Nintendo dates major games, delays others

Nintendo has published new Wii U and 3DS release schedules for the US and Europe, confirming launch months for several of its key games and delays to other titles. As part of its E3 analyst briefing, in which the company outlined plans to boost hardware sales by releasing a steady stream of major games over the coming year, Nintendo released the images you can see above.

Of note, upcoming 3DS adventure Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (previously known as A Link To The Past 2) will hit the US in November and Europe "toward the end of this year." Retro’s freshly revealed Wii U game, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, is also set for release this November in both the US and Europe.

Wii Fit U has been delayed to December 2013 and Mario Golf World Tour, which was previously in line for a summer 2013 release on 3DS, has slipped to 2014. The newly named Yoshi's New Island for 3DS has been given a 2014 launch window.

Nintendo's E3 line-up featured major new reveals including Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8 and the new Super Smash Bros., as well as fresh showings of titles including Bayonetta 2 and The Wonderful 101. Release windows for those games can also be found in the images above.

Exclusive access to the hottest gaming newsKiller guides to make you an even better gamerCool contests and hot prizes

View the original article here

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze coming to Wii U this year

It had to happen eventually. Donkey Kong Country returns is vine-swinging onto the Wii U, with more banana-collecting, ridiculously challenging 2.5D platformer goodness. At this morning's Nintendo Direct, the follow-up to Donkey Kong Country Returns was announced for Nintendo's next-gen platform. Titled Tropical Freeze, the Wii U game is slated for release this year.

But it's not just Donkey and Diddy this time around. Pony-tailed, pink-clad Dixie Kong is back as a playable character, able to glide across chasms with her helicopter hair spin. It’s unclear whether or not you can pair Diddy and Dixie together a la Diddy's Kongquest, or if Donkey remains the primary Kong--but either way, we're gleefully happy to see Dixie's triumphant return.

Tropical Freeze keeps the same visual style of DKC Returns, with little details like DK's bristling fur really popping off the screen with the Wii U's graphical power. But it also takes a page from DKCR 3D, with the same layered, parallax stage design and the ability to switch camera angles at a whim. It's supremely satisfying watching DK blast from barrel to barrel as the camera pans around the gigantic tree he's scaling.

Your favorite (or most hated, depending on who you ask) level archetypes are back, like minecart stages and typical jungle romps. But Tropical Freeze brings back something that was sorely lacking from DKCR: underwater stages. No longer will the Kongs immediately perish if they touch water--expect more of the same dreamy ocean levels as the SNES entries.

Two-player co-op also makes a return, letting you tag-team your way through the particularly tricky stages. We can't wait to get our hands on Tropical Freeze; luckily, we won't have to wait long, as the game will be in our hands before 2013's end. Check back for more of our impressions of DKC TF as they develop.

Exclusive access to the hottest gaming newsKiller guides to make you an even better gamerCool contests and hot prizes

View the original article here

Wii Fit U pushed to early 2014

Nintendo's pushed back Wii Fit U until early 2014. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata announced the delay on the company's E3 Nintendo Direct.

Iwata said the game was originally planned for a release in spring or summer, but new features--like implementing the new Fit Meter--required more time. Iwata thanked Nintendo fans who bought Wii U early for their patience.

Stay tuned to GamesRadar for more updates from Nintendo and beyond at E3.

Exclusive access to the hottest gaming newsKiller guides to make you an even better gamerCool contests and hot prizes

View the original article here

PS4 cloud gaming won't be available at launch, coming in 2014

Not all of the announcements at the Sony E3 press conference was unicorns and rainbows (though there were plenty of unicorns and rainbows). The cloud gaming services which were touted as being game-changing (and the only way to play PlayStation 3 games on the PS4), will not be making the system's launch. Instead, they're being pushed back to an ambiguous "2014," meaning it'll miss the system's release.

Gaikai's streaming tech will be hitting the PS3 and PlayStation 4 first, but the Vita services will follow soon after that. Once it does release, it'll use Gaikai technology to provide "amazing gameplay that's fast and responsive," according to Sony, granting instant access to PlayStation 3's biggest hits. 

Exclusive access to the hottest gaming newsKiller guides to make you an even better gamerCool contests and hot prizes

View the original article here

3DS Legend of Zelda trailer finally gives us a title

The new trailer for Nintendo's 3DS Zelda shows plenty of new and familiar features while finally being kind enough to give us an official name. Titled The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the combination of classic 2D gameplay and the new wall-hugging ability can be seen in all of its glory below.

Also worth note is the official logo seen on the title screen. A triforce above an inverted, shadowy version of the series icon, the chances of a shadow world within the game have never been stronger. Between this, the gameplay and the new title, the upcoming release is wearing its ties to A Link to the Past on its sleeve.

There was plenty of other Nintendo announced today, so be sure to check out our coverage of the biggest games.

Exclusive access to the hottest gaming newsKiller guides to make you an even better gamerCool contests and hot prizes

View the original article here