With an official reveal just around the corner, what can be predicted about the launch line-up of games for the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2 should be out at some point in 2025 but, like anything to do with Nintendo, there’s no guarantee that it actually will. It does look very likely though, with a barrage of recent leaks seeming to make it very clear what the console looks like.
That still leaves some questions about when precisely the console will launch, and what that new mystery button does, but, for me, the most interesting question is what the Switch 2’s initial wave of games will be.
Despite all the hardware leaks we know absolutely nothing for certain about any of the games. It’s a fact that increasingly seems to be forgotten, by Microsoft and Sony, but Nintendo will be well aware that it’s games that sell consoles, especially when customers have to consider potentially expensive new ones.
Trying to predict Nintendo is always an exercise in futility, but I’m going to have a go at it anyway and guesstimate the sort of games we could see during the Switch 2’s launch period, combined with some pie in the sky wishful thinking, and the odd whisper of a rumour.
Mario Kart 9 and Donkey Kong
Obviously, Nintendo will want one of its main franchises represented at launch. The question is which one. It’s far too soon for a mainline Legend Of Zelda, given Tears Of The Kingdom took six years to make and only came out in 2023, so does that mean a certain plumber will take the spotlight?
Mario has always been the traditional focus for Nintendo launch titles and the franchise is hotter than ever thanks to 2023’s animated movie. It’s also been over seven years since the last 3D platformer, Super Mario Odyssey, and you just know Nintendo has been plugging away at a new one ever since.
In fact, there’s long-standing rumours, since before the pandemic, that the same team is working on a Donkey Kong game, perhaps one that co-stars Mario (both characters debuted in the original Donkey Kong coin-op, way back in 1981). There’s nothing to substantiate this but Nintendo has recently remastered Mario Vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is out in January.
An even bigger pull would be a new Mario Kart. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was among the first Switch titles and it remains one of Nintendo’s best-sellers. Getting people to drop Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for a newer entry may be difficult, especially with how rich in content it is, but the right gimmick and promise of new tracks could be enough.
Importantly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a light remaster of the original Wii U game, which means there’s never been a brand new Mario Kart on Switch. Combine that with faint rumours of Mario Kart 9 nearing completion and it being a launch title does seem very believable.
Pokémon Legends Z-A and Gen X
Next to Mario, Pokémon is Nintendo’s biggest seller and we already know that Pokémon Legends: Z-A is coming in 2025, which makes it seem very likely it’ll be a cross-gen game for both consoles – especially as backwards compatibility is the only thing Nintendo has confirmed about the Switch 2.
The game was announced this past February, so we could very well see it arrive early in 2025, which would line up nicely if the Switch 2 does launch in March or April.
Admittedly, Nintendo has never launched a console alongside a new Pokémon game before. Not unless you count racing spin-off Pokémon Dash, which arrived alongside the Nintendo DS in Japan and Europe. Plus, there’s yet to be any gameplay footage for Legends Z-A, making it unclear if Nintendo’s being typically secretive or if it needs more than a few months to finish it.
The Pokémon Dash example may suggest it’s more likely we’ll see a Pokémon spin-off rather than a traditional role-player at launch but there’s also the question of when the next mainline entry will be.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet was released in 2022 but there was only three years between that and Sword and Shield, which makes 2025 a real possibility for Generation X of the series.
Although developer Game Freak has admitted that they’ve been churning games out too quickly lately, and quality has been suffering as a result, so perhaps not.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Between its 2025 release window and that new trailer in June, there’s great suspicions that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch both for Switch and Switch 2, as another cross-gen release.
Metroid Prime 4 has been so hotly anticipated (the thing was announced in 2017!) that it being a launch title would guarantee Metroid fans old and new would put money down for the new console. And bounty hunter Samus has made new fans for herself on Switch, thanks to Metroid Dread and the first Metroid Prime’s remaster.
Metroid isn’t in the same tier of recognisability as Mario and Pokémon though, so unless Nintendo has plans to really push the brand in the coming years or is making a Zelda-esque gamble (remember, Zelda games weren’t huge sellers until Breath Of The Wild), it’s unlikely Metroid Prime 4 will be positioned as the Switch 2’s main launch launch title – if that’s when it comes out at all.
Nintendo Switch 2 remasters and remakes
Remakes and remasters remain hot commodities at the moment and if Nintendo doesn’t have something brand new ready for a major franchise on the Switch 2, a fancy enough redo of a beloved classic could offset any disappointment and still generate a lot of hype.
There has been chatter of two Zelda games – Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker – getting Switch remasters for years. They’ve been re-released a lot over the years though, so they’re not the most exciting prospect.
Alternatively, with a remaster of the first Metroid Prime already out, Nintendo completing the trilogy ahead of Metroid Prime 4 (which has also been rumoured) makes a lot of sense.
