Nintendo Direct – Title Release Dates and Summary

With the amazing Nintendo Direct that hit our screens on June 21st, we have collated every release date for every game within the direct, with DLCs included. This is an extensive list in chronological order, to make it easy for those trying to keep track on the, quite frankly, insane amount of releases Nintendo have dumped on our lap over the course of the next 6 months, plus some early 2024 releases. If you missed it, you can catch the Direct here.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope – The Last Spark Hunter DLC (Available Now)

The Last Spark Hunter is the second of three DLCs for Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. Available immediately, players can sink their teeth right into it! Explore a brand new exotic planet with your team as this DLC introduces new battle mechanics and five new Sparks who can be recruited!

Pikmin 1 HD and Pikmin 2 HD (Available Now)

In a surprise twist, not only did we get treated to the latest gameplay footage of Pikmin 4, it was also announced that Pikmin 1 and 2, originally released on the Nintendo Gamecube, are now immediately available on the eShop in HD! These can be purchased individually for £24.99, or as a bundle for £39.99. There will also be a physical release hitting shelves on 22nd September 2023.

Manic Mechanics (July 13th 2023)

Manic Mechanics is a chaotic couch co-op game for up to four players. With 25 unique garage levels, each more challenging than the last, you must repair as many trucks, cars, choppers, mini-subs and much more in this ridiculous race against the clock.

Pikmin 4 (July 17th 2023)

It came as no surprise the tiny creatures of Pikmin crawled across our screens for this particular Nintendo Direct. We’re already sold on the game, we felt no need to pay much attention to this section, but it’s still great to see new gameplay. Arguably one of Nintendo’s biggest releases of the year, and it’s less than a month away!

Vampire Survivors (August 17th 2023)

Vampire Survivors is a time survival game with roguelite elements. You must gather gold in each run to upgrade your equipment to help the next survivor. By all means, it looks and sounds generic as far as roguelites go, but fans of the genre might get a kick out of it.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Wave 5 DLC (Summer 2023)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is already packed full of content. With Wave 5 being the penultimate pack for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it’s already the largest game in the series, in terms of courses, vehicles and character selection. Wave 5 introduces Petey Piranha, last playable in Mario Kart Double Dash, Wiggler, who made their racing debut in Mario Kart 7 and Kamek makes their console debut, after being introduced in Mario Kart Tour. Wave 5 introduced 8 new courses, including the brand new course “Squeaky Clean Sprint”. With no set release date other than Summer 2023, we may be waiting a little while yet.

Fae Farm (September 8th 2023)

Not another farming sim? Yes, another farming sim. There’s something about these that always grips me, however. This one looks like it has potential to be decent. It has a multiplayer mode where you can share your progression with your friends, meaning you can all build a farm together and assist each other on quests. This mode is available over both internet and local connections.

Gloomhaven (September 18th 2023)

Gloomhaven is a digital adaptation of a tactical boardgame. It has a unique mix of dungeon crawling and tactical-RPG elements. Already very highly rated on Steam, this is bound for success when it reaches the Nintendo Switch.

Silent Hope (October 3rd 2023)

Seven heroes – seven fighting styles. Silent Hope offers a chibi art-style in a top-down action RPG. It looks as though, in your base camp, your silent heroes can craft and improve their weapons ready to take into the field with them.

Detective Pikachu Returns (October 6th 2023)

Perhaps one of the more unexpected announcements of the Direct, Detective Pikachu is back after his adventure on the 3DS. You will explore Rhyme City as Pikachu and his friend, Tim look to solve mysteries and drink coffee.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged (19th October 2023)

Remember Hot Wheels? Now you can race them on your Nintendo Switch. Not only can you race them, you can build your own tracks and customise your own vehicles. This game looks fast, it looks fun and it looks charming. Most importantly, if the Direct footage is anything to go by, it looks like it runs well on the Nintendo Switch. A dying art.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder (20th October 2023)

Yes, finally a dedicated 2D Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Switch. New Super Mario Bros. always looked a bit rigid and lifeless, however Nintendo have glossed over the 3D side-scrolling series with a new lick of paint and exciting animations. If that wasn’t enough for you – Mario can now transform into an elephant. Who knew we needed that?

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 (October 24th 2023)

Metal Gear Solid returns with a Master Collecting making its way to the Nintendo Switch. This collection includes the classic titles such as: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid (including VR Missions/Special Missions), Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD Collection Version), Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD Collection Version), Metal Gear (NES/FC Version), Snakes Revenge. Regional versions of the titles are available as additional downloads.

