I’m ready to go now that the new Nintendo lineup looks wild. My spare time—and money—are about to be taken up by these games. Nintendo just dropped a look at upcoming titles for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Highlights like Once Upon a KATAMARI and EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 provided attendees with a glimpse at what publishing partners have in store for them in the future at Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase 2025. There are a lot of games coming up, and the lineup feels like it has a lot of different options. The Switch’s robust library already shines. Third-party games stand out from first-party releases because they can be played anywhere. I’m ready to get started as soon as new releases start arriving in August. Here are a few that stood out to me quickly.
1. Once Upon a KATAMARI
Once Upon A KATAMARI brings the Katamari Damacy fun back on the Nintendo Switch with a fresh twist. Roll your Katamari through eras like Edo Japan, deck out your prince and cousins, grab tons of quirky items, and jump into online battles with other players.
Katamari games rock, but they hit your joysticks hard. I keep thinking about possible drift issues.
The game packs both new tunes and classic tracks. On the Nintendo eShop, you can pre-order it now for release on October 24.
2. Twisted Reflection in Monster Hunter
World Azoria is in chaos, with land disputes between two kingdoms and rising tension with each dawn. Homes vanish, families scatter, and the threat of war looms over every valley. You are special because you are the only Rthalos rider in Azoria. No one else can do what you can.
With nowhere to run, your people press against a wall. Their optimism weighs heavily on your shoulders. You grab your gear, mount your Rthalos, and launch into the sky. You hear two strange calls at the same time, one promising help and the other danger. The path ahead demands courage, action, and heart.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, coming to Nintendo Switch 2 next year, continues the journey after Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Fans of exploration, vibrant worlds, and unforgettable characters will find another adventure worth diving into.
3. DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO
Dragon Ball: Fireworks! The Budokai Tenkaichi series’ fast, explosive combat enters a new era in ZERO. Fighters leap across vast arenas, clash with raw force, and shatter the ground under every strike.
The fight causes reactions in each arena. Dust rises, walls fall apart, and the surrounding area becomes a part of the conflict. The essence of the series in motion is captured by sky duels and earth-shattering battles. The game launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on November 14, with pre-orders available through Nintendo eShop.
4. The Millennium Tales
The Adventures of Elliot Step through the door and dive into a world where time stretches across centuries. In a land full of beast tribes, heroes set out with hope. The Kingdom of Huther stands strong thanks to a powerful spell.
Adventurer Elliot ventures outside to investigate the ruins that appear beyond the castle walls. Fay, a fairy, joins him—she fights and grabs items. Together, they leave the kingdom’s safety behind.
Power up seven swords and bows with magic to use as weapons. You can play as either character on your own or with a friend in co-op. Join Elliot and Fay on an epic 1,000-year adventure. The Millennium Tales: The Adventures of Elliot will be released for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2019.
5. EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26
Ultimate Team stays at the heart of EA Sports, and Madden NFL 26 keeps that tradition. In order to make Ultimate Team work for both offline and online players, EA draws inspiration from other games in its lineup, including EA FC 26. Major content drops in MUT provide a variety of play options. Take on the AI for rewards or engage in head-to-head combat without touching the online modes. I grab a pre-order every year without thinking twice. My time goes into solo franchise, and I run it alone. Coach mode handles the plays because I stay far from the sticks—I’m awful with them. The mode isn’t perfect, and solo fans like me get less love than the big online modes, which drives me nuts. Sometimes I just stare at the screen, wondering why certain features exist and others don’t. Nonetheless, I start it up anyway. I catch the nonsense, but it never kills my fun.
Madden NFL 26 launches August 14, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC through EA app for Windows, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
Before you go
Without breaking the bank, Nintendo Switch packs a lot of fun into a small console. Its exclusive games keep players hooked, and you can grab it on the go for quick sessions anywhere.
With emulation, Steam Decks are a cool option, but they cost a lot and run out of power quickly. Switch still earns a spot for anyone who wants a solid library without fuss. After Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase 2025, I have a long list of games I can’t wait to play.
