If there were any concerns about a drought of Switch games in the lead-up to the launch of the Switch 2 next year, Nintendo quelled them on Tuesday morning. The latest Nintendo Direct was filled to the brim with exciting announcements, including new entries in popular series, remakes of classic games, and a huge variety of third-party Switch titles.
Nintendo came out swinging with Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood, the first all-new entry for the RPG series since 2015. It’s a new story in a new land, but the combat looks familiar, with timed button presses used for more powerful attacks and countering enemies.
Next, Nintendo announced that Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting an HD remaster for the Switch. This remaster will also feature all of the extra levels included in the Nintendo 3DS port of the game. Speaking of HD remakes, we got a fresh look at Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, which brings the former 3DS exclusive to Switch for the first time.
Of course, Nintendo couldn’t let this console generation end without another party. Super Mario Party Jamboree is the biggest entry in series history, with over 110 minigames to play, five new game boards (and two returning boards), and a new Koopathlon mode with up to 20 players competing against other Nintendo Switch players online.
But the biggest surprise of all was up next, as Nintendo pulled back the curtain on The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. When Link vanishes, it’s up to Zelda to save Hyrule. She does not swing a sword but instead uses the Tri Rod, which allows her to create echoes (or copies) of the items and monsters all over the map. Can’t reach a ledge? Make an echo of a table to climb up. Too many enemies in your way? Make an echo of a Moblin to do battle for you.
Finally, Nintendo capped the show off with our first look at Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This game was first announced at E3 2017, but we haven’t heard anything about it since then. At long last, Samus’s 3D adventures will continue on the Switch in 2025.
So, let’s take a look at the updated calendar of first-party Nintendo Switch games:
- Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD – June 27, 2024
- Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – July 18, 2024
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Sept. 26, 2024
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – Oct. 17, 2024
- Mario & Luigi: Brothership – Nov. 7, 2024
- Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – Jan. 16, 2025
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – 2025
Suddenly, the Nintendo Switch is shaping up to have to best holiday lineup of any console.
Nintendo fans really couldn’t have asked for much more (other than the long-rumored remakes of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess). This also lends more credence to rumors that the Switch successor will be backward compatible with the Switch. There’s no way Nintendo would release a new Zelda game that couldn’t be played on a console coming out next year.
Either way, Nintendo fans have plenty to look forward to over the next six months.
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