E3 2014: Nintendo Reveals Skylanders-Like Toys, Finalizes Super Smash Bros 3DS Release
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Nintendo is taking a cue from "Skylanders" and "Disney Infinity."
The Japanese gaming giant unveiled a toy figure line called "amiibo" that will work in tandem with its video games like the toys-meet-games franchises from Activision Blizzard Inc. and the Walt Disney Co. The announcement was made in an online video released Tuesday by the Nintendo Co. during the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the industry's annual trade show.
Nintendo introduces amiibo
For the second year in a row, Nintendo opted against hosting a flashy E3 presentation and instead streamed videos showcasing the "amiibo" figures and other upcoming games.
Watch Entire Nintendo Presentation
Similar to Activision's "Skylanders" and "Disney Infinity," the characters' virtual histories will be stored on the plastic figures and transmitted through the Wii U GamePad, the controller for its slow-selling Wii U console that features a touchscreen and near-field communication capabilities.
Legend of Zelda Wii U
"There's a special chip that's embedded in every figure," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America. "Any Wii U system will recognize the figure by touching them on the Wii U GamePad, and when that happens, they spring to life in compatible games in cool new ways."
Splatoon
The first lineup of figures, due out later this year, features 10 characters from well-known Nintendo franchises: the Villager from "Animal Crossing"; the "Wii Fit" trainer; sword-wielding Link from "The Legend of Zelda"; intergalactic solider Samus Aran from "Metroid"; Pikachu from "Pokemon"; iconic gorilla Donkey Kong; pink shape shifter Kirby; and Mario, Princess Peach and Yoshi from "Super Mario Bros."
More E3 News
The company said the figures would be compatible with the upcoming Wii U fighting game "Super Smash Bros." and would eventually work with other games, including the recently released racing title "Mario Kart 8" and the forthcoming platformers "Yoshi's Woolly World" and "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker."
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Bill Trenin, senior product marketing manager of Nintendo of America, said the company was working on a peripheral reader scheduled for release next year that would connect the figures to its handheld Nintendo 3DS system. He said other "amiibo" figures and games are "in the works." The price of the figures wasn't announced.
Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
"Combining 'amiibo' with our games opens up a whole range of potential new gameplay experiences," said Trenin. "It's one of the most exciting things that Nintendo is announcing at E3."
Hyrule Warriors
Nintendo also hyped several upcoming games due out later this year for the Wii U and 3DS, including "The Legend of Zelda" battle game "Hyrule Warriors," hack-and-slash sequel "Bayonetta 2" and the "Omega Ruby" and "Alpha Sapphire" installments of the "Pokemon" series.
Mario Maker
Other games teased for release in 2015 included the "Super Mario" level designing game "Mario Maker," online paint shoot-'em-up "Splatoon," sci-fi role-playing game "Xenoblade Chronicles X," cutesy platformer "Kirby and the Rainbow Curse" and a "Legend of Zelda" game for the Wii U set in an open world.
Kirby And The Rainbow Curse
Nintendo could use a boost from new toys and games. Sales of Nintendo's Wii U console have lagged behind the newer PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems released by Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. last November. Nintendo has sold 6 million consoles since the Wii U was released in 2012, while Microsoft and Sony have respectively sold 5 million and 7 million units in the past six months.
Bayonetta 2
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
