Nintendo Direct 8/3/2018

I live in Sydney, so this morning, on the 9th of March, was the Nintendo Direct. I haven't really been keeping up with Nintendo news lately, or video game news in general really. But, here I am, back in the thick of it, and I wanted to share my favourite mentions in today's Direct! Just a reminder that the release dates will be for the Australian market.

Kirby Star Allies

We already knew this game was coming. It is due out on the 16th of March. There was a little bit of new information, however. After the game's release, there will be free DLC, introducing new Allies for Kirby to play with!!!

Detective Pikachu

Again, we knew this one was coming already. This one is also releasing this month, on the 24th. It was nice to see a bit more of his strange personality, and the humour of the game. I am also quite excited about the large Detective Pikachu, releasing on the same day.

Captain Toad

When I saw Captain Toad pop up, I was ridiculously excited. When it continued to reveal that this was a port to the Switch of Treasure Tracker, I was disappointed. However, it will be coming to the Switch with a few extra Mario Odyssey levels, and a multiplayer mode. I am hopeful that this means Captain Toad will get a new game in the future, because I love Toad, and this game was brilliant. This is releasing on the 13th of June.

Octopath Traveler

I played the demo through a few days ago (and I'm still in the process of writing about my experience with it). I really enjoyed it, and I am keen on picking it up on release. We learned today about two more of the eight characters you can play- the apothecary and the merchant. We also learned that the characters can choose an additional job, to help customise and add additional layers of strategy to combat! And of course, the release date was announced. It's coming on the 13th of June, with a special edition as well, containing a pop up book presenting all of the characters, a replica coin, and a handy dandy map! I kind of want this edition, but it is currently much too expensive for me (sitting at AU$199.95 at EB Games).

Okami

A Switch remake of the original Okami game is coming, employing the Switch's touch screen, or Joy Con motion controls, depending on what mode you're playing in. I never played this game, but I did play the DS Okamiden, and that game was beautiful and very charming, with an engaging story. I was constantly reminded of Japanese kabuki theatre as I played. This releases on the 10th of July.

Luigi's Mansion

The original Luigi's Mansion game, released on the Game Cube, is coming to the 3DS! I played the sequel, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon when it was released (it got me through a bad illness in fact, so I have very fond memories of it), but never had the chance to play the original. By the time I acquired a Game Cube, the games were quite difficult to find, unless you went on eBay. So, I am very excited to give this one a go when it releases later this year!

Did you watch the Nintendo Direct today? What are you most excited for?

Luigi's Mansion 2

I have been replaying Luigi's Mansion 2 over the last few days (well, I never actually finished it- I got really close, and then got stuck. I will beat it this time). I really enjoy the humour of this game, and the fact that Luigi gets to be the protagonist!!!

Throughout this game, Luigi must traverse multiple haunted mansions at the request of Professor E. Gadd, to clear out some agitated ghosts, and help him with his research. You are equipped with several of E. Gadd's clever gadgets, including the Poltergust 5000, to suck up the ghosts, and the Dual Scream, a tricked out DS that allows E. Gadd to communicate with Luigi.

The game is very enjoyable for a number of reasons. First, and I think foremost is, that like the protagonist, it doesn't take itself too seriously. While exploring the mansions (and not just as you leave him to idle while you take a bathroom break), Luigi can sometimes be heard humming along to the game's background music. The ghosts, affected negatively by the loss of the Dark Moon, are merely mischievous, and not quite malicious. And E. Gadd always takes the time to say strange things to Luigi, and make jokes. Oh, and he transports you around with something he calls the Pixelshifter, which to me, just looks like a giant Etch-a-Sketch.

                                           

Aside from the main story, which takes place in multiple smaller chapters, there are extras that you can attempt to complete. For instance, find all of the Boos in each mansion (there is one per chapter), and you unlock a bonus level, in which you must collect all of the ghosts as quickly as you can. You can also attempt levels again in order to get a perfect score, by catching more ghosts, taking less damage and time, and finding more treasure. Luigi reacts differently at the end of the chapter, depending on the score that you achieve. And of course there is the Thrill Towers, a haunted area exclusive to the game's multiplayer. You can play online, locally and also with Download Play.

Exploring each haunted mansion is a lot of fun, and while this world may be drab compared to other Mushroom Kingdom titles, it still has plenty of charm, in the environments, the music, and of course, the characters. Seeing Luigi overcome his fears in order to help the Professor and do right by the usually friendly ghosts is endearing. And, the game is just a lot of fun.

If you like Mario games, and you want to see Luigi have his time in the spotlight (and also if you played and enjoyed the first Luigi's Mansion game, which I unfortunately have not had the chance to do), then I suggest that you give this game a try!