NINTENDO 3DS FIRST-PARTY SOFTWARE SALES ARE UP 52 PERCENT IN 2013

May 16, 2013 - A strong launch for LEGO® City Undercover: The Chase Begins helped Nintendo 3DS™ maintain its torrid pace in 2013. Through the first four months of the year, Nintendo has already sold more than 2.1 million units of first-party Nintendo 3DS software in the U.S. alone, an increase of 52 percent over the same time period last year. In 2012, it took 30 weeks for Nintendo 3DS to sell 2 million units of first-party software. In 2013, the platform accomplished that same feat in 18 weeks.

With the peak holiday selling season still ahead and a strong lineup of upcoming games that includes Donkey Kong Country™ Returns 3D on May 24, Animal Crossing™: New Leaf on June 9, Mario and Luigi™: Dream Team on Aug. 11, as well as new titles in the Pokémon™, Mario Golf™ and Legend of Zelda™ franchises, Nintendo 3DS is poised to have the strongest year of sales in its history.

Some notable sales numbers* achieved by Nintendo in April include:

- LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins sold nearly 94,000 combined physical and digital copies after launching on April 24.

- Luigi's Mansion™: Dark Moon sold more than 140,000 combined physical and digital units in April and has now sold more than 530,000 total units to date.

- In its sixth month on the market, New Super Mario Bros.™ U for the Wii U™ system increased its lifetime sales total to nearly 770,000 combined physical and digital units.

During the next several months, a cavalcade of fan-favorite franchises will launch for Wii U. This includes Game & Wario™ on June 23, Pikmin™ 3 on Aug. 4, Disney's Planes from Disney Interactive on Aug. 6 and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® Blacklist™ from Ubisoft on Aug. 20.

At the upcoming E3 trade show in June in Los Angeles, Nintendo expects to show attendees upcoming Wii U games from the Mario Kart™, Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Super Smash Bros.™ franchises.

*Data regarding physical sales of games in April are from the NPD Group. Data regarding digital downloads of games and combined physical/digital life-to-date numbers are from Nintendo's internal sales figures. All numbers are specific to the United States only.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD HIGHLIGHTS NEW DIGITAL CONTENT FOR NINTENDO SYSTEMS - MAY 16, 2013

May 16, 2013 - In addition to video games available at retail stores, Nintendo also offers a variety of content that people can download directly to their systems. Nintendo adds new titles weekly to the Nintendo eShop for the Wii U system as well as the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL systems, to the Nintendo DSi™ Shop for the Nintendo DSi system and to the Wii™ Shop Channel for the Wii console.

This week's Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Virtual Console™ on Wii U™ Sale

Save 50 Percent on Super Mario Bros.™ 2 for Wii U – We're celebrating spring with a sale on classic favorites for Wii U.

Join the Mario Bros. in an adventure that surpasses even their wildest dreams!

Mario™, Luigi™, Princess Toadstool, and Toad™ embark on a quest together to save the day against the villainous Wart.

Pick up items and throw them at your adversaries to clear levels in seven fantastical worlds. Even enemies can be picked up and tossed across the screen.

Each character has a unique set of abilities: Luigi can jump higher and farther than any of the other characters, Toad can dig extremely fast and pull items out of the ground quicker than anyone, and the princess is the only one who can jump and hover temporarily.

This unique installment in the Mario series will keep you coming back for more!

Starting today, save 50 percent on Super Mario Bros. 2 when you buy the Wii U Virtual Console™ version of Super Mario World™ from the Nintendo eShop.

This offer ends at 9 a.m. PT on May 23.
(For the Nintendo Wii U)

Super Metroid™ – Super Metroid was originally released in 1994 for the Super NES™ system and features beautiful graphics, a huge assortment of enemies and various worlds to explore.

Considered one of the best video games of all time by critics and fans alike, the side-view action game introduces a host of powerful weapons and items to the Metroid™ series.

The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy!

Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes.

Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore.

The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus™ to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.

Super Metroid is the fifth game released on the Virtual Console for Wii U to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Famicom.

For a limited time, the game will be available for only 30 cents.
(For the Nintendo Wii U)

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts™ – The third game in the legendary Ghosts 'n Goblins series of video games, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts follows Arthur in a challenging quest to rescue the princess.

Players take control of Arthur in a classic side-scrolling adventure to defeat the creatures of the night and save the day once more.

