Nintendo Direct: Third-party titles revealed for Switch and Switch 2 lineup

In its recent Partner Showcase, Nintendo highlighted a plethora of third-party titles expected for both the existing Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. This event, which aired on Thursday, featured announcements from major publishers like Capcom, Square Enix, EA, and Ubisoft, paving the way for a thrilling lineup set to launch in 2025 and beyond. Capcom is making a notable return with the announcement of "Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection," scheduled for a 2026 release on the Switch 2. This new installment in the beloved series will maintain its RPG-style, narrative-driven gameplay that fans have come to adore. Square Enix also revealed two exciting titles in its HD-2D style. "Octopath Traveler 0," a prequel to the original game, is slated to launch on December 4 for both the Switch and Switch 2. Additionally, the original RPG, "The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales," will debut in 2026, exclusively on the Switch 2. Nintendo offered fans a fresh glimpse at "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment," an action game inspired by the Dynasty Warriors franchise, set in the iconic Legend of Zelda universe. This title is expected to be released sometime during the winter season. In the realm of remakes and revivals, the quirky cult classic "Once Upon A Katamari" is set to return to the original Switch on October 24. Simultaneously, EA is bringing back "Plants vs. Zombies" with a remastered version called "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted," featuring local co-op and PvP modes, which will launch on October 23 for both consoles. The showcase also spotlighted a variety of tactical and turn-based RPGs, including "Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles," which will be available on September 30 across both platforms. Atlus' "Persona 3 Reload" is also making its way to the Switch 2 on October 23, further enriching the RPG offerings. Ubisoft's "Star Wars Outlaws" is set to launch on September 4 for the Switch 2, promising an enhanced experience of the open-world game. Additionally, Bloober Team's survival horror title "Cronos: The New Dawn," a spiritual successor to Silent Hill 2, is scheduled for release on September 5 for the same platform. Fans of classic games will be pleased to know that Bandai Namco plans to release "Pac-Man World Re-Pac 2" on September 26, while the Yakuza series returns with "Yakuza Kiwami" and "Yakuza Kiwami 2" on November 13 for the Switch 2, showcasing improved visuals on the new hardware. Finally, sports enthusiasts can look forward to the return of EA Sports titles to Nintendo, with "Madden NFL 26" kicking off on August 14, followed by "EA Sports FC 26" on September 26. The arcade-style basketball game "NBA Bounce" will also join the lineup on the same day, offering a fun 3-on-3 experience. This showcase illustrates a strong commitment from third-party developers as Nintendo gears up for the launch of its next-generation console.