Nintendo Switch owners are in for quite the year ahead! In the latest Nintendo Direct video presentation, Nintendo detailed a wide variety of games coming to the console this year and into 2022 – with some games launching shortly after the presentation.

The video outlined something for everyone, including:
• The next games in franchises like Bayonetta 3, Splatoon 3 and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a new 3D platforming-adventure in the Kirby series;
• Massive expansion DLC for MONSTER HUNTER RISE and free downloadable content for Mario Golf: Super Rush;
• A new membership for Nintendo Switch Online that includes access to a growing library of classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive games, as well as all the current benefits of the service, such as NES and Super NES games, exclusives like TETRIS® 99 and PAC-MAN 99 and more;
• Several exciting new games from SQUARE ENIX like Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, Chocobo GP and TRIANGLE STRATEGY;
• Remakes and compilations of nostalgic classics, including the HD remastered Actraiser Renaissance, Shadowrun Trilogy and Castlevania Advance Collection, a compilation featuring classic Castlevania games from the Game Boy Advance and Super NES.

To view the Nintendo Direct video in its entirety, visit Nintendo Australia’s Nintendo Direct website. Some of the highlights revealed in the video include:

• Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: A new membership is coming to Nintendo Switch Online in late October with classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive games. In addition to all the benefits of a Nintendo Switch Online membership such as online play, access to a growing library of NES and Super NES games, and more, members can play select titles like Mario Kart 64 online with up to four players for the first time ever (additional accessories required; sold separately). The full list of classic games launching for the expanded service, with more Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive titles coming in the future, is as follows:

Launch Line-up of Nintendo 64 Games
o Super Mario 64
o The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
o Mario Kart 64
o Lylat Wars
o Sin and Punishment
o Dr. Mario 64
o Mario Tennis 64
o Operation: WinBack
o Yoshi’s Story

Upcoming Nintendo 64 Games (With More to Come!)
o Banjo-Kazooie
o Pokémon Snap
o The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
o Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
o Mario Golf
o Paper Mario
o F-Zero X

Launch Line-up of SEGA Mega Drive Games
o Sonic the Hedgehog 2
o Streets of Rage 2
o Ecco the Dolphin
o Castlevania: Bloodlines
o Contra: Hard Corps
o Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
o Golden Axe
o Gunstar Heroes
o M.U.S.H.A.
o Phantasy Star IV
o Ristar
o Shining Force
o Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
o Strider

Nintendo Switch Online members will soon be able to pre-order two new controllers that resemble the original Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive controllers. These wireless controllers can be used to play these classic games on Nintendo Switch Online. More details about Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, including release timing and price, will revealed at a later date.

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land: The next Kirby adventure on Nintendo Switch is going 3D! In this new 3D platforming game, players can freely navigate areas using familiar Kirby copy abilities. What lies in store for Kirby as he explores a mysterious setting filled with abandoned structures from a past civilisation? Find out when Kirby and the Forgotten Land launches for Nintendo Switch in autumn 2022.

• Bayonetta 3: A new trailer for this stylish action-filled sequel showed off gameplay for the first time, revealing a new look for Bayonetta and new mechanics, including the ability for Bayonetta to directly control demons. Bayonetta 3 will launch for Nintendo Switch in 2022. More information about the game will be released at a later date.

• MONSTER HUNTER RISE: SUNBREAK: Capcom is currently working on a massive, paid DLC expansion for the hit Nintendo Switch game MONSTER HUNTER RISE. The expansion will include newly added stories, locales and monsters, as well as newly added hunting actions and quest rank. MONSTER HUNTER RISE: SUNBREAK is scheduled to be released in winter 2022. More information about this massive expansion will be revealed in the future.

• Splatoon 3: The next game in this INK-redible series features new and returning stages in 4-v-4 battles, as well as new weapons never before seen in the Splatoon games. In the game’s single-player campaign, mammals might be returning… but what does this mean? Find out more when additional details about Splatoon 3, which is scheduled to release in 2022, are revealed in the future.

• Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars: A spellbinding experience from the creative minds of YOKO TARO and Yosuke Saito is about to unfold. In Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars from SQUARE ENIX, players will square off in experiences that reveal themselves through cards, including turn-based battles, where their skills – and a little bit of luck – will determine the victor. This fresh take on tabletop RPGs launches for Nintendo Switch on 28th October. Players can try out the free demo and pre-order Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars now on Nintendo eShop.

• Chocobo GP: Get ready for a new racing experience! Race as familiar FINAL FANTASY characters like Chocobo and Gilgamesh using special character abilities and Magicites to speed past the competition. Engine customisation options will also be available, as well as local* and online** multiplayer. Up to 64 players can compete in a bracket-style tournament to determine the racing champion! Chocobo GP launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch in 2022.

• TRIANGLE STRATEGY: In February, SQUARE ENIX sent out a survey for the demo version of TRIANGLE STRATEGY. Since then, the developers have been updating the game, with a focus on adjustments to the difficulty, as well as improvements to on-screen visuals, camera controls and the ability to view past conversations. The stunning HD-2D strategy RPG TRIANGLE STRATEGY launches for Nintendo Switch on 4th March 2022.

• Actraiser Renaissance: The classic Super NES game Actraiser returns on Nintendo Switch, now remastered in HD! In Actraiser Renaissance, strike down monsters in the side-scrolling action phase, Realm Acts, and cultivate lands in the world-building creation phase, Realm Management. Enjoy the much-loved original score and a rearranged soundtrack featuring new music. New stages and boss battles also await. Actraiser Renaissance is available now for Nintendo Switch.

