After a grueling nine-month dry spell, Nintendo finally broke its silence with an absolute monster of a June Nintendo Direct. Running for nearly an hour, the presentation gave us a massive look at what the rest of 2026 (and beyond) looks like, specifically dropping heavy hints and massive exclusives for the Nintendo Switch 2.
If you missed the livestream, don’t sweat it. We’ve rounded up the absolute biggest jaw-droppers, release dates, and surprise ports from the showcase so you can get your hype levels properly calibrated.
The Big Heavy Hitters
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake (2026)
Nintendo closed out the showcase with the announcement everyone has been whispering about for years. The N64 masterpiece is being rebuilt from the ground up, reborn exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The brief teaser showed Young Link asleep in his Kokiri hut before a gorgeous cinematic close-up of his hand glowing with the Triforce mark. It’s slated for a 2026 release.
2. Kingdom Hearts 4 (TBA)
In a move nobody saw coming, Square Enix dropped a massive gameplay trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4. While we still don’t have a concrete release date, we do know it’s bypassing the current Switch entirely and launching on the Switch 2, alongside PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. If you need a refresher before then, the Kingdom Hearts Collection [I-III] is landing on the Switch 2 on October 8, 2026.
3. Xenoblade Genesis (2027)
Monolith Soft is back at it. They announced Xenoblade Genesis, a stunning new entry that serves as a prequel to the sprawling RPG series. It’s built entirely as a Switch 2 exclusive to leverage the upgraded hardware, aiming for a 2027 launch window.
4. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort (October 22, 2026)
Pack your digital bags because we are officially returning to Wuhu Island! This Switch 2 exclusive revamps the motion-controlled multiplayer fun using the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. It features 12 sports in total, blending classic favorites like Archery, Bowling, and Golf with brand-new additions like Skateboarding, Prop Plane flying, and—hilariously—Thumb Wrestling.
More First-Party Goodness & Surprise Ports
- Splatoon Raiders (July 23, 2026): A fresh, single-player-focused Splatoon spin-off where you hunt for treasure across the Spirhalite Islands alongside the Deep Cut crew.
- The Duskbloods (2026): FromSoftware surprised everyone with a dark, Gothic title that looks heavily inspired by Bloodborne. It’s heading to Switch 2 with a closed network test scheduled for this summer.
- Final Fantasy Resonance (October 22, 2026): A gorgeous HD-2D turn-based RPG from Square Enix that rebuilds and greatly expands the narrative of the original Final Fantasy Brave Exvius mobile game, completely stripped of its mobile gacha mechanics. It’s coming to both Switch 1 and 2, plus other platforms.
- Star Fox (June 25, 2026): A brand new entry is right around the corner, and a free demo went live on the eShop right after the Direct concluded.
- Rhythm Heaven Groove (July 2, 2026): The beloved rhythm series returns with over 80 minigames, including 4-player local multiplayer modes.
The Ultimate Direct Cheat Sheet: Launch Calendar
To help you budget your gaming time (and wallet), here is a quick breakdown of when the biggest titles are dropping across the next few months:
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
| Star Fox (Demo Out Now!) | Nintendo Switch 2 | June 25, 2026 |
| Rhythm Heaven Groove | Nintendo Switch | July 2, 2026 |
| Splatoon Raiders | Nintendo Switch 2 | July 23, 2026 |
| Lies of P: Complete Edition | Nintendo Switch 2 | August 6, 2026 |
| Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave | Nintendo Switch | September 17, 2026 |
| Kingdom Hearts Collection [I-III] | Nintendo Switch 2 | October 8, 2026 |
| Nintendo Switch Sports Resort | Nintendo Switch 2 | October 22, 2026 |
| Final Fantasy Resonance | Switch 1 & 2, PS5, Xbox, PC | October 22, 2026 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2026 |
| Xenoblade Genesis | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2027 |
It’s incredibly clear that Nintendo is using this summer window to draw a firm line in the sand. While the current Switch is getting a few lovely send-offs like Rhythm Heaven and Fire Emblem, the heavy-hitting future belongs entirely to the Switch 2.