December 5 to 11 Nintendo News Roundup

Nintendo at The Tonight Show

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime recently stopped by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to show off a bit of Super Mario Run, the Switch, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

You can find a video with that part of the show below.

Shigeru Miyamoto was also present at the show, and even performed the Super Mario Bros. theme with The Roots, as you can see in the following segment.

Moreover, Reggie and Miyamoto took some time off in the backstage to record a couple of extra quick videos. Reggie answers some fan questions in his video, while Miyamoto has a moment of silly fun guessing the size of random objects. You can watch those two videos below.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Packaging for the Link (Archer) and Link (Rider) amiibo have now been shared, now that the figures CPSIA certificates have been delivered.

You can take a look at them below.

Pokémon Sun & Moon

The Mythical Pokémon Magearna is now being distributed for your Pokémon Sun & Moon games. To get it, you only need to scan on of the QR Codes below the promotional trailer that follows after you have become a Champion and visit the Antiquities of the Ages shop in the Hau’oli City Mall to receive it.

QR Code for North America:

QR Code for Europe/Australia:

Besides that, we now have confirmation from Nintendo that Pokémon Sun & Moon sold over 2.1 million copies in Europe during their first 12 days on sale.

In Australia, the two games have become the fastest-selling Nintendo games in the continent, with sales at 240,000 copies in under two weeks.

Finally, Retro Gamer recently published an interview with Game Freak’s Junichi Masuda and Ken Sugimori about the Pokémon series. In this interiview, Masuda shared some details about the way Game Freak worked on the original games, how the team was limited by the Game Boy hardware, and how hard localization overseas was. Sugimori talked about why each new Pokemon generation tends to see no more than 100 new creature designs. You can read up on this interviews main quote over here.

Pokkén Tournament

Bandai Namco recently announced that Empoleon would be added to the arcade version of Pokkén Tournament on December 15. Now a trailer for the new playable character is available, and you can watch it below.

Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO has recently been updated, bringing the game up to version 0.49.1 on Android and version 1.19.1 on iOS.

You can find the new update notes below.

-Trainers will be able to transfer multiple Pokémon at a time to Professor Willow. To use this function, press and hold on a Pokémon.
-Pokémon type icons have been added to the Gym battle approach and Gym battle screen.
-The total Candy count for your Buddy Pokémon has been added to the buddy information screen.
-The total kilometers a buddy has walked has been added to the information screen of each Pokémon that has ever been your buddy.
-Minor text fixes.

Niantic has also recently reverted the amount of Prestige gained when training at friendly Gyms back to the original values, and expanded the Nearby Pokémon feature once again according to the details shared below.

“The Nearby Pokémon feature is being expanded to more locations. Trainers in most regions of the world, who can access Pokémon GO from the App Store or Google Play, can now test this new feature. To provide a better experience when searching for Pokémon in the real world, we have also made some changes to the way the Nearby Pokémon feature functions when there are only a few PokéStops in range. We will continue to review the feedback submitted on our official social media accounts and in other channels and make changes if necessary.”

The team has also confirmed that more pokémon are being added to the game, and that information about that will be shared on December 12.

On the business side, a few more partnerships have been made public.

A partnership with Sprint has been announced, where over 10,500 Sprint, Boost Mobile, and Sprint at Radioshack stores will become PokeStops and Gyms across the United States. Additionally, Sprint outlets will feature in-store charging stations.

Here’s the full notice from John Hanke and the Pokémon GO team:

As we race towards 2017, we wanted to take a moment and thank you for your support. We’re excited for December because we have a few new experiences and in-game events planned for you before wrapping up the year. While we cannot share all the details yet, keep an eye out on our social media channels on December 12th for details about the first addition of more Pokémon into Pokémon GO.

In addition, we are thrilled to announce that we are working with Sprint to create a special Pokémon GO experience at over 10,500 Sprint locations around the United States. As part of this collaboration, Sprint, Boost Mobile and Sprint at Radioshack stores will become PokéStops and Gyms, giving you even more places to stock up on Poké Balls and Razz Berries and to battle your friends. Sprint locations will also feature in-store charging stations to keep your Pokémon GO sessions going even longer. Sprint also brings a great network and an unlimited data plan to support your search for Pokémon no matter where they are hiding.

Moreover, a partnership with Starbucks was also made official.

7,800 Starbucks stores in the United States will become PokeStops and Gyms, and Starbucks is selling a special-edition Pokémon GO Frappuccino.

Here’s the official notice and announcement from Niantic:

Trainers,

We are happy to announce that Starbucks is now an official partner of Pokémon GO.

Starbucks has a long-standing commitment to providing spaces for social interaction and real-world community building in its extensive network of locations. We appreciate their role in creating safe, welcoming locations for people from all walks of life to come together for refreshment and social engagement. Starting 11 A.M. PST on December 8th, this new partnership will transform 7,800 company-operated Starbucks stores in the United States into PokéStops and Gyms, giving Trainers even more places to play and to engage with their local Pokémon GO communities. And to cap it all off, Starbucks is creating a special-edition Pokémon GO Frappuccino® for everyone!

Whether you’re on your daily morning commute or just out exploring your neighborhood with your loved ones, make sure you collect items from the new Starbucks PokéStops or battle in the new Gyms with your favorite Pokémon!

SAN FRANCISCO – Dec. 8 – Niantic, Inc., The Pokémon Company International and Starbucks Coffee Company are teaming up to explore the intersection of technology and local community. Pokémon GO – one of the most popular mobile games of the year in which players can encounter Pokémon in the real world – has demonstrated how technology can motivate people to get outside and into their communities. Starbucks has a long-standing commitment to providing spaces for social interaction and real world community building in its extensive network of Starbucks locations.

Today at 11 a.m. PST, more than 7,800 company-operated Starbucks locations in the U.S. will begin to transform within the game into PokéStops or Gyms, enabling Trainers to play the game while meeting friends, recharge in the Starbucks environment, and enjoy the new Pokémon GO Frappuccino® blended beverage. The Pokémon GO Frappuccino® blended beverage starts with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino® and blends in raspberry syrup with freeze dried whole blackberries, topped with whipped cream – the perfect treat for any Pokémon Trainer on the go.

“Starbucks has played an important role in creating welcoming places for people to come together for refreshment and social engagement,” said John Hanke, CEO, Niantic, Inc. “The physical locations component of the collaboration is important to us as we look for ways to use technology to encourage exploration, exercise and real world social interaction, and Starbucks’ footprint throughout the U.S. provides an awesome platform.”

“The Pokémon brand has been surprising and delighting its fans for 20 years and we’re thrilled to be working with a premium brand like Starbucks to bring Pokémon GO to many of its U.S. locations,” said J.C. Smith, Sr. Director of Consumer Marketing, The Pokémon Company International. “We’re always looking for the best ways to deliver the joy of our gameplay and beloved characters to our fans, so we’re also excited to see the first-ever Pokémon-themed Starbucks beverage.”

Besides that, Apple has also named Pokémon GO the “Breakout Hit” of 2016, and Facebook has shared it was the third most talked about topic of the year.

Pokémon Generations

Episode 16 of Pokémon Generations is now available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. You can watch it below.

Charmander Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop and The Pokémon Company International are teaming up once again to bring the Pokémon Charmander set to BAB stores. It’s the third collaboration following Pikachu and Eevee.

Here’s what’s being offered in the United States:

· Online Exclusive Pokémon Charmander Set (includes plush, Charmander sound chip, Great Ball Hoodie, Lucario Hoodie and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Charmander Pokémon TCG Card): $61, plus tax
· Make-your-own Pokémon Charmander plush: $28, plus tax, sold separately at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and as part of the online exclusive set; includes Build-A-Bear Workshop Charmander Pokémon TCG Card
· Great Ball Hoodie: $12.50, plus tax, sold separately at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and as part of the online exclusive set

Build-A-Bear Workshop will be selling the Great Ball hoodie and make-your-own Charmander at all U.S., U.K. and Canada stores starting December 8.

You can find some photos of this new content below.

Goodbye! BoxBoy!

Nintendo has recently announced that Goodbye! BoxBoy! is currently in the works for 3DS. A Japanese teaser site can be found over here. The game is said to be coming out on February 2 for 680 yen.

