Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Nintendo Direct April 12, 2017 - 3DS vs Switch!

It has been a little over a month since the Nintendo Switch has launched.  We're now seeing more news about the up and coming Switch titles as well as a pleasant medley of titles arriving on the 3DS later this year.  Will 2017 keep the "Threeds" relevant or will the Switch dominate the Nintendo market?  Nintendo split the Direct up into a few parts.  Let's watch:


LOTS of good stuff coming out for the good ol' Threeds.  Here's a breakdown:

  •  The anticipated Pikmin 3DS game, Hey! Pikmin!
    • First 2D platformer Pikmin title
    • ADORABLE Pikmin Amiibo!
    • Both available July 28th, 2017
  • Ever Oasis for the 3DS will launch June 23rd, 2017
  • Monster Hunter Stories for the 3DS (Fall 2017)
  • More Yo-Kai Watch 2 with Psychic Specters for the 3DS (Fall 2017)
  • Culdcept Revolt for the 3DS - 20th Anniversary in standard and limited editions (August 29th, 2017)
  • RPG Maker Fes lets you make and share RPG stories on your 3DS with Disgaea flavors
    • A free demo "Maker Player" will be available
    •  Standard and Limited editions launch June 27th, 2017
  • Miitopia - don't forget your Miis!  This "RPMii" launches for the 3DS (TBA 2017)
  • Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia for the 3DS 
    • Will include free and paid DLC (in packs or season pass)
    •  Release TBA
  • The end of the 25th Anniversary of Kirby and lots of goodies coming to the 3DS
    • Team Kirby Clash Deluxe - a four player Kirby co-op and a "Free-to-Start" is available TODAY!
    •  Kirby's Blowout Blast (Summer 2017) (3DS eShop exclusive)
    • And a SECRET SECRET "New Multiplayer Action Game" that we know NOTHING about will be available soon? (Holiday 2017)
  • The end of the Boxboy line
    • Bye-Bye Boxboy the final entry in the series (Available TODAY!) (3DS eShop exclusive)
    • Play with the new Cubabies with four new powers!
    • Dress up your box with Amiibo costumes!
  • Finally seeing the BotW hacker-spoiled three additional Zelda Amiibo!
    • Young Link (Majora's Mask)
    • Link (Twilight Princess)
    • Link (Skyward Sword)
    • Available June 23rd, 2017 
  • The final Super Smash Brothers DLC Amiibos coming soon!
    • Cloud
    • Corinne
    • Bayonetta 
    • Available July 21st, 2017
    • Watch out, collectors, each one with have TWO variants (variants limited to select retailers)

We then get a better look at Nintendo's latest IP: Arms
  • Attacks are not limited to just punches, you can kick!  WOW!
  • A quick look at the characters - dibs on the Noodle Girl, Minmin
  • You can mix-and-match arms for varied combat styles
  • Special attacks from charging your arms

And then...
LOTS of news in this Switch Direct.  Here's the goods:
  •  Another look at the remake of Mario Kart 8, known as "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" for the Switch
    • All previous DLC included plus more characters
    • New multiplayer games 
    • Launch Date April 28th, 2017
  • Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers for the Switch
    • Evil Ryu and Violent Ken join the roster
    • Throw your own Hadouken with the joycons!
    • Launch Date May 26th, 2017
  • Minecraft is coming to the Switch
    • Up to 8 crafters can play together online while up to 4 players can play together locally
    • The Super Mario Mashup Pack will be included, of course 
    • Launches May 11th, 2017 (eShop only) (Physical copies TBA)
  • The Neogeo Arcade Archives coming to the Switch
    • Fatal Fury (TBA)
    • Over Top (TBA)
    • Blazing Star (TBA)
    • Garou: Mark of the Wolves (TBA)
    • Samurai Showdown IV Amakusa's Revenge (Available April 13th, 2017)
    • King of Fighters '99 (TBA)
    • Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors (TBA)
    • Shock Troopers 2nd Squad (TBA)
  • Sonic Forces (Holiday 2017) and Sonic Mania (Summer 2017) arriving soon to the Switch
  • Project Merkuru (Working Title) (which looks like a new take on Bomberman with butt-slamming titles) will be an eShop exclusive for the Switch (Summer 2017)
  • Fate/Extella launches for the Switch on July 25th, 2017
  • Disgaea 5 Complete will have  standard and limited editions launching on the Switch on May 23rd, 2017
 Who do I have to thank for the dialogue box censorship?  Seriously, thank you.
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris coming soon to the Switch
    • 4 Players can compete
    •  Demo launches today!
  •  Take Monopoly with you on the road with the Switch for up to 6 players! (Fall 2017)
  • Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition with Solo and Tournament Modes (exclusive for the Switch) (TBA 2017)
  • Sine Mora EX (Summer 2017) & Battle Chasers: Nightwar (Late Summer 2017) for the Switch
  • Adultier games like Payday 2 coming to the Switch (TBA 2017)
  • Namco Museum making an appearance on the Switch (Summer 2017)
    • Pac Man
    • Galaga
    • Splatterhouse
    • Rolling Thunder
    • Sky Kid
    • Tank Force
    • Dig Dug
    • The Tower of Druaga
  • Nintendo will be selling stand-alone Switch docks... (Available May 19th, 2017)
  • Splat competitions still strong for the WiiU!
    • Compete in the Splatoon U.S. Inkling Open for your chance to win a trip to E3 2017!!!
    • Open Qualifiers: April 22nd, 2017
    • Grand Finals: April 29th, 2017

After watching an awkward, 80s-esque work training video, we wrap the Direct up with a better look at Splatoon 2 for the Switch (totally missed the opportunity to call it SplaTWOn.  ...oh well.)
  • Salmon Run 
    • A team based shooter (similar to a man vs zombies mode) with up to 4 players
    • Kill those salmon!!!
    • Collect the power eggs!  And special GOLDEN EGGS! Ooooo!
  •  New Splatoon 2 Series Amiibo with super original names arriving
    • Inkling Girl (short hair)
    • Inkling Boy (spiked hair)
    • Inkling Squid (purple)
  • Launches  July 21st, 2017