Julius

Aaaaaaaand filming has officially wrapped! Just over ten months to go! It's time for the cogs in the promotional onslaught to finally start churning! We should be getting a title soon, surely? Perhaps even by the end of the month? Can't see them holding onto it until April...

The trailer from the Japanese Direct showcased some more of the 16-bit art style, as well as some more Switch gameplay.

I mean, all we got in September when it was officially announced was a logo -- I don't think it's too surprising that they didn't show anything here. I've barely dabbled with Animal Crossing games -- the extent of my exposure to it is that I watched a friend play Wild World on DS when I was in primary school for a few hours, and they let me borrow it for a day or two -- but unless something has drastically changed since then (or changes with this upcoming title), there's no reason for there to be a long promotional campaign for this game. From my understanding it's light on story, and is something that is perhaps best enjoyed when fired up every day for shorter play sessions. I don't think that it would stand to gain much from starting it's promotional campaign now as opposed to at E3, even with a release date in the latter half of this year -- simply due to the nature of the game. Don't get me wrong, this game is going to be a juggernaut: it will likely end up the best selling game in the series, and the second bestselling Switch game of this year (behind Pokémon). September sounds about right to me -- Pokémon is bound to return this year with a release date in November (based on the last few release dates for Pokémon games, I think we might even be able to pencil in the 15th as the release date for this year's game, assuming that it hasn't been delayed), and will likely be Nintendo's last major game of the year. Luigi's Mansion 3 in October simply makes too much sense, too, though I don't think the release date of that game has that much of an effect on the release date of AC, so Animal Crossing could even be released earlier that month, with LM3 closing out the if it has a release date sitting next to Halloween, for example. I'm thinking of picking up a Switch in April, so I'm definitely starting to take note of which titles releasing this year catch my interest. From this Direct, which I think was really solid, I think my Day 1 must-buys are Link's Awakening (haven't played the original game, like a few others here, which I've only heard great things about; I like the art style, don't @ me) and Dragon Quest XI (played it on PS4 and adored it, apparently so much that now I'm going to love playing it in 16-bit with added story elements!). Super Mario Maker 2 of course has my attention (I love the idea of making my own 2D Mario levels!), and while I think I'll pick it up, I don't know if it'll be Day 1. I have my eyes on Astral Chain, which has great folks onboard, but I'll wait to see some more; I'm on the fence with Fire Emblem: Three Houses (played Awakening last year - really enjoyed it - but from what we've seen so far, it seems to be focusing too much on the parts which didn't add much of anything to Awakening for me) and feel like I need to see more before making; and I'll wait for reviews with regards to Tokyo RPG Factory's Oninaki, as from what I've read and heard, their games have to this point effectively been "good, but not great".

Box art:

Can't help but feel like this got quickly snuffed out in that Direct by the DQXIS news...but it's coming July 12th!

You're right, didn't pick up on that the first time. Strange choice. Honestly, the saving grace for me is that it will have the 16-bit mode which we can transition to on the fly, and new story elements. I absolutely adored playing through Dragon Quest XI on PS4, and will very happily purchase and play this again (I hope they don't send it out to die like it felt was the case last year on PS4 and PC), but it does feel like Square Enix have been quite slimy in holding back just how much more this version of the game would have when compared with the PS4 version. I've never purchased a game twice before, but this really was an experience which I fondly look back upon, and I can't wait to read the thoughts of people who haven't played the game yet, like @Grazza! Plus, a second playthrough, and in a 2D format..let's just say that it might help me figure out which is my favourite game that I've played so far!

Not going to lie, the anime bubbles and the storm immediately took my head to the first Pokémon movie!

Yeah!

New IP from Platinum!

Coming this summer:

This summer!

Coming this summer!

Honestly didn't think it would be coming to Switch in its current state, but hey! And it's free!

Tetris Battle Royale?!

Delayed again, but at least we have a date now: July 26th.

A LOT of exposition in this Three Houses showing so far...

I was on the fence before, but now I guess I'm buying it a second time!

This Autumn! Can't help but feel they showed a bit too much... BUT HOLY SMOKES THEY'RE BRINGING THE 16-BIT THING IN! AND THE OPTION TO TOGGLE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL MUSIC?! AND NEW PARTS TO THE STORY?! Heck yeah! Can't wait to play this again!

I have no idea where this belongs, but seeing as it will probably be based on Toriyama's distinct art style, I guess it belongs here? Dragon Quest V is being adapted into a fully 3DCG movie called Dragon Quest: Your Story, which will release in Japan this summer on August 2nd. I summon @Ike!