Nintendo dropped a cheeky little Direct today. So let’s dig in to what they had on offer:
Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass: Side Order DLC
First up was some Splatoon 3 DLC. Side Order is a story expansion that offers some new things. First up is the ability to fine tune aspects of your character, as shown in the video. But the big deal is that it features the Spire of Order; a tower that offers a randomized experience every time you scale it. Releases Spring 2024.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Oh yes. Not only are they giving the Game Boy Advance classic a graphical spitshine for the Switch, you’ll finally be able to hear some of the GBA’s crustiest voice samples in their original recording quality. They’ve also added local co-op (player 2 is Toad, natch). Launches February 16th, 2024.
Prince of Persia The Lost Crown
Once again brings Prince of Persia back to 2D. In addition to the traditional sword, and expected time powers, you’ll also have access to a bow, as well as an amulet system to allow you to supplement your abilities as you see fit. Launches January 18th, 2024.
Horizon Chase 2
The sequel to what is probably the best cross-platform arcade racing games I’ve played is headed to the Switch. And it’s not just more of the same; new courses, new customization options, hell, they’re adding 4-player split screen. Available today.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle
A rhythm-based adventure that features over 30 tracks to rhythmically solve puzzles to, including iconic Konami tracks such as Vampire Killer and Bloody Tears from Castlevania, and Gradius Remix. Local and online competition and co-op are on the menu here. Launches November 14th this year; pre-orders on Nintendo eShop open today.
SPYxANYA: Operation Memories
A game about helping Anya Forger from SPYxFAMILY get a positive grade on a school assignment for once. The assignment? Create a photo diary. On weekdays, Anya has school (and you need to help her with tasks there), but on the weekends, you can travel to various locations to find subjects for the diary. Launches 2024.
Super Mario RPG
A bit more going over the upcoming remaster. Notably, they’ve added a triple move that uses all three members of the party; in can be used once a gauge in the corner is filled by performing standard combat actions. The move changes depending on which characters are in the party, so it’s worth swapping characters out from time to time. Also new are post-game boss refights. These bosses get a bit of a power boost too, so they’re not just going to be pushovers for your endgame party. Launches November 17, eShop pre-orders available now.
Another Code: Recollection
Another Code (originally titled Trace Memory when it released in North America) as well as it’s previously unseen-in-North-America sequel are getting a collection release. In addition to a graphical glow-up, they also feature substitutions for their original touch/motion controls. Launches January 19th, pre-orders available now on the eShop.
Princess Peach: Showtime!
The previously untitled Princess Peach game now has a title! Princess Peach: Showtime! has the Princess spend a night at the theater, which is unfortunately interrupted by Grape and the Sour Bunch. Trapped in the theater, Peach has the help of Stella and her ribbon, which allow Peach to deal with the sour bunch and their obstacles. But when the ribbon just isn’t enough, she can also dip into various costumes that allow her to advance and defeat otherwise unassailable enemies. Launches March 22, 2024, pre-orders available on the eShop right now.
SaGa Emerald Beyond
Six different character stories await players of SaGa Emerald Beyond. I’m gonna be honest: SaGa is the black licorice of Square Enix RPG’s, you either love it or hate it. Launches 2024.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered
Graphically remastered versions of the first 3 Tomb Raider games. Not only does it come with all of the expansions and secret levels, it also features the ability to toggle between the modern remastered graphics and the original game’s polygons. Launches February 14th, 2024. Pre-orders open now on the eShop.
Detective Pikachu Returns
More on the sequel to Detective Pikachu. Still no Danny Devito. You can enlist the aid of various Pokémon to accomplish goals, hunt down clues, and solve puzzles. Launches October 6th, 2023. Pre-orders open on the eShop right now.
Trombone Champ
The best (and likely only) trombone sim is coming to the Nintendo Switch. You have your choice of controls, including gyro, or the rarely used joycon IR sensor. Available today. Play Night Bird!
Battle Crush
A fighting game by way of MOBA, Battle Crush is a team-based fighting game. Beat opponents into submission to toss them out, or simply maneuver them into a ring out. a Free-to-play game launching for consoles first, on Switch Spring 2024. Open Beta launches October 2023.
Wartales
An open world tactical RPG. Offers 4-player online co-op. Launches as a timed console exclusive on Nintendo Switch today.
Contra: Operation Galuga
A reimagining of the original NES Contra by Konami and Wayforward. Features 4-player co-op. Can’t possibly be as bad as some of the more recent Contra games. Launches early next year.
Unicorn Overlord
A tactical RPG coming from Vanillaware and Atlus. You already know I’m interested. Seems to be taking notes from Ogre Battle and a few other things. Launches March 8th, 2024.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
A second look at the HD port of the 3DS game. Launches Summer 2024.
Nintendo Museum
Fun fact: there’s a Nintendo museum under construction in Uji city in Kyoto Prefecture. The museum will feature products from across Nintendo’s history, from their founding hanafuda cards all the way to the modern day. Construction is expected to be completed in March 2024, with the opening date to be announced at another time.
Amiibos
The previously announced Zelda and Ganondorf amiibos are set to release November 3rd. noah and Mio from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will be released January 19th, 2024. Also, a Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo for Sora from Kingdom Hearts has just been announced; releases 2024.
F-ZERO 99
Dear F-ZERO fans: the time has come. You have to play this. You will never get another game if this bombs. It’s been 20 years. Think real hard about it. F-ZERO 99 is available right now.
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
A crafting RPG set in a Yordle village. You need to save Bandle City and all its shortstacks with your crafting skills. Launches 2024.
Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story
Embark on a journey of family, friendship, and magic in Song of Nunu: A League of Legends story. Join beloved League of Legends champions and best friends Nunu and Willump as they traverse the beautiful & treacherous wilds of the Freljord. Uncover their past and unlock an extraordinary world in this single-player story adventure game.
WarioWare: Move It!
A new WarioWare game that utilizes the joycons by requiring you to take on a form, and then perform the required action as quickly as possible. Also features a 4-player party mode. Launches November 3rd 2023. Pre-orders open on the eShop now.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Launches April 23rd, 2024.
Eastward: Octopia
Paid DLC for Eastward. Sets up a Harvest Moon/Stardew Valley sort of deal for Eastward. You can access the DLC at any time, even if you’ve yet to actually play Eastward yet. Launches this Holiday season.
Wargroove 2
The sequel to Wargroove offers three new campaigns, a new mousefolk faction: the Faahri, and the ability to supercharge your commander’s groove. New roguelike Conquest mode coming as well. You can even create and share your own cutscenes and campaigns. Launches as a console exclusive on October 5th, pre-orders open today on the eShop.
Dave the Diver
the fish catching/sushi serving adventure RPG comes to the Nintendo Switch. Launches October 26th, free demo pre-orders open on the eShop right now.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster CoursePass Wave 6
The final wave of DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Features Wii course Daisy Circuit, as well as characters: Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette (wasn’t expecting that one). Launches this Holiday Season.
Among Us new map: “The Fungle”
New, free map for Among Us. Goes live October 2023.
Papaer Mario: The Thousand Year Door
The best Papaer Mario game is getting a remaster. And, more importantly, some sharp eyed types online have noticed a few things. Notably, that certain graphical elements point to it being based on the Japanese version of the game. Also, there seem to be new NPC’s in the style of the game, meaning there may be new contet added. We’ll simply have to see when it launches in 2024.
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