Gaming Influence: Thoughts - Nintendo Direct 2.9.2022

Hello everyone, 

Welcome to Gaming Influence which is a reboot of the same name that I created back in WrestleCorp. However, not only will I be giving my thoughts on certain video games and video game series, but also video game movies, video game anime, video game digital presentations, etc.

For this edition of Gaming Influence, I will be discussing the Nintendo Direct that happened on February 9, 2022. 

Before I start, not every game that was shown in this presentation will be talked about as I will mainly talk about the games that I care and am interested on. If the games that you care and are interested don't show up here, don't take it personally, have nothing against the games, but they're just not for me or it's just I don't have much to say about them expect cool. However, if you are happy with the games that you care and are interested on that I'm not or have nothing to say about it, good for you and I'm happy for you.

Anyway, let's get started!

Now, before I talk about the Nintendo Direct, there are maybe some people out there wondering, what is a Nintendo Direct? A Nintendo Direct is basically a digital presentation where it will mainly highlight video games coming out on a Nintendo console, but sometimes they show other projects from Nintendo including movies, merchandise, theme parks, and so forth. For this particular Nintendo Direct, this was mainly focused on Nintendo Switch games coming out in the first-half of 2022.

Anyway, let's get started!

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a hack and slash action role-playing game developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja as the game will take place in the same universe in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but with a different story, and it will be released on June 24, 2022.

Holy crap, I wanted a new Fire Emblem game, but what I didn't expect is a new Fire Emblem Warriors game so that caught me off by surprise. At the same time, it does make sense especially with the Fire Emblem Three Houses universe as there was a war that happened in the game so having a warriors/musou style gameplay with the Fire Emblem Three Houses cast is a no brainer. Also, love the designs of Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude in this game and we got some original characters here too which I'm intrigued on how they will play. Also, I want to see how the story will play out as well since they say it's different, but in the same universe. Let's see if this game is the happy ending we want in the Fire Emblem Three Houses universe because if you play Fire Emblem Three Houses, you know what I mean. Either way, looking forward to playing it and seeing it more of it as it comes out on June 24, 2022.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a military-themed turn-based strategy game developed by WayForward and it's a remake of the first two games that were released on the Game Boy Advance in 2001 and the game will be released on April 8, 2022.

When this game was announced back at E3 2021, I lost my mind as I never thought this series would come back as it has been fourteen years since the last Advance Wars game which was Advance Wars: Days of Ruin back on the Nintendo DS in 2008. Granted, I want it to come back, but never expected it so I'm glad it's back. Plus, with the addition of voice acting and having online multiplayer is a huge plus for me. I really hope this game sells well as this will bring the series back and we'll get more games from it so I'm definitely going to buy this to support the series. Also, if you enjoy tactical strategy games, you will love this series and I would recommend it so please, buy and support Advance Wars as it comes out on April 8, 2022!

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a soccer game developed by Next Level Games as this will be the first Mario Strikers game since Mario Strikers Charged in 2007 on the Wii as it will be released on June 10, 2022.

What?! Okay, I had a feeling that Nintendo is planning to do another Mario Sports game, but the fact that it's Mario Strikers which we haven't seen in fifteen years is absolute insanity. They got new gear for the characters which only affects their appearance, but their stats which is awesome. Plus, the Hyper Strikes which are basically the special moves is also awesome. Not only that, up to 8 players can play and you can play online?! Absolute win. Great to see this series back and I can't wait to play it on June 10, 2022.

Splatoon 3 is a third-person shooter developed by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development (Nintendo EPD) and it will be the third game in the series as it will plan for release this summer.

When they announce this game last year at the February Direct, I was really surprised as I knew a third game would be in development, but wouldn't be released until the next Nintendo console. However, the fact that the game is coming to Switch and it's coming this year is astounding. In the trailer, Salmon Run from Splatoon 2 makes a return in this game which is awesome as that mode was definitely a highlight for Splatoon 2 and I expect it to be the same for Splatoon 3. Plus, the addition of Egg Throwing in that mode is very nice and the new enemies with Fish Stick and Flipper-Flopper looks to be fun enemies to fight against. Looking forward to this game when it comes out this summer.

Front Mission 1st is a remake of the first Front Mission game which was released in Japan for the Super Famicom in 1995 as the game didn't come to the West until 2007 on the Nintendo DS where the game will be released this summer.

