Player2 Vs Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase July 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 has launched with a number of huge exclusive first party titles, but now it’s time for the 3rd parties and indies to step up to the plate and deliver. Join Player 2 editors, Jess Zammit, and Paul James, as they comb through, and share their thoughts on, every game announcement and update in this July 2025 Nintendo Partner Direct.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Jess: I have about five million other Monster Hunter games to get to in the series before I get to this one, but every time I see something from a new one I get a little more tempted to jump into the series. This feels like a fun opener for the showcase!
Paul: That trailer lasted what Jess, 5 seconds, before I was punching the game name into the document? My Monster Hunter senses are so attuned to the franchise these days, and I was all about what was shown here. I’m glad the Stories sub-franchise is growing in its prominence. Bring on this release in 2026!
Once Upon A Katamari
Jess: NEW KATAMARI?! THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER. Customising the prince! Rolling up dinosaurs! Multiplayer! This is all very exciting. I love Katamari.
Paul: I’m not a Katamari person, but many are, and I’m very happy for them given this new game’s reveal. I, on the otherhand, will hard pass.
Just Dance 2026
Jess: At this point, I have just simply accepted that I’m getting old and my body absolutely will not do half the things this game is going to ask of me. I cannot develop rhythm at this point, and I am far too afraid to try.
Paul: I would need considerable amounts of liquid personality under my belt to even consider playing a Just Dance game… so nope.
Dragonball: Sparking! Zero
Jess: I have not engaged with Dragonball since I was a young teen, and am unlikely to start now. But hooray for fighting game fans!
Paul: I’m still tempted to check this one out, because I did enjoy the Budokai Tenkaichi games back in the Wii days, but it’s not high on the priority lists to go back and revisit the experience.
Plants Vs Zombies: Replanted
Jess: I recently went back and downloaded the original PvZ on mobile, and it absolutely still holds up as a great experience. So, seeing it get a local co-op mode and some upgrades for the Switch makes me very tempted to jump back in and give it yet another go. It’s a great, low-stakes way to pass the time, and should be right at home on the Switch.
Paul: The core PvZ experience was ruined by microtransactions beginning with PvZ2, but I have a lot of love for the IP, so I’m thrilled that original game is coming back, with new features, to enhance the experience further. I’m in!
EA FC 26
Jess: I will likely spend exactly zero time with this game, as is the case for basically any sports game that isn’t highly stylised. Are people excited for this one? How are we feeling about not-FIFA? What’s the consensus?
Paul: I’m not a soccer guy, so I couldn’t find the shits to give for this one. Great though that the EA support is coming to Switch 2.
Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac
Jess: This one looks like a bit of fun. I will admit, I’ve never played a 3D Pac-man game, but this makes me a little curious to try. And I’m a fan of anything that’ll let me play some local co-op – it shouldn’t be a rarity, and yet here we are. It does look like the second player is going to take a bit of a backseat, but at least it’s an attempt!
Paul: We got the original Pac-Man World Re-Pac 12-24 months ago, and I was shocked, because I never knew that the games had existed before. While 2 Re-Pac looks pretty cool, I just don’t see myself finding the time for this one amongst everything else that is on the way to not just the Switch 2, but other platforms as well.
Final Fantasy Tactics: Reborn
Jess: I want to be a Final Fantasy person, I really do. And maybe one day I will be. This does seem like a good place to jump in.. These are some important features for bringing the game to a modern audience – having the script fully voiced is neat, but being able to review story events is the real kicker here. I often avoid lore-heavy JRPGs simply because I know I won’t remember half of what I need to when I inevitably have to put the game down to review something else, and then have to try and pick it up again a month later. But if the game is ready to remind me where I left off, that suddenly puts it back into the realm of possibility that I might play it.
Paul: Jess, this is a great outlet to dip your toes in! Tactics is one of the core franchise spin-offs, and the perfect clean break for you to get involved! I’m super hyped for Tactics: Reborn, especially with all the 2025 improvements, from VO, to all the visual and gameplay refinements. My inner Final Fantasy fan was going wild even though this trailer didn’t provide us with any particularly new information.
Persona 3: Reload
Jess: No, I can’t. I’ve promised everyone in my life I’ll play Persona 5 first, so I can come back and think about Persona 3 Reload once I’ve put 150 hours into its sequel.
Paul: I’m a bit like you Jess, Persona is a franchise that I’ve just not been able to commit to yet. It’s definitely a “one day” franchise, but I also own Reload on PS5, so I’ve got no real reason to jump in on Switch 2.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Jess: Considering I’ve never really engaged with the Dynasty Warriors series or any of its offshoots, I’m weirdly excited for this iteration of Hyrule Warriors. I’m super attached to these characters after Tears of the Kingdom, and am ready to spend some more time learning about their (presumably extensive) backstory, so I can cry over them all over again.
Paul: I adore the mind-numbing Warriors experiences. Musous are the perfect genre to sit down and binge with your brain switched off, but the licensed versions, like Persona, Dragon Quest, and Zelda, offer a little bit of additional spice to elevate the games to even greater heights. I’m really into Age Of Imprisonment, despite not being a lover of the BOTW/TOTK formula that the core Zelda IP has recently committed to. Very keen to get my Zelda fill.
Madden NFL 26
Jess: There is just simply no world in which I learn the rules of NFL at this point in my life.
Paul: More EA Sports love. I couldn’t care less about the NFL, but I’m again glad that those fans are getting this, and that Nintendo is getting some TLC from EA.
Chillin’ By The Fire
Jess: Okay, this looks cozy as hell. All the time I’ve spent thinking about how to build the perfect fire in case I ever find myself on Survivor is finally going to pay off. Do I want to see floating heads of my friends around the campfire? Undecided, it feels creepier than I think it’s supposed to. But I am keen to see the Switch 2 camera utilised in more games, and this technically does feel like exactly the thing it should be perfect for.
Paul: I was absolutely dumbfounded by all of this. It’s a fire-making sim? Sorry folks, if you want to light some fires, go touch grass for a while, and you can even have your friends there in person, and not have their heads suspended in the air in weird ways. The indie presence was miniscule in this Direct, so I’m beyond disappointed that this was how indies were represented.
Apex Legends
Jess: Switch is probably not going to be the vessel for getting me into Apex Legends. That said, I’ve spent a bit of time with Fortnite on the Switch 2 and it does run great, so I can only presume Apex will run similarly well.
Paul: I can’t see many players coming to Switch 2 to play Apex, but that said, there are a lot of Fortnite players on the Switch, sooooo… Maybe I’ll take my ignorant ass over here and keep quiet.
Hela
Jess: This is an absolutely adorable premise, and I am more than ready to jump into the shoes of a witch’s familiar. I’m a little sad it seems to be online co-op only – I feel like this would be a fun one to play with pals on the couch, but even alone this one looks like it’ll be a cozy little time.
Paul: Now this is the type of indie game i’m looking for! Very endearing, and I’m super keen to party up with my kids or my wife and discover the wonder of this one.
Star Wars Outlaws
Jess: I really enjoyed Star Wars Outlaws, and while it looks a little rougher on the Switch 2 based on this footage, I’m excited it will mean it can reach a whole new audience. Plus, being able to play Sabacc on the go might just be a game changer for me – I could easily spend hours and hours losing credits while watching TV in the background, and having an absolutely excellent time.
Paul: Star Wars Outlaws isn’t super performant on the PlayStation and Xbox, letalone dialling it back for Switch 2. I appreciate that Ubisoft didn’t hide the visuals behind cutscenes from the other platforms, this was absolutely Switch 2 footage. It’s just a shame that the footage looks pretty middling. If you want this game, take your money to PlayStation, Xbox, or PC I think.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Jess: I wasn’t expecting to see this one hit the Switch 2, so this is a fun reveal! Bloober are making a real mark on the horror game scene, and there’s a lot about this that feels reminiscent of The Medium – visually, at least. I’m interested to see how this performs on the Switch compared to its higher-powered counterparts, but if this footage is accurate, it seems like it’ll be surprisingly comparable?
Paul: It’s often been discussed that I’m not much of a horror guy, but I’m intrigued to see how Cronos: The New Dawn nets out, for no reason other than given Bloober Team’s recent success with Silent Hill 2, I’m keen to see if the lessons they learned there, can extend to nailing an IP of their own.
Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2
Jess: One day. One day I will get onto the Yakuza train, and it will make our editor Hewso very happy. Until then, I will continue to be pleasantly baffled every time I see a new Yakuza trailer.
Paul: I own all of thse on PlayStation, and haven’t played them yet, so Nintendo and Sega, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to Switch for them. Super keen to get started though!
