Nintendo 3DS Direct 9/1/2016 Recap: Super Mario Maker, Pikmin, and More Amiibo!
Nintendo hasn't forgotten about the 3DS, with a whole host of new games coming this year and early 2017!
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There's no NX news on the horizon, but a bunch of brand-new games for the 3DS will make you happy, right? Today marks another Nintendo Direct event, focused purely on Nintendo's portable powerhouse.
Pokemon Sun and Moon
First up was a new look at Pokemon Sun and Moon. The stream highlighted a new evolution of Rattata, a mustachioed dark/normal version that's the result of the island's inhabitants trying to wipe out an infestation of the regular version.
The stream showed off more about the all-new Z-Moves, including the Z-Crystals needed to unlock them. Players can grab a special version of Snorlax pre-evolution Munchlax when the game launches. With the correct Z-Crystal and your special Munchlax, you can unlock the special Snorlax-only Z-move: Pulverizing Pancakes.
Super Mario Maker Heads to 3DS in December
We wanted it and Nintendo listened. Super Mario Maker is coming to Nintendo 3DS on December 2, 2016! It's a partially-featured release of the level-design title, with most of the options that made the Wii U version great. You can play user-created levels, the course creator is still there, and there's a whole host of Nintendo designed and recommended levels out there to play.
There are some things missing though. Not every course created in the Wii U version is compatible with Super Mario Maker for 3DS. There is no online sharing of levels created on the 3DS version, although players can locally share levels with friends over a wireless connection. In addition, the Mystery Mushroom and assorted Mario costumes are Wii U only.
Otherwise? It's Super Mario Maker on the go. You can't go wrong with that. Of course, if Super Mario Maker wants to make a move over to the seemingly-portable Nintendo NX, I can't complain.
Mario Party Star Rush
The 3DS version of the relationship-destroying Mario Party adds the new Toad Scramble mode. Toad Scramble drops turns completely, with every player rolling the dice and moving simultaneously. The first player to reach the boss jumps into a boss fight immediately, though other players can join in when they get there.
There are also new ally characters that players can find on the game board. Characters like Mario and Yoshi expand your movement options and they play alongside you in mini-games, adding to your score total.
The announced game modes are Coinathalon, Mario Shuffle, Boo's Block Party, and Rhythm Recital.
Mario Party Star Rush is compatible with all Mario-series Amiibo (the red bases), including the seven new Amiibo coming this Fall. The new figures include Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong, Boo, Wario, Rosalina, Daisy, and the almighty Waluigi.
Mario Party Star Rush and the new Amiibo are coming November 4.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
In a free update, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is getting Amiibo support! All the Animal Crossing figures will be compatible, including select figures from other series. There's also a new wave of Amiibo cards coming for the game. The 50 new cards will be releasing December 2, covering a ton of new villagers not previously seen in this version.
There will be a new package for the game this holiday season, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Welcome Amiibo. Nintendo is promising an Animal Crossing mini-Direct this Fall.
StreetPass Update
The StreetPass is getting another pass with a new update! The update adds the new Quick Plaza, which moves at a much faster pace than the classic Mii Plaza, with shortened intro messages from Miis and a menu to directly boot up Mii Plaza games.
Nintendo is also upping the number of waiting StreetPass Mii you can have for Mii Plaza Premium. Instead of only 10 Miis, you can have up to 100 Miis waiting at your gate!
There's five new StreetPass games that are available today. Race in Slot Car Rivals, play the stock market in Market Crashers, cook up a meal in Feed Me, combine Mii Step counts to explore the world in Mii Trek, or launching yourself from a cannon in Ninja Launcher. Slot Car Rivals and Market Crashers will be available for free, though players only get to choose one.
Tank Troopers
Nintendo announced a new game for 3DS eShop called Tank Troopers. It's a competitive 3D action game, putting players behind the treads of a specialized tank. Depending on the type of Trooper you pick, your tank can freeze enemies, shock them, or use paint to block their camera. Tank Troopers features single player, a local six-player competitive mode, and Download Play.
Tank Troopers is coming to the Nintendo 3DS eShop this Winter.
Picross 3D Round 2
I have a hankering and the only fix is more Picross. Now you can paint blocks in two colors at once! There will be more than 300 puzzles at the cafe and the game is Amiibo compatible, giving players new Nintendo-specific shapes to unlock in the game.
