September 2018’s Nintendo Direct: Everything you need to know

After a week’s delay so as not to take attention away from an earthquake, the September Nintendo Direct promised to cover both the Switch and 3DS.

Nintendo fans had to wait just one more week than expected to find out what exactly the company has in store for both the Nintendo 3DS as well as the wildly popular Switch, due to an earthquake in Japan. Although Nintendo gave no indication about what might be coming outside of confirmation that the Direct would happen today and cover both systems, it seems likely that a few updates and at least one unveiling will happen.

Why? Well, last week, as sites like Nintendo Wire reported, a game called Yoshi’s Crafted World appeared on Nintendo’s official site. That means we’ll probably get a look at the game.

Beyond that, there are a few guesses — looks at games announced during E3, presumably one Super Smash Bros. Ultimate update at least, and more details on Nintendo Switch Online, which is launching Sept. 18 — but Nintendo is playing this one close to the chest. However, we here at Culturess are here with you for all 35 minutes to bring every single update and make sure that you know what’s coming from the world of Nintendo in both 2018 and (hopefully) 2019!

Please keep refreshing, as this post will update live with everything announced or shown during the Direct.

• We’re starting with a look at Luigi’s Mansion 3. Though it was brief, it confirmed a 2019 release for Switch.
• Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn, a remake of Kirby’s Epic Yarn, will be coming to Nintendo 3DS. A new mode, abilities, and minigames (Yarn Dedede!) will come with the game in 2019.
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Journey + Bowser Jr.’s Journey, the latter of which looks more like a strategy game, has a Jan. 11, 2019 release date.
• The remake of Luigi’s Mansion will have a two-player mode, although if both of the players don’t own the game, it’ll only let you fight bosses together. That has an Oct. 12 release date.
• Yo-Kai Watch Blasters will get an update on Sept. 27, with additional content under the Moon Rabbit Crew name.
• Splatoon 2 Version 4 got a trailer showing off what looks like new weapons being added to the game, but we didn’t get much in the way of details.
• Mega Man 11 also got a look, including the ability to occasionally strengthen weapons or slow time down. It’ll be out Oct. 2.
• Mario Tennis Aces will add Koopa Paratroopa, Petey Piranha, Shy Guy, and Birdo, as well as an online Co-Op Challenge Mode. This update drops Sept. 19.
• The Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle will drop seven games in one on Sept. 18, including Battle Circuit.
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, including Toadette/Peachette and Nabbit as well as New Super Luigi U Deluxe, will all arrive together Jan. 11.
• Katamari Damacy REROLL has been confirmed! It has a winter 2018 date.
• Nintendo Switch Online got a trailer of sorts, reconfirming the following details:
  • Online play will be through the service.
  • NES games will come with the service, with online service included.
  • You can keep your save data in the cloud.
  • The accompanying app has voice chat.
  • “Special offers” will be included.
• There will be NES-controller styled Joy-Con to use for NES games. They appear to be solely for Nintendo Switch Online members to purchase at $60.
• Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! both featured, showing off “Secret Techniques.” Additionally, the Switch bundles were shown off.
• Diablo III: Eternal Collection confirmed both online and offline co-op modes, as well as Ganondorf armor as well as amiibo usage. It arrives Nov. 2.
• Super Mario Party had a brief appearance, showing off some new styles of play and confirming 80 completely new minigames to try on Oct. 5.
• Game Freak has a new RPG, called Town for now, has something special about it: there’s only one village. It’s out in 2019.
• Cities: Skylines has a Switch version that is out today, with all DLC.
• Daemon x Machina got another look, which gave some details on the plot and combat mechanics. You don’t need to play solely in your Arsenal (that’s your giant robot), either. That’s out in 2019.
• Yoshi’s Crafted World, with a papercraft aesthetic, got a preview. Co-op mode got confirmed as well. It has a spring 2019 release window.
• Asmodee Digital will release tabletop games on Switch. The schedule is Carcassone in December, The Lord of the Rings: The Living Card Game, Pandemic, Catan, and Munchkin.
• Civilization VI will also come to Switch, with local multiplayer, on Nov. 16.
• Next up was Starlink: Battle for Atlas, with a special emphasis on the Star Fox content — and an appearance by Wolf O’Donnell. It’s set for Oct. 16.
• The World Ends with You: Final Remix, with its additional content, has an Oct. 12 release date; Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country drops Sept. 21, but Expansion Pass users have it a week early.
• Warframe drops Nov. 20. Just Dance 2019 is out Oct. 23. FIFA 19 has a Sept. 28 release date. Team Sonic Racing will come in the winter. NBA 2K19 got a mention despite being out. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 will arrive in the fall. LEGO DC Super-Villains will take over Oct. 16.
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition also got confirmation, including online multiplayer, and some changes have been made to the game. It’s set for 2019.
• Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition will arrive on Switch today — with an “introductory price.”
• World of Final Fantasy Maxima, with new features (we saw you, Yuna), comes on Nov. 6.
• Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy is coming as well.
• Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age has a new version for 2019.
• Final Fantasy VII, IX, and X/X-2 Remaster are set to hit Switch in 2019.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will get a bundle, including a custom dock. Additionally, the Joy-Con will have a design. It arrives Nov. 2, along with the GameCube adapters and controllers.
• Animal Crossing‘s Isabelle will join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!
• Animal Crossing will also get a title, which appears to be Welcome to Animal Crossing, in 2019.

Which game stood out to you the most? Is anything moving to your must-buy list, or will you content yourself with waiting and seeing just a little longer? What about games that don’t look good? Let us know in the comments below.