Nintendo Direct June 2023 News Rundown

Nintendo has been tight-lipped for most of the year on games coming later in 2023 that aren’t Indies or third-party content. However, as is tradition, we now have a June Nintendo Direct to give more information about content coming later this year and possibly beyond. Here is a rundown of everything that took place at yesterday’s direct.

The direct opened with a new DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Titled “The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero” the DLC starts with Part 1: The Teal Mask and leads to Part 2: The Indigo Disk. Both parts introduce new (to the game, not the series) Pokemon, new areas, and new characters. More details on the DLC are coming soon, but it looks interesting so far.

The next announcement came with a new trailer for Sonic Superstars, which we saw previously during Summer Game Fest. It seems that the new side-scrolling Sonic game will be coming to Switch! With 12 new zones, 4 playable characters, new abilities tied to the Chaos Emeralds, and more, Sonic Superstars looks fantastic! You’ll be able to enjoy Sonic Superstars in up to 4-player Co-op when it releases on Switch this Fall.

Palia was up next, a new world-premiere announcement at this Nintendo Direct. Palia is a free-to-play Adventure Sim by Singularity 6. You’ll grow crops, decorate your home, and interact with NPCs (and real players) while you build a blissful life in this cozy town. There are other elements like fishing and cooking as well, along with action and exploration. Palia will be released during the Holiday 2023 release window, likely around November or December.

Previously announced at the Xbox Showcase, we have Persona 5 Tactica coming to Nintendo Switch! Persona 5 Tactica brings back the Phantom Thieves for a Turn-Based Tactical Strategy game similar to games like Final Fantasy Tactics or Fire Emblem. A new world brings the Phantom Thieves into a mysterious new conflict. Persona 5 Tactica will be released for Nintendo Switch on November 17^th, 2023.

Are you a fan of Saturday Morning Cartoons? Mythforce might be up your alley. Mythforce is a First-Person Action Rogue-like that puts you (and possibly friends) against the evil Daedalus in a storyline mimicking Saturday Morning Cartoons. Find treasure to upgrade your characters and defeat the evil Daedalus when Mythforce releases later this year.

Next up was a segment discussing the next Splatoon 3 Splatfest, coming this July. From July 14^th to July 16^th, you’ll be fighting over which ice cream flavor is best, Strawberry, Vanilla, or Mint Chip. There are new challenges as well with this Splatfest, and new events are in the works.

A new Detective Pikachu game is on its way! Detective Pikachu Returns brings Tim Goodman and Detective Pikachu together again for more cases. You’ll cooperate with other Pokemon and try to get to the bottom of things when Detective Pikachu Returns releases on October 6^th.

Super Mario RPG is getting a remake! I am so excited about this since I played the entire game on the Wii via the virtual console. The new Super Mario RPG remake has gorgeous 3D visuals, and brings Mario, Peach, Bowser, Geno, and Mallow to modern audiences! The Turn-Based combat is back, and the attack animations look better than ever. The Super Mario RPG remake will be released on November 17^th, just in time for the holiday season.

Princess Peach is also getting her own game, though this isn’t the first time she has had an adventure of her own. They haven’t shown much about this game yet, including the fact that they didn’t give it a title either. However, the Princess Peach game is exciting for me, as someone who loved Super Princess Peach on the Nintendo DS. Now if only Nintendo would get with the program and give Zelda her own modern game.

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is also coming to Nintendo Switch. Originally released on 3DS, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon will release on Nintendo Switch next year, as will the untitled Princess Peach game. It’s exciting to see what is on the horizon for these beloved characters.

