This week’s episode of Nintendo Minute has gone live. In today’s video, Kit and Krysta hang out and have a nice relaxing day visiting the museum in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Check out the full episode below.
A physical version of Pode was confirmed for Switch back in April. Avance has also now revealed a separate special release, which is known as the “Artist’s Edition”.
Aside from a physical copy of Pode, some other goodies are also included. Avance is packing in a collector’s box, art book for coloring, holographic letter and stickers, magnets, and a papercraft diorama.
Avance has only given a vague 2020 release window for the Pode’s Artist Edition.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town will launch in North America on July 14, XSEED Games has confirmed. That’s right around the European release of July 10.
All pre-orders on the XSEED Games store and participating retailers will include a “Strawberry Hanako” pocket plushie based on the in-game Strawberry Cow animal. The pocket plushie is also being offered by participating retailers but only while supplies last. Those who pre-purchase the game on the eShop will receive a Cow Costume DLC as an early bird bonus. It will be made available for purchase separately for $1.99.
We have the following overview and trailer for Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town:
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics will be getting a free local multiplayer app, Nintendo has revealed. If you own the title, a friend can join you on their own system even if they don’t have a copy.
A note on the Nintendo UK store states:
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated has received its latest trailer showing off the Goo Lagoon location. Get a look at the video below.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated launches for Switch on June 23.
SEGA is celebrating the western launch of Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix with a new launch trailer. We have today’s video below.
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix is out now on the Switch eShop.
Nintendo ended up announcing Paper Mario: The Origami King out of nowhere yesterday, following speculation that a new entry in the series would be coming to Switch. One of the things we heard when the initial rumors started is that the Switch title should be a return to the franchise’s roots. It remains to be seen how closely Paper Mario: The Origami King follows the blueprints of the N64 and GameCube games, but there is at least one positive sign.
Nintendo did say in its announcement that “you’ll enlist the help of characters old and new”. While the extent of that remains to be seen, partners may appear in battle. A trailer actually shows a different version of a battle scene not included elsewhere. In the Chinese version, the same Toad that follows Mario in the overworld also appears during combat.
No one can say for sure why China received a slightly different version of the trailer. Thankfully, Paper Mario: The Origami King is just a couple of months out, and we should be learning more soon. Hopefully future updates confirm that partners will indeed play a role in combat.
Playdigious and Amplitude Studios have shared a launch trailer for Dungeon of the Endless, a mix of dungeon defense and roguelike. Watch the video below.
It was only a few years ago that Nintendo delved into the mobile market. We’ve seen a number of titles pop up on iOS and Android based on popular IPs, including Mario, Animal Crossing, and Fire Emblem. There’s also been a completely original game in Dragalia Lost.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said during Nintendo’s financial results conference call last week that it is “continuing to develop new applications” for smartphones. However, he did caution: “we are not necessarily looking to continue releasing many new applications for the mobile market as much as we are looking at the continuation of our mobile business as a way to make active use of Nintendo IP (game characters, worlds, and so on) in the interest of maximizing the entirety of Nintendo’s business.”
Here’s the full exchange regarding Nintendo and mobile:
Nintendo is increasing its advertising expenses for the upcoming fiscal year. President Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about the approach during a financial results conference call, to which he responded by saying the company is looking to target those who don’t usually play games. The move is especially necessary as Switch is now in the middle of its life cycle.
Furukawa also shared an interesting tidbit. Nintendo “will potentially reach a situation in which we need to spend more for advertising now than we did when the hardware was first launched,” he said.
Here’s the full exchange regarding Nintendo’s ad expenses:
