One of the biggest days for Nintendo fans has finally arrived as the big summer Nintendo Direct has arrived. While we haven’t gotten any news from the anticipated Switch 2, Nintendo has revealed a bunch of exciting updates for old games and some surprising new games that should make the wait for the Switch’s successor a little easier.
Highlights included The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which lets you play as Princess Zelda, our first look at Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood, Super Mario Party Jamboree, an HD-2D remake of the first three. Dragon Quest games and much more.
There was a LOT to take in during the Nintendo Direct, but this recap will be the place to make sure you don’t miss anything.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom announced for Nintendo Switch with Zelda as the main character
In one of the biggest surprises of the Nintendo Direct, it was announced that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – a brand new game in the legendary franchise – will be released on Switch on September 26, 2024. In addition, this new game will feature Princess Zelda as the main character, as Link and other people from Hyrule disappeared after strange cracks began to appear.
Zelda will have to work with a mysterious fairy named Tri to use “the power of the Tri Rod to create an echo – mimicking things found in the environment.” This means you can create “bridges from old beds”, use “water blocks to reach new heights” and more.
In addition to the game, a limited edition Nintendo Switch Lite in gold color with Hylian Crest will also arrive.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Gameplay and Release Window Finally Revealed
After more than seven years, Nintendo finally showed off Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with gameplay and a release window of 2025. We didn’t learn too much about Samus’ new adventure, but it’s a welcome look at the game that was first announced back at Nintendo’s E3 presentation 2017.
Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood will jump to the Nintendo Switch this November
Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood jumps to Nintendo Switch on November 7, 2024 with a very unique and colorful art style. This new adventure sends our favorite brothers on an island adventure on a part-ship, part-island called Shipshape Island.
As Mario and Luigi travel around Concordia, they visit rainforests, cities, and more while meeting Peach, Bowser, and the kingdom’s other favorite mushrooms.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Coming to Switch in November, Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D to Follow in 2025
The highly anticipated Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes are coming to Switch later this year and next. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D will be released on November 14, 2024 at the earliest, with Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D to follow in 2025.
Dragon Quest 3, which is actually the chronological beginning of the story of the Erdrick Trilogy, will allow players to embark on a quest to save the world from the dark forces of the evil Archfiend Baramos.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Coming to Switch in January 2025
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is set to release on Switch on January 16, 2025, and includes 2-player local co-op, 80 levels from the original Wii version, additional stages from the 3DS version, and more. Soon, players will be able to battle the Taki Tak tribe again to retrieve Donkey Kong’s “previous bunch of bananas”.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the latest entry to bring the fun to the transition
An all-new Mario Party game – Super Mario Party Jamboree – is heading to Nintendo Switch on October 17, 2024. It will take players to a “huge island resort” and features five new game boards, two boards from previous games, over 110 mini-games. , a Koopathlon mode that supports more than 20 players, and much more.
Marvel Vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics brings seven beloved games to the crossover
Marvel Vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics brings X-Men Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Vs. Capcom Clash of Super Heroes, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 and The Punisher under one roof in the shape of Switch. It will be released later in 2024 and features original songs from the arcade versions, development documentaries and never-before-seen art.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords, Metroid: Zero Mission, Perfect Dark, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter are added online to Nintendo Switch today
Several big games are heading to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack later today, including The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords, Metroid: Zero Mission, Perfect Dark (now with online multiplayer!), and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. .
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition gets a new look
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is set to launch on Switch on July 18, and a Nintendo Direct gave fans a new look at the game, which features over 150 speedrunning challenges from 13 NES games.
Nintendo Switch Sports is adding basketball as a free update this summer
Nintendo Switch Sports fans will be delighted to see Basketball added in a free update this summer. You’ll be able to use motion controls to shoot baskets in the stand-alone 3-point challenge and in the multiplayer modes Five Series Battle and Three-Point Contest.
Nintendo has given fans another look at LEGO Horizon Adventures
LEGO Horizon Adventures, the new game that will bring players into the world of Horizon: Zero Dawn in a new way this holiday season, got a new look at the Nintendo Direct.
Mobile game Fantasian is coming to Switch this holiday season
Final Fantasy creator Sakaguchi Hironobu and Mistwalker’s Fantasian mobile game is getting a Switch release in Holiday 2024 as Fantasian Neo Dimension. This enhanced version features English and Japanese voiceovers and additional difficulty settings.
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game Let’s You Live a Peaceful Life as a Hobbit
If you’ve always wanted to jump into the world created by JRR Tolkien, Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game is a cozy adventure you don’t want to miss. You can create your own Hobbit and live your life gardening, fishing, cooking, building relationships, solving problems, furnishing yourself and your home and more.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a cozy game featuring our Sanrio favorites
Hello Kitty Island Adventure is the cozy game Sanrio fans have been waiting for. In this new adventure, players will have to restore the mysterious island while making friends with characters like Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody and Cinnamoroll!
