Nintendo Direct Highlights: Retro Bundles, LEGO Horizon & A Massive Balatro Update

Nintendo Direct Highlights: Retro Bundles, LEGO Horizon & A Massive Balatro Update

As an old-school gamer with a nostalgic heart and a wallet that groans at every retro release, I must say this Nintendo Direct left me feeling like a kid in a candy store – albeit one with a bit of a cavities problem. The flood of classic titles coming our way is nothing short of breathtaking!


In this article, you’ll find a summary of the latest Nintendo Direct and Indie World presentations. While nothing groundbreaking was unveiled, there were some intriguing announcements such as re-releases of classic bundles, the debut of LEGO Horizon, and details about an upcoming major update for Balatro.

Nintendo Announce Sony’s Horizon LEGO Game

A LEGO version of the Horizon game is coming soon! During the presentation, we were treated to a brief sneak peek. Although Horizon is usually associated with Sony, we’re excited for this fresh update. The launch is scheduled for winter 2024.

Based on the main webpage of LEGO, it seems that Horizon Adventures will be released on November 14. There’s a possibility of a Nintendo Direct announcement regarding this. (Spotted by Reddit user foreveryoung1108)

— Gematsu (@gematsu) August 27, 2024

LEGO have clearly run out of major film IPs to mine.

A Feast For Retro Fans

The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase was absolutely brimming with bundles and collections for retro fans.

Caopcom Fighting Collection 2

Following the phenomenal achievement of the initial collection, Capcom has chosen to offer a new one filled with an additional eight exceptional titles, such as Street Fighter Alpha 3 UPPER and Power Stone 1 & 2. This sequel is planned for release sometime in 2025.

Castlevania Dominus Collection

During the show, Nintendo announced they are bringing back the three Castlevania games originally released on DS, which were also unexpectedly launched as the “Castlevania Dominus Collection” for Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PC, and PlayStation platforms simultaneously, a move known as “shadow dropping”.

MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics

Moreover, one of the highly anticipated collections (due to the relaunch of Marvel vs. Capcom 2) has now set a release date. Initially available digitally on September 12, it will follow with a physical release on November 22.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster

Not one, but two outstanding Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) are making a comeback! For some time now, we’ve been privy to the news of their return, yet there hasn’t been an official announcement until now.

The launch date has been confirmed as March 6, 2025. It’s time to revisit these timeless games, and for those who haven’t had the chance, now you can purchase them without worrying about drastic measures. This compilation will be accessible on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and personal computers.

Indie Fans Spoiled For Choice

At the recent Indie World showcase, Nintendo shared some key moments from the realm of indie gaming.

Balatro Friends of Jimbo Update

The popular card game, which gained momentum early this year, is set to receive an extensive upgrade featuring significant collaborations.

Characters renowned from The Witcher, Dave The Diver, Among Us, and Vampire Survivors are making their way onto our cherished cards! Exactly how this change influences gameplay isn’t entirely clear yet, but it’s an exciting addition that became accessible immediately following the show.

Sea of Stars – Throes of the Watchmaker DLC

In a nod to classic JRPGs such as Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars is expanding with downloadable content titled “The Throes of the Watchmaker.” This new adventure will lead our characters into a haunted amusement park.

Awesome.

PowerWash Simulator – Shrek Special Pack

An unexpected and rather unusual collaboration – PowerWash Simulator, a popular game on Steam, is teaming up with the iconic Shrek swamp to cleanse his home of multi-colored grime. It may seem unbelievable, but that’s the current situation. The launch date remains undisclosed, yet we can hardly contain our excitement.

The Nintendo Direct wasn’t packed with major releases or entirely new games for the Switch, but it certainly had some standout moments. What was your take on the Nintendo Direct?

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2024-08-28 15:09