From the Source: Nintendo - eShop action like... Minecraft Story Mode!

The weekend is here... what do you plan on doing with it if you don't have to work?

Jan. 21, 2016 14:00 UTC

Nintendo News: Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

In Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 1: The Order of the Stone, you'll embark on a perilous adventure across the Overworld, through the Nether, to the End and beyond. (Photo: Business Wire)

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 1: The Order of the Stone– This new episodic series was created by award-winning adventure game powerhouse Telltale Games, in partnership with Minecraft creators, Mojang. As Jesse, you’ll embark on a perilous adventure across the Overworld, through the Nether, to the End and beyond. While at EnderCon, in hopes of meeting Gabriel the Warrior, you and your friends discover that something is wrong … something dreadful. You will drive the story through the decisions you make: What you say to people (and how you say it) and what you choose to do in moments of thrilling action will make this YOUR story.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  
  
  • Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam – Paper Mario is jumping off the page and into the quirky adventures of Mario & Luigi! Become a super team of Mario Bros. to take on quests, take down enemies and untangle two classic gaming universes in this playful new entry in the Mario & Luigi RPG series. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam will be available on Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. PT.
• Virtual Console on Wii U
  
  
  • Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 – The Koopalings have been sent to wreak havoc in the Mushroom World. It’s up to Mario to recover the royal magic wands and restore the kings to their true forms. Access extra levels by selecting Level Card on the file-selection screen, or take a break from the journey and get in on some classic Mario Bros. action!
  • Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros’ Treasure – In this swashbuckling Wii classic, explore seven vibrant and fantastic lands with Zack and Wiki, as they go on a quest to become the greatest pirates who ever lived. Use the Wii Remote controller to navigate, open objects, transform items or unlock new pathways as you solve puzzles and outwit a variety of enemies and bosses.

Nintendo eShop sales:

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
  
  
  • Winter Warm-Up Sale! – It’s week two of the Winter Warm-Up Sale! Save up to 30 percent off select games, and be sure to check back next week for a lineup of new deals. This week’s deals start Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. PT and end Jan. 28 at 8:59 a.m. PT.
  • Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigations (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS), Barbie and Her Sisters Puppy Rescue (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) and more games from Little Orbit are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 12.

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  
  
  • Super Toy Cars is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 28.
  • The Quiet Collection is 20 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 1.
  • Toon Tanks is 20 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $1.59) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 4.
  • Fit Music and Luv Me Buddies Wonderland from O2 Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 22.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  
  
  • Luv Me Buddies Wonderland is more than 45 percent off (reduced from $24.90 to $12.90) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 11.
  • Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight and Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl from ATLUS are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 1.

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:

• New themes this week include:
  
  
  • SEGA SG-1000
  • Animal Crossing: Winter Frolicking

Also new this week:

• PET INN 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
• A World of Keflings – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Brunswick Pro Bowling (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Cube Life: Island Survival – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• SKEASY (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)

Drama'N'Drablands | 01.22.2016 + From the Source: Nintendo... Mania!

Nintendo... Mania! I will be honest, the most exciting 

news for me are the RPGs headed our way. I mean... check 

out the information below, and you'll see why.

Jan. 19, 2016 23:34 UTC

Nintendo Provides New Details about Upcoming RPGs for Nintendo 3DS

Fire Emblem Fates Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL System and Bravely Second: End Layer Collector’s Edition Among Announcements

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nintendo provided new details about several of its upcoming role-playing games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. This included the announcement of a special Fire Emblem Fates Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL system launching Feb. 19 and the reveal of a Collector’s Edition for Bravely Second: End Layer, which includes the upcoming sequel to the acclaimed Bravely Default game that launches on April 15.

The Fire Emblem Fates Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL system (game sold separately) launches on Feb. 19 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 and features gorgeous art inspired by the game on the front of the hardware. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Fans of role-playing games have just received a boost to their excitement stat,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Nintendo platforms have always been home to high-quality RPGs, and with even more games launching in 2016, this trend is set to continue in a big way.”

