The Nintendo Direct this morning had all kinds of good news for 3DS fans, and even a few surprises for Wii U players. Even better, the news didn't end with returning classics like a new Legend of Zelda, Yoshi's Island, and a release date for Pikmin 3.
The Mario & Luigi series' funky RPG fusion will return on July 12 in Europe and August 11 in North America with Mario & Luigi: Dream Team--all of these games will hit retail and the eShop simultaneously, by the way. Players must smack around Luigi's sleeping face on the lower screen to manipulate the world of his dreams on the upper screen, as the brothers collaborate in bizarre new ways to save Princess Peach.
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D updates the Wii platformer with several new levels and an easier mode with extra health and items (the original difficulty is still available). The journey to Bananambhala begins on May 24 internationally.
Further ahead, Nintendo confirmed that Square Enix RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy and Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy will arrive in 2014. Need something to play all these new titles on?
If you're an Animal Crossing fan, a New Leaf 3DS XL bundle could be just the ticket. The $220 set will land on June 9 in North America and June 14 in Europe, with a special body featuring colorful icons from Animal Crossing and the game pre-installed.
Level 5's Guild 02 collection will bolster the 3DS eShop's selection of original "soon," with suspenseful adventure The Starship Damrey, giant monster slice of life game Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale, and Keiji Inafune's ant-battler Bugs Vs. Tanks.
The downloadable titles keep coming with pipe-puzzler Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move launching on May 9, and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons confirmed for May 30.
Finally, dust off your Sound Stones, for your prayers have been heard: classic RPG Earthbound will arrive on the Wii U virtual console this year. It's not Mother 3, but it's a start.
