Nintendo was the final company to showcase its upcoming games at E3. Today, the company released its Direct, focusing on upcoming titles, announcements, and Super Smash Bros. Interestingly, Nintendo had said it would focus on games releasing in 2018. Two games shown in the Direct are releasing in 2019: the new Fire Emblem and a new game featuring mechs. Super Smash Bros. was saved for last, and had the longest reveal.
Without further ado, let's jump into Nintendo's E3 highlights.
DAEMON X MACHINA
The first game Nintendo showed was a new announcement: DAEMON X MACHINA. The trailer showcased mech battles, reminiscent of Gundam. It looks exciting, but beyond the battles against small and giant robots, there isn't much information on this game. The developer is Marvelous Entertainment. This company may be best known for developing many Harvest Moon games. The producer is Kenichiro Tsukuda, whom interestingly enough produced Armored Core 2, another mech game.
DAEMON X MACHINA is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2019.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 DLC - "Torna ~ The Golden Country"
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is getting a DLC expansion. According to Nintendo, "Guide a group of legendary warriors on a journey through the tragic history that doomed a kingdom and drove a hero down a dark path 500 years before the events of Xenoblade Chronicles 2." Because this is taking place in the past, you probably won't see Rex or the protagonists of the main story. Instead, this DLC story is a prequel.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country will be available on September 14th Players can purchase the Expansion Pass now, which will include The Golden Country upon release. Interestingly, there will also be a physical packaged version of The Golden Country, to be released a week later on September 21st.
Super Mario Party
The Mario Party series is back. Nintendo will be releasing the first Mario Party installment on Switch, titled "Super Mario Party." The trailer showcases the traditional board play - it looks like the car mechanic seen in Mario Party 9 and 10 is gone. New minigames are shown, taking advantage of the Joy-Cons. Interestingly, the trailer showcases the unique ability to combine two Switches. According to Nintendo, "You can also pair up two Nintendo Switch systems and delight in this dynamic play style, such as in the new Toad’s Rec Room mode." There appears to be a lot to anticipate from the latest Party game.
Super Mario Party will be released on October 5th.
Fire Emblem Three Houses
The Fire Emblem game for Switch now has a title: Three Houses. This isn't the first Fire Emblem game for Switch (Fire Emblem Warriors released last year), but it is the first traditional Fire Emblem game on the console. Nintendo promises "a new story and characters." Indeed, the trailer features a new cast, and what looks to be another story of epic proportions. The trailer features the signature strategy-based gameplay, and incredible looking anime cutscenes.
Fire Emblem Three Houses will be released in spring, 2019.
Fortnite For Switch
As many suspected, Fortnite is confirmed for the Switch. What many did not anticipate is that Nintendo has released the popular multiplayer game today for free. That's right, after reading this article you can go to the Switch's eShop and download Fortnite. Epic Games' Nick Chester confirmed that there will be cross-play with Xbox One, PC, Mac, and mobile. (Unfortunately, as with Rocket League and Paladins, it looks like there will not be cross-play with Sony's PlayStation 4.)
Fortnite is waiting to be downloaded on your Switch.
Dragon Ball FighterZ And Other Games Confirmed For Switch
A little while ago, a purported 4chan E3 leak featured a document showing upcoming Switch titles. It looks like the document was proven accurate, because all of the titles on it - Killer Queen Black, Overcooked 2, FIFA 19, Paladins, and Fortnite have been confirmed. Arguably the most anticipated game from that document aside from Fortnite was Dragon Ball FighterZ. Yes, the acclaimed DBZ game is coming to Switch.
Those who have been holding out for a Switch release of FighterZ won't have to wait much longer: the game is coming out this year. Plus, according to Nintendo, the Switch port "also includes its share of exclusive features." What those features are remains to be seen.
Hollow Knight is Coming to Switch
The highly rated side-scrolling PC game, Hollow Knight, has arrived on Switch. The game is available for download now, for $15. According to Nintendo, the Switch's release "includes all of the new items, areas, characters, and bosses from the currently released free content packs;" Also, Nintendo says players will "get access to the final free content pack, Gods and Glory, due later this year."
Hollow Knight is stylized in the classic way, using sprites. Fans of Metroid, and classic 2D games in general, should have something to enjoy here.
Super Smash Bros.: Title, Characters, and More!
Super Smash Bros. was the bulk of the presentation. Many things were said, but we'll get to the core aspects. First, Sakurai confirmed that every character in Super Smash Bros. history will be returning. That's right; Snake, Wolf, Ice Climbers, and even Pichu are coming back. Three newcomers were unveiled: Princess Daisy, (whose moveset will be based off of Peach) Inkling, and the long-awaited Ridley.
The game is titled "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate." Many classic stages are returning. Other interesting aspects - including new Final Smashes and alternate costumes (Wedding Mario from Super Mario Odyssey and Builder from Super Mario Maker are here) were announced. Oh, Bomberman is an Assist Trophy. Also, GameCube controllers will be compatible with the game, as well as Amiibo.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is releasing on December 7th. The game's official site is up.
Nintendo certainly didn't disappoint with its E3 announcements. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was definitely the highlight (after all these years, playable Ridley has arrived), but it was also good seeing a promising new Mario Party. In addition, Nintendo confirmed that every Poké Ball Plus accessory for Pokémon: Let's Go will contain a Mew. All in all, there's a lot to look forward to from Nintendo. Plus, Fortnite is available now, making many Switch owners' dreams a reality.