Nintendo Direct February 2024: All The Biggest Announcements

February just wouldn't feel the same without a Nintendo Direct, and fortunately, the Japanese gaming giant had a fresh event locked and loaded with new reveals. This was a 25-minute long broadcast focused on games from Nintendo's third-party partners, and most of the titles appearing in the video are currently scheduled to be released in the first half of the year.

After Microsoft revealed that it'll be making several of its Xbox games multiplatform, the February Direct confirmed two of the games that'll be headed to Switch soon. Obsidian Entertainment is leading the way with a pair of games, its fun survival adventure Grounded and its elegant take on the power of history with Pentiment.

Beyond those exciting reveals, we also got news on new ports, some great-looking indie titles, and highly anticipated games like Unicorn Overlord. One of the big surprises was Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, a remake of the 2010 Wii game that adds a variety of upgrades and improvements to the classic adventure.

One big announcement that you didn't see during the US Direct video? Confirmation of Mother 3 finally coming to Switch--but only in Japan.

You can see all of the announcements below, and next week, you can tune in for a new Pokemon Presents livestream with "exciting" news being teased for the future of the franchise.

Obsidian Entertainment's survival-crafting game--with a Honey I Shrunk the Kids vibe--has been a big hit on Xbox and PC, and now it's coming to Switch. One of several Xbox games going multiplatform, Grounded will launch on April 16 for Switch.

But before Grounded arrives, Switch players can grab Obsdian's other critically acclaimed game, Pentiment.

Xbox's Grounded And Pentiment Are Coming To Nintendo Switch

It has been a long time since the world of Ender Lilies was explored, and in this new game, you'll play as Lilac as you journey across a devastated world. Lilac won't be alone, as she'll be accompanied by a Homonculus who played a pivotal role in the destruction of her nation.

In the mood for interconnected puzzles, handcrafted dungeons, and sprawling gameplay grids? Then Arranger might be just what you're looking for when it slides on Switch later this year.

The next game from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim developer Vanillaware is almost here, and in a new trailer, more of the game's strategy and role-playing elements were shown off. Ahead of its release on March 8, Nintendo announced that a demo will be available from today on the Switch eShop.

The first Monster Hunter Stories game is getting a fresh lease on life, and this Switch port of the 3DS classic will sport enhanced visuals and full voice-acting. While the mainline series is an action-RPG, Monster Hunter Stories takes a turn-based approach to the franchise as you embark on a quest to rid the world of a mysterious blight that has ravaged the lands.

Originally released on the Nintendo Wii console in 2010, Epic Mickey is getting a remake on Switch this year. In case you missed it when it first came out, Epic Mickey stars Disney's favorite mouse as he finds himself trapped in a world of forgotten cartoon characters created by the sorcerer Yen Sid, and must use a magical brush to save it from the Shadow Blot.

Epic Mickey Getting "Enhanced" Version For Nintendo Switch This Year

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a new version of the 2021 Atlus-published RPG and it launches June 21 on Switch. It'll also be leaping to PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, and this updated edition adds new story content to explore.

Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance Announced, Coming To More Than Just Switch

The first two Star Wars Battlefront games are coming to Switch on March 14, and this release will be packed with additional and previously platform-exclusive content. Released a long (long!) time ago, the original Battlefront games were massive multiplayer experiences at the time and spanned both the prequel and original trilogy eras of Stars Wars. This release will include Hero Assault mode, an arena where you can pit famous Jedi like Luke Skywalker and Kit Fisto against nefarious villains like Darth Vader and General Grievous.

Star Wars Battlefront: Classic Collection Releasing On Switch In March

At long last, World of Goo is getting a sequel and Nintendo says this one will be even gooier than the original. Building on the original game's ideas, you'll be able to use the little liquid creatures to build bridges, grow towers, terraform terrain, and even fuel flying machines since they're such a great resource. New Goo Balls will be introduced across more than 64 levels when the game launches on May 23.

A new 3D platforming game from the developers behind Sonic Mania, Penny’s Big Breakaway is now available on Switch. Set across 11 worlds and 40 levels, you'll be able to swing and flip across a colorful land while evading the Emperor's endless penguin army.

Aside from the game's art direction being a reminder of just how jarring South Park can look in 3D, there was nothing really new to see in this trailer for South Park: Snow Day. The co-op multiplayer game is still scheduled to launch on Switch--and several other platforms--on March 26, and preorders are now open on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

As a hermit crab looking to reclaim its prized shell, it's up to you to explore a polluted ocean in this treasure hunt. Humanity's junk might be an eyesore, but at least it makes for some handy shell-like armor as you take on crabby enemies and other dangers lurking in the deep. There'll be over 60 defensive items with distinct special abilities to defend yourself when you raise shell on April 25.

