One other yr is right here and which means it’s time for our yearly Nintendo predictions! Put in your considering caps 🧢 and be a part of us as we attempt to guess what Nintendo will do subsequent! 🧐
Try final yr’s predictions HERE to see how we did!
For Justin in 2025:
GameCube video games will likely be introduced for the Nintendo Swap On-line service.
✅ Yep, we lastly have GameCube video games on the service.
A brand new Mario Kart sport will likely be introduced in 2025, hopefully releasing this yr too.
✅ Yep, Mario Kart World was introduced and launched in 2025
2024 was a uncommon yr with no new Pokémon sport (not counting Pokémon TCG Pocket, although I’ve been having fun with it myself). I feel we’ll see Pokémon Legends ZA launch in 2025 and possibly a tease at one other Pokémon sport.
✅ Yep, Pokemon Legends Z-A launched in 2025 and we acquired a tease for a brand new Pokemon sport known as Pokopia
I feel we’ll see a brand new Kirby sport this yr – it might be a port of an older sport however right here’s hoping for a comply with as much as Forgotten Land.
✅ Yep, a Swap 2 Version for Forgotten Land was launched in addition to the shock announcement of Kirby Air Riders
(Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – The Swap successor will likely be introduced AND launched this yr. I may see it being known as merely Nintendo Swap 2 to be the least complicated on everybody.
✅ Yep, the Swap 2 was lastly revealed and launched. And so they even went with the simplest title: Nintendo Swap 2
(Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – We’re due for a brand new 3D Mario, I may see it launch with the brand new system.
🚫 Nope, Donkey Kong Bananza was Nintendo’s alternative for 3D platformer this yr and it didn’t disappoint! I say let ’em cook dinner for the brand new 3D Mario a bit longer.
(Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – Nintendo will proceed to promote the unique Swap alongside the successor.
✅ Yep, in actual fact the Swap 1 remains to be promoting properly because of the upper price of the Swap 2
We’ll see an announcement a few new Smash Bros. sport whether or not that’s shifting Final from the Swap as much as the Swap 2 with new characters/phases (just like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Cross) or a complete new sport completely.
🚫 Nope, nothing on the Smash Bros. entrance but however with Sakurai achieved with Kirby Air Riders, who is aware of what he may do subsequent!
(Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – Nintendo made good strides with third celebration assist with the Swap. I feel that can proceed and I feel we’ll get a significant franchise introduced for the successor that even the Swap missed out on (assume franchises like Madden, Grand Theft Auto, Name of Responsibility, Battlefield, Far Cry, and many others)
✅ Sure, Madden formally got here again to a Nintendo platform for the primary time because the Wii U oddly sufficient again in 2012. I used to be definitely hoping for extra however I feel third events are simply getting began on Swap 2.
(Swap 2 associated) – I feel the Swap 2 will launch at $399.
For context:
GameCube value at launch: $199
Wii value at launch: $249
Wii U value at launch: $299 (deluxe model at $349)
Swap value at launch: $299
Swap OLED value at launch: $349
🚫 Nope, because of a commerce battle / tariffs, $399 wasn’t to be and the Swap 2 launched at $449. I feel Nintendo deliberate for it to be at $399 however needed to alter late for all of the tariffs.
Wild Playing cards (2 factors every)
It hasn’t been that lengthy since we’ve had a Zelda sport however I really feel like Nintendo will at the very least announce a Zelda sport for the Swap 2’s first yr, even when it’s simply the oft-rumored Twilight Princess HD and/or Wind Waker HD ports.
I’ll simply do 1 level right here as a substitute of two — these have been simply Swap 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom which isn’t actually what I used to be considering of after I made this prediction
A brand new Wave Race will likely be introduced.
🚫 Nope
That’s 8 factors for Justin
For Trev in 2025:
The Nintendo Swap would be the first console to hit 160 million, surpassing each the DS and PS2 within the course of. Will Jim Ryan transfer the goalposts once more and declare the PS2 really offered 170 million?
✅ We don’t really know this 100% but as Nintendo hasn’t given out their This fall outcomes however on the finish of Q3, the Swap 1 was at 154.01 million items so I’m considering it is a lock
We’ll get a movie-themed Direct for the upcoming Tremendous Mario Bros. 2 and/or Zelda movie(s). The vocals will generate chatter, Mario voiced by Chris Pratt within the former, and Hyperlink voiced by (possible) no one within the latter.
