Remember how Nintendo president Satoru Iwata teased Zelda DLC for Sonic Lost World during a Nintendo Direct presentation in December? Well, now it’s a reality.

Starting tomorrow, Sonic Lost World players on Wii U can download a new Zelda zone for free. You can find footage above and a few details below.

– Available for free
– Called “The Legend of Zelda Zone”
– Mini-adventure
– Departure from the fast pace of Sonic Lost World
– Sonic is decked out in Link’s green tunic
– Hyrule Castle in the background comes from Twilight Princess
– Stalfos are from Ocarina of Time
– Link rides by on a Loftwing from Skyward Sword at one point
– Sonic can explore a miniature dungeon
– Heart containers, other surprises
– Hyrule field is an open area
– Dungeon is more straightforward
– The tube-like design resembles the speedy stages we’ve played in Sonic Lost World
– It all funnels into a few large rooms, and it’s lined with rows of rupees to collect and rolling Gorons to avoid
– Rupees you earn are converted into freed animals at the end of the stage
– No time limitations
– Can run around, explore, complete small challenges in any order
– Rings are noticeably absent and replaced by a heart meter
– Sonic doesn’t wield a Master Sword or Hylian Shield
– Uses same abilities from Lost World

Source

More: SEGA, Sonic Lost World, top, Zelda

Little Orbit and Cartoon Network Enterprises have announced the expansion of its partnership that will bring various properties to consoles and handhelds later in 2014.

Two brand new titles are on the way. The first one is “a multi-property game that will combine characters from Cartoon Network’s popular original series”, while the other is a new Adventure Time-based project. Both will be available in Q4 2014 in North America, though they will also be distributed worldwide.

More details about the new Cartoon Network and Adventure Time games will be revealed “soon”.

Also worth mentioning, Little Orbit’s Falling Skies Planetary Warfare mobile game will be released on consoles later this year.

Source: Little Orbit PR

More: Adventure Time, Cartoon Network, Little Orbit, top

Game Atelier intends to launch a Kickstarter next week for Flying Hamster II. Nintendo fans will be pleased to hear that stretch goals will include Wii U and 3DS versions. Additionally, if funding reaches a certain amount, the game will include local two-player co-op.

Flying Hamster II features side-scrolling, action RPG gameplay. That’s a change from the first title – originally released back in 2010 – which was a horizontal shooter.

Flying Hamster II’s Kickstarter will go live on April 4. The project itself will be completed in mid-2015.

Source

More: Flying Hamster II, Game Atelier, indie, Kickstarter

This week’s Japanese software sales are as follows:

1. [3DS] Mario Party: Island Tour – 132,668 / NEW
2. [PS3] Sengoku Musou 4 – 120,452 / NEW
3. [PS3] Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes – 119,615 / NEW
4. [PS3] J-Stars Victory Vs. – 118,240 / NEW
5. [PSV] J-Stars Victory Vs. – 97,821 / NEW
6. [PS4] Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes – 91,903 / NEW
7. [PS3] Pro Baseball Spirits 2014 – 63,898 / NEW
8. [3DS] Youkai Watch – 44,659 / 614,379
9. [PS3] Sengoku Musou 4 – 39,597 / NEW
10. [PS3] Dark Souls II – 37,285 / 292,482
11. [3DS] Game Center CX 3 – 33,618 / NEW
12. [PSV] Pro Baseball Spirits 2014 – 30,261 / NEW
13. [PSP] Pro Baseball Spirits 2014 – 27,823 / NEW
14. [PSV] Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2 – 26,845 / NEW
15. [PSV] Phantasy Star Online 2 Episode 2 – 16,152 / NEW
16. [3DS] Hero Bank – 15,060 / NEW
17. [3DS] Kirby Triple Deluxe – 14,060 / 515,895
18. [3DS] Fossil Fighters: Infinite Gear – 13,512 / 107,413
19. [3DS] Dragon Quest Monsters 2 – 13,283 / 750,876
20. [3DS] Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land – 10,293 / 186,473

More: charts, Japan, Media Create, sales, top

The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:

Vita – 35,374
PS4 – 30,201
3DS LL – 28,291
PS3 – 15,455
3DS – 11,985
Wii U – 9,982
PSP – 3,563
Vita TV – 1,754
Xbox 360 – 288

For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:

PS4 – 29,677
Vita – 28,270
3DS LL – 23,372
PS3 – 14,128
3DS – 10,772
Wii U – 7,654
PSP – 3,461
Vita TV – 1,447
Xbox 360 – 278

More: charts, Japan, Media Create, sales, top

More: Virtual Console

I wanted to make a separate mention of this, as I know that several of you have been anticipating Super Mario Bros. 3’s Virtual Console release. Yup – the game is finally coming to the states.

Today’s GBA Wii U VC lineup announcement finally confirms that Super Mario Bros. 3 is launching in North America on April 17 for both Wii U and 3DS. It’ll be available for $4.99.

More: Super Mario Bros. 3, top, Virtual Console

Following the announcements made in Japan and Europe, Nintendo has shared details pertaining to the GBA Wii U Virtual Console for North America.

Three titles will be available when the service begins next week: Advance Wars, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and Metroid Fusion. More titles will follow throughout the month. Nintendo’s announcement reveals that GBA titles are priced at $6.99 and $7.99.

For Nintendo’s full announcement with April’s complete GBA Wii U VC lineup, read on below.

Read More

More: top, Virtual Console

26th March, 2014 – Back in 2001, Nintendo delivered the next generation of portable entertainment in the shape of Game Boy Advance, a 32-bit handheld console with an intuitive design and a host of memorable titles. To celebrate some of the classic gaming moments delivered by this handheld gem, Nintendo will begin releasing Game Boy Advance titles on Nintendo eShop for Wii U Virtual Console starting next week, allowing fans and newcomers alike to enjoy some of gaming’s greatest highlights on the living room TV or o n their Wii U GamePad. In addition, Restore Points that save progress during gameplay and Miiverse connectivity both offer new features when enjoying these classic games.

A selection of GBA titles will be coming to Wii U from 3rd April, with a few of gaming’s most renowned characters kicking off the roster.

On 3rd April, three very different titles comprise the initial launch line-up:

Read More

More: Europe, press release, top, Virtual Console

Along with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following message on Miiverse:

Here’s a giant attack item, the Ore Club! It’s made of minerals mined on the mountain of the gods. This bulky weapon can even unleash tornadoes.

More: Masahiro Sakurai, Miiverse, top