Nintendo Direct Recap (April 12)

Nintendo’s latest Nintendo Direct redesigned the layout, with quick, one-minute headlines of game announcements with two beefier portions detailing Arms and Splatoon 2 some more. While the format felt super rushed, we still got a ton of new info and new game announcements. The most surprising part is that Nintendo has a crazy busy summer ahead, a time where releases are normally very sparse.  

Nintendo 3DS

Here’s the 3DS half of the Direct followed by the headlines. https://youtu.be/ddcsxQSNN2k  

Hey! PIKMIN

- Sidescroller announced last year - Throw Pikmin with touch screen to solve puzzles and take out enemies - Releases July 28 - A new Pikmin amiibo releases same day with the red, yellow, blue, pink and rock Pikmin  

Kirby’s 25th Anniversary

- Several new announcements relating to Kirby - Team Kirby Clash Deluxe: a chunk from Kirby Planet Robobot. four Kirby characters with different powers (Sword Hero, Hammer Lord, Beam Mage or Doctor Healmore) battle giant enemies together. Free-to-start. Launches today. - Kirby’s Blowout Blast: 3D Kirby platformer with grid-like movement. inhaling enemies and powering up along the way. 3DS eShop only. Releases this summer. - A new unnamed game. “Multiplayer action game.” Releases for Nintendo 3DS this holiday.  

Miitopia

- Turn-based JRPG starring Miis - Characters attack automatically and relationships determine how, if and who to attack - Pretty funny  

Ever Oasis

- Action-adventure RPG from Koichi Ishii, the creator of the Mana series and developed by Grezzo (Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora’s Mask 3D) - Releases June 23  

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

- Releases May 19th - Remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden - Free and paid DLC inbound that contains new maps, dungeons and challenges - Season Pass also inbound  

BYE-BYE BOXBOY!

- The third entry in the BOXBOY! series - Qbby gets four powers: Boxrocket, Bombox, Warpbox and Remotebox - Kirby amiibo unlock Kirby skins  

Monster Hunter Stories

- JRPG spinoff of the Monster Hunter games - Very story based, user friendly - Releases this fall  

Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters

- Third version of Yo-Kai Watch 2 - Same game as Bony Spitits annd Fleshy Sould, but has new Yo-kai and missions, much like a third version of a Pokemon game - Releases this fall  

Culdcept Revolt

- Published by Nintendo in Japan, localized by NIS America - Card-meets-board game - Releases Aug. 29  

RPG Maker Fes

- Make your own RPG and share them online - Players who don’t have the game can still play them with the free RPG Maker Player app - Western version has Disgaea skins - Releases June 27  

Amiibo

Smash Bros. amiibo

- (Finally) releasing Cloud, Bayonetta and Corrin - Two versions of each character: Cloud and Advent Children Cloud, male and female Corrin, Bayonetta 1 and 2 Bayonetta - All six out on July 21  

The Legend of Zelda amiibo

-Three new Link amiibo: Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword - Releases on June 23  

Nintendo Switch

And here’s the Nintendo Switch half of the Direct follwed by the headlines and the two focus titles: Arms and Splatoon 2: https://youtu.be/b0eA0AKk6wY  

Accessories

- Neon Yellow Joy-Con controllers and Joy-Con Straps announced - A Joy-Con AA Battery Pack accessory announced. Adds bulk to the Joycon while allowing users to place 2 AA batteries to extend the battery life. - Nintendo Switch standalone dock releases May 19. Contains dock, HDMI and AC adapter  

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

- Launches on April 28 - Nintendo will be hosting two Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online tournaments in-game: one race and one battle  

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers

- Releases on May 26 - Two new fighters: Evil Ryu and Violent Ken -Way of the Hado mode: Throw HADOKENS with first-person motion controls - Two-player co-op mode: Two players get one health bar in 2 vs. 1 CPU matches  

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition

- Super Mario Mash-Up pack along with new multiplayer and control options - Releases on Nintendo eShop on May 11, and retail at a later date  

Sonic Forces

- Sonic, Classic Sonic and a new ally are playable - Modern Sonic plays like Colors and Classic is like the Genesis games - Releases holiday  

Sonic Mania

- Releases this summer - Features Sonic 3-esque 2D graphics with new  and classic stages  

Project Mekuru (name not final)

- Releases on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch this summer - Flip panels and blow up opponents  

Disgaea 5 Complete

- Definitive version of the PS4 game Disgaea 5 - Releases May 23 - Demo out soon  

NEOGEO Masterpieces

- Some available now and some coming soon - Samurai Showdown IV releases tomorrow - Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters ’99 coming soon as well  

Puyo Puyo Tetris

- Releasing April 25 - Demo releases tomorrow  

Monopoly for Nintendo Switch

- Up to six player online and offline multiplayer - HD Rumble make realistic dice rolls - Handheld mode lays system down like the real board game - Launches this fall.  

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition

- Releases later this year - Exclusive solo Kung Foot mode and tournaments for up to eight players  

Sine Mora EX

- Grasshopper Manufacture shmup - Releases this summer  

Battle Chasers: Nightwar

- RPG inspired by console classics and based on the Battle Chasers comic book series - Timed exclusive release on Nintendo Switch in late summer.  

PAYDAY 2

- Four-player co-op game about robbing banks is getting ported to Switch - Releases this winter  

NAMCO MUSEUM

- Pac-man, Galaga, Splatterhouse, Rolling Thunder, Skykid and Tank Force - Suspend saves - Special challenge modes added - Launches on eShop this summer.  

Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star:

- Released on PS4, Vita and PC earlier this year, getting ported to Switch - Hack and slash gameplay starring characters from multiple Fate universes - The Switch version will come loaded with 35 previously released paid DLC costumes, along with an exclusive new Unshackled Bride outfit - Releases July 25.  

ARMS

- Can equip two types of customizable arms per fighter with elemental attributes - Earn in-game currency that can be used to play a gacha that can get new arms - 1-v-1 matches or 2-v-2 - Fast, ramen-armed Min Min character announced - Releases June 16.  

Splatoon 2

- Splatoon 2: Salmon Run announced, which is a four-player co-op horde mode. Fight the new Salmonid species. - Releases July 21 - A third wave of Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy and Inkling Squid amiibo releasing July 21 too. Can save your weapon and clothing loadout on them to play on other systems.