Nintendo used its March 27 Direct to lay out a slate of new releases and features intended to extend the Nintendo Switch’s lifecycle into 2025, even as the company prepares a successor console.
Major game reveals and release window
Among the highlights, Marvel Cosmic Invasion was presented as a beat ’em up featuring the Avengers, developed in collaboration with Dotemu and Marvel. The Direct included gameplay footage for the title.
The presentation also showcased Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with a gameplay trailer that introduces the planet Viewros and emphasizes new psychic powers available to protagonist Samus Aran.
Digital sharing via “digital cartridges”
Nintendo announced a new concept called “digital cartridges,” designed to simplify game sharing by enabling transfer and lending of digital titles between users. The company said this feature is expected to arrive in April 2025.
Other announced and remastered titles
The Direct revealed several additional projects spanning new entries, remasters and genre experiments. Rhythm Heaven Groove was teased with promises of new minigames planned for 2026.
Pokémon Legends Z-A was introduced with details that include the city of Lumiose and a competitive event labeled the “Z-A Royale.”
Remasters and re-releases figure prominently in the lineup: Patapon 1+2 Replay and RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army—an Atlus RPG originally released on PlayStation 2—are both slated for 2025. Dragon Quest I & II HD Remake was also announced, including the addition of a new playable character.
Shadow Labyrinth was presented as a fresh take on the Pac-Man formula, recast as a metroidvania-style experience.
Lineup summary
The Direct reiterated Nintendo’s intention to continue supporting the Switch with a broad and varied release schedule. Key items highlighted during the broadcast include:
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion: a beat ’em up starring the Avengers.
- “Digital cartridges”: a system for sharing and lending digital games, arriving April 2025.
- Rhythm Heaven Groove: a new installment with minigames due in 2026.
- Pokémon Legends Z-A: set around the city of Lumiose and featuring the Z-A Royale.
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: continues Samus Aran’s story, showcasing psychic abilities on Viewros.
- Patapon 1+2 Replay: remastered versions of the classic PlayStation titles, coming in 2025.
- Shadow Labyrinth: a metroidvania reinterpretation of Pac-Man.
- RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army: PS2-era RPG remaster planned for 2025.
- Dragon Quest I & II HD Remake: remasters of the original games, expanded with a new character.
