Nintendo reveals Euro Christmas line-up

By Tom Bramwell Published 18 August, 2004

Metroid Prime 2, Paper Mario 2, Zelda: Minish Cap and a host of others should be with us by Yuletide. Check inside for a full rundown.

Metroid Prime 2 will form the backbone of Nintendo's Christmas Cube offering in Europe, while Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap stand tall in a diverse list of first party GBA offerings.

In a release issued this morning, Nintendo of Europe outlined its Christmas releases, starting with budget-priced party game WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$ on September 3rd and concluding with the release of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.

In between, Cube owners can look forward to the long awaited, localised European release of Animal Crossing, also out on Sept 3rd, Pikmin 2 and Donkey Konga in October, and Paper Mario 2 and Namco's Tales of Symphonia in November, which ought to keep RPG fans happy for a month or so.

Curiously though there's no place on the list for Mario Party 6, which we had very much expected to see in its traditional pre-Christmas slot. Perhaps Nintendo bumped it to give Wario Ware a chance to shine? The list also virtually confirms recent reports - including one this morning - that Star Fox and Geist are now due out next year.

This leaves Nintendo, once again, with a lot of titles that are bound to gather critical acclaim - and almost certainly deservedly so - but with the exception of Metroid Prime 2 not that many that are likely to scythe through the competition during a hectic Christmas rush.

Any GBA owners bound to an elderly relative's couch this Christmas won't have too much to worry about, however, with a number of exciting titles due on the handheld - despite the impending launch of the Nintendo DS, which is due out in Europe in early 2005. In fact, it'll be interesting to see how GBA sales fare in the run-up to Christmas purely on that basis.

We'll be in the queue though, busily scrabbling to get hold of Mario Golf Advance Tour (Sept 17th), the eagerly awaited The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Nov 12th), Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nov 19th), and Super Mario Ball (Nov 26th - it's the new name for Super Mario Pinball, since you ask). Square die-hards will be pleased to see Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls down for early December, too.

Key exclusives due out on Nintendo platforms in the run up to Christmas:

  • GameCube
  • Wario Ware, Inc.: Mega Party Game$ - September 3rd
  • Animal Crossing - September 3rd
  • Pikmin 2 - October 8th
  • Donkey Konga - October 15th
  • Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door - November 12th
  • Tales of Symphonia - November 19th
  • Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - November 26th

  • Game Boy Advance
  • Mario Golf Advance Tour - September 17th
  • Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red - October 1st
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap - November 12th
  • Mario vs. Donkey Kong - November 19th
  • Super Mario Ball - November 26th
  • Mario Party Advance - December 3rd
  • Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls - December 10th
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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (66) Latest comment 8 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • martyngates #1 8 years ago

    "the eagerly awaited The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap" - ive never heard of it whats it about?

  • Retroid #2 8 years ago

    \o/ \o/ Metroid Prime 2! \o/ \o/

    (If they bugger that one up, heads will roll)

  • AnotherMartin #3 8 years ago

    Apart from AC which I've played to death on import I'm pretty interested in all the GC ones. Pikmin 2 and MP2:E are being picked up straight away, the rest will definatly be looked at as well.

  • gizmo #4 8 years ago

    What a joke of a line-up. How do they expect to compete. All been there seen it done it stuff also.

  • Lutz #5 8 years ago

    FF 1 and 2.

    At a push.

    /waits for Halo 2 a bit more

  • Tiger_Walts #6 8 years ago

    Minish Cap is a top down LTTP style adventure. The Cap in the title allows Link to shrink, allowing the GBA to show off some nice scaling tech.

  • Tiger_Walts #7 8 years ago

    There are 5 or 6 there that I want, which is more than my wishlist for the other formats combined. I also have 2 of those titles already; you cannot call that a poor line-up.

  • Blerk #8 8 years ago

    The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

    The preview in this month's gamesTM refers to this as 'The Magical Hood' rather than 'The Minish Cap'. Has it been renamed for the West? I hope not, 'cos 'The Magical Hood' sounds terrible!

    Anyway... bugger off, you lot - this is the best Nintendo Christmas line-up in ages. I haven't bought a Cube game since this time last year, and there's five titles there which I'll be wanting. What exactly did you want?

  • lost_soul #9 8 years ago

    Pikmin 2 and Paper Mario 2 for me, should make a nice change to all the FPSs I'll be buying for the other platforms.

