Nintendo brings an end to the major Keynote presentations for E3 2019 and does not disapoint with a slew of announcements.
Longtime Nintendo fans were treated to announcements for new games, new fighters in Smash Bros., and a Link’s Awakening Release.
During its Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo revealed new information for games, including Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Luigi’s Mansion 3, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3: The Black Order, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, ASTRAL CHAIN™ and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Breath of the Wild Has a Sequel in Development
The most shocking announcement was saved for last: Nintendo teased that a “full” sequel is in the works for the venerable Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. We don’t know anything else about the game, but it appears to have a much darker tone based on the brief snippet on display.
New Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters
The RARE crew is back together with a Duck Hunt fakeout leading into the Banjo-Kazooie reveal. The hero from Dragon Quest will also be joining this year.
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield:
A new generation of Pokémon is coming to the Nintendo Switch console. A new generation of Pokémon is coming to the Nintendo Switch system. Become a Pokémon Trainer, embark on a new journey in the new Galar region, and unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta! The games launch on 15thNovember.
Luigi’s Mansion 3:
Luigi embarks on a dream vacation with Mario and friends. However, his dream quickly becomes a nightmare. With the assistance of Professor E. Gadd once again, the reluctant and cowardly hero Luigi traverses up and down a mysterious hotel with floors that are completely different from one another.
Wield the upgraded Poltergust G-00 to slam and blow away the ghosts’ defences, or summon Gooigi, an all-green doppelganger that can help Luigi overcome obstacles he can’t get past alone. ScareScraper mode can be played online* or locally with up to eight players on four Nintendo Switch consoles (additional games required). The game is scheduled to launch in 2019.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening:
Link has washed ashore on a mysterious island with strange and colourful inhabitants. To escape the island, Link must collect magical instruments and awaken the Wind Fish. Players explore a reimagined Koholint Island that’s been faithfully rebuilt in a new art style. Battle enemies, conquer numerous dungeons and uncover the hidden secrets of the island while encountering Super Mario enemies like Goombas, Chain Chomps and Piranha Plants. Players can also earn Chambers (Dungeon Rooms) and arrange them to complete objectives in the new Chamber Dungeon.
Launching alongside the game will be a new Link amiibo figure that lets players hold this adorable new art style in the palm of their hands. A Limited Edition of the game will come with a physical version of the game, an art book that features concept art from the Nintendo Switch version of the game, and an exclusive Game Boy-themed SteelBook® case. The game and amiibo are each scheduled to launch on 20th September.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
Players embark on an ultra-exclusive Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package and enjoy a peaceful existence full of creativity, charm and the freedom to roll up their sleeves and make their new life whatever they want it to be. Players can collect resources they can craft into everything from creature comforts to handy tools as they set up a homestead they can decorate freely, both inside and out. The game is scheduled to launch on 20th March, 2020.
The Nintendo Direct presentation concluded with the reveal of the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which is currently in development for Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Direct also revealed upcoming Nintendo Switch games, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition from CD PROJEKT RED, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics from Netflix and EnMasse, CONTRA ROGUE CORPS from Konami, and TRIALS of MANA from SQUARE ENIX.
Nintendo followed its presentation with a Nintendo Treehouse: Live segment that gave fans their first look at live gameplay of the new Pokémon games in development for Nintendo Switch. The games are scheduled to launch on 15th November.
Nintendo Treehouse: Live, which provides closer looks at Nintendo Switch games featured at E3, will continue with daily programming through Friday AEST. Thursday and Friday’s livestreams will start at 2:00am AEST / 4:00am NZST. For the first time, Friday’s show will be dedicated entirely to indie games coming to Nintendo Switch.
Other details announced during the Nintendo Direct include:
MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3: The Black Order:
Assemble an ultimate team of Marvel Super Heroes from a huge cast including the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men and more. Team up with friends** to prevent galactic devastation at the hands of the mad cosmic tyrant Thanos and his ruthless warmasters, The Black Order. Players can expand their ultimate alliance with the paid Expansion Pass, which includes upcoming DLC content from popular franchises like the Fantastic Four, X-Men and Marvel Knights. The game launches on 19th July.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses:
As a professor, players must lead students in their academic lives and in turn-based, tactical RPG battles wrought with strategic new twists to overcome. As the story unfolds, the choice of house at the Officers Academy will greatly affect where players stand when the great land of Fódlan becomes engulfed in war. After five years, former friends from the other classes must now face each other on the battlefield as bitter enemies. The game features the refined gameplay that the Fire Emblem franchise is known for.
