Nintendo Direct July 2025 Rundown

With the Nintendo Switch 2 launch behind us, it is time for a new Nintendo Direct! Of course, this is a Partner Showcase, focused on third-party titles rather than first-party Nintendo releases. However, there is room for a lot of details and announcements today, so we have a lot to dig into. Let’s see how Nintendo did with the July 2025 Partner showcase!

We start with a new trailer for a Capcom release. Monster Hunter Stories is back with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. The visuals are gorgeous, and it looks like a story of a struggle between two kingdoms. Obviously, there are the franchise’s typical monsters too. Monster Hunter Stories 3 will be released for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.

The Katamari franchise is returning for another release! The next announcement was for Once Upon a Katamari, a new game in the Katamari Damacy franchise. This time, you’ll travel through various eras in time, restoring the universe for the King of all Cosmos. This new game offers online multiplayer, as well as power-ups and customizations for the prince and cousins. Once Upon a Katamari is coming to Nintendo Switch on October 24^th, 2025.

Next up is the obligatory Just Dance segment. Just Dance 2026 Edition stepped onto the stage, with 40 new tracks and a new co-op Party Mode. Just Dance 2026 Edition will be released on October 14^th, 2025.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is coming to Switch and Switch 2! This action fighting game contains all the elements from the other versions, along with motion controls, custom battle modes, and more. Sparking Zero will be released on Switch and Switch 2 on November 14^th, 2025.

Plants Vs. Zombies: Replanted is a new remastered version coming to Switch and Switch 2 on October 23^rd, 2025. This version has co-op and PVP options, as well as all the Plants Vs. Zombies gameplay you know and love in HD.

Hit the Soccer field (excuse me, Football pitch) again on Switch and Switch 2 in EA’s FC 26. You can play all your favorite teams on September 26^th, 2025. You can also pre-order now.

After the successful Pac-Man World Remaster, Pac-Man World 2 is back! Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac took the stage with a small showcase. Remade from scratch, Pac-Man World 2 looks fantastic. Not only does everything seem better than ever, but you can play in co-op as well! Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac will launch on September 26^th, 2025, for Switch and Switch 2.

After seeing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles earlier this year, we have a Nintendo Switch 2 announcement! This classic Tactics RPG has everything from new voice acting and dialogue to difficulty options and more. The Ivalice Chronicles will be available on September 30^th, 2025, for Switch and Switch 2.

Continuing the RPG trend, we have Persona 3 Reload, coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Persona 3 Reload will be coming to Switch 2 on October 23^rd. While the DLC wasn’t mentioned, I can only assume it’ll be available as well.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment took the next segment, showcasing new story elements and gameplay. While we didn’t get a full release date, we did learn that it is coming this winter. Interestingly enough, the Direct also mentioned that, unlike Age of Calamity, this will be an entirely canonical lead-up to the story of Tears of the Kingdom.

Back to sports, Madden NFL 26 was next. All the typical Madden trappings are here, from franchise mode to local and online multiplayer. EA Sports’ Madden NFL 26 is coming to Switch 2 on August 14^th, 2025.

Next was an interesting shift in tone. Chillin by the Fire is a cozy fire-building game where you chop wood, arrange the pieces, and build a fire to sit on the beach at night. From roasting marshmallows to using fireworks, this cozy simulation looks like the perfect summer treat. Chillin by the Fire is available now on Nintendo Switch 2.

The popular team shooter/Battle Royale Apex Legends is coming to Switch 2. With smoother gameplay and increased resolution, Apex Legends will be available on August 5^th, 2025.

Hela was the next in the showcase. To cure a Witch of her illness, the Witch’s familiar goes on a journey to collect ingredients. Up to 4 players can play together, offering an enchanting adventure alone or with friends. We don’t have an exact release date yet, but Hela will be released in 2026.

Star Wars Outlaws was also announced for Switch 2. This journey across the galaxy will be released on September 4^th, 2025.

Chronos: The New Dawn is a weird one. With a Time Travel story mixed with Silent Hill or Dead Space aesthetics, it definitely stands out. Chronos: The New Dawn will be released on September 5^th, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 was announced next, after the Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut release from earlier this year. This Switch 2 version of Kiryu’s fight against Ryuji Goda will be released on November 13^th, 2025. The first game, Yakuza Kiwami, will also be available on the same day, with a digital bundle of both games being available.

Next was the usual buzz reel containing rapid-fire announcements, so here are a few of the games and their release dates in a list.

Goodnight Universe: November 11^th, 2025
NBA Bounce: September 26^th, 2025
Hello Kitty Island Adventure – Wheatflour Wonderland: Fall 2025

Romancing SaGa 2 – Revenge of the Seven: Available Today
Shinobi – Art of Vengeance: August 29^th, 2025
Borderlands 4: October 3^rd, 2025

The penultimate announcement was for a gorgeous new HD-2D Action RPG called The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. Join Elliot and his fairy companion Faie in a journey spanning one thousand years. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales will be released next year. There is also a demo available now.

The final announcement was another Square Enix RPG, but this time it was for Octopath Traveler 0. It’s a little interesting that we went from 1, to 2, and now to 0, but okay. This seems like a different sort of game, with a named protagonist instead of 8 defined characters. However, there appears to be much more than meets the eye. Octopath Traveler 0 will be released on December 4th, 2025.

I’m not sure how to feel about this Nintendo Direct. There were a few fun announcements, but a lot of things were remastered versions or ports. It would have been nice to see a few new releases, maybe with the ports being listed in the buzz-reel at the end. Overall, it was a fun little appetizer for Gamescom later this month.