nintendo game news – The Gaming News Corner

TL; DW Nintendo Direct 11/1/2018

The Game’s roster is complete! I can’t wait for December!

Ken is an Echo Fighter for Ryu. A speedier version with his signature Flaming Shoryuken and two different Final Smash! His moves are different and involve more kicks.
Heavy Shoryuken only
Incineroar, the final evolution of Litten, smashes into the ring. He is the best starter Pokemon introduced in a long time (Sorry Greninja..) He has a bunch of wrestling throw moves and looks to be slow like Ganon. Cool poses for every move that lands but they are cancelable.
A friend to all
Piranha Plant: This fighter will be available as an early-purchase bonus for players who purchase the game between 11/1 & 1/31. This fighter will arrive around February 2019. Digital pre-orders will receive a code for the character automatically when it’s released, while players with physical copies of the game will need to register their purchase with their My Nintendo account to receive the code
Each new character will receive an amiibo
Trophies have been changed to spirits! You can collect spirits in the game similar to trophies. They can be used to power-up your character Spirit Battles. You can fight for specific spirits but the COM will be powered up.
Spirits can be fed, trained, and travel to improve their stats. Is this Pokemon?!!!! Some of them evolve and have type advantages. You can “send spirits back to the real world” to get their cores to buff your characters. Spirits can be used to evolve your amiibo by sacrificing them.
New assist trophies on characters that deserve to be in the game.
RIP the dream
The season pass will be Fighter Pass. It will include new stages, fighters, and music. Each will be released as a set for $5.99. Get all of them for $24.99.
New Adventure Mode! World of Light where every character has been turned into light except for Kirby. We have to solve the mystery.
Wireless connection to fight other players playing on handheld mode.
If you rage quit, then you’re booted. Don’t John and don’t be salty.
Elite Battles: For high ranked players, you’ll be allowed into a top tier player zone. Depending on player dominance, balance changes can occur in the future.
You can train while waiting for online matches!

New Nintendo Switch scheduled for 2019

According to Wall Street Journal Japan, Nintendo is expected to launch an upgraded Nintendo Switch Console in 2019. Although the details are unclear on specs, the WSJ Japan expects a bigger, brighter screen. The Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017. Nintendo was relying on the sales of additional peripherals such as the Labo. However, slower sales this year may have pushed Nintendo to release the “Switch 2” earlier than expected. Are you going to get the second Nintendo Switch?

Wall Street Journal Japan (Paywall)

Eurogamer

Is the Switch doing well for 2018?

Last year, Nintendo set the gaming world on fire with the launch of the Switch. Within one year of its launch, it has sold more than 1.5 million units. Despite a very strong last year, 2018 has made fans and investors spectacle on the future of the Switch. Nintendo has stated they will sell 20 million units before the end of the consoles’ life cycle but investors are uneasy.

Investors POV

Nintendo rarely listens to investors or their insights. It took many years for them to start in the mobile market despite it being a multi-billion business. Gaming investors and shareholders generally push for companies to start in the mobile industry. After this year’s E3, Nintendo didn’t impress and their stocks dropped dramatically. Their highest this year was in March but has dropped by 34%. The drop is so drastic that Nintendo’s former President Tatsumi Kimishima had to reassure shareholders that Nintendo still has more games to be announced for 2018.

The two big games Nintendo has announced for 2018 are Pokemon Let’s Go and Super Smash Bros: Ultimate. Despite the new Pokemon entry, it is not a new mainstream Pokemon title. Smash is also more of an updated port of Smash 4 rather than an entirely new title. This has led to investors’ lack of confidence in the company. Despite this, Nintendo has made over three million dollars in profit from their new title, Pokemon Quest. Their other mobile games such as Mario Run, Fire Emblem HEROES!!!!!!! and Pokemon Go have also made millions in profit. Despite fears, GameStop has seen massive sales increase for the Switch.

Switch Sales grows at GameStop

While the digital purchases continue to grow, GameStop still remains a prevalent store for young consumers. After E3, Switch sales doubled over the course of the week. Super Smash Bros: and Pokemon received a multitude of pre-orders including the Pokeball accessories. However, the sales of the Nintendo Labo still remains to be heard but based on all of the boxes left at stores, I don’t think it is going well.

Opinion

I have complete faith in Nintendo. Despite the slow year, I am having a blast with the Nintendo Switch. Although many of their games this year have been ports, Nintendo will continue to work on great games. They take their time and are willing to take fan complaints without succumbing to pressure from investors or public demand. How well do you think Nintendo will finish their 2018?