With the Nintendo Switch 2 releasing this week, one can't help but think about what the future might hold. The Switch 2 already has a solid lineup of launch titles, and there are plenty of classic Switch games that can be played on the console.
But what comes next?
What will the next game be, and what will help make a Switch 2 worth owning?
Well today we are going to be looking at a handful of games that you can expect to see on the Nintendo Switch 2, but have not been officially announced yet. Also note that for this list we will only be focusing on Nintendo exclusives, and not the countless multi-platform releases that will also be available on the Switch 2.
Xenoblade Chronicles 4
A follow up to Xenoblade Chronicles is a given. The series has really picked up since the release of the original on the Wii, and both Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition leave quite a bit open with their stories. Monolith Soft doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon, and they still have plenty within the overall Xeno series to work with as well. This is a very popular JRPG series, and it would honestly be surprising if the series does not continue on.
The real question is, what will they call the next game, and when and where will it take place?
Fire Emblem Switch 2
During its life, the Nintendo Switch received two mainline Fire Emblem titles, and both of which helped the series gain even more popularity. Three Houses especially became a go-to for newcomers, and Engage was full on fan-service for long time fans. While these two games might not have made everyone happy, there is no denying they were solid entries in the overall series. Now with Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance coming to Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo is more than likely going to release a new mainline Fire Emblem as well. On the other hand, remakes of older titles are still a possibility as well, which hasn't been done since the 3DS title Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia releasing back in 2017.
Animal Crossing Switch 2
Animal Crossing has always been a popular series, but with the release and timing of New Horizons on the original Switch, the series completely exploded. Animal Crossing merchandise became a common sight, the player-base continues to expand, and Nintendo has continued to market it to this day. A major 2.0 update and expansion greatly expanded the initial base game, but there is no denying that New Horizons is still lacking in some areas. It is a great game, but it is clearly time to move on and make something even bigger and better. The Switch 2 is the perfect chance to do just that, and after the success of New Horizons it is very likely that Nintendo will make it a reality.
Kirby Kirby Kirby
Although the Nintendo Switch 2 is receiving an updated version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Kirby Air Riders, we know that this will not be the last we see of Kirby on the console. Kirby is known for having countless side games on each platform the series has released on, and Nintendo isn't going to pass up the opportunity to do the same with the Switch 2. Again, we are already kicking things off with two games, but a new full 3D Kirby or new sidescrolling entry is never out of the question.
Pokemon Generation 10
Pokemon Legends Z-A is launching on October 16h of 2025, and it will be the first new Pokemon title on the Switch 2. Additionally Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are also receiving Switch 2 enhancements, making the new console the best place to play them. But what comes next? Well, Generation 10 of course!
It might be awhile before we learn anything about Pokemon's future, but Generation 10 will release someday. Chances are it'll incorporate new features introduced in Z-A, but what form the game takes is anyone's guess. Could it be another fully open-world game like Scarlet and Violet? Or will we see a combination of open-ended areas and linear paths? Maybe the return of standard towns and Pokecenters? Again, we'll find out more when the game officially gets announced.
Pikmin 5
Pikmin might not be Nintendo's most successful franchise, but the series for sure has its fanbase, and the games are a lot of fun. Pikmin 1 and 2 were staples for the Nintendo GameCube, their Wii enhanced versions were just as great, and Pikmin 3 finally got the attention it deserved once it made the jump from Wii U to Switch. While Pikmin 4 might not have been everyone's favorite, it was still a solid entry in the overall series, and a fun game to play. Players can expect the same out of a Pikmin 5, and there is a pretty good chance that it will happen. These are unique strategy games, and Shigeru Miyamoto himself holds the series close to his heart.
Splatoon 4
Splatoon is Nintendo's very successful family friendly third person shooter. The game has a unique mechanic where wins are determined by how much ink is covering the arena, but taking out the enemy is still key to winning. There are plenty of weapon classes to use, clothing and abilities to equip, and a mixture of player vs player and player vs enemy content to work through. Each game in the series continues to be supported for years after release, and it is when this support "ends" that the next title in the series comes out. Well Splatoon 3 has finally reached that state, with current events being re-runs of older ones, and the Switch 2 is officially here. In other words, it is now the perfect time for a Splatoon 4!
