Gamers were just graced with a 41-minute virtual presentation from Nintendo today. There was a lot to digest in today’s Nintendo Direct, with some exciting announcements made from the Japanese gaming giant on their 2022 release schedule.
Here’s every single announcement that they made during today’s Nintendo Direct:
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the second Fire Emblem game to be released as the chaotic 1-vs-1000 game. From the creators of the Dynasty Warriors and Hyrule Warriors games, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is set in the same world as 2019’s Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Play as characters such as Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude while you hack-and-slash your way through a “different story within the same universe”.
Release date: June 24th, 2022
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Nintendo announced this remastered version of the Advance Wars games during the last Direct, and this time we have a few more details on various enhancements fans can enjoy. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp will feature voice-overs for the first time, along with several new game modes.
Enjoy “War Room” and beat your best previous high score, or design your own map in “Battle Room”. Today’s announcement also included local and online multiplayer features so fans can enjoy the refreshed game with a friend!
Release date: April 8th, 2022
No Man’s Sky
Despite a rocky start, No Man’s Sky has still managed to become a cult favorite. Originally released in 2016, the procedurally-generated universe will be coming to the Nintendo Switch sometime this year.
While the Switch version of No Man’s Sky doesn’t include anything new, it makes one wonder how the little hybrid system will handle such a labor-intensive game. Only time will tell!
Release date: Summer 2022
Mario Strikers: Battle League
Mario Strikers: Battle League is the third game released in the series, and it is now more chaotic than ever. Play as your favorite Mario series characters, each with their own special ability to utilize against your opponents and gain the upper hand. The game features a 4v4 mode so you can enjoy matches with your friends locally or online. There is also a new ranked system where players battle against each other in “Clubs” and rise up the ranks.
Basically, it’s FIFA meets red cards galore in Mario Strikers: Battle League. I’m pretty sure Bowser committed a massive foul with that blatant handball in the trailer. Ref!!
Release date: June 10th, 2022 – Pre-order available now
Splatoon 3
Five years after the release of Splatoon 2, Nintendo teased a sequel in the series during a Nintendo Direct held last year. This Nintendo Direct showcased a new co-op mode for Splatoon 3 called “Salmon Run” and highlighted a few of the bosses players would face during the campaign.
While there isn’t an official release date yet, players can expect more details to come within the coming months leading up to the general Summer release season.
Release date: Summer 2022
Front Mission 1st: Remake
Originally released in 1995, Front Mission is a Robo-heavy, turn-based tactical RPG set in a dystopian 21st century Earth, now remade for the Nintendo Switch.
The Direct also announced that Front Mission 2 will also be remade for the Nintendo Switch sometime in the future.
Release date: Summer 2022
Disney Speedstorm
Play as your favorite Pixar and Disney characters in this upcoming battle racer. In Disney Speedstorm, each character has their own unique ability to get ahead of the rest. Players can use character Ultimates at the right time to give themselves a massive lead, too!
Disney Speedstorm is made by the creators of the Asphalt series of games and will not only be free-to-play, but players will be able to compete against their friends across platforms.
Release date: Summer 2022
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Wield the power of the Dark Side as Darth Vader’s secret apprentice in this second remake of the hit series. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an enhanced version of the previous version made available on the Wii system. So, expect to be able to use the Force as well as your lightsaber with motion controls and button controls.
Have a fellow Star Wars lover over? Dual them as your favorite characters in a new local dual-mode!
Release date: April 20th, 2022
Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection
Relive the past as the beloved Ezio in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection. The Ezio Collection will feature all three games set in old Italy, bonus short films, and DLCs.
Enhanced for the Switch, the game also features touch-screen controls that players can use in handheld mode.
Release date: February 17th, 2022
SD Gundam Battle Alliance
Ever wanted to pit chibi-Gundams against each other? Well, with SD Gundam Battle Alliance, you can! Battle through enemies using your favorite Gundam as you progress through the game’s story.
The game also features an online multiplayer mode so that you can enjoy the game with a fellow Gundam lover!
Release date: 2022
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is a remaster of the original Chrono Cross series. This remaster also features the ability to turn off enemy encounters completely and has enhanced game music.
Along with the original Chrono Cross games comes the text-based adventure The Radical Dreamers.
Release date: April 7th, 2022 – Pre-order available today
Kirby & the Forgotten Land
Originally announced last year, Kirby & the Forgotten Land had a few exciting updates during today’s Nintendo Direct. Players play as Kirby as he travels through a strange dystopian land to rescue Waddle Dees and return them to Waddle Dee Town. With each Waddle Dee you save, the town grows larger, providing Kirby resources and upgrades to use on his adventures.
Today’s Direct also announced a new ability: “Mouthful Mode”. If Kirby tries to eat something too big, he gains temporary abilities such as faster travel with “Car Mouth” or attack abilities with “Vending Mouth”.
