Summary of Latest Nintendo Headlines- End of August 2015

New 3DS + New 3DS XL

Just today, it was announced that the New 3DS will be coming to North America! Previously, only the New 3DS XL was available, but now the more compact size will join the lineup this fall. The only catch is that this standard version of the New 3DS is thus far only available via a bundle with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. This bundle will release alongside the game and will include two face plates, an amiibo card, and, of course, a digital copy of Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer as well as the New 3DS hardware.

In related news, a brand new special edition New 3DS XL was also announced today called the Hyrule Gold Edition. This stylish looking New 3DS XL is going to be a Gamestop Exclusive and is slated to release in October.

Amiibo

Recently, we also got news of some brand new amiibo figures! First, in a surprising announcement at PAX Prime, was the reveal of a Shovel Knight amiibo. This figure, designed, produced, and distributed by Yacht Club Games, will be compatible with Shovel Knight (of course) and will unlock co-op mode for the Wii U version of the game, as well as special challenges and custom skins for your hero in the 3DS and Wii U version of the game.

Additionally, we also had the announcement of a new Yarn Yoshi amiibo to be released on November 15^th– Mega Yarn Yoshi. This giant amiibo plush will cost $39.99 and will function just like its fellow Yarn Yoshi figures. It was also stated that the standard-sized green Yarn Yoshi amiibo will only be available via a game bundle and that the Light Blue and Pink Yarn Yoshis will be released individually.

As far as the Animal Crossing amiibo go, Isabelle and Digby are set to be released as part of a bundle with Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival on November 13^th. However, K.K. Slider, Reese, and Cyrus are due to release as a 3-pack and Tom Nook, Lottie, and Mable will be sold individually and released the same day.

In other amiibo news, we found out some specifics about upcoming amiibo. The Mii Fighter 3-pack (thus far, the only way to get these particular figures) will be released on November 1^st, the Mewtwo amiibo will be released November 13^th, and the Falco amiibo will be released on November 20^th (the same day that Starfox: Zero is also set to release).

That about covers it this time around. Check back again for more Nintendo news!

Until then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Summary of Latest Nintendo Headlines- Mid-August 2015

Pokkén Tournament

At the Pokémon World Championships (that incidentally is concluding with the Finals Round today), it was revealed that the arcade fighting game Pokkén Tournament will be coming to the Wii U next year in Spring. Also announced was a brand new character for the game—Pikachu Libre, based off of the Cosplay Pikachu from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. This means that the roster, as of now, contains of Lucario, Machamp, Suicune, Gardevoir, Gengar, Charizard, Blaziken, Weavile, Pikachu, and, of course, Pikachu Libre.

Splatoon

For Splatoon, we had the release of a brand new stage this week—Flounder Heights. But, in addition to that, it was also revealed that the next Splatfest theme will be inspired by Hasbro’s Transformers. It’s Autobots vs. Decepticons! This is an exciting Splatfest for many because it seems to open the doors to many different Spaltfest possibilities in the future featuring other brands. The Splatfest itself will take place on August 28^th for 24 hours starting at 9 p.m. PST.

Believe it or not, that about it raps it up. News has been slow lately, but I’ll be sure to post again soon with another summary of the major Nintendo headlines.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Summary of the Latest Nintendo Headlines-End of July 2015

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS

The biggest news coming out of Nintendo last week was the reveal of a big Super Smash Bros. update available now that includes Tournament Mode, new stages, and new Mii Fighter Costumes! By purchasing some of the latest DLC, you will now be able to play on the classic N64 Stages Hyrule Castle and Peach’s Castle. Finally, the new Mii Fighter Costumes available for purchase in eShop include outfits of some beloved characters such as King K. Rool, Chrom, Lloyd, Black Knight, and the Flying Man in addition to a few others.

Splatoon

Splatoon is set to receive its long awaited August update on the fifth of next week. In this update are two new modes: Squad Battle and Private Battle. Both of these modes will make it easier for players to join their friends in battle and ensure that they can play on a team with them. The game is also set to receive an increase to its Turf War level cap (from 20 to 50) and an increase to the maximum rank in Ranked  Battle (S and S+). 40 new gear items will also be made available to unlock. Finally, this update will also include two new weapon types: the bucket-like Sloshers and the Splatling. They also released on the official Splatoon U.S. tumblr that the update will come with new music as well.

Additionally, the official tumblr page has also announced that two new weapons will be made available at 7 p.m. PST tonight. These weapons are the Inkbrush Nouveau and the Ranged Blaster. The tumblr page also mentioned last week that the stage Urchin Underpass will be going offline from the 2^nd of August to the 5^th in order to be updated.

From “Squid Research Lab”- The Splatoon U.S. Tumblr

Amiibo

The Dark Pit amiibo is available for purchase today from Best Buy. Additionally, it’s been stated that Animal Crossing will be receiving 400 (whoa!) amiibo cards. Finally, there’s also a rumor circulating that GameStop will be soon hosting an amiibo event in which a special 3-pack of amiibo (rumored to contain R.O.B., Mr. Game & Watch, and Duck Hunt) will be available for purchase.

Additionally, in amiibo related news, it’s been said that 99 amiibo costumes will available in Super Mario Maker ranging from Isabelle to Marth. However, it’s been stated that you might not necessarily need the amiibo in order to unlock the costumes.

That about covers it for now. I’ll be back next week with another news summary much like this one.

