Nintendo pre-TGS News Dump: Mario Kart 7, Mario 3D Land & Monster Hunter

DoctorFinger · 09-13-2011, 01:19 PM

The Tokyo Game Show kicks off in a couple days, and Nintendo opened up the pre-show with some significant revelations.

Most important to much of our audience, the Big N has finalized the release dates for both Mario Kart 7 (December 4) and Mario 3D Land (November 13). Nintendo also formally pushed Kid Icarus Uprising to 2012, alongside Paper Mario and Luigi's Mansion. A firmware update is also on the way which will allow the 3DS to take 3D video footage.

But the biggest news of the show - at least for the Japanese audience - was the announcement that Monster Hunter 4 would hit the 3DS. The series never gained much traction in the US or Europe, but it's one of the most popular franchises in Japan, rivaling Final Fantasy for popularity. Many observers say that Capcom's decision to bring the series to the PSP saved the handheld in Japan after a very shaky launch, and many think it could do the same for the 3DS, which hasn't sold the numbers Nintendo thought it would. But to play Monster Hunter 4 you'll need an accessory. Say hello to the 3DS Slide Pad

Yes, the $20 accessory simply adds a second circle pad to the side of the 3DS, and yes it's mostly for Monster Hunter. Other titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D and Kingdom Hearts 3D will also take (optional) advantage of the Slide Pad, but it's aimed squarely at Monster Hunter fans. Oh, and it will require it's own AAA battery, so it won't alleviate the battery life issues on the 3DS either.

Sources - Game Informer; Joystiq; Shacknews; Gamespot

RandoM51 · 09-13-2011, 01:23 PM

Nintendo shares down 5% following their TGS showcase.

Source: Reuters

My take on the new peripheral: "Duct tape for the next generation of handheld gaming."

TheEpicOfTyler · 09-13-2011, 01:24 PM

They're waiting for next E3 to announce their 3DS battery backpack.

Philonious · 09-13-2011, 01:35 PM

How long before they announce a 3DS with both thumb-pads? Because as tempted as I am to buy this I won't until they sell the 'finished' version of the system.

Savok · 09-13-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philonious

How long before they announce a 3DS with both thumb-pads? Because as tempted as I am to buy this I won't until they sell the 'finished' version of the system.

After Christmas, like always.

And you have to dismantle the 3DS to recharge it now, awesome.

Mike Kelehan · 09-13-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savok

And you have to dismantle the 3DS to recharge it now, awesome.

I don't think this covers up the charging port, but I could be wrong. It's definitely true that you won't be able to dock it, though.

Philonious · 09-13-2011, 02:03 PM

I haven't touched a 3DS yet, but it looks like the attachment might make it difficult to use the face (and potentially the right shoulder) buttons. Do we think this spells the DOOM of the 3DS like other sites seem to suggest?

Savok · 09-13-2011, 02:06 PM

Actually with side on pics it looks more like attaching a PS# pad to the back of it, so it may end up being more comfortable. Just not remotely portable.

Sandman · 09-13-2011, 02:09 PM

I kinda want to wait on the Super 3DS with the slide pad built in.

Mike Kelehan · 09-13-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philonious

I haven't touched a 3DS yet, but it looks like the attachment might make it difficult to use the face (and potentially the right shoulder) buttons. Do we think this spells the DOOM of the 3DS like other sites seem to suggest?

It adds an L2, as well as R1 and R2 buttons. The idea is, you won't use R at all. The face buttons might be a reach, though.

MagGnome · 09-13-2011, 02:40 PM

Are they really calling it Mario Kart 7? No "clever" title like Mario Kart 3D?

I can't help but giggle every time I see the "slide pad". It looks like something a third party would put out. They really couldn't come up with a better design? Oh well...

TheFlyingOrc · 09-13-2011, 02:50 PM

How strange.

It's monster hunter, so it should do well in Japan.

Chris_D · 09-13-2011, 04:42 PM

Monster Hunter is pretty much the biggest franchise in Japan these days so getting a numbered entry is huge. They will hold off on announcing the new 3DS model for as long as possible to clear out their existing inventory.

Kelegacy · 09-13-2011, 04:52 PM

Man, Nintendo is really sucking lately.

Philonious · 09-13-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_D

Monster Hunter is pretty much the biggest franchise in Japan these days so getting a numbered entry is huge.

I'm wondering if it's going to be 3DS exclusive or if they're going to offer a Vita version as well. Exclusivity is great for Nintendo/Sony, but Capcom wins if they go multiplatform. Forget that, everyone wins if Capcom pulls a Pokemon and release slightly different versions on each platform.

JayVe · 09-13-2011, 05:06 PM

Honestly, I wish Sony had unveiled a second analog stick for the PSP early on. That damn system needed one so badly.

JayVe · 09-13-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philonious

I'm wondering if it's going to be 3DS exclusive or if they're going to offer a Vita version as well. Exclusivity is great for Nintendo/Sony, but Capcom wins if they go multiplatform. Forget that, everyone wins if Capcom pulls a Pokemon and release slightly different versions on each platform.

This would rock... Especially if folks can play together online.

Widgetcraft · 09-13-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelegacy

Man, Nintendo is really sucking lately.

I pretty much gave up on them when we started hearing rumors about this peripheral and a new version of 3DS (rumored to be coming out next summer). They've lost my business, permanently.

