Following a successful 2025 for Nintendo, which saw the Nintendo Switch 2 become its best-selling console ever, there was a lot of anticipation leading into the first Nintendo Direct of 2025.
Even though yesterday’s Direct was “only” a Partner Showcase, there was still plenty to look forward to. There’s that Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive FromSoftware game out there in The Duskbloods, the indie scene is continuing to deliver incredible games at an impressive rate, and the event started with a bang in the upcoming co-op game Orbitals, published by Kepler Interactive.
Then the rest of the event happened. Now, I’m not saying it was a bad Direct (you can read our overview of everything that went down right here), but I’m not sure if this was the exciting start to 2026 many were hoping for from Nintendo.
Following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, six first-party games were released in 2025. That’s not accounting for the Nintendo Switch 2 updates several games saw, such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land, both Zelda titles, and Super Mario Party Jamboree. Things look quiet to start the year on Nintendo’s release calendar, but again, that’s par for the course with them as of late. Truth be told, there are several new games with release dates by Spring 2026, new updates for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Wonder, plus a new Fire Emblem due at some point this year.
Given the recent press event in New York that showcased some of these games, alongside third-party titles like Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, this Partner Showcase would be a chance to see what third-party developers are cooking to capture all of this momentum, right? Well, about that…
Two of the games in yesterday’s Direct were the titles I just mentioned, both of which received significant screen time. Look, I’m already excited about Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata because I just read about them. Their inclusion in the Partner Showcase, while not surprising, felt like a rerun during Sweeps Week. Don’t get me wrong, I’m stoked to see major third-party games release the same day on Nintendo Switch 2, but I was hoping for something new this week instead of stuff we already knew.
Then there was Bethesda, the final reveal of the day, which announced it’s bringing Oblivion Remastered, Indiana Jones, and Fallout 4 to the Switch 2. The first two games, sure, they’re recent enough that they still have some punch. Fallout 4, however, feels odd. I get that the Anniversary Edition was released recently, but why are we acting like Fallout 4 arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 is a big deal?
Speaking of Bethesda, it feels wrong to bring them up without discussing their parent company, Microsoft. It’s no secret that the modern Xbox strategy is to release its games on every platform possible. Yet aside from the previously mentioned Bethesda games, first-party Xbox games were missing in action.
Do I expect Halo: Campaign Evolved and Forza Horizon 6 to release on the Nintendo Switch 2? Honestly, if Oblivion Remastered is, then yes. Yet here we are with a game maker claiming they want everyone to play their games, seemingly ignoring the newest video game console.
I’m not saying it was a bad Direct, but I’m not sure if this was the exciting start to 2026 many were hoping for from Nintendo.
There lies Nintendo’s biggest problem, one it’s been trying to correct for decades now. Have I happily owned every Nintendo console since the Nintendo 64? Yes, I was even happy with my Wii U purchase! However, there’s no denying that their systems are primarily targeted at a demographic that prefers Nintendo games over the rest of the marketplace. That’s all fine and dandy, and the selection of great indies certainly helps, but I’m still sitting here hoping that third-party developers can give Nintendo the light of day.
Capcom’s continued (and seemingly legitimate) support is a great start, but others aren’t following suit quite yet. Does that mean the Switch is a doomed console? No, Nintendo proved with the original Switch that they can carry things by themselves, especially when it’s supplemented by indie hits such as Hollow Knight and Stardew Valley. I’d just like to, you know, be able to play third-party games on the go, especially since the Switch 2’s hardware is far more comfortable in my hands compared to something like a Steam Deck.
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