I think a lot of people are underestimating this direct, it was really good even if it didn't have some crazy megaton announcements or things we were all expecting.
It wasn't perfect but there were quite a few notable things.
- Minecraft on 3DS is huge, also released TODAY thats amazing!
- Xenoblade getting released THIS YEAR after EVERYONE (including myself) never thought they'd actually be able to get the game out this year. Also while some people didn't care for how long the info dump was it was needed because reaction to the game has been pretty mixed since it was revealed and this showcase did a great job of fleshing everything out for the game from the way the titans work to the combat and the various blades. It made me go from on the fence to instant day 1.
- They really covered the bases on the types of games people want to be playing, everything from Platformers to shooters to even freaking Moba's had at least some kind of information released. From what I've been reading that MOBA that got announced it also pretty huge so thats another big plus for Nintendo.
- Octopath Traveler looks great and its not just the art style. Multiple playable characters with different stories and settings and each character having their own unique ability that can change how certain events play out. This looks like a retro inspired true evolution of the JRPG and also a demo released right away!
- Skyrim gets dated but the big surprise is Doom and Wolfenstein 2 coming to Switch. This is HUGE because it shows one of the major third party developers clearly going all in on Switch. Also means that if they can get Doom and Wolfenstein 2 running on the thing then Fallout 4 likely isn't far behind and perhaps Prey as well. Not to mention everything else Bethesda plans to release going forward. It also will be a great showcase to other developers on how you can port PS4/XB1 games to Switch and portable Doom instantly sold me even if it is downgraded. Main point: Bethesda believes in Switch and they are really fucking showing it now.
- Mario continues to set the bar, everything I've wanted in a 3D Mario game since Mario 64 is here. Massive worlds with tons of collectables and so many different gameplay options. This game really looks like its going to evolve the 3D Platformer like Mario 64 and Galaxy did. Looking like it might beat Zelda for GotY for me personally and a key title for the holidays... Also that bundle is already completely sold out. It would literally sell out the entire stock of Xbox One X if Nintendo could make enough of them.
-Switch has a CRAZY good holiday lineup with Mario, Skyrim, Fire Emblem Warriors, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Doom, ect. I can't think the last time I've ever seen such a great fall lineup for Nintendo. This isn't even mentioning the indies which not only are we getting quite a few but they are selling exceptionally well on Switch.
I think we will really start to see more third parties jump on the Switch bandwagon and while its still relatively new I think this is the best I've seen a Nintendo console doing since the SNES era. They faulted during the N64 and GC era and while the Wii sold well third party titles for the most part didn't sell well despite the impressive amount of systems sold. No they aren't at the top of the market like they were during the SNES era but they've got a great console, several killer app unique games that make the system worth owning, third party support (which is extra impressive if you think about how third party support was LAST year for the Wii U IE non-existent, what a fucking turnaround in less then a year!), and actually making multiple release dates from the reveal. XB1 had tons of games pushed back multiple times or canceled outright, PS4 had similar things on a smaller scale but Nintendo is meeting its release dates in almost every aspect and that MATTERS because it means for once its okay to be an early adopter for the system. Normally early adopters get screwed in multiple ways including with the 3DS and the Wii U but here Nintendo really has something and I think this direct showed that they really are performing better then they have as a company in a long time.