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Nintendo blows the lid off its holiday lineup

by: Sean Colleli -
More On: 3DS Nintendo Wii U Nintendo Direct Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Nintendo Amiibo

The latest Nintendo Direct out of Japan was bursting with juicy details, and here with have the official press release to kick things off. First off we have the final price for Nintendo's Amiibo figurines--which you can preorder right now--for $12.99 each. Then we have some new discount bundles, like the Mario 3D World/Nintendoland Wii U deluxe bundle for $299.99.

In addition, we have a final release date of October 24th for Bayonetta 2, and as previously announced the retail version will come with a special Wii U edition of the original Bayonetta. For Pokemon fans Nintendo has Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire releasing November 21st. There are tons of other details in the press release about Hyrule Warriors DLC, an NES Remix port for 3DS and two new downoadable Kirby minigames, plus a full release list for late 2014-early 2015, so take a look if you have the time.

Super Smash Bros., amiibo, Pokémon and New Hardware Bundles Star in Nintendo’s Holiday Lineup

Pre-Orders for First 12 amiibo Figures Kick off Nintendo’s Holiday Season

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nintendo has prepared a massive lineup of new games and products for the 2014 holiday season. The lineup includes new entries from some of the biggest franchises in gaming, new hardware bundles for Wii Uand Nintendo 2DS, and new amiibo interactive figures featuring some of the most iconic characters in the world of video games.

The first 12 amiibo interactive figures are now available for pre-order at a suggested retail price  ...

The first 12 amiibo interactive figures are now available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of just $12.99 each. (Photo: Business Wire)

The holiday shopping season begins today for Nintendo fans, as the first 12 amiibo interactive figures become available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of just $12.99 each. The first dozen characters available for pre-order at select retailers are Mario, Peach, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Kirby, Fox, Marth, Villager and Wii Fit Trainer, with more on the way in the future.

“Nintendo’s holiday offerings demonstrate a combination of fun franchises and great value,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With Wii U and Nintendo 2DS hardware bundles, classic names like Super Smash Bros., Bayonettaand Pokémon, new IP like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and amiibo, everyone will find something to love about Nintendo this holiday season. Whether people are shopping for themselves or they’re prepping their gift lists, Nintendo has them covered.”

Here’s a taste of what Nintendo has on tap for the 2014 holiday season:

