Moving beyond the major Mario and Pokémon announcements, Nintendo’s Direct presentation on September 12, 2025, delivered a broad and diverse selection of upcoming games from both its own studios and third-party partners. This extensive showcase, ranging from tactical RPGs and survival horrors to cozy farm simulations and surprising retro re-releases, underscores Nintendo’s strategy to offer something for every type of player on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch. The variety on display suggests a commitment to a rich and inclusive gaming ecosystem.
First-Party and Partner Game Reveals: Expanding Established Franchises
The Direct presented several exciting developments for established franchises and anticipated new entries.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
Among Nintendo’s key reveals was Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, the newest installment in the beloved tactical RPG series. Slated for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, the game’s setting revolves around the commencement of the “Heroic Games,” promising an intertwining story with new characters and strategic turn-based gameplay that fans have come to expect.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
The highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set for a December 4 release on both Switch 2 and Switch. This new adventure transports bounty hunter Samus Aran to the mysterious planet Viewros following an unexpected accident. Players will engage in exploration by scanning surroundings, utilizing diverse equipment and weapons, employing Samus’s psychic abilities, and navigating with her technologically advanced bike, the Vi-O-La, to survive the alien environment. New amiibo figures for Samus and the enigmatic bounty hunter Sylux will launch alongside the game, likely offering in-game bonuses or collectibles.
Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush (DLC)
Action-packed content was also highlighted with Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush, a paid DLC expansion launching today. This content allows players to explore DK Island with Donkey Kong and Pauline, introducing a new mode called “Emerald Rush” specifically focused on collecting emerald ore and powering up DK.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, launching November 6 on Switch 2, promises to delve into canonical events only glimpsed in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Players will battle enemy hordes, unleash powerful “Sync Strikes” with allies, and strategically deploy Zonai devices with various effects to alter combat flow. The game also features split-screen co-op or “GameShare” for playing together on two separate systems. From my perspective, “the Hyrule Warriors game looks interesting,” particularly its premise of uncovering hidden lore within the Zelda universe.
Hades II – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
The critically acclaimed roguelike dungeon crawler, Hades II, will arrive as a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition digitally first later today. This version offers an enhanced experience, playable at 120 fps in TV mode, and features cross-save compatibility with PC and the original Nintendo Switch version. Players control the Princess of the Underworld, exploring a larger, deeper mythic world to vanquish the forces of the Titan of Time.
A Blast from the Past: Virtual Boy on Nintendo Switch Online
In a truly surprising move, Nintendo announced the addition of Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack for members, launching February 17, 2026. This unique offering requires a dedicated accessory, based on the original Virtual Boy hardware, into which the Switch console is inserted to enable stereoscopic 3D. Initial titles will include classics like Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, and Teleroboxer. I think that “adding Virtual Boy to NSO is an ‘interesting’ choice” by Nintendo, acknowledging the novelty of bringing back such a niche and historically challenging piece of hardware in a new form. This is likely a move to offer unique retro experiences.
Major Third-Party Blockbusters Head to Switch Consoles
Third-party developers also unveiled significant upcoming releases, demonstrating strong continued support for Nintendo platforms.
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth installment in the thrilling survival horror series, is set to return players to a ruined, abandoned Raccoon City on Switch 2 in February 2026. This game promises a compelling survival horror experience with trademark combat, investigations, puzzles, and resource management, allowing players to freely choose between first and third-person perspectives.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
The reimagined RPG classic, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, is making its way to Switch 2 on January 22, 2026. This title retells the original FINAL FANTASY VII story up to the escape from Midgar and includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a side story starring Yuffie Kisaragi.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection arrives October 30, bringing a library of classic Mortal Kombat games from the ’90s and 2000s—including arcade, console, and handheld versions—to both Switch consoles. This collection features enhanced online play with rollback netcode and an interactive documentary on the series’ history.
Cozy and Engaging Indie Titles Find a Home on Switch
Indie and cozy game enthusiasts have much to anticipate, reinforcing the Switch’s reputation as a haven for charming and unique experiences.
Dinkum: From Wilderness to Bustling Town
Dinkum, a life simulation game where players transform wilderness into a bustling home by planting crops, catching fish, and building structures, is launching as a timed console exclusive on Switch on November 5. Developer James Bendon expressed that bringing Dinkum to Nintendo was a “lifelong dream,” believing it would be a “good fit” and attract “a lot of new players” from an “in-built audience” eagerly awaiting its console debut beyond PC. The game features intuitive Joy-Con controls and supports local or online co-op for up to four players.
Other Notable Indie and Cozy Games
- Suika Game Planet: A puzzle game set in outer space where players collide matching fruit to “evolve” them. Coming this winter to Switch and Switch 2 as a timed console exclusive, it features an exclusive local four-player co-op mode on Switch 2.
- Stardew Valley: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: A cozy farm simulation game launching this fall for Switch 2. It includes mouse controls, four-player split-screen, and support for eight-player online mode. Existing Stardew Valley owners on Switch can upgrade for free.
- Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream: Making its return to Switch in Spring 2026, allowing players to manage an island where Mii characters live carefree lives, solving their problems and watching their interactions.
- POPUCOM: A co-op puzzle-solving adventure where color is crucial. From my analysis, “Popucom looks interesting,” and it feels like a bit like a “Portal/Splatoon hybrid” in terms of its unique mechanics. It will launch this holiday.
Future Outlook: A Packed Pipeline of Additional Titles
The Direct concluded with a montage showcasing a robust range of additional upcoming titles, ensuring a packed content pipeline for Nintendo fans well into 2026. These include:
- EA SPORTS FC 26: Launching September 26 on Switch 2 and Switch.
- Little Nightmares III: An atmospheric platformer launching October 10 on Switch 2 and Switch.
- Persona 3 Reload: A free demo is available today on Switch 2, with the full game launching October 23.
- LEGO® Voyagers: Launches September 15 on Nintendo Switch, featuring co-op.
- Disgaea 7 Complete: Launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on October 10.
- DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake: Launching October 30 on Switch 2 and Switch.
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage: Arrives this winter on Switch 2 with rollback netcode and cross-play.
- Two Point Museum: Launches October 28 on Switch 2.
To summarize, this Nintendo Direct underscored the company’s commitment to cultivating a diverse and engaging gaming ecosystem for its community. From new entries in beloved franchises to surprising retro revivals and a strong showing of indie and third-party support, Nintendo is clearly aiming to provide a vast array of experiences. This strategy addresses the varied tastes of its broad player base, ensuring a vibrant future for Switch and Switch 2 owners.