Gaming Influence: Thoughts - Nintendo Direct 6.21.2023

Hello everyone, 

Welcome to Gaming Influence, a reboot of the same name I created in WrestleCorp. However, not only will I be giving my thoughts on certain video games and video game series, but also video game movies, video game anime, video game digital presentations, etc.

For this edition of Gaming Influence, I'll be giving my thoughts on Nintendo Direct which happened on June 21, 2023.

Before I start, not every game that was shown in this presentation will be talked about as I will mainly talk about games that I care about and am interested in. If the games you care about and are interested in don't show up here, don't take it personally, have nothing against the games, but they're not just for me or it's just that I don't have much to say about them except cool. However, if you are happy with the games that you care about and are interested in that I'm not or nothing to say about it, good for you and I'm happy for you.

Anyway, let's get started!

This Nintendo Direct will showcase games coming to Nintendo Switch later this year including more information on Pikmin 4 so let's get to it!

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is a DLC expansion for the role-playing game developed by Game Freak, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The DLC expansion will have two parts: Part 1 with The Teal Mask and Part 2 with The Indigo Disk. Part 1 will be released in Fall 2023 while Part 2 will be released in Winter 2023.

Oh wow! I didn't expect Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero to show up here as I expect it to happen at a future Pokémon Presents, but this is a nice surprise regardless. The environment that they showed for Part 1 with The Teal Mask looks pretty good with Kitakami as it looks to be Japan which is awesome. The design for the new characters looks cool as well and the fact that we get new outfits for our characters is great. The legendary Pokémon is featured in The Teal Mask as well. The same can be applied to Part 2 with The Indigo Disk with the Blueberry Academy in terms of character designs, new outfits for your character, and legendary Pokémon. In addition, the fact that they mentioned a special event due to the eventual release of the DLC expansion with a Shiny Chest Form Gimmighoul for a Tera Raid battle is pretty cool. Looking forward to this DLC expansion when it comes out later this year.

Sonic Superstars is a platformer developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. The game is set to be released on Switch this fall.

We saw the announcement of this game back at Summer Game Fest a few weeks ago and we got to see more of it here which is great. The fact that this game supports local co-op with up to four players is freaking awesome. This has a chance to be another great 2D Sonic game if done right and hope it delivers when it comes out this fall.

Palia is a massively multiplayer online adventure game developed and published by Singularity 6 Corporation. The game is set to be released on Switch this holiday.

This game looks like a lot of fun as it's a mix of a social simulation and action adventure with the elements of Animal Crossing and the open-world Legend of Zelda games into one which is something I'm down for. Hope to see more of this game in the future when it comes out this holiday.

Persona 5 Tactica is a turn-based strategy role-playing game developed and published by Atlus. The game will be coming to Switch on November 17, 2023.

This game was announced back on the Xbox Games Showcase last week, but we did get to see new footage of this game including new gameplay and it looks great. The new character in this game, Erina, looks pretty cool, love that All-Out Attack is back being Triple Threat in here, and the fact that you can fuse Personas in this game is sweet. Glad to see that this game is coming to Switch and looking forward to playing it when it comes out in five months.

Splatoon 3 will be having another Splatfest where the theme will be which is the best ice cream flavor is the best as it will feature vanilla, strawberry, or mint chocolate. The Splatfest will take place starting from July 14, 2023, to July 16, 2023.

Well, I expected news for Splatoon 3 with the next Splatfest so not surprised there, and in terms of which side I'll be picking on, it'll be vanilla. Though, I was expecting more information on Side Order which is basically Wave 2 of the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass so the fact that we didn't see it here means it's still in development and we'll probably won't see it until maybe the Nintendo Direct in September. Either way, we'll have to wait and see what happens, but looking forward to the Splatfest in a few weeks.

Detective Pikachu Returns is the sequel to the adventure game developed by Creatures Inc. and published by Nintendo, Detective Pikachu, a game that was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2016. The game is set to be released on October 6, 2023.

Just like with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, I didn't expect this game to show up at all as I thought it would appear in a future Pokémon Presents, but we got it here and it looks great in my opinion even if people disagree which I totally get and understand. This game was announced back in a Pokémon press conference in 2019 so it's great to finally see what the game looks like as the graphics are quite beautiful with the new Pokémon they added in their game that wasn't in the first game in my opinion which can differ depending on the person you're talking with. It also looks like the story will continue on where they left off with the first game as well so I'm interested to see what they'll do from here. Looking forward to this as it comes out in four months.

Super Mario RPG is a remake of the classic role-playing game developed by Square Enix and published by Nintendo of the same name on SNES back in 1996. The game will be released on Switch on November 17, 2023.

