Nintendo Direct June 2023: Everything We Saw

A brand-new 2D Mario platformer, the first since the ‘90s that isn’t part of the New Super Mario Bros. series, was revealed as the Direct’s “one more thing.” From what was shown, the game seems to be leaning more into the wackier side of the Mario series, with the headline feature being the wonder flower, a new power-up that changes level environments in a variety of different, surprising ways. In addition, the trailer showed off multiple playable characters, including the long-awaited playable debut of Princess Daisy, and a new power-up that turns Mario into an elephant. The game launches October 20

Super Mario RPG

The SNES RPG Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is getting a full-blown remake. A reveal trailer showed off completely remastered graphics, as well as what appear to be brand-new CG cinematics depicting events in the game’s story. The game releases November 17 this year, with pre-orders available now.

Untitled Princess Peach Game

After the Super Mario RPG trailer, Nintendo very briefly teased an upcoming game starring Princess Peach. In the tiny snippet shown, we see her without her crown, followed along by some sort of fairy-like creature on a theatrical stage. The presenters briefly teased some sort of transformation for Peach before abruptly cutting the teaser short. Whatever’s going on here, we’ll have to wait for more details, with the game launching next year.

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon

Rounding out a trio of announcements starring different Mario characters, Nintendo confirmed that a “visually enhanced version” of the 3DS sequel to Luigi’s Mansion is in development for a release next year.

Detective Pikachu Returns

The long-rumored sequel to the 3DS game Detective Pikachu (probably best known for the movie it inspired) was finally revealed as Detective Pikachu Returns. The first game’s protagonists, the coffee-loving talking detective Pikachu and his partner Tim Goodman, both return for what appears to be another mystery adventure game. The game releases on October 6.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince

The next game in the monster-collecting Dragon Quest spin-off series was revealed, the first game in the series confirmed for release outside Japan in over a decade. The trailer showed graphics of similar quality to Dragon Quest XI, exploration, and Pokémon (or Shin Megami Tensei)-esque monster battling, as well as teasing the appearance of the heroic protagonist of Dragon Quest IV.

WarioWare: Move It!

A new game in the WarioWare series was announced. Featuring what appears to be a more traditional structure for the series than the last entry, the more experimental WarioWare: Get it Together, the game emphasizes motion controls using one joy-con in each hand. The game also features multiplayer in the form of 2-player co-op and a 4-player party mode. The game releases November 3.

Palia

Palia, a free-to-play Rune Factory-style adventure-life sim hybrid from new developer Singularity 6, was revealed for the Switch. The gameplay shown emphasized the ability to play in single-player or online co-op, as well as some exploration and uncovering in-universe mysteries. The game launches this holiday.

MythForce

Advertised as “step[ping] into a Saturday morning cartoon,” Aspyr’s Mythforce is a first-person fantasy roguelike with a distinct cel-shaded art style. The game also was announced to feature online co-op with up to four players. It’s expected to release this year.

Batman: Arkham Trilogy

A collection of three games in Rocksteady’s Arkham series was announced for the Switch. The collection will include Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight, as well as all of the DLC for each game. It will be released this fall.

Gloomhaven

The videogame adaptation of the hit board game Gloomhaven was announced to be coming to Nintendo Switch. The announcement went over the game’s melding of turn-based card battling and more traditional RPG mechanics, as well as the vast number of playable mercenaries, missions, and abilities. It will come out on the Switch on September 18.

Silent Hope

Xseed revealed Silent Hope, an anime-style fantasy roguelike RPG coming to Nintendo Switch. Set in a kingdom where the king stole his people’s ability to speak, players will control warriors who are tasked with exploring an abyss to find the king. The trailer showed off anime cutscenes, and teased varied combat options and a story wrapped with mystery. The game will be released on October 3.

Vampire Survivors

Last year’s roguelike hit Vampire Survivors will be coming to Switch on August 17.

Headbangers Rhythm Royale

Described as a rhythm battle royale game, Headbangers Rhythm Royale is a quirky multiplayer rhythm game. With a setup sort of like a cross between Fall Guys and Rhythm Heaven, players compete in a series of rhythm-based minigames to be the last one standing. The game launches October 31.

Penny’s Big Breakaway

In a surprise announcement, we saw the brand-new reveal of Penny’s Big Breakaway, a 3D platformer from the development team behind the beloved Sonic Mania. The game features the protagonist, Penny, platforming through levels with the help of a magical grappling yo-yo, and will feature speedrunning time attack and a variety of yo-yo abilities. Expect it to come out early next year.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass Wave 5

The Direct gave us our first look at the next wave of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC. Only one new course was shown: Squeaky Clean Sprint, a completely original course set in a giant bathroom. However, there were numerous new playable characters confirmed: Petey Piranha from Mario Kart: Double Dash, Wiggler from Mario Kart 7, and Kamek from Mario Kart Tour. Wave 5 will be released later this summer.

Star Ocean The Second Story R

Square Enix announced a remake of the second game in the Star Ocean RPG series. The remake features completely re-done graphics, fusing 2D sprite art and 3D environments in a somewhat similar way to the HD-2D art style of the Octopath Traveler series. The remake launches November 2.

Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars, revealed just a couple weeks ago at Summer Game Fest, will be coming to Nintendo Switch.

Persona 5 Tactica

The tactics spin-off of Persona 5, revealed at Xbox’s showcase, was confirmed to be releasing on Nintendo Switch as well.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1

Announced at Playstation’s showcase last month, this Metal Gear Solid collection was confirmed to be coming to Switch as well. In addition to the first three Metal Gear Solid games, the announcement showed off the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, as had been tacitly confirmed by Playstation already, as well as newly announcing that the collection will also include the NES versions of Metal Gear and Snake’s Revenge, and the first two Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novels, plus a number of random goodies including strategy guides and digital soundtracks. The collection launches October 24.

New Splatfest

Nintendo announced the theme for the next Splatfest event in Splatoon 3, which will take place from July 14-16: Which flavor of ice cream is best: vanilla, strawberry, or mint chip? (What, no chocolate?—Ed.)

Just Dance 2024 Edition

The next Just Dance game was announced to be coming to Switch on October 24.

Fae Farm

Fae Farm is a fantasy farming-adventure game with local and online co-op. It launches for the Switch, which will be its only console release, September 8.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

The next high-speed racing game based on Hot Wheels was briefly shown off, including a track editor, some car customization, and local and online multiplayer. It launches on Switch October 19.

Manic Mechanics

Manic Mechanics, a hectic co-op party game from 4J Studios, was announced for the Nintendo Switch. It’s coming July 13.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope: The Last Sparkhunter

Nintendo briefly showed off the second DLC for last year’s Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, featuring a new, musical planet, with new enemies including a robotic take on King Bob-Omb (though, curiously, with still no sign of Rayman’s teased appearance). The DLC launches later today.

Nintendo Live 2023

Nintendo shared some brief details about the upcoming live event, featuring multiplayer tournaments and other activities, taking place in Seattle, WA September 1-4.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Amiibo

New amiibo based on Zelda and Ganondorf from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom have been announced for a release this holiday.