The second Nintendo Direct of the year has come and goneg, and it ended up being a good one for Nintendo Switch players. While none of the third-party announcements were that exciting, we got a new look at the soon-to-be-released exclusive Pikmin 4, and Nintendo finally revealed what’s coming to the Switch during the back half of 2023. Mario will dominate the Nintendo Switch’s fall lineup thanks to a remake of Super Mario RPG, a new WarioWare title, and a brand new 2D platformer titled Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
A game starring Princess Peach was even teased for 2024. The early morning event lasted over 40 minutes and quickly went through lots of announcements. We know that it might have been tough for some of you to tune in live, so we’ve recapped everything announced during the June 2023 Nintendo Direct right here.
We got our first deep dive into Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s expansions
To kick off the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo gave us an in-depth look at the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet expansions The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk. Tons of new Pokémon are getting added in the expansion, including Gligar. There will be new characters to come across, including Carmine and Cryano, and players will be able to visit many of the vibrant new locales. Both are shaping up to be meaty expansions for what are already a massive pair of games. Unfortunately, they still don’t have specific release dates. The Teal Mask releases first in fall 2023, while The Indigo Disk comes out this winter.
Detective Pikachu Returns comes out in October
After first being announced all the way back in May 2019, we finally got a look at the next Detective Pikachu game. We get new looks at Tim Goodman and the titular coffee-loving, sleuthing Pikachu, who are solving a mystery involving Mewtwo during what’s supposed to be a Pokémon Friendship Week. Titled Detective Pikachu Returns, it will be released on October 6.
Super Mario RPG is getting a remake
Nintendo confirmed that SNES classic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is getting a remake for Nintendo Switch. In the clip, we see lots of classic characters reenvisioned in a new, more modern chibi style, but the game still looks quite faithful to the SNES release and retains the same turn-based combat of the original. Simply titled Super Mario RPG, this remake will be released on November 17.
Pikmin 4 lets you explore at night
Pikmin 4, which is exactly one month away from release, got an in-depth showcase during the latest Nintendo Direct. Throughout its segment, we learned more about what the game’s moment-to-moment gameplay look like. At a base level, it’s similar to the first three games in the series, but stands out thanks to how players can use Oatchi to traverse, go underground to explore more intense dungeons, and engage in new Dandori Battles. Players can now also explore the planet they are stuck on during the night, but will need the help of new Glow Pikmin to help fight off enraged enemies. Pikmin 4 will be released for Nintendo Switch on July 21. A demo for Pikmin 4 will be released on June 28.
The next WarioWare game emphasizes motion controls
A more “traditional” WarioWare game was announced for Nintendo Switch. Instead of the co-op play of 2021’s Get it Together, WarioWare: Move It! puts the emphasis on the Joy-Con motion controls in over 200 microgames. The game will support co-op play for two players and also have some four-player party modes. WarioWare: Move It! will be released on November 3.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a brand new 2D Mario game
Nintendo closed out this Nintendo Direct by revealing Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It’s the first non-Super Mario Maker-related 2D Mario game in over a decade, and it sports a beautiful new art style. There are lots of wacky stage gimmicks too, which appear when players touch the Wonder Flower that’s present in a level. Co-op, a playable Princess Daisy, and an elephant power-up were also confirmed during its reveal segment. Like Sonic Superstars, this appears to be a return to form for the series while innovating on it in some key ways. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be released for Nintendo Switch on October 20.
Everything else
- Sonic Superstars‘ playable characters and Emerald Powers were highlighted in a dedicated gameplay segment.
- Free-to-play farming and life sim Palia will be released this holiday season.
- Persona 5 Tactica was confirmed for Nintendo Switch.
- MythForce is coming to Nintendo Switch later this year.
- Splatoon 3’s next Splatfest is Vanilla vs. Strawberry vs. Mint Chip. It will run from July 14 until July 16.
- A game starring Princess Peach was confirmed to be in development. It will be released in 2024
- Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is getting ported to Nintendo Switch in 2024.
- Batman: Arkham Trilogy will be released for Nintendo Switch this fall.
- Gloomhaven was announced for Nintendo Switch. It releases on September 18.
- Just Dance 2024 Edition got a new trailer.
- Silent Hope, a dungeon-crawling game starring heroes who can’t speak, was announced by XSEED Games. It will be released on October 3.
- Fae Farm got a gameplay overview during a dedicated segment.
- Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged saw its skill system, splitscreen co-op, and more were revealed.
- Manic Mechanics was announced.
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope got a free demo and new DLC titled The Last Spark Hunter today.
- Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince was announced. It releases on December 1.
- HD versions of Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2 are now available on Nintendo Switch.
- Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is coming to Nintendo Switch, with Konami also confirming that it will feature the NES Metal Gear games, previously released graphic novels, and more. It will be released on October 24.
- Vampire Survivors comes to Nintendo Switch on August 17.
- Rhythm battle royale Headbangers Rhythm Royale will be released on October 31.
- 3D platformer Penny’s Big Breakaway was announced and will be released in early 2024.
- Wave 5 over the Booster Course Pass will add the track Squeaky Clean Sprint and characters Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe this summer.
- Star Ocean The Second Story R, an HD-2D remake of Square Enix’s classic sci-fi RPG, was announced with a November 2 release date.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom‘s Zelda and Ganon amiibo will be released during the 2023 holiday season.
