Nintendo Direct September 2022 - Everything We Saw

· 9 min read
Nintendo Direct September 2022 - Everything We Saw

Nintendo just hosted a new Nintendo Direct, and many new games were revealed and showcased at this event. Here's everything we saw.

Fire Emblem Engage

A new Fire Emblem game was announced, this one entitled Fire Emblem Engage. A trailer for the game was played showcasing what appeared to be voice acting for all characters, standard RPG gameplay, and exposition on the game's story. A special collector's box, dubbed the "Divine Edition", was also shown off.

Image showing off all of the items included in the FE Engage Divine Edition. I like the poster.
Screenshot from Nintendo Direct flaunting everything you get with this box.

The Divine Edition contains the game on a physical cart with the original case, a Steelbook case with the box art printed on it (omitting the Switch banner and title text), some art cards, an art book showcasing what appears to be several perspectives for each character, and a big poster.

Fire Emblem Engage is slated to launch on January 20, 2023. You can pre-order it today.

It Takes Two

A trailer for the upcoming Switch port of It Takes Two (originally released in 2021 for the current Xbox and PlayStation platforms and Windows) was shown off, providing some context for the game and showcasing standard gameplay.

The game follows the characters Cody and May, a couple whose relationship was in shambles who have now been turned into dolls. To return to human form, they must overcome a series of challenges centered around working together.

The game is created entirely around co-op play; you need a friend to play the game with you, as it's two player-only. You and your friend can both play on the same system with two sets of Joy-Con, on two systems with local wireless, or online with the free Friend's Pass.

It Takes Two for the Nintendo Switch will be available on November 4, 2022, and you can pre-order it now on the Nintendo eShop.

FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Another port of a Wii game, FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse was revealed for the Nintendo Switch, finally localized for the West.

The game will be available in early 2023.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass: Wave 2

Wave 2 of the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass DLC was revealed to include a new character, Ino, who appears to be a cyborg. Challenge battles were also revealed, letting you test things out and earn rewards.

Screenshot of a page about the Expansion Pack 2. New hero and challenge battles.
Challenge battles + the rise of the machines (Source: Nintendo Direct screenshot)

Wave 2 launches October 13.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake

A trailer was shown off for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, a 3D platforming adventure game about SpongeBob. There are 7 worlds, over 30 costumes, and all the characters are voiced by their original voice actors.

Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star

Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star is a motion-based exercise game spin-off of the Japanese manga series Fist of the North Star.

Oddballers

Oddballers is a dodgeball game joining the likes of Mario Tennis as a wacky sports-based party game you crack out at a party and never touch again.

You throw whatever you want here, and it is pure chaos. There are also minigames that apparently have "ridiculous rules". You're told to just "embrace the absurdity" of it, a little bit like the crazy unbalanced Mario Party minigames. There's also online play. The game will release early next year.

TUNIC

In TUNIC, you play as a small fox stuck on a ruined, deserted island. TUNIC is a 3D isometric adventure game where your only clues are the manual. The level designs shown off in the trailer look fantastic, and the game itself also looks good graphically.

TUNIC launches on the Switch on September 27, 2022 and you can pre-order it now.

FRONT MISSION remakes and localizations

The first two Front Mission games are currently being localized and remade for the Nintendo Switch.

FRONT MISSION 1st Remake (yes this is the actual title)

In Front Mission, it's 2090 and you control battle machines called Wanzers and battle against other robotic opponents.

Source: Screenshot from Nintendo Direct

FRONT MISSION 2

Sequel to Front Mission 1st, but with some enhancements added.

Front Mission 1st Remake will launch this November, Front Mission 2 Remake will come out in 2023, and a Front Mission 3 will come sometime in the future.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

A remake of the GameCube game Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is simply an HD remake of that game. You oversee your father's old farm, meet people in the town, and potentially start a family. A neat feature of the game is the fact that characters grow older over time. You can watch your kid grow up in the game and choose their own life, and characters' appearances change gradually over time. Neat.

The game will be available in the summer of 2023.

New Splatoon 3 Splatfest

The next Splatfest for Splatoon 3 was announced, with this one's theme being which type of items you would bring to a deserted island– Gear, Grub, or Fun?

I hate to get into politics, but I choose Grub. I like food. Fun's also an option if I can bring my game consoles
Image source: @SplatoonNA on Twitter

The Splatfest will take place from September 23rd at 5pm PT to September 25 at 5pm PT in the Splatoon 3 game.

Octopath Traveler II

Octopath Traveler II was revealed via a trailer, and appears to be a bit different from the previous game. Battles appear to be action-based and the art style has a bit more depth to it.

Octopath Traveler II releases on February 24, 2023.

Fae Farm

Fae Farm is a farm simulation RPG, it's a farming sim with fantasy elements and RPG gameplay. Novel idea. You can explore the island of Azoria and eventually help to restore it.

Fae Farm will launch in Spring of 2023.

THEATRYTHM FINAL BAR LINE

THEATRYTHM FINAL BAR LINE is a rhythm game with Final Fantasy music and multiplayer. The game launches February 16, 2023, and pre-orders begin today on the eShop. You will also be able to buy more songs from other iconic RPG series as paid DLC later.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

A free-roam 3D platformer and RPG featuring Mario and the Rabbids.

Available October 20. There's a Gold edition, with the game, weapon skins, and a season pass. You can pre-order it today.

Rune Factory 3 Special

Anime-style farming sim with an emphasis on anything not farming-related, like chatting with the people in the world's town, raising monsters, fishing, and the new in-game mode in Special designed to "help you spend more quality time with your ingame spouse."

