NINTENDO ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PARTNERSHIP WITH SEGA FOR UPCOMING SONIC THE HEDGEHOG GAMES

May 18, 2013 / News

New Nintendo Direct also showcases range of Wii U games coming this autumn and winter

The next game in SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog series will be exclusive to Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, with Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announcing details of a worldwide partnership with SEGA during a new Nintendo Direct video announcement today. Sonic: Lost World is a new action-adventure platforming game, and more information about it will be announced before the E3 2013 video game trade show begins on 11th June.

The Nintendo Direct also announced a new addition to the Mario & Sonic series, the first appearance for the series on Wii U, as well as revealing launch dates for Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101 and New Super Luigi U.

To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect

Today’s Wii U announcements included:

•  A new game in the Mario & Sonic series: The game includes a variety of sports including curling, skiing, snowboarding, figure skating pairs and snowboard slopestyle. Different events might use the Wii Remote Plus controller, Wii U GamePad or both. In addition to realistic events, the game also includes those set in the worlds of Sonic and Mario that let players perform moves not possible in real life. Launch details and timing will be announced at a later date.
• New Super Luigi U: The Year of Luigi-themed downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U offers players 82 updated courses. But it also includes a new playable character in multiplayer mode: Nabbit, the thief who steals items from Toad Houses. New Super Luigi U will be released as downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U on Nintendo eShop on 21st June. But in honour of the Year of Luigi, Nintendo is also offering a standalone packaged version of New Super Luigi U that doesn’t require New Super Mario Bros. U, due for release on 27th July, at a suggested retail price of $59.95.
• The Wonderful 101: The superhero action adventure from Platinum Games launches on 24th August. More details about the game will be released gradually between now and launch.
• Pikmin 3: New playable characters Alph, Brittany and Charlie are to take over from Olimar, the main character who appeared in previous Pikmin games. Another announcement is the use of the GamePad (known as the KopPad in the game), where players can view the overall map and grasp what each character and Pikmin are up to. Pikmin 3 is coming to Australia and New Zealand  on July 27th.
• Game & Wario: The game launches across Australia and New Zealand on 29th June, and includes 16 games that use the GamePad in different ways. Newly revealed games include: ISLANDS, which lets two to five people launch little creatures called Fronks onto islands in the sea to score points; PATCHWORK, a puzzle game that tests players’ pattern-recognition skills; and KUNG-FU, which challenges players to help Young Cricket navigate a course safely using the forward-looking view on the TV and the top-down view on the GamePad. A new Iwata Asks feature just published offers more details about the game at http://nintendo.co.uk/iwataasks.
• RESIDENT EVIL REVELATIONS: Capcom’s survival horror game is launching in stores and on Nintendo eShop on 23rd May. The game originally released for Nintendo 3DS, and the Wii U version offers players updated HD graphics, GamePad controls and new game content. The game is Miiverse-compatible, and a demo version is currently available on Nintendo eShop.

A separate Nintendo Direct sharing further news on future Wii U content will be aired around the time of E3.

For further details:

Nintendo Direct website http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect

Nintendo AU on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

 

Watch the latest Nintendo Direct broadcast tonight!

May 17, 2013 / News

WELCOME TO NINTENDO DIRECT!

Nintendo Direct is coming soon! Make sure you tune in to this global presentation on the Wii U software coming this Autumn and Winter.

Click here on Friday, May 17th at 11:59 (AEST) to watch the broadcast live!

 

MYTHICAL Pokémon Deoxys AVAILABLE Now

May 10, 2013 / News

Full Details Revealed on Seldom-Distributed Psychic Pokémon

Available now until May 31, Pokémon Trainers across the Australia and New Zealand can add Deoxys to their Pokédex in a special distribution event via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Deoxys—an impressive Pokémon that can change its Forme—has long captivated fans with its mind-blowing Psychic-type powers and mysterious interstellar origins. Little is known of its past, but Pokémon professors have determined that Deoxys was originally a virus of alien origin: as it plummeted through the atmosphere on a wayward meteorite, the virus passed through a laser beam and mutated to become Deoxys.

Making its first-ever appearance in Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, Deoxys carries some moves that are special to this distribution. Trainers can torment their opponents with a balanced set of attacks and healing moves like Psycho Boost and Recover, then knock them off balance with Nasty Plot and Dark Pulse, two moves that Deoxys can’t normally learn on its own. If that balanced attack isn’t enough, raw power should be: for the first time, Deoxys arrives at Level 100.