Discover what glory awaits those brave enough to take on the armies of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
(For the Nintendo Wii U)

 

 

 

 

 

LEGO® Batman 2™: DC Super Heroes – Batman and Robin team up with some truly super friends in this action-packed sequel.

Experience one of the best-selling games of 2012 with new and enhanced game play using the Wii U GamePad controller.

With help from other famous DC Super Heroes, including Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, the Dynamic Duo are in for a fight to put the notorious villains Lex Luthor and The Joker behind bars and save Gotham City.

LEGO® Batman 2™: DC Super Heroes will release on May 21.
(For the Nintendo Wii U)

Nintendo eShop on Wii U Sale

BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien – Runner2 is an action-packed, auto-running platformer with five exciting worlds, 125 tantalizing levels and five death-defying boss battles.

Play as eight different characters and find secret areas to unlock new and zany costumes.

BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien will be on sale for 25 percent off until May 30.

 

 

 

 

 

Resident Evil® Revelations - Resident Evil® Revelations returns redefined for Wii U™ complete with high quality HD visuals, enhanced lighting effects and an immersive sound experience.

This latest version of Resident Evil Revelations will also deliver additional content including a terrifying new enemy, extra difficulty mode, integration with ResidentEvil.net and improvements to Raid Mode.

Raid Mode, which was first introduced to the series in the original version of Resident Evil Revelations, lets gamers play online in co-op mode or alone in single player taking on the hordes of enemies across a variety of missions while leveling up characters and earning weapon upgrades.

New weapons, skill sets, and playable characters including Hunk, take the Raid Mode experience to new depths.
(For the Nintendo Wii U)

Swords & Soldiers 3D – Prepare for an encounter with a freakishly large pepper: Swords & Soldiers 3D is coming your way!

Rewrite history as you take control of the brutal Vikings, the devious Aztecs or the crafty Chinese in their global quest to win the favor of the Gods!

Swords & Soldiers 3D is a side-scrolling strategy game that lets you control an entire army and lets you wield devastating magical abilities.

Demolish your enemy’s castle at the end of these two-dimensional battlefields and lead your troops to victory!
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

THE STARSHIP DAMREY™ - From two masters of suspense, Kazuya Asano and Takemaru Abiko, comes a new twist on the genre as players discover a fear born of innocence.

You awaken to discover that you are trapped in a Cold Sleep capsule aboard the titular Starship Damrey, with no memory of who you are or how you got there.

With no tutorials, explanations, or hints provided, the game was created with the intent that self-discovery and experimentation be an integral part of the experience.

An inconceivable truth awaits those willing to discover it.

Do you dare to hope?

Or will despair claim the final shreds of your mind?

Discover the mystery of the Starship Damrey to find out for yourself.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Bowling Bonanza 3D - For both the casual and the serious gamer, Bowling Bonanza boasts full 3D rigid body physics.

Create any kind of shot by adjusting your stance, direction or ball spin, and even position the ball and shape the shot as required.

So whether you want a simple easy and fun bowling game or a full on simulation, this game is for you!

Choose from Quick Play, Arcade, league and tournament game modes, Multiplayer hot seat up to 4 players and CPU opponents have 5 difficulty settings.

Full rating and progress system from Rookie to Legend.

10+ bowling environments, 30+ bowling balls, 10+ sets of pins to choose from and unlock.

Ball customization including weight and size, full spin control and shot shape setup with fully adjustable address position including position and direction.

Save your favorite shots and watch video playback.

Full 3D physics in full 3D environments.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Dress To Play: Magic Bubbles! - n Dress To Play: Magic Bubbles!, dress to play and play to dress!

Create your character and design their outfit in the dressing room, just as you like.

When you are done, get ready to set off on an adventure, where you will have to catch as many bubbles as possible from the magic washing machine (which has many magical powers).

The more you play, the more prizes and clothes you will receive to dress your character!

Features include two games in one!

Create and dress your character just as you like!

Enjoy capturing bubbles from the magic washing machine!

Many challenges and secret objects that will give you tons of accessories to dress your characters!

Create many different characters, both boys and girls. There are thousands of combinations!

Two-player mode using the same Nintendo 3DS!
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Mega Man™ 5 - Protoman has gone berserk! Destroying half the city was not enough.

Now, he has kidnapped Dr. Light and is holding him and the entire city hostage.

