A new Nintendo Direct video has revealed more than a dozen new ways that Nintendo is delivering both variety and value to consumers in 2013 and beyond. Nintendo unveiled key characters in the next installments of the Super Smash Bros. and The Legend of Zelda series, new designs for Wii Remote Plus controllers in honour of everyone’s favourite video game brothers and a variety of free and paid downloads to expand the enjoyment of existing Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games.
“Nintendo is delivering unprecedented value and variety to consumers this holiday season,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “From shaking up the way players enjoy the next Zelda adventure to providing fans with more content to enjoy in Pikmin 3, we’re always looking for new ways to deliver the best entertainment experience possible to consumers.”
Wii U News
Super Mario 3D World: The game contains a ton of fresh power-ups, like cherries that allow players to duplicate their characters, in addition to the series-first Cat transformation. A new website for the Nov. 22 game has launched.
Super Smash Bros.: Sonic is confirmed as a playable character in the upcoming fighting game, which is scheduled to launch for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014.
Pikmin 3: The game is getting a free software update (broadband Internet access required) that provides players with a new Mission Mode stage. Other new Mission Mode stages are now available for the game as paid downloadable content. Additional downloadable stages will become available for purchase in the future. The game update also improves the global ranking feature, allowing players the ability to see the world’s highest scores at any time. Learn how to get the update on the Pikmin 3 page.
New Wii Remote Plus Designs: Nintendo fans will have their choice of a Mario-themed controller or a Luigi-themed controller. These controllers will launch on Nov. 1 at a suggested retail price of $39.99 each.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games: The game launches exclusively for Wii U on Nov. 15. For the first time in the Mario & Sonic series, players from around the world can take the action online and compete with others from around the world (broadband Internet access required). Four events are playable online: Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross and Short Track Speed Skating, in addition to Winter Sports Champion Race, a Dream Event that combines Skiing, Ice Skating, Bobsleigh and Snowboard into a single event. Every time players win a medal in online game play, they will win points for their home country. The points can be viewed through persistent online rankings. The game will be available as standalone software in the Nintendo eShop and in stores for a suggested retail price of $49.99, or bundled with a Wii Remote Plus controller (which is required for some events) at a suggested retail price of $59.99.
Wii Party U: House Party mode places the focus on the Wii U system’s GamePad controller and couples its use with the Wii Remote controllers in unique, engaging and social ways. In Water Runners, for example, players scoop water from a stream displayed on the GamePad and must skillfully carry the water to a pitcher displayed on the TV. The game launches Oct. 25. The physical version of the game includes a Wii Remote Plus controller and the new Horizontal Stand for the Wii U GamePad, which allows players to use the GamePad in a more balanced and comfortable fashion with GamePad-exclusive Tabletop games such as Tabletop Baseball.
October Third-Party Releases: Key third-party releases for Wii U in October include:
Just Dance 2014 from Ubisoft (Oct. 8)
Skylanders SWAP Force from Activision Publishing (Oct. 13)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 22)
Batman: Arkham Origins from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 25)
Sonic Lost World from SEGA (Oct. 29)
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag from Ubisoft (Oct. 29)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: In order to deliver the optimum gaming experience for fans, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will now launch in February 2014. Developed by Retro Studios, the series’ first Wii U installment stars Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong as they go head-to-head against invaders from the northern seas who have taken over Donkey Kong Island. Featuring intense side-scrolling action with dynamic camera angles, cooperative play for up to two players and beautiful HD graphics, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the coolest Donkey Kong Country adventure yet.
Nintendo 3DS News
A New Kirby Game: A new side-scrolling installment in the Kirby series launches in 2014, and features Kirby moving not only from left to right, but also from the foreground to the background. Kirby also gets an “inhale everything” ability that can be used in specific parts of each stage to help him clear anything blocking his path. More details about this game will be available in the future.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: Many of the most essential items in the game will be available early on at a shop run by a new character named Ravio. Ravio lets players rent or buy items before they head off to their next dungeon adventure, meaning players will have more freedom to explore dungeons in the order they want. The game launches in stores and the Nintendo eShop on Nov. 22 at a suggested retail price of $39.99.
Bravely Default: This highly acclaimed fantasy role-playing game developed by Square Enix introduces a new battle system, bringing deep, strategic combat to Nintendo 3DS. Bravely Default will launch in the first quarter of 2014, and will feature an updated UI system and new content not included in the original Japanese release.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf: The Nintendo Direct video offers owners of Animal Crossing: New Leaf a QR Code featuring a pattern of the shirt that Link wears at the beginning of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. Players just need to go to the Able Sisters shop in their towns and ask to use the sewing machine. Then they can scan the QR Code with their Nintendo 3DS systems to get the in-game shirt. Fans who want to access the QR Code can view the Nintendo Direct video and hit pause during the Animal Crossing: New Leaf segment.
