With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 very clearly on the horizon, were starting to wonder what well be playing on it come launch day. So, in the absence of an official day one lineup, why dont we have a good ol guess? Nintendo has a well-stocked stable of reliables, and so some of our predictions such as the arrival of a certain mustachioed plumber in one form or another are more likely than not. But were also hopeful for the re-emergence of some previously announced new projects from beloved indie studios.Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025Now, we know its too much of a dream to think that all of these games will hit the Switch 2 on day one, but even if we get half of them we think were in for a great time when we pick up those new joy-con. Heres what we think (or more accurately, hope) Nintendo has in store for us when the Switch 2 launches.Mario Kart 9Over a whole decade has passed since Mario Kart 8 was released for Wii U, and in that time it has morphed into the most complete and essential karting game ever created, thanks to the Switchs deluxe edition and several DLC additions boosting the track count up to a whopping 96 circuits. Mario Kart 8 has proved so successful, in fact, that its both the Wii U and the Switchs best-selling game. So, its fair to say that a new one would be pretty popular.PlayWhile it was reported to be in development back in 2022 and designed with a new twist, Nintendo is yet to officially confirm the existence of Mario Kart 9. As such, at this stage, we can only guess at what this new twist is, but were hoping to find out very soon. If Mario Kart 8s decade-long service was a celebration of the entire history of the series, then its successor will hopefully look to the future and introduce fresh, innovative ideas that will fuel Mario Kart for another decade. Of course, alongside those new ideas, wed love a release date that coincides with the launch of Switch 2. If theres such a thing as a system seller, then Mario Kart has proven over the years to be exactly that.New 3D Super MarioConsidering the importance of games like Super Mario 64 and Mario Galaxy, youd have thought the Switch would have had more than a single, solitary 3D Mario game. But, besides a re-release of Wii Us Super Mario 3D World, the only 3D Mario platformer on Switch has been Super Mario Odyssey, which was released way back in 2017, the same year as the Nintendo Switch. We didnt even get any substantial DLC for Odyssey, despite the idea of adding a world or two seeming an uncontestable slam dunk at the time.After such a long wait, then, surely the launch of the Switch 2 is the time for a new plumbing platformer full of wacky abilities, inventive level design, and endless collectibles? While it may be greedy of us to hope for both this and a new Mario Kart on the same day, it would be a fantastic statement of intent from Nintendo to show us the future direction of arguably its two most significant Mario series. Failing that, wed of course take one of them coming a few months after the other. Just please, please dont keep us waiting. Its been over seven years since we saw that cap and mustache in three beautiful dimensions Metroid Prime 4: BeyondMetroid fans have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for Metroid Prime 4. First announced as part of the E3 2017 Nintendo Direct, fans suffered many years of radio silence until its surprise reemergence in 2024. During that time, development of the project had reportedly passed from Bandai Namco Studios to Retro Studios, the original creators of the Metroid Prime series. PlayNow titled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, its gameplay reveal trailer excited many fans, and even had some questioning if what they were seeing was running on the Switchs successor, so smooth was the action. Well, it looks like the Switch 2 will likely be what well be playing it on, after all, and were hoping the long wait for it will end on the consoles launch date.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom EnhancedTwo of the original Switchs biggest hitters (not to mention two of the greatest games ever made), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will likely find their way onto the new console. Were hoping that backward compatibility will allow for this by default, and keeping our fingers crossed for some kind of automatic boost mode for older games, but we also wouldnt say no to specially enhanced versions of Links open-world adventures that take full advantage of the rumoured extra power the Switch 2 possesses. Hyrule in crisp 4K with no framerate drops? Yes, please.Ring Fit Adventure 2Nintendo always likes to throw a quirkier game into the mix around its console launches. Just take one look at the Switch and its trio of 1-2 Switch, Snipperclips, and Arms to see what I mean. One such experiment that came a little later on in the hybrid consoles lifetime was Ring Fit Adventure, a spiritual successor to the colossally popular Wii Fit that took advantage of the Joy-Cons motion controls to create a turn-based RPG that was also a fun workout, all in the comfort of your own home (or on the bus, if youre really into bold acts of public display).PlayWhat could so easily have been palmed off as a gimmick went on to sell over 15 million copies and become one of the Switchs most in-demand games. With no sequel anywhere to be seen, maybe the launch of the Switch 2 is the perfect place to showcase whatever new unconventional tricks the console and its controllers might have up their sleeve.Resident Evil 4 RemakeThe original Switch may not have possessed the graphical horsepower to power Capcoms stunning Resident Evil 4 remake, but maybe the Switch 2 can provide a home for Leon Kennedys glossy Spanish nightmare. One of 2023s best games perhaps wouldnt set the world alight with a launch date arrival, but it would be an impressive flex that proved the consoles capabilities. More importantly, though, there would be something undeniably poetic about one of the greatest horror games of all time returning to Nintendo many years after its long legacy began back on the GameCube.Doom: The Dark AgesOkay, maybe this one is a little out there. But with both Doom (2016) and its sequel Doom Eternal having made their way to the original Switch, plus Microsofts ever-increasing willingness to launch their games on anything that isnt an Xbox, Doom: The Dark Ages on Switch 2 might just happen. Weve so far seen very little of id Softwares new shooter outside of a short gameplay trailer, but were set to learn plenty more at the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct. Will a release date be revealed, and could it align itself with the Switch 2s? Were ready to rip and tear on the go, again. PlayThe Haunted ChocolatierOne of the greatest indie game success stories of all-time, not many games made outside of Nintendos walls left a bigger footprint on the Switch generation than Stardew Valley. So, what better place is there than the Switch 2 to launch Stardew developer ConcernedApes upcoming chocolate shop sim, The Haunted Chocolatier? In development since 2020, weve had just one gameplay trailer and little else. But the confectionary simulator with action-RPG elements and added ghosts seems like the perfect game to eat up hours and hours of handheld time, especially if it were to launch with the Switch 2.Admittedly, a launch day release may be unlikely. Solo developer Eric Barone revealed a few months ago that he hadnt been working on The Haunted Chocolatier for a long time, so perhaps a launch year window may be slightly more realistic. But it being there on Switch 2s launch day would make the world taste good. Look, I just want to be able to play the creepy Willy Wonka game, okay?EarthbladeMy final pick is another follow-up to a beloved indie cult classic that found a home on Switch, Celeste. Studio Extremely OK Games is working away on its successor, Earthblade, a 2D explor-action game with gorgeous pixel art. While updates have been few and far between, its not outside the realms of reality that we could see this arrive on the Switch 2 at launch. Last year, developer Maddy Thorson revealed that it would be released in 2025 at the earliest, so who knows, maybe it is just waiting to be unleashed alongside some new Nintendo hardware.PlayThose are my nine picks for what games we hope (and, admittedly, dream) might launch with the Switch 2 later this year. What do you think will make the launch lineup? Let us know in the comments below.