Nintendo has revealed its hardware and software line-up for the first half of 2010, including the launch dates of the DSi XL, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M, and more, as well as a few games for the WiiWare and DSiWare services.
“Nintendo finished 2009 with a bang, and we’re continuing our momentum into 2010,” Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing said. “With Nintendo DSi XL, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M coming in the first six months of the year, we’re making sure all our fans have great game content to enjoy year-round.”
The new Nintendo DSi XL, a DSi with larger screens, larger stylus which is almost pen-like, and other features, launches in North America on March 28, 2010. The device will be offered at a suggested retail price of 189.99 USD (approx. Rs. 8,805) and will launch in Burgundy and Bronze colours. It will come with a host of pre-installed premium software including Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math and Photo Clock, and Flipnote Studio, as well as the Nintendo DSi Browser.
Super Mario Galaxy 2, the sequel to the original game will launch on May 23, 2010 for the Wii. It includes physics-based exploration and entirely new galaxies and features to challenge players. Mario can even pair up with Yoshi on some stages. The price of the game has not been revealed.
Metroid: Other M for the Wii will be made available on June 27, 2010. Developed by Team Ninja, the game features a 2D interface, which players can switch to a 3D perspective at any time. In addition, Nintendo of America will publish Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies in the Americas in the summer on the DS platform.
Capcom’s Monster Hunter Tri for the Wii will be available on April 20, 2010, and is a much anticipated title in the United States. The game took Japan by storm and features online play, online text chat and online voice chat. Monster Hunter Tri bundled with the new Black Classic Controller Pro will come for 59.99 USD (approx. Rs. 2,780) while the standalone game will be available for 49.99 USD (approx. Rs. 2,320).
Games for the Wii include Sin and Punishment: Star Successor scheduled for June 7, 2010, FlingSmash playable only with the Wii MotionPlus accessory scheduled for launch in the summer, and Disney Guilty Party coming in the second half of the year. Games for the DS include Picross 3D coming May 3, 2010, 100 Classic Books coming June 14, 2010 for 19.99 USD (approx. Rs. 925), and the DSi exclusive, Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal launching in October. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands will launch on May 18, 2010 for both the Wii and the DS.
Nintendo also has a variety of game on WiiWare and DSiWare. Mega Man 10, Max & the Magic Marker, Cave Story and WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase will come as WiiWare in March, while Photo Dojo, Metal Torrent, and X-Scape all will launch for DSiWare in the Spring.