The new Nintendo Direct has come and gone, and there was a plethora of new game announcements and new details about previously announced games. Announcements ranged from games that we were expecting to see to games and announcements that we thought we would never see. This is also the first Nintendo Direct since the passing of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. The following announcements may have led to it being a Nintendo Direct to remember for quite some time.
The following announcements recap the November 12th Nintendo Direct:
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is real and will be coming to Wii U on March 4th, 2016. The Toon Link, Zelda, Link, Sheik, and Ganondorf amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. series will be supported. A Wolf Link amiibo will be available as well with a bundle that features the game and the amiibo. Some data from the Wolf Link amiibo will be transferable to the new The Legend of Zelda game for Wii U, which is still coming in 2016. Finally, the Twilight Princess soundtrack will be offered as a pre-order bonus.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes will be receiving a free new update that features 30 new stages. Two new uniforms will be added, including Linebeck’s Uniform that allows players to see inside treasure chests, and the Fierce Deity Armor that increases your attack power, and allows you to shoot beams in four directions. This update will be available on December 2nd.
- Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon features a free Nintendo 3DS theme that will be included with the game for a limited time. The game launches on November 20th.
- Splatoon will be receiving new content. A new stage, Museum d’Alfonsino and 40 new pieces of gear are featured in a free update that is available now. Mahi-Mahi Resort was another stage revealed coming later to the game. Updates to Splatoon will continue to at least next January, featuring new stages, gear and gameplay balances. The Splatnet website will allow you to track progress and stats for you and your friends.
- Super Mario Maker has over 3.3 million courses available to play. A new portal site will allow you to search different types of stages using different filters, to find the one you want to play. Courses can be favorited on the portal site, and then will be shown in the game when you return. The portal site will be available in December.
- Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival features a bundle with Digby and Isabelle amiibos, that are only available in the bundle with the game. The Digby amiibo is also available while supplies last. Animal Crossing amiibo cards will be supported in game, in a new Desert Island Escape game mode. The game is available now.
- Mario Tennis Ultra Smash was shown with details that were already previously announced.
- Xenoblade Chronicles X features four free downloadable packs that will increase loading times with the game.
- Pokemon Picross is a free to start puzzle game that will be available in early December.
- Steamworld Heist will be available this holiday season for Nintendo 3DS. A theme will be included with each purchase.
- FAST Racing Neo releases in early December.
- Typoman is available on November 19th.
- More Animal Crossing amiibo, amiibo cards and the Lucas amiibo from Super Smash Bros. will be available January 22nd.
- Pokken Tournament features an amiibo card featuring Shadow Mewtwo in the first production run. The game will be available in Spring 2016.
- Star Fox Zero will launch on April 22nd 2016.
- Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam has amiibo support. Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi and Toad are compatible. The game releases January 22nd, 2016.
- Final Fantasy Explorers is an action adventure game that features all of the DLC previously offered in other territories for free. The game launches January 26th. A collector’s edition will also be available.
- Fire Emblem Fates Conquest and Fire Emblem Fates Birthright are two games that offers two different campaigns. Fire Emblem Fates Revelation is the third game that will be available for players of either version of the game. A special edition will be available for purchase that features both games. The game launches February 19th, 2016. More DLC will be showcased in the future.
- Mega Man Legacy Collection is getting a Gold Mega Man amiibo on Nintendo 3DS. The amiibo is exclusive to the collector’s edition on February 23rd, 2016.
- The Game Boy versions of Pokemon Blue, Red, and Yellow will be downloadable in the eShop on February 27th, 2016. Players can trade Pokemon between 3DS systems.
- Hyrule Warriors Legends revealed a new character, Linkle, which is a female version of Link. NintendoFever editor Holly wrote up her thoughts on the new character reveal.
- Bravely Second: End Layer is coming Spring 2016.
- Dragon Quest VII and Dragon Quest VIII will be coming to Nintendo 3DS next year.
- Cloud from Final Fantasy VII will be coming to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. This is perhaps the biggest reveal of the entire Nintendo Direct.
- A Smash Bros. specific broadcast will be coming in December featuring new details.
Well, that was certainly a lot of new information. A lot of release dates were featured in this direct, including release dates for Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam, Star Fox Zero, Twilight Princess HD and more. Splatoon, Tri Force Heroes and Super Mario Maker are getting new features, showing support for games that are already released. Seeing the original Pokemon games coming to Nintendo 3DS is also an announcement that carries some weight. Finally, who would have thought that Cloud from Final Fantasy 7 would be coming to Super Smash Bros? That was definitely an announcement that no one saw coming.
What was your favorite announcement from the Nintendo Direct? Let us know in the comments.