The September 2026 Nintendo Direct presentation has concluded, leaving many fans dissatisfied with the absence of highly anticipated titles such as a new 3D Mario game and FromSoftware's The Duskbloods. While the 45-minute broadcast did showcase new content for existing franchises, including Metroid Ravenous, Kirby and the World Beyond, and updates for Mario Kart World, a significant portion of the gaming community felt the presentation lacked substantial new announcements.
Unfulfilled Expectations
The hybrid sequel console, now in its second year, still awaits a flagship 3D Mario title. The Duskbloods, FromSoftware's exclusive multiplayer game with a vampire theme, was notably absent despite maintaining a 2026 release window. Further fueling disappointment were persistent rumors regarding new installments in the Super Smash Bros., Nintendogs, and Luigi's Mansion series, none of which materialized during the Direct.
Notable No-Shows
The Duskbloods
FromSoftware has maintained a consistent release schedule for its upcoming games, but the absence of a concrete release date for The Duskbloods in the September Direct has raised concerns. While not officially delayed, the developer is running out of time to announce a 2026 release, especially following a recent network test that reportedly encountered issues.
Luigi's Mansion 4
Developer Next Level Games, acquired by Nintendo in 2021, has remained relatively quiet since its involvement in Metroid Prime 4. With Luigi's Mansion 3 having launched nearly seven years prior, fans are eagerly anticipating a new entry in the ghost-hunting series.
Animal Crossing
Despite the immense popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo has not officially announced a new mainline installment. Fans continue to express their desire for a follow-up, particularly for the Switch 2 console.
Mario Kart World
While the September Direct did include a free update for Mario Kart World, introducing reimagined SNES courses, the response from fans suggests a desire for more substantial content, such as new characters or original tracks. Nintendo's past support for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with its Booster Course Pass years after launch indicates a potential for future additions, though nothing is confirmed.
A New 3D Mario Game
Fifteen months after the Switch 2's launch, a new 3D Mario game remains unannounced. This absence is particularly felt by fans, especially in contrast to other franchise updates and the long gap since Super Mario Odyssey. The Donkey Kong Bananza game has partially filled the void, but a new mainline 3D Mario title is clearly desired.
Super Smash Bros.
Rumors and leaks, including those from leaker Malo932, had built anticipation for a new Super Smash Bros. title or at least a Switch 2 upgrade for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. However, neither materialized during the Direct, leaving fans who have waited nearly nine years since Ultimate's release and five years since Sora's addition as the final DLC without new information.
Nintendogs
Fans were also surprised by the lack of any mention of a potential Nintendogs revival. The beloved Nintendo DS franchise, which could offer a unique experience on the Switch 2, was a rumored possibility that did not come to fruition.
Star Fox
While Star Fox Adventures was made available on the Switch Online + Expansion Pack's GameCube catalog, this inclusion did not satisfy fans hoping for new content or a sequel. Rumors from Malo932 had suggested a new Star Fox Adventures game was in development, but its appearance was limited to the retro catalog.
Despite the numerous absent titles, Nintendo has a significant amount of content planned for the remainder of the year and beyond. The company's approach to content reveals, as seen with the separate Zelda anniversary stream, suggests that not all announcements are made in a single event. Fans are encouraged to share their most-desired no-shows in the comments, as future announcements could still surprise the community.