Metal Slug Reloaded

I don’t know anything about this franchise, but I honestly think it looks like some auto battle afk game that there are about a million of for free on the apple store. I am almost definitely wrong about that, but that was the first impression I got off it.

Darkest Dungeon 2

Darkest Dungeon was a unique RPG rouge-like and game I am glad that a sequel is in the works and am glad they are keeping its art style as that was a large draw for that game.

After that we got updates surrounding the Nintendo Switch Online with online capabilities to play A Link To The Past Four Swords Adventure, Metroid Zero Mission, Turok Dinosaur Hunter, and Perfect Dark.

Phantom Brave The Lost Hero

A game about the players using phantoms to fight and manipulate the world around them. A good art style similar to The Legend of Zelda Windwaker and Fantasy Life. So I expect a fun adventure game with cel shaded cartoon graphics and a light tone and good mechanics.

Marvel VS Capcom Fighting Collection

A collection of the arcade style 2D fighting game series Marvel Vs Capcom. I don’t play a lot of fighters, but the idea of Megaman going up against Iron Man is something that always seems exciting and I honestly don’t expect high writing from Capcom or a fighter so this is a good fit and if you’re a fan of both I recommend it. I may not like fighting games, but I do understand the appeal.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Another Mario Party game may seem nice, but Super Mario Party Jamboree really isn’t bringing much. Super already had a lot of the best and worst minigames that came out over the years. Jamboree may add some minigames as well as bring back others, but the maps they added were also added to the Nintendo Switch pass when the original and Mario Party 2 were put into the Online. It reminds me way too much of the situation with Mario 3D All Stars where that game should have succeeded, but Nintendo took it down for almost no reason other than money.

The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom

Probably the one I am most excited for on the showcase. It has been awhile since we could play as Zelda. Aside from Hyrule Warriors the last time was Spirit Tracks. With the Links Awakening art style I think it will be more traditional over Breath of the Wilds and Tears of the Kingdom. To me Tears of the Kingdom was just more Breath of the Wilds so I’m glad that this is happening and with its focus on puzzles over combat and how the player solves them it’s set to be an amazing game.

Just Dance 2025

I have played a few Just Dace games and while fun for a short time they don’t really hold my attention so I don’t have much to say other than another Just Dance game is releasing.

Lego Horizon Adventures

Lego is often releasing something based on whatever licence they have and this time it is the Horizon series of games. So were getting a game based on a game series known for its open world mechanics. While the enemy designs look good I can’t help but think that Lego games often are marketed to kids and Horizon isn’t really a kids game. While you could argue the same for things like Star Wars and Indiana Jones Lego does do its best to cover up some of the more violent things. This makes me ask who is this game for? While cool in concept execution may fumble some and best wait and see what this game turns into which is probably going to be best described as a introduction to Horizon before jumping into the actual game.

Stray Switch Release

Stray the critically and commercially acclaimed game is finally coming to Switch. Similar to other titles both Indie and AAA it takes a few years to develop and optimize for the Switch. This is a game that was stated to be coming to multiple platforms, but Switch owners usually have to wait. I actually have yet to play this game and do plan on comparing it to Little Kitty Big City both being indie games centered around cats.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game

After the last Lord of the Rings game I doubt anyone was expecting this considering Gollum exists as one of the worst games of all time. While I can admit many Lord of the Rings games like Shadow of Mordor and surprisingly the Lego games are good and the movies still hold up despite the time. They really need a great game here otherwise it will be two games in a row that insult that franchise and its fans.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collections

The Ace Attorney games spinoff series starring Edgeworth is getting an HD remake similar to how the trilogy got the same treatment. While I did play all of the main series games I never played Investigations and am looking forward to this game.

The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy

A game from the Daganrampa devs and honestly looking over the trailer again I am not surprised. The game seems to be a tower defense, but that was all I could really tell from the limited gameplay. Seems some characters do die in this game similar to the Danganrampa series.

Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven

A RPG by Square Enix where you seem to govern a land and fight monsters rather than turnbased combat that Square is known for it seems to be a time based system where each character has a turn and depending on what they do can be either right away or later that they get a turn.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

The last thing on the Showcase and the most welcome. Metroid fans have been asking for the latest in the Prime series. An explorative First Person Shooter isn’t common and the continuation of this series is always a good thing. While it isn’t coming out till next year it is good to know something for Metroid fans is on its way.

Final Thoughts

I was actually disappointed at this showcase. Fantasy Life I The Girl Who Steals Time didn’t make an appearance and while I wasn’t expecting it. That game is releasing later this year and it would have been nice to see an update. Also a majority of the games listed are remakes or don’t interest me like I thought they would. I guess Mario and Luigi: Brothership, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Ace Atterney Investigations Collection, and Stray are highlights for me and I will be playing them, but that’s it I don’t like shooters or fighters so the other big announcements did nothing for me

Nintendo of America “Nintendo Direct 6.18.2024 – Nintendo Switch.” YouTube, June 18, 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX3BkD5PVUM&t=1149s