Nintendo has confirmed more details about the Splatoon Raiders Direct announced earlier this month. As such, here's how to watch the show tomorrow.

Earlier this month, Nintendo did its first proper Nintendo Direct presentation since last September, and it was probably the best showcase of Summer Game Fest season. We had massive news like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and Xenoblade Genesis, huge ports like Dragon's Dogma 2, Devil May Cry 5, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and the first major signs of life from Kingdom Hearts 4 in years. But with so much to look forward to, it's easy to have forgotten that Nintendo's summer lineup is also pretty packed, with Star Fox, Rhythm Heaven Groove, and Splatoon Raiders all releasing within a month of each other.

During the Direct, Nintendo confirmed that Splatoon Raiders would be getting its own dedicated showcase later in the month, and today it's released more details about what we can expect. While we don't know much more about the contents of the Direct itself, Nintendo confirmed it'll be a brisk one, only running for 15 minutes. But, if that's disappointing, don't worry, as Nintendo now confirms that there's also going to be a 30-minute Nintendo Treehouse Live focused on the game airing directly after.

How to watch the Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Direct

The Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Direct will air live on Tuesday, June 30 at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm GMT, with the show set to feature 15 minutes of info, followed by a Nintendo Treehouse Live stream at 7:15 am PT / 10:15 am ET / 3:15 pm GMT showing an additional 30 minutes of gameplay.

Watch the Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Direct stream here

The show will air live on Nintendo's YouTube channels simultaneously, so just pick whatever region suits you best! For whatever reason, the Treehouse segment will be a separate stream, which you can find below.

Be sure to keep up with all the upcoming releases for this year and beyond with our roundup of new games for 2026.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is confirmed to be bringing dungeons back to the series after they were last seen in the 3DS remake Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

This year's Summer Game Fest was a pretty big one in general, with the Nintendo Direct being the perfect finale to proceedings, giving us the best show of the lot,. revealing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, giving us a new look at Kingdom Hearts 4, and more. Another of the highlights was Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, which got a massive new trailer explaining the game and revealing its release date.

Except, despite feeling like a proper deep dive, it turns out Nintendo hid a major detail from the Nintendo Direct. On the store page for the game, Nintendo describes some of the things you can do. "You can explore the world to strengthen your army and find resources. Train and recruit allies in Dagsion, or venture out into the land to fight bandits and monsters, delve through dungeons, and more."

There's an interesting detail in there, that being "delve through dungeons." These haven't been a feature in the series since 2017's 3DS remake Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (which was itself a remake of 1992's Japan-only Fire Emblem Gaiden for Super Famicom). As Nintendo Everything points out, there's actually a shot in the trailer that shows what looks like a dungeon, with Leda opening a chest, so strangely, Nintendo just didn't point this out at the time.

Fire Emblem games tend to be fairly long in the first place, and dungeon crawling is likely only going to add to that. So, if you're planning to pick up Fortune's Weave in September (already a very busy month for game releases), you can probably expect it to steal quite a lot of your free time.

Xenoblade Chronicles Genesis is coming in 2027, and it looks very different to Monolith Soft's last JRPG trilogy.

One of the lead developers on Final Fantasy Resonance says we're getting the throwback JRPG because the now-decreased mobile game it's based on is "too good to become unplayable."

Following Final Fantasy Resonance's big reveal, producer Keisuke Nakashima has been doing the media rounds to share more details about the upcoming JRPG. What I've found most interesting is how it's all come about.

Nakashima explains that the game proposal was first shared at the end of 2020, and the pitch was quite simple. Final Fantasy Brave Exvius – a game he previously worked on – wasn't getting the respect it deserved.

"There are a couple of reasons why I decided to create Final Fantasy Resonance," he tells Automaton. "I've previously worked on FFBE as an assistant producer, and I wanted to show all the things that make the game so great to an even wider audience.

"FFBE is packed with entertaining features from each of the numbered entries in the main Final Fantasy series. Airships and Chocobos appear, and there are secret treasure chests lying in the hidden parts of dungeons – it's filled with stuff that screams 'Final Fantasy.'

"I thought it would be a shame for such a wonderful game to become unplayable via mobile, and that's one of the reasons I decided to create Final Fantasy Resonance for consoles."

What's interesting to me is that his desire has only become more relevant with time. It was just last year that Square Enix ended service for Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, so it's no longer just the case that you only play it on mobile – you can't play it at all.

Regardless, people's hesitancy to try Final Fantasy Brave Exvius has clearly stuck with Nakashima to this day.

"Back when we initially released FFBE, we got a lot of feedback from users saying that they want to play the game as a console title," he says. "Of course, we were confident about expanding FFBE as a mobile app.

"However, there were a lot of people who told us that they wouldn't play the game simply because it wasn't available on console. I was so frustrated about it. Or maybe I should say, I felt like it was such a shame that they wouldn't give it a try. It's such a fun game, but they didn't even want to have a go at it just because it was a mobile app."

While things have, perhaps, not played out as Nakashima might have expected, it appears he's going to get his wish. Final Fantasy Resonance is due to release later this year, and for many, it will show off what FF Brave Exvius no longer can.

To be fair, it makes for an alluring package. Fans have been crying out for an old-school, turn-based JRPG in the Final Fantasy series that looks more like Octopath Traveler than the current trends of AAA RPGs. It makes for a fitting bonus, though, that Final Fantasy Resonance might also preserve an experience that others can no longer enjoy.

In a big win for JRPG sickos, Square Enix confirms Final Fantasy Resonance is being made by the team behind Octopath Traveler and more, if the HD-2D art style didn't already give it away.

Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy Resonance is being made by Team Asano, which is rather excellent news if you enjoy the likes of Octopath Traveler, Bravely Default, and the latest Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes of games one to three.

Following the new Final Fantasy game's big reveal at the latest Nintendo Direct – you can see everything announced at said Nintendo Direct here – Square Enix kicked off a good ol' livestream to share more about the upcoming game.

While Final Fantasy Resonance's HD-2D art style might have been a giveaway, Square Enix confirms that the game is indeed being made by Team Asano. In fact, Tomoya Asano is serving as an executive producer on this one.

Also spotted by the ever-reliable Genki on Twitter, Final Fantasy Resonance producer Keisuke Nakashima says it'll take you 30-40 hours to complete the JRPG, though completionists can expect to spend up to 80 hours on this one. We've also got a glimpse of the open-world map, Chocobo riding, and flying an airship.

While it's only been a few days since the reveal, some excitement for Final Fantasy Resonance has been sticking around GamesRadar+ towers. My colleague Austin called the JRPG "the one Final Fantasy game I've wanted for eight years," and I think the news that Team Asano is behind this one only adds to that.

Essentially, there are plenty of Final Fantasy fans – me, hello – who have been calling out for an old-school, turn-based JRPG that hits the nostalgia vibes like some of the games that Team Asano has put together. Look at Octopath Traveler or any of the recent Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes, and you'll see what I mean – turn-based combat when real-time has become the go-to, graphics that are familiar yet refreshed, and so on.

Final Fantasy Resonance has made a good start, then, and I'm interested to see what's to come. October 22 can't come soon enough.

Final Fantasy Resonance fans want the true stars of Brave Exvius, not just JRPG icons like Cloud and Tidus: "Bring my girl Ariana Grande back."

As Summer Game Fest came to a close, a surprise Nintendo Direct gave us Legend of Zelda stans what we've long been hoping for: confirmation of an Ocarina of Time remake.

It didn't exactly come out of the blue, however, as rumors have been circulating regarding the remake for some time, thanks to well-known leaker Nate the Hate. That might've put a bit of a damper on the entire "reveal" from Nintendo, which arguably wasn't the biggest out there.

It's a very short teaser, all things considered, showing a little bit of Link and a Triforce that has drawn attention for its appearance on the young protagonist's hand.

Former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang discuss the trailer – if you can call it that – and the effect Nate the Hate's leaks regarding the Ocarina of Time remake may be having on our reception of Nintendo's upcoming revamp.

Ellis asks Yang, "Did what we know about Ocarina impact the way you received that teaser?" She answers honestly: "I kind of feel like at this point I'm so desensitized."

It makes sense, and as Ellis goes on to say, the leaks had a "huge effect" on fans' reaction to the remake's official announcement. "If that was actually a surprise, and there was a teaser of an Ocarina of Time remake at the end of a Direct… it would be insanity."

Nintendo's choice to keep what was likely its original teaser – Link "sleeping on some dirt," as Ellis amusingly puts it – probably didn't help the whole situation, either.

The company is "stubborn," though, and "cannot rearrange" its plan – even if it might've left a more "surprising" reveal for fans in the end. "I think they should have rethought some stuff."

Ellis also admits he's "so mad at Nate the Hate for doing this," however, with Yang chiming in, "If you're Nintendo, you're looking to kill" – and, yeah, I get it. It does all stem from the leaks, really, even if Nintendo could've perhaps mitigated the damage a bit.

I feel that, regardless of the lukewarm reactions (or, at least, lukewarm compared to how they might've been without earlier leaks), the Ocarina of Time remake will perform well. Heck, I know I've been waiting years for it myself.

Searching for something else to wishlist aside from the Ocarina of Time remake? Here are the best new games coming this year and beyond to look forward to, spanning all platforms.

As you're likely aware by now, Final Fantasy Resonance is based on the deceased mobile RPG Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. As such, BE fans have wasted little time in demanding that Square Enix remember the girlies that people truly turned up for.

That is, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and Addison Rae. Sit down, Cloud. Now is not your time.

While Final Fantasy Brave Exvius was typical of the series at the time in that you had turn-based combat, crystals, and chocobos, it was also a gacha game. You could spend money – so much money – on getting the likes of Cloud and Tidus when the time came.

That also means collaborations, because that makes people spend money – so much money. You probably see where we're going. Yes, Square Enix put the likes of Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and more in the game to fight alongside Cloud and the gang.

With all this in mind, you can imagine why many people were quick to think of the pop icons when it was revealed that Final Fantasy Resonance adapts the first arc of the mobile game.

"Ok Final Fantasy Resonance. I'll hear you out if you bring my girl Ariana Grande back," one fan writes, as another says: "If Ariana Grande and Katy Perry isn't in Final Fantasy Resonance then this was a failed project."

Put her in Resonance you cowards from r/FinalFantasy

Ok Final Fantasy Resonance. I’ll hear you out if you bring my Girl Ariana Grande Back.

— @karlosthefog.bsky.social (@karlosthefog.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-06-10T15:09:06.086Z

While Square Enix has claimed that Final Fantasy Resonance is "far from just a direct port," it has also confirmed that 'Visions' make their return, which are figures from other games in the series. In the trailer, in fact, we can see the likes of Cloud, Tidus, and the OG Warrior of Light.

So, the idea is certainly intact, though in our heart of hearts, we all know that the likes of Ariana Grande probably aren't making a return due to various rights agreements likely expiring or whatever. Still, people bullied Sony into bringing Morbius back to cinemas, so who's to say this can't be manifested with enough shitposting online?

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has a "far bigger" open world map than Rebirth, says director, and some Rebirth locations aren't the way you remember them.

Although Summer Game Fest has now concluded, a surprise Nintendo Direct yesterday left us with a trailer we had been waiting four years for – that of Kingdom Hearts 4.

Yes, that's right – we actually saw more of Kingdom Hearts 4 during the showcase, although we didn't get any sort of release date from Square Enix. It was a teaser, showing off the game's stunning visuals and a little bit of combat, too… but that doesn't mean folks weren't just a tad bit disappointed.

Heck, Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced in 2022. So, when is it going to launch, then? Well, some fans think they know.

That's because two separate store listings from Australia – one on EB Games and another on JB Hi-Fi – mention "the release of Kingdom Hearts 4 in 2027." At least, they did – both listings have now had this part scrubbed out, so make of that what you will.