Arriving in a Dusk Ball and holding a Life Orb to boost attack power at the expense of HP, Deoxys boasts the Pressure Ability, which can exhaust opponents by draining extra PP. Deoxys can also change Formes to suit any battle, altering its genome between the visually distinct Normal Forme, Attack Forme, Defense Forme, and Speed Forme if its Trainer brings it to a certain place in Nacrene City.

To participate in the Deoxys character distribution event via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, players will need:

• Wireless broadband Internet access
• A Nintendo DS®, Nintendo DSi™, Nintendo DSi™ XL, Nintendo 3DS™, or Nintendo 3DS™ XL system
• A copy of the Pokémon Black 2 or Pokémon White 2 game
• No more than 11 Wonder Cards in their possession

For further information visit the Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 Website:

 

THE WACKY WORLD OF GAME & WARIO FOR Wii U GETS UNLEASHED IN YOUR HOME ON 29th JUNE

May 6, 2013 / News

Play a wild assortment of GamePad games alone or together with friends and family

Wario and his zany friends are back in Game & Wario, a brand new, colourful collection of crazy games exclusively for Wii U! Launching on 29th June, the game utilises the unique setup of the Wii U GamePad controller and the TV screen in innovative and exciting ways for a Wario experience like no other that will keep you coming back for more!

Wario has dabbled in software development since the WarioWare series - and just loves to find new ways to play games with the latest consoles. In Game & Wario, he’s trying his hand at a certain new home console system with a Touch Screen in the centre of its controller… This results in a zany set of games that can all be played using just a Wii U GamePad and a TV screen, whether playing alone or with friends and family.

In Single Player, there are twelve games to enjoy that turn your GamePad into a variety of different objects for different gameplay challenges: use it as a camera, a bow that looses arrows into the TV image, or as a method to steer a skier to the disco, amongst others!

In CAMERA, you’re tasked with snapping photos of escaped criminals with your GamePad! The TV shows a busy street in Diamond City and holding up the GamePad allows you to take a closer look at the scene. Frame those crooks perfectly in your photos to catch them, and earn a high score!

In GAMER, take on the role of 9-Volt, a kid who’s been sent to bed with his favourite handheld gaming system, but is desperate to get a high score… However his mum is prowling around trying to catch him in the act of staying up past his bedtime! While playing microgames on the GamePad, you’ll need to keep an eye on the TV screen which shows 9-Volt’s bedroom, because you’ll have to pretend to be fast asleep whenever his mum pounces! Try to hide-and-play for as long as possible for a high score - just don’t get caught or it’s game over!

You can also try your luck with Chick-N-Win, the chicken-shaped contraption that lays surprise-filled capsules, and get one of over 200 weird and wonderful toys to play with; each one showcasing something fun or eccentric you can do with your GamePad.

Game & Wario also unveils a new twist on playing with others on Wii U: using only the GamePad you can share the fun with friends or family in four different games in the Multiplayer Mode!

In DISCO, you’ll be battling against a friend toe-to-toe in a dance-off, where the players are setting the pace and moves on the GamePad for points. Each player holds one end of the GamePad and tries to outwit his opponent with fancy fingerwork, rhythmically tapping the touch screen in three places to place moves his opponent needs to replicate... Each misstep earns the player’s opponent points – you’ll need the highest score to win – so make sure you can keep in rhythm!

In FRUIT, up to five players play together in different roles: one player becomes a dastardly fruit thief, using the GamePad to work in secret as the others play agents and watch the TV screen, using their powers of observation to find the thief in a crowd and spot when the fruits disappear. The agents have their work cut out for them with bustling streets, passing traffic and smoky chimneys obscuring the view. At the end of the game, each of the agents pass around the GamePad to point out who they think is the thief; but only the most eagle-eyed may win as the line-up of would-be fruit thieves look rather similar!

In ARTWORK, up to five players compete in a sketching showdown to see who can draw and guess drawings the fastest for a high score. Each player takes turns to sketch prompted words as fast as possible on the GamePad, with the other players guessing what the word might be. It’s a frantic test of communication with friends and family as points are earned both for correct guesses and for drawing fast, as one man’s squiggle is another man’s solution!

