While rumours of an impending successor continue to flourish online, Nintendo has effortlessly demonstrated that Nintendo Switch is still worth picking up with nostalgia and anticipation driving their latest presentation. Players were treated to re-energized franchises in Mario & Luigi: Brothership and remastered staples like Donkey Kong Country Returns HD which has officially released on three separate consoles at this point – Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch respectively. Every single announcement from the 40 minute broadcast on June 18th, 2024 has been compiled below:
Nintendo Direct – Full Presentation
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood marks the return of the popular saga after being dormant for nearly ten years; excluding the 2017 and 2018 remakes. Players will set sail aboard Shipshape Island and journey through Concordia – blast out of cannons to explore different islands. The brotherly bond between Mario and Luigi which has been a staple of the series will once again be imperative to overcome tough turn-based combat scenarios and other worldly obstacles. Familiar Mushroom Kingdom alumni including Peach and Bowser will make an appearance alongside new characters Connie and Snoutlet who will be assisting the mustachioed pair of plumbers on their seafaring adventure.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership launches on November 7th, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition
Speedrunners rejoice! Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition packages over 150 of the most challenging moments from classic NES games including Super Mario Bros. 3 and The Legend of Zelda with increasing difficulty levels to attain the fastest competition times. Players can compete in speedrun challenges or survival mode against other players to climb the leaderboards with Party Mode allowing up to 8 players to connect on a single Nintendo Switch – additional Joy-Con controllers required.
Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition launches on July 18th, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Fairy Tail 2
Experience the dramatic “Alvarez Empire” arc from the beloved Fairy Tail manga series. Players will engage in magic-filled battles with real-time combat that changes depending on which characters are in your party; combine abilities and work together to take down powerful enemies.
Fairy Tail 2 launches Winter 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension comes from Hironobu Sakaguchi – creator of Final Fantasy – and legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu whose work includes the Final Fantasy series. The game features turn-based battles utilizing a wealth of strategic combat as players explore a multi-dimensional universe set against a backdrop of over 150 charming hand-crafted dioramas. FANTASIAN Neo Dimension will release with both English and Japanese voice overs along with an additional difficulty setting.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension launches Holiday 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch Sports – Basketball Update
Court is in session! Basketball is coming to Spocco Square with an update for Nintendo Switch Sports owners at no additional charge. Dribble, pass, and shoot using motion controls – connecting locally and online with friends for Five-Streak Battle or Three-Point Contests in two-on-two matches.
Nintendo Switch Sports – Basketball Update launches Summer 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
MIO: Memories in Orbit
MIO: Memories in Orbit puts players in control of MIO – a nimble android with extraordinary abilities who wakes up aboard a derelict spaceship overgrown with vegetation and hostile machines. Navigating through the environment is very “Metroid” inspired as players earn abilities to access areas whilst battling over 30 different types of enemies – culminating in 15 formidable boss fights where Modifiers can turn the tide and reflect the playstyle of players. The soundtrack blends lo-fi beats with choral melodies which breathes life into the Vessel ship – gigantic labyrinth-like living organism.
MIO: Memories in Orbit launches in 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
Disney Illusion Island – Mystery in Monoth Update
Disney Illusion Island – Mystery in Monoth Update
Disney Illusion Island – Mystery in Monoth Update will have players sleuthing with Dash Dolphin as he seeks the help of Mickey and company to solve a mystery. Players will collect clues and piece the puzzle together in solo and co-operative play with up to four eager detectives; no additional charge for update however the base game – Disney Illusion Island – and Nintendo Switch controllers are required.
Disney Illusion Island – Mystery in Monoth Update is available now for Nintendo Switch.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Enjoy a taste of paradise with Hello Kitty Island Adventure – interact with characters from Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll whilst exploring a mysterious island. Players can create their own unique character and discover new flavours of friendship. Craft items and decorate your cozy cabin before heading down to the beach for a quick dip in the water and other fun activities!
Hello Kitty Island Adventure launches Early 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports sees beloved characters including Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, and Roadrunner teaming up for some wacky sports action. Players can outplay their opponents across four arcade-style sports – basketball, soccer, golf, and tennis – in local gameplay. Iconic locations such as Galactic Outpost Delta, Porky’s Barn and Martian Command Center will serve as venues with obstacles and power-ups to incite loads of cartoony chaos… just be sure to watch out for falling anvils!
