During its latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced that the Super Smash Bros. franchise is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch this year. The video also showcased more than a dozen upcoming games for both the Nintendo Switch console and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, with many of the featured games coming from third-party developers.
Below are some of the popular announcements from Nintendo Direct.
Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros.
The Super Smash Bros. series is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2018. The teaser trailer featured recognisable faces like Mario, Link and Inklings from the Splatoon series.
New Single-Player Expansion Coming to Splatoon 2
The first paid DLC is coming to Splatoon 2 this winter. Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion adds a hefty new single-player mode that lets players play as new character Agent 8, an Octoling without memories. The new single-player campaign features 80 missions, as well as new stories that shed new light on beloved characters. Players that complete the Octo Expansion campaign will unlock the ability to play as Octolings in multiplayer battles. Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion launches this winter, and players can purchase the Octo Expansion pass starting today in Nintendo eShop for AU$30 / NZ$33 to immediately receive Octo-themed in-game gear to use in battle right away.
Mario Tennis Aces
Unleash an arsenal of shots and strategies in all-out tennis battles with friends, family and fan-favourite Mushroom Kingdom characters. With up to four-player local (additional accessories required; sold separately) and online* multiplayer, and a story mode that even includes creative boss battles, Mario Tennis Aces is one of the most robust Mario sports games yet.
The intuitive and deep gameplay allows for exciting competitions in the living room or, really, anywhere using the power of Nintendo Switch. In Swing Mode, players can use their Joy-Con controllers like a tennis racket, swinging them to replicate the tennis swings in the game. Mario Tennis Aces launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on 22nd June with a suggested retail price of AU$79.95.
Mario Tennis Aces Pre-Launch Online Tournament
More details will be revealed in the future, but a free Mario Tennis Aces demo is coming soon. For a limited time, players will be able to try out online* tournament matches in the game before it launches. To participate, players just have to download the demo in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch when it is released in the future.
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby is coming to Nintendo Switch for the first time next week! As players make their way through the robust adventure, they will reach dream palaces where fan-favourite legacy characters can become Kirby’s Dream Friends. Eventually, more Dream Friends will be added to the game through free updates. The first such update hits 28th March, and adds classic characters Marx and Gooey and character set “Rick & Kine & Coo” to the game. Kirby Star Allies launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on 16th March with a suggested retail price of AU$79.95. A free demo for the game is currently available in Nintendo eShop.
Crash Bandicoot Crashes Nintendo Switch
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which includes remastered versions of the first three Crash Bandicoot games, launches for Nintendo Switch on 10th July.
Okami HD
The gorgeous and ethereal remake of classic action-adventure game Okami is coming to Nintendo Switch. In the Nintendo Switch version of the game, players can use the touch screen in Handheld Mode or the Joy-Con motion controls in TV or Tabletop Mode to control the Celestial Brush to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Okami HD launches for Nintendo Switch in Nintendo eShop this winter.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
The South Park gang is back in an outrageously-offensive superhero RPG adventure, and with Nintendo Switch you can now drop into South Park anytime, anywhere. In addition to the main game, all of the game’s add-on content will be available for purchase. South Park: The Fractured But Whole launches for Nintendo Switch on 24th April.
Dark Souls: Remastered
The remake of the genre-defining and beloved original Dark Souls game launches for Nintendo Switch on 25th May with a suggested retail price of AU$59.95. On the same day, a limited quantity of an amiibo figure based on Solaire of Astora will be released exclusively on the Official Nintendo AU/NZ eBay Store.
By tapping this amiibo, the popular “Praise the Sun” gesture can be used with reckless abandon from the start of the game. (The gesture can also be obtained through regular gameplay.) Players who want to take the game for a spin can participate in a “network test.” The free network test launches in Nintendo eShop, and will allow players to download and play a part of Dark Souls: Remastered before it launches to try out the gameplay and unique online features. More details about the network test will be revealed soon.
Undertale
The million-selling role-playing game where nobody has to die is headed to Nintendo Switch! Launch details will arrive at a later date.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
The definitive edition of Hyrule Warriors brings together dozens of characters from The Legend of Zelda series in an over-the-top action game. The game launches for Nintendo Switch on 18th May with a suggested retail price of AU$79.95.
Nintendo 3DS
Luigi’s Mansion
The original Luigi’s Mansion, which was a launch game for the Nintendo GameCube console in 2002, is coming to Nintendo 3DS. This remake has an updated look and new features, like a map that displays on the bottom screen and a boss rush mode. Luigi’s Mansion launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems this year.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
Similar to last year’s Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions, this new Nintendo 3DS game is a remake of a classic Mario & Luigi action RPG adventure. This time, fans can replay (or play for the first time) Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, one of the most critically acclaimed games in the Mario & Luigi series, with new graphics and a new mode that tells the behind-the-scenes story of Bowser Jr. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in 2019.
Detective Pikachu
Starting today, this new detective adventure game starring self-proclaimed “great detective” Pikachu is available for pre-purchase on Nintendo eShop. The game, as well as an extra-large Detective Pikachu amiibo figure, launches on 24th March with a suggested retail price of AU$59.95 (amiibo sold separately). (Game playable in 2D only.)