Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025 Recap — A Celebration of Legacy + What’s Next!

This September's Nintendo Direct was a celebration of legacy. From baby-sized tennis adventures to a galactic movie reveal, Nintendo aimed to excite — but did they hit the mark?

Catch the full video presentation below to see everything in motion — from Mario’s 40th anniversary to the latest Switch 2 surprises.

🍄 Super Mario Bros. Turns 40 — And Goes Galactic 

Nintendo kicked off the Direct with a heartfelt celebration of Super Mario Bros. turning 40. From museum updates to marathon shoutouts, the festivities are in full swing — but the biggest surprise?

🎬 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — In Theaters April 3, 2026 

Illumination and Nintendo are teaming up again for a cosmic adventure inspired by the Galaxy games.

The returning voice cast includes:

• Mario – Chris Pratt

• Princess Peach – Anya Taylor-Joy

• Luigi – Charlie Day

• Bowser – Jack Black

• Toad – Keegan-Michael Key

• Kamek – Kevin Michael Richardson

Expect gravity-defying action, heartfelt moments, and plenty of Luma lore. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 is available on October 2, 2025.

🎾 Mario Tennis Fever — Baby-Sized Adventure, Big Replay Value 

Launching February 12, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Tennis Fever isn’t just about matches — it’s about baby Mario and crew learning tennis to defeat monsters and return to normal. With 30 unique Fever Rackets and 38 playable characters, this one’s built for strategy and story.

🌼 Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park 

Coming Spring 2026, this upgraded edition adds new co-op and versus modes, plus extra content that boosts replay value beyond the original. Highlights include:

• Talking Flower Figurine

• New Amiibo Support

• Expanded Flower Kingdom Zones

🕹 More Highlights from Nintendo Direct 

• Storm Lancers – Available today

•  Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Dec. 4, 2025; Mouse control support

• Dinkum – Timed console exclusive, Nov. 5, 2025

• Popucom – Holiday 2025 release; family-friendly chaos incoming

• Lynked: Banner of the Spark – Available now; Mouse control support

• Hades II – Switch 2 Edition drops Sept. 25, physical Nov. 20

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Nov. 6, 2025

• Dragon Quest VII Reimagined – Feb. 2, 2026

🧠 Resident Evil 9 Requiem — Creepy, Clever, Compelling 

Each reveal of Resident Evil 9 adds more intrigue. The detective angle gives it substance beyond scares, and the atmosphere is shaping up to be one of the most immersive in the series.

🛡 Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave 

Turn-based tactics return with a fresh cast and layered story. Fans of the genre will feel right at home.

🕶 Virtual Boy — A Nostalgic Nod That Missed the Mark 

One of the biggest draws was the Virtual Boy segment. While it was cool to see it acknowledged, the lack of a true 3D experience felt like a missed opportunity here. Speaking personally, I remember playing it years ago and walking away with a hard pass — it just didn’t sit right. That said, not everyone had the same experience, and it’s still part of Nintendo’s history. Nintendo Online Membership required.

Virtual Boy $99.99 or Virtual Boy Cardboard $24.99

🎁 A Quick Note for Gift Givers 

With games launching across both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, it’s crucial to check which console your gamer owns.

• Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: Full game optimized for the new hardware

• Upgrade Pack: Add-on content for existing Switch owners

If you’re unsure, ask your gamer — or ask us. Better safe than buying the wrong version.

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Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025... Recap!

A Showcase That Had Us Glued to the Screen

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 wasn’t just a gaming event with a few head turners — it was a 2.5-hour masterclass in how to keep an audience locked in (starting with the pre-show). Geoff Keighley and company delivered reveal after reveal, making it nearly impossible to look away. Whether you’re a console loyalist, a PC purist, or a handheld devotee, you might look at this years ONL and bounce from game to game to wishlist find yourself hunting down the games to grow wishlist.

 The Biggest Reveals & Updates 

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — Pre-order Now, Launches Nov. 14
  
  The night kicked off with a deep dive into Black Ops 7, set in 2035 with globe-spanning missions from Tokyo to Alaska. Four-player co-op in the campaign, a PvE endgame, and the return of Dead Ops Arcade had the crowd buzzing. Available on Game Pass at launch, this one’s already shaping up to be a blockbuster.
  
