Tap #amiibo figures to play with mini characters in Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge. #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/uDp03RNoal
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Rumors about a new Paper Mario have been spot on. As part of today’s Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Paper Mario: Color Splash is coming to Wii U later this year.
Here are some of the details:
WA-HOO! A new Paper Mario game is coming to #WiiU! #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Paper Mario must bring color back to Prism Island with his new paint hammer! #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/RVjrPSWazl
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
In battle, you can paint special cards and then flick them to start the battle! It’s all very colorful. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
#PaperMario Color Splash is scheduled for release later in 2016. #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/xhH7aPALr9
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
The LOST REAVERS open beta is coming 4/14 and the game launches 4/28! #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/loY5P3OsLv
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
The LOST REAVERS open beta is coming 4/14 and the game launches 4/28! #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/loY5P3OsLv
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Genei Ibun Roku #FE has a final English name and release date. The game, now known as “Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE”, will launch on June 24. Japanese voices are included with English subtitles.
ATLUS’ new RPG is called Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, and is an energetic fusion of deep RPG & huge pop idol concert! #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
#TokyoMirageSessions #FE includes the original Japanese VO track with English subtitles. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
#TokyoMirageSessions #FE launches exclusively for #WiiU on 6/24. #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/gurn7mLVgY
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Splatoon isn’t the only Wii U game receiving new updates. On March 9, Super Mario Maker will have a new patch which adds new items and Super Expert mode in 100-Mario Challenge. Here’s the rundown from Nintendo:
More than 6.2 million #SuperMarioMaker courses have been uploaded. #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/yAnoHfyFKS
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
A new #SuperMarioMaker update brings new items like a key and locked door. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Shake a coin to turn it into a Pink Coin! Collect them all to make a key appear. #SuperMarioMaker #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
The #SuperMarioMaker update also adds the intense Super Expert mode to the 100-Mario Challenge. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
12 new Mystery Mushroom costumes have been added to 100 Mario Challenge. #SuperMarioMaker #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
This new #SuperMarioMaker update will be available for download 3/9. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
During today’s Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that a pair of Splatoon updates are on the way. The first one is due out on March 8 and balances gear and updates the matchmaking system. Another patch will add weapon combos under the name “Sheldon’s Picks”.
Two free #Splatoon updates are coming! The first balances gear and updates the matchmaking system on 3/8. pic.twitter.com/FNKfqWLJpQ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
A later #Splatoon update will add new weapon combos under the name “Sheldon’s Picks.” #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/ro1sl2xVRB
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Project Guard is still alive, and it’s coming very soon. The game has been rebranded as “Star Fox Guard” and will be launching alongside Star Fox Zero.
Introducing Star Fox Guard, a new game in the Star Fox universe. #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/MFEQuaM0km
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
In Star Fox Guard, Slippy teams up with his uncle Grippy Toad to protect Grippy’s mining business. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
You can create your own Star Fox Guard missions in an online mode. #NintendoDirectNA
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Both #StarFoxZero and Star Fox Guard launch exclusively for #WiiU on 4/22. #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/8jJELEkQCb
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Star Fox Zero received a new update during today’s Nintendo Direct. Brand new information was shared about the game.
Check out the #NintendoDirectNA for the first glimpse of Fortuna, a #StarFoxZero planet teeming with wildlife. https://t.co/M7Omi1z2OG
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Play #StarFoxZero with a friend in co-op mode: One person flies while the other person shoots! #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/0Yv9oflVnF
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Tap a Star Fox #amiibo in #StarFoxZero to give the Arwing a 16-bit retro look! #NintendoDirectNA pic.twitter.com/zINVF5sMFI
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2016
Today’s Nintendo Direct will begin at 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT / 10 PM in the UK / 11 PM in Europe (2 hours from now). Streams for all three broadcasts (North America, Europe, Japan) are embedded below. The North American presentation is 41 minutes long, and the Japanese presentation is 39 minutes long.
I’m also going to be handing this post off to someone else – probably Dennis – to handle a live blog for us. That will begin below once the presentation begins, and will mainly be based on the North American stream.
With that, keep those expectations in check and enjoy the show!
