Polygon - Nintendo Direct April 2015: New games, new amiibo, new DLChttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/42931/favicon.ico2015-04-01T20:56:39-04:00http://www.polygon.com/rss/stream/80919422015-04-01T20:56:39-04:002015-04-01T20:56:39-04:00New amiibo lineup includes Dr. Mario, Zero Suit Samus, Splatoon Inklings and more
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7-8ae23GFNYt7VseuNv-txegyCM=/0x0:960x540/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026840/amiibo_2015_lineup.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Nintendo outlined more of its amiibo lineup for the rest of the year during its <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8327901/nintendo-direct-april-2015">Nintendo Direct presentation today</a>, showing off new figures and toys compatible with <i>Super Smash Bros.</i> for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, <i>Splatoon</i> and <i>Yoshi's Woolly World</i>.</p>
<p>The next batch of amiibo figurines are due May 29 and include Charizard, Pac-Man, Wario, Jigglypuff, Greninja, Robin, Lucina and Ness. Those <i>Super Smash Bros.</i> figures will be followed by Dark Pit and Palutena in July, and Zero Suit Samus, Ganondorf, Olimar, Dr. Mario and Bowser Jr. in September. The updated lineup can be seen on <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/line-up/">Nintendo's amiibo website</a>.</p>
<p>It appears that at least one of those amiibo will be a retailer exclusive. GameStop <a href="https://twitter.com/GameStop/status/583403611054571520">confirmed</a> today that EarthBound's Ness will be exclusive...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328445/new-amiibo-lineup-dr-mario-zero-suit-samus-splatoon">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328445/new-amiibo-lineup-dr-mario-zero-suit-samus-splatoonMichael McWhertor2015-04-01T19:27:56-04:002015-04-01T19:27:56-04:00Mario Kart 8 is getting a 200cc speed boost in a free update
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oSD-bEAFlHvwFtO94b5Dn3nKwx0=/9x0:1271x710/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026460/mario_kart_8_200cc.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p><a href="http://www.polygon.com/game/mario-kart-8/8635" style="line-height: 16px;"><i>Mario Kart 8</i></a> will be the fastest kart racer in the series, thanks to a new 200cc class coming to the Wii U game. Nintendo announced the speed boost during today's Nintendo Direct presentation, showing off some intense looking high-speed karting.</p>
<p>The new 200cc speed class will work on all tracks in the game, Nintendo says, and makes braking more important than ever.</p>
<p>200cc class races are coming to <i>Mario Kart 8</i> on April 23 as part of a free update to the game. <i>Mario Kart 8</i>'s second downloadable content pack, which includes Animal Crossing racers and new tracks, <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328155/mario-kart-8-animal-crossing-dlc-release-date-price">arrives the same day</a>.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328223/mario-kart-8-200cc-speed-boost-update">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328223/mario-kart-8-200cc-speed-boost-updateMichael McWhertor2015-04-01T19:21:58-04:002015-04-01T19:21:58-04:00Full video of Nintendo Direct for April 1, 2015
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/StroKIKsvRdk7e7zlso41EMv9f4=/0x0:1280x720/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026442/vlcsnap-2015-04-01-19h15m41s246.0.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>You can find all the stories from today's Nintendo Direct in our <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8327901/nintendo-direct-april-2015">StoryStream</a>, but if you'd rather watch (or relive!) the 48-minute presentation in its entirety, you'll find the video embedded above.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328247/nintendo-direct-video-april-2015">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328247/nintendo-direct-video-april-2015Christopher Grant2015-04-01T19:09:57-04:002015-04-01T19:09:57-04:00Mario Kart 8's Animal Crossing DLC arrives early on April 23
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TRRhEE64N3ap3YHvxwEXUkpzhMI=/0x0:960x540/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026316/mario-kart-8-animal-crossing-screencap_960.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p><i><a href="/game/mario-kart-8/8635" class="sbn-auto-link">Mario Kart 8</a></i>'s <a href="/franchise/animal-crossing/491" class="sbn-auto-link">Animal Crossing</a> add-on will be released April 23 for $7.99, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata announced today during a Nintendo Direct presentation.</p>
<p>DLC Pack 2 was <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/26/6071823/mario-kart-8-link-animal-crossing-dlc">originally scheduled</a> to arrive in May. The expansion, which requires 1 GB of storage space, adds three racers — Isabelle, Villager and Dry Bowser (a skeletal version of Mario's nemesis) — along with four vehicles and eight tracks to <i>Mario Kart 8</i>.</p>
<p>The Animal Crossing-themed course included in the DLC pack changes seasons every time you play. And Nintendo put together a special backing track for the course: a "souped-up racing version of the Animal Crossing theme, recorded live in-studio," according to Iwata.</p>
<p>For more on <i>Mario Kart 8</i> DLC Pack 2, check out the trailer...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328155/mario-kart-8-animal-crossing-dlc-release-date-price">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328155/mario-kart-8-animal-crossing-dlc-release-date-priceSamit Sarkar2015-04-01T19:00:05-04:002015-04-01T19:00:05-04:00Fishing, zombies and a premium area are heading to the 3DS Mii Plaza
