Killer Instinct and Project Spark free-to-play on Xbox One

Newly revealed Xbox One titles Killer Instinct and Project Spark will reportedly be free-to-play games supported by microtransactions. Both will also be launch day, digital-only releases.

IGN reports that Killer Instinct will launch with just a single playable fighter, Jago, and that additional characters will be available to buy for yet-be-announced prices. The debut gameplay trailer featured Glacius, Sabrewulf and Jago. Rare and Double Helix are working in tandem to bring the combo-crazy fighter to the next generation.

Meanwhile, Videogamer reports that world building game Project Spark will also be free-to-play but supported by DLC. Part Minecraft, part LittleBigPlanet, Microsoft describes it as “an open-world digital canvas that enables anyone to build, play and share whatever they can imagine and create in the game”.

To catch up on all the Xbox One news from Microsoft’s E3 show last night, check out our Xbox One E3 2013 press conference recap and highlights.

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Mario Kart 8 release date announced in first trailer

Nintendo finally revealed the next installment in the Mario Kart series, simply called Mario Kart 8. In the trailer, it was shown that players karts took on the attributes of the vehicles from previous titles.

The motorcycles from Mario Kart Wii appeared as well as the underwater track elements of Mario Kart 7. But brand new to the series is the theme of anti-gravity. Karts morph into futuristic hovercrafts and can attach to the track to travel upside down. In one section of the video, players were shown driving on top of the track and underneath at the same time.

Mario Kart 8 will be coming to the Wii U in Spring 2014, be sure to check back for more information. 

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Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS release date set for 2014, also Mega Man

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What do Kirby, Link, Bowser, Pikachu, Mario, Pit, and... the Villager from Animal Crossing have in common? They're about to beat the piss out of each other--Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS is coming in 2014 (check out the most updated Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS roster)! Though it was officially announced to be in development over a year ago, Nintendo has finally shown off the game in action. The 3DS version has an interesting visual style with stylized graphics, and the Wii U version looks exactly like you'd hope--HD, and glorious. 

Oh, and Mega Man is in it. Mega Man. Deal with it. Here's the first trailer, complete with enough gameplay footage to make even the most cynical Super Smash Bros. fanatic enthusiastic for a brawl.

Both versions are scheduled to come out in 2014, and an official website for the game is launching soon. We hope to have more information on the release soon. Like, we really, really hope. More info as it develops... 

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Wii Party U detailed, delayed for Wii U

Nintendo has announced a slight delay to this year's release of Wii Party U, with the game slipping from its proposed summer launch to winter 2013. The game looks to be the most innovative and complete of the long-running party game series thus far, comprising the franchise's traditional board game gameplay alongside 80 minigames and a new selection of what Nintendo calls table-top games. 

Using Playing out on the Wii U gamepad's screen, these allow two players to compete by holding the controller between them and using either the d-pad and face buttons or the touchscreen itself. More details on the game's exact release date will be with you as we get them. 

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Third-parties show support for Nintendo Wii U and 3DS

During its E3 2013 Direct presentation, Nintendo showed off a compilation of third-party games coming to Wii U and 3DS. Publishers like Ubisoft are well represented with games like Watch Dogs and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, but others like EA were notably absent.

Here's a full list of games coming to Wii U or 3DS throughout the next 12 months:

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (Wii U)
Batman Arkham Origins (Wii U)
Batman Arkham Origins: Black Gate (3DS)
Deus Ex Human Revolution Director's Cut (Wii U)
Disney Infinity (Wii U)
Just Dance 2014 (Wii U)
Rayman Legends (Wii U)
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure (Wii U and 3DS)
Disney Planes (Wii U and 3DS)
Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS)
Skylanders SWAP Force (Wii U and 3DS)
Splinter Cell Blacklist (Wii U)
Sonic Lost World (Wii U and 3DS)
Watch Dogs (Wii U)

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Cut-down version of Art Academy coming early to Wii U Miiverse

A special, cut-down version of Art Academy for Wii U is being released ahead of the main game to enable Miiverse artists a greater palette (literally) to choose from when creating artwork for display on the online community space. Nintendo's president, Satoru Iwata made the announcement during a special E3 Nintendo Direct broadcast.

Aspects of the full version of Art Academy will include pencils, coloured pencils and pastels as you use the stylus to draw on the Wii U GamePad's touch screen display and upload it directly to Miiverse. This cut-down version will be available on the Wii U eShop this summer, although a specific launch date and price will be announced at a later date.

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