How does Nintendo reward Japanese players and also hype up the rerelease of a beloved GameCube game? It releases free downloadable content (dlc) for Animal Crossing: City Folk players! The first ever download dlc for Animal Crossing: City Folk is a hat labeled red Pikmin. When worn, it makes the character look, well, like a red Pikmin from the Pikmin games.

If you’re looking for the hat, many users on Animal Crossing: City Folk forums are offering to sell or give away the item. According to information on Zyetendo, you can’t hack the game to get the item – you must first actually acquire the item before you hack to acquire it. Hacking isn’t necessary though. If you can get your hands on a red Pikmin hat (like I did), it is immediately added to your catalog…

Destructoid posted a very handy list of Nintendo’s upcoming releases today, with the most up-to-date release dates that we have. Everything from Pikmin 1 and 2 to the ultra-anticipated new Punch Out!! are on there, along with a couple of MIA titles that raised a few eyebrows - Fatal Frame 4 is nowhere to be seen.

The list:

Just after I reported on all the remakes coming to the Wii, Nintendo announced a slew of excellent Gamecube games getting a Wii makeover. 1up reported that adventure-FPS classics Metroid Prime 1 and 2, along with garden-strategy hybrids Pikmin 1 and 2 will receive the upgraded treatment. Also on the list of Wii-makes are Mario more »

During last night’s E3 2008 Nintendo Developer Roundtable where games like Animal Crossing, Wii Music and Wii Sports Resort were being presented, a sudden and off-topic question informed all of the return of a familiar title. During the presentation, an audience member had to have his or her Pikmin fix, and asked if another game would eventually be made. To the surprise of many, Shigeru Miyamoto, casually confirmed that a new Pikmin game is being made…

The latest Smash Bros. DOJO!! update introduces Captain Olimer from Pikmin to the fighting roster of the upcoming Wii game, Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Of course Olimer isn’t alone in the coming battles, he is joined by five different kinds of pikmin, whose only purpose in life is to serve him. See, Olimer is essentially more »

There have been strange reports of Nintendo filing interesting trademarks lately.

One of the trademarks Nintendo is registering is actually a renewal for Miyamoto’s game Pikmin, which was hinted at several years ago. Perhaps they’re almost ready for the third installment of those cute little flower people. One could only guess that it may be coming to the Wii console if Nintendo is renewing the trademark.

The trademark Nintendo Magic is rumored to be a…