The Showcase That Slapped Like a Blue Shell on Rainbow Road
Nintendo wrapped up July with a Partner Showcase that felt like a small buffet of genre goodness. From monster-riding mayhem to HD-2D nostalgia, this 27-minute Direct gave us plenty to chew on—and no, we’re not just talking about Pac-Man’s appetite.
Before we go any further, check out the full Nintendo Direct video below to see the fun unfold in real time. Grab a snack and enjoy games coming to the NS1 + NS2:
🔥Top 5 Games That Had Us Yelling at the Screen (In a Good Way)
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Capcom’s beloved turn-based spin-off returns with a vengeance. This time, you’re not just bonding with monsters—you’re riding a Rathalos into a full-blown war between kingdoms. The story dives into environmental collapse and ancient prophecy, with a mysterious egg that might hatch something world-ending. It’s Monster Hunter meets Game of Thrones, but with scales, claws, and a whole lot of heart. Coming 2026 to Switch 2 and other platforms.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Square Enix is flexing its HD-2D muscles again, but this one’s an action-RPG with real-time combat and seven weapon types. You play as Elliot, a stylish adventurer with immaculate hair and a fairy sidekick named Faie. Together, they explore time-warped ruins and uncover ancient secrets. Bonus: Faie can be controlled by a second player for co-op chaos. Demo’s out now, and the full game lands in 2026. The demo is available now.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment This surprise entry in the Warriors franchise dives deep into Zelda lore, telling the canonical story of the Imprisoning War—the events that led to Tears of the Kingdom. You’ll battle as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legends in massive hack-and-slash combat. Partner attacks, mysterious Constructs, and a cryptic teaser involving Fi’s theme have fans theorizing like it’s finals week in Hyrule History class. Launching Winter 2025 exclusively on Switch 2.
Cronos: The New Dawn Bloober Team’s twisted sci-fi survival horror drops you into a post-apocalyptic future where time travel is your only hope. You’re a Traveler sent back to 1980s Poland to harvest souls and survive mutated horrors. The game blends Dead Space vibes with psychological dread, crafting ammo from scraps and burning bodies before they merge into stronger monsters. It’s brutal, brilliant, and launching September 5, 2025.
Borderlands 4 Gearbox is back with more loot, more chaos, and a new planet—Kairos. Expect explosive combat, ridiculous weapons, and a storyline that’s somehow even wilder than before. The trailer teased new Vault Hunters, upgraded co-op mechanics, and a villain who looks like they eat sarcasm for breakfast. Borderlands 4 hits Switch 2 on October 3, 2025.
Honorable mentions go to Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, Persona 3 Reload, and Octopath Traveler 0, which all made solid impressions but didn’t quite steal the spotlight from the top five.
🛑 Parental PSA
The screen of the console is positioned near the top of the Nintendo Switch 2 box, just under the lid (as seen in this unboxing). So if you’re stacking gifts—beware. Moisture, pressure, heat, and punctures could turn the shiny new console into a very expensive repair bill.
This Direct may not have dropped a new Mario adventure, but we know its coming.
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