Everything announced at the Nintendo Direct September 2023

We're just a few hours away from the Nintendo Direct now, so let's see what games there are to talk about!

So - what should we be expecting from the Nintendo Direct? Well, let's focus on Nintendo's phrasing - today's showcase is "focused on Nintendo Switch games releasing this Winter." That's a relatively limited list at the moment. 

Let's assume that "this Winter" runs from any time around now to the early months of 2024. As much as it's still unseasonably warm here in the UK, there are a few games coming out pretty soon that Nintendo seems likely to highlight - Detective Pikachu Returns and Super Mario Wonder are both out next month (October 6 and October 20, respectively). After that, WarioWare: Move It! and the Super Mario RPG Remake will arrive on November 3 and November 17.

Beyond there, however, it gets a little trickier. The remake of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and the new Princess Peach game are both due to release in 2024, but we don't know when - could they arrive in the winter months at the start of the year?

In a moment of absolute copium, my colleague Dustin has also flagged that the Metroid Prime 4 release date is still a mystery. Something tells me that won't be making an appearance today, but I suppose we can always hope.

One thing we know we won't be seeing is anything to do with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Despite initial hints to the contrary, Nintendo has said that there'll be no Tears of the Kingdom DLC. According to series producer Eiji Aonuma, the team believes it's exhausted all the possibilities that the latest version of Hyrule has to offer, and is setting its sights on something new.

A handful of first-party titles isn't all the Switch has to offer in the next few months, however. Our list of upcoming Nintendo Switch games notes that there are plenty more highlights on the horizon.

Right up the top is Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley-like Mineko's Night Market, launching on September 26. There's the Metal Gear Solid Collection, or the remake of beloved JRPG Star Ocean The Second Story. Persona 5 Tactica and Hogwarts Legacy are both on the way in November, and those are just the games with confirmed release dates.

The Batman: Arkham Trilogy is bringing all of the acclaimed games and their DLC to the Switch. Disney Dreamlight Valley is due to arrive before the end of the year. Even Silksong is scheduled to release in 2023, though I'm not prepared to don my clown makeup just yet.

Speaking of Silksong, why don't we check in there? A famously impatient community waiting years and years for information that is anything but forthcoming, they've been notably struggling to cope for several years no.

The copium is already flowing some sections of the community, but other fans seem to be learning their lesson. With a Sony State of Play also kicking off today, I have to say that I was tickled by this partnership:

Let's go back to some of those upcoming games, shall we? Cozy MMO Palia is due to hit the Switch before 2024 rolls in, as is Sonic Superstars, the triumphant 2D return of the blue blur. Then there's a new Professor Layton game, and the mysterious Hellboy Web of Wyrd.

It's a pretty decent lineup, and while it's not a guarantee that any of it turns up today, we're also likely to get a look at stuff we've never seen before.

We're back after a brief break, and now only 55 minutes out from the Nintendo Direct!

I'll be interested to see whether Pokemon Scarlet and Violet show up today. The first branch of the game's DLC - The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero - is out now, and its follow-up. While players have already got their hands on The Teal Mask, Part 2 - The Indigo Disk - is firmly set for a 'Winter 2023' release, so perhaps a new trailer is on the horizon?

Speaking of Pokemon, I also wonder if we'll get some updates on its various TV shows. Now that Ash Ketchum's final adventures have made their way to Western audiences, the new anime is just around the corner, so perhaps there'll be an update there.

There's also stop-motion effort Pokemon Concierge, but there's no word on a release date for that. And finally there's Path to the Peak, a new animated series based on the Trading Card Game. 

Pokemon does, of course, tend to get its own Directs, and so there's no certainty that any of these shows make an appearance today. Still, I'm extremely keen to see more of that stop-motion Psyduck.

Stepping away from Pokemon, I think the thing I'm most interested to learn more about is the Super Mario RPG remake. Given that I'm 28 and this game first released 27 years ago, I don't have a huge depth of knowledge about it, but my Old colleagues are very excited.

There's a lot in this remake that's made its mark on Mario as we know it. The commonly-accepted version of Princess Peach stems from this game. So does that Fat Yoshi meme. In a completely different direction, there's also a ridiculous cocktail-based goof in the original game that the remake appears to have fixed. What a difference nearly three decades makes.

While we're dancing around the subject of Princess Peach, let's talk about her new game. Actually, let's try, because we really don't know much about it. Even its working title is baffling - an investor report labelled it 'Princess Peach will star as the main character in a brand new game'. It doesn't really roll off the tongue, does it?

Beyond that, we know very, very little about this game. Announced in June and followed up with near-total silence, there's a theatrical theme and some vaguely puzzle-shaped gameplay, but Nintendo is clearly keeping this one pretty close to its chest.

All of a sudden, somehow we're only 15 minutes out from the Direct. Catch it here if you need the link!

One thing we can be pretty sure will show up is Super Mario Bros Wonder. The first 2D(ish) Mario game in far too long (Super Mario Maker sits in a slightly odd spot), it's a seriously exciting prospect.

Heather was lucky enough to go hands on with the game at Gamescom last month, and came away beaming:

By the end of my time with Super Mario Bros Wonder, I realize I haven't stopped smiling for a single second. I'm left with a desire to see what other unexpected events are in store in what looks set to be a creative twist on the 2D side-scrolling formula in the world of Mario. I can't wait to return to the Flower Kingdom when it releases on October 20, 2023. 

