Nintendo Direct Mini Showcases Partner Titles

Today’s 8-minute Nintendo Direct Mini focused on upcoming titles which various partner companies are currently developing for the Nintendo Switch. While the biggest announcement was definitely the long-awaited Shin Megami Tensei V (as well as the HD remake of SMT III: Nocturne, both of which will be coming in 2021) three other exciting reveals were also featured in the Direct, which can be watched here.

Rhythm game Crypt of the NecroDancer: Cadence of Hyrule is releasing three new DLC packs in 2021. The first will add five new playable characters, including the powerful Sheikah warrior Impa and “Shadow” versions of both Link and Zelda. (The other two are returning Crypt of the NecroDancer character Aria and a merchant called Frederick). The second will bring a stunning 39 new songs to the game, including remixes of existing tracks. Finally, the third DLC, titled “Symphony of the Mask,” will feature a brand new story mode in which players can explore new maps as the mysterious, ability-switching Skull Kid. This popular character usually takes on an antagonistic role in his home series, so it will be exciting to finally see the story from Skull Kid’s point of view!

The first DLC is available to purchase and download starting today, with the other two planned to debut later this year. Fans can also choose to buy a Season Pass, which includes all three DLC as well as new outfits for Link and Zelda. Finally, a new edition of Cadence of Hyrule including all DLC is planned to release on October 23 for the Nintendo Switch.

Next, viewers got a brand new look at Rogue Company, an upcoming multiplayer third-person shooter from First Watch and Hi-Rez Studios. We got a sneak peek at the gameplay of a newly revealed playable character (aka Rogue), an enigmatic mask-wearing hacker referred to as “Gl1tch”. Rogue Company will feature both player vs. player and player vs. AI combat modes, as well as a large variety of maps and objectives to complete. The game is expected to release sometime in 2020, with more information releasing soon.

Finally,  WWE 2K Battlegrounds will be releasing for the Nintendo Switch as well as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 18, 2020. Billed as a “Brawl Without Limits,” this multiplayer wrestling game comes from 2K Sports and Saber Interactive. It replaces the previously planned WWE 2k21, which was cancelled due to the negative reception of previous title WWE 2k20, which was considered to be “nearly unplayable” due to a number of glitches and bugs.

While Battlegrounds will retain some features of the some key features of the WWE 2k series, such as player vs. player combat and the ability to step into the signature uniform of various real-life wrestlers including Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, and Andre the Giant. However, it is officially considered a “spin-off title” focused on fun. It utilizes a more “cartoony” art style as well as new non-traditional environments, (including a swamp!) special moves more similar to superpowers than actual wrestling techniques, and a variety of unique weapons.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is currently available for pre-order.

In addition to all these exciting announcements, Nintendo also confirmed that several more Mini Directs are coming this year. While nothing is set in stone, it’s possible that we could see updates on partner titles including Bravely Default 2, No More Heroes 3, and possibly even Bayonetta 3 or the remastered edition of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.

Which announcement from the Mini Direct Partner Showcase were you most excited about? Do you plan to play these games (and DLC) when they release? Let us know!

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