How To Watch The March Nintendo Direct

Today's Nintendo Direct will focus on new Nintendo Switch and 3DS games.

99

Nintendo will be streaming a new Nintendo Direct later today. The briefing will last roughly 30 minutes and focus on new titles for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS that will launch this year, including new details for Mario Tennis Aces. The Nintendo Direct for March 8, 2018, goes live at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET on YouTube and we've embedded the live stream for you below.

Be sure to let us know what you think of the new announcements over in Chatty. If you haven't joined the best community in gaming, do so asap!

Charles Singletary Jr keeps the updates flowing as the News Editor, breaking stories while investigating the biggest topics in gaming and technology. He's pretty active on Twitter, so feel free to reach out to him @The_CSJR. Got a hot tip? Email him at Charles.Singletary@Shacknews.com.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    March 8, 2018 7:00 AM

    Charles Singletary posted a new article, How To Watch The March Nintendo Direct

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 7:05 AM

      I hate that this starts at 4:00 my time, worst, possible.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 7:18 AM

        Asde from missing the live stream, it shouldn't be an issue since it will probably be less than 30 minutes, and available to watch nonstreaming on youtube shortly after it's done.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 8:26 AM

          I like watching it live, it's just annoying because I won't be able to watch it but I'm sure I'll see all the threads about it.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 8:21 AM

        5pm here, but i won't have time to actually watch till about 10 :(

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 8:27 AM

      Its kind of funny you can't watch it on the Switch

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:04 PM

        you can watch it live on ps4, xb1, and palm mobile devices.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 1:41 PM

      Metroid Prime 4 available Tuesday.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 1:45 PM

      the column that holds shacknews article content is to too narrow. That column + the right sidebar width is still less than the banner width, so there is room to widen the content column without really changing the layout, and that would make viewing videos much nicer.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 1:55 PM

      FIVE MINUTE COUNTDOWN GET HYPE.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 1:56 PM

      ALL OF MY DREAMS WILL COME TRUE

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:00 PM

      Starting!

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:00 PM

      LIVE.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:00 PM

      KOIZUMI IS HOSTING REAL SHIT

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:03 PM

        you can watch it on the nico nico app w/out the annoying eng/jap crosstalk

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:01 PM

      Luigi's Mansion please

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:02 PM

      this dude gets me: "If you don't announce Virtual console and new Joy-Con with cross shape d-pad, we may lose motivation for developing Bayo 3. Understand, Ninty?"

      https://twitter.com/PG_kamiya/status/971756643938545670

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:05 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:06 PM

      I swear if this is the only thing they have planned for the Luigi's Mansion franchise I'm going to raise a big stink.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:11 PM

      So that's the final name huh.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:13 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:13 PM

      Dark souls amibo! my first and probably only purchase

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:13 PM

      SOLAIRE OF ASTORIA AMIIBO

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:14 PM

      I'm so curious how I'll feel about DS1 after starting w/ BB, then DS3.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:17 PM

        DS1 has the best world, imo. It's certainly not as technically pretty as DS3/BB, but the art direction is top notch except for Lost Izalith lol

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:19 PM

          I meant more in the mechanics/gameplay dept, you know? Sounds like its successors were more like refinements than overhauls, right?

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 2:21 PM

            MP is certainly more refined in the later games, but Sp stuff is still fantastic in DS1

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 2:21 PM

            I'd say DS1 is ahead of DS2 in terms of feel but yes DS3 and BB play better than DS1. No idea if this is being cleaned up at all though so it could change.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:18 PM

      Another disappointing Nintendo Direct! Can't say i'm surprised

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:20 PM

      Hmm.. Mario Aces isn't doing anything for me.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:20 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:20 PM

      Mario Tennis looks aces. About 10x the depth of terrible Ultra Smash.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:25 PM

        It looks great, like the best Mario sports game since Strikers. I’m glad they’re finally putting a single player RPG mode too, loved that in Mario Golf

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:20 PM

      "huh, a tennis game. That's cool I guess"
      You can play as a chain chomp
      "I need this tennis game!"

