A surpriseNintendo Directpacked with new game announcements has taken place just days before the highly anticipated full reveal of the new console. We recap the most relevant announcements before theSwitch 2presentation.
The Japanese company has provided a glimpse at the final major games coming to the originalNintendo Switchbefore its successor’s launch. Here’s everything that was announced:
Nintendo Direct All Games Revealed — July 27, 2025
Metroid Prime 4: BeyondPokémon Legends Z-AMarvel Cosmic InvasionNintendo Presents the Virtual Game CardsDragon Quest I & II HD RemakeTomodachi Life: A Dream LifeRhythm Paradise GrooveWitchbrookTamagotchi PlazaNo Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILESRaidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless ArmyShadow LabyrinthPATAPON 1+2 REPLAYGradius OriginsStory of Seasons: Grand BazaarDisney Villains' Cursed CaféThe Eternal Life of GoldmanSaGa Frontier 2 RemasteredThe Monument Valley TrilogyEverybody’s Golf: Hot ShotsRift of the NecroDancerWhat’s Nintendo Today?
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond
The most anticipated Nintendo Switch game has made another appearance. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond revealed new gameplay footage, showcasing part of Samus’ journey, new challenges, enemies, and mechanics.
Samus’ psychic abilities will allow her to activate mechanisms, control energy shots, and more, bringing fresh gameplay mechanics to the iconic first-person experience that was recently remastered in Metroid Prime Remastered.
The new trailer also offers a sleek new look at Samus, featuring a different armor design. However, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond still lacks a release date. It is set to arrive sometime in 2025.
Pokémon Legends Z-A
If there’s one character who can rival the excitement surrounding Samus Aran on Switch right now, it’s Pikachu. Nintendo knows this well and didn’t forget to highlight new details about the next major Pokémon game.
The latest showcase introduced gameplay updates, featuring wild areas seamlessly integrated into the game’s urban environment. Pokémon can now be encountered not just in open fields but also on streets, in plazas, and even on rooftops.
Additionally, players can take part in theZ-A Games, an official battle league where they can climb from the “Z” rank to the prestigious “A” rank. And yes, Mega Evolutions are making a return in this installment.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Dotemu continues its streak of classic beat ‘em up revivals withMarvel Cosmic Invasion, slated for release at the end of the year. The publisher ofStreets of Rage 4is bringing a retro superhero experience featuring 15 playable characters.
Nintendo Presents the Virtual Game Cards
Not everything in the Direct was about games. Nintendo also introducedVirtual Game Cards, a new feature that allows digital games to be played on two consoles or even loaned out—similar to Steam’s shared library system.
These Virtual Game Cards function much like physical cartridges: digital games can be “ejected” from one console and “inserted” into another linked to the player’s Nintendo account or their family group.
According to Nintendo, Virtual Game Cards can be shared locally with family members’ consoles. This feature will roll out at the end of April and will also be available on Switch 2.
Dragon Quest I & II HD Remake
Following the success ofDragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Square Enix continues its retro revival with remakes of the first two games in the series.Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remakewill launch together in 2025.
Tomodachi Life: A Dream Life
Another beloved franchise is making a comeback!Tomodachi Life: A Dream Lifemarks the return of the series more than a decade later. Scheduled for a 2026 release, this new entry brings Mii characters back to a tropical island setting for a brand-new adventure.
Rhythm Paradise Groove
The legendary series returns by surprise!Rhythm Paradise Grooveis the newly announced installment, set to release sometime in 2026. This reveal has been a huge delight for fans. AfterRhythm Heaven Megamix, we’re finally getting back one of Nintendo’s most original IPs.
Witchbrook
Witchbrookis set to arrive on Nintendo Switch during the 2025 holiday season. Alongside it,The Eternal Life of GoldmanandGradius Origins(includingSalamander 3) will land on August 7, offering a dose of nostalgic shoot ‘em up action.
Tamagotchi Plaza
Tamagotchis return to Nintendo consoles with acozy gamethat grabs your heart and doesn’t let go.Tamagotchi Plazaexpands on theTamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shopseries, letting players manage charming little stores, design all kinds of items, and experience simple yet heartwarming stories with over 100 Tamagotchi. A perfect self-care gift for the summer—it launches on Switch onJune 27, 2025.
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES
This new installment in theAI: THE SOMNIUM FILESseries arrives on Nintendo Switch fromSpike ChunsoftonJuly 25, 2025.
