Nintendo Direct Recap 19/12: Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Donkey Kong, Zelda and more

The latest Nintendo Direct presentation offered an early Christmas treat for fans, with a bevvy of new treats from Super Smash Bros, Donkey Kong and Mario Kart 8.

Nintendo aired new footage from eagerly anticipated titles that are due to launch in the early months of 2014, including a brand new Legend of Zelda action-spinoff called Hyrule Warriors, plus announced a handful of new gems for Wii U and 3DS.

For a full recap, video and the latest screenshots, be sure to read through all the headlines below.

Nintendo Wii U Updates

• Rosalina was announced a new playable character for the new Super Smash Bros. games, partnering up with her trusty Luma.
• The presentation also showed a new stage based on Rainbow Road from Mario Kart.

• Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS is still slated for a 2014 release.[/h2]
  [li]Nintendo confirmed Rosalina and "Baby" characters for the new Mario Kart 8 game, revealing new courses like an airport and desert. It's due for release in Spring 2014.
• A Zelda spin-off game, Hyrule Warriors, was shown - blending Tecmo Koei's Warriors franchise with The Legend of Zelda, due for release next year.

• More footage of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was shown, highlighting the inclusion of Funky Kong and the new POW move. The game is out 21st February.
• Nintendo launched Golf for Wii Sports Club today, with MotionPlus and GamePad support, plus online multiplayer and a free 24-hour trial.
• A slice of retro action as Nintendo launched NES Remix today, a collection of classic games with a twist. From Zelda to Super Mario Bros., these titles have different approaches and Miiverse support.
• Two new DLC packs were announced for Sonic Lost World, including a zone themed like Yoshi's Island. A Legend of Zelda level will be released next year.

• A new Wii U eShop release for January 15th 2014 is Dr. Luigi, a new take on the classic Dr. Mario franchise with GamePad support, online play and a Germ Buster mode.

Nintendo 3DS Updates

• A new Luigi's Mansion 2 Dioramama was highlighted for inclusion in the Club Nintendo Stars Catalogue from today.
• A free Bravely Default demo will be available on the US eShop from January 2nd with exclusive story and content not in the main game. The full release will be on February 7th.
• Nintendo also lifted the lid on Chibi-Robo! Photo Finder, a new game that uses the 3DS camera to pick out real world objects for the adorable robot's new museum.
• Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was confirmed for release on 28th March 2014 in Europe.
• New gameplay footage of Yoshi's New Island was shown, set for release next Spring.

• Another Spring release was Kirby: Triple Deluxe, with new abilities and multiplayer shown off during Nintendo Direct.
• Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter were also shown, due for release on December 27th, with a free trial available to run before 31st January 2014.
• Nintendo 3DS owners who link a Nintendo Network ID can get a free download of the Game Boy classic Super Mario Bros. Deluxe if doing so by 31st January 2014. Download codes will be issued between 13th and 28th February.

What were your favourite announcements and games shown in today's Nintendo Direct presentation?