Polygon - Little Mac in Smash, the latest on X, Mario Kart 8 and more from Nintendo Directhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/42931/favicon.ico2014-02-13T18:00:03-05:00http://www.polygon.com/rss/stream/51735852014-02-13T18:00:03-05:002014-02-13T18:00:03-05:00How Nintendo is experimenting with in-game haggling, free-to-play on 3DS
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<p>There's no denying that Nintendo's had it rough these <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/17/5318220/nintendo-forecasts-335m-operating-loss">past few months</a>, to say nothing of the <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/17/5318416/iwata-says-he-wont-resign-following-nintendos-ongoing-fiscal-issues">last few years</a>. </p>
<p>In the wake of financial loss and turmoil, however, the company's appetite for experimentation has hardly been curbed — especially when it comes to its ever-improving handheld system, Nintendo 3DS. With upcoming titles<i> Steel Diver: Sub Wars</i> and <i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i>, Nintendo is testing the changing waters of digital distribution.</p>
<p>Or, to be more accurate, it's playing.</p>
<p>During a recent demo in San Francisco, senior product marketing specialist JC Rodrigo told Polygon that Nintendo is pushing "every possible norm" to see what lands with consumers.</p>
<p>To start with, there's Nintendo's upcoming download-only title,<i> Steel...</i></p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5405938/how-nintendo-plans-to-push-digital-distribution-into-new-territory">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5405938/how-nintendo-plans-to-push-digital-distribution-into-new-territoryMegan Farokhmanesh2014-02-13T17:48:57-05:002014-02-13T17:48:57-05:00Bayonetta 2 trailer shows off story, new witchy powers (update)
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<p><i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/game/bayonetta-2/13681">Bayonetta 2</a></i>, Platinum Games' sequel to its third-person action game from early 2010, gives the titular heroine new magical powers, as seen in a trailer shown during a Nintendo Direct presentation today.</p>
<p>The "Did You Miss Me?" trailer sets up the game's story, which originates in a struggle between two clans 500 years prior to the events of the game, the Umbra Witches and Lumen Sages. The latter group was thought to be extinct, but Bayonetta faces off against one near the end of the trailer. One of the new abilities she has in <i>Bayonetta 2</i> is Umbran Climax, which allows her to build up power and unleash it in a single strong attack. You can watch the trailer below.</p>
<p>Nintendo originally revealed <i>Bayonetta 2</i> in 2012, and said during E3 2013...</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409370/bayonetta-2-trailer-story-new-witchy-powers">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409370/bayonetta-2-trailer-story-new-witchy-powersSamit Sarkar2014-02-13T17:44:00-05:002014-02-13T17:44:00-05:00Game Boy Advance games hitting Wii U Virtual Console in April
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<p>Game Boy Advance games are coming to the Wii U Virtual Console beginning in April in the U.S. and April 3 in Japan, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced today in a Nintendo Direct event.</p>
<p>Wii U users will have access to classic titles such <i>Metroid Fusion</i>. Confirmed GBA titles for the U.S. Wii U Virtual Console include <i>Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (</i>known as <i>Mario & Luigi RPG</i> in Japan) and <i>Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3</i>. Additional games will be added to the Virtual Console every month, according to Nintendo.</p>
<p>The first round of GBA titles hitting the Japanese Wii U Virtual Console on April 3 include <i>Super Mario World, WarioWare, Golden Sun, F-Zero</i> and <i>Advance Wars.</i> April 30 will see the addition of <i>The Legend of Zelda:...</i></p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409610/game-boy-advance-games-hitting-wii-u-virtual-console-in-april">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409610/game-boy-advance-games-hitting-wii-u-virtual-console-in-aprilJenna Pitcher2014-02-13T17:40:45-05:002014-02-13T17:40:45-05:00Monolith's X uses upgraded version of Xenoblade Chronicles' combat system
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<p>Monolith Soft's <i>X</i>, the successor to Japanese science fiction role-playing game <i>Xenoblade Chronicles</i>, borrows from its predecessor's combat system, it was announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation today.</p>
<p>Footage shown during the presentation shows characters engaging in combat in real-time and piloting giant mechs against massive creatures. The game's battle system is based on that from <i>Xenoblade Chronicles, </i>but with "more polish," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said.</p>
<p>The game, known for now as <i>X</i>, <i> </i>was <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/23/3907060/xenoblade-chronicles-sequel-wii-u-monolith-soft" target="_blank">announced</a> in a Nintendo Direct presentation in Jan. 2013. Development on the title is being led by Monolith Soft studio head and <i>Xenoblade Chronicles</i> director Tetsuya Takahashi.<i> Xenogears</i> and <i>Xenosaga Episode 1</i> character designer...</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5408432/monolith-soft-x-rpg-combat-system-details">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5408432/monolith-soft-x-rpg-combat-system-detailsAlexa Ray Corriea2014-02-13T17:37:07-05:002014-02-13T17:37:07-05:00NES Remix 2 mashes up more 8-bit Nintendo classics, includes Super Luigi Bros.
