Classics hardly ever lose their playability.

Generally the same can be said for ported ones.

Donkey Kong has been around for decades, first solidifying itself way back on the Game & Watch and SNES. Now, Nintendo have reworked Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze which initially released on Wii U in 2014.

A must have for the Wii U, the newly released Switch version sees the original gameplay accented with an all-new Funky Mode.

In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze the favourites make their first debut on the Switch; Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong.

Kong’s Birthday Party is interrupted by a shrouded shadowy figure who sends an ice dragon to transform the tropical paradise in to a frozen world.

With the wind created by the ice dragon, the Kong family are blown away to the Lost Mangroves island as the Snowmads begin to take over and turn the environments in to a snow blanketed wonderland.

The adventure begins as Kong and his troop set out to regain their Paradise.

There are six islands, and over 60 lusciously detailed and colourful Levels, including Boss and Hidden Temple ones, the 2.5D side scroller is Donkey Kong as we know and love.

For the Switch version and for the first time Dixie and Cranky Kong are playable, each equipped with special abilities. Another new feature is called ‘Plucking’. Along the platformed terrain you will come across bolt-like handles set in to the ground. Pulling these out will either change the terrain so you can go forward or give you a wealth of goodies, mostly timed ones though, so you gotta be quick to collect them.

The aforementioned Funky Mode is almost like a cheat sheet and alleviates the difficulty a bit by allowing players to play as Funky Kong right from the beginning. Funky Kong basically has all of the abilities that you would normally earn or gain throughout the gameplay including double jump, hover, perform infinite rolls and even perform infinite underwater corkscrews.

Excellent for beginners and those that just want to power through the many Levels.

Asides from the platforming action, Kong will get to pilot an assortments of vehicles; a Minecart to Rocket Barrels and Rhambi the Rhino.

All are of course Level specific – and even with funky mode, provide a challenge.

Collecting up Puzzle pieces found throughout the game will unlock goodies, to the likes of Music or Art / Gallery items.

In all, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for Switch is a worthy pick up and play. Repetitive, yes, but excellent title for a quick play here and there.

Being the fifth Donkey Kong Country title and the only Donkey Kong game available on the Switch, it gets a full recommend from me. I enjoyed playing through this version as much as I did the original Wii U one.

The post Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Nintendo debuted a new Nintendo Direct Mini video presentation today spotlighting a selection of first and third-party titles coming to Nintendo Switch early in 2018.

Following a strong holiday season, Nintendo Switch owners will see a variety of new games and content arriving in the next few months, including DARK SOULS: REMASTERED, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Tennis Aces and Kirby Star Allies for Nintendo Switch, and a certain green-clad brother bringing a new mode to Super Mario Odyssey.

DARK SOULS, the first title in the genre-defining action role-playing franchise, is coming to Nintendo Switch as DARK SOULS: REMASTERED, including the Artorias of the Abyss DLC as well as improved framerate and resolution from the original DARK SOULS game for an exhilarating return to Lordran. This marks the franchise’s debut on a Nintendo platform, and now for the first time ever, this revered (and challenging) game can be played on the go. The game launches on the 25th of May, 2018. 

Mario Tennis Aces will bring a new level of skill and competition to Nintendo Switch when it launches on Nintendo Switch. Mario steps onto the court in classy tennis garb for intense rallies against a variety of characters in full-blown tennis battles. New wrinkles in tennis gameplay will challenge your ability to read an opponent’s position and stroke to determine which shot will give you the advantage. And this time the game adds the first story mode since the Mario Tennis game on Game Boy Advance, offering a new flavour of tennis gameplay, with a variety of missions, boss battles and more. The game launches for Nintendo Switch this autumn.

Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong return for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Nintendo Switch. This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a brand-new beginner-friendly mode that lets new and novice players play as groovy surfing simian Funky Kong. Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform infinite rolls and even perform infinite underwater corkscrews. Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can’t slow him down. The game launches for Nintendo Switch on the 4th of May 2018.

Players will be able to download a free update for Super Mario Odyssey in February 2018 that adds a new mini-game called Balloon World. 

