This past Wednesday, Nintendo held a Nintendo Direct. For those who do not know what these are, they are basically small presentations where Nintendo reveals new information. This was the first since February, and Nintendo had a lot of great news for us. Like the last, it was broadcasted worldwide, at the same time, and hosted by Satoru Iwata. Let’s get started!

Mario and Luigi: Dream Team

Iwata started off the direct strong with the latest installment in the Mario & Luigi RPG games. Like the past installments, it is a turn-based RPG. The game takes place on Pi’illo Island, and our favorite plumbers (with of course, our favorite princess) are there for sightseeing. But of course, it wouldn’t be a Mario game if Princess Peach didn’t get kidnapped yet again! She is pulled into a dream world, which you can only access when Luigi sleeps on a special pillow. This means that Mario must go back and forth between Luigi’s Dream World, and the real world to save the princess.

Looking at game play, this installment to the series seems to retain the fun and excitement we’ve grown to love from the past three games. The battle sequences allow you to use your abilities to fight your foes, such as passing a Koopa shell back and forth between the brothers to kick into an enemy, or shooting fireballs. The combat gets even crazier inside Luigi’s dream, where you control a massive amount of Luigis to help you fight. When you’re outside of combat in Luigi’s dream world, you must interact with a sleeping Luigi on the bottom of the screen to make changes on the upper screen.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team looks like a lot of fun, and it’s now one of my most anticipated games of the year.

Look forward to playing it on your 3DS this August 11th.

Mario Golf: World Tour

Nintendo started off talking about Mario Golf to discuss its new wireless features. As the title would suggest, you can connect online over Wi-Fi to play competitively against other players across the world. The games take place in real time, and you can even upload your scores to participate in large scale competitions. A new system has been added where you can make your own tournaments with special rules, and it will be encouraged to upload and play them. Of course, the game will have local multiplayer just like past Mario Golf games.

You can play golf with your favorite Mario characters IN 3D This Summer.

Mario Party

Next, Iwata introduced the newest game in the Mario Party series. The game features SEVEN huge game boards, each with their own set of rules. In one board, the interaction with other players is very important as you make use of a variety of items that both interfere with opponents, and moves your character along the board. Another map features giant Bullet Bills that can shoot at the characters at almost any time. Iwata boasts the game features 81 new mini-games that are based on skill, luck, concentration, and more. One of the more interesting mini-games that I saw was one that used the 3DS’s AR card to make a giant tower appear, and that you have to control your character up it.

There isn’t any word if there will be online multiplayer, but will more than likely feature local play.

Have a party with Mario Party in up to THREE dimensions, launching This Winter.

New Super Luigi U

Taking a break from 3DS news, New Super Luigi U was discussed. For those who missed the past Nintendo Direct, this is a downloadable content package for New Super Mario Bros. U. While the over world map stays the same, all 82 stages in the game are completely changed, to allow you to experience a brand new adventure featuring Luigi. Luigi is much different from how Mario is played in the main game. Luigi can jump much higher than Mario, allowing him to reach higher ledges and platforms. However, it is harder for him to stop moving after dashing. Also, every stage starts with only 100 seconds. This is to encourage players to play stages again and again. The fast paced movement of some of the stages in this DLC is reminiscent of Rayman Origins’ treasure levels.

This fantastic looking level pack launches This Summer.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

We were given new information on this title as well. As you know, this is a remake on the Wii version. This remake features several noticeable differences. Most noticeable, there is a new game mode that has adjusted the game buttons to better optimize the game for portable playability. Also, the game mode starts you off with three hearts instead of two. There are new items, like the Portable DK Barrel, that calls Diddy Kong out at any time, or the Green Balloon, which brings you back to ground if you fall off a level. Fortunately for those still looking for a challenge, you can play the game with the Wii version’s original difficulty mode. The game also adds a new world with 9 new levels, and a wireless cooperative mode to enjoy with a friend.

Play the game again May 24th.

