Upcoming Nintendo Direct could showcase major third-party ports amid Microsoft’s rising cross-platform strategy.
Microsoft is reportedly about to announce that even more Xbox games will be coming to competing systems, which could be a big step forward for cross-platform gaming. Rumor has it that a July Nintendo Direct is still possible. Fans are most excited about the thought that Microsoft could use this Direct to show off new ports for the Switch 2.
Since July is almost over, many people are expecting a Tuesday or Wednesday show. We don’t know what kind of event it will be—an Indie World presentation, a Partner Direct, or a full General Direct—but most people think it will be the latter. Nintendo would probably choose a bigger format because there are still a lot of first-party games that don’t have official release dates.
In the past, Microsoft has been pretty cautious about letting people outside of the Xbox ecosystem play its own games. But recent actions by the company, such as bringing Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment to PlayStation, show that a more aggressive multiplatform strategy is taking shape.
In that case, what Xbox games are likely to come out on PS5 or Switch 2?
Sea of Thieves, Halo (maybe Halo Infinite or the Master Chief Collection), and Gears of War are some of the front-runners, especially since Gears: E-Day is already getting a lot of attention. Microsoft could also bring over Forza Horizon, which is a game that has been a huge hit on every platform it’s been on. In fact, some reports say it’s one of the best-selling PS5 games right now in 2025.
That’s not the end of the list, though. There have been rumors that Doom: The Dark Ages, Grounded 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, South of Midnight, and even Starfield could be ported. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which is set to come out later this year, also makes a strong case for launching at the same time on multiple platforms, including the Switch 2, which hasn’t been released yet.
If Microsoft does bring Starfield to the PS5, it will be one of the most surprising—but smart—decisions they’ve ever made. It will also make the lines between ecosystems that are only available on certain platforms even less clear.
Nintendo, on the other hand, has its own branded games that need more attention. A Warriors-style spin-off called The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Age of Imprisonment is the most important of them. Its release date has not been set yet.
And then there’s Metroid Prime 4, which hasn’t been worked on in years. Many people still think the game will come out in late 2025, maybe in November or early December, even though there have been rumors of delays and problems within Retro Studios.
Nintendo would probably choose a bigger format because there are still a lot of first-party games that don’t have official release dates.
There is also talk that Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime 3 might be shown at the Direct. Fans have long wanted these games to come out before Prime 4. Prime 2 would fit right in with Nintendo Switch Online (NSO), but Prime 3’s Wii roots might make it harder to make the transition smoothly.
Kirby Air Ride is another unknown, but it looks like it could come back. Retail sightings of marketing materials like posters and cardboard standees have led to rumors that a new entry or remaster is on the way. Masahiro Sakurai, who created the series, has also been very busy lately, which could be a hint that he is working on a new project.
Nintendo’s holiday 2025 line-up looks like it will include both big-name games and more mainstream games. There may be third-party announcements and Xbox surprises during the Direct. There may also be more information about the Drag-X Drive Pokémon spin-off that comes out in August, as well as a few unannounced games that may fill out the early 2026 schedule.
While most gamers are focused on the fall game line-up, Nintendo is reportedly already making plans for the first half of 2026. This would be the end of the Switch 2’s first full year of life. That means the next Direct won’t just be about what’s coming out this holiday season, but also about what’s coming out next spring and after that.
Fans should still keep their hopes in check. People online are always posting wish lists on forums, but not all franchises will make the cut. You shouldn’t expect a new 3D Zelda, a new Mario, a new Splatoon 4, and a new Animal Crossing all at the same time. Nintendo is more likely to spread out its big releases over the next year, adding in some remakes and spin-offs here and there.
One thing is clear: Microsoft’s push for multiple platforms is only getting stronger. The event could last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. There could be a gaming ecosystem that works on more platforms than ever before if even half of the rumored games make it to Switch 2 and PS5.
