In addition to confirming that Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo also revealed several new games that are coming to its portable console along with a bunch of other surprising news that very few could have possibly predicted. Here is everything that was announced at Nintendo Direct September 2021:
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Expansion Pack announced for Summer 2022
Capcom kicked off the September 2021 Nintendo Direct by dropping news on a “massive expansion” for Monster Hunter Rise that’s coming in Summer 2022. Sunbreak will add new content to Rise including “stories, locales and monsters, as well as newly added hunting actions and question rank.”
Five N64 boards are coming to Mario Party Superstars
A new Mario Party Superstars trailer made an appearance at the recent Nintendo Direct and confirmed that more maps are coming to the game once it’s available on October 29, 2021. The most interesting part is that these aren’t just any new maps. These maps are based on classic N64 Mario Party games such as Yoshi’s Tropical Island, Horror Land, and Woody Woods, among others.
Square Enix reveals a gorgeous new tabletop RPG
Square Enix and Yoko Taro (NieR and NieR: Automata) announced its new RPG title, Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars for the Nintendo Switch. The game, which will launch on October 28, 2021, has a demo available and is a radical take on the tabletop RPG genre that combines Square Enix’s typically amazing music scores with some awesome-looking card battles. In addition to the Nintendo Switch, Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars will also be available on the PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam.
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is headed to the Nintendo Switch
We’ve got good news for fans of ZA/UM’s controversial and weird video game, Disco Elysium. After The Final Cut was released earlier this year, the wonderfully convoluted RPG title is now headed to the Nintendo Switch. Disco Elysium - The Final Cut will be available on the Switch digitally on October 12 with a physical edition coming later in early 2022.
More Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is coming on October 20
It might be a while before we see the sequel to Breath of the Wild, but we’ll at least be getting more The Legend of Zelda content by way of the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Expansion Pass on October 20.
Chocobo GP is a Final Fantasy-themed Mario Kart
Chocobos have been a part of Final Fantasy for as long as the franchise has existed. So, it comes off as a surprise that we haven’t gotten many games based on them. Square Enix must have noticed this, which is why it’s releasing a Mario Kart-like game with Chocobos in the place of carts on the Nintendo Switch exclusively sometime in 2022.
The final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC fighter is coming on October 5
Watch here:https://t.co/wLVCdxTgtT pic.twitter.com/wCAZw2kmLZ — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 23, 2021 It’s going to be a bittersweet day for Smash Bros. fans on October 5. The good news is that there will be a Mr. Sakurai Presents starting at 7:00 AM PT or 10:00 AM ET on that day. The bad news is that it’s going to be the last. The showcase will signal the end of all major updates to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as Sakurai announces the final DLC fighter for Nintendo’s flagship brawler.
Kirby is going full 3D in Kirby and the Forgotten Land
It’s only taken a couple of decades, but here we finally are. Just as Mario eventually leaped to 3D back in the late 90s, so is Kirby with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This 3D adventure game will feature everybody’s favorite pink gobbling machine eating and copying his way through loads of enemies and wide-open areas. Fans can look forward to getting their hands on Kirby and the Forgotten Land in Spring 2022.
Animal Crossing is getting its Direct showcase in October
2020’s breakout title, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, is getting its Direct showcase in October with Nintendo set to reveal more details about upcoming content. Among several others, fans can expect to hear about free updates such as the fan-favorite Brewster and The Roost coffee shop.
New characters and courses are coming to Mario Golf: Super Rush
Nintendo is releasing a free update to Mario Golf: Super Rush that will add two new courses and more playable characters such as Koopa Troopa and Ninji. The best part? The free update is already available today!
Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition is arriving this Holiday 2021
The Nintendo 3DS’ popular life simulation game, Disney Magical World 2, is getting a Nintendo Switch re-release this Holiday 2021. Disney Magical World 2: Enhanced Edition is a remastered edition that will let players hang out with their favorite Disney characters and explore other worlds in the Disney universe, among others. The remaster will come bundled will all the post-launch DLC released for the original 3DS version right off the bat.
Nintendo Switch is getting the OG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Unfortunately, Aspyr Media’s remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic isn’t coming to the Nintendo Switch. As a consolation, Aspyr is releasing the OG game on Nintendo’s portable console. It’s going to be available to play on the go starting on November 11, 2021.
Both Dying Light games are making their way to the Nintendo Switch
Dying Light 2 isn’t set to arrive until February 4, 2022. Even so, Nintendo Switch owners can look forward to it as Techland is making the game available on the handheld console. To help drum up hype for the upcoming sequel, Dying Light: Platinum Edition will be released on the Switch on October 19.
