All Articles: Super Smash Bros. For 3DS

Next wave of Amiibo figures (including Zero Suit Samus, Ganondorf, Dr. Mario, more) will be available on September 11

amiibo-september112015Super Mario Maker definitely won’t be lonely on store shelves on September 11, as Nintendo has announced the next wave of Amiibo figures will also be available on that date. In addition to the “Classic Color” version of the 30th Anniversary Mario figure, Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U players will be able to pick up figures based on Bowser Jr., Dr. Mario, Ganondorf, Olimar/Pikmin, and Zero Suit Samus.

Another set of Smash Bros. figures will follow on September 25 in a “Retro 3 Pack.” The Duck Hunt Dog, Mr. Game and Watch, and R.O.B. will be packaged together for players who fondly remember the 1980s. Another three-pack, this one featuring the Mii Fighters, will be available in November.

Finally, a release date for the “Modern Color” version of the 30th Anniversary Mario figure will be announced at a later date.

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Mortal Kombat X was the best-selling game in the first half of 2015

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Fortune has scoured the last six months of data from The NPD Group to assemble a definitive list of the best-selling games from the first half of the year.

Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly when you realize just how few games have been released this year, NetheRealm’s Mortal Kombat X took the top spot. The latest game in the long-running series paved the way for WB Games’s complete domination of the sales chart. The publisher secured four spots in the half-year top ten including Batman: Arkham Knight (#6), Dying Light (#7), and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (#9). Arkham Knight’s appearance on the list is even more impressive as it was released in the last week of June.

Among the holdovers, Grand Theft Auto V (#2), Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (#4), and Minecraft (#5) all broke into the top five. It’s likely that all three will stick around for the year-end list as well.

The complete top ten list can be found right here:

Bestselling Games in the First Half of 2015
1. Mortal Kombat X
2. Grand Theft Auto V
3. Battlefield Hardline
4. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
5. Minecraft
6. Batman: Arkham Knight
7. Dying Light
8. NBA 2K15
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
10. Super Smash Bros. For 3DS / Super Smash Bros. For Wii U

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Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U: Ryu, Roy, Tourney Modes, YouTube Replays revealed

Nintendo’s big Pre-E3 showcase for the latest updates to Super Smash Bros. For Wii U/3DS may have leaked out a bit early, but it was still exciting to watch Game Director Masahiro Sakurai in the “New Content Approaching” video and to see all the announcements in the same place.

That said, all the rumors are true… Ryu (from Street Fighter II) and Roy (from Fire Emblem) will be added to both games as playable characters, joining the previously-announced Lucas (from Mother 3/Earthbound 2). Not only that, but Nintendo took special care with Ryu and included a variety of bonus features including custom attacks based on how long you hold the button down and the original button inputs for the Hadoken and the Shoryuken. All three characters are available to download now, along with new stages and new Mii Fighter costumes. I’ll let Nintendo handle the details…

Ryu
For 3DS: $5.99
For Wii U: $5.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $6.99
For the first time in Super Smash Bros. history, a character from the fighting game series Street Fighter joins the battle. Iconic character Ryu, whose look in the game is based on Street Fighter II, brings a new fighting style and feel to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Ryu’s traditional Light, Medium and Heavy attacks can be used depending on whether players tap, press or hold the buttons. Classic Street Fighter moves like Hadoken and Shoryuken can be activated with just a one-button press, but players who enter the original button combinations from the Street Fighter series will perform the same actions with higher damage.

Purchase includes the bonus Suzaku Castle stage from the Street Fighter series. This classic environment provides stable footing on the right side and a series of platforms on the left. It can also be played in Omega form, giving the stage a look and feel much like in the Street Fighter II original.

Roy
For 3DS: $3.99
For Wii U: $3.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $4.99
A fan-favorite from his last appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo GameCube, Roy from the Fire Emblem franchise returns to the series more powerful than ever before. Unlike Marth, Roy’s sword is stronger closer to the hilt, so he works better in close range. Roy also now has a Final Smash move in the form of a devastating sword blow.

