Nintendo Switch 2 Predictions, Ranked by Likelihood

As the Nintendo Switch 2 looms on the horizon, anticipation for its first major Nintendo Direct has hit its peak. While Nintendo has kept some details under wraps, a mix of official reveals, credible leaks, and industry buzz has given us a solid foundation to understand what this next-generation console will bring. With that in mind, this article will rank 10 first-party game predictions from most likely to least likely, but first, let’s cover what we already know about the Switch 2’s games, support, and hardware.

What We Know – Nintendo Switch 2 Games

To start, Mario Kart 10 is the only first-party game officially confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2. Announced as a potential launch title, it promises to expand the series with 24-player races, larger tracks, and the return of familiar characters—some with redesigns, like Donkey Kong. There also seems to be what looks like pit stops in the brief teaser, a new mechanic that could add strategy to the high-speed chaos. Given Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s enduring success, this sequel feels like a natural fit to kick off the new console with a bang.

Beyond Nintendo’s own slate, third-party support is shaping up to be a major story. Developers from indie studios to big publishers have pledged early involvement, with Xbox standing out as a key partner. They’ve promised Call of Duty on the platform—a huge get for Nintendo—while rumors swirl about other heavyweights like Final Fantasy and even Halo making appearances. This level of third-party enthusiasm suggests the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct will be a showcase not just for Nintendo’s staples but for a broader gaming ecosystem, making it an event worth watching.

What We Know – Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

The hardware itself hasn’t been fully detailed by Nintendo, but the leaks have proven remarkably consistent with what was shown in the Nintendo Switch 2’s initial reveal. Because of this alignment, I’m inclined to trust the widely circulated specs. Reports point to a 1080p Samsung LCD display, 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and 12GB of RAM—significant upgrades over the original Switch.

The console is said to use an Nvidia Tegra T239 chip with DLSS support, offering power roughly on par with a PS4 Pro when docked, though its efficiency and DLSS could push it closer to an Xbox Series S in some cases. This all depends on the clock speeds which we have not gotten a solid tip on yet. It’s also poised to be Nintendo’s first console with 4K output, a massive leap from the Switch’s 720p handheld and 1080p docked limits. These specs, if accurate, signal a system ready to handle whatever third-party’s (and hopefully even Game Freak) can throw at it.

Finally, the controllers are taking shape. The reveal teased magnetic Joy-Con with mouse-like controls, a feature rumored for months that could redefine how we interact with games. Gyro and NFC functionality appear to be returning, based on past designs and leaks, but the IR sensor from the original Joy-Con seems to be dropped, definitely a casualty of cost and lack of support. These changes hint at Nintendo doubling down on innovative input methods, a hallmark of their hardware philosophy.

10 First-Party Game Predictions

With Mario Kart 10 locked in, third-party giants circling, and a powerful (yet still unconfirmed) system in play, the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct has a strong foundation to build on. What follows are my predictions for the other first-party games we might see, informed by Nintendo’s history and the possibilities this new hardware unlocks. So, let’s dive right in.

With the Switch 2 Direct merely hours away, I have to get my predictions down on paper (I’m not actually writing this on paper, though). Nintendo has and always will rely on their first-party titles to highlight new hardware. I’ve compiled a list of 10 games I believe may make an appearance, ranked from most likely to least likely based on patterns, rumors, and my own speculation.

1. Console Showcase Game – A Title to Highlight New Features (Most Likely)

Nintendo has a tradition of releasing a game with each new console that demonstrates its unique hardware capabilities. For the Wii, this was Wii Sports, a title that used motion controls in an accessible way to appeal to a wide audience, becoming one of the best-selling games ever. The WiiU had Nintendoland, which offered a collection of minigames designed to showcase the dual-screen setup, particularly for local multiplayer where one player used the GamePad separately from the others experiencing the game through the TV with traditional controllers. For the original Switch, 1-2 Switch was intended to highlight features like HD Rumble, gyro controls, and IR sensors, though its minigames were often criticized as strange and not particularly enjoyable.

