This is the first time in a long while (E3 2013 comes to mind) since I thought…finally…in response to a Nintendo Direct announcement. I was expecting one amidst news of new hardware, a price drop, and a complete holiday line-up featuring definitive dates for a bunch of highly anticipated games. At last…the moment has arrived! With the major mystery solved since last night (indeed, the Wii U Summer/Fall/Winter 2013 Update has finally been revealed), what’s left to discuss (or surprise us with) during this particular Nintendo Direct? As always, I’m here to find out. Without further ado…
Discussion opened with Super Mario 3D World. This seems to be a new, lengthy trailer that shows off gameplay and the beginning story elements. There also seem to be a handful of new power-ups. Plenty of single-player content is shown, as well. It will release in North America on November 22, Europe November 29 and Australia November 30.
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Next up, Wii Party U. Several new mini-games were discussed. Iwata announced that Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze, previously announced for December 2013, has been delayed worldwide until February 2014. After that, there was a little discussion on Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Speaking of Sonic…
Earlier this morning, Sakurai tweeted about the coming Nintendo Direct. Given that Soraya Saga’s Nintendo Direct-related tweets are usually followed by a new trailer for “X,” it doesn’t seem out of the question that Smash Bros. news is incoming. Turns out that news actually has to do with Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog has been confirmed for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.
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Updates are coming to Pikmin 3’s Mission Mode in the form of paid DLC. Nintendo has also improved things like the game’s ranking/high score system in the form of an update coming to the game right after this presentation. You can try one of these new mission modes free of charge.
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There was lots of talk of third-party content including Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl, Just Dance 2014, Skylanders SWAP Force, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, Sonic Lost World, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies (a demo is available right after this presentation).
Wind Waker HD’s physical version arrives in North America in just a few days. An Animal Crossing shirt inspired by the one that Link wears on Outset Island is available by watching the Nintendo Direct. I’ll offer a screen as soon as I get a chance.
There was lots of talk about Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo Zone locations, and the content associated with them. Nintendo Zones will hold StreetPass data for 6 people at a time, letting you StreetPass 6 people in one stop. Also, Bravely Default has a new trailer and is planned for North American release during Q1 2014, European release on December 6th and Australian release on December 7th.
A Link Between Worlds had new information in this Nintendo Direct. The order you approach each dungeon and how you do so is entirely up to you. The new shop shown just after the previous Nintendo Direct is run by a new character named Ravio. It features items you can rent (and eventually purchase) to explore new areas at your leisure. This is an effort to change up the conventional Zelda formula. As many already know, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will launch in North America and Europe on November 22nd, 2013 and arrive in Australia a day later.
Iwata closed the presentation with a new game announcement. Kirby is coming to Nintendo 3DS in 2014. Expect more announcements regarding this game in the not-too-distant future.
That’s a wrap, ladies and gentlemen. My editing team and I will be updating this post live throughout the day with various assets and additional information as we obtain them. The entire presentation can be viewed below. And, as always, you can check here for more.
