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  • Dr. Luigi Headlines This Week’s Nintendo Download

    It’s finally coming to an end – the Year of Luigi. Over the last year, there have been four games that have prominently starred Mario’s little brother. With the year quickly coming to an end, Nintendo has one last game that puts Luigi in the shoes of his brother’s medical career.

    In the latest Nintendo Direct, Satoru Iwata announced that Dr. Luigi – a reimagining of the classic Dr. Mario franchise – would be coming to the Wii U eShop in late December. Well, December 31 is as late as you can get before the Year of Luigi is over, but Dr. Luigi will be making it just in time.

    For those not in the know, Dr. Luigi plays almost exactly the same as Dr. Mario. It’s a match-three puzzle game that has players clearing a bottle of viruses using same colored pills. The only difference between the two games is that Dr. Luigi features L-shaped pills. Alongside the gameplay mechanic, it also features online play and a classic Dr. Mario mode. It will be available in the Wii U eShop on December 31.

    For the virtual console, Nintendo has two classics for Wii U and 3DS. On Wii U, players can try their hand at Super Punch-Out!! – the sequel to the only video game to ever star Mike Tyson. On 3DS, gamers can try out Mario Tennis for the Gameboy Color. Unlike the console Mario Tennis titles, Mario Tennis for the Gameboy Color featured a storyline and an RPG progression system where players leveled up their skills to get better.

    For aspiring Pokemon masters, Nintendo has also released the Pokemon Bank today. It’s a subscription application that allows players to store up to 3,000 Pokemon online. The service costs $4.99 a year, but those who sign up now will get a free 30 day trial.

    If you have money burning in your pockets from Christmas, you can snag a couple of Wii U and 3DS games on the cheap from Ubisoft and Atlus. All Ubisoft titles for 3DS and Wii U are now 30 percent until December 31. Likewise, all Atlus titles for 3DS are on sale until January 6.

    Finally, here’s all the other games coming to the Nintendo eShop for Wii U and 3DS this week:

  • CastleStorm (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
  • Bird Mania Christmas 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Cubit The Hardcore Platformer Robot (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • EDGE (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

    • Image via Nintendo

  • Check Out Some NES Remix Gameplay

    During yesterday’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo surprised just about everybody with the surprise release of a new Wii U eShop game called NES Remix. At its core, it’s a collection of challenges based around 12 classic NES games. For example, one challenge tasks players with jumping over three barrels in Donkey Kong.

    While that sounds interesting in and of itself, it’s not really much of an unique experience. For something different, that’s where the Remix levels come in. These levels drastically change the level in some way and task players to complete it within the time limit.

    In a new trailer released by Nintendo today, you can see how the very first Remix level plays out. In this challenge, players are tasked with defeating 15 enemies in the first level of Super Mario Bros. while remaining indefinitely invincible. It sounds easy, but players will have to come up with an expert strategy of defeating enemies to come in under 15 seconds to get three rainbow stars – the highest score.

    Oh, and if you want to see more NES Remix, check out the trailer from yesterday’s Nintendo Direct below:

    Image via Nintendo/YouTube

  • Final Set Of Sega 3D Classics Highlights This Week’s Nintendo Download

    It’s the week before Christmas and Nintendo has already given plenty of its fans the perfect Christmas gift with the announcement of Hyrule Warriors during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct. Unfortunately, that game won’t be available until later in 2014. In the meantime, 3DS owners can get their hands on the final set of Sega’s 3D Classics.

    In today’s Nintendo Download, Sega announced that it will release the final two 3D Classics on the 3DS eShop today. The two games hitting the eShop today are Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master and Streets of Rage. Like past 3D Classics releases, these remakes contain more than just a visual upgrade. For instance, Streets of Rage now offers local co-op and single hit KO mode to help players get through the game.

    In other classic game news, the Virtual Console on Wii U gets Castlevania just in time for Christmas. While the Belmont clan’s eternal battle with Dracula may seem like a Halloween title, it can be a Christmas game as well. If you squint really hard, Dracula kind of looks like Santa Claus.

    Here are all the other games hitting the eShop this week:

  • Knytt Underground (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
  • Crash ‘n the Boys Street Challenge (Virtual Console on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Banana Bliss: Jungle Puzzles (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Winter Sports – Feel the Spirit (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Brunch Panic – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • World Conqueror 3D – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

    • Image via cubex55/YouTube

  • Nintendo Reveals New Zelda Game In Nintendo Direct

    This morning, Nintendo took to the stage known as the Internet to reveal some new information on upcoming Wii U and 3DS games in a new Nintendo Direct. While most of the information was about games we already knew about, Nintendo took some time to reveal some brand new games as well.

