Nintendo sprung another Wii U and 3DS-centered Nintendo Direct presentation on us this morning. The previously scant lineup of games for Nintendo systems in the coming months is now fairly bursting at the seams with many first party titles, even if quality 3rd-party titles are still more or less conspicuously missing. You can watch the full 37 minute presentation on Nintendo’s youtube channel here, or check out a summary of the many, many announcements below:
-2013 is the “Year of Luigi”
-Poltergust used in a more complicated puzzle-solving role in Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon — carrying a bucket to move water around, etc.
-There’s a dark light attachment for the flashlight that helps you see things otherwise invisible as well
-Multiplayer in Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon lets four different coloured Luigis work in co-op to go through a mansion called the “Scarescraper”.
-Luigi’s Mansion: DM’s multiplayer will support local, download play, and online.
-Other multiplayer modes include Hunter Mode (where you try to capture all of the ghosts as quickly as possible), Rush Mode (where you try to finish a floor before a time limit runs out), and Chase/Polterpup Mode where you look for and try to catch hidden ghost dogs
-Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon will be released on March 24th
-New Mario & Luigi RPG for 3DS
-Menu screen in M&L let’s you poke a sleeping Luigi’s face in a similar way to Mario’s face at the title screen for Super Mario 64. It’s more than that, though, as the face manipulation becomes a mechanic in the game to manipulate objects in Luigi’s dream world (the game’s setting).
-The graphic style is a very unique kind of 2D cel-shading on 3D models and environments.
-Officially called Mario & Luigi Dream Team and is coming out this Summer.
-New Mario Golf for 3DS from Camelot announced
-Called Mario Golf World Tour and also coming this Summer.
-“New Super Luigi U” DLC coming for New Super Mario Bros. U that will add an additional 80 levels and be Luigi-centric.
-New Super Luigi U DLC will be available from the eShop later this year.
-New Miiverse community available today on the Wii U for general Legend of Zelda discussion, particularly about the upcoming Zelda titles for 3DS and Wii U
-First DLC map for Fire Emblem Awakening available for free until March 6th (afterwards it will be $2.50). The “Champions Pack” of maps price will also be rising from $4.00 to $6.00.
-Two new DLC maps available today as well for $2.50 each, or as part of the Champions or new Golden map packs.
-Animal Crossing: New Leaf for 3DS launching on June 9th
-No more doing chores for Tom Nook, as mayor it’s your job to look after the town and customize it as you see fit
-Initial house loan is much smaller, so you can move on to remodelling and customizing the outside of your house
-Many shops now available together in the “Main Street Shopping Area” across the train tracks so you don’t have to run around your town from shop to shop
-Street called “Happy Home Showcase” where you can see the houses of people you’ve StreetPassed
-Special online and wireless multiplayer coming to the US version of the game, and will be detailed more at a later date
-New GracieGrace Animal Crossing-themed clothes coming to StyleSavvy if anyone cares
-LEGO City Undercover coming to Wii U on March 18th
-LEGO City Undervocer The Case Begins coming to 3DS April 21st
-The 3DS game is set two years before the Wii U version and will have an understandably smaller scope
-New free update to Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge coming for the Wii U with new costumes and challenge levels
-WiiStreet U Powered by Google available free for a limited time starting today from the eShop
-HarmoKnight, the new downloadable rhythm platformer game for the 3DS from Pokemon developers Game Freak will feature a bonus Pokemon-themed level and launch on March 28th on the eShop
-Another 3DS eShop title called Kersploosh! where you guide a rock past obstacles down a well to the water below is coming to the eShop on March 7th.
-New Mario and Donkey Kong Minis on the Move announced for the 3DS eShop and is “coming soon”
-Dillion’s Rolling Western: The Last Ranger announced, still an action tower defence game.
-New characters introduced in Dillion’s Rolling Western: TLR that will join you once they’re defeated
-Dillion’s Rolling Western: TLR launches on April 11th.
-Two GameBoy Color Harvest Moon games coming to the 3DS Virtual Console
-If you register a 3DS XL and either Luigi’s Manion: DM or Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity between March 21 and April 30, you can download one of Super Mario 3D Land, Freakyforms Deluxe, Art Academy, Prof. Layton and the Miracle Mask, or Starfox 64 3D for free.
-Various 3DS eShop games going on sale including: Bit Trip Saga for 9.99 starting today, Crashmo for 5.99 starting Feb. 21, Fractured Soul for $7.99 starting Feb. 28, Sakura Samurai for 4.99 starting Mar. 7th, Ketzal’s Corridors for 4.99 starting Mar. 14th, and Mutant Mudds for 5.99 starting Mar. 21st
-ZombiU Wii U Deluxe bundle coming Feb. 17th for $389.99
-Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien coming to the Wii U eShop
-Zen Pinball 2 coming to Wii U eShop and will be available for free with trials of various tables this month
-Toki Tori 2 is launching for the Wii U eShop this March
-Castlevania: Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate coming to 3DS on Mar. 5th with a demo available on Feb. 28th
-Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate coming to Wii U and 3DS on Mar. 19th
-Need for Speed Most Wanted U coming to Wii U Mar. 19th as well
-NFS: Most Wanted U will be the first 3rd party game to incorporate Miiverse allowing you to post and receive messages in-game and includes the Ultimate Speed Pack DLC for free.
-Walking Dead Survival Instinct comes to the Wii U on Mar. 26th
-Injustice Gods Among Us comes to Wii U on Apr. 16th, will feature DLC
-Disney Infinity coming to Wii, Wii U, and 3DS in June
-Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D coming to the 3DS, apparently mostly the same as the Wii game. A 3D video is available of it today on the 3DS eShop.