  • MBar #10 8 years ago

    What a joke of a line-up. How do they expect to compete. All been there seen it done it stuff also.

    oh, quiet you. of that list, i'll be buying about half of it most likely. true, metroid prime 2 is really the only "killer ap", but damn, the other stuff ain't half bad either. looking forward especially to the new Zelda and the Paper Mario too. The original was rather enjoyable.
    edit : oh yes, and thats just the format-exclusive titles too.

    what about Zelda 4 swords on cube?

    a very valid question. any clue, Mr. Bramwell?
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 12:04

  • chacha #11 8 years ago

    meh!!!

    apart from paper mario 2
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 12:05

  • Dizzy #12 8 years ago

    Cube is going to get slaughtered again this Xmas.

    Well the GBA lineup is pretty good... and don't forget the DS.

  • Blerk #13 8 years ago

    24/09/04 for Four Swords, according to Gameplay.

    Seriously - what's wrong with the line-up? Not enough squad-based shooting and chav-based racers for you all?

  • Tweakmonkey #14 8 years ago

    I could be tempted by Final Fantasy and Zelda on GBA :-)

  • DemonicDrew #15 8 years ago

    Post deleted at 18:16:17 13-12-2011

  • groovychainsaw #16 8 years ago

    They will unfortunately be thrashed this christmas - look at the exclusives on the other platforms... nintendo has nothing here that will capture the market :-( This is upsetting, it will be a quiet xmas for my gamecube
    /dons flameproof suit to escape nintendo fanboys...
    /cant run fast enough with it on ;-)
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 12:38

  • Whizzo #17 8 years ago

    Animal Crossing isn't online anywhere.

  • Blerk #18 8 years ago

    look at the exclusives on the other platforms...

    Like....?

  • Lutz #19 8 years ago

    Like Halo 2.

    ;)

  • Blerk #20 8 years ago

    Like Halo 2.

    Each to their own. Although I like Halo a lot, I'm far more excited about this list than Halo 2. It is, after all, just another FPS.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 12:45

  • groovychainsaw #21 8 years ago

    Like Grand theft auto - you might not like it, be im pretty confident it will sell, along with killzone, anything EA produce. I'm not saying this is a good thing, but nintendo are so out of touch here, even though i want to get some of these games (warioware and animal crossing especially)... thats what i meant when i said they were going to get thrashed

  • gamingdave #22 8 years ago

    I want Wario Ware, Animal Crossing (dont know why I never imported), Donkey Konga, Paper Mario 2 and MP2. Already got Pikmin 2. Looking forward to MvDK and the new Zelda aswell. Been playing Mario Golf on GBA for a while now, realy nice golf game and games last just the right length of my commute if I dont drop too many shots.

    Not suprising PS2 and Xbox fans will snub this list. Apart from MP2 theres nothing theyd give more than 5 minutes attention too. Their loss.

  • pjmaybe #23 8 years ago

    Paper Mario goes on the list. As does Wario Ware...I'd be daft enough to buy Donkey Konga too seeing the fun people were having with Samba De Amigo at the LAN.

    Might pick up Pikmin 2 but probably won't bother with owt else.

    I do wonder if the PAL release of AC will affect people like the US / Jap release did (Probably not which means we'll be fucked for the sequel!)

    Peej

  • Blerk #24 8 years ago

    Like Grand theft auto - you might not like it, be im pretty confident it will sell, along with killzone, anything EA produce. I'm not saying this is a good thing, but nintendo are so out of touch here, even though i want to get some of these games (warioware and animal crossing especially)... thats what i meant when i said they were going to get thrashed

    I do like (some) of those games, but that's what the PS2/Xbox are for. Personally I'm glad that Nintendo take a different approach. If they did the same kinds of games as everyone else then I'd have stuck with just a PS2. As it is, the line-up is suitably different to warrant a second console.

    Sales-wise they probably will get thrashed at Christmas, but that doesn't necessarily mean their line-up is 'wrong' or 'out of touch'. It's just 'different'. The way to get it wrong this Christmas would've been to do what they've done for the last 9 months and release 'almost nothing'.

  • Homer Simpson #25 8 years ago

    May I just ask how do you get Italic writing in these posts Blerk?

  • Blerk #26 8 years ago

    "less than" i "more than" - to switch it on
    "less than" slash i "more than" - to switch it off

  • pjmaybe #27 8 years ago

    It's a better lineup than I was expecting but it's hardly going to shift many cubes, methinks

    Peej

  • Pike #28 8 years ago

    I think the christmas line-up could be viewed as both weak and strong, depending on which perspective you take. A Nintendo fan, such as you Blerk, will probably think it looks like an exciting line-up and I'm sure Nintendo will sell decent numbers, at least of Metroid Prime 2 and Paper Mario 2.

