Latest Nintendo Direct reveals a plethora of games coming to the Switch

Luigi's Mansion 3, not to be confused with the Luigi's Mansion 3DS port, was one of many new titles announced. (Source: Nintendo)

The Nintendo Switch has been one of Nintendo's most successful consoles in history. While Nintendo has historically struggled with third party appeal, the Switch seems to have overcome its predecessors' struggles to date has received some of the most popular third party titles. With this most recent Direct, the Switch continues to garner third party games and ports, as well as first party titles.

Matthew Connatser, Published 09/14/2018

Today Nintendo hosted a "Nintendo Direct," a special stream that Nintendo hosts when the company has an (or several) announcement to make, typically for new consoles and games. In today's Direct, Nintendo announced three brand new games coming to the Switch: Luigi's Mansion 3, Animal Crossing (2019), and Yoshi's Crafted World. Additionally, Nintendo also gave updates on other first and third party titles coming to the Switch in the future, and also announced a plethora of ports coming to the hybrid console, such as City Skylines, Civilization VI, and Diablo 3.

While many expected an update on the 3DS port of Luigi's Mansion (the original), it must have been a surprise for many that Luigi's Mansion 3 was a title in development slated for a 2019 launch. Nintendo is also promising a new Animal Crossing title in the same year, as well as Yoshi's Crafted World. These are the most recent games Nintendo has announced for the Switch; previously Nintendo has announced other first party games in franchises such as Smash Brothers, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which is getting a standalone expansion. Some existing titles such as Splatoon 2 have received significant updates, too.

The Switch has also been very strong on third party titles, especially titles that have also come out on PC. DOOM, Skyrim, Enter the Gungeon, the Binding of Isaac, and more have been ported to the Switch, and Nintendo is now adding Civilization VI, City Skylines, Warframe, Diablo 3, and a handful of indie titles. The Switch is also receiving remasters and ports for Final Fantasy VII, IX, and X, as well as Katamari Damacy. The Switch's library has quickly become a rival of those of the Xbox One and the PS4, despite being much younger and having been developed by Nintendo, which has historically struggled with third party appeal.

Nintendo's most recent Direct has so far been met with much enthusiasm; the subreddit r/NintendoSwitch, for example, has been flooded with excitement and news. With over a dozen titles, new and old, ported or remastered, the Switch's already robust library of 1407 games (with plenty worth playing) continues to grow. The lack of response from Microsoft and Sony has allowed Nintendo to run away with 20 million units sold since launch day, more than the Wii U ever sold in its entire life.