Nintendo has recently broadcast an all-new Nintendo Direct! As per usual, it featured a look at many of the games that will be released in 2023 and beyond.
The direct began with the first look at Pikmin 4, revealing the new captains and the new Ice Pikmin species. Pikmin 4 is set to release later this Summer on July 21, 2023. Next, the direct looked at the third volume in the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass. The third volume will feature a new hero named Marsha, and the expansion pass will include new challenges called the Archsage’s Gauntlet. Also, the direct featured a teaser for the fourth volume in the season pass that features the return of familiar characters. The third volume of the Xenoblade Chronicles Season Pass will be released next week on February 15. Continuing on, the direct featured a look at some other upcoming titles, which include:
- Samba De Amigo Party Central – Summer 2023
- Fashion Dreamer – 2023
- Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania – March 6
- Tron: Identity – April
- Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Summer
- Decal Police -2023
- Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon – March 17
- Disney Illusion Island – July 28
Next, the direct revealed the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass. The first wave of the pass features the return of Inkopolis, the main hub location for the first game. Additionally, players will be able to see older NPCs, and be able to obtain older gear seen in the first game. Whereas, the second wave is titled, Side Order, but no other details were confirmed at this time. Anyway, the first wave in the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass will be released in Spring of this year. Then, the direct looked at the Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass, which its second wave will be released later today. The second wave will feature new emblem rings, which include:
- Hector
- Soren
- Camilla
- Chrom
- Robin
- Veronica
Additionally, the fourth wave of the Expansion Pass was teased to feature a new story section known as Fell Xenonologue. No other details for the fourth wave though, are available at this time. Moving along the direct also revealed so more game highlights, which included:
- Harmony The Fall of Reverie – June
- Octopath Traveler II – Feb 24 (Demo Avalanble later today)
- We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie – June 2 (Nintendo Switch Online Members will be able to play the first game for a limited time via Game Trials)
- Sea of Stars – August 29 (Free Demo available)
- Omega Strikers – April 22
- Etrian Odyssey: Origins Collection (Includes first three Etrian Odyssey games) – June 1
- Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp – April 21
- Metroid Prime 1: Remastered (Physical February 22)
- World Detective Organization Archive Raincode – June 30
- Baiten Kaitos 1 + 2 Remastered – Summer 2023
- Fantasy Life The Girl Who Steals Time – 2023
- Professor Layton New World of Steam – TBD
Next, the direct revealed a new look at Kirby Return to Dreamland Deluxe, which will be released on February 25. The game will feature a new epilogue called Magalor Epilogue: Interdimensional Traveler. Up to 4 players can play this mode, and it will be available after the player(s) complete the main game. A demo for the game will be available later today.
Surprisingly, the direct revealed that Game Boy and Gameboy Advance games will be joining the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass later today. In addition, the Game Boy games will feature filters for Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color. The launch titles for both systems include:
Game Boy
- Super Mario Land 2: The Six Golden Coins
- Tetris
- Zelda Links Awakening DX
- Gargoyle’s Quest
- Game and Watch Gallery 3
- Alone in the Dark
- Metroid II: Return of Samus
- Wario Land 3
- Kirby’s Dream Land
GBA
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
- WarioWare Inc: Mega MicrogameS
- Kuru Kuru Kururin
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Mario & Mario: Super Star Saga
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
However, these following titles for both systems will be available at a later date
GB
- The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons
- The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages
- Pokemon TCG
- Kirby Tilt and Tumble
GBA
- Metroid Fusion
- Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
- Fire Emblem
- Golden Sun
- F-Zero Maximum Velocity
Eventually, the direct featured a look at the fourth wave of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pack. Currently, it has been revealed that the pass will include a new track called Yoshi’s Island. Also, a Birdo will be added as a new playable racer for the game. The fourth wave of the pass is scheduled to be available in Spring 2023. Lastly, the direct featured a new look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The game will be released on May 12, 2023, and a collector’s edition will be available alongside a new Amiibo.
Source: Nintendo
