Nintendo Direct Announces New 3DS, Shulk for Smash, and More!

Today was another big news day for Nintendo! During today’s Japanese Nintendo Direct for the 3DS, not only did we got some much wanted information about Smash and future titles, but we were shown a new system—the New 3DS and New 3DS LL.

The New 3DS systems look pretty much the same as its predecessor, but with a few upgrades. These updates include:  a new circle pad on the right hand side, a relocated power button, the addition of a ZR and ZL button on the back, improved speed, enhanced 3D viewing capabilities, and most notably built-in functionality with the Amiibo figures. Apparently all we’ll have to do to use them on our 3DS is just set them down on the touch screen. Cool. They showed off an accessory for the current 3DS model before to give it the ability to read the figures, but it seems that this new model won’t need that extra hardware.

It seems as if some new titles will be developed with this system in mind. Most specifically, the direct showed off a port of Xenoblade Chronicles for the New 3DS. This title seems ideal for showing off what the new system is capable of and it’s sure to excite many fans of the series.

A new game, Bravely Second, a sequel to Bravely Default, was also announced for the 3DS and was given the Japanese release date of Winter.

Finally, we also got confirmation that a newcomer is headed to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. It’s the highly anticipated and long speculated Shulk! Xenoblade fans had a lot to cheer for today. Shulk was shown off in an awesome new trailer. The trailer showed off his moveset as well as his home stage. The end of the trailer also suggested that the stage will likely feature a boss—much like how Wily Castle features the Yellow Devil—in the form of a Faced Mechon. Additionally the trailer also showed off Dunban and Riki who either feature in the game in Shulk’s final smash or as Assist Trophies. They’re even shown off in some of his screenshots on the official website, so it’s hard to tell what exactly they’re doing here. Nonetheless, I’m excited to find out.

Check out the Direct for yourself by clicking here.

I’ll be back with more Nintendo news as its revealed.

Until then,

The Nintendo Nerd

New Mario Kart 8 DLC- Link, Animal Crossing, New Courses, and New Costumes!

Wow! Talk about unexpected!

We were already on track to receive the Mercedes Benz DLC for Mario Kart 8 today, but just a few hours ago it was announced that we’ll be getting even more DLC in the future!

Unbelievably we’ll be receiving some very awesome DLC in the form of 16 brand new tracks, new non-Mario characters, and alternate costumes and colors for other characters. Not to mention new karts and bikes!

Nintendo has announced a plethora of awesome DLC that will come to us in two separate packs.

The first pack, to be released in November (wow, so soon!), will include Link from the Legend of Zelda, Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, 4 new vehicles– including the Blue Falcon– and 8 new tracks (one of them appears to be Wario’s Gold Mine from Mario Kart Wii and the other seems to be based on F-Zero).

The second pack, to be released in May (which seems so far off now), will include Isabelle and the Villager from Animal Crossing, Dry Bowser, 4 vehicles, and 8 new tracks–at least one track, shown off in the promotional photos which seems to be based off Animal Crossing.

Also, anyone purchasing either pack will also be a

ble to change the colors of their Yoshi or Shy Guy characters as well. That’s not too bad, I suppose.

I’m super hyped for this DLC. Though it means Mario Kart isn’t so exclusively for Mario characters anymore, it doesn’t bother me to see some representation from other games. Mario still is the star of this game, so, to me, it’s no less his than it was before.
I’m a HUGE Animal Crossing fan, so seeing some love for that game in here makes me pretty excited. I can’t wait to see that Animal Crossing course and to race against everyone’s favorite secretary, Isabelle. And though it’s weird seeing Link driving a go-kart, I still can’t wait to play as him in the game.

If you’re excited about this DLC like me, you can already preorder them starting tomorrow in the Nintendo eShop.

I’ll be sure to post again about any updates or reveals concerning these DLC packs in the future.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Pokkén Tournament Arcade Game Coming to Japan

A while ago, we were told that a surprising Pokémon announcement would be happening today. Many suspected this might be a new game or a new venture, and what actually came was a little bit of both. The Official Pokémon YouTube channel has uploaded a short preview of a new arcade game coming to Japan entitled Pokkén Tournament. It’s a fighting game that pits Pokémon against each other in some really epic looking brawls. The new trailer shows Lucario facing Machamp and some old footage from the game also showed off Blaziken (is this a fighting types only game?) Many saw this coming thanks to some trademarks that were filed some time ago under this name, but it’s still exciting to see a confirmation nonetheless.
This collaboration game was revealed to be coming to Japanese arcades in 2015, but many believe this game may be coming to other regions as well. I’m hoping to see it as a Wii U title.
As far as the game goes, it looks pretty cool. The graphics are amazing and it seems very fast-paced and fun. I wonder, though: out of the three Pokémon shown for the game so far, two of the three are Mega Evolvers, and we see Lucario Mega Evolve in the trailer, does that mean we might be seeing a Mega Machamp revealed some time soon? One can only speculate, I suppose, but I wouldn’t be opposed to that at all. Machamp may not be my favorite Pokémon, but I’d still be happy to see a Mega Evolution for it someday.

