Nintendo Direct March 20: Everything Announced

The Nindies get the spotlight in the March 20 Nintendo Direct. The Nindies Showcase Spring 2018 will give updates and announce upcoming independent titles coming to the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo didn't confirm any one title will appear in the latest Direct but fans of Shovel Knight, Super Meat Boy and No More Heroes should anticipate information on those upcoming titles. New Nindie titles should also be expected during this Nintendo Direct.

Nintendo has not revealed the runtime for the Nindies Showcase Spring 2018, but the Summer 2017 presentation ran for about 22 minutes. Fans should expect this Direct to be around the same length. There's going to be a lot of information released during this Nintendo Direct and we're compiling a rundown of everything announced on March 20.

Note: The announcements are occurring live. We'll update frequently as information becomes available.

Mark of the Ninja Remastered

• Will launch in the Fall

Originally released in 2012, this high-definition remaster of the critically acclaimed stealth action game is coming this fall. The game really makes players feel like a ninja, as they use silence, agility and wits to navigate beautifully designed 2D levels.

Fantasy Strike

• New fighter from Sirlin Games
• Local multiplayer and online play
• Summer 2018

In a world where fantasy meets martial arts, anything can become a weapon. This gorgeous fighting game employs nuanced mechanics with simple combos and easy-to-perform special moves in local or online multiplayer modes. (Additional accessories required for local multiplayer mode; sold separately.) Fantasy Strike is coming to Nintendo Switch this summer.

Just Shapes and Beasts

• Up to three players
• Full story mode alone or with your friends
• Summer 2018 first

This "musical bullet hell" game might be a genre all its own! Navigate deadly shapes solo or in local or online co-op multiplayer, all to a soundtrack composed by 20 chiptune artists. Just Shapes and Beats launches as a timed console exclusive on Nintendo Switch this summer.

Garage

• Summer 2018

Inspired by the gloriously gory VHS era of B-movies, Garage is a top-down shooter set in a gritty underworld. Slay hordes of the living dead using a variety of weapons and skills. Garage launches first on Nintendo Switch this spring.

Pool Panic

• Adult Swim games
• Local up to four players

More than 100 levels await players in this game, in which everything – from jungles to deserts to cities – is one giant cartoon game of pool. The weird and wild game has the option to play in local multiplayer with up to four players. (Additional accessories required for local multiplayer mode; sold separately.) Pool Panic launches first on Nintendo Switch later this year.

Bomb Chicken

• Summer 2018
• Platformer using bombs to attack enemies

Who wouldn't want to play a good old-fashioned chicken platformer? That's the question asked by Bomb Chicken, a fast-paced game that combines action, puzzles and arcade gameplay. Lay bombs to escape tricky situations and discover secret areas when Bomb Chicken launches first on Nintendo Switch this summer.

Lumines Remastered

• Light, sounds and intense puzzles
• Local multiplayer
• Spring 2018

A bombastic harmony of light, sound and intense puzzle action make this HD remake of the original critically acclaimed LUMINES as unforgettable to play alone as it is with a friend in local multiplayer. LUMINES REMASTERED launches on Nintendo Switch in spring.

Reigns/Reigns Her Majesty

• Use your decisions to help the people of your kingdom while watching your back from deceivers and those who look to overthrow you.
• Local co-op
• Spring 2018

As a monarch of the modern age, players face a seemingly never-ending series of requests from peasants, allies and enemies. By swiping left or right in the game, players impose their will on the kingdom. The Nintendo Switch version of Reigns: Kings & Queens, which launches this spring, features an exclusive local co-op multiplayer mode.

Light Fall

• Speed run mode added
• Spring 2018

This platforming adventure takes players to the forgotten world of Numbra, where they'll have to master their surroundings by manipulating the Shadow Core, a magical box used to propel them into the air. In Speedrun Mode, players can race their friends or even the fastest players in the world to place on the online leaderboards. Light Fall launches first on Nintendo Switch as a timed console exclusive this spring.

West of Loathing

• Spring 2018

West of Loathing is a slapstick comedy stick-figure Wild West adventure role-playing game. How's that for a genre? The hilarious game, full of puzzles, quests and turn-based combat, launches on Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive this spring.

Pode

• Single player and local co-op using single
• Spring 2018

Two unlikely travel companions embark on an adventure in this co-op exploration puzzle game. Pode is inspired by Norwegian art and culture, resulting in stunning environments and gameplay. Pode launches this spring.

The Messenger

• Go between 8-bit and 16-bit platforms
• Summer 2018

The Messenger allows players to transform the game from an 8-bit platformer into a gloriously rendered 16-bit time-traveling adventure. Players will find upgrades, new abilities, hidden levels and great speed-running opportunities as they journey through a cursed land. The Messenger launches on Nintendo Switch this summer

Bad North

• Each commander you lose
• Summer 2018

Arm troops, shore up defenses and protect citizens in this rogue-lite real-time strategy game. The Viking-themed Bad North launches first on Nintendo Switch this summer.

Banner Saga 3

• Summer 2018 release
• The first two Banner Sagas will come soon on the Switch. Progress from the first two games will be carried over to Banner Saga 3.

As the epic conclusion to the award-winning Banner Saga trilogy of mature, story-driven role-playing games, players will need to brace themselves for tough battles, difficult choices and tragic losses. Banner Saga 3 launches this summer. The original two games, Banner Saga and Banner Saga 2, are also coming to Nintendo Switch. Players' personal stories, progress and choices from the first two games will carry over to Banner Saga 3.