A new Nintendo Direct has come and gone, and this one also had plenty to show.
While the rumor mill is still churning after it was revealed that their next console was demoed at Gamescom, Nintendo is moving full steam ahead with new announcements with today’s Nintendo Direct. With plenty of remakes as well as some new titles, there is plenty to look forward to. So let’s take a good look at some of the most interesting titles that were announced today.
Super Mario RPG
A remake of the first Mario RPG released way back on the SNES, Super Mario RPG will have improved graphics and new gameplay additions. Square Enix designed the original, and it showed. The masters of JRPGs truly did this game justice, by adding some interesting gameplay mechanics which will still be present. While combat is turn-based, every attack will give you a chance for a button press that will allow that attack to deal more damage. I for one am excited to get back into the Mushroom Kingdom from this unique perspective. Super Mario RPG will be out on Switch on November 17, 2023.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Another remaster of a Game Boy Advance game, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is an adorable puzzle platformer that will be getting a new look. When compared directly to the GBA variant, the graphics look amazing. Improvements to the gameplay have also been made with tighter platforming controls. It will be up to Mario to rescue all the Mini-Mario toys that Donkey Kong has stolen. And this time around, you can even enjoy the game in co-op, even though it’s limited to local play. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is slated for a February 16, 2024 release.
Princess Peach: Showtime
Baddies have captured Peach’s Sparkle Theater, and it will be up to her and her cute little buddy Stella to fix things. With the help of Stella, Peach can take on many forms including Detective Peach and Swordsman Peach. The game will be a mix of platforming and mini-game portions, all of them beautifully rendered in a cartoony style. It’s great to see Peach get her own solo outing after a long time, and I’m excited to see what this game has to offer. Princess Peach: Showtime is set to release on March 22, 2024.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
Even though Luigi’s Mansion 3 is an amazing game, especially if you have someone to play with in co-op, it’s great to see the second game in the series get a remaster. Many still consider it the crowning jewel of the series, which explains why Nintendo is giving it a new makeover. You will get the chance to explore Evershade Valley as you take out all sorts of ghosts with your Ghostbusters-esque weaponry. The game will also come equipped with multiple multiplayer modes that can be enjoyed with up to four players. So mark this one down on your calendars for Summer 2024 if co-op play is your thing.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia probably doesn’t mean a lot to younger gamers nowadays, but the original game had a huge impact on my childhood. The combination of platforming with intense and difficult combat was something unique at the time. This is why I’m excited by this new game that seems to know what made the original 2D ones tick. The controls look tight, giving you full freedom when platforming and engaging in combat. All in all platforming fans should definitely put this game on their list, which is set to release on January 18, 2024.
Contra: Operation Galuga
Despite not owning an NES myself, I did have an uncle who did and Contra was one of the games I remember most from those times. The fact that you could play it in co-op was a huge boon at the time since most games that allowed that were either sports games or racing games. Pair that up with the hectic action, and you have a recipe for success. This is why Nintendo is preparing to launch Contra: Operation Galuga, which is a full remaster of the original game in the series. Despite the graphics going for a 2.5D style, the core gameplay is still there as you run and gun your way across countless levels filled with enemies. Sadly, no release date has been given for this remaster.
SaGa Emerald Beyond
The latest iteration in this famed JRPG series is all about player choices. Choose your favorite character as you make your way across 17 different worlds. Along the way, you will be met with various choices and branching paths to take. All of them will lead to various outcomes, including a multitude of endings and cutscenes. This will make every playthrough unique and give fans a ton of replayability. SaGa Emerald Beyond will be coming out for the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2024.
Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered
With the series taking a more realistic turn in the latest games, it’s good to see a return to the classics. These remastered games will put you in control of Lara Croft once again as you take down a plethora of baddies which range from wolves all the way to an actual T-Rex. All the way you’ll be solving various puzzles and taking on 3D platforming challenges. These Tomb Raider remasters are set to release on February 14, 2024.
