February Nintendo Direct Highlights!
Yesterday, Nintendo treated us to a 40 minute presentation, which was filled to the brim with new details for upcoming games, reveals of ports and perhaps most importantly, new game announcements. We’ve linked the video below, so you can take a look for yourself at everything that’s headed our way over the coming months, but we’ve also listed the highlights below so that you know what to look forward to. Admittedly, not everything in the Direct had us excited -sorry, Disney Speedstorm- but if you’re an avid gamer, at least some of the information below is probably going to want to make you reach for your wallet. Note that we’re not listing titles that were previously announced in the overview below, such as Advance Wars or Splatoon 3, for which new info was revealed, as we already knew these were coming.
REVEAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Nintendo Switch Sports: In this new entry in the Wii Sports series, players can use their Joy-Con controllers in six sports – soccer, volleyball, bowling, tennis, badminton and Chanbara (sword fighting). Additionally, a seventh sport will be added to the game this fall: golf! Nintendo Switch Sports is released on April 29. Pre-orders are available in the Nintendo eShop now, although we recommend going physical for this game as the cartridge edition includes the Joy-Con leg strap accessory. On February 19 and 20, Nintendo Switch Online members can also participate in an Online Play Test. It’s not quite clear how this title will run on the Switch Lite.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Circuit Expansion Pass: A total of 48 remastered tracks from the entire Mario Kart series are coming to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as paid downloadable content. Six sets of eight circuits will be released before the end of 2023. The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Circuit Expansion Pass is available separately for $24.99 or available at no additional cost with a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. The first set includes the Wii Coconut Plaza, N64 Chocolate Gorge and Tour Tokyo, and will be released on March 18
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Explore a vast world in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the new game in the acclaimed RPG series from developer MONOLITHSOFT. Players take on the roles of the main characters Noah and Mio in the midst of a feud between the hostile nations of Keves and Agnus. Six characters from these nations are part of a grand story with life as the central theme. Explore a new world that connects the futures of Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. The game will be released in September 2022.
- Mario Strikers: Battle League Football: Get ready for Strike, a type of soccer in which two teams of five literally do everything they can to win. Up to eight players – four per team – can compete against each other on a single Nintendo Switch system. In addition to playing individual matches, you can also join a club online and try to become the best club in the world along with 19 other club members. Mario Strikers: Battle League Football will be released for the Nintendo Switch on June 10. Pre-orders are available in the Nintendo eShop now
- CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMers EDITION: A remaster of the acclaimed RPG CHRONO CROSS is coming to the Nintendo Switch! Several improvements have been made to this RPG classic, such as the ability to turn off encounters with enemies and an improved soundtrack. In addition, RADICAL DREAMers is also included! Experience the beginning of CHRONO CROSS in this text-based adventure. Two worlds collide when CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMers EDITION comes to the Nintendo Switch on April 7.
- Portal: Companion Collection: In Valve Software’s award-winning games Portal and Portal 2, you must use the Portal Gun to survive in a mysterious lab. Create portals, warp to other areas and discover… a pie? You can go through portals, but so can cubes, lasers and robots with a little too much personality. Portal 2 adds local online and split-screen multiplayer modes. There are a lot of puzzle challenges waiting for you when Portal: Companion Collection comes to the Nintendo Switch in 2022. No release date was confirmed yet.
- No Man’s Sky: Explore an infinite universe where every star is the light of a distant sun, surrounded by planets full of life. You can create anything from small outposts to complex colonies on multiple planets. Search for resources, recruit allies and fight for survival. There are unique locations, creatures and more to discover in this infinite, procedurally generated universe. No Man’s Sky lands on the Nintendo Switch this summer.
- Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes: Join characters from Fire Emblem: Three Houses and fight in massive battles in war-torn Fódlan. Edelgard, Dimitri, Claude and other characters from Fire Emblem: Three Houses return to show off their fighting skills. Unleash devastating combos and flashy special attacks in spectacular real-time battles. Assume the roles of characters from Fire Emblem: Three Houses and slash your way through hordes of enemies. Defeat countless enemies with Edelgard’s axe or Dimitri’s lance, or attack from a distance with Claude’s bow. Chop and slash your way to a better future for Fódlan. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will be released for the Nintendo Switch on June 24. A Limited Edition of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will also be released on the same day, containing the game card, an artbook, a tapestry featuring Fódlan’s map, a set of five acrylic figurines, and a postcard set.
In addition to the above, new details were also revealed for MLB The Show 22, Splatoon 3, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, Triangle Strategy, Metroid Dread DLC and more! Check out the full presentation below and be sure to keep an eye out for our reviews of these titles!
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