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New 2D Mario coming to 3DS

"Totally new" side-scrolling Mario game coming to portable; revamped Nintendo Network online infrastructure unveiled for Wii U, 3DS; Near Field Communication confirmed for Wii U.

Nintendo fans will soon be getting a new Mario game and a new way to take the company's systems online. Today, Nintendo announced that a new 2D Mario side-scroller is in development for the 3DS and detailed the plans for an online hub called the Nintendo Network for the Wii U and 3DS.

Nintendo's upcoming 2D Mario game for the 3DS is

Nintendo's upcoming 2D Mario game for the 3DS is "totally new."

Nintendo shed little light on the new Mario title outside of acknowledging its existence. The company assigned the game a broad release window, saying it will ship during Nintendo's next fiscal year, which runs April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013.

Nintendo also announced today the Nintendo Network, a new online service for the 3DS and Wii U that will cover "competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content." According to the company, the Nintendo Network will run parallel to the current Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Additionally, the Nintendo Network will introduce a personal account system for the Wii and will allow for multiple accounts to be registered to the console. According to Nintendo, offering this has been "a challenge we needed to tackle."

Further, Nintendo said it is exploring the possibility of offering full-game downloads through the Nintendo Network for the 3DS and Wii U. Nintendo said it already has the required infrastructure to allow for full-game downloads, and the concept was "built into the design" of the 3DS.

The Nintendo Network is not a TV channel for Mario, but an online hub.

The Nintendo Network is not a TV channel for Mario, but an online hub.

Nintendo indicated that full-game downloads for the 3DS and Wii U may still be far off. According to the company, it has not yet finalized partnerships with wholesalers and retailers, and storage capacity on SD memory cards is also an issue needing to be considered.

The last major announcement during Nintendo's investor meeting was word that the Wii U's tablet controller will include Near Field Communication (NFC) support. According to Nintendo, adopting this technology into the Wii U's tablet controller will make it possible to "create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via noncontact NFC and to expand the new play format in the video game world."

NFC technology was most recently used in Activision's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventures. In that game, players use real-world action figures to alter gameplay within the gameworld. According to Nintendo, NFC technology for the Wii U could enable further possibilities including "means for making micropayments."

The Wii U is due for a global launch by the end of 2012. No mention has been made of a price for the forthcoming console. Gamers eager to get a further glimpse at the console can follow the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, where Nintendo will have finalized hardware on hand.

85 Comments

  • Rod90

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 9:16 pm GMT

    "Nintendo Network will introduce a personal account system for the Wii and will allow for multiple accounts to be registered to the console."
    ARE YOU SURE OF THIS GS?
    For the Wii? Not the Wii U?

  • RIPANTHONY8008

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 3:30 pm GMT

    hope the nintendo network is similar to xbox live or psn.happy to see another mario game but they do need to produce some new IPs

  • JesZ

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 12:36 pm GMT

    Can't have enough Mario! I loved SM3DL alot and I'm already looking forward to next Mario game!

  • Soothsayer42

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 9:25 am GMT

    @Spacerac I know, but at least it wasn't milked like the mario and zelda franchise. right?

  • svaubel

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 7:06 am GMT

    Come on Ninty for once in your life try a new property other than Mario. I played SM3D and I enjoyed it, Im as big of fan as the next but I still feel like Im playing the same game since Mario Bros 3. Its really starting to wear thin.

  • Spacerac

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 6:17 am GMT

    @Soothsayer42 Kid Icarus isn't new. It just hadn't had a new game in about 20 years. It debuted on the NES and had a sequel on the Game Boy.

  • Spacerac

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 6:14 am GMT

    The gamers b****in about Nintendo's "lack of innovation" are the same ones that buy Call of Duty every year. Frankly I welcome more Mario games.

  • warhawk-geeby

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 4:46 am GMT

    What on earth was the point of releasing a 3D console in the first place?!

    If Nintendo aren't even going to produce a new 3D game for their biggest franchise what hope is there?

    They might as well have just made a DS2

  • WolfGrey

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 9:49 pm GMT

    NFC just no.

    Finally having a online system that isn't archaic? Bout freakin time.Welcome to about what? 5 or so years ago if not more?

  • Darkflare_EX

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 9:42 pm GMT

    Whoa, a new Mario platformer coming up this year or early next year? Don't remember the last time we got two Mario platformers so quickly.

    And Nintendo FINALLY takes a page out of Microsoft and Sony on proper use of online features. Although the NFC thing has me worried.

  • chinchillables2

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 9:26 pm GMT

    What, you mean a 2D game FINALLY? But they wait for a 3D SYSTEM to release a 2D game???? wtf? Anyone else see the irony in this? Sign of the times I think.

    However... Super Mario Bros Wii (red case) was awesome.

  • ticklemonster1 posted Jan 29, 2012 4:38 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ticklemonster1

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 4:38 pm GMT (hide)

    changes nothing. nintendo is lame.

  • vengefulwilberg

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 2:49 pm GMT

    I sure wish current Nintendo Wii owners could get these cool 3DS 2D Mario games. Sad face.

  • RPG_Fan_I_Am

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 12:24 pm GMT

    Finally a nintendo network.
    A new 2d mario? Release paper mario already! can't get more 2d then paper!
    An idea. Make a mario game for the Wii U, and have it shipped with the system! I miss the old days when you bought a new system and it came with not just a game, but an exclusive.

  • AnGiTheGamer

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 10:23 am GMT

    Really? Hope its good.

  • almossbb

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 10:22 am GMT

    thats pretty good. still didnt play SM3DL

  • DrKill09

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 7:44 am GMT

    Yawn...

  • wiidsduelpack

    Posted Jan 29, 2012 12:14 am GMT

    3d land was two and 3d Mario.

