Nintendo Switch 2 launch game predictions from Mario Kart to Smash Bros.Michael BeckwithPublished January 3, 2025 1:00am Is it ever possible to predict Nintendo? (Metro/Nintendo)With an official reveal just around the corner, what can be predicted about the launch line-up of games for the Nintendo Switch 2?The Nintendo Switch 2 should be out at some point in 2025 but, like anything to do with Nintendo, theres no guarantee that it actually will. It does look very likely though, with a barrage of recent leaks seeming to make it very clear what the console looks like.That still leaves some questions about when precisely the console will launch, and what that new mystery button does, but, for me, the most interesting question is what the Switch 2s initial wave of games will be.Despite all the hardware leaks we know absolutely nothing for certain about any of the games. Its a fact that increasingly seems to be forgotten, by Microsoft and Sony, but Nintendo will be well aware that its games that sell consoles, especially when customers have to consider potentially expensive new ones.Trying to predict Nintendo is always an exercise in futility, but Im going to have a go at it anyway and guesstimate the sort of games we could see during the Switch 2s launch period, combined with some pie in the sky wishful thinking, and the odd whisper of a rumour.Mario Kart 9 and Donkey Kong Could we finally see a new Mario Kart in 2025? (Nintendo)Obviously, Nintendo will want one of its main franchises represented at launch. The question is which one. Its far too soon for a mainline Legend Of Zelda, given Tears Of The Kingdom took six years to make and only came out in 2023, so does that mean a certain plumber will take the spotlight?Mario has always been the traditional focus for Nintendo launch titles and the franchise is hotter than ever thanks to 2023s animated movie. Its also been over seven years since the last 3D platformer, Super Mario Odyssey, and you just know Nintendo has been plugging away at a new one ever since.In fact, theres long-standing rumours, since before the pandemic, that the same team is working on a Donkey Kong game, perhaps one that co-stars Mario (both characters debuted in the original Donkey Kong coin-op, way back in 1981). Theres nothing to substantiate this but Nintendo has recently remastered Mario Vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is out in January.An even bigger pull would be a new Mario Kart. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was among the first Switch titles and it remains one of Nintendos best-sellers. Getting people to drop Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for a newer entry may be difficult, especially with how rich in content it is, but the right gimmick and promise of new tracks could be enough.Importantly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a light remaster of the original Wii U game, which means theres never been a brand new Mario Kart on Switch. Combine that with faint rumours of Mario Kart 9 nearing completion and it being a launch title does seem very believable.Pokmon Legends Z-A and Gen X Next to Mario, Pokmon is Nintendos biggest seller and we already know that Pokmon Legends: Z-A is coming in 2025, which makes it seem very likely itll be a cross-gen game for both consoles especially as backwards compatibility is the only thing Nintendo has confirmed about the Switch 2.The game was announced this past February, so we could very well see it arrive early in 2025, which would line up nicely if the Switch 2 does launch in March or April.Admittedly, Nintendo has never launched a console alongside a new Pokmon game before. Not unless you count racing spin-off Pokmon Dash, which arrived alongside the Nintendo DS in Japan and Europe. Plus, theres yet to be any gameplay footage for Legends Z-A, making it unclear if Nintendos being typically secretive or if it needs more than a few months to finish it.The Pokmon Dash example may suggest its more likely well see a Pokmon spin-off rather than a traditional role-player at launch but theres also the question of when the next mainline entry will be.Pokmon Scarlet and Violet was released in 2022 but there was only three years between that and Sword and Shield, which makes 2025 a real possibility for Generation X of the series.Although developer Game Freak has admitted that theyve been churning games out too quickly lately, and quality has been suffering as a result, so perhaps not.Metroid Prime 4: BeyondBetween its 2025 release window and that new trailer in June, theres great suspicions that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch both for Switch and Switch 2, as another cross-gen release.Metroid Prime 4 has been so hotly anticipated (the thing was announced in 2017!) that it being a launch title would guarantee Metroid fans old and new would put money down for the new console. And bounty hunter Samus has made new fans for herself on Switch, thanks to Metroid Dread and the first Metroid Primes remaster.Metroid isnt in the same tier of recognisability as Mario and Pokmon though, so unless Nintendo has plans to really push the brand in the coming years or is making a Zelda-esque gamble (remember, Zelda games werent huge sellers until Breath Of The Wild), its unlikely Metroid Prime 4 will be positioned as the Switch 2s main launch launch title if thats when it comes out at all.Nintendo Switch 2 remasters and remakes Will 2025 finally be the year we get that Twilight Princess port? (Nintendo)Remakes and remasters remain hot commodities at the moment and if Nintendo doesnt have something brand new ready for a major franchise on the Switch 2, a fancy enough redo of a beloved classic could offset any disappointment and still generate a lot of hype.There has been chatter of two Zelda games Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker getting Switch remasters for years. Theyve been re-released a lot over the years though, so theyre not the most exciting prospect.Alternatively, with a remaster of the first Metroid Prime already out, Nintendo completing the trilogy ahead of Metroid Prime 4 (which has also been rumoured) makes a lot of sense.Barring that, Nintendo could catch us all off guard with something obscure. Its willingness to remake niche titles like Famicom Detective Club