Another Nintendo Direct has wrapped up and rather than a 3D Mario or Animal Crossing, Nintendo’s prioritising a new 2D Metroid and the first open world Kirby game.
You can’t fault today’s Nintendo Direct for lacking in games, as it crammed in as much as it possibly could from both Nintendo and its third party partners.
However, we once again remain baffled by Nintendo’s priorities with the Switch 2, as there’s still not even a whiff of a new 3D Mario game, Splatoon 4, or a new Animal Crossing – let alone the rumoured Luigi’s Mansion 4.
Instead, Nintendo’s first major exclusives for 2027 are a Metroid Dread sequel and an open world Kirby game. So it’s a good job they both looked really good.
The new Kirby game is titled Kirby And The World Beyond, and served as the big closer of the Direct. It’s not technically the first 3D Kirby game (that was Kirby And The Forgotten Land) but it looks as if it’s ditching the traditional formula and dropping the pink puffball into a large Super Mario Odyssey style open world.
Some elements from The Forgotten Land seem to be carried over (like Kirby’s Bayonetta-esque dodge roll), but you’ll be able to use his various power-ups for exploration and acquiring extra large versions, like a giant sword that carves through the environment.
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The end of the trailer also suggests Kirby is trapped inside of a large dome, as he cuts through an invisible wall and creates a gap leading to another area outside.
Kirby And The World Beyond is scheduled for spring 2027 and will coincide with the franchise’s 35th anniversary, which Nintendo has teased further plans for.
As with predecessor Metroid Dread, the name Metroid Ravenous had previously leaked and, as suspected, it’s a new 2D game. Although not confirmed, it’s presumed to be in the works at Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam.
It looks fantastic, showing Samus using a new ability that lets her drain her enemies’ lifeforce and fighting a gang of bad guys that bear a passing resemblance to Dread villain Raven Beak.
Perhaps most surprising is that Samus talks in English; something she hasn’t done since the rightly maligned Metroid: Other M. It’s too soon to tell if the voice acting will be more well received this time, when the game launches on January 28.
There will also be a special edition of the game and new amiibo figures of Samus, a Chozo statue, and Samus’ Metroid transformation from the end of Dread.
Beyond that, Nintendo’s other reveals include a Switch 2 edition of Pikmin 4, which was also widely rumoured/speculated. Aside from adding microphone support (so you can give voice commands to alien dog Oatchi), it comes with a Dandoori Academy mode where you complete timed challenges.
These challenges will be distributed weekly and the plan is to release 72 of them in total. This version of the game launches on November 12.
Lastly, there as an update on Mario Kart World, although still no sign of paid DLC. Instead, a free update that drops today will add a further two Knockout Tour rallies and 10 tracks from Super Mario Kart for the SNES.
These tracks can be found in the open world, but you’ll now be able to race around them in the Vs Race mode and they’ll even feature the ? panels you drive over to gain items, instead of using ? blocks.
Despite what was rumoured, there was not only no sign of Luigi’s Mansion 4, but nothing to indicate a Super Metroid remake or a new Wario Land is on the way. That’s not to say they don’t exist, but the former seems especially redundant in light of Metroid Ravenous.
What’s especially surprising, though, is the lack of any news on The Duskbloods. FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive is meant to be launching this year but even after a network test, Nintendo still won’t share an exact release date for it.
At 45 minutes, and with few games getting more than a couple of minutes of screentime, there was a lot to pack in but these are the most notable other announcements.
Monster Hunter Wilds – December 4
Capcom’s online co-op adventure has enjoyed some very mixed fortunes since it first arrived on other formats in early 2025. It’ll arrive on Switch 2 this Christmas, with expansion Ascendance due sometime in 2027 – presumably at the same time as for other formats.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion – today
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will be released for Switch 2 at the same time as every other format, on April 8. The Switch 2 remaster of Crisis Core, which acts as a prequel to the original game will be released in 2027. It’s never been particularly good but if you’re a sucker for lore it has plenty of that.
