During Nintendo Direct earlier this week, Nintendo announced several new titles for the Nintendo 3DS, as well as confirming Western releases for some titles previously released in Japan and new content for the Nintendo WiiU. The full presentation can be viewed here, with a summary of the conference available after the jump.During the presentation, which was hosted by Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata confirmed that Luigi´s Mansion: Dark Moon will be released on March 24th for the Nintendo 3DS. At trailer featuring gameplay footage of the game, which is known internationally as Luigi’s Mansion 2, is available here. In addition, a new installment in the Mario & Luigi series, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, and the Mario Golf: World Tour were announced for release later this year. This title will also be exclusively available on the Nintendo 3DS.
New content for last years’ Super Mario Bros. U is currently in development as well, though Iwata likened it more to the development of a whole new game. In the DLC, which is titled Super Luigi U, will revolve around Luigi, players navigate alternative versions of the 80 levels already in the main game.
Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo of America, joined the presentation to announce a 3DS-rerelease of Donkey Kong Country Returns, which was originally released for the Wii in November 2010. Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D will launch this summer.
Several 3DS titles that had previously only been available in Japan and other Asian territories have been confirmed for Western releases. These include Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which launched in Japan in November last year but will debut in North American stores June 9th, and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity which also release in Japan last November and is set for a North American release on March 14th. A trailers for Animal Crossing: New Leaf is available here.
Nintendo also confirmed that Lego City Undercover and the Nintendo 3DS tie-in Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins, will launch on March 18th and March 21st respectively.
Several games for the Nintendo 3DS eStore, including Dillon’s Rolling Western: The Last Ranger (April 11), HarmoKnight (March 28th), Kerploosh (March 7th), and Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move and Code for Princess. For the latter two no release dates were confirmed. Two new maps for Fire Emblem: Awakening will also be released soon, with the “Champions of Yore 1” Map being released for free on March 6th. The other maps will be available at $2.50.
To promote sales for the Nintendo 3DS XL, it was announced that users who register a new handheld and either Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon or Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity between March 21st and April 30th will receive a free game for download. Users elegible for the offer will be able to choose from Super Mario 3D Land, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!, Star Fox 64 3D and Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive.
Looking to the Nintendo WiiU, a new service known as Wii Street U was announced. The service, which is powered by Google, should be available at this time and allows the use of Google Streetview on the WiiU.
Three new titles for the WiiU eStore were confirmed for release within the coming month, including Toki Tori 2, Zen Pinball 2, and Bit.Trip Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien. Need for Speed: Most Wanted U, the Nintendo WiiU version of the game released on other platforms late last year, will be launched on March 19th and is the first third-party title to include MiiVerse functionality directly in-game. Users picking up the game will be able to download the “Ultimate Speed Pack” free of charge. This DLC adds 5 new vehicles and 25 new events, and is available for approximately $10 on other platforms.
Additional titles were confirmed for the WiiU as well, including Injustice: Gods Among Us (April 16th), The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (March 26th), Disney Infinity (Summer 2013), and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, which will launch on both Nintendo 3DS and WiiU on March 19th. Bundles for both consoles, including a copy of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, will be hitting store shelves on March 22nd.