After more than a year without a proper Nintendo Direct, Nintendo is back! Its newest direct featured information on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and some of the other Switch games coming to the console in the first half of 2021.
Nintendo made some news in its February 17 Nintendo Direct, the first Direct since September 4, 2019.
Other than the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Switch port, the demos for Bravely Default 2 and Monster Hunter Rise, and a viral story about suing a 9-year-old, Nintendo’s had a pretty quiet 2021.
The day before the event, Nintendo teased that this would be a 50-minute Direct that “focused on available games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and games coming to Nintendo Switch in the first half of 2021.”
All over Twitter, fans were making predictions and bingo cards.
But like other Nintendo Directs before it, this Direct was a bit of a letdown.
The biggest news was there’s no news on Breath of the Wild 2. Before this Direct, we hadn’t heard anything about the sequel to 2017’s Breath of the Wild since last September when producer Eiji Aonuma said that fans would have to “wait a bit longer,” and now we have to wait even longer.
But development’s going well, apparently.
Here’s a quick rundown of the new games announced in the Nintendo Direct.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Pyra and Mythra, Rex’s allies in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! They’ll be available in March.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
This Direct included a teaser trailer for Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, a platform battle royale game developed by Mediatonic. It was originally released on for PC, PlayStation 4, Android, and iOS in 2020. Coming Summer 2021.
Outer Wilds
In this 2019 action-adventure game, you play as a character who’s stuck in a doomed solar system and only have 22 minutes before the sun explodes. You repeat this cycle and try to solve the mystery of the universe. Outer Wilds will be available on the Switch this summer.
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind
Nintendo went way back for these remasters. The Famicon Detective Club games date back to 1988. These two murder-mystery installments, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, have been localized in English and modernized for the Switch. You can pre-order Famicon Detective Club now. It’s available on May 14.
Samurai Warriors 5
Like hack-and-slash fun? Check out Samurai Warriors 5, originally released in 2005 for PC, Xbox, and the Playstation 2. This port’s coming to the Switch this summer.
The Legend of Mana Remastered
It’s The Legend of… you were hoping for, but after all this time, the classic Square RPG Legend of Mana is coming to the Switch. This enhanced version comes on the heels of the Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana remakes. Dive (back) into this SNES adventure on June 24.
Monster Hunter Rise
We’ve known about Monster Hunter Rise for a while now. The new trailer looks amazing. Releasing on March 26 — along with a Monster Hunter Switch and Pro Controller — you can pre-order the game now.
Mario Golf: Super Rush
We haven’t had a proper Mario Golf game since 2014’s Mario Golf: World Tour. Nintendo showed off some of the Wii-like motion controls, the power-ups, and some “Speed Golf” gameplay that looks amazing.
You can also play through a story mode with your Mii character, leveling up as you make your way through the game. Pre-order Mario Golf: Super Rush now. It’s available June 25.
Tales from the Borderlands
March 24. Set between Borderlands 2 and 3. Choice-driven narrative adventure.
Capcom Arcade Stadium
We’re really excited about Capcom Arcade Stadium. We heard about it back in December, and it’s available to play now! We can’t wait to try out some local co-op.
Stubbs the Zombie
Stubbs the Zombie turns the tables on typical zombie games. In this one, you become a zombie and take on the city! Pre-orders are open now. It’s released on March 16.
No More Heroes III
In this action-adventure hack-and-slash, you play as Travis Touchdown and fight to defeat the aliens and save the world. It’s available on August 27.
Neon White
Neon White was a little of a surprise for us. In this first-person platform, you enter heaven as an assassin… who has to exterminate demons. Sounds like an interesting premise, right? It’s available in Winter 2021.
DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power
Following the Cartoon Network show of the same name, DC Super Hero Girls follows Batgirl, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and their friends as they fight evil… and try to make it to class on time. etc. DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power is out on June 4.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
PopCap Games’ 2019 third-person shooter, Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville arrives on the Switch on March 19.
Miitopia
Who doesn’t love Nintendo’s Miis? Well, Miitopia is a Mii RPG! The characters are customizable, so you can adventure with your friends — or at least Miis who look like your friends. Pre-orders are on now. Miitopia will be available on May 21.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update
Nintendo’s still celebrating Super Mario’s 35th anniversary with its new Animal Crossing: New Horizons update. You can get Mario-themed clothes, items, and more. You can also place warp pipes, making it easy to go from one side of your island to another in seconds.
It’s a free update, and it’s available on February 25.
Protect Triangle Strategy (Working Title)
From the team who brought you Octopath Traveler comes Project Triangle Strategy (a working title, thankfully). It looks like a combination of Octopath and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Project Triangle Strategy launches sometime in 2022.
Star Wars Hunters
This free-to-play Star Wars combat game is set between Episodes 6 and 7. Play as a bounty hunter, rebel scum, or imperials in this upcoming Lucasfilm and Zynga release.
Star Wars Hunters will be available for download sometime in 2021.
Knockout City
Knockout City is an EA dodgeball game coming to the Switch on May 21. It includes cross-play at launch, so you can play with your friends on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
World’s End Club
Does World’s End Club sound familiar? You may have seen it on the Apple Arcade. The developers released a teaser version — not quite a demo — for Apple Arcade customers in anticipation of the full game coming to Switch this year. In World End’s Club, you fight for your life in an underwater theme park before breaking out and exploring Japan in a side-scrolling adventure.
World’s End Club is available for download on May 28.
Hades
If you want to play Hades, you probably already have. But if you love Hades and want a physical version for the Switch, Nintendo had some good news for you today. This new physical Hades release comes with a 2-hour soundtrack and a 32-page collective book from the series’ art director.
The physical version of Hades comes out on March 19.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection
You love them. But you (understandably) hate playing them. It’s the Ninja Gaiden series, and the trilogy will be available on the Switch soon! This new collection, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection, includes Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge. It will also include all DLC.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection will be available on June 10.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass will include two waves of DLC, the first one coming out in June and the other in November. Pre-orders are open now.
Bravely Default II
We’ve known about Bravely Default II for a while now, and Nintendo gave us its final trailer before release. Bravely Default II comes out on February 26.
Ghost ‘n Goblins Resurrection
We’re super excited to play this super frustrating game. This reimagined Capcom classic includes local co-op for the first time! It’s available on February 25, and pre-orders are going on now.
SaGa Frontier
This role-playing game from Square was originally released on the Playstation in 1997. It’s been remastered for the Switch and adds a new playable character and some new features. It launches on April 15.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends is another one of the games on this list that we’d heard about a few months ago. This free-to-play battle royale lands on the Switch on March 9.
Skyward Sword HD
In what might be the most exciting announcement of the Direct, Nintendo showed us a glimpse at The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
You might remember this Zelda adventure because of its Wii motion controls. They’ve re-created them on the Switch, with the right Joy-Con controlling the sword and the left Joy-Con controlling the shield.
The good news is you don’t have to use the motion controls. They made a button-only control scheme as well, so you can play with a Pro Controller or on your Switch Lite. Swinging the sword with the right analog stick looks interesting.
Pre-orders are going on now. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD comes to the Switch on July 16.
Nintendo also announced a pair of Joy-Cons, featuring the Master Sword and Hylian Shield, that will launch alongside Skyward Sword.
Splatoon 3
We don’t know much about the latest installment in the Splatoon series, but it looks pretty post-apocalyptic. We’ll have to wait a little while to learn more about Splatoon 3, too. It’s slated for release sometime in 2022.
