Heads up, Skylanders fans. Two iconic Nintendo characters — Donkey Kong and Bowser — are gearing up to invade Skylands.
Nintendo and Activision on Tuesday at E3 announced plans to bring the beloved characters and their signature vehicles to the upcoming Skylanders SuperChargers game, which debuts on Sept. 20. Players will be able to use the new Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser figures just like any other Skylanders character, with an added bonus. Just twist the base, and you can also use them as amiibos in select Nintendo games.
"Activision's Skylanders games have been very popular on Nintendo platforms, and we hope this collaboration will delight fans of the franchise," Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said in a statement. "We believe this unique approach will help expand the entire category and make it appealing to even more players."
The new figures will be available in SuperChargers starter packs for the Wii U, Wii, and Nintendo 3DS. They're available for pre-order now at select retailers worldwide.
Nintendo and Activision said the characters will stay true to their roots while getting a "fresh look and feel" for their debut in Skylands. Donkey Kong's powers will include barrel throws, exploding bongos, and some "exciting new moves," while Bowser will be able to breathe fire, command Koopas, and summon Warp Pipes.
"Since we made the first toys-to-life game, some of our most dedicated players have been Nintendo fans around the world," Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement. "Skylanders is delighted to welcome beloved guest stars Donkey Kong and Bowser into its magical world."
SuperChargers will challenge players to "speed across Skylands' roads in vehicular combat, race down roaring rapids and engage in aerial dogfights as they barrel roll through enemy swarms," Activision said.
The SuperChargers starter pack for Wii U is priced at $75 and includes Turbo Charge Donkey Kong along with his signature vehicle, Barrel Blaster. The Wii and 3DS packs, meanwhile, are priced at $75 and $65, respectively, and include Hammer Slam Bowser and his vehicle, Clown Cruiser. All three packs also come with Super Shot Stealth Elf, a newly designed Portal of Power, and the full game.
