Nintendo has been on a roll lately. The increasing popularity of games like Super Smash Bros. and Fire Emblem Awakening point to a supportive gaming audience. What does Nintendo have planned for the first half of 2015 though? A Nintendo Direct video presentation revealed all on Wednesday.
Wii U players can expect a lot this year. For the first time, users can download games digitally to their console at a reduced cost. Players can download Super Mario Galaxy 2 for $20 today, and the eventual release of Punch-Out and Metroid Prime Trilogy on the store.
Super Smash Bros. fans can rejoice; Nintendo will release a new series of Amiibos that will include Pac-Man, Lucina and Robin from Fire Emblem, Wario and Charizard. However, Nintendo did not announce the release date for the Amiibos.
Fans should also expect Mario Party 10 to be available on the Wii U on March 20. This release would also correspond with a series of compatible Amiibos that would let players store their Mario Party characters for later.
While the Wii U is the big console for Nintendo, the team also had a lot to say about the 3DS. Nintendo announced the release of a new Nintendo 3DS XL in America. The device received a number of feature redesigns, including new shoulder buttons and a revamped 3D function that will track your face. Nintendo plans to release the new 3DS in America on February 13, 2015 for $200
Game-wise, Nintendo will release a new Fire Emblem for the 3DS some time in 2015. According to Nintendo, the game (currently unnamed) will include in-game challenges "the likes of which have never been seen in the series up until now." The 3DS remake of the Xenoblade Chronicles will come to America in April.
If you're a puzzle fan, then there's lot coming out for you as well. Nintendo's new game Pokemon Shuffle is another attempt at experimenting with the free-to-play game model on the 3DS. Players will also be able to buy Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars on the Nintendo store for the 3DS. However, unlike past games, it will also be available on the WiiU.
