Nintendo Direct March 2025 - Every Announcement, Game Reveal, Trailer

Nearly 30 late arrivals

by Gavin Lane Mon 31st Mar 2025

The March 2025 Nintendo Direct came as a surprise ahead of the Switch 2-specific presentation on 2nd April, but it delivered 30 minutes of game news for Switch 1, plus a couple of peripheral announcements.

Below is the full Nintendo Direct March 2025 video, plus every game announcement with a trailer, a date, and a link to our coverage.

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Nintendo Direct March 2025 - The Whole Presentation

First, the entire Switch 1 presentation, if you want to catch up on the whole thing:

Every Game Announcement

So, in the order they appear in the Direct, we begin with a new teaser trailer for the new-old Dragon Quest...

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake - 2025

A modernized version of classic JRPGs, DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake continues the ‘Erdrick Trilogy’ narrative of the iconic DRAGON QUEST series.

No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files - 25th July 2025

Uncover the truth hidden in reality and in dreams! Join Special Agent Kaname Date on the case to discover the whereabouts of internet idol Iris, who has been trapped in a mysterious escape game.

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army - 19th June 2025

The beloved supernatural action RPG from ATLUS returns! Experience the story of Raidou Kuzunoha XIV, apprentice detective and Devil Summoner. Undertake the case of the century and uncover the secrets of the Soulless Army with the aid of your demons.
With revamped visuals, quality of life updates, new voiceover, and an overhauled battle system, an exciting and unexpected journey awaits both veterans and newcomers alike.

Shadow Labyrinth - 18th July 2025

Phase shift between Swordsman No. 8, Mini PUCK, and GAIA to discover secrets and consume your foes in this genre-twisting take on PAC-MAN. On this mysterious world, it’s eat or be eaten, to survive you must consume darkness.

Patapon 1+2 Replay - 11th July 2025

Beat the drum! Make the fever! A small and delicate, yet mysteriously endearing creature, the Patapon, are guided on their adventures through the rhythm of four drums. There are various classes of Patapon, each with distinct roles and combat styles, so use their traits to form your squad and conquer multiple stages! Become the Mighty One of the Patapon and lead the grand march towards the Earthend!

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - 27th August 2025

The winds of change bring you to the breezy hills of Zephyr Town. Rebuild your farm from humble beginnings and breathe new life into the town's once-famous bazaar. Set up your stall to sell produce and goods, and meet charming townsfolk to befriend and romance as you help the community thrive.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - 2025

Harness Samus Aran's new psychic abilities to survive the mysterious planet of Viewros and find a way home when Metroid Prime 4: Beyond comes to Nintendo Switch in 2025.

Disney Villains Cursed Cafe - Today (27th March 2025)

Explore rich visual novel gameplay and get to know an iconic cast of Disney Villains, reimagined with a modern twist!
Disney Villains have come to the counter of the Cursed Café, seeking to procure potions to fulfill their wickedly whims. As the newest potionista of this establishment, you'll mix and serve a variety of magical elixirs that have the power to change the outcome of each villain's story. Aid them with their wants and gather new ingredients to create entirely new concoctions.

Are you ready to stir up some mischief

Witchbrook - Winter 2025

Discover the magic around you and spark life into a charming seaside community when you become Mossport’s new resident witch. Master spells at Witchbrook College, craft goods to grow your witch business, participate in seasonal events, and customize your charming cottage and garden to suit your style. Make friends, find love, and discover a world filled with wonder on the road to graduation and beyond!

The Eternal Life of Goldman - Winter 2025

The Eternal Life of Goldman is a vibrant yet dark platformer adventure that weaves together legends, fairy tales, and myths. Explore a vast hand-drawn Archipelago, inspired by ancient fables and depicted in classic frame-by-frame animation, and defeat a mysterious Deity!

Gradius Origins - 7th August 2025

It's time to venture into deep space and face off against relentless alien forces in GRADIUS ORIGINS, a collection that brings together six legendary arcade classics and the all-new SALAMANDER III. Pilot your ship through dangerous enemy lines, upgrade your weapons, and master this intense, fast-paced adventure.

Rift of the NecroDancer - Today (27th March 2025)

The NecroDancer's back in an all-new rhythm game! Dragged into a strange new world, Cadence must engage in musical combat with monsters surging through the Rift!

