NEW
NINTENDO 3DS XL LAUNCHES IN THE U.S. ON FEB. 13
New Fire Emblem Game and Next Line of amiibo
Among Nintendo Announcements
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 14, 2015 – During a Nintendo Direct presentation,
Nintendo announced that the New
Nintendo 3DS XL system will launch in the U.S. on Feb. 13 at a
suggested retail price of $199.99. New Nintendo 3DS XL offers a number
of new enhancements designed to offer the smoothest and most engrossing
portable gaming possible. New Nintendo 3DS XL features a wider range of
controls with the addition of a C Stick and ZL/ZR buttons, super-stable
3D via face-tracking technology and built-in NFC functionality that
allows for communication with amiibo figures.
All of the new features of New Nintendo 3DS XL make it the
ideal way to experience upcoming portable games like The Legend
of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, Monster
Hunter 4 Ultimate and Code
Name: S.T.E.A.M., as well as all other existing Nintendo 3DS
software. The system also enhances certain games like Super Smash
Bros. for Nintendo 3DS with amiibo functionality, faster
processing speeds and more control options when compared to the
Nintendo 3DS system. In addition to the standard hardware in New Red
and New Black, two other New Nintendo 3DS XL designs will be available
at launch: a system featuring artwork inspired by The Legend of
Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and one based on Monster Hunter 4
Ultimate available exclusively at GameStop with the game
pre-installed. The three stand-alone New Nintendo 3DS XL models and the
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate bundle will all be available
on Feb. 13 at suggested retail prices of $199.99 and $229.99,
respectively.
In addition to the New Nintendo 3DS XL news, Nintendo also
revealed the Feb. 13 launch date of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s
Mask 3D, a new game in the Fire Emblem series, a line
of amiibo featuring classic characters from the Super Mario
series, the arrival of amiibo
compatibility in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and
many details about upcoming Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including Code
Name: S.T.E.A.M., Splatoon, Kirby
and the Rainbow Curse and Mario Party 10.
“We are only a couple of weeks into 2015, and Nintendo is
already starting the year off with a bang,” said Scott Moffitt,
Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales &
Marketing. “With New Nintendo 3DS XL coming very soon and an enormous
library of exclusive Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games launching throughout
the coming months, it has never been a better time to be a Nintendo
fan.”
Some of the other highlights revealed in the video include:
Nintendo 3DS
- New Fire Emblem Game: The
latest game in the Fire Emblem series is coming exclusively
to the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Developed by the same team that
created Fire Emblem Awakening, the new adventure adds
challenges never before seen in the series and asks players to make
decisions that will affect the game’s world in new ways.
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate from Capcom:
Play alone in a robust single-player experience, join up to three other
players locally or, for the first time on a portable system, play
online using a wireless broadband Internet connection. Starting soon,
select players will receive early access to a demo for the game that
includes both single- and multiplayer options. A special-edition New
Nintendo 3DS XL bundle, which includes a slick custom-designed system
and a copy of the game, launches on Feb. 13 alongside the game’s
release.
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS amiibo
Compatibility: In February, a new system update will allow
amiibo support for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS using
the Super Smash Bros. series of amiibo and the NFC technology
built in to the New Nintendo 3DS XL system. The previously announced
NFC adapter for amiibo support on Nintendo 3DS will launch in the
future.
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3D: In
April, a remake of the well-received Xenoblade Chronicles game
for the Wii system is launching exclusively for New Nintendo 3DS XL.
The new version offers 3D visuals and allows players to view the maps
and character stats on the bottom screen. An additional bonus mode lets
players view 3D models of the characters and listen to music tracks
from the game.
- Puzzle & Dragons Z / Puzzle &
Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition: Based on the popular Puzzle
& Dragons game – a game with RPG and strategy elements that
previously launched in Japan – Puzzle & Dragons Z and Puzzle
& Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition will launch as one
package for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in May. Puzzle
& Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition features characters and
worlds from the Super Mario Bros. series.
- Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.: A month
after the launch of New Nintendo 3DS XL, Abraham Lincoln will bring
together heroes from classic literature and American folklore to fend
off an alien invasion. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. launches for the
Nintendo 3DS family of systems on March 13 and is one of the first
Nintendo 3DS games to use amiibo. By tapping an existing Fire
Emblem amiibo character like Marth or Ike, or an upcoming one
like Robin or Lucina, on the touch screen of the New Nintendo 3DS XL
system, players can enlist their help in battle as playable characters.
- Etrian Mystery Dungeon: From
ATLUS and Spike Chunsoft comes a Nintendo 3DS exclusive that combines
the game play of the Etrian Odyssey and Mystery Dungeon
RPG series. The game launches this spring and gives
players the freedom to create their own party of heroes and then embark
on a near-infinite loot-hunting quest.
- Story of Seasons from Marvelous USA and
XSEED Games: Combining farming and life simulation, Story
of Seasons connects players with other lands across the in-game
world and with other players online. The game launches exclusively for
Nintendo 3DS in March.
- Pokémon Shuffle: Launching
exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS in February, Pokémon
Shuffle finds players putting their puzzle-solving skills to the
test by matching three or more Pokémon in the Puzzle Area to
deal damage as they battle wild Pokémon across a variety of
stages. Clearing Pokémon efficiently is the key to success.
