After months of speculation and rumours, Nintendo finally-and suddenly-dropped their January Direct Mini on YouTube and their own site. Poised as a teaser for what’s to come in 2018, here’s everything that was announced in the short video:
The World Ends With You Final Remix
Originally released for the DS back in 2007 and later ported to iOS, The World Ends With You is a critically-acclaimed JRPG from Square Enix and Jupiter. It’s a bit of a cult classic, and an incredibly stylish one at that. No release date was given, but it is confirmed for 2018.
Pokkén Tournament DX Battle Pack
The Bandai Namco-developed Pokémon fighter will be getting new characters as part of a two-wave DLC pack. Wave 1 will release on January 31st and includes Aegislash, Mega Rayquaza and Mimikyu, while Wave 2 launches March 23rd with Blastoise, Mew and Celebi. Also included in the Battle Pack are new avatar items and “more”. The DLC is available to preorder on the Switch eShop now.
New Copy Abilities for Kirby Star Allies
The upcoming Switch platformer will feature new and unique abilities for the pink lump and his friends. The Artist and Spider were both shown off, as well as new combo abilities for co-operative play. Star Allies launches on Switch on March 16th.
Kirby Battle Royale Demo
Continuing the Kirby content, Nintendo announced that a demo for the 3DS-exclusive Kirby Battle Royale is now available on the handheld’s eShop.
Dragon Quest Builders Demo
Another demo for an upcoming release, a trial for the Switch version of Square Enix’s Dragon Quest Builders is now available on the Switch eShop.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
A new, DLC-packed release of the Zelda/Dynasty Warriors crossover is coming, featuring all previously released content for the game and new outfits based on Breath of the Wild. Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition launches this Spring.
Mario Tennis Aces
A new announcement for the Switch, Mario Tennis Aces is the follow-up to 2015’s Ultra Smash. Aces features new gameplay elements, shot types and the first Mario Tennis story mode since the GBA, replete with an overworld and boss fights. Mario Tennis Aces launches this Spring.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
Another critically-acclaimed JRPG for the Switch, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana puts a lot of emphasis on switching between characters to set up massive combos. Ys VIII launches on Switch this summer.
Super Mario Odyssey Update
I adored Odyssey in my review, so it’s exciting to see it get some significant updates. This patch adds a new post-game competitive online mode called Luigi’s Balloon World. There are two “modes”: Hide It and Find It. In the former, you have 30 seconds to hide a balloon in the world. The latter speaks for itself, really. It’s set up as a bit of a score chaser, with its own leaderboard. The update will also add new costumes and filters for snapshot mode when it launches in February.
SNK HEROINES Tag Team Frenzy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVBACJxpOo
A 2-on-2 fighting game from SNK, TTG brings together a bunch of fan favourite characters in one package. As a tag fighting game, it’s got a lot of combo moves and customisation. Tag Team Frenzy launches on Switch this Summer.
ACA NEOGEO ART OF FIGHTING 2
Another Hamster release of an old fighting game, this one launches today on the Switch eShop. At this point, Hamster have practically made their own Virtual Console segment on the eShop.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle DLC
In the second DLC for Ubisoft’s tactical battler, Donkey Kong makes his debut as a playable character. The DLC pack will be available this Spring.
Payday 2 Switch
This was announced a while back, but Payday 2 got a Switch trailer detailing the online connectivity, HD rumble and a new playable character in Joy, a Japanese hacker with a fancy LED mask. Payday 2 launches on Switch on February 22nd.
Fe
EA’s beautiful Fe, announced during Play 2016, will launch on Switch on February 16th. The brief trailer confirmed that the game will feature HD rumble and that it still looks lovely.
Celeste
Touted as “a modern take on the action-platformer”, Celeste features a character that can climb on almost any surface. It’s got a lovely pixel style and a lo-fi soundtrack. It also features an assist mode for less experienced gamers, changing up the pacing to make it more accessible. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it includes ultra-challenging B-side chapters. Celeste launches on Switch on January 25th.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Originally released on the Wii U in 2014, this critically-acclaimed platformer is getting an enhanced Switch port with a new character and two-player co op, even in handheld mode. Tropical Freeze launches on Switch on May 4th.
Dark Souls Remastered
Finally, this one is out there. It’s been rumoured since before the Switch’s release, and Bandai Namco finally announced that a remaster of FromSoftware’s acclaimed RPG is coming on May 25th. The company later confirmed that it will also launch on PS4, Xbox One and Steam.
So despite its short runtime, Nintendo’s January Direct didn’t disappoint. The lineup for 2018 is stacked-both for the Switch and the aging 3DS. Here’s hoping for an even longer Direct later down the line!
Credit to GameXplain and Gamespot for some of the trailer uploads.
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George Benjamin Jones
George is a journalist and student from Brighton, UK. He's been a gamer since he was five, and a writer for four years. He loves RPGs and obscure indie games; his absolute favourite is Persona 4 Golden.
