2013-12-18

Today, Nintendo held yet another Nintendo Direct, but unlike the Japanese gaming company’s previous live web broadcasts, this one actually contained exciting information. Check out the entire broadcast below.

The Nintendo direct started out with a trailer of the Techmo-Koei developed Dynasty Warriors style game featuring The Legend of Zelda’s Link, fighting against hordes of enemies. I’ve never been a big fan of the Dynasty Warriors series but I love the Zelda universe, so this game has me interested.

It’s an exclusive Wii U title set to be released at some point in 2014. It seems like it was almost designed specifically to make the wait for the core Wii U Zelda we all want, a little easier.

NES Remix, a revamp of classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) titles was also announced. NES Remix lets players play remixed versions of old school NES games and post scores to the Wii U’s Miiverse.

It features remixed levels from classics like Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda and the original Super Mario Bros. This game must be why Nintendo has been so reluctant to rerelease Wii Shop Channel games on the Wii U’s eShop. They wanted to repackage 20 plus year old games and sell them to you all over again in true Nintendo style.

With all that said, NES Remix is actually a really cool idea and I’ll probably end up buying the game. Also, you can play Donkey Kong as Link. It’s almost like Nintendo has decided to take a page from the ROM hacking community with NES Remix.

The game is currently available on Nintendo’s Online Wii U eShop for $14.99.

Nintendo also announced Kirby Triple Deluxe for the 3DS, a new 2D sidescroller set in Kirby’s vibrant, colourful world. I’ve always enjoyed Kirby games although they all lack any level of challenge. It’s fun to just sit back and float around as Kirby after a busy day of work.

Kirby Triple Delux (the game’s name is rather ridiculous) also features a rhythm game called “Dedede’s Drum Dash.”  A multiplayer mode dubbed “Kirby Fighters” is also set to be included in the game.

More information about Yoshi’s New Island was also revealed during the Nintendo direct.

The producer of the original Yoshi’s Island on the Super Nintendo (SNES) is returning for this game. It seems to be a remake of Yoshi’s Island with new eggs and abilities. It’s set for a Spring 2014 release date.

Fans of Nintendo’s often forgotten GameCube era will be pleased that Nintendo’s releasing an eShop game based on Chibi-Robo.

I know nothing about this franchise and I don’t really understand what’s going on in the trailer. Check it out for yourself below.

Nintendo’s Pokemon Bank and Poke Transporter were also discussed. If you download the apps between Dec. 27 and Jan. 1, you’ll get a free 30 day trial and a Celebi. Subscriptions run at $4.99 per year. The Poke bank allows you to transfer Pokemon between the series’ Black and White games and Pokemon X and Y.

Donkey Kong Tropical freeze was shown off yet again but not much new information was revealed. During the horrible VGX awards it was announced that Cranky Kong will be a playable character and the same trailer from the awards was shown off during today’s Nintendo Direct.

Bravely Default, an upcoming Square Enix-developed RPG for the 3DS, was also shown off. Not a lot of new information was revealed about the game other than a cool new standby mode. For every eight hours you keep the game in standby mode, you’re awarded points that can then be used to manipulate the game’s combat system.

This is a great idea as long as you don’t own the original 3DS. Its horrible battery life won’t last long enough to gain any points. What seems to be interesting about Bravely Default is it looks like it’s going to play like a classic Final Fantasy title.

This is a very good thing considering the Final Fantasy franchise has been horrible for awhile now. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how bad Final Fantasy XIII was.

Some small announcements were also made during the webcast. Sonic Lost Worlds is getting free Yoshi’s Island DLC in 2014, Mario Kart 8 received a brand new trailer and Rosalina and Luma were announced as playable characters in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U.

Golf for Wii Sports U is also now available and a new puzzle game called Dr. Luigi is dropping on Dec. 31.

Luigi looks like the kind of guy you’d want to trust with a bunch of pills, right?

Follow me on Twitter: @Patrick_ORourke.

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