Nintendo Direct July 2025: A Shift to Third-Party Strength
The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase in July 2025 delivered a varied lineup of third-party games. Unlike past events, it included no first-party announcements. Instead, the spotlight went to external studios, giving them the freedom to shine.
Strong RPG Presence and HD-2D Direction
Capcom revealed Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, a turn-based RPG made for Switch 2. The game is set to arrive in 2026. Square Enix also introduced two new HD-2D titles. Octopath Traveler 0 launches on December 4, while The Adventures of Elliot offers a demo now, with the full release coming next year. These games show the growing popularity of stylized RPGs optimized for modern hardware.
Classic Remasters Return for a New Generation
Remastered titles added weight to the lineup. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and Persona 3 Reload are scheduled for fall 2025. Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac will follow soon after. These upgraded classics bring nostalgia with improved visuals and performance.
Sports Games and Genre Diversity
EA made a strong showing by announcing Madden NFL 26 and EA Sports FC 26 for Switch and Switch 2. This signals an effort to align more closely with releases on other platforms. Additionally, action and adventure titles were heavily featured. Star Wars Outlaws and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment both received updated trailers. Meanwhile, games like Cronos: The New Dawn, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, and Chillin’ by the Fire added variety to the showcase.
A Promising Launch Library for Switch 2
Sega confirmed that Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 will release on Switch 2 in November. Fans can also expect Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, Just Dance 2026, and the open-world title Hela. Despite all this, some fans were disappointed. Nintendo didn’t mention Hollow Knight: Silksong or Metroid Prime 4. However, the broad third-party focus helped diversify the launch window.
Nintendo’s Strategy Moving Forward
This showcase revealed Nintendo’s plan for Switch 2. By relying on a wide range of developers, the company is creating a launch lineup full of variety. With RPGs, sports, remasters, and indie games already announced, the system looks flexible and competitive. Once first-party titles are revealed, the next generation could begin with significant momentum.