The biggest announcements from the Direct

Note: This feature was first published on 3 April 2025.

Alongside the Nintendo Switch 2’s new features and launch details, the latest Nintendo Direct also gave us a look at some of the new games we can expect the Switch 2 to get in the coming months, including some of its launch titles. The range of games showcased spanned originals, adaptations and remasters, and included Nintendo properties, triple-A games as well as a couple big indie titles.

The Direct also showcased a few Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. The somewhat confusing name aside, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games are essentially redone versions of Switch games made for the Switch 2, and include improved performance and new in-game feature .

These are some of the highlights that were shown in the Direct, with a full list of games revealed for the Switch 2 on the next page. 

Mario Kart World

Starting off this entire Direct was a trailer for Mario Kart World, the first completely original installment in the series since Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U (which was adapted into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch). We reported back in 2022 that the Mario Kart successor was to have a “big twist” according to a leak, and it seems to have bore fruit, as it looks to be the first open-world Mario Kart game.

Mario Kart World takes place on a map with varying climates and biomes. The game is slated to have three game modes: Grand Prix, Knockout Tour and Free Roam. Grand Prix, the classic four-race game mode, comes with a switch-up in World, as instead of transitioning to the next track through  a game menu, players will have to drive to the next course. Grand Prix will also have 24 racers in a single race, up from the maximum of 12 in Mario Kart 8.

Knockout Tour functions similar to a battle royale. Players will race from one corner of the world to another, with checkpoints situated throughout the race. The checkpoints will have a number displayed, and those in a position under that number will be eliminated. Free Roam is the most self-explanatory, but also the most unique mode, as you’ll be able to freely explore the map and potentially even scout out the tracks, as the trailer mentions finding new routes.

Online multiplayer for Free Roam is also available, though it will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The game will launch on 5 June, the same day as the Switch 2. For more information on the game, a Mario Kart Direct will be broadcast on 17 April.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the newest installment in the hack-and-slash Hyrule Warriors spin-off, and will take place before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, similar to how its predecessor, Age of Calamity, took place before Breath of the Wild.

The game will be developed by Koei Tecmo, who also made Age of Calamity, though you might know them better as the ones behind the Atelier, Dead or Alive and Dynasty Warriors franchises. Taking place in the Imprisoning War, which served as a narrative backdrop in Tears of the Kingdom, the game shows what exactly happened when (spoilers ahead) Zelda traveled back in time in TOTK. Zelda, along with Rauru and Mineru, appear to be playable characters, and the trailer shows what we can expect in terms of their gameplay.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will release in Winter 2025/26.

The Duskbloods

Although Elden Ring Tarnished Edition for the Switch 2 was an attention grabber in the Direct, it wasn’t the only From Software game featured. Instead, more time was spent on The Duskbloods, an original game that will be a Switch 2 exclusive.

Stylistically, it’s easy to judge The Duskbloods as a redux of Bloodborne with some Elden Ring / Souls elements, with the trailer showing gothic architecture alongside wider, less claustrophobic outdoor settings. But it does also seem a bit Steampunk-esque, with trains and even a jetpack featured. You play as the ‘Bloodsworn’, a group of people that “has transcended human strength thanks to their special blood”, according to From Software. Apart from that, story details are a bit unclear, other than you and other people competing for something called “First Blood”.

Yes, The Duskbloods will also support multiplayer. A PvPvE, the game will support online multiplayer with up to eight people. That’s all the information given, though more will be told in a Creator’s Voice article that is set to be released on Nintendo’s website on 4 April. The game itself is set to release in 2026.

Deltarune Chapters 1-4

I’m not sure who expected to get news on the new Deltarune chapters in a Nintendo Direct, but it happened anyway. Originally said to be arriving sometime this year, we now have a solid release date for the two new Deltarune chapters, as it will be coming a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 in one huge Deltarune Chapters 1-4 collection.

Developed by Toby Fox and serving as a parallel story to Undertale, the minute-long teaser didn’t give us much information on the surface, though no doubt countless people online are already theorising. We do know that this will be a paid purchase, unlike the free Deltarune Chapter 1&2 for Switch and other consoles (and the Deltarune Demo for PC).

The Deltarune release also extends to other platforms. Having existed as a demo on Steam for some time, as well as a free download on consoles, Deltarune Chapters 1-4 will arrive not just on Switch 2 as a launch title, but also other on platforms, including PS5, PS4, PC via Steam, and the original Switch, on the same day. A newsletter with more information relating to Deltarune will be released on its website.

Kirby Air Riders

Another unexpected announcement with a vague teaser was Kirby Air Riders, a successor to 2003’s Kirby Air Ride for the Nintendo GameCube. The game has developed a following despite its initial lacklustre response back in the early 2000s, with unique mechanics including a ‘City Trial’ that has you build a vehicle (or Air Ride Machines) using power-ups and competing against other players in various match formats, as well as using Kirby’s powers in races.

The trailer didn’t show us much, but it did showcase new graphics and tease some of the Air Ride Machines we can expect, including a Warpstar, a Wheelie, a Winged Star and a van that somewhat resembles Car Mouth Kirby. It also revealed that Masahiro Sakurai will be returning to helm the game, having directed the original Kirby Air Ride all those years ago.

Kirby Air Riders is set to release sometime in 2025.

Donkey Kong Bananza

The last trailer in the Direct, the Donkey Kong series finally gets the privilege that Mario has had since Super Mario 64, that being a 3D platformer game. Donkey Kong Bananza is the first open-ended 3D platformer in the Donkey Kong series, and features Mario’s first antagonist breaking almost everything in his environment, including enemies.

The trailer also featured other mechanics, including throwing objects, riding on said thrown objects, and a barrel that launches Donkey Kong upwards. Interestingly, it also showed a 2D section, perhaps a reference or homage to the Donkey Kong Country series.

Donkey Kong Bananza will come to the Switch 2 on 17 July of this year. 

Those were just some of the highlights from the Direct. Click to the next page to see some of the ports and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games announced, as well as the full list of titles on launch day and further in the year.