Nintendo has been relatively quiet to this day about what awaits us in 2024. The company’s first Direct of the year did not show what the company released first party; instead, we took a closer look at what some of its partners will be releasing. We’re getting a new one Endless ocean game, a remastered one Epic Mickeyand we know that now Grounded And Pentiment will be the first Xbox titles to arrive on Switch as part of Microsoft’s new cross-platform strategy.
If you didn’t catch the 23-minute Direct live, here are all the announcements, trailers, news and more you may have missed.
Grounded
Xbox recently announced that it will be bringing many of its first-party games to other platforms. The first one revealed during the Nintendo Direct was Grounded, a co-op survival and crafting game in which players explore a massive backyard after being shrunk. It’s like Honey, I shrunk the kids but with a much greater commitment. The game will be released on Switch on April 16.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the mist
The Nintendo Direct struck a short, somber tone Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the mistthe sequel to that of 2021 Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. It takes place in the Land of Fumes, where you connect with Homunculi, artificial beings created to help the former kingdom gain control. This action platformer will be released later this year.
Arranger: a role-playing puzzle adventure
Indie studio Furniture & Mattress debuted its first game, Arranger during the Nintendo Direct. It follows Jemma, who ventures out into the world, only to discover that it is controlled by fear. It features unique grid-based gameplay that creates striking visuals. The game will launch this summer on Switch, PS5, PC, Mac and Netflix.
Unicorn overlord
Vanillaware, the team behind it 13 Guardians: Aegis Rimis ready to release its new tactical RPG Unicorn overlord on the 8th of March. In the meantime, Switch players can download the demo now to get a head start. It’s unclear at this time how long the demo will last, but progress will carry over to the full game once it’s released.
Monster Hunter Stories
Instead of just fighting monsters, you can ride them (and still fight) in the Monster Hunter Stories franchise. The first game in that series, released in Japan in 2016, is finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch (along with PC and PS4). Nintendo said during the Direct that it will have updated graphics and new content, including a new Museum mode. It is scheduled for release this summer.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Disney continues its return to video games with a reminder that the company once published its own games. Epic Mickey originally debuted on Wii in 2010 – almost 14 years ago now – and now it’s coming to Switch. Brushed again is a “faithful remake,” according to the trailer, with improved visuals. There is no definitive release date yet, but it is expected to appear on Switch later in 2024.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Revenge
If you can’t get enough of it Shin Megami Tensei 5 (or other Atlus RPGs in general), you’re in luck: a complete edition of the game with a new storyline, new locations, and more demons called Shin Megami Tensei 5: Revenge will be released for the Switch on June 21. You can also play the original 2021 version if you can’t wait.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection
These aren’t the EA games you might be thinking of. Star Wars: Battlefront was first released in 2004, with a sequel following in 2005. You can revisit those classic games in the aptly named Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection, which includes both games, including bonus cards and heroes like Asajj Ventress and Kit Fisto. You can pre-order it now ahead of its March 14 release.
South Park: Snow Day
Everyone loves a snow day… right? In the latest South Park game, you play as a new kid who gets sucked into a long-running fantasy world where school is canceled for the day and the Snow War rages. This is the first co-op game in the franchise, where you team up with classic characters like Cartman and Kenny to defeat your enemies. South Park: Snow Day will be released on March 26.
Sword Art Online: Broken Daydream
Face the past and present of this MMO come to life in the times to come Sword Art Online: Broken Daydream. Choose a character and participate in raids for 20 people. There is no release date yet, but the game will be released on Switch later this year.
Gundambreaker 4
Gundam has something for everyone, and much of it will be available in Gundambreaker 4, available later this year for Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC. Build the ultimate Gunpla by collecting parts and skills through multiple missions. You can even put them in a new Diorama mode, which is really all many of us want for our models. It will be released later this year.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
The long-running monkey role-playing game is back Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble. The upcoming title features over 200 levels, a new Spin Dash move, a new co-op mode, and robust character customization. You can play in four-player co-op or, for the first time, join up to 16 players in a range of other mini-games, including racing. You can pre-order it now ahead of its release on June 25.
World of Goo 2
Many of us are excited about it World of Goo 2, and now we have a release date. According to a new trailer on the Nintendo Direct, the sequel to the classic indie puzzle game will be released on May 23. It features much of the same gameplay as the first, along with new Goo Balls to help with over 64 levels. Right now it’s exclusive to Nintendo consoles.
Fantasy life i: The girl who steals time
Fantasy life i was announced during the Nintendo Partner Direct in February 2023 and re-released on Wednesday. The next game in the role-playing life sim series will feature a new deserted island to explore and rebuild. Like many life sim games, you can customize your character and your new settlement; the twist is that you can take on up to 14 different roles, called Lives. We now also have a release date: October 10th.
Another treasure of a crab
You’ve probably played a Soulslike, but have you ever played one as a crab? Developer Aggro Crab (fitting), lets you play as Krill, a crab who must travel through an underwater world under the influence of a curse. Aggro Crab also promises a lot of other crabs. It will launch on April 25 on Switch, as well as on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC and PS5. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
Penny’s Great Escape
Penny’s Great Escape Penny and her yo-yo (named…Yo-Yo) star as they try to escape a penguin army through a series of platforming levels. Yo-Yo is your main tool here and you can perform a series of tricks to reach the other side. It leads to unique looking gameplay. Oh, and it’s out now on Switch, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series
Suika Game Multi-Player Mode Expansion Pack
Suika game is a cute twist on Tetris, where players stack different fruits on top of each other to remove them from the board. While there was an online leaderboard, there was no multiplayer. However, during the Nintendo Direct, it was announced that the game will be getting a multiplayer expansion pack DLC that supports two-player local co-op, and that it is available now.
Pepper mill
Pepper is a pirate stranded on an island, but luckily she gets help. This retro-inspired platformer is fast-moving, colorful and full of interesting things you can do with your exercise, called Grinder. Ahead of the game’s release on March 28, you can now play a demo on Nintendo Switch (one was previously available during Steam Next Fest).
Pocket Card Jockey: Ride on!
Game Freak’s version of solitaire was a cult hit on the Nintendo 3DS and received a mobile port to Apple Arcade last year. Now Switch players can race horses and play cards in this new version, available now.
Pentiment
While GroundedNintendo’s move to the Switch kicked off the Nintendo Partner Direct, Pentiment from Xbox-owned Obsidian Entertainment, will be the first title to hit the Switch. Featuring a striking look, inspired by 16th-century book illustrations, this choice-driven historical mystery follows an artist named Andreas who must solve a series of murders in the small town of Tassing, Bavaria. The game will be released on Switch on Thursday, February 22.
New games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online
Rounding out the small series of Xbox announcements, Nintendo also announced that five retro Rare games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online on Wednesday. This includes well-known classics such as Killer instinctalong with a few more niche titles such as Snake rattle N-roll And RC Pro Am. These were all developed by Rare when it made games exclusively for Nintendo consoles, but since Rare is now owned by Xbox, they technically count as Xbox games too.
Endless Ocean: Luminous
That wasn’t “one more thing” from this Nintendo Partner Direct Mother 3, But Endless Ocean: Luminous, the first sequel in the diving series since then Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep, which was first released in Japan for the Wii in 2009. It still features much of the same exploration gameplay, but it now features a massive multiplayer mode, with support for up to 30 divers, along with a mechanic that changes the ocean every time you dive. The game will be released exclusively for the Switch on May 2.