Everything We Saw At Nintendo’s Partner Showcase Direct
Out of nowhere, Nintendo dropped a Partner Showcase Direct on July 31st, 2025, with almost no advance notice. It was a blink-and-you-miss-it announcement, and the presentation itself strictly focused on third-party titles from big names like Capcom, Sega, Bandai Namco, Square Enix, and more coming to both Switch and Switch 2 consoles. Before each trailer, Nintendo clearly indicated which platform the game would be launching on (either Switch, Switch 2, or both) by displaying the corresponding logos in the top corner of the screen. While the showcase didn’t aim for blockbuster status, it had a few surprises worth noting. Here’s a quick rundown of each game shown.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
The showcase opened with a trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Unlike some other members of our crew, I’m not at all familiar with the franchise in general. From what I’ve gathered, the Stories series is a spin-off of the mainline entries that has you befriending and bonding with creatures, rather than hunt them. It’s also known for having anime-inspired visuals and is more turn based, than the regular games. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
Once Upon A KATAMARI
The next installment in the Katamari series, you once again roll your way around as The Prince, rolling up every object in yet another colorful and bizarre world the series is known for. Coming to Nintendo Switch October 24th, 2025.
Just Dance 2026 Edition
They’re still making these? Well, I guess people seem to keep buying them, so Ubisoft’s cashing in with the next annual Just Dance. More flashy moves, more glitter, and more of those ear-worms ripped from the pop charts. Featuring 40 new songs, this time, they’re packing in “Apt” by Rose and Bruno Mars, “Houdini” by Dua Lipa, “Hung Up” by Madonna, “All Star” by Smash Mouth, and “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic. If you’re rolling your eyes now, don’t worry. You’re not alone. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch October 14th, 2025.
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO
Next up was Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. No clue about the franchise beyond the basics, but from what I can tell, this is part of some older 3D arena fighter series. You can relive moments from the show in video game form, or you can forge an alternate outcome. If you’re into Dragon Ball fights, cool. Me? Couldn’t care less, no offense to the DBZ fans out there. It’s coming to Switch and Switch 2 November 14th, 2025.
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
Plants vs. Zombies Replanted is a remaster of the original tower defense classic, which first launched on PC and Mac back in 2009 before spreading to just about every device with a screen. Now it’s back in HD with local co-op and PvP support. I’ve never played the series myself, but if quirky lawn defense against the undead is your thing, this one might be worth revisiting. It will release on Switch and Switch 2 October 23rd, 2025.
EA Sports FC26
Yep, it’s soccer. The obligatory release of EA Sports’ FC series continues even after they lost the FIFA license in 2022. A part of me was curious why they stopped using the FIFA name, and it turns out, I still don’t care. If you need your soccer fix on the go with real teams and real players, then FC26 has got you covered. I don’t do the annual sports games myself, but they always do look good. Coming to Switch and Switch 2 September 26th, 2025.
Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac
Wakka-wakka! From Bandai Namco comes Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac. Just like the first game in this spin-off series, this is a from-the-ground-up remake originally released on GameCube and other consoles in 2002. I’ve never touched this series myself, but it ditches it’s arcade origins becoming a 3D-platformer collect-a-thon. I heard these are really fun and I’m interested. Surely sometime from now they’ll give the third game the remake treatment too. This year also happens to be the 45th anniversary of the arcade classic that started it all. It’s coming to Switch and Switch 2 on September 26th, 2025.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
The latest trailer for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, an enhanced remaster original PS1 release. It showcases new HD graphics and other added elements not seen in the original game from 1997. It features two versions in one package. Classic mode is a faithful 1:1 port of the 2007 PSP re-release, and Enhanced mode is the modernized version with full English/Japanese voiced dialogue, revamped visuals and a UI makeover. Once again, I’m not a Final Fantasy guy, but there are those on the GO Team who are looking forward to this. It’s coming to Switch and Switch 2 on September 30th, 2025.
Persona 3 Reload
I’ve honestly lost track of how many sequels, ports, and re-releases this series has had. It feels like every other month there’s a new Persona announcement. This time, it’s Persona 3 Reload making its way to Switch 2. That’s it. No new episode. No fancy DLC. Just the same game that’s already on everything else, now portable (again). Cool for fans, I guess. I tapped out about three trailers ago. It’s coming to Switch 2 on October 23rd, 2025.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the next musou style game set within The Legend of Zelda universe, taking place during the Imprisonment War, it connects directly to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As of now, the game is a Switch 2 exclusive with no official word of a Switch 1 version. More information will be revealed as it’s aiming for a Winter 2025 release.
