Jan. 11 to 17 Nintendo News Roundup

Splatoon

This week was marked by the last weapon addition to Splatoon in the form of the Custom Hydra Splatling. It features the Sprinkler sub-weapon and the Bubbler special weapon. You can find some screenshots for it and a video overview below, as well as artwork from Nintendo depicting all the 74 weapons in the game.

Moreover, Nintendo announced that the 10th Japanese Splatfest will take place at 12 PM on January 23, and will ask players if they would prefer a perfect body or a perfect mind.

Meanwhile, the 10th North American Splatfest has come to a close and you can find the results below.

North America (10th Splatfest) – Past vs. Future

– Votes – 39% / 61%

– Wins – 55% / 45%

– Final Results – 369 / 331 – Past Wins

Super Mario Maker

Two new costumes have been added to Super Mario Maker this week.

These new costumes are based on Yamamura, the level design pidgeon, and Daisy, the princess of Sarasaland.

Below you can find an overview and some footage of the new event courses and a video showcasing each of the new costumes.

“Cooooo!”

“This course was created by Yamamura of ‘Super Mario Maker: Crash Course’ fame! He might look like a humble pigeon, but don’t let that fool you – he’s a master course creator! Here’s what he had to say: ‘Coo! (To please my fans across the world, I had a special Yamamura costume made. I hope you all clear my course and get it!)'”

“Adventure in Sarasaland”

“Start in the land of Super Mario Bros. and cross the water into the land of… Super Mario Land! That’s the idea behind this course. Transform into Princess Daisy and explore Sarasaland!”

Additionally, Nintendo has updated the Super Mario Maker Bookmark site, and it’s now possible to filter levels by difficulty. The options include “Easy”, “Normal”, “Expert” and “Super Expert”. If haven’t yet taken a look at the Bookmark, you can do so here.

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash

Japan is finally getting Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash next week, so Nintendo launched a few commercials to promote the game, which you can check below.

https://youtu.be/R4Y-70YT0Gc

https://youtu.be/YqJ5saFYq3A

https://youtu.be/dYZ-R5TZSZI

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Nintendo has announced that the 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will arrive in North America on March 18 and the Wii U later this year.

You can also find some new screenshots from the Japanese 3DS eShop in the gallery below:

Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge

Nintendo recently announced Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge, a new game coming to Wii U and 3DS in Japan this month. (Seems to be the rumoured game NST was working on…)

Starting on January 28, those who purchase an amiibo figure can download (with codes) Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge at no extra cost. Nintendo is making it so consumers can obtain the game for both 3DS and Wii U. There are also plans to distribute Mini Mario & Friends on the eShop for free at some point in the future.

The game takes up 322MB on Wii U and the 3DS download is 2400 blocks.

Here’s a roundup of the known details so far:

– When you touch an amiibo, that character will appear in the game;
– You must then use the touchscreen to lead them to the goal;
– You can use any amiibo, but if you use anything other than the Mario series amiibo or Rosalina, Bowser Jr., Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong from the Smash Bros. series, the toy character will default into a generic robot named “Mini Spec”;
– Using amiibos of Mario and Donkey Kong characters will generate unique toy based on those characters instead;
– The toy character will automatically move forward in courses riddled with traps like pitfalls and enemies;
– You have to draw bridges, add/remove pipes and blocks, etc. to help the toys reach the goal;
– Unique toys based on amiibo characters have special abilities and some special stages can only be accessed through their use;
– For example, there’s a special goal in a stage that is only reachable with Mini Mario’s wall jump. When you reach this goal, you’ll go through a special stage exclusive to Mini Mario;
– The total number of stages is over 60;
– Mini Mario can wall jump;
– Mini Luigi can jump higher than other toy characters;
– Mini Peach can float for a short distance;
– Mini Toad can shrink himself, allowing him to pass through small gaps;
– Mini Donkey Kong can climb steep hills;
– Mini Diddy Kong can cling to platforms when falling then climb back on top of it (Note: does not apply to platforms of the same height before falling);
– Mini Bowser can do a stomping jump when falling from a cliff (which seems to destroy fragile bricks);
– Mini Bowser Jr. can walk on spikes;
– Mini Yoshi can eat some enemies;
– Mini Rosalina can do a super jump next to a wall.

