Meta Gamer Monthly March 2018

 

This month we have new details on the Switch’s online service, news from this past week’s Nintendo Direct, and the delay of Days Gone. While not a lot of games are releasing this March, the highly anticipated Far Cry 5 arrives near the end of the month.

 

Nintendo

 

Nintendo Direct

 

 

3DS

 

Luigi’s Mansion

The classic Gamecube game has been remastered for the 3DS. The 3DS will allow you to use the bottom screen as the map.

 

 

Players: TBA
ESRB Rating*: RP
Price: MSRP TBA
Release Date: 2018
Platforms: 3DS

 

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey

Mario, Luigi and Bowser have to work together to find a cure for a disease that is plaguing the Mushroom Kingdom. The player will switch between Bowser and the brothers who are stuck inside Bowser in this new RPG. Also includes a side story with Bowser Jr.

 

 

Players: TBA
ESRB Rating*: RP
Price: MSRP TBA
Release Date: 2019
Platforms: 3DS

 

Switch

 

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

The Wii U game is coming to Switch and 3DS with new courses based on Super Mario Odyssey.

 

 

Players: 2 Player Co-op
ESRB Rating*: RP
Price: MSRP TBA
Release Date: July 13
Platforms: 3DS, Switch

 

Dark Souls: Remastered

The popular game is coming to the Switch with DLC content Artorias of the Abyss.

 

 

Players: 1 to 6 Players
ESRB Rating*: M
Price: MSRP $39.99
Release Date: May 25
Platforms: Switch

 

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition

Hyrule Warriors is coming to the Switch with all the content from the Wii U and 3DS versions, plus new outfits for Link and Zelda from Breath of the Wild.

 

 

Players: TBA
ESRB Rating*: T
Price: MSRP $59.99
Release Date: May 18
Platforms: Switch

 

Kirby Star Allies

Kirby is finally arriving on the Switch. Kirby Star Allies has Kirby teaming up enemies from past games and using his copy abilities or giving them to his allies. The demo is currently available on Switch’s eShop.

 

 

 

Players: 1 to 4 Players
ESRB Rating*: E 10+
Price: MSRP $59.99
Release Date: March 16
Platforms: Switch

 

Octopath Traveler

Back in September I reviewed the demo for Octopath Traveler (The demo is still available on eShop). At last week’s Direct, the developers announced the release date and new information about the game, including details on the collector’s edition.

Characters

The trailer introduces two more characters. There are eight in total, the first two are detailed in last September’s article.

Tressa – Merchant

Tressa is good at finding treasure.

Path Ability: Purchase – She can purchase special items (not found in shops) from most NPCs.

Alfyn – Apothecary

Alfyn uses healing abilities in battle.

Path Ability: Inquire – Ask NPCs for discounts in shops or secret location.

Jobs

As characters progress, the will gain the ability to learn new jobs. This will allow them to use different abilities in battle and mix different types of gear.

 

Wayfarer’s Edition

In addition to the regular game the collector’s edition includes:

• Sound selections CD
• Double-sided cloth world map
• Replica coin of the in-game currency
• 8-page pop-up book featuring characters and origins

 

 

 

Players: TBA
ESRB Rating*: RP
Price: MSRP $59.99 (Standard Edition), $99.99 (Wayfarer’s Edition)
Release Date: July 13
Platforms: Switch

 

Okami HD

The visually stunning game is coming to the Switch this summer.

 

 

Players: Single Player
ESRB Rating*: T
Price: MSRP TBA
Release Date: Summer 2018
Platforms: Switch

 

Splatoon 2 Update and DLC

Nintendo announced update 3.0 for Splatoon 2 in late April and it’s first DLC coming this summer.

Update 3.0

The update includes 100 pieces of gear, 3 new stages, and a new rank, Rank X.

 

 

Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion

The first paid DLC is single player and features new character Agent 8, an Octoling who has lost all her memories. Agent 8 explores underground test facilities connected by a subway while recovering her memories.

 

 

Players: Single Player
ESRB Rating*: E 10+
Price: MSRP $19.99
Release Date: Summer 2018
Platforms: Switch

 

Super Smash Bros

In a surprising announcement, Nintendo revealed a new Super Smash Brothers. They didn’t mention a lot of details other than Inklings from Splatoon being playable, and hinted at Breath of the Wild Link also being featured.

 

 

Players: TBA
ESRB Rating*: RP
Price: MSRP TBA
Release Date: 2018
Platforms: Switch

 

Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido

Nintendo revealed an unusual fighting game, where you eat as much sushi as possible to collect similar colored plates to throw at your enemies.

 

 

Players: TBA
ESRB Rating*: RP
Price: MSRP $39.99 (3DS), $49.99 (Switch)
Release Date: June 8
Platform: 3DS, Switch

 

Nintendo Switch System Update 5.0

Nintendo updated the Switch with version 5.0 of the firmware. Here are a few of the new features (for a full list go to Nintendo’s official notes.)

• Ability to find Facebook and Twitter friends who play Switch
• Features effecting Parental Controls (some of which are set through the mobile app)
• 24 new ARMS and Kirby icons for your user picture

 

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo recently announced when they will start charging for the online service (online multiplayer and monthly free games). Other advantages of the service are discounts on games in the eShop and classic games with enhanced online play. Users will have to start paying in September. (Source: Nintendo)

Nintendo offers three tiers:

• 1 Month $3.99
• 3 Month $7.99
• 12 Month $19.99

Sample Classic Games:

• Super Mario Bros. 3
• Balloon Fight
• Dr. Mario

 

Playstation

 

Days Gone Delay

Days Gone, the Sons of Anarchy meets zombie apocalypse game, which I previewed in last year’s E3 special, has been delayed to 2019. (Source: Eurogamer)

 

 

Playstation Plus Update

In a recent blog, Sony announced that starting in March 2019, PS Plus will no longer include free games for PS3 or PS Vita. Any previously free games users have downloaded will still be accessible as long as they have PS Plus. (Source: Playstation)

 

Playstation Plus

 

 

PS3

• Legend of Kay Anniversary

 

PS4

• Bloodborne
• Ratchet and Clank

 

PS3, PS4

• Mighty No. 9

 

PS4, PS Vita

• Claire: Extended Cut
• Bombing Busters

 

Xbox

 

Xbox Games With Gold

 

 

Xbox One

• Trials of the Blood Dragon (March 1-31)
• Superhot (March 16 – April 15)

 

Xbox 360, Xbox One

• Brave: The Video Game (March 1-15)
• Quantum Conundrum (March 16-31)

 

Games Releasing This March

 

March 2

• Pit People (PC, Xbox One)

 

March 6

• Bravo Team (PSVR)
• Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Frantics (PS4)
• Scribblenauts Showdown (PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
• Fear Effect Sedna (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One)

 

March 13

• Devil May Cry HD Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Golem (PSVR)
• Pure Farming 2018 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

 

March 16

• Kirby Star Allies (Switch)
• Burnout Paradise Remastered (PS4, Xbox One)

 

March 20

• Assassin’s Creed Rogue: Remastered (PS4, Xbox One)
• Attack on Titan 2 (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
• Sea of Thieves (PC, Xbox One)
• Titan Quest (PS4, Xbox One)

 

March 23

• A Way Out (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Detective Pikachu (3DS)
• Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (PC, PS4)

 

March 27

 

 

• Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings (PS4, Switch, PC)
• Far Cry 5 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
• MLB The Show 18 (PS4)
• The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 (PS4)

 

March 30

• Agony (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

 

*ESRB Ratings
E – Everyone
E 10+ – Everyone 10 and up
T – Teen
M – Mature
RP – Rating Pending