  • Major Franchises: Nintendo has four games from two of the most well-known franchises launching this year:
    • Super Smash Bros.: The Wii U game and the first portable game in the series are getting ready for their debuts. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS launches Oct. 3, with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U following during the holiday season. Fans who register both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the games with Club Nintendo will receive the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS & Wii U: Premium Sound Selection, a soundtrack CD packed with music taken from and inspired by the games. More details about this offer will be provided in the future. Also, in a separate announcement this morning, Nintendo revealed that Shulk from theXenoblade Chronicles franchise would be a playable character in both games.
    • Pokémon: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire for Nintendo 3DS will hit stores and theNintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Nov. 21. Trainers will catch, battle and trade Pokémon as they immerse themselves into a grand tale that draws ever closer to the heart of the secrets behind Mega Evolution and the power of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. With beautifully rendered graphics and new challenges to overcome, these games are a true evolution in the Pokémon series.
  • Interactive amiibo Figures: Nintendo’s foray into the toys-to-life category starts today, with the first 12 amiibo figures available to pre-order from select retailers. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, which launches this holiday season, will be the first game with full integration of amiibo functionality. Other games that will support amiibo include Mario Kart 8,Captain Toad: Treasure TrackerMario Party 10 and Yoshi’s Woolly World, with more to come. More details on amiibo functionality with the various games and a launch date will be revealed shortly.
  • Bayonetta 2: The witch is back on Oct. 24. The game features over-the-top battles with wild weapons that take place in gorgeous set pieces. A new snake transformation lets Bayonetta better navigate underwater. The original Bayonettagame, complete with some Nintendo cosplay options for the powerful heroine, comes bundled with the retail packaged version of Bayonetta 2.
  • New Hardware Bundles Available This Fall: Everyone loves a deal. Three new Nintendo hardware bundles are set to deliver more value and more options to holiday shoppers:
    • Super Mario 3D World Deluxe Set: Starting mid-September, the new Wii U Deluxe Set will include the Wii U console and physical Super Mario 3D World and Nintendo Land games at a suggested retail price of $299.99.
    • Walmart Exclusive Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Set: In mid-September, Walmart stores nationwide will offer a special-edition Wii U bundle that includes the console along with physical Mario Kart 8 and Nintendo Landgames at a suggested retail price of $299.99. This exclusive bundle will be available while supplies last.
    • New Nintendo 2DS Bundles: In early October, three new Nintendo 2DS bundles will hit stores. The new bundles feature the Electric Blue, Crimson Red or Sea Green Nintendo 2DS system along with a code to download Mario Kart 7 from the Nintendo eShop. The bundles will be available at a suggested retail price of $129.99 each.
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: This holiday season, everybody’s favorite intrepid explorer, Captain Toad, stars in his own quest through maze-like mini-universes – only on Wii U. Each little world Captain Toad visits is a unique microcosm filled with tricks to solve, traps to avoid and treasure to find.
  • Hyrule Warriors DLC: This mashup of Dynasty Warriors and The Legend of Zelda already includes a large amount of content. Nintendo plans to support the game for the long run with more content to help players expand their adventures even farther. That program kicks off when the game launches on Sept. 26. People who buy the game will receive access to a free download that adds a new mode, a new weapon and the option to select music to add to the Hyrule Warriorsexperience. As detailed in a recent Nintendo Direct, consumers who pre-order the game at select retailers will receive a free download code for a set of alternate in-game costumes for Link and Zelda. Additionally, anyone who registers the game with Club Nintendo will receive a free download code for a set of alternate costumes for Ganondorf. All of these additional costumes will become available for purchase in the Nintendo eShop in the near future. Further details on timing and pricing will be announced at a later time.
  • Pokémon Art AcademyThis Nintendo title is coming to stores and the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 24. The game teaches basic and advanced art techniques throughout 40 lessons and encourages artists to draw their favorite Pokémon and bring them to life with a large variety of tools. They can also share their Pokémon masterpieces by posting them to Miiverse, or saving them to the SD Card and printing them out.
  • Art Academy (working title): This new entry in the Art Academy franchise is a download-exclusive application that incorporates the touch screen of the Wii U GamePad controller. Users learn, create and share with in-depth step-by-step lessons accessible even to novice artists, using the large Wii U GamePad screen as the canvas. The game is scheduled to launch in 2014.
  • Ultimate NES Remix: This new Nintendo 3DS game will be available in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Dec. 5 at a suggested retail price of $29.99. The game features rapid-fire challenges and mashups from a selection of 16 of Nintendo’s finest 8-bit games. Regional online leaderboards will let players see how they stack up against others in their area, and Championship Mode offers a series of challenges from three different games.
  • NES Remix Pack: Wii U fans can also get into the 8-bit mix on Dec. 5, with a new game that combines the originalNES Remix and NES Remix 2 games for Wii U into one package. NES Remix Pack will be available in stores at a suggested retail price of $29.99. Both NES Remix and NES Remix 2 games remain available in the Nintendo eShop on Wii U for $14.99 each.
  • Fantasy Life: Available in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 24Fantasy Life lets players become the masters of their destinies as choices they make help determine their own Fantasy Life. Players can easily change their Life Class at any time and experience how each offers a new perspective on the world. Local and online multiplayer options let friends share the adventure, the exploration and the bounty. A downloadable content pack called Origin Island – available for purchase from the Nintendo eShop starting on Oct. 24 – will extend the Fantasy Life adventure even further. Origin Island offers a new area that is home to an ancient culture and powerful enemies, additional story content, new ranks to achieve in Life Classes, access to even more powerful equipment and two new varieties of pets to adopt: birds and dragons.
  • Two Deluxe Downloadable Kirby Games: Bounce or battle with two new titles available today at $6.99 each in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS. Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe and Kirby Fighters Deluxe are standalone downloadable games that first made an appearance in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, and are now updated with enhanced game-play features. In Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe, players move Dedede across the stage, bouncing to the beat in seven new stages exclusive to this downloadable version. In Kirby Fighters Deluxe, players use different copy abilities to defeat all of the arena opponents. This version includes five new stages and a new team battle feature. Players who already own Kirby: Triple Deluxe with StreetPass data will get bonus content in both downloadable games.
  • Indie Games: Nintendo loves indie content, and a number of downloadable games exclusive to the Nintendo eShop are on their way this year.
    • Curve Digital’s Stealth Inc 2 combines the best elements of puzzle solving, action platforming and stealth game play into a game that’s all about hiding in the shadows. The game includes a two-player co-op mode, level editor, off-TV play and Miiverse integration. The game launches for Wii U in the fall.
    • Swords & Soldiers II is a side-scrolling action strategy game from Ronimo Games launching this holiday season for Wii U. The game includes 20 story missions and lets players buy units, cast spells and build structures to overwhelm enemies on a 2D battleground.
    • Azure Striker GUNVOLT from Inti Creates launches today exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. Featuring the talents of Keiji Inafune, the creator of the Mega Man series, the game takes the best aspects of Japanese 16-bit classics and updates them with new play mechanics and slick graphics. For a limited time, the game comes with a free digital version of the 8-bit nostalgia-fueled Mighty GUNVOLT as well.
  • New Themes for Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu: Following a system update in October, Nintendo will be introducing new Nintendo 3DS HOME menu themes that change the menu background, icons and folders, and music and sound effects. Themes will be available for purchase from a Theme Shop that will be added to the HOME menu. More details will be announced in the future.
  • Third-Party Games: More than 60 games from Nintendo’s third-party partners are launching for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS before the end of year, with more great content coming in early 2015. The 2014 list is highlighted by Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for Wii U and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS from SEGA, which introduce two unique and epic adventures as Sonic and team work together to stop the evil villain Lyric. Players can play as multiple characters, each with his or her own abilities, as they explore, fight and speed through an undiscovered land. Each game features its own individual story and game-play features.
 
