There has been a flurry of news from Nintendo. Let’s break down the announcements in this news wrap up.
- Vooks.net were one of the first websites to report on the Wii U Firmware 4.0 Update – the update includes a number of improvements to Wii U apps and settings, but the most notable feature was letting gamers play Wii games off-screen on the GamePad! The Official Nintendo Magazine UK even has user-submitted pictures of gamers enjoying Wii games on their GamePads.
- The build up to Pokemon X and Y‘s release has been at a frenzied level for some time now. A notable absence during this week’s Nintendo’s Direct was news about the 3DS Pokemon game — it seems they were saving some surprises after all. Mega Charizard X was revealed during the airing of the first episode of Pokemon Origins. Exclusive to Pokemon X, the mega evolution changes Charizard into a Fire/Dragon type with a distinct black and blue look.
- The Nintendo Direct webcast this week teased a new 3DS Kirby game for 2014, unveiled an impressive new trailer for Super Mario 3D World Wii U, promised some Pikmin 3 paid DLC and delayed Retro’s Donkey Kong Country Wii U until 2014.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was also discussed during the Nintendo Direct webcast, including a big shift in how you play the game. Traditionally, you would unlock weapons as you progressed through the dungeons. In the upcoming 3DS games, you rent weapons from a shop allowing you to play dungeons in any order you wish. Release date for European regions is slated for November 22.
- Bravely Default from Square Enix was confirmed for European Regions by Mr Shibata during the European Nintendo Direct, with a December 6 release date. The game is an ode to earlier Final Fantasy games and could look at home under the Crystal Chronicles moniker. It features an audio track in English and Japanese, which addresses a common complaint from JRPG enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Nintendo of America feed showed off a collector’s pack for Etrian Oddyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl from publisher ATLUS. A venerated series, this version promises new gamers two games in one with a compelling story mode that will also appeal to veterans.
- The Nintendo eShop exclusive Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies is being realised in 3D and features an English cast. Due for release on October 24, the demo is currently available for you to try.