Every Game at the Exciting Nintendo Direct – Mario’s 40th Anniversary and More!
A new Nintendo Direct streamed on September 12th, and it was full of goodies. Since the original Super Mario Bros celebrates the 40th anniversary of its Japanese release on September 13th, this was the perfect time to have a Nintendo Direct that focuses largely on that milestone and the celebration Nintendo is having. Let’s take a look at all the games featured in the Nintendo Direct.
Mario’s 40th Anniversary
The Nintendo Direct started with a dedication to Nintendo’s iconic plumber, hosted by Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario. The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto is now hosting a gallery of concept art for the Mario games through the ages, and museum tickets now have a special design for the plumber’s 40th birthday. The museum is also planning a celebratory light display starting in December. Nintendo is also sponsoring the Kyoto Marathon in February.
However, if you can’t afford to go to Japan, there are plenty more ways to celebrate the anniversary.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The highly anticipated sequel to the hit film The Super Mario Bros Movie will take our favorite plumber into space. While the movie will include elements based on the beloved games, it will also take the story in a new direction.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2
In celebration of both Mario’s 40th anniversary and the new movie, the two beloved Wii games are coming to the Switch and Switch 2. If you already own Super Mario Galaxy as part of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, the games will be available individually in digital form, so you can get Super Mario Galaxy 2 without having to repurchase the original game. Rosalina’s storybook will now be in both games. It will also feature new chapters and is getting a physical release (without the new chapters) as a real book. The games will be released on October 2.
Mario Tennis Fever
The latest entry in the Mario Tennis series features new “Fever rackets” that contain special powers, along with an adventure mode where Mario and his friends are turned into babies.
Super Mario Bros Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
The amazing Super Mario Bros Wonder is getting new features for the Nintendo Switch 2. The new “Meetup in Bellabel Park” expansion features a series of mini challenges that you can play with up to four players. Some challenges are co-op and others are competitive.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Sweet, a new Yoshi game! Who doesn’t love that adorable dinosaur? In this game, Yoshi comes across a mysterious talking book that sucks him into a colorful adventure where flowers can ride on his back and spread dandelion seeds to get through obstacles.
Storm Lancers
An anime-style platformer where you can gun down monsters with friends.
Dinkum
A cozy game inspired by the Australian outback.
Popucom
A puzzle action game where you fire colored projectiles to defeat same-colored enemies.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
The sequel to Tomodachi Life sees you creating lives for your little Mii characters.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
The first chapter of the remake trilogy is coming to Nintendo Switch 2.
Lynked: Banner of the Spark
An anime-style action RPG where you battle robots.
Hades II
The sequel to the beloved indie game once again has you fighting monsters from Greek mythology.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
The arcade and home versions of the classic games are coming together in a retro collection. It also includes a documentary about the history of the series.
Kirby Air Riders Amiibos
Two new Amiibos will be releasing alongside Kirby Air Riders. There will also be a new Kirby Air Riders Direct in the near future.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Zelda travels back in time to take on Ganondorf in the third chapter of the popular hack-and-slash spinoff series. You can use Zonai devices in battle and sync attacks with your allies. The game is coming out on November 6.
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined
The classic game is getting a new full-blown reimagining with beautiful new graphics.
Virtual Boy on Nintendo Switch Online
Wait, what? Yes, Virtual Boy games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. However, you need to buy a new accessory to play them. I get that you can’t get the 3-D effects on the Switch or Switch 2, but the least they could do is offer 2-D versions for those who don’t want to shell out the extra money just to play Virtual Boy games.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake
The classic horror game is getting a modern remake.
Nintendo Switch 2 Editions
There will be new Nintendo Switch 2 Editions for One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, Overcooked 2, Stardew Valley, and Human Fall Flat.
Power Wash Simulator 2
The sequel to the popular washing game where you can wash to your heart’s content. You can also decorate and clean your home.
Suika Game Planet
In this sequel to the popular fruit-dropping game, you can now drop the fruit from anywhere in a circle.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Perhaps the most anticipated game in the Nintendo Direct finally has a release date – December 4. We’re going to hold Nintendo to that. Also, the trailer showed Samus on an awesome-looking space motorbike.
Donkey Kong Bananza DLC
The beloved Donkey Kong Bananza is getting a new DLC pack. Titled “DK Island and Emerald Rush,” Donkey Kong and Pauline travel to Donkey Kong’s home island, where they are recruited by Void Kong to go on missions collecting emeralds.
Pokémon Pokopia
You play a Ditto Pokémon and you come across a world that you can shape to your heart’s desire. Taking notes from Minecraft and Dragon Quest Builders, this game focuses on building yourself a cozy home environment for you and the other Pokémon.
Pokémon Legends Z-A
We had some new footage of the highly anticipated Pokémon game.
Pokémon Legends Z-A DLC
The game is also getting a “Mega Dimension” DLC where the Pokémon can mega-evolve.
Danganropa 2×2
The sequel to Danganaropa is getting an all-new edition with a new mystery to solve.
Dynasty Warriors Origins and DLC
Go back to the beginning of the timeline and you might alter future events in the hack-and-slash classic series.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
The newest game in the Monster Hunter Stories series features a large world to explore and a mystery to solve.
Other Games
The Nintendo Direct also showed us tiny clips of other games coming to the Switch and Switch 2. We saw Two-Point Museum, Disgaea 7 Complete, EA Sports FC 2026, Dragon Quest I & II HD 2D Remake, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage, LEGO Voyagers, Little Nightmares III, and Persona 3 Reload.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem
Yes, the anticipated ninth entry in the series is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. In addition, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil: Village will also be coming to the Switch 2.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
The latest Fire Emblem game features a side story that happens alongside the main games.
Conclusion
The Nintendo Direct gave us a whole lot of stuff to look forward to, but something was missing. With Mario celebrating his 40th anniversary and the new movie coming out, this would have been the perfect time to announce a new mainline Mario game for the Switch 2. How long will it be before we get one? That’s the question that will linger on every Nintendo fan’s mind.