    Starting off, Nintendo revealed that it’s working with Tecmo Koei on a new collaborative Zelda game. No, it’s not the new mainline Zelda game for Wii U. Instead, the two are working on a spin off called Hyrule Warriors that will combine the gameplay of Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors franchise with the characters and worlds from The Legend of Zelda. It’s scheduled to launch at some point in 2014.

    Here’s the first teaser trailer for the title:

    From there, Nintendo largely stuck to already announced titles for the 3DS with new details on Kirby Triple Deluxe. The game will be similar to past Kirby games, but will take advantage of the 3DS by allowing Kirby to switch between planes. There will also be two new mini-games, including a four-player fighter featuring only Kirbys and a rhythm game starring King Dedede. It will be released at some point in 2014.

    Next, Nintendo said that Yoshi’s New Island – the third game in the Yoshi’s Island franchise – will be directed by the creator of the original Yoshi’s Island on the SNES. It will be available in Spring 2014. Here’s a trailer:

    In a surprise announcement, Nintendo said that Gamecube fan favorite Chibi Robo will be back on the 3DS as an eShop title. Chibi Robo Photo Finder will task players to complete AR challenges by taking photos of real world objects. It will be available via the 3DS eShop on January 9. Here’s a trailer:

    Nintendo shared more details regarding its upcoming Pokemon Bank subscription service. Everybody who signs up for the app from launch through January 31 will get a free 30 day trial. Additionally, those who sign up before Sept. 30, 2014 will receive a free Celebi.

    Speaking of RPGs, Nintendo announced that Bravely Default will be getting a free demo on the eShop on January 2. This won’t be any old demo, however, as it features an entirely brand new story not found in the main game. It can be thought of as a prologue of sorts that will help players get familiarized with the game’s numerous systems.

    As announced at the VGX awards show, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will be released on February 21 and will feature Cranky Kong as a playable character. Here’s a new trailer:

    In other platformer news, Sonic Lost World will be getting two exclusive pieces of DLC for the Wii U version based on Nintendo franchises. The first, which is available today, is based on Yoshi’s Island. It has Sonic traveling through a number of levels trying to save all the Yoshi eggs. It was hinted that next year’s DLC level will be based on The Legend of Zelda.

    Moving from platformers to sports, Nintendo announced that Wii Sports Club is getting golf today after launching with tennis and bowling last month. This new version of golf will feature the original nine hole course from Wii Sports as well as a new nine hole course based on Golf for the NES. It’s available starting today.

    In other games that are available today, Nintendo announced a new game for Wii U called NES Remix. As its name implies, it takes classic NES games and gives them a twist. One such twist is having Link from The Legend of Zelda taking the place of Jump Man in Donkey Kong.

    Another Wii U title soon hitting the eShop is Dr. Luigi – a twist on the classic Dr. Mario gameplay we all know and love. In Dr. Luigi, players are still clearing viruses, but they now have L-shaped pills. Nintendo claims this makes the game more forgiving. It will be available exclusively on the Wii U eShop on December 31.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be a Nintendo Direct without a new trailer for Super Smash Bros. In the latest trailer, it’s revealed that Rosalina is the latest playable character in the game. It would be more correct to say Rosalina and Luma are both joining as she can summon her star friend to fight alongside her.

    Finally, Nintendo showed off a new trailer for Mario Kart 8. It’s certainly the prettiest Mario Kart title yet, but it’s still Mario Kart. I’ll leave that up to you to decide if that’s a good or bad thing. In the meantime, here’s a new trailer:

    Here’s the full Nintendo Direct for your viewing pleasure:

    Image via Nintendo/YouTube

  • More Sega 3D Classics Highlight This Week’s Nintendo Download

    The Nintendo eShop has been getting better and better over the past few months, but there are still those weeks where nothing really exciting comes out. This week happens to be one of those weeks, unless you’re a really big fan of Ecco the Dolphin.

    In this week’s Nintendo Download, the third wave of Sega 3D Classics hits the 3DS with Ecco the Dolphin and Galaxy Force II. Like the remakes before them, these new versions are updated with 3D visuals and gameplay enhancements. In particular, Ecco the Dolphin – which is a notoriously hard game – features a new mode where Ecco can’t die thus letting even those who are terrible at the game complete it.

    Alongside the release of new Sega 3D Classics, this week’s update also includes the release of Double Dragon on the Wii U and 3DS. The classic beat-em-up helped to inspire an entire genre of video games while the names Bimmy Billy and Jimmy live on in our hearts and minds.

    All these classics are certainly appreciated, but is there any new content on Wii U or 3DS this week? Well, RUSH – a 3-year-old PC puzzle game – is finally making its way to Wii U. If you have to experience this classic from Two Tribes, you can pick it up on the Wii U today.

