February Nintendo Direct 2021 Recap – Pyra In Smash, Skyward Sword, Splatoon 3 And More

It has been 530 days since the last true Nintendo Direct (September 2019!!) and while we’ve had Mini Directs and Partner Showcases, it just wasn’t the same. Here’s hoping Nintendo has a lot to show us for the first half of 2021!

Here is a recap of everything shown off:

• Xenoblade Chronicles 2….is this Smash? It happened! We are getting Pyra/Mythra in Smash as the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC character! Releasing in March.
• Fall Guys is finally coming to Switch on in Winter 2021.
• You have 22 minutes to save the world when Outer Wilds launches on Switch Winter 2021.
• Famicom Dectective Club: The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind are coming to the West for the first time, are localised in English and have been modernised for Nintendo Switch are coming on May 14.
• Samurai Warriors 5 is coming to Nintendo Switch, set in the Japan’s early history the Sengoku Period. Releasing in Winter 2021.
• The original version of Legend of Mana with remastered HD graphics is coming to Switch after 20 years. Releasing on June 24.
• We see a new Monster Hunter: Rise trailer including a desert, volcano and desert swamp. We get to see a bunch of new monsters including Rakna-Kadaki the spider, Basarios, Volvidon, Almudron and more.  We also get more footage of the Rampage section of the game which includes a dark glowing Apex monster (we saw an Apex Arzuros). March 26 is almost here!
• Mario Golf returns in Super Rush with a new mode called Speed Golf which is essentially a race, everyone tees off at the same time! There is also a story mode, motion control and more. Mario Golf Super Rush will release on June 25.
• Set between Borderlands 2 and 3, Tales from the Borderlands is coming to Switch on March 24
• A retro collection, Capcom Arcade Stadium, launches later today!
• Stubbs the Zombie in A Rebel Without a Pulse is an action game where you build your zombie hoard and take revenge on the city. Launching on March 16.
• No More Heroes 3 finally gets a release date. This alien-filled instalment lands on Nintendo Switch on August 27.
• Neon White makes you assassinate demons in heaven? Neon White combines a card game with a shooter with a clean art style. Releasing in Summer 2021
• DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power is releasing on June 4.
• Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for the Neighbourhood Complete Edition is making its way to Switch on March 19 with head-to-head multiplayer.
• Miitopia returns?! Once a 3DS game it’s now coming to Nintendo Switch on May 21.
• Mario themed items are coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons including warp pipes that allow you to travel to other locations! The update goes live on March 1.
• The next HD-2D adventure is coming! Project Triangle Stratergy (working title) focuses on three nations in the Saltiron war with the characteristic art style of Octopath Traveler. This time there is a group of four new main characters. The series is also now a tactical RPG! Battles now have terrain with height and range playing a huge part. Who joins your cause depends on the choices you make as well as the Scales of Conviction, and critical decisions will shape your play through. This title will be launching in 2022, with a demo available later today.
• Star Wars Hunters a competitive free-to-play game set between Episode 6 and 7 is coming to Switch in 2021.
• Knockout City is a multiplayer online dodgeball game releasing on May 21.
• World’s End Club, combines great looking visuals with side scrolling action in a Japan devoid of people? Launching on May 28.
• Hades is getting a physical release on Switch including the soundtrack for download on PC and 32 page full colour character compendium. Available in retailers on March 19.
• Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is bringing three games to Nintendo Switch containing Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Giaden 3 Razor’s Edge. The collection releases on Nintendo Switch on June 10.
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is getting more battles! An Expansion Pass with two waves, one in June (expanded roster, new weapon types and new challening enemies) and one in November (new character vignettes, new stages, expanded roster). There will also be a purchase bonus of a new weapon and costume for Link. The pass is available for purchase from May 28.
• Bravely Default 2 is almost here! Launching on February 26.
• We see another trailer for Ghost and Goblins Resurrection which launches on February 25.
• SaGa Frontier Remastered has been remastered for Nintendo Switch and is releasing on April 5th
• Another free-to-play multiplayer game is coming to Switch, this time it’s Apex Legends on March 9.
• Eiji Aonuma makes an appearance. There is no Breath of the Wild 2 news yet but more information coming later this year though! While we’re waiting, we are getting Skyward Sword!! Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is coming to Nintendo Switch with the controls re-imagined with the Joy-cons! You can also play with buttons in handhold mode or with a controller for the first time! Special Skyward Sword Joy-cons are coming and look amazing! Both the HD remaster and the joy-cons are releasing on on July 16.
• Last game of the day is SPLATOON!?!? You get a buddy salmonid and it’s set in the desert with a massive city! Splatoon 3 is happening! Unfortunately in 2022 but it’s looking amazing. Apparently set in the sun scorched Splatlands and new city Splatsville.

Wow that was jam packed! There was definitely something for everyone and some surprises! Definitely nice to have the old format and we should hopefully see a return to this style for future updates this year. Let us know what your favourite announcement was.