The Appetizer: Nintendo Direct 3/27/25 Impressions

To put it lightly, this was a surprise. 

When Nintendo announced that we’d be getting a second showcase, I figured it would fall into one of two categories:

1)  It would be filled with things that, while exciting, would only clog up an already stacked showcase next week  (ports of Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess, Mario Galaxy 2, and Metroid Prime Remasters).

Or…

2) It would be a dumping ground for the dregs at the bottom of their preorder Donkey Kong barrel mug. 

Thankfully, what we ultimately got is closer to category one (even though we’re still waiting on those ports in the Wii U storm). 

Here are my first reactions to EVERYTHING shown at today’s Nintendo Direct. 

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake 

The Dragon Quest theme song hits every time–and it REALLY hits when you haven’t slept. 

I’ll do my best to get to the remake of 3 before these entries launch, in one package, later this year (they’re being released in story order, if you were wondering why they’re going backwards). 

Can we get a localization of Rocket Slime 3, now?

No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files

No sleep for Stephen on the day of a Nintendo Direct. 

I have been known to enjoy anime games of death and it seems like there’s no shortage of them this year. People like the AI franchise, and even if I haven’t checked them out yet, I welcome more of it. 

For me, this trailer (for the record, only the second in the showcase) marked the moment I felt confident we were going to get some good stuff today. 

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army 

If only I’d been born a century ago so I could be an apprentice detective. 

I’m always a fan when these SMT titles get ported to modern platforms (even if they don’t come with a commemorative plush–though Limited Run is putting together a physical collector’s edition)–that way I don’t have to work with my own demons–to get my PS2 to read discs. 

Shadow Labyrinth 

This was a nice reminder that I still need to watch Secret Level. I appreciate the restraint the developers have shown by not giving this an insane subtitle (Shadow Labyrinth: A Feast of Ghosts–Shadow Labyrinth: The Sacred Pellet–Shadow Labyrinth: Maze of Suffering). 

“Why did they turn my PAC-MAN into a mech game?” -something my youngest sibling said during this trailer. 

I’ll always support the weird. I just hope it’s good. 

PATAPON 1 + 2 REPLAY

The Patapon games are charming–and I literally can’t play them. There’s something about keeping the rhythm while retaining which commands do what that my brain isn’t wired for. 

Still, I’m happy they’re here and not abandoned on the PSP/Vita/PlayStation TV (remember those?).

Shout-out to Ratatan, a spiritual successor that’s coming later this year. 

Story of Season: Grand Bazaar 

Do you like round animals?

I’ve never played one of these even though Harvest Moon 64 has been in my backlog basically since its release. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Still no solid release date. I’m beginning to suspect it’ll be a cross-generation Switch 2 launch title.

The performance looks really impressive, so far. I mean, come on, it’s Metroid. I’ve been ready for 7+ years. 

I find it so funny that scanning is back and it’s the first feature they chose to highlight. 

Disney Villains Cursed Cafe

Mix drinks (and change lives) and chat up Disney villains. I’m glad that Gaston, my man, is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Did you know, in a wrestling match, no one bites like Gaston?

This is going to absolutely print money. 

…and when it does, can Disney bring back Split/Second?

Witchbrook

Witchbrook had my favorite pixels of the showcase. It’s an isometric, cozy game set in a magical academy with online multiplayer. The Stardew crowd are going to flock to this (it’s also being published by Chucklefish). 

The Eternal Life of Goldman

An action platformer with beautiful animation, DuckTales pogo-ing, and a life bar worth of pomegranates. 

This is a pretty big departure from what THQ Nordic usually publishes—and that’s a good thing! Take more swings! 

Gradius ORIGINS

I have no strong feelings towards Gradius, but the fact that this package includes multiple versions of the same game (from different regions) could set a new standard for this type of collection. I’m here for Konami’s redemption arc. 

Rift of the NecroDancer

I love the art in this and the Celeste soundtrack is available as DLC (shout-out to Lena Raine, one of the best in the business).  

Tamagotchi Plaza

Dress up and play minigames themed around the shops in the eponymous plaza. 

Not to be confused with a different title that will appear at the end of this article…

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

We have a running joke in my household that we’re not allowed to enjoy a piece of media until one of the characters says the title of the game/movie. This trailer rehashed what we saw at the Pokemon Day event with one added piece of info. When the sun sets in Lumiose City, the trainers come out,  and you battle your way up the ranks. 

