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Nintendo Direct September 2026 No-Shows: From The Duskbloods to Mario
Nintendo's September 2026 Direct ran for 45 minutes and delivered several confirmed titles, including a new 2D Metroid game, a 3D Kirby instalment due in 2027, and a fresh update for Mario Kart World. Despite this, the presentation left many fans disappointed, as several long-anticipated games and franchises failed to make an appearance, prompting speculation online about the state of Nintendo's Switch 2 line-up nearly two years into the console's life.
Among the notable absences was The Duskbloods, FromSoftware's vampire-themed multiplayer exclusive, which still carries a 2026 release window but received no update on a firm launch date, despite a recent network test. Nintendo also gave no news on a next-generation 3D Mario game, a new Luigi's Mansion entry from developer Next Level Games (whose last major release was in 2022), or a new mainline Animal Crossing title, the last of which arrived in 2020. Rumoured projects such as new Super Smash Bros. and Nintendogs games were likewise absent, fuelling fan frustration despite a separate Zelda anniversary stream the previous day that had included some major announcements.
In short
- September 2026 Nintendo Direct confirmed Metroid Ravenous, 3D Kirby, Mario Kart World update
- The Duskbloods, 3D Mario, Luigi's Mansion 4 and Animal Crossing were no-shows
- Fans frustrated despite Direct following a big Zelda anniversary stream
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Fans can reasonably see the omissions as a sign that Nintendo has not yet shown enough of the Switch 2’s longer-term appeal: several major series remain without new entries, and The Duskbloods still lacks a firm date despite its 2026 window and recent network test. After a 45-minute presentation, they may feel that confirmed releases and a separate Zelda stream do not answer questions about when these anticipated games will arrive.
The case against
A Nintendo Direct is a snapshot of announced plans, not a complete schedule, so an absence does not establish that a game is delayed, cancelled or missing from the console’s future line-up. The presentation did reveal several new titles and updates, while the separate Zelda stream had already brought major announcements; Nintendo may reasonably choose to share other projects later, when they are ready to show.
Explained simply
Nintendo Directs are online presentations where the company announces games and updates for its consoles. The Switch 2 is Nintendo’s current console, and its range of games matters to players deciding what to buy or play next.
The missing games named here belong to several of Nintendo’s best-known series, including Mario, Luigi’s Mansion and Animal Crossing. The Duskbloods is a separate project by FromSoftware, the studio behind the Dark Souls games, and is planned as a Switch 2 exclusive.
Some absent titles have only been rumoured, while others have been announced or are part of established series. Their status matters to fans following the console’s future, but a lack of news at one presentation does not by itself confirm whether a game is delayed or in development.