A brand-new, full length Nintendo Direct was aired on YouTube on Sept. 23, 2021. Hosted by Yoshiaki Koizumi, a game designer for the company, this Direct was filled to the brim with tons of exciting news on games, downloadable content (DLC), and even announcements soon to come. Here’s a summary of the Direct and the information that came from it.

GAMES

• Castlevania Advance Collection – Sept. 23, 2021 (after Direct)

This is a collection of 4 Game Boy Advance Castlevania games with added content and updates. It includes all regional versions of the games, a music player, a reload feature, and more. It’s great for anyone who enjoyed the original games.

• Actraiser Renaissance – Sept. 23, 2021 (after Direct)

Another updated version of an old game was also released with the Direct. Originally released for the SNES in the early 1990s, this improved version of Actraiser has high-definition 3D graphics and a remixed soundtrack, as well as other small changes. 

• Deltarune Chapters 1 + 2 (Switch release) – Sept. 23, 2021 (after Direct)

The new chapter of Deltarune was also released for Switch, less than a week after being released for PC. It is the second part of a planned seven part series of games, both of which are available for free. 

• Arcade Archives PAC-MAN/Arcade Archives XEVIOUS – Sept. 23, 2021 (after Direct)

Two ports of the classic arcade games were released to coincide with the Direct. 

• Hot Wheels Unleashed – Sept. 30, 2021

This racing game features Hot Wheels cars and a track builder.

• Metroid Dread – Oct. 8, 2021

Metroid is a series famous for its long wait times between entries. After almost two decades, fans finally got a brand-new side-scrolling Metroid game.

• Disco Elysium: The Final Cut – Oct. 12, 2021

This is an expanded edition of the 2019 game Disco Elysium, a non-traditional role playing game that does not feature combat. It instead has an emphasis on skills and the thoughts of the protagonist, which affect the story. This is the first version of the game released for a handheld console. 

• Dying Light Platinum Edition – Oct. 19, 2021

This is the full version of Dying Light that includes all the DLC and skins. This is coming to Switch a couple months before Dying Light 2 – Stay Human releases, so fans can play the first game before the sequel. 

• Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars – Oct. 28, 2021

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a JRPG that takes heavy inspiration from tabletop RPGS and card games – so much so that almost the entire game and it’s battle system is based off of cards. This was the game’s first announcement. It is developed by Square Enix. 

• Mario Party Superstars – Oct. 29, 2021

We received more information on Mario Party Superstars, which was originally announced at E3 2021 earlier this year. Two new boards were revealed, and we also got a closer look at the gameplay and some of the game’s features. 

• Shin Megami Tensei V – Nov. 12, 2021

The highly awaited Shin Megami Tensei V, released on Nov. 12, 2021. It may bridge the gap for those wanting a Switch port of Persona 5.

• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remaster – Nov. 11, 2021

A remaster of the beloved Star Wars RPG will be releasing this November. It will have updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements. 

• Wreckfest – Fall 2021

This is a racing game all about crashing and wrecking other cars, developed by Bugbear Entertainment. 

• Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition – Holiday 2021

Yet another updated version of a game was announced at the Direct – this time it’s an updated version of the 3DS game Disney Magical World 2, including extra content. The game will be released in time for the holiday season. 

• Surviving the Aftermath – Holiday 2021

Surviving the Aftermath is a survival and city building game that is currently in early access on PC and XBOX. It will be releasing for Switch later this year. 

• Dying Light 2 – Stay Human Cloud Edition – Feb. 4, 2022

The sequel to Dying Light is releasing for Switch as a cloud game. This allows the game to run better on a less powerful console. The drawback is that it does require an internet connection, so it can’t be played on-the-go like most Switch games.

• Triangle Strategy – March 4, 2022

After listening to feedback from the demo released in February 2021, Triangle Strategy has received many improvements to various aspects of the game. The JRPG will be released in March 2022. 

• Rune Factory 5 – March 22, 2022

A brand-new Rune Factory game is coming out in spring of 2022. The game will feature fully animated cutscenes and the classic Rune Factory gameplay.

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Spring 2022

The Kirby series has long been known for being a strictly 2D series. However, next spring, the very first 3D platformer Kirby game will be released. This game will feature Kirby (and the player) exploring a brand-new setting, perfect for the transition to 3D. 

• Chocobo GP – 2022

This Final Fantasy spinoff is a racing game that can support up to 64 players. It has both single and local/online multiplayer. It will definitely appeal to Final Fantasy fans who wish they could play as their favorite characters in a game like Mario Kart.

• Shadowrun Trilogy – 2022

Shadowrun Trilogy contains all three of the Shadowrun games in one package. It will be releasing in 2022. 

• Splatoon 3 – 2022

Splatoon has quickly become one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises since the first game released in 2015. The third game will feature both the classic Splatoon gameplay and a story mode, “Return of the Mammalians.” More information will be announced at a later date, but for those fans who want to read up on all the lore, it can be found here – Nintendo

• Bayonetta 3 – 2022

The final announcement at the Direct was the trailer for Bayonetta 3, which will be releasing in 2022, after being announced all the way back in 2017. 

DLC PACKS AND UPDATES

• Mario Golf: Super Rush update – Sept. 23, 2021 (after Direct)

This update includes two new characters, two new courses and various bug fixes.

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity expansion wave 2 – Oct. 29, 2021

The second wave of DLC for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity will be coming out this fall. The first wave was released in June 2021. 

• Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak expansion – Summer 2022

This big expansion will be released just in time for summer vacation in 2022.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The announcement of the final DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be held on Oct. 5, 2021.
• A Direct for Animal Crossing: New Horizons was announced for October. The livestream showed footage of The Roost being available in the town museum. A free content update will be released in November. 
• The Nintendo Switch Online service will be adding a new membership plan, “Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack,” in late Oct. More information was announced a few weeks later. The pack released Oct. 25. The plan will include access to a multitude of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. A list of the available games can be found here: Nintendo
• Shigeru Miyamoto stepped in to give news on the upcoming Super Mario movie, produced by Illumination, the animation studio known for the “Despicable Me” series. The film is set to release during the 2022 holiday season in the United States. The voice cast for the main characters was announced, with Chris Pratt voicing Mario. Mario’s classic voice actor, Charles Martinet, will also be present, but he will only be voicing cameo roles. More information is soon to come.