Australia dates Project Zero 2, Mario Tennis Open, New Super Mario Bros. 2 and more

25th April, 2012 - Nintendo fans will have no shortage of reasons to smile this year as double Mario and Pokémon fun, as well as a new system update are all set to arrive on Nintendo 3DS within the upcoming months.

Nintendo can confirm that it plans to launch New Super Mario Bros. 2, a new, yet traditional side-scrolling Mario adventure game featuring Mario, Luigi and lots of other favourite characters from the Mario universe. The game was created specifically as a pick-up-and-play experience that can be instantly enjoyed by players of all skill levels on the Nintendo 3DS system. The game is set to launch in Australia and New Zealand this August.

Nintendo fans in Australia and New Zealand are in for a double Mario treat, as they can also look ahead to the 24th May launch of Mario Tennis Open for Nintendo 3DS. Mario Tennis Open invites players to step onto the court with Mario and his friends for fast-paced tennis action and a mix of remarkable new tennis challenges. Players can play as their own customised Mii characters and choose from approximately 200 special items, including rackets and tennis gear that not only enhance their character's appearance but also modify their abilities. Players can also suit up their Mii characters with outfits that both resemble and offer the skills of popular Nintendo characters.

Mario Tennis Open will also feature an array of multiplayer options which include local play with friends and family in the same room or Download Play, which will allow up to 4 players to enjoy a game of tennis together using just one Game Card. There is also a very special online multiplayer mode which will allow you to play with friends and family and those in your local region online. If you fancy yourself as a tennis pro then make sure you tackle the regional leaderboard to see if you have what it takes to become a regional champion.

On 25th April, the next System Update is planned for Nintendo 3DS and will provide you with brand new functions to explore. By downloading* this update, you can create folders on the system's HOME Menu to organise your content. This new feature is designed to make it easier than ever for you to access your favourite downloaded games, videos and demos. Other elements of the update include the ability to receive "update data" distributions, such as the Mario Kart 7 "update data" scheduled across Australia and New Zealand in mid-May that resolves shortcut exploits in the game. Once this "update data" is released Mario Kart 7 players will need to ensure that they download it from Nintendo eShop in order to play online.

There will also be two new Pokémon download offerings coming later this year for Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo eShop. The first is a new motion-controlled shooting game which will bring Pokémon into the real world, right in front of your eyes, using the AR (Augmented Reality) features of the Nintendo 3DS system. You will need to move your Nintendo 3DS system and aim at the Pokémon moving around you in order to capture them. You may even have the chance to catch extremely rare Pokémon in this way. Once you have captured some Pokémon you will be able to transfer them to the new Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 games which will launch across Australia and New Zealand for Nintendo DS, but which can also be played on Nintendo 3DS, later this spring.

When deciding your strategies for the new Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 games, the second Pokémon download offering - a brand new Pokédex - is sure to be a big help. The original Pokédex 3D, which became available last year as a free download from Nintendo eShop, contained detailed data on over 150 Pokémon from the first Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games. But with this new version of the Pokédex, you will be able to check out every single Pokémon in the history of the Pokémon series. There will be many other new features too, so make sure you keep an eye out for further announcements.

If you are a Wii player, would you dare to revisit one of the scariest games of all time? If so, you are in luck as Nintendo and TECMO KOEI GAMES are set to re-launch one of the scariest horror titles from the legendary Project Zero series exclusively for Wii. With all-new motion gameplay features and innovative, new two-player modes, horror fans looking for interesting ways to get their scares need look no further than Project Zero 2: Wii Edition, which will launch in 28th June across Australia and New Zealand.