TGO Daily | Friday, September 24, 2021 | Nintendo Direct Rundown
✏️ From the Author
It always feels as though E3-like events are a special moment in the gaming industry. Even if there are a string of stinkers, people will inevitably look forward to the next trailer-filled showcase of everything heading our way.
I find it to be both a blessing and a curse. Spend any time watching people’s live reactions to some of the announcements, and it’s pure unfiltered joy. Why wouldn’t that be a good thing? The cynical (and perhaps more accurate) take is that these are simply marketing events that can promise the world, in the hopes that you spend your hard-earned dollars on a product you haven’t properly seen yet.
I try to stick with the positive though.
Cheers,
Adrian
📰 In The News
Nintendo Direct Full Recap
A Nintendo Direct happened today, filled with announcements and details regarding their upcoming lineup.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Nintendo are expanding their Nintendo Switch Online service by creating an additional tier called “Expansion Pack.” This tier will add N64 and SEGA Genesis games to the service. Pricing wasn’t shared, but it will be available starting in October.
The opening lineup for N64 games include Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Mario Kart 64 (future titles will include Banjo-Kazooie, Pokemon Snap, and Majora’s Mask). SEGA Genesis games include Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, and Ecco the Dolphin. Check out the full launch lineup here.
There will also be controllers which are modelled after those consoles. They’ll be $50, wireless, and they’re open for preorder:
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Announced
One of the biggest game announcements was that Kirby is getting his first mainline entry since 2018, taking him to a post-apocalyptic world. The gameplay shows that it will be a 3D platformer, with all the conventions of a classic Kirby game.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Announced
A “massive expansion” is heading to Monster Hunter Rise called “Sunbreak.” In the introduction to the trailer, it was described to have:
“…New stories, locales, monsters, and, although not touched on in the trailer, new hunting actions and quest rank.”
It will release in the Summer of 2022.
Castlevania Advance Collection Announced and Released
Konami surprise-released (though long rumoured) collection of Castlevania games from the Game Boy Advanced. They have already been released on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
The collection includes:
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Castlevania: Dracula X (SNES)
There will be some QOL additions for modern consoles as well, including rewind and quick save features.
Chocobo GP Announced
Square Enix is joining the kart racing genre, with the announcement of Chocobo GP, a Final Fantasy themed racing game. It releases some time in 2022, with online multiplayer and a 64-person tournament mode.
It looks like a pretty standard kart racer, but it might be worth it just to be able to play as some iconic characters from the franchise.
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars Announced
The newest project from Yoko Taro (Nier franchise) has revealed his newest project in Voice of Cards. It’s a card-based RPG with a pretty great art style.
It launches on October 28th, with a demo available now.
Bayonetta 3 Trailer and Release Date
For the first time in four years, more details have been given about Bayonetta 3. A Nintendo Switch exclusive, it’s been confirmed to release some time in 2022. The trailer showed some pretty cool gameplay, feel free to give it a look.
Other Notes
💡 Read More
The Initiative partners with Crystal Dynamics to create Perfect Dark
Diablo II: Resurrected launches today, reviews available (as of this writing, only a few. Not enough to do a full writeup for).
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut reviews available. It’s more of the same game, but some reviewers recommended re-playing it, and most said this is the best place to start for new players.
Sable, an indie adventure/exploration game, getting decent reviews
Disney Classic Games Collection adds games to the release from 2019, will be going out on last-gen consoles and PC
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Thanks for the read <3