The arrival of a new console from a market leader stirs excitement online, sparking heated conversations. Fans debate the device design, features, and capabilities, but gamers ultimately buy hardware for the games. Official details about Nintendo Switch 2 remain scarce and are not expected before April, so this analysis surveys what could appear on the long-awaited hybrid in the years ahead.
Which projects will definitely be released for Switch 2
So far only a handful of titles are confirmed for Switch 2. At the forefront is a new Mario Kart shown in the device’s debut trailer. The exact name and gameplay specifics are not known, and the trailer confirms Nintendo led with this reveal: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been a colossal success, selling over 64 million copies on the original Switch.
In addition to Mario Kart, a turn-based RPG named Bestiario and an indie project called My Time at Evershine are also anticipated for Switch 2. For now, these are among the few titles with confirmed releases.
Not much more is known. From a logical standpoint, it’s reasonable to infer that all major releases from the first Switch that have not officially been announced for Switch 2 will eventually arrive on the new system. Nintendo has promised near-total backward compatibility with the original Switch, which suggests players could enjoy much of the current library plus unreleased projects such as Donkey Kong Country Returns to HD, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and a potential port of Sid Meier’s Civilization 7.
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Exclusive
The Switch 2, like any major Nintendo platform, will be valued for its library of Nintendo titles. Access to new releases that aren’t available on other platforms is a key selling point for those seeking a portable Nintendo experience.
Predicting exactly what Nintendo is developing remains difficult, but several fan wishes persist. The next mainline Zelda continues to spark curiosity about whether Nintendo will push further into open-world design or return to more traditional storytelling. The development timeline for major Zelda titles tends to be lengthy, so patience is common among fans.
Another possibility is a remaster or remake of a classic Zelda experience, with whispers of a Breath of the Wild refresh popping up from time to time. Industry chatter has also suggested that Nintendo might show the Switch 2’s capabilities in a private gathering, perhaps highlighting a version of BOTW without loading screens.
Meanwhile, since there hasn’t been a major Mario release recently, a hypothetical Super Mario Odyssey 2 could surface on the new system. If this happens, the sequel would likely embrace open-world exploration, following the arc set by Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury rather than a strictly linear path.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is expected in the near term, but the beloved 2D Metroid series should not be overlooked. Metroid Dread received widespread acclaim, and MercurySteam is reportedly involved in multiple projects, including a PC title codenamed Project Iron as well as work on the next Metroid entry. The final direction remains in flux as teams collaborate across platforms.
Multiplatform
While official features are still under wraps, industry insiders anticipate a Switch 2 with power comparable to the PlayStation 4. NVIDIA’s upscaling technologies could push performance beyond expectations, enabling many titles from the past decade to run more comfortably than they did on the original hardware.
Numerous rumors circulate about developers preparing updated versions of their flagship games for the platform. Reports have floated possibilities that Switch 2 could host refreshed takes on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Diablo 4, Fallout 4, Starfield, Tekken 8, Elden Ring, and even Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, all adapted for the portable format.
Games on Unreal Engine 5
Interest is high in titles built on Unreal Engine 5. Switch 2 ports are rumored for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and a remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This matters because UE5 is demanding, and portable devices have shown uneven performance in the past. The Steam Deck has struggled with the engine, and concerns linger about Silent Hill 2 and STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl. If Switch 2 can handle UE5 games well, that would reinforce the case for the new device.
Readers are invited to share which games would justify a Nintendo Switch 2 purchase. Whether for exclusivity, multiplatform reach, or a blend of both, opinions vary widely.
Is it worth buying a console for just one exclusive version?