Although the listings aren't even for the fourth game itself (they're for a collection containing the series' first three titles), that's a pretty big deal… and eagle-eyed fans are, of course, treating it as such. It's almost like the GTA 6 debacles all over again, where random listings convinced folks of all sorts of things.

Kingdom Hearts IV possibly getting a release in 2027 from r/GamingLeaksAndRumours

A Reddit thread highlights some of this, erm, hopium, with the top comment reading, "2027 shaping to be a good year for me." Another chimes in that it's an "already stacked" year, while somebody exclaims, "Next year looks absolutely insane."

One person jokes, "Peak 2027 incoming" – but they're not exactly wrong. Even if Kingdom Hearts 4 doesn't come, there's everything from a Resident Evil: Code Veronica remake to the new Fable entry.

As is always the case with such speculation, not everyone is certain that the Kingdom Hearts 4 mentions mean anything. One fan argues, "That footage we saw on the direct looked janky af, surely 2027 is a stretch." Another adds, "I don't believe that for a second because it sounds too good to be true."

I suppose I understand where they're coming from… we don't really know much about the fourth game at this point, so a release date seems out of reach.

It took a whopping four years to even get a new trailer out of Square Enix, so, yeah. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a 2027 Kingdom Hearts 4 release, but not holding my breath.

Searching for something else to wishlist? Here are the best new games coming this year and beyond to look forward to.

Vanillaware is bringing Muramasa to PC in 2027. I, too, struggle to believe these words, but you're just going to have to trust me.

On the heels of a Switch and Switch 2 announcement in the Nintendo Direct June show (it's also coming to PS5), the Japanese studio surprised fans with a Steam page for Muramasa: Revenant Blades. This is the first Vanillaware game to ever come to PC, and it's a port of a game that first launched on the Wii in 2009 before being ported to the PlayStation Vita.

Vanillaware is notorious for skipping PC. I specifically asked the director of Unicorn Overlord, the studio's sterling strategy RPG, if a PC port was in the cards, and I was completely shut down.

It's maddening. Everything Vanillaware touches, from Odin Sphere to Dragon's Crown to 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, is an exemplar in a genre that has a huge audience on PC. Hell, games like Unicorn Overlord might even benefit from mouse controls, specifically. Yet, every time: crickets.

So, an updated, PC version of Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a big deal – not just because a great game will now be available on a new platform, but because it opens the door to further PC ports from Vanillaware. It's a pattern we've seen from the likes of Atlus and Capcom: dip your toe in the PC pond only to find your whole leg hungrily grabbed by a starved fan base who's been watching enviously from afar for years. Basically what I'm saying is, Unicorn Overlord on Steam, and only that, would fix me.

Anyway. Muramasa is a 2D action RPG about tearing through yokai and folklore-inspired monsters while struggling to tear your eyes away from Vanillaware's signature environments. Six protagonists fill out a hugely replayable game with sharp combat and a surprising amount of depth to progression and blacksmithing.

"Experience the side-scrolling action RPG epic from Vanillaware and Marvelous with stunning 4K visuals, all-new English voiceover and localization, new modes and more," the Nintendo Direct trailer reads.

After 26 years, classic JRPG Tales of Eternia returns: the remaster coming this October looks fantastic, and is actually good for the series for once.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is officially official, with Nintendo confirming the project for a 2026 release exclusively on Switch 2.

The 1:38 reveal trailer didn't show a whole lot – it was mostly vibes, really, with some lovely auditory flourishes calling back to that iconic score – but we did get a glimpse of Link, who's apparently been pretty dramatically redesigned from his look in the original game, and of course, that means everyone's freaking out.

In fairness to the Zelda fanbase, Ocarina of Time is one of the most beloved games of all time. Speaking specifically as a millennial who grew up with an N64 controller in my hand, the first 3D Link is one of the most formative characters of my youth and one of the big early drivers of my passion for gaming, and I know that's the same for a lot of gamers in my age bracket.

That's all to say, I get why people are protective of that little blue-eyed polygonal weirdo. He's iconic. But early reactions to the character's redesign, which we see little more than a single frame of in the reveal, are so dramatically opposed to each other that I can't help but wonder if we all need to take a collective deep breath and wait until we see more.

One very common criticism is that Link looks like he has an adult head but a child's body, which, frankly, I'm just not seeing. He looks like HD young link to me, with a big-old head and unformed jawline indicating pre-pubescent boyhood. Other folks say he looks AI-generated (he's not). And then there are plenty of people seeing a resemblance between Link's redesign and the countless Unreal Engine fan remakes of Ocarina of Time that social media algorithms loved to pass off as official Nintendo projects for a few years there.

Other Zelda fans simply hate the new redesign without explicit reason, with one such critic going as far as to call it "the worst case scenario," which I just find hilariously dramatic. Likewise, another reaction calls it "the ugliest redesign I've ever seen in my life."

Not everyone's bummed about the redesign, but there seem to be very few takes between unbridled disgust and full-blown embrace, with one such commenter calling the design "perfect," and another writing in all caps, "LINK'S NEW DESIGN GIVES ME SO MUCH HOPE." I'm exhausted.

I just think this is all a bit much. We saw 15 seconds of the new Link lying down on one side with his eyes closed in dim lighting. Let's reserve judgment for better lighting, gameplay footage, and a full view of a character I have no doubt Nintendo would only work on with the utmost care. The remake is due out this year, so it won't be long before we see more.

Here are all of the upcoming Switch 2 games to keep on your radar

At a fantastic Nintendo Direct June show for RPG sickos, Tales of Eternia Remastered was a lovely bit of news from Bandai Namco. It's coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PS4 and PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC (Steam) on October 16.

Originally released in Japan in 2000, and in North America as Tales of Destiny 2 in 2001, Tales of Eternia is the third game in the Tales series. It's the latest in a growing line of remasters that sprung up around the series' 30th anniversary celebrations.

Eternia Remastered follows Tales of Berseria Remastered, a baffling choice that disappointed many fans. Berseria, a 2016 release, was already readily playable and holds up well on its own, so many felt that the remaster added very little. Bringing an older game like Eternia up to speed on modern platforms makes a lot more sense, so today's news has been received much more warmly.

Eternia uses an early, 2D ancestor of the action combat system modern Tales fans are familiar with, and it seems it's been updated considerably for this re-release. Bandai's added a boost function to adjust XP gains and encounter frequency, a high-speed auto-battle toggle, instant battle retry and quick recovery, and an "Extreme" difficulty available from the start paired with a new "Unknown" difficulty setting unlocked by beating the game.

The new visuals and sounds in the remaster can be swapped with the originals whenever you want, which is always nice with remasters. With this news, fans of Eternia have begun praying that the Tales series' recognizable skits will make it into the re-release.

Bandai reminds us all what Eternia's about on the remaster's newly minted website:

"Experience the remastered edition of Tales of Eternia, a timeless JRPG where a band of heroes race to prevent a disaster that could destroy two intertwined worlds ... Rediscover an emotional story filled with charm, adventure, and the signature Tales spirit, perfect for both newcomers and longtime fans."

Xenoblade Chronicles JRPG trilogy gets Nintendo Switch 2 editions this year, and the first one is out today.

The Nintendo Direct June 2026 showcase dropped a familiar theme that immediately consumed all of my attention. Why? Because I instantly knew it was the Spirit Dais theme from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which scores any scene featuring Sothis – a mysterious deity-like figure who's directly tied to protagonist Byleth. By playing it in our latest look at Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave for even just the briefest moment, Nintendo created a palpable connection to Three Houses. And as a Fire Emblem diehard who counts the 2019 entry among my favorite games of all-time, nothing could excite me more.

In fact, now that Fable has been delayed into 2027, and Exodus – which is very Mass Effect coded – is also setting its sights on next year, Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave has skyrocketed to the top of my 2026 RPG wishlist. And now that we have a release date which puts it squarely in the same month as the new vampire role-playing adventure, The Blood of the Dawnwalker, I'm calling it right now: September promises to be one to beat this year for anyone who lives and breathes RPGs like I do.

New heroes

I absolutely adore Fire Emblem, having grown up playing the likes of Fire Emblem Path of Radiance on the GameCube, and Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones on the GBA. I also firmly believe Fire Emblem Awakening and Fire Emblem Fates are some of the best 3DS games ever. But, for me, Three Houses has remained firmly at the top of the charts, and I think I've been waiting for another entry to reach the same kind of heights.

Now, I'm not saying Fortune's Weave should be Three Houses: Part 2, but I'm absolutely here for the link between the two, however tangential that may turn out to be. With an older Sothis appearing (and that telltale theme playing when she did), there's some kind of connection. Maybe Sothis will once again act as a goddess of guidance to the new protagonist, or feed into the story in a way that could even reference Byleth. But, before I start spinning more theories, what really speaks to me is the direction Fortune's Weave appears to be going in… and it's one that could make me as invested as Three Houses' academic, student-teacher bonding set-up.

Set in the Dagdan Empire, we'll be stepping into an "intertwining story of strength and steel" as we take part in the "Heroic Games". From the trailer, it's giving gladiator tournament vibes, and I'm here for it. With four main heroes taking part in the games who each have their own motivations for being there, I'm already getting the sense that they could potentially represent different routes, not unlike the way the three student houses in Garreg Mach Monastery in Three Houses do.

With Cai, a young boy who's determined to save his imprisoned father, Dietrich, a swordsman on the hunt for a stronger foe to best him, Theodora, a queen trying to fulfill the dream of her homeland, and Leda, a musician who's out for revenge, I can't wait to sink my teeth into their storylines and see how they're interwoven with each other and ours. Not unlike the Academy, The Heroic Games could serve as the ideal set up to develop lasting relationships, and get invested in the characters as you spend time with them.

I loved the way Three Houses made me feel like I had an impactful role in the lives of the students I helped and taught, and I'm already drawn to Fortune's Weave's "training ground" idea. Surely it'll be all too easy to develop bonds as you train and go through the tests of the "Heroic Games" together.

Of course, only time will tell if Fortune's Weave can steal my heart in the same way that Three Houses did. But I'm already hopeful. And with Fable clearing out of 2026's way, I think it's the RPG I'm most excited about right now – besides The Blood of Dawnwalker. One thing's for sure: September promises to be a memorable month for RPG fans everywhere.

Start warming up for the Heroic Games by working through the 25 best strategy games we've already picked for you

Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Edition versions of the entire Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy are coming this year.

While it may have been overshadowed by the announcement of Xenoblade Chronicles Genesis coming in 2027, Nintendo has confirmed that the entire Xenoblade trilogy will be getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. That starts today with Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, before Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3 get the same treatment throughout the year.

Naturally, they'll all be getting performance boosts, with Nintendo confirming 4K resolution and 60fps docked, and 1080p resolution and 60fps handheld, as well as enhanced resolution and framerates for in-game cutscenes. But what's more interesting are the other things coming to the RPG trilogy.

Xenoblade Chronicles 1's Switch 2 Edition launches today (with a physical release launching on July 30) and will be getting voiced Heart-to-Heart conversations, new equipment designs, and the crown jewel, a "new high-speed vehicle." Nintendo also shows what looks like a racing mode being added to the game featuring these vehicles.

As for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, its Switch 2 Edition is going to launch digitally on July 30, with a physical version set to release on October 1, 2026. This game is getting a new rare Blade and Blade Quest, as well as new equipment designs for Pyra and Mythra. Its big new addition, however, is a new "mercenary squad battles" mode where you control the blades themselves.

Finally, Xenoblade Chronicles 3's Switch 2 Edition is releasing a lot later on December 3, both physically and digitally. This update features a new Hero and Hero Quest, newly voiced event scenes, and "new defensive battles against waves on enemies" which looks like a horde mode. Hopefully they fare better than the disastrous Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X, which fans said actually made the JRPG look worse in handheld mode, but we'll soon find out as people dig into the new version of the first game today.