The Fire Emblem Fates Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL system (game sold separately) launches on Feb. 19 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 and features gorgeous art inspired by the game on the front of the hardware. Players can choose to purchase one of two versions when the Fire Emblem Fates games launch on Feb. 19 at a suggested retail price of $39.99 each. In Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright, players battle a corrupted king. And in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest, a misguided kingdom must be changed from within. Each path is a complete story and a complete game. Playing both will show players two different sides of one brutal conflict. After completing Chapter 6, players will have the option to download the other version of the game and experience a new adventure for only $19.99. In addition, a third story, Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation, which finds the game’s main character choosing neither the “Conquest” nor “Birthright” path in the story, launches as DLC on March 10 for $19.99 for players that already own the “Conquest” or “Birthright” version of the game. A special edition will also be available that includes all three games on a single game card, an artbook and a Nintendo 3DS XL pouch at a suggested retail price of $79.99. When the game launches, further downloadable content in the form of new maps will also be released on a regular basis, with the first map launching on Feb. 19. Players can choose to buy each of these maps individually, or purchase Map Pack 1 for $17.99 to get access to them all at a discount once they are released.

When Bravely Second: End Layer launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on April 15, a Collector’s Edition will also launch alongside it at a suggested retail price of $69.99. The Collector’s Edition includes the massive game, a 10-song original soundtrack and gorgeous 250-page deluxe art book. A demo version of the game, Bravely Second: End Layer – The Ballad of the Three Cavaliers, will launch in the Nintendo eShop prior to the full game’s launch. This demo includes a unique story different than the one found in Bravely Second: End Layer, as well as new jobs and areas to explore. StreetPass tags and bonuses from the demo will also carry over to the main game.

In addition to Fire Emblem Fates and Bravely Second: End Layer, role-playing fans are in for an absolute treat in the first part of the year, as a wide variety of RPGs will soon launch for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. These games include FINAL FANTASY Explorers from Square Enix on Jan. 26, Project X Zone 2 from Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc. on Feb. 16 and the original Pokémon games (Pokémon Red Version, Pokémon Blue Version, as well as Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition) in the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 27. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past will launch this summer, with Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King launching later this year.

Jan. 20, 2016 13:00 UTC

Paper Mario Cuts Loose with Mushroom Kingdom Superstars in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

Hilarious Nintendo 3DS Adventure Also Includes amiibo Support

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Two classic gaming universes collide when flat Paper Mario jumps off the page and into the world of Mario & Luigi in the Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam game, launching exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on Jan. 22. In a surprising twist, the universe does not implode when some of the Mushroom Kingdom’s most recognizable characters like Princess Peach and Bowser meet their Paper Mario doppelgangers. Instead, when the two worlds collide, the result is a charming, side splittingly funny, creative new game – one in which the universe, thankfully, remains intact.

Two classic gaming universes collide when flat Paper Mario jumps off the page and into the world of Mario & Luigi in the Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam game, launching exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on Jan. 22. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam starts the year off on a fun note,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “The wild and wonderful crossover game is one of many exclusive games launching for Nintendo 3DS throughout the first part of 2016.”

In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam game, Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario must team up for the first time to complete quests, battle enemies both large and small, and help get Paper characters back to their world. The massive portable adventure follows our three heroes as they explore a colorful world filled with both paper and non-paper environments, using individual powers (like Paper Mario’s ability to turn into multiple paper forms) and combo moves (like powerful Trio Attacks) to progress through the game. Special Battle Cards and amiibo-activated Character Cards can also be used to turn the tide of battle.

Brimming with the playful humor fans expect from the Mario & Luigi series, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam answers a slew of uproarious questions: What happens in a game with two Princess Peaches instead of one? How will Bowser react when his paper doppelganger shows up in the same game? Will the paper characters make it back into the book? Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is full of surprising scenarios and clever writing that all fans will appreciate – even ones that have never played aMario & Luigi game before!

While exploring the vast and varied world, Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario must dig deep into their signature moves and work together in unexpected ways. Since Paper Mario joins the fun, he can assist in battle in multiple ways, like creating copies of himself to help defeat enemies and using his unique paper moves to access hard-to-reach areas like slipping through a crack in a rock. Other times, all three heroes will have to work together by performing Trio Attacks in battle, throwing Ninja Stars made out of Paper Mario or crashing down on enemies by riding meteorites.

