Nintendo Direct: The Announcements Guide

A flurry of WiiU and 3DS announcements hit earlier this week- our guide to everything you might have missed...
As per usual, Nintendo rarely bring us one announcement at a time- instead, they provide us with a whole series of big news reveals. This week's Nintendo Direct came packed with exciting announcements for owners of the WiiU and 3DS consoles, nostalgia-hards and newcomers alike. Here's our roundup of everything that was announced at Wednesday's big conference:

• THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST 2 ANNOUNCED- Perhaps the biggest announcement on this entire mini-conference was this new Zelda reveal. A Link To The Past 2 will be a top-down 3DS action platformer that takes its cues from the classic SNES original A Link To The Past, while making use of the console's dimensional capabilities and featuring an all new storyline. Expect this ambitious 3DS sequel to be with us in Winter 2013.
• YOSHI'S ISLAND 3DS ANNOUNCED- Another Nintendo 3DS biggie, Yoshi's Island was a hit classic franchise that was confirmed on Wednesday to get a new handheld instalment. The side-scrolling series has been a hit with fans in the past, so one can only hope this new sequel brings the same kind of acclaim its developers are no doubt aspiring to match! There's no definitive release window set for this just yet, but a 2014 prediction certainly doesn't seem far off the mark. 
• MARIO AND LUIGI: DREAM TEAM DATED- The latest instalment in the Mario And Luigi handheld franchise, Dream Team, has now got a confirmed release date. This fourth downloadable adventure will land on the 3DS Network on July 12th.
• MARIO PARTY 3DS ANNOUNCED- Another 3DS announcement was that Mario Party will be getting yet another iteration later this year. Apparently, the gameboards will be lots more dynamic and offer a lot of innovations in the realms of gameplay and visuals for series veterans. Mario Party 3D won't be for everyone, but when it comes around in Winter 2013, those loyal to the franchise will have a lot to get excited about...
• PIKMIN 3 DATED- And speaking of franchise diehards, those waiting for Pikmin 3 have been kept in the dark for quite some time now. Thankfully, Nintendo revealed this week that the WiiU exclusive puzzle platformer strategy title will hit the console in stores worldwide on August 4th...

For all the latest Nintendo news in the lead-up to E3, keep it On-Screen before and after our Summer Hiatus (April 29th-June 19th)!