Everything From Nintendo Direct June 2023
Nintendo had their June 2023 Nintendo Direct online showcase this afternoon on June 21, 2023. This 48 minute long presentation gave fans a look at what will be releasing soon. Many of these announcements were Downloadable content to for games already out, games in development and titles releasing by the end of the year. This direct featured 30 announcements which will be covered in order.
Pokémon Violet/Scarlet: Area Zero
Junes Direct first started with a Pokémon Violet and Scarlett announcement. Nintendo had previously announced that Scarlett/Violet will be receiving DLC called the “Teal Mask” and the “Indigo Disk”, but today we finally got to see what this will consist of. The expansion pass is called “Area Zero” and will be released in two parts. The Teal Mask will be released in the fall and the Indigo Disk will be released after in the winter later this year. The Teal Mask takes place in the countryside while the Indigo Disk takes place at a futuristic academy in the ocean. The Indigo Disk looked as if its map has different terrain types all around the disk which will be used as its wild area. This new content will feature Pokémon that were not featured in the Paldea Region as well as brand new Pokémon exclusive to these DLC. There is no confirmation of how many Pokémon will be in the Pokedex but the trailer features a few new Pokémon as well as a Legendary one.
Sonic Superstars
Sonic Superstars is a new side scrolling sonic adventure releasing in the fall later this year. This Sonic adventure offers 12 new worlds to visit as well as different playable characters to pick from. You can choose to play as Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles, and Amy Rose. Each of these characters have different abilities. Sonic is very quick and has his signature roll attack, Tails can fly around enemies and objects, Knuckles can climb up walls and glide, while Amy Rose has a hammer which can break walls and attack enemies. For the first time in side-scrolling Sonic history, this game will feature local coop multiplayer. Up to four players can team up on one screen to defeat Dr. Eggman and collect the chaos crystals.
Palia
Palia is a free to play adventure simulator that will be releasing this holiday season. In this MMO you can build houses, grow crops and more. With online Palia’s online coop feature you can play together with people online and show off your town.
Persona 5 Tactics
The first Tactical RPG that was shown off today was Persona 5 Tactics releasing on November 17. This is a Tactical spin off from the title Persona 5. Players can map out their moves in battle while controlling many different characters who have different abilities. When Playing you can activate the beast power that does different effects depending on what character you are playing as.
Mythforce
Nintendo next showed off their Mythforce. Mythforce is a first-person role-playing game where up to 4 people can play together in coop online. This game offers different characters to pick through whose art styles are inspired by Saturday morning cartoons. Each character has different abilities that will help your team defeat the enemies and earn new equipment. There are wizards who use magic to heal and attack, archers who excel at ranged attacks, and swords man or close combat. Mythforce’s release window is later this year in 2023.
Splatoon 3: Splatfest
Splatoon 3 Splatfest is coming next month. From July 14 to July 16 players can partake in this ice cream themed event. The question asked in the event is which flavor ice cream is best; Vanilla, Strawberry, and mint chip. The player will pick which one they like best and compete in online battle with other players. The flavor you pick represents the color of your ink; white, pink, and green. Also coming soon to Splatoon will be new challenges.
Detective Pikachu Returns
In addition to the DLC coming to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Pokémon franchise will be receiving a brand-new game. Nintendo showed off a cinematic trailer for their new game Detective Pikachu Returns. Here the talking, coffee loving Detective Pikachu teams up with human, Tim Goodman, to solve cases around the world. This will be the sequel to the Detective Pikachu game originally released on the Nintendo 3Ds in 2016. There is no gameplay shown off in this the trailer on cinematics. Detective Pikachu Returns releases on October 6th.
Super Mario RPG
The first of many Mario related announcements came in the form of the long-awaited Super Mario RPG remake. Originally released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996, this is Mario’s first turn-based RPG. Super Mario RPG will be coming to Switch on November 17 with enhanced graphics. This game features many fun characters to join your party like Bowser and Geno who have different types of attacks and stats.
