Yesterday, we got what we’ve been waiting for, a new Nintendo Direct (Mini). I was hoping for more of a full-on Nintendo Direct and not a Mini Partner version, but we still got some cool new announcements.
Will we get a full-on first party Nintendo Direct soon? I sure hope so, but for now let’s go over some of the announcements from yesterday’s event.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
I’ve shared my experience with the Monster Hunter franchise before. I have basically tried out a few demos and some Monster Hunter World on PS4, but I could never really get into it. I still hope to one day play with friends who are into Monster Hunter who can help me understand what exactly is going on.
For any Monster Hunter fans this is an exciting announcement since this massive expansion is coming tomorrow, June 30. There is also a free demo available now on the Nintendo eShop.
NieR: Automata – The End of YoRHa Edition
I purchased and played through a large chunk of NieR: Automata on the PlayStation 4. I really love the way this game started out. While it mostly plays as a fast-paced, hack-and-slash game, there are also many other genres squeezed in (2D platforming, space shooters and others). The End of YoRHa Edition comes with all previously released DLC and updates.
It’s sort of strange to think that this game was a PlayStation 4 game that looked great on my PS4 Pro. At the time I thought, this can’t be on the Switch. It seems that with the passage of time, and advances in technology, the Nintendo Switch finds ways to play these games.
NieR Automata – The End of YoRHa Edition is coming to the Nintendo Switch on October 6. It’s available for pre-order right now.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes seems to be a spooky, murder mystery puzzle adventure that takes place in a black and white world. This spooky puzzle story comes from Annapurna games, which has been creating unique experiences for the past couple of years.
Although this is a spooky game, it doesn’t look too spooky for me. I would definitely give this one a try.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is coming in 2023.
Super Bomberman R 2
When Super Bomberman R first came out I remember hearing some good things about the game. The main problem was that no one really played it. My memories with Bomberman come from Bomberman 64 on the Nintendo 64.
This looks like it could be a fun couch multiplayer game. Something like a Mario Party, but maybe more intense with lots of explosions. I definitely look forward to seeing more from this game leading up to release next year, 2023.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection
This new Mega Man collection features ten games originally released for the Game Boy Advance. I own a few Mega Man collections, but these are a different kind of Mega Man game.
Mega Man Battle Network games feature grid-based combat. I’m more of a fan of the classic Mega Man platformer games, but I would give these a try. I am a fan of them including music and art galleries from the development phase.
The Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is coming to Nintendo Switch next year, 2023. It will be available as two separate collections (Vol 1 & 2), digitally.
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
The only PAC-MAN games I’ve played have been in the style of the original arcade PAC-MAN and Ms. PAC-MAN games, where you eat dots and ghosts.
I never even knew that PAC-MAN World existed. Seeing PAC-MAN in his own Kirby/Mario style adventure looks pretty fun. He also has new moves other than chomping enemies. The game features both 2D and 3D platforming, and some other types of levels.
This remake is coming out on August 26, 2022.
BLANC
BLANC is the tale of two unlikely companions, a fawn and a wolfcub, who must find their way home across a snowy wilderness. The game features a beautifully hand drawn black and white art style.
I’m excited by the local and online multiplayer, where each player takes control of one of these characters. I really love the look of this game too.
BLANC is coming to Nintendo Switch February 2023.
Return to Monkey Island
I’ve never actually been to Monkey Island, but I am a fan of pirate stories. The art style of Return to Monkey Island reminds me of the Guacamelee games, but still very different. I love these characters, the colors, the world.
Is it time for me to go back to older Monkey Island games which were released between 1990 and 2009? I’m not exactly sure what this game is, but I am intrigued and hope to learn more.
Return to Monkey Island will release later this year, 2022.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
This is the one game I was most excited to learn more about before the showcase. The original Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was a very important game for me. It was one of the first turn-based battle games that I really loved, and it has me searching for more experiences like it. I’m still not done with the original game, but I just jumped back in this week. Let’s see if I can finish it before the release of the sequel.
I really love all of the changes coming to the sequel, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. First off, the combat is still turn-based, but the grid system has been left behind to allow for more free movement. This new entry also seems to focus a little more on the story, introducing the Sparks and other new characters. We also got to see some new enemies, friends (including Bowser), and weapons.
