Update News
Nintendo's Family Friendly Christmas Line Up
REDMOND, Wash.--(August
29, in the year of our Lord 2014)-- Nintendo has
prepared a massive lineup of new games and products for the 2014
Christmas season. The lineup includes new entries from some of
the biggest franchises in gaming, new hardware bundles for Wii U
and Nintendo 2DS, and new amiibo interactive figures featuring
some of the most iconic characters in the world of video games.
The Christmas shopping season begins today for Nintendo fans, as
the first 12 amiibo interactive figures become available for
pre-order at a suggested retail price of just $12.99 each. The
first dozen characters available for pre-order at select
retailers are Mario, Peach, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Donkey Kong,
Pikachu, Kirby, Fox, Marth, Villager and Wii Fit Trainer, with
more on the way in the future.
“Nintendo’s Christmas offerings demonstrate a combination of fun
franchises and great value,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of
America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With
Wii U and Nintendo 2DS hardware bundles, classic names like
Super Smash Bros., Bayonetta and Pokémon, new IP like Captain
Toad: Treasure Tracker, and amiibo, everyone will find something
to love about Nintendo this Christmas season. Whether people are
shopping for themselves or they’re prepping their gift lists,
Nintendo has them covered.”
Here’s a taste of what Nintendo has on tap for the 2014
Christmas season:
Major Franchises: Nintendo has four games from two of the most
well-known franchises launching this year:
Super Smash Bros.: The Wii U game and the first portable game in
the series are getting ready for their debuts. Super Smash Bros.
for Nintendo 3DS launches Oct. 3, with Super Smash Bros. for Wii
U following during the Christmas season. Fans who register both
Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the games with Club Nintendo
will receive the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS & Wii U:
Premium Sound Selection, a soundtrack CD packed with music taken
from and inspired by the games. More details about this offer
will be provided in the future. Also, in a separate announcement
this morning, Nintendo revealed that Shulk from the Xenoblade
Chronicles franchise would be a playable character in both
games.
Pokémon: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire for
Nintendo 3DS will hit stores and the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo
3DS on Nov. 21. Trainers will catch, battle and trade Pokémon as
they immerse themselves into a grand tale that draws ever closer
to the heart of the secrets behind Mega Evolution and the power
of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. With beautifully rendered
graphics and new challenges to overcome, these games are a true
evolution in the Pokémon series.
Interactive amiibo Figures: Nintendo’s foray into the
toys-to-life category starts today, with the first 12 amiibo
figures available to pre-order from select retailers. Super
Smash Bros. for Wii U, which launches this Christmas season,
will be the first game with full integration of amiibo
functionality. Other games that will support amiibo include
Mario Kart 8, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Party 10 and
Yoshi’s Woolly World, with more to come. More details on amiibo
functionality with the various games and a launch date will be
revealed shortly.
New Hardware Bundles Available This Fall: Everyone loves a deal.
Three new Nintendo hardware bundles are set to deliver more
value and more options to Christmas shoppers:
Super Mario 3D World Deluxe Set: Starting mid-September, the new
Wii U Deluxe Set will include the Wii U console and physical
Super Mario 3D World and Nintendo Land games at a suggested
retail price of $299.99.
Walmart Exclusive Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Set: In mid-September,
Walmart stores nationwide will offer a special-edition Wii U
bundle that includes the console along with physical Mario Kart
8 and Nintendo Land games at a suggested retail price of
$299.99. This exclusive bundle will be available while supplies
last.
New Nintendo 2DS Bundles: In early October, three new Nintendo
2DS bundles will hit stores. The new bundles feature the
Electric Blue, Crimson Red or Sea Green Nintendo 2DS system
along with a code to download Mario Kart 7 from the Nintendo
eShop. The bundles will be available at a suggested retail price
of $129.99 each.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: This Christmas season,
everybody’s favorite intrepid explorer, Captain Toad, stars in
his own quest through maze-like mini-universes – only on Wii U.
Each little world Captain Toad visits is a unique microcosm
filled with tricks to solve, traps to avoid and treasure to
find.
Hyrule Warriors DLC: This mashup of Dynasty Warriors and The
Legend of Zelda already includes a large amount of content.
Nintendo plans to support the game for the long run with more
content to help players expand their adventures even farther.
That program kicks off when the game launches on Sept. 26.
People who buy the game will receive access to a free download
that adds a new mode, a new weapon and the option to select
music to add to the Hyrule Warriors experience. As detailed in a
recent Nintendo Direct, consumers who pre-order the game at
select retailers will receive a free download code for a set of
alternate in-game costumes for Link and Zelda. Additionally,
anyone who registers the game with Club Nintendo will receive a
free download code for a set of alternate costumes for
Ganondorf. All of these additional costumes will become
available for purchase in the Nintendo eShop in the near future.
Further details on timing and pricing will be announced at a
later time.
