All the highlights from the Nintendo Direct

In a livestream lasting around 45 minutes, Nintendo presented new information on the "Breath of the Wild" sequel, announced a new "Pikmin" game, and had a few other surprises. Check out all the highlights from the Nintendo Direct here, or watch the livestream with all the announcements in full.

"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom": New Gameplay and Release Date

After Nintendo announced the sequel to Switch classic The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at E3 2019, things have been quiet around the adventure game. With the exception of a few cryptic teasers and gameplay snippets, Nintendo has kept a low profile on the game so far.

Now the wait is over. The new trailer not only gives hungry Zelda fans in-depth glimpses of gameplay and the expansive game world, but also an official name and a release date in the not-too-distant future.

The game bears the name "Zelda".

The game is titled "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" and will be released on 12 May for the Nintendo Switch. Only 239 more sleeps and then it's time.

"Fire Emblem: Engage": Graphically impressive successor to "Three Houses"

For a long time, it has been rumoured on various internet forums that Nintendo will soon announce a new "Fire Emblem" game. And indeed, the leaks are true.

"Fire Emblem: Engage" is the sequel to the Switch game "Fire Emblem: Three Houses" released in 2019 and not a spinoff action game like, for example, "Fire Emblem: Warriors". This means that fans can look forward to turn-based, strategic battles and life-sim elements. Old characters from past games, such as Marth and Cecilia, can also be summoned in battle.

The game will be released in the US.

The game will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on 20 January.

"Pikmin 4": finally a mainline game and not a spin-off

"Pikmin" is a franchise that has been treated step-motherly by Nintendo in recent years. The last game in the main series came out on the Wii U in 2013. Aside from small spin-offs and remasters, not much has happened since then.

Fans of the cute flower creatures can breathe a sigh of relief, however. With "Pikmin 4", the iconic real-time strategy franchise is getting a spin-off on the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo has not revealed more detailed information about the game or a specific release date. All that is known is that the game is scheduled for release sometime next year.

"Octopath Traveler II": A successful surprise

Somewhat surprisingly, Square Enix announced a sequel to the 2018 JRPG at the Nintendo Direct. The second instalment not only adopts the unique art-style of the original, but also builds on the classic turn-based JRPG gameplay.

You take on the roles of a total of eight travellers who embark on an adventure through a ruthless world full of monsters. As in the first part, the characters' stories will intersect over the course of the game, and should make for exciting plot twists.

The game will be released on 23 March for the Nintendo Switch, Playstation and PC.

"Bayonetta 3": New gameplay details

The release of the hack-and-slay game is getting closer and closer. Just before Halloween (on 28 October), you can plunge into a new adventure with the witch and save the world from imminent doom.

At the end of the day, you'll be able to play Bayonetta 3.

To build anticipation for the release, Nintendo released a seven-minute gameplay video after the live stream, which goes into detail about the many new additions to the game's mechanics.

"Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe": A cute remake of the Nintendo Wii platform game

. The pink Nintendo mascot is having quite a run right now. In addition to the first real 3D adventure "Kirby and the Lost Land" and the multiplayer surprise hit "Kirby's Dream Buffet", "Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe" is now the third Kirby game to be released this year . This is a remake of the Wii game "Kirby's Return to Dream Land", which was released in 2011. The remake is enriched with a multiplayer mode, new game mechanics and mini-games that are intended to make the gameplay even more varied.

New Games for "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack"

Subscribers to Nintendo's online service can look forward to new games in their retro collection. "Pilotwings 64", "Mario Party" 1-3, "Pokémon Stadium" 1 & 2, "1080 Snowboarding" and "Excitebike 64" will be unlocked in the Nintendo 64 games catalogue in the coming months.

The new games will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

But the big highlight of the retro subscription is "GoldenEye 007". The first-person shooter, which was revolutionary at the time, has never been released on any other platform than the Nintendo 64. In addition to the already familiar split-screen multiplayer, the game also comes with an online multiplayer mode.

Ports and cloud versions of old games

A number of ports of older games were also unveiled at the Nintendo Direct. For example, Nintendo Switch fans will be able to enjoy the Game of the Year 2021 "It Takes Two", the hard-hitting brawler game "Sifu" and the Zelda-inspired adventure game "Tunic".

Also announced were Cloud versions of "Resident Evil: Village", "Resident Evil 7", "Resident Evil 2 Remake" and "Resident Evil 3 Remake". Let's hope the horror series will fare better on the Switch than other nearly unplayable Cloud versions in the past.

Updates and DLC for current games

Nintendo has also unveiled some updates to recent Nintendo Switch games .

"Nintendo Switch Sports": Free golf update to be released in late 2022

"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe": Third wave of booster course pack arrives this winter

"Mario Strikers: Battle League": Pauline and Diddy Kong as new characters

"Xenoblade Chronicles 3": New party member with new quests