a voucher for the Final Fantasy 15 demo, adding, "A representative from Square Enix could not confirm that the demo will be available the exact same day as Type-0 HD, but it will be coming to both PS4 and Xbox One when it does release." We'll update this story as we learn more.
Xbox One 'Midnight Forces' controller bolts from the blue
Remember the Xbox One "Armed Forces" camo controller revealed back in July? Now imagine it blued-up like a proverbial Tobias Fünke, and you got yourself a stew going the Midnight Forces controller, coming to North America exclusively to Best Buy "for a limited time." Like the Armed Forces offering it comes in at $65, and it's due on store shelves on September 28. The midnight blue controller's also headed to Europe in November. Microsoft confirmed with Digital Spy it's exclusive to Amazon in the UK, with a sterling price tag of £50. [Image: Microsoft]
The Walking Dead, Wolf Among Us to hit PS4 & Xbox One soon
Telltale Games narrowed down the release window for its debut on PS4 and Xbox One, with The Walking Dead scheduled for sometime in October. Disc versions of Season 1 (including the 400 Days DLC) and Season 2 are confirmed for retail shelves next month, followed by the premiere season of The Wolf Among Us in November. The Walking Dead Season 2 and The Wolf Among Us are also getting retail releases on PS3, Xbox 360 and Vita, though Telltale's wording suggests they may not release alongside the PS4 and Xbox One games. There's nothing official on concrete release dates, but Amazon's been listing October 14 for TWD Season 1 on PS4 and Xbox One since June, with Season 2 dated for October 21. GameStop also has those dates listed, and both retailers have The Wolf Among Us on the new consoles for November 4. According to the listings, each game is priced at $30. [Image: Telltale Games]
Spend $60, get a Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate supply box of treats
If you look at Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and wish reality would mirror its beastie-besting ways of big swords and even bigger swords, then Capcom's $60 collector's edition may be for you. Unveiled for North America this week, along with the 3DS game it bundles in a "translucent" Gore Magula figure, a Felyne pin, a lanyard dotted with colorful icons, and an emblazoned cleaning cloth (because why not we suppose). To top it all off, the whole lot is presented inside a blue supply box like the one in the game. Sadly, the box doesn't also include potions, whetstones and a torch, or any raw meat for that matter. More raw meat in all collector's editions, we say - nay, we implore.
Lego Batman 3 PS3 bundle out in na-na-na-na-na-November
Sony's hoping for a few more PS3 sales with a new Lego Batman 3 and The Sly Collection bundle that's coming to North America's retail shelves on November 11. Like other recent bundles involving the 500GB Slim PS3, it's $270 for the console, the dynamic duo of games and all the usual extras. As for the games themselves, The Sly Collection features HD remasters of the three PS2 entries in the stealth platforming series, namely Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves. That's already out in stores, while Lego Batman 3 hits alongside the bundle on November 11, packing more than 150 DC Comics characters into its blocky escapades. They include Superman, Flash, the Green Lantern, and most importantly of all, Adam West, who isn't a DC Comics character (but kind of is at this point.) [Image: Sony]
Mortal Kombat X marks the spot as April 2015 worldwide
Mortal Kombat X arrives on April 14, 2015 for PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3 and Windows PC, Warner Bros. announced this morning. The publisher confirmed the launch date for NetherRealm Studios' fighter applies worldwide. Also, WB revealed four-armed charmer Goro is coming back to the series, making his first appearance as a playable character since 2006 entry Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. If you've absolutely Goro have him, he's a "retail channel-wide" pre-order exclusive in North America, and across the pond he's limited to "an exclusive UK retailer"
Build that city in Minecraft PS4, launching today
The ever-growing, seemingly insatiable Minecraft family welcomes PlayStation 4 today, with a stateside PSN launch locked in for "before 12PM PT" (3PM ET.) Mojang's blocky world of creativity and creepers is already out on PS4 in Europe, as of late last night. As we reported yesterday, the Xbox One launch is confirmed for tomorrow, September 5. Both the PS4 and Xbox One ports are features-wise on par with PS3/Xbox 360 editions, but the new hardware allows for worlds up to 36 times larger and greater draw distances.
