By Michelle Lynn Tackett
Nintendo fans have clamored for new game information in 2020. Nintendo fans love their directs, and they want one now, so Nintendo started doing showcases with 3rd parties. They are short, but they showcase new games for the Switch. Nintendo fans have had mixed reactions to these showcases. They want a full-blown direct with info on BOTW 2 dang it! Not a mini showcase.
Nintendo announced a PMD (partner mini direct) for today, and I am going to review it. Was it good? Were there any big announcements at the presentation? Will Nintendo fans keep complaining? Let’s find out in my review of the PMD.
Monster Hunter Rise!
It isn’t even close. Capcom’s Monster Hunter games stole the show. New mechanics like the wire bug, which makes it possible to swing across bridges, canyons, and across the sky to the next destination. Some of the Quality of Life ideas from Monster Hunter World made it into MHR. MHR is coming out on March 26, 2021.
Monster Hunter Stories 2!
Capcom showed off another big game! Next up is Monster Hunter Stories 2. MHS2 is a sequel to the Nintendo 3DS game. It looks incredible, and I cannot wait to play it when it comes out summer of 2021.
The Best of the Rest
Capcom wasn’t the only partner bringing the heat for the Switch. NISA announced Disgaea 6 was coming exclusively to the Switch in the West (A PS4 version will be available in Japan), Rune Factory 5 was up next, and it looked stunning. The final game shown was Ori and the Will of the Wisp, which is the only big announcement game that is coming out in 2020.
The Low Lights
No direct is perfect, neither was this one. Fitness Boxing 2 seemed out of place. I think Nintendo needs to do Casual Direct Minis. That would fit a game like this. Sniper 4 Elites was OK, but it got lost in the shuffle, and Goldie and the Fortune Teller looked unique, but with MH, Disgaea 6, and Rune Factory, it got lost in the shuffle.
Grade
What a great showcase that will keep the excitement going into next year. A few games seemed out of place, and there should have been more games from this year shown, but some great surprises, good pacing, and updates on existing games made this a memorable showcase.
Grade: A 96
Bibliography
Photo courtesy of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0Q3FdosFBo
https://www.nintenderos.com/2020/09/monster-hunter-stories-2-se-lanzara-en-el-verano-de-2021-para-nintendo-switch/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/disgaea_6_defiance_of_destiny_is_a_nintendo_switch_exclusive_coming_summer_2021
Links to articles: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/disgaea_6_defiance_of_destiny_is_a_nintendo_switch_exclusive_coming_summer_2021
https://www.nintenderos.com/2020/09/monster-hunter-stories-2-se-lanzara-en-el-verano-de-2021-para-nintendo-switch/
https://www.destructoid.com/stories/rune-factory-5-looks-like-a-colorful-return-to-fighting-for-the-farm-603940.phtml
https://venturebeat.com/2020/09/17/ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-comes-to-switch-today/
https://www.destructoid.com/stories/a-recap-of-everything-announced-at-the-nintendo-direct-mini-603919.phtml
Read my articles on Miketendo64 as well: https://miketendo64.com/2020/09/17/lta-partner-showcase-september-2020/