Click here to check out the trailer for yourself!

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Smash Bros. for 3DS Leaks

I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but there have been a TON of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS leaks over the last few days. Characters, stages, trophies, and much more have been popping up on a few websites both in videos and screenshots. The videos, leaked most recently, are almost nowhere to be seen now as Nintendo has removed them—only adding to the belief that these leaks are legit—but the information they contained is still out there.

I would comment on these potential leaks, but because there’s still some question on whether or not these are real or not, I’m just going to wait and see for now. There’s a very real possibility that some or all of these are fake, so I’m holding off for now.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Meta Knight Returns to Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS

Guess who’s returning to Smash Bros.? It’s Meta Knight! Check out the official website to see some awesome screenshots featuring Meta Knight!

Thoughts on All the New Info for Pokémon ORAS

Wow, there sure has been a lot of news on Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in the last few days. After the CoroCoro scans showed off the new Mega Evolutions and contests as well as the official reveal of these same details later, we got even more leaked information from the Korean Pokémon website. And that is, Mega Audino and Mega Slowbro. Talk about a surprise! I would never have predicted these Pokémon would have received Mega Evolutions as well, but I’m glad to see it nonetheless.

Since there is so much to cover, though, I’m just going to give a few thoughts on each of the recent reveals.

Mega Altaria- This was definitely a Mega I wanted to see. If we didn’t get Mega Altaria, I would have been disappointed. It looks really cool and I’m very intrigued by its typing when it Mega Evolves. Fairy/Dragon sounds like a potentially big threat.

Mega Lopunny- Honestly, this Mega surprised me the most. Though Mega Slowbro and Mega Audino seemingly came out of nowhere, I really didn’t expect that, out of all the Pokémon, Lopunny would receive a Mega Evolution. What they’ve come up with for it seems pretty nice. Normal/Fighting is an interesting type and, though it’s design really hasn’t changed that drastically, I think it really does look like a Normal/Fighting type. It’ll be interesting to see if this new Mega helps Lopunny stand out more as a Pokémon.

Mega Salamence- I think everyone saw this coming. Though, maybe not everyone saw this design coming. It’s unique, for sure, and very intimidating. This new Mega seems to emphasize its Flying type over its Dragon typing with the ability Aerialate (will there be a form of this ability for every type one day?), which makes it stand out against the other Dragon type Megas we’ve seen already.

Mega Salamence, Mega Lopunny, Mega Altaria And More!

Hey guys, I know that the latest batch of Mega Evolutions were announced yesterday through CoroCoro scans, but I’ve been a little busy recently and I’ve been having a hard time getting to my computer in the last few days. But I have seen the new images and the leaks and they look amazing. I’ll be sure to post something soon about my thoughts on the new leaks.

Click here to check out the latest batch of leaks for yourself. Mega Salamence, Mega Altaria, and Mega Lopunny! (Mega Altaria sounds awesome, by the way).

Until Then,

The Nintendo Nerd

Pokéball Pattern Vivillon Now Available in North America

This is just a quick post to let you know that the elusive Pokéball Pattern Vivillon is now available in North America from today to the 12th of this month! So, if you’re interested in receiving this Pokemon, get to downloading it right away!

Also, the Pokémon Center website is now open! I’ll provide a link to it here so you can check it out and maybe purchase some cool Pokémon products.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Ganondorf is Coming as a Playable Character to Hyrule Warriors!

Check out this latest trailer that debuted at the end of the recent Nintendo Direct. This trailer features the newly announced Ganondorf in Hyrule Warriors fighting with the Great Sword weapon. The end of the trailer has to be my favorite part. Seeing Ganondorf opening a treasure chest and holding up an item is truly a priceless moment.

You can also check out the entire Nintendo Direct to see more of the game including various stages, weapons, and costumes. If you’re not sure if this will be a game that you will enjoy, this is the perfect video to watch as it gives a good overview of the entire game.

Edit: Whoops. Forgot to mention that the Direct also announces more Legend of Zelda villains who will come to join the cast of playable characters in Hyrule Warriors. These playable villains include, so far, Ghirahim and Zant. They didn’t get an entire trailer dedicated to them, but if you watch the Direct you’ll see some of their gameplay footage.

Keep checking back here for more Nintendo news,

Until then,

-The Nintendo Nerd