A new Super Mario Bros game that isn’t a New Super Mario Bros game? Today’s Nintendo Direct had plenty of surprises packed into its 40-minute runtime, including a Super Mario RPG remaster and multiple new announcements. Those who missed the show live have a plenty of catching up to do, which is where we come in. Here’s everything announced during the June 21 Nintendo Direct.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
First up was information on the upcoming DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Part 1: The Teal Mask follows a school trip to the land of Kitakami. Part 2: The Indigo Disk sees trainers head down into an undersea Terarium Dome while studying at the Blueberry Academy. Part 1 arrives in fall, with Part 2 due to release in winter.
Sonic Superstars
Next was a new trailer for the recently announced Sonic Superstars. It includes a look at four-player local co-op and shows off the unique powers available to Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles. Sonic Superstars releases fall 2023.
Palia
Next up was a free-to-play adventure sim called Palia. It supports online co-op or solo play as you build houses, grow crops, cook foods, fish, and more. You can also head out into the wider world to explore the fantasy land. It releases in winter this year.
Persona 5 Tactica
Persona 5’s spinoff tactics game got a new trailer introducing some of the game mechanics. Knock down your enemies and you’ll gain an extra action. Surround them and you can unleash a triple threat attack with several characters at once. It releases on November 17.
Mythforce
With art inspired by ‘80s cartoons, Mythforce is a co-operative first-person fantasy action game. Players take on classic classes like knight, mage, rogue, and hunter as they dive into dungeons filled with evil skeletons and monsters. It releases some time this year.
Splatoon 3 Splatfest
The next Splatfest for Splatoon 3 was confirmed as taking place from Friday, July 14 until Sunday, July 26. Coat levels in your chosen flavor of ice cream, with teams supporting Vanilla, Strawberry, or Mint Choc Chip. Where does your allegiance lie?
Detective Pikachu Returns
Detective Pikachu Returns! It’s not just a statement, it’s the name of the game. Investigate new Pokémon-based mysteries as Tim Goodman and his coffee-drinking, wise-talking Pikachu partner. It releases October 6.
Super Mario RPG remaster
The beloved first Mario RPG is finally getting the remaster fans have been clamoring for. Mario, Geno, Mallow, and the rest of the cat have been treated to a full graphical overhaul, but the classic turn based combat remains unchanged.
A new Princess Peach game and Luigi’s Mansion 2 remaster
© Nintendo
Nintendo also teased a brand new Princess Peach game coming to Nintendo Switch next year. We get to see the Mushroom Kingdom monarch making her way through stage-like scenery before undergoing some kind of special transformation.
Also arriving next year is a “visually updated” release of Luigi’s Mansion 2, which originally launched on the 3DS in 2013.
Batman Arkham Trilogy
The Arkham series of Batman games (including Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight) will come to the Switch in a bundle collection in Fall this year.
Gloomhaven
The immensely popular (and difficult!) tactical fantasy board game Gloomhaven will have its digital version ported to Switch on September 18 this year. Command a group of mercenaries solo or in co-op, playing cards to move through arenas, take down monsters, and secure loot. Be prepared for a serious challenge if you’re new to the series.
Just Dance 2024 Edition
The next edition of Just Dance arrives on October 24th. It features 40 new tracks for artists including Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Blackpink, and more.
Silent Hope
In this action-RPG, the world has been robbed of its words by a sullen king. Take command of chibi characters and dive into the abyss in search of him. Return to base with the resources needed to forge materials and power up for your next run.
Fae Farm
Fae Farm promises to add a dash of magic to the farming sim formula. Cast spells to boost your crops and decorate your houses. Then head out with friends or solo into magical realms filled with unusual creatures. It releases as a console exclusive on September 8.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged
© Milestone S.r.l
A new Hot Wheels racer got a brief showing during the direct, promising inventive tracks, split-screen co-op multiplayer, online multiplayer for up to 12 players. It releases October 19.
Manic Mechanics
Next up was a new Overcooked-style co-op party game about fixing up machines. Manic Mechanics will have you repairing things while dealing with paint spills, electrical shocks, launch pads, and more.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope: The last sparkhunter
The second DLC for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is called The Last Sparkhunter. It sees Mario & co. head into a new world of music and melodies. It’s available now, and a demo for the base game has also been released on the eShop.
