Albert Josef Lirio

A mix of old and new: Nintendo teases upcoming games for Switch, Switch 2

The new Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 systems on October 16.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>It was a packed Nintendo Direct on Friday night, September 12, as the Japanese video game company revealed upcoming new and remastered games for its flagship Switch and Switch 2 systems in the coming months.</p><p>Aside from the exciting surprises for the <a href="https://abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/13/out-of-this-world-nintendo-announces-new-mario-galaxy-movie-0949">40th anniversary of the “Super Mario” franchise</a>, other first- and third-party titles were also revealed.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>New Pokémon games, DLC</strong></div><div>Trainers will be brought back to Lumiose City as Pokémon Legends: Z-A comes to the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16. <span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757728683776Nintendo of America - Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025 [tWIEv_aksvo - 980x551 - 1h22m45s].png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The new Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 systems on October 16. (Screenshot from Nintendo of America/YouTube)"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The new Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 systems on October 16. <em>(Screenshot from Nintendo of America/YouTube)</em></span></span></span></div><p>It will feature a new battle system, where players and their Pokémon can move around and act in real time, similar to how battles work in the anime.</p><p>Pokémon can also undergo a Mega Evolution, which unlocks “a new level of power” for the new supersized monsters, which can greatly help in battle.</p><p>The first of two waves of the “Mega Dimension” downloadable content (DLC) will also be available on launch day, which unlocks new Holo-X and Holo-Y apparel for the player’s character. The second wave, out on February 28, will feature additional story content.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757728724996Nintendo of America - Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025 [tWIEv_aksvo - 980x551 - 1h20m55s].png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="(Screenshot from Nintendo of America/YouTube)"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Screenshot from Nintendo of America/YouTube</em></span></span></span>Another Pokémon game to watch out for is Pokémon Pokopia, a life simulation game where the player aims to build a paradise for the mythical creatures. The gameplay can be closely compared to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where the player also cohabits with anthropomorphic animals. The game is teased for a 2026 release.</div><div> </div><div><strong>A new Zelda spin-off</strong></div><p>Nintendo also announced the release date for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (ToTK).</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757728790583Nintendo of America - Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025 [tWIEv_aksvo - 980x551 - 1h02m40s].png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="First look at the gameplay of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. (Screenshot from Nintendo of America/YouTube)"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">First look at the gameplay of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. <em>(Screenshot from Nintendo of America/YouTube)</em></span></span></span></div><p>Set in the same timeline as ToTK, Age of Imprisonment tells the story of Ancient Hyrule during the Imprisoning War waged by the Demon King Ganondorf.</p><p>The game will be available for two-player local co-op, via split-screen on the same console or on two separate Switches via the Game Share feature.</p><p>Age of Imprisonment will be released exclusively on the Switch 2 on November 6.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Resident Evil comes to the Switch 2</strong></div><p>Not one, not two, but three Resident Evil titles are releasing on the Nintendo Switch 2 on February 27, 2026.</p><p>The latest entry in the series, Resident Evil: Requiem, will simultaneously launch on the platform alongside PC and other consoles. For those who can’t get enough of the horror game franchise, “Gold Editions” of the previous two titles in the series, “Biohazard” and Village,” are also releasing on the same day.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Remasters and ports</strong></div><p>Aside from new titles, remasters and ports of old games are also on their way.</p><p>A “Legacy Kollection” of Mortal Kombat, featuring a compilation of classic games and an interactive documentary featuring archival footage, concept art, and exclusive interviews with the game’s original creators, will release first a digital version on October 30 and physically on December 12, both for the Switch and Switch 2.</p><p>Cloud Strike is also coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 as &quot;Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade&quot; crosses over to the system on January 22, 2026. Pre-orders are ongoing available on the Nintendo eShop.</p><p>For fans of obscure Nintendo games, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can relive the retro stereoscopic 3D experience as Virtual Boy games launch on the paid membership service starting February 2026. A new Virtual Boy accessory will also be sold separately.</p><p>Other games that are getting enhanced Switch 2 versions are One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (releasing in Fall 2025), Overcooked! 2 (Holiday 2025), and Stardew Valley (Fall 2025).</p>

<p>It was a packed Nintendo Direct on Friday night, September 12, as the Japanese video game company revealed upcoming new and remastered games for its flagship Switch and Switch 2 systems in the coming months.</p>

It was a packed Nintendo Direct on Friday night, September 12, as the Japanese video game company revealed upcoming new and remastered games for its flagship Switch and Switch 2 systems in the coming months.