March's Nintendo Direct: Big announcements, delightful humor and even more questions

by Nolan Leahy Here’s a list of what was announced with the March Nintendo Direct: Nintendo 3DS Headlines

• WarioWare Gold arrives with 300 microgames on August 3.
• Dillon the armadillo returns to Nintendo’s portable consoles in Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers on May 24.
  • A demo will be available May 10.
• An updated version of Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story arrives in 2019.
  • Bowser Jr’s Journey is also included.
• Detective Pikachu arrives on March 23.
  • The game will be supplemented by an extra large detective Pikachu amiibo.
• Luigi’s Mansion port arrives this year on Nintendo 3DS.
  • The port includes a new Boss Rush mode.

Nintendo Switch Headlines

• Kirby Star Allies is launching on March 16.
  • The game features new playable characters that include:
    • Meta Knight
    • King Dedede
    • Bandana Waddle Dee
  • More characters will also be made available through free updates.
  • A free update will  available on March 28 to add new content to the game.
  • A free demo is available now on the Nintendo eShop.
• Okami HD launches this Summer, enabling players to use motion controls or the touch screen to play.
• Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido, a sushi battle game, launches June 8
  • The game will launch simultaneously on the Nintendo 3DS.
• Octopath Traveler features new characters:
  • • Merchant Tressa
    • Apothecary Alfyn
  • New battle details were revealed.
  • Octopath Traveler launches with an optional special edition on July 13.
  • A free demo is available now on the eShop.
• Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes launches this year.
  • The game spans across 7 different game types.
• Dark Souls: Remastered is getting a Solaire of Astora Amiibo, allowing players to do the “praise the sun” gesture in-game.
  • A free Network Test is coming soon, allowing players to try the game before buying.
• Mario Tennis Aces , launching June 22, had new gameplay details released including:
  • Zone Shots will allow precise aiming before shooting.
    • Getting hit with a Zone Shot can possibly break opponents’ rackets.
    • However, it can be blocked by an opponent to protect their racket.
  • Zone Speed, which creates slow motion to make it easier to block Zone Shots, was shown off.
  • An energy gauge system was shown off.
    • Energy can be gained quickly through risky trick shots.
  • Special Shots are powerful shots that can break rackets in one hit, but cost high amounts of energy and can still be blocked.
  • These features aren’t a required staple in the gameplay; traditional tennis gameplay is also available.
  • Online gameplay will be included.
    • Online tournaments will also be available online.
  • Motion control options can also be used.
  • Pre-launch online tournament announced.
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker arrives on Nintendo Switch and 3DS on July 13.
• Undertale arrives on Nintendo Switch “eventually.”
• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy arrives on July 10.
• Little Nightmares: Complete Edition includes all past downloadable content and arrives on May 18.
• South Park: The Fractured But Whole arrives on April 24.
  • Downloadable content will be available in a season past and for separate purchase.
• Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition releases on May 18.
• ARMS U.S. and Canada Online Open tournament starting on March 8.
  • Look to the Nintendo online website for more details.
  • Also announced were planned talks for the Game Developers Conference on March 21, detailing the development of ARMS and the Splatoon franchise.
• Splatoon 2 will get its 3.0 update in late April which will include:
  • 100+ items of new gear will be added.
  • More stages:
    • Piranha Pit
    • Camp Triggerfish
    • Wahoo World
  • Rank X was introduced for ranked playmodes, making for a new elite designation for the most talented players.
  • The single player purchasable DLC “Octo Expansion” was revealed.
    • The new content arrives this Summer.
    • It is available for pre-purchase for $19.99.
• Super Smash Brothers was announced for a 2018 release, hinting that the Inklings from Splatoon are playable characters.

The Biggest Announcements Super Smash Brothers Smash Brothers Crash Bandicoot: The N. Sane Trilogy Crash Bandicoot Detective Pikachu Pokemon South Park: The Fractured But Whole Doom L.A. Noire South Park Mario Tennis Aces Dark Souls: Remastered Crash Bandicoot: The N. Sane Trilogy Further Questions Smash Brothers Smash Super Smash Brothers for Wii U and 3DS getting the reputation The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Super Mario Odyssey Smash Smash Brothers Smash Pokemon Metroid Prime 4 Star Fox Animal Crossing Mario Party

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Source:  YouTube Image:  Game Focus