Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (Feb. 13, 3DS)
Nintendo’s 2015 season kicks off with a bang with the hotly anticipated remake of the classic N64 game, Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D. Long considered by many to be the less loved of the Nintendo 64 duo of mainline games, this year it shares the spotlight with no one as a top Nintendo exclusive. Like its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, don’t expect too much other than some enhanced controls and visuals. Just sit back and play a prettier version of the game you loved back in 2000.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Feb. 13, 3DS)
The latest game in the incredibly popular (especially in Japan) Monster Hunter series is also out on the same day as Majora’s Mask 3D. Yes, it’s just more Monster Hunter; but what makes Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate stand out more than it normally would this time around is that the New Nintendo 3DS also arrives on the same day and will really enhance the camera dependent action game. With the addition of the C stick, players can control the camera and stay on top of the action. This will be sure to grab the attention of gamers that have been on the fence about the portable versions of the game that have lacked that precision camera control.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Feb. 20, Wii U)
Finally, also out in February is Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. Following up on the idea that was the centerpiece of the DS game, Kirby and the Canvas Curse, players will be able use the Wii U’s gamepad to guide a rounder version of Kirby across the screen. As with just about every Kirby game, don’t expect a challenge but expect a quality game that put a smile on your face while it lasts.
Story of Seasons (Mar. 10, 3DS)
Remember when Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley released last year to some tepid reviews? Well one reason for that might be is that the people who have actually been developing the Harvest Moon games over the years have been working on Story of Seasons instead. In addition to what you have become accustom to with farm sim games, in Story of Seasons you’ll wheeling and dealing with other countries, will be able to share farm data via street pass, and can quickly set up crops in 3×3 form instead of one spot at a time. If Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley was a disappointment for you, Story of Seasons might be worth a look.
Mario Party 10 (Mar. 20, Wii U)
March will also see the latest installment in the long running party game series, Mario Party 10. Mario Party has been in a strange rut of sorts over the last few years. Instead of just giving fans something like a modern version of the popular N64 and GameCube entries, Nintendo has experimented with the formula with varying degrees of success (and failure). Will either the new Bowser or Amiibo party modes satisfy longtime fans? We’ll find out in a couple of months if Mario Party 10 winds up being the great Nintendo exclusive that it once was.
Splatoon (May TBD)
Splatoon, the new Nintendo IP that came out of no where and surprised everyone, is due out likely sometime in May this year. What we have seen and played so far of Splatoon has been incredibly addictive and fun but will it catch on with the Wii U’s smaller (compared to Xbox One and PS4) install base? For a game that seems dependent on online multiplayer for longterm success, it will need to be a huge hit to have that lasting impact and be a Nintendo exclusive worth picking up a Wii U for. We really hope that it ends up working out for the adorable ink shooting squid kids or whatever they are.
Now these next three games don’t have release dates yet, but we have seen enough to feel pretty confident that they will be out this year.
Mario Maker (TBD 2015, Wii U)
We’ve done it everyone. We have the means and the technology to finally create our own Mario levels! Ok.. so maybe we’ve been doing this for years BUT it’s the first time that Nintendo is letting us do it officially! When Mario Marker arrives this year we’ll be able to make our own Super Mario Bros. courses using (confirmed so far) either Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World and/or New Super Mario Bros. U skins. Awesome. Better yet you’ll be able to share them online. The future is here everyone!
Yoshi’s Wooly World (TBD 2015, Wii U)
Yoshi’s Wooly World feels more like a sequel to Kirby’s Epic Yarn more than anything else. Maybe that’s because it’s from the same developer, Good-Feel. Expect similar gameplay but instead of getting that dash of Kirby, you’ll be getting a sprinkling of Yoshi elements instead. Yoshi games are quite similar to the Kirby games in that you’ll rarely ever be challenged and they might not last very long, but very rarely are they bad games. Perfect difficulty for younger gamers but still fun for longtime hardcore Nintendo fans. Let’s see if Good-Feel gives older Nintendo fans a little something more this time around with Yoshi’s Wooly World.
Xenoblade Chronicles X and Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (TBD 2015, 3DS + Wii U)
We’re getting a pair of Xenoblade games this year and both will definitely quality Nintendo exclusives worth keeping an eye on. Neither have release dates but we’re pretty sure Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (the remake of the 2010 Wii game) will make it considering it’s the first game to be exclusive to the New NEW Nintendo 3DS. Xenoblade Chronicles X on the other hand will be on the Wii U and will be spiritual successor of sorts of Xenoblade Chronicles (and I guess the 3D version too). Details are still scarce, but expect some new info this week on Feb. 6 when a new Xenoblade themed Nintendo Direct drops.
A New Starfox and Legend of Zelda (TBD 2015?)
Expecting that both of these games will be out in 2015 is wishful thinking. We have seen little to nothing on both of them and other than just hopes, dreams, and vague rumors, we don’t really have a lot of reason to feel confident that they will be out in 2015. But still, they need to be mentioned in this list because if they do come out, they will not only be games to watch out for, but potentially dramatic Nintendo exclusive, Wii U system selling, killer apps. Sooner the better for Nintendo on these.
Phew, that was a pretty big list. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!
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