Publisher   Title   Release Date
         
Wii U
Activision       Skylanders Trap Team       Oct. 5
BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc.       PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures 2       Oct. 14
Disney Interactive       Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition)       Sept. 23
Little Orbit       Penguins of Madagascar       Nov. 25
Little Orbit       Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue       Nov. 4
Mobot Studios       Paper Monster Recut       September
SEGA       Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric       Nov. 18
Ubisoft       Just Dance 2015       Oct. 21
Ubisoft       Watch Dogs       2014
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment       LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham       Nov. 11
WayForward Technologies       Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse       2014
                 
Nintendo eShop on Wii U
Ackk Studios LLC       Chromophore: The Two Brothers Director’s Cut       Q4
Arachnid Games       Ballpoint Universe: Infinite       Fall
ATLUS       Citizens of Earth       Nov. 4
BeautiFun Games SL       Nihilumbra       Winter
Breakfall       STARWHAL: Just the Tip       Q1 2015
Curve Digital       Lone Survivor       Q4
Curve Digital       Stealth Inc 2       Fall
Curve Digital       The Swapper       Q3
Frima Studio Inc.       Chariot       Fall
Image & Form       SteamWorld Dig       Aug. 28
KnapNok Games       Affordable Space Adventures       Q1 2015
Midnight City       Costume Quest 2       Oct. 7
Midnight City       Gone Home       Q4
Natsume Inc.       Alphadia Genesis       2014
Nnooo       Cubemen 2       Sept. 4
Nyamyam Ltd.       Tengami       Fall
Over the Moon Games       The Fall       Aug. 26
Rain Games       Teslagrad       September
Ronimo Games BV       Swords & Soldiers II       Q4
Slightly Mad       Project CARS       2015
Turtle Cream       6180 the moon       Q4
WaterMelon       Pier Solar and the Great Architects       Fall
                 
Nintendo 3DS
Activision       Skylanders Trap Team       Oct. 5
Activision       The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins       Oct. 28
ATLUS       Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth       Nov. 25
BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc.       PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures 2       Oct. 14
BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc.       Saban’s Power Rangers Super Megaforce       Oct. 28
BANDAI NAMCO Games America, Inc.       TENKAI KNIGHTS: Brave Battle       Oct. 7
Capcom       Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate       Early 2015
EA       EA SPORTS FIFA 15       September
GameMill       Big Hero 6       Oct. 28
Little Orbit       Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom       Nov. 18
Little Orbit       Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue       Nov. 4
Little Orbit       Penguins of Madagascar       Nov. 25
Little Orbit       Winx Club: Saving Alfea       Fall
Majesco       Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit!       Sept. 16
Marvelous USA (XSEED Games)       Story of Seasons       Winter
Natsume Inc.       Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley       October
SEGA       Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal       Nov. 11
Square Enix, Inc.       THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL       Sept. 16
Ubisoft       Petz Beach       Oct. 14
Ubisoft       Petz Countryside       Oct. 14
Ubisoft       Poptropica: Forgotten Islands       Oct. 14
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment       LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham       Nov. 11
                 
Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
ATLUS       Citizens of Earth       Nov. 4
Big John Games       Cube Creator 3D       Q1 2015
Big John Games       Lionel Trains 3D       Q1 2015
Big John Games       Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter       Aug. 28
Capcom       Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy       Winter
Choice Provisions       Woah Dave!       Fall
CINEMAX       The Keep       September
Goodbye Galaxy Games       Tappingo 2       Sept. 4
Hörberg Productions       Gunman Clive 2       Fall
Inti Creates Co. Ltd.       Azure Striker GUNVOLT       Aug. 29
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.       Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL World Duel Carnival       Sept. 25
Nnooo       Blast ’Em Bunnies       Q1 2015
Renegade Kid LLC       Moon Chronicles (ep. 2)       Q4
Renegade Kid LLC       Treasurenauts       Q4
Renegade Kid LLC       Xeodrifter       Q4
WayForward Technologies       Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse       2014
                 
  • Looking Ahead: Nintendo has a ton of great games on the way for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. In 2015, Wii U will see the arrival of a new installment in The Legend of Zelda franchise, SplatoonXenoblade Chronicles XYoshi’s Woolly WorldKirby and the Rainbow CurseStar Fox (working title), Mario Maker (working title), Project Giant RobotProject GuardMario vs. Donkey Kong (working title), Mario Party 10 and Devil’s Third. On the portable side in 2015, Nintendo 3DS will see the launch of a new NFC reader/writer that will interact with amiibo figures in compatible games, as well as the arrival of Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., Fossil Fighters Frontier and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, an exclusive Nintendo 3DS game from Capcom.

Remember that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo has sold more than 4.2 billion video games and more than 670 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokémon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.