NINTENDO 3DS WAS THE BEST-SELLING VIDEO GAME PLATFORM IN MAY 2013

June 17, 2013 - Nintendo 3DS continued its strong year with another first: The platform was the best-selling video game hardware platform in the United States in May. The launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D on May 23 and another strong month for Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon helped Nintendo 3DS software sales in stores increase by more than 60 percent over the same time last year. Nintendo 3DS also had two of the top three best-selling software SKUs for the month, with Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at No. 2 and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon at No. 3.

At the recently concluded E3 trade show in Los Angeles, Nintendo defined its proposition for the holiday season by showcasing a cavalcade of great games coming for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems in 2013. Starting in August and continuing through the end of the year, Wii U will launch one major game a month, including Pikmin 3 (Aug. 4), The Wonderful 101 (Sept. 15), The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (October), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (November) and Super Mario 3D World (December).

Nintendo 3DS will build on its momentum with the successive launches of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (Aug. 11), Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (Oct. 12) Mario Party for Nintendo 3DS (name not final, November) and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (November).

*Data regarding physical sales of games in May is from the NPD Group and is specific to the United States only.

POKÉMON GIVES FURTHER PEEK INSIDE THE KALOS REGION AND ANNOUNCES FIRST GYM LEADER OF POKÉMON X AND Y

New Friends, Gym Leader, Towns, and Never-Before-Seen Pokémon Revealed

BELLEVUE, Wash. — June 14, 2013 — After a flurry of Pokémon activity this week at E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced even more details this morning about the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games, launching worldwide October 12, 2013, for the Nintendo 3DS system.

The games' newly discovered Kalos region will feature many towns to explore, people to meet, and never-before-seen Pokémon to encounter. Players will also meet new Gym Leaders to challenge and collect Gym Badges from as they travel throughout Kalos.

Many specific details are being shared for the first time today.

Welcome to Vaniville Town
Once a player has chosen to play as a male or female Trainer, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y begins in Vaniville Town. Step outside the house you just moved to and soon meet four new friends that will embark on a journey around the Kalos region with you. These four friends—Shauna, Tierno, Trevor, and Serena (if you play as a boy) or Calem (if you play as a girl)—are unique individuals:

• Shauna is an incredibly energetic girl who is coming along on the journey to find a dream of her own. She's friendly and outgoing, and seems to genuinely enjoy all the curiosities you'll come across on your journey.

• Tierno is the dancer of the group and wants more than anything to create a dance team with his Pokémon. Strong, kind, and light on his feet, Tierno gets easily distracted by watching opposing Pokémon during battles because he's too busy trying to incorporate Pokémon moves into his dances.

• Trevor bursts with curiosity about the world around him. He's an excellent student, and very competitive, wanting to be the first of the group to complete his Pokédex.

• Serena or Calem lives next door to you in Vaniville Town. This character has a passion to become a powerful Pokémon Trainer and sets out on the journey to accomplish that dream.

Meet Santalune City Gym Leader Viola
The first Gym Leader players will encounter on their adventure is Viola, the Gym Leader of Santalune City, a pleasant city that is known for its large fountain and park benches. Players will learn about Viola by first meeting her older sister, Alexa, a journalist working for a publishing house in Lumiose City. Alexa insists that her sister will be happy to meet players visiting Santalune City. A professional photographer who specializes in Pokémon photography, Viola presides over the Santalune City Gym, whose interior is constructed from threads like spiderwebs, strung together tightly above the darkness. Players will need to find a safe path through these threads, and will receive useful advice from Viola when they battle her.

More never-before-seen Pokémon that players will encounter in the Kalos region have been announced this morning. You can check them out in battle at the official Pokémon YouTube page.

• Litleo is a young, hot-blooded Pokémon that is always ready for a battle. A Fire- and Normal-type Pokémon, Litleo's red mane blazes with heat during battle, which burns hotter when it battles very strong opponents. Litleo knows a new Normal-type move in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, Noble Roar. Useful against strong opponents, Noble Roar intimidates targets and lowers their Attack stat.

• Debuting as a Fairy-type Pokémon along with Sylveon, Flabébé lives atop a flower that it chooses soon after it's born and will care for its entire life. Players may see different Flabébé holding flowers of different colors when encountering them in the wild. Flabébé is able to draw forth hidden powers that lie within its flower and use those powers in moves while battling. Flabébé knows Fairy Wind, a Fairy-type move debuting in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y that summons a wind that blasts an opponent as it attacks. Like all Fairy-type moves, it's super effective against Dragon-type Pokémon.

• As Pokémon evolve, they take on new appearances and learn new moves. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y will introduce the Bug-type Pokémon Scatterbug. Scatterbug knows String Shot, a Bug-type move that can lower the Speed stat of opposing Pokémon. Scatterbug evolves into Spewpa, another new Bug-type Pokémon that can withstand half-hearted attacks due to its stiff, fur-covered body. Use the Normal-type move Protect at a beginning of a turn to protect Spewpa from moves used against it on that turn. The final evolved form of Scatterbug, which was revealed earlier this week, is the new Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon Vivillon.

