18th April 2013 – In a new Nintendo Direct video announcement today, Nintendo revealed a whole host of news in relation to Nintendo 3DS. Topping the list for many gamers is a new Nintendo 3DS game in The Legend of Zelda series set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The game is scheduled to launch towards the end of the year in Australia and New Zealand. Fans will also be excited to hear that a new game in the Yoshi’s Island series is being developed for Nintendo 3DS.
In keeping with the Year of Luigi theme, this Nintendo Direct announcement featured additional information on upcoming Nintendo 3DS games starring Luigi, including Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros., Mario Golf: World Tour, and a new instalment in the Mario Party series. On Wii U meanwhile, further details were released on New Super Luigi U, due for release this winter in Australia and New Zealand.
To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit: http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect.
Today’s announcements included:
Nintendo 3DS News
- A new game in The Legend of Zelda series: Nintendo developers are working on a new game set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which launched for Super NES in 1992. The game makes use of the 3D abilities of Nintendo 3DS, and allows Link to become a drawing and move within walls. A 3D video of the new game is now available in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. The game is scheduled to launch towards the end of the year.
- A new Yoshi’s Island game: The third instalment in the beloved franchise is making its way to Nintendo 3DS. Yoshi and Baby Mario are back with flutter jumps, ground pounds and egg throws, plus a host of new actions that use the unique features of Nintendo 3DS. More details about the game, as well as launch timing, will be announced in the future.
- Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.: The game takes place on a mysterious island and challenges Mario to go between the real world and Luigi’s dreams to rescue Princess Peach. The game will be available in stores and in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 13th July.
- Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D: This handheld update of the original smash-hit for Wii adds eight new stages that players can enjoy after they have completed the main game, as well as a New Mode optimised for handheld play with new items and mechanics. The game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 25th May.
- Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move: This Nintendo eShop exclusive challenges players to place tiles on the bottom screen to guide the Mini characters to their goal on the top screen. The game offers more than 180 stages in four different modes. Players can also create and upload their own stages, and play those created by other players around the world. The game will launch on 9th May.
- Mario Golf: World Tour: Players who connect their Nintendo 3DS systems to the Internet can play competitive real-time multiplayer matches against others across the globe. They can also use the community feature to find others to play golf with. The game is scheduled to launch this winter in Australia and New Zealand.
- Two games in The Legend of Zelda series for Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons are headed to the Virtual Console service for Nintendo 3DS. The games were originally developed by Capcom and released on Game Boy Color in 2001. The games are interconnected, as playing one unlocks secrets in the other. The games are scheduled to launch in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 30th May.
- Party like it’s the Year of Luigi: A new game in the Mario Party series is scheduled to launch for Nintendo 3DS this summer in Australia and New Zealand. The game features seven different game boards, each with its own set of rules. The game offers 81 new minigames that test speed, concentration and luck. In addition to the board game elements, players will be able to play minigames exclusively or try their hand at AR Card games and a lot more.
- Bravely Default (temp. title): Nintendo has revealed the game will be released in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
- Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy: The third game in the second Professor Layton trilogy sees the Professor travelling the world, solving the riddles of an ancient civilisation. The game will be released in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
- A Nintendo eShop trio from LEVEL-5: LEVEL-5 has assembled a collection of Japan’s top developers to create original games that will be headed to the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS soon. THE STARSHIP DAMREY, from Kazuya Asano and Takemaru Abiko, puts players in a suspenseful adventure where they will have to search for any information available to discover the truth about their circumstances. In BUGS vs. TANKS! from Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune, players control a tiny customisable tank in battle against swarms of giant bugs. In Kaz Ayabe’s ATTACK OF THE FRIDAY MONSTERS! A TOKYO TALE, players will take the role of a young boy who lives where the giant monsters from the TV shows of Japan’s 1970s come to life every Friday.
Wii U News
- EarthBound: Available since March as one of the NES 30th Anniversary Virtual Console games in Japan, the game is set to release in Australia and New Zealand on Wii U Virtual Console, with a launch date to be announced at a later date. The original game was created by Shigesato Itoi for the Super NES, but was never released in Australia or New Zealand.
- New Super Luigi U: Wii U owners who purchase this downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U (a copy of the game is required) will get 82 updated courses and a new adventure featuring Luigi, who can jump higher than Mario, yet has trouble stopping after a dash. Many stages start with only 100 seconds on the timer, and quicker stages are populated with many obstacles. New Super Luigi U is scheduled to be released this winter in Australia and New Zealand during the Year of Luigi.
- Wii U Autumn System Update: Next week’s update will add new functions and enhance existing ones, in addition to launching the Virtual Console service and a free demo of Wii U Panorama View. It shortens loading times when switching between applications or returning to the Wii U Menu.
- Pikmin 3: In addition to new Rock Pikmin, the new game also introduces flying Winged Pikmin that follow the player and can carry items in the air. The game will be launching in just a few months, so stay tuned!
For further details:
Nintendo Direct website http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect
Nintendo Direct on Ustream UK http://www.ustream.tv/NintendoUK
Nintendo AU on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/nintendoau