Nintendo’s next-generation hardware plans are beginning to take shape following the February 5 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, where Cygames stole the spotlight with the announcement of Granblue Fantasy: Relink for the Nintendo Switch 2. This port isn’t just a simple hardware transition; it arrives alongside a substantial new expansion titled Endless Ragnarok. Scheduled for a summer release, this version of the acclaimed action-RPG is set to include an exclusive feature specifically designed for the new console, signaling a strong commitment from the developer to Nintendo’s upcoming ecosystem.
The announcement served as a cornerstone of the 30-minute presentation, which was notably focused on the third-party landscape for both current and next-gen Nintendo platforms. For fans who have been tracking the success of Relink on other systems, the move to Switch 2 represents a major push for the franchise’s accessibility. While technical specifications remain under wraps, the “exclusive feature” mentioned by Cygames suggests that the developer is looking to leverage the unique capabilities of the new hardware rather than offering a standard downscaled port.
Beyond the sky-bound adventures of the Grandcypher, the showcase outlined a aggressive roadmap for high-profile ports throughout 2026. Industry giants like Square Enix and Bandai Namco are following suit, with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Digimon Story: Time Stranger both confirmed for Nintendo’s hardware lineup. These additions indicate that the Switch 2 is being positioned as a viable home for modern, resource-intensive titles that struggled to find a footing on the original Switch’s aging architecture.
The showcase also provided a glimpse into the future of the medium with fresh reveals from veteran developers. Falcom introduced a new action-RPG titled Kyoto Xanadu, while the announcement of the Console Archives collection promised to bring a curated selection of retro titles to the platform. Between the expansion of existing hits like Granblue Fantasy: Relink and the introduction of new IPs, Nintendo’s partner strategy for 2026 appears to be one of the most robust transitions the company has managed in decades.
