2013's releases for the Wii U and 3DS

Today, or yesterday, (actually since I live in Australia I have no idea) Nintendo released new Nintendo Direct clips for Europe, North America and Japan. Lots of new gameplay footage has been revealed in these videos, but probably more importantly we have found when many games are releasing for Europe and the USA!

Now, I know that Paper Mario: Sticker Star is already out, but surprisingly (even though it is a Mario game) I actually don't like Paper Mario games much, so I've pretty much ignored the game. Sorry if you're an RPG fanatic, but you'd probably prefer the Mario and Luigi series anyway.

We've been waiting years for a new Luigi's Mansion game!

Still, the new game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is coming to the 3DS soon, and is joined by games such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Fire Emblem: Awakening and Castlevania: Lord of Shadows to make for an impressive year of 3DS releases. Though, the Wii U isn't forgotten with Pikmin 3, Wii Fit U and LEGO City: Undercover coming soon. Here's an overview of the release dates:

• Fire Emblem: Awakening - April 2013 (EU), February 4th 2013 (NA)
• Brain Age: Concentration Training - February 10th 2013 (NA), March 8th 2013 (EU)
• Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon - March 2013 (EU)
• Wii Fit U - 1st half of 2013 (NA)
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Q2 2013 (EU)
• Pikmin 3 - Q2 2013 (NA & EU)
• Lego City: Undercover - early 2013 (NA)
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow- Mirror of Fate - March 2013 (EU)

Personally, my most anticipated games are LEGO City: Undercover, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Pikmin 3. Unfortunately, I wont be getting these games for a while. Still, it's nice to know when they're releasing!

I got my Wii U (and Nintendo Land)

Well, I haven't posted anything in a week or so, and hopefully you'll understand that it's for a perfectly valid reason- I got my Wii U.

I was going to do the typical Mario fan thing and just get Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U with my new console, but I then I found an awesome deal that got me Tekken Tag Tournament 2 half price! Unfortunately, I have only really played Nintendo Land enough so far to forge an opinion on the game, and that opinion is- it is AWESOME!

Nintendo Land may only have 12 attractions in it, but those attractions are insanely fun and actually each have quite a few stages, improving longevity. While my favourite attractions may be Animal Crossing: Sweet Day and Metroid Blast!, this IS a blog about Mario, and i've played Mario Chase to death! For those of you who don't know, Mario Chase is a minigame which is essentially a form of tag where four players chase down Mario, who is playing off the gamepad. As the chasers can't see the Gamepad, they have no idea where Mario is and have to hunt him down and catch him themselves. While Mario Chase is fun, it only has three stages, and you can probably see all the attraction has to offer within half an hour. Still, I have played it well over that amount of time, and it is incredibly addictive. While new players can pick this up quickly, it takes a long time to get to the point where everyone can co-operate to a point where they can corner and capture Mario together.

That is just one of twelve attractions in Nintendo Land, and the rest are just as great! Although, it is important to remember that only 6 attractions are multiplayer. Still, it is a game that I would definitely recommend alongside New Super Mario Bros. U, which I may do a mini review of later.

New Super Mario Bros. U looks amazing!

New Super Mario Bros. U probably has some of the most underrated graphics out there! Sure, a 2D Mario game isn't the best way to show off the Wii U's power, but I couldn't help but notice the artistic look in this game.

Van Gogh anyone?

Pretty nice art, eh? Well the lucky people at IGN have already got a Wii U and are playing through these awesome levels...

I recommend you watch the videos I linked above as it is some pretty awesome gameplay footage. The only problem is that in the first video they didn't get a 1-Up! I was on the verge of crying...

Why U should buy NEW Super Mario Bros. U!

So, as i'm getting back into this blogging business (after all those months), I may be a bit slow on the news. But, if you've been living under a 1-D rock for the past few months, then there may be this incredibly awesome launch game for the Wii U coming out in just 7 days! And, it's called New Super Mario Bros. U!

Sounds familiar, right? That's because IT IS familiar, pretty much the same game has already come out for the DS, Wii and 3DS. Still, more of the same isn't always bad, especially if the same thing is Mario! Anyway, there are a few differences between this game and previous instalments in the New Super Mario Bros. instalments. For example, there's a chain chomp in the image above, and they're pretty awesome! Also, for fans of Super Mario World (like me), Yoshi makes a triumphant return in this game!

Yeah, I don't remember Yoshi ever turning into a balloon either, but it's Mario! So who cares? 

Anyway, rest assured this will be an awesome game, and well worth all the money that I'm spending on a Wii U. Don't forget to check back later for more exciting news on this game as it nears release!