For the Nintendo Switch 2, we already know about the mouse-like functionality of the new Joy-Con, as confirmed by leaks and reports. I also suspect there will be additional hardware features revealed, but I will touch on that later. Given this pattern, I expect Nintendo to release a new intellectual property (IP) as a launch title—a minigame-focused party game similar to past showcase titles. It would likely emphasize the mouse feature and any other new gimmicks. While I can’t predict the exact nature of the minigames (Nintendo’s creativity often surprises me), I hope it leans closer to Nintendoland’s quality and variety rather than 1-2 Switch’s uneven execution. This type of game feels like a near certainty for the Switch 2’s debut, given Nintendo’s consistent approach.

2. New 3D Mario – Evolution or Revolution?

It has been eight years since Super Mario Odyssey launched with the original Nintendo Switch in 2017, marking it as one of the longest gaps between major 3D Mario titles. The 3D Mario team did release Bowser’s Fury in 2021 as an expansion to the enhanced Super Mario 3D World port. But it was a relatively short experience—about six hours—suggesting it didn’t demand the full resources of the team for an extended period. The game, however, introduced a fully open-world structure, allowing players to explore freely, tackle objectives in any order, and move without loading screens. While Odyssey’s hub-based levels are huge and open experiences, they are disjointed and have to be completed in a linear fashion.

I believe Bowser’s Fury was a testing ground for what’s coming next. For the Nintendo Switch 2, I anticipate a new 3D Mario game that combines Odyssey’s expansive scope with Bowser’s Fury’s open-world design. The team behind these games has a strong history, consistently delivering critically acclaimed titles like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario 64, with few competitors (not Astro Bot) ever coming within reach of their least impressive efforts. If they succeed in merging these elements, this could be a standout title for the Switch 2’s first year and a GOTY contender. It’s hard to guess how they’ll innovate Mario’s mechanics this time but given their track record, it’s a safe bet this will be a significant release potentially this holiday season.

3. Splatoon 4 – A Next-Gen Ink-stallment

The Splatoon series turns 10 in 2025, having debuted on the Wii U in 2015. Despite that console’s struggles, the game gained a dedicated following, and its Switch sequels—Splatoon 2 in 2017 and Splatoon 3 in 2022—solidified it as a major Nintendo franchise.

Each entry has built on the last: Splatoon 2 added Salmon Run, a cooperative horde mode where four players fend off waves of enemies to collect golden eggs, while Splatoon 3 introduced chaotic 2v4v2 Splatfest battles. However, these updates have felt incremental rather than revolutionary.

For the Nintendo Switch 2, I expect Splatoon 4 to take a bigger leap, capitalizing on the new hardware’s power. One possibility is a new game mode, and while Nintendo often avoids following industry trends, a tactical search-and-destroy mode—made famous by Counter Strike and Call of Duty—could fit the Splatoon universe well. Picture teams planting or defusing ink bombs with Nintendo’s signature twist, like ink-based traps or objectives tied to painting territory. I could see this launching in December 2025 to still make the anniversary or early 2026 if development needs more time. Given Splatoon’s growing importance, a new entry feels highly probable.

4. Mario Sports Title – A Return to the Field

Mario sports games have been a staple since Mario Golf, developed by Camelot, debuted on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. Since then, studios like Next Level Games and Bandai Namco have expanded the lineup to include tennis, baseball (Mario Super Sluggers), and soccer (Mario Strikers), with a couple of games that hit multiple sports in one package. Camelot typically alternates between Mario Tennis and Mario Golf every three years. Their Switch releases were Mario Tennis Aces in 2018, followed by Mario Golf: Super Rush in 2021. Next Level Games delivered Mario Strikers: Battle League in 2022.

Given this cadence, Camelot might be due, but I predict Bandai Namco will take the lead with a new Mario Super Sluggers or Superstar Baseball title instead. Rumors of a baseball revival have circulated for years, and Nintendo often holds finished games for strategic releases. A late summer 2025 launch, shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2’s theoretical debut, seems plausible. That said, I’d love to see a different sport get some much-needed love.

Basketball has been long neglected by Mario sports titles even with it being pretty popular in Japan. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 on the DS was fun but not the best multiplayer experience, and Mario Sports Mix on the Wii included a lackluster basketball mode as well, but a dedicated Basketball experience for a home (hybrid) console could fill the void left by NBA Street’s absence. Regardless of the sport, a Mario sports title is a reliable bet for the Switch 2’s early lineup.

5. New IP (Besides the Showcase Game) – A Fresh Franchise Emerges

Beyond the tech-demo showcase game, Nintendo often introduces a new IP tied to each console’s identity. The Wii U gave us Splatoon, now a cornerstone franchise, while the Switch brought ARMS, a one-of-a-kind fighting game with stretchy-arm mechanics that sold decently, but it doesn’t seem like a future for the franchise is a sure thing. For the Nintendo Switch 2, I expect another new IP to appear at the Direct, though predicting its nature is tricky since it could come from any of Nintendo’s teams or subsidiaries. No one expected the Animal Crossing team to make a squad-based shooter (Splatoon), for example.

However, one strong candidate is Monolithsoft, known for Xenoblade Chronicles. In August 2017, they teased a new IP, a fantasy action RPG, but updates have been scarce ever since. Now that they’ve finished the Xenoblade Chronicles Trilogy in 2023 with Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed and remastered both of the earlier entries, it seems likely that it’s time for this new franchise to surface. Monolithsoft’s ability to craft stunning worlds on the original Switch’s limited hardware makes it a prime choice to showcase the Nintendo Switch 2’s power.

Another lead comes from a 2024 Nintendo Switch playtest for a game with social and building mechanics. Players worked together to purify and develop a spherical planet by placing “Beacons.” These Beacons emitted a healing light that transformed the surrounding environment, allowing players to progress across “Planetary Blocks” until fully developed. The goal was to cover the planet with these developed zones, requiring cooperation and resource management.

As I didn’t get an invite (count your days, Nintendo), I can only go off of the leaks, but it suggests an ambitious, unconventional project. Whether it’s Monolithsoft or another team, a new IP feels likely, though I expect to launch after the first year.

6. Kid Icarus Uprising HD/Sequel – A Heaven Sent Revival

The legendary Masahiro Sakurai, best known for Super Smash Bros., revived the NES classic, Kid Icarus, with Uprising on the 3DS in 2012. This hybrid of an on-rails shooter and a third-person action game was a standout, though its controls—lacking a second analog stick—were a drawback. On his YouTube channel (now paused as he works on a new project), Sakurai hinted at something Kid Icarus-related. On top of that, leaks suggest Bandai Namco is developing a remaster or remake for Nintendo. Coincidence? I think not.

I believe we could see Kid Icarus on the Nintendo Switch 2 instead of the original Switch with revamped controls using the much-needed dual analogs. Nintendo often delays finished titles for optimal timing, and a summer 2025 release near the Switch 2’s launch could fill a gap between their new games. It’d give this underrated gem a second chance with a wider audience, making it a solid mid-tier prediction.

7. Fire Emblem – Marking a Milestone

The Fire Emblem series, a strategy RPG staple, saw one of its best entries with Three Houses on the Switch in 2019, teased at the console’s full reveal in 2017. Intelligent Systems could follow suit for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, even if only with a title announcement. The franchise’s 35th anniversary in 2025 adds some weight to the speculation as well. Nintendo doesn’t always celebrate such milestones grandly outside of Mario or Zelda, but the timing aligns for a grand announcement. This is where my faith in these predictions start to waiver, but I could see a late 2026 launch for the title.

