4 Games the Nintendo Direct Has Convinced Me to Buy
[Re-uploaded from WordPress, originally published 02/03/2024]
On the 21st February 2024, Nintendo streamed a Partner Showcase, and there were some titles that really piqued my interest. Here is a list of the games I’m looking forward to and why. While I watched these trailers in the Direct, it’s important to note that some of these games are releasing on other platforms as well. I haven’t currently got a preference in terms of platform; it’ll probably come down to pricing on release.
I’ve linked the stream so that you can view it. Alternatively, I’ve linked each game’s trailer so that you can check out specific things that interest you. Some of the individual trailers do differ slightly from the ones shown in the Partner Showcase, but my opinions are based on what I saw in the stream itself. Now that I've done my disclaimer, it's time to gush about video games!
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch
Right from the get-go, this game’s visuals had me hooked. Now, I’m not someone who prioritises graphics when choosing what to play, gameplay will always be king, but I can appreciate when the presentation of something is just nice. The look of this game is just so unique - the colours really pop! I honestly can’t think of anything I’ve seen that looks the same.
In Arranger, you play as a 'small-town misfit' called Jemma who is on a journey to The Land Beyond. The game takes place on a grid where, when you move Jemma, the world around you moves. This mechanic is not only for exploration purposes but also forms the game’s combat system. The gameplay is such a simple concept, and yet I feel the developers have made full use of it. Within the trailer, there were several puzzles and situations that seemed to utilise this movable world, so it really feels like the team have implemented this game mechanic effectively. The game has definitely been built around this, rather than it being a gimmick or afterthought.
I have been getting more into puzzle games recently, so I think this will be a great addition to my library. With puzzle-type games, there is often the risk of gameplay becoming stale early on. I don’t think that Arranger is going to have this problem because it feels like the developers have really fleshed out the gameplay and built the game around it.
I am truly excited to play this game, and I am seriously considering picking it up at launch! I'd highly suggest you watch the trailer to see what's got me so hyped.
Arranger: A Role Playing game releases 25th July 2024.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox series X and S
Epic Mickey is a series that has always fascinated me. Indeed, I remember the original being released when I was a kid, and I thought it looked awesome! That being said, I never actually got a copy, and I don’t know why. I did play around 30 minutes of the sequel back when PS Now was still a thing, but I got distracted playing other things. The release of Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a chance for me to jump into a game that I have always been intrigued by.
Again, the gameplay looks like heaps of fun here. The game is a platformer where obstacles are navigated by the use of a magical paintbrush. Mickey uses paint or thinner to alter objects in the world, creating or destroying respectively. As a kid, this seemed so ground-breaking to me, so I'm glad to see this mechanic has retained its wonder. Indeed, interactable environments are almost guaranteed to make a game more fun.
In an era saturated by remasters, remakes and reinventions, you’d be forgiven for seeming underwhelmed by an announcement such as this. However, the developers seemingly intend to inject new life into the game. They say that Mickey is going to have a new set of moves, with dash, ground pound and sprinting now being a part of his skill set.
Additionally, the graphics have been truly upgraded. When watching the trailer, I thought the team hadn't done much, but further research proved me wrong. In fact, I'd say this game has been given new life. Models are way more detailed now, and the new lighting effects are gorgeous.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed has a wonderful ambience that I am eager to experience for myself. It's clear that developers Purple Lamp have put a lot of love and care into updating such a beloved title.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed releases 24th September 2024.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
Platforms: Switch
I have never in my life played a Monkey Ball game, EVER. I've avoided previous entries in the franchise because they appeared a bit samey to me. I'm not sure what it was, but I've always been put off - until now.
Watching the trailer, I got a real sense of speed. The movement seems so precise and fluid - I think it’s going to be both fun and rewarding to navigate the courses. Adding to this, I feel that the new Spin Dash move is going to add a lot to gameplay. I imagine it’s going to be a ball - no pun intended - to launch yourself over and around obstacles. It’s also a great inclusion because it means that players are now able to try new strategies when tackling courses, which keeps things fresh.
Banana Rumble does seem to have a lot of content. Developers Ryu Ga Gotoku have added a few multiplayer modes; there is a competitive mode that supports up to 16 players online (or 4 locally) or the 4-player Adventure mode where players experience a story consisting of 200 stages. I like these additions because they give the game replay value. I’ve always thought the series seemed like it had a lack of replay value, so I think these new modes are enough to keep me hooked. It’ll be nice for me to switch between game modes, and I especially like the idea that I can tackle the story with friends.
Another attraction of this game is the visuals. I never really liked the presentation of older titles in the series; I think that sometimes the backgrounds and play areas were hard to distinguish from one another, and the visuals looked a little garish. This was a big thing that deterred me from playing the series. Looking at Banana Rumble, it really is night and day. The team have done a great job of ensuring that the play area and background don’t just blend together. It reaches the perfect balance of eye-catching visuals and readability. This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to play Monkey Ball, so the game has a lot riding on it!
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble releases 25th June 2024.
Another Crab's Treasure
Platforms: PC, PS5 Switch, Xbox Series X and S
This one has actually been on my radar for a while, having seen the reveal trailer back in 2022. You play as a hermit crab named Kril on a quest to find treasure in the hopes of buying their shell back. You can acquire shells along the way which give you different abilities - there are “more than 60” to choose from. They aren’t just traditional shells either - you can acquire mugs, cans and cardboard boxes, for instance. The game is being marketed as a soulslike; I love the idea of combining complex gameplay with vibrant graphics.
I have tried soulslike games before, and honestly, I suck. I just find them too difficult, so when a new one gets announced, I’m far too intimidated to play it. I’d describe myself as competent when it comes to gaming, I just struggle with that genre. I am drawn to Another Crab’s Treasure, though, as its cartoony visuals make it seem less intimidating. For a game set completely underwater, I think the developers have managed to make an incredibly diverse environment. With underwater games, I often find things start to look the same, so this game’s landscape variety fills me with optimism.
I don’t know what the game’s difficulty will be like, but I do find the visuals entice me to give it a try. Additionally, I find the fact that you play as a crab to be both hilarious and adorable. I love the undersea theme and, from what I’ve seen in the trailer, the characters appear to have a lot of personality.
There wasn’t much shown in the trailer, but I think it’s worth mentioning that the combat looks fluid and dynamic. Kril can use melee attacks - as you’d expect - but is also capable of using magical attacks against foes. I’m eager to play this game because it feels like a non-intimidating way for me to get into soulslike games. I find that I can often convince myself to stick at games/genres I struggle with if the game has cute or cartoony visuals, so I’m hopeful in this scenario.
Another Crab’s treasure launches on 25th April 2024.
Overall, I'd say this was a solid Partner Showcase. There were many titles that piqued my interest - these were just my personal standouts - so it's likely I'll be purchasing more of the games that were shown in the stream.
Thumbnail image source: Nintendo