Tamagotchi Plaza - 27th June 2025

The next entry in the beloved shop simulator "Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop" series invites you into a whimsical world of Wonder Shops with over 100 Tamagotchi to play with. As your shop's reputation grows, new Tamagotchi will visit including a new original character. Make your shop thrive and turn the town into a bustling place!

Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Late 2025

Welcome to Lumiose City, where skilled Trainers participate in the Z-A Royale, a tournament where you’ll rank up via unique new Pokémon battles that happen in real time and can feature Mega Evolutions!

Rhythm Heaven Groove - 2026

Get into the groove with the newest entry in the Rhythm Heaven series, Rhythm Heaven Groove! Coming to Nintendo Switch in 2026.

Virtual Game Cards - April 2025

The new Virtual Game Card feature lets you easily manage your digital Nintendo Switch games, including lending to your Nintendo Account Family Group members! This new system update will be released in late April.

High On Life - 6th May 2025

Fresh out of high school with no job and no ambition, you’ve really got nothing going for you until an alien cartel invades Earth. Now, you and a team of charismatic talking guns must answer the hero's call and become the deadliest intergalactic bounty hunter the cosmos has ever seen.
Travel to a variety of biomes and locations across the cosmos, go up against the nefarious Garmantuous and his gang of goons, collect loot, meet unique characters, and more, in the latest comedy adventure from Squanch Games!

Star Overdrive - 10th April 2025

Race across an alien planet in a high-speed action-adventure. Glide on your Hoverboard, mastering gravity-defying tricks, battling powerful enemies, and solving puzzles. Use your unique powers to overcome challenges, unravel mysteries, and shape your destiny!

The Wandering Village - 17th July 2025

In a world where mysterious plants are spreading all over the earth, a small group of survivors seek shelter on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Build your settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the colossus in this city-building strategy game. Will you survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world, contaminated by poisonous fungi?

King of Meat - 2025

King of Meat is a 1–4 player hacking, slashing, co-op combat game with Dungeon Create Mode. It is centered around the most watched, and only, TV-show in the mystical world of Loregok. Players step into the roles of Contenders battling through devious Dungeons and compete to be crowned champions.

Lou’s Lagoon - Summer 2025

Traverse the vibrant Limbo Archipelago in search of your Uncle Lou, who mysteriously disappeared and left you his seaplane delivery service. Explore the islands, harvest resources, and hone your crafting skills to complete jobs and grow your business!

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - 21st May 2025

Embark on a time-traveling adventure in the sequel to the popular 3DS game "FANTASY LIFE." Explore a vast open world, craft unique items, decorate your home and island or delve deep into dungeons. The possibilities are endless in this slow-life RPG!

SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered - Today (27th March 2025)

Experience the intertwining destinies of Gustave, a royal heir caught in the turmoil of war, and Wil, an excavator confronting a hidden threat that could change the world. In SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered, their journeys unfold through the History Choice system, an event-based structure letting you explore pivotal events from multiple perspectives.
Now fully remastered with stunning HD watercolor visuals, newly added events, and refined gameplay, this beloved RPG classic returns to captivate a new generation. Discover the world of Sandail like never before.

Monument Valley 1, 2, 3 - 15th April / Summer

Monument Valley 1 and Monument Valley 2 are coming to Nintendo Switch on April 15. Monument Valley 3 is also coming to Nintendo Switch this summer! Embark on a journey of forgiveness through impossible environments and illusionary puzzles. Experience this meditative and calming puzzle game by manipulating monuments and creating evolving paths to explore new, surreal, and mysterious worlds.

Everybody's Golf Hot Shots - 2025

The beloved easy to start but difficult to master golf series, EVERYBODY'S GOLF returns with a unique variety of characters and courses! Let's par-TEE!

Marvel Cosmic Invasion - Winter 2025

A cosmic battle awaits! After Annihilus launched an unprecedented attack across the galaxy, all life hangs in the balance. Nova, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Phyla-Vell, Captain America, and many more heroes, both Earth-born and cosmic, will join forces in a star-spanning brawling adventure against the deadly Annihilation Wave.
From New York City to the depths of the Negative Zone, the future of the universe will be fought across the stars in MARVEL Cosmic Invasion!