Untitled Princess Peach Game
Immediately after Super Mario RPG, Nintendo showed a sneak peek of a new game they are working on. This is an untitled game where Princess Peach is the main character. Very little was shown and very little is known about this game other than Peach as the main protagonist. No release date was given other than 2024, and the title of the game was not even mentioned.
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Princess Peach is not the only Mario character getting a stand-alone game coming to the Switch. Luigi will get his chance to shine in the spotlight with Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on the Switch. Originally released on the Nintendo 3DS, the game is currently being enhanced for the Switch. This game is slated to be released sometime in 2024.
Batman Arkham Trilogy
The widely popular and award-winning Batman Arkham series is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Releasing this fall, players can purchase the Batman Arkham Trilogy. These are open world action-adventure games that follow Batman as he takes down Gotham’s most evil villains. This bundle will include Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham knight. There was no mention of if these games will feature their DLC; which includes new suites, missions, and challenges.
Gloomhaven
Another Tactical RPG that Nintendo released was Gloomhaven. Inspired by the board game this game features turn based card battles. This game features 17 different characters to choose from in over 200 levels. Each character can be upgraded and has their own unique abilities, which can create over 1000 different abilities. Gloomhaven will be available on September 18.
Just Dance 2023 Edition
For music lovers the first motion game announced at the June 2023 Direct was Just Dance 2024 Edition. This dance themed games gives players the ability to dance along to 40 new tracks from features like Bad Bunny, Whitney Houston, BlackPink, Awolnation, and Miley Cyrus. This game will have a new feature called Just Dance+. Here players can subscribe to gain access to exclusive songs and the addition of new songs all year long. Just Dance 2024 Edition will be available October 24
Silent Hope
Next Nintendo announced Silent Hope for the Nintendo Switch. This is an action RPG that includes seven different warriors to play as. The player must explore the deep abyss and uncover its secrets. This game features ever changing dungeons which will give you items to forge and upgrade to travel deeper into the abyss.. Silent Hope will be available on October 3.
Fae Farm
Fae Farm is another farming simulator, similar to animal crossing, here you craft items and build your house. In addition to building this game offers fighting qith the enemies who lurk outside the village. This game features online 4-player coop mode. Fae Farm will is scheduled for release on September 8.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
For those who love arcade style racing games, Hot wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged will be available for Switch on October 19. This racing game allows players to upgrade their cars and race in over 130 tracks. In addition to these tracks, players can create their own courses and play with friend locally or up to 12 players online.
Manic Mechanics
Manic Mechanics is an indie party game where multiple players compete in collecting auto parts. The mechanics bring parts back to their car and at the end of the timer whoever acumulated the most points wins. There are different game mode modifications you can choose. Manic Mechanics come to the eshop on July 13.
Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope: Last Spark Hunter
Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope will be receiving its second DLC pack called the Last Spark Hunter. This DLC takes Mario and his party to a new musical themed world that is filled with new enemies. The Last Spark Hunter will also feature new challenges to conquer and new items to obtain. This new content is available now for purchase on the eshop. For those who have not played this title, Nintendo announced that this game will be available as a free demo mode.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
Square Enix’s Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince was shown next. This new turn-based RPG follows the newest hero on his adventure to become the master of monster kind. The player must capture monsters in battle for them to join their part. After capturing the monsters, you can choose between four of them to place in your party. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince comes out on December 1.
Pikmin 4 & 1+2
One of the most anticipated games that was Nintendo showed today was Pikmin 4, releasing on July 21, 2023. This game has been previously announced and we have seen screenshots of the game but not much prior to today. Gameplay to Pikmin 4 was shown off and in this adventure you play as the newest member of the resue corp trying to fix your ship in order to explore further into the land. There are new features to this game one of them is a new camera angle which allows you to see from the ground rather than the sky view from the other titles. Another new feature is the ability to travel at night. There are new Glow Piknin that only appear at night to allow for this new type of exploration. Pikmin 4 will have a multiplayer feature call Dandori Battles. Here the players collect objects with your Pikmin and whoever has the most at the end of the time limit wins.
