Nintendo Direct video is released highlighting Wii U and 3DS news for the rest of 2013

Written by Brandon Hofer on October 01, 2013

Nintendo News: Nintendo releases another Nintendo Direct video that focuses on what gamers can expect for the remainder of 2013.

Nintendo released another “Nintendo Direct” video today updating fans on what is to come for both the Wii U and 3DS. In this latest video they confirmed a new character for the next Smash Bros game, new designs for the Wii Remote Plus controllers and various game related announcements.

“Nintendo is delivering unprecedented value and variety to consumers this holiday season,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “From shaking up the way players enjoy the next Zelda adventure to providing fans with more content to enjoy in Pikmin 3, we’re always looking for new ways to deliver the best entertainment experience possible to consumers.”

Wii U News

- Super Mario 3D World: The game contains a ton of fresh power-ups, like cherries that allow players to duplicate their characters, in addition to the series-first Cat transformation. A new website for the Nov. 22 game has launched. Visit it here: http://supermario3dworld.nintendo.com.

- Super Smash Bros: Sonic is confirmed as a playable character in the upcoming fighting game, which is scheduled to launch for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014.

- Pikmin 3 - The game is getting a free software update (broadband Internet access required) that provides players with a new Mission Mode stage. Other new Mission Mode stages are now available for the game as paid downloadable content. Additional downloadable stages will become available for purchase in the future. The game update also improves the global ranking feature, allowing players the ability to see the world’s highest scores at any time.

- New Wii Remote Plus Designs: Nintendo fans will have their choice of a Mario-themed controller or a Luigi-themed controller. These controllers will launch on Nov. 1 at a suggested retail price of $39.99 each.

- Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games: The game launches exclusively for Wii U on Nov. 15. For the first time in the Mario & Sonic series, players from around the world can take the action online and compete with others from around the world (broadband Internet access required). Four events are playable online: Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross and Short Track Speed Skating, in addition to Winter Sports Champion Race, a Dream Event that combines Skiing, Ice Skating, Bobsleigh and Snowboard into a single event. Every time players win a medal in online game play, they will win points for their home country. The points can be viewed through persistent online rankings. The game will be available as standalone software in the Nintendo eShop and in stores for a suggested retail price of $49.99, or bundled with a Wii Remote Plus controller (which is required for some events) at a suggested retail price of $59.99.

- Wii Party U: House Party mode places the focus on the Wii U system’s GamePad controller and couples its use with the Wii Remote controllers in unique, engaging and social ways. In Water Runners, for example, players scoop water from a stream displayed on the GamePad and must skillfully carry the water to a pitcher displayed on the TV. The game launches Oct. 25. The physical version of the game includes a Wii Remote Plus controller and the new Horizontal Stand for the Wii U GamePad, which allows players to use the GamePad in a more balanced and comfortable fashion with GamePad-exclusive Tabletop games such as Tabletop Baseball.

- October Third-Party Releases: Key third-party releases for Wii U in October include Just Dance 2014 from Ubisoft (Oct. 8), Skylanders SWAP Force from Activision Publishing (Oct. 13), LEGO Marvel Super Heroes from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 22), Batman: Arkham Origins from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 25), Sonic Lost World from SEGA (Oct. 29) and Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag from Ubisoft (Oct. 29).

- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Unfortunately Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has been delayed by a couple of months and will now launch in February 2014. Developed by Retro Studios, the series’ first Wii U installment stars Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong as they go head-to-head against invaders from the northern seas who have taken over Donkey Kong Island.

Nintendo 3DS News

- A new Kirby game: A new side-scrolling installment in the Kirby series launches in 2014, and features Kirby moving not only from left to right, but also from the foreground to the background. Kirby also gets an “inhale everything” ability that can be used in specific parts of each stage to help him clear anything blocking his path. More details will be revealed in the future.

- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: Many of the most essential items in the game will be available early on at a shop run by a new character named Ravio. Ravio lets players rent or buy items before they head off to their next dungeon adventure, meaning players will have more freedom to explore dungeons in the order they want. The game launches in stores and the Nintendo eShop on Nov. 22 at a suggested retail price of $39.99.

- Bravely Default: This highly acclaimed fantasy role-playing game developed by Square Enix introduces a new battle system, bringing deep, strategic combat to Nintendo 3DS. Bravely Default will launch in the first quarter of 2014, and will feature an updated UI system and new content not included in the original Japanese release.

- Animal Crossing: New Leaf: The Nintendo Direct video offers owners of Animal Crossing: New Leaf a QR Code featuring a pattern of the shirt that Link wears at the beginning of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. Players just need to go to the Able Sisters shop in their towns and ask to use the sewing machine. Then they can scan the QR Code with their Nintendo 3DS systems to get the in-game shirt. Fans who want to access the QR Code can view the Nintendo Direct at www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct and pause the video during the Animal Crossing: New Leaf segment.

- Exclusive Nintendo Zone StreetPass Offers: A previous Nintendo Direct announced that Nintendo 3DS owners who have enabled the StreetPass feature and visit Nintendo Zone locations would receive StreetPass data from the previous visitor. Later this month, owners will receive data from the last six visitors, making it even easier for them to maximize their connections. Throughout 2013, Nintendo is offering free exclusive content to Nintendo 3DS owners at Nintendo Zone locations, including:

- Available now through October 14: Fedora Chair furniture in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. A Sushi Platter will become available starting on October 15.

- Additional content for Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Super Mario 3D Land, as well as special Gold Pants Mii character distributions, will become available later this year.

- October Third-Party Releases: Key third-party releases for Nintendo 3DS in October include Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl from ATLUS (Oct.1), Skylanders SWAP Force from Activision Publishing (Oct. 13), LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – Universe in Peril from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 22), Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Oct. 25) and Sonic Lost World from SEGA (Oct. 29). In anticipation of the game’s Oct. 24 release, a demo version of Nintendo eShop exclusive Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies is available for download in the Nintendo eShop.

There is also a new Wii U update available to download. The update delivers the ability to output audio and video to the GamePad in Wii Mode, a more streamlined experience when adding Friends and other improvements. If you want to take a look at the Nintendo Direct video for yourself you can check it out below. Personally speaking I’m going to watch it to get the Animal Crossing QR code. What do you think about these announcements?