The latest Nintendo Direct came and left a ton goodies for just about everyone to enjoy. Let’s break down what Nintendo brought to the table along with what Japan is getting too for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo 3DS Games
WarioWare Gold
First revealed, Wario returns in its wackiest game for the Nintendo 3DS and launches August 3rd.
Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers
First gameplay footage of Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers is revealed and releases May 24th for the Nintendo 3DS. Demo is available on May 10th.
Mario & Luigi’s: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
Originally from the Nintendo DS is coming to the Nintendo 3DS but with extra goodies. The game releases in 2019.
Detective Pikachu
Nintendo shows off more about Detective Pikachu and the game’s storyline. The large amiibo releases the same date as the game on March 23.
Luigi’s Manson
The classic GameCube game, Luigi’s Mansion is coming to the Nintendo 3DS and releases later this year.
Nintendo Switch
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby will have more friends from previous Kirby games as free DLC after launch. Kirby Star Allies releases on the Nintendo Switch on March 16th, the free update is available on March 28th.
Okami HD
Okami is back with high-definition graphics. Released in December 2017 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Okami HD will arrive on the Nintendo Switch this summer.
Sushi Strikers
Showing off gameplay for the first time, Sushi Strikers is not only has a solo mode but versus modes, offline and online. The game releases for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS on June 8.
Octopath Traveler
Square Enix shows off two new protagonists, Tressa the Merchant and Alfyn the Apothecary. The trailer also explains more in detail about job classes and equipping them. The game is set to release July 13, 2018. A special edition will also available and will release the same day.
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
New gameplay footage showing off co-op multiplayer and adventure mode. Launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch this year.
Dark Souls Remastered + Amiibo
A network test will be available before launch for players to test. Separately the Solaire of Astora amiibo will be available for purchase. Both the game and amiibo will be available May 25.
Mario Tennis Aces
Mario is back with a tennis racket and bringing in new moves, power shots, and utilizing energy gauges to use special shots to win matches and break opponent’s rackets. Game releases on June 22 for the Nintendo Switch. A pre-launch online tournament will be held before the game’s release, date and time to come later.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Originally from the Wii, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker will be coming over to the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS. The game will have new levels from Super Mario Odyssey and will support the Joy-Cons and the 3DS’s touchscreen. The game launches July 13th for both consoles.
Undertale
Popular indie game Undertale is coming to the Nintendo Switch…. eventually. No other details revealed yet.
Crash Bandicoot: N.Sane Trilogy
The trilogy set that originally came out for the PlayStation 4 is now heading to the Nintendo Switch on July 10.
Little Nightmares
Indie game Little Nightmares is heading to the Nintendo Switch May 18. You can unlock a Pac-Man outfit when you use the Pac-Man amiibo.
South Park: Fractured but Whole
Originally released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, South Park: Fractured but Whole will be on the Nintendo Switch on April 24. This is the first game since South Park has been on a Nintendo console since the Nintendo 64 era.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Hyrule Warriors porting over to the Nintendo Switch, originally launched on the Wii U and then the Nintendo 3DS, comes out May 18.
Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion
Splatoon 2 is getting a major free update coming late April, version 3.0. This update will give players three new stages, 100+ gear items, “Rank X.” Rank X, an extreme rank, is a new rank score that is higher than S+ and more details to follow at a later date. The game’s first paid DLC titled “Octo Expansion” will arrive this summer at $19.99 (USD), $25.79 (CA). Players can play as an Octoling for the very first time and tackle 80 missions in this single-player campaign. Complete the campaign to unlock Octolings (Girl or Boy) as playable characters in multiplayer* battles.
Pre-purchase the DLC today to immediately receive Octo-themed in-game gear to use in battle right away.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch
The trailer teases the Inkling girl and boy fighting on screen and suddenly stop when they see the burning Smash Bros. icon. A group of shadowy figures await the Inklings and in a split second, there’s a new outfit for Link that resembles from Breath of the Wild. When a screenshot was shown of Mario, we speculate if we will see Cappy from Super Mario Odyssey will make an appearance. Is this a port from the Wii U and 3DS version? Brand new title? For now, Nintendo teases everyone that Super Smash Bros. will be heading to the Nintendo Switch.
So what is Japan getting that we didn’t see for North America?
A few games have shown up during Japan’s Nintendo Direct, every one of them could have and should have been brought over to western countries. Hopefully one day.
Taiko Drum Master for the Nintendo Switch
A popular drum-beating, rhythm game is headed to the Nintendo Switch. Players will be able to use the Joy-Cons as their drumsticks, which also supports the HD Rumble. The game will also have a famous track from Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2 for players to drum to. The game launches this summer.
SaGa Scarlet Grace
Originally from the PlayStation Vita in 2016, SaGa Scarlet Grace is heading to the Nintendo Switch, in Japan, later this year.
Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud
Announced last year, the game will be getting costumes and equipment from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, such as Link’s outfit and weapons. The game launches in Japan on April 4th.