Nintendo just concluded its special E3 Direct stream, its solution to the often costly practice of holding a large physical press conference around the time of the expo.
If you’re just waking up, the stream was, if you’ll excuse the technical term, bananas, and everyone you know is screaming about it on Twitter right now. So let’s dive in.
What We Expected
Super Mario Odyssey
Fans were on the fence after early footage of this 3D Mario game suggested Mario’s chubby, wide-eyed figure trotting alongside full-scale humans, and the actual game is perhaps even weirder. Mario possesses people now, for instance.
It arrives on Switch on October 27th.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild DLC is incoming
As its one major system seller at the moment, it makes sense that Nintendo would want to continue building out the open world adventures of Link and his shark husband even further. The first of these expansions arrives on June 30th. It also includes a Hard Mode.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
As the only thoroughbred JRPG in today’s lineup, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sure hits all the familiar notes. It’s due out during the 2017 holiday season.
This Direct also saw additional details from Reggie Fils-Aime on upcoming tournaments for Nintendo’s growing library of fighting games: Splatoon 2, ARMS, and Pokken Tournament.
What We Might’ve Expected, Had We Thought About It
New Yoshi and Kirby games for the Switch
Nintendo’s reputable first-party pantheon of characters are of course the first port of call whenever it needs to prop up content on a new console. Here’s the heckin’ cute Yoshi trailer:
Pokemon on Switch
To the surprise of no one, the Nintendo Switch will be getting its own collectible critters title. Details are scant and it may not see release for more than a year. Still, Pokemans!
Rocket League on Switch
This staggeringly popular free-to-play game has already made a huge splash on other consoles, so it’s a solid bet for a device that wants to shore up its multiplayer offerings. We can expect Rocket League to land on the Switch sometime this holiday season.
Fire Emblem Warriors story trailer
Man, remember a few years ago when this series was on the verge of cancellation? Now it’s everywhere, like glitter in craft supplies. This fighting game is being developed by Koei Tecmo and is fingered for a third quarter 2017 release.
What We Daren’t Have Dreamed
Yesterday, Willie Clark laid out his own predictions and aspirations for Nintendo’s E3 Direct. Most of his predictions have come true, as you can see in the list above, but this one existed only on the tip of his tongue, for fear that voicing would jinx it. But it’s real!
Metroid Prime 4
Yes, that sound you hear is every grown man you know crying again. It seems to be the season for it.
The Direct also contained info on new series of Amiibo, but the best announcement came after the show, when it was revealed Mario, Peach, and Bowser were getting a series of wedding-themed figures. Poly marriage out of Nintendo! Not what I was expecting when I woke up this morning.
Three new #amiibo figures—Mario, Princess Peach and Bowser in their wedding outfits—will be released at the launch of #SuperMarioOdyssey. pic.twitter.com/0XwVicwVf5
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 13, 2017
We’ll have more Nintendo updates and hands-on impressions for you throughout the week. Stay tuned!
