Nintendo Direct coverage: September 23, 2021

The Big N reveals a lineup of games, expansions, services and a feature film in its latest Nintendo Direct.

During the event presented by Nintendo on September 23, 2021, through its Official YouTube Channel, a list of new games and expansions was announced with trailers in various styles, with glimpses of gameplay and cinematics for all tastes.

The games and expansions announced during the event were:

• Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
• Mario Party: Superstars
• Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
• Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass
• Chocobo GP
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• Disney’s Magical World 2:
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
• Always Remember: Stay Human
• Dying Light: Platinum Edition
• Triangle Strategy
• Metroid: Dread
• Shadowrun Trilogy
• Castlevania: Advance Collection
• ActRaiser Renaissance
• Deltarune: Chapter 2
• Hot Wheels: Unleashed
• Surviving the Aftermath
• Shin Megami Tensei V
• Wreckfest
• Arcade Archives: Pac-Man
• Arcade Archives:
• Rune Factory 5
• Splatoon 3
• Bayonetta 3

A highlight of the Nintendo Direct was the addition of a new Expansion plan for the company’s Online service, which for an extra fee will give access to two new consoles: the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis (known as Mega Drive in Brazil). Wireless versions of these consoles’ controllers will also be available. Classics from both consoles (such as Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Streets of Rage) were announced not only for the service’s launch in October, but also for future updates.

Koopa Troopa and Ninji were added as free extra content for Mario Golf: Super Rush.

Among the trailers, a Direct about Animal Crossing: New Horizons was announced for October 2021, regarding the free content to be added in November; the exact date has not been set yet.

A special Direct was also announced for the reveal of the last character to be added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, dated October 5, 2021.

There was greater attention on the Metroid: Dread showing, since its launch is directly tied to the launch of the console’s new OLED model. Strangely, there was no mention of the Bluetooth functionality recently added to the Switch family of consoles..

At the end of the event, Shigeru Miyamoto appeared in person to announce the animated film based on the Super Mario franchise. The mustachioed plumber will be voiced by Chris Pratt, Peach will be played by Anya Taylor-Joy, Luigi by Charlie Day, Bowser will be Jack Black and Toad played by Keegan-Michael Key. Donkey Kong will also make an appearance, played by Donkey Kong.

Shigeru Miyamoto also made a point of stressing that Charles Martinet, who voiced many characters throughout the franchise’s history, is directly involved in the project.

A highlight was the Nintendo Direct’s last trailer, which finally revealed gameplay of the long-awaited Bayonetta 3, featuring a number of classic elements in stunning visuals. The franchise’s orphans seem to have plenty of content waiting for them.