With 2015 still only just picking up steam, the first Nintendo Direct broadcasts of the year ensured that the big N kicked off a vital 12 months with some style. It delivered some of its longer broadcasts in recent memory, with notable variations between regions, and as a whole kept momentum strong with a hefty list of reveals, announcements and details.
As was our gut instinct at the time, reinforced in the lists below, it was the 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS that enjoyed the lion's share of airtime. That's unsurprising in light of the fact that the New hardware lands on 13th February in the West, bringing a tough wait to an end. There was controversy with Nintendo of America only confirming the XL variation - no smaller devices will come to the region at launch - while scrabbling over the Majora's Mask 3D system is already prompting sold out pre-orders in the US. Carnage will ensue in that region, in particular.
Beyond the raging debate around the New Nintendo 3DS models in North America, meanwhile, there were plenty of other reveals to enjoy. There are two free-to-play projects on the way, actual cross-buy between Wii U and 3DS with an upcoming release and much, much more. So much, in fact, that this tradition of compiling all necessary news into one list of links has never been so necessary since the big N's E3 Digital Event last year; you'll also find the broadcasts themselves at the end.
Without further ado, let's get to it.
New Nintendo 3DS / 3DS
- New Nintendo 3DS Release Date Confirmed for 13th February
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Begins Its Countdown on 13th February
- A New Fire Emblem Game Is Marching Towards The 3DS
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Demo Confirmed Alongside Release Date
- Code Name: S.T.E.A.M Gets European Release Date and Fire Emblem Cross-Over amiibo Support
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3D Launches Exclusively On New Nintendo 3DS This April
- Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Edition Coming to the West With Puzzle & Dragons Z
- Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy + Hits the West in February with amiibo Support
- Pokémon Shuffle is a Match-Three Game With Slightly Worrying Micro-Transactions
- Nintendo Anime Channel Will Bring Free Streamed Shows to 3DS in Europe
- Nintendo Confirms New 3DS eShop Shooter Ironfall Invasion
Wii U
- Wii Disc Software Heading to the Wii U eShop
- Splatoon Confirmed for May Release Along With Details on Customisation
- Mario Party 10 Gets It Started With Wii U on 20th March
- Brand New Xenoblade Chronicles X 'Exploration Trailer' Lands
- Xenoblade Chronicles X Hits Japan on 29th April
- Project Treasure is Bandai Namco's Wii U Exclusive Free-To-Play Co-Op Action Game
Wii U and 3DS
- Nintendo Reveals New Range, Details and Compatibility for amiibo
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars Due in March and Will be Cross-Buy on Wii U and 3DS
- Elliot Quest and Blek Bringing More Indie Charm to the Wii U eShop
Miscellaneous
- Reaction: Nintendo Direct Went Crazy With Reveals, and Was Delightful and Confusing in Equal Measure
- Video: Does Super Mario Galaxy 2 On Wii U Offer Anything New?
- Nintendo of America Issues Non-Statement on the Region Skipping the Smaller New Nintendo 3DS
- New Nintendo 3DS Pre-Orders Emerge at GameStop, Best Buy, EB Games and GAME
Nintendo Direct Broadcasts
North America
Europe
Japan
So there you have it, a round-up of one of the busiest Nintendo Direct days in recent memory. Let us know what you thought of it all in the comments below.
Comments 30
Am I the only one that's getting the Monster Hunter n3ds xl bundle just because it's the best looking one out of all of them?! The red and the MM just look plain bad in my opinion. And the black one is just boring. This will be my first monster hunter so I hope I can get into the series.
@Skullcruncher I'm getting the Monster Hunter XL as well. It got me much more excited than the Zelda XL!
@Jamester0722 Awesome!!! The cool metallic color scheme is pretty freaking awesome!!! Can't wait to see it in person.
Other than the lack of Mario Maker, I think that this was a good Direct...
I knew it. Thomas and the whole NL team hates Tingle.
@Skullcruncher Preordered the Majora's Mask console here. I prefer silver to gold in general but it's still Zelda lol. I do wish they had gone with a crazier purple design though. Gold/black doesn't really fit with the game at all.
@Takerkaneanite6
The lack of Yoshi's Wooly World is my only disappointment on the Direct since it's supposed to come out 1st half 2015. Maybe it's delayed and Nintendo doesn't want to start the year with "Please Understand"™.
@sinalefa
Haha! Yeah no article or mention about that one.
Exhausting. Overwhelming.
It was a great start to the year for Nitneod - no game drought on either system in 2015 - but I kind of wish yesterday was just "new" 3DS and all the games for 30 minutes. Then in Feb have a Wii U ND w/ the XCX footage, Splatoon coverage and Mario Party 10, which would be about 15 minutes, add in Mario Maker and Yoshi's Wooly World to make it about 25 minutes.