  
  
  

• Resident Evil: Requiem — Pre-order Now, Launches Feb. 27, 2026
  
  Capcom’s latest horror entry gave us chills with a story trailer featuring Grace Ashcroft and the return of a fan-favorite character. The tension, the atmosphere — pure Resident Evil.
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  
• Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight — Coming 2026
  
  The first new Lego Batman game in over a decade blends Arkham-style combat with open-world Gotham exploration. Multiple playable heroes, cinematic flair, and a mash-up of Batman’s many on-screen incarnations make this one to watch.
  
  
  
  
• Black Myth: Zhong Kui — Release Date TBA
  
  Following the massive success of Black Myth: Wukong, Game Science unveiled a cinematic stunner rooted in Chinese mythology. This time, you play as the ghost-catching god Zhong Kui on a journey through hell and earth.
  
  
  
  
• Zero Parades — Release Date TBA
  
  From the minds behind Disco Elysium, this espionage-driven isometric RPG promises mind-bending narrative choices and psychological twists.
  
  
  
  
• Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV Crossover — Begins Sept. 2025
  
  Chocobos in Monster Hunter? Omega Planetes in FFXIV? This crossover is pure fan service, and we’re here for it.
  
  
  
  
• Ninja Gaiden 4 — Launches Oct. 21, 2025
  
  Co-developed with PlatinumGames, this return of Ryu Hayabusa looks like a high-speed, high-style action feast.
  
  
  
  
• Cronos: The New Dawn — Available Sept. 5, 2025
  
  Bloober Team’s new horror title mixes atmospheric dread with action-packed sequences — and yes, there’s an adorable cat companion.
  
  

 More Eyecatchers from ONL 2025 

So you saw the big reveals, but there were eyecatchers that deserve some love too:

• Road Kings — Coming 2026
  
  Saddle up for a next-gen trucking sim where reputation is everything. Road Kings puts you behind the wheel of a 40-ton semi, hauling cargo across the coastal plains of the American South — from bustling Jacksonville to the shadowy streets of Savannah.

Start as a rookie driver and rise through the ranks in a reactive world filled with rival crews, shifting weather, and high-stakes deliveries. Customize your rig, manage jobs, and navigate faithfully recreated highways where every decision — from brake pressure to fuel stops — can make or break your run.

As a ruthless corporation spreads chaos across the region, it’s up to you to deliver critical supplies, rescue communities, and prove that grit and goodwill still matter. With asynchronous multiplayer, dynamic simulation, and a living economy, Road Kings is more than a drive — it’s a legacy in motion.

• He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction — Release Date TBA
  
  The power of Grayskull returns in this action-packed fantasy epic where He-Man faces off against ancient forces unleashed by the mythical Dragon Pearl. Expect high-stakes battles, classic allies, and a bold new chapter that reimagines Eternia’s fate — all with the signature style fans have loved for generations. Great job Mattel, this was a perfect match up with Limited Run Games!

“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is one of the exciting ways we’re bringing Mattel’s brands to life through digital games,” said Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Games at Mattel. “It’s a love letter to those who grew up with He-Man, combining nostalgic visuals with fast-paced, modern gameplay. Our goal is to honor the franchise’s legacy while introducing it to a new generation of players. The team at Limited Run Games shares that passion, and we hope the game connects with both lifelong fans and newcomers alike.”

“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is the Masters of the Universe arcade game I yearned for as a child,” said Josh Fairhurst, CEO and Executive Producer at Limited Run Games. “I am excited and honored to be playing a small part in making it a reality.”

• Absolum — October 9th 
  
  Supamonks, Guard Crush, and Dotemu join forces for a brutal, side-scrolling brawler set in a dystopian fantasy realm where survival means mastering the art of war. With hand-drawn animation, co-op carnage, and a cast of warriors forged in chaos, Absolum delivers a visceral punch to the genre — and it’s not pulling any.

If you guys haven't noticed, side scrolling beat em' ups have been showing up and laying the multiplayer... smack down and we're here for it! Absolum took the cake for me, and... the ice cream. The animation is bad ass, love the artwork, and I couldn't help but think about the Primal animated series. I've mentioned in my reviews of the franchise how it could also be an amazing game, and Absolum totally brings that back to mind like a flying punch. Should out to Creative Europ Media for co-funding this... can't wait to play. -  Blu 

• Long Gone — Coming Soon
  
  A haunting new entry in the survival horror genre, Long Gone blends psychological tension with environmental storytelling as players unravel the mystery of a vanished town swallowed by time. With eerie visuals, nonlinear exploration, and choices that shape your descent, this Gamescom 2025 reveal left us with one question: Release date please?!