Once players download the free update and complete the main story, Balloon World will become available. To get started, players just have to talk to Luigi. In “Hide It” mode, players have a limited amount of time to hide a balloon. In “Find It” mode, players have the same period of time to locate balloons hidden by other players from around the world. Players can move up in rank by finding hidden balloons and becoming expert hiders. The free update will be released in February with new Snapshot Mode filters and new outfits.

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The Nintendo 3DS family of systems will soon be adding a new member. On June 15, New Nintendo 2DS XL makes its debut in Australia and New Zealand giving consumers a new choice that fits between the Nintendo 2DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL systems.

The new, clamshell-design system will be available in a stylish black / turquoise colour, as well as in white / orange, and will use the same size large screen found on New Nintendo 3DS XL system. As the name of the new system implies, visuals will be displayed in 2D only. The system is lighter but still packs the same power as New Nintendo 3DS XL, and has built-in NFC support for amiibo cards and figures.

It can play the massive library of quality Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS games in 2D. Nintendo systems are also the only dedicated video game systems where people can find their favourite characters and game franchises, such as Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Kirby, Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda.

There are over a thousand games in the Nintendo 3DS game library and more are on the way, including two that launch on July 29th, 2017. These new games will offer fun new experiences for New Nintendo 2DS XL owners, and for owners of any Nintendo 3DS system.

• Hey! PIKMIN: In this brand-new style of Pikmin game, players guide Captain Olimar through 2D side-scrolling levels and collect Sparklium to refuel his crashed ship, the S.S. Dolphin 2, so he can escape the planet. The touch-screen controls let players choose the right Pikmin to toss at enemies and objects, which is critical to defeating foes and solving the many puzzles Olimar encounters during his adventure.
• Miitopia: Band together with your Mii and Mii friends to explore your own personalised world of Miitopia. Cast Mii characters into various roles and watch hilarious scenes unfold as they work together to defeat the Dark Lord who has stolen the faces of townspeople of Miitopia. Players can bring in their created Mii characters from Miitomo or Tomodachi Life, or create their own Mii team in the game. This game has a lighthearted tone with traditional and strategic RPG-like elements, including customisation, relationship building and team management.

The Nintendo Selects range of classic Nintendo 3DS titles will also expand on May 11th, 2017. Discover a game you may have missed the first time around, or start your essential Nintendo game collection with these varied gaming experiences at a value pricing. The new additions to the line-up include:

• Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D: Go ape with the swingin’ king of the jungle! Donkey Kong and his simian sidekick Diddy Kong are back for more action-packed platforming antics in Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. Ground-pound, barrel-blast, and swing your way through lush, layered side-scrolling levels!
• Luigi’s Mansion 2: Luigi is back on a mission to remove a bunch of stubborn ghosts from some super-spooky mansions in Luigi’s Mansion 2 for Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Armed with his trusty “Poltergust” ghost-grabbing vacuum cleaner, Mario’s brother takes centre stage to capture those pesky phantoms. Sure, Luigi’s the nervous type who’d rather be as far from these ghosts as he can get, but a reluctant hero can still save the day!
• Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.: Uncover the power of Dreamy Luigi in the fourth instalment of the popular RPG series. Solve puzzles, battle enemies, and even interact with creations of Luigi’s own imagination in order to succeed!
• Paper Mario: Sticker Star: Paper Mario is back, and finds himself in another sticky situation! Take Mario on an exciting paper adventure and help him repair the mess Bowser has created using the powers of brand new stickers. A cast of colourful characters will keep you laughing along the way as the familiar world of Paper Mario is brought to life in Paper Mario: Sticker Star for Nintendo 3DS family of systems!

The New Nintendo 2DS XL will release both in Australia and New Zealand on the 15th of June, 2017.

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Start your engines and get training, because Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. are joining forces in an exclusive Wii U bundle just in time for Christmas. From today, the Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Premium Pack will become available in selected retailers around Australia and New Zealand. Containing a black Wii U Premium Pack console and two of Nintendo’s most iconic multiplayer games – the high-octane kart racing of Mario Kart 8 (pre-installed) and the ultimate battle of your favourite characters in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U via download code.