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream - 2026

For the first time in 10 years, a new game in the Tomodachi Life series is on the way! Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2026!

Nintendo Today! - Today (27th March 2025)

Nintendo Today! is a new smart device app that’ll deliver daily Nintendo information and content directly to you.

Nintendo Direct March 2025 Japan-Exclusive Announcements

There were some regional variations between the Directs, so if you're interested in the Switch games featured in the Japanese version, we've got you covered.

And Finally, Our Thoughts

And here's the lovely NL video team giving their reaction!

Some long-awaited games there (Rhythm Heaven!), but also a couple of 2026s. What did you think? Let us know in our poll article, and watch this space for the Switch 2 Direct soon.

Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy.

1
TheBigBlue
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Overall, it was alright. It was a nice change of pace not having the first party catalog be remasters, but actual sequels of old franchises, that’s pretty cool. Was it perfect? No. Was it great? Not really. Was it still a half decent direct? I’d say so. Stuff like marvel and raidou are interesting as well

2
Anti-Matter
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Was there any Japanese exclusive from Nintendo Direct Japan version?

3
LastFootnote
Thu 27th Mar 2025

So many games we knew about shown again STILL with no release dates. Maddening.

4
HammerGalladeBro
Thu 27th Mar 2025

@Anti-Matter I believe Super Robot Taisen Y, Winning Post 10 2025.

5
Daniel36
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Some cool stuff for sure!! I used to own Saga Frontier 2. No idea where that game went. I remember liking it but getting stuck really early on and not continuing. Will definitely get the remaster.

My kids might like Tomodachi. They played the DS one a lot!

6
Anakin
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Definitely had a 'we don't care about Switch 1 anymore' vibes.

7
StewdaMegaManNerd
Thu 27th Mar 2025

My “Legendary Endless Gourmet Epic Noun Dealer and Surmiser ver.3” was completely wrong! How could this be?! Wait, that tag looks off… rips off tag what?! This was made by Ubisoft?!

8
BenAV
Thu 27th Mar 2025

The AI: The Somnium Files spin-off definitely caught me by surprise. That along with Rhythm Heaven are the two I'm particularly keen for.

9
cosmograph
Thu 27th Mar 2025

@Anakin That’s totally something Anakin would say.

10
Citano
Thu 27th Mar 2025

@HammerGalladeBro Super Robot Wars Y should be listed in this article too, as Bandai Namco confirms it will get a world wide release!

11
Dazman
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Is it just me or does Metroid look like it was made for the GameCube? I can't tell the difference between that and the remastered one 👀

12
Ade117
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Woah, I missed that High on Life is coming to Switch. Thanks for the heads up.

I'm most excited for Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake, Goldman, Patapon, Tomodachi Life, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and Marvel Cosmic Invasion.

13
Ryu_Niiyama
Thu 27th Mar 2025

A lot of new games to add to the wishlist. Gonna wait a bit though.

14
Anakin
Thu 27th Mar 2025

@cosmograph I wanted more and I know I shouldn't

15
kmtrain83
Thu 27th Mar 2025

@Daniel36
For some reason all 3 of my kids are playing Tomodachi Life non stop right now. Maybe a Youtuber or TikTocker (sp?) was promoting it?

16
Suketoudara
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I wonder if Tomodachi Life coming back in 2026 means the Switch 2 might have more emphasis on Miis in it's interface or something like Miiverse/StreetPass

17
Ashfan2020
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Once again Nintendo has let us down, with some very poor games except Pokemon Legends Z-A, I wanted to see Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing and more mini games for Super Mario Party Jamboree, my Grade for this Nintendo Switch Direct is a big fat F, I’m like seriously Nintendo you need to do way better than this, me especially and I’m not happy about it 😡😡😡

18
Simu001
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I know its my fault for expecting metroid prime 2 and 3. It's also my fault for expecting the Zehlda HD ports "confirmed" by jeff grubb way back in the day. "Oh they are definitely coming you guys believe me". Great job you wannabe insider. As for the direct imo completely forgettable. Bring on the switch 2 direct.

19
abbyhitter
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Pokemon Legends Z-A
Fantasy Life i
Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake

The evil Pac Man game looked kinda cool. Everything else...meh.

20
shonenjump86
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Some cool stuff to look forward to. I’m satisfied with it.

21
Nintendomatt64
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I'm interested to see how star overdrive and marvel cosmic invasion turns out on switch.

Because I'm cautiously optimistic about star overdrive since it's visual style looks nice from the trailers that I've seen but I'm just scared that it's gonna be a technical nightmare from the general size and scope of the game. As for marvel cosmic invasion I'm just interested in seeing what other characters show up .

22
Xenoblade-Fan
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Just realised that Prime 4 added a second hand to utilise (left for new powers and right for the regular stuff)
This seems perfect for being controlled by dual mouses like the switch 2 trailer teased

23
somnambulance
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I’ll be honest with you all, I’m really excited about Metroid and Pokemon and I’ll get Rhythm Heaven… next year… but beyond that, I really didn’t feel much from that Direct. I like DQ a lot, but DQ3 sort of felt like enough for me of that vintage experience. Without reading a summary of what was announced, I can’t remember anything else that was announced (outside Tomodachi Life… which is also 2026).

Either Switch 2 is coming sooner than I expected or Nintendo’s really going to let Switch 1 coast for the year. I can’t believe Nintendo didn’t give one 2025 first party game a release date. Is Donkey Kong Country Returns really going to be my last Switch 1 game? It feels… wrong…. And I say that as someone who really likes the game!

Man, I dunno, can’t fret too much since there’s a Direct next week, but I feel more nervous for that Direct now than I was before it.

24
LEGEND_MARIOID
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I'll need reviews for some, but there is 12 games I am really interested in there. No pap.

25
Lizuka
Thu 27th Mar 2025

AITSF was by far the highlight of the proceedings for me, cannot wait.

26
SuntannedDuck2
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Rhythm Heaven on Switch let's go. Been waiting and going hmm creator is sick will we ever get another one, especially as they sing in the games/make the music, but please don't make this a Megamix type thing and is a new game please. If so I am so hyped for this. Thought it would be just Wario Waree only and Rhythm Heaven was dead but so happy to see this.

Patapon 1&2 but no 3? Either way so cool to have. Sony audience doesn't have a sizeable audience that can make these types of games sell in Sony's eyes to be enough and they hate niche games it seems for more big IP projects.

And most of their focus don't buy these or market them well, besides the few western fans into Japan Studios games or the Japanese that may but also may not be enough usually besides other games on the market.

So why not a Nintendo audience enjoy these games and would more. Sony Japan's Studio',s games are so good but underrated/underappreciated, so giving them support then have them sit there with the remasters on PS4/5 or others left behind.

These need support. If they have Loco Roco, Puppeteer or others that would be awesome.

Even Gravity Rush, Knack and more.

Everybody/Hot Shots on Switch nice, go Claphands prior works or new? Besides their other golf game on Switch. I assume this is a port of the PS4 entry to Switch? Makes the most sense.

Prime 4 is cool to see more of.

A lot of other good stuff I'll need to look through more, but these were my highlights.

This was awesome.

Nintendo impressing and Sony/Microsoft continue to offer games but barely offer games of this type to excite so Sony offering the IPs they won't do anything with on Switch why not and a bunch of other alright games.

But Rhythm Heaven better do well for it being so late in the console's life.

Also physical please I had to get Fever and Megamix digital you can barely get them easily physical while DS I have 2 copies now. But also barely see.

So I really want to support the series physical on Switch.

27
Abrammchi
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I have always felt that a game like Tomodachi Life should be free pre installed on Switch or now Switch 2, as a Mii channel.. or UI for the system itself would be an interesting direction.

28
TheBigK
Thu 27th Mar 2025

I was working when the direct happened so I just watched the trailers of what I'm interested in during my lunch break. So basically just Pokémon and Metroid. Didn't miss a whole lot, it seems.

29
InfamousOrange
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Good direct, excited for Pokemon ZA and worried about Metroid Prime 4, real yikes moment for that game.

30
Megayoshi96
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Still feel it was weird to do this just before the switch 2 direct, cause now I'm thinking there's plenty still to play on switch 1 so no rush to upgrade 😅

31
Orpheus79V
Thu 27th Mar 2025

@Dazman It looks like the remaster, but it doesn't look like a GameCube game.

