November 14 to 20 Nintendo News Roundup

Nintendo Classic Mini: Famicom

A new commercial for the Nintendo Classic Mini: Famicom has recently started airing in Japan that takes inspiration from one of Nintendo’s older advertisements for the original Famicom. You can find both below for comparison purposes.

https://youtu.be/364Fc9K_ydI

Besides that, Famitsu recently reported that 262,961 units of the Nintendo Classic Mini: Famicom have been sold in Japan during its first four days on the market. Sales in Japan are expected to continue doing well as the holiday season approaches.

Swapdoodle

swapdoodle-1Nintendo has now released Swapdoodle on the eShop, a new application for the 3DS that lets users write messages, draw 3D pictures, and send them to their friends.

Swapdoodle also provides doodle lessons featuring characters from Splatoon, Zelda, and Super Mario, among others. Screenshots from select games can also be shared as well.

You can find an overview of the app below, followed by a couple trailers and an artwork gallery. You can also find out more information about add-on content on the official page, over here.

Swapping doodles is a snap thanks to stamps based on the icons of played titles and your Mii™ character. You can also purchase in-game add-ons packs that have doodle lessons of Nintendo characters!

Doodle lessons allow you to trace beloved Nintendo characters from the Super Mario™ series, The Legend of Zelda™, Splatoon™, and more! With the right add-on, you can also draw more doodles per note, boost your note storage to over 6000, get more than 45 pen colors, and download stationaries featuring Nintendo characters. Put a piece of yourself in your art by sticking on a Mii face with various emotions to choose from. It’s also possible to share in-game screenshots with friends who also have the game and even create secret pages that are hidden until your friend replies. It’s always fun to see what doodles your friends are swapping!

– Swap messages and doodles with your Nintendo 3DS™ friends
– Purchase add-ons packs to enhance your doodles and learn to doodle Nintendo characters
– Take doodle lessons featuring characters from Splatoon™, The Legend of Zelda™, Super Mario ™, and more!
– Draw 3D doodles on 2 layers
– Place a sticker of your Mii character’s face with different emotions
– Send in-game screenshots from select titles

Pokémon Sun & Moon

During the last week before the official release of Pokémon Sun & Moon The Pokémon Company has put out several new trailers and commercials for the games.

You can find those trailers below, followed by information on what was revealed in them, and some new artwork and screenshots from the games.

https://youtu.be/jSfl5wFKAXM

https://youtu.be/4uB46vIyg10

NEW Z-MOVE DETAILS AND NEW POKÉMON ANNOUNCED FOR POKÉMON SUN AND POKÉMON MOON!

More Pokémon-specific Z-Moves, New Alolan Forms and more revealed for upcoming Pokémon games.

London, 14 November 2016—The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo showcased new information for the latest games in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, available in Europe on 23 November and available exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.The following new Pokémon were officially revealed:Alolan Diglett
Type: Ground–Steel
The Mole Pokémon Alolan Diglett live near volcanic areas, so they have few places to hide themselves away. It’s said they developed the hairlike metallic whiskers which grow from the top of their heads as a survival mechanism for the hostile volcanic environment. Their whiskers enable them to sense surrounding areas without exposing their face above ground. Alolan Diglett can have the Tangling Hair Ability, which is a new Ability that no other Pokémon has previously had. With the Tangling Hair Ability, opponents that hit this Pokémon with a move that makes direct contact will have their speed lowered by 1.Alolan Dugtrio
Type: Ground–Steel
Alolan Dugtrio is the evolved form of Alolan Diglett. Alolan Dugtrio’s whiskers grow throughout its life at a very slow rate, shining with a brilliance akin to that of golden hair. In the Alola region, this Pokémon is revered as an incarnation of the god of the land, and it’s treated with great importance. Removing any of this Pokémon’s whiskers is strictly prohibited. There is a superstitious belief that many Alolan Dugtrio come out of their burrows on a day when a volcano will erupt.

Also revealed were the following new Ultra Beasts:

UB-05 Glutton
This beast has an astounding appetite, and it will completely devour anything in front of its eyes. It’s said that it devours not only objects, but the ground, rivers, and even the seas. There is a belief that it converts the abnormal amount it eats entirely into energy to sustain itself, leaving no waste product behind. Whether this is true or not is a mystery.

UB-03 Lighting
Another of the Ultra Beasts is known as UB-03 Lighting. More will be revealed during the players’ adventures around the Alola region.

The image of one additional Pokémon was also revealed, but players will have to pick up the games when they launch on 23 November to find out more about this mysterious Pokémon!

