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Tag: Nintendo Direct

  • Cozy detectives, urban disc golf and other new indie games worth checking out

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    Welcome to our latest recap of what’s going on in the indie game space. This week, the revived Acclaim held a very fun showcase (and we’ll get to some of the games from that). But on Friday, Nintendo soaked up all the attention with an hour-long Direct. Sure, it included some first-party games, such as Mario Tennis Fever, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and a Donkey Kong Bananza expansion. But Nintendo highlighted several indie games in the newsy showcase, too.

    Hades 2 is arguably the highest-profile name among those, and the full version isn’t far away at all — it’ll hit Switch, Switch 2, Steam and Epic Games Store on September 25. Stardew Valley, Human Fall Flat, Overcooked 2 and PowerWash Simulator 2 are getting Switch 2 versions as well.

    It wouldn’t be a Nintendo Direct without a shadowdrop. Sure enough, Lynked: Banner of the Spark landed on Switch and Switch 2 on Friday, with mouse control and GameShare support on the newer system. This is an action RPG from FuzzyBot and publisher Dreamhaven that looks a bit like a cross between Hades and Hi-Fi Rush.

    I’ll be honest, I’ve had Lynked: Banner of the Spark sitting on my PC for months. I’m definitely interested in checking it out, but it’s just one of those things that’s unfortunately slipped further and further down my to-play list. I’m still hoping to carve out time to properly check it out before it’s time to start putting together our games of the year list.

    Popucom (which debuted on Steam earlier this year) also looks pretty intriguing. From Hypergryph and publisher Gryph Frontier, this is a multiplayer-only adventure platformer in which you take out enemies with match three-style shooting.

    Here’s the twist: each player only has two colors, so you’ll need to work together to fire the correct blobs at bad guys and obstacles. Popucom is coming to Switch this holiday season.

    New releases

    Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game is a new title from the small team at female-led Indonesian developer Posh Cat Studio and publisher Amplified Games. As the name suggests, it’s a slice-of-life detective game that sees you getting to the bottom of misunderstandings and minor inconveniences.

    You play as freshman student Mary, and one of the first mysteries you’ll have to solve involves finding the location where her study group is supposed to meet after she forgets where to go on her first day of school. The game has 10 cases overall and each has a set of puzzles to solve. It’s said to have “simple mechanics that grow into playful twists and surprising solutions.”

    Little Problems seems quite charming and just the kind of low-fi puzzle game that I might vibe with. It’s out now on Steam and it usually costs $10, but there’s a 10 percent discount until September 23.

    Disc golf feels like it would be a fun sport to get into and while there are a few courses near me, they’re not exactly easy to get to without a car. So I might just have to make do with Disc Golf City, which came out of early access on Steam for PC, Mac and Linux this week. The action takes place in a colorful city, and you can bounce your disc off of objects in the environment to pull off trick shots and try to land it in the basket.

    Disc Golf City, which is from Agapo Games, costs $13. There’s also a demo you can check out.

    Another game that came out of early access on Steam and GOG this week is Beyond Sunset. This is a cyberpunk (not that one) first-person shooter with RPG elements from Metacorp / Vaporware and publisher Movie Games.

    I love when a vaporwave color palette is put to good use and the lo-fi visuals here just feel right. The fast-paced movement looks pretty interesting too — it’s not hard to tell that the developers took inspiration from the Doom series. Beyond Sunset costs $10.

    It feels like I can’t go on the internet for five minutes without learning about a new sidescrolling Metroidvania game. Still, Katanaut is one I’ve had my eye on for a while. You’ll be facing the horrors that have taken over a space station using an array of weapons, skills and perks.

    This is a roguelite from Voidmaw in which there are new pathways to explore on each run. There is some permanent progression here, as you’ll pick up memory fragments during your journey through the station’s gore-soaked corridors. It was also revealed this week that Acclaim is the publisher of Katanaut, which is available on Steam.

