Latest Nintendo Direct brings more Mario, Fire Emblem, plus other new games

Ana Gonzalez, Head Editor
February 14, 2019

Gamers, time to throw your wallet at Nintendo once again; as they have announced brand new games as well as upcoming titles coming to the Nintendo Switch later this year.

Yoshiaki Koizumi, Deputy General Manager of Nintendo, anchored the 36-minute-long Direct. It was Nintendo’s way of broadcasting news on upcoming games, as well as updates directly from game developers, showcased numerous franchises such as Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Fire Emblem. It also featured franchises who are new to Nintendo.

One game Koizumi emphasized is the successor to the Wii U and the 3DS versions: Super Mario Maker 2. Finally getting a sequel for the Switch, it will feature new modes and items to use for creating custom Mario levels based on various Super Mario titles. Although said “features” remain mysterious at the moment, players can expect new and creative ways to make unique (and somewhat impossible) levels.

New to the Switch: “Astral Chain” brings action and combat in a cyberpunk setting, brought to you by the same developers of Bayonetta and NiEr: Automata. The game is set for release on August 30, 2019. (Photo: Nintendo)

Not to mention, the title screen had Luigi. Maybe there would be a two-player mode?

One other noteworthy news is that the highly-anticipated game of 2018 is finally getting an update. Super Smash Bros Ultimate will be releasing Version 3.0.

Details regarding the update are unknown at this time, however, a brand new wave of Amiibo figures is set to release throughout 2019. Figures include Pokemon Trainer, Isabelle from Animal Crossing, Snake from Metal Gear Solid, and Simon Belmont from Castlevania.

A new Fire Emblem game will be hitting stores soon. Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which tells a story of a mercenary who gets offered a position to teach at an academy after an unexpected incident. The academy is separated into three houses, representing three landmasses of the Continent of Fodlan.

Back from the dead: “Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening” is remastered for the Switch, 26 years since its prime release on the Game Boy Color. (Photo: Nintendo)

Finally, to seal off the first Direct of the year, Koizumi announced that a 1993 Legend of Zelda game “will be reborn”. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening will have a new home on the Switch with stellar graphics. No word on the exact release date, but it is slated for 2019.

 

Full list of games & game updates featured on Direct:

  • Super Mario Maker 2 – June 2019
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order – Summer 2019
  • Box Boy x Box Girl – April 26, 2019
  • Super Smash Bros Ultimate – Update Version 3.0 coming Spring 2019; Amiibo will be released in waves throughout 2019
  • Captain Toad Treasure Tracker – Free Update: Available Today; DLC: March 14, 2019 (players receive one free course after pre-ordering)
  • Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night – Summer 2019
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 – July 12, 2019
  • Dragon Quest XI – Fall 2019
  • Disney Tsum Tsum Festival – Summer 2019
  • Starlink Battle for Atlas – Spring Update: April 2019
  • Rune Factory 4 – Sometime in 2019; Rune Factory 5 confirmed for development.
  • Oninaki – Summer 2019
  • Yoshi’s Crafted World – March 29, 2019
  • Fire Emblem: Three Houses – July 26, 2019
  • Tetris 99 – Available Now
  • Dead by Daylight – Fall 2019
  • Deltarune – Chapter 1 for free available February 28
  • Daemon X Machina – Demo available for free today
  • GRID Autosport – Summer 2019
  • Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – Spring 2019
  • Mortal Kombat 11 – April 2019
  • Unravel Two – March 22, 2019
  • Assassin’s Creed III – May 23, 2019 along with Liberations
  • Final Fantasy VII [Original] – March 26, 2019
  • Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon EVERY BUDDY – March 20, 2019
  • Final Fantasy XI – Available Now
  • Astral Chain – August 30, 2019
  • Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – 2019