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:23 PM

        All of the counterplay mechanics look great, its been so long since we’ve had a good Mario sports game. Since Strikers I think?

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:24 PM

          some swear by a mario baseball game, which I don't even remember existing...which is weird. Makes me want to hunt it down since my GCN is hooked up.

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 3:04 PM

            Super Mario Sluggers, it was pretty good although I never owned it.

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 4:15 PM

              Unfortunately, Mario sports games are a bit too fantastical for me. But maybe I can find that one at GameStop or something.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:21 PM

      OH FUCK YES

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:22 PM

        I have never played undertail. Glad I'm waited I guess?

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:23 PM

          Talking about Captain Toad, such a great game

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:21 PM

      CAPTAIN MUTHA FUCKEN TOAD BITCHES!

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:24 PM

        I never played it on Wii U, and I'm super excited to get this for the Switch.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:22 PM

      #1 ranked port machine in videogame history. jesus.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:23 PM

        give me super mario 3d world :(

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:27 PM

          which will not happen for obvious reasons (it's not necessary)

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 4:11 PM

          I love 3dvworld, lot more fun than Odyssey

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:24 PM

        For real.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:25 PM

        I am fine with this. Better than fine, it's great. Give me all these awesome home console games that I can play on the train. Give them to me all over my face.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:47 PM

        The only games that need ports are Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and Super Mario 3D World and I’m alllll good

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:50 PM

          I wouldn't mind xenoblade chronicles X to get a port either tbh

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 2:52 PM

            Yes, good call

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 2:52 PM

              And the Splatoon 1 single player campaign

              • reply
                March 8, 2018 2:54 PM

                Was the campaign in 1 different from the campaign in 2?

                • reply
                  March 8, 2018 2:57 PM

                  It was much simpler in level design but still good, still felt like Mario Galaxy crossed with Portal. The final boss fight is magic though, IMHO one of the best bosses (if not the best) in a Nintendo game

                • reply
                  March 8, 2018 3:05 PM

                  Quite, similar design philosophies though of course, the end boss was done soooooo much better in Splatoon1 though.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:58 PM

          I’ve made peace with my guess that 3D World is not coming for a long time, if at all. SMO fills that Mario need perfectly. And only nerds like us have the gaping hole in their heart for a love never fully realized.

          I’m just going to get a Wii U lol

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 6:26 PM

            The moment you buy a Wii U they will announce a SM3DW port, it feels like a certainty

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 6:35 PM

              This did not occur two days ago precisely for the reason you just stated:

              http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=37301639

              lol. Even called the local GameStop so as not to waste my time after work. Then I saw the post about the direct and figured I’d wait.

              I’m the reason the world doesn’t have SM3DW. I can feel Hiroshi Yamauchi’s scornful look from video game heaven as I type this

              D:

              • reply
                March 8, 2018 7:11 PM

                Captain Toad runs on the SM3DW engine, they're just waiting to see your credit card purchase go through and they're ready to pull the trigger

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:00 PM

          [deleted]

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:08 PM

          Tokyo Mirage Sessions would be fantastic.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 8:16 PM

          [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:22 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:23 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:24 PM

      Man Little Nightmares is a pretty bad game

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:26 PM

        Yeah I bought it for Steam and thought it was awful.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:24 PM

      lol southpark. Wouldn't have guessed that in a million years

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:25 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:26 PM

        the announcer was totally trying to emphasize the w in whole

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:26 PM

      heh, Golf Story is on the jap stream not hyrule warriors

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:28 PM

      I'm super hyped for Mario Aces. I love tennis.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:29 PM

      Oh snap playable Octolings?

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:29 PM

      Was hoping for a Hollow Knight date, alas

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:30 PM

      Holy shit

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:31 PM

      Single player DLC for Splatoon 2? Day. Fucking. One.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:33 PM

      Haha awesome intro!

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:33 PM

      NOOOOOOO

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:34 PM

      saw smash a mile away when that video started

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:34 PM

      Smash Bros?