JRPGs struggle to break 3 million sales, Xenoblade lead once said, and after his hesitance to focus on cutting-edge tech, Xenoblade Chronicles X's wonky Switch 2 edition may have proven him right.

The ongoing saga of Deltarune, Toby Fox's latest RPG continues. A little over one year since Chapters 3 and 4 came out, we've gotten news of when the next part will be out courtesy of a Nintendo Direct, and it's mere weeks away.

Per the latest Nintendo presentation, Deltarune Chapter 5 is coming out worldwide on June 24, 2026. Obviously, this means it's coming to Nintendo Switch 2, and it'll be on PlayStation 5, PC, and all other expected platforms.

The gameplay shown is typically madcap, ranging from wild minigames to cartoony interactions. And the absurd boss battles, don't forget those.

This chapter is coming out remarkably quick compared to its predecessors. There were three years between the first and second parts, then another four years before chapters three and four were playable.

In that time, several ports were created, including for the newer systems, placing quite a bit of demand on Fox's time and energy. Nonetheless, he's managed to the next installment out in good time.

We already knew that Chapter 5 was set to release at some point this year, though Fox previously expressed that it probably wouldn't be in the first half of the year. Now that it's launching at the end of June, though, he just barely managed to get it over the line before then. Chapter 5 comes as a free update to anyone who already owns the game, too, and it'll be the same for the RPG's future chapters.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake confirmed, coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year

I can't quite believe I'm writing this, but we just got a brand new look at Kingdom Hearts 4 in today's Nintendo Direct, with Square Enix's long-awaited RPG on its way to Switch 2… at some point.

During today's Direct, we got a fresh look at some cinematics as well as gameplay in Kingdom Hearts 4. It's been a long four years since it was first announced, with very little information released in the meantime – seeing it dropped in near the end of today's stream was honestly a little surreal.

The latest trailer also confirms Kingdom Hearts 4 will be "available at launch on Nintendo Switch 2," but when that launch is is another matter entirely. Square Enix still hasn't given any indication of when it'll be released, but for now, we have almost a minute and a half of new footage to pore over, which should keep ravenous fans fed for a little while longer.

This ended up being a surprisingly exciting Direct for Kingdom Hearts fans – right before the Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer, we also got confirmation that Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5, 2.8 and 3 (plus its Re Mind DLC) are coming to Switch 2 (as well as PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S) on October 8. A full collection is also being launched alongside the individual releases, and anyone with save data from the Switch 1 cloud versions of the games will be able to transfer their progress over.

Obviously, that was very quickly overshadowed by the latest Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer, but hopefully those releases will be able to keep us busy for however much longer we have to wait for the next game in the series.

Be sure to check out our roundup of everything announced at the Nintendo Direct June 2026 to catch up with all the exciting new games.

Nintendo has confirmed the rumors: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is coming later this year.

Earlier this year, we got a blowout of info from leaker Nate the Hate, which was headlined by news of a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, and after the surprise announcement of Star Fox, fans figured it was all but confirmed. And here we are, in today's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo has confirmed that the 1998 classic is being remade, and it's coming out in 2026

We don't know much about it so far, but we can say that the new version of the game features voice acting, as the trailer opens with what is presumably the Great Deku Tree narrating the opening of the original game, and speaking about the Kokiri and that one boy who didn't yet have a fairy.

We also know that the game will have a semi-realistic art style (at least compared to what we saw from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom). Unfortunately, we didn't actually see anything from the game itself on the gameplay front, but we got a shot of Link as he sleeps at the beginning of the game.

Nintendo did not confirm an exact date for this remake either, with a simple 2026 appearing at the end of the trailer. And other than saying "Ocarina of Time will be reborn on Switch 2" and that "more details will be announced in the future," Yoshiaki Koizumi – who hosted the direct – didn't have much else to say about the remake. Hopefully, we see something in the Nintendo Treehouse, but given how little we saw, I'm not holding my breath.

Xenoblade Chronicles Genesis is coming in 2027, and it looks very different to Monolith Soft's last JRPG trilogy

The Duskbloods, FromSoftware's Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, will hold a closed network test this summer ahead of a still-unannounced launch later this year.

The Duskbloods made an extremely brief appearance during today's Nintendo Direct live show. A few environment and character shots – featuring the likes of Pajama Hammers and Magic Rat, as I've dubbed them – and some light narration leads us right into a simple closed network test reveal.

The test is "coming soon," the trailer description adds, and I'd certainly hope so with summer starting June 21. It's currently unclear how long the test will run, or how we'll be able to sign up to participate.

Notably absent was any trace of a release date. The Duskblood was one of the first games announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, a rare exclusive game for FromSoftware, yet we still don't know exactly when it's coming out.

The Duskbloods is an oddball in more ways than one, and it's come at a strange time for FromSoftware. After the monumental success of Elden Ring, the pinnacle of the dark fantasy action RPGs that the studio's become known for, we've seen the return of Armored Core in Armored Core 6, and the experimental multiplayer of Elden Ring: Nightreign. The Duskbloods, a PvPvE game of some sort, is in a similar space. This has left many fans wondering when the next full-fat, Dark Souls-style RPG will come along. (I wouldn't complain about a Bloodborne or Sekiro-adjacent single-player experience, either.)

The blurb on the new trailer reads: "Step into this new PvPvE multiplayer action game from FromSoftware, where you take on the role of a Bloodsworn. Fight through a world overrun with enemies using unique weapons and abilities, while occasionally forming transient alliances on your path to victory."

They can never compete with Elden Ring, but FromSoftware owner says Nightreign "performed strongly" and The Duskbloods is still coming in 2026.

Xenoblade Genesis has been announced with a surprising amount of fantasy RPG in there, and it's coming in 2027.

After four years, a new entry in the Xenoblade series has been confirmed for the Switch 2. And we got a pretty substantial look at the game with a number of cutscenes being shown off. Unlike the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy which mixed sci-fi and fantasy, this new entry is going hard on the fantasy RPG aspects of the series.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was already confirmed to be the end of the main narrative that began in some very spoilery events in Xenoblade Chronicles 1, so to see something so different here isn't exactly a surprise.

Akin to Fire Emblem: Three Houses, you'll be attending a school named Lekuos, with large-scale battles shown off in various cutscenes, implying you'll be waging war throughout the game. We also saw some of the open world with horse riding and dragon flight seemingly confirmed as traversal options.

Before showing the new Xenoblade game however, Nintendo confirmed that all three Xenoblade Chronicles games will be getting Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases. They'll all be getting 4K resolution and 60fps docked and 1080p resolution and 60fps handheld boosts, with enhanced resolution and framerates for in-game cutscenes too.

On top of that, the Switch 2 Edition versions of all three games are getting bonuses. The first game is adding a "high-speed vehicle" and voiced Heart-to-Heart conversations, the second is getting "mercenary squad battles, "a new rare Blade and quest, while the third is getting a wave-based horde mode, a new hero and quest, and voiced event scenes.

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases today digitally, with Xenoblade 2 set to release on July 30 digitally. Sadly, fans of 3 have a bit longer to wait as the Switch 2 Edition won't release until December 3. Let's just hope they are better than the Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X.

JRPGs struggle to break 3 million sales, Xenoblade lead once said, and after his hesitance to focus on cutting-edge tech, Xenoblade Chronicles X's wonky Switch 2 edition may have proven him right

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 17, 2026, per today's Nintendo Direct live stream.

The next installment in Intelligent Systems' long-running strategy RPG series joins an extraordinarily busy September, with dozens of games big and small all piling into the month ahead of the no man's land developing around GTA 6.

The new trailer features the four main characters participating in Fortune's Weave's central Heroic Games: Cai, a young boy; Dietrich, an older swordsman; Theodora, a warrior queen; and Leda, a battle-ready bard. The end of the trailer is a closer look at the adult form of Sothis, a returning character from Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

We also see a bit more of the social and combat activities available inside the walls of the main city, as well as the turn-based battles raging outside, grounded in the deadline system that challenges you to spend your time wisely. Throughout the video, we see an objective to "Fight in the first main match" in the city of Dagsion, with a deadline of September 1 and 200 turns remaining.

Combat will look familiar to veterans of the series: move your units around and plan their attacks based on damage, critical, and accuracy ratings, as well as weapon and type matchups. Which character you choose to play, how you train them, and who else you recruit to your forces will seemingly alter the course of fights considerably. The main characters have their own special attacks for combat, for one. Cai, for example, has (likely in addition to other moves) an enormous magic AoE blast. Leda, as a bard, unsurprisingly seems to have some support skills in addition to her swordplay.

Additionally, a collector's edition for Fortune's Weave, dubbed the Dagdan Collection, was revealed. It comes with art cards of the main characters (and seemingly several others), a steelbook case, a map of the land of Dagda, an art book, and a standard boxed copy of the game itself.

Xenoblade Chronicles Genesis is coming in 2027, and it looks very different to Monolith Soft's last JRPG trilogy.

The latest Nintendo Direct has unveiled some exciting news and given us a sneak peek at what's in store for the Switch 2 – including a huge Pokemon Pokopia update as well as new paid DLC for the adorable 2026 banger.

That's right, cozy gamers – we're eating good this summer, as Nintendo has a bubbly underwater update in store for Pokopia... and it's coming in August. There's more in store than just that, however. Not only will we get to take our Dittos into the sea to terraform, build, and expand, but we're getting expansions, too.

An expansion pass is dropping today, in fact, and it'll include Bubbly Basin – an (unsurprisingly) underwater-themed DLC – in August, as well as "additional new features" sometime in late 2026 and an "additional new town" later down the line in 2027.

Bubbly Basin itself boasts a new town, with fresh outfits, furniture, and friends – emphasis on the "friends" bit, y'all. That means new Pokemon, and I'm so ready to see Ditto potentially transform into other cute 'mons.

In the trailer, we already see Mudkip and Popplio, for example, which are exciting enough as it is. Who else is coming? I'm not sure, but I can't wait to see.

Thankfully, there's not long left to wait now until the free watery update and the paid DLC start rolling out in August – so we'll see then. I've got my fingers crossed for all the mermaid vibes with outfits and furniture, so I'll be holding on with bated breath.

Searching for something else to wishlist? Here are the best new games coming this year and beyond to look forward to.

Capcom has confirmed that not only is Dragon's Dogma 2 coming to Switch 2, but it'll be arriving alongside the long-awaited DLC expansion.

After many of us had lost hope that Dragon's Dogma 2 would get a Dark Arisen-like expansion for 2024's most underrated game, following the base game being series creator Hideaki Itsuno's last project at Capcom before leaving in 2024, some anniversary artwork earlier this year inspired a little bit of hope.

And in a Nintendo Direct of all places, Capcom has finally announced that Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen will be released on October 9, 2026. The footage showed off a new region to explore named Norgan, a snowy region not seen in the original game.

Capcom released another trailer for the expansion on its YouTube channel, showing some of the new beasts we'll be scrapping against in the land of Norgan, most notably a new ice dragon enemy and another that summons armies of the dead to attack you. This trailer also confirmed that the expansion will release as a separate DLC on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on the same day that the Nintendo Switch 2 edition releases.

A Switch 2 version of the game is set to release on the same day, Capcom confirmed, alongside the announcement that Onimusha: Way of the Sword will also be arriving on the console. And considering how much Dragon's Dogma 2 struggled performance wise on the base PS5, I'm concerned about the Switch 2 version, but optimistic Capcom has managed to update it to make it work.

The original Dragon's Dogma's Dark Arisen expansion took that game from a solid RPG to one of the best there ever was, so for a game as already as good as Dragon's Dogma 2, I'm already feral. And unfortunately for the 500 other games coming out in September and October, this is going to be my go-to.

