Our Top 6 Picks From the September 2022 Nintendo Direct - 2023: Year of the Nintendo
“2023: Year of the Nintendo”
Nintendo has a long history of surprising fans with announcements when we least expect it. And wow—the September 2022 Nintendo Direct was full of unexpected titles and release dates! From first-party reveals to cross-platform releases, there were a ton of games announced for next year. In case you missed some of the biggest announcements, we’ve got you covered! Join us today on Honey’s Anime as we discuss Our Top 6 Picks From the September 2022 Nintendo Direct!
1. Fire Emblem: Engage
Following rumors earlier in the year, Nintendo has officially announced Fire Emblem: Engage for Switch. The next entry in the strategy series will release worldwide on January 20, 2023. In this new entry for the mainline series, players will team up with classic heroes like Marth and Celica using “Emblem Rings” to inherit weapons and skills via the titular Engage mechanic. We’re excited to see some of our favorite heroes return, and the gameplay looks smoother than Three Houses—a testament to Intelligent Systems’ tireless work on improving their in-house engine. The art style has been a surprise for many longtime fans, seemingly taking a more anime-inspired lens. Character designs and artwork have been done by Mika Pikazo, an artist known for creating the VTubers Kaguya Luna and Hakos Baelz, as well as illustrating the Apocalypse Witch light novels. We look forward to sinking another few hundred hours into this mammoth strategy game when Fire Emblem: Engage arrives on January 20, 2023.
Fire Emblem: Engage Trailer
2. Tales of Symphonia Remastered
One of the most beloved entries in the Tales series returns when Tales of Symphonia Remastered releases in early 2023 for PS4, Switch, and Xbox One. Generally regarded as one of the best games in the Tales series, Tales of Symphonia first released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2003, with a worldwide release later in 2004. To date, the game has sold over 2.4 million copies, making it the best-selling entry in the series, with the recent 2021 entry, Tales of Arise, close on its heels with 2 million in sales. Tales of Symphonia’s signature cel-shaded visuals look to have aged well, with visual updates and gameplay enhancements to bring the game up-to-scratch for modern players. The game will also feature local multiplayer with up to three additional players, and will run at 1080p on all consoles, while falling back to 720p on an undocked Switch. Return to the world of Sylvarant—or experience it for the first time—when Tales of Symphonia Remastered arrives in early 2023.
Tales of Symphonia Remastered Trailer
3. Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key
Developer Gust has announced the next installment of their adventure RPG series with Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key. The game will release worldwide for PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC on February 24, 2023. In the third and final installment of her eponymous trilogy, plucky young alchemist Ryza returns to a vast open world where you can collect materials, fight monsters, and synthesize equipment and items in the series’ next generation of alchemical crafting. We’re looking forward to seeing Ryza’s final adventure as she regroups with all the friends she’s made over the last two games, and sets off to unravel the mystery of new islands appearing near her hometown of Kurken Island. Ryza will embark on her final journey when Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key releases on February 24, 2023.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Trailer
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4. Pikmin 4
One of the biggest and most unexpected announcements of the September 2022 Nintendo Direct was Pikmin 4, due to release on Switch in 2023. Nintendo didn’t offer much information on gameplay besides the reveal trailer, although the series has always been praised as a high-quality puzzle platformer where the player controls the lemming-like ‘Pikmin’ to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Pikmin 3 launched on Wii U back in 2013 and saw a ‘Deluxe’ re-release on Switch in October 2020. For fans of gentle puzzlers with gorgeous graphics and Nintendo’s signature family charm, look forward to Pikmin 4 when it comes out sometime in 2023.
Pikmin 4 Trailer
5. Octopath Traveler II
Square Enix and Acquire have announced Octopath Traveler II, a spiritual sequel to the original 2018 JRPG. Octopath Traveler II will launch simultaneously for PS5, PS4, PC, and Switch on February 24, 2023. Set in the new world of Solistia, players will once again follow eight characters sharing an interconnected story, each with unique skills in battle and exploration. The series’ HD-2D graphics make a glorious return, with stunning lighting and visuals on display. The original game’s “Break” and “Boost” systems also return, allowing the player to exploit enemy weaknesses or sacrifice turns to deal heightened damage. We’re interested to see how Octopath Traveler II will improve upon the original, particularly with how the characters interact with each other on their journey across this new continent. You can pre-order Octopath Traveler II’s Collector’s Edition Set via the Square Enix Store to receive the game, bust figurines of the characters, a 44-page art book, and a soundtrack CD.
Octopath Traveler II Trailer
6. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
After years of impatiently waiting, fans finally have a release date and official name for the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo has announced The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Switch with a worldwide release date of May 12, 2023. We’ve seen scattered pieces of gameplay information over the past year or two, including the new traversal methods that will see Link taking to the skies—but fans will need to wait a little longer before we get a proper gameplay video. We’re extremely excited to explore the skies and lands of Hyrule once again, when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom arrives on May 12, 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Trailer
Final Thoughts
Nintendo and their partner studios have announced a stellar lineup for 2023, promising plenty of amazing games from puzzlers to RPGs. Despite the system’s age, it’s clear that the Nintendo Switch still has far more left to offer, with some brilliant-looking games launching next year. What games are you excited about from the September Nintendo Direct? Let us know down in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading!
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