E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is an event held in Los Angeles where hardware manufacturers and software developers and publishers from the video game industry present new and upcoming products. Our own GameWarp has the coverage. Next up: Nintendo
Over the last few years, Nintendo has fallen out of the big conference shows. However, with the launch of Nintendo Switch recently, Nintendo’s Spotlight and Treehouse Live event is worth our time to see what is in the future for this new console which currently has a limited roster of titles. Within the first twenty minutes plus minutes of trailers and announcements, Nintendo covered a few titles from popular franchises that might peak your interest.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Ever get the feeling that you wish that certain titles were kept in their native language? Certainly this was our first thought when faced with the dubbing track for the much anticipated follow up for the WII U favourite. The sequel will follow a new group of heroes as we follow swordsmen Rex and Prya as they set out for the land of Elysium and seeing how this is one of the Christmas releases, we can no doubt expect to see more of this game in the months ahead. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is coming in holiday 2017.
Kirby
While it might not be out until 2018, there is plenty to be excited about in the trailer from the option to team up with four friends or even recruit enemies to your team by throwing hearts at them. Kirby will also be able to copy abilities as well as creating massive combo attacks by using the whole party, as well as teamwork to solve puzzles. Needless to say, it’s a welcome return to the puffy pink cloud.
Pokken Tournament Deluxe
This highly unique Pokemon title was a big title for the WII U and joins Mario Kart 8 in having the re-release treatment while also introducing new Pokemon such as Scizor, Darkrai and Decidueye. The biggest bonus though is that two players can compete on the same Nintendo Switch console each using a Joy-Con controller. For those who missed the game on Wii U or in the arcades, the game sees you actually playing as your chosen pokemon as you engage in one-on-one bouts across a variety of arenas.
New Pokemon RPG in the works
Announced by the Pokemon company’s president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara and while there is no date given yet, there are the alternative versions of Sun and Moon out for the Nintendo 3DS in November when their Ultra versions are released.
Metroid Prime 4
When we compiled our dream reveal list for E3 2017 here, we had hoped for a return of Metroid and thankfully Nintendo have delivered!Okay, it might just be a title screen but seeing how it’s been over ten years since we had a proper Metroid title with “Metroid Prime 3: Corruption” so you can understand why it is exciting to see Metroid finally making its Nintendo Switch debut.
Yoshi
A fantastic looking game which trades out the yarn of “Yoshi’s Wooly World” for a handcrafted style which brings to mind “Little Big Planet” while packed with plenty of colourful details and even the ability to flip the environment. This really is the kind of innovative gameplay we’d like to see more of from the system with this game certainly joining the small pile of games that make us want to invest in the Nintendo Switch. Yoshi will be released in 2018.
Fire Emblem Warriors
Fire Emblem is a key title from Nintendo. This upcoming title to be released in Fall 2017 will feature a myriad of characters such as Marth, Xander, Corrin and other heroes in this clash of legions game.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Expansion Pass
For the current owners of Nintendo Switch, most would probably already be also the owner of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild who was the sole full game experience to launch with the console. This news is probably a great one as the expansion pass will be available for $19.99 and will have two upcoming DLCs. The Master Trials will launch on June 30th, 2017 and the second DLC, Champions’ Ballad will be released in Holiday 2017.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
This title kicked off the Ubisoft conference where it’s safe to say it caught everyone by surprise by how fantastic this unusual pairing looks and played as here we essentially get XCOM but with Mario! A standout title at E3 this is certainly a title worth looking out for. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle will be released on August 29, 2017.
Rocket League
The juggernaut rolls on and it was really only a matter of time before the Switch got its own version, especially with the game showing no signs of declining in popularity for the Xbox or Playstation. The Nintendo Switch though is perfectly suited for the game especially as it is the perfect sort of game to pick up and put down or bring out for parties.
Super Mario Odyssey
One of the big titles not only for the Nintendo Switch but for E3 as a whole with the footage we’d seen of Mario running around New York city certainly catching our attention. As it turns out, this wasn’t the half of it. As for this outing, Mario now comes with the ability to possess enemies by tossing his hat onto them, in turn enabling him to harness their abilities which certainly provided some interesting moments throughout much like the swing band who soundtrack the trailer singing about being your “1 up Girl” which sounds like a Valentine’s Day slogan but its jolly enough and matched up with the footage well. Plus who doesn’t want to see a Mario T-Rex? Super Mario Odyssey is coming on October 27, 2017.
Nintendo jumped into Treehouse phase after the Spotlight trailers where they demonstrated a good portion of Super Mario Odyssey as well as Metroid: Samus Returns. Overall, the Spotlight gave us a nice idea of what’s coming up for Nintendo Switch. It is definitely a nice roster and may tempt those hesitating to pick up a Nintendo Switch.
What are you excited for? Tell us in the comments below!