Nintendo today announces the first in a series of exciting updates for visitors heading to HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016 between 15th and 17th July at the Olympia, London.

In a true celebration of the Japanese phenomenon YO-KAI WATCH® Nintendo will be inviting visitors to step into Springdale, offering them a fully immersive experience and the chance to get involved with a host of YO-KAI WATCH® themed activities. Starting today, Nintendo UK is hosting a unique Fan Art Contest, challenging you to share your artistic interpretation of your favourite Yo-kai in a bid to win a one-off YO-KAI WATCH® prize bundle and have your art prominently showcased on the Nintendo booth at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016 for all visitors to admire. For more details on how to get involved, visit the contest page.

During HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016, you will have the chance to wander the town of Springdale, take part in the iconic YO-KAI WATCH® dance with Jibanyan in front of a green screen with the opportunity for you to share your creation directly to your social channels, as well as take part in a Yo-Kai Stamp Quest, a mission whereby the first 300 people each day to spot ten hidden Yo-Kai located around Springdale on the Nintendo booth (and receive a stamp for each Yo-Kai they spot, as well as a stamp for playing the game on the booth) will be rewarded with a YO-KAI WATCH® Medal Mystery Bag! Everyone that completes the Yo-Kai Stamp Quest will also have the opportunity to enter into a prize draw raffle for a chance to win a host of special YO-KAI WATCH® goodies.

With 2016 being an epic year for RPG offerings on Nintendo 3DS family systems, visitors will be able to get hands-on with some of the best of them, as Nintendo’s booth will feature a wide selection of #3DSAdventures.

Celebrating the launch weekend of Capcom’s Monster Hunter™ Generationsa sprawling action RPG, Nintendo has a whole host of activities planned. As well as being playable on the Nintendo booth, budding hunters can download the Monster Hunter Generations demo from 30th June on the Nintendo eShop and bring their Nintendo 3DS family system to hunt with other players to slay in style. You will also have the chance to follow the action as expert players take to the stage, as well as pose with a Prowler and a host of props in a special Monster Hunter Generations photo set on the Nintendo booth.

DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past will be playable for the first time in the UK exclusively at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016. Visitors will get the opportunity to travel to the past to save the present in this timeless quest, completely revamped from the ground up for Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo UK has today launched a Fire Emblem Cosplay Contest that will give all entrants the opportunity to showcase their creations on the main stage in the Nintendo booth. Those participating will be able to take to the catwalk before an overall winner is decided. The winning entry will receive a whole host of Fire Emblem goodies. To find out more on how to enter please visit the contest page. Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright, Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest and Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation will all be playable on the Nintendo booth, in addition to other #3DSAdventures games that include Hyrule Warriors: Legends, Bravely Second™: End Layer and FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS.

Pikachu is also set to make an appearance at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016 in celebration of the Year of Pokémon. Fans will be able to get a special distribution of Shiny Xerneas (Level 100) for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Be sure to head to the Year of Pokémon area on the Nintendo booth to get your unique download code. Players can also expect to take a walk down Pokémon memory lane to trigger warm feelings of nostalgia, as well as get hands on with some of the most recent Pokémon games including the action packed Pokkén Tournament for Wii U, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon and Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Yellow .

This is just a taste of what’s to come from Nintendo at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016 and more exciting details, activities and playable games will be announced in the coming weeks.

HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016 will take place from Friday 15th July until Sunday 17th July 2016 at the Olympia, London.

To keep up to date with the latest HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016 news from Nintendo UL follow @NintendoUK and head to www.hyperjapan.co.uk to get your tickets!