Nintendo Direct Overview February 2023

On the 8th of February 2023, Nintendo had its latest Direct, revealing several games releasing alongside new DLC and classic ports.

We would like to preface this article with a disclaimer, the same as Nintendo: Due to COVID-19, all release dates and information presented throughout the Direct — and therefore throughout this overview — are subject to change. So please keep that in mind if you can.

Pikmin 4

We got our first in-depth look at Pikmin 4 to kick off the presentation and learned about its story and gameplay. During this trailer, we saw exactly what it means to play from a Pikmin’s perspective, as the camera was much closer to the playable character than in previous games. Otherwise, it looks like the approachable RTS series fans have fallen in love with, but now you can ride with Ice Pikmin and a small space dog, Oatchi. At the end of the trailer, we got a solid release date for Pikmin 4, as Nintendo says it will release the long-awaited sequel on the 21st of April.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s next DLC wave will feature party member Masha and more on the 15th of February.

Samba De Amigo: Party Central

Get your maracas ready because this game will have you moving to the beat! Samba de Amigo: Party Central is releasing this Summer.

Fashion Dreamer

Are you feeling stylish? Well, you’re in luck because Fashion Dreamer will launch later this later this year and allow you to customise your character to your heart’s content.

Dead Cells: Return To Castlevania

After being announced at last year’s Game Awards presentation, this spooky add-on content is coming to the critically acclaimed Dead Cells game on the 6th of March.

TRON: Identity

It’s the future! Bithell Games’ Tron: Identity gets an April release window with what looks to be a text adventure title which is very different from the Tron: Evolution game released about a decade ago. Talk about a reinvention!

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Finally making its way onto modern consoles, we have Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, which is coming to the Nintendo Switch this summer. Fans of the Nintendo DS original might want to check this one out, as it looks to be a faithful port.

DecaPolice

Are you feeling nosey? Then you’re in luck because the investigation-focused RPG DECAPOLICE developed by Level-5 is coming to the Nintendo Switch sometime this year.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

Bayonetta fans have been eating well recently, and it doesn’t look like it will be stopping anytime soon, as Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is coming out on the 17th of March. The trailer showed an overview of its gameplay with its hand-painted visuals and stylish turn-based combat.

Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3’s expansion pass will reintroduce Inkopilos in its first wave of content this spring, and Callie and Marie will perform there during Splatfests. There was also a trailer for a new story set in an area devoid of colour, titled Side Order. We have yet to find out if it will be as challenging as Octo Expansion, though! Only time will tell.

Disney Illusion Island

Disney Illusion Island got a gameplay overview that showed off its playable characters, all with their own play styles, along with its cartoonish visuals and fully voiced Mickey Mouse characters. This new 2D platformer launches on the 28th of February.

Fire Emblem Engage

We learned that Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass’ DLC Wave 2 will feature classic characters Hector, Soren, and Camilla. Wave 3 will include Chrom and Robin, and Veronica. Wave 4 will introduce new story content titled Fell Xenologue. The new content is available now.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie

Another visual novel was announced in the Direct, with this one being called Harmony: The Fall of Reverie. It’s releasing in June of this year.

Octopath Traveller II

RPG fans will be happy about this news as OCTOPATH TRAVELER II received a free demo on the eShop and is still scheduled to release on the 24th of February.

We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie

We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie was announced to have a release on the 2nd of June, and a free trial for NSO members of Katamari Damacy REROLL was made available after the Direct. We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is a remaster of the second game in the series, while Katamari Demacy ReRoll is already on the eShop and is a remaster of the game released in 2018. The free trial of Katamari Demacy ReRoll is available from the 20th of February to the 26th of February.

Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars gets a 26th of August release date and a free demo on the eShop. If you’re looking for some turn-based combat that takes in a pixel-art-focused world, I have great news for you.

Omega Strikers

Previously announced for PC, a new online multiplayer-focused party game is also coming to Switch. This one’s called Omega Strikers, and it looks to be taking inspiration from Windjammers and real-life dodgeball.

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collections

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collections was announced with a release date on the 1st of June. Each game included (Etrian Odyssey HD, Etrian Odyssey II HD & Etrian Odyssey III HD) will also be available separately on that same day.

Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp

Originally slated for release in December 2021, we won’t have to wait much longer for Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, a remake of two titles in the GBA strategy game series. After an indefinite delay following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Nintendo has finally revealed this remake will be released on the 21st of April.

Kirby’s Return To Dream Land Deluxe

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe will feature a new Magalor Epilogue. The game also got a demo that is available now.

Nintendo Switch Online Gets Game Boy and GBA Titles

Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online. The base version will include Game Boy games, which supports Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color filters. The Game Boy Advance games are exclusive to the Expansion Pack, which is £30 more than the base tier. It will include titles like Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, with games like Metroid Fusion and F-Zero Velocity coming later.

Metroid Prime Remastered

If that wasn’t enough Metroid, Nintendo announced Metroid Prime Remastered, and it’s an enhanced version of the classic GameCube that now supports HD visuals and dual stick controls. Metroid Prime Remastered is available now, with a physical version releasing on the 22nd of February.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE launches on 30th of June for all you nosey people out there.

Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster

MonolithSoft RPGs Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean and Baten Kaitos Origins are getting remastered for the Nintendo Switch this summer in a collection called Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time was announced and will be released later this year.

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

No longer a dead series, Professor Layton gets his first new game since 2017. However, no release date was given for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

A new Yoshi’s Island course and a playable character named Birdo are part of Wave 4 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass launching this Spring.

Sizzle Reel

A sizzle reel highlighted Minecraft Legends,Blanc, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, Have a Nice Death, WBSC eBaseball: Power Pros, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and Tales of Symphonia Remastered.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

As expected, we got a lengthy look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom during this Nintendo Direct, as well as a better idea of what this game really is. We see Hyrule under siege and Link fighting many enemies across its open world. Then, we see Link falling through the air, grinding on rails, and driving various vehicles. On top of all that, Nintendo reaffirmed that this game will still release on the 12th of May this year, and a Collector’s Edition and new Link Amiibo will also be available on the same day. However, Nintendo fans and their wallets got some scary news as this will be the first Nintendo first-party game to be £60 instead of £50.