The Nintendo Direct has gone and though we didn’t get every prediction correctly, the new announcements were a great way to kick off 2022. Between Fire Emblem, Mario Kart, Advance Wars, Xenoblade and more, there was something for everyone.
If you missed out last night, or want an easy to breakdown summary, we've rounded up all the big announcements. For every game no matter the size, here is our full round-up for the February 2022 Nintendo Direct.
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Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Not exactly the Fire Emblem game many were predicting, but a nice surprise nonetheless. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a new story set in the Three Houses universe but with that signature Musou (Dynasty Warriors) combat from Koei Tecmo. Three Hopes comes out on June 24, 2022, so here’s hoping no one loses an eye over it.
Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp
After an initial delay, Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp finally has a release date: April 8, 2022. WayForward’s remake of the classic GBA games will also come with voiceovers, online play, and custom maps.
No Man’s Sky
It looks like the universe is filled with endless possibilities, as the folks at Hello Games were able to port No Man’s Sky on the Nintendo Switch. The procedurally-generated open-universe game will be coming to Nintendo Switch this Summer with five years worth of updates.
Mario Strikers Battle League
The biggest surprise of the Nintendo Direct, Mario Strikers Battle League, shocked all of us with fun gameplay reminiscent of the Gamecube original and a June 10, 2022, release date. Mario Strikers Battle League retains that signature Strikers gameplay and come with custom gear, eight-player multiplayer, online multiplayer, and online clubs, among other things.
Splatoon 3: Salmon Run Next Wave
Nintendo showed off Splatoon 3’s improved version of Salmon Run, called Salmon Run Next Wave. Aside from the typical Salmon Run co-op Splatoon players have gotten used to, we also have new bosses and hurdles to get through to make things tenser. There is still no release date for Splatoon 3.
Front Mission 1st and Front Mission 2 Remakes
The first of Square Enix’s surprise announcements, Front Mission 1st is a remake of the original mech-based tactical RPG, developed by Forever Entertainment of Panzer Dragoon: Remake fame. That's slated for release this Summer. A remake of Front Mission 2 was also announced, though no release window was confirmed for it.
Disney Speedstorm
Disney Speedstorm comes from the developers of the Asphalt racing games, scheduled for release this Summer. Speedstorm is a Free-to-Play kart racer featuring characters from Disney and Pixar. Online play with cross-platform multiplayer was confirmed, so expect Disney Speedstorm to hit other systems as well.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
A pleasant surprise for Star Wars fans, the Wii version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be coming to Nintendo Switch thanks to Aspyr Media, who have been handling the ports of the classic Star Wars games. This improved version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is coming to Switch on April 20 with both motion and button controls, priced at $19.99.
Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection
Ubisoft is bringing Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations to Nintendo Switch next week, on February 17. Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection will come with similar improvements available in previous Assassin’s Creed collections on Switch, like motion controls and HD rumble.
SD Gundam Battle Alliance
(Mobile) Suit up for this action RPG featuring classic Gundam Mobile Suits and pilots from various hit anime. SD Gundam Battle Alliance will be coming out this year and will feature online multiplayer.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
Not the remake that’s been rumored but Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition looks like a solid HD upscale of the PlayStation original, getting a similar treatment like recent ports of Final Fantasy VIII and IX.
This version of Chrono Cross is coming out on April 8, 2022, and will come with the Radical Dreamers text-based visual novel for the Satellaview as a bonus.
Kirby and The Forgotten Land
Kirby’s 3D adventure on Switch is still scheduled for its March 25 release. We got to see Kirby become Carby via the new Mouthful Mode, one that lets the pink menace plow through enemies by absorbing certain materials he comes across.
MLB The Show 22
The first PlayStation Studios game to hit Nintendo Switch. MLB The Show 22 comes out on April 5. That includes cross-progression, so players can transfer their data to other consoles.
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece
Nintendo recapped the Kingdom Hearts Cloud Service collections coming to the Switch. The games are available now, though anyone hoping for a native version of these games will be disappointed.
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
Remasters of Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil will be coming to Switch and other consoles on July 8. These remasters appear to be different from the first game's Wii remake that released back in the day, though gameplay hasn’t changed much.
Portal Companion Collection
Valve is releasing ports of their critically-acclaimed Portal games to Nintendo Switch sometime this year. Local and online co-op will be available for Portal 2.
Live A Live
Square Enix is giving this classic JRPG a worldwide release for the very first time. Live A Live will now feature the HD-2D graphics we’ve seen in Octopath Traveler and the upcoming Dragon Quest 3 remake. Fans can purchase Live A Live on July 22.
Nintendo Switch Sports
A proper successor to the best-selling Wii Sports, Nintendo Switch Sports brings back classic motion-controlled sports games like Tennis, Bowling, and Chambara. There will also be three new games in Soccer, Badminton, and Volleyball.
Nintendo Switch Sports is coming out on April 29 with free updates that will add Golf to the game released post-launch. An Online Play Test is also planned for next week.
Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythm Festival
The latest game in this classic rhythm series is coming out this year with a paid subscription service that adds 500 songs. Songs confirmed for Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythm Festival include a symphonic version of the main Legend of Zelda theme, Gurenge from the Demon Slayer anime, and Feel Special from Kpop girl group TWICE.
Triangle Strategy
Square Enix’s Triangle Strategy is marching towards its March 4 release. A new Prologue Demo has released, letting fans play the first few hours of the game, with the option to transfer save data to the main game after.
Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course
Studio MDHR’s beautiful side-scrolling shooter will finally get its paid DLC on June 30th. Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course features new bosses to tackle and a new playable character in Ms. Chalice, who can double jump and dodge roll.
Metroid Dread Free Updates
Last year’s acclaimed Metroid Dread will be receiving two free updates. The first one, available now, adds Dread Mode and Rookie Mode difficulties. Playing in Dread Mode means you die in one hit while Rookie Mode increases Samus’ healing capabilities. The second update in April will add a Boss Rush Mode.
Earthbound and Earthbound: Beginnings
Fans can finally play the legendary Earthbound RPGs via the Nintendo Switch Online service today. Still no Mother 3 though.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War
A port of the popular multiplayer shooter series, Zombie Army 4: Dead War is coming to Nintendo Switch on April 26.
GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon
This beautiful 2D action game from Konami stealth released on Nintendo Switch last night.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles
Sega is porting the anime arena fighter to Nintendo Switch on June 10, complete with previous updates added to the versions that came out last year.
Lego Brawls
A side-scrolling brawler similar to Super Smash Bros. but with Lego characters. Lego Brawls is coming out in June 2022 and was originally available in Apple Arcade.
Two Point Campus
Sega’s quirky college simulator is Switch-bound on May 17.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass
No Mario Kart 9 or Nintendo Kart, but racing fans are getting DLC courses for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. 48 courses will be released in six waves, the first of which comes out on March 16, and will cost $24.99. Subscribers that have the Nintendo Switch Online - Expansion Pass get the DLC for free.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Acting as a bridge between Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, this anticipated entry in the acclaimed JRPG series comes out on September 22. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 seems to feature a visual style similar to Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.