Nintendo used a surprise Direct presentation to unveil major new entries in two of its most iconic franchises, The Legend of Zelda and Metroid, both slated for release in 2025. The announcements quickly became the centerpiece of a showcase that also offered updates on third-party games and the company’s next-generation hardware plans.

Big Franchise Reveals

The new Zelda and Metroid titles signal a strong start to Nintendo’s 2025 lineup, giving fans fresh reasons to look ahead after months of speculation. While the company kept many details under wraps, the reveal confirmed that development is moving forward on both series with release windows now in place.

More Than First-Party News

Beyond its headline exclusives, the presentation highlighted a slate of upcoming third-party releases, underscoring continued support for the Switch ecosystem. Nintendo also shared hardware-related updates tied to the Switch successor, suggesting the company is preparing to bridge its current platform with its next chapter.

The Direct reinforced Nintendo’s strategy of balancing familiar franchises with broader platform momentum. For players, the message was clear: 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for both software and hardware in the Nintendo lineup.