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● An eventful Nindies Showcase presentation included the pictured Cuphead coming to the Switch eShop on 18 April priced at ¥1,980／$19.99 (announcement trailer here). Cadence of Hyrule – Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda was announced for Spring release with Spike Chunsoft publishing in Japan (reveal trailer here). Blaster Master Zero 2 also released on the Switch eShop after the presentation ended, priced at ¥980／$9.99 (official trailer posted here).
● Splatoon 2 became the first Nintendo Switch game to pass the three million mark at retail in Japan using Famitsu data (full charts here btw). Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be the second game to surpass the three million mark in a few weeks time.
● Nintendo revealed the top 10 selling indie games on the Nintendo Switch with (in no particular order) Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight, Overcooked 2, UNDERTALE, Dead Cells, Enter the Gungeon, Graceful Explosion Machine, Celeste, Golf Story, and Overcooked! Special Edition.
● Arc System Works confirmed that KILL la KILL the GAME IF will release in Japan on 25 July with the West to follow a day later. Mako Mankanshoku and Ultimate Double Naked DTR were also both announced as free DLC this Summer. Introduction video posted here.
● Idea Factory announced the Frontier Works ‘triAngle PROJECT’ with Tlicolity Eyes -Twinkle Snowtime- releasing on 18 July, Katakoi Contrast -Collection of Branch- releasing on 22 August, and Jakou no Lyla ~Trap of MUSK~ for 19 September. Introduction video posted here.
● Idea Factory also announced Piofiore no Banshou -ricordo- for release in 2019 (videos here), CLOCK ZERO ～Shuuen no Ichibyou～ Devote for 27 June (video here), Hakuoki Shinkai Tsukikage no Shou for 2019, and Hakuoki Shinkai Ginsei no Shou for 2020.
● Konami announced Anniversary Collection Arcade Classics for 18 April release on the Nintendo Switch eShop priced at ¥3,240／$19.99, and including HAUNTED CASTLE, TYPHOON (A-JAX), NEMESIS (Gradius), VULCAN VENTURE (Gradius II), LIFE FORCE (Salamander), THUNDER CROSS, Scramble, and TwinBee.
● Konami also announced Akumajou Dracula Anniversary Collection which includes Castlevania (NES), Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (NES), Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge (Game Boy), Super Castlevania IV (SNES), and four more, and Contra Anniversary Collection which includes Contra (Arcade), Super Contra (Arcade), Super C (NES), Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES), and four more. Both collections are listed as early Summer.
● TMS Entertainment announced that the Case Closed skateboarding game Meitantei Conan: Skateboard Run Kaitou Kid to Shinpi no Hihou will release on the Japanese Switch eShop on 11 April priced at ¥3,500. Promo video posted here.
● Rising Star Games announced that they are publishing Game Freak’s GIGA WRECKER ALT. on the Japanese Switch eShop on 02 May priced at ¥1,980.
● Team17 announced Kimi no Machi Portia (My Time At Portia) for release on the Japanese Switch eShop on 16 April priced at ¥3,295. Japanese trailer posted here.
● Mechanic Arms announced both Sokoban Beginners and Sokoban Light for simultaneous release on the Japanese Switch eShop, plus a sequel to the DSiWare Nazo no Mini Game.
● SEGA AGES Virtua Racing will feature 1 vs 1 online races and up to 8-player split-screen local multiplayer (screenshot here), and will release this Spring on the eShop.
● Silver Star Japan removed the demo for Touch Battle Tank 3D-4 Double Commander from the Japanese 3DS eShop although the full game is still available priced at ¥500. No reason was given for the removal.
● Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp saw the arrival of saw Chevre, Mira, Tank, Bree, and Patty (full details here). Gyroidite Scavenger Hunt #9: Party Balloons also began (full details here).
● Dragalia Lost saw Summon Showcase, Water’s Blessing begin (details of the featured adventurers Xander and Lily, and featured dragon Poseidon here). New Void enemies Blazing Ghost, Frost Hermit, and Obsidian Golem were also added to Void Battles (full details here).
● Fire Emblem Heroes saw Special Heroes: Regal Rabbits featuring Palla: Eldest Bun-Bun, Marisa: Crimson Rabbit, Bruno: Masked Hare, and Veronica: Spring Princess. Trailers and artwork posted here.
● Konami announced they will be localising Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution for the West this summer. English trailer here.
● Arc System Works will publish World End Syndrome in North America on 02 May as an eShop only title. PQube Games will publish in Europe on 14 June, including a physical release.
● Arc System Works will also publish Alternate Jake Hunter: Daedalus The Awakening of Golden Jazz digitally in North America on 16 May priced at $39.99.
● Nintendo Co., Ltd. applied for new trademarks for both the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield names and logos. Check out the actual applications (9 pages) here and here.
● Nintendo Co., Ltd. applied for another SUPER MARIO trademark in Japan for a number of goods and services listed at this post.
● Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Mario Kart are two of the games eligible for the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Vote in the Player’s Choice Ballot here.
● Bandai Namco Amusement are closing the online servers of the arcade version of Pokkén Tournament tomorrow (25 March). This will not affect the Nintendo Switch version of the game.
● Kirby once again was voted the favourite videogame character of the readers of Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream. Check out the full top 20 here!
● Google announced the new Google Stadia videogame streaming service which launches in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe in 2019. Watch the teaser video here.
● Watch four Japanese Nintendo Switch Spring 2019 TV commercials featuring Pokémon, Labo, Mario Kart, Famista, Mario, Zelda, Fire Emblem, and more here.
● And both a seven minute introduction video and TV commercial for Nintendo Labo – Toy-Con 04: VR Kit here.
● Thanks everybody for following. Please also follow me on Twitter @toadforsmash, please buy me a coffee, and look out for the launch of the world’s first Toad fansite within the next week or two!