    The problem is that it seems like Nintendo are content with preaching to the converted. I really can't see any of those titles luring in new fans.

    Nintendo really would have needed RE 4 to lure in a different kind of customer this christmas.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 13:49

  • cheap #29 8 years ago

    neat

  • Tiitiz #30 8 years ago

    MP2

    WooooooooOOT!

  • binky #31 8 years ago

    I think you're right peej. It looks very nice, but even I am a bit "meh" towards the whole list.

    One of these days I might finish Metroid Prime, and then the sequel might appeal :)

  • Tweakmonkey #32 8 years ago

    "It's a better lineup than I was expecting but it's hardly going to shift many cubes"

    It depends what you are looking for. There are reasons to buy *every* console.

    /waves hand like Obi-wan - "these are the games you're looking for"

  • malloc #33 8 years ago

    Probably is saying something though if N get thrashed this Xmas as they don't appear to have enough popular franchises to compete all that well, despite releasing a Mario RPG, and a Metroid game, not to mention Pikmin 2 a Miyamoto franchise. This simply would almost have been unheard of a while ago.

    Nevertheless aslong as it stays with the competition to be a viable platform then that's something and there's a good enough line-up next year. And I spose from a personal point of view those games are all better IMHO than any else that's being released anywhere else.

  • Rob #34 8 years ago

    I love the way people say "that line-up sucks" and then, when challenged, just say either "Halo 2" or "GTA" - which is like one game on each system. Halo was great yes, but so was Prime. All three systems have one big heavy hitter (Prime 2, Halo 2, GTA) for sure - but which of the other two also have back-up *exclusives* in the vein of Pikmin 2 and Paper Mario 2 then?

    Christ, if they release too much people moand that they can;t buy them all - if they release just a few people say it's a weak line-up. Get a grip folks - I'll be enjoying at least four of those titles in addition to Halo 2 this xmas.

  • Blerk #35 8 years ago

    A Nintendo fan, such as you Blerk, will probablythink it looks like an exciting line-up

    I'm not a Nintendo fan as such. I just prefer games that are (in the whole) a little less 'mainstream'. The very worst thing Nintendo could've done for me would've been to fill the list up with titles that would 'shift millions', as these are generally the sorts of titles that leave me cold. The same applies to other platforms. That's not to say that Nintendo is flawless in this respect - I can't stand the platform-based Mario games, for instance. But that list is suitable quirky to get my interest up...

  • martyngates #36 8 years ago

    R-Type III (ZOO Digital) - 1st October 2004

    why did it take them so long to make a gba rtype! it better be good

  • Tiger_Walts #37 8 years ago

    ZOO Digital, don't hold your breath mate.

  • Pike #38 8 years ago

    Blerk: I just assumed you were a ninty fan, since you had the most positive of the opinion of Nintendos line-up of those posting in the thread and with "fan" I just meant "someone who generally likes Nintendo games" not "rabid fanboy".

    Also the point I was trying to make was that this line-up could be viewed both as good or bad, depending on wether you look at it from the perspective of a cube owner wanting their fix of typical Nintendo games or if you want the line-up to attract a lot of new cube buyers.

  • Zero Beat #39 8 years ago

    Donkey Konga - October 15th
    Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door - November 12th
    The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap - November 12th

    I'll be having me some of that, most likely. I still need Superstar Saga, nice n' cheap hopefully.

  • Tweakmonkey #40 8 years ago

    So there we have it. The 1st party Nintendo line-up is either good or bad depending on your opinion.

    /falls off chair

  • Twisted #41 8 years ago

    Martyngates: I wouldn't be looking forward to this if I were you, after all Gamespot gave R-type 3 a 2.8

    http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/rtype3t hethirdlightning/review.html
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 14:13

  • Killerbee #42 8 years ago

    Looks a pretty good line up to me.

    Metroid Prime: Echoes, Paper Mario 2 and Tales of Symphonia are all definitely on my shopping list. Pikmin 2, Animal Crossing and Wario Ware are all decent possibles I'll probably pick up when I see them in the sales bins.

    It's also great to see Final Fantasy I & II putting in an appearance on the GBA.

    To be honest, aside from GTA:SA, Half-Life 2 and PoP2 (which I intend to get on the Cube anyway), there's little else due in time for Christmas that I'm currently looking forward to.

    It has certainly been a quiet year for the Cube so far, but I think this makes up for it. :)

  • tiddles #43 8 years ago

    Anyone know whether Resident Evil 4 will be out before Christmas in the States?

