Here are the Biggest Announcements and Trailers from the 2021 Nintendo Direct

The latest Nintendo Direct was filled with what fans can expect on the Switch in the near future, especially leading into the holiday season. You may have already heard about some of the big titles — including new Metroid and Mario Party games — but there were a handful of surprises, including a new Kirby game, an expansion of Switch Online, and a star-studded cast for the Super Mario animated movie. If you missed the event, here’s all the big news, brought to you by the tech experts at The Verge.

THE SUPER MARIO MOVIE HAS A DATE — AND A CAST

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard about the Super Mario movie, which is being made in collaboration with Minions studio Illumination, but Nintendo had a lot to say about it. The film will be out on December 21st, 2022, and will feature an impressive all-star cast, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, and Jack Black as Bowser.

N64 AND SEGA GENESIS GAMES ARE COMING TO SWITCH ONLINE

As expected, both Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games are coming to the Switch Online subscription service. The twist is that it’s part of an “expansion pack” which sounds like a premium tier for the service. Nintendo hasn’t announced pricing, but promises that details are coming soon.

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS IS GETTING A BIG UPDATE IN NOVEMBER

It’s been quiet in the cozy world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but Nintendo just announced a major update for the Switch game that could breath some new life into the virtual world, including the return of caffeine purveyor and fan-favourite character Brewster.  The update won’t be here until November, and Nintendo says it will reveal more details in October — though it looks like we’re finally getting the long-awaited cafe.

KIRBY IS BACK

The next Kirby title is called Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and it transports the pink cutie to a post-apocalyptic world for some 3D action. It’s coming to the Switch next spring.

BAYONETTA 3 IS COMING NEXT YEAR

Nintendo gave fans a nice, long look at Bayonetta 3, with a nearly four minute long trailer full of action. The bad news is the game won’t be coming out until 2022.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE IS GETTING AN EXPANSION

The Switch-exclusive action RPG Monster Hunter Rise is getting what’s described as a major expansion this year, which will include, naturally, new monsters as well as new story elements. The expansion is called Sunbreak, and it’s launching next summer as paid DLC.

THE ORIGINAL KOTOR, ON THE GO

Who needs the fancy remake when you can play the original Knights of the Old Republic on the Switch? The game is already available… pretty much everywhere else, but Nintendo’s tablet should be a good home for the classic Star Wars RPG when it launches in November.

THE MINDS BEHIND NIER ARE MAKING A CARD GAME

Nier masterminds Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito are tackling something very different for their next project. It’s a card-based role-playing game with the slightly unwieldy name Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, and it’s coming to the Switch on October 28th.

SQUARE ENIX IS MAKING CHOCOBO GP, ITS TAKE ON MARIO KART

Square Enix, the company behind Final Fantasy, announced Chocobo GP, which looks a lot like Mario Kart, except with iconic characters from the FF universe and twists like magical spells. The company said in its press release, “Featuring a variety of whimsical characters from across the franchise, players will be able to dash to the finish as the game’s namesake and star, Chocobo and friends. Chocobo GP will challenge racers to master courses from well-known Chocobo and FINAL FANTASY® series locations.”  It’s due out next year.

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