Nintendo Direct September 2018 Forgets Final Fantasy VIII Existed
Nintendo has finally delivered this month's Direct stream, delayed last week due to a massive earthquake that hit northern Japan, and, as expected, it's chock full of announcements and teasers. As expected, the Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition that landed on consoles last week is also here. But even better, Nintendo revealed a whole bunch of "classic" Final Fantasy titles coming to the Nintendo Switch. All except everyone's favorite Final Fantasy Love Story.
So here are the new old Final Fantasy games coming to the Switch: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, and, of course, Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition. If you noticed something missing, yes, there's no Final Fantasy VIII. Heck, even Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon gets a Switch port, but no love for Squall and Rinoa.
#FINALFANTASY is coming to #NintendoSwitch, kupo! Many titles from the legendary RPG series are coming soon, including FINAL FANTASY VII, FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE and FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION HD. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/qZPHknqZIw
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) September 13, 2018
It would hardly be a worthwhile Direct if that's all that Nintendo had to say. The biggest tease of all is perhaps a new mainline Animal Crossing coming to the Switch next year. And as if to mark that occasion, the game's hard-working Isabelle will prove her chops in Super Smash Bros U!
A hard worker achieves her dream! Isabelle joins the fight in Super #SmashBros Ultimate! #AnimalCrossing #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/YIe9PssOgL
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) September 13, 2018
The Switch, however, has proven itself more than just your traditional gaming console. It launched with Skyrim, a popular and graphics-intensive PC game. To further prove its mettle, it's also getting some new ports of PC titles, including Diablo III: Eternal Collection on November 2, Civilization VI on November 16, and, already available today, Cities: Skyline.
Luigi's next spooky adventure is in development for #NintendoSwitch. #LuigisMansion 3 (working title) releases in 2019! 👻 #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/Pky9y6zjSx
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) September 13, 2018
Nintendo hasn't forgotten about its other gaming handheld, though, and has reserved some treats for the Nintendo 3DS system. There's the remake of the GameCube classic Luigi's Mansion, Wii's Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn, and the Bowser's Inside Story.
That's just scratching the tip of the iceberg, of course. Nintendo had a lot more to share in its September Direct to show the market that it's far from becoming an extinct dinosaur. That's largely in part thanks to the Switch, of course, and hopefully, Nintendo won't rest too long on its laurels and forget how dire its situation was just two years ago.