Goodnight Universe
Jess: So I was previously unfamiliar with this game, and it was really hard to know what this was from this sizzle reel alone, but after looking it up, it seems Goodnight Universe is the upcoming game from the developer of Before Your Eyes, and is apparently played from the perspective of a ‘six month baby who is developing psychic powers’. Well, that’s a hell of a premise. The game’s designed to use VR and/or camera technology, so I wonder if this is going to be another one for the Switch 2 camera?
Paul: The camera functionality is super interesting given that the team have stepped away from VR tech, seemingly. Before Your Eyes was exceptional, so hopefully whatever magic the team has in store, works without the VR headset. Keen to learn more about Goodnight Universe.
NBA Bounce
Jess: Weirdly, I feel more like I can get behind this game than either of the other sports titles here. Is it because it presented me with the potential to dress up my guys in some cool hats? It’s impossible to say.
Paul: The world needs more arcadey NBA titles. Obviously NBA Jam is GOAT tier, but the somewhat recent NBA 2K Playgrounds games have been pretty solid experiences too (despite the ugly 2K monetisation methods stinking them up somewhat). Hopefully this one can be a somewhat pure experience.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Jess: I have been hearing about Hello Kitty Island Adventure for so long now, and yet I’m still yet to engage with it. Maybe now’s the time. Maybe now it’s finally calling to me.
Paul: I know this game from South Park, and that’s the only way I want to remember it. I won’t be playing this game
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Jess: Well, first I’m gonna need to learn what Romancing SaGa 1 was about, and find out why the Seven need their revenge. Until then, I’ll be giving this one a miss.
Paul: The original release of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven was pretty great when it launched last year from all reports. I could definitely see myself playing the game on Switch 2.
Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance
Jess: This will be one of those games that drives me insane with the desire to somehow become good at it. It seems like the perfect Switch 2 platformer – great for handheld without losing the effect of the striking visuals.
Paul: We’re in a wonderful new era of the ninja, and I’m all for it. Apparently Art Of Vengeance looks and plays a treat according to those who’ve gone hands-on with the game so far. I’m super interested.
Borderlands 4
Jess: I’m still undecided as to whether or not I’m likely to jump into Borderlands at all, and if I do, it probably won’t be on the Switch 2 – but I do love that it’s going to be accessible to a wider audience, and that we’re getting these big launches on the new hardware!
Paul: I’m thrilled that Borderlands 4 is coming to Switch 2, and Randy recently revealed the date for the platform, which is only a few weeks after the main launch, but I won’t be waiting for the additional platform. Happy for those who will play it on Switch 2 though. Borderlands 4 is looking great!
The Adventures Of Elliot: The Millenium Tales
Jess: I’m already obsessed with that little fairy friend, and I’m excited that there’s going to be a new HD-2D title that isn’t going to make me feel like I have to play several other games in order to be ready for it. Hooray for a new IP! I’m definitely going to be keeping my eye on this one.
Paul: Give me that HD-2D love! This is the first time that Square-Enix have developed an original title with the HD-2D stylings, and I’m right here for it. The game won’t be out til 2026, but that is something I’m happy to wait for considering the next, and final game that we’ll discuss.
Octopath Traveler 0
Jess: See, this one makes me feel like I’m several games behind before I can properly check it out. It’s such a beautiful looking series, I promise I’ll get there eventually!
Paul: I’m a huge fan of Octopath Traveler, the second title is a game I’ve spent nearly 100 hours on, which is a very uncommon thing for me. I’m incredibly hyped for what this game can be, and the character customisation and town-building systems are firsts for the franchise to look forward to as well. I’m in.
Final Thoughts
Jess: For the most part, I feel like this Direct served as a vessel for reminding me that I’m excited for Hyrule Warriors, which didn’t feel like the most important goal of the event. There were some cool things hidden in here, but it was a little underwhelming – I’m really ready for the Switch 2 library to grow, and this particular showing didn’t inspire confidence that that’s happening quite as quickly as I’d like. It was a big day for games being ported to or simultaneously released on the new system though – so that’s something?
Paul: There were some games in this showcase that I’m really keen on, but also, I (I think quite reasonably) also expected there to be a hell of a lot more than this. Nintendo were supposedly so hesitant to provide dev-kits for the Switch 2 to developers that the number of options coming to the platform are way more limited than I would like or expect at this point. On the plus side, it does mean that future Partner Showcases should be getting better and better each time!
