Nintendo Direct 2024: Reviving Classics and Rekindling Old Partnerships

Nintendo launched their long-awaited Nintendo Direct, unofficially punctuating the Summer Games Fest 2024. Nintendo’s showcase was certainly the best way to close out this year’s event, unveiling a bevy of games that fans have been clamoring for, including Metroid Prime 4. While there were several high-profile reveals today, some notable announcements did not receive the fanfare they deserved. It wasn’t just the games themselves but the revival of old relationships, either strained or underutilized, in the form of two game reveals: Fantasian Neo Dimension and MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. Let’s explore why these releases are particularly significant.

Fantasian was an Apple Arcade exclusive when it was released in 2021. Mistwalker, founded by the “Father of Final Fantasy” Hironobu Sakaguchi, partnered with Apple to bolster their subscription service. The game received rave reviews and developed a cult following, but it was confined to iOS and macOS devices, alienating a significant portion of JRPG players who did not have compatible devices. Now, after three years, the game is being ported to modern consoles and PC, with Square Enix stepping in as the publisher.

Fantasian Neo Dimension Reveal Trailer

The relationship between Sakaguchi and Square Enix has remained amicable over the years. Sakaguchi, who created the Final Fantasy franchise, is often consulted for his opinion on new Final Fantasy releases. His last game with the company was Final Fantasy X before his departure. He has also collaborated with Square Enix during a Terra Wars and Final Fantasy XV event. The renewed collaboration could mark the beginning of more projects to come. At the very least, Square Enix can publish Sakaguchi’s Mistwalker games. From a PR and marketing perspective, this news is significant and will likely boost sales for Fantasian. There is hope that Square Enix will leverage this momentum to utilize Sakaguchi’s talents for new games.

Another momentous reveal today was the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was removed from Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in 2013, followed by Marvel vs. Capcom Origins in 2014. Unlike Sakaguchi and Square Enix, Capcom and Marvel have had a strained relationship, exacerbated by the colossal flop of Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite. The game suffered from bad marketing, lackluster visuals, and an uninspired roster. The absence of X-Men characters, due to Marvel not having film rights at the time, further fueled the backlash. A Marvel representative’s dismissive comment about the X-Men and Capcom’s Peter “Combofiend” Rosas’ remarks about characters being “just functions” only worsened the situation.

For over a decade, Capcom could not re-release any of the Vs. series games on modern consoles due to expired licensing agreements. The #FreeMVC2 online campaign (Helmed by Content Creator Maximilian) last year resulted in expensive arcade cabinets for the Vs. series with online play, but a proper console release seemed unlikely. The reveal of this new collection indicates that Marvel and Capcom have reconciled. Additionally, Capcom’s recent worldwide survey revealed that fans still wanted new entries in the Vs. series. This could hint at future developments, though it remains speculative. Nevertheless, this is great news for fans of these franchises.

MvC Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Reveal Trailer

These unexpected but exciting announcements highlight the importance of rekindling old partnerships and recognizing the value of fan-favorite franchises. Both Fantasian Neo Dimension and the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection demonstrate the potential for renewed collaborations to bring beloved games to new audiences, fostering a sense of nostalgia while opening up possibilities for future innovations.

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