Former Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma 2 director says he can't make "the kind of games I'd most like to" as "they'd be too out there" and "probably wouldn't sell"

Now that we know there is a Nintendo Direct tomorrow, the rumor mill is abuzz with suggestions on what will be announced. The big expectation everyone has is the reveal of a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, but someone else might steal the show - Wario.

Even before this week's Direct was officially revealed, Nintendo leakers were already talking about what projects are due for announcements. On June 7, prevalent leaker noarmsandnolegs took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a gif of Wario and Link. This backs up previous leaks that indicated a new Wario Land title could be coming in 2027.

Noarmsandnolegs previously served as the main source on the Rayman Legends Retold and Spyro: A Realm Beyond leaks, both of which were later officially announced over the course of Summer Game Fest. Following their initial post, the leaker then made a more direct statement on the rumors, saying outright, "A new Wario game is coming. Wahahaha." They then elaborate, saying that they cannot confirm if it will be a new entry in the Wario Land series, though they point to the apparent uptick in Wario appearances lately. That includes Wario World on Nintendo Switch Online and a Wario Land track in Mario Kart World.

If it is not a new Wario Land game then the most likely announcement will be a new WarioWare title, assuming there's a Wario reveal coming at all. The last title in that series, WarioWare: Move It!, released in 2023. So it hasn't been that long in the grand scheme of things, even if I'd never say no to a new entry.

WarioWare: Move It is the Smooth Moves spiritual successor I've always wanted

Nintendo has confirmed that the rumored Nintendo Direct for June 9, 2026, will be happening as Summer Game Fest continues.

Last week, rumors emerged that a new Nintendo Direct – the first proper one since last September – would be airing this week on June 9, and despite the Nintendo Today app missing its usual update time, Nintendo went for the swerve as it has now announced that the rumors are true, and a Nintendo Direct will be on the air at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST on June 9, 2026.

In a follow-up post, Nintendo confirms that the Nintendo Direct will run for 50 minutes. In a press release, it states that the Direct will be "focusing on games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch this year."

Directly following the stream is a new edition of Nintendo Treehouse: Live, which will run for a further 95 minutes – presumably showing off some of the big surprises from the Direct in more detail.

Obviously, we don't know exactly what games it will focus on, but it's probably a given that titles releasing in the near-future like Star Fox, Rhythm Heaven Groove, and Splatoon Raiders will show up. Plus, there's the rumored Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and new Switch Sports release, which are likely on the cards after similar leaks have come true in recent months. Plus we're overdue updates on The Duskbloods and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.

Monster Hunter Wilds is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, and we hope this goes better than the PC port.

As Summer Game Fest season continues on, of course Nintendo Direct rumors are picking up steam, with one reportedly happening next week.

Nintendo has largely been on a February, June, and September Direct schedule for years at this point, however, the company has been going a bit rogue recently. Last year, we got March, April, and September Directs, whereas the year before – and this year – February was skipped entirely. So, the destined Nintendo Direct schedule is no longer a given.

Some people have even thought that Nintendo Directs are going to become a rarity as Nintendo has been dropping random announcements like Star Fox and Splatoon Raiders through the Nintendo Today app. However, from the sounds of things, we'll be getting a June Nintendo Direct this year as part of the overall Summer Game Fest festivities.

Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb spoke on an episode of his podcast Last of the Nintendogs saying "I've heard Tuesday" for a potential direct, specifically "Tuesday morning," which would fit the 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST Nintendo Direct timing that the company has had for its last few presentations. However, Grubb clarifies that "things get a little messed up," and that there's potential for it to be on Wednesday, instead.

Nate The Hate – who has become a big name in the Nintendo leaks community over the last year or so – also plans to release a podcast later today in which the Direct timing will be talked about, which could potentially back up Grubb's comments. Presumably, this Direct is where we could see his remaining leaks like the rumored The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and new Switch Sports release, after his Star Fox leak already came to fruition.

Be sure to take a look at our Summer Game Fest schedule to see what game showcases are already announced, and when they're happening.

Yoshi is having a bit of a moment right now beyond the imminent arrival of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. He's appearing in 2026's biggest film, which means he's also all over toy-store shelves and popcorn buckets and every other possible merchandising opportunity. And yet it's somehow been seven years since he last headlined his own videogame.

Since Yoshi's Crafted World in 2019, he's been stuck at the back of the queue while Kirby, Donkey Kong, Princess Peach and the Jumpman himself have all taken their turn to star in platforming games of one kind or another. I come to my first hands-on with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book wondering if that leaves any room for our little green dino.

It's a crowded roster, and with Mario the undisputed king of the genre, every other platforming mascot has to specialise in some way. They have to find their thing. Kirby, and latterly Peach, have cornered the market on transformations, while DK has recently pivoted into an extreme form of landscape gardening. So what exactly is Yoshi's thing?

You might point to the very particular set of moves he's been packing since 1995: the floaty jump, ground-pound, and gobbling of enemies. But, well, that sounds a lot like Kirby, doesn't it? The two are on similar turf in other ways, too, both being little cuties, both offering a more approachable way into the genre for younger players. I'll admit that, as an alleged "grown-up", I can find the latter a bit offputting – my gaming palate prefers the sophistication of Mario Mario, thank you very much.

OK, how about Yoshi as the art connoisseur of the group? Since the crayon aesthetic of Yoshi's Island, every new game has come with a fresh twist on the handcrafted visual style. And Yoshi and the Mysterious Book continues that tradition: each level exists inside the pages of a book, rendered in a kind of sketchy colored-pencil effect. In play, this actually proves to be a bit of an aesthetic step down from Crafted World's incredible art-supply dioramas – to my eye, it looks more like the watercolor filter you can apply in Donkey Kong Bananza's Photo Mode than a true bespoke visual style.

And yet, having bounced off every previous Yoshi game before the credits rolled, put off by their soft-play approach to platforming, after a couple of hours in Mysterious Book's company I'm convinced things will be different this time. And it's all thanks to Mr E, helping Yoshi to finally find his thing.

Booksmarts

Mr E drops onto Yoshi Island and politely introduces himself by his full name: Mister Encyclopedia. (Yes, 'Mr' is short for 'Mister' and yes I do find that delightful.) With his beady eyes, giant moustache, and monocle, he looks like Mr Monopoly (short, presumably, for 'Mister Monopoly') but try not to hold that against him. He's had a tough time recently, after some of his contents were mysteriously erased, and now it's up to the Yoshis to fill his pages back in.

This begins with Mr E opening up to a cutaway illustration of Wildwoods, a shaded undergrowth habitat that is essentially the first overworld of Mysterious Book. Using Mr E’s monocle as a magnifying glass, you pick one creature from the landscape to zoom in on, and are then transported into a more traditional side-on level.

I say 'traditional' – you don't beat these levels by making it to a finish line a few screens to the right, Mario-style. They're more open-ended, and completed by making a discovery. What exactly that discovery might be… well, if you knew in advance, then it wouldn't really be one, would it?

As you work your way towards this primary objective, you'll come across a lot of smaller discoveries, marked up on screen as you do with a cute little diagram and text description – kind of like if encyclopedias had achievement notifications. Generally, the first discovery you'll make in each level is: what does this critter taste like?

Yoshi still has that same moveset at his disposal, but now each action is a way of prodding at your subject and seeing what happens. Mlem! The tongue goes out, and now you know that this little beastie is bitter or sweet in the mouth. If you then try swallowing it into an egg, or spitting it back out… you might learn something else about the creature, all of which have at least a few interesting properties to be discovered and played around with.

Animal magnetism

There's this one species of beaky creatures with a leaf on their head, like a missing link from the Lotad-Ludicolo Pokémon evolutionary tree. Bounce on their heads and they'll sing a note, moving up the do-re-mi scale based (I think) on their color. One discovery waiting to be unlocked in their introductory level involves getting them to play a simple tune. But, I'll be disappointed if less tone-deaf players haven't got these leafy lads belting out Chappell Roan numbers by the summer.

Another example you might have seen in the Nintendo Direct trailer that revealed Mysterious Book to the world last September: these little dandelion-looking things that scatter into the air when you run through them and take root wherever they land, with different effects depending on what kind of surface it is. Grass causes them to grow huge and yellow, for some reason. Alighting on a boulder, they'll soften the rock up for a ground-pounding. And if you can nudge them into a pond, they'll become absorbent, allowing you to control the water levels depending on how many you plant. Precisely manipulating their movements is a pain – it's like trying to control the wind – and yet even on a tight preview deadline I can't help but persisting until I've tried out every possible combination.

Now, imagine what happens to those combinations once the game starts introducing multiple creatures into a single level. At one point I end up riding a living skateboard across water, with a bubble-blowing frog riding on my back. It's a total accident, and I've no idea if this counts as a discovery, but I can confirm it's the most I've giggled at a videogame in a while.

You might have noticed I've not used actual names for any of these weird little dudes, and that's because Mysterious Book lets you come up with your own. You can take this responsibility very seriously indeed, or else treat it as a Jackbox-style prompt to write a little joke.

There are robust profanity filters in place, naturally, but it's still a surprise to be handed naming rights by a company so infamously protective of its brands. Especially when the creature you're studying is a Shy Guy, but you've decided it should be Maskette or Colin or KaneNLynch instead, and the game just starts referring to them by that name from then on.

The only name I try that does get turned down is 'Yoshi' (my personal justification being that this is the only word in Yoshi's vocabulary). Mr E gently shuts that one down, pointing out that things are going to get confusing. It's a little thing, but I love when a game sees you coming like this, and has something ready in response – the kinds of moments that Yoshi and the Mysterious Book seems poised to deliver to curious players.

There's this lovely quality of experimentation that has long been part of Nintendo's best games, back to the bombable walls and secret exits of NES-era Zelda and Mario, but has really come to the fore since The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. And here it is again, albeit on a much smaller scale, presented in a way more approachable to the younger audience that'll no doubt be coming to it straight from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. But none of that stops me, a jaded old man, from taking the same kind of joy in it, as I poke at things just to see what will happen.

So this is Yoshi’s thing, at least for this one game. He’s a naturalist, leveraging his very particular set of skills to observe exotic lifeforms and record his findings in a book. The Charles Darwin of the Mushroom Kingdom. I can't quite believe how sold I am on that combination, nor just how impatient I am to gobble my way through a Yoshi game. Mark it down: a new discovery!

Take a look at our upcoming Switch 2 games list for more to play!

Nintendo knows we all want a new Nintendo Direct, but hopes have been somewhat dashed after it announced the release date for its next big game on social media and its news app.

People ask for a Nintendo Direct pretty much every week, but given that Nintendo hasn't held a traditional one yet this year, some assumed that we'd need to be getting one soon. This is mostly down to the fact that Pokemon Pokopia was the latest Switch 2 game with a date on the release calendar, with dates for Splatoon Raiders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave unaccounted for.

But you can now cross one of those off the list, as Nintendo decided to celebrate Mario Day by releasing a new trailer for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which in turn revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive platformer will be releasing on May 21, 2026.

The trailer shows the Yoshi clan discovering the titular Mysterious Book: Mr. E, who allows Yoshi to travel into his pages and discover different creatures. The trailer mainly focuses on a weird frog-like creature that can blow bubbles for Yoshi to ride in, with little notes appearing as the creature is interacted with. It apparently tastes bad, but feeding it different items will change how its bubbles work.

Notice how I've said "the creature" all this time? Well, that's because it's up to you to name it. You can take Mr. E's suggestion – which for the bubble blower is Glubbit – but Yoshi is allowed to name the creature. Nintendo didn't reveal how you do this, but barring a case of pre-selected words being used for the mechanic, I imagine you'll be seeing some very NSFW names hit the web within 10 minutes of the game's launch.