Nintendo 64 on Switch Online

More Nintendo 64 games were announced to be coming to Nintendo Switch Online's selection of N64 games. These are:

  • Pilotwings 64
  • Mario Party 1-3  
  • Pokemon Stadium 1-2
  • 1080 Snowboarding
  • Excitebike 64
  • Goldeneye 007 with online play

VARIOUS DAYLIFE

A laid-back RPG where you can meet the locals, get a job, and "enter a grandiose adventure into the unknown."

This game launched yesterday. You can buy it now.

Factorio

Your rocket has crash-landed on an unknown planet. You must make a factory to put together a new rocket. Your factory gets huge, and you can sink hours into the game.

Launches on Switch on October 28.

Ib

Port of a PC horror game in which a young girl is sucked into a painting amd must escape to her own world.

Launches on Switch in 2023.

Mario Strikers Battle League

Mario Strikers Battle League will receive another free update this month adding Pauline and Diddy Kong to the roster. Pauline is very strong and Diddy Kong is very fast. There are also more gear items and a new stage being worked on.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key

An anime-style RPG, Atelier Ryza 3 follows a girl named Ryza on an island called Kurken Island when new islands suddenly appear. To get rid of them, Ryza must set off on an adventure surrounding the "roots of alchemy".

You can view the game's info here on the Nintendo eShop and the game will be available on February 24, 2023.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass: Wave 3

Wave 3 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass was revealed to include 8 new tracks:

  • London Loop - Mario Kart Tour (iOS, Android)
  • Boo Lake - Mario Kart Super Circuit (Game Boy Advance)
  • Rock Rock Mountain - Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo 3DS)
  • Berlin Byways - Mario Kart Tour
  • Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 7
  • Merry Mountain - Mario Kart Tour
  • Peach Gardens - Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS)

Nintendo Switch Sports Update

The next free update to Nintendo Switch Sports will add golf, with the original Wii Sports courses, local play, and up to 8 players online multiplayer. While originally planned for the fall, the update is now postponed to holiday 2022.

Updates from Mr. Miyamoto

Shigeru Miyamoto delivered some updates regarding the Mario movie and Super Nintendo World, stating that thay are working on "the finishing touches" for both. He also talked about Pikmin Bloom for way too long before delivering an update on the next mainline Pikmin game, Pikmin 4.

Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4 will release in 2023, and you'll be able to play from the Pikmin's perspective, close to the ground.

Screenshot of the Direct, showing the game from a low perspective.

Mr. Miyamoto also made a new T-shirt.

Drip

Just Dance 2023

Just Dance 2023 was revealed for the Switch, featuring... Just Dance gameplay. It's pretty standard compared to the previous Just Dance games, nothing too huge here.

HARVESTELLA

HARVESTELLA is a farming simulator in an anime style. You are cultivating and growing your farm when the season of death continuously returns. You have to travel the world and end that thing. The game will be available on November 4, 2023, and you can view the details and pre-order on the Nintendo eShop.

Bayonetta 3

After 500 years, Bayonetta is revived in today's age. In this game, Bayonetta has to save the world from manmade horrors beyond comprehension, bioweapons called Homunculi. Bayonetta 3 will be available on October 28, 2023, and pre-orders started yesterday. A gameplay trailer is also available on Nintendo's YouTube channel.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

Rain Code is a detective game developed by the makers of Danganronpa. It's set in a corporate-controlled city where it's always raining, mysteries are never solved, and there are only six investigators, called Master Detectives. You have investigate these unsolved cases as a trainee at the city's detective agency. Mystery Phantoms will try to set you back during each case, and you have to physically fight their lies.

Combat involving slicing open a sentence.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code will be a timed exclusive on the Switch.

Resident Evil Village Cloud

A cloud version of the newest Resident Evil game, Resident Evil Village. The cloud version requires an internet connection to play and launches on October 28, 2022. A free demo launched yesterday, and DLC will be available on December 2.

Resident Evil Biohazard, 2, and 3 will also be available as cloud versions on the Switch sometime this year.

Sifu

Sifu is a kung-fu action brawler. Over time, your character in the game becomes old and weak.

Sifu will be available on November 8, and pre-orders are open today on the Nintendo eShop.

Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion

Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion is an action RPG that takes place during the events leading up to Final Fantasy VII. Final Fantasy VII - Reunion launches on December 13.

RADIANT SILVERGUN

RADIANT SILVERGUN is an arcade shoot-em-up. You can employ several different types of weapons to defeat hordes of enemies. Radiant Silvergun launched yesterday. You should be able to download it today, however the game is currently unavailable in North America.

Endless Dungeon

SEGA's Endless Dungeon is a rogue-lite action game set in the Endless universe. You and your team have to make it out of a crashed space station. Levels are procedurally generated, and you have to complete quests to unlock new heroes, weapons, and station areas. Up to three people can play together with online co-op. Endless Dungeon will be available on the Switch next year.

Tales Of Symphonia Remastered

A remaster of the original Tales of Symphonia for the GameCube, Tales of Symphonia Remastered follows the protagonist, Lloyd, and his friend Colette partnering up with people to save their dying world. However, their actions in this world might have repercussions in another. Tales of Symphonia Remastered will be available in early 2023.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

A remaster of the 2011 Wii game, Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a remaster of what many consider the best Kirby game ever made. Deluxe also features the new Mecha ability which lets you shoot enemies from a distance or punch them up close. There is local 4-player multiplayer, and now everyone can play as a differently-colored Kirby. Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe launches February 24, 2023, and pre-orders opened yesterday. You can pre-order it today on the Nintendo eShop.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Link takes to the skies in the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, now named Tears of the Kingdom. The trailer has a sort of horror feel to it, with dark colors and greyness all around. Link also has a glider now. Tears of the Kingdom will release on May 12, 2021.