  • MBar #44 8 years ago

    As for the cube list, it's practically all sequels or built on an existing franchise. Same shit Nintendo have been giving us for years now. Talk about originality eh?

    oh, please. that list reeks of originality : pikmin, animal crossing, wario ware etc. yes, some may be sequels but i think an clever and fun original idea should span more than one game, no? i mean, its nothing that other consoles and companies aren't doing.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 14:26

  • Tiger_Walts #45 8 years ago

    As for the cube list, it's practically all sequels or built on an existing franchise.

    You could say that about the lists for the other consoles too.

  • Blerk #46 8 years ago

    Says the number one Burnout 3 proponent ;)

    The what? Where'd you get the impression I'll be buying Burnout 3? o_O

  • ssuellid #47 8 years ago

    Tales of Symphonia and maybe Paper Mario 2 but thats it? 7 titles?

  • Sko #48 8 years ago

    "Tales of Symphonia and maybe Paper Mario 2 but thats it? 7 titles?"

    You overlooked 'fkh's message then?

  • KiLlerKnight #49 8 years ago

    Not impressive or whatever, but still 10 times better than last year.
    Every Cube game is interesting in some way, but won't attract gamers who don't own a Cube already. The ps2 has GT4, the Xbox has Halo 2 and Fable, so better year for Ninty, but still worse than the competitors.
    And the European release of animal crossing, months after the US and Japan, that's pathetic, but we know all about Ninty's attitude here in Europe.

  • ssuellid #50 8 years ago

    No, maybe I-Ninja from that but I don't buy multiplatform GC games.

  • Roarer #51 8 years ago

    Too... many... games...
    not... enough... time..
    must... clone.. myself...

    /faints

  • MBar #52 8 years ago

    I think you'll find it's Pikmin 2 thats on the list.

    yeah, thanks for that. here was me thinking Nintendo were only getting around to releasing the first pikmin in Europe as well.

    plonker.
    Edited by 2 at 18/08/04 @ 15:33

  • gamingdave #53 8 years ago

    boabg .. Talk about originality eh? I'd buy 3 of the titles, Mertoid 2, Tales of Symphonia and Tiger Woods 2005.

    So youre buying Tigers, a game that comes out every year, and yet complaining about originality?

    Most people wont have played or seen Mario Paper, yes the characters may be old but the game will be new to the majority. I see very little original coming out on PS2 and xbox, but am looking forward to burnout3 and outrun along with halo2 and killzone maybe.

    --edit--

    oh and considering everyone seems to agree with the sentament in the 'dust to dust' article id say its more than enough.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/04 @ 16:27

  • Peekaboo #54 8 years ago

    Hmmm, big Ninty fan but only MP2 appeals to me.

    If Donkey Konga is a sign of things to come (played it last night at the EIGF)..........Oh dear........

  • IronGiant #55 8 years ago

    /waits for BGiE to see this thread..

    I can see why a lot of you are excited by that list, but for me personally there isn't one game there that would convince me to splash out on a 3rd console. Call me mainstream if you like but it's games like Riddick, Halo2, Burnout3, Jak3, Killzone, Pro Evo, GTA4, Devil May Cry3, Onimusha3, Mechassault2, GT4, Forza, God of War, Silent Hill4 etc etc that i'm looking forward to playing.

  • Rob #56 8 years ago

    ..........Oh dear........

    Oh dear what? Donkey Konga absolutely rocks (especially with four) - or did you not like it because it was 'teh kiddy'? Would you prefer 'Space Marine Maracas' perhaps ;-)

  • Rob #57 8 years ago

    but it's games like Riddick, Halo2, Burnout3, Jak3, Killzone, Pro Evo, GTA4, Devil May Cry3, Onimusha3, Mechassault2, GT4, Forza, God of War, Silent Hill4 etc etc that i'm looking forward to playing.

    You see you like all those, but you're not even a tiny bit interested in Prime?? Really??

  • gamingdave #58 8 years ago

    IronGiant, it seems from your list that you dont really need both an Xbox and PS2. For all the games theres an equal on the other platform. Considering cubes can be had 2nd hand for the price of a game, id get one aswell ;) Thats what put me off an xbox for so long, all the games I wanted for it there was somethign similar on PS2, only got one in the end when a m8 sold me his old chipped one for all the emus and media player. Everyone should play Pikmin2.

  • IronGiant #59 8 years ago

    No Rob that's just the point, im not buying a Cube for one game when the other 2 consoles clearly offer more of the types of games i like playing. Simple choice really.