    Upcoming

    Pacific Drive was one of the more interesting-looking games from last year that I just haven’t gotten around to checking out yet. It’s a driving sim and survival horror game set in a supernatural version of the Pacific Northwest, in which you scour the landscape for parts to upgrade your car and, hopefully, stay alive.

    Ironwood Studios and publisher Kepler Interactive this week announced the Whispers in the Woods expansion for Pacific Drive. Slated to arrive later this year, the DLC adds around eight to 12 hours of gameplay with new characters, dangers, mysteries and anomalies to encounter. Other updates include route modifiers and garage cosmetics to find.

    The rest of this week’s upcoming games are all from Acclaim, since I found just about everything in that showcase intriguing. The first game that the publisher showed off was GridBeat from Ridiculous Games.

    Blending together puzzles, tactics and dungeon crawling, GridBeat will see you infiltrate a corporate computer network and try to escape with valuable data while security programs and malware attempt to stop you. You’ll find more abilities and power-ups along the way. Crucially, you need to move in time to the music, since it’s a rhythm game as well. There’s a lot going on here! GridBeat is coming to Steam, but there’s no release window as yet.

    One thing I was really hoping to see during Acclaim’s showcase was the return of NBA Jam. We didn’t quite get that, but I’ll absolutely take Basketball Classics in its place. Acclaim has taken over publishing duties for this retro, NES-style arcade basketball title from Namo Gamo. It features 5-on-5 sidescrolling action with simplified controls, hundreds of teams, more than 1,000 players and multiple modes (including couch multiplayer).

    I hadn’t heard of Basketball Classics until now, but it’s been out on Steam for several years. Acclaim is helping to bring it to consoles sometime soon.

    I do love PowerWash Simulator and am looking forward to the sequel. Pixel Washer looks like a different flavor of that format.

    As a cute lil’ piggy with a power washer, you’ll be cleaning just about everything in sight. The trailer suggests that things might get weird, and it even seems like there are boss fights. Valadria is the developer behind Pixel Washer, which is coming to Steam down the line.

    HyperYuki: Snowboard Syndicate looks like the offspring of SSX and Jet Set Radio, and that’s enough to sell me on the game. An easy addition to my wishlist.

    Wabisabi Design is making this snowboarding game that pits you against NPCs and/or human players in races. In the main game mode, you’ll need to complete a certain number of challenges in each level before you can move on, which is very much keeping in with the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater format. There’s also a relaxing endless mode, where you can just hang out and explore or, like, whatever.

    HyperYuki: Snowboard Syndicate supports split-screen play and online multiplayer for up to eight people. Again, there’s no confirmed release date or window as yet, this one is coming to Steam.

    Acclaim notes that it is “actively exploring console releases” for its games. “Our goal is to bring these experiences to as many players as possible, and we’ll have more updates to share as development progresses,” the publisher added.

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    Kris Holt

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  • Mario, Metroid, Virtual Boy and more: all the biggest announcements from today’s Nintendo Direct

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    Whenever there’s a Nintendo Direct in September, you can be pretty sure that it’ll be a major edition of the showcase. Given that Friday’s one was scheduled to be about an hour long and that Nintendo has a whole new console to put games on, it was already likely that there was going to be a lot of news.

    Even then, it managed to be a jam-packed Direct. Let’s take a look at all the biggest announcements from the showcase, including what’s obviously the most important one: a Switch 2 version of Overcooked 2.

    Mario’s 40th anniversary

    September 13 is the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. in Japan, which is a big reason why this Direct took place on a Friday (a highly unusual day for Nintendo to hold one of its showcases). Following news of Mario-related updates for the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, the company revealed the title for the next Mario movie. It’s called The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it’s coming to cinemas in the US on April 3. We’ll have to wait a little longer for a trailer, though.

    There was no announcement of an upcoming 3D Mario game today, unfortunately, but there was still plenty of other news. Mario Tennis Fever is coming to Switch 2 in February as the first new Mario Tennis game since 2018. Yoshi’s getting another adventure of his own with the Switch 2 platformer Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which is set to arrive next spring. A Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder with fresh multiplayer modes will drop around that time too.

