Nintendo’s first full Nintendo Direct of 2021 was a doozy, bringing a wide range of game announcements from third parties, dropping the details of some DLC expansions for existing games (including the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighter), and a bunch of first party games that will excite long-term fans of Big N.
You want more Zelda? New Mario Golf? More Splatoon? There’s a lot that was stuffed into that 50 minute presentation, so scroll on down to get the skinny. Alternatively, you can watch the full Direct here:
We’ll get to the big stuff first (instead of following the order that Nintendo went by.
Splatoon 3 is happening!
A sequel to the hit multiplayer action shooter from Nintendo, it seems that Chaos winning in the final Splatfest has transformed the world. Splatoon 3 takes players to the “City of Chaos”, introducing a bunch of new customisation options, new weapons like the bow, and more, while still retaining the familiar 4v4 Turf War format.
The game will be out in 2022, with plenty more details to come.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
With no further update on the Breath of the Wild sequel, Nintendo are hoping to appease fans with a HD remaster of the previous mainline Zelda game, Skyward Sword. First released in 2011 for Wii, it took full advantage of the console’s improved MotionPlus Wiimote, and that has been translated to full Joy-Con motion controls on Switch. Alternatively, the game now features full button controls for Pro Controller, handheld mode and the Switch Lite.
Skyward Sword HD is out on 16th July.
Mario Golf: Super Rush
The first home console Mario Golf game since the Gamecube, Mario Golf: Super Rush will have all the golfing action you could want, starring a host of familiar Mario characters and pick up and play golfing. There’s new motion controls as an option, just be sure to wear a wrist strap so you don’t launch your Joy-Con into something expensive!
The game also has new modes, including Speed Golf, where everyone plays at the same time and races through the course, and a Story Mdoe, starring your Mii character with levelling up and skill progression.
Mario Golf: Super Rush is out on 25th June.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass
The musou Breath of the Wild prequel is getting even bigger through 2021 thanks to a DLC season pass. The Expansion Pass is now available for £17.99, promising two waves of DLC additional content that adds new characters, stages and more. The first wave arrives in June and the second in November, but those who buy before early will get a new weapon and costume for Link on 28th May.
Project Triangle Strategy (working title)
Building on the same HD-2D game engine as Octopath Traveller, Project Triangle Strategy leans on a different side to Square Enix’s long RPG tradition. Triangle Strategy is a tactical RPG (think Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics), but with meaningful choices to be made that affect how the story unfolds.
The game will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch in 2022, but there’s a free demo available now on the Nintendo eShop
No More Heroes III release date
The third game in the cult classic No More Heroes series has a release date on 27th August!
The next Super Smash Bros. fighter is…
Pyra/Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2! Coming out in March.
Star Wars: Hunters
Set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Hunters is a free-to-play multiplayer shooter with a cast of Bounty Hunters, heroes of the Rebellion and Imperial stormtroopers all duking it out in arenas across the Star Wars universe. The game launches in 2021.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
The hit multiplayer game of 2020 is coming to Nintendo Switch this summer!
Animal Crossing X Super Mario 35th Anniversary
The Super Mario themed items and accessories will be coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in March after the 25th February update.
Miitopia
The Mii-based RPG has been revived from the Nintendo 3DS for the Nintendo Switch generation, letting you take your Mii and those of friends and family on an adventure to battle the face-stealing Dark Lord. A smattering of new features are being added to the game, giving you more customisation options than ever.
Miitopia arrive on Nintendo Switch on 21st May.
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir / Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind
A pair of classic visual novels are making their way from Japan to the West for the first time, localised with English text and modernised for the Nintendo Switch. Coming as a dual-pack, Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind will be out on 14th May.
Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is set to slice up consoles and PC this June
The three action-packed entries in the Ninja Gaiden sereis are coming to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on 10th June.
Monster Hunter Rise
Check out the new trailer for Monster Hunter Rise:
Knockout City
Velan Studios have cooked up a brand new take on dodgeball for Knockout City, with high-paced ball-throwing battles with a bunch of video game twists. Check out our hands on preview here. The game will be out for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC on 21st May.
DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power
Based on the Cartoon Network show, you’ll step into the boots of a bunch of classic DC superheroines including Batgirl, Supergirl and Wonder Woman as they have to get through high school, all while saving the city of Metropolis. The game is out on 4th June.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Complete Edition
The third game in the Plants vs. Zombies shooter spin-off will be coming to Nintendo Switch on 19th March.
Legend of Mana
The classic JRPG from Square Enix will be bringing its remastered HD graphics, rearranged music and added features to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC on 24th June.
Outer Wilds
The acclaimed indie time-loop game Outer Wilds will be playable on Nintendo Switch when it launches this summer.
Samurai Warriors 5
Diving deep in the Sengoku period, Samurai Warriors 5 will be slicing and dicing it up on Switch this summer.
World’s End Club
Coming from the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape, you and 11 other characters in the Go-Getters Club have to set off across Japan in a mixture of side-scrolling action and narrative as you try to make your way back to Tokyo. World’s End Club is out for Nintendo Switch on 28th May.
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
The Xbox exclusive zombie ’em up is being remastered for modern consoles, including the Nintendo Switch, on 16th March.
Ghosts ’n Goblin Resurrection
Getting local co-op is coming to the series for the first time, with arthur getting help from three supporting characters: Barry for defence, Kerry for transportation or Archie for bridges. Ghosts ’n Goblins Resurrection is coming out on 25th February.
Capcom Arcade Stadium
Tons and tons of Capcom’s arcade classics are now available on Nintendo Switch as part of Capcom Arcade Stadium with features like gameplay rewind, game speed adjustments and more adding into the emulation. You can get 1943 – The Battle of Midway for free and then add to your collection with game packs or the standalone Ghosts ‘n Goblins add-on (which will be free up until 25th February).
Neon White
A new first-person action game about exterminating demons in Heaven, Neon White is the next game fromt he creator of Donut County… coming to Switch and PC in winter 2021.
SaGa Frontier Remastered
The remaster of the 90s RPG is coming to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and PC on 15th April.
PHEW! What a stream that was! Were there any highlights for you?
tactical20
Hyped for Mario Golf and Skyward Sword, although would have obviously preferred a Zelda collection. Nothing else of interest for me. Was really hoping for an F-Zero game. Why they haven’t rebooted this franchise is a mystery. And I guess we need a Wario game for Switch at some point too.
ico
Agree completely and can only think / hope that Zelda collection is in the works as this would be a huge missed opportunity if not.
Stefan L
Nintendo will likely have some kind of 35th Anniversary celebration for Zelda, just as they currently have for Mario. They’re probably just biding their time for that, but it’s also depends on which Zelda games they choose to include. If it’s Ocarina of Time, the gold standard would be to use the 3DS enhancement over the N64 original, or a combination of the two which might be awkward for a 3D All-Stars style emulation.