Everything Announced at the Nintendo Direct Event

The latest installment of Nintendo Direct delivered some big news, particularly for Switch owners. The event, which took place on September 23, 2021, showed off footage of some of the console’s most hotly anticipated upcoming games. However, the event’s organizers also showcased several titles which were, until that point, unknown outside of Nintendo’s inner circle.

Elsewhere, we learned about everything from the cast of the upcoming Mario movie to news of a so-called Digital Nintendo 64. This will come complete with access to a separate Sega Genesis game collection. Nintendo also shared details of a pair of classic N64- and Sega Genesis-style controllers with which to enjoy titles including Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Ecco the Dolphin.

The September 23 event gave Nintendo fans an unparalleled view of things to come as far forward as next summer. As such, Nintendo’s latest 40-minute stream left viewers across North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan with plenty to wrap their heads around. Accordingly, here’s a closer look at everything that was announced at the most recent Nintendo Direct event.

One of the most exciting announcements made during Nintendo’s latest Direct event involved an expansion to its Switch Online provisions. While Nintendo remains tight-lipped about the cost, a new add-on will grant Switch owners access to a digital Nintendo 64.

It’s set to launch before the end of October. With the launch comes an array of classic game titles from the original console including:

And it’s not only a raft of classic Nintendo 64 titles that are coming to the Switch this October. That’s because, with the same Switch Online add-on, owners will also get access to further titles in the shape of an additional Sega Genesis game collection.

Players can expect many of the classics from the Genesis console. Among them, and already confirmed by Nintendo, will be Sonic 2, Golden Axe, and Ecco the Dolphin.

Those who tuned in to the latest Nintendo Direct stream were left with no doubt about the brand’s commitment to its upcoming Switch tie-in with the classic N64 and Sega Genesis consoles. Although ultimately a digital proposition, Nintendo also shared news of two new controllers.

Replicas of those supplied with the original consoles, Nintendo Switch owners will soon be able to order a pair of compatible Genesis and N64 controllers with which to enjoy everything from Golden Axe to Star Fox 64. This time, Nintendo included a price: $49.99 apiece. With that, be sure to budget up to $100 for the pair, in addition to the currently unannounced cost of the necessary Switch Online add-on itself.

In terms of new games, among the biggest surprises revealed during the latest Nintendo Direct stream was news of Kirby and the Forgotten Land for the Switch. One of a number of new titles announced for the first time at the event, fans of the Kirby franchise also got an extra surprise. That surprise? Well, in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the game’s hero goes 3D for the first time.

Previously only playable as a 2D character, Kirby is now set to explore a new post-apocalyptic world in three glorious dimensions. Nintendo Switch owners will be able to pick up a copy of Kirby and the Forgotten Land when it launches on the console next spring.

Final Fantasy devotees will undoubtedly be delighted to learn that their favorite franchise is getting a Mario Kart-style spin-off. In Chocobo GP for the Nintendo Switch, players get to roller skate, drift, and attack as a chocobo. They will use magic from the Final Fantasy universe to race their way into first place. Each course is inspired by the same universe, too, as one might expect.

Nintendo Switch owners can look forward to Chocobo GP landing sometime in 2022.

Nintendo Direct also gave the brand the perfect opportunity to share further news of the upcoming Mario movie. It is from the same studio responsible for Despicable Me and Super Mario Bros. The Movie will be released in North America on December 21, 2021, nicely ahead of its originally anticipated release date.

The movie’s voice cast will include Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, and Jack Black as Bowser. Fans of Seth Rogan should also be excited to hear that the comedian and Superbad star is set to appear as the voice of Donkey Kong.

Not everything that was showcased at Nintendo Direct involves a period of waiting. In fact, the event marked the launch of the Castlevania Advance Collection and Actraiser Renaissance, both available immediately for Switch owners.

The Castlevania Advance Collection revisits multiple games. These include Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and Castlevania: Dracula X alike. Meanwhile, Actraiser Renaissance sees the classic platform and city-building title remade for the Switch, complete with both new and old music.

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