Nintendo
Today marks the first official day of E3 2018 and it is also Nintendo’s turn to showcase their new games. Coming into E3, Nintendo stated that their Nintendo Direct E3 2018 presentation would have a heavy focus on the new Super Smash Bros. game and boy were they right.
Let’s take a look at what Nintendo had to show us in their Nintendo Direct E3 2018 presentation!
Daemon X Machina
Nintendo started the show with a brand new mech action game from Kenichiro Tsukuda, of Armored Core fame. Daemon X Machina is slated for release in 2019, this fast-paced mech action game allows you to take your full customizable Arsenal powered suit out to stop your enemies from causing destruction.
You can equip your Arsenal with a variety of different weapons and items that you find around the world and from your downed opponents. The game features beautiful cel-shaded graphics and the enemies looked massive in size.
I am definitely going to keep this game on my radar. I look forward to hearing and seeing more about Daemon X Machina soon.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Torna The Golden Country
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Torna The Golden Country will be available to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Expansion Pass owners as DLC and at retail as a stand alone release. This brand new story takes place 500 years before the events in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. You uncover the full history of Jin and the fall of his Torna, his homeland.
If you enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles 2, then this new expansion looks to offer more of the same great action and story telling. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Expansion Pass owners can download this new DLC on September 14, 2018. The stand-alone retail version will be available on September 21, 2018.
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee
A few weeks ago Nintendo surprised everyone by announcing Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee before E3. Today we saw more footage of the game and learned that for the first time you can catch or battle Pokémon on the same system with a friend.
We also got a better look at the Poké Ball Plus peripheral. You can use this like a controller with both games or play the entire game with it alone. What’s neat is that you can put a Pokémon into the Poké Ball Plus and bring it with you.
If you put the Poké Ball Plus up to your ear and shake it, you can actually hear your Pokémon inside. More over, Nintendo announced that Mew comes exclusive with every Poké Ball Plus and can join you on your journey through the game.
Both games and the Poké Ball Plus will be available November 16, 2018.
Pre-order Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu
Pre-order Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee
Super Mario Party
It was only a matter of time before the Mario Party franchise came to the Switch and today Nintendo showed us the first game on the Switch, Super Mario Party. It is inspired by the original Mario Party board game play and has new mini-games and gameplay styles that make use of the Joy-Con controllers.
The video showed a four people gathering at a local coffee shop with two Nintendo Switch consoles. On both screens was what appeared to be a mini tank game where your character rides in a tank and shoots your opponents. What was really neat was that the screens were positioned at an angle and then with a simple swipe across the screen they were linked. You could drive from one screen to the next. So awesome!
Super Mario Party looks like it breathes a breath of fresh air into the series and will be available on the Switch Oct 5, 2018.
Fire Emblem Three Houses
Next, we saw a brand-new episode of the Fire Emblem series, which is coming to the Switch for the very first time in Spring 2019. I love turn-based tactical RPG games, so naturally I am super excited about this game. You can move the main character freely thus giving you the opportunity to interaction with others, build relationships and gather information.
Combat looked fast, fluid and seamless. The cut-scenes are beautifully animated just like a cartoon. Fire Emblem Three Houses is one of my top five games that I am looking forward to early next year.
Fornite comes to Nintendo Switch
Fornite has been heavily rumoured to be in development for the Switch. Today, we got confirmation that Fornite is indeed coming to the Switch. Better yet, the game is available now for free on the eShop to download.
I spent a good amount of time today with this game and I can tell you I am quite impressed with how well it looks and performs on the Nintendo Switch.
Ground breaking indie games
It’s no secret that when it comes to indie games, the Nintendo Switch is the king of the hill. Many indie developers have commented on the great success they have had with their games on the Switch. Today, Nintendo showed us even more indie games coming to the system.
Most notable shown was a brand new sequel to Overcooked. Coming August 7,2018, Overcooked! 2 has even more recipes, characters, kitchens and co-op fun than ever before. You can play with up to three other players in online and local wireless modes.
More great games coming
A montage trailer was showing of other upcoming games including Dragon Ball FighterZ, Dark Souls Remastered, Wolfenstein II The New Colossus, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, EA Sports FIFA 19, Starlink Battle for Atlas and a whole lot more.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The entire second half of the Nintendo Direct E3 2018 was dedicated Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The game will feature every single fighter that has been in the franchise since it made its first debut on the Nintendo 64 in 1999.
That means long time favourite characters such as Ice Climbers, Pokémon Trainer, and Snake will be included and fully playable. This is in addition to the newly announced fighters the Inklings and Ridley from the Metroid series.
Aside from supporting the use of Joy-Con controllers and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, Nintendo revealed that you can use original or new designed GameCube controllers with the game. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate combines many stages and new items. And, has gameplay that makes it easy for players of all skill levels to jump in.
All current Super Smash Bros. amiibo are compatible with the game, and any fighter’s amiibo from other series are also be supported. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is set to launch on Dec. 7 and is sure to be on every gamers holiday wish list.
Pre-order Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Final thoughts
Nintendo has some high profile games coming out this fall and holiday season that are going to be quite popular. I expect Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee, the Poké Ball Plus, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to do very well this holiday season for Nintendo and help sell even more systems.
Let me know in the comments section below what you thought of the Nintendo Direct E3 2018. What games you are looking forward to playing?
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Let’s go through a few of these games:
Daemon X Machina
The trailer for this game looks interesting. I think I’ll look at more of what this game is to see if I will want to pick it up.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Torna The Golden Country
I still haven’t played Xenoblade Chronicles 2, so I don’t anticipate playing this game anytime soon. It is interesting that this DLC is getting a physical release that does not require you to own the base game.
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee
I’m not yet sold on this game. Maybe if it was more like the base games in the series I would be more excited, but I’m not sure yet. Also, they are setting a dangerous precedent in making the Pokeball Plus the only way to get Mew in this game (other than maybe transferring from Pokemon Go, I know transferring is a thing, but I’m not sure if they will block Mew from transferring). If the Pokemon company starts releasing pokemon that you have to purchase separately they will turn me off from wanting to return to the franchise.
Fire Emblem Three Houses
I have never been a big fan of the Fire Emblem franchise, and there is no change here. This game looks good, but I can’t say it is one that I will pick up. I might borrow it from the library when it comes out to see if it is worth giving more of a chance.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Unsurprisingly, this is the game I am most looking forward to out of the Nintendo Direct. The fact that every previous character is returning is huge. I haven’t purchased a Smash Bros game since Melee, but this is definitely one I want to see more of!
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