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Everything we learnt from this week's Nintendo Direct announcements!

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Everything we learnt from this week's Nintendo Direct announcements!

Settle in, kids [13/09/18]

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Originally slated for last week and pushed on due to the horrendous earthquake which hit Hokkaido, Nintendo newest Direct aired last night and - 'ho boy - it was a big one.

We all know what Ninty can fit into a 20-minute stint. Well, this one runs at almost 40-minutes and it's not just the Switch taking centre stage.

No, the 3DS got a bit of love and we finally found out some real information regarding the Switch's Online system.

There's a lot to get through and little time to do it in, so pull up your socks and get comfy, friends, let's have it.

Click Here To View The List »

1
Luigi's Mansion 3

  • Coming - 2019

Yep, you heard it. Starting off in an eerie similar sense to the last Super Smash Bros Ultimate trailer (y'know, where Luigi croaked), poor ol' Luigi is back ghost hunting again. 

After this little snippet there's not much else we know about the game, other than it's coming to Switch in 2019 and Luigi's Mansion 3 might not be the final title. 

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2
Kirby's Epic Yarn 3DS

  • Coming - 2019

The 2010 Wii game is headed to 3DS and while you'll be getting the same enjoyable title, there'll also be some new abilities to get on board with too.

Picking up items allow you to craft larger yarn balls and you can crank up wind, too. There's a new devilish mode and a bunch of new mini games to jump into.

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3
Bowser and Bowser Jr. 3DS

  • Coming - January 11th 2019

Two games are on their way to 3DS in one tidy package. One features that big ol' boy Bowser and one features his son.

In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, you play as either Mario/Luigi or as Bowser in a battle against a common enemy.

Bowser Jr.'s Journey heads off on his own adventure to find his own remedy for the Blorps and makes a bit of a mess of things in the meantime. Bowser Jr. has to make amends, build up his own army of allies, and battle against a bunch of foes.

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4
Luigi's Mansion 3DS

  • Coming - October 12th

Yep, while the new game's on its way to Nintendo Switch, the original is on the way to 3DS and this time with a two-player mode. Amiibos can be used with a variety of effects in Dr. E. Gadd's Lab, which is pretty neat.

If both you and your friend own the game, you can play together with one of you rocking an even-greener Luigi character. Though, if only one of you has the game you can still fight boss battles together.

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5
Yo-Kai Watch Blasters update

  • Coming - September 27th 2018

Though the game's available to play now, you've got more downloadable content on the way. 

At the moment you've got Red Cat Corps and the White Dog Squad, but with the free software update later this month you'll also see Moon Rabbit Crew on the title screen. 

This'll bring you new bonuses for linking save data between Red Cat Corps and White Dog Squad, plus new missions, new areas, new friends, and new big bosses. 

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6
Splatoon 2 update

A new trailer for Splatoon 2's Version 4 update shows off new gear added to the game last night. The Kensa Collection boasts stylish black and white versions of familiar weapons. 

Splatfests are getting a tweak, splitting into two categories: Normal and Pro. The trailer also shows off a few upcoming points, like a new weapons, ink grenades (of some sort), changes to Turf War, and what looks like a new arena. 

You can read the full patch notes on Ver. 4 here

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7
Mega Man 11

  • Coming - October 2nd 2018

Though we already knew quite a bit about Mega Man 11, it's cool to see it in action AND there's a demo available right now. 

If you've got Mega Man amiibos, hang on to them 'cos they're going to be handy. Use them once a day to get Energy Tanks and other handy in-game items. 

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8
Mario Tennis Aces update

  • Coming - September 19th

There are more faces joining the roster in this upcoming update, including Birdo, Shy Guy, Koopa Paratroopa, and Petey Piranha. It doesn't look like you can grab these guys unless you play online, and there are more characters coming next June. 

New mode, Co-op Challenge, lets you take part in co-op missions only available for a limited time. If you complete the missions, you'll get special rewards.  

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9
Capcom Beat 'em Up Bundle

  • Coming - September 18th

Cast your mind back and you might remember those awesome arcade action games Capcom released. Well, they're on their way back with bells on. 

Final Fight, The King of Dragons, Captain Commando, Knights of the Round, and Warriors of Fate are the first returning. You'll also get Armored Warriors and Battle Circuits for the first time on console. 

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10
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

  • Coming - January 11th 2019

Phew, it's been out on Wii U before, but this version of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe looks like the best yet. 

Featuring Luigi, Mario, Toad, and now Nabbit and Toadette. These two new characters each have their own set of skills to add to the fray, from enemy immunity to mega jumps and glides. 

Read even more details about it right here

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11
Katamari Damacy

  • Coming - Winter 2018

After the King of All Cosmos accidentally wrecked all stars in the universe, it's your job as Prince to right the wrongs dear ol' dad has done. 

Roll up everything into a ball until it's big enough to become a beautiful star and enjoy new gyro controls, HD Rumble, and multiplayer battles. 

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12
Nintendo Switch Online

  • Coming - September 18th 2018

Nintendo Switch Online has been a concern for a little while, but we've gotten to grips with most of the details so far. You'll need a membership to play online with other people, that's a given, and you'll need it for Cloud Data saves. 

The NES will essentially be Nintendo's Virtual Console, bringing old-school Ninty games to the platform constantly. NES games will be available to play in local co-op and online. 

Though the smartphone app looks a little fresher, and probably won't be as useless after it properly launches, I still stand by the fact I'd never in a million years use it. 

Finally, members will receive special offers which'll be revealed in the future. For prices, check out the image below. 

Oh, and just for funsies Ninty's making NES-style Joy-Cons for NES games. These rock in at $59.99 for two. 

