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In the graphic above, we can see the four first-party games Nintendo has announced for 2025: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the first of these games, and is set to arrive on January 16th, while the recently announced Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is coming March 20th. Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond do not have set release dates, as of this writing. The Pokemon Company has been very quiet about Legends: Z-A so far, but that should change early into 2025. Pokemon Day falls on February 27th each year, and we’ll likely get a lot more information on or around that day.
The rest of the games in the graphic include some interesting choices. Guilty Gear Strive: Nintendo Switch Edition offers all 28 characters from the game’s previous versions in one package, and is expected to arrive in January. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake contains two of the most important RPGs of all-time, in a new package with visuals similar to games like Octopath Traveler. Speaking of RPG remasters, there’s also Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, which has a release date of March 6th. The graphic also includes Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and more. Readers should note that this is just a sampling of games, and there have been a lot more third-party titles already announced for 2025.
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As we get further into 2025, it will be interesting to see how this list of games continues to fill out. One of the biggest complaints about past Nintendo systems is that they did not get enough software to keep people invested in their final years. Systems like GameCube and Wii felt largely abandoned in their final years, as the company shifted its development resources to the following console. Nintendo has found a way to turn that around in the Switch era, with a steady stream of games, and the company’s early lineup is looking pretty impressive. At the very least, the console won’t be going out with the same whimper, and that’s a very good thing!
What do you think of Nintendo’s lineup for 2025 so far? Are you planning to buy any of these games? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!