Alright, I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, great to see Front Mission making a comeback as there hasn't been a new mainline game for the series since Front Mission 2089 on the Nintendo DS in Japan in 2008. Not only that, it's even longer for the West with the last release, Front Mission 4, which came out on PS2 in 2004 so it's great to see that series come back after fourteen to eighteen years. However, the downside on this is that this game is developed by Forever Entertainment where they also made the Panzer Dragoon Remake on Switch in 2020 and that game was just okay. Panzer Dragoon Remake was not as great compared to the original expect better graphics, but the original was better overall and much more fun to play. In general, Forever Entertainment doesn't have the best track record when it comes to their games, but they're not terrible either, just average. I have a feeling that this game might be average due to how Forever Entertainment develop their games, but this might be their chance to prove everyone wrong as the second Front Mission game is also being remade by them so it shows that Square Enix and Nintendo think highly of them to develop these games. Won't hold them off so I will give them a chance, but being pessimistic on this. Hope they can pull it off.

STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed is a port of the original game that was released on PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 back in 2008 as it will be released on April 20, 2022.

Okay, didn't expect this to come to Switch, but very cool as this was a very fun game back in the day so having it on Switch and on the go is great so that's nice. It's also nice to see that they brought back the motion controls for the game too just like in the Wii version so that's awesome. We'll see how this port will turn out when it comes to Switch on April 20, 2022.

Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection will include Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin's Creed Revelations which was released on PS4 and Xbox One in 2016 and it will be released on Switch on February 17, 2022.

This was already announced by Nintendo a few weeks ago, but nice to see a reminder for the collection as this collection has the best Assassin Creed games in my opinion so playing this on the go with the Switch hardware is going to be pretty sweet. We'll see how this port of this collection will do on Switch on February 17, 2022.

CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION is a remaster of the original game plus with an extra with the Radical Dreamers game that was only exclusive to the Satellaview as part of the Super Famicom in Japan into one collection which will be released on April 7, 2022.

Holy crap! Chrono Cross is being remastered on modern consoles! Heck freaking yes! Not only that, we're getting an option for no enemy encounters, an enhanced soundtrack, and getting Radical Dreamers which was only exclusive to Satellaview which a peripheral device for the Super Famicom in Japan so this is a huge deal right here, holy crap! Granted, Chrono Cross is no Chrono Trigger as Chrono Trigger is probably one of the best of not only JRPGs, but one of the best video games of all time. Despite that, Chrono Cross is still a great game so with the remaster improvements, it's going to be a lot better and I'm happy for it as that game has been stuck on PSX since 1999 so this was twenty-three years in the making and it feels great. Also, while you're at it Square Enix, can you please re-release Chrono Trigger on modern consoles? Thank you. Either way, looking forward to this game on April 7, 2022.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a 3D platform video game developed by HAL Laboratory as this will be the first-ever 3D platformer game for the Kirby series as it will be released on March 25, 2022.

I've always wanted a 3D platformer with Kirby for the longest time and when we first saw this at the September Direct last year, I was blown away and this new trailer solidify it. Like, holy crap, Kirby can absorb objects and have abilities of that object whether it be a car, a vending machine, a cone, etc. Dang, you don't mess with Kirby or else he'll eat you up. Also, you can upgrade Kirby's abilities to become even more powerful?! Unbelievable. I'm sold on this game and I can't wait to play it on March 25, 2022.

MLB The Show 22 is a baseball video game developed by San Diego Studio and it will be released on April 5, 2022.

Granted, I'm not a huge fan of this series, but I have to talk about this because this is quite huge as MLB The Show 22 is developed by San Diego Studio and they're own by Sony so basically, a PlayStation game is coming to Switch and that's wild. Never thought I would see the day that a published PlayStation game is on a Nintendo console. Wild. Granted, it may not run or look well compared to the other versions of the game, but the fact that you can play this game on the go is quite cool. Either way, we'll see how this game will turn out on April 5, 2022.

KINGDOM HEARTS INTERGRUM MASTERPIECE for Cloud is a collection of all the Kingdom Hearts games into one while playing on the cloud which has already been released this past Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Alright, I just have to say this. I love Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts is not only one of my favorite JRPGs series of all time, but also one of my favorite video game series of all time. I wanted the Kingdom Hearts games coming to Switch for a few years now and you think, I would be happy that these games are finally coming to Switch correct? Yes, but there's a problem. The Kingdom Hearts games coming to Switch are cloud versions and that makes me very disappointed. Now, you're wondering, what is a cloud version of a game? A cloud version of a game is basically that you can only play these games if you are connected to the Internet. In other words, if you don't have Internet, you can't really play these games and that freaking sucks. Granted, I can understand why Kingdom Hearts III might be too difficult due to high storage and memory so that game being cloud, I can understand. However, the rest of the Kingdom Hearts games should be able to handle the Switch with no issues so the fact that these games are only cloud on Switch makes me disappointed. However, if you have a good Internet connection and don't have any other systems to play it on, then the Switch version is for you. On the other hand, if you have bad Internet connection and have other systems to play it on, I would recommend those versions instead to get a better experience. A shame that this happened to the Kingdom Hearts series on Switch as it definitely deserves better. Hope that Square Enix, Disney, and Nintendo can find some way to make these games local on Switch in the future, but not counting on it.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a remaster of the first two Klonoa games that were released back on the PSX and PS2 in 1997 and 2001 as it will be released on July 8, 2022.

