Nintendo had plenty to say with this new Nintendo Direct. Nintendo shed further light on its spring line up, revealing more information about the games everyone knew about and also revealing a few new ones that came as a complete surprise.
Today’s Nintendo Direct kicked off with one of Nintendo’s biggest, as well as its more controversial, games of the year. Star Fox Zero is going full speed ahead into its 22nd April date. Producer Shigeru Miyamoto touted its resemblance to Star Fox 64, in terms of its branching paths. However, there appears to be more commonality than just that. The story appears to be getting the reboot treatment, as anyone that has followed the series closely will notice a few things that don’t quite gel with the stories of previous games. Also, our own Steve Watts noticed bits of recycled dialogue from Star Fox 64. So is this a remake? A reboot? That’s still not entirely clear.
What is clear is that the game’s control scheme will maintain the maligned GamePad gyroscopic aiming system, with Miyamoto stressing that players can get better with practice. But Nintendo did add one new element that addresses anyone that has issues with this control scheme. A newly-revealed two-player mode will allow one player to control the Arwing with a Pro Controller, just like the old days, while a second player can focus on shooting with the GamePad screen. As far as ways to address control criticisms, that’s certainly an idea, alright.
There’s also a Star Fox spin-off game that’s set to debut in April, called Star Fox Guard. This game sees players jumping into a tower defense-style game, where they set up 12 cameras to find and defeat incoming attackers. There are 100 stages included, along with the ability to create custom levels. The physical version of Star Fox Guard will come packed in with Star Fox Zero for a full $59.99 price tag (no UK pricing). Those looking to pick up the games a la carte can get Star Fox Zero for $49.99 (no UK pricing) at retailers or digitally or Star Fox Guard for $14.99 (no UK pricing) on the Nintendo eShop only. Picking up one digital edition will give users a $4.99 (no UK pricing) eShop discount on the other.
Splatoon may not be getting anymore new maps, but the updates are still coming on strong. New updates were detailed, with a new balance patch set to hit on Tuesday, March 8. A second two-part update will issue adjustments to matchmaking, Ranked Battles, and Splatfests, starting in April. Weapon set recommendations, referred to as “Sheldon’s Picks,” will also encourage users to play around with some of the game’s less-appreciated weapons.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has been given a release date on Wii U. The latest sport-taculuar crossover between the two classic franchises is set to hit the console on 24th June, with two new events: Rugby Sevens and Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs. All of the events will be held in areas modelled after the real-world venues set to house the Olympics this summer. The 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is set to hit on 18th March.
Super Mario Maker is set to receive its biggest update yet with addition of even more course elements. These should completely change the way course makers are approaching the game, as Nintendo will introduce keys/locked doors and keys that spawn upon collecting pink coins. The brutal Skewer column from Super Mario World is also making its return, which should make castles even tougher. A Super Expert Mode is also being introduced, which challenges players to complete six Super Expert levels with 100 Marios, with 12 new Mystery Mushrooms as the reward. This latest update is set to hit Super Mario Maker on Wednesday, 9th March.
Publisher Atlus is getting in on the Wii U fun with an all-new IP called Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. The Persona publisher is kicking off a new story, where players must confront a powerful force invading modern-day Tokyo. There are turn-based battles, weapon crafting and fusion, and a blend of Atlus’ RPG mechanics and the strategy of Nintendo’s own Fire Emblem series. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is set to release on 24th June.
Bandai Namco is also bringing some new IP action to Wii U, with a free-to-play game called Lost Reavers. This is an online co-op action game, where friends team up to take on zombies and solve the tricky puzzles within the world’s temples to find treasure. Players can level up and unlock new skills, while also earning enough in-game currency to pick up new weaponry. The Lost Reavers open beta is kicking off on 14th April, while the finalized version hits Wii U on 28th April.
Paper Mario’s 2016 will not be restricted to playing second fiddle to Mario and Luigi. The paper plumber will also be coming to Wii U this year in Paper Mario: Color Splash. This action-adventure game puts Paper Mario and company on Prism Island, which has lost all of its colour. But when Paper Mario’s hammer gets upgraded to the Paint Hammer, it’s up to him to bring colour to anything it hits, whether it’s a colourless piece of landscape or a listless Paper Toad.
Pokken Tournament is set to hit in just a couple of weeks, so there isn’t much more that Nintendo can add prior to its release. But it did detail how some of the in-game leagues will work, as well as a few of the customization options for your trainer. (Yes, there are still Pokemon Trainers here.)
Nintendo’s Bill Trinen also briefly detailed the new My Nintendo rewards program, which will reward players for purchasing digital games, as well as playing around with Nintendo apps. That includes Miitomo, which is set to launch later this month.
Mario and Donkey Kong have pretty much run out of ways to engage in Mini warfare, so they’re letting everybody else get in on the fun with Mini Mario and Friends Amiibo Challenge. Compatible Amiibo can be scanned in to run through standard Mini-style stages. Each of the Amiibo will have their own unique abilities. This game will be a free download on both Wii U and 3DS on 28th April, but users can get early access with the purchase of any Amiibo on 25th March from GameStop, Amazon, or Best Buy in the USA. Series 4 of the Animal Crossing Amiibo Cards have also been locked in for a 10th June release, where the Isabelle Amiibo will also be available a la carte.