• Valor Mortis — Coming 2026
  
  From the creators of Ghostrunner comes Valor Mortis, a first-person soulslike where death is just the beginning. Awaken as a fallen soldier from Napoleon’s army, now bound to supernatural forces and thrust into a world crawling with monstrosities. Battle through twisted landscapes, master otherworldly powers, and uncover a conspiracy that could doom humanity itself. This Gamescom 2025 reveal promises precision combat, haunting lore, and a descent into darkness you won’t forget.

• Swords of Legends — Coming Soon
  
  Ancient blades clash in Swords of Legends, a cinematic action-RPG steeped in Eastern mythology and supernatural warfare. With fluid combat, sweeping environments, and a tale of destiny carved in steel, this Gamescom 2025 reveal promises a heroic journey where every strike carries the weight of legend.

 The Portable Gaming Advantage 

One thing we keep hearing from busy professionals is the same refrain: “If I had the time, I’d game more.” The truth is, you can — if you embrace the power of portable gaming.

Whether it’s during your commute, on a flight, or in a hotel room between meetings, handhelds make it possible to keep up with the latest releases without sacrificing your schedule.

• Nintendo Switch 2 — Already boasting a strong third-party lineup, including Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Street Fighter 6, and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, with more on the way.

• Xbox ROG Ally — Launching October 16, 2025... this Windows-powered handheld will bring Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and PC gaming to your backpack.

• Steam Deck — Still a powerhouse for both gaming and productivity, letting you run your Steam library, emulators, and even work apps when needed.

If you’re traveling and have the space, bring your handheld of choice. The right device can turn downtime into game time — and with the titles announced at Gamescom, you’ll want every spare minute.

 Bubsy 4D: First Impression 

Before I move on, I have to call out one game that might actually be better than it came across during its Gamescom Opening Night Live showing — Bubsy 4D. I’m not ready to write it off, but I couldn’t help wondering if we’re in for a back‑and‑forth between tracks and platforms in what could end up feeling like a half‑hearted attempt to bring Bubsy back. And honestly? I want them to win.

The art direction didn’t help my confidence. Bubsy and the various locations shown looked like they belonged to entirely different games. That said, the cat‑paw cloth texture was one of the cleanest design elements I spotted in the trailer — right alongside the cel‑shaded protagonist. The problem is, nothing in that opening montage really grabbed me… and I wanted it to. A proper story setup could’ve gone a long way toward pulling me in.



Now, I’m not here to doom‑and‑gloom a game I haven’t played. My fingers are still crossed. In fact, there was one moment that gave me hope: Bubsy calling himself the “Orange Blur.” If you didn’t know, Sonic the Hedgehog is famously the “Blue Blur,” so hearing that blatant nod makes me wonder if this is actually a lampoonish, self‑aware adventure. That would be interesting. The spaceship and boss battle teases also caught my attention — enough to make me curious about the real story behind Bubsy 4D. On that note, let's check out the official announcement trailer:

 Bubsy 4D: Story (Official description) 

Join Bubsy on an intergalactic, platforming adventure! The infamous, wise-cracking bobcat has returned to 3D with new challenges, new moves, and even more purrsonality. Run, jump, glide, and roll across alien planets, battle robotic sheep, and collect tons and tons of yarn. What could possibly go wrong?

Bubsy’s longstanding enemies, the fleece-obsessed Woolies, have stolen all of the Earth’s sheep. Oh well, that ain’t Bubsy’s problem. Until the sheep return as deadly BaaBots, empowered by Woolie technology, to steal The Golden Fleece. Bubsy must journey through space to stop the BaaBots and reclaim the Fleece with the help of his motley crew of acquaintances. 

Luckily, Bubsy has acquired new skills to navigate the craft-themed levels. He can leap, glide, flip, claw up walls, and pounce off enemies. He can also puff up into a new hairball form to roll at blistering speeds. The team at Fabraz crafted this expressive new moveset to cater to beginners and speedrun enthusiasts alike.

 And While We're Here... Outlaws Remaster 

Is it fair to say the same about the Outlaws Remaster? Because I’m still trying to figure out who heck was behind the controller during that demo — missing every single target on screen. Make the player feel like they're going to be stepping into the shoes of a certified badass, not a noob, unless you show progression to something greater. The cutscene animation style works for me, but the gameplay was rough. It makes me wonder: would a full‑blown remake have been too much effort?

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 was a reminder of why we love this industry: the creativity, the spectacle, and the shared excitement of what’s next. From AAA blockbusters to inventive indies, the future of gaming looks brighter — and more portable — than ever.

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