Nintendo hosted a new Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, revealing a lineup of upcoming third-party games for both the Nintendo Switch and the newly released Switch 2. The approximately 25-minute presentation highlighted a mix of new announcements, returning franchises, and ports of recently released titles.
One of the major announcements was Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, a new entry in the RPG spin-off series from Capcom, which is scheduled for a 2026 release. The game's trailer teased a story centered on a Rathalos rider and an "environmental calamity" threatening two kingdoms.
Another HD-2D title from Square Enix was unveiled. Octopath Traveler 0, a prequel to the series, will allow players to customize their protagonist and rebuild a destroyed hometown. This new adventure is set to launch on December 4. Square Enix also revealed a new action RPG, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, a co-op game with real-time combat arriving in 2026.
Sports fans can look forward to several major releases. Madden NFL 26 is returning to Nintendo, with a release date of August 14. EA Sports FC 26 is also coming on September 26, featuring new gameplay and challenges.
Other notable announcements included:
* Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a new hack-and-slash game that will be a canonical prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
* Once Upon a Katamari, a new Katamari game launching on October 24.
* The free-to-play hero shooter Apex Legends, which will be available on Switch 2 starting August 5.
* A remake of the original tower defense game, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, which will feature HD graphics and co-op modes when it releases on October 23.
* Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, a remaster with fully voiced dialogue and enhanced graphics, coming September 30.
* Persona 3 Reload, an updated version of the classic RPG, heading to Switch 2 on October 23.
* Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2, which are remakes of the original PS2 titles, will be available on November 13.
* Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, a modernized version of the 3D platformer, will launch on September 26.
* Star Wars Outlaws received a new gameplay trailer, confirming its September 4 release on Switch 2.
The presentation also included a number of smaller announcements in quick-fire segments, such as Cronos: The New Dawn, Hela, and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
