If you're in North America this is a rather exciting day — delay the hype by seven days in Europe — as two monstrous first-party titles arrive alongside the amiibo range. If you're a fan of retail downloads chances are you're already playing these games, while a trip to stores or eagerly awaiting the mail will be the day's activity for others.
The fourth generation of this franchise finally arrives on Wii U, with a whole host of exclusive features and modes alongside some connectivity with the 3DS iteration. Don't forget, too, that if you own both versions and register them on Club Nintendo you can get a free two-disc soundtrack; free Mewtwo DLC will also be offered in Spring next year in the same deal, while that'll also be released as paid content.
Our Super Smash Bros. for Wii U review goes into a lot of detail and includes plenty of praise, though we haven't awarded a score at the time of writing in order to fully test the online play. Keep your eyes peeled for the updated review and score soon.
There are currently 12 amiibo figures available in stores — Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox, Samus, Wii Fit Trainer, Villager, Pikachu, Kirby and Marth — with 17 more figures then due in two separate waves by the end of February 2015. These toys will have the most functionality in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, though more games will be supported. You'll be able to use any figure in Hyrule Warriors — with Link unlocking a new weapon — while ten figures unlock Mii suits in Mario Kart 8.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire tap into nostalgia for the Game Boy Advance originals, but they're far more than quick and easy upgrades. These titles incorporate the engine and a variety of features from Pokémon X & Y, while also including connection features between the two. Pokémon has never been this connected, and we were impressed by the new features and their integration into the original content, while the story is meatier and more detailed than first time around.
You can see what we thought, in full, in our Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire review. Don't forget, too, that the first free distribution — available now until 14th January 2015 — is a Level 5 Shiny Beldum with the moves Hold Back, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt & Iron Defense, while holding the Metagrossite (thanks, Serebii).
So there you go. If you're lucky enough to be in North America let us know which of these releases has you most excited for this gaming weekend.
Which of these big releases are you most excited about? (202 votes)
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
- amiibo
- Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- I'm in Australia / New Zealand so will catch Pokémon
- Neither is out yet in my country, boo!
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Comments (51)
though I am getting both smash and pokemon, It has to be smash I am most excited about:D
Aww, Europe has to wait.
I saw Marth at the midnight release, the figure looks really weird.
Some amiibo look good, others not so good.
This is gonna be a really hard week! All this talk about these two great games and us Europeans have to wait!
Oh well, hope all you lucky people who get to start one or both of these games enjoy yourselves!
I live in the Bahamas, but the region for my Wii U is set to the USA. I had smash predownloaded since a few days ago, and it only took about 5 min to download and install the unlock content. I played it from 12AM to about 3AM and am at work now, but i will tell you guys, it is an awesome game!
Can't wait for lunch time, I'll be leaving school so I can pick up my pre-order of Smash.
I hope Nintendo are working on some kind of Amiibo friendly Disney Infinity 3D-world building game - 3D Mario Maker perhaps??
I'll be waiting at the door at 10:00 AM EST when my GameStop opens to pick up my OR and poster. Smash Bros can wait until Christmas.
I will be playing mine today sometime after ups drops it off. I can't believe this game is so close to being on my tv again. The 3ds version is good but I so want to play some event battles and play a 4 player smash with a lot less lag.
@Yosher Go outside and don't go on the Internet, that's what I'll do
I can't wait to download smash! I want at least one Amiibo today. Pokemon will have to wait.
I got a New 3DS XL. I wish amiibo had launched today here.
I'm getting ORAS for Christmas.
******* Europe. Grrrrrrr. [Please watch your language - Tom]
Nevertheless will be picking up ORAS in a week and Smash shall wait till Christmas.
Heading out to get omega ruby later today.
Smash bros can wait till next year for me.
Really like that Pokemon commercial, hadn't seen it before. Nice mix of live action and then game play at the end.
My kids will be picking up Pokemon at Target this afternoon and I'm leaning towards SSBU while we're there. Still not all that interested in amiibo, not even enough to pre-order SSSB at TRU for a free 1. Maybe after Activision stops making Skylanders games and/or a game comes out built for amiibo. Maybe.