    Here’s all the other games hitting the 3DS eShop this week:

    AeternoBlade – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Jump Trials Supreme (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Life with Horses 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    My Style Studio: Hair Salon (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Orion’s Odyssey (DSiWare on Nintendo DSi / Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

    [Image: cubex55/YouTube]

  • Nintendo 3DS Updated With Miiverse, Nintendo Network

    Since its launch, one of the defining features of the Wii U has been Miiverse. It’s like a mini social network where players can post messages about the games they’re playing and have civilized discussions on just how funky a barn can be. Now Nintendo is finally bringing that experience to its handheld.

    Nintendo announced this morning that Miiverse is finally on the 3DS thanks to a newly released system update. This update brings all the same functionality that you would expect from the Wii U version of Miiverse to the handheld. That means players can post their own unique drawings or screenshots from games to the service.

    Interestingly enough, Nintendo says that Miiverse can be used even when the player is offline. You won’t be able to read any posts, but you can queue up to three new posts that can then be manually posted to Miiverse once the player gains access to the Internet again.

    Alongside the Miiverse functionality, Nintendo is also bringing the Wii U’s Nintendo Network ID to its handheld. This will allow players to combine their Wii U and 3DS eShop accounts so that both devices share the same wallet. For example, you can now add $50 to your eShop wallet on the 3DS and then use that money across both the 3DS and Wii U.

    If you don’t have a 3DS, you can still create a Nintendo Network ID on the 3DS. This is required if you want to download any free software from the eShop, like apps or demos. If you have no interest in free stuff, you’re not required to create an account as buying games and apps doesn’t require a Nintendo Network ID.

    On a final note, Nintendo says this update allows players to transfer data from one 3DS to another an unlimited number of times. Previously, players could only transfer data between systems up to five times. While it’s unlikely that a person will buy more than five 3DS systems in their lifetime, it’s a nice option to have.

    The Miiverse update for 3DS is available now. It will download automatically in the background and will prompt you to install the update next time you turn on your 3DS. If you can’t wait, you can manually download it from the System Settings page on the handheld.

    [Image: Nintendo]

  • Of Course There’ll Be A LEGO Movie Video Game

    For the past several years, Traveller’s Tales has been making LEGO video games based on franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter. It’s continuing that tradition with a LEGO game based on The Hobbit next year, but it will also be making a game based on the LEGO company’s first foray into feature length films.

    Warner Bros. Games announced over the weekend that The LEGO Movie will be getting the video game treatment courtesy of Traveller’s Tales. The game, which follows the plot of the film, will take players across 15 levels with over 90 playable characters.

    The game’s developers say that this title will use a new “LEGO visual animation style which simulates the movement and feel of actual LEGO toy sets.” The trailer doesn’t really go into what that means, but most gamers are usually fine with whatever Traveller’s Tales puts out these days. After all, there’s not been a bad LEGO game in years, and you’d think Traveller’s Tales would want to go all out with the video game based on the first theatrical LEGO film ever made.

    The LEGO Movie Video Game will be released in February 2014 for PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS and PC.

    [Image: WBGAMES/YouTube]

  • Nintendo Shows Up At VGX, Awkwardness Ensues

    Ever since its inception, Nintendo has never had much of a presence at Spike TV’s VGAs. When it was announced this year that Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime would show up at the newly christened VGX, fans got a little too excited. In fact, that excitement may have led fans to being more crushed than usual at the rather timid announcement.

    On Saturday night, it was revealed that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will feature a fourth playable character – Cranky Kong. This will be the first time the character’s been playable since his first appearance in Donkey Kong Country on the SNES. He can use his cane a la Scrooge McDuck to pogo bounce his way across obstacles.

    While Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze looks excellent, most of the demo was devoted to Geoff Keighley trying to get more information out of Reggie. The subject soon turned to Metroid – a franchise that’s been dormant since Metroid: Other M – and Reggie revealed that he was wearing a Metroid-themed pin on his jacket. Of course, this led to more awkward conversations as Keighley tried to get more information out of Reggie while celebrity host Joel McHale made jokes about how much money Nintendo makes.

    In short, Nintendo’s appearance at the VGX was one of awkwardness and disappointment. None of this is to say that they showed off a bad game, but many viewed this as a chance for Nintendo to win back the core gamer. A character reveal for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze might not do that.

    You can check out the full 11-minute demo and mini-interview below:

    Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze launches February 21 exclusively for Wii U.

    [Image: gametrailers/YouTube]

  • Pikmin 3 Is Getting A Christmas Themed Level

    What does Christmas mean to you? Perhaps it’s the time you spend with family, or just a week away from work. For others, it’s all about the presents. With some upcoming DLC for Pikmin 3, a select few can even say it means commanding an army of plant like creatures.

    Last month, Nintendo revealed that it would be releasing some new DLC stages for Pikmin 3 just in time for the holidays. While most of the DLC takes place in the environments that you would normally expect from Pikmin, Nintendo has decided to add a level with a little festive flair just in time for the holidays.