    Before all of that, though, Nintendo is bringing the wonderful Wii games Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 to Switch on October 2. They’ll be available separately or as a bundle on the eShop and as a combined edition on a $70 physical cartridge. On Switch 2, you’ll be able to play these two classics in 4K.

    Two Mario Galaxy Amiibo figures are coming in April as well. Even though I’m not typically an Amiibo collector, I really want those because Luma is just adorable. In addition, Nintendo plans to release a physical collectible of the Talking Flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder next spring.

    Donkey Kong Bananza DLC out today

    If you’ve already smashed everything to smithereens in Donkey Kong Bananza and have been yearning for more to do in one of the biggest Switch 2 exclusives to date, you’re in luck. Nintendo revealed a paid expansion for the platformer during the Direct. It’s called DK Island & Emerald Rush and it’s out today for $20.

    You’ll be able to barrel around Donkey Kong’s home island and meet up with some familiar faces. After you’ve beaten the story in the main game, you’ll be able to try the Emerald Rush mode. This will see you undertaking timed runs in DK Island and the main game’s layers to collect emerald ore, smash fossils and collect Banandium Gems.

    Meanwhile, Nintendo has released a demo for the main game. So, if you have a Switch 2 and haven’t played Donkey Kong Bananza yet, you’ll be able to find out for yourself why the other cool kids are saying “ooh, banana!” all the time.

    Pokémon Pokopia

    Quite a few people were expecting/hoping for news of a new Animal Crossing during the Nintendo Direct. While that didn’t happen, Nintendo had arguably something even more exciting to announce — especially if you’re both an Animal Crossing and Pokémon fan.

    Pokémon Pokopia is the first Pokémon life simulation game. You’ll play as a Ditto who has been transformed to look like a human and turn empty land into a cozy paradise for both yourself and Pokémon. Ditto can learn abilities from Pokémon, such as using Squirtle’s Water Gun to give life to flora.

    It looks utterly lovely. Pokémon Pokopia is coming to Switch 2 in 2026.

    Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave

    Nintendo used this Direct to seriously start filling out its Switch 2 slate for 2026. One of the games it’s publishing for the system next year is a new entry in the Fire Emblem series. It announced Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave during the showcase.

    As ever, this will be a turn-based tactical RPG. The debut trailer touched on the story and characters in the upcoming game.

    Metroid Prime 4 and Hades 2 release dates

    We had a feeling these were coming soon, but release dates for both Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Hades 2 were both major announcements during the Direct. Samus has a rad, Tron-esque bike in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which will arrive on Switch and Switch 2 on December 4.

    Hades 2, meanwhile, will arrive on Switch and Switch 2 on September 25. The full game will be available on Steam and Epic Games Store on the same day as it will exit early access on PC. There were be cross-save support across PC and Switch/Switch 2. The Switch 2 version will support 120fps gameplay when the console is docked. That Hades 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong are dropping in the same month is pretty wild. Apologies to any designs you had on getting some sleep in September.

    Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment release date

    Nintendo announced Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment during a dedicated launch direct for Switch 2 back in April, and now there’s a release date for this hack and slash game. It’s coming to the console on November 6.

    Age of Imprisonment, which was developed by Koei Tecmo’s AAA Games Studio, sees Princess Zelda traveling back in time and meeting Rauro and Sonia, the first king and queen of Hyrule. You’ll try to take down Ganondorf (yes, again) in what’s known as the Imprisoning War. Zonai devices will be at your disposal. According to the trailer, you’ll “uncover ancient truths that were only glimpsed in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.”

    There’s two-player co-op support via split-screen and GameShare. Zelda, Rauru and Sonia are among the playable characters, and you’ll be able to swap between them. You can also play as a Korok for a change instead of torturing the poor creatures, you monsters.

