Super Smash Bros., Splatoon 2 Highlight Announcements From the Latest Nintendo Direct

By Brian Bell  |  March 9, 2018 | 10:48am
Images via Nintendo
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Super Smash Bros., Splatoon 2 Highlight Announcements From the Latest Nintendo Direct

As the fiscal year nears its end, Nintendo took to the internet airwaves on Thursday with the first full Nintendo Direct of 2018, and they did not disappoint. A litany of Nintendo Switch and 3DS titles were revealed and profiled, but one title stood above all in terms of hype inducement: Super Smash Bros. is coming to the Switch in 2018.

The show closer featured a crowd of silhouettes, fueling speculation about the game’s roster. The Link featured did look an awful lot like the Breath of the Wild version of the character, which should quell any fears of the title being a port of the 3DS title. No release date has been set, but it would make sense that the title would release in close proximity to the Switch’s paid online service going live, barring time to make sure the service doesn’t hit any potholes at launch.

Beyond the Smash excitement, the presentation profiled many new titles, ports and remasters coming to Switch. The main focuses of the Switch-focused section of the presentation were Mario Tennis Aces and Splatoon 2. The latest offering in Mario Tennis series will feature a story mode, complete with boss battles, and multiple control schemes and difficulties that will easily cater to players of all skill levels. Aces will also feature online matches and tournaments, including a pre-launch preview of the online tournament system. The aces will be ready to serve up on June 22.

Splatoon 2 is getting a major update in April, including new character gear, multiple stages scheduled for release throughout the spring and the addition of player Rank X, for those who go beyond S+. A new single-player paid DLC, Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion, is on its way this summer. Players will take control of Agent 8, an Octoling who wakes up in a dingy subway station with no memory of how she arrived there. The story of Agent 8 will span 80 missions, and players will gain the ability to use Octolings in multiplayer modes after completion of the campaign.

While fans already knew about Dark Souls: Remastered’s imminent arrival, the recent remaster of Okami will be coming to the system as well. The decision to bring the popular action/adventure title to the system makes sense, considering the improved motion-tracking hardware implemented in the joycons, which could finally make good on the underwhelming brush-handling of the game’s initial release on the Wii.

Nintendo also finally brought an end to its last lingering console war of the ‘90s with the announcement that Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy will be released for the Switch. This marks the first appearance by the de facto mascot of the original PlayStation on a Nintendo system. Peace truly is achievable, no matter what past transgressions linger, though the game will be releasing on Xbox One and Steam, as well.

The 3DS section of the broadcast revealed some surprises and exciting titles, as well. Detective Pikachu still looks hilarious. Thankfully, it releases on March 23. A remake of the GameCube cult classic Luigi’s Mansion is also on its way to the handheld. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey continues the mushroom kingdom RPG series and hints that the company’s commitment to the 3DS will continue into 2019, as the game isn’t scheduled to release until then.

The most exciting reveal for the on-the-go gaming experience was the lead-off of the show, the return of WarioWare. The mini-game collection almost every Nintendo fan has been clamouring for is back with WarioWare Gold. The new title will collect 300 new and classic microgames—making it the largest in the series—that utilize the multiple control schemes built into the system. The game will also feature fully voiced characters for the first time. WarioWare Gold arrives on Aug. 3.

Other titles announced for the Switch were Captain Toad, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, Undertale, Kirby Star Allies and Hyrule Warriors. See a full list of Nintendo’s releases in the Direct below.

 
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