After a lot of speculation online, it seems the rumors were true. The Batman Arkham Trilogy is coming to Nintendo Switch! I have some concerns as to how Batman: Arkham Knight will play on the Switch, but if they can make The Witcher 3 work, I’m sure it’ll be fairly doable. All 3 games in the trilogy (Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight) will be released with all their DLC later this Fall. It’ll be a nice consolation prize for folks who weren’t wowed by Gotham Knights or the early footage of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

Gloomhaven is also coming to Switch! The Turn-Based, Card-Based, Tactics RPG brings the hit board game to the Nintendo Switch for the first time. There are 17 different classes of mercenaries, 60 missions, and over 1000 abilities to master in Gloomhaven. Gloomhaven will be released on September 18^th, 2023.

As usual, it’s another year, and there’s a new version of Just Dance. Just Dance 2024 is coming to Nintendo Switch with new tracks from artists such as Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Whitney Houston, Blackpink, and more. Just Dance 2024 will be released on October 24^th, 2023.

The next announcement was for a new Action-RPG called Silent Hope, where a kingdom has been rendered silent by its king. You’ll take on seven “wordless warriors” who are the only hope of the kingdom. They will explore the abyss to find the secluded king, though this will be a long journey. You’ll have to return to the surface and use resources you collect to get new items, better weapons, and more so you can grow stronger. Silent Hope will be released on October 3^rd, 2023.

Fae Farm has shown up again after popping up across several showcases, this time with new Switch footage. It wasn’t a long segment but showed a little combat, some decoration, and even a little farming. Fae Farm is coming to Nintendo Switch on September 8^th, 2023.

Are you ready for more Hot Wheels fun? Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged has been announced by Milestone for Nintendo Switch! Choose from over 130 vehicles, do stunts, and try to race to the finish in this sequel to Hot Wheels Unleashed. There is also a track editor, as well as 12-player online races. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 will be released on October 19^th for the Nintendo Switch.

Another Overcooked-style game is on the horizon, with Manic Mechanics. Grab parts, fix up cars, and work with your friends to gain points in either single-player or up to 4-player co-op. Watch out for pits, UFOs, and other hazards though. Manic Mechanics is coming to Nintendo Switch on July 13^th.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope’s second DLC is out now! Journey to a musical planet with new environments to explore and new enemies to fight. The new DLC titled “The Last Sparkhunter” is available now and is full of mysteries to explore.

The Dragon Quest Monsters franchise returns! Announced at the Nintendo Direct was Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, a tale of revenge. Take on the role of the titular Dark Prince as you try to become a Monster Wrangler in order to get revenge and defeat your enemies. Combine monsters together to get new ones and grow stronger as you venture on your quest to become the master of monster-kind. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince will be released on December 1^st, 2023 for Nintendo Switch.

After the character creation reveal a short while ago, we finally got more details about the soon-to-release Pikmin 4. As the newest recruit of the Rescue Corps, you’ll wind up on a mysterious planet trying to find (and rescue) Captain Olimar and the other castaways that crashed a Rescue Corps ship. On this planet, you’ll find Pikmin, as well as the rescue pup Oatchi. You’ll also have to repair the ship and find a way through various areas.

This Nintendo Direct showcased some gameplay, including refinements to Pikmin instruction, using Oatchi, and more. Not only can Oatchi carry things and bust things, but he can also carry Pikmin (and you) across water! You’ll also have to collect treasures and upgrade the ship’s radar to unlock new areas and other typical Pikmin-esque goals. There’s also a new underground environment to explore as well! They also announced a new gameplay element called “Dandori battles” where you must compete with a mysterious opponent to get more treasures in an area, in order to save castaways.

There are also equipment upgrades now, which add a layer of progression to your gameplay! Also, for the first time, there are even eventual nighttime expeditions, though they are more dangerous, with frenzied enemies. There were a whole lot more reveals and exciting elements shown, but we won’t have to wait long since Pikmin 4 releases for Nintendo Switch on July 21^st! This Direct also announced that the first two Pikmin games are available now on Nintendo Switch! You can get the digital versions of remastered Pikmin 1 and 2 now.

