A Gamers Thoughts: WTF Nintendo Direct [Editorial]

 

Written By: Sam Delong- Nintendo has always danced to the beat of its own drum. They don't chase trends (or money, for that matter) and release titles on their schedule. Nintendo also makes some strange marketing decisions that don't have a clear purpose. So, announcing a final Nintendo Direct for the OG Switch less than a week before the official Switch 2 Reveal seemed out of the blue.

Regarding Nintendo Directs, their PR team has always been pretty upfront about what they will include and will not. Ahead of the March 2025 Direct, it was confirmed that no new Switch 2 updates would be mentioned, with this Direct instead focusing on Nintendo Switch 1 Games. So the question is, was this direct pointless?

Even though Nintendo does make some odd decisions, it has earned its place in the current generation, leaning on a catalog of its iconic characters. While we wait on bated breath for Switch 2 details, Nintendo is content to drip-feed us breadcrumbs. Unfortunately, many of the games in this direct could also likely be coming to other platforms, resulting in a live stream that comes across as a Mario-shaped nothing burger. However, there were a few bright spots for me.

Nintendo Always Brings the JRPGs -- and almost nothing else

Given that Nintendo is an Eastern publisher at its core, it's no surprise that the House of Mario does give some love to those of us who love a good JRPG. And the Dragon Quest 2D-3D collection fits the bill. Like any good collection, it has all the usual visual enhancements that come along with a remaster. Other niche games, such as Radiou Remastered, could also have been seen, but once again, both could have just been a trailer drop. And as much as I can't wait to play the pixel-art Harry Potter Clone Witchbrooke -- and gorgeously animated metroidvania The Eternal Life of Goldman -- I will be playing those on Steam Deck.

Yet Another Look at Metroid Prime 4

Metroid Prime 4 had another impressive showing at the direct. The extended trailer gave us a more significant look at the game's story, including Samus' new abilities. However, Prime 4 is being set up as a Switch 2 launch title, so showing it here—and not at the beginning or the end of the direct—makes no sense for the pacing of this Nintendo Direct.

Shadow Labyrinth and Marvel Cosmic Invasion

Remember that weird Pac-Man Metroidvania from the Secret Level TV series? Yeah, I forgot about it too. Well, it appeared as a bright spot in this Nintendo Direct. It was also one of the few games in this show with a release date other than "2025".

The comic book nerd in me was overjoyed to see the Shredder's Revenge Devs back with another fantastic pixel art brawler. A team of two Marvel characters bashes their way through iconic Marvel levels. Fifteen characters have been revealed, and more will likely be added through DLC. Now that we are less than a day away from the Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal, the thought process is all the more confusing. Your mileage on these announcements may vary, but many could have just bookended a prior event. So what are you thinking, Nintendo?