New Nintendo Direct on April 1st, 2015

[Tanooki]

Given how near E3 is just 2 months out this is a solid direct. There's good stuff listed, but I'm mildly ticked Attack on Titan is a download only as I loathe buying games that way on closed networks, especially theirs where games are not even on an account.

NX is something you shouldn't expect until 2017 so it won't even be relevant other than random related junk. I wouldn't expect a real E3 showing on that until another year. New3DS got rushed out due to their behind the scenes deal with DENA and their networking setup for Nintendo. Hopefully we see finally a true Nintendo account network that'll collaborate over N3DS, 3DS, WiiU, Android, iOS, PC, etc. That'll really help them get their house in order and up with the times.

I'm looking forward to Puzzle and Dragons not being saddled with IAP timers like on the phone as it's a solid game. Xenoblade though comes first, never bought it on Wii as I was fed up with it by the time the game arrived.

[dogman91]

TBH I wouldn't be surprised if the whole E3 is simply about what they're working on for mobile games, and having minimal announcements for Wii U outside a Zelda update or some DLC.

[fastbilly1]

They unlock missions and gear that you can only get by using the Amiibo, there is no other way to get them. Physical DLC keys, the dream is alive! In Canada Splatoon is priced at $69.99 currently, and the 3 pack of Amiibo at $35. That's $117.59 with tax. LOL

Well crap.

[Sarge]

I really, really hope that they make some of this available without amiibo, so I don't have to clutter my gaming room with lots of figurines that I really don't want.

I mean, I like a few of them, for sure! I've got a Link one, and want a Kirby. My brother has a Samus. I just don't want to need it for significant unlocks in all my games.

[Opa Opa]

They unlock missions and gear that you can only get by using the Amiibo, there is no other way to get them. Physical DLC keys, the dream is alive! In Canada Splatoon is priced at $69.99 currently, and the 3 pack of Amiibo at $35. That's $117.59 with tax. LOL

Don't forget the inevitable season pass for "new maps and content". $70 (CAN) + 35 + 30 (?) = Profit

Nintendo is getting so hardcore with their DLC even Capcom is blushing.

[Jagosaurus]

I haven't watched yet but on Nintendo's YouTube channel, along side their direct vids uploaded, they posted a teaser trailer for Dementium Remastered.

Pretty cool. Not a lot of horror on the DS & 3DS so happy to see this.

Renegade Kid did a nice job on the Moon Chronicles overhaul. I'll be buying this but hopefully it's not in episodes this time.

[samsonlonghair]

Amiibo, amiibo, amiibo!

I'm still excited for Mario Maker. That's the game that could make me buy a WiiU as far as I'm concerned.

Boxboy by HAL labs looks like a retro throwback to the original black & white Gameboy, complete with tetris blocks. Consider me interested.

It's about damn time Nintendo released N64 games on WiiU virtual console. That was a launch feature for the wii back in 2006. I'm not sure why Nintendo hasn't mentioned anything about using the Gamecube controller adapter for this feature. It seems obvious to me.

Speaking of obvious, I've been saying for a long time that DS games should obviously be playable on the two screens of the WiiU. I feel vindicated now.

The NFC reader for old 3DS and 2DS units is a head scratcher. On one hand, it encourages more 3DS owners to waste more money on more amiibos. On the other hand, that NFC reader is more reason NOT to buy a new 3DS.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Amiibo, amiibo, amiibo!

I'm still excited for Mario Maker. That's the game that could make me buy a WiiU as far as I'm concerned.

Boxboy by HAL labs looks like a retro throwback to the original black & white Gameboy, complete with tetris blocks. Consider me interested.

It's about damn time Nintendo released N64 games on WiiU virtual console. That was a launch feature for the wii back in 2006. I'm not sure why Nintendo hasn't mentioned anything about using the Gamecube controller adapter for this feature. It seems obvious to me.

Speaking of obvious, I've been saying for a long time that DS games should obviously be playable on the two screens of the WiiU. I feel vindicated now.

The NFC reader for old 3DS and 2DS units is a head scratcher. On one hand, it encourages more 3DS owners to waste more money on more amiibos. On the other hand, that NFC reader is more reason NOT to buy a new 3DS.

The virtual console situation is a bit trickier than you think. The layout of the Gamepad/pro controller isn't quite the same as an N64 controller and I could see them trying to give people the most comfortable layout as possible by having to implement the various button configurations that you can set. I think they wanted to try and get it just right. The same thing goes for the DS. I think that Nintendo wanted to provide as many options to the player on how they play the DS Virtual console and with that it takes time.

The NFC reader makes sense though when you think about it. Games that have amiibo integration like Project S.T.E.A.M. and Smash Bros. are available on the 3DS. If you have those games and don't feel pressured to buy a new 3DS would you be upset that those features are unavailable to you?

[retrosportsgamer]

Interesting, I incorrectly assumed Yoshi's Island DS was a 3DS only VC title.

[samsonlonghair]

Amiibo, amiibo, amiibo!

I'm still excited for Mario Maker. That's the game that could make me buy a WiiU as far as I'm concerned.

Boxboy by HAL labs looks like a retro throwback to the original black & white Gameboy, complete with tetris blocks. Consider me interested.

It's about damn time Nintendo released N64 games on WiiU virtual console. That was a launch feature for the wii back in 2006. I'm not sure why Nintendo hasn't mentioned anything about using the Gamecube controller adapter for this feature. It seems obvious to me.

Speaking of obvious, I've been saying for a long time that DS games should obviously be playable on the two screens of the WiiU. I feel vindicated now.

The NFC reader for old 3DS and 2DS units is a head scratcher. On one hand, it encourages more 3DS owners to waste more money on more amiibos. On the other hand, that NFC reader is more reason NOT to buy a new 3DS.

The virtual console situation is a bit trickier than you think. The layout of the Gamepad/pro controller isn't quite the same as an N64 controller and I could see them trying to give people the most comfortable layout as possible by having to implement the various button configurations that you can set. I think they wanted to try and get it just right.

That's exactly why Nintendo should incorporate the Gamecube controller adapter. Gamecube controllers are, in my humble opinion, a pretty good stand in for the N64 controller. In many cases, I prefer using the GCN controller over the N64 controller.

The NFC reader makes sense though when you think about it. Games that have amiibo integration like Project S.T.E.A.M. and Smash Bros. are available on the 3DS. If you have those games and don't feel pressured to buy a new 3DS would you be upset that those features are unavailable to you?

That's the thing, Nintendo SHOULD be pressuring you into buying a new 3DS. Big N should say, "look at this cool amiibo reading feature! You can only get this feature by buying a new 3DS." Instead Big N is saying, "You know that new feature that was exclusive to the new 3DS for a month? Now you don't need to buy a new 3DS to utilize that feature." This is one less reason for the consumer to upgrade.