Super Smash Bros, Hyrule Warriors, The Next Zelda, and this was just the first day of E3 for Nintendo!
Nintendo’s video games have always had an element that can put great big smiles on people’s faces: It’s that special Nintendo magic. It’s that certain undefinable something that makes people’s eyes light up, whether they’ve been playing for decades or they’re picking up a game for the first time. At this week’s E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles, Nintendo is showcasing the invention and reinvention of video game experiences, from unique new ways to play to new takes on fan-favorite games and franchises.
Interactive figures called “amiibo,” scheduled to arrive this year, can be used with multiple Nintendo games, bringing a touch of Nintendo’s magic to the toys-to-life category. With the addition of amiibo to a solid lineup of games on the way, there has never been a better time to own a Wii U or Nintendo 3DS system.
“Nintendo has always represented a unique source of video game entertainment for the widest range of gamers,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and chief operating officer. “We create timeless games with twists and turns that provide hours of enjoyment for fans of all ages, and this year with the introduction of amiibo, we’re pushing the creative envelope forward in compelling new ways.”
The toys-to-life category as a whole is extremely strong on Nintendo platforms, and Nintendo’s approach with amiibo adds another dimension to the category. Not only can amiibo interact with a particular game, but a single amiibo will continue to entertain in surprising ways, as they can be designed to be compatible across multiple games. Additionally, the Wii U GamePad controller shines in a slate of unique interactive games from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto.
Figures of Nintendo characters can interact with multiple future Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games in unique new ways, providing fresh game-play experiences and a great value for consumers with compatibility across multiple games. Fans can buy and collect amiibo, to bring them closer to the games and characters they love. By the end of the year, Nintendo’s foray into the toys-to-life category will inject energy into the genre. Nintendo will launch amiibo with around 10 figures. More will be launched during the holiday season and throughout 2015. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be the first game to support amiibo. 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. A new NFC reader/writer being designed for Nintendo 3DS is scheduled to launch in 2015.
Shigeru Miyamoto provides an early look at a slate of games he has in development that use the Wii U GamePad controller in different and interesting ways designed to unlock the full potential of the Wii U console. Games being developed by/supervised by Miyamoto include: Mario Maker, Star Fox, Project Giant Robot, Project Guard.
Many Super Smash Bros. fans grew up playing Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Nintendo GameCube system, and some will always prefer that system’s controller. The Nintendo GameCube controller also could be used in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii. To honor that devoted loyalty to a classic way to play, Nintendo is introducing an adapter that lets up to four original Nintendo GameCube or WaveBird controllers work with Wii U. The adapter will be available at a suggested retail price of $19.99. Nintendo is also launching a retro Nintendo GameCube controller with Super Smash Bros. markings at a suggested retail price of $29.99. Additionally, Nintendo is offering a special bundle that includes Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, one special Nintendo GameCube controller and one adapter at a suggested retail price of $99.99. All of these items are scheduled to launch the same day as Super Smash Bros. for Wii U this holiday season.
The newest game in the Legend of Zelda franchise, scheduled for 2015, introduces the first truly open world in a game from the series. Players can roam Hyrule Field or set off on a trek to distant mountains if they prefer. Players can get to any area they can see from virtually any direction. That’s one of the ways the game breaks with franchise norms and introduces new ways to play. The famed fighting franchise appears for the first time in HD on Wii U this holiday season, and on a portable system for the first time on Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 3. New characters, items and arenas add a freshly reinvigorated look and feel. As classic Nintendo characters interact wirelessly in the game, amiibo will add a different dimension to game play.Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be available at a suggested retail price of $59.99, while the Nintendo 3DS version will be available at a suggested retail price of $39.99.
Yoshi looks like he has been knit from a ball of yarn and placed on the TV screen. This gorgeous HD Wii U game, planned for the first half of 2015, is filled with rich textiles like felt, yarn and cotton that look good enough to touch. This Wii U Kirby adventure, planned for 2015, is set in an HD, stop-motion clay-like world. Everything is made from clay and placed perfectly in a gorgeously sculpted landscape. Touch-screen drawing mechanics with more variations in functions build on thecontrols of the fan-favorite Nintendo DS game Kirby’s Canvas Curse in this new game.
The game artfully merges the world of The Legend of Zelda and the style of Dynasty Warriors into one legendary hack-and-slash Wii U adventure. Players control hero Link or Princess Zelda, or might opt to play as Impa or Midna in their debut as playable characters. Familiar locations from The Legend of Zelda world subtly change to reflect the art styles of their original games. The game is scheduled to launch on Sept. 26. Get ready to embark on a new adventure through the Hoenn region. Players will catch, battle and trade Pokémon as they seek answers to the mystery behind Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre and their possible connection to Mega Evolutions. With new challenges to overcome and incredibly powerful Pokémon to encounter, these games are a true evolution in the Pokémon series.
The Sonic Boom franchise comes exclusively to Nintendo platforms this November with Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for Wii U and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS. Both titles will feature the “blue blur” as you’ve never seen him before, as Sonic and his friends embark on two new adventures focused on action, exploration and teamwork. Launching exclusively on Nintendo 3DS in early 2015, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate will be the newest installment in the popular Monster Hunter series. Along with an expanded set of moves and two new weapon types, players will be able to join the hunt with friends over the Internet via Wi-Fi.
Other games that Nintendo wants you to know about during E3 week include: Bayonetta 2, Mario Vs Donkey Kong, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Party 10, Art Academy, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Skylanders Trap Team, Just Dance 2015,Pokemon Art Academy, Fantasy Life, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call, Affordable Space Adventures, Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, Shovel Knight, and Swords & Soldiers 2
