A Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase took place earlier today, offering us a deeper look at upcoming third-party games coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
While the third-party focus means games like Drag X Drive, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Kirby Air Riders did not show up during this direct, there were still plenty of interesting announcements.
So many games were featured in this Partner Showcase, it can be tough to determine which imminent Switch or Switch 2 games from it you should be looking forward to.
To help you make that decision, I’m spotlighting the five Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase announcements that stuck out to me the most as a Nintendo Switch 2 owner in tune with the video game industry.
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5 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Steam
The first announcement from this Partner Showcase was one of its best.
Monster Hunter Stories is an RPG spin-off of Capcom’s popular hunting-action game franchise, and both prior games in this series are pretty underrated adventures.
This new game in the series, set to launch next year, seems to be a bit more mature in its storytelling than its predecessors, as players are stuck in the middle of a conflict between two nations spurred by the emergence of twin Rathalos Monsters.
I’m excited to see more of this game and how its battles function moment-to-moment.
4 Once Upon a Katamari
Coming to Nintendo Switch
The Katamari series’ wacky aesthetic and gameplay have made it a cult classic for decades, and it looks like Bandai Namco Entertainment is finally giving it some love with a new game.
The gimmick of this one is that players roll up objects in levels scattered throughout time.
Its multiplayer mode, KatamariBall, also looks like it’ll be distinct from past Katamari games thanks to the deeper character customization on offer and support for up to four players.
It won’t be too long a wait for this one either, as it’ll be out on October 25.
3 Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Already available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. Coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
When it comes to ports of previously released games featured in the Partner Showcase, none excited me more than Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
This is a 3D fighting game with an absolutely massive roster of characters from the Dragon Ball franchise.
It’s not only a bombastically entertaining game to look at and play, but it feels like a Dragon Ball sandbox with the tools it gives players to create their own fight scenarios and even change iconic events in the series.
I enjoyed this game when it launched last year, and I’m happy that Switch and Switch 2 players will have a chance to try it on November 14.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Released
- October 11, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
- Namco Bandai
- Engine
- proprietary engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
2 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch
During the sizzle reel toward the end of this presentation, you may have spotted a new Shinobi game.
In the wake of the excellent Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, I’m very much looking forward to Sega and Lizardcube’s revival of the Shinobi series.
Its art and animation already look stunning in a way the Switch’s weaker hardware can’t really compromise.
While Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is out in August, Sega also released a demo today, so those of us interested don’t have to wait to try it out.
Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance
- Released
- August 29, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Lizardcube, Sega
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- August 29, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- August 29, 2025
1 The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
Coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Although Octopath Traveler 0 was probably the more exciting announcement for RPG fans, I find myself more intrigued by the other HD-2D game announced by Square Enix.
That would be The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, a brand-new IP that seems to play more like The Legend of Zelda than Final Fantasy.
It’s not slated for release until sometime in 2026, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about the game.
Like with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, though, Square Enix is giving players the chance to check out The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales early with a free demo available for Switch 2 today.
I’ll certainly be giving it a try, and you should too.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a great option for those wanting the Switch without the price tag. That is if you don’t mind being 100% portable. It’s the perfect console for gaming on the go.
One of the best Nintendo Direct Partner Showcases yet
Looking back on the show as a whole, this Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase was definitely one of the best ones Nintendo has held.
While obviously not as packed with exciting announcements as a full-fledged Nintendo Direct, the Switch and Switch 2 are still getting such a healthy amount of third-party support that there’s more than enough games to fill an entire showcase with.
I didn’t even mention games like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Star Wars Outlaws, and Apex Legends that popped up during the showcase.
Big third-party publishers like Square Enix, EA, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and Sega all seem eager to support the Switch 2. That’s a really good sign for the platform’s future.