Holy crap, Klonoa is back after thirteen years when we have no new game for it since the remake of the first Klonoa back in 2009 on the Wii! Holy mackerel! Klonoa is such an underrated 3D platformer series and I'm glad to see that Bandai Namco has brought it back for modern players to experience as this series is pretty good. I really hope this sells well so that way, Klonoa can make a return. If you love 3D platformers, you'll love this series so please, buy and support Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series when it comes out on July 8, 2022!

Portal: Companion Collection is a port of the first two Portal games that were released on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 in 2007 and 2011 as it will release later this year.

Wait, what?! The Portal games are coming to Switch?! What the heck?! Another big surprise here as the Portal games are first-person puzzle-platform games which are a lot of fun so the fact that these games are coming to Switch is incredible. Plus, the last Portal game that was released was Portal 2 and that was eleven years ago. Holy crap, I can't believe this series is back and it's coming to Switch too which I hope this means we'll get another game in the Portal series, but only time will tell. Either way, huge surprise and looking forward to revisiting this series later this year on Switch.

LIVE A LIVE is a remake of the original game that was only exclusive to Japan on the Super Famicom in 1994 as it will finally be released in the West in the HD-2D style on July 22, 2022.

Holy crap! Another game that was exclusive to Japan is coming to the West in a HD-2D remake style?! Sign me up man, holy crap! I have heard great things about this game from friends and people online that can read and understand Japanese, that this game is a classic and it's similar to Octopath Traveler with the different stories and characters so I'm totally hyped for this. Seriously, what is up with these exclusive Japanese games finally coming to the West?! I don't know and I don't care because I love this and it looks awesome too especially in that HD-2D engine. I can't wait to play this when it comes on July 22, 2022. 

Nintendo Switch Sports is a sports simulation game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development (Nintendo EPD) and it will be released on April 29, 2022.

Wait, what?! We're getting a new game in the Sports series with Nintendo Switch Sports?! What the heck?! I love playing Wii Sports back in the day on the Wii so having a new sports game with the return of not only tennis, bowling, and chambara, but also new sports like soccer, badminton, and volleyball?! Heck freaking yes! Has online play too, awesome! In addition, they will have free updates to the game later in this year with using the leg accessory to play soccer in the summer as well as adding golf to the game in the fall. Finally, they're going to have an online play test for the game as it will be available from February 18 to February 20, 2022. Looking forward to the online play test later this month and I can't wait to play the full game on April 29, 2022.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is the latest rhythm game in the series developed by Bandai Namco and it will be released later this year.

Well, this was a nice surprise. Glad to see a new game in the Taiko no Tatsujin as this series is a lot of fun especially with multiplayer. Plus, you got songs from Undertale and Legend of Zelda here which is awesome and I think it's going to be a lot of fun. Very curious to see what other songs will be on here once it's released later this year.

Triangle Strategy is a tactical role-playing game developed by Square Enix and Artdink which will be released on March 4, 2022.

When I saw this game last year in the February Nintendo Direct, I was hyped as heck for this as this was basically Square Enix trying to do tactic strategy games again which they haven't done since Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics back in the PSX days in the late 90s so this is a nice treat. Plus, the first demo they had, it was great and now they have a new demo which transfers over your save data to the full game which I love. Love that more companies are doing that with demos, hope they keep it up. Either way, looking forward to this game when it comes out on March 4, 2022.

Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course is downloadable content (DLC) for the run-and-gun video game developed by Studio MDHR which will be released on June 30, 2022.

Studio MDHR has been working on this DLC for the past four years now and it looks to be amazing. It feels like a new game at this point and not DLC, but either way, I'm hyped for it and Ms. Chalice looks fun to play as. Looking forward to this DLC when it comes out on June 30, 2022.

Metroid Dread is getting free updates where one is available now where there will be a Dread mode and Rookie mode and in addition, there will be a boss rush mode in April 2022.