Lucas
For 3DS: $3.99
For Wii U: $3.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $4.99
As previously announced, Lucas is also available to purchase as a new downloadable character. Originating in the Japan-only Game Boy Advance RPG Mother 3, Lucas primarily uses lightning attacks to smash his opponents.

New Mii Fighter Costumes
For 3DS (Each): $0.75
For Wii U (Each): $0.75
3DS + Wii U Bundle (Each): $1.15
For 3DS (All 8): $6.00
For Wii U (All 8): $6.00
3DS + Wii U Bundle (All 8): $9.20
Multiple video games and characters from the past and present are represented in a new set of Mii Fighter costumes now available through the new update. Two costumes from classic fighting game Virtua Fighter are based on the Akira and Jacky characters, with Akira even maintaining his blocky polygonal look from the original game. Tekken fighter Heihachi (and his amazing hair) serves as inspiration for one costume, with additional costumes based on Isabelle from Animal Crossing, MegaMan.EXE from Mega Man Battle Network, Zero from Mega Man X, the Inkling Girl and Boy and the Squid Hat from Splatoon also available.

Dreamland (Stage)
For 3DS: $1.99
For Wii U: $1.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $2.99
Based on the first Dreamland stage from the original Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64, this stage returns with a few tweaks.

Miiverse (Stage)
For Wii U: Free
This new stage for Super Smash Bros. For Wii U features Miiverse posts created by players all over the world. During matches while connected to the Internet, players will see Miiverse posts appear that cheer specific fighters on from the background. These messages will be pulled from individual Miiverse communities that just opened for each Super Smash Bros. character.

Everything Pack
For 3DS: $21.96
For Wii U: $21.96
3DS + Wii U Bundle: 29.16
Players who want every fighter, stage, outfit and accessory featured among today’s DLC releases can buy them all at once.

In addition to all of today’s downloadable content, Nintendo had a few other Smash-related announcement to make. In August, a free update will add Tourney Mode to the game on the 3DS and Wii U. According to Nintendo, “Community Tourneys let players compete for the highest points in a certain amount of time, while regular Tourneys have a specific set of rules and only happen at select times.” Tourney Mode will be followed by a second free update that will give Smash Bros. For Wii U players the chance to upload match replays to YouTube.

Finally, some new Amiibo figures are coming in September. The previously-announced Dr. Mario, Ganondorf, Bowser Jr., Zero Suit Samus, and Captain Olimar figures will be part of this wave. But fans will also be able to pick up Mii Fighter figures, as well as R.O.B., Mr. Game and Watch, and the Duck Hunt Dog. A Falco figure will also be available at a later date. And Amiibo figures based on Roy, Lucas, and Ryu are also in the works.

Is that enough Smash Bros. news for one day? Images of the newly announced Amiibo figures can be found after the break. (more…)

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The Witcher 3 hunts down the top spot as May 2015’s best-selling game

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The NPD Group has published their monthly report on the financial state of the video game industry and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has emerged as the best-selling game of May 2015.

The Witcher 3’s victory was assured after the game leapfrogged both of April’s big releases including Mortal Kombat X (#2) and Grand Theft Auto V (#3). The only other May release to make the list, Nintendo’s Splatoon, swam its way into the fifth spot. Though Splatoon should get extra notice for being the only platform-exclusive title in the top ten.

All told, retail sales for games, hardware, and accessories were down 13% versus May 2014. However, Mario Kart 8, Watch Dogs, Wolfenstein: The New Order, and the continued success of TitanFall more than explain the sales gap. The drop-off might have been even bigger if it weren’t for a new wave of Amiibo figures. According to NPD’s Liam Callahan (speaking to GamesIndustry.biz), accessories rose 20% year-over-year, with a 73% increase for “interactive gaming toys.” Callahan also confirmed that the PS4 was the best-selling console of the month.

The complete top ten list of best-selling games for May 2015 can be found after the break. (more…)

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Lucas will be available to download in Super Smash Bros. For Wii U/3DS on June 14

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Nintendo has updated the official Smash Bros. site with the news that Lucas will be available to download on June 14. Players can gain access to the Mother 3/Earthbound 2 star on both the 3DS and Wii U for $4.99. However, obtaining the character on just one platform will only set you back $3.99.

