Nintendo confirms return to Gamescom 2025

This news was announced directly through the official Nintendo Germany account on social media. This marks the return of the Kyoto-based gaming giant to one of the largest game exhibitions in the world, after they skipped last year.

Nintendo's absence from Gamescom 2024 sparked many speculations, especially as they were busy developing and preparing the launch of their next-generation console, Switch 2.

Now, with Switch 2 officially released globally on June 5, 2025, Nintendo's presence at Gamescom becomes an important moment to showcase more features and exciting games from their latest console to the European and global public.

Although they haven't shared details about the game lineup that will be showcased, several major titles are predicted to be the center of attention. Among them are Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends Z-A, Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong: Bananza, and Drag X Drive—all confirmed to be on Switch 2.

In addition to their new game lineup, Nintendo has also announced free updates for 12 legacy Switch games compatible with Switch 2. These updates will bring improvements in resolution, frame rate, and the GameShare feature—which allows cross-console multiplayer with just one copy of the game.

Gamescom itself is known as one of the most important annual events in the gaming industry, with visitor numbers often exceeding 300 thousand people. Nintendo's return to this event sends a positive signal to fans and industry players alike, especially after many viewed their absence last year as part of a "transition period" to a new era of hardware.

It’s also not impossible that Nintendo will use the Gamescom stage to announce other surprises—whether new titles or exclusive collaborations—considering they often bring major announcements at international events.