Aside from Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Link’s Awakening details (of course), and a little extra Animal Crossing gameplay (which looks rediculously adorable), the September 4th 2019 Nintendo Direct showcased a great selection of titles, even if some of them had been prematurely revealed by leakers. This Direct has received a mixed reception from fans, with some voicing disappointment at its lacklustre line-up. However, consider the sheer volume of titles releasing up until December and the many others that were revealed over the past few months during their last Direct, Indie World, and E3. It only stands to reason that a Direct this late into the year, following these events, might not be as jam packed with Switch goodies – though that being said, there were certainly some excellent titles revealed! And if Nintendo Direct’s have taught us anything, it’s that we should never underestimate the exciting power of a same day or even next day release… or the fiery prospect of cooking curry in a world teeming with Pocket Monsters!
1 – Overwatch Switch and SNES games confirmed
It’s a shame game reveals are sometimes ruined by leakers prior to events like a Nintendo Direct, though still encouraging to see them come to fruition regardless. While we were already anticipating the reveals for both Overwatch and the SNES library (for Switch Online Members), these are still undeniably great additions for our favourite hybrid system.
Those who follow current Nintendo news and updates may remember a totally unsuspicious Overwatch themed Switch case that was listed on Amazon, only to be removed shortly after, leading many to speculate that the popular FPS will finally be getting a Switch release. Good thing it was the first item on the Direct’s agenda, then! It’s undeniably a great fit for the system and one Switch gamers have been clamouring for since the systems release, though there is still a nagging thought that this is a title that really should have been released closer to the Switch’s initial release.
Likewise, while having the NES library to hand is convenient, Switch Online Members have voiced disappointment that Nintendo hadn’t pushed their other legacy systems on the Switch like they did with the Virtual Console – especially given how many ways we can play the same NES games now. Seems odd considering it’s literally the perfect system for a Virtual console! While it may only have been a matter of time before SNES titles graced the Switch, we weren’t expecting to see as many titles – a whole twenty to be exact – available at launch! Among the listed games you’ll find classics from Super Metroid, Link to the Past and Super Mario World, as you might expect, as well as Breath of Fire, Demon’s Crest, and the brutal macabre world of Kirby’s Dream Land 3. However with news that NES and SNES releases won’t adhere to a strict release schedule, we’re left wondering whether that means we’ll see our Earthbound’s and Chrono Trigger’s every couple of weeks, or every few months. If at all…
2 – Super Kirby Clash with a same day release
Releasing on the same day as the Direct itself (we Direct viewers do love a good shadow drop!) was Super Kirby Clash; an RPGish Kirby title that has players take control of a party of Kirby’s, each with a different RPG themed ability (healer, mage, swordsman, axe-guy) to take on familiar Kirby-style boss fights. This is essentially an expanded version of the Team Kirby Clash Deluxe mini game from the 3DS Kirby: Planet Robobot, featuring online and couch multiplayer options.
And did I happen to mention it’s a free download?
3 – Return of the Obra Dinn looks interesting…
Memento Mori: Remember Death- a Latin phrase that reminds us of our mortality, taking on a different meaning in Return of the Obra Dinn in which a missing ship reappears with no sign of survivors, the crew’s fate a mystery. This is where you come in! With a pocket watch called the Momento Mortem, players are given the ability to replay events that occurred onboard the ill-fated ship in an effort to try to unravel the mystery that led to their deaths. With puzzle elements interweaved into the narrative, told from a first person perspective that utilises a “1-bit” monochromatic visual style, Return of the Obra Dinn looks like an interesting title for those who enjoy mystery and puzzle based stories.
4 – Updates for Trials of Mana remake and Little Town Hero
Two RPGs that have caught a great deal of attention from different fan bases received a few gameplay demonstrations. The recent release of the Collection of Mana marked the first time Seiken Densetsu 3 got an official Western release and translation – which we now know as Trials of Mana. However, as well as being able to enjoy the original SNES RPG in all its 16-bit glory, it was also announced that an HD remake would be coming out as well, with details of its adapted gameplay shown off in greater detail during this Direct. Being a full 3D remake, characters have a greater sense of freedom in terms of movement, with what looks like an in-depth, customisable class system to look forward to!
Town, meanwhile, will officially be referred to as Little Town Hero, the new RPG from the developers behind the Pokémon series – Game Freak. The new gameplay footage showed off some of the story elements, a more in-depth explanation for the new battle system, and confirmation that it would, in fact, have a damn fine bopping soundtrack from Undertale’s Toby Fox! That alone should make it worth the purchase. There seems to be emphasis placed on map movement during battle to boost defences in certain areas of the town, as well as a unique turn based system and stylish character designs, though the question is still out there as to whether it will receive a physical release, or only digital.
5 – Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore: the suspected WiiU port (what a mouthful…!)