Each of the three Pokémon that you can choose as your first partner during your adventure have an exclusive Z-Move that they can use only after they fully evolve. These moves are:

Z-Move: Sinister Arrow Raid
Pokémon: Decidueye
Decidueye slices through the air together with a hail of arrow quills, crashing into the target before dealing the final blow with its arrows.

Z-Move: Malicious Moonsault
Pokémon: Incineroar
With flames spouting from its flame belt, Incineroar leaps high into the sky and dives straight down onto its target.

Z-Move: Oceanic Operetta
Pokémon: Primarina
Primarina manipulates a huge balloon using its voice, then causes it to explode over its target’s head, dealing a lot of damage.

Z-Moves are special moves that a Pokémon can use when it’s holding a Z-Crystal that corresponds to its move’s type. Their effects vary greatly depending on whether they’re based on attack moves or status moves. Z-Moves based on attack moves have far greater power than standard moves, but how powerful they will be seems to depend on the power of the original move that a Z-Move is based on. Since Z-Moves are full-powered attacks, they also seem to be impossible to fully ward off with moves like Protect and Detect—they still do some damage. When you use your Z-Power based on a status move, it will be powered up with additional effects. These effects come in many varieties, including raising your own Pokémon’s stats, healing the next Pokémon to switch in and more!

A special QR Code is also planned for distribution via the Pokémon TV app from 6 December in Europe. Once scanned in the game, the code enables players to obtain the Mythical Pokémon Magearna. Not only that, but players who purchase Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon and connect to the internet between 23 November 2016 and 11 January 2017 can obtain a special Munchlax and a Snorlium Z via the Mystery Gift function. You can even start your adventure early with the Pokémon Sunand Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version—available now for download from Nintendo eShop at no charge. Players can transfer their Greninja from the demo version to their full game version of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon when it launches later this month.

A new trailer that showcasing the Pokémon and features from the announcement can be found here: https://youtu.be/sQLMalOLa_w

For more information, please visit Pokemon.co.uk/SunMoon.

Note: In North America the Magearna QR code can be acquired at pokemon.com between December 5 and March 5.

The Pokémon Company also announced that over 10 million copies of the games have been shipped between the two versions. This will be the biggest initial shipment for a 3DS game ever.

Moving on, you can find a new trailer and commercials for the toy Z-Ring below.

The latest episode of Nintendo Minute also featured Pokémon Sun & Moon once again, with Kit and Krysta talking about the start of their adventure. Check it out:

Finally, a trailer for the english version of the Pokémon Sun & Moon anime has been released, which you can watch below.

https://youtu.be/ognbgUqb09g

Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO will be soon receiving another update, bringing the game up to version 1.17.0 on iOS and version 0.47.1 on Android.

You can find some release notes from Niantic’s team below.

– Fixed an issue where the Egg-hatching cutscene animation would sometimes be briefly visible from the map view.

– Minor text fixes.

pokemon-go-halloweenNiantic has also revealed that 1.3 billion Ghost type pokémon were caught during Pokémon GO’s Halloween event which took place during five days.

Gastly was apparently the most popular pokémon caught during the Halloween period, with Cubone in second, followed by Drowzee in third.

Pokémon Generations

Episode 13 of Pokémon Generations is now available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. You can watch it below.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome Amiibo

Nintendo has prepared a new video explaining the new features available in Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo. You can find it below.

Super Mario Maker for 3DS

Super Mario Maker for 3DS is now available for pre-load in Japan and North America. You will need at least 2,909 blocks (363.625 MB) of free space on an SD card for the Japanese version, and at least 2,921 blocks (365.125 MB) of free space for the North American one.

The European website for the game is also now open, and withing the extras page you’ll find a special PDF containing level planning sheets. These design sheets are the same ones used by Shigeru Miyamoto and the original Super Mario Bros. development team while they planned the game’s levels.

Finally, you can find a couple of new trailers, a few screenshots, and some gameplay footage by NintenDaan below.

Super Mario Run

Nintendo has now announced that Super Mario Run will be released on December 15 for iPhone and iPad on the following 151 countries and regions.

You can find Nintendo’s release announcement below. Also note that the European pricing will be €9.99 / £7.99.

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 15, 2016 – The first-ever mobile game featuring the most iconic video game hero of all time goes on sale for iPhone and iPad on Dec. 15 in United States time zones. Super Mario Run can be downloaded from the App Store at no cost, and players can try elements of the game’s three modes for free. Once the game has been downloaded, a one-time payment of $9.99 (United States price) will grant unlimited access to each of the three modes in this release.

