Gaming Influence: Thoughts - Nintendo Direct 3.27.2025
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Gaming Influence, a reboot of the same name I created in WrestleCorp. However, I will be giving my thoughts on certain video games and video game series, movies, anime, video game digital presentations, etc.
For this edition of Gaming Influence, I'll share my thoughts on the Nintendo Direct on March 27, 2025.
Before I start, only some games shown in this presentation will be discussed as I will mainly talk about games that I care about and am interested in. If the games you care about and are interested in don't show up here, don't take it personally. I have nothing against the games, but they're just not for me, or it's just that I don't have much to say about them except cool. However, if you're happy with the games that you care about and are interested in, I have nothing to say about it. Good for you, and I'm happy for you.
Anyway, let's get started!
This Nintendo Direct will showcase games coming to Nintendo Switch later this year, with no information on Nintendo Switch 2, so let's get to it!
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D REMAKE is a collection of role-playing games developed and published by Square Enix, and the game is set to be released this year.
We knew about this last year with the Nintendo Direct in June, but I didn't expect them to actually add new content to the games, which is awesome. At the end of the trailer they showcased, they showed a new character that wasn't in the original game, so very curious to see how that will turn out. Looking forward to replaying these games with a lot of quality of life improvements once it's released later this year.
No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a visual novel adventure game developed and published by Spike Chunsoft. The game is set to be released on July 25, 2025.
Holy crap, we got ourselves a new AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES game and it looks incredible! This looks to be a third game in the series with a new protagonist and a new story, which seems very interesting. If it's anything like the first two games, we're in for a treat, and we don't have to wait long as well. Looking forward to playing this once it's released in four months.
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a remaster of the action role-playing game developed and published by Atlus that was released in PS2 in 2006, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army. The game is set to be released on June 19, 2025.
Oh wow, another surprise that I didn't expect with Atlus remastering Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, which is being renamed to the original title name in Japan, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army. You can say this game is a mix of Shin Megami Tensei and Soul Hackers into one, which is very fun. If you love Atlus games, the Shin Megami Tensei series, and their spin-offs and sub-series, you'll enjoy this game and look forward to replaying it in three months.
Shadow Labyrinth is an action-adventure game developed and published by Bandai Namco. The game is set to be released on July 18, 2025.
We saw this game in the pre-show of the Game Awards last year, so it's great to see this game again, and it continues to look interesting. I still can't believe that we're actually getting a Metroidvania PAC-MAN game, which is insane but awesome at the same time. I'm looking forward to seeing how this game will turn out and looking forward to playing it once it's released in four months.
PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY is a collection of rhythm games developed by SAS CO.,LTD. and published by Bandai Namco. The game is set to be released on July 11, 2025.
Wait, what?! We're getting first-party PlayStation games on a Nintendo console?! What?! Granted, we did have PlayStation games on a Nintendo console in the past, but this is taking it to another level. Regardless, I'm happy that we're getting these games on a Nintendo console as they're fun, and I did enjoy them when playing them on the PSP, so this is going to be a nice treat. Looking forward to playing these games on a Nintendo console once it's released in three months.
STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar is a remake of a simulation role-playing game developed and published by Marvelous, Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar, which was released on Nintendo DS in 2008. The game is set to be released on August 27, 2025.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an action-adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo. The game is set to be released later this year.
Nice to see this game was showcased here in this presentation, as I thought we wouldn't be seeing this game until the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct next week, but this is awesome. Love the new planet that Samus gets to explore with Viewros and the new psychic ability that Samus has is freaking awesome which will change the gameplay a ton for the series. Also, that new suit that Samus has in the end with the red and black look is sick. Can't wait to play this game and hope to see more of it later this year.
Disney Villains Cursed Café is a visual novel game developed by Bloom Digital Media and published by Disney. The game is available now on Switch.
This is honestly looks to be a cozy game that involves the Disney villains. I don't expect anything crazy with this game, or anything like that, but I expect fun regardless. Very curious to see how this game will turn out as it's available now to play on Switch.
Witchbrook is a life-simulation and social role-playing game developed and published by Chucklefish, which will be released this holiday.
From the looks of this game, it seems to be a fun social simulation RPG that lets you be a witch and interact with other people within the game's world. I can definitely see this game being addicting depending on how players play, which would make everyone's experience different. Very curious to see more of this game and hope to see it once it's released this holiday.
The Eternal Life of Goldman is a platformer developed by Weappy and published by THQ Nordic. The game is set to be released this holiday.
Wow, this looks to be a very fun platformer with a very unique art style that reminds me a lot of the classic Western cartoons. This game has a ton of potential, and the platforming aspect looks to be a lot of fun, too. Hope to see more of this game down the line once it's released this holiday.
GRADIUS ORIGINS is a collection of action games developed and published by Konami, which includes GRADIUS, SALAMANDER, LIFE FORCE, GRADIUS II, GRADIUS III, SALAMANDER 2, and SALAMANDER III. The collection is set to be released on August 7, 2025.
Oh wow, nice to see that Konami is giving us a GRADIUS collection, which is awesome. Also, nice to see Konami also adding SALAMANDER III, which is a nice surprise. Plus, the collection also has different versions of the games too which is nice. Looking forward to replaying these games as well as playing SALAMANDER III once it comes out in five months.
Rift of the NecroDancer is a rhythm game developed and published by Brace Yourself Games, where the game is now available on Switch.
This game was already released last year on PC, so great to see this game coming to Switch as it's the same developer who developed Cadence of Hyrule. It's cool that they added the Celeste DLC as well as adding future DLC to the game, too, with Pizza Tower being another one. Looking forward to playing this game on Switch as it's now available to play on the system.
