Nintendo Direct 13/09/18 – Luigi’s Mansion 3, Animal Crossing, Final Fantasy coming to Switch

So after a week’s delay following an earthquake in Hokkaido, Japan, the Nintendo Direct took place last night for September 13^th and it was another packed showing.  We got updates on already announced titles and some brand new reveals for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS, we also got an update on the Nintendo Switch Online service which kicks off next week on Wednesday, September 19^th.  As always, we’ll go over what was detailed at the latest Nintendo Direct, beginning with the main Nintendo Switch offerings.

It was announced that the Nintendo Switch would be getting two fan-favourite games arriving next year with a brand new Animal Crossing and Luigi’s Mansion 3, both of which are currently “working title(s)”.  You can check out both trailers for Animal Crossing and Luigi’s Mansion 3 below.  Speaking of Animal Crossing, Isabelle from the series will be a playable fighter in the forthcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

 

 

As rumoured, the Nintendo Switch will also be getting a port of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.  This new version of the game will include New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Luigi with both games offering 164 courses to play.  Both games will also be playable in four-player co-op with characters including Mario, Luigi, Toad, Toadette and Nabbit.  New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe will release for Nintendo Switch on January 11^th, 2019.

The new Yoshi game was announced at E3 2017, however last night we learned more details such as its full name, gameplay details, a release window and we saw a new gameplay trailer.  Yoshi’s Crafted World is a beautiful looking title with its world crafted from household items such as boxes, cups and more.  In this side-scrolling platform title, you’ll be able to play this game in co-op with a friend and flip stages in reverse to discover new secrets.  Yoshi’s Crafted World will release for Nintendo Switch during spring 2019.

For Super Mario Party, we got to see the new Sound Stage mode, which is playable with up to four players to compete against one another, which will have players making full use of the Joy-Con controllers with its rhythm based gameplay.  We also saw more of the River Survival mode, which offers the series’ first four-player co-op mode.  There will be a total of 80 new mini-games in Super Mario Party, including a new singleplayer Challenge Road mode as well as an online Mariothon gauntlet.  Super Mario Party will release for Nintendo Switch on October 5^th.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will also be getting a limited edition console.  Not only will this come with the game pre-installed on the console, but it will also have a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate branded dock and Joy-Con controllers.  Quite interestingly this console bundle will be available nearly a month ahead of the games release on November 16^th, but you won’t be able to activate Super Smash Bros. Ultimate until the game releases on December 7^th.  There will also be a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Pro Controller to purchase separately.

Splatoon 2 will be getting an update with update Version 4 which is ready to download right now.  This update will bring new gear with the Kensa Collection offering a set of new weapons “painted with a stylish monotone” design.  Then from October 4^th, we’ll be getting update 4.1 which will gift us with new stages, songs and more new Kensa Collection weapon sets.

Mario Tennis Aces will too be getting new free content via the update 2.0 from September 19^th.  It will bring new playable characters, Birdo, Shy Guy, Koopa Paratroopa and Petey Piranha.  It will also add new game modes including an online co-op mode that will feature time-limited missions that could reward you with new outfits, alternative colours for characters and more.

The Nintendo Direct event spoke of the Nintendo Switch Online, but to be honest, we never really learned anything all that new here, but I’ll gloss over the details none the less.  From September 19^th you’ll need to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online to play multiplayer online.  However, including in your online subscription will be a Save Cloud Data back-up feature that will automatically upload your game saves. You’ll also get access to the “growing library” of classic NES games, some of which will be playable online.

The Smartphone app that that acts as Nintendo’s official voice chat tool that only previously worked with Splatoon 2, will soon be compatible with more games such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS and Mario Tennis Aces.  Prices for the Nintendo Switch Online service are as followed; One month (for 1 account) is £3.49/€3.99, 3 months (for 1 account) will cost you £6.99/€7.99, a 12 month sub (for 1 account) will be £17.99/€19.99, while a 12 month family membership for up to 8 accounts will cost you £31.49/€34.99.

To help get an even more authentic experience when playing the classic NES games, you’ll be able to pick up a double-pack of official wireless NES controllers which can be charged on your Nintendo Switch dock.  The two bundled NES controllers will be available from September 19^th with an RRP of £49.99.