Pokémon Art Academy: This Nintendo title is coming to stores and
the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 24. The game teaches
basic and advanced art techniques throughout 40 lessons and
encourages artists to draw their favorite Pokémon and bring them
to life with a large variety of tools. They can also share their
Pokémon masterpieces by posting them to Miiverse, or saving them
to the SD Card and printing them out.
Art Academy (working title): This new entry in the Art Academy
franchise is a download-exclusive application that incorporates
the touch screen of the Wii U GamePad controller. Users learn,
create and share with in-depth step-by-step lessons accessible
even to novice artists, using the large Wii U GamePad screen as
the canvas. The game is scheduled to launch in 2014.
Ultimate NES Remix: This new Nintendo 3DS game will be available
in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Dec. 5 at
a suggested retail price of $29.99. The game features rapid-fire
challenges and mashups from a selection of 16 of Nintendo’s
finest 8-bit games. Regional online leaderboards will let
players see how they stack up against others in their area, and
Championship Mode offers a series of challenges from three
different games.
NES Remix Pack: Wii U fans can also get into the 8-bit mix on
Dec. 5, with a new game that combines the original NES Remix and
NES Remix 2 games for Wii U into one package. NES Remix Pack
will be available in stores at a suggested retail price of
$29.99. Both NES Remix and NES Remix 2 games remain available in
the Nintendo eShop on Wii U for $14.99 each.
Fantasy Life: Available in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on
Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 24, Fantasy Life lets players become the
masters of their destinies as choices they make help determine
their own Fantasy Life. Players can easily change their Life
Class at any time and experience how each offers a new
perspective on the world. Local and online multiplayer options
let friends share the adventure, the exploration and the bounty.
A downloadable content pack called Origin Island – available for
purchase from the Nintendo eShop starting on Oct. 24 – will
extend the Fantasy Life adventure even further. Origin Island
offers a new area that is home to an ancient culture and
powerful enemies, additional story content, new ranks to achieve
in Life Classes, access to even more powerful equipment and two
new varieties of pets to adopt: birds and dragons.
Two Deluxe Downloadable Kirby Games: Bounce or battle with two
new titles available today at $6.99 each in the Nintendo eShop
on Nintendo 3DS. Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe and Kirby Fighters
Deluxe are standalone downloadable games that first made an
appearance in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, and are now updated with
enhanced game-play features. In Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe,
players move Dedede across the stage, bouncing to the beat in
seven new stages exclusive to this downloadable version. In
Kirby Fighters Deluxe, players use different copy abilities to
defeat all of the arena opponents. This version includes five
new stages and a new team battle feature. Players who already
own Kirby: Triple Deluxe with StreetPass data will get bonus
content in both downloadable games.
Indie Games: Nintendo loves indie content, and a number of
downloadable games exclusive to the Nintendo eShop are on their
way this year.
Curve Digital’s Stealth Inc 2 combines the best elements of
puzzle solving, action platforming and stealth game play into a
game that’s all about hiding in the shadows. The game includes a
two-player co-op mode, level editor, off-TV play and Miiverse
integration. The game launches for Wii U in the fall.
Swords & Soldiers II is a side-scrolling action strategy game
from Ronimo Games launching this Christmas season for Wii U. The
game includes 20 story missions and lets players buy units, cast
spells and build structures to overwhelm enemies on a 2D
battleground.
Azure Striker GUNVOLT from Inti Creates launches today
exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. Featuring the talents of Keiji
Inafune, the creator of the Mega Man series, the game takes the
best aspects of Japanese 16-bit classics and updates them with
new play mechanics and slick graphics. For a limited time, the
game comes with a free digital version of the 8-bit
nostalgia-fueled Mighty GUNVOLT as well.
New Themes for Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu: Following a system update
in October, Nintendo will be introducing new Nintendo 3DS HOME
menu themes that change the menu background, icons and folders,
and music and sound effects. Themes will be available for
purchase from a Theme Shop that will be added to the HOME menu.
More details will be announced in the future.
Third-Party Games: More than 60 games from Nintendo’s
third-party partners are launching for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
before the end of year, with more great content coming in early
2015. The 2014 list is highlighted by Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric
for Wii U and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS
from SEGA, which introduce two unique and epic adventures as
Sonic and team work together to stop the evil villain Lyric.
Players can play as multiple characters, each with his or her
own abilities, as they explore, fight and speed through an
undiscovered land. Each game features its own individual story
and game-play features.
