New Super Mario Bros. 2 announced for 3DS
New Pok¨¦mon apps, 3DS firmware update, Mario Kart 7 patch coming.
Nintendo mascot Mario will star in New Super Mario Bros. 2 this summer, a new side-scrolling platformer due for release on 3DS in August.
A sequel to the New Super Marios Bros. games on DS and Wii, this latest title mixes classic 2D jumping and goomba-squashing with snazzy new visuals.
Mario's much in-vogue Raccoon suit is also set to make an appearance. Steady there, PETA.
A stream of other Nintendo announcements flowed out of the company's latest Nintendo Direct streaming conference. Two new Pokémon 3DS apps were revealed, the first an update to the existing Pokédex application. This upcoming "Pro" version will feature every breed from the entire series plus other new features.
Then there's Pokémon AR Searcher, an augmented reality shooter similar to existing 3DS firmware Face Raiders. It will act as a companion app to Pokémon Black and White 2 and allow the transferring of creatures you capture. Both apps will made available from the 3DS eShop.
A fresh 3DS firmware update arrives in Europe on 25th April. It adds folder support to the system's menu and also allows game patches. The first patch will be for Mario Kart 7: to stop the infamous Wuhu Island track glitch which Nintendo previously said it wouldn't fix. The track-skipping error will now be removed in mid-May.
Three big currently Japan-only 3DS games will gain new DLC, with new characters (Roy! Leaf!) in Fire Emblem Awakening, new tunes for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (FF13's March of the Dreadnoughts!) and new challenges for Monster Hunter 3G.
European release dates were given for bizarre Wii rhythm game Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise (known elsewhere as Rhythm Heaven Fever). It arrives in the UK on 6th July.
3DS dungeon crawler Heroes of Ruin arrives on 15th June, while Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is confirmed for 20th July. Heroes of Ruin players will get a year's worth of new DLC challenges, free every day.
Nintendo also mentioned under-wraps plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of pink platforming puffball Kirby and the full roll-out of Kid Icarus AR cards to European shops, produced by footie sticker company Panini.
Watch the entire European 3DS Nintendo Direct conference below.