Yesterday, Nintendo held their E3 Nintendo Direct and while one big announcement was absent– a new, more powerful version of the Nintendo Switch (aka Nintendo Switch Pro, New Nintendo Switch, Super Nintendo Switch…). We did get some great game announcements for the Nintendo Switch.

It’s kind of amazing that the Nintendo Switch, the least powerful of the last-gen consoles (PS4, Xbox One), is still bringing the competition. Ever since Nintendo tweeted that this event would focus on Nintendo Switch software mostly coming out in 2021, many still speculated that we would see the new Nintendo Switch model. Some we’re saying it would come before E3 and every day for two weeks ended with, “Well, no new Nintendo Switch today…”

So, although we didn’t get that new hardware, Nintendo certainly hit us with some great new announcements. And here are my Top Five:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy (on Nintendo Switch)

Although we did see Eidos Montreal’s Guardians of the Galaxy game featured in the Square Enix event this past weekend, they did not reveal that it would also be coming to the Nintendo Switch. During the Square Enix event on Sunday we saw a whole deep dive featuring a trailer, gameplay and developer commentary. After rewatching this trailer I learned that this was the Cloud version, but during the event I did not know that and that’s how Nintendo fooled me.

This trailer played right after Life is Strange Remastered and Life is Strange True Colors, so I immediately thought this is it. They’re going to show these more graphically intense games and say something like, “Oh how will you play these games? On your Nintendo Switch Pro of course! Introducing the New Nintendo Switch Pro.” That didn’t happen though. It’s cool to see these Cloud versions of games coming to the Nintendo Switch, but I’d rather play these on my more powerful consoles. It’s great for those who don’t own another console though (as long as you have immaculate internet connection).

Guardians of the Galaxy (Cloud Version) will release on Nintendo Switch on October 26, 2021.
(same day as the full game release)

2. Metroid Dread

Metroid is back! Not the First-Person Metroid Prime 4 Nintendo fans have been waiting for but instead a new 2D Metroid game (the first in almost two decades). I’m very excited for Metroid Dread. The funny thing is that many of my favorite games in recent years have been Metroid-vanias: Hollow Knight, Guacamelee 1 & 2, Steamworld Dig 1 & 2. I have barely played any actual Metroid metroid-vanias though. I played some of Samus Returns on my 2DS and the virtual console Metroid and Super Metroid on my NES and SNES online.

I have played many Castlevania games, which put the “vania” in metroid-vania. I still own my original copy of the NES Castlevania game.

Metroid Dread releases on Nintendo Switch October 8, 2021
(They’re also launching a new amiibo set featuring Samus and E.M.M.I.)

3. Wario Ware: Get It Together!

I don’t know much about Wario Ware games, but I do know that people have been asking for another one for some time now. I’m not a fan of Wario (the character), he is always trying to screw me over in any game. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe he’s always the one hitting me with every item. In Super Smash Bros Ultimate, he spams me with his stupid motorcycle move.

I do think this collection of micro games run by the evil Wario looks like a fun time. I also like that it can be played with one or two players. I don’t know if I’ll definitely give this one a try yet, but I have already requested that my friend look through his library of 3DS games for an old version of Wario Ware so I can see what all the hype is about. Maybe I’ll finally become a fan of Mr. Wario.

Wario Ware: Get It Together! launches on Nintendo Switch September 10, 2021.

4. Mario Golf: Super Rush

Yes, we’ve known about this game for a while now but it’s only about a week away now. I’ve mentioned many times how much I love arcade-style and super powered up sports games — NBA Jam, NBA Street, NFL Blitz, Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey. Although the last two Mario Tennis games (Wii U and Switch) have been a disappointment, I still look forward to this one.

Mario Golf: Super Rush gives me some Everybody’s Golf vibes which I played a lot of on my PS4. I do like that they showed off the different game modes (Standard Golf • Speed Golf • Battle Golf • Golf Adventure) in yesterday’s Direct. This game seems to have a lot going on for it, plus they mentioned adding DLC: courses, characters and more. Also, who doesn’t love playing a golf video game against friends.

Mario Golf: Super Rush arrives on Nintendo Switch on June 25, 2021.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel

Towards the end of the Direct they said, “Ok, we have one more segment, but that’s it.” It was a whole Zelda anniversary segment featuring expansions to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, some new The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD details and of course a sweet new Zelda-inspired Game & Watch (which I will most likely purchase).

During the segment there was a strange remark of not working on any other Zelda titles at the moment which was odd. Then they jumped into the teaser for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel. I’m still currently working on the original Breath of the Wild, I have two Divine Beasts left to conquer (and a whole lot of other stuff). Is it time to restart my adventure in Hyrule, or do I continue where I left off (years ago now).

I like that this game seems to have the same art style and take place in the same world. I do like that they added some floating worlds, new abilities and skills. Ever since the first teaser I thought that this game looks a bit darker than the first, like if the evil has spread more and more through Hyrule. I guess I’ll have to wait to find out, until then at least I still have many hours of the original Breath of the Wild to play through.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel is set to release in 2022.

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Other Cool Nintendo Stuff

Kazuya gets ready for the next battle

They started off strong with a new Smash character reveal Kazuya from Tekken. Any time they reveal a new character in Smash I’ve been familiar with about 25% of them. I’m still always excited for each character reveal, but if they wanted to go Tekken, they should have gone with my boy, Eddy Gordo. I want some capoeira, breakdance fighting in my Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The end of this reveal trailer is the best part. I immediately knew that Kirby would be up to some mischief.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope was revealed during Ubisoft Forward this weekend and I included it in that Top Five list. I love that they are adding some new elements to this game, and taking it to space. They’ve also added these new Spark characters which are a mix of Lumas and Rabbids.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

It’s cool that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is coming to Nintendo Switch, but I have the ultimate version on my PlayStation 5 so I don’t think I also need it here. Anyway, I may end up getting it on Switch one day.

Cruis’n Blast

Cruis’n Blast looks like a good fun time. Mainly because I remember spending many hours in the small arcade area next to my mom’s hair salon when I was a kid playing Crus’n USA. This game also has it’s own “Let’s go Cruis’n” theme song!

Shin Megami Tensei V

I don’t know much about Shin Megami Tensei 1-4 but I know that I’ve been wanting to get into more JRPGs for some time — especially on my Nintendo Switch. Any time I borrow a JRPG from my buddy I end up giving it a few hours before quitting and returning the game. I think I just haven’t found the right one yet. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was one that I actually put some real time into, but I did not have the time to finish it.

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Still after all of these announcements and the final Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel announcement I thought, Here it comes! Here comes New Nintendo Switch Pro.

It didn’t… I guess that’s good news. Now I don’t have to spend any money on another new console, just yet.