“The wait is almost over for a Super Mario game that can be played on mobile devices,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Developed under the direction of Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario Run brings a new take on the series’ beloved action-platforming gameplay to iPhone and iPad for the first time.”

Super Mario Run is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices running iOS 8.0 or later. Starting on Dec. 15, the game will launch in 151 countries and regions. Super Mario Run supports English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Russian and traditional Chinese language options.

Super Mario Run is the first Super Mario Bros. game developed specifically for mobile devices. In the game, Mario runs forward on his own, but relies on the tap of a single finger to jump over obstacles, avoid enemies, pull off stylish moves, collect coins and reach the flagpole to complete courses.

For more information about Super Mario Run or to pre-register for the game, visit https://supermariorun.com/en/index.html.

The official website has also been updated with details about the three modes included in the game: World Tour, Toad Rally, and Kingdom Builder. You can find this info below.

World Tour

Run and jump with style to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches! Through plains, caverns, Ghost Houses, airships, castles, and more… Clear 6 worlds filled with 24 brand new courses designed for mobile play.

Toad Rally

Show off Mario’s stylish moves, compete against your friends, and challenge people from all over the world. Compete against the stylish moves of other players for the higest score as you gather coins and get cheered on by a crowd of Toads. If you’re impressive enough, the Toads may even come live in your kingdom. You can also perform stylish moves to fill up your gauge and launch into Coin Rush!

In order to play Toad Rally, you will need Rally Tickets that you can acquire in a variety of ways, such as clearing worlds or through bonus games in your kingdom.

Kingdom Builder

Gather coins and Toads to build your very own kingdom. Create your unique kingdom with buildings and decorations that you purchase with coins collected in your Toad Rally challenges.

There are over 100 kinds of items in the Kingdom Builder feature!

Finally, a new introduction trailer showing off the three modes, and some new screenshots, have also been shared, which you can find next.

Miitomo

Nintendo has recently released a small patch for Miitomo, bringing the game up to version 2.0.2. This update just improved Miitomo’s stability.

Moreover, to promote Miitomo’s recent major update, Nintendo brought back the various collaboration items based on The Legend of Zelda. Users can acquire them in Miitomo Drop and Miitomo Shop until December 7 rolls around.

Besides that, you can find the usual new and returning Miitomo Drop and Miitomo Shop content listed below.

miitomo-nov-13Swords and sorcery! Miitomo RPG #2

– Soccer fan wig
– Soccer fan bikini top
– Soccer fan short-shorts
– Rally towel + megaphone

miitomo-nov-16Swords and Sorcery! Miitomo RPG #3

– Mage’s hood
– Mage’s robe
– Evil king tee
– Mage’s staff

miitomo-nov-17The decisive battle! The Battle of Miitomo #1

– Shogun helmet
– Shogun armor
– Warrior wrap
– Treasured sword

Miitomo Shop Items

– Knit cap with pompom
– Striped sweater
– Melton short peacoat
– Cuffed straight leg jeans
– Checkered plaid socks
– Faux fur moccasins
– Combat boots

miitomo-nov-18Elegance in darkness… Gothic Fashion

– Gothic lady crown (set)
– Gothic lady gown (set)
– Gothic lord hat (set)
– Gothic lord coat (set)
– Cat-ear hat w/ chains
– Goth-punk girl outfit
– Goth-punk boots
– Dark faerie shirt + breeches
– Dark faerie dress
– Dark faerie tights
– Dark faerie slippers

Wii U Holiday Bundle

A new Wii U bundle has been released in Australia to help celebrate the holidays.

The bundle includes Mario Kart 8 pre-installed and a download code for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. It is priced at AU $429.95.

Furthermore, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Pikmin 3 have now been added to the Nintendo Selects list in Australia, both priced at AU $49.95.

You can find a trailer for the Wii U bundle below:

Kirby: Planet Robobot Soundtrack

HAL Laboratory has announced that a two-disc soundtrack for Kirby: Planet Robobot will be released in Japan next month.

The two discs will include 97 different tracks. Moreover, three illustration cards (six on both sides) will be included in the package.

Japanese retailers will start carrying the Kirby: Planet Robobot soundtrack from December 15 onwards. Pricing will be set at 3,000 yen.

You can find some artwork from the soundtrack in the gallery below.

The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Manga

The first volume of The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition manga series by VIZ has just been released.

We now also have some more concrete US release dates for the remaining four issues, which are as follows:

  • The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition, Vol. 2: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (January 10th)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition, Vol. 3: Majora’s Mask/A Link to the Past (March 14th)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition, Vol. 4: The Minish Cap/Phantom Hourglass (May 9th)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition, Vol. 5: Four Swords (July 11th)

You can also take a look at the updated front and back covers for the first two volumes below.