Following Pikmin 4, Nintendo immediately announced that Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2 will be available on the Switch. These games were originally released on the GameCube and are available for purchase on the eshop now.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
Many remakes and games that are being ported to Switch were announced but the biggest announcement sizewise coming is the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. This collection comes with so much content for Metal Gear fans. With the Master collection players will have access to Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Solid 3: Snake eater, which were all release on the PlayStation 2. Along with these games players can play the original titles that were releaed on the NES, Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Snakes Revenge, and the arcade games Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. This package also comes with more than just games. Fans gain access to a graphic novel, screenplay books and a digital soundtrack. He metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will be released October 24 as a package or for individual purchase.
Vampire Survivors
“Vampire survivors” is a survivor action arcade game where players survive 30-minute onslaughts of monsters. As the game progresses more and more monster come. Weapons use an auto fire mechanic just like Dead ops Arcade. For those who enjoyed playing Dead Ops arcade this is the game for you. Up to 4 players can play locally here. Vampire Survivors releases on August 17.
Headbangers Rhythm Royale
Nintendo then announced a new rhythm battle royal game called Headbangers Rhythm Royale. Here 30 players compete online in over 20 musical games to become the champion. The characters in this title are customizable pigeons with different patterns colors and more. Headbangers Rhythm Royale releases on the eshop on October 31.
Penny’s Big Breakaway
One of the very few 3D platformers to be announced was Penny’s big breakaway. Releasing in early 2024, this game offers different worlds to explore and defeat enemies. Each one is filled with collectibles time attacks and secrets. This game looks very similar to something like Sackboy’s Nig Adventure and Yooka-Leyelee. Penny’s Big Breakaway will be released sometime in early 2024
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Wave 5 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Pass will be released later this summer. This DLC will feature two new cups filled with eight courses, some brand new and others returning from past games. One of the courses that this wave will feature is Squeaky Clean Sprint, which is brand new course. This wave will also include new characters. Wave 4 was the first time we saw new characters added to the game with the addition of Brido, and this time Nintendo gifted us with three new characters. Kamek, Wiggler, and Petey Piranha will make their returns to the Mario Kart 8 roster. This DLC can be available for purchase or as a part of the Nintendo Online Expansion Pass.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Star Ocean: The Second Story R, is a science fantasy JRPG that offers both 2D and 3D graphics. This is a remake of the 1998 title that was released on the Sony PlayStation. In Star Ocean you can choose between two different characters to get two different point of views of of the story. Both characters have different weapons, abilities, and stats which creates a new way to play the game. Also the two character system creates character exclusive missions. Star Ocean features Real time fights not the traditional turn based which is new. Star Ocean The Second Story R will be released on November 2
Warioware: Move it!
The last one of Mario’s acquaintances to get their own title is Wario. The fast-paced microgame franchise Wario Ware gets its new sequel Wario Ware: Move it. Move it! will feature over 200 brand new micro games. These games can be played in solo story mode, two player local coop play, and in four player party mode Wario Ware Move it releases on November 3.
Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Amiibo
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom will not be getting DLC at this time but there will be new Tears of the Kingdom inspired Amiibos. Later this year Zelda and Ganondorf from Tears of the Kingdom will be available for purchase.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo finished their Direct showcase with a brand-new Mario game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This will be the first 2D side scroller created specifically for the Switch. The previous releases have been remakes from prior consoles. Wonder will be a somewhat successor to New Super Mario Bros for the Wii. It will be a four-player adventure with at least Mario, Luigi, Toad, Daisy, Peach, and Yoshi as playable characters. The trailer for Wonder shows off new enemies that Mario and friends encounter as well as new power up abilities. The main power up that was shown in off was the Elephant power that gives the user the ability to dash at enemies like an elephant. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be released on October 20, 2023.
