Nintendo held the first ever Direct of 2023 in February and during the event, released information on all of the titles coming to Nintendo Switch during the first half of 2023. It seems like a busy year for Nintendo with the most-anticipated title The Legend of Zelda: Tears of Kingdom also releasing in the first half of the year. Nintendo also packed a lot of surprise releases in the show so let’s jump into the show without any further wait.
Pikmin 4
Nintendo started the Direct February 2023 with new details revealed for the brand-new Pikmin 4 announced earlier. The new trailer showcased environments, characters, story elements, and actual gameplay of Pikmin 4. The game will feature iconic Pikmins such as the Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, and yellow Pikmin.
The trailer also showcased the Ice Pikmin which was used for fighting enemies and creating a path over a pond. There is also a small dog-like creature called Oatchi that helps out in different ways like crossing rivers and smashing through objects blocking your way. We also got to see some of the cool boss fights from the game. It is shaping up to be a great Pikmin title and we cannot wait to play it when it launches on July 21, 2023.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Expansion Pass Volume 3
Nintendo revealed that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Expansion Pass Volume 3 is arriving on February 15, 2023, and it will bring a new hero Masha to the game along with roguelike challenges. Masha is a refined Lapidarist who can use special resources to craft accessories that can bestow special effects on your characters. In the end, the trailer also teased what we can expect from Volume 4 of Expansion Pass.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central Announcement
Party Central is a brand-new Samba de Amigo game announced at the latest Direct by Nintendo. It is a dancing game where you will use your Joy-Con as a controller and follow the instructions on the screen to strike the correct pose at the right time to dance. During standard gameplay, random prompts may appear suddenly so you will need to watch out for them. The game also supports local co-op and online matchmaking. The game will feature over 40 songs at launch. Samba de Amigo: Party Central will release on Nintendo Switch in Summer 2023.
Fashion Dreamer
Fashion Dreamer is a fashion game where you will try to become a fashion influencer. You will dress up yourself and also vote on the fashion sense of others as you continue to grow as an influencer. Apart from just wearing clothes, you can also become a fashion designer and design your own clothes and then sell them in the market. You can also collect clothes that others are wearing by liking them. This unique fashion game is releasing on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Dead Cells: Return to the Castlevania is a new expansion for Dead Cells based on the iconic Castlevania franchise. The new trailer showcases Castlevania protagonists Richter Belmont and Alucard guest starring in the new expansion as well. The expansion also featured a new trailer:
TRON: Identity
TRON: Identity is a new narrative puzzle game set in the TRON universe. Developed by Bithell Games, TRON: Identity will release first on Nintendo Switch this April. Additional details will be shared later.
Ghost Trick Phantom Detective
The classic Nintendo DS game Ghost Trick Phantom Detective is being released on Nintendo Switch this summer. Ghost Trick Phantom Detective is a time-bending murder mystery game, and it will mark its return in HD on Nintendo Switch.
Deca Police
Deca Police is a unique police detective game where you solve cases inside a virtual world which is a copy of the game’s real world. It will release in 2023.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
The upcoming new Bayonetta game Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon also took to center stage with a brand-new trailer. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon serves as a prequel to the previous Bayonetta games and allows you to experience the events that led to the events of Bayonetta games that we played earlier. It is releasing on Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2023.
Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass DLC Announcement
Splatoon 3 is officially getting an expansion pass DLC. The expansion pass will include two waves of content for all Splatoon 3 players. The first wave includes Inkopolis which brings the iconic place from the first Splatoon game to Splatoon 3. You will also get new shopkeepers that stock new weapons and gear for you. Plenty of new mini-games will also be part of the mode. During Splatfests, the Squid sisters will perform live music in Inkopolis to keep things fresh. The first wave of the expansion pass DLC will arrive in Spring 2023. The trailer ended with a teaser for Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass Side Order which is Wave 2 of content included in the Expansion Pass however no further details were revealed.
Disney Illusion Island
Disney Illusion Island features Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse who embark on a journey to save the mysterious island of Monoth. It is a brand-new co-op 2D platformer adventure for 1-4 players featuring a hand-crafted world. The characters are fully voiced and animated along with a magically orchestrated original score. It will release on Nintendo Switch on July 28, 2023.
Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass
Fire Emblem Engage is getting an expansion pass which will bring more emblems to the game. The Wave 2 of content will include Hector, Emblem of Strength, Soren, Emblem of Acumen, and Camilla, Emblem of Revelation. Wave 3 includes Chrom and Robin, Emblem of Bonds, and Veronica, Emblem of Heroes. Wave 4 will include a new story called Fell Xenologue. Wave 2 of the Fire Emblem Engage Expansion pass is now available and additional details about the later waves will be announced later.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie
Publisher Don’t Nod showcased Harmony: The Fall of Reverie, a narrative adventure set in the world of Reverie. In Reverie, deities known as Aspirations dwell and a Mega Corp is aiming to destroy the balance between the two worlds leading to humanity’s destruction. This unique game is slated for release on Nintendo Switch in June 2023.
Octopath Traveller II Demo Release
A free demo of Octopath Traveller II is now available on Nintendo Switch and you can try it out right now. If you purchase the full game later, the saved files will transfer over to the demo.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is getting a remaster for Nintendo Switch which will release on June 2, 2023. All Nintendo Switch Online members can also download and try a free demo of Katamari Damacy REROLL available between February 20 and February 26, 2023.
Sea of Stars Demo Release
Sabotage Studio showcased their new title Sea of Stars which revealed the game’s release date and also announced the release of a free demo for all Nintendo Switch players. This turn-based RPG will release on Nintendo Switch on August 29, 2023.
Omega Strikers
Omega Strikers is a brand-new free-to-play 3v3 footbrawler where players smash opponents off the arena and score goals in this lightning-fast game. It will release on Nintendo Switch on April 27, 2023.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
A collection of the original Etrian Odyssey titles is releasing on Nintendo Switch as a remaster on Nintendo Switch in HD. The collection will include the first three titles in the franchise offering you countless hours of dungeon mapping, exploration, and discovery. It will release on Nintendo Switch on June 1, 2023.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Nintendo announced the release date of the upcoming Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp where you will be able to join Andy, Max, Sami and more iconic characters in two full story campaigns. It will release on Nintendo Switch on April 21, 2023. Pre-orders are now live on Nintendo eShop.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe will allow you to experience a new story in Magalor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler when it will release on Nintendo Switch on February 24, 2023.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Update
Nintendo revealed that Nintendo Game Boy and Nintendo Game Boy Advance games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack today. You can look forward to playing many iconic games such as Tetris, Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, and tons of more classic games with your subscription. After the initial release, tons of other titles will be added to the subscription as well.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Nintendo surprise announced and then launched the original Metroid Prime game fully Remastered with HD visuals for the Nintendo Switch. You can jump into the original Metroid Prime game right now on Nintendo Switch and experience the original adventure that kicked off the iconic franchise. The physical version of the game will release on February 22, 2023.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is a unique detective game where you will use your special abilities to solve different mysteries. It is releasing on Nintendo Switch on June 30, 2023.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
A remastered collection of both Baten Kaitos games originally released for the Nintendo Cube system is coming to Nintendo Switch. It is slated for release in summer 2023.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a new island-building game where you will explore an island, travel through time and make your very own island. It will release on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
PROFESSOR LAYTON and The New World of Steam
PROFESSOR LAYTON and The New World of Steam is a brand-new game featuring Professor Layton who is ready to solve new mysteries. No additional details were released apart from the initial teaser.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass – Wave 4
Nintendo revealed the Wave 4 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass which includes Yoshi’s Island along with Birdo as a new character. Wave 4 will arrive in the game this Spring and it will be free for all Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.
Quick Reel
Before the final trailer and announcement, Nintendo quickly shared some trailers of titles coming to Nintendo Switch. These include Minecraft Legends by Mojang Studios on April 18, 2023, Blanc by Gearbox Publishing on February 14, 2023, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection by Capcom on April 14, 2023, Have a Nice Death by Gearbox Publishing on March 22, 2023, WBSC eBASEBALL: POWER PROS by Konami which is available now, Disney Dreamlight Valley New Realm Update by Gameloft Montreal in April 2023, Tales of Symphonia Remastered by BANDAI NAMCO on February 17, 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo concluded the Direct by showcasing a new trailer for the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The game is releasing on May 12, 2023, and pre-orders for the game are now live.
Complete Nintendo Direct Livestream – February 2023
If you want to watch the complete Nintendo Direct February 2023 livestream, we have it linked below for you:
Let us know in the comments section below which title are you looking forward to playing the most featured at Nintendo Direct February 2023.
