Nintendo returns to Gamescom in 2026
Intelligence Summary
- Nintendo confirms it will attend Gamescom 2026 in Cologne. Here’s what to expect, from new games to price hikes.
Nintendo returns to Gamescom in 2026
Nintendo has announced that it will return to the annual Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany, which takes place from August 26 to 30, 2026. While Nintendo has not yet confirmed which games or products it will showcase, it has confirmed that it will be on the Koelnmesse grounds throughout the entire week.
Gamescom: an annual tradition
Gamescom has been held annually since 2009 and has grown into the largest expo of its kind in Europe, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event usually kicks off with Gamescom Opening Night Live, hosted by Geoff Keighley, where the show’s biggest announcements and trailers are revealed.
At the opening of Gamescom 2025, trailers were shown for titles including World of Warcraft: Midnight and Black Myth: Zhong Kui, along with a preview of the second season of Amazon’s Fallout series.
What to expect from Nintendo
In recent years, Nintendo has maintained a strong presence at Gamescom, with previous events focusing on the Switch 2 and well-known titles such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. For Gamescom 2026, games like Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave are being mentioned as possible candidates.
Splatoon Raiders, the first spin-off in the Splatoon franchise, focuses on a single-player experience and lets players explore the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. The game is scheduled to launch on July 23, 2026.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, does not yet have an exact release date, but it has been placed in a 2026 release window.
With the recent Switch 2 price increase, set to rise from $449 to $499 on September 1, Nintendo’s presence at Gamescom could give consumers a chance to learn more about new bundles. Nintendo has introduced new packages that let players choose Mario Kart World, Pokémon Pokopia, or Donkey Kong Bananza as the digital game included with their $499 purchase.
Timeline
May 18, 2026: Nintendo confirms its participation in Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany.
July 23, 2026: Release of Splatoon Raiders.
September 1, 2026: Switch 2 price increase from $449 to $499.
The future of Nintendo at Gamescom
Nintendo has been tight-lipped about other future projects. Recent rumors have pointed to a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but it remains unclear whether the title will be shown at Gamescom. All of this makes Nintendo’s return to Gamescom 2026 even more exciting. Fans are advised to keep an eye on Nintendo’s official channels for more information about its reveals and activities during the event.
