After the unfortunate passing of
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata nearly two years ago Nintendo Directs
have become quite the rarity. And while the Nintendo Switch event was
held in similar spirit, the formal atmosphere couldn't match the
carefree fun the Directs often had.
If you missed the Directs as much as I
did, I have good news for you. Tonight we got treated to another
Nintendo Direct, focusing on ARMS and Splatoon 2. Two of the biggest
upcoming titles for Nintendos new console. But of course other titles
were also mentioned.
So was this a good Direct? First take a
look for yourself.
It was tightly packed and eventful,
that is for sure, but let us start at the beginning. So after the
Nintendo Switch event it seems Yoshiaki Koizumi is going to be the
new, permanent host. And while he hasn't reached Satoru Iwatas level
of charisma yet, I'm positive that he will grow into the role.
Overall his presentation was a little bit stiff at times. Still
overall I found the Direct rather charming and well done.
But, and this can't be denied, the
whole presentation felt rather rushed. Apart from Splatoon 2 and ARMS
no game got much more than a minute of screen time. Also there
weren't any meaningful announcement, but more on that later. For now
let us focus on the information that we were given.
We started of with a slew of 3DS
titles, but really now meaningful information on any of them. Granted
it were all games we had seen before, but still it felt really
rushed. The information we got, apart from a very basic overview on
the games, were mostly release dates. Still I find it reassuring that
Nintendo still supports their six year old handheld. This reinforces
their stand on the Switch being a true Home Console and not some sort
of hybrid, which replaces the Wii-U and the 3DS.
And the titles coming to the handheld
system aren't bad either. Ever Oasis and Monster Hunter Stories have
me interested the most, but there seems to be something to enjoy for
everybody. And the Pikmin game, which is now called Hey! Pikmin looks
really good. It is a big departure from the main series, but as a
Spin-off the 2D Side-Scrolling approach could really work.
But something that has become painfully
clear is that Handheld game development is now entirely a Japanese
Club. There has been no game announcement from a Western Studio for
the 3DS. Not even from an Indie Studio. While the handheld market has
always been eastern dominated it is a shame to see that the West
seems to focus solely on Mobile Games nowadays.
Still I think most of us are fine with
mostly Japanese games for the 3DS. And like I said earlier there is a
wide array of different games and genres coming this year, so we have
lots too look forward to. So far Nintendo does an excellent job in
keeping the 3DS alive and I hope they will keep it that way for at
least a year.
List of 3DS releases:
- Hey! Pikmin: 28th July 2017
- Ever Oasis: 23rd June 2017
- Monster Hunter Stories: Fall 2017
- YO-KAI Watch 2 Psychic Specters: Fall 2017
- Culdcept Revolt: 29th August 2017
- RPG Maker Fes: 27th June 2017
- Miitopia: 2017
- Fire Emblem Echoes DLC: 2017
- New Kirby Multiplayer Game: Holiday 2017
But of course the 3DS wasn't the only
focus of this Direct. There will be also new Amiibos. First up the
already speculated new Zelda Amiibos finally got confirmed. On 23rd
June Kid Link from Majoras Mask, Link from Skyward Sword and Link
from Twilight Princess will come to stores. The Data Mined Skywards
Sword and Fierce Deity Outfits from Breath of the Wild already
revealed that these Amiibo were in the making, but now we finally
have a release date.
But that's not all .Because soon we'll
all be able to hold Bayonetta in our hands. Yes that's right. On 21st
July 2017 the final three Amiibos from the Smash Bros. Series,
including our favorite Witch will launch.
And now let us get to the main event.
Even with only a hand full of games the
Nintendo Switch launch has been a huge success. But, and this has to
be said, launching with on of the best games in history (Breath of
the Wild) won't be enough to sustain a long term success, if there
isn't a steady support of other games. And in this regard I'm not
fully behind the Switch yet. On 28th April we'll get the
definitive version of Mario Kart 8 with Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, but
apart from that there is no truly big title coming till e3. At least
fans of Japanese games can get the Switch without any worries.