Yoshi’s Island 3DS

Not much is known about the latest game in the Yoshi’s Island series. During its reveal, Iwata focused mainly on how it retains the same fun gameplay mechanics as the other games in the series, while adding new actions that utilizes the system’s unique features.

More information about the game will be coming in the near future.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move

The latest game to hit the Mario vs. Donkey Kong franchise is yet another downloadable game puzzle game, but with a new twist. This time around, you have to place tiles in certain locations to get the mini characters from the start to the finish. While you move tiles around on the bottom screen, the action goes on on the upper screen. The areas range from small, to very big, and most of the time you’ll be guiding along more than one mini. The game features over 180 stages spread across 4 different modes. A nice feature is the ability to upload stages that you have created and download stages created by other players. Aside from the game itself are four unique looking mini-games, for you to take a break from the puzzle solving.

You can download these Minis (and play on the Move) from the 3DS eShop, This May 9th.

Wii U Spring System Update

Heading back to Wii U news, Iwata mentioned the Spring Update. This update brings several changes to the Wii U hardware.

Here is a full list of changes:

Great new loading times when switching between software and going back to the Wii U menu.

Adds the ability to copy and transfer data between two USB devices.

Automatically install software while playing other games.

Automatically receive and download updates, even without starting up the software.

Add the ability to hold the B button while turning on the Wii U to go straight to the Wii menu.

button while turning on the Wii U to go straight to the Wii menu. Adds a standby feature that will continue to download and install updates, even after the system is shut off.

Virtual Console This will start the day after the system update itself. You can transfer your Virtual Console games from Wii mode that you already own to the Wii U Virtual Console for a small fee $1 for each NES game you own $1.50 for each SNES game you own

You can play these games on the Wii U gamepad.

Panorama View will be available as a demo following the update. This is a tour application that allows you to use the gamepad to view areas all around the world. An example used in the direct was on the back of a Double-Decker bus. You can move the gamepad all around to see the tour in multiple directions.



This is an exciting update, and you can download it on to your Wii U Next Week.

Pikmin 3

Following the end of the Wii U update discussion, Iwata got his jimmies rustled when he brought up Pikmin 3! He showed off a new type of Pikmin, which can fly and is pink. They are so cleverly named Winged Pikmin. Look, he’s on the cover too!

While they didn’t state the release date during the direct, Nintendo’s official twitter tweeted the release date. Go on another crazy adventure as Captain Olimar and adorable little Pikmin, this August 4th.

Earthbound

Exciting news! Nintendo recognized the outcry from Earthbound fans, and promised that the game would be a Wii U Virtual Console download by the end of the year, in both America and Europe.

The actual release date will be announced at a later time.

Game & Wario

Iwate passed the torch to Bill Trinen, a representative from Nintendo of America. After discussing the unique styles of the Wii U connectivity between the gamepad and the TV, he brought up Game & Wario. This game, exclusive for the Wii U, brings back out favorite garlic-loving, money-pinching hero… or is it villain? Anyway, Wario is back, and so are all of his friends from Diamond City.

The game uses a lot of connectivity between the two screens, such as in the mini-game Pirates. Wario, who is on a pirate ship, directs which way you need to point the Wii U gamepad to protect the ship from destruction. Another mini-game, which personally looks like a lot of fun, is called gamer. While on the Wii U gamepad you are playing mini -games in the familiar way of past Wario game installments, the TV adds a whole new layer of the game. While playing the games on the gamepad, you must keep an eye out for your mother on the TV, who can pop in randomly to make sure you’re sleeping. You’re goal is to quickly pause your game so your mother doesn’t catch you.

Something unique about Game & Wario, is that even when you’re playing by yourself, people around you can help out with tips and advice, such as telling you the mother is nearby in the mini-game mentioned above.

