Nintendo is known for stealing the show, despite not actually being at the show. This year was no exception. From a Bowser mix-up to the return of long awaited series, this 43 minute Direct brings the hype for Nintendo in 2019.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
The Hero is coming to Super Smash Bros Ultimate in the summer. This is due to a crossover with Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age S Definitive Edition (that’s a mouthful). It also looks like you can play as four variations of The Hero, but I wasn’t able to discern whether it was a form change, or if it was four different costumes.
Announced at the end- Banjo-Kazooie are coming to Smash in the fall!
Dragon Quest XI
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age S Definitive Edition is coming this year as well. You can replay the classic game with an expanded storyline, more rideable monsters, and the ability to speed up those weakling battles that everyone hates. You can also travel to past Dragon Quest worlds and let the nostalgia flow through you. It releases on September 27, 2019.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to the Switch! After Luigi is invited to a grand hotel with Mario and friends, he becomes a ghost hunter once again, exploring the hotel to find his friends. This time he has some new abilities on his Poltergust G-00:
- Slam- allows Luigi to slam ghosts into the floor, as well as other ghosts, inflicting damage.
- Suction Shot- Luigi fires a suction dart at a piece of furniture or other object, grabs the rope, and pulls the object over his head, breaking it.
- Burst- a burst of air pushes ghosts away from you radially, and gives you a higher jump when you need it.
- Gooigi- the latest innovation from Professor E. Gadd. This allows Luigi to change into a goo form, allowing him to walk through metal gates and spikes, as well as lend a hand for obstacles too tough for him alone. A second player can control Gooigi as well, allowing for couch co-op, something the world needs more of.
The Scarecraper allows for up to 8 players to play locally or online co-op. Defeat the ghosts within the time limit, find the lost Toads, and overcome the challenges placed before you.
I have actually never played a Luigi’s Mansion game (blasphemy!) but I’m definitely going to pick up this one, it looks great.
A Dark Crystal Game?!
Yes, Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal is getting a tactical game on the Switch, along with that new Netflix series. The three Heroes of Thraa must team up to defeat the rising evil and unlock their true potential. Environment plays a role in this tactical game, with high ground advantage and breakable objects that can damage enemies. The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance Tactics (another mouthful) is coming sometime in 2019.
Link’s Awakening
Teased in a previous Nintendo Direct, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening now has some gameplay to go along with that cinematic trailer. Link must escape Koholint Island, while fighting the classic enemies and trying not to get lost thanks to that raccoon. This game is done in a 3D cartoon style that I really like, although some may think it looks too much like a kids game.
One new thing they added in is that you can create your own dungeon! You’ll unlock chambers throughout the adventure, then you can piece them together and create your own custom dungeon to explore. See how fast you can beat them, and earn rewards by completing the dungeons.
The game is set to release September 20, 2019.
Trials of Mana
Trials of Mana is getting global release on the Switch early in 2020. A third person tactical RPG, you must use the power of mana to shape your destiny.
In addition, the original three Mana games are now available on the Switch. Collection of Mana is available now on the Nintendo eShop, and it is the first time that all three of these games have been available outside of Japan.
The Witcher 3
Affectionately dubbed by CD Projekt Red as the Switcher, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming to the Switch. Winner of hundreds of awards, this game is highly acclaimed to be one of the best RPGs on the market, and rightfully so. I played the original Witcher game and loved it, still need to play this one. It is coming later this year.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is coming on July 26, 2019. This entry in the Fire Emblem series features an academy where each of the ruling houses has an heir attending. Despite their differences, they have to work together to defeat the evil threatening the kingdom.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 are both joining the Resident Evil lineup on the Switch in the fall. Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil, and Resident Evil 4 are already available on the Nintendo eShop. I don’t think I’ve said Resident Evil that much in my life.
No More Heroes III
Filled with 80s throwbacks and American-style themes, No More Heroes III makes its way to the Switch in 2020. Travis Touchdown makes his appearance in a world where there are, you guessed it, no more heroes, in order to save the world from an invasion.
