On the last day of presentations at the 2017 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo made sure they weren’t going to be let down by any of the competition by coming through with its big guns. After announcing the new Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle in collaboration with Ubisoft yesterday, Nintendo made sure it was on the ball on Monday. Here’s everything that went down.

Super Mario Odyssey gets a release date

Super Mario Odyssey is probably the most intriguing Super Mario game Nintendo has revealed in a while. Rather than taking place in the magical realm of the Mushroom Kingdom, our hero must traverse through a wide array of landscapes, including a New York City-like area to rescue Princess Peach for the millionth time. Another one of the game’s large differences judging by the trailer is Mario’s new ability with his hat. Mario can control enemy units by throwing his hat at them, causing them to also brand the signature Mario hat and mustache. From Bullet Bill to Koopa Troopas and even a T-Rex, Super Mario Odyssey’s trailer makes the game look like Mario’s wildest release. Be sure to pick up a copy on Oct. 27.

Nintendo is gearing up for it’s biggest holiday season yet

With rumors that Nintendo will be doubling production of the Switch later this year to meet the holiday demand, the company is making sure that its efforts will not be done in vain, announcing a handful of different titles scheduled to drop later this year. Two years ago, fans of the Xenoblade series were given a small taste of what they were missing out on, with Xenoblade Chronicles X selling and scoring really well considering how late it came out in the Wii U’s life cycle. The original release of Xenoblade Chronicles was staggered across the world, with North America not seeing the title almost two years after it’s launch in Japan. Now, Nintendo has announced that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will indeed be a thing that will drop worldwide in unison, allowing fans from all over to get their hands on the highly coveted game. As part of its holiday lineup, Xenoblade 2 will be dropping sometime in the late year.

Also coming out later this year is the latest installment of the Fire Emblem franchise. Dubbed Fire Emblem: Warriors, the Switch exclusive will feature original characters from the game’s past, as well as new ones introduced along the way. The game will feature Marth front and centre, who is arguably the most recognized character in the game thanks to Super Smash Bros. The game is basically The Expendables of Fire Emblem games and will definitely be something to look forward to. In one of the more surprising moves of the day, Nintendo let us know that Rocket League will be making it’s way to the Nintendo Switch. The high action vehicular soccer game is also a part Nintendo’s holiday lineup, and with it will come a line of exclusive cars and other in-game content.

Pokemon will be getting a core RPG on the Switch

Continuing the theme of pumping out titles for its latest console, Pokemon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara announced that the Nintendo Switch will be getting its own RPG title sometime in the near future. With other RPG’s for Nintendo’s home consoles doing well in the past, such as Pokemon XD for the Gamecube a couple years back, it isn’t hard to imagine that the game will be well received by hardcore Pokemon fans.

Metroid Prime 4 is finally in development

After taking a 10-year hiatus after the release of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for the Nintendo Wii, Samus is back and looking better than ever with the announcement that the fourth installment in the Metroid franchise. With not much information given out just yet, this is a title we probably won’t be seeing for at least a couple of years.

Kirby and Yoshi are coming back in 2018

Known best as the character you play in Super Smash Bros. if you’ve never played Super Smash Bros. in your life, everyone’s favorite floating pink blob is making its return with the announcement of a new Kirby title scheduled for 2018. Nintendo is bringing back its storied platformer with a revamped world new graphics. Again, Nintendo didn’t give much detail, with the title and exact release date being withheld for now, but we’ll keep an eye out for that.

In addition to our cute pink friend, Yoshi is getting its own side scrolling platformer later this year. After the success of Yoshi Wooly World for the Wii U, Mario’s four-legged companion is back for his own adorable adventure. The art style is the most notable thing about the game, looking Little Big Planet-esque all the while looking distinctly like a Nintendo game. We’ll have to wait and see when this game will be available.

Nintendo isn’t done with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

After serving as the flagship launch title for the Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be getting two new DLC packs over the next year. The first of which, The Master Trials, allows players to replay the campaign of the game on a harder setting. Knowing how hard some of the trials have been in games past (Looking at you Water Temple), the new DLC won’t be for the faint of heart. “Whether you have already completed the adventure or are just getting ready to paraglide into Hyrule for the first time, this new downloadable Expansion Pass makes this massive game even bigger and more engrossing,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in a written statement. “We are always looking for new ways to provide fun and exciting experiences for our fans.”  New equipment and a fast travel mode will also be included.

The second set of DLC, dubbed The Champion’s Ballad, will focus on Mipha, Urbosa, Daruk, and Revali from the original game plotted the divine beasts. WIth the story featured around them, it’s unclear how exactly it will play out. The Champion’s Ballad is set to come out sometime during the holiday season. Both sets of DLC for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be available from the Nintendo eShop for $19.99.

Sonic the Hedgehog makes an oddly gritty return

Nintendo’s announcement of Sonic Forces came as a slight surprise to some, but it’s how the game looks that caught most off guard. Based on the trailer, the world has become a post-apocalyptic wasteland and it’s up to Sonic and friends to save the day. The game covers a wide variety of angles, both the classic side-scroller view and placing the camera behind Sonic’s character, a la Sonic Heroes. The game’s main selling point is that you’re allowed to create your own custom character to fight alongside Sonic and friends, so be sure to keep an eye out for a release date.

What was your favourite part of Nintendo’s E3 press conference? Let us know in the comment section below.

 

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