Thursday News Update With Rakuten Leak Release Dates, Donkey Konga Patent, Plus Much More!

Support us by shopping at japanesenintendo.com/shop
(use the code JPNINTENDO for $3 USD off)!

● Just a quick pre-Nintendo Direct news update: Rakuten Books leaked some release dates today: The Dead Heat Breakers will release on 26 April, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido will release on both Switch and 3DS on 8 June, Mario Tennis Ace(s) will release on 22 June, and the Tentacles (Off the Hook) amiibo will release both separately and as a set on 13 July.

● Nintendo Co., Ltd. have filed a patent in North America for Donkey Konga drums and keyboard for use with Nintendo Switch. Patent images added here.

● Pikii announced they will be publishing the four-player side-scrolling, hack-and-slash action game Code of Princess EX in Japan this Summer. The game is an upgraded version of the Nintendo 3DS original.Trailer added here.

● Arc System Works announced the ‘food gobbling rhythm game’ EAT BEAT DEADSPIKE-san for worldwide Switch release on 22 March priced at ¥800. The game includes BlazBlue characters and music. Trailer added here.

● Famitsu numbers have DOOM opening with just 2,369 copies sold in its first week on sale in Japan.

● Serebii report new distributions for Pokémon Bank today with ‘Alolan Starters Decidueye, Incineroar and Primarina with their Hidden Abilities of Long Reach, Intimidate and Liquid Voice to all players.’

● Fire Emblem Heroes will welcome New Heroes (The Branded King) tomorrow with Morgan: (male and female), and Chrom. Trailer here. Today saw Special Maps: Rival Domains added. There’s also a Version 2.3.0 update (delayed on iOS) adding Rival Domains and Blessed Gardens maps plus more.

● Super Mario Run will be discounted to ¥600 (from ¥1,200) between 10 – 25 March to commemorate MAR10 Day.

● DotEmu announced they are bringing the classic platformer Another World to Nintendo Switch in Spring 2018. Announcement trailer here.

● D3 Publisher will be localising the mahjong game Nikakudori: Kagami Hanamidzuki next week (15 March) as Enchanting Mahjong Match.

● Treva announced the action puzzle game Gem Smashers for the Switch eShop on 15 March.

● Sometimes You announced the retro arcade platformer Deep Ones (Sometimes You) for the Switch eShop on 11 April.

● Lunar Great Wall Studio announced the fantasy adventure Another Sight for 2018 release on Switch.

● And Lozange Lab announced the puzzle game Swim Out for the Switch eShop on 20 March.

● A trailer for the Lucia Voltaire DLC from Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings here.

● Three promo videos from Cube Creator X here.

● Thanks to Contra Network for a lot of news today!

● And thanks everybody for following. Enjoy the Direct!

Please support Japanese Nintendo