✅ Yep, they held a Direct for the 2nd Mario film which is known as ‘The Tremendous Mario Galaxy Film’
I predict Nintendo will discontinue the unique Swap fashions, with solely the Lite and OLED remaining at retail. Count on bundles for every pushing Swap On-line, with free presents. Alongside these traces…
🚫 Nope, Nintendo determined to nonetheless promote the bottom mannequin, presumably due to tariffs so that they nonetheless had some decrease price choices for shoppers.
Nintendo Swap On-line will see a large alteration. Whether or not it’s the addition of latest consoles like GameCube, altering the worth construction, or merging plans, count on a change to come back with the introduction of latest {hardware}.
✅ Yep, GameCube was added and the service is now named ‘Nintendo Classics’, no different pricing changes have been made
Talking of latest {hardware}, Swap 2 (or no matter it’s known as) can have a pack-in sport at launch, in contrast to its predecessor. Will or not it’s a Mario sport just like the SNES had? A household sport like Wii? Or one highlighting regardless of the distinctive {hardware} options are a la Wii U.
🚫 Nope, though it arguably ought to have had one
A minimum of one launch window title for the brand new {hardware} will incorporate movement controls, resulting in decry or delight relying on in case you’re a fan or not.
✅ Sure, Nintendo Swap 2 Welcome Tour had some movement management mini video games
2025 will convey a brand new console, however I predict some older {hardware} options will return. I’m considering alongside the traces of Nintendo Badge Arcade or among the Wii channels (which have come again into consciousness because of Nintendo Music)
🚫 The closest I can assume is a few themes being added to the Swap on-line service however that’s been there for some time I feel
Not solely will widespread amiibo maintain seeing re-releases, however new ones will likely be launched to tie in with at the very least one launch window sport.
✅ Yep, some new Zelda amiibo launched with the Swap 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
Extra within the gaming trade will proceed to flee Twitter for Bluesky. Maybe Nintendo will even reintroduce screen-sharing integration.
0.5 level Extra individuals fortunately have moved in direction of Bluesky however Nintendo has largely stayed put. Undecided on this one however I don’t assume something occurred on the screen-sharing entrance.
Regardless of new {hardware}, Nintendo will maintain supporting the Swap. Count on sizable updates to some widespread video games (new content material payment DLC updates) plus ports of older hits (Metroid Prime 2 & 3, Tremendous Mario Galaxy 2, and many others.)
✅ Yep, Tremendous Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 launched this yr and there have been additionally different Swap 1 video games introduced.
Wild Playing cards (2 factors every)
Nintendo hasn’t been recognized for conventional sports activities video games for fairly a while, however up to now, they’ve labored with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Kobe Bryant. Will 2025 be a yr the place we get a first-party sports activities sim? It is perhaps a protracted shot, however I’ll say sure.
🚫 Sadly no
2025 will likely be ten years since Tri Power Heroes and twenty since 4 Swords Adventures. I predict some multiplayer Zelda love in a single kind or one other.
🚫 Sadly no
That’s 6.5 factors for Trev
Justin took again the 👑 this yr however it was nonetheless a stable yr for each of predictions-wise!
Justin’s Predictions
The tenth era of Pokémon video games will likely be introduced and launched this yr for the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary. I can hear it within the wind and waves 😉
I feel we’ll lastly get the unique Pokemon video games ported to the Nintendo Classics on-line service and/or simply launched as eShop standalone variations with Pokemon Residence compatibility. This is able to be a good way for individuals who missed out on the preliminary craze to meet up with the originals.
I feel we’ll at the very least see an announcement this yr for what Monolith Gentle (Xenoblade devs) is engaged on subsequent. I’d definitely be up for a brand new Xenoblade however a brand new IP can be thrilling too.
Additionally, on the subject of Xenoblade, I feel we’ll get some Swap 2 editions of some or the entire earlier video games.
Star Fox will get some kind of love this yr, even when it’s simply Star Fox Adventures and/or Star Fox Assault on the GameCube Nintendo Classics service.
Zelda has its fortieth anniversary this yr. I feel we’ll see some new remasters introduced (hopefully the lengthy rumored Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD get the 4K remedy as full Swap 2 Editions). We would even see the following, new Zelda sport teased.
