Nintendo Direct February 2023: The Biggest Games And Announcements

The latest Nintendo Direct aired on February 8, and it was jam-packed with game announcements and news–both for brand-new games and for returning classics. At more than 40 minutes, it was a lot to process, but we’ve rounded up the biggest news and announcements. Even if you weren’t interested in Zelda (which made a big appearance) there was almost certainly something for you to get excited about. Metroid Prime Remastered? The return of a long-delayed turn-based strategy game? What about Game Boy games on Switch? We knew we’d get your attention.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The final game of the show was also the biggest. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom got a gameplay showcase to close out the presentation. It shows Hyrule in peril–even by the series’ usual standards–with flaming meteors crashing to the ground as enormous monsters gain a foothold on the territory. Link has access to many of his usual weapons and gear, but he can also drive a vehicle on the ground, pilot a different one in the air, and skate like he’s Tony Hawk on special rails. Alongside the standard game’s release on May 12, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will also get a collector’s edition packed full of extra goodies.

Metroid Prime Remastered

The original Metroid Prime game is back on Nintendo Switch, and it looks like a whole lot of work was put into making it look like it belongs on the newer hardware. The upgraded GameCube title has received a big visual overhaul while maintaining its distinctive art style, and there are multiple control options to cater to returning fans as well as newcomers more used to a dual-stick setup. Otherwise, the gameplay looks like it was left faithfully intact. The best part? You can play the game today via its digital release, with a physical version coming on February 22.

Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp

After a year-long delay sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Nintendo will finally release Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp. No, the remade games aren’t releasing via a shadow drop today, but you won’t have to wait much longer. Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp is out on April 21, just more than a year past its previously planned launch date.

Pikmin 4

We were a little surprised to see Pikmin 4 appear during the Nintendo Direct, as it was announced fairly recently, but it’s evidently much further along in development than we thought. Nintendo revealed that the game is coming out on July 21, and it looks to build on the Pikmin formula with several new creatures. These include a dog-like companion who can act as your muscle and as a boat for traveling across dangerous waters. Things look to be taking a dark turn, as well, with a closing clip showing a creature apparently possessed by some mysterious force.

Nintendo Switch Online Adds Game Boy Games

After years of pleading from fans, Nintendo has finally given us Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games on Switch. The Game Boy titles, which are included in a standard Nintendo Switch Online membership, include Super Mario Land 2, Tetris, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, and several others. The Game Boy Advance titles require the Expansion Pass membership, and they include big names like Super Mario Advance 4 and WarioWare, Inc. Mega Microgames. Several more are planned for future inclusion, such as Fire Emblem and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.

Octopath Traveler 2

Octopath Traveler 2 is out in just a few weeks, and it got a new gameplay showcase during the Nintendo Direct that also revealed a playable demo–available today. Not only that, but this demo, which contains the first few hours of the game, will be transferrable to the full version of the game when it releases on February 24. If you don’t want to replay any of that content in the final version, you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off.

Splatoon 3 DLC

Splatoon remains one of the weirdest franchise in Nintendo’s lineup, and Splatoon 3 is making things even stranger with its new DLC. Coming in two waves via the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass, the first half brings us back to the original game’s Inkopolis, where we’ll meet some familiar faces and go back to some older shops. However, what appears to be the big draw is the bizarre Wave 2 content, “Side Order.” It’s unclear exactly what it entails, but a teaser appeared to feature a squid kid’s mind being torn in two, so we can’t wait to see what messed up story Nintendo has planned.

Sambe de Amigo: Party Central

The classic rhythm game Sambe de Amigo is back with Sambe de Amigo: Party Central. Built specifically for the Switch, this new version has you use your Joy-Con controllers to match targets on the screen during each song, as well as for holding certain poses and dancing. You and a friend can perform together in the “Love Checker” mode, and there is even a battle-royale-style multiplayer mode called World Party, which sees the lowest-scoring player dropped out of a game each round. It’ll be available this summer.