There is no doubt that video games remain popular with players worldwide in 2024. The sector is still dominated by iconic brands, and few enjoy the high profile that Nintendo does. This Japan-based company has been involved with gaming since its earliest days and still stands tall at the cutting edge of the sector.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events they hold on a regular basis is Nintendo Direct. This is a series of online presentations or live shows from Nintendo that inform fans of the company’s planned game launches. It is also sometimes used to provide details about any upcoming hardware updates and console launches. The 2024 Nintendo Direct event took place on June 18th and contained lots of interesting announcements from the company.
Nintendo Direct 2024: The best event for Nintendo games launches since 2017?
Games remain at the heart of the industry and are a key offering for boosting player retention for any system or platform. This is true for all niches within the sector, as the selection of exclusive games in console gaming, along with the browser- and app-based catalogue in the world of iGaming, continue to expand. This made information about new games one of the highlights of the Nintendo Direct 2024 event and left a big impression on many fans.
In fact, it had such an impact that gamers were quick to note that this was the best Nintendo Direct show in terms of games launches since 2017. This is a huge claim when you remember that the 2017 edition not only launched the then brand-new Switch console but also titles such as Fire Emblem Warriors and Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
What made Nintendo Direct 2024 such a great event for games launches?
The number of game updates Nintendo announced at their Direct event recently helped make it the best since 2017. Here is a look at some of the most exciting games in the lineup.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Nintendo Direct 2024 saw more information released about the hotly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and a potential 2025 launch date. When you consider the fact that this game was first talked about back in 2017, you can see why details about Samus Aran’s next adventures left fans thrilled.
It’s set to be an immersive first-person shooter that sees players battling space pirates on a distant world against a pumping sci-fi soundtrack. Nintendo also hinted that the dangerous bounty hunter Sylux from previous Metroid Prime games might also be this title’s main villain.
Dragon Quest remakes for Switch
Another major piece of games news in the 2024 edition of Nintendo Direct was Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes coming to Switch soon. Fans have been waiting for these games, and they should make a big splash when they’re launched. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D will come first in November 2024, and Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D will follow in 2025.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, in particular, should be a hit with fans of the franchise and marks the beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy storyline. It will give players the chance to save the world from Baramos and the dark forces he commands.
Marvel vs Capcom: Arcade Classics
Retro games are as popular as ever, and this made the announcement about a Marvel vs Capcom: Arcade Classics collection at Nintendo Direct 2024 a big story. The games that are expected to be included in this collection are:
- X-Men Children of the Atom
- Marvel Super Heroes
- X-Men vs Street Fighter
- Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter
- Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
- Marvel vs Capcom 2
- The Punisher
This collection of seven stunning fighting games is planned for a late 2024 launch and will be available on Switch. It will also include original songs from the arcade versions of the games, exclusive art and development documents.
Darkest Dungeon
Another game update Nintendo made public at this event was Darkest Dungeon coming to Switch in mid-July. This will include an Oblivion Edition, which contains Blinding Blade content, special questlines and two new heroes. In the standard edition, players will be able to use touch controls, find 10 companion pets, discover The Altar of Hope, and personalise difficulty levels.
Nintendo Direct 2024: Best for games since 2017
This is just a sampling of some of the games that were featured in Nintendo Direct 2024 in June. The company packed in a lot of content about exciting game launches, and this is really what put it on par with the 2017 event. Although no news of a Switch 2 console was made available, fans did not mind when there was so much other content to take in.