Super Mario Galaxy Movie reveals Donald Glover as the voice of Yoshi and more new casting in a star-spanning trailer.

Pokemon Day is fast approaching, and with it a Pokemon Presents showcase that's set to announce new info about the series – perhaps even generation 10? We can only hope.

In what is a yearly tradition at this point, a Pokemon Presents (basically a Nintendo Direct solely about the series) will be airing on Pokemon Day, February 27, which marks the day that Pokemon Red and Green launched in Japan. Since 2016, The Pokemon Company has been airing a showcase every year, announcing the likes of shows, TCG expansions, DLC, re-releases, and, of course, games.

This year's celebrations started early with Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen getting a surprise reveal for Nintendo Switch, with both set to release on Friday, allowing people to re-experience the games that started it all – even if it's a bit of an expensive way to do so. Given how these showcases go, I expect the majority of it will be updates to the countless Pokemon mobile games, tournament info for TCG and the games, new stuff for Pokemon TCG, and maybe TV show stuff like a new Pokemon Concierge season. Pokemon Pokopia is sure to show up too, ahead of its release next week.

And I fully expect to see Pokemon Winds and Waves (the rumored names for Generation 10 following a GameFreak leak). The 20th-anniversary Pokemon Presents was where we got our first glimpse of Sun and Moon, and since then, every new generation has been announced at a Pokemon Day showcase.

How to watch the Pokemon Presents Pokemon Day showcase

The Pokemon Presents will air live on Friday, February 27 at 6am PT, 9am ET, 2pm GMT on the official Pokémon YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok channels. The showcase will run for 25 minutes, as confirmed by the Japanese Pokemon Twitter account.

I joined 75 Pokemon fanatics in a sea of retro consoles for 18,508 glorious shiny-hunting encounters combined.

Pokemon Day Deals

Two more Nintendo trademarks have been updated, spurring on speculation about an upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Despite the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase taking place just yesterday, fans are convinced that there will be a full-blown Nintendo Direct in the near future. While there are rumors, there's no concrete evidence or reliable leakers to point to it being a thing just yet. But an updated Splatoon Raiders trademark recently released copium into the world that this rumored general Direct could be coming sooner rather than later.

Much like with Splatoon Raiders, Twitter user MikeOdysseyYT has spotted some trademarks with a "publication date" of this month, including Rhythm Heaven Groove – or as it will be known in December, 2026's Game of the Year. However, it's set for the following week on February 24, 2026, as opposed to Splatoon's February 17 trademark publication date. We haven't seen Rhythm Heaven since it was first announced back in March 2025, so it was a bit of a given that – barring a delay from its 2026 release date – the next Nintendo Direct might give us a look at it regardless of trademark status.

However, February 17 also has a trademark filing for "Mario & Wario" which is an obscure Japan-only SNES game developed by Pokemon creator Game Freak. Which would be interesting and somewhat exciting, had that game not already been made available on Nintendo Switch Online back in October of 2025. Its inclusion has me a bit less convinced that these trademark filings actually mean anything, in fact, its application filing date even matches up with the date it came to NSO. Of course, with the Switch 2 mouse controls, there's always a chance that Nintendo has decided to remake the game, but I wouldn't hold my breath there either.

Fallout 4 arrives this month on Switch 2, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming in May

Special agent Leon Kennedy. In a creamy leather jacket. Smoldering. Aiming his gun at the ceiling like he's a baby who's been left alone for too long in the latest Nintendo Switch 2 preview for Resident Evil Requiem.

Something is severely wrong with this picture. Actually, several things are wrong: Why did this morning's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase bring up Resident Evil if it wasn't going to show any blood? Are we supposed to be soothed by all those visibly ragged edges around the Green Herb? Who put my husband Leon in such an embarrassing situation? Watch the new Switch 2 trailer below and decide for yourself:

Some people have, I think, correctly determined that Nintendo wants to avoid demonstrating anything more violent than a Goomba stomp during its livestreams, since the developer has spent its recent history abandoning weird and embracing full family friendliness. The great Indiana Jones can't manage to sink a single bullet in his new Showcase trailer, either.

"Are you censoring this one too?" asks a comment under the YouTube listing for Resident Evil Requiem's Switch 2 preview. GamesRadar+ has reached out to Nintendo for comment.

Once you look past the choppy animations I didn't notice during my Resident Evil Requiem preview on PS5, you'll notice Nintendo Leon gritting his teeth and shooting directly left of a mutant's head, aiming down sights and firing straight into the dirt, or spin-attacking the air with a chainsaw.

"With his physical prowess," a trailer narrator adds. All right, I'll keep telling myself that.

Resident Evil Requiem won't suffer from RE6's multi-protagonist issues, director says, as Grace and Leon pair together like fish and rice: "We're the 'inventors of sushi' here."

Although Bethesda Game Studios left us a bit (perhaps an understatement) disappointed with its Skyrim port on Switch 2, there's still a chance the newly announced Oblivion Remastered release on Nintendo's new console might impress… right?

Todd Howard, the Bethesda boss himself, made a short appearance during today's Nintendo Direct – but did he announce anything about The Elder Scrolls 6? The answer is no, and I'm not sure why I do this to myself anymore.

What he did unveil – amid a Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition announcement and a look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on the Switch 2 – is a new port of Oblivion Remastered on Nintendo's latest console.

If you remember the Skyrim port on Switch 2, which arrived in December, then you might also recall players discussing how it "runs like wet ass" and is overall a "horrendous" release.

It wasn't a good look for Bethesda, not to mention all of the jokes about how it's like the 117th time or so that the studio has re-launched Skyrim on a new platform, but who knows – Oblivion Remastered might prove to be different.

It's set to launch sometime this year, announced alongside a simple "2026" release date thus far, featuring all the revamped visuals and horrifying Oblivion faces you know and love from the 2025 remake.

Although we've not seen too much of it yet, from what was showcased during the Nintendo Direct, it looks… okay. The framerate could be better, of course, and it's obviously not as nice-looking as it is on the PC, but I love a good handheld game.

Comments under the clip of the new trailer show that fans are a bit wary right now – and understandably so, if you ask me. "I'm going to wait," writes one. "After the lazy Skyrim 30 FPS port, I need to see how the game runs." Another adds, "No release date is crazy."

There are also plenty of excited stans, though, with some exclaiming that they "can't wait" to play the Oblivion Remastered port on Switch 2, whenever it arrives.

Here's hoping that when it does finally drop on the new Nintendo console, it is indeed a better experience than Skyrim has been thus far. I might enjoy poking a bit of fun at Bethesda, but I love The Elder Scrolls myself and am admittedly going to shell out for yet another port.

Need more to look forward to while you wait to replay Oblivion Remastered… again? Browse through our roundup of the coolest new games coming this year and beyond.

Update: Today's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase is over, and thanks to an appearance at the end from Bethesda's very own Todd Howard, we now have confirmed release dates for both Fallout 4's Anniversary Edition and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Switch 2.

As previously leaked, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to arrive on May 12 – we now know that this is the case for both the physical and digital version. Meanwhile, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition's physical version is still set for April 28, but anyone happy to buy it digitally will be able to dive in from February 24. So, no shadowdrop, but there's still not too long to wait.

At the time of writing, pre-orders for the physical versions of these games don't appear to be live, so it remains to be seen if either or both end up being code-in-box or Game-Key Card releases.

To round off the series of Bethesda announcements, it was also confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is coming to Switch 2 later this year. Skyrim already got its own Switch 2 Edition last year, so it's set to get plenty of company soon.

Original story:

The release dates for two Xbox Game Studios titles on the Nintendo Switch 2 have apparently leaked ahead of today's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase.

Potential spoilers for the Nintendo Direct (if spoilers for adverts exist?)

One of the strongest third parties for the Nintendo Switch 2 has ironically been a former competitor: Microsoft, with Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 releasing last year and South of Midnight, Fallout 4, and Indiana Jones and The Great Circle all pegged to release in 2026. So it was pretty easy to bet that Xbox Game Studios would appear in today's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, but we may already have found out what the company is bringing to the table.

Dealabs reporter Bilbilkun (who has leaked a ton of things accurately for years now – namely PS Plus lineups) has reported that Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are set to arrive on Switch 2 this spring – at least physically. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to arrive on Switch 2 on May 12, 2026, for $69.99, with it likely being a Game-Key Card release

Fallout 4 will be first to the plate, releasing on April 28, 2026, for $59.99, but the unfortunate news is that Microsoft has seemingly opted for a code-in-box release for the RPG – not even a Game-Key card. And on the same day, the already-released Skyrim Anniversary Edition will also receive a code-in-box release for Switch 2.

Given these are specified as the release dates for the physical copies, I think there's a chance Fallout 4 will follow Skyrim by having its digital release first. Perhaps we could be looking at a shadow drop for the RPG in today's direct. Only time will tell.

With over 17 million units sold, it took Nintendo Switch 2 under 7 months to overtake the Wii U's lifetime sales.

Nintendo has confirmed the rumored Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase is, in fact, taking place later this week on February 5, 2026.

Rumors of a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase arose last week, and it turned out to be on the money, so apologies to the fans disappointed that we won't be finding out about a new Mario or Zelda. Nintendo confirmed via the Nintendo Today app that the showcase will air later this week on Thursday, February 5 at 6am PT | 9am ET | 2pm GMT and will run for "roughly 30 minutes."

Obviously, Nintendo didn't say what would actually appear in this Nintendo Direct, aside from "upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games from Nintendo’s publishing and development partners." But a pretty safe bet would be Elden Ring, which was meant to come out on Switch 2 last year before being delayed to improve performance following a poor showing at conventions. And given how much Square Enix loves a Nintendo Direct, The Adventures of Elliott: The Millennium Tales is probably a shout too.

Speaking of Square, when it comes to surprise predictions, it may be time for the Kingdom Hearts series to finally arrive on Nintendo platforms in a form it deserves after the terrible cloud versions plagued the original Switch – like Capcom is doing with Resident Evil 7 and 8.

Plus, Capcom is bound to show a Resident Evil Requiem, Monster Hunter Stories 3, or Pragmata trailer, or maybe go even further with a port of Monster Hunter Wilds or Onimusha: Way of the Sword. And surely a port of a game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would be a no-brainer.

So in closing: I'm expecting only farming games and JRPGs, as is standard.

As Nintendo Direct rumors swirl, an updated Splatoon Raiders trademark releases copium

A new trademark for Splatoon Raiders has sparked hopes that the series spinoff will re-emerge soon, perhaps even as part of a Nintendo Direct.

Splatoon Raiders was announced on a random day last June via the Nintendo Today app – marking the first time Nintendo used it to confirm the existence of a brand new game. And despite a massive September 2025 Nintendo Direct taking place in the time since, we actually haven't heard anything about the first Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive Splatoon game since it was announced.

A Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase is already pegged to be coming this week if the rumor mill is to be believed, and there has been talk of Nintendo following it up with a proper Nintendo Direct soon after – albeit, from less reliable sources – possibly as soon as the third week of February. However, a recent Splatoon Raiders trademark listing has given some hope that this may actually happen.

As spotted by MikeOdysseyYT on Twitter, the US Patent and Trademark Office has released updated trademark information for Splatoon Raiders with a publication date of February 17, 2026 – the third week of February. They note that trademarks have previously heralded this sort of thing, specifically noting the Virtual Boy trademark being updated last March.

However, trademarks also get routinely updated by companies, and this happening doesn't necessarily mean news about Splatoon Raiders – or a Nintendo Direct – is on the way, but it's a nice bit of copium that we can either celebrate or get bummed out about in a few weeks time.