A Qbby amiibo is also releasing on February 2, which unlocks secrets in the game. Specifics are currently unknown though. The amiibo will be released as a standalone figure, but can also be obtained in a limited edition retail package containing all three games along with an official soundtrack for 3,456 yen. The OST will contain 34 pieces from the series.

You can find some gameplay footage and and a look at the packages and amiibo below.

Fire Emblem

Nintendo of Europe has rencently put out a new video which goes over the history of Fire Emblem in the region. You can watch it below.

Super Mario Maker for 3DS

Dengeki recently shared that Super Mario Maker for 3DS sold through 50% of its initial shipment, outdoing the Wii U version’s first week sales of 137,000 copies.

A new Australian commercial for the game was also posted on Twitter, which you can watch below.

Mario Sports Superstars

Nintendo has put up a facts sheet about Mario Sports Superstars.

It seems like the game will feature some sort of training mode, and will include 18 playable characters, among which are Mario and Waluigi.

In the horse racing sport mode, you’ll build a stable of horses, and then train them before moving on to actual races. In-field shifts will be a part of baseball, while soccer will let you change your team’s formation.

You can find the full details below.

Five full-on sports—Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Baseball, and Horse Racing—bring the challenge and depth you demand to Nintendo 3DS systems. Take on friends and rivals in local or online multiplayer, hone skills in training, or tackle single-player tournaments. Whether you pick Mario, Waluigi, or one of sixteen others, you’re on the road to superstardom!

Before long, you’ll have mastered the ins and outs of each sport: learn when to use an infield shift in Baseball, change your team’s formation in Soccer, and more. Even Horse Racing is surprisingly deep! Build a stable of horses and train them well to win the day in the first-ever horse races in series history. But remember: these aren’t normal sports—they’re Mario Sports. Expect unexpected thrills and power up to stomp the competition.

– Five full-featured sports: Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Baseball, and Horse Racing!
– Play as your favorite Mario characters, like Yoshi, Bowser, Peach, and more!
– Horse Racing makes it’s Mario Sports debut
– Take on friends and rivals in local or online multiplayer
– Single-player tournaments and training mode provide hours of feverish fun

Super Mario Run

Eurogamer recently put out a preview of Super Mario Run, so it’s recommended that you check it out over here for the a ton of details on the game.

Moreover, according to an interview with Miyamoto by Mashable, Super Mario Run will require an online connection for all three game modes due mainly to “security elements”.

It seems it will be one of the only Nintendo games to require a constant online connection to function, according to him. Miyamoto also said that Nintendo attempted to have the World Tour mode playable offline, but it proved unfeasible due to how World Tour affects the other modes, and how these modes rely on network saves.

When asked about the online requirement and if there were any plans for an offline mode, he said:

For us, we view our software as being a very important asset for us. And also for consumers who are purchasing the game, we want to make sure that we’re able to offer it to them in a way that the software is secure, and that they’re able to play it in a stable environment.

We wanted to be able to leverage that network connection with all three of the [Super Mario Run] modes to keep all of the modes functioning together and offering the game in a way that keeps the software secure. This is something that we want to continue to work on as we continue to develop the game.

But actually, the security element is one of the reasons that we decided to go with iPhone and iOS first. So this is just — based on the current development environment — a requirement that’s been built into the game to support security and the fact that the three different modes are connecting to the network and interacting with one another.

We had thought at one point that it would be nice to have the World Tour [story] mode available standalone, to be able to play without that connection. But then the challenge is when that’s operating in a standalone mode, it actually complicates the connection back to the Toad Rally and Kingdom modes. And because those two modes are relying on the network save, we had to integrate the World Tour mode as well.

Miyamoto then further elaborated about Nintendo’s security concerns:

That’s correct.

Unlike our dedicated game devices, the game is not releasing in a limited number of countries. We’re launching in 150 countries and each of those countries has different network environments and things like that. So it was important for us to be able to have it secure for all users.

Shigeru Miyamoto also recently stopped by the Apple Store in SoHo for a special Super Mario Run event, where he talked about the mobile game in-depth with Katie Linendoll from The Today Show. You can listen to the event below.

