It's been ages since I've posted about a Nintendo Direct · 1:51am Feb 10th, 2022
Honey crud.
This Nintendo Direct gave a rush of excitement that only people can feel during an E3 conference. So many worthy announcements, big gaming returns, and overall, I seriously need to already buy a Nintendo Switch. This was a pure blast to watch. So, what did caught my attention?
◉ Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
I don't really mind this addition to Fire Emblem. To me, it's a pretty harmless announcement. Will I own it? I dunno, what new stuff they will add to the story of Three Houses? Other than that, good. Little did I know things were going to get much, much better...
◉ Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp - More Info
This was already announced a while back, and I'm liking what they introduced into the trailer. Small stuff to me, but still welcoming, namely the addition to voice acting. Not to mention, the release date was given away: April 8 of 2022. Yeah... Gotta pick this up, since the original versions were developed by the same team behind the Fire Emblem games.
◉ Mario Strikers: Battle League
Yikes, this is the first mind blown announcement of today's Direct, since it's been a LONG TIME since the last Mario Strikers game was released on the Wii. I guess since Mario Tennis and Mario Golf were brought back with gusto on the Switch, makes sense that they would then bring Mario Strikers back. Not hardcore as Charged, but hey, still nice.
And would you look at that... Now your teams won't consist of only Toads, Hammer Bros, Koopa Troopas, etc. Now you can put Mario and Luigi on the same team, and we are going to have a Customization Mode to change the stats of the characters. My only drawback? I want to know who they're gonna put in the game. I want a big roster with many recognizable Mario stars, past and present.
◉ Splatoon 3 - Co-Op Mode Revealed
Another game that has been around for a while, and this time, they focused more on the Co-Op mode of Salmon Run. Eh, when it comes to shooters, I'm more of a lone wolf. In other words, I'm more into the Main Campaign than the Multiplayer. Still, I've been wanted to get into Splatoon since Chuggaconroy started playing the first game. Who knows? I may end up getting inversed into the Multiplayer as I do with Fighting Games.
◉ Front Mission 1st
And this was quite the surprise. The first Front Mission game was a Japan only release for the Super Famicom, developed by SquareSoft. I'm very picky about my choices of games, since while I like Fire Emblem which is a Strategy RPG, it doesn't mean I'm going to like all Strategy RPGs. It's about tastes, and I wasn't sure about trying the Front Mission games.
Maybe this remake will change my mind. Maybe, there's still some rough around the edges, such as the presentation. Overall, it does look nice. Let's just hope it doesn't hits the players with too many overpowered enemies and bosess to overcome to the point of feeling like a Kaizo Trap. Speaking here from my experience on Octopath Traveler... Not a pleasant one.
Please, let this game and the sequel be good.
◉ SD Gundam Battle Alliance
A huge, HUGE shoutout to The Bricklayer and Gundamexia for bringing me into the world of Gundam. Anyways, a Gundam game where we get the SD incarnations in a pure unadulterated Hack n' Slash experience? I don't mind! Let's Switch that one on, and just relax and play. Yeah, we need more Gundam games like this. Just something harmlessly fun, what do you say, guys?
◉ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - New Abilities and Gameplay Showcased
Another huge announcement that has been around for a while. Kirby is going for the first time into the 3D realm, and today's trailer just gave me a lot of reasons to stay in the hype train. First off, the new Transformations. Of course, Kirby is bound to have new Transformations in a new game, but Forgotten Land introduces the Mouthful Mode. Now Kirby can swallow a car and rush through hordes of enemies!
Not just a car, but also a soda machine to launch cans like a machine gun, a cone to pierce the ground, a scissor-lift to... Lift into higher parts of a stage, and many more. Probably the biggest adition to me, the Copy Abilities can now Evolve. Forgotten Land will introduce the Weapons Shop where a Waddle Dee can take your Copy Abilities and upgrade them into more powerful versions with new techniques included.
Cutter becomes Chakram Cutter, Fire becomes Volcano Fire, Sword becomes Giant Sword, Ice can become Frosty Ice, and so on. By the way, they also announced these Evolutions have a Final Form. The Final Form of Fire for example is Dragon Fire, allowing Kirby to gain the ability to fly with fiery wings. I'm unshamed to admit, this I find so flipping cool, and welcome this with open arms.
With the series going 3D, it surely needs many Collectables to satisfy my 100% completition tastes, something that the Kirby games have gained since Kirby's Adventure for the NES. Nintendo and HAL Laboratory rarely dissapoint, and this definately goes to my list of Switch games to own.
◉ Kingdom Hearts: Integrum Collection
First off, with Sora being present in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now I feel the need to own Kingdom Hearts games for Nintendo consoles. In this case, the Switch. Normally I would welcome this collection, which I really do like this addition to the Switch, but I'm not sure about the use of Cloud Gaming in the Switch (not to be confused with a spiky haired giant sword wielder). Will it run nicely, or it will lag a lot?
I want this collection to get a physical release instead. Something tells me that's going to happen later, but let's wait and see. I hope Square Enix doesn't drops the ball on this one.
◉ Klonoa: Phantasy Reviere Series (oh, boy...)
Honey crud, this to me is a huge bomb... The second mind blowing announcement, and well deserved! Klonoa deserved a come back, and Namco is going back to the series, remastered even! This shouldn't be left forgotten, this should stay in everyone's minds, that Klonoa is back to the spotlight. Klonoa is an unsung hero in the gaming world, and everyone should take a look at Klonoa's adventures.
100% going to buy this, and treasure it forever. Namco, don't give up on Klonoa, give him a sequel. A big time AAA release, a well deserved one. Wahoo!
◉ Live A Live
The third mind blowing announcement. Of all the games from Square Enix's library, they're bringing back the Japan only Live A Live, originally for the Super Famicom. I may not have played the original version, but sheesh... I love the direction of the remake. I really love the bleend of old school 16-bit sprites into landscapes befitting of current consoles, known as the HD-2D series. Not to mention, many changes in the gameplay that I look forward.
Have I mentioned the premise? 8 different characters, 8 different eras with their own story. Be a cowboy in the Wild West, be a ninja in Feudal Japan, be a caveman in the Stone Age, be a martial artist in the Modern Times, be a robot in a Sci-Fi setting... Quite unique for an JRPG, and that's what catched my attention about this game before the remake was even announced.
Again, I hope it doesn't leads to players learning the hard way on facing overpowered bosses and enemies. Yeah, still not letting go of what they did with Octopath. That tainted Octopath to the point of no return to my eyes. Anyways... Hope Live A Live becomes a masterpiece!
◉ Nintendo Switch Sports
I'm going to be serious. This is the fourth mind blowing announcement of today's Direct. Man, Wii Sports was a small game, but nonetheless, a pretty fun way to kill time. Simplistic, yet still fun. I haven't played Wii Sports Resort, nor the Wii U release that was Wii Sports Club. Even then, seeing the series still live through the Switch is nice. Nostalgia is strong, I know, but man, what a blast was to play Wii Sports.
New games are included in this edition, such as Badminto, Volleyball, and Soccer. Old sports such as Tennis and Bowling return, but the game will be updated to include for free more sports. In this case, Golf is going to be featured as the newest addition in the big update. Just take me back to a relaxed era, where you looked in awe at how much of an evolution was a new game in a current console at the time. Of course, talking about Wii Sports here.
The communication with the playerbase is very strong. Online betas to gather feedback, and improve upon the online experience. We need more games with this kind of communication with the playerbase, it would be quite a fresh breath of new air. New game added to the list.
On a final note, I want that jersey Yoshiaki Koizumi had. I want it....
◉ Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival
Hmm, this is quite an interesting announcement. I say this because Drum Session just got added to Xbox Game Pass, guess Namco was warming up before showing this one in today's Direct. I may become a fan of the Taiko no Tatsujin series, if only because of the music playlist they have. You have music from games, artists, and then anime openings. Makes for quite a surreal experience, specially when they included music from indie darlings such as Undertale.
Being this a Nintendo release, of course they were going to add Nintendo music. I like it, and so is the fact they will have 700+ songs. Eat your heart out, Guitar Hero? Not sure. Eh, you'll be the judge of that, m'kay? I actually liked Guitar Hero.
◉ Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course
Another game (well, DLC to be exact) that has been around for quite a while, and it was on December of 2021 that we finally saw more info into The Delicious Last Course. I've been wanting to try out Cuphead for a long time, which I could buy for my Xbox One. Hear me out though, I'm the side of getting all Achievements on Xbox One, and with Cuphead being present for Switch, I want to own the game for Switch, and I want Cuphead to arrive for Xbox Game Pass. Same stuff I'm actually doing with Dragon Quest XI, heh.
I think this is the first time I see what Ms. Chalice can do in contrast to Cuphead and Mugman. Different Super move, and the ability to roll towards the projectiles and bosses without getting damaged. Makes sense to introduce unique abilities to her, that and this entry was more of a reminder that 'hey, remember Cuphead? The DLC it's indeed coming out! Don't worry!'. Fair, the development team of Cuphead are hard workers. Can't blame them for pushing forward this DLC that has been roaming around without info for three years. Ain't not gonna let the work go to waste!