The Legend of Zelda: Switch 2
Obviously not what it will be called, but a Switch 2 exclusive mainline Zelda game is not something Nintendo will pass up. The Switch 2 is launching with updated versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but we know this will not be the last time we see one of the main Links. What is a mystery however, is what direction the next Legend of Zelda will head in. Will we see yet another openworld title? Or could we go back to large environments that are connected by a linear story? The traditional top-view style also isn't out of the question, as Echoes of Wisdom just released in 2024. Either way, a new Zelda game will be coming, and all three styles could be great to see.
Super Mario Journey?
Mario Kart World might be a launch title for the Switch 2, but when is the next full 3D Mario game? Super Mario Odyssey released in 2017, with the side scrolling Super Mario Bros. Wonder hitting store shelves back in 2023. Historically Nintendo always releases at least one mainline Mario game per platform, and there is little to no chance that the Switch 2 will not receive the the same treatment. Of course Super Mario Odyssey is getting enhancements for the Switch 2, but this isn't a new title, nor is it a replacement for a Switch 2 developed Mario. Of course Nintendo might not make an official announcement for awhile, but the day will come.
Mario Side Games
Speaking of Mario, there are plenty of other possible Mario "side games" that will most likely be released on the Nintendo Switch 2. The Mario Tennis series has been a mainstay since its conception, with only the DS missing out on the fun. Of course the Wii received a port of Power Tennis, but this still meant Wii owners had the chance to play the series. Paper Mario is another popular series within the Mario IP, and Luigi's Mansion has gained quite a bit of support from Nintendo lately as well. Any one of these games could come to the Switch 2, and there is also the option of a Mario Maker 3 as well. Whatever the case is, the Switch 2 will be home to more than just mainline Mario and Mario Kart. (Who knows, maybe even a new Yoshi game?)
Nintendo Collaborations
This one is a little less specific, but Nintendo has had a solid partnership with other developers over the last handful of years, and we can expect that to continue. Games like Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors has seen Nintendo team up with companies such as Koei Tecmo, while Cadence of Hyrule was a collaboration with the indie developer Brace Yourself Games. A new Hyrule Warriors is already coming to the Switch 2, but we know this will not be the only Nintendo game to crossover with another developer. The Switch 2 will be home to all Nintendo IPs going forward, and that is something everyone can count on.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate 2
And finally, there is no way Super Smash Bros isn't returning! Currently director Masahiro Sakurai is working on Kirby Air Riders for the Switch 2, but there is a good chance that the next Smash Bros will be his next project. Of course Sakurai has stated multiple times that he is done with the series, but we all know how that turned out.
Kirby Air Riders is set to release in 2025, so there most likely will not be any news until after the game's launch, as this is exactly what we saw with the release of Kid Icarus: Uprising on the 3DS. What is a big unknown however is what the next Smash Bros could possibly be. Will it contain all of the content from Ultimate? What new characters or game modes could be added? Or could we be seeing an enhanced version of Ultimate rather than a completely new title? Whatever the case may be, Ultimate itself will most likely be at least the base for whatever is to come, which will for sure save on development time either way.
And that does it for our list today! Of course there are many, MANY, more games we would love to see on the Switch 2, but at this time their future with the console is still very questionable. Fans have been asking for a new full Star Fox title for years now, with Star Fox Zero on the Wii U not fully being what the world wanted. Metroid Prime 4 is finally here, and Metroid Dread finally released on the original Switch, but that doesn't for sure mean we will be seeing Prime 5 or a new 2D Metroid anytime soon. F-Zero is another game I'd love to bring up, but outside of the GameCube's F-Zero GX... Hard telling if that will actually happen.
Honestly the Nintendo Switch 2 has a lot of potential, and it could see a large library of amazing first party titles; it just depends on Nintendo and what they are willing to do this time around.
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