Dragon Quest Monsters The Dark Prince
Next was Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, a spinoff title which sees you catching and raising monsters from the series to fight on your behalf. It’s due to release on Switch December 1st.
Pikmin 4
Naturally, the June Nintendo Direct also offered another look at Pikmin 4. New gameplay footage showed off how the Rescue Pup Oatchi can help you fight creatures, break obstacles, and get across water. We also had a look at Dandoori Battles in which you race to collect objects faster than your rival.
We also got a look at the underground zone filled with its own unique creatures and environments. Finally, there was the introduction of night expeditions, during which creatures of the world enter a frenzy. You’ll need to collect Glow Pikmin to fend them off when they attack. Pikmin 4 launches July 21, with a demo on the way June 28. Pikmin 1 + 2 HD rereleases also arrive on the Switch eShop later today.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
The Metal Gear series comes to Switch in bulk thanks to the Master Collection Vol. 1. It includes Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The bundle also adds the original Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, NES versions of Metal Gear and Snake’s Revenge, the Metal Gear Solid digital graphic novels, and more. It releases October 24, and the first three games will also also available to buy separately.
Vampire Survivors
August 17 will see the immensely popular 30-minute timed survival game Vampire Survivors make its way to Switch. Your character attacks automatically, so all you have to do is move to take out enemies, level up, and collect chests!
Headbangers Rhythm royale
If you’ve been lacking a pigeon-themed minigame mix in your life, this Direct was for you. Headbangers Rhythm Royale packs in a bunch of avian-styled musical minigames to take on with your friends in online multiplayer. It releases October 31.
Penny’s Big Breakaway
That was followed by a new 3D platformer from the team behind Sonic Mania. Explore the colorful world of Macaroon as you attempt to escape the clutches of a grumpy emperor and his penguins.
Mario Kart 8: Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 5
The next wave of the Mario Kart 8: Deluxe Booster Course Pass will introduce three new characters in Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek. We also got a look at a new level called Squeaky Clean Sprint. It’s set inside a giant bathroom, with the course careering across surfaces and even underwater into the bath tub. Wave 5 arrives this summer.
Star Ocean The Second Story R
The second Star Ocean game is getting a full remake in Square Enix’s now familiar 2.5D style. It follows an officer stranded on an unknown planet. He encounters an inhabitant called Rena with mysterious powers. The player chooses which will be the leading protagonist in the science-fantasy tale. Battles occur in real-time, with skills performed with a single button. New combat features have been added including ally followup attacks and the ability to stun enemies.
WarioWare: Move It!
Another new game from the June Nintendo Direct was WarioWare: Move It! This microgame mix asks you to perform actions with two Joy-Con controllers at once, moving your entire body rapidly to complete the task on screen. You can play the main game in two-player co-op, or enjoy party mode with four players at once. It’s coming to Switch November 3.
Nintendo Live
Nintendo Live is back in 2023, taking place in Seattle, Washington from September 1-4. The free event will include tournaments for games like Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3. Find out further details here.
Zelda & Ganondorf amiibo
© Nintendo
Following the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo has announced new amiibo for Princess Zelda and Ganondorf based on their designs in the game. They’ll arrive in December.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
And finally, the June Nintendo Direct closed with the reveal of a brand new game for our dungarees-cald plumber. Super Mario Bros. Wonder brings more than a new art style to the New Super Mario Bros. formular. Wonder Flowers are a new powerup type which drastically reshape the level or your characters. We got to see effects like the entire level starting to move and dance, and Mario being transformed into a spiky ball or elephant.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder will support local co-op multiplayer, with Mario, Peach, Toad (Yellow), Luigi, Daisy, and Yoshi all playable. It releases October 23, and Nintendo has promised more details will be on the way soon.
Good-Feels' next game
Exclusive to the Japanese Nintendo Direct was a look at the next game by the team behind Yoshi's Crafted World. No word yet on whether this one will come to the West, but given it was cut from the regional Directs, signs aren't good, we're afraid!
That’s everything from the 2023 June Nintendo Direct. What was your favorite announcement?