32
JustMonika
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Hell yes! More AI: The Somnium Files and even High on Life.

33
rockodoodle
Thu 27th Mar 2025

Not bad, considering the system is about to be replaced. Really looking forward to Tomagachi Life. Some of the others will be worth a look, especially during a sale.

34
Serpenterror
Fri 28th Mar 2025

I'm glad we finally got SaGa Frontier 2, I guess after this the only two SaGa games left to remastered are Unlimited SaGa (PS2) and the 7th SaGa (Super NES). Can't wait to try the game soon.

35
KidRyan
Fri 28th Mar 2025

My March 27th Nintendo Direct Hype Wishlist

Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (PS5 version, Pac-Man spinoff)
Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Late 2025 (Switch exclusive)
Marvel Cosmic Invasion - Holiday 2025 (PS5 version)
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake - TBA 2025 (PS5 version)
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBA 2025 (Switch exclusive)

36
Mommar
Fri 28th Mar 2025

You have the ability to make a game look precisely like the comics and instead all of the Marvel characters look like those squat, fat $4 toys instead.

37
RiasGremory
Fri 28th Mar 2025

still hoping for a shadow drop for prime 2/3.

38
Zaruboggan
Fri 28th Mar 2025

Oh boy Rhythm Heaven!
Some fun stuff but no solid dates for the games I'm interested in. I guess it's just as well, since the first half of this year has been pretty stacked for me.

39
Wisestfool
Fri 28th Mar 2025

@Anakin just nonstop with the on brand posts

40
tobsesta99
Fri 28th Mar 2025

Is it really fair to call these “late arrivals” if they’re going to be playable on Switch 2? It’s not like they released on something like the Wii U lol

41
Daniel36
Fri 28th Mar 2025

@kmtrain83 LOL could be. My daughter played it a lot after she got it for her birthday, and she picjs it up on and off. Before that my oldest played the demo a lot. Especially my daughter really likes it.

I don't think I could habdle another life sim after Animal Crossing. I soent too much time on that.

42
jake1421
Fri 28th Mar 2025

Salamander III by M2 ShotTriggers! What a pleasant surprise.

I'm definitely excited to play a new prime but am I the only one who thinks the combat and enemy behavior looks near identical to 2002?

I was already planning on Rift of the Necrodancer, played the steam demo, great stuff. The Celeste tracks make it a sure thing. Just gonna wait to confirm Nintendo has a good plan in place for transferring digital games to switch 2 first.

43
JustMonika
Fri 28th Mar 2025

@KidRyan I'd pay a thousand right now to play the new Somnium Files game. It's my favorite series, lol

44
AJWolfTill
Fri 28th Mar 2025

New AI :Somnium files game was the biggest win for me! Metroid Prime 4 sure looks like Metroid Prime. Looks good but hoping they are still holding a lot back

@JustMonika
If you are an Uchikoshi fan, the 100 line defense academy has a demo and store page now. I went looking for it a few days ago and it wasn't there.

45
KidRyan
Fri 28th Mar 2025

@JustMonika Cool! My fave Nintendo series is a tie between Mario & Zelda.

I've never really played the Pokemon games before, but I did grow up loving the anime as a child.

46
dkxcalibur
Fri 28th Mar 2025

The Goldman game looks really cool.

I'll probably play MP4. I played the previous 3 and enjoyed them all. It'll depend on some other factors this time around.

47
LikelySatan
Fri 28th Mar 2025

I tried w High on Life. The constant, breathless, meandering irreverence was painful to me.
But yeeeeah that Prime 4. Wowsers

48
Swhite29s
Fri 28th Mar 2025

TOMODACHI LIFEEEEEEEE
I hope it has makeup and wigs like the miitopia switch port

49
JustMonika
Fri 28th Mar 2025

@AJWolfTill Finally. Been waiting for the demo to drop since it's been on Steam since last month. I'll check it out.

50
JustMonika
Fri 28th Mar 2025

@LikelySatan I have no clue how they got High on Life to run on a Switch. I mean it's current gen. Insanity.

51
LikelySatan
Sat 29th Mar 2025

@JustMonika it ain't Doom Eternal, but yeah. I do love impressive down ports. Especially if they are straight different games because of it. I'm guessing this lands more on the "low res, same geometry, 30 fps" side.

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