Nintendo’s September 2025 Direct landed with an unusually heavy slate of announcements, combining milestone celebrations with long-awaited updates and plenty of surprises. Timed around Mario’s 40th anniversary, the showcase leaned heavily into Nintendo’s most iconic mascot, but also carved out space for major franchises like Metroid, Fire Emblem, and Pokémon, along with a flood of remasters, indie debuts, and Switch 2 exclusives.
The broadcast began with a focus on Mario beyond games. Nintendo officially unveiled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to the 2023 Mario film, due in theaters next year.
Alongside the film reveal came news that Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are being re-released digitally on October 2 for Switch and Switch 2, priced at $40 each or bundled. A physical release will follow later, and two themed amiibo figures are set for 2026.
In terms of new games, Mario Tennis Fever was announced for Switch 2, launching February 12, 2026. The title promises the largest roster in the series to date—38 characters—alongside online play, side activities, and an adventure mode featuring younger versions of the Mario cast. Meanwhile, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, originally a Switch 1 title, will receive a Switch 2 upgrade in spring 2026, introducing a new social hub called Meetup in Bellabell Park, packed with cooperative and competitive mini-games.
Nintendo also teased future Wonder content, though details remain under wraps. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a fresh side-scrolling adventure framed as a magical “page-turning” quest, will join the lineup in spring 2026.
The Direct didn’t just celebrate Mario—it also delivered long-awaited answers for Metroid fans. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally has a firm release date: December 12, 2025, for Switch 2. The showcase trailer confirmed new environments, gameplay features, and even a sequence with Samus riding a futuristic motorbike. Amiibo support is baked in, with new Samus figures (including one on the bike) launching in November, followed by a Sylux figure in December.
Fire Emblem is also returning in 2026 with Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, continuing the series’ turn-based strategy roots while expanding on character-driven storytelling. Zelda fans received news of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Koei Tecmo’s third Musou-style spinoff, set for November 6. Pre-orders opened immediately.
Elsewhere, Nintendo highlighted a wave of remakes and reissues. Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade to Switch 2 on January 22, 2026, followed by Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined on February 5. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly is being remade for early 2026. Capcom announced Resident Evil Requiem for Switch 2 on February 27, alongside ports of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will launch March 13, 2026.
Retro gaming also had a moment. The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection arrives digitally October 30, with a physical release December 12, bundling classic entries and a documentary on the franchise’s history. Virtual Boy games, long absent from Nintendo’s reissue programs, will finally appear via Switch Online + Expansion Pack starting February 17, 2026, with 14 launch titles. To play them in 3D as originally intended, Nintendo will offer optional accessories, both plastic and cardboard.
On the Pokémon front, Nintendo teased Pokopia, a life simulation spin with shades of Animal Crossing. More significantly, Pokémon Legends Z-A—still unreleased—already has paid DLC planned. The expansion, called Mega Dimension, will expand the upcoming title with new content, though specifics remain scarce.
Other notable announcements included Danganronpa 2 for Switch and Switch 2, Dynasty Warriors: Origins (arriving January 22, 2026 with day-one DLC), and Suika Game Planet, a puzzle sequel launching this winter. PowerWash Simulator 2 is heading to Switch 2 this autumn with split-screen support.
Indie highlights included ProbablyMonsters’ roguelike Storm Lancers, available today, and Krafton’s Dinkum, a survival sim landing November 6 with a demo live now. Popucom, a colorful multiplayer platformer, arrives this winter, while Lynked: Banner of the Spark launches immediately, mixing action RPG mechanics with life-sim elements.
Nintendo also showcased a slew of Switch 2 upgrades for existing titles. Stardew Valley will get four-player split-screen, mouse support, and GameShare integration this autumn. Overcooked 2 adds CameraPlay this winter, Human Fall Flat expands with five levels and mouse controls next year, and One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 will support more on-screen enemies this autumn.
Fans of collectible figures were treated to a new Kirby amiibo set arriving November 20 alongside Kirby Air Riders. Packs will include Kirby with his star-shaped vehicle, plus Bandana Waddle Dee and his rider. Nintendo confirmed another Kirby-focused Direct is on the way.
The showcase ended with Donkey Kong Bananza DLC, introducing DK Island as an explorable hub and Emerald Rush, a new challenge mode available across all levels. Both are live today, accompanied by a free demo of the base game.
Altogether, the September Direct stacked up as one of the densest presentations in recent memory, signaling that Nintendo is preparing a packed release calendar stretching well into 2026. From long-anticipated launches like Metroid Prime 4 to deep cuts like Virtual Boy reissues, the company seems determined to balance nostalgia with forward-looking titles as it transitions into the Switch 2 era.
