Nintendo Direct Announcements

Nintendo made some big announcements for its North American audience on Wednesday, including the release date for the new 3DS model and the new “Majora’s Mask” trailer.

The new 3DS model was released in Japan on Oct. 11, 2014, and will be released in North America on Feb. 13,  which seems a little too soon after the release of the 3DS, with only three years’ difference between the releases.

Nintendo has been churning out different versions of the DS for years without any major changes, and this seems to follow suit.

Some changes noted in Nintendo Direct are the new bumpers, C-stick, and face tracking mechanism for the 3D features. If you own a 3DS now, then you will know exactly what is wrong with the 3D now.

Players have to find that sweet spot and keep it there. If the 3DS is moved even an inch, the screen becomes distorted.

Another thing they are implementing is amiibo support. Amiibos are currently used for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Hyrule Warriors for the same console.

Amiibos are small statues of Nintendo characters that connect to a Wii U console or 3DS.

The new 3DS model also has a few software upgrades, with Nintendo claiming that there will be faster downloads and an improved browser.

The release of the new 3DS model will either confirm or deny how effective these changes are for Americans.

A gameplay trailer for “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” was released, which seemed reminiscent of the original game, even with the graphics. The 3DS isn’t known for its stunning handheld graphics just yet.

Another exciting announcement is the next Fire Emblem installment. There is not a working title from Nintendo just yet, but the graphics in it are just as gorgeous as in “Fire Emblem: Awakening.”

“Mario Party 10” has also been announced as a title for the Wii U. It has amiibo capability as well, with a special game based around the statuettes.

“Codename S.T.E.A.M.” is set to release on March 13, 2015, and Nintendo Direct announced that Fire Emblem characters will be joining the roster of the game.

“Codename S.T.E.A.M.” is a turn-based strategy game that brings characters from literature to fight against aliens in a steampunk version of London.

Nintendo apparently has a lot planned for this year, and it will be interesting to see these things unfold.