Update 02/09/23: Apparently DECAPOLICE is one word.
Today was the first Nintendo Direct of 2023, and it was packed with game announcements and trailers, including the release of Metroid Prime Remaster later today. You can find a summary of today’s announcements below.
Pikmin 4
The Nintendo Direct kicked off with a gameplay video of Pikmin 4, showing off some of the Pikmins in the game including Red Pikmin, Ice Pikmin, as well as a lovable dog-like creature named Oatchi (could be nameable) who will help you navigate the world. Pikmin 4 arrives on July 21, 2023.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 DLC
Volume 3 of the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass will introduce a new hero named Masha and is set to arrive on February 15th. Challenge battles with rogue-like elements will also be added as part of Volume 3. We also saw a short glimpse of what Volume 4 will bring and it looks like we’ll see the return of Shulk and a grown up Rex.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central
Samba de Amigo is back in the form of Samba de Amigo: Party Central. Use the Switch’s Joy-Cons like maracas in this rhythm game. A total of 40 songs will be included, spanning across a variety of genres. It’s set to arrive this summer.
Fashion Dreamer
The next announcement was Fashion Dreamer, which looks to be a fashion influencer simulator. It will arrive sometime this year.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is set to arrive March 6. The DLC will bring back a familiar Belmont figure and Alucard in your adventure. Set to arrive March 6, the DLC will feature a collection of original Castlevania songs as well as new covers. Pre-orders begin today.
Tron Identity
TRON: Identity from Bithell Games will be a puzzle adventure set in the TRON universe. It will launch first for consoles on Nintendo Switch this April.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Ghost Trick returns in HD with Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. Releases this summer.
DECAPOLICE
DECAPOLICE was the next game to be revealed, starring the Broadstone Police Center’s Special Investigations Unit. The game appears to focus on the Decasim, a virtual space for detective training and is a world copied from reality. Gameplay looks to be an investigative/detective puzzle game with some combat elements. Look for DECAPOLICE to launch sometime this year.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
The Bayonetta spinoff, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon got a new trailer exploring more of the game that is set to release March 17. In this game, players will play the role of young witch-in-training Cereza trying to save her mummy. Those who played Bayonetta 3 will see a familiar face, the demon Cheshire. Players will control both Cereza and Cheshire, and in a bit of a twist, Cereza won’t be able to attack. Instead, she’ll support Cheshire in combat by binding enemies. Loving the art style in this one and looking forward to checking it out next month!
Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass
To the surprise of no one, Nintendo announced a Season Pass for Splatoon 3. The paid DLC will include two waves of content, with the first wave bringing back Inkopolis from the original Splatoon game. Set to launch this spring, Inkopolis will bring back familiar faces of the franchise, including concerts held by the Squid Sisters Callie and Marie during Splatfests. We also got a mysterious preview for the second wave, titled “Side Order.”
Disney Illusion Island
Up next was a deeper look into Disney Illusion Island, a classic platformer with up to four-player local co-op and an adorable art style. A mix of puzzle solving and platforming action, Disney Illusion Island looks to be a charming throwback to classic Super Nintendo games. It stars Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy and is set to releases July 28.
Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass
Fire Emblem Engage, which released earlier this year in January, will be getting more emblems. The Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass Wave 2 is set to launch later today and includes Hector (Emblem of Strength), Soren (Emblem of Acumen), and Camilla (Emblem of Revelation). Wave 3 will include Chrom and Robin (Emblem of Bonds), and Veronica (Emblem of Heroes). The trailer also previewed Wave 4, which will introduce a new story called Fell Xenologue.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie
The next title that was shown comes from Don’t Nod, known for Life is Strange, Life is Strange 2, Vampyr, and more. The company is continuing its tradition of story-driven narrative titles with Harmony: The Fall of Reverie, which will launch first for console on the Nintendo Switch June 2023. Players will have the gift of clairvoyance to travel between worlds to see the future and decide the future of humanity. Not surprisingly, the game will feature many branching story paths, set to a wonderful soundtrack by Celeste composer, Lena Raine.
Octopath Traveler II
Octopath Traveler II is set to release later this month on February 24, and a demo will be available today for download. The demo will contain the game’s opening hours and you’ll be able to transfer the save data to the full game.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie
A remaster of We Love Katamari is arriving June 2, titled We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie. New features in the remaster include playing as the young king of all cosmos in five new challenges. You will also be able to take photos with the new selfie camera. Nintendo Switch Online members can check out a free game trial of Katamari Damacy Reroll from February 20 10:00am Pacific to February 26 11:59pm Pacific.
