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Games, add-ons, and movies, oh my.
Nintendo truly has the most fascinating ability to drum up hype at a moment’s notice. One minute, we’re all minding our own business, the next Nintendo’s announcing a Direct and the hype engines fire at full blast. Yesterday, Nintendo hosted another Direct presentation detailing some upcoming projects for the winter season and beyond, and they did not disappoint.
First, some major content add-ons are planned for several existing Switch games. Monster Hunter: Rise will be receiving its Sunbreak DLC some time next summer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is finally getting the beloved coffee shop owner Brewster soon (which will be outlined in a separate October presentation), and the final DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be unveiled by Sakurai on October 5.
Next, Nintendo revealed some more features for their Switch Online subscription service. In late October, they’ll be adding a new subscription tier titled the “Expansion Pack,” included in which will be libraries of both Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. No word yet on how much more this new tier will cost.
Squid Research Laboratory here! New #Splatoon3 details were just announced via video transmission. In addition to some exciting Turf War footage, we also got our first look at the single-player story mode. Check it out!https://t.co/EZY7U8hVWJ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 24, 2021
Finally, we got some details on major game projects. The existence of Splatoon 3 was revealed during a previous presentation, but we got some additional details here. The general feel of the game’s multiplayer is mostly unchanged, but there are some interesting new weapons and abilities, such as a robotic crab and a grappling ability. The game’s single player campaign will also, apparently, feature the return of mammals to the Inklings’ world. Additionally, we got the announcement of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a fully 3D Kirby adventure slated for release in Spring 2022. Unlike most Kirby games, which are sidescrollers, Kirby can go anywhere he wants in this game, more in line with Super Mario Odyssey. Lastly, we finally got some gameplay footage of the repeatedly-delayed Bayonetta 3 from Platinum Games, with release planned for 2022.
Oh, and of course we can’t forget the premier date of the Super Mario Bros. movie, being created in tandem with Despicable Me studio Illumination. The film will hit theaters on December 21, 2022, and will feature the likes of Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, and more among its voice cast.
