The Nintendo Switch has been out for the last year, but it’s definitely not over yet. The Japanese gaming giant made the announcement at its Nintendo Direct presentation on Monday, where the company unveiled the full slate of games coming to the hybrid console before it arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025. The 40-minute long film is the latest hurray for the Switch, which has sold more than 141 million units in the seven years since it went on sale in 2017. The successor to the Nintendo Switch, the third best-selling gaming console of all time, will be announced next year, but the Switch’s swan song will keep gamers busy until then.
The Nintendo Direct, which aired on June 18th, revealed a new Legend of Zelda game, revealed a first look at the next Metroid Prime title, and announced a new Mario role-playing game for the Switch. The launch also featured a new Mario Party title and an HD remaster for Donkey Kong Country Returns. In addition to Nintendo’s first lineup, the Direct demo included titles from third-party partners, including Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Stray, and more. Here’s everything that was announced or updated at the Nintendo Direct.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Nintendo has unveiled a new Legend of Zelda game where you actually play as Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released on Nintendo Switch on September 26, 2024, and will bring a new story in which the people of Hyrule began to disappear after strange rifts began to appear in the kingdom. Franchise hero Link has also gone missing, so it’s up to Zelda to solve the mystery and save Hyrule.
The princess will not be alone in her adventure. With the help of the Tree Fairy, Zelda will be able to summon echoes that mimic objects in the environment. With the help of these echoes, she will solve puzzles, overcome difficult terrain and confront enemies that stand in her way. Hyrule Special Edition for Nintendo Switch Lite will be released alongside the game on September 26th.
Mario and Luigi: Brotherhood
A new adventure role-playing game starring the famous plumber brothers Mario and Luigi was announced at a Nintendo Direct. Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood will see its titular duo set sail on a Shippshape — part ship, part island — to explore Concordia. Mario and Luigi’s adventures will take them to several islands, each with its own special environment.
The game will bring back familiar friends and enemies, including Princess Peach and Bowser, as the brothers embark on a journey in their “Brotherhood”. The game features turn-based combat, puzzles, and platforming, as well as a colorful art style. It will appear on Nintendo Switch on November 7.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Nintendo has finally revealed the gameplay for the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Featuring first-person shooter gameplay and impressive visuals, the new trailer didn’t reveal many details.
The update comes more than a year after Metroid Prime Remastered was released on Nintendo Switch in February 2023. There is no specific release date for the next Metroid Prime game, but Nintendo has revealed a 2025 release window for the game.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake received a release date during the Nintendo Direct presentation. The remake of the classic role-playing game will be released on Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series S/X and PS5 on November 14, 2024. The game features updated 2D visuals and an expanded story.
In addition, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake was introduced, covering the entire original trilogy of beloved role-playing games. A remastered collection of the first two Dragon Quest games will arrive next year.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Another HD update of the beloved classic game, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which originally launched on the Nintendo Wii, is coming to the Switch on January 16, 2025. The remaster will include 80 levels from the original game, including some from the Nintendo 3DS version. and full local co-op for two players.
Super Mario Party
The Mario Party series is also getting a new game. Super Mario Party Jamboree will drop Mario and his friends at an island resort, where players can take part in more than 110 mini-games on five new game boards – and two returning ones – with their friends.
The game will allow up to 20 players to battle online, promising “the biggest Mario party yet.” Super Mario Party Jamboree launches on Nintendo Switch on October 17.
Here’s everything else that was announced or updated at the Nintendo Direct:
- Lego Horizon Adventures (PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch – Holiday 2024)
- Just Dance 2025 Edition (PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch – October 2024)
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure (PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 – 2025)
- Stray (Nintendo Switch – Holiday 2024)
- Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game (PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Netflix Games, Nintendo Switch – Holiday 2024)
- Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (Nintendo Switch – July 18, 2024)
- Funko Fusion (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch – September 13, 2024)
- MIO: Memories in Orbit (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X – 2025)
- Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD (Nintendo Switch – June 27, 2024)
- Darkest Dungeon II (PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch – July 15, 2024)
- Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch – Fall 2024)
- Metal Slug Attack Reloaded (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch – available now)
- Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch – 2024)
- Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero (PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch – 2025)
- The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy – (PC, Nintendo Switch – early 2025)
- Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven remake (PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch – October 24, 2024)
- Fantasian Neo Dimension (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch – Winter 2024)
- Fairy Tail 2 (PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch – Winter 2024)
- Ace Attorney Investigations Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch – September 6, 2024)
- Farmagia (PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch – November 1, 2024)
- The New Denpa Men (Nintendo Switch – July 22, 2024)
- Nintendo Switch Online – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords, Metroid: Zero Mission, Perfect Dark, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Nintendo Switch, available now)
- Free Updates – Disney Illusion Island, Among Us, Nintendo Switch Sports
