Nintendo Direct July 2025 Recap: Every Game Announced

The very first Nintendo Direct organized since the Nintendo Switch 2 has hit the shelves, finally getting the Nintendo Switch 2 up and running with a slew of exciting games announced.

News by Mahi Araf on Jul 31, 2025

The Switch 2 is now available in stores and racking up quite the numbers sales-wise. Nintendo is kickstarting a new era for their all-encompassing handheld that has got the gaming world talking. Debuting their new console with a much-anticipated lineup of games that are slated to release on the Switch 2 as well as the original Switch, Nintendo is back with another one of its Direct livestreams.

Today's event marked the announcement of many games that have quietly been in the works behind the scenes, as well as quite a few surprising announcements that came along with it. It is now time to go over every one of the games that have been showcased on today's Nintendo Direct.

Nintendo Direct July 2025, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections

As always, though, Nintendo maintained its unpredictability when it comes to Directs, as a lot of titles, most notably the much-hyped Hollow Knight: Silksong, were snubbed.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections

Lo and behold, Capcom was the first publisher to have their game announced on today's Nintendo Direct. A highly sought-after sequel of the Monster Hunter franchise is finally in the works, as confirmed by Nintendo.

Although no official release date was announced, the news has spread like wildfire as fans of the title look set to have their hands on the game come 2026, as revealed by Nintendo. Prepare to be cast as a rider of the Rathalos in a world where the Encroachment seems to be looming large and inciting a war between two kingdoms.

The game left me awestruck with its stunning visuals, and the cinematic teaser dropped by Nintendo certainly did not leave any room for complaints. Unlike the March Direct, which left a lot to be desired for fans, Nintendo left no stone unturned for the grand reveal of another chapter added to the Monster Hunter story.

Just Dance 2026

Although the game might not be everyone's cup of tea, dancing has the power to unite, and that's exactly what the game offers: community and commotion. That's all what dancing is about after all, right?

A new co-op party mode has been introduced for the newest edition of the franchise, with fans being able to access a music library that certainly would make you want to hit the dance floor—featuring Rose and Bruno Mars's hit song APT, Dua Lipa's Houdini, OneRepublic's Counting Stars, and many more.

The game provides variety when it comes to music, having a little something for every party animal out there. The game arrives on the Switch on October 14, 2025.

Nintendo Direct July 2025, Once Upon A KATAMARI

Once Upon A KATAMARI

Once Upon a Katamari is the newest installment in the fan-favorite franchise. The new game promises to be just as goofy and wacky as its predecessors, having fans buzzing at the prospect of rolling up everything on your way to restoring the stars.

The narrative is what struck my eye the most. The Earth was mistakenly destroyed, and the vast luminescent skies have vanished. You are tasked with restoring the stars of the universe in this post-apocalyptic Earth while goofballing your way across the game-verse, marking a return to everything that makes the game so widely adored.

Much to my surprise, there'll be online incorporation like the Katamari Ball, as well as a lot of customizability that's coming your way along with new songs and much more to keep us excited till the official release date of October 24, 2025, with pre-orders beginning today for the Nintendo Switch game.

DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO

Nintendo's umpteenth take on the popular Dragon Ball franchise is gracing your Switch and Switch 2 on November 14, 2025. The arena-battler series is remodeled to cater to your brand-new Switch 2, which will support motion controls, a sigh of relief for fans of the franchise and the game.

With over 180 fighters at your disposal, you can enter episode-battle mode and rekindle fond memories of the beloved series, and that too from the perspectives of eight characters, including Goku, as revealed by Nintendo. You can also create your own alternative scenarios, which might prove to be revolutionary.

Nintendo Direct July 2025, Octopath Traveler 0

Octopath Traveler 0

Square Enix dropped quite the bombshell today with, firstly, the announcement of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, but what we want to focus more importantly on is Octopath Traveler 0.

A prequel to the previous two games of the series. This time around, what's different is that for the first time in the series's history, you get to create your very own protagonist.

The game features significant new features like the 30 party members and, notably, the return of the HD-2D graphics that have cemented the game as a popular title. The game will be available on December 4, 2025, for both the Switch and Switch 2.

Madden NFL 26

EA's biggest cash grab, apart from the FC title, makes its way to Switch 2 this August 14, 2025. Making a much-awaited return to the console, the announcement may grab some headlines for Switch fans as well as sports fans.

The game, being coined the "realest Madden ever," is quite the head-turner for fans of the franchise. With the Switch 2 supporting motion controls, if that is integrated into the game, then that may seriously be a game-changer as you reenact your favorite football strategies in the comfort of your Switch console.

Apex Legends

The hit battle royale game makes its way to the Switch 2. Although not quite the Titanfall 3 or Silksong we were all hoping for, the game does provide a leeway for fans of the battle royale genre to equip their Switch 2 with another one of EA's staple titles.

The game is set to release on August 5, 2025, which, for fans of the game, may be a blessing in disguise, as it's just within the time for the beginning of the new Apex Legends season.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac

With the new Switch 2 released, it's only fair that Pac-Man World 2 gets some love, too. And Nintendo sure did answer our calls, as the beloved title is making a return to the Switch ecosystem, with the game being slated for release on September 26, 2025, on the Switch 2.

The game gets major graphics upgrades, if you couldn't tell already. As for the narrative, it's pretty much the same old, as the Ghosts have stolen the Golden Fruit and released the monstrous King Spooky, and it's all on Pac-Man's shoulders to save the day once again.

Nintendo Direct July 2025, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

The Final Fantasy 7 Remake was unfortunately not mentioned, but behold, all is not doom and gloom, as we get a look at the revamped Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, set to release on both the Switch and the Switch 2.

The game brings a modernized take on the '90s-style tactical RPG, which has me looking forward to it since who doesn't want a trip down memory lane? The game promises to bring a world of new audiences to a game that has a retro theme going on for it, adding to the game's appeal. Final Fantasy Tactics is arriving on your Switch on September 30, 2025.

Persona 3 Reload

If high school is where you peaked, welcome back. This time, however, on your Switch 2! The PS2 RPG is getting a remodel, but beware of the strange shadow monsters who will be preying on you. Not anything new for a high-schooler if you ask me.

One of the most critically acclaimed JRPGs of last year makes a triumphant return to the Switch 2, coming to your Switch 2 on October 23, 2025. Persona 3 Reload is just where you want to be as you relive high school, fight monsters, and form alliances.

Star Wars Outlaws

Almost a year after its release on the bigger players of the market, which are PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, the Star Wars game makes its way onto the list for the new array of Switch 2 games we are being offered.

Fans of the franchise are being fed well, as recent developments emerge, revealed by the developer Massive Entertainment themselves, which stated that the game was working closely with Nintendo and plans to take full advantage of all the intensive capabilities of the console. The game arrives on Switch 2 on September 4, 2025.

Nintendo Direct July 2025, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

We saved you the best for last. Who doesn't love a bit of Hyrulian action? The game takes you on a journey, showing you the events that led up to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

While a release date hasn't been officially confirmed yet, we got a look at the gameplay trailer, and it showed how it's canonically portrayed in relation to Tears of the Kingdom. The game reintroduces you to Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and more of the ensemble that we know and love.

Apart from these, several upcoming games were highlighted in the July 2025 Nintendo Direct, and Nintendo confirmed release dates for a number of these Switch and Switch 2 titles.