Listen to “Super Mario Run Discussion with Shigeru Miyamoto” on Spreaker.

Besides that, Nintendo has put out a couple of trailers for Super Mario Run, and several outlets have started recording gameplay footage of the game, so you can find those videos below.

Finally, the latest episode of Nintendo Minute features Kit and Krysta showing off Super Mario Run too. You can check it out below.

Miitopia

Below you can find some more gameplay footage from Miitopia, thanks to CoroCoro, Nintendaan, and GameXplain (which recorded a video with the various Nintendo costumes).

Miitomo

Nintendo has recently updated Miitomo to version 2.1.0. You can find the patch notes below:

– You’ll be able to teach Sidekick Mii characters how to answer questions.
– Sidekick Central will be added. This is a place where you can share your sidekick Mii characters’ answers with other users.
– Certain emoji in your Mii characters’ answers will trigger sound effects.

A special bonus is also being offered to users who have upgraded to the latest version. By purchasing the standard 1,000 coins ($0.99), users will receive a bonus 4,000 coins for free. This bonus is only obtainable once per user, but doesn’t appear to have an expiration date.

Moreover, the app has now launched a new collaboration with Super Mario Run to celebrate the game’s upcoming launch. You can read more about it below.

1) In-app Mario and Luigi items free for all players!
Not only are we bringing back the Mario cap and Mario suit, but we’re introducing the brand-new Luigi cap and Luigi suit. And better yet, we’re giving them to all Miitomo players for free!

Note: This giveaway is a continuation of the ongoing 2.0 update celebration, available until 1/12/2017 11:00 a.m. PT.

2) Super Mario Run collaboration items available in Miitomo Drop!
Now’s your chance to get Super Mario Run wallpaper and flooring, as well as items for your Mii characters to wear!

(Available from 12/8/2016 6:00 p.m. PT to 1/12/2017 6:59 a.m. PT.)

3) Little Goomba, Little Boo buddy, and more now available in the shop!
These classic Mario series characters will stick by your side (on your shoulder?). The Little Goomba, Little Boo Buddy, and the ever-stylish Super Mario Run varsity jacket are available in the Miitomo shop!
(Available from 12/8/2016 6:00 p.m. PT to 1/12/2017 6:59 a.m.m PT.)

Finally, Miitomo has received the usual content update to Miitomo Drop and Miitomo Shop. You can find the newly added items listed below.

‘Tis the season! Happy Holidays #2

– Santa-miniskirt top (set)
– Santa-miniskirt boots (set)
– Reindeer hood (set)
– Reindeer suit (set)

‘Tis the season! Happy Holidays #3

– Holiday wreath hat
– Holiday tree suit
– Winter-holiday skirt
– Ugly Santa sweater

Miitomo Shop Items

– High-collared woolen coat
– Pearls & flowers hairclip
– Floral print dress
– Cropped jacket + grid-check tee
– Cardigan + striped tee
– Beaded moccasins
– Leather briefcase backpack

Virtual Console

Below you can find the European trailer for the Wii U Virtual Console version of Exciteback 64 which is now out in Europe and North America.

Reggie and Miyamoto Interviews

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime and Super Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto participated in several interviews throughout the week, which I have listed below. These cover several topics, from the Switch, to the company’s mobile strategy, and Super Mario Run, among other things, so check them out.

Engadget – Reggie on Nintendo’s mobile approach.

CNET – Reggie on Nintendo’s mobile strategy and the NES Classic Edition.

Bloomberg – Reggie on Nintendo’s mobile games, the Switch, and VR technology.

The Wall Street Journal – Miyamoto on pursuing smartphone platforms.

The Verge – Miyamoto on Super Mario Run and introducing Nintendo IP to new players.

Financial Post – Miyamoto on bringing Super Mario to mobile, bringing back lapsed players, Run’s pricing model, etc.

TIME – Miyamoto on choosing and balacing gameplay elements and characters for Super Mario Run, what inspired the Kingdom Builder mode, why it’s the right time for Mario on mobile.

Glixel – Miyamoto on developing with his core team, team roles, inspirations and influences, Nintendo and Apple similarities, Minecraft, etc.

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