Nintendo Direct March 3-2016

Have you watched Nintendo Direct that was aired just now? I did, though a bit behind real time, as I had an unexpected visitor to drink coffee with tonight.
There was lots of news about Star Fox Zero on WiiU, the addition of Super Expert Mode to Super Mario Maker on WiiU, the release of Mario & Sonic at the Rio Olympics on June 24 (and the 3DS version on March 18 already in the US and April 8 in Europe), a new co-op action game for WiiU called Lost Reavers which will be a free-to-play online game (April 14).
A lot of footage was shown for Kirby: Planet Robobot on the 3DS and Metroid Prime: Federation Force which will be released on the 3DS late Spring. There was Rhythm Heaven Megamix on 3DS, and Monster Hunter Generations (Monster Hunter X) was shown for the 3DS too, to be released this Summer. Hyrule Warriors Legends will release on the 3DS on March 25 which will be great news for Zelda fans (a demo is now available in the eShop).

It’s late here, past midnight, but I did want to give you my impressions. I watched both the European stream and the American stream, as they have different things to tell us now that release dates vary more and more in the different regions. This is what stood out to me:

  • Europe: We have a release date for Fire Emblem Fates, finally! The game will be released on May 20, and if you want to you can buy a special edition. The special edition includes a very cool looking map of the Fire Emblem. America will get the release of the third game, Revelations on March 10.Fire emblem, Fate, If, e3 2015
  • Europe: We already knew of course, but Yokai Watch is mentioned for release on April 29. The demo will be available in the eShop now too, so you’ll be able to give it a try. Nice dance, Satoru Shibata!yokai watch, european box art, release UK, level 5
  • Europe: The virtual console is getting an update tonight, but only if you own a New 3DS. After that there will be several downloadable SNES titles in the next weeks, starting off with Earthbound and Super Mario World. Nice that when you buy one, you’ll get the second one at half price. The schedule for Europe is:
    March 3 – Super Mario World and Earthbound
    March 10 – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Super Metroid
    March 17 – F-Zero and Super Mario Kart
    March 24 – Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Country 2
  • America schedule for SNES games:
    March 3rd – Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilot Wings
    March 24th – Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart and Earthbound.
    April 14th – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, and Donkey Kong Country 2SNES, virtual console
  • Europe and America: Some more footage of Dragon Quest VII, Fragments of the Forgotten Past is shown, the game is promised for later this year. Looks very good!
  • Europe and America: A new game, a JRPG named Tokyo Mirage Sessions caught my eye. Now that’s looking just like my kinda game, it will be released on June 24 but for the WiiU! Pity it’s not on the 3DS…Here’s the official description:
    Slay monsters—and slay like a pop star—all at the same time, in this brand-new RPG from acclaimed developer Atlus. A sinister force from another dimension has invaded modern-day Tokyo, resulting in a fantastical barrage of style, fashion, music and, of course, danger. So play to your strengths in high-energy turn-based battles, then fuse items to craft powerful weapons and crush your foes. Around every corner you’ll find fan-service—including Fire Emblem references—original songs by Japanese entertainment giant Avex, dungeons themed after the entertainment industry and eye-catching music performances.tokyo mirage, sessions
  • Europe and America: I know a lot of Mario fans will love the fact that there’s a new Paper Mario title in the make for the WiiU, Paper Mario Color Splash. The game looked inventive and colourful when Bill Trinen told us about this new WiiU title for 2016.paper mario color splash
  • America: Especially for Amiibo fans, there will be a free to download title on April 28 in the WiiU and 3DS eShop called Mini Mario & Friends, Amiibo Challenge. Specific retailers will be adding the download title when you buy a new Amiibo from as early as March 25th. You can use your amiibo to clear the courses that are so well know from other Mini Mario games, and even design some new courses yourself!
  • Europe and America: Series 4 of the Animal Crossing Amiibo cards are on their way, and will be available from June 10 in America and on June 17th in Europe. At that date Isabelle will be available too in America as a separate buy, not just in the Amiibo Festival game. Added to that you can buy an Isabelle Amiibo in summer outfit!
  • America finally has a release date for Bravely Second. The demo will be available on March 10 in the eShop, and the game, plus special edition will be released on April 15.edea_lee, bravely second, end layer
  • Europe and America Remember Art Academy? There will be a Disney version of the game, teaching you to make Disney and Pixar characters. Sweet! Release will be at July 15.disney art academy

 

 

 

11 comments

  1. I’m super excited for Monster Hunter X coming to America! I also liked the look of that Tokyo Mirage, but I don’t have a Wii U (or plan to get one). I’m also looking forward to those Amiibo cards. I’m curious about the Hyrule Warriors and Bravely Second. I will have to play the demo of Bravely.

    1. I like the look of Tokyo Mirage too, but I’m awful when it comes to playing on my WiiU. It’s just collecting dust here I’m afraid, while I still have some backlog there to play.

    1. You know, that surprised me so much that it’s still not announced for America. It’s such a nice game, and I know there’s a huge fan base!

  2. Definitely the big takeaway of this Direct is the grand reveal of Grippy the frog. There were of course other, game-related announcements which you’ve covered here, but nothing gets me more excited than news about the rapidly expanding family tree of Slippy Toad 😛

  3. Oh, sweet, I love art academy. It’s the perfect game for when I want to draw, but have no ideas on what to do. I particularly loved the Pokemon edition of the game, but hey, I grew up watching Disney movies. If there’s a drawing of the Cheshire Cat for us to create, then I’ll be a happy lady.

    2016 seems to be shaping up to be a good year for the 3DS, which is good because I was so disappointed with it in 2015. Especially since Europe is only getting Yokai Watch, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon and Moco Moco Friends this year. Just about the only game we got benefited in was New Style Boutique. But I still wonder why Nintendo takes so long to release some games in Europe. Almost 5 months of a delay for Yokai Watch? Not as bad a delay as some other games, but still.

    Did the Direct Watch mention if the European version of Fire Emblem will be censored like the American one?

    1. I cannot understand either why some games take so long. I mean, Yokai Watch is already in English. Maybe they want to add some other european languages too. New Style Boutique was great though, there’s still no sign of Style Savvy 3 in the US!
      No, nothing was said of the censoring, can’t say I read about it either. I should guess they do the same as in the American version.

  4. I know a lot of folks on NeoGAF and other online spaces were disappointed by this Nintendo Direct, but I was pretty happy with it. The highlights for me: Game Freak’s Solitiba *finally* coming to NA (and Europe, I believe?) as Pocket Card Jockey, Tokyo Mirage Sessions getting a Western release, SNES/SuFami games being added to the N3DS eShop and the new Kirby 3DS game 🙂

    1. I was happy about Tokyo Mirage, and the fact that FE will finally come to Europe. I was surprised that there still is no sign of Style Savvy for the US though.

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