Nintendo’s long-awaited September Direct has finally arrived—and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest showcases in years. September has traditionally been the company’s big stage for announcements, and after a rocky first half of 2025 leading up to the Switch 2’s launch, it looks like Nintendo is finally ready to deliver. With the new hardware out in the wild, the drought may be over, and the big guns are coming.
Nintendo has confirmed that the September 12 Direct will run for a full hour, making it the longest presentation in the company’s history outside of the April broadcast that officially unveiled the Switch 2 hardware. The timing also coincides with the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. on September 13, which practically guarantees plenty of Mario-related announcements. Combine that with a flurry of recent leaks, and this could be a showcase for the ages. Here’s what we’re expecting—some based on solid reports, others on hopeful speculation.
Resident Evil, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and More Ports
According to reliable leaker Dusk Golem, multiple Resident Evil titles are on their way to Switch 2, including Resident Evil 7, Village, and the remakes of 2, 3, and 4. Built on Capcom’s versatile RE Engine, these ports make sense—and the upcoming Resident Evil: Requiem could also arrive on Switch 2.
Rumors also suggest Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will come to Nintendo’s new console in 2026, following a potential port of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Other whispers include Red Dead Redemption 2, Starfield, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Meanwhile, one odd leak hints that three “seven” games will appear in the showcase—likely Final Fantasy VII, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and 007 First Light.
The Year of Mario
With Mario’s 40th anniversary here, expect a major 3D Mario reveal, likely the long-awaited successor to Super Mario Odyssey. Rumors suggest Odyssey’s development team split to also work on Donkey Kong Bananza, but Mario’s return feels inevitable.
Other Mario-related announcements could include:
- A teaser for The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 (out next year)
- Possibly even a sneak peek at Nintendo’s upcoming Zelda movie
- A Mario anthology or remaster collection, including long-requested titles like Super Mario Galaxy
- A new online multiplayer spin-off, perhaps expanding on Super Mario Bros. 35 with a 3D twist
- Limited-edition Switch 2 hardware, Amiibo, or anniversary-themed Joy-Cons
Xenoblade Chronicles and Upgrades
The Switch 2 will almost certainly continue Nintendo’s habit of double-dipping. Rumors point to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 running at higher resolution, suggesting an upgrade is in the works. Fans are also clamoring for Xenoblade Chronicles 4 and potential ports of Xenoblade Chronicles X.
Other likely upgrades and ports include:
- Twilight Princess HD from the Wii U
- A remaster of the original Luigi’s Mansion
- More Metroid Prime content ahead of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Smash Bros., Animal Crossing, and Mother 3
Beyond Mario, several other franchises are due for fresh entries:
- A new Animal Crossing, as New Horizons approaches its fifth anniversary
- The next Smash Bros., following the end of Ultimate’s DLC in 2021
- Potential revivals for Luigi’s Mansion, Star Fox, Punch-Out!!, and Pilotwings
- The teased Splatoon spin-off Raiders
- FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods
- Possible surprises from PlatinumGames, Team Ninja, or even Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 4
And then there’s Mother 3. Fans have begged for years, and with Earthbound’s anniversaries approaching, the timing feels right. Whether it’s a localization, a remake, or even a new sequel, Nintendo could finally answer the call.
Final Thoughts
Nintendo is known for mixing the expected with the out-of-nowhere, so while Mario and Resident Evil feel like safe bets, there’s no telling how wild this Direct could get. Whether you’re hoping for ports, sequels, or long-shot revivals, one thing is certain: this September Direct will set the tone for the Switch 2 era.
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