Today, Nintendo hosted a Direct livestream focused on what’s headed to the company’s Switch and 3DS consoles over the next few months. They announced ahead of time some of the presentation would focus on the upcoming Switch title Super Mario Odyssey, but of course some surprise — and some predicted — reveals were also thrown at us.
Nintendo packed in a ton of titles into the 45 minute showcase, and some got more attention than others. Read on for a rundown of the news from today’s Nintendo Direct.
3DS News
The Direct first focused on Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, which is coming to 3DS systems November 17th. This game takes you back to the Alola region, which has new areas, character appearances and clothing, and a different way of picking your starter Pokémon.
Buy the game by January 10th to receive a special Dusk Form Lycanroc, which knows special move the Pokémon normally can’t learn. You also get 12 Quick Balls with your purchase.
If you pre-order Pokémon Gold or Silver, which are coming to the 3DS eShop September 22nd, you’ll receive a free Celebi for use in your copy of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon.
What’s more, a snazzy new PokéBall Edition New Nintendo 2DS XL hits stores November 3rd.
A few more titles were discussed, including Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions, which takes you behind the scenes to learn more about Bowser’s minions, in addition to the Mario bros. Get it October 6th. There’s also Kirby: Battle Royale, which launches on 3DS January 19th of next year. Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is coming September 29th, and Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy releases October 6th.
One of the Direct’s biggest surprises? Minecraft is available on 3DS systems now. Go! Download it! What are you still doing here?! Another fun reveal was Mario Party: The Top 100, which compiles the 100 best mini games from past Mario Party games. Co-op it up with up to 4 people on November 10th.
Several ATLUS games were announced next, including The Alliance Alive, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology, and Etrian Odyssey, the latter of which is getting a free demo later today on the eShop.
Capcom’s Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is seeing a re-release on the 3DS eShop in November, and Fire Emblem Warriors is coming September 28th with Lyn as a playable character.
Switch News
The Switch portion of the Direct kicked off with a new look at Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which got a release date of December 1st. Play with Rex and Pyra as you explore planet-sized Titans and engage in some intricate combat. The above video showcases some new gameplay.
A special edition of the game, as well as a Xenoblade-themed Pro Controller were also announced to be coming on December 1st as well.
Two new stages and a new weapon were revealed for Splatoon 2. The Kelp Dome map will be available in a free update this Friday September 15th, and the Snapper Canal stage was also announced. The new weapon is the Tenta Brella, which is basically a massive umbrella that can be used both offensively and defensively.
Nintendo also gave us the below new trailer for Fire Emblem Warriors, which comes out on the Switch October 20th.
Snipperclips Plus Cut It Out Together is an expanded version of one of the Switch’s launch titles. It comes with 30+ new stages and innovative gameplay modes. Purchase it November 10th as a full game, or purchase the new content as DLC if you already own the title.
Morphie’s Law, coming Winter 2017, was showed off again. It’s an online or local multiplayer shooter with shapeshifting robots and body parts that change sizes to alter character abilities. Another game we knew about but was touched on: Rocket League, which with features local wireless multiplayer and Nintendo-themed cars, coming Holiday 2017.
Next up, finally a release date for the Switch version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim! It’s coming with that Zelda-themed clothing November 17th in Europe and North America.
Happy day, DOOM is coming to the Switch Holiday 2017, and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Although we didn’t hear about virtual console (booo), Nintendo announced a system called Arcade Archives, which is bringing classic Nintendo arcade games to the Switch. Though we’re not quite sure how the system will work, we know it launches September 27th with titles like Vs. Super Mario Bros., Vs. Balloon Fight, Vs. Ice Climber, Vs. Pinball, and Vs. Clu Clu Land.
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild news, new Champions amiibos coming November 10th will grant players special headgear based on each Champion’s Divine Beast. We dig it.
As for some sports games NBA 2K18 releases September 14th, W2K18 is coming “soon,” and FIFA 18 launches September 29th.
Another big reveal was a Square Enix RPG Switch-exclusive, Project Octopath Traveler — an RPG with “HD-2D” graphics. Apparently that new term means mixture of magical-looking pixel art and CG. Try demo today and look out for the full release in 2018.
The ARMS update with Lola Pop and remappable controls hit the Switch today.
More games discussed were Dragon Quest Builders (Spring 2018), Kirby Star Allies (Spring 2018), SteamWorld Dig 2 (Sep 21st), Golf Story (Sep 2017), Nine Parchments (Holiday 2017), Battle Chef Brigade (Holiday 2017), Tiny Metal (Oct 2017), Super Meat Boy Forever (2018), Lost Sphear (Jan 23rd), Sonic Forces (Nov 7th), Resident Evil Revelations and Resident Evil Revelations 2 (Nov 28th), and LA Noire (Nov 14th).
Finally, today’s Nintendo Direct explored more of Super Mario Odyssey, which is scheduled to release October 27th on the Switch. Known worlds so far are Metro Kingdom, Sand Kingdom, Luncheon Kingdom, Wooded Kingdom, Cap Kingdom, Cascade Kingdom, Snow Kingdom, and Seaside Kingdom, with more to be revealed.
Mario’s ship, called the Odyssey, needs Power Moons to make it to new areas. You’ll find these throughout the worlds, win them from enemies, unlock them with puzzles, collect them in mini games, and more. Also revealed was the in-game shop Crazy Cap, where you can buy new outfits for Mario and decorations for the interior and exterior of his ship.
Of course, we had to get a new console bundle with this bad boy. The Nintendo Switch Super Mario Odyssey bundle comes with a download of the game, themed red Joy-Cons, and a themed red Switch carrying case. This bundle launches alongside the game on October 27th.
Whew. That’s everything you need to know from today’s Nintendo Direct. What are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!