In the first Direct since the passing of the late Satoru Iwata, Nintendo doesn’t skimp on the surprises or announcements for the Wii U and the 3DS.
Even though it’s been leaked through various online retailers, Twilight Princess HD announcement was great. Coming in 2016, the Wii U version of the game will offer upgraded visuals as well as amiibo support. There will be a special bundle that includes the game as well as a Wolf Link/Midna amiibo. The game will also support the other Zelda amiibo released so far.
There was also a teaser for the upcoming Wii U Legend of Zelda title. Not much was shown off except a hooded figure riding a horse looking off into the distance. Not much was revealed in the hotly anticipated title outside of a vague 2016 date and amiibo support.
For those fans of the third-person inker Splatoon, the game will be getting two new stages as well as some new weapons and more clothing. Museum D’Alfonsino is a level that is obviously museum inspired that will feature several real world works of art seen through a Splatoon filter. The other level, Mahi-Mahi Resort, takes place in a resort hotel. The stage will change as the water level changes. So a decisive victory will be difficult.
Super Mario Maker will also see an update, but won’t be bringing new content. Instead, Nintendo will be launching an online portal to allow people to search and tag created levels that will be easily accessed in game via the Web Portal tab on the Course Browser. The website will go live in December.
Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival hits stores this Friday, November 13th. The game brings the familiar citizens to a party style game  on the Wii U. The game will support the already released Animal Crossing amiibo figures and cards. The game comes in a bundle with Isabelle and Digby who will only be available through the bundle.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash comes out next week on November 20th. The Mega Mushroom was shown off making troubles grown bigger, but for those who like things minimal, there is a Simple mode that removes powerups and focuses on a rousing game of tennis.
Xenoblade Chronicles X will be out next month on December 4th. The game aims to blend Western and Japanese RPG styles in a massive world. For those looking to pick up the physical disc, there are four content packs on the Wii U shop that will allow the game to load faster. To those who are picking the game up digitally, they don’t need to worry as the game will already be installed with all of the content packs.
Pokkén Tournament, the Pokémon Company’s collaboration with the team behind Tekken, will be out in Spring 2016 on the Wii U. And for those early adopters, a special Shadow MewTwo amiibo card will be packaged with the game. This first print run bonus will allow players the ability to play as Shadow MewTwo from the onset rather than meeting the unlock conditions.
Star Fox Zero missed it’s initial launch date, but that doesn’t stop Nintendo from showing more footage from the game. It showcased the three main vehicles and their ability to transform between land and sky forms. The new date for Star Fox Zero is April 22nd.
Leading the charge with even more Zelda content, is an update to Triforce Heroes. The free update will include a challenge tower that has over 30 levels of trials for the three Links. In addition to that, the game will have two new costumes in the game.
Hyrule Warriors Legends showcases a brand-new playable character, Linkle. Drawing several parallels from Link, Linkle is armed with two crossbows as she takes on mobs of enemies. Zelda fans can look forward to the game when it ships on March 25th, 2016. The game will also include a 3DS theme.
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon explores the world on November 20th. The game boasts an impressive 720 Pokémon in the game and will come with a Pokémon 3DS theme.
Speaking of Pokémon games, Pokémon Picross will be out in early December for the 3DS as a “free to start” game.
2016 is the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, and to help celebrate, the original Game Boy games will be on the eShop on February 27th. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow will be available. To Pokémon fans who miss trading the lovable creatures on the playground, the 3DS eShop versions will have the ability to trade between 3DS systems wirelessly. So players can evolve that Haunter into Gengar, but they won’t be able to battle unfortunately.
Available now, Nintendo Badge Arcade is another “free to start” game from Nintendo. Similar to a prize crane game, players will try to capture badges that they can then use to customize the 3DS’ home screen. Theme will be unlocked if certain conditions are met.
Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam sees the plumber brothers team up with Paper Mario in adventures that span three dimensions. The game will support amiibo figures, but only from the Mario cast. Amiibo will unlock character cards that will aid players in combat. The game comes out January 22nd, 2016.
Fire Emblem Fates takes the big bombastic story of a Fire Emblem game and spreads it across two games, Conquest and Birthright. Both games will retail at $40 but will offer the other game’s story for $20. Not only that, but Revelations offers up more information on what happened between both stories and will be available digitally. But for those completionists out there, Nintendo has a Special Edition package that not only includes all three stories, but will have an exclusive 3DS XL pouch and an artbook. The Fire Emblem Fates games will be out on February 19th with DLC maps that will be available soon after release.
On to third party releases, Capcom is bringing the MegaMan Legacy Collection out for the 3DS in a physical form. The collection saw a release on the PS4 and XBO last year, but will make it’s appearance on the handheld in February. In addition to MegaMan 1-6, the game features a museum mode and a new challenge mode which will offer 11 challenges that will unlock with the MegaMan amiibo. And for those who don’t own a MegaMan amiibo can get a gold colored figure of the titular character in a special edition. The regular physical edition will include the game, stickers, a soundtrack sampler, and two 3DS themes. The PS4 and XBO physical release will include everything the 3DS physical version has except the themes. The Special Edition of the 3DS version will include all of the physical bonuses from the regular edition as well as the Gold MegaMan amiibo figure and six postcards.
From Capcom to Square Enix with Final Fantasy Explorers. Explorers is a game very similar to the Crystal Chronicle games, offering a multiplayer action-RPG. For fans of the franchise, they will see tons of costumes from main characters of games past. To sweeten the deal, the North American release will also have all of the Japanese DLC included in the game for free. Players will be able to customize spells and recruit monsters. Final Fantasy Explorers comes out January 26th, 2016.
Dragon Quest fans have plenty to celebrate as two titles are finally making their way Stateside, Dragon Quest VII and Dragon Quest VIII will sail to fans in 2016. Dragon Quest VII, formerly known as Dragon Warrior VII, will arrive on the 3DS by the Summer after being released in Japan 3 years ago. Dragon Quest VIII will see a release later in the year after DQVII arrives.
And I hear mention of some new character in Smash Bros. Cloud Something? I dunno.
From first party games, to third party games, the 3DS and Wii U is brimming with new, and old, experiences in the coming months and into next year.