Nintendo will also release their Splatoon-inspired Smash Bros. costumes on June 14. The “Inkling Outfit” costume for Mii Fighters of the Gunner type will be able to be purchased for use on both platforms for $1.15. A single-platform option is also available for 75 cents. An “Inkling Squid Hat” for all Mii Fighter types will be available for $1.15 (both platforms)/$0.75 (single platform) as well.

Don’t forget, Nintendo wants to add a ton of downloadable characters to Super Smash Bros. For 3DS and Super Smash Bros. For Wii U. The publisher even opened an online poll to collect character suggestions from fans.

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Flawless Retaility! Mortal Kombat X tops April 2015’s list of best-selling games

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Mortal Kombat X killed the competition last month as it’s been crowned the top-selling game of April 2015 by The NPD Group. Aside from NetherRealm’s latest and Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin at #8, the tracking firm’s report showed a top ten that was comprised solely of returning titles including Grand Theft Auto V at #2, Battlefield Hardline at #3, MLB 15: The Show at #4, and the well-loved Minecraft at #5.

Overall, it was a good month for the game industry as total sales rose 3% over April 2014. It’s a small gain, but it’s a gain nonetheless.

“Overall sales across hardware, new physical software, and accessories in April 2015 grew by 3% over April 2014 due to the strength of new physical software sales, which offset losses from hardware and accessories,” The NPD Group’s Liam Callahan told GamesIndustry.biz.

April 2015’s top ten best-selling titles (which also includes CoD: Advanced Warfare, NBA 2K15, the fourth Super Smash Bros. game, and a remastered Borderlands collection) can be found after the break. (more…)

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Nintendo posts first yearly profit in four years as Mario Kart 8, Smash Bros. 4, Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire sell a bundle

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The champagne is surely flowing in the Nintendo office today as the consolemaker has posted a yearly profit for the first time since 2011. After tabulating sales of almost ¥550 billion (about $4.6 billion), Nintendo announced an operating income of ¥24.77 billion (about $207 million) during their most recent fiscal year (April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015).

It’s quite a turnaround for the company, and it’s all due to an influx of big-selling titles on the 3DS and Wii U. Leading the way was Super Smash Bros. For 3DS and Super Smash Bros. For Wii U. Nintendo’s ridiculously popular fighting game sold 6.75 million copies on the 3DS and 3.65 million on the Wii U for a grand total of 10.4 million copies. Another connected pair of games almost reached eight figures this past year, but Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire will have to settle for a 9.94 million tally instead.

Mario Kart 8 was next on the sales charts, producing sales in excess of 5.11 million copies sold. And speaking of the Mario Kart franchise, Mario Kart 7 sold 2 million copies during the fiscal year, which pushes its lifetime sales past 11.7 million copies. Sticking with the 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D also performed well in the last 12 months, selling more than 2 million copies.

Finally, Nintendo also shared hardware sales figures for both the Wii U and 3DS. Nintendo’s home console has sold 9.54 million systems since its 2012 launch while the 3DS has chipped in 52 million in sales for the handheld’s entire family.

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Director of Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS wants to create as many DLC characters as possible

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Masahiro Sakurai, the Director of Super Smash Bros. For 3DS and Super Smash Bros. For Wii U, has had a massive change of heart about downloadable characters. At first, Nintendo’s DLC plan was going to be a one-off special offer for fans who purchased both versions of the game. That’s right, there were originally no plans to sell Mewtwo as a separate download.

That all changes next week when Mewtwo will be offered up to every owner of Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U. Not only that, but Sakurai told Famitsu (via Nintendo Everything) that he wants to offer as many downloadable characters as he can:

It’s a huge undertaking to create a fighter, so I think we can’t make them in large quantities. I’d also like to feel refreshed when the project is over. However, since we have decided to tackle [DLC] once, I’d like to offer as much fun [content] as possible. It will take a while from now, but please look forward to it.

The final decision on which characters will be added to the game still sits with Nintendo, but the consolemaker is listening to fans. They’ve set up the Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot and will continue to tally our votes until October.

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