After what feels forever, the next Nintendo Direct arrived. After a grand first year of Switch 2, it felt right for the second year to start being outlined. And that was indeed the case, with games up to December and beyond being shown off here. While there was no Mario Kart World expansion, one of the highlights of the Switch 2’s first year has now got some. So let’s start there.

Pokémon Pokopia was a delight to play when it released earlier this year. One of the things many players found fault with was being unable to build underwater. That is now being fixed with a free content update in August that brings the dive ability to all. But then, a season pass of expanded content brings with it a new location fully underwater. Bubbly Basin will also arrive in August, with a second new location to come in 2027. Sandwiched between them will be some additional features.

Some more of Splatoon Raiders was shown off ready for its release 23/July. Customisation of your character and some of the challenges that will be faced. Seems there’s a lot more to cover, as a Splatoon Raiders Direct was announced for 30/June. Along with that, Splatoon 3 is getting a Splatfest themed after Raiders on the weekend of 10/July. Should probably get Splatoon 3 downloaded again to enjoy that.

It seemed impossible, but it’s finally happened. Wuhu Island is back! Though it has now been redesigned. There’s many smaller islands around. The town looks smaller, with the Golden Gate-like bridge leading out of it now moved elsewhere. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort still keeps some of the staples such as bowling, golf, and plane flying. Though now there’s also skateboarding, volleyball, and thumb wrestling. It will be a great time returning to it when it releases 22/October.

When the next Dragon Quest Monsters was announced during the Dragon Quest anniversary event, I really didn’t expect it for some time. Turns out, they were just waiting for this Direct to show The Withered World off and also date it. Able to befriend monsters via scouting, Bianca and Nera can utilise their abilities in battle. Synthesising two of them together to create stronger monsters. It’s going to be a grand time when it arrives 3/December.

Before moving onto the last three highlights, I want to mention two particular fun announcements for their own reasons. The first was shown off at Day of the Devs, being Big Walk. A co-op game putting friends inside a big world, they can explore together, solve puzzles together, or just hang out somewhere. I’m sure it will be an entertaining time joining friends on it when it arrives 4/August.

The second is a game from a studio I never would have thought would appear in a Direct. That being Kairosoft. I suppose working with a big IP helps, as they bring ONE PIECE: Grand Gourmet to consoles. The Straw Hat crew have turned their ship into a wandering restaurant, with the usual business management systems of a Kairosoft game in place. Including combinations to improve specific sections of the restaurant.  It’s one I might consider when it arrives 23/October.

The end of the Direct was something everyone was anticipating. Thanks to leakers saying it was coming. So, excitement was high when a tapestry depicting Hyrule Castle appeared. The narration giving the set up to the story of one of the greatest Legend of Zelda stories. Then, we see child Link asleep, and… that’s it. We know Ocarina of Time is being remade, and it’s coming sometime this year. But the excitement is somewhere dulled when all of what was revealed was already known from leakers.

These last two announcements brought the reveal of previous games being brought to Switch 2 before then showing off a new game. All three Xenoblade Chronicles games are getting Switch 2 Editions, with each releasing across the remainder of this year. The first game already being out. But then came the start of a new saga. In Xenoblade Genesis. It looked like there would be a great new world to explore, and an interesting new story to discover.

The announcement before the Ocarina of Time remake was that of the Kingdom Hearts collection coming to Switch 2. No longer are the games stuck being cloud versions. Letting them all be natively played on a handheld console. Though I already have them all, it is tempting to get them for the Switch 2. Even if the full collection, when it arrives 8/October, will cost a lot. That was all I was expecting, though. So imagine being surprised when the segment continued.

With Kingdom Hearts IV. A hooded figure talks about how manifestations of light and darkness are foreign to this world. Showing more of what has been seen before of the giant dark creature in Quadratum. Some more of that free-flowing combat against smaller creatures, along with more boss battling with the giant one ended the trailer that confirmed the game would arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 the same day as other consoles. Though that date still remains a mystery.

Images Taken From:
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort launches October 22nd | Nintendo UK
Xenoblade Genesis Announced For Switch 2, Launching 2027 | Nintendo Life