Nintendo Direct September 2026: Metroid, Kirby and What You Can Play Now
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Nintendo Direct September 2026: Metroid, Kirby and What You Can Play Now
Nintendo’s September showcase gave Switch 2 players plenty to look forward to. Here are the confirmed highlights—and the update you can try this weekend.
By OnelROR Editorial Team • September 12, 2026
Cover illustration: AI-generated editorial artwork by OnelROR, not official Nintendo imagery or gameplay.
A new announcement can fill a social feed in minutes. Working out what is actually available takes a little more attention. The September 9 Nintendo Direct mixed future releases with updates for games people already own, giving players two very different reasons to pay attention.
Metroid is a clear example of the conversation around the event: the reveal discussion in Reddit’s Metroid community is full of reactions to Samus’s return. That is evidence of fan interest, rather than a measure of the entire gaming audience. For this guide, release details come from Nintendo itself.
Metroid Ravenous has a confirmed release date
Nintendo lists January 28, 2027 for Metroid Ravenous on Switch 2. Its official description places Samus Aran on an unfamiliar moon after an ambush, facing dangerous enemies and a network of ruins. Gathering weapons and using her Metroid instincts are central to the premise.
The official Special Edition listing also confirms a Samus (Metroid Suit) amiibo and a SteelBook case. These are edition contents, not a reason to assume stock will be available everywhere.
For anyone planning ahead, the useful distinction is simple: this is a future release. A reveal trailer can help you decide whether to follow a game, but it cannot establish how the finished adventure performs or whether it will meet your expectations. We have not reviewed the game.
Kirby’s next adventure is coming in spring 2027
Kirby and the World Beyond is another Switch 2 title on the horizon. Nintendo describes it as a new 3D adventure with exploration built around Copy Abilities and gives a spring 2027 release window on its UK page.
That is a release window, rather than a specific day. Players making a wishlist should keep the distinction in mind and check the listing for their region when Nintendo shares more information.
Mario Kart World has something to play now
The most immediate item in this roundup is Mario Kart World version 1.8.0, released September 9. Nintendo’s update notes list Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally for Knockout Tour, plus classic courses added to several racing modes.
To check for the update:
- Connect your Switch 2 to the internet.
- Highlight Mario Kart World on the HOME Menu without launching it.
- Press the + or − button.
- Choose Software Update → Over the Internet.
Nintendo says players need matching software versions to play together. Online features also require Nintendo Switch Online. The update preserves existing save data. See Nintendo’s installation instructions and full patch notes for details.
More announcements worth checking
The presentation also highlighted Monster Hunter Wilds and an expansion for Switch 2, a Switch 2 edition of Pikmin 4, and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. Nintendo’s official Direct hub collects the announcements and links to the presentation and Treehouse gameplay coverage.
Watching an extended gameplay segment can be more useful than replaying a short trailer: look for the pace of play, the kinds of decisions the player makes, and whether those are activities you would enjoy for hours.
What should you do first?
Already playing Mario Kart World? Check your update version before your next session. Following Metroid or Kirby? Bookmark the official game pages and separate confirmed dates from speculation. Still deciding what interests you? Start with the full presentation, then watch longer gameplay for your favorites.
The showcase offers plenty of possibilities, but you do not need to turn every announcement into a purchase. Follow the games that fit your tastes, check platform compatibility, and wait for fuller information where it matters.
Reporting checked against the linked Nintendo pages on September 12, 2026. Release plans and software details may change. This article is an announcement roundup, not a hands-on review.