    In the trailer below, you’ll get to see some of the new environments Nintendo has in store for Pikmin 3, including a free level called the Fortress of Festivity. This level is available to every player that updates their game to the latest version. It has players scrounging around a house in the midst of a Christmas celebration looking for food and defeating monsters.

    Nintendo says that all three mission mode packs are now available in the Nintendo eShop. The Collect Treasure stages 7-10 costs $1.99, the Battle Enemies stages 7-10 costs $1.99, and the All-New Mission stages 12-15 costs $4.99.

    [Image: Nintendo/YouTube]

  • Sega 3D Classics Highlight This Week’s Nintendo Download

    Soon after the launch of the 3DS, Nintendo began to experiment with the idea of remaking classic NES games in 3D. Only a few were made, but it was pretty cool to see the classic games of our youth pop out on the screen. Now Sega is trying the same thing with its own classic titles from the Sega Genesis.

    In this week’s Nintendo Download, Sega will be releasing two more Sega 3D Classics. The two games getting a 3D makeover this week are Sonic the Hedgehog and Altered Beast. While the main attraction is certainly the games being displayed in 3D, Sega has also added a number of other new additions to these titles. For example, Altered Beast now supports local multiplayer and a random transformation mode.

    In addition to Sega classics hitting the Nintendo eShop today, the virtual console on both 3DS and Wii U will be treated to a classic title from the NES and SNES respectively. On 3DS, players can try out the final Donkey Kong game for NES – Donkey Kong 3. In this title, players take on the role of Stanley the exterminator as he protects flowers from Donkey Kong. On Wii U, SNES classic The Legend of the Mystical Ninja challenges players to save Princess Yuki.

    The “Favorite gaming friends” sale concludes this week with sales on all Donkey Kong titles available on both the 3DS and Wii U. On Wii U, you can get 30 percent off Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3. On 3DS, you can get 30 percent off Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr. and Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr.

    Here are all the other games coming to the Nintendo eShop this week:

  • Brilliant Hamsters! (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Hooked on Bass Fishing (DSiWare on Nintendo DSi / Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

    • [Image: HFPlaythroughs/YouTube]

  • PS4 Sells 250K In The UK Over The Weekend

    PS4 Sells 250K In The UK Over The Weekend

    While gamers in the U.S. have been enjoying the PS4 since November 15, our friends across the pond had to wait until November 29 to get their hands on Sony’s latest hardware. It seems that the wait didn’t discourage anybody from picking up the console, however, as it’s already smashing records.

    MCV reports that early estimates put PS4 sales in the UK at 250,000 units over the last weekend. In other words, the PS4 is the fastest selling console in UK history. It even beat out last week’s launch of the Xbox One which managed to sell a respectable 150,000 units in the UK.

    To further put this into perspective, the PS4 and Xbox One have already outsold the Wii U in the UK. Nintendo’s console has struggled in the territory as some retailers have even pulled the console from their shelves. Unless something catastrophic happens, it looks like the PS4 and Xbox One will have no such problems.

    With the US and UK console launches out of the way, we can now set our sights on the Japanese launch for both consoles. The region has traditionally favored the PlayStation and Nintendo brands while the Xbox 360 has only catered to hardcore otaku and Western game fans in the region. It’s not known at this point if Microsoft will try to win over the Japanese audience again like it did in the formative years of the Xbox 360, but the company has repeatedly stated that it still views Japan as an important market.

    That being said, the Japanese game market is shrinking. As more players in the country move to mobile devices, it will be harder for game consoles to do business in the country. Of course, a major release in the Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest or Monster Hunter franchises could serve to bring Japanese gamers to next-gen consoles in a big way.

    Sony will find out if its Japanese launch will repeat its North American and European successes on February 29. As for the Xbox One, all Microsoft is saying is that it will launch in the region in 2014.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • Nintendo Thinks This Infographic Will Convince You To Buy A Wii U

    Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen the launch of two next-gen consoles and both are doing incredibly well already. We tend to forget, however, that Nintendo ushered in the next generation of game consoles, but not necessarily hardware, last year with the Wii U. It’s not doing so well though, but Nintendo thinks it has what it takes to be a big seller this holiday season.

    Just in time for the holidays, Nintendo has released a Christmas-themed infographic detailing all the reasons why you should buy a Wii U over the PS4 or Xbox One this holiday season. It makes some compelling arguments, but like always, you need to look at your own specific needs and what the Wii U offers before making a final decision.

    First and foremost, Nintendo thinks it has the competition beat on games and price. For $299.99, you can get a Wii U Deluxe and copies of New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U. Both games are good 2D platformers, but their value is measured by how much your family likes old-school, often challenging platformers. For the families with children that have other interests, you can pick up either the Skylanders Swap Force Wii U bundle or the Wind Waker HD bundle.

