This year Nintendo opted out of the E3 press conference circuit and instead released a pre-recorded Nintendo Direct video hosted by the company’s Global President Satoru Iwata. Ninty’s Wii successor the Wii U has been on the market since November and due to a lack of must-have titles and drooping third-party support the console hasn’t gained much traction in the gaming community. The house that made Mario is looking to turn things around this year with the introduction of many first-party games featuring some of the company’s most prized characters like Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong. And yes, there are even some third-party titles coming that should stir some excitement Ninty’s way. Iwata previewed many titles coming to Wii U, as well as some for the 3DS handheld, and you can check ’em all out after the break.

Wii U first-party games

Super Mario 3D World: This marks the first four-player Mario game set in a 3D world. Gamers can jump in as Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Peach–each of them have their own unique characteristics not unlike their SNES counterparts from Super Mario Bros. 2. There’s a new power-up called the cat suit; in it Mario and his friends can perform new actions like climbing up walls and scratching enemies with claws. This Mario title, made by team behind Super Mario 3D Land for 3DS and the Super Mario Galaxy games for Wii, is out this December.

Mario Kart 8: The next iteration in the Mario Kart racing series introduces an anti-gravity feature that has karts racing up walls and clinging to inverted tracks (in other words, upside-down racing!). Borrowed from previous Kart games, you can glide through the sky, race underwater, and ride motorcycles. Online multiplayer modes will be available with deep integration with Wii U’s social service Miiverse. It’s out Spring 2014.

Super Smash Bros for Wii U: Nintendo’s classic fighter starring many of the company’s most popular game characters is making its way to Wii U in 2014. New playable entries include the Villager from Animal Crossing, Megaman, and the female Trainer from Wii Fit.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD: Zelda is back in an HD remake of the well-regarded Gamecube game of the same name. The title sees a couple tweaks, in addition to the 1080p treatment. First, the Tingle Tuner from the original has been replaced by the Tingle Bottle, which uses the Wii U GamePad to post comments about the game to Miiverse. Comments from players wash up on the shores of beaches in the game. Also, players have the option to sail faster than they did in the original version. Cell-shaded Zelda comes to Wii U this October.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: DK gets the HD treatment for the very first time in the next installment in the Country franchise dubbed Tropical Freeze. Retro Studios, the developers who made Donkey Kong Country Returns for Wii, are behind this new side-scrolling platformer with a twist: the camera changes perspective on certain levels to enhance the sense of motion and to deliver new gameplay experiences. Diddy and Dixie Kong are in for the ride as playable characters. It’s out this November.

The Wonderful 101: Platinum Games is developing this cartoon-y actioner that places gamers in the role of Wonder-Red, leader of a group of superheroes. Individually they are overpowered by invaders from space. But by working together, they can transform into a fist or blade and unleash massive attacks on their enemy. Out September 15.

Bayonetta 2: Here’s another title from Platinum Games. The sequel to 2010’s Bayonetta, which released exclusively for Xbox 360 and PS3, is making its debut on Wii U. The hack-and-slash actioner comes out in 2014.

Monolif Soft: Iwata introduced a new game from Monolif Software Inc., the creative team behind The Xenoblade Chronicles. It’s an open world game that gives players control over massive and destructive robots that can soar through the sky. More details will be shared as we get closer to the still-untitled game’s release in 2014.

Wii Party U: The party game features 80 brand-new minigames, many of which will take advantage of the Wii U GamePad. It releases this October.

Wii Fit U: Iwata only brought up this fitness title to say its release has been delayed from a spring or summer launch to one this November.

Art Academy: Though this painting and drawing title is still in development for Wii U, some of its features are being plucked from the game and implemented in Miiverse to give console owners more tools to create their own masterpieces. It’s coming to the eShop this summer.

Other first party games not discussed during in the Nintendo Direct clip but coming soon include Pikmin 3 (8/4) and New Super Luigi U (6/20). The latter title can be downloaded on that date via the eShop as an add-on to Super Mario Bros. U; on August 25 you can buy it as a standalone package that doesn’t require the original game.

3DS first-party games

Pokémon X and Pokémon Y: The latest games in the Pokémon franchise introduce an 18th Pokémon type: Fairy-type. A new feature called Pokémon-Amie lets players create a deeper connection with their Pokémon by training them and playing mini-games with them. Both titles release October 12.

Super Smash Bros. for 3DS: The fighter comes to the handheld in 2014.

Other first party games not discussed during in the Nintendo Direct clip but coming soon include The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (November 2013), Yoshi’s New Island (2014), and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (8/11).

Wii U third-party games (video preview here)

• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft) – 10/29/13
• Batman: Arkham Origins (WB Games) – 10/25/13
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut (Square Enix) – 2013
• Disney Infinity (Disney Interactive) – 8/18/13
• Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft) – 10/8/13
• Rayman Legends (Ubisoft) – 9/3/13
• Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure (WB Games) – Fall 2013
• Disney’s Planes (Disney Interactive) – 8/6/13
• Skylanders SWAP Force (Activision Publishing) – 10/13/13
• Splinter Cell: Blacklist (Ubisoft) – 8/20/13
• Sonic Lost World (SEGA) – Holiday 2013
• Watch_Dogs (Ubisoft) – 11/19/13

3DS third-party games (video preview here)

• Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (WB Games) – 10//25/13 3DS
• Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus) – 7/16/13
• Skylanders SWAP Force (Activision Publishing) – 10/13/13
• Sonic Lost World (SEGA) – Holiday 2013

Wii U eShop titles (video preview here)

• Ballpoint Universe (Arachnid Games)
• Cloudberry Kingdom (Ubisoft)
• Coaster Crazy Deluxe (Frontier Developments)
• Ducktales: Remastered (Capcom)
• Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (Capcom)
• Mutant Mudds Deluxe (Renegade Kid)
• Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty (Oddworld Inhabitants)
• Scram Kitty & His Buddy on Rails (Dakko Dakko Ltd.)
• Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games)
• Spin the Bottle: Bumpie’s Party (KnapNok Games)
• A World of Keflings (NinjaBee)