Nintendo’s June 9 Nintendo Direct was widely anticipated as the first major showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2, and the company delivered a presentation that exceeded expectations on nearly every front. Across roughly 40 minutes of announcements, Nintendo revealed a full slate of first-party franchises returning with ambitious new entries, secured major third-party support from Square Enix, Capcom, Atlus, and FromSoftware, and reserved its most dramatic surprises for the closing moments. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is receiving a full remake for Nintendo Switch 2, Kingdom Hearts IV is officially coming to the platform, and a dozen other titles spanning RPGs, action games, simulators, and family-friendly fare are now on the calendar. For anyone wondering what the Switch 2 library will look like in its first year, this Direct provided the clearest picture yet.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Returns in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2
The single most consequential announcement of the Direct was the confirmation that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is being rebuilt for Nintendo Switch 2, with a release window set for 2026. Originally launched for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, Ocarina of Time has long been regarded as one of the most influential action-adventure games ever created, establishing design conventions that persist across the industry nearly three decades later. The remake is not a simple up-res port. According to the trailer shown during the Direct, the project involves a complete visual overhaul, modernized controls, and enhancements that take advantage of the Switch 2 hardware. Nintendo did not specify a developer for the remake, but the footage demonstrated significantly higher polygon counts, updated texture work, and lighting that suggests a ground-up rebuild using a contemporary engine. For a title that has already been rereleased on virtually every Nintendo platform since its original debut, this marks the first time Nintendo has committed to a full-scale remake rather than an emulation-based reissue. The decision signals that the company views Ocarina of Time not merely as a legacy title to be preserved, but as a franchise pillar capable of driving hardware adoption in the same way a brand-new Zelda entry might. The 2026 window places the remake in the Switch 2’s second year, giving Nintendo room to build momentum with other first-party releases before deploying one of its most powerful nostalgia assets.
Kingdom Hearts IV and the Kingdom Hearts Collection Arrive on Switch 2
Square Enix used the Direct to make a substantial commitment to the Nintendo Switch 2, beginning with the revelation that Kingdom Hearts IV will launch on the platform alongside other systems. The trailer shown during the presentation offered an extended look at Sora in action, with combat sequences that highlight the game’s blend of real-time action and Disney-inspired spectacle. Kingdom Hearts IV was originally announced in 2022 with a teaser that left its platform lineup ambiguous. The confirmation of a Switch 2 version is significant because the franchise has historically had an inconsistent presence on Nintendo hardware. The original Kingdom Hearts games appeared on Nintendo handhelds via ports and spin-offs, but the mainline series largely skipped the Nintendo Switch until cloud-based versions arrived late in that console’s lifecycle. By securing a native Kingdom Hearts IV launch, Nintendo signals that the Switch 2 has the developer support and hardware capability to host one of Square Enix’s most demanding properties.
Alongside the new entry, Square Enix announced Kingdom Hearts Collection [I–III] for Nintendo Switch 2, bundling the three mainline games into a single package scheduled for October 8, 2026. This collection gives newcomers a way to experience the entire core narrative ahead of Kingdom Hearts IV, and it effectively addresses one of the most persistent complaints from Switch owners who were unable to play the original trilogy natively on the previous console. The collection and the new game together represent a comprehensive franchise push that positions the Switch 2 as a primary platform for the series moving forward.
Xenoblade Genesis Leads Monolith Soft’s Next Chapter
Monolith Soft revealed Xenoblade Genesis, a brand-new entry in the long-running RPG series that has become one of Nintendo’s most respected first-party franchises. The trailer offered glimpses of a new setting, new characters, and the kind of sprawling environmental design that has defined the series since Xenoblade Chronicles first appeared on the Wii. Specific plot and gameplay details remain scarce, but the title itself — “Genesis” — suggests a return to foundational themes or perhaps a narrative reset that could make the game more accessible to newcomers.
In addition to the new entry, Monolith Soft released Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition as a digital title available immediately following the Direct. The physical version is scheduled for July 30, 2026. The Definitive Edition includes visual upgrades, performance improvements, and quality-of-life features tuned for the Switch 2 hardware. An upgrade pack is also available for existing owners of the Switch version, allowing them to carry their save data forward while benefiting from the enhanced presentation. This dual approach — delivering a polished version of a beloved classic alongside a completely new installment — mirrors the strategy Nintendo employed with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom on the original Switch, and it provides Monolith Soft’s fanbase with immediate content while they wait for Genesis.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Marks a New Campaign for the Strategy RPG Series
Intelligent Systems unveiled Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, a completely new entry in the strategy RPG franchise that has enjoyed a renaissance since Fire Emblem: Awakening on the Nintendo 3DS. The trailer showcased a new cast of characters, a fresh story unconnected to previous games, and tactical combat that appears to build on the systems refined in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem Engage. The announcement positions Fortune’s Weave as a flagship title for the Switch 2’s early lineup, and it continues Nintendo’s pattern of releasing a mainline Fire Emblem game during the first major hardware transition window. The series has historically performed well on Nintendo handhelds and home consoles alike, making it a reliable driver of engagement for the company’s core audience.
Final Fantasy Resonance Brings HD-2D to Nintendo Switch 2
Square Enix also announced FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE, an entirely new title described as “the first HD-2D FINAL FANTASY game blending pixel art with dynamic camera work.” The game is scheduled for release on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on October 22, 2026. The HD-2D style, which combines high-resolution pixel-art sprites with three-dimensional environments, lighting, and depth-of-field effects, was pioneered by Square Enix in Octopath Traveler and has since been used in Triangle Strategy, Live A Live, and the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake. Applying that aesthetic to the Final Fantasy franchise is a move that fans have speculated about for years. The teaser description — “Imagine what classic FINAL FANTASY could have become if pixel art kept evolving” — frames the project as an alternate-history take on the series’ visual identity, one that retains the charm of the 16-bit era while adopting modern cinematography and presentation techniques. The dual-platform release on both Switch and Switch 2 ensures that the game reaches the widest possible audience while giving early adopters of the new hardware a native version.