◉ Metroid Dread - New Update
Metroid Dread is still going strong, and the teams Nintendo and MercurySteams are adding more life to the game already. Dread Mode is introduced where everything, and I mean everything, can kill Samus in one hit. The game's hard mode, which makes me want to look forward to the mode for the bragging rights. In the other hand, a Rookie Mode is added for first time players. Not a bad choice, gotta make games that can be played by everyone.
Launching today, which to me strikes as me devoted to the customers, and it's billed as the 1st Update. What more can we expect out of Metroid Dread? Man, it appears not only Fighting Games are getting the Season treatment. This is really a welcoming approach. At least the games do come out as completed without the need of bugs, or worse case scenario, bricking a console. Fortunately, Nintendo knows better.
◉ EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings
The fifth mind blowing announcement. I had a big grin on my face, and squeaking out like an excited anime girl. What else I can say? It's EarthBound and the prequel coming to Nintendo Switch through the NES and SNES Online apps! Something related to Mother as whole is brewing while this is happening... I'm just speculating, but speculation doesn't hurt as long as it's harmless.
And it's coming out today. Man, announcements like this already makes me want to own a Switch. Really, proof that the Online Service is not really that bad. Also, when you think about it, while the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis apps are present, this could also mean the NES and SNES apps would get more games in the future, but let's wait and see what happens.
◉ Getsu Fuma Den: Undying Moon
Small showcase, but it was a nice reminder that this is a thing. With the current state of Konami, I hope this ends up as good. Yeah, gotta bring up some background as why I'm putting this one here: Getsu Fuma Den was a Famicom game released only in Japan, developed by Konami, a time where the company cared about the games. Early Konami since this was the 8-bit era. Getsu Fuma Den went unmentioned until Castlevania: Harmony of Despair where Getsu Fuma became playable.
And now the series is back with a full release. That say, for the way the game looks, the developers themselves do care about the quality of the game. Really, check out some of the trailers. So, I'm giving the benefit of the doubt here, and only playing it to support the developers who do care about the quality. You have every right to judge me, given this is Konami, and with the recent news of them implementing NFTs... Yeah, not a good look.
I have a strong feeling karma is gonna bite the higher ups in the butt for the use of NFTs.
◉ Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles
Part of the small showcase, and I'm just gonna say that the game looks pretty, and that I seriously need to watch Demon Slayer one day. I want to get into the hype of Demon Slayer, specially with his game looking like a big flipping deal in the same way as Dragon Ball FighterZ.
◉ Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - DLC Coming
Oh, boy, this was sixth bomb of today's Direct. More tracks showing up for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? I thought we were done, and waiting for a new Mario Kart, but Nintendo decided that the after party starts in 15 minutes! (not really, it's reference to Iron Man from the MCU).
I don't mind, and I love seeing the old tracks coming back for one more race. Choco Mountain from Mario Kart 64 looks pretty, and we are even going to see tracks from the mobile Mario Kart Tour! Are we going to see more characters too? Whatever they have in mind, take my money, Nintendo...
◉ Xenoblade Chronicles 3
I guess it was to be expected, to see a new entry of Xenoblade Chronicles. Some of you may know my tastes, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm so glad that we are back to a serious setting, without any fanservice present in the game. Yeah, that's the road I want. Less harem anime antics, more action packed adventures and more serious storylines, and I love atmosphere Xenoblade 3 is presenting.
They say there are some ties into the first Xenoblade and Xenoblade 2, which I can live with that. I don't mind, and if the DLC of Xenoblade 2 was any indication, the full intention of the developers is to go back to the serious state established in the first Xenoblade game. So, yeah! Thumbs up from me, and if Xenoblade 2 were ever to be remastered, I want the serious atmosphere. Please, this fits more Xenoblade like a glove.
Oof, quite the big year that awaits Nintendo, and beyond.
This was quite a big entry. I've been writing this blog post since the Direct was over, but for good reason, this was a pretty dang good Direct, and I gotta start to show up more frequently in FiMFiction. I planned to talk about more about other particular games shown up, but this blog post is way too long. So, what do I have here is what you get. Anyways, hope everyone had a nice day.
I was watching live and I swear I could hear Chuggaaconroy screaming with excitement over Xenoblade Chronicles 3. It's his favorite series and he just finished a 100% Let's Play of 2 that he started on 9/18/20 and finished on 12/19/21.
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My mind was also on Chugga. I said to myself when I saw the trailer unfold "Chuggaconroy is going to be happy".
5635156 I found his reaction to the direct. He watched it with Nintendocaprisun.