  • otto #60 8 years ago

    ToS, Paper Mario 2, FF1 & 2...

    Were Nintendo deliberately waiting for the week I bought a PS2 because of the RPG drought to announce all this??

    Given all the JRPGs for the PS2 I've just bought, and given Kristan's article about gaming backlogs, I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

  • gamingdave #61 8 years ago

    true, nothing exactly like Halo coming to PS2. But there are games that are similar, and apeal to the same player id say. There really isnt anything like Pikmin2, Animal Crossing or Warioware on Xbox or PS2 aswell. Certainly not in the same calibur.

    Ive got a PS2 and Xbox aswell. Looking forward to GTA obviously, loved the last 2, and more of the same with bells on will do me fine. Will probably get GT4 and if theyre as good as hoped then ill probably be grabbing Killzone and MGS. Im also looking forward to Outun2 (definate), Halo2 and Doom3 for the Xbox aswell.

    Horses for courses and to get the full spread unfortunately you need to buy all the machines. Cubes for £40 really shouldnt be sniffed at. With the new games coming out and IMO a fantastic back catalogue. Yes its a relatively small catalogue. Minute compared to PS2. But theres plenty of fantastic gaming to be had. £150 should get you a 2nd hand cube, and 5 great games. Even if you wait till all the next gens are out and get one dirt cheap you should at some point.

    The articles about xmas schedules (though they started earlier than john lewis' decorations) and there probably isnt much here to sway a 2nd purchase. But if they can get the advertising right they may do Ok. If they fail to do well in the UK it may or may not harm them, and whilst money helps to strengthen for the future they do seem to be doing well financilay now. As long as they keep making games I can play, imported or not, I dont really care whos got them in their living rooms.

  • gamingdave #62 8 years ago

    In my opinion it was about as fun as going to work in pouring rain in the middle of Winter.

    If you thought that of the first you probably wont give the second a 10. Its more fighting than big puzzle bassed now. The multiplayer is fantastic though and makes it definately worth a rental with some mates round.

  • gamingdave #63 8 years ago

    co-op. of a sorts, a lot of the main game is played out over multilevel dungeouns. Theres fighting on the way down and the odd puzzle. Theres no co-op on the main story mode, but theres a challenge mode that can be 2 player in dungeouns thats not bad. Wait for release and rent or do a 10-day game buy. Everyone whos played the multiplayer round the house has loved it.

  • Peekaboo #64 8 years ago

    "Oh dear what? Donkey Konga absolutely rocks (especially with four) - or did you not like it because it was 'teh kiddy'? Would you prefer 'Space Marine Maracas' perhaps ;-) "

    Rob mate, personally I thought it was terrible. An absolute waste of the IP as well. Eyetoy is fun with people when pissed. Konga is not. Granted however this is just my opinion. And yes it felt incredibly childlike, like it or not, there is a difference between fun and quirky and just plain kiddy. I love Ninty stuff, but of late........It just hasn't appealed to me in the slightest. Perhaps I've become more mainstream over the years, who knows, now if you'll excuse me I have imps to kill...........

  • Master Cheif #65 8 years ago

    Good price for a NGC right now, some good games too, the New Zelda looks awesome

  • Kami #66 8 years ago

    /walks in

    Err... just to say one thing here... and it concerns THIS comment:

    "As for the cube list, it's practically all sequels or built on an existing franchise."

    I agree. And the same goes for the PC, the PS2, the X-Box, the current film releases, whats on the TV, whats on the radio, whats in the charts etc etc etc etc.


    Wanna bitch about sequels and franchises we're familiar with? We'll start with GTA then, shall we? Maybe then move onto Halo 2. A splash of Burnout 3 next, and maybe we should discuss the likes of Doom 3, Half Life 2, Final Fantasy XI...

    Do I really need to go on?

    If you wanna bitch about "Fresh, totally original ideas", do it in general! Don't target out one console and say, "Thats not got anything original coming out for it" - because this Q4, I tell ya, there ain't gonna be a hell of a lot of "originality". On any format. On any TV screen. At all.



    Where I give Nintendo credit is when they TRY and introduce something new. And then they get shot down for it! By the likes of people who bitch and moan about "originality".


    Jeez, it really makes me &%$£@#! sick to hear people banging on about "Sequels" and "existing franchises" as if they're some form of demonic evil...

    ...

    if they are evil, then I hate to break it to people, but the Playstation 2 must be Satan... or pretty close to Lord of Evil...