TheNintendo Switch 2has been out in the wild for over a month now, and it’s been a pretty quiet few weeks for the brand-new console. WhileMario Kart Worldwas an excellent launch game, and it came alongside worthwhile upgrades, both free and premium, for a range of great titles likeBreath of the Wild,Super Mario Wonder, andPokemon Scarlet & Violet, software has otherwise been pretty thin on the ground.
It was a confident albeit slightly underwhelming launch set to receive its first shot in the arm later this week with the arrival ofDonkey Kong Bananza. From the development team known forSuper Mario Odyssey, it’s shaping up to be a wonderful platformer that expands on the unpredictable whimsy of its plumber predecessor. But after that, what can gamers expect for the rest of the year? Well, for starters, we’re in dire need of a Nintendo Direct.
When Is The Next Nintendo Direct?
Nintendo is yet to announce plans for its next Direct presentation, althoughrecent rumours point to one taking place later this month. I imagine it will be confirmed following the release of Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17, giving players enough time to enjoy the new exclusive before providing them a glimpse of what’s to come.
It’s the right time of year for Nintendo to confirm its upcoming slate of new titles alongside release dates for existing ones. With that in mind, here is exactly what we are expecting to see from the next Direct once it finally rolls around.
Release Dates For Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Elden Ring, And More
I couldn’t be the only one who spent months thinking Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was already confirmed as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title, right? It was in all the showcases, we went hands-on with it at multiple events, and it seems like a supremely polished product through and through. Not to mention,it showcases Mouse Mode in a way that would have been ideal for a launch title. What happened? Where is it?
That question is bound to be answered at the next Nintendo Direct, with Retro Studios likely to reveal a new trailer for the game alongside the long-awaited release date. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if it also received a dedicated showcase of its own in the coming months. But it feels like a glaring omission in the Switch 2 library right now that needs to be filled, and after more than half a decade of waiting for this new entry, it can’t dilly-dally for much longer.
Speaking of release dates, some of the more popular third-party titles we saw shown ahead of the console’s arrival are also in dire need of updates. I want to see release dates forElden Ring,Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and more. Not to mention plenty of the rumoured third-party efforts that have been doing the rounds in recent weeks. We know the Switch 2 can run all of them, so what’s the hold-up?
A Deeper Look At Hyrule Warriors: The Age Of Imprisonment
If the original Nintendo Switch is any indication, its successor’s first year will be defined by all the titles shown during its initial reveal. Which includesHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmentby Koei Tecmo.
In the same vein as Age of Calamity, this upcoming musou experience is a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom that takes us back in time to the founding of Hyrule as Princess Zelda, along with Rauru, Sonia, and myriad other allies, fight back against Ganon and his armies. Unlike Age of Calamity, however,the narrative events of Imprisonment are confirmed to be canon.
Due to launch later this year, expect a confirmed release date alongside either a trailer that goes harder on the story, gameplay, or both. I mean, it’s a musou title, so you’ll spend most of your time hacking and slashing, but what characters and abilities this might involve is still an exciting prospect.
More Nintendo Switch 2 Editions And Free Updates
I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Editions’ became a common sight in the years to come. Alongside free updates that offer general performance and visual improvements, it behooves Nintendo to charge a few extra pennies for more comprehensive upgrades which it can also release as fully-priced products.
We know that first-party Nintendo games rarely lose their value, so from the business side, it’s a move that makes absolute sense. I’d love to see updates forFire Emblem: Three HousesandXenoblade Chronicles 2 & 3, all of which would benefit massively from the Switch 2 hardware. We’ll have a reason to play games we love, and Nintendo gets some additional brownie points for pretty much doing nothing. Perfect for a Direct.
A Few Nintendo GameCube Classic Shadow Drops
There is no better time for shadow dropping something than a Nintendo Direct, and it’s no stranger to the practice either. Over the years, we’ve seen indie classics like Hades drop as part of such presentations alongside first-party gems like Metroid Prime Remastered.
As the first fully-fledged Direct of a new era, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nintendo pull this move. Perhaps it will drop some of the already confirmed GameCube classics like Pokémon Colosseum or Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance? It seems like a no-brainer if it wants to get us talking. We’re also due a few additional classic announcements to help expand the library and ensure we know Nintendo remains committed to preserving its legacy.
The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker And Twilight Princess HD
I know I wrote previously about giving hope for this eventual port of two HD classics, but this time, I’m throwing one final Hail Mary and promising you it will be at July’s upcoming Direct.
Nintendo’s holiday calendar is looking pretty quiet right now, so why not spice things up with the launch of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker HD. Much of the graphics and performance improvements still hold up from the Wii U days, so the process of porting them to Switch 2 can’t bethatcomplicated, right? I’m no game developer, but Nintendo is sitting on oodles of free money with this one.
