Nintendo Pulls Back the Curtain on Its Best Direct Yet

Dozens of Nintendo Switch games from 1st party publishers and beyond were featured in the expansive virtual event.

In its latest video presentation, Nintendo detailed a wide variety of games coming to their system this year and into 2022. The future is looking bright for the "Big N" with many big reveals that have me extremely excited. The major highlights really had something for everyone from blockbuster debuts, indie darlings and more appearing on Nintendo’s virtual stage.

“At a glance” highlights from the Nintendo Direct

Here are some of the major highlights from the Direct:

• New 1st party titles were announced like Kirby and the Forgotten Land which a new 3D platforming-adventure in the Kirby series. and other major titles like Bayonetta 3, Splatoon 3.

• Paid expansion DLC for MONSTER HUNTER RISE is coming in 2022 and free downloadable content for Mario Golf: Super Rush has arrived!

• A new membership plan for Nintendo Switch Online is coming in October. It will include access to classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games, as well as all the current benefits of the service. I have created a full story dedicated to the Online Expansion Pack here.

• A new lineup of games from Square Enix is on the way like Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, Chocobo GP and TRIANGLE STRATEGY.

• Remakes and collections of nostalgic classics, including the HD remastered Actraiser Renaissance, Shadowrun Trilogy and Castlevania Advance Collection, a compilation featuring classic Castlevania games from the Game Boy Advance and Super NES systems.

The Full Nintendo Direct

If you prefer to watch the event in its entirety, check out the video below, if not continue scrolling for a point-by-point summary of the games announced!

Detailed highlights from the Nintendo Direct

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

The next Kirby game is coming to the Nintendo Switch in a fully 3D adventure. Kirby and the Forgotten Land was announced showing off the new 3D platforming mechanics , open areas and Kirby “copy abilities.” In the trailer Kirby explored a mysterious setting filled with abandoned structures from a past civilization. I’m not exactly sure where is exploring but we’ll find out when Kirby and the Forgotten Land launches for Nintendo Switch in spring 2022.

Bayonetta 3 | Full Trailer

A new trailer for this stylish action-filled sequel showed off gameplay for the first time, revealing a new look for Bayonetta and new mechanics, including the ability for Bayonetta to directly control demons. Bayonetta 3 will launch for Nintendo Switch in 2022.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE: SUNBREAK

Capcom is currently working on a massive, paid DLC expansion for the hit Nintendo Switch game MONSTER HUNTER RISE. The expansion will include newly added stories, locales and monsters, as well as newly added hunting actions and quest rank. MONSTER HUNTER RISE: SUNBREAKis scheduled to be released in summer 2022.

Splatoon 3

The next game in this INK-redible series features new and returning stages in 4-v-4 battles, as well as new weapons never before seen in the Splatoon games. In the game’s single-player campaign, mammals might be returning … but what does this mean? Find out more when additional details about Splatoon 3, which is scheduled to release in 2022, are revealed in the future.

Chocobo GP

Get ready for a new racing experience with some feathered friends! Race as familiar FINAL FANTASY characters like Chocobo and Gilgamesh using special character abilities and Magicites to speed past the competition. Engine customization options will also be available, as well as local* and online** multiplayer. Up to 64 players can compete in a bracket-style tournament to determine the racing champion!

Chocobo GP launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch in 2022.

Triangle Strategy

Square Enix has been working hard to integrate feedback from Triangle Strategy’s demo. Since then, the developers have been updating the game, with a focus on adjustments to the difficulty, as well as improvements to on-screen visuals, camera controls and the ability to view past conversations. The stunning HD-2D Triangle Strategy launches for Nintendo Switch on March 4, 2022.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update Incoming

A new free update is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons this November. More details will be revealed in an Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct airing in October. Stay tuned to dappertux.com and follow Isabelle on Twitter for the latest information.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass DLC

On Oct. 29, the second wave of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass content arrives with a newly playable character duo, additional stages and emotional new story sequences. Defend Hyrule as the quirky duo character, Purah & Robbie, and their array of ancient technology. See how places like the Coliseum and Kakariko Village looked 100 years in the past in new story stages. Learn more about the Champions and the mysterious Guardian in emotional new story sequences as the fight for Hyrule’s future continues! Players who purchase the Expansion Pass will also gain access to Wave 1 of the DLC, which is already available.

The Final DLC Fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is…

…going to be revealed soon! Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game, will host a final “Mr. Sakurai Presents” video on Oct. 5 revealing the final DLC fighter.

Mario Party Superstars is coming soon!

Mario Party Superstars launches for Nintendo Switch on Oct. 29! In addition to the main Mario Party mode, which will see the return of several classic boards from the Nintendo 64 era, including Woody Woods, Yoshi’s Tropical Island and Horror Land, Mario Party Superstars will also feature the minigame mode Mt. Minigames, which includes the competitive Survival course and the cooperative multiplayer course Tag Match, among other courses.

Mario Golf: Super Rush DLC: FORE!

More free content is coming to Mario Golf: Super Rush has arrived! Two new playable characters have been added to the game with Koopa Troopa and Ninji! In addition to these characters, two new courses will be added – the snowy Blustery Basin and the desert-set Spiky Palms – as well as the ability to change the difficulty level of the CPU opponents. Download all this new content in Mario Golf: Super Rush starting later today!

STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic

A beloved Star Wars game is coming to Nintendo Switch! Blast off to different planets and join forces with Jedi, droids and outcasts in this blend of action, role-playing and adventure. STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic launches for Nintendo Switch on Nov. 11, 2021.

Castlevania Advance Collection

Castlevania Advance Collection brings together four classic Castlevania games – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dracula X – with deathly beautiful graphics and hauntingly epic music. Rewind, Quick Save and Button Mapping features will also ramp up the fight against evil. All regional versions of each game, as well as a gallery mode with never-before-seen artwork, are included. Castlevania Advance Collection now available on the Nintendo Switch!

Hot Wheels Unleashed Coming Soon!

In a game that looks to be the perfect companion on the Nintendo Switch, Hot Wheels Unleashed is racing to a Switch near you! Racers can drift, boost, jump, and crash on the iconic orange tracks all in stunning detail.

The game features unique single player and multiplayer modes, including the Hot Wheels City Rumble - in which players must win races, time attacks, complete special challenges, and defeat bosses to expand their collection with unique cars and track pieces. The lineup includes 60+ cars with iconic rides like the Boneshaker, Rodger Dodger and Twin Mill. I'll catch you on the loop-de-loop on September 27th, 2021!

There you have it, dozens of reveals and updates on some of Nintendo’s hottest IP. What was your favourite part of the Nintendo Direct? Let me know in the comments below!