Link is back ... and he isn’t the only one.
Nintendo had a huge year in 2022, even with some of its most anticipated games getting delayed into 2023 or later. The coming year looks just as bright, with major franchise entries and some surprising new releases.
Nintendo
Some version of Pikmin 4 has been in development at least since 2015, and a 2022 Nintendo Direct finally confirmed that it’s close to launch.
The original Octopath Traveler ushered in Square Enix’s HD-2D house style, and it looks better than ever in the sequel.
Nintendo
Like the first game, Octopath Traveler 2, tells the story of eight distinct characters whose individual fates unexpectedly converge.
Along with its greatly improved graphics, Octopath Traveler 2 adds a day and night cycle and gives its scattered characters more onscreen time together than the original.
The followup to Bayonetta 3 is a game no one expected.
Bayonetta is defined by its vibrant, fast-paced combat, making its puzzle-focused action adventure spinoff quite a shock. Bayonetta Origins tells the story of how the world’s most stylish witch came to be.
Nintendo
Though it’s a major departure, it looks like an intriguing twist for Bayonetta — not to mention its absolutely stunning art.
Spike Chunsoft
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code comes from Spike Chunsoft and Too Kyo Games, so there’s a lot of crossover with the Danganronpa team. It’s even being written by Kazutaka Kodaka, Danganronpa’s creator.
Spike Chunsoft
Rain Code is a detective mystery set in a city of unending rain. You play as a trainee detective with a ghost for a partner, analyzing clues and navigating puzzle dungeons to solve your cases.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses brought Nintendo’s best strategy franchise to a whole new audience, and its followup is reinventing the series again.
Nintendo
As Nintendo’s first major release of 2023, Fire Emblem: Engage has a lot riding on it. The tactical RPG follows the series’ most successful game yet, which added social simulation mechanics that players loved.
Fire Emblem: Engage is charting its own path, turning heroes from past games into allies you can summon battle. It’s like playing Fire Emblem’s greatest hits, but with a whole new setting and battle system.
Nintendo
Direct sequels are rare in the Legend of Zelda, and the fact that Tears of the Kingdom continues the critically acclaimed, wildly successful Breath of the Wild just makes it more exciting.
Nintendo
Little is actually known about Tears of the Kingdom, so speculation has run rampant. Everything from time travel to a series reboot is on the table, but whatever happens, a continuation of the best Legend of Zelda game yet is worth looking forward to.