Polygon - Nintendo reveals its spring 3DS and Wii U line-uphttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/42931/favicon.ico2015-01-15T11:00:02-05:00http://www.polygon.com/rss/stream/73090062015-01-15T11:00:02-05:002015-01-15T11:00:02-05:00The new Nintendo 3DS XL handles like a dream
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<p>The <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7540289/new-nintendo-3ds">New Nintendo 3DS XL</a> is launching in about a month, on Feb. 13. At a recent preview event for the new hardware, I was able to get hands-on time with the unit, while playing new builds of <em><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/game/the-legend-of-zelda-majora-s-mask/6304">The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D</a></em> and <em><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/game/code-name-steam/37490">Code Name: STEAM</a></em>.</p>
<p>The most obvious thing about the new unit is its size — it's just a bit bigger than the existing XL unit, and a bit thinner. It has a decent heft to it, so if you're used to the "regular" 3DS, you may be in for a slight surprise. The top screen appears sharper than the existing XL's, however, and the sleek black case is a huge improvement over the cheaper-looking plastic used in the older XL models.</p>
<p>There are new triggers on the back of the unit — ZL and ZR triggers, but the new button that...</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/15/7551027/new-3ds-xl-nintendo-zelda">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/15/7551027/new-3ds-xl-nintendo-zeldaDanielle Riendeau2015-01-15T11:00:02-05:002015-01-15T11:00:02-05:00The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D stands the test of time
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<p><em><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/game/the-legend-of-zelda-majora-s-mask/6304">The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask</a></em> has always stood apart from the other 3D Zelda games. After the almost universal crowd pleaser that was <em>Ocarina of Time</em> — the game that essentially reinvented the Zelda series into 3D — <em>Majora's Mask</em> arrived in 2000 as an odd, alt-universe side story. With a time travel mechanic that had players repeat a series of three days in order to avert a horrific apocalypse, there was somber streak to the game. Sure, you could be the hero — but only after you saw the end of the world a few dozen times.</p>
<p>That experience — innovative, slightly weird and definitely different for a series that plays it safe with its core formula — will arrive in a few short weeks on the Nintendo 3DS. From what I played in a long...</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/15/7550883/zelda-majoras-mask-3d-3ds-hands-on-video">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/15/7550883/zelda-majoras-mask-3d-3ds-hands-on-videoDanielle Riendeau2015-01-14T16:50:27-05:002015-01-14T16:50:27-05:00New Nintendo 3DS XL doesn't include an AC adapter, and you should get the official one
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<p>Nintendo is releasing the <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7540289/new-nintendo-3ds">New Nintendo 3DS XL</a> without an AC adapter in the box in North America and Europe, so buyers who don't already own a DSi or 3DS (and their associated charger) will have to purchase an AC adapter separately. Nintendo explained the decision to Polygon as a cost-cutting measure.</p>
<p>"Rather than raise cost of New Nintendo 3DS XL by charging consumers for a component they may already own, we are giving them the option to only buy if they need an AC adapter," a Nintendo representative told Polygon. The spokesperson noted that the New 3DS XL is compatible with the same AC adapter used by all 2DS, 3DS, 3DS XL, DSi and DSi XL devices.</p>
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<span class="s-must-read__article-title"> <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545423/nintendo-amiibo-2015">Nintendo in 2015 is all about toys, add-ons and above...</a></span>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7547465/new-nintendo-3ds-xl-charger-ac-adapter-warranty">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7547465/new-nintendo-3ds-xl-charger-ac-adapter-warrantySamit Sarkar2015-01-14T13:32:16-05:002015-01-14T13:32:16-05:00These are Nintendo's spring 2015 amiibos and their compatible games
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<p>Nintendo has six new amiibos scheduled for release this spring, and the NFC-powered figures will be compatible with multiple games.</p>
<p><i>EarthBound</i>'s Ness, Fire Emblem's Robin and Lucina, Pokémon's Charizard, as well as Pac-Man and Wario will receive the action figure treatment, according to <a href="http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/compatibility/">Nintendo's amiibo chart</a>.</p>
<p>Each figure will work with <a href="http://www.polygon.com/game/hyrule-warriors/35890"><i>Hyrule Warriors</i></a>, <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545219/mario-party-wii-u-release-date"><i>Mario Party 10</i></a>, <a href="http://www.polygon.com/game/super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds/13740"><i>Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS</i></a> and <a href="http://www.polygon.com/game/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/8637"><i>Super Smash Bros. for Wii U</i></a>. As <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7544583/code-name-steam-release-date-amiibo-fire-emblem">previously announced</a>, Robin and Lucina will also be able to enter <a href="http://www.polygon.com/game/code-name-steam/37490"><i>Code Name: STEAM</i></a>.</p>
<p>During a Nintendo Direct event today, Nintendo also announced a series of <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545223/mario-series-amiibos-toad-mario-party-10-release-date">Mario series amiibos</a> set for a March 20 release.</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545913/amibo-spring-2015">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545913/amibo-spring-2015Dave Tach2015-01-14T12:15:48-05:002015-01-14T12:15:48-05:00New Rhythm Heaven coming to Nintendo 3DS in 2015
