*First published at The Indiependent*
Last night saw Nintendo’s first full-length Direct announcements of 2023. Consisting of around 40 minutes, Nintendo delivered some seriously exciting news about games releasing this year. Here’s the breakdown.
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom new gameplay trailer and Collector’s Edition
“LEAVE NO SURVIVORS” – The chilling command issued by the malevolent narrator ushered in the latest gameplay trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the final game featured in the Nintendo Direct that showed off a brand-new look at the much-anticipated sequel to 2017’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Time will tell if Ganon is the villainous voice featured in the trailer, as it is not confirmed whether he will return as the game’s antagonist.
Link faces off against familiar foes, such as the Moblins, but also a giant new mechanical creature made of large blocks. A glimpse of two usable vehicles was featured in the gameplay trailer, showing off a large land vehicle and an even larger aircraft capable of hovering. These vehicles could both be the same piece of some new Sheika technology Link will use to navigate a massive new world featuring a heavier focus on sky gameplay.
For Zelda mega-fans, Nintendo also shared a first look at the game’s collector’s edition which includes a physical version of the game, an artbook, a steelbook case, a steel poster, and four pin badges. A new Amiibo of Link was also announced, granting access to materials, weapons, and special fabric for Link’s paraglider.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases on 12 May and pre-orders are available from today.
Metroid Prime remastered for Switch
Long-time Metroid fans were surprised by the announcement that Metroid Prime, the Doom-like first-person shooter originally released on GameCube, has been remastered for Nintendo Switch.
The digital release of the game was made available immediately after the Direct, with the physical edition of the game available from 22 February.
New dual-stick controls have been added to improve upon the game, however, customisable control options are available to make it feel more like the original game.
There was no mention of Metroid Prime 4, nor potential remasters of Metroid Prime 2 and 3, but we can still hope.
Pikmin 4
The very first announcement kicking of this Nintendo Direct was the beautiful look at the world of Pikmin 4 and the creatures that inhabit it.
Joining the familiar Pikmin is a new dog-like creature named Oatchi that follows as a new companion, helping us along the journey to traverse obstacles, defeat enemies, and even carry the party across bodies of water.
Pikmin 4 releases on Switch on 21 July.
Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games available on Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo confirmed that a collection of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games became available via Nintendo Switch Online after the Direct concluded. All Switch Online subscribers can access the Game Boy games, whilst the Game Boy Advance are only available to subscribers with the Expansion Pack.
The Game Boy games added to the service include:
Tetris
Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
Gargoyle’s Quest
Game and Watch Gallery 3
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
Metroid 2: Return of Samus
Wario Land 3
Kirby’s Dreamland
The games can also be played with different filters to choose from based on how the Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Colour screen display look.
The Game Boy Advance games added to the Expansion Pack include:
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Wario Ware, Inc.: Mega Microgame$
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Kuru Kuru Kururin
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Local and online play are also being made available for supported Game Boy Advance titles.
Nintendo confirmed that more games will be added in the future.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC – Yoshi’s Island and Birdo join the race
Wave 4 of the Mario Kart 8 DLC Booster Course Pass announced the addition of Yoshi’s Island as a new course and the return of Birdo as a playable character.
The DLC races on to Mario Kart 8 with a Spring 2023 release date.
Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass
A DLC Expansion Pass for Splatoon 3 was announced, revealing the first two waves of future paid content for the game.
Wave 1 of the DLC features a comeback for Inkopolis from the first Splatoon game, including special performances from the returning Squid Sisters. An enigmatic look at the Wave 2 DLC, titled Side Order, showed off a cryptic single-player experience but did not reveal a release date.
The Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass is available for purchase, with Inkopolis releasing Spring 2023.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass
The Expansion Pass for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 revealed Volume 3 of planned DLC content for the game. This includes the introduction of a new hero called Masha and rogue-like challenge battles in the Archsage’s Gauntlet.
Volume 4 was also announced, confirming that by the end of the year new story content would be available in this expansion.
Volume 3 of Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s Expansion Pass will be available from 15 February.
Fire Emblem Engage massive DLC plans
Nintendo revealed an enormous roster of DLC characters being added to the newly released Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pack in waves. This includes Emblems Hector, Soren, Camilla, Veronica, Chrom and Robin.
Furthermore, they announced future plans to release a new DLC story called Fell Xenologue.
Wave 2 of DLC featuring Hector, Soren and Camilla became available after the Direct concluded.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection brings original three games to Switch
A remastered collection of the first three Etrian Odyssey games was revealed in the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection.
Each of the games will be available to purchase separately outside of the collection bundle.
24 of the game’s characters have also received new in-game illustrations. Publisher Atlus confirmed sets of character portrait DLC of characters from their other popular titles as a pre-order bonus. Joker from Persona 5 and Ringo from Soul Hackers 2 have portraits in the first Etrian Odyssey game, Demi-Fiend from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Teddie from Persona 4 in Etrian Odyssey 2, and Nahobino from Shin Megami Tensei V and Aigis from Persona 3 in Etrian Odyssey 3.
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection releases on 1 June for Switch and Steam.
Disney Illusion Island – Mickey and Friends land on Switch
A new look at co-op platformer Disney Illusion Island showed off Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck in action. Each character has unique abilities and movements that stay true to their personalities. Mickey and Friends embark on an adventure to find three magic books to save the mystical island they find themselves on.
