Monthly Archives: April 2015
Mario Kart 8 Is Getting a 200cc Mode
A 200cc mode is coming to Mario Kart 8, Nintendo announced today during its Direct presentation.
200cc is 50cc faster than the series' previous maximum. Nintendo added that when racing at such high speeds, it will be important to master your braking skills.
Every course in the game will allow the 200cc class, and the free update is coming on April 23 alongside Mario Kart 8's second DLC pack, which was detailed today as well.
Mario Kart 8’s DLC is Coming in April
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced today that Mario Kart 8’s previously announced DLC has been moved up for an April 23 release.
The company unveiled a first look at the new Animal Crossing course during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. The course features seasons that will switch each time you race. Nintendo also showed off two new rides: a new bike called the City Tripper and the Streetle, a kart that’s shaped like a beetle.
The previously announced Animal Crossing DLC pack includes playable versions of male (and female) Villager, Isabelle, and Dry Bowser. It also includes 8 new courses in the Crossing and Bell cups.
Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader Gets a North American Release Window
If you don’t have a fancy New Nintendo 3DS, don’t worry: you can still use your amiibo with your handheld using an NFC adapter.
Nintendo announced the NFC reader adapter last year, and we haven’t heard much about it since then. Now, we know it’s coming this fall on the same day as the newly-announced Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. If you’re curious how it's changed, take a look at the new design first, followed by the original image.
New Animal Crossing is the First Amiibo Game to Use Cards
Nintendo announced a new Animal Crossing game is coming to 3DS this Fall, and it will be the first game to support card-based amiibo.
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer focuses on decorating and designing homes. Animal villagers will request a specific home designed around their tastes. Scanning an Animal Crossing amiibo card will allow you to create a home for the villager on the card. After designing the home, you can scan other cards to invite other animals over to visit it and watch them interact with each other or even take a photo.
New Fire Emblem for 3DS Coming in 2016
Nintendo has shared new story details and a release year for the upcoming Fire Emblem 3DS game.
During today’s Direct, it was confirmed that the new Fire Emblem (awaiting an official name) is coming to North America in 2016. The Japanese version is still coming in 2015, as per a recent Nintendo Direct, where it’s officially called Fire Emblem: if.
Nintendo said in most Fire Emblem games, the character is more like a “second protagonist,” or a partner. This time, your creation will be the main protagonist.
Your character will be a child born at the intersection of two distinct kingdoms: the peaceful Hoshido, and the bold, glory-seeking Nohr. Depending on which path you choose to follow, you’ll see a much different story.
Two New StreetPass Games Coming to 3DS
Two new StreetPass games are coming to 3DS, alongside a new VIP premium Mii plaza, on April 16.
Announced during today’s Nintendo Direct, Ultimate Angler is a fishing game that takes place on the StreetPass Islands. To catch fish, you must use bait earned by StreetPassing other players. Over 150 fish are available, in addition to a few legendary monsters.
The second game, Battleground Z, is an action game where the player’s Mii battles against hordes of zombies. Your Mii gets items based on its hobby, and there are 26 makeshift weapons you can use to fight the undead.
Code Name STEAM Update Speeds Up Enemy Turns
Nintendo announced an update for Code Name STEAM, a turn-based action game released last month, would receive an update that will speed up Enemy Turns.
Players will be able to use a fast forward button to speed up an enemy turn by 2x times on 3DS and 3x faster on New Nintendo 3DS. The company said it would announce specific details on its social media channels soon.
We reviewed Code Name STEAM last month, where it received a 7.9 on the IGN scale.
Nintendo also announced the release schedule for Nintendo 64 and DS games on Wii U, that Splatoon will receive a dedicated amiibo line, that Mario Maker is coming in September, and that Lucas would rejoin the Smash Bros. roster.
3DS Puzzle and Dragons Gets a Demo
If you can’t wait until May 22 to get your hands on the 3DS Puzzle and Dragons combo pack, Nintendo has you covered.
During today’s direct, the company announced that a demo is on the way for Puzzle and Dragons: Super Mario Bros Edition. It will be downloadable from the eShop on April 30.
Revealed in January, the 3DS pack includes two games: Puzzle and Dragons Z, and Puzzle and Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition. At the beginning of the Mario version, Bowers (as usual) steals Peach away. You then choose a hero like Mario or Boo Luigi and fight classic Mario enemies using puzzle gameplay.
Pokemon Rumble World Announced, Free-to-Play on 3DS
Nintendo announced a new game in the Pokemon Rumble series, called Pokemon Rumble World, will be coming to the 3DS eShop on April 8.
Pokemon Rumble World is free to download action game that features more than 700 Pokemon, including Mega Evolutions and Primal Reversions from the most recent games in the series. Players defeat wild toy Pokemon to add them their collection.
Players will travel to different locations using hot air balloon, so players reach distant areas and collect more toy Pokemon. Balloons are acquired using Poke-Diamonds, which can be unlocked by finishing certain stages, through StreetPass, or bought with money through Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo also announced the release schedule for Nintendo 64 and DS games on Wii U, that Splatoon will receive a dedicated amiibo line, that Mario Maker is coming in September, and that Lucas would rejoin the Smash Bros. roster.
Fatal Frame Wii U Coming to the West
Nintendo has confirmed that Fatal Frame for Wii U is coming to the West.
This doesn’t come as a surprise, as Devil’s Third creator Tomonobu Itagaki recently hinted that Tecmo Koei’s game might make its way to North America.
In Fatal Frame, you’ll play as one of three characters. Each has a storyline to play out at a cursed tourist destination. The gamepad essentially works as the camera, and players can move it around to take pictures of ghosts.
Brian is an Editor at IGN. You can follow him @albinoalbert on Twitter.