Nintendo Direct February 2023 61yc All the Major Announcements and Trailers

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom got a new gameplay trailer featuring new enemy types. z6a49

Written by Rahul Chettiyar, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 9 February 2023 16:45 IST

Nintendo Direct February 2023: All the Major Announcements and Trailers

Photo Credit: Nintendo 6o6r1n

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom features a bunch of new enemy types

Highlights

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom marks Nintendo Switch’s first $70 game
Metroid Prime Remastered is out now on the Nintendo eShop
Mario Kart 8’s Wave 4 adds Yoshi’s Island map, Birdo

ment

Nintendo hosted its Direct event, early Thursday, showcasing a host of games launching within the first half of 2023. The nearly 45-minute-long presentation was streamed live across the company's social channels and featured most major IPs, including new trailers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Among new announcements, Nintendo is finally remastering the original Metroid Prime, bringing a brand-new course to its acclaimed racing title Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and more. Beyond that, the company has made retro Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games available on the Nintendo Online subscription service.

Without further ado, here's a list of the biggest video game announcements from 2023's first Nintendo Direct event:

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe to Hogwarts Legacy, The 8 Biggest Games Launching in February

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom new trailer and price 1z375s

Release date: May 12

One of the most anticipated games of this year, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom would also be the first Nintendo Switch exclusive to cost $70 (about Rs. 5,785).

Metroid Prime Remastered 5n6b1x

While Metroid Prime Remastered will be out February 22.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe demo and epilogue 2h6d5t

Release date: February 24

Ahead of its launch later this month, Nintendo has announced a new epilogue for Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Accessible after finishing the main story, in it, you play as the interdimensional traveller Magalore, who lost his magical powers. The epilogue features an entirely new map, wherein players collect magic points by clearing over 20 levels — eventually restoring Magalore's abilities to his original state. Furthermore, the company has also made a free demo available on the Nintendo eShop.

Advanced Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp release date 5k3o54

Release date: April 21

Featuring a newly-reimagined style for the Nintendo Switch, Advance Wars is returning with its lead cast of Andy, Max, Sammy, and more, as you strategically defend the lands in a military-style turn-based combat system. Think of it like Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, but the characters can help with machinery repairs and boost abilities. Players can also design their own maps and share them with friends, in addition to partaking in a Versus Mode for head-to-head contests — both online and local. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp was originally slated for a 2021 release.

Pikmin 4 release date 1u6y5j

Release date: July 21

In addition to getting a July 21 release date, the much-awaited Pikmin 4 received a gameplay close-up at the Nintendo Direct presentation. The trailer offered a look at the new, unnamed minuscule player character, as they ordered around the smaller, floral Pikmin species for aid in solving puzzles and defeating bosses in the backyard. We're also introduced to a friendly dog named Otachi, who is adept at breaking apart barriers and pulling giant carcasses.

Splatoon 3 expansion 2u5o68

Release date: Spring 2023

It's time to splash some more colour onto the grey, metropolitan Splatsville via the new expansion , which adds two waves of Splatoon 3 DLC content. The first one launches during the US Spring, and adds the Inkopolis map, a location from the original Splatoon, bringing with it the Inkopolis Plaza, shops, and occasional concerts from the Squid Sisters. The trailer then cuts to a darker theme, highlighted by a bleak, snowy locale, introducing a second single-player quest called Side Order — launching in the future.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Wave 4 a5w6z

Release date: Spring

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe soon. Those who own the Booster Course pack will gain access to Yoshi's Island, taking you through vibrant underwater regions and a ramp into the skies. Birdo the funnel-mouther dinosaur, who first appeared in 2003's Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, is also getting added to wave 4 as a playable character.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon gameplay 6f85h

