Minecraft: Wii U Edition

In a match made in block-shaped heaven, Nintendo is partnering with Mojang and Microsoft to bring the imaginative worlds of the Super Mario series and Minecraft together. For the first time ever, players will be able to fend off blocky Hammer Bros. and Dry Bones the same way they do Creepers and Zombies.

On May 17, the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack comes to Minecraft: Wii U Edition as a free game update. After downloading the update, players who own the Minecraft: Wii U Edition digital game, which launched last December, will have immediate access to new skins, a Super Mario-themed pre-made world and a set of Super Mario-themed music and item textures. All this new content is inspired by games in the iconic Super Mario series, such as Super Mario World, Super Mario 64 andSuper Mario Sunshine. When the retail version of Minecraft: Wii U Edition launches in stores on June 17 at a suggested retail price of $29.99, the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will be included on the disc.

“Both the Super Mario franchise and Minecraft embrace the magic of exploration and discovery,” said Steve Singer, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Publisher & Developer Relations. “Players will have a great time adventuring and creating in this free game update that embraces the unique and memorable elements of both franchises.”

The Wii U version of Minecraft features the full game, as well as many of the most popular previously released content packs for no extra charge. Downloading the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack gives players 40 new Super Mario-themed skins, which transform the game’s characters into familiar heroes like Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, and even troublemakers like Bowser, Wario and all seven Koopalings. All the world and item textures in the game will also be redone, providing players the opportunity to create their own Super Mario-themed locations within the world ofMinecraft. While building, players will even enjoy listening to the smooth sounds of 15 pieces of music from Super Mario 64. Builders of all ages will love crafting massive new worlds using building blocks inspired by a series as accessible and recognizable as Super Mario.

Since launching in 2011, Minecraft has become a global phenomenon, selling more than 70 million games worldwide. The game places players in a massive randomly generated world, and lets them explore, harvest resources and craft anything their imaginations can conjure. The Wii U version of Minecraft features Off-TV Play, touch-screen functionality and online multiplayer.

Minecraft: Wii U Edition can currently be downloaded in Nintendo eShop on the Wii U console and on Nintendo.com for $29.99. For more information about Minecraft: Wii U Edition, visit http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/minecraft-wii-u-edition.

Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu .