Nintendo Directs are some of the most exciting events for video game announcements each year, sparking wildspeculation, rumors, and predictions. With games likeKirby and the Forgotten Land,Splatoon 3,Bayonetta 3,and thesequel toThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildon the horizon, 2022 is poised to be a busy year for Nintendo.
When announcing the Direct for July 19, 2025,Nintendo said it wouldhighlight “roughly 40 minutes of information mainly focused on Nintendo Switchgames launching in the first half of 2022.” When it arrived, we got a mix of new reveals, remasters, and revivals of classic Nintendo concepts.
FromFire Emblem Warriors: Three HopestoXenoblade Chronicles 3, this is every significant Nintendo Switch announcement made during the first Nintendo Direct of 2022.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes announced
The first reveal during today’s Nintendo Direct wasFire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. This intense action game is not only a follow-up to 2017’sFire Emblem Warriors, but 2019’sFire Emblem: Three Housesas well. It will be released on June 24.
Mario Strikers: Battle League revives the classic sports spinoff
Mario Strikers: Battle Leagueis a 5v5 soccer game with flashy Mario-inspired mechanics. It’s a successor to a sports spinoff series that has been dormant since the Wii era.Battle Leaguesupports online play, and players can form clubs with up to 20 players. It will be released on June 10, and it can be pre-ordered now.
Splatoon 3 debuts Salmon Run: Next Wave
Splatoon 3made another appearance at today’s Nintendo Direct. It showcased areworked versionSplatoon 2‘s Salmon Runcalled Salmon Run: Next Wave. Players can now toss eggs to each other and will have to fight giant kaiju.Splatoon 3will launch this summer, but is still without a release date.
Kirby is a car now
Anew trailer forKirby and the Forgotten Landdebuted during the Nintendo Direct. In it, Nintendo debuted that oddly-named “Mouthful Mode.” By using this, Kirby can swallow large objects and gain new powers. Forms seen include Car Mouth, Vending Mouth, Cone Mouth, Scissor-Lift Mouth, Ring Mouth, Light-Bulb Mouth, Arch Mouth, Water-Ballon Mouth. It launches on March 25.
Portal: Companion Collection to puzzle Switch players soon
Ahead of theSteam Deck’s launch, Valve announced thatPortalandPortal 2are coming to Nintendo Switch.Portal: Companion Collectiondoes not have a specific release window outside of “later this year,” but should still offer a nice alternative for those that can’t get their hands on a Steam Deck.
Nintendo returns to casual sports gaming withNintendo Switch Sports
Nintendo is releasing a successor to the wildly popularWii Sportswith the motion-control-focusedNintendo Switch Sports. It features sports like tennis, bowling, chambara, soccer, volleyball, and badminton.Nintendo Switch Sportsincludes online play and will be released on April 29. Golf will be added toNintendo Switch Sportsthis fall, and an online playtest will be held from February 18-20 for Nintendo Switch Online members.
Mario Kart 8 finally gets paid DLC
After almost five years of no post-launch support, the Booster Course Pass will add over 48 new courses toMario Kart 8. It will cost $25, with the first courses available on March 18. It will be included in the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is finally confirmed
The Nintendo Direct concluded with a new Xenoblade Chronicles game that will connectXenoblade Chronicles: Definitive EditionandXenoblade Chronicles 2.It stars new characters named Noah and Mio as they deal with a war between the nations of Keves and Agnus. Developer MonolithSoft says the game’s main theme is “life.” It’s titledXenoblade Chronicles 3and will be released on September 22.