Square Enix gives Triangle Strategy a launch date
After a tease and demo earlier this year, tactical RPG fans are finally going to be able to play Triangle Strategy on March 4, 2022. In addition to the release date, Square Enix also revealed that the studio has spent time “fine-tuning” the game based on feedback from its initial Demo.
A wild Metroid Dread trailer just dropped
With Metroid Dread scheduled to release on October 8, Nintendo couldn’t let the chance to drop a new trailer for the first new Metroid installment in years pass them by. The extended trailer gives fans a better look at what to expect from Samus’ newest adventure and how it might stack up against the rest of the franchise.
Nintendo adds a new membership plan for Nintendo Switch Online
One of the highlights of the September 2021 Nintendo Direct is the Nintendo Switch Online update. The arrival of a new Expansion Pack membership brings with it good tidings, just in time for the holidays, as adds both Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games to its offerings. Nintendo promises that the update will arrive in October 2021 with more details about its pricing and exact release date coming within the next few weeks. At launch, the lineup of Nintendo 64 games will include:
Super Mario 64 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Mario Kart 64 Star Fox 64 Sin and Punishment Dr. Mario 64 Mario Tennis 64 WinBack Yoshi’s Story
Meanwhile, here is the lineup of SEGA Genesis games available at launch:
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Streets of Rage 2 Ecco the Dolphin Castlevania: Bloodlines Contra Hard Corps Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine Golden Axe Gunstar Heroes M.U.S.H.A. Phantasy Star IV Ristar Shining Force Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Strider
Nintendo also promises to add more Nintendo 64 games to the service in the future, including The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Paper Mario, and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, among others.
The Shadowrun Trilogy to release on the Nintendo Switch
The cult classic trilogy of RPG titles that are based on a tabletop game is getting a Switch release in 2022. The Shadowrun Trilogy is composed of Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun Dragonfall - Director’s Cut, and Shadowrun Hong Kong - Extended Edition.
Konami finally confirms Castlevania Advance Collection
After several leaks, the Castlevania Advance Collection has finally been confirmed. The best part? It’s not just composed of three titles! The latest Castlevania bundle brings together Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, and Aria of Sorrow, as well as Dracula X. Castlevania fans can get their hands on the Castlevania Advance Collection right now.
Actraiser Renaissance from the GeForce Now leak comes true
Believe it or not, the earlier GeForce Now leak is legit and several of the titles contained in it are going to come sooner or later. Actraiser Renaissance is proof of this. The HD remaster of the classic SNES title combines side-scrolling combat mechanics with world-building. Also, the game is available already to purchase in case you’re interested in trying out one of the 90s’ hidden gems.
Free Deltarune Chapter 2 for the Nintendo Switch
After releasing on PC and Mac earlier this week, Deltarune: Chapter 2 is headed to the Nintendo Switch for free.
Miyamoto pops up to confirm the Super Mario Movie
Shigeru Miyamoto decided to delight fans at the September 2021 Nintendo Direct showcase to announce that a star-studded Super Mario live-action adaptation is scheduled to premiere in Holiday 2022. Here is the list of the confirmed cast members for the Super Mario movie:
Chris Pratt as Mario Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach Charlie Day as Luigi Jack Black as Bowser Keegan-Michael Key is Toad Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong
Nintendo added that several other artists like Charles Martinet will make surprise cameos in the film, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for this.
More Splatoon 3 news (but no release date update!)
Unfortunately, Nintendo did not provide an update to Splatoon 3’s 2022 release window. If it’s any consolation, audiences did get a chance to see a brand new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Splatoon installment. The latest preview shows off the game’s single-player campaign, along with the new weapons and traversal mechanics that are coming to the updated Turf War mode.
Bayonetta 3 for the Nintendo Switch finally makes an appearance
To end the showcase, Nintendo dropped a proverbial bomb by confirming that Bayonetta 3 is coming in 2022. As per the trailer, the shape-shifting witch is sporting a new look for her latest outing. To match her new do, she’s got new superpowers too; she can summon a giant dragon to fight for her this time around.
Were there other announcements at the latest Nintendo Direct?
Outside of what we’ve already mentioned, Nintendo did a quick highlight of upcoming games and their release dates. This includes Hot Wheels Unleashed, which is due to release on September 30, and Arcade Archives PAC-MAN and XEVIOUS, which is already available today. Nintendo also confirmed the release dates of other upcoming titles such as Surviving the Aftermath (Holiday 2021), Shin Megami Tensei V (November 11), Wreckfest (Fall 2021), and Rune Factor 5 (March 22, 2022). All in all, the surprise Nintendo Direct showcase was an excellent way to get people excited for the future of the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED’s release on October 8.
