E3 2018: Nintendo’s highlights, biggest announcements, and more

Super Smash Bros. was the name on everyone’s lips when it came to Nintendo’s showcase, but what other surprises did it have in store?

After two days of multiple conferences, E3 2018 continued with just one major show on Tuesday: Nintendo. Going last of the three big gaming companies, expectations were at least a little high thanks to one game. We, of course, are talking about the new Super Smash Bros. With the Inklings of Splatoon already confirmed as new characters — but without any footage to go on — fans wanted to know who’s back, who’s new, and who’s gotten a redesign or a rebalancing.

But Nintendo only promised Smash and reserved about 45 minutes per Twitch’s schedule (and Zelda Universe). That meant there was room for some surprises — and reportedly all surprises meant for 2018 without going into any 2019 games, per its own announcement. (That, of course, changed quickly.)

And considering Sony’s approach of mostly showing off more of games we already knew about and Microsoft’s choice to just fire everything, Nintendo could have taken any one of a number of options.

But hey … a little Smash never hurts.

Note: This post will update as more trailers and games are announced or shown off during the Nintendo Direct. Please keep updating and refreshing to see our latest impressions!

Daemon x Machina

Instead of starting off with Smash, Nintendo opened with a trailer for a game that looks like it took a lot of influence from Custom Robo and Xenoblade Chronicles X. It had some hard rock and some flying robots.

Super Mario Party

With its emphasis on picking up and playing anywhere and with anyone, is it any surprise that Nintendo is bringing the Mario Party franchise to Switch? We saw a lot of usage of gyro controls as well as some wild new minigames. It has an Oct. 5, 2018 release date.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

The classic gameplay is back, along with a new world. But there’s a goddess, a world that’s going to change, and what looks like some actual exploratory gameplay — perhaps taking a nod from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. With all the nods to a “teacher,” it also sounds like the avatar system will make a return.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo teased us all a little at the start of the Smash section… and then revealed some of the roster: Mario, Samus, Kirby, Bowser, Link (with a Breath of the Wild redesign), Donkey Kong, Fox, Marth, Zelda (in her A Link Between Worlds design), Sonic, Peach, Mewtwo, Meta Knight, Pikachu, the Ice Climbers (returning after an absence), the Inklings, Captain Falcon, Zero Suit Samus, Sheik, Pokémon Trainer, Ness, Lucas, Ryu, Ganondorf, Ike, Cloud, Snake, Pichu, Roy, Jigglypuff, Olimar, Diddy Kong, Lucario, Lucina, Robin, Bayonetta, Mr. Game & Watch, Greninja, Dr. Mario, Duck Hunt, R.O.B., Pit and Dark Pit, Palutena, Toon Link, Young Link … basically, if they’ve been in Smash, they’re back.

Unlocking characters seems to have been “streamlined” per Sakurai.

As for the updates: Mario has Cappy and new outfits based on Super Mario Odyssey. Ike has both of his versions available. Female Pikachu is in; Fox has gotten an update (and no Landmaster). Final Smashes are now “straight to the point.” Ryu always faces his opponent. Charge attack can now be charged in midair. Marth’s gotten faster (as have Roy and Lucina), but Marth has his English voice. King Dedede has a new Final Smash. Pichu still damages itself. Zelda has a new Final Smash as well: Triforce of Wisdom. Sonic’s Final Smash has gotten an upgrade. Pac-Man is faster than before. Pokémon Trainer now has a female alt. Big Blue is back as a stage. Cloud always has his Limit Break gauge available — and Robin’s tome life is also always available. Giga Bowser is huge! Young Link has his milk-drinking taunt. Wolf has a “significant upgrade.” Kirby can now become a Breath of the Wild chest during his Stone ability. Shulk has received a change to his Monado selection, and Fiora will appear in his Final Smash. Ganondorf has his Ocarina of Time version, and becomes Demon King Ganon in his Final Smash. The Mii Fighters have been “enhanced” and have voice options. Pit, Zero Suit Samus, Ness, Lucas, and more have a new Final Smash. Wario’s Final Smash doesn’t involve regular attacks. Donkey Kong has a better Final Smash. R.O.B. shows his hover. Ultimately, they said that “tens of thousands of changes” have been made.

Daisy is also now joining the battle as an “Echo Fighter” — much like Lucina and Dark Pit. We also got a good look at the Inkling for the first time, including the Final Smash. Bomberman is a new Assist Trophy. New Pokémon will also appear, and there are new items, too. Among the new stages are a Great Plateau Tower from Breath of the Wild.  Gamecube controllers are also compatible — as are amiibo.

And finally, the last gameplay announcement: Ridley is finally playable in Smash. This’ll be out Dec. 7.

Next: E3 2018: All the best from Sony's showcase

Other notes and announcements:

• Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is getting DLC by the name of Torna: The Golden Country.
• We had a brief look at the Pokéball Plus.
• Fortnite is out today for Nintendo Switch for free.
• In the indie world, Overcooked! 2 is coming Aug. 7, 2018. Killer Queen Black is arriving as well in 2018. Lastly, Hollow Night — with all DLC included — is out today.
• A new Octopath Traveler demo arrives June 14.
• We got brief looks at Star Link: Battle for Atlas, Arena of Valor, and Just Dance 2019 among other games (including some DLC, like the expansion for Splatoon 2). Mega Man 11 is also on the way.

If you’re a Nintendo fan, you probably aren’t upright after that Direct. There was a lot of content there — in particular with Smash — with a few surprises including Super Mario Party.