If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Nintendo Direct: Monster Hunter 4 confirmed, Mario Kart 8 dated, Little Mac for Super Smash

Mario Kart 8 release date confirmed, Bayonetta 2 trailer released, Monster Hunter 4 western release confirmed - today's three-territory Nintendo Direct was an absolute doozy.

super_smash_bros_wii_u_3

The presentation kicked off with a trailer for the highly-anticipated Super Smash Bros 3DS and Wii U; we will of course post any trailers for your enjoyment as soon as Nintendo sends them on. The trailer began with a comic-like sequence showing Punch-Out's Little Mac training for a fight, before punching Metroid's Samus Aran into approximately the stratosphere. The brawler launches in 2014.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata then moved onto 3DS games, beginning with Mario Golf: World Tour, showing off the RPG-like Castle Club mode. This one's coming on May 2, apparently in both the US and Europe.

Next up was Kirby Triple Deluxe. The 3DS title has special features, including StreetPass bonuses. This one also launches on May 2 in the US, and May 16 in Europe.

Yoshi's New Island, a game in which you are a dinosaur protecting a baby Mario, was shown next. Yoshi's Suprt Yoshi transformation was demonstrated, along with his ability to sprout wings. He can also turn into a jackhammer or submarine. This one arrives on March 14.

A special edition Yoshi 3DSXL was confirmed for Europe. See it here.

The next title hits the eShop today; called Sub Wars, it's a first-person spiritual successor to Steel Diver. Iwata called it a "contemplative shooter". It will be available in both free and premium versions.

Next was Pokémon Link: Battle, or Pokémon Battle Trozei depending on territory, a match-three puzzle game, is coming to the 3DS eShop. It will include all known Pokémon to date and four-player co-op. It's due on March 20 in the US.

Rusty's Real Dead Baseball is an unusual one; it's a baseball game about "good feelings" in which you cna unlock various content through microtransactions - but you can negotiate with the shopkeeper to lower prices. It's coming in April.

Arriving in the US on February 28, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy got a new trailer.

At long, long last, Monster Hunter 4 was confirmed for western 3DS release in early 2015.

Another surprise - Nintendo Pocket Football Club, a 3DS eShop exclusive, is coming to Europe April 17. It's a pretty adorable looking club management sim, with online features.

Nintendo finally confirmed a western launch for Weapon Shop de Omasse, the rhythm action shop management sim mash up which was the only Guild01 title not yet localised. Expect it on February 20.

Best-selling soccer sim Inazuma Eleven finally comes to North America today. It should be available on the 3DS eShop straight after the presentation.

PAL territories don't have to wait much longer; Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Guard will release in Europe on May 2, and will be preceded by a demo on April 18.

Nintendo showed a couple of indie games, too - Shovel Knight and 1,000 Spikes - and said the eShop will be pretty busy this year.

Wii U
Ubisoft RPG Child of Light hits the Wii U eShop on April 30 in Europe, and May 1 in the US.

A new trailer for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was released ahead of its launch next week.

Good news: NES Remix 2 was announced. It comes with a free, full new game - Super Luigi Bros., based on the level in the original NES Remix, but contains many more levels. This one hits the US on April 25.

The Koopalings will all be playable in Mario Kart 8, which got a new trailer. It hits Europe and the US on May 30.

Next up was MonolithSoft's new game, X - an action heavy RPG for Wii U. It's said to be like Xenoblade Chronicles but "with even more polish".

The final Wii U game to be featured was Bayonetta 2, which - yes, you've already scrolled down to watch the trailer, haven't you. Still no release date.

Game Boy Advance titles will arrive on Virtual Console in northern spring; April for Europe.

From Japan
The Japanese Nintendo Direct announced a Monster Hunter 4G 3DS hardware bundle, coming March 27.

A new Ace Attorney for 3DS was confirmed during the presentation.

Trailers

X footage (Thanks, Gematsu)

Sign in and unlock a world of features

Get access to commenting, homepage personalisation, newsletters, and more!

In this article

Bayonetta 2

Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch

Mario Kart 8

Nintendo Wii U

See 2 more

Super Smash Bros. Wii U

Nintendo Wii U

Weapon Shop de Omasse

Nintendo 3DS

Related topics
About the Author
Brenna Hillier avatar

Brenna Hillier

Contributor

Based in Australia and having come from a lengthy career in the Aussie games media, Brenna worked as VG247's remote Deputy Editor for several years, covering news and events from the other side of the planet to the rest of the team. After leaving VG247, Brenna retired from games media and crossed over to development, working as a writer on several video games.

Comments