Talanvor · 09-13-2011, 06:02 PM

Why does that thing not have a secondary battery pack? You're slapping a huge hunk of plastic on, might as well take advantage of it.

I wonder if maybe there will be a packaged bundle with the slidepad and the new MH? Kind of like the classic controller pro, or whatever it was called, and Tri for the Wii.

Kelegacy · 09-13-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heretic Machine

I pretty much gave up on them when we started hearing rumors about this peripheral and a new version of 3DS (rumored to be coming out next summer). They've lost my business, permanently.

Wish they'd focus the same kind of energy and enthusiasm that the have for redesigns into making more quality games available for their platforms.

Maybe the WiiU will change all this, but I have a feeling it won't. Plus, it's called WiiU. WTF.

09-13-2011, 01:19 PM	#1
DoctorFinger Editor in Chief Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 13,871 Blog Entries: 10	Nintendo pre-TGS News Dump: Mario Kart 7, Mario 3D Land & Monster Hunter The Tokyo Game Show kicks off in a couple days, and Nintendo opened up the pre-show with some significant revelations. Most important to much of our audience, the Big N has finalized the release dates for both Mario Kart 7 (December 4) and Mario 3D Land (November 13). Nintendo also formally pushed Kid Icarus Uprising to 2012, alongside Paper Mario and Luigi's Mansion. A firmware update is also on the way which will allow the 3DS to take 3D video footage. But the biggest news of the show - at least for the Japanese audience - was the announcement that Monster Hunter 4 would hit the 3DS. The series never gained much traction in the US or Europe, but it's one of the most popular franchises in Japan, rivaling Final Fantasy for popularity. Many observers say that Capcom's decision to bring the series to the PSP saved the handheld in Japan after a very shaky launch, and many think it could do the same for the 3DS, which hasn't sold the numbers Nintendo thought it would. But to play Monster Hunter 4 you'll need an accessory. Say hello to the 3DS Slide Pad Yes, the $20 accessory simply adds a second circle pad to the side of the 3DS, and yes it's mostly for Monster Hunter. Other titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D and Kingdom Hearts 3D will also take (optional) advantage of the Slide Pad, but it's aimed squarely at Monster Hunter fans. Oh, and it will require it's own AAA battery, so it won't alleviate the battery life issues on the 3DS either. Sources - Game Informer; Joystiq; Shacknews; Gamespot

09-13-2011, 01:23 PM	#2
RandoM51 Peripheral Visionary Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,666 Blog Entries: 1	Nintendo shares down 5% following their TGS showcase. Source: Reuters My take on the new peripheral: "Duct tape for the next generation of handheld gaming." __________________ RandoM51 could use a few good gamers to save the Earth from alien invasion.

09-13-2011, 01:24 PM	#3
TheEpicOfTyler Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,222 Blog Entries: 1	They're waiting for next E3 to announce their 3DS battery backpack. __________________ PSN ID: theepicoftyler http://twitter.com/threexs

09-13-2011, 04:42 PM	#13
Chris_D Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 6,346 Blog Entries: 67	Monster Hunter is pretty much the biggest franchise in Japan these days so getting a numbered entry is huge. They will hold off on announcing the new 3DS model for as long as possible to clear out their existing inventory. __________________ The Pulse of the Japanese Gamer \| G+ \| Twitter \| YT \| XBL: Mr GT Chris \| PSN: Mr_GT_Chris \| My Backlog

09-13-2011, 04:52 PM	#14
Kelegacy The Pill Man Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 10,160	Man, Nintendo is really sucking lately. __________________ PSN: Kelegacy 360: Kelegacy Steam: Kelegacy

09-13-2011, 01:35 PM	#4
Philonious Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 1,936	How long before they announce a 3DS with both thumb-pads? Because as tempted as I am to buy this I won't until they sell the 'finished' version of the system.

09-13-2011, 02:03 PM	#7
Philonious Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 1,936	I haven't touched a 3DS yet, but it looks like the attachment might make it difficult to use the face (and potentially the right shoulder) buttons. Do we think this spells the DOOM of the 3DS like other sites seem to suggest?

09-13-2011, 02:06 PM	#8
Savok Vulcan Rage! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 9,424	Actually with side on pics it looks more like attaching a PS# pad to the back of it, so it may end up being more comfortable. Just not remotely portable.

09-13-2011, 02:09 PM	#9
Sandman Libratorr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Almost Florida Posts: 6,079 Blog Entries: 3	I kinda want to wait on the Super 3DS with the slide pad built in.

09-13-2011, 05:06 PM	#16
JayVe Kamalot at heart Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 7,515 Blog Entries: 1	Honestly, I wish Sony had unveiled a second analog stick for the PSP early on. That damn system needed one so badly. __________________ Blog of Adventure Nintendo 3DS: 2105-8651-5073 Xbox 360: JayVe Steam: Kamalot

09-13-2011, 06:02 PM	#19
Talanvor Hatredcopter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,884	Why does that thing not have a secondary battery pack? You're slapping a huge hunk of plastic on, might as well take advantage of it. I wonder if maybe there will be a packaged bundle with the slidepad and the new MH? Kind of like the classic controller pro, or whatever it was called, and Tri for the Wii. __________________ XBL - Talanvor \| PSN - Tralgore \| Steam - Talanvor

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