News
Nintendo Direct 02-14-2013
February 14, in the year
of our Lord 2013 – So for Valentines Day Nintendo had
one of their Nintendo Direct videos. They are showing how much
they love the millions of Family Friendly Gaming fan's by
telling you all the opportunities you have to give them money.
Nothing was said about how they will correct the follow up and
follow through problems from 2012 that are continuing in 2013.
They did give a few tidbits of interesting information.
They kicked off their presentation with Luigi's Mansion Dark
Moon. Plenty of interesting and new features in this 3DS game.
Nintendo even touched on the dark, scary, spiritual nature of
this hand held game. March 24th is when you can give them money
for this game.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team was announced. It is a new installment
in the Mario & Luigi role-playing series is coming to Nintendo
3DS this summer. The game takes place inside the mind of a
sleeping Luigi, who is a powerful, brave hero in his dreams.
This summer is the projected release date.
New Super Luigi U DLC was announced. To continue the fun of New
Super Mario Bros. U for Wii U, Nintendo is letting Luigi take
over in new downloadable content that is coming in the Year of
Luigi that provides alternate versions of the game's more than
80 stages. Players can freely change between the New Super Luigi
U and New Super Mario Bros. U stages. These Luigi-focused stages
provide a whole new level of game-play challenge and will be
available for purchase as a single download. Rehash comes to
mind.
Luigi and his Mushroom Kingdom neighbors are teeing up once
again in Mario Golf: World Tour. The Nintendo 3DS game includes
both simple controls and a deeper experience for golf fans, plus
courses that range from traditional to those inspired by the
Mushroom Kingdom. The game launches this summer. This may be
rehash but it has potential to be a good game.
Link - Two new Zelda games coming – this was announced last
time, but repeated. Miiverse community for Zelda on Wii U is
being created. So the team can directly connect with everyone
who has a Wii U. That is if you want to connect with them, and
all the crazed Zelda fanboys. Flame wars and heavy modding is
expected. Especially if you are not a Zelda worshiper.
Fire Emblem Awakening was referenced. Family Friendly Gaming is
awaiting a reviewable copy soon. Hopefully Nintendo will follow
through on this and soon. We know millions are holding off a
purchase until we review it. Nintendo announced DLC for this 3DS
game. You can pay them even more money for some new maps,
battles, etc.
Animal Crossing New Leaf is brought up. Finally this game will
be huge, especially if we can have a church in it. June 9th is
the release date for this 3DS game. FFG can't wait to get our
hands on a reviewable copy. Build house wherever you want right
after arriving in town. Plant a memorial tree, and then you are
off to the races. That planting is the only chore that needs to
be done at the start of the game. Customize the town however you
like, customize the outside of your house, and a smaller loan
from the start. Find new animal species. Main street is where
the shops are, making things easier.
Share your home and town with others via Spotpass. Online and
wireless features will be discussed in the future. Some readers
may be screaming: “REHASH,” right now. Technically you are
correct. It has been some time since Animal Crossing has entered
the Family Friendly Gaming Nation, so we are going easy on it.
Style Savvy Trendsetters is getting Animal Crossing outfits.
That's cool for all those into that 3DS game. Nintendo used it
as a plug to get you to purchase it.
LEGO City Comes to Life: LEGO City Undercover launches March 18.
Nintendo revealed some new sections of the game, including LEGO
City Airport, Kings Court and Paradise Sands. This game is
looking awesome. Here is another one Family Friendly Gaming is
itching to review. It has potential to be the highest rated Wii
U title to date.
LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins launches April 21. The
game is set two years prior to the action of the Wii U game, and
follows the first case of rookie cop Chase McCain in a
still-growing and -developing LEGO City. Lego 3DS games have
done extremely well with Family Friendly Gaming. Once a
reviewable copy arrives we will be all over reviewing it.
