Nintendo Direct Mini – June 2022 Roundup

Well, the rumors were true. After last week’s showcase of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, people theorized that we might get a Direct presentation before the month ended. Yesterday, Nintendo released a new Direct Mini, with 25 minutes of updates from 3^rd Party developers, along with some announcements too. Let’s get into the meat of it, shall we?

The first announcement was a new trailer for Monster Hunter Rise’s Sunbreak expansion. The new trailer came with an announcement for a free update containing the Seething Bazelgeuse monster, which will release in August. There are also free updates scheduled for the Fall, Winter, and into 2023, with new monsters, areas, and more. The Sunbreak expansion releases tomorrow, June 30^th.

Next up came a surprise announcement for a Nintendo Switch version of Nier Automata! Nier Automata: End of YorHa Edition is coming to Switch with new exclusive costumes, as well as a variety of content released for the other versions of the game. Nier Automata: End of YorHa Edition will release on October 6^th, 2022.

After that was a trailer for Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, a new puzzle adventure from Annapurna Interactive. It looks to combine mystery elements, with surreal environments and plot. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes will release sometime in 2023, we don’t know much about it just yet beyond the short teaser.

Then came an announcement for Super Bomberman R2, with all-new modes and a custom battle stage creator. Super Bomberman R2 will release in 2023 for Nintendo Switch. After that, we got another quick announcement in the form of Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection.

This collection will contain all 10 main Battle Network titles. It will also come with a new gallery, as well as all 10 main games that were originally for the Game Boy Advance system. We don’t have a release date yet outside of a 2023 window, but I am super excited since I played those games a ton as a kid. Maybe we’ll get a Mega Man Legends remaster one day?

Another blast from the past took the stage, with Pac-Man World: Re-Pac, a remastered version of Pac-Man World. Save Pac-Man’s family in 3D Platforming levels on Ghost Island, using Pac Dots and more to take on the evil Ghosts. Pac-Man World: Re-Pac will release on August 26^th, 2022.

Now we move to something a little different, with a game that reminds me a lot of The Fox and the Hound. In Blanc, you play as both a fawn and a wolf cub, who must work together to survive the harsh Winter. The two unlikely friends will have to work together to solve environmental puzzles in order to progress through the harsh wilds. Blanc is a text-free story, with both online and local co-op. It will release in February 2023.

Previously announced during the Summer Games Fest, the Nintendo Switch is getting a new Monkey Island adventure! Join Guybrush Threepwood in an all-new adventure with Return to Monkey Island. We don’t know much more than what has been shown so far, but it is set to release later this year.

Showing off another previously announced game, we got new footage of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. The new footage showed off new characters, enemies, and mechanics, along with gorgeous visuals. It will be releasing October 20^th, 2022 exclusively on Nintendo Switch. There will be a special showcase today, showing off even more about the game over on Ubisoft’s official YouTube and Twitch channels.

A more speedy section came up, starting with Little Noah: Scion of Paradise, a 2D action platformer about a young alchemist who crash lands in ancient ruins. Summoning creatures called Lilliputs, you can string together combos and use elemental attacks to take on enemies. Little Noah: Scion of Paradise is now available on Switch.

Interested in trains? Railgrade might be your vibe. In this Rail-management simulator, you’ll build railways to transport cargo and bring economic stability to a new colony. Railgrade will release this Fall.

Circling back to another game we saw briefly in another showcase, RPG Time: The Legend of Wright got another moment in the spotlight. Taking place in a young man’s drawings and notebook, you’ll explore his imagination in a new adventure. RPG Time will release on August 18^th, and pre-orders are available now.

Next up came a reveal as fast as a blue blur. Sonic’s latest adventure, Sonic Frontiers will be coming to Nintendo Switch! The latest trailer showed some new mechanics and some combat, which look interesting, though the environments look a little too open for my tastes. Sonic Frontiers will release this holiday season.

Disney Dreamlight Valley got another moment to shine. This Disney-themed life simulation game looks super fun, and the new footage just makes me more excited. Disney Dreamlight Valley will be available on Switch in Early Access on September 6^th.

Another quick set was up next, starting with Live A Live which will release on July 22^nd. The HD 2D remake of Live A Live is on its way, bringing a game never before released outside of Japan to the west! A Demo is now available, containing 3 chapters of the main game, each in a different time period.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkwzhjz1kCw

A new Doraemon: Story of Seasons game is coming out! Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom has Nobi, Doraemon, and his friends arriving on a distant planet. Much like the previous game you’ll partake in all sorts of farming elements, including feeding animals, planting seeds, and more. Friends of the Great Kingdom will release this year and will come with a 2-player co-op as well.

Previously announced at the Summer Game Fest, Minecraft Legends is also coming to Nintendo Switch! This Action-Strategy take on Minecraft will release next year and offers new twists to classic Minecraft elements, creatures, and gameplay.

Another exciting announcement came from Dragon Quest Treasures, which was announced at the Dragon Quest Anniversary Celebration last year. Join Erik and Mia on an all new adventure in the land of Draconia. You’ll recruit monsters to help you on your hunt for treasure, and they can even help you navigate the world in new ways too. Dragon Quest Treasures will release on December 9^th.

Then we dipped into a rapid-fire showcase, revealing the following games.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes – Available Now
No Man’s Sky – October 7^th, 2022
A Plague Tale: Requiem Cloud Version – October 18^th, 2022
Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions – July 28^th, 2022

After that quick set of info, Aperture Science made a presentation. The Portal Companion Collection is now available, bringing Portal 1 and 2 to Nintendo Switch. I’m honestly surprised they haven’t released it sooner really.

Square Enix announced another fantasy farming simulation game called Harvestella. It seems a bit like Rune Factory, combining farming, life-sim elements, and RPG elements. The game looks gorgeous, and I can’t help but be excited for it. Harvestella will release on November 4^th, 2022.

The last announcement happens to be both my favorite, and one that I saw coming a mile away. The entire Persona (3, 4, and 5) collection will be coming to Nintendo Switch! This means that Persona 5: Royal, Persona 4: Golden, and Persona 3: Portable will all be on Switch! Persona 5: Royal will release first, on October 21^st, 2022. No word has been given on the release dates for the other two games, but I’m very excited for them to all come to Switch.

This Nintendo Direct Mini was packed full of cool content, and I can’t wait to see a majority of these games come to Switch. Nintendo has a packed release slate through the rest of the year, and it has already had so many fantastic releases. Here’s hoping we get more exciting announcements in the coming months! After all, we still need to know more about Bayonetta 3, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and a lot of other previously announced games.