You can find the announcement trailer and some screenshots and artwork from the game below:

https://youtu.be/bycoAdmdQ-E

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

This week’s edition of Famitsu magazine had a few pages dedicated to reintroducing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess to the masses due to its upcoming HD release.

Although nothing really new was shared about the game, fans were able to detect some changes made to it via the screenshots available in the magazine.

From the first screenshots below, it seems like you won’t need to collect as many Tears of Light in Lanayru Province. The original Wii and GameCube version had 16 of these, but this version appears to only ask for 12 instead. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this change being made to Faron Province and Eldin Province as well, helping reduce the amount of time spent in these parts of the game.

Another change can be seen in the screenshot below, where we can see that Link can now hold 2,000 Rupees. That’s double the maximum amount you could carry in the original game, 1000. Maybe the Giant Wallet was upgraded to hold a greater capacity, or a new wallet was introduced in the game. However you look at it, more rupees means a more usable Magic Armor, which might make the game too easy in certain parts unless tweaked appropriately too.

Next, we got a rumour from a product listing on Amazon France, that may have revealed some new details, including the game’s amiibo features.

Scanning any amiibo based on The Legend of Zelda characters will allow you to replenish your hearts, arrows and presumably other consumables. Scanning the Wolf Link amiibo, however, unlocks a new dungeon called “The Twilight Cave”, which presumably has something to do with the data that can be recorded on that amiibo and then be transferred over to the new Legend of Zelda game on the Wii U.

Hero Mode also seems to be back for another entry in the series. You won’t have to unlock it this time however, as it can be selected right from the start.

Just like in Wind Waker HD, you can also access your inventory directly through the Gamepad’s touch screen, allowing you to select items without pausing the game.

It seems like the paragraph regarding the amiibo functionality has since been removed from the product listing, so Nintendo probably gave Amazon a little scolding and these details can be taken as unofficially confirmed.

Hyrule Warriors Legends

Early in the week Hyrule Warriors Legends producer Yosuke Hayashi and voice actress Ruriko Aoki were featured in another three gameplay videos showcasing some gameplay. You can find the three videos below:

https://youtu.be/c__JYDTSGIk

https://youtu.be/kuzx7OKR40Y

Later in the week, it was announced that Japan is soon to get a demo for the game, and those that bought the latest issue of CoroCoro can get early access to it via a download QR code, which you can find below. You need 1006 free blocks (125MB) available in your 3DS to download it.

Here’s what we know about the demo so far:

– Players are asked if they want to turn easy mode on;
– If you choose this, enemies die faster;
– You can once again pick your prefered control configuration: Dynasty Warriors or Zelda style;
– Legend Mode, Free Mode, Adventure Mode, My Fairy, Gallery, Settings and Downloadable Contents are the options visible on the menu;
– Cut-scenes aren’t 3D compatible;
– However, during gameplay, the text boxes have a nice pop-out effect;
– It’s possible to use the New 3DS C stick for camera control;
– Items are shown on the bottom screen;
– The trial ends when the Dodongo drops into battle.

Below you can find some footage from the demo and two comparison videos, one between both 3DS consoles and another between the regular Hyrule Warriors on the Wii U and Legends on the 3DS. As you can see by the 3DS comparison video, the original 3DS suffers from considerable frame drops in comparison to the New 3DS, so take that in consideration if you are thinking about acquiring the game.

Finally, it was announced by Famitsu that its next issue will include a download code that lets players obtain an exclusive costume for their faeries based on Ghirahim. Apparently it cannot be acquired through other means, and comes with a special skill that increases fairy magic effects, which might be useful in high difficulty stages.