Sea of Stars
Up next was an exciting announcement for gamers who grew up loving turn-based RPGs. This one is called Sea of Stars and is set to release on August 29 with a demo going live later today. If there’s anything to look forward to, it’s guest composer Yasunori Mitsuda, the brilliant mind behind Chrono Trigger’s amazing soundtrack.
Omega Strikers
Odyssey Interactive shared its Omega Strikers, a 3v3 air hockey battle arena-type game. Each striker has skills akin to a MOBA. Look for the free-to-play game to arrive on April 27 and pre-orders (???) are available on the Nintendo eShop.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
A collection for the first three Etrian Odyssey games are coming to the Nintendo Switch in the form of Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection. All three games have been remastered in HD and will be released on June 1. Those who only want specific games from the collection will be able to purchase each one individually. Along with updated visuals, new difficulty options and an auto-map feature have been added.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
After getting delayed due to the Ukraine invasion last year, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp finally has a new release date: April 21.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Nintendo then shared a new story that will unfold in the Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe game. In Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler, players will help Magolor regain his powers in whatever order they decide. The epilogue will feature over 20 interdimensional stages to explore and it’ll offer up to four player local co-op. The epilogue will be accessible after clearing story mode in Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe.
Nintendo also announced that a demo for Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe will be available later today. The full game releases February 24.
Game Boy Games Heading to Nintendo Switch Online
Game Boy games are heading to Nintendo Switch Online and here’s the list of games that will be available at launch:
- Tetris
- Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
- Gargoyle’s Quest
- Game & Watch Gallery 3
- Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
- Metroid II – Return of Samus
- Wario Land 3
- Kirby’s Dream Land
Gamers will be able to use the Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color screen filters to customize their experience. More games will be added in the future, with Nintendo teasing The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Pokemon Trading Card Game, and Kirby Tint ‘n’ Tumble.
Game Boy Advance Games Heading to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Game Boy Advance games will also be heading to Nintendo Switch Online as part of the Expansion Pack. Titles available at launch include:
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
- WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$
- Kuru Kuru Kururin
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Games being teased to be added in the future include Metroid Fusion, Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, Fire Emblem, and F-Zero Maximum Velocity, and Golden Sun.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the February Nintendo Direct was the announcement of Metroid Prime Remastered. Even better is that the digital version is available today, while the physical version will arrive February 22. Unfortunately that was the only Metroid Prime news for the day, as Metroid Prime 4 did not make an appearance despite speculation that it would.
Originally released on the Nintendo Gamecube, the remastered version of Metroid Prime adds new dual stick controls. Players will also be able to select a control style that recreates the original feel of the game.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE
Spike Chunsoft had an announcement, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE. Set to release June 30, the game features detectives with supernatural abilities that will be useful during investigations. If you’ve ever played the Danganronpa series from Spike Chunsoft, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE will feel familiar. After collecting enough evidence, a mystery labyrinth will appear and you’ll have to spot the inconsistencies to uncover the truth.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
Another Gamecube remaster announcement was next, with Baten Kaitos I and II Remaster heading to the Nintendo Switch this summer. These classic RPGs feature card-based battle mechanics, which really were ahead of their time. If you never had a chance to check out the original Baten Kaitos games on the Gamecube, I highly recommend playing the remaster versions when they come out later this year.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
The last Nintendo Direct was packed full of farming simulator games, so we figured it was just a matter of time before a new one showed up in this Nintendo Direct. This one however, should be more exciting than most of the ones that were released last year since it’s a follow up to Fantasy Life. Titled Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, this new Fantasy Life experience has time travel so you can make the island your own. All the familiar elements from Fantasy Life games are back, along with plenty more customization options that clearly drew inspiration from Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game arrives sometime this year.
Professor Layton and The New World of Steam
A very brief teaser was shown for Professor Layton’s next adventure, titled Professor Layton and The New World of Steam. All we know is that a new mystery will begin.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pack Wave 4
Details for Wave 4 for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass was announced, including an all new course called Yoshi’s Island. The DLC will also add Birdo as a playable character. The fourth wave will arrive this spring. Active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can enjoy the DLC at no additional cost.
Other Games Heading to the Nintendo Switch
We then got treated to a series of quick clips of other games heading to the Nintendo Switch this year.
- Minecraft Legends – April 18, 2023
- Blanc – February 14, 2023
- Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection – April 14, 2023
- Have a Nice Death – March 22, 2023
- WBSC eBaseball: Power Pros – Available later today
- Disney Dreamlight Valley – New realm update April 2023
- Tales of Symphonia Remastered – February 17, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Trailer
Ending the February Nintendo Direct was a new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It’s likely we’ll learn more about the upcoming game in a dedicated Direct to it, so for now the new trailer will have to suffice. The good news is, no delay was announced and the game is still on track to release on May 12, 2023. Nintendo did reveal a Collector’s Edition a new Amiibo figure of Link.
