Saturday, January 31, 2015

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker -- 2. Walley Tumble Temple

Captain Toad starts out in front of a bridge to a small temple. There's a gem on it. If you step on the bridge, it will collapse. Drop down to the right and walk on the spinning platforms in the water. Use the first one to cross to the left to reach the first gem. Cross the water to the temple. If you fall into the water, there are some coins. When you get out of the water, you'll have to dodge or stun a Walleye with a turnip to pass through a doorway under the bridge. There's a plant outside that will give you a Mushroom. Go through the doorway and you'll see two rotating hallways. Wait until the left one aligns horizontally so you can go through the doorway behind it. This will take you outside to a set of stairs. Go up the stairs and through the doorway at the top. This will take you to the right rotating hallway, which doesn't always let you progress. If you cross go through the doorway just to the left, you'll find several coins. If you stand in the hallway when it is vertically aligned, you'll drop down to a hidden area. Pick the plant for the second gem. Return through the rotating hallways and you'll reach a set of two rotating doorways. Stand in one to reach the top of the temple. There are two Walleyes here. Stun them with turnips or dodge them. On the edge of the bridge is the third gem. At the top of the stairs behind the second Walleye is the Star.

Special Challenge: Do not destroy the bridge.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker -- 1. Plucky Pass Beginnings

This area is a simple hill. The other Toad Brigade member are here. There are plants on the ground. Pick them for coins. Go around the corner and walk up the ramp into the hill for the first gem. Go back down the ramp and pick the plants for more coins. Pull up the handle to raise the platform up. There's a ladder so you can return if you go back down. Some of the plants have turnips you can throw. Throw it at the POW Block to clear out the blocks. This will allow you to reach the second gem. Near the gem is a plateau with a Shy Guy on it. Climb up the ladder and pull the plants until you get the pickax. It will start picking at what's in front of you and can destroy bricks, so just move where you want to go. Use it near the gem to get lots of coins. Drop down and break the bricks near the ladder to find a Golden Mushroom. Walk around in front of the ramp that leads to the tower with the Star. Pull the nearby handle so you can reach the Toad Brigade. Approach Blue Toad and he'll give you the third gem. Walk up the ramp to the Star.

Special Challenge: Collect the Gold Mushroom. This will get you a stamp on the page.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker -- Time to Get Treasure!

Captain Toad finds himself on a grassy field. There's a Star on a hill above him. Just ahead is Toadette. Walk up to her and she'll walk towards the hill. Follow her and get the Star. The two of them dance with the Star. Suddenly, feathers appear. Some talons grab the Star. Toadette holds onto the Star and the bird who grabbed the Star flies off.

It's finally time for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker! The puzzle stages from Super Mario 3D World are back with a twist: collect the three gems and the Star. There are special challenges to clear that you can see after you clear the stage. There are over 70 stages, so let's get started!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Nintendo Direct 1/14/15

It's time for the first Nintendo Direct of 2015!

Fire Emblem- The game will feature combo attacks as seen in Fire Emblem: Awakening. It shares the same development team, but is a new game. The choices you make will have a greater impact on the world. 3DS

Puzzle and Dragons Z- This is a popular series in Japan and is now coming to North America and Europe. Explore the land of Dracomacia. In battle, move orbs around to match three or more to damage your enemies. Chains of combos do more damage. There is also a Super Mario Bros. Edition which has you travel through levels in tradition Mario fashion. Each orb features a power that can help defeat enemies. You can also team up with various characters, including former enemies to gain even more power. Both games will come as a set. -3DS  May 2015

Pokémon Shuffle- Make matches of three or more of the same Pokémon to attack a wild Pokemon. There is a limit to how many moves you can use to drop the Pokémon's HP to zero. Each Pokémon has a type and level, allowing you to battle more effectively, especially if your lead Pokémon MEga Evolves. You have 5 Hearts to start and battling drops your Heart count by one. When you run out, you'll have to wait a while until you can battle again. You can get Jewels through Streetpass to replenish them, use items found in the game, or eShop points. - 3DS February 2015

Wii games are now available to play on the Wii U without going into Wii Mode. Games that used the Wii Classic Controller can now use the Wii U GamePad. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is available now, Punch-Out will be available January 22, and Metroid Prime Trilogy will be available January 29. They will be sold at half price for one week. More Wii titles will be available on the eShop.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse: There are many hidden treasure chests in the world. They may contain music or collectible figurines. Some are hard to find and you have a limited amount of ink to guide Kirby around. The game is Amiibo-compatible. Touch Kirby, Dedede, or Meta Knight Amiibo to the GamePad and power Kirby up with unlimited Star Dash, six health bars, or increased Tap Dash speed, respectively. - Wii U February 20

The second wave of Super Smash Bros. Amiibo will be available in February. They include Dedede, Rosalina, Bowser, Sonic, Megaman, Toon Link, Sheik, Ike, Shulk, Lucario, and Meta Knight. THe following wave will include Robin, Lucina, Pac Man, Wario, Ness, and Charizard. It will be available in spring. A Super Mario series of Amiibo will be available March 20. This will include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, and Toad. They will launch with Mario Party 10. Amiibo of the same character will function in the same way regardless of what series they are from.