Okay, I didn't expect any updates on Metroid Dread, but this is very nice. Dread mode is basically an Expert mode where if you get hit one time, it's game over, while Rookie mode is basically a beginner mode as the player will get more energy so nice options for players here and I appreciate that. Plus, the boss rush mode should be a lot of fun as it comes out in two months so that's awesome. Either way, if you haven't already, buy and play Metroid Dread! Thank you.

EarthBound & EarthBound Beginnings are the second and first games of the EarthBound series that were released in Japan known as the Mother series on Super Famicom in 1994 and Famicom in 1989 while the Western versions were released on SNES in 1995 and the Wii U Virtual Console in 2015 as they are available right now on Nintendo Switch Online.

Yes! Finally! It's about time that EarthBound & EarthBound Beginnings are released on Nintendo Switch Online as these games are great. If you haven't played these classic role-playing games, I recommended doing so as I like said, they're great and they're free if you have Nintendo Switch Online so play them now! I know I will play these classics again and for those who haven't played them yet, have fun and enjoy the ride.

GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon is a hack-and-slash game developed by GuruGuru and is a sequel to the original game that was exclusive to Japan back in the Famicom in 1987 and it is available now.

When I first saw this game on an Indie World Showcase back in an Indie World Showcase back in April 2021, I was shocked as I didn't expect Konami to bring back this IP in any shape or fashion so that was a nice surprise. Now, I have played the game a bit and I have to say, it's fine and has potential, but definitely needs a lot of improvements if this game ever gets updated or gets another game down the line. However, since this is from Konami, I doubt that, but I can hope just like I hope that Konami can come back to their senses one day.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles is a 3D fighting game developed by CyberConnect 2 that was released on PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC on October 13, 2021, as the game will be released on Switch on June 10, 2022.

Granted, the game is solid and it's fun, but not the best. However, it can be improved in a sequel if they ever plan on doing one and it's cool that this game is coming to Switch too which is nice. Granted, I don't think it will run well compared to the other systems, but the fact that you can play this game on the go is very cool. Plus, this is a nice way for me to say that you should read and watch the manga/anime of Demon Slayer. It's great. That is all.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is a paid DLC expansion pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe which will include 48 remastered tracks from past Mario Kart games in six waves that will last until the end of 2023 at a total of $24.99 with the first wave coming out on March 18, 2022. 

Wait a minute?! So instead of getting a new original Mario Kart game, we're going to get paid DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that hasn't gotten an update since the game's release in 2017?! Okay, that works for me as I have a feeling that Nintendo is going to save the next Mario Kart game on the next Nintendo console. Plus, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been selling so well so it makes sense to have DLC for it which will result more sales of the game which is insane. Also, 48 remastered tracks in six waves at a total of $25 is a steal for me at least and the first wave that they've shown so far includes Coconut Mall from Mario Kart Wii, Choco Mountain from Mario Kart 64, and Tokyo Blur from Mario Kart Tour. Alright, that's a pretty good lineup and I can't wait to see what other tracks they'll bring back here for this. Plus, if you have the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass, you'll get this DLC expansion pass for free so that will definitely add value to the online membership which definitely needs it. Granted, still needs work, but at least more value is being put into it which I appreciate. Either way, looking forward to the first wave starting next month and this is hype!

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is an action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and it will be the third mainline game for the series which will be released in September 2022.

Oh my god! They did it! Monolith Soft is actually making Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and it's coming out this year?! Heck freaking yes! Granted, I wanted another Xenoblade Chronicles game on Switch, but I wasn't expecting Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as I was expecting a port of Xenoblade Chronicles X to come first before this, and I thought Xenoblade Chronicles 3 would happen for the next Nintendo console so the fact that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is coming on Switch and coming out this year?! Unbelievable. I'm so freaking happy. Not only that, it looks like the game will combine story elements from the first two games into one and the character designs look great, the world looks beautiful, and the music sounds like a banger. Really hyped for this as the Xenoblade Chronicles series is currently one of my favorite JRPGs series and one of my favorite video game series right now so I'm looking forward to playing this game in September 2022.

Overall, this was a great Nintendo Direct for me as the pacing was well done, a lot of surprises, and some great trailers and announcements here that went by like a breeze. Granted, if the game that you wanted didn't show up here, I understand your disappointment and I hope you get the game that you want down the line. As for me though, not only I'm a huge Nintendo fan, but also a fan of video games, so I got what I wanted with lots of variety which I appreciate.

You can watch the full Nintendo Direct yourself with the link below:

What are your thoughts on the Nintendo Direct?

What were your highlights and what games do you really want?

Let me know in the comments section below and thank you for reading.