Nintendo’s magic touch continues with remastered classics and innovative games.
Get ready for a remaster extravaganza because last week’s Nintendo Direct was brimming with remastered classics, as more beloved games from previous Nintendo handheld consoles are getting a fantastic facelift for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo’s got a knack for reviving old console games, updating them with better graphics, and hitting that sweet spot of nostalgia. It’s the perfect chance for a new generation of gamers to dive into those classic games that laid the foundation for what we play today.
Whether they’re throwing it back to the 80s arcade hits or creating brand-new adventures in the world of beloved platform action games, Nintendo’s upcoming titles for the Switch blend the old and the new in a snazzy and exciting way.
So buckle up and get ready for a gaming experience that bridges the generations.
Here are some of the upcoming Switch releases that you can look forward to.
WAHOO! IT’S-A MARIO EXTRAVAGANZA
Super Mario RPG
In this approachable role-playing adventure, Mario, Bowser, and Peach team up with original characters Mallow and Geno to repair the wish-granting Star Road. Their mission is to save Star Road from the troublemaking Smithy Gang.
The game features updated graphics and cinematics that enhance the charm of this unexpected alliance. Players can explore colourful environments, engage in turn-based battles with a party of three, and use well-timed button presses to enhance attacks and defence, making it an RPG suitable for all.
The game will launch on November 17, 2023.
Mario vs Donkey Kong
Simply titled Mario vs Donkey Kong, this is a full remake of the beloved first entry in the series originally released on Game Boy Advance in 2004.
In this updated version of the puzzle platform game, Donkey Kong has stolen all the mini-Mario toys from the factory and it’s up to Mario to track him down and recover all of the toys.
Observe and act to collect mini-Marios, clear stages and face Donkey Kong head-on. Players can experience the game on February 16, 2024.
Princess Peach: Showtime!
Princess Peach stars in her own game, where she partners with theatre guardian Stella to thwart Grape and the Sour Bunch’s show-stealing antics.
Using a magical ribbon, Peach assumes different roles, each with unique abilities.
From swordfighter to detective, she takes on various tasks to save the day, with more transformations waiting to be unveiled. It will be launched on March 22, 2024.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
A beloved RPG originally released for the GameCube in 2004, is receiving a remake. While the game is getting enhanced visuals and a graphical upgrade through the Switch hardware, it remains faithful to its original paper and cardboard art style and design.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the second installment in the Paper Mario series and, like its predecessor, combines turn-based battles with overworld challenges that involve puzzles and platforming. The release will be announced in 2024.
COSY ADVENTURES
Dave the Diver
A single-player adventure RPG experience, this game blends deep-sea exploration and fishing by day with sushi restaurant management by night. Dive into the world of Dave and his eccentric companions as they embark on a quest to unravel the mysteries concealed within the enigmatic depths of the Blue Hole.
The game will be released on October 26, 2023.
Eastward: Octopia DLC
Sam and John return in an all-new adventure! Immerse yourself in this heartfelt, story-driven farming simulation game, where you can cultivate crops, care for livestock, and transform a deserted fairground into a vibrant village.
If you’re new to Eastward, don’t worry, you can access the DLC even if you haven’t played the main story. Its release will be announced during the holiday season this year.
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
The game is a charming crafting RPG from Lazy Bear Studios, known for Graveyard Keeper, set in the playful world of Bandle City.
As a bashful yordle from Yarnville, your 101-year apprenticeship comes to an end, igniting your desire to explore beyond Yarnville’s portals.
Unfortunately, a mishap at a party leads to portal collapse and chaos in Bandle City. Armed with unique knitting magic, you set out to make friends, repair portals, and restore harmony. The game’s release will be announced in 2024.
SPYxANYA: Operation Memories
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of SPYxFAMILY in its first-ever console game. Anya Forger’s got a school mission: craft a memory-packed photo diary. Weekdays are school mornings and cosy family evenings, but weekends? Prepare for adventure and get ready to help Anya create the ultimate photo diary. The release will be announced in 2024.
FANTASY WORLDS IN ACTION
Wartales
A century after the fall of the Edoran Empire due to a devastating plague, the land is plagued by mercenaries, bandits, and lawlessness, with the honour of a long-forgotten ideal.
In this open-world RPG, you’ll command a group of morally ambiguous characters, where combat, survival, and a hunger for wealth rule your existence.
You’re not the hero destined to bring peace; your sole objective is to endure and prosper in this unforgiving and hostile realm, using any means at your disposal.
The game was released on September 14, 2023.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
The first new game in the Prince of Persia series since 2010, this new exhilarating action-adventure platformer is set in a mythical Persian world where time and space become your playground.
Step into the shoes of Sargon, evolving from a sword-wielding prodigy into a legendary hero as you master acrobatic combat and harness a range of Time Powers and unique super abilities.
Immerse yourself in an intriguing Persian mythological narrative, solving puzzles, discovering hidden treasures, and embarking on quests to unravel the mysteries of this corrupted world.
Players can expect the game’s release on January 18, 2024.
Unicorn Overlord
ATLUS and Vanillaware, the masterminds behind 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere, have announced their new revolutionary tactical fantasy RPG. Unicorn Overlord merges classic tactical RPG elements with overworld exploration and an inventive battle system, delivering a distinct and epic fantasy adventure in the signature Vanillaware fashion.
Explore a vibrant world and lead an ever-growing army of over 60 unique characters, including humans, elves, powerful beasts, and heavenly angels, into beautifully animated battles. Your heroic deeds will earn you renown across five nations as you cultivate a formidable force in this epic RPG adventure. It will be released on March 8, 2024.
SaGa Emerald Beyond
A standalone RPG that combines the best elements from the beloved SaGa franchise. This latest entry is set across 17 distinct worlds, each boasting its own culture and race.
Six protagonists embark on journeys guided by mysterious emerald waves, introducing a freeform scenario system where choices shape the evolving narrative.
The game features accessible yet deep turn-based combat, making it an excellent entry point for new RPG fans while offering a fresh SaGa experience for long-time enthusiasts. The game’s release will be announced in 2024.
SPECIAL MENTION
Contra: Operation Galuga
This modern reimagining of the iconic ‘80s run-and-gun action NES classic brings updated graphics, sound, new stages, enemies, bosses, play mechanics, and a revamped weapons system.
Join elite Contra commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean as they wage war against the Red Falcon terrorist group on the Galuga Islands.
Team up with a friend for explosive co-op combat in story mode, or gather a squad of four in arcade mode. With stackable weapon upgrades, powerful Overload abilities, customisable difficulty settings, and additional challenges, the Contra legacy is back in full force! The game’s release will be announced in early 2024. – Wardi Wasil
