Nintendo Indie and Partner Direct: the biggest news and trailers

There were some fun surprises, including the return of MySims; retro bundles for Tetris, Castlevania, and Capcom fighting games; a dating sim where you can date literally anything; and a very cool update for Balatro. (Sadly, Hollow Knight: Silksong once again did not make an appearance.) A number of the games are also available to download right now, so you don’t have to wait for a release date.

If you weren’t able to watch the 40-minute-long event live, you can check out all of the highlights, including plenty of trailers, in this stream.

• More Sea of Stars.

  Last year’s Chrono Trigger-esque RPG, Sea of Stars, is getting a free DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker, in spring 2025 on PC and consoles.

  I really liked the game when I played it last year, so I’m excited to jump back into the game’s world when the DLC comes out.

  
  

• Castlevania’s classic DS trilogy is coming to the Switch

  Three of the best Castlevania games are launching on the Switch very soon — Nintendo just revealed the Castlevania Dominus Collection, which will be available on August 27th.

  The bundle brings together the trilogy of Castlevania titles that originally debuted on the Nintendo DS; that means Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia. As a bonus, the 1987 arcade game Haunted Castle is also included. Konami says that the games have been updated with “extra features such as save states or rewind.” That might make up for the lack of a second screen for displaying the map.

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• Yes, that’s Civilization 7 on the Switch.

  Civilization 7 will be everywhere, including the Nintendo Switch. During today’s Indie World / Partner Showcase, Firaxis showed off what Civ 7 will look like on the Nintendo Switch. Expect the same gameplay that will let you mix and match your civs and leaders and change civs as you go through history, but maybe temper your expectations on graphics. Civilization 7 launches on console, PC, and Mac February 11th.

  
  

• Capcom’s digging up all the old classics.

  Hot on the heels of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection, Capcom’s gone back in their impressive-ass vault to pull out another collection of classic fighting games. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 bundles together eight games including Capcom vs. SNK, its sequel, both Power Stone games, and more. No release date yet, but expect the game to come out sometime 2025.

  
  

• MySims is making a comeback on the Switch

  MySims is back, and it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch. A new bundle featuring revamped versions of EA’s MySims and MySims Kingdom will revive the classic simulation titles with Switch-optimized controls and updated textures.

  If you’ve never played MySims, it’s sort of like a cross between The Sims and Animal Crossing. In the mainline game, you’re tasked with rebuilding a run-down town by procuring blueprints, constructing houses, and making furniture to attract new residents. Each character has their own unique characteristics, like the bug-loving Gertrude Spackle and Yuki, who often threatens to bite your face for some reason.

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• Suikoden remastered.

  The first two games in the epic RPG series are getting a facelift on the Switch, with a bundle that launches on March 6th. Just make sure to search for the full title: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars.

  
  

• Can’t wait to date my toaster.

  In Date Everything, a new dating simulator from Team17 and Sassy Chap Games, your potential partners include appliances like your vacuum, household items like the humble bobby pin, and even concepts like existential dread. If dating and romance isn’t your thing, you also have the capability of just remaining friends. Date Everything arrives on Nintendo Switch on October 24th.

  
  

• A puzzling history lesson.

  The good folks at Digital Eclipse have turned their attention to Tetris, with a new collection that explores the history of the iconic puzzle series. It’s launching later this year. Plus! The NES version of Tetris is also on its way for Switch Online subscribers.

  
  

• No, you can’t read my poker face.

  Balatro was the first game to kick off today’s Nintendo showcase double feature announcing some new content. The poker roguelike that’s got people obsessing over Jokers is getting a cosmetic makeover with the help of the Friends of Jimbo expansion that will add themed decks from The Witcher, Vampire Survivor, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. Better yet, it’ll be available today.

  
  

• Looking tasty.

  Morsels follows a “mouse who uses magic cards to transform into little monsters, battling against wicked felines who dominate the game’s world.” Whatever it is, it looks pretty fun in its first trailer, and it’s launching on the Switch in February.

  
  

• What the Shrek.

  PowerWash Simulator is getting an ogre-flavored update that’s listed as “coming soon.”

  
  

• Neva continues to look incredible.

  The spiritual successor to the gorgeous Gris looks dark, beautiful, and dramatic in its new trailer. It is launching on October 15th on the Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.