What Nintendo Direct September 2026 Delivered
Nintendo came into this broadcast with a simple promise: show off what’s coming to Switch 2 in the next six months or so. No wild expectations were set. No 3D Mario teases. Just games, dates, and a few surprises.
Then they opened with Monster Hunter Wilds, closed with a brand new 3D Kirby, and dropped a 2D Metroid in the middle that nobody saw coming. By the time the credits rolled, Switch 2 owners had a packed release calendar stretching well into 2027 .
This is the complete Nintendo Direct September 2026 recap. Every game, every date, every trailer that mattered. If you missed the livestream, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to preorder and when .
Monster Hunter Wilds Finally Comes to Switch 2
The Direct opened with the announcement plenty of Switch 2 owners had been waiting for. Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds arrives on Nintendo’s hybrid console on December 4, 2026 .
This isn’t a stripped-down port. The Switch 2 version includes every Title Update Capcom has released so far, from the Grand Hub to fan-favorite monsters like Mizutsune and Lagiacrus, plus the Final Fantasy XIV Online collaboration . Local co-op and cross-platform multiplayer are both supported, which means you can hunt with friends whether they’re on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, or PC .
The Ascendance expansion, previously shown at PlayStation’s State of Play, will also come to Switch 2 sometime in 2027. It introduces new monsters, new story content, and the Boost Bracer, a piece of equipment that unlocks new Slinger abilities .
Metroid Ravenous Brings Samus Back to 2D
The biggest surprise of the show was Metroid Ravenous, a brand new 2D entry in the series launching exclusively on Switch 2 on January 28, 2027 .
The announcement trailer, narrated by Samus herself, sets up a familiar premise: she’s attacked on a moon by a mysterious group of enemies and sent plunging into the depths below. What follows is a montage of 2D action that looks like a direct evolution of Metroid Dread, with 3D graphics, cinematic camera angles, parrying mechanics, and the Morph Ball all returning .
The twist is Samus’s new energy-draining ability. She can feed on her enemies, and the marketing line is blunt about the theme: “It’s eat or be eaten” . Her suit appears to change based on what she absorbs, granting new attacks like a menacing green energy form. It’s the most aggressive Samus has ever looked, and fans are already speculating about how deep the absorption system goes.
A special edition bundle includes a SteelBook case and an amiibo of Samus in one of her new forms. Two additional amiibo launch the same day: one of Samus and another of a Chozo statue .
Kirby and the World Beyond Closes the Show
Nintendo saved the cutest announcement for last. Kirby and the World Beyond is a brand new 3D adventure launching on Switch 2 in Spring 2027, timed perfectly with Kirby’s 35th anniversary .
The gameplay trailer showed Kirby exploring a much more open world than previous entries. He’s armed with a big sword this time, plus a new floaty companion, and his Copy Abilities are being used in creative ways to navigate expansive environments . There’s a Truman Show quality to the whole thing, with the trailer highlighting a broken outer wall that Kirby ventures beyond .
If the open-world structure holds up, this could be Kirby’s biggest adventure yet. And given how Nintendo has treated the character’s anniversary celebrations in the past, expect more announcements as Spring 2027 approaches.
Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6 Both Confirmed for Switch 2
Atlus finally put the rumors to rest. Persona 4 Revival is coming to Switch 2, and Persona 6 is officially confirmed for the platform as well .
Persona 4 Revival launches on May 20, 2027, though the Switch 2 version arrives later than the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S releases . Persona 6 has no release date yet, and Atlus hasn’t confirmed whether the Switch 2 version will launch alongside other platforms or follow later.
Either way, this is a massive win for Switch 2 owners. Persona 5 Royal was a standout RPG on Switch, and having both the next mainline entry and a beloved remake confirmed for the platform signals Atlus is committed to Nintendo’s hardware.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation Gets an April 2027 Date
The final chapter of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, arrives on Switch 2 on April 8, 2027. Preorders for the digital version opened the same day as the Direct .
If you need something to tide you over, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion launched on Switch 2 the same day as the broadcast . The prequel tells Zack Fair’s story and fills in crucial gaps leading into Revelation, so it’s worth playing before the trilogy concludes.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Launches Next Week
The next Fire Emblem game is almost here. Fortune’s Weave launches on September 17, and the latest trailer showed off more tactical RPG gameplay built specifically for Switch 2. And yes, it features a nun with a gun .
Nintendo has been steadily building hype for this one, and the September 17 release date means players won’t have to wait long to get their hands on it.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Definitive Edition Comes to Switch 2
Age of Calamity was a technical mess on the original Switch, but the Switch 2 version is getting a proper glow-up. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Definitive Edition launches on February 25, 2027, with improved visuals, higher framerates, and significantly larger enemy hordes on screen .
There’s also a new “Calamity Mode” difficulty setting for players who want an even tougher challenge. If you already own the original game, you’ll get a promotional discount on the digital Switch 2 version .
Mario Kart World Gets 10 Classic Tracks Today
Mario Kart World received a free update the same day as the Direct, adding 10 classic Super Mario Kart tracks and two new Knockout Tour routes . Fan favorites like Ghost Valley, Vanilla Lake, and Choco Island all return with modernized visuals.
The update went live automatically, so if you haven’t booted up Mario Kart World recently, now’s the time.
Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 2 Adds Style
The second part of the Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass is all about fashion. It adds new accessories for Ditto and friends, including sunglasses, bow ties, and Sylveon’s signature ribbon. The update also expands the Pokemon roster and adds new furniture items for decorating .
