Nintendo Announces SPLATOON 3, SKYWARD SWORD HD, and More with New Nintendo Direct
After over 500 days, Nintendo had a new, full-length Nintendo Direct. There was a lot of cool stuff throughout and I’ll add a link below to the full direct if you have 50 minutes to kill, but here are the highlights.
The show kicked off with a trailer for announcing Pyra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the next character joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Mythra is also going to be joining the fray alongside Pyra in a combination similar to Pokémon Trainer. This could be cool and I’m fine with more representation from Xenoblade Chronicles. I know it’s not Sora, DOOM Guy, or Crash Bandicoot like many fans constantly hope for, but I can dig it.
Next, we saw that the popular game Fall Guys is coming to the Nintnedo Switch via Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout in Summer 2021. Annapurna Interactive gave us a glimpse of Outer Wilds where players will have 22 minutes before the solar system explodes also launching this summer. If you like murder mysteries, two Famicom Detective Club games (The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind) will be making their ways to North America to the first time ever. Both games will launch separately on May 14 with pre-orders live today. Samurai Warriors 5 was also shown off from Koei Tecmo releasing this summer. Square Enix’s Legend of Mana with HD graphics was revealed to be coming this June 24. The game will feature new arrangements for the musical score but don’t worry as you can change between the new versions and the classics.
Monster Hunter fans got a look at a number of new monsters coming to Monster Hunter Rise. This game looks like a lot of fun. We got a great look at the Rampage where you need to defend the village from all sorts of monsters. The game is releasing March 26.
Mario returns to the fairway with Mario Golf Super Rush. These games are always fun for the family, so I’m excited to play as Yoshi. You can even use motion controls via the Joy-Con if you want to get more physical. In addition, new game modes will bring new and exciting ways to play. There’s also Story Mode where you play as a Mii trying to become the best golfer out there. I’m not expecting a deep story, but I think it’ll be fun when the game launches on June 25 with pre-orders live now.
Tales from the Borderlands is coming March 24 and features all 5 episodes. Capcom Arcade Stadium will offer a bunch of classic games to enjoy including Street Fighter II. This launched today. Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse releases March 16.
No More Heroes 3 was highlighted as well. You’ll have to use Travis Touchdown to save the world from an alien invasion. Earn money with odd jobs to be able to face off against your enemies. The game launches on August 27. Neon White is an interesting game where you need to take out Demons in Heaven. It will release this winter. DC Super Hero Girls are also getting a game with DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power where you’ll play as one of the main characters from the Cartoon Network series and save Metropolis, but you’ll also have to be a normal teenage girl. You’ll be able to play Teen Power on June 4.
Plants vs. Zombies Battle for Neighborville launches on March 19. Miitopia will allow your Mii characters to take up various RPG characters and it looks like it could be fun. The game will launch on May 21.
If you’re a fan of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you’ll be able to enjoy new Super Mario Bros. Items like costumes, a Thwomp, warp pipes, and more starting February 25 as part of a free update.
A new HD 2D tactical RPG from Square Enix was shown off called Project Triangle Strategy. The game features three nations and limited salt and iron. You’ll have to try to save the world as a group from the kingdom of Glenbrook. If you like tactical RPGs, you’ll probably love this game. You’ll have to make choices throughout the game which will impact the story as events unfold. The game will launch in 2022. If you can’t wait, you can download a demo of the game right now.
Star Wars is getting a new game thrown onto the Switch called Star Wars Hunters. It’s releasing this year and is a free-to-play 3rd person competitive shooter. Knockout City looks like a game of dodgeball gone crazy and releases on May 21. World’s End Club follows the Go-getters club and is a sidescroller with a “suspensive narrative.” The game will be available on May 28.
Hades is a critically acclaimed game that is a lot of fun to play. Well, it’s getting a physical release that comes with a digital copy of the soundtrack and a character compendium. This is definitely something hardcore fans will want to check out on March 19.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is releasing to let you be Ryu Hayabusa in three games. Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge will be included along with all previously released extra content including DLC and costumes. Enjoy the three ninja games on June 10.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is getting some DLC. The game is fun and now players will be able to enjoy new weapons, an expanded roster, and more with the Expansion Pass. On May 28, players will get a new weapon and costume for Link; then in June they’ll get more characters, new weapon types, new challenges in the Royal Ancient Lab, and new enemies; finally in November, players will get new character vignettes, new stages, even more characters in the roster, and new battle skills for existing characters. The expansion pass costs $19.99.
Bravely Default II hits February 26, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection on February 25, SaGa Frontier Remastered launches April 15, and Apex Legends hits the Switch on March 9.
We were told that production on Breath of the Wild 2 is going smooth, but we’ll learn more later this year. However, we were then shown that Skyward Sword is getting ported over to the Switch as an HD remaster. Sadly, the game will still use motion controls although the Joy-Con should in theory be more accurate. Thankfully, the game will feature button controls, so things should be a little less frustrating at least. In addition, fancy Skyward Sword Joy-Con were shown off. Skyward Sword HD will be available on July 16 with pre-orders now live.
The final game shown off in the direct was Splatoon 3. Fans have been hoping for a new Splatoon game, and now they’ve got it. This one looks like a lot of fun. The game will be available in 2022.
What did you think of the Nintendo Direct? What was your favorite reveal?