By Sonya Davidson
We're just entering the holiday season and pretty soon we'll be making our wishlists. At Nintendo Canada's holiday preview event last night, media were giving a first look at the new games and judging my my 10 year old gamer, the list is going to be long! Among the games that were previewed at the event include...
The highly anticipated Super Smash Bros. (Wii U) is definitely on the "want" list with over 50 new features for this version and a special mode that allows eight players simultaneously get in on the action. But wait...the launch of the game scheduled for November 21st, also coincides with the introduction of the new Amiibo interactive figures.
This has my kid seriously excited! The Amiibo figures are activated with just a touch to the current Wii U GamePad controller- a feature that is now being activated for this experience. Super Smash Bros. is the first game to use Amiibo. Other franchises like Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10 Yoshi's Woolly World are also planned to support Amiibo.
Ubisoft was also on hand to showcase Just Dance 2015 (Wii U/Wii) bringing new moves and features to the 40+ current hit songs and throwback tunes. Get your groove on with songs like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams and "Burn" by Elie Goulding. The all-new Community Remix feature allows you to be the dance coach, record and share it in-game and get votes. Since the franchise's launch in 2009, Just Dance has become the world's top selling dance video game. Definitely something for everyone as legendary songs like "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith ft. Run-D.M.C. are also included. And hey, let's face it...you'll want to keep active during the festive eating season, am I right? (ahem...Santa, this one is on MY list)
Also launching on November 21 are two Pokemon Gems -- Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire (Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS). Go on journeys and collect, battle and trade Pokemon while trying to stop a shadowy group. Embark on a new adventure through the Hoenn region that contains a cave that shows a scene described in legends.
Young Pokemon fans will love learning how to draw this loveable character in Pokemon Art Academy (Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS). Instructions are easy to follow and led by Professor Andy. Budding artists will start with the basics and then move their way up in skills like shading and blending. Then bring the Pokemon artwork to life with tools offered and even share them in the Miiverse.
For fun adventure play Captain Toad Treasure Tracker for Wii U takes players on a maze-like journey for the first time through a wide variety stages and challenges to find hidden gems and elusive gold stars. Using the Wii U GamePad get a closer view of the hidden items in each maze. Twist the camera around to reveal hidden locations and other secrets. There are plenty of traps and secrets to uncover but Captain Toad isn't particularly strong or fast - it's all about wits and perspective.