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Nintendo Direct: September 4, 2019 Breakdown

Miss a release date? Find it here!

September 4, 2019 Direct Title Screen

Nintendo is back at it, dropping announcement after announcement in the most recent Nintendo Direct. And you if you missed some of it, or lost track of everything in the commotion, fear not. Here’s everything that was announced, trailers, and release dates in one nice little package.

Overwatch – Releasing October 15, 2019

Overwatch for Switch is a big announcement. Or rather, it would be if an Overwatch Switch case hadn’t leaked a month ago. And if the announcement hadn’t leaked the morning of the Direct. Those kinda dampened the excitement. But we’re still getting Blizzard’s much-loved team shooter, and soon! Plus, they’re adding motion controls and I don’t know why anyone would want that, but people seemed to like the Splatoon motion-controlled shooting, so maybe I am the fool.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 – Releasing October 31, 2019

Halloween is the most obvious release date for Luigi’s Mansion 3 and it still brings me joy. It’s just such a goofy detail that screams Nintendo and I love it. That aside, we also got to see several new multiplayer minigames, allowing for up to eight people to play. I get some serious Mario Party or Nintendoland vibes from them, which is a great thing. They look quick and fun, perfect for low-stress parties. Plus, the new floors announced for the story all look pretty awesome.

Super Kirby Clash – Released September 4, 2019 (Already Out and Free!)

Super Kirby Clash from the 9/4 Direct

Super Kirby Clash was the first real surprise announcement, with the game suddenly dropping as soon as the Direct ended. I’ve actually spent a good chunk of time with it already, and I can safely say its fine. The pseudo-action RPG mechanics work, the online is functional (and rather fun), and the whole thing is free. Weirdly, there’s a lot of reading for a Kirby game, as they need to explain all the free-to-play mechanics. Oh, and there’s free-to-play mechanics, so expect to either step away from the game for your stamina to refill or to dole out hard cash for gem apples.

Trials of Mana Remake – Releasing April 24, 2020

Trials of Mana Remake from 9/4 Direct

We saw a little bit of the Trials of Mana remake at E3 and this Direct gave us a little more. Full motion characters, updated graphics, all the things you would expect from a modern remake of a SNES game. Plus, we got an actual release date!

Return of the Obra Dinn – Releasing Fall 2019

Return of the Obra Dinn from 9/4 Direct

The indie darling Return of the Obra Dinn will be arriving on the Switch soon! Obra Dinn’s storytelling is supposed to be top-notch, meshed with a fascinatingly unique visual style. Plus, solving mysteries through time-rewinding sounds real cool.

Little Town Hero – Releasing October 16, 2019

Little Town Hero from 9/4 Direct

Little Town Hero, formerly known as just Town, is the new RPG from the developers behind the Pokémon series. I’m honestly not sure what all is going on in this one. It looks kind of like a cross between Fire Emblem style strategy with a Pokemon-esque rock-paper-scissors combat system. Basically, there’s lots happening on screen and, without more context, I can’t figure it out. But also, I trust Game Freak to make a good RPG and at just $25, it’s probably worth checking out.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Release dates varied

There was a lot of Smash news this Direct, both during and after. So, I’m going to lump both the Direct Smash news and the post-show news together in this mini category. Buckle up.

New fighter – Banjo-Kazooie – Releasing September 4, 2019 (Already out!)

Banjo finally got a release date after the E3 reveal and subsequently dropped about an hour after the Direct. Whether they’re good or not is yet to be seen, but from my limited time with them, they’re certainly fun to play. The rotating Spiral Mountain level, however, gives me motion sickness, so not as thrilled about that.

New fighter – Terry Bogard – Releasing November 2019

I don’t know much about Terry Bogard or the Fatal Fury series of games, but what I do know is that his intro video was a lot of fun. I’m sure a ton of people are pretty excited about his inclusion, but this hit for me with a resounding “huh. Neat. I guess.” Still, its always cool to see fighters from lesser-known properties show up.

More fighters to come – Release date TBA

Worried that your favorite character won’t fill the last slot in the Fighter Pass? Well, now you have a whole new set of DLC slots to worry about! While we don’t have much information, we do know that more DLC is coming, and from the sound of it, it’s at least a few characters. So rev up that speculation and get to guessing!

Mii Fighter Costumes – Releasing September 4, 2019 (Already out!)