The game features a mix of puzzles, futuristic settings, intense interrogations, and, of course, mystery. A promisingSwitch exclusivethat will hit shelves this summer.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Armyoffers a new chance to revisit aclassic within the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Players take on the role ofDemon Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha, who must not only investigate supernatural occurrences but also engage in real-time battles with up to120 demon allies.
The game is set to launch onJune 19, 2025, andpre-orders are already openon the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Shadow Labyrinth
Shadow Labyrinthis an action-platformer with a unique twist: players canmerge with Bandai Namco’s Pac-Manto enhance abilities, fight against threats, and absorb the power of enemies.
Launching onJuly 18, 2025, the game will also feature aDeluxe Editionon the Nintendo eShop, including adigital artbook and soundtrack.
PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY
Bandai Namco is delivering double the good news, and this time with extra rhythm! OnJuly 11, 2025, we’ll getremastered, complete, and expandedversions of the first two (and incredibly fun)Patapongames in one bundle.
A perfect excuse torevisit, rediscover, or dive intothe wild and musical battles of thePatapons!
Gradius Origins
Konami has unveiled anirresistible side-scrolling shooter collection, featuringGradius, Salamander, Life Force, and their classic sequels, plus a special treat:Salamander III—an entirelynewgame created exclusively for this release!
All packaged under the nameGradius Origins, this collection will be available onSeptember 7, 2025.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
Story of Seasonsreturns with arevamped versionof the Nintendo DS classic! InStory of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, players will once again visitZephyr Town, but this time withcompletely redesigned visuals, new characters, deeper storylines, and fresh twists.
If you’re planning a vacation in August, you might want to reschedule—this onelaunches on August 18, 2025.
DisneyVillains Cursed Café
Disney Villains' Enchanted Caféis ahand-drawn visual novelwhere players create custom potions for some of themost iconic villainsfrom classic Disney films—fulfilling their dark desires.
The Eternal Life of Goldman
The Eternal Life of Goldmanmade a reappearance at theNintendo Direct, bringing back theclassic platforming charmreminiscent ofDuckTales on the NES. AsGoldman, players will traverse2D platforming levels, using bounces and cane attacks to overcome obstacles in an adventure filled withmystery and revelations.
The first mystery?Its release date.While that remains unknown, we do know it will be launching onSwitch this winter.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered
Square Enixcontinues updating theSaGa Frontierfranchise. In2021, they remastered the1998 classic, and now it’s time for itssequelto get the same treatment.
Is it justthe same game with a visual upgrade? Not quite! Alongside the originalstory and its unique art style, which will immediately appeal to those who grew up playingGame Boy Advance, this version introducesnew events and gameplay improvements.It’s available on Switch starting today!
The Monument Valley Trilogy
Theperfect fusion of puzzles, minimalism, and adventure—Monument Valley—is finally making its way toNintendo Switch, bundled with itstwo sequels.
BothMonument ValleyandMonument Valley 2will be available on theNintendo eShop on April 15, complete with all extras and additional content. Additionally,Monument Valley 3, which was recently released as part ofNetflix’s gaming catalog, will also be launching onSwitch this summer.
Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots
Nintendo consoles havealways been a home for golf lovers, dating all the way back to the NES era.Bandai Namcois well aware of this and is bringing the firstEverybody’s Golfgame toNintendo Switch.
As the title suggests, thisaccessible golf game is designed for everyone, featuringboth online and local multiplayer.
Therelease date remains uncertain, but the game is set to launchsometime in 2025.
Rift of the NecroDancer
ANintendo Direct packed with rhythm gameswouldn’t be complete withoutRift of the NecroDancer!
This latest entryreinvents the seriesby blendingGuitar Hero-style gameplaywithits signature rhythm-based combat. Players mustdefeat enemies in sync with the beatsofDanny Baranowsky’ssoundtrack.
Itlaunches on Switch today, and for those craving even more rhythm-based action, apaid DLC pack featuring music from Celesteis also available. Additionally, moremusic packshave been confirmed for future updates.
Nintendo Today
TheNintendo Directwrapped up with the reveal ofNintendo Today, anew mobile appforiOS and Android.
This app serves as acalendar and news hub, offeringupdates, videos, and even comic stripsfeaturingNintendo games and characters.
More importantly,Nintendo Todaywill be thecentral platform for all information regarding the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 presentation on April 2. The app isavailable for download nowon theApp StoreandGoogle Play Store.
Be sure to check out other newsWuchang: Fallen Feathers Announces Its Release Windowand alsoLies of P: Overture Confirms DLC Length