Speeding to the rescue is Mega Man and his modified Mega Buster, but eight of Protoman's cybernetic soldiers plan to send Mega Man to the scrap heap for good!

Feel the weight of the world on your shoulders as you battle Gravity Man!

Chip away at the rock-life defenses of Stone Man and bring him crumbling down! Hit the surf and sail up against the tidal power of Wave Man!

Guide Mega Man through 13 action-packed stages and defeat all eight of Protoman's robots, then get ready for the fight that pits brother against brother in the battle of the century!
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

 

Harvest Moon® - You have inherited your grandfather's farm and been given the opportunity to succeed as Ranch Master.

Those are some pretty big shoes to fill in as the life of a farmer isn't exactly a walk through the park.

To build a successful farm, you will need a lot of working capital.

Learn to juggle elements of farming and ranching as you face new challenges at the turn of the seasons.

You can also enlist the aid of nearby townsfolk to trade and gather supplies.

If you can overcome the cold temperatures of winter, the title of Ranch Master may yet be yours!
(For then Nintendo 3DS)

 

 

California Super Sports - California Super Sports is a collection of six unique games that are popular in the United States – Croquet, Dodgeball, Lawndarts, Rollerblade, Shuffleboard Arcade and Target Football.

It's located in sunny California, offering lots of fun and various experiences with a mixture of action, racing, and tactical games.

Includes 6 unique sports games popular in America, 3D graphics, 8 cool chibi characters, different difficulty levels of AI.

Entertainment for many hours.

Play against 1 to 3 CPU opponents.
(For the Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DSi™)

 

THE KING OF FIGHTERS '99 - Originally released in 1999, this is the 6th installment in the King of Fighters series. This time, there is a new protagonist with an all-new story.

Instead of the previous 3-member team format, now teams have 4 members, where 3 members actually fight and 1 member is designated as a "Striker". As in previous versions, you can unleash Super Special Moves when the gauges fill up.

However, a new feature has been introduced whereby using 3 power stocks allows you to execute either Counter Mode, which increases offensive strength, or Armor Mode, which increases defensive strength.

Tactics that apply to each situation have also been powered up.

King of Fighters 99 boasts 32 playable characters. Do you think you have what it takes to reach the top?
(For the Nintendo Wii™)

To view this week's Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit: http://news2know.net/nintendo/downloadbBe4yL32.php.

The Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service and features games, applications and videos. Users can add money to their account balance by using a credit card or by purchasing a Nintendo Prepaid Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be redeemed in either the Wii U eShop or the Nintendo 3DS eShop, respectively. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

The Wii Shop Channel offers games and applications and uses Wii Points™, which can be purchased via the Wii Shop Channel. The Nintendo DSi Shop offers games and applications and uses Nintendo DSi Points™, which can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Wii Points Card™ and Nintendo DSi Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one card must be redeemed in either the Wii Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop, respectively. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that Wii U, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu, http://www.nintendo.com/wii, http://www.nintendo.com/3ds or http://www.nintendo.com/ds.

NINTENDO GOES BANANAS AT THE L.A. ZOO FOR DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS 3D

Fun Activities and Giveaways Planned Around the Release of Nintendo 3DS Game

REDMOND, Wash., May 15, 2013 – To celebrate the launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D for Nintendo 3DS on May 24, Nintendo is partnering with the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens on Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27) to host an event on the L.A. Zoo grounds.

The four-day event will feature fun activities for all members of the family, including an interactive experience at the Campo Gorilla Reserve, various demo stations where attendees can play the Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D game and coupon giveaways for $5 off the game at participating GameStop retail stores. For the weekend, the gorilla area will be temporarily renamed the "Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at Campo Gorilla Reserve."

"Fans will get a chance to spend time with Donkey Kong and some of his friends from the animal kingdom at the L.A. Zoo this Memorial Day weekend," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "They'll be able to experience a fun day with Nintendo at the zoo and play Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D."

One of the weekend's main events, a "Donkey Kong Interactive Experience," allows visitors to watch L.A. Zoo staff feed the real-life gorillas from giant cardboard barrels that are inspired by the barrels featured in the video game. This friendly, educational activity is a one-of-a-kind experience for families and a treat for the gorillas. In addition to the feeding, there will be opportunities for fans to take pictures with the costumed Donkey Kong character around the zoo.

