Another E3 has come to an end, and with it, another Nintendo Direct. Nintendo revealed plans for the remainder of 2021, as well as some plans for releases in 2022. In this piece, we’ll be re-capping all of the reveals for Nintendo’s E3 Direct. So, let’s get straight into it!
Kazuya Super Smash Brothers: Ultimate Fighter Pass Reveal
Nintendo opened the Direct with traditional fashion as of late, with the reveal of Kazuya Mishima as the next fighter in the Fighter Pass for Super Smash Brothers: Ultimate. It wasn’t quite the usually anticipated Rayman, or Crash Bandicoot, but the reveal trailer itself was still something to enjoy regardless. For more information regarding the fighter’s move-set and release date, be sure to tune in with Masahiro Sakurai for a full run-down of the character on June 28th.
Life is Strange: True Colors & Life is Strange Remastered Collection
Release Date: September 10th & Late 2021
A surprising but joyful reveal came as Life is Strange: True Colours was announced to release alongside other consoles on September 10th. As well as this, a full remastered collection of previous Life is Strange games are planned for a release in late 2021 through the Life is Strange Remastered Collection too.
Guardian’s of the Galaxy
Release Date: October 26th
Having already heard about this game in the prior days to the Nintendo Direct, Guardian’s of the Galaxy got a brief mention. Guardian’s of the Galaxy is planned for an October 26th release, as you follow through a cosmic adventure playing solely as Starlord. It will be interesting to see how Square Enix handles this title after their management of the Avengers game last year.
Worms Rumble
Release Date: June 26th
Worms Rumble arrives onto Nintendo Switch having released on other consoles and PC almost half a year ago. This game looked quite poor, but if you pre-order now you receive a 25% discount. As well as this, the Patchwork Bear costume, which is exclusive to Nintendo Switch, is available for free for two weeks following the game’s launch.
Astria Ascending
Release Date: September 30th
Astria Ascending is a turn-based, 2D game. If this is the type of game to interest you, you’ll be glad to know it launches on Nintendo Switch on September 30th.
Two Point Campus
Release Date: 2022
In Two Point Campus, you have the ability to fully take control of the customisation and schedules of your own educational campus. With quirky humour and in-depth sim management, Two Point Campus is planned for a 2022 release.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
Release Date: October 5th
Having rather stupidly mistook this game’s reveal for a celebration of Donkey Kong’s anniversary, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is still one of the highlights of the Direct regardless. In celebration of Super Monkey Ball’s 20th anniversary, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania comes to Nintendo Switch on October 5th, including Super Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball 2 and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe fully remastered for a new generation of gamers to enjoy the origins of the series.
Mario Party Superstars
Release Date: October 29th
To many people’s surprise, Mairo Party: Superstars was announced to be releasing this year. In this new addition to the Mario Party series, you can play through up to five classic boards from the Nintendo 64 era. This combined with over 100 mini-games from the entirety of the Mario Party series seems to ensure that the chaotic mess that is Mario Party will be as fun as always when it launches on October 29th.
Metroid Dread
Release Date: October 8th
Having been reassured that progress on Metroid Prime 4 is still being made, it was no surprise that for Metroid’s anniversary, Metroid Dread was announced. It is hard to believe that 5 years into the Switch’s life-cycle, that this is the first Metroid game to be playable on the system. Ahead of Metroid Prime 4, it might be a good idea to get the Switch’s player-base familiar with the world of Metroid, that being me included, even if it is in a 2D environment. Nintendo has been saving no expenses when it comes to the promotion of this game, so here’s hoping it is as enjoyable as it seems.
Just Dance 2022 (November 4th)
As usual, the next addition for Just Dance launches on Switch this holiday season. Just Dance 2022 will be available from November 4th.
Cruis’n Blast
Release Date: Autumn 2021
Cruis’n Blast is originally an arcade racing game, that originated and gained most of its attention in the early 2000’s. Though personally, I do not see much appeal in this release, it seems that fans of the series have had their nostalgia unlocked upon seeing this reveal trailer. Cruis’n Blast launches on Nintendo Switch in Autumn of 2021.
Dragonball Z Kakarot + A New Power Awakens Set
Release Date: September 24th
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is coming to Nintendo Switch. This version of the game will include the first two DLC packs that were originally released separately from the game, this time being titled A New Power Awakens. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot + A New Power Awakens launches on Nintendo Switch September 24th.
Mario Golf: Super Rush
Release Date: June 25th
Mario Golf: Super Rush was always going to get some final bit of promotion ahead of its release later this month. The game looks fun, with plenty of modes and ways of playing, which is exciting for a concept as boring as golf. Personally, seeing Mario Odyssey representation was a personal highlight of the final trailer for the game. Mario Golf: Super Rush releases later this month, on June 25th!
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Release Date: July 9th
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is the continuation of further Monster Hunter representation on the Nintendo Switch. If you pre-order the game early, you’ll be able to obtain an outfit for Ena titled the Kanura Maiden Outfit as a pre-order bonus. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin launches on Nintendo Switch on July 9th.
