Presiding over an audience of devoted Pokemon fans during an E3 2013 roundtable session, Tsunekazu Ishihara and Junichi Masuda of The Pokemon Company dropped some interesting new facts about the upcoming Pokemon X and Y, releasing October 12 for the 3DS. The games' new online functionality, known as the Player Search System (or P.S.S.), taps into the power of the 3DS by allowing players to switch between local wireless communication and full-fledged Internet connectivity with the push of a button.

During play, the bottom screen of the 3DS will display confirmed friends – fully integrated with the 3DS' Friend List (meaning friends you add before the game's release will appear there) – as well as people in the area who happen to be playing. Battling someone from the latter group will add them to an acquaintances list, and after a few battles, X and Y will establish a friendship between the two players. True to the series' focus on multiplayer from its very first generation, X and Y has made it easier than ever to smash your pocket monsters into friends' far and wide.

One important question, though, left some lingering disappointment in the room: when asked if previous generations' Pokemon can be imported into X and Y, Masuda could only offer "we're working on it," citing the problems in communicating data between the DS and 3DS. Hopefully, you won't have to take your current stable of Pokemon out behind the woodshed come October.

Nintendo has released a new developer video detailing the differences between the Wii U and 3DS versions of its recently announced cross-franchise brawler Super Smash Bros.

Director Masahiro Sakurai notes that "the total number of characters [in the Nintendo 3DS version] is the same as the Wii U version, but some of the stages will be completely different."

In addition: "In the Nintendo 3DS version, there will be more stages based on handheld games, while themed stages from home console games will be on Wii U."

Both games also boast a unique graphic style. The Wii U release focuses on primary colors and visual effects, while the 3DS version has cel-shaded characters in order to make them easier to see.

The Super Smash Bros. official website profiles every character announced so far, including newcomers from Animal Crossing and Wii Fit. Super Smash Bros. is set to launch in 2014.

During an E3 demo today, Skylanders executive producer Scott Krager announced that the newest entry in the series, Swap Force, will launch "day and date" for both the XBox One and PlayStation 4 -- though the specific release date (or dates) for these consoles is still unknown.

In the meantime, some good news: in keeping with the series' tradition of cross-platform compatibility, the next-gen versions of Skylanders: Swap Force will use the same figurines as the current-gen titles, due to release for 3DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U October 13 in the United States.

In a "one more thing" moment at the Nintendo event this morning, it was announced that the Wii Fit Trainer will join the battle in Super Smash Bros.

This follows this morning's announcement of new characters The Villager from Animal Crossing and Mega Man.

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl will bring dungeon-crawling anime cartography to the 3DS sometime this fall, Atlus announced this morning. When it launches, this semi-remake of the original Etrian Odyssey will be available in both physical and digital flavors, the later provided through the 3DS eShop.

The game's Story mode, which features voice acting and animated cutscenes created by the folks who handled those duties for Persona 4 Golden and Persona 4 Arena, is a first for the franchise. Likewise, the new "Grimoire Stone" system forgoes class skill limitations found in previous entries by allowing players to assign skills and create hybridized characters themselves.

Meanwhile, Classic mode is an updated, 3D version of the original Etrian Odyssey, enhanced with the Grimoire Stone system and made flexible by three new difficulty modes: Picnic, Standard and Expert.

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We guess that's new...? Yeah, let's go with new. This footage for Yoshi's New Island, a new platformer for 3DS, is probably also new, so enjoy. The game will launch "this holiday season."

Following this morning's E3 Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo sneakily released the above trailer for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the official name for the new The Legend of Zelda game coming to 3DS.

The new 3DS varieties of Pokemon are launching October 12. Nintendo previously billed an October release window for the 3D evolution of its long-running monster capture series. In this morning's E3 Direct broadcast, Nintendo upgraded that window into a concrete worldwide release date for both Pokemon X and Pokemon Y.

Nintendo revealed Pokemon X and Y are receiving a new Fairy type. The 18th Pokemon type, which is super-effective against Dragon-type monsters, will feature both new Pokemon (including Sylveon as shown during the broadcast), as well as old ones like Jigglypuff, Marill, and Gardevoir.

Both games will introduce a new 'Pokemon-amie' feature that will let you tickle and stroke the critters to further your friendship with them. Aww.

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Welcome to the Nintendo Direct of Nintendo Directs in 2013 - the fully armed and operational Death Star of Nintendo Directs, if you will. Thanks to the House of Mario's decision to forego the traditional E3 conference, this morning brings a Direct broadcast that should be stuffed to the brim with announcements and games.

Nintendo's streamed presentations are often packed with news, but this is Eee Three, and it's a whole minus world of hidden gems. Nintendo has already promised us it'll be showcasing the new 3D Mario, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros games for the Wii U today, and we're sure it has plenty of other things up its Wii U and 3DS sleeves.

As ever, we've got the North American stream up top for you to watch right here on Joystiq, as well as the European and Japanese streams below the break. The whole shebang kicks off at 7AM PT/10AM ET (3PM UK) and we'll have all the news as it happens.

Update: It's done, check out everything that happened right here.

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Nintendo's forthcoming 3DS sequel to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past may be one of the smoothest-running game to ever grace the handheld – at least as far as its performance in 3D mode is concerned – due to its ability to run at 60 frames-per-second with 3D switched on, Zelda series veteran Eiji Aonuma told EDGE.

"The game runs at 60fps, while all the 3D games up till now have run at 30fps," Aonuma said. "The faster the framerate, the more stable the 3D effect, so 60fps is a big deal." Aonuma also mentioned that the game will not take advantage of the 3DS' gyroscopic capabilities, as requiring the player to tilt the 3DS could break the screen's required viewing angle.