Yesterday, they announced a Ubisoft Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope showcase would be happening earlier today. Here’s a video from that showcase. In fact, I was waiting for that showcase to happen before posting this.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is coming to Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2022.
A few more…
Now that we’ve reached the halfway point, and “big announcement” of yesterday’s Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, I think it’s time to move it along with a few highlights from the second half of the showcase. If you want to watch the entire showcase, you can do so at the end of this post. So, let’s get into some of my top announcements on the back end of this presentation.
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright is a cute hand-drawn, illustrated adventure RPG that takes place in a notebook. The game is coming to Nintendo Switch this year, after previously being released on other platforms.
The look of this game reminds me of Paper Mario and something like Yoshi’s Crafted World with all of the hand-made and hand-drawn objects. I love the illustrations in the notebook too. Everything feels like something a kid created while bored in class.
RPG Time: The Legend of Write comes to Nintendo Switch on August 18, 2022.
Sonic Frontiers
Sonic Frontiers is a game I can see going both ways. I love the idea of freely dashing through open areas as the Blue Blur. The question is, can they make this feel right? In an open world situation I’d think Sonic has to feel fast, but the player still needs to feel in control.
I’m definitely excited to get my hands on this game and see how it feels to play as Sonic in this setting. I’ve played Sonic in 2D side scrollers and some 3D third person games, but always on rails. The inclusion of 3D versions of classic-style Sonic platforming levels is also enticing.
Will Sonic off the rails work? We shall see this holiday season.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Disney Dreamlight Valley seems to be a mix of Animal Crossing meets The Sims, but living in a village with famous Disney characters.
I’m very excited for this game for a couple of reasons. First, I’m a huge fan of everything Disney. Second, Animal Crossing New Horizons was my top-played game for most of the pandemic. Last, the game being Free-to-Play means there’s nothing to lose.
I remember first seeing this game back during a PlayStation State of Play. Now that I know it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch as well, I just hope I’m able to cross save between my PS5 and Switch.
Early Access in Disney Dreamlight Valley begins on September 6.
Portal Companion Collection
I have played most of the original Portal game on my PC. I own the sequel as well. Now that there’s a two-game collection for Nintendo Switch, that shadow dropped yesterday, I’m thinking I might need to pick it up.
I recently played the free-to-play first-person portal shooter, Splitgate, and it totally made me think of both Portal and Halo. Now, I think I’m ready to get back to beating Portal I & II. They both seem like great games to play on the Nintendo Switch, and the collection is available on the eShop right now.
HARVESTELLA
The trailer for HARVESTELLA began very wholesome like a game I mentioned earlier, Animal Crossing. You can farm, cook, craft, and collect items all within this beautiful town that changes throughout each season.
The difference is once you get into the “Season of Death,” Quietus. That’s when the monsters and beasts reveal themselves. The game becomes more of an RPG at this point. The town goes dark and things turn evil.
HARVESTELLA is coming to Nintendo Switch on November 4, 2022.
Persona 5 Royal + more
The Persona franchise of games are finally coming to Nintendo Switch. Well, at least three of them. I was pretty sure this would happen ever since Joker came to Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
I know nothing about the Persona franchise, but I know that Joker was a big deal in Persona 5, so him arriving in the fight would most likely mean that this game was coming to the Nintendo Switch at some point.
I still plan on playing Persona 5 Royal at some point. I’ve heard so many good things about these games. Although I plan to play Persona 5 on my PlayStation, I do see myself trying these other two games on the Nintendo Switch, if I become a fan.
Persona 5 Royal is coming to the Nintendo Switch on October 21, 2022. Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable may be coming sooner?
Full Presentation
If you missed the whole presentation and want to watch it in its entirety you can do so right here:
Thank you for checking out my breakdown on some of the big announcements from the event. I was hoping to post this earlier in the day, but because of the Ubisoft Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope presentation, I decided to hold out a bit longer.
This was a pretty solid Nintendo Direct mini, but I’m still hoping for that big summer Nintendo Direct. One that will showcase some brand new first-party and bigger titles. We also should be getting a better look into Splatoon 3 in the coming months, since that game is coming out soon.
Thank you for tuning in and let us know your favorite announcements in the comments, on Twitter (@myVGBC), or anywhere else.
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