Wait for it…

…from rank Z to A. 

Better than being mugged in Pokemon Paris, I guess. 

Rhythm Heaven Groove

Welcome back, Rhythm Heaven!

This is the first new entry in the adorable series since 2015. 

I have a much better chance of hitting credits in this than PATAPON. It won’t be easy, but I’m determined–I suppose. 

I suppoooooose, HEY!

Virtual Game Cards 

Backwards compatibility is set to be a big feature of the Switch 2, so Nintendo decided to get out ahead of next week’s Direct by giving us a glimpse into how our digital libraries will be handled moving forward. 

In short, digital games you own are treated like a physical cartridge. You can play them across your Switch systems, but only one at a time. Coverage at Tactical Reload usually focuses on software over hardware so I’ll leave it to other outlets to deep dive into the implications of this short presentation. For now, I’ll say that I appreciate that an internet connection is only required when loading or “ejecting” a game. This announcement would have been a disaster if this was an “always online” feature. 

Star Overdrive – Speed into the Unknown

Star Overdrive is an open world action adventure game built around the protagonist’s hoverboard. 

The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village is a city management/survival game that takes place on the back of a dinosaur (it’s at least dinosaur adjacent–I don’t know the specifics of its taxonomy). It’s been out on other platforms for a couple years and people seem to dig it. 

King of Meat

King of Meat is an online combat game with strong Fall Guys DNA.

I believe Geoff Keighley is in it. 

Lou’s Lagoon

In Lou’s Lagoon, you play as a seaplane courier that services an archipelago steeped in magical realism. This was one of the titles I was most interested in from a recent Wholesome showcase. 

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Fantasy Life i is a new city builder from Level-5 (why wasn’t Layton in this showcase?). The trailer features farming, simple combat, and powerful slowdown. 

I know I’m being cynical, but I wonder if this has ties to Dark Cloud. 

High on Life

High on Life is a first-person shooter with Rick and Morty humor. 

SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered 

The SaGa series has a reputation for being some of Square’s most experimental work.

It’s out TODAY and I’m glad they chose to keep the aesthetic of the original. 

I like pixel art, if you couldn’t tell. 

Monument Valley 1, 2, and 3

I feel like an enigmatic crow person, most days. 

I get strong Echochrome vibes every time I see Monument Valley  (I wasn’t a fan of Echochrome, but I think the concept of M.C. Escher style puzzles is strong enough that someone could do it well). These are so beautiful I’ll still give them a try. 

Everybody’s Golf: Hotshots

Another running joke in my household is that I’m obsessed with golf games–but never actually play any of them. This statement is both a joke and a cold, harsh reality. 

90s kids, did you know that Everybody’s Golf IS the Hot Shots Golf franchise? More importantly, did you see those low poly sheep in the background right off the green?

This will make a fine companion piece to Happy Gilmore 2. 

Marvel Cosmic Invasion

I tend to stay away from Marvel games that don’t also have Capcom in the title–and I tend to stay away from beat ‘em ups that don’t contain the words River City Girls in their titles. 

But the gameplay here seems fast and fluid. I enjoyed Shredder’s Revenge (this is being worked on by the same developer) and I bet I’ll have some fun with this, as well. 

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

Tomodachi Life is another franchise I have no connection to (but the soundtrack is on the Nintendo Music app and filled with bangers). People on X clamor for a new one every time Nintendo announces an event so there’s probably something there beyond it just being an Animal Crossing clone (this isn’t meant to be derogatory, I literally know almost nothing about it). 

Either way, I’ll have an opportunity to see what the hype is all about when it launches next year.

“They look like Miis.” -my youngest sibling

That’s because they are.

Screenshot of the Nintendo Today App

Nintendo Today App

After multiple failed CAPTCHAS (how was I supposed to know you don’t include the wheels when selecting motorcycles?) I was able to download this as soon as the event concluded. You can pick the theme of your calendar (I picked Splatoon) and also what game franchises you’re interested in receiving updates about. 

This makes at least four Nintendo apps on my phone. It’s a cool idea at best and inoffensive at worst. Though I probably would have chosen to end the show with a game, instead. 

Will this eventually replace X as the go to spot to speculate about when the next Nintendo Direct will drop?

I think under normal circumstances people would have been disappointed with this lineup (they usually are)--but I actually haven’t seen too many complaints. After all, this is just the opening act. The main event is less than a week away. 

My expectations have never been higher. 

See you soon.