Mario vs DK being the first X-buy, and amiibo making their way to 3DS, and Wii game DL being available as of yesterday on Wii U may have made that split scenario impossible, but it may have been better for the Wii U, which kind of seemed like an after thought yesterday, despite it getting so much attention as well.
There isn't much bad to say this time, so i'll stay out of this.
@sinalefa
Yes! The best news from the direct ignored!
Did I imagine it or was there stuff about Kirby in there?
New Fire Emblem was easily my highlight.
@sinalefa
Who doesn't hate Tingle? That was the worst. I bought the GOTY edition, but you can't keep his creepy face from downloading you want the rest. And what does he have to do with Majora's Mask? Maybe they included him because he's freaky like skullkid.
Oh I put my comment on the wrong post my bad.
Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god the direct is starting off with FE v SMT.....wait it's a new FE for Wii U..........oh its just for 3DS.........deepest of depression.....then I got over it and enjoyed the rest of the Direct.
Feels like we will get a Direct every month if not more. There is so much happening this year for both Wii U and 3DS. Especially with 20-40? Wii games coming to eShop.
@Dogpigfish
His debut in MM might have something to do with it.
I am excited about that Tingle DLC for Hyrule Warriors. I already have the season pass. I'm just ready for it to download to my Wii U.
That was pretty awesome! I missed out on the metroid prime trilogy on wii, so I am super psyched for that. I've allso been wondering if this might be getting one step closer to having gamecube vc, as this is basically wii vc and the wii is backward compatible with the gamecube. One can only hope I guess.
Summary:
Nintendo's consoles won't be profitable another gen, so while we're figuring out our next move, here's a big push for each of your favorite franchises and a foray into mobile possibilities while we get the next hardware started.
Hopefully it's a spiffy, pocketable, high-horsepower handheld with an HDMI port and some USB ports, and can use the Wii/Wii U's controllers.
@Skullcruncher You're right the MH4U is the better looking one. The MM one is cool and all but the gold is a tad on the gawdy side. I was wondering why the preorder for the MH4U bundle is slightly more than the MM one on gamestop
@Stormrazor
MH4U comes with the game. MM doesn't.
@k8sMum Really? Wow that's nuts. So no game OR adapter lol. Just a Skullkid graphic.
Wow they actually revealed stuff for 3DS
They're always a bit of a rollercoaster these Directs. GOOD - new Fire Emblem, BAD - it's not for Wii U. GOOD - STEAM looks great, GOOD - Majoras Mask looks great. BAD - Xenoblade 3D looks awful. GOOD - Means I still have no interest in the new 3DS. GOOD - Launch date for the new hardware with big games alongside. BAD - Nintendo aims gun at foot and doesn't launch the regular New 3DS in the US. GOOD - Puzzles and Dragons launch. BAD - F2P? Stop it. Right on . GOOD - details on Mario Party 10 and Splattoon launch dates. BAD - no mention of Mario Maker or Yoshi. BAD - no Kirby release date in Europe so no Wii U releases in March despite other regions getting it. Don't start this c**p again, Nintendo. GOOD - Cross buy at last. GOOD - Wii games finally playable from Wii U menu. GOOD - great launch prices BAD - no upscaling or Wii Remote substitution with the Gamepad. BAD - once they had these consoles called the N64 and the Gamecube....
And so on. Don't care about Amibo though I worry about it becoming a way of selling DLC that should be available to everyone. Extra mode in Captain Toad? Hmmm. I'll reserve judgement on Project Treasure until I see more. Ace Combat and Ironfall don't move me really. Good Direct overall, the usual mix of good and bad with the good carrying the greater weight this time
This directly was pretty decent. Nothing too exciting for me other than a new FE for the 3DS. I will be picking up the New 3DS since I don't have one, so its a good time if you are new to the 3DS. No charger, really nintendo? Its not that big of a deal, but I believe this is their first handheld where they did not include a charger (in the states), correct me if I'm wrong. I will probably pick up the MH4U edition, but I am a little hesitant since I'm not a MH fan. I just like the design of the model. I was hoping for some info on Bravely Second and Dragon Quest VII...
Okay, let’s get down to business.
It would’ve made more sense to give the Wii U a new Fire Emblem imo. It was also strange to not hear anything about amiibo support for this game. Will that trading card game do anything on a console?
Puzzle & Dragons - The Mario version’s looking great but after having bought Pokémon Link: Battle! I don’t think I can go any higher than 25 bucks for this pack.
Pokémon Shuffe - Should be nice to have a turn based version of Pokémon Link: Battle!