Like other Mario & Luigi games, battling in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam fuses turn-based actions and real-time commands. As you progress through the always-entertaining story, you will acquire a series of Battle Cards that can be used strategically to improve stats in battle. In addition, you can craft special Character Cards by using in-game “?” cards and compatible amiibo figures*. By tapping a Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi or Bowser amiibo to the New Nintendo 3DS family of systems (or an NFC Reader/Writer accessory used with a Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL or Nintendo 2DS system), you will receive one of many Character Cards based on the character that was tapped. Not only do these in-game crafted cards help in battle, but they are also wonderfully illustrated, displaying character art from more than 30 years of Nintendo games. Collecting them is just as much fun as using them.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam also features Papercraft Battles, which involve giant papercraft versions of classic Mushroom Kingdom characters like Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. Papercraft Battles are unique diversions from the standard RPG game play. While battling papercraft versions of enemies like Goomba and Kamek, you can attack using a variety of moves and even charge up your papercraft hero by dancing on special Toad platforms.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam launches in stores, in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS Jan. 22.

Jan. 21, 2016 13:00 UTC

Nintendo Brings New amiibo Figures and Functionality to Games in Early 2016

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Launches with a Wolf Link amiibo

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Nintendo games launching in the first part of the year are going to include some fun amiibo functionality. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD for the Wii U console and Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games^™ for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, both launching in March, use a wide variety of different compatible amiibo figures. Some new amiibo figures will also launch in March, including the legendary Wolf Link amiibo that is included in every physical version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, as well as three new figures in the Animal Crossing amiibo series, featuring fan-favorite characters like Timmy & Tommy, Kapp’n and Rover. The previously announced Ryu, Roy and R.O.B. (Famicom Colors) amiibo figures will also launch in March.

When the physical version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD launches on March 4 at a suggested retail price of $59.99, it will include a beautiful Wolf Link amiibo figure based on the same character from the classic game. (Photo: Business Wire)

“New amiibo figures and functionality will keep surprising fans in 2016,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “All the upcoming amiibo prove that the must-have figures are continuing to evolve in unexpected and fun ways.”

When the physical version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD launches on March 4 at a suggested retail price of $59.99, it will include a beautiful Wolf Link amiibo figure based on the same character from the classic game. Purchasing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and Wolf Link amiibo bundle will currently be the only way to get this amiibo figure. When tapped to the Wii U GamePad controller, this legendary lupine opens the Cave of Shadows, a challenging new bonus dungeon in the game. After completing the Cave of Shadows, players can save their remaining hearts to the Wolf Link amiibo, and then use those hearts inside the Cave of Shadows to replenish life energy. After conquering the cave, players can save a record of their remaining hearts to the Wolf Link amiibo and attempt to beat their score at any time. Some of the data stored on the Wolf Link amiibo figure can also be used with The Legend of Zelda game for Wii U, which launches this year. More details about this functionality will be revealed in the future.

In addition to the Wolf Link amiibo, other amiibo figures in the Super Smash Bros. series like Link, Toon Link, Zelda, Sheik and Ganondorf will work withThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. By tapping the Link or Toon Link amiibo, players can replenish their arrows. Tapping Zelda or Sheik will refill the player’s hearts, while, in a devious twist, tapping the Ganondorf figure will actually make Link take double the damage!

On March 18, new amiibo figures in the Animal Crossing series will launch in stores, including characters like Timmy & Tommy, Kapp’n and Rover. Digby will also be made available as a stand-alone amiibo. The next series of Animal Crossing amiibo cards also launches in March, bringing the grand total of available amiibo cards to be used in games like Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival for Wii U and Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for Nintendo 3DS to a whopping 300. Let the collecting begin!

Fans who are ready to compete in Rio de Janeiro with Mario, Sonic and the gang in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will also have to warm up their amiibo-tapping fingers. When the action-filled game launches for Nintendo 3DS on March 18 at a suggested retail price of $39.99, both Mario and Sonic amiibo figures will be compatible*. By tapping the Mario or Sonic amiibo figures to the New Nintendo 3DS system (or on a Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL or Nintendo 2DS system using the NFC Reader/Writer accessory), players can boost Mario and Sonic’s outfits with that character’s power for the day.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Pokémon, some of the Pokémon amiibo will be made available again at select retailers. Fans should be on the lookout for Charizard, Jigglypuff, Greninja and Lucario to once again return to shelves right next to Pikachu.

Finally, Star Fox Zero delivers a new beginning for the classic shooter series. With a unique control scheme that uses both the TV screen and the screen on the GamePad, players pilot multiple vehicles through intergalactic levels with Fox and his classic crew. The game launches exclusively for Wii U on April 22 and will feature amiibo compatibility. More details will be revealed at a later time.