    AAA third-party games coming to Switch 2

    Nintendo confirmed during the Direct that Resident Evil Requiem is coming to Switch 2. It’ll arrive on February 27, the same day the next entry in Capcom’s classic survival horror series debuts on other platforms. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village will also land on Switch on on February 27.

    We learned back in April that the first installment of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy was bound for Switch 2 and now there’s a release date for that. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is coming to the system on January 22.

    Switch 2 versions of indie classics

    The Nintendo Switch was such an important platform for indie games, and several that became huge hits are getting Switch 2 versions. Overcooked 2 (the ultimate relationship test, in my opinion) will have support for 4K visuals, 60fps gameplay, GameShare and CameraPlay — the feature that allows you to see you and your teammate’s faces on screen as you play —in its Switch 2 version. That’s on the way this holiday season.

    Stardew Valley will also support GameShare for co-op play on Switch 2. Mouse controls will be available, as well as four-player splitscreen and eight-player online action. Those who have the game on Switch already will get a free upgrade when the Switch 2 version arrives this fall.

    Human Fall Flat is headed to Switch 2 in Spring 2026. That will also have support for mouse controls, GameShare and eight-person multiplayer.

    It’s far too early to say whether Powerwash Simulator 2 will become an indie classic, but the original game was terrific and its sequel is getting a Switch 2 version as well. There’s no exact release date for Powerwash Simulator 2 as yet, but it’s still slated to arrive this fall.

    Suika Game gets a sequel

    Suika Game was a huge hit, and the sequel promises to soak up even more of my time. Suika Game Planet adds an extra dimension to the puzzle action. Instead of dropping fruit into a bucket and trying to combine two of the same items into a larger one, this time there’s a circular stage. That might be a fun wrinkle for anyone (me, hi) who gets frustrated about not being able to reach large fruit at the bottom of the container.

    Suika Game Planet is coming to Switch and Switch 2 this winter and I might not be able to do anything else with my time after it drops. The Switch 2 version will support a GameShare mode that allows up to four players to work together.

    Virtual Boy is back

    Last but not least, Nintendo had an absolute shocker when it came to Switch Online + Expansion Pack. No, it’s not adding Super Mario Sunshine to the Gamecube app just yet. The company is bringing Virtual Boy games to the service, which is more bananas than anything you’ll find in Donkey Kong Bananza.

    To play those games from a system that was notoriously undercooked (partly because Nintendo was placing much more focus on the massively more successful Nintendo 64 around that time), you’ll need an accessory. A $100 plastic tabletop one that looks just like the original Virtual Boy and a $25 cardboard version are on the way. They’re compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and, if it’s an authentic Virtual Boy experience, probably some eye strain.

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    Kris Holt

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  • Pokémon Pokopia looks like Animal Crossing for Pokémon fans and I’m here for it

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    In one of the most unexpected announcements of today’s Nintendo Direct, Game Freak revealed Pokémon Pokopia, a game that is clearly inspired by the Animal Crossing series. When Pokopia is released sometime next year, you’ll assume the role of a Ditto determined to make a comfortable home for their friends. This Ditto has assumed the form of a human, and as they meet new Pokémon, they’ll learn abilities they can use to transform their community. In turn, this work will lead to more Pokémon coming to live in your home. The game features a beautiful tilt-shift art style that is reminiscent of Pokémon’s third generation of games that debuted on the Game Boy Advance.

    No word yet on an exact release date, but the game will be a Switch 2 exclusive.

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    Igor Bonifacic

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  • Hades II is coming to Switch and Switch 2 on September 25

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    Supergiant has a thing for dropping its biggest Hades news at Nintendo Directs. Five years after launching the first game during a Nintendo stream, the developer struck again. The 1.0 version of Hades II is coming on September 25, for Switch and Switch 2.