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:34 PM

      .... oh

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:34 PM

      I want a giant burning logo to follow me around.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:34 PM

      Well...that was something.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:34 PM

      SUPAAAAA SMAAAAASHHH BRUDDAAAAS

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:35 PM

      oh my

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:35 PM

      Great way to end the video with the Splatoon troll

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:36 PM

      With them teasing Smash now that means they are now free to do a Smash Invitational at E3 like they did a few years ago.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:37 PM

      Surprised that they didn't show anything on that Yoshi game.
      Also bummed that there wasn't anything said about a new animal crossing, here's hoping to see some news during E3 about that.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:38 PM

      Did they say anything about Virtual Console shit?

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:39 PM

        No. RIP Bayonetta 3.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:39 PM

        Nope.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:41 PM

        it's not a 2018 thing.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:42 PM

        It’ll be a part of the Nintendo Online paid service, Netflix with classic games

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:14 PM

          I don't see how people don't get this. When they are ready to show the real Nintendo Online service, that's when we'll see Virtual Console, there won't be any word before that. And it will be during a trade event like E3 or Space World.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:18 PM

          Source: my ass

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 3:24 PM

            They’ve already said that they’re doing this. Calm yourself

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 3:31 PM

              Link?

              • reply
                March 8, 2018 3:40 PM

                On the road right now but they have said that every month will come with classic games that have online multiplayer added for some of them

                • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
                  reply
                  March 8, 2018 4:13 PM

                  That was ages ago though, still no sign of it. And that was only a small handful of games getting special treatment, they've made no mention of a real VC successor.

                  • reply
                    March 8, 2018 4:20 PM

                    It was ages ago because they pushed their paid online back multiple times before finally settling on a release date.

                    Virtual Console is meaningless in 2018. Companies release classic games on their own now. Capcom is releasing Mega Man themselves. Hamster has been releasing a bunch on their own.

                    They said that they’re releasing games every month and that the first three will include SMB3. If SMB3 is part of the subscription then it is very safe to assume that it will be how they distribute classic games going forward.

                    • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
                      reply
                      March 8, 2018 4:30 PM

                      It's a question of quantity. If their only strategy for classic games is adding a game or two per month to the online service, that's still a pittance compared to the vastness of their first party library alone. They wouldn't even commit to anything beyond NES games. They aren't going to add online features to their whole back catalog, they should at least sell the rest as one-offs like always. Plus there are lots of companies that permitted their games to be on VC but will never bother to re-release them on their own.

                      • reply
                        March 8, 2018 4:44 PM

                        I’d bet on NES and SNES with the service, maybe N64 separately, hopefully GameCube.

                        I think they’re going to leave non-Nintendo publishers to rerelease games for themselves, meaning that the best VC will still be the original on the Wii. It’ll be more open and Wild West.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:30 PM

          Except Neflix as a company understands how the internet works. I can not say the same for Nintendo.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 2:46 PM

        Lol what a bunch of shit. Keep your shitty ports like Little Nightmares and let's get cracking on the stuff people want.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 2:51 PM

          Dude, that was a solid direct. One bad game doesn’t make all of the great stuff around it bad

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 2:53 PM

            It was a *fine* direct. I just think it's ridiculous that they haven't said anything about Virtual Console yet.

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 2:56 PM

              Splatoon 2 campaign, Captain Toad with more content, NMH3, a new Mario sports game that actually looks good, Smash in 2018 confirmed, its more than fine.

              I also want VC but I have a dozen other machines to play Super Mario World on. Again, we won’t hear about it until we get close to the launch of the paid online service. That’s clearly where they’re going to dump the classic games

              • reply
                March 8, 2018 2:58 PM

                Lets be honest the real disappointment here is WHERE'S ANIMAL CROSSING NINTENDO

                • reply
                  March 8, 2018 3:05 PM

                  The next thing to set the internet on fire (at least until Pokemon)

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 3:16 PM

              Ridiculous yet completely expected. They're planning to launch the service a year and a half after the console's launch lol

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:07 PM

          HULK SMASH ME NOT GET GAMES I WANT

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 3:41 PM

        It's about to become the equal of HL3 memes.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:41 PM

      The Splatoon 2 expansion looks amazing, Portal x Super Mario Galaxy x100000

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:41 PM

      Did anyone else see; was that a Nier level during that NMH3 footage?

