Today’s Direct presentation showcased 40 minutes of games set to be released on Nintendo Switch during the first half of the year. As with every Direct, there was a lot of speculation as to what would be shown with many expecting The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime 4, and more. Highlights from today’s presentation included a new gameplay trailer for Tears of the Kingdom, a remaster for Metroid Prime, and Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles coming to Nintendo Switch. Here is a full recap of everything that was announced during today’s Nintendo Direct.
Pikmin 4 is set to release on July 21. The newest trailer released during the Nintendo Direct showcased some of the new helpers that players will have access to. Pikmin – the small, plant-like creatures come in many types. Red Pikmin can deal with fire and the new Ice Pikmin has the ability to freeze enemies and the environment. A new helper comes in the form of the Space Dog Oatchi, who can do things like smash obstacles and carrying Pikmin throughout the adventure.
Vol. 3 and 4 for the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass was showcased. Vol. 3 introduces the newest hero Masha. Also coming to Vol. 3 are challenges battles with roguelike elements. Players can add multiple heroes and unlock special abilities for their party as they play through the challenge mode and earn newly added in-game outfits for the main characters. Vol.4, the final for the game features an original story scenario. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass Vol. 3 launches next week on February 15. Vol. 4 will launch later this year.
Samba de Amigo: Party Centrail is the next entry in the series. Players can compete online in World Party mode or enjoy local multiplayer. Forty songs will be included, spanning a multitude of genres from around the world. Samba de Amigo: Party Central launches for the Nintendo Switch this Summer.
Fashion Dreamer is a new fashion game where players glam it up and share their creations on the quest to become a stylish influencer. There are over 1,400 design options to choose from. Players can also connect online to expand their friend circle and grow their brand. Fashion Dreamer will make its way to Nintendo Switch this year.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a new paid DLC for the roguelite action-platformer Dead Cells where players will venture through the castle’s hellish halls and outskirts alongside Richter Belmont and Alucard. Players will be able to wield some of Castlevania’s iconic weapons. Plus, the game will feature 12 original covers and 51 songs from the Castlevania series. Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 6.
TRON: Identity is a new narrative puzzle-adventure set within the TRON universe. Players will uncover dangerous truths and retrieve what was lost as they navigate through a perilous world. The decisions you make and alliances that you forge influence the story, with a multitude of possible outcomes shaped by your actions. TRON: Identity will be available first for consoles on Nintendo Switch this April.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective returns in HD for the Nintendo Switch. After becoming a ghost, players gain the ability to possess and control objects. The story follows Sissel as you piece together his unknown past and help unravel mysteries that occurred on the same night Sissel died. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective comes to Nintendo Switch this Summer.
In DECAPOLICE, players assume the role of a futuristic police detective and solve difficult crimes. Throughout the game, players will explore a vast open world and experience the fun of deductive reasoning. DECAPOLICE will launch this year for Nintendo Switch.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a new take for the series that stars a young apprentice named Cereza before she would become known as Bayonetta. Players will harness her magic and her infernal demon partner Cheshire’s abilities to travel through a mysterious and dangerous Avalon Forest filled with puzzles and enemies. Players control both characters at the same time. During combat however, only Cheshire can attack so players as Cereza will have to maintain control over the battlefield and hold enemies off long enough for Cheshire to strike. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon launches on Nintendo Switch on March 17.
Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – Inkopolis & Side Order brings two waves of content for Nintendo’s unique multiplayer shooter. Wave 1 brings back Inkopolis and includes Inkopolis Plaza with some new shopkeepers. The second wave is a new single-player campaign called Side Order where players will see what’s become of Inkopolis Square, the central area featured in Splatoon 2. Wave 1 launches this Spring and Wave 2 will launch in the future.
Disney Illusion Island is a new cooperative 2D platformer-adventure where Mickey and friends explore the mysterious island of Monoth on a quest to recover three magical books and save the inhabitants, the Hokuns. Players can work together and perform maneuvers that will help them traverse the environment. They can leapfrog over one another to reach greater heights or cast a rope down so their friends can reach the platform. Disney Illusion Island launches for Nintendo Switch on July 28.
Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass waves 2-4 add new Emblems to the game. Wave 2 brings in Hector, Emblem of Strength; Soren, Emblem of Acumen; and Camilla, Emblem of Revelation. Wave 3 brings in Chrom and Robin – Emblem of Bonds. Wave 4 adds a new story, Fell Xenologue. Wave 2 launches later today. The rest will be released through to the end of the year.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is a new narrative experience from DONTNOD, the developers who created Life Is Strange. Players assume the role of Polly, an upbeat young woman who can travel between our world and Reverie, a realm where the deities live. When a megacorporation threatens the balance of these two worlds, an apocalypse looms. Using her gift of clairvoyance, Polly must choose which path to take to defend her world and save Reverie. Harmony: The Fall of Reverie will be available first for consoles on Nintendo Switch this June.
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is the newest entry in the series and brings in eight new stories following eight new travelers. Each traveler have their own origins, motivations, and unique skills. The game is set to launch in a few weeks on February 24. A demo containing OCTOPATH TRAVELER II’s opening hours is available later today at the Nintendo eShop.