Witch stream: Bayonetta 2 gets its own Nintendo Direct tomorrow
It's witch time: Nintendo announced it's doing another of its single-title Direct broadcasts, and this one is for Platinum's Bayonetta 2. The livestream will air tomorrow, September 4 at 3PM PT (6PM ET, 11PM UK time), and you'll be able to watch it right here on Joystiq. With the flamboyant hack-and-slash flying players back to the moon fairly soon, Nintendo's keen to push one of its marquee exclusives in yet another games-stuffed holiday season. Bayonetta 2 struts onto retail shelves on October 24 in North America, but for some early thoughts on Platinum's gun-shoe, hair-raising antics, check out our recent video preview. [Image: Nintendo]
Ultimate NES Remix slides onto 3DS later this year [update]
Ultimate NES Remix infuses 3DS with the series' mashed-up tapas approach to revisiting 8-bit classics, starting November 7 in Europe and December 5 in North America. According to Nintendo's brief announcement the 3DS entry features content from 16 NES games, but the company didn't note if any of that content comes from the NES Remix 1 and NES Remix 2 games already out on Wii U. We've reached out to the big N to learn more, but for now all that's left to say is that it's coming to stores and the eShop, and it's priced at $30. Meanwhile on Wii U, the NES Remix Pack compilation of the two released entries is coming to North American stores, and also with a $30 price tag. Update: A Nintendo spokesperson tells Joystiq the 16 games represented in Ultimate NES Remix are the same 16 found in the original NES Remix, though it's unclear what form these revived 8-bit classics will take in the newer release. Correction: The European release date is November 7, and not November 11 as originally listed. The post's been amended to reflect the correct date. [Image: Nintendo]
Under Defeat HD hits Xbox 360 stateside after two years AWOL
So this is a bit of an odd one. Back in late 2012/early 2013, Under Defeat HD came to PS3 and Xbox 360 in Japan and Europe. In North America, Rising Star released the remaster of G.rev's Dreamcast and arcade helicopter shoot-em-up exclusively for PS3. Why? Well, we could speculate, but the answer's unknown. Then this week, around two years later and out of the blue, Under Defeat HD finally hit Xbox 360s stateside via Games on Demand. Despite being a vertical shoot-em-up, Under Defeat is ideally suited for HD widescreen life, as former Managing Editor JC Fletcher explained back in 2012. That HD "New Order" mode - which sadly doesn't have anything to do bizarre love triangles or blue Mondays - is part of the new Xbox 360 version, which is available now to download for $20.
Mario Kart 8 DLC packs priced $8 each, $12 2-in-1 bundle
Nintendo of America confirmed the crossover Mario Kart 8 DLC packs spotted yesterday on the company's UK site, with the Zelda pack due to launch stateside in November and the Animal Crossing one in May 2015. Both packs will be available for pre-order starting today, each priced at $8. However, if you know you're going to get both, you can save 25 percent by ordering the $12 two-in-one bundle. The saving doesn't apply if you buy both packs separately, unfortunately. On the flip side, anyone who buys both packs unlocks eight new colors of Yoshi and Shy Guy "immediately," in case you're in immediate need of some technicolor racing.
Dragon Quest 4 confirmed for Western mobiles
Square Enix unveiled Dragon Quest 4 as part of its line-up for the upcoming Gamescom conference, confirming the mobile port for a Western release. The Enix RPG, which first came to North America as Dragon Warrior 4 back in 1992, will be the series' second entry to reach international mobiles after Dragon Quest 8 back in May. No surprises but the mobile port is based on the 2008 DS version rather than the NES original. As for the other upcoming games in Square Enix's line-up, Gamescom attendees can try out Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Kindgom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix, and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call. The publisher will also be showing Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, Nosgoth and Dragon Quest 8 - again, no surprises, but no sign of Kingdom Hearts 3 or Final Fantasy 15 in the line-up. This year's Gamescom conference begins on August 13, and we'll be there in Germany to cover all the major goings-on, including all the latest Kölsch stats. [Image: Square Enix]
Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky lands on Steam, out today
If you're unfamiliar with Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, that may be because Nihon Falcom's acclaimed PSP JRPG only headed West towards the end of the system's life cycle. The good news is there's now a new way of playing it, with the trilogy's first chapter coming to Steam later today, courtesy of XSEED. XSEED is also bringing follow-up Trails in the Sky: Second Chapter to North America on PSP and Steam, but that's gonna take a bit more time to arrive. According to the publisher, the best fans should hope for is "the end of the year." As for Trails in the Sky, its regular Steam price is $20 but there's a 15 percent first-week sale if you fancy dipping in early. For more on why it's worth a look, read this. [Thanks, Jason K!] [Image: XSEED]
Just you and your Shadow Warrior on consoles this September
Bandai Namco confirmed it's bringing Shadow Warrior to PS4 and Xbox One in Europe on September 26. Majesco's not yet announced a US date beyond "late September," but GameStop's listing of September 23 tallies with the typical three-day gap between regions. Described as a "bold re-imagining" of 3D Realms' 1997 shooter, the new Shadow Warrior hit PC around the same time last year. It retained a few Lo Wang jokes but toned down the stereotyping, delivering a more modern mix of first-person shooting and swordfighting.
You'd Bayonetta watch the Bloody Fate trailer with English dubs
Funimation provided a first look - moreover a first listen - at its English-dubbed version of feature-length anime Bayonetta: Bloody Fate. Directed by Afro Samurai's Fuminori Kizaki, the Western version sees Hellena Taylor reprise her role as the vivacious witch, so that's a big plus. The film will be available in North America as a Blu-ray and DVD Combo starting October 21 - it's currently priced $26.24 on Funimation's site. Meanwhile, the clock's ticking down on the Western launch of Wii U exclusive Bayonetta 2. The hopefully enchanting spectacle featuring the bespectacled enchantress is coming to North America and Europe sometime in October. PS: If the video's blocked in your country, check it out here courtesy of Nintendo Everything [Image: Funimation]
Fairy sales - Bravely Default ships one million worldwide
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is proving a commercial hit as well as a critical one, shipping an impressive one million copies worldwide. Square Enix announced (via Dengeki Online) the 3DS JRPG shifted 400,000 in Japan and 600,000 overseas, including download sales. While it has its roots entrenched in old-school Final Fantasy, Bravely Default is still a new property, so the figures are strong. They've already made a similarly strong impression on president Yosuke Matsuda, who said the game's global sales made his company reconsider its approach to JRPG development.
