Nintendo is readying its catalog of games for the first half of 2023 and outlined its plans for upcoming Switch games in a Nintendo Direct live stream this Wednesday. The company talked about already announced games like, and, and the Direct was led by the expected one.
But as always, there were surprises, like the revival of the Samba de Amigo franchise, dormant for decades, and remasters of Nintendo games from previous-generation consoles.
These are the main announcements made during the February 2023 Nintendo Direct
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
With its May 12 release date just months away, Nintendo is sharing another look at the 2023 game. The long-awaited title is 2017’s sequel, retaining its open-world exploration and expanding it skyward.
Nintendo also revealed that Link’s next adventure will be priced higher than normal: it will cost $69.99 when it launches in May.
Advanced Wars Reboot Camp 1+2
After an 11-month delay, they will go on sale April 21 on Nintendo Switch. They are on sale on the Nintendo Switch eShop. It was supposed to be released in April 2022, but Nintendo pushed it back after Russia invaded Ukraine in March. Nintendo said the delay was due to “recent world events”, possibly referring to the Russian attack – this is a cartoon-style turn-based strategy war game.
Game Boy and Game Boy Advance on Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo is bringing a number of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games to Nintendo Switch Online. Game Boy titles are available with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, while Game Boy Advance games (with Game Boy games) are available with a subscription and Expansion Pass. On the Game Boy, it’s titles like, and more. For Game Boy Advance you can expect and among others.
Metroid Prime Remake
The original will get a remastered version on Nintendo Switch, adding dual controller controls to classic GameCube gameplay. The physical version will hit stores on February 22.
Pikmin 4
is the fourth Pikmin game in the franchise’s main series, the one people have been waiting for for a decade. On Wednesday, Nintendo announced the release date for the next strategy game: July 21. The trailer opens with Pikmin landing on Earth and doing Pikmin things – breaking things and fighting enemies – with a cute dog named Oatchi and new types of Pikmin, including an ice type.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central
Decades have passed since developer Sonic Team and publisher Sega released an arcade rhythm game that later made its way to the Dreamcast (2000) and Nintendo Wii (2008). The principle is simple: move your maracas (and your body) in rhythm. It goes on sale June 30 on Nintendo Switch, with 40 songs from all genres. This time, it will not only be necessary to move the maracas, but also mini-games, such as a love checkerboard, and play online with up to eight players.
Baten Kaita Remaster
Add another re-release to the list of things announced during Wednesday’s Nintendo Direct. The first game in the JRPG franchise was originally published by Namco; the game was first released in Japan before its North American release in 2004. The JRPG franchise was later discontinued while developer Monolith Soft worked on other projects, such as the Xenoblade Chronicles games.
But after all these years, fans of the JRPG and its transforming maps harbored hopes and rumors that it might return one day. It seems that 2023 is the year… more precisely, in summer.
Fashion dreamer
it’s basically a fashion influencer sim, where you’re rated for your best looks… sort of, but without the absolutely crazy story. It’s a new IP from XSEED, and it’s coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
will receive a Castlevania-themed expansion. It was revealed at The Game Awards last year and will be coming to Nintendo Switch on March 6.
Ghost Trick: Ghost Detective
The Capcom game is a re-release of the 2010 adventure. It’s expected in 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC via Steam.
We love Katamari ReRoll+ Royal Reverie
The puzzle game is a sequel to, and in it, the player controls a character who collects a bunch of stuff – you know, classic Katamari style.
Splatoon 3
is a paid DLC with two waves of content, the first of which adds Inkopolis, a location from the original. With him, Inkopolis Plaza, with new shops and traders. The first wave is coming to Nintendo Switch in the spring. The second wave, Side Order, will come later, with a new single-player campaign.
Disney’s Island of Illusions
appears to be a stylized Disney platformer that takes Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck to a mysterious new world, and features multiplayer for up to four players. It will arrive on Nintendo Switch on July 28.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie
The future of humanity hangs in the balance in Don’t Nod’s. The dramatic game is coming to Nintendo Switch in June. Don’t Nod is known for the Life is Strange franchise.
Professor Layton and the new world of Steam
Surprise! A new Professor Layton game is coming, and Nintendo has kept it under wraps, showing only the title and nothing else. It’s called The Last Mainline Professor Layton Game was released in 2014.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
is a game similar to Animal Crossing where you have to rebuild an island by collecting resources to bring everything back to life. It’s very similar to Animal Crossing, from aesthetics to decorating and collecting, but adds some new mechanics, like in-depth cooking. The first game was originally released for the Nintendo 3DS. It should be out this year.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe course
It’s coming to Nintendo Switch in the spring, including a Yoshi’s Island course and, thankfully, Birdo.