Today Nintendo presented the latest Nintendo Direct. The presentation was focused solely on the Nintendo 3DS’ lineup of games for the remainder of 2016 and into 2017. Read on for all the news and announcements.
We know that Pokémon Sun and Moon is coming November 18. Nintendo announced a promo to celebrate the launch. Those that purchase Sun and Moon by Wednesday, January 11, 2017 can download Munchlax for free. This Munchlax is holding Snorlium Z. This item unlocks a special move for Munchlax once you evolve them into Snorlax. Z-Moves are all-new abilities introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Snorlium Z is exclusive to Snorlax. Nintendo also introduced the Alola version of Rattata, which is a Normal/Dark type.
Last year’s Super Mario Maker is coming to 3DS on December 2! Mario Maker 3DS features local play and the ability to share courses via Street Pass. Local players can even build levels together, providing a unique collaboration.
Mario Party Star Rush launches on November 4, along with several new amiibo figures like Waluigi and Boo.
A game from 2013 is getting an update. Animal Crossing: New Leaf is getting amiibo support via a free update coming December 2.
The Street Pass Mii Plaza is getting a sizable update. The option of a “quick plaza” adds simplified greetings and quicker game access. This change will be a welcome addition, particularly to Premium members who will soon be able to store a whopping 100 players at their Plaza gate. The previous limit was 10. This will be incredibly helpful when bringing your 3DS along to gaming conventions.
Nintendo is also launching tons of new Street Pass games: Market Crash, Slot Car Rivals, Feed Mii, Mii Trek, and Ninja Launcher. Players can choose to download either Market Crash or Slot Car Rivals for free right now.
A new local multiplayer game called Tank Troopers is coming this holiday season. It features up to 6 on 6 battles with Download Play, as well as a single-player mode. Player choose unique characters and control their own cartoony tanks on the battlefield.
Nintendo announced puzzle game sequel Picross 3D 2, releasing today!
A “New Galaxy Style” 3DS XL was announced. It’s purple and kind of sparkly.
Nindies Summer Jam was mentioned in the Direct. It’s Nintendo’s version of Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade. Every Thursday in September Nintendo highlights a new indie game with a special discounted price. The promo begins today with Axiom Verge on the Wii U.
This year Nintendo is celebrating The Legend of Zelda’s 30th anniversary, and we got lots of new Zelda announcements. Four new amiibos are coming on December 2, celebrating Link’s previous games: 8-bit Link, Ocarina of Time Link, and Toon Link and Zelda from Wind Waker. They have the same functions as their regular Link and Zelda counterparts. However Nintendo did mention that they will have special functionality in upcoming Zelda title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The Wii’s 2011 Zelda title The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is coming to the Nintendo Wii U eShop today. Nintendo is claiming it as the first game in the oft-confusing Zelda timeline.
Hyrule Warriors Legends is getting its third DLC pack today. Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks introduces Toon Link and Toon Zelda as playable characters. Link can summon the train from Spirit Tracks while Zelda possesses her enemies.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice is coming September 8, but eager fans can download a demo on the eShop right now.
Two Dragon Quest remakes are coming to Nintendo 3DS. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is still on track for a September 16 release. But Nintendo delayed Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King into 2017. The newest in the venerable franchise, Dragon Quest XI, is due in Japan in 2017, though no US date has been announced.
Special attention was given to the dual version release of upcoming Yo-Kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls and Bony Spirits. Like many Pokémon games before them, the two versions will feature exclusive Yo-Kai to befriend, and separate enemies to battle. Bony Spirits is lead by Arachnus, while Toadal Dude rules in Fleshy Souls. Purchasing the physical version of either game nets you a Yo-Kai medal that unlocks a special Soultimate move for Jibanyan.
Disney Magical World 2 is coming October 14. Pre-order to receive three outfits from Frozen.
Sonice Boom Fire & Ice is coming September 27 for Nintendo 3DS. The physical release also includes a Sonic Boom DVD.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse is a stand-alone game in the series coming September 20. The physical launch edition includes a metal emblem set.
Nintendo also made several new announcements for games coming in 2017, as well as some more details on Ever Oasis, the new Nintendo 3DS game announced at E3.
Ever Oasis features a social hub in the player’s oasis. Players attract new merchants to sell goods from items found in the desert. It seems like a strong Animal Crossing influence. From there players can recruit allies to go dungeon delving with Zelda-style gameplay. Switch between allies to use unique abilities to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Ever Oasis is due sometime in 2017.
Yoshi’s Woolly World 3DS was announced. Like Mario Maker 3DS this is a portable version of the 2015 Wii U game. It includes new stages featuring Poochy as well as 30 animated short films. A yarn amiibo Poochy is also coming. Yoshi’s Woolly World 3DS will be released on February 3, 2017.
Mario Sports Super Stars combines five sports games in one: soccer, baseball, tennis, golf, and horse racing. The compilation includes single player tournaments as well as local and online multiplayer. Mario Sports Super Stars is coming Spring 2017.
Nintendo’s final big reveal was Pikmin 3DS (name pending). Pikmin 3DS turns the Pikmin-hurling platforming action into 2D when it goes portable in 2017.