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:43 PM

      Excited for captain Toad and octopath traveller

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 2:46 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 3:20 PM

      And my 3DS continues to get more use than my switch, woo!

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 3:20 PM

      Ok, I don’t care what anyone says: WARIOWARE GOLD has me excited!

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 3:26 PM

        I want that and Rhythm Heaven Megamix on Switch

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:31 PM

          The console Wariowares were always my favorite party games. Also Twisted on a GameBoy Micro = best toy in decades.

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 3:42 PM

            I’m also legit excited for Sushi Strikers. I’ve said many times that I want those little goofy 3DS games on Switch and it looks like this is the start

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 3:47 PM

              That one looks very fun and addictive

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 8:52 PM

              Didn't the show that on the 3DS during one of the treehouse events?

              • reply
                March 8, 2018 10:00 PM

                Yes, the Switch version was announced today and it'll be on both. I was going to get it on 3DS but I'll get it on Switch instead.

                Wish we had that option with Luigi's Mansion :(

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 3:27 PM

      Smash will be the first re-release that I get since MK8. I'm certain it'll be the Wii U version with the 3DS stages added and the Squid Kid character (gender will be a color swap). There's no way it would be ready this year and be a completely new game otherwise.

      I'm glad people will be able to play the 2014 GOTY, Captain Toad. I'm fine with my Wii U copy, one extra level and passive co-op isn't enough to get me to double dip. I'm not going to get DKC:TF either since I already have it and the additions don't warrant a new purchase, same with Bayonetta 1 and 2.

      Aces looks aces and Octopus Transformer (I can't believe they're sticking with the name) continues to look impressive.

      I think the new Warioware compilation is my favorite thing on the 3DS side, nice that original, Touched, and Twisted can be in the same package. The other 3DS remakes feel like safe bets rather than going for a new entry in their respective franchises. Maybe new games for those will be on the Switch instead for better marketing.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 3:30 PM

        The Link shown in Smash teaser was the BotW version, so if anything it's not a direct port.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3Gt42kVgCw

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:33 PM

          I still don't think that's enough to show a Smash 5 has been in development this whole time and is ready for release this year.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 3:36 PM

        Captain Toad has new content, i’m totally double dipping on that

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:37 PM

          They didn't show more than one level, I'll hold off for now.

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 3:37 PM

            But I'm glad more people will be playing it.

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 3:39 PM

              Same, game is a gem and I get why it was your GOTY

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 3:39 PM

        I would be surprised if Smash is just a port. I hope it's not. Too hard to tell from what they've shown.

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 3:43 PM

          They don't need to make a new game, the current one has so many stages and characters, Cloud and Bayo are still shaking up the meta, it's still very viable and popular. Seems like a lot of work to out-do an already massive game. An enhanced port with the extra character or two, the 3DS stages, some new songs, boom. An entirely new game would have to have a roster that was just fucking insane to compete with the current one.

        • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
          reply
          March 8, 2018 4:11 PM

          I'd be surprised if it wasn't. But not "just" a port since it has at least one new character. There's really nothing at all wrong with the gameplay or graphics of the previous game, it just needs some fresh content and to be on the Switch. The only real improvement I want is better online netcode.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 7:08 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          March 8, 2018 7:19 PM

          I highly doubt it, but we'll see.

          • reply
            March 8, 2018 7:31 PM

            HAL Laboratory is listed as the developer, not Bandai Namco. We know that BOTW Link is in the game as well as the Inklings. From there, who knows, but the game has probably been in development since DLC stopped on the Wii U/3DS version two years ago.

            There's room for a single player mode, and at worst they can roll in the mode that was in the 3DS version but on on Wii U. I suspect that game balance will be pretty close to Smash 4, it'll be more iteration than the upending Brawl was from Melee and 4 was from Brawl, but we'll probably know for sure at E3.

            • reply
              March 8, 2018 7:42 PM

              Three years isn't long enough for a completely new Smash, especially if we hadn't heard anything yet. There would have been character reveals and voting and all that nonsense by now if it were coming out in less than 9 months.

