Nintendo details 2019 line-up for Switch - but why so early?

Last night's Nintendo Direct video was a bit of a triumph for the platform holder.
Almost 50 games were on show that answered some of the biggest question marks still hanging over Nintendo's rapidly selling Switch console. Where were the third party games? Where are the big Nintendo brands? Where are all the games in between? Here they all came via a string of rapid-fire reveals that was almost exhausting by the time the demonstration rolled to an end.
It was so busy that the rather muted reveal of Nintendo's Online Service for Switch passed by with little criticism.

"In 2019 Switch will see New Super Mario Bros U, Yoshi's Crafted World, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Luigi's Mansion 3... probably Metroid Prime 4"

Nintendo has had the challenging task of trying to live up to Switch's impressive first 12 months, which although lacked depth, was full of some of the best games the company has put out. 2018 has been significantly busier, but it's been left to games like Kirby, Donkey Kong Country, Mario Tennis and Mario Party - games that are typically used as filler in the Nintendo release schedule - to step up as headline acts in the absence of a new Mario or Zelda.
Slowdown in development output is to be expected from time-to-time, but what's made fans increasingly frustrated is the paucity of new products in the firm's regular Direct videos. E3 was probably the worst offender, although focusing on the big Christmas game (Super Smash Bros) made perfect business sense, to fans it wasn't enough.
I was fascinated by the comments that were going out alongside the Direct video last night, choice quotes included: 'Where's Fire Emblem?', 'No Waluigi in Smash? Rubbish.', 'Worst Direct Ever', 'Metroid Prime 4 footage?' 'Stop with the ports! Nobody cares''Where's Wind Waker HD?', and that was just 5 minutes in. It was just a stream of demands no matter what was being shown on screen. It reminded me of kids at Christmas who open one present, immediately set it down, and demand another.
Last night felt like a response to those demands. Two big first party reveals (Luigi's Mansion 3 and Animal Crossing), a handful of strong ports, a bunch of big third-party games and even a couple of new IPs. If you are a fan of Nintendo there was surely something in all that to bring a smile to your face. It certainly featured more content and more variety than Nintendo's E3 Direct video.

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...d-reveal-video