You can hang out with Wario himself on the Wii U this June 23rd.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

Bill took a moment to discuss MH3U, the newest installment of the monster Killing game by Capcom. He wanted to remind player both new and old that they can watch helpful videos on Nintendo’s Youtube page for the game. He also mentions the new software update for the Wii U version, which is available now, that allows off-screen play, and let’s players in North America play with players in Europe.

Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins

For those who have played the Wii U game, Lego City Undercover, can now rest in peace knowing they can figure out how Chase Mccain got his job as an undercover cop in Lego City, coming very soon for the Nintendo 3DS. This is a completely different game from its sequel, as you have to work your way up from the new guy on the force to the Chase Mccain we play in the Wii U version.

Experience Lego City on the 3DS, April 21st.

Swapnote

Bill states a special reminder that Swapnote users will be getting a special note from someone close to the game, and that if you’ve played a few select recent releases on the 3DS, you should keep an eye out for even more special notes.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Bill wonders which way a gamer should go when acquiring Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Do you download it and have it whenever you have your 3DS system, or do you buy it in stores and add the game to your physical collection. Instead, he pulls out a great third option.

Launching alongside the game, there will be a special 3DS XL edition of Animal Crossing: New Leaf with the game preinstalled onto the system. The bundle will cost $219.99, and it’s a great way to jump into the series.

The game, and the bundle, launch June 9th.

The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons

These two games, originally released on the Game Boy Color by Capcom will be released soon to the Nintendo 3DS eshop. One of the biggest things about the original game was the connectivity between the two. It allowed the player to travel back and forth between the two lands, and even fight a secret boss. Well, luckily for us, the connectivity will remain once the two games are released on the eShop.

Experience both Zelda adventures from 2001 this May 30th.

Bravery Default: Flying Fairy

Bravery Default is an RPG that Japan players have been enjoying for a few months that adds interesting twists. As the player, you have the option to skip your turn to do double the damage your next. The visuals look great, and the game features AR functionality, along with multiple endings and unique wireless features.

The game will see US soil in 2014.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy

The newest installment featuring Professor Layton wraps up the 2nd trilogy in the series. As always, you must travel around the world to solve puzzles, which there are over 500 of.

The story ends in 2014.

The Starship Damry, Bugs vs. Tanks! and Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale

Level 5 Studios has three new eShop games for us coming soon. Here is a little information on the three:

The Starship Damry – A horror-type game, you start off with no information and no tutorials, and you have to figure out how you came to be in this mysterious ship.

Bugs Vs. Tanks! – This game… well is exactly what it sounds like. You play as WWII tanks that have mysteriously shrunk down to the size of ants, and you must fight bugs! The tanks are completely customizable to your whim, and you must do so to survive in this microscopic world.

Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale – You take the role as Sota, a young boy living in Japan, where Giant Monsters from 70’s Japanese Shows come to life, every Friday.

Expect to see more information about these three games later this year.

Shin Megami Tensei IV

As a few of you may know, Shin Megami Tensei IV is launching this summer in North America. Atlus, the creators, is going all out for the initial release of the game. Every copy in the original shipment comes with a music CD, strategy and design book, and a collectable outer slip case, free of charge.

The game will launch July 16th.

Zelda 3DS

In a complete surprise, Bill passed the Nintendo torch over to The Regginator that gave us the most exciting news of the evening. He goes on to talk about how A Link to the Past was released in 1992, at that it is his favorite game of all time. Now, more than 20 years later, he reveals that there is a NEW Zelda game in development for the Nintendo 3DS.

*insert extreme amounts of excitement here*

The game is a top-down style game that uses traditional controls, not touch controls like Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. The game is to perfectly use the flat top-down Zelda world mixed in with the 3-Dimensional display of the 3DS. This game takes place in the same world as A Link to the Past, but it has a whole new story with brand new dungeons. The Link in this game also has the ability to become a drawing, and move within walls.

The newest Zelda adventure will release This Holiday Season.

Well everyone, that’s a round-up of this past week’s Nintendo Direct! Which game shown are you most excited for? Leave a comment down below!