Apologies about the quality of the video. The original videos were small, so there wasn’t much I could do!
We already heard about Iwata noting that Ocarina of Time 3D will be released before Skyward Sword. Here’s his exact quote:
“One of the Wii titles scheduled to be launched this year is, as you know, “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.” Last year was the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. For your information, the year 2011 also marks the 15th anniversary of Pokémon and 25th anniversary of Dragon Quest, among others. Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo told me that he had a strong feeling that the new play control realized by Wii MotionPlus, which is now integrated into our Wii Remote as Wii Remote Plus, could significantly expand the comfort of the game play, especially when used in games like “The Legend of Zelda.” His team is now entering into the final completion stage of the game. Talking about The Legend of Zelda franchise, what people called a masterpiece in the days of Nintendo 64, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” has been in the process of being remade for Nintendo 3DS, and this Nintendo 3DS version is expected to hit the market earlier.”
This quote is quite interesting, since it could mean we won’t see Skyward Sword for some time. Last year, Nintendo said that the game could have been released had it used Twilight Princess’ art style. It seemed as though only a few dungeons needed to be completed, and the team was working on polishing the game’s graphics. However, Reggie Fils-Aime stated that Ocarina of Time 3D won’t ship before E3, and if Skyward Sword is coming after that, perhaps we’ll see the title in November?
We’ve heard a few conflicting reports regarding the availability of the 3DS’ Internet browser and eShop. Based on an official statement straight from Satoru Iwata, it appears that the features will not be released until May. The thing is, it seems as though it applies to pretty much all regions. Iwata told the following to investors…
“The first system update is scheduled for late May, at almost the same time around the world. Upon this update, you will be able to use some features including:
• Nintendo eShop,
• Transfer of Nintendo DSiWare from Nintendo DSi to Nintendo 3DS, and
• Internet Browser.”
Multiplatform
North America:
1. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft, Wii)
2. Zumba Fitness (Majesco, Wii)
3. Gran Turismo 5 (SCEA, PS3)
4. Dance Central (MTV Games, X360)
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision, X360)
Japan:
1. Senjou no Valkyria 3 (Sega, PSP)
2. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (Capcom, PSP)
3. The Last Story (Nintendo, Wii)
4. Dragon Age: Origins (Spike, X360)
5. Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii wake ga Nai Portable – Limited Edition (Banpresto, PSP)
UK:
1. FIFA 11 (EA Sports, X360)
2. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft, Wii)
3. Art Academy (Nintendo, DS)
4. LittleBigPlanet 2 (SCEE, PS3)
5. Lego Batman (Warner Bros, Wii)
Nintendo Wii
North America:
1. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft)
2. Zumba Fitness (Majesco)
3. Just Dance Kids (Ubisoft)
4. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Nintendo)
5. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
Japan:
1. The Last Story (Nintendo)
2. Shape Boxing 2 Wii de Enjoy Diet (Rocket Company)
3. Donkey Kong Returns (Nintendo)
4. The Last Story – Limited Edition (Nintendo)
5. Wii Party (Nintendo)
UK:
1. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft)
2. Lego Batman (Warner Bros)
3. Just Dance (Ubisoft)
4. Wii Party (Nintendo)
5. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Nintendo)
Nintendo DS
North America:
1. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)
2. Let’s Draw! (Majesco)
3. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo)
4. Phineas and Ferb (Disney)
5. Plants vs. Zombies (PopCap)
Japan:
1. Ninokuni: Shikkoku no Madoushi (Level 5)
2. Eigo de Tabisuru: Little Charo (Nintendo)
3. Hirameki Puzzle: Maxwell no Fushigi na Note (Konami)
4. Pocket Monsters Black (Nintendo)
5. Pocket Monsters White (Nintendo)
UK:
1. Art Academy (Nintendo)
2. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo)
3. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)
4. Toy Story 3 (Disney)
5. Professor Layton and the Lost Future (Nintendo)
– First firmware update in May: eShop, Internet browser, DSiWare transfers
– Software sales, video, demo downloads on the eShop
– The “shopping channels” for Wii/DSi were based off browser tech, suffered from slow screen switches and control latency as a result
– With the eShop, Nintendo wanted to make a service in which players would visit even if they weren’t interested in something specific (a “place that’s fun to window shop”)
– VC, DSiWare, 3DS-specific games, and 3D classics available on the eShop
– Download a free video player from the eShop
– Need the player to watch free 3D videos from Fuji TV and Nippon TV that will be distributed daily via SpotPass
– DSiWare transfers use the eShop
– Nintendo wanted the transfer ability available day one, but couldn’t do so since it uses the shop
– Transfer 3DS games from one system to another in the future
– These transfers will be limited
– The 3DS transfer feature will be available in a future update
– Automatic uploads and automatic software downloads through SpotPass to be made available in future firmware updates
Tower of Pandora
– Japanese title is Pandora no Tou: Kimi no Moto e Kaeru Made
– Subtitle: Until I Return To Your Side in English
– Game almost finished with development
– Details will be gradually released shortly
Rhythm Heaven Wii
– Play by yourself
– Can also be played with others
– Releasing this year
Kirby Wii
– Iwata apologized for the long wait
– HAL has been working away on the game
– Releasing this year
– Nintendo localizing Just Dance and GoldenEye 007 in Japan
Zelda
– Skyward Sword is in the final phases of development
– Releasing this year still
– Ocarina of Time 3D will be released first
Pokemon
– Pokemon Typing DS releasing in April (Japan)
– Comes with a bluetooth keyboard
– Can communicate with the keyboard due to a built-in bluetooth reader in the cartridge
– Nintendo is progressing with a variety of Pokemon developments for Wii and 3DS
This information comes from Satoru Iwata, who was asked about Sony’s newly announced NGP…
“They’re trying to appeal to customers from a different direction than us. The customers will decide which is correct. Nintendo is not the kind of company that thinks about how we oppose other company’s product.”
Iwata also talked about the 3DS. Pre-orders in Japan are off to a good start, though Iwata is more interested in seeing continued sales rather than a “rocket start.” It was also revealed that a 3DS firmware update will be made available at the end of May to enhance wireless functionality and allow DSiWare transfers.
Lastly, regarding the possibility of putting original titles on non-Nintendo hardware, Iwata said “So long as I am CEO, it definitely will not happen.”
Tower of Pandora is the second random announcement Nintendo made earlier today. Unfortunately, not much (well, basically nothing I should say) information was shared about the title. The only thing we really know at the moment is that it is set to be released in the first half of 2011 in Japan. More information is expected to arrive in the near future, and you can check out the game’s official site here
