E3 might be gone for good, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be some great games announced this summer. Nintendo sprang the news that a Direct would hit us this week amid a barren first-party release schedule for the Fall and Winter. With the Direct done and dusted now, there were some huge surprises, and generally, if you like role-playing games you will like what has been revealed.
Choice and strategy seem to be key in many of the games that were shown. Still, there were potentially great games revealed from a diverse range of genres, as a new Mario and Luigi, Capcom Fighting Collection, and new 2D Zelda illustrated through their gameplay styles. Read on for some huge Nintendo-focused game reveals.
Mario and Luigi: Brothership
The Direct kicked off with a stylized Mario and Luigi solving puzzles, and this meant that a thought of as dormant franchise has been revived. The Mario and Luigi games were exclusive to the GBA, DS, and 3DS but now the series will move over to Switch. It looked like the title had a combination of RPG and platforming elements and the gameplay seemed to flow smoothly on a technical level.
Mario and Luigi: Brothership will be released in November 7, 2024 on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo World Championship (NES Editon)
Next up was a blast from the past with Nintendo World Championship looking like a compilation game where you get to play retro classics with online leaderboards and many customization options. Mario titles were used to show how the online competitive play would work.
Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition releases on July 18 on Switch.
Fairy Tail 2
A sequel to 2020’s Fairy Tail was announced at this summer’s Nintendo Direct. The title looks to use the same cel-shaded art style as the original. The series is based on a manga and you can expect big hairstyles and over -the top action.
Fairy Tail 2 releases this Winter to the Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC.
Fantasian Neo Dimension
A Square Enix RPG from the development leads of Final Fantasy, Fantasian Neo Dimension is a turn-based game that looks like typical Square Enix high-standard fare. The game might have a hard-to-remember name, but there’s not long to wait for the title.
Fantasian Neo Dimension hits shelves in the coming Autumn on the Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
Basketball is coming to Nintendo Switch Sports
In exciting news, a new update is coming to Nintendo Switch Sports, which will add a brand new sport to the title.
Basketball will be coming to Nintendo Switch Sports later in 2024.
MIO: Memories in Orbit
Play as an android in this exploration action title in which the player explores a huge and broken-down spaceship. Huge bosses and memorable moments await in this title.
MIO: Memories in Orbit arrives on Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC next year.
Disney Illusion Island — Mystery of Monoth
Disney Illusion Island has a free update that launches today. The Mystery of Monoth free update has players following clues to solve cases in this detective adventure.
The update is available now.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
This Hello Kitty game will have players exploring a mysterious island while encountering well known faces from the series. The game is a timed exclusive. Craft and create to make your unique island come to life.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure releases on Switch next year.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports
This amalgamation of Looney Tunes and various sports looks like some great arcade action that can be enjoyed wth friends and family. The colors are bright, and the sports are various.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports launches this fall worldwide on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PS4, and Xbox Series X|S.
New Among Us roles
Among Us receives a free update in which new now roles are added including noisemaker, tracker, and phantom.
The update is available now.
Farmagia
Hiro Mashimo creator of Fairy Tale presents an RPG adventure based on farming monster combat. While it sounds like Rune Factory, expect a unique experience where you’ll collect and direct monsters in battle.
Farmagia launches on Switch on November 1 to the Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (2025)
One of the shocks of the Nintendo Direct was a remake of Donkey Kong Country Returns. The title was originally released on the Wii and had a re-release on the 3DS with easier gameplay options. Retro Studios will handle the remake.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is poised to release next year on January 16 to the Nintendo Switch.
Dragon Quest I-III HD-2D
Square Enix then brought out Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, which will visit the beginning of the Erdrick trilogy, and Square also had some more exciting news to share regarding the Dragon Quest series. Dragon Quest I and II will also get HD-2D releases.
The Dragon Quest HD-2D releases are slated for next year for the Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Funko Fusion
A game that includes a mash-up of franchises arrives in Funko Fusion an action title where the player participates in scenes from a variety of tv shows and movies.
Funko Fusion arrives on September 13 to the Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X|S.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 Update
Luigi’s Mansion 2 has received what is probably the last update before release later this month. A new trailer shows off the game’s ghost-hunting antics.
THE NEW DENPA MEN
This Denpa Men 3DS classic series is reborn on Switch in an all-new free-to-play RPG title. Scour the radio waves for Denpa men, small men-like creatures that call the radio waves their home.
The New Denpa Men launches July 22 on the Switch.
