June has always been one of the busiest months when it comes to video games, not only because of the arrival of summer in the northern hemisphere and the large number of releases during this time, taking advantage of vacations to maximize profits, but also because it used to be the month primarily chosen to hold E3. Now, without it, several events are held around this period with the same intention of presenting the future of gaming. Both the Summer Game Fest and the following Devolver Direct took place in recent weeks. PlayStation held its own showcase, and Xbox followed suit. To close the month of the No-E3, Nintendo took the stage with its latest Nintendo Direct. As is customary with the Big N’s presentations, the event was packed with Japanese role-playing games indistinguishable from one another, some announcements related to their main franchises, remasters and re-releases of classic works, and a few big surprises. Below is a summary of the event’s highlights, so you don’t have to sit through a thousand turn-based RPGs to find out what’s really worth it.
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
Nintendo always seems to be looking to the future, thinking about how to innovate, but it also lives tethered to the past, reviving/re-releasing decades-old games—in this case, doing both at the same time. The idea behind Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is fascinating; it’s a reimagining of the 1990s Nintendo World Championship but online and packed with content. First, the number of available games increases to 13 instead of just three, with Rad Racer and Tetris removed from the roster. It also includes over 150 speedrun challenges, local multiplayer for up to 8 players, online competition against top times from players worldwide, time-limited challenges, tournaments, unlockables, and much more. This is a very comprehensive option with tons of replayability, perfect not only for retro game enthusiasts but also as a fantastic first experience for new players. The game will be released on June 18 and is now available for pre-order at a price of €30 for the digital version and €60 for the physical version.
What games are included in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition?
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
- Metroid
- Donkey Kong
- Kid Icarus
- Ice Climber
- Excitebike
- Balloon Fight
- Kirby’s Adventure
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Our favorite gorilla is back in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a remastered version of Donkey Kong Country Returns, originally released on the Wii in 2010 and later ported to the 3DS as Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. This remaster features revamped and improved graphics thanks to the current Nintendo hardware capabilities. It will support two-player local co-op and include 80 levels, meaning the originals from the Wii version plus those exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version. Donkey and Diddy Kong’s next adventure will be available on January 16, though the price has yet to be confirmed.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Nintendo Direct presentations are always packed with Japanese turn-based RPGs that are generally indistinguishable from one another. Several of these titles were shown at the event, but one of the few that managed to catch my attention was Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake by Square Enix. While not groundbreaking, the combination of 3D environments and pixel art sprites has been seen before in titles like Octopath Traveler. This remake promises a refreshed experience for long-time fans of the series and a great starting point for modern players. It will be released on November 14 this year for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Steam; however, inexplicably, previous-generation consoles will not be supported. The digital version is now available for pre-order at €60 on Steam and Nintendo Switch and €70 on Xbox and PS5, which I find excessive. There will also be a collector’s edition that includes a physical copy of the game, a collector’s case for the box, a full set of acrylic characters and monsters, in-game items, and two PC wallpapers. All of this costs €210 for the Nintendo console and €220 for Sony and Microsoft consoles. However, the lack of an art book, long-play soundtrack, figures, posters, or anything else makes this offering feel like an outrageous misstep by Square Enix.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
Another game from older consoles, this time Nintendo 3DS, coming remastered to Nintendo Switch is Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, originally titled Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on the handheld. During the video presentation, we could see the enormous graphical improvements compared to the original release 11 years ago. This updated version will also feature cooperative multiplayer for up to 4 players, both locally and online. It’s set to launch on June 27 and is already available to pre-order from the Nintendo Store for €60 for both digital and physical editions.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Four classic games are being added to the Nintendo Switch Online catalog, specifically two originally released on the Game Boy Advance and two on the Nintendo 64.
What new games are added to Nintendo Switch Online?
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords
This title was originally released in December 2002 for the Game Boy Advance, developed jointly by Nintendo R&D2 and Capcom. It features two games, an adaptation of the Super Nintendo classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and a new multiplayer adventure called Four Swords. The second part incorporates structural changes that turn the Nintendo classic into a multiplayer game for up to four players, with randomly generated dungeons offering a fresh experience in each playthrough.
Metroid Zero Mission
The second GBA title available through the subscription is Metroid Zero Mission, a remake of the first game in the series, featuring improved graphics, mechanics, and an expanded plot that addresses what happened to Samus after defeating Mother Brain.
Turok Dinosaur Hunter
The first game announced for the “mature content” category is none other than Turok Dinosaur Hunter, the first-person shooter developed by Iguana Entertainment, released in 1997 for both Nintendo 64 and PC. Subscribers will be able to enjoy the original N64 version with all its classic features, including outdated controls.
Perfect Dark
The second Nintendo 64 game coming to the mature content category is another of the system’s most celebrated FPS titles, Perfect Dark. This Rare classic will arrive in all its original glory, including multiplayer modes, now enhanced with online play.
MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
Capcom was also part of the event, announcing their upcoming game compilation coming to Nintendo Switch, as well as PlayStation 4 and Steam. This compilation includes several titles that brought Marvel characters into the world of video games, doing them justice like no other developer had achieved before. Best of all, it comes with numerous enhancements and new features, such as online matches (casual, ranked, or custom) with the inclusion of Rollback Netcode for smoother gameplay. High-score challenges, a training mode with numerous customization options perfect for professionals and newcomers, adjustable difficulty settings, customizable button mapping that even allows special moves to be performed with the press of a single button (this feature isn’t available in ranked matches), quick-save/load functions, and the ability to view each game’s marquee screens at any time to learn how to execute special moves. There are also galleries with designs, drawings, and conceptual art from the games, along with the arcade versions of their soundtracks. To top it all off, display options and filters are available to recreate the visuals of the old arcade machines. This magnificent collection will arrive at some point this year. While the price hasn’t been announced yet, we know it will include both digital and physical versions.
What games are included in MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics?
X-Men: Children of the Atom
The first Marvel game based on Street Fighter II, developed by Capcom and released for arcades in December 1994. This title stood out and marked a turning point thanks to the introduction of super-jumps, an innovative mechanic that debuted here and continued in subsequent games. It was also the first time we could control the X-Men and some villains in a 1-vs-1 fighting game. An exclusive feature of this version now allows players to play as Juggernaut and Magneto by activating them in the game’s settings.
Marvel Super Heroes
Released in October 1995, Marvel Super Heroes was the evolution of X-Men: Children of the Atom. This installment incorporated an air combo system, expanding the use of super-jumps. Additionally, as it was based on the comic “The Infinity Gauntlet,” the Infinity Gems were included, each granting a different power when activated. This new version allows players to control Doctor Doom, Thanos, and Anita by activating them through the game’s settings.
X-Men vs. Street Fighter
This 1996 crossover was revolutionary for various reasons. First, it was the first game that allowed players to control characters from both Capcom and Marvel. Furthermore, it introduced 2-vs-2 battles for the first time, allowing players to switch between characters mid-battle. Another addition that became a series classic was the Hyper Combos, special attacks performed simultaneously by both team fighters, causing devastating damage.
Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter
The second Marvel and Capcom crossover, released in 1997, expanded upon its predecessor by adding characters from various Marvel franchises instead of just X-Men. Aside from changes in the roster, it didn’t present significant differences from the previous title but did introduce a very useful feature that enhanced the game’s strategic element. Players can now perform assists with the second fighter without switching them out with the first, which wasn’t possible in the initial version. This version will allow players to control Cyber-Akuma for the first time, unlocked via game settings.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
Arguably the most famous title in the series, released in January 1998, it marked a significant milestone. For the first time, characters from different Capcom franchises, not just Street Fighter, were included, with some making their fighting-game debuts. Mechanically, it introduced Duo Team Attacks, which allow players to control both characters simultaneously and use unlimited Hyper Combos for a short time.
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
The turn of the century in the year 2000 brought one of the best fighting games of all time. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is much more than a sequel, significantly expanding the original formula. This time, team battles became 3-vs-3, adding more layers of strategy alongside the introduction of Team Hyper Combos, enabling up to three fighters to execute Hyper Combos simultaneously. The roster was massively expanded, reaching an impressive 56 selectable characters, which is still a lot even by today’s standards. It’s remembered not only for the quality and depth of its mechanics but also for its catchy jazz-inspired soundtrack, which, oddly enough, fits the game’s frenetic pace surprisingly well. One aspect that drew criticism, however, was the combination of 3D backgrounds with pixel-art characters, which looks somewhat awkward but doesn’t ruin the experience.
The Punisher
Last but not least, The Punisher. This Beat ‘Em Up classic was Marvel and Capcom’s first collaboration in the video game world, a smash hit in arcades back in 1993. This version has been updated to include online multiplayer functionality, allowing players to team up with friends as if they were in an arcade hall.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
The number-one friendship destroyer is back and bigger than ever. Super Mario Party Jamboree will feature the highest number of mini-games to date, over 110. It will bring 5 new boards, each with unique mechanics, plus the return of 2 boards from the earliest titles: Mario’s Rainbow Castle from Super Mario Party and Western Land from Super Mario Party 2. A new game mode for up to 20 players simultaneously, called Bowserathon, highlights the future fun this title has to offer. The release date is October 17.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
One of the most surprising and lengthy announcements of the event was The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. This new installment fulfills a long-standing debt to the series’ fans and to inclusivity in general, as Princess Zelda will be the protagonist of a game for the first time in more than 38 years. This protagonist shift is accompanied by significant gameplay changes. Using her magic wand, Zelda can create copies (called echoes) of objects and enemies. Each echo has unique attributes, functions, and abilities that will aid in solving puzzles throughout the adventure. Visuals do justice to the simplicity of the 8-bit era while leveraging modern hardware’s capabilities. Starting September 26, players can step into Princess Zelda’s shoes to save the kingdom for what will be €60.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Undoubtedly, the biggest surprise of the event was the trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, about which we’ve heard nothing since the now-defunct E3 back in 2017, more than 7 years ago. What little was shown looks incredible, so much so that many viewers suspect what they saw wasn’t running on the Nintendo Switch but on its successor. This was later debunked by Digital Foundry, who revealed the internal rendering resolution is 900p, consistent with the current Nintendo Switch model. Developers utilized their expertise to deliver such impressive visuals. It makes sense, as the game’s development is handled by Retro Studios, the same team responsible for not only the GameCube Metroid Prime remaster but also the original game itself, as well as its sequels for the GameCube and Wii. Fans will need to remain patient, as while Samus Aran’s new adventure is confirmed for next year, there’s no specific release window yet.
