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We should stop meeting like this! Yes, for the second time in two days, our fates have become intertwined thanks to the matchmaking of Nintendo. Following yesterday's 40th anniversary Legend of Zelda showcase, we got to do the announcement livestream thing all over again - and this time for a proper Nintendo Direct, which managed to squeeze an enormous amount of stuff into its 45-minutes focused on games arriving this "winter".
So what did it bring? Well, arguably the biggest news is that there's a brand-new 2.5D Metroid on the way, and it's coming early next year. But Kirby fans also have something to look forward to as the pink puffball takes his turn at going open-world in Kirby and the World Beyond. Elswhere, we got word of a free Mario Kart World update bringing retro tracks to multiplayer, a free multiplayer update for Star Fox, as well as a long-awaited release for Professor Layton and The New World of Steam. Perhaps surprisingly though, we didn't get the long-awaited release date for FromSoftware's The Duskbloods despite its recent, and extremely promising, network test.
Returning to the stuff we actually got though, you'll find everything announced in September's Nintendo Direct below.
First, a look Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2
Monster Hunter Wilds was good, PC performance issues and a few other niggles aside. And we now know it's coming to Switch 2 on 4th December. Furthermore, its upcoming Ascendance expansion is on the way too and launching next year.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation release date and Crisis Core surprise
Wondering when the Final Fantasy remake series is concluding on Switch 2? Well wonder no more: Nintendo has confirmed Revelation, the third part of the saga, hits its console on 8th April next year. Additionally, should you need a Final Fantasy fix sooner, Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is coming to Switch 2 later today.
Hyrules Warriors: Age of Calamity is coming to Switch 2
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - the second entry in Koei Tecmo's Zelda-themed hack-and-slash spin-off series - is making its way to Switch 2 in the form of a Definitive Edition. It's promising the likes of 60fps support, more enemies on screen, alongside all content from the Age of Calamity expansion pass. And there's also a tougher Calamity mode. It's launching 25th February next year, and there's a digital discount for owners of the Switch 1 version.
Switch 2's Star Fox remake is getting a free multiplayer update
If you enjoyed the multiplayer parts of Switch 2's recent Star Fox 64 remake, there's some good news. It's about to get four-player split-screen support (which also means four players can join a team on one console and play online battles) and a range of new multiplayer stages, themed around Katina, Sector X, and Venom. The free update arrives on 30th September this year.
Meccha Chameleon is Switch-bound
Meccha Chameleon has been a bit of a smash hit, and Switch 2 owners will soon have the opportunity to try their hand at its silly team-based hide-and-seek action. It launches on Switch 2 today!
A quick look at what's next for Pokémon Pokopia's expansion pass
After taking us deep beneath the waves, Pokémon Pokopia's expansion is, next, going a little bit simpler but a lot more fashionable, with a selection of Pokémon-themed accessories. We already knew this was the case for part two of three, but Nintendo has now given us a peek at what's to come, showing everything from ribbons to bowties. Plus, there'll be a couple more Pokémon joining in the fun when Part Two launches "late 2026".
And more Star Fox, this time coming to Nintendo Classics
Still not enough Star Fox for you? Well if you're a Switch Online subscriber, you'll be able to play developer Rare's dinosaur-themed GameCube adventure Star Fox Adventures on Nintendo Classics from today.
The Witcher 3's remaster has a Switch 2 release date
CD Projekt's spruced up version of The Witcher 3 - which includes both previous expansions - is coming to Switch 2 on 29th September. New stuff includes "enhanced visuals and gameplay", alongside support for mouse and motion controls, gyro aiming and touchscreen. Additionally, the game's brand-new expansion, Songs of the Past, launches next year. Woo!
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 comes to Switch 2 next year
Warhorse Studios' 2025 action-RPG sequel Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is heading to Switch 2 in a new Royal Edition form. It bundles together the base game and all previous DLC - adding the likes of new stories and outfits - and it arrives sometime in 2027.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave says hello
Not much to report on this one. Switch 2's new Fire Emblem instalment, Fortune's Weave, quickly popped in to remind everyone it's launching 17th September. Thanks!
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam gets a release date too
Amazingly, it's been three years since developer Level-5 announced it would be revisiting one of its most beloved series in Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. At the time, it was due to launch for Switch, but in the years since, it's also been confirmed to arrive on Switch 2 (as well as PS5 and PC). I've been excited to return to the world of Luke and Layton ever since that initial reveal, so I'm delighted to learn it's finally almost upon us, with a release date now set for 10th December this year.
Yo-Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain is in development!
Exactly that: Level-5 followed up its Professor Layton announcement with word that Yo-Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain is in development for Switch 2. Did it have anything else to add? Only this: "It'll take a while meowre!"
