Nintendo is once again set to release the latest instalments in many of their fan favourite franchise this year. Both the Nintendo Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS are set to get some heavy hitters. Ports to the Nintendo 3DS, long awaited sequels, indie games, fan funded games and crossovers are all coming this year.
Coming in 2016 to the Nintendo 3DS
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Conquest
The latest in the Fire Emblem series is coming to North america later this month. Released as 2 separate games, Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest will feature your custom characters adventure as they have to decide to fight for their country of birth or their new adoptive homeland. Featuring the strategic RPG turned based combat and deep character development fans love. Fire Emblem Fate: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest are set to release on February 19th. For more information on the Fire Emblem series check out my article here.
Hyrule Warriors Legends
The first game released as Hyrule Warriors for the Nintendo Wii U in fall of 2014, combined the hack and slash gameplay from Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors games with the setting and fan favourite characters from Nintendo’s , The Legend of Zelda series. Set to release in March, Hyrule Warriors Legends brings the game to the Nintendo 3DS along with all of its DLC content and for the first time ever the female descendant of the legendary hero, named Linkle. Hyrule Warriors Legends is set to release on March 25th for the Nintendo 3DS.
Sonic Boom Fire and Ice
Sonic Boom Fire and Ice, is the latest instalment in the long running Sonic series of games. In the game you will control Sonic and his companions as you traverse and fight your way through various side scrolling action puzzle platforming stages. Along with controlling Sonic you can also play as Tails, Knuckles, Sticks and Amy. You will also be able to infuse your characters with fire and ice powers to help solve puzzles and pass through blocked areas of levels. The game was originally slated to release in fall of last year but SEGA delayed it release to later this year so it would coincide with Sonic’s 25th anniversary. Sonic Boom Fire and Ice releases on June 1st for the Nintendo 3DS.
Coming in 2016 to the Nintendo Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
This high-definition port of the fan favourite and critically acclaimed Nintendo Wii release, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, will feature enhanced graphics and amiibo functionality. Being released in 2 editions, the standard edition and the special edition bundle. The special edition bundle will contain a Wolf Link amiibo figure, which will unlock a WiiU exclusive dungeon, called the Cave of Shadows, the game will also support previously released Legend of Zelda amiibos and it will also carry over data to the upcoming yet to be named Legend of Zelda game later this year. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD come to Nintendo Wii U on March 4th.
Star Fox Zero
Star Fox Zero is the latest instalment in the NIntendo series, Star Fox. With the last few releases falling short for fans, Star Fox Zero promises to return to the roots of the original 2 games, Star Fox on Super Nintendo and Star Fox 64 on the NIntendo 64. The game was originally supposed to release in fall of last year but has since been pushed back to allow more time for development. The game will feature gameplay similar to the earliest titles and once again feature Star Fox and his pals, Peppy, Slippy and Falco. Star Fox Zero is set to release April 21st for NIntendo Wii U.
Pokken tournament
Pokemon is one of Nintendo’s biggest series and already has numerous games. Many of these games are focused on the “gotta catch’em all” nature of the Pokemon product. However Pokken Tournament takes those cute and beloved, Pokemon and put them in the tournament style fighting action of the Tekken fighting series. There are currently 16 playable Pokemon we currently know about and the list already includes some of the classics like, Pikachu, Charizard and Mewtwo. Unlike the Tekken games with are very technical and designed to be played on an arcade machine, Pokken Tournament will focus more on the action and is also designed to be used with standard controller, to make it accessible and let non fighting game fans in on the action. Pokken Tournament is set to release on March 18th.
Also keep an eye on the indie and kickstarted games coming this year. Mighty No. 9, the spiritual successor to the Mega Man series will be coming to the Nintendo Wii U this spring. Terraria and Kerbal Space Program will also be making its appearance on the Nintendo Wii U early this year. As usual there will be more Virtual Console releases as well, like Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX and Bonk’s Adventure to name a few.
The past couple years haven’t been exactly the best in Nintendo history. However, the Nintendo Wii U is starting to get some long awaited titles and the Nintendo 3DS is just getting better and better and has a massive library already. With some of the announcements and the games already mentioned in this article, will even have some of the skeptics taking notice of the big “N” again. I myself, am really excited to see what Star Fox Zero has in store and even though I’m not a Pokemon fan, I am looking forward to the crossover with Tekken.
