Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase 2/5/26 review: Third-party fun for everyone!

As is tradition, Nintendo has graced its playerbase with another direct, even though this is a partner direct. Despite not there being anything from Nintendo themselves, the showcase of their partner companies, from indie games to AAA games, makes the systems much more exciting to play on. Let’s see what Nintendo has brought to the table this time. 

 

First things first, we have another trailer of the 80s anime-inspired co-op game Orbitals. Orbitals is a game where two friends must try to find a way to save their home from an impending cosmic storm. Armed with problem-solving tools, radical jetpacks, and more, Orbitals looks to be an amazing game, perfect for any hangout with a buddy. This game also features gameshare, so you can let a friend play, even if you only have one copy of the game. Orbitals launches on Switch 2 later this summer. 

 

Next up, we have the reveal of PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse, a mystery game set in this coastal Japanese town where strange visions and corpses show up. Showcasing a unique cast of characters, there are tons of testimonies to go through and tons of places to explore under the sea in order to find out if this legend of the mermaids is real. PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse launches on the Switch on February 19th.

 

Following that, we have the reveal of Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters, based on the long-running Shonen Jump manga series. Featuring over 110 characters to play as and split between 22 teams, this soccer game is showing up to be in a league of its own. Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters launches later in 2026.

 

We are then shown a new look at the upcoming game Tokyo Scramble, featuring a woman named Anne who had an unfortunate accident that left her stranded underground. To add on to that, there are strange creatures known as Zino that would hunt her or any other prey down. Use stealth in order to escape their clutches and use traps in order to throw off their trail. There’s also an option for gameshare with this title that up to 4 players can control the protagonist. Tokyo Scramble is out now, only on Switch 2. 

 

Next, we have a viking themed survival game called Valheim. Gather materials, hunt wildlife, build homes, all with a viking asthetic. It may feel like a Minecraft clone, but it has more mysteries than it does. Up to 10 players can share the same world as you fight for survival together. Valheim comes out on Switch 2 later this year.

 

Up next, we are then shown that Hollow Knight is getting a Switch 2 version. Fight off bugs, explore this unknown kingdom, and thanks to its new framerate update and performance, playing through this game has never looked better. The Switch 2 upgrade for Hollow Knight is out now, and players who have the Switch 1 version can upgrade for free. 

 

Afterward, we are then shown a new look at eFootball Kick Off, a new soccer game by Konami. Build your dream team and play against others worldwide in single-player or multiplayer mode in this kind of exciting game. eFootball Kick Off launches on Switch 2 this summer. 

 

Next up, we have a new look at Square Enix’s The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, a brand new JRPG in the HD-2D engine. Travel between different ages in this time travel adventure, complete with different structures, enemies, allies, and much more. This game feels alot like Chrono Trigger, another Square Enix JRPG, and I’m hoping this game will be as good, if not better, than the classic adventure. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales launches on the Switch 2 on June 18th, 2026.

 

Up next, we have the reveal of the Super Bomberman Collection, from Konami, showcasing all the classic Bomberman games from the SNES era, from 1 all the way to 5, with the last 3 games never being released in North America and Europe. This collection also includes the first 2 Bomberman games from the NES, and all the games have their bonus modes thats sure to be a blast. You can even play with friends via GameShare. Super Bomberman Collection launches on the Switch and Switch 2 right now for digital, and physical copies arrive later in August. 

 

Surprisingly, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to the Switch 2. Showcasing some of the legendary scenes from part 2 of this phenomenal remake trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a game of revenge and love through the actions as it makes its way onto the Switch 2. From a high-end story to the fantastical minigames, and even to the iconic characters that helped make this story loved for almost 30 years now. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launches on the Switch 2 June 3rd.

 

We are then shown a brand new look at Capcom’s new IP: PRAGMATA, through a brand new trailer. Following a routine trip to a lunar station, astronaut Hugh and android Diana must fight their way through a security system that dosent regonize friend from foe. Using Hugh’s weapons combined with Diana’s hacking skills, the pair have to make their way off this station alive. This is probably one of the most unique games they have going on so far, and I’m excited to pick it up for myself. PRAGMATA launches on Switch 2 on April 24th, and they’re even releasing an amiibo of Diana for the game. 

