Nintendo Direct September 2023: Highlights and Impressions

What is Nintendo Direct?

Nintendo Direct is a series of online presentations that showcase the latest news and announcements from Nintendo. The presentations are usually streamed live on YouTube, Twitch, and Nintendo’s official website, and feature trailers, gameplay footage, release dates, and more for upcoming Nintendo Switch games and other products.

What happened in the September 2023 Nintendo Direct?

The September 2023 Nintendo Direct was a 40-minute presentation that focused mainly on Nintendo Switch games launching this winter. It was streamed on September 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. BST. The presentation featured some surprising reveals, exciting updates, and nostalgic throwbacks for Nintendo fans. Here are some of the highlights and impressions from the September 2023 Nintendo Direct:

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door HD Announced

One of the most beloved games from the GameCube era is getting a high-definition remaster for the Switch. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door HD will feature enhanced graphics, improved performance, and some new features. The game will retain its original charm, humor, and gameplay, as players join Mario and his partners on a quest to save Princess Peach from the X-Nauts and their leader, Sir Grodus. The game will also include the Pit of 100 Trials, a bonus dungeon that challenges players to fight through 100 floors of enemies. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door HD will be released in 2024¹.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong Remake Coming to Switch

Another classic game from the Game Boy Advance is getting a remake for the Switch. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a puzzle-platformer that pits Mario against his old rival Donkey Kong, who has stolen a bunch of Mini-Mario toys from a toy factory. Mario must chase Donkey Kong through six worlds, each with eight levels and a boss battle. The remake will feature updated graphics, new levels, new power-ups, and local co-op mode for two players². Mario vs. Donkey Kong will be released on February 16, 2024.

F-Zero 99 Announced, Available Today for Switch Online Members

In a surprise twist, Nintendo announced a new F-Zero game that is available today for Switch Online members. F-Zero 99 is a battle royale-style racing game that pits 99 players against each other in a high-speed race to the finish line. The game features online multiplayer, leaderboards, and customizable vehicles. The game also supports the SNES wireless controller for an authentic retro feel³. F-Zero 99 is exclusive to Switch Online members and can be downloaded from the eShop.

Princess Peach: Showtime! Gets March Release Date

Nintendo finally revealed the title and release date of the new Princess Peach game that was announced earlier this year. Princess Peach: Showtime! is a platformer-adventure game that follows Peach and her new friend Stella as they try to save the Sparkle Theater from Grape and the Sour Bunch, who have taken over the stage and kidnapped the performers. Peach will be able to transform into different forms, each with unique abilities and gameplay styles. For example, Detective Peach can solve puzzles and find clues, Kung Fu Peach can fight enemies with martial arts moves, and Swordfighter Peach can slash through obstacles with her sword⁴. Princess Peach: Showtime! will be released on March 22, 2024.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Coming Next Summer

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the 3DS game Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (2013), which was a sequel to the GameCube game Luigi’s Mansion (2001). The game follows Luigi as he explores five haunted mansions with his trusty Poltergust 5000 vacuum cleaner and his ghostly companion Professor E. Gadd. The game features improved graphics, gyro controls, amiibo support, and online multiplayer modes⁶. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD will be released in summer 2024.

Splatoon 3’s Side Order DLC Gets New Trailer and Spring 2024 Release Window

Nintendo kicked off the Nintendo Direct with a new trailer for Splatoon 3’s second wave DLC expansion, Side Order. The DLC will add a new story mode that follows Agent 3 and Agent 8 as they ascend the Spire of Order, a mysterious tower that holds the secrets of the Splatoon world. The DLC will also include new weapons, gear, stages, and customization options for the multiplayer modes⁷. Side Order will be available as part of the Splatoon 3 expansion pass, which also includes the first wave DLC, Appetizer, which was released earlier this year. The expansion pass costs $29.99 and can be purchased from the eShop. Side Order will be released in spring 2024.

Why should I be excited about the September 2023 Nintendo Direct?

The September 2023 Nintendo Direct was a great showcase of Nintendo’s upcoming games for the Switch, as well as some surprises from third-party developers. The presentation featured a mix of remakes, remasters, sequels, and new games that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you are a fan of platformers, puzzle games, racing games, adventure games, or shooter games, there is something for you in the Nintendo Direct. The presentation also showed that Nintendo is not afraid to experiment with new genres and formats, such as F-Zero 99 and Princess Peach: Showtime!. The presentation also gave us some updates on some highly anticipated games, such as Super Mario RPG and Detective Pikachu Returns. Overall, the September 2023 Nintendo Direct was a satisfying and exciting presentation that gave us plenty of reasons to look forward to playing on the Switch this winter and beyond.