Now that’s the majority of the 1^st party content out of the way, so let’s get on to the 3^rd party goodness and Final Fantasy fans especially are in for a treat.  In the very near future, the Nintendo Switch will be getting remastered HD versions of Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Final Fantasy IX, as well as Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2, and that’s not all.

Coming soon to the Nintendo Switch eShop is Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD.  We’ll also be getting World of Final Fantasy Maxima from November 6^th, Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon EVERY BUDDY! this winter and finally, Nintendo GameCube classic, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition will also be arriving to Nintendo Switch in 2019 with co-op play free from cables!

 

The beloved Katamari will also be remastered for the Nintendo Switch with Katamari Damacy Reroll.  This HD remaster will have all the bells and whistle that you would expect for a Switch title such as HD rumble, motion control and multiplayer support with the Joy-Con controllers.  Katamari Damacy Reroll releases for the Nintendo Switch via the eShop this coming winter.

Quite surprisingly, Civilization VI was announced last night.  This critically acclaimed strategy title will have exclusive four-player local play.  It will also come with the Viking Scenario Pack which includes the Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack, Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack and the Persia and Macedon Civilization & Scenario Pack.  Civilization VI will release for Nintendo Switch on November 16^th.

Sticking to the theme of strategy titles, available right now via the Nintendo Switch eShop is city sim management title, Cities: Skylines.

 

We already knew that Diablo III: Eternal Collection was on its way to Nintendo Switch and that it would include an exclusive Legend of Ganondorf cosmetic armour, but just a couple of days ago and at last night’s Nintendo Direct, we learned that Diablo III: Eternal Collection will release on November 2^nd.  It will include all previously released DLC and all current amiibo figures will be compatible with the game.

The Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle was announced, which includes Final Fight, Captain Commando, Knights of the Round, Armored Warriors and Battle Circuit.  The Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle will be available to download on the Nintendo Switch eShop from September 18^th.  It will also be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One priced at £15.99/€19.99 with each title offering local and online multiplayer.

A new RPG exclusive to the Switch was revealed developed by Game Freak who has developed previous Pokémon games in the series.  Not much is known of this title as of yet, other than the entire game takes place in a single village as you defend it against invading monsters.  Town which is a working titles releases for Nintendo Switch in 2019.

We got a release date for the immensely popular free-to-play FPS Warframe, which will be coming to Nintendo Switch from November 20^th.

 

For RPG fans, we have some more good news as Square Enix’s The World Ends with You: Final Remix releases on October 12^th.  Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna: The Golden Country comes bundled with the main game and its expansion is available from today, before the expansion is available to purchase as a standalone on September 21^st.

 

Finally for Nintendo Switch, lovers of card deck games are in for a treat because Carcassonne, The Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game, Pandemic, Munchkin and Catan will all be releasing for Nintendo Switch from this December.

Right, now to finish up with all the main Nintendo 3DS news from the Direct event.  Previously only available on the Wii, Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn will be coming to the 3DS.  It will include all of what was featured in the original Wii version, but the 3DS version will include new features such as the ability to craft larger yarn balls and summon bead-collecting wind.  It will also include two new modes, which will star King Dedede and Meta Knight.  Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn will release sometime in 2019 for the Nintendo 3DS.

Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey (that’s a long title!) is getting remastered for the 3DS, and it now has a set release date.  Coming with improved visuals, gameplay and a new story for Bowser Jr, this longed named title will release for the Nintendo 3DS on January 25^th.

With the GameCube classic, Luigi’s Mansion being remade for the Nintendo 3DS, releasing on October 19^th, we learned at Direct that as long as another player owns a 3DS and a copy of the game, you’ll be able to play this title together in co-op, which should be fun.  It will also be compatible with four Amiibo’s which will reveal hiding Boos, heal Luigi when talking to toad, among other bonuses.

Finally for the 3DS, Yo-Kai Watch Blasters will be getting a free update on September 27^th, which will add new missions, areas, a new boss and Yo-Kai to befriend.  Well that wraps up the highlights from the September 13^th Nintendo Direct event, but if you want to watch the show in its entirety, you can do so below.