    Of course, Hades II isn’t exactly new to PC players. It’s been in early access there for 16 months. Despite being a pre-release version, it has over 63,000 Steam reviews. Its reception averages “very positive” (and “overwhelmingly positive” for those written in English). The 1.0 edition promises not only the game’s console debut but its true ending.

    Only the Switch versions were covered in the Nintendo Direct (duh). But we already knew the PC and Mac editions were launching simultaneously with them. So, expect its Steam and Epic listings to be updated in short order. Like the original game, Hades II is likely a timed console exclusive. So, while it isn’t yet official, you can expect PlayStation and Xbox versions sometime down the road.

    According to Supergiant, Hades II will support 120 fps when the Switch 2 is in TV mode. That drops to 60 fps for Switch 2 in 1080p, while the original Switch can handle that same refresh rate at only 720p. Both Switch version will cross-save with the Steam and Epic versions as well.

    The Hades sequel shifts the focus from Zagreus to his sister, Melinoë, princess of the underworld. She’s up against Chronos: the Titan of Time, father of Hades and bona fide asshole. Supergiant says the roguelike runs at a smooth 60 fps on the Switch 2.

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    Will Shanklin

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  • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be Mario’s next crack at the big screen

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    Nintendo just dropped a trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to the immensely popular The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This is good timing, given that tomorrow is officially the mustached plumber’s 40th birthday. It hits theaters on April TK, 2026.

    We’ve known this movie was coming for a while now, and even had an approximate release date. Now we have a trailer and it’s a doozy. Shared during today’s Nintendo Direct livestream event, the footage shows several deep-cut characters and locations from throughout the Mushroom Kingdom (and beyond.)

    This is a teaser trailer, however, so we still don’t know too much about the plot. We do know that many of the first film’s actors are returning for the sequel, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach.

    The sequel is something of a no-brainer, given that the first film was a cultural juggernaut. It’s the most financially successful video game adaptation of all time and the third highest-grossing animated film ever. All told, it banked around $1.36 billion at the box office.

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    Lawrence Bonk

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  • What Switch 2 Leaks Tell Us About The Upcoming Longest Nintendo Direct Ever

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    The Nintendo Direct that fans have been waiting for is finally here and it’s a big one. September is usually when the company has its annual blowout showcase, and after a messy first half of 2025 ahead of the Switch 2 launch, it seems like we might be getting back into a familiar flow. After a quiet couple of years, the drought may finally be over. The Switch 2 is out and Nintendo can finally wheel out the big guns.

    With Nintendo promising an hour-long livestream, the September 12 Direct will be the longest in the company’s history outside of the April one earlier this year for revealing the Switch 2 hardware. It also comes just ahead of the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. on September 13, suggesting plenty of Mario-themed announcements may be in tow as well. And then there’s the flurry of recently leaks from self-proclaimed insiders, some with a good enough track record to take them seriously going into the event. Here’s what we’re likely to see at the latest Nintendo Direct this Friday, from rumors and best guesses to some wild longshots that are too cool not to think about.

    Resident Evil, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and more ports

    According to Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem, we should expect a whole lot of Capcom’s horror series to be coming to Switch 2 in the year ahead. That includes Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, as well as the Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 remakes. Notably, all of these were created on the current RE Engine, which Capcom has been using for all of its new games. Dusk Golem has suggested the newest sequel, Resident Evil: Requiem, will arrive on Switch 2 at some point as well.

    While only a port of RE7 has been claimed to be getting revealed at this week’s Direct, fans have already started speculating about what this will mean for Capcom’s other franchises on Switch 2. Both Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds were also developed in the RE Engine, as was Street Fighter 6 which was a launch game for the hardware back in June.

    Final Fantasy VII Remake isn’t out on Switch 2 yet, but there are already rumors that Rebirth isn’t far behind. Reliable Switch leaker NateTheHate recently claimed the sequel is headed to Nintendo’s new console sometime in 2026. He’s also previously reported that Red Dead Redemption 2 is being ported to Switch 2, which seems likely to arrive sooner than later. That doesn’t mean either will be at this week’s Direct but they are certainly in the mix. There are rumors that Starfield and Assassin’s Creed Shadows will end up on Nintendo’s handheld hybrid at some point, too.

