There’s nothing quite like waking up to an early morning Nintendo Direct to get you excited for the near future of video games. Nintendo showed off a whole bunch of stuff this morning, focusing largely on stuff that was hitting in the first half of 2023.
Check out everything we saw today:
We Finally Saw Some Proper Gameplay Of Tears Of The Kingdom, As Well As A New Amiibo And Collector’s Edition
Juicy as.
The Original Metroid Prime Game Is Being Remastered For The Switch And It’s Out TODAY
It’s finally been announced! The game has been remastered with better-quality textures and control styles rebalanced for dual analogue controls. The digital version of the game is out today, while a physical version is releasing on February 22nd.
Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Games Are Being Added To Nintendo Switch Online
The service will allow you to play with filters mimicking the Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket or Game Boy Color hardware.
Game Boy games will be included with any Nintendo Swithc Online membership. Confirmed titles so far include Tetris, Super Mario Land 2, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Gargoyle’s Quest, Game & Watch Gallery 3, Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, Metroid II, Wario Land 3, Kirby’s Dream Land.
Game Boy Advance is included with the Expansion Pass, and will include Super Mario Advance 4, Warioware Inc, Kuru Kuru Kururin, Mario Kart Super Circuit, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. We also saw Metroid Fusion and Golden Sun coming to the service at some point in the future.
We Got Our First Look At Pikmin 4 And A Release Date
The game looks just as you’d expect, kind of. There looks to be new creatures to assist the player on their journey, as well as a new day/night cycle. It’s releasing on the 21st of July.
The Xenoblade 3 Season Pass Further Detailed Volume 3 And Teased Volume 4
One of the expansions will include rogue-like battles but another includes British people yelling. Volume 3 of the Expansion Pass launches on February 15th. Wooo.
A Brand New Samba de Amigo Game Was Announced
You can dance with a friend to check your compatibility (um) and there’s online play too. It’s releasing around the middle of the year.
We Saw Fashion Dreamer, A Sci-Fi Influencer Simulator
Build your own brand and become the ultimate influencer in Fashion Dreamer, coming to Nintendo Switch later this year! ??? pic.twitter.com/sL34dDUhQA
— XSEED Games (@XSEEDGames) February 8, 2023
It’s giving Style Boutique, but set in a sci-fi dystopia. There are over a thousand design options as well as plenty of customisation. It’s releasing exclusively on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Some More Gameplay Of The Castlevania DLC for Dead Cells Was Shown
It’s looking mighty fine, and seeing Castlevania in the Dead Cells visual style is a weird but cool. There’s over fifty tracks from Castlevania included too. It’s releasing in March and preorders begin today.
A Narrative Adventure Game Set In The TRON Universe Was Announced
You get to pick between the puzzle adventure game or the film starring Jared Leto. It’s releasing in April.
The Best Game Ever, Ghost Trick, Is Getting A HD Remaster
There’s some improved visuals that’ll help you better experience one of th best stories in games. I’m not joking. It’s out sometime in the middle of the year on all major platforms.
We Saw Gameplay Of Deca Police
It’s a new RPG from Level-5, the team who brought us Professor Layton, Dark Cloud and Yo-Kai Watch.
The Bayonetta Prequel Got A Bit Of A Gameplay Explainer
There is certainly some lingering DNA from the original Bayonetta games here but it looks to also be carving out it’s own niche. It’s still on the way for March.
The Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass Was Announced
The first drop of downloadable content will reintroduce the Inkopolis to the proceedings, giving flashbacks to the original Splatoon. You can expect the first wave to drop before the end of May. Another arty expansion called “Side Order” was also teased.
Some More Footage Of Disney Illusion Island Was Shown
The game features a unique art direction that harkens back to an older style of animation. You’ll be able to play as Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy each with their own unique abilities. You can even hug your friends for extra health. Just like real life. It’s releasing on July 28th.
There’s More Content Coming To The Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass
Wave 2 includes Hector, Soren and Camilla. Wave 3 includes Chrom, Robin, and Veronica. Wave 4 includes a brand new story called the Fell Xenologue. Even better for those keen to get their hands on Wave 2, it’s out TODAY!
A Brand New Game From DONT NOD Was Announced
It’s a narrative adventure in which you play as a character who can use their gift of clairvoyance to visit different realities. It’s got a soundtrack by the team who did Celeste’s soundtrack, and allows you to change the story’s outcome through a series of trees. It’s called Harmony: The Fall Of Reverie and it’s out in June for Switch.
An Octopath Traveler II Demo Is Out Today
Even better, your progress will carry over to the full game. The full game is still well on track to release on February 24th.
A Katamari Remaster Is On It’s Way With New Content
It’s a remaster of We Love Katamari. It’s releasing on June 2nd, and will be the star game of one of the Nintendo free weekends.
Sea Of Stars Has Been Dated And Has A Demo
This one’s a Japanese RPG from the team who brought us The Messenger and it’s out on August 29th.
Omega Strikers Is Coming To Switch
It’s out in April and is a Soccer live service game. You can preorder it now, even though it’s free and digital only. I’m not really sure. bye.
Somebody Is Throwing Etrian Odyssey A Bone After All These Years
It looks like a game somebody finished for the 3DS but then forgot to release on the 3DS so now we’re getting it on Switch several years later. You draw a map and explore a dungeon in first person while fighting 2D portraits. I’m sure this appeals to someone but it’s not me. It’s out on June 1st.
Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp Is Finally Dated And Still On The Way
It’s releasing on April 21st, unless you’re that person who had their preorder unlocked several months ago, then you have probably already played it. yay.
Kirby Continues To Have The Deepest Lore In The Latest Trailer For Return To Dreamland Deluxe
A new mode was shown in which you’ll play as Magolor as he tries to regain his powers across twenty stages. It’s accessible after finishing the story, and you’ll have choice in how your build your Magolor too. The game is still on track for a release later this month and a demo is out today.
We Got An Even Better Look At The New Kind-Of Danganronpa Game
It’s called Master Detective Archies: Rain Code and it’s out on June 30th.
The Baten Kaitos Games Are Coming To Nintendo Switch In Juicy Remasters
Some of the most underrated RPGs that were on the Gamecube, the battle system is tied to decks and cards but I promise it’s not shit. Both Baten Kaitos and Baten Kaitos II come to the Switch before the end of August this year.
A Brand New Fantasy Life Game Is Coming
It’s called Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, and should really fill that unserviced niche of games that include farming elements on the Switch. It’s out in 2023.
A New Professor Layton Game Is Also Coming
It’s called Professory Laytona and the New World Of Steam.
Wave 4 Of The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Includes NEW Tracks
The new track is based off of Yoshi’s Island which is super hot and I’m totally here for. Birdo is also here. Hot.
