Top 10 Most Exciting Reveals At Nintendo Direct 2022

On February 9th, 2022, Nintendo opened up the nostalgia floodgates for those waiting to boot up their Switch again. Peppered with hidden gems, RPG classics, and the return of some beloved franchises, the system is off to a great start this year.

Although the presentation didn’t show off some of its big hitters like Metroid Prime 4 or Breath of the Wild 2, that’s usually reserved for the mid-year Directs. What this Direct did provide, however, was the newer franchises getting some love as well as access to games long considered forgotten.

New Difficulty Levels For Metroid Dread

For those trying to extend their play either by raising or lowering the difficulty level, Metroid Dread dropped a nice surprise in the announcement of new difficulty levels. Not only does this satiate Metroid fans who are looking for more hardcore boss offerings, but it also allows for those new to the genre or those who don’t have as much time to play to go at their own pace.

But the hidden meaning of this update reveals that Nintendo is still tinkering with the game after release. This could mean DLC is on the way, which means more content to burn through while the wait for Metroid Prime 4 gets shorter.

Earthbound And Earthbound: Beginnings Are Back

It’s been a slog for most fans waiting on Earthbound to show up on the Nintendo Switch store. Nintendo has a games preservation problem, and this reveal was a step in the right direction. Tossing in its NES counterpart Earthbound: Beginnings, aptly known to fans as Mother, was an unexpected bonus.

There were quite a few classics unearthed, but this gem was sitting on top of the pile. While its flagship character was in the original roster for Super Smash Bros., it makes one kind of wonder why Nintendo wasn’t eager to push this crowd-pleasing RPG sooner.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes

Hot off the trail of Persona 5 Strikers, Koei Tecmo returns to the Fire Emblem franchise with another hack n slash entry. The enemy juggling fest has been used in the franchise before, but this time it’s set in Three Houses’ incredible land of Fódlan.

With the well-written characters and deep story, the latest Fire Emblem immediately garnered fan adoration. Add that to their signature Dynasty Warriors-style combat and combining these sensibilities with the beat em’ up veterans is sure to be another winning combo.

Live A Live Remake

If Earthbound was expected, then Live A Live was like witnessing a miracle. Previously only available in Japan or via fan translations, most outside the country never saw its glory. Square Enix went all out this Direct, but this was the only one most didn’t have access to.

For those who could wait 30 years, Square Enix managed to balance the gameplay and add other features, such as voice acting. Collectors can breathe a sigh of relief as one of the most unattainable RPGs just got that much easier to reach.

Kirby’s Mouthful Mode

Kirby and the Forgotten Land has given Kirby something once thought not possible, a full stomach! In addition to Kirby’s ability to copy enemy moves, he can now attempt to swallow cars, vending machines, and more to manipulate the environment.

These new functions create a new puzzle element welcome to spice the series up. In addition, it was revealed that Kirby can rescue Waddle Dees to build a town center akin to Digimon World. This reveal, once again, shows why Kirby is the innovative platforming underdog in Nintendo’s library of legacy franchises.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Nintendo really showed the love for RPGs this Direct, ending with a big drop like Xenoblade Chronicles 3. What might have been an equally big drop from Monolith Soft was also revealing the release window of September … this year!

A new cast and returning staff are primed to deliver exciting battles and a complex story as has become a tradition. Beloved composer, Yasunori Mitsuda, has been keeping busy this year, returning to score this and another entry later in the list.

Nintendo Switch Sports

The return of the Sports series is another tool in the arsenal Nintendo hasn’t dug out since 2014. Whether riding the nostalgia wave or answering to a lack of Olympics sports games, this Direct was the best timing for this reveal.

The Switch, once again, landed a game that hit the sweet spot between family fun, exercise, and party game. Wii Sports still gets a lot of play in most houses for its simplicity, so this presentation aspires to reach that same replayability with a new paint job. Proven standbys like bowling are returning, which pave the path for new mini-games like volleyball to shine.

The Return Of Splatoon Salmon Run

Bringing back the popular Salmon Run mode was what Splatoon fans were clamoring for. The horde mode shook up the game’s PVP landscape, giving gamers a chance to team up with friends rather than against them.

Salmon Mode’s return teases new improvements like egg tossing and a variety of bosses. These fine-tunings show growth and commitment to making adjustments to the battle mechanics. This dedication can only lead to new battle modes as well, another feature fans have been requesting.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Another long-forgotten ace in the hole returns in this Direct. Although missing in action for 15 years, the reveal didn’t miss a beat, providing a strong argument why Nintendo could still bring e-sports potential.

Customization has become essential over the past 10 years in gaming. Individuality is becoming more prevalent in not only style but gameplay too. Mario Strikers: Battle League is smart to give players the option to customize their gear and stats, as well as create their very own striker clubs. Players can also play a game of Mario Strikers in a group of eight on one screen. That’s pretty impressive.

Chrono Cross Gets A Remaster

Many thought the reveal would come during the Game Awards or even a Sony State of Play. But surprisingly, Nintendo was the one to sweep up the reveal after all the leaks from last year. With 40+ characters, a killer soundtrack from Yasunori Mitsuda, and a revolutionary take on the turn-based battle system, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is the remaster fans have been waiting too long for.

Not only does it include Radical Dreamers, another Japan-only release, but the remaster comes with the function to toggle between the classic aesthetic and the new overhauled version. The player can keep the old look and feel of the PS1 version, or they can switch to the updated art, portraits, and a newly orchestrated score from Mitsuda’s return. The sequel to Chrono Trigger was also given a release date of April 7th, 2022. Thankfully fans won’t need to fire up the Epoch to speed things along.

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