Until Then,

The Nintendo Nerd

Satoru Iwata, CEO of Nintendo, Passes Away at Age 55

Today we received some very sad news from Nintendo of Japan. The president of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata, has passed away today at the age of 55 due to a growth in his bile duct. Iwata had an incredible impact on Nintendo and the gaming industry as a whole that will last forever and he will be missed by dearly by all of us.

Thank you Satoru Iwata for all you’ve done and may you rest in peace,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Summary of Nintendo’s E3 Digital Event- 6-16-2015

Here we go! Here’s a summary of Nintendo’s Digital Event from E3 2015. Click here to watch the Digital Event for yourself or continue reading to see what it was all about.

• The first announcement of the Direct was a new StarFox game with a world premiere trailer for the game. The game is titled StarFox Zero and will be debuting during the holiday season of this year. The trailer was an overview that transitioned into a developer interview with Shigeru Miyamoto in which he discussed his inspiration for the series. The game will take advantage of the Wii U Gamepad’s gyroscope to control the camera and provide a cockpit view of the action. So, the game has both a first and third person perspective. The Arwing will also be able to transform into a Walker, a feature from Starfox 2. The Arwing can also become the Landmaster as well as a Gyrowing, which looks like a helicopter drone that can explore small areas.
• Next was a presentation from Reggie Fils-Aime. He explained that the theme of E3 was “transformation”. He also confirmed they will talk about the Nintendo NX next year.
• Super Mario Bros. is having its 30^th anniversary this year. Reggie explained how Mario has transformed himself and the face of gaming. After giving a brief overview of Mario Maker, Reggie explained ways that amiibo are going to impact Nintendo’s games.
• In a surprise announcement, Donkey Kong and Bowser will be making an appearance in the Skylanders franchise alongside their own vehicles in the next game Skylanders: Superchargers. Bowser and Donkey Kong will be fully playable and will given “turbo” figurines. The figurines will be both a Skylander figure and an amiibo via a turn of a dial on the bottom of the figure. The Skylanders team created “Magma Bowser” who will be able to set himself on fire and breathe fire onto Koopas to create Dry Bones that he can use to fight for him.

Earthbound Beginnings Announced for Virtual Console

In a surprise announcement after the Nintendo World Tournament Pre-Show, Nintendo announced that, for the first time, the original Famicom game, Mother, will be released in North America and Europe under the name Earthbound Beginnings on Virtual Console! The game is set to be released tomorrow on the Nintendo eShop.

-The Nintendo Nerd

Summary of Super Smash Bros. Mini Direct 6-14-15

To coincide with the release of Lucas for Smash Bros. and the upcoming E3, Sakurai held a mini Nintendo Direct today to cover some of the new content that will be arriving for the games. Though a lot of the information was leaked out early yesterday, the Direct still provided a lot more of an in-depth look at what’s coming for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. Click here to check out the Direct for yourself or continue reading for a recap of all the highlights from this Direct.

• The Direct opened with the reveal of Roy from the Fire Emblem series as a returning fighter for the game. Following this, Sakurai explained the differences between this incarnation of Roy and the Melee one including that his Final Smash will be the fiery Critical Hit move.
• Following this, some New Mii Fighter Costumes were released including Megaman.EXE, Zero, Isabelle, the Inkling Boy and Girl, a Squid Hat, Jacky and Akira from Virtua Fighter.
• There will also be new trophies including Inkling Girl.
• Next there was the reveal of some new amiibo figures: the Mii Fighters with the Sword Fighter, Gunner, and Brawler all receiving separate figurines. It was also revealed that amiibo figures for R.O.B., Duck Hunt, Mr. Game & Watch, and Falco will be released soon as well.
• The Game & Watch amiibo will be special for it will not only be 2D, but will come with a variety of poses that you can swap out interchangeably. Game & Watch, as well as R.O.B., Duck Hunt, and the Mii Fighters will be released in September.

Watch Today’s Nintendo Direct!

Today, there was a short Japan-only Nintendo Direct that revealed some new information about some upcoming games. Click here to watch it.
Some quick highlights were that the reveal that a remake of Dragon Quest VIII will be released on the 3DS, the Fire Emblem amiibos will work with the latest Fire Emblem title, a special Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer New 3DS LL will be released in Japan, a new Chibi Robo game is set to be released soon alongside a Chibi Robo amiibo, and there’s going to be a new Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games title for 2016.
Of course, there was a lot more covered than that in the 30-minute Direct, so click here to watch it for yourself.

Pokémon Announces Super Mystery Dungeon

Here’s a nice surprise: today Pokemon announced a brand new game in the Mystery Dungeon series called Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon. The game will be on the Nintendo 3DS and the press release says that you will:

“Battle alongside Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to save the world from a crisis in a tale of unprecedented scale.”

Aside from this, the only other thing we know about this game is that it’ll be released in Winter of this year. However, the press release on Pokemon.com does say that more information is soon to come.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Nintendo Themed Rides to Come to Universal Studios Theme Parks!

Here’s some exciting news! Today, it was announced that Nintendo and Universal Studios are teaming up to add Nintendo themed attractions to Universal Studios theme parks! How cool! There are no details yet on what types of attractions are in the works, but Nintendo did say that they would give more information at a later time. Regardless, it’s an exciting, new venture for Nintendo that’s sure to bring smiles to the faces of a lot of fans.

When more news breaks on this topic, I’ll be sure to post about it again.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd