Post by Steve Farrelly @ 10:27am 22/06/23 | 0 Comments
Initially headlined by a deep-dive into Pikmin 4, Nintendo used its latest Nintendo Direct to unveil remasters of Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2, as well as a "visually enhanced" version of Luigi's Mansion 2. In addition to those, an updated version of the Square Enix favourite, Super Mario RPG, was also unveiled.
However, it was Super Mario: Wonder that really stole to the presentation -- an all-new 2D side-scrolling Super Mario Bros. experience and it's out later this year.
Here's the official word on all of those mentioned in the OP:
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: The next evolution of 2D side-scrolling Super Mario Bros. games is headed to Nintendo Switch. When you touch a Wonder Flower in the game, the wonders of the world unlock – pipes could come alive, hordes of enemies may appear, characters might change their looks for example – transforming the gameplay in unpredictable ways. Excitement and different surprises await in each course. Super Mario Bros. Wonder features Princess Peach, Princess Daisy and Yoshi as playable characters, in addition to familiar characters like Mario, Luigi and Toad. Plus, Super Mario Bros. Wonder sees the debut of Mario’s newest power-up, which allows him to transform into Elephant Mario. What other wonders could this game contain? More details will be shared at a later time. Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches for Nintendo Switch on 20th October. Pre-orders begin today on Nintendo eShop.
Super Mario RPG: Originally only released in Japan and North America 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. Whether you played the original game or have yet to take the journey, you can dive into this Nintendo Switch version of the very first RPG in the Super Mario series. Super Mario RPG launches for Nintendo Switch 17th November.
Luigi's Mansion 2: A visually enhanced version of Luigi’s Mansion 2, originally released on Nintendo 3DS, is currently in development for Nintendo Switch. Can Luigi summon the courage to save Evershade Valley? Explore haunted mansions full of spooky spectres and bone-chilling challenges next year. More information will be available in the future.
Pikmin 4: Welcome to the Rescue Corps. In this game, you are the newest recruit, and you’ll customise your character before setting off to meet the capable Rescue Pup Oatchi and the plant-like creatures called Pikmin. New to the series? Don’t worry – this is a great entry point for anyone that wants to learn more about Pikmin. Collect treasures around the planet to fix the Rescue Corps’ spaceship’s radar and open new areas to explore, including underground caves, where an environment that’s completely different from the surface awaits. Pikmin 4 also features Dandori Battles – try to collect more objects than your opponent within the time limit to win and save the castaway. Plus, for the first time in the Pikmin series, you can eventually set out for night expeditions. But nightfall sends creatures into a frenzy, so stay alert. Thankfully, you’ll come across the new Glow Pikmin to drive them away. Much more awaits on this uncharted planet. Discover it when Pikmin 4 lands on Nintendo Switch 21st July. Plus, a demo of Pikmin 4 will be available in Nintendo eShop on 29th June.
Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2: HD versions of the first two Pikmin games, originally released on Nintendo GameCube, will launch on Nintendo eShop later today. The games will be available individually or in a bundle that contains both games. A physical version that includes both games will also be available on 22nd September. With the inclusion of these two games on Nintendo Switch, all four main games in the Pikmin series – Pikmin 1, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 and, as of 21st July, Pikmin 4 – will be playable on one console.
Nintendo also teased a standalone Princess Peach game was in development and heading to a wide 2024 release, but was otherwise coy on further details.
A new look at Wave 5 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass was shown alongside DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet titled The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. New Zelda and GanondorfAmiibo were revealed for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that would offer up new in-game items, such as fabric for the paraglider, a new WarioWare: Moviee It! title was announced and it was also revealed that ANZ tournaments for both Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 3 would be taking place later this year.
On top of all of the above, which is quite a lot, the remainder of the presentation shared all of the third-party happenings on Nintendo Switch, including the release of the whole Batman: Arkham trilogy which, for Switch owners who've never played those games, we can you're in for a treat.
Watch the presentation embedded above for the rest of the third-party news.