Tamagotchi Plaza is a shop simulation game developed and published by Bandai Namco. The game is set to be released on June 27, 2025.
Oh wow, didn't expect a new Tamagotchi game in 2025, but here we are! These were fun shop simulation games on the DS back in the day, so cool to see them returning for this game. A lot of new features in this game, too, that weren't in the previous entries, so I'm curious to see how this new game will turn out. Looking forward to trying it out once it's released in three months.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an action role-playing game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The game is set to be released in late 2025.
Wow, didn't expect Pokémon Legends: Z-A to show up here, as I thought we wouldn't see more footage of this game until the next Pokémon Presents, but glad to see it here. Plus, they even show new footage and not footage from the Pokémon Presents, which is a nice touch. It's also cool to see that during the nighttime, the Z-A Royale happens, which is basically battling a bunch of trainers to increase your rank from Rank Z to Rank A. I wish we see more new Mega Evolutions, but it'll be shown eventually. Looking forward to playing this game when it comes out later this year.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is a rhythm game developed and published by Nintendo where the game will be released in 2026.
Oh my god, we're going to get a new Rhythm Heaven game after eleven years! Yes! The last Rhythm Heaven game we got was Rhythm Heaven Megamix, which was released in the 3DS in 2015, so it's great to see a new one after so long. This looks to be as fun as ever, and the music sounds great in this as well. Looking forward to playing this game once it comes out next year.
High on Life is a comedic first-person shooter developed and published by Squanch Games. The game is set to be released on May 6, 2025.
This game was already released on other systems, but glad to see this game come to Switch as it's just fun and hilarious at the same time. If you're into first-person shooters but also have some comedy in it, this is the game for you. We'll see how this game will turn out on Switch once it's released in two months.
Star Overdrive is a high-speed action-adventure game developed by Caracal Games and published by Dear Villagers. The game is set to be released on April 10, 2025.
We've seen this game in the past and I am glad to see this game finally get a release date as it continues to look fun to play. Still love the mix of action with skateboarding, which should make exploring and combat a lot of fun. Very curious to see how this game will turn out as it'll be released in a few weeks.
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a life simulation role-playing game developed and published by Level-5, which will be released on May 21, 2025.
We've seen this game multiple times in the past now, as it kept being delayed with another release date, but we'll see if they keep it. However, the trailer that they've shown with that slow frame rate was not a good way to showcase the game. Regardless, everything else about the game looks great, and if it's anything like the first FANTASY LIFE game, we're in for a treat. Hopefully, we'll get to play this game in two months.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is a remaster of the role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix, SaGa Frontier 2, which was released on the PSX in 1999. The game is now available on Switch.
Oh wow, didn't expect Square Enix to shadowdrop a SaGa game, but awesome. It's great to see that Square Enix continues to support the SaGa series to the point where they even made new games in the series as well as I hope they continue with it. Looking forward to replaying the game as it's now available on Switch.
Monument Valley | Monument Valley II is a series of indie puzzle games developed and published by Ustwo. The games are set to be released on April 15, 2025.
These games were released on PC and mobile in the past, but this is the first time that these games are coming to console, so this is a nice treat. If you're into puzzle games, then you'll enjoy this series. Looking forward to seeing how this game will turn out on Switch once it's released in a few weeks.
Monument Valley III is an indie puzzle game developed by Ustwo and published by Netflix. The game is set to be released on Switch this summer.
This game was released just a few months ago on PC and mobile, so this is another game within the series that will be coming to consoles for the first time. Just like I mentioned with the first two Monument Valley games, if you're into puzzle games, then you'll enjoy this game. Looking forward to seeing how this game will turn out on Switch once it's released this summer.
EVERYBODY'S GOLF: HOT SHOTS is a golf game developed and published by Bandai Namco. The game is set to be released this year.
Wait what?! Another first-party PlayStation game is coming to a Nintendo console?! What is happening?! Plus, it's a new game within the series, too, which is also shocking. I don't know why or how this happened, but I love it regardless. This is pretty much EVERYBODY'S GOLF, and I love it for that as I can't wait to play it once it comes out this year.
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a beat 'em up game developed by Tribute Games and published by DotEmu. The game is set to be released this holiday.
Man, this looks to be a lot of fun with the selection of characters that they have here with this game. This game has that classic beat 'em up feel, which I love, and I'm looking forward to playing this game myself down the line. Hope to see more of this game down the line once it's released this holiday.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a social simulation game developed and published by Nintendo. The game is set to be released in 2026.
Wait what?! First, we're getting a new Rhythm Heaven game, and now, we're getting a new Tomodachi Life game?! No way! It's been fourteen years since the last Tomodachi Life, which was released in 2013 on the 3DS, so that's insane. It still has that wacky humor that we love with Tomodachi Life as it looks to be as chaotic as ever. I can't wait to play this and hope to see more of it once it comes out next year.
Overall, this was a great presentation from Nintendo. Just like with the Nintendo Direct in June 2024, I thought we were going to get a lot of ports and remasters, and while we did get ports and remasters on here, we even got new original games too, which caught me off guard. Even though Switch 2 is still coming out next year, we're still getting new original games for the system heading into next year, which is absurd. Very nice of Nintendo to continue to support the Switch the moment Switch 2 comes out. This presentation pretty much has everything for everyone in terms of genres, franchises, retro, and modern. Also, the announcement of the virtual game cards, as well as Nintendo Today! were well done as they have potential, so we'll see where they go from there. I'm very curious to see what Nintendo has in store for us for Switch 2 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct next week, and by the time you're reading this, it might already be up. Can't wait to see the future of Nintendo, and with Switch 2, it should be exciting.
You can catch the whole presentation of the 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 below, and thank you for reading.
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