Nintendo Direct Spotlight: Third-Party Powerhouses Take Center Stage
Nintendo fans got their hands full with surprises during the July 31st, 2025 Partner Showcase. Clocking in at just under half an hour, this Direct was Nintendo’s chance to show off the serious muscle of third-party developers on both the Switch and the shiny new Switch 2. The real headline? There wasn’t a single plumber or Hylian hero in sight—this was all about letting partners share the spotlight, and wow, did they show up swinging.
The biggest crowd-pleaser was easily Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise has a powerful following, and this third entry in the Stories spin-off series is heading to both Switch and Switch 2 sometime in 2026. This time, the story zeroes in on twin Rathalos—never seen that before in the lore—which is bound to send fans combing through theories already. Capcom is promising a fresh narrative, new partners for Riders, and a twist on monster bonding that’s got everyone talking. Expect big reveals on gameplay and monster collecting over the coming months.
- Octopath Traveler 0 made waves too. Not a direct sequel but a prequel, Square Enix is digging deeper into the pixelated world that sucked in RPG lovers back in 2018. With the original Octopath’s success and the rise of HD-2D remakes, this prequel could easily bring a new generation aboard the series.
- For Persona fans who've long envied other platforms, the wait is finally over: Atlus is bringing Persona 3 Reload to Nintendo’s consoles. It’s more than a port—it’s the beloved classic with slicker art, quality-of-life updates, and extra content. Strategy guides, social links, and the Velvet Room—this cult hit is ready for a new audience.
- Nintendo knows a good crossover when they see one. Enter Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. While details are thin, it’s clearly expanding on the Chronicles-style hack-and-slash vibes that fans love. More enemies, more chaos, and maybe even more lore to chew on for Zelda theorists (just without the main Zelda branding front and center).
- And if you’ve got a soft spot for weird, wonderful gaming, a brand-new Katamari reboot showed up in a blink-and-you-miss-it teaser. The details are slim, but if you ever dreamed of rolling up entire continents again, your time’s coming.
Yet, the real mic-drop moment could be FromSoftware’s surprise. The Duskbloods is their next big action RPG and it’s headed for Switch 2 in 2026. No gameplay shown yet, but the mere confirmation sent the internet buzzing. FromSoftware’s reputation from Soulsborne titles alone is enough to make this a major get for the platform.
If that wasn’t enough, there were hints and rumors in the mix: everyone’s still obsessed with the long-anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong making a stealth drop. Plus, the showcase tossed out teasers for Dragon Quest 1 & 2 in the fan-favorite HD-2D style, whispers of Final Fantasy Tactics’ comeback with The Ivalice Chronicles, and even Tekken 8 lining up for Switch 2. Nintendo clearly wants you to know the new hardware isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s ready for big, modern games too.
Switch 2’s Third-Party Era Arrives
What was clear from the whole presentation: Nintendo is putting a huge focus on making its ecosystem friendly for third-party games. The absence of household Nintendo franchises like Mario or a mainline Zelda wasn’t an accident. It was a statement that Switch and Switch 2 are open playgrounds for the best developers out there—Japanese titans, indie darlings, and seasoned RPG makers alike.
That 25-minute showcase might not have had a blockbuster “one more thing,” but what it did have is confidence. Nintendo’s future, at least right now, is looking more unpredictable—and that’s making the Switch 2 a much more interesting console than anyone expected just a year ago.