It’s Animal Crossing’s twenty fifth anniversary. I feel we may see the reveal of a brand new one for Swap 2 this yr however presumably not releasing this yr.
Samus is celebrating her fortieth anniversary as properly. With the current launch of Metroid Prime 4: Past, I feel this yr can be a good time to launch a Metroid Prime 2 Remastered and ensure growth of a Metroid Prime 3 Remastered remedy too.
We’ll see extra assist from Microsoft this yr on the Swap 2 as they’ve successfully ‘gone third celebration’. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a few of their main titles from current years get ported and possibly even a few of their upcoming 2026 releases as properly (this could be along with their already introduced port of Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle).
There are a number of fortieth anniversaries this yr, one in every of which being Child Icarus. Perhaps it’s time for a Child Icarus Rebellion remaster to launch.
Wild Playing cards*
Castlevania has its fortieth anniversary in 2026, I may see the lengthy rumored revival introduced this yr and because it debuted on Nintendo platforms all these years in the past, I feel we’ll see it have a Swap 2 model.
GTA VI will get introduced for the Swap 2 (this would definitely be a loopy get for Nintendo on the third celebration entrance)
Trev’s Predictions
We’re already conscious that the unique Swap goes to get first-party video games in 2026, like a brand new Rhythm Heaven (completely satisfied twentieth anniversary to that sequence). With this in thoughts, I’m predicting that the following Tomadachi Life entry, Dwelling the Dream, will be a part of its 3DS predecessor within the million-seller membership.
Despite the fact that we already know of a pair (together with a sport in my subsequent prediction), I count on to see fewer Nintendo Swap 2 editions of beforehand launched Swap video games within the console’s first full yr. Wishful considering, admittedly, however I’m going with it.
The Nintendo Swap 2 Version of Tremendous Mario Marvel (+ Meetup in Bellabel Park for a mouthful) may tide us over within the Spring, however I’m assured by autumn, we’ll at the very least get a tease for Mario’s subsequent 3D journey. Talking of Mario…
The Tremendous Mario Galaxy Film will likely be successful on the cinema, however my intestine tells me it gained’t fairly match its predecessor’s field workplace take, though I hope I’m unsuitable. And one final point out of Mario…
Mario Kart World DLC looks like a lock. I’m hoping for some new characters, tracks, and a music participant. No matter will get added is certain to inject some thrilling life into the launch title.
Regardless of the typical reception for Drag x Drive, I predict we’ll see one other first-party mouse-controlled sport, in all probability a lower-priced eShop-only launch. Hopefully, its reception will likely be stronger.
A few years in the past, I predicted that we’d lastly get extra data on the Detective Pikachu movie follow-up. However given the lengthy passage of time, and the industrial and demanding underperformance of the final sport, I feel the Pokémon thirtieth anniversary will come and go with out us studying a lot (if something) in regards to the Ryan Reynolds sequel.
Following up Rosalina’s Storybook, we’ll possible see at the very least one different high-profile bodily goodie from Nintendo in 2026. I wouldn’t be shocked if it was overpriced (however nonetheless offered out).
And talking of overpricing, amiibo costs are skyrocketing, as a result of tariffs, or just the complexity and measurement of current ones (Kirby, Metroid). With this in thoughts, I feel we’ll see extra amiibo playing cards, a la Animal Crossing, Mario Sports activities Superstars, and most not too long ago, Avenue Fighter 6.
I’ve made Zelda predictions three years in a row with minimal success. I’ll go the safer route this yr, and predict that Twilight Princess will get ported to Swap 2 to have fun the sport’s twentieth anniversary. (The most secure route can be predicting a film trailer, however that’s a given, proper?)
Wild Playing cards*
Our new NOA president, Devon Pritchard, was launched to us holding a Pikmin plush. I predict this glimpse into her character is a tease for one thing Pikmin-related in 2026. Perhaps a brand new Pikmin quick to comply with up “Near You”? Or a port of the underrated 3DS sport, Hey! Pikmin?
If the Digital Boy and its small library can return with gimmicky {hardware}, why not among the Sport Boy motion-controlled tilt video games? How neat would it not be for the GBA’s twenty fifth anniversary to have an adjunct mannequin to play Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble, Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, WarioWare: Twisted!, and possibly the Japanese exclusives?
*Wild Playing cards are value 2 factors