WarioWare: Get It Together
Release Date: September 10th
I think many people were expecting a new entry in the WarioWare series to come in this Direct. Nintendo made it pretty public with the surveys they sent out asking people if a $49.99 price tag was deemed reasonable. WarioWare: Get it Together includes all the traditional WarioWare bite-sized game-play that you’d come to expect. This time it comes with two-player co-op. A €59.99 price tag here might be a bit too much for me, but nonetheless, it is exciting to see that Wario is still deemed a marketable character on his own by Nintendo. WarioWare: Get it Together launches on Nintendo Switch September 10th.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Release Date: November 12th
Having been teased by Nintendo quite a while ago now, Shin Megami Tensei V finally has gotten its official release date. For those who have been waiting for Persona to come to Switch, maybe starting with the series’ origins in the meantime would be a fun place to start. Despite the fact SMT V looks a little lacklustre, the game-play should largely still be the kind of game-play that appeals to those who enjoy turn-based JRPGs. Shin Megami Tensei V launches on Nintendo Switch on November 12th.
Danganronpa Decadence
Release Date: Late 2021
To celebrate 10 years of Danganronpa, Danganronpa Decadence celebrates in fine fashion as three games in the Danganronpa series come to Nintendo Switch. As well as this, the board game from Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony has been expanded into its own stand-alone game, titled Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp. As a four-game collection, Danganronpa Decadence launches as a physical exclusive on Nintendo Switch in late 2021. As well as this, all four games will be individually available via the Nintendo eShop.
Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water
Release Date: TBA 2021
Having originally launched on the Wii-U, Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water never really got the number of players it seemed to deserve in the eyes of Nintendo. This horror adventure seeks to utilise the Switch’s large owner-base this time around when it launches on Nintendo Switch in late 2021.
DOOM: Eternal Campaign Expansion
Release Date: Out Now
For the people who dare to put themselves through a game like DOOM: Eternal on Nintendo Switch rather than on any other platform, they can now purchase the DOOM: Eternal campaign expansion now as it was released on the day of the Nintendo Direct.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2
Release Date: June 25th
Having achieved cult status in the early 2000s, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 was remade for consoles last year. This time around, it comes to Nintendo Switch, as Nintendo fans can now enjoy the skating brilliance of Tony Hawk first-hand on June 25th.
Strange Brigade
Release Date: Out Now
Strange Brigade released right after the Direct, and it is no surprise. The game looks like the kind of game that you’d find in the corner of a local take-away in the mid-2000s that you could play for €1 until you died. Regardless, if you’re up to give it a chance, it is out now and available for purchase.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Release Date: TBA 2022
This was always going to take up some time in the Direct, despite the fact we had seen it announced on Twitter beforehand. Either way, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle has to be one of the biggest dark-horse stories in the history of the Switch. Rabbids, which are universally disliked, combining with potentially Nintendo’s most protected IP. Somehow, this led to a brilliantly polished title that went on to be one of the best sellers on the Switch, with it also being the best selling game on the Switch that wasn’t published by Nintendo. It will certainly be one of the biggest games to come out when it releases at some point in 2022.
Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp
Release Date: December 3rd
Despite looking like the mobile games that you are forced to watch as an advertisement before a YouTube video, Advance Wars is a series that is definitely liked by many who had a Gameboy Advance at the turn of the millennium. This title is a remake of the original first two Advance Wars games, and it is available December 3rd.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity DLC
Release Date: DLC 1 June 18th / DLC 2 November 2021
An announcement that was already known, but further promotion for the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity DLC was given during this Direct. DLC pack 1 will have launched by the time this article comes out, whilst DLC pack 2 will launch just before Christmas, sometime around November.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
Release Date: July 16th
Similarly to the Hyrule Warriors DLC, Skyward Sword HD also got probably its final bit of major promotion before its release next month. It’ll be interesting to see how this game does, and the reception it gets given its hefty price and controversial practices. I am sure it’ll sell well, but the reception will still be something of a mixed bag I am sure.
The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch
Release Date: November 12th
Just as I thought my precious Wind Waker HD port was going to be announced, it was taken away in place of a Game & Watch system based upon three OG Zelda games. With this Game & Watch system you’ll have The Legend of Zelda, Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link and the Gameboy version of Link’s Awakening. As well as this, it’ll include a special version of the Game & Watch title Vermin where Link will be the playable character. Lastly, the system will include an interactive play-time tracker and timer. This system will launch on November 12th.
Like all good Nintendo products, I am sure it will definitely be easy to purchase and definitely won’t be scalped.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
Release Date: TBA 2022
Now here is the meat of the Direct, for me, what made it a great. Having been two years since the reveal for Breath of the Wild 2, it was no surprise that the first true update on the game came this time around. The trailer revealed new abilities for Link, as well as showing a brand new idea into how they’re going to keep the map fresh, as Hyrule expands to the sky. It is interesting to note Link’s arm and the fact we never see his face throughout any other part of the reveal beyond that opening. Lastly, the biggest part of this reveal was actually getting a release date. I think with God of War: Ragnarok and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 both coming in 2022, it will be a battle of goliaths to see who gets Game of the Year in 2022.
Conclusion
So there you have it, another year, another E3 done. I for one am disappointed that there was no acknowledgement of Donkey Kong’s anniversary, nor was there any true acknowledgement of Zelda’s anniversary to the scale of Mario’s last year. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Zelda got its own anniversary Direct later in the year, similarly to Mario again. Beyond that, I thought this Direct was good. Reveals such as Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania, Metroid Dread and obviously, Breath of the Wild 2 all came together to make a solid Direct that left me feeling satisfied at the end.
I am a 20 year old student from Ireland who has major interests in writing about Nintendo, Pokemon and PlayStation related topics on the side!