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6w95pbgNenEvx8HcMMCb4bNTijg=/34x0:1236x676/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026344/ultimate_angler.0.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Two new games are on their way to the Nintendo 3DS' Mii Plaza: the fishing focused <i>Ultimate Angler </i>and the zombie-infested <i>Battleground Z</i>, the handheld maker announced during a Nintendo Direct event today.</p>
<p><i>Ultimate Angler </i>will send players to various StreetPass islands, where they'll have to capture 150 sea creatures, including several of the legendary monster variety. In <i>Battleground Z</i>, Miis battle hordes of the undead. It will assign your digital characters roles based on their hobbies, because they live in Hobbiville. It will include 26 makeshift weapons.</p>
<p>Both downloadable games will cost $4.99 at their release. Purchased together, they'll cost $7.99. Nintendo did not specify a release date for either.</p>
<p><span>Nintendo is also releasing...</span></p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328123/new-mii-plaza-games-ultimate-angler-battleground-z">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328123/new-mii-plaza-games-ultimate-angler-battleground-zDave Tach2015-04-01T18:53:41-04:002015-04-01T18:53:41-04:00Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer coming to 3DS, uses card-based amiibo
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QB8Sggb050568IH65ExyG3nmEDE=/0x0:1280x720/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026490/NVL_MA_UScardSet01_R_ad.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>A new Animal Crossing spin-off game called <i>Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer</i> will be released for Nintendo 3DS later this year, Nintendo announced today. It will let players design and furnish homes using card-based amiibo that will be cheaper and more portable than the currently available figure-based amiibo.</p>
<p>With <i>Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer</i>, players will be able to experience "a different side of the Animal Crossing world," Nintendo's Bill Trinen said. The new 3DS game is "all about the home decorating and design aspects" of the series, Trinen said, as players are tasked with customizing homes for Animal Crossing residents in an attempt to meet their design demands.</p>
<p><i>Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer</i> is expected to hit...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328145/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-nintendo-3ds-card-amiibo">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8328145/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-nintendo-3ds-card-amiiboMichael McWhertor2015-04-01T18:52:16-04:002015-04-01T18:52:16-04:00Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem resurfaces with a rad trailer
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iA9wWIxL8b3n535RIYBKui0TVf4=/0x0:1024x576/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026234/vlcsnap-error429_1024.0.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><i>Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem</i>, the crossover project announced for Wii U in 2013, is alive and well, and now we have video to prove it. During the Nintendo Direct presentation today, Bill Trinen showed off a trailer for the game.</p>
<p><i>Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem </i>combines characters from from the Shin Megami Tensei series with the Fire Emblem cast. <span>Few details about the game were revealed, though viewers can get a look at some of the game's cast. </span><span><i>Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem</i> is being developed by Atlus and Intelligent Systems.</span></p>
<p><a style="line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/11/5802400/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem-right-on-schedule">Last year</a> at E3, Nintendo developer Hitoshi Yamagami told Polygon during an open-mic Q&A that the project was "right on schedule."</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8327759/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem-resurfaces-with-a-rad-trailer">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8327759/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem-resurfaces-with-a-rad-trailerMegan Farokhmanesh2015-04-01T18:48:42-04:002015-04-01T18:48:42-04:00Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition demo available this month
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dtyZGaCLuVR0QYTHUzRjqqdgNKw=/0x21:1200x696/640x360/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46026304/Puzzle-and-Dragons-Super-Mario-Bros-Edition.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>During Nintendo Direct today, the company showed some of the new Mario-themed puzzle / role-playing game, <i>Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition</i>, in action.</p>
<p>The company confirmed that a demo will be available on the 3DS e-store on April 30. <i>Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition</i> is a 3DS two-pack including both <i>Puzzle & Dragon Z</i> and the all new Mario-themed installment, both developed by GungHo Online Entertainment.</p>
<p><span>The Mario part of the game begins with (you guessed it) Bowser kidnapping Peach. Mario must pull together pals and level up to create optimal groups against enemies. Mario goes through various power transformations during the game. </span></p>
<p><i>Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros....</i></p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8327877/puzzle-dragons-z-puzzle-dragons-super-mario-bros-edition">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/1/8327877/puzzle-dragons-z-puzzle-dragons-super-mario-bros-editionColin Campbell