Nintendo Direct 09/13/18 — Luigi Returns from the Dead, while Animals Cross Over

The newest Nintendo Direct finally arrived, but it had a tough time airing thanks to drama outside of Nintendo’s hands. It was originally set to air last week, but was indefinitely postponed thanks to the earthquake in Hokkaido. This unfortunately allowed for several planned announcements to leak in the meantime, some of which were scheduled to be automatically uploaded by publishers themselves before the Direct was cancelled. The Direct was rescheduled for precisely a week after the previously-planned time, since they probably wanted to get this in before Tokyo Game Show starts on Wednesday. Nintendo doesn’t attend the proper show, but they still like to have an announcement event around this time.

Nintendo also likes to start Directs with big announcements, and this one was no exception with the announcement of Luigi’s Mansion 3 for Switch. This means the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Castlevania promotional movie where he apparently died (though didn’t) was a tease for this. The game looks similar to previous installments with an HD sheen from the little footage shown, which is what fans have wanted for a while. It’s due for a release sometime in 2019.

After this, Nintendo wanted to get the 3DS announcements out of the way, and started with the reveal of a new port. Kirby’s Epic Yarn is being ported to the system as Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn. In addition to the content from the Wii version, this port will include new abilities like crafting larger yarn balls, and new modes featuring King DeDeDe and Meta Knight. It will release sometime in 2019.

In other 3DS announcements: Nintendo announced remake Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Minions earlier in the year, which received a release date of January 11th here. Another enhanced port announced earlier was Luigi’s Mansion, which will include the content from the original game with the addition of a two-player co-op mode. It will release on October 12th. Nintendo also recently released Yo-Kai Watch Blasters in two versions, a multiplayer spinoff of the mainline games. An update will add new missions and areas to explore on September 27th.

The rest of the show was focused on Switch. Splatoon 2’s Version 4 arrived last night, which included Kensa Collection weapons and Splatfest changes. Version 4.1 will arrive in early October, which will include more Kensa Collection weapons and assorted artillery, a new stage, and a new song. Expect Nintendo to continue updating this game for a while.

Mega Man 11 will release for Switch on October 2nd (in addition to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC), the first Mega Man game in around eight-and-a-half years. In addition to being a return to form outside the Gear System, Switch owners will be able to get special items by using the Mega Man amiibos. A demo is currently available, which Drew gave his impressions of here. I enjoyed it too, though the Gear System will take some adjustment.

The Mario Tennis Aces Version 2.0 update will arrive on September 19th, which will include new characters Birdo, Shy Guy, Koopa Paratroopa, and Petey Piranha. It will also have a special co-op mode that let’s players team up to compete in special missions, and winning select matches can unlock new outfits and alternate color schemes.

The Capcom Beat ‘em Up Bundle is coming to Switch (and PS4, XB1, and PC) next week for $20, which will include several of Capcom’s games in the genre, specifically Final Fight, Knights of the Round, Captain Commando, Warriors of Fate, and The King of Dragons. As a special bonus, Armored Warriors and Battle Circuit are being released for home platforms for the first time, making this a great collection… if the emulation is good.

You may or may not have seen the rumor that New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is being ported to Switch a month ago. Given the number of Wii U games Nintendo is porting to the system, it was unsurprisingly true. The package will include all the content from New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, and add Nabbit and Toadette as playable characters. Toadette can also transform into Peach (Peachette?), a heck of a way to get out of just including the character herself. It will release on January 11th.

The Katamari Damacy REROLL trademark was for a remaster of the original, which leaked a mere two hours before the Direct started. This version will add HD Rumble, gyro controls, and multiplayer support with the split Joy-Cons. It will initially release on the eShop on November 30th, with a physical copy coming on December 7th. The game will also release for PC via Steam on November 30th.

Nintendo provided a reminder that Nintendo Switch Online is coming on September 18th, which will come with features like cloud saving (though not for every game, and the service won’t keep your saves forever — yikes), the ability to play NES games (some with online play), and added voice chat for certain titles. You’ll also have to start paying $20 a year to use the online, but the NES games on offer might justify that cost. Keep in mind this update will lock users to Nintendo accounts when it arrives.

With the number of NES games coming, a wireless NES Controller will also be available for Switch… as an exclusive offer to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. That blows, but it’s possible they’ll make it available to everyone later.

Nintendo took this time to highlight some previously-announced games coming to Switch this fall. There’s Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, a game where trainers can start with Pikachu and Eevee, and travel with them. The game removes features longtime Pokémon fans have enjoyed, like battles with wild Pokémon, which have been replaced with tossing the Poké Ball using motion controls. It will release on November 16th, alongside a Switch console bundle including special Joy-Cons, a special dock, and the special Poké Ball accessory that takes the place of the left Joy-Con. There’s a reason why it costs a whopping $400.

Diablo III: Eternal Collection was previously announced for Switch, which will include the original game with its updates, and all the expansions. The Switch version will also have the Legend of Ganondorf armor set and amiibo support when it arrives on November 2nd.

Super Mario Party was announced at E3, but Nintendo revealed the Sound Stage mode here, where four players can shake their Joy-Cons for rhythmic gameplay. It will also have around 80 new minigames, the single-player Challenge Mode, and Online Mariothon gauntlet mode. It will arrive on October 5th.

Another surprise Switch reveal was Town, a temporary title for a new turn-based RPG from Pokémon developer Game Freak. Here, players have to defend a village against monsters that wander around it. It’s the most aesthetically impressive game yet from Game Freak, which could mean good things for the new Pokémon Generation title next year. This is due for release in 2019, likely before the aforementioned Pokémon title.

City-building strategy game Cities: Skylines released on the Switch eShop shortly after the Direct presentation. This game should work well with the system’s touchscreen. The same goes for Civilization VI, a title whose announcement leaked a week ago, which will release on November 16th for Switch with an exclusive wireless LAN mode.

Daemon x Machina was announced for Switch at E3, a giant robot game where players control a mercenary who pilots the Arsenal mech. What makes this game unique is how players can acquire and equip parts onto their mech during missions on the fly, but they can also be brought back to base to craft new elements. It will release sometime next year.

As it turns out, Yoshi’s Crafted World is indeed the name of the Good-Feel Yoshi game coming to Switch, which was accidentally posted to Nintendo’s website last week. There was concern about the game’s development when it skipped E3 this year, despite being prominently displayed at the convention last year, but it looked more polished in this presentation. In addition to offering several levels stuffed with secrets, they can also be played on the flipside (you know, backwards), and Yoshi can venture to the backside of a course to discover more secrets. The game will release in spring 2019, and hopefully it doesn’t receive another delay.

Asmodee Digital is bringing several tabletop games to Switch, a good fit on the system given its tabletop mode. Among them will be Carcassonne, Pandemic, The Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game, Munchikin, and Catan. They’ll start releasing on the eShop in December.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas will release on October 16th, an action-adventure game where players can venture to different parts of the galaxy to form a crew, and engage in space and land-based combat skirmishes and missions. Exclusive Star Fox missions were previously announced for the game, and the newest preview confirmed that Star Wolf will also be included.

Nintendo is publishing two RPGs soon. The World Ends with You: Final Remix will release on October 12th, a remixed version of the original DS game that adds enhanced graphics and a new story scenario. Keep in mind the game won’t support the Switch Pro Controller, interestingly enough. Expansion Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country is due for release on September 25th, but those who purchased the Season Pass for the original can download it today.

Several other third-party Switch games coming this fall were shown in a montage. This included Warframe, Just Dance 2019 (which is also coming to Wii!), FIFA 19, NBA 2K19 (now available), NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, and LEGO DC Super-Villains.

Square Enix is porting a plethora of Final Fantasy games to Switch. First was Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition, announced earlier in the week during the PlayStation LineUp Showcase. (You have to wonder if it was intended to be announced here first, when this Direct was planned for last Thursday.) It’s a remake of the GameCube game with local and online play that’s due for release in 2019. Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD was also shown, announced after the Direct was originally supposed to air last Thursday. It’s now available on the eShop.

World of Final Fantasy Maxima was announced, an enhanced version of the original game that will include more characters and monsters from Final Fantasy lore. It will release on PS4, XB1, Switch, and Steam on November 6, though PS4 and Steam owners can download the new content for the original version for a fee. (No such offer will exist for the Vita version, though.) Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon: Every Buddy! was also announced for Switch (and PS4), an updated version of Wii game Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon. The Switch version will have local co-op though split Joy-Cons, one for your real buddy. It’s due for release this winter.

Mainline Final Fantasy games are also being ported to Switch (and Xbox One), including Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster, and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. The Sony console exclusivity for these titles has finally ended. I’ll just assume they plan on porting Final Fantasy VIII to all platforms simultaneously in the near future.

You knew Nintendo couldn’t end a Direct without featuring Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which releases for Switch on December 7th. The game will receive a $359.99 Switch bundle that includes a specially designed dock and Joy-Con, and will come with a download code for the game. While the system will release on November 2nd, the code won’t be active until the release date.

Also, what appeared to be the preview for a new Animal Crossing game turned out to be the introduction of Isabelle as a playable character in Ultimate, much to the dismay of distressed AC fans who’ve been eagerly and loudly anticipating an announcement of the next game for Switch. But they didn’t have to scream long, as a lengthy set of dialogue from Tom Nook confirmed that a new Animal Crossing game is indeed coming to the system next year. Still, the troll gave some of us a few moments of hilarity.

There are bound to be Nintendo fans who are disappointed when these Directs don’t have one mind-blowing announcement after another, but this presentation wasn’t bad at all despite a heavy amount of ports from third-parties. There were several current and potential Switch owners disappointed at the fall 2018 Nintendo-published software lineup, but signs suggest next year will make up for that. There could be at least one more Direct remaining this year, not including those dedicated to single games like Smash Bros.