Holiday Gifts for the Gamer Family with Nintendo #SJHolidayGifts

As a family of gamers we’re always seeking out the newest and best games and systems on the market that will satisfy the interests of the vast scope of ages. One Christmas memory that has stuck with me all these years was the christmas morning I awoke to find my very first Nintendo Entertainment System under the tree and the classic Super Mario Brothers. I spent hours playing and mastering that game and still it remains a game with a memory incomparable to any other.

This Christmas I’m giving my family the newest version of the Nintendo system, the Wii U. Between my interests in adult friendly games to my youngest daughter and Barbie’s Puppy Rescue, this is definitely a few steps up from the classic. Picture Christmas day with a little friendly competition between teens and Splatoon or Mario Tennis Ultra Smash; those are lasting memories.

Take a peek below at some of the newest Nintendo bundles and games this season for a fun-filled holiday.

Super Mario Maker Deluxe Set Wii U bundle

Wii U Deluxe Sets come with everything you need to get started, including the Wii U GamePad controller. Plus, it includes at least one game, at no additional cost!

Wii U™ GamePad

30th Anniversary Mario

Mario’s style has evolved throughout his many adventures and challenges. This blocky, classic look harkens back to his design in the original Super Mario Bros.™ game that launched for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. His blue overalls and red shirt represent his modern colour scheme, and are mixed with the retro aesthetic of the original game.

Amiibo Features – Pick your Favourite Character to interact within Amiibo compatible games.

• Transform into different character costumes with the new Mystery Mushroom item. Expand the roster of possible costumes by completing the 100 Mario Challenge mode or tapping compatible amiibo™ accessories.
• Tap a 30th Anniversary Mario™ amiibo figure to the Wii U™ GamePad controller to add a Big Mushroom power-up to your course!

Mario Kart 8

Compatible with Amiibo, Mario Kart 8 allows you to race upside-down and along walls on anti-gravity tracks in the most action-fueled Mario Kart™ game yet! Take on racers across the globe and share videos of your greatest moments via Mario Kart TV.*

Driving up a waterfall or across the ceiling can provide an intense adrenaline rush, but that’s not all anti-gravity is good for. It also provides a wild new gameplay mechanic: if you collide into other racers in zero-g, you’ll earn speed boosts worth bragging about. Luckily, you can upload and share your best moments and watch your friends’ using the all-new Mario Kart TV.* Returning features include 12-player online play*, gliders, underwater racing, motorbikes, and custom karts. You can even race as Bowser’s seven minions, the Koopalings!

• Race along walls and upside-down on twisting anti-gravity racetracks!
• Share highlight videos of your greatest moments with friends via the Mario Kart TV feature and Miiverse™*
• Race and battle with friends locally* or connect online to play with random players from around the world*
• Fan favorite features from past Mario Kart™ games include gliders, underwater racing, motorbikes, mid-air tricks, and more
• For the first time ever, play as all seven of Bowser’s minions, the Koopalings!
• Crisp HD graphics and fluid animation offers players the most visually stunning Mario Kart™ yet

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash

Compatible with Amiibo, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash allows you to compete with friends in the multiplayer Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash game on the Wii U system. Along with the fun and dynamic gameplay known to the franchise, surprise your opponents with a new move to the series, the Jumpshot, which sends the ball flying down the court. Change the sport up with new Mega Battles, using the Mega Mushroom to gain an advantage over the competition. Claim your spot in Mario Tennis lore in singles (1v1) or doubles (2v2) as you play with and against family, friends or the CPU using returning and new characters to the series.

Features:

• Compete with friends in the multiplayer Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash game on the Wii U system.
• Play against friends and family in multiplayer matches.
• Play against friends and family in both singles (1v1) and doubles (2v2) matches as your favorite Mushroom Kingdom character.
• Control your character’s every movement on the court, using precise timing and the correct shot to outwit your opponent.
• Use the new Jumpshot technique to return shots like never before.
• In Mega Battles, get the Mega Mushroom to gain a “big” advantage over your competition.
• New characters make their Mario Tennis debut.

Splatoon

Compatible with Amiibo, Splatoon offers the ability to splatter enemies and claim your turf as the ink-spewing, squid-like characters called Inklings in Nintendo’s new third-person action shooter game for the Wii U console.

Compete in four-on-four matches, in which the goal is to get your ink on as many places as possible and claim your turf, all while strategically submerging yourself in your team’s colors and blasting your enemies. This is a colorful and chaotic online third-person action shooter – exclusively on Wii U.

FEATURES:

Fresh content

New weapons, modes, maps, gear, and more have been added to Splatoon, with more rolling out through summer 2015. Plus, regularly scheduled Splatfest events let you choose a side and battle your way to victory with other players around the world!

Online* team matchmaking:

• Create a squid squad with your friends in Squad Battle mode.
• Join up to seven friends in Private Battles—you choose the map and the rules.
• Get teamed up with other players for 4 vs. 4 matches in Turf War or Ranked Battle modes.
• Ramp up the intensity with Ranked Battle modes which include three rotating modes: Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker
• Play to win and boost your player ranking or level, or get in-game currency to spend on gear upgrades.

Think while you ink

• Strategy is everything. Defeat enemies to splatter them in an explosion of ink, covering more turf for your team. But choose wisely: Players who only go after the enemy might find their turf redecorated in their enemies’ colors.
• Refill ink tanks, hide from opponents or move faster by turning into a squid and diving intoink with the tap of a button.
• Covering more territory with ink unlocks powered-up super weapons that can be used to attack rivals or cover more turf.

More ways to play

• Select between multiple control options on the Wii U GamePad controller, including using gyroscopic controls to look around, allowing for better aiming and control.
• Hone your skills in Octo Valley, the single-player mode that will have you inking, splatting, and squidding through platforming puzzles as you take on the Octarian army.
• Battle a friend one-on-one at home in a balloon-splatting contest in Battle Dojo.

Minecraft: Wii U Edition

Soon to be released, December 17th, Minecraft: Wii U Edition will be the talk among the tweens on your list. Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs.

Craft, create, and explore alone, or with up to four players in split-screen and up to eight online.

For news on upcoming games or to join in fun conversation, follow Nintendo Canada on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

For other Holiday Gift ideas, head over to our Holiday Gift Guide to find that perfect gift on your list.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.