Pokémon 20th Anniversary

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have started the year by promoting Pokémon’s 20th Anniversary in full force.

First, we have the official logo and a promotional video for the 20th Anniversary, which you can find below.

It was mentioned in the promotional video that there will be a distribution of Mythical Pokémon for Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire throughout the year. One new Mythical Pokémon will be distributed each month, between the 1st and the 24th. Most will be available through the Nintendo Network, but four can only be acquired at GameStop (in America, but European countries will likely have a similar system with some local retailer).

Here’s the full Pokémon lineup:

– February: Mew (GameStop);
– March: Celebi (Nintendo Network);
– April: Jirachi (Nintendo Network);
– May: Darkrai (GameStop);
– June: Manaphy (Nintendo Network);
– July: Shaymin (Nintendo Network);
– August: Arceus (GameStop);
– September: Victini (Nintendo Network);
– October: Keldeo (Nintendo Network);
– November: Genesect (GameStop);
– December: Meloetta (Nintendo Network).

Moreover, the 2DS bundles previously announced for Japan are now confirmed for Europe too. The packages will come with pre-installed copies of Pokémon Yellow, Red or Blue and will be available on February 27. Also included are a sheet of 15 stickers that can be used to customize the system and a download code for a HOME Menu theme.

At the same time, North America will be getting New 3DS packages with either Red and Blue pre-installed, two cover plates inspired by the original box arts and a download code for a home menu theme.

Two new sets of Pokémon cover plates were also revealed. One featuring artwork from Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon and another one with a design made out of classic Pokémon sprites. Both will be available on February 27 alongside the 2DS bundles.

Moreover, starting next month, a special Pokémon movie set will be available in North America, since February 9 will see the release of “Pokémon: The Movies 1-3 Steelbook Blu-ray Collection”, which features the first three Pokémon films, digitally remastered, in a single, limited edition package.

Finally, besides the 20th Anniversary, this month’s issue of CoroCoro also had an update on Pokemon the Movie XY&Z 2016. The magazine wonders about Volcanion hating humans, why this is so and what happened to make it hate them. CoroCoro also teases a World Exclusive Scoop Poster and a major announcement that will affect the entire world for the movie. You can find the CoroCoro scans below:

Meanwhile, the basic plotline of the movie has also been revealed:

As Ash continued his journey aiming to become a Pokémon Master, a lump covered in white smoke suddenly dropped out of the sky and landed in front of him and his friends. As white smoke spread around as far as the eye could see, a shape appeared from within it; The mythical Pokémon Volcanion.

Ignoring the worried Ash and his friends, Volcanion, who hates humans, immediately tries to leave the place. However, the impact of the fall caused Ash and Volcanion to be linked together by a strange device, leaving them unable to separate…!

Volcanion runs off and Ash gets dragged along by it, eventually reaching the Azoth Kingdom, a city of super-machinery where gigantic cogwheels are all over the place and rotating. Why did Volcanion fall from the sky? And why did it head to the Azoth Kingdom!? With the mechanical kingdom of machinery as its setting, the hottest legend in Pokémon history begins!

Pokémon Rumble World

Pokémon Rumble World’s retail release will soon be hitting Europe on January 22nd, so Nintendo recently published a new trailer for the game, which you can find below.

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon

The Play Nintendo YouTube account recently released a funny video to promote Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon. It attempts to show players what happens in town while you’re adventuring in dungeons by taking a peek into the life of Carracosta, better known as Pops. You can check it out below:

Pokkén Tournament

Early in the week, some CoroCoro magazine scans gave as a first look at another three new fighters coming to Pokkén Tournament. These are Mewtwo (the standard one this time, not Shadow Mewtwo), Garchomp and Braixen, as you can see below.