Nintendo president reportedly teases new games for popular series are in development, which I hope means we're getting a 3D Mario title for Switch 2 sooner rather than later

As promised earlier this week, a fresh new look at the Mario Bros.' next big adventure has arrived via Nintendo Direct. What’s on show should be more than enough to get fans feeling giddy over another trip with that adorable plumber that sounds surprisingly like Star-Lord, and who is, coincidentally, heading out into the galaxy himself. Oh, and he's got a new dinosaur friend.

Besides Chris Pratt reprising his role as the legendary hero in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, we've also got Anya Taylor-Joy back as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. New players in the sequel also include Benny Safdie (because why not?) as the vengeful son, Bowser Jr., and Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina, who is perhaps one of the most die-hard Mario fans out of the cast (just ask her first boyfriend).

Most importantly, though, is Mario's trusty steed with an unstoppable appetite, Yoshi, who was teased in the post-credits of the last movie. Here, he looks to be getting a lot of attention, even having to look after Baby Mario and Luigi at one point. Unfortunately, there's no sign of Wario, whom Jack Black is keen to see voiced by Pedro Pascal. Maybe in the threequel?

Flicking through every beautiful frame, it's clear that there's as much love for Mario and his pals here as was poured into the first film. The difference is the truly stunning visuals that capture what made the original 2007 planet-hopping video game, from which the sequel takes its name, so great.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic look to have once again 1UPped themselves. We'll just have to wait and see how well they've done when The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in theaters on April 3. For every other upcoming video game adaptation coming our way, check out our list here.

In case you're going for a completionist run in Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Happy Home Paradise DLC... maybe don't.

I've recently returned to Animal Crossing: New Horizons after about four years away and am finding it exceedingly comforting in these turbulent times, and in fact, just days ago I downloaded the Happy Home Paradise DLC that's free with a Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. I've been having a great time kitting out vacationers' homes and unlocking in-game rewards, but apparently there's a limit to the return on investment.

As documented by Reddit user Beautiful-Support-56, there seems to be a sad and lonely fate waiting for intrepid vacation home decorators wanting to design every home in the DLC, which apparently exceeds 350.

"After countless hours of designing hundreds of homes, I think I finally did it.. I've made all of the vacation homes," said the player, noting that after the achievement for 350 homes designed "the number of animals needing vacation homes was dwindling. And then there were none, and I was alone on the beach.. :("

Well I think I did it :( from r/AnimalCrossing

For the uninitiated, Happy Home Paradise whisks you off to a base island where you talk to villagers and learn their "vision" for their ideal getaway house, and then populate and arrange said homes with themed items and furniture. In exchange, you get Poki to buy items and unlock all sorts of cool stuff like wall partitions, customization options, and ultimately, the ability to redesign homes on your base island. I have completed nowhere near 350 homes, but it seems that number is when Nintendo officially stops giving a crap.

"I'm almost disappointed that there is absolutely no acknowledgement, like congratulations you've designed all the homes woooh," added Beautiful-Support. "I've been going back to re-design homes for the extra poki, but I'm so lost now!"

In a comment, the player says it took them about two years to complete every available home, which indeed would be pretty disappointing for all of that to culminate in nothing at all. As the top comment on the Reddit thread points out, at least "in Breath of the Wild they give you a little golden turd for finding all 900 koroks." Oh, Nintendy.

This ridiculously blatant Animal Crossing somehow made its way onto the PlayStation Store, but I have a hunch it won't be there long

Kirby Air Riders has shown off its main menu and it's already a contender for the greatest menu of all time despite the game not being out for another month.

One thing you can always count on when it comes to a Masahiro Sakurai directed game is that it will have a unique main menu. The legendary director's games have always paid attention to UI design, with his wife Michiko Sakurai being the UI design lead on all of his titles since the original Super Smash Bros. And despite being behind some of the best menus ever made, Sakurai's latest game may have outdone them all.

During the lengthy Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct, Sakurai unveiled the game's menus, with it featuring a little figure of Kirby as your cursor with a bunch of signs sitting on a desk representing the various sub-menus. The minimized menus take the form of a folder's bookmarks, and the Checklist challenges screen takes the form of a clipboard which can be summoned on most menus.

This also extends to other items you would find on a desk with the info screen being projected onto an acrylic board. However, my absolute favorite detail is that the Online modes are represented by a smartphone laying on the desk. While Sakurai didn't confirm if Michiko Sakurai was the UI lead this time around, it certainly is in line with her previous works.

This menu also has Amiibo functionality, where using the Kirby Amiibo will allow you to change the little Kirby toy cursor's pose. Meanwhile, using the other Amiibo will let you swap out the figure from Kirby to whoever you happen to be using (with Bandana Waddle Dee shown off).

2 Kirby Air Riders beta weekends will give you an early preview of 3 tracks and 3 modes in the Switch 2 racing game, including City Trial, in November

After Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai spoiled fighting game fans with almost three full years of DLC for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, he's making sure that Kirby Air Riders players know right now that what they buy on launch day will be all the content they're getting. "I've thrown everything I have into this game from the start."

Today, Sakurai hosted another dedicated Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct, with an entire hour of new details and footage shown for the upcoming Switch 2 racing game. Right at the very end of the presentation (before revealing the upcoming beta weekends), Sakurai makes a few things clear – there's no DLC planned, and don't expect any further Kirby Air Ride sequels, either.

"Just so you know: we're not planning any DLC. Everything is here," he begins. "Also, I'm not planning on making this an ongoing series. I've thrown everything I have into this game from the start. So I hope you don't miss this opportunity."

Whether Sakurai eventually changes his mind is another matter, although I wouldn't expect him to if he's being so upfront about the situation now. It makes sense for him to clarify given all the DLC that Smash Ultimate got, as well as Smash 4 before it – it'd be easy for fans to go in with an expectation of more to come post-launch.

We now know that Kirby Air Riders will feature 18 tracks to race on – all nine OG courses from its GameCube predecessor are returning, and there'll be nine new ones, too. So, there's definitely more content than in the original.

I played Kirby Air Riders and it's the perfect racer for players who've had enough of Mario Kart.

True to form, Super Smash Bros. legend Masahiro Sakurai spent the latest Kirby Air Riders Direct breaking down the game's features in meticulous detail, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that after 60 minutes of info, there wouldn't be much left to announce. But no, there was one more thing at the end – the reveal of a pair of beta weekends set to run ahead of the Switch 2 racing game's launch in November.

"During the Global Test Ride event," Nintendo says in a press release, "players can check out Lessons, Air Ride, and City Trial. For Air Ride, the following courses will be playable: Floria Fields, Waveflow Waters and Mount Amberfalls. Players can also jump into a paddock, in which they can create a room, invite friends to a City Trial or play with others worldwide. The paddock can accommodate up to 16 people during the Global Test Ride, while the retail version will allow up to 32 players."

The Global Test Ride demo will be available "starting the afternoon of Friday, Nov 7," Nintendo says. That's a bit before the first beta event actually starts, but you'll be able to play through the Lessons tutorials even while the servers are offline. You'll need a Nintendo Switch Online Membership to access much of the content, but you'll be able to play Lessons and Air Ride mode even without the subscription.

Here's the full list of beta times:

• November 8, 12:00 am – 6:00 am PT
• November 8, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm PT
• November 9, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
• November 15, 12:00 am – 6:00 am PT
• November 15, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm PT
• November 16, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm PT

Kirby Air Riders will launch in full on November 20. It's one of the three big first-party upcoming Switch 2 games still on the horizon for 2025, launching just a couple of weeks after Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and just a couple of weeks before Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Switch 2 owners look to have a veritable feast ahead of them.

These are the best Switch 2 games you can play so far.

Before the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, I long feared that Nintendo had given up on amiibo, but the latest Nintendo Direct showcases have undoubtedly proven me wrong.

The latest Direct revealed three new amiibo for Kirby Air Riders based on Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Chef Kawasaki, all playable characters in the upcoming Switch 2 game. So far, only Meta Knight and his Shadow Star is available to pre-order from $49.99 at Best Buy out of the newly announced Switch 2 accessories, but it's not all doom and gloom. Right now, you can still pre-order the first two Kirby Air Rider amiibo, Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 4 Beyond figures across US and UK retailers, if you're eager to complete your collection.

So you can do just that, I've gathered every single newly announced Switch 2 amiibo and where you can pre-order them down below. That way, you can easily upgrade your collection and avoid giving any cheeky resellers your hard-earned cash if they sell out later down the line. Just be warned, when combined, all of these new Nintendo NFC-enabled collectibles don't come cheap.

Where to pre-order Kirby Air Riders Beyond amiibo

Where to pre-order Metroid Prime 4 Beyond amiibo

Where to pre-order Super Mario Galaxy amiibo

• Samus & Vi-O-La Metroid Prime 4: Beyond amiibo - November 6, 2025
• Samus Metroid Prime 4 Beyond amiibo - November 6, 2025
• Sylux Metroid Prime 4 Beyond amiibo - December 4, 2025
• Kirby & Warp Star amiibo Kirby Air Riders Series - November 20, 2025
• Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star amiibo - November 20, 2025
• Meta Knight & Shadow Star amiibo - March 5, 2025
• Super Mario Super Mario Galaxy amiibo - April 2, 2026
• Princess Rosalina Super Mario Galaxy amiibo - April 2, 2026

New to Switch 2? Our Switch 2 kit guide is full of some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards to unlock the full potential of your new Ninty setup.

The Pokemon Company and Nintendo revealed new Mega Evolutions for the Kalos trio in Pokemon Legends Z-A, but it turns out you'll need to be paying for Nintendo Switch Online to get them.

During last week's Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Pokemon Legends Z-A would be getting new DLC, with two versions of Mega Raichu being the star of the show, so it's easy to forget we saw new Mega Evolutions on top of that. As Pokemon Legends Z-A is set in the Kalos region (of Pokemon X and Y fame), it's only natural that the trio of Kalos starters are represented in the game, with Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja finally getting Mega evolutions 12 years later.

However, there's a catch. The Pokemon website updated with more info on these new Mega Evolutions, revealing just how you'll get the Mega Stones necessary to awaken the Mega Evolution forms of the three Pokemon. Starting upon the game's launch on October 16, there will be ranked seasons in the Z-A Battle Club, with season 1's reward for ranking up being Greninjite, Season 2 offering Delphoxite, and Season 3 giving you Chesnaughtite. The post doesn't clarify just how many ranks you have to climb, either.

So, not only will you be waiting until a while after launch to get your hands on the Mega Stone for the coolest of the three starters (Chesnaught, obviously), but you also need to compete online to get them. Plus, if you get the game for Christmas, for example, you'll probably have missed the chance to get one of the stones (although it was confirmed that these are "planned to be redistributed in future seasons.")

But on top of that, the Z-A Battle Arena is an online mode, meaning that unless you shell out the money for a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you won't be able to obtain the Mega Evolution forms of the Kalos trio, with the website confirming "Greninjite, Delphoxite, and Chesnaughtite stones cannot normally be obtained during regular gameplay." And considering the Raichu Mega forms are locked to the DLC, that means there are now five Mega Evolutions you can't get without paying extra on top of the game.

Nintendo finally wises up to Palworld, announces Pokemon crafting and building game Pokopia – starring a Ditto that thinks it's a real human.

Metroid Prime 4 finally got a release date of December 4 as part of the Nintendo Direct for September 2025, alongside a brand-new trailer that – well, I'd like to say it has fans more hyped than ever, but the reality is that today's reveals have been building as much skepticism as anticipation. At the heart of the concern is whether Metroid Prime 4 is taking the series to an open world.

The new trailer centered on a motorcycle that Samus rides through a big, open-ended desert environment, fighting a few foes along the way. In the distant background are major points of interest, some of which we've seen in previous videos, and some of which are new here. The landscape includes a few other points of interest, which you'll presumably be able to stop at and explore.

It sounds like an open world, and it looks like an open world, but is that really the direction Metroid Prime 4 is taking the series? We see Samus hop off the bike at one point when entering what looks like a more traditional Metroid exploration area, which suggests that maybe the big desert is simply a hub connecting the real locations together. But it's impossible to be 100% certain based on what's shown here.

Whatever role the bike plays in-game, the first impressions were not great. That desert hub is very big, but also very empty, and reminiscent of some of the blandest, most boring open-world missteps we've seen games make in the past. You can count me among the Metroid fans skeptical of this big reveal.

"I don't really know what to think of this, I'm kind of stunned. Like this was not what I was expecting at all and not in a good way," as crawfish says on Reddit.

"Please dont let the selling point be 'it’s open world' holy fuck," Cheap_Trick148 says on the same Reddit thread.

There are some more optimistic takes there, like this from Guglio08: "I suppose I will be the lone person here who thinks this is a bold vision and am excited af. The graphics for the bike section could be better, but frankly this is a Switch 1 game that's been ported upwards."

the way that Metroid Prime 4 went from being my most anticipated game to Metroid Prime who? upon seeing that traileropen world games are like my least favorite genre of games, I bounce off of them so hard

— @metroidcrime.com (@metroidcrime.com.bsky.social) 2025-09-12T17:17:47.665Z

anyway if i waited that long for metroid prime 4 and like a month before it releases they suddenly reveal its an open world game and not a game with, like, level design, i would be fucking pissed

— @beareatsalmon.bsky.social (@beareatsalmon.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-09-12T17:17:47.700Z

One of the major things I liked about Metroid was the feeling of Samus being lonely and isolated. I'm worried that the open world stuff in Prime 4 will ruin that. I haven't completely written off the game. If the motorcyle is just for short segments between areas, then it might be OK.

— @mecha-bunny.bsky.social (@mecha-bunny.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-09-12T17:18:22.044Z

Yet between all the takes I've seen, good and bad, I think it's safe to say there are some big questions about what the bike is going to add to Metroid Prime 4. Is it going to take away from the feeling of isolation and discovery the series is known for? Or will it turn out to be a rad new addition that gives the game a refreshing set of pacing changes?

Perhaps the best summary of the situation comes from this YouTube comment from davidchidester5463: "Samus bike will either be incredible or the worst decision they've ever made. No in between."

Metroid Prime 4 is one of the biggest upcoming Switch 2 games.

What a day it has been – the previously rumored, hotly anticipated Nintendo Direct went live today, bringing news of exciting Switch 2 titles and more... including a new look at the long-awaited Tomodachi Life sequel, Living the Dream.

It's safe to say Tomodachi Life stans are still holding strong over 12 years after the first banger entry dropped on the Nintendo 3DS, with so much hype building around the sequel that it managed to overshadow buzz surrounding the Switch 2 itself in Japan after its initial reveal in March. Thankfully, Living the Dream, as the new sim is dubbed, looks like it'll live up to players' expectations and then some.

Not only does today's trailer from the Direct showcase highlight a release window of spring 2026, it also teases some of the same hilarious humor of the original – and then some. We can look forward to the eerily amusing voices, erratic behavior, silly PNGs that look as though they were ripped straight from the web and placed within the game, and – including some seriously upgraded Mii customization.

From the voice options to the head options, facial features, hair styles, colors choices, and other customization tidbits, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream amps things up and takes Miis' unique qualities to the next level. It feels reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch version of Miitopia, which saw its creative community using the newly added Make-Up and Wigs options to conjure up all sorts of incredible Miis... anime characters, animals, monster humans, you name it. Fingers crossed that we'll get a similar level of creative freedom here.

Here's hoping that come the Tomodachi Life sequel's release next spring, fans find it as charmingly ridiculous as they found the original – I know I'll be looking forward to the shenanigans of 3DS days past myself, anyway. Even with so many new games in the works for the Switch, Switch 2, and beyond, I'm going to make sure I find time to fit this 2026 title in.

Are you a fan of Nintendo yourself? Here are some of the most exciting upcoming Switch 2 games to look forward to.

Pokemon Pokopia is finally here, and it's confirmed - Pocket Monsters and the life game genre go perfectly together. Why haven't we had this sooner?

Regardless, it's here now, and this cozy life sim experience set in the Pokemon world sees you play as a Ditto that's transformed into a human. Giving distinct Animal Crossing vibes, Pokemon Pokopia is as wholesome as it is immensely fun, and we've got all the guides and information you need to help you resurrect this dried up land, and turn it into a beautiful, flourishing home.

Pokemon Pokopia Guides and Walkthroughs

We're knee-deep in tilled land, logs, and stone, and we're making substantial progress in turning our worlds into veritable Pokemon Paradises, so here are all the Pokopia guides you need to do the same.

• Tips and tricks: First off, Sam has compiled a list of all the things she wishes she knew before starting Pokopia, and they're great tips if you're just getting started.
• Shiny hunting: Next up, you might be curious to know if there are shiny Pokemon in Pokopia. And they're not shinies, but you should also check out how to find Peakychu and how to find Mosslax, two cute new variants in Pokopia.
• Character customization: Once you've made your character, there are ways to unlock new outfits and hair styles in Pokopia if you want to make your character a bit more unique.
• Building: Now it's time for the hard work. When you're rebuilding Pokopia, there are loads of blocks and materials you'll need, so we're here to help you make lumber, and we can tell you how to make bricks. It will also help to know how to find new recipes in Pokopia, whether that's for buildings, furniture, or other items. What's more, while you're building homes for you Pokemon friends and expanding the world around you, you'll need to level up Pokopia environments, and we can help you do it.
• Farming: Similarly, you'll need to keep yourself and the other Pokemon well fed, so we've got guides on how to grow wheat in Pokopia and how to grow tomatoes. Plus, we can help you learn to make paper in Pokemon Pokopia.
• How to play Pokopia: None of this is very useful if you're not playing yet, though, so check out how to play with friends with Pokopia Game Share, and whether you can play Pokopia on the Switch 1.

Pokemon Pokopia Review

If you've still not actually made it to Pokopia and are deliberating whether you should, Sam's Pokemon Pokopia review will help you make that choice. Spoiler alert, she gives it a near-perfect four-and-a-half our of five.

To be more specific, Sam calls Pokemon Pokopia "a brilliantly bizarre blend of Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Dragon Quest Builders, and Viva Piñata," confirming that, "despite its many influences, [Pokopia] manages to be a unique spin-off for the Pokemon series that's also an accomplished life sim."

Pokemon Pokopia platforms

Pokemon Pokopia is available on the Nintendo Switch 2, with no other platforms confirmed. As it's a Pokemon game, though, this comes as no surprise, and we don't expect to see it arrive anywhere but the Switch 2 in the future, either. Well, until a new Switch is launched.

Pokemon Pokopia gameplay

Pokemon Pokopia focuses on creating a cozy environment for Pokemon to live. While settling in yourself, you also need to create habitats that meet certain requirements, both for attracting new Pokemon and keeping existing ones happy.

Once you meet different Pokemon, you also get access to new abilities that let you expand your town and decorate. For example, once you meet Hitmonchan, you can pick up their Rock Smash ability, enabling you to reshape the land around you and break through walls and barriers. Meanwhile, learning Scyther's Cut move turns your arms into blades that let you cut grass and chop down trees.

Ditto can also use Lapras' move to Surf across watery terrain in the world, and even turn into Dragonite to fly through the air. You can only use your transform for a set amount of time, though, and you'll need to eat food in order to replenish your power.

All the while, you'll be completing main story quests and smaller challenges for individual Pokemon to keep you busy, unlock new mechanics, and progress your story.

Pokemon Pokopia story

We already know that Pokemon Pokopia follows a Ditto who is tasked with rebuilding a town for Pokemon and humans to live, but there's a deeper story at play, here. If you've been wondering why and how Ditto takes on a human form, turns out it's based on their old Trainer, whose fate Ditto knows not. After all, there are no humans in Pokopia. Yet.

As Ditto and Professor Tangrowth set out to restore Pokopia, they too are hoping to humans, and maybe even their own trainers, return home.

Pokemon Pokopia multiplayer

Pokemon Pokopia supports four player online and local multiplayer, meaning you can invite up to three pals to come visit your town.

On the plus control pad, you also can open up a menu of different emotes to gesture to your friends in multiplayer, or to Pokemon who inhabit the world. There's additionally set messages you can use to communicate with your pals, or you can also use gamechat with a Nintendo Online account if you're playing in multiplayer.

If you're jumping into Pokemon Legends: Z-A or have already completed it, fill up your Pokedex with the best Pokemon games you can play right now.

© Gamesradar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Nintendo has confirmed that Pokemon Legends Z-A will be getting a DLC expansion titled Mega Dimension.

In the teaser trailer for the DLC we were shown Hoopa opening up some kind of portal, with two Raichu emerging from it, who quickly revealed themselves to be Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y making it the third Pokemon to receive two Mega Evolution forms in the series after Charizard and Mewtwo. According to The Pokemon Company "Mega Raichu X floats using electromagnetism, concentrating electricity into its fists to land devastating blows. Mega Raichu Y strikes foes swiftly with the amplified electric power coursing through its body."

The expansion is available for pre-order now on the eShop, with "Holo-X and Holo-Y apparel items" coming on the game's October 16, 2025, launch date, with the additional story content included in the expansion simply listed as "coming soon."

The press release from The Pokemon Company also described the expansion's story in a little more detail. "The Mischief Pokémon, Hoopa, seems to hold the key to Mega Dimension’s story. This Mythical Pokémon can warp space using the rings on its horns and around its body. These loops are stretchable and can form holes inside them leading to far-off places. Spatial distortions have also appeared in Lumiose, giving fans even more to discover throughout the city."

The Nintendo Direct also confirmed Mega Evolutions for the Starter Trio of Pokemon X and Y, with Mega Chesnaught, Mega Delphox, and Mega Greninja appearing in the main game. The Mega Stones needed to evolve these Pokemon "can be obtained from the Z-A Battle Club as rewards for being promoted up the ranks in online Ranked Battles" meaning you'll have to go online to get them.

Another Pokemon game was confirmed in the direct, Pokopia, a bizarre mix between the series and life sims where you play as a Ditto pretending to be human.

Nintendo kept us waiting for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave news, but its release is finally in sight. The new Fire Emblem game was revealed for Nintendo Switch 2 back in 2025, but it took until the June 2026 Nintendo Direct to get an exact release date penciled in.

With the latest Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave trailer once more teasing a shared universe with one of the best Nintendo Switch games going, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, there's a lot of new information to catch up on since the strategy game's last appearance. If you're yet to check the latest trailer out, we've got it for you to watch a little further down - but if you'd prefer a recap, we've also written up everything we know about Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.

We're expecting to hear more about Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave in the run-up to its launch this year, so as one of the most exciting Fire Emblem: Three Houses draws near, make sure to check back in here

We are due some fresh information on the title soon, since the game is set to come out this year and needs to confirm a release date. With that in mind, we'll be regularly updating this as more news comes in, so keep checking back for updates on one of the most exciting upcoming Switch 2 games.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave release date

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is set to launch on September 17, 2026.

On one hand, that means there's not much longer to wait until we can dig into the game for ourselves - which will be welcome, given how little of the game and its setting we've seen so far. But on the other hand, September 17 is slap-bang in the middle of one of the busiest months we've ever seen for new games - that week alone will also see the launch of Marvel's Wolverine, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's Nintendo Switch 2 release.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave platforms

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2, which means it will not be playable on the original Nintendo Switch.

Pre-order information is yet to be confirmed, although with a release date now confirmed we should see pre-orders begin any day now. While we wait for more details, you can read our Fire Emblem: Three Houses review in the meantime.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave trailer

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave story – is it a sequel to Three Houses?

