After hosting a separate 40th anniversary Zelda Direct the day before, Nintendo hosted their usual multi-annual Nintendo Direct this week, announcing new Metroid and Kirby games coming to Switch 2, alongside a bunch of new Switch 2 editions of other games.
Metroid Ravenous is a new 2D action-platformer starring armored bounty hunter, Samus Aran. It’s a sequel to 2021’s Metroid Dread, making it the most recent game in the timeline. Three new amiibo figures of Samus, Chozo Statue, and Samus (Metroid Suit) are also coming next year. The Samus (Metroid Suit) amiibo will be included in the Special Edition, which also includes a steel game case.
Metroid Ravenous will launch on January 28, 2027.
Kirby and the World Beyond is a 3D open world adventure starring the lovable pink guy, Kirby. Kirby can use his signature consume & copy ability to gain new abilities (including that of a certain green-hatted hero) to explore an expansive world and save a mysterious girl.
Kirby and the World Beyond will release in Spring 2027, which also marks the series’ 35th anniversary.
The Nintendo Direct also announced a new Mega Man game with Mega Man: Dual Override. The ‘dual’ part refers to the two playable heroes, Mega Man, or Proto Man. Each hero has their own customizable fighting style as they take on Robot Masters. Mega Man: Dual Override will launch in Spring 2027, alongside new amiibo figures of Mega Man and Proto Man.
After lying dormant for years, Level-5 announced a new Yo-Kai Watch game during the Direct: Yo-Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain. Haunted Domain is a remake of the 2014 sequel, combining the three entries of Bony Spirits, Fleshy Souls, and Psychic Specters with enhanced graphics, new story content, and more Yo-Kai.
The creature collector series exploded onto the scene over a decade ago on Nintendo 3DS and a dubbed animation series on Disney XD. But the franchise failed to capture the Pokémon audience. The last game to release in North America was Yo-Kai Watch 3 back in 2016.
Interesting that they chose to remake the Yo-Kai Watch 2, rather than the original game, but they’re also very similar.
Are we excited for Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, or has the whole motion-control thing from 20 years ago faded? Nintendo doesn’t think so!
The Switch follow-up to Wii Sports features a dozen motion controlled sports minigames, plus an interactive island resort to explore and engage in other activities. There’s also an offline mode that lets you rise through the ranks as a single player.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort will launch on October 22 on Switch 2.
Puzzle fans will love that we finally got a release date for the new Professor Layton game coming to Switch 2. Professor Layton and the New World of Steam stars Layton and assistant Luke in a new adventure set in Steam Bison, a city based on the American industrial age. Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will release on December 10 on Switch and Switch 2.
The Direct also revealed special Switch 2 versions of Monster Hunter Wilds, Pikmin 4, Persona 4 Revival, The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Pikmin 4 adds the new Dandori Academy mode with online leaderboard, and uses the built-in microphone to command the dog, Oatchi.
Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Acadmey will release on November 12.
Plus, free updates to Star Fox and Mario Kart World. Star Fox is expanding Battle Mode to four players, and adding new stages. Series fans can also enjoy the GameCube adventure, Star Fox Adventures, via the Nintendo Classics library (available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers). The Star Fox update will hit on September 29.
The free update to Mario Kart World is now available, adding classic courses from Super Mario Kart, which can be played in VS Race. Plus, two new routes for Knockout Tour.
Still no new Mario game announced for Switch 2, however! But, as an early Switch 2 adopter and general Nintendo fanboy, there are plenty of games to be excited.
