Nintendo announces Animal Crossing Plaza

In true Nintendo fashion, the Japanese gaming giant dropped information on a few of the company’s upcoming titles during their latest Nintendo Direct. As usual, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata was on hand to slightly awkwardly deliver information regarding upcoming Wii U and 3DS titles to hardcore Nintendo fans. The run away success of Animal Crossing: New Leaf on the 3DS has caused Nintendo to open a dedicated Animal Crossing community on Nintendo’s Wii U social network, the Miiverse. The Animal Crossing Plaza is a special version of the Miiverse Plaza that allows users to share content from the Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Players can post messages, QR codes and screen shots from the 3DS game. Wind Waker HD, a game I’m excited for because I didn’t complete the original Wind Waker on the GameCube, was also shown off. Upcoming former Wii U exclusive title, Rayman Legends was also shown off. Levels from Rayman Origins will also be included in the game. The big announcement with Rayman Legends is that characters will be able to wear Luigi and Mario costumes in the game. Rayman Legends is set for a September 3rd release date. Sonic: Lost World was also shown off during the press conference. Nintendo also showed off its Wii U version of Art Academy sketch pad, a Mario Paint like downloadable game that will let users share their art on the Wii U’s Miiverse. Pikmin 3′s photosharing feature and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, were also discussed during the press conference. Pokemon Rumble U, the somewhat strange, hack-and-slash Pokemon title that will feature collectable NFC figures that can be scanned into the game, was also given some screen time. Oh and a little game called Super Mario Bros. 3 will be making its way to the 3DS. Nintendo also announced Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. A Professor Layton/Pheonix Wright crossover game is also in the works.