December Nintendo Direct focuses on 3DS games

Well Nintendo fanboys and fangirls, if you were hoping for Wii U or DS information at the December 27, 2011 Nintendo Direct conference, you’ll be sorely disappointed. The Japanese broadcast conducted by Satoru Iwata has finished and it only focused on the 3DS. Okay, Yoshio Sakamoto stopped by to show off the Kiki Trick Wii game from the makers of WarioWare, but aside from that, it was all about what kinds of 3DS games will be released in 2012.

Actually, a few games were focused on in particular. Kid Icarus: Uprising was a big deal. Iwata says Japan will get it on March 22, 2011 and talked about the multiplayer. People will be able to face off in 3 on 3 or battle royal matches against people nearby or worldwide. Fire Emblem: Awakening came up, and Iwata showed screenshots and in-game footage so people could see how it will look and how it will have both skill and free map systems. Not to mention, Iwata appeared briefly beside Nene from New Love Plus to show off the AR features of the 3DS dating sim. Iwata also ended the conference letting people know that there would be 3D videos of discussed games and demos for Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater, Resident Evil Revelations, Rhythm Thief and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy in the 3DS eShop after the conference ended.

Aside from that, the rest of the program was a means of providing release dates for lots of other Japanese 3DS games. Since it’s easier, here’s the list of what came up and when it will come out.

• Ace Combat 3D – January 12, 2012
• Beyond the Labyrinth – January 19, 2012
• Bravely Default – 2012
• Dynasty Warriors VS – March 15, 2012
• Ghost Camera – January 12, 2012
• Girl’s RPG – March 8, 2012
• Harvest Moon: The Land of Origin – February 23, 2012
• Hatsune Miku and Future Stars: Project Mirai – 2012
• Kingdom Hearts 3D – March 2012
• Mario & Sonic at the London Olympics – March 14, 2012
• Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D – March 8, 2012
• New Love Plus – February 14, 2012
• Resident Evil Revelations – January 26, 2012
• Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure – January 19, 2012
• Tekken 3D Prime Edition – February 16, 2012
• Theatrhythm Final Fantasy – February 16, 2012
• Tobidasu Pretty Cure – December 27, 2012

Remember, the 3DS is a region-locked system. So no matter how cute or awesome some of those games look, like Hatsune Miku and Future Stars, Beyond the Labyrinth or New Love Plus, you can’t import them and play them on your North American system like you could with the DS, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color or original Game Boy. Man, region-locking sucks.

Read [Andriasang]