    For games not bundled in with the hardware, Nintendo definitely has the competition beat. Just last week, Nintendo released Super Mario 3D World for the Wii U and gave pretty much everybody a reason to own the console. It’s easily the best Mario game since Super Mario Galaxy 2, and it should appeal to mostly everybody.

    Aside from Mario, Nintendo notes that it has a number of other big titles that should appeal to families and gamers alike, like Pikmin 3 and Wii Fit U. While not mentioned, LEGO City Undercover is another good game that families and fans of LEGO games will enjoy.

    When non-gaming features are considered, the Wii U becomes a much harder sell. It can essentially take over your TV with Nintendo TVii, but Microsoft’s Xbox One does the same thing much better. The Wii U also has a few streaming apps, like Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video, but the PS4 and Xbox One have far more.

    In short, the Wii U is a game machine, much like the Wii before it. If you want great Nintendo games that you can play with friends and family, the Wii U might just be the machine for you. If you want better multimedia features and the promise of true next-gen titles in the future, the PS4 and Xbox One might be more up your alley.

    Nintendo Thinks This Infographic Will Convince You To Buy A Wii U

    [Image: Nintendo/Business Wire]

  • Nintendo Held Its Own Big Launch Event Right Across The Street From The Xbox One Launch

    While the big news on Friday was the launch of the Xbox One in New York City’s Times Square, the Nintendo World Store across the street was having its own launch event. While the Wii U has already been out on the market for a year, the console finally got a game worth owning the system for on Friday.

    On November 22, Nintendo released two high-profile games for its Wii U and 3DS consoles. The first – Super Mario 3D World – is the kind of game that you should buy a Wii U for. Nintendo knows this and is pursuing a huge marketing campaign to get the console and game into the homes of consumers this holiday season.

    The second – The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – is the sequel to the SNES classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. As you can imagine, it’s a pretty big deal for Zelda fans around the world.

    Now, if these were any other games, they would be released and that would be that. This is Nintendo we’re talking about though and the company decided to hold a launch event at its Nintendo World Store that rivals what Microsoft did at the Best Buy Theater for the Xbox One launch.

    Check it out:

    While it may not be as exciting as the Xbox One launch, the fact that some fans waited over 15 hours to get their hands on a new Nintendo title shows some hardcore dedication. Now if only Nintendo could channel some of that dedication into hardware sales.

    [Image: Nintendo/YouTube]

  • Nintendo Announces New Black Friday Bundles, Sales

    Nintendo Announces New Black Friday Bundles, Sales

    Black Friday is quickly approaching and cost-conscious gamers are already on the look out for some great deals. Sony was the first out of the gate last week with details regarding its Black Friday plans, and now it’s Nintendo’s turn.

    Nintendo announced this morning that it has two new bundles and a large selection of sales that will go live on Black Friday to kick off the holiday shopping season. Unfortunately, there are no new Wii U bundles, but that’s only because Nintendo seems pretty content with the New Super Mario Bros. U/New Super Luigi U and Skylanders bundles it currently has on offer. As for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, there are plenty of bundles and sales available.

    “This year, there is a dizzying amount of affordable Nintendo options for any holiday shopper looking to stock up on fun gifts for family and friends,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “And if there is ever a question of why shoppers should choose Wii U and Nintendo 3DS this holiday season, the answer is simple: Because it’s Nintendo.”

    Starting November 28, Nintendo will offer a cobalt blue Nintendo 3DS that comes pre-installed with Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. This bundle joins a Zelda-themed 3DS XL bundle that’s currently available.

    As for sales, Nintendo notes that the Nintendo 3DS XL will be on sale for $149.99 at Target on Friday. If you’re in the market for the more affordable Nintendo 2DS, you can pick one up at Walmart for $99.99 on Friday as well.

    Nintendo may not be offering a new Wii U hardware bundle for Black Friday, but it will have a new Wii U software bundle. The company will offer a Nintendo Land bundle complete with Luigi-themed green Wii Remote Plus for $60.

    As for digital sales, Nintendo will discount all the Mario games on the 3DS and Wii U virtual consoles starting Thursday. The company doesn’t have a list of which games will be on sale yet, but it should be nearly every classic Mario game available on each service. That means you’ll be able to pick up classics like Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World on the cheap this Thanksgiving.

    [Image: Nintendo/Business Wire]

  • Mario, Zelda Highlight This Week’s Nintendo Download

    Mario and Zelda remain the top two franchises that Nintendo can always look to in its quest to sell more hardware. As such, the company is looking at an increase in console sales this weekend as new Mario and Zelda games launch on the Wii U and 3DS respectively.

    In this week’s Nintendo Download, Nintendo notes that the Wii U will be getting the long awaited Super Mario 3D World on Friday. The game will be available to download starting at midnight. It promises the kind of 3D Mario platforming experience that we have come to expect from every Nintendo console since the release of Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64.

    Joining Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U this week is puzzle/platformer EDGE. The game, which has been available on PC for some time now, challenges players to navigate their way around precarious environmental challenges as a block that can only move in one of four directions.

