Nintendo delivers a two-day wave of major announcements
Nintendo has surprised fans with its first-ever two-day run of Nintendo Direct presentations, unveiling a series of major announcements for some of Japan’s most internationally recognized video game franchises. The company streamed “Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9” on September 9 through its official YouTube channel, following a separate presentation dedicated to The Legend of Zelda on September 8.
The latest showcase featured completely new entries in the Kirby, Metroid and Mega Man series, creating one of the most talked-about Nintendo presentations in recent memory. Although fans had widely speculated about a new Mario title, Nintendo did not announce one during the program. Instead, the company focused on several unexpected projects that quickly generated strong reactions on social media.
New Kirby title leads the announcements
The centerpiece of the presentation was Kirby: World Beyond, a completely new title in Nintendo’s long-running Kirby franchise. The game is scheduled for release in spring next year, coinciding with the series’ 35th anniversary.
In footage shown during the Direct, Kirby used his familiar copy abilities to battle enemies and interact with a large, expansive environment. One scene showed the pink hero cutting down a giant tree, hinting at a broader sense of scale and exploration than fans may expect from the traditionally approachable platforming series.
The original Kirby game was released for Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1992. Since then, the character has become one of Japan’s best-known gaming icons, appearing not only in numerous video games but also in anime, manga and a wide range of merchandise. Kirby’s international popularity has made each new release a significant event for Nintendo fans around the world.
Metroid and Mega Man also return with new adventures
Nintendo also announced Metroid: Ravenous, the latest science-fiction action-adventure title starring Samus Aran, the galaxy’s elite bounty hunter. The game is scheduled to launch on January 27 next year. The announcement was particularly notable for fans who have followed the series’ atmospheric storytelling, exploration-focused gameplay and influential approach to science-fiction adventure.
Another major reveal was Mega Man: Dual Override, a completely new installment in Capcom’s iconic franchise. It is planned for release in spring 2027 and will become the 12th main entry in the series, according to the announcement. The original Mega Man debuted in Japan as a Famicom game in December 1987, establishing a character and gameplay style that later gained a devoted following worldwide.
A historic second day for Zelda fans
The announcements followed Nintendo’s “The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct 2026.9.8” on September 8. The presentation provided new information about the globally popular Zelda franchise, including the announcement that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be released for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5.
The two consecutive Direct presentations marked the first time Nintendo has held its flagship announcement broadcasts on back-to-back days. The format allowed the company to spotlight both its broader lineup and one of Japan’s most celebrated entertainment properties in separate events.
Online reactions reflected the scale of the reveals. Fans described the presentation as delivering nearly every announcement they wanted, while others said the new 2D Metroid project and 3D-style Kirby adventure had completely defied expectations. With the Kirby anniversary approaching and several major releases scheduled across the next two years, Nintendo has once again demonstrated the global strength of Japan’s game development industry.