For all that, however, this is slightly bittersweet. Super Mario Bros Wonder marks the first time in decades that Mario won't be voiced by long-time actor Charles Martinet, who's stepping away from the role to become Nintendo's Mario Ambassador. As for his replacement - we won't find out until Wonder's credits roll... 

Just five minutes to go now friends!

Let's a go! 

First up it's Splatoon 3 looking very pretty in pastel pink. 

Looks to be the new single-player Splatoon 3 content that's been teased lately.

Wave 2 of the Expansion Pass called Side Order. Designed to be played over and over again and it's coming in Spring 2024.

Mario vs Donkey Kong is coming to Switch! Nintendo DS classic that's like a Lemmings-style puzzle solving game. 

Mario's rocking a handstand jump in this puzzle title. Also comes with local co-op where the second person plays as Toad.

Launches February 16, 2024 and pre-orders begin today.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is up next with a new gameplay trailer for its side-scrolling action. 

Don't forget it's coming on January 18. 

Horizon Chase 2 - arcade racer with upgradeable and customizable cars. Up to four-player co-op and launching on Switch later today.

Konami launching Super Crazy Rhythm Castle in November.

This game about a little girl and her dog wearing a trilby looks amazing. Spy Anya!

Super Mario RPG trailer now highlighting new and returning gameplay features. You can damage all enemies at once, building a bar that lets you pull off a move that combines all three characters in your party. It will change according to who you're using too!

Don't forget, Super Mario RPG launches November 17 exclusively on Switch.

The Nintendo DS' Trace Memory is coming to Switch as Another Code: Two Memories.

Also Another Code Recollection bundled in too.

Dropping 'early next year'.

Oh yes, is it time for the Peach game?!

Peach and the Toads went to the theatre to see a show, only for it to be interrupted. Peach and the Toads much save the day with the help of a flower called Stella, who's the theatre's spirit. 

Peach can use Stella's ribbon to give her powers. She can also transform into Swordfighter Peach, complete with amazing outfit and longsword. 

Detective Peach is another version she can transom into to save the theatre shows.

There's also Patisserie Peach and Kung-Fu Peach too!

Princess Peach: Showtime launches March 22. 

Gameplay changes according to her transformations too!

SaGa Emerald Beyond announced with 2024 release date.

First three Tomb Raider games launching on Switch in one package. Faithfully remastered, complete with option to toggle between OG graphics and new version. 

Out February 14, 2024, pre-orders begin today.

Detective Pikachu Returns up now, and we're getting a look at Tim interviewing people and Pikachu interviewing Pokemon to get to the bottom of Tim's missing father. 

Pikachu can use other Pokemon to expand the gameplay too, like Growlithe for sniffing and Luxray for seeing through walls. 

Trombone Champ coming to Nintendo Switch! You can use gyro controls or the IR motion camera to simulate the trombone slider. 

Somehow it's even more bonkers than the original release. 

Also includes four-player local multiplayer and it's out today.

Online battle royale brawler Battle Crush launches next spring with a beta this October.

Wartales is a tactical open world RPG launching later today on Switch as a timed console exclusive.

Contra: Operation Caluga is a reimagining of the Game Cube classic and is coming early next year.

Quick catch-up on some trailers for you! 

Atlus is bringing us Unicorn Overlord on March 8, 2024.

Luigi's Mansion news?! YES

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD! A re-release of the classic DS game with new graphics for the Switch. 

Up to four players online can join together for a variety of online modes.

Coming to Switch next summer.

Mario Gallery is opening in Japan as the Nintendo Museum - currently being built but should be done by March 2024. 

Zelda and Ganondorf amiibo launching November 4, Noah and Mio from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 coming January 19. 

Sora from Kingdom Hearts is also getting his own amiibo too! It'll be available in 2024.

F-Zero 99 coming to Switch in its original form?

Oh no it's a 99 title! Online battle royale free later today for Nintendo Online subscribers.

Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story looks absolutely adorable. League of Legends Stardew, I'm so in. Coming 2024.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story coming November 1. 

New trailer for WarioWare: Move It

It's got a bizarre chicken egg-laying game that I never want to see again. 

Coming November 3 with a four-player multiplayer mode too. 

Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes launches April 23, 2024.

Eastward: Octopia is a new paid-for DLC! Excited to go back into that world. 

Looks very Stardew-esque?

You can play it even if you haven't played the base game too. 

Wargroove 2 coming October 5. 

Dave the Diver alert!

Dave the Diver coming to Switch October 26! Free demo out now. 

Console timed exclusive by the sounds.

Final Mario Kart 8 booster courses dropping along with Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, and Pauline as playable characters.

Oh Peachette too! 

Wave 6 launches "this holiday".

Among Us: The Fungle is a new free map and launches this October.

Recap of all the upcoming Switch games before the end of the year now :)

Well and into 2024.

Oh, oh my

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is getting remade for Switch! I'm so excited. 

Wait is this actually all three?!

False alarm. Still, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is coming to Switch in 2024.

Enchanced graphics too. 

Right, shall we recap all of that?