Holy crap! I didn't expect this at all! What the heck?! If you would have told me years ago that a remake of Super Mario RPG will happen, I will tell you that you're crazy, but the fact that it actually happened is insane! I love the art style where it looks modern but still holds true to the original which I love and appreciate. Plus, the fact that Square Enix is remaking Super Mario RPG, gives me hope that one day, Geno could be in Super Smash Bros. in the future and that it gives more hope than ever that might get other classic games from Square Enix to be made just like with LIVE A LIVE last year. Give me Chrono Trigger HD-2D Remake, please! Anyway, looking forward to playing this classic again in the modern era when it comes out in five months.

A new Princess Peach game will be developed for Nintendo Switch and will be released in 2024.

Wait, what?! We're getting a new Princess Peach game since Super Princess Peach on Nintendo DS in 2005?! Holy crap! What timeline are we living in?! Regardless, with the recent Super Mario Bros. movie giving new life to Peach as a character, a new game that focuses on her is great. This looks to be an action game with Peach being a theatre which is quite interesting. Don't know which direction they're going with this, but this was a nice surprise for sure. Hope to see more of this game when it comes out next year.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is getting a remaster which was originally released on Nintendo 3DS in 2013 as it will be coming to Switch next year.

Wow! Another surprise that I didn't see coming! I mean with the success of Luigi's Mansion 3, it would be smart to have the other Luigi's Mansion games on Switch, and with the 3DS eShop closed down, more 3DS games available on Switch is only a good thing. This seems to be a standard remaster with a little update on graphics and better QoL improvements which is fine. Hope to see more of this remaster when it's released next year.

Batman: Arkham Trilogy is a collection of action-adventure games developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games which will include Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight. The collection will be released on Switch this fall.

Oh wow, didn't expect the Batman: Arkham Trilogy to come to Switch, but we got it here and it's awesome to see. Love these games back on PS3 as these were some of the best Batman games ever. Glad to see that this series is coming to Switch and looking forward to replaying the collection as it will be released this fall.

Silent Hope is an action role-playing game developed by Marvelous Inc. and published by XSEED Games as it will be coming to Switch on October 3, 2023.

This looks to be a fun action RPG that the art style in terms of the actual gameplay looks like a game that Cygames would make where I generally enjoy those games so this is something I'll probably take a look into in the future. Plus, the animation cutscenes look really well done as well. Hope to see more of this game in the future when it's released in four months.

Fae Farm is a farm simulation game developed and published by Phoenix Labs. The game will be released on Switch on September 8, 2023.

We saw more of this game back at Summer Game Fest a few weeks ago, but we got to see more of the game here as it's definitely Animal Crossing which I'm totally down for. We'll see how this game will do on Switch when it's released in three months.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope: The Last Spark Hunter is the second DLC for the action-adventure turn-based strategy game developed and published by Ubisoft as it's available now on Switch.

There was a teaser for this last week and we finally got more details on it as it looks to be interesting as there will be new areas to explore and new enemies to face as well. The fact that there's also a robot King Bomb-omb is quite cool. Also, the fact that there's a demo for the main game for players to try is also great as well. Looking forward to seeing how this DLC will be once I get a chance to play it.

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince is the next game within the role-playing series developed and published by Square Enix, Dragon Quest Monsters, as the game will be released on Switch on December 1, 2023.

Wow, it's been a while since we got a Dragon Quest Monsters game here in the West. The last one that came out in the West was Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 which came out in GBA in 2001 so it's great to see it make a return worldwide. Dragon Quest Monsters is pretty much like Pokémon where the monsters you catch fight instead of the character you play as and it's a lot of fun. Also, the fact that Solo from Dragon Quest IV makes an appearance here is awesome. Looking forward to seeing how this game will turn out when it's released in six months.

Pikmin 4 is a real-time strategy game developed and published by Nintendo. The game is set to be released on July 21, 2023. In addition, there will be a demo for the game that will be released on June 28, 2023.

The more I see of this game, the more I'm impressed by it as this looks to be the best Pikmin yet as the environments look beautiful to explore especially the inside of the house of the living room which looks very realistic. Plus, the Dandori Battle looks to be a lot of fun where it's a singles bout where you try to save the outcast from your opponent and I'm very curious about how that will turn out. The fact that you can even upgrade Oatchi to become more powerful and supportive is awesome as well. Also, love the addition of the difficult mode at night when all of the monsters go berserk and that we got another new Pikmin variant in Glow Pikmin is awesome as I like the color as well. I can't wait to try out the full game when it comes out next month.

Pikmin 1 + 2 is a collection of the first two Pikmin games developed and published by Nintendo as they are available now digitally.

