Nintendo Direct: Bayonetta 3, New Kirby and Chris Pratt as Mario

September 24, 2021

Early risers this morning were treated to a cavalcade of announcements from Nintendo this morning, in a Nintendo Direct that showed off actually quite a fair bit more than we were expecting. Here’s the headline announcements:

  • Bayonetta 3 was finally, finally shown off with gameplay footage depicting Bayonetta able to directly control demons, along with a 2022 release date.

  • The cast for Illumination’s Mario movie was announced, as well as a release date. The film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike, as well as “surprise cameos from Charles Martinet”. It’s due for release in America on 21st December 2022, and internationally around that holiday season.
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land was announced for autumn 2022, a new 3D platforming take on the traditionally 2D series

  • A new ‘Expansion Pack’ is coming to Nintendo Switch Online, which current subscribers will be able to upgrade to, or new users can select as an option, presumably for a higher price. The Expansion Pack will include an expanding library of Nintendo 64 and Sega Mega Drive games. At launch, N64 titles include Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64 (featuring online 4-player multiplayer for the first time), Lylat Wars, Sin and Punishment, Dr Mario 64, Mario Tennis 64, Operating: WinBack and Yoshi’s Story, with future planned titles including Banjo-Kazooie, Pokemon Snap, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Mario Golf, Paper Mario and F-Zero X. On the Mega Drive side, launch titles include Sonic 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 and Strider. Wireless Nintendo 64 and Mega Drive controllers will also be made available for purchase through the online store.
  • Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, a new paid DLC expansion to the successful base game, is scheduled for release in Winter 2022

  • Splatoon 3, scheduled for 2022, was unveiled hinting at the return of the Mammalians and what it could mean for the world of the Splatoon

  •  Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars was shown off, a new tabletop RPG from Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito, due for release on 28 October. There’s a free demo available now on the eShop.

  • Chocobo GP, the latest in the Chocobo Racing series, was announced featuring popular Final Fantasy creatures and characters, scheduled for 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLGjLOJBc8

  •  Actraiser Renaissance remasters the SNES original in HD, with a pretty stunning coat of paint. It’s available today on Switch.

  •  TRIANGLE STRATEGY was shown off, set for release on 4 March, 2022

  •  Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass DLC was shown off, arriving 29 October, featuring new characters, Purah & Robbie, and new story stages.

  •  DELTARUNE: Chapter 2 has arrived on Nintendo Switch, and is available now as a free update to the existing Chapter 1.
  • Castlevania Advance Collection is out today on Switch, featuring Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow from the GBA. It also includes Vampire’s Kiss, the tough SNES version of Rondo of Blood.
  • Disco Elysium: The Final Cut will launch digitally on Switch on 13 October, with a physical release in early 2022.
  • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (the original game, not the new remake in the works) will launch on switch on 12 November
  • Mario Golf: Super Rush DLC is coming as free content to the game, including new playable characters (Koopa Troopa and Ninji) as well as two new courses (Blustery Basin and Spiky Palms) and the ability to set the difficulty level of enemies.
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a free update in November, with further details arriving in October
  • Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition launches in December on Switch, with all the DLC from the 3DS version included
  • Shadowrun Trilogy collects three RPGs in one set, and is set for release in 2022
  • Mario Party Superstars arrives 29 October
  • Shin Megami Tensei V will launch on Switch on 12 November
  • Rune Factory 5 launches on 25 March, 2022 on Switch
  • Arcade Archives Pac-Man & Xevious are available for purchase separately today on Switch on the eShop
  • The last DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros Ultimate… was not announced in this stream and will instead be held back to a 5 October Stream. Oh well!

You can watch the whole thing here: