TOP 10: Announcements from 8.27.24 Nintendo Direct
We love a Nintendo Direct! The periodic video presentations from Nintendo to its consumers always have some new reveal or update that delights gamers. While the August 27 Direct focused on games from third-party developers and the indie showcase — so no updates on Nintendo’s biggest franchises, or the much-rumored next-generation Switch console — it still put some exciting games on our radars.
Below find our personal picks for the most exciting announcements or updates from today’s Nintendo Direct. Did we miss your favorite? Drop it in the comments.
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10. The Plucky Squire
Although it was barely shown in today’s Direct, the little footage we did get of The Plucky Squire left me astonished. And it releases so soon: September 17! Based on the release trailer, I gather this game from All Possible Futures/Devolver Studios has been delayed for some time. But it was all new to me. It looks unbelievably charming and smart, part 2D fantasy like Zelda, with 3D elements that bring in puzzles and other seemingly unique gameplay mechanics. Personally, I cannot wait to play it.
9. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
The newest addition to the venerable strategy series — which is now more than 30 years old — was actually announced about a week ago, but it was featured prominently in today’s Direct. It is big news, given that when Civ VII releases next year, it will have been nearly a decade since its predecessor was released in 2016.
8. Peglin
This inventive roguelike from BitWorks Publishing blends pachinko game mechanics with goblins and other fantasy creatures has been available on other systems since at least 2022, but will come to Switch TODAY.
7. Date Everything!
Let’s establish a few things. 1) Dating simulators are wildly popular. 2) There’s a weird meme trend of turning inanimate objects into people (or vice-versa). 3) There is money to be made from combining these things into a highly stylized video-game experience. And so we have this bizarre title, coming from Team 17, in which you get to date everyday objects in your home, which have been turned into people. Date a cabinet! Make friends with a towel! You can even date the game itself, personified as Textbox-Chan! It is wild, kids. But JD Vance should clear his schedule come October 24, because his couch-loving dreams are about to come TRUE.
6. Pico Park 2
TECOPARK is the developer for this game, a co-op puzzle solver that can accommodate up to 8 players in local or online co-op, and it is crossplay compatible meaning you can play along with friends on Xbox, PlayStation, or Steam! It looks like an absolute blast, with 1.5x content than the original, including a mode where you can scheme to screw over your fellow players. Diabolical! It releases on the Switch TOMORROW, August 28.
5. Castlevania Dominus Collection
Yes, it’s yet anther Castlevania collection from Konami. But this time, three out of the four games included — Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia — have never been re-released since they first came out on the Nintendo DS. There’s a fourth game, a reimagining of the arcade title, Haunted Castle. The collection is available today.
4. Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma
I’ve never heard of Marvelous’ Rune Factory games, but this announcement trailer looked both beautiful and compelling — it game me Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes, but with cozier elements. The trailer did exactly what it should: intrigue and excite. The game will release next year.
3. Star Overdrive
Speaking of great trailers, Caracal’s Star Overdrive is not normally the kind of game that would catch my attention, but this was a very successful teaser. It looks primarily like a snow/skateboarding simulator, but on an alien planet and with puzzles, a mystery, and combat mechanics thrown in. And did I mention the graphics look beautiful? Star Overdrive releases on the Switch in 2025.
2. Morsels
An absolutely bonkers-looking top-down shooter roguelike from Annapurna and Furcula, Morsels has players controlling a mouse trying to avoid being mauled by cats, and powering up by eating various power-up bits. The game looks truly unique, with trippy AF graphics and music and, as evidenced even in the trailer, an unexpected sense of humor. It looks both wholly original and referential — is that a Frogger-inspired seqeunce? It was giving me a darker, grungier version of “Ren & Stimpy,” and I mean that as a compliment. Morsels is due for release in February 2025.
One of the first games shown in the Indie Showcase was this absolutely stunning adventure game by Nomada Studio (creators of Gris), currently set to release on the Switch on October 15. The player will control Alba and her wolf, Neva, as they journey through a dying world. The trailer footage is absolutely astonishing — I have no idea how one even plays this — but even the trailer is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen this year.
Do you disagree? Were there other game announcements that you liked better? Drop them in the comments.