I got Smash Bros, both Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and the Pikachu and Peach amiibo.
I was hoping to get Fox but the GameStop I went to didn't have one.
@audiobrainiac
Download is definitely the way to go. It took only about 5 min (if that) to download and install the unlock content for the predownload. I checked the storage use afterwards and it takes up 12GB total. The game runs extremely fast and smooth, fast loading times, it's gorgeous, and it's great fun.
I'll go to a couple local stores during lunch break today, intening to get Smash, Watch Dogs, and a couple amiibos. Sadly, release date isn't always accurate where I live, so there's a big chance I'll have to wait a bit more. Bummer.
@UltraLaserTen
still waiting for my link amiibo to ship here. Let me know how you feel about the amiibos in game.
It's interesting how the votes are 5 to 1 for Smash over Pokémon, because at my store's midnight release, we were way outnumbered by Pokémon fans!
@manu0 Sounds like a plan. XD
The amiibo are neat. I picked up a Link with my controller bundle. Was going to get a DK, but I decided to get a character that I actually use in smash once in a while. The amount of detail on some of the figurines is quite impressive. The collect-ability paired with game functionality justifies the pricing IMO, though I must admit, I thought they were slightly over-priced on reveal.
@FunkyMonkey
Thanks for the info, i won't have my Link Amiibo and Hori controller until monday. Looking forward to it.
Yay Smash! I forgot about that Beldum. I'll have to order that Pokemon immediately sooner in January than I thought...
Played Smash last night and this morning. Can't wait for work to be over!
Need to wait till after school! :/
@BurningSonic Ah, same here.
But on the flip-side: SMAAAASH! Strangely, I wasn't very excited yesterday. Today, I'm so excited that I don't even mind going to school today. I'm really feeling it!
@BurningSonic @StaticWind
The hype is real, it is a good game! You will enjoy it.
I was at NintendoWorld's Triple Launch Event last night, it was absolutely packed with Nintendo fanatics! The line was crazy but I finally got my hands on that Smash Bundle!!
In person, the Amiibos are a bit smaller than I expected and that makes the details a little more impressive at times but the overall impression less impressive. It also means you should compare them and pick one with the defects that bother you the least. I took awhile looking at Samus as she has many small black lines painted on.
I personally found the plastic stands (even the yellow one on link) less horrible in person. Probably because it's not up against a bright white background.
My daughter likes the Pikachu one, which led to value questions: There is no Pikachu costume in Mario Kart 8. She's going to be disappointed about that I think.
I'm also a little confused about the Mario Kart compatibility chart because it only includes Mario, Yoshi, and Princess Peach... but the costumes in the Mario Kart 8 cover many more characters. Maybe some last minute changes that weren't ready in time for the in-store kiosk to reflect?
I'm not playing with the Amiibos for awhile (Xmas gifts!) but I just feel better about them because the games they are attached to or just so much higher quality overall than the DI stuff and I also feel less pressure to buy more of them but instead focus on a couple favorites... so far.
BTW, there's a demo of Captain Toad Treasure Tracker at Target now and that's a day one purchase and gift wrap. So insanely adorable and I was chuckling the whole time, enjoying the secrets and game play immensely. Can't wait.
Days like this I miss being a kid. I would be absolutely freaking out with excitement right now. I send a jealous shake of the fist paired with a wink to everyone who's going to be spending this entire day just destroying their eyes and hands.
Smash pre-ordered at Best Buy, as well as last minute Kirby, Samus, and Peach Amiibos (Link sold out...). Eagerly awaiting my "come get it!" email. Should have some 6 player action tonight, so will be interesting.
It's rare, but I don't care about any of this stuff. Just waiting for captain toad.
Nothing can wait!! I got both Or&As along with Smash at the midnight release. Placed second in the Pokemon tournament and 3rd in the Smash Bros. tournament. I must say that being able to use the 3ds as a controller really helps make 8 player smash easier to pull off. And from my experience there was no input lag, even on an HD television.