    As for the Nintendo 3DS, two big first-party titles are hitting on Friday. The first is the eagerly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The title brings with it a host of new innovations for the series, including an entirely new way to approach dungeons as Link can now rent or buy every item he needs to complete the game from the beginning.

    Joining Zelda this week on the 3DS is Mario Party: Island Tour. This marks the third-time the party game has shown up on handhelds, but this version allows four players to play together using just one gamecard. It also features an all-new single player mode for those who would rather play alone.

    After you’ve had your fill of Mario and Zelda, you can kick back with the latest DLC for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies. This first DLC case challenges players to prove the innocence of a killer whale. This particular case serves as a prequel to the events of Dual Destinies so fans will not want to miss out.

    Check out the list below to see the other games available on Wii U and 3DS this week:

  • Brawl Brothers (Virtual Console on Wii U)
  • Coaster Crazy Deluxe (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
  • The Mysterious Cities of Gold: Secret Paths (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
  • City Connection (Virtual Console on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Christmas Wonderland 3 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Jewel Match 3 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Ohno Odyssey (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Hands On! Tangrams (DSiWare on Nintendo DSi)

    • [Image: Nintendo/YouTube]

  • Nintendo Direct Details Upcoming 3DS Games

    All the attention this week may be on the impending launch of the PS4, but Nintendo isn’t letting that keep it silent. Instead, it decided to host a Nintendo Direct today focusing on the world’s most popular dedicated gaming device – the Nintendo 3DS.

    Starting off, Nintendo reconfirmed that both The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and its accompanying 3DS bundle will be available on November 22. There’s not much else to say about the game with it being so close to launch. Instead, check out this new trailer for the title:

    Next up is Mario Party: Island Tour – the latest mini-game collection for the 3DS. It comes out on November 22, but is targeting an entirely different market. Nintendo announced that all the mini-games can be shared among four players from one game cart for those who can’t force friends to buy the game. It also has a sizable single-player mode complete with boss fights.

    For JRPG fans, Nintendo announced that Bravely Default will be coming to North America on February 7. It will release a limited collector’s edition of the title that comes with an art book, soundtrack CD and AR cards. Here’s a new trailer for it:

    As for Professor Layton fans, the final game in the series – Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy – will be released on February 28. Here’s a new trailer for it:

    In other 3DS news, Nintendo will be releasing a 3DS system update next month that will allow you to create a Nintendo Network ID on the handheld and link it to your Wii U. By doing this, you’ll be able to use your eShop funds across both platforms. Nintendo notes that a Nintendo Network ID isn’t necessary for 3DS users, but it will be required to access demos and other free content.

    Speaking of free content, the 3DS will be getting Miiverse in the same update. The handheld will also be getting YouTube later this month.

    Despite today’s Nintendo Direct being mostly about the 3DS, Nintendo did manage to sneak in two Wii U updates. The first was a new sizzle reel highlighting all the indie content coming to the Wii U and 3DS eShop in the coming months:

    The other Wii U news was a new trailer for Super Mario 3D World highlighting “10 new things” players can discover in the game. The trailer is full of minor spoilers regarding unlockables and stages so you’ve been warned. If you don’t want anything about the game spoiled for you, don’t watch the video. You should also avoid Nintendo’s Twitter feed as it has been tweeting about the spoiler as well:

    With the PS4 only a few days away and the Xbox One launching on November 22, it’s no better time to be a gamer. That’s doubly true for the Nintendo faithful as the Wii U and 3DS are both getting some of the best looking games of the year(s) over the next few months.

    [Image: Nintendo/YouTube]

  • Wii Sports Club Headlines This Week’s Nintendo Download

    Back in September, Nintendo announced that it was bringing an HD version of its Wii Sports title to the Wii U as a digital download. If you’ve been hankering to get back into the world of Wii Sports since then, you can finally do so today.

    Nintendo announced today that Wii Sports Club is now available on the Nintendo eShop for Wii U. While you may think that Wii Sports Club is merely an HD remake of Wii Sports, it goes a bit deeper than that. For starters, the game is now online enabled so players can compete with others from all over the world. It also encourages players to join clubs and compete against other clubs to earn points.

    In another strange twist that differentiates Wii Sports Club from its predecessor, the game will not come as a full package. Instead, players will have to buy each sport separately for $10 each. Players can also opt to buy a day pass for any sport for a reduced price. For now, only Tennis and Bowling are available, but Boxing, Baseball and Golf will be available soon.

    As for the other major release on the Wii U eShop, Two Tribes has released an HD remake of its very first game – Toki Tori. The puzzle/platformer’s sequel – Toki Tori 2 – launched on the eShop earlier this year, and fans of that title will now be able to experience the game that started it all.

