Nintendo Direct 12.18.13 Impressions

Nintendo gave us a exceptionally fantastic show today. Here's what happened:

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THE AWESOME: 

"DIE NASTY WARRIORS!!!" 

Unlikely Duos: Okay, I've been trained to accept some weird crossovers as of late, but this is just bonkers. First game out of the gate appeared to be a Dynasty Warriors with a Zelda skin (akin to what they did with Dynasty Warriors 3D and similar to Monster Hunter 4's Link costume DLC), so obviously it wasn't a Zelda ga- lol nope, IT IS a new Zelda game. After the trailer we were left with a tentative title "Hyrule Warriors" and I imagine everyone watching will need plastic surgery to realign their gaping jaws back unto their confused faces. 

Also, There's Sonic running through a "Yoshi's Island Zone": Yep, those with the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World will be able to download a special "Yoshi's Island Zone" level for free from the eShop. I cannot believe I just typed that. And what's more, Iwata hinted at another DLC Zone being released next year that will "Link" you into its world...uh huh, I have literally no clue either.  

Mario Kart 8: I don't know how much better Mario Kart 8 can look than it does now, but it sure looks gorgeous. Not much new was shown in the Direct other than the airport course, but supposedly a Kirby Air Ride course was teased in the Japanese Direct, so there's something to hope for.  

CHIBI ROBO IS BACK: After over a 3 year hiatus of no new games in site, Chibi Robo has returned back to the gaming scene with Chibi Robo: Photo Finder, coming January 9, 2014. This should go to show that Nintendo still cares about their lesser IPs, so stop complaining that they never do anything new.

THE GOOD: 

SPOILER AL- Nah, just kidding. 

Rosalina in Smash: In what has to be the most awkward way to reveal a new Smash Bros. character ever, Rosalina (with Luma) has been confirmed to be a playable fighter in the next Smash Bros. While this may be giving the middle finger to Daisy fans everywhere, at least Rosalina appears not be a straight up Peach clone.  

Yoshi's New Island: Headed by Takashi Tezuka, creative director of the original Yoshi's Island, Yoshi's New Island (seriously: Donkey Kong Country Returns, New Super Mario Bros...Nintendo sure knows how to slap on uncreative labels- as if Yoshi ever disappeared in the first place, but anyway...) is bursting with charm. Get ready to lay eggs of unthinkable size sometime in Spring 2014. Also, why hasn't Yoshi been revealed for Smash Bros. yet?

  

NES Remix: Modders eat your heart out, because Nintendo just owned you in the adding-random-characters-in-Donkey-Kong department. It's like WarioWare's 9-Volt Microgame$ on steroids played backgrounds through the internet. And it's available now, which is cool.  

THE BAD: 

Why? 

Babies: "Hey everyone, the new playable character in MK8 is Kirb- nope, it's just the baby versions of Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Daisy trolololol." Of all the Marioverse characters to choose from they opted back to the babies... This is why we can't have nice things. 

Cranky Kong: "Hey, did you guys hear that we revealed Cranky Kong back in the VGX show? Because we don't think you remember it, so here's more info about Donkey Kong Country Returns Tropical Freeze: Cranky Kong is playable. Did we mention Cranky Kong is playable? Because we don't think we mentioned Cranky Kong would be playable before."

  

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Overall: 4.5/5 

This was a strange Direct that has just given us a taste of what's to come in 2014. It was enjoyable to watch, and I very little to complain about. What a great way to end the year, Nintendo.

Nintendo Direct 12.18.13 Impressions