Nintendo Direct Feb 2021

Originally published on GameOnAus.com in Feb 2021

532. That’s how many days it’s been since the last full Nintendo Direct. Sure we’re had Nintendo  Direct Minis with partner showcases and presentations on specific games, but not the big event that is a Nintendo Direct. At least that’s how it was until the 16^th February when Nintendo announced its first full Nintendo Direct in 17 months, a 50 minute showing of available games like Super Smash Brothers Ultimate and new Switch releases.

True to their tweet Nintendo opened with a new Super Smash Brothers Ultimate fighter, Pyra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2. In battle she’s able to swap to another character, Mythra, giving players an option between heavy attacks and lightning fast moves. Pyra/Mythra are available in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate in March.

The 35^th Mario Anniversary celebration is continuing with various Mario items becoming available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The free update will be released on the 25^th February 2021 with the items available from the 1^st March.

Mario Golf fans had something for them with the planned release of Mario Golf Super Rush. An interesting new mode they showed off was Speed Golf mode. This mode lets everyone play at the same time, with players running over the course to find their ball and make their next shot. You can also play story mode with your Mii and upgrade your abilities along the way. Your story mode Mii will then become available as a multiplayer character. Mario Golf Super Rush will release on 25^th June 2021 with preorders available now.

Speaking of Miis, Nintendo also announced Miitopia, an RPG where Miis are the player characters and the bad guys! Relationships are key as how you treat others will affect how they act in battle. Miitopia releases on 21^st May 2021 with preorders available now.

Nintendo also presented Project Triangle Strategy (working title). In this tactical RPG you can use the battlefields to your advantage by combining magical attacks. Using ice on a burning field results in water, which you can electrify with lightning. The story is also driven by three alignments, Utility, Morality and Liberty, which influence the story. Not much was shown about this mechanic but given the game’s working title it sounds like it will be integral. Project Triangle Strategy is scheduled to launch in 2022 and a demo is available now.

As a massive Star Wars fan I was excited to see Star Wars Hunters announced. Only a teaser trailer was shown for this competitive online shooter. Interestingly a starwars.com article about the title (https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-hunters-game-announce) states that a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to download and play. Star Wars Hunters is launching on the Nintendo Switch as well as iOS and Android devices in 2021.

Splatoon also go some love with a teaser trailer for Splatoon 3. In this inventive shooter, the aim is not to kill your opponents (although that helps with your main goal), but to cover the stage in your team’s coloured ink. Splatoon 3 will release in 2022.

2021 is the 35^th anniversary of the original Legend of Zelda on the NES and fans have been speculating what Nintendo have planned. This speculation only intensified with the announcement of this Nintendo Direct. There was three pieces of Zelda news.

A season pass for Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity was announced, featuring new weapons, characters and challenges. Available for purchase now, the season pass gives Link a new weapon and outfit on the 28^th May 2021, with Wave 1 of the pass coming is June 2021 and Wave 2 in November 2021.

Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword is getting the HD treatment. Released for the Wii in 2011, this entry in the Zelda franchise was much maligned for its heavy use of motion controls. Personally I enjoyed Skyward Sword and am happy to get the chance to play it again. What I’m not happy about is motion controls being included in the Switch version. After how difficult the motions controls are in Super Mario Galaxy in Super Mario 3D All Stars, I am not looking forward to trying swinging swords and using equipment with the Switch motion controls. Fortunately Nintendo are aware of how much gamers disliked the waggle in the original Skyward Sword and have included a non-motion control option. As a person with large hands I can see myself playing without motion controls as I find the joycon buttons too small. Nintendo are also releasing a Zelda themed joycon pack. Both Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD and the Legend of Zelda themed joycons will be released on the 16^th July 2021 with preorders available now.

There was also some Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild sequel news, although not what we wanted to hear. Legend Of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma appeared in this Nintendo Direct with the news that development is proceeding smoothly and that more information would be available later this year.

Nintendo also announced a veritable swag of games coming to the Nintendo Switch. Here they are with their estimated release dates:

• Fall Guys US summer 2021
• Outer Wilds US summer 2021
• Famicon Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicon Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind set 14^th May 2021
• Samurai Warriors 5 US summer 2021
• Legend Of Mana 24^th June 2021
• Monster Hunter Rise 26^th March 2021.
• Nintendo Switch Monster Hunter Rise Edition including Monster Hunter Rise and Deluxe Kit DLC 26^th March 2021
• Tales from the Borderlands 24^th March 2021
• Capcom Arcade Stadium, comes with 1943 The Battle Of Midway, Ghosts N Goblins available as a free download until the 25^th February 2021. Available now. Additional games sold in packs.
• Stubbs the Zombie In Rebel Without A Pulse 16^th March 2021
• No More Heroes 3 27^th August 2021
• Neon White US winter 2021
• DC Super Hero Girls 4^th June 2021
• Plants Vs Zombies Battle for Neighborville 19^th March 2021
• Knockout City 21^st May 2021
• World’s End Club 29^th May 2021
• Hades physical release. Includes PC code for OST and 32 page character compendium 19^th March 2021
• Ninja Gaiden Master Collection (Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge with all DLC) 10^th June 2021
• Bravely Default 2 demo available now, full release 26^th Feb 2021
• Ghost n Goblins Resurrection 25^th February 2021
• SaGa Frontier Remastered 15^th April 2021
• Apex Legends 9^th March 2021