Since its launch in 2014, Mario Kart 8 has sold 8 million copies worldwide, with both newcomers and veteran drivers alike facing fresh karting challenges in remixed classic and brand new courses, and the added twist of the new antigravity feature allowing Mario and company to race upside down or up vertical surfaces.

Want to battle your friends instead? Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is easily the biggest version of Super Smash Bros. ever created, offering a giant roster of classic video game characters and all the fighting action that fans of the series have fallen in love with over the years. Up to eight players can battle simultaneously and plenty of new modes and stages will keep fans playing the game throughout the holidays and well into the new year!

The fun doesn’t end there, with both Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U offering add-on content that can be purchased via the Nintendo eShop, unlocking entertaining extras for the whole family! In Mario Kart 8, you can get new characters, vehicles and racetracks, including favourites like Isabelle from Animal Crossing. For Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, you can download costumes for your Mii characters, new stages and new playable characters, such as the Psychic-Type Pokémon Mewtwo!

Add the final touch to your favourite Christmas gift with amiibo. Tap compatible amiibo into Mario Kart 8 to unlock costumes for your Mii character, based on those worn by your favourite Nintendo heroes! Or train the ultimate ally or fiercest opponent by tapping your compatible amiibo into Super Smash Bros. for Wii U!

From December the 1st, 2016, the Nintendo Selects for Wii U range expands to include Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Pikmin 3. Don’t miss the chance these holidays to team up with the Kongs in HD and run, leap and roll across six differently-themed islands in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, or explore the surface of planet PNF-404 to save your home planet from famine with the friendly and helpful Pikmin in Pikmin 3. Nintendo Selects for Wii U range offer premium games at a great price.

‘Tis the season for a Wii U bundle of family fun with the Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Premium Pack, launching exclusively in Australia and New Zealand from the 14th of November, 2016.

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Nintendo had their usual Treehouse setup at E3 2016 and their prize gem, Zelda at the top of their showcase.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild represents the next great boundary breaking adventure from Nintendo. The game marks a new pinnacle for the franchise, and today Nintendo gave the world its first look at the immense, living and breathing world of the Wii U version of the game at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles. The game challenges and surprises players at every turn, while giving them incredible freedom to explore the massive world found in this open-air adventure.

Nintendo gave fans just a taste of how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes the franchise to new heights. As E3 attendees investigate Hyrule, they can explore the game any way they want because the world is so vast and players are not required to take a pre-determined path. This sense of freedom and vastness will truly come alive in the final game when the experience isn’t limited by the restrictions of a show floor demo. During a Nintendo Treehouse: Live demo, Nintendo showed that heroic Link needs to be resourceful as he explores his environment. It’s important for players to become familiar with their surroundings so they can find weapons or collect them from defeated enemies.

Food helps Link sustain his hearts and can give him a temporary boost or ability that will sustain him. The game breaks with some conventions from the series. For example, many of the minor enemies are no longer scattered randomly around the world, as many now live together in colonies. Link can climb towers and massive structures to get a bearing on his surroundings. He can even reach the top of mountains – any mountain he can see, he can climb. He can paraglide to lower areas or even use his shield to slide down a mountain. Link will travel across fields, through forests and to mountain peaks. The game’s wild world surrounds Link, and he must pay attention to changes in climate, as a shift in weather or temperature can affect the environment and his ability to survive in it.

A sudden downpour might douse a roaring campfire or a lightning storm might be attracted to Link’s metallic weapons. Players might need to bundle up with warmer clothes or change into something better suited to the desert heat.

More than 100 Shrines of Trials dot the landscape, waiting for players to discover and explore them in any order they want. As players work their way through the traps and puzzles inside, they’ll earn special items and other rewards that will help them on their adventure. Puzzles in the game often have multiple answers, and secrets can be found everywhere. Exploration and discovery are a huge part of the fun. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is scheduled to launch simultaneously for both the Wii U console and Nintendo’s next system, code-named NX, in 2017.

