March 27 Nintendo Direct Rundown

We’re a week away from the April Nintendo Direct, which will reveal much-wanted information about the Nintendo Switch 2. However, Nintendo decided that additional game information needed to come out a week before this big event, detailing titles released this year for the Nintendo Switch. We know that with backward compatibility, they’ll also play on Switch 2, but still, it is a decision that left some wondering if this separate event would be worth it. You be the judge! Here’s our March 27 Nintendo Direct rundown of every announcement.

The event started with a trailer for Dragon Quest I + II HD-2D Remake. Of course, this comes after the HD remake of III, which many enjoyed. The release date is still set at some time in 2025, but no definitive window was provided. Next, No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES was revealed and announced for a July 25 release. The visual novel series is massively popular, but the title is so long I’m hoping they rename it before then.

Next, Atlus provided a trailer and a June 19 release date for Raidou Remastered. Afterward, a look at Bandai Namco’s odd Pac-Man game (Shadow Labyrinth), a 2-D action platformer, caught my eye. It’s great seeing classic games utilized in unique ways. Next, Patapon 1+2 Replay was announced for July 11, and a remake of Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar was announced for an August 27 release. Up until now, most reveals and release date trailers didn’t really move the needle for me, but then we got to a heavy hitter.

The March 27 Nintendo Direct trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gave us additional info into Samus’s journey in the upcoming game set for 2025. Equipped with new psychic abilities from the mysterious planet Viewros, Samus will be seemingly aided by an alien race that believes she is the chosen one, but I doubt things go that smoothly. She does have new armor though, which is gorgeous. Next, Disney Villains: Cursed Cafe was announced as a day-of release, and Witchbrook from Stardew Valley publisher Chucklefish was confirmed for Holiday 2025.

After a quick reveal of Tamagotchi Plaza, an Animal Crossing-style game set for June 27, we got an additional look at Pokemon Legends Z-A. It was revealed that players will work up from a Z-rank to an A-rank in a Royale-style battle tournament in the city. The game still doesn’t have a solid release date but is scheduled for some time in 2025. Rhythm Heaven Groove was a big surprise set for 2026, and then we got into an explanation of how digital games will work across the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles.

Virtual Game Cards will allow you to utilize digital games you’ve purchased on multiple connected Nintendo Switch consoles. Much like a physical cart, you’ll be able to place these in your digital library on one console at a time. You can utilize virtual game cards for your family’s ecosystem of Switch consoles, This is going to work on the Switch 2 as well. The rollout of this new approach to digital game sharing will arrive in late April, according to the March 27 Nintendo Direct presentation.

A slew of games get the spotlight next, with highlights including Saga Frontier 2: Remastered which is out now, the first two Monument Valley mobile games arriving today as well, and Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shot coming out later this year. The last game announced was Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which will release in 2026. The final announcement was surprisingly delivered by Shigeru Miyamoto.

Nintendo Today will be a new way for the company to share news about events, timed opportunities, and updates on the Switch 2. The app is available for iOS and Android devices now. That wraps up our rundown of the March 27 Nintendo Direct, which you can view below. Let us know in the comments if you think this was a good lineup of games or if you missed something you were really hoping would show up!