Melbourne Australia, September 16th 2011 – From the 24th of September, Nintendo Australia will be launching their amazing Nintendo Connection Tour for 2011 and Impulse Gamer were given a hands on sneak peak of what the public will be able to see and more importantly, play.

Going into the heart of Nintendo Australia in Scoresby Melbourne, the following titles were available for the media to road test which included Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Kid Icarus Uprising, Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident, Kirby’s Adventure Wii, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games and <phew>… Just Dance 3.

Before I get to the reviews, Nintendo Australia should have been in the amazing book “Where We Work – Creative Office Spaces” as it’s easily the coolest office around with a life size Link statue, I kid you not and a special room called the playdium where we tested out some of these new titles. What a place! Of course, we’re here for the games so let’s start with Kirby’s Adventure Wii.

When it came to multiplayer fun, Kirby’s Adventure Wii was the standout title which allowed up to four gamers to engage in classic side scrolling arcade action with a 21st century twist. Unlike the original NES game, this title featured a severly overhauled gaming engine that looked and played amazingly on the Wii. With classic Kirby power-ups and a variety of different characters such as Meta Knight and Waddle Dee, this is one Wii title that Nintendo fans should keep an eye out for.

The upcoming Mario Kart for the 3DS is another title that gamers should pay close attention too. Just like the classic game, Mario Kart, this new incarnation of the popular series features stunning 3D graphics and more importantly, revamped gameplay for the 3DS that features some great hang-gliding and underwater levels. While we’re still on the 3DS, Super Mario 3D Land is reminiscent of Mario 64, however incorporates the puzzles and elements of the 2D Super Mario. 3D is used exceptionally well in this game as you jump on blocks and defeat your enemies in classic Mario fashion.

Kid Icarus Uprising, another 3DS title is almost 20 years in the making and returns gamers to Pit as he fights his way through a variety of enemies that is reminiscent of those old school space shooters as you fly around. Apart from air combat, there is also a healthy dose of ground combat with some extraordinary boss battles. My favourite aspect of this title was the various weapons that were available to the gamer.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, another anticipated title of 2011 moves away from the classic Legend of Zelda gameplay and focuses on battles, thanks to the innovative controls of the Wii as you use your sword and shield to defeat a plethora of enemies. Add in sky battles and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is definitely a strange yet enjoyable incarnation of the Zelda series as players return as Link.

With a variety of games on display for the media, the most surprising and addictive title for me was Kirby Mass Attack, the last DS game to be published by Nintendo which reminds me of Lemmings meets the iPad as you use your stylus to flick and move a group of Kirby’s to solve puzzles, collect fruit and overwhelm enemies. It’s addictively entertaining!

If you’re a fan of the Nintendo, you really need to check out the Nintendo Connection Tour 2011 and to find out if the tour is near, check out http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/connection-tour-2011/ 

Show your support and gaming skill at a Nintendo Connection Tour near you!