Nintendo Direct June 9, 2026 : My Top 5 Picks

The Summer Game Fest 2026 is still going strong! After our reviews of the PC Gaming Show 2026, the State of Play in June and the Xbox Showcase 2026, it was Nintendo's turn to take the stage. The June 9 Nintendo Direct lasted about 50 minutes, and we have to admit it : a good chunk of the games presented were standard parlor games without major reveals, and ports were plentiful. The selection process handles itself. As usual, I am only telling you about what truly triggered a reaction from me. So here are the 5 titles that clearly stand out from the crowd.


Kingdom Hearts IV : Sora Returns Across All Platforms

The announcement definitely made waves : Kingdom Hearts IV is fully confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2, releasing simultaneously with PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. No fixed date for now, but we were treated to new gameplay footage showing Sora wielding his Keyblade in the mysterious city of Quadratum, facing off against demons, all running beautifully on Unreal Engine 5. And it is visually stunning.

Kingdom Hearts is a franchise we love for its Disney characters that we are always thrilled to see again, its cool vibe, and its combat that remains genuinely fun to play. The narrative choices of the saga have always been... let's say, peculiar. But hey, we end up coming back every single time anyway. Note that the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 was also announced for Switch 2, for those wanting to step back into the saga right from the beginning.


One Piece : Grand Gourmet : Shut Up and Take My Money

Here is an announcement we did not see coming and it feels incredibly good. One Piece : Grand Gourmet is a pixel art restaurant management game where we take control of the Baratie 2, Sanji's restaurant. On the menu : diverse dishes, some based on Devil Fruits, complete customization of the establishment, and most importantly... 400 characters from the franchise announced! They pull up on their ships, and you have to take care of them. You can clearly see a few little events and arguments breaking out to cause chaos in the dining room.

As we were discussing with ZekkeyTV, One Piece seems to have finally understood that we want to see every character from the IP. And it looks like they delivered. In short, this is exactly the kind of concept that makes you want to dive right in. Release scheduled for October 23, 2026 on Switch, Switch 2, PS5, and PC, with mouse control support on Switch 2.

💡 Good to know : One Piece : Grand Gourmet will be available on Switch AND Switch 2. You won't need the new console to play it as soon as October 23.


Orbitals : The 2D Co-Op to Watch Closely

A two-player cooperative game that looks quite promising. With its 70s/80s anime and manga style graphics, Orbitals displays a very cool visual identity and seems well-crafted. A 2D platformer with platforms, bosses, and actions to perform together or in sync with your partner. It is not the type of game that creates a massive buzz during a conference, but it is clearly the kind of standout you find six months later in end-of-year top lists. Keep this one in the back of your mind. Release planned for September 3, 2026.


Rayman Legends Retold : Wishing It the Best of Luck

The return of Rayman, and this time we hope it will live up to expectations. They haven't all been on the exact same level, let's be honest. This one, developed by Ubisoft, seems to offer highly dynamic gameplay, with quite a few characters surrounding Rayman, bosses, and several different gameplay phases. The official description speaks of a "bold reimagining" with new content and unseen narrative twists. We sincerely wish it the best of luck. Releasing on October 1, 2026 for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.


Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake : 28 Years Later, The Legend Returns

And obviously, we wrap up with THE most anticipated game of the evening. The legends were true : The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time is making its grand return in a brand-new version for the Nintendo Switch 2, 28 years after its original release on the Nintendo 64 in 1998. The announcement was made official right at the close of the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct, with a trailer setting up the story's foundation.

💾 Zelda 64 is one of those games we have always considered to be among the greatest ever made. For millions of thirty-something players who discovered it back in 1998, seeing this modernized version is going to be a rather special experience, somewhere between absolute wonder and the thrill of the inevitable comparison.

Nintendo played the tapestry card to visually narrate the game's synopsis, without dropping a single frame of actual gameplay. Only the final seconds of the trailer show the very first render of Link, fast asleep in his hut in Kokiri Forest, right during his prophetic nightmare with Ganondorf and Zelda at the gates of Hyrule Castle. If this is truly what the title will look like, the pressure is immense on this modern retelling : to honor the legend while bringing, hopefully, fresh content and a deep overhaul to the classic.

⚠️ No fixed date yet, just a 2026 release window. We believe Nintendo wants to avoid competing directly with GTA VI, which seriously points toward a December release. Nintendo is expected to show more at Gamescom in Cologne late August.


Frequently Asked Questions About the June 2026 Nintendo Direct

Is the Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake exclusive to the Switch 2?

Yes, according to the announcements from the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct, the remake of The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. The release is planned for 2026, with no specific date announced yet.

When is One Piece : Grand Gourmet coming out?

One Piece : Grand Gourmet releases on October 23, 2026 for Switch, Switch 2, PS5, and PC. The game features the management of Sanji's Baratie 2 restaurant, with more than 400 characters from the franchise on the menu.

Is Kingdom Hearts IV only releasing on Switch 2?

No. Kingdom Hearts IV will be available on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC simultaneously. No release date has been communicated yet.

When does Rayman Legends Retold release?

Rayman Legends Retold comes out on October 1, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.


To Be Continued in the Next Episode!

We are not done yet for this Summer Game Fest 2026, as other games have shown trailers or been officially announced left and right. We will have one final article to reveal 6 more different games and details about their upcoming releases... but which games will we talk about? To be continued in the next episode guys!

What about you, did the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake announcement blow your mind, or are you staying cautious? Share your reactions in the comments right below!

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Founder
I belong to the generation that witnessed the birth of the greatest pop culture sagas. Born into this world in 1984, I’ve journeyed through the ages, from the first pixels of the Amstrad 464 to the 4K series on Disney+. Founder and editor for Little Big Campus, I blend my technical expertise with a deep love for epic storytelling and that unmistakable atmosphere of old-school LAN parties. Welcome to my universe, where the passion for gaming and cinema knows no time limits.

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