• DELTARUNE Chapter 2: The new expansion to DELTARUNE Chapter 1 has arrived! Enter DELTARUNE Chapter 2 and once again experience a hilarious and emotional story in the mysterious Dark World. Players will dodge everything, from balls of yarn to ambulances and missiles, in creative attacks that appeal to beginners and not-so-beginners alike. DELTARUNE Chapter 2 is available now as a free update for owners of DELTARUNE Chapter 1.

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update: A new free update is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons this November! More details will be revealed in an Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct airing in October.

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass DLC: On 29th October, the second wave of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass content arrives with a newly playable character duo, additional stages and emotional new story sequences. Defend Hyrule as the quirky duo character, Purah & Robbie, and their array of ancient technology. See how places like the Coliseum and Kakariko Village looked 100 years in the past in new story stages. Learn more about the Champions and the mysterious Guardian in emotional new story sequences as the fight for Hyrule’s future continues! Players who purchase the Expansion Pass will also gain access to Wave 1 of the DLC, which is already available.

• The Final DLC Fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is…: …going to be revealed soon! Masahiro Sakurai, the director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, will host a final “Battling with…” video on 5th October revealing the final DLC fighter. This will be the last presentation about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC, so make sure to tune in!

• Mario Party Superstars: It’s almost time for Mario Party Superstars, which launches for Nintendo Switch on 29th October! In addition to the main Mario Party mode, which will see the return of several classic boards from the Nintendo 64 era, including Woody Woods, Yoshi’s Tropical Island and Horror Land, Mario Party Superstars will also feature the minigame mode Mt. Minigames, which includes the competitive Survival course and the cooperative multiplayer course Tag Match, among other courses.

• Mario Golf: Super Rush DLC: More free content is coming to Mario Golf: Super Rush. Shortly after the presentation, two new playable characters will be added to the game: Koopa Troopa and Ninji! In addition to these characters, two new courses will be added – the snowy Blustery Basin and the desert-set Spiky Palms – as well as the ability to change the difficulty level of the CPU opponents.

• Disco Elysium – The Final Cut: In this ground-breaking role-playing adventure, interrogate people and uncover clues with the help of 24 inner skills. The player’s behaviours and available choices will change depending on how they develop these skills, directly impacting how the story progresses. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut launches digitally on Nintendo Switch on 13th October, while the physical version launches in early 2022. Pre-orders for the digital version are available now on Nintendo eShop.

• STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic: A beloved Star Wars game is coming to Nintendo Switch. Blast off to captivating planets and join forces with Jedi, droids and outcasts in this blend of action, role-playing and adventure. STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic launches for Nintendo Switch on 12th November. Pre-orders for the game are available now on Nintendo eShop.

• Castlevania Advance Collection: Castlevania Advance Collection brings together four classic Castlevania games – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dracula X – with deathly beautiful graphics and hauntingly epic music. Rewind, Quick Save and Button Mapping features will also ramp up the fight against evil. All regional versions of each game, as well as a gallery mode with never-before-seen artwork, are included. Castlevania Advance Collection is out now for Nintendo Switch.

• Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition: Players are invited to live in a magical world with Mickey Mouse and dozens of Disney characters! Spend time with Disney friends, craft whimsical costumes and furniture, and explore delightful Disney-themed worlds. All downloadable content from the original Nintendo 3DS version will also be included when Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition launches for Nintendo Switch this December.

• Shadowrun Trilogy: Cyberpunk meets fantasy in this three-game collection of cult classic RPGs. As a Shadowrunner mercenary, players will explore a dystopian future where magic has reawakened and fantasy creatures have come back to life. Immersive branching narratives, skill-based character growth and gripping turn-based tactical combat await in Shadowrun Trilogy, launching for Nintendo Switch in 2022.

• Shin Megami Tensei V: Players excited to dive into this next title in the acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei series can now pre-order the game in Nintendo eShop. Shin Megami Tensei V, published by Nintendo in Australia and New Zealand, launches for Nintendo Switch on 12th November.

• Rune Factory 5: In Rune Factory 5, players can grow crops, tame monsters and team up with townsfolk to explore a massive world. But when they aren’t off on adventures, they can also find friendship and love among a colourful cast of characters. Rune Factory 5 launches for Nintendo Switch on 25th March 2022.

• Arcade Archives PAC-MAN / Arcade Archives XEVIOUS: Two classic NAMCO games are coming to Nintendo Switch as part of the Arcade Archives series. Play arcade hits PAC-MAN and XEVIOUS at home or on the go with both titles available now on Nintendo Switch.

The Nintendo Direct presentation also featured a montage of upcoming Nintendo Switch games, including HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED, a high-speed racer launching on 30th September that lets players collect the best vehicles in the Hot Wheels universe, build spectacular tracks and dive into high-octane races; Surviving the Aftermath, a procedurally generated world-building game set in a post-apocalyptic future, launching this summer; and Wreckfest, a demolition derby-themed racing game with soft-body damage modelling, sophisticated driving dynamics and in-depth vehicle upgrading, launching for the Nintendo Switch system this spring.

To watch the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit Nintendo Australia’s Nintendo Direct website.