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13
Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee

  • Coming - November 16th 2018

To be honest, I covered a good chunk of this information earlier this week when Ninty revealed the awesome Pokemon-themed dock and console. Check that out right here

The long and the short of it is that you really want to make pals with your Partner Pokemon. They can help you clear paths, use their Special Techniques, and change their hairstyle with lots of petting. 

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14
Diablo III: Eternal Collection

  • Coming: November 2nd 2018

We've been waiting for this dark fantasy adventure for quite some time. Though we knew it was coming, it's cool to see it all in action and to learn it's up for pre-order right now

Explore everything from the heavens to the darkest pits of Hell, play as a variety of different classes, and join up with up to three other friends for online play or in local co-op. 

Exclusive to Nintendo Switch, you can prance about in Transmog armour rocked by Ganondorf. And you can summon a huge selection of enemies by using amiibos. 

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15
Super Mario Party

  • Coming - October 5th 2018

We saw some of the newest gameplay streamed a couple of weeks back, but yesterday we got a good look at some of the new mini games and the series' first four-player co-op game, River Survival. 

Apparently all mini games are brand new and there's a single-player mode, an online challenge mode, and more. 

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16
Town

  • Coming - 2019

Thought Town is its working title, this is a brand-new RPG set in a small village. 

After monsters invade the village it's up to you, with the help of other villagers, to take them down using tactical combat. There's not much more to go on, but we'll see what it's all about next year. 

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17
Cities: Skyline

  • Available - Right now!

As one of the finest city building sims on the market, the Nintendo Switch version includes the main game plus its two DLCs, Snowfall and After Dark. 

We covered this one independently, so definitely check out juicier information right here

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18
Daemon X Machina

  • Coming - 2019

After the moon falls, the world and all those living on it are in serious trouble. Pilot a power suit, get after rogue AI, and collect all sorts of parts for your own use. 

Equip your Arsenal with a bunch of different weapons and tailor it to the oncoming battle. Once in motion, you can hop out and explore the territory on-foot and upgrade your human form to make him stronger and less squishy. 

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19
Yoshi's Crafted World

  • Coming - Spring 2019

Just when you thought Yoshi couldn't get more adorable, Yoshi's Crafted World looks like it's been built out of everything. Cardboard boxes, clue, pipe cleaners, tin cans, and whatever else
make up this charming adventure. 

If it looks familiar, that's because it looks to be an updated version of the originally-titled Yoshi, delayed to 2019. Finally it's got a name and some new gameplay. 

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20
Asmodee Digital

  • Coming - December 2018, April 2019, March 2019

We knew that Asmodee was starting to bring its numerous titles over to Nintendo Switch, but now we know how many so far. 

Carcassonne, Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game, and Pandemic are three starting points. Catan Universe and Munchkin are also on the way, but I've no doubt we'll see more. 

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21
Civilization VI

  • Coming - November 16th 2018

Lead your people from the Stone Age through to the age of technology, wage war, be a little diplomatic when the occasion calls for it, and enjoy the newer features on offer.

By investing time and energy into technology and culture you'll unlock new potential, compete against historical leaders' own agendas, and shoot for one of five ways to dominate the game.

This Switch version has exclusive four-player local multiplayer.

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22
Starlink: Battle for Atlas

  • Coming - October 16th 2018

As announced back at E3 earlier this year, Fox McCloud is hopping in for some serious action in Starlink when it launches. 

Peppy, Falco, and Slippy will also be providing backup in the new Switch-exclusive missions. Plus, given that little snippet at the end, it looks like Star Wolf will be making an appearance. 

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23
The World Ends with You / Torna - The Golden Country

I'm just throwing these two in together since that's how it went down during the presentation. The World Ends with You is an RPG classic in which Neku and his partner have to fight for their lives in a game of life and death. Available October 12th 2018. 

Torna - The Golden Country will be an all new story within the game. In it you'll guide a group of legendary warrior through a tale of tragedy set 500 years before Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Available September 21st 2018.

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24
More Switch games coming in 2018

As has been done in the past couple of presentation, Nintendo rolled a quick reel of all the games yet to come this year. 

  • Warframe - November 20th
  • Just Dance 2019 - October 23rd
  • FIFA 19 - September 28th
  • Team Sonic Racing - Winter 2018
  • NBA 2K19 - Available now
  • NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 - Fall 2018
  • LEGO DC Super-Villains - October 16th

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25
Final Fantasy (a LOT of them)

Unsurprisingly, when Final Fantasy was announced last night it took up a lot of space in Nintendo's Direct. Not because there was a lot to say, but because there's more than one game coming. 

The majority of these are launching in 2019, but you can pick up Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD on Switch right now.  

  • FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition
  • Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD
  • World of Final Fantasy Maxima
  • Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age
  • Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon EVERY BUDDY!
  • Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X | Final Fantasy X2 HD Remaster

Don't worry, we've covered this all in more detail in a full article. You can check that out right here

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26
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Bundle

  • Coming - November 2nd 

While there wasn't much to talk about with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate this time around, we did learn about the upcoming Bundle. 

Like Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu!/Eevee!, the dock and Joy Cons are getting a makeover, but instead of having the game already installed you'll get a download code for it. 

Oh, and Isabelle (from Animal Crossing) is getting out some anger as a new Smash contestant. You go, girl. 


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27
Animal Crossing

  • Coming - 2019

Speaking of Animal Crossing, Ninty pulled off a deception of the greatest level as it got fans hopes up about an Animal Crossing game, only to reveal Isabelle was off to Smash...

But then made fans freak out with a "ha-ha, ALSO HERE'S A NEW GAME". Tom Nook, you sly ol' thing. 

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Emily Sowden
Emily Sowden
Emily is Pocket Gamer's News Editor and writes about all kinds of game-related things. She needs coffee to function and begrudgingly loves her Switch more than she lets on.