That’s right, Sans from Undertale, one of the most requested fighters, is in Smash! …As a Mii costume. This is sure to disappoint a lot of people, but it’s still really cool that Nintendo is showing the indie scene this sort of love. Plus, for the first time, a Mii costume comes with a song. So now you can do battle as Sans while rocking out to a Megalovania remix from Toby Fox himself. All for only 75 cents!

And that’s your Smash news – now back to the rest of the Direct!

Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Releasing September 20, 2019

Links Awakening from 9 Direct/

There’s not a whole lot of news coming with this one. The game is releasing in about two weeks, so it makes sense that this is more of a reminder than anything. We do learn a little bit more about the custom dungeons, which still seem cool, but that’s really it. Still, Link’s Awakening is looking real good.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition – Releasing September 27, 2019

Dragon Quest XI from Direct/

Much like Link’s Awakening, there’s not a whole lot of news on this one. The demo for DQXIS has been out for a few weeks now, the DLC has been visible in the shop, and the release date was revealed months ago. But also like Link’s Awakening, it’s a good reminder.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions Sharp FE Encore – Releasing January 17, 2020

It’s awesome to see another game formerly trapped on the WiiU make the jump to the Switch. The hybrid Shin Megami Tensei/Fire Emblem/pop star game has always been on my radar for just looking so weird. And now that it’s finally getting a Switch port, I have an excuse to give it a shot.

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise (Releasing 2020) and Deadly Premonition: Origins (Releasing September 4, 2019 – Already out!)

Deadly Premonition 2 from 9/4 Direct/

The original Deadly Premonition, releasing as Deadly Premonition: Origins, has arrived on Switch to delight fans and confuse the hell out of everyone else. Deadly Premonition is like taking Heavy Rain, bizarre acting and all, adding in some Silent Hill and then slapping it in an open world. It’s not a good game, but it’s a wonderful game. And now that we’re getting a sequel, exclusively for Switch, there’s no better time to dive into the mind of Francis York Morgan.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition – Releasing September 4, 2019 (Already out!)

Divinity: Original Sin 2 From 9/4 DIrect

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the perfect game for fans of tabletop RPGs who can’t get a group together to play. You know, adults. Getting Divinity on Switch makes it even better. Being able to bring the game to your friends, continuing your game on the bus, the rest of the sales pitch for the Switch…it’s great! Plus being able to transfer cloud save from PC to Switch is wonderful. Divinity is a long game and restarting just to play it on Switch would put a ton of people off. But the news that you can transfer saves from PC to Switch makes it all the more exciting.

DOOM 64 – Releasing November 22, 2019

DOOM 64 from 9/4 Direct

DOOM 64 has not seen a release since the Nintendo 64. The fact that, after 22 years, we’re finally seeing a port of the game is huge news. Bethesda and ID have been showing some serious love to the DOOM series and this is a loving continuation of that. I’m pumped.

Rogue Company – Releasing 2020

Rogue Company from 9/4 DIrect

Rogue Company is a totally new IP from Hi-Rez Studios, the company behind SMITE, Paladins, and Realm Royale, so it’s fairly safe to assume this is going to be some sort of free-to-play game. That said, its definitely a step away from their usual themes. Hi-Rez loves mythology and fantasy, so Rogue Company being a sci-fi shooter is quite a change of pace.

Pokémon Sword and Shield – Releasing November 15, 2019

We got quite a bit of news about Sword and Shield in this Direct. Pokémon Camp seems to be the new Pokémon-Amie, a place where you can pet and play with your Pokémon. Though now you can visit with other people’s Pokémon as well and cook, which seem like neat additions. We also saw a few new Pokémon, Polteageist and Cramerant. Polteageist will allow trainers it trusts to taste its tea, which is definitely something that will bump the age rating of Sword and Shield up. Cramerant launches fish from its gullet with an ability called Gulp Missile. These are both true things and I kind of wish I was making them up.

SNES Nintendo Switch Online – Releasing September 5, 2019

It only took a year, but we’re finally seeing the release of SNES games to Nintendo Online subscribers. There’s a lot that could be said about the drip-feeding of these 20+-year-old games, but let’s keep it positive and instead gush at the launch list. There are some weird ones in there, but there’s also some stone-cold classics. Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and A Link to the Past all available at launch, all great games that Nintendo Online subscribers should definitely play. Plus, we got the reveal of a $30 wireless SNES controller that can hook up to your Switch, which….cool.

