As you may have guessed from the title of this post, I am somewhat ecstatic about the contents of today's EU Nintendo Direct. I can barely contain my excitement, but I will try to keep things calm.
We were treated to an introduction by Satoru Iwata, Mario and Luigi. As 2013 is the Year of Luigi, Satoru Iwata gave us some more details on upcoming games that featured the green plumber.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.
The next in the Mario & Luigi series, which sees Mario travelling into Luigi's dreams after Princess Peach is kidnapped (didn't see that one coming ¬_¬). The game features the Bros. attacks that have been seen in the previous games, but Mario can also enlist the help of hundreds of Luigis in the dream world.
I played the first Mario & Luigi game and loved it, but I got a little lax about the DS ones. However, I do have access to those, as my mum owns them. Still, this one looks good and I am mighty tempted by it.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros. is due for release on the 3DS on July 12th.
Mario Golf: World Tour
To me, this is just a game that is stopping Camelot from developing Golden Sun 4. However, I know that it will turn out to be a decent game, because Camelot are developing it. I wouldn't rush out to go buy it personally, but it sounds like it will be worth buying if you're into golf games.
It features local and online multiplayer, communities like Mario Kart 7 and custom rules. So, if you want a tournament where you can only play as Luigi, you can set one up, as suggested by Mr. Iwata.
Mario Golf: World Tour is due for release some time in the summer.
Mario Party
A new entry for the Mario Party series, this will be a 3DS game. It will feature several different boards, all with their own rules to play by. Since this is due for release in the winter, I imagine that more details will be revealed in the near future.
As I have said, Mario Party is due for release on the 3DS this winter.
New Super Luigi U
As you could guess from the title, this will be a title for the Wii U... or rather, add-on software for a pre-existing Wii U title. New Super Luigi U will change all the levels in New Super Mario Bros. U, and Luigi will be the only playable character. Luigi jumps higher than Mario, but has less traction.
New Super Luigi U will be available for download this summer.
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Next up is a remake of a Wii game. If you experienced the Wii game, this will be more of the same thing (I'd recommend it). However, the game has a coward- I mean 'New Mode', that increases the number of hits Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong can take, and several items that offer aid for newcomers to the series.
I may pick this one up, but I will only play in Original Mode.
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is due out on the 3DS on May 24th.
Yoshi's Island 3DS
Nintendo have announced a new game in the Yoshi's Island series, following on from Yoshi's Island DS. We were given very little information. All the usual gameplay one would expect of Yoshi's Island was shown, but there was also the addition of a gigantic egg that destroyed the stage after it was thrown.
More details on this new Yoshi's Island game will be revealed in the future.
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move
A new addition to the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, this title will be a downloadable game from the 3DS eShop. It appears that you have to guide clockwork Marios and other characters through various stages by placing tiles with pathways upon them. There are also four minigames, and there is the ability to create custom levels and upload them to the internet. Naturally, you will also be able to download other people's creations.
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move will be available from the 3DS eShop on May 9th.
Wii U Spring Update
Next up was an announcement that the Wii U will receive an update next week that speeds up loading times, as well as allowing it to install downloaded software automatically and perform background downloads. This is all good news, especially as I have been playing a lot of Monster Hunter on my Wii U lately.
Wii U Virtual Console
The day after the update, Virtual Console will be available on the Wii U. This allows people to download games from previous Nintendo consoles, for a price of course. The launch line-up hasn't been officially confirmed, although Nintendo did show a few titles that would be available. I caught glimpses of Super Mario World and Mario's Super Picross amongst others.
Pikmin 3
Continuing the Wii U news, the existence of the Winged Pikmin was confirmed. It had been seen in last year's E3 trailer, but not until now was it officially named. We were shown the box art; the Winged Pikmin features on it. Other the next few months, we will receive gradual details about this game.
EarthBound
A mere nine years after EarthBound was released in Japan, it will finally hit the shores of Europe. It will be available on the Wii U Virtual Console, before the end of this year.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
As the release date for my next favourite game draws near, the prices for the downloadable content were revealed. A single map will cost £1.79, with three available to begin with. However, there are map packs, which will cost £4.49; cheaper than buying all three separately. For the first month after release, the first DLC map will be free, whilst the map pack will be available at the reduced price of £2.99.
I will be downloading these maps; after all, it's more Fire Emblem, and I love me some Fire Emblem.
LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins
The prequel to the Wii U's recently released LEGO City Undercover, this will be a 3DS title. The trailer made me chuckle a couple of times, and if the reviews for LEGO City Undercover are to be believed, this could turn out to be a great game.With the London MCM Comic Con looming, however, I am holding off on purchasing games recklessly, so I won't be getting hold of this straight away.
LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins will be released for the Nintendo 3DS on April 26th.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Animal Crossing will be doing a lot of social networking, with official Facebook and Twitter profiles. The official website has also been launched.