Star Fox Gets Free Update and Adventures on Nintendo Classics
A free Star Fox update arrives September 29, adding local four-player split-screen multiplayer and three new battle mode stages . That means four people can squad up on a single Switch 2.
Even better, Star Fox Adventures joined the Nintendo Classics library the same day as the Direct. The GameCube cult classic is now available through the Expansion Pack, giving fans a chance to revisit (or discover) one of the weirdest entries in the series .
The Witcher 3 Remastered and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Head to Switch 2
CD Projekt Red showed off The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered running on Switch 2, and it looks dramatically better than the original Switch version. It launches September 29, and it’s a free upgrade if you already own the game on Switch . The upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, also comes to Switch 2 in 2027 .
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 arrives on Switch 2 in 2027 in a Royal Edition that includes all previously released DLC . The gameplay shown during the Direct looked rough, but Warhorse Studios has time to optimize before launch.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam Gets a December Date
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam launches December 10, and it features the “biggest” mystery in the series to date . After nine years without a new Professor Layton game, puzzle fans have something to celebrate.
Danganronpa 2×2 Brings Slayhem Mode in January
Danganronpa 2×2 launches January 14 on Switch 2, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC . The package includes the original Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair plus a new alternate scenario called Slayhem Mode.
Slayhem Mode features different victims and culprits from the original game, stemming from a certain incident. It runs about 35 hours, which is five hours longer than the original game and packs 20% more content . The original game also gets updated visuals and improved production values.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Switch 2 Edition Adds Heroes Vault Mode
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is getting a Switch 2 upgrade that includes the new Heroes Vault mode, which looks like a Vampire Survivors-style experience where you guide a small army across the battlefield . There’s also a new hero named Shimmer, an attacker who can see the future.
The Switch 2 edition launches in 2027 on both Switch and Switch 2 .
Onyx: The Dark Grip Is a Switch 2 Horror Exclusive
Bloober Team, the studio behind the Silent Hill 2 remake, revealed Onyx: The Dark Grip. It appears to be the rumored Switch-exclusive horror game, and it uses the Switch 2’s touchscreen in interesting ways .
The game features shifting perspectives and mind-reading powers, and it’s a handheld-only experience. Details are still scarce, but Bloober’s track record makes this one worth watching.
Stage Fright Brings Co-Op Horror From Overcooked Devs
The developers of Overcooked are back with Stage Fright, a co-op game where two players trapped in different dimensions must fight side-by-side and solve puzzles together to rescue a lost friend. It launches in 2027 .
Other Games Coming to Switch 2
A sizzle reel revealed even more third-party titles headed to Switch 2 in the coming months . 007 First Light arrives in 2026, Fading Echo launches December 17, and Far Cry 3 Classic Edition plus Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Classic Edition both hit in Spring 2027. The Crew Motorfest races onto Switch 2 October 8, and The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother comes in early 2027.
House Flipper 2 arrives October 15 with the Sakura DLC included, Sonic Pico Park launches November 12, and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World releases December 3. Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon: Classic HD launched the same day as the Direct, and Hela: Of Mice and Magic arrives December 1. Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream lands December 3, Stellar Blade: The Complete Edition hits November 5, and The Ascent: Ultimate Edition comes in December 2026.
It Takes Two and Bluey’s Happy Snaps both launch October 15, Palia arrives in December 2026, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush speeds in September 10, and Hell is Us launches October 8. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Encore Edition arrives November 5 .
What Was Missing From the Direct
No 3D Mario. No new Zelda. No Switch 2 price drop. If you were hoping for a massive first-party bombshell beyond Metroid and Kirby, this wasn’t that show.
But that’s also not what Nintendo promised. This Direct was about filling out the Switch 2’s release calendar for the next six months and giving players a reason to keep their consoles plugged in. On that front, it succeeded. Between Monster Hunter Wilds, Fire Emblem, Metroid Ravenous, and Kirby and the World Beyond, there’s something for nearly every type of Nintendo fan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Metroid Ravenous come out? Metroid Ravenous launches January 28, 2027, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 .
Is Monster Hunter Wilds coming to Switch 2? Yes, Monster Hunter Wilds arrives on Switch 2 on December 4, 2026, with the Ascendance expansion following in 2027 .
Is Persona 6 coming to Switch 2? Yes, Persona 6 has been officially confirmed for Switch 2, though no release date has been announced .
What is Kirby and the World Beyond? It’s a new 3D Kirby adventure launching in Spring 2027 on Switch 2, featuring open environments and creative Copy Ability usage .
When does Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave release? Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave launches September 17, 2026 .
A Solid Direct With Two Massive Surprises
Nintendo Direct September 2026 wasn’t the flashiest show Nintendo has ever produced. It opened with a port, spent most of its runtime on release dates for games we already knew about, and saved its biggest reveals for the middle and end.
But those reveals were worth the wait. Metroid Ravenous looks like a worthy follow-up to Dread, with an absorption mechanic that could fundamentally change how Samus plays. Kirby and the World Beyond appears to be the open-world Kirby game fans have been dreaming about for years. And Persona 6 on Switch 2 is the kind of announcement that moves consoles.
The next six months are packed for Switch 2 owners. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave arrives September 17. Mario Kart World just got 10 new tracks. The Witcher 3 Remastered and Star Fox’s multiplayer update both land September 29. Monster Hunter Wilds closes out the year on December 4. And then 2027 kicks off with Metroid Ravenous in January.
What was your favorite announcement from the Direct? Are you more excited for Metroid Ravenous or Kirby and the World Beyond? And did Persona 6 finally sell you on a Switch 2? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
