Nintendo Direct - June 21, 2023

[Moonface]

Here is everything that was shown during today's Nintendo Direct, as well as the full video presentation for anyone interested in watching it:

• Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC | Trailer + Discussion Thread
  Get another look at the upcoming DLC The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero that's coming to Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet later this year.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date(s): Fall 2023 (Part 1), Winter 2023 (Part 2)
  
  
• Sonic Superstars | Trailer + Discussion Thread
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
  Release Date: Late 2023
  
  
• Palia | Trailer
  Palia is a charming free-to-play cozy massively multiplayer online game that offers a breathtaking new world where you can build the life and home of your dreams. Gather, hunt, and craft while you unravel the mysteries of this always-evolving adventure and meet new friends along your journey.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
  Release Date: Winter 2023 (NS)
  
  
• Persona 5 Tactica | Trailer
  First revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, take another look at this thrilling combat adventure set in Persona’s iconic universe! After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary rescues them and offers a deal in exchange for their help.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
  
  
• MythForce | Trailer
  Step into a Saturday morning cartoon and adventure through crypts and castles with your friends in MythForce, a first-person melee roguelike game.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
  Release Date: 2023 (already out on PC)
  
  
• Splatoon 3 - July 2023 Splatfest | Trailer | Discussion Thread
  A summery Splatoon 3 Splatfest is on the way from 7/14 to 7/16, and it’s serving up three scoops of fun! This time the question is which flavor of ice cream is best: Vanilla, Strawberry, or Mint Chip?
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Splatfest Dates: July 14 - July 16
  
  
• Detective Pikachu Returns | Trailer
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: October 6, 2023
  
  
• Super Mario RPG | Trailer + Discussion Thread
  Originally released on Super NES, Super Mario RPG has been overhauled with new graphics! Join Mario, Bowser, Princess Peach, and original characters Mallow and Geno, in an RPG filled with twists, turns and treasure. Mario must team up with his allies to face down a menacing force known as the Smithy Gang in order to recover seven stars and repair the Star Road.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: November 17, 2023
  
  
• Untitled Princess Peach Game | Trailer
  Princess Peach will be getting her own game, and although details were scarce the teaser trailer did show us the game will feature 2D platforming and outfit changes.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: 2024
  
  
• Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon | Trailer
  A visually enhanced version of 3DS game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is on its way to the Nintendo Switch in 2023!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Batman: Arkham Trilogy | Trailer
  Experience the definitive versions of Rocksteady's Arkham Trilogy games, including all post-launch content, in one complete collection on Nintendo Switch.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: Fall 2023
  
  
• Gloomhaven | Trailer
  Lead a group of unsavory mercenaries, each with dozens of distinctive abilities. In this turn-based tactical RPG explore cursed dungeons, delve into forgotten ruins, take morally dubious contracts, and come out rich, or not at all. Face this ever-growing challenge in a unique tactical card-based gameplay where every choice matters. Master 17 unique characters and face over 260 exquisitely arduous missions.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
  Release Date: September 18, 2023
  
  
• Just Dance 2024 Edition | Trailer
  Featuring 40 new songs and universes, including chart-topping hits, viral internet phenomena and original songs!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
  Release Date: October 23, 2023
  
  
• Silent Hope | Trailer
  Explore the Abyss and its ever-changing dungeons as seven unique heroes, each with their own abilities and fighting styles. Return home with your treasures and create new and better equipment to dive deeper on your next run, and level up your heroes to earn new abilities and unlock new classes to tackle the challenging bosses lurking in the depths.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
  Release Date: October 3, 2023
  
  
• Fae Farm | Trailer
  Escape to the Magical life of your dreams in Fae Farm, a multiplayer-friendly Farm Sim RPG. Craft, cultivate, and decorate to grow your homestead—and use spells to explore the magical island of Azoria!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
  Release Date: September 8, 2023
  
  
• Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged | Trailer
  The ultimate racing game is back—and more charged up than ever. More vehicles, more skills, and more fun!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
  Release Date: October 19, 2023
  