Disney Illusion Island releases on 28 July and pre-orders are available from today.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby fans will soon be able to jump back into Kirby’s Return to Dream Land. The new Deluxe remaster of the 2011 Wii game includes a newly revealed epilogue after completing the main story.
The epilogue, titled Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveller, follows Magolor from the original game trying to escape the realm between dimensions and restore his powers. This includes over 20 new interdimensional levels.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is available 24February and a demo has been released on the Nintendo eShop.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Before Bayonetta was Bayonetta, she was a young witch named Cereza. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon follows the demonic duo of Cereza and the infernal devil cat Cheshire in a quest to rescue her mother, encountering demons and using magic to traverse a dangerous forest.
Elemental magic and clever synergy between both characters is necessary to solve puzzles and succeed in combat.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon releases on 17 March.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Those returning to Dead Cells will find the game invaded by the world of Castlevania, following Nintendo announcing the DLC crossover.
The Direct gave a fresh look at brand new levels, music, characters, and more from the beloved Castlevania series.
The Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC crossover becomes available on 6 March.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central
Samba de Amigo: Party Central is an exciting new rhythm-based dancing game from SEGA that will have you dancing up and down to over 40 songs from a wide range of genres and making use of the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers.
Online and co-op multiplayer is massively encouraged. The Love Checker co-op dance mode will allow dancing with friends and displays how compatible each players’ rhythm is to each other. The World Party mode also allows players to challenge others from around the world in dance battles.
Enter the Grid in TRON Identity
TRON fans can dive into TRON Identity, a narrative puzzle-adventure game set in the Grid first seen in the 1982 TRON film. Choices and decision-making play an enormous factor in the outcome of the game.
TRON Identity is expected to release April 2023.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie
From the developer behind Life is Strange, their latest game Harmony: The Fall of Reverie traverses between reality and the deity-filled Reverie.
When a megacorporation endangers the harmony between Reverie and the human world, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, and players will be faced with challenging decisions to save both worlds.
Harmony The Fall of Reverie will release June 2023.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars showed off its stunningly beautiful world and engaging turn-based combat in the gameplay trailer featured in the Direct.
Set to a stunning soundtrack including original works by legendary composer Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger), Sea of Stars is a classic RPG that looks to be one of the year’s absolute gems.
Sea of Stars will release on 29 August, but fans eager to dive in early can play the demo released at the end of the Direct.
Professor Layton teases new game
Professor Layton is back again for another mystery in Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
What’s more mysterious is the lack of release date or significant gameplay details, but the charmingly enigmatic allure of this teaser will leave Professor Layton fans wanting more.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Animal Crossing fans have a brand new island life simulator to look forward to in Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time.
Live the life you want as you explore the island, make new friends, swap between job roles and travel through time to rebuild and develop the island.
The game features plenty of crafting, combat and quests to keep all kinds of players engaged – if time travel wasn’t cool enough.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time will be released in 2023.
Octopath Traveller 2 demo out today
A demo for Octopath Traveller 2 was revealed and released during the Nintendo Direct.
Players that play through the demo will be able to transfer their save data to the full game if they purchase the full version.
Octopath Traveller 2 will released on Switch on 24 February.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie rolls onto Switch
The original We Love Katamari game is now remastered with a five new bonus challenges and the chance to take selfies in a new photo mode.
Roll in a classroom, a zoo and… space! Keep it rolling and make your Katamari bigger, either on your own or with friends.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie will be released on Switch on 2 June.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Originally released for DS in 2010 in Japan, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a murder mystery game coming to Switch in HD.
Players become a ghost that can possess and take control of objects to uncover your past, save a young woman’s life, and solve the mystery of the night you died.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective will release Summer 2023.
Kick off in Omega Strikers
Omega Strikers is a free-to-play online multiplayer game pitting two teams of three against each other in a crazy hybrid of football and air-hockey.
Featuring plenty of power-ups and a colourful art style should provide players with a fun and free multiplayer experience.
Omega Strikers will release on Switch on 27 April.
Show off your style in Fashion Dreamer
Become a super stylish fashion influencer in Fashion Dreamer and customise your character with other 1000 design options to choose from.
Players can show off their unique style and share their creations with each other online.
Fashion Dreamer comes to Switch in 2023.
DECAPOLICE
From the makers of the Professor Layton series, DECAPOLICE is a futuristic anime detective game with a fully explorable world and turn-based combat.
Set in a digital world with hacker criminals to take down, DECAPOLICE will have players solve mysteries and immerse themselves in a narrative campaign.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE
The creators of Danganronpa have revealed their new game Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE puts players in a crime-filled city full of mysteries to solve.
Players follow Yuma, a trainee detective, and Shinigami – the spirit haunting him. Together they solve strange incidents in Kanai Ward alongside master detectives with supernatural abilities that aid in the investigations.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE will be released on Switch on 30 June.
The most recent Nintendo Direct gave us an exciting look at Nintendo’s future for games this year. Not only are great titles like Tears of the Kingdom and Pikmin 4 releasing, but players are receiving the chance to buy an overwhelming amount of new content for all their favourite games. Game Boy fans can rejoice now that these classic titles are being made available online to a much wider audience. Surprisingly there was no mention of or new look at the Super Mario movie releasing 7 April. Maybe next time.