Nintendo Direct/4.12.17

A Nintendo Direct was aired on April 12/13, 2017, starting at 3PM PT. While the Direct featured news for both Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch content, it primarily focused on ARMS and Splatoon 2.

Contents

The Nintendo Direct was hosted by Yoshiaki Koizumi.

North America

Nintendo 3DS Headlines

• Hey! Pikmin - An overview of the Nintendo 3DS Pikmin title, revealed to be named Hey! Pikmin, which releases on July 28, 2017. Also announces that a new Pikmin amiibo figure will be released alongside the game.
• Ever Oasis - An overview of Ever Oasis, set for release on Nintendo 3DS on June 23.
• Monster Hunter Stories - An overview of Monster Hunter Stories, which is slated for release in fall 2017.
• Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters - Announces the third version of Yo-kai Watch 2, titled Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters, which features additional Yo-kai and gameplay modes not present in the original versions. The game will be released in North America in fall.
• Culdcept Revolt - A brief overview of Culdcept Revolt's gameplay. The game will be released in standard and limited editions on August 29.
• RPG Maker Fes - An overview of gameplay, including online sharing, DLC, as well as announcing a free download version of the game titled Maker Player, which allows players to play creations made by people who have purchased the full game. The game will launch with both standard and limited editions on June 27.
• Miitopia - Announces that Miitopia will be released in North America, as well as an overview of the gameplay. The game will be released later in 2017.
• Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia - Announces that the game will be receiving downloadable content after release, including both free and paid content. The DLC can be purchased individually, in combined packs, or as a singular season pass.
• Kirby 25th Anniversary - Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Kirby series, the Direct first announces Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, a standalone version of the Team Kirby Clash game in Kirby: Planet Robobot available for free on the Nintendo eShop following the Direct. Also announces Kirby's Blowout Blast, another Nintendo eShop title in the series to be released during the summer. Finally announces that a new multiplayer title in the Kirby series for Nintendo 3DS is in development and will be released during the holiday season.
• Bye-Bye BoxBoy! - Announces and gives an overview of Bye-Bye BoxBoy!, releasing on the Nintendo eShop following the Nintendo Direct.
• amiibo - Announces three new amiibo for The Legend of Zelda series, based on Link's appearances in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, releasing on June 23. Also announces that two versions of the Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta amiibo in the Super Smash Bros. line will be releasing on July 21.

ARMS - An overview of the gameplay, including the different arm types that can be purchased with in-game currency and the various effects they can have, as well as showing off new modes. Also shows off a new playable character, Min Min, and different attack types. Additionally shows a match between Min Min and Spring Man, showing how different arm and character combinations affect gameplay. Finally reveals that the game will feature 2-vs-2 gameplay modes. The game will be released on June 16. On the same day, Nintendo will be releasing Neon Yellow versions of the Joy-Con and Joy-Con Strap, as well as a Joy-Con AA Battery Pack.

