Nintendo Direct broadcasts continue to drop more news bombs weekly than almost any other press outlet at present. This week’s episode went live on Thursday and included a tidal wave of updates and some very big announcements. Strap in, we’ve got lots to talk about. Hit the jump to see it all.
So let’s break it down by console, starting with:
Wii U
The first DLC pack for Mario Kart 8 was given a launch date - November 14. It includes new courses, vehicles and characters from The Legend of Zelda, F-Zero and Excitebike.
Nintendo have a big focus on their upcoming amiibo range. We know that Super Smash Bros for Wii U will be compatible with the new amiibo figures, but the full list of upcoming titles also contains Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors, both of which are already available, as well as Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush, Yoshi’s Woolly World and Mario Party 10 all of which will be available in 2015.
The first wave of amiibo characters drops November 29, and you’ll be able to tap your amiibo figures to the Wii U gamepad for bonuses in Mario Kart 8 (each figure will net you a Mii racing suit themed around the amiibo character) and Hyrule Warriors (tapping the Link figure will get you a special Spinner weapon, and every Smash Bros figure you tap will grant random materials, weapons or rupees). The second wave of amiibo figures will his stores December 12.
4v4 online multiplayer shooter Splatoon is coming Q2 2015. Ninty took a moment to talk about the game’s single player mode which will see players going up against an army of octopi who are armed to teeth with ink weapons. Splatoon looks like great fun and will definitely be one to watch.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a brand new JRPG from Monolith Soft (not to be confused with Monolith Productions, the dev behind Shadow of Mordor). Planned as a Wii U exclusive, it will see players undertaking a massive quest in an entirely new world, using the city of New Los Angeles as their home base. The follow up to Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii, this one will give RPG fans something to really look forward to.
Kirby is back, you guys! Everyone’s favourite vacuum powered marshmallow thing will next be found bombing around a world made out of clay in Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush, a title similar to the amazing Kirby: Canvas Curse on the DS. Kirby rides on a rainbow, guided by the player using the Wii U Gamepad’s touch screen. There’s also a four player couch multiplayer mode that lets one player jump in as Kirby, while the others control a bunch of Waddle Dee characters that can collect pick ups and carry Kirby around. Players will be able to run the game as co-op by allowing the player with the Gamepad to just focus on drawing that rainbow line. Rainbow Paintbrush is due Q3-Q4 2015.
Nintendo dropped a new trailer for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker during the broadcast and also showed off a couple quick clips of some of the levels players are set to encounter in the game. Captain Toad also includes multiple challenges that, once completed, unlock even more levels. I can see Captain Toad driving me out of my mind as I obsess over clocking it 100%. It’s set to drop in January 2015.
A new challenger approaches! The DUCK HUNT DUO have joined the fight in Super Smash Bros for Wii U and Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS, with Nintendo unveiling the pair during the broadcast. They also used the reveal as an opportunity to announce that Duck Hunt is coming to Wii U Virtual Console, but did not offer a release date.
Alright, let’s talk about handhelds.
Nintendo 3DS
Alright, let’s get this out of the way. Possibly the biggest announcement of the entire broadcast was that a remastered, 3D version of fan favourite N64 classic The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was coming to Nintendo 3DS. Those who preorder the game will get the Majora’s Mask Special Edition which will come in a steelbook case, a copy of the game in it’s standalone packaging, a Majora’s Mask pin badge and a double-sided poster showcasing the game’s now iconic art style. Needless to say, Zelda fans are still in a state of euphoria following this announcement.
Intelligent Systems, creators of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars has unveiled a new turn-based strategy/RPG offering, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.. Tasked by Abraham Lincoln, the agents of S.T.E.A.M. must stop an alien invasion using their arsenal of steam-powered weaponry and there isn’t anything I don’t like about that sentence. They also introduced a character ability called Overwatch that allowed characters to build up steam and unleash devastating surprise attacks on their turn. You’ll be able to pick it up in May 2015.
Relax, Pokemaniacs, you haven’t been left out in the cold. Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire are dropping November 21. You’ll be able to pick them up either standalone or part of a hardware bundle if you think it’s time to upgrade your old DS. If you own Pokemon X or Pokemon Y, you can grab your very own Mythical Diancie from November 10 at various retail outlets. Hit up your nearest JB Hifi, BigW, EB Games or Target to scoop up your free Pokemon. But that’s not all - when you transfer Diancie into your Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire game, you’ll get the Mega Stone which will allow Diancie to Mega Evolve during battle. What are you waiting for? Get out there and catch ‘em all.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is launching in early 2015 and though they only touched on it briefly, Nintendo was sure to highlight the Mario and Luigi costumes that will be available for felyne characters in the game.
Releasing in tandem with Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for Wii U, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal is coming to the 3DS on November 29. There’s a free demo on the Nintendo eShop for 3DS right now so try it out.
Fans of retro gaming are in for a treat as well with Ultimate NES Remix, a greatest hits of NES Remix 1 & 2. It’s got a new Famicom Remix Mode which offers even more challenges from the Japanese version of NES Remix and for anyone who’s ever wanted to play a version of Super Mario Bros that runs at close to lightspeed, now’s your chance. It’s also adding online leaderboards for those determined to maintain their old school bragging rights. It’s all yours November 8 (that’s today!).
Finally, there are a couple of things that are coming to both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS so lets wrap it up with them.
Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
Shovel Knight, you guys. Shovel Knight. Have you played it yet? If not, get around it. It’s an old school, 8-bit styled action platformer and it is tough as nails. You can grab it on the Nintendo eShop right now. If you own the game on one of your Nintendo systems already, you’ll get a discount on the other!
Pikmin Short Movies is a pet project by Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto, a series of short films directed by the man himself set in the Pikmin universe. You can grab these on the Nintendo eShop right now on your 3DS or Wii U in 3D and HD respectively. They are paid downloads though, so make sure you’ve got mum or dad’s permission to wield the credit card.
Phew. Okay. That’s it. So much information! Wonder what they’ll have for us next week!