Players command a party of warriors to move and fight on a grid-based battlefield and, for the first time in the series history, assign battalions of troops to support individual units in battle. The game launches on 26th July.
ASTRAL CHAIN:
In this new synergetic action game from PlatinumGames, humanity’s last chance against an interdimensional invasion is a sentient weapon called the Legion. As a rookie officer in an elite police task force, players will work together with their Legion to solve cases and save humankind. Players can change Legions on the fly to vary their style and unleash stylish combos. As they save the world from extradimensional invaders called chimeras, they’ll also interact with citizens, question suspects and team up with members of their task force to solve cases. Additionally, a Collector’s Edition will be available in Australia and New Zealand, containing a 152-page artbook, a Shikishi art board with an illustration by character designer Masakazu Katsura, and a soundtrack CD, all in a high-quality box and sleeve with a suggested retail price of AU$129.95. The game is scheduled to launch on 30th August.
DAEMON X MACHINA:
Defend the planet and defeat corrupted A.I. controlled robots using your Arsenal, a fully customisable mechanised battle suit. Choose and equip your Arsenal with a multitude of weapons, obtain more from downed enemy Arsenals, and swap them on the fly to suit your strategy in the face of ever-changing threats that may bring the end of the world. The game is scheduled to launch on 13th September.
Cadence of Hyrule ~ Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda~:
This rhythmic action-adventure game is set in the world of The Legend of Zelda series. Players can explore the randomly generated overworld, as well as dungeons that change for every player as they try to save Hyrule as Link or Princess Zelda. They can use items from The Legend of Zelda series, plus spells and weapons from Crypt of the NecroDancer. By keeping the beat with 25 remixed classic tunes from The Legend of Zelda series, players must outstep legendary enemies and bosses in rhythmic combat. The game launches in Nintendo eShop in the early morning of 14th June AEST.
DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition:
The legendary and genre-defining role-playing series is back with the definitive version of this critically acclaimed game. Embark on a grand and epic quest as the Luminary – the hero chosen by Yggdrasil, the world tree, to save the world of Erdrea from an evil fate. The Nintendo Switch version boasts all the sprawling content of the original game along with newly added character-specific stories, fully orchestrated field and battle music, additional monsters to ride, side-quests to journey into past DRAGON QUEST worlds, and the ability to change between HD and retro-inspired 16-bit visuals. Additional enhancements include the ability to speed up battle sequences and the choice of a Japanese or English voice track. The game is scheduled to launch on 27th September.
DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS 2:
Go on an adventure to build a fantasy world and defend it from the Children of Hargon. Play and experiment to unlock crafting and building recipes in this RPG adventure filled with exploration, questing and challenging battles. Build together with up to three other players via local wireless or online* on the Isle of Awakening. The Nintendo eShop demo is scheduled to launch on 27th June, and the full game is scheduled to launch on 12th July.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition from CD PROJEKT RED:
Winner of over 250 Game of the Year awards, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a story-driven, open world adventure set in a dark fantasy universe, where you play as Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. The Complete Edition contains every piece of downloadable content released for the game, including two massive story expansions: Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine. It’s the perfect opportunity to enter this world for the first time or relive the adventure – on the go! The game is scheduled to launch this year.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 from SEGA:
Join Mario, Sonic and friends for their greatest adventure yet at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. Go for the gold medal as you compete in action-packed sports games, including four brand-new events to Tokyo 2020: Skateboarding, Karate, Surfing and Sport Climbing, as well as a large selection of classic events. The game is scheduled to launch in November.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics from Netflix and EnMasse:
The highly anticipated Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance comes to life as a thrilling tactical strategy game. In The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics, fans can experience the fantasy world of Thra by playing through – and going beyond – the events of the series. Players will even encounter never-seen-before playable characters, stories and environments. The game is scheduled to launch in 2019.
