After an eternity of rumor and rumours, Nintendo finally revealed the Switch 2 this week with a reveal trailer that seemingly confirms many leaked hardware details, such as the larger screen, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, and mouse functionality.
More concrete information on price and power will be revealed during a Nintendo Direct showcase on April 2nd. All we can do now is speculate, but speculation is fun! The Switch 2 trailer didn’t give us many solid details about games for the upcoming console, so let’s talk about the titles we want to play on launch day.
(Credit: Nintendo)
1. Mario Kart 9
One game featured in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer was the upcoming Mario Kart (could be 9 or 10, depending on how you count Mario Kart Tour). This makes sense, considering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe breaks Switch sales records. The video highlighted a slightly redesigned Donkey Kong more in line with the featured model The movie Super Mario Bros. More excitingly, the course appeared to have slots for up to 24 runners, twice as many as usual. So expect even more chaotic multiplayer fun. Hopefully, it’s a launch title.
2. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Last year, Nintendo fully revealed Metroid Prime 4: Beyond after first teasing it in 2017. The sci-fi shooter is headed to the current Switch, so hopefully it’ll be a cross-gen Switch 2 game. Metroid Prime Remastered it’s great, and this was just developer Retro Studios’ test. Imagine Metroid Prime 4 with better visuals and mouse controls.
3. Kid Icarus Uprising HD
Once the Switch 2 hits store shelves, Nintendo needs to release a steady stream of games to keep the momentum going. Remasters of older games are a great and easy way to keep the buzz going between blockbusters. So it’s time for Kid Icarus Uprising to break free from its 3DS prison. from Super Smash Bros. mastermind Masahiro Sakurai, Uprising was a surprise revival that combined aerial action with foot combat and a beguiling story. The only downside was the awkward touch screen control scheme. So why not make a nicer Switch 2 version with mouse controllers?
4. A new animal crossing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons it sold millions of copies and helped us be remembered during the shutdown, but it didn’t become the live-action title that many expected. A new Animal Crossing game should be coming to the Switch 2 sooner rather than later and hopefully supported throughout the life of the system. More online social features built into the game or system would greatly improve the experience. Socializing with animal friends and villagers online should be seamless. We’d also like to see the return of the more urban elements of Animal Crossing: City Folk.
5. A new 3D Mario adventure
Apart from the excellent ones Bowser’s Fury spin-off, Nintendo has not released a full 3D Mario platformer since Super Mario Odyssey capped off the Switch’s amazing debut year in 2017. The easiest bet is that the Switch 2 will get a Mario adventure early or during the holidays. Maybe a Donkey Kong team? Can we dream of Super Mario Galaxy 3?
(Credit: Nintendo)
6. Next-gen Switch 1 updates
Switch 2 has full backward compatibility with original Switch games. You can’t throw away that incredible library and all the 140 million players who invested in it. However, we’re curious to see if the Switch 2’s added power can help those games run better. A free performance boost would be nice, but if Nintendo wants to pay a few bucks for a significant improvement in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, that sounds great. Just don’t make us buy all our games at full price again.
7. Grand Theft Auto VI
The only gaming event that could overshadow the Switch 2 launch would be Rockstar following through on its release promise Grand Theft Auto VMe in 2025. The open world crime epic is a guaranteed cheat for gaming and the entertainment economy in general. Nintendo needs to spend all the money it takes and provide development support to ensure Grand Theft Auto VI gets a Switch 2 release.
8. Call of Duty
For the Activision acquisition to be approved by the government, Microsoft pledged to bring Call of Duty to more platforms. So the beloved military shooter series is basically confirmed for the Switch 2. But what form will it take? War zone? Ports of old games? WILL Xbox Game Pass be somehow available? We will have to wait and see.
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9. Xbox ports
As its Xbox hardware disappoints, Microsoft is slow rotating to a massive third-party publisher with many acquired studios. The first Switch had Xbox ports, such as Grounded and Repentance. We fully expect this to continue with the Switch 2. Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves are safe predictions, but don’t be surprised if Master Chief lands on Switch 2 via Halo ports.
10. The greatest epics of the last generation
Rumors suggest that the Switch 2 will be as powerful as a PlayStation 4 or Steam deckso it should allow the system to run the biggest games of recent years. Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, The Elden ringAND Final Fantasy VII remake they would all be great titles to play or replay on the new system. This will be the Switch 2 version for playing Skyrim on the go. No more cloud streaming!
11. Hits RE Engine Capcom
Capcom has become one of the most exciting developers in the entire industry thanks in part to its RE engine, a tool that enables efficient development. Basically, all Capcom games now run on that engine, and we love them on the Switch 2. The Resident Evil remake! Street Fighter 6! Monster Hunter Wilds! Okami 2! Switch 2 is going to be huge in the Japanese market, so support from Capcom is critical.
PS5 Pro? Switch 2? Xbox handheld? Let’s talk about the hardware rumours
For more on Nintendo, check out our picks for the best Nintendo Switch Gamesthe best Nintendo Switch Lite Gamesand the best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids.
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About Jordan Minor
Senior Analyst, Software
