Nintendo Direct Recap: Majora’s Mask Crashes the Show

NOTE: This article will be updated periodically as more information and images become available. Also, while this recap will primarily focus on what happens in the North American Direct, we will be covering games and announcements for both NOA and NOE.

It’s strange. We’ve had a number of Directs in the past few months, including two Super Smash Bros. Directs, but we haven’t had a multi-game Direct since E3. Heck, we haven’t had one outside of the conference since February. It’s especially weird since it seemed like Nintendo was having a Direct nearly every month last year.

So, what are we hoping to see this time around? Well, Nintendo has said that it will feature games coming to the 3DS and Wii U this holiday season as well as early next year. In addition, we did get a tweet from Soraya Saga, which generally means that something Monolith Soft related will be appearing, such as a sequel to 2012’s Game of the Year. Could we also see more of a new 3DS strategy game coming from Intelligent Systems? Information on a crossover at least a year and a half in the making? A localization of a game many of us have been hoping for? Let’s see…

The Direct starts with a bang as the long asked for 3D remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was revealed. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata made his first appearance in a Nintendo Direct to reveal the release window of Spring 2015.

Following this, we got more information on Code Name S.T.E.A.M. This is the steam punk strategy game that was revealed in a closed press event at E3. Four characters were talked about: Henry Fleming, Lion, Tiger Lilly, and Tom Sawyer. The game is slated for a Spring 2015 release in North America and May 2015 in Europe.

Ultimate NES Remix was talked about briefly. It will include a special Famicom Remix mode as well as a sped-up version of Super Mario Bros and online leaderboards for every challenge. A Famicom theme will also be available for those that purchase the game either at retail or through the eShop. The 3DS version of the games will be coming to North America on December 5th. The game will release in Europe on Friday.

Next, we move on to a Wii U game, the puzzler Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. A new trailer was made to show off the over 70 stages in the game. The game is scheduled for release in North America on December 5th and in Europe on January 2nd. Nintendo also took the time to show off how you can pre-order select games on the eShop.

We now go to Super Smash Bros. As the previous Direct two weeks ago covered all the details you could ever want to know about the game, Nintendo kept it simple with just amiibo talk. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will release in North America on November 21st and in Europe on November 28th.

Following this is a new trailer for Mario Kart 8 DLC, featuring Link and other upcoming racers and tracks. We were told a while back that new content will be coming to the game, with the free Mercedes-Benz DLC releasing back in August. Today, they announced the first batch of paid DLC, which includes Link and his Zelda-themed car, comes November 13th for $7.99/€8.00/£7.00. The next batch will come May 2015. You can buy both together for a discounted price. Some amiibos will also be used in game, adding costumes for your Mii.

We then get a new look at Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush in Europe). This game features a clay-like setting as well as multiplayer, where friends can play as Waddle Dees to help Kirby out. The game will be coming in February 2015 in North America and the second half of 2015 for Europe. It will also have amiibo features.

Hyrule Warriors will also have amiibos as well, which will be coming thanks to an upcoming update. Around the same time, gamers can purchase a Twilight Princess add-on for the game.

After this, a trailer for the Duck Hunt Dog in Super Smash Bros. was shown. But this was a ruse as it was really a way to announce that Duck Hunt would be coming to the Wii U Virtual Console.

After this revelation, Nintendo took some time to talk about the indies coming to Nintendo — or Nindies, as they call them. They also invited you to check out their coverage from IndieCade on the Nintendo YouTube channel. Nintendo also focused on a number of ways they’re reaching out to third parties, such as themes for Sonic and Shovel Knight on 3DS, the upcoming Persona 3DS, and a Commander Video trophy in Super Smash Bros.

Here’s a list of Nindies that were shown during the presentation with release dates/windows from Nintendo’s press release:

• Wii U
  • Runbow – 2015
  • Chromophore: The Two Brothers Director’s Cut – Winter
  • Citizens of Earth – Winter
  • Nihilumbra – Winter
  • The Swapper – November 6th
  • Thomas Was Alone – November 25th
  • Proun+ – Winter
  • Trine Enchanted Edition – Winter
  • Chariot – Winter
  • A.N.N.E. – Winter
  • Gunman Clive 2 – Winter
  • SteamWorld Heist – Spring 2015
  • Affordable Space Adventures – Q1 2015
  • Gone Home – Winter
  • High Strangeness – Winter
  • forma.8 – Winter
  • A World of Keflings – November 13th
  • Tengami – November 13th
  • Swords & Soldiers II – Winter
  • Beatbuddy – Q1 2015
  • Sportsball – November 6th
  • 6180 the moon – Winter
  • Rive – 2015
• 3DS
  • Citizens of Earth – Winter
  • Treasurenauts – Q1 2015
  • Xeodrifter – Q4 2014

Following this was a trailer for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, which featured cat characters (I don’t know what they’re called; if you do, feel free to say what they are in the comments below) in Mario and Luigi suits.

Following this was an appearance of Shigeru Miyamoto, talking about a Pikmin animation that he was working on while Pikmin 3 was in development. The shorts are available for $4.99/€4.99/£4.49 on 3DS and Wii U. You can also see the sketches he did for the animation in Flipnote Studio as part of the movie. Also, a demo of Pikmin 3 is available on the eShop.

Xenoblade Chronicles X was given a new trailer. In addition, we have more details about the game. People have left Earth and are looking for refuge. You will conduct planetary research from your home base of New Los Angeles. The game has been described as “massive” by Mr. Iwata. Xenoblade Chronicles X will release sometime in 2015.

To close the Direct, we were shown a new trailer for Splatoon. This trailer featured a number of enemy octopi that will appear in the single player campaign. Splatoon will release Q2 2015.

So, what did you think of this Nintendo Direct? Let us know in the comments below, and vote in the poll as well.

Click here for details specific to the European Direct.