Today, a new Nintendo Direct Mini presentation aired, showing off several third-party games heading to Nintendo Switch. Among other things, we finally got a Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope release date, as well as a port announcement for quirky action RPG Nier: Automata. Here's everything that was announced during the show.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Free Title Update 1
First up, we got a look at the first major title update for the Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak expansion. You're getting new monsters in the form of Seething Bazelgeuse and Lucent Nargacuga, as well as "several other monsters". The update will also add a new Forlorn Arena area. Two more updates are also on the way in fall and winter, both of which will add new monsters and powered-up versions of existing monsters. The first Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Free Title Update drops in August. There will be a second free update in Fall, with a third in the Winter, and more updates in 2023.
Nier: Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition
Have you played Nier: Automata yet? It's a typically off-the-wall production from Platinum Games and auteur developer Yoko Taro, and it's heading to Nintendo Switch in the form of Nier: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition. The game will land on Switch on October 6th, and you can pre-order it starting today.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Next up, it's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, a rather intriguing-looking semi-monochromatic puzzle game that is described as a "chilling modern take on puzzle adventure games". It's a timed Nintendo Switch console exclusive that's hitting the Switch next year.
Super Bomberman R 2
A brand new Bomberman game is on its way to Nintendo Switch. Super Bomberman R 2 will contain all of the hectic Bomberman puzzle action you've come to know and love, as well as a brand new Castle mode. In this mode, players must collect treasure from a castle while a single defending player attempts to thwart their efforts. The game is launching for Switch in 2023.
Mega Man Battle Network: Legacy Collection
Capcom is bringing ten Mega Man Battle Network RPGs to Nintendo Switch. Originally released on the Game Boy Advance, the series transposes the frantic action of Mega Man to a grid-based system and adds RPG elements for devastating combos and abilities. The collection will also feature a gallery and music player, just as you'd expect from a retro collection. You can check out Mega Man Battle Network: Legacy Collection next year. It will be available to purchase digitally in two parts, like the Mega Man Legacy Collection.
Pac-Man World Re-PAC
This remake of Pac-Man World updates the classic 3D platformer with modern visuals and gameplay sensibilities. Just as you'd expect from a classic retro platformer, Pac-Man World Re-PAC will also hop genres; you'll get to race against opponents and take part in a space shooter minigame as well. This one's coming to Switch on August 26th.
Blanc
Blanc is an adorable-looking animal adventure game in which a fawn and a wolf cub must work together to navigate a harsh wilderness and get home. It's an environmental puzzler that you can either play in local or online co-op, and it's entirely text-free as well. You can play this cute adventure on Switch when it launches next February.
Return to Monkey Island
Announced back in April, Return to Monkey Island also got a look-in during today's Nintendo Direct Mini. The gorgeous-looking point-and-click adventure game will be coming to Nintendo Switch sometime this year, although we don't know when just yet.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope release date
A new Mario + Rabbids game was announced during E3 2021, and in today's Nintendo Direct Mini, we finally got a release date for it. The game, which will once again feature tactical battling starring characters from both the Mario and Rabbids franchises, will launch for Switch on October 20th this year. There's a new showcase coming tomorrow in which we'll likely learn more about it.
Little Noah: Scion of Paradise
Next, we got a look at Cygames' side-scroller Little Noah: Scion of Paradise. It'll feature procedurally-generated environments that you can explore, and you'll be able to recruit allies with different powers in order to build combos and defeat foes. It's launching today for Switch.
Railgrade
In Railgrade, you must build railway systems to transport cargo, eventually building a railway empire of staggering complexity. You'll need to prepare each shipment according to different strategies; which resources to acquire, what transportation methods to use, and more will change with each challenge. It's coming to Switch this fall.
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
Have you ever wanted to play an RPG that takes place entirely within a hand-drawn notebook? Well, now you can. RPG Time: The Legend of Wright sees you solving puzzles, battling enemies, and more across a 200-page notebook filled with adorable illustrations. It comes to Switch on August 18th.
Sonic Frontiers
Next up, it's Sonic Frontiers. This one hasn't exactly had the most positive fan response since it was first shown, and it's looking as shaky on Switch as it does on other platforms, but hopefully, Sonic Team can pull something special off. The game hits Switch "this holiday". We got our first sight of the smaller cyber zones in the game that appear to be more focused.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
This Disney life sim sees you trying to help various Disney characters recover their memories after an ominous event known as "The Forgetting". You'll meet plenty of iconic Disney characters, dress your character up however you like, and take part in lots of minigames. This one enters Early Access on Switch on September 6th.
Live a Live
A classic, influential RPG, Live a Live is getting an HD2D remake (think Octopath Traveler or Triangle Strategy) that's coming in July. You'll be able to play a demo for the game later today.
Doraemon: Story of Seasons - Friends of the Great Kingdom
We're getting a follow-up to 2019's Doraemon: Story of Seasons. Friends of the Great Kingdom will continue the cutesy, relaxing farming gameplay of its predecessor; you'll be able to farm crops, take care of livestock, and use Doraemon's crazy gadgets to help you on your way. The game is coming to Switch later this year.
Minecraft Legends
Minecraft Legends is an action-strategy take on the world of Minecraft. You must build structures, team up with your allies, and take charge of armies in order to do battle with enemies from another dimension. This one's coming to Switch next year.
Dragon Quest Treasures
Taking place in the realm of Draconia, this Dragon Quest spinoff sees you battling alongside monsters in order to hunt down treasures across the land. You can also use monsters to travel the world and help you explore, too. This cute-looking spinoff comes to Switch on December 9th.
Sizzle reel
Next, Nintendo showed off some games either available right now for Switch or coming soon. They include Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, which is available now, as well as No Man's Sky, which lands on October 7th. We also got a look at A Plague Tale: Requiem, which launches on Switch via the cloud later this year, and strategy game Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions.
Portal Companion Collection
Surprisingly, both Portal games are now available via Nintendo Switch. This collection packs in the excellent portal-based puzzling of Portal and Portal 2, and you can grab it on Nintendo Switch right now.
Harvestella
There's a real shortage of farming sim RPGs right now, isn't there? Sarcasm aside, Harvestella has all the usual farming sim trappings; it lets you farm, craft, talk to townspeople, and engage in RPG combat. There will be a season system, too, as well as some kind of life-destroying force known as Quietus to contend with, as it appears Square Enix is mixing the life/farm sim with epic RPG for this title. It launches for Switch, and PC on November 4th.
Persona 5, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable
After three mainline Persona games were announced to be coming to Xbox and PC earlier this month, they're now also heading to Nintendo Switch. Persona 5 is heading to Switch on October 21st, just like other platforms, and Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable are coming to the console as well, although we don't have dates for those yet.
