Nintendo Direct Recap: Zelda, Earthbound, Mario, Pokémon Wii U, 3DS and more!

Nintendo Direct came into town this week, bringing a range of updates and announcements for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

Highlights include a brand new Legend of Zelda game for Nintendo 3DS, based on the world of A Link to the Past. There were also new gameplay snippets from various Mario games including Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros and Mario Party 3DS, plus updates on the upcoming Wii U firmware.

Nintendo 3DS News

• Lead by series producer Eiji Aonuma, the Legend of Zelda team are working on a sequel to A Link to the Past. Set in the same world, there'll be new dungeons and 3D abilities which see Link become a drawing and move between walls. Due Winter 2013.
  
• The ever-popular Yoshi's Island returns in a gorgeous new adventure on Nintendo 3DS. With his classic flutter jump and egg throws, Yoshi also has new moves and abilities with the 3DS in mind.
  
• Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros is the latest entry in the popular Mario & Luigi series. Today Nintendo confirmed the game will be available on 12th July in Europe and August 11th in North America.
• Nintendo also detailed the 3DS version of Donkey Kong Country Returns. The enhanced 3DS port will include eight new levels exclusive to this version and an optional "new mode" with extra health/items to help newer players.

 
• With over 180 levels, user-created stages and touch-screen mechanics, Mario and Donkey Kong returns in Minis on the Move for the Nintendo 3DS eShop on 9th May.
• It's party time! The popular Mario Party series returns on Nintendo 3DS with seven new boards, each with their own set of objectives and challenges. Roll high on Nintendo 3DS with over 81 new mini-games and AR card games. Due Winter 2013.
  
• The much anticipated Bravely Default from Square Enix has been announced for Europe in 2013 and North America some point next year. The highly rated RPG brings traditional turn-based battles to Nintendo's portable.
  
• Score a hole in one with new details on Mario Golf: World Tour. Nintendo described the online play, which will include user communities and custom match settings, when it launches this summer on 3DS.
• Nintendo also confirmed a new Animal Crossing: New Leaf hardware bundle that comes with a nifty print and a copy of New Leaf pre-installed. It'll be available 14th June in Europe and June 9th in North America.
• Fans of classic Zelda will be able to grab hold of both The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons - heading to the Virtual Console service on 30th May.
• Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy sees the brainy professor take on ancient riddles of a long gone civilisation. It'll be released in Europe later this year and 2014 in North America.
• Guild 02, a collaborative project from Level-5, was announced for a European and North America eShop release today. The three games - The Starship Damrey, Attack of the Friday Monsters! and Bugs vs Tanks! will be avaiable on the Nintendo eShop this year.
• Shin Megami Tensei IV - a Nintendo 3DS exclusive was announced for Europe today.
• A limited edition Luigi Nintendo 3DS XL console will be heading to Japan later this year, alongside Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.
• Nintendo UK launched a Facebook page for The Legend of Zelda to discuss the forthcoming 3DS games and the series.

Nintendo Wii U Updates

• Wii U Spring System Update - Out next week, it'll speed up the system and allow for quick booting into the Wii mode when starting up the console.
• The Virtual Console service will launch alongside the Wii U Spring system update next week, bringing a range of NES and SNES games to Wii U owners. Players will be able to customise button layouts, quick save and play the entire game off-TV on the GamePad.
• EarthBound will be available on the Wii U virtual console in Europe and North America at a later date, having never been released in Europe.
• Nintendo also showed more of the New Super Luigi U DLC update for New Super Mario Bros. U today. It'll have the same overworld but new levels and a 100 second time limit per stage.
• Nintendo also revealed the Winged Pikmin critters for Pikmin 3. These new species will be able to assist our adventurers by carrying items in the air. More Pikmin 3 details expected in the coming months.
• Nintendo also showed a snippet of footage from the upcoming Pokémon Rumble U. Get ready, Pikachu!
• Nintendo America set a release date for Game & Wario  Wii U - launching June 23rd. Watch a new trailer for the game.
  [li>Wii U Panorama View also launching next week, letting you explore guided tours using the Wii U GamePad screen and motion controls.

Watch Nintendo Direct Again - UK/Europe

Watch Nintendo Direct Again - North America

What are your favourite announcements from today's Nintendo Direct presentation for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U? Have your say in the comments section and poll below.