  
• Manic Mechanics | Trailer
  Manic Mechanics is a chaotic co-op game, casting you and up to three friends as traveling mechanics that have set up shop in the car-crazy town of Octane Isle. The faster you work, the more chaos you unleash! Fuel spills, exploding tires, short-circuiting robots, stampeding cows, alien abduction… Anything can happen in Octane Isle. But with teamwork, skill, and a bit of luck, you’ll earn the right to call yourselves Master Mechanics!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: July 13, 2023
  
  
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope: The Last Spark Hunter DLC | Trailer
  Explore the Melodic Gardens and investigate to find the origin of the threat looming over this place that was once vibrant with music. Meet the planet’s wild inhabitants, explore the musical jungle and the mysterious ruins scattered around this new biome, and sail through the vast sea and sparkling lakes on your newfound boat. But tread carefully, as new enemies await you on this dangerous path. Golems and Fieldbreakers roam the planet and will provide new tactical challenges, even to the most experienced. Saving the Melodic Gardens will ask you to face Kanya, the Last Spark Hunter. This highly dangerous and techy villain will stop at nothing to accomplish her nefarious plans. Be aware, stopping her won’t be easy, as she has created an all-powerful never-before-seen weapon: the Mecha King Bob-Omb.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: Available Now
  
  
• Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince | Trailer
  Follow Psaro and his companion Rose as they travel through the demon realm of Nadiria. Explore and scout monsters onto your team, freely combine raised monsters to create more powerful allies, and take on enemies with your powerful team.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch,
  Release Date: December 1, 2023
  
  
• Pikmin 4 | Trailer
  Calling new recruits! Yes, YOU! Traverse a big world from a pint-sized perspective in Pikmin 4 as you collect treasures, rescue fellow explorers, and embark on Night Expeditions with the debuting Glow Pikmin! A demo will be available on June 28.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: July 21, 2023
  
  
• Pikmin 1+2 | Trailer
  Reintroduce yourself to the plantlike Pikmin and strategic gameplay that this charming series is rooted in. From finding a way home to collecting treasure, Olimar (plus Louie in the Pikmin 2 game) must partner with a parade of Pikmin to survive the harshest of conditions. Both games support optional motion controls for more options when guiding your floral friends.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: Available Now
  
  
• Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Volume 1 | Trailer
  Sneak a look in at the latest trailer for the upcoming first volume of the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection, which contains the following content: 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), Snake's Revenge, Metal Gear Solid digital graphic novel, Metal Gear Solid 2 digital graphic novel, and strategy guides for each game. Metal Gear Solid 1, 2, and 3 will also be available to purchase separately as individual titles.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: October 24, 2023
  
  

• Vampire Survivors | Trailer
  Vampire Survivors is coming to Nintendo Switch, and on the same day as its release on that platform the game will also receive a free update adding four-player local co-op for all platforms.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: August 17, 2023
  
  
• Headbangers Rhythm Royale | Trailer
  Up to 30 pigeons battle it out to become the master headbanger in this rhythm-based, party game, battle royale mix full of music-focused multiplayer mini-games.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: October 31, 2023
  
  
• Penny's Big Breakaway | Trailer
  In this 3D platforming adventure, you’ll explore the bright and colorful world of Macaroon, and help Penny and Yo-Yo escape the clutches of the grouchy Emperor Eddie. Perform stylish, acrobatic tricks to avoid Eddie’s massive horde of pushy penguins in Story Mode. Power up Yo-Yo to protect Penny and put your speed running skills to the test in Time Attack Mode to unlock special items and complete secret stages.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: Early 2024
  
  
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass Wave 5 | Trailer + Discussion Thread
  The fifth wave of the Booster Course Pass will include a brand new course called Squeaky Clean Sprint, and three returning characters: Petey Piranha from Double Dash, Wiggler from Mario Kart 7, and Kamek from Mario Kart Tour.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: Summer 2023
  
  
• Star Ocean The Second Story R | Trailer
  The highly acclaimed second installment in the Star Ocean series returns as a full remake rebuilt with charming 2.5D graphics combining 3D environments and 2D pixel characters.
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
  Release Date: November 2, 2023
  
  
• WarioWare: Move It! | Trailer
  Strike a pose and react with over 200 lightning-fast microgames, co-op play for 2 players, and party modes for up to 4 players!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: November 3, 2023
  
  
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder | Trailer + Discussion Thread
  Surprise and wonder await at every corner in the next evolution of 2D side-scrolling Mario fun!
  Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  Release Date: October 20, 2023
  

[Dragon Lord]

SO2R IS FINALLY COMING OVER. YESSSSSS. I mean, we knew about this days ago because of another "accidental leak" where a banner for the game was posted on the North American SE support website, but holy crap it's FINALLY happening. Took SE long enough to get it over here, yeesh. It's only been wait, five years since it released in Japan? Maybe six now?