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<p>Nintendo will release a sequel to <a href="http://www.polygon.com/game/nes-remix/35895"><i>NES Remix</i></a> for Wii U in April, mashing up even more classic NES games, like <i>Super Mario Bros. 3</i>, <i>Metroid</i>, <i>Kirby's Adventure, Metroid</i> and other 8-bit titles, in a series of mini-game challenges.</p>
<p><i>NES Remix 2</i> will also include a separate game, <i>Super Luigi Bros.</i>, which makes Luigi the star of the NES platformer and has players walking from right to left in a mirrored version of the game. Other NES classics that will serve as fodder for gameplay remixing in the sequel include <i>Punch-Out!!</i>, <i>Dr. Mario</i>, <i>Ice Hockey</i> and both versions of <i>Super Mario Bros. 2</i>.</p>
<p><i>NES Remix 2</i> is coming to Wii U on April 25 in North America for $14.99.</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409584/nes-remix-2-mashes-up-more-8-bit-nintendo-classics-includes-super">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409584/nes-remix-2-mashes-up-more-8-bit-nintendo-classics-includes-superMichael McWhertor2014-02-13T17:36:38-05:002014-02-13T17:36:38-05:00Mario Kart 8 launches May 30 with Koopa Kids
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<p><i>Mario Kart 8 </i>will be released on May 30, Nintendo revealed today during a Nintendo Direct event.</p>
<p>A trailer accompanying the announcement showcased a horde of new racers: Bowser's Koopaling minions Iggy, Larry, Lemmy, Ludwig, Morton, Roy and Wendy. You can watch that trailer below.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/29/5359580/mario-kart-8-coming-to-wii-u-in-may">Nintendo announced</a> last month that the game was headed to Wii U consoles around the world in May. The kart racing franchise's next installment will incorporate anti-gravity mechanics, which will allow sideways and upside-down tracks. You can learn more about <i>Mario Kart 8</i>'s gravity defying take on the franchise in <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/11/4412936/mario-kart-8-wii-u-preview-e3-2013">our hands-on impressions</a> from E3 2013.</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5408168/mario-kart-8-release-date">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5408168/mario-kart-8-release-dateDave Tach2014-02-13T17:35:31-05:002014-02-13T17:35:31-05:00Here's the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze launch trailer
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<p><i><a href="/game/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze/13685" class="sbn-auto-link">Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze</a></i> publisher Nintendo premiered the game's launch trailer today during a Nintendo Direct presentation.</p>
<p>The trailer shows off a wide variety of levels from the sea to the sky, as well as co-op partners like Cranky Kong. You can watch the trailer below.</p>
<p><i>Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze</i> was originally scheduled to launch last December, but in October, Nintendo <a target="new" href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/1/4790676/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-delay">delayed the game</a>; it will now be released <a target="new" href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/7/5186596/cranky-kong-playable-donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-vgx">Feb. 21</a> in North America. For more, check out our <a target="new" href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/18/5201940/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze">hands-on preview</a> from December.</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409426/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-launch-trailer">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409426/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-launch-trailerSamit Sarkar2014-02-13T17:32:06-05:002014-02-13T17:32:06-05:00Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy trailer tells Emmy's story
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<p><i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/game/professor-layton-and-the-azran-legacies/10123">Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy</a></i> concludes the story arc featuring the professor's friend Emmy Altava, and a new trailer shown during today's Nintendo Direct presentation focuses on her.</p>
<p>In the trailer below, Altava recounts her journey with the professor and his apprentice, Luke, over the course of <i>Azran Legacy</i> and the two games before it. <i>Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy</i>, the third and final title in the second <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/franchise/professor-layton/704">Professor Layton</a> trilogy, is set for release on <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/11/13/5099808/professor-layton-and-the-azran-legacy-release-date" target="_blank">Feb. 28 in North America</a> on Nintendo 3DS.</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409462/professor-layton-and-the-azran-legacy-trailer-emmy-story">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/13/5409462/professor-layton-and-the-azran-legacy-trailer-emmy-storySamit Sarkar