Potential Switch 2 Releases
Nintendo is set to announce its new console this year. The successor to the widely popular and beloved Nintendo Switch has been in development and little to nothing is known about the gaming device. The Switch has been heading towards the end of its life span after the releases of major titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Wonder. Nintendo still has a catalogue of games that will be heading for this switch Like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but here we are looking at games that will not be released until the Switch 2 is released.
Super Mario Odessey Sequel
With every new Nintendo console, we receive a Super Mario game released at launch. This has been seen as far back as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) with the release of Super Mario Bros. When Nintendo moved into 3D gaming with the N64, Super Mario 64 was released, starting a new franchise. Super Mario Sunshine followed on the GameCube, then Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 on the Wii. This was the first time that Nintendo released a sequel for a 3D Mario on the same system. After the release of Super Mario Odyssey on the Switch many fans were waiting for a sequel to come out, but it never did. We have not seen a 3D Mario installment since the release of Odyssey, which released at launch with the switch. It only makes sense that when the Switch 2 is released a new 3D Mario will be announced. This should come in the form of Odyssey 2 or a brand-new 3D experience.
Metroid Prime 4
Development for Metroid Prime 4 was announced way back in 2017. News on this game went dark for many years until Nintendo rereleased Metroid Prime 1 and 2 for the Switch. When this occurred much buzz around Metroid Prime 4 began emerging but still nothing was ever announced about the title. Now nearly seven years later the game still has not been released. It seems that Nintendo is trying to release the Prime trilogy before releasing Prime 4, but Nintendo is running out of time if it wishes to do this on the switch. We are expecting Metroid Prime to be one of the first titles released for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Mario Kart 9
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the number 1 selling video game on the Nintendo Switch with over 60.58 million units sold. What makes this so interesting is that this game is a rerelease of a game that came out for the Wii U, ten years ago. This makes the switch the only home console to receive a brand-new Mario Kart title. Ever since the release of Super Mario Kart on Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) each console received a brand Mario Kart to experience the brand-new system. However instead of a brand-new Mario Kart entry Nintendo released Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes all the DLC waves from the original as well as enhanced gameplay and graphics. In addition to this Mario Kart Deluxe includes the booster pass which includes a grand total of 96 tracks additional tracks. Now with all waves of the booster pack now being available Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is done receiving new content. Which means that possibilities of a new Mario Kart could be in the works. Since it is the number one selling game a sequel is expected.
Mainline Pokemon Game
Game freak and Nintendo have released many Pokémon games for the Switch; Detective Pikachu Return’s, Pokémon Snap, and Pokken Tournament DX to name a few, but only two of them were mainline installments. This being the Generation 8 Pokémon versions Sword/Shield versions and Generation 9’s Violet/Scarlett. Gen 8 and 9 brought mainline Pokémon games into 3D, offering an open world to travel through which was huge, but they had their limitations. Pokémon Violet/Scarlett suffered greatly from bugs in the software. It was rushed to completion in order to release the game before the holiday. After Gamefreak released this game that at times doesn’t feel finished, it would be wise to take some time off from the mainline titles. The Pokémon franchise still has one big title to be released before the Switch 2 is to be released and that is Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Legends: Z-A has a release window of 2025, and this will probably be Nintendo’s last big Switch exclusive in preparation for the Switch 2.
Pokémon: Black/White 1&2 Remake
In addition to new mainline Pokémon games, we could see a remake of an older game. Nintendo released Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for the Switch. This title sold well, and many fans were excited to play through one of their favorite Pokémon games. The game that follows Diamond/Pearl is Black/White, which was released for the DS in 2010. Pokémon Black and White was the first game in the franchise to receive a sequel, with the release of Pokémon: Black/White 2 in 2012. We are expecting a remake of both Black/White and Black/White 2, which will be released as one complete package including both titles. IF this remake were to be releases it would be wise to release it before a new mainline game is announced. This would give the developers more time to fix the problems of Sword/shield and Violet/Scarlett.