    Moving onto the 3DS eShop, the only new title is actually a game from last year. Nintendo says that Kid Icarus: Uprising – the first new title in the franchise in over two decades – is finally on the eShop. The game has plenty of charm and is pretty fun to play once you get past its awkward controls.

    Moving onto the Virtual Console, we’re treated to a rare simultaneous release of the same game on both the Wii U and 3DS. Wario’s Woods – the classic NES puzzle game – is available to download on both platforms. Unfortunately, Nintendo doesn’t have a cross buy policy so buying the game on one platform does not let you have it on the other. It’s a real shame, but Nintendo recently said in an interview that it would consider such an option if there was “enough demand from developers.”

    As for the other releases, here’s the full list:

  • 4 Elements (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Crazy Chicken: Director’s Cut 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Crazy Chicken: Director’s Cut (DSiWare on Nintendo DSi)
  • KORG M01D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Luxor (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • My Baby Pet Hotel 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
  • Secret Agent Files: Miami (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

    • On a final note, Atlus says that two of its titles on the 3DS eShop – Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan and Code of Princess – will be $10 off from November 11 through November 18.

    [Image: Nintendo]

  • Super Mario 3D World TV Ad Sugarcoats What Will Undoubtedly Be A Brutal Multiplayer Experience

    Super Mario Bros. has always been a multiplayer game in the strictest sense of the word as players could always alternate between Mario and Luigi. In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Nintendo introduced the concept of letting four players play together at once. Needless to say, it wasn’t pretty.

    In its TV ad for Super Mario 3D World, Nintendo is once again selling the idea of a co-op Mario game. In it, we see a group of friends having a good time as the world around them transforms in time with what happens in the game.

    What this TV ad hides from the viewer, however, is modern Mario’s darkest secret. This game, much like New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. U before it, will make you hate your friends. You’ll grow to resent their very existence as they fail to keep up with you, or worse yet, they intentionally kill you for a cheap laugh.

    Now some may argue that the move to a 3D plane will help divert some of the more troublesome problems that faced four player co-op in New Super Mario Bros. U. That may be true, but you’re still going to have that one friend who will do everything in his power to ensure that you die a lonely and painless death at the bottom of a ravine, or end up in the jaws of a piranha plant.

    All of this isn’t to say that Super Mario 3D World won’t be a fun game. It looks like a blast, and Mario fans are going to eat it up. Just be forewarned if you decide to play with friends. They’re not going to suddenly be wearing a catsuit and you’re not going to be laughing. They’ll be wearing an evil grimace, and you will begin to suspect that your friend has been overtaken by an otherworldly presence.

    Super Mario 3D World launches November 22 exclusively for the Wii U.

    [Image: Nintendo/YouTube]

  • Nintendo Isn’t Worried About The Impending Xbox One/PS4 Launches

    Ever since the Wii U launched last year, there’s been some talk about whether or not Nintendo could compete with the PS4 and Xbox One once both consoles launch this month. The reasoning is that players will view the Wii U as an inferior system in comparison thanks in no small part to its current gen tech. Nintendo rejects that reasoning, however, and thinks that the Wii U can thrive in a market full of more powerful consoles, just like the Wii did.

    In its quarterly Q&A session between CEO Satoru Iwata and shareholders, Iwata was asked what Nintendo’s marketing response would be in the face of the PS4 and Xbox One. In short, Nintendo is sticking to its guns:

    We have an offering of software for the end of this calendar year that encourages family fun at home. Nintendo is preparing a number of Wii U games for next year that greatly appeal to highly skilled users, but at the end of this calendar year, we have quite a few offerings that can be played by the whole family, dad and the kids, or grandparents and the kids. Other companies will launch new consoles (in the overseas markets at the end of this year), but I think they focus on targeting highly skilled users. Therefore, in that sense, though the competition will heat up because new game consoles will come out and there will be a “war of the game consoles” played out in media articles, we wonder if the target user will actually be the same.

    Iwata then points to a number of titles launching on the Wii U this year, like Super Mario 3D World and Wii Sports Club, as titles that will expand the Wii U’s appeal. He’s confident that these titles and more will draw consumers to Nintendo’s hardware, but says that the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One will do the same:

    Thus, in the sense that we attract consumers interested in this category of video games, I think the launch of other video game systems is also good for us because they energize the video game industry as a whole. Though there are some who take the view that intensified competition means overseas competition will be tough for Nintendo, no matter how Nintendo does domestically, I do not necessarily see it that way. This year, what Nintendo is promoting is, conversely, to stand out in the game industry for individuality. I believe we have become a unique value.

