Tune in 2/17 at 2 p.m. PT for a Nintendo Direct livestream featuring roughly 50 minutes of information focused on available games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and games coming to Nintendo Switch in the first half of 2021.

It looks like Nintendo, is doing their first full-on proper direct, since September of 2019 (not counting mini directs/partner showcases/etc.), with everything going on in the real world, it made sense not to have any last year. I'm guessing based on that description, there will probably be a new Smash Bros. character reveal, or it would be kinda weird of them to specifically name-drop that game.

I don't expect anything Pokemon-related, as they usually do their own thing on Pokemon Day (February 27th). However, it would be interesting to see if they use this direct to make any Zelda or Metroid announcements, what with this being the 35th anniversary for both series. Having said that, I'm going in with low (to zero) expectations for both franchises, in regards to announcements.

Supposedly going to be 50ish minutes, cannot wait to see. So much questions on what Nintendo has first party wise for 2021. I gotta think the Metroid Prime trilogy is released, WOULD NOT surprise if it drops tomorrow as a stealth drop.

LMAO PYRA from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 got the Smash invitation. Oh lawd.

EDIT: oh shit it's a team of XC2 guys in a tag team as one member!

Lots of RPG stuff. I'm over these types of games but Bravely Default is the exception.

Pretty lousy direct for me. No info on BOTW2 but hey have Skyward Sword HD for 60 bucks with Joycon controls~!

And is Splatoon 3 worthy to end the 1st direct in over a year? and it comes 2022, so the biggest game on deck is MW Rise and Skyward Sword for 2021 for Nintendo. This year is going to be troublesome if that catalog is anything to go off of. Project Triangle Strategy looks cool and I am going to give the demo a chance but that's 2022.

No More Heroes 3 is coming out in August at least, hoping the framerate is worked on but that is the biggest standout here for me. 

I just feel Splatoon 3 is way too soon, didn't Splatoon 2 just come out 3 years ago?

EDIT: Famicom Detective Collection looks good for me too but that is a VN but that looked cool.

Splatoon has an active online community doesn't it? So maybe other than nintendo membership they probably bought any DLC and have all the equipment. So they made S3 as a new money maker? 60 for the game, all the dlc, etc. And maybe make the S2 server obsolete so the community HAS to buy the new game.

Overthinking?

Feb 17, 2021 22:58:20 GMT @ness said:

Splatoon has an active online community doesn't it? So maybe other than nintendo membership they probably bought any DLC and have all the equipment. So they made S3 as a new money maker? 60 for the game, all the dlc, etc. And maybe make the S2 server obsolete so the community HAS to buy the new game.

Overthinking?

I agree with you. I want to like Splatoon but the demo didn't grip me. I just wonder how much different S3 will be than S2. Was super hyped for the 1st game despite not having a Wii U because it was a brand new IP, now the 3rd game is out in like 7 years.

Yet franchises like F-Zero, Metroid etc. are lucky to get a major release every decade, Splatoon will have a 3rd game in 7 years. I think that is the problem for me. So many dormant franchises yet Splatoon gets another game. I want to like this so I might try this down the road if a demo is given.

Nintendo is trying hard to make Splatoon a cornerstone series that's for sure. You're kid now, you're a squid now. 

Feb 17, 2021 23:01:34 GMT Blindy said:

Feb 17, 2021 22:58:20 GMT @ness said:

Splatoon has an active online community doesn't it? So maybe other than nintendo membership they probably bought any DLC and have all the equipment. So they made S3 as a new money maker? 60 for the game, all the dlc, etc. And maybe make the S2 server obsolete so the community HAS to buy the new game.

Overthinking?

I agree with you. I want to like Splatoon but the demo didn't grip me. I just wonder how much different S3 will be than S2. Was super hyped for the 1st game despite not having a Wii U because it was a brand new IP, now the 3rd game is out in like 7 years.

