Our Picks For The Best Games Announced At Nintendo's Direct Mini Showcase

Video Games

Jun 28

This morning Nintendo surprised fans with their Nintendo Direct Mini Showcase, announcing all sorts of new offerings for the Switch. All of the games announced today will be released before the end of next year. The games range from Mario to a rail management simulator. There indeed was something for any gamer today, and here are our top picks from the showcase.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection

Originally released on the GameBoy Advance this collection focuses on ten separate games in the Battle Network series. Set in a parallel universe from the rest of the Mega Man franchise, the games focus on a fifth-grade student named Lan Hikari and his NetNavi MegaMan.EXE. In the games, the internet has become integrated with almost every piece of technology in existence. That is where the need for NetNavis comes in, these programs are stored in personal terminals, or PETS for short. These act much as a modern smartphone would in the universe. Together throughout the series Lan and his NetNavi work together to protect the world from World Three, infamous terrorists across the net. Legacy Collection will release for the Switch sometime in 2023.

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NieR: Automata The End Of YoRHa Edition

At long last fans of the NieR: Automata will be able to enjoy the critically acclaimed game on Nintendo Switch. For those that may not know the game is a hack-and-slash style RPG focusing on the events surrounding humanity after otherwordly invaders decimate earth. Humanity is forced to leave the planet and seek refuge on the moon before the events of the game. It is here that humans create a squad of androids to reclaim Earth from the machines left behind by their former conquerors. Also of note, the game will include the DLC, 3C3C1D119440927, adding three types of colosseums and costumes from NieR replicant. NieR: Automata The End Of YoRHa Edition releases on October 6th this year.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

Far from the first Monster Hunter to release for a Nintendo console, Rise has been fun and refreshing for fans of the series. Sunbreak plans to continue down that path with new monsters, combat options, locations, and the Master Rank difficulty for quests. Going across the sea to the Elgado Outpost players will investigate the Three Lords, powerful creatures who rule the lands. Garangolm, a titanic beast, the ice wyvern Lunagaron, and the main focus of the expansion, the vampiric elder dragon, Malzeno. Some fan-favorite monsters will also be making a return. So make sure to pick up Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak on June 30th.

Return To Monkey Island

Perhaps the most unexpected announcement from the showcase is the return of the swashbuckling Monkey Island series. The series was originally developed by LucasArts in 1990. Following Guybrush Threepwood as he dares to become the greatest pirate in the Caribbean. Threepwood must foil the plans of the evil undead pirate LeChuck while winning the affection of Elaine Marley. Returning for the newest installment in the franchise is the original creator Ron Gilbert, and unsurprisingly Lucasfilm Games. We look forward to returning once again to Monkey Island later this year.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope

The popular crossover of an Italian plumber and crazy rabbits returns in a new entry. Sparks Of Hope will see players return as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and the Rabbids. The game promises an intergalactic adventure where you will build a dream team of characters to overcome obstacles and enemies, rescuing the titular sparks who will give players additional powers. The game will follow in the footsteps of Kingdom Battle, giving players a mix of tactical battle and exploration-style gameplay. Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope will come to Nintendo Switch later this year.

While we might have left out other offerings from the Direct Showcase, like Sonic Frontiers and Minecraft Legends, these titles are the ones that have captivated our staff. There is plenty to look forward to from Nintendo in the next year, both original projects and ports of beloved titles. So make sure you get those pre-orders in and keep an eye out for more trailers and reveals for all of the titles that Nintendo announced today.