This game type is also integrated into Miiverse as Miiverse ARTWORK, where you can select one of four prompts to draw in 60 seconds, after which your mini masterpiece, or hilarious doodle, is posted to Miiverse to be appreciated by all! You can even submit your own words to be prompts for others to draw, which may even trend in the Gallery section of Miiverse Artwork as popular words other players are enjoying sketching!

Game & Wario launches exclusively on Wii U across Australia and New Zealand on 29th June, a fun-filled package of sixteen games and hundreds of toys all showcasing the myriad uses of the Wii U GamePad. Unleash Wario’s unique wares on your family and friends for a winter jam-packed with mischief!

 

MAJOR Wii U UPDATE FEATURES NEW SERVICES & FASTER PERFORMANCE

May 2, 2013 / News

Virtual Console and Wii U Panorama View Also Launch

The next major system update for Nintendo’s Wii U home console is now available for download in Australia and New Zealand. The update delivers a host of enhanced features, such as improved stability and performance. As well as faster load times when switching between applications, the update also laid the groundwork for the launch of the Wii U Virtual Console service which allows Wii U owners to relive some of their favourite games from classic home consoles, as well as the launch of Wii U Panorama View.

Click here to see the Wii U Virtual Console launch trailer...

Below is an overview of what the system update delivers:

Addition of Standby Functions Feature

· This feature enables data for purchased software, system updates and software updates to be downloaded and installed automatically even after the console has been turned off.

Updates to Miiverse

· Controls using the Wii Remote, the Wii U Pro Controller, and the Classic Controller are now supported.

· The input screen for handwritten posts is now also displayed on the TV.

· The input screen for handwritten posts now features an undo/redo button.

Updates to the Internet Browser

· Controls using the Wii Remote and the Wii U Pro Controller are now supported.

· It is now possible to switch search engines when performing a keyword search.

· It is now possible to navigate to the start page from bookmarks.

Update to Nintendo eShop

· When purchasing downloadable software, any available updates for that software will be downloaded at the same time.

Updates to Download Management

· It is now possible to reorder downloads.

· Newly purchased downloadable software will automatically install once the download completes.

Updates to Parental Controls

· The "Viewing Distributed Videos" restriction has been changed to "Entertainment Excluding Games". A screen requiring parental consent will be displayed before the first use of any non-game software (including video-viewing software) or other new service.

Enabled Direct Opening of Wii Menu

· When the Wii U logo is displayed after turning on the console, holding down the B Button on the Wii U GamePad will open the Wii Menu directly. (If no default user has been selected on the console, the user-selection screen will be displayed, and a user must be selected.)

Updates to System Settings

· Under Data Management, two USB storage devices can now be connected to move and/or copy data. You can move and/or copy data between the system memory and a USB storage device or between two USB storage devices. (Up to two USB storage devices can be connected when moving, copying or deleting data. In all other cases, only one USB storage device can be used at a time.)

· Under Data Management, you can now move, copy or delete data for a selection of software titles.

· The TV option now includes the option to adjust the screen size of the display on the TV. (This replaces the similar options previously available within Miiverse, Nintendo eShop, and the Internet Browser, which have now been removed.)

· The "Auto Power-Down" option has been renamed to "Power Settings", which now includes both the auto power-down setting and the new standby functions feature.

Improvements to System Stability and Convenience

· Improvements have been made to system stability and convenience for greater user enjoyment.

· The time required to start the Wii U console, launch built-in applications, exit software and return to the main menu, jump between applications and jump between software and Miiverse has been reduced.

Additional features were also released including:

Virtual Console

A library of quality classic games from NES and Super Nintendo are scheduled for the Virtual Console service on Wii U, with favourites such as Super Mario World, Excitebike, Mario’s Super Picross, F-Zero, Ice Climber, Donkey Kong Jr. and Punch-Out!! available at launch*. Many other gaming classics such as Pac Man, Super Metroid and games from the Mega Man, Street Fighter and Super Mario Bros. series will be available soon, while popular Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 games will also be added in the future.

Each game in the Wii U Virtual Console library has been developed to include off-TV play on the Wii U GamePad, customisable controls, Miiverse community support and the ability to instantly save game progress. NES games will cost AUD $6.50 or NZD $8.50 while Super NES games will cost AUD $10.40 or NZD $13.60. People who have already downloaded these games to their Wii system can transfer them to their Wii U consoles and play them in Wii Mode at no charge. To upgrade and take advantage of the improved Wii U features, they can purchase them at the special discount price of AUD $1.30 or NZD $1.70 for NES games and AUD $1.95 or NZD $2.55 for Super NES games.