The Wii Street U powered by Google application is now available
as a free download for a limited time from the Nintendo eShop
for Wii U. The application taps into the Google Maps service and
allows users to get a 360-degree view of locations around the
world using the Wii U GamePad. Nintendo offices were shown.
Downloadable games is the next section that Nintendo decided to
cover. You know the onces you pay for online, and can never sell
or give to a friend or fellow family member living at a
different location. Companies love these because they retain the
game, and you lose your ownership rights.
Nintendo announced a number of new games coming to the Nintendo
eShop for Nintendo 3DS, including Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis
on the Move (coming soon), Dillon's Rolling Western: The Last
Ranger (coming April 11), HarmoKnight from Game Freak (demo
available March 14, full game on March 28) and Kersploosh!
(coming March 7).
Two classic Game Boy Color games from Natsume, Harvest Moon and
Legend of the River King, are on their way to the Nintendo 3DS
Virtual Console in the coming months.
As a special promotion for people who have not yet purchased a
Nintendo 3DS XL system, anyone who registers a Nintendo 3DS XL
and either Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon or Pokémon Mystery
Dungeon: Gates to Infinity between March 21 and April 30 will
receive a code to download one of these five great games for
free from the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS: Super Mario 3D
Land, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Art Academy:
Lessons for Everyone!, Star Fox 64 3D or Freakyforms Deluxe:
Your Creations, Alive!
Nintendo then mentioned they have an eShop sale going on right
now. There are a variety of games currently on sale.
If you purchased the Wii U black system then you can accrue
points by buying Nintendo products. Those points can be used on
the eShop to purchase games. Go to ddp.nintendo.com for more
information.
A quick plug for a Zelda book was put in.
Third-Party Games:
BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien from
Gaijin Games is coming to Wii U in February. It features
narration by Charles Martinet, and a demo is planned for the
Nintendo eShop soon.
This month, Zen Pinball 2 from Zen Studios introduces a number
of pinball tables, including Marvel Pinball and Plants vs.
Zombies Pinball. The game will be available as a free download
in the Nintendo eShop for Wii U with additional tables available
for purchase.
Soon Two Tribes will release Toki Tori 2, a puzzle/platforming
game that will support off-TV game play on the Wii U GamePad. A
level editor will be released at a later date.
Need for Speed Most Wanted U from EA is arriving on Wii U on
March 19 as the first third-party title to incorporate Miiverse
functionality into the game play. Exclusive features include a
new Co-Driver mode for local co-op play, Off-TV mode to play on
the Wii U GamePad and the Ultimate Speed Pack included at no
additional charge. The Ultimate Speed Pack includes 25
additional High Speed Races and Speed Runs, five of the world's
fastest production cars and more than 70 new speed-themed
milestones, plus stacks of additional rewards and unlocks.
Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate launches for both Wii U and
Nintendo 3DS on March 19. A Wii U player can connect with up to
three Nintendo 3DS players to create a hunting party. People can
play the game on Wii U and then transfer their data to the
Nintendo 3DS to continue the hunt. A demo will be available in
the Nintendo eShop on both platforms on Feb. 21.
Disney Infinity from Disney Interactive is coming to Wii U and
Wii this summer. For the first time, players will use real-world
interactive figures to activate original, story-driven
adventures in the game worlds, also known as "Play Sets." At any
time, players can also access their personal "Toy Box" and use
the items to create one-of-a-kind Disney adventures featuring
any combination of characters, environments and items across all
franchises featured in the game. Disney Infinity will also be
available on Nintendo 3DS.
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D: The smash-hit Wii game is
getting a portable 3D makeover that makes the already-amazing
layered graphics pop. The game launches this summer, but an
exclusive 3D video is available now in the Nintendo eShop for
Nintendo 3DS. Yes more rehash.
All in all the Third-party content is looking really solid.
Nintendo has a couple of games here and there of interest. They
are continuing to have their rehash problems, as well as a lack
of follow through. Neither of these were addressed. We did get
Animal Crossing and Lego City, so this Nintendo Direct earns a 7
out of 10 possible stars.