Smash is so waiting. I am downloading Pokemon Saphire as we speak. persona Q will be mine after that and Tales of heart is just around the corner. I like Smash and all but RPGs are my top priority.
Picking up both games later.
I should have bought omega ruby later tho, as I will be playing smash first.
Excited for BOTH!
I just got Smash, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Pikachu Amiibo, Villager Amiibo, and 2 Wii Fit Trainers. xD
Bought Smash Wii U, guess I'll get Omega and/or an Amiibo next month. No clue which one I'll get, probably Link just because of what you get in Hyrule Warriors.
Snubbed by nintendo again in the uk & eu if they took stupid region locking off they could pack smash bros ntsc in uk box's. Region locking and late games for the eu and then nintendo wonder why people in the Eu flock to ps4 and xobxone.
I love nintendo but they really need to wakeup to these times of gameing like sony have.
@aaronsullivan - Checked my Target, no Captain Toad demo. Bought SSBU but had to purchase at customer service as the 10% off coupon wouldnt work w/ the $5 pre-order GC which is insane, I pad $1 for that card, its not a coupon.
@ryno - The last Wii Mini was gone.
For those waiting for Pokemon ASOR in the EU/UK - the US version has a choice of 7 language options - seven - so I dont think translation is the hold-up. I dont recall what they all were but the usual EU languages, english, spanish, french, german, italian.
@rjejr: Sad news!!! We will always have the memories though! Did you get some amiibos?
I bought ALL the Amiibo!
Well, my Smash GameCube Limited Edition bundle only just shipped out today, so it looks like I won't be playing Smash this weekend. However, my dual pack of Pokemon OR/AS did arrive today, as did seven of my Amiibos: Yoshi, Link, DK, Samus, Fox, Marth and Wii Fit Trainer. I must say, I'm rather impressed with the quality of these figures considering the low price. I figure if you're going to order these things it's best to order them right away before the die develops defects. Quality for castings is usually best at the start of the run.
None of this, Fantasy life and Smash bros are the only thing i was expecting in this year end. Now waiting for the new 3DS MH4U and Xenoblade.
@Ryno - No amiibo for us. Ordered Skylanders Trap Team on Wii on Amazon for $37.49 so we can DL the Wii U version and they have their choice of tvs to play on. Had I grabbed that last Wii Mini the other day when I price checked it they could have played on that. PS TV is dropping fast, maybe I'll pick up 1 of those. It's kind of like a Wii Mini b/c it doesn't have Netflix.
I tried to take yesterday off for gaming but I got stuck with a massive, last-minute work project out of state. I did manage to get home before the stores closed and pick up Smash and I played it until 2AM. I'm a zombie today but it was entirely worth it. Oh, and I got a Marth amiibo and it looks great. Must've been a good lot or something.
Got My Smash bros downloaded, even with all the tempting offers getting it physical and 7 Amiibos thanks to toysrus 3 for $30 sale and a 15% off coupon making each one $8.50; except the 7th which I got someplace else.
Normally I will get Pokémon games around the first week unless there's a sale later on, but this year I Guess I have to make an exception because of Bayonetta, Fantasy life, Smash Bros 3ds/WiiU, and Hyrule Warriors taking my time.
@Light I sure am! As soon as I got it, I played it for so long that it was about 1 AM when I finished for the day.
@Light I only used one amiibo for Smash, Peach. It definetly seems to improve as you use it. Even the amiibo is tough to beat if you train it well. They level up kinda quick depending on who its playing against. I haven't tried out how its like having two amiibo to fight against each other nor have I tired out how it performs with custom moves yet but I am satisfied with what its done so far.
@StaticWind
Nice, I've been playing it a lot too!
@UltraLaserTen
I just got my link amiibo today. I've trained him to level 24 so far and I am impressed with his progress. Loving this game! He will be my partner in battles to come!
@aaronsullivan - Probably too late for you but it's good to have a link to all the websites sales in 1 place. May buy the toy Box Stater Pack for my older son to mess around in.
http://disney.go.com/partners/email/di_games/infinity/20141124/
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