Now that E3 2024 Summer Game Fest 2024 has ended, all we have been waiting for is a big showcase from Nintendo. Yesterday, we got a 40+ minute Nintendo Direct, packed full of big announcements for the “final year?” of the Nintendo Switch (Version 1). When will we get some Switch 2 news?

A good Nintendo Direct is made up of a mix of some first-party surprises, new third-party games, and some fun new indies. We also got the good old batch of JRPGs that always look great, but I never really get into.

Here’s my TOP FIVE from yesterday’s Direct:

[1] Mario & Luigi: Brothership

The Nintendo Direct started off strong, with not only one but both Nintendo Bros, Mario and Luigi. We were told this was the first entry in the “Mario and Luigi” series in almost nine years.

It’s nice to see something new and different from the Mario Bros, especially so soon after Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The hand-drawn art style looks great, like something out of a Paper Mario game, but more animated.

The game trailer showed off all kinds of fun elements — turn-based RPG-style combat, careful platforming, silly mini-games, “bros moves,” and all in some neat locations. We also got to see some of our favorite friends from the Mario Bros. Universe — Peach, Toad, others.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is coming to the Nintendo Switch on November 7, 2024.

[2] MIO: Memories in Orbit

Mio: Memories in Orbit looks like a game made just for me. The cute android character floats around this beautiful space world with their waving blonde locks of hair. I’m a sucker for hand-drawn games, especially when it comes to 2D adventure games.

The gameplay looks fast-paced, but also the way the android floats smoothly through the scene makes it feel slow at the same time. For all of us waiting on a Hollow Knight: Silksong trailer, this feels like a similar game that was thrown in to hold us over for the time being.

The one setback when it comes to Mio: Memories in Orbit is that I have to wait until 2025 to play this game.

[3] Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports 

When first seeing this trailer, I thought, Wow, Space Jam the game? Well, kind of. Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports features Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and friends playing Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, and Golf.

I’ve been looking for some form of “arcade-style” sports games to relive my childhood playing NBA Jam, NBA Hangtime, Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey, and all of those other silly sports games I grew up on. If I get something close to that experience with the Looney Tunes, that will be a double win for me.

Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports is coming to Nintendo Switch this fall.

[4] The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

When this trailer started, I was thinking, which Game Boy Zelda game is being remade in this cute style next. I was happy to find out that this is a brand new game, using that cute art style from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening a few years ago. I was terrible at finding my way around that game, since I never played it on Game Boy, but I really loved the world.

What’s very cool is that you will get to play as Princess Zelda this time, trying to rescue Link after he has mysteriously vanished. I’m also happy that Princess Zelda has her own style. She doesn’t use Link’s sword or melee combat. Zelda is more of a magical sorcerer princess, and uses “echoes” to recall items to use at her disposal.

The whole reimagining of how to play as Princess Zelda with echoes reminds me a bit of how people have been playing Tears of the Kingdom. Link has these special powers, but it’s up to the player to “solve puzzles” using these powers. Sometimes remembering to use them can make the game easier, instead of trying to make your way through a tough battle.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is coming to Nintendo Switch on September 26, 2024.

[5] Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

The final announcement was a very exciting “first-party” game we’ve been waiting for. I remember when we last saw just a title METROID PRIME 4 a few years ago. Then, we learned that development on the game was being restarted.

I have yet to play a first-person Metroid game, so I was very happy to see some gameplay. I’m still working on making it to the end of Metroid Dread.

With this set to come out in 2025, will this be a Nintendo Switch game, a Nintendo Switch Successor game, or both?

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Honorable Mention

During the 40+ minute presentation we saw more than twenty-five games and game updates coming to Switch in 2024, 2025, including a few “later today” shadow drops. 

There are always plenty of remakes, remasters, and new takes on older games, like Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and Donkey Kong Returns HD. The new take I’m most excited about is Dragon Quest III 2D-HD (followed by I and II in 2D-HD coming in 2025). I’ve never really gotten into the Dragon Quest series, but I did give Dragon Quest XI a try and I was really enjoying it. It sparked some interest into that series, so why not start with the early games in beautiful 2D-HD style.

We always see some classic game collections which I’m always into the idea of. The part that annoys me is how they only use part of the screen, due to the 4:3 TV screens of the time. When I start playing a game in 4:3, I just wish they had released a new entry in the series instead of a classic collection. The one game that I would spend some time with in this collection is The Punisher, since it features some co-op beat ‘em up gameplay. 

Funko Fusion reminds me of many of the LEGO games I have played over the years (LEGO Star Wars, DC and Marvel games) where you explore familiar worlds and collect items. I’m mostly amazed at how many popular franchises are being thrown into this one game.

LEGO Horizon Adventures was revealed during the recent PlayStation State of Play, but it’s always great to see the big three (Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox) play nice by sharing their first-party characters.

In case you missed it, you can check out the full Nintendo Direct below:

What were your favorite announcements? Comment below…