Barring that, Nintendo could catch us all off guard with something obscure. Its willingness to remake niche titles like Famicom Detective Club and Another Code means anything is on the table. Or if it’s feeling especially spicy, it could give Ocarina Of Time fans that high-definition remake they’ve all been dreaming of.
Or there’s the Breath Of The Wild remake that was rumoured but was probably just a result of confusion relating to a tech demo Nintendo was allegedly showing developers.
A more like remaster though is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Not only is a new entry nowhere near release but it’s very hard to imagine how it could top Ultimate. However, a Deluxe edition of the game, featuring all the DLC, would make total sense as the Switch 2 equivalent of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Nintendo Switch 2 third party support
As appealing as the thought of the Switch 2 launching with a surplus of first-party titles is, the reality is that the initial batch of games will mostly come from third parties. This has been the case since the days of the GameCube, where the only first party launch title was Luigi’s Mansion.
They’re not all going to be major releases though, but given how well the original Switch has done, publishers are not going to need much convincing to support the new format – especially if it can run PlayStation 4 era games.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw something from Ubisoft, EA, or Sega launch as a timed Switch 2 exclusive. There’s certainly bound to be one solid title from a smaller, independent studio too, as demonstrated by the Switch arriving with Snipperclips and Blaster Master Zero.
GTA and Resident Evil on Nintendo Switch 2
While no one seems to be able to agree on precisely how powerful the Switch 2 will be, it’ll certainly have more horsepower and, according to one report, will apparently be capable of running visuals comparable to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
This should allow for a number of PlayStation 4/Xbox One era games that had to skip the Switch to finally become accessible to dedicated Nintendo customers. Think titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Red Dead Redemption 2, but perhaps without the compromises those games required to run on the original Switch.
Getting such a title on Switch 2 around launch could be the simplest and most effective way of demonstrating how the console is substantially more powerful than its predecessor. Something like Resident Evil or even GTA 5 would not only attract those who never played them, but even get established fans to double dip.
It’s relatively easy to predict which are the most likely too, based on which publishers Nintendo gets on best with. Some kind of Elden Ring Deluxe release seems almost a shoe-in, while Cyberpunk 2077 is probably something Nintendo themselves are keen to get on the system.
It’s more a question of what they can get working on the new hardware but Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth are bound to be in Nintendo’s sights, as well as Ubisoft titles such as Star Wars: Outlaws.
EA has already tested the water, with remasters of the MySims games from the Wii. They’ve been surprisingly successful too, which almost guarantees a follow-up.
Nintendo Switch 2 sports/party games
Local play with friends and family has always been a big part of the marketing for the Switch, with promotional images featuring smiling groups enjoying games together.
Not to mention we’ve seen Nintendo launch at least one sports/party related game alongside its last several consoles. There was the original 1-2-Switch, the Wii U’s Nintendo Land, and of course Wii Sports, which came packaged with the Wii.
It’s very likely Nintendo will have something of a similar vein prepared for Switch 2, that could also double as a tech demo. Probably not another 1-2-Switch sequel, although stranger things have happened.
It’s too soon for a new Mario Party, but another Mario sports spin-off could be possible. Or much like how Wii Sports saw a pseudo revival in Nintendo Switch Sports, maybe Wii Party could make a comeback as Nintendo Switch 2 Party?
Xenosaga remasters on Nintendo Switch 2
This may seem like an extraordinarily odd pick for a Switch 2 launch title, and that’s because it is. But it is my personal dream choice, and I don’t think the possibility is entirely unfounded.
The series was originally developed by Monolith Soft (the Xenoblade Chronicles studio) when it was under Bandai Namco. Monolith Soft’s a Nintendo subsidiary these days, with the Xenosaga IP remaining with Bandai Namco.
However, Nintendo and Bandai Namco have a strong working relationship, as evidenced by Bandai Namco getting to make their own Pokémon spin-offs, co-develop Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and remaster both Baten Kaitos games for Switch – which were also Monolith Soft titles.
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Combined with how the story DLC for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 explicitly tied the series to Xenosaga’s overarching plot (Bandai Namco is even mentioned in the credits), it really feels like Monolith Soft has every intention of revisiting the Xenosaga series. Especially since it’d be easier to push nowadays, thanks to Xenoblade’s increased recognisability over the years.
I’d argue it’s a matter of when, not if Xenosaga remasters happen, but I must admit the odds of it launching alongside the Switch 2 are very slim. Even more so now that a remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles X is coming out for Switch in March.
Having that and Xenosaga within the space of a few months is hard to believe, especially when Monolith Soft is likely also busy supporting Nintendo on other projects. If anything, it’s more probable that we’ll see Xenoblade Chronicles X double as a Switch 2 launch title instead.
With any luck, Nintendo will prove me right/wrong sooner rather than later. And in the meantime, feel free to share your own predictions and dream picks for launch titles in the comments.
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