Nintendo held, on the morning of this Thursday (27), the last edition of Nintendo Direct focused exclusively on the original Switch, ending a cycle that marked the company's trajectory in the last seven years.
The broadcast, highly anticipated by gamers and industry enthusiasts, revealed a series of releases scheduled for 2025, including new games, commemorative collections and updates to established titles.
The highlights were Metroid Prime 4: Beyond , featuring new gameplay and setting details, and Pokémon Legends: ZA , which showcased new elements of Lumiose City and competitive battle modes. The event had a nostalgic yet strategic tone.
While celebrating the Switch's final moments, Nintendo is using the Direct as a bridge to the transition to the next generation. The company hasn't yet officially revealed the hybrid console's successor, but confirmed that a presentation dedicated to the new hardware will take place soon. Until then, Switch releases continue to drive market momentum and sustain engagement among its user base, which has sold over 130 million units worldwide.
Nintendo Direct Showcases Metroid Prime 4 with Mysterious Forest and Intense Action
With no release date set, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was the most anticipated moment of the broadcast. The trailer revealed Samus Aran in a forest setting, facing enemies with fluid movement and an expanded arsenal.
The visuals, more detailed than previous titles in the franchise, suggest a technical leap that may indicate backward compatibility with the company's future console. The soundtrack, with atmospheric tones, reinforces the proposed denser and more mysterious setting. In addition to traditional first-person gameplay, the video showed combat scenes in open areas and cinematics with a greater narrative emphasis.
The project, originally announced in 2017, underwent a complete reboot in 2019 when Retro Studios resumed development. Since then, Nintendo has remained silent, further fueling fans' curiosity.
The new preview didn't clarify dates, but it indicates that the game is at an advanced stage and could be one of the last major Switch releases or even a transition title for the new platform.
Pokémon Legends ZA Gets Competitive Mode, Time Loops, and Urban Redesign
Another major title showcased was Pokémon Legends: ZA , a spiritual sequel to Legends: Arceus, set in the metropolis of Lumiose in the Kalos region. Nintendo showed off a reimagined version of the city, which changes according to the day-night cycle.
At night, players will be able to face urban trainers in more challenging battles, which promises to significantly alter the dynamics of exploration. Z-Royale mode, a new addition to the Pokémon universe, will feature ranked battles between players, with the promise of personalized rewards and even the granting of wishes—a proposal that blends narrative with competitive mechanics.
Visually, the game adopts a more elaborate cel-shading style, with detailed characters and environments. The gameplay also appears to have been adjusted to make battles more strategic. Although Nintendo hasn't announced a release date, the game is expected to be one of the company's flagship games for the second half of the year, with strong appeal among veterans and new players alike.
Remakes, compilations and classics reinforce commitment to the current catalog
The presentation devoted generous space to nostalgia, showcasing remakes and re-releases that expand the Switch library. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake received a new trailer, highlighting its three-dimensional pixelated visuals. The lack of a concrete release date was compensated by the reveal of a new character, which may indicate narrative additions compared to the originals.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of Soulless Army , a remaster of a spin-off in the Shin Megami Tensei series, will be released on June 19th, with pre-orders already available. Patapon 1+2 Replay is set to release on July 11th.
Additionally, other major announcements included the Gradius Collection , scheduled for August 7th, celebrating the franchise's 40th anniversary, and the SaGa Frontier 2 remaster, which is available starting today.
Monument Valley trilogy was also confirmed , with the first two titles releasing on April 15th and the third in July. These initiatives reinforce Nintendo's commitment to timeless content, attracting both nostalgic and new audiences.
New titles focus on creativity, alternative narratives, and casual gameplay.
In addition to blockbusters and revisited classics, Nintendo also presented smaller games with creative proposals. No Sleep for Kaname Date , scheduled for July 25th, promises a story with a noir atmosphere and investigative elements. Shadow Labyrinth , scheduled for July 18th, combines puzzles with combat in dark environments.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar returns to the franchise's roots, focusing on small-scale farming and commerce. The title, which will be released on August 27th, has received praise for its colorful visuals and lighthearted soundtrack.
Witchbrook , a Chucklefish game centered on relationships and school life in a magical world, will be released this holiday season. The game takes cues from hits like Stardew Valley , but with an emphasis on narrative and social interactions.
Another unusual title is Tamagotchi Plaza , scheduled for June 27, which will allow more than 100 characters to live in a digital mall, with minigames and seasonal events.
Partnerships, service expansion and a news app complete the package
The event also brought news about services and partnerships. Marvel launches Cosmic Invasion later this year with heroes in action and local multiplayer available. Bandai Namco also revealed Everybody's Golf Hot Shots , scheduled for sometime in 2025. Tomodach Life: Living the Dream marks the return of Miis, with new relationship systems and social events on the island.
Starting in April, Virtual Game Cards , a digital game lending system, will come into effect. The system will allow sharing a digital game between two consoles on the same account, but will block simultaneous use. The measure aims to facilitate family access without compromising the platform's licensing rules.
Closing the presentation, Nintendo launched Nintendo Today, an official news app for iOS and Android. The tool centralizes updates on releases, promotions, events, and system updates. With this, the company expands the integration of its digital ecosystem, paving the way for the next generation.
However, even in its final stretch, the Switch is showing signs of staying power with a diverse schedule. Nintendo is therefore betting on a balance between innovation and tradition to sustain public interest until the arrival of its new console, whose full reveal is expected later this semester.