and Another Code means anything is on the table. Or if its feeling especially spicy, it could give Ocarina Of Time fans that high-definition remake theyve all been dreaming of.Or theres the Breath Of The Wild remake that was rumoured but was probably just a result of confusion relating to a tech demo Nintendo was allegedly showing developers.A more like remaster though is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Not only is a new entry nowhere near release but its very hard to imagine how it could top Ultimate. However, a Deluxe edition of the game, featuring all the DLC, would make total sense as the Switch 2 equivalent of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.Nintendo Switch 2 third party support Snipperclips was a charming puzzle title and one of the very first Switch games (Nintendo)As appealing as the thought of the Switch 2 launching with a surplus of first-party titles is, the reality is that the initial batch of games will mostly come from third parties. This has been the case since the days of the GameCube, where the only first party launch title was Luigis Mansion.Theyre not all going to be major releases though, but given how well the original Switch has done, publishers are not going to need much convincing to support the new format especially if it can run PlayStation 4 era games.But I wouldnt be surprised if we saw something from Ubisoft, EA, or Sega launch as a timed Switch 2 exclusive. Theres certainly bound to be one solid title from a smaller, independent studio too, as demonstrated by the Switch arriving with Snipperclips and Blaster Master Zero.GTA and Resident Evil on Nintendo Switch 2 Dont act like Rockstar wouldnt re=release GTA 5 again if it could run on Switch 2 (Rockstar)While no one seems to be able to agree on precisely how powerful the Switch 2 will be, itll certainly have more horsepower and, according to one report, will apparently be capable of running visuals comparable to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.This should allow for a number of PlayStation 4/Xbox One era games that had to skip the Switch to finally become accessible to dedicated Nintendo customers. Think titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Red Dead Redemption 2, but perhaps without the compromises those games required to run on the original Switch.Getting such a title on Switch 2 around launch could be the simplest and most effective way of demonstrating how the console is substantially more powerful than its predecessor. Something like Resident Evil or even GTA 5 would not only attract those who never played them, but even get established fans to double dip.Its relatively easy to predict which are the most likely too, based on which publishers Nintendo gets on best with. Some kind of Elden Ring Deluxe release seems almost a shoe-in, while Cyberpunk 2077 is probably something Nintendo themselves are keen to get on the system.Its more a question of what they can get working on the new hardware but Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth are bound to be in Nintendos sights, as well as Ubisoft titles such as Star Wars: Outlaws.EA has already tested the water, with remasters of the MySims games from the Wii. Theyve been surprisingly successful too, which almost guarantees a follow-up.Nintendo Switch 2 sports/party games Nintendos going to want to have something that brings family and friends around the Switch 2 (Nintendo)Local play with friends and family has always been a big part of the marketing for the Switch, with promotional images featuring smiling groups enjoying games together.Not to mention weve seen Nintendo launch at least one sports/party related game alongside its last several consoles. There was the original 1-2-Switch, the Wii Us Nintendo Land, and of course Wii Sports, which came packaged with the Wii.Its very likely Nintendo will have something of a similar vein prepared for Switch 2, that could also double as a tech demo. Probably not another 1-2-Switch sequel, although stranger things have happened.Its too soon for a new Mario Party, but another Mario sports spin-off could be possible. Or much like how Wii Sports saw a pseudo revival in Nintendo Switch Sports, maybe Wii Party could make a comeback as Nintendo Switch 2 Party?Xenosaga remasters on Nintendo Switch 2 Before Xenoblade, there was Xenosaga (Bandai Namco)This may seem like an extraordinarily odd pick for a Switch 2 launch title, and thats because it is. But it is my personal dream choice, and I dont think the possibility is entirely unfounded.The series was originally developed by Monolith Soft (the Xenoblade Chronicles studio) when it was under Bandai Namco. Monolith Softs a Nintendo subsidiary these days, with the Xenosaga IP remaining with Bandai Namco.However, Nintendo and Bandai Namco have a strong working relationship, as evidenced by Bandai Namco getting to make their own Pokmon spin-offs, co-develop Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and remaster both Baten Kaitos games for Switch which were also Monolith Soft titles.More TrendingCombined with how the story DLC for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 explicitly tied the series to Xenosagas overarching plot (Bandai Namco is even mentioned in the credits), it really feels like Monolith Soft has every intention of revisiting the Xenosaga series. Especially since itd be easier to push nowadays, thanks to Xenoblades increased recognisability over the years.Id argue its a matter of when, not if Xenosaga remasters happen, but I must admit the odds of it launching alongside the Switch 2 are very slim. Even more so now that a remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles X is coming out for Switch in March.Having that and Xenosaga within the space of a few months is hard to believe, especially when Monolith Soft is likely also busy supporting Nintendo on other projects. If anything, its more probable that well see Xenoblade Chronicles X double as a Switch 2 launch title instead.With any luck, Nintendo will prove me right/wrong sooner rather than later. And in the meantime, feel free to share your own predictions and dream picks for launch titles in the comments. Im getting something Xeno related in 2025, but I wouldnt say no to more (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy