New Game Announcements
Before we get into the fun stuff, here’s another reminder to temper your expectations.
‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong return for the franchise’s debut on Nintendo Switch. This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a new beginner-friendly mode that lets players enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as groovy surfing simian Funky Kong. Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform infinite rolls and even perform infinite underwater corkscrews. Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can’t slow him down. The game launches for Nintendo Switch on May 4.’
Our thoughts: Those who owned a Wii U previous to the Switch may not have been so keen on this direct due to the number of enchanced Wii U ports, growing a continuous trend on the Switch’s release schedule. However, given the console completely flopped, it only makes sense they’d want their quality titles to reach a larger audience, while also giving them more time to work on new content. Wasting one of the best 2D platformers ever made, would also be a huge shame. We’re glad to see Donkey Kong make his debut on the Switch.
‘Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition: A new, ultimate version of the exhilarating action game set in the Zelda universe will include every map and mission, plus all 29 playable characters from both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the game, along with all of the previous paid downloadable content. Play as Link, Zelda, Midna, Skull Kid and dozens more in action-packed battles at home or on the go. Additionally, the game includes new outfits for Link and Zelda based on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game. This new version launches for Nintendo Switch in spring.’
Our thoughts: Same story, really. Hyrule Warriors was a decent effort, and between the Wii U and 3DS versions, there’s a lot of content to be had. It’s also one of the best Dynasty Warriors-style games Koei Tecmo has made. Seems a worthy addition and a good line-up filler.
‘Mario Tennis Aces: A new Mario Tennis game is bringing a new level of skill and competition to Nintendo Switch. Mario steps onto the court in classy tennis garb for intense rallies against a variety of characters in full-blown tennis battles. New wrinkles in tennis gameplay will challenge your ability to read an opponent’s position and stroke to determine which shot will give you the advantage. And this time the game adds the first story mode since the Mario Tennis game on Game Boy Advance, offering a new flavor of tennis gameplay, with a variety of missions and boss battles. The game launches for Nintendo Switch this spring.’
Our thoughts: Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash was one of the Wii U’s worst received titles. It suffered strongly from a lack of content, the gameplay was fun and responsive, but there was almost no variety and very little to keep gameplay fresh. With the brief tease of a story mode, it’s possible Mario Tennis Aces corrects everything about the previous entry, but it seems like a wait and see.
‘The World Ends with You: Final Remix: This 2008 Nintendo DS game has been updated for Nintendo Switch with HD visuals and a new epilogue that sheds new light on the game’s story. Players can join rhythmic battles using either Joy-Con controllers or the Nintendo Switch touch screen. The game is scheduled to launch this year.’
Our Thoughts: The World Ends with You was undoubtedly one of the best original series to start on the DS, which has sadly not had a follow-up since. With the rumours of a sequel coming, that now seems more likely with this remaster. Many won’t have played the original, so this is a great choice of remaster by Square Enix, a truly unique RPG which deserves a fresh coat of paint and a new life.
SNK HEROINES ~Tag Team Frenzy~: Play as iconic heroines from SNK’s history in a new, two-on-two tag-team fighting game. Players can activate a variety of Special Moves with the press of a button, and make use of special items to turn the tide of battle. One of the competitors will be Yuri Sakazaki from ACA NEOGEO Art of Fighting 2, which launches today in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch. SNK HEROINES ~Tag Team Frenzy~ launches on Nintendo Switch this summer.
Our thoughts: Probably the most out of left field from this direct. It looks heavy on the fanfare, but SNK are known for their tight, technical fighters. If that’s your thing, you could be in luck.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana: When the passenger liner he was aboard sank, the adventurer Adol drifted to a deserted island inhabited by vicious creatures that have evolved in many different ways. To survive, Adol must gather fellow shipwreck survivors and build a base. High-speed battles require players to change between three types of characters at a moment’s notice. The epic RPG launches for Nintendo Switch this summer.
Our thoughts: Allegedly one of the most underrated games of last year, the long running YS series has always been solid and it’s great to see it return to a Nintendo console. This also really highlights how the Switch has absorbed any support the PS Vita still had going for it, with some surprising support from Japanese middleware developers such as Nihon, NIS America and Marvelous. Whatever you do, if you like JRPGS, don’t sleep on this.
DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED: The first title in the genre-defining action role-playing franchise is coming to Nintendo Switch. DARK SOULS: REMASTERED includes the Artorias of the Abyss DLC, as well as improved framerate and resolution from the original DARK SOULS game for an exhilarating return to Lordran. This marks the franchise’s debut on a Nintendo platform, and now for the first time ever, this revered (and challenging) game can be played on the go. DARK SOULS: REMASTERED launches on May 25.
Our thoughts: MEAT IS BACK ON THE MENU BOYS. The remastering trend of last gen’s games filling out next gen’s release schedule has been a giant boon from the switch. However you want to look at it, portable Dark Souls is a megaton for Nintendo. This version is said to run at a locked 30 FPS, at 1080p docked and 720p handheld. While the third party support is still gaining momentum, if the Switch can continue to land games like Skyrim, L.A Noire and Dark Souls Remastered, it’ll be just fine.
Overall:
Any disappointment from this direct is probably due to the fact it was severely over hyped. It seems to be just a small sizzle reel to tide us over for February, March, April and May. Not to mention things will clearly be announced after as we know from experience, and they’ll probably be a more substantial direct in March. All things considered, the TWEWY and YS VIII ports are great gets and help further characterise the Switch as a great RPG machine. Not to mention, the Wii U’s software library was fantastic regardless of its poor sales, and ports are definitely welcome. Dark Souls is just icing on the cake, as far as we’re concerned, the Switch train is still chugging.
Sam Thorne