Exclusive Nintendo Zone StreetPass Offers: A previous Nintendo Direct announced that Nintendo 3DS owners who have enabled the StreetPass feature and visit Nintendo Zone locations would receive StreetPass data from the previous visitor. Later this month, owners will receive data from the last six visitors, making it even easier for them to maximize their connections. Throughout 2013, Nintendo is offering free exclusive content to Nintendo 3DS owners at Nintendo Zone locations, including:
Available now through Oct. 14: Fedora Chair furniture for Animal Crossing: New Leaf owners. A Sushi Platter will become available starting on Oct. 15.
Additional content for Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Super Mario 3D Land, as well as special Gold Pants Mii character distributions, will become available later this year.
October Third-Party Releases: Key third-party releases for Nintendo 3DS in October include:
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl from ATLUS (Oct.1)
Skylanders SWAP Force from Activision Publishing (Oct. 13)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – Universe in Peril from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 22)
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 25)
Sonic Lost World from SEGA (Oct. 29).
In anticipation of the game’s Oct. 24 release, a demo version of Nintendo eShop exclusive Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies is available for download in the Nintendo eShop.
Additional Information
Wii U System Update: A new Wii U system update is now available for download. The update delivers the ability to output audio and video to the GamePad in Wii Mode, a more streamlined experience when adding Friends and other improvements.
Wii U System and Feature Updates
Nintendo constantly aims to improve the functionality of its systems and services in order to provide the easiest, most user-friendly experience possible. As a part of these efforts, we are making Wii U™ system updates available for download via the Internet.
Your Wii U system and software are not designed for use with any unauthorized device and/or any unauthorized software. Please note that the Nintendo warranties do not cover any defects to or defects caused by unauthorized devices, software, modifications and/or non-licensed accessories. Furthermore such use may cause performance issues and/or damage to your Wii U system and related services. Nintendo (as well as Nintendo licensees or distributors) is not responsible for any damage or loss caused by the use of such devices, software, modifications or non-licensed accessories.
IMPORTANT: After the Wii U system is updated, any existing or future unauthorized technical modification of the hardware or software of your Wii U system, or the use of an unauthorized device in connection with your system, may render the system permanently unplayable. Content deriving from the unauthorized modification of the hardware or software of your Wii U system may be removed. Failure to accept the update may render games unplayable.
Wii U system updates can be received automatically when connected to the internet. When the download is complete, you will receive a dialog on the Wii U Menu detailing the steps to install the update.
Version 4.0.0 U, available via an Internet connection, includes the following improvements:
New Features:
A feature to output video and sound to the Wii U GamePad when using Wii Mode (Wii software displayed on the Wii U GamePad cannot be controlled by the GamePad. This feature only allows Wii software to be displayed on the GamePad. A Wii Remote Plus or Wii Remote is required to play Wii software titles.)
Users can choose to output to the TV and GamePad, or just the TV
A feature to automatically receive recommended software and demo titles from Nintendo using SpotPass
Support for USB keyboards
An option to disable use of a Nintendo Network ID on non-Nintendo hardware, such as PCs and smartphones
Support for Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound when playing Wii software
Changes to Wii U Menu:
Added a friend list icon to the Wii U Menu for easier access to the Friend List
Changes to System Settings:
An option to automatically receive recommended software is now available under “Internet”
A setting to select which cable outputs sound is available through “TV”
Users can choose to output sound through an HDMI cable, non-HDMI cable, or both cables at the same time. Click here for instructions
A setting to adjust the hourly interval in which standby functions are performed is available under “Power Settings” when Standby Functions are enabled
Changes to Wii U Chat:
Added the option to view a friend’s profile on Miiverse when sending or receiving a chat request
Users can now chat using a headset connected to the Wii U GamePad
Changes to Internet Browser:
Pressing the R or L Buttons on the Wii U GamePad will skip video playback forward/back a small amount of time
Holding the R Button will speed up video playback
Ability to save username and passwords for websites that require login (Users can delete saved usernames and passwords from the Internet Browser settings.)
Ability to launch the Internet Browser during gameplay and upload screenshots
Added support for viewing PDF files (Sometimes data may not be displayed correctly depending on the size and format of the PDF file. PDF files cannot be saved.)
Added features intended for website developers that allow the user to enable developer tools and set user agent
Improvements to system stability and usability:
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience