Nintendo surprised everyone this week by announcing and then putting on a new Direct. Their presentation revolved around new 3DS and Switch games, most of which release before the end of this Summer. We'll be going through each news bit ranging from small date announcements all the way to Nintendo's deep dives into ARMS and Splatoon 2's gameplay. If you want to see the entire presentation, Nintendo has put it up on their YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddcsxQSNN2k
First, a look at what's coming to Nintendo 3DS in what could be its final year of big games:
- Hey! Pikmin will see Captain Olimar and his team of colorful plant companions travel through a 2D sidescrolling world on July 28th. Pikmin can be aimed and thrown using touchscreen controls, and several new elemental abilities were shown. A new Pikmin amiibo will be released alongside the game and tapping it will let you summon backup Pikmin in case you run out.
- Koichi Ishii and his plush penguin companion took the stage to give some more details about Ever Oasis, an RPG developed by Grezzo that was announced last year at E3. It will be coming out after this year's E3 on June 23rd.
- Monster Hunter Stories was confirmed to be coming to North America this fall after a successful Japanese release. Developed by Marvelous, this cartoonish RPG takes the series away from its traditional free roam combat and into a turn based system.
- YO-KAI WATCH 2: Psychic Specters is an enhanced third version of YO-KAI WATCH 2 that features exclusive quests and the ability to befriend dark monsters. There will also be an expanded multiplayer mode which you can enjoy when the game hits this Fall.
- NIS America is bringing several new titles to 3DS. Culdcept Revolt is coming to America on August 29th to celebrate the franchise's 20th anniversary. Meanwhile, RPG Maker FES will allow would-be game makers to create on the go on June 27th. Best of all, if you just want to play some new RPGs, there will be a free player app on the 3DS eShop that will give you access to games created in this new RPG Maker.
- Miitopia is a new RPG featuring a cast of your friends and family featuring the power of Miis. This is a full game where characters, summons, and enemies can be customized to be any personal or famous face you choose. Think of it as what would happen if Find Mii was given a budget and freed from its StreetPass shackles. The game is coming to the eShop in 2017.
- Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia has been discussed in detail during the franchise's previous Direct. Here, Nintendo announced a collection of free and paid DLC add-ons that promise new maps to conquer and additional character backstories.
- Kirby is 25 years old in 2017, so Nintendo has a few new games coming out to help fans celebrate. Team Kirby Clash Deluxe is a free to start co-op action game that features four RPG themed Kirbys battling boss monsters, and you won't have to wait to play it since it released today. This summer, fans can pick up Kirby's Blowout Blast, which is an expanded version of a subgame from Kirby: Planet Robobot. Finally, late in the year, Nintendo promises another multiplayer Kirby title.
- Sticking with the HAL Laboratory theme, BYE-BYE BOXBOY! will also make its American debut today. The most exciting news here is that the game will feature Kirby amiibo support, allowing you to play as cute papercraft versions of HAL's most famous characters in this final Boxboy adventure.
- To end this segment of the presentation, Nintendo revealed that three new Zelda amiibo will be released on June 23rd. In addition, the long wait for the final three Smash Bros amiibo is over, as Cloud, Bayonetta, and Corin will make their figure debut on July 21st.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIElAe6LflY
Next, we got to see a long gameplay demonstration of ARMS, the colorful arena fighting game coming to Switch on June 16th. We were shown the variety of different gloves available in the game. They vary in attack types such as Heavy, Curve, and Multi-Shot, as well as the elemental powers that they utilize for their attacks. Combine that with the ability to equip two different fists at a time during combat, and you can see where the depth is in ARMS' gameplay.
Twitter was quick to fall in love with new character Minmin, who has ramen noodles for arms and can turn one of them into a dragon for souped-up charge attacks. We also got more details on cover star Spring Man's shockwave and deflect abilities. Spring Man also gets a boost of power when he's low on HP, making him a good choice for beginners looking to rope a dope the competition.
Finally, Nintendo showed some of the side modes of the game. This includes a training mode that will double as a way to unlock new gloves for the main fights and a 2v2 option that looks like chaotic fun. ARMS will be all stretched and ready to go on June 16th, as will new Yellow Joy-Cons and a Battery Pack add-on that will be released to stores around the time of the game's release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0eA0AKk6wY
Next, Nintendo went rapid fire with games and remasters coming to their newest console.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is almost here! Coming out on April 28th, Nintendo talked about the game's online tournament options as well as announcing a few of their own competitions timed to launch. The game will have the biggest roster of items and characters ever in the Mario Kart franchise.
- Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers was a surprise coming out of the Switch's announcement, and fighting fans will get their hands on it on May 26th. Bringing forward all the upgrades from previous HD versions of Street Fighter 2, the game also has two new evil characters (Violent Ken and Evil Ryu), as well as an exclusive first person mode that lets you throw fireballs with your joy-con controllers. You can also play with your friends on the same side in a 2v1 mode.
- Minecraft will probably be on more game consoles than Tetris when all is said and done, so it's no surprise that it's coming to Nintendo Switch. The Big N is giving the Switch version a boost with the Super Mario Mashup Pack, which will integrate Wario, POW Blocks, and more right alongside Minecraft Steve. The game will be out on May 11th.
- Hamster is keeping the port party going with their NEO-GEO Arcade Archives series. Games such as Blazing Star, Fatal Fury and Mark of the Wolves are coming soon to Switch's eShop, and Samurai Showdown IV Amakusa's Revenge will be available for purchase tomorrow.
- SEGA is releasing a double whammy of Sonic the Hedgehog games in 2017, with one for every kind of Sonic fan. For Adventure players, Sonic Forces will see Modern and Classic renditions of the blue speedster unite with a mysterious third hedgehog to battle the forces of Dr. Eggman. For Genesis kids, Sonic Mania sees the glorious return of 2D Sonic gameplay via a collection of remixed and new stages. Sonic Forces will be invading this Holiday, while I'll only have to wait a few more months until Sonic Mania hits in the Summer.
- What if Nintendo took a crack at a Bomberman-style game? It might look something like Project Mekuru, a new title in development for Nintendo Switch. Players will be stomping on colored panels to switch them up and claim territory in this multiplayer battle. More details will be revealed along with a final title before the game is released this Summer.
- Popular Japanese games that you may be used to playing at home will now be on the go thanks to Nintendo Switch. Fate/Extella from XSEED will bring its intense action to the console on July 27th, while NIS is bringing the complete Disgaea 5 tactical experience on May 23rd. A demo of Disgaea 5 is also coming in the very near future.
- Puyo Puyo Tetris is arriving on American shores in two weeks, but Switch owners won't have to wait that long to get their puzzle on. A demo of the game has just hit the eShop, featuring access to a variety of modes from the full game.
- Ubisoft is bringing their own spin on Monopoly to Nintendo's console. Using HD Rumble to simulate the feel of the dice in your hands, this board game will be out in the Fall. Keeping with the theme, Ubisoft is also bringing Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition to the system later in 2017. This new version of the game will have expanded Kung Foot modes and a two console co-op mode.
- Sine Mora EX is coming out this Summer on Switch. The side-scrolling shoot 'em up from THQ Nordic and Grasshopper has already been released elsewhere but will bring its emotive action to Switch this Summer. THQ Nordic will also be bringing Battle Chasers: Nightwar first on Switch in late Summer. This turn-based RPG is based on the famous comics from legendary creator Joe Mad, and I can say that if the game looks anything like it did back at E3 last year, this is one game to keep an eye out for.
- In a surprise move, Payday 2 will be coming to Switch in 2017. There is mention of plenty of content coming to this version of the game, but it's unknown if updates will be handled any better here then they have bene for other console versions of this heist shooter.
- Finally, Bandai Namco will be doing the inevitable this Summer and bringing out a Namco Museum release for the Switch. Thankfully, the folks at Namco seem to be digging into their archive a bit this time around, as we'll see games like Splatterhouse, Tank Force, and Sky Kid in addition to the requisite Pac-Man and Galaga.
- Nintendo ended the Switch roundup by stating that standalone Switch docks will be available for purchase on May 19th, allowing Switch owners to go between two TVs in their home effortlessly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8alvfmZi0zY
The Splatoon 2 segment of the presentation began with a radically retro recruitment video that is luring squid kids to a new high-stakes profession. This was the intro to "Salmon Run", a horde mode that's new to the game. You'll be inking groups of Chum as you fight to claim eggs and return them back to Inkopolis and get fresh cosmetic rewards. You're working on a team in this mode, so you'll be able to revive your friends just as you would in similar modes in other shooters, only with a bit more ink.
Nintendo also detailed the game's amiibo support. Scanning any of the Splatoon amiibo (including the three new figures releasing alongside the game) will allow you to save costumes onto the figures to take them on the go along with your console. You'll also be able to share your fashions via the mysterious Nintendo Switch Album, which was mentioned to be hooked into social media somehow without any other real details. This highly anticipated sequel will be hitting store shelves on July 21st of this year.
What did you think of Nintendo's big showing? Are you excited for ARMS and Splatoon 2? Let us know in the comments below!