For the first time in nearly a year, Nintendo was able to hold an hour long Nintendo Direct stream. Through the duration of last year, Nintendo released all their announcements through “Mini-Directs” and directs associated directly with brands like Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Pokemon. However, with workers and associates allowed to come back and work in person, the Nintendo company is wasting no time to try and make up for lost time.
Here are some of the biggest and most notable showcases of the Direct:
(Photo courtesy of EventHubs)
Pyra and Mythra from the Xenoblade Chronicles join Smash Ultimate!
The Direct started off with some big news, dropping the latest DLC fighter to join the Smash Ultimate ensemble. The new release is Pyra and Mythra, two of the main characters in the second installment to the Xenoblade Chronicles games. They are known as the Aegis, and help out the main character Rex change between their light and fire abilities throughout the duration of Xenoblade 2. It should be noted that these two are likely to be a two-in-one fighter, meaning that players will be able to switch between the two at any point in a match. This mechanic from Smash Bros Melee and Brawl, where Zelda and Sheik served as a two-in-one fighter.
(Photo courtesy of Business Wire)
Splatoon 3 set for a 2022 release!
The most notable game displayed during the Direct has to be the newest installment to the ever-popular Splatoon trilogy. This entry looks to be set on a desert type area, with Octolings and Inklings duking it out to see who reigns supreme over the land. The title didn’t have an official release month just yet, but is set to hit shelves sometime in 2022.
(Photo courtesy of 9 to 5 Toys)
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remake is heading to Nintendo Switch!
One of the more surprising announcements of the day was that of a Nintendo Switch remake of the Wii’s Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Skyward Sword, known to many as one of the weaker entries in Link’s story, was a stunning announcement due to the impending nature of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. The game projects to have a full high definition update, along with some updates to the control system that fans and gamers hated about the original. This new Zelda title is projected to come out July 16, 2021, alongside custom joy-cons depicting the Hylian Shield and Goddess Sword.
(Photo courtesy of IGN)
Other quick notes….
- Fall Guys is being ported onto the Nintendo Switch for a summer release.
- The newest release in the Mario Golf saga, Mario Golf: Super Rush, is set to hit shelves June 25th.
- Ninja Gaiden Master Collection will be released June 10th, featuring Sigma, Sigma 2, Razor’s Edge, and all downloadable content in one package.
- Hades, one of the top selling and popular games of 2020, is getting a physical copy release on March 19th.
- Star Wars Hunters, a competitive free to play shooter, has been announced and is set to release in 2022.
- Monster Hunter: Rise released a new gameplay trailer and is set to release on March 26th.
The next notable Direct is Pokemon’s 25th anniversary, set to showcase on Friday, February 25th.