It's that time again; a new Nintendo Direct is almost here. We'll be getting 35 minutes of new information on Switch titles that are scheduled for release this year, with a focus on the upcoming Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The Direct will start at 2pm PT, and will be broadcasted on Nintendo's official Twitch and YouTube channels. Will your favorite rumors come true? Stay tuned to this thread to find out, as GBAtemp will be covering the Direct live, and rounding up all the major announcements.

Watch it live, on Twitch
Alternate link for Nintendo UK

Live Coverage

It begins with a huge one--Mario Maker. There's a whole host of custom levels shown off in the style of SMW and NSMB. Launches June 2019 for the Switch.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 gets an overview trailer. Local and online coop. Summer 2019 window.

Boxboy returns and gets its first release for the Switch. Boxboy and Boxgirl launches April 26.

Version 3.0 update comes to Smash this spring. Details to come later. Joker will launch before April.

Captain Toad is getting a free update for 2 player coop. It'll be out later today. It's also getting 18 new challenges and 5 new levels in a paid DLC expansion. March 14 for the DLC.

Bloodstained shows the most varied gameplay we've seen in a while. Launches Summer of this year.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 trailer. July 12 release.

Dragon Quest 11 for Switch is showcased. Features original and orchestrated OST. Dual audio. Dragon Quest 11 S launches this fall.

Disney Tsum Tsum Festival launches later this year.

Starlink gets more Starfox content this April.

Rune Factory 4 gets a port to Switch. Special edition.

Rune Factory 5 confirmed.

Oninaki launches later this year.

Yoshi Crafted World is getting a demo today. Launches March 29.

We're getting some lore about the world featured in Fire Emblem Three Houses. You start as a mercenary. You get to lead a group of students from one of the factions. Friendships between units will lead to bonuses in battle. Delayed to July 26.

Tetris battle royale in the free to play Tetris 99. Releases today.

Dead By Daylight hits this fall.

Delarune episode 1 launches Feb 28.

Limited demo for DaemonXMachina today. There will be a survey for players to submit feedback.

Grid Autosport shown. Motion controls. Online vs mode. Summer 2019.

Hellblade comes to the Switch. Spring.

Highlight reel. Mortal Kombat 11, Unravel 2. Assassin's Creed III. Liberation Remastered included too.

FFVII March 26. Chocobo game March 29. FFIX launches today.

Astral Chain launches this August. Made by Platinum Games. New action game.

Bayonetta 3 gets a mention. No further details.

Link's Awakening Remake caps off the Direct. Launches this year.

Highlights

• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening gets a remake slated for this year.
• Rune Factory 4 comes to Switch, with a confirmation of a Rune Factory 5.
• Mario Maker 2 revealed.
• Astral Chain announced, is a new action game made by Platinum Games.
• Fire Emblem delayed, gets release date of July 26.
• A Hat in Time launches this Spring

 

[donaldgx]

Tetris battle royale .... ib4 galaga BR

 

[Xzi]

Tetris battle royale .... ib4 galaga BR

Sounds good, always preferred Galaga over Tetris.

 

[Kourin]

Nintendo please, all I wanted to see was Animal Crossing ;;

 

[KingVamp]

What about Pac-Man Battle Royale?

 

[sarkwalvein]

Well, now I finally really watched the direct on my own, and I have to say that seeing people disappointed here makes it clear how much subjective all this is because for me this one was fucking awesome. What the hell was that astral chain that came out of the left field? Platinum games, you've me hyped.

 

[RedoLane]

memes aside, truly the main highlight of the direct was Astral Chain.
Not only it looks like a futuristic setting, but it also looks like it takes place in a pseudo-apocalyptic Japan.
There's also humanoid weapons(INB4 JoJokes), all those techno particles everywhere, and mutated monstrosity.
Music is banging, the action looks like pure fun, and it also seem to have a bit of open-world elements.
All that by some 3 big boys who contributed to PlatinumGames from the front or from the back.

Say whatever you want, but Astral Chain already looks like GOTY material.

 

[nashismo]

memes aside, truly the main highlight of the direct was Astral Chain.
Not only it looks like a futuristic setting, but it also looks like it takes place in a pseudo-apocalyptic Japan.
There's also humanoid weapons(INB4 JoJokes), all those techno particles everywhere, and mutated monstrosity.
Music is banging, the action looks like pure fun, and it also seem to have a bit of open-world elements.
All that by some 3 big boys who contributed to PlatinumGames from the front or from the back.

