E3 2019: Biggest Announcements From Nintendo's E3 Direct

While Tuesday marks the first official day E3 is open for gamers and press to try out all the games available, Nintendo got things started in fashion with their annual E3 Direct. Despite hosting a Direct for “Pokémon Sword” and “Shield” before E3, there were still plenty of games and announcements Nintendo had left in their quiver.

The biggest announcement easily came at the end of the Direct, when Nintendo announced a new “Legend of Zelda” game was on the way. While nothing more than a stinger at the end of the show, it does appear that the next “Zelda” will be a direct sequel to 2017’s “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.”

Another big announcement made during the show was that Travis Touchdown was heading back to Nintendo consoles with “No More Heroes 3.” While “Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes” offered a new twist on the series with top-down gameplay, the new game appears to be going back to the over-the-top, third-person action the first two games are known for. No release date was provided for this new entry.

“Animal Crossing” fans did receive a small disappointment with the reveal of “Animal Crossing: New Horizon” being pushed back. The game was originally announced as a 2019 title, but Nintendo has pushed it back to March 2020. However, Nintendo has assured that this was done to deliver the quality game “Animal Crossing” fans have been waiting for.

Nintendo also offered an extended look at “Luigi’s Mansion 3,” set to release later in 2019. Luigi will have to navigate a haunted hotel to save Mario, Peach, and the rest of his friends with the help of Dr. E Gadd. While the navigation and ghost fighting will be familiar to fans of the series, players will now get help from Gooigi, a goo version of Luigi. This goo Luigi will help in solving puzzles, navigating the world, and capturing ghosts in this spooky hotel.

“Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” will also be getting a few new characters this fall. First revealed was the The Hero from the “Dragon Quest” series. The swordfighter will come to the fight, along with several Echo alternates themed after the central heroes from multiple “Dragon Quest” titles. Banjo, and his bird friend Kazooie, will also be making their way to the ever-growing roster of characters.

And like most Nintendo Directs, there were plenty of other games shown off. Two of the pleasant surprises from the show were “Panzer Dragoon” and “Contra: Rogue Corps.” “Panzer Dragoon” will be the first major release in the series since 2002, and will offer the same flight combat that fans remember. And while “Contra: Rogue Corps” hasn’t suffered the same drought, it will be the first major release in the series since 2011. But don’t worry, the game will offer the bullet-hell combat the series is famous for, along with a cannon-wielding panda.