Monthly Archives: September 2019
Smash Bros. Creator Tells Players to Play Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox
Although Nintendo and Microsoft are supposed to be rivals in the games industry, you wouldn’t know it from the way Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai talks about Banjo & Kazooie, who are joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate today. In fact, Sakurai is even encouraging players to play Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox if they can.
During a Nintendo Direct post-show focused solely on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Sakurai ran down the history of the character, Banjo & Kazooie. “As some of you may know the Banjo-Kazooie IP now belong to Microsoft,” Sakurai said during the presentation.
“Technically, they’re a rival platform holder. Even so, they were happy for Banjo & Kazooie to join the Super Smash Bros. series. For that I’m extremely grateful. Rare also welcomed us with open arms,” Sakurai revealed. “So, if you want to play Banjo-Kazooie today, you can do so on Xbox. I know this is a Nintendo broadcast but please give the game a try on Xbox.”
Home-Run Contest Returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Nintendo has announced that the Home Run Contest will be returning to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate alongside new Mii Fighter Costumes.
The Home-Run Contest will be arriving as part of the Version 5.0 update that will arrive with the release of Banjo-Kazooie as the latest DLC fighter.
Home Run Contest is a minigame that was first introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee and has players damaging a Sandbag for 10 seconds before hitting it with the Home-Run Bat and seeing how far they can send it.
Home-Run Contest for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will even allow two players to play together to cause a ton of damage to the poor Sandbag.
As for the new Mii Fighter Costumes, these newest additions include Goemon (Swordfighter) from Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, Proto Man (Gunner) from Mega Man, Zero (Swordfighter) from Mega Man X, Team Rocket (Brawler) from the Pokemon series, and Sans (Gunner) from Undertale.
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Announced for Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition has been announced for Switch, coming in 2020.
Originally released for the Wii in 2010 in Japan, 2011 in Europe and Australia, and 2012 in North America, this release appears to bump up the graphical quality for a more modern look.
Watch the announcement trailer for Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition above.
No specific date was given beyond 2020. There was also no mention yet what else might be different or what other content will be included.
You can check out our original review for Xenoblade Chronicles from 2011 below:
Assassin’s Creed: Rebel Collection Coming to Nintendo Switch
During Wednesday's Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced the the Assassin's Creed: Rebel Collection will be coming to Nintendo Switch.
The collection combines both Assassin's Creed: Black Flag and Assassin's Creed: Rogue. Both games will include all past DLC, plus new features like touch controls and motion aiming. Nintendo showed off Black Flag's sailing combat during this detail, so expect to most likely use the feature there.
Nintendo did not specify a release date for the Rebel Collection.
Nintendo also announced a Doom 64 re-release on the Switch for November and a handful of SNES games coming to Nintendo Switch Online on September 5.
Pokemon Sword and Shield: Three New Features, New Pokemon Revealed
During the latest Nintendo Direct, three new features and two new Pokemon were revealed for Pokemon Sword and Shield.
The first feature dove a bit deeper into outfits and player customization. Pokemon Trainers will be able to pick more than just tops and bottoms, and will be able to choose outerwear, gloves, change their hair style, apply make-up, and much more!
Pokemon Camp was also revealed, and will allow trainers to camp with up to four players to build their friendships with their Pokemon and also improve their skills in battle.
Pokemon Trainers can camp at any time and will be able to play with any Pokemon they have caught on their adventures through the Galar region.
Jedi Outcast & Jedi Academy Coming to PS4 and Switch
Update, 4:10pm: Sony has confirmed that the Jedi Knight 2 re-release will also come to Playstation 4 on September 24th.
No word yet on whether it will be available on Xbox One.
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and its sequel, Jedi Academy, are coming to Switch and Playstation 4.
Initially announced during the Nintendo Direct on September 4, the classic sequel to Jedi Knight (Dark Forces 2) will be re-releasing on Sony and Nintendo's consoles on September 24th.
Doom 64 Re-Releasing on Nintendo Switch
Bethesda announced Wednesday that Doom 64, the 1997 sequel to Doom II, will re-release on Nintendo Switch on November 22 this year.
The game will include 30 levels, and is the first time the game has been featured on a Nintendo console since its original release. The announcement was made during Wednesday's Nintendo Direct presentation.
Other news announced during the Nintendo Direct includes a re-release of Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast for the Switch, and a slew of SNES games coming to Nintendo Switch Online on September 5.
SNES Games for Nintendo Switch Online Are Now Available to Download
Update: The Nintendo Switch's SNES games hub for Nintendo Switch Online is now live, with the app available for download in the Nintendo eShop.
The app provides players, at launch, with 20 SNES, with more expected to come. If you've yet to sign up, learn how and where you can get Nintendo Switch Online to play SNES games. And be sure to check out our list of the best SNES games of all time to see where some of these games, and hopefully future entries i nthe Switch Online's library, landed.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition Surprise Launches on Switch Today
Announced during today's Nintendo Direct, Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is out today on Nintendo Switch.
In addition to being the full game, it will also allow you to share your cloud saves between the Steam and Switch versions of the game.
Not many more details were shared (understandable, given it's already out right now), but you can watch the announcement trailer above to see it in action. It is currently listed on the Nintendo eShop for $49.99.
IGN gave Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition a 9.6 in our review, saying it "takes an amazing RPG, polishes it, and excellently adapts it for consoles." You can watch our full review below:
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore Announced for Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Wii U title Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE will be released on the Nintendo Switch as Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore on January 17, 2020.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE brings together Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem and was originally released in 2016 and, in our review, we said "It lacks the depth of the two series it combines, but Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE has strong combat and great style."
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore will bring with it some new features, such as a brand new song, new story elements, and the addition of new Fire Emblem characters like Tiki.