In this Nintendo Direct March 2025 recap, we’re covering the biggest announcements, game reveals, and updates from the presentation. But just as important? Nintendo ended the show with a clear message: the next Direct, airing April 2 at 6 a.m. PT, will focus on the Nintendo Switch 2. Today’s showcase was all about wrapping up the current generation, while next week’s event kicks off the next chapter.
Whether you’re here for nostalgia, something weird, or just more Pokémon, this Direct had something for you. Let’s break down the biggest announcements.
Metroid, Pokémon, Rhythm Games, and Miis—The Big Four Highlights
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond made a return during today’s Direct after first reappearing in June of last year. This time, we saw more of Samus exploring the jungle-covered planet Viewros. She’s been granted psychic abilities that let her control beam trajectories and interact with mysterious technology. There are still plenty of unanswered questions, but the game is confirmed to launch in 2025, and this new footage gave it some much-needed momentum.
We also got a deeper look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the next big entry in the Pokémon franchise. The entire game takes place in Lumiose City, a familiar setting from X and Y, now caught between redevelopment plans and a more chaotic after-dark energy. You’ll choose between Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as your starter and explore a city filled with secrets, rooftop encounters, and battle zones. The Z-A Royale tournament, held at night, will have you climbing the ranks while Mega Evolution makes its return. The game is expected to launch in late 2025.
Then there were two big revivals. Rhythm Heaven Groove brings back the rhythm mini-game series in full force, complete with new music from longtime producer Tsunku. It’s planned for 2026, and while gameplay wasn’t shown in detail, the style and tone felt true to form.
Rounding out the section was Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, the first new entry in over a decade. It once again focuses on your Mii characters living out unpredictable daily lives, forming relationships, getting into arguments, and sharing their dreams. The formula seems intact, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch in 2026.
All four of these announcements leaned heavily into nostalgia while still offering something new—something Nintendo fans tend to appreciate. Our Nintendo Direct March 2025 recap continues with a closer look at the updated classics and returning fan favourites.
Remakes, Remasters, and Retro Revivals
Nintendo had plenty of new titles to share, but there was also a strong focus on reimagined classics and old favourites getting a second shot.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army returns with real-time combat, voice acting, and updated visuals. Originally part of the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner series, it’s a more action-heavy spin-off. It launches June 19, with a digital deluxe edition also on the way.
Patapon 1+2 Replay bundles both rhythm-strategy games into one remastered package. The combo arrives July 11, and includes extra features to keep your little eyeball army marching to the beat.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, originally on DS, is back with voiced events, new characters, and a rebuilt weekly bazaar. It launches August 27 and includes romance, farming, and plenty of wind-powered travel.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake brings the first two games in the iconic RPG series to Switch with the same stylish look as Octopath Traveler. It’s launching sometime in 2025 and continues the Erdrick Trilogy storyline.
Retro fans can look forward to GRADIUS ORIGINS on August 7. It features 17 versions of six arcade shooters, plus a brand-new entry called Salamander 3. Quality-of-life features like rewind and save states make this collection more accessible.
On the puzzle side, Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2 arrive April 15, complete with all DLC. Monument Valley 3 launches this summer and adds open-ended exploration across tranquil waters.
Lastly, Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots brings its arcade-style golf to Switch. With Wacky Golf mode and online co-op, it’s set to tee off later this year. These returning classics were a major part of the presentation, and we’re highlighting them all in this Nintendo Direct March 2025 Recap.
Indie Highlights and Third-Party Originals
Beyond the big names and remakes, today’s Direct gave the spotlight to a wide mix of original games—some cozy, some chaotic, and a few just plain weird.
Shadow Labyrinth stood out with its dark, genre-blending twist on Pac-Man. It mixes action-platforming, form-shifting, and a mysterious orb named Puck. It’s set to launch July 18, with a deluxe edition including a digital artbook and soundtrack.
The Eternal Life of Goldman offers a hand-drawn 2D platforming adventure where fairy tales and folklore collide. You explore a twisted archipelago, upgrade your cane with magical parts, and track down a hidden deity. It’s coming later this year.
Life sim fans have plenty to look forward to. Witchbrook, the long-awaited witchy school RPG, hits Switch this holiday with online co-op, crafting, and relationship-building. Tamagotchi Plaza brings back the old Corner Shop series, letting you run businesses, fix teeth, and hang with 100+ Tamagotchi. It launches June 27.
Visual novel fans got a surprise with Disney Villains Cursed Café, a branching story where you brew potions and chat with Ursula, Jafar, and more. It’s out today. No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files also returns July 25, blending dream investigations with puzzle-solving.
More originals filled out the sizzle reel. Marvel Cosmic Invasion, a tag-team beat ’em up with four-player co-op, arrives this holiday. Fantasy Life i returns May 21 with more time-traveling island life. High on Life, King of Meat, Lou’s Lagoon, Star Overdrive, and The Wandering Village round out a diverse mix of third-party games—all landing on Switch this spring and summer.
Even with new hardware on the horizon, it’s clear the Switch library isn’t slowing down.
New Features: Virtual Game Cards and Nintendo Today
Not every announcement was a game. Nintendo also unveiled two new features aimed at making digital life on Switch a little more convenient—and maybe a little more fun.
First up: Virtual Game Cards. Launching in late April as part of a system update, this feature mimics the flexibility of physical cartridges, but for digital games. You’ll be able to “eject” a game from one system and “load” it onto another—ideal for gamers who own two Switch consoles or share with family.
There’s also a lending system. You can wirelessly lend a digital game to a Nintendo Account family group member, and they’ll have access for two weeks before it automatically returns to your system. It’s a clever way to add more flexibility without sacrificing ownership. And yes, it’ll be supported on both Switch and Switch 2.
Nintendo also introduced a new smart device app: Nintendo Today. Think of it like a daily calendar, but for Nintendo news and content. You’ll find trailers, videos, announcements, and even comics tied to select Nintendo franchises. It’s live today on the App Store and Google Play, and free to use with a Nintendo Account.
The most interesting detail? Starting April 2, Nintendo Today will become the go-to hub for Nintendo Switch 2 news. After next week’s presentation, the app will deliver regular updates about the system directly to your phone—continuing the “Direct to you” tradition in a new format.
These two additions may not have been the flashiest announcements of the day, but they’re some of the most forward-thinking—especially with the next generation right around the corner.
Looking Ahead to the Nintendo Switch 2
Today’s Direct was clearly designed to wrap up the Switch’s current era, but Nintendo isn’t slowing down just yet. Between new entries in legacy franchises, creative indies, and a surprising number of remakes, there’s still a lot coming in 2025 and beyond.
At the same time, the future is getting closer. Nintendo closed the presentation by reminding everyone that a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is set for April 2 at 6 a.m. PT. That’s when we’ll finally get concrete details on the new hardware, and it sounds like Nintendo plans to keep updates flowing through the new Nintendo Today app after that.
With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and titles like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Rhythm Heaven Groove on the way, the current Switch still has plenty of life left in it. But next week’s Direct could mark a turning point, as we shift from a packed final year into a brand-new generation.
f you’ve been trying to catch up on all the announcements, our Nintendo Direct March 2025 Recap covers the biggest reveals and updates. With Metroid, Pokémon, new features, and surprises throughout, this showcase set the stage for what’s next. What did you think of today’s show? Are you more excited for what’s still coming to Switch—or what’s next? Let us know in the comments, and get ready for April 2.
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