A demo of Picross 3D Round 2 is available today and there will be a demo available.
The Legend of Zelda - 30th Anniversary
For the 30th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda, Nintendo is offering up a bunch of new goodies! First up are new Amiibo, including 8-Bit Link, Ocarina of Time Link, and Link and Zelda from Wind Waker. All four will be available on December 2. They will function like regular Link and Zelda Amiibos and have special functionality in the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Dark Horse is releasing three new Zelda art books for the anniversary. The first will be Art & Artifacts, a Legend of Zelda art book featuring over 2,000 illustrations. You can pre-order the book on Amazon now.
As a surprise, Nintendo is also releasing the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword on Wii U. The game is available on the Nintendo eShop today.
Hyrule Warriors Legends for 3DS will be getting a new DLC pack: The Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks pack, available today. New characters in the form of Toon Link and Toon Zelda join the roster with the new DLC. The interesting thing is Toon Zelda is still a spirit, so in-game she's actually possessing a special Darknut to fight.
New Nintendo 3DS XL - Galaxy Style
There's a new purple Galaxy Style 3DS XL if you don't already have the system or want to become in-tune with the cosmos.
Previously Announced Games
Phoenix Wright : Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is coming to the eShop on September 8. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is still coming to 3DS in 2017. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is coming first though, adding new StreetPass features when it releases on 3DS on September 16. Pre-purchasing the game gets you a Dragon Quest VII 3DS theme for free.
Yokai Watch 2: Fleshy Spirits/Boney Souls takes the series back to the origins of the Yokai Watch. The first production run of the game will include physical Soul Medals, which unlock new Soultimate moves in the game for Jibanyan. The demo for the game will be coming mid-September, with a full launch on September 30.
Disney's Magical World 2 is coming to 3DS on October 14 and pre-purchasing the game gets you free Frozen outfits. Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse offers the final version of the dark RPG on September 20. Finally, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice brings the animated version of Sonic to a classic 2D side-scrolling adventure on September 27.
Yoshi's Woolly World for 3DS
Yet another Wii U title is making the jump over to the 3DS! Yoshi's Wooly World for 3DS packs in every stage from the Wii U version, plus new stages focused on Poochy. Poochy Pups will also help players find treasures and secrets in the game. New animated stop-motion shorts created with the studio Dwarf, 30 of which are included on the 3DS version itself. The shorts show off the daily lives of Yoshi and Poochy, while they're sitting on your desk.
Continuing the Amiibo action, there will be a Yarn Poochy Amiibo launching alongside the game.
Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World is coming to 3DS on February 3, 2017. There will be a bundle including the game and the Amiibo.
Ever Oasis
Nintendo gave out some more details for the upcoming action RPG, Ever Oasis. Grezzo is handling development on the title and it will be produced by Koichi Ishii himself. Ever Oasis' character designs will be handled by Yoshinori Shizuma, who tackled Marginal Operation and some Kantai Collection class illustrations in the past.
The thrust of the game is building up your Oasis and fulfilling the needs of various travelers. When you're not being friendly with the townsfolk, you're out in the desert fighting the forces of Chaos. Your team will tackle fighting in the desert and diving into dungeons, looking for the resources those back in town need. You'll need certain allies and skills to really complete each dungeon, so choosing the right team is key.
Ever Oasis is coming to 3DS in 2017.
Mario Sports Super Stars
This new 3DS title brings together the various Mario Sports title in one game. Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, Golf, and Horse Racing all feature in Mario Sports Super Stars. Each sport is a full-fledged game on its own, with a single-player tournament mode and local or online multiplayer.
Mario Sports Super Stars will launch on 3DS in Spring 2017.
Pikmin 3DS
Pikmin joins the other Nintendo properties that are heading to the portable 3DS! Unlike the its console counterpart, Pikmin for the 3DS is a side-scrolling adventure, not a pared-down strategy experience. Tap on the touch screen to send your Pikmin around the map and forge your path forward in each level. Red Pikmon are fire-resistant, Blue Pikmin love water, and Yellow Pikmin can survive electric shocks and are light enough to be thrown to higher ground.
This new Pikmin adventure will be released in 2017.