17th April 2013 – In a new Nintendo Direct video announcement today, Nintendo revealed a whole host of news in relation to Nintendo 3DS. Topping the list for many gamers is a new Nintendo 3DS game in The Legend of Zelda series set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The game is scheduled to launch towards the end of the year. Fans will also be excited to hear that a new game in the Yoshi’s Island series is being developed for Nintendo 3DS.

In keeping with the Year of Luigi theme, this Nintendo Direct announcement featured additional information on upcoming Nintendo 3DS games starring Luigi, including Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros., Mario Golf: World Tour, and a new instalment in the Mario Party series. On Wii U meanwhile, further details were released on New Super Luigi U, due for release this summer.

To view the Nintendo Direct broadcast in its entirety, visit our dedicated Nintendo Direct page.

Today’s announcements included:

Nintendo 3DS News

A new game in The Legend of Zelda series: Nintendo developers are working on a new game set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which launched for Super NES in 1992. The game makes use of the 3D abilities of Nintendo 3DS, and allows Link to become a drawing and move within walls. A 3D video of the new game will be available in Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS shortly after Nintendo Direct. The game is scheduled to launch towards the end of the year.

A new Yoshi’s Island game: The third instalment in the beloved franchise is making its way to Nintendo 3DS. Yoshi and Baby Mario are back with flutter jumps, ground pounds and egg throws, plus a host of new actions that use the unique features of Nintendo 3DS. More details about the game, as well as launch timing, will be announced in the future.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.: The game takes place on a mysterious island, and challenges Mario to go between the real world and Luigi’s dreams to rescue Princess Peach. The game will be available in stores and in Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 12th July.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D: This handheld update of the original smash-hit for Wii adds eight new stages that players can enjoy after they have completed the main game, as well as a New Mode optimised for handheld play with new items and mechanics. The game launches in stores and in Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 24th May.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move: This Nintendo eShop exclusive challenges players to place tiles on the bottom screen to guide the Mini characters to their goal on the top screen. The game offers more than 180 stages in four different modes. Players can also create and upload their own stages, and play those created by other players around the world. The game will launch on 9th May.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf Hardware Bundle: A special Nintendo 3DS XL system featuring artwork from Animal Crossing: New Leaf that comes pre-installed with the new game will be available on launch day, 14th June. You can also keep up to date with latest news on the game via the official Twitter and Facebook feeds.

Mario Golf: World Tour: Players who connect their Nintendo 3DS systems to the Internet can play competitive real-time multiplayer matches against others across the globe. They can also use the community feature to find others to play golf with. The game is scheduled to launch this summer.

Two games in The Legend of Zelda series for Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons are headed to the Virtual Console service for Nintendo 3DS. The games were originally developed by Capcom and released on Game Boy Color in 2001. The games are interconnected, as playing one unlocks secrets in the other. The games are scheduled to launch in Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 30th May.

Party like it’s the Year of Luigi: A new game in the Mario Party series is scheduled to launch for Nintendo 3DS this winter. The game features seven different game boards, each with its own set of rules. The game offers 81 new minigames that test speed, concentration and luck. In addition to the board game elements, players will be able to play minigames exclusively or try their hand at AR Card games and a lot more.
Bravely Default (temp. title): Nintendo has revealed that the game will be released in Europe later this year.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy: The third game in the second Professor Layton trilogy sees the Professor travelling the world, solving the riddles of an ancient civilisation. The game will be released in Europe later this year.

A Nintendo eShop trio from LEVEL-5: LEVEL-5 has assembled a collection of Japan’s top developers to create original games that will be headed to Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS soon. THE STARSHIP DAMREY, from Kazuya Asano and Takemaru Abiko, puts players in a suspenseful adventure where they will have to search for any information available to discover the truth about their circumstances. In BUGS vs. TANKS! from Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune, players control a tiny customisable tank in battle against swarms of giant bugs. In Kaz Ayabe’s ATTACK OF THE FRIDAY MONSTERS! A TOKYO TALE, players will take the role of a young boy who lives where the giant monsters from the TV shows of Japan's 1970s come to life every Friday.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Developed exclusively for Nintendo 3DS, and now announced for Europe, the game features 3D dungeons, voiced dialogue and StreetPass functionality.

Wii U News

EarthBound: Available since March as one of the NES 30th Anniversary Virtual Console games in Japan, the game is set to release in Europe on Wii U Virtual Console, with a launch date to be announced at a later date. The original game was created by Shigesato Itoi for the Super NES, but was never released in Europe.

New Super Luigi U: Wii U owners who purchase this downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U (a copy of the game is required) will get 82 updated courses and a new adventure featuring Luigi, who can jump higher than Mario, yet has trouble stopping after a dash. Many stages start with only 100 seconds on the timer, and quicker stages are populated with many obstacles. New Super Luigi U is scheduled to be released this summer during the Year of Luigi.

Wii U Spring System Update: Next week’s update will add new functions and enhance existing ones, and will shorten loading times when switching between applications or returning to the Wii U Menu. On the day after the System Update becomes available, Wii U Panorama View will be available from the Nintendo eShop for Wii U, with a free demo also released. In addition, the Wii U Virtual Console service will begin.

Pikmin 3: In addition to new Rock Pikmin, the new game also introduces flying Winged Pikmin that follow the player and can carry items in the air. The game will be launching in just a few months, so stay tuned!