 

Next, we have Turok: Origins, a brand new game in the iconic Turok franchise. You must survive an alien threat that wants to end all human life, so you, either alone or with friends, stand and fight against such threats, from alien to dinosaur. Upgrade, train, and overcome any obstacle this primal world throws at you. Turok: Origins comes to the Switch 2 this fall. 

 

Next up, we have a newly announced Metroidvania game called Kyoto Xanadu, where monsters try to breach an alternate Japan where Kyoto is its capital. This is where the story of Rei, a newly awakened protagonist, studies to use his skills at Hirasaka Academy, where they want to try to conquer the other world, known as Xanadu. Use your skills to survive this unexplored dungeon as you fight demonic threats and uncover secrets on how to save humanity from these monsters. You can also learn at the academy to help boost your stats thatll help you out in the long run. Kyoto Xanadu launches on the Switch and Switch 2 this summer. 

 

We are then treated to the news that Digimon Story: Time Stranger is coming to the Switch and Switch 2. Collect, fight, and digivolve your Digimon partners in this high-octane JRPG as you find out why you have been sent into the past while exploring the human world and the digital world. It looks amazing on the Switch and especially on the Switch 2 with different performance modes. Digimon Story: Time Stranger is launching July 10th, 2026, for both Switch and Switch 2.

 

Next up, we get a new look at the upcoming JRPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink-Endless Ragnarok. Form a party as you traverse through 50 characters, each with unique gameplay and dialogue. Summon giant elemental beasts as you fight your way through hordes of enemies. This game even has the option to play with friends as you fight the forces of evil together.  Granblue Fantasy: Relink-Endless Ragnarok comes to the Switch 2 on July 9th. 

 

We are then given a brand new look at Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Collect monsters as you fight your way through this enriched world that many people have loved through other games, all to find out why this land is falling into ruin with the extinction of monsters. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection launches on the Switch 2 on March 13th, 2026, and has a free demo out now to check it out.

 

Next, we have a few new retro games joining the Arcade Archives 2 collection. These titles include Rave Racer, a high-octane racing game from Namco. And we are getting introduced to a new edition of games called Console Archives, featuring Doraemon, based on the iconic manga series, Sonic Wings Speical, Cool Boarders, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, and tons more coming in the future! Some of these games are out now, but others will be released later on.

 

We are then shown a montage of games coming soon to the Switch family of systems. These games include Scott Pilgrim EX, Another Eden Begins, Reanimal, WWE 2K26, Star Trek: Voyager-Across the Unknown, Disney Dreamlight Valley: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, PGA Tour 2K25, Culdcept Begins: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Goat Simulator 3, Shadow Tactica: Blades of the Shogun, and Tales of Arise-Beyond the Dawn edition. All of these games look to be amazing, each with its own playerbase enjoying these. 

 

Following that, we are thrown straight into a new look at the highly anticipated game from Capcom, Resident Evil: Requiem. Play as newcomer Grace Ashcroft as she tries to uncover her mother’s murder while being trapped by an unknown force, and long-time veteran Leon S. Kennedy as he returns to where everything began: Racoon City. Both armed with different fighting styles, unique abilities, it’ll take everything they have just to survive. Resident Evil: Requiem launches on Switch 2 on Febuary 27th. Also coming to the Switch 2 is gold editions of both Resident Evil Biohazard and Resident Evil Village, a brand new limited edition pro controller, all launching on the same day. As a bonus, there is also a Grace and Leon Amiibo launching later this summer.

 

Last but not least, we have Todd Howard of Bethesda, who has announced that not one, not two, but three of their titles will be heading to Switch 2. These games include Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Whether you're exploring a majestic kingdom, the ruins of an old world, or taking a trip back to the past, these games are perfectly suited for any adventurer. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition comes with all of its DLC on cart. Indiana Jones comes with its DLC on cart as well, and so does Oblivion Remastered. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is out now for Switch 2, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches on May 12th, and Oblivion Remastered launches later in 2026. 

 

In conclusion, while no first-party games were shown off, it does showcase that these amazing third-party companies are willing to make such incredible games and port over some classics to the Switch and Switch 2. From high-end adventures to thrilling horror stories, and even to co-op games you can play with your friends, this Partner Showcase has something for everyone and will be worth picking up once they launch.