Nintendo Direct Recap: Major Announcements, Release Dates, and More

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 LoadingXP Nintendo, nintendo direct

Nintendo’s most recent Direct announcement video contained more than 27 new or pre-existing titles coming to the Switch throughout 2019, including more DLC content. Here are the most interesting points:

Major Releases:

Super Mario Maker 2
This was probably the most hyped announcement for the entire Direct, and in a strange move it was also the announcement that Nintendo chose to lead with. The announcement trailer boasted a heap of new items and ways to build courses in the second installment of the popular Mario series. Many fans believed that any chance of this game coming to Switch would mean a reboot or remaster, but the ‘2’ in the title’s name suggests it will be more of a sequel than a simple port.

Mario Maker 2 will release in June 2019 for the Switch.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
One of the games that really caught my eye immediately after the Super Mario Maker 2 announcement was the next game in Marvel’s top down action beat ’em’ up series. Announced for the Switch, the series looks to be allowing the player to play in more of a third person view compared to the previous 2 titles. Focusing mainly on the rise of Thanos and his Black Order, players will take control of a host of Marvel heroes and heroines, including Captain Marvel.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 will release in the Summer of 2019.

Dragon Quest Builders 2
The second Dragon Quest Builders game for Switch finally has a release date and will allow for local and online co-op.

Dragon Quest Builders will release on Switch on July 12th of 2019.

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age: Definitive Edition
A bit of a mouthful for a title, but after its success in Japan and Western versions available on PS4 and PC since September, fans have been anxiously waiting for the Switch version. Giving the option for the player to listen to the English dubbed voice acting or to the original Japanese VA’s, there will be a lot of hype for this game.

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echos of an Elusive Age: Definitive edition will release for Switch this fall.

Rune Factory 5
The eagerly-awaited Rune Factory 5 has been confirmed to be in development.

No confirmed release window.

Yoshi’s Crafted World
FINALLY we have a solid release date for the next game in the Yoshi’s World/Island series. Along with the announcement of a release date, we also have a free demo available now in the eShop to try out. Let’s keep our fingers crossed this delivery date is the final one and we can all mark our calendars, for sure this time.

Yoshi’s Crafted World will release on Switch on March 29th 2019

Fire Emblem – Three Houses
The latest game in the Fire Emblem series puts you in the middle of a struggle for power between 3 clashing factions of the same island. As a teacher in the neutral monastery in the middle of the island you must coach your young students through combat training and other extra curricular activities. In the end you must pick a faction to side with and find out what consequences your actions have had.

Fire Emblem – Three Houses will release on Switch on July 26th.

Daemon Machina
This Gundam-style mech fighter boasts fantastic visuals and promises engaging and challenging battles. There is a demo available on the eShop now allowing four levels and an end-game boss fight to be experienced before the main game releases.

Daemon Machina will release on Switch in the summer of 2019.

Mortal Kombat 11
Surprisingly, the Latest Mortal Kombat game is making its way to the Switch. Following from last year’s port of DOOM, it seems as if Nintendo is not afraid to add more mature games to their lineup and Mortal Kombat definitely fits that description.

Mortal Kombat 11 will release on switch on April 23rd.

Astral Chain
From the creators of Nier:Automata, this action adventure looks to recreate some of the crunching fights and spectacle of Nier. Not much has been revealed about this title so far but it certainly looks like a wild ride with enthralling combat and a deep narrative story.

Astral Chain will release on August 30th 2019.

Bayonetta 3
Nothing was said about this long-anticipated game, except that it’s currently in development.

No confirmed release window.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Probably the second biggest bombshell of this Direct was saved until the end, in more typical Nintendo fashion. Based on the 1993 Game Boy title of the same name, Link’s Awakening has been re-made from the ground-up for the Switch. Adorable 3D graphics remind me of an up-scaled version of A Link to the Past for the 3DS.

Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening will release on Switch sometime in 2019

Ports, DLCs and Minor Announcements:

BoxBoy: 270 stages announced. Coming to the Switch on April 26th
Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Update 3.0 and Joker character available before April
Free update for Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker to support multiplayer on all courses available now. 18 new courses as paid DLC on March 13th
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night: Castlevania-style side scroller with 3D and character customisation options. Available Summer 2019
Disney Tsum Tsum Festival: Puzzle game with 4-player local and online co-op. Coming 2019
Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starfox: Update includes Falco, Slippy and Wolf’s minions. April 2019
Rune Factory 4 Remastered for Switch – Late 2019
Oninaki: New Square Enix RPG – Summer 2019
Tetris 99: Elimination-style Tetris game. Available now for Switch online members.
Dead by Daylight Switch port – Autumn 2019
Deltarune: Chapter 1 is free on the February 28th. Additional chapters as paid DLC on the way
GRID Autosport – Summer 2019
Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice – Spring 2019
Unravel 2 – March 22nd
Assassin’s Creed 3 Remastered – May 21st
Final Fantasy VII – March 26th
Chocobo Mystery Dungeon – March 20th
Final fantasy IX – Available now