It was speculated that another WiiU title would be ported over, and lo and behold… Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore! Not only will this become one of the longest titles to hit the Switch, but hopefully this will be an opportunity for people to discover what many have considered to be a somewhat underrated release on the WiiU. It’s an… odd concept, to say the least, mixing elements of the Shin Megami Tensei universe with Fire Emblem – which sounds like an intense collaboration full of demons, darkness, and epic scale. You can only imagine the confused reactions many had when it also added a vital Japanese idol element to the gameplay and story, with heavy emphasis on the music, dance and visual aspect it brought to the table.
While we still haven’t heard anything about that Shin Megami Tensei V game I bring up at every opportunity possible (come on, ATLUS…), this is still a surprisingly fun, if bizarre, experience that will hopefully be better received on the Switch than the (sadly) underperformed WiiU.
6 – CURRY ON RICE! I mean… Pokémon Sword & Shield updates…
Arguable the biggest announcement of the Direct: yes, that’s right! We can finally make curry on rice in a Pokémon game! Not only that, but you can create the classic sausage curry, toast curry, and even dry pasta curry! Sure, the camping idea is neat, some of the new Pokémon designs are pretty cool (the cormorant Pokémon seems popular already), and the new trainer customisation options are an encouraging addition, but given how the Galar Region is based on Britain, what better way to represent the culture than toast curry?
There’s even a teapot Pokémon!
Pokémon Sword & Shield update
7 – Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast: not even a Jedi could see that one coming…!
If you were to say you predicted this games release… well, that’s either a lie, or you truly are a Force sensitive. Such a random port, though easily one of the most popular Star Wars games made, as well as a personal favourite, in which you play as ex-Jedi turned mercenary Kyle Katarn, which involves sneaking around Imperial Remnant bases, scummy metropolis underworlds, and wielding a Lightsaber. The combat is immensely enjoyable, with a rich array of Force powers to unlock as you progress – though let’s face it, it’s the Lightning one you’ll be wanting to use the most – with the option to switch between a first person and third person perspective. And yes, catching those sinister would-be Sith Spit off guard with your Lightsaber and watching their demise in slow-mo is every bit as satisfying as Yoda would forbid, even 17 years after its initial release.
Now, if we could get the Knights of the Old Republic duo and Republic Commando (and maybe its unrealised, ill-fated sequel), that would more than compensate for the… Star Wars Pinball game we got…
8 – Super Smash Bros. characters: Banjo & Kazooie, Terry Bogard, and more join the fight!
It’s fair to say Sakurai has been smashing it with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with nearly 80 characters ready to fight! It has become increasingly clear that this isn’t just a Nintendo crossover – as it was back on the N64 – rather it’s become a celebration of gaming and its rich history, with a plethora of franchises and genres represented.
Naturally, Smash players around the world make their voices heard when it comes to which character should appear next, and one popular duo has been Banjo & Kazooie. You can only imagine the excitement players felt when they learned the popular duo would be available straight after the presentation – with a demonstration by Sakurai himself! On a side note, I can’t be the only one who thinks he should make an official Smash Bros. Youtube channel with his own original content?
But that wasn’t all. We heard rumours that SNK would be featured alongside their Capcom fighting competitors, and joining the roster in November will be Terry Bogard, everyones favourite Neo-Geo fighter. Now we can final settle on who the true King of Fighters is: only in Smash can you have Cloud Strife, Ryu, Pikachu, and Kirby duke it out against Snake, Sonic, and now, apparently, Terry Bogard!
But wait, there’s more! It was also confirmed that more fighters are now in development, potentially bringing the roster ever closer to 100 characters – not to mention the Mii Fighter costumes, which happens to include Undertale‘s Sans. Maybe Waluigi will finally get his time to shine…?
9 – Xenoblade Chronicles – Definitive Edition!!
The final reveal at the end of the Direct, often regarded as not only one of the best Wii games ever made, but among the best JRPGs of all time. Xenoblade Chronicles received a New 3DS port in 2015 and has been succeeded by Xenoblade Chronicles X (WiiU) and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch), itself continuing the legacy of the Xenogears and Xenosaga franchises. Since its first release back in 2010, while recognised for pushing the Wii visually and introducing innovative gameplay mechanics to the RPG genre, many fans have wondered how much more beautiful Shulk’s world would look in full blown glorious HD.
Well, wonder no more, as in 2020 you’ll be able to find out first hand when it receives the HD Switch treatment! We had heard Monolith Soft (who also leant their talents to building the world of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild) had been hard at work on something, and I’m sure many were hoping for a tertiary instalment. However this is a game that fully deserves to be enjoyed in HD, if only to fully realise the potential of the Wii version that ran on significantly lesser hardware when it initially released. No doubt many hold hope that Xenoblade Chronicles X will port over to the Switch in the future, though an HD Xenogears (with a finished second disc since it was released incomplete back in 1998) or even a Xenosaga collection would be appreciated too.