Yet franchises like F-Zero, Metroid etc. are lucky to get a major release every decade, Splatoon will have a 3rd game in 7 years. I think that is the problem for me. So many dormant franchises yet Splatoon gets another game. I want to like this so I might try this down the road if a demo is given.

Nintendo is trying hard to make Splatoon a cornerstone series that's for sure. You're kid now, you're a squid now. 

Interesting take. It kinda feels like Nintendo is pushing the squids pretty hard. Perhaps good sales is why? Perhaps an effort to push the Squid up more as a mascot, over Samus?

Mario will always be #1

2nd is probably Pokemon/Pikachu

Donkey Kong/Kirby the next level down

Then you have the Starfox/Metroid... they have longevity to them, but compared to other franchises they're been so dormant they might as well be dead. SSB does more for their brand if anything.

I liked the game well enough and sure squid girl with the pigtail tentacles is a good look to sell... maybe she's just more marketable to kids than robot suit Samus?

The only highlight out of that whole show was the new Mario Golf. Everything else was "meh."

It's three hours after it originally started airing, but better late than never, as they say. I'm sure Nintendo being the family-friendly business it is, will understand since I was spending time with the family and all. Anyways moving on to the Direct, so here are some random thoughts...

- A few characters from Xenoblade Chronicles, are making their way to Smash this March. I'm honestly not all that familiar with the series, but I'm all for it, even if I'm one of those people who still want Waluigi in the game.

- Mario Golf? Nice, I'm not really a golf fan, but Mario sports games tend to be enjoyable, I might have to pick this one up.

- Neon White looks pretty cool.

- So Hades getting a physical release? Nice, some interesting bonus stuff coming with it as well.

- Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection, I've been looking forward to this one.

- So they have nothing new to show from BOTW 2? OK then moving on...

- Skyward Sword HD, awesome though admittedly I was hoping Zelda would get the Mario 3D All-Stars treatment, ala Triforce Collection or something like that, however, I'm not gonna complain about more Legend of Zelda on the Switch.

- The Skyward Sword edition joy-cons look pretty sweet if I do say so myself.

- Splatoon 3? I guess awesome for people who like the series, I haven't played the second one in forever, honestly not sure if I'll pick this one up.

Oh hey Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is going to get represented after all. I thought it would only get represented through Mii costumes, Spirits and the like. It's not the most exciting pick in the world, but by the same token it did remind me how great Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was. I will say that the Mythra transformation is a spoiler for the game, much in the same way Sheik is a spoiler for OoT.

In the early part of the game, Mythra is spoken of as this legendary warrior who saved Alrest from this terrible war before disappearing. Then in Act 1, your party is getting absolutely massacred, you're all about to die when something triggers in Pyra and boom here comes Mythra with her limit break type attack and holy element who saves the team.

The game has so many cool moments like that, I really ought to play it again. I still have the DLC to playthrough, as well as the other Xeno games sitting there. Just like DQ8 scratched that FFIX itch I had, XC2 scratched that Tales of Symphonia itch.

I feel like this direct was tailor made for me. I've wanted to go back and play Skyward Sword for the longest time, but my Wii Motion+ remote died years ago and I've just never come across an affordable replacement when I've been in the mood to replay it.

Nice to see Square return to the tactics RPG genre, I've been bugging for a new Tactics Ogre/FF Tactics game, this seems like a sweet alternative.

Bravely Default II is right up my alley. I never got around to playing the 3DS games, but an old school JRPG with modern conveniences is a win/win in my book.

Mario Golf looks like a blast to play and a throwback to the GBC game which was one of the best for that platform.

Monster Hunter Rise looks great, now if only I actually sat down and played through the three Monster Hunter games I own.

Also Splatoon is one of my favourite franchises right now, so I'm beyond hyped for the next game. We were definitely due a new entry as well since they stopped updating the game two years ago and despite a very active community, it seemed like they were gearing up for the next entry. I think the game sold 9 million units as of 2019, so a sequel was inevitable. I will say that the trailer didn't show off too much, but there's a few new features experienced players will pick up on and I'm looking forward to diving into the game all over again.