Nintendo Direct Reveals New 2D Metroid and 3D Kirby

Nintendo's September 2026 Direct unveiled Metroid Ravenous for January 28 and Kirby and the World Beyond for spring 2027, alongside a packed Switch 2 lineup.

The Direct opened with Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds, confirmed for Switch 2 on December 4, followed by a surprise same-day launch of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion. The two marquee reveals came later: Metroid Ravenous, a fast-paced 2D side-scrolling adventure due January 28, 2027, and Kirby and the World Beyond, an expansive 3D adventure built around Kirby's copy abilities, arriving in spring 2027 during the series' 35th anniversary year. Nintendo also dated Professor Layton and the New World of Steam for December 10 and announced a free Mario Kart World update adding ten Super Mario Kart courses, both available today or within days.

Metroid Ravenous was the show's standout, and for good reason: rumors of a new 2D Metroid had circulated for months, and the reveal confirmed them. Polygon describes it as more action-packed than anything developer Mercury Steam has produced before, with Samus stranded on a moon and using the Metroid powers introduced in Metroid Dread to absorb enemy abilities. According to IGN, new amiibo figures of Samus and a Chozo Statue launch alongside the game, with a Samus (Metroid Suit) figure bundled into a Special Edition that includes a steel game case. In a Nintendo Life poll of favorite announcements, Metroid Ravenous drew 20% of the vote, far ahead of any other title.

Kirby and the World Beyond served as the Direct's finale and the second-biggest fan favorite, taking 15% of the Nintendo Life reader poll. Polygon likens it to 'what if Kirby did his own Donkey Kong Bananza,' with the pink puffball exploring large open areas, inhaling foes, and hunting treasure before a mysterious flying figure grants him a magic sword that slices through space and time. Nintendo confirmed the game is a Switch 2 exclusive due spring 2027, which coincides with the Kirby series' 35th anniversary, and teased additional franchise announcements for the milestone year.

Monster Hunter Wilds lands December 4 with its Ascendance expansion following in 2027; Final Fantasy VII Revelation arrives April 8, 2027, day-and-date with other platforms. Persona 4 Revival comes to Switch 2 on May 20, 2027, and Atlus confirmed Persona 6 for the console with no date. Pikmin 4's Switch 2 Edition adds voice commands for Oatchi and a Dandori Academy challenge mode on November 12, while Xenoblade Chronicles 3's upgraded edition launches December 3 with a new Heroes' Vault mode and a future-sighted hero named Shimmer. Bloober Team's Onyx: The Dark Grip, a Switch 2 exclusive playable only in handheld mode, was revealed for 2027.

Polygon's verdict on the show was that 'every game is coming to Switch 2,' and the catalog skews heavily toward remasters, ports, and collections. Capcom is bringing Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition to the console digitally on October 16. The Witcher 3 Remastered arrives September 29 as a free upgrade for original owners, Star Fox Adventures joined the GameCube Classics library today, and a Metal Slug Ultimate Collection bundling ten games — including the long-lost location test version — is set for 2027. Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United and Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX both land February 16, while Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Definitive Edition follows on February 25 with save transfers and a discount for original owners.

Not every fan expectation was met. IGN notes that FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods — currently slated for 2026 — got no release date, leaving Nintendo little runway before the year ends, and there was no sign of the next 3D Mario. Nintendo also showed nothing new on the Ocarina of Time remake after Tuesday's Zelda-focused broadcast. Readers can act on several announcements immediately: pre-orders for Metroid Ravenous opened today, Cairn's free demo is live, and the Mario Kart World update, Meccha Chameleon port, and Crisis Core release all went live on September 9. A Nintendo Treehouse Live presentation followed the Direct with extended gameplay, and Nintendo promised more Kirby anniversary news in the months ahead.