Donkey Kong Bananza releases this week, which means next week is a great time for a Nintendo Direct. Today I’m going to dive into what to expect related to release dates for already known games, plus what new announcements to expect from Nintendo for the Switch 2.

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It’s been a while since the last general Nintendo Direct. It was back in April, where we had a deep dive into the Nintendo Switch 2, where Nintendo revealed a whole bunch of information about their new console, and the release line-up. We did have a Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, and now that game is about to release this week. In a normal year Nintendo would put out a direct in June, however, this year is an anomaly with the Nintendo Switch 2 release.

Yesterday speculation started rising once again about a new Nintendo Direct, set for after the release of Donkey Kong Bananza. Here’s Jordan Middler from VGC.

Nintendo will hold a Nintendo Direct presentation later this month, it’s claimed. According to NateTheHate, who has a track record of reporting on Nintendo Direct plans before they are announced, Nintendo‘s next show is planned for later this month following the release of Donkey Kong Bananza.

“I have been told there is a Nintendo Direct this month, the month of July, but that the Nintendo Direct will not take place until after Donkey Kong Bananza releases,” said Nate. “Beyond that, there is no additional information.”

That all makes a lot of sense, so let’s get to the predicitions.

First-party titles

We know about some first party titles coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond was playable at the Switch 2 events. Recently there was a mix up on the London Underground with an advertisement stating the game was “out now”, when actually it’s slated for sometime in 2025. Given it was playable at the events, I can’t imagine it’s too far away. We have Donkey Kong Bananza this month in July, and Pokemon Legends Z-A in October, therefore I would imagine it’s either going to release in September or November this year.

Kirby Air Riders is another first party title that’s got that loose 2025 release date, and I think it’s the same story, either a September or November release.

We may get something for Mario Kart World, perhaps something additional for the open-world, or perhaps some events or small DLC. I don’t know about you, but the discussion about Mario Kart World has died down completely… the game just kinda came and went, which is a shame. There were big boots to fill with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and so far I think Mario Kart World was pretty underwhelming.

Then we have the prospect of another first-party Nintendo game. I don’t think we’re going to be getting anything Mario related. 1) because the movie is coming out next year, and I think that would be the perfect time to release the game, and 2) that team is just wrapping up on Donkey Kong Bananza. There is the possibility that the Mario Odyssey team has split in two, with one half working on Donkey Kong and the other half working on a new 3D Mario… but I don’t expect Mario news until 2026, around the same time as the movie.

I do think there is a prospect of Animal Crossing news. It’s been five years since the release of Animal Crossing New Horizons, so we’re due for a new Animal Crossing game. New Horizons took the world by storm, in-part due to the global pandemic, but I think Nintendo will be prioritising getting a new Animal Crossing out as soon as they can to recapture that audience once again.

Fire Emblem is another prospect for Nintendo Switch 2. Jeff Grubb has long reported on a Fire Emblem being pretty much ready to go, and I think it’s a decent bet, given the last Fire Emlbem released in 2019 – if a Nintendo Direct is next week then it will nearly be 6 years to the day since it’s release.

Splatoon Raiders is another first-party title I would love to get more information on.

Switch 2 Editions

We could get more Switch 2 Editions following on from the Switch Zelda Games, Mario Party and Kirby. At the next Direct we could get more info about Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition, given that’s releasing in August, but I would like to see something new I don’t yet know about. Perhaps a Switch 2 Edition for Mario Maker 2 with mouse controls, I feel like that series could do with an injection of newness – and ouse controls feel perfect for that game. Nintendo Switch Sports would be a good candidate for a Switch 2 edition too. We’ve had a few paid upgrades, plus loads of free upgrades… let me know in the comments if you want to see anymore Nintendo games get the Switch 2 edition treatment.

Third party titles

We know a lot about 3rd parties coming to Switch 2. We have Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, which is going to be absolutely massive on Switch 2. Hades II is another one we know about, which has long been in early access. Hollow Knight Silksong is another game we know about, but this one seems tied to the release of the Xbox ROG Ally X handheld coming out in the latter half of the year. Marvel Cosmic Invasion and Witchbrook are other third party games I am keen to get an update and release date on.

Nintendo Switch Online

It would be great to get an update on more Gamecube games coming to Nintendo Switch Online. So far I have really been enoying the games we have on there so far with F-Zero GX, Soul Caliber 2, Wind Waker and Mario Strikers. I’ve been putting a lot of time into Nintendo Switch Online recently, so I’d love to see more Gamecube games. I did a dedicated video on what I want to see on the Gamecube, so make sure to go and check that one out!

I’d love to see more consoles added too, but I think it’s a little early for that. Nintendo DS is up next if we’re following the timeline… but I don’t think Nintendo has built out their Gamecube library enough yet.

New announcements

Nintendo did a big playtest for an unannounced MMO before the Switch 2 came out. Plenty of people have played it and seen it, although they are not allowed to talk about it. I want to hear from Nintendo on what this MMO is, and when we can get our hands on it.

I think the smart money is on next wednesday, that’s Wednesday 23rd July 2025. I could be wrong of course, but we need some more information from Nintendo to start building out their roadmap of games for the 23nd half of the year.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has released, but it feels a little empty. That may change when Donkey Kong comes out later this week, but I have mainly been playing Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Editions, plus Nintendo Switch Online.

Let me know what you want to see in an upcoming Nintendo Direct.