It's said there's a secret behind the colorful decorative pattern on Vivillon's wings, which it uses to scatter its scales or create a strong wind to attack. Vivillon can learn Struggle Bug, a Bug-type move that lowers the Special Attack of any opposing Pokémon it hits, so the move not only causes damage but also reduces the damage inflicted on Vivillon from certain moves during battle.

For more information about Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, including more new images and additional gameplay videos featuring information announced today, please visit pokemon.com/xy.

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 http://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

PHOTOS OF PEOPLE PLAYING EXCLUSIVE GAMES AT NINTENDO'S EVENTS AT MORE THAN 100 BEST BUY STORES

June 13, 2013 - In addition to all of the game experiences available right now at E3, Nintendo has partnered with Best Buy to bring four upcoming Wii U games to the public for the first time.

Visitors to participating Best Buy stores will be able to play demo versions of Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze.

The games will be playable 4-8 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 12, and 1-5 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 15.

Here are some Nintendo provided pictures of these Best Buy events.

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, John S. and Landon M. have fun playing Super Mario 3D World, one of the four new Wii U games playable at the Nintendo Experience at Best Buy on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Schaumburg, Ill. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision for Nintendo/AP Images)

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, siblings Jocelyn N. and Giovanni N. test drive Mario Kart 8, one of the four new Wii U games playable at the Nintendo Experience at Best Buy on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Schaumburg, Ill. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision for Nintendo/AP Images)

A complete list of participating stores can be found at http://www.bestbuy.com/NintendoEvents

E3 2013 Preview: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a game to look forward to

June 13, 2013 - Written by Mark Fajardo of JustPushStart.com

When it comes to a classic The Legend of Zelda game, I must say that Link of the Past is the one that stands out the most. Over a decade following its release, Nintendo finally decided to give the game a true sequel on the Nintendo 3DS and carry the name: A Link Between Worlds. At first glance, the game will give some nostalgic moments to a lot of Zelda fans who have played the game. Playing through it gives a lot of good memories back when it was out and I’m sure with the game coming out this year, it’s the game everyone will be looking forward to get.

Visually, A Link Between Worlds has the same playing style as the original. The camera angle is somewhat on the birds eye view where we see Link’s head and a portion of his body. The build that I got to play was divided into two sections; one is where I got to play in the field and the other in dungeons.

The way the game is laid out this time in the sequel is almost the same as the original. You see the grasses that you can cut, and those who have played the original before will see somewhat of a familiar area in the game that I’m sure fans have explored in the original. The green slime blobs that we used to fight will make a return, especially those knights with a shield that stops your way. The area that I got to play is a small one, but it sure is enough to give me the original feeling when I played the original over a decade ago. Was it a good thing? Definitely as it really feels a true sequel that Zelda fans have been waiting for.

As for the dungeons, the puzzles and the traps will show some sort of similarities to the original too. The challenge is still there and getting around with it will take some time to get used to. Expect to pull pots to go from one way or another. Sometimes, you will dodge stuff to get out from the game. Combat wise, it’s more of a hack and slash thing, but one improvement they implemented in the sequel is the ability to use three weapons at a time. Unlike in the original, you have to press stuff to switch from the bow to the sword and three weapons will be placed in the Y, X, and B button. The weapons that I got to use was a Master Sword, a Bow, and a hammer when it pounds enemies, they get stunned in an instant.

Remember the time when if you hold the sword button long enough, Link will do a 360 degree slash? Unfortunately it was not in the game at all. However, with Link using the Master Sword, he is now able to do a sonic wave attack to enemies within a distance, which is helpful against enemies that are hard to get close to.

Overall, the experience with The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a fantastic experience. It’s really something to look forward to this year, especially the fans who have played the original.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD HIGHLIGHTS NEW DIGITAL CONTENT FOR NINTENDO SYSTEMS - JUNE 13, 2013

June 13, 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:

Mutant Mudds Deluxe – Mutant Mudds Deluxe features 80 hard-as-steel levels, spanning across five unique "12-bit" worlds, including 20 new ghost levels exclusive to the Wii U console.

Love pixels? Fond of platformers? Is there a special place in your heart for the 8-bit and 16-bit era? Want to have fun? Yes!? Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. Mutant Mudds Deluxe is a “12-bit” action platformer full of pixels and platforming fun!

Our hero, Max, may be just a 2D sprite, but he can leap into the third dimension by jetting between the background and the foreground playfields with his trusty jetpack in this unique dimensionally-woven experience.

Armed with a heavy-duty water cannon, Max has what he needs to vanquish his long-term nemesi: the Mutant Mudds. Max must blast and hover his way across the soiled landscape to seek out mysterious Water Sprites.