We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is a remaster of We Love Katamari. Players roll around and collect oodles of objects in a classroom, a zoo, and space. Players can play as the young Kinh of All Csmos in five new challenges and take photos with the Selfie Camera. We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie comes to Nintendo Switch June 2. Any active Nintendo Switch Online member can play a free Game Trial of Katamari Damacy REROLL beginning Feb. 20.
Sea of Stars is a retro-inspired, turn-based RPG where players combine the power of the sun and moon to fend off evil. Players can freely traverse a breathtaking world, meet characters from all walks of life, and devastate foes with well-timed attacks in battle. Sea of Stars will release on Nintendo Switch August 29. A free demo will be available today on the Nintendo eShop.
Omega Strikers is a free-to-play multiplayer game where the goal is to smash opponents off the arena and score goals in a fast-pased 3-v-3 footbrawler. The game is coming to Nintendo Switch April 27.
A collection of the first three Etrian Odyssey games is coming to Nintendo Switch, remastered in HD. Players have to draw the map as they explore which lets them proceed further and further through the sprawling labyrinth. Twenty-four newly drawn character illustrations are included. Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection launches for Nintendo Switch on June 1. Each game can also be purchased separately.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp features two full-story campaigns filled with colorful, turn-based tactical action. Players can flex their strategic muscles across a multitude of modes. The game is set to be released on April 21.
A new epilogue is coming for Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe. The story follows Magolar who loses his powers and has to escape the realm between dimensions. The epilogue can be accessed after clearing Story Mode. There will be over 20 stages to explore. It will be available later this month on Febraury 24. A demo for the game is available later today.
Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online with a selection available today. Players can choose between Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, or Game Boy Color screen filters to customize how they play. Up to two players can play compatible games together locally or online for the first time. The Game Boy titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online. In order to play Game Boy Advance games, players must have the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. The launch lineup of Game Boy titles players can choose from include Tetris, Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, GARGOYLE’S QUEST, Game & Watch Gallery 3, Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, Metroid II – Return of Samus, Wario Land 3, and Kirby’s Dream Land. The Game Boy Advance titles currently available include Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, WarioWare, Inc: Mega Microgame$, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.
Metroid Prime is being remastered for Nintendo Switch with HD visuals and enhanced sound. Players will explore Tallon IV from the perspective of Samus Aran but she finds out that there is more than meets the eye with this alien planet. She’ll have to fight back hostile creatures with Beams, Missiles, Bombs, and more. This remastered version adds modern dual-stick controls, allowing players to move around while separately changing their point of view. The digital version of the Metroid Prime is available today. A physical version will be released on February 22.
A new trailer was revealed for Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE. A city of rain is gripped by innumerable unsolved mysteries, under the complete control of a megacorporation. Master Detectives from around the world, each possessing unique powers, must rise to the challenge of uncovering the truth. Players assume the role of Yuma, an amnesiac detective-in-training, accompanied by Shinigami, the spirit haunting him, as you delve into the ever-changing realm and get to the heart of the case. Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE launches for Nintendo Switch on June 30.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a remastered collection of both Baten Kaitos games, originally released on the Nintendo GameCube system, is coming to Nintendo Switch! These emotional journeys feature a distinct card-based RPG system where split-second decisions edge you closer to victory. The collection will be available on Nintendo Switch this Summer.
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time features players embarking on a new life full of adventures where they will develop the island they drifted to with crafting, quests, and combat. Players will also time travel to the past to uncover secrets and alter history. FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time launches on the Nintendo Switch this year.
PROFESSOR LAYTON and The New World of Steam is newest entry in the beloved series where players will solve epic riddles as they progress through the story of the puzzle-fantasy adventure.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 4 brings in Yoshi’s island and the character Birdo. Wave 4 is set to release this Spring.
The Nintendo Direct presentation also featured a montage of upcoming Nintendo Switch games, including Blanc, the poetic tale of a wolf cub and a fawn, which launches Feb. 14; Disney Dreamlight Valley – the hybrid life-sim and adventure game featuring Disney and Pixar friends – which is available now in Early Access; plus, enjoy a bundle of 10 classic action-packed games with Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, launching April 14; the acclaimed action-RPG Tales of Symphonia Remastered returns graphically enhanced on Feb. 17; and Japan’s most-played baseball game series has a new entry that will captivate you from the first pitch, WBSC eBASEBALL: POWER PROS, launching on Nintendo Switch later today.
The new gameplay trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom featured new footage of Link’s next adventure and looks at never-before seen weapons and an array of vehicles Link will have access to traverse Hyrule with. The game is set to release on May 12, 2023. The standard version of the game costs $69.99 which many were speculating prior to the Direct. The Collector’s Edition of the game will cost $129.99 and comes with a physical version of the game, an artbook with concept art, a Steelbook case, an Iconart steel poster and a set of four pin badges. A new amiibo figure of Link from the game will also be available separately that grants access to materials and weapons, as well as a special fabric for Link’s paraglider.