A reimagining of the classic '80s action game, Contra: Operation Galuga updates the experience with more modern visuals and co-op combat. A demo is now available on the eShop, and it's set to release on March 12.

Starring Pepper, a seafaring soul who doesn't take kindly to any enemies getting in the way of her prospecting adventure, Pepper Grinder mixes puzzles, platforming, action, and dangerous boss fights into an epic journey. It'll be available on Switch starting March 28.

The casual fruit-matching fun of Suika Game is getting a paid season pass, and with it, you can enjoy local two-player battles as well as new Time Limit and Attack modes. In a future update, online multiplayer will be added to the game.

Inspired by the myths and stories of Bantu cultures, Tales of Kenzera: Zau tasks you with reclaiming the spirit of the protagonist's father on his quest to become a worthy Nganga, or spiritual healer. Zau can wield cosmic powers from the sun and moon in his journey across Kenzera and he'll be accompanied by the god of death when the game arrives on April 23.

Getting ready for the return of those banana-obsessed apes, as Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is rolling out onto Switch on June 25. Like the previous games, you'll be aiming to be the top banana across more than 200 stages, and Sega says there'll be more than 300 customization options to choose from to help your monkey stand out from the pack.

One of the best 3DS--and mobile--games of all time, Pocket Card Jockey is now available on Switch. Like the original game, you'll be putting your horse racing and Solitaire skills to the test in this high-speed equine contest. This new edition features new rules that allow for more strategic play and 3D racing segments. Or if you'd prefer something less stressful, you can focus on breeding and collecting cute horses instead. A playable demo is also available now on the eShop.

A Wonderful Solitaire Horse-Racing Game (Just Go With Us On This) Is Coming To Switch

Ever wanted to build a Gundam but without the risk of slicing your fingers with a cutting knife? Well now you can do just that in Gundam Breaker 4, the latest entry in the series where you get to build your ultimate Gundam and use it to take on hordes of mecha enemies. You can mix and match parts from over 250 base kits to personalize your own Gunpla, and when you're not fighting interstellar battles, you can collect, pose and display your creations in Diorama Mode.

It's time for a new chapter in the Fantasy Life series, and in The Girl Who Steals Time, you'll be able to change between 14 different roles called Lives whenever you like as you explore a mystery-filled island. There's even some time-travel to take part in as you adventure into the past while you build your ideal town in the present, and along the way, you'll meet up with a few familiar faces when the game launches on October 10.

Return to a distorted version of the world of Sword Art Online later this year, as something has gone terribly wrong inside of that game within a game. Once again, you'll be able to pick from various combat roles, customize your character, and take on quests alongside your friends. Some of the new raids look especially challenging, and you'll need to bring your A-game to these dungeons as you take on powerful foes in 20-person events.

The historical RPG is headed to Switch on March 15, and this edition of the game comes packaged with all of its released DLC. A game of swords and diplomacy, it'll be up to you to wield either a silver tongue or cold steel as you expand your kingdom and deal with the repercussions of your choices.

The adorable cartoon characters from Sweden are getting a new video game, and this story-rich musical adventure has a magical art direction to its design. As Snufkin, you'll be working to restore nature in the valley after the industrious Park Keeper has wrecked the place. The game features music and melodies from the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, and is set to arrive on Switch on March 7.

Demon Slayer, one of the biggest anime series of recent years, is getting a different kind of video game adaptation. While we've seen action games starring Tanjiro and his fellow Demon Corps members, Sweep the Board puts a board game spin on those familiar adventures. Each board has a daytime and nighttime period, and you'll play through a variety of events and minigames during the day to prepare for the night's tough battles against demonic forces. It'll be out on April 26.

Fans of Rare can look forward to five more games when they're added to the Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack libraries. Nintendo Switch Online members will get Killer Instinct, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, Snake Rattle 'n Roll, and RC Pro-AM as part of the NES and SNES libraries, while Expansion Pack members can play those games and the destructive N64 classic Blast Corps. All of these games are available right now.

5 Classic Rare Games Announced For Switch, Out Right Now

The final game reveal of the February 2024 Nintendo Direct, Endless Ocean is an open-sea exploration game where up to 30 players can explore the waters of our planet. You can also play it solo if you want, and there'll be over 500 different species of marine life to discover when the game launches on May 2.

Endless Ocean: Luminous Dives Onto Nintendo Switch In May