A pair of Nintendo-published 3DS games are now up for pre-load on the North American 3DS eShop: Hey! Pikmin and Miitopia. Both launch on July 28.

Pre-loading lets users buy games digitally in advance and download most of the game data ahead of time. Then on launch day, just a small update is needed to begin playing.

Hey! Pikmin takes up 3,230 blocks of space (403.75MB). Miitopia is 6,866 blocks (858.25MB).

Source: 3DS eShop

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Nintendo has shared the European boxart for Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters. Get a look at the packaging image above.

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More: boxart, Level-5, Yo-Kai Watch 2

Death Squared has launched on the Switch eShop in North America and Europe. We’ve attached the game’s launch trailer below.

More: Death Squared, SMG Studio

A new Pokemon Sun/Moon distribution has kicked off in Europe. If you’ve purchased either version, you can now obtain a Shiny Tapu Koko. Get the Pokemon via the Mystery Gift option.

We’ve not yet heard about a similar distribution for North America. However, it’s thought that something could be coming soon.

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More: Pokemon Moon, Pokemon Sun

Smiling Buddha Games announced plans to bring Use Your Words to Switch back in May. Its launch may not be far off, based on an eShop listing.

The European eShop claims that Use Your Words is scheduled for August 3. It will cost £11.79.

For those who missed it previously, here’s the trailer for Use Your Words on Switch:

Source: Switch eShop

More: Smiling Buddha Games, Use Your Words

Fire Emblem Heroes added in new story content today in the form of “Bitter Enemies” in Chapter 12. We’ve posted some footage below.

More: Fire Emblem Heroes, Intelligent Systems

This month’s issue of CoroCoro has started to leak, and it’s brought along the latest news about Pokemon Sun/Moon. A special Ho-Oh distribution event is being held in Japan.

The Ho-Oh comes in at level 100 with the ability Pressure. Sacred Fire, Brave Bird, Recover, and Safeguard are its moves.

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More: Pokemon Moon, Pokemon Sun

Mario Kart 8 will be undergoing maintenance tonight. The original Wii U game – not the new Switch version – will be impacted for three hours tonight, causing all network services to be offline.

The maintenance schedule is as follows:

– 5 PM PT (July 13) – 8 PM PT (July 13)
– 8 PM ET (July 13) – 11 PM ET (July 13)
– 1 AM in the UK (July 14) – 4 AM in the UK (July 14)
– 2 AM in Europe (July 14) – 5 AM in Europe (July 14)

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Nintendo has reason to believe that Cave Story+ will be available in Europe next week. The eShop is currently listing the game for a July 20 release.

It goes without saying, but this news should be taken with a grain of salt. eShop listings haven’t always been correct, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the European date for Cave Story+ ends up being inaccurate. Either that, or the digital version of Cave Story+ will be heading to Europe well before the physical release.

More: Cave Story, Nicalis

A bunch of new details and screenshots are in for Layton’s Mystery Journey. Today’s news blast covers episode 3, several characters, and mini-games. Find everything rounded up below, courtesy of Gematsu. 

Episode 03

– An incident occurs at a movie screening where the millionaires of London such as Mayor Fremens and Clerk Gospec have gathered
– The movie being shown at the screening is a spectacle called “Submarine Attack of Love”
– Its synopsis is as follows:

“A number of incidents occur in a luxurious passenger boat boarded by two lovers. At the climax, the pair are in a desperate situation as their boat is sinking. However, it is at that time that their boat suddenly transforms into a submarine. Then they both confirm their love for each other and romantically kiss.”

– Many spectators came to the venue to get a glimpse of the “kiss scene on the most romantic deck” that everyone is talking about
– But in the movie that was screened, the ending came without a kiss scene
– Katrielle, who was visiting the venue, will seek out the criminal who cut and “stole” the kiss scene

Characters

– Various characters are suspected of “stealing” the kiss scene in Episode 03
– They are the “Submarine Attack of Love” director, the same movie’s editorial technician, the movie theater’s projection technician, and the hill myna bird kept in the theater’s projection room

Harry Gilmont

– 45 years old, the director of “Submarine Attack of Love”
– Harry was once a low-selling director who only filmed maniac movies
– He became a popular director in recent years; has a passion for movies

Harper Chanploo

– The editorial technician of “Submarine Attack of Love”
– 52 years old
– He is an expert with a considerable amount of experience piled up
– He disagrees with Director Glimont on the direction of the movie

Amon Tread

– The projection technician at Rabbit Star Theater
– 24 years old He has a dull appearance, but is an excellent technician
– He is a machine otaku who especially loves visual equipment and gives a name to each machine

Priske (Hill Myna Bird)

– A hill myna bird that speaks various broken phrases
– He is being kept at the Rabbit Star Theater’s projection room

Puzzles

– “Daily Puzzle Delivery” will return
– This allows the player to download a new puzzle every day for a year following the game’s release

Accessory Shop mini-game

– The goal of the Accessory Shop mini-game is to sell out by placing “wanted items” along the route of the shop interior that customers walk
– From the entrance, the customer will move along the shortest route towards their “wanted item”
– If there are multiple routes of the same distance, the customer will go straight, then turn right
– If there is a “might as well buy this, too” item along that route, they will purchase that as well
– It is good to let customers pass through the front of the selves in order to get a purchase
– You will clear the stage when everything is sold out
– Look at the customer’s information and aim to sell out by skillfully placing the items

Bumpy Labyrinth mini-game

– Lead Katrielle’s human language-speaking dog assistant Sherl to the goal
– With one move, Sherl moves straight ahead until he reaches dead end, so you will adjust the stopping points using the “Bumpy Switches” that lift the labyrinth floors up and down
– If you reach the goal within the set shortest number of movements, you will achieve a “Perfect Clear”
– While you will aim to reach the goal using the required number of movements, there will also be mechanisms such as jumps and arrows that force a certain direction of movement

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More: details roundup, Layton's Mystery Journey, Level-5