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Definitive Edition – February 25
None of the Hyrule Warriors games are very good but this is the best of the trio. The original Switch 1 title is being remastered with improved visuals, a 60fps mode, and more enemies on screen. It also comes with all the content from its expansion pass and a new harder difficulty level. If you already own the original you can pay for an upgrade and still use your old save.
Meccha Chameleon – today
It’ll be interesting to see how this runaway indie hit fares on Switch, as it’s become one of the most popular of the current crop of friendslop games. It doesn’t look notably different from the PC version, which probably means a lot of jank.
Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 2 – 2027
The first part of the Pokémon Pokopia expansion pass was great but the second was always advertised as much more minor. That was made clear in the Direct where the only additions seemed to be new pokémon and accessories like bow ties and sunglasses. The third and final part will add a new town, but that’s not out until next year.
Star Fox free update – September 30
Nintendo is still pushing Star Fox hard, with rubbish GameCube spin-off Star Fox Adventures available on Nintendo Switch Online from today. The considerably better Star Fox 64 remake will get a free update later this month, adding four-player split-screen multiplayer (which the original also had) and new stages.
Professor Layton And The New World of Steam – December 10
Upcoming first party game Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave only got a brief nod, as it’s out on September 17, but there was a lot of time spent on the return of Nintendo DS stalwart Professor Layton. The new game seemed to be largely the same idea as before, but with higher production values and a new co-op element.
Onyx: The Dark Grip – 2027
Silent Hill 2 remake developer Bloober Team have a pretty poor track record when working on their own IP but this Switch 2 exclusive did look interesting. It can only be played in handheld mode, which we’re surprised Nintendo let them do. It has the very meta concept that the character in the game can sense you as a player interacting with the game world, which he interprets as supernatural. It’s a neat premise so we hope it works out.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – December 3
The third and final Switch 2 Edition for Xenoblade Chronicles adds a new hero called Shimmer (who looks like she’s meant to be the daughter of Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2) and a new mode named Heroes’ Vault, where you fight waves of enemies. That’s less new stuff than some of the previous entries but still a welcome effort.
Stage Fright – 2027
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Overcooked! developer Ghost Town Games but this new puzzle-based game looked really good. You could see a lot of DNA from Overcooked but in the context of what seems to be a more traditionally structured game, with lots of exploration and an actual story. It’s a shame it didn’t get an actual release date.
Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition/Resident Evil 3/Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition – October 16
Poor old Resident Evil 3 is the only one that’s not getting a special edition but then it is very much the odd one out amongst the Resi remakes, to the point where you almost wish Capcom would give it another go. That’s unlikely to happen but at least they’re all available on Switch 2 now.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort – October 22
As with Fire Emblem, there wasn’t an awful lot of time spent on this, as the 12 sports had already been revealed before. As a result, most time was spent on free form exploration of Wuhu Island. It all looks fine but it’s hard to imagine it ever having the impact of Wii Sports again.
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection – 2027
A very welcome surprise, this includes every major entry in the gorgeously animated 2D shooter series, plus a location test prototype of the original arcade game and what looks like a ton of behind the scenes concept art and details. We’re very keen.
Stellar Blade Complete Edition – November 5
We’re not sure what this was doing stuck in the montage at the end, considering it’s one of the best PlayStation 5 exclusives of recent years, but this version comes with all the DLC, including the Bayonetta Nano Suit Collaboration, which we didn’t realise was even a thing till now.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Encore Edition – November 5
Another great game hidden away amidst a montage, the eternally underrated Guardians Of The Galaxy is yet another example of the Marvel curse, in that it’s a great game that didn’t sell well. Given the licence and Square Enix selling off the developer we thought it might never be seen again, so this was a welcome surprise.
Persona 4 Revival – May 20
This comes out on other formats in February, but it’s not too long of a wait for the Switch 2 version of Atlus’ Persona 4 remake. Persona 6 was also featured in the Direct but nothing was shown or said about it. Although its presence in this week’s Steam leak suggests it’ll be out sooner rather than later.
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