The game also includes compatibility with amiibo, which are sold separately. Nintendo announced a new series of amiibo figures specific to the game that includes Link with a bow (“Archer”), Link on horseback (“Rider”), and a “Guardian” that is the first amiibo with flexible parts. The existing Wolf Link amiibo works with the game as well: when players tap a Wolf Link amiibo to the Wii U GamePad controller, Wolf Link will attack enemies on his own and help players to hunt.He has three hearts, unless players carry over save data from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. Wolf Link disappears when his hearts run out.

While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is clearly the star of Nintendo’s presence at E3, Nintendo Treehouse: Live also gave Pokémon fans something to go wild about this morning: the world premiere of live gameplay from Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the seventh, and newest, era of the core Pokémon series. The games, made for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, include new Pokémon, a new Pokédex, a new region and a new battle format to enhance the Pokémon experience in almost every way.

In the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games, players embark on a new adventure as a Pokémon Trainer. They catch, battle and trade new Pokémon characters on the tropical islands of the Alola Region, which is comprised of four islands rich in natural beauty and an artificial island. Players can choose from one of three new Partner Pokémon (Rowlet, Litten and Popplio) and discover the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon (Solgaleo and Lunala) Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon launch in Australia and New Zealand on November 18th, 2016.

Previously announced Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE (launching on June 25th, 2016), Monster Hunter Generations from Capcom (launching on July 16th, 2016), Paper Mario: Color Splash (launching on October 8th, 2016) and Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (2016) also made a feature and were playable. Additionally, a first look at a new Mario Party game for Nintendo 3DS that includes additions and changes to make it much more fast-paced and portable-friendly, is also viewable. Players no longer have to wait for their turn, as everyone moves at once. Mario Party Star Rush launches in Australia and New Zealand on October 8th, 2016. Also on October 8th, 2016, Nintendo will launch new amiibo in the Super Mario series.

The collection will feature the debut of amiibo figures for Daisy, Waluigi and Boo – and the Boo amiibo figure glows in the dark! The collection also introduces new poses for Wario, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Launching first on October 8th, 2016 in Australia and New Zealand will be Boo, Donkey Kong, Rosalina and Wario, followed by Waluigi, Diddy Kong and Daisy on November 5th, 2016. As a special treat for fans, Nintendo eShop is offering discounts of up to 50% for some of its most popular games until June 23rd, 2016. Discounts have been applied to dozens of games, including multiple games in The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon series, as well as a number of Virtual Console games. In addition, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U is 35% off on Nintendo eShop until June 21st, 2016, and users with a Nintendo Account who have subscribed to Nintendo’s promotional emails at the moment of purchase can get an additional 10% “Just for You” discount on the reduced price, for a 41% discount in total.

So now’s a good time to get those Nintendo games you have been putting off.

The post Nintendo @ E3 2016 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

This year Mario reaches an impressive milestone in video gaming: 30 years as a leading man in Nintendo’s timeless Super Mario Bros. series.

At E3 2015, Nintendo celebrates Mario’s longevity with a new instalment in the series called Super Mario Maker, one of many games at the show that transforms familiar characters and their games with unique new looks, styles and gameplay features.

Players will see new instalments of beloved series like Star Fox, Yoshi, Animal Crossing, Mario & Luigi, Xenoblade and Metroid, and enjoy the reimagining of Bowser and Donkey Kong as Skylanders figures that also have amiibo functionality with compatible Nintendo games.

During the Nintendo Digital Event video on the opening day of E3 2015 in Los Angeles, Nintendo announced games launching in the near future, with a focus on what fans can enjoy in the second half of 2015 and early 2016.

Here’s a round-up of some of the news and games Nintendo showed at E3 2015:

Wii U

Super Mario Maker: The next evolution of the Super Mario Bros. series lets people’s imaginations run wild. For the first time ever, friends can have fun playing through levels they create for one another. The Wii U GamePad controller makes it so easy for anyone to create Levels; it may feel like simply sketching out ideas on paper.

Players can enjoy a seemingly endless supply of inventive Mario Levels from players around the world. The game includes a Hardcover Artbook totaling about 100 pages that illustrates the boundless possibilities in Super Mario Maker. Nintendo will also release two special Mario amiibo figures, one of which will be part of a limited edition software bundle, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game.

