As you may have heard if you were following us on Twitter, Nintendo yesterday held one of their regular "Nintendo Direct" online broadcasts, where they distil a number of equally huge announcements down into one, simple 30 minute show. Containing new trailers, new release dates, and brand new info about all of their games in the run-up to (and slightly beyond) Christmas, we thought we'd return the favour, and distil all the news into two, easy to digest round-ups - one for the 3DS, and one for the Wii U.
Please understand.
Super Mario 3D World
Leading with a new trailer for arguably the Wii U's biggest game so far, Nintendo showcased some gorgeous new footage of a multiplayer platform game that's instantly leapt to the top of our most wanted list. Having seemingly gone through a number of changes since we went hands-on with it at an event in the summer, the trailer showcased a number of new features, including a cherry power-up, which gives you a stunt double, a cannonball hat, a goomba disguise, and a giant ice skate you can slide around the snow covered levels in. Although it's along the same lines as New Super Mario Bros, in that it's a four player co-op platformer, Super Mario 3D World looks set to push the boat out a lot further than the Wii U's first Mario game, with levels that seem to be packed with cool little touches, and inventive ways for the new power-ups to work together, alongside the infamous cat suit Mario (that's cat suit, not catsuit). Slightly more concerning, though, was the way Nintendo described the game as featuring "not only" a multiplayer mode for up to four players, but also "a solid single player adventure as well". Will they be separating the multiplayer co-op from the single-player, with one having a lot more work put into in than the other? That's something no Mario game's done before, and raises a question mark we're hoping Nintendo will clarify soon. Keep an eye out for this one when it launches on the 29th November.
Wii Party U
Next up was a bit more info about the upcoming party game, Wii Party U. Kind of like a Mario Party game, without the Mario, Wii Party U promises a whole host of mini-games to get all your friends and family involved, with the most recent Nintendo Direct lifting the lid on some of the latest. Known as "House Party" mode, these mini-games make use of your living room every bit as much as your TV. One, known as "Water Runner", asks you to scoop "water" from a stream shown on the Wii U GamePad, using your Wii Remote, before carefully carrying it to the TV and depositing it in an on screen beaker. Another seems to work like a more finger focused game of Twister, which sees you, and up to four friends, having to take it in turns to press and hold a button on either one of four Wii Remotes or the Wii U GamePad. Encouraging your fingers to get in a right twist, this is just one of the modes that will be launching alongside Wii Party U when it hits shelves on the 25th October.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Seems like the development process has been frozen too.
Unfortunately for those looking forward to the latest adventure of Nintendo's other big platforming star, Donkey Kong, Nintendo announced that the upcoming Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has been delayed until an unspecified time in 2014. While the reasons for this weren't made entirely clear, we'd think it's likely Nintendo decided not to have two fairly similar games (Mario and Donkey Kong) going up against each other in the run up to Christmas. After all, as the games have shown us, when Mario and Donkey Kong go head to head, there can only be one winner.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games
Now with added online.
The next in line in the incredibly well selling Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games will be seeing a release on the Wii U on the 8th November. With a variety of multiplayer modes, the game retains the format of the originals, letting you compete in a variety of Winter Olympic themed sports, from figure skating to the bobsleigh run, and everything in between. New for this outing is the addition of an online multiplayer mode, which lets you compete with players from around the globe - although only four events will be playable online. On the plus side, Nintendo have put together an Olympic themed ranking system, that means you'll be earning points for your country when you play online. Win events, and you'll earn plenty of points, which will go towards your chosen home country's overall ranking - the more points it has, the higher it'll rank. That said, there could be more of a downside to this one than an upside if we're playing online. Sorry Britain. I don't think we'll be much help...
Sonic in Super Smash Bros
Moustache vs spiky haircut - but who'll win?
Although it still doesn't have a subtitle, Nintendo announced that the upcoming, and incredibly anticipated Nintendo-themed brawler, Super Smash Bros, will be featuring a cameo for the second game running from the blue blur himself, Sonic. Letting you settle the age old question of who's better, Sonic or Mario, from the comfort of your own home (probably whoever I'm playing as - Ed), Sonic joins a roster of characters that already includes Toon Link, Princess Peach, Zelda, Mario, Kirby, Mega Man, the Wii Fit Trainer and even the Animal Crossing Villager in what will undoubtedly become one of the most played game at Everybody Plays towers when it launches. With the Wii instalment still being a regular time-sink on our weekends, to say we're looking forward to this is an understatement. If you've never played the series before, do yourself a favour - gather your friends and family around, pick up the Wii version, and prepare to be amazed.
Wii Karaoke U
As one of the shortest notice announcements during the broadcast, Nintendo revealed that their upcoming karaoke service, the inventively named Wii Karaoke U, will be available for download in just a few days time (4th October). Letting you dress up and customise your Mii, before putting them on stage to sing along to one of 1,500 songs (including some Japanese ones), Wii Karaoke U is notable for its business model, in that you can't actually buy it. Using your GamePad microphone, the game comes with a one hour trial - but if you want to sing beyond that, you'll have to buy timed "tickets". Ranging from a one hour pass for £1.79, to a 30 day pass for £13.49, it may be an OK idea for parties, but we like to have something we can keep. We'll probably be passing on this one.
Sonic Lost World
Finishing the Wii U news for this Nintendo Direct was a brand new trailer for Sonic Lost World, a game which further cements the Wii U as the console of choice for platform fans this Christmas. A Wii U exclusive, the game mixes 2D and 3D platforming, with the 'hog himself coming with a host of new moves - the ability to vault ledges, use "parkour" moves, and run up or along walls. While it's likely to be overshadowed by Super Mario 3D World this Christmas, Sonic Lost World is still shaping up to be a solid game - you can find our hands-on thoughts here.
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So, that's your lot. All things considered, this Christmas is shaping up to be a huge one for the Wii U, with a line-up that arguably looks stronger than either of the next-gen consoles - especially if you're looking for same console multiplayer. Make sure you check back as we head towards Christmas, as we'll be getting full reviews of the whole range up very soon.