Legend says collecting all of the mysterious Water Sprites will wash the filthy Mutant Mudds away for good!

New spectral enemies, haunting hazards and a ghastly new ghost-shot power-up await you.
(For the Nintendo Wii U)

Mighty Switch Force! 2 – Patricia Wagon returns to heat things up with a refreshing spray of blaze-battling action puzzles.

This time, Officer Wagon and Corporal Gendarmor join Planet Land's Fire Brigade to prevent Tangent City from burning to the ground.

Combat the Planetary Inferno in the shape-shifting, dimension melding world of Mighty Switch Force 2!

It’s a Code Red from the Galactic Fire Brigade! Planet Land is combusting and everything is ablaze! Return to HQ immediately and pick up your Infinity Dousing Apparatus; your Siren Helmet is still authorized and up to code!

The mission: to fight the inferno and extricate the reformed Hooligan sisters! Now, suit up and start soaking some scenery!

The sequel to the universally acclaimed Mighty Switch Force, and the newest game in the Mighty series!

Grab your new weapon, a super-powered fire hose, and embark on a treacherous search-and-rescue mission!

Familiar friends and foes return, along with exciting new ones!

3D puzzles and brain-banding action return! New puzzle types, weapons, enemies, unlocks and a truly epic soundtrack bring the sizzle.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Big Bass Arcade: No Limit – Loaded with fishing excitement. Reel in the big one.

Big Bass Arcade: No Limit is loaded with fishing excitement, putting players directly into the action and reeling in a big one.

Reel in seven catchable fish species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Crappie.

Compete in Challenges and Tournaments, or Free Fish any lake at your own pace.

Test your skills in over forty fishing challenges, spread over ten unique lakes. Player statistics and achievements are tracked.

The lakes are stocked with ever growing World Record fish waiting to for you to try and catch them.

The Big Bass Arcade series appeals to fishing enthusiasts and gamers alike by capturing the adrenaline rush of fish fighting in an arcade-style game.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

PICROSS e - PICROSS is back! It's even easier to play!

This is the series of "picture crossword puzzles" in which you use numbers as hints to complete illustrations that Nintendo has been developing as its own brand of game software since 1995.

Anyone can enjoy it with its simple and easy to understand rules.

With this version's newly implemented Navigation feature, the puzzles can be solved more smoothly than ever.

There are 3 types of puzzle sizes: 5x5, 10x10, and 15x15.

Don't take puzzles lightly because they're small.

There are plenty of challenging puzzles as well.

Complete a puzzle within the time limit and the illustration will be displayed in color.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Sonic the Hedgehog – Originally released for the Game Gear, Sonic the Hedgehog lets you play as Sonic as he speeds through Zones and frees animals from their mechanical prisons with his devastating spin attacks.

Dash through five super challenging Zones with three Acts in each Zone.

Soar through bonus levels brimming with springs, bumpers, flippers and more.

Blaze through five super challenging Zones and defeat all of Dr. Eggman's machines in order to put an end to his evil schemes.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Columns - Challenge your mind and reflexes. Forget the passage of time.

Drift back in time to ancient Phoenicia and challenge yourself with Columns, an addictive game played by Middle Eastern Merchants centuries ago.

In this mesmerizing pastime, tinker with your riches to align glittering jewels across, down, or diagonally.

As you line up colors, the gems vanish and more sparklers drop from above. The challenge increases as jewels fall more rapidly. You must quickly align them before the columns reach the top.

For additional challenge, try to eliminate the flashing jewel before your time runs out in Flash Columns or take on a friend in local multiplayer!

With three degrees of difficulty and ten different levels, Columns will challenge a novice to an expert.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine - A challenging puzzle adventure!

The evil Dr. Eggman (AKA Dr. Robotnik) has built a machine that will turn the poor people of Beanville into machines, but there’s safety in numbers!

In this colorful puzzle game, help them out by joining them into groups of four matching colors so they can stick together and escape certain doom! Defeat Dr. Eggman’s henchmen in order to reach the evil doctor and save Beanville once and for all!

You can even challenge a friend via local two-player multiplayer.
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

Shining Force: Sword of Hajya - Recover the Sword of Hajya from evil!

The peaceful Kingdom of Cypress has been disrupted by the corrupt ambition of the evil King Iom. Terror rampages across the land as the Castle of Cypress is invaded and the magical Sword of Hajya is taken!

It will take strength, courage, agility, and your keen sense of strategy to defy this ominous power and bring peace back to the land.

Features an intense Role-Playing Game with a unique twist of action, adventure and strategy!

Choose from 18 unique characters including Warriors, Mages, Healers, Archers, Birdmen, and Centaurs. Command any 12 at one time to fight against darkness!
(For the Nintendo 3DS)

To view this week's Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit: http://news2know.net/nintendo/downloadHr1seN1s.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.