TRIALS of MANA from SQUARE ENIX:
TRIALS of MANA is a full HD remake of the third entry in the Mana series, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3. The entire game has been fully rebuilt from the ground up with modern 3D graphics. The game is scheduled to launch in early 2020.
Collection of Mana from SQUARE ENIX:
Collection of Mana brings the first three titles in the seminal Mana series to Nintendo Switch in an all-in-one package. The collection is an essential bundle for new fans who want to play the classics for the first time and nostalgia seekers who want to relive fond memories and high fantasy adventures on the go. The collection launches today!
CONTRA ROGUE CORPS from Konami:
CONTRA ROGUE CORPS is an over-the-top run-and-gun franchise with fast-paced, ultra-violent combat. Offering both single- and multiplayer** options, CONTRA ROGUE CORPS is an incredible gameplay experience alone or with your friends. The game launches on 26th September.
No More Heroes 3 from Grasshopper Manufacture:
Travis Touchdown returns to Santa Destroy after a 10-year absence. There he finds a huge artificial island metropolis floating in the sea, and a mysterious flying object hovering high above. The latest numbered entry in the No More Heroes series… No More Heroes 3 is coming in 2020.
Empire of Sin from Paradox and Romero Games:
Empire of Sin puts you at the heart of the ruthless criminal underworld of 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago. It’s up to you to hustle, charm and intimidate your way to the top of the pile and do whatever it takes to stay there. This character-driven noir-inspired game immerses players in the glitz and glamor of the roaring ’20s, all while working behind the scenes in the gritty underbelly of organized crime. The game is scheduled to launch in autumn 2020.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake from Forever Entertainment:
A new, remade version of Panzer Dragoon – true to the original, with improved graphics and controls, that suit modern gaming standards. On a far, lone planet, you encounter two dragons awakened from the ancient times. Armed with a deadly gun from the past, and the guidance of your armoured blue dragon, you must fulfil your destiny and keep the Prototype Dragon from reaching the Tower, or die trying. The game is scheduled to launch this summer.
Resident Evil 5 from CAPCOM:
While the Umbrella Corporation and its crop of lethal viruses have been destroyed and contained, a more dangerous threat has emerged. Somewhere in Africa, innocent villagers are transforming into aggressive and disturbing creatures. Featuring online and couch co-op, players can experience this Resident Evil classic as either Chris Redfield or his partner, Sheva Alomar, as the duo work together to investigate and stop those responsible for the viral outbreak. The game is scheduled to launch this spring.
Resident Evil 6 from CAPCOM:
Blending action and survival horror, Resident Evil 6 delivers an epic and dramatic horror experience. Resident Evil favourites Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield and Ada Wong are joined by series newcomers to face a global level threat: the highly virulent C-virus. The game is scheduled to launch this spring.
Some other third-party games*** on the way for Nintendo Switch include:
- Dead by Daylight from Behaviour Interactive Inc. / Koch Media (Spring)
- Stranger Things 3: The Game from Netflix / BonusXP (4th July)
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy from Activision Publishing, Inc. (3rd September)
- Just Dance 2020 from Ubisoft (5th November)
- New Super Lucky’s Tale from Playful Studios (Spring)
- Minecraft: Dungeons from Mojang Studios (Autumn 2020)
- Ni No Kuni Remastered: Wrath of the White Witch from LEVEL-5 / Engine Software (20th September)
- Catan from Asmodee Digital (20th June)
- The Sinking City from Frogwares (Spring)
- Alien: Isolation from SEGA Europe Limited (2019)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong from Team Cherry (Coming soon)
- FINAL FANTASY: Crystal Chronicles Remastered from SQUARE ENIX, Inc. (This summer)
- Dauntless from Phoenix Labs (Late 2019)
- Wolfenstein: Youngblood from Bethesda Softworks (26th July)
- DOOM Eternal from Bethesda Softworks (Coming soon)
- The Elder Scrolls: Blades from Bethesda Softworks (Spring)
To watch Nintendo Treehouse: Live, learn game details or see the most up-to-date information about Nintendo’s presence at E3 2019, keep an eye on Nintendo’s E3 2019 website****.
