No matter how old I get, Nintendo will always have a special place in my heart. Heck, even the most jaded gamer probably still holds fond memories of playing on one of their systems. So, despite my “old” original Nintendo Switch sitting in my cabinet screaming to be played since I haven’t touched it in a good while, I was eager to watch the most recent Nintendo Direct to see what they’ve been cooking up for current fans and fans such as myself who haven’t been in the fold for a while.

I do have to say I was pretty disappointed with this Nintendo Direct as they didn’t sneak in a super surprising reveal this time around. But there were still more than a few things I saw that made me walk away with a big grin on my face. Sure, there was one where that grin was there because I couldn’t believe Nintendo thought this was a good idea. But there was a grin nonetheless. So, let’s go check out five of the biggest announcements from the most recent Nintendo Direct.

#1 The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy movie teaser trailer

I really liked the first Super Mario Bros. movie. It was one of the best video-game-turned-movie ever made by a Western studio. Like a lot of fans, I was fully expecting Nintendo and Illumination to greenlight a sequel. However, I don’t think anyone expected that the sequel will be based on Super Mario Galaxy!

I say that no one really expected the next film to be based on the Super Mario Galaxy series is because you would think the next film would be more in-line with something like Super Mario World in order to properly introduce Yoshi or perhaps have Wario as the villain of the next film. Nothing against the Super Mario Galaxy games but it just seems weird we’re skipping over the more “legacy” games of the series.

Now, that’s not to say Yoshi and Wario won’t be joining Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad as they hop from planet to planet. The teaser trailer didn’t really show off anything so they might be popping in the film anyways. Still, even with this quick teaser, you can already see it’s going to be a gorgeous movie and I really hope it’s even half as good as the first film.

#2 Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake coming to Nintendo Switch 2

When the first Resident Evil game came out, there was a mad scramble from other video game developers to capitalize on the sudden “survival horror” craze. Konami came out with Silent Hill, which was very successful in its own right. Tecmo came out with their very own “survival horror” game with the Fatal Frame series. Then, the demand for “survival horror” games died out for a good while… until Capcom opted to start developing remakes for their Resident Evil games. Konami soon followed suit by pumping out a remake for Silent Hill 2. So, of course Tecmo, now Koei Tecmo, just had to reveal they were also going to make a remake of their most popular game of the franchise, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly.

Personally, I am stoked for this! The Fatal Frame franchise has definitely fallen out of favor despite the games being pretty good and I’m glad modern gamers who never experienced the series will get a fresh look at the best Fatal Frame game.

The surprising thing for me is it’s coming out for the Nintendo Switch 2, which is kind of a testament to the system’s processing power. Sure, it’s not exactly a “next-gen” game but, based on the Nintendo Direct trailer, it still looks incredibly good! Hopefully, they utilize some of the system’s motion control gimmicks in some way to make it stand out from the other consoles.

Oh, speaking of Resident Evil…

#3 Resident Evil Requiem is coming to Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo recently had developed a habit of playing catch-up with their systems. Instead of chasing after power, they went to making more unique gaming experiences with systems like the motion controlled Wii, the dual screen DS and the original Nintendo Switch, giving you the best of home and portable gaming in one system. Well, it looks like Nintendo is done playing games with the Nintendo Switch 2 as, surprisingly, it’s going to be able to play the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem.

Unlike the aforementioned Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake, Requiem is a new game for the Resident Evil series. So, it’s pretty shocking to see Capcom even attempting to develop it for a system like the Nintendo Switch 2. Apparently, it was unfair for me to judge the Nintendo Switch 2’s processing power just because it came in a very petite size. Because, if Capcom can actually make Requiem look comparable to the more beefier consoles like the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S, this could be a big seller for Nintendo Switch 2 owners.

#4 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond shows off an open world and a release date

The Metroid games usually have bounty hunter Samus Aran exploring dark and desolated places like bunkers and abandoned bases. Heck, one of her suit’s abilities is shrinking down to a ball in order to get through the usual cramped quarters! So, to see her in the latest trailer of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond not only running around the surface of an alien world but to need to use a motorcycle to traverse the planet was pretty unreal!

It’s hard to believe Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was announced way back in 2017. Well, it looks like the wait is almost over. Not only did Nintendo show off some cool motorcycle gameplay, they also finally revealed the game will finally be out in December, just in time for the holiday season! Am I sensing they’re going to be putting together a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Nintendo Switch 2 bundle? I mean, they would be dumb not to do so because you know that’ll sell out quickly!

#5 Virtual Boy is back… kinda

For those who don’t know, the Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s first failed stab at making a 3D system. It was an abomination of a system as, although it was touted to be “portable” system, you couldn’t really play the Virtual Boy on the go since you need a stand in order to use it. There was also no way to set up the stand in a comfortable position as you would have to place it on a stand and lean forward, which would cause neck strain after a few minutes. The graphics were ugly as it only had red monochrome LCD screens. It was notorious for causing the unlucky gamers who got to play it headaches if they tried to play for more than fifteen minutes.

Does all of that sound appealing to you? Well, you’re in luck because Nintendo is making their Virtual Boy games available on the Nintendo Switch! Oh, and you’ll also need the stand to play the games. Oh joy.

While this does seem like a April Fool’s gag in September, the Virtual Boy setup for the Nintendo Switch systems is all too real. Even so, I have to admire the gumption of Nintendo for trying to replicate the experience of playing on this demonic console and hope gamers will actually pay money for experience the torture. Oh, and believe me, there will be people who will want to try it out! So, it may seem counter-intuitive, but this does make good business sense!

What was your favorite reveal during the most recent Nintendo Direct? Let me know in the comments section below!