    Then there’s a very messy riddle from leaker SwitchForce who was the first to reveal that a Nintendo Direct was happening on September 12. The tease is that there will be three games at the showcase with the number seven in the title. Outside of FF7, there’s been speculation about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Ace Attorney 7 being the others, though SwitchForce said the long-running courtroom series definitely wouldn’t be in the livestream. A more obvious choice is 007 First Light, which was recently at the PlayStation State of Play as well.

    The year of Super Mario Bros. 

    SwitchForce has also been teasing big Mario news at the event. “They buy the new systems for the mustache,” read a tweet featuring a GIF of Mario from Super Mario Odyssey. One theory is that the Odyssey team split in two, with a younger offshoot working on Donkey Kong Bananza and another developing the next 3D Mario game. The timing makes the reveal of Super Mario Odyssey‘s successor feel all but assured, though it probably won’t be the only Mario announcement in the Direct.

    We’re also less than a year out from The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 with no real info about what the story will be or which celebrities will be joining the English-language cast. At least an initial teaser, if not a full-blown trailer, could be in the cards. Maybe we’ll even get a double feature with a tease for the upcoming Zelda movie in 2027 as well? It could be as simple as confirmation of whether it will be a brand-new story or not, or whether it will be another isekai tale (people from the real world magically appearing in Hyrule).

    But back to Mario. It’s his time to shine after all. The way Nintendo usually likes to handle these anniversaries means we could get a new anthology of remasters or remixes of older games in the series, or ports of more recent entries that have been languishing on old hardware like Super Mario Galaxy (I’m still holding out hope for Super Mario Galaxy 3 myself). Another Switch Online exclusive multiplayer spin-off like Super Mario Bros. 35 doesn’t sound out of the question either. Maybe this time it’ll go from 2D side-scrolling to a Fall Guys-style 3D battle royale mode.

    Finally, we know Nintendo loves its limited-edition accessories and merchandise. A Mario Bros. 40th anniversary Switch 2, new Amiibo, and new Switch 2 Joy-Con colors feel like an easy prediction. More exciting would be some new sort of dedicated device like the Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., only this time with more than just the first two games. And what’s going on with that detachable dual-screen add-on that Nintendo patented? Could the Switch 2 finally get DS games coming to its subscription service?

    Xenoblade Chronicles 2 deserves a Switch 2 upgrade

    If the original Switch taught us anything, it’s that Nintendo loves double-dipping. Half of the first-party library for that console was just Wii U games. And I fully expect the company to maintain that pattern with Switch 2 by continuing to roll out free and paid upgrades for older games. A recent Monolith Soft job posting on social media included fresh footage of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 that appeared to show it running at a much higher resolution. Those open-world RPGs have always struggled on the first Switch, leaving fans pining not only for Xenoblade Chronicles 4 on Switch 2 but also upgrades for the last two numbered entries. They’re also still waiting to see what’s up with Xenoblade Chronicles X‘s hidden 60fps mode.

    There are also still lots of other old games Nintendo can pull onto the Switch 2 in one form or another. A Wii U HD remaster of Twilight Princess is still MIA on modern platforms, and the original Luigi’s Mansion could be remastered or added to the GameCube library on Switch Online. Nintendo’s also getting ready to release Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (a release date reveal at this Direct would be nice!) and yet two of the games in the original trilogy still aren’t available to play on Switch.

    Smash Bros., Animal Crossing, and Mother 3

    Beyond the next Mario, there are plenty of other Nintendo franchises that are ripe for their next entries. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is five years old now, and Smash Bros. Ultimate got its last DLC character in 2021. Despite multiple remakes in the series since, the last new Luigi’s Mansion was in 2019. It’s not quite time for a new Fire Emblem but we are getting close. And what about Nintendo’s back-bench franchises like Star Fox, Punch-Out, and Pilotwings? The company loves pulling from the past just as much as building new things.

