The Japanese giant held this Tuesday (9) a new edition of its traditional digital event, focusing intensely on the generational transition by presenting new features for both the current console and the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2. During the broadcast, which serves as a historic milestone for the company by outlining the future of its franchises, the big highlights were the announcement of a complete remake of the classicZelda: Ocarina of Timeand official confirmation ofKingdom Hearts IVon the new platform.
The legendary title originating from the Nintendo 64, which to date boasts the highest rating in history on the Metacritic aggregator (99/100), is being remade from scratch to take advantage of the unprecedented processing power of the next generation hardware, with a release set for 2026 exclusively on the Switch 2. The reveal trailer showcased the plains of Hyrule with an impressive level of graphical detail, raising the expectations of veteran fans who have been dreaming of a definitive modernization of this genre for more than two decades. masterpiece.
Kingdom Hearts 4 gets gameplay video and guaranteed arrival on Switch 2
Square Enix took advantage of the space to release unreleased scenes fromKingdom Hearts IV, deepening the combat mechanics and fluid movement of the protagonist Sora in photorealistic scenarios. The developer confirmed that the new chapter of the action RPG saga will be available on the Switch 2 on the day of launch, accompanied by a collection that will bring the franchise’s previous titles to the company’s new ecosystem.
Excellent news for consumers is that players who have already purchased the controversial cloud versions of the series’ games on the original Switch will have access to an upgrade path. By paying a reduced fee, it will be possible to migrate to native editions on Switch 2, eliminating the old latency and internet dependency issues that frustrated the community in the last generation.
2026 calendar receives a flurry of major releases and updates
Among the biggest surprises of the presentation, the company revealedNintendo Switch Sports Resort, a direct sequel that arrives in October exclusively for the new console, bringing twelve new sports modes. Furthermore, the broadcast confirmed a robust launch window for several other projects highly anticipated by the public, structuring a strong calendar for the coming years:
- Splatoon Legends: New iteration of the shooter focused on paint fights.
- Star Fox: A complete reimagining of 64’s classic spaceship game.
- Fire Emblem Forging Fates: New chapter in the acclaimed tactical RPG series.
- Demon Slayer: Path of the Sword: Adaptation of the popular anime for video games.
The event also took time to detail expansions and improvements to established games, including free updates and paid content (DLC) forPokémon Pocket, plus limited-time events and underwater exploration inDonkey Kong. To complete the ad package, enhanced versions ofXenoblade Chronicles, a significant visual update tominecraftand the arrival of a compilation of the musical seriesRhythm Heaven.
What changes for the gaming community with the new announcements
The digital showcase reinforced the manufacturer’s aggressive strategy to maintain the sales momentum of the Switch 2 in its first months of life, betting on a right mix of nostalgic remakes, strong sequels and strong support from partner studios (third-party). To facilitate financial planning and audience engagement, the eShop online store has already been updated with immediate pre-order options and playable demo versions for several of the titles showcased.
Smaller projects and specific updates also ensure that console owners will have something to play throughout the year, with emphasis on the arrival of the long-awaitedDeltarune Chapter 5, which will be released as a free update in June, and the release ofDragon Quest Monsters: The Fractured Worldscheduled for December.