  • monson21502

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 11:29 pm GMT

    love how people bash nintendo for mario games but they always wants nintendo to go third party and make 2d mario games for their system of choice. you all just gotta face it ... he is called super for a reason!

  • Nozizaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 6:08 pm GMT

    I would have just liked some DLC for 3D Land...

  • hleflore

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 1:50 pm GMT

    Where have these been. There should have been a hi res 2D Mario and a Luigi game, and a Wario game.

  • pokemonblackftw

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 1:39 pm GMT

    im hoping for a level designer. that would take care of vita's little big planet.

  • -Fromage-

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 12:34 pm GMT

    Yay more Mario.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 11:18 am GMT

    A new 2D Mario? -I'm interested.

  • franzito

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 10:55 am GMT

    "Totally new" for Mario? Like Galaxy? Or something better?
    Whoa, I smell ambitious...

  • Super-Poke-Bros

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 10:28 am GMT

    It seems like this should be two separate articles, or maybe it should have "New 3DS 2D Mario and Nintendo Network" or something in the title.

  • Super-Poke-Bros

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 10:26 am GMT

    Well, FINALLY.

    Nintendo Network is long overdue.

    Now if only they'd incorporate an achievement system. We need proof of our accomplishments. For example, how am I supposed to show people that I caught them all in Pokemon Black now? We need it for future games.

  • blackace

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 10:03 am GMT

    @finaleve said:

    @blackace Unless the sales of Star Fox 64 3D were good, we're not going be seeing another Star Fox game for a long time. Also, didn't we get a new Kirby game or 2 within the last year?

    ******************************************************************
    The Star Fox 3D games wasn't a new game. It was the N64 Star Fox game ported to the 3DS with 3D added. I'm looking for a brand new game. I was just saying it was nice getting the Kirby games for the 3DS and Wii. I'd like Nintendo to make some new characters and create some new IPs.

  • Megavideogamer

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 9:39 am GMT

    A new 2D mario game? wouldn't it be best if Nintendo made that for the Wii U instead of the 3DS. Nintendo should be focused on bringing Mario in time for the launch of the new home console. Gamecube didn't launch with Mario and GC only sold 21.5 million (although other factors were involved other than lack of Mario at launch)

  • linkdarkside

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 8:57 am GMT

    will there be a achievement system?

  • SuprSaiyanRockr

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 7:12 am GMT

    2D Mario? Don't use up all the innovation at once, Nintendo.

    In all seriousness though, while I have been enjoying my 3DS since Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D came out, I really wish that Nintendo would focus less on placing mascots everywhere, and worry a bit more about things like 3rd party support, updated hardware, and the like.

  • grbolivar posted Jan 28, 2012 4:51 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    grbolivar

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 4:51 am GMT (hide)

    @The_Dragon_Born
    Give them time, give them time, if they release all their franchises at once (Zelda, Pokémon, Pikmin) nothing will be left for later... so that will declare the "death" of the 3DS and they will come with a brand new "Nintendo 4DS" before 2013.

  • grbolivar posted Jan 28, 2012 4:48 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    grbolivar

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 4:48 am GMT (hide)

    10 years later Nintendo discover "online gaming and digital network" and called it "Nintendo Network".... pathetic.

  • monson21502

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 1:39 am GMT

    the old super mario bros 3d!!!!

  • bballabarry posted Jan 28, 2012 1:00 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    bballabarry

    Posted Jan 28, 2012 1:00 am GMT (hide)

    the most milked franchise in video game history

  • shadowhunter0 posted Jan 27, 2012 11:36 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    shadowhunter0

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 11:36 pm GMT (hide)

    what a surprise that they have announce anther Mario game (sarcasm)

  • THA-TODD-BEAST

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 11:32 pm GMT

    More Mario games. You go, Nintendo. This is what we need.

  • minty_cbo

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 11:09 pm GMT

    @LunchSackSal
    Forgot to mention the 1D versions that will come out when we have telekinesis controller chips built into our brain by the sony/microsoft conglomerate that is going to forge for the production of playstation 9.. (what? you don't remember the playstation 2 launch commercials? they taunted that release for ps9!).

  • marvel456

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 10:50 pm GMT

    Paper Mario?

  • ABEzilla116

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 9:13 pm GMT

    @finaleve There's a rumor that Retro Studios is working on a new Star Fox game.

  • The_Dragon_Born

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 8:09 pm GMT

    Sounds good. I'd like some details on the all new 3ds Zelda too though. It would be nice to find out if its Phantom Hourglass style or Twilight Princess style

  • dxdevilex0

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 7:32 pm GMT

    Good to know,and Nintendo doesn't need new IPs IMO since almost every game made by Nintendo sells well and has quality in it too.Wii U is becoming more and more promising too.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 7:32 pm GMT

    As long as I don't have to shake to use some of the powers and when I'm running into a wall mario doesn't try to wall jump then I'll pick up the game. Well, this and Fire Emblem need to show up before I'll finally go in on a 3DS.

  • cbeck002

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 7:18 pm GMT

    Use Super Mario World as the template this time and you can have my money and my body, Nintendo.

  • Nzilla

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 7:05 pm GMT

    Dear sweet Jesus, I hope the new online service is something on par with X-box live. I love ya nintendo, but your online sucks.

  • BenderUnit22

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 6:36 pm GMT

    So it's New New New New Super Mario Bros.?

  • SDBusDriver1979

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 5:44 pm GMT

    If it was actually 2D and not 3D on a 2D plane, I would ____ bricks.

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 4:52 pm GMT

    Set them nostalgia traps, Nintendo!

  • servb0ts

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 4:33 pm GMT

    looks exciting can't wait.

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