Release date: March 25th, 2022 – Pre-order available today
MLB The Show
Major League Baseball comes to the Nintendo Switch for the first time ever. MLB The Show for the Nintendo Switch will also feature “cross platform progression”, allowing players to continue their baseball careers across consoles.
Want to batter up against a friend? Cross-play will also be available so that you can land epic home runs against a friend playing on a different console.
Release date: April 5th, 2022 – Pre-order available today
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece
The Kingdom Hearts series of games will be available on the Nintendo Switch for the first time. Relive the adventures of Sora, Goofy, and Donald throughout all three games, plus the Re Mind DLC.
The unfortunate news is that the Switch version of the games will be “cloud versions”, meaning that players will need an active internet connection to be able to enjoy the game.
Release date: February 10th, 2022
KLONOA Phantasy Reverie Series
The beloved cat-dog-rabbit Klonoa will be coming back to your homes in the KLONOA Phantasy Reverie Series. The Phantasy Reverie Series will be a remaster of the well-loved side-scrolling game and features the original two games in the series.
Release date: July 8th, 2022
Portal: Companion Collection
Much to my delight, owners of the Nintendo Switch system will finally be able to enjoy the cult-classic docked and on-the-go. Portal: Companion Collection features both games in the Portal series and allows not just split-screen multiplayer but local and online multiplayer in Portal 2 as well!
Reminder: the cake is a lie.
Release date: 2022
Live A Live
For the first time ever, players worldwide can enjoy the beloved Japanese HD-2D pixel-art RPG. Enjoy various stories across several time periods with colorful characters.
Release date: July 2022 – Pre-order available now
Nintendo Switch Sports
A successor to the beloved Wii Sports, Nintendo Switch Sports brings all the classic virtual sports games plus three more. Enjoy virtual tennis, bowling, and “chambara” using your Joy-Cons, alongside badminton, soccer, and volleyball!
You can enjoy the game with friends and family on a single system or, if you’re far away from each other, through online play! Online play also allows players to compete against each other in a global match-making system.
Release date: April 29th, 2022
Online playtest available from February 18th to 20th. Visit the official website for more details.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival
The greatly loved rhythm game Taiko no Tasujin has a new game on the horizon. Drum your way to becoming a taiko master with a total of 76 songs. Rhythm Festival also features two multiplayer modes: the co-op “Don-chan Band” mode, where up to four players perform on a virtual stage, and the battle mode “Great Drum Toy War”.
Now, I don’t want to alarm you, but Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival has Megalovania in its song list. RIP.
Release date: 2022
Triangle Strategy
Today’s Nintendo Direct announced a demo version of the upcoming Triangle Strategy game. Players can have a taste of the game up to Chapter 3 and won’t have to worry about losing their save data if they purchase the full game as the game will transfer save data.
Release date: March 4th, 2022 – Pre-order available now
Cuphead
Love it or hate it, Cuphead seems to be here to stay. The upcoming paid-DLC Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course. This DLC features a new playable character, Ms. Chalice, who has her own special abilities – double-jumps and rolls. Whether this will help you get less frustrated, who knows!
Release date: June 30th, 2022
Metroid Dread
Four months after its original release, Metroid Dread has a free update giving players two new modes to play. “Dread Mode” is a super-hardcore mode where players only have 1 HP, while “Rookie Mode” offers players a leg-up with active regeneration.
Nintendo also announced another free update featuring a “Boss Mode,” which will arrive in April 2022.
Nintendo Switch Online
Members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service will enjoy not one but two cult-classic Nintendo games. Earthbound and Earthbound Beginnings – originally released on the SNES and NES systems, respectfully – are playable today!
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
While thankfully we didn’t hear a peep about the dreaded “Nintendo” Kart, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be getting a major paid-DLC upgrade. Today’s Direct announced the “Booster Course Pass”, which will feature up to 48 remastered courses from previous games and Mario Kart World Tour, to be released in “waves” up to the end of 2023.
Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack will be able to enjoy the “Booster Course Pass” for free, while non-subscribers should expect to pay $24.99 for the Pass.
Wave 1 will be available on March 18th, 2022.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
The much-anticipated sequel to the Xenoblade Chronicles series has a release month!
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will connect the futures of both Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. More information plus a specific release date should be coming out over the coming months.
Release date: September 2022
Other games
Finally, as per usual, the Nintendo Direct featured a quick look at a handful of games coming out in the next few months:
Zombie Army 4: Dead War
Release date: April 26th, 2022
GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon
Release date: Today
Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles
Release date: June 10th, 2022
LEGO Brawls
Release date: June 2022
Two Point Campus
Release date: May 17th, 2022
Nintendo Direct
And there you have it! All thirty announcements that Nintendo made during today’s Nintendo Direct broadcast. Which game are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
Catch the latest Nintendo Direct with all its trailers on the official Nintendo YouTube channel:
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