A recent presentation from Nintendo Direct that aired on June 21 contained a ton of news and game announcements for both upcoming AAA titles and returning classics. This article rounds up the biggest reveals from the live stream.
Deep Dive into Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLCs
Initial release: Fall 2023
To begin this month’s Nintendo Direct, fans got an in-depth sneak peek at the upcoming expansions to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet–The Teal Mask (Part 1) and The Indigo Disk (Part 2).
Tons of returning Pokémon such as Gligar appear, and there are gorgeous new locations for players to visit. No release dates have been confirmed thus far, but we do know that The Teal Mask will be released first in fall 2023.
Detective Pikachu Returns releases in October
Release: October 6, 2023
The sequel to the original Detective Pikachu released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS is finally receiving a sequel in the form of Detective Pikachu Returns.
Fans get a fresh new look at the titular Pikachu and Tim Goodman, working together to solve a mystery that involves Mewtwo during Friendship Week. Detective Pikachu Returns is set to release on October 6, 2023.
Super Mario RPG Remake
Release: November 17, 2023
Mario threw his hat into the ring of the role-playing game genre way back on the SNES in 1996 with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Today, Nintendo has announced an enhanced remaster of the game exclusively for Switch called Super Mario RPG.
Classic characters have been envisioned with 3D graphics but retain their chibi forms. It looks very faithful to the original and retains the turn-based combat style. Super Mario RPG is set to release on November 17, 2023.
Pikmin 4 Allows Night Time Exploration
Release: June 28, 2023
Although it was announced quite some time ago, Pikmin 4 finally received an official in-depth presentation during this month’s Nintendo Direct. Fans got to learn more about the gameplay, and at the base level, it’s very similar to the initial three entries in the series. However, what makes it stand out is the ability to use Oatchi, your companion, to traverse and explore underground while engaging in new Dandori battles.
No longer will you be restricted to your ship at the end of a given day. Players can now explore the planet they arrived on at night but will need to make use of new Glow Pikmin to fight stronger enemies. Pikmin 4 is set to release exclusively for Switch on July 21, 2023. The Pikmin 4 demo will be available as soon as June 28, 2023.
New WarioWare Game With Enhanced Motion Controls
Release: November 3, 2023
A new entry in the WarioWare series, entitled WarioWare: Move It!, is a traditional return to form for the franchise. Rather than embrace co-op play in 2021’s Get It Together, WarioWare Move It! focuses on Joy-Con motion controls with more than 200 microgames.
However, the game will also feature support for co-op for two players with some party modes that support up to four players. WarioWare: Move It! releases on November 3, 2023.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a new 2.5D Mario Game
Release: October 20, 2023
Nintendo concluded this month’s presentation of Direct with the reveal of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It is the first 2D Mario game in over 10 years and has a fresh, clean new art style.
There are brand new gimmicks to stages, which will appear upon touching the Wonder Flower present in levels. Co-op mode is confirmed, and the ability to play as Princess Daisy along with a new elephant-style power-up was shown off during this segment.
This is the quintessential New Super Mario Bros. but for the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will release on October 20, 2023.
Additional announcements
- Sonic Superstars had info revealing Emerald Powers and playable characters with new gameplay footage
- Palia, a free-to-play life and farming sim game, will be releasing this holiday.
- Persona 5 Tactica is confirmed to release on Nintendo Switch.
- Mythforce will be released on Nintendo Switch later this year.
- Splatoon 3‘s next Splatfest is Vanilla vs. Strawberry vs. Mint Chip. The event will run from July 14 to July 16.
- A new game starring Princess Peach is in development. It will release sometime in 2024.
- Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon will receive a Nintendo Switch port due to arrive in 2024.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman Arkham Knight will release as a trilogy bundle for Nintendo Switch this fall.
- Gloomhaven, a new game for Nintendo Switch, will release on September 18.
- Just Dance 2024 Edition received a new trailer.
- Silent Hope, a dungeon-crawler with heroes that cannot speak, will be released on October 3.
- Fae Farm received new gameplay footage.
- Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged unveiled its split-screen co-op, a skill system, and more.
- Manic Mechanics was announced.
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will receive a new DLC, The Last Spark Hunter, today. The base game is also receiving a free demo for new players.
- Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince will be released on December 1.
- Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2, originally released for the GameCube, have HD remasters now available on Nintendo Switch.
- Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is coming to Nintendo Switch. Konami also confirmed that it will feature the NES Metal Gear games, old graphic novels, and more. The compilation will arrive on October 24.
- Vampire Survivors drops on Nintendo Switch on August 17.
- Headbangers Rhythm Royale, a rhythm battle royale game, is coming out on October 31.
- Penny’s Big Breakway, a new 3D platformer, is arriving on Nintendo Switch in early 2024.
- Wave 5 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass will add a new track called Squeaky Clean Sprint and characters including Petey Piranha, Kamek, and Wiggler to the game this summer.
- Star Ocean The Second Story R is an HD remake of the classic sci-fi RPG from Square Enix. It will be released on Nintendo Switch on November 2.
- Amiibo figures of Zelda and Ganon from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will arrive holiday 2023.