Wii U Panorama View

Wii U Panorama View opens a window to the sights and sounds of some of the world’s most exciting destinations. Wii U owners use the GamePad controller to look in every direction to control an immersive 360-degree video guided tour as these destinations come to life from the comfort of your living room. Imagine catching all the sights during a tour of London on a double-decker bus or exploring the streets of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. Four individual video tours are offered for AUD $2.50 or NZD $3.50 each on the Nintendo eShop. An interactive preview is also available for download allowing you to taste the different experiences of the individual tours for free.

In order to perform a System Update the Wii U console needs to be connected to the Internet. Due to the amount of new features and applications included, the System Update may take an extended amount of time when performed during the initial set-up (for some users it could take an hour or more to download and install, for those who have completed the initial set-up this time will be shorter). During this time the Wii U console must not be turned off.

Please visit our Wii U Support website for more details on the System Update process.

 

NINTENDO ANNOUNCES NEW GAMES IN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA & YOSHI'S ISLAND FRANCHISES

Apr 18, 2013 / News

New Nintendo Direct focuses on the increasing roster of Nintendo 3DS games scheduled for release in 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 in Australia and New Zealand. 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 winter in Australia and New Zealand.

To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit: http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect.

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 is now available in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. 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 the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 13th 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 the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on 25th 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.
• 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 winter in Australia and New Zealand.
• 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 the 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 summer in Australia and New Zealand. 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 the game will be released in Australia and New Zealand 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 Australia and New Zealand 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 the 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.

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 Australia and New Zealand 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 Australia or New Zealand.
• 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 winter in Australia and New Zealand during the Year of Luigi.
• Wii U Autumn System Update: Next week’s update will add new functions and enhance existing ones, in addition to launching the Virtual Console service and a free demo of Wii U Panorama View. It shortens loading times when switching between applications or returning to the Wii U Menu.
• 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!

For further details:

Nintendo Direct website http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect

Nintendo Direct on Ustream UK http://www.ustream.tv/NintendoUK

Nintendo AU on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

 

Wii Network Services: Partial Discontinuation

Apr 12, 2013 /

 

 

We at Nintendo sincerely thank you for your continued patronage of our company’s products. We would like to inform you that a portion of the online services offered through the Wii console will be discontinued from 28th June 2013. We apologise to those of you currently using these services.

The affected applications are as follows:

- Nintendo Channel
- News Channel
- Forecast Channel
- Everybody Votes Channel
- Mii Contest Channel
- Data exchange with Wii Friends via WiiConnect24*

* Exchange of Wii messages on the Wii Message Board, exchange of Mii characters on the Mii Channel and message/data exchange within some games will be disabled.

From 28th June 2013, the above services will no longer be available even if they are started up from the Wii Menu. However, services other than those mentioned above, such as the Wii Shop Channel and “Today’s Accomplishments” on the Wii Message Board, will remain available.

Nintendo

 

ENTER LUIGI'S MANSION 2 AND EMBRACE THE FIRST TITLE IN THE 'YEAR OF LUIGI'

Apr 3, 2013 / News

It’s time for Mario’s younger twin brother Luigi to shine, as he stars in Luigi’s Mansion 2, his haunted house adventure only on the Nintendo 3DS family of consoles. Available now, it’s the first title in the Year of Luigi with plenty more to celebrate in the months to come!

Luigi’s Mansion 2 gives you the chance to be the reluctant hero in a cartoon adventure full of personality - even if Luigi can be a bit of a coward! Take on several mansions filled with cheeky ghouls and puzzling contraptions to contend with, on a quest to retrieve the pieces of the Dark Moon. Use the ghost-nabbing Poltergust 5000 vacuum cleaner to round up all the mischievous spirits, or the Dark-Light Device to help reveal tucked-away treasures for your growing collection, from glittering gems to stashes of cash! In addition, enjoy the brand new multiplayer mode where four friends can team up and take on three different challenges in the Thrill Tower both locally and online.

