Kirby's Epic Yarn, Donkey Kong Country Returns, GoldenEye 007 dated

Although Nintendo is remaining very tight lipped about its upcoming portable system, the 3DS, today the Japanese game maker let loose details on its upcoming holiday software release schedule.

Wii Party is among the earliest new release dates announced, arriving in stores October 3. It will be the first new Nintendo-published minigame collection for the Wii since 2007's Mario Party 8 and will feature 70 different minigames across 13 distinct modes.

On October 17, Kirby's Epic Yarn will see the Nintendo mascot return in a new 2D platformer with an arts-and-crafts aesthetic. In the game, Kirby and the rest of his world is represented in yarn, felt, beads, and other common materials to give the game a distinct look. As for gameplay, Kirby will wield a yarn whip that can be used to interact with the environment, tugging at seems to unstitch the background and reveal new paths or secure platforms to one another.

A remake of the Rare-developed seminal Nintendo 64 first-person shooter, GoldenEye 007 will include online multiplayer and 16 game modes when it launches November 16. Although the Pierce Brosnan version of James Bond has been replaced by Daniel Craig for the remake, it does still boast a roster including eight characters from the revered Bond classic, as well as 40 other unnamed virtual soldiers.

Last but not least among the season's Wii and DS launches will be Donkey Kong Country Returns on November 21. Another follow-up to a Rare-developed title, Donkey Kong Country Returns is being developed by Retro Studios, the outfit behind the Metroid Prime series. The 2D platformer sees Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong return to action with many of the DKC series' familiar trappings, from mine cart racing to being shot out of barrels.

First-party Wii games

Metroid: Other M--August 31
Samurai Warriors 3--September 27
Wii Party--October 3
Kirby's Epic Yarn--October 17
PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure--November 1
FlingSmash--November 7
Donkey Kong Country Returns--November 21

Third-party Wii games

And Yet it Moves (WiiWare)--August 23
New Carnival Games--September 21
NBA Jam--October 5
Just Dance 2--October 12
Sonic Colors--November 16
GoldenEye 007--November 16
Epic Mickey--Holiday
Bit.Trip.Fate (WiiWare)--Holiday
Super Meat Boy (WiiWare)--Holiday

First-party DS games

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future--September 12
Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs--October 4
Art Academy--October 25
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!--November 14

Third-party DS games

Need for Speed Nitro-X (DSiWare)--September 20
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light--October 5
Rock Band 3--October 29
Super Scribblenauts--October
Shantae: Risky's Revenge (DSiWare)--Holiday