What are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games? We aren’t exactly sure just yet beyond what will likely be Mario Kart 9. But we did spot an official Nintendo retail listing pointing at a new 3D Mario game, Zelda remakes, and more. Scope out the details below.
What are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games?
Way back in 2017 when the original Switch released, there were a healthy selection of titles available on day one that was filled out by year’s end with additional first-party games. While this in no way confirms what we will see for the Switch 2 launch games, Nintendo is largely a creature of habit and it might very hint at the direction it takes for what some might consider its biggest sequel of all-time.
First-party retail games available on day one of the original Switch included 1-2-Switch and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Splatoon 2 landing a few months later as what would technically be considered “launch window” games. All of those were joined by a host of digital games from third-parties, including Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2017, and Square Enix’s Dragon Quest Heroes 1 & 2, among some sweet insides like Shovel Knight titles, and The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth.
If this is any indication of what we will be seeing in 2025 for Switch 2, we are in good shape, but most leakers, rumors, and hopes are seemingly much higher than that.
Retail listing hints at Switch 2 launch games
As we have detailed quickly already, Newegg’s listing for official Nintendo eShop gift cards specifically states the following:
2025 Games: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, New 3D Mario, New Mario Kart, A Legend of Zelda Remake/Remaster, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Pokemon Legends: Z-A
While this certainly isn’t an official statement from Nintendo by any means, it is very much in line with a number of the rumors, the Mario Kart game we already got a look at, and what just about every outlet online is suggesting. It also makes a ton of sense, as we will outline below – you would think a new 3D Mario game has to be inbound, and Nintendo likely isn’t ready with a new Zelda title to not have some remakes featuring its beloved hero of light in the works.
Mario Kart 9
The only real guarantee here really is Mario Kart 9 at this point. Just about everything and everyone is suggesting the Mario Kart game shown off in the first-look Switch 2 trailer is indeed the next entry in the series, not just some remake or expansion.
Not only could this be a day one Switch 2 game, but analysts and leakers are also suggesting it might very well come bundled in with the console itself. Not for free of course, this is Nintendo after all, but there could be an option to scoop Switch 2 up for pre-order with Mario Kart 9 included – as we detailed yesterday, some are suggesting the base console could be $449 and the Mario Kart 9 bundle would land at $499, but nothing is set in stone at this point.
New 3D Mario game for Switch 2
Considering the 2D (and utterly brilliant) Super Mario Bros. Wonder is still relatively new, and we certainly aren’t getting a new Zelda game just yet, it would seem a new 3D Mario title would have to be on the way, doesn’t it?
Do we really think Nintendo is going to release a brand new console and not release a brand new Zelda or Mario title in the first year? I don’t.
How much will Nintendo Switch 2 cost? Insiders suggest the new console will start at $449
Mario Odyssey is a good example here – it launched just ahead of the holiday season right after the launch of the original Switch and that was part of a console launch cycle that also included The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
After much anticipated DLC or some kind of expansion for Mario Odyssey never really came to fruition, you would think Nintendo has to have a new 3D Mario game for Switch 2 in the works – if not for day one, something ready for the holiday season a few months after Switch launches. And if it does, we expect to see something about it in the coming months.
If Mario Kart is indeed the day one launch game, it would only make sense at this point that a new Switch 2 3D Mario game will be the major year-one holiday release.
Switch 2 Zelda remakes
Considering the mostly successful rampage of remakes Nintendo has been on as of late, one would suspect it has more of them in the works for Switch 2. And considering it likely can’t have an all-new Zelda game ready for year one of the Switch 2’s lifecycle – it’s highly unlikely a direct follow up to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be ready on time and Echoes of Wisdom just released, some Hylian remakes might very well be in the cards.
Going back to that Newegg listing detailed above, you’ll have noticed a mention of “A Legend of Zelda Remake/Remaster.”
There are thousands if not millions of gamers online hoping this is directly referring to The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and perhaps just as many, or close to it, vying for an updated version of Twilight Princess. Both of which are likely candidates, but some have suggested we could see something from the more modern Zelda titles.
Everything we know about Nintendo Switch 2: Mario Kart 9 and launch titles, Mouse-Con functionality, release window, pre-orders, more
It would seem to me that remaking those aforementioned older titles would take a whole lot more work than issuing updated “HD” editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. So unless Wind Waker for Switch 2 (or whatever it might be) has been in the works for some time already, we might be looking at something for the newer titles instead – perhaps some kind of upgraded bundle that contains both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom in a single package?
If they announce some sort of Link to the Past project, never mind release it, the entire internet would break and we would all just have to pull out the old SNES to play the original anyway.
Likely Switch 2 launch games
All that said, and as far as the rest of the first-party Nintendo mascots go, anything could happen. But it does seem likely that the highly-anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would have to be a prime candidate for a year one release – Nintendo has already stated more on that one was coming this year and it was also mentioned in the Newegg listing mentioned above. Some have suggested we might even see a giant slate of Ubisoft games inbound, that new Metal Gear Solid Delta title, and perhaps even Pokemon Legends: Z-A as well. Something is telling me the Pokemon title might get held back until the following year, and it remains to be seen if the Switch 2 will be powerful enough to even support the new Metal Gear remake, but we will just have to wait and see beyond that.
Other titles floating around in th ether right now also include a host of digital indie games (just like we saw back in 2017 for Switch 1) as weeks as remakes or Switch 2 versions of Fallout 4 and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
What games do you think will land on Switch 2 this year? What Switch launch titles are you most hoping for? Let us know below.
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