For E3, Nintendo has been skipping traditional theater presentations in favor of a Nintendo Direct for the past couple of years and today was no different. I was anticipating about 45 minutes of Nintendo goodness and I was not disappointed.
Daemon X Machina
This is what Nintendo opened with. The shading style is a tad reminiscent of Breath of the Wild, but that’s really the only thing comparison that can be made to any other game. No other details yet other than the pretty video but it feels like an RPG a la Monster Hunter but with mechs. It’s got my interest piqued for sure. Daemon X Machina will be released in 2019.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country
This is presented as a prequel to the current Xenoblade Chronicles 2 game on Switch. I had assumed it was a DLC expansion pack but it looks more like a standalone game.
Pokémon Let’s Go Details
No video for this, but they talked about a couple of things for the new pair of Pokémon games coming out. Apparently you can transfer pokemon between the Let’s Go games and Pokémon Go on mobile devices. Also, the Pokéball Plus accessory comes with Mew.
Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party continues the Mario Party franchise for the Nintendo Switch. I never played any of the games but now that my kids are getting older, this is one I may pick up. Super Mario Party will be released on October 5th 2018.
Fire Emblem Three Houses
At long last, a Fire Emblem game is confirmed for Nintendo Switch with a release date too! It will be out on Spring of 2019.
Fortnite
Nick already covered this in the earlier post, but Fortnite for Nintendo Switch is out now. It’s a free download using microtransaction to monetize the game. The stuff you buy is gear, and not needed to win or progress.
Overcooked! 2
Overcooked! 2 will feature online play! Yes, the best couch co-op goes online and you and your girlfriend in Canada can play together. Overcooked! 2 for Nintendo Switch comes out on August 7th, 2018.
Killer Queen Black
I have no idea what this game is but I guess it’s a good multiplayer game? Killer Queen Black comes out on Nintendo Switch this winter.
Hollow Knight
Finally. I’ve been waiting for a release date for awhile and now I know why it took them so long to announce it. Nintendo wanted it for E3. But no matter. It’s due later this year and will come with ALL DLC FOR FREE, including the Gods & Glory DLC pack.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler has a release date for July 13th 2018. The other bit of news is that a new demo for the game will be available on June 14th, 2018.
But Wait, There’s More
There was a segment in the Direct that showed a ton of other games coming out. Too many to list here but if you’re interested, cue up the Direct video to 14:39 and prepare to get assaulted with announcements.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Of course, the biggest part of the Direct was announcing details for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Masahiro Sakurai came on to talk about all the changes they made to the game since Wii U. And there’s a LOT. Some highlights:
- “Everyone is here!” And it’s true. Every playable character ever released for every Smash Bros. game is included. And like all the previous games, your starting roster will be small and the rest will have to be unlocked. Sakurai said that they tried to make unlocking the characters interesting, so that it feels like there are new characters being added all the time. Some highlights of returning fighters are Solid Snake, Ice Climbers, Cloud, Ryu, Pichu, and Pokemon Trainer.
- Ridley of Metroid fame is announced as the newest character.
- GameCube controllers will be supported.
- All amiibo made for characters appearing in the game will be supported, no matter which version you have.
- Inklings from Splatoon will come in 8 different costumes and ink colors. They look awesome!
And there’s a lot more details in the video that I haven’t covered. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be out for the Nintendo Switch on December 7th, 2018.
What About 3DS?
Nintendo announced before that the 3DS announcements will be done during Treehouse Live, their streaming video that is broadcast during the entirety of E3. I think the system is on its last legs, but if anything noteworthy is announced, we’ll try and cover it here.
What About Metroid Prime 4?
Yeah that was a big fat no-show. I’m guessing E3 2019 for any news on that one.
