New Nintendo Direct Features Mario, Sonic, Smash Bros and More!
This morning, Nintendo took to the Internet once again in their latest Nintendo Direct presentation, this time focusing on what the company has in store for the rest of 2013, along with a few surprises to carry us into next year. Can you say… SONIC IS BACK!?
Below are the highlights of this information packed presentation. Look for more details on these announcements throughout the day.
Super Mario 3D World features a slew of power ups to help Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad take down Bowser once again, (this time in a sweet ride!) These include the Cat Suit, a cherry that splits characters into multiples, (which is the closest we’ll get to Mario 128,) a cannon helmet and a Goomba disguise. Returning power ups shown in the trailer include the Propeller Block, Fire Flower and the Hammer Bros. suit. Super Mario 3D World is arriving on November 22nd to Wii U.
Mario and Luigi themed Wii Remotes will also be released three weeks before this new Mario game on November 1st.
Wii Party U was shown off with two new mini games. The first had players using the Wii Remote Plus as a ladle to scoop water out of the game pad and carry it to the TV without spilling. The second, called Dance with Mii, has up to four players holding the pad simultaneously as they perform certain actions displayed on the screen. The game will come packaged with a horizontal stand and will hit stores on October 25th.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze confirmed the Internet rumors that there would be a delay. We’ll now have to wait until February to get our hands on the Kong family’s latest adventure.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games will be the first game in the series to feature simultaneous online play, including the championship and dream events shown in previous Directs. The medals earned will increase the score of the player’s home country, creating a cumulative point total that will help countries compete like the real games while paving the way to resolving world conflict. Sochi 2014 is coming on November 15th, including a bundle that packs in a blue Wii Remote Plus.
http://youtu.be/HEuvcFNAJgo
Speaking of Sonic, the Blue Blur will meet the Blue Bomber in Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS with the hedgehog being officially confirmed to be returning.
http://youtu.be/QREyxpuYeGU
Pikmin 3 has new challenges available for download, both as paid DLC at $1.99 and as one free download. Future stages will be released for an additional charge. In addition, leaderboards are being expanded to show world rankings. This update as well as the additional stages are available now.
A slew of third party software is headed towards the Wii U and 3DS, including Etrain Odyssey Untold (available today with two modes of play, a CD and an artbook,) Just Dance 2014, (available on October 8th with a Wii Remote bundle,) Skylanders: Swap Force, (coming October 13 for Wii U and 3DS, both of which will come packaged with different Skylanders,) Lego Marvel Superheroes, (landing on October 22nd,) Batman: Arkham Origins and its handheld counterpart, Batman: Arkham Origins: Blackgate, (October 25th,) and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, (October 29th.)
Sonic: Lost World will release with a special Deadly Six Bonus Edition, adding special stages and boss fights to the package. The Wii U and 3DS version will each have exclusive Color Powers, in addition to the 3DS exclusive customizable gadgets, which can be shared with the Wii U version. This newest Sonic title is still slated for an October 29th release.
http://youtu.be/nJJubcPdOJw
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies will give gamers a taste of his latest courtroom adventure with a playable demo available now. This should hold us over until its October 24th release date.
Nintendo will participate at that year’s IndieCade, showing off the large amount of independent offerings found in the 3DS and Wii U library.
Link’s awesome lobster shirt from the recently rereleased Wind Waker HD can be scanned into Animal Crossing: New Leaf through a QR code within the video. In addition, two new Spotpass items will be distributed through Nintendo Zone locations, including the Fedora Chair starting today and the Sushi Platter on October 15th. Nintendo Zone items for Kid Icarus: Uprising, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 will be released in the coming weeks.
Speaking of Nintendo Zone, the recently added StreetPass Relay system is being improved to provide the data of the last six people to pass it rather than the last one person, making completing those puzzles that much easier.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will break away from the typical formula and let players tackle dungeons in whatever order they choose. A new shop called the Ravio Shop will allow Link to rent or purchase a large amount of equipment that will aid him in completing each dungeon. And yes, Ravio looks a lot like Nabbit from New Super Mario Bros U, but let’s not talk about that.
Finally, to close out the show, a brand new Kirby game was revealed for the first time, coming to the 3DS in 2014.
http://youtu.be/Jxk7IL1YrYs
It’s safe to say that there was more information released today than we could handle. What’s your favorite piece of news from today’s presentation? Was it Sonic in Smash Bros? Or new Kid Icarus items? How about the new Kirby game or the changes to the Zelda formula? All I want is Cat Mario… Watch the presentation in full below, and let us know how excited you are!
