On February 13 Nintendo hosted a Nintendo Direct episode showcasing many of the Switch games coming out in 2019. It was mostly games we had seen before, but now have slightly firmer release dates. We also got new game announcements in Super Mario Maker 2, Boxboy and Boxgirl, Oninaki, Astral Chain, and The Legend of Zelda: Links’ Awakening.
The Direct also mentioned new updates for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, and Starlink: Battle for Atlas. In other Switch news, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is releasing on Switch in a new Definitive Edition, which includes a 16-bit mode and Japanese language option. A demo for Yoshi’s Crafted World is releasing today as well as a port of Final Fantasy IX (also launching on PC and Xbox One).
You can watch the full 40-minute stream above, or enjoy specific trailers for the new announcements below.
Super Mario Maker 2
Release: June 2019
Super Mario Maker 2 appears to be a fairly standard direct sequel to the Wii U’s Super Mario Maker, which is pretty much all we want. The brief gameplay video revealed lots more goodies with which to design levels and challenge others, and also features Luigi on the cover. Maybe a cooperative design mode? The original Super Mario Maker was easily one of the best games on the system and we expect to love the sequel no less.
Oninaki
Release: Summer 2019
From the makers of retro-inspired RPGs I am Setsuna and Lost Sphear comes their next RPG, Oninaki. Kagachi has the power to shift between our world and the world of the dead in order to save lost souls. He’ll be able to battle by manifesting the souls of daemons, which grant new abilities and skills in combat. Players will need to shift between them in order to make the most out of their abilities.
Astral Chain
Release: August 30
Astral Chain is a new stylistic action game from PlatinumGames, best known for the Bayonetta series. Players take on the role of two (?) superpowered police persons in a futuristic city. These cops aren’t busting down street gangs, however, but fighting giant monsters and demons in a very anime-style action sequences. We’re not sure yet if the game features multiplayer, or if you play both the male and female characters. Astral Chain will launch as a Switch exclusive. Bayonetta 3 is also still in development.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Release: 2019
Link’s Awakening was originally released in 1993 on the monochrome Gameboy. Despite its graphical limitations the game was hugely successful, translating the excellent top-down dungeon crawling found in 1991’s seminal gaming release, A Link to the Past.
Nintendo’s announcement showcased a complete 3D remake of Link’s Awakening. Link is stranded on an island (as seen in the trailer) and must battle through the now-very familiar set of dungeons and enemies in order to escape. Link’s Awakening is still considered one of the best Zelda games to date, and the remake looks fantastic.
