Early today, Nintendo broadcasted their 3DS Direct, which highlighted some of the newest additions to the system’s software lineup. And it seems things are looking great for Nintendo’s little handheld.
New Releases
A handful of games were announced during Nintendo’s 3DS Direct. Picross 3D Round 2, an Amiibo compatible 3D puzzle game, is launching today. You probably already have it, and if you don’t, go download it: There’s a free demo you can try out in the Nintendo eShop before purchasing the full game. Super Mario Maker is coming to 3DS, and will be available December 2. Mario Party Star Rush, the latest in the Mario Party series, is launching on November 4. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice, the sixth game in the main Ace Attorney line, will be available on September 8. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past will release on September 16. Lastly, Axiom Verge, a 2d side-scrolling Metroidvania developed by Thomas Happ Games, is launching today. Axiom Verge is part of Nintendo’s “[commitment] to working with awesome independent developers,” as stated by JC Rodrigo, Product Marketing Manager at Nintendo. Every Thursday in September, Nintendo’s eShop will update with a new game by either a Wii U or 3DS indie game at a limited, reduced price: September 8 is Jotun, developed by Thunder Lotus Games; September 15 is Noitu Love Devolution, developed by Konjak; September 22 is Severed, developed by DrinkBox Studios; and September 29 is Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, developed by Inti Creates.
StreetPass Mii Plaza
If you’re a fan of StreetPass, then you’re in for a treat: Nintendo is focusing quite a few efforts on improving the StreetPass Mii Plaza, and implementing new additions to make StreetPass more compelling for those who don’t necessarily care—such as myself—and those already invested. To start, five new StreetPass games are headed to the 3DS: Slot Car Rivals, Market Crashers, Ninja Launcher, Feed Mii, and Mii Trek. Furthermore, if you download either Slot Car Rivals or Market Crashers in StreetPass Mii Plaza for free, you get the remaining StreetPass games at a discounted price: $2.99 individually, or $8.99 for the bundle. (Note: Slot Car Rivals and Market Crashers are free to download, but Nintendo did not specify whether both games can be downloaded for free during the Direct.)
Also, instead of only holding just ten characters in Mii Plaza, you can now hold up to 100 characters at the Mii Plaza. To do so, however, requires the purchase of Mii Plaza Premium, as stated by Nintendo’s website. Since StreetPass Mii Plaza is a place where Mii characters interact with one another, all of these games are competitive amongst those Miis you’ve encountered in the plaza.
NES Classic Edition
Nintendo is rereleasing the Nintendo Entertainment System. This NES Classic Edition will be available on November 11, and will only cost $59.99. Though only bundled with one controller, an additional controller only costs a mere $9.99. Compare that to Sony or Microsoft, whose controllers cost anywhere from $59.99 to $149.99.
How will you play this system if you have an HD TV? Don’t worry, the NES Classic Edition is incredibly small and features an HDMI port; not only is it extremly portable, it is also compatible with all current (and future?) generation televisions. The system comes packed with 30 classic games: Excitebike, Ice Climber, Mario Bros., Pac-Man, Final Fantasy—a good amount of the hits and cult classics are on this thing.
New Nintendo 3DS Designs
The New Galaxy Style New Nintendo 3DS XL—come on, Nintendo, work on your product naming!—is scheduled to release sometime this week, and will hit all major retailers for the standard price of $199.99.
The Super Mario 3D Land New Nintendo 3DS bundle comes with two swappable face plates: one with Mario, and the other with all of Nintendo’s characters in 8-bit design. Furthermore, Super Mario 3D Land will be pre-installed onto the system, so if you’re not a fan of the game, you’re going to be stuck with it. There’s no trading it in to GameStop, selling it to a friend, or gifting it to a family member. This New 3DS bundle is “available exclusively in a couple retailers in the U.S., and across Canada and Latin America,” according to Reggie Fils-Aimé, Nintendo’s President and COO. There’s no word on a release date for this bundle at the time of this writing.
ICYMI, the New Nintendo #3DS XL now comes in a slick New Galaxy Style design! pic.twitter.com/1bRnxPC5bn
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 1, 2016
In The Future
There are a plethora of titles that are launching in 2017 as well. Mario Sports Superstars is scheduled to launch next spring. Pikmin—Nintendo notes this as a “working title”— is coming in 2017. Ever Oasis is supposed to be released next year. The Dragon Quest 8 Remake has been delayed to 2017. It seems 3DS owners have an eventful few months to look forward: The future for Nintendo is looking rather bright.
You can watch Nintendo’s Direct here, or stream it above.
[Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]
The Biggest Stories During Nintendo’s 2016 3DS Direct is an article from: The Inquisitr News