SUPER SMASH BROS., amiibo AND POKÉMON STAR IN NINTENDO’S END OF YEAR LINE-UP

The build-up to the end of the year officially begins today for Nintendo fans, as the first 12 amiibo interactive figures become available for pre-order from today. The first dozen characters available for pre-order will be Mario, Peach, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Kirby, Fox, Marth, Villager and Wii Fit Trainer, with more on the way in the future.
 

Along with amiibo, here’s what lies in store for Nintendo fans leading up to the end of 2014:

• Major Series: Nintendo has four games from two of the most well-known series 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 on 3^rd October, with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U following winter 2014. Also in a separate announcement this morning, Nintendo revealed that Shulk from the Xenoblade Chronicles series will be a playable character in both games.
• Pokémon: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire for Nintendo 3DS hit stores and Nintendo eShop on 28^th November, and are a complete re-imagining of Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version, games which Pokémon fans first enjoyed when they launched in 2003 for Game Boy Advance. Now, players will catch, battle and trade Pokémon as they seek answers to the mystery behind Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre and their possible connection to Mega Evolutions. With new challenges to overcome and incredibly powerful Pokémon to encounter, these games are a true evolution in the Pokémon series.

• Interactive amiibo Figures: Nintendo’s foray into the toys-to-life category officially starts today, with the first 12 amiibo figures available to pre-order from today. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, which launches winter 2014, will be the first game with full integration of amiibo. Other games that will support amiibo include Mario Kart 8, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Party 10 and Yoshi’s Woolly World, with more to come. More details on amiibo functionality and an official launch date will be revealed shortly.

• Bayonetta 2: The witch is back in October in the game that features over-the-top battles with wild weapons in gorgeous locations, with a new story that takes Bayonetta on a journey to inferno to save her friend’s soul. The original Bayonetta game is also available as a standalone on Nintendo eShop, or in a bundle with the retail packaged version of Bayonetta 2. Remade for Wii U, Bayonetta comes complete with some Nintendo cosplay options for the powerful heroine.

• Hyrule Warriors Add-on Content: This mashup of Dynasty Warriors and The Legend of Zelda series 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 19^th September with a free download that adds a fun new mode, weapon and the option to select music.

• Fantasy Life Add-on Content: Available in stores and on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 26^th September, Fantasy Life lets players become the masters of their destinies as every choice they make determines their unique 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. An add-on content pack called Origin Island – available from launch - will extend the Fantasy Life adventure even further. Origin Island offers a whole new area 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.

• New Themes for Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu: Following a system update planned in October, Nintendo will be introducing new HOME Menu themes that allow Nintendo 3DS and 2DS owners to personalise their systems by changing 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. Stay tuned for more details coming in the future.

• Third-Party Games: More than 50 games from Nintendo’s third-party partners are launching before the end of year, with the likes of Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for Wii U, and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS both launching on 21^st November. Both games introduce a unique and epic adventure as Sonic and team work together to stop the evil villain Lyric. Players can play as multiple characters, each with their own abilities, as they explore, fight and speed through an undiscovered land.

• Looking Ahead: Nintendo has an array of great games on the way for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. In 2015, Wii U will see the arrival of a new instalment in The Legend of Zelda series, Splatoon, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Devil’s Third, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Yoshi’s Woolly World, Kirby(working title), Star Fox (working title), Mario Maker (working title), Project Giant Robot, Project Guard, Mario vs. Donkey Kong (working title),Mario Party 10, and Art Academy (working title). On the portable side, in 2015 Nintendo 3DS will see the launch of a new NFC reader/writer that will interact with amiibo figures, as well as the arrival of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., and Fossil Fighters: Frontier.