‘Assassin’s Creed’ coming to Switch in Japan

‘Final Fantasy VII’, ‘IX’, ‘X’ coming to Nintendo Switch in 2019

ABy Stefanie Fogel

cloud version of open-world action game “Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey” is coming to the Nintendo Switch in Japan, Nintendo revealed during a Direct presentation on Thursday.

It launches on Oct 5 alongside the physical and digital versions. A full game pass costs 8,400 yen (about $75 USD), while a daily pass costs 730 yen (around $6.50 USD).

“Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey” is the eleventh major installment in the popular series. It takes place in Ancient Greek during an alternate version of the Peloponnesian War. “Odyssey” leans more heavily into its role-playing elements than previous “Assassin’s Creed” titles. Players can choose between two main characters, Alexios or Kassandra. There are dialogue options, branching quests, multiple endings, and even non-playable character romances.

“Odyssey” isn’t the first cloud game on Switch. Back in May, Nintendo announced it was bringing “Resident Evil 7” to the console as a streamable title in Japan. It includes the base game and all of the current downloadable content, along with some added Joy-Con motion controls. That game costs 2,000 yen ($17.85 USD) for a 180-day pass.

Nintendo has also apparently experimented with a cloud version of Sega’s MMORPG “Phantasy Star Online 2”. So far, none of these cloud games have made their way to audiences outside of Japan.

There were a number of other reveals during last night’s Direct livestream. Nintendo is working on a new “Animal Crossing” for 2019, along with a new “Luigi’s Mansion.” The company also divulged more info about its Switch Online service, which launches next week on Sept 18. A number of classic “Final Fantasy” games are making their way to a Nintendo console for the first time ever. Plus, there’s a new “Super Smash Bros Ultimate” Switch bundle.

Some high-definition versions of classic “Final Fantasy” titles are coming to Nintendo Switch next year, Nintendo revealed during a Direct on Thursday.

“Final Fantasy VII”, “Final Fantasy IX” and “Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster” are all on their way, along with the recently released “Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age”. This is the first time any of these games are being released on a Nintendo system.

There’s no word yet on what they’ll cost. Expect them sometime in 2019.

Additionally, Nintendo announced on Thursday “Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD” will be available for Switch on the eShop. Three more games in the long-running franchise will also launch on Switch in the near future – “World of Final Fantasy Maxima” launches Nov 6; “Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy!” launches this winter; and the Nintendo GameCube co-op game “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition” comes out next year with online multiplayer and no need for a link cable.

Today’s Nintendo Direct was supposed to air last week, but was delayed after a deadly earthquake struck north of Hokkaido, Japan. At least seven people died during the 6.7-magnitude quake and numerous homes were buried in the area.

“Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn” was announced for Nintendo 3DS during Thursday’s Nintendo Direct presentation.

“Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn” is a handheld port of the original Wii title from 2010. Each stage from the Wii version will be included, in addition to new features like bigger yarn balls, a “bead-collecting wind,” and two new modes featuring Meta Knight and King Dedede.

The side-scrolling platformer is set in an adorable world where everything is made out of colorful, fluffy yarn – including Kirby himself. When the original game debuted, it was generally well-received by critics and consumers alike, though criticized by many as being “too easy”.

The most recent “Kirby” adventure was “Kirby Star Allies” for Nintendo Switch, with debuted in March 2018. Previously, “Kirby Battle Royale” headed to Nintendo 3DS in January 2018, which doffed the series’ traditional platformer trappings and opted for brawler mechanics instead.

This isn’t the only craft materialbased Nintendo title out there. Beloved character Yoshi is heading off on his own adventure in the upcoming Switch title “Yoshi’s Crafted World” in 2019.

Currently, “Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn” is set to debut on Nintendo 3DS in 2019, though there’s no firm release date beyond that window at this time.

Nintendo is working on a new adventure featuring everyone’s favorite cowardly plumber Luigi, it announced during a Nintendo Direct on Thursday.

“Luigi’s Mansion 3” (which is apparently a working title) is coming to Switch. Nintendo said it will reveal more about the game at a later date.

The last entry in the spooky series, “Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon” launched on the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. Players, as the titular plumber, used a special vacuum cleaner to capture ghosts and retrieve the shattered pieces of a magical object called the Dark Moon. It also offered a cooperative multiplayer mode that could be played locally or online.

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Facebook Gaming is teaming up with The Game Awards for a special presentation during the upcoming awards show this December, and they’re looking for stories about how games can build community, according to a press release.

The presentation will recognize “Global Gaming Citizens”, and nominations are open now.

“The Game Awards and Facebook Gaming are looking for inspiring stories of people using the power of games to build community,” the submission page stated. “We want to hear about gamers, game developers, or anyone from anywhere in the world with a unique story of using games to bring about positive change.”

The duo are bringing Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky, directors of “Indie Game: The Movie” to tell the stories selected as a part of The Game Awards.

Submissions are accepted until Wednesday, Sept 19 via The Game Awards’ Submittable page.

The Game Awards 2018 will be airing its fifth annual show on Dec 6 from Los Angeles. However, the awards show will also be available for viewing via livestream from “all major digital, gaming and social platforms.”

In 2017, The Game Awards notably experienced an increase in viewership, with more than 11.5 million livestreams taking place, up from 3.8 million in 2016, according to a news release. (RTRS)