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

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

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.

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

Summary of Nintendo Direct – 4/1/15

It may be April Fool’s Day, but Nintendo wasn’t kidding around with this Direct. It was a long one, so keep on reading if you want to find out about the highlights from the Direct. Click here if you want to watch it for yourself. Without any further ado, here’s the summary:

• To start off, Mewtwo is on his way to Smash Bros.! An awesome new trailer showed off the Mewtwo DLC in Super Smash Bros for the Wii U and 3DS and even featured his brand new Final Smash attack! It was also revealed he will be available on the 28^th of April! If you registered both versions of Smash Bros. you will receive the download code on the 15^th.
• Smash Bros. will also be getting brand new Mii costumes, even some inspired by video game characters including Dunban, Link, and Proto Man which will be available on April 15^th as well!
• But there’s more! In a surprising announcement coupled with the tag “Lucas Comes Out of Nowhere”! Mother 3 protagonist Lucas will be coming back to the Smash Bros. series! He will be available via DLC in June!
• And a brand new Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot will be open to help submit ideas for new Smash Bros. fighters! They will not be able to listen to all requests, of course, but they will take suggestions into consideration.
• In amiibo news, the Wave 3 of amiibos will be released on May 29^th, and the next wave of Smash Bros. figures was also announced! These include: Dark Pit and Palutena (due for release in July) and Olimar, Bowser Jr. Dr. Mario, Zero Suit Samus, and Ganondorf (due for release in September). Some of these amiibos will also be retailer-exclusive. And, as a bonus, Mewtwo and Lucas figures are stated to be on their way in the future as well.

Nintendo Announces New Hardware: Codename NX

Today, at a conference, Iwata briefly revealed that next year, we will all be getting our first look at brand new hardware from the company entitled Codename NX. Click here to see a very short clip containing the statement about the Codename NX. What’s contained in that clip is about all that we learned about the project, but fans everywhere are already beginning to speculate what this new system could be. Is it a portable system like the 3DS? A new home console gaming system like the Wii U? Or is it something completely new? With the little information we have, it’s difficult to say.

Additionally, it was also confirmed today that Nintendo will soon be making mobile games alongside the types of games that the company currently develops.

That’s about it for today, though expect to see me post even further information on Nintendo mobile games and Codename NX as it is revealed.

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd

Gold Edition Mario amiibo Announced as Walmart Exclusive

Nintendo of America just posted a tweet that states that a special variant of the Mario amiibo from the Super Mario Bros. collection will be available at Walmart on March 20th! Click here to see the official post. Sadly, checking the Walmart website listing reveals them to be already out of stock online, but Nintendo’s tweet seems to be a reassurance to collectors that there will be figures available in-store as well–just be sure to get there early as they’re likely to sell out quickly.
With this announcement, one can only wonder if more variant amiibos will be released in the future. Regardless, I’ll be sure to post again when any new amiibos are announced.

On another note, I’m going to do my best to post some review style posts for Hyrule Warriors (which I am very, very late on doing) and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker in the following weeks. Both should be up soon though, due to my current schedule, I’m not sure when exactly. I can say I have enjoyed both games quite a bit, however, and the reviews will likely be positive ones.

Until Then,
-The Nintendo Nerd

New Club Nintendo Rewards!

The Club Nintendo Rewards Catalog has been update with brand new rewards to go along with the program’s impending closure later this year. What will likely be the last wave of new rewards includes a lot of really awesome stuff you can spend your coins on.
Click here to check out the rewards catalog!

The new items you’ll find in the catalog include:

• An updated Nintendo 3DS Game Card Case for 2015
• A 2016 Desktop Calendar (though the image shown of the calendar says 2015)
• Animal Crossing Mini-Playing Cards
• A 3DS XL Pouch featuring The Legend of Zelda
• A second set of Smash Bros posters featuring the artwork that came with the announcement of Shulk, Bowser Jr., and Duck Hunt for Super Smash Bros. to go along with the previously released set featuring Rosalina, the Villager, and Palutena
• A Retro Mario T-Shirt
• A Limited Edition 2013 Platinum Poster Set which seems to include a picture of 8-bit Luigi, the promotional artwork from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, and a Pikmin 3 print
• A Fierce Deity Link Jigsaw Puzzle
• And a Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D Messenger Bag

As far as games go…there’s a lot! Too many to list here, but what was once only a limited selection of retro games has expanded to include full-fledged 3DS and Wii U games including Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Starfox 64 3D, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Wii Fit U, Game & Wario, and much more. Wow! The list is definitely worth checking out if you have a bunch of coins saved up!

Club Nintendo has stated that the codes for Flipnote Studio 3D will be distributed within the week and that quantities on these items are limited, so be sure to check it out soon!

Until Then,

-The Nintendo Nerd