Contra: Rogue Corps
Contra: Rogue Corps is a third-person shooter featuring crazy weapons and off-the-wall characters. A rogue commando, a cyborg panda, a symbiotic alien and human, and a gentlemanly insect make up the cast of this game, all wielding heavy arms that could take down a city. Local wireless co-op and online co-op bring your friends into the meyhem as well. Fight aliens, kill everything, and save the world September 24, 2019.
The Contra Anniversary Collection is available now on the Nintendo eShop featuring all ten of the original Contra games.
Daemon X Machina
If you’ve ever wanted to be a mech pilot, this game might be one for you. Help win the war and look pretty cool doing it, whether on the ground or in the air. Daemon X Machina is set to release September 13.
Panzer Dragon
Another game where you can fly around, Panzer Dragon reminds me a lot of a title I used to play on Xbox called Crimson Dragon. From the trailer, we see you shooting down projectiles and enemies and flying through obstacles in order to complete levels. It looks really nice though. The game is set to release this winter.
Astral Chain
Chimeras, beings that can traverse dimensions, are taking over the world and destroying humanity. Through years of research, humanity has found a way to survive- by linking captured chimeras to human hosts neurologically. Learn the truth, survive, and defeat the chimera August 30, 2019.
Empire of Sin
Paradox Interactive brings the management style game to the mob with Empire of Sin. From the trailer, it looks like you can manage resources, buy up property, and survive and make hits on rivals to make your way to the top. The game is set to release spring 2020.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
The universe is on the brink of being destroyed by Thanos. Unlike the movie, it’s not just The Avengers taking him on, it’s the whole Marvel Universe. Gather your favorite heroes and team up to take on Thanos and his allies. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order comes out July 19. If you get the Expansion Pass, you’ll gain access to heroes from X-Men, Marvel Knights, and the Fantastic Four starting in the fall.
Cadence of Hyrule
From Crypt of the Necrodancer comes a Legend of Zelda crossover that no one saw coming (before that Nintendo Direct where they announced it was a thing). Play as Cadence, Link, or Zelda and make your way through Hyrule, defeating classic enemies and moving to the beat. This comes out on June 13.
Honestly, I haven’t played Crypt of the Necrodancer, but I do want to give this a shot, it looks like a lot of fun.
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
Seems like every summer Olympics we get one of these games, but this one is special. The 2020 Olympics are being held in Tokyo, and new games are being added to the roster, both in the real Games and this one. Play as Mario, Sonic, or one of the many other characters, and play your way to Olympic Gold. The games begin in November 2019.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The long awaited sequel on the Switch is finally arriving! Tom Nook sent us off to a deserted island this time, with a debt of 49,800 Bells, but it won’t be for long. After you set up your tent, you’ll begin making improvements to the island, and more people will show up turning the island into a small community. Get ready to travel and set up your tent March 20, 2020.
A Multitude of Other Games
Ready for this? Here are more games that are coming.
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy- September 3
- Hollow Knight: Silksong- date TBA
- Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch- September 20
- Minecraft Dungeons- Spring 2020
- The Elder Scrolls Blades- Fall 2019
- My Friend Pedro- June 20
- DOOM Eternal- date TBA
- The Sinking City- Fall 2019
- Wolfenstein Youngblood- July 26
- Dead by Daylight- September 24
- Alien Isolation- 2019
- Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles S Remastered Edition- Winter 2019
- Dragon Quest Builders 2- July 12
- Stranger Things 3: The Game- July 4 (the same day as season 3 of the show on Netflix)
- Just Dance 2020- November 5
- Catan- June 20
- New Super Lucky’s Tale- Fall 2019
- Dauntless- Late 2019
- Super Mario Maker 2- June 28
One more thing to end the Direct with, Nintendo let us know that Breath of the Wild has a sequel in development! Excitement!
That’s all from the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct! We’ll post more news as it comes out, but for now, thanks for reading this recap. Let us know in the comments what your favorite part of this Direct was. Mine was Animal Crossing, even though I hate that Nook makes us pay nearly 50,000 Bells every time…
Silver Soul Gaming 