Nintendo fans have been waiting since the beginning of the year for news of what was going to come next to the Nintendo Switch. And now, after nearly six weeks of waiting, the first Nintendo Direct of the year has dropped, and much news has been revealed. Here is a breakdown of all that was shown and revealed.
– First up, the Nintendo Direct showed off the first unannounced title, Super Mario Maker 2!
The beloved title is not only coming back with new features, more additions, and other fun things, but it’s also coming VERY soon, as in June soon. And trust me when I say that this is but the first block in regards to Nintendo’s biggest Summer/Fall lineup in recent memory.
– Second, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 got a new trailer and reaffirmed that everything you loved about the original two games would be here in this Switch exclusive. The trailer confirmed certain characters, including a feature on Captain Marvel (thanks to her movie coming out in a few weeks), and also noted that the game would release this Summer.
– The first digital-only title for the Nintendo Direct arrived in the form of Box Boy + Box Girl. Which brings the beloved puzzle series from the 3DS to the Switch. And with it comes 2-player action, 279 levels, and more! The game will arrive on April 26th.
– While nothing substantial was shown per se, Super Smash Bros Ultimate did reveal a major 3.0 update coming to the game. They didn’t say what, which should mean another Nintendo Direct coming soon…but, they did reveal that Joker from Persona 5 would be coming by the end of April, if not sooner. And they even teased his character model. Stay tuned for more on that.
– Captain Toad Treasure Tracker is getting a free update and some DLC content. You’ll now be able to do co-op play, and 14 new levels are coming to the game. With the first arriving today!
– Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was shown in more detail, and was also dated for this Summer.
– Dragon Quest Builders 2 will arrive on July 12th to the Switch. But that wasn’t the only big Dragon Quest news, as Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition was announced exclusively for Switch! Check out the trailer below.
– If you’re a fan of Tsum Tsum, then you’ll appreciate Disney Tsum Tsum Festival, a party and puzzle game coming this year.
– Starlink: Battle For Atlas will be getting a free update soon that’ll bring in the remaining members of Team Star Fox and Star Wolf as the two do battle across the galaxy in new missions and races! More details will be coming out for that soon.
– Rune Factory had a surprise appearance on the Nintendo Direct, as they announced Rune Factor 4 Special coming later this year, AND the development of Rune Factory 5!
– Another surprise game came from Square Enix, via the team that did I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear, their new title is called ONINAKI, and deals with the world of the living, and a world of the dead where lost souls can become monsters. You’ll collect souls to not only save lives but gain power. It too will be arriving this Summer.
– Yoshi’s Crafted World got a little spotlight, showing off some things that you can do in the game. Including being able to wear costumes (of which there are over 100) in order to maintain your life in the game. It arrives March 29th.
– The big reveal that everyone was waiting for in this Nintendo Direct is that of Fire Emblem Three Houses. We now have many more details about the game via the five-minute trailer you can watch below. The biggest takeaways though aren’t just the gorgeous graphics and the voice acting, but the difference in scope of the title. The “Three Houses” aren’t referencing kingdoms per se, but students in an academy that you yourself teach at. You’ll be a professor and pick the house you want to teach, raising the students on the battlefield and helping balance peace in the lands. At least…that’s where you’ll start…
Sadly, the game has been delayed until July 26th, but given all that’s going on here, it’ll be worth it.
– For those looking for something more classic, Tetris 99 is coming out later today on Nintendo eShop, it’ll put you in some fun new Tetris situations, including a battle royale! …because why not at this rate?
– The horror game Dead By Daylight was announced to be coming to Switch this fall.
– A new game from the creator of Undertale is both coming, and is available now! It’s called Deltarune, and the first chapter is available for FREE right now! More are coming soon…and won’t be free.
– An update from Daemon X Machina was given, and the demon is about to release a demo for the game in which you can play four different missions, including a boss fight! Those who partake in this will possibly get to take a survey explaining your thoughts and feelings on the title. If you don’t, the team welcomes you to post your thoughts on social media.
– Grid Autosport was announced for the Switch, it’s coming later this year.
– Another big 3rd party title was revealed to be coming to Switch via Hellblade Sesuna’s Sacrifice, and it’ll be arriving this Spring.
– A Rolodex was revealed next, with games like Final Fantasy IX being released today, Assassin’s Creed III Remastered coming soon, Final Fantasy VII coming in March, and more.
– Another surprise was a new title from Platinum Games called Astral Chain, check out the trailer below:
Yep, that’s Platinum! No word on if this is exclusive, but either way, another Platinum title on Switch is welcome. Speaking of which, Bayonetta 3 wasn’t shown, but Nintendo noted that work is still underway.
– Finally, a brand new…uh…old…uh…remastered game was announced. And it’s an all-time classic:
Yep, the handheld debut of Legend of Zelda is coming to Switch, as Link’s Awakening is being reborn! New graphics, new additions, and more, and it’s coming this year!
All in all, a very solid Nintendo Direct. What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below! And stay tuned for our thoughts on it when we talk about the Direct on the next episode of the Nintendo Entertainment Podcast! It’ll release tomorrow.
If you watch the full Direct yourself, here you go:
