Everything announced at the February 2023 Nintendo Direct

By Tomas Franzese February 8, 2023

Nintendo is the king of digital video game showcases, and the company jump-started its 2023 with another great show. This February 2023 Nintendo Direct gave us our best look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom yet, highlighted upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusives like Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and Pikmin 4, and featured the shocking reveal and shadow drop of Metroid Prime Remastered. On top of all that, we learned thattwo new platforms are coming to Nintendo Switch Online.

Contents

Pikmin 4 lets you ride a tiny Space Dog
Splatoon 3’s expansion pass brings us back to Inkopolis
Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp is finally coming out in April
Nintendo Switch Online is getting Game Boy and GBA games
Metroid Prime Remastered is out today
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looks fantastic, costs $70
Everything else

We now have a clear idea of the Nintendo Switch’s game lineup through the summer, so there’s no doubt that this Nintendo Direct featured lots of notable announcements. As it can be hard to keep track of it all, we’ve recapped everything Nintendo announced during the February 2023 Nintendo Direct right here.

Nintendo Direct 2.8.2023 - Nintendo Switch

Pikmin 4 lets you ride a tiny Space Dog

Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Direct 2.8.23

We got our first in-depth look at Pikmin 4 to kick off the Direct, and learned more about its story and gameplay. 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, now with Ice Pikmin and a small Space Dog named Oatchi that you can ride. We also got a solid release date for Pikmin 4, as Nintendo says it will release the long-awaited sequel on July 21.

Splatoon 3’s expansion pass brings us back to Inkopolis

Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Direct 2.8.23

Splatoon 3’s expansion pass will reintroduce Inkopolis in its first wave of content this spring. Callie and Marie will perform there during Splatfests. We also got a teaser for a new story set in an area that seems devoid of any color, titled Side Order.

Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp is finally coming out in April

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp - Release Date Announcement - Nintendo Direct 2.8.23

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 that Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp will be released on April 21.

Nintendo Switch Online is getting Game Boy and GBA games

Nintendo Switch Online - Game Boy & Game Boy Advance Announcement - Nintendo Direct 2.8.23

Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online. The base version of the service will include Game Boy games, which support visual Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color filters. The launch lineup includes 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, and Kirby’s Dream Land. Nintendo also teased that The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Season, the Pokemon Trading Card Game, and Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble would come to the service in the future. Meanwhile, Expansion Pass members will get GBA games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, WarioWar Inc: Mega Microgame$, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Mario Kart Super Circuit, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. In the future, GBA games like Metroid Fusion, Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, Fire Emblem, F-Zero Maximum Velocity, and Golden Sun will be added.

Metroid Prime Remastered is out today

Metroid Prime Remastered – Out now! (Nintendo Switch)

During the Direct, Nintendo announced Metroid Prime Remastered for Nintendo Switch. This is an enhanced version of the classic GameCube game that now supports HD visuals and dual stick controls. Metroid Prime Remastered launches later today, with a physical version out on February 22.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looks fantastic, costs $70

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Official Trailer #2

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. We then see Link freefalling through the air, grinding on rails, and driving various vehicles. On top of all that, Nintendo reaffirmed that the game will still release on May 12. A Collector’s Edition and new Link Amiibo will also be available on the same day. This will be the first Nintendo Switch first-party game to cost $70.

Everything else

Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s next DLC wave will feature party member Masha and more on February 15.
Sega announced Samba De Amigo Party Central. It will be released this summer.
Fashion Dreamer was announced and will launch later this year.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania got a March 6 release date.
Bithell Games’ Tron: Identity got an April release window.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective comes to Nintendo Switch this summer.
Investigation-focused RPG DecaPolice was announced by Level 5 with a 2023 release window.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon’s segment provided an overview of its gameplay.
Disney Illusion Island got a gameplay overview and July 28 release date.
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.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie was announced with a June release window.
Octopath Traveller 2 gets a new demo today.
We Love Katamari Reroll was announced by Bandai Namco Entertainment and will be released on June 2.
Katamari Damacy Reroll now has a free trial for Nintendo Switch Online members.
Sea of Stars got an August 26 release date, and a demo is releasing today.
Omega Strikers was announced.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collections was announced with a June 1 release date. Each game included will also be available separately on that day.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe will feature a new Magalor Epilogue. The game is also getting a demo today.
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code launches on June 30.
MonolithSoft RPGs Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean and Baten Kaitos Origins are getting remastered for Nintendo Switch this summer.
Fantasy Life: The Girl Who Steals time was announced and will be released later this year.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam was revealed.
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.
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.

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Gaming Staff Writer

Tomas Franzese is a Staff Writer at Digital Trends, where he reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…

Gaming

Everything announced at the June 2022 Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase

Mario, Rabbid Peach, and more characters pose in Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope key art.

Lagging behind a strong State of Play from Sony and an excellent Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase from Microsoft, Nintendo has now held a presentation of its own. It's not a full-blown Nintendo Direct, though. Instead, this June 28 presentation is a Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase, the first of its kind since 2020. As the showcase's name suggests, this is shorter than a typical Nintendo Direct and mainly focused on what third-party developers and publishers are bringing to Nintendo Switch in the coming months.
As Nintendo has said that this presentation would contain "roughly 25 minutes of info on upcoming third-party #NintendoSwitch games" on Twitter, don't expect the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 or Metroid Prime 4 to show up here. Still, there are plenty of cool games like Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope that make an appearance here, and we have a clearer idea of what the biggest third-party Nintendo Switch games of 2022 are. We kept track of everything announced during the Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase, so you can look below and see everything Nintendo and its partners revealed throughout the event.
Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase | 6.28.2022
Nier Automata is coming to Nintendo Switch

In one of the most notable announcements of this Partner Showcase, we learned that the critically acclaimed Nier Automata is finally coming to Nintendo Switch. It's one of PlatinumGames' best titles and has an amazing story, so be sure to check this out on Switch if you haven't already. It's also a native port, and not a cloud version either. Nier Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition launches on October 6.
First look at Return to Monkey Island gameplay
Return to Monkey Island | Gameplay Reveal Trailer
After it was confirmed earlier this year, we finally got a deeper look at Return to Monkey Island's story and gameplay. It's got a distinct and pretty new art style and looks faithful to how the old Monkey Island games play, so hopefully, it lives up to series fans' lofty expectations. It will be released in 2022.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope release date confirmed

Gaming

Our 4 biggest predictions for the June Nintendo Direct Mini

Mario Rabbids Sparks of Hope

A new Nintendo Direct is upon us, but it's positioned differently than the last few major showcases that Nintendo held. The June 28 presentation is a Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase, calling back to a type of show Nintendo held frequently throughout 2020. It's shorter in length -- Nintendo says this show is 25 minutes -- and it will be focused on third-party games not developed by Nintendo.While this means that we shouldn't expect the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or something on the level of Metroid Dread to show up here, we suspect that some big announcements are still in store. It's always a lot of fun to speculate about what might show up at gaming events like this, so here are four things we want to see at this Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase this year.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope re-emerges

This Ubisoft-published Mario spinoff was announced a year ago, but we haven't seen it since. As Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a major third-party Switch exclusive featuring a Nintendo icon, we suspect it'll be one of the main games featured during this Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase. We hope to see more gameplay, learn what's different from the first game, and get a release date for this game whenever it finally re-emerges.
2017's Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was a nice surprise as those Nintendo and Ubisoft franchises meshed surprisingly well and the game had solid XCOM-like strategy gameplay. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope will have a bigger scope as Mario, his friends, and Rabbids new and old based on those friends explore the universe in order to save cute star-like creatures with Rabbid ears called Sparks. We've only gotten a cinematic trailer and a little bit of gameplay so far though, so there's still a lot about this game to reveal, and this showcase provides Ubisoft's best opportunity to do so. If Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope doesn't show up, I'd be surprised that this showcase was held at all.
Some Nintendo-published games do actually show up
LIVE A LIVE - Nintendo Switch
While Nintendo says Partner Showcases are all about third-party games, it broke its own rules before. The October 2020 Partner Showcase featured games like Bravely Default 2 and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which were published but not developed by Nintendo. Several games are in a similar boat this year and could possibly show up. The most imminent is Live A Live, which is in a similar position to Bravely Default 2 as a JRPG developed by Square Enix. Nintendo will likely want to show it one last time before it launches in July, and this is a prime opportunity to do so.
Outside of that, there's Bayonetta 3, a highly anticipated action game from PlatinumGames. It's supposed to come out this year but still doesn't have a release date, so Nintendo could reveal one here. Even Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp is in the same boat as it's developed by WayForward and needs a release date after an indefinite delay. While Live A Live is the one I believe will be most likely to show up, seeing more of Bayonetta 3 or Advance Wars would be really nice.
Tactic Ogre: Let Us Cling Together gets a remake

News

Everything announced at the February 2022 Nintendo Direct

Callie cheers and the player and Marie look off into the distance.

Nintendo Directs are some of the most exciting events for video game announcements each year, sparking wild speculation, rumors, and predictions. With games like Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Splatoon 3, Bayonetta 3, and the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the horizon, 2022 is poised to be a busy year for Nintendo.
Nintendo Direct - 2.9.2022
When announcing the Direct for February 9, 2022, Nintendo said it would highlight "roughly 40 minutes of information mainly focused on Nintendo Switch games launching in the first half of 2022." When it arrived, we got a mix of new reveals, remasters, and revivals of classic Nintendo concepts.
From Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes to Xenoblade Chronicles 3, this is every significant Nintendo Switch announcement made during the first Nintendo Direct of 2022.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes announced
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes arrives June 24th (Nintendo Switch)
The first reveal during today's Nintendo Direct was Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. This intense action game is not only a follow-up to 2017's Fire Emblem Warriors, but 2019's Fire Emblem: Three Houses as well. It will be released on June 24.
Mario Strikers: Battle League revives the classic sports spinoff
Mario Strikers: Battle League – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch
Mario Strikers: Battle League is a 5v5 soccer game with flashy Mario-inspired mechanics. It's a successor to a sports spinoff series that has been dormant since the Wii era. Battle League supports online play, and players can form clubs with up to 20 players. It will be released on June 10, and it can be pre-ordered now.
Splatoon 3 debuts Salmon Run: Next Wave
Splatoon 3 – Salmon Run Next Wave Trailer – Nintendo Switch
Splatoon 3 made another appearance at today's Nintendo Direct. It showcased a reworked version Splatoon 2's Salmon Run called Salmon Run: Next Wave. Players can now toss eggs to each other and will have to fight giant kaiju. Splatoon 3 will launch this summer, but is still without a release date.
Kirby is a car now

A new trailer for Kirby and the Forgotten Land debuted during the Nintendo Direct. In it, Nintendo debuted that oddly-named "Mouthful Mode." By using this, Kirby can swallow large objects and gain new powers. Forms seen include Car Mouth, Vending Mouth, Cone Mouth, Scissor-Lift Mouth, Ring Mouth, Light-Bulb Mouth, Arch Mouth, Water-Ballon Mouth. It launches on March 25.
Portal: Companion Collection to puzzle Switch players soon