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded
Metal Slug returns in this pixel art tower defense game. The title is friendly for beginners and includes online multiplayer. Use a huge choice of strategies and a choice of hundreds of characters to smash the enemy.
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is available on the Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC now.
Darkest Dungeon 2
Choose from 12 characters in this terrifying rogue-like set on a stagecoach. The Blinding Blade DLC will also be available on launch day.
Darkest Dungeon 2 releases on July 15 to the Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC.
Online GBA – Zelda ALTTP, Metroid Zero Mission, N64 – Turok, Perfect Dark
New updates to the Nintendo Switch Online Service were given with new GBA and N64 titles coming to the platform very soon. Zelda: A Link to the Past (GBA), and Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA) will hit the GBA section of the service. Turok and Perfect Dark will hit the N64 section of the service. All titles revealed require the Expansion Pak subscription.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero
This tactical RPG from the creators of the Disgaea series was announced at the Direct. The title boasts 50 playable characters and 300 skills to learn, and promises fun, addictive tactical actions.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero hits Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC next year.
Capcom vs. Marvel Fighting Collection
In terms of fighting games, Capcom Fighting Collection was revealed. It contains multiple games in the Marvel vs. Capcom series, and the edition seems full of content, with artwork also part of the package.
Capcom vs. Marvel Fighting Collection will be released late in 2024 to the Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Super Mario Party: Jamboree
A new Mario Party was also revealed. Named Super Mario Party: Jamboree, this new addition to the series will host 110 minigames, seven-game boards, and an even more impressive 20-player online game mode.
Super Mario Party Jamboree launches to the Switch on October 17, 2024.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
A full new Zelda game was the big shock of Nintendo’s Summer 2024 Direct. In a first for the main series, Zelda is the main playable character. In the game, she has the power to create “echoes,” which are like puppets of creatures and items and can be used in combat or to solve puzzles. The game looks like it uses the Link’s Awakening engine and the full title is The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. A special edition Nintendo Switch console will also arrive on the release date.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is set to release September 26.
Just Dance 2025
A year wouldn’t be complete without a Just Dance game and now we have confirmation that Just Dance will make a return on Switch this Fall. With over 40 new songs this will be a chance to challenge your family and friends to see who is the best dancer.
Just Dance 2025 arrives this October for the Nintendo Switch.
Lego Horizon Adventures
A Lego game based on PlayStation’s Horizon: Zero Dawn is in development and features a world of sprawling mountains, and gigantic creatures all created using Lego’s own Lego blocks. The title looks to use classic Lego gameplay, while including new features. It was previously revealed during the State of Play last month.
Lego Horizon Adventures hits PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC this holiday season.
Stray
The acclaimed Felid adventure game, Stray is coming to Nintendo Switch. With stealth and exploration the game puts the player in the perspective of a cat. Explore common settings as our favourite feline friend and try to understand the challenges and obstacles that cats may face on a daily basis in human society.
Stray arrives in holiday 2024.
Tales of The Shire
Towards the end of the Direct the Lord of the Rings game, Tales of the Shire, was showcased for the Switch. Tales of the Shire seems to be a simulation game with aspects similar to Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon.
Tales of the Shire doesn’t have a concrete release date, but it is coming out sometime during the holidays this year on the Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
An Ace Attorney Collection was also announced that will include Ace Attorney Investigations 2, a game that have never been featured outside of Japan, and two different graphic settings. One will be the standard pixelized setting while the other featured HD models.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection launches to Switch, PS4, PC, and Xbox One on Spetember 5.
The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy
This new strategy RPG from the creators of the Danganronpa series involves the player character protecting a school from mysterious enemies known as school invaders. Explore the school and get ready for some great role-playing action.
The Hunred Line – Last Defense Academy releases next year to the Nintendo Switch and PC.
Romancing SaGa: Revenge of the Seven
This remake of Romancing SaGa 2 includes full voice acting and updated graphics. The music is composed by series veteran Kenji Ito. In the game, the player chooses from a wealth of protagonists and engages in strategic turn-based battles.
Romancing SaGa: Revenge of the Seven releases October 27th on PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (2025)
The last thing shown in the Direct was Metroid Prime 4. First announced in 2017, the title looks really great with detailed textures, long draw distances, and a slight cel-shaded art style. The trailer showed Samus landing and exploring a planet that was lush with life. Retro Studios were announced as the developers of Metroid Prime 4 after the title’s development was restarted. This means Retro Studio will currently be working on Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Metroid Prime 4. We also have the full name of the title, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
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