Defenders of the Triforce

Nintendo has rencently announced it’s partnering up with SCRAP for Defenders of the Triforce, a Real Escape Game x The Legend of Zelda experience.

Beginning at the end of January, fans of the Zelda series will be able to join and work together in teams of six to solve a mystery in a huge area within a set time limit. Similar to Zelda titles, items can be found and used to solve puzzles and progress through the areas.

Once the main puzzle experience is finished, those who attend Defenders of the Triforce can then receive access to photo opportunities as well as a promotional lounge, where exclusive Zelda merchandise can be purchased.

You can find Nintendo’s announcement and a trailer below.

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 16, 2016 – While playing one of the classic games in the beloved The Legend of Zelda franchise, who hasn’t wanted to step through the screen and experience the exploration, adventure and puzzle-solving in real life? With “Defenders of the Triforce,” that dream can become a reality. Nintendo is partnering with SCRAP, the renowned designers of many popular escape room experiences and 2016 winner of USA Today’s “Best Escape Room” in the U.S., to create a unique multi-city Puzzle Tour inspired by The Legend of Zelda series.

While the words “escape room” might come to mind when describing this new experience, “Defenders of the Triforce” is so much more than that. Instead of escaping from a locked room, participants work in teams of six to solve a mystery in a huge area, all within a set time limit. The experience will let guests interact with classic items and characters seen in The Legend of Zelda series like the Goron, Zora and Kokiri tribes. Discovered items can be used to solve puzzles and move forward into other areas, just like in The Legend of Zelda games.

“At Nintendo, we’re always looking for ways to offer new experiences for all of our fans, and expose our characters and franchises to new audiences,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Partnering with SCRAP allows us to offer a new perspective on this legendary series.”

“We wanted to make sure ‘Defenders of the Triforce’ felt as authentic as possible,” said Doc Preuss, Real Escape Game Producer for SCRAP. “Fans of The Legend of Zelda series will adore the tour and won’t want to miss it.”

The “Defenders of the Triforce” Puzzle Tour will be hitting eight cities all around the country beginning in January. Tickets for the first wave of locations are available today and can be reserved by visiting http://scrapzelda.com/. The full schedule is as follows:
San Francisco – Jan. 31-Feb. 5
Los Angeles – Feb. 10-12
San Diego – Feb. 24-25
Seattle – TBA
Phoenix – TBA
Houston – TBA
Chicago – TBA
New York – TBA
After completing the main puzzle experience, attendees will enter an area with amazing photo opportunities and a promotional lounge, where fans can purchase exclusive merchandise based on The Legend of Zelda.

The newest game in The Legend of Zelda series, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, launches for both Nintendo Switch and Wii U in 2017. The game gives players an unprecedented level of freedom as they assume the role of Link and explore, battle and survive in the vast world of Hyrule. Additional entries in the series, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, are available on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

For more information about “Defenders of the Triforce,” visit http://scrapzelda.com/.

2016 Golden Joystick Awards

Last year, the Golden Joysticks honored late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

This time, another important member of the company has been given the same honor, The Lengend of Zelda Producer Eiji Aonuma.

Aonuma couldn’t attend the show, but a pre-recorded speech was still delivered, which you can watch below.

Besides that, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was also selected as the best Nintendo game of the year, while Pokémon GO received the awards for the best handheld/mobile title and the best Innovation of the Year.

The Game Awards 2016

game-awards-2016-1The Game Awards 2016 are on the way, so the full set of nominees for each category has now been announced.

A few Nintendo titles were nominated, such as Fire Emblem Fates for “Best Mobile/Handheld Game” and “Best Strategy Game”, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for “Most Anticipated Game”.

You can find the lineup for categories that include Nintendo-related games below. The entire lineup can be found on the official site over here.

Best Mobile/Handheld Game

Clash Royale
Fire Emblem Fates
Monster Hunter Generations
Pokémon GO
Severed

Best RPG

Dark Souls 3
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine
World of Warcraft: Legion
Xenoblade Chronicles X

Best Fighting Game

Killer Instinct Season 3
King of Fighters XIV
Pokkén Tournament
Street Fighter V

Best Family Game

Dragon Quest Builders
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Pokémon GO
Ratchet & Clank
Skylanders Imaginators

Best Strategy Game

Civilization VI
Fire Emblem Fates
The Banner Saga 2
Total War: Warhammer
XCOM 2

Most Anticipated Game

God of War
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild