Kingdom Hearts 4 made a surprise appearance at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct to reveal a first look at gameplay.

Just as the presentation was starting to wind down, Sora showed up to show patient fans what it will be like to wield the Keyblade once more. Additionally, Nintendo and Square Enix confirmed that it will be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches…eventually.

In a separate post, Square Enix confirmed that Kingdom Hearts 4 will also launch simultaneously for PC via Epic Games Store and Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, as well as Switch 2. You can see Sora, Donald, and Goofy make their surprise grand entrance at today's show below.

"A new installment in the action role-playing series developed and published by Square Enix, KINGDOM HEARTS 4 gives fans a look at some of the characters that protagonist Sora will meet in the mysterious city of Quadratum," an official description for the game said. "Sora will once again journey to realms, where new figures cross his path and new powers awaken his next chapter. KINGDOM HEARTS 4 will be available at launch on Nintendo Switch 2."

Kingdom Hearts 4 might be one of the last games anyone expected to see show up in today's June 2026 Nintendo Direct. That didn't stop Nintendo from not only bringing it in as one of its last reveals, but showing off more of the series' long-awaited fourth mainline installment than we've seen in years.

Square Enix first revealed Kingdom Hearts 4 at the franchise's 20th anniversary event all the way back in 2022. At the time, a very on-rails gameplay segment showed Sora battling a skyscraper-sized Heartless in a city that shared little in common with most of the dreamlike world Disney is known for. There have been next to no announcements since.

That, of course, ended today, with the Nintendo Direct gameplay showcase. Although it was simply a continuation of the events teased all the way back in 2022, this seemed to be a much closer look at the moment-to-moment combat players can expect from the next chapter of Sora's journey.

In other Kingdom Hearts news, Square Enix began this last segment of the show with the announcement that all three games in the series will soon be available as part of the Kingdom Hearts Collection. Set with a release date of October 8, 2026, the bundle includes Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX, HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, 3 + Re Mind, with each available to purchase separately, too. A demo for Kingdom Hearts 3 is also available on the eShop now.

There's no doubt that today's Kingdom Hearts 4 gameplay reveal is the most we've seen from the game in years, but unfortunately, there is still no release date or even window. Until there’s more to share, you can see everything announced at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Developer Caged Element has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its planned Grip: Combat Racing sequel, Grip XR. A demo for the game is available to download now on Steam.

A scorchingly fast combat racer, Grip: Combat Racing and Grip XR are spiritual successors to the long-defunct Rollcage series.

“Grip XR’s driving is unlike other racing games thanks to its big-wheeled, flippable cars that can drive on both sides while going incredibly fast,” explains Caged Element via the Grip XR Kickstarter. “Cars in this game can hit speeds of over 1000km/h, all while blazing through twisting tracks with opponents trying to blast them into oblivion.”
“While easy to pick up and play, the car's movement mechanics open a wide range of opportunities to pull off advanced maneuvers and stunts. The levels in this game will encourage the craziest use of the vehicles, and will have multiple paths for players to experiment with.”

A new mechanic for Grip XR will be “Crank”, which is described as auxiliary boosters attached to each side of your vehicle that can be activated to flip your car instantly left or right, “letting you pull off quick and steezy maneuvers.” Players will be able to use Crank to instantly flip onto walls, reach other surfaces, and boost to shortcuts.

Grip XR will also feature an expanded version of the Carkour mode from Grip, with level editor tools.

“We’ve already developed these features for our previous game Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks, which has a flexible and easy-to-use level editor and workshop,” explains the studio. “We’ll be using the same system from that game, but improving and expanding on it.”

Grip XR will also feature an expanded range of weapons, and promises to address the weaknesses of the original Grip’s tracks.

“We are well aware of there being issues with Grip’s tracks, and we will do our best to not make those same level design mistakes again,” says Caged Element. “Grip XR’s racetracks will have better flow and be less punishing, while still requiring considerable skill to drive. We’ll be avoiding dead-stop obstacles and falling off the track as much as possible – unless it’s for higher difficulty maps.”

The original Grip: Combat Racing launched in 2018, after its own cancelled Kickstarter campaign and a subsequent stint in Steam Early Access. The project was born when Rollcage enthusiast Chris Mallinson tracked down programmer Robert Baker, a veteran of the original Rollcage development team at Attention to Detail, and pitched building a new game inspired by Rollcage.

Rollcage and Rollcage Stage II were released on PlayStation and PC way back in 1999 and 2000.

Luke is a Senior Editor on the IGN reviews team. You can track him down on Bluesky @mrlukereilly to ask him things about stuff.

The rumors were true: Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 is real.

Although confirmation that the new remake of one of the highest-rated games of all time isn't much of a surprise, the reveal trailer shown as part of today's June 2026 Nintendo Direct is still sure to get fans excited for its Switch 2 launch this year. You can see a first look at a much more modern version of Young Link in the first The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake trailer for Switch 2 below.

"The Nintendo 64 classic returns for a new generation in 2026," a brief description from Nintendo says, "reborn exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2!"

While the trailer revealed very little - barely more than a tapestry and a sleeping Link - we did learn that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches later this year. In terms of art style, it marks a departure from the painting-like visuals of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, instead opting for something a little closer to realism.

Originally released for N64 in 1998, Ocarina of Time remains one of Nintendo's most beloved games, with fan memories of exploring Hyrule for the first time in full 3D, often riding Link's trusty steed Epona. An enhanced version was released in 2011 for Nintendo 3DS, and the original is also available to play on Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2) via the Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

For now, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has no firm release date. For more while we wait, be sure to catch up with IGN's roundup of everything announced during today's Nintendo Direct right here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

FromSoftware re-emerged at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct to reveal a quick look at its new multiplayer game, The Duskbloods, promising to launch a closed network test this summer.

It’s been quite some time since we saw the Bloodborne developer’s PvPvE Switch 2 exclusive, which is exactly why the team is planning to give fans a hands-on look at it in the coming months. It both looks very FromSoftware and very not, showing a completely new world for players to fight and die in.

The Duskbloods gameplay reveal gave fans a peek behind the curtain at what the studio has been up to, and we'll get an even closer look at it when that closed network test starts summer 2026. While we wait for a release date, you can see everything revealed during its dedicated segment of the presentation below.

"In this new multiplayer action game, you’ll take on the role of the Bloodsworn and fight against – and alongside – up to seven other players with unique weapons and abilities," an official description for The Duskbloods said. "Transcend humanity with blood-based powers that transform your character and combat style as you battle to secure the coveted First Blood. The Duskbloods launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026 – and as revealed in the presentation, players can learn more about the closed network test for the game, coming in summer 2026!"

For more, be sure to catch up with IGN's roundup of everything announced during today's Nintendo Direct right here.

Developing…

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Nintendo has revealed that the next Xenoblade game is called Xenoblade Genesis, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027.

The latest chapter in its beloved RPG series revealed new characters and locations in a rather lengthy trailer that seemed to show a mix of cinematics and gameplay. It both looks very Xenoblade and very new, showing some areas that look more like the kind of thing you’d see in a Fire Emblem game.

Xenoblade Genesis launches for Nintendo Switch 2 at an unspecified point in 2027. Until then, you can see everything announced at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct here.

This was a nice, long look at a new corner of the Xenoblade universe that revealed a somewhat more whimsical fantasy setting than the series has seen so far. Despite having so much to show off, Nintendo's official description for Xenoblade Genesis was quite brief.

"A new beginning for the Xenoblade series is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027," the company said. "More details will be shared in the future."

Developing...

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

A demo for the upcoming Star Fox remake has been announced as part of Nintendo Direct, and it’ll be available later today.

As revealed during the Direct following Star Fox's latest trailer, the demo will feature the game's tutorial, as well as one of the opening stages. It's likely short, then, but it'll nontheless provide a taste of how Nintendo has remixed and updated this N64 classic for the modern era.

We recently went hands-on with Star Fox and came away really impressed. IGN's Logan Plant said in his preview, "This new take on the classic Star Fox 64 is not just a simple fresh coat of paint like the 3DS version. Instead, it’s shaping up to be a significantly expanded and surprisingly cinematic retelling of the Lylat Wars, thanks to an overhauled script that’s brought to life by some of the strongest voice acting and cutscene direction I’ve ever seen in a Nintendo game." Now you have the opportunity to go hands-on yourself with this demo.

This is also your opportunity to get a better look at the new character redesigns to finally determine if you agree with Takaya Imamura, Star Fox's creator, who believes his fox pilot looks better in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie than this new remake. This won't be the first time Fox's look has been updated, though, since this first Star Fox has been remade multiple times already.

Matt Purslow is IGN's Executive Editor of Features.

As part of the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, Square Enix revealed Final Fantasy Resonance, an HD-2D turn-based RPG that's set to release on October 22 this year for PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Swtich 1 and 2.

It's an adaptation of the story from the first season of the now-shuttered mobile game Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, but also incorporates elements from other updates and unique story content. It's not a port or a remake, but the Brave Exvius story was used as the foundation. It has an new turn-based combat system that uses a traditional turn order and not the ATB system from other older Final Fantasy games. It has a new overworld, chocobos, airships, and many of the touchstones that you'd recognize from the series. Resonance uses the Brave Exvius soundtrack along with 33 new songs made for this game.

A major part of Resonance's combat is the equippable Visions, which are characters you collect and attach to party member like a Job system. They grant you extra abilities and level up separately as you use them. While there are Visions unique to Resonance, the main appeal is in the guest Visions from other Final Fantasy games; the following are the confirmed so far:

• The Warrior of Light, Final Fantasy I
• Terra, Final Fantasy VI
• Cloud, Final Fantasy VII
• Zidane, Final Fantasy IX
• Shantotto, Final Fantasy XI
• Y'shtola, Final Fantasy XIV

Like Brave Exvius, Resonance follows the story of Rain who is a highly regarded knight in the kingdom of Grandshelt where his father is the king. You go on an old-school-style adventure to protect the magic crystals and save the world with friends such as Lasswell, Rain's right-hand-man, Lid who's a talented engineering following Cid's footsteps, and Fina who's a summoner who lost her memory. You'll travel across multiple continents in the overworld and fight through optional dungeon to unlock Espers for Fina to summon in battle and find more Visions at shrines where cutscenes take you on a trip down memory lane.

I have an exclusive hands-on preview for Final Fantasy Resonance where I go into greater depth on my full thoughts after playing three hours. We will also have an interview with producer Keisuke Nakashima and director Hiroto Furuya where they talk extensively about the development process.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this October.

The game was announced at the latest Nintendo Direct and is a spiritual successor to Wii Sports Resort, the sequel to the legendary Wii pack-in game. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 on October 22nd and will feature 12 sports, including skateboarding, thumb wrestling, and more.

The full list of sports is as follows:

• Archery
• Boxing
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Bowling
• Basketball
• Golf
• Thumb Wrestling
• Skateboarding
• Power Cruising
• Prop Plane
• Jump Rope

Compared to Wii Sports Resort, there are some activities missing. Wii Sports Resort featured a sword dueling game, frisbee, cycling, and canoeing. Still, Nintendo did bring forward basketball, power cruising, and a few other activities from Wii Sports Resort, while also mixing in some new content like jump roping and thumb wrestling.

The original Nintendo Switch Sports released back in 2022 and although it sold exceptionally well, it hasn't had the same legacy as Wii Sports itself. IGN gave Nintendo Switch Sports a 7/10, noting that it made for a fun party game, but lacked meaningful depth: "Nintendo Switch Sports successfully recaptures the party game magic of Wii Sports, but quickly falls victim to a lack of depth that holds it back from achieving greatness," reads our review.

For more titles announced at the Nintendo Direct, check out our coverage of the event by clicking here.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

Pokémon Pokopia is getting loads of new content, both in the form of a free update and a paid, three-part expansion pass.

As announced during today’s June 2026 Nintendo Direct, fans of the social sim sandbox spin-off were told they can look forward to jumping into new, underwater-themed content starting with a free update in August 2026. Additionally, DLC is coming by way of a paid expansion.

The expansion pass itself, which is available to purchase via the Nintendo eShop today, will cover three releases. Part 1: Bubbly Basin is also due out in August 2026, with Part 2 expected in late 2026, and Part 3 set for 2027. You can see the first teaser trailer for everything yet to come to Pokémon Pokopia below.

"The Pokémon Pokopia experience continues under the sea with a free update arriving this August!" an officila description from Nintendo said. "Players will be able to explore the ocean floor using the new move Dive to plant grass, build structures, and create their own underwater towns alongside Pokémon.

"The Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass paid DLC is also on the way, introducing three parts of additional content. Part 1 of the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass paid DLC, Bubbly Basin, will launch this August and invite players to 'Dive' into a new underwater town filled with new furniture, outfits, and Pokémon friends."

Fotoage from today's Pokémon Pokopia DLC reveal trailer showed how players can use the new dive mechanic introduced with the upcoming free 2.0 update to reach previously unexplored, submerged parts of the game. That comes with a trove of possibilities, with Bubbly Basin, specifically, introducing an underwater town with ocean Pokémon, new themed furniture, and new outfits. For now, all we know about Part 2 is that it will come with another new town, with Nintendo currently keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to Part 3.

The Pokémon Company has told players that committing to all three DLCs with by purchasing the expansion pass, which is now confirmed to be $34.99, that they'll be able to claim a recipe for dynamic Ditto print blocks and wallpaper. Those who pick up the pass by Tuesday, August 31, 2026, will also receive a code for 30 rare Pokémetal ingots.

It's unclear when Nintendo will have more Pokémon Pokopia news to share, but for now, it looks like Pokémon fans will have a lot to look forward to in August. For all of the biggest news from today’s presentation, you can see everything announced at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Nintendo has shown off more of the upcoming Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and finally given the game a release date.

The next entry in Nintendo's long-running tactical role-playing series will land on September 17, 2026, exclusive to Switch 2. This is the first major launch in the franchise since 2023's Switch game Fire Emblem: Engage, which followed 2019's hugely successful Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

Fortune's Weave features the series' familiar turn-based gameplay and colorful characters, this time set in and around an enormous arena, site of a championship named the Heroic Games. "Discover an intertwining story of strength and steel in Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, only on Nintendo Switch 2," reads an official blurb.

Announced during last September's Nintendo Direct, the game got a positive reception from fans who noted simularities to Three Houses (Heroes' Relics and Crests return, as does an older Sothis). Now, there's just a few months to go until its launch.

For more, be sure to catch up with IGN's roundup of everything announced during today's Nintendo Direct right here.

More to follow...

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social