Nintendo president Satoru Iwata delivered a ton of game news during yesterday's Nintendo Direct broadcast - and surprisingly, none of it was an April Fools. The company is not letting the lack of Zelda, or Fire Emblem - or any AAA title to be honest - get them down and has revealed a huge list of upcoming new content for its many games.
This Week's Nintendo eShop Update Brings You The One And Only Super Mario 64
Lost in the shuffle amongst your Smashes, Karts and Splatoons are the indie titles that were announced. The Nintendo eShop has long been a supporter of small developer titles and the accessible platform, especially on the much loved 3DS, has allowed a different style of game to find an audience.
Let's see what the House of Mario has planned for the future! Most have been announced before, but a few have gotten some adjusted release dates as well. We've scoured the internet to tell you all about these 'Nindies' (so you don't have to).
Brace Yourselves: 200 cc Is Coming To Mario Kart 8
Adventures of Pip from Tic Toc Games launches in May on the Wii U. Pip is just that - a single pixel, but he can defeat his enemies and absorb their powers like some sort of retro Kirby. Looks pretty great.
Mutant Mudds Super Challenge from Renegade Kid: People who purchase the Nintendo 3DS version of this beloved muddy platforming sequel will receive the Wii U version for free (and vice versa!). Anyone that owns the original Mutant Mudds game will also receive a loyalty discount when buying Mutant Mudds Super Challenge. The game launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS this June.
Don't Starve: Giant Edition from Klei Entertainment: This acclaimed survival indie will launch this May with exclusive Wii U GamePad functionality and a special promotion - anyone that purchases the Wii U game will receive a free download code for the game that he or she can give to a friend!
Octodad: Dadliest Catch from Young Horses, Inc.: Experience Octodad's wobbly journey with family and friends in co-op mode, with two to four players controlling different tentacles. Octodad: Dadliest Catch flops his way into the Nintendo eShop on Wii U this summer.
As well as...
Affordable Space Adventures (4/9/2015) - finally! Some cheap galactic journeys that utilize the Wii U GamePad wonderfully. New teaser. $19.99.
Antipole DX (Q3 2015) - 3DS, a former DSi title, fully remastered
Back to Bed - a surrealist puzzle game similar to new-classic Monument Valley. Currently available on Steam.
BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition (Q2 2015) - one of my very favorite iOS titles arrives on consoles this spring. Guide a strange, but cute creature through hundreds of worlds, creating clones and discovering new powers. Trailer
The Bridge - ost assuredly not an adaptation of the FX series. Currently out on Steam, the b&w puzzler from a few years back reaches 3DS shores.
Dementium: Remastered - formerly Dementium: The Ward. The 3DS survival horror title has been rebuilt, and features new C-stick support and 60 fps, and that's with the 3D turned on. Check out the new teaser HERE.
DOOORS (2015) - the mobile brain teaser comes to 3DS with a host of new tricks specifically for Nintendo's handheld. New trailer.
forma.8 (Q3 2015) - a minimalist exploration game with an art style similar to Limbo and Badland
Life of Pixel (Q2 2015) - the ultimate retro adventure
Lionel City Builder 3D - rebuild the world! Lionel City Builder 3D is set fifty years in the future. Due to the breakdown of transportation between communities, they are now isolated and in decay. With no way way to transport goods, commerce slows to a crawl and cities and communities' economies are in ruin. You'll play as "Vin", who is a worker at a smelting yard. Vin decides to reestablish trains as transportation and sets out to connect communities in hopes of saving the day. On 3DS.
Never Alone (June) - the Inuit adventure title that has met with great success on other consoles.
Ninja Pizza Girl (June) - three of my favorite things! Kickstarter success; a mix of Mirror's Edge (tough, parkouring female) and Sonic the Hedgehog because 'running'.
NOVA-111 (Summer) - is a sci-fi themed turn-based adventure game with a twist of real-time action! Fighting aliens in space for SCIENCE! On the Wii U.
RACE THE SUN (Q2 2015) - a beautiful, simple but wonderfully fun flying simulator. Also available on Steam!
Runbow - (Q3 2015) - if you thought 8 player Smash was crazy, let's add one more player and see what happens. 1-9 people can sprint against each other in Run, or go head-to-head in one of Runbow's six additional modes, including Arena, King of the Hill, ColourMaster and The Bowhemoth.
Shutshim: Seriously Swolei (Q2 2015) - 3DS - 4 players, 10 seconds, infinite action. Or, to put it in other words: fish with arms carrying guns. Can't wait to play.
Slain! (Q3 2015) - Kickstarter success and homage to the gory hack n slash sidescrollers of the 80s. Can't wait.
Space Hulk (5/2/2015) - the epic and bloody Warhammer turn-based strategy adaptation
STARWHAL: Just The Tip (Q2 2015) - The local multi-player space narwhal fighting game that has rocked the internet is finally ready for its big debut in a fully loaded release.
Sword & Soldiers II - (May) - 2D side-scrolling strategy game for Wii U that allows players to acquire units, cast spells and build structures to overwhelm or outsmart opponents. In this sequel, players can play as three factions - The Viking Legion, the Demon Horde and the new Army of the Persian Empire! Wii U exclusive.
Toto Temple Deluxe (Summer 2015) - no idea what I just saw, a sort of maniac Pac Man/Donkey Kong mash up? Either way, it looks absurd and glorious. And goats. Or is that a ram? I never know the difference. To the Wii U.
Windup Knight 2 (April) - platforming sequel, currently on smartphones!