On February 9, Nintendo hosted a 40-minute “Nintendo Direct” live stream previewing the highly anticipated games coming out in the first half of 2022.
A classic game making its way to the Nintendo Switch platform this summer is “No Man’s Sky”, an action-based adventure game originally released for Playstation 4 and Microsoft Windows in 2016. In this game, players can explore an open universe of countless planets with an unimaginable variety of flora and fauna. This announcement of the game’s release comes alongside the game’s “Sentinel” update, which improved in-game combat and was released earlier this month.
Fans were also treated to a preview of the next installment in the Kirby video game series. The adorable, round, greedy pink puffball will return to “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” on March 25. The “Direct” also talked about a new “bite mode” that will allow players to swallow and take the form of whole objects in the game. The game also features couch co-op, as a partner can play in as Kirby’s partner, Bandana Waddle Dee.
“Splatoon” fans have been patiently awaiting the release of the third game in the series since it was initially announced during the Nintendo Direct event in February 2021. A year later, fans were finally able to experience the co-op mode of the third installment of the series of third-person shooters. “Splatoon 3” sees the return of 4v4 Territory Warfare with new stages and weapons, while also introducing a new single-player story mode. “Splatoon” fans will have to wait for this one though, as it won’t be released until this summer.
Sports-themed video game connoisseurs rejoice, as Nintendo has also announced the release of three sports video games.
“Mario Strikers”, the rowdy football-inspired game series, will return to gamers’ consoles in June. Players can join clubs with up to 20 teammates and play against rival clubs with Nintendo Switch Online. Players will also have the ability to play with up to eight other teammates on a single Switch using local wireless or Nintendo Switch Online.
Major League Baseball may have delayed spring training due to a lockout, but baseball fans fear not. “MLB The Show 22” has been announced for an April 5 release, and Nintendo has scheduled exclusive playtests to build anticipation for the new game. “MLB The Show 22” provides fans with an immersive stadium experience as well than the ability to create their own fantasy baseball team with cross-platform multiplication capabilities. The deluxe version of the game features animated cover art by rising Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.
Nintendo fans have been waiting for the announcement of “Nintendo Switch Sports” for a long time. “Nintendo Switch Sports” will feature tennis, bowling and sword fighting, just like its Wii and WiiU predecessors. However, this updated version of the game will also include football, volleyball and badminton. The physical version of the game comes with a leg strap to place your Joy-Con for a more immersive football experience. The game releases on April 29, but Nintendo has already announced that more sports will be added to the game in fall 2022.
Nintendo fans new and old have a plethora of games to keep busy until Nintendo hosts the next Nintendo Direct event! Fans who want to watch the entire February 9 Nintendo Direct event can do so. here.