While the support of Western developers
is still in the air somehow it seems their Japanese colleges are
fully behind Nintendos newest console.
But as for now, except from Sonic
Forces, there is no big third party title announced for the Switch.
Still if you missed out on the Wii-U the Swich is worth a purchase.
But were the 3rd Party
developers dropped the ball (till now) Nintendo luckily is ready to
pick it up. While the Wii-U suffered a long drought of games after
it's launch this time it seems they have a slew of titles ready to
launch overt he coming months.
Just like with Splatoon when it was
first unveiled, ARMS looks better and better with each showing. It
seems they truly have packed the game full with great Multiplayer
content. The short presentation of a fight between Spring Man and new
Character Min Min really showcased the intense and quick fun this
game will (hopefully) provide. I'm still unsure if ARMS is going to
be the next big thing, but it seems like a solid multiplayer title
which will be loads of fun with your friends.
ARMS launches on 16th June
2017.
And only one month later we will be
treated to the first true highlight of the Switches post launch
line-up. Splatoon 2. As we all know the first game was a blowout
success, especially in Japan where it even managed to outsell Final
Fantasy 15 and Mario Kart 8. So of course the announcement of
Splatoon 2 created a lot of buzz. After the original Splatoon was
Nintendos first attempt at a Multiplayer Shooter Splatoon 2 now
builds and expands on this basis. New Weapons, New Equipment and new
Game modes.
If you're a Sony or Microsoft Gamer
you're probably familiar with Horde Modes. They are quite popular in
games like Gears of War or Call of Duty after all. Well now Nintendo
only games can join the fun in Splatoon 2. The goal of this mode is
to defend and survive against Waves of Enemies, who continuously grow
stronger. It's a simple premise but with the right team of friends
it's nearly endless fun.
The Nintendo Switch will get it's next
System Seller on 21st July 2017 when Splatoon 2 launches.
List of Switch releases:
- ARMS: 16th June 2017
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 28th April 2017
- Ultra Street Fighter 2 The Final Challengers: 26th May 2017
- Minecraft: 11th May 2017
- Sonic Forces: Holiday 2017
- Sonic Mania: Summer 2017
- Project Mekuru (Working Title): Summer 2017
- Fate/Extella: 25th July 2017
- Disgaea 5 Complete: 23th May 2017
- Monopoly: Fall 2017
- Rayman Legends Definitive Edition: 2017
- Sine Mora EX: Summer 2017
- Battle Chasers Nightwar: (Late) Summer 2017
- Payday 2: 2017
- Namco Museum: Summer 2017
- Splatoon 2: 21st July 2017
Verdict:
Was it a good Nintendo Direct? Well it
was serviceable. Two months before e3 2017 I didn't expect a slew of
unannounced games. Still with no announcement at all this only
furthered my expectaions for Nintendos e3 presence this year. Only
focusing on games we already know won't be enough. The Nintendo
Switch needs to keep it's momentum and for this it needs the Hype of
big announcements.
In regards to the Switch the Direct did
it's job, but also reinforced the fear of the console being a
Nintendo only machine once more. At least the support from Japanese
developers seems to be a given, but even there the big titles are
missing so far. All we get in the upcoming months are Indie and Retro
titles. For the start this is enough, especially with Breath of the
Wild keeping everyone busy, but in the long run the Switch needs to
secure a steady supply of high profile titles to avoid the fate of
the Wii-U.
But the Direct wasn't only doom and
gloom. Because the first part, focusing on the 3DS, was really great,
but also really rushed. It reinforced Nintenods statement that the
Switch won't replace their dedicated Handheld. Instead they are
focusing quite the resources into creating a lot of good games. Once
again it is very Japanese focused content, but it is hardly Nintendos
fault that most Western Studios nowadays associate mobile gaming with
Phones and Tablets.
Overall it was a good Direct without
any surprises or major upsets. The continued support of the 3DS is
great and I withhold my judgement about the Switch until we have a
clearer picture. Hopefully this will be the case after this years e3.
What are your thoughts on this Direct?
Let me know in the comments.
And as always
thanks for reading
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