Players can download and start the game for free and purchase in-game
items using Nintendo eShop funds.
- ACE COMBAT ASSAULT HORIZON LEGACY+
from BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.: The high-flying Ace
Combat series is back with an improved 3D view and added C Stick
and ZR/ZL button controls that make playing on New Nintendo 3DS XL the
ideal way to experience the game. Players can even tap select amiibo
figures to the New Nintendo 3DS XL system to unlock special aircraft
skins. The game launches for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on Feb.
13.
- Fossil Fighters: Frontier: A new
entry in the Fossil Fighters series is stomping its way onto
the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on March 20. Fossil Fighters:
Frontier lets two to six players team up and battle each other’s
Vivosaurs in local or online tournaments.
Wii U
- Splatoon:
A central “plaza” that connects to all the different modes in the game
also grants access to a shopping center that lets players customize
their weapons and outfits with in-game currency. Splatoon launches
exclusively for Wii U in May.
- Hyrule Warriors DLC: New “Majora’s Mask
Pack” DLC will launch for Hyrule Warriors on Feb. 5 for $7.99. The
content includes two new characters (Tingle and Young Link), a new
Adventure Mode map and three additional costumes.
- Kirby and the Rainbow Curse:
Kirby, King Dedede and Meta Knight amiibo are compatible with the game.
Once a day, players can tap Kirby, King Dedede or Meta Knight amiibo to
the GamePad to power up Kirby. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
launches for Wii U on Feb. 20.
- Mario Party 10: The new “amiibo
Party Mode” brings amiibo compatibility to the classic party-game
series. Select amiibo from both the Super Smash Bros. and Super
Mario series will work with the game: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad,
Yoshi, Bowser, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Wario. While at least one
amiibo is required to play, amiibo Party Mode lets players tap an
amiibo to the GamePad to use that character as a game piece, as well as
play on a game board themed to that classic character. Mario Party
10 and a limited-edition Mario Party 10 bundle
including a Mario amiibo figure launch for Wii U on March 20.
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: A
new update on March 20 will add amiibo support to the charming Wii U
game. Tapping the Toad amiibo on the GamePad will make Pixel Toad
appear in a stage, waiting to be found by the player.
- Xenoblade
Chronicles X: The upcoming Wii U game is an
open-world RPG that allows seamless access to anywhere in the massive
world. Xenoblade Chronicles X is planned for launch in 2015.
- Wii Games Coming to Wii U: Starting today,
players can purchase and download Wii games directly to their Wii U
HOME Menus via the Nintendo eShop on Wii U – no need to access Wii
Mode. The first game that is now available is Super Mario Galaxy 2.
The future lineup includes Punch-Out!! (Jan. 22) and Metroid
Prime: Trilogy (Jan. 29). The Wii U GamePad can be used to control
Wii games that were compatible with the Wii Classic Controller. The
games will be on sale for an introductory price of $9.99 each during
their first week of availability, and $19.99 after.
amiibo
- Super Mario Series amiibo:
A line of amiibo figures inspired by the characters of the Super
Mario series will launch on March 20. The lineup includes new
models of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi and Bowser, as well as the
introduction of Toad. Crossover amiibo characters from the Super
Smash Bros. and Super Mario lines like Mario, Luigi,
Peach and Bowser will have the same functionality in all compatible
games, so players can choose which design they like best!
- Additional amiibo Figures: Robin, Lucina,
PAC-MAN, Wario, Ness and Charizard amiibo figures, which are all
compatible with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo
3DS, will launch this spring.
Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars:
In this puzzle/platformer hybrid, players guide Mario Minis to the exit
door using touch control. As with previous games in the series, players
can create their own levels and share them with other players online.
In this game, players can “tip” the creators of the user-generated
puzzles with stars, which can be used to buy new parts in the robust
level creator. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars will
launch exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
on March 5. As a bonus, players who buy one version will receive a free
download code for the other version!
- IronFall: Invasion from VD-Dev:
Created by a small team of talented indie developers, IronFall:
Invasion brings fast-paced 60-fps shooting action to the Nintendo
eShop on Nintendo 3DS with six-player local and online multiplayer and
a dedicated single-player campaign. While playable on Nintendo 3DS or
Nintendo 2DS, the C Stick on New Nintendo 3DS XL enhances the control
options. IronFall: Invasion launches exclusively in the
Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in early 2015.
- Third-Party Games: Many great third-party
games are coming soon to the Nintendo eShop, including the following:
- Elliot Quest from PlayEveryWare, Blek from
Broken Rules & kunabi brother, and Citizens of Earth from
ATLUS for Wii U.
- Gunman Clive 2 from Hörberg Productions, Moon
Chronicles (eps. 2, 3, 4) from Renegade Kid, Citizens of
Earth from ATLUS and SEGA 3D Classics from SEGA for Nintendo 3DS.
- Project Treasure: A new four-player co-op game
from BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT and Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada is
currently in development for Wii U.
About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in
the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of
Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its
Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™
families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo
Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.2 billion video
games and more than 673 million hardware units globally, including the
current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as
the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and
Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii
systems. It has also created industry icons that have become
well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™,
Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of
America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for
Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information
about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.
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