Nintendo Direct June 2023: The Highlights

Nintendo fans were treated to a new Nintendo Direct presentation on June 21st, 2023, which showcased some of the upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch. The 40-minute presentation was packed with exciting announcements, trailers, and gameplay footage of some of the most anticipated titles of the year. Here are some of the highlights from the Nintendo Direct:

Super Mario RPG Remake

One of the biggest surprises of the show was the reveal of a remake of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, the classic SNES game that was developed by Square Enix and Nintendo. The remake will feature updated graphics, music, and gameplay, while retaining the charm and humor of the original. Fans can look forward to revisiting the Mushroom Kingdom and teaming up with Mario, Princess Peach, Bowser, Geno, and Mallow in an epic quest to stop the evil Smithy from taking over the world. The game will also include some new features, such as a photo mode, online co-op, and a bonus dungeon with new bosses and enemies. Super Mario RPG Remake will launch on November 21st, 2023.

Super Mario 2D Wonder

Another Mario game that stole the spotlight was Super Mario 2D Wonder, a new 2D platformer that will take Mario on a journey across different worlds inspired by real-life locations. The game will feature a unique art style that blends pixel art and hand-drawn animations, creating a vibrant and colorful aesthetic. The game will also introduce some new gameplay mechanics, such as a Wonder Suit that allows Mario to transform into different forms depending on the environment, such as a penguin in icy levels or a kangaroo in desert levels. The game will also support up to four players in local or online multiplayer modes. Super Mario 2D Wonder will launch on October 10th, 2023.

Pikmin 4

Nintendo also gave us an update on Pikmin 4, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved strategy-adventure series. The game will follow Captain Olimar and his crew of Pikmin as they explore a new planet full of mysteries and dangers. The game will feature over 100 types of Pikmin, each with their own abilities and personalities. The game will also have a story mode, a challenge mode, and a multiplayer mode where players can cooperate or compete with each other. Pikmin 4 will launch on July 21st, 2023.

The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series, Nintendo announced a special Game & Watch handheld that will include three classic Zelda games: The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for Game Boy. The handheld will also feature an adaptation of Vermin, one of the original Game & Watch games, with Link as the playable character. Additionally, the handheld will have a playable clock and timer based on Zelda games. The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch will launch on November 12th, 2023.

Other Announcements

The Nintendo Direct also featured some other announcements for games coming to the Nintendo Switch this year and beyond, such as:

• A trailer for Metroid Prime 4, which showed Samus Aran facing off against a new enemy in a dark and sci-fi setting. The game is slated for release in early 2024.
• A gameplay demo for Everybody 1-2-Switch!, a party game that uses the Joy-Con controllers in creative ways to play various mini-games. The game will launch on September 1st, 2023.
• A teaser for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which will recreate the classic RPG with a stunning blend of pixel art and 3D graphics. The game will launch in Japan in late 2023 and worldwide in early 2024.
• A reveal of Lara Croft Collection, which will include remastered versions of Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Tomb Raider: Underworld. The collection will launch on December 15th, 2023.
• A showcase of Sonic Superstars, a crossover game that features Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends competing in various sports and events with characters from other Sega franchises. The game will launch on November 7th, 2023.

The Nintendo Direct June 2023 was a great show that delivered on fan expectations and hype. Nintendo proved once again that it has some of the best games and franchises in the industry and that it knows how to surprise and delight its audience. We can’t wait to play these games on our Nintendo Switches soon!