Nintendo Direct 2.17.21 - First Direct in over a year (was it worth the wait?)
What’s goin on everybody, Wav3yGawd here! The first Nintendo Direct in over a year just ended, the announcement on Tuesday alone got everybody hype including me. A lot of games were announced this time around but not a lot of the heavy hitters that the people wanted like Bayonetta 3, Metroid Prime 4, Mario Kart 9 or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 unfortunately. So overall, I thought it was...MEH! Let’s get into the announcements.
The biggest announcement in my opinion came at the beginning of the presentation when they introduced a new DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The next character in the Fighters Pass 2 will be Pyra/Mythra from the hit Japanese RPG Xenoblade Chronicles 2!
The reason why they’re two characters is because Pyra can switch into Mythra similar to Zelda turning into Sheik in Super Smash Bros. Melee so that was a treat to see that only one roster spot will be filled instead of two. She is another sword character but these moves look cool where you get assistance from Rex in her final smash! She will be releasing in March so get ready for that! Another update will be taking place in one of the Switch's biggest selling games of 2020. Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be getting Mario themed items in a free update on February 25th!
Once you download the update, items will be in the store available for purchase on March 1st!
A new installment of the Mario Golf series has a release date of June 25th, it is called Mario Golf Super Rush!
This title will have a new story mode as well as a multiplayer mode called Speed Golf where you can play against your friends where you are literally racing (running) to get the golf ball in the hole first after you tee off!
Splatoon will also be getting another installment, Splatoon 3 was the last announcement at the Direct!
Since it is the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo will be releasing The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword HD on the Nintendo Switch on July 16th.
If you recall, this was a Wii title but Nintendo optimized it to be played on the Switch using either the joy cons or the buttons.
Nintendo announced a lot of other games coming to the Nintendo Switch console, some new IPs and some third party titles, the full list is below.
Games announced at Nintendo Direct 2.17.21
Fall Guys (summer 2021)
Outer Wilds (summer 2021)
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl who Stands Behind (May 14th, Pre Orders are live now)
Samurai Warriors 5 (summer 2021)
Legend of Mana - June 24
Monster Hunter Rise - March 26
Tales from the Borderlands - March 24
Capcom Arcade Stadium - Out now
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse - March 16th
No More Heroes 3 - August 27
Neon White - Winter 2021
DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power - June 14
Plants Vs Zombies: Complete Edition - March 19
Miitopia - May 21
Project Triangle (working title, new tactical fighter, graphics looks similar to Octopath Traveler) - 2022, demo out today
Star Wars Hunters - Takes place between episodes 6 and 7 - Later this year
Knockout City (Dodgeball game) - May 21
World’s End Club - May 29
Hades (Physical release with art book and OST download) - March 19
Ninja Gaiden Master Collection - June 10
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass (Purchase Bonus May 28; Wave 1 June 2021; Wave 2 November 2021)
Bravely Default II - February 26
SaGa Frontier Remastered - April 15
Apex Legends - March 9th (Double XP when you play on the Switch for the first 2 weeks)
I will say that it is the first half of 2021 game releases so I figured Nintendo would want to save all the heavy hitters for later in 2021 or 2022. However, it’s still disappointing to not have seen certain games. You can watch the full Nintendo Direct below as well. What do y’all think of this list?! Until next time, this has been Wav3yGawd, PEACE!