As announced by Nintendo President Satoru Iwata during a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, 2013 is the Year of Luigi with several Luigi-centric titles launching this year. For the Nintendo 3DS family of consoles, a brand new Mario and Luigi RPG title will be coming to Australia and New Zealand this winter. In this game you will enter Luigi’s dreams to solve puzzles or battle swarms of enemies with multiple Luigi characters. Luigi will also be a playable character in Mario Golf: World Tour, teeing off this winter. On Wii U, you can join the Year of Luigi Community on Miiverse right now and share your experiences with Luigi as messages and drawings with fans across the world. Later this year, new downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U will change the game’s existing 80+ courses into all-new courses for a new adventure called New Super Luigi U, with the hero in green as the star!

Check out the latest trailers for Luigi’s Mansion 2 below:

Story Trailer
Puzzle Trailer
New Features Trailer

Celebrate the start of the Year of Luigi with Luigi’s Mansion 2, available both as a download version from Nintendo eShop or as packaged software at retail.

Click here to visit the official gamesite for more information...

 

PREPARE FOR FIRE EMBLEM: AWAKENING WITH THE DEMO AVAILABLE NOW

Apr 3, 2013 / News

Coming soon is the eagerly awaited Nintendo 3DS instalment of Intelligent Systems’ tactical role-playing series Fire Emblem: Awakening. Join the adventure in Australia and New Zealand on the 20th April when packaged and Nintendo eShop versions are launched, or try the demo which is available from Nintendo eShop to give Nintendo 3DS players a taste of the action.

This week you can build a foundation to the saga with detailed information on gameplay, characters and the classes systems at the official Fire Emblem: Awakening website. In addition, you can also read the Iwata Ask: Fire Emblem: Awakening interview with Intelligent Systems.

In Fire Emblem: Awakening, you can create your own character and take him or her on a role-playing adventure. Join Prince Chrom and the Shepherds, and calm the animosity between the kingdoms of Ylisse and Plegia which threaten to turn into war, whilst hordes of undead rise to endanger the world. As commander of your army, devise a plan to rout and crush your enemies in turn-based battles utilising the unique skills of your units. Battles between units are shown as cinematic scenes where you can choose the camera position, for instance to see your finishing blow from a first-person perspective.

Build a formidable army of heroes through allegiances with the many characters you encounter who not only become stronger and more effective from your commands, but also form friendships and marriages to bear children who can fight alongside their parents. So you can choose to play as a matchmaker to bring lovers together, or as a strategist to create the strongest army yet. The progression through your heroes’ relationships makes every player’s game unique. The classic Fire Emblem feature of characters being permanently eliminated if they are defeated in combat is back, however there is the Newcomer Mode where fallen heroes can return to fight in the next battle for RPG fans who want to get into the series.

There are also other radically new features in Fire Emblem: Awakening: you can enjoy lush 3D cutscenes which are fully voiced in English or Japanese, utilise a new tactic where strategically placed characters on the battlefield build Support which increases their relationships and teamwork, and take on the new co-op challenges where you and a friend can connect your Nintendo 3DS and games together locally and take turns in defeating extraordinary enemies.

For the first time in the saga, you will be able to download additional content to expand your adventure via SpotPass and paid-for add-on content available at launch. Via SpotPass you will encounter legendary teams from other Fire Emblem titles in the series, and receive special items, new maps and co-op challenges for free. Via paid-for content you can broaden your core campaign with new battle scenarios that delve deeper into characters’ stories, gain new members in your party and carry over all experience points, items and gold you’ve reaped to your main quest. In addition, the first add-on content map will be free to download for a limited time at launch where you will be able to recruit a special legacy character to your main game!

Fans in Australia and New Zealand have keenly awaited the release of Fire Emblem: Awakening, with US reviewers bestowing glowing reviews, including:

The Escapist, 10 out of 10 –  “A game worth buying a 3DS for.”

IGN, 9.6 out of 10 – “The most fluid and stunning strategy RPG experience available on a portable.”

Metro, 9 out of 10 – “Elevates the series to classic status and in the process creates one of the most engrossing and accessible strategy games ever.”

GameSpot, 8.5 out of 10  – “A gaming gem."

Own this next chapter in the legend as Fire Emblem: Awakening launches across Australia and New Zealand on 20th April, as a traditional packaged copy at retail or as a digital download from Nintendo eShop.

Click here to visit the o fficial Fire Emblem: Awakening gamesite...

 

Fire Emblem: Awakening Demo QR Code

To download the demo, just use the outer cameras of your Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 3DS XL system to scan the QR Code shown here.*

You can find full details of how to scan the QR Code here.

* A wireless Internet connection is required to download software from Nintendo eShop.

QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.