Tapping these amiibo in Super Mario Maker adds a Big Mushroom power-up to your course, allowing Mario to grow big, bust blocks from any direction, as well as adding a retro visual filter to the game, reminiscent of older cathode ray tube televisions.

In addition, many other amiibo will also be compatible with Super Mario Maker through the use of a new item called the Mystery Mushroom. This item allows Mario to take the appearance of many other characters, such as Link, Kirby, or Wii Fit Trainer, complete with character-specific animations and sound effects. These character costumes can be unlocked by completing the 100 Mario Challenge mode and many can also be unlocked if the player taps the amiibo of the character to the Wii U GamePad.

To coincide with the Super Mario Bros. anniversary, the Super Mario Maker game, which includes the Hardcover Artbook, will launch on 12th of September, 2015. On the same day Nintendo will also release a limited edition Super Mario Maker bundle that includes the game, Hardcover Artbook, as well as a Mario (Classic Colours) amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection.

Both amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection will also launch as standalone amiibo during summer 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.

LetsSuperMario.com website: To continue the celebration of Super Mario’s 30th anniversary, fans around the world are encouraged to create personal “Let’s Super Mario” video tributes that showcase their love for the legendary series.

The videos can be submitted to a dedicated website which can be found HERE.

Whether it’s through song, dance or reliving favourite moments, Nintendo will honour Super Mario by showcasing the creativity of our fans. In the spirit of Nintendo’s mission of putting smiles on the faces of everyone that experiences our products, Nintendo’s share of any ad revenue generated from the Let’s Super Mario 30th Anniversary videos will go towards a donation Nintendo is making to Operation Smile, a global surgical charity dedicated to healing the smiles of children around the world suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate.

Star Fox Zero: Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy are back in a new adventure. Players pilot an Arwing in the traditional style of TV gameplay and, in a new twist, players can use the cockpit view on the GamePad to aim and shoot enemies using the gyro controls.

Having two unique viewpoints offers distinct gaming advantages and frees up the TV for more cinematic moments in the title’s brand-new all range mode. Scheduled to launch in Q4 2015, Star Fox Zero includes a new Walker transformation for the Arwing, a new Gyrowing vehicle and the return of the Landmaster Tank.

Skylanders SuperChargers from Activision: Both Donkey Kong and Bowser guest star in the next Skylanders game, complete with their own vehicles and move sets that celebrate the lore and legacy of their 30+ years in the video game universe.

As an added bonus, the Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser Skylanders SuperCharger characters also work as amiibo in compatible Nintendo games, so players can store their save data in both modes with a simple twist of the figure’s base. The game is anticipated to launch on the 24th of September, 2015.

Just Dance 2016 from Ubisoft: Just Dance 2016 is the latest instalment in the best-selling music game franchise of all time. Launching on both Wii and Wii U, the game features tracks from artists like Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor and Lady Gaga. This year, the free Just Dance Controller app enables Wii U players to use their smartphones to play.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Amidst an intergalactic war between aliens and human survivors, players fight for survival while exploring the massive expanses of an unknown planet.

Weaponised mechs called “Skells” let players access every location they see. Players also can customise a lethal skill set of combat and defensive skills, called Arts, to strengthen their strategies and defeat enemies efficiently.

The game launches in December 2015.

Animal Crossing – amiibo Festival: Animal Crossing amiibo figures and cards get their own party game. Players are challenged to collect the most Happy Points by the end of a dynamic board game.

The board layout can remain the same, but the spaces and even the environment change, depending on which month players choose for their game. As in otherAnimal Crossing games, players can buy turnips and use strategy to decide when to sell them for big money. Scheduled to launch in Q4 2015, Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival will release as a bundle that includes the game, two amiibo figures and three amiibo cards.

Genei Ibun Roku #FE (name not final): Set in modern Tokyo, young people come together to weave an epic tale alongside heroes from an alternate world. This brand-new RPG, developed by ATLUS, is infused with elements of the popular Fire Emblem series. In the struggle between the worlds of glamour and darkness, these young heroes rise to face the challenge.

The game is scheduled to launch in 2016.