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<p>Nintendo will release a new Rhythm Heaven game for Nintendo 3DS in Japan this year, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced during today's Japanese Nintendo Direct.</p>
<p><i>Rhythm Heaven</i> for 3DS will include more than 100 timing-based musical minigames, 70 of which are pulled from previous entries in the series. Iwata showed a selection of minigames adapted from the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and Wii Rhythm Heaven games and promised 30 new minigames. New games include robot ballroom dancing and a conversation between an alien jellyfish and an astronaut.</p>
<p>The 3DS version of <i>Rhythm Heaven</i> is slated for release this summer in Japan. A North American release was not announced during this morning's Nintendo Direct.</p>
<p>For a peek at <i>Rhythm Heaven...</i></p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7546175/new-rhythm-heaven-coming-to-nintendo-3ds-in-2015">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7546175/new-rhythm-heaven-coming-to-nintendo-3ds-in-2015Michael McWhertor2015-01-14T11:45:02-05:002015-01-14T11:45:02-05:00Majora's Mask 3DS XL sold out in 15 minutes on GameStop's site, stores too [update]
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<p>Nintendo's <i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="/game/the-legend-of-zelda-majora-s-mask/6304">The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask</a></i>-themed New Nintendo 3DS XL sold out on <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=nOD%2FrLJHOac&mid=24348&u1=polygon&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamestop.com%2Fnintendo-3ds%2Fconsoles%2Fnintendo-new-3ds-xl-majoras-mask-edition%2F119888" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">GameStop's website</a> in 15 minutes, a store spokesperson told Polygon this morning.</p>
<p>"Online, the <i>[Majora's] Mask</i> bundle sold out within 15 minutes," an official said. "However, customers can still order one by visiting any of our stores. This order will have to be paid in-full at a store, and can be shipped to the customers home, rather than having to go to the store for pick-up."</p>
<p>Both the special 3DS XL and the remake of <i>Majora's Mask</i> <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545345/the-legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask-3d-launches-feb-13">arrive on Feb. 13</a>. The handheld costs $199.99, the same as the standard models of the New 3DS XL, and does not come with <i>Majora's Mask 3D</i>.</p>
<p><b>Update</b>: The 3DS XL is now sold out at GameStop stores as well, a rep tells...</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545893/majoras-mask-3ds-xl-sold-out-online-gamestop">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545893/majoras-mask-3ds-xl-sold-out-online-gamestopBrian Crecente2015-01-14T11:30:02-05:002015-01-14T11:30:02-05:00Nintendo in 2015 is all about toys, add-ons and above all, profit
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<p>Nintendo <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7544965/nintendo-reveals-its-spring-3ds-and-wii-u-line-up">crammed a ton into its latest Nintendo Direct presentation</a>, almost to the point of absurdity. There's much to think about here, but what are the big lessons that Nintendo seems to be learning?</p>
<p>The company is doing a great job of ramping up amiibo integration, and the addition of near-field communication to the New 3DS XL hardware is a big part of that initiative. Adding amiibo support to existing games, including <i><a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/12/1/7312633/captain-toad-treasure-tracker-review-wii-u">Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker</a></i> and <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/26/6847267/super-smash-bros-3ds-review">the 3DS version of <i>Super Smash Bros.</i></a>, is also a big step in the right direction.</p>
<p><i>Code Name: STEAM</i> has been confirmed to have support for the toys, <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7544583/code-name-steam-release-date-amiibo-fire-emblem">including the ability to import Fire Emblem characters</a>. Don't worry, <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545311/marth-amiibo-us-code-name-steam">Nintendo is making more Marth toys</a>! There's a reason for this push,...</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545423/nintendo-amiibo-2015">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545423/nintendo-amiibo-2015Ben Kuchera2015-01-14T11:22:03-05:002015-01-14T11:22:03-05:00You'll have to delete your Super Smash Bros. amiibo data if you want to use them in Mario Party 10
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<p>During today's Nintendo Direct, Bill Trinen walked viewers through some of the neat amiibo-powered features coming to <i>Mario Party 10 </i>when it hits the Wii U on March 20.</p>
<p>But those features don't come without a painful cost.</p>
<p>"If you decide to use your Super Smash Brothers amiibo in<i> Mario Party 10</i>," Trinen said, "you will need to erase that figure's Smash Brothers amiibo data."</p>
<p><i>Mario Party 10</i> will support nine amiibo: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Bowser, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Wario.</p>
<p>We've reached out to Nintendo to get more details about why this is, if that data can be saved on the Wii U or elsewhere, and if other games will run into the same issue. We'll update this story when they respond.</p>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545835/youll-have-to-delete-your-super-smash-bros-amiibo-data-if-you-want-to">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545835/youll-have-to-delete-your-super-smash-bros-amiibo-data-if-you-want-toBrian Crecente