The story of Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave revolves around the Heroic Games, a tournament which attracts fighters from across the world to battle for a chance to have their wish granted. In June 2026, Nintendo confirmed the game will revolve around the four characters: young child Cai, swordsman Dietrich, queen Theodora, and musician Leda.

As the four compete in the Heroic Games, we'll be able to explore the city of Dagsion - where the competition takes place - and beyond, with allies to recruit and new techniques to lock down when you're not fighting in the colosseum.

While details on the four main characters' journey remain on the lighter side, June's trailer also revealed an adult version of Sothis - the mysterious character who spoke to and guided protagonist Bayleth through the events of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Why Sothis is returning remains a mystery though, and right now we haven't seen many other connections to the Three Houses universe beyond a Demonic Beast turning up in the first trailer.

Can you pre-order Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave?

Sorry, folks, you can't currently pre-order Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.

The good news is that Nintendo does tend to be very speedy with setting pre-orders live once release dates get announced, though. With that in mind, I'm keeping a close eye out for any updates and will let you know as soon as pre-orders are live.

No DLC has been confirmed either, and that's something I'm also keen to keep track of, especially when we take price into consideration as well. Again, I'll keep you posted as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I suggest taking a look at our current list of the best Switch 2 games currently available to play right now.

For some recommendations, head over to our list of the best strategy games of all time.

Lurking like a wolf among Zelda, Donkey Kong, and more typical Nintendo Direct September 2025 fare, Resident Evil Requiem received a surprising Switch 2 trailer and some friends: the Gold Editions of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village will also release on Requiem's February 27, 2026 launch date for Switch 2.

The Resident Evil Requiem Switch 2 trailer – which you can watch below, though developer Capcom has simultaneously released a PC version of the same video – begins with a phone ringing in the black void. FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft picks up, then shrugs it off when the caller hangs up too soon.

Her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft – the investigative reporter who died eight years ago, long after her debut in 2003 multiplayer Resident Evil Outbreak – seems to be haunting her, flickering in and out of existence.

Alyssa, or her ghost, appear to cautiously encourage Grace to investigate what a cop tells her are "strange deaths" at the same hotel where her mother was killed. But there's a man watching Grace, too, and his intentions are less generous.

On Switch 2, this trailer insists, Requiem apparently looks fantastic. The survival horror game's elegant mansion ballrooms are bone-white while the gristle stuck to their upholstery is dark with evil – though this Nintendo Direct trailer looks composed of cutscenes, mostly.

Similarly, the cinematics in the Golden Editions of Resident Evil 7 and Village seem more vivid on Switch 2, which I don't doubt will provide one of the more definitive versions of vampire mommy Lady Dimitrescu. It's important to see each dirty detail of a monster before it cuts off your head.

Capcom says that Resident Evil 9 will be "so-called 'old school Resident Evil'" in style, but its director teases a "new system" that creates a "complete roller coaster ride between the different aspects of the series."

The latest Nintendo Direct presentation unveiled a ton of new amiibo, and my collector senses are in overdrive. However, it was two stunning Mario and Rosalina figures, inspired by Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 Collection dropping later this year, that I can't stop thinking about.

I've been collecting the NFC-enabled Switch accessories since the first wave, and have around 150+ of the things, but as a Princess Rosalina diehard fan (it's not just because of our similar names, I swear), I've never wanted an amiibo more than now.

There are already a couple amiibo of Princess Rosalina, and they're just as adorable as she is, but this pose is everything I've ever wanted in a piece of Super Mario Galaxy merch.

Throughout the first Super Mario Galaxy game, you can find the space princess reading a storybook to her adorable Luma friends in her library. I got the original Wii game at launch, and it was hands-down my favorite part, so I adore that Nintendo thought of commemorating this iconic moment. I'll be pre-ordering this as soon as humanly possible.

Of course, I can't forget Mario, who looks fantastic in this dynamically posed amiibo. There's already a ton of figures of Mario standing, so I'm glad they opted for a more exciting pose. The new collectible features our favorite mustached plumber about to soar through space after jumping on a launch star, with an adorable Luma right behind him.

Just like the Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo, still available for $29.99 at Best Buy, the figure features a unique base. Rather than the typical rounded emblem that a lot of amiibos come with, Nintendo chose to recreate one of the planets from the Galaxy games.

Both amiibo figures look highly detailed, so it should come as no surprise that their prices are a little on the more expensive side, especially in the wake of the Nintendo Switch price hike, which amiibos were not spared from.

The brand-new figures are both available to pre-order for $39.99 at Best Buy, the same MSRP as the Street Fighter 6 figures at launch. Hopefully, that means that Mario and Rosalina will also be on the larger side just like the Luke, Kimberly, and Jaime figures, but we'll have to wait until they launch on April 2, 2026, to find out.

• View all amiibo figures at Nintendo US
• Sidon The Legend of Zelda Series amiibo:  $29.99 $14.99 at GameStop
• Street Fighter 6 Luke amiibo: $39.99 $14.99 at GameStop
• Street Fighter 6 amiibo Card Starter Set: $39.99 $19.99 at GameStop

It's finally here – the previously rumored exciting fall Nintendo Direct has arrived and provided us with plenty of massive news today, including a first look at Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.

Two years have passed since Nintendo dropped Engage, its last entry in the beloved tactical RPG series, and six since Three Houses launched in 2019 – but it seems fans won't have to wait much longer to get their hands on the next game. Today's Direct showcase unveiled Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, a brand-new title coming to the Switch 2 sometime in 2026. It isn't just any Fire Emblem, though.

Judging by the teaser at the end of the upcoming entry's new trailer, Fortune's Weave might actually stand as a direct sequel to Three Houses. For a few brief seconds, an older Sothis appears upon a throne. She asks before rising up, "The years were long, weren't they? Have you forgotten me so soon?" There's no telling for certain whether this marks the next game as a follow-up until it's explicitly said, of course, but...

It definitely feels like it is, right? As for the new faces introduced in the Nintendo Direct trailer, we're introduced to spear-wielding Cai, sword-donning Theodora – who appears to be a queen – and more. There's also Dietrich, Leda, as well as others, and some very heavy eastern Mediterranean vibes given by what's shown of the Fortune's Weave setting. The character design and overall visuals are, as usual, stunning.

Although Nintendo has yet to provide a more specific release date, 2026 isn't exactly all that far away anymore – there are less than four months to go now before the turn of the year. Here's hoping Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave arrives sooner rather than later, come the following year, which is already packed to the brim with thrilling new games to wishlist on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and beyond.

Are you a fan of Nintendo yourself? Here are some of the most exciting upcoming Switch 2 games to look forward to.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is getting a Switch 2 version. It was just revealed during today's Nintendo Direct, and it will have an additional multiplayer component. Now, take a deep breath before trying to say this, because the game's full name is Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park.

The Super Mario Bros. Wonder side of the game will be getting some additions, but we'll have to wait to hear more about that in the future. But we should get more than just what we got on the Switch back in 2023.

This new and improved version is launching on the Switch 2 next Spring, and Bellabel Park is the main addition that's been showcased. It's a new plaza where you can partake in a bunch of minigames with your friends.

In Fast Cash: Tip Tap's Coin Spree, you'll be competing against the other players to see who can get the most cash as you run through the course and its numerous obstacles. It looks like a fun blend of speed and precision.

There's also Knock 'em Back: Bubble Blaster, which is a shooting match that takes place on Smash Bros.-like stages. You can use items that shoot huge bubbles to knock your opponents into lavafalls.

Run, Hide! Phanto Tag is my favorite minigame revealed so far, though. Whoever is "It" dons a spooky mask and has to chase the other players around, tagging them with a ghostly blast to transfer the vizard. To hide, you can transform into a little flower and try to blend in amongst the ones already in the level. So, it's a little like prop hunt in Garry's Mod or Call of Duty.

Stay tuned to our Nintendo Direct live blog to keep up with all the news as it arrives. Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are also coming to the Switch next year.

Pokemon Pokopia blends the best of Stardew Valley and Minecraft in this new cozy game that sees you building a lovely patch of heaven for your Pokemon pals. The twist is, you're a Ditto that's transformed to look like a human.

Revealed today during the Nintendo Direct, Pokemon Pokopia is launching on the Switch 2 next year, 2026. It's basically Pokemon's answer to Palworld.

Unlike most survival and farming games where you need tools to progress, in Pokopia, Ditto can find wild Pokemon and learn their moves to help with construction.

Bulbasaur's Leafage will transform your arms into vines so you can plant grass, and Squirtle's Water Gun has Ditto spitting the wet stuff out of its mouth to keep crops from getting too thirsty.

Scyther's moves help you cut down trees for wood and Hitmonchan's let you punch through rocks for, well, rock. Use these resources to build homes for your 'mons and terraform the landscape around you, just like in Minecraft. Pokopia even has a similarly blocky aesthetic.

The trailer shows a fair few Pokemon, including the fan-favorite Pikachu, its unevolved form Pichu, and a Pidgey. There's also a cute sleepy Swablu, and several other 'mons.

The wild Pokemon still seem to appear from tall grass, so I imagine exploration will play a key role in the upcoming game. Although, the trailer only shows one small patch of land that slowly gets turned into a cute, cozy base.

Check out everything announced at today's Nintendo Direct. We got more information about Pokemon Legends Z-A, too.

Dragon Quest 7 is the next entry in the storied JRPG series to receive a remake. Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, a "handcrafted" retelling of the PS1 classic, was announced at today's Nintendo Direct September live show. It's coming to Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 5, 2026.

Details on the Dragon Quest 7 remake are still a bit thin – its dedicated website is, annoyingly, down at the time of writing – but we do know it's taken a cue from the art style of Dragon Quest 11, whereas recent retro Dragon Quest remakes adopted the HD-2D style seen in the likes of Octopath Traveler.

The Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake duo pack is out soon on October 30. We played them and spoke to the developers earlier this month.

In a blog post, Square Enix explains that Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined "features a new hand-crafted visual aesthetic that brings the world and its characters to life like never before" alongside "revamped battle mechanics and quality-of-life features make the game feel fresh and modern."

"The story has also been significantly streamlined," the company says, while "still maintaining the narrative depth the game is known for." One key combat detail emerges elsewhere: you'll see enemies in the field, and you can either bump into them to start a battle or attack weaker enemies to instantly kill them, Metaphor: ReFantazio-style.

Standard combat remains classically turn-based, but new combinations of classes – Vocations, rather – are possible thanks to a new "Moonlighting" feature that lets party members equip up to two Vocations. Each Vocation has a special perk, and Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined introduces some new Vocations and perks like Monster Master and its "Positive Reinforcement" perk, "which summons powerful monsters to attack your foes."

"As well as automatically defeating weaker foes, you can also set tactics for your protagonist and allies, so they battle to a particular strategy without the need for direct command," Square Enix says. Additionally, combat has a fast-forward function.

A message from producer Takeshi Ichikawa reads: "DRAGON QUEST 7 Reimagined not only 'reimagines' the visual and emotional portrayal of its characters, but also makes the game's story significantly more approachable and accessible.

"So, whether you enjoyed DRAGON QUEST 7 on its original release, struggled to collect all the tablets, or are just experiencing the DRAGON QUEST series for the first time, we believe this game will provide a satisfying experience."

Way back in 2000 (or 2001 outside Japan), Dragon Quest 7 told the story of a hero exploring the Estard islands. It reviewed pretty well at launch, with many players and critics praising the scope of the game. In combat and classes, it was pretty archetypal Dragon Quest, but exploration played out in a wider-reaching system tied to collectible stone shards, large separate areas, and various means of traversing the world.

Dragon Quest 7 was originally published back when we only had Enix around, so this reimagining brings us full circle under Square Enix.

After modernizing the first three Dragon Quest games, remake producer says if the HD-2D games are "really well regarded," then "that would definitely create a movement within the company to want to do more remakes."