              The only thing that makes sense is an iteration on the current engine and roster, with maybe some more balance tweaks, the latest patch was less than a year ago.

              • reply
                March 8, 2018 8:20 PM

                Despite coming out only two years after first game, Splatoon 2 runs on a new engine that was more optimized to the Switch and has a crapton more content and modes. They turned that game around very quickly.

                Another thing to keep in mind is that the gap between Brawl and Smash 4 was as long as it was partly because Wii had an absurdly long lifespan, plus Sakurai made another game in between. Three years to do an iterative release with some new characters and modes seems believable. We already know BOTW Link and Inklings are in there, and who knows, maybe Mario in this game has Cappy.

                Between that and the fact that a different studio is making it I would't be surprised if its closer to Splatoon 2 than Mario Kart 8 DX in terms of iteration. I don't think it'll be as clear a sequel but there's enough clues saying that it won't be a DX style port either. We'll see!

                • reply
                  March 8, 2018 8:36 PM

                  Where are you getting a different studio from? HAL being listed instead of Bandai Namco? Sure they helped with Smash 4 but they're not even listed on the box, if anything Sora has the billing for the game.

                  • reply
                    March 8, 2018 9:26 PM

                    Bandai Namco was the development studio for Smash 4. HAL is the studio for Smash Switch, no Bandai Namco. Its all on the title card in the new trailer.

                    • reply
                      March 8, 2018 9:29 PM

                      Oh, I misunderstood.

                      Sora is Sakurai, Sakurai is Sora. He still needs to contract out a development studio to actually execute for him. Bandai Namco was that studio for Smash 4 and HAL Labs is that studio for Smash Switch

                • reply
                  March 8, 2018 8:48 PM

                  The long lifespan of the Wii definitely makes it seem like it took a while, development on Smash 4 didn't take that long really, actually 2 years would be about right. And the Splatoon 2 turn around time definitely shows it can be done.

                  If this game is all HAL/Sora and not a joint effort with Bandai or a bunch of other companies like Smash 4 was in order to get it done so quickly, then it could indicate either style of game. A DX style game wouldn't need a lot of help anyways, and a new engine/sequel would be better handled by Nintendo and their second parties with the experience from Splatoon.

                  I can't believe they started the hype and speculation on this already. Here we are thinking this was the year of Metroid Prime 4.

                  • reply
                    March 8, 2018 9:27 PM

                    I'd bet on Metroid Prime 4 being 2019, maybe even 2020

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 3:43 PM

      Stoked that Ocopath got a release date. The CE version has me intrigued. Surprised they kept the name. Gives me a date to target to finish Ni No Kuni II.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 4:38 PM

      For a March Direct, that was really solid. I'll totally play Luigi's Mansion again. And WTF with Crash.

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 4:53 PM

        Crash is also coming to Steam. At this point it has a better chance of being in Smash when they couldn’t get him into Playstation All-Stars

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 6:46 PM

      I like Nintender.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 6:51 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 7:12 PM

        There are a few levels that made use of the Wii U tablet but it wouldn't really get in the way, I'd certainly get the Switch version over 3DS if I had a choice

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 7:54 PM

        What’s sad is I got it on the Wii U when Best Buy had some sale... and I never opened it.

        Now I’m wondering if I should play it or wait for the Switch version.

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 6:52 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 7:13 PM

        WWG and the Bowser's Inside Story remaster are both super solid releases. 3DS is still getting good stuff in its waning years

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 6:52 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 7:46 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      March 8, 2018 8:18 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        March 8, 2018 10:47 PM

        Sold my switch because VC wasn't a thing, they hadn't said anything about it, and I'm not particularly interested in any of the upcoming games. Oh well.

        • reply
          March 9, 2018 12:39 AM

          [deleted]

          • reply
            March 9, 2018 10:35 AM

            Not really. Just seems like Nintendo stuff isn't for me. BOTW was great. Beyond that, all I really wanted out of it is to be able to play NES/SNES games

Hello, Meet Lola