Nintendo dumped a large, forty-minute Direct on us in the wee hours of the morning. They did not admit the Switch 2 is in development, like some expected, but with today’s emphasis on ports and smaller titles, it’s quite obvious they’re saving the big stuff for their next machine. Not that there won’t be plenty to enjoy over the next year and a half…just look at all this:
F-Zero 99 — Today
Everyone’s been begging Nintendo for another F-Zero for almost twenty years. This isn’t QUITE that, but it’s close. It’s a revamp of the original in Battle Royale form where 99 players crash into each other until just one is left standing. Due to the ephemeral nature of this kind of game, it won’t exist one day (like Pac-Man 99). We still need a real sequel someday.
Horizon Chase 2 — Today
Wasn’t expecting this. The original Horizon Chase Turbo was a great 3D update to the high-speed racers of the 80s and 90s.
Trombone Champ — Today
What a weird one. You match patterns and rhythms on a track, like in Gitaroo Man, to play ancient public domain songs with a large trombone. Made by a studio that calls itself “Holy Wow.”
Wartales — Today
Wargroove 2 — October 5
Detective Pikachu Returns — October 6
Dave the Diver — October 26
A demo is available starting today.
Song Of Nunu: A League of Legends Story — November 1
WarioWare: Move It! — November 3
If you had to guess unnecessary motion controls have been shoved into this one too, you’d be right. The fans have been demanding just a straight WW with no tired gimmicks for a long time. Will they ever get their wish?
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle — November 14
Super Mario RPG — November 17
Eastward: Octopia! — Holiday 2023
A DLC expansion chapter for Eastward.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown — January 18
Not only is the crown lost, so is the prince that was wearing it. For the first time in the series, you play as someone else entirely.
Another Code Recollection — January 19, 2024
A remake of Trace Memory from the DS, plus its sequel which was never translated here.
Tomb Raider 1 2 3 Remastered — February 14, 2024
The first three Tomb Raider games, prettied up with HD graphics. No word if the stiff controls (originally meant for a crosspad instead of a stick) will be improved. This is nice to have anyway.
Mario vs Donkey Kong — February 16, 2024
If you remember the original on the GBA — or the self-titled “Donkey Kong” on the original Game Boy before it — you know what to expect here. A puzzle-solving platformer where you collect wind-up Mario toys.
Unicorn Overlord — March 8, 2024
It’s a new game from Vanillaware!
Princess Peach: Showtime! — March 22, 2024
Don’t know QUITE what to expect from this one yet, but you apparently poof Peach into many different costumes and use her to play a variety of games. What genre is it? It might be all of them.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes — April 23, 2024
Battle Crush — Spring 2024
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD — Summer 2024
SaGa Eemerald Beyond — 2024
The first new SaGa game in who knows how long. The series originally died because the last titles weren’t very good. Let’s hope the extended vacation will result in a return to form.
SPY x ANYA: Operation Memories
It’s a Spy x Family game where you control Anya! Looks cute as a button too.
Contra: Operation Galuga — 2024
A remake of the NES action shooter classic.
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story — 2024
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door — 2024
This deserves its own newspost, so wait for it.