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports launches Fall 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Among Us – New Roles
EMERGENCY MEETING! Among Us has introduced three NEW roles to the smash hit game of betrayal including Noisemaker, Tracker, and Phantom – adding another layer of deception. Boastfully alert other players of a successful elimination, monitor their movement, or disappear entirely for a short period and make a grand escape. This update is available at no additional charge on all platforms.
Among Us is available now on Nintendo Switch.
Farmagia
Farmagia thrusts players into the land of Felicidad where they must cultivate and grow their army of Battle Buddies – training them will help improve their overall stats including endurance and meditation which will help to combat tougher adversaries. Buddies can be combined into a Fusion Summon monster to wreak havoc with powerful attacks. Farmagia comes from Hiro Mashima – Fairy Tail – along with Marvelous Games – No More Heroes – who is handling development for the project.
Farmagia launches on November 1st, 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is finding new life once again – only this time on Nintendo Switch consoles. It was originally released on Nintendo Wii and was subsequently ported over to Nintendo 3DS three years later; 2010 and 2013 respectively. Players follow Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they pursue the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe who have stolen DK’s beloved banana hoard. Experience 80 exciting levels including those which were exclusive to the 3DS version; connect with a friend for two-player local co-operative gameplay and hitch a ride on Rambi the Rhino to rescue those bananas!
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launches on January 16th, 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
An iconic RPG – Dragon Quest III – is getting remastered with an expanded narrative; chronicling the beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy storyline. The game features updated graphics with players embarking on a quest to vanquish the forces of darkness – traveling through a world populated with memorable characters and monsters. Dragon Quest I & Dragon Quest II remakes which are tentatively releasing next year will follow a similar treatment with HD-2D graphical enhancements; dual collection.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake launches November 14th, 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Funko Fusion
The pop culture phenomenon known as Funko is coming to Nintendo Switch with Funko Fusion with players exploring a diverse range of properties including Jurassic World, Back to the Future, and Battlestar Galactica through 60 iconic characters. Gameplay is reminiscent of LEGO Dimensions whereby players interact with fan-favourite blockbuster moments albeit incorporating unrelated characters; comedically using each other’s respected items and weapons to solve puzzles and defeat classic antagonists.
Funko Fusion launches September 13th, 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
The exclusive Nintendo 3DS chapter of the Luigi’s Mansion saga – Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon – has made the jump to Nintendo Switch with multiple mansions to explore and ghoulish shenanigans being the centre of attention on each floor. Players must restore the Dark Moon to its rightful place.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is available now exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
The New Denpa Men
This quirky RPG adventure mixes familiar gameplay elements from Pikmin and Animal Crossing with players leading teams of characters through dungeons to battle monsters; four players can connect for local co-op mini games to capture special Denpa Men – customizable fashion and homesteads.
The New Denpa Men launches on July 22nd, 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded returns with its signature 2D pixel art style and simple controls allowing anyone to become well versed in the game. Players can choose between 300 units and characters from five feuding factions in tower defense gameplay with online multiplayer fueling the fight to achieve Super Devil ranking before anyone else. Metal Slug Attack Reloaded will feature ANOTHER STORY mode at launch – lengthy campaign – alongside a GALLERY with character illustrations and more.
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is available now for Nintendo Switch.
Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon II features twelve playable characters across five campaigns. Players will board a stagecoach and navigate a decaying landscape on a mission to circumvent an apocalypse – touchscreen controls and customizable difficulty are available. Darkest Dungeon II includes The Binding Blade DLC expansion which contains two new heroes – Duelist & Crusader – and special questline.
Darkest Dungeon II is available now for Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Update
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers have access to four NEW games with two from the Game Boy Advance library and two from the Nintendo 64 library which include:
- Metroid Zero Mission | The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past Four Swords (Game Boy Advance)
- Perfect Dark | Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Nintendo 64)
Players have FREE access to these titles with their membership – $63.99 CAD annually.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a turn-based tactical from the creators of the Disgaea series. Players control Marona who has the power to speak to Phantoms as she traverses Ivoire – an ocean world with people in need of assistance. Recruit Phantoms, bind them to objects, or combine with Gadgets to unleash show-stopping abilities – there are over 50 characters and 300 skills to master.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero launches in 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics brings seven legendary fighting games together with modern features including online capabilities, training modes, and custom matches. This collection also contains the first ever U.S. re-release of The Punisher – original arcade version of the game.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics launches in 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the latest entry in the Mario Party series – sporting over 110 minigames which makes it the largest in franchise history. Players can compete on five NEW game boards including Rainbow Galleria, Roll ’em Raceway, and Goomba Lagoon with boards from Mario Party (1999) and Mario Party 2 (2000) making a return; Mario’s Rainbow Castle and Western Land respectively. Players can compete online with up to twenty players in head-to-head Koopathlon mode – earn high scores to progress the board and achieve that coveted first place finish before anyone else can snatch it.
Super Mario Party Jamboree launches on October 17th, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
The fate of Hyrule is in Zelda’s hands! The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom reinvents the beloved series with Princess Zelda taking on the hero role as Link has vanished with strange rifts consuming the picturesque kingdom. Players will encounter Tri – a mysterious fairy that grants Zelda the ability to wield the magical Tri Rod which can be used to create Echoes – imitations of worldly items – to traverse the environment, defeat foes, and solve puzzles. Experiences will differ depending on how players utilize the Echoes mechanic. Eiji Aonuma, producer for The Legend of Zelda series is jokingly unsure as to exactly how many different Echoes are currently present within the upcoming game.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom launches on September 26th, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Just Dance 2025 Edition
Bust a move with Just Dance 2025 Edition – featuring 40 of the hottest NEW songs including works by Ariana Grande, Sia, and Green Day with three levels of choreography to master. Players can also access hundreds of additional songs with Just Dance+ subscriptions – recurring fee is required:
- 1 Month – $4.99 CAD | 3 Months – $12.79 CAD | 12 Months – $29.99 CAD
Just Dance 2025 Edition launches on October 15th, 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
LEGO Horizon Adventures
LEGO Horizon Adventures arrives on Nintendo Switch – inspired by the highly successful PlayStation property. Players can explore lush forests and tall mountains inhabited by colossal mechanized beasts which have been recreated with LEGO bricks. Players can customize Aloy’s LEGO appearance with hilarious costumes and rebuild her settlement with co-operative gameplay available in both local and online configurations. Watch out for the fearsome Thunderjaw – huge and built to fight.
LEGO Horizon Adventures launches Holiday 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Stray
The award-winning cat adventure Stray is purring onto Nintendo Switch as players explore a murky cybernetic city in search of their family. Players can fully embody the intricacies of a common house-cat by sleeping, meowing, and nuzzling various NPC characters to illicit a response – these are translated through the B-12 drone companion who stores items and hacks technology to open up pathways which helps to progress the narrative. Due to its popularity, an animated film is currently in the works.
Stray launches Holiday 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game
The Shire is one of the coziest places in Middle Earth and players will soon have an opportunity to become acquainted with the Hobbit lifestyle. Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game sees players starting their new life in Bywater – south of Hobbiton from the films. Enjoy an idyllic life from the Tolkien masterpiece and create your own Hobbit before planting a garden, fishing, and sharing a meal with friends. Hobbit holes can be decorated with furniture and knick-knacks obtained from fellow townsfolk with surprise visits from familiar faces – Gandalf confirmed – adding to the joy.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game launches Holiday 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection remasters two classic Miles Edgeworth games with enhanced graphics, fresh character models, and smoother animations. Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit contain six additional languages for dialogue including French and German with all NEW voice dubs – the former being presented in English for the first time in franchise history. Interrogate suspects and untangle complex webs of deceit.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection launches September 6th, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy
The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy is an SRPG (Strategy Role-Playing Game) where players take control of Takumi Sumino as he defends his school with the Special Defense Unit for 100 days. Explore and connect with teammates to strengthen your bonds and venture outside The Last Academy walls where the wilderness and mysterious ruins await. Students possess unique Specialists Skill which can quickly turn the tide of battle if used strategically – choices will affect the overall outcome.
The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy launches Early 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a non-linear RPG – originally released in 1993 as the fifth entry in the SaGa series. The game is being entirely remade with English voiceovers along with original and re-arranged musical scores from Kenji Ito – legendary series composer. A group of once heroic saviors known as “The Seven” have returned from banishment with vengeance and players must work to defend their empire in strategic battles with over 30 different character classes. The narrative evolves with choices made by the player and through a unique inheritance mechanic – characters can pass down their knowledge and abilities to their successor upon death and continue the fight.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven launches October 24th, 2024 for Nintendo Switch.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
The wait is ALMOST over – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is alive and well with bounty hunter Samus Aran embarking on a NEW mission. The latest entry in the franchise was originally teased during E3 2017 and subsequently went silent – thought to have been forgotten. No further details have been revealed except that Sylux appears to play a significant role in the narrative. Nintendo has confirmed that plans to announce the Nintendo Switch successor will take place before March 2025 – players might be getting a glimpse of its power with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond seeing a holiday release.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches in 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
SophistiGamer will provide updates on everything mentioned as they become available to us.