Everything exciting from the Nintendo Switch Direct
So, I’ll let you into a little secret, I was getting quite worried about the future of the Nintendo Switch. Around about September time when the rumours of a new Nintendo console were starting to become pretty loud, I noticed that Nintendo didn’t really have any games planned to launch in 2025, which solidified my feeling that a Switch 2 announcement wasn’t far away.
Since then, everyone has seemingly been focused on the Switch 2 and hasn’t really noticed that Nintendo didn’t really have any more games planned for the current generation and that is a massive problem because if my theory is correct, there’s going to be too many people wanting a Switch 2 and not enough consoles to go around, So, those who have a Nintendo Switch are going to still want games they can play on their console whilst they wait for more stock to become available.
Fortunately for us, Nintendo decided to surprise us with a Nintendo Switch Direct which would focus on upcoming titles exclusively for the current generation and Nintendo was keen to point out that this Direct would not include any information about Nintendo Switch 2.
It was an 40 minute presentation of all of the games we can expect to come up for Nintendo Switch which we can be confident will also be backwards compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. This is what I’m looking forward to coming out from the Direct.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
Credit: Square Enix
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Square Enix
Launch Date: TBA
There’s something which gets me about old school games and I’m not going to lie, the trailer of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake did make me a little excited.
As it’s a remake, it has a familiar nostalgia with 2D animation and a beautiful classical score which fits into the old world vibes of games featuring medieval worlds.
I’ve never tried a Dragon Quest game and I have seen all of the type that goes around the internet when a new one is announced so I’m definitely curious to learn more about it. It appears almost Zelda like in how it plays so if it’s as hard as The Legend of Zelda games I may skip out on it, but for now, I’m keeping my eyes on this one.
Shadow Labyrinth
Credit: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Launch Date: 18th July 2025
You wake up in a world with no memories and a Pac-Man like orb helps you navigate the world to discover the truth about what this orb wants you to do.
The game is listed as a dark take on the Pac-Man games and whilst the game is considerably darker than I would expect, there is something intriguing about the gameplay which I am certainly going to be keeping my eye on so I can learn more about it before it launches this Summer.
Patapon 1 & 2 Replay
Credit: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Launch Date: 11th July 2025
If there was any game I was incredibly excited to see in the Nintendo Direct this time around, it’s this one. Yes, it’s another remaster of an older title and I’m a bit over the whole remaking older games and selling them for full price, but in this instance, I don’t care. This one is one I want to try.
Patapon is a rhythm, action adventure game where you use the beat to direct an army to defeat enemies. There have also been new features added to the game to make it easier, which is incredibly welcome for someone like me who loves to play games on easy mode.
I’m a sucker for rhythm games, so this one is up my alley and I will definitely be checking this one out in the summer and seeing what all the excitement is about with this cute game.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
Credit: Marvelous Inc
Platforms: PC & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: XSEED Games & Marvelous Inc.
Launch Date: 27th August (pre-orders open now)
Story of Seasons is a well beloved franchise and it’s always lovely to see more games coming into the series. Grand Bazaar is a remaster of the 2010 Nintendo DS game, so we have another remake on our hands, but it has the same familiar gameplay which we are accustomed to from Story of Seasons.
You get to know the locals, build relationships and can catch and craft items to sell at the Bazaar. It looks fun and I will be keeping my eye on this one for more information ahead of it launching in August.
Disney Villains Cursed Café
Credit: Disney
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Disney
Launch Date: 27th March 2025
If you’ve played Coffee Talk or are into café simulation games generally and you are a fan of Disney, Disney Villains Cursed Café is 100% for you.
The gameplay sees you running a potion shop where you brew and serve potions to various well known Disney villains. The gameplay itself is familiar and comforting for business simulation games, but what was interesting to hear and see in the trailer is that the potions you serve to the villains can influence and change your storyline which is a bit different from other games I’ve tried so I may be looking to pick this one up and give it a go,
Witchbrook
Credit: Chucklefish
Platforms: PC, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Chucklefish
Launch Date: Winter 2025
Out of anything I saw in the Nintendo Switch Direct, this is the one which got me the most excited. I love a simplistic art style in a game and Witchbrook immediately drew me in with that. It’s reminiscent of Stardew Valley which really intrigues me.