Nintendo Switch Headlines

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - An overview of the game, including the game's new content and online play. Also announces that Nintendo will have two online tournament communities open following the game's launch. The game releases on April 28.
• Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers - An overview of the gameplay and new content, such as the two new playable characters, the new "Way of the Hado" mode, the two-player co-op vs. CPU mode, and touchscreen-based Super Moves when playing in handheld mode. The game releases on May 26.
• Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition - Announces a Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft, which also includes the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. The game will be released digitally on May 11, and physically later.
• Arcade Archives - Showcases several Neo Geo games coming to the Nintendo Switch in the future, including Fatal Fury, Over Top, Blazing Star, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, and, releasing the following day, Samurai Showdown IV Amakusa's Revenge.
• Sonic Forces / Sonic Mania - Starts with an overview of Sonic Forces, which includes both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic styles of gameplay, as well as a unique third gameplay style featuring a different character. The game will release during the holiday season. Also gives an overview of Sonic Mania, set for release during the summer.
• Project Mekuru - Announces a new game under the working title Project Mekruru, a game in which the goal is to flip the most panels to one color by stomping the ground. The game can be played both locally and online. It will be released on the Nintendo eShop during the summer.
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star - An overview of the game, which will be released on July 25.
• Disgaea 5 Complete - An overview of the game. Announces that a game demo will be released soon. The game will release with both standard and limited edition releases on May 23.
• Puyo Puyo Tetris - An overview of gameplay, primarily the Puyo Puyo gameplay. Also reveals that a game demo will be released after the presentation, which features both single-player and multiplayer modes. The game will be released on April 25.
• Monopoly for Nintendo Switch - Announces a Monopoly game for Nintendo Switch, which can be played both on the TV and in tabletop mode in a more traditional way. The game will also feature additional game boards and game modes. The game will be released during the fall.
• Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition - An overview of the game, announcing that the Nintendo Switch version will feature both single-player and tournament Kung Foot modes. Two Nintendo Switch consoles can be connected for local co-op. The game will be released later in 2017.
• THQ Nordic - Announces two THQ Nordic games: Sine Mora EX, which will feature local co-op and versus play and launches in the summer; and Battle Chasers: Nightwar, an RPG based on the comic book series that will be released in late summer on Nintendo Switch first.
• Payday 2 - Announces a Nintendo Switch version of the game and gives an overview of gameplay, as well as announcing that more content will be released for the Nintendo Switch version. The game will be released later in 2017.
• Namco Museum - Announces a compilation of classic Namco arcade games. The games can be switched between both a horizontal display and a vertical, arcade-like display. The game will be released on the Nintendo eShop during the summer.
• Nintendo Switch Dock - Announces that the Nintendo Switch Dock will be released as a standalone product in limited quantities exclusively on Nintendo's online store on May 29.
• Splatoon - Announces the Splatoon US Inkling Open, an open online tournament between April 22 and April 29 hosted by Battlefy. The winning team will win a trip to E3 2017.

Splatoon 2 - An overview of a new gameplay mode, titled Salmon Run, in which four players team up to fight endless rounds of a new enemy type for Power Eggs. Also announces a new set of Splatoon amiibo and gives an overview of amiibo functionality. The game will be released on July 21.

Europe

Nintendo 3DS Headlines

• Hey! Pikmin - An overview of the Nintendo 3DS Pikmin title, revealed to be named Hey! Pikmin, which releases on July 28, 2017. Also announces that a new Pikmin amiibo figure will be released alongside the game.
• Ever Oasis - An overview of the game, presented by Director/Producer Koichi Ichi. The game will be released on June 23.
• Monster Hunter Stories - An overview of the game, slated for release in fall of 2017.
• Yo-kai Watch 2 - With the recent release of Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls, announces an "Extravagant Crank-a-Kai Set" distribution in-game that gives the player a set of rare items. The distribution will end on June 2. Also announces another distribution for a "Glitzy Coin" that can be obtained through a code given in the Direct and can be used to obtain a rare Yo-kai.
• Culdcept Revolt - A basic overview of the game, which will be released in standard and limited editions on September 1.
• RPG Maker Fes - An overview of gameplay, including online sharing, DLC, as well as announcing a free download version of the game titled RPG Maker Player, which allows players to play creations made by people who have purchased the full game. The game will launch with both standard and limited editions on June 27.
• Miitopia - Announces that Miitopia will be released in Europe, as well as an overview of the gameplay. The game will be released later in 2017.
• Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia - Announces that the game will be receiving downloadable content after release, including both free and paid content. The DLC can be purchased individually, in combined packs, or as a singular season pass.
• Kirby 25th Anniversary - Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Kirby series, the Direct first announces Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, a standalone version of the Team Kirby Clash game in Kirby: Planet Robobot available for free on the Nintendo eShop following the Direct. Also announces Kirby's Blowout Blast, another Nintendo eShop title in the series to be released during the summer. Finally announces that a new multiplayer title in the Kirby series for Nintendo 3DS is in development and will be released during the winter.
• Dr Kawashima's Devilish Brain Training: Can you stay focused? - Announces that the game will finally be released in Europe on July 28, 2017.
• amiibo - Announces that two versions of the Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta amiibo in the Super Smash Bros. line will be releasing on July 21. Also announces three new amiibo for The Legend of Zelda series, based on Link's appearances in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, releasing on June 23.

