Nintendo Confirms ‘Animal Crossing’ and ‘Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon’ Release Windows

There’s a lot Nintendo fans have to look forward to in the next few months. Not only will the Wii U be landing on store shelves later this year, but the 3DS is also getting the heavily sought after Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Looking past these two noteworthy items, however, Nintendo diehards have no idea what games they’ll be getting in 2013.

The Big N has opted to shine the spotlight on two anticipated 3DS titles though, and has highlighted a pair of release windows for Animal Crossing and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon.

Nintendo of America has been busy in the wake of Japan’s Nintendo Direct broadcast. Additional info on the Japanese release of Animal Crossing: Jump Out (the official Japanese title) and a handful of new games were all announced, and it’s unlikely that some of the content will ever be localized for North American consumers. Nintendo of America took to Twitter to clarify the company’s upcoming plans for the 3DS, and it’s there that it unveiled the North American release windows for both of the previously mentioned games.

Many 3DS owners were disappointed when news broke that Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon had been delayed into 2013, but it turns out that the delay won’t be that significant at all. Now the masses can expect a terrified Luigi to scurry onto 3D screens in the first quarter of 2013 – better known as sometime before the end of March.

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is coming to Nintendo #3DS the first quarter of 2013. RT if you’re ready for a spooky good time.

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 29, 2012

Animal Crossing was one game that had many fans scared. It had been so long since an updated was last given on the title’s North American status, that some began to worry whether or not this version was to remain a Japanese exclusive. We now know those fears were unfounded, because Nintendo of America tweeted that their followers can expect AC to sprout up on the Nintendo 3DS at some point within the first six months of 2013.

Animal Crossing is launching for Nintendo #3DS during the first half of 2013! Tell us your favorite Animal Crossing memory.

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 29, 2012

With both Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and the currently untitled Animal Crossing scheduled to mark up the 3DS within the first half of 2013, it’s unknown what other first-party games will be making up the back half of next year. Fingers will remain crossed for even the slightest possibility of Super Smash Bros. 3DS, but Nintendo must be preparing a few currently unannounced projects on the go for the new year.

-

Follow me on Twitter @TheRileyLittle.