Games of 2015: Nintendo Exclusives

Nintendo had a stellar 2014 with high profile releases such as Super Smash Bros on Wii U & 3DS and Mario Kart 8 on Wii U. The 3DS had a plethora of games to choose from as well. 2015 will be an interesting year for Nintendo with the Wii U finally on the rise and a ton of games already announced. Nintendo’s current shortcomings look to be with the 3DS but we have no doubt that we’ll see some big announcements in a Nintendo Direct in early 2015.

The Legend of Zelda is the first new Zelda game to feature HD graphics. It will take place in a fully connected overworld which is similar to the original Legend of Zelda. It will have less emphasis on defined entrances and exits to dungeons. Designed Eiji Aonuma said that this was to give players more freedom and make the game truly open-world. The overworld can be traversed on foot or on Link’s horse Epona. This was shown for the first time at the VGAs at the end of 2014.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has already been released in Japan but will finally see it’s Western release in 2015. Monster Hunter 4 is different from it’s predecessors in the fact that it has a strong emphasis on three-dimensional movement. Walls can now be climbed more fluidly. In addition to this, players can grab on to monsters and attack them this way. You’re also able to attack in mid-air. Monsters will use environments to their advantage creating much more dynamic battles.

Splatoon is a different kind of game for Nintendo. It is a team-based third-person shooter which is playable by up to eight players in 4v4 matches. The game also features a single-player campaign for those that do not wish to play with others. Players are called Inklings who have the ability to switch between human and squid forms on the fly. Humans are able to shoot coloured ink accross the game environment with the end goal being to have the most coloured territory. Transforming into a Squid allows players to swim through their coloured areas.

Xenoblade Chronicles was announced alongside The NEW 3DS. it is the first game to be playable only on the NEW 3DS. The game follows a character named Shulk and his group of friends who are searching for answers about a mysterious sword. The game contains an open world design and emphasises exploration. The game was originally on the Wii and was extremely well-received in it’s original release.

The game that Nintendo fans have been craving since Ocarina of Time 3D was released soon after the 3DS. Majora’s Mask 3D is a remake of the Original Majora’s Mask which released on Nintendo 64. The game will feature stereoscopic 3D graphics, touchscreen controlls and gypscopic features. The game differs from other Zelda games in the sense that Link is given only three days to save the land of Termina, using various masks which give him different powers.

Mario Maker is something that Nintendo fans have been craving for years. It will give gamers the ability to recreate levels from Mario games using the Wii U Gamepad. So far it has been revealed that you’ll be able to create levels using styles from Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario World, Original Mario and New Super Mario Bros. Nintendo have hinted at being able to use assets from even more Mario games and also other Nintendo franchises.

Codename S.T.E.A.M is a turn-based strategy game with elements of a third-person shooter. It is being created by Intelligent Systems which are best known for their work on the Fire Emblem Series. The game will differ greatly to Fire Emblem in the sense that players will not face permadeath and are able to revive their characters using medals. The game takes place in a Steampunk fantasy London. The main character is called Henry Fleming. He is part of the elite fighting horse called ‘Unit S.T.E.A.M’

After being rumoured for many months, Nintendo finally confirmed that 2015 will finally mark the year that Nintendo fans will receive a brand new Star Fox game on the Wii U. It has been reported that the game uses a new dual-screen mechanic which turns the Wii U Gamepad into a view of the cockpit whilst the screen will show the perspective from behind the Arwing. It is also said that the game will introduce some new vehicle types which will take advantage of the Wii U hardware.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is an upcoming Japanese role-playing game by Monolith Soft. It is the spiritual successor to Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii. The game will take place in an open world with a big emphasis on exploring. You are able to travel on foot or in large humanoid robots. These robots are known as Dolls and have the ability to fly, traverse water or transform into vehicles such a motorcycles, trucks or tanks.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a sequel to the Nintendo DS game Kirby: Canvas Curse. The game is presented with a unique clay look and players will use the Wii U gamepad in order to help Kirby, who is stuck in a ball form to move across the level by rolling across rainbow coloured lines. Making Kirby go through hoops will still make him speed up, whilst touching him will allow him to use his signature spin attack. The game will be compatible with the Kirby, Meta Knight and King Dedede Amiibo.

Yoshi’s Wooly World takes similar attributes from the Wii title Kirby’s Epic Yarn. The game will be set in a world where the characters and environments are composed of yarn and cloth. Yoshi will retain a lot of his moveset from the Yoshi’s Island series of agmes which will make gameplay fairly different from Kirby. Yoshi’s Wooly World will also see a focus on teamwork which will allow the player to reach areas that they couldn’t before. It’s also been confirmed that the game will have Amiibo support.

Mario Party 10 is obviously the 10th main entry in the franchise. Mario Party is a series that many people grew up with on the Nintendo 64 however it’s one that has definitely dropped it’s standards over the last few iterations. Mario Party 10 includes two modes of play Mario Party mode is the normal gameplay mode that we all know and love. Bowser Party will include give players where four players take the role of regular characters where one person who is playing using the Wii U Gamepad playing as Bowser.