Nintendo Direct 3/27/25 review: Preparing for the future

Just less than a week shy of the big Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo has decided to surprise the world with a sudden Nintendo Direct that focuses on the first Switch. Let’s see what Nintendo has in store for us this time.

 

The first game that was talked about is the Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D remake, which completes the Erdrick trilogy as the second and third gamers of the original timeline and is recreated faithfully. It comes out later in 2025. 

 

Also showcased is a mystery game known as No Sleep for Kaname Date, a mystery game that has you finding out what happened to an idol that's trapped in a space-themed escape room. Next up is Raidou remastered: Mystery of the Soulless Army, which is an Atlus title that showcases similarities with the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, with even some familiar faces like Jack Frost in the game.. Shadow Labyrinth is also coming to the Switch as a Metroidvania based on the Secret Level world of Pac-Man, which is also interesting to see. Patapon 1 + 2 reply is also coming as a remastered 2-pack, which is a rhythm game where you control a tribe with the power of music. Next up is Story of Seasons: Grand Bazar, which is a farming simulation coming to the switch. 

 

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, a long-awaited game starring one of the most iconic ladies in gaming, has more of its gameplay shown off with its new lands, new abilities, new aliens, and a new updated gameplay that revs up the game. Also, the addition of new psychic abilities gives the game an edge in terms of traversal and combat. Coming later in 2025.

 

There’s a new coffee shop game that blends Disney villains into the mix, which has you forming relations with these baddies from Disney’s movies as you serve them enchanted coffee. Next up is a game called Witchbrook that showcases a magical school as a slice-of-life sim, where every choice matters and every spell counts. There’s also a hand-drawn adventure to showcase The Eternal Life of Goldman, which showcases an elderly protagonist using his cane to traverse a strange archipelago. Also showcased is a collection of Gradius games called Gradius Origins, which has many of its titles together, including the newly released Salamander III. Rift of the Necrodancer, a linear rhythm game based on Crypt of the Necrodancer, is also showcased with new tracks, new enemies, and even new crossover content including Celeste and Pizza Tower. They even showed off a Tamagochi game that takes you into their stores and helps them with their jobs, called Tamagochi Plaza.

 

There’s also new information about Pokemon Legends ZA, including new gameplay, new story details, and new movement that was never showcased before. Even a new battle system that showcases a natural evolution of the franchise, will come out in late 2025.

 

Next up is showcasing a brand new Rhythm Heaven game for the Switch. Officially known as Rythim Heaven Groove, which comes out in 2026, features new minigames, new trials, and more. 

 

Next up, is a brand new mode for the Switch, known as Virtual Game Card, which allows you to share virtual games on different systems as if they were physical. This makes for an interesting way to share your games to be shared. This is coming to both Switch 1 and 2 later in April. 

 

Other games that are coming include High on Life, Star Overdrive, The Wandering Village, King of Meat, Lou’s Lagoon, Fantasy Life I, and SaGa Frontier 2. Also showcased are Monument Valley 1 and 2, which is a traverse through perspective stages in a unique platform, and Monument Valley 3 is coming soon. There's also a new Everybody’s Golf game that showcases a cool new golf game, with multiplayer and other modes. There’s a new brawler Marvel game that showcases heroes teaming up against a new threat in Marvel Cosmic Invasion

 

Last up, we have the reveal of the brand-new game: Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which is the sequel to the original game on 3DS. We see the Mii’s living it up on an island adventure, coming in 2026. And with the show’s over, we see Miyamoto revealing a new App called Nintendo Today app that showcases new news for Nintendo, whether it's big or small news, especially with the Switch 2 coming soon. 

 

In conclusion, the Nintendo Direct for 3/27/2025 was a success, but not an overwhelming one. We saw a lot more third-party titles than Nintendo titles, but that might be in part of them prepping the Switch 2’s direct next week. But what we did get is new games and content for pretty much everyone to enjoy, whether they’re fans of JRPGs, action games, or even fun relaxing games. There were a few surprises that caught me off guard, but overall, it was a successful Direct. 

 

8/10