    Speaking of new things, a new Splatoon spin-off called Raiders was teased earlier this year and will no doubt make an appearance at the Direct if it’s coming out any time in the next 12 months. It would also be nice to see more of FromSoftware’s upcoming Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods. There’s also no word on what Platinum Games is working on for the console. Could Switch 2 be getting Bayonetta 4 or Astral Blades 2 anytime soon? And I know Team Ninja has been very busy lately, but it would be neat to see Marvel Ultimate Alliance 4 confirmed.

    The deepest cut of all would be Mother 3, the GBA game never officially localized in the West but which is already available through Switch Online in Japan. There was a big exhibit for the series in Tokyo this summer, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of Earthbound coming out in the U.S. Meanwhile, 2026 will mark the 20th anniversary for Mother 3. Series creator Shigesato Itoi is already 76 and not getting any younger. It’s time. Seriously. Just give us Mother 3. Hell, give us Mother 4! Or even a 3D remake of Earthbound. How much money do I need to spend these Earthbound figures to make it happen?

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    Ethan Gach

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  • The next Nintendo Direct takes place on June 18

    The next Nintendo Direct takes place on June 18

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    The next Nintendo Direct is scheduled for June 18 at 10AM ET. Nintendo said during its latest earnings call that a showcase would take place sometime in June and the company has stuck by its word. The Direct is just far enough away from Summer Game Fest to let Nintendo have all of the attention to itself.

    The stream will run for around 40 minutes and focus on games coming to Switch later this year. It really does feel like this is the swansong period for the Switch, as Nintendo confirmed it will finally reveal the console’s successor by next April. However, the company has made it clear that there will be no discussion of the Switch 2, Super Switch or whatever the next console is called during the Nintendo Direct.

    That said, here’s hoping Hollow Knight: Silksong will show up here — that highly anticipated sequel was a notable no-show during Summer Game Fest. I have my fingers crossed for a Donkey Kong platformer too. It’s been too dang long since the last one.

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    Kris Holt

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  • Japan’s Nintendo Direct Had A Very Nice Surprise

    Japan’s Nintendo Direct Had A Very Nice Surprise

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    Image: Spike Chunsoft

    Sometimes, the games announced or showcased on a Nintendo Direct are the same in the West as they are in Japan. Other times it’s not until you circle back around and check out the Japanese video that you realise it contained news of a new Summer Vacation game.

    The Boku no Natsuyasumi series, which has been running in Japan for decades, are basically a bunch of games where you play as a kid and get to enjoy a leisurely few weeks of your summer vacation wandering around a town, catching bugs and just generally soaking up the vibes.

    The main games in the series had never been released in the West until last year, when Shin chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation: The Endless Seven-Day Journey dropped on Switch and PC. As I said at the time, that was a bit of a bummer because the license slapped over the top of the experience kinda ruined the whole thing.

    action button reviews boku no natsuyasumi

    So maybe it’s little surprise that while no mention was made of this game on the Western Nintendo Direct whatsover, the Japanese show had a trailer for Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Vacation, a brand new game written and designed by Boku no Natsuyasumi series creator Kaz Ayabe, and developed by his studio Millennium Kitchen.

    Seemingly going back to the series’ roots, it takes us back to a time that looks like the 80s or early 90s, and has us playing as a 10-year-old, on holidays, doing all the stuff I said above: climbing trees, chatting with locals, spotting bugs, doing some dancing.

    なつもん！ ２０世紀の夏休み [Nintendo Direct 2023.2.9]

    Will this come to the West? Who knows! I said at the end of my Shin-Chan blog that “I can only hope this one sells enough, or at least attracts enough attention, to convince someone to release some of the older games in English as well”, but that applies just as much to new games as well!

    G/O Media may get a commission

    Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Vacation will be out on the Switch this Summer.

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    Luke Plunkett

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