Nintendo Direct Round-Up 9th February

Nintendo managed to provide more than a few updates on games releasing in 2022 in their latest Nintendo Direct Presentation and we’ve collated all of the news in one article just for you. Over the course of the day we’ll take a closer look at all of the announcements in more detail but for now here’s the important information for you.

Kicking off with Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes, this is an entry in the Fire Emblem Warriors spin off series based in Fire Emblem Three Houses Universe, much like Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity expanded the story of Breath of The Wild, we expect this 1 vs 1000 brawler to enhance the Three Houses universe. The new title developed by Koei Tecmo in collaboration with Nintendo and is coming out 4th June.

Advance Wars 1 + 2 remake was given a look and it was confirmed with an 8th April release and we also had the announcement that No Man’s Sky is coming to Switch at some point this summer.

Mario Strikers Battle League Football brings 5 on 5 football action to the Switch. The series, which hasn’t been seen for a little while sees up to 8 players per console play locally or heading online sees modes of up to 20 people competing in cups around the world. There’s not much of a wait as it’s scheduled for a 10th June release with pre-orders opening later today.

Splatoon 3 will see the return of Salmon Run with all new Salmoids including the Fish Stick and Flipper Flopper. Other improvements see the squids/octolings being able to throw golden eggs to team mates, or if you’re close enough, into the net to help get those sweet rewards. Splatoon 3 is scheduled for a Summer 2022 release.

Square Enix makes an appearence with the announcement that FRONT MISSION 1st is being remade for the Switch. This mech strategy sees Wanzers take to the battlefield later in the year. Once this has been released, Square will set about remaking Front Mission 2.

Disney Speedstorm was announced aims to fill the gap in the absence of Mario Kart 9. It’s free to play and will function on lengthy seasons and will see a Summer release. Sticking with the House of Mouse, they also confirmed that a remaster of the Wii version of The Force Unleashed is heading to the portable on 20th April.

Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection reaffirmed for 17th February and SD Gundam Alliance brings more mech fighting at some point this year. Then it was back to Square Enix who announced a remaster of PS1 classic Chrono Cross is coming to Switch and includes the typing adventure Radical Dreamers on 7th April.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land showcases Mouthful Mode. With Mouthful Mode, Kirby can inhale objects and transform into them. He can turn into a car and zoom around, become a vending machine and attack with juice cans… Will release on 25th March with pre-orders going live today.

MLB The Show 22 is coming to the Switch on 5th April from PlayStation Studios. It features an RPG mode, Road to the Show, and online card-collecting mode Diamond Dynasty. The game features cross-progression and cross-play too.

An update to Kingdom Hearts 1.5-2.5, 2.8 & 3 Cloud versions in that they are available today and are still cloud versions, but all DLC is included so that’s something. What is exciting is that Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series which includes Klonoa 1 & 2 will be coming on 8th July (non-cloud versions). Capping off the one-two punch of remasters is Portal Companion Collection which bundles Portal 1 & 2 together in one package and includes both local and online multiplayer. That’s not a lie

Live a Live gets it’s first release outside of Japan. Looks amazing in HD 2D. Seven different stories featuring different protagonists, time periods and gameplay styles await. In the Wild West, a wanderer with a bounty on his head fights for his life; In the Twilight of Edo Japan, a shinobi undertakes a secret mission. 

Nintendo Switch Sports brings Tennis, Bowling and Chambara from Wii Sports. Also includes Football, which has you playing in a field with an oversized football. You can also attach your Joy-Con to your leg either using your Ring Fit leg strap or the one included in the physical version to recreate kicking a ball… This sounds like a repeat of Wii Tennis and broken TVs but we’ll see. Badminton & Volleyball are also included as well as local and online multiplayer. Nintendo Switch Sports is coming on 29th April and there will be an online play test on 19th & 20th February. It was also confirmed that Golf will be added later down the line as a free update.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a new entry in the series and puts 76 beats, including an orchestral version of the main theme from The Legend of Zelda all out in front of you. There’s an in-game paid subscription that opens up 500 songs ready for you when the game launches later in the year. Triangle Strategy was also given an update. It is still on course for 4th March release and a demo of the game’s first three chapters has been released. The save data will carry over into the full game.

The final DLC for Cuphead, The Delicious Last Course is coming in 30th June and features a new playable character Ms. Chalice as well as the new Inkwell Isle and a bevy of new bosses with their own distinct personalities. Metroid Dread also gets a surprise update with a one-hit kill mode known as Dread Mode and a Rookie Mode that helps new players with a health system balanced in their favour. This releases for free today and a Boss Rush mode is coming in April.

The original Earthbound and the NES game Earthbound The Beginnings will be added to Nintendo Switch Online NES & SNES today. Those looking for a Mario Kart fix are in luck as Nintendo have announced that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be getting 48 tracks as part of their Booster Course Pass paid DLC. There will be six waves of releases starting 18th March and running into 2023 featuring tracks from all previous titles including Mario Kart Tour. The total cost for all of these tracks is £22.49. It is also included as part of the NSO Expansion Pass so if you’re subscribed to this, then there’s nothing extra to pay.

Finally, if that wasn’t enough, Nintendo finished the Direct by announcing that not only Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is happening, but it is coming in September 2022! Stepping into the roles of protagonists Noah and Mio amid turmoil between the hostile nations of Keves and Agnus. Six characters hailing from those nations will take part in a grand tale with “life” as its central theme and will link with events from both previous entries.