The Nintendo Direct was one that was FILLED with anticipation, especially when they said it was going to focus on the titles that were coming out in the beginning months of 2022, which was going to be curious given that Pokemon Legends Arceus (read our review!) had just released. And while it likely didn’t fulfill everyone’s needs, the direct gave a LOT for fans to be excited for. Including Splatoon, Fire Emblem, a TON of RPGs, and yes, Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Starting out the Nintendo Direct with a bang was the reveal of Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes. A sequel to the previous FE Warriors game, but with two major twists. First and foremost, this game will focus on the Three Houses world…BUT…it’ll be a completely new story with new characters and new looks to the three lords via Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude. As well as new developments for their “professor” in Byleth. The best part? It’s coming out in June!
Next up, they revealed more about Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp. They revealed there is not only full voice-acting for the commanders, but there will be various modes for you to play in including trying to get high scores and even battling others online! The game will release now on April 8th, further stacking the first 6 months with titles this year.
A surprise to many is that No Man’s Sky is coming out this Summer. Given that this is the more advanced version of the game that came out before, this will be interesting to see how it plays on Switch.
The next first-party reveal though is one long-requested. Mario Strikers Battle League will take the Mario Strikers line to the next insane level. More action, more abilities, a bigger roster, and of course, online play. In fact, not only will you be able to play others online, you can form your own clubs to take on other groups of people! Furthermore, the addition of gear to the game will have you customizing your Mario characters from top to bottom to better suit your playstyle! The game will release on June 10th.
Just as cool was the reveal that Salmon Run is coming back via Splatoon 3, and this time around, there are even MORE Salmonid’s that you need to fight, with new abilities and strategies to use against them. Including one that is a MASSIVE threat to you if you don’t get rid of it…if you can get rid of it at all.
Splatoon 3 was confirmed for a Summer 2022 release, with more details to come!
Another thing that surprised many fans was the number of collections and remasters that are coming to Switch both big and small. And if you haven’t seen the full Nintendo Direct yet, there honestly is a lot. Including the remasters of the first two Front Mission games! We’re getting the first Force Awakened title, the Assassins’ Creed Ezio Collection, Klonoa, Portal, the Western debut of the RPG Live A Live, and oh, how about a CHRONO CROSS REMASTER!!!!
Kirby and the Forgotten Land got a new gameplay trailer that revealed there are many new abilities for Kirby in his latest adventure via “Mouthful Mode”. This has him adopting the forms of certain items and assuming their full-on shape in order to get around and attack enemies. We also got confirmation that the Waddle Dee village will expand the more you save them in the game. The title releases on March 25th.
In yet another surprise, we had the announcement of Nintendo Switch Sports. This game will feature many games from the previous Wii Sports titles, as well as new ones like Volleyball! There’s also going to be the addition of golf via a free update later this year, and there’s an online playtest coming later this month! The game will release on April 29th.
Triangle Strategy is only a month away, but the Nintendo Direct revealed not just new footage, but also, a new demo is available right now that you can play all the way up until Chapter 3 of the title! And like Octopath Traveler, you’ll be able to transfer the save file to the main game when the time comes.
A surprise update is that of Metroid Dread! As this game is getting a set of free updates with new modes for you to enjoy. In this case, you’ll be getting a “Dread Mode”, where a single hit will kill Samus Aran. Can you complete that challenge? There’s also a Rookie Mode that’ll allow you to heal better than before if you’re having trouble. Later this year, we’ll be getting a Boss Rush mode!
Were you hoping for a Mother announcement today? Well, you got one…technically. Yes, Earthbound and Earthbound Beginnings is available RIGHT NOW on the Nintendo Switch Online service. But no, no Mother 3.
Arguably the most controversial entry in the Direct was that of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. As they announced that there is a Mario Kart “Booster Pass” is coming, and in this pass, there will be 6 waves of 8 tracks that are coming. Each one will have tracks spanning the multitude of Mario Kart titles. What’s controversial about this is that not only is this happening 5 YEARS after the game released on the Switch, but that it’s apparently going to last…until 2023. As such, many feel that this is proof we’re not getting Mario Kart 9 anytime soon.
Finally, and arguably most satisfyingly, we got the reveal trailer…for Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
As noted by Nintendo, this game will continue and also merge in a way the stories that were shown in the two main Xenoblade Chronicles titles (X not included in that). We see new characters, but also familiar faces, and the story looks to be just as deep and grand as the locales that were shown in the game’s trailer.
And topping it all off is that this game arrives…in September.
All in all, Nintendo came to play with these reveals and delivered plenty of surprises. All in all, we can say…we’ll likely be broke by the time the year is over…because we know there are more games coming.