I'm Still Blogging... and 10 Reasons to buy the Wii U!

Hello there loyal followers (or lack thereof)...

I'm just checking that you're aware that I'm still alive, and that I haven't completely disappeared off the internet. I'm just busy, which is kind of funny because at the moment I'm more busy now then ever yet I'm finally writing a post now! (That's procrastination for you!) Don't worry, Mario still rocks and let's say I have a nice box coming in 20 days...

Yeah yeah, if you live in the USA then you'll get a Wii U in just over a week, and I am VERY jealous, but at least I'm getting one, and it's shiny!

Despite some saying it's "last-gen" and it will be "outdated in more than a year", I believe that the console will be well worth the investment. Why? Here's ten reasons-

1. Pikmin 3
2. NEW Super Mario Bros. U
3. Miiverse
4. It's shiny!!!
5. Nintendoland- face it, you want it!
6. The inevitable must buy games- Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, etc.
7. Third party support- Rayman Legends, Zombi U, Mass Effect 3 Wii U Edition, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.
8. Ridiculous Nintendo costumes in Tekken Tag Tournament 2! (View more here!)
9. Platinum Games's Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta 2!
10. That controller!

What is Retro Studios Working On?

Today it was rumoured that Retro Studio's next game will have a hand-painted artstyle. Of course, this has got fans of Retro's Metroid Prime games very excited, even though it has been rumoured that it won't even be a Metroid game, but one starring a different Nintendo character.

So, what is it?

Well, it could be anything, but here's some ideas-

It Could Be-

• Zelda 3DS- It has been reported that a new 3DS Zelda game that plays differently to other Zelda games is in the works, and Retro might be the one to make it! Also, Shigeru, creator of the Zelda franchise suggested that Retro Studios would make a great Zelda game.
• DK Country 3DS- After making Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii, Retro is in great shape for a 3DS sequel.
• New Star Fox Game- Well, it IS about time a new Starfox game was made! Also, Official Nintendo Magazine hinted at it when it said "Maybe it's time for Retro to do a barrel roll of a different kind!"
• Pikmin 3- I don't know why but why couldn't it be?

It Won't Be-

• Skyward Sword 2- There already is a Zelda game planned for the Wii U, and they wouldn't be making a second one.
• Mario Paint 2- Sorry MP diehards.

Well, whatever it is, we will probably know at the end of this year's E3!

Mario On The Wii U

The Wii U is inarguably the main thing to come out of Nintendo this year. Currently there have been many games revealed for it including a Rabbids game, Pikmin 3, a version of Batman: Arkham City and a Darksiders game announced among others. But where are the Mario games? Below is a list of Mario's outings on the Wii U-

New Super Mario Bros. Mii
This was one of many Wii U demos available at E3 2011, and was surely one of the most eye-catching! New Super Mario Bros. Mii is pretty much the same as any other 2D platformer, except the graphics are stunning and you can play as your own Mii! This one is already sold!

Untitled Super Smash Bros.
Talking about "sold", while this game may not even have a name yet I am bursting with excitement for this. So is the internet, with rumours about the characters and stages in this game sprouting up everywhere! Plus, this game will ALSO be available for the 3DS!

Super Mario ~~~~
Insert your own name here as nothing is known about it apart from that the same team behind the Super Mario Galaxy games is making it. Will it be Super Mario Galaxy 3, Super Mario Sunshine 2 or Super Mario Planet? Only time will tell...

Miyamoto is Making a New Franchise!

Shigeru Miyamoto, president of Nintendo and the creator of the Mario, Zelda and Star Fox series among others, is currently designing a brand new game series! This is very exciting news for people like me who LOVE HIS GAMES!!!

Little has been said about this new IP apart from the fact that it will be a cartoony game rather than realistic. But odds are it is designed with the new Wii U controller in mind.

I doubt this game will be the next Mario or Zelda series but one thing is for sure, I am going to get it!

Miyamoto = Legend

Happy New Year!

That's right, it's now officially 2012, and today I am going on holidays for a week, over to a place with no internet connection. I know, it's terrible, isn't it?

On the Mario side of my life, for Christmas I received a copy of Super Mario 3D Land, which is downright amazing. I would say that if you do not currently have Super Mario 3D Land, get it!

But Super Mario 3D Land is only the beginning, I reckon this year will be the "Year of the Mario" as it marks the return of Mario Party, the release of the Wii U and the rise of the 3DS with Mario Tennis, Paper Mario 3DS and Luigi's Mansion 2 due to be released.

I've even designed a corny poster for it-