Pikmin 4 is getting the Switch 2 Edition treatment
If you were wondering why Pikmin 4 got a free update for Switch 1 last year that didn't include any notable upgrades for Switch 2, here's your answer: Nintendo's just announced its flogging the game again in a new Pikmin 4: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Among other things, it adds the ability to give voice commands to Oatchi using the console's built-in mic and you can praise him too. There's also a new Dandori Academy mode challenging you to secure treasure as quickly as possible. The idea is you'll need to practice ahead of a proper "exam" scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and you only get one attempt. It's coming 12th November, and owners of the Switch 1 version can purchase and upgrade.
Switch 2 is getting spooky in Bloober's Onyx: The Dark Grip
Bloober Team, the studio behind the likes of Layers of Fear and the Silent Hill 2 remake, is bringing a new handheld-focused horror game to Switch 2. Onyx: The Dark Grip sees its protagonist, Holden, visiting a fog-shrouded"town "steeped in mystery", and players can interact with his adventure using the touchscreen to do things like unlock doors and read minds. The trouble is, Holden perceives your actions as those of a supernatural entity, and you'll need to avoid sending him over the edge. It's out next year.
Overcooked studio's promising Stage Fright gets gameplay
Overcooked studio Ghost Town Games announced its new co-op adventure Stage Fright a while back, and we've now had our first proper look at gameplay courtesy of Nintendo's latest Direct. There's now release date for it yet, but it's coming to Switch 1, Switch 2,
Disney Dreamlight Valley heads under the sea in its next expansion
Ever wanted to be a merperson? The:n your wish, with a wave of the Disney wand, is about to come true. Disney Dreamlight Valley is heading under the waves for its next expansion, the Keepsake Sea, which is launching this November.
Here come the Kirby Air Riders amiibo!
It wouldn't be a Nintendo Direct with more amiibo to fill your dwindling shelfspace. And this latest showcase confirmed two new Kirby Air Riders figures - Sword Kirby & Dragoon, plus Noir Dedede & Hyra - launched 12th November, completing the Air Riders amiibo line-up. Additionally, another in-game event, with related rewards, is on the way to the game, with more news due at a later date.
Three Resident Evil remakes are coming to Switch 2
Capcom's acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 are all making their way to Switch 2, with all their DLC. They'll be available digitally initially, launching for eShop on 16th October, but physical edition release on 29th January next year.
Lara Croft returns to Switch 2 in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Lara Croft's very first adventure is getting the remake treatment for a second time in its three-decade history, courtesy of developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Hog, and a Switch 2 release has now been confirmed. It's called Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and while some of the choices being made for this reimagining aren't especially encouraging, we'll know how it's all come together when it releases on 12th February next year.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort puts in an appearance
trailer.
It's got sports, it's on Switch 2, and it's still releasing on 22nd October. That's all!
Samus is back in Metroid Ravenous
Goodness! I certainly wasn't expecting to see Samus back so soon, but the bounty hunter is making a return in Metroid Ravenous, which looks to follow the same 2.5D stylings on 2021's excellent Metroid Dread. It's coming to Switch 2 on 28th January next year. Plus there's a special edition coming alongside an amiibo.
Mario Kart World is getting a free update focused on classic courses
Mario Kart World features a number of classic courses sneakily tucked around its expansive map, and these will soon be playable in VS race mode, courtesy of a free new update. Expect to be careening around the likes of Choco Island 1, Vanilla Lake 1, Ghost Valley 1, and seven more - complete with working question mark panels - when the update arrives today. And that's not quite everything: two new routes - Turnip Rally and Propeller Rally - join Knockout World Tour.
Mega Man: Dual Override shows off Proto Man
A brand-new Mega Man game, Dual Override, is coming to Switch 1&2 in spring next year, and to mark the occasion, we got a quick bit of new gameplay showing returning ally Proto Man who's joining the adventure in playable form. New amiibo of the pair are launching alongside the game.
A double helping of Persona!
There are good time ahead for fans of the Persona series on Switch 2. Not only is Persona 4's highly anticipated remake, AKA Persona 4 Revival, coming to the console on 20th May next year, Nintendo has confirmed Persona 6 is also on the way.
Kirby's boinging back in a brand-new adventure next year
Well, the bad news is we didn't get a release date for The Duskbloods, but the good news is Nintendo's buoyant pink puffball is back to upside-down those frowns. Kirby is making his return in a brand-new 3D adventure, Kirby and the World Beyond, that's coming to Switch 2 in spring 2027. There's not much more to say about this one just yet, other than that it'll apparently let players "freely explore" while using Kirby's powers, but its arrival coincides with the series' 35th anniversary, so expect more details on that soon.
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