Splatoon Raiders and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Expand Nintendo’s Family-Friendly Lineup
Nintendo showed two new titles aimed at its broader audience. Splatoon Raiders represents the next evolution of the squid-based multiplayer franchise, introducing new gameplay mechanics that appear to shift the series toward a more action-oriented direction while retaining the core turf-war objective. The trailer hinted at expanded movement options, new weapon classes, and a visual style that pushes the Switch 2’s rendering capabilities further than previous entries in the series.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort expands the Switch Sports formula with additional activities and locations. Building on the foundation established by Nintendo Switch Sports in 2022, this new version adds sports, environments, and presumably online multiplayer features designed to make the most of the Switch 2’s improved hardware and network infrastructure. Both titles underscore Nintendo’s strategy of maintaining its casual and family audiences while courting core gamers with the heavier RPG and action offerings in the same Direct.
Third-Party Heavyweights: Metaphor, Stellar Blade, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and More
Atlus confirmed that Metaphor: ReFantazio, the fantasy RPG from the creative team behind Persona 5 and Shin Megami Tensei, will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 12, 2026. The game was originally announced for other platforms, and its arrival on Switch 2 marks another high-profile third-party commitment to the console.
Shift Up’s action RPG Stellar Blade, which previously generated significant attention for its character design and combat system, was announced for the Switch 2. Capcom brought Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, an expanded version of the open-world action RPG, while also showing Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition — the latter bringing the stylish action series to Nintendo hardware for the first time in its modern incarnation. FromSoftware returned to the Direct with a new look at The Duskbloods, an exclusive title for Nintendo Switch 2 set for release in 2026. The trailer emphasized the game’s gothic atmosphere and fast-paced combat, and a closed network test was announced for the near future. Capcom also appeared with Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition, while Neowiz announced Lies of P: Complete Edition for the platform, bundling the base game with all post-launch content.
For fans of action RPGs and character-action games, the Switch 2 is shaping up to be a destination for genres that were underrepresented on the original Switch. The presence of titles like Stellar Blade, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Lies of P indicates that third-party developers are confident the Switch 2 hardware can handle visually demanding, performance-sensitive games — a dynamic that was often a point of friction during the Switch generation.
Dragon Quest Monsters, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen Expand the Anime and JRPG Roster
Square Enix announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, launching on December 3, 2026, giving fans of the monster-collecting spin-off series a new title to look forward to. Bandai Namco revealed ONE PIECE: Grand Gourmet, a restaurant management simulator developed by Kairosoft featuring more than 400 characters from Eiichiro Oda’s pirate franchise. The game launches on October 23 and represents an unusual but creative crossover between the simulation genre and a major anime IP.
Anime and manga fans also received JUJUTSU KAISEN RUMBLE: SURVIVATON, a new game based on Gege Akutami’s enormously popular series. The title suggests a battle royale or multiplayer survival format, though specific gameplay details remain under wraps. DELTARUNE Chapter 5 was confirmed as a free update arriving on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on June 24, 2026, continuing Toby Fox’s episodic RPG experiment on Nintendo platforms.
Additional Announcements Across Genres and Audiences
The Direct closed with a steady stream of additional reveals. Muramasa: Revenant Blades brings a new action-platformer to the Switch 2. Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet continues GungHo’s multiplayer ninja brawler franchise. The Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass for existing Pokémon titles became available for purchase immediately following the Direct. Pikuniku 2 was announced for a 2027 release, bringing the quirky physics-based adventure series to a new generation of hardware. RuneScape: Dragonwilds arrives on September 15, 2026, bringing the long-running MMO franchise to Nintendo’s ecosystem in a new form. Big Walk launches on August 4, 2026, and Orbitals arrives exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3, 2026.
Other notable mentions include Rayman Legends Retold, Hello Kitty Party Land (launching on both Switch 2 and original Switch on October 29, 2026), Lords of the Fallen II (Fall 2026), and Minecraft for Nintendo Switch 2, set for release in 2026. A partner spotlight sizzle reel shown at the end of the Direct confirmed that additional third-party games are in development for the platform, though specific titles were not detailed.
A Packed Lineup Solidifies the Switch 2’s First-Year Identity
What became clear over the course of the June 9 Direct is that Nintendo is not treating the Switch 2 launch as a slow ramp. Between the Ocarina of Time remake, Kingdom Hearts IV, Xenoblade Genesis, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Final Fantasy Resonance, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, The Duskbloods, and a dozen other titles spanning nearly every major genre, the platform has one of the strongest first-year software lineups in recent console history. The mix of nostalgia-driven remakes, established franchise continuations, and new intellectual properties gives Nintendo a broad appeal that reaches well beyond its traditional fanbase.
The critical question for many observers is whether the Switch 2 can maintain this level of support beyond the initial wave. The third-party commitments from Square Enix, Capcom, Atlus, and FromSoftware suggest that major publishers are treating the platform as a viable primary development target rather than a secondary consideration. If the hardware lives up to the software announced in this Direct, the Nintendo Switch 2 is positioned not merely as a successor to one of the best-selling consoles of all time, but as a platform that could redefine what Nintendo hardware means for third-party and cross-platform gaming. The releases spread across the remainder of 2026 and into 2027 will test that proposition, but the foundation laid on June 9 is as strong as any Nintendo has built in a single presentation.