Check out our Hello Kitty Island Adventure preview for more information.
A free update is available today for Disney Illusion Island’s Mystery in Monoth
Grab Mickey and his friends and embark on a new journey in the free update of Disney Illusion Island’s Mystery in Monoth, which is like a big detective mystery. You will have to help Dash Dolphin find clues, close cases and more.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is almost here
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD will be released on June 27th, and Nintendo has shared another look at the creepy and fun game that we’ll be experiencing once again.
Funko Fusion gameplay trailer revealed
Funko Fusion combines over 20 fun worlds into one for wild action play. Yes, you will unlock and play with over 60 characters from such favorites as Jurassic World, Back to the Future, Shaun of the Dead, Chucky and Battlefield Galactica.
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is an action-packed 2D-Pixel Tower Defense game
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded takes the franchise to a new frontier – Tower Defense. In addition to “beginner-friendly controls” and a signature 2D pixel look, this new Metal Slug game lets you assemble a team of hundreds of characters and fight your way through a story you won’t want to miss.
Darkest Dungeon 2 will bring its horrors next month
Darkest Dungeon 2 will bring its horrors to the Nintendo Switch on July 15, 2024. Switch players will be able to use touch controls, customize the difficulty, discover 10 pets, and explore the progression hub known as The Altar of Hope.
There will also be an Oblivion Edition, which includes The Binding Blade DLC and its two new heroes, a special quest line, and more.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports looks like wacky fun
Step into the shoes of Roadrunner, Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny and more in crazy versions of basketball, football, golf and tennis. Along the way, you’ll visit the Galactic Base Delta, Porky’s Barn, and the Martian Command Center. And yes, you’ll have ACME’s entire arsenal at your disposal when the game arrives this fall.
Stray Meows His way of making a difference this holiday
The feline adventure game known as Stray is coming to Switch this holiday season, taking players on a journey to escape from a long-forgotten cyber city.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a Metroidvania set on a dangerous technological ark
If you’re looking for a new Metroidvania, MIO: Memories in Orbit might be worth checking out, as it takes place on a gigantic abandoned spaceship that’s “overrun with lush vegetation and machines gone mad.” You play as an android named MIO who must unlock abilities to survive this ship known as the Vessel.
Today, new roles of teammates and cheaters come between us
Among us will be a Tracker crew member who can track others using the map, a Noisemaker who will alert players when they are knocked out, and a Phantom Imposter who can turn invisible.
Just Dance 2025 dances on stage this October
Just Dance 2025 will dance its way to Nintendo Switch in October 2024 with 40 new songs.
The collection of Ace Attorney investigations will serve justice this September
Get justice on September 6 as Miles Edgeworth in the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, which includes the remasters of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit, the latter of which has never been in English.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a tactical turn-based game from the creators of Disgaea
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a grid-free turn-based tactical game set for release in 2025 from the creators of Disgaea where you become Marona, “a gifted young girl with the ability to speak with Phantoms. named Ash, who joins her across the ocean world of Ivory on her quest to stop the ghost pirates.
Farmigia combines monster fighting, collecting and farming
Fairy Tail and Rave Master creator Hiro Mashima has teamed up with Marvelous to bring fans Farmigia, a new monster fighting and farming game. Expand your monster army and take on a despotic ruler when Farmigia launches on November 1st.
The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy – is another game from the creators of Danganronpa
Danganronpa fans rejoice, because The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy – is on its way, casting players as Takumi Sumino, a character who must protect his school from School Invaders for 100 days. Along the way, Takumi will interact with 15 of his companions, who are all trying to “reclaim their lost daily lives”.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven returns as a complete remake
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven will receive a full remake treatment on October 24, 2024, including English voiceovers, original and rearranged tracks by series composer Kenji Ito, and more.
Experience the ‘Alvarez Empire’ arc in Fairy Tail 2
Fairy Tail 2 will allow players to experience a “dramatic retelling of Fairy Tail’s ‘Alvarez Empire’ arc, which also happens to be its final chapter.” Join Natsu and his friends in this action RPG from KOEI Tecmo and Gust as Fairy Tail 2 flies to Switch this winter.
The New Denpa Men is a free-to-play RPG where you have to search the radio waves for a small creature
The New Denpa Men task you with cleaning the radio waves to find the little creatures that live on them. On July 22, you will be able to experience this unique game that will also allow you to decorate your island, go fishing, play against your Denpa Men friends and more.
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Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and further Tick ​​Tock.