After Nintendo’s prolonged teases yesterday, the fabled Nintendo Direct finally came to be, in the form of a Nintendo Direct Mini. While Chibi-Robo himself may have sat this direct out, it’s good to know Nintendo’s teasing wasn’t for nothing. Here’s a recap of everything that went down in this rapid-fire direct.
The direct kicked off immediately with a big reveal: cult hit title The World Ends With You is getting a Remixed version that adds all new content, just in time for the original game’s 10th anniversary. All of the content from the original game stays intact, and the new Remixed Edition adds in a Joycon-based combat style and makes significant additions to the story of the original title. Fans are sure to gobble up all the new goodies when TWEWY: Final Remix launches later this year.
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Just when you thought Pokken Tournament was done adding fighters, Aegislash appears! The popular Gen 6 Blade Pokemon brings it’s stance-changing, sharp-edged fighting style to Pokken Tournament DX for Nintendo Switch. It comes as part of a new Battle Pack for the title being released in two waves: the first releasing January 31st that adds new fighter Aegislash and the assist Pokemon Mega Rayquaza and Mimikyu. The second launches March 23rd, and brings classic starter Blastoise to the roster, along with legendary assists Mew and Celebi. The Battle Pack also includes exclusive avatar items for those who pick it up, and it’s available now for those looking to add some more spice to their Pokken play.
Kirby Star Allies leaps onto the scene next, revealing two new Copy Abilities for everyone’s favorite pink puff. Artist, an updated version of classic copy ability Paint, allows Kirby to bring his art to life, literally. Paintbrush in hand, Artist Kirby can paint artworks that fight for him, such as a tiny painted King Dedede, and can swing said brush like a weapon to fend off enemies. Meanwhile, the other new ability, Spider Kirby, covers his foes in sticky webs and then boots the now-ensnared foe away like a soccer ball.
In addition to these new powers, you can team up with the titular allies to create Friend Abilities, which mix the properties of two abilities to create a powerful new one. These Friend Abilities can be all kinds of things – one gives the Yo-Yo Ability an electric charge, another shoots ice through a fountain of water to create icicle spears, and another lets you throw friends around as if they were a pinball. Some of the more powerful Friend Abilities seem to be available only to four player parties, so round up a good group to enjoy Kirby with when it launches March 16th.
Hyrule Warriors is the title that just can’t quit, as it’s now making it’s way onto the Nintendo Switch as well. With the full DLC-included roster of 29 characters, and new costumes for Link and Zelda based on their Breath of the Wild incarnations, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition lives up to its name. Could we see a third wave of DLC for Hyrule Warriors’ latest port? We’ll have to wait and see.
Mario Tennis makes its triumphant return with Mario Tennis Aces, a new title in the franchise for Switch. This time, Mario and co are forgoing their classic outfits in favor of sportier ones specifically for the new game. This time, in addition to the classic multiplayer modes, the game also features a full-fledged story mode, complete with mini-games and bosses for you to overcome. Mario Tennis Aces lands on the court later this Spring.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is next to make its Direct appearance. After he’s shipwrecked on an uncharted island, adventurer Adol wakes up with one goal: survive. Gathering up the other survivors of the crash, Adol and friends will have to battle their way through the island’s hordes of enemies in order to eke out a living on the mysterious isle.
A surprise free update is coming to the megahit masterpiece that is Super Mario Odyssey, finally bringing Mario’s lil’ bro into the mix. Luigi’s Balloon World adds a new game mode to the title that’s sure to keep fans invested for that much longer. Two halves make up this new postgame mode: in one, you’re given a balloon by Luigi to hide somewhere in the level, and in the other, you get to track down balloons hidden in the same manner by other players.
There are leaderboards to track who’s hidden their balloons the best, and who’s found the most. It’s sure to spawn a number of YouTube videos of players hiding their balloons in the craziest locations, and will likely reinvigorate fans who’ve finished the game by now. The update also adds in three new costumes: a suit of knight’s armor, a snazzy musician outfit, and the how-was-it-not-in-the-base-game Mario Sunshine shirt and shades. There are also new filters added for the screenshot mode. This free new update completes it’s voyage onto Switch this coming February.
One of the biggest surprises of the Direct was oddball title SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy. This femme fatale fighter features female from a number of SNK fighting game titles duking it out in 2 on 2 battles. Unlike other fighting game titles, you can only finish off your opponent with super moves, which is sure to add a new layer to strategy when you’re pummeling your friends. These lethal ladies land their blow on the Switch this summer.
Mario and Rabbids haven’t kicked the bucket just yet. Its story DLC is on the way, and there’s no stopping this new content. Donkey Kong is making his way into the Rabbids-infested fray, joining Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, and their screeching counterparts in an all-new story addition to the main title. For those that loved the original, it’s sure to add more of what you’re looking for. DK slams into Mario + Rabbids this Spring.
Payday 2’s getting a new character, and Nintendo Switch is getting them first. Joy, a female Japanese hacker with an LED display mask, is making her debut to the franchise as a timed exclusive for the Nintendo Switch version of Payday 2. With her own set of new weapons and a full loadout of hacker perks, she’s sure to be a valuable part of any heisting team. Payday 2 launches February 27th, with Joy already included on launch day.
Two of EA’s indie hits also got a segment during the Nintendo direct. Fe is an artistic, stylized adventure through the Nordic wilderness. As a mysterious bat-like creature, you’ll learn the songs and cries of other animals of the forest, unlocking new abilities to help you make your way to the forest’s heart to uncover the spreading darkness.
Celeste, on the other hand, features a more classical pixelated look and gameplay style. A fast-paced action platformer, you take control of Madeleine, a climber who can scale sheer walls, given she has the stamina to do so. She can even do a mid-air dash! Along the way, you’ll meet a host of quirky characters as she scales the dangerous Celeste Mountain. Fe swoops onto the Switch on February 16th, while Celeste pops in on January 25th.
One of the Wii U’s best titles is swinging onto Switch with some funky new additions. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is being added to the Switch’s impressive repertoire, and those who missed it when it was on the Wii U have no excuse now not to pick it up. The Switch version also adds in Funky Kong as a new playable character, who can double jump, hover through the air, and roll infinitely using his trusty surfboard. He can even cross spike traps using his board as a platform. The trailer also appears to show off a new level, meaning there might be even more to the title. DK, Funky and friends defrost your Switch on May 4th.
Finally, Nintendo capped off their Direct with the bombshell we were all expecting: Dark Souls Remastered. The hard-as-nails franchise is making it’s way to Nintendo consoles for the first time ever and with a nice new fresh coat of paint. With such a heavy hitter title now on its console, Nintendo is truly showing that they’ve really rallied the big third party support on Nintendo Switch. Dark Souls Remastered includes all the DLC from the original game, as well as greatly improved framerate and resolution. Get ready to get frustrated at that one darn boss on the go when Dark Souls Remastered launches on May 25th for Nintendo Switch.
And there you have it, folks! That’s everything Nintendo covered in this jam-packed Nintendo Direct Mini. Stay tuned to NinMobileNews for all future Nintendo news, as we’ll cover it when it happens, as it happens. See you all again in the next Direct!
