Here’s Every eShop Title From Today’s Nintendo Direct

During today's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo showed off a wide selection of indie titles coming to eShop in the near future.

Gameplay was shown off for Octodad: Dadliest Catch, which was announced at the beginning of March, along with Mutant Mudds: Super Challenge, which was announced in January. Nintendo then rolled the tape on a barrage of titles coming to the eShop, including familiar names like Race the Sun and Never Alone.

Buying Mutant Mudds: Super Challenge on 3DS entitles you to a code to download the game for Wii U as well, similar to the cross-buy promotion for Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars announced earlier in the year.

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Still Miss Firefly? Check Out Rebel Galaxy

From the brief sample I’ve had so far, Rebel Galaxy has already become one of my personal most-anticipated games of 2015. Developed by Double Damage Games (a small team that broke off from Torchlight developer Runic) this space-combat-based action RPG looks tailor-made for anybody whose favorite Star Wars character is Han Solo and still carries a grudge against Fox for canceling Firefly. So basically: me.

There’s a story that you’ll run through (of which I’ve seen only non-spoilery snippets so far), but what’s more interesting is that it takes place in a large, dynamically generated area of space that you’re free to roam and explore. Space feels big, but not empty - in my demo there was definitely no shortage of pirates to fend off and miners and traders to prey on (if you’re into that) and it was densely populated with colorful nebulae, asteroids, planets, and space stations that contribute to a busy backdrop instead of a blank void.

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Mario Kart 8 Is Getting a 200cc Mode

A 200cc mode is coming to Mario Kart 8, Nintendo announced today during its Direct presentation.

200cc is 50cc faster than the series' previous maximum. Nintendo added that when racing at such high speeds, it will be important to master your braking skills.

200cc

Every course in the game will allow the 200cc class, and the free update is coming on April 23 alongside Mario Kart 8's second DLC pack, which was detailed today as well.

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Mario Kart 8’s DLC is Coming in April

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced today that Mario Kart 8’s previously announced DLC has been moved up for an April 23 release.

The company unveiled a first look at the new Animal Crossing course during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. The course features seasons that will switch each time you race. Nintendo also showed off two new rides: a new bike called the City Tripper and the Streetle, a kart that’s shaped like a beetle.

The previously announced Animal Crossing DLC pack includes playable versions of male (and female) Villager, Isabelle, and Dry Bowser. It also includes 8 new courses in the Crossing and Bell cups.

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Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader Gets a North American Release Window

If you don’t have a fancy New Nintendo 3DS, don’t worry: you can still use your amiibo with your handheld using an NFC adapter.

Nintendo announced the NFC reader adapter last year, and we haven’t heard much about it since then. Now, we know it’s coming this fall on the same day as the newly-announced Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. If you’re curious how it's changed, take a look at the new design first, followed by the original image.

nfc reader

puck

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New Animal Crossing is the First Amiibo Game to Use Cards

Nintendo announced a new Animal Crossing game is coming to 3DS this Fall, and it will be the first game to support card-based amiibo.

cards

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer focuses on decorating and designing homes. Animal villagers will request a specific home designed around their tastes. Scanning an Animal Crossing amiibo card will allow you to create a home for the villager on the card. After designing the home, you can scan other cards to invite other animals over to visit it and watch them interact with each other or even take a photo.

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New Fire Emblem for 3DS Coming in 2016

Nintendo has shared new story details and a release year for the upcoming Fire Emblem 3DS game.

During today’s Direct, it was confirmed that the new Fire Emblem (awaiting an official name) is coming to North America in 2016. The Japanese version is still coming in 2015, as per a recent Nintendo Direct, where it’s officially called Fire Emblem: if.

Nintendo said in most Fire Emblem games, the character is more like a “second protagonist,” or  a partner. This time, your creation will be the main protagonist.

Your character will be a child born at the intersection of two distinct kingdoms: the peaceful Hoshido, and the bold, glory-seeking Nohr. Depending on which path you choose to follow, you’ll see a much different story.

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Two New StreetPass Games Coming to 3DS

Two new StreetPass games are coming to 3DS, alongside a new VIP premium Mii plaza, on April 16.

Announced during today’s Nintendo Direct, Ultimate Angler is a fishing game that takes place on the StreetPass Islands. To catch fish, you must use bait earned by StreetPassing other players. Over 150 fish are available, in addition to a few legendary monsters.

fishing

The second game, Battleground Z, is an action game where the player’s Mii battles against hordes of zombies. Your Mii gets items based on its hobby, and there are 26 makeshift weapons you can use to fight the undead.

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Code Name STEAM Update Speeds Up Enemy Turns

Nintendo announced an update for Code Name STEAM, a turn-based action game released last month, would receive an update that will speed up Enemy Turns.

Players will be able to use a fast forward button to speed up an enemy turn by 2x times on 3DS and 3x faster on New Nintendo 3DS. The company said it would announce specific details on its social media channels soon.

We reviewed Code Name STEAM last month, where it received a 7.9 on the IGN scale.

Nintendo also announced the release schedule for Nintendo 64 and DS games on Wii U, that Splatoon will receive a dedicated amiibo line, that Mario Maker is coming in September, and that Lucas would rejoin the Smash Bros. roster.

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