Nintendo Direct 2022 Recap: All the Upcoming Games Teased in the Event

The first Nintendo Direct livestream for 2022 is finally over, and it teased a lot of exciting games launching this year like "Xenoblade Chronicles 3" and "Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes." The event also announced incoming updates for pre-existing games like "Metroid Dread."

Ever since 2011, Nintendo has typically announced its ongoing projects through livestream events. This makes Nintendo Direct their official channel for introducing new titles and sharing video game clips. Announcements made in the event help fans get a better idea of what to expect later this year.

Nintendo Direct 2022: New Game Announcements

According to IGN, Nintendo announced 16 games launching later this year. Keep in mind that some of them are new installments for previously-released games.

"Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers" is launching on April 7. Since this is a remaster of the previous installment, it will feature enhanced audio and gameplay updates. It will also include the Radical Dreamers text adventure which was previously exclusive to Satellaview.

"Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes" is launching on June 24. Note that this game will feature some characters from the previous series, "Fire Emblem: Three Houses."

"Front Mission" and "Front Mission 2" are coming to Nintendo sometime in the future. Unfortunately, developers did not elaborate on when these games would officially launch.

"Mario Strikers Battle League" is launching on June 10. This is a 5v5 soccer game that can be played in single-player and coop.

"Splatoon 3" is coming to Nintendo sometime in the future. Unfortunately, developers only teased a release date "later on Summer 2022."

"Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" is launching on April 20. This game is a port from the Wii version. "Xenoblade Chronicles 3" is launching sometime in September 2022. This is the latest installment to the JRPG series "Xenoblade Chronicles."

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Nintendo Direct Livestream: Game Updates

Sources from Independent point out that not all announcements are about game reveals. Nintendo Direct also discussed about incoming upgrades for select games.

"Nintendo Switch Sports" is getting an update on April 29. This will bring back Wii Bowling together with new games like tennis, chambira, soccer, badminton, and volleyball. An Online Play Test feature will also be added on Feb 18-20.

"Mario Kart Deluxe" is getting an update this year. This update will feature new race tracks that are unlockable through Booster Course Pass. There will be 48 new course maps, which will be released in six waves of eight courses. The first wave will drop on March 18, which will include classic courses like N64 Choco Mountain, Wii Coconut Mall, and Tour Tokyo Blur.

"Metroid Dread" is getting a free update sometime in April. This will add a new difficulty level above Dread Mode and an easier level for Rookie Mode. The update will also introduce a free Boss Rush mode.