Nintendo Direct Recap: Introducing the New 3DS

This article will be updated periodically with more information and images as we get to them.

Plenty of hype coming into this Direct, especially with what seemed like New 3DS rumors in droves. And with not much in terms of retail 3DS games in the immediate future, should we expect more announcements on the 3DS side of things? What about upcoming Wii U games we haven’t seen much of?

All has been revealed, so let’s see what happened.

We begin with a reveal of the next Fire Emblem game, which will be coming to the 3DS. Do not confuse this with the SMTxFE crossover, this is a completely new game. Iwata promises new choices and challenges that haven’t been seen in the series. No release window was revealed. You can check out the trailer here.

Next up is Puzzle & Dragons Z. This will also include the Super Mario Bros. Edition that was teased earlier in the month. The game (or games, I guess, since they have both as separate games on the package) will be coming to retail in May 2015.

The latest Pokemon puzzle game was revealed. It is called Pokemon Shuffle and it is free to play. In this game, you will be limited in the number of moves you have in a level and can collect Pokemon as you play. Some Pokemon will have Mega Evolutions. Micro-transactions will be in the game, but look to be minor and not game breaking if you don’t buy them. The game will release in February.

Moving to Wii U, Wii games are now going to be available for download through the Wii U’s eShop. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is available now while Punch-Out!! and Metroid Prime Trilogy will release later this month. And as a bonus, these games will be half-price at release.

Transitioning to NOA, we continue with Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. Gameplay elements were shown off, including amiibo support. The game will release February 20th.

A new wave of amiibo ws revealed. These include Robin, Lucina, and Charizard among others. In addition, a Super Mario line of amiibos will be available March 20th, launching next to Mario Party 10. In addition, Mario Party 10 will have an amiibo Mode that uses a number of amiibos. The new Toad amiibo also brings a new update to Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

Splatoon was next with a look at the game hub. They showed off ways you can customize you character with the weapons you load out with and the costume you’ll wear. A release window of May was revealed.

Majora’s Mask DLC will be coming to Hyrule Warriors. This will include a new adventure mode, additional costumes, and Tingle and Young Link with Masks. This will be available February 5th.

We have a new trailer for Xenoblade Chronicles X. The trailer showcased the world you’ll explore, complete with giant monsters, mechs, and just an all out giant, colorful world. Expect it sometime this year.

Following that is Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. The game will have the usual gameplay you expect in the series, including level creation. However, if you like a level, you can tip the creator some stars. The game will be coming March 5th for Wii U and 3DS. In addition, if you purchase one version, you can get a code for a free copy of the other version. Level sharing between versions will also be available.

Leading the 3rd parties, Bandai Namco teased a new game called Project Treasure. But that wasn’t the only game that was featured. Here’s what else is coming soon.

• Elliot Quest
• Blek
• Citizens of Earth
• Gunman Clive 2
• Moon Chronicles, Ep. 2-4
• SEGA 3D Classics
  • 3D After Burner II
  • 3D Fantasy Zone
  • 3D Out Run
  • 3D Fantasy Zone II
  • 3D Thunder Blade
• Etrian Mystery Dungeon
• Story of Seasons

Before moving over to Reggie, we get a new look at Fossil Fighters Frontier. This will be the latest installment of the series. It will include online battles and co-op. A new Vivisaur Stadium will be in the game. This releases in March.

Reggie is up next. And here we see the introduction of the New 3DS to North America. For those that don’t know what it is, the New 3DS is a more powerful version of the system with additional triggers, a C-Stick/nub, and improved 3D that includes Face Tracking. Older games that were Circle Pad Pro enabled will be able to use the new stick. NFC technology will be used on the bottom screen, allowing for amiibo use in games like Super Smash Bros. for 3DS. Brightness will also be changed based on lighting conditions. MicroSD cards will be used in this new iteration. The New 3DS XL will be coming February 13th. However, you’ll need to get a separate AC adapter.

Moving back to games, we get another look at Code Name S.T.E.A.M., the tactical game from Intelligent Systems. The game will be amiibo enabled and use Fire Emblem characters. And in case you missed the Marth amiibo, more will be coming later this year. Code Name S.T.E.A.M. releases on March 13th.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+ was detailed and includes amiibo support for special Nintendo plane skins. This will be coming in March.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D was revealed for the West. This will be coming in April.

A new game was teased. This is IronFall Invasion, a third person shooter coming to the eShop. It is being developed by VDdev. The game will be coming soon, though no date was listed.

A special Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate New 3DS XL bundle was revealed, which will be GameStop exclusive. This and the game will be launching February 13th. The game’s producer then talked about how the new controls will help gameplay. A demo of the game will be coming soon and a puzzle panel will be coming to Mii Plaza.

Finishing off this Direct, we look at Majora’s Mask 3D. 360 degree camera control will be one of the new improvements. We have a solid release date of February 13th. In addition, a Majora’s Mask New 3DS XL will be launched on the same day.

And that’s it for this Nintendo Direct. Like what you saw? Will you be getting a New 3DS? Is your wallet crying in pain? Let us know in the comments.