Holy crap! The fact that they shadow-dropped the first two Pikmin games is awesome as it looks like Nintendo is trying to push Pikmin as much as possible which is great to see. It's incredible to see all the mainline Pikmin games on Switch which I really hope it'll help the series moving forward. If you have any interest in the Pikmin games and like strategy games, give them a try, it'll be worth your time.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is a collection of the many Metal Gear and Metal Gear Solid games including Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear on NES, and Snake's Revenge. The collection will be coming to Switch on October 24, 2023.

Heck yes! This was announced back at the PlayStation Showcase last month and it's great to see that this collection is coming to Switch which I'm so happy for. The fact that this collection also includes a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack is awesome. Glad to see Metal Gear Solid back on a Nintendo console since the 3DS and looking forward to playing the series again in four months.

Vampire Survivors is a roguelike shoot 'em-up game developed and published by Luca Galante as it'll be coming to Switch on August 17, 2023.

With how popular this game was last year, not surprised that this game is coming to Switch and it looks like it's happening where it'll be released on Switch in two months. Very curious about how the game will do on Switch, but good to see the game finally be on Switch.

Penny's Big Breakaway is a platformer developed by Evening Star and published by Private Division as it'll be released on Switch in early 2024.

This game looks really good as it looks to be a fun 3D platformer and the fact that this game is being made by the developers who created Sonic Mania definitely has my interest. The use of the yo-yo is quite cool as well. Looking forward to seeing how this game will turn out when it's released early next year.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 5 is the next wave within the DLC for the popular kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Wave 5 will contain a new course, Squeaky Clean Sprint as well as three new playable characters, Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek. This DLC will be released this summer.

Holy crap! The new track for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe looks amazing with Squeaky Clean Sprint as it's pretty much a bathroom which looks awesome. Also, we got three new characters with Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek is incredible. This DLC continues to impress me and I'm looking forward to seeing what other courses will be in this wave as they'll be released this summer.

STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R is a remake of the action role-playing game developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix, Star Ocean: The Second Story, which was released on PSX in 1999. The game is set to be released on Switch on November 2, 2023.

Oh, man! Love that Square Enix continues to make these remakes of these old classic games and Star Ocean: The Second Story, is no different as this to me, is one of the best Star Ocean games in the series. The fact that they remade it with HD-2D graphics, voice acting, and improved QoL improvements on the UI and gameplay is something that I can get behind. If you love JPRGs and love the Star Ocean games, check out this game as it'll be released in five months.

WarioWare: Move It! is a party game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. The game is set to be released on November 3, 2023.

Wait what?! We're getting another WarioWare game just after WarioWare: Get It Together two years ago?! Well, I'm totally down for this as this game is definitely a sequel to WarioWare: Smooth Moves due to the minigames that they have. This is definitely a game that will be a lot of fun with friends and I'm curious about how well this game will turn out when it's released in five months.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a platformer developed and published by Nintendo where it will be released on October 20, 2023.

Oh my god, we're finally getting a new original Super Mario Bros. game that isn't a New Super Mario Bros. game, heck freaking yes! The fact that this new 2D Mario game actually looks different from the New Super Mario Bros. series as well as having a unique art style with the characters having personality and charm goes back to the classic 2D Mario games which I adore. Plus, co-op is back with this game, Daisy is playable, a new power-up with the Wonder Seed, and Mario turning into an elephant, like, what the heck?! This trailer blew my expectations and I'm glad that 2D Mario is getting interesting again after a decade of New Super Mario Bros. so I'm down for this and I can't wait to play this in four months.

Overall, this was a great presentation from Nintendo. Just like always, I usually find the Nintendo Directs to be a perfect example of what a digital video game presentation should be like as they showcased the games in fast fashion with gameplay and I adore it. Plus, this presentation has something for everyone, especially for the casual Nintendo fans where we got Mario and Pokémon games in this presentation. Granted, if you're not into Mario at all, then I could see why people wouldn't enjoy this presentation, but I feel like this presentation has done well on satisfying the casual and hardcore fans here so this is a win for me. Plus, we got more information on Nintendo Live which will happen on PAX West which is great for fans, and the new Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom amiibo with Zelda and Ganondorf look amazing as they come out this holiday. My god... When I thought the Switch is ending its life cycle soon with the next Nintendo console coming up, they got more games coming and I can't wait to see what else they have in store for the system heading into next year.

You can catch the full presentation of Nintendo Direct yourself with the link below:

What are your thoughts on the Nintendo Direct?

What were your highlights and what games do you really want?

Let me know in the comments below and thank you for reading.