Another surprising announcement was next, with the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. You’ll be able to play Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the original Metal Gear, and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. You’ll also be able to play the NES versions of Metal Gear and Snake’s Revenge. The compilation also includes the Metal Gear Solid digital graphic novel and its sequel. The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will be available on Nintendo Switch on October 24^th, 2023.

It was only a matter of time before Vampire Survivors came to Nintendo Switch, and now we finally have an announcement for it! The Nintendo Switch version of Vampire Survivors (and I would assume other versions) has up to 4-player co-op as well! This allows you to have even more fun with the game when it releases on August 17^th, 2023, for Nintendo Switch.

The next segment was for the fans of rhythm games. Headbangers Rhythm Royale is a Battle Royale rhythm game where you aim to be the last pigeon standing. You’ll compete with up to 30 players in a variety of musical mini-games. Headbangers Rhythm Royale will bring wild, party game-esque Battle Royale gameplay to Switch on October 31^st, 2023.

A new (cute) game was announced next called Penny’s Big Breakaway. In this new 3D Platformer inspired by the mascot platformers of old, you’ll play Penny, who must explore the colorful world of Macaroon. Penny’s Big Breakaway was created by the minds behind Sonic Mania and looks like an absolute blast. Penny will get her big break when Penny’s Big Breakway is released on Nintendo Switch in Early 2024.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass is getting another wave. Wave 5 includes a brand-new course called Squeaky Clean Sprint, which is (you guessed it) a bathroom! Additionally, new characters such as Petey Piranha, the Wiggler, and Kamek are coming to the game in wave 5. The fifth wave of DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be released later this summer, so presumably in July or August.

Another pleasant surprise came in the form of an HD-2D remake of Star Ocean: Second Story. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a full remake of the second game in the franchise, with graphics that fuse 2D sprites with 3D environments, similar to games like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. After a mission goes awry, federation officer Claude winds up stranded on an undeveloped planet, meeting one of its inhabitants named Rena, who has mystical abilities.

In this Sci-fi Fantasy RPG, you’ll be able to choose to start out as either Rena or Claude. Who you choose changes which party members you can unlock, as well as changing certain points of the story since you’ll play from that character’s perspective. Battles play similarly to the Tales series in real-time, but there are simple controls, so you don’t have to remember complex button combos. Star Ocean: The Second Story R will be coming to Nintendo Switch on November 2^nd, 2023. I am very excited about this one.

The WarioWare franchise is also returning, with WarioWare: Move It! In this new entry in the WarioWare franchise, there are more micro-games to enjoy! Of course, they are heavily motion-control focused so there are disabled players that won’t be able to enjoy it. However, fans of the series will have over 200 microgames to play and master. WarioWare: Move It will be coming to Nintendo Switch on November 3^rd.

The next segment announced Nintendo Live 2023 in Seattle, where parents and families can come play games, see live events, and even pose with characters like Mario for photo ops. There will also be live championship events for Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and other fun attractions. The event is free from September 1^st to September 4^th in Seattle. Registration ends today, so go quickly to enter to win tickets!

Nintendo also announced new amiibo figures for Zelda and Ganondorf from Tears of the Kingdom. Both amiibo figures will be released this holiday season. The last segment of this Nintendo Direct was a surprise, an exciting one at that.

A new side-scrolling Super Mario game is coming soon! Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a colorful new side-scrolling Mario adventure with new elements like grind rails (that Mario rides with his hand?) round purple hippos, musical blocks, and all sorts of new elements to shake up the classic formula. There was so much going on in the trailer that it could take a whole article itself to dissect it all, but it definitely looks like the next evolution of side-scrolling Mario, in the same way that Sonic Mania revitalized classic Sonic gameplay.

It even looks like you’ll be able to play Princess Peach, Luigi, Daisy, and Toad, with co-op elements thrown in for multiplayer. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will release on October 20^th, and I can’t wait! This Nintendo Direct had a lot of unexpected things in it, and even though some highly anticipated games weren’t announced, I’m still satisfied. If you’d like to see the full direct, check it out below.