Mario Part 10- This game will feature three modes: Traditional Party Mode, Bowser Party Mode, and Amiibo Party. Scan in an Amiibo to use that character and play on a game board based on that character. They each have a special feature on the game board. Each character gets a token of your choice for an item to use. It will be compatible with the Super Mario Amiibo plus Rosalina, Donkey Kong, and Wario. If you use a Smash Bros. Amiibo, any Smash data must be erased to play Amiibo Party. An Amiibo is required for Amiibo Party, so some physical copies will contain a Mario Amiibo. - Wii U March 20

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker- The Super Mario Toad Amiibo is compatible with this game. An update will allow you to scan the Toad Amiibo to make an 8-bit Toad appear and hide in the stage. -Update March 20 Wii U

Splatoon- When you start the game, you'll begin in a plaza. Inklings from Miiverse will appear and you can communicate with them. Go into the tower to play the online multiplayer mode. Each Inkling has their own weapon and outfit. Playing the game earns you money to buy equipment and clothes. You can change your outfit in the plaza. You'll equip three weapons: a main weapon, a sub weapon to create diversions and block enemies, and a special weapon. You can modify your Inkling's stats with their clothing. - Wii U May 2015

Hyrule Warriors: In honor of the upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, new characters will be available as DLC. Tingle will use his balloons as his main weapon as well as a wallet full of Rupees. Young Link wields the Kokiri's Sword and has the Fierce Dede's Mask. Both will be available together, along with an expanded challenge map and three new costumes. -February 5

Xenoblade Chronicles X- Humans have crash-landed on planet Mira after their ship was attacked by aliens. There are giant beasts in the land. You'll have access to vehicles to get around. - Wii U 2015

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars- Create your own levels and share them as before on Miiverse. Reward your favorite level designers by playing levels. You'll earn up to three stars based on your performance. Cash them in to purchase more parts. If you like a player's design, you can tip them some stars to help them build more levels. It will be available on the 3DS and Wii U. Purchase one to get a free download code for the other. -eShop March 5

Project Treasure: This game features four-player coop mode where you team up to disarm traps, route enemies, and collect treasure. It is free to download and play, as long as your Wii U has an internet connection. - Wii U

Elliot Quest- Elliot is cursed with immortality. Explore opens worlds, find hidden treasures, and battle guardians to find the cure to his immortality. -Wii U February 2015

Blek- Draw on the touch screen to connect colorful dots to bring artwork to life. - Wii U February 2015

Citizens of Earth- This game is a modern twist on retro Japanese RPGs (think Earthbound). You can use touch controls to guide characters. You become Vice President of Earth, who finds out that things have gone berserk the day after his election. Team up with more than 40 characters and go on quests and side quests. -Wii U and 3DS January 20

Gunman Clive 2- There are four playable characters, each with their own unique abilities. There are also more bosses and more colors. - 3DS eShop January 2015

Moon Chronicles Episodes 2, 3, 4- These are the final three episodes of Major Cain's lunar journey. They can be purchased individually or all together as a season pass. -3DS eShop January 2015

Sega 3D Classics- A new batch is being released. They include Afterburner 2, Fantasy Zone, Outrun, Fantasy Zone 2, and Thunderblade. -3DS eShop January-March 2015

Etrian Mystery Dungeon- Create your party of heroes and explore nearly infinite dungeons. -3DS eShop Spring 2015

Story of Seasons- This is a farming and life simulation. There is a new safari area giving you access to exotic animals. Make connections with characters and other players. -3DS eShop March 2015

Fossil Fighter Frontier- Unearth buried fossils. The fossils can come to life as Vivisaurs and fight other Vivisaurs. You can play in online battles against another person, team up with two other players to explore the world, or battle up to five other players locally. Enter tournaments to see how your Vivisaur stacks up. -3DS March 20

New Nintendo 3DS XL will play all 3DS games as well as new ones. It features a right C-Stick for better control, face-tracking 3D so turning it to the side doesn't blur the 3D effect, is Amiibo and near-field communication compatible, better internet surfing, faster downloading, and faster processing power. It has better battery life and adjusts screen brightness based on ambient light. It will also use Micro SD Cards. You can transfer data from your 3DS or 2DS. An A/C adapter will not be provided, but can use a charging cable from Nintendo DSi, DSi XL, and 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS. A charging cord can be purchased separately. -February 13

Super Smash Bros. for 3DS will be Amiibo-compatible with an update available at the New 3DS's launch.

Codename S.T.E.A.M.- Pick a four-hero team to outgun intelligent enemies. Checking your surroundings with the camera is important. You can use the touch screen or the C-Stick on the New 3DS. The game is Amiibo-compatible with Fire Emblem characters. If they fall, you can't revive them until after the battle. More Marth Amiibo will be available in the U.S. later. -3DS March 13

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy +- Engage in dogfights as you take to the skies. There are special Nintendo-themed airplane skins, such as Mario, Bowser, Fox, and Link. You can unlock them in-game or use Amiibo to unlock them. -3DS February 13

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D- This is a remake of the Wii game on the New 3DS, with 3D visuals and a map and character stats on the touch screen. There is a new mode where you can view 3D versions of character models. -New Nintendo 3DS April 2015

Iron Fall: Invasion- This game features six-player online or multiplayer battles. It also features a single player campaign. It will also run at 60 fps. -3DS eShop 2015

Monster Hunter Ultimate 4 will have a Gamestop-exclusive New Nintendo 3DS hardware bundle at the launch of the New 3DS. The C-stick will allow for better camera control in battle. You become a hunter traveling with a caravan of merchants. There are fourteen weapon classes, two of which are new. You can connect locally or online with three other players to defeat monsters. A demo will be available soon, as well as a Streetpass Puzzle Swap puzzle.

Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D- On the New 3DS, you can use the C-stick for full 360 degree camera control. If you preorder Codename S.T.E.A.M. at Gamestop, you'll get a Majora's Mask pin at pick up. There will be a Marjora's Mask New 3DS available. -3DS February 13