As for the game itself, a new feature was shown off; the ability to dream about other's towns and enter them. You can then copy any designs you like and take them back to your own town.
I can't be entirely sure whether I'll get this or not; it's a very laidback game and it will depend upon my mood at the time of release.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf will be released for the Nintendo 3DS on 14th June. There will also be a limited edition Animal Crossing 3DS XL, with the game preinstalled, released the same day.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
The next in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, this game sees you take on the role of a Pokémon and explore mysterious dungeons. If I remember correctly, you can generate dungeons using the 3DS' AR capabilities.
I've not really played the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, so this isn't exactly a high priority for me.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity will be released for the 3DS on May 17th.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
These two Zelda titles were Game Boy Color games that were released side by side. However, unlike certain other games that had two released at the same time (I'm looking at you, Pokémon), both were unique. Oracle of Ages had you travelling through time with the Harp of Ages, whilst Oracle of Seasons had you manipulating the seasons with the Rod of Seasons.
Oracle of Ages was my first handheld Zelda experience, and I cannot wait to play through it again. This time I will be able to experience the game fully, as I will download Oracle of Seasons as well. The two could be linked via a password, which would allow access to new items and bosses.
Both games will be available to download from the 3DS eShop on May 30th.
Level-5 Games
If you've played any of the Professor Layton or Inazuma Eleven games, you'll probably be familiar with Level-5. Of course, they are responsible for publishing other games, such as those that featured in the Guild collections. They brought three games from Japan's Guild01 collection to the EU 3DS eShop, two of which I downloaded and enjoyed very much; Liberation Maiden and Crimson Shroud.
There was a second set of games, Guild02. Three of them from that collection will be making their way onto the EU 3DS eShop: The Starship Damrey, Bugs vs. Tanks and Attack of the Friday Monsters: A Tokyo Tale.
The Starship Damrey puts you on an abadoned ship, with no information at all. You have to explore and gather information in order to discover what has happened.
Bugs vs. Tanks is exactly what it says on the tin. Created by Keiji Inafune, the man behind Mega Man, this game sees you taking control of a shrunken World War II era tank and fighting bugs. This one interests me the most.
Attack of the Friday Monsters: A Tokyo Tale follows the adventures of a boy who lives in a town where monsters from Japanese 1970s movies come to life every Friday. This game couldn't sound any more Japanese if it tried, in my opinion. I will be keeping an eye out for this and seeing how well it does in reviews before considering downloading it.
Shin Megami Tensei IV
The fourth game in the Shin Megai Tensei series (bet you would have never guessed that), and another top quality RPG for the 3DS. I've only recently experienced the world of Shin Megami Tensei with Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, but from what I've played, I am looking forward to this.
A European release for Shin Megami Tensei IV has been confirmed, but no dates announced yet.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
Considering as this will be the sixth Professor Layton game, I am sure that many of you will be familiar with the professor and his sidekick Luke. It was inevitable that this would receive a European release, and that was confirmed in today's Nintendo Direct.
I haven't really played the series, but I'm certain this will be good news for Professor Layton fans.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
An amazing trailer was shown for this game, and I immediately decided I want it. Considering as Bravely Default is an RPG developed by Square Enix, there is a lot of hope for this one. Also, it has a similar art style to Final Fantasy IV on the DS. The trailer featured everything you would expect from a Square Enix RPG: magic, dragons, crystals, swords, mysterious characters...
There was some doubt about whether this would be released outside of Japan, but it has been confirmed that Europe will be receiving this brilliant looking game.
The Legend of Zelda 3DS
We were informed some time ago that there would be a new Legend of Zelda game for the 3DS. There was much speculation, with people guessing at a remake of either A Link to the Past or Majora's Mask.
What was revealed today was a new top-down Zelda game, set in the same world as a Link to the Past. You have no idea how hard it was for me to keep my composure when this was revealed...
Anyway, it seems that the dungeons will be towers, as the 3D effect allows the distinction between floors to be made so much easier. From what was shown, the sword and shield will be there as tradition dictates, and it seems that there will be a hammer item.
One of the new features is the ability to allow Link to turn into a drawing on the wall, offering a new perspective for dungeons. It also allows him to slip through barred windows and access new areas.
This new Zelda game will be released for the 3DS some time late this year.
I'm not sure I'll get this- hahahahahaha! Of course I'm going to pick it up! I mean, come on; a new Zelda game!
Ahem... right, in summary here are the results of today's Nintendo Direct:
I must own these, no matter what happens. Why must all their release dates be so far away?
The Legend of Zelda 3DS, Fire Emblem: Awakening (but you know that), Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, Shin Megami Tensei IV, The Legend of Zelda: Oracles, and EarthBound.
All the other games are ones I shall watch with interest.
With a presentation like this, I am looking forward to Nintendo's E3 presentation.
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