Mario Tennis – Ultra Smash: Up to four players can compete in tennis matches that could only take place in the Mushroom Kingdom. With the addition of Jump Shots to hit high balls overhead, or Giant Mushrooms that when picked up make characters bigger, this Mario Tennis is reborn with features enabling players to aggressively go after higher balls.

The game is scheduled to launch in Q4 2015.

Yoshi’s Woolly World: Collect, cooperate and get crafty with Yoshi in a world made completely from yarn, felt and other fabrics and textiles. Pulling on strings in the game usually leads to discoveries, while new transformations include Moto Yoshi, Mole Yoshi and Sky Pop Yoshi.

The game’s simple platforming adventure challenges players to find hidden secrets. Tapping select amiibo characters to the GamePad creates new patterns for Yoshi, while new Yarn Yoshi amiibo let players control two Yoshis at the same time. This first-ever two-player co-op Yoshi game includes Mellow Mode, which gives Yoshi wings, and is perfect for players who just want to hunt for treasure, or newcomers who want to get the hang of the game.

The game launches on 25th of June, 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.

Nintendo 3DS

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes: Three players take on the role of individual Link characters and team up to solve puzzles and battle bosses in dungeons.

The game features the same top-down view and visual style of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Players must work together, as the group shares all hearts. All three Links can stack on top of one another to create a Totem to reach new locations and solve puzzles or fight enemies. Different outfits offer unique abilities.

The game is scheduled to launch in Q4 2015.

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: The player transforms into one of 20 Pokémon as he or she sets out on an adventure in a world inhabited solely by the 720 discovered Pokémon, including Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.

This game boasts hours of replay-ability by randomly generating each dungeon, so players will never explore the same dungeon twice as they unravel this tale of adventure and mystery.

The game is scheduled to launch in early 2016.

Animal Crossing – Happy Home Designer: One of the favourite activities in the Animal Crossing series now gets a full game. With more options than ever, players design interiors and exteriors of homes for hundreds of animal characters, and can even design a garden.

They can choose where to place the home, and then pick out a house style and colours for the roof, door and fence before getting to work on the interior. Tapping compatible amiibo character cards brings favourite Animal Crossing characters with their separate personalities and design requests into the game, which launches with a complimentary amiibo card on the 3rd of October 2015.

A bundle will launch the same day and include the game, one amiibo card and the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer accessory.

YO-KAI WATCH: This game sold millions and became a cultural phenomenon in Japan. Now players in Australia and New Zealand get to experience the fun of hundreds of sometimes cute, sometimes spooky, and usually mischievous Yo-kai that inhabit our world. Players explore using their Yo-kai Watch to find Yo-kai, then befriend them and turn them into a team to battle other Yo-kai.

The game is scheduled to launch in 2016.

Fire Emblem Fates: Two versions of the franchise’s new instalment offer players an unprecedented choice: fight an opposing force or join the other side and try to make changes from within.

For the first time in the series, players take on the role of the main character and command an army, while struggling to decide which path to follow: helping blood relatives or the family that raised him or her.

The game is scheduled to launch in 2016.

Mario & Luigi – Paper Jam Bros.: Paper Mario jumps out of the book and into the bizarre adventures of Mario & Luigi, resulting in hilarious and dangerous hijinks. Become the superstar team of Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario to take on quests, take down enemies and untangle these two unique universes in this playful new entry in the Mario & Luigi series.

The game is scheduled to launch in autumn 2016 in Australia and New Zealand.

Hyrule Warriors – Legends: The Wii U version of Hyrule Warriors comes to the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. In the portable version, experience new story elements and playable characters inspired by The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

New features allow players to enhance their tactics and switch between different characters on the fly as they explore and battle in Hyrule’s most famous locales.

The game is scheduled to launch in Q1 2016.

Metroid Prime – Federation Force: Up to four players can connect online or locally to take on co-op missions in this first-person sci-fi adventure set in the Metroid Prime universe. Players don a mech suit and work together as a team to clear out enemy-infested bases and complete objective-based missions.

After completing the missions, up to six players can compete in Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, a three-on-three game that requires players to shoot a ball into their opponents’ goal.

The game is scheduled to launch in 2016.

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