Normally, I don’t miss a Nintendo Direct broadcast. No matter the time, so the fact that last nights Direct was a midnight for me wouldn’t have been an issue. But this time, my own body betrayed me. All day I had been battling a cold that only seemed to be getting worse, and at 10 p.m. I gave up. I said to my husband that the Direct wouldn’t have any Animal Crossing in it anyway, thinking of all the frustration of past broadcasts.
I dreamt about gaming, about Isabelle, about missing the Direct (really, no exaggeration there. How sad am I?). Had a very disturbed night and at 6 a.m. I stumbled out of bed. Only to wake up to numerous messages from gaming friends: Animal Crossing for the Switch had finally been announced! After breakfast, it was finally time to look at the Direct!
And it is a good Nintendo Direct, with lots of news for everyone’s taste. If you have yet to see it, you can find it here. A good wrap up of all the news is on My Nintendo News here. There is so much content that was shown, I’d like to highlight what stood out to me.
Some love for the 3DS
The Direct started with some love for the 3DS, showing footage of Kirby Epic Yarn, that is making the move from the Wii to the 3DS in 2019. New modes and new mini games will be added to the new game.
The original Luigis Mansion makes the move from the GameCube to the 3DS on October 12 (just in time for Halloween) with added 2-player mode and four compatible amiibo which will add special abilities.
Bowser’s Inside Story is remade for the 3DS and now has Bowser Junior Journey included. It releases on January 11 2019. And Yo-Kai Watch Blasters, which is already out in stores, gets a free Moon Rabbit Crew update on September 27.
A brand new RPG from the people at Game Freak
The people behind Pokémon are developing a new RPG with the working title “Town” for the Switch, to be released in 2019. In TOWN, players must take up arms against invading monsters, all within the walls of a single village. The first screenshots we see look good, might just be my kind of game!
Cities: Skylines available now on Switch
A game that has been out on PC, PS4 and Xbox for a couple of years now is now available to download on the Switch. And this Ultimate Edition including expansion packs Snowfall and After Dark. I think this game looks really interesting, but the price tag € 39,95 is holding me back for now. Unfortunately, no demo available for the game either.
This is on the internet about the game:
The game is a single-player open-ended city-building simulation. Players engage in urban planning by controlling zoning, road placement, taxation, public services, and public transportation of an area. They must work to maintain various elements of the city, including its budget, health, employment, and pollution levels. Players are also able to maintain a city in a sandbox mode, which provides unrestricted creative freedom for the player.
Final Fantasy goodness
Square-Enix announced plans to release Final Fantasy VII, IX, the X and X-2 remaster, and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age for the Nintendo Switch. Coming later in 2019, the series’ most iconic entries will make their longtime debut on Nintendo platforms. Though most of you already know the series, not many titles made it to a Nintendo system before, so this is pretty unique.
Though the series found its footing on Nintendo platforms, it eventually moved to the PlayStation 1, with all following main entries remaining on non-Nintendo platforms since, including PS4, PC, and Xbox One. The last major release of a core Final Fantasy game on Nintendo platforms was Final Fantasy VI on the Super Nintendo.
Starting today, FINAL FANTASY XV Pocket Edition HD is available to download in Nintendo eShop already. I had the pleasure of getting into Final Fantasy X remaster on the Vita last Christmas, so I’m pretty happy about this news.
Even more so because we World of Final Fantasy Maxima is coming too on November 6. I already have World of Final Fantasy on the Vita and it’s a great game. This version Maxima is the powered up version of that.
Sid Meiers Civilization VI coming to Switch
Another simulation game I think is very interesting, one that has been out on Steam and iOS for some time now. Switch will get its own version on November 16.
The goal of the game is for the player to lead their fledgling civilization from an early settlement through many millennia to become a world power and achieve one of several victory conditions, such as through military power, technological superiority, diplomatic leadership, or cultural influence, over the other human and computer controlled opponents. Players do this by exploring the world, founding new cities, building city improvements, deploying military troops to attack and defend from others, researching new technologies and cultural civics, and engaging in trade and negotiations with other world leaders.
The game on Switch will include the latest game updates and improvements, as well as four additional content packs which add new civilisations, leaders, and scenarios:
- Vikings Scenario Pack
- Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack
- Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack
- Persia and Macedon Civilization & Scenario Pack
When I saw the Animal Crossing announcement, you were the first person I thought of! Hah, you must have made it very clear that was your #1 wish during the last Direct 🙂
Overall this was a really impressive direct. All these Final Fantasy games making it to a Nintendo console is incredible. I’m halting my FF12 PS2 playthrough in favor of grabbing the HD remake with the speed hacks built in (they really helped get me through FFX). Overall lots of cool stuff coming.
Very interested in Game Freak’s new IP as well.
Lol, I guess I was very clear on my wish! I had multiple messages from readers this morning, telling me that they first thought of me! I’m honored!
The FF games is wonderful too. I only got to know FF X HD remastered recently on the Vita, and was impressed by it.
I am happy you got your Animal Crossing wish fulfilled. Here’s hoping that we learn a lot more about it next year. Personally, though, my favorite announcement was Luigi’s Mansion 3, because while I was sure Nintendo had a new Animal Crossing being developed, I was not confident they would do another Luigi’s Mansion, so that was a very pleasant surprise.
The entire Direct was a good show, not only the AC part. I liked the new IP by the GameFreak people, and was blown away by the Final Fantasy News. Good time to be a gamer!
I’m curious how that “Town” game will turn out. The premise reminds me a bit of Attack on Titan.
Curious too. I don’t know the Attack on Titan though. I what way does it remind you?
The story of Attack of Titan has to do with people living in towns protected by walls to keep out violent giants. They have a special squad the defends the walls and protects villagers.
Town looks like a cuter version of the idea lol. Attack OT is pretty dark.
Hmm, and cute is what I think I like!