Titles coming to SNES Online

Tetris 99 Version 2.0 – Releasing September 5, 2019

Tetris 99 V2.0 From 9/4 Direct

Tetris 99 was a surprise release from a few Directs ago that took the internet by storm. A Tetris battle royale was a brilliant idea, and making it free to Nintendo Online Subscribers made it all the more enticing. This Direct revealed Tetris 99 2.0, an update that looks to add a bunch of new features. Invictus mode is only for the best of the best, daily quests will keep people coming back, local multiplayer is a great addition, plus a bunch of other new goodies as well. They’re also adding another wave of paid DLC, coming soon.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 – Releasing November 5, 2019

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 from the 9/4 Direct

The Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games series has always been a wild concept, but I think with Tokyo 2020, I finally get it. Featuring a variety of fun looking mini-games, goofy characters, and some cool throwbacks, it’s got my attention. Plus, a story mode is always a nice touch.

Daemon X Machina – Demo releasing September 4, 2019 (Out now!), game releasing September 13, 2019

Daemon X Machina from the 9/4 Direct

Much like DQXIS and Link’s Awakening, this serves as more of a reminder that Daemon X Machina is coming out soon. However, unlink DQXIS and Link’s Awakening, we do get a demo that dropped after the Direct. A demo that will carry your progress over to the full game. So, if you were on the fence, there’s a good way to find out if Daemon X Machina is right for you.

STAR WARS: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast – Releasing September 24, 2019

Star Wars Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast from the 9/4 Direct

I don’t know much about Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, but if the Direct is to be believed, it’s a classic favorite for a lot of people. And hey, it looks cool enough that I could be swayed into checking it out, if the price is good enough.

Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition – Releasing October 15, 2019

The Witcher 3 from the 9/4 Direct

Another reminder. Witcher 3 is coming, with all DLC, to Switch on October 15, 2019.

Assassin’s Creed Rebel Collection – Releasing December 6, 2019

A collection of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed: Rogue, including all DLC, with some neat enhancements. Unsurprisingly, Rebel Collection will be adding motion controls, but it will also be adding touch controls, which is such a small detail, but well appreciated when playing in handheld mode.

Dauntless – Releasing 2019

Dauntless from the 9/4 Direct

Monster Hunter World but free-to-play will be coming to Switch sometime soon, with a host of Switch features. The trailer also gave some very quick looks at coming content, including monsters, classes, and weapons.

Quick rundown – Release dates vary

These are the games that got screen time, but only a quick flash –

Just Dance 2020 – Releasing November 5, 2019

GRID Autosports – Releasing September 19, 2019

Farming Simulator 20 – Releasing December 3, 2019

Ni No Kuni – Wrath of the White Witch – Releasing September 20, 2019

NBA 2K20 – Releasing September 6, 2019

Call of Cthulu – Releasing October 8, 2020

Outerwolds – Release date TBA

Devil May Cry 2 – Releasing September 19, 2019

Vampyr – Releasing October 29, 2019

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Releasing March 20, 2020

Animal Crossing: New Horizons looks so incredibly aesthetic. Spending time with animal friends, growing your deserted island, and shaping the world the way you see fit. Tt all looks wonderful and I can’t wait to sink countless calming hours into New Horizons. However, I am a little bit worried about the new crafting and material farming mechanics. I don’t think they’ll be bad by any means; they just have a big Minecraft feel to them and crafting has never really been a huge part of Animal Crossing before. Hopefully, they’ll be pretty minimal, but its something to keep your eye on if you’re turned away by crafting mechanics like I am.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Releasing 2020

The last big reveal and the final segment of this Direct gives us Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. If you’re unfamiliar, Xenoblade is a cult favorite action RPG that released at the end of the Wii’s life cycle. It got a 3DS re-release at some point, but now it will be far more readily available via the Switch. The update to HD graphics looks stellar and the 2020 release date gives us something to look forward to next year. Now we just need to rescue Xenoblade Chronicles X from the WiiU.

Written by Sean Mekinda

Sean Mekinda is a fan of all things auteur and weird. He's currently one of the hosts of Beating a Dead Horse, a podcast all about death in media. The first movie he remembers loving is The Iron Giant. The first movie he remembers hating is Alien VS Predator Requiem. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with his girlfriend and two needy huskies.

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