Nintendo Direct: All Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS Games Announced at the Event

Nintendo announced a wealth of games for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS at its Nintendo Direct event. And in a move that’s bound to disgruntle long-time fans, a lot of the games announced were ports of existing titles present on past Nintendo systems like the Wii U or third-party games now slated to hit Nintendo hybrid console. Here’s what you need to know.

Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Switch

Perhaps the biggest reveal was that of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch. It’s unclear if this entry in the popular fighting game series will be a port of the Wii U version like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was but it has a 2018 release window and will show up with playable characters from Splatoon.

Luigi’s Mansion remake for Nintendo 3DS
Luigi’s Mansion was a launch title for the criminally underrated Nintendo GameCube. While it saw a sequel on the 3DS called Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, it’s heartening to see Nintendo bring the original to a new audience on the 3DS as a remake. It will feature a boss rush mode and has an in-game map on the 3DS touchscreen.

Kirby Star Allies Nintendo Switch
This colourful platform game is out on March 16 but it would be getting free character updates such as Rick, Kine and Coo, Marx, and Gooey.

Splatoon 2 version 3.0 for Nintendo Switch

A new update to Splatoon 2 dubbed Splatoon version 3.0 is due late April. It brings over 100 pieces of gear, three new stages, and a high rank. What’s more is Splatoon 2 gets its first paid downloadable content (DLC). Called Octo Expansion it’s a campaign that brings octolings as playable characters. Octo Expansion is out in Summer 2018 for $20.

Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch
This Wii U remaster that fuses Dynasty Warriors style gameplay with the Zelda universe. With Koei Tecmo handling publishing duties instead of Nintendo in Japan, the nation gets the game this month while the Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition release date is May 18 for the rest of the world. This is similar to Fire Emblem Warriors that saw an earlier release in Japan.

Dark Souls Remastered Nintendo Switch release date and Solaire of Astora amiibo
Dark Souls Remastered for the Nintendo Switch has a May 25 release date. In addition to this Nintendo revealed new amiibo for the game out on the same day. The Solaire of Astora amiibo lets you, according to Nintendo, “perform the popular ‘praise the sun’ gesture with reckless abandon.”

Detective Pikachu release date and amiibo

This adventure game spin-off in the Pokemon universe is due for the Nintendo 3DS on March 23. Along with it is an XL-sized Detective Pikachu amiibo out on the same day.

Octopath Traveler for Nintendo Switch
This retro-themed role-playing game from Square Enix is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch and finally has a release date. You can play Octopath Traveler on July 13. A demo for it is available right now.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes for Nintendo Switch
Sequel to the cult classics, No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2 on the Nintendo Wii sees a release on the Nintendo Switch. Artwork and gameplay was revealed during the Nintendo Direct with a 2018 release window. You’ll tackle seven different games each with their own boss. Three of the seven game types were confirmed — action, racing, and puzzle. A two-player cooperative mode was revealed as well and a text adventure mode that brings a new plot to the No More Heroes canon.

Every other Nintendo 3DS game announced at the Nintendo Direct

• WarioWare Gold — a collection of 300 microgames is out on August 3. 
• Critically acclaimed role-playing game Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is being remade for 3DS along with Bowser Jr.’s Journey for a 2019 release.
• Dillon’s Dead Heat Breakers, a new game in the franchise that sports action-adventure and tower defence elements will be available on the Nintendo eShop on May 24.

Every other Nintendo Switch game announcement at the Nintendo Direct

• Okami HD with a Summer 2018 release window.
• Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido, a rhythm game is out on June 8 for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
• Mario Tennis Aces release date of June 22 with a prelaunch tournament in the works.
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker — a port of the Wii U game has a July 13 release date on the Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
• Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy which was previously exclusive to the PS4 will be out on the Switch on July 10.
• PC indie hit Undertale was also teased for the Nintendo Switch. No release date has been announced just yet.
• Little Nightmares: Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch is out on May 18 after being available on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It sports functionality with the Pac-Man amiibo.
• South Park: The Fractured But Whole graces the Nintendo Switch on April 24. The first two DLC packs for it are out on April 24 as well with a third out later in 2018.

Finally, Nintendo fighting game ARMS has a tournament now through March 18 and there’s a Global Testpunch for three days starting March 31.

What's your take on the Nintendo Direct? Do you feel the glut of remasters and remakes does more harm than good? Let us know in the comments.

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