There haven’t been many reasons to upgrade from a 3DS to a New Nintendo 3DS, but Nintendo is about to give it a little more effort. Super Nintendo games will make the jump to the 3DS Virtual Console. While they’ll be available on all 3DS models, only the New Nintendo 3DS will be able to access ‘Perfect Pixel’ mode to play these games in their original resolution. Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilotwings are available right now, while Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart, and Earthbound will hit on March 24. April 14 will see the arrival of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest.
Game Freak is an odd duck of a developer, which is why it’s unusual to see them attempt to blend horse racing and solitaire. Players control a jockey that make headway on the track through successful solitaire moves, while also saving boosts for final-second bursts down the stretch. There’s a leveling system, as well as a breeding system, with adorable ponies and none of which get sent to the virtual glue factory. Pocket Card Jockey is set to hit Nintendo 3DS as a digital download in May.
Azure Striker Gunvolt has found a home on numerous platforms, but the sequel will hit Nintendo 3DS first. Gunvolt will be back, but so will Copen, who will act as a playable character. Copen will come with an ability to copy the ability of the game’s seven new boss characters to use for himself. That’s pretty mega, man! Azure Strike Gunvolt 2 is set to release this summer on Nintendo 3DS as a digital download, but until that day comes, 3DS owners can pick up the original game on the eShop at a discounted $9.99.
Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation is moving towards its 10th March release date, where owners of the current Birthright or Conquest can pick it up for $19.99. As for the games already out there, new DLC has been released in the form of the Museum Melee and Ghostly Gold maps for $2.49 each. A third map, called Royal Royale, will hit on 17th March, at which point new maps will made available weekly through 21st April. Those that have purchased Map Pack 1 will get Museum Melee, Ghostly Gold, and Royal Royale at no extra charge.
Hyrule Warriors Legends is also set to hit this month on 3DS, but Nintendo isn’t finished revealing new characters just yet. Medli from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker will also become playable shortly after launch, around the time of the first DLC pack’s release. What’s that? Yes, there is a Season Pass, why do you ask? The Season Pass will throw in four DLC packs and a bonus costume for Ganondorf this year. As for those that own the Wii U version of Hyrule Warriors, should they pick up the retail 3DS version, they’ll receive a special transfer code to bring Linkle, Skull Kid, Tetra, King Daphnes, and Toon Link (also, Ganondorf’s Trident weapon) to that version of the game.
Nintendo’s Art Academy series has already covered Pokemon in the past, so what happens when it tackles Disney? Disney Art Academy will allow users to sketch and colour over 80 characters from the Disney and Pixar libraries. A sharing feature will also be included. Disney Art Academy is set to release on 3DS on 13th May.
Bravely Second: End Layer is already starting to hit European regions, but the wait in North America is almost over. The free demo is set to hit on 10th March, but this is no mere demo. Remember that it’s a completely separate side story not seen in the main game, where players will also be able to earn bonuses for that main campaign when it hits on 15th April.
It’s been a long wait for anyone aching to finally jump into a North American version of Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, but the wait is almost over. Nintendo hasn’t issued an exact date, but has confirmed a 2016 release window.
In addition to over 30 classes and turn-based battles filled with new spells and abilities, players will find refreshed character models and a re-localized story.
Those that have worried about the 3DS line up drying up likely felt very much reassured with today’s Nintendo Direct, especially with the reveal of Monster Hunter Generations. The latest entry in Capcom’s wildly popular action RPG series has been out in Japan for some time, but now it’s making its way out West. There’s a new style system and Hunter Arts on display in the game’s debut trailer, which can be seen below. In addition to that, Fire Emblem fans will find new armour based on Marth’s look in the series. Those that have Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate save data will get some bonus items, but for those that have yet to discover that particular game, Monster Hunter Generations is set to hit 3DS this summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9vZyy4ioWY
Now we hit the damage control portion of today’s Nintendo Direct, as Metroid Prime Federation Force producer Kensuke Tanabe discusses the odd-looking entry into the Metroid Prime series. He starts by noting that it started life as a DSi game, as part of a collaboration with Next Level games. But with other titles taking priority, the project was shelved until last year’s reveal of the New Nintendo 3DS hardware. With more powerful hardware at their disposal, Federation Force was revived. As for the story, Tanabe saw it as an opportunity to explore a completely unexplored element of the Metroid Prime lore and expand on the role of the Galactic Federation and its conflict with the Space Pirates, as a whole. Tanabe acknowledges that there’s far more explaining to do and he will do so at a future date.
The Rhythm Heaven series is coming back with the release of Rhythm Heaven Megamix. There are over 100 rhythm games, including 30 new ones and a handful of ones from the original Game Boy Advance version never release in North America. It’s looking like a much more rhythmic version of WarioWare and should be interesting to see when it hits later this year on 3DS.
This Nintendo Direct concluded with the reveal of an all-new Kirby game. Kirby: Planet Robobot finds Dream Land under siege by a new mechanical race of invaders. Kirby must do as he always does and use his Copy Powers to defeat them, along with a few new Copy abilities. The hook for this game will see Kirby utilize a new robotic supersuit called the Robobot Armour, which can likewise use Copy powers to deliver more mechanical pain. The game will also feature a Team Kirby Clash mode for a four-player co-op boss rush, where players can then level up to take on more powerful quests and enemies.
And just like in Super Smash Bros., Kirby can use his Copy powers picked up in that game by using Amiibo. For example, Mario gives Kirby fire, while Link gives him a sword. A new Kirby line of Amiibo was also revealed, with new versions of Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and the all-new Waddle Dee. Both Kirby: Planet Robobot and the new Kirby Amiibo are set to release on 10th June.
