The June 2022 Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase was held earlier today and we have all of the news and highlights right here for you. As promised, there was just over 25 minutes of footage that concentrated on third-party games, including Persona, NieR: Automata, and a new Pac-Man game.
Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase June 2022 Highlights
The 25-minute long Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase for June 2022 showed off highlights from 23 games, from those that had already been rumored to make an appearance to some that the developers and publishers had managed to keep under wraps. All of the games are due to be released this year. Here are all of those announcements:
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
The new Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak trailer revealed the return of Shagaru Magala and Furious Rajang, as well as a new variant of an existing monster: Scorned Magnamalo. It also confirmed Seething Bazelgeuse to be returning in the game’s August title update alongside Lucent Nargacuga.
NieR:Automata – The End of YoRHa Edition
NieR:Automata is finally coming to Switch in the form of The End of YoRHa Edition. This version of the game launches on October 6 and features the 3C3C1D119440927 DLC in addition to the game itself. The Switch-exclusive free 6C2P4A118680823 DLC will also be available to download from the Nintendo eShop when the game launches; this has six new costumes, four new accessories, and two pod skins based on characters from NieR Re[in]carnation.
Lorelai and the Laser Eyes
This non-linear adventure, developed by Simogo and published by Annapurna Interactive, takes place in an ancient building set in central Europe. Players assume the role of a woman looking for answers. Why is she here? What does the international auteur want? Who killed the aristocratic artist? And who is the vagabond illusionist? Numbers, patterns, puzzles, and laser eyes all play an important part in getting to the bottom of those problems. The game is a timed console-exclusive for Switch, launching in 2023.
Super Bomberman R 2
The new Super Bomberman game continues the story of the 8 Bomberman Brothers and their friend Ellon as they deal with a new threat to the universe. However, the main draw is the new Castle mode that pits one defending player against 15 bombers. The defender creates the map, lays down defensive traps, and uses the new Ellon character type to stop the attackers from reaching all of the treasure chests. The game will be coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection
Ten Game Boy Advance Mega Man Battle Network games are now making their way to Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC across two volumes: Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. The games will include high-resolution graphics filters and bonus content like artwork and music. The titles included are:
- Mega Man Battle Network
- Mega Man Battle Network 2
- Mega Man Battle Network 3 Blue
- Mega Man Battle Network 3 White
- Mega Man Battle Network 4 Blue Moon
- Mega Man Battle Network 4 Red Sun
- Mega Man Battle Network 5 Team Colonel
- Mega Man Battle Network 5 Team Protoman
- Mega Man Battle Network 6 Cybeast Gregar
- Mega Man Battle Network 6 Cybeast Falzar
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
Pac-Man World is being remastered and enhanced with HD visual enhancement, gameplay improvements, and new features. There’s also a complete version of the original game that can be unlocked once players have finished the main game. The remaster will be coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch on August 26.
Blanc
The text-free hand-drawn world of Blanc features a lost fawn and wolf cub. The unlikely pair need to work together to overcome obstacles and navigate the snowy wilderness if they’re to find their way home. Players can try out the story in local co-op or online co-op. The game launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch in February 2023.
Return to Monkey Island
We got our first glimpse at the story and characters from the new adventure from Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman, as well as a better look at the game’s new art style. Return to Monkey Island will be coming to PC later this year and to Nintendo Switch as a timed console-exclusive.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Ubisoft confirmed Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will be released on October 20 and players can pre-order the game now. Nintendo Switch Online members can prepare for the game’s release with an exclusive limited-time game trial of its predecessor, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, from July 4. Meanwhile, the game will be getting its own show tomorrow, June 29, at 9 am PT where we can expect to see more gameplay.
Little Noah: Scion of Paradise
It wouldn’t be a Nintendo Direct without a stealth drop. Casual roguelite action game Little Noah: Scion of Paradise puts players in the role of a young alchemist called Noah. Together with her cat Zipper, she must make her way through procedurally-generated dungeons and make friends with the Lilliputs to defeat all of the enemies and make her way off the island. The game is available on PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch now.
Railgrade
Railway management sim Railgrade will also be coming to Nintendo Switch alongside the previously announced PC version. As a Nakatani Chemicals employee, players need to build a rail network, manage supply chains, and restore industrial production after an economic disaster. The campaign features over 50 missions while standalone contract missions can put players’ skills to the test. The game will arrive later this year.
Sonic Frontiers
As well as another look at the open zone of Starfall Islands, we got a glimpse of Sonic Frontiers gameplay from Cyber Space and a giant Titan boss. Players can gain entry to Cyber Space through doors scattered around Starfall Islands, but puzzles need to be solved and challenges completed before access will be granted. Cyber Space is where the more traditional, fast-paced, speed running action platforming levels are found, and each need to be completed to earn Vault Keys to unlock other areas.
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
Kenta is creating an RPG called “The Legend of Wright”, but he needs your help to draw, erase, and solve puzzles throughout his notebook so he can complete his adventure. The game, which launched on Xbox consoles earlier this year, arrives on PS4 and Nintendo Switch on August 18 and players can place their pre-order today. Steam players can grab the game on September 13.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
As well as a trailer that showcased some of the Dreamlight Valley worlds, characters, and gameplay, the game was confirmed to be launching in early access on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch on September 6, although players will need to purchase a Founders Pack to gain access before 2023.
Live A Live
Live a Live will be released on Nintendo Switch on July 22, but before then there is a demo available now from the Nintendo eShop. Players can try out the beginning of three chapters from the game — Imperial China, Twilight of Edo Japan, and The Distant Future. Any progress will be transferred to the full game upon its release.
DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of the Great Kingdom
In this new Story of Seasons game, Doraemon, Noby, and their friends find themselves on an unknown planet. They make a new friend and the only way he’s going to realise his dreams is with their farming help. Doraemon has secret gadgets that will help to speed things up, while players can team up to build ranches together. The game will be released for PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC later this year.
Minecraft Legends
Minecraft Legends got another trailer to remind players it’s launching on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch next year.
Dragon Quest Treasures
This Dragon Quest spin-off features siblings Erik and Mia as they relive their childhoods on a Viking longship until they’re taken away to the island of Draconia where they can search for treasure day and night. Here, the island’s monsters can help to find the treasure and become valuable friends instead of enemies. The game will be released on Nintendo Switch on December 9.
Portal: Companion Collection
The Portal: Companion Collection brings Portal and Portal 2 to Nintendo Switch in a single bundle. The game was Nintendo Direct mini’s second stealth drop after it was made available on the eShop today.
Harvestella
Harvestella is a life simulation RPG from Square Enix. In the game’s world, the four seasons are controlled by four giant crystals called Seaslight. When abnormalities occur in the Seaslight, a season of death called the Quietus is created between the other four seasons. Players not only grow and tend to crops, cook and craft items, go fishing, and explore the strange world to find new friends, there’s also the option to venture into dungeons to find out the truth behind the impending calamity. The game will be released on Nintendo Switch and PC on November 4.
Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable
As foretold by the previous rumors, all three Persona games will be coming to Nintendo Switch. Persona 5 Royal will launch on October 21 while the other two will follow in 2023.
In other news, the Outriders Worldslayer early access launch failed to go smoothly after login issues plagued its debut hours. Elsewhere, the Xbox Games with Gold for July 2022 include Relicta and Torchlight.