    What about smartphones and tablets though? Does Nintendo view their meteoric growth as a threat to its business? Well, it’s a little bit of yes and no:

    On the other hand, I believe that the era has ended when people play all kinds of games only on dedicated gaming systems. For example, I think it is natural that many people feel that it is more convenient to use smart devices, as opposed to dedicated gaming systems, to play games to kill a bit of time. That is to say, there are some areas in which dedicated gaming systems were once used that now have greater potential on smart devices. On the other hand, dedicated gaming systems are developed by considering the software that is designed to run on the hardware, enabling us to make unique propositions. With that in mind, my view is that the gaming market will be segregated to a fair degree. However, this does not mean that smart devices will simply compete with dedicated gaming systems. Given their growth, I feel that we should make an effort to take advantage of their existence.

    As for third party support, Iwata recognizes that the Wii U and 3DS are mostly machines that you buy to play Nintendo software. That being said, he would like to increased third-party support, but not through the usual platform holder strategy of offering money or exclusive deals:

    In terms of how we view our relationship with third-party publishers, I think it is natural that there is a difference between publishers who have the software development resources like Nintendo’s to build a software lineup of their own and publishers who do not. Since former President Yamauchi passed away, I have been considering what he taught us in the end, and his words that the worst thing we can do in entertainment is to follow what others are doing spoke directly to my heart. Following and imitating others is the kind of reasoning that Nintendo tries to avoid the most, and while we certainly do not have a negative attitude toward strengthening our ties with third-party publishers, employing the same methodology as the other manufacturers would only lead to the most simplistic competitive approaches, such as price wars or money-giving that would never end. We would like to take a unique approach of our own and build sustainable relationships with our third-party publishers.

    The rest of the Q&A session deals directly with shareholder value, expansion into emerging markets and the viability of special promotions in the Japanese market. In other words, stuff that wouldn’t interest the majority of Western gamers. If you do find that fascinating, you can read the whole Q&A session here.

    [Image: Nintendo/YouTube]

  • Wii Mini’s U.S. Launch Set For Mid-November

    Wii Mini’s U.S. Launch Set For Mid-November

    In December of last year, Nintendo of Canada released a super cheap version of the Wii called the Wii Mini. It must have been a success as Nintendo has been slowly rolling it out to other parts of the world throughout 2013, and now it’s finally making its way to the U.S.

    Nintendo announced today that the Wii Mini will finally hit the U.S. at some point this month. There’s no specific date set yet, but the company expects to have it out on store shelves by the middle of November. The Wii Mini will also pack in a copy of Mario Kart Wii.

    Unfortunately, that copy of Mario Kart Wii can only be played locally as the Wii Mini strips out the original Wii’s Wi-Fi antennae. In other words, the Wii Mini can’t go online so those who buy it can’t access online multiplayer or the Wii Shop Channel. The system also lacks component video output and an SD card slot.

    So, what’s the point of the Wii Mini? It seems kind of pointless when it lacks so many features of the original Wii. Nintendo obviously hopes that the low price of $99 and a line of $20 titles, like Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, will encourage those who never bought a Wii seven years ago to do so now.

    If you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated this holiday season, Nintendo is also pushing a number of Wii U bundles. It’s newest console, which features HD output and a touch screen controller, is now available for $299 in a number of configurations, including a New Super Mario Bros. U bundle and Skylanders Swap Force bundle.

    [Image: Nintendo]
    [h/t: Polygon]

  • Wii Fit U Trial Headlines This Week’s Nintendo Download

    Back in September, Nintendo announced that Wii Fit U would finally be launching on November 1. It won’t be hitting retail stores at that point, however, as Nintendo wants to experiment with alternative pricing schemes on the eShop first.

    For this week’s Nintendo Download, Nintendo notes that Wii Fit U is still on schedule to launch on November 1. With this eShop launch, Nintendo is offering a one month free trial to everybody who owns the Wii balance board that came with the original Wii Fit. Additionally, if you buy the Wii Fit U Fit Meter for only $20 during the month, you’ll be able to keep Wii Fit U forever after syncing it with the eShop version.

    The other big game hitting the Nintendo eShop this week is LEGO Marvel Super Heroes for the Wii U. The latest LEGO game puts players in the role of over 100 of Marvel’s finest characters as they fight off threats from Loki and Galactus.

    As for the virtual console, the Wii U is treated to the SNES classic Super Castlevania IV. It’s especially appropriate for Halloween as the game features some of the darkest aesthetic design of the series.

    On the 3DS virtual consoles, gamers can download Milon’s Secret Castle. This is also appropriate for Halloween but for an entirely different reason as Milon’s Secret Castle is one of the hardest NES games ever made.

    Here are the other games coming to the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops in the coming week:

    LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe in Peril – (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Angry Bunnies (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Arcade Classics 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
    Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Beyblade Evolution (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
    Saban’s Power Rangers Megaforce (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

    On a final note, Nintendo says that Shin Megami Tensei IV will be $10 off in the 3DS eShop from November 4 through the 11. Additionally, BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien for the Wii U will be 33 percent off from November 1 through the 7.

    [Image: Nintendo]