Say whatever you want, but Astral Chain already looks like GOTY material.

Don't you think you are over hyping it a little?

Thing is, in my country the Switch is quite expensive and I don't see any game in the Direct to justify my purchase. I also bought the Pro controller for about 85 USD, so I am like DEMANDING Nintendo to come out with some better games! Or more third parties...

By the way my Pro controller "dpad" works perfect (revision c). I was lucky there.

 

[K3Nv2]

I can only see more smashed switches over Mario maker.

 

[Xzi]

Most underrated gem in the Direct might be Oninaki, really dug that trailer.

 

[Sliter]

for the japanese direct we also had Farming (harvest moon/Story of seasons) Doraemon

and some other launches like Gyakuten saiban, SAO etc that I think the english haven't show

(probably more I haven't noticed since I haven't watched both entirely lol)

 

[Joe88]

By the way my Pro controller "dpad" works perfect (revision c). I was lucky there.

104889C is the good one?
Got mine 2 months ago but never really used the dpad for anything

 

[nashismo]

104889C is the good one?
Got mine 2 months ago but never really used the dpad for anything

YES! That's the one I have! No input problems. The only thing is that the position of the Dpad is not ideal, is kindda uncomfortable to use for me, works great but uncomfortable.

My dream would be to have the same controller, only with the Dpad on the top That would be perfection, but you can't have it all right!

Still, I use the Gbros adapter to use my Wii Pro controllers, now that is a perfect pad for me (the concave shapes in the back are super comfortable), but sadly doesn't have rumble, motion and most importantly, no R3 and L3 buttons.

 

[the_randomizer]

for the japanese direct we also had Farming (harvest moon/Story of seasons) Doraemon

and some other launches like Gyakuten saiban, SAO etc that I think the english haven't show

(probably more I haven't noticed since I haven't watched both entirely lol)

Harvest Moon and Doraemon, that is one weird crossover.

 

[PalindromicBreadLoaf]

Did anyone notice Chary had A Hat In Time slated for a Spring release. Did I miss that somewhere, is that a date for some DLC that I forgot about, or is it Chary just being Chary.

Highlights

• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening gets a remake slated for this year.
• Rune Factory 4 comes to Switch, with a confirmation of a Rune Factory 5.
• Mario Maker 2 revealed.
• Astral Chain announced, is a new action game made by Platinum Games.
• Fire Emblem delayed, gets release date of July 26.
• A Hat in Time launches this Spring

 

[PrincessLillie]

Did anyone notice Chary had A Hat In Time slated for a Spring release. Did I miss that somewhere, is that a date for some DLC that I forgot about, or is it Chary just being Chary.

I'm honestly not sure anymore

 

[Bladexdsl]

wait wat i thought the guys who did Rune Factory went bankrupt? anyway RF5 better be on the switch and NOT the 3ds

 

[Satellizer]

Really interested in this Links awakening remake. Haven't played it since the GBC.

 

[2DSGamerdude]

well, this direct was exciting...
I kinda knew that FE 3 Houses would be delayed 100%
as we got no news or any real news on it for a year nw, so it was kinda expected,
but from what I saw from it's 2nd trailer which was massively packed with stuff, it's wroth it
so, is the July 26th release date for the game final?

the game looks and feels like and FE game but also has that "FF Type 0 HD" Feel to it also,
with the different houses -> nations and
you act as a teacher (sempai/menotr) to the students of your chosen house
(Class 0) from FF Type 0.

but only 1 house? I just hope we can have many save files, so we can play as the other 2 houses also.
that style of chosing a house (kinda reminds me of digimion world 2)
where you chose a club from 3 clubs.

lol, the similarities of this game to/with other games before it.

also, I'm excited for Zelda, link's awakening for Switch
(it's art style reminds me alot/similar to link between worlds on 3ds,
but this game isn't on 3ds, np switch is fine a good enough reason to get this game along
with FE 3 Houses
(which ever comes first).

good thing fe 3 houses doesn't come out in spring as I don't have any money for it, well maybe by march/April/may if it came out then I defiantly would,
but summer is fine, since it'll give me something to look forward to playing.

 

[RedoLane]

Don't you think you are over hyping it a little?

No. i'm legit hyped for it, because the game looks truly unique.
Of course I might be overexaggerating about it being GOTY material, but who knows...it's coming before September, so it has a chance.

 

[xBleedingSoulx]

Excited for Rune Factory 5, didn't think there'd ever be another Rune Factory game after what happened with the studio.