8. Ubisoft x Nintendo – A Reliable Partner

Ubisoft has supported Nintendo launches consistently throughout the years, from Red Steel on the Wii to ZombiU on the Wii U and Mario + Rabbids on the Switch. Their Switch efforts, including Kingdom Battle’s tactics gameplay and Starlink’s surprisingly well-implemented Star Fox integration, show a knack for leveraging Nintendo IP. I expect a new collaboration within the Nintendo Switch 2’s first six months—perhaps a Mario + Rabbids sequel or, even better,r a bold, new Star Fox project. A planet-hopping, open-world Star Fox with space and ground combat, is a dream, for sure, but Ubisoft’s track record makes their presence likely.

9. Platinum x Nintendo – A Struggling Ally

PlatinumGames has also been a consistent partner of Nintendo since they acquired half of the Bayonetta IP from Sega after they refused to publish Bayonetta 2, which would go on to be a hit Wii U exclusive. Since then, they’ve delivered exclusives like Wonderful 101 on the WiiU, and Astral Chain for the Switch. Platinum has delivered nothing but critically acclaimed games for Nintendo, however, they are not in the same state they once were.

Recent staff departures have left fans of Platinum with a lot of questions. Veterans who helped shape the studio, including Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Bayonetta, and Takahisa Taura, the director of Astral Chain. This has raised many doubts as to whether Platinum can still manage these franchises with Nintendo.

Still, their Ninja Gaiden 4 reveal shows resilience, displaying that there are still talented devs there that can pull off the flashy, action games they are known for. A new IP or even an Astral Chain 2 could be announced at this Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and probably hit in 2026, though it might only get a teaser at best. I think it’s a little too early to count out Platinum just yet, however.

10. A New Revival of a Dormant Franchise – A Deep Cut (Least Likely)

During the Switch’s lifespan, Nintendo has revived several dormant franchises that were unexpected to say the least. The Famicom Detective Club duo, originally released only in Japan on the Famicom, was spectacularly remade for the Switch with a brand-new Sequel that followed. More recently, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was just announced, a sequel to the 3DS cult favorite. I suspect this pattern of bringing back these nostalgic titles will continue with the Nintendo Switch 2.

I’ve talked about the possibilities of some franchise revivals already, such as Star Fox or Mario Super Sluggers. However, I expect something even more obscure for this prediction. Nintendo has many untapped franchises that could be remade or reimagined. Ice Climbers, 1080 Snowboarding, Wave Race, Chibi-Robo, Earthbound, Nintendogs, Punch-Out, and the list goes on. There are so many to pick from, but I have one specific franchise in mind that I’d love to see.

Star Tropics was an action-adventure game with some RPG elements that released on the NES in 1990 only in the West, which was rare for Nintendo. It’s not one of the best games from that system—it wouldn’t even be in my top 10 NES titles—but it had a unique world and interesting ideas. I’ve often thought about what it could look like if reimagined with today’s hardware. Similar to how Masahiro Sakurai transformed the NES classic into a showcase experience with Kid Icarus: Uprising on the 3DS, I’d like Star Tropics to be remade into something akin to Ni No Kuni, with a focus on exploration and story.

This is definitely a “shooting for the stars” prediction, but I hope the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct includes something equally surprising, even if it’s not exactly Star Tropics. I think this would be a game for 2026 or beyond if it were to happen.

Bonus Round – 7 Nintendo Switch 2 Console Feature Predictions

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct won’t solely focus on games—it’s introducing an entirely new platform. With new hardware comes the chance to fix the original Switch’s quirks and introduce some cool innovations. Here are seven features I’m betting we’ll see at the Direct, ranked from most likely to a pipe dream.

1. Enhanced Switch 1 Games – Backwards Compatibility on Steroids

The Nintendo Switch 2’s backward compatibility is already confirmed, but Nintendo’s not stopping there. Rumors suggest we could see major glow-ups for Switch 1 games utilizing the Tegra T239’s AI Tensor Cores, and recent patents hint at proprietary software that could not only upscale low resolutions but also upscale low-resolution textures, straight from your storage, in real time to keep file sizes smaller without sacrificing visuals.

