Nintendo Franchises Fans Are Begging To See Return On The Switch 2

Nintendo Direct presentations always get fans excited and speculating about what new games will be announced. Unfortunately, many fans end up disappointed, as Nintendo can’t possibly create everything everyone wants. With so many popular game series under their belt, they can’t work on all of them simultaneously. However, the unexpected announcement of Donkey Kong Bananza was a pleasant surprise for Donkey Kong fans, proving that Nintendo always has something up its sleeve.

Nintendo has many popular game series that would be great on the new Switch 2. We already know a new Fire Emblem game, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, is coming in 2026, but there are plenty of other Nintendo favorites we’re hoping to see on the system as well. Here are a few of the most anticipated.

8. Super Mario

The Legend Himself

It’s disappointing when a new Nintendo console doesn’t have a traditional Super Mario game at launch. While the GameCube had Luigi’s Mansion and the Switch 2 features the great Mario Kart World, those aren’t full-fledged Super Mario adventures. Super Mario Odyssey was a huge success for the original Switch and likely convinced many people to buy the console, but it came out several months after the system’s release.

A new Mario game would likely convince anyone still hesitant about buying the new console. We don’t know yet if a 3D Mario game will work well on the system, so the first new game might experiment with the 2D style, similar to Super Mario Bros. Wonder. However it looks, a new Mario adventure is guaranteed, and it’s bound to be just as enjoyable and imaginative as always.

7. Pikmin

A New Generation Of Pikmin Popping Out Of Their Onions

The Pikmin series started on the GameCube in 2001. It initially seemed like a simple, new idea, but it quickly became clear that this strategy adventure game had a surprising amount of depth, along with a unique charm and heartfelt story. The game centers around a space explorer who crash-lands on a mysterious planet and needs the help of the native Pikmin to battle enemies and collect the pieces of his broken spaceship so he can return home. More than twenty years later, the series includes four main games, a mobile title, and the protagonist, Captain Olimar, is even a playable character in Super Smash Bros.

The Pikmin series is thriving and keeps getting better with each new game. If a new installment comes to the Switch 2, it could really take advantage of the upgraded hardware to create bigger, potentially open-world environments. We’re hoping for even more Pikmin types, diverse enemies and landscapes, and plenty of new things to explore and do!

6. Wario Land

Nintendo’s Anti-Hero Hasn’t Had A Platformer For Decades

Honestly, a new Wario game would be awesome, and I’m hoping for one of two things. It could be another WarioWare game, which is basically a bunch of super-quick mini-games – those are always a blast to play by myself trying to beat my high score, or with friends for a party. There’s really nothing else like it on the Switch. But before WarioWare came along, Wario was all about platforming! The Wario Land games were different from Mario – Wario’s not trying to save anyone, he’s just greedy and wants treasure! The whole game is about finding riches and getting them by any means necessary, and I’d love to see that style of gameplay return.

Wario is well-known for changing his body into different forms to help him solve problems. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new traditional Wario game – the last one, Wario Land: Shake It!, came out in 2008 and cleverly used the Wii remote’s shaking ability to collect coins. Similar to the recent success with a new Donkey Kong game, now might be the perfect time for Wario to return in another platforming adventure.

5. Mario & Luigi

An Adventure Of Even Greater Proportions

Nintendo is famous for making games that are great for families, but their clever humor often goes unnoticed. This is especially true in their role-playing games, like the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series. Both are published by Nintendo and have become highlights of their game collection. The Mario & Luigi games are particularly good at combining classic RPG elements with the imaginative world and characters of the Mushroom Kingdom.

The Mario & Luigi games are incredibly popular thanks to their fast-paced battles and genuinely funny, clever writing. A Switch 2 version could offer the brothers their biggest and best-looking adventure so far.

4. Super Smash Bros.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate … Ultimate?

Released in 2018, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is known for including a massive amount of content, thanks to the dedication of Masahiro Sakurai and his team. While fans still debate which Smash Bros. game is the most enjoyable – the random tripping in Brawl remains a point of contention – Ultimate is undeniably the largest and most feature-rich installment. The sheer number of characters, ranging from Joker of Persona 5 to Kazuya Mishima from Tekken, is incredible.

This might be the director’s final work on the series, and it’s hard to picture anyone else directing it. If another installment is made, it will need to be much larger in scope and more ambitious. Imagine a game with over 100 playable characters and a wider variety of game modes, especially more content for single-player fans – that would be amazing.

3. The Legend of Zelda

How To Top Tears Of The Kingdom?

Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a massive success and marked the series’ first foray into open-world gaming, attracting a huge number of new fans—many of whom are still searching for every Korok seed! Six years later, Tears of the Kingdom built on that foundation with its innovative floating islands and mysterious underground areas. Like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate before it, Tears of the Kingdom is another incredibly expansive game, leaving players wondering what exciting direction the series will take next.

It’s almost certain we’ll see a new, major Zelda game on the Switch 2 eventually, the only question is when it will be released. Considering the long wait between Breath of the Wild and its sequel, it likely won’t happen immediately, but it will undoubtedly be a huge event. The new console’s power could enable a much larger and more detailed game world than we’ve seen before. While Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment was a good preview, a full, new Zelda adventure would be incredibly exciting.

2. Animal Crossing

A Whole New Set Of Neighbors

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest main game in the series, became incredibly popular worldwide. Released in 2020, it offered a welcome escape with its relaxing and customizable island life. The Happy Home Paradise expansion let players focus even more on decorating, something many fans loved. Combined with features like terraforming, path creation, and outdoor decorations, players had more freedom than ever to personalize their islands.

The next Animal Crossing game on the Switch 2 could be even bigger and better, maybe letting players create larger towns and have more villagers. It would also be great to see more things for players to do together, as the series hasn’t always had a lot of multiplayer options.

1. Golden Sun

Hopefully, This Sun Will Rise Again

The Golden Sun series is a beloved RPG developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new installment since Golden Sun: Dark Dawn released on the Nintendo DS in 2010. The first Golden Sun game was incredibly advanced for the Game Boy Advance, and it’s remembered for its unique Djinn system, which allowed for deep character customization and strategic battles.

The continued excitement surrounding a potential new character like Isaac in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate shows the series remains incredibly popular. With modern gaming technology, a new installment could be a larger, more impressive, and visually appealing RPG. Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 demonstrate that there’s still a strong demand for turn-based RPGs.

2025-11-27 06:05