Latest Nintendo Direct Brings Splatoon 3, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and More to the Switch!

Feb 10, 2022

A new year brings new games! Nintendo hosted their first Nintendo Direct livestream of 2022 February 9th, and we were not disappointed. This event was 40 minutes long and focused mainly on games coming to the Nintendo Switch during the first half of the year.

You can watch the livestream on YouTube at this link.

Nintendo is notorious for keeping information under lock and key, causing any predictions about what will be announced at their Nintendo Directs nearly impossible. However, going in, many speculated on launch dates being announced for Bayonetta 3 and Splatoon 3. Information on Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp and Hollow Knight: Silksong were hopeful features, as well.

Without further ado, here are Nintendo Direct highlights of what’s coming to the Nintendo Switch this spring and summer!

Nintendo Switch

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The first open world 3D game in the Kirby franchise is sure to not disappoint. Nintendo showcased the Mouthful Mode, which turns Kirby into the item he inhales! Become a car to zoom around, a vending machine, traffic cone, scissor lift, water balloon, and so much more! Fight evil bosses to save waddle dees who return to Waddle Dee Town. As you save more, the town grows and more resources become available.

Pre-order is now available for March 25, 2022 release.

Remaster of the original Game Boy Advance games, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp has players commanding armies in strategic turn based combat. Commanding officers will now have voices in full campaigns for both games. Players can also fast-forward or rewind in single player mode. There will also be local and online multiplayer modes as well!

Pre-order is now available for release on April 8, 2022.

Splatoon fans got to see more of upcoming Splatoon 3. Nintendo showcased the next wave of Salmon Run’s co-op mode. It features a bunch of fish and goop and mimics an FPS shooter in style (helicopter drop included).

Splatoon 3 is set to release in summer 2022.

Front Mission 1st is a tactical RPG originally released in 1995 that’s being remade for the Nintendo Switch. Customize your wanzer, follow the storyline, and prepare for battle!

Front Mission 1st: Remake is set to release in summer 2022 with a remake of the sequel launching soon after.

This game is set in the same universe as Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but with a different story. Rather than a tactics style as its predecessor, Three Hopes features third-person action combat.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes releases on June 24, 2022.

Imagine a Mario Kart game, but with Disney and Pixar. That’s what Disney Speedstorm is all about. Race through tracks inspired by well-known Disney and Pixar worlds as popular characters, each with their own abilities. Disney Speedstorm will be cross platform with local and online multiplayer.

It’s set to release summer 2022 for Nintendo Switch, PC, and other consoles. Oh, and it’s free-to-play!

That’s right! The survival space game with infinite procedurally generated planets is coming to the Switch. Build your base, explore worlds, or take on a job.

No Man’s Sky will be released on Nintendo Switch, summer 2022.

A continuation in the Mario Strikers franchise is coming to the Switch. Battle in 5v5 intense soccer matches with favorite Mario universe characters. Use items, unique attacks, and special shots to come out on top. To help you win, equip gear that improve skills and use hyper strike to score 2 goals at the same time! Up to 8 players can join in online matches. There will also be an online club mode with 20 players per club competing for the top tank in the world.

Mario Strikers: Battle League will release June 10, 2022.

A DLC for Cuphead features new bosses and a new playable character, Ms. chalice. Explore the undiscovered Inkwell Isle with new weapons, charms, and Ms. Chalice’s unique abilities.

The Delicious Last Course will release on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam, and GOG on June 30, 2022.

Available today! Metroid Dread is getting two new game modes. Playing on Dread mode means you can’t get hit, even once, or else it's game over. For those new to the franchise, try out Rookie mode, which has increased recovery and less damage from bosses. April 2022 will feature a new boss rush mode, which involves a continuous battle against bosses.

A paid DLC, the Booster Course Pass, was announced with remastered courses from previous games. 48 courses will be released through 6 waves, each wave with 8 remastered courses. All courses will be available in local and online play!

You can get all 48 courses in the DLC on March 18, 2022 for $24.99.

Also, the Booster Course Pass will be part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass!

For the first time, Live A Live will be released outside Japan. Originally released in 1994, this RPG follows seven scenarios through different time periods. Explore dungeons and towns, fight enemies, and level up during turn-based battles.

Pre-order Live A Live today for release on July 22, 2022.

The next game in the Xenoblade series! Players take on the roles of the protagonists Noah and Mio in the hostile battle between the nations Keves and Agnus. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will explore a new world that connects the futures of the previous games.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will release September 2022.

We’re honestly surprised that Nintendo hasn’t released a game like this sooner. An iteration of the well-known Wii Sports game, the Nintendo Switch version includes popular competitive sports like bowling, tennis, chambara, volleyball, soccer, and badminton. There’s local and online play, and two free updates to come. The summer update will allow players to use the leg strap to play soccer, and the fall update will add golf!

Nintendo Switch Sports will release April 29, 2022.

Nintendo is hosting an online play test February 18-20, 2022. To sign up, visit their website.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

The action-adventure game that was originally released on the Wii in 2008 will come to the Switch on April 20, 2022.

Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection

Already released on console, Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection comes to the Switch. Included are the single-player campaigns, all solo DLC from Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations, and two short films. Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection will release February 17, 2022.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance

Mobile Suits and characters from across Mobile Suit Gundam history are featured in this new action RPG. Gundam canon twists in this storyline, and it’s up to the player to correct the distorted history. SD Gundam Battle Alliance will release sometime in 2022.

EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings

The beloved NES and SNES games are now released for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. While many were hoping for a Mother 3 release, they can play through the wacky storyline on a modern console today!

Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for Cloud

Play through all three main games plus their collections in a cloud version collection. That’s right, all the games. Included are: KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue * KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)

Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece will release on February 10, 2022, at the price of $89.99.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie

The classic platformers Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil are coming to the Switch with improved graphics! Klonoa Phantasy Reverie will release on July 8, 2022.

Portal: Companion Collection

The renowned Portal and Portal 2 are coming to the Nintendo Switch with local and online multiplayer modes! Portal: Companion Collection will release sometime in 2022.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition

A remaster of Chrono Cross is coming to the Switch with HD graphics, new illustrations, and even a newly enhanced soundtrack! Play through the game again or try out Radical Dreamers, the text based, standalone game that was originally released in 1996 for the Satellaview. Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition will release on April 7, 2022.

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