What a shock! The rumors weren’t just rumors after all—we actually got a surprise Nintendo Direct yesterday, and what a treat it was! Since we couldn’t watch the Direct live, I did my best to dodge spoilers all day. I succeeded… but unfortunately, Michael took one quick look at Reddit and—bam!—got spoiled on one thing. We will dive into the games that stood out to us or that we’re more likely to play. With that being said, let’s dive into our thoughts and reactions to the Direct!
The Direct kicked off with the HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest I & II. My first thought? ‘Another remake?’ But Michael was quick to remind me: when it comes to older games, remakes can be a blessing—after all, storytelling back then was on another level. I’ve only played the Dragon Quest Builders games, but Michael insists I’d love these classic RPGs. Guess there’s only one way to find out! Now, if they ever remade Radiant Historia, I’d absolutely lose my mind. That game? Pure perfection—muah! (chef’s kiss)
Next up: Raidou – The Mystery of the Soulless Army—a remaster that looks like Ace Attorney and Persona had a baby. As huge Persona and Shin Megami Tensei fans, this one definitely caught our attention. The art style is stunning, and the real-time battle system looks fresh and exciting. Not quite a ‘day-one purchase’ for us, but Michael’s definitely adding it to his backlog.
After that we got Patapon 1 + 2 Replay! This adorable rhythm game caught our eye—especially since Michael is always on the hunt for new ones. My only concern? Can my little soldiers die? Because if they can, I’ll be too heartbroken to keep playing. Still, this one looks awesome—especially with new features like ‘always show commands.’ Michael literally sighed in relief at that one, since he was sure he’d forget them otherwise.
After a bit of research, I’m back in! Turns out Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar does let you play as a female protagonist—crisis averted. As a longtime Story of Seasons fan, I was so excited—until I realized the trailer didn’t show any sign of a female protagonist. That was almost a dealbreaker for me. But mixed feelings? Gone. The game appears to be fully voiced—yes, VOICED! And the cows? Still as cute and chunky as ever. “I can’t wait for this one to drop in late autumn!”
This was the moment Michael lost it. The trees, the familiar music… Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was finally here. Is this our first true glimpse of Switch 2 graphics? The lighting, textures, and crisp visuals definitely make it seem that way. And please, Nintendo—give us a Switch 2 Metroid Prime bundle! We sure hope so! Samus is somewhere new, but she’s more than ready for whatever comes next. Michael is beyond thrilled—but also a little frustrated. Nintendo, we need more than just ‘Coming 2025’! Well, let’s just hope that they tell us soon exactly when they want to release it.
Hello, Disney’s take on Coffee Talk! And the best twist? Forget the princesses—this time, it’s all about the villains. This was a type of cross-over game I didn’t know I wanted. It’s already downloaded on my Switch—just waiting for me to pry myself away from Helldivers long enough to play it. I will find a cozy spot in our place to play this – being completely immersed in the game (hopefully it’s as good as it looks!).
Oh, Witchbrook—I’ve been waiting for this one! The developers of War Groove and Stardew Valley have brought us a treat with this one. It’s definitely one for the farming-and-relaxation crowd. Magic school? Potion-making? Earning tuition money? Just give me a release date already—I’m sold! I love how many games they announced, but come on—we need actual release dates!
The Eternal Life of Goldman—completely unexpected, but absolutely welcome. Upgrading a walking cane as a weapon? I love it. It gives me Shovel Knight vibes, with an art style that reminds me of Child of Light. I have a hunch that this might have a tear-jerking story, and it could very likely make me cry. There’s only one way to find out—by playing it. Whenever ‘this holiday’ actually is.
More rhythm games? Yes, please! Keep them coming—Michael, especially, will never say no. The colors are insane—and oh my gosh, Celeste DLC?! My husband was over the moon. The fact that they’re planning future DLC has my interest peaked. I can’t wait to see what else they add in Rift of the Necrodancer! He could not hold back and installed it right away – maybe he will need some breaks from Xenoblade Chronicles X?
Yes! More about Pokémon Z-A! It looked quite promising in our eyes. The Wild Zones instantly reminded me of the Safari Zones from previous Pokémon games, but this time, they’ve taken it up a notch. The night mode? Love it. The Z-A Royale? Intriguing! The idea of climbing from rank Z all the way up to A—just for the chance to get a wish granted—is such a cool premise. Add in the fact that you can gain an edge in battle by sneaking up on opponents, and we’ve got something that feels fresh yet familiar. This is definitely shaping up to be a Pokémon game worth looking forward to!
And then, out of nowhere—Rhythm Heaven Groove! This one was a surprise drop, but a welcome one. A few years ago, I gifted Michael Rhythm Paradise Megamix for the Nintendo 3DS, and now we get an even wackier installment on the Switch. He hasn’t said he’s buying it yet… but let’s be real, if he doesn’t, I probably will. Seems like a perfect game to pick up for a few minutes of pure rhythm-based chaos.
But wait—digital sharing! Oh wow, why did this take so long to become a thing? We’ve always been the kind of gamers who lend our physical copies to friends (and sometimes completely forget who has what). The idea that we can now digitally “loan” a game and recall it after 14 days? Absolute genius. We were already texting our friends about it last night, and everyone (who owns a Switch) is 100% on board. Nintendo, if you ever stop making physical copies, our collector hearts will shatter—but for now, this is a game changer for digital libraries.
And then, at exactly 33:22, the Nintendo Direct gave me a heart attack. Palm trees. White sandy beaches. The ocean… Could it be?! Animal Crossing?! Were they finally going to bless us with a new entry in the series?!
No.
No, they did not.
Instead, they ripped out my heart and stomped on it. Multiple times.
TOMODACHI LIFE. TOMODACHI. LIFE.
Nintendo, you’re killing us here. Look, I get that people love Tomodachi Life, and good for them! Enjoy your quirky life sim chaos! But I was NOT ready for this emotional rollercoaster. Please, pleeease, let the next Direct finally give us what we’re all waiting for—a new Animal Crossing game.
All in all, this Nintendo Direct was a wild ride. From day-one purchases to unexpected yet welcome surprises, there was a lot to take in. And now, we wait—because if our predictions for next month’s Direct are right, we might have even bigger news on the horizon.
What about you? What were your top picks from this Direct? Were there any disappointments? And most importantly—do you think the next Direct will FINALLY reveal a new Animal Crossing game?! Let’s talk in the comments!