Atlus is preparing a volley of free downloadable incentives for early adopters of upcoming 3DS exclusive Shin Megami Tensei 4.

The Platinum Surcoat will not only bestow a sense of elegance and self-esteem on your samurai, but early-game stats bonuses designed to aid players who are new to the series. The DLC also includes three different hairstyles and, finally, a map pack with an exclusive collectible demon and enemies that will generate extra experience.

The hairstyles will be free permanently, but both the armor and map pack will revert to $1 and $2 respectively, a month after Shin Megami Tensei 4 launches on July 16. All pre-orders will net a collectible box set version of the game, which includes a custom case, starter guide and art book, and the obligatory soundtrack.

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Longtime Sonic the Hedgehog series collaborator Dimps is developing the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic: Lost World, Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka revealed in an interview with IGN this week.

Iizuka notes that Sonic: Lost World features unique content on the Nintendo 3DS. Though it shares similar settings with its Wii U counterpart, level layouts are entirely different in order "to match the screen size and hardware so players can enjoy both versions with a fresh feeling," Iizuka said.

The 3DS version also boasts an exclusive versus mode for up to four players, along with features that can be unlocked by linking with the Wii U edition.

Dimps previously tackled the Sonic Rush series on the Nintendo DS, and worked with Sonic Team to produce both episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The company was also responsible for the portable versions of Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations.

Activision announced that its kid-friendly action-adventure sequel Skylanders Swap Force will launch worldwide in October.

As part of today's announcement, the company also added PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Swap Force to its multiplatform lineup, joining previously announced ports for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Wii, and Nintendo 3DS.

The Skylanders series allows players to summon playable characters via collectible toy figures. Skylanders Swap Force introduces a new series of toys that can be split in half and reassembled for unique mix-and-match ability combinations. Figures released for previous Skylanders games are also compatible with Swap Force.

Series creator Toys for Bob is taking a break for this year's Skylanders release. The console versions of Swap Force are helmed by Vicarious Visions, who previously tackled the 3DS port of 2011's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. The Nintendo 3DS version of Swap Force is being developed by Heroes of Ruin creator n-Space, while developer Beenox is working on the Nintendo Wii version.

Skylanders Swap Force will launch in North America on October 13, Australia on October 16, and Europe on October 18.

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The biggest news on the Nintendo eShop this week is definitely the release of Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It hits the eShop on June 9 and, in case you didn't hear, we really enjoyed it. Meanwhile, Wii U Virtual Console picks up Spelunker today, and it gets Yoshi – the NES puzzle game – on June 12. The Wii also gets some Virtual Console love with Sengoku 3.

Trine 2: Directors Cut for Wii U is on sale for $9.99 until 9am Pacific on June 27. Finally, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth has received a permanent price drop to $29.99.

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Harvest Moon: A New Beginning embarks for Europe this Q3. As expected distributor Zen United is involved. while publishing is tied to Marvelous AQL Europe.

The second 3DS entry after re-release The Tale of Two Towns offers greater customization, allowing players to pick their character's look and clothes, furnish their house how they want, and moves crops and barn around. So, a bit more like Animal Crossing, then, except on a farm - but not much like George Orwell's Animal Farm, because that'd be weird.

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Tireless public servant Patricia Wagon returns to the Nintendo 3DS eShop next week in a follow-up to WayForward's 2011 dimension-shifting puzzle-platformer Mighty Switch Force.

Mighty Switch Force 2 sees Patty trading her police officer's badge for firefighting equipment, and players will need to douse flames and solve new water-based puzzles in order to rescue a gaggle of distressed damsels. Mighty Switch Force 2 will launch in North America on June 13. A European release is set for June 27.

I've developed a hatred for Beardo, a blue bear with a mustache and sideburns that built his house right next to mine in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I had plans to surround my mansion-to-be with flower beds. While the line of cherry trees I planted set me apart from Beardo, it wasn't good enough. Even as the mayor of the town of Hayward, a title granted to me by mistake because I stepped off the train alone after the game's brief introduction, my power was limited. Sure, I could mosey over to the town hall to complain about how Beardo dresses or talks, which I did, but he only assured me he'll clean up his act. I couldn't just kick Beardo to the curb.

As mayor, it's my responsibility to make the town sparkle with new public works projects. Beardo didn't fund the yellow bench or the fountain it sits in front of – I did. He didn't plant the assorted trees, build a campsite or a police station. While I'm paying for prime tourist attractions, Beardo is lumbering around town with a watering can, flooding the flowers I already watered.

One Saturday afternoon, the town's citizens competed in a sea bass fishing derby. I devoted hours to luring in dozens of fish, and was determined to win a sweet gold trophy for the center of the main room of my house. I came in second, and you better believe I was bitter when Beardo stood above me on the winner's podium, holding the first place trophy that was meant for me. I then abandoned my duties as mayor to dig holes around his house, plant trees in front of his doorway, send him vulgar letters and shove him around until he stormed off in anger. It may be my job to make Hayward heaven for its citizens, but it became my personal mission to make it hell for Beardo.

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Europeans who purchase and register Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for the 3DS before 11pm UK time on June 30 will be eligible for a recommendation code good for one download of Capcom's game. If your pal registers a Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL through Club Nintendo between 11pm UK time tonight and 11pm UK time on July 31, and enters the recommendation code before 11pm UK time on August 5, then they'll be able to download the game.

So what if you already registered Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate 3DS? Check the Club Nintendo site tomorrow after 3pm UK time, at which point you should find your recommendation code available and can continue the rest of the process. The promotion only applies to the 3DS version – the Wii U game is not eligible – and Nintendo has announced no plans to extend the promotion outside of Europe.

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