Nintendo had their latest Direct this past Friday, on September 12, 2025 (link to Direct). Although there were a lot of exciting news about upcoming releases, scattered throughout the presentation were info on retro-related games as well. I’ve compiled some of the best (or not) parts from the show to share with you below!
Much of the info in this post can also be found in video form on YouTube.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 are coming to Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. Obviously, it is a dual pack containing enhanced versions of those two games. Both were Wii titles from 2007 and 2010, respectively. They will be available individually on the Nintendo eShop for $39.99 each, while the complete collections will be priced at $69.99 for a digital copy. The official name for it is Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2.
The games will release on Nintendo Switch 1 on Thursday, October 2, 2025. They’ll also be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2, and are being released to coincide the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie (also announced in the Nintendo Direct). Some of the changes to the games include,
- Rosalina’s story book is now in Super Mario Galaxy 1.
- New Storybook pages have been added.
Not much more was explicitly stated about the games in the Direct. Please check out the links below to go to the games’ official sales pages:
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Coming to Nintendo Switch 2
A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder has also been announced. This includes a multiplayer-focused area known as Meetup in Bellabel Park. As shared in the Direct, this mode has both competitive and cooperative challenges that you can play with up to four players. Some include seeing who can gather the most coins, playing a game of “Tag and you’re it,” helping other players by placing blocks on the play area so they can get over large gaps, and more.
The release also includes other content, and is scheduled for release in Spring 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is not available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop as of this writing.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Coming Next Spring
For this section, I’ll simply say that more details about the gameplay of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream were discussed. The game has a variety of Mii characters that you can design to have them look like friends, family, or just to be funny. I expect that many who grew up with the Nintendo Wii are nostalgic for the game’s graphic style and gameplay. It will launch next Spring.
Mortal Kombat, Final Fantasy VII, and Hades II
Motal Kombat: Legacy Collection was officially announced for Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. The digital version will be available on October 30, 2025, while the physical version will launch on December 12, 2025. I did notice that the Nintendo Direct did not show any fatalities, and instead showed a Friendship instead. I thought that was funny, and appropriate since Nintendo likes to have a “nice” image compared to some other video game companies.
As expected, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade was announced for Nintendo Switch 2. Both Digital and Physical editions will release on January 22, 2026. There are different editions of the game that are currently available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop. The prices range from $39.99 to $59.99. Some versions also include a port of the original Final Fantasy VII, which is a nice touch!
Links:
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Limited Early Purchase
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Deluxe Edition Limited Early Purchase
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (This one doesn’t have a port of the original FFVII)
While not a retro title, the extremely popular Indie game, Hades II, will be available for Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 digitally on September 25, 2025. A physical release will come out on November 10, 2025. Both versions have a digital price of $29.99, and the Nintendo Switch 2 has a free upgrade pack as well.
Links:
Hades II (Nintendo Switch 1 Edition)
Hades II (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Announced
To me, the biggest news of the Direct was the announcement of Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, which is scheduled to release on February 5, 2026 for a variety of platforms. Shortly after Nintendo’s presentation, the official Dragon Quest YouTube channel shared the trailer by itself. At the end it, it lists the game as coming to Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Windows. The regular retail price for the game will be $59.99. The game will also have a Digital Deluxe Edition available for various platforms. The price for that one will be $74.99.
As apposed to the remakes of Dragon Quest 1-3, this one will have polygonal characters instead of 2D ones. I’m really excited about this game because I’ve wanted to replay the PlayStation 1 version for a long time, and I never finished it back then. The original English version of the PS1 game now goes for around $60+, but recent sold listings on eBay go up to $100. Because of this, I’m really looking forward to playing this in the future!
Hopefully Dragon Quest 4-6 will be remastered/remade for consoles in the future too! They are currently only easily purchasable on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Links:
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Nintendo Switch 1 Edition
Virtual Boy is Coming Back
Another piece of retro news is that Virtual Boy is coming to the Nintendo Switch Online service exclusively for Expansion Pack members. That is, if you buy one of the two required accessories to play the games! There is one version that is made of cardboard that costs $24.99, while there’s also a larger one that is more like the original system that will retail for $99.99! This is all so that those who have the expansion pack can play 14 games that are planned to release for the service. It will release on February 17, 2026.
On the one hand, I am glad for this development in the sense that it helps games to be preserved. Yet, it also reminds me of just how bad the Virtual Boy was for people’s eyes and backs while they played it. I don’t know if Nintendo has done anything to mitigate those issues with this more modern rendition of the hardware. In the video, and on some parts of the Nintendo.com website, it says things like, “For use by children 7+ only. Parents should supervise children while playing.”
Links:
Virtual Boy Large Replica
Virtual Boy Cardboard Model
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake
After Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, the next retro remake shown was the Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake. I don’t have much to say about this since I am not a horror fan, but it is scheduled to come out for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Early 2026.
Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrades
Additionally, a number of games will receive Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades. Some titles mentioned include,
- Overcooked! 2
- Stardew Valley
- Human: Fall Flat
Note: Originally I said that all three of the above games are receiving free upgrades. That was a mistake. Overcooked! 2’s upgrade has to be purchased. More details can be found here.
Notable 3rd-Party Titles
Finally, the presentation shared footage of notable 3rd Party titles. There weren’t many new details presented for these (except RE9), but the most important games were (in my opinion),
- DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
- Persona 3 Reload
- Resident Evil requiem (RE9)
- Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition
- Resident Evil Village Gold Edition
Cheap Retro Gaming 
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