ARMS - An overview of the gameplay, including the different arm types that can be purchased with in-game currency and the various effects they can have, as well as showing off new modes. Also shows off a new playable character, Min Min, and different attack types. Additionally shows a match between Min Min and Spring Man, showing how different arm and character combinations affect gameplay. Finally reveals that the game will feature 2-vs-2 gameplay modes. The game will be released on June 16. On the same day, Nintendo will be releasing Neon Yellow versions of the Joy-Con and Joy-Con Strap, as well as a Joy-Con AA Battery Pack.

Nintendo Switch Headlines

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - An overview of the game, including the game's new content and online play. The game releases on April 28.
• Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers - An overview of the gameplay and new content, such as the two new playable characters, the new "Way of the Hado" mode, the two-player co-op vs. CPU mode, and touchscreen-based Super Moves when playing in handheld mode. The game releases on May 26.
• Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition - Announces a Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft, which also includes the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. The game will be released digitally on May 12, and physically later.
• Arcade Archives - Announces that several Neo Geo Arcade Archives games will continue to be released on the Nintendo eShop, including Samurai Showdown IV, which will be released later this day.
• Sonic Forces / Sonic Mania - Starts with an overview of Sonic Forces, which includes both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic styles of gameplay, as well as a unique third gameplay style featuring a different character. The game will release in winter 2017. Also gives an overview of Sonic Mania, set for release during the summer.
• Project Mekuru - Announces a new game under the working title Project Mekruru, a game in which the goal is to flip the most panels to one color by stomping the ground. The game can be played both locally and online. It will be released on the Nintendo eShop during the summer.
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star - An overview of the game, which will be released July 21.
• Disgaea 5 Complete - An overview of the game. Announces that a game demo will be released soon. The game will release with both standard and limited edition releases on May 26.
• Puyo Puyo Tetris - An overview of gameplay, primarily the Puyo Puyo gameplay. Also reveals that a game demo will be released after the presentation, which features both single-player and multiplayer modes.
• Monopoly for Nintendo Switch - Announces a Monopoly game for Nintendo Switch, which can be played both on the TV and in tabletop mode in a more traditional way. The game will also feature additional game boards and game modes. The game will be released during the fall.
• Rayman Legends: Definitive Edtiion - An overview of the game, announcing that the Nintendo Switch version will feature both single-player and tournament Kung Foot modes. Two Nintendo Switch consoles can be connected for local co-op. The game will be released later in 2017.
• THQ Nordic - Announces two THQ Nordic games: Sine Mora EX, which will feature local co-op and versus play and launches in the summer; and Battle Chasers: Nightwar, an RPG based on the comic book series that will be released in late summer on Nintendo Switch first.
• Payday 2 - Announces a Nintendo Switch version of the game and gives an overview of gameplay, as well as announcing that more content will be released for the Nintendo Switch version. The game will be released later in 2017.
• Namco Museum - Announces a compilation of classic Namco arcade games. The games can be switched between both a horizontal display and a vertical, arcade-like display. The game will be released on the Nintendo eShop during the summer.

Splatoon 2 - An overview of a new gameplay mode, titled Salmon Run, in which four players team up to fight endless rounds of a new enemy type for Power Eggs. Also announces a new set of Splatoon amiibo and gives an overview of amiibo functionality. The game will be released on July 21.

External links

• Nintendo Direct website
• YouTube (NA)
• YouTube (JP)
• YouTube (UK)