Nintendo Direct (02/13/2014): Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

Check out our extensive coverage of everything that was showcased during the latest edition of the February 3, 2014 Nintendo Direct broadcast! If you’d like to watch the entire livestream again, feel free to watch the video posted above.

1. Little Mac Has Officially Been Added to the Super Smash Bros. Roster

Little Mac of Punch-Out series fame was revealed as the 23rd roster addition to the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. His boxing prowess and amazingly awesome Final Smash was shown in a great new trailer. There is still no confirmed release date for the next Smash Bros. game.

2. New Gameplay Footage Was Shown for Mario Golf World Tour and Yoshi’s New Island

The new trailer seen above was released in anticipation of a release date announcement for Mario Golf World Tour. This 3DS exclusive will be launching in the US/UK regions on May 2, 2014. Along with this release date news, a new single-player mode was highlighted. This new mode, known as “Castle Club” mode, lets players use and customize their personal Mii in the game. Some of the Mii properties that can be altered include a player’s shot properties, distance and control.

Also, Yoshi’s New Island showed off some the newer locales that are going to be present in the final release. Some of the game’s other newly announced features include:

– The return of in-game transformations for Yoshi (Yoshi can change into a jackhammer or even a submarine)
– Gyro (motion) controls
– Flutter Wings for Yoshi that are meant to make the game more easier to navigate and complete for less skilled players. These wings will allow Yoshi to fly through the air and pass through walls

Yoshi’s New Island will be launching in stores and through the 3DS eShop on March 14, 2014.

3. A New Trailer Was Shown for Persona Q and Several Other Video Games Aimed at the Japanese Market

The Japanese portion of this Nintendo Direct presentation showed off plenty of new trailers for the following games: Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, Phoenix Wright Trilogy, Monster Hunter 4G Ultimate (2015) and Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy – Emmy’s Story (February 28, 2014). You can check out the trailers for the last three aforementioned games below:

4. A Sequel to Steel Diver Was Showcased

A sequel to Nintendo’s mobile submarine simulation series, Steel Diver, was announced – Steel Diver Sub Wars. Take a peek at the first trailer above. This 3DS eShop release is now available for $9.99 as a premium, full download. Players can also choose a download a free version of the game that features two basic submarines, the beginning of the single-player mission mode and several multiplayer modes. Local 4 vs. 4 and online competitive game modes will be available within both versions of this downloadable title.

5. Kirby’s Triple Deluxe Received A Release Date

Kirby: Triple Deluxe finally has a concrete release date in the US – May 2, 2014. As for European gamers, they can look forward to getting the game on May 16, 2014. The latest trailer for this 3DS release showed off the new 8-bit collectible items, Sun Stones and the involvement of Waddle Dee via StreetPass connectivity. Players who locate Waddle Dee to improve their items, plus players can gift keychains to other 3DS owners who have also played the game.

6. A New Pokemon Game is Coming

Pokémon Battle Trozei, a sequel to 2006’s Pokemon Trozei for DS, is coming out on March 20, 2014 for $7.99 in the US through the 3DS eShop. This release will head on over to the UK under a different moniker (Pokemon Link Battle) and will also hit the 3DS eShop on March 13, 2014. This new title will adopt the elements of the hit mobile RPG/puzzler Puzzle & Dragons and will also feature all 718 Pokemon. 4-player co-op will be available upon release.

7. New Characters Are Hitting The Track in Mario Kart 8

Bowser’s infamous Koopalings will be the newest characters added to Mario Kart 8. Check out their debut trailer above. Kart racing fans can expect to play this on their Wii U on May 30, 2014. Mario Kart 8 will also be available for download through the Nintendo eShop as well.

8. Game Boy Advance Games Are Making Their Way to the Wii U Virtual Store

Later this spring, a slate of Game Boy Advance classic will be available on the Wii U Virtual Store. Those titles (which will arrive in April 2014) are:

– Metroid Fusion
– Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
– Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Several other unannounced GBA games will also be launching alongside these downloadable titles every month after April.

9. A New Game Trailer for Monolith Soft’s X Was Debuted

Some brand new scenes of battle gameplay for Monolith Soft’s X RPG were finally showcased in the above video. This game’s battle system is based on the one seen in Xenoblade Chronicles for the Nintendo Wii.

10. New Footage for Bayonetta 2 Was Shown

Everyone’s favorite witch got to star in new trailer that closed this edition of the Nintendo Direct livestream. The over-top-action (and nonsensical storyline) were the elements that on display in the video seen above.

Here are some of the extra announcement that were made during this Nintendo Direct livestream:

– NES Remix 2 is scheduled to be launch on the Wii U eShop on April 25, 2014 for $14.99
– Players can unlock a new, free bonus game called Super Luigi Bros., which is based on the original Super Mario Bros. challenge level form the first NES Remix
– Ubisoft’s Child of Light RPG is coming to the Wii U on April 30, 2014 for $14.99
– A bunch of new eShop 3DS games was announced – Inazuma Eleven (Available Now, $19.99), Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball (April 2014), WEAPON SHOP de OMASSE (February 20, $7.99)