Madden NFL 26
Just like FC26 before it, it’s an annual sports title. I know the Madden series has it’s fans, and it appeals to the more casual audience who buy consoles just to play these. I don’t follow football AT ALL, so it ain’t for me. But it is for someone, and they can look forward to Madden 26 touching down on Switch 2 on August 14th, 2025.
Chillin’ By The Fire
Chillin’ By The Fire is exactly what it sounds like: a laid-back and cozy fire-building sim. You gather wood, build campfires, roast marshmallows, and just hang with friends using Switch 2’s GameChat function. It shadow-dropped the same day as the showcase. Oh, and it’s developed by a studio called Oink Games, yes, really.
Apex Legends
It’s amazing that Apex Legends still has a consistent and dedicated player base, especially in an industry where more live-service games are fighting for our attention. The Switch 1 version launched back in 2021, and this new native port has been optimized for Switch 2 hardware. It promises improved graphics, smoother frame rates, and faster load times compared to the original. It drops on August 5th, 2025, just in time for Season 26: Showdown and its new Wildcard mode.
Hela
Hela is an inviting 3D co-op adventure where you play as a mouse trying to cure a kind witch. With a Scandinavian-inspired world, you’ll forage ingredients, solve physics-based puzzles, and use a magic frog-shaped backpack for traversal. Hela can be played solo or up to four players, either online or split-screen. It’s coming exclusively to Switch 2 sometime in 2026.
Star Wars: Outlaws
We knew Star Wars Outlaws would show up on Switch 2 sooner or later. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it (you can read my review here), but I’m curious how it’ll perform on a handheld. It’s impressive that the Switch 2 can apparently handle big open-world games, but being a handheld, I assume there have to be some sacrifices to keep things stable and smooth compared to beefier consoles. It’s kinda sus they only showed cutscenes and no actual gameplay or traversal footage. But we’re bound to find out when it launches on Switch 2 September 4th, 2025.
Cronos: The New Dawn
From Bloober Team, the same studio behind the Silent Hill 2 remake, Cronos: The New Dawn comes to Switch 2 on September 5th, 2025. Creepy, survival horror game with time travel elements between 1980s Poland, and a post-apocalyptic future.
Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2
I consider the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series a spiritual successor to Shenmue. And why not? You spend your day fighting, brawling, throwing darts, brawling some more, playing OutRun, brawling again, eating ramen, just like Ryo Hazuki did in the streets of Japan. Oh, and it’s got something to do with the Japanese criminal underworld, too. Seeing Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 come to Switch 2 feels like a nice way for those looking to jump into the series on the go. Both games are coming to Switch 2 on November 13th, 2025.
Rapid Fire Montage
The following games were shown in quick succession…
- Goodnight Adventure – November 11th, 2025 (Switch and Switch 2)
- NBA Bounce – September 26th, 2025 (Switch)
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure: Wheatflour Wonderland – Fall 2025 (Switch)
- Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven – Now available on Switch 2
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – August 29th, 2025 (Switch) Demo Available Now
- Borderlands 4 – October 3, 2025 (Switch 2)
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
A brand new IP coming out of Square Enix and developed by Team Asano, the same studio behind Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default, is an HD 2.5D JRPG where you play as Elliot, paired with his sidekick Faie the Fairy, blending the gameplay of Secret of Mana with Zelda style exploration. It’s coming to Switch 2 sometime in 2026.
Octopath Traveler 0
Speaking of Octopath Traveler, this entry is a prequel to the original game, where you can customize your own character and recruit upwards of 30 characters and field up to 8 at once. It’s retaining the 2D visual stylings that has defined the series, and it’s definitely a Square Enix joint. It’s coming to Switch and Switch 2 December 5th, 2025.
Final Thoughts
So there ya have it! Nintendo managed to squeeze out a Direct just under the wire for July. Surely there’s something for everyone here, right? Maybe? I don’t know. Like I said up top, there weren’t any huge blockbusters or jaw-dropping world premieres. Still, a few things stood out—Pac-Man World 2 caught my eye (retro gamer bias), and I’m really curious how Star Wars Outlaws will actually run on handheld hardware, and I’m sure the Square Enix weebs will eat up Adventures of Elliot and Octopath Traveler 0.