Witchbrook is a life simulation game and social RPG centred around you studying at Witchbrook College. You can craft and sell items, explore Mossport which is the city home of Witchbrook, decorate spaces and play with friends. It seems to have everything I want out of a cosy game and even though we’ve only seen a first look trailer, I am excited to see more of this ahead of it launching later this year!
The Eternal Life of Goldman
Credit: THQ Nordic
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Launch Date: Winter 2025
The only note I have written for this game is “hand drawn platformer which looks stunning!” and that is enough for me to be excited about this. Hearing that there are still hand drawn animations happening in video games makes me incredibly happy and I need no more excuse than to pick this one up!
It looks very much to be in the style of Ori & the Blind Forest with it’s harder platformer elements and fantastical style and story telling, but I am interested to hear more about this and how this old man’s cane makes for incredible world traversal.
Tamagotchi Plaza
Credit: Bandai Namco
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Launch Date: 27th June 2025
This business simulator game really caught me by surprise and I didn’t know what to expect from it. Tamagotchi Plaza is a new addition to their Corner Shop series where you run 12 stores and serve customers to build up the reputation of the shop.
The more you level up the shops, the more Tamagotchi appear in the Plaza that you can interact with and help out. This game is currently planned to be exclusive to Nintendo Switch so it’s definitely one to consider if you are looking for a cute looking business management game.
Rhythm Paradise Groove
Credit: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Launch Date: 2026
I see a rhythm game, and I’m quite happy. This one though, really suprised me. I hadn’t previously heard of the Rhythm Heaven games, which are called Rhythm Paradise in Europe, but this is a long running Nintendo franchise which hasn’t seen a new title since 2015 so it was long overdue a sequel!
There’s no guaranteed release for this one yet, we will have to wait until 2026 for this one which means almost certainly it will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 as well, but for now, I will be tapping my feet along to the trailer whilst I wait for more information on this one.
Monument Valley I, II and III
Credit: ustwo games
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS & Android
Publisher: ustwo games
Launch Date: I & II - 15th April 2025 (out now on PC, iOS & Android) - III launches Summer 2025
If I see gorgeous artwork and a puzzle game in the same trailer, you’ve got my attention and that is exactly what happened when I saw the trailer for Monument Valley I & II.
This is an optical illusion style puzzle game where you have to navigate a world by discovering hidden paths around the different monuments to find the secrets of the Sacred Geometry.
I love a good puzzle game, and I am keen to try this one out when I am ready to and knowing there’s going to be a new game in the series launching in the Summer makes me even more keen to at least give it a go before Monument Valley III launches.
Tomodatchi Life: Living the Dream
Credit: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Launch Date: 2026
Just when we thought the Nintendo Direct was coming to an end, Nintendo did a Nintendo on us and gave us a “one more thing…” announcement. Tomodatchi Life is finally getting a new game!
It was only a teaser for now, and we got a launch year of 2026, but as this is the first new entry for the Mii game in over ten years, it’s a pretty big deal and I am looking forward to seeing more about this game in the coming months before it launches next year.
Was the Direct worth it?
I won’t lie, I wasn’t overly impressed with this Nintendo Direct and I didn’t expect to be. With the number of remasters and remakes and rhythm games that were announced for Nintendo Switch, it’s clear that the Switch is running out of steam and Nintendo is saving all of their big announcements in reserve for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct next week. But for now, at least we can be reassured that some new games will be coming to the Nintendo Switch whilst we all wait to get out hands on the next console and there definitely are some good games here which are worth taking a look into before we all fully move over to Nintendo Switch 2.
What are your favourite games from the Nintendo Switch Direct? Are there any which you are immediately picking up or are you just waiting to see what gets revealed in the Switch 2 Direct? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll see you in the next one.
