The biggest announcements from this week’s Nintendo Direct
Earlier this week, we were treated to a new Nintendo Direct that showed off a plethora of new Nintendo Switch games coming in the next few months. We got to see indies, AAA titles and (luckily) a lack of farming games. Considering the outcry from the abundance of farming simulators from September’s Direct, this is certainly something to be grateful for. Its the small things, I suppose. So, without further delay, lets look at what I consider to be the five biggest showings of the direct!
The first game we actually got to see in the opening minutes of the Direct was a full blown trailer for Pikmin 4. This was announced back in September but practically nothing was revealed for the action strategy game featuring some of the smallest (and cutest) companions in gaming. We got to see a trailer with a new playable character, a new Ice Pikmin who has the ability to freeze enemies, and the introduction of a dog-like creature who acts as a traversal mechanic and handy combat companion. The trailer ended with a look at enemies during the night- which may indicate some sort of exploration after sunset (a first for the series). If you’re ready for a new Pikmin adventure, you don’t have to wait too long. Pikmin 4 launches July 29th this year.
Jumping to the very end of the conference, the direct ended with another look at Breath of the Wild’s much-anticipated sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. We got to see a new look at the world and the traversal mechanics that Link will be able to use in his Skyward Sword-esque adventure. From flying machines to new skybound dungeons, its clear that Nintendo have put a huge focus on the map above Hyrule for this sequel. Far from a rumoured delay, this trailer only added to the hype surrounding the game. With new enemies, new powers and a complete new world to explore (as well as the original Hyrule from Breath of the Wild with some twists), there’s going to be a lot to experience and be excited for on May 12th.
A smaller game shown (but still one of the most impactful in my opinion) was Sea of Stars. By Messenger Games, Sea of Stars is a pixel art return to the classic JRPG games of the 90s. With beautiful artwork, incredible animations and (most importantly) a whole lot of charm, Sea of Stars is a wholly original adventure that introduces some fun traversal mechanics that will make finding secrets and exploring far more rewarding. If you think Sea of Stars looks like something you may enjoy as an old school or even modern day JRPG fan, you can actually try out a special demo right now on the Nintendo Switch. With the full game releasing on August 29th, there’s plenty of time to get hyped over this fantastic-looking tribute to the 90s.
Professor Layton ruled the era of DS and 3DS gaming as the go-to puzzle-mystery game series for Nintendo fans. While there was a Switch release back in 2017, there’s been a noticeable drought for fans of the series since then. Well, that drought finally came to an end with the reveal of a brand new Professor Layton game coming this year. The trailer doesn’t give too much away, but given the professor’s pension for some of the most compelling mysteries in the industry, this one is sure to be yet another instant classic. Titled ‘A New World of Steam’, this may be the opportunity for developers Level-5 to evolve the series into something more ambitious than the constraints of the DS systems. Unfortunately, no release window was given but its likely that this will come out some time in 2023 or early 2024.
Nintendo has been evidently lacking in support for virtual console ever since the Switch’s release. While we have has NES, SNES and, most recently, Nintendo 64 games trickled down over the course of six years, there’s been a severe lack of handheld support. This is especially puzzling considering how the Switch is literally a hybrid home/handheld console. Well, Nintendo finally loosened their grip this week by announcing (and releasing) Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games coming for Nintendo Switch Online members. With classics like Tetris, Links Awakening and Mario Land 2 for the Game Boy, and Minish Cap, Golden Sun and the Super Mario Bros. Advance line for the Game Boy Advance, fans of the handheld will be eating well for a while. With them being available now for all Nintendo Switch Online (and expansion pass for the GBA games) members, you’re finally able to play some of the best classic handheld games on Nintendo’s latest console. Now we just have to wait another 5 years for DS support…
So, those were the five biggest and most exciting announcements (at least, in my opinion) at this week’s Nintendo direct. A lot was shown off- and this showcase certainly won back a lot of sceptics after the controversy from September’s poor showing for the console. With so many much needed new games coming to the Switch in the next few months, its starting to feel good to be a Nintendo fan again after a severely lacking 2022.
