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, widely anticipated by gamers and industry enthusiasts, revealed a series of releases scheduled for 2025, including brand-new games, commemorative collections, and updates to acclaimed titles.
The highlight was Metroid Prime 4: Beyond , with new gameplay and setting details, and Pokémon Legends: ZA , which presented new elements of Lumiose City, as well as competitive battle modes. The event had a nostalgic tone, but also a strategic one.
While highlighting the final moments of the Switch, Nintendo is using the Direct as a bridge to the transition to the next generation. The company has not yet officially revealed the successor to the hybrid console, but has confirmed that a presentation dedicated to the new hardware will take place soon. Until then, Switch releases continue to drive the market and sustain the engagement of its user base, which exceeds 130 million units sold worldwide.
Nintendo Direct presents Metroid Prime 4 with a mysterious forest and intense action
Without a set release date, 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 its atmospheric tones, reinforces the idea of a denser and more mysterious setting. In addition to the traditional first-person gameplay, the video showed combat sequences in open areas and cinematics with a greater emphasis on narrative.
The project, originally announced in 2017, underwent a complete restart in 2019 when Retro Studios took over development again. Since then, Nintendo has remained silent, which has only increased fan curiosity.
The new preview didn't clarify any dates, but it indicates that the game is in an advanced stage and could be one of the last major releases for the Switch or even a transitional title for the new platform.
Pokémon Legends ZA gets a competitive mode, time cycles, and an urban redesign
Another major title showcased was Pokémon Legends: ZA , a spiritual successor to Legends: Arceus, set in the metropolis of Lumiose City in the Kalos region. Nintendo showed 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. The Z-Royale mode, a novelty in the Pokémon universe, will bring ranked battles between players, promising personalized rewards and even the granting of wishes — a proposal that mixes narrative with competitive mechanics.
Visually, the game adopts a more elaborate cel-shading style, with detailed characters and environments. The gameplay pace also seems to have been adjusted to make battles more strategic. Although Nintendo has not announced a release date, the game is expected to be one of the company's flagship titles for the second half of the year, with strong appeal among both veteran and new players.
Remakes, compilations, and classics reinforce our commitment to the current catalog
The presentation devoted ample 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 pixel art style. The absence of a concrete release date was compensated for by the revelation 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 from the Shin Megami Tensei series, will be released on June 19th, with pre-orders already available. Patapon 1+2 Replay is scheduled for release on July 11th.
In addition, other important announcements included the Gradius Collection , scheduled for August 7th, in celebration of the franchise's 40th anniversary, and the remaster of SaGa Frontier 2, which is available starting today.
Monument Valley trilogy has also been confirmed , with the first two titles 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 presented smaller games with creative proposals. No Sleep for Kaname Date , scheduled for July 25th, promises a story with a noir atmosphere and investigation 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 agriculture and commerce. The title will be released on August 27th and has received praise for its colorful visuals and light soundtrack.
Witchbrook , a Chucklefish game centered on relationships and school life in a magical world, will arrive during the holiday season. The concept is reminiscent of hits like Stardew Valley , but with an emphasis on narrative and social interactions.
Another unusual title is Tamagotchi Plaza , scheduled for June 27th, which will allow more than 100 characters to live in a digital shopping mall, complete 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 at the end of the 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 the 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. This 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. This tool centralizes updates on releases, promotions, events, and system updates. With this, the company expands the integration of its digital ecosystem, preparing the ground for the new generation.
However, even in its final stretch, the Switch demonstrates resilience with a diverse release schedule. Thus, Nintendo is betting on a balance between innovation and tradition to sustain public interest until the arrival of its new console, whose full reveal should happen later this semester.