5 new shows debut on Nintendo Video

Nintendo has a fresh slate of programming set to debut on the 3DS’ Nintendo Video App including shows featuring PIkmin and that ham Link.

Firstly- if you have the App, don’t worry about downloading anything else- you’re already all set to watch the newness as Nintendo says the shows will automatically show up for you on your device. So what exactly is new (and what’s this ‘Misadventures of Link’ thing)?

Here’s your lineup:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Misadventures of Link: This original series of comedic shorts shows Link, the series’ star, in a new and hysterical light. His surroundings will be familiar to fans of the series, since the shorts are based on The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD game for the Wii U console.
• Pikmin Nature Documentaries: These “nature documentaries” explore the wonderful world of the tiny Pikmin. The animations, highlighted by dramatic voiceover work, are a tongue-in-cheek take on safari nature shows.
• Bravest Warriors: The latest hit show created by Pendleton Ward, the mind behind Adventure Time, follows four teenage heroes-for-hire as they warp through galaxies to save adorable aliens and their worlds using the power of their emotions. The series is produced by Frederator Studios and launched on the Cartoon Hangover channel on YouTube. New episodes of Bravest Warriors will appear every Friday on Nintendo Video.
• Wildheart Riukiu: This new series of 3D shorts comes from the creator of Meat or Die, which has already amassed more than 5 million views on Nintendo Video. Wildheart Riukiu incorporates charming 16-bit graphics with some not-so-charming, but hilarious, characters. Think ninja puppets.
• Bee and PuppyCat: A Cartoon Hangover Shorts fan favorite, this two-part series by Natasha Allegri follows Bee, an out-of-work 20-something who has a life-changing collision with a mysterious creature she names PuppyCat.

I used to love the Nintendo cartoons of old, so I’m probably most excited to check out The Misadventures of Link. True, we’re not talking about half-hour toons here, but it’s just great to see the Nintendo-verse reappearing in an animated form of any kind, so I’m happy (now get to work on Mario please).

This is the first time since Nintendo Video launched in 2011 that a first-party Nintendo character like Link is starring in anything on the ‘channel’ too, which is pretty cool in and of itself. That’s not to say that there hasn’t been any content though, as the app has delivered all manner of shows and shorts to handheld owners since then.

If you don’t have it, Nintendo Video is a free download from the eShop on your 3DS; the new programming block debuts this week.