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The first Nintendo Direct of the year revealed the gaming company’s line-up for its Switch console family with The Legend of Zelda, Metroid Prime, Pikmin 4 and updates to its online service, leading the way.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Releases digitally on February 8th, 2023, physically on February 22nd, 2023
Revisit Tallon IV as Samus Aran in this remake of the original GameCube title. Fight off the inhabitants of this remote world while unlocking its secrets, utilizing power-ups to Samus’ suit and weaponry.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Releases on May 12th, 2023
Hyrule is under attack again, and Link must traverse the vast world and its sky to restore order.
Two versions are being offered: the standard game for $69.99 USD and a collectors edition with the game, art book, poster, pins and a Steelbook case for $129.99 USD. An amiibo figure, which will give Link’s paraglider new designs, is also being released separately alongside the game.
Pikmin 4
Releases on July 21st, 2023
These adorable little creatures grow out of the ground, with some having their own elements: red for enduring fire and blue for keeping enemies on ice. Together with the space dog Ootachi, no obstacle stands in the way!
Disney Illusion Island
Releases on July 28th, 2023
Play as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy through the island of Monoth to locate three missing tomes and rescue the resident Hokuns.
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II
Releases on February 24th, 2023
Eight new travelers have eight new stories to follow through and each journey is as unique as the characters. A demo is available on the Nintendo eShop.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central
Releases Summer 2023
This rhythmic adventure has a soundtrack of 40 songs across multiple global genres to shake the Joy Cons to. Play against friends locally or around the world (paid Nintendo Switch Online membership required) in this latest addition to the Samba de Amigo series.
Nintendo Switch Online – Game Boy
Releases on February 8th, 2023
Nintendo is adding select titles from their original portable system: Game Boy. Use the Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket or Game Boy Color screen filters to emulate these games on each system. Additional titles will release at a later date.
- Tetris®
- Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
- GARGOYLE’S QUEST
- Game & Watch Gallery 3
- Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
- Metroid II – Return of Samus
- Wario Land 3
- Kirby’s Dream Land
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack – Game Boy Advance
Releases on February 8th, 2023
With an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, play fan favourites from one of Nintendo’s most popular hand held systems. Additional titles will release at a later date.
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
- WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$
- Kuru Kuru Kururin
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Releases on April 21st, 2023
Two new campaigns expand on the classic Game Boy Advance strategy game. Play against others online or with three other friends locally.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Releases on March 17th, 2023
Back before Bayonetta was… Bayonetta, Cereza began as an apprentice. Together with partner demon Cheshire, explore the dangerous Avalon Forest pairing skills to defeate enemies and solve puzzles.
Omega Strikers
Releases on April 27th, 2023
It’s like soccer, but with slime, tofu and rockets! Score the most goals and knock opponents off the table in this fast-paced game!
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
Releases on June 1st, 2023
Enjoy the first three Etrian Odyssey remastered for the Switch either together or separately. With a blank map, draw out an adventure to find treasure and attack adversaries.
Sea of Stars
Releases on August 29th, 2023
Utilize the sun and moon keep evil at bay while undertaking a journey across the world. Encounters with different characters and fearsome foes will make this one for the ages. A free demo is available on the Nintendo eShop.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Releases on Feburary 24th, 2023
Magolor’s magic has disappeared and is trapped! Once finishing the main story, venture into the bizzare dimension and help Magolor recover his power. Up to four players on the same Switch can join in the adventure. A free demo is available on the Nintendo eShop.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass
Releases on February 15th, 2023
Unlock more of Aionios with this new Expansion Pass that brings new heroes like Masha, challenges, and abilities.
Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass
Releases on February 8th, 2023, subsequent updates in the future
Return to the city that started it all: Inkopolis! Inkopolis Plaza has new purveyors of paint gear and other items. Don’t miss performances from the Squid Sisters. A second DLC, titled Side Order, is a single-player adventure. Side Order will release in the future.
Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass
Releases four times throughout 2023
Recruit new Emblems from previous games: Hector, Emblem of Strength; Soren, Emblem of Acumen; Camilla, Emblem of Revelation; Chrom and Robin, Emblem of Bonds; and Veronica, Emblem of Heroes. The final wave of DLC will include the story of Fell Xenologue.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass
Releases six times throughout 2023
Birdo is back! Wave four of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes new courses, with more on the way! The Booster COurse Pass is free for those with a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Releases on March 6th, 2023
This DLC returns to Dracula’s castle where the legendary vampire himself awaits. Players won’t be alone as Richter Belmont and Alucard are along for the ride.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie
Releases June 2nd, 2023
Attract as many objects to a giant ball through classrooms, zoos and even space in this remaster of We Love Katamari.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Releases summer 2023
A murder victim is revived as a ghost with the power to seize and command objects in an attempt to uncover their killer.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
Releases Summer 2023
These two adventures utilize a card-based RPG system where timing is everything. Explore the worlds in the clouds and on the ground below them.
Fashion Dreamer
Releases in 2023
Looking to edge into the glamorous world of fashion design? With over 1,400 options to craft with, create a unique style and share it with those online with a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership.
DECAPOLICE
Releases in 2023
In the future, difficult crimes still need solving! Through deductive reasoning, evaluate each scene and solve cases in a vast and open world.
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Releases in 2023
Once home to a bustling community, an island is now abandoned with the former civilization in ruins. Learn from its former inhabitants by crafting, quests and fighting foes with an opportunity to redo the island’s own history.
PROFESSOR LAYTON and The New World of steam
Release TBD
Everyone’s favourite professor is back with more mysteries to solve in this popular puzzle-solving adventure.
TRON: Identity
Releases in April 2023
Return to the Grid to expose its dark secrets and recover lost items. Be careful as decisions and alliances with other characters will impact the outcome of the story.
Minecraft Legends
Releases on April 18th, 2023
The Overworld is a land of plenty, but is threatened with the arrival of the piglins. A good strategy is needed to keep the piglins at bay and save the Overworld.
Have a Nice Death
Releases March 22nd, 2023
Death Incorporated is not a soulless enterpise, here it must process and facilitate the transfer of lives from the world of the living into the world of the dead. Move from department to department to find employees who are helping themselves to too many departed souls and keep the organization running efficiently.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE
Releases on June 30th, 2023
This city is soaked in mysteries that need solving — with Yuma and Shinigami that possesses him, must work together with other detectives to their special skills in deciphering clues and unraveling the cases they find.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie
Releases in June 2023
Polly has the ability to travel between worlds. When both are jeopardized by the arrival of a monstrous corporation, Polly must user her powers to defend them and stave off an apocalypse.
Sources: Nintendo press release, YouTube
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