Later on Friday, the game’s website updated, revealing another playable fighter, Chandelure. A trailer for the Pokémon will debut at Tokaigi 2016 on January 31.

This update also announced four more support Pokemon: Pachirisu, Magikarp, Sylveon and Croagunk.

A few extra detaisl were also shared on the site. Here’s a roundup:

– A new Single Battle mode has been added on Wii U, with 3 difficulty modes;
– Local battle mode was also officially announced;
– 30 FPS instead of 60 with local multiplayer;
– An Online mode is also present, with rankings and competitions;
– A LAN Cable can be used to link two Wii Us, allowing the game to run at 60fps.

Since then, the game has been confirmed to release no March 18 in both North America and Europe. You can find the official announcement below. The official site has also been made available over here. Curiously, the site features a section called “My Town”, which we have no details of so far.

Pokkén Tournament, the upcoming game that lets players battle as prized Pokémon in fighting arenas, will launch exclusively for Wii U on March 18 at a suggested retail price of $59.99. Pokkén Tournament brings high-definition game play and over-the-top action to never-before-seen battles between some of the most recognizable Pokémon characters. People that buy the first production run version of the game will also receive a special Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card, which can be tapped to the Wii U GamePad controller to unlock the Shadow Mewtwo playable character in the game.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Japanese launch of the Pokémon franchise, the original Pokémon games (Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version, as well as Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition) will be available as digital downloads in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Feb. 27 for $9.99 each. That same day, Nintendo will also launch a New Nintendo 3DS Pokémon 20th Anniversary bundle that includes the New Nintendo 3DS system, two Pokémon-themed cover plates (one featuring Charizard and one with Blastoise), an exclusive Pokémon HOME Menu theme and both Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version pre-installed on the system. The bundle will hit stores on Feb. 27 at a suggested retail price of $199.99. That’s a lot of Pokémon goodness!

You can also find a bunch of new screenshots in the gallery below, featuring the new fighters and support Pokémon.

Virtual Console Trailers

Below you can find trailers for recently released Virtual Console titles.

Polarium Advance (Japan, GBA)

Metroid: Zero Mission (North America, GBA)

Nintendo Minute feat. Super Smash Bros. DLC

This week’s episode of Nintendo Minute features Kit and Krysta, along with some guests, trying out some of the latest Smash Bros. DLC. Check it out below:

Tatsumi Kimishima outlines Nintendo’s plans for 2016

Tatsumi Kimishima, Nintendo’s current president, outlined the plans of the company for 2016 in the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper. Dr. Serkan Toto was kind enough to share an overview on Twitter.

Here are the key points of the interview:

– Kimishima wants to surprise fans with new ideas rather than building on old ones;
– Nintendo will in 2016 release “details” on the NX;
– Kimishima claims the expansion to smartphones and theme parks, but also to movies and TV anime (via character licensing) is progressing;
– He believes it’s vital for Nintendo to experiment with new business models;
– First smartphone app reconfirmed for launch in March;
– Smartphone apps with Nintendo’s famous characters promised for 2016;
– He wants to bring the company’s finances to a new level;
– The plan is to bring profits to 100 billion yen ($855 million; 784€ million) in “several years”;
– This amount would be 4 times of last year’s profit.

I would also like to point out that Kimishima says he wants to keep growing the DLC business to keep players interested in the same games while attracting new buyers. Nothing surprising, but thought I would point it out. Seems like the new DLC focused development cycles might be here to stay, if we take this into consideration.

New Year’s Developer Messages and Drawings

Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream continues to celebrate the start of 2016 in its latest issue, where various game developers and other key members of the gaming industry contributed with handmade drawings and small messages. This included representatives from Nintendo and several other 3rd parties.

The third and final set of messages and drawings features Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition, Level-5, Dragon Quest X, Theatrhythm Dragon Quest, Story of Seasons, Rune Factory 4 and Kirby Copy-toru.

You can check all the translated messages and drawings over at Nintendo Everything.