North America
Europe
Live blog
Hey, guys! Who’s excited for this Direct? We’ll keep you updated as it goes! – Dennis
Bill Trinen hype
Star Fox Zero:
- Shigeru Miyamoto introduces Star Fox Zero, mentions it’s finally finished
- Teleporters introduced
- Multiple paths can happen depending on bosses defeated and difficulty to reach final destination
- Multiplayer mode detailed: A player can use Wii U Pro Controller to control, while Gamepad can be used for aiming and shooting
- Releasing April 22nd, 2016
Star Fox: Guard
- Project Guard is now Star Fox: Guard and will come packaged together with the retail release, or individually released in the Nintendo eShop. A bundle will also be made available in the eShop.
- Star Fox Zero and Guard releases April 22nd, 2016
Splatoon:
- New update coming next week
- Two-part update
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympics games:
- Rugby and Rhythmic Gymnastics introduced as new games
- June 24th release date for Wii U
- Launches March 18th, 2016 for 3DS
Super Mario Maker:
- New Super Mario Expert Mode
- More items can be created by shaking them
- Key doors can now be used
- March 9th release for the new update
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE:
- June 24th, 2016 release date
- Original Japanese VO will be in the game to honor the Japanese feel and look of the game
Lost Reavers:
- April 14th – Open Beta
- April 28th – Full Version
Paper Mario: Color Splash
- 2016 release
Pokken Tournament:
- Winning fights gains in-game currency
- Can use to change avatar cosmetics
- Multiple support Pokemon can lead to many strategies used with main Pokemon
- Exclusive Mewtwo amiibo card will come with first production of the game
- March 18th release date for Pokken Tournament
- March 17th early access competition on Nintendo’s Twitch channel
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD:
- Behind the scenes footage on YouTube
My Nintendo:
- Pre-register for Miitomo
- Earn platinum points
- More details to come in the coming weeks
Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge:
- For 3DS and Wii U
- Available March 25th with amiibo purchase
- April 28th release date in the eShop for free
Animal Crossing amiibo Festival:
- New stuff coming in June
eShop:
- SNES titles coming to 3DS Virtual Console!
- Best thing ever
- For New Nintendo 3DS only
- A few titles releasing after the Nintendo Direct
- More titles coming next week and the weeks following
Pocket Card Jockey:
- They have horses
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2:
- Original will be discounted to $9.99 for the next week
Fire Emblem Fates:
- Revelations will be made available for $19.99
- Dragon’s Gate DLC available
- Royal Royale DLC releasing on March 17th
- $2.49 USD each
- Map Pack 1 includes all DLC included here
Hyrule Warriors Legends:
- DLC coming for Hyrule Warriors Legends
- Season Pass available
- Special Ganondorf skin for those who buy Season Pass on Launch Day
- Wii U version can gain a transfer code from the 3DS version to put new characters into the Wii U version
- Artbook included with preorder from Gamestop
- Linkle ?
- Medley from The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker introduced
- Medley will be a free download
- March 25th release date
Bravely Second: End Layer:
- Cat Mancer class introduced
- Confirmed to be best class
- Demo launching March 10th in eShop
- Best Buy Gamer’s Club Unlocked Members can access the demo on March 7th
- Collector’s Edition includes game, soundtrack, and artbook
- April 15th release date
Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past:
- Remade from the ground up
- Story has been retranslated
- 2016 release date
Monster Hunter Generations:
- Monster Hunter X has been changed to Generations for the western release
- Debut trailer looks amazing
- Summer 2016 release date
- Those with Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate save data will have bonus content in Monster Hunter Generations
- Bill Trinen said hype
- Marth outfit included in Monster Hunter Generations
Metroid Prime: Federation Force:
- Late Spring 2016 release date
Rhythm Heaven Megamix:
- Launching later this year
Kirby Planet Robobot:
- Mecha Kirby!!
- Kirby Clash gives a co-op quest side-game in the title
- Gain experience points and level up as you play through Kirby Clash
- amiibo compatibility
- Kirby gains abilities depending on which amiibo is scanned
- New Kirby series amiibo!
- Will gain a copy ability and costume unique to each figure
- UFO ability
- June 10th release date
And that’s it for the Nintendo Direct this month! Thanks to everyone for watching and reading along! Tons of awesome new games and information announced. Until next time! 🙂 – Dennis