Nintendo's Plan for 2014, Nintendo Direct: 12-18-13

Today's Nintendo Direct certainly brought some expected news as well as unexpected for Nintendo's first-quarter plan for 2014. It's always an exciting time when Nintendo brings us a new direct as they always give updates on their latest titles, but also a look at new games for their consoles. So, what news did Mr. Iwata bring with this Nintendo Direct?

To start, Nintendo unveiled a brand new game Legend of Zelda game titled Hyrule Warriors (which is not the final product name). Developers Tecmo- Koei are bringing the Dynasty Warriors style of gameplay over to the Zelda universe. Little info was given in regards to the title, but this definitely came out of left field as this is the first time in years the Zelda franchise is in the hands of a third party developer. The Dynasty Warriors games have been known for their hack and slash gameplay against enormous waves of enemies and bosses to fight across the battlefield and dishing out combo after combo, but to see Link in this style of gameplay is much different from what we've played and will be interesting to see where it goes. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think of the game so far.
                                                 

Nintendo gave us an update on four new 3DS games, three which have been previously announced, and an entirely brand new IP called Chibi-Robo: Photo Finder, in which you play as an adorable chibi- robo and are tasked to use the 3DS camera to complete tasks  for a wide amount of colorful characters. It will launch in January next year as a downloadable title.                                               New Yoshi Island has a new trailer showing us some new levels. Players take control that green dinosaur, Yoshi, and carry Baby Mario from stage to stage across colorful and bright landscapes. Also, the original director for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island for the Super Nintendo will be overlooking the development of the game. New Yoshi Island 3DS is set to release in 2014.

There was also a new trailer for Kirby Triple Deluxe. The theme for this game revolves around that pink ball Kirby interacting with the background and foreground of a stage, sucking up new power and familiar ones as you progress. Two new modes where also unveiled. In one mode, players duke it out similar to Super Smash Bros. and fight using the Kiryby abilities we've seen throughout the series. The second mode has players take control of King Dedede, Kirby's rival, through a rhythm based mini game to bounce along the various music of the Kirby universe. Like, New Yoshi Island, Kirby Triple Deluxe is also set for release in 2014.

Reggie Fils-Amie told players some new info on Square Enix's newest 3DS game, Bravely Default. The game is now going to include micro-transactions, in which players have an option to buy Sp points from the Nintendo E Shop to help them along their journey. Bravely Default will be released in February 2014.


Nintendo is also including a free Pokemon to users who download the Pokemon Bank software. Players can receive their free Celebi  starting December 27 until September of 2014. 

Next up, Nintendo gave some a few updates for certain Wii U titles launching next year. At this years Spike tv video game awards, Nintendo announced a new playable character for Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze; and that was Cranky Kong. They showed us a bit more gameplay with him in the  new trailer during the Nintendo Direct. The game will be released February 2014.

There will also be upcoming dlc for the Wii U exclusive Sonic Lost World. One dlc will include a Yoshi Island-themed stage in which Sonic helps Yoshi rescue baby Yoshi eggs, while fighting  familiar enemies like shy guys and piranha plants. This dlc package is available today. A second dlc was announced but is still in development. No info was given and will be revealed at another date.

Wii Sports Club is also receiving new sports that were on the original Wii Sports. The additions include tennis, bowling and golf. These new sports are available today to download from the E-shop.

The year of Luigi continues with the launch of a spin off of Dr. Mario with Dr. Luigi for the Wii U. Dr. Luigi will be released on December 31st.

Mario Kart 8 got a brand new trailer that showcased new locations and new playable characters, like Baby Mario and Rosalina. Mario Kart 8 will released in Spring 2014. Speaking of Rosalina, a new fancy trailer for Super Smash Bros. announced Rosalina and Luma as new a brawler. From the looks of them, the controls seem to parallel the Ice Climbers (who haven't been announced). And let's be honest, when the trailer started who didn't think it was gonna be a sequel to Kirby Air Ride or Kirby as a playable character in Mario Kart 8

The last reveal was the NES Remix which seems to be much like the WarioWare inc. series but based around classic NES games. NES Remix will mash up 16 NES games like mixing Donky Kong with The Legend of Zelda, changing what everyone games were all familiar with.

Something doesn't seem right here.

Today's Nintendo Direct wasn't really as exciting as it could have been. We've recieved no word about Shin Megami Tensei X,  Fire Emblem, Project X or the Yoshi Wii U game, which have been stated for release next year. But maybe that's just it, we wont hear anything more about them until later. The Nintendo Direct was just mostly updates about games that are close to their release dates.

Hopefully next years Nintendo Direct will hold more to what we want (Still waiting on my next Metroid or Star Fox). The one big that that we will be talked about today is the Hyrule Warriors, a spin off of Dynasty Warriors with Zelda skin thrown over. It's too early to say if this will bomb or be a stand alone title worth while, but regardless, Nintendo is gonna have to bring their A game next year if they want to help get more Wii U consoles into peoples home.

Stay tuned for more Subculture!