| Publisher | Title | Release Date | ||||||
| Wii U | ||||||||
| Activision | Skylanders Trap Team | Oct. 5 | ||||||
| BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc. | PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures 2 | Oct. 14 | ||||||
| Disney Interactive | Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition) | Sept. 23 | ||||||
| Little Orbit | Penguins of Madagascar | Nov. 25 | ||||||
| Little Orbit | Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue | Nov. 4 | ||||||
| Mobot Studios | Paper Monster Recut | September | ||||||
| SEGA | Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric | Nov. 18 | ||||||
| Ubisoft | Just Dance 2015 | Oct. 21 | ||||||
| Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment | LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham | Nov. 11 | ||||||
| WayForward Technologies | Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse | 2014 | ||||||
| Nintendo eShop on Wii U | ||||||||
| Ackk Studios LLC | Chromophore: The Two Brothers Director’s Cut | Q4 | ||||||
| Arachnid Games | Ballpoint Universe: Infinite | Fall | ||||||
| ATLUS | Citizens of Earth | Nov. 4 | ||||||
| BeautiFun Games SL | Nihilumbra | Winter | ||||||
| Breakfall | STARWHAL: Just the Tip | Q1 2015 | ||||||
| Curve Digital | Stealth Inc 2 | Fall | ||||||
| Curve Digital | The Swapper | Q3 | ||||||
| Frima Studio Inc. | Chariot | Fall | ||||||
| Image & Form | SteamWorld Dig | Aug. 28 | ||||||
| KnapNok Games | Affordable Space Adventures | Q1 2015 | ||||||
| Midnight City | Costume Quest 2 | Oct. 7 | ||||||
| Midnight City | Gone Home | Q4 | ||||||
| Natsume Inc. | Alphadia Genesis | 2014 | ||||||
| Nnooo | Cubemen 2 | Sept. 4 | ||||||
| Nyamyam Ltd. | Tengami | Fall | ||||||
| Over the Moon Games | The Fall | Aug. 26 | ||||||
| Rain Games | Teslagrad | September | ||||||
| Ronimo Games BV | Swords & Soldiers II | Q4 | ||||||
| Slightly Mad | Project CARS | 2015 | ||||||
| Turtle Cream | 6180 the moon | Q4 | ||||||
| WaterMelon | Pier Solar and the Great Architects | Fall | ||||||
| Nintendo 3DS | ||||||||
| Activision | Skylanders Trap Team | Oct. 5 | ||||||
| Activision | The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins | Oct. 28 | ||||||
| BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc. | PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures 2 | Oct. 14 | ||||||
| BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc. | Saban’s Power Rangers Super Megaforce | Oct. 28 | ||||||
| BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc. | TENKAI KNIGHTS: Brave Battle | Oct. 7 | ||||||
| Capcom | Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate | Early 2015 | ||||||
| EA | EA SPORTS FIFA 15 | September | ||||||
| GameMill | Big Hero 6 | Oct. 28 | ||||||
| Little Orbit | Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom | Nov. 18 | ||||||
| Little Orbit | Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue | Nov. 4 | ||||||
| Little Orbit | Penguins of Madagascar | Nov. 25 | ||||||
| Little Orbit | Winx Club: Saving Alfea | Fall | ||||||
| Majesco | Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit! | Sept. 16 | ||||||
| Marvelous USA (XSEED Games) | Story of Seasons | Winter | ||||||
| Natsume Inc. | Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley | October | ||||||
| SEGA | Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal | Nov. 11 | ||||||
| Square Enix, Inc. | THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL | Sept. 16 | ||||||
| Ubisoft | Petz Beach | Oct. 14 | ||||||
| Ubisoft | Petz Countryside | Oct. 14 | ||||||
| Ubisoft | Poptropica: Forgotten Islands | Oct. 14 | ||||||
| Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment | LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham | Nov. 11 | ||||||
| Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS | ||||||||
| ATLUS | Citizens of Earth | Nov. 4 | ||||||
| Big John Games | Cube Creator 3D | Q1 2015 | ||||||
| Big John Games | Lionel Trains 3D | Q1 2015 | ||||||
| Big John Games | Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter | Aug. 28 | ||||||
| Choice Provisions | Woah Dave! | Fall | ||||||
| CINEMAX | The Keep | September | ||||||
| Goodbye Galaxy Games | Tappingo 2 | Sept. 4 | ||||||
| Hörberg Productions | Gunman Clive 2 | Fall | ||||||
| Inti Creates Co. Ltd. | Azure Striker GUNVOLT | Aug. 29 | ||||||
| Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. | Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL World Duel Carnival | Sept. 25 | ||||||
| Nnooo | Blast ’Em Bunnies | Q1 2015 | ||||||
| Renegade Kid LLC | Moon Chronicles (ep. 2) | Q4 | ||||||
| Renegade Kid LLC | Treasurenauts | Q4 | ||||||
| Renegade Kid LLC | Xeodrifter | Q4 | ||||||
| WayForward Technologies | Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse | 2014 | ||||||
Looking Ahead: Nintendo has a ton of great games on the way for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. In 2015, Wii U will see the arrival of a new installment in The Legend of Zelda franchise, Splatoon, Yoshi’s Woolly World, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Star Fox (working title), Mario Maker (working title), Project Giant Robot, Project Guard, Mario vs. Donkey Kong (working title), and Mario Party 10. On the portable side in 2015, Nintendo 3DS will see the launch of a new NFC reader/writer that will interact with amiibo figures in compatible games, as well as the arrival of Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., Fossil Fighters Frontier and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, an exclusive Nintendo 3DS game from Capcom.