The question is, how far will they go with it, and on what scale will it be implemented? Can it be implemented across the board without much input from the developers, or will it take some elbow grease to get it running properly, shrinking the library that will take advantage of it? I just hope it can rival Xbox’s Heutchy Method which debuted on the Xbox One X, offering near-remaster quality for games such as Red Dead Redemption.

Nvidia’s DLSS tech—likely version 2, maybe 3 if we’re lucky—isn’t the latest, but it’s still the gold standard for upscaling. I’m just crossing my fingers that big hitters like Pokémon, Fire Emblem, and Super Mario Odyssey get this treatment, breathing new life into our libraries right at launch. This feels like a lock-in announcement to sweeten the upgrade deal.

2. New UI – Bringing Back Nintendo’s Personality

The original Switch’s user interface is clean and minimalist… and painfully dull. Where’s the charm of the Wii’s bouncy menus or the 3DS’s vibrant customization? It’s past time for a makeover, and I’ve got high hopes for the Nintendo Switch 2.

First off, give us some godforsaken music! The Wii’s menu and eShop tunes are earworms that have lived with me for nearly 20 years—why leave the Switch so devoid comparatively? A catchy background track could transform the vibe from a sterile Xbox knockoff to classic Nintendo whimsy.

Next, we have to talk about themes. The 3DS had delightful skins based on our favorite games, characters, and more, yet the Switch has teased a “themes” option for eight years, offering only “Basic Black” and “Basic White.” Absolutely criminal. Imagine dynamic themes that shift with the game you’re hovering over, like PS5’s sleek interface, or at least a shop full of Metroid & Animal Crossing-inspired designs. Nintendo, this is a necessity, not a want.

Finally, it’s time to fix the layout. Make the “All Games” tab and folders front-and-center, not buried behind a scroll of recent titles. The 3DS nailed this grid-based design already; just steal from yourself! A vibrant, more functional UI could be a small reveal in the scheme of things that makes a massive impact.

3. Native Voice/Party Chat & Messaging – No More Phone App Nonsense

Remember the Switch’s launch voice chat? Plugging into a phone app with a tangled mess of cables was a punchline, not a feature. In 2025, with Discord and console party chats ruling the social gaming scene, Nintendo can’t afford to lag behind. The Wii U and 3DS had native messaging and voice options—so why did the Switch ditch them?

Some speculate it was to save the Switch’s meager 4GB of RAM for games, but with the Nintendo Switch 2 rumored to pack 12GB of RAM, that excuse is toast. I’m predicting a robust, built-in system—voice chat for Splatoon squads, text messaging for coordinating Mario Kart races, all without a second device.

To add credence to my hopes, we have to remember that this is also the first console fully shaped without Satoru Iwata’s influence (RIP), and with a newer guard at the helm, I sense a push to modernize. Will it match PlayStation’s or Xbox’s seamless integration? Maybe not fully, but even a solid step forward would bring Nintendo further into the online era. Expect this as a quick “by the way” flex in the Direct.

4. GameCube Nintendo Switch Online – A Nostalgia Goldmine

Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) has been a slow burn since fully launching in 2018—NES, SNES, N64, and GBA trickled in over years, leaving fans nostalgic for the Virtual Console’s broader scope. With the Nintendo Switch 2’s beefier hardware, the natural progression leads right to the Nintendo GameCube (NGC). This iconic console is next in line chronologically, and its library—including Metroid Prime 2—would make for a massive boon to the subscription service.

The original Switch might’ve struggled with performance or storage (NGC games dwarf N64 titles in terms of size), but the Nintendo Switch 2’s power upgrade and bigger capacity should handle it with no sweat. I envision a download-on-demand setup for the NGC, letting you pick your classics instead of auto-installing everything like the current NSO emulators. Pair it with NSO’s signature online multiplayer feature and you have the most robust addition to the BC library. But why stop there? The Wii’s similar architecture could make it easy to tag along, bringing Metroid Prime 3 along for the ride to help prep us for Prime 4.

