Nintendo reveals key launch dates and editions as gamescom 2015 kicks off in Cologne

5th August, 2015 – Nintendo has opened a booth full of current and coming-soon titles for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family systems at gamescom – the world’s largest annual trade fair for video games, held in Cologne, Germany. With several days of fun events ahead, Nintendo kicks off the show with a string of launch dates and newly revealed special editions for some key 2015 titles.

Super Mario Maker for Wii U is the star of the show at Nintendo’s booth in Hall 9.1 A10/B10 as we gear up for the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Attendees will be able to play and create unique 2D courses, or take part in daily Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U contests throughout the show.

Zelda fans will be happy to hear that The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is set to launch on 23rd October on Nintendo 3DS family systems. Gamescom visitors will be able to form teams of three and work together to solve unique Zelda-style puzzles and boss fights. With one life meter to share, working together will be key to overcome the game’s many dungeons…

Xenoblade Chronicles X for Wii U is playable for the first time in Europe at gamescom, as Nintendo reveals two limited edition bundles launching alongside the game in December in Europe:

• Xenoblade Chronicles X Wii U Premium Pack: features a black premium Wii U console, a physical copy of the game, an Artbook and a World Map poster
• Xenoblade Chronicles X Limited Edition Pack: features a physical copy of the game, a SteelBook™ cover, a World Map poster, a Cover Art Poster and the Artbook

At home in South Africa you can tune into a special Xenoblade Chronicles X Twitch.tv/live live stream broadcast on Saturday 8th August between 16:00-17:00 local time to get a sneak peak at the game. In addition the original Wii classic Xenoblade Chronicles is to be made available on Nintendo eShop on Wii U right now! Those who purchase this game will be eligible for a R130 discount on Xenoblade Chronicles X if they buy it on Nintendo eShop on the same Wii U console* within two weeks of the game’s launch in December.

Gamescom attendees can also grab the Wii U GamePad and take Star Fox Zero for a spin, while anyone at home can tune in to IGN Live on Saturday 8th August at approximately 18:45 local time for a fresh look at the Area 3 and Titania levels in this action-packed title coming to Wii U in Q4 2015.

Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is coming to Wii U on 30th October with a trial version creeping onto Nintendo eShop the same day. Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water – trial version gives players the opportunity to sample action from the game's prologue and first two chapters at no cost before choosing whether to purchase all remaining chapters.

In another reveal taking place off the showfloor, today marks the premiere of the European launch trailer for Devil’s Third, now showing on YouTube. Action game guru Tomonobu Itagaki’s unique combination of shooting and melee combat launches on 28th August with an off-the-wall single player campaign as well as online multiplayer modes allowing for intense 16-player battles.

At the other end of Nintendo’s varied spectrum of offerings comes the Animal Crossing amiibo cards Collectors Album, which fits the entire Series 1 collection of cards and comes with a 3-card pack to get started, and is set to launch in Europe on 2nd October alongside Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Animal Crossing series fans are in for a special treat at gamescom, as they can get a free download code for Photos with Animal Crossing as well as an AR Card to use with this download-exclusive Nintendo 3DS title, which lets fans take photos of some of their favourite Animal Crossing friends in real world settings.

Owners of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire who stop by the booth are also in for a treat as they can collect a card with codes that, when inputted into their copy of either game, will unlock two of four exciting Pokémon. These special Pokémon were hand-picked and primed for battle by GAME FREAK’s Shigeki Morimoto himself and include Aromatisse, Bouffalant, Malamar and Sableye.

Last but not least, a large part of Nintendo’s booth at gamescom 2015 is dedicated to “Nindies”: talented indie developers showcasing their most recent work for Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. From new tracks in Shin’en Multimedia’s FAST Racing Neo to the first hands-on with Plague of Shadows, the upcoming free downloadable content for all Shovel Knight owners, a new Nindies @ gamescom 2015 trailer showcases all indie games at the booth – and a whole lot more!

^{*An additional storage device is required to install both games on the same Wii U console.}