Just Dance 2024 Edition (October 24th 2023)

Nope, Just Dance did not die with the Wii, or even the WiiU. It’s still here. You can dance with Joy-Con in hand. Just Dance 2024 now offers year-round content updates.

Headbangers Rhythm Royale (October 31st 2023)

We actually covered Headbangers: Rhythm Royale recently, you can read our full feature here. For the short version, it’s a Battle-Royale game with pigeons who are headbanging.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R (November 2nd 2023)

Star Ocean returns in this exciting second instalment. With vibrant 2.5D graphics, Star Ocean scratches a nostalgic itch with modern gameplay. Sci-Fi meets fantasy in this exciting RPG adventure.

WarioWare: Move It! (November 3rd 2023)

After the lacklustre entry of WarioWare: Get it Together, WarioWare: Move It! appears to offer some more classic WarioWare, getting you to move and fully utilise the Joy-Con. Fingers crossed that WarioWare is returning to its former glory!

Persona 5 Tactica (November 17th 2023)

Persona 5 Royal might just one of the best games of all time. You can catch our review here. So, you can imagine our excitement when yet another new title has been announced, which re-unites the task of Persona 5 while introducing tactical RPG elements.

Super Mario RPG (November 17th 2023)

It’s almost a miracle that this game is seeing a remake. Usually discussed when the Super Smash Bros. community discuss contenders for new fighters due to the character Geno, this game was otherwise considered stuck in the past. With exciting new 3D graphics, Nintendo are pulling the first-ever Mario RPG back into the spotlight with this wonderful remake.

Batman Arkham Trilogy (Autumn 2023)

The Arkham Trilogy is critically acclaimed, and now it can fit in the palm of your hands. If you’re a fan of Batman, or Super Heroes in general, this is a title that you shouldn’t miss. It includes all three games in the Arkham series, as well as all of the DLC in one complete package.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC – The Teal Mask (Autumn 2023)

Pokémon’s 9th generation introduces its first DLC package. Previously revealed on “Pokémon Day” in February, The Teal Mask DLC looks to introduce more areas to explore and appears to be a story-driven DLC for Scarlet and Violet. Not much more has been revealed about the Teal Mask yet, but it introduces some brand new Pokémon, as well as re-introducing some older, more familiar Pokémon for fans to catch.

Sonic Superstars (Autumn 2023)

Originally revealed last week, Sonic Superstars meets New Super Mario Bros. in this 3D-style side-scrolling platformer. Sonic Superstars looks to have all of the physics and mechanics hardcore fans love, while allowing players to explore each stage as either Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Amy.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (December 1st 2023)

Take Dragon Quest, sprinkle over a bit of Pokémon and season it with Persona – You have Dragon Quest Monsters. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince follows Psaro on his journey for revenge after being cursed. The key to success is synthesis, the ability to combine two monsters that have been tamed to produce powerful offspring.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC – The Indigo Disk (Winter 2023)

Not much is known about The Indigo Disk just yet. With this being the second entry of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, this wave focuses on battling as you venture to your game’s sister school. You must complete the ending of your respective game as well as The Teal Mask before you can partake in this DLC.

Palia (Winter 2023)

Palia is a free-to-play multiplayer cosy life sim. Yet another farming sim on the Nintendo Switch, there isn’t a lot to lose here with this title being Free-To-Play. While nothing feels overwhelmingly unique about this entry, it might be worth a try for those who enjoy the farm sim genre.

MythForce (2023)

MytheForce takes its inspriation from old-school Saturday morning cartoons. Become a cartoon hero in this game that promises an experience that is easy to pick up and play, yet hard to master. Yet to even have a set quarter for release, this could be one of the last games we see in 2023. With beautiful First-Person perspectives in this roguelike title, it’s exciting to see how this will play out.

Penny’s Big Breakaway (Early 2024)

Kinetic 3D platforming with yo-yos looks as fun as it sounds. As Penny, you must utilise your yo-yo not only as a weapon, but as your crucial device to escape the onslaught of Eddie the Emperor’s penguine army as they chase you.

Super Princess Peach (2024)

There is not much to say about this game, it doesn’t even have an official title yet. We have assumed it might be known as Super Princess Peach, as this was the title the last time Peach starred in her own adventure. It’s hard to even determine what genre this game is in, however from the preview, it looks as though it could be a 2D platformer. Set to release in 2024, it will likely be a while before we hear any further.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 (2024)

Originally released on the 3DS as a sequel to the original Luigi’s Mansion, Luigi’s Mansion 2 made some unpopular changes to the game as it shook up the formula for a more mission based approach. All around, it’s a fantastic game and deserves a second shot on the Nintendo Switch. (Below screenshot is from the 3DS version).