Nintendo has affirmed that the Switch is far from finished, even as it approaches its final year. During a highly anticipated Nintendo Direct presentation on Monday, the company showcased a diverse lineup of games set to release on the hybrid console before the anticipated arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025. The 40-minute event celebrated the success of the Switch, which has sold over 141 million units since its launch in 2017, and hinted at an exciting future for fans of the platform.
The Nintendo Direct, broadcasted on June 18, highlighted significant new titles, including a new game in the Legend of Zelda franchise, the first look at an upcoming Metroid Prime title, and a fresh Mario RPG. The showcase also announced a new Mario Party game alongside an HD remaster of Donkey Kong Country Returns. In addition to Nintendo’s first-party offerings, various titles from third-party developers were included, such as the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and Stray. Below are the key announcements and updates from the showcase.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
The latest entry in the Legend of Zelda series allows players to step into the shoes of Princess Zelda. Set for release on September 26, 2024, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom introduces a storyline wherein the inhabitants of Hyrule begin to vanish due to mysterious rifts appearing across the land. As the franchise icon Link has also mysteriously disappeared, it falls to Zelda to unravel the enigma and save Hyrule.
Zelda is assisted in her quest by a fairy named Tri, who bestows her with the ability to create echoes that mimic environmental objects. Armed with these echoes, Zelda will confront puzzles, navigate treacherous landscapes, and confront various adversaries. Additionally, a limited edition Hyrule-themed Nintendo Switch Lite will be released in tandem with the game.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
The Nintendo Direct also unveiled Mario & Luigi: Brothership, a new RPG adventure featuring the beloved plumbing duo. In this upcoming game, Mario and Luigi embark on a voyage aboard Shipshape, a unique blend of ship and island, as they explore the fantastical realm of Concordia.
Fans can expect familiar characters to make appearances, including Princess Peach and Bowser, as the brothers take on challenges aboard their ‘Brothership.’ The game will incorporate turn-based combat, puzzles, and platforming elements, all wrapped in a vibrant art style. Mario & Luigi: Brothership is set to launch on November 7.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Nintendo provided a glimpse of gameplay for the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. The new trailer showcased first-person shooting mechanics and stunning graphics, although further details about the game remained sparse.
This reveal comes more than a year following the release of Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch in February 2023. While no definitive release date was confirmed for the next installment, Nintendo indicated a target year of 2025.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake received a launch date, set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PS5 on November 14, 2024. This remake modernizes the classic RPG with updated 2D visuals and an expanded narrative.
Furthermore, the Nintendo Direct presentation introduced the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, promising a complete collection of the trilogy’s remastered adventures, which is anticipated to launch sometime next year.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
An HD remaster of the classic Donkey Kong Country Returns, which originally debuted on the Nintendo Wii, is making its way to the Switch. Scheduled for release on January 16, 2025, this remastered edition will include 80 levels from the original game, supplemented by levels from the Nintendo 3DS version, along with a full two-player local co-op experience.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
The Mario Party franchise is expanding with the introduction of Super Mario Party Jamboree. In this latest installment, players join Mario and his friends on a resort island, where they can engage in over 110 minigames across five new boards and two returning favorites.
Promising to be “the biggest Mario Party yet,” the new game allows up to 20 players to compete online. Super Mario Party Jamboree is slated for release on October 17.
Additional Announcements from 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