"Our gorillas have never had a visit from a celebrity of Donkey Kong's stature," said John R. Lewis, director of the Los Angeles Zoo. "All the planned activities for the weekend fit perfectly in line with the family-friendly environment of the zoo, as well as bring awareness to the animals in the gorilla reserve."

The original Donkey Kong Country Returns game has been rebuilt from the ground up for ease-of-play on Nintendo 3DS. Players control iconic character Donkey Kong as he runs, jumps, blasts, rides and pounds his way through a series of beautiful, challenging, side-scrolling levels. The upcoming game is optimized for portable play and features a new mode, eight additional levels and stunning 3D graphics.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90027. The event will run May 24-27.

For more information about Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, visit http://donkeykong.nintendo.com.

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.1 billion video games and more than 654 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

About the Los Angeles Zoo: The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, where it hosts over 1.6 million visitors each year. The Zoo is home to a diverse collection of 1100 animals, many of which are rare or endangered. New exhibits include The LAIR-Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles, Elephants of Asia and Campo Gorilla Reserve. Admission is $17 for adults and $12 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, call 323-644-4200 or visit the L. A. Zoo website at http://www.lazoo.org.

THE KALOS REGION AND MORE NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN POKÉMON FROM POKÉMON X AND POKÉMON Y INTRODUCED

Four Brand-New Pokémon, the New Region, and Official Package Art Revealed for the First Time

BELLEVUE, Wash. — May 14, 2013 — When Pokémon fans begin their thrilling 3D adventure in Pokémon X or Pokémon Y this October, they will be transported into an entirely new region called Kalos.

A mysterious place that is shaped like a star, Kalos is a region where players will encounter beautiful forests, thriving cities, and many never-before-seen Pokémon. The central city of this breathtaking region is Lumiose City, a metropolis featuring a tower that is set to become an iconic structure in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y.

While exploring the Kalos region, Trainers will encounter many new Pokémon that they can battle, catch, and add to their Pokédex. A Trainer is only as good as the Pokémon he or she befriends. Seven new Pokémon debuting in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y were introduced earlier this year—and today, four additional Pokémon are being revealed for the first time. These Pokémon add to the more than 640 Pokémon that have been encountered in previous games.

• The cowardly Pokémon Helioptile, a Normal- and Electric-type Pokémon, can generate enough electricity through sunbathing to power machinery. But wise Trainers won’t be deterred by Helioptile’s lack of bravery. It knows Parabolic Charge, a brand-new move where Helioptile attacks everything around it. Helioptile's HP is restored by half the damage taken by those hit.

 

• Fletchling, a Normal- and Flying-type Pokémon, sings with a beautiful chirp that is sure to delight any Trainer. Although it is known to be very friendly, Fletchling will suddenly unleash relentless attacks once it’s in battle. For example, when it uses its Fire-type move Flame Charge in battle, in addition to doing damage, Fletchling’s Speed increases every time.

 


• With a leaf always in its mouth and an intimidating glare that is rarely effective, Fighting-type Pokémon Pancham shows its playful side when it lets out a little smile when its head is pat. Pancham can learn a brand-new move, Parting Shot, which not only lowers an opponent’s Attack and Special Attack, but also allows Pancham to switch out for another Pokémon in a Trainer’s party during battle.

 

• Pokémon X and Pokémon Y introduce a new method of transportation—riding the brand-new Pokémon, Gogoat. This large Grass-type Pokémon is a reliable way to travel certain parts of Lumiose City. In battle, it can use Horn Leech to recover HP equal to half the damage dealt by this move.

These brand-new Pokémon and others caught in the Kalos region will be added to a player’s Pokédex that, for the first time, will be divided into three unique areas within the region. There is much to explore in the Kalos region, and many Pokémon to encounter when Pokémon X and Pokémon Y debut worldwide this October. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months!

For more information about Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, including an official map of the Kalos region and Pokémon art, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y package shots, and a special video featuring Helioptile, Fletchling, Pancham, and Gogoat, please visit Pokemon.com.

Be sure to visit Pokemon.com, Like the official Pokémon Facebook page at Facebook.com/Pokemon, and follow Pokémon on Twitter @Pokemon to ensure you’re receiving the latest Pokémon X and Pokémon Y news!

About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.

About Nintendo
The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.1 billion video games and more than 654 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo 3DS XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™, and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.