Nintendo Direct: everything that was revealed at the launch event

After Gamescom and ahead of a busy fall for the video game industry, Nintendo did something unique for its presentation. It was a combination of the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase and Indie World formats. First, Indie World showcased games from independent developers that will soon be released on Nintendo Switch, such as Neva and Pizza Tower. Then the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase showcased some upcoming games from major third-party developers.

The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase showcased some upcoming games from major third-party developers.

This was a particularly great partner platform for fans of remasters and ports, as it featured announcements like Tetris Forever, Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, Castlevania Dominus Collection, and more. If you’re a big fan of Nintendo Switch, you should stay tuned for more announcements.

Here’s what we’re talking about.

Balatro crosses over with several different games

At the start of Indie World, several different collaborations were revealed that poker RPG Balatro will be getting a new update. These include crossovers with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Vampire Survivors, Dave the Diver, and Among Us, which will add new themed card art. All of these collaborations will appear as part of the free Friends of Jimbo update, which will be released today.

All of these collaborations will appear as part of the free Friends of Jimbo update.

PowerWash Simulator will get Shrek DLC

PowerWash Simulator has already crossed paths with franchises like Tomb Raider and SpongeBob SquarePants, but the next DLC might be the strangest yet. That’s because the next DLC pack will add levels based on DreamWorks’ Shrek franchise to the game. So far, the Shrek Swamp and Dragon’s Lair levels have been confirmed for players to clear, but there will be three additional levels in the special Shrek pack. PowerWash Simulator — Shrek Special Pack will be released this fall.

PowerWash Simulator — Shrek Special Pack will be released this fall.

Tetris Forever — Digital Eclipse’s next compilation

Digital Eclipse, known for great game compilations like Atari 50 and Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, presented Tetris Forever to kick off the Partner Showcase. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Tetris Forever series, several different versions and spin-offs of the iconic puzzle game will be presented. These include — the 1989 Famicom version, Tetris 2 + BomBliss, Tetris Battle Gaiden, Hatris, Super Bombliss, Super Bombliss DX, Super Tetris 2 — BomBliss and Super Tetris 3, as well as an interactive museum and a new Tetris Time Warp game that changes versions of Tetris as the game progresses. Tetris Forever will be released later this year.

Tetris Forever will be released later this year.

Patrick Star got his own game

A new licensed game based on SpongeBob SquarePants was unveiled at the Partner Showcase, but it’s all about Patrick Star. Aptly named SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game, the game is described as a “physics-based sandbox adventure” where players explore and destroy things around Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game will be released on Oct. 4.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game will be released on Oct. 4.

Capcom brings back many classic fighting games

If you’re a fan of Capcom’s classic fighting games, your time has come! At this partner showcase, the company showed off in all its glory by unveiling Capcom Fighting Collection 2. This collection will include Capcom vs. SNK: Millenium Fight 2000 Pro, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Project Justice, Capcom Fighting Evolution, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Plasma Sword, Power Stone, and Power Stone 2. Fans have been wanting re-releases of many of these games for a long time, so it’s great that they’ll finally get them in 2025. Additionally, we’ve learned that Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will finally be released on November 22.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will finally release on November 22.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

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Marvelous USA unveiled a new Rune Factory game at the Partner Showcase. It’s called Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, and it’s set in a world where runes have disappeared and caused the world to deteriorate. Players — Earth dancers who channel spiritual powers through dancing, rebuilding the world, exploring it, running a farm, building villages, falling in love and more. Compared to previous Rune Factory games, it also features more colorful and fast-paced battles. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be released on Nintendo Switch in spring 2025.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be released on Nintendo Switch in spring 2025.

Yakuza Kiwami will be released in October 2024

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A surprise port for Nintendo Switch was announced at the conclusion of the Indie World and Partner Showcase. We learned that Sega and RGG Studio will be bringing Yakuza Kiwami to Nintendo Switch. If you’re not familiar with Yakuza Kiwami, it’s a remake of the first game in the long-running Japanese crime series. It’s a fantastic franchise, and Yakuza Kiwami — is a great starting point. You won’t have to wait long: Yakuza Kiwami will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 24.

It’ll be available on Nintendo Switch on October 24.

Everything else on Indie World

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• The Gris follow-up Neva game has been given a release date of October 15.
• Moth Kubit will be released in spring 2025.
• Coffee Talk Tokyo will be released in 2025.
• The Throes of the Watchmaker DLC for Sea of Stars will be released next spring.
• Annapurna Interactive has unveiled a new game called Morsels. It will be released in February 2025.
• Annapurna Interactive has unveiled a new game called Morsels.
• Date Everything! will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 24.
• Peglin will be released on Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive.
• Wobbly Life will be released on Nintendo Switch this December.
• Pico Park 2 is out now.
• Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX, Europa, Cuisineer, On Your Tail, Metal Slug Tactics and The Plucky Squire are out.
• Pizza Tower game is out now.

Everything else on Nintendo Direct

• The NES version of Tetris will be coming to Nintendo Switch Online this winter, and Tetris 99 will feature a Maximus Cup themed tournament.
• Star Overdrive has been announced and will be released as an exclusive for Nintendo Switch in 2025.
• Goat Simulator 3 is coming to Nintendo Switch today.
• The commercial featured The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 1st (out in 2025), Star Wars Hunters Season 3 (out September 26), S.T.A.A.L.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy (out November 2024), Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition (out September 26), and a September event for Disney Dreamlight Valley.
• Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer game, which will be released on December 5.

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• Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land will be released in early 2025.
• Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and the Dunan Unification Wars will be released on March 6, 2025.
• A new look at Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, revealing the calling of Monster Wrangler.
• Castlevania Dominus Collection has already released Castlevania games for the Nintendo DS.
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII has been confirmed for Nintendo Switch.
• Tales of Graces f Remastered has been announced and will be released on January 17, 2025.
• My Sims Cozy Bundle is coming to Nintendo Switch on November 19.
• Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach — Ruin will be released on Nintendo Switch later this year.
• The commercial featured Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, Just Dance 2025 Edition, Funko Fusion, EA Sports FC 25 and Lego Horizon Adventures.