Nintendo held another Nintendo Direct presentation this morning discussing some of their upcoming games for their Wii U and 3DS systems.
Global President, Satoru Iwata, began with Nintendo’s third party partners. Sega’s Sonic: Lost World is a Wii U and 3DS title featuring some really cool platforming ideas and is a bit of departure from their past series entries – which is a good thing! The two versions can communicate with each other through a local wireless connection and the player can create and customize vehicles on the 3DS and send them to the Wii U version of the game. Each title will be available October 22.
Next, Mr. Iwata discussed the much anticipated Rayman Legends, a direct sequel to 2011’s critically acclaimed Rayman Origins. The game features include traditional Rayman style platforming with additional touch pad controls for up to five players, creating some truly unique playing options. This time around you can also play as a Mario costumed character. Rayman Legends will be available for the Wii U September 3.
A departure from games, Art Academy Sketchpad is Nintendo’s gift to all you creative types. The Nintendo community has been creating some incredible drawings using the Wii U tablet and Art Academy will now give them more drawing specific tools and the ability to upload their content to the Miiverse for the world to see. The software launches on the Nintendo eShop August 9.
Mr. Iwata then gave way to Erik Peterson from Nintendo of America Treehouse. He briefly mentioned Pikmin 3, essentially to highlight the titles availability, and proceeded to discuss Mario and Luigi: Dream Team and Pokemon Rumble U.
Some great news for retro gamers, Mr. Peterson announced a number of classic titles that will be making their way to Nintendo’s eShop. Summer Carnival 92 Recca, a classic arcade style shooter; the original Donkey Kong on August 15; Tecmo Bowl this fall; and Wario Land 3 August 29. But the biggest announcement was the NES classic Super Mario Bros. 3, which will be available on both the Wii U and 3DS later this year.
Peterson finished his segment with a brief glimpse of the final chapter in the Professor Layton series, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, coming in 2014 to the 3DS. But wait, there’s more! A surprise announcement teasing Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright for 3DS was made. Keep an eye out for it in 2014.
Back came Mr. Iwata to discuss what most fans want to hear: Legend of Zelda news. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds for the 3DS is bringing back the dual world formula from the beloved SNES game, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Link will travel between worlds by changing forms and players can expect all new dungeons and challenges. The game is set many years after Ganon was sealed away in A Link to the Past; this Link is an entirely new Link in the ever growing universe. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will be available this November.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD footage was shown and it looks beautiful, but nothing new was mentioned. The game will launch this October.
It’s the year of Luigi – his 30th anniversary – and Nintendo is making it known with confirmation of his play-ability in next years Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. Not too shocking considering he has been playable in each iteration.
To conclude this iteration of Nintendo Direct, Mr. Iwata announced an Animal Crossing community for the Wii U Miiverse and a new Wii U app called Animal Crossing Plaza. You will be able upload pictures and view all of your animals as well as chat with other players about their animals.
Finally, Mr. Iwata announced there will be another Nintendo Direct this Friday, August 9, regarding The Wonderful 101. Stay tuned.