Nintendo dropped its Partner Showcase-flavoured Direct presentation in the early hours of this morning and it was quite well-stocked with surprise reveals and updates on upcoming games. We got the first word of some more Xbox games headed to Switch, some neat remasters and classics and a very exciting shadow drop or two. Check out everything that was shown off:
Epic Mickey Is Getting A Remaster
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is an enhanced version of the 2010 platformer which not only features updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements but also improves gameplay with new skills for Mickey and more. Coming to Switch later this year.
World of Goo 2 Looks Goo-d
World of Goo is a classic and I’m so glad it’s back. The sequel will feature new types of Goo Balls with distinct abilities and more than 64 levels. World of Goo 2 launches on Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive on May 23rd.
Pentiment Is Coming To The Switch Very Soon
The first of Microsoft’s big four Xbox exclusives coming to other platforms, Obsidian’s historical narrative-driven adventure with gorgeous illustrated art is headed to the Switch very soon in the next day or so.
Grounded Is On The Way, Too!
Another Obsidian/Xbox joint, the pint-sized co-op survival crafting game is coming to the Nintendo Switch on April 16th and will feature cross-platform multiplayer so you can join in with your mates on Xbox and PC.
Penny’s Big Breakaway Has Shadow Dropped
An acrobatic 3D platforming adventure from the team that brought you Sonic Mania where your best friend and invaluable tool is a sentient yo-yo. I really enjoyed this one in my hands-on preview and suddenly now it’s out! And on PS5 and PC, too. Get around it.
Endless Ocean Is Back
Endless Ocean Luminous is a brand-new entry in the Endless Ocean series that we last saw on the Nintendo Wii. You’ll be able to dive solo or with up to 30 players online and discover over 500 different species of marine life from the everyday to the long-extinct and even slightly mythical. Endless Ocean Luminous surfaces is out on April 25th.
Five Classic Rareware Games Are Out On Nintendo Switch Online Today
Coming to subscribers on the base Nintendo Switch Online tier are RC Pro-AM and Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll for the NES as well as Battletoads in Battlemaniacs and Killer Instinct for the SNES, while those on the higher-tier Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier are also able to play the N64’s Blast Corps.
STAR WARS: Battlefront And Battlefront II Are Getting The Remaster Treatment
The folks at Aspyr are at it again with the STAR WARS: Battlefront Classic Collection, which features both 2004’s STAR WARS Battlefront and its 2005 sequel STAR WARS Battlefront II, complete with their solo campaigns, local multiplayer matches and 64-player online battles. It’s out on Switch as well as PlayStation, Xbox and PC on March 14th.
SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! Is Still A Thing
SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! is coming to Nintendo Switch and just about everything else on March 26th, and I really can’t tell if this is going to be good or not. I’m sure it will be aggressively fine.
I Can’t Wait To Play Another Crab’s Treasure
Another Crab’s Treasure is finally nearly here, with a release date of April 25th for Switch as well as PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. It’s a soulslike but with a charming, underwater, SpongeBob-esque vibe. Shell yeah.
Contra: Operation Galuga Sure Looks Like Contra
Contra finally gets the reimagining it deserves as… basically just more Contra. This one’s being done by Wayforward though, who I’d trust to do a decent job. Coming to Nintendo Switch March 12, and a free demo is out now.
Grind Away At Pepper Grinder’s Free Demo
It’s a Devolver Digital joint, so you know it’s going to be cool as hell. It’s coming to Switch and PC on March 28th, but you can play a free demo now and get your grind on.
I Still Don’t Know What The Hell Suika Game Is But Its Getting DLC
People really like this game. I’ve still never played it, but now there’s DLC available so who knows? Maybe I’ll finally give it a go.
Super Keen For Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
This fantastic-looking action-adventure inspired by Bantu cultures is firmly on my radar and seems like it’s being made with a huge amount of passion. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU launches on Nintendo Switch and other platforms on April 23rd.
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom In The Mist Is A New One Of Those Emo 2D Platformers
Coming to Switch this year, it’s a sequel to ENDER LILIES which was also a gothic 2D metroidvania. It actually looks pretty cool despite the obnoxious title.
Those Super Monkey Ball Monkeys Are Back… With Balls!
Super Monkey Ball is back with Banana Rumble, which will feature over 300 customisation options, more than 200 stages, new moves to master, an all-new co-op Adventure Mode and 16-player online multiplayer. it’s coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch on June 25th.
Monster Hunter Stories Is Getting A Remaster Because It’s Capcom
Monster Hunter Stories is back on Switch and other platforms this Winter with redone HD visuals, new voice work and a bunch of new and additional content.
I Forgot Pocket Card Jockey Existed
Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On, the Apple Arcade remake of Game Freak’s card-based horse racing game, is being ported to the Switch. It’s racing meets solitaire, and this new version features new rules, updated controls for the Joy-Cons and new 3D visuals. It’s out now and a playable demo is now available on the eShop.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Is Real And It’s Headed To Every Platform
The complete version of the game will feature a brand-new storyline with new locations, demons, and choices to make. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance launches on Nintendo Switch as well as PlayStation, Xbox and PC on June 21.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure Looks Neat
Huge Braid meets Carto vibes from this one, it looks very much like my jam. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure launches on Nintendo Switch as well as other platforms this summer.
Unicorn Overlord Is Nearly Here And Now There’s A Demo
The next big Vanillaware joint launches on March 8th, and now you can try out a free demo of this epic strategic adventure, with your progress carrying over to the full game if you decide you want more unicorns and overlords.
GUNDAM BREAKER 4, In Case Three Wasn’t Enough
I don’t really know what to say about this other than it’s more GUNDAM and it launches on Switch as well as PS5, PS4 and PC later this year.
FANTASY LIFE i Is Coming Later This Year
I quite liked Fantasy Life on the 3DS, and this one is about a girl who steals time, which sounds like a bit of a laugh. It looks super cute and it’s coming a little ways down the track on October 10th.
They’re Still Making Sword Art Online Games
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream is a new action game based on the iconic anime and manga that features both solo play and online co-op, including 20-player raids. It’s coming later this year.
It’s Better Late Than Never For Kingdom Come Deliverance On Switch
Kingdom Come Deliverance – Royal Edition is finally headed to Nintendo Switch on March 15th. I’m still not sure how this game is going to go on Nintendo’s handheld, but I’m sure there are folks out there absolutely ecstatic about taking this excruciating game with them on the go.
What The Hell Is A Snufkin? I Want It
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is an adorable-looking musical narrative adventure, which is a collection of words that has me very excited, and it’s coming to Switch and PC very soon on March 7th. Check it out!
Demon Slayer But Make It Mario Party
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board is coming to Nintendo Switch on April 26th and it basically looks like Mario Party for a hyper-specific target audience of people who want a Demon Slayer-flavoured version of that. Go nuts, I guess.