That said, the price will likely jump accordingly. I’m thinking around $69.99/year for individuals, $109.99 for families, mirroring the Expansion Pack hike. At that price, it’s still a slam dunk, in my opinion.

5. A Revamped eShop – Speed, Filters, and Some Soul

The Switch eShop is a disaster—laggy load times, sluggish navigation, and a clunky interface have driven me to exclusively to use the website. For the Switch 2, Nintendo has to fix this.

Performance is priority one: with better hardware, there’s no excuse for menus that chug like a 1999 relic. I want pages to snap open, purchases to process instantly, and a storefront that feels alive. Beyond speed, add some funk to it—how about background music to rival the Wii Shop Channel’s catchy tune? The functionality could also use some work. The eShop’s lack of curation is an entirely different beast of its own, but more robust search filters could be used to cut through the shovelware swamp.

The bones of the eShop are decent, but it just needs some love to actually be enjoyable to use. A slick, souped-up version could be a quiet but crowd-pleasing reveal.

6. Improved Net Code – Online That Doesn’t Drop the Ball

Nintendo’s online play has been a mixed bag with the Switch. Early titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate suffered from spotty connections, though halfway through the generation, a much-needed net code update saw games like Splatoon 3 and Mario Party Superstars performing much better in comparison. Still, it could be better.

With third-party giants like Call of Duty eyeing the Nintendo Switch 2, rock-solid net code is non-negotiable. It needs to have an online experience that rivals Xbox Live or PSN. Although, need is a hyperbole as the Switch has shown they can succeed without it; imagine how much they’d thrive if they could cut out a corner of that market.

Those mid-generation tweaks proved they could improve, so there’s no excuse not to nail it from day one. This is one prediction that will probably not get a spotlight in the Direct itself, but hopefully we get reports of improvement before launch.

7. The Magic USB-C – A Gimmick With Endless Potential

Now for my wildest swing: I have my suspicions that the second USB-C port on the top of the Nintendo Switch 2’s body (spotted in renders and trailers) isn’t just for flexible charging positions—it’s a gateway to innovation.

A 2024 Nintendo patent showed a handheld attaching a second screen via USB, echoing the Wii U or DS/3DS’s dual-screen legacy. What if they sold an optional dual-screen peripheral, unlocking DS/3DS backwards compatibility and even adding a twist to new games as well?

But wait, there’s more! USB-C’s versatility could support more than just a screen. What about a camera for streaming or even AR gaming? Last year, Level-5’s Holy Horror Mansion teased a camera gimmick but kept the platform it would launch on a secret, hinting that it was an unrevealed platform at the time. There are no camera’s visible on the base unit of the Nintendo Switch 2, so a plug-in could make sense (hopefully packaged with the game). Imagine swapping peripherals for different gameplay experiences—a screen for Zelda puzzles, a camera for Pokémon Snap 2, an external storage drive, or something we can’t even dream up yet. It keeps the core Switch 2 affordable while also adding more weight to the “Switch” moniker in a bold way. This is a long shot, no doubt, but if Nintendo pulls this off, it could definitely steal the show.

Closing Thoughts

With Mario Kart 10 being the only known known, we have a mixed bag of known unknowns and lots of unknown unknowns. That is exactly why the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is shaping up to be a hot event full of surprises. From hardware and software features to first-party and third-party reveals, this 60 minute Direct could make or break the console. If 1 hour feels too short, there will also be a Treehouse Live premiering April 3-4 at 7 AM PST/10 AM CST to show off extended gameplay and interviews of what’s revealed.

I’m beyond excited to wake up early tomorrow to watch history unfold as the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is airing at 6 AM PST/9 AM EST. It’s going to be fun seeing how much of this comes true and what surprises Nintendo has in store.

Shortly after, I’ll be joining the Iron Lords Podcast to break down everything we’ve seen, so I’ll get to discuss it all live. We’ll be covering every detail of the Switch 2 Direct over here at LOGNET as well, so be sure to stay tuned there for more updates and analysis as it all unfolds.