The final countdown.
Well, it has come down to this. This is, in all likelihood, the final Nintendo Direct for the original Switch. And they did not disappoint.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
They started with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. The big thing is that the sister of the Prince of Cannock will join the party at some point in the adventure (presumably after the big, game defining point where you jump off the tower). Will she, like her brother, spend most of her time occupying a coffin? We’ll find out sometime this year.
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES
If you were big on Zero Escape and Virtue’s Last Reward, you’re probably familiar with AI: The Somnium Files. This is a new game in the series in which Special Agent Kaname Date must find and rescue internet idol Iris, who has been trapped in an escape game. Set to release July 25th this year.
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
A remaster of the PS2 classic Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army. Atlus is seemingly giving this much more care than they did for SMT III Remastered, and far more than Soul Hackers 2. I’m for it, as both Raidou games are rather expensive on the secondary market. They’re apparently giving everything about the game a once-over, meaning this will likely be the best version of the game you can get. Launches June 19th this year.
Also, they can’t keep getting away with it.
Shadow Labyrinth
Hey, remember that dark and edgy Pac-Man episode of Secret Level? Well, it was basically meant to be promotion for this game. The one really positive thing I can say is that they named their not-Pac-Man Puck. Which if you’re familiar with arcade history is really funny. Drops July 18th this year.
PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY
Bandai Namco apparently got their hands on a number of Japan Studio’s old IP. Which is why we’re now seeing PATAPON and PATAPON 2 on a Nintendo system. This may well be the single wildest announcement of the Direct. Apparently, Sony didn’t want to do this themselves, so they licensed some of their older games out to Bandai Namco.
Launches July 11th this year.
STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar
Get your Harvest Moon fix with the new STORY OF SEASONS game, Grand Bazaar. Sell your produce, help the town regain its former glory, and get around with the help of the wind. Launches August 27th this year.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
The one everybody was waiting for. Samus was unexpectedly transported to Planet Viewros, and to get off that rock, she’ll need new psychic abilities that not only let her manipulate the environment, but even her normal weapons. Comes out some time this year.
Disney Villains Cursed Café
Imagine getting off from your job as a barista to come home and make not-coffee for Disney villains. Wouldn’t be me. Wonder if Cruella hit this joint up right before the sequel where the dogs suspect her and plan to kill her in her sleep?
Don’t mess with Gaston’s coffee.
Available on the Nintendo eShop right now.
Witchbrook
Enjoy your cozy magic school life courtesy of Chucklefish. Launches this Winter.
Eternal Life of Goldman
A game with hand-drawn animation. Looks great and gives off some Henry Hatsworth vibes. Launches this Holiday season.
Gradius Origins
For the 40th anniversary of the Gradius series, they’re putting everything together in one neat package. Six of the classic Gradius games (Gradius, SALAMANDER, Life Force, Gradius II, Gradius III, SALAMANDER II), as well as the new SALAMANDER III. Some of the games in the collection even come with multiple versions based on region or release. Launches August 7th this year.
Rift of the Necrodancer
A new Necrodancer game, where the combat is based on Guitar Hero-like lanes, though things switch up for boss battles. Also comes with a number of rhythm-based minigames that might put one in mind of something like Rhythm Heaven. Will have Celeste DLC at launch, but Pizza Tower DLC has been teased, so expect this to sell like pizza to those poor, brain damaged souls. Available now on the eShop.
Tamagotchi Plaza
Get your Tamagotchi fix by helping out 12 Tamagotchi-owned shops in the plaza. And in so doing, make the town a better place. Features over 100 Tamagotchis, both new and old. Launches June 25th this year.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Set in Pokémon X and Y’s Lumiose city, you start your adventure by choosing between three starters: Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita (nobody’s choosing the grass starter this time). You’ll travel through wild zones- areas in the city where even wild Pokémon can live. Wild Pokémon also live elsewhere in the city, though, like on rooftops. At night the city changes, centered on a big tournament called the Z-A Royale. rival trainers roam the newly defined battle zones, and if they spot you, they’ll fight you; you can, however, get the drop on them and launch a surprise attack. Beating trainers allows you to rank up from rank Z to rank A. Launches late 2025
Rhythm Heaven Groove
Oh yes, Rhythm Heaven is back. And this time, featuring a soundtrack by famous Japanese music producer Tsunku♂. Yoko Taro is happy about it.
Launches in 2026.
Virtual Game Card
Essentially, digital game sharing – an interesting idea. Unfortunately, they gave the most technically overcomplicated explanation for this possible. The plus is that this gets its own section on the home screen, so that will probably simplify things. Also lol at 1 2 Switch in 2025. You could’ve picked any other game, Nintendo, any other game. Launches with a new system update in late April.
High on Life
High on Life is coming to the Switch. May 6th, 2025
Star Overdrive
Hoverboard your way across an alien planet. Available April 10th, demo available now.
The Wandering Village
In a contaminated world, your only safe harbor is on the back of a docile, colossal beast. Build a town there and survive in a poisonous fungi contaminated post- apocalypse world. Launches July 17th, 2025.
King of Meat
If you wanted some sort of fantasy Running Man kind of deal, only a bit softer, well, that’s King of Meat. Coming to Switch in 2025.
Lou’s Lagoon
A cozy game in which you run a seaplane delivery business. Coming Summer 2025.
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time
The long-awaited sequel to Level 5’s 3DS game FANTASY LIFE. Offers even more than the original game, with a time-travelling story to boot. Launches May 21st this year.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered
Look, you either like SaGa or you hate it. Regardless, the remaster of this PS1 cult classic is available on the eShop right now.
Monument Valley 1, 2, and 3
All three Monument Valley games are coming to Nintendo Switch. Monument Valley 1 and 2 will launch April 15th. Monument Valley 3 will launch later this Summer.
EVERYBODY’S GOLF: HOT SHOTS
Why, yes, this is the second Sony IP announced for Switch by way of Bandai Namco in a single Direct. Launches 2025.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Save the world from an alien invasion as some of your favorite Marvel superheroes… and also some C- and D-stringers. It’s a 2D beat-’em-up in the vein of some of Marvel’s arcade classics. Launches Holiday 2025.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
There have been many waiting for a new Tomodachi Life game, and their prayers have been answered. And they’ll get to live the dream on an island… whatever that dream happens to be.
Nintendo Today!
A new avenue for Nintendo news. In addition to that news, there will also be a host of Nintendo-game-related content. The app is available on iOS and Android right now.
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