Glad to see they are doing a PS5 port though. Really wish they would have just localized it back when it first came out though so we could have gotten the Vita version.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THOUGH, SQUARE ENIX IS ACTUALLY PULLING THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR REAR ENDS AND GIVING THIS A PHYSICAL RELEASE IN THE WEST. With SO1R and SO3 Remaster being digital only, I figured SO2R would be as well. Super happy to see I was wrong AND they are doing a collector's edition for it to boot!

Silent Hope... I'll keep my eye on, but not too much hype yet. It reminds me if Trinity Trigger, which I'm currently playing through and it's very lukewarm.

Not shown in the English Direct though was an Uma Musume party game that is apparently confirmed for localization as well! Very hype. Hope this means the rumors of a Global version of the mobile game are true, and we'll be seeing that soon-ish.

[Mr EliteL]

Didn't think they'd do it but they did it Nintendo wins this month's gaming news even though I don't care about 90% of what I just saw.

Super Mario RPG remake, MK8 Booster Course Wave 5, Super Mario Wonder, that Star Ocean game looking neat even if I was off put by the 2D/3D mix they went with at first. Dark Moon coming Switch is fine, but I'll keep my 3DS one as I've yet to play through it fully. New Peach game, been a while since Super Princess Peach.

[Moonface]

Not shown in the English Direct though was an Uma Musume party game that is apparently confirmed for localization as well! Very hype. Hope this means the rumors of a Global version of the mobile game are true, and we'll be seeing that soon-ish.

I always forget that the Japanese version of Nintendo Direct's always feature some different games. I think the last Direct was where Atelier Marie Remake was shown off even though it's coming to the west so there's no reason to not advertise it in the non-Japanese Direct.


Overall I can't say anything that was shown is something I'd care if I never played it, but that's because I have no experience with 2D Mario really to be excited about a new entry after a decade and the little time I had with New Super Mario Bros. U was utterly forgettable, and I know practically nothing about Super Mario RPG to be excited that it's being remade either. That's not to say I don't think SMRPG or SMBWonder don't look good; I just don't feel any overwhelming urge to get my hands on them at this point.

I'm glad Dark Moon isn't doomed to being stuck on the 3DS, although I wish the OG Luigi's Mansion was announced for Switch too. That game should be far easier to bring over since it doesn't use any 3DS features like Dark Moon does. That said, if Dark Moon is anything more than $40 I'm not touching it with a ten foot pole. I really liked that game but I'm not going to pay $60+ for an upscaled port of a decade old game.

Outside of Nintendo shoving out everything Mario to ride the success of the Mario movie, the most interesting non-first party game for me is Penny's Big Breakaway. It looks like it could be a really fun platformer and gave me some A Hat in Time vibes.

[Moonface]

SO2R IS FINALLY COMING OVER. YESSSSSS. I mean, we knew about this days ago because of another "accidental leak" where a banner for the game was posted on the North American SE support website, but holy crap it's FINALLY happening. Took SE long enough to get it over here, yeesh. It's only been wait, five years since it released in Japan? Maybe six now?

Glad to see they are doing a PS5 port though. Really wish they would have just localized it back when it first came out though so we could have gotten the Vita version.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THOUGH, SQUARE ENIX IS ACTUALLY PULLING THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR REAR ENDS AND GIVING THIS A PHYSICAL RELEASE IN THE WEST. With SO1R and SO3 Remaster being digital only, I figured SO2R would be as well. Super happy to see I was wrong AND they are doing a collector's edition for it to boot!

To add onto this, I just saw on Twitter that Second Story R is going to include three voice acting options, one of which is going to be new to this version: