3DS 2018

The Nintendo Direct came out yesterday, showcasing a number of new titles for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS. This article seeks to focus primarily on the release of the upcoming 3DS titles. Spanning multiple games in 2018, the seven year window of support suggests perhaps the longest and most supportive window Nintendo has ever shown for a handheld. The GameCube and the DS featured several of these titles. While two of them are remakes, one of them is a remix compilation. Check out some of the featured games below.

WarioWare: Gold

WarioWare Gold is the first entry in the series in five years. This succeeds the release of Game & Wario, released for the Wii U in 2013. This is also the first return to a handheld since 2009’s WarioWare DIY for the Nintendo DS. 300 microgames are featured for this new WarioWare title. Many remixed and remade microgames return from the past. Games from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ for GBA, WarioWare: Twisted! for GBA, WarioWare: Touched!, for DS, WarioWare: Smooth Moves for Wii, as well as the aforementioned titles, will be featured in this compilation. This means there will be ways to play this game, ranging from button presses and touching the screen to motion controls and blowing into the mic. In addition, new microgames make their debut in WarioWare Gold.

WarioWare Gold takes a page out of Rhythm Heaven Megamix’s book, utilizing the compilation remix approach. If you’re not familiar with WarioWare, take Mario Party as an example. While it is a mini-game compilation, WarioWare titles are more simplistic and run in a succession. The games appear in spurts, at random, and you must complete the task within a brief time period. Clear them in a series, or risk failing and having to start over. While you progress through the games, you will unlock mini-games and more modes, some of which are longer and deviate from the WarioWare formula. WarioWare’s notoriety stems from poking fun at older Nintendo games. It also features poking humor at other games, and tons of unlockables. Look for WarioWare Gold on 3DS on August 3rd, 2018!

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is the third game in the Mario & Luigi series. Originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, this remake follows in the footsteps of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions, released for the 3DS in 2017. Featuring updated visuals, a rearranged soundtrack, and adjustments to the gameplay, this is the second remake in the series. Mysteriously enough, there is no word on a remake for Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the second game in the series, released for the DS in 2005. However, Bowser’s Inside Story is often lauded as one of the best games in the series. Featuring the ability to play as Bowser, this is the game that features him as the brash antihero, making many fans of Bowser in the process.

Furthermore, this updated entry also features a new tale – Bowser Jr’s Journey. This is a followup to the “Bowser’s Minions” mode featured in last year’s Mario & Luigi title. The RTS mode featured in Bowser’s Minions involved a cast of multiple enemies from Mario’s tale, all searching to rescue Bowser. Bowser Jr. takes the lead role in this story, guiding his minions on an original quest. Bowser’s Minions featured storytelling and lore “behind the scenes” of the story of Superstar Saga. Be sure to check this mode out when Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey launches in 2019!

Author’s Note: I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent into Bowser’s Minions. I hope you enjoy this mode as well!

Luigi’s Mansion

Luigi’s Mansion is a remake of the original GameCube launch title, originally released in 2002. The game’s visuals have been redone and remastered for the 3DS while implementing a bottom-screen interface for the map. New to the series is a Boss Rush mode, allowing you to take on all of the four bosses in the game. For players who have played Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on the 3DS, the original game follows a streamlined progression. This means you are in control of Luigi the whole time, exploring the mansion on your own terms. This is opposed to the mission-based structure of Dark Moon, which sent you to the mansion to clear a stage and repeat. These stages would feature minute differences with each unlocked path until you made it to the boss.

If you have never played Luigi’s Mansion before, the game is an adventure title. As opposed to the traditional Mario platforming, Luigi’s Mansion is based heavily in exploration. Hence, Luigi will use the Poltergeist 3000 – the special vacuum cleaner – to suck up ghosts and purge the mansion of unwelcome poltergeists. You will collect money, which serves as a score feature that unlocks new bonuses and art galleries after you clear the game. You can also use the Poltergeist 3000’s abilities to utilize elements and solve puzzles. Use these abilities to rescue Mario from the depths of the mansion! Is Luigi brave enough to enter the mansion filled with ghosts and save his brother? Find out when the game launches in 2018!

More From Nintendo Direct

Nintendo showcased several 3DS games at the Nintendo Direct. Detective Pikachu and Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers are coming in 2018. Moreover, Nintendo is releasing Sushi Strikers: The Way of the Sushido and Captain Toad: Treasure Trackers for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS. However, the featured games here have a bit of a background on previous Nintendo systems. In addition to being remade titles with new features, they will certainly keep the momentum of the 3DS going well through 2018. I hope that this preview got you hype for these releases and was able to answer any questions you had about the featured games. Therefore, if you’ve been sorely missing the action of Luigi’s Mansion, Mario & Luigi, or WarioWare, no need to worry any longer. Nintendo has you covered and has games ready for play coming later this year!

External Links

Nintendo Direct 3.8.2018