It sounds like Nintendo will be producing regular “Nintendo Direct” episodes. Make sure you watch out for Reggie’s quote below at the beginning of the video… it’s amazing!
“For this first installment, we’ve got some important news if you’re an owner of Nintendo 3DS or just thinking of becoming one. And really, if you’re neither one yet, what’s wrong with you?”
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The upcoming Mario Kart™ 7 game for the portable Nintendo 3DS™ system delivers more than just a glasses-free 3D racing experience. Mario Kart 7 delivers frenetic racing fun by air, land and sea. Longtime fans of the franchise will encounter new features and customization options, while newcomers will love racing with their favorite Mushroom Kingdom characters against opponents near and far.
At the heart of Mario Kart is multiplayer racing. Using a broadband Internet connection or local wireless built into the Nintendo 3DS, players can race against their own friends or even against opponents worldwide. The new Community feature allows players to create groups with other Mario Kart fans while setting up specific rules to make customized racing environments. Easy setup allows players to quickly create a community and share with others via the StreetPass™ feature. Community leaderboards will also show the most up-to-date information from recent races. Solo players can race through the Grand Prix and Time Trial modes using either the Circle Pad layout or the motion-sensitive gyro controls of the system to steer their karts. The gyro controls also allow players to control their karts in a first-person perspective, a feature never before seen in the Mario Kart franchise.
In a new press release, Nintendo of Europe announced the 3DS application “Nintendo Mailbox”, which allow system owners to send messages to friends through SpotPass. The release also notes that you can send along 3D photos and voice recordings.
Nintendo Mailbox launches in December and will be free to all 3DS owners.
Nintendo has revealed yet another 3D Classics game: Kirby’s Adventure. The NES title is getting the 3D reboot in just a few weeks. Nintendo of Europe has said that it will be available on the eShop on November 17 for €6.
This game hasn’t been confirmed for North America and Japan yet, though I’m sure it’ll end up on the shop for all regions in the near future.
I’ve extracted the footage from the Iwata/Konno discussion, so you won’t have to sit through the 14-minute interview if you have no interest in doing so.
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Nintendo 3DS™ and Wii™ owners will soon have the ability to access even more of their favorite TV shows and movies: the Hulu Plus service will be added to both systems by the end of the year. Nintendo is also announcing new features being added to the Nintendo 3DS system, including the ability to record 3D videos, new musical artists coming to Nintendo Video™ and a new animated 3D video from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. Additionally, Nintendo 3DS owners will soon see four inventive downloadable Nintendo-published games and applications delivered to the Nintendo eShop, the portable one-stop shop for fun, cool and interesting entertainment options.
“Nintendo 3DS continues to evolve with great new features and functions designed to reinforce its position as a premiere entertainment device,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “All of these features, in addition to great upcoming games like Pokémon Rumble Blast on Oct. 24, Super Mario 3D Land on Nov. 13 and Mario Kart 7 on Dec. 4, make Nintendo 3DS a smart gift option this holiday season.”
We shared some of these screenshots last night, but as promised, I’ve re-posted them as they’re not tiny thumbnails any longer. Plus, there are some new images included in this batch.
Unfortunately, this discussion is in Japanese, so you’ll probably have trouble understanding it. At least there’s some new footage!