Wii games - No Miiverse support, no buy. Good prices though.
amiibo - Now i really hope every Smash amiibo will get a good use outside of that game. Would also suck if I had bought a Bowser amiibo since I like the new version much more.
Captain Toad - Phew, I’m glad I somehow forgot this was out when I went game shopping some days ago. The amuibo bundle’s looking great. I hope it comes to Europe.
Mario Party 10 - I’ll probably have to get every amiibo that’s supported by this game. Thanks for robbing my wallet, Nintendo. It’s also worrying that there no mention of being able to back up your Smash amiibo data yet.
Project Treasure - not enough information yet.
Splatoon - Looks like it’s up to the big shooters on the BoxStations. I just wish they wouldn’t concentrate on the female characters so much. Huge thanks to EA too since they let Ninty play with their character designs.
Xenoblade X - The cinematic moments in the trailer looked glorious. I wonder if the Shulk amiibo will do anything in the game.
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong - Finally. Crossbuy and –play. Lets see how much this will cost in the eShop.
Miiverse's Chris and Erika - I didn’t even know Eric.
new 3DS - It’s great that CPP-games can be used with the C Stick. I’ll probably have to get the beautiful Monster Hunter 4 XL when I see it for 200 bucks somewhere.
Anime Channel - I liked the Kirby cartoon. Will maybe give Inazuma Eleven a chance.
S.T.E.A.M. - Looked best in the NoA presentation. Still not excited about it but if it’s good it might make me buy all the Fire Emblem amiibos.
Ace Combat - It’s only an expanded version of the earlier 3DS game?
Monster Hunter 4 - I dunno if I want to play the demo on my current 3DS or wait until I have a new3DS. I fear i might get too used to seemingly inferior control options.
Xenoblade 3D - What a bonus mode. I’m speechless...
Majora’s Mask 3D - Free camera control ftw.
Iron Fall - Wow, i can finally get a new generic shooter on my 3DS. I’m impressed …
Kirby - While the amiibo use isn’t amazing maybe it will still do as an excuse to get these three nice Kirby ones.
Elliot Quest - looking good
Blek - looks interesting
Citizens of Earth - want!
Gunman Clive 2 - want want!
Moon - I may consider it if it comes to Europe. Nice that the soundtrack sounds a lot like Metroid Prime’s.
Sega 3D Classics - Gimme gimme gimme! More Ninty 3D Classics would be awesome too.
Etrian Dungeon - I prefer one man missions when it comes to 2D roguelikes. I wouldn’t mind this game changing that though.
Story of Seasons - I wonder how exactly multiplayer works there.
Fossil Fighters - Hello Spectrobes. Nice to see you again.
”Walking Block Game” - This is looking so inspired. Would be sad if this doesn’t ever come to the West.
One Piece - Since amiibos can be used this has to come to Eustralica, right?
Mahjongg - I wonder what this means for Nintendo Network.
Rodea - Sadly doesn’t look like anything special yet.
Legend of Legacy - Hopefully this will make it to the West.
Theatrhythm Dragon Quest - Would be an insta-buy if it was released here.
Atelier Rorona - Doesn’t this series have like a million games already?
Project Mirai - Nice music there, blue haired cuteness ... Dang, I want to know more about this game.
Rhythm Heaven - Please continue bringing that series to the west, Nintendo.
The more footage for Splatoon I see, the more I cannot wait to play. Oh, and a May release? Looks like I'm getting a birthday present from myself.
Aside from previously announced games that they covered in more detail, there was pretty much nothing to get excited for this time unless you like casual games and JRPGs.
I think there was a lack of Wii U games because the Direct was only looking 4 months ahead of release dates, and only MP10 and Splatoon are being released in that time frame, hence why the UK didn't get the Kirby trailer. Looking back at that UK release graphic for the Wii U, it lists the games:
First half games:
Splatoon
Yoshi
Mario Maker
Project Giant Robot
and 2015 (2nd half) games as:
Kirby
Project Guard
Starfox
Xenoblade
Zelda
If you guess barring any major problems that this is the list they'll be released in this order, you could theorise that:
First half games:
Splatoon- Early May
Yoshi- Late May
Mario Maker- June
Project Giant Robot- June (Download?)
and 2015 (2nd half) games as:
Kirby July/August
Project Guard (Download August?)
Starfox September/October
Xenoblade October (with a gap between Zelda)
Zelda December
Add in another one or two November/December Nintendo games, plus Devil's Third and maybe one or two more 3rd party Japanese titles, and that I would guess is our Wii U line up for 2015.
I was very pleased with this direct, It gave a lot of information and my jaw was dropping about every 30 seconds! I was hoping for a bit more info on star fox and zelda u, but hey I'm sure they are saving that for later directs.
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