With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, speculation is rife about its launch titles. While no official lineup exists, we can make educated guesses based on Nintendo's history and recent announcements. Some predictions, like a new Mario title, are almost certain. However, we also hope to see some exciting new projects from beloved indie developers.
Genki Nintendo Switch 2 Mockup Images from CES 2025
3 Images
While it's unrealistic to expect all these games at launch, even half would make for a stellar debut. Here are our hopes for the Switch 2's launch lineup:
Highly Anticipated Titles:
- Mario Kart 9: A successor to the incredibly successful Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is highly probable, potentially introducing innovative features to propel the franchise forward for another decade. A launch-day release would be a significant boost.
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New 3D Super Mario: Given the success of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Odyssey, a new 3D Mario platformer is long overdue. A launch title alongside a new Mario Kart would be a powerful statement.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: After years of anticipation and a recent gameplay reveal, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, developed by Retro Studios, is a strong contender for a launch title, given its polished visuals.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Enhanced: Backward compatibility is expected, but enhanced versions leveraging the Switch 2's power (e.g., 4K resolution, improved frame rates) would be a welcome addition.
Other Strong Possibilities:
- Ring Fit Adventure 2: A sequel to the surprisingly popular Ring Fit Adventure could showcase the Switch 2's motion control capabilities.
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Resident Evil 4 Remake: The Switch 2's improved power could finally allow for a port of Capcom's critically acclaimed remake.
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Doom: The Dark Ages: Given the success of previous Doom ports on Switch and Microsoft's cross-platform strategy, this is a possibility, pending a release date announcement.
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The Haunted Chocolatier: A launch-year release for ConcernedApe's highly anticipated follow-up to Stardew Valley is plausible.
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Earthblade: Extremely OK Games' Earthblade, a successor to Celeste, could also grace the Switch 2 launch, depending on its development progress.
The Switch 2's launch lineup will undoubtedly be a significant event, and these titles represent a range of possibilities from highly probable to exciting hopefuls.