Release date: March 17

Exploring the Umbra Witch Bayonetta's early days, under the name Cereza, Nintendo released a new gameplay trailer for Bayonetta Origins Cereza and the Lost Demon. The spin-off title sees the young, trainee witch on a quest to save her imprisoned mother, as she ventures deep into the forbidden Avalon Forest, ruled by fairies. Thankfully, we're not alone on this journey, as we're soon ed by the demonic Chesire, a brawny feline, who acts as our muscle. The game has you take control of both characters, with Cereza merely serving a ing role by using spells to bind enemies in place. By switching controls to Chesire, we can deal massive amounts of damage to vanquish those threats.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 expansion 5o3d1n

Release date: February 15

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is getting its third batch of expansion content on February 15, adding roguelike battles and a new character, Masha, a Lapidarist. Essentially serving as a crafting expert, she relies on special ores to build accessories that can bestow various stats — such as agility boosting. The roguelike addition has you select one character and battle waves of enemies, with each victory granting more heroes and special abilities. Developer Monolith Soft also announced the Volume 4 content — launching later this year — which adds a new story-based experience.

Disney Illusion Island 61364b

Release date: July 28

Starring iconic Disney characters — Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy — Nintendo Switch, this July. The cartoon-stylised platformer sees our heroes embarking on an adventure to seek three magical books, as they jump, swim, and swing around the mysterious island of Monoth. The game can be played in four-player local co-op as well, wherein each player controls a character. Share hugs for extra health points, play leapfrog for longer jumps, and throw down a rope for your allies to climb up.

Octopath Traveler II demo 3t576v

Release date: February 24

Octopath Traveler 2 just got a playable demo on the Nintendo eShop, with saves carrying over to the main game, once it launches. Featuring a unique blend of retro pixelated and 3D CGI art styles, the game plunges you into Solistia, a bustling land divided by the sea. Play as one of eight eccentric characters, each with their own characteristics, and explore the lands as you see fit — engaging with the townsfolk and developing job and talent skills over time.

Game Boy on Nintendo Switch Online 37v6b

Retro Game Boy titles are now available on the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. Key highlights of the library include Tetris, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, and more. The basic $19.99/ year (about Rs. 1,651) tier grants access to titles from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color.

Meanwhile, the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgames!, and Kuru Kuru Kururin.

From Elden Ring to BGMI's ban, 2022 gave us a lot in the gaming space. We discuss it all on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 5f4xo

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Action-Adventure

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player

Series The Legend of Zelda

PEGI Rating 7+

More Nintendo Games

Metroid Prime Remastered 5n6b1x

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Platformer

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player

Series Metroid

PEGI Rating 12+

Nintendo Direct February 2023: All the Major Announcements and Trailers

More Nintendo Games

Kirby's Return To Dreamland Deluxe m3029

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Platformer

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

Series Kirby

PEGI Rating 3+

More Nintendo Games

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp 2itl

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Strategy

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

Series Wars

PEGI Rating 12+

Nintendo Direct February 2023: All the Major Announcements and Trailers

More Nintendo Games

Pikmin 4 1q6k56

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Strategy

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player

Series Pikmin

More Nintendo Games

Splatoon 3 542425

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Shooter

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

Series Splatoon

PEGI Rating 7+

More Nintendo Games

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 3x3o3i

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Good
Beautiful racetracks
Local multiplayer
Extremely welcoming for new players
Nintendo characters
Power-ups

Bad
Connection issues in online mode
Uncomfortable to play with Joy-Cons

Read detailed Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review

Genre Racing

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

Series Mario Kart

PEGI Rating 3+

More Nintendo Games

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon 713cg

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Action-Adventure

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player

Series Bayonetta

PEGI Rating 12+

More Nintendo Games

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 4a6t4k

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre RPG

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player

Series Xenoblade Chronicles

PEGI Rating 12+

More Nintendo Games

Disney Illusion Island 61364b

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Platformer

Platform Nintendo Switch

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

More Disney Games

Octopath Traveler II 4y4xd

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre RPG

Platform Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), PC: Windows

Modes Single-player

PEGI Rating 12+

More Square Enix Games

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